Chapter Fifty-four

"And where are you now?" Rafe asked, his voice shaking a bit.

Alison wiped at her eyes as she stood across the room and watched him talking on the phone. They had been up for hours. When they learned Becky had run off it was all she could do to keep Rafe from racing off after her. She gazed at him again, the panic in his voice almost visible.

"Have you spoken to her?" Rafe sighed. "Do you know..."

Running a hand over his face in frustration, he paused to listen as his wife stood by, nervously nibbling on her bottom lip. Finally he nodded his head. "I know, Kyle. I understand. I don't blame you in the least. Becky has a knack for finding trouble all on her own." He sighed again as he muttered. "She's just like her mother." Alison could only guess that Kyle was protesting a bit when she heard Rafe say. "No. If you think you're close then I'll…" He took a deep breath, as he said softly. "I'll let you handle this."

The words were barely off his tongue when he added. "If you need me you call me – do you understand? I'll be down there in seconds if there's any trouble." Rafe listened to Kyle's reply and nodded again. "We'll call Jamal and tell him you two are on your way."

Rafe walked over to Alison and placed a hand gently on her shoulder. He bent and pressed a kiss to the top of her head as he finished. "You did the right thing in calling here." He said softly. "Thank you, Kyle. I'm trusting you to bring her home."

He regarded the phone in his hand as the line went dead. Somewhat in a daze, he stumbled over to the edge of the bed.

Alison watched him and hugged her arms around herself. "I'm very, very proud of you." She whispered.

"DON'T." He warned her. "Don't say too much, Alison. I don't know how long I'm going to be able to sit here and do nothing." He said sadly.

She didn't doubt it. It shocked her beyond belief that he was willing to let Kyle go after Becky on his own. "Where is she?" She asked him then.

"Kyle doesn't know. He's right on her heels I do know that. She is unbelievable." He said, his voice rising in anger. "She must have been planning this for months. She sent Maggie over to Kyle's as a messenger. As soon as he found out he left right away – he's only an hour or two behind her now since she took the bus…" Rafe said, a chill sneaking up his spine. "He just doesn't know exactly where she'll end up so he decided to just keep driving…"

Alison ran her hands through her hair, pulling it off her face. "Sounds like a good idea."

Rafe chuckled bitterly. "Yeah. Great idea." He turned to face her and glared. "She gets this from you you know."

Alison opened her mouth to protest and then smiled softly. "She loves him. She'll do anything to make him happy." She said, her smile growing wider. "He's been without his family for so long…"

Rafe shook his head at her. "You see? This is what I mean. From the way you tell it – it sounds like how you're trying to convince me to look for my mother."

Alison tried to be angry at her daughter but she knew what Rafe said was true. If Rafe kept refusing to find his mother and she came across a lead she'd run and know that he'd follow. The amazing thing to her about all this was that finally Rafe was taking a step back. It was huge and she knew that letting go was breaking his heart.

"She's just like me, you said so yourself." Alison shrugged as she took his hand in hers. "And Kyle's there to save her, just like you saved me too many times for me to count."

"Well let's just hope she doesn't break your record." Rafe whispered as he pulled her into his arms and held her close.

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Becky sighed as she heaved her bag over her shoulder. I should have packed lighter. She thought to herself.

"Do you need help with that?" A voice called behind her.

Becky swung her head around and caught sight of the person who had spoken to her. She smiled at a young man about her age, maybe a few years older.

"That's OK." She replied. Though she tried to deny she had them, her slayer instincts told her this guy wasn't a vampire. He seemed harmless enough but she was tired. She knew she wasn't at her most perceptive.

Becky had caught a bus from Port Charles in the early evening. It was now close to five in the morning and the bus had blown a tire just outside of Arkadelphia, Alabama. With a name like that, for a few moments she had been afraid she ended up in Arkansas.

She was so close. Soon she'd meet Kyle's family face to face. And when she did, Kyle would be right there beside her.

"C'mon. That bag must weigh a ton." He insisted as he lifted the straps from her shoulder. "It's the least one stranded traveler can do to help another."

"It's alright…" Becky protested, trying not to sigh with relief as the weight was lifted. Still wary she followed behind and waited her turn at the check in counter, her bag resting at her feet.

When she got her key she lifted it again and started toward the door, a bit startled to find the guy still there.

It was a nice gesture, but they way he looked at her was beginning to make her nervous. "I've got it. You don't have to…" Becky began.

"A pretty girl like you shouldn't be lugging such heavy luggage around." He replied with a grin.

"It's fine…" Becky tried again, getting more nervous by the second.

"Forget it." He persisted. He stopped and looked at her thoughtfully. "Hey. Wait a second. Are you freaking out because a strange guy is trying to help you?"

Becky blushed, feeling like he could read her thoughts. "A little bit." She admitted. "I'm sorry…" She began to apologize.

"Don't be." He reached for her bag again and held out a hand to her. "OK. If it makes you feel better - I'll give you a thirty second history. My name is Jude Carlton. I'm a senior at Worthington – it's in upstate New York. I'm Finance major, played soccer until I busted my knee last season. I have two brothers and I'm on my way down to visit some of my old friends for the weekend."

Becky tentatively took his hand in hers and shook it. "I'm Rebecca Ramsey. I'm a sophomore at Canterbury College. It's a tiny school in Canada, just over the New York border." She figured a little lie wouldn't hurt anyone and her father had taught her to keep certain details about her life to herself. "I'm visiting relatives in Birmingham for a bit."

"Nice to meet you Rebecca." Jude bent down to pick up her bag again. "So, now that we've been properly introduced let me help you with this bag of rocks you've been hauling here."

Becky laughed softly as she walked beside him, feeling a little more at ease. "My sister went to Worthington. You wouldn't know her, she's a lot older than me."

"Did she?" He replied, seeming uninterested.

Becky noticed and decided to change the subject. "Yeah. You know all this talk about college makes me wonder. Did you see that sign for Arkadelphia U back there?"

"Did I?" Jude chuckled at her. "Who could miss it? Home of the Avenging Aardvarks?"

She was letting her guard down more each second. Becky laughed louder. "Seriously. What an awful name."

Jude smiled back at her but it didn't quite meet his eyes. Girls like this always wanted to make small talk. Jude thought to himself, his heart beating a bit faster. He wished she'd just shut up and stop trying to be so cute. He could also tell for sure that she was a liar, and a bad one at that. He knew for a fact she got on the bus in Port Charles, not Canada. He was lying through his teeth to her too, so he guessed that made them even.

He knew her type. From the first moment he saw her board the bus she reminded him of Amber, same blond hair, same sickeningly sweet smile.

Amber had made a fool of him years ago. She had humiliated him and caused him to lose everything. Anytime the memory surfaced it was like something within him snapped. Today was no exception. This girl in front of him certainly fit the part. He was looking forward to wiping that grin off her face.

Becky slowed to a stop in front of her room. "Well. This is me." She said softly. "Thanks so much for helping me with my bag Jude. I really appreciate it."

He smiled slyly and removed the key from her hand. Becky got nervous again as she watched him slip it into the lock and open the door. "After you…" He said as he held it open and made a sweeping gesture with his arm.

"Actually, this is where we part ways." Becky said with an artificial smile, her blood turning to ice as she faced him.

"Aw, c'mon. It gets kinda chilly here at night. I was thinking we could chat about all we have in common and maybe, eventually, keep each other warm."

"No. That's OK. I don't think so." She should have known her first instinct was the right one. She glared at him as she stood in the doorway and reached for her bag. "I-I-I should have mentioned before that my boyfriend is on his way here to pick me up." She lunged for her bag again.

Despite how agile she was Jude was quicker. He jostled her backward as he moved towards her and shut the door to the room with a bang, pausing for only a split second to shove the bolt in place. He tossed their bags carelessly to the floor.

"Then why did you get a room?" He asked suspiciously as he backed her into a corner. His hands clawed at the sleeves of her denim jacket as he pressed himself against her. His breath was hot on her skin as he leaned close and whispered. "Do you and your boyfriend like to get it on in seedy motel rooms? Is that it? Oooo. Tell me it it's true. There's a nasty girl behind all that sweetness and light."

She realized all at once he was much older than she'd first thought. She guessed she was not the only one who had lied. "If you know what's good for you you'll get away from me." Becky hissed at him through clenched teeth. She yelped as she felt him fist a hand in her hair and tug. She tried to draw her knee up but he was much too fast for her.

"What are you going to do about it?" Jude laughed wickedly at her attempts to get away. Little did she know that all her protesting just excited him more. He couldn't wait for her to beg him to stop. He ran a hand possessively down her torso before clutching her waist and spinning her around towards the bed. "C'mon, sweetheart. I know you're just playing hard to get. You want this as much as I do. I saw you looking at me when you got on the bus. Let's stop with the games and get on with it."

He couldn't be more wrong. She hadn't even noticed him until he asked her if she wanted help carrying her bag. Becky's mind whirled as she tried to free herself from his grasp. He was really strong, and he knew exactly what he was doing. She whimpered as he lowered her to the mattress. She twisted and turned to no avail. He completely overpowered her.

Jude's hand inched up and closed around her throat, applying pressure until it made Becky gasp for her breath. She was getting dizzier by the second as she summoned every last bit of her strength to fight him, bucking and slapping at his free hand as she felt it inch up her skirt.

Her screams were muffled as his lips pressed to hers hungrily. She kept her mouth clamped shut, turning her head when he tried to kiss her again. "Kyle…" She finally sobbed as she pushed against him. "No. Please. Don't…"

"Kyle" He repeated, his voice mocking her. "Who's Kyle?" His imagination ran wild, even so he knew he was probably right on the money. "Is Kyle your football player boyfriend? I bet you like it when Kyle does this don't you? Cheerleaders like you always do." Jude's voice was low and menacing as his hands tore at her clothes and then roamed over her skin. She deserved what she got, he thought to himself. In his sick mind she was simply standing in for the girl who'd made a fool of him all those years ago.

Becky heard the sickening sound of a seam ripping as he applied more pressure to her neck and covered her mouth with his again. The room spun around her until all she saw was darkness.

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"Imani said they'll be on the lookout for them." Alison said softly as she crawled into bed beside Rafe. She had hated to wake them, but knew she'd better give them a warning that her rebellious daughter was on the way. "I'll feel so much better when we know they've gotten there."

He was only half listening. "Kyle should have caught up with her by now." Rafe replied as he glanced at the clock again.

"If you want to go you should go, Rafe." She replied as she sat up and looked down at him. "I think it's amazing that you were letting Kyle take care of her but if you are half as worried as me you must be nearly jumping out of your skin.

"I'll give him another half hour." He whispered as he reached for her and drew her back down to him. Her head nestled in the crook of his neck and ran his fingers through her hair, over and over hoping it would help to soothe her.

It was no use. "You can't fool me. Your heart is beating a mile a minute, Rafe." She said as her hand glided across his chest.

"No kidding. So is yours." He said as he felt her shiver. Rafe laughed in spite of it all. "A half an hour…" He promised her, holding her tighter and pressing a kiss to her forehead. "I'll leave in a half an hour if he doesn't call..."

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"No…" Becky wept as she turned to her side. "Please stop..."

At the sound of her voice Kyle heaved a sigh of relief. He had been seconds away from dialing 911.

The events of the last few minutes still filled Kyle's mind. When he'd thrown the door open he had been horrified by the sight in front of him. He expected to see her sitting there, watching some sappy movie on the hotel's pay-per-view and flashing him a brilliant smile. To see Becky lying lifeless while that scumbag pawed at her was not something he was at all prepared for. He would not be able to fully calm down until she knew exactly how badly she'd been hurt.

After Kyle hauled the guy who called himself Jude off of her, he pounded at him until he was sure he had gotten the first bit of his message. When he was down Kyle kicked him furiously, relishing in the sound of what he was sure were his ribs breaking.

When he'd beaten the pathetic slime ball to a pulp and was sure he was down for the count Kyle raced over to Becky, his eyes still full of rage as he noticed the bruises on her skin. He was so preoccupied with caring for her he didn't notice Jude crawling away and slinking off into the night.

"No…" She said again, sobbing and cringing away from him. "Don't you touch me. Oh God. Please...Kyle…"

"Shh. Becky. Shh. It's me. I'm here." He whispered as he tried to hold her.

Becky was lost, still fighting as he tried to comfort her. "Please. Stop…" She begged.

His heart shattered as he watched her. "Becky. It's me. He's gone. It's alright. I'm right here. Honey, please…" He pleaded. "C'mon. Just look at me. Please. Open your eyes…"

She finally began to focus. "Kyle…" She whispered, not believing it was truly over.

"Yeah." He said with a nod right before she sat up and pulled him to her fiercely, clinging tight. He ran a hand down her back as he held her closer. "It's me. Shhh."

"Oh my God. I…Kyle…" She fought to get any words out, her voice was so raspy she could barely speak. "Where is…"

It was then that Kyle noticed that they were alone in the room. Knowing she would not let him go he swept her up in his arms and brought her with him as he walked to the door, kicking Jude's bag outside before shutting and bolting it closed. He carefully moved back to the bed, sitting down slowly. "Shh..He's gone." Kyle promised as he held her closer. "I'm here now. It's alright..."

It was the hardest thing he'd ever have to do. He cleared his throat before he whispered. "Becky." He eased back and made her meet his eyes. "I need you to tell me. What did he..." He forced himself to say the words. "Did he hurt you?"

Her head was pounding and her throat was raw. Her arms and legs ached and she could tell that there were bruises blooming there. Even though she had passed out she was still sure. She shook her head at him. "No. He tried…but…" She shook her head again, more forcefully. "No. Kyle. He didn't. It's alright. I'm OK…"

"You are not OK." He replied, his voice shaking as he tenderly held her face in his hands. "You are so far from OK it isn't even funny. I should take you to the hospital. We should call the police…"

"NO." Becky replied, horrified. "I can't. My father will kill me. I'm already in so much trouble. Besides, I was so stupid..."

Kyle's voice was gentle but forceful. "OK. First of all – what happened here is not your fault, Becky. You are stubborn and reckless but I am sure you were just being your sweet, overly friendly self and this slug took advantage of that. Second – your father knows where you are. I called him…"

"Y-y-ou c-c-called him?" She stammered through her tears.

"Yes." He nodded as he ran a hand gently over her disheveled hair. Kyle's free hand went to his jacket pocket. "Hold on for just a second." He whispered as he nudged her to lay back on the bed. He took out his phone and began to dial. "Let me just call him and tell him I've found you."

"He's g-going to b-be so mad at me." Becky sobbed in reply.

"He'll be glad to know you're alright." Kyle replied. The phone rang once before Rafe answered.

"Hi. Yeah. It's me. Yes sir. I've found her. I know. I hit some traffic and the weather is bad down here. Her bus broke down. She's at a hotel. It's so late she's already asleep but I'm here in my car and I'll keep an eye out for her until the morning. No. No sir. It's fine. I'll have her call you in the morning." Kyle paced the floor as he spoke. "Yes sir. I know sir. Absolutely. Understood. Thank you. I will. OK. Goodnight."

In an instant he was back beside her, tenderly pulling her close. "Y-y-you lied to him." Becky's voice was full of awe as she snuggled closer.

"Yeah, well. I'm not stupid." Kyle whispered with a slight smile as he pressed a kiss to the top of her hair. Becky curled into him as if trying to climb into his skin. When he gazed down at her he noticed her knuckles were white as she tightly held the front of her shirt closed.

She was shivering so violently her teeth were chattering. He was at a complete and total loss as to what to do. "Becky, you're shaking. I want to make sure you're alright. Tell me what you want..."

"I want…" She trailed off, not really knowing for sure what she wanted. "I think I just want to take a shower and get out of these clothes."

"Becky." He tried again. He couldn't help but think it was the right thing to do. "Are you sure you don't want to go to the hospital?"

"NO." She shook her head vehemently. Seeing her reaction took that option completely off the table. "I'm OK, Kyle please. I just want some Advil or something and to take a shower and change and then I want…"

"What?" He asked, feeling incredibly helpless as he watched the tears fall down her cheeks.

Becky gazed at him and fought to keep her voice steady. "I just want you to hold me until I fall asleep. Is that OK?" She asked hopefully.

"Sure." He said softly, wondering if he'd ever be able to rid the sadness from her eyes. "Of course I will. Whatever you want."

Becky took a deep breath and very reluctantly eased away from him. She stood on shaky legs and went to go pick up her bag. It slipped from her grasp almost immediately. Her strength was so depleted there was no way she could carry it in the state she was in. She leaned against the wall, fighting another dizzy spell.

He quickly moved to help her. Kyle gently guided her towards the bathroom, placing the bag in the corner. He vowed to himself that if she was still in such a state in the morning he'd take her to the hospital, kicking and screaming if he had to.

He almost thought everything was back to normal again when he saw Becky smiling up at him, rising on her toes and pressing a soft kiss to his lips. "Thank you." She whispered before she eased away.

"I'll be right outside." He promised as he walked backwards into the other room.

"OK." She nodded.

"I'll be right outside." Kyle said again, feeling nothing but helpless as he watched the door close.

When he finally heard the water running he sank to the bed. Through all his training he had been waiting for this feeling. He'd always felt the call to avenge evil but he was not sure if he had it in him to kill.

Tonight he was sure that he could without question. Had he not stopped to make sure Becky was alright Kyle was sure he'd have gone on beating that sorry excuse until he took his last breath.

The realization washed over him as Kyle sat there quietly and gazed at his hands. He wondered if they would ever stop shaking.