A/N Have had some time so I managed to write Chapter 38 - thanks darkin520 for your work on this one, I will definitely have to work on my italics!

Chapter 38

The doorbell rang, and as Cara opened the door to Dr. Palmer, mixed emotions zigzagged through her body; talking to him made her feel better, but sometimes his questions made her remember events that she had almost hidden in her mind.

Lucas too, when he heard the door bell chime, stiffened slightly, thinking the same thoughts as Cara. He thought Freya hadn't noticed, but she had. She held onto his hand, gave it a squeeze, and smiled at him. He smiled back and felt slightly more relaxed. They had been sitting at the table. Freya had some schoolwork she thought she should do before she went back to school, and Lucas was helping her. They both enjoyed being together; Lucas was patient when explaining a new concept, and Freya was bright, intelligent, and eager to learn. They had spent a couple of hours Kit-free, as Kit had been doing some activities with Cara and had left them alone. They had the age-old problem that faced most young couples – the younger sister who wants to be included in everything, and Kit was no exception. However, they had finally arranged to go to the cinema together, just the two of them. It was going to be that evening; Cara and Michael were going to take Kit to an adventure play area so Lucas and Freya could have some time on their own.

Cara had informed Michael of the trip.

"Is it a date?" asked Michael.

"Well, sort of."

"How do you feel about it?"

"I think it's a good idea; if they like each other, it's a natural progression."

"She's only just fourteen."

"I had my first date at fourteen."

"And Lucas is her cousin."

"Not by blood, by circumstance. And, he's so lovely."

"Yes, but…" Michael didn't really know how to put his feelings into words. But Cara knew all the reasons why he was uncomfortable.

"Michael, it is normal for a father to be worried over his daughter's first date, but you have the extra problem that the boy she likes spent months with her mother being abused physically and sexually by his father. You don't know what to think. You are worried about what will happen on the date. You are worried about what will happen after the date. You are worried that Lucas isn't the right person for Freya, and you are worried that Freya might fall for Lucas in a big way and not work hard at her studies."

Michael looked at her. "Wow, am I worried about all that?"

"Yes."

He looked at her again. "Cara, you are right. I am worried about all those things, and I'm worried if I say no, then Freya will not forgive me."

"Michael, it would never come to that; we should let them go and cope with what happens. I have no problem with Freya going to the cinema with Lucas, and what will be will be. The trauma that Lucas and I went through will take some healing, but I think trying to lead a normal life will add to the healing for Lucas."

"Are you sure?"

"I know she's your little girl, and she always will be, but when Lucas and I were in that house and Freya was outside, I saw strength, resolve, and maturity beyond her fourteen years when she was on her own and then with us in the house facing Wolenczak. Remember, your little girl took down a sixteen-stone man, and she tied him up so well that it took three UEO security guards to free him. And she faced up to Wolenczak."

"I know, but…"

"She has been trained by the deadliest force known to man – the Girl Guides - and she is a black belt in Tae kwon do. She will be fine!"

This last sentence made Michael laugh and lifted the tense situation that was developing. He loved Cara for her ability to do that, to make sense out of chaos and to reassure him when he was worried.

"So, Lucas, tonight is the big night?" asked Dr. Palmer. They were sitting in a small sitting room facing the ocean, and Lucas was staring out at the expanse of blue that was as still and calm as a sheet of ice, the sun glinting off it making star bursts.

"Well, if you mean that Freya and I are going to the cinema, yes, but it's no big deal."

"How are you feeling about it?"

"I'm looking forward to it. I like being with Freya, and it will be good to spend some time together."

"I have to ask, Lucas. Do you see Freya as a substitute for Cara?"

Lucas jumped up, "What! No! How can you think that?"

"Well, you and Cara shared an experience which made you incredibly close, and now you are back safe and sound. Cara has resumed her role as wife and mother and is no longer your partner. You shared everything. Lucas, you had sex with Cara."

"I've thought about it until my head wants to burst," began Lucas, "I could not have survived at the hands of my father without Cara, and I know it was reciprocal for her. I drew comfort and strength from her. Yes, we were made to have sex. That part was totally against our wills, and at no time did I enjoy having sex with Cara nor did I want to willingly have sex with her again. Every time it happened, it was under duress. I see Cara now, and the last thing on my mind is to have sex with her. I think of her as a wonderful person who protected me as much as she could and who would do the same if it happened again. She is like a mother to me, like Dr. Westphalen is. I don't see her as some sort of sex goddess."

Dr. Palmer smiled. He was so pleased at Lucas's response; it was better than he could have hoped, and he knew Lucas was telling the truth. Lucas's body language was relaxed, and his retinal response was not of someone telling lies or hiding the truth.

"How do you view Freya?"

"She's kick-ass!" replied Lucas with a broad grin on his face.

"Can you elucidate a little further?"

"Well, I've always liked her from the first time I saw her on seaQuest. I met Kit first and then Cara. The first time I saw Freya, there was no awkwardness between us; she was sitting with Dr. Westphalen, examining some algae samples, and I went over and asked if I could have a look. She looked up from the microscope with those big blue eyes, and we just clicked. We became friends. When we were on Bridger Island for her birthday, I realised that I really liked her more than a friend. I didn't know if she felt the same, but when we were dancing at the party and I held her closer, she put her head on my shoulder and said that she really liked being with me. And then… Cara and I were taken again, and Freya was involved that time. She was amazing. Now we are back, and there is some sort of normalcy, we are going to try again."

"Well, I really wish you the best of luck." And Dr. Palmer really meant it as he wanted Lucas to have some real good luck in his life. Looking at Lucas, a stranger would never imagine the abuse that he had suffered during his life. But now, with a new family, their continued support, and a romance blossoming with a very extraordinary girl, Lucas was heading for a happy life. With his own intellectual potential, Lucas could really go places and make a name for himself in whatever field in which he chose to specialise. Dr. Palmer still knew there was work to do, to help Lucas along his road to recovery. There were still events and their consequences that needed to be looked at and dealt with, but Lucas was on the right path, and the darkness that Dr. Palmer had seen in Lucas when they had first met was slowly fading.

Cara sat, quietly looking at Dr. Palmer.

"Is there anything you want to ask?" He picked up that she needed to start this session.

"I can't get it out of my mind that Lawrence Wolenczak is going to take us again," she blurted out. Her words came in a cascade of worry tumbling from her lips.

"That's not going to happen," Dr. Palmer assured her.

"I know, but … every time the door chimes ring or someone comes up behind me or I see an unfamiliar shadow… I think it's him."

Dr. Palmer sat and looked at her. "Would you like to visit him?"

Cara stared at the psychologist. "You mean, go and see Lawrence Wolenczak in hospital?"

"Yes."

"Do you think that's a good idea?"

"It might help you to realise that you are finally safe, and may make it easier for you to move on."

"You mean, if I can get over this hurdle, I may be able to start tackling other problems that are being masked because of my obsession with this one?"

"Yes."

"Do you think Lucas should come as well?"

"I don't think Lucas has had the same reaction as you. He seems to know that his father is no longer a threat. He appears to have closure."

"So you don't think going to see his father would be a good idea for him?"

"Not at the present time."

"Will you come with me?"

"Of course, Cara, I wouldn't think of you going on your own."

She smiled, "Thank you. Should we tell Lucas?"

"I think this should just between the two of us at the moment. I'll see if I can arrange a visit as soon as possible, so you won't have time to worry about it."

"I think we should tell Lucas," she replied.

"Why?"

"I have not lied to Lucas about anything to do with his father, and I wouldn't be happy keeping anything from him."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes, I want to tell him."

"Alright, Cara, that is between you and Lucas. I think the best thing that I can do is go back to my office and make some calls to arrange a visit, and I shall be in contact as soon as I have a definite date and time."

A little while later, Cara and Lucas were together as Freya had taken Kit cycling around the block. She made them both a drink, and they sat on the sofa.

"How did your session with Dr. Palmer go?" she asked.

"Fine, he thinks that taking Freya to the cinema is a good idea, and I think I've convinced him that she isn't a substitute for you."

Cara was quite taken aback that Dr. Palmer had thought that as it had never crossed her mind. She loved how Lucas could be so open with her.

"I know that, Lucas." And no more needed to be said between them.

"What about your session?"

Cara explained to Lucas how she had been feeling and how she was worried that they were going to be taken again. She told him that she was going to see his father in hospital.

"Do you want to come too?" she asked.

"Not particularly, Cara, I know that he can't harm us now. I can't explain it, but I don't need to see him. I think that if it's what you need, you should go. Do you want me to come with you, for support?"

"Dr. Palmer said that he would come with me."

Lucas knew Cara too well, and he knew she was avoiding the question.

"Cara, that's not what I asked; do you want me to come with you?"

"Yes." And as she replied, she burst into tears.

Lucas moved over to her and put his arm around her, "Of course I'll come. You know I will."

"Thank you," she managed to say through sobs, "I don't think I could do it without you there. But when you said you didn't need to see him, I didn't want to put you under pressure."

"Cara, of course I'll be with you. There is no problem. When Dr. Palmer rings, tell him we're both going." He wiped the tears from her face and added, "We'll face Lawrence Wolenczak together."