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Collateral- ch 1
So here goes the story proper! I hope you like it. It's gonna be a bit of a roller coaster. But let's have some fun
before that tsunami hits.
@idontknowreallywhy is my hero.
Prologue is here on Ao3 and here on tumblr
Chapter 2 is here
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“Well at least our illustrious leader is having a good time” Vigil nudged John where he stood leaning on the bar with his back to the gathered throng.
“He still with her?” John turned round intrigued enough by this to risk making eye contact with those around him. He followed Virgil’s head tilt to where Scott Tracy, captain of industry; Commander of International Rescue and serial flirt was dancing with the beautiful young brunette whose arm he had nudged at the very start of the evening; the accidental impact causing a very full glass of red wine to pour down the front of her mint green dress.
The surprised cry of the girl had Virgil and John preparing to wade into the fray to rescue their brother from the embarrassing scene they anticipated. Instead the girl had accepted the apology and light blue silk handkerchief offered with good grace and amusement. Though the handkerchief was returned unused almost immediately;
“I’m not using this to mop up red wine,” seeing his uncertainty at why it was rejected, she leant towards Scott, and in a stage whisper added, “It’s worth more than the dress!”
Scott’s unexpected bark of laughter suggested to Virgil that he wouldn’t need to worry about Scott finding entertainment that evening and he’d been right.
The party at the American Embassy in London was not their usual style but Scott had been at college with the ambassador’s senior aid and, as big brother had pointed out it didn’t hurt them to network; Tracy Industries had major stakes in a lot of countries and industries world wide. Plus Penny would, of course be there and had offered to let them stay with her in her apartment and the promise of Parker’s famous cooked breakfast was not to be ignored.
Virgil and John had made small talk with acquaintances and been introduced to many new faces. How Scott did this on a regular basis, often with enjoyment, Virgil didn’t really understand, John certainly didn’t; although the astronaut had had a very pleasant conversation with a large Norwegian man about some new advancements in long range satellite something or others. Virgil had zoned out, especially when they both became animated and kept switching to German. Gordon was right Spacecase was a colossal nerd.
Big brother had dutifully done his usual working of the room knowing many more people than either of his younger brothers, but he and the girl had found each other again each time they were separated by other people or brothers. It was an unusual display of preference for Scott who was usually very careful not to give prying eyes a potential glimpse of his private life.
The risks of gossip columns finding much out about the evening were low tonight he supposed; the embassy had heavy security and there were almost more bodyguards lining the walls than actual guests which amused Virgil; they’d given their own security the night off, Kayo had been unimpressed but out ranked by Scott; “Come as a guest or go catch a show or something, Kay!” She’d selected the later but Virgil wouldn’t be surprised if their usual detail was outside despite what Scott had instructed.
The crowd at the party had a large number of high profile guests; not the usual paparazzi fodder though; well apart from a minor royal Virgil knew Grandma would want to hear about later. Virgil watched his fellow guests; these men and women, these were people with true power; what deals between companies or, more dramatically between countries, were being formed while he and John sipped expensive scotch at the bar? That kind of power held no allure for him except where it could be used to help people in need. He knew Scott’s opinion was similar to his own on that front but unlike Virgil, Scott knew exactly how to wield that power. Virgil was in awe at how a lot of these people looked to his older brother and listened when he spoke. Good things often happened where Scott Tracy intervened.
He sipped his drink and watched as the girl laughed at something Scott whispered in her ear as they danced. This girl was nice. She’d disappeared briefly into the restrooms to deal with, “the carnage” as she’d dubbed the vivid red stain marring the front of her chiffon gown. There wasn’t a dry cleaner in the world would be able to salvage that. Unlike many of those they often encountered who would have made a huge fuss especially knowing who Scott was, this girl seemed more amused; “It's a dress and an accident, my life is hardly ruined!” That was immediate brownie points.
Scott had lingered until she returned from her clean up attempt to apologise again. She’d returned still smiling, told Scott he could buy her a fresh drink- laughing as he pointed out it was an open bar, “Then you’re getting off lightly aren’t you, Armani?”
Another surprised laugh from his brother and introductions had been made. She was Eve Ramsey, currently living in London but about to start her first overseas placement for the British embassy in Germany as a junior aide. Her accent was similar to Penny’s, though with a slight lilt to it that Virgil couldn’t immediately place.
Also unlike others, if she was at all starstruck by meeting The Scott Tracy, she hid it well. Her polite, “What do you do?” Had left Virgil momentarily floundering until she’d laughed, “Sorry, couldn’t resist. You must be Virgil? Thunderbird Two’s pilot and that makes you,” a warm smile was flashed at John, “Thunderbird Five. I have always wanted to go into space!”
There followed a short enthusiastic conversation with John about his lifestyle that showed her to be well informed and intelligent and had John relaxing into the topic in a way not many people could manage so quickly. Scott was clearly delighted at this development which made Virgil grin to himself. The Commander clearly liked this one.
“Thunderbird Five must be incredible!” Eve broke off with a sigh.
John smiled, pleased. “She is!”
“Thunderbird One is pretty incredible too, don’t you think?” Scott insisted, not completely joking; his eyes twinkled and the dimples were deployed with full force. Virgil watched with interest, Scott actually making an effort to flirt? Always interesting; this was usually where they swooned, melted or eyelashes fluttered and the socialites ensured the ego of their mark remained intact; he’d witnessed it many times.
Eve however was not the usual girl. She looked at Scott, her own eyes twinkling back as she pretended to consider it carefully before grinning cheekily; “I’m sorry, my degree is English Literature; Thunderbird One, well I guess she’s just a bit too phallic for me!”
Virgil snorted Scotch out his nose. And even John laughed out loud. Scott looked momentarily stunned. Any rejoinder was cut off however by the arrival of the host, the American ambassador who shook Scott’s hand enthusiastically, “Tracy, good to see you, son.”
“A pleasure as always, sir.” Scott nodded and smiled. Tom March had been an acquaintance of Jeff’s back in the day and was always a friendly face when their paths crossed.
“Boys,” he nodded to John and Virgil who both shook his hand as well, exchanging pleasantries.
Scott made to introduce their new companion but the ambassador had already leant forward and kissed her cheek.
“Hi, Uncle Tom.”
“Evie! I didn’t realise you were back!”
“Yes, yesterday. Thought I’d come say hi.”
“It’s good to see you. How’s your mum coping with the move?”
“Oh you know; complaining about the plumbing but getting everything whipped into shape. They won’t know what’s hit them.”
“Indeed. You need to come over before you leave. Martha will want to see you.”
“I’ll try.”
“Good.” He glanced at Scott then back at Eve eyebrows raising slightly and winked. “You young’uns have a good night then.” And he moved on to speak to the next group of people.
“Hi, Uncle Tom?” Scott raised an eyebrow teasingly.
She rolled her eyes, “An honorary title; I babysat his daughters when our families were stationed in Belgium at the same time. He and my father were at Oxford together, a fact I am rarely allowed to forget as I dared to attend Cambridge,”
“Oh so your father works for the diplomatic service as well?” John asked, though her university of choice was noted for later.
“Yep, I guess it’s in my blood.” She laughed self deprecatingly, “My coffee making and filling will be making a difference!”
Scott smiled at her, “Gotta start somewhere!”
“Indeed.” They held each others gaze a moment and Virgil cleared his throat while John rolled his eyes.
Still not breaking eye contact Scott clipped John on the side of the head, “Hey!”
They had continued like that the rest of the evening- having a dance here and there, chatting to people individually and coming back together to talk some more.
The evening was progressing and Virgil was enjoying the sight of a relaxed dancing Scott. He had not been short of partners himself, including several surprisingly pleasant encounters with the minor royal. Grandma must never find out or she'd be designing his coat of arms and booking Westminster Abbey! Thankfully John and Scott were the only brothers here and could be counted on for discretion. Even John had danced a couple of times with a pretty red head. Now though they had both retired to a discreet corner from which they could watch proceedings. Feeling Virgil's gaze Scott looked over and smiled as he recognised the, ‘can we go now stance?’ of John. He bent down and whispered to the girl and led her off the dance floor to join his brothers once again.
Conversation was light and easy until Eve laughed, and, glancing at her watch, finished the glass of champagne she had been drinking, “It’s been lovely meeting you but I actually have to go now. I am having breakfast with my brother early tomorrow.”
Scott rubbed the back of his neck and ducked his head a little. “I…mmm…I’ll see you home?”
Virgil and John exchanged amused glances.
Eve looked up at him, blushing prettily, “Umm…I…if you want…don’t want to take you away from the party.”
“I don’t mind…I mean…if you wanted.”
“Oh good grief,” John interceded. “Just go both of you, I’m getting nauseous.”
They all laughed and Eve, cheeks still pink handed her empty glass to Scott and left to get her coat.
“I’ll see you back at the apartment in a bit.”
Vigil couldn’t keep the smirk off his face, “Sure!”
It was Scott’s turn to roll his eyes, “I’ve known her ten minutes,” he paused though and rubbed his neck again, “though I think I might ask her if we could have dinner tomorrow night…?”
“You’re ditching us?” Virgil teased.
“Well,,I mean…”
“Don’t be daft. I like her. You absolutely should ask her out.”
“She’s pretty great isn’t she?” Virgil clamped his hand on Scott’s shoulder and shook his head, “Oh dearie, dearie me!”
“Nauseous!” John contributed but he was grinning.
“You’re both annoying, you know that?” He downed the rest of his Scotch and set his empty glass on the bar behind John. “That’s good stuff,” he commented before clapping Virgil on the shoulder, “Later losers!”
“And just like that we are abandoned!”
“They grow up so fast.”
They stood in companionable silence for a moment. Virgil asked the bartender the name of the scotch Scott had been drinking. Top shelf stuff, he’d order him a couple of cases for his birthday. Contented with the world he looked back at John who had started poking at his comm.
“What are you doing?”
“Never too soon to start background checks; Eos can do a preliminary search immediately…See if the lady checks out.”
“Hey! That’s the potential mother of our nephew and nieces you could be maligning.” He bumped John’s shoulder and got a dark look for his trouble. Vigil ignored him, he was in a good mood. He took another contented sip of his drink. Scott deserved a little happiness, it had been a long time since he’d seemed so smitten. Virgil liked to see Scott happy; maybe this would be a passing thing or maybe it would become something- either way it existed outside the office and International Rescue and that had to be a good thing.
John stopped typing and finished his own drink. “Have you seen Penny, maybe we could go too?”
“She was last seen in a crowd of impressionable diplomats that direction,” he motioned with his glass towards the opposite side of the room. John looked at him expectantly.
Virgil sighed, “I’ll go find her since you have the whole not moving from the corner thing going.” John nodded his assent, sarcasm proof, losing his eyes to his wrist comm which had just beeped discreetly. Eos was swift. Virgil put his glass in the bar where a new bar tender nodded his thanks.
He’d taken only a few steps when he turned back surprised as John swore. John often swore but this was just one word and in English.
Worrying.
The red head was reading his screen a frown on his face. He tilted it to Virgil as he approached.
“She’s not a wanted terrorist, is she?” He desperately tried to lighten the look on John’s face but his brother shook his head slightly, indicating Virgil should see for himself.
“No…but look who her dad is!”
Virgil read.
Then swore.
“What do we do?”
“I don’t think there is anything we can do…”
“It might not come up…we can talk to him in the morning…it might, I mean it might not be a problem."
“Or….” John trailed off and they both stood suddenly miserably helpless, watching the door their brother had just left through.
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