Thunderbirds Are Go One-Shots

Birthday Celebration

June 5, 2054

The sun rose on the small island off the Eastern coast of Australia, filtering through the glass walls of the house and glinting off the water of the pool. 

The water rippled in the wake of someone swimming laps.  Shadows of people were visible in the house as the sun rose, a few moving through the kitchen on the lowest level, and one running down the stairs on the upper level.

"Vroom...!  Vroom vroom...!  Oh, no!  Watch out for that chair!  Nee-ooom! Wohoo!" Alan shouted as the plane he held aloft an arms' length from his ear narrowly missed his father's desk chair.

"Alan, that's the sound a car makes, not a plane," Virgil stated when his youngest brother flew down the stairs to the kitchen.

"Well, that's great!  'Cus this is a flying car disguised as a plane!  That's what I want for my birthday, Brains.  A flying car that can disguise as a plane!" Alan flew his model plane around the island in the kitchen.

Brains chuckled.  "I d-don't know about that, Alan."

"You did get me something, though, right?" The blond stopped running and looked between Scott, Virgil, and Brains.

"What?  Why would we get you something?" Scott asked, grinning to Virgil and Brains.

"Because it's my birthday!" Alan exclaimed. "I'm eight!  Come on, you guys didn't forget, did you?  John remembered!"

"Of course we didn't forget, little bro!" A cheery voice exclaimed from the glass doors.  Gordon walked in, tracking water behind him as he ruffled his golden hair with a towel.  MAX, Brains' experimental robotic aid, bleeped dolefully before fetching a mop and cleaning up after the teen.

Alan took a seat at the table, setting his plane down next to him, as Scott fetched him a bowl of cereal. "Good, because John called me yesterday evening!  And guess what?  Where he was last night, it was already my birthday!  Isn't that crazy?"

Gordon chuckled. "That is crazy!  Did he say whether or not he'd be coming down to celebrate with us today?"

Alan bowed his head sadly. "He said he didn't think he'd be able to make it. I was really hoping he would... he's been up there for two weeks."

"We miss him too, Alan."

"But, I did get his present early!" He held up the model plane as Scott set the cereal in front of him. "Isn't it awesome!"

"Good morning, boys."

"Morning, dad!"

"How's the birthday boy this morning?" Jeff asked, ruffling his youngest's hair.

"Great!  Look at the plane John got me!" Alan held it up for his father to observe.

"Wow, that is a good gift!  I may not be able to beat that-"

A loud crash cut Jeff off, causing everyone to cover their ears.  When the verberation of the metal bowls hitting the floor dissipated, the boys turned to Gordon, who was kneeling on the counter, grimacing.  "Sorry."

"Gordon-" Jeff started, but the young teen was quick to defend himself.

"Someone moved my protein shakes!  The bowls slipped!" He jumped off the counter to collect them.

"Aw, Mr. Shorty can't reach his shakes..." Virgil teased, grinning.

"You're one to talk!" Gordon shot back, making Alan laugh and Scott chuckle.

As Gordon cleaned up the bowls, Scott turned to his father. "What time are we heading out today?"

"'Bout an hour, so you boys better be ready," he told Virgil and Scott, who grinned.