Beauty and the Thief

Chapter One: Gift Exchange

By the time Catherine got up the courage to say what was really on her mind, the moon had already risen over the hazy horizon of Manhattan and the streets had long ago gone quiet. Vincent could tell, of course – he could always tell – that her mind was preoccupied, that her light-hearted chatter about her job and her friends was not all that she wanted to say to him. But he could also sense that she would come to the point and tell him her true thoughts – in time. It wasn't until she grew quiet and looked away from him, gazing thoughtfully at the dark outline of Central Park, that he decided to broach the subject.

"Catherine, is there something you want to talk to me about? I feel some sort of – almost shyness – in your heart. Please, tell me. You can tell me anything."

Catherine looked at him with surprise, then with a wry grin. "I should have known." She looked at him for a beat, let out a nervous sigh, then reached into her pocket and pulled out a small shiny object. A key.

"Vincent… you know I keep my balcony doors locked when I'm not home. People have broken into my apartment before – I have to be careful. But if you come to see me and I'm not here - I don't like the idea of you waiting out here all night. Someone might see you, or if it's raining or snowing…"

"I don't mind –" he interjected. He would willingly stand outside in a hurricane all night for a chance to see her.

She smiled and touched his hand. "I know you don't. But I do. Vincent –" she said, uncurling his fingers and placing the key in his palm, "I want you to have this. That way you can let yourself in, if you need to. It will keep me from worrying."

Vincent was momentarily stunned. Her concern for him – her trust in him – filled him with such exquisite happiness that he could barely speak. He reached out and touched her face gently, inviting her shy eyes to meet his gaze.

"Thank you, Catherine. I will treasure this gift."

She smiled and laughed and burrowed into his arms. "Don't just treasure it – use it."

He laughed with her and they stayed there for a long time, watching the moon glide inch by inch across the sky.

Vincent had been pacing the length of his chamber for what seemed like hours when the answer finally came to him. The key – Catherine's key – was nestled in his breast pocket, right by his heart. It pained him that she had given him something so precious when he could not find something equally precious to give her in return. Something that would show how much he cared about her, how much he trusted her… something that would help keep her safe… but what could that something be? Suddenly an image came to his mind, the memory of finding Catherine, tired and afraid, after she had been wandering through the dark, maze-like tunnels for an hour, searching for him. The answer came to him so suddenly that he felt like an idiot for not recognizing it sooner. A map! Father had dozens of maps of the world below, and any one of them would help Catherine find her way to safety, to his chambers or to Father's study. Before he could even think twice he was already in the library rummaging through Father's map collection. He found the one he was looking for – in good condition, easy to read, up-to-date - and folded it into a square, placing it in his breast pocket beside Catherine's key.

That night, Catherine returned home to find a note, a long-stem rose, and a parcel resting atop her pillowcase. She flushed with pleasure, glad to see that Vincent had put her gift to use so soon and curious to see what he had left for her.

My Dearest Catherine,

Please forgive me for not presenting my gift to you in person.
I have business elsewhere tonight, but I could not wait a moment longer to give you something in return for what you have given me.
The key you gave me is more than just a key, for it represents your trust, your concern, and an invitation to enter your world whenever I might need to. I wanted to give you something that would serve the same purpose for you.
I must ask you to keep this map secret and only use it as a last resort, but it will soothe my heart to know that you have it with you, and that wherever you are in the city you will be able to find your way to me.

With all my heart,

Vincent