LOVE IS BLIND – PART 1

Disclaimer: Beauty and the Beast and its characters belong to Ron Koslow and CBS. No copyright infringement is intended and no profit is being made.

[Vincent/OFC]

Vincent sat in the darkened alleyway between the two buildings. He wrapped his cloak around himself tightly. The sounds of the city streets seemed far off as he listened to the violin music floating down from an open window off the third floor fire escape.

The music stopped and he heard voices.

"Gwen, don't stop. Just play a little more," an elderly woman's voice said.

"Nana, you need to get your rest. The doctor said –"

"I know what the doctor said. He thinks he knows everything!"

The young woman's voice chuckled, "I'll make you a deal. You take your medicine and lay down to rest. If you do, I'll keep playing until you fall asleep."

"All right – don't get pushy with me, Gwennie."

"Come on. Here you go. Let me tuck you in. There. What would you like me to play, Nana?"

"Anything," came the sleepy reply.

The lights went off in the apartment and a sweet melody filled the air.

Vincent listened for a while longer, smiling to himself. Then he slipped down into the building's basement to return to his world.

~*~

In the early morning light, Guinevere Daniels stretched and pushed back the covers. She slowly stood and pulled on her robe. Blind since the age of ten, she'd lived in her grandmother's apartment long enough to know her way around easily. She was now twenty-five, tall and slender, fair-skinned with long dark hair.

She left her room and went to check on her grandmother.

"Nana? It's time to get up and have your medicine," Gwen said entering her grandmother's room.

Receiving no response, Gwen made her way to her grandmother's bedside. "Nana?"

Reaching down to touch her grandmother's cool extremities, Gwen gasped as tears flooded her eyes. "Oh Nana!"

~*~

Gwen spoke with the police officers who came and the coroner. Plans were made for her grandmother to be taken to a funeral home nearby.

"We're Jewish," Gwen said, "so the funeral has to be by sundown."

The coroner nodded and patted her hand, "We'll see that everything is moved along. I've looked over her doctor's records. The cancer was advanced and this was not unexpected. Shouldn't be any need for an autopsy. I'll sign the papers for you."

Gwen nodded, "Thank you." She let out a breath, knowing it would be a busy day. She went to the phone to make some calls.

~*~

That evening, Gwen was walked back to her apartment by her grandmother's old friend, Mrs. Shaw. Gwen used her white cane efficiently to move about.

"Are you sure you want to stay here alone tonight, Gwen?" Mrs. Shaw asked.

"Yes, this is my home. I'll be fine," Gwen said.

"It was a lovely service. Your grandmother would have been so pleased to hear you play for her," Mrs. Shaw said.

Gwen unlocked the door, "Thank you for driving me home."

"It was my pleasure, child. Now you take care of yourself and I'll call you next week."

"Good night," Gwen said, entering the apartment and closing and locking the door behind her.

She set her violin case aside and removed her shoes. She made her way across the apartment and opened a few windows. It was a warm night. She knew she wouldn't be able to sleep, so she decided to clean up.

~*~

Gwen used her white cane to make her way down the back stairs. She carried a trash bag to toss into the garbage cans. She felt better that she had cleaned up the apartment. But she felt sad and quiet now without her grandmother. She opened the door to the alleyway and stepped out. Using her cane, she located the trash cans. She placed the trash bag down and removed a trash can lid, lifting the bag to place inside it. She had just replaced the lid when she heard sounds in the alley.

"Who's there?" Gwen asked, turning toward the noises.

Laughter. "Hey look," a man's voice said, "it's the blind chick."

"Hey chickie, what are you doing all alone?" A second voice asked.

"I'm just putting out the trash. I don't want any trouble," Gwen said.

"Oh we're not lookin' for trouble either," the first man said moving close to Gwen, "just a little bit of fun." He pushed her.

"Don't," Gwen said, raising her cane.

Both men laughed harder. "Gonna hurt us?" The second man asked.

One of them grabbed her and Gwen swung her cane, connecting painfully with the first man's head.

"Damn bitch!" He cried, shoving her hard and knocking her into the trash cans. Gwen and one of the trash cans both tumbled to the ground.

The click of a switch blade was heard. The second man hovered over Gwen, "Enough of this fooling around crap."

There was a flash of movement in the alleyway and a dark figure appeared before the two men.

"Leave her alone," a deep voice said.

The second man spun and swung the switchblade, "Private party, pal. Get lost."

Vincent chuckled, "I think that's my line." He batted the switchblade from the man's hands. The first man jumped on Vincent's back and Vincent tossed him aside easily.

The second man ran at Vincent and was also swatted aside.

"Hell, let's get outta here, Andy!" The first man called as he yanked the second man to his feet and both men fled.

Vincent moved toward Gwen. "Are you all right?" He asked.

"Yes," she said, moving to sit up. Vincent reached down and took her elbow, helping her to her feet. "Thank you for what you did."

"You're welcome. Do you need any assistance?" He asked, handing her the white cane.

"No, I'm fine now. Who are you?"

"My name is Vincent."

"I'm Guinevere Daniels. But everyone calls me Gwen."

"I know. I've heard you play your violin before."

"Oh – do you live in the building?"

"No, but I've sat in the alley and listened to you play," he said quietly. "Your music is beautiful."

"Thank you. But why were you sitting in the alley? Don't you have a home?" She asked knowing how many homeless people wandered the city streets.

"I have a home."

"I'm glad. I hope that in the future, if you'd like to hear my play, you will come to my apartment. You shouldn't be sitting in the alley," she said.

"I mostly keep to myself," he replied.

"Why?"

"My appearance tends to frighten people."

"People can be ignorant. You don't frighten me and I've been blind for the last 15 years."

"You don't know what I look like," he said.

"I don't have to. You are a good person, Vincent. I can tell," she said with a smile.

"How is your grandmother, Guinevere? I know she's been ill."

"She died in her sleep last night," Gwen said quietly, blinking back tears.

"I'm so sorry."

"Her funeral was today. I – I just was cleaning up," she said as a tear slipped down her cheek. Gwen sniffed, "I should get back upstairs. It's late."

"Do you need help making your way?" He asked.

Gwen smiled lifting her cane, "No, I've managed for a long time. Thank you again, Vincent, for coming to my rescue. I hope you will come and see me sometime."

He smiled, "I would be pleased to."

"Good night."

"Good night," he replied, watching her enter her building and closing the door behind her.

TBC . . .