A/N: Dear Readers– do me a favor. Please pretend Alison has an international cell phone. Thank you.

Until 35! xox - G

Chapter Thirty-four

Maggie dragged Tim out of the station and off towards the park.

"OK. Alright. Maggie. Hold on a second." Tim said softly as he dug in his heels.

Maggie reluctantly let go of his hand. She rose on her tiptoes and peered over his shoulder. "Did she follow us?"

"Who?" Tim swung his head around "Becky?"

"Yeah."

"Umm. No." He replied looking at her like she was nuts. "Why would she?"

"I just thought…" Maggie's voice sounded dejected. "Never mind."

"What's going on with you two?" Tim asked then.

"Nothing." She said with a shrug.

"No. I think you're lying. Something's definitely wrong. You used to be joined at the hip. You were together so much people always said your names together. Maggie and Becky, Becky and Maggie." Tim said with a smile.

Maggie blinked back tears as she answered him. "Yeah well. Things change."

"Tell me about it. People used to say the same thing about Pete and me."

A shiver snaked up her spine as she stared over at him. "I don't want to talk about Pete."

Tim nodded. "Good. Me either.

"Good." Maggie replied.

They stood and stared at each other for a long moment. Finally, Tim spoke again. "Mags? Is that the only reason you…" As the words left his lips he stared at his feet, feeling foolish. "Of course it is." He said softly as he turned and began to walk away.

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Becky held Melissa on her lap, her eyes filled with sorrow as the events from earlier in the day ran through her mind.

Chloe sat silent for a few moments, watching thoughtfully before she finally spoke.

"You miss Kyle huh?"

Becky blinked a bit before she answered. "No."

"No?" Chloe's voice was stunned.

"I'm sorry. What did you ask me?" Becky shifted Melissa as she tried to wrack her brain for a way to make up to Maggie.

"I'm not sure you should be holding my child in your condition." Chloe joked as she reached over and took her daughter from Becky's arms. She was kidding but it actually was time to feed her anyway.

"Maggie hates me." Becky said with a sniffle.

"Oh honey." Chloe replied. "I don't think that's true."

"Yes it is and I don't blame her one bit." Becky shook her head. "I completely dropped her - just as soon as Kyle and I started dating."

"It happens that way sometimes." Chloe tried to comfort her.

Becky shook her head again. "You didn't drop your friends when you and Grant first went out."

"How do you know? You were Ella's age at the time. Please tell me you didn't pay that close attention." Chloe laughed. "And besides. It was different. Grant and I were friends at first. It wasn't that drastic a change." Chloe continued to giggle as she added. "The biggest difference was that suddenly we were kissing."

Becky sighed, "The thing is Clo, I didn't even notice. That's what makes it so awful. I didn't even realize I'd done it." She stared at her lap, her voice was desolate. "I didn't even miss her."

"Oh honey."

Becky's voice was full of sadness as she continued. "I feel like I dropped her way before that. Even before Kyle got here. She had been spending so much time with Pete and I didn't even recognize her after a while."

"People grow apart Becks." Chloe said softly.

Becky looked up at her, tears staining her cheeks now. "I really miss the old Maggie. And the thing is she's been gone for so long now I don't know if I'll ever see her again."

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"Where are you?"

"Rafe?" Alison replied, her voice filled with laughter. "Is that any way to greet your wife?"

"Tell me where you are." He demanded, no trace of tenderness in his voice.

She knew then that something was terribly wrong. "I'm waiting outside the hotel. You said you'd pick me up…"

He cut her off sharply. "Alison. Listen to me. Go inside. Go back to the room and lock the door. Stay there until I come for you."

True to form Alison wanted more information before she did what he asked. "Rafe. What's the matter?"

"ALISON." He said, his voice dangerously soft. "Don't argue with me. Not now. Just go inside. Please. Call me when you're back in the room."

"OK." She swallowed and said with a nod. "OK. I will."

As the phone went dead she fumbled as she tried to turn it off. It landed on the ground in a soft thud. She retrieved it and stood, and found herself staring into the eyes of menacing stranger.

Before she could even think to move his hand closed around her throat.

"I've been looking for something sweet." The man before her leered and leaned close. Fear streaked up her spine and he leaned forward and whispered. "You'll do."

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"No." Maggie whispered. She turned and saw Tim walking away. "Tim. Wait."

"It's OK. Maggie I get it." He said softly as he kept walking.

"No. Hold on." She called out as she ran after him. She grabbed onto his arm. "Tim. I'm sorry."

He turned to face her, feeling silly that he'd gotten the wrong idea. "It's alright. Maggie. You don't have to do this."

She shook her head and continued to plead with him. "Wait. Seriously. You don't understand."

"No. I get it. It's OK." Tim insisted.

"You can't get it. Because I don't get it." She replied with a sigh. "I've been breaking rules for so long I forgot what it's like to be normal."

Tim couldn't help smiling at how ridiculous she sounded. "You look pretty normal to me."

Maggie smiled back at him. "You must need glasses." She said with a giggle.

Hopeful, Tim nudged her arm playfully as he asked. "Want to go get a cup of coffee or maybe something to eat?"

Either sounded just fine to her. Maggie felt her cheeks turning hot as she nodded at him. "Sure. I'd love to."

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"Wait. NO." Alison gasped as she was being dragged over into an alley way. She sobbed a bit as her mind raced. Rafe will come. She kept repeating to herself over and over. He's already on his way.

This is what you get for going to Transylvania. She thought as she tried to figure out a way to escape. There were vampires everywhere.

"Please. Don't hurt me." She begged as her captive shoved her none to gently against the wall.

"It won't hurt a bit. Just hold still." His words slithered over her like a poisonous snake. He leaned so that his lips were on her neck. "It'll be over before you know it."

In an instant the vampire was whisked away. Alison heaved a sigh of relief as she watched Rafe throw her attacker to the ground.

Rafe stole a quick glance in Alison's direction. "Are you OK?" He asked, his voice shaking.

"Mmm hmm." She replied, her voice a mere whisper. "I'm alright."

Kyle stood by Rafe's side, looking more than ready to fight.

Without another word Rafe took him out, his breathing heavy as he withdrew his stake and staggered away. Before their very eyes, the vampire turned to dust.

In the next instant Alison was safe in Rafe's arms, clinging to him as he held her close. "I thought I asked you to go inside." He whispered into her hair.

Alison giggled despite her still reeling from the ordeal. "Rafe. Please. You didn't ask, you told me."

"Yeah. I told you. So tell me." He pulled back to stare into her eyes. "Why weren't you?"

"I was just about to." Alison replied. "I had just hung up with you and there he was."

Rafe took a steadying breath as he gazed down at his wife. He leaned close and kissed her softly before he spoke again.

"I can't believe he's so careless. What the hell is he thinking?" Rafe wondered aloud.

"Who?" Alison stared at him.

"Caleb. This thing that just attacked you – it was one of his." He replied. "He must be desperate."

Alison sighed heavily at the mere idea. "Rafe. Stop. Don't be ridiculous. Caleb hasn't turned anyone in ages."

They had been having this same argument for nearly thirty years. Rafe was convinced, more than ever, that he was the one who was right. "Listen Alison, You know that saying? You can't teach an old dog new tricks?" Rafe asked.

"Yes." Alison reluctantly admitted.

"Well…" He shrugged.

Despite their conversation, Alison was still rattled. But she knew that Rafe wouldn't budge. She took a deep breath and tried to keep focused. "Rafe. You can't be serious."

"If the shoe fits…" He shrugged again. "I can't believe he's in his right mind. This isn't like him. He's picking the bottom of the barrel at this point. He used to be much more discerning."

She ignored the smug look on his face. She knew, whatever was going on, that Caleb was in more trouble than they realized. "What do you think it is?" Alison asked then.

"I don't know but whatever it is – it's not good." Rafe replied.

Alison didn't speak, she simply shivered again. This was not at all what she had expected when she decided to come over here.

Rafe noticed the look in her eyes and wanted to take her back to their room but there was no time for that now. Unfortunately, the safest place for her was right next to him at the moment. He couldn't be sure how much of a mess Caleb had made. He couldn't let her get out of his sight. It was too dangerous.

"OK." He said softly as his hands ran over her arms, wanting to prove to himself that she was alright. He began to focus again as he looked around the alley way.

"Kyle?" He called out.

"Yes sir?" Kyle replied from behind him, still amazed by everything that had just transpired. The whole thing was amazing to watch, from the minute Rafe realized his wife was in danger to the moment he killed the vampire attacking her. Even though he'd slayed a vampire himself Kyle was amazing at the skill Rafe possessed. He again realized how lucky he was to have this chance to train with him. He vowed then and there to do everything in his power not to screw it up.

"You sure you're ready for this?" Rafe asked him then.

"Yes sir." Kyle replied with more confidence than he really felt.

Rafe kissed Alison once more before he grabbed for her hand and led her back out to the street. He looked over at Kyle as he said. "You better be."