A/N: To Katie, Melody and Carlie…thank you:) As I mentioned to Melody earlier this evening – somehow I'm in full Rali mode. Whether it was their little tiff on PC today or the fact that Carlie reminded me how much I love them too – I don't know. All I know is - the result can be found below. :)

Until 32 – xox - G

Chapter Thirty-one

"Sweetheart." Ethan whispered as he gathered Lynnie up in his arms.

"What's the matter?" Lynnie murmured as she snuggled close.

He smiled as he gently placed her on their bed. "Nothing's the matter. You just fell asleep." He said softly as he pressed a kiss to her cheek.

"Again?" She asked, her eyes struggling to open.

"Yes. Again." Ethan replied. "Lynn. Honey. You have to stop this."

"I know." She replied with a nod. "I'm sorry."

"Don't be sorry. I just worry about you." He said as he kissed her again. "Did you eat?"

She tore her eyes from his and stared at the quilt.

He stood and glared down at her. "Lynnie? Answer me. What did you eat today?"

"I had breakfast…" She said guiltily. "Then I got to working and I wasn't hungry again."

"You mean - then you worked yourself so hard you fell asleep at your desk. Lynn…" Ethan sighed. "You need to take care of yourself. That's the fourth time this week."

Her eyes filled with tears and her voice began to shake. "I know. I just want to finish this story. I want to have time when the baby's here so I'm trying to get as much done as I can now."

"OK. I understand that. I do. But you need to take it easy." He said as he lay down beside her and pulled her close. "I know you're tired but you need to eat something. What do you want? I'll get anything you'd like."

She snuggled closer and thought for a moment. "Mmm. You know what? I'd love some fried chicken."

"Fried chicken?" He said with a laugh as he stared at her.

"Yeah." She nodded. "You know. The real greasy kind. With mashed potatoes. And mmm. Cole slaw."

"Lynnie - you hate cole slaw." Ethan laughed louder. "Whenever it's on your plate at a restaurant you make them bring it back to the kitchen and take it off."

"I know. It's so weird but I really want some right now." She said with a giggle. "Please?"

"Alright. Cole slaw it is. Ask…" He whispered as he kissed her nose and stood. "…and you shall receive."

"You are the best husband in the whole wide world. Thank you." Lynnie whispered as her eyes fluttered closed again. "I love you…"

Knowing he'd have to wake her up once he got home, Ethan whispered back. "I love you too."

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They had spent the day searching for answers and finding none. Kyle seemed to soak in every detail, every ounce of information.

He was good. Rafe sighed at the admission. He was better than good. He was going to be an amazing slayer.

If only Kyle knew what he was thinking. Rafe smiled and nodded as he watched him slip inside the room across the hall. Rolling his shoulders to ease the tension he held there he opened the door to his own room and shut it softly behind him.

And it was then that he saw her.

Shrugging off his jacket and kicking off his shoes he moved towards the bed, laughing to himself when he almost tripped over the three suitcases crowding the floor. She looked so beautiful laying there, her face bathed in moonlight, a smile on her face as she slept peacefully.

He almost didn't want to wake her. Almost.

He bent down and pressed a kiss to her cheek, smiling wider as she rolled over and mumbled.

"What are you doing here?" He whispered as he placed his mouth gently on hers.

She kissed him back and shifted a bit, bringing her hands to his shoulders and pulling him closer.

"Aren't you happy to see me?" She laughed against his lips.

"Extremely." He said as he pulled back and brushed her hair from her cheeks. He kissed her again as he whispered. "Alison. I'm sorry. I know I worried you. You didn't have to come here."

"I wanted to come here. Rafe." She moved away and sat up, leaning over to click the light on. "You look so tired."

"I'm alright." He insisted. "I haven't slept well. You know I don't sleep well without you…"

"Rafe. Stop it. You're far from alright." Alison replied, shaking her head at him. "And it's not just because you've been sleeping alone."

Rafe stood and moved to stare out the window, gazing down at the small village below. "It's hard to be back here. The last time I was here I was so worried about Katie it didn't hit me."

"I know." Alison nodded. "You've been running from this for years Rafe. I knew that sooner or later it'd catch up with you."

"How could you know that?" He turned to face her, his voice full of awe. "I didn't know that."

She smiled softly as she looked into his eyes. "You never talk about your mother, other than in passing. I've seen you, staring at her picture when you think no one's looking. I know how much you loved her Rafe and it kills me that as well as I know you – I know virtually nothing about your life here."

"Honestly? There's not much to tell." He said with a shrug.

"Don't do that." Alison's voice rose a bit as she threw the covers off and stood in front of him. "You have a history, a legacy here – one that you found important enough to teach our children. Don't you dare try and make light of it."

"Alison." Rafe sighed. "I think its better left alone."

"I don't believe that." She took a deep breath and gazed up at him. "I think you finally need to face this Rafe. And I want to help you do that."

He looked at her then, completely disheveled with her hair tossed about and the strap of her nightgown sliding down her shoulder. There were shadows under her eyes and she seemed so delicate and fragile. But Rafe knew for a fact how strong she was, and the fact that she had crossed the world to be here for him amazed him beyond belief.

"Please?" She whispered. "Rafe. Please let me."

"I don't think I have a choice." He smiled as he crossed to her and pulled her close. "You know I can't say no to you."

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"Hey Becky?" Ella said with a sniffle.

"Yeah Jellybean. What's up?" Becky replied, her mind spinning. She couldn't believe that her mother went over to Romania and left her here to baby-sit. She chewed on her bottom lip as she tapped her pen against her notebook. Why couldn't she have gone too? Her parents knew for a fact how much she missed Kyle. It was totally unfair.

The sound of Ella's voice brought her out of her daydream. "Have I been bad?"

The question made Becky finally pay attention. She stared at her sister, noticing now how there were tears running down her cheeks.

"Ella baby?" She walked over and crouched so she could meet her eyes. "No. Of course not. What makes you think that?"

Ella knew that it was babyish to cry but she couldn't help it. She couldn't figure out what had happened. "Daddy left and didn't say goodbye. Then I woke up this morning and Mommy's gone too."

"Ah, honey. No. That's not it." She pulled Ella close and hugged her tight. "Daddy was just in a hurry and Mommy didn't want to wake you up. Don't you worry a bit. They'll be back soon."

"It's not nice not to say goodbye when you leave." Ella said her little face full of indignation. "I always do. Even if I'm just going out to the backyard."

It took all Becky had to keep a laugh from escaping. "I know sweetie."

"Romania's far. Dad showed me on the computer once. It's like all the way on the other side of the planet. That's way too far to go without saying goodbye first."

"I agree." Becky said with a grin. "I know they didn't mean to make you upset honey."

"OK." Ella said with a sigh, finally feeling a bit better. "I just wanted to make sure it wasn't me. So I know not to do whatever it is again."

Becky laughed and pulled her sister into a hug again. The next time she spoke to Kyle she had to make sure her parents knew how upset Ella was. One thing was for sure. She knew they'd be bringing her sister a huge present to try and make it up to her.

"You did absolutely nothing wrong, sweetie." Becky said with a smile as she stood and took Ella's hand in hers. "Now how about we go get some pizza for dinner?"

"YAY! Can we eat it there?" Ella asked, her eyes lit with excitement.

It always amazed Becky how quickly she could bounce back. She bent and kissed her Ella on the nose as she replied. "Absolutely."

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"Hey." Danny laughed as he nudged Ethan as he stood behind him in line.

"Hey." Ethan laughed back.

"So tonight it's chicken huh?"

"Yeah. It changes every night. I'm through trying to figure it out." Ethan chuckled as he placed his order.

"Are you kidding me? Lynnie wants cole slaw too?" Danny began to laugh hysterically.

"It's so weird. I feel like they're more in tune than ever now." Ethan replied. "Tomorrow night you might as well just call me. If this keeps up we can start to take turns."

"That's a great idea but you better be careful. Don't let Lia in on this." Danny fought to speak through his laughter. "When I'm working the night shift she'll start calling you directly. She has no shame." He moved to the counter and said, "Just give me whatever you gave him. Thanks."

As Ethan gathered up his order and gave Danny a smile. "How many more months do we have?" He called out as he moved to the door.

"Too many." Danny smiled back. As he watched Ethan go he couldn't help adding. "Sorry to say buddy. I'm way ahead of you."

"I wouldn't keep bragging like that." Ethan laughed as he called back to him. "When you get done you'll have two."

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"Are you asleep yet?" Alison whispered as she rested her head on Rafe's chest. She knew that all that talking had taken a lot out of him. Even though she knew he must be exhausted, she was sure by his breathing he still hadn't fallen asleep.

"No." He said with a smile as he pressed a kiss to her hair. "I'm not."

Alison bit her bottom lip and took a moment before she continued. "Are you okay with all this? Should I have stayed home? Did I do the wrong thing by coming here?"

"I'm fine." He said softly as he held her tighter. "And are you kidding me? I'm so glad you're here. I missed you…so much"

"I know. I missed you too." Alison took a deep breath and snuggled closer. "I don't mean to pressure you. If you don't want to do this just say so."

"Alison." He pulled back to look at her. She could never make up her mind. It never ceased to amaze him. "I thought you just decided this was what was best for me."

She leaned her head on her hand and gazed over at him. "I do think it's best – but I want you to want it too."

The truth was he wasn't sure it was what he wanted, but he knew that if he left here without at least giving it a try he'd regret it. He didn't want to talk about it anymore tonight. Right now there were more important things to discuss.

He smiled as he stared into her eyes. "The only thing I want right now is you." He whispered as he ran his fingers though her hair.

"Rafe…" She sighed as he drew her close and kissed her breathless. When he finally pulled away she rested her hands on his shoulders and shook him a bit. "C'mon. I'm serious." She said, giving him a look. She was trying to act annoyed but it was pointless.

"So am I." He laughed as he moved to kiss her once more. As his mouth closed over hers again and again, Alison suddenly forgot the topic of their conversation.

Decisions could wait until the morning. Right now, just the two of them, here together was more than enough.