Author's Note – Thanks for the continuing review of this story. Now when you read this Chapter please don't be too severe! mcj

CHAPTER THREE – OUTSIDE COMMITMENT

He looked out of the window and at the bright lights shining over the city of San Diego. Darkness had well and truly fallen now and the inner city precinct was bristling with the impending night life. It was Friday night in this part of the world and the streets were busy. There were cars, motorcycles, buses and taxis all heading into the city. From the confines of a hotel room, the atmosphere looked to be electrifying.

Couples walked hand in hand below him on the sidewalk. Many of them were probably starting out on a night to remember. Single people walked in groups or alone. They too were probably hoping to find someone and have a night to remember. He sighed and drew the curtains.

"Half their luck." he muttered. "It sure as hell won't be happening to me."

He was stuck here.

His ego was currently feeling more than a little bruised too. He didn't appreciate being asked to leave Tin-Tin's room an hour ago. It had never happened to him before. His advances had always been well received by women, whether it was those from his old college days or from her. He absolutely couldn't believe she had rejected him.

Being tired wasn't any sort of excuse. He wasn't going to stop her going to sleep. He simply couldn't comprehend why she genuinely hadn't wanted to be with him when he had apologized to her so sincerely.

Not to mention the fact he had been away for a month.

He frowned and lay down on the huge king sized bed. He picked up the remote control for the television and flicked idly from channel to channel, not really paying attention to the programs. His eyes wandered around the room as each channel flashed on the screen.

It occurred to him that laying here was almost as bad as being back in the satellite he had left just two days before. Cooped up, nowhere to go, nothing to do, no-one to talk to. He was supposed to be enjoying his month on earth before returning back up there. Well lying here was not what he classed as enjoying himself.

He stood up again and paced around the room, thinking about his situation and what he could do about it.

From thoughts of parental responsibility his mind turned to money.

He had to get the other twenty five thousand dollars he had "borrowed" back into the company without his Father knowing. That worried him more than the pregnancy did. If his Father found out the magnitude of his mistake Alan knew his life would be all but over. Twenty five thousand dollars was a lot of money. The balance of what he'd "borrowed" had to be put back into something showing large profits so it looked like just another transaction.

Alan thought about the new Tokyo operation he had signed some releases for on behalf of his Father a few months back. That would be the safest place for it to go without being detected. He would arrange the transfer before leaving San Diego.

He opened the curtains again and looked outside.

Damn it.

He was on leave and in San Diego. Why was he housed up here in this stupid hotel? Just because she was pregnant and he was going to have to marry her why couldn't he take the opportunity to experience the night life? It wasn't as if he was going to do anything wrong.

She wouldn't know.

She was probably asleep in there anyhow.

Maybe he should check first.

He looked resentfully towards the door leading to her room.

No he shouldn't have to check. She didn't own him. Not yet anyhow.

Then he remembered he hadn't had Dinner yet. There was a good excuse. He'd better get himself changed and go out to find something to eat before he starved to death.

He knew the place he wanted to go. He and Gordon often went there when they were on leave from the base. The meals were good and the company was very easy on the eye.

His conscience flared up again.

"Not you again!"

"You're not looking for female company are you Alan?"

"No. I'm just having a meal all right? I'll only be gone an hour."

"You don't think you're trying to fool yourself do you?"

"No. I know I can't do what I used to do."

"You have decided to commit yourself to her haven't you?"

"Yes. Yes. Get off my back."

"To Tin-Tin?"

"Yeah well. She rejected me before. It's pretty obvious she's not committed."

"You are trying to fool yourself again."

"I'm not. I'm just going there to eat."

"I'm not going to go away."

"I know that!"

Shaking his head in annoyance at the never-ending battle within himself, Alan Tracy picked up his jacket, keys and wallet and strode down the hallway towards the elevator.

He did not give Tin-Tin's room a sideways glance.

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Josie Tracy was at her wits end.

Ever since she had spoken with Tin-Tin and Alan that afternoon she had been trying to work out exactly what was going on over there in San Diego.

She had already accepted that the two of them would be enjoying more than just a fashion show but deep down inside she knew there was something more.

As she iced the cake she had made for dinner her mind ticked over. The parts of the puzzle seemed to be there but she couldn't seem to put them together. It was unusual for her not to work things out quickly. This one really had her stumped.

She turned to look at Kyrano. He had his back to her as he removed the plates from the dishwasher.

"Kyrano." she said trying to sound like she wasn't prying. "Did Tin-Tin mention to you anything about seeing a Doctor today?"

Kyrano shook his head and placed the plates on the open bench.

"No Mrs. Tracy. She did not. However, it is likely she arranged something owing to her trip to the mainland with Mr. Alan. She has complained about being unwell these past two weeks so I suppose she sees it as a good opportunity to check all is well."

Josie frowned and bit her lip. She guessed so. Tin-Tin didn't get sick very often but when she did it she was always particular about having a thorough check-up.

She returned to her cooking.

She was probably over-reacting. It was probably nothing.

She found herself frowning again.

But then why did the girl look like she'd been crying when they had spoken on the communicators? What sort of bad news could Tin-Tin have gotten about her health?

"Mrs. Tracy please do not worry. Tin-Tin would come to me if she had a serious problem. I am sure of this." Kyrano said reassuringly.

Josie relaxed again. Yes of course she would. Tin-Tin entrusted Kyrano with everything that was happening in her life. How many young women would have admitted to their Father that they were sleeping with a man? She had!

She continued to ice the cake with a pensive expression on her face.

No.

There was more to this.

She knew there was.

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He walked down the main street of the city looking in windows and taking in the atmosphere. It had been a long while since he had taken an opportunity like this.

It was like being back in College again on those wild Saturday nights with his buddies.

He could feel how good freedom was. Freedom to only worry about what he wanted to do and where he wanted to go. There was no way he was giving this up.

He saw a young family walking down the street towards him. The young man looked around five or so years older than he did and he had a face that showed no emotion or life as he pushed the pram in front of him. The young woman walked next to him looking the same.

That was where he was headed.

Dear God no.

He was only twenty one years old. He didn't want to be like that yet.

After another hour or so of walking around, his stomach told him that he really did feel hungry.

He looked about for a place to eat.

However that place he wanted to go to was only a few blocks from here.

Here it came again!

"Don't go there Alan."

"But I want to."

"Find somewhere else to eat. You know what you're like."

" I can control myself."

"You can't. You won't change."

"Look; get off my back. I can change."

"It's important you don't go there Alan."

"Important to you may be."

"It's important to you too. You've got Tin-Tin and a baby to consider."

"Well she's not considering me right now."

"That's not fair. You put her through a lot today."

"I said I was sorry and I'm only going there to eat."

He crossed the street with his hands in his pockets. That place was up this way somewhere if he remembered right.

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"Grandma you make a swell cake." Virgil exclaimed reaching for the plate to help himself to seconds. "I swear all this inactivity has made me appreciate your cooking more than ever."

Virgil looked at his Grandmother who seemed to be in a trance.

"Grandma?"

Josie snapped out of her thoughts.

"What's that Virgil?"

"Never mind, it doesn't matter." he said as he cut another slice.

"Got something on your mind Grandma?" asked Gordon.

Everyone had been murmuring amongst themselves that Grandma was preoccupied with something but as usual it was Gordon who came out and asked her point blank.

She looked agitated.

"Of course I haven't got things on my mind Gordon. You boys are all imagining things. I think you need something to do. As a matter of fact after dinner the three of you can clear the kitchen and pack the dishwasher for me."

Scott, Virgil and Gordon groaned in unison. It had now come down to helping with domestic chores. Surely someone in the world was stupid enough to get themselves into trouble to give them some action.

"Makes you almost wish the kid was here." Virgil complained. "He'd at least give us some entertainment by arguing with Dad."

"Well he's probably in enough trouble between lying between the sheets with Tin-Tin." Gordon said under his breath.

Virgil heard the comment and lowered his head to hide a grin. Scott glared at both of them. Virgil saw the glare and reddened. Gordon simply raised his eyebrows. Scott didn't intimidate him and he was determined to give Alan the biggest roasting of his life about Tin-Tin when he got home from San Diego.

Fortunately Jeff Tracy and Kyrano were at the other end of the table discussing something else and didn't hear the remark.

But Josie did and her eyebrows knitted. She was still stewing over why Alan had been so reluctant to admit he was at the Doctor's office with Tin-Tin.

What about those comments about money?

Why did he cut her off?

Why did Tin-Tin cut her off when Alan's name was mentioned?

Why had she been crying?

Come on Josie, she thought. You can't be losing your touch. You have to have it worked out before those two get home.

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He sat at the bar and ordered himself a drink.

"A scotch please. No wait make that a double. I'm not driving."

The nightclub was busy for nine o'clock. There were plenty of people his age socialising together and having a good time.

The drink went down easily after everything that had happened in the last twenty four hours and he quickly ordered another.

He looked at the menu on offer. There wasn't much to eat that took his fancy.

The other menu looked decidedly more interesting and he was enjoying looking at it much much more.

There were so many unattached and attractive women here.

His blue eyes scanned the room.

"Are you ordering something to eat?" the young man behind the bar asked him.

"Yeah. I'll order the steak. Medium rare please."

"It'll take a while. The kitchen's busy."

"That's OK. I'm not going anywhere."

He ordered a third drink. His third double scotch.

"Don't I know you?" said a voice from behind him.

He turned to see a woman standing at his shoulder. She was stunning and his vibrant blue eyes scanned her with avid interest.

That damned voice again!

"Don't you dare start with me!"

"Alan. You are getting out of your depth."

"Maybe she does know me and only wants to say hello."

"Alan get yourself out of there."

"I can't be rude. I wasn't brought up to be rude to people."

"Alan you are supposed to be committed to Tin-Tin."

"I am. I'm merely answering the lady."

"No Alan."

"Look Tin-Tin isn't here now. I'm only going to talk to her."

"No you're not."

"Yes I am."

"Alan. How did you get yourself in the mess you're in now?"

"It was Tin-Tin's fault that's how."

"Well you don't need to get in a mess with another woman too."

"She's just talking to me."

"You are making a big mistake."

Alan Tracy gave her the brilliant Tracy smile that usually melted any woman's heart. He motioned for her to sit down.

"No I don't think we've met. But can I buy you a drink?"

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If she threw up anymore tonight she was sure that her stomach would come out of her mouth.

She moved away from the porcelain where she had spent the last half an hour and turned on the tap in the sink. She splashed the cool water over her face and looked at herself in the mirror.

She looked awful; pale, sunken and distressed. If this was what she would have to endure for the next seven months it was going to be a nightmare.

She suddenly remembered she hadn't eaten all day. Maybe that was what the problem was.

But her stomach turned even at the thought of taking food and before she had time to move she began to be sick again.

She never dreamed she was going to feel this bad.

She bit her lip and recalled the look on Alan's face when she had asked him to leave. He really looked offended. She shrugged and began to splash her face with some icy cold water. Alan took her for granted sometimes and needed to wake up to himself. She knew he'd been away for a month and probably expected she would want to be with him but in all honesty he couldn't expect to put her though what he had today and think all would be forgotten because he apologised.

He was going to have to grow up in a hurry and start considering how she felt too. He was devilishly handsome and could be absolutely charming but most of the time he acted like a child.

Her stomach churned again and she found herself feeling dizzy and wiping her brow with a trembling hand. She looked towards her bed and debated whether to slump onto the mattress or force herself to take a shower.

She elected to take the shower.

She reached over to the taps and turned on the water. After the dizziness stopped she slowly removed her clothing. As she stepped into the shower she looked at her body in the opposite mirror. Her stomach was still flat. Thank goodness for that for the time being. Her breasts hurt like crazy. She grimaced. The last thing she would have needed tonight was Alan's clumsy, rough-handed lovemaking.

Once under the water, the sensation of it running over her face and body made her feel a little better.

As she soaped her body her hand lingered on her abdomen for a few moments. It scared her that there was a baby growing in there. It all seemed quite surreal the intimate moment she had shared with Alan on his birthday could possibly have created another human being.

She wondered whether Alan was asleep. He usually didn't sleep very well in Thunderbird Five and last night he hadn't slept at all trying to arrange the procedure and the money for it. Yes she guessed he would have turned in early.

She toweled herself dry and stepped into her nightdress.

She felt a little better now. She decided to try a cup of weak tea before bed.

The tea didn't stay down. Alan Tracy's child was making its presence felt and was really playing havoc with her body.

As she vomited for the third successive time she wondered if this was ever going to stop. How had Alan's Mother gone through this dreadful experience over and over again?

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It had been nearly an hour and quite a few drinks later since he had ordered his dinner.

The steak came and it wasn't that good either. Still he knew he needed to eat something.

The scotch was making him very drunk and he was starting to act stupidly.

He had brought her one too many drinks in the last hour too and it was obvious she didn't hold her alcohol very well. She had let her guard down completely.

She sat next to him at the bar running her hand provocatively down his muscular thigh. More than just her body language was open as she sat there facing him. It was obvious she was willing and waiting for him to ask her.

The alcohol in his blood had replaced his conscience and had started to justify what he knew he wanted to do too.

I'm getting married soon.

Dad said marriage is for keeps.

No more women.

I'm just going to be with Tin-Tin for the rest of my life.

Surely it won't hurt to experience this just one more time before I have to commit myself to one woman.

I'm not doing anything wrong.

He looked at her face. She was attractive and her clothing was provocative. He could see halfway down her scant low cut dress.

He was tempted.

She was ready.

He smacked his lips together. To hell with Tin-Tin. He couldn't pass this up. Not his last opportunity to be free.

"My hotel is a few blocks from here." he heard himself saying. "Care to come back for a night cap?"

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Josie Tracy woke up with a start and her blue eyes widened.

They focused on the sideboard where the clock said ten past four in the morning.

Oh no!

It came to her in her sleep.

Dear Lord the child must be pregnant!

She pulled back the covers and began to pace the floor, her heart pounding.

It was so obvious.

Tin-Tin and Alan had been together for the past eight weeks. Tin-Tin had only been sick recently and it had only ever been in the evenings. If she was genuinely unwell wouldn't she be sick for the rest of the time too?

Alan started acting strangely only after he had spoken to her on his return from Thunderbird Five. He had been fine when he arrived. She must have told him the news then. She wouldn't have known for sure before he went up to Thunderbird Five but she certainly would have known by the time he came back.

A fashion show miraculously surfaced for her to attend. There had been a lot of telephone calls. He must have insisted she go with him to San Diego.

Tin-Tin was crying in the Doctor's Office. The Office had looked more like an operating theatre of some sort. Alan didn't want to let her know where Tin-Tin was or admit that he was with her.

Whoever they were had wanted money.

They hadn't come home yet. Those sorts of things needed a night of observation.

Josie's eyes filled with tears.

They had not asked anyone for advice or help and gone ahead and aborted their baby.

Josie felt her face contort in complete distress.

A Tracy baby; her Great Grandchild; the baby she had hoped and prayed for since she first knew they were together.

It simply broke her heart.

"Oh Alan sweetie" she whispered as the tears ran down her face. "I raised you from a baby. How could you find it in yourself to do something as terrible as this?

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Author's Note – Alan! Alan! Alan! When will you ever grow up!

CHAPTER FOUR – A MANGLED WEB

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