Like Day and Night
"Spencer what are you doing here?" Trina asks looking up surprised to see Spencer at the gallery so early in the morning. "It's early." She remarks looking at the time. "You are not supposed to be here, until later. Much later…" She reminds him. "Unless you stopped by early to do something?" She asks curiously.
"No…" Spencer shakes his head. "Effective immediately I will now be working during the day…" He announces.
Trina's eyes widen after Spencer makes that declaration. "You will now be working days?" She questions surprised. "Who gave you the green light on that?" She asks curiously. "Because I thought I would work days and you would work nights…" She reminds him.
"No…" Spencer shakes his head. "You declared that would be the case, though I never fully agreed with it…" He counters.
"But you did…" Trina responds nodding. "You went along with it…" Trina declares. "We decided that was the arrangement."
"You decided it…" Spencer answers. "I never stated that working nights here was my preference." He declares. "Though it worked at first, but now it is best not to go along with that arrangement anymore."
"Why not?" Trina asks folding her arms. "You're expecting me to move to nights now?" She asks. "Spencer…" She begins, not liking the thought of possibly having to alter her schedule.
"No…" Spencer stops her. "We can both work days…" He suggests.
Trina's eyes widen after he makes that suggestion and she processes his latest declaration.
"But your job at Kelly's?" Trina continues. "Won't this change impact that?" She asks curiously.
Spencer shakes his head. "Nope, I talked with Cam about it the other night." He reveals. "In Light of what has happened with Elizabeth and Cam needing to be there for his brothers, we agreed to this arrangement…" Spencer reveals.
"I agreed to work nights over there for the time being, freeing up time for Cam to be home in the evenings for his family." Spencer informs her. "With our colleges classes about to end for the Summer and Elizabeth being away this works for the both of us…" He declares. "Jake and Aidan will have daytime and summer activities, but they can be home as a family with Cam in the evening." He states. "And I don't mind switching shifts, to help Cam out with his family situation…"
"Okay…" Trina responds as she listens to Spencer trying to push aside her suspicions about his explanation. "But why didn't you run this past me first?" She asks.
"I thought you would be ultimately okay with it." Spencer answers. He steps a bit closer to her at the gallery. "I know how important family is to you and you are close to Cam and his, so I thought this would be a good arrangement for everyone…"
"Really?" Trina asks. "Well, I do care about Cam and his family, but what do you get out of this Spencer?" She asks.
He shrugs. "I get to do a good deed." He answers half truthfully. "Elizabeth has been good to me in the past and Cam helped me out with the job at Kelly's, so it's the least I could do…"
"Okay… but won't this be awkward for…?" Trina's voice trails off.
"It doesn't have to be…" Spencer remarks stepping even closer to her, looking deep into her eyes. "Look I know things are tense right now including between us…" He gestures between them.
"But we both have jobs to do. You at this gallery. Me at Kelly's and here as well with my restitution." He tells her. "Certain things have to be done." He declares firmly. "Our jobs, Cam being there for his family when they need him the most, my restitution… and…" His voice trails off as he finds himself getting lost in Trina's eyes again.
"And what?" Trina asks curiously.
"And I can restitute as well during the day as I can during the night." He finishes. "Probably even more so, lightness always makes things better…" He gives Trina a smile.
"But…" Trina looks around the gallery thinking of how to respond to Spencer's change of schedule.
"It will be fine, Trina." He assures her. "I won't bother you I promise." He assures her. "I will sit at my desk and complete the benign, meaningless tasks that Ava has laid out for me as part of my restitution." He informs her. "And you can…" He gestures towards the other desk in the room. "Sit at that desk right there and do the work that you love and excel at." He tells her. "And you can do it in peace and we…" Trina's eyes widen as he continues to talk. "Can exist in the same space and work in tandem with each other…" He states. He shrugs and look away for a moment thinking and then back at her. "We could work in perfect harmony."
"In tandem, possibly." Trina nods. "In Perfect Harmony, I don't know about that Spencer…" She moves away from him, wrestling her hands together.
"We haven't been in harmony since... it's been a while." She states knowingly. "I mean so much has happened between us…" She says turning back to look at him. "I mean you think I'm guilty of a terrible violation of our friends…" She remarks giving him a hurt look.
Spencer sighs when he sees the hurt look on her face. He hated that she thought he believed her to be guilty. He was convinced of her innocence and wanted to do everything he could to help her and protect her. But he felt it was best to keep his true feelings to himself for the time being, while he worked on exposing Esme and revealing the full truth to everyone including Trina.
"I think you have an uphill battle." Spencer answers carefully. "And that you will do what you can to try and fight it and I respect that…"
"Yet you don't really believe me do you Spencer?" Trina asks shaking her head in disdain. She rolls her eyes and crosses her arms again thinking. She then throws up her hands.
"You know what? It doesn't matter." She declares frustrated. "It… you know you are right about one thing, well maybe a couple of things…"
"What's that?" Spencer asks curiously.
"We do have jobs to do, you do have to do restitution and Cam does need to be there for his brothers during this difficult period in his family's lives…" Trina declares. "And based off of those things…" She pauses and looks at him thinking. "I guess us both doing days will be fine for right now…" She states. "If you get on my nerves too much, I can do some nights." She remarks. "School is about to be out, and I could make the shift change if needed."
A smile breaks out on Spencer's face after Trina declares they can work during the same time. He wanted to become closer to her again and this was a good opportunity for him to do so.
"Great." He remarks, with a more upbeat tone in his voice. "I mean you won't regret it…" He states.
"Don't do that." Trina holds up her hand. "Don't say I won't regret it, because unfortunately, I have regretted quite a few things since I have met you, Spencer." She tells him, her declaration causing Spencer to visibly wince.
"Well, I'll do my best to make sure you don't regret this." He answers.
"Sure…" Trina responds unconvinced. "Whatever…" She walks away from him and goes over to her desk and looks at a stack of papers. "Ava still has some tasks listed for you and you can knock them out one by one." She informs him.
"Okay." He states.
"Here are some lists…" Trina states handing him the stack of papers. Their hands brush each other as she does this and they feel an electricity between them. They look at each other for a moment and then a voice interrupts them.
"Good morning…" Rory calls out warmly smiling at Trina.
"Good morning, Rory." Trina responds, flashing him a smile. Spencer whips his head around and scowls when he sees the officer.
"Just checking in to see if you are okay…" Rory announces stepping further into the room. "I will be on duty for you today and as promised I will make myself scarce, but I just wanted to say hello and…" He gestures towards a box; he has in his hands. "Bring you some breakfast." He tells her with a smile. "Have you eaten yet…?" He asks.
Trina shakes her head. "No, I have not, and thanks for the thoughtful gesture…" She expresses in an appreciative manner.
"It's from the diner downtown that I was telling you about." He informs her. "The one that has the homemade pastries. They had some homemade pop tarts today and they are really good." He remarks.
"Oh, pop tarts what a delicacy…" Spencer responds sarcastically.
"Oh, look it's the mayor's grandson." Rory comments giving Spencer an unamused look. "Are you staying out of trouble?" He asks. "I hope so, your grandmother's influence will only get you so far if you can't keep yourself in line." He gives Spencer a serious look. "And that is what I would suggest learning... to keep yourself in line Mr. Cassadine…" Rory then looks around.
"Though it's probably a good thing you're here today. I heard about your restitution. And that is a good step for you to take given the unfortunate turn your life has taken. An art gallery is a good place for a troubled youth to get their lives back on track…" He looks at Spencer and then quickly glances at Trina.
"Troubled youth?" Spencer asks fuming at Rory's comments. "I am an adult." He responds sharply. "And you don't appear to be that much older than Trina and me…"
"I got you by a few years." Rory responds nodding. "But yes, I am still young and am a rookie." He states. "Though I will tell you that even though I am young, I do possess the maturity that is needed in my profession." He then turns his attention back to Trina.
"But Trina knows that as we discussed during our wonderful evening together the other night." He nods at her and smiles. Trina returns his smile. "I enjoyed that and hope to get to know you more." He expresses confidently.
"Yeah, that was really nice Rory and likewise." Trina responds smiling brightly. Spencer whips his head around quickly to look at her after she says that. He shakes his head in disapproval and then looks back at Rory.
"Officer, I forgot what your last name is again?" Spencer asks rudely.
"Cabrera…" Rory states firmly. "But your memory hasn't failed you like that…"
"Is it appropriate for you and Trina to be hanging out together?" Spencer probes. "I mean since you are technically working for the PCPD?" Spencer grills. "Trina doesn't need anything jeopardizing her chances of getting a fair trial."
"I have looked over the rules back and forth and like I told Trina the other day, there is no conflict, I am not her arresting officer, and she has not been convicted of anything. Our association is perfectly acceptable."
"Yes, it's acceptable…" Trina answers. She goes over to Rory and accepts the box of treats from him. "Thanks for the treats, Rory… I'm sure the homemade pop tarts are delicious."
"A few other treats are in there as well; Variety is the spice of life." Rory answers winking at her.
"Yet some things are not flavorful no matter how much you try and spice it up…" Spencer retorts.
Rory looks at him and shakes his head. "Okay…" He then decides to ignore Spencer and turns his attention back to Trina.
"I hope you enjoy them, and I will be right outside if you need me for anything…" He tells her. He then reaches out and rests his hand on her shoulder. Spencer notices this and frowns.
Trina smiles at Rory's firm but gentle touch.
"Thanks Rory…" She says. "It's nice to know I can depend on someone…" She smiles at him. She turns to quickly glance at Spencer and then back to Rory. They share another smile.
"Yeah, I'll be outside, but first…" Rory turns to look at a painting on a wall. "I really enjoyed our conversation the other day about some of this artwork…" He tells her. "I just had a question about this one and want to hear more about your analysis on it…" He tells her. He looks at her. "That is if I can have some more of your time this morning…" He asks giving her an optimistic look.
"You can and yes, I do have more insight on this painting…" Trina remarks gesturing towards the work of art. Her and Rory talk for a bit while Spencer frowns watching them. He did not like how Rory had showed up once again and intruded when he was talking with Trina. Spencer listens to them a bit more and then looks down at the box of pastries that Rory had brought. He opens the box and decides to grab a homemade pop tart.
"Mmmm…" He remarks loudly as he is enjoying the treat. He takes a few more bites and then swallows. "This is really good." He remarks in a loud tone.
Trina glances back at him and shakes her head a bit distracted by him.
"I thought you didn't like pop tarts…" Trina remarks looking at him and frowning.
"Well maybe I am open to trying new things. I mean I am open to trying the simpler things in life…" Spencer declares giving Trina a look. "Though this treat surprisingly is not bad. It is quite good actually." Spencer admits truthfully.
"Well of course it's homemade and a lot of homemade stuff is really good." Trina tells him. "And pop tarts are a classic breakfast food." She smiles reminiscing. "I loved those things as a kid."
"So did I…" Rory chimes in. "Yet something else you and me have in common…" He points out. "Our values and our impeccable tastes in breakfast foods."
Spencer rolls his eyes at Rory's comments. He finds himself letting out a laugh.
"What's so funny?" Trina asks giving him a sharp glance.
"Nothing I just..." Spencer looks down at the pastry in his hand. "Do any of these have cream cheese in them? I remember Cam and Emma eating something like... I think they were called Toaster Strudels when we were all little. And some of them had cream cheese filling in them..." Spencer continues. "I never tried them, but Cam and Emma loved them..."
"Yes, I am familiar with those pastries..." Rory answers. "But no there is no cheese in any of the pastries that I brought."
"Well that's something because I was just getting a whole cheesy vibe just a moment ago." Spencer responds.
Rory frowns and Trina rolls her eyes at his comments.
"Anyway..." Trina says turning her attention back to Rory. "So tell me more about your feelings about this piece Rory...?" She instructs indicating to the painting on the wall. "You mentioned a few days ago it made you feel something?" She probes. "Though we never got into more depth regarding your analysis on it..." She remarks looking at him.
"Well as I had told you before I don't know much about art..." Rory admits. "But this is certainly an interesting looking piece..." He remarks observing the painting. "I like the use of light and shadow..."
"Yeah..." Trina nods. "I'm going to tell you more about this type of style called chiaroscuro..." Trina begins to explain. Spencer watches as she explains more about that technique, watching her and Rory engage with each other and how comfortable they seemed with each other. Spencer felt the feelings of jealously grow inside him as he watched Trina light up around Rory and give him her full attention. Spencer finishes eating and watches them a little more wishing their conversation would end sooner than later.
"And you see Rory..." Trina continues but stops when she hears some loud noise.
Wham! Wham! Wham!...
"What on earth?" Trina asks turning around to look and see what was making that noise.
"Spencer what are you doing?" She asks frowning as she realizes the sound was coming from his direction.
"Nothing I'm just looking for some pens..." Spencer claims acting like he was searching for something.
"Looking for pens?" Trina asks. "Is that why you are slamming drawers and things...?" She shakes her head in disapproval. "Spencer there are pens all over the place." She tells him. "You don't need to do a scavenger hunt to find them. Just grab one off one of the desks."
"Oh but it's not that easy..." Spencer responds. "I'm looking for a particular pen..." Spencer informs her.
"What type of pen?" Trina asks annoyed with him and his antics. "Because we have plenty." She responds. She gestures towards the desks. "We have black ball point and blue roller ball pens..." Trina informs him. "Those are good for filling out paperwork.."
"That's not what I'm looking for..." Spencer tells her. "I'm looking for something else..." He repeats, happy that he had interrupted her conversation with Rory.
"Like what?" Trina asks folding her arms and looking him over.
"Like Gel Pens..." Spencer tells her. "You know they are also good for taking notes..." He explains. "And I like the bright colored ones like...yellow..."
"Yellow?" Trina asks raising her eyebrow.
"Yes yellow." Spencer declares firmly. "You see Trina, this may surprise you, but I like brightness in my life..." He remarks gesturing towards himself. "I'm not all about the darkness all of the time." He tells her strongly. "I'm not, I can appreciate the brighter things in life." He states looking her over. "And what color is brighter than yellow..."
"Okay..." Trina responds a bit skeptical about his claim. "But Spencer I don't know if we have a yellow gel pen in the gallery..." She remarks looking around. "And if you write in yellow your notes may be hard to read. And you certainly shouldn't be filling out any paperwork let alone signing any important documents with that color." She reminds him. "Black and Blue are the preferable colors for those type of things, but you know that..." She states. "And you don't have to slam everything in the gallery to look for a pen. You are making a lot of noise..." She chastises him.
"I do know that and sorry if I was being a bit loud, I didn't mean to be a distraction to whatever you two were doing..." Spencer gestures towards to both Trina and Rory with his hands. "But I still would like a yellow gel pen..." Spencer remarks. "Can you help me find one...?" He asks looking into Trina's eyes. "Can you lead me to the light..." His voice trails off as he gets lost in her eyes for the moment.
" I mean bright colored yellow gel Pen. Can you help me find that gel pen?" He asks snapping himself out of his trance for a moment.
"I don't know if we have one... Spencer..." Trina responds feeling a bit exasperated with him. "But I guess I could you help search for one, if it's that integral to your work performance..."
Rory frowns after Trina makes those statements and he looks from her to Spencer to back to her again. Rory could see the tension between them, and he wondered more about them and their history together. Rory liked what he saw from Trina so far, she was a very pretty, smart, nice and in spite of her current predicament seemed like she had a good head on her shoulders. She was his type of woman, but he was starting to see that she may have been Spencer's as well in spite of their differences in personality and the obvious conflict between them.
Rory had wanted to get to know Trina more, but did ponder what he would be up against, if there were mutual feelings between her and Spencer. He wonders a little more about their situation and decides he wasn't afraid of a challenge. Rory would try to win Trina over his way, and that included creating opportunities to have more one-on-one time with her. He knew that Spencer would try and be a thorn in his side, but he felt he could handle him. One step at a time.
"You know I probably should go outside and begin my official duty." Rory tells Trina giving her a warm smile. "It's past that time anyway." He informs her. "You go ahead and do your thing." He encourages her. "And if you need anything, I mean anything..." He states moving closer to her and giving her smile. "I'm right outside."
Trina looks into his eyes, appreciating his kind, measured personality. "Will definitely do, Rory, thank you for your protection..."
"That's my job to protect and serve and I'll happily to do it especially for a very pretty lovely lady..."
Spencer frowns after Rory says that and he watches him, and Trina share another smile.
"I will see you later, and perhaps give you a call?" Rory asks hopeful.
"Definitely..." Trina agrees. They nod at each other, and Rory turns to leave. He quickly turns back around to look at Spencer. "Hey Mayor's Grandson, stay out of trouble..." He cautions Spencer. "I don't want you bringing any more trouble around this lovely lady. She deserves better..."
Spencer scowls when Rory says that, and he gives Trina one more smile and walks away.
After he's gone, Trina becomes quiet for a moment. She then heads over to her desk and begins looking through her drawers. Spencer watches wondering how upset she may be with him for interrupting her moment with Rory. Spencer didn't like being obnoxious but something about seeing her with Rory was really bothering him. Trina looks through her drawers and doesn't find what she's looking for.
"I don't have a yellow gel pen..." She informs Spencer. "I did find an orange one if that is suitable enough for your liking?" She asks him.
Spencer nods. "Yes, that will be fine... thank you." He tells her as she reaches out and hands him the pen, their hands brushing together, causing him to feel the electricity again.
Trina goes back over to her desk and sits down and starts to pick up some paperwork so she can continue to work on her tasks for the day. Spencer continues to look at her and then sits down himself and picks up his list of tasks. He looks over them for a moment and then back up at her.
"So that guy really is going to keep hanging around you all day to give you protection..." Spencer asks, attempting to dig for more information regarding her developing relationship with Rory.
"He has been assigned to protect me Spencer, so yes he will be hanging around quite often, as I prepare for my trial." Trina informs him. "But I told you that already." She remarks continuing to write down some information.
"So, you did..." Spencer answers. "But Trina..." He says, his tone indicating he wanted her full attention.
Trina sighs and looks up at him, wondering what he was going to say. "Yes Spencer?" She asks a bit weary.
"Are you sure it's not a conflict of interest that you're hanging around this guy both in and outside of his and your work?" Spencer presses. "There's not a rule there somewhere regarding that...?"
Trina looks at him and shakes her head. "According to Rory, there isn't, and he would know because he's a cop." Trina informs him frankly.
"Hmm..." Spencer remarks in a suspicious tone. "Or maybe Officer What's his name isn't so by the book after all and is bending the rules to his advantage..."
Trina turns her head to the side and then shakes it giving Spencer a look. "And why would he do that?" She asks.
"Because he's into you, that is obvious." Spencer answers. "He called you very pretty and lovely..." Spencer points out. "Which is accurate..." He states bluntly. Trina looks at him and feels her face growing warm after he makes those comments. "He at least has excellent taste in women..."
"Yeah... well, Rory seems like a nice guy, and I don't think he would jeopardize his career for me." Trina responds thoughtfully. "I just met him after all, and we are just getting to know each other." She shrugs. "I am appreciating his company, but I really don't think he would jeopardize his job, especially given how much being a cop means to him..." She notes.
"You and he have had deep conversations about that?" Spencer probes still wondering about their growing closeness. He finds feelings of jealously and disappointment building up in him again as he thinks about Trina opening up to another guy.
"We had some conversations about it at the gallery and at the pool." She reveals. "Rory feels like being a cop is his true calling." She informs Spencer. "It means a lot to him, and I just don't think he would put that at risk to help me, regardless of our relationship..."
"Relationship? So, you have a relationship with him now, that goes beyond him protecting you?" Spencer finds himself asking. He looks over his lists of tasks and then back at Trina. "And you would be surprised what lengths a guy would go to be around a woman he really cares for..." He points out astutely.
"We're getting to know each other..." Trina answers, taking note of Spencer's tensed tone. "Do you have some type of problem with that?" She asks looking him over.
"Why would I have some type of problem with it?" Spencer asks.
"Because you seem to tense up every time he's around and when he interacts with me..." Trina points out. "Plus, you call him everything but his actual name." She reminds him. "It's officer this and officer that, but it's never Rory..."
"It's Rory to you..." Spencer shoots back. 'You are already on a first name basis with the guy..."
"Right and again, we're hanging out. " Trina repeats not caring for Spencer's attitude. "And again, why do you care...?" She asks. "Are you jealous?"
"What?" Spencer asks leaning back in his seat, trying to mask his real feelings. "Why do you ask that?"
"Because you seem like you might..." Trina pauses and decides that she didn't want to continue her back and forth with Spencer. "You know what..." Trina puts her pen down and sits back in her seat. "You can't be, you have your own beloved girlfriend to fuss over. I have Rory's protection and she has yours." Trina remarks finding herself getting a bit upset thinking about Spencer seemingly unwavering devotion to Esme.
"Though maybe providing the best protection isn't exactly you and Esme's thing..." Trina finds herself also blurting out thinking back to the pregnancy scare that Esme had with Spencer. When Trina had first heard that news it had really bothered her, crushed her almost. She had been upset at the thought of Spencer possibly having a child with Esme and didn't like the way he had broken the news to her.
"Ouch..." Spencer remarks feeling insulted.
"Forget I said that." Trina shakes her head. "That was inappropriate of me..." She admits. "I shouldn't be saying that because we are technically working together now and I am supposed to be supervising your work, though I don't really feel like your boss or anything." She admits. "But regardless I shouldn't be saying that because of that relationship..."
Spencer shakes his head at her comments. "Maybe so, but Trina..." He sits up in his seat. "But were you saying that as someone who is supposed to be supervising me or were you saying that as my friend...?"
Trina's eyes widen after Spencer asks that question. "I was saying it as..." Her voice trails off as she thinks about how to answer Spencer's question.
"Look I know you're mad at me for various reasons, but I hope we are still friends." Spencer states hopeful. "In spite of all that has transpired between us, I hope that..." He shrugs. "Even if that statement about Esme and mine's protection was a bit harsh." He nods. "Though for the record we did use it..."
"Oh, Spencer I don't want to hear all of that..." Trina responds tensely and she tries to push the thought of Spencer and Esme sleeping together out of her mind. "Spare me those details." She sighs. "You know we really should drop this subject." She says quickly. "And we should focus on our own tasks and learn to co-exist in our new environment..." She states.
"Okay and I am sorry that I said that." Spencer quickly apologizes. "I didn't want to make you feel uncomfortable, it's just I believe you think that I am almost completely irresponsible, and I wanted to let you know that I'm not always like that. I can be responsible."
Spencer hadn't intended to bring up the subject with the pregnancy scare to Trina again especially since he knew it was a sore spot for her. He hadn't wanted to hurt her like that, and he hadn't intended to sleep with Esme ever again and was fending off her attempts regularly. Spencer was no longer interested in Esme that way, but he knew he had to stay close enough to her to get the dirt on her so he could clear Trina. Once he achieved that he would move on with his life and hopefully have the one he wanted with Trina.
"When it comes to Esme..." Trina responds.
"And when it comes to other things as well." Spencer insists. "And I can offer good protection too..." He declares. "I can be a good protector too; I can provide good protection... that's something you will find out." He finds himself revealing.
"Now how I will find that out...?" Trina asks raising an eyebrow. "You know this conversation has taken a sharp turn..." Trina remarks picking up her pen again. "We really need to get back to work Spencer."
Spencer frowns as she sees how Trina is misinterpreting his words. He wanted to set her straight but knew he couldn't do that in this moment. But he longed for the moment he could, the moment he could tell her everything including how he really felt about her.
"I'm just saying I can be just as good of a protector as Officer straight and narrow..." He tells her sighing.
"Okay then, you believe that." Trina responds looking down at the work on her desk. "Let's get to work." She instructs. Spencer watches her for a moment thinking about their interaction and his desire to help and be with her. He shakes his head and then rests his hand behind it for a moment thinking a bit more. He then begins his own work, while Trina glances up at him and studies him for a moment while he's not looking at her. Trina wondered what was really going through his mind and was a bit unsettled at her feelings for him.
She sighs and looks down determined to finish her work for the day. She decided she wasn't going to worry too much about Spencer and his feelings, as she had enough on her plate. Trina had a heavy load, but she was determined to try and pull herself out it and handle life as best as she could. No matter what was thrown her way. This new schedule arrangement with Spencer might be a bit shaky at first, but she would manage to work with him as best as she could.
