A/N: I'm loving the new review reply feature. Trés cool.

This chapter is dedicated to my long lost Nat, even though she probably won't get around to reading this until the year 2010. LOL!

Ali – yes – Rafe's a basket case – but even he knows he can't be the only guy in his daughter's life forever.

First quote in this chapter is from poet Thomas Moore (1779-1852). – not me. ;)

The second comes from Paradise Lost by John Milton (1608-1674). I'll tell you what – writing is such an educational experience. I kick ass on Jeopardy now. ;)

Until 56…enjoy! xox-G

Chapter Fifty-five

Caleb paced his study, feeling only slightly better today than he had the day before. Every day it got harder for him to keep up appearances. Pausing briefly, he glanced over at the desk again, looking at the single sheet of paper lying there.

Those who plot the destruction of others often perish in the attempt.

Caleb recognized the quote by an Irish poet. He sighed again. It was the third letter he'd received in as many weeks.

Whoever was sending them was incredibly hurt and angry. It wasn't so much what the notes said it was how they were sent, on fine parchment paper and written in calligraphy. The fact also was that the sender seemed to put a lot of thought into what was written.

He didn't know how much longer he could go on like this. He couldn't shut the world out forever. It was ironic though that the one place he had felt safest in the world had now become nothing less than a prison.

Caleb thought back to months ago when Rafe came over to Romania and tried to help him. He'd forced him to dispose of all the new recruits he'd made. Caleb knew Rafe had a point – it had been an act of desperation to be sure, but there was no other way he could think of to save himself and protect his family.

He stared at an old ancient book resting on the shelf beside his desk. The ring had lost it's power but he knew that the words written there still hold some sort of magic.

It annoyed him to no end that he felt this way – weak, powerless, dependant. He knew that Olivia was losing patience by the second and that was never a good thing.

Caleb clenched his fists over and over, the ordeal of the last few months clearly visible. His eyes were shadowed, his skin sallow. He looked every inch as undead as he was.

The answers were right at his fingertips it seemed, if only he had the courage to act.

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Kyle jumped up when he heard the sound of the water turning off. A few long minutes later the door creaked open.

Becky stood framed in the doorway, the soft light surrounding her like a halo. Her hair hung straight and damp, the water still clinging to it darkening the shoulders of her oversized sweatshirt. Her hands disappeared into the sleevesas she fisted the cuffs. She looked every inch the pretty angel he sometimes called her.

She tentatively walked towards him as Kyle stood by helpless, waiting for some sort of cue as to what to do for her.

When he couldn't stand the silence any longer he finally spoke. "Do you feel better?"

"Yeah. I do." She nodded, still standing at least three feet away from him.

She gazed at the bed and laughed nervously. "I had a whole other plan for when you finally found me."

"Did you?"

Becky nodded again. She couldn't quite meet his eyes. "I knew you'd follow me. I was counting on it. And when you got here I was going to…" She stopped short and took a deep breath. "I mean, I was going to try to…"

Kyle took a tentative step towards her as he asked. "What, Becky?"

She sniffled as she finally looked up at him. "Seduce you."

He nearly laughed at the look on her face, but the events of the night made it impossible. "Becky…"

She kept on; anything was easier than really acknowledging what had happened to her tonight. "I've been saving for this trip for months. I decided to take the bus so I'd have more spending money. I wanted to make sure we could finally be alone." She looked up at him with tears lighting her eyes. "I have candles with me; I even got my grandmother to give me a bottle of champagne. I went to one of those fancy stores and bought this really sexy nightgown. It had a little robe and everything. I wanted it to be perfect." She said her voice desolate.

"Becky. You are perfect." He whispered as he took another step closer.

"No I'm not." She shook her head at him. "I look awful. I feel awful. I feel…" Becky trailed off, tears streaming slowly down her cheeks.

"What?" Kyle's voice filled with concern at the look on her face.

Becky hugged her arms around herself, looking so small in the clothes that she wore. Other than her face, there wasn't an inch of her skin visible. "I thought a shower was a good idea. I thought I'd be able to wash it away, but I can't." Her voice broke on a sob. "I can still feel him, Kyle."

In an instant he closed the distance between them and pulled her close. "Becky…"

Kyle took a steadying breath, the blood raging in his veins. It was all he could do to not go out and track down the cretin who'd done this to her.

Her hands fisted in his t-shirt as she pressed herself closer to him. Becky titled her head back a bit so she could look into his eyes. "My first impression was that he was a creep but he made me let my guard down. He said he went to the same college as Katie - he said he understood that I might be nervous having a stranger help me and I don't know why but I let him. And before I knew it he locked me in here and then..." She trailed off, knowing it wasn't necessary to really go over every detail. "I feel his hands everywhere." She whispered, as she took Kyle's hand in hers and pressed it to her heart. "Make them go away, Kyle." She begged as she hooked a hand around his neck and brought his lips to hers. "Please…"

He kissed her back, trying with all his might to restrain himself. He wanted to help her, he needed to help her, but deep down he knew that this was not what she really needed right now.

"Becky." He sighed as he reluctantly pulled away and held her at arm's length. "Hold on."

She shook her head and reached for him again. "No. Please. You asked me what I needed and this is it. Make me forget. I need you Kyle…" She looked up at him, confusion filling her face. "I want you. Don't you want me?"

"Of course I want you." He replied, wishing he could give her what she asked for. "The way things have been - us going slow... Becky it's never been about me not wanting you. That's not it. You just were saying how you had all these plans for us. I don't want what happened tonight to spoil all that."

She had made plans but they could easily be changed. Becky was still not completely convinced. "I just think…" She began.

"I just think…" Kyle took over. "...that you need to rest and get some sleep." He held her chin in his hand and stared deeply into her eyes. "Listen to me Becky. I'll be right here beside you all night – well…" He glanced outside and saw that the sun was beginning to rise. "All morning, I guess." He continued with a smile. "I promise. I'll hold you until you wake up. If I need to I'll hold you every night until you dream about nothing else but me."

She blushed a bit as she reached up to run a hand over his cheek. "It won't take long. I always dream about you."

"Do you?" Kyle replied as he bent down to scoop her up in his arms. He carried her to the bed and gently laid her on the mattress, kissing her slowly and sweetly before he drew away. Seconds later he was crawling into bed beside her and pulling her close. "Go on. Tell me about them."

"Sometimes I dream about when we first met. Sometimes I see what it's going to be like when we're married and what our kids will look like…"

"Kids?" Kyle said with a laugh as he pressed his lips to her hair. She smelled incredible, an intoxicating mix of something floral with a hint of vanilla. It was driving him crazy. As Becky pressed herself closer to him he was giving himself extra points for his restraint. "OK. Tell me more. How many do we have?"

"Three. Two boys and a girl." She replied, her voice definite. "The girl's the oldest."

Kyle rubbed circles over her back, hoping to lull her to sleep. "Is she now? What's her name?"

"Madeleine…" Becky yawned. "Spelled the French way, because you're…you know…"

"French?" Kyle laughed louder.

"Oui." She replied, giggling back at him as she snuggled closer.

Silence fell between them again. Kyle was certain she was asleep when he heard her whisper. "I'm so glad you found me. I was so scared but I kind of knew you'd save me if you could."

Her words had the images flashing before his eyes again. Of all the things he wanted to say, he decided to pick the one that would comfort her most. "I'm glad I found you too. I promise - no matter what - I'll do my best to always save you." His voice held a warning as he added. "Just don't make a habit of this, OK?"

"OK." Becky agreed with a nod. "Je t'aime, Kyle." She murmured as she gave into sleep at last.

The fact that she spoke the words in French made him smile wider. It might take some time, but he knew now for a fact that Becky would be alright. Kyle glanced at the door to the room, making sure that they were locked in and she was finally safe.

"Te iubesc, Becky." He whispered, just before he fell under himself.

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Swiftly and expertly a hand dipped the nub of the pen into the dark, black ink. In perfectly formed letters the delicate fingers moved to write another warning.

Abashed the Devil stood, And felt how awful goodness is, and saw Virtue in her own shape how lovely; saw And pined his loss.

Not too many more before it would be time to act.

She wanted to see him squirm. She wanted him to know what panic was like, how desperation felt. She couldn't wait to see the look of horror fall across his features.

Caleb thought himself an expert on mind games and torture. To know without a doubt he didn't suspect who was behind all of this made her nearly giggle with glee.

Not much longer now, she promised as she folded the note, gently placing it in an envelope and sealing it with crimson wax. She thought ita fitting touch for a message intended for a vampire.

She smiled, knowing he'd be battered and broken when she was finished with him.

She could hardly wait.