Chapter 2

Gordon sat at the kitchen island with a ice pack pressed across his cheek, elbow resting on the counter as he groaned audibly. Tin had one hand resting on his forearm and the other nursing a cup of tea. They had twenty minutes till debrief.

Virgil leant with his back against the opposite counter, coffee in hand. Thankfully Kryano wasn't around. "So, when did this happen?" he gestured towards them.

Gordon and Tin looked at each other before he replied, "Maybe just over a year and half ago."

Virgil's mouth formed a silent O in astonishment to which Gordon replied, "Look its complicated." He swore as the cut at the side of his mouth pulled. Tin Tin patted his arm and took over.

"Alan is overreacting. We had ended our relationship eighteen months ago. Gordon and I were both going through a terrible time and our friendship became stronger. Then I left and whilst I was away, I had the space to process what had happened and realised Alan and I had been stagnating. Whatever we had once was long gone." She bowed her head over her cup. "It was only when I came home after meeting so many new friends that I understood what Gordon and I something had was more, something special." She smiled at Gordon warmly, it was the first time he'd heard her express these sentiments. He decided it was worth the current throbbing in his cheekbone and the kneeing he took to the balls.

Gordon dropped the ice, probing his cheekbone tenderly. "We would have told you all sooner but we - well Tin wanted to give Alan time to adjust to being separated because we knew he'd flip but it seems time ran out." He rose an eyebrow quizzically at her.

"I'm so sorry, I dropped my phone and he saw some picture of us and then snatched my phone all together."

"It was bound to happen at some point. At least it's in the open now." I hope the asshole gave you your phone back?" Gordon hopped off the stool as Tin nodded.

Virgil stood flabbergasted, before he snapped out of it enough to stoop to place his mug in the dishwasher. "Well, I suggest you at least tell father soon, he's probably the only one who will be able to stop Alan maiming you some more now Scott's not here."

Gordon groaned, he'd forgotten about his father and he would not be pleased. Beep beep, Beep beep. Gordon peered at his watch in trepidation. It was Scott. Gordon had a terrible premonition and dashed the red button. It rang again. Gordon's gaze flicked up towards Virgil whose watch started immediately after Gordon's rang off.

Virgil sighed. "Go; I've got this."

Gordon slapped him on the shoulder. "Thanks, I owe you one."

"You owe me several." Virgil grumbled to himself as they left.

Gordon and Tin Tin wound their way through the corridor where he suddenly glanced both ways before bringing Tin into a close embrace, hands either side of her face. "Look maybe you should go and talk to your father, and I'll tackle mine before this blows up in our faces some more."

"I should come with you, we're both responsible."

"Trust me, you don't want to witness this one. I've got a feeling your father will take it with a little more decorum than mine." He emitted a strained smile. "Unless you want me to be with you when you tell your father?"

"No, I'll be fine. I can imagine he will be disappointed in me but it shouldn't last and I'm happy to speak to Mr Tracy afterwards and stress it won't affect our professionalism and to apologise for hurting his sons so much." She started guiltily towards burgundy carpet as she tenderly held on to his baldric.

Gordon kissed her softly. "I've told you before it's not your fault. I should never have made a move."

"And I've told you, I'm glad you did." She kissed him once more.

"Right, see you in a bit." With one last hug he extracted himself, gingerly climbing up the stairs that would lead to his father's study in the lounge. Alan had gotten stronger that was for sure Gordon reflected, rubbing his side. I mean don't get him wrong, deep down he knew he deserved it although it was Alan's fault. He was the one who failed his relationship in the first place.

The long corridor was followed by another short flight of stairs, the light streaming through the entrance to the lounge from the bifold doors that framed the east side of the villa, overlooking the expanse of the heavenly island paradise that they called home. As he crested the top of the stairs, he already knew it was going to be dire because his father had risen the private partitions that walled off his study from the lounge. That hadn't happened since Scott announced he wanted to live off the island. The door opened, causing Gordon to slam back against the wall out of sight as Alan flew out.

"I can't live with him here."

"Alan leave it with me, I'll speak to you again shortly. Just go and vent your frustration on the racing simulator and not your brother."

"Fine." Alan scrubbed the back of his hand across his face before striding out of the lounge towards the steps that led to the basement where their games room was located.

Gordon sighed in relief, wincing from where he'd hit his back against the wall only to jump out of his skin when he opened his eyes to see his father looming before him. Steel blue eyes frowned back at him, the harsh lines of the old patriarchs' face getting deeper by the day.

"I think you better come in."

He filed in after his father, taking the chair that had appeared opposite the desk. Books and mementos of his father's time in the air force and NASA surrounded the space behind his dad who had always been somewhat of an over achiever, affording them all the lifestyle they enjoyed today. Gordon's eyebrows quirked in surprise at the latest addiction on the self. A rare picture of their mother and father together. Alan was a small babe in his mother's arms, and he was hoisted on his father's shoulders grabbing his dad's hair. The rest of his brothers surrounded them. It was easy to forget the minute age gap between him and Alan, barely separated by twelve months.

Jeff steepled his hands together, his full scrutiny directed towards his second youngest who currently looked like something the cat brought in. He had a bruise forming atop his cheekbone and a blood encrusted lip and he also appeared to be hunched over. Jeff sighed heavily. He'd have to have words with Alan again. "Well, this is a fine mess."

Gordon just stared back in too much pain to argue, hunched against the chair.

"Your brother seems to think you've engaged in…. relations with Tin Tin behind his back, understandably he's very upset." Jeff couldn't believe he was having this conversation.

"Angry." Gordon huffed.

"Yes, well I think that's understandable and considering he's not wounded... I'm guessing you agree, at least in part."

"Honestly, I figured I was in enough trouble without beating him to a pulp too." A small voice in his head added and he didn't want to hurt him anymore than he already had.

"Hmm." Jeff remained stoic. "Well, you're both adults so I'm not going to get you out of this one, you should have known better. I'm astonished at Tin Tin's behaviour too. Alan loved Tin Tin dearly, I don't think he's ever felt so betrayed." Jeff paused. "He wants me to banish you from the island."

"He what!" Gordon shot upwards out of his chair, clutching his cheek and wincing where he'd jarred it in shock.

"I don't think it's an unreasonable request given your behaviour, at least until he calms down."

"You know he's the victim of his own stupidity here?" Gordon looked down at his father incredulously.

"Gordon." Jeff warned.

"No dad, he hurt her!" Gordon rounded the desk angrily. "He CHEATED on her!" He yelled before catching himself. Taking a breath and making a conscious step to lower his voice, he added "He got drunk with his buddies and ended up kissing some random in his lap at the bar. Tin Tin saw. She was heartbroken, it's no wonder she ended it." Gordon clutched his side, breath heaving as he tried to calm down before he did himself an injury.

Jeff's fingers curled around the edge of his desk. "When was this?" He bit out.

"The same time I got caught in that mine blast." Gordon sighed. "She didn't want anyone to know. When she came to stay with me, she was despondent and withdrawn. I couldn't understand why. It took me a week to coax out of her why she was crying herself to sleep at night, why she wasn't eating properly or wanting to discuss home." Gordon sat down wearily once more. "I was so angry, but she wouldn't let me confront him. She's such a sweet soul, she feels so much, and that's how he treated her." Gordon shook his head in disgust. "He doesn't deserve her."

Jeff was starting to see how Gordon had become entangled. "You helped her through it didn't you." Jeff muttered softly - it wasn't a question.

"I did. She cared for me, and I looked out for her. We became close - I swear nothing happened while they were together, but it wasn't long before we started to fall for each other. I tried to fight it dad, I really did but it was unbearable, and... in the end, she chose me. God knows why." He added earnestly.

Jeff rocked back in his seat with a long exhale. He thought he was over all the drama once the boys grew out of their teens but apparently not. If he could clap their heads together and make them see sense he would. As long as they could keep all their emotions in check then he didn't care who dated who, but Alan and Gordon were probably the most emotional of the lot, so it was going to be a tall order. At least Tin Tin was level-headed or at least he thought she was. Lord knows what Kyrano was going to make of all of this. Their next morning coffee was likely to be a mortifying experience. His own son kissing another woman behind his best friend's daughter's back!

Gordon's leg tapped a steady beat in the silence that followed, willing his dad to finish this conversation before it became anymore humiliating. His gaze flicked once more to the image of his mother wondering what she would make of it all. To be fair so far, his dad had taken this better than he had anticipated and as much as he'd wanted an excuse to knock the nine bells out of his brother it appeared his restraint may have worked out in his favour.

"Right; for now, try and stay out of your brother's way and show some restraint around him in your interactions with Tin Tin until I've had a chance to speak to him again. I may very well ask John to switch earlier if things don't settle. You all need to be professional when out on rescues, you can't afford to be hating each other and letting your emotions get the better of you."

"I won't and Tin and I will keep it on a low profile, we've managed so far."

"Hmm, well off you go."

Gordon left the chair like he'd been ejected, his hand reaching for the door controls.

"And Gordon?"

He turned around. "Give my regards to Tin Tin and tell her not to worry. Make sure you get out of that uniform too and a warm bath might help with the pain."

Gordon smiled at the door. "Sure thing dad."