This is a short story based on characters that I do not own and references to established works.

"I Don't Even Know You"

(Part 6)

"Whether it's 2020 or 2023, there's one thing I'm sure you won't say no to," Cam said, in an attempt to change the somber mood that had taken over the conversation and the room.

Trina sniffed, then asked, "What's that?"

"Take-out from Kelly's," Cam replied. "Tell me that I'm not wrong." Cam waited for a reaction from Trina and was slightly encouraged when he saw the trace of a slight smile.

"You're not wrong, Cam. You see, you know me so well," Trina replied, as Cam and Joss looked at each other, concerned.

"Alright then. I am going to pop out and go pick up something from Kelly's and I'll bring it back in no time. How's that?" Cam asked.

"It's absolutely perfect," Trina responded, as Cam left, quickly followed by Joss, who told Trina that she would be right back.

Joss caught up with Cam and thanked him for coming on such short notice.

"Trina's my friend and Spencer is my friend and my family. And, I'm going to do whatever it takes to get those two back together," Cam replied. Then, left. As he left, he texted Spencer with directions about where to meet.

By the time Cam arrived at Kelly's, Spencer was already there, waiting, not so patiently. After greeting each other, the two sat down and Spencer settled in to hear Cam's report about his talk with Trina.

"So, do you know how things went with the photos?" Spencer asked eagerly, searching Cam's face for any non-verbal clues.

"I have a feeling that it was heading in the right direction, until..." Cam replied, until cut off by Spencer.

"Until what, Cam?" Spencer asked anxiously.

"Until she saw your little family photo with you, Ace, and ... Esme, with the broadest smiles around. I mean, what the hell, Spencer?" Cam asked. Even though he was sure that Spencer had not put that photo in, he wanted to do his due diligence and verify that.

"What? Are you kidding me? How could it have... Esme!" Spencer shouted, as he slammed his fists down on the table. "That's what was taking her so long this morning. Cam, you've got to know that it wasn't me. I put in photos that would help Trina remember us- not hurt her," Spencer paused before continuing. He was almost scared to look Cam in the eye. "How... how did Trina react?"

"Not well, Spencer. But, the funny thing is that that could be good news for you. That is, if you're willing to do right by the one you claimed to love over a year ago," Cam responded.

Even though Spencer appreciated Cam coming home when he asked him to, he took offense to Cam's words. He leaned in close to Cam, lowered his voice, and said, "Cam, you know that I think the world of you, but if you ever question my love for Trina again, we're going to have a big problem that I won't hesitate to solve." With that, Spencer eased on back in his chair and added, "Are we clear on that?"

Cam looked at the intent in Spencer's eyes. "Crystal," he replied.

"So, tell me how it could be good news?" Spencer asked, going back to where the conversation was before that brief confrontation.

"Well, first of all Spencer, I really believe that Trina's in there," Cam started.

"Of course she is. I know that, Cam," Spencer responded.

"No, I mean she's not as far removed from you and your relationship as I'm sure you all thought on yesterday. She had too much of a negative reaction to the photo without even knowing anything about Esme. I mean, if she doesn't remember you, photos of you with another woman should elicit no real emotions from Trina. But, she had obviously had a visceral reaction to it before I came. Secondly, there were at least two times when she seemed to go someplace in her mind. And both of those times happened when she was discussing you or you two together. Again, where did her mind drift off to? Why would mentioning you and you and her cause a need for her mind to retreat? I'll tell you why, Spencer. Because Trina's in there, and I think she's staying there until she knows that she's number one in your life. I think that hit on the head is serving as a type of shield or armor for her feelings, for her well-being, and for her heart." Cam concluded, as a stunned Spencer just sat and stared. "Coupled with a few Psych courses and what I know about Trina, I think that I'm on the right path," Cam replied.

"Ok, doctor. So, what do you think I should do?" Spencer asked.

"Spencer, Trina's got to know that she's number one in your life," Cam repeated.

"Cam, she has to know that. I tell her..." Spencer began, before Cam cut him off.

"Yes, Spencer. You TELL her with words, but you need to SHOW her with actions. There's got to be a grand gesture on your part. And, I don't mean a trip or gifts, which are great. But, action in regards to Esme," Cam went on, as Spencer seemed to hang on every word.

"Spencer, I know you don't mean to, but you are forcing Trina to be victimized everytime you have her face or share space with Esme. You two are basically at a crossroads. I know that Ace is always going to be your brother. But, it's up to you to determine whether or not Trina is always going to be in your life," Cam paused to see if any of this was connecting with Spencer. Whether or not it was connecting, Cam knew that Spencer was taking in every word.

"I mean, you couldn't ask for a more perfect mate, Spencer. I know. There was a brief time in the past when I could have had a chance with Trina. But, who knows, since you still seem confused about what to do, maybe this is the universe giving me... giving me and Trina another chance. Trina's actions sure seem to support that," Cam replied.

"Cam, you can't be serious," Spencer replied anxiously.

"Of course not, but I'm not the only man in the world who would consider himself lucky to have Trina love him," Cam said with a smile. Spencer could only nod in agreement.

"A grand gesture, huh?" Spencer replied and took several minutes to think. After a while, he said, "I've got it."

"Cam wants us to meet him at Ava's gallery before he brings back the take-out," Joss replied.

"Ok, but why?" Trina asked.

"He thought that maybe being in your art world, some memories might be stirred up," Joss responded.

Once Trina accepted that reasoning, she and Joss headed out to Ava's gallery. When they got there, Joss told Trina to go in ahead of her because she had left something back in the car. Trina walked in alone and was surprised to find no one there. So, she walked over to a desk and saw something that caught her eye. It was a dove figurine, and for some reason, there was something about that dove. She couldn't figure out what, but that dove meant something. She picked it up and examined it carefully. She began to smile. "It's beautiful," she said out loud. Her mind began flashing back to seeing the dove- no, not dove, but two doves in a box. Then, there was a flash of her taking one, but where was the other one? "Why am I thinking that there were two? But, I just know, I don't know how, but, I just know that this dove is missing its mate. Where is its mate? It needs its mate," Trina wondered aloud.

At that moment, Trina was triggered yet again. But that time, the pull was much stronger. What was so different? Was it the dove or its missing mate? No, it was neither of them. Think Trina. What is..." Trina's thought was stopped by a sudden realization. "It's this place. It's the gallery!" she exclaimed. "It's the gallery!"

"I knew that this was the place we needed to come to," said a voice that was increasingly familiar.

When Trina turned to see the face behind the voice, she saw him. She saw Spencer. But, why would he be there? Why would he be in a tux, looking quite debonair? And, why woud he be holding...

"My other half! That's the mate to this isn't it?" Trina asked, as she held up the dove that had caught her attention.

"Why, yes it is," Spencer replied. "My grand gesture, if you will."

At that moment, Trina's mind became flooded with remembrances-all of Spencer and her. The photos that she had seen now had backstories. In addition to them, a remembrance about that box with the doves became clearer. Spencer had given her the box, but it was she that actually presented Spencer's to him, while keeping the other for herself. Spencer could tell that she was coming back to him. So, he approached her with his dove in hand and said tenderly, "Just like these two doves, we are a matched pair, and..."

Before he could finish, Trina had moved closer to him and put a finger to his lips as she finished his sentence, "And just like these two doves, we belong together."

Trina took Spencer's hands in hers and smiled, while looking at him like he was the love of her life. And, at that moment, she realized and finally remembered that, in fact, he was.

Spencer returned the smile and embraced her, as he said, "Welcome back, Trina Robinson."