CHAPTER SEVEN

The bath cooled Tracy Quartermaine tremendously…both figuratively and literally. If only she had something besides Holly's bathrobe to change into. She was thisclose to just putting on her old garments, but just couldn't. The stench alone had been enough for her to reconsider.

To approach the husband…or not the approach the husband? Tracy couldn't decide. He would obviously come to her eventually. Should I ruin the peace?

She laughed at herself and headed into the main room, moving slowly and quietly, careful not to interrupt.

Robert Scorpio and Luke Spencer sat on the sofa. Tracy smiled, not seeing any sign of Holly.

"So…" Robert inquired. "Did ya ever find out about the Haunted Star? Your little Princess outsmarted you, didn't she?"

What the hell is he talking about? Tracy lurked in the near distance.

"She's not getting the Haunted Star in the settlement."

The settlement? Lulu? A lump formed in her throat. He went after me because of that? Lulu set it up? She wasn't feeling very cool anymore. Tracy processed everything as fast as she could. Lulu tells him I get the damn boat in the divorce settlement. That gives him a reason to come after me. How could I be so foolish to think that it could be about something else? Like he actually gives a damn about me. Goodness, Tracy! The tears started to form, but she refused to let them fall.

"I knew it all along though," Luke told his best friend.

Wait. What?

"There's no way in hell Spankybuns could ever contact Justus out here. It's impossible to get a signal, so, no," Luke insisted. "Lesley Lulu did not get the best of me. I am not slipping."

Robert wondered out loud, "Then, why did you go after her?"

Luke couldn't tell him the real reason.

Why did he go after me?

"Could it be that you love your Sparky Butt after all?"

Luke didn't reveal an ounce of emotion. Tracy didn't expect him too. Still…she stood there, waiting for whatever his response might be.

"Sparky and I don't believe in love."

"You still haven't given me an answer," Robert persisted. "You know," he shook his head. "I'm convinced Lulu did outwit your old self, and you refuse to admit it. Let's be honest here. You're not as sharp as you used to be, Luke Spencer."

He knew exactly the kind of game Robert was playing, but there was no way he was going to admit the real reason for going after his wife.

Tracy shut her eyes. She knew the game Robert was playing too. It wasn't going to work. At least, she had been given hope that Luke didn't go after because of some stupid casino. Something else was going on. Something that dealt with emotions. Something, of course, Luke, much like his wife, would never disclose.

"You loooooove her," Robert teased.

He pulled the same stunt with me. Tracy, arms folded across her chest, remained in the distance…eavesdropping, hoping that Luke and Robert wouldn't catch her.

And still…no answer. Tracy took this over the straight out "no." She smiled satisfyingly and slinked back into the bedroom. She propped herself using some pillows and closed her eyes.

It couldn't have been more than 15 minutes later when she was awakened by a light knock on the door. "Can I come in?" the voice said.

Tracy sighed heavily. "Yeah, sure."

Luke entered cautiously without realizing that Lulu and Dillon had been following. The two teenagers stayed behind the closed door and listened in.

"This is so working out perfectly," Lulu giggled.

"Shh," Dillon warned. "And I'm telling you. My mom's winning this one."

Inside, Luke went to sit next to Tracy on the bed. "So…"

I'm still getting the divorce no matter what he says.

"Rough day?" he went to stroke her cheek.

"You could say that." Tracy smiled gently, slowly turning away from her husband.

"I'm sorry about um—"

She anxiously awaited the apology, even though she had a good feeling it wouldn't change a thing.

Luke continued, "I'm sorry...about what has happened."

"Too much has happened," she paused to sigh. "An apology isn't going to make it all right."

"It's just a start, isn't it?" Luke asked.

She cupped her hand under his chin, "You're almost sounding desperate, Luke Spencer."

"I want to make this work," he spoke softly and sincerely, and Tracy Quartermaine wanted to believe him. In fact, she did believe him. But she chose to let him continue…let him grovel. She at least deserved that much.

"I want to make this work," he repeated. "Our marriage. We have somethin' here, Spunky. Somethin' good."

We had something good. It had become part of the past. A past Tracy had no interested in revisiting.

"I don't want this ruined. Let's not ruin this, all right?" Luke really didn't want this ruined. He didn't want to return to Port Charles and realize what he'd lost. He didn't mean the Quartermaine breakfasts, the around the clock maid service, the free booze, or any of that. Luke Spencer meant his wife, Tracy Quartermaine…His determined, feisty, cut-throat, yet affectionate when appropriate wife. He fought her. She fought back. They were indeed the perfect match.

"Oh, it's too late for that," Tracy said delicately.

On the other side of the door, Lulu frowned.

"My mom's still winning," noted Dillon with a wink.

"What?" Luke whispered. She detected a tiny bit of pain in his voice, and while part of her wanted to take it back and throw herself into his arms, the stronger part of her didn't. He's hurting? Good. He deserves it.

"Tracy, look. It's never too late." He took her by the hand.

"Don't touch me," she spit out.

Lulu and Dillon, who couldn't see what was going on, exchanged a nervous glance. They didn't even want to think about any "touching" going on between their parents.

Inside, Luke released her hand from his grip. "Tracy, do you remember that one day. We, um, came up with different scenarios of what would've happened had we met when—"

She nodded. "Yeah. Had we met when we were younger."

"Exactly." He was grateful that she was taking part in the conversation.

"And I said it didn't matter because we didn't meet. Ergo, no use in speculating." She didn't want him to continue. The day was a good day. One of those days that reminded her why she stayed with her husband for so long…She was trying to forget those days.

"I said that it wasn't too late? Remember, Tracy?"

He used "Tracy" 3 times in the last 30 seconds. He wasn't playing any games this time.

"I remember," she licked her lips.

"And I told you—," he was interrupted.

"I know. I know. That you could take me places. Make me feel happier than I ever been." Her voice was cracking. It was evident at how uncomfortable she was. Tracy Quartermaine just wanted the divorce. Why was her husband doing this?

"And you believed me. I know you did, Tracy. So, let's try again. Okay? Here—," he took her hand again, holding it firmly, so she couldn't yank it away. With his other hand, he reached into his pocket and showed her the ring she had removed earlier, "Allow me."

She couldn't believe what he was doing. He wasn't going to propose again. He wasn't. Well, she didn't remember the first proposal, but that wasn't the point.

"Tracy Quartermaine, this diamond might've not meant a hell of a lot a year ago, but it means something now." He slipped in on her finger.

"Don't fall it for it, Mom," Dillon muttered to himself. "Don't fall for it."

"Oh, this sounds so sweet," Lulu smiled contently.

In the bedroom, Tracy could see Luke preparing what to say next and was seriously considering laughing in his face. Nah, she'd let him make a fool out himself first, and then laugh in his face. "So, what do say? Will you continue to give me the joy and honor of being your husband?"

And, she of coursed laughed. Loudly…harshly…obnoxiously.

"I'm serious."

She wiped the grin off her face, "So am I."

PREVIEW: Tracy and Luke bust Dillon and Lulu for eavesdropping. After dinner, Tracy wants to speak with her husband.