Trina was still upset over the paternity reveal. The worse thing was that she could tell that Taggert was pulling away from her, despite the promise that nothing was going to change. This hurt her beyond measure and it depressed her. She had lost all desire to plan for her wedding ceremony. She didn't even have the energy to get out of bed and go to her classes for the past few days. It worried Spencer to no end because all that she was doing was laying in bed staring into space. Sometimes he even caught tears in her eyes. He had no idea how to help her.

Finally, he approached his father, who was playing with a giggling Ace.

"Father, I have a problem," Spencer entered his office with a small frown.

"What is it, son?" Nikolas asked, trying not to show how pleased he was that Spencer was coming to him with a problem.

"It's Trina. She's depressed. This whole paternity thing has really gotten her down. She has no interest in the things she normally does, I catch her crying. She just lays in bed and stares into space day in and day out...I don't know what to do. I'm so worried," Spencer began to pace, running his hands through his air, a nervous habit that he's had for a while now.

Nikolas sighed, for the first time noticing all the work he had to do. He had been neglecting his work, instead choosing to play with baby Ace. He had an idea of how to help Spencer and Trina. He got up and handed the baby to Spencer.

"Trust me when I say babies clear the gloom away. Your brother needs to go to the park and I need to get work done. I'll have the car pull up. Grab Trina. Take Ace to the zoo. His giggles of joy at the animals will help. Trust me."

"Don't you think that may be too easy? Doesn't really fix the problem either…"

"It doesn't, but it'll get her out of the house. Get her some fresh air in the company of her favorite boys. Baby laughter will cheer her up just for the day at least. Go. Take your wife and your brother to the zoo. You'll be doing me a favor as well. I haven't been getting any of my work done."

Spencer chuckled. "Ace has you wrapped around his finger too, huh?"

"Your Grandmother claimed that you were obsessed with your brother. Now I see how that happened."

"What can I say? This baby uses his Cassadine charms for evil. But today he's going to use them for good. I'll go get him dressed in something adorable and then we'll go collect Trina and will be off. Thank you, Father."

Nikolas just smiled as he watched his sons leave the room. Rubbing his hands together, he turned to his desk. It was time to get to work.

…..

Trina sighed as Spencer pulled the car into the zoo parking lot. She had not appreciated it when Spencer had come strolling into their room with baby Ace dressed in what looked like a baseball uniform, small cap, and all, declaring that they were to take the baby to the zoo and spend the day there looking at the animals. She had tried to refuse, but Spencer would not take no for an answer. So she got up, showered, chose her outfit, and was ready to go. Now sitting in the car, staring at the entrance, Trina wished that she was back in bed.

"Spencer, I don't know. Is this really a good idea?" Trina frowned.

"Yes, it is. Both you and Ace have been cooped up in that mansion. The fresh air will do you both good. Besides, Ace still has to choose what his favorite animal is. He can't do that in his nursery."

"He's a baby. He doesn't even know what an animal is," Trina grumbled.

"Well, it's time he found out. Come on. Let's go," Spencer turned off the car and go out and began unfastening Ace from the car seat.

Trina sighed and got out of the car and went to the trunk to get out the stroller. Spencer had strong muscular arms, but something told her that he wouldn't be able to handle Chunk Chunk for a walk throughout the zoo.

"Come on Chunk. You're in for an interesting ride," Trina took the baby and placed him in the stroller.

"I think he loves that thing," Spencer chuckled.

"For now he does, but he'll be walking soon enough and won't want a stroller anymore."

"Well let's not dwell on that. Let's enjoy him while he's still under our control, yeah?" Spencer chuckled, grabbing Trina's hips and pulling her close. "How about giving your Preppy some sugar?"

The first smile that Spencer had seen in days appeared. It was small, but it was beautiful and it gave Spencer a tiny victory.

"Ok."

Spencer didn't waste any time in pressing his lips to Trina's and keeping them there for just a few minutes before pulling away. "That's my Queen."

"Let's get going. I don't want Ace to get bored," Trina stepped away and took hold of the stroller.

Spencer followed, noticing that she was wearing his favorite outfit. That orange shirt with the poofy sleeves and a pair of daisy duke shorts that showed off her shapely legs. He couldn't help but check her out as he followed her into the zoo.

"Damn. That's my woman," Spencer sighed.

"What was that?" Trina turned her head to look at him.

"I said what a woman," Spencer smirked, following her in.

They made a day of it at the zoo and sure enough, Ace's laughter and giggles lifted Trina's mood and by the time the day was over, she was laughing and giggling right along with the baby. Not ready to return to the mansion, the couple decided to go to Kelly's for dinner. Trina had Ace in her arms as they went to their regular table outside on the patio. The baby was playing with her hair, a happy smile on his face as he babbled along.

"He's so adorable," Trina smiled, her voice thoughtful as she cuddled the child in her arms. She couldn't help it. She began to wonder what her and Spencer's babies would look like. Would they be happy little chunks like Ace? Would they giggle and just light up her life? Would they have Spencer's dark Cassadine looks and her creativity? All of them were questions that she had no way to answer at the moment, but they did give her something else to think about other than the mess with Curtis and Taggert.

"We need menus. I'll go see about getting us some. This place hasn't been the same since Cam quit, to be honest," Spencer got up out of his seat.

"Hurry back," Trina smiled as she placed Ace in his booster seat and strapped him in.

Spencer went into the restaurant and walked up to the counter to ask about some menu's when a voice saying his name made him freeze.

"Spencer! I wasn't expecting to see you here again!" Cyrus Renault stood behind him with a big smile on his face. "Now this is a pleasant surprise!"

Spencer sighed. This was the last thing he needed. He had finally gotten Trina to relax. If she found him talking to Cyrus, she'll be all tense again. Not to mention what Uncle Stefan would do if he happened to show up again. His father kind of made it clear that Stefan could be dangerous and was most likely behind what had happed to Victor and Esme.

"Look, I appreciate all you did for me in Pentonville, but...it's not a good idea if we talk to each other here in the real world. You traumatized my wife Trina. She's already having a hard time of it, she doesn't need to find me running into you right now."

"Ah, I understand. I'll just keep my distance for now. But I do want to meet up with you sometime. Hear about what's been going on. After all, we are family."

"That remains to be seen," Stefan appeared behind Cyrus as if he had come out of thin air.

Spencer felt his stomach drop at the sight of Stefan there. He knew that this was not going to end well and he rather get Trina far away before a fight between the two men could break out. The day that had seemed so bright and pleasant was suddenly taking a dark turn.

"Uncle Stefan, what are you doing here?" Spencer asked, trying to think of a way to defuse the situation before it got out of hand.

"I had a business meeting and I was wanting some chili. I did not expect to find my great nephew here conversing with a felon," Stefan explained.

"Laura is my sister. Which makes Spencer my grand-nephew. I have every right to speak with him."

"Again, that remains to be seen," Stefan took a step forward.

"I'm not afraid of you Cassadine. You and your threats mean nothing."

"Look, can we all just calm down here and talk like adults?" Spencer asked.

"What pray tell is going on in here?" Martin Grey came in and inserted himself between Stefan and Cyrus. "Please tell me why you two are seemingly about to come to blows?"

"I don't want this...felon talking to my nephew," Stefan glared at Cyrus.

"Your nephew is a felon as well and you don't control anyone. Only the Lord does," Cyrus shot back.

"Spencer what is...going on here…," Trina poked her head into the room and froze when she saw what was going on.

"Spencer, go on. Your girl seems to be waiting. I have this handled," Martin directed, giving Spencer a wink.

"Are you sure?"

"I've spent my whole childhood handling my brother. I'm used to it by now. Go on with Trina."

Spencer simply nodded and backed away from the situation. As soon as he was near the door, Trina grabbed his arm and pulled him outside.

"What was that about?" Trina asked, frowning when she saw how upset Spencer seemed. "Hey, are you ok? What's wrong?"

Spencer sighed and shook his head, taking a seat in one of the chairs. "I really really hate my family, Trina."

"I hate mine too. It looks like we're in the same boat, huh?" Her smile was sad, yet amused.

"You should run far away from me, screaming. That's what you should be doing right now."

"I don't want to," Trina pulled him up out of the chair and wrapped her arms around his waist. "I love you. It's through thick and thin for me. Come on. Let's go to Charlie's and get something to go."

"Are you sure that you don't want to eat here?"

Trina simply giggled and shook her head. "I have a feeling that we're better off finding dinner somewhere else."

Spencer simply nodded, knowing that she was right. He looked towards the restaurant again, wondering what was being said, what was being threatened, and all because he was talking to Cyrus? He didn't like any of it.

"I'm driving this time, Preppy. You're too distracted."

…..

They arrived back at the mansion with their dinner and Ace. Spencer wasn't ready to part from his brother, so they took the baby back to their wing, made room on the floor, and covered it with a blanket so the baby could play with the toys that were brought from the nursery and crawl around under the watchful gaze of his brother and sister in law.

Spencer and Trina sat on the couch, cuddled together as they ate the food that they had ordered from Charlies.

"Are you really ok?" Trina asked. She had noticed that Spencer had gone quiet and he looked troubled since they had left Kelly's.

"I'm fine," Spencer shrugged, putting down his burger.

Trina frowned. Judging from his tense expression, he didn't look fine. "What was that in Kelly's? What did Cyrus say to you?"

"Does it matter? Uncle Stefan's probably going to have him killed anyway."

Trina blinked, taken aback by the answer. "What?! Spencer, do you know something that I don't know? I thought that we weren't keeping secrets!"

"We're not! And no, I don't know anything. Not really. It's just a suspicion. I shouldn't have said anything about it, I don't know why I did…"

"Because it's obviously bothering you. What's going on? What does it have to do with Cyrus and Stefan? It has you as stiff as a board right now!" Trina sighed and then added under her breath. "And not in a beneficial to Trina way."

"Not in front of my brother, baby alright," Spencer chuckled, catching her muttered words and causing her to blush. "But really, it's...well...the last time we saw Cyrus and I was listening outside Kelly's door...I didn't hear the actual conversation, but I did hear a threatening tone from Stefan and Uncle Victor's and Esme's names mentioned. It just made me suspicious is all."

"You think your Uncle Stefan was behind what happened to Victor and Esme?" Trina frowned.

"I don't know! My father gave me the run around when I tried to ask him about Uncle Stefan...and let's face it. He's a Cassadine. He was likely behind it…"

"Do you think he'll do something to Cyrus?"

"If Cyrus keeps trying to form some kind of relationship with me. That was most likely what was behind those threats. If something happens to Cyrus, it'll be my fault."

Trina took Spencer's hand and held it tight and made him look into her eyes. "Hey, no. No, it won't. Nothing that Stefan Cassadine does to Cyrus Renault would be your fault. You don't control Stefan. Just like you didn't control Victor or Esme. Don't place their crimes on your shoulders, Spencer."

"I just...can't get away from it, Trina. No matter what I do...no matter how much I try to be a better person, to make a better family, it's impossible. And what does this mean for Ace? What does this mean for our kids? God, I should never have married you," He pulled away from her and got to his feet. Tears were in his eyes as he picked Ace up into his arms. "Now I doomed you to be a part of this evil family and it's my fault and I'm sorry. I just couldn't stay away from you. You're so sweet and pretty and I was selfish and now I've doomed you too. I'm going to put Ace to bed."

"Spencer, wait!" Trina got up, but he was gone, heading into the main part of the mansion. She should go after him, but something told her that this was something that he was going to have to work through on his own. It was just that his words had struck her like a knife in her heart and his tears had buried it there.

…

Spencer sat in the darkness of Ace's nursery. He could see the form of his baby brother, standing up in the baby bed, happily babbling away. But sadly, the baby's innocent joy did nothing to clear the dark clouds that had settled over him. He truly felt doomed. He was trapped in a family that ate its own and he had dragged Trina, the love of his life, into it without a second thought. Now she was just as trapped as he was. Why couldn't he have just stayed away from her? Why couldn't he leave her to a life free from the darkness that was the Cassadine family? Her mother had been right about him all along.

Now Trina was paying for it.

Or was she? She didn't have to stay with him. She didn't have to remain in this family. She wasn't a Cassadine by blood. She didn't even have his babies yet! He could free her from this once and for all! It'd kill him to do so! It'd destroy all that was good in him...but it would save the woman he loved and that was what mattered! Not his own heart but hers! It was just that...did he have the strength, the willpower to do it? Was he selfless enough to do what was best? He didn't know...maybe he wasn't...but he had to at least try, for Trina's sake, because he did not want the Cassadine darkness to taint the only pure part of his soul left...Trina.