A/N: Hi y'all! Hope you're enjoying your summer! Here's a couple more
chapters to tide you over. I'm just going to warn you - I might be slowing
down some w/the updates - 7 mo. is a loooong time to fill and I don't know
exactly how I'm going make it all fit in - even though I have a bunch of
chapters done that would occur "months" from now - I probably won't finish
the story until PC is finished too. (. Don't worry.I won't leave you
hanging - I always finish what I start!
Thanks one and all for the fantastic feedback - it truly means so much to me. I'm so glad you like the story - but please let me know if you ever think I'm heading in the wrong direction. We may not be able to change how we see PC now - but I'd be willing to if something I write doesn't seem quite right with all of you. (and - sorry for the long note - but I have to say it - a big thanks esp. Melody who always has something sweet to say and apparently tells other people to read my stories! You - my dear - can review as many times as you want - you are the sweetest :-)!!!) - Until next time!- xox - G
Chapter Twelve
He worried too much for his own good on an average day - on a day like today the list of things he was worried about just kept getting longer.
Rafe walked along the waterfront going over it all again and again in his mind.
First and foremost - there was Alison and now - their child. She teased him about being overprotective - well she had better get used to it - because the way he was now was nothing compared to how he'd be after the baby was born. Most nights, he fought sleep over concern for her but the thought of having to worry about their child made he sure he'd never sleep again - and not because of 2 o'clock feedings.
Despite his never ending list of worries, his heart was nearly bursting thinking of it all. He'd left Alison upstairs napping, their gym opened tomorrow. She'd being overdoing it - as usual and could hardly keep her eyes opened. She practically fell asleep on her feet. As hard as he tried to concentrate on all that was good in his life at the moment - one thought, one thing kept creeping back in.
Caleb.
He'd helped save Alison - that much was true and unbeknownst to any of them at the time, as a result he helped to save their child too. In a strange way, Rafe would be eternally grateful on some level for that - but the fact remained. Caleb was getting desperate, hungry for power, the need to possess it making him more dangerous by the minute. Rafe could sense it, could feel it in his bones. Caleb was plotting, planning something - otherwise he wouldn't be so hell bent on getting the ring back.
The problem was - he didn't really know what he could do.
There were times that Rafe wished that when he'd been sent back here - it was without any of his powers. But any time he had that thought - the next was how vulnerable that would make everyone that he loved and cared about. They would all be at Caleb's mercy then - without any hope of defeating him.
Being a slayer was something he could never escape - no matter what he did or how hard he tried. It was as much a part of him as his hands or his heart. He wouldn't be the man he was without his calling, just as he wouldn't be who his was without Alison.
Rafe sighed, trying to figure it all out.
As much as he wanted to ask her - Rafe knew it would be a bad idea to rely on Abby's gift. First of all, he didn't want to use her like that - but he sure could use some insight as to what Caleb was up to.
Rafe had learned about the ring during his training. He knew firsthand just how much power it gave Joshua - but he also knew there were mysteries of the ring known only to Caleb. If he could find the ring first, would that help things or just make them worse? What would be more dangerous for those that he loved?
He heard footsteps behind him and knew who approached instantly. He didn't even need to turn around. The same, familiar feeling he'd always had started to coarse through every nerve, both his mind and his body preparing to fight.
"I understand congratulations are in order." Caleb said, his voice dripping with sarcasm.
So he already knew. Rafe thought, his mind beginning to race. He suspected he would, but was hoping they'd have more time. He didn't bother to reply, but simply turned to glare at his nemesis.
"Just what the world needs, another slayer." Caleb continued, rubbing his hands together, his ring finger still waiting to feel the weight of the heirloom he vowed to recover as he did.
"Caleb - you would be gone in a heartbeat if I was ready to leave this earth. I want the world rid of you so badly that if it weren't for my life here with Alison - you'd be gone already. I would leave and take you with me gladly."
"Then maybe I should go and thank her" Caleb said with a sinister grin. "Perhaps I'll go and see her now."
Caleb hadn't taken a step, but Rafe blocked his path anyway. "Stay away from her." He warned his eyes deadly.
"Oh relax - seriously, you're always so uptight. Haven't I proved to you I won't hurt her? Remember - I helped rescue her from Joshua."
"Which you did out of the goodness of your excuse for a heart- right?" Rafe replied.
"You're smarter than I thought."
Rafe refused to let Caleb bait him. "You did it to get a hold of your ring. Don't think I don't know what you are really up to."
"Well - you know how all that happened - I made a deal with your future in- law, that cutesy librarian. She promised me if I helped you - we'd both get what we wanted. You've got yours - I just want mine."
Caleb looked around and then back at Rafe. "Maybe sweet little Abigail knows something about that - have you seen her around?"
"Stay away from her too - I'm warning you."
"Does Alison have any more sisters? How many more women are you going to warn me to stay away from - just so I know?"
Rafe continued to glare at Caleb without replying.
Caleb chuckled then. "OK, I can see you're no fun today. Consider me sufficiently warned. Now seriously, Rafe. Don't you think it's time you concentrated on something else besides taking me down? You can't kill me without making yourself just a memory so why do you even bother anymore?"
"You're one to talk - you insist on giving me reason to. You need to be stopped before you infect everyone here like the plague. I remember all too well what you did the last time. You make such a mess when you do that and I actually don't enjoy having to clean up after you. I'm hoping to stop it before it starts."
"Everyone needs to have a dream."
Frustrated, Rafe looked over at the man who could shatter every dream he held dear at the moment.
"Caleb. Really. Why are you even here? Why do you stay in Port Charles anyway? You could go anywhere."
"Are you saying this town ain't big enough for the both of us?" Caleb said laughing.
"I'm saying that if you have plans to control this town then I'll be right here to stop you."
"So I guess we know now where we stand."
"I guess we do."
They stood and stared at each other for a long minute. Finally, Caleb stepped around Rafe and began to walk away. He turned back toward Rafe, his eyes nearly glowing with fury as he said. "Here's a warning for you - slayer. If you insist on playing this game and if I find out you are anywhere near what is mine - I will make you pay."
"Is that a threat - Caleb?" Rafe asked his fists clenched.
Caleb stared him in the eye and responded. "That's a promise."
*********
From her seat on the bench, Abby saw the whole scene between Caleb and Rafe - mere moments before it actually occurred. Though she thought she'd just made the right decision - as much as it scared her - she was sure now she'd need to hold this ring as long as she could. It was the only way to keep everyone she loved safe.
Thanks one and all for the fantastic feedback - it truly means so much to me. I'm so glad you like the story - but please let me know if you ever think I'm heading in the wrong direction. We may not be able to change how we see PC now - but I'd be willing to if something I write doesn't seem quite right with all of you. (and - sorry for the long note - but I have to say it - a big thanks esp. Melody who always has something sweet to say and apparently tells other people to read my stories! You - my dear - can review as many times as you want - you are the sweetest :-)!!!) - Until next time!- xox - G
Chapter Twelve
He worried too much for his own good on an average day - on a day like today the list of things he was worried about just kept getting longer.
Rafe walked along the waterfront going over it all again and again in his mind.
First and foremost - there was Alison and now - their child. She teased him about being overprotective - well she had better get used to it - because the way he was now was nothing compared to how he'd be after the baby was born. Most nights, he fought sleep over concern for her but the thought of having to worry about their child made he sure he'd never sleep again - and not because of 2 o'clock feedings.
Despite his never ending list of worries, his heart was nearly bursting thinking of it all. He'd left Alison upstairs napping, their gym opened tomorrow. She'd being overdoing it - as usual and could hardly keep her eyes opened. She practically fell asleep on her feet. As hard as he tried to concentrate on all that was good in his life at the moment - one thought, one thing kept creeping back in.
Caleb.
He'd helped save Alison - that much was true and unbeknownst to any of them at the time, as a result he helped to save their child too. In a strange way, Rafe would be eternally grateful on some level for that - but the fact remained. Caleb was getting desperate, hungry for power, the need to possess it making him more dangerous by the minute. Rafe could sense it, could feel it in his bones. Caleb was plotting, planning something - otherwise he wouldn't be so hell bent on getting the ring back.
The problem was - he didn't really know what he could do.
There were times that Rafe wished that when he'd been sent back here - it was without any of his powers. But any time he had that thought - the next was how vulnerable that would make everyone that he loved and cared about. They would all be at Caleb's mercy then - without any hope of defeating him.
Being a slayer was something he could never escape - no matter what he did or how hard he tried. It was as much a part of him as his hands or his heart. He wouldn't be the man he was without his calling, just as he wouldn't be who his was without Alison.
Rafe sighed, trying to figure it all out.
As much as he wanted to ask her - Rafe knew it would be a bad idea to rely on Abby's gift. First of all, he didn't want to use her like that - but he sure could use some insight as to what Caleb was up to.
Rafe had learned about the ring during his training. He knew firsthand just how much power it gave Joshua - but he also knew there were mysteries of the ring known only to Caleb. If he could find the ring first, would that help things or just make them worse? What would be more dangerous for those that he loved?
He heard footsteps behind him and knew who approached instantly. He didn't even need to turn around. The same, familiar feeling he'd always had started to coarse through every nerve, both his mind and his body preparing to fight.
"I understand congratulations are in order." Caleb said, his voice dripping with sarcasm.
So he already knew. Rafe thought, his mind beginning to race. He suspected he would, but was hoping they'd have more time. He didn't bother to reply, but simply turned to glare at his nemesis.
"Just what the world needs, another slayer." Caleb continued, rubbing his hands together, his ring finger still waiting to feel the weight of the heirloom he vowed to recover as he did.
"Caleb - you would be gone in a heartbeat if I was ready to leave this earth. I want the world rid of you so badly that if it weren't for my life here with Alison - you'd be gone already. I would leave and take you with me gladly."
"Then maybe I should go and thank her" Caleb said with a sinister grin. "Perhaps I'll go and see her now."
Caleb hadn't taken a step, but Rafe blocked his path anyway. "Stay away from her." He warned his eyes deadly.
"Oh relax - seriously, you're always so uptight. Haven't I proved to you I won't hurt her? Remember - I helped rescue her from Joshua."
"Which you did out of the goodness of your excuse for a heart- right?" Rafe replied.
"You're smarter than I thought."
Rafe refused to let Caleb bait him. "You did it to get a hold of your ring. Don't think I don't know what you are really up to."
"Well - you know how all that happened - I made a deal with your future in- law, that cutesy librarian. She promised me if I helped you - we'd both get what we wanted. You've got yours - I just want mine."
Caleb looked around and then back at Rafe. "Maybe sweet little Abigail knows something about that - have you seen her around?"
"Stay away from her too - I'm warning you."
"Does Alison have any more sisters? How many more women are you going to warn me to stay away from - just so I know?"
Rafe continued to glare at Caleb without replying.
Caleb chuckled then. "OK, I can see you're no fun today. Consider me sufficiently warned. Now seriously, Rafe. Don't you think it's time you concentrated on something else besides taking me down? You can't kill me without making yourself just a memory so why do you even bother anymore?"
"You're one to talk - you insist on giving me reason to. You need to be stopped before you infect everyone here like the plague. I remember all too well what you did the last time. You make such a mess when you do that and I actually don't enjoy having to clean up after you. I'm hoping to stop it before it starts."
"Everyone needs to have a dream."
Frustrated, Rafe looked over at the man who could shatter every dream he held dear at the moment.
"Caleb. Really. Why are you even here? Why do you stay in Port Charles anyway? You could go anywhere."
"Are you saying this town ain't big enough for the both of us?" Caleb said laughing.
"I'm saying that if you have plans to control this town then I'll be right here to stop you."
"So I guess we know now where we stand."
"I guess we do."
They stood and stared at each other for a long minute. Finally, Caleb stepped around Rafe and began to walk away. He turned back toward Rafe, his eyes nearly glowing with fury as he said. "Here's a warning for you - slayer. If you insist on playing this game and if I find out you are anywhere near what is mine - I will make you pay."
"Is that a threat - Caleb?" Rafe asked his fists clenched.
Caleb stared him in the eye and responded. "That's a promise."
*********
From her seat on the bench, Abby saw the whole scene between Caleb and Rafe - mere moments before it actually occurred. Though she thought she'd just made the right decision - as much as it scared her - she was sure now she'd need to hold this ring as long as she could. It was the only way to keep everyone she loved safe.