Rose walked down the quiet Hospital corridor, wondering why she had agreed to skip her last lesson to come here. As she watched Caleb smiling confidently at the sick people that he passed whilst holding a bouquet of flowers, she knew instantly why she had agreed to be here and cursed herself for being so taken with him.
'Come on Rose, this won't take long then we can go ridin'' Caleb called back to her, feeling the excitement rise inside of him the closer he came to his Teachers room.
Rose rushed up to catch him and gripped his arm to bring him to a halt. 'Why are we even here Caleb? I doubt Miss Coombs is gonna appreciate us ditchin' School' she advised, worried that her Mother would find out.
'Miss Coobs ain't gonna say a thing' Caleb smirked, picturing part of her tongue detached on the bedroom floor when he had finished with her. 'Besides, we're here to give her flowers and check in on her, ain't no reason for her to snitch on us'
Rose shot him a disapproving look, then rolled her eyes in frustration and continued to follow him. She sensed the excitement radiating off of him and felt a strange feeling come over her, suddenly resenting the woman in the room ahead of her.
'Jealousy doesn't suit you' Lucas whispered quietly, appearing behind her and smiling knowingly.
Rose jumped at the sudden appearance of the Sheriff and cursed Caleb for dragging her into this. Before she had a chance to warn Caleb that they had been caught, Lucas placed his hand around her mouth and watched his Son curiously.
Caleb was oblivious to anyone else around him, all he could focus on was the room in front of him. He shifted on the spot nervously and gripped the bouquet tightly in front of him, then opened the door and smiled devilishly at his sleeping Teacher before him. As he entered the room, his eyes focused on her still body and he moved quietly to her, peering down at her in her slumber. He felt his darkness rising inside of him and reached out his hand to touch her shoulder; however, he felt a sudden intrusion which caused him to freeze on the spot.
'Caleb?' Merlyn asked confused from the far end of the room, looking up from the book she had been reading.
Selena heard the name and jolted awake, then stared wide eyed at the devil looming over her. 'Hel-' she tried to shout, but the word got caught in her mouth and her whole body began to tremble.
'It's alright, it's only Caleb' Merlyn reassured her, as she got up from her seated position and moved towards her Brother curiously.
'Of course it's alright, I've just dropped the boy off to bring some flowers from her class' Lucas interjected pleasantly, assisting his Son instinctively.
Caleb had not realised that his Father was here and relaxed slightly when he heard his lie.
'Is that so?' Merlyn asked suspiciously, knowing something was always up when Lucas decided to get involved.
'That's right' Rose added, moving beside the Sheriff and standing tall, ready to defend her boyfriend.
Merlyn narrowed her eyes at the group, then sensed Selena's panic beginning to rise and sat on her bed protectively, having no idea what was going on here.
'I brought you these, it looks like you got hurt real bad' Caleb feigned a concerned tone as he lifted up the flowers and smiled wickedly when his Sister was not looking at him.
Selena began to thrash in the bed when Caleb stepped closer to her and Merlyn grabbed her hand tight, then stood up and placed herself between the bed and her Brother instinctively. 'She's not herself, y'all should go' she ordered sweetly, choosing to remain pleasant but making the order clear in her tone.
Caleb glanced at Lucas for help to get rid of his Sister and when his Father just shrugged, he let out a moody breath and stormed out of the room with Rose following him.
Lucas glanced at the retreating children, then approached Merlyn and peered over her shoulder at Selena laying defenceless on the bed. 'What's your purpose here M?' he asked curiously, putting extra emphasis on the fake name they used for her for Selena's benefit.
'That's none of your business Sheriff, now if you don't get outta here I'm gonna have to call Matt and I doubt you want him questionin' Caleb's sudden appearance here within School hours' Merlyn smiled knowingly, sensing they were all hiding something.
'Matt and not Gail? So she put you on guard duty?' Lucas asked suspiciously, realising his wife must be on damage control to ensure that Caleb does not injur Selena any more than he already has.
'If I told you that she had would you back off?' Merlyn asked, loosing her patience with him.
Lucas cupped her chin in his hand dominantly and tilted her head up to ensure that their eyes met fully. 'I would never step on my wife's toes beautiful, but outside of this room is fair game...you make sure you tell her that' he whispered smugly, then released his grip on her when he saw the anger flare up in her eyes and left the room laughing.
Merlyn hated his lack of respect for boundaries and felt Selena squeeze the hand that she was still holding. 'It's alright, you heard him...he won't go against Gail and you're safe here' she advised reassuringly, then let out a long sigh and reached for her mobile telephone.
Gail strolled casually around the perimeter of her property, running her fingers gently over the old tall wall which shielded the garden from outsiders. Caleb was in School, Lucas was at work and she had left her youngest children with Billy in the main Study, sensing he had needed a distraction from work and knowing that he would guard them protectively while she wandered the property with Gideon and Rocky.
As Gail came up the thick woods which led to the Buck family graveyard, she pondered over Billy's predicament and let out a small laugh. She required a distraction herself due to Caleb's obsession with Selena and she supposed that was why she was so accepting of Billy's intrusion. Gail was still unsure of how Caleb had caused the wounds that Selena had sustained; however, she knew that he had called on his darkness for assistance, that much was obvious and her husbands willingness to allow Caleb to continue in such a fashion concerned her.
'Not enough to cut off his fun it appears' Joshua said casually, as he leaned against a tree and revealed his presence.
Gail had sensed Joshua watching her since she exited the Mansion. The intention of this stroll had been to draw him out, suspecting that he would not be able to allow her to roam in peace for long. 'His fun, my fun, the end result is the same for me regardless' she shrugged and stepped into the secluded woods, ignoring the whispers from all around her.
'You really should be more mindful of where you wander, there are still things on this property that you don't understand and may not appreciate your presence' Joshua warned as he followed her slowly, keeping a short distance between them.
Gail laughed and continued walking casually through the woods, with both of her dogs in close proximity to her. 'I've been here a number of times before-' she started confidently.
'That was before you tortured poor Malcolm and intended on leaving him buried at the bottom of the Trinity River' Joshua interrupted, sensing the judgement of his peers from all around him.
Gail smiled sweetly and shrugged, feigning innocence. 'Technically I didn't lay a finger on poor old Malcolm, it's not my fault I have people who take offence when I'm targeted'
Joshua could not contain his laughter and applauded her ability to remain confident even when she was entering his hostile territory.
'This isn't your territory, it's my husbands and seen as he amended his will when I showed my loyalty to him, I'd be careful of how hostile your people are to me' Gail advised, reading his mind as she continued to make her way towards the familiar clearing ahead.
Joshua stopped for a moment, cursing himself for dropping his guard around her, then closed the distance between them and peered over her shoulder when she reached the clearing. 'That's right, I remember now. It started with Calvin and just watching as your love nearly choked him to death, then good ol' Mayor John stepped it up and you threw away your morals completely, closing your hands around your husbands and squeezing the life out of him...Now I appreciate a good moral break as much as the rest of them, but do you really think we'd allow a woman to take control Gail?' he asked amused, as he leaned in close and took in her sweet scent.
Gail inhaled deeply and turned her head slightly, her face coming close to his. 'Oh I did worse than that before I accepted my true darkness and after, but I do still have my morals so let's be truthful here, can you really say I've done anything bad to an innocent party?' she whispered calmly, not allowing his dominating presence to affect her.
Joshua stared deep into her eyes and smiled devilishly. 'You think that makes what you've done alright in the eye's of God?' he asked, unable to hide his intrigue of her.
Gail held his gaze and continued to stand tall, not allowing his closeness to faze her. 'Oh I don't believe God's eyes are anywhere near this Town Joshua' she responded sweetly, then took a step past the clearing and let out a long breath when she came upon the graveyard.
Joshua smiled and nodded respectfully at her take on things, then followed close behind her as she walked up and down the rows of blank graves in the open area he was so accustomed to. He watched as she only allowed a small amount of attention to each gravestone, indicated she had a plan and did not want to deviate too much from it.
'I really don't want control you know?' Gail advised honestly, truly having no idea how she would even function here without her husband.
'What do you want Gail?' Joshua asked casually, knowing that he was not the only interested party out here.
Gail remained silent for a moment, then inhaled deeply and stopped in front of the grave at the head of the family plot. 'Him...and answers' she sighed, staring down at Rosemary's grave sadly and smiling when Gideon returned to her and lay obediently at her feet.
Joshua watched her closely as he sensed her honesty, then stared around the area and projected a warning to any who dared interfere right now. 'Answers about what Gail?' he asked, wondering whether she truly had it in her to ask the right questions.
Gail could not contain her laughter, amused at this whole exchange. She knelt down in front of Rosemary's grave, opened her old brown rucksack and pulled out a small trowel, then began gently digging in the dirt. 'Any questions I have will be put to the Master of this property, he wouldn't take kindly to me going behind his back now would he?' she advised knowingly..
Joshua narrowed his eyes at her, confused for a moment and then let out a small laugh and shook his head. 'The Master gives the orders huh?' he mocked hurtfully.
'You tell me?' Gail asked sarcastically, as she continued on with her task and did not allow Joshua to goad her into an unnecessary reaction.
Joshua felt another presence tugging at him in warning, then rolled his eyes in exasperation. 'I guess we all have rules to follow' he resigned and knelt down beside Gail, curious as to what she was doing.
Gail glanced at him suspiciously for a moment, then took out a small bag of seeds and planted them carefully in the small hole that she had just created. 'Rules were meant to be broken, but a certain amount of loyalty is required and I am loyal to him' she advised honestly, trying to establish whether Joshua's continued presence was some sort of test.
'Even at the expense of Caleb?' Joshua asked casually, then felt to ground tremble underneath him and spotted Rosemary standing at the edge of the graveyard ready to step in if required.
Gail felt her rage flare at the mention of Caleb and instantly sensed her past self when she appeared. 'We're done here' she said, standing up abruptly and dusting off her long skirt.
'We've not even started Gail' Joshua advised her amused, then watched as she signalled both of her dogs to come to her side and headed back towards the Mansion.
Lucas sat in the front passenger seat of the police cruiser while Ben drove down Main Street, with Caleb and Rose sat quietly in the backseat. Although he was happy to come to his Sons aid, he did not appreciate being drawn to a place where Gail was clearly claiming. He had no desire to challenge his wife's authority right now, although a little game now and then between mutually skilled partners did have it's benefits. She had not long given birth and had gone through an ordeal, the last thing he wanted to do was provoke her right now.
'So you're sidin' with Mom?' Caleb asked in disbelief, reading his Father's unguarded thoughts.
'I'm pullin' rank and puttin' a halt on your unwise actions for the time bein'' Lucas stated, not caring about what Ben or Rose heard.
Caleb crossed his arms over his chest moodily, then shot Rose a warning glance when she looked curiously at them.
Ben's eyes moved to the rearview mirror to check on the children then he stared fixated on the road ahead, knowing better than to get involved in his Lucas' affairs.
Lucas sensed the obedience within the car and smiled dominantly. His wife had sent Merlyn to guard Selena while she was in the Hospital, nothing was said about when she was released and he would ensure Caleb had the freedom he required, should the boy wish to test his darkness further.
'And Lucas just left?' Gail asked confused, unsure why Lucas would back down so easily if he had a desire to hurt Selena.
'He said he wouldn't step on your toes there and wanted me to let you know' Merlyn shrugged, holding baby Gail on her knee and carefully feeding her with a bottle.
Gail thought for a moment, not trusting her husband when it came to Selena's well being and paced Judith Temple's old place of work. Merlyn had done well in renovating the space, especially with her lack of experience and it was nice to see that some of the neighbourhood children were taking advantage of the free facilities and playing in the Nursery.
'Is this hard?' Merlyn asked and held up the bottle for a moment, changing the subject.
'Breastfeeding?' Gail asked confused.
'Gettin' it into a bottle' Merlyn clarified and continued feeding the baby.
'There's tool's that come in handy' Gail shrugged then stopped in front of one of Judith's drawing's that Merlyn had framed and surrounded by flowers. She reached up to touch the frame which had been hung carefully on the wall and recoiled when she felt a small shock on her fingers. 'You still doting over Saint Judy?' she asked sarcastically, trying not to allow her dislike for the woman to show.
Merlyn sensed the hostility Gail felt for her Mother and shook her head in exasperation. 'I still love my Momma if that's what you're askin', but I guess you've got bad blood with however's lay with the almighty Lucas Buck, whether they wanted to or not' she responded cattily and continued to focus on the baby.
'Only the ones who act like victims when they went against their deal, you know like your Mother did? Don't act as though you really believe he went after her for no reason, you're smarter than that' Gail laughed in disbelief of her Cousins naivety, then waved pleasantly at Luke as he climbed onto a soft bean bag triumphantly and yelled for her attention.
'Lucas tell you that?' Merlyn asked angrily, not appreciating her Cousins take on the matter.
'It's not my take on anything, it's the truth and you really think Lucas talks about Judith to me?' Gail asked irritated and signalled for Luke to come to her.
Merlyn stood up carefully while still holding baby Gail and approached her Cousin cautiously. 'You're not actin' like yourself, since when do you blame rape victims for what happened to them?' she asked concerned.
'Again, she's not a victim and come on, you really think I wouldn't stand up for a woman if I truly believed that she was being targeted? I just think it's inappropriate to build a shrine for a woman who prided herself of her goodness when she obviously made a deal like the rest of us, but couldn't bare to pay up when the time came. God forbid you put up some current family pictures' Gail snapped and picked up Luke when he walked all the way on his own.
'God ain't here remember?' Joshua's smug voice whispered, as the wind blew in from an open window.
Merlyn gave off an involuntary shiver as she heard the faint voice, then turned towards Gail. 'Who are you talkin' to if not Lucas?' she asked suspiciously, unsure where this new found attitude had come from and very concerned for her Cousin.
'No one you need to concern yourself about. How's Selena doing?' Gail asked, changing the subject knowing she had said too much due to her inability to stop thinking about Joshua and Lucas' deals.
'Selena's petrified of bein' alone for some reason and you're hidin' important things from me. Which one do you wanna talk about first?' Merlyn asked bluntly, not willing to let her Cousin keep her in the dark any longer. She felt as though she was slowly being pushed out of the family and it was about time that she was allowed in the loop.
'You really want in Merlyn Ann?' Gail asked amused, in a voice much like her husbands. 'You've been happy living in your perfect little world with your Doctor boyfriend, shielded from every bad thing that's been going on in this Town. Do you really want to be dragged down by your Brother's drama yet again?'
Merlyn took in a sharp intake of breath and she stared at Gail concerned. It was not like her Cousin to be so frank with her and the fact that she had mentioned Caleb made Merlyn worry about what he was really doing at the Hospital today.
'Caleb's his Father's Son Merlyn, but unlike your perfect Saint Judy I have his Father's trust and Caleb's best interests at heart. Neither one would go against me if I really put my foot down' Gail advised calmly.
'So put your foot down! Don't you think Selena's been through enough?' Merlyn snapped, feeling the worry spread through her body and making her agitated.
Gail let out a long sigh and walked slowly towards the open window, then peered out into the desolate street and spotted Joshua watching them carefully. 'It's not my place to prevent a boy from growing' she said through gritted teeth, hating Joshua's smug smile.
'And if he kills her?' Merlyn asked in disbelief.
'Then we've both failed' Gail glanced sadly at Merlyn over her shoulder, then returned her attention to the street.
-To be continued-