A/N: LOL! I'm off (a bit early I know) for the holiday and caught yesterday and today's eppies of PC. Caleb and Rafe had a nice little chat yesterday and we are thisclose to the big Livvie/Alison switch – the only part of The Gift worth watching IMHO. They had the start of their knock down drag out (paint filled) fight today, where Alison lists all of Livvie's transgressions and Livvie still insists that Alison is to blame. That girl is unbelievable.

Note to PCGirl – Yes Katie - I know that the PC gang are simply characters and not real. (Though I do wonder occasionally as to what they do on their own time. LOL!) Please think of part of this chapter as something to sort of make up for this being my Amelia story. :'( I truly am sorry – but the bright side is we've got Melody's cuter than cute Katrina to balance it all out.

Back to the subject – so my favorite part of today's show had to be Alison calling Livvie a slut. Loved it! Long time coming I think! Anyway – it totally made me nostalgic for some classic Livvie antics – as well as some classic Rali-ness.

Now no worries - she's not going to frame her for murder or steal Rafe again. I hope you enjoy! Until 27 – xox - G

Chapter Twenty-six

Livvie paced at the door of Caleb's study trying to find the courage to go inside. She didn't know what to do. She was out of ideas. The thing that was bothering her most was the fact that she knew she had hit rock bottom when she decided called Alison.

Who was she kidding? There was no way she'd help her. Alison was too busy living her happy little life to worry about anything or anyone else.

A thought long since buried bubbled up to the surface. Why was it that Alison always won?

Livvie knew it was an amazing feat to have had a child – let alone two. But Colin preferred mortality and it still remained to be seen what Rachel's fate ultimately was.

Livvie grumbled to herself. Alison had four perfect, precious little slayers – all as syrupy and sweet as she pretended to be. And of course – in typical Alison fashion - one of those blond headed brats had gone and trapped her only son.

It killed her how that even now, Alison had it all and she was here – on the other side of the world – an ocean away from her son and grandchild.

Alison probably saw Alex every day. Alison was the one who would see him grow up firsthand, while Livvie had to content herself with pictures and home movies.

Alison had Rafe – who thought the sun rose and set by her. She had Caleb – who shut her out at every opportunity.

No matter what she tried to do – it seemed Livvie would never catch up.

She was beginning to get angry. She honestly thought she'd gotten over it but how on earth could she? Alison would always be there, a constant reminder of all Livvie had lost by choosing the path she had all those years ago.

This was not to say there weren't benefits to living with Caleb. He was never boring. He could be cruel for sure but that cruelty came from a hundred lifetimes of being hunted and chased by people who just didn't understand. People like Alison's kids and her annoyingly angelic husband.

She had a right to feel vengeful and hurt, didn't she? She couldn't see why it had to be so hard. Livvie craved the power and passion of the life Caleb had given her but deep down she knew the truth. She really would rather a more ordinary life - a life where her children were safe and happy, like Alison's were. She didn't want the strained relationship she still had with Colin and hated the feeling of fear she had regarding Rachel's future.

Her thoughts were interrupted by the sound of the chimes of the doorbell. She walked over and opened the door slowly, groaning when she saw who was standing on the other side.

She stared up at Rafe and sighed. "You've come a long way for nothing." Livvie said, her voice laced with venom. "We're all out of sugar."

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Alison was suspended somewhere between being asleep and awake. She heard a noise and sat bolt upright immediately, her heart pounding in her chest. She fought to make out the shape standing next to her bed. "Who's there?" She said softly.

"It's just me Mom…" Becky whispered. "I'm sorry I scared you."

Relief washed over her features. She was so on edge lately. "Oh honey – that's OK." Alison replied as she pushed her hair off her face. Her voice filled with concern as she asked. "What's the matter?"

"I can't sleep." Becky shrugged.

Alison smiled. "Me either." She patted the mattress beside her. "Come on in sweetie. We'll not sleep together."

As she climbed into the bed it reminded them both of when Becky was young. She snuggled close, resting her head on her mother's shoulder. There was no safer place in the world as far as she was concerned.

"I know why I can't sleep." Becky said with a sigh. "Why can't you?"

"I never sleep well when your father isn't in the bed with me." Alison admitted as she pressed a kiss to Becky's hair. She laughed as she added. "And it doesn't matter if it's because he's away or because I'm mad at him."

Becky smiled hearing her mother talk about her dad. She knew she was lucky – a lot of kid's parents didn't even seem to like each other. It was obvious to everyone, and sometimes even a little embarrassing to know that her parents were still so much in love.

Still, she loved to hear stories about when they were younger and how they fell in love. She knew all the crazy stories – she knew about all the things that had come between them. The way she felt about Kyle had her curious, suddenly wanting to know every detail. She figured it could help her to sort it all out.

"Has it always been that way?" Becky asked.

"Ummm. I guess so." Alison replied after giving it a bit of thought. "I don't know. I guess I'm just used to having him around."

There were so many questions swimming in her mind. "Is it weird being with the same person for so long? Are you ever worried you'll get bored?"

"With your father?" Alison laughed at the suggestion. "Honey – I think that's impossible."

Becky sighed loudly. Her head was spinning. There was so much on her mind lately. She bit her lip as she asked. "Mom? How did you know you loved Daddy?"

Alison pulled back a bit and stared down at her daughter, giving her a puzzled look. "What's with all the questions sweetie?"

Becky shrugged again. "I'm not sure. There're just some things I want to know."

"Well I'd be happy to answer you." Alison smiled as she pulled Becky closer. "Let's see. When did I know I loved your father? Well – I can tell you one thing. It didn't happen all at once."

Becky was surprised. "No? You mean it wasn't love at first sight?"

Her mother shook her head. "No. I was with Jamal sweetie. I wasn't thinking about your father that way in the beginning." She smiled widely as she added. "But, just recently he told me it was for him.Apparently he fell hard and fast. I guess I can see it now but at the time? I honestly had no idea."

Sometimes when Becky really stopped to think about it she felt a bit weird about the fact that her mother had loved someone else once upon a time. It was really hard for her to picture her with anyone else but her father.

Intrigued, she wanted to know more. "Well. When did you start to think about him that way?"

Alison took a deep breath. Trying to pinpoint an actual time when she loved Rafe was harder than she thought. "I guess it all started when he gave me that rose."

"I bet it was a pink one." Becky laughed.

She laughed back at her. "Well of course! But that's only because it's what I asked for."

Becky remembered how Kyle gave her roses when she was in the hospital. Grant had been the one to tell him what to get though. She shouldn't be surprised that her mom could be so bossy.

"You told him to give you roses?"

"Not roses just a single pink rose." Alison shook her head and giggled. "It was all very innocent really. He asked me what my favorite flower was and I told him." She sighed at the memory. "That was the day I realized what he was."

"You mean an angel or a slayer?" Becky asked then.

"An angel." Alison replied. "I already knew he was a slayer."

"Was he different when he was an angel?"

"Yeah – he was." Alison said as she held her daughter tighter. "At first he was trying to save all of us – then he was working so hard to make everything right again." She sighed again. "He was so sweet and kind and so appreciative of every little moment he was down here. In a way it was like he was freer then – it was like he had nothing to lose."

Alison kissed the top of Becky's head again and continued, trying once more to push the fears from her mind. "Now that he's back – he's got so much more to worry about."

That was no news to Becky. "Like all of us." She said softly.

Alison nodded in agreement. "Yes. Exactly."

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"Hello to you too Livvie." Rafe said with a smirk. He peered over her head and took a look around. "So. Where's your batty husband?" He asked as he moved into the foyer. A stunned Kyle stood frozen at the doorway.

"Um. Did I say you could come in?" Livvie spat at him.

Rafe chuckled as he walked a slow circle around the room. "Now you see – that whole being 'invited' thing doesn't include slayers – not that you all really pay attention to it much yourselves."

Livvie was no where near amused. "Rafe. Stop trying to be cute. What the hell are you doing here?"

"I'm here to see Caleb." He said simply.

"Well I'm sure he doesn't want to see you." She replied her eyes lighting with fire.

As the two of them spoke, Kyle took a tentative step inside. He made sure to stay clear of Livvie. He'd never been more terrified.

Rafe stopped dead his pacing and gave her a pout. "Aw. C'mon Olivia. Please? Just go and ask him."

"I don't need to ask him anything. I need you to leave us alone. Why are you always harassing us?" She asked as she continued to glare at him.

Rafe decided to ignore her comment. He planted his feet and crossed his arms in front of him and stared down at her. He gave her another grin. "Livvie. Please. You know I wouldn't be here if it wasn't important. Just tell him I'm here."

Realizing he was not budging she gave an exaggerated sigh. "You are unbelievably annoying." She grumbled as she stalked off towards Caleb's study.

As he watched her go - Kyle moved to Rafe's side and whispered. "God. OK - she's scary."

Rafe laughed loudly as he replied. "You think that's scary – you should try being married to her."

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Alison had begun to think that Becky had fallen asleep when she heard her voice again. "Did you know you'd be married when Daddy first kissed you?"

"No." Alison laughed loudly at the suggestion. "I had no idea then."

"It was after you made snow angels right?" Becky offered.

"No. Though that was quite a kiss." She giggled back at her. "The first time was way before then." The memories flooded through her mind, making her laugh louder. "It was right after he walked in on me naked."

Becky sat up, her mouth opened wide with shock. "Oh my God! MOM!"

Alison realized with horror that she was sounding like Elizabeth. She shook her head. "Honey – you know what? Maybe I shouldn't be telling you all this."

"No!" Becky protested. "I want to know everything." She smiled as she qualified. "Well. Not everything – but I want to know how you felt."

"How I felt when he first kissed me?" Alison asked.

Becky settled back down and nodded against her shoulder.

Her eyes began to sparkle and in her mind she was right back there. "OK. First of all - about me being naked? Just so you know – I didn't even know he was there. I had just gotten out of the shower. I thought I was alone." Alison laughed loudly as she remembered. "Oh my gosh. He was so adorable. He dropped this package that had come for me. All the stuff to make my muffins went crashing to the ground. Jam and syrup – they were everywhere." Alison smiled widely as she continued. "After I got dressed we were cleaning up the mess and had a little bit of a jam fight and before I knew it – he was kissing me."

"And?" Becky prompted. She was on the edge of her seat.

Alison sighed. "And I know it sounds corny but time literally stood still. I didn't even realize where I was or more importantly who was there for a full minute."

Becky thought back to the first time Kyle had kissed her. She had felt the same way. "It was the same way for me when Kyle kissed me – I mean – it was exactly like that." She clarified, not wanting her mother to get the wrong idea. "We were by the docks – and there were even fireworks. I guess it's true. Everyone says you and I are so alike."

She didn't know exactly what Becky was trying to figure out, but Alison could tell her daughter was trying to compare. "Becky. Listen to me. Every relationship is different. You and Kyle don't have to be anything like me and your father."

"I know that." She replied with a nod. "I just wanted to know if I'm weird."

It was the last response Alison had expected. "What?"

Despite knowing that her daughter was definitely in love, Alison couldn't help but think that Becky sounded so young as she asked. "Am I weird because I really think I'll marry him? I mean not right away but eventually? And is it weird to already kinda know that I don't want to see anyone else or kiss anyone else – for the rest of my life? Am I going to be missing something?"

"No honey. It isn't weird." Alison replied, overjoyed that Rafe wasn't overhearing this conversation. "If you ask me I think you're just incredibly lucky to already know what you want. It took me much longer than you to figure it all out."

They sat quietly for a while until Becky spoke again. "Hey Mom? Tell me something. Do you love Dad more now that you did when you first met him?"

Alison knew the answer in an instant. That was the easiest question of them all. "Yes. I absolutely do." Alison said with a smile as she hugged Becky tightly. "Mostly because he gave me kids like you."

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Livvie didn't bother to knock. She threw the door open to Caleb's study and announced. "OK. I'm sure you already know this but Rafe is here."

Caleb was startled. He knew now for sure there was something terribly wrong with him. He usually could sense that Rafe was close by in an instant. He struggled to hide the fact that he had had no idea.

"Why did you let him in?" He said with a sigh as he stood to face her.

Even though she had been worried earlier in the day, Livvie rolled her eyes at him in response. "Oh yeah – like I had a choice. He's here with some kid too. I guess he's got himself a sidekick. It's like Batman and Robin out there." Despite it all she gave a laugh. "OK.Well. Maybe not Batman…"

"Did he say what he wants?" Caleb asked then.

"To annoy the living hell out of us as usual I'm guessing." Livvie replied as she sighed loudly and sank into a chair. "I have no idea why he's here. He must be bored or something. God. I wish he'd find another hobby."

Caleb walked around his desk and moved to stare out the window. He needed some time to prepare. He might still be able to fool Olivia – but he was certain Rafe would see right through him.

He didn't have much time. Just as he took another steadying breath he heard a voice call out. "Did you know that it's rude to keep your guests hanging like this?"

Rafe smiled. He didn't think this would go well at all, but he figured the best bet would be to keep things light.

"Maybe it's because you just showed up uninvited. Did you know that was rude?" Caleb replied.

"Oh. This is good – getting lessons on etiquette from you." Rafe chuckled as he motioned for Kyle to follow him inside. Rafe took the chair opposite Livvie and sat down, making himself comfortable.

Kyle was trying to keep his heart from flying out of his chest. His only thought as he took his first look at Caleb is that he wished he had his stake handy. He stood close to the door, wanting a way to get out if things went badly.

Caleb knew he had to act quickly. He didn't want to deal with this. Not now. "OK. You know what? I'm not in the mood Slayer. What do you want?" Caleb snapped.

Rafe shrugged. "I just wanted to check in. See how the other half lives."

Caleb took another steadying breath, glaring into Rafe's eyes. "We live just fine. Eternally in fact. So now that you have a status report why don't you go back where you came from."

Rafe could see what a struggle it was for Caleb to save face. He decided to stop with the games. "You're not fooling anyone, Vampire." He stole a glance at Livvie, who looked like she was going to break him in two with her bare hands. "Well – maybe you're fooling your wife but I'm not buying it." His voice softened as he finished. "I know something's going on and like it or not – I'm here to help you. The sooner you let me the easier this is going to be."