A/N: So many questions - y'all - let's see what the answers are. Read on. Until 44! xox-G

Chapter Forty-three

Abby opened the door and smiled softly when she saw who it was. She was glad it wasn't Cam because she was about to let him have it. "They got to you too?"

"God!! Men! They drive me crazy. They're so stubborn - Abby." Alison sighed as she walked in the room.

"Tell me about it. " Abby almost laughed as she took the baby from Ali's arms. She cooed at Kate as she crossed the room with her. "Hey sweet girl. I can't believe it. It's only been a day but I really missed you."

Alison dropped the bag from her shoulder and rummaged through it - pulling out some of Kate's toys. Abby sat on the couch and placed Katrina carefully down on one of the cushions. Her sister followed behind. Alison looked around the room before she sat down and sighed. "Ugh. I just realized I'm going to have to go back down there eventually. I forgot her seat and her crib. She's going to need a nap soon."

"Maybe they'll come to their senses before that." Abby replied with a grin.

"Yeah - uh huh." Her voice said she was far from convinced. "They're completely itching to take him down already. They won't even consider that maybe…" Alison shook a rattle at Kate, her heart melting as she saw the baby smile. As much as she just wanted to concentrate on the good things in her life, she knew they needed to fight. The question was - how? "I don't know - but I can't help but think he has no idea that Livvie's carrying his child. When he finds out - it could change everything."

Abby knew it was time to get everything out in the open. "Did I ever tell you about some of the conversations I've had with Caleb? I mean - back when I had the ring?"

"No, come to think of it - you didn't actually." Alison replied. "But you know - I was so caught up in things - I didn't really ask."

Abby took a deep breath and began, "When he found out I had the ring, he threatened to kill me - Alison - he did - but I really think there's a part of him that couldn't have gone through with it."

Alison narrowed her eyes and cautioned her gently. "Abby - he's dangerous. You can't underestimate him like that."

"I know - Ali. Back then - I didn't tell anyone - but I saw the plans he had - if he'd succeeded in getting the ring back - it would have been unbelievably horrific. Alison - the things he would have done…" Abby looked away and tried to hold back the tears that filled her eyes.

"OK. It's OK." Alison didn't mean to upset her but now she was more than a little upset herself. Katrina started to cry a bit. Alison picked Kate up and held her close, more to calm herself than the baby.

Abby continued on. "This is what I was trying to tell Cam. I truly believe that Livvie is the one that can save him - even if Caleb himself doesn't realize it yet. From everything I can see - he's been fighting being mortal since it happened. He can't imagine truly living like this. It may even be what he wants - but he sees us all as beneath him. Thinking like that is the only way he's been able to live the life he used to. Alison. Oh God. I can see it. He's going to try to destroy us all before he gives in."

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"What do you think? C'mon - you're the expert." Cam asked Rafe. "What should we do?"

It didn't make him happy - but Rafe knew what had to be done. "If it's anything like last time - we need to wait and see what he's going to do." He said with a sigh. "I won't be able to convince Alison to go along with anything if we strike first."

Cam was confused. "What are you talking about?"

Rafe looked back with the same level of confusion. As he did - it finally dawned on him. "I forgot. You weren't here. The last time - when Caleb wasn't mortal but was pretending to be - he somehow got to her. He fooled nearly everyone and I wound up looking like an idiot every time I tried to fight him."

He shivered at the memory. "It made me make some bad choices and I practically scared her to death. I can't risk doing that again." Rafe's voice gained strength as he finished. "I won't."

Cam wished he had been there because he was sure he'd have been right there to help him. What the hell was wrong with these people? I mean - c'mon. If a vampire slayer tells you there's a vampire around - shouldn't you listen? Cam shook his head. "But you were right. He was preying on their emotions and taking them in…"

It was great finally having another guy around who understood. Rafe knew Cam loved Abby just as much as he loved Alison, so their goals were matched. As much as it had meant for him to have Ian to help him before - but being a vampire himself - made it hard for him to focus when it came right down to it. "True." Rafe agreed. "But now.." Rafe shook his head, "Cam - it's worse now. This time - he's really mortal. We have to be careful because I can see it already. It will not make either of them happy if we go after him while he's still like this."

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Shaken by Abby's words, Alison took a steadying breath as she walked down the stairs to get Kate's portable crib. Silently, she walked towards the door to pick it up. She struggled to lift it and bring it towards the stairs.

"Are you insane? Alison. Let me get that." Rafe ran up over and tried to take it from her.

She pulled the crib out of his grip. "Kate needs a nap." She snapped at him.

"She's not the only one." Rafe muttered under his breath.

"Excuse me?" She said as she glared at him, and tried again to hoist the crib off the ground. "I got it." She insisted as he pulled it away.

"Stop. It weighs almost as much as you. Be mad at me - fine - but don't try and kill yourself because you're so stubborn." He said as he walked up the stairs.

"Stubborn? Rafe. Please. Don't even start with me." Alison grumbled as she followed behind.

Rafe set the crib outside Abby's door and turned to face her. "What are we doing?" He moved closer to her and stared into her eyes. "Alison. C'mon. Right now - the last thing we need to be doing is fighting with each other about all this."

Alison didn't want to fight with him either. She took his hands in hers and sighed. "I know - you're right but Rafe, you and Cam - you've got to open your eyes a little. Because - you two - you're both just as bad as he is. You have this opinion of him that you can't change and trust me I know why. I know how evil he can be."

Rafe sighed as he looked at her. It was going to be harder than he thought. "What do you want me to do - just sit by and let him hurt you?"

It seemed he would never change. Alison dropped his hands and was so frustrated she began to cry. "Yeah - Rafe. That's what I want. I want you to let him hurt me. Great guess. You got it on your first try."

It seemed to be getting worse not better. "Alison…." He tried again.

She took a breath and wiped the tears from her cheeks. "Just stop - Rafe. I know you want to protect me and Katrina. I know Cam wants to protect Abby. I know your head is spinning trying to create some sort of defense before Caleb gets here and I want you to be prepared - I do. But the battle this time - trust us - it's not the same. It's not what you're used to. All Abby and I are trying to do is make you understand that."

It was inevitable anyway. He knew Cam would agree because they were both feeling pretty much miserable all afternoon. They should stop wasting time fighting and give in. "So maybe Cam and I should hear you out - huh?" He suggested as he pulled her close and buried his nose in her hair.

Alison smiled as his arms closed around her. "See. I always knew you were smart."