--Chapter 10--

Tracy sighed heavily as she sat down on the couch, drink in hand. Seeing Lulu in Shadybrook had stung harder than she thought it would. She wanted so badly to help her step-daughter.

Then it hit her…hard.

Lulu wasn't her step-daughter anymore.

Tracy emptied her glass in one swift motion and as she did so, her cell phone began to ring. For a fleeting moment Tracy hoped it could be Luke calling her, but that thought didn't last long. She picked up her phone and was tempted to throw it across the room when she saw who was calling her.

Anthony Zacchara.

She was most definitely not in the mood to deal with him, at least not now. She knew it was inevitable and she never was one for procrastination, but this was an exception. So she let it ring and ring until he either gave up or left a message. As it gave its final ring, Monica entered the room and sat in the chair diagonal to Tracy.

"That was nobody important I assume." Monica said and Tracy looked at her with a smirk which soon faded.

"Not really."

"Okay then." Monica gave a small smile. "You didn't talk much on the ride back. How was Lulu?"

"She was very upset but that was expected." Tracy sighed for what seemed like the hundredth time that day. "She is so afraid of becoming Laura. I didn't really know what to say to her to help."

"I'm sure you said the right thing." Monica reassured her. "Besides, Tracy Quartermaine at a loss for words is a sign of the apocalypse." Monica smiled and Tracy laughed, then held back a quiet sob. She had to be strong… she didn't want to be… but she knew that was the way it had to be. Monica saw the change in Tracy's face and she moved to sit next to her on the couch. Monica placed her hand on her's.

"It's a good thing Daddy isn't here. He'd be sure the end of the world was near." Tracy smirked and Monica laughed.

"That's okay. If he says anything, we'll have Alice beat him up." Monica grinned evilly and Tracy shook her head in amusement.

"Well she has two idiots to take care of first."

"Let me guess…. Anthony Zacchara and…. Scott Baldwin?"

"Exactly. Think she's up for it?"

"I wouldn't put it past her and the cops wouldn't even suspect her." The two women laughed and sat in silence for a few minutes.

"How am I going to do this?" Tracy asked in a barely audible whisper.

"The same way you always do, fight to the bitter end and wind up on top. Then when Luke gets home you're gonna kick his ass….then hold on to him and never let go." Monica said and patted Tracy's hand. "Until then though, you have me to help you deal with this mess with Lulu and the other one with Anthony Zacchara."

"And then its petty family squabbles as usual?" Tracy gave a small smile.

"Of course, Quartermaine family tradition." Monica said and stood up. "Well I have to go meet someone, I'll be back later."

"Wait just one minute. You have to meet someone? What did you meet a guy at rehab?"

"Ha ha, very funny." Monica said sarcastically. "No I didn't. But never fear, you shall find out soon." With that Monica walked out the door and out of the house. Tracy watched her go and shook her head, wondering what she was up to. She sat there for a few minutes and let the silence consume her. Finally, curiosity got the better of her and she gingerly picked up her cell phone and decided to listen to voicemail he had left.

"Hello Tracy! It is your non-secret admirer Anthony. I heard about poor Looolooo. My son is in lock-up but never fear, that mistake will be corrected. Oh, I also wanted to tell you that the divorce has been finalized. You are a free woman! But not for long my dear. I was hoping we could meet somewhere like the Haunted Star or my place to discuss our, hopefully soon, nuptials. I await your call. Bye-bye."

As she listened to the message, she could feel the anger rising inside her. She truly regretted making that deal with him but she knew it was to protect her family, and she considered Lulu to be a part of that family. She again resisted the urge to toss her phone against the wall and went to refill her glass instead. She knew there was no backing down now. She had to fight fire, with fire. Tracy had always trusted and lived by what her mother Lila had said and she knew she was right.

Quartermaines are fighters.