Standard Disclaimer's apply.

Authors Note:

I have to say, i was quite prepared NOT to like this series. I had heard the buzz wasn't all that great and i expected to be underwhelmed. In many ways, i was. But for some reason, i stuck with BatB. And guess what, its become one of my favourite new shows!

More than twists and turns, i hope to explore the emotional connection between these two individuals. Aspects of aired episodes might be incorporated into the story as I write.

Enjoy!

Catherine Chandler was on her way to work when her mobile rang.

"Catherine, hello?"

"Cat? H-hi. It's JT."

Her brow furrowed. "JT?"

"Hi, yeah. I need your help. I have a situation."

Catherine didn't hesitate but turned at the stop light and headed in the opposite direction. An as yet unfounded knot of worry descended into the pit of her stomach. JT made it his business to remind her daily that she needed to stay clear of Vincent. If he was calling her, he was out of options.

"Define situation." She was sure not to be too specific. "Everything ok?"

She hadn't heard from Vincent in two days.

"Not quite. Situation is kind of dire." Panic crept into his voice.

"I'm on my way." The knot was now lead.

Catherine stepped on the gas while simultaneously leaving a voicemail for Tess. Voicemail was easier, less questions. And not knowing what would be waiting for her, she wasn't sure she would be able to hide the anxiety in her voice.

She reached the warehouse in a cloud of dust as her Chevy came to a screeching halt. The engine was still turning when she leapt out and run towards the door, her dark hair fanning out behind her. JT had the door open before she even got there.

They almost collided.

"Oh my God, JT. What's going on? Is it Vincent?" Catherine was already trying to rush past him. "I didn't want to ask too many questions when you called, I know anyone could be listening."

He spun around and blocked the narrow hallway. "Wait up! Wait! Wait a minute. Catherine!"

He took her shoulders and held tightly.

"Vincent has had episodes in the past where he goes into a trans-like state and…" he struggled to find the right word "beasts-out for a couple hours. We don't really know what causes it. He has some theories."

"I don't understand-?"

"It happens every couple months. Never last more than eight, nine hours. He feels it coming on, I lock him up, seven hours later, everything is normal. It's like he cannot control some of the rage and for a few hours it's dialed to high. It's been two days and initially, it was the same. He raged for several hours and should have snapped out of it. He hasn't this time. It's like there is no rage left, he's just listless. He doesn't seem to hear me, he doesn't respond..." The panic she heard in his voice earlier returned. JT licked his lips nervously, his cheeks flushed. "He's locked up."

Tears rushed to Catherine's eyes and she blinked them away rapidly.

"I don't know what to do. It's never lasted this long. He might be in pain and I'm afraid… I wouldn't have called you but there is no one else…"

He didn't have to say it.

Catherine forced herself to remain calm.

"Where is he?"

JT turned and lead her up the stairs and into a back room off Vincent's bedroom. She had seen the cell in there before, but she hadn't asked any questions. Perhaps she should have.

The cell was small, but the bars were reinforced steel. One way in, one way out. There was a small mattress on the floor and nothing else.

Her heart leapt into her throat when she saw him lying half on the mattress, half on the floor, naked from the waist up save for a pair of jeans. She assumed the white ball of fabric in a corner was his discarded T-shirt.

JT must have seen the panic on her face. "He's alive. Barely. I don't know what to do. Usually between Vincent and myself, we figure these things out. And it's always been ok. But I don't know what to do and I'm not a doctor, he's the doctor and everything we might usually have done hasn't worked and I thought of you-" His words came out in a jumbled run on sentence.

It was her turn to calm him down, so she squeezed his hands gently. Turning, she walked towards the cell and pressed herself as close as she could get.

"Vincent?" It was a whisper. She couldn't touch him.

"He can't hear you."

"Vincent? Vincent?"

He moaned. "He can hear me. Let me in."

"No. He can't." JT shook his head. "It's too dangerous"

"He could be dying, let me in."

"He could kill you!"

"If we don't get in there, we could lose him. Look at him. He's barely conscious, barely breathing. He won't hurt me."

She realised she believed that. No matter what his state, Vincent would never hurt her.

Still he shook his head.

"JT, we don't have much time."

She had an idea. She unholstered her firearm, turned the safety off and held it to him.

"Cover me." Silence. "JT. Take the damned gun and cover me. If I'm in danger, shoot him. I'm a cop. I can handle myself."

They stared each other down before he blinked first.

"You can't handle him when he turns." He looked torn but finally relented. "Dammit! I knew this was a bad idea. Alright. But if there are any signs that you're in danger, get out. I don't want to have to shoot him. Or you." He added the last bit under his breath, knowing his aim was pretty lousy.

Catherine wasted no time. She unhooked her holster, and unlocked the cell with the key JT handed to her. "Lock the gate behind me." He started to protest. "He can't get out, JT. Vincent would rather be dead than hurt innocent people again."

JT knew she was right and locked the gate as soon as she was inside, training the gun on his friend. His hand shook. He steeled his nerves.

Catherine stepped towards the man she still knew so little about but somehow cared for on a level that defied the brevity of their acquaintance.

"Vincent?"

She knelt down and gingerly touched his shoulder. His skin was hot to the touch.

"He's burning up!" she called to JT.

"Vincent?" She pulled and expected resistance. Instead, he rolled onto his back limply, his head lolled to the side.

Catherine didn't know where to touch first. His face, his chest – she could feel his heartbeat, it felt strong, but she wasn't reassured.

"Vincent?" This time she leaned forward and whispered into his ears.

He moaned again, but no other response. He was perspiring, heat radiating off him. His face was pale and his hair clung to his forehead in damp clumps.

"Should we move him?"

JT leaned close to the bars and looked torn. "I don't know. I don't like him lying there any more than you do, but he could go rogue and we can't risk that."

"Is there any medicine he takes usually?" Catherine couldn't stop her hands from gently cradling his face. His scar seemed in stark contrast to the paleness of his skin. It was jagged and red.

"He's supposed to be super soldier. He doesn't get the common cold."

"We need a doctor."

JT rolled his eyes.

"Right, why didn't I think of that? Why not just call 911?"

She might have been annoyed at the sarcasm and the sharpness of his tone, but she knew he was just as worried.

Vincent moaned again, but there was no other sign he could even hear them. Catherine started to sweat. He was like a furnace and being this close to him was like being close to a heater in the heart of summer.

"I don't know. But I do know that if we leave him like this, he might never wake up. Or he might die."

"He'll be dead if Muirfield get their hands on him!"

Catherine's mind was working at a mile a minute. There was only one option.

"I won't let that happen. But I won't let him die either."

She caressed his cheek before getting up and backing out of the cell. She couldn't take her eyes off him.

JT locked the cell and she took her gun back, determined.

"What are you going to do? We can't let anyone know about him."

JT started panicking.

"I won't let him die. And right now, he needs a doctor to look at him."

JT threw his hands up in exasperation. "What, are you just going to the nearest ER and asking whether anyone was up to examining a genetically modified governmental experiment gone wrong? Muirfield will be watching medical facilities."

When Catherine was silent, his eyes almost bulged out of his face and little circles of mist appeared on his spectacles.

"You can't be serious! Are you crazy?"

She held her hands up to stall his tirade.

"Nothing that dramatic. But I am going to ask a friend, someone I trust."

JT just kept shaking his head.

"What else can we do?" Catherine's voice raised a little. "I know you don't want to see him dead. I have a guy, I trust him." The silence stretched. "JT, please. I can't lose him."

She didn't know it was the last bit that got to him, the emotion in her voice. And honestly, he didn't know what to do either. But that didn't mean he wasn't nervous.

"Who's this guy?"

Catherine sighed in relief. She would not have done anything without his support. He knew Vincent better than anyone.

"The medical examiner I work with. Evan Marks."

"The guy you kissed?" JT couldn't help himself. If Vincent made it through this, he was going to be pissed.

"Wha-"

JT waved off her question. Beggars couldn't be choosers. "Go, go! Before I change my mind. God. I hope we're doing the right thing."

Catherine nodded. "Trust me."

"Go."