Since the weather has closed down the airports, Alison has decided to drive, instead of fly to Chicago, to meet up with Jamal. Rafe has succeeded in gaining more time on earth to correct Alison and Jamal's relationship, the only relationship left to patch in Port Charles. Deciding to join Alison on her road trip, he promises to repair the damage. Alison is unsure about his accompanying her on the trip. A part of her is overjoyed to have his company once more but another part is afraid that her feelings for him are threatening her and Jamal.

The Trip-Chapter 1

"You know Rafe, you don't have to come with me. I mean, I can do this alone."

"Have you seen the weather out there? What if something happens to you? You need someone to go with you. Besides that's why I'm here, Ali. I promise that things between you and Jamal will be fine."

"Thanks" Ali says sincerely, warming up to the idea of a road trip with an angel.

"No problem" he said sheepishly, while looking at the girl lovingly.

Beginning their drive with Alison at the wheel, the snow started to fall delicately to the ground barely sticking. "Wow, isn't this beautiful." Ali suggests innocently.

"What is beautiful is seeing everyone so happy and in love at the Christmas party. I was worried that Kevin and Lucy would never come around but they did…in the best way possible."

"Yea, that was really wonderful of you Rafe."

"It wasn't me…I can really only do so much. It was Kevin and Lucy and their true love for one another."

"True love, yea…" Alison repeated silently, "Do you believe in true love, Rafe?" Rafe could tell that Alison was thinking of Jamal and that her doubts were taking over.

"Sure I do." Ali took her eyes off the road to make eye contact with the angel sitting in her passenger seat. They were wildly innocent and optimistic and she couldn't help but love them. "I mean, that's my job…to believe in love. I have faith that true love does exist and I'm going to prove it to you Alison." Rafe said confidently, smiling warmly at the girl. He could not help but think of her fondly. She was the one making him believe. He had seen love but he had never known love or known how it felt before he met her. There was something so incredible about her, the way she warmly embraced life, her smile, and her generosity. Rafe quickly let his mind wonder…wondering about Alison, but then he quickly shook it out of his mind. It was an absolute impossibility!

Alison's pulse began to race. Rafe sounded extremely confident and for a second she thought it would be him that proved it to her, but thoughts of Jamal quickly entered her mind. "Rafe?"

"Yea?" he responded nervously…still feeling guilty about letting his mind wonder about her.

"What was your life like before you know…before…back when…" Alison hinted awkwardly.

"Back, before I was an angel?"

"Yea."

"Well, I mean…it was all about stopping evil. I guess that 's why they made me an angel. I spent all my time trying to track down Caleb and others like him. It was a full time job, you know?"

"I accidentally read some of your journal," she admitted sweetly.

"Accidentally?" Rafe smiled.

"Yea" she smiled back, "…and I didn't see anything BUT the tracking of vampires. Was that really your entire life?"

"Well…" Rafe didn't know what to say. He knew it wasn't much of a life but he was good at it. His feelings were obviously hurt.

"I didn't mean to make it sound insignificant, Rafe…really. I just meant…I was just wondering if you had anybody important in your life…besides vampires…that is?"

"Well, as I said…tracking vampires was a full time job. In fact, it was a full time life. I didn't have much time for other stuff or other people. Though I wish I did…now looking back." Alison looked at him sympathetically. She wanted to hug him but knew she shouldn't. He peered back at her desperately wanting to be with her. The nervous tension between them was mounting. They both began to feel it. For a split second Rafe questioned why Ed gave him permission to come back to earth to help Alison…it was truly a test.

"It just burns me that Valerie got to spend Christmas with Jamal and I didn't." Alison quickly stated, trying to change the subject. "She's probably trying to cuddle up to him right now. She's taking full advantage of all this, I'm sure." Rafe did not reply, which made Ali feel guilty. "I know… that's an awful thing to say but I can't help it. Ok? Val obviously has a thing for Jamal and she's trying to push me out of the picture every chance she gets." Ali snarled. "I am really trying to be better about this but it is really hard when the one you love is not with you, you know?"

"Yea…yea of course I know." He protested, knowing he didn't.

"You know…I was really glad when you came back. I've, like, really come to love having you around. You've become a really great friend." Alison turned to Rafe, "You've become really important to me." Rafe and Alison locked eyes and neither seemed to want to break contact. For only a few seconds they were both sharing themselves, feeling desperate for the other but aware that they couldn't do anything about it. Their situations would not allow it.

"Alison!" Rafe yelled as he saw the road. Alison suddenly swerved the car from one side, avoiding an animal and then over corrected, landing them in a near by ditch.