A/N: Katie and Melody – Just wanted you to know that this chapter is dedicated to my boyfriends - Jerome and Patrick (HAHAHA!)

Uh oh Caleb watch out. Rafe's really mad….

Until 36 - enjoy! xox – G

Chapter Thirty-five

Rafe clutched Alison's hand in his as he approached Caleb's manor. He stopped just short of the door and turned to face Kyle.

"Understand me." Rafe said as he stared into Kyle's eyes. "I'm trusting you to keep an eye on her. I can't be more serious. If someone even glances in her direction too long – take them out. Don't even hesitate."

"Yes sir." Kyle said with a nod.

"Rafe…wait." Alison pleaded as she grabbed his arm.

"Alison. Don't argue. Just stay with Kyle…" He began.

"Where are you going?" She asked then.

"Do you really have to ask?" Rafe replied.

"No." She shook her head. "OK. But please tell me. What are you going to do?"

"Find him and rip him apart with my bare hands." Rafe promised.

Her eyes opened wide with shock. "RAFE."

"What?" He replied, his voice full of annoyance.

"Rafe. Please don't. You can't…" Alison insisted.

Rafe looked at her in disbelief. "Are you serious? HE HAD SOMEONE ATTACK YOU. If I had gotten there two seconds later we'd be in a very different situation right now."

Despite her fear she knew he was night. "I know." She said with a sigh as she inched closer to him. Having him fight Caleb for the millionth time was bad but the alternative was far worse.

"So don't tell me what I can and can't do." Rafe replied as he grabbed her and held her tight. He felt her still trembling and forced himself to remain calm for her sake.

"I know what you're saying." He whispered as he ran a hand over her hair gently. "I get it I do – but you know that I need to get to the bottom of this." He pulled away and kissed her quickly.

"Please. Let me do this. Staywith him OK?" He waited to see her nod her head at him.

"I love you." He whispered as he finally let her go.

"OK. I will. I love you too." She murmured in reply, blinking back tears.

"Watch her." Rafe ordered Kyle as he turned to the door to the home Caleb and Livvie shared and nearly ripped it off its hinges. Shoving his way past a shocked Sebastian, he began his search.

He raced to the top of the stairs and as he did, saw Caleb emerge into the hallway, shutting the door to his bedroom behind him.

"I thought I got rid of you." Caleb said with a sigh.

"Same here." Rafe replied, his eyes lit with anger. He was upon him in split second.

Slamming Caleb up against the wall Rafe hissed at him. "I told you that I'm willing to look the other way and I meant it. On one specific condition - you and yours keep your teeth to yourself."

"What the hell is your problem?" Caleb's voice was choked but he tried to keep his composure.

"YOU." Rafe replied, his voice rising and shaking with rage. "YOU ARE MY PROBLEM CALEB!" His voice lowered an octave as he continued. "You've always been my problem but I honestly began to believe that crap you spewed about being done and wanting to be left alone. SO I LEFT YOU ALONE."

Undeterred and furious Rafe continued his attack. "He came right for her." He tightened his hold and stared into Caleb's eyes. "You can't tell me that's an accident."

"Right for who? Alison?" Caleb asked, surprise clearly heard in his voice. "She's here?"

"Yes Alison." Rafe said with a sigh. "Caleb you have no idea what you did do you?"

"I'm doing what I have to do to survive." Caleb replied with a shrug.

"You're making a complete mess of things." Rafe shot back. "How many did you turn?"

"It's none of your business." Caleb countered.

Rafe yanked Caleb close and slammed him back against the wall once more. He spoketo Caleb through clenched teeth. "When one of your little followers tries to make a meal of my wife you make it my business. Tell me. Right now. How…many…Caleb?"

"Two." Caleb finally replied. "Just two."

"Two." Rafe repeated as he loosened his hold and tried to figure out just how much damage had been done. By his calculations they could be dealing with as many as a dozen vampires by now. All roaming around turning people at will while their leader was becoming more mortal by the second. Fear snuck up his spine as he suddenly had visions of Joshua times ten. "You're insane."

Caleb took the opportunity to get away. He glared at his nemesis and said softly. "Rafe. I know you're slow. But here's an update. I'm a vampire. And – now I know this concept is hard to grasp but - because I'm a vampire – sometimes I get the urge to take a bite out of someone." He shrugged nonchalantly. "So sue me."

Rafe ignored the insult. "You used to have a strategy. You used to be in control." He stared into his eyes as he whispered. "You've lost it Caleb. You're grasping at straws."

"I'm doing just fine." Caleb replied, unable to hide the uncertainty in his voice. He never second guessed himself but now his mind was racing. His life was in turmoil. He was losing his powers bit by bit. Olivia was still unconscious. Rafe was dangerously close to the truth. He was becoming completely desperate.

Rafe shook his head. "If there was no danger - if you had your wits about you I'd leave you to your sick twisted world but c'mon Caleb - admit it. You're spiraling out of control. You're losing your powers and it's making you crazy. You figured that you'd try and add a few disciples before it was too late." He gave Caleb a contented grin. "Am I getting warm Vampire?"

Caleb could not give Rafe the satisfaction. He chuckled as he said. "You couldn't be more wrong. You're slipping, Slayer. I'll say it again. I've got things under control. I'm doing just fine."

Rafe took another breath. It was time to stop this ridiculous back and forth. "Alright. If you insist you knew what you were doing then I guess I have no choice."

"No choice to do what?" Caleb asked with an evil grin.

In an instant Rafe threw Caleb to the ground and pressed the tip of his stake dangerously close to his heart.

Rafe's eyes glittered with fury as he leaned close and whispered. "What I promised."

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Alison sat on a chair in the foyer, glancing around the ornately furnished room. She shouldn't be surprised by the décor. Vampires always were a little over the top.

She turned and caught a glimpse of Kyle, pacing back and forth before her like a guard on the night watch.

"Kyle." She called out to him.

He jumped a bit at the sound of her voice. He turned to her and gave her a small smile. "I'm sorry. Yes ma'am?"

"Sit down for a second." She said as she patted the chair next to her.

He shook his head vehemently. "I can't. I have a job to do."

Alison laughed a bit despite the circumstances. "And I know how important that is to you but I'm not going anywhere. It's OK Kyle. Have a seat."

"He's depending on me." Kyle replied, still wary.

She smiled wider as she nodded. "He is but not for the reason you think. You're not guarding me against vampires - not really. My husband is just afraid I won't do what he asked me to."

"You won't?" Kyle asked then.

"I'm going to this time but I don't usually." She replied with a smirk.

Kyle gave her a look that reminded her of the way she scolded her children. "You should. He's always right."

"Oh Kyle." Alison burst into laughter despite the fear nagging her. "Honey, you have so much to learn."

From the corner of her eye Alison caught sight of a small figure hiding in a corner of the room. She stood and slowly walked towards her.

"Rachel? Sweetie? What's the matter?" She whispered as she reached her.

"You're Katrina's mama." Rachel replied with a sniff, still huddled under a table. "Is she here? Is Colin here?"

"Yes I am and I'm sorry but no they're not. Honey, why are you hiding over here?" Alison couldn't help but think that Rachel looked like the picture of Livvie with the only exception being Caleb's cool blue eyes. She crouched down and held out her hand. "C'mon sweetie. Come out and talk to me."

Tentatively the little girl placed her hand in Alison's. "I want Colin. Maybe can make her stop."

"Make who stop?" Alison whispered as she put her arm around Rachel and pulled her close.

"Mama. She's playing a game and I want her to stop it but she won't." Tears spilled silently from Rachel's eyes as she snuggled closer.

"What kind of game honey?" Alison asked suddenly sacred to hear the answer to her question.

"Sleeping Beauty." Rachel said with a sob. "She's been asleep for days and days and no matter what I do she won't get up."

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

"The drama is entertaining, but let me refresh your memory. You can't kill me Slayer." Caleb said softly as he stared into Rafe's eyes.

"You're right. I can't. But I have someone with me who can." Rafe replied as he tightened his hold.

Caleb had forgotten about Kyle, something that he'd never do if he was at his full strength. Worry battered his brain as he fought to regain some control.

"And leave your Angel all alone? C'mon. You talk a good game but I know you'd never go through with it." Caleb struggled and tried to free himself as he added. "You're in your twilight years, Rafe. Seriously, why don't you retire already?"

"Tell you what." Rafe said with a grin. "You hang up your fangs and I'll lay my stake to rest."

"Never." Caleb vowed.

"Then we're at the same place we always end up. You - doing your best to get to me and me - doing my best to keep you from hurting the people I love." Rafe sighed. "Aren't you tired of this?" He asked as he let Caleb go.

Caleb stood on shaky legs and brushed the dust off his clothes. He ignored the question as he stated. "You just don't understand."

"You're wrong." Rafe replied. He tried to keep the satisfaction from his voice as he continued. "I know exactly what's going on in that sick head of yours. You're losing control and it's scaring you to death. You're worried about what will happen to Livvie and Rachel if something happens to you."

The truth sliced through Caleb as he heard Rafe's words. He stared at him in silence as he frantically tried to think of a way to get Rafe to leave him alone.

"I know what's running through your head. Whenever we get wrapped up in all this you always have the same reaction. You think I'm bluffing but I promise you I would die for her in a heartbeat." Rafe said softly knowing Caleb knew full well he was talking about Alison. "I would gladly leave this earth if I thought they'd be safer without me."

When Caleb didn't reply, Rafe took the opportunity to speak again.

"The way I see it you can choose one of three things. One, sit back and submit to whatever this thing is that's plaguing you and try to hack it as a mere mortal." He began sarcasm lacing his words. "Two, continue to be a jackass and force me to take us both out of the equation permanently…"

"And what's the third?" Caleb asked, already dreading the answer.

"Suck it up and let me help you." Rafe finished. "Believe me, it's not what I want either but from what I can see it's the best chance you've got."