A/N: Katie re: my email. Awian #2 gave me a little feedback and I realized I still have time to figure it out. :)

Please be advised that Rafe's and Caleb's dreams are just that – dreams. I'm not erasing PC history. I might be adding to it – but I'm not erasing it.

Until 31! xox - G

Chapter Thirty

Caleb held Livvie close, glad she had fallen asleep so he could sort it all out. How could he tell her the truth? That for the first time in his life he wasn't sure he could protect her.

Whenever he used the ring to become mortal there was a plan. When he'd fallen in the spring he knew he had the tools to eventually regain the powers he had come to rely on and treasure. But now – now he didn't know what was going on.

He wished that there was someone here he could trust. Caleb knew there were other vampires nearby but his family was long gone. It was something that always seemed odd to him. He was someone who lived eternally. You would think there'd be a Morley or two still around.

Livvie mumbled and he pulled her closer still. There was so much he needed to do to prepare for what he suspected would be coming. As thoughts flew through his mind his eyes got heavy. Soon, he was sleeping soundly.

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Rafe walked into the room and threw the key down. Something Kyle had said during dinner kept running through his mind.

For once the thoughts filling his head weren't worries about his daughter. He thought back to the conversation and tried to sort it all out.

"So where is your house?" Kyle asked.

"I'm sorry?" Rafe replied.

"Where's the house you grew up in?" Kyle clarified, thankful to have a change of subject. "Is it near here?"

Rafe stopped eating and stared off into space. "It's not far." He said softly.

"Are you planning to stop by there?" Kyle asked then.

"No." Rafe replied his voice definite and suddenly sounding far away. He lowered his eyes and stared at his plate as he added. "There's no reason to."

He should go. He thought with a sigh. It was probably time that he did. It had been so long since he'd stood in that place. He knew he should go and put it all behind him once and for all, but he wasn't sure he was ready to.

Rafe moved towards the bed. He was going to have to try again with Caleb at least once more before he gave up and went back to Port Charles. The events of the day seemed to catch up to him in an instant. He lay down on the bed, intending to try and call his wife. Before he could even reach for the phone he had fallen fast asleep.

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A few miles away Caleb's own head was full of images. In his mind he stood in the center of a dark room, a haze clouding his vision.

"I gave you everything." A voice called out to him. "And still that wasn't enough."

"Father." He whispered into the dark. He crossed the room to stand before him.

"I gave you life, for all eternity and you throw it away like it's nothing." Roderick replied, his eyes glowing red with rage.

"You gave me that choice when you fell into their trap." Caleb replied, his own voice becoming angry.

"I was counting on you – I was confident that you'd be able to defeat them but you are still so weak. So undeserving." His father spat back at him, disgusted. "You let them break you – you coveted what they had and now you'll have it all. You won't just mimic what they are, you will become one of them."

"I haven't wished on the ring since Rachel was born." Caleb replied. "Surely you wouldn't have denied me my children."

"You had a son, but that wasn't enough for you. Your greed has caused your downfall before. Don't you ever learn?"

Caleb's pulse quickened. A life without his daughter was one he couldn't imagine. His voice shook with anger as he whispered. "You should be careful what you say."

Roderick wasn't swayed in the least. "You should be careful what you do. You married one of them and now they are making you one of them. You've shown…compassion." He said the word like it was a curse. "You have helped them time and again and now you must deal with the consequences."

"This isn't news." Caleb sighed as he stared his father down. "You have never been happy with me."

"And I never will be. My legacy has been wasted on you." Roderick replied with contempt. "I had such hopes for you son. I can't believe I'll have to watch as they destroy you."

"I'm not going anywhere." Caleb promised.

"We shall see." Roderick said as he faded away. "We shall see."

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In sleep Rafe was taken back in time, to when he was younger, before his life really began -before he met Alison.

"I wish you wouldn't go." Katrina said softly as she watched her son packing a bag. "It's not safe."

"Mamă." Rafe smiled softly as he zipped the bag closed. "It's never safe." He sighed as he turned to face her. "I have to go. You know I have no choice."

He walked over to her and pressed a kiss to her cheek. "I'll be careful. I promise."

Before he could walk away she reached for him and hugged him tight. His childhood flashed in front of her eyes, such that is was. He had been so young when he started to use his gift. He had been far too little to handle all the responsibility it came with. She had tried to change that, but deep in her heart she knew he needed training to protect himself as he tried to protect others. So she let himdo just that.Now he was constantly going off to fight.

It was up to him alone. The battle had gone on for so long and now he was the only one left. It pained her deeply, to know that he could never rest until they were all able to live peacefully.

"Te iu besc, meu deget mic vîndut." She whispered as pulled away and she ran a hand over his hair.

Little solider, he thought with a smile. She had always called him that. "Te iu besc, Mamă." Rafe whispered back as he kissed her cheek again.

He could see the scene unfold in his mind. He saw what happened after he left. He saw that as she watched the door close she fell onto the bed, crying softly as she heard his footsteps going down the stairs. It looked to him that she already knew what was to come, that she somehow knew that would be the last time she'd see him.

The images changed, and he saw himself returning to his home, finding it still full of life, as if his mother was still living there.

He moved towards the door and knocked on it gently, surprised beyond belief when Katrina opened the door.

"You're back!" She cried as she pulled him close and hugged him tight.

"You're here?" Rafe whispered as he shook his head to clear it.

His mother laughed softly as she drew him inside. "Of course I am here." She said with a smile. "Where else would I be?"

"You…you're not supposed to be here. I thought you were…" Rafe looked around the room and saw everything in it's place. This can't be happening. He thought. This house was nearly destroyed. I saw it with my own eyes. She's supposed be gone. I'M supposed to be gone.

"I'm so proud of you." Katrina continued as she walked towards the kitchen. "Are you hungry?"

At that moment he noticed the calendar she kept on the wall there. He remembered how it had looked when he'd come home and found her gone. It had read 1990. As he glanced at it now couldn't believe his eyes. It was colorful and new. Rafe was shocked when he saw the year.

"2004?" He shook his head and stared at her again.

"I know. Time moves so quickly." Katrina replied as she went about making Rafe something to eat. "So. Tell me. How was your trip?"

"Mamă." Rafe said as he stood and faced her, confusion filling his face. "I don't understand."

It was as if she didn't hear him. "Sit. Sit. Tell me everything." Katrina smiled as she placed a sandwich on the table. She patted the chair beside her. "I'm so happy you're home safe."

"I shouldn't be here. I don't live here anymore." Rafe said softly as he finally sat down.

"It certainly seems like it. You are hardly ever home." She said with a smile. "One day you'll have to settle down. It worries me. You shouldn't be so alone."

"I'm not alone." Rafe said softly. "I have Alison." A horrible thought flew through his mind. "Alison…" He said again.

He was struck with fear. What would have happened if this was true? What if thing worked out differently? What if he had returned home?

He looked over at his mother again, and tears filled his eyes as he saw how happy she was. He never thought he'd see her smiling like that again.

"I'm so glad to have you back." Katrina said softly as she gently ran her hand through his hair. Her voice was filled with pride as she added, "Meu deget mic vîndut"

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She turned over and realized he wasn't there beside her. "Caleb?" Livvie whispered.

Immediately he began to speak. "If things were different Olivia, if I was different…" He stopped and stared into her eyes. "Would you still be here with me?"

"Of course." She said softly. "Caleb, of course I would."

"If when you met me I was…" He tried not to choke on the word. "…mortal, would it have made a difference?"

"You've been mortal, I loved you then and I love you now." Livvie replied. "Caleb what are you saying? Is that what's happening?"

"I'm not sure what's happening. It's like I'm stuck between two worlds. Maybe it's something I did – maybe it's taking that ring for granted. I'm not sure if that's it but yes, Olivia…" Caleb sighed as he turned away and gazed out the window. "It's possible."

Livvie rose from the bed and crossed to him. "If that's what's happening then we'll deal with it."

"If I become mortal I won't be able to take care of you or of Rachel." Caleb said softly. "You'll be in danger…"

"Don't be silly. Caleb. If you become mortal I'll just make a wish and join you." Livvie said with a shrug. She didn't see what there was to worry about. This might be a blessing in disguise she thought to herself. They'd never have to worry about watching Colin leave this earth, they'd never have to push Rachel to make a choice.

That was exactly what Caleb had expected. "NO." He replied, his voice deadly serious. "That ring is cursed, Olivia. Don't you dare go near it."

"OK. OK. But Caleb, I can't live like this alone." Livvie's voice was tinged with panic. "What would I do? I can't do this by myself. You have to do something."

This was why he didn't want to tell her. All of the sudden he was regretting opening his mouth. If he was more sure of his powers he'd use them to wash this conversation from her mind. Maybe he could still try.

"Shh, Olivia." He said as he pulled her into his arms. "Shh." He said again as he willed her to sleep.

He was thankful when he felt her limbs become limp. Caleb scooped her up and carried her back into bed. He gently placed her down and pulled a blanket around her.

"Sleeping Beauty." He whispered as he gazed down at her, remembering Rachel's words from the night before. He was both pleased that he'd been able to put her under, and worried that there would come a time when her worst fears would be realized.

His dream made him certain that his father would not be much help in all of this. But now, more than ever, he was determined to find something – or someone who would.

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The phone rang twice before a sleepy voice answered.

"Hello?"

"Alison." Rafe sighed as he whispered her name.

"Rafe?" She blinked and tried to focus. "What's the matter?"

"It's nothing." He replied, suddenly feeling foolish. He had known it was a dream, but when he woke this morning he needed to be sure. "Go back to sleep. I'm sorry I woke you."

"No. It's OK. I'm awake." She insisted. "Rafe, you sound upset."

"I'm fine." He promised.

Alison knew him too well to be convinced of that. "What is it? What happened with Caleb?"

Rafe didn't want her to worry. He fought to reassure her. "It's not Caleb, Alison. I'm sorry. I really am fine." He sighed again and realized that this would only make her more worried. "It's just – it's just that I had a weird dream and it…" He trailed off. "I'm sorry. I just needed to hear your voice."

"OK. Shh. I'm right here." Alison wished she could see his face so she could be sure he was really alright. "Do you want to talk about it?" She asked. "Please. Tell me."

Rafe decided it was probably a good idea. Getting it out there would enable him to push it aside and move on. "It was so odd. It was like my life took a different turn. Caleb hadn't killed me. I came home and my mother, she was still there."

Alison sat up in bed and pulled the quilt closer around her. He didn't speak of his mother much and she knew when he did it upset him. All of the sudden she wished she had gone over there with him.

"I was just worried, you know. For a split second I thought that it was real. That my life had changed, that I didn't have you." Rafe took a deep breath, just voicing his fears making the hair on the back of his neck stand on end. "That we didn't have the kids…"

Tears formed in Alison's eyes as she tried to comfort him. "Shhh, Rafe. I'm right here. We're all right here. We're here waiting for you to come home."

"I know." Rafe said with a nod. "I know that now. Like I said, I'm sorry I woke you."

"Shh. It's alright." Alison said softly.

"OK. So. Now that I've interrupted your sleep and made you worry I'm going to go now." He laughed, trying to lighten the mood.

"You can interrupt my sleep anytime. You know that." Alison laughed back at him.

"Hmmm. OK. When I get home I'll remember you said that." He chuckled, the smile on his face evident in his voice.

"Please do." Alison whispered, wishing more than ever that he was home.

A bit of silence fell over the line. Now that she knew he was alright she began to relax. She lay back down as she said with a smile, "I love you. I miss you. Be careful."

"Me too and I'll be careful. I promise." He whispered back.

"You better be. Come home soon." She said, yawning slightly.

Rafe decided to let her get back to sleep, but before he hung up he needed to say one more thing. "Alison?"

"Yeah?" She said, sleep already filling her voice again.

It always amazed him how quickly she could fall asleep. He took a deep breath and said softly. "If things were different - if they worked out the way they did in that dream - you know I would have found you anyway."

She blinked back tears as she heard his words. Her voice was filled with love as she answered. "Yeah. I know."