Author's Note:- Two different Fathers. Two different guesses. Two very scared young people. This Chapter will deal with Jeff Tracy.

CHAPTER SIX - A FATHER'S WORST NIGHTMARE (PART ONE)

"This is Thunderbird Five to International Rescue Base. Come in Scott!"

The deep voice of John Tracy sounded loud and clear into the Tracy lounge room. Scott Tracy scowled. He hated how John could always sound efficient and bright, even at four thirty in the morning.

"Yeah Scott here John." he said, his voice sounding every bit as tired as he was. "What's doing'? Has the situation over there got any worse?"

John Tracy's features appeared on the screen. As Scott suspected, he was a bright as a button. His hair was neatly combed, his uniform was immaculate and his blue eyes were gleaming with the relief of finally having something to do up in the damned satellite. They widened however after looking at his eldest brother.

Scott looked terrible. His dark hair was everywhere and he looked like he'd aged ten years since John had spoken to him less than two hours before. John grinned. Scott really took being in charge personally. He never coped very well with the worry of command despite his steel nerves when he controlled the rescue proceedings in the field.

"Gosh what happened to you?" he asked.

Scott saw the quick grin steal across his brother's fine features and the even quicker but useless attempt to disguise it.

"What's happened to me? I haven't had any sleep that's what plus I'm a nervous wreck sending that kid off in my Thunderbird craft on four hours sleep in forty eight."

Scott had to admit he was really worried.

He had been up all night worrying about a rescue happening and anxiously watching the clock tick over as his youngest brother slept himself back into a fit state for duty. The call came after Alan had been asleep for four hours and he hadn't looked too good when Scott gave him his orders.

John nodded.

"Mmm… Maybe you should have gone yourself Scott."

John's comment ignited the Tracy spark. Scott's dark blue eyes flashed as he looked at John.

"Do you want to run things?" he snapped. "I'll work for you if you like."

John shook his head at his eldest brother. It always amused him that Scott complained Alan had a hot temper. Did he ever look at himself sometimes? He didn't sleep. He got bad tempered under stress. He was worried sick about failing. John didn't understand why he put himself through it time after time.

"No Scott I don't want to run things but I wonder if you do either sometimes."

"What's that supposed to mean John?"

"You could have said no to Dad this time if you were worried about failing him."

Scott looked imperiously at him.

"I would never say no to my Father and you know it. For the record too John, I don't fail at anything."

John had achieved what he wanted to do. He'd now upset Scott enough to breathe a bit of life back into him. John resumed his official tone.

"The situation in New Zealand seems to be the same and no worse from what I can ascertain. The avalanche is a beauty from what I've picked up Scott. The three people trapped in the air pocket still have a fair amount of air but when the kid gets there he's going to have to work fast in setting up a mobile control. Virgil is going to have to help Gordon out as soon as they touch down."

Scott nodded. Alan knew about setting up mobile controls. However how efficient he was going to be was anyone's guess without much sleep. Scott started worrying again.

"FAB John. Keep me up to date with any new developments all right?"

John smiled wickedly at his brother.

"I'll do my job. I'll leave you to handle...yours. Thunderbird Five out."

Scott frowned. John Tracy was going to get it next time he came down here on rotation. His tone showed no respect whatsoever and he heard the sarcasm in his voice. How could he say no to his Father? He knew Jeff Tracy expected him to head International Rescue eventually. If this was how it was going to be, with insubordination and sarcasm, he hoped that day was a long way off. As for the fear of failing…

He pushed the ever-familiar buttons on his Father's desk, the buttons to contact his own Thunderbird craft.

"This is International Rescue to Thunderbird One. Come in Alan."

Alan Tracy rubbed his exhausted eyes as he reached for the controls. Two hours sleep had not been enough. Scott thought he had been asleep for four. Fat chance. He was so angry with his brother after storming out of the lounge and after everything that had happened that day he hadn't been able to put his mind to rest long enough to get four hours sleep.

He'd lain on the double bed where all of the trouble had started in the first place staring the ceiling for the first hour, then paced the room worrying about his Father finding out about the money for the next. Exhaustion finally got the better of him and he fell into an uneasy slumber. Two hours later his watch beeped and to his dismay he knew Scott expected him to respond to a Rescue call.

He had toyed with idea of telling Scott he couldn't do it but Scott had already called him irresponsible once and he wasn't about to give him another opportunity to say it.

However, it now occurred to Alan Tracy that flying towards New Zealand at the speed he was doing whilst hardly able to keep his eyes open might be more than just a bit irresponsible too!

"This is Thunderbird One to Base." he replied, trying to sound alert.

"You OK kid?" were the first words he heard.

"Sure I'm fine. Do you have an update from Thunderbird Five?"

Scott proceeded to give him the information.

"Now Alan. Take it in steady on that mountainside. It's an avalanche and don't forget that."

"I know what I'm doing Scott. I'm not as irresponsible as you think I am."

Scott knew Alan was still smarting from the dressing down. He could hear it in his voice. Well he wasn't prepared to apologise. The line was drawn in the sand now and Alan Tracy had better not cross it again where International Rescue business was concerned.

"Alan. You were yesterday and you know I'm worried sick about you up there at the moment." he said quietly.

"Yeah OK." Alan grumbled knowing Scott was right. "I'm sorry but I couldn't get home earlier Scott. Tin-Tin and I had things we had to do that couldn't wait."

"We'll be talking about that after the rescue."

"All right. Scott I do need to talk to you about something else that happened in San Diego before Dad gets home from New York."

A flashing from John's eyes on the wall interrupted the conversation.

"Alan I've got to radio out, John looks like he's got more news. Make sure you keep my Thunderbird intact. You got that?"

"Yes Sir."

"And look after yourself." he added in a worried voice.

"Thunderbird One out."

Scott felt more weight go down on his shoulders.

That kid looked like living death.

He should have gone himself.

He'd made the wrong decision.

Now to make matters worse, Alan had something to tell him before their Father got back from the Company business.

It usually meant he'd gotten himself into trouble again. What was it this time and why before his Father returned from New York?

Scott sighed but it confirmed the one thing he suspected from last night.

He knew that his Grandmother knew something!

````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````

FATHER NUMBER 1

He couldn't stop himself from shaking. He was furious. He just could not believe it. He reached for the radio and tried to control himself before he used it. His anger overcame him. He slammed the mouthpiece down.

It couldn't be true. It just couldn't. Not Alan. Not his son.

As Jeff Tracy prepared himself to land Tracy 2 at San Diego Airport for the second time in less than thirty-six hours, his mind ticked over and his anger burned. He very rarely got really angry but he was really angry now. As the plane landed he said over and over in his head.

"I don't believe it. I won't believe it. I can't believe it. Not my son."

The landing was smooth and it wasn't long before he was stowing the sleek craft in the Tracy hangar in the light aircraft area of the airport.

He lifted his bags and briefcase out of the plane and squared his jaw with determination.

He had a lot of things to do here in San Diego before he went back to talk to that son of his. Alan had a hell of a lot of explaining to do. However before he started investigating what Alan had been up to, Jeff Tracy knew the first thing he needed to do was sleep.

Jeff had made it policy in International Rescue that no-one flew anything, aircraft or Thunderbird craft without at least six hours sleep. However he was so angry at the moment he had broken his own rules.

Unable to sleep a wink at the Plaza hotel after reading the fax transmission, he checked himself out at three in the morning and had returned to Tracy Enterprises to pore over his financial statements. He couldn't believe his son would do such a thing. However, as he combed through the outgoings of his Company with depth and intensity, his worst nightmare veered up and hit him clean in the face. It was there in front of his eyes.

Hank Davies had released fifty thousand dollars to be collected at San Diego Airport on Friday. The day Alan flew into San Diego.

Thirty hours later twenty five thousand dollars of it was transmitted back in.

The day Alan flew out of San Diego.

Where did the other twenty-five thousand dollars go? What did he need fifty thousand dollars for in the first place?

Not only was he feeling mighty sick in the stomach over his eldest son's affair with a married woman; but also now he had found out that his youngest son appeared to be misappropriating funds out of his Company. Jeff didn't quite know how to cope with this off-chance discovery. He didn't believe it. He didn't want to believe it. That boy of his was certainly wild and impulsive but he wasn't a thief. Was he?

Jeff felt his mouth become dry. This was his son for God's sake. If he needed money why didn't he come to him and ask for it? Surely he wasn't that unapproachable.

Obviously it was being used for something Alan didn't want him to know about and that angered him more. Worse still, Jeff Tracy realised he had Tin-Tin Kyrano with him at the time. He trusted her Father without reservation. He trusted her. He had grown to love her as he would have loved his own daughter. Surely she wouldn't do anything underhanded. He had educated her.

He thought back to how he dressed Hank down that morning before leaving New York for releasing the money without a personal telephone call to him at the island.

"Your son telephoned me." Hank said feeling decidedly miffed. "I thought he had your go-ahead considering you'd signed the request Jeff."

Hank Davies produced the original document Jeff Tracy had "signed" in his defence and Jeff had been forced to swallow his pride and apologise. He couldn't bring himself to admit to Hank or anyone else that the son he had raised had been dishonest and forged his signature on that document too.

Clutching the file of papers he had compiled, Jeff Tracy strode out of Tracy Enterprises and headed for San Diego, determined to find answers.

Well he was here now, still disbelieving and very tired.

He made his way to the locked garage where the black Porsche was stowed.

As he opened the garage the fading San Diego sunlight caught its shiny exterior and it glistened. He sighed and threw his luggage in the back seat.

Normally he enjoyed his trappings of wealth, not that he ever took them for granted after the old days, but today he didn't care if he drove a Porsche or took the bus. His youngest son had let him down badly and at the moment he was extremely angry. Underneath that anger also lurked a very real disappointment that one of his sons had been unable to come to him about something.

As he drove onto the freeway in the car he tried to think what Alan would have needed fifty thousand dollars for. He hoped he wasn't gambling. He never knew with that boy. If there was vice to be had or bad company to be involved with or trouble to get himself into, Jeff Tracy could guarantee Alan would be right in the middle of things.

He'd hardly need fifty thousand dollars to wine and dine Tin-Tin for the evening. Maybe he'd planned to shop with her? He wouldn't spend fifty thousand dollars shopping. No, whatever it was it had to be illegal, Jeff convinced himself.

He started on himself again.

I can't believe it. I just can't believe it. He's my son. I've always trusted my boys.

He thought about Scott and he sighed with frustration. He couldn't believe that either.

He arrived at the hotel in the center of the city. He opened the car door with his heart heavy. He went to retrieve his luggage from the back seat. He leaned into the back seat to pick up his overnight bag and computer.

He saw it.

He picked it up and looked at it.

He slipped it into his briefcase.

```````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````

It was almost eight o'clock and the rescue had been in progress for nearly two hours.

Scott was loath to leave the desk to take a break. What was happening out there? He hated being stuck at the base even though he was in charge. He wondered how that kid was. He could hear the progress of the rescue on the radio but he couldn't see what his brother looked like. He could imagine what he'd be like by now.

"I should have gone myself," he muttered for the tenth time.

"I beg your pardon Mr. Scott?"

Scott looked towards the doorway. In it stood Kyrano carrying some toast and coffee for him.

"Sorry Kyrano. I was just thinking aloud."

Kyrano walked over to place the tray on the desk.

Scott gave him a half-smile, as he nervously recalled upsetting Tin-Tin the night before.

"Err thanks," he mumbled, feeling guilty. Kyrano nodded silently.

Scott reminded himself that he needed to apologize to her.

"How goes the rescue Mr. Scott?"

"Yeah fine. Alan's on mobile control and Virgil and Gordon are progressing well with the mole. I'm hoping that mountainside will hold out until they're done."

He nodded. Scott noticed that Kyrano's expression rarely changed. He was always quiet and attentive. Scott noted however that today he continued to stand beside the desk as if wanting to say something but unable to find the words.

He looked at him and sighed. Kyrano wanted him to apologize to Tin-Tin he supposed. Best to get it over with then. He might learn to hold his temper in check next time.

"Kyrano is Tin-Tin about?" he began.

He shook his head with worry.

"She continues to sleep. She is sleeping rather a lot at present."

Scott looked decidedly abashed.

"Kyrano I'm sorry about last night. I lost my temper with Alan and I guess she caught the end of it. I know I upset her and I will apologize the moment she wakes up."

He nodded but still lingered.

Is there anything else Kyrano?" he asked.

Before Kyrano could answer Alan Tracy's voice interrupted him.

"This is Mobile Control to Base."

Scott sat bolt upright in the chair.

"Go ahead Alan."

"The mission has been a success Scott. Gordon and Virgil have the three-trapped people out now. We're all getting the heck out of here. This mountainside is pretty dangerous. I'll be in contact when I'm back in the air."

Scott breathed a sigh of relief.

"Good job Alan. " he murmured. "Tell Virgil and Gordon I said so will you and get yourselves home... immediately."

"FAB Scott." Alan replied. He knew the hidden meaning behind that last word.

```````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````

FATHER NUMBER 1

He hadn't been able to sleep in San Diego either.

He was now rifling through his each of his son's credit card statements from the past six months.

Scott's were in keeping with his visits to the mainland, mainly accommodation and meals in San Diego and New York. Virgil's followed a similar pattern; in addition to the expected art supplies and sheet music. John's showed the trend of his month on and off rotation in the satellite. His were mainly hotel accommodation and Jeff Tracy raised his eyebrows at the rest. It must be extremely frustrating up in that satellite! Gordon's statements appeared to be those of someone who hit the town hard when he was on leave and there were some interesting entries there as well!

They are men he told himself. They have needs.

Now the statements he was dreading to see. Was the fifty thousand dollars an isolated case or was this youngest boy up to his neck in it?

Jeff carefully scanned each entry. The monthly rotation was apparent like John's. Other months were normal. The most recent statement showed three entries, which seemed consistent with him only returning from space three days ago. The first entry was accommodation at this very place on Friday; two rooms. The second and third entries were very strange for Alan. Why would he go there? Jeff made a mental note to visit those places if he needed to.

He put the pages back into his briefcase and lay down on the double bed with his hands behind his head thinking. What was the money for?

He sat up again. It was preying on his mind and he had to open it.

He unzipped his briefcase and pulled out the white envelope he had found earlier on the back seat of the Porsche. He looked at it. It might give him a clue about what his son was involved in. The envelope had the word "Tracy" typed on the front.

Jeff Tracy opened the envelope and pulled out the contents.

A small piece of paper with Alan's handwriting on it fell to the floor. Jeff bent to retrieve it and saw it had a telephone number and a San Diego address written on it. He looked at the address frowning. It didn't mean anything to him. The gambling thought came back. Maybe it was a house in the suburbs where gambling took place. He'd heard of those places.

What else was in the envelope? As he looked he felt his heart stop beating in his chest. He let out a small gasp of air and felt the room spin around him.

He'd seen enough of those images in his time to know what they were. Each image had the same label. "Tracy"

Oh no Alan!

No. No. No. No. No.

A thousand times No!

Not this too!

He sat down on the bed, his face almost scarlet. He couldn't breathe. He felt hot tears form in his eyes as his disbelief escalated. He looked at the image again.

"Tracy".

Oh my God.

Alarmed, she left this peaceful place from where she watched over her five sons to talk to his heart before it gave out on him.

TO HIS SHATTERED HEART

"Jeff please don't be hard on my son."

----------------------------------------

FROM HIS ANGRY MIND

"I told him to be careful. Stupid damned boy. Protect yourself I said. Protect her. Over and over again."

----------------------------------------

TO HIS SHATTERED HEART

"Jeff please don't be hard on my son."

----------------------------------------

FROM HIS ANGRY MIND

"These pictures show that baby is nearly nine weeks. The two of them saw me at the airport. Why didn't he tell me? Does he think that it's just going to go away?"

---------------------------------------

TO HIS SHATTERED HEART

"Jeff don't be hard on my son."

A short pause as the realization of where his money had probably gone suddenly hit Jeff Tracy.

---------------------------------------

FROM HIS ANGRY MIND TO HIS SHATTERED HEART

"Of course that's it. The pictures. The money. Why they came here. That's why he didn't say anything. Oh no! He's done the unthinkable..."

--------------------------------------

TO HIS SHATTERED HEART

"Jeff don't be hard on my son."

--------------------------------------

FROM HIS SHATTERED HEART.

"He's done this to Tin-Tin. How could he? He said he loved her. What sort of boy have I raised?"

--------------------------------------

FROM HIS ANGRY MIND

"I'm going to damned well kill him for this."

---------------------------------------

TO HIS MIND

"Jeff. You wanted me to go through the unthinkable."

---------------------------------------

TO THE SPIRIT

"I know but that was different. I was desperate to protect our interests in Asia."

---------------------------------------

TO HIS HEART

"But you still expected me to go through with it."

----------------------------------------

TO THE SPIRIT

"I realized it was wrong before the appointment got made."

----------------------------------------

TO HIS MIND

"You knew I would never give up my baby. Despite that you were prepared to ask me do the unthinkable. Please don't be hard on Alan."

----------------------------------------

TO THE SPIRIT

"Lucille. Don't remind me of my own mistakes. Alan should never have happened."

----------------------------------------

TO HIS MIND

"But he did and he has now made the same mistake as you. Please don't be too hard on my son."

----------------------------------------

TO THE SPIRIT

"Lucille, the difference between Alan and myself is that he not only has he gone through with it but he's also misappropriated twenty five thousand dollars from the company into the bargain."

----------------------------------------

TO HIS MIND

"Of course. The company. It always comes down to the money."

---------------------------------------

TO THE SPIRIT

"It's not the money. My family has always been more important than money. It's the deception and the lies associated with it. This scan even shows Tin-Tin under the false name of Tracy. Trying to make this thing decent by even more lies!"

---------------------------------------

TO HIS MIND

"I pretended to be your wife in the Doctor's office before we got married. You didn't want anyone to know we weren't married when Scott was confirmed."

----------------------------------------

TO THE SPIRIT

"We were going to get married the next week anyway. That's different."

----------------------------------------

TO HIS HEART

"It's not different Jeff. Please don't be too hard on my son."

----------------------------------------

TO THE SPIRIT

"Lucille. Leave me be to deal with our son."

----------------------------------------

TO HIS MIND

"You wouldn't have had a son to deal with if you'd have had your way Jeff."

----------------------------------------

The spirit left him. He felt exhausted as a result of it. Beads of perspiration marked his forehead. He looked about the room wondering if that altercation within him had actually happened.

He remembered back to when he and Lucy had argued over the fifth pregnancy and how he had asked her to consider a termination so that he could keep the Company afloat. She had steadfastly refused despite what happened as a result of it. They hadn't gone though with it. Humph... not like this son of his!

Forcing Kyrano's daughter into an abortion costing twenty five thousand dollars was more than the unthinkable. It was absurd.

How badly had Alan wanted to hide this? Jeff's temper reared again.

Well he wasn't hiding it from him. This boy would know his wrath like he'd never known it before.

Irresponsible. No moral character. No conscience. Nothing.

How could any Father sleep after all this had come to light?

He looked at the small piece of paper he held.

Before he left San Diego to confront this boy, he would make one hundred per cent sure that this was where the money had gone.

````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````

FATHER NUMBER 2

He'd lost count again and sighed with frustration. Kyrano silently berated himself for failing to concentrate as he was forced to throw yet another pancake mixture into the garbage disposal. He couldn't concentrate on anything until he spoke with Tin-Tin.

Or to Mr. Alan.

He had hardly slept last night as a result of the worry in his heart. She said she was all right and he did not believe her. However without her confiding in him, he didn't know what to do or how he could help her.

He glanced at the clock. It was nearly lunchtime. She was still in her room.

Despite the fact that she had not said her tears were Alan's doing, Kyrano felt his mood blackening towards Jeff Tracy's youngest son.

He had been shocked at the sight of her when they returned from the mainland. She had stood in front of Scott Tracy pale, exhausted and emotional. What had Mr. Alan done to her there?

Her voice dragged him from his thoughts.

"Hello Father." she said quietly. "I'm sorry I am so late this morning. I was very tired after being on the mainland."

He anxiously surveyed her face. She was still a bit pale. She gave him a delicate smile, which pleased him, but he continued to look deep within her, as he was able to do with pinpoint accuracy.

"Good morning Tin-Tin. I trust all is well with you now?"

"Yes Father. I was very tired last night. Do you need my help?"

No, her eyes did not lie. Her soul was mortally wounded. He could see it.

"I must admit I am having difficulty in remembering my pancake recipe today. I would appreciate your assistance," he said, deliberately intending to keep her with him until she told him what was bothering her.

As they sifted flour and stirred batter together he suddenly asked.

"Child, has Mr. Scott spoken with you?"

She shook her head. "No but he was right last night Father. I didn't have an excuse for disobeying his command and neither did Alan."

Kyrano saw her bite her lip and lower her head when she spoke about Alan.

He put down his spatula and put his arm around her shoulders and spoke to her in the way he knew assured her that she could confide in him.

"Tin-Tin I want you to look into my eyes and tell me nothing is wrong."

Tin-Tin knew she couldn't do that. He would draw the truth out of her about what she did yesterday. She wanted to confide in him but she couldn't. She just couldn't. He wouldn't forgive her.

"Father. Let's just get these pancakes made." she replied turning away from him.

Kyrano sighed. This was all so unlike her.

````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````

Lunch was delayed to accommodate the arrival home of the Thunderbirds. Scott and his Grandmother sat out on the balcony together waiting for the roar they knew would not be far off as the craft returned to the island base.

Tin-Tin and Kyrano came to sit with them.

"All is in readiness Mrs. Tracy." Kyrano nodded. "Would you care for a glass of light wine beforehand?"

Josie Tracy shook her head and sighed with misery.

"No thanks Kyrano."

Kyrano felt the undercurrent of worry again. Mrs. Tracy was not herself. Tin-Tin was not herself. Something was very wrong in this household.

Scott took up the offer of the wine and Kyrano padded away in the direction of the bar.

Scott felt the glass of wine might help. He intended to sleep after the meal and try to get his demeanor back. He had really behaved out of character these last eighteen or so hours and had to admit to himself that he still had a long way to go in the handling of the command of International Rescue. He had never worried about commanding in the Air Force and it puzzled him why whenever Jeff Tracy left him in his seat that he fell apart like he did.

His Grandmother kicking at his leg under the table interrupted his thoughts. What was she doing that for? What had he done now? Realization dawned. It was what she wanted him to do.

He cleared his throat.

"Ah Tin-Tin. I want you to know that I was a little over the top last night. I'm sorry I shouted at you like that. It was inexcusable."

She nodded and looked at him with her soft brown eyes.

"That's OK Scott. It was my fault. I'm sorry too." she replied

Scott looked at his Grandmother to obtain her silent approval of his action. He saw her looking at Tin-Tin with her own face of disapproval. He knew the look. He'd seen it often enough when it was aimed at him.

"She knows what's up," he thought. "She knows."

Scott expected that he would know soon too. Alan would be home in around thirty minutes and no one, including Alan was having any sleep until the air was cleared around here. He continued to watch his grandmother. He didn't like the way she was looking at Tin-Tin. What had Tin-Tin done to bring this on? He couldn't take it. He had to know now.

"Tin-Tin." he said. "Can you check whether Brains will be joining us for lunch?"

She looked surprised but stood up and went in the direction of the downstairs laboratory.

Scott stood up and looked around before turning to face his Grandmother. He leaned against the balcony railing. The same imperious eyes as Jeff Tracy's looked into hers.

"Grandma. I want you to tell me what's going on."

Josie Tracy pursed her lips and her eyes narrowed. She felt so much anger at the moment towards that little girl who had just left the room for doing that to her baby. It was almost as if Josie was in her own grief process. First she hadn't believed it, and then she was sad, now she was angry. However she had agreed she would suffer these emotions in silence. She wasn't going to tell anyone.

"No Scott." she replied. "I'm not telling you. You ask your brother if you want to know."

Scott looked at her with resentment.

"Grandma. I trust you with everything. The least you can do is trust me. Alan has told me he wants to talk to me. If it's bad news I need to know what it's about so I can stay calm. I want to don't react like I did last night with him."

She sighed with misery. He was right. He did trust her and she trusted him fully. This secret was too much of a burden to share alone…

"Sit down Scott." she said sadly. "You're not going to like this…"

``````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````

FATHER NUMBER 1

He sat in the black Porsche in front of this place waiting for something to happen. The place looked like any other house in the street, except it was set behind high hedges and was well camouflaged.

The sign on the gateway simply stated it was a "professional suite."

He wished he could get out and walk about to stretch his legs but he didn't want to be seen. A young woman walked past. She stopped for a moment and looked at the car. Jeff wasn't worried about her stopping to look. Many people had already done that this morning. It was a beautiful machine.

She turned into the driveway. She obviously worked there. He steeled himself for the truth or otherwise. He got out of the car and followed her inside.

"Good morning." he said politely. "I wonder if you can help me please."

She looked at him and instantly recognized who he was. Who did not know Jeff Tracy? She reddened a little. He was a very domineering man despite his politeness. His steel blue eyes made her nervous.

"In what way can I help you?" she asked. Anonymity was guaranteed here and she knew he was going to ask her about his son.

"I just want to know a couple of things that's all."

She nodded. "Go ahead. However, I may not be able to answer your questions Mr. Tracy."

"Look." he sighed wearily. "I know what this place is and I know that my son was here with his young girlfriend. I just want to know one thing. Can you confirm that it cost me twenty five thousand dollars?"

"Mr. Tracy. We guarantee privacy to our clients. We perform many procedures here in these suites and that is merely one of them. All I can confirm for you is that the young girl has been here twice, once on Friday and once yesterday. She underwent one of the procedures here yesterday. Your son recently paid for our professional fees yes. That is all I am prepared to tell you."

Jeff Tracy shook his head. "That's all I needed to know anyway."

After pausing to thank her for her trouble, Jeff Tracy walked back to the car shaking his head. Typical Alan. He'd checked it out the first time and gone back the second. That poor girl, he thought. It would have been bad enough the first time.

---------------------------------------------

THE SPIRIT RETURNED

"Don't be too hard on my son Jeff."

---------------------------------------------

HIS HARDENED HEART

"Don't give me that Lucille! Can't you see what he's done? "

---------------------------------------------

THE SPIRIT

"What's done is done Jeff."

---------------------------------------------

HIS HARDENED HEART

"It's not done. He's stolen from me to do this to that sweet girl. For God's sake they used to play together as two innocent little children. As they've grown I watched him grow to love her as a woman. It lifted my heart after all those years of sadness."

---------------------------------------------

THE SPRIT

"It's done Jeff."

---------------------------------------------

HIS HARDENED HEART

"He can't think he's gotten away with it. I don't care that it's done. It's not done for me."

---------------------------------------------

THE SPIRIT

"Don't be hard on my son Jeff."

---------------------------------------------

HIS HARDENED HEART

"Stop saying that to me! How could he love her and do this. I am ashamed to call him my son."

---------------------------------------------

THE SPIRIT

"He loves her. Trust me. I know."

---------------------------------------------

HIS HARDENED HEART

"How can you know? You left him a long time ago. You never raised him and you don't know what he's like or how hard he is to deal with. He needs few more lessons in life from me that's what he needs."

---------------------------------------------

THE SPIRIT

"You wouldn't say that if you knew what I knew Jeff."

---------------------------------------------

As he drove back towards his Hotel Jeff Tracy wondered what else he didn't know. What had that voice inside of him meant?

It didn't matter. He now knew enough.

````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````

Scott Tracy's mouth moved but no sound came out. He looked at his Grandmother with shock and disbelief written all over his face. Josie Tracy wiped her eyes again, the stress of telling the story overwhelming her emotions again.

"Scott I know I'm right. It all fits in and you've only got to look at that sad little girl to know that's what's happened."

Scott still couldn't find any words to say.

This was his baby brother. He'd fed him his bottle all those years ago and played games with him as a little boy. He'd taught him to ride a bike and helped him with his homework. He'd talked to him about their mother when he'd asked. He told him what she was like and made him feel better about the fact she had died. He'd been so careful with that kid. He felt like a Father to him. How dare he do this to Tin-Tin. How dare he...

Scott Tracy's anger exploded like a volcano.

"Why the hell didn't he come to me first Grandma! He knows he can trust Me." he yelled as he paced the balcony.

Josie shook her head.

"Scott I don't know why he didn't come to any of us. Your Father would have understood about the child. He's been worried about it happening so its no great surprise. I knew it would eventually happen with him too. I can't understand any more than you can."

"Yeah well he should have faced up to his responsibilities." Scott fired. " I told you it would happen when I found out that he was sleeping with her. Humph, by the time anyone thought to tell me it was too late. Dad mightn't have stopped him but I could have."

He fell silent and then the tirade began again.

"I can't believe he made her do that Grandma. I thought I raised him right. He was raised like me. I watched out for him when Dad couldn't and you couldn't. Which one of us forgot to say, if you get a girl pregnant you have to do the right thing in one way or another."

Josie looked at Scott as he railed. If this was how Scott was reacting, what in the heck would Jeff be like if he found out.

"Sweetie. Alan knows right from wrong. It's not your fault or your Father's or mine. He's just let us down this time. I know there's no excuse for him and it's worse because it's that dear little child downstairs but there's nothing you and I can do to change it. I wanted you to know but I am telling you as your Grandmother you are not to tackle the subject unless he does."

Scott shook his head stubbornly. No way. This kid was going to know from him that failing to be responsible as a man was not the Tracy way.

His heart pricked and an image from the past veered up and slapped him down. Her. The girl he left behind. Unbeknown to him at the time he'd left her pregnant when he joined International Rescue. He hadn't known but found out through a chance meeting with a friend. By the time he'd gone back to see her, she'd done the same thing as Tin-Tin and Alan...

He shook his head again.

"No Grandma. If Dad isn't going to be told then I'll at least tell Alan what I think of thngs. My youngest brother has no concept of commitment to anything."

A roar in the background made him look up. It was Thunderbirds One and Two. It was unusual that they were together. Virgil was normally a good hour behind. Scott knew why. Ever reliable Virgil would have made Alan fly nearby knowing how exhausted he was. Scott could always rely on Virgil as his anchor.

Josie Tracy looked at her eldest Grandson.

"No Scott. I've trusted you with this. Now I had better be able to trust you " she warned.

He simply gave her his look. Josie Tracy knew it wouldn't matter if Jeff didn't find out about it. Scott would do enough to his brother for them both.

She sighed. It still didn't help that little baby or how that poor little girl must be feeling.

Scott strode into the lounge room as Virgil's voice requested permission to land.

"This is Base to Thunderbirds One and Two. You are clear to land. Welcome back Virg."

Virgil's voice came over the radio.

"Thunderbird Two to Base. FAB. Thanks Scott."

Scott's voice said it all between them. "No Virgil. Thank you."

He had brought his baby brother home safely.

So that his eldest brother could now tear him to pieces!

````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````

FATHER NUMBER TWO

He stood in the kitchen with tears pouring down his face. He had gone to fetch the glass of wine for Mr. Scott and had returned to hear he and his Grandmother conversing about Mr. Alan and his little Tin-Tin.

He had heard enough for him to know what had happened. He had left the wine on the table and left the room in his devastation.

He couldn't believe it. Not his little girl.

She had not gone through with something like that. He would have to hear her say it from her very own lips to believe it.

Tin-Tin walked into the kitchen.

"Father we need to set another place. Brains will be joining us... "

His distressed face stopped her in mid-sentence.

"Father?" she enquired. "What's the matter?"

He looked at his daughter. His only daughter. He loved her more than his life.

"Tin-Tin." he said his voice trembling with emotion as he tried to remain in control of himself. "I have something I must know of you…"

```````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````

NEXT CHAPTER - A FATHER'S WORST NIGHTMARE.. PART TWO

``````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````