The Camp Out

A/N Hello! New Story! So, the idea for this actually came from a dream I had. This is my take on what might have happened if Catherine and Vincent had gone on their little trip in Episode 7, had they actually gotten to go. In my dream, they went camping, so...Just a little Hilarity and sexiness to ensue. Enjoy! This is a simple One-Shot! Sorry, I don't have any plans to add to it.

Chapter 1

By the time Vincent got his little tent set up, a light rain had started. He glanced over at the little cabin, glad that Catherine was safely esconed within its warmth. As much as he had wanted to take her up on her offer of sharing the cabin, he knew it was a bad idea. He was too unsure of himself to be alone with her in said cabin.

God, he wanted her! He could admit to himself that he had always wanted her. From that first moment in the woods, he had been drawn to Catherine Chandler. He had watched over her and protected her in ways she wasn't even aware of. He had kept much closer tabs on her over the years than she realized. He was her shadow, her protector. But...he wanted to be so much more.

Vincent had watched Catherine grow into a beautiful, young woman. He had despised all the asshole boyfriends she had been with over the years. In a way, he also envied them. They got to be with her without fear of discovery. They didn't have to stay hidden in the shadows. They could enjoy her company for longer than snatched minutes. He sighed deeply. He looked at the cabin again. A frown creased his mouth. He was a fool.

From inside the cabin, Catherine watched Vincent put the tent together. He had adamantly refused when she offered to share the cabin with him. She saw him glance in her direction several times. She made sure to stand far enough away from the window, so he couldn't see her watching him. Catherine chuckled softly. Watching him was actually one of her favorite past times.

From that first moment in the woods, she had known he would never hurt her. Even though she was concussed and bleeding, she had know, even then, that he wasn't a bad person. He had saved her life. She only wished she had been able to tell him "Thank You" all those years ago. Maybe, that was what she was doing now. Thanking him for saving her life on that dark night, 9 years before.

Catherine giggled to herself when Vincent slid on the wet grass, barely catching himself. He glanced sharply in her direction. Catherine's eyes widened. Had he heard her? She stepped away from the window, not wanting Vincent to think she was spying on him.

The rain was coming down harder when, several minutes later, a knock sounded on the door. Catherine raced to open it. Vincent shook himself off, and hesitantly stepped in the room. They stared at each other. Finally, Vincent coughed, breaking the silence.

"So, um...do you need anything before I turn in? Firewood or...?" Vincent said, glancing around the small room. Catherine sighed.

"No, I'm fine. Are you sure you don't want to stay in here? The rain is coming down harder now."

Vincent shook his head sharply. "No! I mean...that's okay. Rain doesn't bother me."

"Vincent..." Catherine began, but he cut her off.

"It's fine, Catherine. Really. My brother's and I used to camp out in the backyard all the time as kids."

Catherine nodded. "All right. Well...Goodnight Vincent. Sleep well."

"You too, Catherine. Goodnight," Vincent replied, before opening the door and racing to the tent. Catherine shook her head again. Men are so...stubborn!

Vincent was laying in the tent a few hours later, still wide awake. He could hear the wind howling outside. The rain had started coming down even harder, and it beat against the tent, making the tent groan and sway. Vincent was once again thankful that Catherine was safe and dry in the cabin. He closed his eyes, and tried to block out everything around him.

Suddenly, Vincent sat up straight, a growl escaping his throat. He shook himself off, and looked up in disbelief at the hole that was currently over his head. Damn it! Vincent crawled out of the tent, and was immediately doused with more rain. As he stood there trying to figure out how to cover the hole, he caught Catherine's scent and swung around to face her.

"Get back inside!" he shouted against the rain and wind. Catherine shook her head.

"Come inside! It's raining too hard! You'll freeze out here."

"No! I'll be fine. Get back inside!" he repeated. Catherine grabbed his hand, and tugged. Vincent held his ground.

"Vincent, please!" she begged him. Vincent looked between her and the tent several times. Finally, he picked her up in his arms, and raced them back to the cabin. He deposited her inside, and stood on the small porch, shaking some of the rain off.

"Come inside!" Catherine called from the door. Vincent shook his head.

"I'll sleep out here. It'll be fine," he said, barely meeting her gaze.

Catherine glared at him. "Vincent! Stop being stubborn! Get in here before you catch pneumonia."

Vincent could see that she wasn't going to relent until he was inside, so finally, he stepped inside. The heat from within hit his cold skin, and Vincent immediately shivered. He stood awkwardly by the door, watching as Catherine grabbed several towels and placed them on the small couch. She glanced up, and realized he still stood by the door.

"Vincent, take those wet clothes off, now!" she said, broking no argument. Vincent recoiled, pressing himself against the hard wood of the door. He shook his head swiftly. Beads of water flung out around him. "Take them off, or I will!"

Vincent looked around helplessly, suddenly wishing he was anywhere but here. Catherine stood, her hands on her hips, tapping her foot impatiently. Finally, Vincent shrugged out of his jacket, holding it in front of him, like a shield.

Catherine shook her head and chuckled softly. "Open the door, and squeeze as much of the water out as you can. I'll lay the clothes by the fire to dry."

Vincent did as she said, squeezing the water out, before flinging the coat toward her. His shoes came next, followed by his socks and shirt. He could feel her gaze as he squeezed out the water from them. His skin turned pink under her scrutiny. He stood, uncomfortably, in his soaked jeans.

"All of it, Vincent. Even your jeans and underwear," Catherine said, although her face was also pink. Vincent swallowed convulsively.

"Um...can I.." He coughed and tried again. "Can I have a towel?"

She flung one at him, and turned to the task of laying out his clothes. She could hear him struggle to get the wet jeans off, but didn't dare to look at him. Seconds later, his jeans landed with a "splat" in front of her. Almost immediately, his boxers were there as well. Catherine tried not to think about the fact that Vincent stood naked just a few feet away from her. He walked up to her, and pulled her to her feet sharply.

"Now, you," he said huskily. Catherine glanced down briefly, and caught the towel wrapped around his waist. She forgot how to breathe. "Take them off, or I will," he said, repeating her words back to her. Catherine turned red.

"Okay, fine. If you insist," she squeaked out. Her hands went to her top. She started to pull it over her head. Vincent's eyes widened, and he turned around swiftly, facing the door. Catherine chuckled, and pulled the top off. She unhooked her bra and dropped it to the floor. Her sweatpants followed, and she quickly wrapped a towel around herself.

"Underwear too," Vincent said, still facing the door. He heard her heartbeat quicken. Seconds later, he heard her pull her underwear off as well. Turn about was fair play.

"Okay, I'm decent," Catherine said a moment later. Vincent turned to face her. Each stared at the other, both trying not to look lower than the other's face. Both failed miserably.

Vincent forgot how to breathe as he took in Catherine, wrapped in a towel that was barely big enough to cover everything of importance. He felt himself begin to harden.

Catherine gazed at Vincent's chiseled chest and abs. He had a scar low on his stomach that drew her gaze. She stepped closer, and trailed her fingers lightly over it. "How did you get this?" she asked softly.

Vincent sucked in a ragged breath, her nearness reeking havoc on his senses. He caught her fingers gently, and pulled them away from his body. "Um...Afghanistan. I got caught on the wrong end of a knife."

Catherine inhaled sharply. She nodded in understanding, deciding not to press farther. She knew that Vincent didn't like to talk about his time overseas.

Awkward silence began to run between them. Vincent began rocking back and forth, clearly uncomfortable. Catherine unconsciously clutched the towel tighter. Finally, she gave a breathy laugh. Vincent glanced at her.

"Look at us. Geez, we are two adults here. It's not like either of us has never seen the opposite sex without clothes on before. I mean, you were a doctor. And, I'm sure you had plenty of girlfriends...before..." Catherine said, babbling.

Vincent chuckled nervously. "Well, it has been awhile..."

"Oh... OH! Of course it has. God, how stupid of me. Here I am, parading in front of you in just this skimpy, little towel. I'm so sorry!" Catherine exclaimed, smacking her forehead with the palm of her hand. She started to back up, intending to grab clothes from the bedroom. Vincent's arm shot out, stilling her movements.

Vincent stared at Catherine. Her skin was flushed and pink. Her heart rate had spiked drastically. He looked into her eyes. They were dilated. He stepped closer. Her breathing hitched, and she swallowed hard.

"Catherine..." he breathed out. He leaned in, until he was a hairsbreadth away from her lips. She could feel his warm breath on her face, and she closed her eyes as she closed the small distance between them. Her lips brushed gently against his.

When he felt her lips against his, Vincent growled deep in his throat. He pulled her tightly against him, and his lips slanted over hers hungrily. Catherine whimpered against his lips, her hands coming up to wrap around his neck. Vincent's hands roamed over her back, before reaching down to grasp her rear end. Catherine moaned against his lips.

Pulling back, Vincent rested his forehead against hers. Both panted, trying to catch their breaths. "I want you, Catherine. God help me, I want you!" he panted into her ear.

Catherine pulled back, and looked him in the eyes. "Then take what you want," she whispered. Her hands came up to cup his cheeks. Vincent inhaled, her scent a drug to him. They gazed at each other...waiting.

Vincent's eyes flashed gold, and he felt the beast working its way to the surface. He shook his head, trying to calm himself down. He couldn't beast out. Not now...

Catherine saw the struggle that raced through Vincent. She saw his eyes change color, the way he clenched his fists at his sides. She knew he was fighting to stay in control, to not let the beast out. Catherine closed her eyes and breathed deeply. She took a step back, and sighed.

"It's okay, Vincent. I...can see you struggling. I don't want to make this harder for you," Catherine said quietly. She took another step backward. "I'm...um...gonna head to bed now. The...um...the couch is all yours. Goodnight," she said, before she raced into the bedroom. She shut the door tightly behind her.

Vincent finally gained control of himself, and sighed deeply. Damn it! After what just happened, Vincent was sure that he had lost his chance. His hands came up, and he ran them through his hair roughly. DAMN IT!

Vincent sat down heavily on the couch, pulling off the towel in the process. He laid back against the small pillow, and draped the towel over his lower half. He knew he would find no sleep on this night.

In the bedroom, Catherine's head rested against the door. She heard Vincent sit on the couch and stretch out. She tried not to imagine what he would look like without the towel on. Her breathing was choppy, as she tried to forget how good Vincent had felt as they were pressed together. She had felt his erection, and knew that he was just as turned on as she had been. Still was...

She flopped onto the bed, and removed the towel. Placing a blanket over herself, she sighed. She knew she would find no sleep on this night.

A/N Well...did you like it? Review please!