A/N: Dear Ali and Melody – I have a confession to make. 1) I forgot what I named Kyle's sister way back when and had to look it up. :) 2) She's 9 – perhaps 10 now and just to refresh your memory – her mother took her and ran when Kyle started training – thus devastating his father and making Kyle decide to travel and meet Becky and end up in PC.

Livvie dearest – you are just too funny and terribly sweet. Though I adore reviews I am fully aware real life can keep you busy.:) As for me ending this quickly – there are 2 ½ years left in the story and I haven't budged much more than a week or 2 in 12 chapters. So no danger of it ending "too soon."

Now onto the latest segment. I think you'll go from being giggly to laughing out loud in this chapter. At least that's my intention. :)

For those of you keeping track of PC on SN. Caleb and Alison bonding in a cave and now...ugh... today in the villa. I'm usually much more eloquent but in a word - PUKE. I am NOT amused...

So – in protest of such things - I added the Rali bit in this chapter. :) I'm sure I won't hear much complaining.

Until 13 – Enjoy! xox-G

Chapter Twelve

Rafe stared at the phone. Alison stood in the doorway and smiled.

"Lift the receiver and dial Rafe. Caleb will be so happy to hear from you." She said with a giggle.

He turned around and gave her a look. "What? Don't be ridiculous." He said, waving her off.

She wasn't going to give up. She smiled as she tried to reassure him. "Rafe. You're worried. It's all right. Just call him."

"I hate this." He grumbled under his breath as he crossed the room and sank into a chair. He reached for the newspaper and began to read.

At least he tried to.

Alison walked over and pulled the paper from his hands. "That's a good try – but I know for a fact you can't read a thing without your glasses."

"Alison." He sighed as he stood and walked away from her. "Don't you have some baking to do or something? C'mon. Leave me alone."

She tried to hold back her laughter. "Rafe. It's OK to be worried about him."

"I couldn't care less about what Caleb does." He said with a shrug, turning his back to her and staring out the window.

"Oh if only that were true." Alison replied, rolling her eyes a bit. She bit back a laugh and stood behind him.

"It's true." Rafe insisted.

"You don't care what Caleb does?" Alison asked, her voice full of disbelief. She pulled at Rafe's arm until he stood facing her.

"Nope." Rafe replied, the sound of his voice implying the opposite.

"So he could be amassing an arsenal of vampires over in Romania and you'd be fine with it?" Alison asked then.

"Sure. Whatever turns him on." Rafe was desperate to get her off his back. Besides – he didn't think that was what was happening anyway.

"Hmmm." Alison mused, pulling away and walking towards the couch. She stopped and fluffed up a pillow as she added, "Interesting…"

"I said stop it." Rafe muttered, getting even more annoyed with her.

"It's OK Rafe. You can admit it. You care about what happens to Caleb. Say it with me…" She giggled louder.

The more she giggled the madder he got. "Alison – I told you to stop. You're wrong. I told you. I couldn't care less what happens to that bloodsucking freak." Rafe replied.

Alison went to the bookshelf and grabbed an ancient looking book. She settled in a chair and carefully began turning pages.

Rafe sighed as he watched her. The book in her hands was one on the history of slayers and their teachings. It was one of his most prized possessions. "What are you doing now?" He demanded.

"Trying to find the chapter where it explains how vampire slayers suddenly lose interest in the activities of vampires. You know what?" She said thoughtfully. "Maybe it's some sort of syndrome or condition. Do you want me to set up an appointment for you?" She asked him sweetly.

"With WHO?" Rafe asked, beginning to really lose it.

"I don't know – Chris…or Ian…or you know – maybe Kevin can help you sort out your issues." She batted her eyes at him and flashed him a grin.

His frustrations finally got the better of him. His voice rose and he glared at her. "I don't have any issues!"

"Could've fooled me." Alison replied still grinning ear to ear.

"Look. Alison. You know what's bothering me? YOU. You're bothering me. If you'd leave me alone and stop nagging at me every two seconds I'd be just fine." Rafe yelled as he continued to give her a furious look.

Alison sighed and stood glaring back at him for a second before she started to walk away. She stopped at the shelf and carefully put the book back. Her voice was dangerously calm. "I'm so sorry. You're right. I'm totally wrong. Here you are without a care in the world – nothing on your mind – just happy as a little clam. Nothing bothering you at all. My apologies. I don't know what I was thinking."

He watched her walk around the room, her head thrown back slightly and her nose in the air. It wasn't often that she got what he secretly called her "Barrington" look but when she did he knew he was in trouble.

"You want to be alone – you've got it." She stopped at the closet near the door and put her coat on.

"Where are you going?" He asked.

"OUT." She snapped at him.

Oh boy. Now he was in for it. Swallowing his pride his said softly, "Where?"

She gave him an exasperated look. "Didn't you just ask me to stop bothering you? Why on earth do you care where I'm going as long as I'm not NAGGING at you every two seconds?"

Rafe took a deep breath and softened his voice. "Alison. Please. Just tell me where you're going."

She stared him dead in the face and replied. "To an SWA meeting."

"Huh?" He looked at her, completely and totally confused.

"Slayers Wives Anonymous." She clarified. "Right now – we have only two members. Me – and Chloe." Alison turned the knob on the door and made her way outside. Before the door clicked closed behind her she called out over her shoulder. "Believe me between you and your son we have plenty to chat about."

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

"BILLIE!"

She sat at the kitchen table with a huge grin on her face. "Yes honey?" She replied, her voice dripping with sugar.

He came in, somehow looking completely ridiculous and cute at the same time. He stood in a shirt and sweater and …socks. From the waist down he was wearing nothing but boxers.

"Very funny. Joke's over." He glared at her.

"Hmmm?" Billie replied, turning a page in her book. She was staring at it as if it was the most fascinating thing she ever saw.

"Belinda Jane Larson." Quinn said quietly. "What did you do with my pants?"

Billie looked up and blinked at him. "I'm sorry sweetie – what did you say? What's wrong with the plants? Did you over water them AGAIN?"

He faced her with his hands on his hips – his blue eyes furious. "PANTS. Belinda. I said PANTS. Not PLANTS. As in – 'What the hell did you do with my pants while I was in the shower?'"

"I don't know what you're talking about." She said innocently, continuing to seem engrossed in her book.

Quinn snatched it from her hands and bent down to look her in the eyes. "Nice try, sweetheart – but the little Miss Innocence act isn't working. I know what you did. You hid them. ALL OF THEM. Every last pair I own. I've looked everywhere. Now. WHERE ARE THEY?" He demanded.

He decided to try a different tactic – sure that yelling would get him nowhere. "C'mon beautiful." He said as he ran a hand through her hair and flashed her a grin. "Please. I'm late for work."

She sipped her tea and looked at him over the rim of her mug. "Are you saying that ALL of your pants are missing? Honey – that's so weird." She bit back a smile and added. "Geez. I hope you find them. It's really cold out."

"Billie. C'MON." Quinn pleaded. "PLEASE? I'm sorry. OK? Whatever I did – I give up. Just give me my pants back."

Billie couldn't control her laughter anymore. She didn't believe he was truly sorry. He had no idea why she had done what he was accusing her of doing. Until he understood he'd walk around half dressed.

"Do you realize how funny that sounds?" She asked.

Quinn was losing his patience. He gave her the same look he gave Ty when he was misbehaving. "BILLIE. I mean it."

Billie pouted at him in reply. "I kinda like you pantless though." She replied, her voice teasing as she looked him up and down.

"BELINDA." He said it like a warning. "I'm going to count to three. When I finish you will tell me where they are."

She stood and smiled at him. "Are you sure about that?" She asked with a wink.

Before he could stop her she sidestepped him and scurried into the living room. He caught up with her easily, snagging her waist and throwing her on the couch.

A bit breathless he stared down at her, his mind wandering for a moment before he remembered why he had her captive.

"ONE…" He threatened as he pinned her down.

Billie burst into a fit of giggles. "Torture me all you want. I still won't tell." She said shaking her head.

"TWO…" He said giving her a glare and tightening his hold.

"You're so handsome. I'm such a lucky girl." She said as she fluttered her lashes and pursed her lips at him.

"TWO and a HALF…"

"You needed to be taught a lesson. It was payback, Quinn. You understand payback don't you?" Billie asked sweetly.

"THREE!"

Billie giggled louder.

"Bill – seriously. I'm late. This is cute. And if I had more time I'd even let you take advantage of me but I gotta go. I have a deadline." He leaned down until his mouth was inches from hers as he whispered. "GIVE. THEM. BACK."

"The men at the shelter are so thankful to you for contributing to their clothing drive." Billie replied, her mouth twisting into a grin.

"You didn't." He gasped.

She decided to let him off the hook. "No." She laughed. "I didn't. But I want you to repeat after me."

"OK…" Quinn replied. He was curious to see what she wanted him to say.

"I – Quinn Donovan – do solemnly swear…"

He sighed. "I – Quinn Donovan – do solemnly swear…"

"To never – ever – EVER leave my fiancée tangled up in a turtle neck sweater…"

He laughed then, realizing his grave mistake. He looked into her eyes and repeated, "To never – ever – EVER leave my beautiful, amazing, gorgeous fiancée tangled up in a turtle neck sweater…"

"Or else I'll have to endure the penalty of pantlessness." She added with a smile.

"OK." Quinn laughed louder. "Pantlessness is not even a word, Bill."

"Funny thing for a man who is currently in that exact state to say." She replied, her eyes sparkling.

Quinn stared down at her and gave in, knowing that even though he'd be incredibly late there was no way in hell he'd be able to leave her now.

"If you loved me you wouldn't make me suffer in this state all alone." He said as he leaned close and covered her mouth with his.

"Oh OK…" She agreed with a sigh as she pulled him closer. "But only because I love you."