A/N: It's finally time. The story's starting to wind down. I think poor Kate's suffered enough – don't you? As for a story after this one - I have an idea where to go next but it's going to take some time to work it all out.
Katie my dear – wouldn't it be funny if "my" Rafe and "my" Caleb and "your" Rafe and "your" Caleb met one day? Heehee
Ali – You're getting to be as clairvoyant as Abby and Lynnie. You think Alexander should have Kovich as part of his name huh? Well – we shall see. ;)
Carlie – I'm always sooo happy when I hear from someone new. I'm so glad you're enjoying my stories. It's people like you who keep me writing. As far as easing up on Caleb – I know – I know - I can be really tough on him. Honestly? It's because I can't ever let him truly win. ;)
But I hear ya – and I think perhaps Caleb will see the light. More or less. He'll never be all good – I mean really – what fun would that be!
Bethany – Caleb does suck – LOL! But I think he just might redeem himself a little here.
…and finally to Melody – you're just as sweet as your story. :)
So here we go…until 69! xox-G
Chapter Sixty-eight
Their child finally had his name, but it remained to be seen if they would ultimately raise him together.
Kate struggled to hang on. All she could hear at the moment was her mother's voice telling her that she would be better soon. She kept whispering that there was still hope that she'd pull through.
There was barely a word spoken as Rafe and Colin walked back into the room. Alison sat in a chair beside Kate's bed while Livvie looked on from the corner. She watched as Rafe bent his head close to Alison and whispered in her ear. Alison nodded and took his face in her hands kissing him sweetly before he moved towards the door again.
"You've been waiting for this haven't you?" Livvie said softly as she followed behind him.
"Excuse me?" Rafe replied, not at all in the mood to deal with her accusations.
"Don't deny it. You are going to enjoy seeing him suffer." Livvie continued.
Rafe shook his head at her. "No Livvie. You're wrong."
"I don't think so. I think you've been waiting for this opportunity. You love it when he's down."
"No Livvie." Rafe said again slowly. "You're wrong. This is the last thing I want to have to do. But if he's the key to saving Katrina – then I'm going after him. I have no choice."
"He's told me what it's like. It's going to almost kill him." She said with a shiver.
Rafe sighed in frustration. "Livvie. We need a small sample of blood from him – not a gallon. Trust me - he'll live."
"You mortals are always doing this – taking what you can from us." She said bitterly.
"Oh please. Suits you fine enough to be mortal when you want what we have." Rafe replied. "I don't have time for this Livvie. Either you go get him or you get out of my way. Don't try and stop me from getting what we need to save my daughter."
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Kyle walked back in the room - shocked when he saw Becky trying to get up out of bed.
He quickly put down the hot chocolate she'd said she wanted and rushed to her side, catching her as he legs gave out.
"Oh. Kay." He said with a sigh as he gently placed her back on the mattress. Becky started to protest and he kissed her quickly. "Becky. Where are you trying to go?"
She winced and whispered "Ow" as she settled back against the pillows.
He couldn't believe what she had been trying to do. He took her chin in his hand. "Look at me." Kyle said softly as he stared into her eyes. "Less than forty-eight hours ago you were in surgery fighting for your life. You need to stay in bed. Please. I'll get you whatever you want."
"I want to see my sister." Becky replied, blinking back tears. "I want to see my nephew."
Kyle should have known that'd be what she wanted. "Becky..." He began.
"I know." She said as she closed her eyes. "I can't."
He nodded and ran a hand over her hair. He realized all at once that he was getting really good at this taking care of her thing. "No. Not now. But you will. Soon. You should just rest now."
"I just wanted to see her for a second. Grant said she was awake, but I know she's still not OK. Colin must be so worried." Becky whispered as she reached for Kyle's hand and held on tight. She smiled softly as she spoke. "I remember when they first met. God. I had such a crush on him when I was younger."
Kyle knew it was insane to be jealous of Colin but at the moment he absolutely was. He wondered if he could ever put the same kind of smile on her face. "Oh really?"
He already had, but he was too self conscious to know it. "Mmm hmm. He was so dark and mysterious. Not to mention totally cute and incredibly charming." She continued, not noticing Kyle's expression. "You know what? He was the first guy to ever buy me flowers."
"Were they roses?" Kyle asked then, wondering how he ever thought he could compete with the other guys she knew. He was crazy to think he was the only one in love with her.
She smiled over at him again and he was lost. "No. They were more like wildflowers." She laughed a bit at the memory. "I think I held onto them for like two minutes and then went off to play with Maggie."
"She came by before by the way." He said as he ran a finger over her palm. "She tried to wake you but you were too far under.
"Oh really? I'm sorry I missed her." Becky replied with a yawn.
"She said she'll be back. Why don't you try and get some more sleep, Becky." Kyle suggested as he watched her eyelids getting heavy. She was trying so hard to stay awake but she needed to rest. She'd been through so much in such a short time.
"OK." She said as she began to fall under. Before she did she called out to him again. "Hey Kyle?"
He leaned back in the chair and gazed over at her. "Yeah?"
"You were the first guy to ever give me roses..." She whispered, knowing it had been nagging at him. She smiled as she added. "…and I have a feeling you'll also be the last."
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Rafe couldn't believe he was still stuck here having this conversation. He heard a sound and saw Grant and Chloe approaching. He began to move away from her again, his voice a dangerous whisper. "Livvie. You've been in that room with her. You know she doesn't have much time left."
"I just wish…" Livvie began.
Rafe patience was wearing thin as he cut her off. "I wish a lot of things – like maybe we wouldn't be in this situation to begin with – but we are and once again it's your husband who's making the situation worse."
Livvie was just as frustrated. "Honestly Rafe – what in the world would you do if you didn't have him to blame for all the stuff that happens to you huh?"
He whirled on her and began to raise his voice. "Live happily ever after - Livvie. That's what I'd do."
Chloe sighed and clutched Grant's arm. "So much for working together and not fighting."
"I can't believe I'm going to do this." Grant muttered taking a deep breath and walking towards them.
Chloe smiled as she watched him go.
"Dad." He said softly as he approached. "I know you're upset but this isn't a good idea."
"What?" Rafe's jaw dropped.
Grant took a deep breath and tried again. "I think maybe you should just see if Caleb comes here on his own. I don't think that hunting him down is going to do any good."
Rafe scratched his head and gaped at his son. He tilted his head towards Chloe and said, "Hey Chloe? Have you seen my son anywhere?"
"I think maybe you should listen to him." She said with a smile. She gazed over at Grant with eyes full of love. "I think he's brilliant."
Rafe sighed and gave her a smile. "You would."
He knew they had a point – he knew that they couldn't go on like this forever. He knew that if this was going to happen at all forcing Caleb might save Kate's life, but would most likely start another war. He didn't think they could all withstand another battle, not after all they'd already been through.
He turned towards Livvie again and spoke softly. There was nothing he wouldn't do to keep Kate safe, even if it meant stepping aside and turning to the least likely person for help.
"Do you think that you can convince him Livvie? Please…" He begged with tears in his eyes.
Livvie blinked back tears of her own and nodded. "I'll see what I can do."
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"We should get our own wing here." Lia said with a sigh. "I swear I spend more time here than the precinct."
Danny pressed a kiss to her forehead as he moved to sit beside her. "Don't worry – it's almost over. You'll be able to visit her at home soon."
Lynnie glanced at Ethan, reaching for his hand as she spoke. "I'm not sure about this." She admitted.
"What do you mean?" Danny asked.
Lynnie nibbled on her bottom lip a bit and spoke softly. "I know this is great. Using this serum that they found will save Katie – and that's beyond fantastic – but I'm just worried…"
Lia gazed at her sister with concern. Lynnie's worries were always worth exploring. "About what exactly?"
She looked over at Danny and began to speak again. "It's amazing that your dad and Chris had found something to save Kate. But I'm worried that now that Caleb won't let them stop there. Danny – what exactly have they done? What if Caleb gets his hands on it somehow? I don't know." She said with a sigh as she turned and looked into Ethan's eyes. "Maybe I'm just paranoid."
He smiled as he ran a hand over her cheek. "You're concerned not paranoid and I love you." He whispered as he kissed her softly.
Lia's mind began to spin. Her sister had a point. Finding a cure for Katie was a miracle – but would it come at a price?
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He crept through the corridor, not wanting to make a scene. The last thing he needed is someone noticing him doing something selfless. Despite his efforts he turned a corner and ran straight into his wife.
"I was coming to find you." She said softly.
"Well – you found me." Caleb replied.
Livvie took his hand and led him to an empty room. "I need you to listen to me. I know how you feel about the two of them together. I know you only tolerate her because of Colin and I know that it kills you that he's chosen the life he has. I know that Caleb. Believe me I do."
"Olivia…"
"And I know that you're worried about Rachel and so am I – I'm so scared to ever lose her. I want us all to be together forever. I don't know how I'm going to deal with it when the time comes but we have to concentrate on Colin now."
"Olivia…" He said again.
She ignored him and kept going. "Saving Katrina will make Rafe and Alison happy – of course it will – she's their daughter but more important than that – it will make Colin happy. Caleb I'm scared of what will happen to him if you don't help them save her. He'll be devastated. He will never, ever be the same again and that terrifies me. Please." She begged him, clutching his hands in hers and staring into his eyes. "Please. I know it will be painful and I know it's an incredible sacrifice but please…"
"OLIVIA." He said loudly finally making he hear him.
"Yes?"
"Where are they?" He asked.
"What?" She replied confused. "Who?"
He still couldn't believe he was here in this situation. "Ramsey and Ian. Where are they?" He asked again.
"Second floor." Livvie replied blinking at him in disbelief. She had been sure it'd take more convincing. "At the end of the hall."
"OK." Caleb sighed as he pulled her to him, kissing her quickly and letting her go. He slowly moved to the door.
"Caleb?" She called after him.
"Yes?" He turned back towards her again.
"Thank you." She whispered.
Her words hadn't been what convinced him. He'd already decided. Caleb didn't want her gratitude – frankly at this point he just wanted to get this over with. Giving her a nod, he walked out the door.
