Opposites Attract

Operation Witchonaut

"You're enjoying this way too much."

Gordon floated peacefully on his back, sunglasses on, looking for all the world like he was asleep.

"Is there such a thing as too much?"

She thought about it for a moment or two, looking up at the sun blazing above them. The water around them was unusually warm and it really was very peaceful to simply lie back and allow the gentle rocking to soothe your body.

They floated side by side in the Dead Sea, the first step of what Alan has taken to calling "Operation Witchonaut" but that Gordon was calling Jolene. Apparently it was their ship name, and more annoying than the name was his tendency to start singing Dolly Parton at the drop of a hat.

This was apparently to get her used to the feeling of her body floating and to allow her to relax. That was the first problem, she was not a relaxy kind of person. She found it almost impossible to do nothing.

"Why do I get the feeling you didn't volunteer to help me with this out of the goodness of your heart?"

"Because you're naturally very suspicious."

She laughed. "That's just mean! Maybe I simply know you too well by now to trust you."

He didn't take it personally, which was something she loved about him. Gordon was the joker of the family, always there with a cheeky grin and a teasing comment, much like herself.

"How long have we been out here for?"

Gordon lifted his wrist to check his comm. "About twenty minutes, you've got to do at least an hour."

"Urghhh I'm so bored! We can't even swim in this, it's just floating."

"You're a strange, strange woman, Sel."

She sighed. "I know." She flapped her hands in the water, trying to propel herself around but only succeeded in turning in a circle, like the time she had tried kayaking and couldn't go forwards or backwards. Stuck in an endless loop of circling. She grabbed his leg and pulled herself closer, laying her head on his stomach.

"The next part of your training will be more interesting, but let's hope you have a strong stomach. If I were you, I'd enjoy this while you can."

***

"Holy shit, no! I take it back. Let me go back to the sea!"

Alan grabbed her around the waist, dragging her into Thunderbird 1. Scott tried his hardest to hide his smile but failed miserably, earning himself a death glare.

"You'll love it, I promise!" Alan pleaded, yanking at her hand where it was latched on to the back of Scott's seat.

Scott helpfully peeled her fingers off his headrest allowing Alan to haul her backwards and deposit her in her seat.

"Strap in, Witchy. This 'bird isn't moving without you being secure."

Alan carefully strapped her in, giving his brother a thumbs up.

"I'm already regretting this," she commented to no one in particular.

"So am I," Scott muttered under his breath as the engines fired.

***

At least she hadn't screamed the whole time they were steadily climbing upwards, she'd managed to stop after the first initial yelp of shock, though her fingers were white on the seat, she gripped it so tight.

She'd been OK in Thunderbird 2 because she was likely still been in shock and hadn't really had time to overthink it like she was now. When she'd jumped into Thunderbird S with Kayo she'd been thinking only of John and how worried she was about him. Nothing could have kept her away from him, she would have walked through fire to make sure he was alive and well. She just wished he had been able to get away to be with her for this, he was better at keeping her calm. Unfortunately he'd been called upon to assist the GDF and Kayo with a remote hack and recon of a suspicious company that was making waves within the private security sector.