The group returned to Port Charles after a successful surgery performed on Gabby and Hope. Hope remained in Chicago with her adopted parents, leaving Valerie in despair. Constantly thinking about Rafe, Alison had kept herself busy between going to work and Jamal. Jamal has been emotionally distant to Alison about his time spent in Chicago and his problems with Valerie still living in their home, though he tries to shed Alison with attention. Rafe is living in Lucy's old apartment, now that she has moved in with Doc…trying to form a life… by himself.
The Trip - Back in Port Charles - Chapter 10
Alison stood alone in the frozen park. Throwing pieces of bread at the few remaining ducks that played around the pond. She was in another world, daydreaming, remembering…touches and kisses…the trip to Chicago. This was the first time in days that she had a moment to herself. Jamal had been giving her…no smothering her with attention, but it didn't feel right. Jamal didn't seem sincere to her anymore. Jamal's attention seemed to be a routine for him to give and for her to receive. Alison felt less lonely when she was by herself than she felt with Jamal. There were things going on with him that he wouldn't talk to her about and she felt helpless. Of course, there were things going on with her that she dare not share with Jamal. She couldn't help but wonder how Rafe was doing.
"Hey you." A sweet voice said from behind. She smiled to herself as he walked up beside her. "Long time no see. How have you been?" Rafe's eyes were wide and pleasant.
"Hey…" she said back, "How's your eye doing?"
"Oh it's nothing…it's fine." Brushing it off as if it were nothing. "I haven't seen you around."
"I know…it's because I haven't been around." She said while rolling her eyes. "Jamal was in withdrawal or something…and well…he hasn't left me out of his sight." Rafe nodded.
"It sounds like things have gotten back on track for you two." He said plastering a smile to his face while inside he felt ill.
"No, not really…Val is still living with us and…I don't know…Jamal just feels distant." She continued to stare at the ducks snatching food from the ground. "But I don't want to talk about that. I want to talk about you!" she sounded more upbeat. Turning to the boy, she noticed how wonderful he looked. She looked up into his eyes and he smiled, warmly at her. They had missed each other and it was obvious by their expressions.
"Me?"
"Yea you!" she poked him in his side, "What have you been doing? I feel a little left out. I'm sure you're experiencing all these great things…and without me…you know?"
"Actually the only things I've been experiencing are the harsh realities…I was looking for a place to live so, I moved into Lucy's old place and I've been looking for a job." He nodded sheepishly.
"Any luck?"
"Well, you know there isn't really a need for a vampire slayer around here anymore. The market's thin…real thin." He joked, "Not that I'm complaining…not having vampires around to kill is a good thing."
"I'll keep an eye open for a job." She winked.
"Thanks…"
"Well…let's do something then. You need to have some fun today."
"Ok…like what?"
"Sledding!" her eyes widened and a huge smile grew across her face.
"You are always full of ideas." He smiled as she drug him off by his coat sleeve.
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"Are you sure we're supposed to sled on this?" Rafe asked a little worried. In front of him he held a large, domed, silver dish. He twirled it around, investigating every angle.
"Yes! It makes you go really like…well, fast!"
"What do you hold on to?"
"The edges!" she pushed him jokingly.
"This thing is going to be the second death of me." He smiled, making Alison laugh.
Alison tilted her head and stared at him. "Rafe…please…" she smiled. Rafe saw into her brilliant blue eyes and he could not look away. "Just try it!" Rafe sat in the middle of the silver dome. Alison stood behind him, ready to give him a push down the hill. Rafe looked back at her, nervously.
"Are you sure about this?"
"Yes" Alison yelled as she gave him a huge push. All she could hear was Rafe yelling. She couldn't tell if it was from fear or fun. Then she saw him summersault over himself, the sled veering off to the side and Rafe's body landing, motionless. "Rafe!" she yelled, but the boy was silent, "Rafe!" she started to run down the hill towards him, in a panic. Rafe still sat motionless in the snow. Alison crouched down beside him, worried. His eyes were closed. "Rafe! Are you ok?" she felt around his body to make sure he hadn't hurt anything. Rafe began to wiggle and laugh.
"Stop that tickles." He laughed.
"You!" she knew he had tricked her and threw snow in his face. "That's not funny! I thought you WERE dead!" she couldn't help but laugh. Rafe grabbed a huge hand full of snow and stuck it down her back as she screeched.
"You should have seen the look on your face! Priceless!"
They continued to grab snow, wrestle around on the ground and throw it at each other. Alison grabbed Rafe's hood while holding a huge snowball. He pushed her down. Falling to her back with Rafe's hood still in her hand, he fell on top of her. Rafe held himself over the girl, peering down at her. "Are you ok, Ali? I didn't mean to crush you!"
"No…I think I'm fine…I'm fine." she smiled. They stopped and looked at each other for a second. "I know this sounds stupid, since it's only been a few days, but I really missed you…not being around." she admitted awkwardly. Rafe saw the girl's cheeks and nose turn pink. She was blushing, below him, creating an indescribable feeling that surged through his body.
"That's not stupid. I mean…I missed you too."
"What are you doing?" she asked sweetly, grinning.
"Wh-what do you mean?" he stuttered.
"Rafe, you've been hovering directly over me for the last five minutes."
"Oh!" he realized he had been hovering. The truth was he didn't want to move away from her. Immediately sitting up, he grabbed her hand and helped her up. He dusted the snow off her back. "I'm sorry." He blushed. They were still holding hands.
"Hey you guys!" a voice from the distance called. Rafe and Alison jumped nervously, quickly releasing hands, as if they were caught doing something wrong. Livvie and Jack walked over to the two sitting in the snow.
"What are you guys doing?" Jack asked smiling.
"Well," Ali looked at Rafe, "I was trying to teach Rafe to sled but, of course, he's not very good at it." She smiled, "He fell off, the first time down."
"Come on, man…you can't let the girls think they're better than you." Jack gave Rafe a pat on the back. "You got to take control of that sled."
"Yea…"Rafe agreed hesitantly.
"We are better than you." Livvie joked. Jack snatched her up and twirled her around, releasing laughter from the both of them.
"What are you guys up to?" Ali asked.
"We're just taking a walk…it's so beautiful out today. You know, spending time with the guy I love. Where's Jamal, Ali-girl?" Livvie asked.
"Uh…" Alison and Rafe looked at each other, "He's at work today. Jamal's been taking a lot of time off lately and he's just now making up for it."
"He's not at work." Jack stated. Alison's eye's narrowed with confusion. She looked at Rafe and looked back at Jack and Livvie. It was obvious to all of them that Alison was surprised.
