Chapter 6: But Hurry Up and Wait

January 16, 1963

Tracy awoke to the dreadful ringing of her alarm clock on another cold day in January.

"Penny, wake up. It's time to get ready for school", she said groggily. Penny stirred in her bed and whined for a moment."

"Aw…Tracy. It's way too cold to get out of bed."

"I'm not going to be the only one freezing while you stay in bed all warm, now get up!", Tracy nagged, throwing a pillow at Penny.

"Ugh…you seem like you're in a bad mood…as per usual" Penny mumbled spitefully as she crawled out of bed and pulled her robe on. Tracy's whole demeanor had changed in just a few weeks' time. She wasn't exactly terrible or insufferable, but most of the time she had a bad attitude. And that wasn't Tracy.

"Who's gonna hit the bathroom first this time?", Penny asked passively, yawning dramatically.

"I am. I'm gonna take longer getting ready. Today's Link's birthday."

"Celebration.", Penny responded sarcastically.

Tracy let that one slide. She wasn't all that excited herself. Link had been totally insufferable lately and it was taking huge toll on their relationship. He had been doing the strangest things. Right before Christmas break he had arranged to graduate early, which broke Tracy's heart because she had dreamed that they would graduate together. When she asked him the reason, he couldn't even give her a reputable explanation. He tried to slough her off by saying that he had planned to do that a long time ago, but something told Tracy that this was a lie. All Link did was lie, not directly, but indirectly. Withholding his secrets or whatever he was hiding was worse than any spoken lie. Tracy sighed. She entered the shower and let the water run over head. She had resigned from the whole thing a long time ago, right after they stopped talking as much as they used to, right after he stopped looking her in the eyes, right after he started replacing tender caresses with rough groping. Yet, she couldn't bring herself to part from him because the silence that they shared held all the secrets that he tried to conceal, because even though he wasn't looking into her eyes he was still staring straight through her soul, because whenever he groped her, she could still feel the raw need that was there at the beginning of their relationship. She loved him. She was foolishly in love with him. Love. She loathed the word now more than ever.

Tracy exited the shower after a while, and started putting herself together. She refused to look like she was in pain in front of Link. She fixed her into the style that she knew Link found irresistible. She applied her makeup, sliding on Link's favorite lipstick. She put on his favorite perfume and put on a dress in his favorite color. While she was at it, she forced a smile. When she was presentable, she vacated the bathroom, giving Penny full occupancy.

"Took you long enough."

"Hush, Penny."

Tracy continued to the kitchen, where her mother was putting the finishing touches on the small cake that Tracy had requested for Link.

"Good mornin',hon."

"Morning, ma."

"I'm almost done. Here, I made something for you and Penny, too" Edna said, pushing a plate of food towards Tracy. Tracy took small bites, with no promises of finishing the meal.

"I can't believe Link is turning eighteen. He's really grown now. He's getting bigger day by day."

"I guess he is, ma", Tracy responded. She had noticed, too. He had grown a few inches taller. He was starting to fill out a bit more. His hands were mammoth-like compared to Tracy's. And she couldn't help but noticing while they were making out that he was heavier than he used to be. All this made him that much more enticing.

Penny and Wilbur entered the kitchen greeting everybody and attacking their breakfast.

"Link's birthday, eh?"

"Yes, daddy"

"He's a good boy…respectable young man."

Tracy rolled her eyes.

"Sure, he is…"

The room was quiet for a moment until the blaring of Link's horn pierced the silence.

"Link's here. I'm gonna go bring him up here."

Tracy headed out of the door without her coat and bounded down the stairs and out onto the curb.

Link was already on the passenger's side, leaning against the car. He spoke as Tracy approached him.

"Why did I have to come early, Trace? What do you have to do? Did you-"

"Calm down, Link. It's nothing big. Come on upstairs."

"Wait…"

Link grabbed her hand, pulling her into a rare, tender kiss. Tracy instantly melted under the sweet embrace. It had been a while since Link kissed her like that. However, she had to cut it short; people were waiting.

"Link, it's freezing out here and I don't even have a coat on…let's go inside.", she said pulling him towards the door.

Link groaned and decided to play hostage for once, wondering what was going on. Tracy led him into the house, all the way into the kitchen. As soon as they stepped foot into the room, every one sang out in unison.

"Happy birthday, Link!"

Link was shocked. He had forgotten all about his birthday

"Come over here so we can sing to you.", Edna insisted.

Link walked over to the small table where everyone was gathered, eyes never leaving the cake. He couldn't remember the last time anyone had thrown a party for him, or even baked a cake for him, mostly because his father seemed totally apathetic towards the day that Link came into the world. He figured that his last decent celebration was his third birthday.

Every body started to sing in accord, voices blending into the perfect harmony. Tracy's sounded most glorious. Link was smiling wide, looking at the faces of the people who really loved him. But then something caught his eye. Something that was so palpable, but somehow he had missed it. He stared intently at the tiny flames of the candles. Instantly his smile faded, turning into a pained grimace. Tracy noticed this at once. She watched him from across the table. His eyes were hard and cold; the flames were reflected in them, flickering about wildly. What is wrong with him? The song ended and everybody stared at Link expectantly, but he just stood there, motionless.

"Link, hon, make a wish and blow them out." Edna urged.

"I am.", Link responded monotonously, voice distant.

After a couple of seconds, he leaned over and blew them out, the acrid smoke invading his nostrils, making his grimace deepen. Everyone in the room applauded, and he remembered that he had to smile.

"Here, hon, cut your piece.", Edna said, handing him a knife. Link did what he was told, moving slowly and mechanically. He sat down and took a bite of his cake. It was sweet and delicious; but he could still see the smoke. He still remembered the flames. Tracy studied Link incredulously, rising from her seat after about three minutes.

"Link, Penny and I are going down to the car. Meet us there when you're done."

"Sure thing, Trace."

Tracy and Penny pulled on their coats and rushed out of the door.

"You better hurry, son. It's about that time" Wilbur said as he scooted down to the shop.

"Yessir"

Link finished his cake and tried his best to straighten up a bit. After giving Edna a kiss on the cheek and making her blush, he headed to the car.

Tracy and Penny were standing there waiting. He muttered an apology and opened the door for both of them. Tracy wouldn't look at him, but Penny's eyes were deadest on him. She had taken extreme notice of Link's recent behavior. She recognized the look in his eyes. That was pain. She saw the same look whenever she glared into the mirror. Link was definitely hiding something, but she was sure that it was bigger than anything Tracy could ever dream up.

Another typical day. Link was in his usual bad mood. He'd been even worse today than he was any other day, and once again it was wreaking havoc on Tracy's nerves. She figured that he could at least be happy on his birthday, but it seemed that she figured wrong. Tracy was beginning to feel defeated. No matter what she tried to do for Link, she never made him any happier. But she refused to back down. Which was why she was driving, and he was in the passenger seat wearing a blindfold. After the show, they had left Penny with Seaweed as they always did, but this time Seaweed would bring her home. Tracy had groveled to her parents for weeks, and it paid off. They let her go as long as she was home by ten.

"Tracy, where are you taking me?"

"Patience, Link, patience.", she said as she parked the car. She got out, went to the other side and helped Link out onto his feet. She steadied him and removed the blindfold.

Link took a look and smirked.

"Ugh… I knew you had a reason for wearing a dress…you can get me to do anything looking like that."

"All a part of my diabolical plan…now let's go inside."

Tracy and Link entered the restaurant. It was only a small crowd surrounding them, probably because it was still a bit early.

Tracy had already reserved their spot and the host led them to the table and seated them. After taking the order for their drinks and food, he waltzed away.

"This is nice, darlin;"

"It better be, I worked hard on this."

Link smiled. A real smile. The first one she'd seen in weeks.

"How does it feel to be eighteen, Link?"

"It feels the same as being seventeen, except that I can vote, be put on trial for murder…and date older women."

"Hey!"

"What? You would rather me kill someone than date an older woman?"

Not exactly. I'm just being possessive"

"I guess that you have a reason to be."

"Get over yourself, Larkin", Tracy chided.

Link was finally behaving normally. Tracy, at last, began to relax. They were having a good, long conversation when the waiter appeared with their food and drinks. Traccy raised her glass in preparation for a toast.

"To adult hood"

Link raised his glass.

"Even though it scares me shitless…"

Tracy giggled and their glasses clinked. She couldn't remember the last time he'd made her laugh.

They returned to their conversation, laughing and debating, until Link started staring at her intensely. The table fell silent; Tracy started blushing. Link was totally entranced by the way the candlelight illuminated her face…wait…candlelight? Link actually took a good look at the table and realized that there were indeed two lit candles there. His eyes immediately turned hard and cold as they did that morning, eyes reflecting the burning flames once again. His face turned to stone and so did Tracy's. She followed his line of vision and frowned. What is it with him and candles? She pondered this while he sat there in a trance-like state. Her eyes traced over the lines in his forehead and the vein popping out of his neck. Why? What's wrong with Link?

After what seemed like hours, Link finally spoke.

"Tracy are you done with your food?"

The question was rhetorical. They had finished their meals about an hour ago.

"Yes, Link, of course. What-"

"There's the waiter. Let me pay so we can get out of here."

"But Link it's only eight. And I was supposed to pay."

"Don't worry your pretty little head about it, darlin", Link replied as he paid for their meal. Tracy knew that that was the end of discussion. Link rose to his feet and took her by the hand, leading her out of the restaurant.

"I'm driving."

"I don't want to go home now", Tracy protested. She had worked hard on this night. She'd be damned if she didn't at least a proper thank you or recompense.

"Hmph."

Link obeyed her command and drove to his house. Thankfully, his father wasn't home tonight either. So they could proceed with whatever Tracy had in mind.

Once they were inside the apartment, Tracy sloughed off her coat and watched Link get out of his jacket. She shot him a coy glance, even though the fire in her eyes was more of frustration than it was passion or lust. She presented her hand to him and he took it, and she started leading him to his bedroom. Link stopped dead in his tracks.

"Trace, you don't have to do that. It's only my birthday. It's-"

"Please, hush, Link and follow me."

He obediently followed her to the room and closed the door behind them.

"Take off your shirt, Link" she commanded, trying to look serious, but her voice was shaking. Link looked at her questioningly as he removed the garment and let it flutter to the floor. Now he was sporting a thin undershirt.

"Lie down."

He kept his eyes on her, totally intrigued. He sat on the bed and started to lean back.

"No, Link, face down."

He looked at her in confusion.

"Do it."

As soon as he was fully stretched out on his stomach, Tracy made her way to the bed, kneeling by his side. Her hand slid up his back, which made him shiver a bit. He turned his head to catch a glimpse of every move that she made. She continued her ministrations up and down his spine, making his skin flush and eyes droop. She stopped suddenly and he opened his eyes to see that her small hands were at the hem of her dress. She bunched the fabric in her hands and started pulling it up until it stopped short of showing her underwear.

Now Link was turned on, gawking at the creamy white skin of her thighs. But he would have never been prepared for her next move. Tracy shifted on the bed, picked up her leg and straddled Link from behind. It took everything Link had not to turn over and pin her to the bed. Tracy was careful not to put any weight on him or let herself brush up against him, even though he could still feel the slight warmth between her legs. She shifted around a bit before speaking.

"While I'm doing this, I'm the only one talking. You listen, understand?"

Link nodded.

"OK, then."

Tracy started at his temples, rubbing soothing circles into them.

"I've noticed that you have been a little off lately. I figure it's because of stress."

Link nodded.

"I thought so. What with the rigorous classes and the show and trying to graduate early". The words were like acid on her tongue.

Link nodded again.

"But I still don't understand why that has to turn you into a totally different person." Tracy said as she leaned over to nibble his ear. Her hot breath played against skin, making him moan a bit, but he was still a bit slighted by her words. He opened his mouth to rebut.

"Don't.Talk.To.Me. I told you to keep your mouth shut, didn't I?", Tracy asked in a harsh tone.

Link frowned to show his disapproval.

Tracy rolled her eyes and moved to the back of his neck, planting kisses on the flesh there and paying special to the moles there. Link didn't know whether to be angry or aroused, but it seemed that the latter was more prominent.

"Link, sweetie, don't you know I'll do just about anything for you? Don't you know how badly I need you?", Tracy asked pleadingly, now massaging his shoulders.

"Sometimes, I need you so badly it hurts. Sometimes it makes me think I'm stupid or foolish, either that or I'm in love with you.", she said, her voice barely a whisper. She wondered if he heard her.

Link heard every word, he just didn't know what to say. Wasn't she angry with him just a few minutes ago?

Tracy continued, anyway. She started rubbing his back, slowly drifting towards the hem of his undershirt.

"Link…", she muttered to herself.

He closed his eyes, tension returning to the temples she had just relieved.

Tracy slid her hand under his shirt, instantly comforted by the warmth of his glorious skin. She decided to go a bit further as she pulled the fabric up, exposing his flesh. Her expression transformed into absolute horror as she took in the sight.

Link heard her gasp, confirming his darkest fear. Damn

"Link! What happened to you?!" she screamed as her eyes ran over black-and-blue bruises. She dropped right on him, now uncaring that their bodies were touching like this, how unladylike her position was.

Link didn't dare look her in the eye. He remembered how he had gotten those. He remembered how his father had taken advantage of a slight misstep in which Link fell to the floor. His father consequently started to try to stomp his back in. James almost won that fight. Fortunately, Link found a way to come out victorious.

"My father and I don't always agree." Link said evenly, trying to shrug it off.

"Why would anyone do this to you? Why would anyone want to hurt you?", she asked as the tears fell from her eyes. Link wouldn't answer her question.

Tracy traced over the hideous shapes of the disfiguring bruises. Her face began to turn red with fury. she had never wanted to harm anybody until this particular moment.

She then lifted his shirt until his entire back was exposed. Leaning over, hot breath caressing his skin, she whispered sorrowfully...

"How could anyone do this to my Link?"

Link's silence screamed sorrow and shame.

Tracy placed a soft kiss on the darkest bruise.

"My Link...my poor, poor Link"

She continued to kiss each and every infliction. The dark ones, the already healing ones, not daring to miss one.

Link could feel her hot tears on his skin as she licked his wounds, so to speak. He couldn't bear to put any more pain in her heart than he was already causing. A tear fell against his will. He didn't deserve her sympathy. He was the one hurting her...

Link shifted suddenly, startling Tracy, causing her to jump up a bit. This gave him enough space to flip over and sit up, with Tracy's legs on either side of him. Tracy looked at him questioningly, but before she had the chance to speak, he pounced and pinned her to the bed. Link was now resting between her legs, the hem of her dress dangerously slipping. He reveled in the sudden heat that radiated from her private area. However, Tracy was in an immediate panic. He was close, too close. It felt so wrong, but amazingly good at the same time.

He kissed her fiercely, not even noticing that she wasn't exactly reciprocating. Tracy's mind was racing, trying to decide whether or not to stop him. They had never gone this far before and everything he was doing to her was...well, exhilirating. She decided to trust Link, for a change. Maybe he could control himself tonight...or maybe tonight was the night...

Link's hands gripped the hem of her dress.

Tracy gasped.

Maybe not.

However, Link continued. His lips left hers and traveled up her arms, first one then the other, and attacked her neck.

Tracy inhaled deeply. She could handle this much...she could handle it.

He stopped suddenly and scooted back a bit. His hands traveled and down her legs and after gauging her reaction he lifted one off of the bed, leaving a trail of kisses as he traveled toward her inner thigh. His eyes were closed tightly; apparently he was in his own little world. Tracy's whole body was shaking now and she couldn't believe that he didn't feel it.

He picked up her other leg and gave it equal treatment.

The whole "trust" thing was about to get thrown out of the window

"Link...", she said breathlessly.

Link stopped abruptly and put her legs back down on the bed gently and returned to her lips.

"I was gonna stop, if you woulda given me a few seconds. I was trying to kiss everything that was already exposed. But I guess I cheated in some areas, eh?" he said, lips brushing against hers.

"I'm sorry, Link."

"Don't be"

He pulled her dress back down so that she was covered and kissed her roughly, coming up for air after about five minutes.

"You're so good to me Tracy...so good. And I don't even deserve it"

He sounded like he was talking to himself. Tracy couldn't do anything but stare at him while he stared at her blankly.

Link studied her face for a while. He looked into her eyes and saw the woman that he had tried to forget. The other woman. The woman that invaded his dreams every night, singing her incessant song, making Link love her, driving him crazy. Tracy possessed some of the same features. The dark hair. The same brown eyes. The soft pink lips. Link had tried to keep both women in his heart, wondering if he could love them both at the same time. He had to admit sadly, that there wasn't enough room in his heart for the both of them, or at least he didn't think there was. As long as he had been with Tracy, he had discovered that his heart was bigger than he thought it was; she had opened it for him. However, the closer Tracy got to him, the more he held on to the other woman. He couldn't control it. And he hated himself for short-changing Tracy. He tried to let go of his little angel, but he couldn't bring himself to.He needed Tracy...

"Link? Why are you looking at me like that?"

"Sorry, Trace."

He came back to reality and started to crawl off of the bed.

"Fix your hair and dress. It's almost ten. I'm taking you home."

"You understand, don't you Penny?"

"Yeah, Seaweed."

"I thought that you would be angry."

"Nope. Although it is kinda wrong that Link is keeping all that from Tracy, it isn't my place to tell her about it. He can tell her himself. She'll be alright. I think the kid's strong enough to deal with a little tradgedy.Shit, if I can do it she can do it."

"Yeah, but I figured that I would let Cracker Boy tell her his side of the story, ya know?"

"Yeah."

Penny was cradled in Seaweed's arms on the couch of the record shop, her fingers intertwined with his.

"Not a word to Tracy about this, though. Okay, Penny?"

"I heard you the first three thousand times, baby."

"I'm just surprised you're acting all...cavalier...about this whole situation. I mean, what about me?"

"I'm just gonna enjoy you while..."

Penny's sentence trailed off as she examined Seaweed's skin.

"We gotta work on that attention span of yours, love"

"I was just wondering..."

"What?"

"Some areas of your skin are darker than others, yet everything that's exposed gets the same amount of sun. See? Your knuckles are darker than the rest of your fingers. Your forearm is lighter than the rest of your arm. Why is that so?"

"I don't know. I never thought about it or even noticed it. I can't really explain that. I just know that whatever is exposed to sunlight more is darker."

"So your chest is lighter than your face and neck?"

Seaweed chuckled.

"You just may be right about that"

"Can I see?"

"Love, I would let you, but we ain't got time to be messin' around like that. It's almost ten, and we gotta get you home either before or around the same time Link comes with Tracy"

"Ugh...those two ruin everything."

"Damn right."

Penny held his hands tightly, looking at them lovingly.

"You're beautiful, Seaweed."

"Not as beautiful as you."

"I beg to differ"

"Let's just agree to disagree. Okay?"

"Sure..."

Tammy and Mikey exited the movie theater hand in hand.

"That was a great film, Mikey. I loved it"

"I knew you would dollface. I figured that we should see something you wanted to see since this is practically the last night we'll be spending together for a while"

Tammy frowned at this. She had been battling with Amber Von Tussle for months to keep Mikey. Although Amber did have him first, Tammy and Mikey's secret affair evolved into a relationship they both treasured. Amber was the only one who got in the way of that. However, after a while Amber grew bored of the whole ordeal and let them have each other. Tammy had been absolutely elated that she finally had the man she fought so hard for, but now he was about to slip from her grasp.

The couple walked to his car. Mikey held the door open for Tammy and let her in. He entered the driver's seat, started the car and drove off.

"Don't frown up Tams, I'll come back I'll just be away from Baltimore for only a little while. It's not forever,you know."

"It seems like it."

"Don't be silly dollface. I'll be back. Cheer up. Besides you've got something to look forward to tonight, unless you've forgotten" he said slyly

Tammy didn't forget. It had been on her mind the whole night.

"No, Mikey, I remember.", she said, smiling weakly. Her stomach was starting to do flips. She had tried to mentally prepare for this night, but to no avail. She was still a nervous mess. After what seemed like eons, Mikey pulled into Lover's Daze, the local make-out spot. He found a place to park amongst the foggy-windowed cars and brought his vehicle to a stop. He looked over at Tammy, who had her head down and her thumbs twiddling in her lap.

"Tams? Dollface?"

"Yes?"

"What's the matter?"

"I guess that I'm a little... nervous"

Mikey let out a huge sigh.

"Look, if-"

"No, Mikey. I promised you tonight. I promised."

Mikey opened the door and looked back at her.

"Then follow me..."

Tammy let herself out and followed Mikey to the backseat of the car. As soon as they were both seated, she stared at him, nervousness coloring her features. Mikey decided to make the first move. He leaned over and placed a soft kiss on her lips, followed by another. Tammy tried to resist, but failed, and kissed him back.

Mikey took this as his signal to move forward. He wrapped his arm around her waist and pulled her closer to his body, trying to resist the urge to run his fingers through her perfectly coifed hair. His lips wondered towards her pressure point, sucking on it gently. She moaned in response as he knew she would. Tammy was finally starting to loosen up, wrapping her arms around his neck. He took this chance to slowly lean her back onto the seat and position himself on top of her. Tammy's heart was racing in her chest, more out of thrill than fear. She kissed him fiercely, begging him for more. Mikey's hands traveled to the back of her dress Tammy got the hint and shifted a bit so that he could unzip the dress. As soon as he reached the bottom. He helped her wriggle out of the garment an pulled it down until it reached her midriff. He leaned back and took a good look at her.

"My, God, Tams. You're gorgeous."

Tammy blushed.

Mikey leaned back over her and kissed her passionately, his hands traveling up her sides, teasing the curve of her breasts. Her sensitive buds instantly hardened under his touch, her breath became ragged. He slowly brought his hands to cup her breasts, squeezing gently. Her back arched and he reached back there to unhook her bra. She eagerly helped him rip the blasted thing off of her body. He hugrily kissed her now bare breasts, taking her erect buds into mouth. Tammy moaned loudly, fueling Mikey's fire. Tammy had never known that sensations like these existed. All of a sudden, she was hooked. All she wanted, needed , was more. Mikey's sweet kisses traveled bown her stomach, simultaneously pulling her dress over her hips. and positioning himself between her legs. Tammy was immensely excited now, hips grinding instictively against his erection. Mikey cupped her breasts again, thumbing the erect buds, making her panties damp with arousal.

"Mikey..."

He already knew what she wanted.

His hands found the thin fabric of her panties and started pulling them down. Tammy raised her hips allowing him to them down to her ankles and then kicked them off onto the floor of the car, forgotten for the moment.

Mikey fumbled with his zipper. After a few nervous attempts he finally freed his erection. He moved closer to her entrance until he was less than a few centimeters away. He looked down at Tammy, whose eyes were glazed over with lust.

"Are you ready, Tams?"

"Yes, Mikey,please..."

"Okay, but this might be painful for a little while, but it's only temporary."

Tammy nodded, totally uncaring.

Mikey proceeded and slipped inside of her slowly, inch by inch.

He was only halfway in when he heard a sharp intake of breath.

"Mikey!"

"I know, I know, Tams. I'm sorry. I'm sorry."

He immediately tried to withdraw from her, but she stopped him.

"Wait a minite, Mikey."

Mikey held his position while Tammy recuperated, which was three minutes of agony.

"Mikey?"

"You're okay, now?"

"Yes."

He sighed in relief and continued until he was fully sheathed inside of her.

Tammy was amazed at how full she felt at the moment. She wiggled her hips anxiously, wanting more.

Mikey moaned and fully withdrew himself, slamming back into her at full force. Tammy moaned in delight and demanded more. After a while, Mikey found a rhythm that had her moaning so loudly he had to cover her mouth so no one could hear them. He gave her slow, even strokes, reveling in her intense heat. However, eventually the slow strokes wern't enough for Tammy. She bucked her hips at a much faster pace, forcing Mikey to move with her.

"Mikey...harder...please..."

Mikey started to thrust inside her with all that he had, not caring if the car was rocking. He could feel her starting to tighten around him. He knew that she was about to fall apart in a matter of seconds. He thrusted with a little bit more force until he heard her muffled scream.

After a few final thrusts, he came, his seed spilling inside of her. He collapsed against her flame-hot body, trying to catch his breath.

After a few seconds of silence, he removed his hand from her mouth.

"Oh my God.." she exclaimed breathlessly

"I love you, Tams"

"I love you too, Mikey. More than anything in the world", she said as she wrapped her arms around his neck and breathed into the still silence.