Subj: Roses are Red My Dear Part 1 of 6 Date: 96-07-03 01:56:08 EDT From: gdawson@procom.procom.net (Gail Dawson) Sender: owner-ag-fanfic@stargame.org To: ag-fanfic@stargame.org Carrie approached the reporter lady who was admiring the hothouse roses. She was preparing to deliver a variation on her well rehearsed speech, "Lovely, aren't they? But, I'm sorry ma'am they aren't for sale. No, they aren't ours. We just ...babysit them if you were, for Sheriff Buck." she grinned to herself, shaking her head. "You are a devil, Lucas!" she thought. Gail had placed her shopping basket on the floor as she had felt compelled to reach out and touch the almost black red roses in front of her. She had never seen anything so intriguingly beautiful. As Gail's fingertips touched the outer petals of the nearest flower, she was astonished with it's density. How could something so delicate in appearance hide such strength. It encouraged her to cup the flower in her hand as she lowered her face to inhale the scent. It was musky, not sweet and it reminded her of...it reminded her of Lucas! Horrified with the connection, Gail hastily tried to release the blossom. As she moved her hand down to her side, her flesh snagged in the thorns of the stem. Another sensation, so quick and sensual shot through Gail, she was oblivious to the pain of the wound. As she shuddered in the aftermath of the contact, she barely noticed she was now gripping the one of many stems on the rosebush. She closed her eyes, and was inundated with thoughts of Lucas: The first time she saw him, she was eight, he pulled her mom's car over, then the funeral of her parents, he was at the edge of the cemetary, in his uniform. As she boarded the Greyhound outta town when she was 12 she saw he was there again... him in his cruiser at the edge of the bus station parking lot....then, the night Caleb burned down the house...she could still feel the hardened tension in his forearms as he restrained her hold on him, she could recall every detail of the next day, the way he looked at all of her without moving his glance from her face... "Oh Gawd, Ma'am, you've gone and cut yourself!" Carrie's startled comment brought Gail out of her reverie with a jolt. She felt her hand being held in another's. The woman who was helping her was wearing cotton gardening gloves, what was happening... Gail glanced down at her hand , drawn to the stream of blood dripping down into the dirt floor. As it bounced of her shopping basket, it seemed to be spelling out something, "Truth Hurts.." , the blood quickly dissipated into a puddle at her feet. " ..Th..thank you. I guess I should have been paying more attention..." Gail was mumbling an explanation to the Nursery attendant. Oh God, what was that all about, she thought. "Them's Black Beauties all right. Miss Emory isn't it?" Carrie's head was bent over Gail's hand, as she held a tissue to the cut in her palm. Gail had a view that consisted of a dark brown ponytail protruding from the back of a baseball cap. 'Excuse me, but what's your name?" She asked. The woman raised her head and smiled at Gail. She was about two inches shorter .. Which made her seem younger than she probably was. Brilliant green eyes stared at Gail through long dark lashes. Her tanned clear complexion, was smudged with dirt across her left cheek. She had a welcoming smile. A very pretty lady indeed! "My name's Carrie Evanston, and you are Gail Emory are you not?" her eyes seemed to twinkle with mischeif it seemed. " You gone and disobeyed the signs Gail,... if I may?" Gail nodded, and the girl continued, " Can't figure a reporter for bein' illitrit - Please Do Not Touch the Roses - " Carrie was pointing to the HUGE sign that ran the length of the railing along the table the roses were sitting on. Gail had the good grace to look embarrassed. Laughing she said, " Well, that'll learn me won't it!, I'm sorry .I hope I didn't do any damage to them.' Gail hesitantly glanced toward the potted plant that had brought her so much pleasure and pain with just one touch, she was anxious to know more about them... " Now, I can see it in yer eyes Gail, and I gotta tell ya straight....these ain't for picking, touching or for me to sell. I take care of them, for a good price too, for one of our most prominent citizens... Sorry to disappoint ya!" Carrie still held Gail's hand. She was examining it carefully as she removed the tissue. "Looks like it's stopped bleeding. More or less like a paper cut now. Just git home and wash real well, okay?" the girl was genuinely concerned, Gail thought. " Thanks again Carrie, I guess I should get on with my chore of purchasing bedding out plants." Gail hesitated for a moment, then she quickly picked up her basket. "Those geraniums there, known as the headstone plant ya' know. Maybe you'd be wanting something a little more cheery,..." Carrie was walking away from Gail, to the exterior of the Greenhouse... Gail said ever so quietly, " Well, funny you said that Carrie, I do have the sad duty to say, I'm plantin' today at five graves....it's been awhile since they were tended." .....to be continued Subj: Roses are Red My Dear - part 2 of 6 Date: 96-07-03 01:57:50 EDT From: gdawson@procom.procom.net (Gail Dawson) Sender: owner-ag-fanfic@stargame.org To: ag-fanfic@stargame.org Carrie's pace slowed ever so imperceptively at the Emory lady's words..."been awhile since they were tended". She was going to correct the statement, but thought better of it. Her brother had taken care of them graves until he died four years ago. Funny, but she had never been able to bring herself to go out there and carry on that part of the family business. It was too close to Will. And Will was too far away in spirit anyway. The account for care had been closed, but on the anniversary of the Emorys' death , the Greenhouse always got a cash order to send an arrangement out there. and well, Every time someone tended to poor Judy's grave, it was ransacked by vandalls that night. It broke her brother's heart. He loved them flowers, they gave him a sense of control and purpose in his life. Something he wasn't much known for. But, he had friends in the right places, and that always got him through. Most things it did, but, in the end, he seemed to have just wanted to be part of that peace, and so he took control, he took that gun and.... " I'm sorry Carrie, but your last name, it sounds familiar to me. Did we by chance attend public school together?" Gail had caught up to her by now. They were standing near the makeshift sales desk. Receipts from Sales were fluttering in the wind on their spiked holder. "Uhh, I think I'm older than you Gail. So, not to sound snotty or nothing, but when your in school you don't much pay attention to the younger grades!" Carrie grinned at this, reflecting on her snobbery. Of course, everyone knew Gail Emory, her parents were not exactly shy folks in this town, and the way they went out...in a blaze of something if not glory, made her a famous little girl it did. " Well, maybe that's it. I moved away from here when I was pretty young, so I don't quite recall all the details of that time..." she reached into her pocket, a key was pinned in there, and touching it brought her some solace at the memories. Carrie went about writing up Gail's bill. Gail noted that the wind was picking up, as the scent of those damned roses came riding past her on the breeze. She was tempted to indulge in the aroma again, but as quickly as it arrived, it had passed. " You plannin' on plantin at your aunty's grave too?" Carrie asked the question as matter of fact, and in the next breath said, " That'll be $22.00." " Why do you ask, Carrie?" Gail reached into her oversized purse and pulled out her wallet. As she extracted the money, she noticed that Carrie was busying herself with the cash register. An odd hum eminated from the power bar that ran from the greenhouse to the counter. "Well'n I figure I would suggest that Candy Striped plant for her, is all. She was a real kind soul, your aunty. And well, as I recall, that's the plant that was always ordered for her remembrance, is all." Gail thought on that for a moment, and then asked if Carrie knew who had been looking after that grave? "I imagine it was her husband, and seein' as he's gone, well, I just want you to know it's mighty fine of you to be taking on the responsibility. Should never forget yer dead, that's what my brother believed, and so do I guess..." Carrie turned away and Gail noted she wiped at her eyes with the back of a blood splattered work glove. " ..Truth Hurts..", flashed in Gail' s mind. "Well, I best be getting to my orders Gail, it was nice chattin' with ya. When you're ready to plant at that new place o' yours I hope you stop by." and Carrie retreated into the Greenhouse. Gail was gathering her purchases when the wind swirled up in a mini twister around the desk. The Sales receipts that were secured by the spike started to fly up, but not quite off, Gail was busy trying to keep her dress from flying up around her waist, in a semi-crouched position, something on the sales spike caught her eye - "Services Rendered, Mr. Lucas Buck. paid in full", was stamped across the receipt. The wind stopped as suddenly as it came up on her. Gail looked around, noting the two Brown sisters wandering through the perenials section of the Nursery lot. The elderly ladies were leaning on each other for support. Their pointing and giggling indicated they were enthralled with the size of the snapdragons. Carrie was nowhere to be seen, Gail made to be looking for her keys, so she propped her purse up on the counter, blocking the view of possible onlookers as she thumbed through the receipts. As she came upon the receipt that bore Lucas' name, her hand was suddenly gripped by another. This time, glove free and masculine, and distinctly intent on stopping her further perusal of the receipts. "My Dear Miss Emory, '" Lucas raised Gail's hand to his mouth, and kissed the back of it, still holding her hand he said, " Fancy meeting you here!" " Dropping off the latest load of fertilizer are ya, Lucas?" Gail withdrew her hand from his in haste. In doing so, she re-opened the tiny thorn prick in her palm. "Damn!" Gail placed her hand to her mouth, and began to suck on the blood spewing forth. She pulled it away to see if it was stopping, no such luck. Lucas withdrew a handkerchief from his vest pocket. Dangling it in front of Gail's nose he stated, "May I be of assistance dear Gail?" he had that sure faced cocky grin firmly in place . She snatched the proffered "bandage", and wrapped her hand in it. "Thanks Lucas, your kindness is appreciated." Gail said sarcastically. "now, if you'll excuse me..." Lucas held his hands up in mock jester of an arrest, " Oh by all means...Gail... run along. I understand a sense of duty. As for your appreciation, well, just say you owe me one." Gail walked away with a shake of her head. Arrogant bastard. Damnit, her hand hurt now. How was she gonna get these flowers planted, now. Maybe Caleb would be interested in helping her. As she placed the flowers in the back seat of the mustang, she sensed she was being watched. When she turned around, Lucas was leaning against the counter, arms crossed, one foot draped across the other, and he was charming the pants off the Brown sisters. The smile on his face disappeared as he turned toward her gaze. Gail refused to look away as she opened the car door and sat down. His gaze narrowed abit, and she felt like she did that day after the Temple farm burned down... she quickly started her car and drove off, wanting to get away from the thoughts her mind was conjuring. She clenched her fist around his handkerchief, her thoughts eloborating on their recent contact. Lucas was holding her hand and her gaze. He bent slightly to kiss it, but instead of pulling away, she let him keep kissing her hand. In her fantasy, he was turning it over, lathing her palm, and looking up at her, with tinges of her blood on his lips... The Brown Sisters moved on into the Greenhouse, Lucas watched the red mustang drive away. A smirk on his face...Carrie showed up at his shoulder and followed his gaze, " She' s a very nice person, Lucas...what are you up to?" Draping an arm across her shoulders, Lucas took a last glance at Gail's retreating car, he gave Carrie a brotherly squeeze., " Now, Darlin' what makes you say that?" "I say that, cause I know you, Lucas. I'm the sister of your best friend, remember? I know all the secrets you two used think you were keepin', and I know when you're working on a new secret." Carrie paused a bit, she removed her gloves and hit him affectionately on the chin with them, he grinned in anticipation of her punchline..." Sugar is sweet, Lucas, is that it ?" ********To be continued****** Subj: Roses are Red My Dear - part 3 0f 6 Date: 96-07-03 01:58:20 EDT From: gdawson@procom.procom.net (Gail Dawson) Sender: owner-ag-fanfic@stargame.org To: ag-fanfic@stargame.org Lucas grinned at the analogy, "Miss Emory is more bittersweet than sugar, Carrie - " She disentangled herself quite easily from his embrace and walked behind the counter." So you've had a taste have ya?" Carrie paused in her task of recording something on the bill pad, to gauge Lucas' reaction to her comment. He was pretty hard to read most times, but she was one of the few who could say she'd seen him with his guard down. Lucas shifted his position, now leaning forward, arms folded, against the counter. He didn't answer her right away, "Let's just say she has become a bit of a thorn in my side since she returned. She isn't to keen on my friendship with Caleb Temple. And, she isn't exactly pleased with my interest in her." Carrie began to laugh. "You mean, she isn't being swayed by your boyish good looks and charm? Well, that is a challenge you're not used to ! ! Speaking of thorns, she caught herself on your roses earlier. They certainly had her attention. Maybe time to let your little secret out!" "hmmm, you don't say. Well, maybe she'll come by and I can show her a thing or two about cultivatin'." Lucas pushed himself away from the counter, and turned away from Carrie. "I gotta look into a few things Miss Daisy, I think it's time to send over a few of them rosebushs. You're crew got the spot done earlier today." He walked toward his car without waiting for her reply. "Have a Nice Day, Sheriff!" She hollered after him, he waved as an afterthought and got in his car and drove off in the direction of the cemetary. "Well Bro', looks like Lucas has a lot on his plate . Your getting visitiors . I suspect it's gonna be very busy at that graveyard " Carrie thought to herself. ************* The bullfrog was sitting still as the rocks it was surrounded by. Caleb sat stiller. He had a pickle jar in one hand and the lid in the other. Now, the sport of it was to get the frog to jump right into the jar. He watched Rose do it an hour ago, and put up with her taunts for about one minute before he decided he could do it better. He was right behind the frog, and knew it was all timing. Closing his eyes he envisioned the frog getting ready to jump at Caleb's slightest move, he opened his eyes, reached forward and at the same time the frog jumped, Caleb stumbled slightly but automatically he slammed the lid to the jar . Rolling over onto his back, he gazed at his prize. The frog was in the jar. He grinned with pride. Then looked around to see if anyone had witnessed his victory. It wasn't Rose, it was Gail who was grinning back at him. ****** Lucas walked with purpose through the headstones in the cemetary. He stopped briefly to flick a glance at Merlyn and Gage Temple's resting spots. Buried on the same day, yet Gage's headstone was barely legible. It was weather worn, paint pealing...in contrast to the Bold Black print that read Merlyn Ann Temple, her stone seemed to shine..."Bitch", Lucas muttered and he continued on his way. He found himself drawn to Will's grave when things were troubling him. Will always spoke of the answers you get from visitin' the dead as being the hardest ones to hear. Lilac Bushes shaded the Evanston Family plot. Will, his mom, his granddad, and the pet bloodhound, Blue - were in the best kept plot in the cemetary. Not the wealthiest family in town, but they knew their gardens. Carrie had done a nice job of things out here. Lucas moved from the foot of the graves to sit on the bench to the left of them. "Now talking to the dead was always something you were keen on Will, you'll remember my teasing ya. Boot's definitely on the other foot these days, my friend. Perhaps ya know her?" Lucas inclined his head in the direction he'd just come from. The sun shone through the branches of the tree near the Temple's and seemed to bathe HER grave in a spotlight. "Will, right now I got Merlyn hassling me from your side Gail hassling me from this side, and that damn Yankee questioning every death in Trinity since the turn of the century. It's about the boy, Will, he and I got things to teach each other. You always saw that. Always knew, that's why I charged you with the care of his momma's grave. And that bastard, Gage, always fouled it some how. Ain't gonna say I'm sorry he's dead, just wish I coulda tormented his soul some more before he ... expired." Lucas leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees he clasped his hands and contemplated his next thought.." that's the deal, Will, I gotta torment these bad apples 'til they turn their hand on themself. If they don't choose to grasp the hand that offers help, that is..." He stopped talking at the sound of a car, Gail's car, pulling up on the roadside. The winds were picking up again, he could hear her laughing with someone, Caleb, by the sounds of it. "Sorry to cut this visit short, friend...if you can, maybe stay on the sidelines a bit, I'm gonna need a little moral support for this family reunion." ****to be continued**** Subj: Roses are Red My Dear - part 4 of 6 Date: 96-07-03 02:00:25 EDT From: gdawson@procom.procom.net (Gail Dawson) Sender: owner-ag-fanfic@stargame.org To: ag-fanfic@stargame.org Caleb exited the convertible, by vaulting over the car door. Gail was busy gathering the plants out of the back seat. As he came around to her side of the car, she laughed at his actions, " Not much for traditional methods, are ya, Caleb!" he just grinned at her. "Here, you're gonna have to carry this, my hand is still bleeding- every time it stops, I remove the cloth and there it goes again..." As Caleb watched her unwrap and re-wrap her hand in that hanky he recalled a time when his own hand was wrapped in a blood splattered cloth...Merlyn's hair ribbon had damned his own blood that nite he tried to save them from their daddy, tried and failed.. "Tried and failed" he said quietly, a lone teardrop was oozing out of the corner of his eye, he lowered his head so his cousin wouldn't see. "What's that?" Gail was walking ahead of him now, she glanced over her shoulder, Caleb was standing where she left him. She sensed an overwhelming feeling of despair in him. It caused her to draw in her breath...flashes of a fire, of rain, of Lucas staring at her it seemed while he stood in the forest, Caleb running and Merlyn...neck broken, eyes open..."Truth Hurts" she said to Gail. "Caleb, maybe this wasn't such a good idea. I was so wrapped up in wanting to do the right thing, to salve my own conscience, I never even questioned how this was gonna effect you, I'm sorry." "Nah, it ain't yer fault, Cuz...I was just rememberin', and that's what this place is about. I know that. We all have choices, Gail..." Caleb could hear Lucas saying that, it somehow comforted him recalling his so called father's voice... He then ran up to where Gail stood, "Come on, we got work to do!" She looked into his face as he bravely looked back up to her, Gail raised her bandaged hand and caressed his cheek. " I love you Caleb, I want you to know that." "I know ya do, I know ..." he reached up and placed his hand over hers, he could feel some embrodiery on the corner of the hanky. Curious, he pulled back their clasped hands to take a look. The initials LB shone red with Gail's blood. Figures he had something to do with that cut, Caleb thought. "So, you gonna wash it, or just give it back to him like that." Gail was startled by Caleb's comments, " I hadn't thought about it, Caleb." and now that I do, I'm feeling particulariy possessive about this piece of material, she thought to herself. "Posession is nine tenths of law, Miss Emory, guess you'd have a good case." Lucas was leaning against an ornate headstone, a trumpeting angel canopied him. Gail and Caleb looked at him, at each other, and then shrugged. "What are you doing here, Lucas?" Gail asked. She and Caleb were continuing toward the Emory plot. He cocked his head toward the angel, and then looked back at her, "Soul Searchin' " "hmmm, that's appropriate, being a soul less bas.." "Whoa, there Missy, watch your tongue.."he dropped his voice to a whisper, " I know I do. Every opportunity I get. It's a most inviting piece of anatomy, don't ya think?" That sweet, hot sensation shot through her again. He's very good at this, probably very good at a lot of things, Gail thought. Caleb was talking as he walked toward his mother's grave. "..Never been out here to plant. Was always done when I came to visit my momma, I know just what to plant there too, " He was looking forward to this, Gail thought, maybe this wasn't just food for her soul, "Yep. That one right there." He pointed to the candy striped geranium in the box. He had reached the grave, and sat down cross legged in front of the headstone. He barely glanced at his mother's engraved name, instead he set to work pulling weeds and turning the soil with the small shovel . "hey Gail, you psychic or something?" Gail looked rattled at that statement, "Or something," she muttered. Caleb didn't hear her, as he continued. "You know, what are the chances of you picking the right colour!" Caleb was oblivious to the tension in his cousin. Lucas however, wasn't. "Caleb, I think that's just one of them choices, like apples or oranges, candystriped or bloodred..." He was stopped in front of Gail now, "Whaddaya think about that?" he removed the gardening items from her hand. " I think that if you are gonna be here, you might as well make yourself useful. Besides, You are handy with a shovel." She was pleased to see that Lucas found some humour in her statement. He smiled at her, and inclined his head as if to say, "Point to you". No sarcasm, no come on, just a purely natural response. She smiled back. "How can I resist such a pleasant invitation, hold on now, Caleb I'll go get some water.." Lucas strolled over to the pump with watering can in hand. He was whistling some obscure television tune. Gail sat down beside Caleb and handed him the plant, "What do you remember of Merly, Gail ?" "She was just a baby Caleb, and, well, I ran away alot from your parents house during those four years, I guess that's why she . " Gail indicated Judith's headstone,"had to send me away. I imagine trying to look after a baby and chase after me wasn't very pleasant." "Was Merlyn a good baby, Gail? She was always so peaceful and serene. I was just wondering." "I think so, Caleb, I'm sorry I can't remember better. I remember *things* more than *people* for some reason. " "What kinda things?" "I remember a doll that had been in our momma's family for a long time. They played with it, I did, and I guess it was your sister's too." Gail had a flash of a little Merly, clutching the doll in fear, and older Merly, same stance, and then a doll with a broken face.. "Thanks Gail, knowing you remember she was alive helps alot. Not many folks knew Merly. And they all are dead anyways." "Not all of them Caleb," a shadow fell across the grave, as Lucas glared down . He brought the watering can up from his side and began to sprinkle the contents on the newly planted flower. Dark clouds were gathering and the wind was picking up, leaves, twigs and weeds began to blow all over the graveyard. Lucas looked untouched by the elements. Not even his hair moved in the onslaught. Caleb and Gail were scrambling to gather their belongings. The water continued to pour forth, dirt splashing onto the granite of the headstone. Judith's name was obscured by the onslaught of mud. "Just the weak ones." he said. ***To Be Continued*** Subj: Roses are Red My Dear - part 5 0f 6 Date: 96-07-03 02:00:37 EDT From: gdawson@procom.procom.net (Gail Dawson) Sender: owner-ag-fanfic@stargame.org To: ag-fanfic@stargame.org "Hurry up, before we get soaked" Gail was yelling at her cousin as the thunder and lightening started to crackle and boom all around them. They were running toward her car. Raindrops were starting to splatter the pavement, "Caleb, give me a hand with the roof," he went over to the passenger side and began to raise the softtop, Gail was having difificulty with the contraption due to her hand. "Damnit all to hell!" she yelled in frustration. "Okay Caleb, when I count three, pull real hard, " "Okay Gail, on your mark.." "1, 2, 3...." straining with her good hand, Gail relented and used her wounded hand too, the wind was making this even harder to do, finally, the roof came forward, as she clipped it in place on the windshield, she noticed excrutiating pain in her left hand. The hanky was completely saturated with blood now. "Get in Caleb, we gotta go..." As she opened her door she glanced back, into Lucas' chest, " Gail, by the looks of things, you aren't going anywhere." The rain was dripping down his face, but he didn't seem to care. He was staring at her, emphasizing her predictment. "Gonna be extremely difficult to manipulate the stick shift with your hand like that...Not impossible, just difficult.." "Well, what do you suggest Lucas? I leave my car here and walk home? " Gail was infuriated with being so helpless...maybe Caleb could shift while she drove.... "Damn..." she doubled over, her hand was causing intense, pulsating pain now... to hell with the blood, the pain was unbelievable...all for a little prick... "Okay Lucas, I'll lock up here, you bring Gail" Caleb and Lucas had obviously made some decision while she was elsewhere in thought. Caleb was already running over to Lucas' car, Gail glanced at him, "I guess you win Lucas" "Never any doubt in that, Miss Emory, now come on before my over active imagination doesn't have much to work for.." he pointedly stared at her saturated sundress. ************************************** "Well, one done anyway, Gail, I'll help ya tomorrow with the rest," Caleb was leaning in the passenger window outside the boarding house driveway, "I hope you get yer hand fixed up...g'nite!" and he ran up to the porch. "Nite Caleb, I'll talk to you tomorrow!" Gail hollered after his retreating form. She shivered all of a sudden as a breeze came up. And the realization that she once again sat in his car, remembering that night on the bridge... "So, where too?" She rolled up the window, and turned to look at him. He was staring straight ahead, "Home Lucas, if you wouldn't mind" "Don't mind at all Gail" he put the car in drive and pulled away from the curb. ************************************* "Lucas, I meant MY home - what the hell is this? A museum." Lucas pulled up behind a stately manor, a rod iron fence surrounded the monstrosity. Lucas leaned against the car door, laughed a bit as he glanced out the window then back at her, "You know, you keep flattering me like that, and it's gonna give me ideas.." he turned of the ignition ,exited the car and walked over to the passenger side. Gail was thinking, thinking about going in there, about what it would be like, about what he would be like, " I don't think this is a good idea. I'll walk home from here, Lucas." She was having a difficult time opening the door, "Would ya mind?" she said in an impatient tone, raised her bandaged hand and then indicated the door handle. Lucas obliged, and opened the door, he crouched down on his haunches so he was at eye level with her, she snapped at him, "What are you up too? Conveniently you've been everywhere I was today, I don't get it. I have no interest in you Lucas, do you not understand english?" "Just happens that our paths keep crossing Gail. Nothing you can do about that. It's ...fate, I imagine." he leaned forward and reached for her waist, Gail squirmed back, "What the hell...get your hands off me!" click, and then she realized he was unbuckling her seatbelt. The fabric slid back across her waist, over her breast, her shoulder...he followed it's path with his eyes as did Gail, she was afraid to look at him, he was real close, the scent of rain and roses mingled in the heat and humidity of the car. Lucas withdrew from the car, sliding his arm across her thighs as he did. "You never struck me as the type to jump to conclusions, Miss Emory. I think that little cut on your hand is making you a bit ...testy. Come on out of there before we both look like drowned rats..." Lucas took her arm and Gail exited the car, feeling a bit foolish at her childishness. No use standing outside in a downpour, the mansion awaited. ****************************** As they walked up to the house through the garden Gail noticed the roses immediately. Freshly transplanted by the looks of things, she faltered a bit in her pace, then, as he unlocked the back door, Gail took a seat on the veranda ledge. "So, you're the prominent citizen. I never would have taken you to be a gardener, Lucas." The petals endured the onslaught of the storm. Repelling the drops, so that the blossoms glistened with the moisture, it reminded her of her skin after a shower, water beading and rolling down....she looked at her hand, braved the inevitable and removed the bloodied hanky. "I guess I'll let mother nature clean this out a bit, " she arranged the cloth on the railing to her side. She could sense Lucas watching her from the doorway, he slipped his keys back into his pocket and came to stand behind her. Gail shivered again, this time it had nothing to do with being cold. She raised her palm to the falling rain, the dark stream of blood, dissipated to light pink as it poured down her arm, and dripped off at her elbow, she closed her eyes at the warm, soothing sensations this caused. He reached out and cradled her hand in his, his thumb was moving over her wound. The distinct pain and pleasure sensations caused her to draw in her breath. She leaned back into him, encouraging his massage. The storm was getting more intense, wind swirled, lightening flashed and thunder shook the veranda. Gail was oblivious to all of these things, she turned to Lucas, her hand still clutched in his. They were very close, Gail was looking up at him, he was looking intently at her hand, "Want me to kiss it better?" ***to be continued**** Subj: Roses are Red My Dear Part 6 0f 6 Date: 96-07-03 02:04:20 EDT From: gdawson@procom.procom.net (Gail Dawson) Sender: owner-ag-fanfic@stargame.org To: ag-fanfic@stargame.org Gail nodded, and watched as he raised her palm to his mouth. She grasped his vest in her free hand, her knees buckling at the contact of his mouth with her skin. Lucas was intent on making sure she felt nothing but pleasure. No pain, no bleeding, just desire, for him... He raised his mouth from the palm of her hand, her blood was tinged on his lips, the rain continued to pour down,.Quickly, Lucas twisted her arm behind her hauling her up against him, Gail let out a surprised gasp, then, she found herself pulling his head down, their mouths were a touching, Gail stuck out her tongue, and traced his mouth with it. She licked her blood from his lips, the taste of salt/sweet in her mouth...then Lucas took over. He turned them around so he was leaning back on the railing. He pulled Gail between his legs, and released her arm, she wrapped her arms around his waist, he held her behind the shoulders with one arm, and pushed her hair off her face with his other hand...cradling her cheek he bent his head and kissed her...slowly, sucking on her bottom lip at first, then he covered her mouth with his. She could barely breath. Gail opened her mouth and their tongues met...she found herself suckling his, pulling it in and out of her mouth...in anticipation of things to come. As her tongue moved around Lucas' mouth she felt the hard edges of his teeth, she continued her exploration, and noticed that his teeth seemed to change from smooth to jagged, to points, like fangs...Gail's eyes flew open and in horror she found herself staring into the face of a beast. It had green eyes, fangs, and was snarling at her...she screamed and pushed him, over the edge of the veranda, she was shocked with her strength...as if something had helped her propel him over the edge. Holding her hand to her mouth Gail took a glance over the rail... Lucas was laying on the ground, as he slowly sat up he brushed his hands across his jeans..."Was it something I said, Miss Emory?" he asked with a restrained anger. He glanced up at Gail, but his gaze seemed to go through her, behind her...Merlyn Temple stood there, arms folded and a smirk on her face...Gail could have sworn she heard a voice say, " Truth Hurts..", she glanced around and found herself alone on the porch, Lucas was at her side when she turned back to look at him. "Lucas, I don't know what kinda games your playing, but let me tell you this.. I'm taking my ball and I'm going home." The storm stopped with a suddeness that made both of them glance toward the sky. "Seems that's the consensus, Miss Emory..." Lucas was looking quite dishumoured. " Run along now....before the calm breaks." Gail walked down the stairs, without a backward glance. As she passed the roses, she noticed that the colour had changed, to red, no doubt about it, pure red. The blossoms opened wide to capture the rays from the now full sun. Lucas glared at her retreating form as she exited the gate, out of his view. He then strolled over to the rose bush, "Merlyn, that was a neat trick, I'll give you that. Messin' with my personal life, I can forgive, mess with a man's garden, and all that tells me is that it's time to pull a few weeds." ****The End****