They did eventually reach Lucas' room that evening. Lucas had chosen one of the grander rooms in the castle which had been beautifully restored to its former glory. Jo could be found lying on her tummy on the gracious four poster bed eating strawberries and chocolate and wearing nothing but a pair of knickers. Lucas had long since decided that was very much the way he preferred her. Lucas' previous grumpiness had mysteriously vanished without a trace, and he hadn't minded having to fix himself something to eat after all. In fact he had been quite happy to do so and to make Jo a little snack also. He had even found a bottle of champagne in the celler and had returned with it and two glasses in hand, detouring along the way to check on Malcolm and see if he would like something to drink. Malcolm had been delighted by his offer and Lucas had helped him to finish his drink.

When he was back in the bedroom, Lucas leaned over to Jo and kissed her.

"You taste of strawberries," he commented his hands lingering for a moment on her lips which had been stained a cherry red colour.

"Same goes for you," she replied distractedly, now focusing her attention on the task of unwrapping the last chocolate left in the castle.

Lucas had found their lovemaking to be delicious. And very sweet. Like Jo herself. He had discovered probably a hundred things he didn't know about Jo that he liked that day. Like that she had a sprinkling of golden freckles on the tops of her shoulders, that her eyes were even more beautiful up close and that she would a make little noise like a kitten when he stroked her hair just above her forehead. And he wanted more of her.

"Do you think if I poured you another glass of champagne I might succeed in seducing you again?" Lucas asked hopefully.

Jo put down her chocolate and looked at him for a moment, "I think it could just tip the balance in your favour," she replied thoughtfully, before breaking into a smile. She rather hoped he would pour her another glass now. She supposed she ought to have anticipated that given Lucas was good at everything he would be good at that too but as she hadn't really considered it before and it had been quite a pleasant surprise.

"Another glass it is then," he replied, flashing her a charming smile.

When she had finished her drink, Lucas promptly removed it from her hand and placed it on the bedside table.

"Right then," he announced, flipping her over on to her back, "now for the pay off from that drink you promised me."

Jo giggled and ran her hands through his hair. She liked the way the inky blackness contrasted with the vivid blue of his eyes.

Lucas had discovered that she was extremely ticklish and showed no mercy to her.

After a minute or two of his teasing she managed to wriggle away from him. She had only made it to the other side of the bed when Lucas grabbed hold of her and pinned her beneath him, one of his arms holding her hands above her head as he kissed her neck. His other arm roved down the side of her body and he shifted her leg so that he was positioned between her thighs. When he stopped kissing her and looked up after a few minutes he saw that she was lying completely still and was crying. Softly and silently.

He released her arms hastily and wondered what he should do here.

Up until a moment ago Jo had been happy. It had been completely different with Lucas and she knew he would never harm her. She had tried desperately to put that behind her and thought she was beginning to succeed but the realization that it had taken only one moment for it all to come back was devastating. Just one second when she had closed her eyes and something in her memory had recalled a time when it hadn't been Lucas's hands on her. It was so clear in her mind and suddenly she could smell the scent of stale cigarettes mingled with alcohol and someone else's sweat and feel the icy steel of a revolver pressed against her temple. And it hurt still and left her with a dreadful sinking feeling that it was something she would never quite manage to forget and wondering how many more times she would have to relive it whenever someone touched her.

"Jo?" Lucas said quietly, "I'm sorry Jo, I wasn't thinking. Don't cry darling." He trailed his fingers across her cheek, wiping away the tears that had trickled down her face.

Lucas couldn't stand seeing her so upset and cursed himself for being so stupid. At the time he had just been being playful, but he should have thought about what he was doing. For forgetting that for Jo this would be difficult and that he would have to be careful with her and be gentle so as not to awaken any unpleasant memories. He remembered what she'd been like when he'd first arrived back in England – so fragile, like a broken doll, he'd thought at the time. Over the past couple of months she'd pulled herself back together and after this evening he'd assumed she was mostly mended, but he supposed that had been too simplistic. It wasn't like his memories of prison would ever leave him so why should she be any different. He just hadn't anticipated that the mood would change so quickly.

Jo tried to control herself and after a minute or two succeeded in stopping her tears. But she had ruined everything. She had been happy but she could see now that this would make things much, much worse between her and Lucas. Not only would they have the awkwardness of a one night stand but he would revise his opinion of her and see her as some kind of silly, overemotional, hysterical girl who got upset over things for no apparent reason. And he would know that there was something fundamentally abnormal about her. She knew everyone had thought that about her when she had come back from leave but she had worked so hard over the past few months to regain their confidence once more. And she had had to work especially hard to show Lucas that she was trustworthy after he had been so cross with her when she had dropped the tray of drinks while undercover. And now she had blown it with Lucas once more. She didn't think he would forget this time.

"Sorry," she replied, moving to the edge of the bed so that her back was turned to him. "Don't think that this has anything to do with you - its – its silly really."

"I know what it's about," Lucas replied shortly, "and its my fault. I should have thought about what I was doing but I wasn't. I'm sorry I upset you. You know that I wouldn't hurt you, don't you? That I only want to take care of you and for you to be happy."

He wished she would look at him.

He tried again, moving round to crouch in front of her and take her hand, "Come on Jo, it's alright, you're safe now, I'll look after you sweetheart," he said encouragingly.

Jo sniffed and continued to look at the floor while wondering why Lucas was being so nice to her. It was so strange. Now that Adam and Ben were gone, at work people didn't do "nice." She and Ros had come to understand each other better - to know each other - but by her nature Ros just wasn't a tea and sympathy kind of person either.

"Jo?" Lucas said softly, placing his hand on her cheek tenderly. He looked closer to find there was a little red smudge on her hairline just above her ears. "What's this?" he wondered aloud as he removed it with his finger and examined it.

"Strawberry," he announced after considering it for a few seconds, "you had a smidge of strawberry in your hair – did you know that?" he asked, looking at her teasingly.

"That was you!" she exclaimed, giving him a reproachful glance, her voice a little shaky still, "you left the strawberry there when you were kissing me."

"Did I now?" Lucas repeated to himself. "Shall I put it back then?"

"No," she replied, trying to work out whether he was teasing her, "that would be silly."

"Hmm," he replied. "I suppose you're right. Now," he said, sitting down beside her and taking her in his arms, "I was thinking about tomorrow, and how late it is and how I should really get some rest – and you too," he added his hand moving to stroke her hair.

He continued softly, "and what would be very nice would be if you were to lie here quietly with me, and put your head on my shoulder and then tomorrow morning I could wake up and see your pretty face." He paused and looked down at her, "what do you think about that idea?"

She looked up at him for a moment and then said quietly, "I think that would be nice too."

Lucas lay down and waited for her to settle beside him, then pulled the blanket over them.

"What do you think we might have for breakfast tomorrow then darling?" he asked, shifting so that her head nestled into his shoulder. "I thought I might cook for a change. We could have pancakes. Would you like that?"

She nodded and replied, "I think Malcolm would too."

She smiled to herself and added, "if you make the pancakes I could make some hot chocolates, there's a special drink mix in the pantry and there are some marshmallows to go on the top too. One for you, and one for me and one for Malcolm. I've made them before and Malcolm really likes them. And then maybe a bit later on we could play some chess."

They had found an ancient chess set in one of the rooms and she knew that was one of Lucas's favorite things to do.

"I like that idea," said Lucas kissing her cheek and absently playing with her hair.

"Lucas," Jo began, "when you make the pancakes will you be wearing an apron?" she asked, thinking of the frilly pink affair she had had to don earlier to keep herself clean when she worked in the kitchen. It had been the only one available.

"I think not," he replied decisively. "I do recall what happened last time you encouraged me to dress up. Perhaps you could wear it. Actually," he started thoughtfully, "perhaps you could wear it and nothing else."

"It's only a half apron you know," Jo replied promptly, not really thinking through her reply. "It wouldn't really do as outerwear at all."

"Yes, I had considered that actually." Lucas said shortly.

Jo looked up at him briefly to see that he was smiling to himself at the thought. She decided not to comment. "Shouldn't we check on Malcolm before we go to sleep?" she asked after a moment.

Lucas nodded, "I better go now – just give me a couple of minutes."

Lucas returned five minutes later and settled down once more to finally get some sleep. He wrapped his arms around Jo who nestled against him and closed her eyes with a happy but exhausted sigh.

**

I like this chapter. They do make a very cute couple. I wonder what will happen next?? And remember to review me and let me know how you are liking the story.