Chapter 28

After lengthy discussions with the administration, Dara returned to work at the hospital on a part time basis.

Matt was happy to have her back, but he knew that the separation was taking it's toll on her, she appeared tired and depressed for the most part, when he asked her about it she shrugged and explained, "I have an eight week old child who is nursing. I don't get very much sleep at nights.

Part of her explanation was accurate, she was still nursing Rinie, but what she didn't share was that the baby had started sleeping through the night. The reason she remained awake these days was due to the visits her husband continued paying her in her dreams.

They had been separated for about two weeks when Lucas entered her office one morning. He had given hr the space she had asked for, but finally growing impatient, he decided to try and persuade her to return home.

He hadn't been surprised at her decision to return to work, although her decision to place the younger children in day care had greatly upset him, he left it unmentioned due to the fact that he knew she preferred having them near her.

Taking in her appearance now he steeled himself for the purpose of his visit. Looking up from her desk he was shocked by the dark rings around her eyes, which he hadn't been able to conceal with makeup.

Sighing despondently at the sight of him she asked, "What do you want, Lucas?"

Crossing the space between them he sat on the corner of her desk, placing his hand along her cheek he stated softly, "I think you know what I want."

Dara reached her hand up and removed his from her face, and then looking at him evenly, she replied, "I told you, I need some.."

Lucas, becoming agitated, stood abruptly and snarled, "I know, 'time'. Just how the hell much time do you think that you'll require to sort this out? I've been patient for the past couple of weeks, Dara, but I'm warning you, my patience is wearing thin."

Dara narrowed her gaze, "Don't you dare give me an ultimatum, Lucas Buck. You played me for a fool for over two years and you have the nerve to tell me that your patience are wearing thin. Let me warn you, pushing me would be the worst mistake that you could make, don't think that I wouldn't file for divorce."

Lucas glared at her warningly, "I told you before we got married that there would never be a divorce."

Returning the challenge she stated softly, "Then don't push me in that direction."

Lucas ran his hand through his hair in agitation, "Damned, Dara! How stubborn can you possibly be? What else can I do to show you how sorry I am, isn't it enough that I've left you alone all this time. I've given you your 'space' what else can I do?"

Dara glared at him as she asked incredulously, "You've left me alone, given me my space? So why is it that when I close my eyes at night you're there, care to explain that one to me?"

Lucas answered quickly, "Those are your dreams, and maybe you should listen to them."

Dara looked at him in agitation, and then pulling her hair aside since she hadn't felt like putting it up today, she exposed the bite marks that kept appearing on her neck after each dream. "Oh really, care to explain how I got this then, or why it is that after I have a dream about you I always have to change my nightgown, since my milk usually leaks all over it when there's no earthly reason for it to have. Of course that is unless someone other then Rinie has been putting their mouth on my breasts." Lucas looked at her with guilt on his face, but said nothing.

Dara sighed in frustration, "I know what you're doing Lucas. Remember? I've been on this merry go round before, like before we were married."

Lucas held his hands up in surrender, "All right, you're right I am coming to you at night in your dreams, it's the only way that I can get close to you. I can't stand not having you next to me at night, or not being able to touch you. Isn't that torture enough for you."

Dara sighed in sorrow, "I don't want to torture you and believe me it's just as much torture for me as for you, more so for me. I have to look at the confusion on the kid's faces everyday when they don't see daddy. Do you think I enjoy that?"

Lucas implored, "Then solve the problem and come home."

Dara shook her head in misery, "I can't right now. I've got to sort through all of this, it isn't like you simply lied or misled me; you've done one of the most unspeakable acts possible to perform. Not to mention neglecting to tell me why our children are able to do the things that they are. I have to sort my feelings out about it and even then I'm not promising that I can come back to you. I just don't know right now. Believe me, I wished with all my heart that I could forget what I know and go back like we were, but I cant."

Lucas knelt down and took both of her hands in his as he nodded anxiously, "Yes, you can, I can make you forget it. Then we can go back to our life like it was, let me make you forget."

Dara looked at him in disbelief, and then pulling her hands free, she shook her head and stated simply, "No."

The look of hopefulness was replaced by anger; rising to tower over her he stated hotly, "Fine, just remember that you asked for this." Turning towards the door he turned and added over his shoulder with a sneer, "Mrs. Buck."

Watching as he slammed the door behind him, Dara asked quietly, "Dear God, what is he going to do?"


Dara waited for what seemed a lifetime, but was only two days, before her answer came. She was in her office when she heard a knock, bidding the person to enter a young man came in and asked formally; "Mrs. Dara Buck?"

Dara looked up from her paperwork and answered, "Yes."

Crossing to the desk he handed her a paper and turning said, "Have a nice day, ma'am." With that he shut the door and was gone.

Dara glanced at the paper in puzzlement, turning it over she stared at in horror as she read the words in bold print: LUCAS BUCK VS. D A R A CHAMBERS BUCK. RE: CUSTODY HEARING.

Dara opened the paper and glanced at the contents, Lucas was petitioning to be given full custody of all four children. Although she couldn't see where he was stating a reason for the litigation.

Dara became infuriated at the gall, picking up the phone she was about to dial the number to his office, then reconsidering she replaced the receiver. Grabbing her purse and the summons she left, deciding that she needed to speak to her husband in person.


Ben knew that Lucas and Dara were separated by the attitude that his boss was displaying. Thinking this over he smiled in relief when he saw Dara walk thru the door, until he was the anger in her eyes as well as hearing the tone of her voice when she asked angrily, "Where is he?"

Ben motioned towards the door as Dara replied curtly, "Thanks." With that she marched to the door and barge in then slammed it with enough force to rattle all for the windows in the building.

Lucas glanced up, shocked to see her standing there. Taking in the daggers that she was glaring through him he asked innocently, "Is there something that I can do for you, Mrs. Buck?"

Dara, not impressed by his attitude, stated, "Yes, as a matter of fact. Two things, first cut your damned sarcasm, now is not the time for it." Then, slamming the summons on his desk she finished, "And two, you can tell me exactly what th4e hell you were thinking to send me that."

Taking the paper and examining it, he stated calmly, "It appears that I'm petitioning the court for temporary custody of our children. Seeing as how you seem to need some time to sort your thoughts and feeling out I thought that the best place for them would be with me."

Dara shook her head vehemently, "I don't think so Lucas. You're not taking those children away from me."

Lucas shrugged, "Well, what's the difference dear, you seem determined to split out family apart, so I'm just helping you out."

Narrowing her gaze at him she asked, "How can you be so hateful and mean?"

Lucas leaned forward, resting his arms on his desktop, "I might ask you the same questions, I've been patient and tried to understand and give you your space. Yes, I admit that I've come to you in your dreams, but I told you when I asked you to marry me what I was and even before I said a word you knew. I made two promised to you and to this day and my knowledge I've kept both of them. I never set out to make a fool of you and I'm sorry that you feel that way. Before you ask, yes I'm sorry for Merlyn Temple, my father, I'd be lying if I said that I was. So chock up the blood of two people to my hands, but you conveniently seem to forget that there are two other people whose death I'm responsible for. Of course that was because one had tried to kill you and the other was trying to abort our baby, but that's different, right?"

Dara sat silent a moment, then lowered her head as the tears began pouring from her eyes.

Lucas watched as she lowered her head and began sobbing, walking around the desk he swore, "Damned." Kneeling down he pulled her to him. At first she resisted then finally allowed him to wrap him arms around her as he laid her head against his chest and let the tears fall freely. Realizing how much he had truly hurt her, he stroked her hair as he apologized, "I'm sorry darlin. That wasn't your fault it was one of those things in life that we can't always help. If I had to do it again to save you, I would."

Sighing in resignation at what he knew was the right thing to do, he stated flatly, "Stop crying honey, I can't stand it. I'll call the lawyer and drop the hearing. I can't take the kids away from you. If its what you want draw up the divorce papers and I'll sign them without a fuss. I love you too much to keep hurting you like this."

Dara pulled back and looked at him in shock, "You want a divorce?"

Lucas shook his head ruefully, "No, but if it's what you want I'll go along with it. I can't stand the idea of hurting you anymore than I already have. I'll support you and the kids all that I ask is to be allowed to see them.' With that he got up and walked to the door.

Turning, he looked at her evenly, "Just remember something, no matter what, I'll go to my grave still in love with you. There wont ever be another woman for me. No one can or will ever take your place." With that, he left.

Ben came in and asked quietly, "Dara, you all right?" Looking at him sadly she remained silent.

Ben, deciding to break his silence, closed the door and pulled up a chair. "Dara, I know why you left him."

Dara stared at him in shock, "He told you?"

Ben shook his head, "No, I was there that night, at the Temple farm. I saw him do it."

Dara looked at him in disbelief, "Ben, what are you saying?"

Sighing heavily, Ben continued, "Look, I felt the way you do now afterward, but I realized something. First, we all make mistakes. Two, Gage Temple did a real job with that shovel, who's to say that maybe what he did wasn't an act of kindness. At least she didn't have to suffer any more. My point is this, I know, maybe a little better than you, what he's capable of, but I'll tell you this the fact that he's not forcing you to come back and willing to let you go shows that he truly loves you too much to do it. Even though it would save him a lot of pain if he did."

Dara contemplated his words for a moment, and then smiling asked, "Would you do me a favor?"

Ben nodded, "If I can."

Dara asked, "Please pick Caleb and my babies up and take them to the old house and stay with them for a while."

Ben nodded, "Should I start packing their things up for you?" Dara smiled and nodded before turning to leave.

Ben glanced at the picture Lucas kept on the corner of his desk, "Well, I did my part now, lets hope you do yours."