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Here we go! The first half of the next part! The remaining half tommorow or Monday. :) Anyways, this one is clean. No yiff. But of course, there's always later. ^^ Enjoy! Please, leave comments, questions, concerns and complaints. I like to try and strengthen my writing, and feedback always helps.

Lucas

After Lucas put Rose to bed, he padded quietly out of the room. Grabbing a glass of water, he headed upstairs, where he could still hear the TV playing. Knocking on the doors, Lucas heard Ana say, "Come in."

Opening the doors, Lucas entered their living room. Ana still sat on the couch, watching TV; apparently she was watching one of her reality shows. Lucas had no interest in such shows; he found them quite ridiculous. Walking over to a chair, Lucas seated himself, and then he took a long drink from the glass. Ana watched him from the corner of her eyes. Lucas breathed a sigh of relief, and placed the glass on the coffee table. Clearing his throat, at which point Ana paused the show and turned to look at him, Lucas said, "Hey. Thanks for earlier. I think whatever you two were talking about, it really seemed to make Rose feel much better."

Ana nodded, and replied, "Well, I know how much she seems to mean to you, so I suffered a bit for you. But, it seems like we have more in common than I thought. So, no harm really." Despite her calm demeanor, Lucas noticed Ana still turned away when she spoke.

Not wanting to upset her, Lucas placed a paw on her thigh, patting it reassuringly. "Hey- Don't feel like it's a chore or anything. If you don't want Rose around, then I'll figure something out... or..."

"Oh no! I wouldn't do that!" Ana said, pleadingly. She looked at Lucas, and he could see some tears beginning to well in her eyes.

"Oh, jeez. Ana, I just wanted to say thank you. For everything you did for me today. Really. I appreciate it," Lucas started. "Besides, didn't you have some of a fun time with Russell?"

Ana rolled her eyes, and said, "I might have been able to, but I swore all he did was hit on me. Even when I made it perfectly clear that I'm not interested."

Lucas smirked, and Ana smacked him in the shoulder.

"Oww--" Lucas said.

"Shuddup! You knew about that! C'mon, tell me the truth!" Ana's voice began to rise an octave.

Putting his paws up defensively, Lucas shrugged and said, "I might have had an idea. But, I was also trying to cheer you up. Russ is a good guy. And, he means well."

"Yeah... right." Ana said, huffing.

"S'true!" Lucas said, rubbing his shoulder. Reaching for the glass, Lucas watched Ana as she watched him intently. Picking the glass up, Lucas met her gaze, and said, "Ana, I don't want Rose to come between our friendship in anyway. Like I said, I love you like a sister, and I really just want you to be happy. You just need to go out again, and not just jump in bed with the first douche you see!"

"But, I never know they're bad until after sex!" Ana wailed, the tears beginning to flow.

Finishing his water quickly, Lucas put down the glass and quickly shifted to be seated next to Ana. Grasping her by the shoulders, Lucas embraced Ana closely. Shushing her, Lucas said, "Yes, you can tell. You just are too hopeful. And too cute for your own good."

Waiting for Ana's sobs to quiet down, Lucas thought about all her various 'conquests'. He shuddered, as a moment of revulsion hit him. Realizing she had her face buried in his chest, Lucas leaned back, and brought her chin up with a free hand. "Look, before you do anything with a guy, call me, or if you can, bring him over. Just hang out the night, and I'll let you know what I think. That way we can avoid any future 'Travis' fiascoes."

Ana nodded, stifling a sniffle. Resting her head on Lucas shoulders, she whispered, "Thanks Lucas, I've never had a friend like you."

Lucas grinned, and gave Ana a scratch on her head. Leaning back on the couch, he let her keep leaning on his shoulder, with her resting on his chest. Picking up the remote, he hit the play button. Ana lifted her head for a moment, but Lucas leaned forward, and kissed her on the forehead. "What'cha watching?"

"Oh, just another Desperate Housewives rip-off series," Ana said, not really seemingly interested. Her tail 'fwumped' once, then lay still. Lucas smirked and brought his up, pulling it over them both. He knew how much Ana just liked to be next to his soft fur. Shifting to relax better, Lucas brought his hands around Ana. She took a deep breath and said, "Aren't you worried what Rose would think if she walked in on us now?"

"Nah, she knows that's there's nothing to worry about." Lucas said, offhandedly. "We're just watching some TV and, being the generous, chivalrous man, I offered you a comfy perch. Of, course, if she did walk in, I would toss you off, in favor of her of course!"

Lucas snickered as Ana whacked him once more, as she said, "Jerk!"

"Damn! You should just go a knock out the guy you want! With fists like those..." Lucas started, but he couldn't finish as Ana started to tickle his sides. Giggling in a fit, Lucas tried to apologize but Ana wouldn't let him. "How much do you like joking now? Huh?" she asked.

Lucas could only laugh.

***

A week passes.

Lucas checked his mp3 player, trying to make sure he had the right time. "Damn these weird-ass bus schedules up here..." he thought to himself. The bus rolled to a stop, and he hopped out, landing heavily, startling a young pup. "Sorry!" Lucas pardoned himself. Glancing around, Lucas spotted his last route, about ready to leave the station. "Hold up!" Lucas shouted, waving trying to get the driver's attention.

After barely managing to make it on time, Lucas flung himself in a seat far in the back of the bus, away from all the other late day travellers. He hated coming up north in what he considered 'trash' county. Unfortunately, Lucas' dad moved up here, after the divorce, and Lucas didn't want to be estranged from him. So, once a month, Lucas made the trek, by himself, to visit and check up on his dad. Ana and Russ had both offered to give him rides, but he always said "No". He didn't want to burden anyone else with his father's situation, and the embarrassment it caused him. So, he bit the bullet, and forced himself to travel alone, for hours north, to spend his monthly 3-day weekend with 'Pop'.

The bus rumbled along the flat highway, pretty much alone in its trek. Occasionally, Lucas would see headlights approaching, and a car or van would zoom buy. Here, further north and near the Everglades, the air hung heavy and damp, and the scenery was very 'wicked' looking. It was still beautiful, at least by day, but by night and eve, it took on a sinister edge. Lucas had long removed his favorite jacket, being that the hot muggy inland air rarely moved, making his heavy fur coat seem even heavier. He would've sweat, but he always brought plenty of water. Taking a gulp, Lucas leaned back, resting his head on the steel of the bus' back wall. He could feel the vibrations as the wheels bounced on the road, and the gentle swaying of the bus' weight on its springs.

"Only 1 more hour, then I get to ride in Dad's pickup... Yay," Lucas thought sarcastically to himself.

The sun had long since departed, disappearing behind the sinister looking trees that loomed on the sides of the lone highway. Alone, the bus made the turn to head further into no-where.

***

Lucas hopped off the bus, after double checking to make sure he had everything, and looked for his Dad's silver/grey truck. He spotted it sitting on the side, its lights off and windows rolled down. His dad wasn't anywhere in sight, so Lucas figured he'd wait by the car until he decided he would show up.

He didn't have to wait long, as after a few moments, Lucas heard his father's distinctive huffing as the old canid trotted towards his truck. "Hey boy! I figured you'd forgotten about visitin time with your old man!" The figure moved in to give Lucas a bear-hug. Lucas did nothing and just let it play out. The big canid was built like Lucas, but his fur was solid grey, with some beginnings of white. He wore a trucker's cap, and his beer belly had not shrunk, (thankfully it hadn't grown much either) and he wore a stained, white collar shirt. He smelled of alcohol, but thanks to Anastasia, Lucas had grown accustomed to it. He forced a smile on his face, and turned to open the door.

"What? Not even a hello? Are you forgetting the manners I taught you?" Lucas' father asked, his voice still retained that fearsome, deep bellow; it had an effect on Lucas, one he couldn't quite explain.

Lucas' fur bristled, but he turned and said, through gritted teeth, "Oh, hey Dad. I see you found you good shirt to greet me with! And, of course, the bus was fun! I just absolutely love having to travel to the ass-crack ends of no-where."

Lucas' father paused, his head moving back slightly, as he absorbed what his son had said. Nodding, he said nothing, but climbed into the driver's seat, and started the truck. Lucas looked at his eyes. They seemed relatively focused, but he felt it necessary to ask. "Dad, are you good to drive?"

"What the--? Of course. What the hell kinda question is that? You know I would never drive drunk. Manners just flew out the door with your mother, I bet." Lucas' father muttered, obviously insulted.

Not wanting to instigate something that would ruin an otherwise-perfect-3-day-weekend, Lucas shut his mouth and just prayed to at least make it to the park where his Dad's trailer was. Once there, Lucas could find his way. In the dark, and with his Dad always behind the wheel, Lucas was quite unfamiliar in these parts.

The truck coughed to life, its headlight flaring up, one seemed loose and pointed slightly more left, and the truck dragged itself out of the ditch and chortled as it puttered down the road. Lucas leaned back and closed his eyes, "They always say the relaxed ones live..." he tried to reassure himself.

***

The next morning, Lucas woke up, blinking and confused. It always happened when he wasn't sleeping at home. The disorientation would fade, and his memory of getting to the trailer park would remind him of his 'manners'. Lucas could smell bacon, and presumably eggs. His stomach rumbled loudly, and he strained to get up. He didn't bother to put on pants, his boxers would do, as he figured his dad would do the same. Stooping to fit under the door and slide out into the center of the 'cabin' Lucas immediately found his dad sitting in his bathrobe eating what looked like runny eggs and 30-sec microwavable bacon. He dad gave him a wave, signalling he could pass in front of the TV and Lucas stretched a leg across. Padding over to the stove, Lucas gathered the remnants and poured the heap on a plate. He sat next to his dad, and hungrily ate. His dad reached a hand over the side of his couch, and pulled up a beer from his cooler. He handed it over to Lucas, who tried to refuse, but his dad said, "You gotta drink something. And the water pipes broke last week. Been waiting for the repairman to come out."

Lucas hmmphed, and conceded. He grabbed the beer and using a claw, easily popped the tab. Without looking at Lucas, his dad said, "You're looking good. Something about you."

"You think so?" Lucas asked, curious. His dad wasn't exactly Mr. Observation.

"Yeah, you have a... uh..." his dad snapped his fingers, "what would your mother say... a 'glow' about you? I guess?" his father huffed, finishing with a sip from his own beer can.

"Well, some good things have happened recently for me. Like, I met somebody. Before you ask, yes, a girl," Lucas said, with more than a smidge of sarcasm.

"Uh, good. Good for you, boy. I was always worried---" his dad started. "Yeah, I know, you were always worried after 'her'" Lucas summoned all his bile he could, "I would never move on."

"Well. Yeah. I mean, c'mon, you stopped going to school and started to dress funny." His dad had never liked Lucas' interest in heavy metal and rock. He thought it would lead to hard drugs and 'crazy ass shit', as he so quaintly put it.

"Dad, I stopped going to school because I graduated. Why would I stay in culinary school? It's exactly that, a fast track program." Lucas said, with part of an egg dripping off his fork. Shaking his head, Lucas scooped up the remaining bits of breakfast and licked his plate clean. No sense in not finishing every crumb off. His dad's dishwasher could always appreciate the extra help.

His dad belched, signifying he was done, and sat up. He hadn't changed out of the white shirt, causing even more wrinkles to appear. "What did you want to do today, Dad?" Lucas asked.

"I could stand to hear more about this lady friend you have," Lucas dad said, a grin on his face.

Lucas blushed, embarrassed about letting his dad know about Rose so soon. He knew he would ask all sorts of weird questions. "Uh, I'd rather not."

"C'mon. Did'ya have any pictures? A father's got to make sure his son's got good taste." Lucas' father grinned wider.

Lucas recalled what Rose and him had done 2 nights previous, when Lucas explained where he was going for the weekend. Rose had decided to send him off sated, and in case of emergency, with some 'pics'. Lucas' cheeks flared even more red, and he shook his head. He heard his father sigh, and Lucas took a deep breath of relief. "At least he won't ask until later..." Lucas thought.

***

Lucas spent the weekend helping his dad with odd jobs, even driving out to the marina where his dad kept a boat. They spent most of the second day peeling barnacles off, and reapplying paint over the damaged sides. Despite everything else his dad seemed to own, the boat, at least, was kept well. Lucas kept telling his dad to just sell his trailer/cabin and take the money to repair/give-the-boat-a-face-lift and just live on the boat. His dad said it would be too much of a hassle, plus he liked the region where he was. Lucas just figured it was because it would be too much work to dock the boat to run in and buy cold beer.

However, despite the workload, Lucas' father rarely spoke; his attention was extremely focused on the task at hand. Lucas was glad. He was left alone with his music, and he still felt like him and his dad 'bonded'.

Actually, on the last day, Lucas felt a small pang of guilt and sadness as he climbed aboard the bus. He turned to wave goodbye, and saw his dad was watching, as he sat behind the wheel, his trucker's hat pulled low over his face.

Thankfully, the 'urge' never took him. Rose had done too well a job to let that happen. Lucas was going to delete the photos, but decided there might be a time in the future. Best to be prepared. Plus, he could never imagine going at 'it' while at his dad's. The walls made of paper-mache would be too much a give away. He would never be able not live down the embarrassment of that. Making his way to the back of the bus, Lucas sat and prepared himself for the long haul...

***

Rose sat in her room wondering what Lucas was up to right now. He had left to go spend time with his dad, and despite Rose's insistence, Lucas firmly would not allow her to accompany him. She wondered if perhaps Lucas was embarrassed of his father; after all, sometimes parents could be a hassle. Despite Lucas' best at hiding the fact he wasn't thrilled to go, Rose saw through his feigned good-mood. When she asked why Lucas didn't like spending time with his father, Lucas clammed up; Rose figured something had happened between the two long ago. She twirled her hair with a finger, as she absentmindedly stared at the wall.

"He should be back later today," Rose thought to herself. While she stared at the wall, she snickered. "At least he left in good spirits..." Rose's mind wandered back to the night before Lucas left. She had physically wore him out, making sure to give him plenty of 'attention'. She had spent the better part of the morning cleaning her fur, but it was worth it. "Besides, he also had those pictures." She blushed, hoping that no-one else got a hold of his mp3 player, because Rose had shot a couple of risque poses for Lucas.

Feeling her excitement build, Rose decided to jog to calm herself down. "No need to get worked up, he'll be back tonight," she told herself. Putting on her exercise outfit, she hurried to put on her shoes, then bolted out the door and door the stairs. She spent most of the weekend relaxing; exercising and reading, just to keep herself busy.

Rose casually jogged around the block, letting the warm Miami sun bath her in its dying rays. Watching the sunset was always nice, and Rose liked this one particular spot to watch it go down...

A few minutes later, Rose arrived, slightly winded, but smiling. The park nearby always had a good vantage point for watching the sunset, of, course, if the weather permitted. But thankfully, the weather this weekend was nice and sunny. The palm trees swayed gently in the evening breeze, and Rose shivered. Despite her dark fur, it wasn't nearly as thick as Lucas', so she got cold easily. To warm herself, she wrapped her arms around herself, thinking about Lucas being close.

Rose watched the sunset, imagining Lucas with her, as she sat on the park bench. The bright orange ball of fire dipped to sit barely above the horizon, its rays bouncing off the waves, making it seem like the ocean was on fire. The clouds took on a darker hue, as shadows formed, and the dark sky against orange ocean looked beautiful. As the sun vanished, and the sky got visibly darker, Rose decided it was time to head back.

Arriving at her apartment, Rose noticed her phone's message light was on. Barely containing her excitement, Rose giggled and picked up the phone, hoping to hear Lucas' voice...

***

Lucas' bus pulled into the station a few minutes early; that gave him a chance to stretch and relieve himself. Having sat on the bus so long, Lucas' long legs had been cramped. Stretching out the kinks, Lucas glanced at the time. It was late, and in the distance, Lucas could see the sun setting. He knew about Rose's love of sunsets, so he figured she'd be watching. He picked up his cell, and dialed her number. The line rang a few times, but then it went to her mailbox. He heard her soft voice, "Ahoj, cau, this is Zuzana! Prepacte, I missed your call! I'll call you back, leave a number. Dovidenia!"

The message beeped, signalling Lucas could leave his message, "Hey babe! I'm one bus away from Miami now. Should be a half hour or less. Are you watching the sunset right now?" Lucas made a kissing noise into the phone, and then continued, "Anyways, hope to see you later tonight! Bye, sweetie!"

He hung up, and waited for his bus to arrive. Lucas thought about his dad. This last weekend, the old man kept quiet. It was unusual, to say the least. Lucas didn't attempt to get him to talk, because he was afraid his dad wouldn't shut up once he started, so Lucas left it silent. Unfortunately, for some reason, Lucas felt unnerved. Trying to shake the strange feeling, Lucas opened his bag and pulled out a snack. His stomach growled, and he knew it demanded real sustenance. Patting his belly, he told himself, "I'll make a steak when I get back. Rare and bloody, so I won't have to wait long..."

***