Not edited.

Lucas took a deep breath and tried to settle down the way he was feeling. Knowing that just a few steps away was the one girl... woman... he cared for and that he might lose her was beyond his comprehension. He couldn't, no he wouldn't let it happen. But if she really wanted to leave?

He'd let her leave.

Opening up the door to the kitchen was nerve wracking... him, Lucas Porter... and he'd killed men!

Jones was sitting at the table alone. He looked around and then back at Jones who smirked at him... why?

"She'll be back in a minute boss."

He simply nodded and walked like a statue towards the table. Looking over the papers he grabbed ahold of Tara's notebook. Two of the columns were crossed out by a single line while the other two were still very much in play. Brisbane... Sydney... his hand gripped the notebook with with a buckling grip as he noticed two extra 'pros' underneath the heading of Brisbane.

"She really wants to leave?" His question, though aimed at Jones was also one of his own disbelief... wasn't she happy here?

"Sure looks that way boss. I've tried just about everything I know to change her mind but..." Jones broke off and shook his head sadly.

Lucas once again took a deep breath and pushed aside what he was feeling.

"She's worked hard in school. She should be able to follow her dreams."

Jones looked at Lucas with an expression that mimicked that of someone who'd just seen someone sprout horns out of their head and grow a set of black wings.

"Are you serious?"

Lucas nodded as Jones looked at him in disbelief.

"Why?" The whole concept of Lucas letting Tara leave had Jones absolutely baffled. He didn't mean it surely?

Lucas was prevented from answering as Tara walked back into the kitchen.

"Hey Tara." He placed the notebook back down where she'd been sitting.

"Hello Lucas."

She was still angry with him after hearing that his precious Maria wasn't as precious as he made out she was. Seeing him for the first time in weeks made her feel uneasy.

"Listen, I have to go do the rounds seeing as Adam's out with Maggie so I'll leave you guys to it." Jones got up and left the room.

Lucas  sat down in the chair that Jones had vacated and looked at Tara.

"So, Brisbane huh?"

Nodding, Tara walked behind the kitchen bench and grabbed herself a mug and motioned towards Lucas who nodded. Pouring coffee for them both from the pot that never seemed to empty Tara chose her words carefully.

"Yeh, it seems like the best option."

"Sydney doesn't make the cut?"

If she looked at him then she would have seen how nervous he was with his hands shaking so much he was forced to shove them into his pockets.

Picking up the mugs after stirring them she walked over to the table and placed them down before moving her chair slightly back before sitting down. She missed the frown that flickered on his face as he watched her actions.

"It does..." she started.

"But?"

She picked up the notebook on front of her and frowned. Was Brisbane really the best option? She tossed it back down again and picked up the mug and took a sip of the scalding coffee. This decision was tough.

"Tara?" he prompted softly.

"If I ask for something would you give it to me?" Her face was dark and almost like it was covered in a curtain.

"Of course. Anything."

"A divorce?" She knew this would cause a reaction.

"Except that" he all but growled at her.

She nodded her head.

"I expected you to say that."

"Then why ask?"

She simply shrugged.

"Was that what you really wanted to ask or were you just winding me up?"

She grinned suddenly and looked at him.

He pointed a finger at her "You are bad."

She laughed at him and he felt his chest swell as her beautiful eyes held a million secrets.

"So...."

He almost regretted prompting her to ask him the real question as he watched the dark curtain fall back over her face again. Whatever it was left hin witb a distinctly bitter taste in his mouth.

"I want..." she struggled with the words "I need..." she looked him in the eyes "tell me about Maria."

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YES! EVIL LAUGH!!!!!!!!! but please don't kill me... *runs off to hide*