Possessions

by mcj

The Sequel to Commitment. It was a wealth beyond all imagination ... a lifestyle only a few can share ... a family about to be brought to its knees ... for a child he knows just has to be his.

4. chapter 4

Author's Note – Again I am indebted to those who have reviewed and given me their own insights into this wench of a woman. This is the last piece of the puzzle before we move to the story proper ...mcj

CHAPTER TWO

A MAN REMEMBERS – PART TWO

(LIAISONS IN NEW YORK)

An exhausted, crumpled shadow sitting desolately in the darkness… the muffled sound of sobbing into a pair of trembling hands… the soothing voice of a mother trying everything to make things right … and a ring that sparkled and glowed on the table courtesy of the nightlight on the stairs.

Memories of his Father the night she was taken away from him and the memories that festered and burned in his gut as he stood on the sidewalk in Las Vegas listening to Adelaide Reynolds ridicule his Mother's most precious possession.

She had no idea what that ring symbolised, in fact, she had no idea about anything. She hadn't witnessed what he had witnessed as a child. She hadn't seen the open displays of affection, the laughing and the teasing or the way his Father's eyes lit up with adoration whenever his Mother entered a room. She'd never understand how deeply his Father had loved her or how devastated he had been when she died.

What's more, he knew she didn't care.

All she cared about was the price of his Mother's engagement ring.

And remembering how he felt the one and only time he ever saw his Daddy cry, that had been the last straw for him.

He absolutely exploded.

No-one, he railed, especially not her with her trumped up million dollar price tag, had the right to treat something which had meant so much to his Mother with such utter disrespect. He knew her ring wasn't the Hope Diamond; he wasn't an idiot when it came to the value of things; but as far as he was concerned the Hope Diamond paled into a pathetic insignificance when he compared it to the simple gold band he held in the palm of his right hand. Those six modest diamonds and sapphires told a story… a story of the love that had brought him into the world and no matter how "hideous" and how "unsuitable" they seemed to be to her, in his opinion they were priceless.

The words "hideous" and "unsuitable" spat from his lips like venom.

"I expect you to apologise Adelaide." he barked in a voice that would have made any military man cringe. "And I expect you to do it now."

The argument between them really started then.

She had no intention of apologising.

The whole evening had been a disaster from the beginning. Nothing she'd said or done since he came back from playing his silly little war games had been right. He'd accused her of being rude to a waiter when she wasn't, lied to her about his Father, blamed her for the argument in the Restaurant, wouldn't trust her with his plans and now to make matters worse, he had the nerve to yell at her in front of half of Las Vegas because she hadn't fallen in love with his Mother's "priceless" little engagement ring.

Her last sentence reeked with a sarcasm even he didn't think she was capable of.

He turned on her in a flurry of rage and this time he didn't care who recognised him as an Officer in the United States Air Force. She had been rude to the waiter. She was rude to everyone. She was rude so often she didn't even realise she was doing it. It was about time she understood that being involved with a Tracy son did not give her the right to downgrade and humiliate those around her. She was no better than anybody else and he was tired of having to constantly make excuses for her behaviour.

He didn't get any further.

It was her turn to explode.

So he thought it was easy being involved with a Tracy son did he? Well just for the record it wasn't. It was all right for him to have black moods when things weren't going right for him and carry on with his egotistical arrogance when they were so why did she have to constantly watch what she said and did all the time? It was for no other reason than it suited him. She didn't give a damn about his precious reputation. She was tired of being told how to behave in public and if he wanted to know the honest truth, she was getting tired of him too.

He listened to her stony-faced, trying to control his temper and wondering how he could have been so openly blind for the past four years of his life. Anyone with half his intelligence could see this wasn't the sort of love his parents had shared together. It wasn't even close. How could he have been so brainless as to try and convince himself that it was?

"You have two weeks to attend to your personal matters. Then I will require you here."

His Father's words sounded in his head again but this time there was no agony of decision or worry of regret. The curtains of physical lust had been drawn away from him and for the first time since he'd met her, he was seeing things for how they really were.

There was no future in his relationship with Adelaide Reynolds.

There never had been and there never would be.

But before he could pull himself together and have the satisfaction of ending it, she took two steps forward, looked him squarely in the face and proceeded to tear him to the bone.

He might be a Tracy son and he might think he knew everything about love but he had a long way to go when it came to loving a woman. There were only three things he would ever love ...himself … his precious fighter jet and "Daddy".

"Daddy" wanted him to sort out his little brothers for him, so he did. "Daddy" said he should join the Air Force, so he did. "Daddy" told him to leave the Air Force, so he did that too.

And now Daddy wanted him to go and live on some stupid tropical island in the middle of nowhere and work for him and he was so damned frightened of saying no and displeasing "Daddy" that he was actually prepared to give up everything that was important in his life and do it. Couldn't he make any decisions of his own? Wasn't he supposed to be a man?

He simply stood on the sidewalk looking down at her in a deadly, restrained silence.

Lifting her chin, their eyes met one last time on that hot Las Vegas night.

Well, she hoped he was listening to what she was about to say because she wasn't going to say it to him again. If pleasing "Daddy" was all he wanted out of life he was welcome to go ahead and do it. He didn't need a woman to keep "Daddy" happy and while she was on the subject of who needed what, she didn't need his Mother's revolting little engagement ring either.

If he wasn't man enough to stand up to "Daddy", she was going to find herself a man who could.

Her manicured hand extended towards him, demanding the keys to the Jag.

He could find his own way home to Nellis.

As far as she was concerned … it was over.

New York City ... twelve lonely months later...

The two monthly trips to New York were tedious but after being holed up on Tracy Island with his brothers twenty four hours a day, they were a very welcome diversion. It wasn't as if he was bored in International Rescue, in fact the operation had hit the ground running, but it was still nice to get back amongst the hustle and bustle of the city again and blend right into the crowd.

That was of course, if blending into the crowd meant instant recognition the moment you stepped out of a taxi cab and tried to make your way to the sidewalk.

"Mr Tracy, if I could have a moment of your time Sir ..."

"Mr Tracy ... can you comment..."

"Mr Tracy, is it true ..."

"Mr. Tracy ..."

Despite how weary he was from the journey, he forced himself to smile and listened to them attentively.

When he was finally given the opportunity to speak he was eloquent, courteous, and charming…and like his Father, very much to the point.

"I'm sorry Gentlemen, I know you've been waiting to speak to me all morning but I'm afraid I'm not at liberty to discuss matters pertaining to Tracy Enterprises right now. Now if you don't mind please..." he said, trying to wend through the never-ending sea of microphones," I'm late for a rather important meeting."

"Can you comment if the subject is the take-over of Washington Industries Mr. Tracy?"

He paused, thought for a moment, and then replied.

"I am in New York for many reasons Gentlemen, none of which I intend to advertise."

With that he turned and moved towards the marble stairs leading into the Tracy Towers.

"Mr. Tracy ..." came a single but insistent voice from the crowd. "Are you also prepared to comment on the rumour your Father has turned his back on the world and will never be returning to New York?"

He stopped and looked back at the assembled journalists almost with a kind of sympathy. Sometimes he wondered where they got their information from.

" I can give you every assurance those rumours are not true." he said carefully." My Father has no intention of turning his back on New York now or at any time in the future. "

"But Mr. Tracy, he hasn't been seen here for months."

The smile this time was one of amusement.

"I guess you could say my Father's been kind of busy lately." he grinned with a flippant shrug of his shoulders. "Have a good day Gentlemen."

"Kind of busy."

He found it hard not to laugh as he strode through the richly furnished foyer of Tracy Enterprises and made his way to the elevator. He guessed those three little words pretty well summed up life on Tracy Island at the moment.

Not a week had gone by since operations had begun that he and his brothers hadn't been thrown into some sort of life threatening situation. They'd been so busy he'd lost track of the time and had actually given up counting the number of lives they'd saved with their speed and exceptional equipment.

It was the perfect lifestyle.

When he wasn't commanding International Rescue in the field or testing the new equipment for Brains, he made it his business to follow the stock market and design new air craft for Tracy Enterprises. If work became too much of a drag, he was happy to revert to the many idle past-times available to him on Tracy Island.

He shot the odd game of pool with Virgil or indulged in an exhilarating game of chess. He trained in the gym for hours and pushed his body to the highest levels of fitness and strength. He relaxed by the swimming pool and enjoyed soaking up the sun. He sipped a glass of cognac and marveled in the magic of the Pacific sunsets.

The whole thing to him was a buzz and so far he hadn't regretted his decision to leave the Air Force at all.

But there was one thing missing from this idyllic billionaire's paradise and it was something he only missed in the evenings when the lights went out on Tracy Island and he retired to his bed alone.

The touch of a woman.

After four years, not having a woman in his arms was hard and whilst he kept his frustrations very much to himself, he sometimes worried things might get the better of him and his pent-up tension would show.

His younger brothers were much less discreet about the subject, often joking about the limited female company and what living in celibate seclusion on a tropical island must be doing to their reputations as playboys. Most of it was simply talk or as their Father sternly put it, "their obvious lack of military training," but behind the all the frivolity and the laughing and the joking, he knew they were feeling exactly the same way he was feeling and it was no secret to anyone why the five of them lived for their periodic sojourns to the mainland.

Thoughts of long blonde hair, little black dresses and legs that went on forever ran through his mind as the elevator made its way to his personal suite in the Tracy Towers Penthouse, high above the headquarters of the family corporation.

It seemed like forever since …

Still, he told himself, leaving the elevator and pausing to look at the magnificent view over New York City; that was a situation he could easily change. New York was a great big city and no-one knew more than he did how readily parts of it would embrace the eldest son of the billionaire.

And in the next three days… and nights, even though the sole purpose of his visit was to conduct family business; he intended to embrace it all. No-one had indicated to him how much of his time he had to spend filling his Father's shoes and the least amount of time he spent the better. There were much more interesting things to do than sign paperwork and make calls, and the way he figured it, if he made an effort to get the business deals out of the way early, his time on the mainland would be pretty much his own.

Time to relax, time to socialize, and time to spend … he mused, reaching into his pocket for the sole access card to the Penthouse … "attending to his needs."

It was hard not to feel a small tingle of anticipation at the thought of being with a woman again.

But for now he had to stop thinking about women. He had been given an important job to do by his Father and he guessed he'd better get down to doing it.

Dealing the final blow to what was once the mighty Washington Industries.

Loosening his tie and undoing the top two buttons on his stylish designer shirt , he flopped himself down on the couch and opened his briefcase.

The take-over of Washington Industries had been instigated by his Father when the powerful Californian Based Company openly admitted to being in financial difficulty. Washington Industries had never been a threat to the giant Tracy Business Empire, but its product and the opportunity of securing its supply had immediately attracted the attention of the ever discerning Jefferson Tracy. Good quality engineering parts were hard to come by on the West Coast and there was no doubt the Company was strategically situated to service the needs of International Rescue.

"Nice fellow, James Washington." his Father acknowledged after their preliminary meeting in San Diego. "Knows nothing about business though. Beats me how he managed to get this far."

Flicking through the documents and familiarising himself with the contents, he had to admit he agreed.

Assets of eight billion… debts of almost nineteen... allegations of industrial fraud…a sorry trail of litigation... no available cash.

"International Rescue had better get some decent mileage out of this one Dad." he commented, thinking aloud. "It sure isn't looking too good for anything else."

He leaned forward in the chair and pressed the call button on the penthouse video-phone.

The face of his Father's Business Manager immediately appeared on the screen.

"Scott. Thank God." he breathed in a voice filled with tension and a very big sense of relief. "You're here."

"Hello Hank." he replied briskly. "Yes I'm here. Are you OK down there? You seem a little stressed."

"I'm worried." Hank Davies admitted. "You know I'm never comfortable with the word "take-over". That side of the business has always been your Father's specialty."

He laughed and looked reassuringly at his Father's most trusted business associate.

"I don't think you have anything to worry about Hank. This one's fairly straight forward. Washington's backed into a corner at the moment and he knows it. There's only one thing he can do if he wants to get out with at least some money in his pocket… and that's sign. "

Hank still looked doubtful.

"Relax will you?" he chided him. "Dad's fully briefed me on what I need to do and I'm more than capable of doing it."

Standing at the window, looking at the sun rising over Tracy Island and trying to put his emotions into some sort of order again, Scott Tracy remembered only too well those cocky self-assured words.

"Yeah right Tracy ..." he muttered staring at the horizon in disgust. "Dad fully briefed you on what you needed to do all right…"

His eyes misted in a combination of anger and silent grief.

"So why, you stupid bastard, didn't you just stick to doing it?"

If he had, none of this would have happened. He would never have put himself in the position of meeting that woman again ... she would never have had the opportunity of seducing him with her charms …

He lowered his head and swallowed the tears a Tracy man never allowed himself to shed.

And he never would have Fathered Daniel.

The meeting to formalise the take-over of Washington Industries went smoothly and the whole thing from start to finish took him less than sixty minutes.

James Washington and his attorneys were a sorry sight when he strode into the board room with his usual air of confidence. He'd expected them to be bristling in anticipation or at least readying themselves for some sort of corporate battle but one look at the resignation on their faces soon indicated to him otherwise. They weren't ready for a battle. They were completely intimidated.

And who wouldn't be, he thought to himself. Given where they were situated at the moment and what was about to happen to Washington Industries, it would be mighty hard for any of them to be comfortable. Already unnerved by the journalists outside and confronted with the sheer might of Tracy Enterprises operating on its home turf, they were now forced to take their seats opposite the powerful Tracy legal team who, on instruction of his Father, outnumbered them two to one.

He fluttered about with niceties and tried to make them feel at ease. He introduced himself to James Washington and made pleasant conversation with the Attorneys. He offered everyone refreshments.

But finally as the smell of freshly brewed coffee filtered upwards into the air, he reinforced his position of power by making a deliberate observation on the commanding view Tracy Enterprises had over the City of New York.

"I always feel like I'm on top of the world when I'm looking out here." he commented, indicating to Hank Davies it was time to shade the massive full length windows and begin the meeting. "And as someone who regularly looks at the world from the air Gentlemen, that's one heck of a statement."

There was a silent nodding of heads as the natural light in the Boardroom was reduced and the magnificent view disappeared.

Taking a sip of his coffee, he walked to the head of the conference table and opened his file of papers.

"Well Gentlemen." he said pleasantly. "We all know why we're here so let's get down to Business."

And so it all began.

The terms of the take-over were generous, final and, he stressed looking directly into the eyes of James Washington … non-negotiable. Tracy Enterprises was prepared to make a once off payment of five million dollars to Washington Industries. In return, all assets, all investments and all debts of Washington Industries would immediately fall under the control of Tracy Enterprises.

The words had hardly left his mouth before James Washington's attorneys argued. From earlier discussions with his Father it had been clearly stated there would be at least ten million dollars payable to Washington Industries in the settlement. Five million, they emphasised, wouldn't even clear their client's personal debts.

"That's certainly unfortunate for your client." he replied in a firm and businesslike voice. "But I'm sure Mr Washington will appreciate your discussions with my Father were held six weeks prior to the latest allegations of Industrial fraud being made against your Company."

"They are allegations only at this point Mr Tracy." Washington's Senior Attorney pointed out.

He acknowledged the Attorney with a brisk nod of his head.

"Yes I am very aware they are still allegations at this point. However, as you can appreciate, fighting legal cases of that nature will hardly be an inexpensive exercise for Tracy Enterprises."

He once again looked at James Washington.

"Particularly if those allegations are proven to be true."

Washington's Attorneys looked at each other uneasily.

"Five million is the figure on the table Gentlemen." he stressed pushing the contract across the table and making it clear he wasn't prepared to back down. "Take it or leave it."

This time the Attorneys looked at James Washington and he had to admit if he hadn't been in the position of representing his Father in the business deal, he actually would have felt sorry for the guy. It couldn't have been easy sitting there watching his once prestigious Company sliding out of his control and at the same time having to admit in a public forum he wasn't in a position to meet his personal financial commitments.

The minutes ticked by.

"Look, it's a good deal Washington..." he re-iterated making the most of the uneasy silence. "…and you know as well as I do you're not going to find yourself a better one."

He looked over to his left and silently encouraged his Father's Senior Attorney to intercede.

"Mr Washington, the contracts are ready for your immediate signature." Kevin Baillie said, quietly, "And if you require it, I can make arrangements to get you the money within the hour."

James Washington tried not to look sick after his Attorneys leafed through the contracts one last time and unanimously recommended he should sign.

"All right Tracy." he choked. "You win. I'll accept the five million… "

He paused.

"…on one condition..."

Now it was the Tracy Enterprises Attorneys turn to argue.

"Mr Washington," Kevin Baillie interjected. "Mr Tracy has already made it quite clear to you that Tracy Enterprises is not prepared to …"

He frowned a little and silenced the attorney in mid-sentence with dismissive flick of his wrist.

"Thank you Kevin but it won't hurt to hear what he has to say."

"Scott …no." Hank Davies cautioned.

Another frown, this time in the direction of his Father's Business Manager, indicated he didn't appreciate the warning.

"All right Washington," he said turning to him with expectation. "I'm listening. What's your condition?"

The Attorneys on both sides of the table held their breath.

"I'll accept the offer Tracy and walk away for good on the sole condition you give my daughter-in-law a job."

For a few minutes the unusual request floored everyone and of all the people sitting in the Boardroom, he was the most surprised of them all. He had been expecting to be asked to agree to some sort of outrageous contract variation not an immaterial employment request.

For a few moments no-one found the words to speak.

"Well …err…" he finally stammered, reddening a little and trying to pull his head together. "That's certainly a strange condition."

He glanced at Hank Davies whose face indicated he was almost as astounded as he was.

"Can we … err … accommodate her Hank?"

"I err…suppose so." was the shaky reply. "What does she do Mr Washington?"

James Washington rolled his eyes.

"What does she do? She spends money that's what she does and once I sign away my Company to you, my brainless son isn't going to be in a position to stand back and let her do it."

He coloured, not knowing where to look.

"Look Tracy, all this is pretty demoralising for me and I'd appreciate it very much if we could discuss the matter without …"

He stopped and eyed the sea of Attorneys.

"Without our armies present."

The embarrassment on James Washington's face was obvious.

He chose to ignore his Father's attorneys as they vigorously shook their heads.

"Very well." he said, rising to his feet and indicating the door to his Father's office. "We can talk privately."

If nothing else, James Washington had a gift for inciting sympathy. Over the next hour, the former powerhouse of corporate wealth revealed a story of financial mismanagement at the hands of his own son. The young man, Mark was his name, had been a reasonably rational thinker until eleven months ago when he first set his eyes on her. Since then he'd acted like he didn't have a brain in his head. He married her within a month, quit his position in Washington Industries to move to New York and then got himself up to his eyeballs in debt trying to buy her the best of everything.

"Hmpph." he frowned. "and using my Company's money as his collateral."

Their eyes locked.

"He didn't help my financial position Tracy. Not one little bit."

"No," he agreed sympathetically. "I guess not."

James Washington shook his head with sadness.

"Stupid boy. He's finally woken up to himself and started working again but not until he'd lost just about everything."

His tone changed.

"I just wish he'd never met her..."

Then he sighed.

"But he did … and they're stuck with each other I suppose. For better or for worse...that's what they say anyway."

The once powerful businessman failed to suppress a laugh of true bitterness.

"You're lucky you know Tracy. You don't know too much about that side of life yet and if you're smart you'll do yourself a great big favour by keeping it that way."

The conversation ended with a friendly handshake and him agreeing to give Mark Washington's wife a job to help them make ends meet. She could make contact with Hank Davies within the week to sort out all the details.

However, he stressed, once again assuming the position of dominance, the arrangement was private and under no circumstances would it be factored into the contract as any part of the business deal.

"You don't have to worry about me changing my mind." he said extending his hand towards James Washington. "She has herself a job. You have my word as a Gentleman."

His word as a Gentleman.

That was how easy it had been for Adelaide Reynolds to re-enter his life.

His Father insisted nothing was worth more to a man's reputation than his word. If a Gentleman said he would do something, he did what was necessary to do it. If a Gentleman promised someone something, he did what ever was required to deliver it. A Gentleman did not change his mind because it suited him. A Gentleman always kept his word.

And in the Tracy family, all of its sons were Gentlemen.

That evening, as a gesture of goodwill, he invited James Washington and his family to attend a large corporate function which had been arranged to publicly announce the news of the take-over. The function was to be held on the first floor of the Tracy Towers Penthouse. James Washington had hesitated at the invitation but in the end agreed to bring his son and his daughter-in-law along.

"Oh stop it Hank." he reprimanded the protesting Business Manager. "What better opportunity are you going to get to work out where the hell you're going to put her around here?"

Hank Davies was clearly displeased at the inclusion of the Washington's at the function and had no hesitation in making his displeasure known.

"I agree with Hank. I don't know why we have to have them there at all." commented Kevin Baillie from his position in the corner of the room. "I'm very nervous about all this Scott and I'm sure if your Father was aware of what's going on, he'd be nervous too."

When he confronted the two of them and asked in no uncertain terms why, his Father's most experienced and long serving attorney didn't flinch.

"Scott, you're handling this one all wrong. Firstly you don't invite a former Company Head to be your guest at a take-over function and secondly, I'm not happy about employing his daughter-in-law without at least checking her out. You were in a very good position to say no to Washington's request this afternoon and if you want my opinion son, I think you should have said it."

The words were tempered with politeness but the inference behind them made him feel like he had just been slapped.

He absorbed the slight for a few moments before he cleared his throat.

"Thank you for the opportunity of letting me hear your opinion on the matter for the third consecutive time Kevin." came his very curt response. "But you must forgive me for completely disagreeing with you. From where I'm sitting, I did the right thing by everyone in that Boardroom today."

"Tracy Enterprises owed Washington nothing." Baillie insisted.

"I know it didn't Kevin." he flashed, becoming really annoyed." But irrespective of whether it did or it didn't, Scott Tracy agreeing to give some insignificant woman a job in his Father's Company is going to make little, if any, impact on the bottom line of Tracy Enterprises."

That had been one of the stupidest statements he had ever made.

He was right when he said she would make no impact on the bottom line of Tracy Enterprises... for now.

The impact had all been on him.

If the view from the Boardroom was incredible by day, nothing came close to what it was like from the Penthouse, as the busy streets of Manhattan transformed from the hustle and bustle of the daylight into the darkness and mystery of the night.

The Tracy Towers Penthouse sprawled majestically above Tracy Enterprises; twenty thousand square feet of well-appointed floor space stretching over three different levels. It was state of the art living at its absolute luxurious best.

The special corporate function for which no expense had been spared was soon underway on the first of the three enormous levels.

One hundred and fifty of his Fathers business associates were invited to attend the function that night and all one hundred and fifty of them eagerly made their appearance. The champagne flowed freely as he moved amongst the guests and the sumptuous buffet offered every gourmet combination.

The topic of discussion was Washington Industries and everyone who was anyone in the cut throat world of Aerospace was there to be seen and be heard.

"What I don't understand Tracy," were the words of more than one of them, "Is how the head of one of the richest corporations in the world can turn himself into a virtual recluse overnight and still continue to make a zillion dollars a week."

He laughed and swallowed his second glass of champagne.

Unlike with the journalists he had no intention of justifying his Father's actions to anyone. In the eyes of the Business world, Jefferson Tracy had always been the shrewdest of businessmen; one who never lost sight of the value of a dime and one who had worked his ass off every day of his life to make sure his dimes were wisely spent.

"No argument there." it was generally agreed. Recluse or no recluse, no-one knew more about making money in Aerospace than Mr. Jefferson Grant Tracy.

But everyone in the Penthouse felt the need to question the latest acquisition by Tracy Enterprises. How the corporation could justify a loss of eleven billion dollars in taking over Washington Industries was worrying to say the least.

Well if nothing else it certainly had the stock market worried.

"The Stock Market should know after twenty four years that Tracy Enterprises knows what it's doing." he stressed. "I made it quite clear earlier this evening that the acquisition in California was strategic."

It was in defending the business decisions of Tracy Enterprises that he became aware of James Washington's arrival at the Penthouse. His distinctive figure stood out at the entrance of the richly furnished function room as he reacquainted himself with Hank Davies and nervously fidgeted with his tie.

"Excuse me please will you." he apologised, moving away from his audience and making an effort to head towards the door. "I believe I'm required elsewhere."

The crowded room made moving difficult and it took him almost five minutes to zig-zag his way across. By the time he finally reached the foyer James Washington had a drink of bourbon in his hand and had been joined at the makeshift bar by the tall and almost identical figure of his only son.

His eyes then rounded in a kind of silent shock.

Behind Mark Washington and tightly holding his hand was the last person on earth he ever expected to see again.

HER.

His blood pressure dropped as the realisation dawned.

She was the woman James Washington had been talking about.

The whole of his face went white. This couldn't be happening to him.

She was the woman who had married James Washington's son.

His forehead beaded with sweat. What the hell had he done?

Dear God, he had agreed to give this woman a job.

The room began to spin before his eyes and he was forced to lean against the nearby wall to support himself. He couldn't allow her to work in Tracy Enterprises. He had every reason not to have anything to do with her.

"Over here Scott! " Hank Davies called dragging him out of his dazed confusion and motioning him forward to introduce the guests. "You know James of course."

He wiped his forehead with his handkerchief and somehow managed to get his legs to work again. Luckily the Tracy smile was well-practiced and it came to him with ease. Striding forward as if nothing was wrong, he extended his right hand in the direction of James Washington.

"Of course I know James. How are you tonight? Over the worst of it now I hope."

James Washington smiled in return and graciously returned the handshake.

"I'm fine now Scott, thank you very much. To be honest I'm glad the whole thing's over and done with."

"No doubt." he agreed, only half listening to his reply.

He then turned his attention to the tall, well dressed young man standing in the shadows nearby.

"And I gather you're Mark?" he enquired once again leaning forward and extending his right hand. "Scott Tracy. I'm very pleased to meet you."

"Likewise Mr.Tracy." Mark Washington said with true politeness. "Please allow me to introduce you to my wife Adelaide."

How he held himself together at that moment he'd honestly never know. In hindsight he put it down to his military training and his sheer force of will. It had to be one or the other because when Adelaide Reynolds deliberately extended her left hand to rub it in his face she was now another man's wife, he nearly lost control of everything.

"Mrs. Washington." he acknowledged, looking down at the wedding ring on her finger and trying not to choke. "Welcome to Tracy Enterprises."

"Thank you." she said smugly, looking at him with expectation and waiting for him to extend his hand in return.

He failed to return the gesture.

"I'm sorry to be so pedantic Mrs. Washington." he replied speaking with a real smugness of his own. "But here in Tracy Enterprises we have a policy of greeting our new staff and clients by offering each other our right hands."

He smiled and automatically raised his own and watched with satisfaction as she set her eyes on the enormous one carat Yale ring he wore on the fourth finger of his right hand.

"I'll remember that." she replied completing the handshake. "And may I say Mr. Tracy your ring is very, very impressive."

"Thank you Mrs. Washington. I accept your admiration as a very big compliment."

Without blinking an eye he then sank in the barb. "Your own ring is rather exquisite too if you don't mind me saying so. It actually reminds me of the one worn by my late Mother."

He turned to look at Mark Washington. "You must have the same excellent taste as my Father when it comes to selecting engagement rings Mark." he said pretending to be pleasant. "Congratulations."

"Oh no not me Mr. Tracy." Mark Washington hurriedly pointed out. "Adelaide is wearing my Mother's ring."

"Well." he observed looking back in her direction and raising one eyebrow. "Isn't that interesting?"

Only she knew the significance of the comment and she was giving away nothing. It was clear Mark Washington hadn't been made aware of their past relationship in Nevada and knowing Adelaide Reynolds as intimately as he did, that didn't surprise him at all.

But whilst not a single word came out of her mouth, her eyes told him she was furious and it was hard to restrain the very pressing urge to gloat.

The masquerade continued.

He assumed the role of the perfect host, walking with the three of them to the massive glass windows, pointing out landmarks in the bright Manhattan skyline and allowing them to absorb the view. He arranged for a special bottle of champagne to be opened and invited them to join him at the buffet.

"I hope you like French champagne Mrs. Washington." he said as he casually handed her the glass. "Some of the women I've met over the years don't profess to have a taste for it. Very socially unaware I'm sure you'll no doubt agree."

"Indeed." was all she could bring herself to say.

James Washington, like his son, failed to pick up on their cynical interaction.

"So tell me more about this Penthouse of yours Tracy." he interrupted, his eyes scanning the lavish surroundings. "I've never seen anything this impressive in my entire life. What do you usually use this area for and where the heck do you fit the bedrooms?"

He really enjoyed her reaction to that one. Her face was a mirror of envy as he informed James Washington the first floor was normally used for private Dinner parties.

"I've never been much of a Dinner Party man myself, but I have to admit when all of us are here in New York, Tin-Tin always seems to extend herself and we have a lot of fun. She loves to entertain and there's never a shortage of fashion industry names whenever she's around. "

"Some of the models she invites," he added with a smirk, "Keep my brothers and I rather busy."

He then continued on to describe the extent of the decadent luxury which existed on the top two floors above them.

Ten massive suites. All self appointed with the finest of everything. Accessible by private invitation only.

"My own suite overlooks the Hudson River and the view I have over New York is really very stimulating. " he explained. "As a matter of fact, someone once said to me and rather coarsely too as I recall; making love overlooking the Hudson River is the ultimate New York experience."

He delighted in watching her squirm. She knew full well each and every insult was being directly aimed at her and she wasn't in a position at the moment to say one solitary thing about it.

"But you never know. " he grinned helping himself to the buffet. "One of these days I might settle down like you Mark and get the opportunity to find that out."

Mark Washington, completely unaware of the sarcasm, wrapped his arm around Adelaide Reynolds and said with all sincerity.

"I sure do hope you do Mr. Tracy. You sure don't know what you're missing being all alone up in that Penthouse."

Her eyes met his.

His eyes met hers.

Four years of decadent lovemaking ... two bodies who knew no boundaries... and a chemistry which still hadn't died between them.

"You know what Mark." he said, smiling to himself and simply turning away. "I do believe I do."

Looking back on things in hindsight, how a man could entangle himself with a married woman and one he detested into the bargain, was beyond his understanding.

When a man and woman married, it had been drummed into him from his early childhood days, that their relationship was something special. It bonded two people for life and their commitment to each other wasn't to be taken lightly. Married love was for two people only and it brought their children into the world. There was no room for a third person no matter what the circumstances were. His Mother had pointed that out to him more than clearly when he wanted his Father to share her.

She said "Daddy wasn't allowed to do that" and at five years of age he had never forgotten her words.

So at twenty nine years of age and with a lot more experience in life behind him why the heck did he ignore them?

Was it loneliness?

Was it lust?

Looking down, his face a mask of shame, he had to admit he honestly didn't know.

He didn't know why he allowed Adelaide Reynolds to seduce her way back into his bed.

He didn't know why he had been so weak.

All he knew was somehow she had managed to do it and what he'd done with her had been wrong.

New York – Another Two Months Later

The time had come for someone to travel to New York again and for two straight months International Rescue had been completely run off its feet. None of them had been able to leave Tracy Island for weeks and they were all stressed and in need of some decent recreation. But the sojourn in New York meant doing the business dealings and with all that was going on in Tracy Enterprises since the take-over of Washington Industries, no-one wanted to waste their precious leisure time sitting behind a desk.

Virgil got himself out of the way quickly by announcing he was spending his three days leave in Chicago. "Music gig." he murmured when queried on his strange choice of destination.

"Music gig?" his four brothers ribbed. Just who was he intending to make music with in Chicago?

But Virgil was discreet and Virgil said nothing and when he returned, it was time for Gordon to take his turn.

"Three days Dad", he grinned, his eyes sparkling with mischief, "Nowhere near New York."

The grin grew wider. "Sorry Dad."

John was due to lecture in Florence and was on the tarmac ready to seat himself in Tracy One before Gordon had even opened the hatch of the aircraft. John made the most of things when his feet were firmly on Planet Earth and when it came to spending his allocated time away from the island, he could hardly wait to take his leave.

When it was Alan's turn he suddenly announced he didn't want to go anywhere. "Too many things to do around here." he shrugged glancing on more than one occasion in the direction of the beautiful Miss Tin-Tin Kyrano.

That only left him to oblige and with his Father too busy with International Rescue to make the essential trip, he dutifully accepted he wasn't going to get out of it.

But this time he chose to fly himself in his own custom designed aircraft, "Excelsior".

"At least I'll cut the damned flying time in half", he scowled powering into the heavens and setting his course for New York. He was very unimpressed with his brothers not taking their turn in the Office. He appreciated they were tired and needed to let off steam, but none of them, including his Father, appeared to realise that the Field Commander needed the same opportunity. Unlike the others, he was expected to be the anchor man for each and every rescue and whilst he thrived on the adrenalin of being involved in the action, sometimes he felt it would be nice to be the one who wasn't required.

He sighed and scanned the gauges.

He really needed some female company at the moment. Thoughts of her and how she had looked at him that night in the Penthouse had been playing on his mind since he'd returned to Tracy island. Thanks to her, he was really feeling frustrated.

The night would be still early when he got himself to New York so he'd better make it his business to wine, dine and as Virgil so tastefully put things these days, "refine" another woman before he had to grit his teeth and look that woman in the face again. If he didn't, God knows what he would do.

Thoughts of Adelaide Reynolds lying naked in his arms in Nevada filled his mind as Excelsior crossed the North American Coastline.

Why couldn't he forget about her?

It was over wasn't it?

She was married wasn't she?

He frowned and bit his lips in aggravation.

Yes it was over.

Yes she was married.

That wasn't why he couldn't forget about her.

She was the most beautiful woman he had ever set his eyes on.

And he was still hopelessly attracted to her.

It hadn't been until eleven the next morning that he finally made his appearance.

He'd partied hard the night before and had experienced more than a little bit of trouble dragging himself out of bed. New York had been generous to him under cover of the darkness and as a result, he wasn't half as worried as he was in the Aircraft about the possibility of being tempted.

"Good morning Hank." he chirped almost a little too jovially, peering into the Business Manager's Office with a dazzling Tracy smile. "I suppose you were starting to wonder where I was."

Hank Davies motioned him into his Office and invited him to sit down.

"I knew you were around here somewhere." he smirked indicating the newspaper sitting on the corner of his long, mahogany desk. "And might I say ... it didn't take long for the press to find you either."

He leaned forward to scan the page before sighing and resolutely shaking his head.

"Dad's not going to like that."

"Please believe me when I say to you he doesn't."

He glanced at Hank Davies in surprise.

"Dad called?"

Hank nodded.

"He called all right and it took me over ten minutes to get him to simmer down. He mentioned something about you having your wrist communicator off, seeing that photograph and being very unimpressed."

His mind briefly dwelled on the pleasures of the night.

"Err ... yes I did turn it off." he admitted rather uncomfortably. "In hindsight I really shouldn't have done it."

"Well if it's any consolation I can understand your reasons why." Hank Davies laughed indicating the photograph of him sipping champagne with a pretty young woman.

"I don't even know how they managed to get that." he glowered. "That place was supposed to be secure."

If he wouldn't have been so irritated he might have begun to worry. He knew what his Father was going to say when they spoke. He'd say he was supposed to be keeping a low profile. He'd say he'd shielded them from the media as children and he didn't approve of seeing them plastered across the social pages as men. He'd say he was running the risk of someone recognising him. He'd say he thought he had more sense. Then he'd move on to the subject of the wrist communicator. Wrist Communicators were to be left on at all times, day and night even when he was "socialising." There was no exception and there was no excuse. He ought to know International Rescue could be needed at any time and as the Field Commander he expected to be able to contact him.

He rose to his feet and tried not to think about the lecture. He was never irresponsible when it came to International Rescue but last night he'd had to make an exception. It had been too long since he'd had the opportunity to "socialise" and he didn't want to be interrupted.

"Oh boy." he moaned inwardly. "Dad's really gonna want to hear that."

"Oh well Hank." he said with resignation. "I'll call Dad later and explain myself I suppose. In the meantime I'd better get to work."

Hank Davies nodded and warned him in advance there was a mountain of contracts in his Fathers Office to sign. He had appointments at two, three, four and five and he also needed to slot in Kevin Baillie at some point to discuss the upcoming legal cases in California.

He rolled his eyes. No wonder everyone else made plans that took them anywhere in the world but New York. This was no way to spend a couple of days off. He was supposed to be relaxing.

"Just what I need." he groaned, stalking towards the door. "Can you do me a favour and organise some coffee Hank? It sounds like the next three days are going to be the longest three days of my life."

Yes, as it turned out, those three days were more than long and by the end of them he had allowed himself to make a much bigger mistake in his Father's eyes than simply turning off his International Rescue Wrist Communicator.

It was the worst mistake he had ever made.

She'd strutted into his Father's Office with the coffee in her hand almost like she owned Tracy Enterprises. No "good morning Mr. Tracy" as he was used to being greeted and no "excuse me I've been asked to bring you some coffee," either. She clattered across the marble floor in her designer high heels and before he knew what had hit him, started instructing him to move things to one side so she had somewhere to put the cup.

He lifted his head from the contract and gave her a terse but polite acknowledgement of his head.

"Good morning Mrs. Washington." he said dryly. "I'm sorry. I don't believe you knocked."

The body was as sensuous as ever and it took less than twenty seconds for the all too familiar tingling to start. But once she opened her mouth and he heard that selfish, self-centered voice again, the tingling quickly subsided.

"The door was already open Scott. I wasn't aware I had to."

He smiled tightly.

"Well if you're going to work for me Mrs. Washington... you do."

He waited for her to acknowledge his statement.

"Very well." she seethed. "Is there anything else you need me to remember?"

He gave her a cursory look of indifference.

"Yes there is actually. From now on I'd prefer it if you addressed me as Mr. Tracy when I'm representing my Father in the Office. Scott sounds far too familiar and it's not a good example to the staff. "

"No way …" she exploded "that's ridiculous …"

He ignored her and returned his attention to the contract.

"Leave the coffee wherever there's a space Mrs. Washington." he directed. "And please close the door behind you when you leave."

He silently congratulated himself as she banged the coffee down on the desk and all but stormed out the door. So she thought she could walk in and carry on around him like she had in Las Vegas did she? Well she was mistaken. He wasn't here for her to like. All he had promised to do was give her a job and that was exactly what he had done. She didn't have to stay if she didn't want to and he wasn't about to encourage her.

But her perfume lingered in the air long after she had left him and its intoxicating scent soon brought back the memories.

"No." he told himself firmly, trying to concentrate on the contract. He couldn't allow himself to think about the way it used to be. It wasn't like that any longer.

Their first day had been icy.

Their second day had been worse.

But on the third day ... the whole thing just exploded.

It all happened because of Hank Davies; that was his version of the story anyway.

Hank had approached him privately on the morning of the third day to make a comment it was obvious he had major issues with the employment of Adelaide Washington. He didn't know what the issues were or how they came about but the tension between them was evident, it was very uncomfortable to work with it and he'd prefer it if he was made aware of the problem so he could find a way to deal with it.

He swung around from the window and vehemently denied the accusation.

"I don't have any issues with her Hank. My Father pays her to do a job and since I was the one who made the decision to hire her I'm simply making sure he's getting value for his money."

Hank went on to point out that if he didn't have a problem with the woman, he was certainly overdoing things in the value department. She was the only one in the building who was required to call him Mr. Tracy and the only one he didn't speak to when he came down from the Penthouse in the morning. It was clear he didn't like her and as far as he could see there was no justifiable reason for his dislike.

"I don't need any more accusations of staff inequity Scott." he rumbled eyeing him up and down. "The Company's in enough trouble dealing with all the headaches we inherited in California."

He glared at Hank Davies, knowing full well he was right and again denied there was a problem.

"What do I have to do to prove it to you Hank?" he bristled defensively. "Just tell me and I'll make the effort do it."

The Business Manager flung himself down in the chair opposite him and looked across the desk with exasperation.

"I don't know Scott. You're the one with all the charisma. Take her out to lunch or something. Wine her. Dine her. At least be nice to her … please …for all our sakes."

"Fine, if that's all it takes to get you off my back." he snapped. "Make some reservations for me up town somewhere and let me know what time I need to be there."

"Thank you." Hank sniffed, his tone easing back a little. "That certainly makes me feel better."

"Well I'm glad it does." he frowned, clearly unhappy at the allegation. "I'm telling you for the last time I don't have a problem with the woman."

And trying to prove to Hank Davies he was wrong was how his affair with Adelaide Washington began.

The first half hour of their lunch date had been dreadful and at one point he felt like walking out. He was tense and found it hard to make conversation. She was tense and found it hard to reply.

But a bottle of the Cava they'd taken a fancy to on the night she'd ended things in Las Vegas slowly began to melt the tension. After a while things became quite amiable. He had forgotten how charming she could be when she made an effort and with him on his best behaviour and anxious to be civil, he could be quite charming too.

He kept their discussion "strictly business" and took a great deal of care to only chat about Tracy Enterprises. Eventually, the Company small talk was exhausted and he had little option but to move on to something else. He avoided the subject of her marriage like the plague and wisely kept away from his own situation.

So all that was left was the Penthouse, and he listened politely at how impressed she had been with the size of it and how graphically he had described the two floors she had not be "privileged to see" on the night of the corporate function.

Despite him trying to remain aloof the chemistry between them bubbled.

"Very few people get to see the upper floors of Tracy Enterprises Mrs. Washington ... I'm sorry. I mean ... Adelaide. As you can appreciate, a visit to our private suites is not a matter of privilege. It's a matter of invitation."

The hint of a seductive smile.

"I see. So what does it take for someone like me to get an invitation then?"

Flashing dark blue eyes looked at ruby red lips.

"I suppose it depends on why someone like you would want to be invited."

Ruby red lips parted.

"Reasons."

Another sip of cava.

"And those reasons are?"

Two sets of blue eyes met.

"To see the view you have over the Hudson River."

Eyebrows lifted in surprise.

"You can see the view from your Office window."

A hand caressing the stem of her wine glass.

"Not the view I would like to see."

An acerbic smile as he gently caressed the stem of his own.

"That I am very sure."

The cava went down easily as the fires of attraction burned. The message she was giving him was clear and he didn't even concern himself with guilt. She was beautiful; she was convenient and after what she had said to him on the sidewalk in Las Vegas, she deserved nothing less.

But he worried about Mark Washington. After all he was supposed to be her husband.

"Mark's nothing but an uneducated fool." she scoffed, shrugging her shoulders and downing the first glass of their second bottle. "Can't manage money, can't hold down a job and …"

Her hand moved idly to touch the gentle curve of her breast.

"Wouldn't have a clue what it takes to please a woman."

"You do." she breathed, not taking her eyes off his. "And from the moment I saw you again in that Penthouse I haven't been able to think about anything else."

He swallowed. He wasn't sure if he should tell her he'd thought of nothing else himself.

"Take me up to your suite." she urged, her voice a pillar of urgency. "It'll be the best experience you'll ever have I promise you."

He looked at her in silence, inhaling her perfume and shuddering with the desire only she could make him feel. He was hopeless in the advancing tide of her seduction and the temptation was nearly killing him.

But he was a different man to the naïve young Air Force Captain she had walked away from in Nellis. He wanted her desperately and he wanted her now but no matter what he wanted and how badly he wanted it, he refused to allow her to manipulate him into fulfilling her fantasy in the Penthouse.

Using every ounce of self-control he had, he reached into his pocket and pulled out the one thing she wanted in her life he knew she would do anything for.

His access card to the Penthouse.

He could have given it to her.

He would have given it to her.

But why the hell should he? She could have had it all twelve months ago and she had taken it on herself not only to insult his Mother's memory but to throw it his face she didn't need him to get what she wanted in the world.

He turned the card over and over in his hand and watched as her eyes lit up in anticipation. Yes he wanted her and yes she knew he did. But there something she didn't know and that was if she thought he'd take her up to the Penthouse that afternoon she was very sorely mistaken.

He returned the access card to his jacket.

"Invitations into my private world can no longer be expected lady." he breathed so softly only she was able to hear him. "These days my invitations are earned."

"And …Mrs. Washington, " he said making his meaning blatantly clear. "I'm always open to new ideas on how you intend to earn them."

Scribblings on the calendar ... a tightly locked Office door.

The affair went on for six months and he could rattle off with frightening detail the dates of each and every liaison.

Excelsior made New York easy and he no longer restricted himself to the dreaded two monthly visits. His Father commended him for his diligence. His brothers all laughed and wanted to know who she was.

He made light of the situation with them and tried to convince himself it didn't matter. She didn't love her husband and if it wasn't him she was being unfaithful with, she would have found somebody else. The way he saw it she was doing him a favour. It saved him the inconvenience of the club scene, removed all risk of public exposure and in the eyes of the press he remained the well mannered, eligible bachelor who visited New York and kept very much to himself. This pleased his Father greatly.

But deep down inside he was uneasy and a timely conversation with his Grandmother really cemented his concern.

The conversation just seemed to happen, almost as if it was meant to be.

He had flown in from New York well after lunch had been served and after pausing to have a short conversation with his Father, decided to go into the kitchen to wrangle himself some leftovers. Normally Kyrano was in the kitchen planning the evening meal but as fate so had it, Kyrano hadn't been feeling too well that day and his Grandmother had decided to" take over the task."

"Don't you try to get yourself back in my good books young man." she warned as he hugged her and moved to kiss the top of her head. "I know what you've been up to over there on that mainland and as I said to your Father not twenty minutes ago, I'm not too happy about it either."

"Oh Grandma?" he grinned trying to sound surprised. "What do you think I've been up to?"

If looks could kill he knew he would have been dead.

She proceeded to say she knew he'd be thirty years old next birthday and she knew he was a grown man like his Father. Of course she understood what was missing from his life and of course she understood he would want it. But it didn't change the fact that she didn't approve of how "that side of things" was being handled and recklessly dating women "who were beautiful as all hell but hardly worthy of being any man's wife let alone a Tracy son's," couldn't be good for anyone.

"And that includes your brothers." she added, pulling her glasses down on her nose and giving him a stern look of disapproval. "What you young men are up to on the mainland at the moment simply isn't right."

She grumbled to herself and muttered something about never getting the opportunity to see a Tracy bride or the chance to hold a great-grandchild of her own.

"The only hope I've got in that Department at the moment is the youngest one." she mumbled in discontent. "And even those little carryings on are hardly the Tracy way of doing things. He should wake up to himself and put a ring on that child's finger before something happens. "

"Who Grandma?" he asked trying to pretend he knew nothing about the nightly soirees which had recently begun between his youngest brother and International Rescue's pretty Assistant Engineer.

"Who? Don't you go trying to tell me you don't know who." she frowned. "I've been pushing those two together for years and just when I think I've got the chemistry right they start practicing what I don't want them to be practicing until they make the commitment."

"Now Grandma." he warned, trying not to laugh. "This isn't the stone ages you know."

A slap on the back of his hand told him she didn't appreciate the comment.

"I'll give you the stone ages Mr. Scott Carpenter Tracy. I'll have you know I was raised in the era where free-lovin' was not only accepted but it was a matter of course. That doesn't mean I went ahead and did it. I found myself a decent man the day I met your Grandfather and right from the beginning of history the Tracy men have always been respectable, hard-working individuals. They're raised to respect women and while they're waiting for the right one to come along they don't jump in and out of young lady's beds just to amuse themselves."

She looked out towards the beach where Alan and Tin-Tin giggled and laughed and took every opportunity they could to make physical contact.

"That one never got the opportunity to witness the living example." she sighed. "Maybe that's the trouble. If young Alan had half an inkling of how wonderful the married love was between your Father and your Mother he'd be down on one knee in an instant begging that little girl out there to marry him. "

"Not," she said in disappointment looking away from the open glass doors, "doing what he's doing. "

If he wasn't feeling so guilty himself he probably would have answered her. Like Alan, he too was "doing what he was doing" but unlike Alan who didn't get the chance, he had seen how wonderful the married love had been between his parents. He knew about the special touch of a hand and the gentle lingering of a kiss. He knew the power of a smile and the importance of a little joke. He guessed that meant he didn't have an excuse for "doing what he was doing" and if his Grandmother had any idea of what he was up to in New York at the moment she wouldn't be very happy.

But if that comment hadn't forced him into thinking, the next one she made really set him on edge.

"Married love is supposed to be special. It's designed to produce only one thing in this world and that thing needs the love and commitment of two parents. Accidents happen and without that commitment, everyone involved gets hurt. You mark my words young man, that day's coming around here and it's not too far away either."

Accidents happen.

He toyed with the thought on his way to New York again, trying to figure out if he had anything to worry about. He was almost certain he didn't. After all they'd been together in Nellis for four years and nothing had ever happened. Strange as it seemed to him now, the issue of children was something they'd always tended to agree on. She hated children, or so she said, and after being forced to change diapers and pacify toddlers since he'd been the tender age of nine, he had no desire for early Fatherhood himself.

It occurred to him however that whilst he knew how they'd felt about the matter in the past, they hadn't had a discussion about it since things between them had "restarted". He had to admit he hadn't thought about it and was assuming she was being as careful as she ever was. If she wasn't, he was about to get himself in a lot of trouble.

When he called her into his Father's Office and lowered himself to ask her, all she did was laugh.

"How stupid do you think I am?" she jeered gathering up the contracts and moving towards the door. "I don't want your brats any more than I want Washington's."

He accepted the undignified comment as a kind of reassurance but in the back of his mind he decided it was time to end it. It wasn't right. It wasn't what a Tracy son did, it wasn't what someone with a husband should be doing and above all it wasn't worth the risk.

He decided this liaison in New York was going to be his last. After six months of stringing her along he'd finally give her what she'd always wanted and allow her to have the desired experience in the Penthouse.

Then he'd tell her he was ending it.

But he was hurriedly called back to International Rescue before he got the chance.

Accidents happen.

Not three weeks after he returned from New York, all hell broke loose on Tracy Island and at the time it was only Alan who knew he had a problem.

A hurried trip to the mainland.

A very tardy return.

A Father's face of thunder.

The allegation of stealing money.

He had to admit he felt anxious for Alan as the story of what had happened unfolded. He and Tin-Tin had somehow had an accident and she was nine weeks pregnant. He'd panicked when she told him and had taken her to the mainland to terminate the pregnancy. He needed to keep the matter quiet and the only way he knew how to do it was rely on what he had been surrounded with ever since he could walk.

Money … and lots of it.

He "borrowed" the money from Tracy Enterprises, hoping he could somehow pay it back without their Father knowing. But if ever there was an unlucky young man when it came to being discovered it had to be Alan Shepard Tracy.

Their Father found out about everything, including Tin-Tin's pregnancy and he was absolutely furious. He'd been in New York himself when it was drawn to his attention and he made no bones about what he was going to say once he composed himself and returned to Tracy island.

Things went from bad to worse when he arrived.

An admission of guilt.

A pregnancy which still continued.

The revelation of a wedding ring.

And the shock and the embarrassment when his Father revealed he had found out something else.

He'd never forget the "talk" he endured in the privacy of his Father's study. He might have been nearly thirty and he might have been a man in his own right, but he was still a Tracy son, his eldest son and of all of the sons he had brought into the world and was proud of, he was the one he expected should know better.

"Marriage is a special bond between a man and a woman and as far as I'm concerned it's a bond that's for keeps. This woman maybe unhappy with her husband but I don't like the fact that you are placing yourself in the position of ruining her marriage Scott."

His Father hadn't yelled and his Father hadn't judged him. His Father had done something which punished him far worse. He looked him in the face and expressed his disappointment in him and pointed out that he'd never had tell him he was disappointed before.

He valued his Father's opinion of him almost as much as he valued his life and to hear him say he was disappointed in him crushed him beyond belief. Ever since he'd been a child all he'd ever wanted was to be like his Father and his Father's approval of him was everything.

Morality, truth and decency, Jeff Tracy continued in his low and powerful voice. Hadn't he succeeded in instilling those things in him when he was a child? Did he understand even Alan had shown at least some decency in making the decision to marry Tin-Tin? If he didn't understand, he wanted to know the reason why he didn't. What he was doing with Adelaide Washington in New York was against his upbringing and against everything the Tracy family stood for.

"Dad I won't see her anymore." he managed to whisper, his lips trembling with distress. "You're right Sir … I am doing the wrong thing and there isn't any excuse … it's just …"

He wanted to explain himself.

He wanted to say he was lonely.

He wanted to say he wanted a normal relationship.

He wanted to say a lot of things.

But he couldn't bring himself to say anything. His Father had said he was disappointed in him and there was nothing more to say.

Then it had been Alan's turn.

Alan hadn't been quite so lucky when it came to facing the wrath of their Father. He was in there for an hour and a half and when he emerged it was clear he had been read the riot act. Right or wrong, he was now a married man and he had a wife and a child to consider. He had things to make up for to Tin-Tin and money to repay to Tracy Enterprises.

The judgment was handed down.

Not only would he be required to man Thunderbird Five every second month, he was also required to spend one week out of the four he had on the island sitting behind a desk in New York signing Tracy Enterprises contracts. He was do so until the baby was born after which he would assume his role as their baby's Father. There was no argument and no discussion.

The blonde, cocksure Tracy son buckled under the force of Jefferson Tracy's ire. Like him, when it came to commitment and the sense of what was right and wrong he knew their Father was serious.

As things turned out Alan's punishment complicated things further. Whilst it gave him an excuse not to see Adelaide Washington again, it stopped him from finding out something important.

The "little mistake of his own."

The months drew on and even though it was hard and lonely and difficult he forced himself to pick up the pieces of his life again and try to forget about what had happened. Alan didn't help things by coming home with his own opinion of the tall blonde Secretary often mentioning the fact he thought she had a thing for his "tall, mysterious" big brother.

"Anyone would think the two of you had something going on over there." he joked, winking at Virgil and Gordon. "If you didn't, she's crazy stuck on you for some strange reason and whatever it is she's not letting on to me."

Everyone stared when he spluttered on his glass of bourbon and loudly began to choke. He hotly denied everything and did such a bad job of it the whole dinner table applauded and erupted into laughter.

Everyone, except of course, his Father.

Jefferson Tracy sipped his cognac in silent disapproval and failed to utter a word.

Another twist of fate.

Another quirk of conscience.

Alan and Tin-Tin's baby came early and not without the intervention of International Rescue. They'd nearly lost Tin-Tin in the theatre and it looked like Alan was going to have to be stood down for a couple of months to enable him to care for the baby.

This put New York back on the Agenda again and his Father made a point of approaching him to make the trip, presumably to see if he could be trusted.

He accepted the invitation with a steely resolution.

No matter what, he was determined to have the guts to end it. It had been eight months since he'd last seen Adelaide Washington and he assumed there were no sparks left. He hadn't touched a woman in all that time and he had disciplined himself to the point where he very rarely thought about it.

Excelsior once again thundered into the sky – destination New York.

Destination – disaster.

Originally he thought this trip was the best thing to ever happen to him. After landing in Teterboro he happened to cast his eye in the direction of a beautiful Bombardier Pilot preparing to jet out of the terminal. He'd made it his business to introduce himself and within an hour was so captivated not only with her beauty but her amazing knowledge of flight , it looked like New York was going to be home for a few days longer while he "got to know her better".

This one wasn't married, thank God, and by the reception he'd received when he turned on the Tracy charm, she wouldn't be easy prey for him either. Still, he enjoyed the fun of the chase and there was something about her he liked so he was prepared to sit back and play the game.

She'd give in to him... eventually.

Margo Marin.

Seventeen months later she was now the most important thing in his life.

But back on that cold November afternoon he still had two things he needed to do; sign his Father's contracts and end his affair with Adelaide Washington. He made his way by taxi to Manhattan determined the affair ended first.

"Addy you know I don't want to hurt you but we can't see each other any more. There no future in it for either of us and it's never been fair to Mark."

He rehearsed his lines over and over again and by the time he reached Tracy Enterprises all he wanted was to get it over with.

But he had forgotten his Grandmother's words.

Accidents happen.

And he nearly collapsed when he saw her.

She had to have been eight months gone. She was every bit as big as Tin-Tin had been.

All he could do was stare and stand in shell-shocked silence trying to remember dates.

She averted her eyes and made every excuse she could to leave.

He was now in a state of panic. An affair was one thing. A child as a result of it was something else.

"I don't want your brats any more than I want Washington's."

She'd said that.

She'd said that not eight months ago. Now here she was, large as life, about to deliver one.

She was too calculating to have accidents. He knew her too well.

There had to be another Agenda.

His heart raced as his imagination began to get the better of him.

A Tracy child.

His child.

Her access to the Tracy fortune.

The pieces began to fit. She'd never wanted him, she'd made that obvious in Las Vegas, but she'd never denied the fact that she wanted his money.

He stood in his Father's Office overlooking the Hudson River, his emotions in complete disarray. He thought she was trying to earn her way to the Penthouse. He thought he was in control of her. How could he have been so stupid? He had never been the one in control. She had mapped the whole thing out.

He closed his eyes.

Dear God, when his Father found out about this he was going to kill him.

Later that afternoon he called her into the Office and demanded she allow him access to a paternity test.

She refused. The baby was Mark's, she said, and he needn't flatter himself into thinking otherwise.

He almost flung the desk calendar in front of her eyes. The dates, he said, indicated she was carrying a Tracy child. He wanted the paternity test and he wanted it now.

She merely looked in him the face and said a very definite "no".

Thirty years of age; the Field Commander of International Rescue; able to assume control of any situation and make the hard decisions, he sat there for the first time in his life completely hapless, not knowing what to do.

He called in Kevin Baillie and asked for a legal agreement to be drawn up. If she wouldn't agree to allow him access to the paternity test now, he wasn't about to give her the opportunity to ask him for one in the future. If the child wasn't his she could categorically say so and while she was doing it she could state she had no claim over him or Tracy Enterprises too.

But he instructed Kevin Baillie to factor in the loophole. She couldn't ask him but he could ask her.

Kevin Baillie pleaded with him to speak to his Father. This wasn't something trivial anymore. This was something serious. He refused to listen to the Attorney's advice and belligerently demanded he proceed. He didn't want his Father to know anything.

He signed.

She signed.

And nursing a secret no man should ever bear, he returned to Tracy Island and said nothing.

Daniel Mark Washington was born on December 28, nine months and twelve days from the date of their last liaison. According to his Father who'd received the information from Hank Davies, Daniel was a strapping nine pounds at birth with blue eyes, a fine set of lungs and a crop of dark silken hair.

"Must take after the Father." his Father commented before returning to his paperwork. "Mother please see to it some flowers are sent to the girl from the family will you?"

He looked back up to where Josephine Tracy sat. "With an appropriate message if you don't mind."

Then he looked over at him. "I assume you would like to be included?"

He reddened, nodded his head, and said he needed to get some air. He left the lounge room of the Tracy villa with his Grandmother frowning and asking his Father if she'd just missed something in the translation. As he wandered alone on the shores on Tracy Island, he wondered if his Father had put two and two together and somehow come up with three. If he had he wasn't saying anything and if he hadn't it was obvious he was still disappointed he'd put himself in the position in the first place.

Having a newborn baby on the island made it even harder to forget about Daniel. He watched Alan bumbling his way through Fatherhood almost with a kind of jealousy. Lucy Josephine was a cute little thing and when he held her in his arms and felt the warmth of her tiny body against his, she seemed to fill some kind of void which until now he hadn't realised was missing from his life.

The months wore on and his personal unhappiness deepened. He'd long since forgotten about Adelaide but he wondered all the time about Daniel. He wanted to know if he was Daniel's Father. He wanted to know even if that was all he would ever be allowed to know. His relationship with Margo Marin was becoming serious and he would soon have to tell her the truth about his past.

Unfortunately he had to consider Daniel as part of his past and he was withholding enough of the truth from her with his secret life in International Rescue without hiding that too.

But the legal agreement existed and his Father still didn't know. He resigned himself to never finding out the truth about Daniel and tried his best to move on.

A first wedding anniversary came.

Kevin Baillie and Hank Davies unexpectedly arrived at the Island.

Panic reared up in a Tracy son's eyes.

He thought they were here about Daniel, and when they closeted themselves with his Father he thought his life was over. If they told him about the agreement he'd do more than simply express his disappointment this time. He'd do much much more.

As it turned out, the two of them had come for a different and much happier reason. Alan had been planning to make amends to Tin-Tin by organizing a top secret "perfect wedding" and he found out Hank Davies was a marriage celebrant who Alan had invited to officiate and Kevin Baillie had come along to carry out the legalities.

It all came as news to his Father and he breathed a sigh of relief as the truth about their visit was revealed. His secret was still safe and nobody knew on Tracy Island.

But the close call told him he needed to share the burden with someone and he decided to confide in Virgil who he trusted with his life. Virgil listened to him attentively and tried not to show he was shocked.

"You have to tell Dad what's happened Scott." he urged in his calm and sensible voice. "Please… I really think he needs to know."

He refused to allow Virgil to convince him.

"Dad only needs to know what Dad needs to know." he emphasised. "And he doesn't need to know about this."

The final straw came when another "little accident" occurred on Tracy Island. Nine months and thirteen days to the date of the "perfect wedding," baby Alan Jefferson Tracy was born into the world, a little brother for Lucy Josephine and the first Tracy Grandson.

At least that's what everybody thought.

His Father had been ecstatic and he couldn't remember a time in his life when he had ever seen him so happy. He held the tiny baby in his arms, touched his cheek and reminisced about the first time he had held a son of his own.

"This is exactly the same feeling." he said, smiling at Alan and Tin-Tin, "And you know what? I think holding my first Grandson actually feels even better."

That was the catalyst for him to crack. Virgil looked across the room at him, his brown eyes appealing to him to tell their Father about Daniel. He squared his jaw unhappily and made it his business to turn away. He couldn't admit to things now. It had been over fourteen months.

A tiny swaddled bundle; a spattering of dark brown hair; two sleepy little blue eyes and a cute button mouth.

His resolve completely broke when he held baby "AJ" in his arms. It was then he wanted to hold his own son in his arms and if it took him to admit to his Father what he'd done in New York and ask him for his help, he was now prepared to do it.

Baby "AJ" was handed to Uncle Virgil who sensed the drama of what lay ahead.

"Do you want me to come with you Scott?" he asked him quietly, his voice a mirror of genuine love and concern.

He shook his head.

"No thanks. I appreciate the offer but this is a matter best left between me and our Father."

The discussion took place over a cup of coffee in the corner of the hospital cafeteria. He'd fidgeted with his coffee cup and swallowed a couple of times before his Father asked him to look him in the face and tell him what the matter was.

"I … I don't know how to begin Sir." he stammered nervously. "I know you're not going to like what I'm about to tell you."

His Father's dark blue eyes grew wary.

"Well son …" he paused. "If that's the case I guess you'd better start from the beginning."

I guess you'd better start from the beginning …

For over an hour he told his Father the truth about his relationship with Adelaide Washington. The story of how things were in Nevada. The story of how she'd ended it. The story of what she'd said about his Mother's engagement ring.

"You employed her after she said that?" he gasped in disbelief. "Scott ... that ring belonged to your Momma."

"Dad … honest I didn't know it was her Sir." he replied wretchedly. "All I was told was she was Washington's daughter-in-law. When I found out I wasn't in a position to say no. I'd already given James Washington my word as a Gentleman that Tracy Enterprises would give her a job."

"A Gentleman?" his Father growled. "I fail to see how you could class any of your recent dealings as being the actions of a Gentleman."

Tears which weren't allowed to fall began to well in his eyes.

"No Sir." he heaved desolately. "I know."

His Father ordered more coffee and sat in silence waiting for it to arrive. Only when it did was he asked to continue.

"Dad I don't think you need me to continue." he murmured, "You already know what happened between the two of us after that."

His Father raised his cup to his lips and sighed with sadness.

"Yes son unfortunately I suppose I do."

There was an awkward and painful silence.

"Dad … you have to believe me. I never touched her again after we spoke. I didn't even see her again until the day you sent me back to New York."

He paused and lifted his eyes preparing to break the news.

"But you see Sir … even though I didn't …things had already gone too far."

Their eyes met.

He didn't have to say anything.

His Father colored and looked away angrily.

"You're about to tell me the boy's yours aren't you?"

"Yes Sir I have very good reason to believe that he is."

"Oh Scott. " his Father groaned. "Why the hell didn't you tell me before now?"

"I couldn't Sir."

He paused.

"Dad … I wanted to find out the truth fourteen months ago but she wouldn't give me access to a paternity test."

His Father's eyes widened.

"A paternity test?" he gasped. "You actually stood there and asked a woman carrying a child to undertake a paternity test?"

He tried to swallow but a lump the size of a baseball had suddenly formed in his throat.

"Yes Sir I did."

"Dad …I had to."

His Father pressed his lips together and looked towards the ceiling.

"Dear God Scott please tell me there's nothing else." he whispered, his eyes pleading to the heavens.

He faltered at his Father's obvious distress.

"I'm sorry Sir," he finally had the courage to admit. "But there is."

It was then the existence of the agreement was revealed, and the loophole it contained. She could never demand a paternity test from him in the future but there was nothing to say he couldn't demand one of Daniel. He wanted to invoke the agreement as soon as possible and demand the test be taken. He was asking him for his support.

He didn't even want to think about what his Father said to him after that. His support? How dare he compromise Tracy Enterprises like he had and then have the gall to sit there and ask him for his support. Tracy Enterprises was his life. It had fed and clothed them as children and it had funded their expensive College educations. It allowed all five of them to do whatever the hell they wanted to do. Not only that, it completely funded International Rescue. How dare he put something he knew was so important to him on the line. He didn't understand any more. He just didn't understand.

Angry and disillusioned, his Father demanded to see the agreement and without taking a breath demanded to speak to Kevin Baillie. He couldn't believe his Senior Attorney, who he trusted completely, had allowed all this to happen without so much as a cursory word to him.

Kevin Baillie flew to San Diego immediately and he cringed his Father paced around his Hotel Room and angrily said his piece. An apologetic Kevin Baillie urged him to calm down and assured him the agreement was water tight. He assured him Adelaide Washington had no claim over Tracy Enterprises now or in the future. He assured him he had nothing to worry about.

"Jeff trust me. I was extremely thorough with this because I knew you weren't being involved."

"And I should have been." his Father growled in a tone he had never used with anyone before. "I built this Company from nothing and I would advise you well to remember it."

There was silence in the room as his Father walked over to the window and overlooked San Diego trying to calm himself down. Eventually he regained his composure.

"All right; if you say there's no threat to the Company Baillie, I'll take you at your word. The matter hereby ends in these four walls and I don't wish for it to be spoken about again."

He glared across the room at him and added.

"Legally anyway."

But he had gone too far with this now to accept his Father's word.

"No Dad." he interjected. "This matter hasn't ended yet. I still want to know if Daniel's mine."

His Father rounded on him right in front of Kevin Baillie.

"What the heck does it matter anymore Scott? For fourteen months you've lived with nothing but lies and illusion. A paternity test tells you nothing and it puts Tracy Enterprises at risk."

"It tells me Dad." he stressed.

"All right Scott it tells you. But even if it does tell you it makes no Goddamn difference to anything."

He held up the contract and waved it under his nose.

"You've already signed this to say he isn't your son. Don't you understand?"

He threw the contract down on the table.

"Tell him Kevin." he demanded. "Or tell me I've lost my touch on contract matters since I moved the hell out of New York"

The tension in the room was at boiling point as Kevin Baillie quietly folded the contract and returned it to the pocket of his portfolio.

"Scott …" the Attorney said carefully. "I'm afraid your Father is right. I did warn you at the time even if paternity could be proven in the future, the child will always legally remain a child of Mark and Adelaide Washington."

"I know that." he snarled back. "I've never pretended not to know that. All I want to do is find out if he was mine in the first place."

His Father really lost his temper then.

"Why Scott?" he exploded. "Why do you want to know? Why not just forget about it?"

For the first time in his life he found himself thundering at his Father. He was tired of feeling guilty and tired of feeling ashamed. There was no risk to Tracy Enterprises and that had been made pointedly clear. All he wanted was closure so he had the confidence to move on to another phase in his life and he was damned if his Father was going to refuse him that too.

He rose to his feet and looked him squarely in the eye.

"Because ... Dad ... if you were me and you thought there was a possibility that Daniel Washington might be your only son, I know you wouldn't close your eyes and sleep at night until at least the hell you knew."

And thus began the legal case and once again the Washington Attorneys faced the Tracy Attorneys in the boardroom of the Tracy Towers.

Surely this was an amiable thing which could be handled out of court, Kevin Baillie urged from the head of the Company table. His Client only wanted access to a paternity test and his Client's Father was prepared to pay for everything, including the inconvenience. There was no need for suspicion or concern. His client had no future claim to the child and that was clearly outlined in the agreement.

"Unless of course your agreement has any other little "loopholes" you didn't make known to our clients at the time." argued the Washington Attorneys.

"I assure you that's not the case." Kevin Baillie swallowed, uneasy at the inference. "All the cards are on the table at the moment and there are no hidden agendas."

The Washington Attorneys rose to their feet and gathered up their papers. All the cards should have been on the table when his "Client" bullied a "poor defenceless young woman" into signing a loaded legal agreement almost sixteen months before.

"No deal." was the reply.

If his Client wanted to take things further all their talking would now be done in court.

The rest of course was history.

The court had ruled against Tracy Enterprises and he had no-one to blame but himself. He was the one who had asked for the loophole. He was the one who had been dishonest. He was one who was left to pay the price.

He would never know if he had fathered baby Daniel.

Since then his own Father had told him every day it was time to move on and forget about him.

"Time to move on." he scoffed bitterly as he heard the signal telling him it was time to don the familiar blue uniform and assume the role of Field Commander. "Yeah I can do that for you Dad no sweat. Just like everything else."

He dragged his exhausted body towards the door. No matter how bad he felt, International Rescue needed him and he knew he had a job to do.

His wrist Communicator began to flash as he made his way to the lounge room and the adrenalin began to surge.

"Scott." the authoritative voice sounded. "I need you to come down as quickly as you can please. It appears we've got a call."

Author's Note – Those who haven't read "Commitment" may need to catch up on the finer detail of Alan and Tin-Tin's little "accidents" the legal agreement with Adelaide Washington and how it all came to pass. Acknowledgement once again to "Lady Viva" who has again graciously allowed me the use of her character "Margo Marin" and her exotic jet "Excelsior."

The next Chapter begins the story proper and how a child should never be taken for granted or ever regarded as a Possession. MCJ

CHAPTER THREE – "THERE'S ONLY SO MUCH A MAN CAN TAKE"