Author's Note - How could you all think Alan would do such a thing?

CHAPTER FOUR - A MANGLED WEB

God his head hurt!

It was like someone had struck him between the eyes with a hammer. He wished the pounding would stop long enough for him to open his eyes.

This reminded him of the rescue a few months back when he had been hit on the back of the head with some falling timber. It had knocked him clean out and the headache he had when he came to was like the one he was experiencing now.

However, there was no rescue involved this time.

This was the result of pure over-indulgence.

He lay his head back down on the pillow and placed his fingers on the sides of his temples. He still couldn't open his eyes.

His head hurt and his stomach churned. Maybe the steak had been off.

Don't kid yourself Alan, he thought. Why don't you just admit to yourself you drank far too much last night.

He considered trying to get up and making some coffee but he didn't think he'd make it to the other side of the room. How much scotch had he actually had last night? He lost count after seven and the first three had been doubles. Normally he didn't drink other than a few drinks over Dinner. None of the Tracy men could. They were on call for International Rescue twenty-four hours a day.

The only time any of them ever cut loose was when they were on leave fromt he base or extremely stressed.

Well he was both at the moment and there was no doubt he had cut loose last night.

"I'm never drinking again!" he moaned as the nausea built.

He rolled over and finally opened his eyes to look beside him. Never before in his life had he been more relieved to wake up alone. Dreadful as his head felt, at least the fact he hadn't gone through with his plans last night made him feel a little better.

He nearly did. Lord knows, it was only divine intervention that stopped him.

In his drunken state he had actually considered not even bothering to use the hotel. For one fleeting moment he'd considered the park across the road was good enough for his last casual fling. She was open. He was ready. What more was there? It was only the pleasure of the moment he sought. There was no commitment from him and she probably wouldn't remember it any way.

However even in the condition he was in he remembered he was a Tracy son and his Father had brought him up to treat women better than that.

He ended up walking her back to the hotel and even got as far as standing in the foyer waiting for the elevator to take them up to his room. Then he uncharacteristically changed his mind, hailed a cab out on the street and asked her to go.

On reflecting, he knew why. That stupid damned voice inside him came back again as he walked with her up the sidewalk. It had been so insistent this time he couldn't take it anymore.

Fortunately she went quietly but not without him giving her a long passionate kiss just to prove to his conscience he could do something like that and stay in control.

The concierge had been most shocked and confused in the bargain. Hadn't he come into the hotel earlier with a different woman?

Boy it had been a close call and he was lucky he had listened to the voices.

Not so long ago things would have been very different.

However he couldn't help but feel it would have been good to experience another woman just one last time.

No matter what, the wild-child within Alan Tracy prevailed.

A knock on the door made him groan inwardly.

Not yet Tin-Tin! You don't want to see me like this, he thought.

She opened the connecting door and came into the room. She looked worse than he did.

"Alan," she whispered. "I don't think I can travel back to Tracy Island today."

"Yeah well that makes two of us," he moaned. "I feel terrible."

"I heard you come in last night," she said quiet voice of admonishment. "You sounded like you'd had way too much to drink."

"I'm sorry if I woke you." he mumbled uncomfortably despite the relief flooding over him he had not gone ahead with his plans. Imagine if Tin-Tin would have caught him.

The smell of the stale scotch in the room turned Tin-Tin's stomach.

She left the room and quickly headed for the bathroom again.

He lay in bed listening to her be sick. She didn't sound too good in there. The sound of it was making him feel like he was going to do the same thing but for a totally different reason.

Uh oh.

His head might be hurting but he could still get to a bathroom fast.

When he returned she was lying on his bed, white as a ghost and looking like she wished she was dead. He lay down beside her, white as ghost, wishing he was dead too. Actually he felt like he was. How bad did you have to feel to die? She was wondering the same thing.

"I'll contact the base and let Dad know we'll come back tomorrow," he groaned. "There's no way I can fly Tracy One. I can't navigate with my head banging like this. "

She said nothing.

He looked over at her. She was falling asleep again. Her eyelashes fluttered downwards and she lay quietly, her face pale and wan but extremely beautiful. After a few moments her breathing changed and he knew she had fallen into a light slumber.

He rolled onto his side to face her. His head felt better like that.

Lying here like this and looking at Tin-Tin Kyrano sleep made him think about how he was handling his life at the moment.

How could he have even wanted anyone else after being with her? She wasn't stunning like the girl last night but she was his kind of pretty with delicate exquisite features and beautiful long black hair. He never grew tired of looking at her. Ever.

Her body was not as buxom as the girl's last night but it was slender and curvaceous all the same. He was immensely attracted to her and it didn't take much to arouse him when he was near her.

The girl last night wore some wild perfume which tantalised the senses. Tin-Tin wore a sweet musk scent tinged with coconut which he adored. He smelt it now as she lay there.

Why was he fighting growing up emotionally?

Why had he taken that money?

Why had he thought about an abortion?

Why couldn't he have just walked straight in and told his Father and Kyrano what had happened and ask for their help?

Why had he treated Tin-Tin so badly?

Why had he gone to that nightclub last night when he knew he shouldn't?

Why had he even thought about being with that girl?

He looked at Tin-Tin's body again. He couldn't comprehendthere was a baby in there any more than she could. He reached out and placed his hand gently on her stomach.

His son.

He couldn't father a daughter. His Father had warned them all about that already.

No daughter for six generations.

They were a farming family despite their billions. Farming families from Kansas bred boys. This Billionaire family had its roots in Kansas and would breed boys too.

Alan's thoughts moved back to where his palm rested.

Was this how his father had felt lying next to his mother after they found out about Scott? Did Jeff Tracy lay in wonderment thinking about what his son was going to be like ? Did he feel the same awe he was feeling?

No, there's a big difference, Alan thought in shame.

His father had been twenty-six years old and married to his mother because he wanted to be. He had been the pride of America; a talented young pilot selected as an astronaut for the pioneering of colonisation. He had already been the lead pilot in the defence squardron of Red Flag. A Captain at twenty-five. A Major at twenty six.

What is my son going to say I was, Alan shuddered.

My Father was a twenty one year old brat who flew Thunderbird Craft for his Father and when he wasn't doing that he sat behind a desk at Tracy Enterprises in New York with no real job. He got married because he had to and even tried to abort me. When that didn't happen he went to cheat on my Mother.

Alan flinched at the reality of his own thoughts. He realized he had never achieved anything other than winning a pile of stupid car races.

My son will be better off taking after Tin-Tin he thought. At least she's an Engineer and has achieved something in her life. Tin-Tin Kyrano was one smart lady and Alan knew it.

Pity she wasn't smart enough to get her dates right.

Her breathing became deeper still. She was obviously exhausted and had fallen into a very deep sleep. She hadn't sensed Alan's hand resting on her stomach as he tried to comprehend what being a Father meant and what commitment to one person actually was.

He needed to sleep too and welcomed the thought of at least sleeping next to her after being told to leave last night.

He liked that feeling.

Maybe things wouldn't be so bad if they got married. His hand moved to her pretty features.

It would actually be nice waking up next to her like this every day.

He contemplated her pale, drawn face. She really did look sick. This pregnancy stuff must be rough.

He tried to sit up and couldn't. Instead he lay on the bed holding his forehead and lifted his wrist communicator to his lips.

"This is Alan Tracy to Tracy Island. Dad are you there? Over."

The call broadcast loudly into the Lounge room of the Tracy villa.

Scott Tracy took the call.

Unbeknown to Alan, his Father had anticipated their arrival in Tracy One earlier that morning and had already left for New York. He was on his way to San Diego to stop-off, a mandatory part of their flight pattern.

"This is Scott Tracy. Go ahead Alan."

"Scott. Where's Dad?" came Alan's voice.

"Dad's not here. I'm in charge of the base Alan." Scott replied, his tone pointing out in no uncertain terms he was now the anchor of International Rescue.

"Where's Dad?" came the insistent voice of the youngest Tracy son.

"Dad's on his way to New York. " he replied dryly. " On business."

Alan felt his stomach drop to his heels.

Why was his Father suddenly on his way to New York? Alan knew that it usually meant he was going to look at some aspect of the company with Hank.

He started to panic.

"Scott. Um. I.."

Scott looked at Alan's pale and exhausted face. He rolled his eyes. There was no guessing why.

"Alan. What are you trying to tell me?" he interjected.

"Scott. Tin-Tin's not feeling well and to be honest neither am I. Do you mind if we're late back to base?"

Scott instantly looked annoyed.

His Father had left him in charge of the International Rescue outfit and what did it consist of at the moment?

No Chief Pilot. Alan was supposed to be covering the job. He had Virgil, dependable as always, and an Aquanaut who was reluctant to pilot Thunderbirds one, two or three. What if he needed an Astronaut? Alan was the blasted Astronaut too.

Alan and Tin-Tin had better stop climbing all over each other in that hotel, wake up to themselves International Rescue needed them and get their asses home.

He wasn't about to tip toe around the issue like his Father did.

He squared his chin reminiscent of Jeff Tracy but much more direct and to the point.

"Yes I do mind Alan. Dad's gone and I need you here. So you get your damned butt into Tracy One right now and get yourself home. I need to be able to use all the Thunderbirds if a call comes in."

"But Tin-Tin's fast asleep. " Alan argued, hating his brother's voice of command and resenting his total common sense. Scott had every right to recall them and he knew it. But Scott didn't understand. It wasn't just how he felt at the moment. He still had things he had to do in San Diego.

"Look little brother. " Scott continued lowering his voice and trying to appear reasonable. " Just bring her home. I worry when she isn't here. She and Brains are my lifeline. I don't want to know about what the two of you have been doing. All I care about is she isn't next to Brains in the Lab and I want her to be."

Alan instantly felt the need to justify himself.

"I didn't sleep with her last night Scott. That's the truth." he began earnestly.

Scott eyed him suspiciously. He didn't think so.

"Please come home immediately Alan." he said tightly.

"Scott I'm telling you she's feeling really bad."

That was it for Scott. He wasn't prepared to argue with this kid one more minute.

"She's the bloody Assistant Engineer Alan and I want her right here and right now." he almost yelled. "I don't give a damn how bad she feels. Get her in that jet and back to base!"

Alan's temper flared and he suddenly forgot how bad his head was hurting.

"Gees thank God Dad doesn't go away too often. You really let the power go to your head big brother and I don't like it."

Scott reddened and barked.

"Alan I don't give a damn what you like. This is an order. You and Tin-Tin are to report to me in five hours. Loud and clear?"

Alan knew he had overstepped the mark. Scott meant every word he was saying and had given him a direct order.

"Yes Sir." he sighed.

"I'll expect you at four o'clock. Scott Tracy out."

Alan's mind raced. He had to do something with the money before his Father reached New York.

Oh God, he found himself praying, please don't audit anything Dad. I can't get myself into any more trouble with you than I already am surely.

He sat up gingerly holding his forehead and went to the bathroom to shower. He left Tin-Tin to sleep a little longer.

They had to go home immediately but despite his orders he wouldn't be leaving San Diego until he attended to things here.

Scott would just have to wear it.

He wasn't a baby any longer.

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Scott mumbled to himself as he sat at his Father's desk drinking his third cup of coffee.

How irresponsible was Alan anyway? International Rescue needed him and all he cared about was being in a double bed rolling around with Tin-Tin.

Scott allowed himself to relax for a moment and remember what it was like being up all night in bed with a woman.

Her.

He had loved her with all of his heart and soul and the loving they had made night after night had been so damn good. He swallowed hard and wished he hadn't remembered. Their love had been the first casualty of International Rescue. Scott's thoughts drifted. In another life he wondered if things would have been different. But he guessed he didn't have another life now. International Rescue was his life.

These days like the rest of his brothers he only saw women when he was given leave to go the mainland or carry out Company Business..

He snapped out of his thoughts.

In the present he commanded International Rescue.

For the first time in the last few days Scott found himself hoping that there wouldn't be any rescues.

He always felt vulnerable in his Father's chair. Jeff Tracy was a hard act to follow and he remembered the first time he had been left in charge of International Rescue when his Father had gone to Australia to be with Lady Penelope on her ranch. He'd made a wrong call regarding a rescue and his Father had torn strips off him.

He nearly did the wrong thing a second time as a result of the verbal caning he got after the first mistake.

He felt he should be doing something. Well he'd given Alan instructions in no uncertain manner and if Alan knew what was good for him he'd be back right on time.

He looked at John's portrait hanging silently on the wall. Time to call the satellite and see what was going on.

"This is Scott Tracy to Thunderbird Five. Come in John."

John Tracy's face appeared on the wall after a few minutes. He looked like he had been asleep.

"This is John Tracy. Go ahead Scott."

"Hi Johnny. Any action?" Scott asked.

"No Scott. Quiet as a morgue around here. I feel like I've been here for two weeks not two days."

"Yeah well just as long as it stays that way for a while. Alan and Tin-Tin aren't back yet."

Scott saw the corners of his brother's lip curl with amusement. So John knew about them too. Gordon would have told him. Nothing was a secret if Gordon knew.

"Yes I have recalled them," he added becoming annoyed at John's smirk.

"Bet he didn't like that Scott."

"No he didn't like it but I need them here." Scott said dryly. "And I'll be having a quiet word to him about things too when he gets back."

John allowed himself to grin. Scott obviously didn't approve of their baby brother's activities and if Scott had something to say he just said it. His grin widened. He wished he was going to be at the base for the confrontation.

"You tread carefully Scott. You know what a temper our kid brother has."

"Yeah well so have I." Scott replied. "Anyway, keep in touch will you Johnny. You know I get uneasy in this job."

"Yes you do! Thunderbird Five out!"

As John's image faded Scott frowned. What did he mean, "Yes you do"?

No one gave him any respect around here!

He became aware of Kyrano beside him. Uh oh. What had he said to his brother? He quickly cast his mind back to the conversation he just had with John. Had he said anything about Tin-Tin? The sentences whizzed through his mind. No, the quiet word he had mentioned could be about anything, not just about his brother's relationship with Kyrano's daughter.

"Mr. Scott." Kyrano said softly. "I wondered if you had seen Mrs. Tracy this morning?"

Scott shook his head. No, as a matter of fact he hadn't. That was strange. She usually rose before he did in the mornings and put the coffee on. They always enjoyed a pre-sunrise coffee together in the mornings. Come to think of it, he had put the coffee on at five o'clock this morning and hadn't noticed she was missing.

Being in charge always put him out of routine.

"Well Grandma is getting on Kyrano I suppose. May be she slept in with Dad going away. I'll go check on her to be sure."

He stood up and went upstairs to her room.

He knocked on the door.

"Grandma?" he enquired softly.

There was no answer. He knocked several more times before quietly opening the door.

Yes. There she was fast asleep. He knew she would be. But what was with the huge pile of used tissues on the sideboard? It was like she had been...crying?

No that couldn't be right, Scott thought. His Grandmother never cried. She was a merry, feisty old lady.

Maybe she just had a cold or something.

ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

He stood at San Diego Airport waiting patiently. He looked around and wondered how much longer he would have to wait for a hire car. The Porsche hadn't been in the hangar when he arrived and he had been rather annoyed.

He stood at San Diego Airport waiting patiently. He looked around and wondered how much longer he would have to wait for her before they could get airborne. It had been tough today for both of them and she was still getting over it.

At last. "Your car is in Bay 3 Mr. Tracy."

At last. "All right Alan. I'm ready to go now."

Jeff Tracy walked from the waiting area of the terminal towards the hire car bays. He held his overnight bag and laptop computer.

Alan Tracy walked from the waiting area of the terminal towards the area where the light aircraft were stowed. He held Tin-Tin's hand.

Jeff Tracy looked up.

Alan Tracy looked up.

Tin-Tin Kyrano looked down at the sight of Jeff Tracy.

"Alan! I thought you were already at the base? It's six o'clock over there."

"Dad! I thought you were on your way to New York."

"The both of you look dreadful. You shouldn't be flying boy if you feel as bad as you look."

"I know but Scott's recalled us Sir. I'm about to leave."

Jeff looked at the two of them and said in the disapproving tone they both knew well.

"Must have been some fashion show that's all I'll say."

The two fo them lowered their heads and said nothing. There was simplyno answer to that.

"Dad are you going to New York for any specific reason?"

"Yeah to look at the Tokyo operation with Hank. I'm most impressed with the growth of it. Don't worry Scott's got it all under control. I'll be back in a couple of days."

Alan's whole world spun out before him. Not the Tokyo operation. This was a nightmare.He had just deposited twenty five thousand dollars into the very operation his Father was going to New York to look at.

His mind whirled. Should he just come clean and tell his Father now?

San Diego Airport wasn't the right place for him to blurt out "Dad don't get mad at this. I faked your signature to withdraw fifty thousand dollars from the Tokyo account for an abortion. By the way I paid twenty five thousand dollars for Tin-Tin not to have it but today we went back to the clinic. After that I faked your signature again to put the rest of the money back into the investment. And there's one other thing I did today that I need to tell you about..."

The web was closing in around him and Alan Tracy knew it.

Still, maybe his Father wasn't planning to look too closely at the account itself. Maybe it was just some new technology he wanted to discuss with Hank. Jeff Tracy was passionate about quickly introducing new technology. It gave the Company the edge.

No. He would take his chances on Jeff Tracy not finding out about the money but he was feeling very uneasy now.

"Well I'm checking into the hotel for a sleep before continuing to New York. You two need to get back to base. Scott will be out of his mind. By the way try sleeping when you get back. Staying up all night does take its' toll you know."

Alan looked at his Father uneasily.

Did his Father know he and Tin-Tin had been intimate?

ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

Josie Tracy sat out on her balcony looking out at the blue Pacific Ocean through her tired, sad blue eyes.

She was still in her nightdress.

She couldn't bring herself to change and face the day in the knowledge one of her grandsons had gone against the very fabric of the Tracy family.

She had promised Lucille on her death bed she would guide her little boys for her and make sure they grew into decent young men. She had fought hard to keep those boys on the right path over the years too. Now one of them had strayed in a big way and she couldn't even bring herself to think about it.

She knew she could raise her watch and contact his Father and tell him and then witness all hell break loose. But what was the point?

It wouldn't bring that little baby back or change what they had done.

Obviously they didn't want anyone to know and she respected that but she also knew she could never look at Alan or Tin-Tin again without feeling...

She didn't know how she felt.

Sad.

Disappointed.

Appalled.

Devastated.

This was a human life and the very reason International Rescue existed was to preserve human life.

How could they kill their own child and then work with such dedication to save the lives of other people?

A knock on the door startled her.

She wiped her eyes hurriedly and tried to put on a bright voice.

"Yes I'm up. Come in."

It was Kyrano carrying a cup of tea and plate of hot biscuits on a tray.

"Mrs. Tracy. It is almost lunchtime and you have had no nourishment. I thought you might like these."

She looked at Kyrano.

The baby had been his Grandchild too and he didn't know a thing about it.

How lucky he was not to know.

It would kill him if he did, Josie thought sadly. His little Tin-Tin is everything to him.

Tears welled up again in her eyes.

Kyrano frowned and sat down beside her.

"Mrs Tracy. Are you feeling all right?"

"No Kyrano. I'm a bit weepy today. I think I must be getting old."

Kyrano looked a little confused. He had known Josephine Tracy for twelve years now and could not remember ever seeing her cry.

"Kyrano," she began. "Have you heard from Tin-Tin?"

He shook his head however he had heard more downstairs than Scott thought he had. He had been nearby when Alan had contacted the base.

His uneasiness continued. He too now worried about this unexpected trip to San Diego.

There were things happening which did not seem to sit right.

oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

If only they knew.

His eyes scanned the gauges as the Pacific Ocean stretched for hundreds of miles on either side of them.

He thanked God he had delayed his departure a few extra hours to attend to the unfinished business he had in San Diego. At least he was on top of it now even though he didn't know what would happen when his Father got to New York.

She seemed to be feeling better now too. Her color had returned and she was at least able to talk to him. What he had insisted she do earlier obviously changed how she was feeling.

He knew Scott would be furious with him. It was nearly nine o'clock. He was due to arrive at four. However things like this took time. They couldn't be rushed. They should have stayed the extra day. The clinic had recommended it.

He grimaced. He would just have to stand there and take the blast from Scott.

He glanced at her as their journey continued.

It had been a split second change of mind and even though she'd cried the whole way through it was done now and at least he didn't have to worry about it anymore.

She sensed what he was thinking and looked over at him her eyes welling with tears.

He said he'd thought about it overnight and even though it wasn't right they simply didn't have a choice. She had reluctantly agreed

She knew her Father wouldn't forgive her and all she could was hope it had been the right thing to do.

He put his hand on hers.

"I'm sorry baby." he murmured. "I'll make it up to you. I promise."

She turned away and the tears started to fall.

She didn't care if he ever made it up to her. She just wanted to get on with her life now.

ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

Author's Note - One unexpected step taken towards total commitment.

NEXT CHAPTER - MONEY ISN'T EVERYTHING

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