A/N: Dedicated to my sweet little Nat - who's let me tease her a lot lately. ;) This one was really fun!! :) Until 54! xox-G
Chapter Fifty-three
Abby placed the phone down on the table gently. "She's avoiding me, Cameron."
Cam looked over at her, taking his eyes from his laptop but just briefly, "Babe, you don't know that."
"I do too. " She said, her voice full of annoyance. "She's never there when I call and she hasn't returned my messages. She…."
Cam hit save and pushed his chair back. He knew he'd better start paying attention to her. If he didn't, soon she'd either throw something at him or poke him with something sharp. Even so, he cut her off gently, "Abby. Give her some time. I told you what Rafe said. She's worried. She doesn't want to fight anymore. Maybe it'll work out and Livvie will convince him to go."
"Cameron - please! So now we're trusting Livvie!?!" Abby's voice was incredulous.
She drove him crazy. He stared at her in disbelief, his own voice beginning to rise. "Hey. Hold on a minute. A week or two ago, you and your sister gave Rafe and I the silent treatment because you both were sooo convinced that Livvie was the key to getting rid of Caleb."
"Yeah - well. I changed my mind." She said, her eyes glittering with anger. "Livvie and Caleb are perfectly matched. Concerned with nothing else but themselves. I'm telling you right now - I am not going to let them get away with this!!"
"Abigail." Cameron warned. "YOU are NOT going to do anything."
"Watch me." She promised as she turned and moved towards the door.
Cam caught her hand and tugged her back, which wasn't at all easy. She was determined to leave. "Abby. C'mon. Calm down."
"NO. Cameron." Abby was so frustrated she started to cry. Angry tears began to fall. "It's not fair. I'm not going to let them do this."
Though he wanted nothing more - she wouldn't let him hold her. As a matter of fact, he was almost afraid she'd punch him. His hands dropped to his sides. "Do what Abby? They haven't done a thing yet and you're fighting. Please. Just stop for a minute."
"I can't…" She protested.
Cam grabbed her arms and held her still. "Abby. What is this about? Is it about Alison and Rafe having to leave because of Caleb or is this because you have this dream for you and Alison and you don't want to lose it? What's the problem here?"
Abby's voice was choked with tears. "It 's everything." She said as she finally gave in.
"Just everything? Is that all?" He said with a grin.
"Cameron." She sniffled. "Don't laugh at me."
"I won't." He promised as he pulled her close. "I'm afraid you'll punch me."
"I have started to take kickboxing you know." She said, finally smiling through her tears.
**********************
Rafe walked out into the bright sunshine, more content than he'd felt for weeks. Finally, he was free. He walked near the Overlook. The last time he was here, he was so scared and confused and now…now he knew exactly what his plans were.
Plans, however, have a way of changing when you least expect them to.
"Reminiscing Slayer?" Caleb called out. "Thinking of what might have been?"
Rafe knew this was coming, but it didn't mean he was ready. "I liked it much better when I got an early warning that you were flying in."
Caleb brushed a leaf from the sleeve of his jacket. "Sorry. I fly more traditionally now. Believe me - it's a real drag."
"I can imagine." Rafe said, willing himself to stay calm. "What do you want?"
"Just taking a walk. I'm sort of taking a tour of all the places you tried to take me down but failed."
Rafe smirked and crossed his arms in front of him. "Really? Hmmm. When do you get to the Villa?"
Caleb's eyes lit with anger. "Don't you worry about the Villa - Rafe."
"Oh - I'm not worried." He replied.
They stared at each other for a long moment. The scene was eerily familiar. Tired of playing, Rafe had enough.
Giving Caleb one last look, he began to walk away.
"You're putting up a good front - Rafe but I can see it in your eyes. You can't wait to start this again. You've won the last battle but this war is far from over."
Rafe's voice was soft and serious as he spoke the words. He stared straight into Caleb's eyes. "Hear this. I'm finished. As long as you stay fangless you're safe from me. Because - just in case you need a little refresher course - I'm a vampire slayer and oh - what was that?" Rafe laughed. "That's right. You're not one anymore."
Rafe couldn't help wanting to get a few more digs in. "Now - if you still want fangs - and for me to leave you alone - there's a costume shop on 10th Street that has a nice selection. It might surprise you to learn that I tried them out myself once. You know - research."
"That's cute, Slayer. Let me tell you something - if you truly had them - you wouldn't know what to do with them."
"Floss them twice a day?" Rafe squinted his eyes at him and asked with a smirk. "I'm guessing that's pretty important."
"Are you done?" Caleb asked then, his voice full of boredom. He was growing tired of the stand-up routine.
"With you?" Rafe nodded "Yeah. I am. I'm finished Caleb. I've got everything I need. I've got my life, just the way I want it. Go. Fly. Be free." Rafe winced and corrected himself. "Sorry. I forgot you lost the wings."
"This is done when I say it's done." Caleb promised.
"OK." Rafe chuckled as he began to walk away again. God - Caleb was still trying to hang on. It was pretty pathetic.
He heard a voice call out behind him as he made his way. "Hurry home. Kiss your wife and that sweet baby while you still can."
Instantly, Rafe had his hand on Caleb's throat, pinning him against the trunk of a tree. His voice was deadly. "You come within 100 feet of either of them and I promise you - you'll be wishing you died here."
*************************
"Yo. Rocky. You calming down yet?"
"Cameron. Stop." Abby smacked him lightly. She knew he was right but deep down, she was still fuming.
He kissed the top of her head and smiled. "Listen Champ - I wouldn't want to face you in the ring."
"I just don't want her to go." Abby said with a sigh. "It's not fair."
"I know…." Cam held her tighter. "But if they choose to leave - listen to me. I know you're just trying to protect them but if that's their choice, then trust me - they don't want you to take up the fight for them."
"But…"
Cam kissed her to keep her from protesting further. "Abby. You know it's true."
She sighed and snuggled closer to him. "Doesn't mean I have to like it."
***************************
"There he is." Caleb said with a strangled laugh. "The guy I love to hate."
"That was always your M.O. wasn't it? Can't get to me - so you threaten Alison. And now - you're daring to threaten my daughter."
Caleb shrugged.
"You really want a fight that bad huh - Caleb?" Rafe released his hold and backed away. "C'mon. Don't embarrass yourself like this. Just let it go."
"You think you and your little pack of do-gooders can take away my life and live to tell about it?" Caleb stared at him in disbelief. "You haven't seen the last of me."
"Is this really what's important to you - Caleb? Look around. You have a chance to start a life with Livvie. You - God help us all - are going to have a family of your own. And instead of focusing on that - you're wasting time here with me - running around chasing after a set of teeth."
Rafe moved to leave again, determined to succeed this time. "If you insist in making threats I'll be there to answer them. But ultimately - I made my choice and trust me Caleb - it's not you."
