Morticia idly sat stroking her smoking dragon, mulling over her conversation with Mama. She tried to make sense of the how's, why's, and when's but they wouldn't fit. She was glad. She couldn't bear the thought of her own flesh trying to harm someone so dear to her. It couldn't have been Gomez. He wouldn't harm a spider. But yet, who else could it have been?

"Luuunch," announced a deep voice.

Morticia jumped at the sight of the 7ft tall butler. Collecting herself, she smiled. "Thank you Lurch… Lurch, hasn't Mr. Addams asked for me?"

He shook his head. "Busy."

"Oh?" she froze. It was highly unlike Gomez to go a whole morning without inquiring about her. Even if it was only for a fleeting moment he would always steal a kiss or glance. Trying to hide the worry, she said, "Of course. But I'm sure he'll be at the lunch table waiting."

As expected, Gomez was at the lunch table. However, to Morticia's dismay, he spent most of the time conversing with Uncle Fester about his new chemistry experiment. Mama too, seemed equally interested in Uncle Fester's experiment. As the three freely talked and ate, Morticia silently watched, only giving a nod or slight grin when needed. Her plate went untouched. She was too focused on Gomez to bother with food.

He's barely speaking to me. He's hardly looked my way, she thought. Could it be guilt? I must talk to Gomez! I'll do it after lunch, when I know I can get him alone.

The distinguished scent of a cigar and tapping sound of a stock ticker led Morticia to Gomez. For a moment she stood mutely behind him, watching his intense studying. Resolutely, she swooped in like a bat in the night.

She folded her arms, held her head high, and sternly spoke. "Gomez, Cleopatra has been poisoned."

"That's terrible!"

Her face softened. "You really think so?"

Without missing a beat or turning around – "Absolutely! I should have invested in that wildebeest farm when I had the chance."

She dropped her shoulders. This wasn't how she rehearsed it. She was determined to get a straight answer from him. She turned to plan B for her next strategy.

"Darling, Lurch tells me you've been very busy. How about a nice fencing match to… loosen you up?"

"Capital idea!" This time he spun around and took her in his arms. "Cara Mia, you always know what I need." He placed a kiss on her temples.

She reciprocated by lightly raking her long, blood red nails down his cheek. "Yes, we both each other so well, don't we darling? There are no secrets."

He earnestly shook his head. She pursed her lips. The nails always turned him into a puppy.

The spacious living room soon became their battleground. The pair half fought, half danced as they happily sparred. Gomez animatingly ducked and dived while she concentratedly stood erect.

"Mama has found a remedy for Cleopatra. She should be back to normal by tonight."

"Leave it to Mama."

Clink. Clink. Clink.

"I was very worried, Gomez. She seemed so fine yesterday."

Clink.

"What'd I tell you, 'Tish? See, she bounced back."

Clink. Clink.

"But weren't you at all nervous?"

Clink.

"Not when she's in hands as loving as yours."

Clink. Clink. Clink. Clink. Clink.

"Were you in the conservatory yesterday?" She had Gomez up against the harpsicord. Both swords were locked. Only the occasional explosion from Uncle Fester's tree house could be heard. She would get the truth from him, she would.

He smiled, unaware of the weight of her question. "Querida, you haven't forgotten our magical day already? The lightning, the cold dampness of it all, the attic, the cave, the playroom – and you, passionflower." He put down his sword. Before she blinked he had dashed his way to her side, grabbed hold of her free arm, and began showering it with kisses.

Her lips started quivering as her sapphire eyes turned to liquid. In a feeling of defeat, she blurted out, "Oh Gomez, did you poison her? Was it you? Just tell me already!"

Gomez, who was already to her shoulder, instantly stopped. He broke away quicker from her than she had ever seen him do. The confusion, and slight hurt, was written clearly on his face. "Poison Cleopatra? Me? No. She's a beloved member of the family. She's your baby!"

Relief flooded her body. She was finally rewarded with the reassurance she needed. "Oh, Mon Cher, Bubala, no, of course it wasn't you. My darling, thank heavens." Her smile was brighter than the dreadful sun, but it took his breath away every time.

It was all the encouragement Gomez needed to continue kissing her. He worked his way across her back and to her other arm when he paused. "What ever gave you the idea that I did it?"

Morticia nervously looked around. "You seemed so inattentive and distant this morning. I thought you were avoiding me because of – guilt."

"By Jove, I never realized… Querida, forgive me. I had several business matters to deal with and I – "

"Darling," Morticia intervened, "forgive me. I shouldn't have been so selfish." She wrapped her arm around his neck.

Grabbing hold of her wasp-waist, he lowly growled into her neck, "How can I ever make it up to you?"

She arched an eyebrow, "later."