Rated: PG 13

Chapter 1: Starting Over

It was one of the hottest days of the year. But there was something comforting to him about the heat of the summer. Maybe it was the fact that he didn't think he'd ever feel the warmth of summer ever again. Rafe Kovich sat back and enjoyed being able to celebrate the fourth of July with friends and family. It's not everyday that an Angel is lucky enough to be given a second chance of life. Of course it had saddened him that he was experiencing this life without her. It had been a week since he walked into her hospital room and kissed his sleeping beauty awake. It was really perfect. She was about to die from a brain aneurysm and his kissed saved her. He was finally going to be able to live happily ever after with her but fate had other ideas for them. It broke his heart when she opened her eyes and he realized she didn't remember. She didn't remember their love and it hurt like hell. Rafe and Jamal both agreed that it would be best if they just pretend that nothing has changed between Jamal and Alison until she's ready to hear it. It pained him to think that he couldn't be there for her and Jamal is with her instead of him. But Rafe was determined to stay positive and help her remember their beautiful love story.

***

Alison took a deep breath, as she smelled the breeze of summer. It was the first time that she had been out in weeks since the collapse. She was forced to stay home trying to remember the last 6 months of her life. It didn't help that Jamal was so distant from her. She loved him so much but yet she feels as though they don't have that spark anymore. To make matters even worse she couldn't stop thinking about Rafe and how his kiss woke her up. It didn't surprise Alison that Rafe woke her up instead of Jamal since he is an Angel. What frustrated Alison was the fact that she felt so alone and lost without a memory of her life the past half year. It frustrated her that she was put on trial for Kevin's murder and she had no idea why. Of course nobody would tell her what happened because they don't want to overwhelm her. It also bothered her that her best friend Livvie was in the looney bin and she can't remember why.

Alison walked along the park until she ran into some familiar laughter. She couldn't help but smile as she watched Rafe playing frisbee with his cousins, Serena and Christina. Suddenly the Frisbee came flying and fell at her feet.

Rafe came over to pick it up and noticed Alison.

"Alison" Rafe called out.

"Hi" Ali responded. Alison felt this rush nervousness around him. A kind of connection that was never there before. The kind of connection that she should feel with Jamal.

Rafe tossed the frisbee to his little cousins and told them they needed a break so he could talk to Alison. Rafe went and got him and Alison a soda. He handed the soda as they walked over to a park bench to talk.

"So how are you feeling?" Rafe asked.

"Good, as good as a person can feel when they don't remember past year of her life." Ali responded.

"I'm sorry"

"Rafe. It's not your fault that I don't remember. In fact I should be thanking you."

"Thanking me? For what?" Rafe asked

"For saving my life. Not only once but twice. I am truly blessed to have met an Angel. I would hate to think where I would be if I never met you." Alison said.

"It's nothing. It's my job as an Angel to watch over people."

Ali smiled at how good and modest Rafe is.

"You know what let's talk about something else. So why are you here alone without Jamal" Rafe asked. Not that he mind. He didn't like the fact that Jamal was pretending to be Alison boyfriend.

"Jamal is at home. I told him I was taking a walk. I kinda wandered here while thinking about some stuff.

"Thinking about stuff. Like what?"

"Valerie is dead and I don't know why. Livvie is nuts and I don't know why. I was framed for Kevin's murder when he wasn't dead. This is just so frustrating Rafe. Jamal won't talk to me about what's going on. The doctor says I don't remember because I want to block off that time in my life because it was painful so Jamal decided I need to remember on my own." Alison ranted. "But I can't remember" Ali said with frustration.

"Hey, you know what just calm down. It'll come back to you". Rafe said and pulled Alison in for a hug.

"How do you know that?" Alison asked while rested her head on Rafe's shoulders.

"I just know it will" Rafe said and pulled away from the hug.

Rafe and Alison both looked into each other's eyes. There was this comfort about each other. Neither on of them could break from the stare. Rafe mustered all his strength to not kiss her lips. Alison felt some uneasiness. She nervous at the way Rafe makes her feel so comfortable and safe. She was confused as to this attraction she's feeling towards Rafe.

"Rafe" Ali finally said.

"Yeah"

"Tell me something. Why do I feel like connected to you. I just feel this sense of security with you"

Rafe smiled. "Because we lo-" Rafe stopped.

"We what?" Ali asked.

"We grew to be really good friends in the past couple of months"

Alison smiled. She just couldn't help but feel this sense of comfort with Rafe. She didn't feel lost and lonely. She was glad to hear that they grew "close". "I'm lucky to have you in my life"

"No I'm the lucky one" Rafe shot back

Alison smiled and wrapped her arms around Rafe. Rafe couldn't help but feel this rush when Alison touched him. He wanted to tell her everything about their love. But he couldn't and that broke his heart. Rafe couldn't help it anymore and softly touched Ali's face and leaned in so their lips can meet but they both broke away from each other when the fireworks started shooting up at the sky.

Alison looked up at the sky at the fireworks. "Isn't it beautiful?"

"Not as beautiful as you Angel" Rafe whispered while admiring Alison.

To Be Continued…


Disclaimer: I'm in no way affiliated with Brian Gaskill and Erin Hershey and Port Charles nor do I own the character of Rafe Kovich and Alison Barrington and any other characters of Port Charles.