Chapter Eighty-seven

For Rafe, upon hearing his daughter scream - the night went straight down hill. Thankfully, Alison had still been on the phone. She spoke to Kate and got her to calm down enough to stop her sobbing.

It was something at least. Rafe could swear his own heart shattered with every tear she shed.

Of course, having seen what had happened to Colin, virtually with her own eyes, Lynnie was not faring much better. To Rafe's great relief, the only one who could console her it seemed was Ethan.

It may be hard to watch them say goodbye - but at the moment - having him here was nothing more than a blessing from above, Rafe thought. Though he'd been cursing him before he guessed he owed his father one now.

All at once he realized that Grant had abandoned him too, having gone off to finally call Chloe. At least one of their children was happy and in love, Rafe thought with a sigh.

Left to himself, Rafe took a seat on the edge of his bed, holding his face in his hands. Every inch of him was screaming to go and fight. Again, the Morley's threatened his family's happiness. Again, they seemed to get the better of all of them.

The truth was on an average day it really didn't matter to him anymore. It had taken him some time to get to this point but now – he had no reason to rush off at every veiled threat. He'd been able to have the life he and Alison had always dreamed of. They had a home, a business, three amazing children and one on the way. They had family and friends that were priceless. Caleb had sought to destroy Port Charles and the opposite happened. The people that made their home there were bound and determined to live their lives without letting threats to their happiness get in their way.

But this was his Katie. He remembered how excited and happy he and Alison were while they waited for her to be born. He remembered how amazing it was to watch her grow. It was like every day with her they witnessed a miracle. Sooner than they thought, Grant was on the way and it was so different – though no less exciting. With him, Rafe knew how to deal with Alison's moods and what to expect when the time finally came. By the time they had Becky he was a pro.

Katrina would always be special, not only because she was the first. But because she was always so determined, always wanting to do the right thing and keep the ones she loved safe.

It was staggering. Kate was the first person that showed the world a large part of who he was. To see the many ways she resembled him awed and amazed Rafe, even now, when she was all grown up. If you asked him he'd tell you honestly. The things he loved most about her were the ways she was like Alison. Rafe knew that it was because of her mother that Kate was able to see what was good in the son of his worst enemy.

As much as it pained him to see her so hurt, Rafe knew that if Kate loved Colin as much as she obviously did, there really was something good in him. How it had happened, he couldn't imagine, but somehow he managed to survive the two people he had for his parents unscathed.

Knowing now what Colin had done, Rafe had a newfound respect for him. He now knew they had something very much in common. He knew that when Alison or any of the kids was in danger – if he had a choice to make he'd give himself up in a heartbeat. The fact that Colin went through with this – the fact that he sacrificed himself spoke volumes.

Rafe sighed as he listened to the silence around him. He'd done what he'd come here to do. Kate was safe and sound and almost on her way home. He couldn't believe the thoughts were actually in his head, but he knew it was true. His only regret at the moment was that he hadn't saved Colin too.

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Colin awoke, unsure of where he was. "Katrina..." He whispered, struggling to open his eyes.

He felt a hand running through his hair, but it wasn't familiar. Something was wrong. It was like his senses were heightened. It felt like sound came through his every pore. He thought he was dreaming, but it felt all too real. Especially when he felt the prick of his fangs on his tongue.

Horrified beyond belief, Colin sat bolt upright and gazed at the girl across from him.

"I'm glad to see you're finally awake." Anastasia said, running her hand through his hair again. "Are you hungry?"

"No." Colin lied. He was hungry, but it was hunger unlike any he'd ever felt before. To his horror, he realized what was happening.

She's safe. He thought as he felt the first pang of pain in his gut. Katrina's safe now.

It was a shame, Anastasia thought. Colin was so stuck in the past. He had no idea what lied ahead of him. She was determined to have him come around – to trust her and fulfill the destiny her mother spelled out for her not so long ago. They were well matched, or so their parents thought. From what she could tell Colin certainly fit the part. She couldn't have made a better choice herself.

With the utmost confidence she smiled at him, tossing her hair back and trailing a hand up his chest. "Trust me, Colin." She said as she pressed herself closer to him as they lay together on the bed. Her lips sought his as she whispered. "I'll teach you everything you need to know."

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Rafe pressed his ear to the door and could hear sounds of someone moving on the other side.

He knocked softly and said, "Katie? Sweetheart?"

A few moments later she opened the door. He was shocked to see her eyes were dry. A quick look around the room told him she was packing.

"Hi Dad. I'm almost done." She said softly. "I'll be ready in the morning."

"Katie – honey. You don't have to rush..." He began.

"No. I do." She insisted, her voice sounding bitter. "I need to go home. There's nothing for me here now."

"I'm sorry." Rafe said as he ran a hand over her cheek. "Princess, I know how much you love him."

She couldn't go there. Not anymore. It was best to try and forget. It was the only way she could survive.

She pushed the thoughts of Colin from her mind. Or at least she tried. "No. I'm sorry. I dragged everyone over here for no reason." She said, a bit guiltily.

Her mood baffled him. She seemed OK, but Rafe could tell there was something gone from her eyes. They no longer sparkled. She seemed so jaded and sad. He wondered if he'd ever see his old Katie again.

Exhausted, Kate moved to sit on the edge of the bed. Rafe walked over and crouched in front of her, taking her hands in his.

He didn't want her to leave until he knew she was absolutely sure she wanted to go. He gazed into her eyes, giving her the time he thought she needed to decide. "If you want me to take you home, sweetheart you know I will. But if you want to stay and see him..."

Kate hands began to shake and the tears threatened to fall again. "NO. Daddy. NO." She pleaded with him. "I can't. I can't bear to see him. Please. Not the way he is now."

"Shh. OK. Shh." Rafe whispered as he moved to hold her close. "If you're sure that's what you want. We'll leave first thing." He placed a kiss on her hair as he added. "I just want my little girl to be happy."

Kate heard her father's words, but wasn't sure she would ever know what happiness was again. Not if she had to live her life without Colin. She shut her eyes and held on tight, wondering if Port Charles was far enough away to forget him, or if being there would just remind her of him more.

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"Get away from me." Colin warned her as he pulled himself from her clutches. He stood and moved to the other side of the room.

"Colin. I know you're confused, but you just need to relax. If you just let go you'll see how wonderful your life will be." Anastasia promised.

Most men would find her irresistible, but Colin didn't have much trouble resisting her considerable charms.

"I know you're just doing what they tell you to do so I'm going to try and be polite." Pain shot through him and he winced as he said, "I want you to get out."

She looked at him, her eyes glowing with the power she possessed. She was to be his confidant, his teacher, and his partner for all eternity. It was her destiny. Mortals always had such a hard time in the beginning. She could see she needed to make him understand. "You need to feed, Colin. If you don't it could be deadly. The slayer you claimed to love isn't the only one who could take your life."

Colin's eyes went wide. Anastasia had lost this battle in the span of mere seconds. The fact that she dared to mention Katrina was her fatal mistake.

"Let me let you in on a little secret. I want to tell you how much that idea appeals to me." Colin summoned all of his strength and crossed to Anastasia. At first he gazed into her eyes and traced a finger up and down the column of her throat. She sighed in anticipation of the pleasure she was sure she was about to experience. This was much more like it, she thought as she leaned into his touch.

In a split second the same hand that had just caressed her was gripping her arm tightly and ushering her to the door. "If my choice is to die a slow, painful death or feed on you - I choose death." He whispered, his voice laced with hatred and contempt. He ripped the door nearly off it's hinges and threw her outside. "Get out and stay out." He warned her as he slammed the door behind her.

Shocked and defeated, Anastasia stared at the door as she sank to the ground. She couldn't face failure nor could she face her mother and Caleb. Desperately she fought to regain control and figure a way back inside.