"Well, Rafe, come on in," commented Jamal, watching in amazement as the young slayer boldly strode through
the foyer and into the living room.

"Hey, Jack, we've got a visitor!" announced Jamal, smirking.

Jack's head spun around to face his best friend.

"Who? Wha-? Whoa," he murmured, spotting their guest.

"Rafe, what are you doing here?" asked Jack incredulously. "I mean, shouldn't you be at home with your wife?"

Rafe chose not to reply to the question. He simply raised his naked left hand. He knew they would come to the
right conclusion on their own.

"Livvie's staying with her mother. Now, I really need to speak with Alison-"

"Wait, isn't Rachel in Fern-" Jack began.

The cold look in the slayer's hazel eyes answered his question for him.

"Wow." Jack couldn't manage any other word except "wow."

"Yeah, you can say that again," agreed Jamal, sitting down on the couch beside his buddy.

"Great," replied Rafe sarcastically.

"Now," he said, abruptly changing topics. "Alison. Could somebody please tell me where she is? I really need to
talk to her."

"Wow," Jack repeated.

Rafe rolled his eyes and turned to the other man in the room.

"Jamal?"

"Ah, man, given the circumstances," stated Jamal, "I really wish Ali was here, but..." He winced. "...she's not."