Two weeks passed since his chemistry read with Catherine. Vincent hadn't heard any updates from his agent since he arrived back in New Zealand. He was disappointed but he kept himself busy doing a few reshoots with the mini-series he had been filming prior going to LA, attending plays, and working out more at the gym. Now that he was finally able to take a break, he called Alex to let her know that he was on his way to see her. This would be the first time seeing her since he came back home but she knew he was busy with work on the mini-series. He took a quick shower, put on some loose fitting jeans, a tee shirt, flip flops, then unplugged his cell from the charger and hopped into his car to drive to her place.

"Hey there," he said as he walked into her kitchen. "You left your door unlocked."

Alex looked up, she was wearing a short sexy satin robe that showed off her long slender legs rather nicely. Her long auburn hair was loose and flowing freely down to her mid-back. She was standing in front of the stove making breakfast.

"Well," she looked back down to finish cooking, "I knew you were coming." Vincent stepped up behind her to give her a quick hug.

"Hey you," she smiled, leaning back slightly into his hug. "You hungry?"

"Nah, I'm good," he smiled back. Interestingly, he didn't feel any spark when he hugged her, even though it had been awhile since he'd seen her. He definitely felt different towards her. Had this been him hugging her from behind a few years ago, his hands would have moved to the front of her robe, undid the knot, opened her robe up, and one hand would have moved to her breasts, while the other hand moved to between her legs. Instead, he removed his arms from around her and took a seat at the kitchen table.

"So... it's been awhile, how've you been? How'd that chemistry read in LA go and what did you have to do?" she asked while putting her eggs onto a plate. Alex mentally noted that his hug was a rather quick release type of hug.

"I basically just acted a couple of scenes with their lead actress. Remember that long running series you used to watch, 'Westville'?"

"Yeah, I remember that show, I loved that show! Why?"

"That actress, Catherine Chandler, she's the leading lady. They made me wear this god-awful wig because of my hair but she was really cool and really professional. God, she's even more beautiful in person. I can see why they chose her." A broad grin spread across Vincent's face as an image of a smiling Catherine flashed in his memory, then he noticed Alex seemed a little annoyed. His grin faded along with the image of Catherine.

"Hey, what's wrong?" he asked, his brows furrowed.

"Nothing." she answered abruptly, moving a lock of her auburn hair behind her ear. "Well, did you get the part?"

"I don't know yet," Vincent frowned."I'm waiting to hear from Candace. Which reminds me..." he pulled his cell phone out of his pocket and turned it on.

There was a voicemail from Candace saying to call her immediately.

"Looks like Candace needs me to call her, do you mind?"

"No, go right ahead," Alex nodded then took another bite of her breakfast.

Vincent stood up and leaned against the kitchen island. He dialed Candace's number.

"Vince!" Candace answered immediately, "You did great!"

"You heard back from them? What'd they say?!" he raised his brows, anxious.

"Vince, you nailed it! They want YOU!" she exclaimed into the phone, "You're the BEAST!"

"What? WHAT?!" He couldn't believe it, he nearly dropped his phone, "Holy shit!" He started pacing back and forth excitedly, nonstop grinning.

"Proud of you, Vincent! But back to business, we need to go over the details and the contract so come into my office this afternoon. They want to start filming the pilot in three weeks in Canada. You'll need to fly out there tomorrow so they can get you in the gym with a trainer. Vincent, are you there?"

Vincent was in disbelief. He just got the male lead role in his first American series!

"Yeah, yeah, I'm here. I just can't believe it. So yeah, I'll be at your office this afternoon." Candace mentioned a few other details before ending their conversation.

Vincent turned to Alex, she had already finished eating. She was standing near Vincent, her blue eyes were wide open from overhearing the good news.

"You got it?! You got the job?!" she asked incredously.

"Yeah!" Vincent exclaimed, smiling ear to ear, " I got it! I'm the BEAST!"

Alex flung her arms around Vincent and they hugged tightly, he practically lifted her from the floor he was so happy and feeling super excited.

"You know," Alex began, pulling back from Vincent but still in his arms, "this is going to extend your celebrity way beyond New Zealand and Australia. Crazy, yeah?"

"Yeah, I-I just can't believe it." He shook his head still in disbelief.

"We should celebrate!" Alex placed her hands behind Vincent's neck, keeping him close. "How much time do we have before you leave?"

"Actually," he paused to look down for a moment, then looked into Alex's eyes. "I'm leaving tomorrow."

Alex pulled away from him and sat back down at the table.

"Tomorrow?! When are they filming?!"

"That's the thing. Filming begins in three weeks but they want me to start training in their gym."

"Ahh, they want you in beast shape," she laughed, trying not to bring his mood down even though she was already feeling sad that he would be gone again.

"Yeah, it's a good thing I've been working out, but I guess I might still be a little soft around the edges," he smirked. Although he was in great shape, he assumed they needed him to pack a little more muscle for the beast role.

"You're gonna be famous, Vincent. This is a big leap, you know. You'll have an American audience now. Maybe even an international audience, you know? Like, outside of New Zealand, Australia and America. This is so crazy," she shook her head, still in awe.

"Yeah, it's insane," he agreed, still in disbelief. "Well, I've got to go meet up with Candace and get the details. Let's get some of our friends together tonight to celebrate, yeah?"

"Yeah, let's do that." Alex smiled.

"Alright, I'll see you later!" He hugged her again, and gave her a friendly peck on the check, then left.

"See you later," Alex responded quietly as she watched him run excitedly out the door... and further away from her.


It had already been two and half weeks since he arrived in Canada where they would be filming the pilot for Beauty and the Beast. From the moment he arrived, he began working with a personal trainer so his once lean athletic build was already noticeably more muscular, solid, and much more well defined. He also worked with a dialect coach during this time to perfect his American accent even more. It was a Friday evening, he just finished his workout and was back inside his luxurious and beautiful downtown Toronto rental apartment that he was able to acquire for the duration of his stay while filming the pilot. He hadn't seen any of his co-stars yet but was sent a message earlier in the day that there would be a casual 'Meet and Greet" for cast and crew tonight at a local pub. Vincent looked at his clock and realized the dinner was happening in less than an hour. Whoa, I'd better jump in the shower.

Forty five minutes later, he arrived at the venue clad in loose faded jeans, grey fitted tee shirt (that fit his muscular arms and torso quite nicely), boots, and a gray driving cap. This should be fun, Vincent thought to himself a little nervously as he walked into the crowded pub. He didn't see anyone he recognized, but it wasn't too long before he heard someone call out his name.

"VINCENT!" the male voice called out over the noise of the crowd. Vincent looked toward the direction he thought the voice came from but it was difficult to gage since the music was so loud.

"VINCENT! OVER HERE!"

He turned the other way and spotted a tall guy with eyeglasses holding a beer in one hand, and waving him over with the other. Vincent gave a head nod and walked towards him.

"Hey! How're you doing?!" the guy shook Vincent's hand, a huge smile on his face. He was about the same height as Vincent, if not a tad bit taller. "I'm JT. I'm the one who's playing your best bud in the show!"

"Hey JT!" Vincent gave JT a firm handshake and friendly pat on the back. "Good to finally meet you!"

"Likewise, man!" JT's smile and happy-go-lucky vibe was infectious. "Follow me, I'll take you to our table!"

Vincent followed JT as they navigated their way through the crowded pub towards a less congested (but still crowded) area in the back. They were stopped a few times on the way to chat with folks he was familiar with such as the writers, producers, and director, before moving on closer to the tables.

"Here we are, big guy! Our table is over there, where Catherine is seated," JT nodded in one direction then turned to Vincent, "Want a beer? I'll go grab it for you!"

"Yeah, man, that'd be great!" Vincent nodded, appreciatively.

"You got it!" JT gave Vincent a slap on the back, "I'll meet you back at the table!"

Vincent nodded and turned towards the direction JT said their table would be at. Just to hear JT say Catherine's name stirred something in him and it didn't take long for him to see her. She was sitting at the table laughing with another costar. Although Catherine's back was slightly to him, he knew it was her because that same strange pull he felt when he first met her was pulling at him again. He wanted to move forward, but he just stood there.


"So Cat," Tess began, after taking a sip of her Cosmopolitan cocktail. "Have you seen Vincent since the chemistry read?"

"Nope," Catherine shook her head. "I sure haven't. But he should be coming tonight."

Tess was Catherine's costar and she would be playing Catherine's detective partner in the show. They hit if off extremely well from the get-go and had already become close friends since screening together during their auditions. Tess was a tall and gorgeous ethnic beauty, with thick long curly hair that she usually straightened or wore wavy. Tess wasn't as serious as the character she plays but definitely shared the same sarcastic humor.

"Are you excited to see him again," Tess teased, grinning. "Don't lie, girl! I heard you two steamed it up during the chemistry read!"

"What?!" Catherine laughed, shaking her head. "You heard so wrong! There was zero steam going on. We just hit it off really well. He was super sweet and so nice." Catherine couldn't stop smiling at the thought of seeing Vincent again, and soon.

"Mmm..hmm," Tess continued teasing. "Yeah, okay, whatever. He's super hot though, right? I mean, I've seen pictures of him and he's definitely good looking. But what's he look like in person?"

Super sexy, Catherine thought but said instead, "He's definitely good-looking. In his case, pictures definitely don't lie. Wait til you hear his voice, too. I mean, not just his accent, but his voice - he's got this sexy, raspy, calm thing going on when he speaks. I won't lie, I was taken aback after meeting him."

"Do you know if he has a girlfriend?" Tess took another sip of her drink.

"I have no clue, but he probably does. I can't imagine someone as nice and attractive as him wouldn't be taken." Catherine was admittedly disappointed at the thought.

"You mean, like you?" Tess winked. "I know, I'll stop. How's Gabe anyways? Is he coming tonight?"

Catherine sighed before responding. She had invited her boyfriend, Gabe, to come along to the Meet and Greet but he said he wouldn't be able to make it. Truth be told, she hadn't seen him for nearly a week and during that time, they had only spoken when she asked him about coming tonight.

"No, he won't be coming. He said something came up," Catherine looked down at her Sangria. Tess could sense Catherine's change in mood, so she changed the subject.

"Well, cheers to more girl time together then!" Tess lifted her glass. Catherine immediately smiled happily.

"Cheers to that!" and they clinked glasses before sipping their drinks.

"Oh shit!" Tess almost choked on her drink, looking past Catherine.

"What's wrong?!" Catherine put her hand on Tess's hand, concerned.

"Some fine ass guy is looking over here," Tess put her drink down.

"Who? Where?" Catherine looked to the side.

"Cat, I think he's staring at you! Wait a minute..." Tess squinted, then her eyes widened immediately and she leaned over to Catherine, "OH MY GOD! Is THAT Vincent?"

Catherine froze in her seat, too nervous to turn around.

"Cat, you weren't kidding. He is hella FINE in person. Jeezus." Tess smirked shifting in her seat and bringing her glass to her lips. "Oh yeah, he's definitely looking at you."

Catherine slowly turned her head to look at the crowd behind her, and there stood Vincent. Tess was right. Vincent was staring at her, not moving. Catherine could feel her heart beat a little faster as they immediately made eye contact with each other. Even in the crowded room, the pull between Catherine and Vincent was intense, it seemed like time stood still and everyone else around them just faded into the background.

Catherine managed a nervous smile and mouthed the word, "Hi."


God, she's beautiful, was all Vincent could think of when he saw Catherine. Even more so when she turned, smiled, and mouthed the word, "Hi" to him. Just as he smiled back to her, JT stepped in front of him blocking Vincent's view. Vincent.

"Here you go, man!" JT held out a bottle of beer to Vincent then took a swig from his own bottle, "You'll like this, I'm sure!"

"Thanks, mate," Vincent naturally responded, taking the beer and a swig to taste. It was smooth with a heavy stout but definitely not for the faint-of-heart occasional beer drinkers. "Wow," he shook his head, "That's good stuff."

JT laughed, "Sure is! Come on, let's go have a seat with your Beauty!"

Vincent couldn't help but smile at that comment.

As Vincent and JT stepped to the table, Catherine and Tess stood up to greet them.

"Hey guys!" Tess greeted them, she and Catherine both smiling.

"Tess, this is Vincent. Vincent, this is Tess," JT introduced them.

"Hi, Tess," Vincent shook her hand, smiling. "Good to meet you."

"Hi, Vincent, it's good to finally meet you, too. I've heard a lot of great things about you." Tess smiled flirtatiously and winked at Catherine. Catherine's eyes widened. Vincent not catching Tess's wink to Catherine laughed and said, "I certainly hope it was only great things you heard!"

"Oh, trust me," Tess took a sip of her cocktail, still flirting, "very great things." Catherine now rolled her eyes, trying to stifle her laugh.

"And ofcourse, you know Catherine," JT's hand motioned to Catherine, who was standing right next to him. Vincent turned to face her.

"Hey," Vincent said, his sexy voice low and raspy. Tess and JT noticed how Catherine and Vincent's eyes instantly locked onto each other, neither of them moving. Tess raised her eyebrows at JT. JT got the hint and nodded.

"Hey guys, we'll be right back, " Tess grabbed JT's arm, and pulled him away from the table. "We need a refill on our drinks!" and they took off toward the bar, laughing.

"Hi," Catherine replied, almost in a whisper.

They stood there, just gazing at each other. A million thoughts rushing through both their minds. Feelings rushing through their bodies that neither of them could explain. Vincent was mesmerized by her. Catherine was lost in him. The sudden crash of a glass falling onto the pub floor nearby broke the hypnotic gaze between them. They both looked toward the sound, then back at each other and started laughing.

"It's so good to see you again," Catherine said smiling, and sat back down in her seat. Vincent sat in the chair next to her.

"I'm really glad to see you again, too. I mean that." Vincent smiled at her, taking another swig of his beer. Catherine looked down, she was sure she was blushing.

"So... I guess you'll be my Beast, huh?" Catherine looked back up at him. Vincent grinned.

"Yep," Vincent licked his bottom lip, "and you're my Beauty."

Oh my god, he's sexy. Catherine bit her lip. She was definitely blushing.