Robert takes a sip from his beer. He's at Luke's Club and enjoying an evening talking with Luke. He said to Luke, "Yes your sister did a number on my brother. Kind of like one of those intervention things. He's in a rehab center now and got settled in."

"I am glad to that he is there Scorpio. He has just been a wreck since Flea and Maxie died. Sometimes life deals you a raw hand." Luke commented, popping a peanut in his mouth.

"Tell me about it. I will be lucky if Robin invites me to her housewarming. Can you believe that my little girl is all grown up and is living with a guy." Robert shook his head, "I don't think I like this."

Luke gave him another beer, "What Scorpio, you don't like the young Dr. Drake?"

Robert smiled, "He's too much like me. I don't want to think of my innocent little girl cohabitating with another man. It's just too much."

"I hate to break it to you pal," Luke smiled and pushed off the bar, "Robin gave up her innocence a long time ago."

Robert reached in the peanut bowl and threw a handful in Luke's direction, "Oh you bastard! Watch out for that young filly of yours. I can't wait for the day you come crying to me about her lost innocence. If it isn't already lost."

"Look pal, my Lulu is virtue personified. She is perfect." Luke started.

"She is a Spencer through and through." Robert interupted spiritedly. Just then the door opened and Alexis and Scott walked in together.

"Evening Baldwin. I see you ran into Natasha here. Natasha are you meeting Nikolas here or someone." Luke smiled at Alexis. "I know you have better taste than to be here with Baldwin."

Alexis hung up her coat, "Actually Luke, I am here with Scott."

Luke's jaw fell to the floor, "Are you kidding? Did you lose a bet or something? Sell your soul to the devil?"

Scott looked at Luke with contempt, "Oh shove it Spencer where the sun don't shine. I knew we shouldn't have come here Alexis. This man only knows how to bring grief. Let's go somewhere else."

Luke held up his hands, "I promise, I will be good." He indicated a table in the corner, "Why don't you two sit there so Robert and I can spy on your, I guess we can call it a date? Is that right Baldwin?"

Alexis looked pained, "Oh dear God."

"That's right Spencer. Alexis and I have common interests and you know, when two people have common interests they tend to do things like have dinner or drinks." Scott's hands waved expansively through the air.

Luke looked at Alexis in amusment, "Natasha, what do you have to say about this?"

Alexis walked over and grabbed the menus, "Shut up Luke. And bring me a gin and tonic."She paused, "No better make that a whiskey sour." Again she paused. "No,I don't want to be dancing on the tables so you better bring me a vodka on the rocks. Yes that's what I will have."

Scott looked at Luke, "I will have the same." Scott led Alexis to her table and pulled out her chair. "May I say you look lovely tonight?"

Alexis looked at Scott shrewdly, "I have to wonder Scott, what is your agenda? What do you want with me?

"I have to have a reason to take out a beautiful, intelligent woman like yourself? I didn't know there was a reason I couldn't." He leaned forward, "Look counselor, I happen to like your company. You are interesting and I am glad you came here to have drinks with me. It's a start."

"I was hesitant to come out tonight." Alexis confessed.

"Why?"

"Look what my last relationship brought me. It certainly made me more neurotic which I don't need to be." Alexis said as Luke brought over the drinks. "Thanks Luke."

"My pleasure Natasha."

Scott leaned back and grinned, sipping his drink, "Counselor, I just want to go to dinner with you some times. Maybe catch a movie or something. You know, what two normal consenting adults do. No strings attached. I like you. I think you like me. We will just go from there."

Alexis said in an exasperated tone, "Why am I going to regret this?" Her attention was diverted by Tracy Quartermaine who had just entered Luke's club.

Tracy walked purposefully up to the bar. Taking off her cashmere scarf and gloves, then her fur coat she asked Luke, "Have you seen my son Ned? I am supposed to meet him here and I think I am a little late."

Robert turned around and faced her, his familiar smirk on his face, "I sent him home Tracy because I have been here waiting for you to arrive. Once he said he was waiting for you I told him you left to go back to the mansion." He took a gulp from his beer and with a twinkle in his eye he said, "Hope you don't mind Tracy."

Tracy turned on him like a tiger going after it's prey, "You did what?" Anger was pouring out of her, "How could you do that Scorpio? I should have you reported to the mayor for how you treated me the other night."

Robert turned to Luke, "Oh yes, I forgot to tell you how everywhere I turn, this one is throwing herself at my feet. Literally. I walk into the Quartermaines and she is on the ground in front of me."

Luke was amused, "You don't say Scorpio."

Tracy brought herself up with all the dignity that she could muster, "I fell down the stairs."

"Common thing in your house. Good thing no one is pregnant in the ole mansion." Luke commented.

"Oh do shut up." Tracy said. "Did you really tell Ned to go home. I really wanted to spend some time with him."

With a wicked grin Robert said, "That I did. Because I really wanted to spend time with you."

Tracy slapped her gloves on the bar, an amused Luke looking on, "That's it! I am calling the mayor and having you thrown off the force, You do not deserve to be protecting the citizens of Port Charles..."

The door opened and Ned breezed in, "Mother I am so sorry I am late. I tried calling you but your phone is off." Ned kissed Tracy on the cheek, "Let's go sit down." Ned led her to a table near Alexis and Scott and the two sat down.

Luke burst out laughing, "Scorpio, what kind of game are you playing?"

"Oh Ms. Quartermaine is attracted to me. You will see. I will have her mate."

Luke leaned forward, "Care to make a wager on that?"

"You are on. If I get the fair Ms Quartermaine to date me, then you give me one thousand dollars. If I fail by March 1st, I give you the thousand.." Robert grinned.

Luke contemplated him, "You are serious pal. You are on."

~Next time

Someone is found dead

Robert looked over at Tracy. "Very."