Lucas entered the Sheriff's Station just after midday and whistled happily as he strolled through the main reception. Today was going to be a good day and he did not want to rush the task of booking Selena, as he wanted her to stew in her own self loathing a little while longer.

Ben glanced at Floyd expectantly; however, the man just put his head down nervously and tried to busy himself. Ben had been waiting for Lucas to show up all morning to find out what was going on and now that the Trinity Guardian had delivered a late print, the news was out for all the read. 'Lucas' he called, trying to keep his composure.

Lucas sensed the discomfort in the room and approached the front desk. 'Everythin' alright Deputy? Don't tell me you're havin' problems with the Mrs so soon after you spent quality time together yesterday?' he asked sarcastically.

Ben shifted on the spot for a moment and then stood tall, remembering this was nothing to do with him as he was not on shift early this morning. 'Have you checked the Guardian?'

Lucas narrowed his eyes at his friend and leaned against the counter. 'I've had more pressing activities to attend to than readin' Ben, what's my wife gotten herself into now?' he asked flatly, feeling his good mood start to falter.

'It ain't Gail it's Merl..' Ben started, then remembered Floyd was close by. '..It's M and you really wanna read this'

Lucas took the newspaper that Ben offered him and glanced at the front cover curiously. The headline read: 'School Teacher arrested after concussion caused erratic behaviour' and Lucas let out an exasperated breath. 'Who was stupid enough to allow a member of the press in to see our prisoner this morning?' he asked around the room angrily.

All heads looked in different directions and only Ben had to confidence to look directly at Lucas. 'I think Johnny was on shift this mornin', but he wouldn't have known who she was. She's just a young girl'

'A young girl that's published enough to provide a jury with probable cause, well done fella's' Lucas said bluntly as he attempted to control his rage at the family he had married in to, then headed towards his office and slammed the door closed.

Merlyn strolled with Gail in the park, as they pushed Luke and Lucy in their buggies. She had been nervous about her article being published, with how much she had accused the hospital of a failure in their duty of care; however, now that it was out there for all to read, she felt a strange feeling of empowerment. Now that the challenge had been completed, she could focus on having a relaxing day with her family and fully ponder over the happenings of the previous night with Matt.

'You look different, is there anything you want to tell me?' Gail asked amused, as she nodded pleasantries at the townspeople they passed.

Merlyn took a sharp intake of breath, then giggled when Gail shot her a knowing smile. 'Do I have to say it?' she asked timidly.

Gail let out a long sigh and shook her head. 'I don't need to know the grisly details, just whether he hurt you and if you're OK?' she asked concerned about her cousin.

'He was fine and I'm OK' Merlyn smiled uncontrollably.

'Just fine? Maybe he needs some tips from Lucas to remind him of how it should go' Gail suggested mockingly.

Merlyn's mouth dropped open at the unexpected comment and they both laughed. 'Well I don't think I'm quite ready for the Buck treatment' she giggled, 'Let's just say it was what I wanted and he was amazing'

Gail reached over and hugged her cousin lovingly, this girl really had come a long way considering the hand she had initially been dealt with in life. 'Well good, as long as he remembered where to put it then that's fine' she joked, knowing better than to scold a teenager and then stared at the path ahead of them.

'You wanted me to give Selena a defence didn't you? That's why you didn't want to be associated with the article?' Merlyn asked, after a moment of silence.

'There's no love lost between me and that woman, but I think she's had enough bad luck for now. The pawn needs a chance to recover, otherwise the game isn't fair' Gail shrugged, suspecting Merlyn understood more than she let on.

Merlyn regarded her cousin curiously and decided to stop shying away from her. They were family and it was about time that they got back to being straight with each other. 'You know what you did at the wedding, that's why you've changed isn't it?' she asked, as she took hold of her cousins arm to prevent her from walking away.

Gail looked down at the hand gripping her arm and felt the heat begin to rise within her, then took a deep breath and pushed down the anger before it had time to properly form. 'I know what I did and I'm dealing with it' she answered honestly. 'What more do you want from me?'

'I want you to get out of that house until you figure out what's going on with you. Being there with him is not going to help, it's going to damn you' Merlyn warned, concerned for her cousin.

'He's the only person that's trying to correct my mistakes, you really don't want me to push him away right now' Gail advised, choosing to keep her cards hidden. 'This doesn't concern you and I don't want you dwelling on it. Christie's fine for now, you saw her last night and Matt now has custody of Lucy...Everything will revert back to how it should be, so just relax'

Merlyn could see the warning in her cousins eyes and did not want to be the reason she lost control; therefore, she just took a deep breath and squeezed her arm affectionately, ignoring the niggling feeling at the back of her mind that something was wrong with the statement she had made. 'Alright, well let's get back to my first time...I have no idea where I'm supposed to go from here!' she forced a laugh and they continued to walk through the park, talking as though they'd known each other forever.

Lucas paced his garden impatiently, waiting for his family to return home. After he had read the article fully, he decided to release Selena without charging her and his mood had gone down hill from there.

He was initially going to confront Merlyn Ann for her blatant disrespect for him, then he realised that she would not have taken this bold action on her own merit. Merlyn was as strong willed and intelligent as the best women he knew; however, she lacked the confidence to act these days without the authority of someone that she trusted. Matt Crower had her trust but he knew better than to get involved in something like this, that just left his beloved and that meant she had played him.

Lucas could forgive a lot in his wife, double murder, constant doubts, insults about his genuine intentions; however, being played was not something he took lightly, especially when he had allowed her into his game in the first place. This was partly his fault, he had believed Gail had truly wanted to help him with the punishment of Selena and had trusted her to steer the pawns in a certain way. He would not make that mistake again and he would not tolerate this defiance.

He stopped pacing when he heard the loud raw of the Mustangs engine and waited patiently for his family to appear. Caleb ran out of the car towards him ready to tell him about his day; however, Lucas signalled for him to take Luke inside and give him a few moments with his Step Mother.

Lucas spotted Gail glance over her shoulder, when she was getting Luke out of the car and knew she sensed what was coming. He nodded appreciatively when she handed Luke to Caleb without hesitation and she gave Caleb a reassuring smile, to show the boy she was not concerned about anything. At any other time, her consideration of keeping their disagreement away from his children would have melted away his anger; however, the rage that he had felt all day would not be tamed by such a small act.

'So what size act is required sweetheart?' Gail asked sarcastically, as she approached him and began to walk casually around the garden inspecting the plants.

Lucas inhaled deeply, in an attempt to remain in control. He was not bothering to shield his thoughts, he wanted her to understand how furious he was.

'And I do understand...So, are we going to have this one sided conversation all night, or are you going to speak to me properly husband?' she asked casually, not rising to his intimidation methods.

'I thought you were with me...' he started.

'I am' she interjected honestly, not wanting his doubt of her loyalty to continue to fester.

'When did you see her?' he asked, changing his tactics.

'This morning before I got the children, is it a crime to visit a person these days?' she asked, feigning innocence.

Lucas started to pace around the garden, retracing her steps. Every plant she touched, he glared at and they began to dry up. 'What did you two discuss?'

Gail glanced over her shoulder and noticed the withering plants and clasped her hands in front of her chest as she continued walking around the garden slowly. 'The weather, pillow fights, boys...the usual girl things' she answered amused.

Lucas could feel his rage rising and it was directed solely at her. He had never felt this angry since the day Judith had threatened to take his new born baby away and expose him, this was not safe territory.

'Is that my fate? The same as Saint Judy?' she asked, mocking the title. 'I suppose there's worse ways to go. Although if you're taking suggestions I'd rather you dispose of me in the river, that'd be a fitting end. Almost poetic given our past history'

Lucas did not like her talking that way; therefore, he quickened his pace and gripped her arm tight. 'You want me to kill you, is that it?' he asked angrily.

'I don't believe I do, but if you are putting me in the same category as Judith then it's inevitable is it not?' she asked curiously and stared deep into his eyes.

'You think I killed her?' Lucas asked, intrigued by her ability to surprise him into changing the topic of conversation.

'You told me you didn't the first time this came up, care to revise your answer soulmate?' she smiled knowingly.

'You were fragile then' he shrugged.

'And now I'm not, so Judith and Merlyn Ann Temple...' she started accusingly.

'Go on, say it. You haven't got the balls to ask Darlin'' Lucas interrupted, amused. 'You don't wanna know and there's no shame in that. Why would you want your world to be shattered?'

Gail stared at him defiantly, feeling her own rage coming to the surface. She was aware that she had avoided these questions previously and the subject coming up after she had committed herself to this man under God, for better or for worse, was not ideal; however, he had blatantly challenged her and she was still the same old Gail who would not back down from a challenge, it was not in her nature. 'Judith Temple...you raped her and killed her, correct?' she asked without hesitation.

'Correct' Lucas replied and watched as she did not react.

'And Merlyn Ann Temple?'

'Did I rape her?' he laughed mockingly.

'Did you kill her?' she asked seriously.

Lucas paused for a moment, truly not expecting her to go this far. She had hurt him more than he wanted to admit by getting Selena out of his trap, he had opened up the podium for this line of questioning to punish her, knowing she was bound to him for life; therefore, there was no reason to keep up the charade that had been ongoing since he had met her. 'For the record, I wanna point out that I've never lied to you about that girl' he advised, knowing she would not drop this.

'Did you kill her?' Gail repeated the question, with no emotion.

'Yes' he answered honestly and stared deep into her eyes observantly, to gauge her true reaction.

Gail stared back at him unfazed and remained silent for a few minutes. When it was evident that he was remaining as unmoved as she was, she just smiled. 'For better or for worse?' she whispered.

'For better or for worse' Lucas repeated, then let out a pained moan when her knee came up to his crotch hard and the wind was knocked out of him.

Gail could feel her rage clawing to be released at the revelation she had suspected for so long; however, she pushed deep down. She had asked Merlyn on numerous occasions if there was something she had wanted to tell her and the girl had just shrugged off her concern, allowing her to marry into this hell. What was she even doing here? Trying to be the prim and proper example that her Mother outwardly was? Her whole family was damaged and there was no escaping the curse that was their lives.

Unable to control it any longer, Gail succumbed to her rage and let it flow freely through her veins. The urges that she had been blocking for over a week took over and visions flooded through her mind of her friends laying dead on the ground in a multitude of different ways. She inhaled deeply and the images to sooth her, not dwelling on what that might actually mean. She had pushed down what she thought to be wrong her entire life and now she fully accepted it all.

Lucas sensed the full change come over her and got to his feet. His twin was clawing to be released, to meet with her darkness; however, he kept him caged so he could experience her change without any interference. 'You feel that right? The power flowing through your veins. How does it make you feel?' he asked curiously, remembering his first full acceptance of what he was.

Gail disregarded his question and just closed her eyes, then embraced her darkness. Pictures continued to flow through her mind until they stopped on one image and it caused her to smile. 'You want to know how I knew Christie's location?' she asked sweetly, quickly closing her mind off to him.

'Yes I do' Lucas answered, wondering how long she knew that question was bothering him.

'Because you have a weakness' she advised, as she closed the distance between them and ran her fingers down his chest.

'And what would that be?' he asked suspiciously, as he wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her closer to him.

Gail laughed and licked her lips. 'I really do love you' she whispered honestly and gazed into his eyes lovingly.

Lucas was taken aback by the ease in which the statement was delivered. It was the first time that she had ever admitted her true feelings to him and for once he was unsure of what his next move should be.

'You're mad because of Selena, I appreciate that' she acknowledged, continuing to stroke his chest and allowing him to hold her. 'You want to know why I interfered?'

Lucas continued to stare into her dark eyes and caught a glimpse of her true self, his twin clawed harder to be released when he spotted the malice in those eyes. 'It was not your place to interfere' he scolded 'So yes, I wanna know why'

Gail kissed his lips softly, then smiled grimly. 'What better way to distract an animal than dangle his food under his nose' she laughed, amused at the situation.

Lucas stopped stroking her back, then gripped her hips tight and pushed her to arms length roughly. 'What does that mean Gail? What have you been up to?' he asked seriously, trying to insert his dominance.

'I haven't been up to anything my love, I've been right here with you the whole time' she stated sweetly, then released the barriers blocking her thoughts and smiled viciously when the realisation set in with him.

Lucas released his twin as soon as her mind became unguarded and let go of her hips when the previously blocked images flowed through his minds. Without another word, he started to back away from her and turned towards his car in the driveway.

Gail watched as he shook his head disapprovingly at her and started to rush out of the garden. 'Good luck cleaning up my mess this time Master Buck' she called at him amused, then turned around and went towards the house to see to the children.

Lucas got part way down the road in his car, when he decided there was no time for traffic. He closed his eyes and called upon his twin again, when he opened his eyes he was outside Selena's house in front of the open door leading to the kitchen. He took a deep breath to push down his rage and entered the property, not fully sure what he was going to find.

When he entered the kitchen, he saw blood stained paw prints leading from the bedroom through to the kitchen and out into the world. He was annoyed at his own stupidity and walked up to the open bedroom door cautiously, then let out a long sigh when he peered into the room.

'This behaviour just won't do' he said to himself, as he shook his head at Billy Peele's dead body laying next to Christie's lifeless body on the bed.

He moved closer to examine the bodies, even though he knew instantly from the paw marks what had happened. Both bodies had bite marks and torn pieces of flesh from their necks, this had Gideon written all over it and if he was not so pissed at being manipulated, he would have been impressed by Gail's tactics.

Lucas looked down at his friend in irritation, he had actually became fond of Billy-boy and the man did not deserve to go out like this. As if in agreement with him, a strong gust of wind blew through the room and Billy began coughing up blood. Suddenly the telephone began to ring and Lucas stared at it suspiciously, 'You just hang on their fella, I'll be right with you' he said to Billy's injured body casually and picked up the telephone on the bedside cabinet.

After a minute of silence, he heard a small sigh. 'Dinner will be served in 20, don't be long sweetheart and make sure your friend get's plenty of fluids' Gail advised sweetly, then hung up the telephone.

Lucas let out a small laugh and shook his head in disbelief. He called an ambulance for Billy, explaining there had been a freak animal attack and carried Christie's body to his car. He would not be beaten by the powers that were on Gail's side and he would decide the fate of this Christie, no-one else.

Now he just had to figure out how to deal with his new bride and her blatant disregard for his rules.

-The End-