A/N: Sorry for the delay—between a mild case of writer's block, and planning the wedding I wasn't up for much writing. Everyone enjoy! Until next time—PCGirl.
"Dad--," grimaced Kate as she crossed her arms in front of him at the suggestion he had just made.
"What? All I asked was if you are sure you want to do this—I mean you don't have to go thousands of miles away from your family just to have a Senior trip," said Rafe as he stood in the terminal talking to Kate while Caleb and Tara stood not so far away talking to each other also.
"Everything is paid for, you made us go over than itinerary a hundred times, and I am going. Not even a sudden freak blanket of fog will keep me from getting on that plane in a few minutes—right Tara?"
"Right," grinned Tara as she then turned to look at her dad. "Don't worry about us, ok?"
"It's our job—right Slayer?"
"Right."
"Ok, just be careful—and remember to stick to the itinerary, call us every two days, and most importantly--,"
"Use the names Locke and Barrington," said the girls simultaneously and then burst out into laughter.
"This isn't a joke," said both father's in their sternest voice, causing their daughters to start another round of giggle fits.
"Sorry," said Kate as she looked down at her feet and regained her composure. When she looked back up at Rafe he was taken back—she looked just her mom did years ago, young and bursting with energy—he hoped that nothing would ever change that. Kate reached up and hugged her dad tightly around the neck, "I'll be fine Daddy—I love you."
"I love you too, Princess," he said, willing himself not to cry. He pulled back and smiled down at her, "Now go tell your Mom and siblings bye before you miss the flight."
"Not that would be a bad thing in your eyes," she laughed as he pushed her towards where the rest of the family was waiting. She first went up to Lizzie and straightened her hair before giving a smile and then they embraced for a hug, "I want you to have the best time with Leslie this summer, ok? I can't wait for us to stay up late and talk on and on about what we each did."
"Ok, but be safe—please?"
"I'll be fine," she said as she smiled at Eddie and gave him a quick hug. After dinner was over and he had gone home she had called him and they talked for hours about everything and nothing—he knew she just needed to get out the butterflies that had been in her stomach the past few days. Saying that he'd watch out for Mom and for her to never hesitate to call if he needed her—she knew she always had him to lean on.
As she pulled away he whispered something in her ear that caused her to laugh, "Never be afraid of kicking a little vampire butt if necessary." She just smiled at him and shook her head before going to her mom who was now holding Gregory, "Mama," she said through tears as she hugged her.
"Hey now—no tears, because I don't want to start crying here in the middle of the terminal. You two have fun, and enjoy this experience—neither of us ever had this chance at your age," said Alison as she smiled at her daughter and then looked at Livvie.
A few seconds later they heard the boarding call for their seats, "Go—before your father comes up with some tactic to stall you and make you miss the plane."
"Alright, I love you Mom," said Tara and Kate simultaneously and they began to laugh as they turned towards the gate.
As they got in their seats and relaxed while the plane taxied down the runway Tara looked over to Kate, "I can't believe they actually let us get on the plane."
Jasmine slammed the knife down on the table and sighed, lowering her head over the kitchen counter. It was happening again—the humming in her head, but when she closed her eyes to see something, there was nothing but a black void. It had been occurring for months now—irregularly and once the humming stopped she could visualize anyone she wanted to.
She walked over and grabbed the phone—maybe this time her sister would co-operate. It rang a few times and then she heard Myra's voice on the other end, "Hello sweet Jasmine."
"Hi—listen, can I talk to Cassandra?" asked Jasmine, trying to keep her emotions in check for the next few minutes.
"She's busy—can I leave a message?"
"Myra—don't lie to me, I can see her sitting on the couch watching one of those trashy soaps," she said as the humming quickly stopped and she was able to view her sister.
"Why don't you tell me what's going on—I'll be happy to relay the message."
"No, what I want to do is talk to Cassandra—now put her on the phone, or maybe I should just come pay both of you a visit."
"Oh please do—and bring sweet Noah and Leslie with you, I'd really like to get to know my niece and nephew. Oh wait—I forgot, do you have a relationship with her or not?"
"Yes, I have a relationship with my daughter, I love her very much."
"Right—ok, here's what we're going to do—the only way you are going to talk to
Cassandra is to come and see us face to face, so stop calling—it's getting desperate," she said with an evilness in her voice as she hung up the phone.
Jasmine was ready to scream at the top of her lungs—no, better yet she was ready to throw something against the wall and watch it shatter into a million pieces. She looked down the hallway to see where Jack and Noah were, but all she heard was silence so she hoped they were outside when she stared at her glass of water, finished it off and then threw it as hard as she could and watched it break.
Myra knew something—someone had been planning something the past few months, and Myra knew all about it. The outcome was going to be soon—Cassandra had probably already been seeing what was going to occur, slowly, bit by bit until everything exploded and then there would be nothing Jasmine could do except stand there in shock and defeat.
"No! No—I won't let you do this!" she screamed and fell to the ground. A moment later she felt him next to her, running his hands over her hair. She threw her arms around Jack's neck and continued sobbing and he picked her up and carried her to the bedroom.
Rafe stood in the doorway of Kate and Lizzie's bedroom and stared off to space. He heard someone walking up the steps and looked to see Alison was joining him, "Hey."
"Hey—you ok?"
"She's really gone," he sighed.
Alison laughed, "She's only on a little trip."
"Yeah, but it's dangerous over there—you have no clue the nutcases out there that would cause harm to them if they knew they were mine and Caleb's."
"Rafe, I know you are worried about her little girl—but honestly you and Caleb have done everything possible other than chaperone the trip yourself."
"That's a great idea—why didn't you suggest that before they went on the trip?" he grumbled. He gave a loud sigh, "Am I really that bad about this trip?"
"Yeah, you are—I hate to think how you'll be when she gets married."
"We're going to let her do that?" asked Rafe as he finally began to smile and pulled Alison into his arms, "I have a right to worry."
"Yes you do—just don't over do it, ok?"
"I'll try—it's pretty hard though. It's almost as hard as not wanting you near me every second of he day."
She opened her eyes slowly—Jack was lying there facing her, running his hands down her arms, "Hey—you feel like something to eat?"
"No," she whispered. "What's wrong with me Jack?"
"Nothing—nothing is wrong with you. What happened earlier?"
"I heard that humming again—then the black void—and when I called Myra—she knows something, Jack. Something big. I'm scared."
"Of what?"
"Of our friends lives, or children's lives—us. I should be able to help us—I've always been able to, except for when JT came. Is he back? Did he somehow get to come back?" she said as her green eyes filled with tears and one came down her face as he wiped it away for her.
"No—it seems to me the only ones that can come back to life around here are Morley's and Kovich's," he laughed. "Just rest—do you want me to call Rafe or Caleb? Will talking to them help any?"
"No," she shook her head. "But I think I'll take up that offer for some food."
"I'll be right back," said Jack as he leaned in and kissed her forehead and left her alone, wishing he could say or do something that would make everything better. He hated seeing her like this—was calling Rafe the best option at the time? No, because the girls had already left for Europe—if something was going to happen, there was no turning back.
