A/N: Happy Birthday dear Ali! I had no idea! But – now that I do - in honor of your special day – here's another chapter. I'd have taken a request as to what exactly you'd like to read but I think this might just do. :) Sorry it's not happier – maybe you'll like the next one better.

Livvie – Nope. I'm sorry – I'm confusing you! We are still years from the first chapter. Rafe travels w/Kyle a few times. Once now –then later. That first chapter. UGH! I swear I rue the day I decided to write it that way. SIGH. My sincere apologies. Please bear w/me!

So now - until 26 - Enjoy! xox-G

Chapter Twenty-five

Rafe walked into the gym surprised by the sight in front of him. There were a ton of people there, but instead of the members running on treadmills or using the free weights it seemed that they were all gathered in the center of the room, gushing over his granddaughter.

"I know. I can't believe how chubby she's gotten." He heard Chloe say with a laugh. "She's gained six pounds already."

He saw then that his son was holding the baby above the throng. "She's not chubby – she's perfect." Grant said in a tone that dared anyone to contradict him. "She just needs to keep her strength up. It won't be too long till she's teaching classes."

Rafe smiled as he watched the scene. He glanced at the clock and knew he couldn't waste much more time. He walked around the crowd and over to the counter where Cindy was standing.

She'd changed her hair again. It was now bright blue except for her bangs which were trimmed with platinum. He shook his head as he reached her. He really was surprised it hadn't all fallen out by now.

"Hey Mr. K!" She said brightly as she snapped her gum. "What's up? Here to see your grandbaby?"

"No. Though it's a nice surprise to find her here." He said with a grin as he took another peek in Melissa's direction. He turned back to Cindy and continued. "I'm actually here for Kyle. Is he around?"

Cindy's face fell. It figured. The poor kid could never catch a break. She knew for a fact that Kyle had been miserable for weeks. Becky hadn't come near him since she got caught sneaking back in her room. Cindy knew all about it and it killed her to see them both so unhappy. She knew for a fact that in an effort to make himself feel better, Kyle had thrown himself into work.

She bit her lip and decided she had to defend him. Kyle didn't deserve the way he was treated. She knew Rafe was overprotective of Becky but Kyle wasn't the type of guy Rafe thought he was. "Mr. K – I don't mean to butt in – but Kyle's really not as bad as you think he is."

If he had a dollar for every time someone told him that he'd be a very rich man. Rafe sighed and gave her a glare. "Oh alright already. I GET IT. He's a saint – I'm overreacting."

Cindy laughed. It was not at all the reaction she was expecting. "Well. It's about time you got with the program."

"Is he here?" Rafe replied, ignoring her comment.

She tried unsuccessfully to reign in her laughter as she replied. "Yeah. He's in the studio filling in for Grant." She smiled as she added. "Your son gets a little sidetracked whenever his daughter is around."

"It's an easy thing to do." Rafe replied as he saw Chloe approach, carrying a gurgling Melissa in her arms.

"Hey Grandpa!" She said with a huge smile. "What a nice surprise."

"Oh look at you." Rafe said softly as he took the baby from her and held her close. He gently kissed the top of Melissa's head, inhaling the scent of her skin. He loved that smell; it always took him back to when his girls were this size. As he did he saw Kyle leaving the studio and immediately tensed up, realizing again that Becky wasn't a baby anymore.

He kissed Melissa once more and handed her back to her mother. "I'll be back in a second." He whispered as he made his way towards Kyle.

Kyle saw him coming and began to back off. Oh God. He thought desperately. He knows that I tried to call her last night. I can't believe I totally blew it. Terrified he turned away and tried to find a place to hide.

"Kyle?" Rafe called out. "Hey. Hold on a second."

He stopped in his tracks knowing he had to face him. "Yes sir?" He whispered almost too low for Rafe to hear.

"I need to talk to you." Rafe took a deep breath. He wasn't sure exactly how to begin.

"OK." Kyle replied, already hanging his head. He decided to start apologizing before he got into deeper trouble. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have done it."

Rafe blinked at him, completely confused. "Done what?"

The words tumbled out of Kyle's mouth in a torrent. "I called her. I know I'm not supposed to but I did. I'm sorry. I just – "

Rafe shook his head. "OK. Kyle wait a minute..."

Kyle didn't quite meet Rafe's eyes. He stammered as he continued to try and explain. "I'm sorry sir. I-I-I know you don't want me to see her and I haven't. Please don't punish her. It's not her fault. I just miss her is all." Kyle's voice hitched as he said the words. He swallowed and began again. "I just wanted to hear her voice." He stared into Rafe's eyes as he finished sadly. "I haven't seen her in weeks, sir. I promise you I haven't…"

"Whoa. OK. Hold on." Rafe held Kyle still and realized how wrong he'd been. Alison was right – everyone was right. Kyle wasn't the enemy. As a matter of fact, Rafe could see now that he'd scared him sufficiently. But more than that, he could see how much he cared about Becky. The way he was acting was nothing but sincere. There was no way he'd mistreat or take advantage of anyone, least of all someone he obviously cared about.

Rafe sighed, knowing that he'd get a whole load of I told you so from his wife when he told her about this.

"Kyle. I had no idea you called Becky and honestly? It's fine with me if you call her." Rafe began.

Kyle's head snapped up. "It is?"

"Yes it's fine." He replied, not wanting to have to say it again. "But that's not what I wanted to talk to you about."

It was Kyle's turn to be confused. "What? It's not?"

"No. It's not." Rafe took another breath and tried again. "Kyle. I need you to come with me."

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"Well that's good." Kate said with a sigh. "It's not going to be easy but I guess it's for the best." She shifted Alex onto her hip and cradled the phone in the crook of her neck. As she did she stirred the pot on the stove with her free hand. She didn't want their dinner to burn. She had already set the table with their best china and crystal. She was in a romantic mood tonight and hoped Colin would be too.

"I think so too. And I made him promise to take Kyle with him so I'm not so worried now." Alison said as she shook her head at Ella. She was acting up because she was hurt that Rafe had left without saying goodbye to her. She glared at her youngest child and spoke firmly. "Ella Rose. Don't you dare!" She sighed. "Sorry sweetie. I've got to go before your sister jumps off the kitchen counter and breaks her neck. Give Alex a kiss for me please." She said as she hung up the phone quickly, yelling at Ella as she did.

Kate smiled as she heard her mother scolding her sister. She tried to put down the phone but found her hands full. Luckily Colin walked in at that very moment and saved her.

"Hello gorgeous." He whispered softly as he took the phone from her and placed it down on the counter. He made her stop stirring and held her face in his hands, leaning in and kissing her slowly.

"Mmmm." She murmured as he pulled away. "That was nice." She added as she smacked her lips.

"Very." He replied, his eyes sparkling. That kiss was just a start to the type of evening he had planned for the two of them. "How are my two favorite people in the whole wide world?" He asked as he pressed a kiss to Alex's forehead.

"We're great." She said as she smiled up at him. "We have news actually."

"What's that?" Colin asked absentmindedly. He was busy now sampling from the pot Kate had been stirring. "Don't tell me Alex said his first word."

"No. But it's almost as momentous." Kate said with a giggle. "My dad's going over to see your father."

"He's what?" Colin dropped the spoon and stared at her.

"Yeah. My mom just called to tell me. He's going over there to see what's up." She said as she began to sway back and forth. Alex was getting fussy, it was time to feed him.

Colin stared off into space and tried to calm himself a bit. He remembered the conversation he'd had with Rafe months ago. "This is bad. I knew he was concerned but it's got to be serious."

"Honey? Are you OK?" Kate looked at him with concern.

Colin's guard went up immediately, part of him relieved that Rafe was handling things and the other protective of Caleb. It always surprised Colin when he felt this way. His relationship with his father was precarious at best. There were many times when he honestly couldn't care less what happened to him. But always, deep down there was this underlying need to be accepted by his parents. From the time he was young he always felt a bit outside of it all. He knew that when things got rough they wouldn't turn to him. He always felt that in his father's eyes he was still the enemy. He didn't know how to make it better, but at the moment all he could think is that Rafe's going over there would just make it worse.

Colin felt Kate's hand on his arm and was taken back to the present. "This is probably a bad idea." He said bitterly. "No offense but this is something I don't think your father can fix."

Kate's temper began to flare. She didn't want to have this argument again but she couldn't help herself. "OK. You know what honey? When you have to start a sentence with 'no offense' I'm quite sure you're going to say something offensive."

"Katrina please." He rolled his eyes. He had been in such a good mood earlier. How did it go so wrong so fast?

"No. Listen to me." She cut him off. "It's not a small thing – my father putting himself out there like this."

"I didn't say it was." Colin replied. "But you have to admit – it doesn't make much sense. A slayer coming to a vampire's rescue?"

Kate agreed but she still had a point to make. "I don't know what exactly he's trying to do by going over there but you have to admit that it's huge that he's even willing to help."

Colin took a deep breath and tried to reason with her. "I'm just saying I think it's a disaster waiting to happen."

Alex began to wail and Kate's voice began to rise. "And I'm just saying that if the tables were turned I bet your father would let mine rot in hell. So instead of criticizing him maybe you should be thanking him."

"Katrina – come on. Are you kidding?" He stared at her in disbelief. "Thank him for what? He hasn't even done anything yet!"

She threw daggers at him with her eyes and switched off the stove. "Shh baby. I'm sorry." She whispered as she held Alex closer. She glared at Colin and snapped. "Excuse me. I'm going to feed my son." She tossed her hair back and tilted her chin up at him as she added. "You can get your own dinner."

"Katrina." Colin sighed, knowing that look well. He'd be sleeping on the couch tonight for sure.

She began to walk off in a huff and quickly turned back around to face him. "Just a little reminder Morley – your child is half slayer. You don't like it you should have thought about that before you went and charmed me. Or maybe that was your master plan – you and your bloodsucking family."

God was she angry. Her words stung like blows. "Katrina." He said again, his tone softening. "Please. Stop it. I didn't say that."

"Maybe you all were just curious. Maybe it was like an experiment. To see what would happen if our families mixed." She began to cry. Her voice caught on a sob as she continued. "I'm beginning to think that's it - because it certainly seems like you've got a problem with what I am and where I come from."

"Katrina…" Colin was pleading with her now. It was worse than he thought. He nearly lost his breath when he moved towards her and she cringed.

"Don't touch me." She said softly as she held Alex tighter and walked away.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Kyle listened intently as Rafe told him his plans. He was shocked and surprised at what he heard but even more than that he felt honored and proud. This meant more to him that almost anything else in the world. It meant more than anything but Becky.

"Thank you sir – for asking me." Kyle finally was able to reply. "Are we going right now?"

"Yes." Rafe nodded, trying to hold back a smile. "We'll leave as soon as you can get yourself ready."

"OK." Kyle nodded, his heart heavy. He didn't want to press his luck but he couldn't imagine leaving without at least trying. "Sir? Do you think – I mean – would it be OK if I…" He trailed off, sure that his wish wouldn't be granted. He shook his head and decided maybe it'd be better if he didn't see her. "It's alright. Never mind. I'll go pack."

Rafe knew what Kyle was struggling to ask. He wanted to see Becky and say goodbye. And despite his better judgment he wanted to let him. There really wasn't time though. They needed to get a move on.

Kyle made his way to the staircase and tried to shake thoughts of her and their last conversation. He was kicking himself. He tried to remember if he'd thought to tell her he loved her. He wished he could say it now but it seemed it was too late.

As he started up the steps the door to the gym flew open, revealing Becky looking disheveled and frantic. Her eyes darted around the room wildly, her face filling with tears as she spotted Kyle at last.

Alison. Rafe thought to himself with a sigh. He should have known she'd call Becky to warn her. Becky looked so grown up, was his first and only thought as he saw the look on her face. His heart hurt as he realized all at once that he'd lost her for good.

Without a word Becky ran to Kyle, jumping up and throwing her arms around his neck and hugging him tightly. She was oblivious to the fact that her father and brother and countless others were looking on. She sobbed as she kissed him, her hands spearing into his hair as she kept his mouth firmly on hers.

Chloe and Cindy stood by and sighed. "Oh. How romantic." Chloe whispered as she wiped at her eyes. She remembered a time she felt the same way Becky did now - when Grant went off with his father to find Kate all those years ago.

Despite the decision he had made earlier, Rafe's face lost color. He had to turn away. Despite what he'd said he knew he still wasn't ready for all this.

He was so distraught that Rafe didn't even notice as Grant moved beside him holding Melissa closely. Grant shivered as he watched his baby sister, and like his father he was unable to believe she'd grown up so fast. He shook his head as he spoke. "OK - now it's official." He placed a kiss to his daughter's brow and solemnly promised. "Tough luck kiddo. You're not dating until your thirty-five."