After dinner the Tracy boys retired to the lounge. They began to slowly pack the boxes up again.

"We'll leave them out, so if Father or Grandma want to go through them again they can." Scott said.

The job finished they all sat down in the chairs they'd occupied before dinner.

"I don't know about you guys," Virgil commented, "but I'm exhausted, mentally and physically. It's been a big day."

"Yeah, it's certainly been a day for revelations." Gordon said. He looked at Scott. "You were really going to steal the T. Bird?"

"Something tells me I'm going to regret saying that." Scott said. "But yes, I was."

Gordon gave a chuckle. "I can just see it. Scott Tracy - a gang member with long hair and tattoos."

Alan expanded on the picture. "Unwashed, leather jacket and attitude."

"Pierced ears." Gordon continued the theme.

"Pierced nose." Alan added.

"And other places we won't mention." Gordon completed the picture.

Scott shifted uncomfortably, folded his arms and crossed his legs. "Steady on! There are limits!"

"What happened to those kids you used to hang out with?" John asked.

"I lost contact, but I think two of them ended up in jail. And, I think one was involved in a murder charge."

Alan gave a long, low whistle. "Just think. We could have had a brother who was a jail bird."

Scott gave a grimace at the thought "Yeah, I'm glad I got out of that scene."

Virgil looked at Scott. "So am I. I think we all are." He said quietly. His brothers nodded in agreement.

"And how are you?" Scott asked Virgil, a frown of concern creasing his handsome features.

"Me? Feeling as if a weight's been lifted off my shoulders. I'm glad we had that discussion."

"I think Dad's feeling the same way." Alan said. "He seemed so relaxed during dinner. He didn't even scold Gordon for reaching across the table and knocking over the salt."

"Well if you'd handed it to me when I asked, I wouldn't have had to reach!"

"I've been meaning to ask guys," John was addressing Scott and Virgil. "Just how close was today's accident to..."

"At the exact same spot." Scott told him. "We found the plaque and everything. It was damaged in the avalanche, remind me to tell Father it needs replacing."

"That's not all we found." Virgil grinned. "Remember Dave?"

"Dave was there?" John was amazed.

"Yeah, we didn't tell Father, because we thought he'd have a blue fit, but he recognised us and asked after you."

"You're right. He would have a blue fit. Still Dave seemed all right then..."

"He was and he will be now. He won't give us away..."

Jeff was still sitting at the dinner table. His mother finished tidying up and then sat next to him, taking his hand in hers. "You're quiet, Honey." She said.

"Just thinking, Mother. The things I've learned today. I thought I knew those boys pretty well, but I guess..."

"I know what you mean. Scott and those boys... Virgil - 22 years! Gordon..." She didn't complete any of her sentences, but he knew what she was thinking.

"You know, thinking about what we were told today, it makes me realise what a bad father I've been to them."

"Jeff Tracy! Listen to you! You've been a wonderful, caring, supportive, loving father. They couldn't ask for anything better."

"But you heard them. Before Lucille died, I didn't know half of what went on. And after..."

"Now listen to me Jeff." She smacked him lightly on the back of the hand. "Sure you made some mistakes, all parents do, but you learnt from them and became a better father because of them."

"I guess I still miss her. Things would have been so much better if she'd..."

"Jeff!" His mother said in exasperation. "Think about it. If the avalanche hadn't have happened, would you have given up being an astronaut?"

"Well, not straight away, but eventually..."

"And would you have bought into the engineering firm?"

"No, I..."

"And would you have been able to make all your money?"

"Probably not..."

"And would you have been able to afford giving those boys the education they received?"

"No..."

"Including sending all five of them to good universities."

"The way Scott was talking, it may have only been four. We'd have been visiting him in the State Penitentiary." Jeff gave a quiet chuckle at the thought.

"And could you have sponsored all those other young people you've helped get tertiary education?"

"No."

"And would you have met Brains?"

"No."

"And would you have met Lady Penelope and Parker?"

"No." By now he'd given up on trying to give a more detailed answer.

"And would you have met Kyrano and Tin-Tin?"

"Yes!" He'd got her. "I met Kyrano at the Space Agency, remember."

"But would you have earned enough money to form International Rescue?"

"No."

"And saved all those people over the years?"

"No."

"Including that family that were saved today. Doomed their relatives to go through what we did."

"Mother!" Now it was Jeff's turn to become exasperated. "I get the idea."

"I know it's hard Jeff. And believe me there's not a day that I don't wish that your father were here with me. But if he'd lived, I would have missed out on so much. Being a large part of my five grandsons growing up into wonderful, caring young men. Seeing my son stick to his guns and follow his dreams, making me proud of him. Being part of International Rescue! I wouldn't change the last 22 years for anything.

"As I've got older Jeff, I've come to believe one thing. No matter how hard it is to take at the time, no matter how cruel the circumstances seem. I firmly believe that everything happens for a reason. We may not understand initially, but in time we will. We just have to be patient."

He looked at her as what she'd just said sunk in. "You're a very wise woman Mother."

"I've lived and learned Jeff. You don't get to be my age without learning about the facts of life - and I don't mean 'the birds and bees' either."

He laughed and squeezed her hand and she was relieved to see the frown that had been creasing his forehead disappear. "You're a tonic." He said.

"Just you remember that, Jeff!"

"Yes, Mother." He said obediently.

"Good boy." She kissed him as if he were still her little boy and rose.

His eyes followed her as she left the room. "Yes," he agreed, as he thought about how lucky he'd been. "Everything happens for a reason."

The End.

Thanks to everyone who read this, and I am sorry if I made anyone a little teary eyed.

Thanks also to everyone who took the time to send me such wonderful reviews. They made me a little teary eyed myself.

Purupuss.

PS: Although, when I originally wrote both stories I had no intention of doing so, "Everything Happens for a Reason" became a prequel to "Blind Ambition - Blind Fury". "Blind Ambition" actually has two endings, but, in my opinion, the "Blind Fury" one is the better. Although you can find both endings on "Blind Ambition - Blind Fury" has been slightly improved, and condensed into one story on if you have a spare few days to read through it.

Smile :-)

Purupuss