Author's Note - Thank you to those who have offered suggestions for this story. Some have been incorporated into the final chapters.Again my thanks Lady Viva for allowing me to "borrow" Margo Marin from her story. mcj

CHAPTER THIRTEEN - A NEW COMMITMENT - PART 2

The view from the Penthouse was spectacular and it was clear to all of them that the San Diego nightlife was moving into full swing.

Dinner had been a quiet affair in the hotel restaurant where they had all agreed to go their separate ways for the rest of evening. Alan had already returned to the hospital while his three older brothers planned to fully enjoy their first and last night of freedom on the mainland for many months. International Rescue had been busy lately; too busy for any of them to indulge in their usual rotated shore leave and they were all in need of some serious socialising. They also knew there would be no more shore leave for several more months.

Their Father had announced on his return from San Diego that he was temporarily standing Alan down to care for the baby until Tin-Tin was well enough to do so for herself. The other Tracy brothers were requested to cover the slack. They all agreed and as a result knew they needed to make the most of things tonight.

"Boy you're sure dressed up to kill. Where are you off to Johnny?" Virgil asked as he watched John straighten his tie in the mirror.

"Darned thing." John muttered as it refused to sit straight. "I've never been able to do a tie properly."

"Scott isn't here to do it for you either." Virgil joked. John had never mastered ties and it was a standard joke in the family that Scott was always required to help him.

John frowned as he fiddled with the knot. "Scott hasn't helped me do my tie since High School Virgil… Oh stupid thing!" he snapped pulling it from around his neck. "Who needs a blasted tie anyhow?"

"Depends who you're wanting to impress I guess." Virgil shrugged.

"What I'd like to know is how this is gonna work tonight if we all get lucky." came Gordon's voice as he strode out of his room buttoning down the sleeves on his shirt. "I don't know why we all didn't book our own suites. I mean geez guys I love you and all but sharing a penthouse with you during shore leave isn't the sort of togetherness I'm wanting to experience on this trip."

"Well don't blame me, it wasn't my idea." John said as he concentrated on the tie again. " Blame Virgil. I couldn't think of anything worse than witnessing either of you trying to make out."

"Well, Alan asked me if we'd all stay with him. What was I supposed to do? Say no or something?" Virgil interjected.

Gordon pulled on his leather jacket.

"That's exactly what you should have said Virgil. If the shoe had been on the other foot and you were asking him to stay, he would have said more than a big fat "no" to you. Can you imagine the tantrum he'd put on? There's no way he would have shared with anyone when he and "we're just friends" Tin-Tin were getting down to business."

"Gordon, you've got your own bathroom and bedroom in here. What are you complaining about? Just shut the door and do what you want." Virgil frowned.

Gordon looked in amazement at his chestnut haired brother. Was he kidding? Didn't he know how thin these walls were?

"Yeah sure Virgil. So you're not gonna be mad if I walk in here when you're about to make your move huh? I'd like to be as sure of finding myself some fun out there tonight as I was of you blasting my butt back out the door and telling me to go someplace else."

Virgil was becoming annoyed.

"Look Gordon, we all know the way it is with us OK? If it bothers you go book yourself a room for the night on another floor."

"Don't worry I will. There's no way I want you in the next room if I get lucky." he replied directly as he went to leave. "I'm off then. Don't do anything I wouldn't do boys!" he winked as the door closed after him.

Virgil and John simply looked at each other. Gordon was such a pain sometimes.

"I don't know why Mom and Dad didn't stop with you Johnny." Virgil groaned. "Those last two kids were two very big mistakes."

John laughed and reached for his coat.

"I'm not arguing with you there. Anyway I'd better make tracks too Virg or I'll be late." he said reaching for the door handle. He paused for a moment as if debating whether to continue or not. Of course he should continue. This was Virgil and he could always share a joke with him. He gave him an uncustomary broad grin before adding, "Err and by the way Virg you can make your moves with complete confidence around me. I promise I'll knock before I come in."

Virgil's voice now reeked with a sarcasm of his own.

"Yeah right John. You just do that OK?"

The two of them laughed again before John looked at his watch. "Sorry Virg, got a date. Gotta fly."

"You still didn't tell me where you were going." Virgil exclaimed.

"No I didn't did I?" John replied and gave him a cheery wave of his hand as he left the penthouse. "Bye big brother."

Now alone, Virgil Tracy stood and walked over to the sweeping windows of the penthouse which gave a magnificent three hundred and sixty degree view of the ocean combined with the lights of San Diego. As he gazed longingly over the city and the ocean he saw again the beautiful face of Katelyn Ross, the woman he had loved and lost trying to please his Father after College. Holding Lucy Josephine today had caused all the memories of his time with her to come flooding back. It also reinforced to him how much he had lost and all the dreams he had given up.

"That sweet little baby I held in my arms could so easily have been ours Katelyn." he whispered. "I would have been the happiest man in the world if she was. Why was I so blind to myself Kate? Why didn't I listen to you and follow my heart instead of my stupid head? Things probably would have worked out for us then and you'd be with me now.

He lowered his head as he reminisced of their passionate love-making together and felt it overwhelm him. Those years with Katelyn had been the happiest three years of his life. She had been his soul-mate, his lover and his friend.

He quickly wiped his eyes before they overflowed and forced himself to regain his composure.

"Yeah well things didn't work out and that's that then. " he murmured miserably.

After a few more minutes of reflection Virgil sighed, strode into his room and pulled on his jacket.

"This is my last shore leave for a long time and a man's a man I suppose. I'd better make the most of it."

He strode towards the elevator and checked he had his credit card.

Given how he was feeling he knew where he needed to go.

THE MEETING (Courtesy of the storyline of Lady Viva's "What is Now and What Should Never Be" )

"Excuse me, may I help you?"

The voice was brisk and direct and not exactly extending an invitation of any kind.

How close did this man need to stand not only to her jet but to her? Who the hell did he think he was? She wondered for a moment if he had any concept of personal space.

She couldn't believe his gall as he stood there on the tarmac staring at her. What was with this guy? He was tall and muscular looking, had curly dark hair that needed a cut, wore clothes two sizes too small, and exuded a seemingly arrogant approach that was positively irritating.

Scott Tracy felt his words catch in his throat after the woman addressed him. He expected to get a welcoming smile as he usually did. Instead he received a look of curiosity and extreme annoyance.

"Oh ... um ...Hello! I was just admiring all of this ma'am and thought maybe you could tell me something about this beautiful machine?" he began.

He bit his lower lip wondering if she realized he wasn't talking about the jet.

"You're bad Tracy" he admonished himself as his eyes scanned her closely. "But boy is she ever easy on the eye."

Working up his charm he continued politely, "You seem to be inspecting it with a fine tuned eye."

The woman's features warmed a bit and she smiled, but only ever so slightly.

"Yes, she's beautiful isn't she? I'm in the process of doing a pre-flight inspection and that's why I'm reviewing every inch of her."

"Exactly what I'd like to be doing with you," he thought. "C'mon, Tracy, settle down. Play your cards right and you'll be in for one fine experience on this trip. "

Without missing a beat, she deftly slipped behind a wing and began checking the ailerons and flaps, making sure they were clear of any debris. "I take it you fancy the executive jets? They do have much more style than your airline variety and not everyone is into flying on Fireflash."

Scott concentrated on fixing his attention on the jet which was proving to be very difficult as this intriguing woman continued to work her way around it. She had to be five ten at least and that flight suit she was wearing totally defied his imagination. He swore if that neckline plunged just one more inch…

Clearing his throat, he responded, "Well, I guess you could say that. Executive jets among other things." He cast his best Tracy smile in her direction but she didn't appear to be the least bit moved.

"So what is it you'd like to know? It's not everyday someone actually comes onto the tarmac to talk about the planes.

"Well, I know this is a LearJet model, and I was wondering about its capabilities. It's truly striking and I definitely like the black paint job. Nothing ordinary about this one, that's for sure."

She smiled and a lilting laugh wafted towards him. He was totally taken by it. There was something different about this woman; something he had never experienced before. He simply had to have her now whatever it took.

She began to talk about the jet's capabilities and the rundown was academic, exact and delivered with pride. This woman knew her stuff all right and explained things to him as though she had designed the Jet herself.

Scott drew every bit of her in as she talked about the Pratt & Whitney Canada turbofan engines, how the LearJet 60 could climb at maximum load to forty one thousand feet in nineteen minutes, fly coast-to-coast non-stop in under six hours cruising effortlessly at fifty one thousand feet. Her eyes lit up as she talked about the latest integrated avionics systems featuring an enhanced Ground Proximity Warning system and Windshear Detection Systems. Suddenly, she caught herself, smiled a bit impishly and laughed to herself.

"Oh, I'm so sorry. I get a little carried away when someone wants to talk aviation with me. I have to remember not everyone is interested in the fine point details."

Scott was so absorbed with this woman. She shared his passion for flight. All thoughts of a physical liaison with her momentarily left his mind. He honestly wanted to know more about her.

"So what's your main involvement with the jet?" he queried. "I gather you are a crew member?"

She emerged from under the empennage and stood up to her full height as she glared at him for his perceived insolence.

"No I am NOT a crew member. I'm one of the senior pilots for this division of Bombardier. I fly left seat in this and several other jets in the fleet."

Scott reddened at the well deserved admonishment. This woman had spirit into the bargain, the same spirit his Mother had possessed.

"I've gotta have her." he breathed silently as an urgency built in his blood. "I'm not leaving here until I do."

"My apologies" he said graciously as he tried to undo the damage of his last remark. "It's obvious you are extremely well qualified."

"That's the understatement of the year." he thought. A woman in charge of a Lear and she couldn't be any older than he was. Scott looked her up and down with nothing but pure fascination.

"I've gotta have you lady." he told himself again. "And not just once to amuse myself either. I'd be happy for the long haul with you."

He'd had enough of the small talk now. It was time for introductions and move forward to the pursuit of his quarry. He was looking forward to conquering this one. The ultimate prize at the end was uppermost again in his mind as he scanned her again…this woman asleep in his arms.

"So may I ask your name Miss...?" he began.

The young woman strode confidently forward and extended her hand. "Margo. Margo Marin."

"And by the way you're coming forward you think you're one of the best too don't you." he contemplated as he leaned forward and took her hand. "Well we'll see how confident you stay when you know who you're talking to."

As Margo shook his hand firmly, he gave her his winning Tracy smile and played what he thought was the trump card.

'Hi Margo. I'm Scott. Scott Tracy of Tracy Enterprises.'

Margo cocked her head to one side and began to laugh heartily. So this cocksure man was a Tracy son and the eldest into the bargain!

It was now obvious all this small talk about Jets had simply been an excuse to talk to her.

Scott looked confused as she shook her head at him. Why was she laughing when he was deadly serious to make her acquaintance? This woman was starting to irk him. She had more intelligence than he cared for and she clearly had him over a barrel at the moment. It suddenly occurred to him that this was not going to be as easy as he first thought.

"Have I said something to amuse you Miss Marin?" he said trying not to appear annoyed.

Margo Marin looked straight into his dark blue eyes noting how deep and interesting they were. He was handsome that was for sure and by the look of his stance he knew it too. He exuded confidence and dominance. It crossed her mind that it would be fun to get to know him better but then why the hell would she bother? She'd heard about Scott Tracy's reputation and had no intention of ending up as one of the many trophies on his much adorned shelf. How stupid did he think she was?

'Scott Tracy." she nodded. "A name anyone in aviation would recognize. A name most women would recognize also or so I'm led to believe.'

Scott coloured red and muttered something about newspapers getting things all wrong. Margo merely shrugged.

"Listen Mr. Scott Tracy or whoever you are I've got a flight to get ready for. That's my job here. So if you will excuse me ..."

She turned her head over her shoulder and looked at his face which showed nothing but pure and utter bewilderment. She had completely rattled him. She smiled mischievously.

"You Tracy men sure do have a reputation and I see that it's warranted. Tell me are all your brothers this direct or just you?"

Scott lifted his chin at her sarcasm and said defensively.

"My brothers don't have the passion for aircraft that I do."

"Is that a fact? I wasn't talking about jets actually. Anyway Mr. Tracy it's been nice but I really don't have time for all your small talk. I gotta jet!'

She spun on her heel and headed for the jet, not even pausing to look back in his direction. Scott swallowed. No woman had ever treated him like this before. No woman had ever shown so much disregard for who he was. No woman had ever exuded so much self confidence in his company.

No woman had ever flamed his passion more.

"Miss Marin!" he yelled after her. "When will you be returning to Teterboro?"

As she paused and turned he lowered his voice and remembered the manners his Father had taught him to use around women. It had been a long time since his charm had failed him and he'd needed to use them.

"Err ... If you don't mind my asking ma'am."

Her beautiful eyes assessed him with a calculating stare. This Scott Tracy was an attractive man in more ways than one and he was a man with a big future and a great big bank account. But money meant nothing to her.

"Maybe I'll be back sometime at the end of the week." she winked and turned away towards the jet.

Scott felt frustrated. He knew only too well this woman would already have her itinerary. Bombardier was a professional outfit and all of its pilots were efficiently engaged.

This Margo Marin was simply playing games with him and normally he didn't care to play games with women. However this one was different. Her game had a prize bigger than he first expected and in the end it was going to be worth it.

"Play games if you will but I'll have you in the end Miss Marin," he muttered as he reached into his pocket and pulled out his aero-cell searching for the number of Bombardier. "I need to borrow your services at the end of the week and I'm sure your employers will be more than happy to deal with Tracy Enterprises."

He made the call.

He got the information.

Margo Marin would return to Teterboro in three days. Bombardier was delighted to be of service to Tracy Enterprises and she would made available to fly on his demand.

He made a second call; this time to his Father. He informed him he would not be returning from New York for a few more days. Some "urgent personal business" had cropped up. International Rescue would simply have to remain down if it was needed until he returned.

Jeff Tracy, mindful of the altercation with Alan over his personal life, thanked Scott for his call and accepted the news without argument. With no shore leave available to his eldest son for the next few months he guessed he simply had to accommodate his "urgent personal business" and hoped she wouldn't detain him too long in New York.

"OK Son," he said carefully. "Just try to get back as soon as you can. You know how things are around here. I'll get Virgil, John and Gordon to cover things if I can. "

"Yes Father. I'll return as soon as I'm done." he said.

The call ended, Scott put his aero-cell back into his pocket and strode off the tarmac with determination filling his whole body.

When his "urgent personal business" returned to Teterboro, he would be waiting for her.

He wished sometimes he had been born the son of an ordinary man, the son of a man who wasn't well known for walking on the moon, or the son of a man who wasn't well recognized and respected in the business world.

Recognition was difficult to deal with sometimes particularly when the people around him stared and pointed out to each other that the young man in the corner of the bar was one of the Tracy sons. The Tracy sons were always well mannered, well dressed and in control of themselves. They had been raised that way and that was how their Father expected them to be.

They all commented the Tracy son concerned wasn't in very good condition. He'd had a little too much to drink tonight. He heard them talking and shrugged. He wasn't bothering anyone and he wasn't disgracing his Father. He simply sat alone in the corner of the bar gazing sightlessly into his half empty glass of scotch.

"Shore Leave." he muttered to himself sarcastically. "Yeah right. It's a real blast."

He looked up.

Another set of eyes met his.

"Mind if I join you?"

"Nope. Sit down kid."

SILENCE AND A SIP FROM THE GLASS

"How long have you been here?"

"Too long. You?"

"I came in just now."

JUST SILENCE

"Usual woman then?"

"Yep. No choice. Only got twenty four hours. How about you?"

"Same. No time for romance. Gotta go home tomorrow. "

"Should be OK for a few months now I suppose."

"I guess so."

SILENCE AND A LARGE GULP FROM THE GLASS

"Going back to the Penthouse soon?"

"Nope. Don't want to."

"Me either."

"Are you happy like this?"

"Nope but I haven't got a choice. How about you?"

"Nope. I've got no choice either."

SILENCE AND ANOTHER GULP FROM THE GLASS

"The Baby was cute huh?"

"Yep. Real cute. Alan sure is lucky."

"Makes you think about things."

"What things?"

"You know. Having a wife. Some kids."

"Not much point me thinking. Can't have that in my life."

"The Rules."

"Yep. The Rules."

SILENCE. THE GLASS WAS EMPTY

"Had enough to drink?"

"Had too much actually. I'm startin' to tell the truth about things."

"Such as?"

SILENCE AND THE MEETING OF EYES

"How unhappy I am as a man. "

"Yeah me too."

"Glad it's not just me then."

SILENCE

"So you gonna do anything about it?"

"Yep."

"What?"

SILENCE AND THE LOWERING OF THE HEAD

"Dunno. Something I guess. You? "

"I suppose."

"What are you gonna do?"

"Find someone maybe.

"Yeah sure."

"Wanna go back bro?"

"Yep. Only getting drunker here."

"Come on Virg. I'll walk with you."

"OK Johnny. It's getting late."

"Mr. Tracy. I'm really sorry about the traffic Sir."

Thus came the tense apology from the Chauffeur who listened to Scott Tracy's fingertips tapping impatiently on the arm rest of the limousine. The car had remained stationary for yet another change of traffic lights. They'd been stuck here now for almost three quarters of an hour.

Scott did not reply and continued to look out the side window of the car. He was deep in thought and the tapping of his fingers was the result of extreme anxiety as well as impatience. His mind whirled from one woman to the other.

Adelaide Washington.

Margo Marin.

Adelaide Washington. How the hell was he going to say this to her? It wasn't going to be easy.

"Mr. Tracy?"

Scott blinked, snapped out of his daze and looked at the Chauffeur.

"I'm sorry. What was that you said?"

"The traffic Sir. It's horrendous today."

Scott shrugged. He was in no hurry to get to mid town Manhattan and face Adelaide Washington. As far as he was concerned the Chauffeur could go to Tracy Enterprises via the moon for all he cared.

"It's not your fault." he said gruffly and turned to look out the window again.

"You seemed impatient Sir. I was worried you had a meeting to attend or something."

"I've got one hell of a meeting all right. " Scott pondered. "One I'm not too darned keen on either."

"No." he replied without moving his eyes. "It's quite all right. It's my own fault we're stuck I suppose. I shouldn't have delayed you at the airport."

The airport.

Margo Marin.

How was he going to win her over? He had to be home in a couple of days and needed to play his cards right if he wanted to have her before he left. The trouble was she knew how to counter play every card he held in his deck by the look of things.

He shook his head.

No ... first things first. He had to end things with Adelaide Washington.

Only two more miles to practice what he was going to say. He closed his eyes and mouthed the words silently.

"Addy. You know how much I loved you in the past and you know I don't want to hurt you now but we can't see each other anymore. There's no future in it for either of us and it's not fair to Mark."

His thoughts continued as he returned to staring aimlessly out the window at the busy New York Street.

"Yeah, that sounds good. Short, sweet and to the point. God knows what I'll do if she cries."

The traffic jam continued in New York City.

The car remained still.

Scott Tracy's worried disposition was obvious.

Adelaide Washington watched the clock nervously. There was only half an hour to go before it was lunch time. She had already asked Hank Davies if he minded if she took the afternoon off. He had agreed provided she finished typing the covering letters for the contracts Scott was coming in to sign later in the day. She had never typed so fast in her life.

"I'll be right to come back tomorrow." she told herself. "He's only here for the afternoon. If he leaves New York tonight I won't have to see him and he won't have to see me."

She looked at the clock again.

"I've got to get these finished and get the hell out of here. Mark's going to flip when he finds out Scott's in town."

Her baby began to kick restlessly reminding her of the way things were.

She typed faster.

She had to get out of here.

The limousine finally came to a stand-still in front of the massive high-rise building housing the multi billion dollar company Tracy Enterprises. The whole building, like the Company was owned by Jefferson Tracy and exuded nothing but professionalism and success as it stood out amongst others as a dominant feature in the Manhattan skyline.

A company built from nothing by a talented young man who started his life on a simple wheat farm in Kansas.

Scott Tracy took his black tie out of his briefcase and knotted it around his neck before stepping out of the vehicle. He pulled on his suit coat as he did so. Those who passed by looked curiously at the limousine and instantly recognised the eldest son of Jefferson Tracy as his eyes lifted skywards to view the magnificent building.

"All your years of hard work and sacrifice Dad." he acknowledged silently "You're one hell of a businessman."

He strode across the pavement and walked up the steps in a businesslike manner before stepping into the magnificent black marble foyer. Many pairs of eyes rose to greet him. Scott spoke to each of them by name as he walked to the elevator.

"Afternoon Mr. Tracy."

"Afternoon Peter."

"Afternoon Mr. Tracy. Haven't seen you for a while."

"No Hec. Been having a break."

"Good to see you Mr. Tracy."

"Likewise Anne."

And so the greetings went on. His Father had always made a policy of knowing each of his employees by name and greeting them personally. He insisted his sons followed his example.

He finally entered the lift and pressed the button which would take him to the fifteenth floor and the massive Offices of Hank Davies and his Father. He cast his eyes down and memorised the pattern on the red carpet as he practiced the words again.

"Addy. You know how much I loved you in the past and you know I don't want to hurt you now but we can't see each other anymore. There's no future in it for either of us and it's not fair to Mark."

As he walked out of the lift he braced himself and gripped his briefcase tighter.

"Well here goes." he murmured taking a deep breath. "This ain't gonna be pretty."

He stood up to his full height and walked confidently into the Office. Adelaide's chair was empty.

Scott breathed a temporary sigh of relief as he made his way down the passageway to his Father's office. He walked to the middle of the room and placed his briefcase on the leather topped desk. His eyes glanced quickly over the fantastic view of New York City before he left his Father's office and headed towards the office of Hank Davies.

He heard voices as he approached. Hank's voice. Her voice. He steeled himself again and went over what he was going to say for the fiftieth time since leaving the airport.

"Addy. You know how much I loved you in the past and you know I don't want to hurt you now but we can't see each other anymore. There's not future in it for either of us and it's not fair to Mark."

"Dear God." he thought. "Just let me get this over with will you."

He squared his shoulders, lifted his chin and strode assertively into the room. Hank Davies looked up from where he sat and smiled at him.

Adelaide Washington's eyes simply widened with distress at the sight of him. She had just been about to leave after correcting a mistake Hank had found in her work. Why couldn't Scott have waited two more minutes? In only two more minutes she would have been gone.

Scott's blue eyes doubled in size when he saw her. His heart started to beat faster. His mouth went dry. He started to sweat.

She had to be eight months at least if Tin-Tin had been anything to go by.

Dates flashed around in his head.

She had been with him ten months ago, nine months ago, dear God... eight months ago.

His eyes fixed wildly on hers.

Her eyes were frightened.

He veered red.

She paled.

He stared.

She averted her eyes.

It was Hank Davies who saved the day.

"Scott!" he exclaimed as he stood up and offered his hand. "It's absolutely wonderful to see you again. It's been eight months now. "

Scott nodded in silence. He couldn't find his voice to speak as he continued to look at Adelaide Washington's distended stomach in horror.

Finally he managed to pull himself together enough to stammer.

"Err...Err...Yes. Same here Hank."

"I hear you flew over in Excelsior today."

Scott tried to act normally. He had to. Hank was looking at him as if he sensed something was wrong.

"Yes I did as a matter of fact. Double the speed of a conventional jet."

"It's a great design Scott."

"Yeah. I'm pretty proud of her all right."

"But still no plans to duplicate?"

Scott's eyes flickered towards Adelaide. He wanted to talk about Excelsior but he was in too much shock to do so.

"Err... no. Not at this stage."

"That's a great shame." Hank sighed. "The company would make a fortune selling that one. So Scott can I interest you in some coffee?"

Scott shook his head. He doubted he could swallow the way he felt at the moment. He noticed Hank Davies looking at him curiously. He had obviously seen his reaction to Adelaide. He had better make some fast small talk.

"So Adelaide." he began brightly, trying not to look at her stomach. "How's things? You and Mark have been pretty busy in my absence I see." he said, trying not to choke on his final words.

She smiled uncomfortably and laid a hand on her belly.

"Yes we have. It's boy we've been told. Mark is very excited at the prospect of becoming a Father as you can imagine."

Scott swallowed hard.

"Yes I would suppose he is. A boy huh? That's nice. You're looking very well for it Adelaide. Pregnancy obviously agrees with you then."

"Thank you Scott. I feel fine too."

"I hate to butt in but did your Father tell you Adelaide is leaving us at the end of the week Scott?" Hank enquired.

"No Hank. No he didn't. That's a terrible shame." Scott replied tightly as he made a big effort to smile. "I for one value your services a great deal Adelaide."

Adelaide looked at his smile. He was forcing it and she wasn't too sure what he meant with that "services" remark. After living with him for four years it wasn't hard to read Scott Tracy or read between the lines of his words. She had to get out of here before he could be alone with her.

"Well I'll put these in Scott's Office and go home if that's OK with you Hank." she began as she gathered up the letters and went to leave the Office.

"Unless Scott has something he needs done." Hank said looking expectantly at the eldest Tracy son.

Scott looked at both of them and made himself sound agreeable as he addressed her.

"Well actually I did have one or two letters I needed you take care of concerning the patent on Excelsior's design." he said. "Can you see your way clear to give me another half an hour of your time Adelaide? I'd like to get that done if you don't mind."

Adelaide swallowed. He wanted to talk to her and she didn't want to talk to him. She wanted to simply run from the room but knew she had to face things now.

She nodded and tried to sound as if it didn't bother her despite the fact her stomach had knotted and her hands were trembling.

"No. Scott. Not at all. I'm happy to do that for you." she replied tightly.

Scott gave her a brisk businesslike acknowledgement of his head.

"Good then. Give me a few minutes to go over things with Hank will you and then join me in my office with some coffee and your notebook."

He looked around the small room and marvelled at her exquisite taste.

Everything that girl touched had a warm and special feel to it. He could understand why his son loved her.

Little touches, like a child's book of the alphabet with three small blocks lettered A, B and C resting on top, lay on the dresser. A tiny designer outfit was placed next to it; the outfit she had planned to bring the baby home in. It had been forgotten in the rush. To the left was a huge blue teddy bear with a yellow ribbon around its neck. It was resting on top of a pile of blue diapers. To the right was a rocking chair with yellow and blue lace cushions.

A room totally suited to his Grand daughter; baby Lucy Josephine Tracy.

He was in here now to finish things off properly.

In the hurry to get to the hospital there had been no time to make up the baby's cot, no time to hang pictures on the walls and no time to add the finishing touches of love this room needed to make it worthy of the sweet little baby girl laying in the hospital in San Diego.

He intended to do that today before she came home in a couple of weeks. It was going to be a surprise. He hadn't planned a surprise for anyone in such a long time.

He looked about trying to find a suitable place to put the white cardboard box which had taken him nearly half an hour to find.

That basement really needed tidying out he told himself. Between old astronomy chartings, artwork, broken electronic toys, financial records and old aviation plans he couldn't find a thing in there.

He made a mental note to have the boys tidy things out for him when they came home from San Diego. It would give them something to do between rescues. He smiled to himself at the reaction THAT was going to get.

He looked around the room again and decided the floor was as good a place as any to put the box.

He set it down near the rocking chair and sat down beside it.

The rocking chair loomed into his vision. With the fresh coat of polish Alan had given it, it looked almost new again.

That chair had seen many a sleepless night in the Tracy house over the years.

He had found the battered old chair in a little antique shop in Houston, the day before her twenty fourth birthday. She had been four months pregnant then and although she could have asked him for anything for herself, she had settled for dinner at their favourite restaurant and asked him to find a rocking chair to nurse their baby.

Rocking chairs were hard to find but he could never refuse Lucille Evans anything. He searched all over Houston to find it for her and lovingly stayed up all night to polish it up to look like new.

Scott ... he'd been their first ...a restless and colicky baby... needing to be rocked for hours on end before falling asleep. Many times he had awoken alone in their king sized bed to look across the room and see her asleep in the chair with Scott in her arms. His tiny head had been burrowed in her shoulder. Her tired but beautiful face was rested against his tiny body. Those times he had quietly lifted Scott from her arms and placed him in his cot. He had kissed her and led her back to bed. He had held her close to him until he knew she was properly asleep.

Virgil ... placid, quiet and cuddly. Rocked as he fed from her breast and almost instantly asleep. Despite the easiness of his second son he still woke alone in the king sized bed to find her asleep in the chair with Virgil in her arms. He had gently lifted Virgil from her arms and placed him in his cot. He had kissed her beautiful face and led her back to bed. He lay with her in his arms, stroking her hair until she slept. Caring for two children was tiring and he wanted her to get her rest.

John ... insecure, anxious, clingy. Offered the breast until she could offer it no more. Rocked day and night to no avail. It was rare he slept himself in those days. He had business plans whirling around in his head. Night after night her beautiful voice lulled not only John but him to sleep. When he awoke several hours later, he was still alone in the king sized bed. She still held John in her arms lest he woke again and became distressed. He had insisted she put him down and get some rest herself. No words were spoken between them as he removed their blonde haired baby son from her arms and placed him in his cot. He led her back to bed and went to hold her in his arms but after three children and so many sleepless nights she was worn out. She rolled over to face the wall, clutched her pillow and fell into a deep sleep.

Gordon ... premature, vulnerable, tiny. Born too soon and the centre of her life as she desperately tried to get him to grow. She rocked him as he half-heartedly fed from his bottle every three hours day and night for months. Exhausted from his business workload and huge responsibilities, he very rarely woke to realise he was alone in the king-sized bed. But when he did he looked across the room to see their tiny red-haired baby boy asleep on her shoulder after yet another half hearted feeding. Her eyes opened and closed with fatigue as she held him. He refused to finish his bottle and she was totally spent after staying awake to force him. He tenderly took Gordon from her and said it didn't matter if the bottle wasn't empty. She badly needed to get some sleep. She fell into bed herself until the next three hours passed. She was too tired to lie in his arms; too tired to face the wall and clutch her pillow. Four children was enough now and she didn't want any more. It was time he saw to that.

Alan ... and the rocking chair rocked no more.

He now woke alone in their king sized bed to the sound of his new born baby son crying. He looked across the room to see the chair empty. She was gone. Gone, leaving him with four children under six years of age and a terrified eight year old. He had to get up himself and feed the baby. Emotionally broken, burdened with a failing Company and raising his five babies alone, all he had wanted was her. But she was never coming back.

Now Lucy Josephine... the first Tracy daughter in so many generations of Tracy sons. Other than Virgil, he had never seen a child more like his beloved Lucy in looks. She would now be rocked by the son she had never had the opportunity to rock herself. He would hold her as she would have held him. They would now share their special bonding in a different way.

Jeff Tracy allowed his features to relax and he smiled as he sat alone in the nursery in Alan and Tin-Tin's apartment. The thought of Alan and Lucy bonding gave him a lot of happiness. He would look forward to seeing Alan in that chair on one of the many sleepless nights he knew he was going to face.

His attention returned to the box. It was dusty and he needed to wipe it down before he went any further. He reached into his pocket, pulled out his handkerchief and smoothed it over the outside. He paused for a moment and steeled himself before proceeding to open it.

Her smiling image looked up at him as he pulled back the last cardboard flap.

The box contained her photographs; the photographs he had packed away in sheer devastation the day after her death.

The photographs he had never allowed his sons to see.

He had felt such a failure as a Father when he couldn't bring Lucille back to his sons despite them pleading with him to find a way to do it. His heart tore apart further as he witnessed the tears falling from their little eyes. They had discovered "Daddy", their hero, couldn't do everything like they thought. He was just an ordinary man.

On top of that he simply could not deal with looking at the smiling face of their mother every moment of every day. It killed him. All trace of her existence had to be removed for the sake of his own sanity. He had been so emphatic about that back then. His little boys would forget they once had such a beautiful and vibrant person in their lives and simply get on with things like he was.

He made his babies stop crying for their mother and be men. Tracy sons don't cry, he told them as he set the example for them himself. He set his jaw and refused to cry. Hiding his feelings was the only way he knew how to cope with anything and he insisted they hide theirs too.

He hadn't meant for them to grow up before their time. He just didn't want them to hurt like he was.

He had turned to his work for comfort. His sons had turned to him. He set the example again. He refused to discuss her.

He set his jaw and told them they needed to accept that their mother was dead and asked them not to mention her anymore. He realised in that room in San Diego what a terrible mistake he had made. Instead of saving them pain he had heaped more misery on them by forcing them to grieve in silence, too frightened to cry in front of him or talk about her in his presence.

He should have talked of her often, spoken openly about his love for her and allowed his sons to see him as he really was. Well they were going to see that now.

Things were going to change around here for the better.

He lovingly looked through the photographs for the first time in twenty two years. Tears welled in his eyes but did not fall. This time he wasn't trying to forget. Instead he allowed himself to remember the events surrounding each and every photograph of her... each special and precious memory. He actually found himself laughing as he sat on the floor looking at a photograph of her dripping wet in a tight t-shirt after being "accidentally" hosed by him in the garden. It suddenly occurred to him he had a sense of humour like Gordon way back then.

He found a picture of Virgil amongst the photographs. He had hidden it away too because of the memories of Lucy it gave him. Virgil was sitting on his lap with his arms wrapped around his neck. The very next picture was one of Lucy in exactly the same position. Virgil's words rang in his ears as he compared them.

"I love you Daddy." Virgil had whispered as Lucy took the picture in the back garden in Florida almost twenty four years before.

Lucy's words echoed in his ears. "I love you my handsome star man." she had whispered as his best friend took the picture of them in Houston six years before that.

Star Man. That was what she used to call him. It was a private joke between them. She had always said when he made love to her all she could see was the stars. It had been their secret code as the boys started to grow. "Care to see the stars tonight Mrs Tracy?" he used to say as the boys sat oblivious to it all. "I would Mr Tracy." she would wink. "I always enjoy seeing stars when I'm with you."

He smiled. He would die if any of his boys knew about that.

He decided to frame that particular picture for the nursery. He put Virgil's picture aside to give to him. He had loved that little boy beyond belief because he resembled Lucy so closely but for years after her death he had hardly been able to look at him. He had so much to make up for with his sons; especially Virgil.

His hands delved further. He pulled out one of their wedding photographs.

Major Jefferson Grant Tracy; United States Astronaut looking mighty handsome in his uniform and very happy.

Miss Lucille Amanda Evans... so young... so breathtakingly beautiful in that stunning dress ... so absolutely perfect.

He smiled again. Scott was in that photograph too. Boy that news had been the biggest shock of his life when she'd given it to him. Talk about perfect timing for a wedding.

He put the photograph to one side. He had a frame for that in his Office. It could go on the wall of the lounge room opposite his desk.

As he did so he pondered for a moment and saddened.

It occurred to him his youngest son would never look back on a wedding photograph and remember Tinarda Jane Kyrano as she was on her wedding day. His Grand-daughter would never get to see her mother as a bride either.

Such a shame he sighed. Like Lucy, she would have been a beautiful bride. Like Lucy she was eight weeks pregnant when she said "I do". Unlike Lucy she never got to have a proper wedding.

He reached the bottom of the photographs and shuddered. He'd reached the white envelope. The white envelope he had never opened and swore he never would. But maybe he should open it now...now that he was coming to terms with things.

The seal parted easily as he carefully edged it open and slowly removed the photograph. He looked at it and felt his bottom started to tremble. Her smile tempered with the agony she had been in looked back at him now. His smile was painted on his face. He closed his eyes and exhaled deeply to retain control of himself.

It was the photograph he denied existed.

The only photograph of the three of them together.

It had been taken by the chaplain an hour before Lucy died. The doctor had just delivered the final blow saying there was no hope of her recovery.. He had fallen to pieces. When the photograph was offered he was looking out the window trying to deal with the news and trying to control himself. He couldn't even remember what he had said.

It had been the sister tending Lucy who had removed Alan from the incubator. She had held him in her arms waiting quietly for Lucy to be given last rites by the Chaplain. She had touched his shoulder as he faced the window and asked him to be strong for Lucy's sake. He remembered nodding and forcing himself to remain in control.

He had turned from the window and sat down beside her,gently tidying her hair and wiping the tears from her face with his handkerchief. The sister asked him to sit in front of the tubes. She had rested Alan against Lucy and told him to support the baby's head. She encouraged Lucy to try to smile so her little boy would have something to remember her by. Lucy had tried so hard to be brave and oblige her. He had smiled as a lump the size of a football lay in his throat. The chaplain took the shot.

The shot was handed to him in this very envelope when he returned to the hospital after the funeral to take Alan home. He had never opened it.

He sat there on the floor feeling the pain stab through him now debating what to do with it. He knew Alan should be allowed to have it.

He'd have to think about that a while longer.

He now opened another bag, tightly secured within the box. It contained two items; the only two personal items he had retained other than her engagement ring. The rest had been disposed of with her belongings.

The first item he looked at was a simple but pretty neck-chain. It was still in its original box and had cost him what he thought was an awful lot of money back then. It was the first gift he had given her as a young man. He had wanted to tell her how strongly he felt about her but he had never been someone who could express his feelings easily. She, on the other hand, always wore her heart on her sleeve with bottomless enthusiasm.

He had treated the whole thing as if it was nothing. They had been walking in Hyde Park for several hours laughing and joking together. He had held her hand tightly in his, still wanting to pinch himself that this beautiful girl was for real. He hadn't taken his eyes off her all afternoon.

He'd been building himself up to give the gift to her since they had met up and was almost sick next to her when he finally blurted.

"Oh by the way Lucy, I'd like you to have this." he had said pulling it out of his jacket pocket. "It's nothing elaborate I'm afraid but I thought it would look nice … you being so pretty and all." he ended shyly.

"Oh Jeff… don't tease me." she'd coloured.

"No … really … I mean it." he'd said earnestly.

He had fastened the chain around her neck himself, watching the veins ebb underneath her white English skin. She had smiled, thrown her arms around his neck and thanked him for thinking of her.

"I'll wear it every day we're apart." she promised. "It's beautiful."

She had kissed his cheek and her dancing brown eyes had looked up into his. All of a sudden he found the courage to lower his head and kiss her for the first time. To his surprise she responded. As their lips met he had drawn her closer to him and wrapped his arms about her tiny waist. When they broke apart they had gazed at each other. He admitted that he was in love with her and had been from the moment he had set eyes on her. He told her he couldn't fight how he felt any more.

No, he decided putting the box back in the bag. Lucy Josephine was too young to understand the significance of the neck-chain. He'd put that away for a few years yet.

The second item was a Teddy Bear, Lucy's most precious childhood possession.

The ugly looking thing, chestnut and white, tattered fur, one eye and a chewed ear had come from England to America with her.

It had a special significance to him.

It was the subject of their first real argument as a couple.

She had slept with her teddy bear for twenty two years and wasn't about to stop now because he wanted her to.

Those were her exact words as she stubbornly stood on the opposite side of his brand new double bed in his apartment in Houston. She had only been in the United States for five days and they had just returned from Kansas after meeting his parents.

Despite the fact he had assured himself that their relationship was to be totally platonic until they got to know one another better, the two of them had unexpectedly become intimate for the first time in a tiny single bed at the Farmhouse. He had then stupidly assumed as a result of it that they were now "together." He quickly learnt never to assume anything with Lucy Evans.

There they were. It was half past eleven in the evening and he had a media conference at nine. He was tired. She was tired. He was standing on one side of the bed. She was standing on the other. They were about to share a bed together for the first time and he assumed it was going to be a night of unbridled passion and an experience he would never forget. He was prepared to be tired for the media conference if the first experience with her in Kansas was anything to go by.

And then she had produced the teddy bear.

Well that night turned out to be an experience he'd never forget all right especially if arguments were anything to go by.

"You've got to be kidding me Lucy." he had exclaimed in amazement. "I'm not sleeping with you if you're hanging on to that."

"Why not?" she had demanded. "I always sleep with it and I'm not getting in this bed with you unless I can."

He pointed out she didn't have the teddy bear with her in Kansas. She told him in no uncertain terms that he didn't notice what the hell she had in the bed as he was too intent on removing her clothing. She further added he didn't care to wait around long enough afterwards to sleep with her and the teddy bear anyway. He'd gone back to his room before his parents caught him.

He told her she didn't need a teddy bear. She had him now in case she'd forgotten.

"Since when?" she'd demanded. "And besides that who said I wanted you in the first place?"

He reminded her of the night at the farmhouse. "You really wanted me then." he sulked.

She had looked at him with disdain. "Did I?" she asked casually.

He said yes she did and she needn't try to deny it.

"You were more than willing Lucy." he said defensively. "You said you enjoyed it."

She said he shouldn't flatter himself. It wasn't that good.

He then said the worst and stupidest thing he ever said to Lucy Evans in the whole time he knew her.

"You're a grown woman Lucille and you need to start acting like one." he'd snapped.

What a mistake that was! She stood there with her arms folded and her lips pursed.

She said she would act how she liked and the sooner he realised she didn't need him the better.

He had taken offence and said in no uncertain terms he didn't need a silly little girl who needed a teddy bear either.

"Fine then." she'd said rebelliously. "You don't have her."

She defiantly made up the couch and he slept alone in his double bed that night... and the next night ... and the night after that.

Jeff Tracy found himself shaking his head fondly.

"Lord you were so damned stubborn even in our early days princess." he laughed.

He then remembered stealing away the teddy bear a few days later when she was in the shower. He had hidden it in this very bag where it had remained for over thirty years. He laughed at himself. He actually kidnapped and held an ugly, stupid teddy bear to ransom. It suddenly dawned on him how like Alan he had been back then. That was exactly how Alan and Tin-Tin carried on most of the time. Always teasing. Always fighting. Not meaning a thing.

He still remembered her reaction when she discovered her teddy bear was missing.

She had frowned at him as she made up the couch to sleep on for yet another night as he lazed about in the chair opposite.

"So what's wrong with you Luce?" he'd grinned sipping his scotch. "Lost something?"

"OK where is it Jeff?" she'd demanded.

"Where's what?" he'd asked innocently.

"You know what." she'd replied with a face of stone.

"If you mean that ugly piece of tattered fur you're attached to I have no idea." he'd shrugged trying not to laugh.

"You do know Jeff. Give it back. I'm tired and I want to go to bed." she'd said.

He had winked suggestively at her.

"I might remember if you'll make it worth my while." he'd said.

"The hell I will." she'd flashed. "You're too judgemental for my liking."

"Well I guess you'll never see that poor old Teddy again." he'd shrugged. "Too bad huh? Be terrible if he ended up on the moon when I get up there."

"You wouldn't." she'd exclaimed her eyes as wide as saucers. "Would you Jeff?"

"Wouldn't I? You just try me Miss Evans." he'd threatened and then tweaked her nose. "The first teddy bear in space. He'll be famous."

"No Jeff. What do I have to do to get it back?" she'd begged.

At his mischievous smile she frowned. "As if I didn't know."

"Well you could start talking to me nicely again to start with." he'd begun light-heartedly. "Then there's the issue of the sleeping arrangements. If you negotiate on that I might be convinced to make an exchange."

She had taken defeat graciously and burst into laughter. In response to that magical laugh of hers he had taken the initiative and pulled her into his arms. She had not resisted. She had never wanted to resist in the first place. He realised that as he carried her to his room and gently lay her down on the bed.

"I love you Lucy Evans." he had breathed as he pushed her chestnut curls off her face. "Teddy bear, stubborn ways and all."

"I love you too Jeff Tracy." she had replied looking deeply into his eyes.

"Are we together then?" he had breathed as he began to lower his lips to hers.

"I didn't come halfway across the world just to be your friend." she had replied as their lips met.

And thus began their life as a couple.

He reflected on that first magic night he shared with her in his bed in Houston. It had been earth-shattering for him and it remained earth-shattering each and every time he had been with her for ten years and seven months.

Funny, he reflected. She'd never asked for her teddy bear back. He guessed he must have actually taken its place in her life after a brief battle for superiority.

He looked at the old bear lovingly and stood up to place it in his grand-daughter's cot.

"There you are Lucy. After five sons you kept your part of our bargain I guess. It's about time I gave him back to you now."

He made a mental note to see if Lucy Josephine developed an attachment to it. If she did and if she recognised the photograph he would know.

She had definitely been sent back to him.

He swung around from the window, all six foot three inches of him with a look of absolute panic in his eyes. He stormed across the room and sat behind the desk as she quietly closed the door and sat down opposite him. He lunged forward and gripped her wrist in a fierce dry grasp.

"What the hell is going on here Adelaide?"

Adelaide Washington tried to whip her wrist from his grasp but his strength rendered her useless.

"Let go of me Scott." she demanded. You're hurting me."

He shook his head.

"No way. Not until you explain ... THAT to me."

Scott motioned his hand in the direction of her stomach. Adelaide placed a finger against her lips and said in a panic stricken voice.

"For God's sake keep your voice down. Hank will hear you."

Scott Tracy quite frankly didn't give a damn about Hank Davies. All he cared about at the moment was the contents of this woman's belly and if he had been responsible for it.

His grip on her loosened.

"The hell I will. It's mine isn't it?"

"No of course it isn't." she denied vehemently.

Scott glared at her. What was she playing at? She'd just about passed out when he walked into the Office. She'd looked everywhere but at him. Guilt was written all over her face and he was looking straight at it now.

"Come on Addy. I saw your face just now."

"What about my face?" she asked indifferently.

"You couldn't even look at me."

"That's not true. I'm looking at you just fine."

"How far along are you for God's sake?"

"Eight months. What's that got to with it?"

He looked down at the desk calendar. What did it have to do with it? It had plenty to do with it all right! He turned the pages back to March 15th. His own handwriting was clearly visible.

Scribblings of a conversation with the Head of Production in Tokyo and a big red circle around the number 15.

He flicked to March 16. More scribblings. Another circle.

March 18 yet another.

"That's what it's got to do with it." he flashed indicating the circles on the calendar. "Those circles you're seeing in front of your eyes are you and me eight months ago Addy. Go back to February too if you like and January. It's all there, a complete record."

"I didn't know you flattered yourself by keeping score." she said bluntly.

"I don't flatter myself. It's just something I do."

"Yeah sure. You've got an ego bigger than your Father's bank account Scott Tracy. You always have and always will."

"You can't tell me it's not mine."

"Yes I can. You might feel like a big man keeping a record of your experiences with women but don't flatter yourself into thinking you're the only man I cared to be with at the time. I've got husband in case you've forgotten."

"Yeah how stupid of me to forget the wonderful open and honest relationship you have with your husband Mark." he snarled.

"Cut your sarcasm Scott. It doesn't suit you." she snarled. "The baby's Mark's."

"And how do you know that?" Scott queried.

"I just do." she snapped.

"The baby's mine Addy." he insisted fixing his eyes directly on hers.

Her eyes did not flinch. "It's Mark's." she said emphatically.

Scott picked up the telephone to call his Father's Attorney. There was only one way to settle this once and for all.

"I want to see the results of paternity tests on my desk before I leave New York. I'll stay on to take tests if I have to. Kevin Baillie can talk to you direct about that."

She folded her arms defensively and felt the baby kick within her. Her stubbornness reared up.

"I'm not talking to Kevin Baillie about my baby Scott so you can forget it."

Scott was becoming angry now. She would do as she was told if it affected Tracy Enterprises.

"Are you hard of hearing or something Addy? You work for me and I said I want paternity tests."

Adelaide Washington stood firm, defiantly refusing to co-operate.

"Are you hard of hearing Scott? I said I'm not talking to Kevin Baillie. And just for the record I work for your Father not you."

He looked totally exasperated. This could be his son; no this WAS his son. He had to know for sure and he had to know before he left New York.

Or pursued Margo Marin.

"Why the hell won't you take the tests" he demanded. "It's a reasonable request."

"It's not reasonable." she flashed. "Don't compliment yourself into believing you're the Father of my child. I'm not subjecting myself to a needless interrogation by your Father's Attorney because of your over inflated opinion of yourself. I don't want a paternity test and I don't have agree to one. The baby's Mark's and that's all there is to say about the matter."

"Prove it." Scott challenged.

She moved towards the door.

"I don't have to prove anything to you Scott and you know it ."

She opened the door to leave.

"Addy. I'll take this further if I have to. I mean it." he threatened.

She turned and looked him directly in the eyes.

"I warn you Scott. I swear if you push me any further about paternity tests or wreck my marriage, I'll ruin you..."

"…and Tracy Enterprises and your Father will go down with you."

He knew this was about to be the longest elevator ride of his entire life.

He'd come in from the hospital after enduring a crying fit from Tin-Tin followed by a colic attack from Lucy Josephine and to top it all off after he had settled them both down he hadn't been able to get his car out of the Car park because it was after hours. After being unable to hire a car and waiting in line for a cab for almost an hour, he'd arrived back at the Penthouse at one o'clock in the morning only to find his brother staggering into the foyer with a woman he'd been tempted to experience himself only seven months before.

Alan recognised her immediately. This had to be a joke. Surely co-incidence couldn't be that cruel.

"You have to be kidding me." Alan Tracy groaned as he waited for the elevator and witnessed his red haired brother and the woman walking unsteadily towards him. "Surely you can't be that drunk you want to be with her Gordo."

But Gordon Tracy had thoroughly enjoyed himself tonight in the same little bar in San Diego Alan had frequented seven months before. He had shot a couple of games of pool, had quite a few laughs, had far too much to drink and had now found himself a woman for the night. The same woman who had so nearly made it to Alan Tracy's bed as Tin-Tin lay newly pregnant in the next room. Only conscience had stopped him experiencing her. By the look of Gordon, nothing was about to stop him. The two of them were on their way to the Penthouse and he couldn't do a damned thing about it.

Now to make matters worse John and Virgil had just stepped into the foyer too.

Virgil looked terrible. He looked drunker than Gordon by the way John was holding him up Alan knew he wasn't far wrong. John looked sober thank goodness but then one could never tell with John. Like their Father, he held his liquor exceptionally well.

"And I'm supposed to be the errant one according to Dad!" Alan thought to himself. " I don't think so looking at these guys."

He smiled tightly as they all approached the elevator.

"Hi guys." he acknowledged.

"Hi yourself baby brother." Gordon belched. "I'd like you to meet my date ... uhh sorry ... what's your name again honey?" he asked.

"Can't remember my name." the woman replied honestly. "Err... I think it's ... err..."

"That'd be right." Alan frowned disapprovingly. "You were the same when I brought you back here... and your name is Candice."

"Well anyway - this is my kid brother... Alan ... Alan Tracy. "

The woman tried to focus on him but couldn't.

"Hi there kid brother." she swayed. "Hey you sure I know you from somewhere?"

Alan's face remained like stone. Best to pretend he didn't know this one. He looked away and mumbled.

"No ma'am. I don't think so."

"Hey Johnny!" Gordon called. "You and Virg find yourselves some women tonight or am I the only one who has to shut the door when we get upstairs?"

"Gordo settle down." John frowned disapprovingly looking around the foyer.

Gordon looked at him through red blood-shot eyes.

"What? I'm not doin' anything."

"You're making a jackass of yourself." he said coldly as several people threw the four Tracy brothers a glance as they moved towards the doors.

Gordon tilted the chin of the woman to his. The two of them began to kiss each other wildly.

"Sweet mother of God." Alan observed quietly as he averted his eyes. "Is this what I used to do?"

The door of the elevator opened. John and Virgil stepped inside. Alan shoved Gordon and the woman in front of him.

"Hey, don't push Alan."

"Just get the hell in Gordon. I'm tired."

"You leave him alone."

"Sorry ma'am but could you please keep out of this."

"What floor are we going to Johnny?"

"We're in the Penthouse Virg."

"Yeah well what floor is that?"

"Virgil stop asking stupid questions."

"What's stupid about that?"

"The Penthouse is the top floor."

"Not always."

"Well it is this time."

"You pressed the wrong button Alan."

" Gordon just can it. I haven't. You can't even see straight man."

"I know who you are now. You're Alan Tracy ... the car racer."

"Yes ma'am. Gordon told you my name before."

"No ... I knew it already."

"How'd you know her?"

"Gordo I... I ..."

"Drinks too much double scotch don't you honey?"

"I like a scotch yes."

"Yeah but the trouble is you can't do anything afterwards can you?"

"Alan what's he talking about? You been cheating on Tin-Tin?"

"No Johnny. I wouldn't. I didn't. I... "

"Got me all the way here he did a few months back and then sent me home. Couldn't do it that's what."

"Alan ... is that true?"

"Johnny ... I didn't do anything."

"Al ... you been with my lady? If you have I'll kick your ... whoa ...ass.""

"Oh for Pete's sake Gordon get up off the ground."

"Stop bossing me around John. I lie here if I... like."

"As for you, if you do anything to hurt Tin-Tin I'll knock your ass from one end of this place to the other."

"Johnny I haven't done anything wrong."

"Did any of you press the damn button? This lift isn't going anywhere."

"Alan said he did."

"I didn't say I did. I just said I didn't press the wrong one. Geez."

"Must be your fault Johnny … guess you failed elevator school."

"Gordon ... one more smart ass remark out of you ..."

"Yeah well did I tell you he failed tie school too?"

"Come on Virg. Don't start with that again."

The elevator stopped.

The five of them walked towards the door of the penthouse. Alan unlocked the door and motioned them inside.

"I'm going to bed. Say goodnight Virg." John said as he hauled Virgil towards his room.

"Goodnight Virg." Virgil chirped.

John rolled his eyes.

"Yeah goodnight Virg." Alan frowned. "Night Johnny."

"Yeah ... night Alan. And by the way ... I meant what I said about Tin-Tin. "

"John…" Alan exclaimed annoyed.

Gordon looked at the woman who swayed upright on her feet.

"I guess I ... oops I mean ... we should say goodnight then too my lady." he grinned. "Paradise awaits us in the four walls to your left."

"Gordo."

"What Johnny?"

"Keep it down to a dull moan will ya. These walls are damn thin."

Alan stood in the centre of the room and fixed his blue eyes on his brothers. He couldn't believe what he was seeing. First Virgil being almost incoherent, then John saying something like that, and now Gordon about to take this a woman into his bed.

"Gordo ..." he said quietly. "Don't do it huh."

"What do you mean Al?" he frowned.

"Just don't do it man. Look I'll walk her to a cab if you like."

"I don't wanna a cab."

"Miss ... It'd be better if you just left."

"I don't wanna go."

"Why don't you stay outta this little brother."

"Sorry Gordo ... I've been there ... don't ... just let it go."

Gordon pulled Alan angrily to one side. He grasped his collar firmly and seethed.

"Listen Alan ... Mr Married man ...you butt out of this ... I don't just have women at my beck and call these days in case you haven't noticed."

"No I know that ... but ... Gordo ... she's ... well..."

"She's what?" he barked.

"She's nothing but trash." Alan blurted quietly as he looked in her direction. "I'm sorry Gordo," he added. "But it's the truth. Take it from me."

Alan also looked at his red haired brother whose smile had faded and whose honey brown eyes were now fixed angrily on his.

"Trash was plenty good enough for you once don't forget."

"Gordo ... don't... "

"Well don't dictate to me and don't call my lady trash."

"Gordon ... you're better than that."

Gordon stood up to his full height and eyed his baby brother.

"Don't take it on yourself to tell me I'm better than anything. I'm not. I'm lonely and I'm miserable. The only woman I ever cared about died in a hydrofoil accident. Leave me alone to at least enjoy something every now and then."

"Gordon ... I know how you feel but …"

"Alan ... no ...no you don't know how I feel. You'll never know. Jezz died. Tin-Tin lived. Unlike you this is all I have to look forward to for the rest of my life."

He turned and took the woman by the hand and pulled her into his room.

As he closed the door he snapped.

"So why don't you just remember how lucky you are and leave me to get the hell on with it."

He had finished dealing with the last of the sixty eight contracts his Father had sent him to sign and was now up to the last and most crucial matter he needed to handle before leaving for his Hotel room. He read and re-read the document in front of him almost as if he needed to memorise it. He had been reading it for almost an hour. He looked directly across the desk at the man sitting patiently waiting to answer any questions he had.

"So that's it then?" he asked. "It's that simple."

"Yes Mr. Tracy ." his Father's senior attorney nodded. "You sign. She signs."

Scott nodded and stroked his chin thoughtfully.

"And there can be no future claims?"

"No future claims."

"Kevin, are you absolutely certain?" he asked in the same imperious voice his Father used. "I simply can't have any mistakes."

Kevin Baillie gave him an affirmative nod that the document he had prepared was water-tight. He had been through it all with Jeff Tracy and his sons in the twenty years he had been involved in Tracy Enterprises. The dealings with the company had far outweighed the dealings he had been required to perform for his sons. Dealings had been sticky sometimes and never more sticky than they were right now but his discretion was commendable as always. He had handled the allegation John Tracy had fathered a child in his senior year of High School without problem and more so as the boy had been innocent of the accusation. He could certainly handle this issue now despite its potential to create a scandal which could rock the financial security of Tracy Enterprises.

"Mrs Washington and her husband can make no claim on you or Tracy Enterprises in the future. ' he assured him. "Once she signs this document, it's water-tight."

"And if I want to see the baby?"

"Not advisable Scott."

"And custody issues if he turns out to be mine?"

"Scott, please listen carefully to me. I am very aware you would want custody of your son should he prove to be yours but it would be a most unwise move on your part. You have no proof of paternity and without proof it is your word against hers. Not only that any court will view your case dimly. The court will look at the stability of Mr and Mrs Washington's marriage for one thing. Secondly the fact you are agreeing to sever the ties before the birth will be taken into account. Not a good case to fight in court and be confident of winning. You must understand that once you sign this it becomes as binding for you as it does for her."

"Well I'm not signing it then."

"You leave your Father's company wide open if you don't Scott."

Scott's dark blue eyes were discerning as he carefully queried the Attorney. Kevin Baillie saw Jeff Tracy's unique gift of careful perception in the eyes of his son.

"So in summary you're saying to me Kevin that I've got no hope of custody if I do sign and virtually no guarantee of it if I don't. Plus if I don't I'm open to litigation in the future?"

Baillie nodded.

He watched Scott frown and shift uncomfortably in his chair. It was obvious he didn't like what he was hearing.

"Scott remember there is the big possibility he is not your child."

"He's mine I'm telling you."

"Pure supposition. As you know your Father very wisely does not base decisions on it." the Attorney warned.

"OK you're right. It's supposition on my part. So can you find me a loop-hole in this release if I wanted it later on?".

"Scott you and I both know that a loophole can be factored into any binding agreement in such a way that it can favour the appropriate party."

"Have you factored it in here?" he asked holding up the document.

"Yes I have."

"Will she detect it?"

"No."

"And my Father's involvement will be ?"

Kevin Baillie knew the man who sat in front of him would eventually take over Tracy Enterprises from his Father. Scott Tracy was no longer the nine-year old boy he first met over dinner all those years ago. He was an astute businessman in his own right.

"I would prefer your Father to be conversant with the agreement however I will not be informing him of it unless you give me your personal instructions to do so."

"I won't be issuing any instructions of that nature."

"All right Scott I'll leave the papers with you. There's a summary of the contents for you to explain things to Mrs. Washington. I will return when you require me to witness the signatures."

"Thank you. Just wait outside Kevin will you. This shouldn't take me long to wrap up."

After Baillie laid out the documents on the desk in preparation for Adelaide to read and had gone, Scott Tracy took the opportunity to pour himself a scotch from his Father's cabinet. He gazed out over the City of New York in a confused daze.He knew deep down in his heart Adelaide was lying to him. The baby was his just as the last one had been. The dates matched; her reaction spoke volumes and she wouldn't allow him access to a paternity test. Two babies now. Two of his babies. He was sure of it.

"I'm about to become a Father." he frowned as he drank the contents straight. "A son. Everything I want in my life ... and she won't admit he's mine. She wants to raise my son ... a Tracy son as the child of Mark Washington. "

To his mind came the inevitable questions. Who would the baby look like? As far as he was concerned it wouldn't be Mark Washington. He might be born sporting the Evans appearance like Lucy Josephine or more obviously still; the distinctive Tracy features. Surely Mark Washington would recognise them and realise what had been going on between them. If he didn't guess he would eventually find out somehow. Then he would seek compensation in an attempt to ease his "pain and suffering".

Compensation from Tracy Enterprises. The only thing to protect him then would be the document in front of him.

No Baillie was right. Adelaide had to sign the release. The document was very clear; no paternity tests could be demanded of him in the future, the child was not his son and Tracy Enterprises would not acknowledge any claim she or her husband put forward now or in the future.

He looked at the desk where the attorney had left the papers. He had experienced her on this very desk eight months ago. How could she deny the child was his? His mind cast back further ... to the first baby. She'd denied that one was his too despite living with him for four years. The first one had never been birthed and if he signed that document on the desk, the second one may as well not be born either as far as he would be concerned.

Scott's strong sense of family reared up. "If he's mine I want him."

His business sense said otherwise. "You don't know for sure that he is. You have to sign to protect the Company."

If Adelaide refused to acknowledge the child was his and refused to take the tests required for him to prove that it was, there was nothing else he could do … for now. Tracy Enterprises was a multi-billion dollar company and had to be protected against the possibility one day she might change her mind.

He had to protect his name too. She could follow through with her threat to ruin him. As Kevin had pointed out in their original telephone conversation she merely had to state she didn't consent to the act. She could drag him and his Father's name through the mud pleading he had forced her.He'd have to pay big money for her silence then, lies or otherwise, and have absolutely no chance of obtaining custody.

Scott Tracy lifted his chin as his thoughts flashed back to Teterboro and Margo Marin. What would happen if something blew up and he was happily married? Would he want his past to come back and haunt him then?

He frowned.

It was time this millstone around his neck was put to bed once and for all. He had wasted enough of his life with Adelaide Washington.

He leaned forward and spoke into the desk communicator asking Adelaide to come into his office. She came a few moments later, armed with a notebook.

"Is this business-related Mr. Tracy?" she enquired. "Or more interrogation about my love-life?"

Scott shook his head and motioned her to sit opposite him.

"I'm not in the mood for your sarcasm Addy. Sit down will you please." he said tiredly. "There's some documents I need you to sign."

"Are these what I think they are?" she asked directly and without emotion.

"If you think they are to do with the child then my answer is yes." he replied with a face of stone. "You can read them if you like but there is a summary of what they contain to your left."

Her eyes scanned the summary. The document was carefully researched, water-tight and binding from what she could see. She expected nothing less from Jefferson Tracy's Attorneys. They would leave nothing to chance and Kevin Baillie was the best of them.

After a few minutes Scott said flatly,

" Addy if that baby inside you isn't mine I want you to sign these in the presence of my Attorney."

"It isn't yours." she replied in the same dead-pan tone.

Their eyes met, hers without emotion, his bordering on hatred at the upheaval she was causing in his life yet again.

"You're lying." he said through clenched teeth.

"Am I Scott?" she queried. "Do you really think I'd lie to you about something like this?"

Scott felt his blood pressure rise as he pushed his chair back from the desk angrily and walked to the window.

"You know what I think Addy? Yes I do think you'd lie to me. You lived a lie with me for four years in case you've forgotten." he exploded. "You told me you loved me. Told me one day we'd be married. Hell I went to work day in day out in the Air Force believing I was in a relationship like my Father had. The lie you lived was so damn convincing I even offered you my momma's engagement ring and the opportunity to give me a family of my own. But once I backed you into a corner and forced you to commit yourself you couldn't lie to me about us any more could you?"

She didn't reply.

"Could you?" he thundered.

"No." she spat.

"Well you see that paper in front of your eyes?" he raged. "I'm asking you to commit yourself again. If that child is not my son as you say, I want you to sign it right in front of me and in front of my Attorney. Now before you do you sit there and think long and hard about the consequences of lying to me Addy."

Adelaide Washington picked up the pen without taking her eyes off him.

"Don't you threaten me Scott. I shouldn't have to sign anything to appease you. But witness me sign if you like." she said staring him down. "I'm not lying."

Scott shook his head and strode to the door. He flung it open angrily and requested Kevin Baillie join them. The Attorney entered the room and immediately sensed an impending storm.

"Mrs Washington is ready to sign the release." Scott barked. "Please do whatever it is you need to do. I want this whole stinking mess finished with."

"Certainly Mr. Tracy." Baillie acknowledged and turned his attention to Adelaide. "Mrs Washington are you fully aware of the contents of this document and what it means to both you and Mr. Tracy not only now but in the future?" he enquired.

"Yes I am." she replied arrogantly. "Where in the hell do you want me to sign?"

He stood beside her and pointed out the places required as her eyes again fixed on the tall, handsome man who looked out the window, his face a mask of pure devastation.

The first time she entered into a relationship with Scott Tracy she had only wanted him for money, fun and prestige. He was Scott Tracy, the billionaire's eldest son. It never occurred to her that from day one she had won the heart of Scott Tracy the man. Living with him had been good. He gave her everything and asked for nothing in return.She had no intention to marrying him. The ring had come as a complete surprise along with his ridiculous request for her to come and live an isolated existence on a tropical island. The child had been an unpleasant consequence of their last time together less than two hours before he proposed to her. Less than two hours before she walked out of his life.

The second time had been for a purpose. She was in a marriage fraught with problems and he was still Scott Tracy the billionaire's son. Single and lonely and still in love with her deep down in his heart, he was still prepared to give her everything and ask for nothing but physical relief in return. This time the child had been a welcome consequence of their time together as far as they were concerned. "They" were thrilled.

She bit her lip as she prepared to sign. Both she and Mark knew the child she carried had been fathered by Scott Tracy. Mark was unable to have a child of his own and the adoption list was very long. They had discussed the issue many times before both of them agreed this would be the only way. The two of them had tried to have a child for two years without success. Her liaison with Scott Tracy had worked in less than three months.

Mark had pushed her to resign the moment the child's conception was confirmed. It was his intention they both slip quietly out of the picture and have nothing more to do with the Tracy family. She had said no, they needed the money and besides Scott's youngest brother Alan had been sent to New York in his place. Alan knew nothing of their affair and he was due to finish at Tracy Enterprises the same day she was. What she hadn't counted on was Alan having to deal with the premature birth of his child and Scott returning to New York before she ended her employment.

Scott must never be allowed to find out. She would absolutely refuse to consent to a paternity test no matter how much power the Tracy family wielded. If she did, the brilliance of his Father's attorneys would find a way to take the child. She had to beat the Attorneys by playing their own game. She had watched the game often enough to know the rules. She would willingly sign the document they thought they had prepared to protect Scott and Tracy Enterprises. However, unbeknown to them the very same document would protect her.

Or so she thought.

"I don't want you to hate me for using your loneliness for my own needs Scott." she silently apologised as she began to sign. "I can see you're hurting. But this is the only way I'll get the baby Mark and I so desperately want."

Kevin Baillie couldn't help but feel for the eldest Tracy son as he watched her sign in deadly silence. He was clearly shattered and having difficulty hiding it. He was a good and decent young man and this was killing him inside.

"Scott." he said gently as he motioned him to the desk. "If you would sign here too please."

Scott strode forward and scribbled his signature without a word. His chest heaved but he refused to allow his emotions to show.

"I'll see to it you discreetly receive a copy of the document before the end of the day Mrs. Washington." he said. "Now if you will both excuse me, I have another meeting to attend."

He gathered up the papers and left the Office leaving the two of them alone.

The silence was deafening as Scott faced her for one last time.

"So, that's it then." he said in a low and over-controlled voice. "I want you to know as far as I'm concerned it's over."

"It should never have happened after my marriage to Mark.." she replied emotionlessly as she stood up and prepared to leave. "It was a mistake. I'm sorry if it's hurt you or your ego."

The silence returned.

"Addy." he said in a quiet voice as he saw her move to the door.

"What Scott?' she asked.

"You and me ... over the years … I want you to know it was good."

She went to admit it had been good for her too. She owed him the truth about that at least.

However it was Scott Tracy would now have the final word as his iron control broke and he fixed his hardened blue eyes on her.

He stared at her and squared his jaw before saying brutally.

"But I've had plenty better than you."

Author's Note - Before you flame it remember it's just fiction but in my opinion good riddance to this minx of a woman! mcj

NEXT AND FINAL CHAPTER - THE FINAL COMMITMENT - PART 1