A/N: I've been waiting so long to get to this point that I simply cannot wait any longer. I'm not getting any work done today just thinking about it.
I can't tell you when I actually thought/typed up this portion of the story. It seems like a hundred years ago.
I truly hope you like where I'm going with this. If you don't - if you think I'm off base - please let me know. I'll take anything you have to say under advisement. There's always room to adjust. There's only one - OK - maybe two - :) things I'd have a major objection to. Y'all are smart - you can surely figure it out. ;)
So now without further adieu...
Here's the beginning of a chain of events that will bring the whole story together. Things are heating up and stuff is going down. Be prepared - it's a pretty rocky ride.
As always - have faith, dear readers. Until 41! xox-G
Chapter Forty
"Katrina. This isn't a good idea." Colin said softly. He'd moved into Kevin and Lucy's for a few days. Lucy wanted to keep an eye on him. It made him smile. Katrina was dying to escape and Colin didn't mind being taken care of like this at all. It had been so long since anyone cared to pay attention to him he was basking in it.
"I can't stay here Colin. Listen to me - please? We should just go away for a bit." She had a thought and her heart lifted. "You can take that job with the band. You can tour with them in Canada and I'll go with you. We can go away for the summer and come back in September. Maybe things will calm down by then."
It was tempting but Colin knew it was a horrible solution. "I'm trying to win your parents over – not alienate them forever. You're supposed to go to college - you've made all these plans. C'mon. You know it's true. This isn't a good idea." He said again.
"He won't listen. He refuses to." She tried to make him see. Suddenly her plans didn't seem so important anymore. "I've been fighting with him all morning. My mother's about to lose it."
"This can't surprise you. He hates my father and he doesn't trust me. The whole thing is understandable. And you know what? I don't think this is even so much about who I am. It's the fact that your father will never think there's anyone worthy of you. It's just some he sees as worthier than others."
"You're being way too nice about this. Colin – please?" She pleaded, unable to think of another solution. "Let's just get out of here."
"I know how close you are to your whole family and especially to your dad. You know you'll never truly be happy if we run away. You know that – deep down - I know you do."
"This is what we talked about." He reminded her. They'd had a long discussion the other afternoon. "Remember? We said this whole stupid war has gone on long enough. Maybe we could stop it by being together."
He wondered how realistic that idea actually was, but with Katrina he truly believed anything was possible. "Just remember that. Please. Try and talk to him again, OK?"
Kate sighed and hugged her arm around herself. "I'll try. But if he doesn't back down this time I'm leaving. I mean it. I've already got a bag packed so if I show up on your doorstep don't be surprised."
He could just see her, her eyes sparkling with anger and her face determined. He realized all at once how much he missed her. Despite his words, part of him wanted her to run away with him. Part of him wanted it just to be the two of them alone together for the rest of their lives. But he knew what was best.
"Just try and see OK?" He asked her again.
"OK." She replied and he could tell by the tone of her voice she was pouting as she did.
The image made him smile. "I love you." He whispered. "Call me later."
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Caleb watched Livvie sleeping, having finally convinced her he'd leave their son alone. Perhaps he still might – but there was a lot to consider.
He'd always wanted to have a child. The fact that he had been able to have one of his own was beyond remarkable. He was determined to see his destiny fulfilled. He'd waited centuries to see it happen.
His cell phone rang and he picked it up quickly so as not to disturb his wife.
The person on the other end did not bother to identify themselves before speaking. "She's blond – about 5' 5" with green eyes. They're not seeing so much of each other at the moment. The girl's father had a problem with them being together for some reason."
"Blond huh?" Caleb said thoughtfully. "Interesting. I've always preferred women with dark hair myself. Guess that's another way he doesn't take after me."
Caleb had a feeling there was something besides meeting Kevin that would keep his son in Port Charles. His little boy had found love it seemed. Colin hadn't been there too long, it couldn't be that serious. Caleb figured there was time to turn his son's head in another direction.
Turning his attention back to the caller, he moved on to the real question. "Did you find someone who'll do?"
"I think so." The voice replied. "There's a young girl – no family to speak of – lives in a small apartment on the waterfront. Pretty young thing. I spoke to her the other day and she fits the part."
"Good. Go ahead with it then. When I get there, bring her to meet with me. I'll be the one to instruct her."
The voice on the other line was tentative as it asked. "You think this will work?"
"Don't question me – just do what I ask." Caleb spoke in a harsh whisper. "Enjoy yourself. Remember, I'm trusting your judgment."
"Thanks boss. I appreciate the opportunity." The caller replied, already licking his lips in anticipation of such an assignment.
"Don't mention it. You've earned it. Just have fun." Caleb smiled as he clicked off his phone.
It had been a while for him, but there was something about the thought of a fresh kill that made his pulse race.
He looked out the window. Dawn was about to break, the possibilities of the new day making Caleb grin. His plan was taking shape. Soon, it would all be over. He knew Livvie was against it now but she'd see in the end he was right. Their son needed to join them.
There was no other option.
"I know what you like now, son." He whispered as his grin grew wider. "Now - let's see how you like the little present I've got planned for you."
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He heard a scream, then another. Cam's head shot up from the desk where he was working.
Quinn peeked his head into the study. His voice shook a bit. "Dad. Something's wrong."
His heart racing, Cameron pushed back his chair ran out into the living room.
Abby was standing there, her face ashen. She had just come through the door and had left it wide open. She looked like she'd seen a ghost.
Just then, Lynnie came flying down the stairs, sobbing as she ran into her mother's arms.
Obviously they had both seen something horrible. Cam and his son stood by helpless, wondering what was about to happen now.
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She walked across the hall, determined to try and sort it out. She saw her father sitting on the chair reading. "Dad…" Kate began.
He lifted his head and gazed lovingly at her. She looked so much like Alison lately. He couldn't help but remember how it was when she was little. It was so easy then.
"Katie." He said with a sigh. "Please. Let's stop fighting like this."
"I want to. Daddy. I just wish you could understand." She stared into his eyes. "I didn't plan this. I didn't know who he was and when I found out - Dad, it just doesn't matter. I know who his parents are but it doesn't mean he's like them. If you'd just get to know him you'll see. He's not like his parents at all."
"Ah, Kate." He took a deep breath, trying to control the tidal wave of emotion washing over him. You promised Alison, he said to himself.
Rafe took another deep breath before continuing. "You have to understand. This is what he does."
"This is what who does?" Kate's voice began to rise.
He could see that she was getting upset. He fought to keep his voice steady. "Caleb. He makes you trust him. He works slowly, sneaking up on you when you least expect it. When he makes his move it's already too late. You've never seen it coming."
She looked down and stared at her feet but didn't respond. Rafe used the opportunity to get his point across. "Katie - it's more than just who his parents are. You're so young. You have so much time. You've made all these plans and now you're just throwing them away? Don't you remember? Just a few weeks ago you were so excited to go to college. Just a few weeks ago you were in supposedly in love with Danny. Can't you see? This might not be as serious as you think it is."
Kate's voice was shaking. She stared into his eyes, needing him to take her seriously. "I'm not Becky - Dad. I don't have a silly little crush on Colin. I know how I feel. What I feel for Colin is completely different than what I felt for Danny. I don't know how to explain it exactly - I just know. It's huge. It's like I look at him and I can't see anything else. I know it doesn't make any sense. I know there are a million reasons that it seems wrong but I don't care."
Rafe knew well what it was like, to care about someone else so much you didn't even think about yourself anymore. When he met Alison it was over for him. He had so much love for her he was sure there wouldn't be room for anyone else. But each time they brought a child into the world it grew.
He looked at her now and his heart burst with love. The way she spoke to him frightened him. He spoke softly, hoping to make her see that he just wanted to keep her safe. "You need to care - Kate. More than that - you need to be careful. What if he's using you…"
"To get to you? God - Dad!" Kate whirled around to face him. She was going around in circles with him. She couldn't do it much longer. She began to yell.
"This is MY life we're talking about. This isn't about you anymore. Do you know why you didn't get a chance to meet Colin the last time he came over here? It's because he found out who we were and freaked out. He's told me at least 20 times since I've met him that he's going to leave me for my own good."
"That's an excellent plan. Too bad he never went through with it."
The words were out before he even knew he'd spoken them.
Alison slowly walked upstairs, the sound of rising voices having woken her. Her heart was heavy, her eyes full of tears. It was breaking her into pieces having to hear them going at each other like this.
"Oh my God. I can't believe you just said that." Kate said her voice full of disbelief. Tears began spilling from her eyes. "I'm sorry. I can't do this anymore. I'm leaving. I'm leaving and I'm going to be with Colin. Don't try and stop me."
Rafe tried to reel in his temper but he was having a hard time. Panic filled him when he heard her words. This was exactly what Alison had warned him about. She was slipping away. He was desperate. What would it take to get through to her?
He was so scared and confused he continued to say the wrong thing. "You want to go to him - fine. Katrina - I just don't understand. I can't believe you would even consider this. You know who he is now. How can you even look at him?"
"Because." She said with a sob. "I love him Dad. You - of all people - should understand that."
It was at that point that Alison reached the landing. Kate ran past her mother and into her room. She wiped at her eyes as she grabbed her bag, fleeing down the stairs and moving towards the door.
Tears flowed down Alison's face. With a desperate look at Rafe, she ran after her daughter. "Katie! Please. Don't go!!"
She was so full of concern for her that she wasn't paying attention. Alison's mind spun as she stumbled near the last step, falling forwards, her forehead hitting the table in the entry way. She lay at the bottom of the stairs, lifeless and still.
"Alison!" Rafe cried out in horror as he watched her fall. "No!"
"Oh my God! MOM!!" Kate screamed as she heard her crash to the ground.