Matt Crower stood pacing around his dark cell after waking up from yet another nightmare, it had been 3 days since he had stayed over at Gail's house and he had been plagued with sleepless nights since then. If it was not dreams of being attacked by an inmate while he lay helplessly strapped to his bed, it was dreams of his dead family. He had just begun to start feeling normal; however, now it appeared that he had taken a step back and the horrors that previously haunted him had returned.

'I don't know Doc...' Lucas said through the bars on the cell door, '...I don't think you've experienced any true horror just yet. What's wrong...are you scared of the things that go bump in the night?'

Matt shook his head, he was not in the mood for visitors right now and certainly not Lucas Buck. 'Go away' he said turning towards the small barred window in his cell.

Lucas laughed, 'Is that any way to treat the man who could arrange for your freedom?'

'Freedom? No thanks Sheriff, I'd rather rot in here than accept your help' Matt said stubbornly and continued to stare out of the window.

'And I'd rather chew off my own hand than help you Harvard; however, we both have a mutual friend who would benefit from us coming to an arrangement here. Unless you want me to discuss some sort of deal with her that is?'

Gail was always off with Lucas for the few days after she returns this man to his rightful place after his day leave and it was beginning to get in the way of their relationship. Had Lucas not had the unexpected return of Merlyn Ann, he could have handled one interference with his love; however, he could not chance them both working together in an attempt to turn her against him, especially with him not fully understanding her darkness yet.

The thought of Gail potentially making a deal with Lucas on his behalf got Matt's attention and he turned towards his nemesis. 'She'd never bargain with you, she's too smart for that'

Lucas shook his head at how oblivious his old adversary had become. 'Open your eyes Harvard, how do you think she got your precious day leave? I have to say I thoroughly enjoyed that little encounter and it well and truly sealed the deal on our relationship' he boasted.

Matt clenched his fists and closed his eyes tight in an attempt to control his anger. He had suspected Gail had done something to secure his day leave; however, she would not tell him and the thought of it bringing his friend closer to this monster was too much to handle.

'Calm down Doc, we don't want you to have an episode' Lucas said laughing, it always put him in a good mood tormenting this man.

Although Harvard had been an irritation to him, he had lasted the longest out of all the adversaries Lucas had faced. That warranted a little respect which is why he was here potentially considering terms of his release, as opposed to hanging the man with his own bed sheets. Besides, Lucas enjoyed watching the righteous fall and it would be a triumphant victory if he got Matt to want to make a deal with him.

Matt took a deep breath and tried to think, he always thought he would never make a deal with the devil and the man in front of him was as close to the devil as you could get; however, Gail had been acting strange and she was clearly tired with having to take on Caleb, the mysterious girl who now lived with them and his problems. He could see why the stress of the situation would cause her common sense to disappear and allow her to fall into the arms of the very man she once vowed to destroy. She was probably so worn out with everything else that she could not resist the temptation any longer and Matt knew he was not helping the situation.

He had told his friend that his predicament was down to his own foolish actions and he needed to own the consequences of that. Matt knew this place was beginning to wear him down and he needed to get out, maybe hearing what Lucas had to offer would not be so bad.

'It wouldn't be so bad at all...' Lucas said reading his mind, '...you shouldn't have to worry about everybody else all the time Doc, think of yourself for a change. We could do this in a way that no one would ever know, that way you get to keep your dignity'

Due to the continuous broken sleep of the past few days Matt was tired and felt himself being pulled towards Lucas' influence. Lucas sensed Matt's resolve beginning to falter and he felt the familiar pride that always came once he broke someone down, then brought them to his level.

Having the righteous Matt Crower under his thumb would be almost as much of a victory as it had been when Gail first gave herself over to him. She had also believed she was too good to stoop down to his level; however, when she had finally been unable to resist his advances any longer, he took her in the dirt of his own territory. She had still tried to deny him until the unexpected actions of his old flame Angela pushed the man before him over the edge, the whole situation could not have worked out better if he would've orchestrated it all himself.

Matt felt his dignity slipping away and shook his head at what he was about to do. 'OK Lucas, you wi...'

'Now, now Mr Crower...I don't think you should be having visitors this early in the morning' interrupted the voice of a female orderly and Matt watched as she pushed passed Lucas and opened the door. 'Seen as you're up and out of bed, let's take you for a walk' the orderly said sweetly.

Lucas glared at the woman who had barged past him and entered the room as though he was not present. 'Excuse me Miss, what do you think your doin'?' he asked irritably.

The orderly flicked her long brown hair over her shoulder confidently, then turned towards Lucas and gave him a devilish grin. Lucas spotted a slight glint in her eyes and stared at her fascinated, he could not be 100% sure; however, there was something in the attractive young woman's eyes which reminded him of Gail. When she turned away from him to regard Matt, he reached for her arm and his suspicions were confirmed when the familiar growls of Gideon came from behind him.

'Be careful sir, it appears someone doesn't approve of the actions you're about to take' the orderly said sweetly and linked her arm around Matt to lead him out of the cell.

Lucas shook his head slowly then shot Gideon a challenging glance, the dog stared defiantly back at him and went to the young woman's side. 'If I was you I'd be careful around wild animals Miss, they have a tendency to bite when they feel cornered'

The woman smiled at Matt sweetly, then her smile faded when she turned towards Lucas and she regarded his seriously. 'Yes they do...you should be careful of wild things that you don't fully understand, they may do more than just bite' she said and led Matt down the corridor away from Lucas.

Gail woke up suddenly in her bed covered in sweat, she inhaled deeply trying to get some air into her lungs and ran her hand through her damp hair. She had been having a strange dream about being in Juniper House with Matt; however, she did not feel like herself and it was as though she worked there. She did not remember much of the dream, but she recalled Gideon being in it and having an urgency to get Matt out of his cell.

A soft knock came at her bedroom door and it was opened slightly. 'Gail?' Merlyn called quietly.

Gail sighed, 'What?' she asked abruptly.

Merlyn peered around the door and spotted her cousin sat upright in bed covered in sweat. 'Sorry to bother you, I heard you talkin' to yourself when I was on my way to the kitchen and wanted to check that you were alright'

Gail shook her head and pushed her bed sheets down, she did not mean to snap at M she was just frustrated with her strange dreams of late. 'I'm fine...' she said getting out of bed and stretching, '...I must've been talking in my sleep'

Merlyn could not help but stare at her cousin in her vest and shorts, admiring her toned legs and full breasts. Gail caught her staring and gave her a questioning look, 'Is there a problem?' she asked.

Merlyn had never lived with a woman before and was finding it hard not to stare when her cousin let her figure show. She looked down at her hands and the long faded T Shirt she was wearing herself, she could never envision herself as anything other than average. 'There's no problem and I don't mean to stare, I was just thinkin' how pretty you look compared to me' she said nervously.

Gail looked down at her short pyjamas and smiled. 'Behave, I'm nothing special I just dress it up well' she said and walked towards her wardrobe to find something suitable to wear for the day ahead. She did not think of herself as attractive, she was who she was and believed every woman was beautiful in their own way. 'There's nothing wrong how you look you know?'

Merlyn laughed, 'I look like a boy with long brown hair and all I usually wear are T Shirts, jeans and sneakers'

Gail picked out a short mocha dress that she could wear with a pair of boots and some tights, she was considering visiting Lucas later and liked to dress well for the occasion. She threw the dress on her bed and continued scanning through her wardrobe. 'Firstly, you don't look like a boy and there's nothing wrong with jeans...secondly, if you're tired of what you're wearing then do something about it' she said pulling out a short maroon dress and a short sleeved cream cardigan.

Merlyn walked a little further into the room, she was happy for any advice as she was still struggling to come to terms with being alive and not being caged up in a house like she used to be with her father. 'I wouldn't know where to even begin doing anything about how I feel'

Gail turned towards her and sighed, 'Well you can start by getting a shower upstairs and putting this on' she said handing her the hanger with the red dress and cardigan. 'After that we'll drop Caleb off at Boone's house and go shopping, I'll have to stop in at work while we're in town though'

Merlyn smiled, she had never been clothes shopping before. 'But I don't have any money'

Gail laughed and walked out of the bedroom towards the kitchen, with Merlyn following close behind. 'Believe me, I have more than enough for us both. Haven't you heard...I'm ridiculously overpaid' she whispered jokingly.

Merlyn laughed, it was not often she got to experience the playful side of her cousin. When she used to watch over Caleb she had seen Gail being silly with him on virtually ever occasion that they were together; however, she was always surveying them from afar. It would be nice to be able to experience the carefree side of her cousin. 'OK, thank you...I did a pot of coffee for you in case you wanted some' she said then headed upstairs to shower.

'Girl after my own heart' Gail called after her and gave Rocky an affectionate cuddle before she headed towards the downstairs shower.

Lucas sat in his office staring at the reports in front of him, he could not concentrate on the menial tasks he was required to do when his mind was plagued with thoughts of Gail's darkness. He prided himself on knowing everything that was going on in his town; however, he could not figure out how she had brought Merlyn back and it appeared from the display this morning that she was toying with him.

Lucas was beginning to get obsessed with her, the last time he felt anything close to what he was feeling right now was for Judith Temple and that did not end well. He could not deny that he had been drawn to that family line all his life and it was a shame Judith wound up entangled with it all; however, he was beginning to believe Gail was the one he had been looking for all along.

'Don't got getting all soppy on me now Sheriff...' Gail said leaning against the door to his office, subconsciously reading his mind. '...I would've thought the big bad Lucas Buck would run from any sign of devotion'

Lucas smiled, he was fascinated with how she managed to use his own stealthy gift against him. 'No mushiness here Miss Emory, just the truth' he said placing his pen on the desk and started to get up.

Gail held her hand up to signal for him to remain in his seated position and walked towards him. 'I don't need your truth' she said when she reached him, then spun his chair slightly to make him face her and knelt down between his legs.

Lucas looked at her curiously and moved a strand of hair from her face. 'What is it that you need Darlin'? I'll give you whatever you want, all you gotta do is ask' he said seductively.

'Oh but I don't want you to give me anything' she said running her hands up his legs slowly.

'Is that so?' he asked, his manhood hardened the second that her hands touched him.

'Mmm...' she nodded and moved closer in-between his legs, 'It's what I want to do for you' she said then unzipped his pants, gently freed his manhood and placed him in her mouth.

Lucas inhaled deeply at the unexpected action and she began to suck him slowly. She removed him from her mouth, ran her tongue from the bottom of his manhood to the tip and then licked his tip playfully. 'Well this certainly is a surprise Darlin', what's gotten you into this mood?' he panted.

Gail smiled and looked up at him enticingly, 'I need a reason to want you in my mouth now?' she asked and moved a hand lower to play gently with his balls.

Lucas smiled, 'If that's what the lady wants who am I to say no?' he said and bit his lip to stifle his moan when she placed him in her mouth again, then began to suck.

Gail loved the taste of him in her mouth and the pleasure this action gave him. It provided her with great satisfaction knowing that she was in control and could withdraw the pleasure whenever she wanted. Right now she would be good and just savour him in her mouth, there would plenty of time later for games.

Lucas ran his hand through her hair and pulled at it gently, the intense sensation this simple act provided him with was astonishing and he just lay back watching her pleasure him. She began to suck harder and he could not prevent his moans from becoming louder. He felt her smile with him still in her mouth and his climax hit intensely when she took him in as far as she could.

Gail released him, swallowed his fluid and wiped the remnants of him off her mouth. Lucas bit his lip at how sexy she looked when she was not even trying and pulled her face to his for a passionate kiss.

'My turn' he said kneeling down to her and reaching for the bottom of her dress; however, he froze when he heard a knock on his door.

'Saved by the bell' Gail whispered in his hear playfully and stood up. 'Give me a minute M' she called at the door and watched as Lucas got up.

'You're tellin' me you came here to selflessly pleasure me and you're expecting me not to retaliate? Do you not know me at all Miss Emory?' he asked grabbing her hips and pulling her to him.

Gail placed her hands on his chest and gently pushed away. 'I know you well enough Sheriff and I'm expecting a full on retaliation later on, but not right now'

Lucas shook his head, most men would be feel priveleaged if their other half pulled a stunt like this; however, he enjoyed giving pleasure just as much as receiving it and he was not impressed. 'As that young girl is waiting for you I'll respect your boundaries, but all bets are off tonight'

Gail walked towards the door, opened it and glanced back at him over her shoulder. 'I'm counting on that Sheriff' she said, then closed the door as she left.

Ben sat on the bonnet of his patrol car with Billy, drinking a cup of coffee. He had not spent as much time with his friends as he would have liked. due to being focused on his relationship with Rita; however, as she was used to him putting her above his friends, he could not figure out a way to tell her that he wanted to start going out for drinks with them again.

'So let me get this straight...' Billy said taking a sip of his coffee, 'You don't want to offend her, but you want to restart our late night drinking sessions?'

'When you say it like that it sounds offensive...' Ben sighed, '...I like spending time with Rita and I'm damn lucky to have her, but I feel like I need some space'

'Well I wouldn't open with that Benji...' Lucas said coming from behind the pair, '...women can be fragile. You wanna make it sound like it's something she needs, not what you need'

Billy shook his head, 'Since when did you become such an expert on relationships?'

Lucas shrugged, 'Since I bagged Gail Emory who initially hated me and have managed to keep her. Do you see me having to ask permission for things?'

Billy laughed, 'I don't see Gail having to ask permission to do anything either...in fact, she's never stopped coming out for drinks with me so it's safe to assume who wears the pants in your relationship Buck'

Lucas moved closer to Billy and smiled devilishly. 'With the things that woman lets me do to her, she can wear whatever pants she wants Billy-boy'

Ben stood up from his seated position, he could see the challenging look that come over Billy's face and did not want both of them causing a scene due to his problems. 'Now come on fella's, let's not do this'

Lucas stepped away from Billy, 'He's right Doc...it's Saturday and our shift if almost over, what do say we skip out early and continue to discuss Ben's troubles over a beer?'

Billy watched Lucas suspiciously, one minute the man was tormenting him and the next he wanted to go for a drink. The man was a mystery and Billy knew he should be careful; however, he had enjoyed the time he spent with him at the Pool Hall the last time and it was not in Billy's nature to turn down a drink. 'I can manage a drink, it's my day off after all'

'Atta-boy Doc...between us I'm sure we'll straighten my Deputy out in no time' Lucas said and patted Ben on the back.

Gail sat with M, Selena and Rita outside a Coffee Shop on main street. They had came across Selena in a Lingerie Store and they had stumbled across Rita while they were on their way to her car to unload all the bags of clothes they had bought. Rita appeared to be bewildered with something; therefore, Gail agreed to get something to drink with her so she could talk it out.

'So let me get straight...you're complaining that Ben wants to spend too much time together? I'm failing to see how that's a bad thing' Selena said taking a sip of her latte.

'Ben's lovely' Merlyn said nervously, then ate the marshmallow that was in her hot chocolate.

Rita sighed and started to play with her hands. 'I know he's lovely and I know I sound crazy. We've been together for a few months and it's all goin' great, but we're always together when we're not in work' she said, emphasising on the word always.

Merlyn regarded Rita curiously, Ben was one of the kindest people she had ever met and she would happily spent all day with him if she could. 'What's wrong with that?' she asked, oblivious to the fact that she was butting into an adult conversation.

'I think we need to work on your manners...' Gail said and took a sip of her green tea, '...What's wrong with that is if you just work then go home to someone who is with you all the time, you don't have any time to breathe. I couldn't think of anything worse'

Merlyn thought about this for a moment then shrugged, 'I still don't get it'

Gail sighed, she had somehow taken on mothering a teenage girl as well as a young boy, so she knew exactly what Rita was getting at. 'OK, it's like being under water...the feeling of the water on your skin is nice for a while; however, if you go too deep and stay under for too long, the pressure of the water becomes too intense and you start to suffocate'

'Exactly!' Rita said, thankful that someone could understand where she was coming from.

'But you work and you also have Caleb, Matt, Rocky and me that you're taking care of' Merlyn said thinking out loud.

'Yes I do' Gail agreed and took another sip of her drink, waiting for the penny to drop.

Merlyn was hit with a sudden wave of clarity, 'So you can't breathe?'

Gail smiled, it was obvious that the amount of dependants she had recently taken on could cause her to suffocate and it was getting to a stage where her instincts were telling her to flee; however, she would manage it all and was trying to think of it as a challenge. 'I breathe just fine as I have ways and means to work off my daily pressures...'

'Namely Lucas Buck' Selena interjected cattily and continued drinking her latte, this tedious conversation was beginning to bore her.

'Anyway...' Gail said shooting Selena a warning glance and turned her attention back to Rita, '...so you should've set the boundaries of the relationship early on and now you're stuck in a place where whatever you say could cause offence...'

'How did you set the boundaries with the Sheriff?' Merlyn interrupted curiously. She had not been confident enough to broach the subject of him with her cousin previously, but Selena had provided an opening.

Rita also jumped on this line of questioning, it was not often she was able to find personal things out about Gail and her friend could not be angry at her as she was not the one who brought the subject up. 'I always thought it would be hard to negotiate with Lucas Buck, but everything appears to be fine with you two...how did you manage that?'

Gail ran her hand through her hair, looked up at the sky and sighed. Why the conversation had turned towards her relationship was beyond her comprehension; however, it appeared all her present company had jumped on the band wagon. 'My association with Lucas Buck is no-ones business but ours' she said abruptly.

Selena feigned a concerned look, 'Oh but look at this poor woman at her wits end. The secret to your perfect relationship would surely assist her out of her quandary'

Gail bit her lip and shook her head in exasperation. She felt backed into a corner and she never played well when she felt trapped, she could sense the presence within her slowly rising to her defence; however, she took a deep breath and pushed it back down. 'Fine, I don't regard my so called 'perfect relationship' as a relationship...' she sighed, '...The minute you label something, you lose control. Both of your problems are that you feel the need to seek comfort in men, it's drilled into women that you can't be alone as you need a man for companionship. The issue with that is you can get trapped and then there's no way out'

Selena laughed, she had witnessed the desire in Gail's eyes when she was around Lucas and did not understand why she was talking as though she was not also trapped. 'So you don't have needs or desires Gail? I don't believe that for a second'

Merlyn spotted a strange glint in her cousins eye and chose to sit back and survey how this conversation was going to play out. She was beginning to understand what Gail had previously meant about vindictiveness and jealousy within women, even when they appeared to be friends.

Gail smiled maliciously and took a another sip of her drink. 'My needs are not as pathetic as the usual fear of being alone that most woman have Selena, I've been alone all my life and prefer it. I don't need a man to make me feel whole or comforted, what I require from Lucas Buck taps into a whole different level of desire and he can't help himself from coming back for more...I would've thought that was obvious with how quick he discarded you when I returned his advances'

Selena shook her head and smiled, this was the Gail she wanted and not the boring one who pretended she cared for the tedious everyday problems of the pretty little nurse before them. Selena did not know how to be friends with a woman, it all seemed so false and she did not understand why people hid their true thoughts of one another. The strange friendship she had with Gail was refreshing and they were always honest with each other, not like how she was with Rita. 'What I had with your current partner was good and lasted longer than you can imagine. When he's bored with your little innocent mundane act, he'll come running back to me...it's inevitable' she said confidently.

Gail leaned forward and rested her elbows on the table, disregarding Merlyn and Rita who chose to remain silent. She felt the presence inside screaming at her to react viciously, but she did not require help putting Selena in her place. 'Innocent and mundane? You don't even know the half of it, if you did you'd get out of this dream world you're living in and realise he's done with you...' she said malicioulsy, '...When was the last time he actually showed you any attention? If I remember correctly it was when I found out that I was pregnant and disregarded him...see that's what it's gonna take for him to settle for you Selena, me rejecting him and at this moment in time it's amusing me too much having something that you can't have so I'm gonna keep him for now'

Selena inhaled deeply in an attempt to control her anger, she was happy with Billy; however, if Lucas ever did visit her with a proposition she knew she would always agree. The thought of Gail's smugness over having what was hers infuriated her, but she still enjoyed the time they spent with this woman and the comments made would not change that. 'One day you'll have to elaborate on the non innocent or mundane things you get up to' she said suggestively.

Gail felt herself relax and leaned back in her chair, 'Maybe one day I will'

Rita let out a relieved sigh, she did not know why these two woman chose to get together when they clearly had issues with one another; however, she was happy that it had calmed down. 'So, what am I doin' about my problem?'

Gail considered for a moment, then got up from the table and signalled for her boarder to follow her. 'You're gonna go home, get changed into something comfortable and meet up with me and Selena in a few hours.

Selena smiled devilishly and she was not even concerned about what Billy would think. 'Jimmy's bar?' she asked.

Gail shook her head as she searched for her car keys in her bag. She had received a text from Billy earlier informing her that her lover had decided they were going out for drinks, so she thought it would be best to steer cleart. 'Nah, let's leave the boy's to their usual haunt. We'll meet up at my place, I've got an idea for a quiet place we can head out too later on...Now come on M, I think we've neglected our youngest long enough' she said and headed to her car to pick up Caleb.

-To be continued-