Title: Confessions… the twenty-eighth

Fandom: General Hospital

Characters: Luke and Tracy Quartermaine Spencer

Rating: G

Summary: a quick rendezvous vignette

Disclaimer: I own nothing

Sometimes in the struggles against the darkness that can consume our attention, a little touch of light is necessary to help us see the way...

Tracy heard the nob on the door turn and her heart leapt into her throat. She wasn't looking forward to this encounter and she sure as hell didn't want it happening in her own bedroom. Preparing to battle the old goat, she stood and waited until the person on the other side of the door came into full view.

"What are you doing here, Luke?"

"I live here. Don't I?" Luke said as he closed the door behind himself.

Tracy just rolled her eyes and let out the breath she'd been holding. Luke saw the slight signs of distress – all she was going to show anyone – and pulled her into his arms.

"I know, Popsicle. News of Helena's return isn't sitting well with me either. I remember all too well what she tried to do to us last time, and back then you were on her side."

"I was never on her side", Tracy said as she pulled back a little.

"You offered to help her dump the body."

"That's because I thought you were dead" she said in an exasperated tone.

"But I wasn't. What will you do with the body this time?" Luke asked, trying to get a look at the grin he loved so much.

"I'm not telling" Tracy replied as she moved in a little closer and straightened his jacket collar. "That's going to be my secret. Besides we have a deal. I'm the only one who can end your miserable existence, or have you forgotten already?"

Kissing her head, Luke chuckled deeply in his throat, "No Wife, I haven't forgotten. A deal is a deal."

Tracy smiled and laid her head on her husband's chest. She could hear his heart beating solid and steady, and she gained strength with ever beat. Luke encircled her more firmly and the two stood together in this manner for some time until Tracy felt strong enough to pull back and look Luke in the face.

"So now what?" she asked.

"Well, I've got the good stuff waiting at the Haunted Star because you know she's going to hunt me down. Helena is just too drawn to my sexual magnetism."

Tracy laughed for the first time. "Sexual Magnetism" yeah, you tell yourself that one, Spencer."

"Well Spanky, being drawn by the same thing I'm surprised you scoff so easily."

"My, my, your ego is obviously in full swing. And what if she isn't drawn by your "magnetism", then what?"

"Oh she'll come. Even if it's only to check on her portrait, she'll come."

"You put that awful painting up, did you."

"Of course. Who doesn't want to see "Helena on a Half Shell". It's a classic."

"It's crass."

"It's part of the game, Sweetheart. And then I'll try to find out why she crawled out from under her rock. I have a feeling we are going to be in for something big."

"That's what I'm afraid of" Tracy said as she pulled herself away and walked towards the window.

"Do you trust me, Tracy?"

"What?" she asked turning towards him, confusion on her face

"Do you trust me? Do you trust me to handle this and keep you safe?" Luke replied as he moved towards her.

"Who said anything about keeping me safe? Don't get any idea about hiding me from Helena and being my tarnished knight."

"I'm not going to hide you away, Tracy, but I am going to do everything in my power to make sure she leaves you alone. This has always been between me and that crazy old bat, but she likes to use the people I love to hurt me. Just promise me you'll not go it alone, whatever she tries."

Tracy opened her mouth to protest, but one look at Luke's eyes made her change her mind. What was this? Where did this hero come from? Only last night they were sneaking around at one of their favourite out of the way places, acting like teenagers and having her father think Luke was out without her again. And here he was almost begging her to let him lead the way, calling her by name which always indicated he wasn't playing.

"Do you think I can't handle her?"

"No, I think you've never had anyone who wants to handle things with you."

"With me?" Tracy asked, her voice cracking ever so slightly under the meaning of those words.

Luke smiled and pulled her close again. "Team Spencer always stands together, Wife."