This is set some time in the future, post 'Tough Love.' Catherine and Vincent are in a good place where their relationship is concerned: they are both sure of the other's feelings and Catherine has gone back to instinctively trusting Vincent again. They really savour the limited time they get to spend together. However, they have to be extremely careful now that the entire precinct, the ADA and Muirfield are closing in on Vincent. How far will Catherine go to protect the man she loves?

JT couldn't help but smile as he came out of his bedroom and saw Vincent standing at the stove, preparing scrambled eggs for breakfast while whistling a tune to himself. He had never seen his friend so relaxed and happy since he had returned from Afghanistan. Heck, he probably had never seen him this happy in all the years he knew him! When Catherine had entered their lives, JT had worried about what Vincent's feelings for her might do to him, to his sanity, but it didn't take him long to understand that Cat was the best thing that could have possibly happened to his best friend. She was loyal, fierce and loving. She accepted Vincent for who and what he was, and she had repeatedly shown that she was willing to fight for him and at his side. JT had really grown fond of her over time – he had finally come to realize that when Alex came back into Vincent's life and he found himself on Cat's side rather than on Vincent's.

Also, JT's ulcer hadn't played up in the last few weeks, despite Muirfield being closer than ever, as well as the new ADA and precinct set on finding the mysterious vigilante. JT's improved health probably had a lot to do with Sarah, but he also was a lot calmer these days knowing that he was not alone in his endeavour to keep Vincent out of harm's way. Catherine cared about Vincent even more than he did and it was great to know that they were on the same page when it came to the lengths to which they would go to protect Vincent.

"Good morning, sunshine! You got back while I was in the shower, I guess?" JT said, grinning. "Looks like you love birdies had a good night." "You can say that again," said Vincent, turning towards his friend with a broad smile on his face. He put a plate of scrambled eggs in front of JT and then sat down to tuck into his. While chewing, he asked: "Do you want details?"

"No, dude, thanks. But since you mention it, with Cat's nosy younger sister back from her holiday in two days' time and Cat's apartment being out of bounds for your, hmmm, joint activities, I'm seriously considering soundproofing my bedroom…" JT chuckled. Vincent shot him a look. "I'm serious, dude. I mean, I can hear you walk about upstairs and I DO NOT want to hear you in bed with Catherine. You know, we're best friends and all but every friendship has its limits!" Vincent nodded. "That might be a good idea… We're not exactly the quiet types," he said, causing JT to choke on his eggs. Then JT wheezed: "Overshare, dude, overshare!"

"Sorry! Actually, Catherine is going to ask her sister to move out but it'll take a while for her to find another place, I guess. And although this is not the most comfortable place, it would be nice to have Catherine over without you having sleepless nights because of us," Vincent said to JT, unable to get rid of the stupid grin on his face as he remembered details of the previous night. "Dude, I'm going to work. You're seriously freaking me out with your good mood," said JT as he got up from the dining table. "I'll stop at a hardware shop on the way home and get some information about what material best to use to soundproof my room…"

As Vincent was rinsing the plates, his phone rang. He quickly dried his hands and picked it up, smiling as he said: "So, how's your coffee?" "Too hot, as usual. I think I just burned my tongue," Catherine said on the other end, and Vincent could hear that she was smiling, too. "Have you had your breakfast yet?" "Yeah, JT just left for work and I'm doing the dishes," Vincent replied. "How badly did you burn your tongue?" "I'll live," Cat said, and then she sighed. "You're outside the precinct already?" Vincent asked. He had left Cat's flat only about 45 minutes earlier but, ever since they had spent their first night together exactly eight days ago, they had gotten into the habit of speaking on the phone before Catherine started her shift. She didn't think it was a good idea to talk on the phone with any of her colleagues around, now that Tess and Evan were definitely suspicious of her and with the new ADA, Gabriel, snooping around for information about the mysterious vigilante roaming the streets of New York. Ever since the near-death experience with Muirfield in the woods, Cat also used burner phones to communicate with him and it would be difficult to explain to people in the precinct why she had a second phone.

"Yeah, I am standing on the other side of the road. But I'm early for my shift so I'm not hanging up yet. Tell me something…" Catherine said in a dreamy voice. "Oh, JT says he will have to soundproof his room in case you want to come over and spend the night once Heather is back…" Vincent replied while listening to Cat's steady heartbeat and her breathing pattern. "What do you mean, IN CASE I want to come over and spend the night?" Catherine said, faking indignation. Then her voice became teasing: "Don't you know that what you've been doing to me these last few nights has me totally intoxicated. There's no getting rid of me now, Vincent, you've opened Pandora's box. And you'll have to deal with the consequences…" Vincent could hear Cat's heart rate increase slightly and he swallowed hard, as his body responded to her words and her beating heart. "All I know is that it's gonna be a long, long day… waiting around for the sun to go down and for us to be together again," he said in a whisper. "I know," said Catherine. "I better go now. I'll text you later, OK? We have this meeting about the vigilante at 4.30 this afternoon and it could go on for a while so I don't know when exactly I'll be home." "OK, Catherine. Take care, please," said Vincent. "I will. And you take care of yourself, OK? Bye!" Cat whispered and hung up before Vincent got a chance to reply.

Vincent returned to the dishes with a smile on his face. He proceeded to cleaning the kitchen and then moved upstairs to tidy his bedroom. The thought of Catherine actually wanting to spend the night in this dusty, draughty warehouse still filled Vincent with disbelief. He had only slowly allowed himself to feel at ease in her flat, and even after having spent the last eight nights sleeping in her bed the whole thing, their amazing closeness, still seemed unreal. The possibility of Catherine sharing his bed seemed even more unreal. As he went into the bathroom and started scrubbing the tiles there, he made a mental note to remind JT to buy some toiletries that Catherine might want to use. The thought of her filled him with excitement but also with a wonderful sense of calm. For the first time in twelve years, Vincent felt that he might actually be able to accept what fate had thrown at him. He might actually be able to be at peace with himself. Catherine truly was his miracle.

Vincent's phone beeped. He smiled as he read Catherine's message: Slowest day ever!? Aarrgghh (how do you spell that?) Tell JT to get the best soundproofing possible ; ) xxx

Just wanted these two to be really happy before this story gets darker. I'll try and upload chapter 2 tomorrow. Thanks to everyone for their reviews of my other stories. Glad you like them : )