Chapter 3

Gordon and Tin Tin were doing their best to avoid confrontation, but tension remained in the air regardless. It had been a week since their relationship had been rudely announced to the rest of the family by an irate Alan. Even John out in orbit had been given the low down. The most important thing was that their fathers had (albeit begrudgingly in Jeff's case), accepted their relationship.

With the charged atmosphere in the villa, Jeff had more or less ordered everyone outside to try and unwind by the pool. It didn't help that there hadn't been a rescue since last week and no one had been off the island. Despite the vast proportions of the villa, they were effectively still living in each other's pockets which became unbearable on the rare occasions that any of them were at odds with each other.

Jeff sat at the table with Virgil discussing the latest developments within the Tracy industries engineering department, Gordon was in the pool on his twenty fifth lap while Tin- Tin read a magazine on a lounger nearby. Alan sat on the sun bed furthest away from everyone watching the latest race qualifier behind his shades.

Jeff silently noted that this was the first time Alan had remained in the vicinity of Gordon and Tin Tin, tentatively marking this action as progress. Alan had been eating meals on his own and every time one of the other two entered the room, he would immediately vacate or scowl long enough till they were guilt tripped into retreating themselves. Jeff had asked him if he wanted to take leave for a week, but he refused, leaving Jeff perplexed at a situation that he couldn't resolve.

Gordon flipped around in the water, propelling forwards once more. Usually, such motions would soothe the stress he was under, but not today. Tin-Tin was right there yet he felt he couldn't even so much as look at her with Alan prowling around like a wounded Lion. He just wanted to be like a normal couple, not sneaking around into bedrooms after hours like a love-struck teen. He wanted to spend every waking moment with her and for his family to see how happy they were together. He knew he just had to be patient for a little longer, but it was simply untenable. He was like a coiled spring ready to react to her every need, her musical voice mesmerising him like a siren every time she entered a conversation. With a frustrated growl he submerged himself to the bottom of the pool. Maybe the lack of air would stop his pining. He never had himself down for a love-struck fool, but he couldn't think of anything, but her and it was driving him crazy!

Tin Tin had been tracking Gordon's swift progress through the water over the top of her magazine and under the large floppy brim of her hat. He channelled through the water like a bullet out of a gun, capturing her attention despite her feigned lack of interest. Well defined shoulders skimmed in and out of the water, the muscles contacting in his back with each stroke. Sunlight refracted off his fair skin like he was glowing from within. Her breath hitched when he went under and didn't immediately reappear. He could hold his breath for a very long time, but this was long even for him. She bit her lip in concern. Moments later he surfaced, making for the pool's edge with purpose. Before she knew it, he was jumping out the pool just feet away. She stilled with anticipation as he crested the lip of the pool, abs pulling taut. Her magazine dipped loosely in her hands as she continued to bite her bottom lip, not conscious of the pressure.

Gordon moved towards the loungers to grab his towel, conscious that he would get to walk past Tin Tin. The self-control it required not to gaze upon her was immense, especially when he knew she was wearing the sweet little baby blue Bardot summer dress that hitched around her mid-thigh. He deliberately cast his gaze downwards, inhaling deeply as he walked past whilst savouring the soft scent of Jasmine. The motion soothed him, the frustrations of moments before leeching away. He didn't realise he'd stopped walking.

The sound of the lounger scraping clattered through the peace, along with the stomping of footsteps. Alan stormed past both of them, knocking his shoulder forcibly into Gordon, catapulting him back into the pool.

"Get a room!" Alan shouted furiously before storming up the villa steps.

"Alan!" Jeff scolded, his warning falling on deaf ears.

Gordon threw his hands up from in the pool. "What did I do?"

Jeff covered his forehead with his hand while Virgil glanced towards the villa. Gee I wish Scott was home he thought to himself. It was times like these he remembered how immature the two youngest could be. He stood up, placing a hand on his father's shoulder and said softly. "I'll try to have a word." Jeff nodded gratefully.

Gordon hoisted himself out the pool once more, Tin-Tin offering him a towel. "Why don't we go for a walk along the coastline?" She suggested.

"That sounds like an excellent idea." He towelled himself roughly before throwing on his shirt unbuttoned. With an annoyed glance back at his father, they left.

Jeff flung his sunglasses on the table, groaning audibly. How could he have been so blind? The tension between the children, not to mention Gordon's avid affection for Tin Tin was apparent in hindsight. Maybe if he'd noticed sooner, he could have stepped in and tried to head things off, but it was too late now. Jeff hadn't seen Gordon this alive since before his accident and he hadn't ever seen Alan this dejected before. He just wanted all his children to be happy and it hurt him to know that deep down he couldn't always warrant that for them. Alan and Tin Tin had been together for years, hell! He'd expected Alan to be the first to be engaged! The shock still hadn't subsided for him, let alone Alan. He glanced at his watch, at least it was three PM, it might be acceptable to have that whisky now and continue to mull over how they were going to stay operational without the two youngest at each other's throats incessantly.

As soon as they crested the craggy outcrop to the slip of coast at the island's edge, they interlocked hands, helping each other down the thin winding track that led to the golden sands. Between the vibrant overhanging vegetation, a mellow breeze tugged at Tin Tin's dress which was a welcome relief from the intense humidity nearer the villa. As soon as they reached the beach Gordon had Tin Tin pressed against the rocky outcrop, his lips finally melding with hers, his arms wrapped around her securely. It was like coming up for air after a deep dive. He nuzzled into her neck, her silky raven hair flicking around him in the breeze. He sighed freely as her hands skimmed his exposed chest under the wings of his Hawaiian shirt.

"This is the worst kind of torture and bliss; I just want to love you unconditionally." He murmured into her shoulder with a soft groan as he kissed her again.

"It was always going to be fraught, hopefully things will settle soon." She soothed.

Gordon pulled back and scoffed aloud to which Tin Tin grimaced knowing how Alan could hold a grudge but unlike Gordon, she knew it was because Alan was a sensitive soul who hid his vulnerabilities behind his hot headedness like a smokescreen.

Gordon wasn't sensitive. He was self-assured with a steady countenance, but she'd since discovered there was a darker side to Gordon that tormented him sometimes even on his most cheerful days, and he used humour like a shield to deflect them from ever examining what lay simmering underneath. She wanted to be the one to shelter him from that abyss, Gordon had been lonely for so long and she was determined to ensure he didn't ever shut himself off again.

They walked hand in hand companionably along the beach before Tin Tin suggested they should sit. Gordon slipped off his shirt to lay on the floor. "Gordon, you'll catch a cold." She exclaimed.

"No, I won't it's still over twenty-five degrees." He sat and patted his shirt next to him, so she dropped down by his side.

He turned towards her with his arm resting across his needs. "You know, I'd understand if this is all too much. I want you to be happy - more than anything." Even as he uttered the words, he felt the sharp stab in his chest. He would forever be hurting but he'd do anything for her.

"Gordon, I wouldn't be happy without you, you are all I need. We will find a way to make it work." Tin Tin went to rest against his shoulder, his arm lifted automatically to tuck her closer to him. Her fingers played across the planes of his torso, weaving light patterns. They sat that way for some time, content to be in each other's company at last.

As the sun tracked around them, the shadows of the cliffs began to lengthen in contrast to the bright blue skies above. "Gee! Is that the time, we'd better get back for dinner, or your father will wonder where you are."

"They'll all be wondering where we are and what we've been up to."

"What? That I've been ravaging you?" Grinning, he lifted her up and buried into her neck playfully, causing her to giggle as he spun them around before setting her down gently. She gazed up at him, eyes wide below her dark lashes.

"More like I've been seducing you." She pressed herself against his body, hands sneaking around the rear of his thighs with a feather touch upwards until she was twirling away from him.

"Aww don't stop." He held his arms out in invitation for her.

She turned to look at him with a gleam in her eye. He stepped towards her, so she stepped backwards slowly, bare feet smoothing across sand with a coy smile.

"Tin, don't you dare…."

She took off up the beach, holding onto her hat one handed. Gordon chuckled softly to himself before haring after her. He gave a cheeky wave when she glanced over her shoulder. The next time she looked he was almost on her, causing her to gasp and stumble. He took a chance with a leap, lifting her clear off her feet by the waist and spinning her around.

She squealed loudly; her legs tucked up under her as she tried to push away from his chest. He kissed her fervently behind her ear, her neck before landing on her mouth. She wrapped her arms around him. Flushed, he set her down and laughing together they headed up the path.

Alan watched from the trail above the bay, a tempest of emotions warring across his face. The anger continued to simmer deep within, the pain in his chest seeming to expand with each breath as he examined the easy way they interacted with each other. Gordon adored her that much was clear, to his disgust. Yet it was the way Tin-Tin looked when she was with Gordon that unnerved him because she'd never been like that with him. As she chased up the beach and frolicked with Gordon, she looked free. A single tear rolled down his face as the alarm blared from his wristwatch.

"Perfect timing as usual." He swallowed bitterly.

He hit the received button and sprinted for the villa.