Chapter 2

Shaking her head, she looked around one more time, hoping to see a film crew or something else that might explain the bizarre events unfolding in front of her.

Have I lost my mind? This can't be happening!

Emily knew Catherine was now on her way down in that elevator walking straight into the trap that would set in motion all the events of Season 3; her kidnapping, death, and the stealing of baby Jacob. For one tiny second, she considered remaining where she was and not interfering, believing this some elaborate hallucination. But, it was simply too contrary to her nature and everything she believed in. Frantically, she began to cast around for a way to help. Instantly, she noticed the fire alarm switch next to her. Emily knew from experience how loud and jarring the alarms in most public and municipal buildings were. Her hospital had at least one false alarm every week. A quick look out the door revealed not one but two such alarms right next to the elevator. As the elevator doors opened, instinct took over and Emily threw the switch.

The doors opened and Catherine thought she was safe. Then, she saw the men with guns and John Moreno, her boss. Almost simultaneously, a deafening alarm went off, distracting them. To her right, a small brunette threw open a nearby door and screamed her name. "Catherine!" Never one to waste an opportunity for escape, Catherine began to run.

Emily just managed to slam the door and it locked with an audible click as the first gunshots rang out. Quickly, the men began pounding and Emily turned to Catherine.

"Are you okay?"

"Yes, but..."

"We should get out of here! That door won't stop them for long. What now?" Emily breathed.

"We go down!" Catherine said as she turned to run.

'To the Tunnels?" Emily asked automatically.

"How...?" Catherine struggled to ask as they fled.

"Never mind; I'll explain later! Let's just keep going!" Emily called back.

The pair fled in a general downward direction for what seemed forever. They went down various steps and ladders always descending at a dead run. The urgency of their situation prevented them from talking more. Finally, they reached a corridor with pipes running overhead that ended abruptly.

"Oh, dear!" Emily remarked. "Dead end." She grimaced. "Sorry, poor choice of words."

In spite of the danger they were facing, Catherine managed a smile.

"Are they following us?" Emily asked.

"I don't think so, but they will soon. I don't know who you are or why you helped me, but thank you." Catherine said. "I just hope you haven't followed me to your death."

"So do I." She agreed. "Emily Trelane." She introduced herself.

"Catherine Chandler."

" Yeah, I know. Any ideas?" Emily posed.

" 'Fraid not." Catherine replied, out of breath. "I'm open to suggestions."

Emily suddenly recalled another detail from "Though Lovers be Lost".

"What about a message on the pipes? Surely someone will hear it, Mouse, Pascal or maybe even Vincent!" She cried enthusiastically.

Catherine instantly looked alarmed. Emily rushed to reassure her. "Look, Ms. Chandler... Catherine, I promise I'm no threat to you or anyone Below. I know this all seems kind of crazy; believe me, I feel the same way! Maybe when we're out of danger I can explain it all to you. But for right now, I'm afraid you may have to just trust me. I mean, honestly, take a look at me! Do I look like I could be a threat to anyone, let alone someone as big as Vincent? All he'd have to do is step on me!"

Catherine shook her head and fought another smile. Here she was fleeing for her life with some stranger who knew about the tunnels and Vincent, no less! Yet, she still found this woman humorous. In spite of herself, Catherine decided she liked Emily and maybe even trusted her a bit. After all, Emily had saved her life. Vincent had taught her to trust her instincts and everything within her now told her this woman was no threat. Catherine chose to trust those instincts now now.

"Okay, Let's give it a try." She agreed.

"I'll boost you up." Emily offered. Catherine shot her a skeptical look. "Don't worry. I'm stronger than I look. Besides, I don't know the tunnel code!" Emily managed to lift Catherine up just enough for her to tap on the pipe with her shoe. After a minute, Catherine came back down and said. "Okay, let's just hope it works."

As they waited, Emily debated whether to tell Catherine what she knew. Deciding there was little point in holding back, Emily began carefully. "I'm sure you realized by now, Catherine, that your boss, John Moreno is scum."

"I kind of suspected as much when he tried to kill us." She replied acerbically.

"It's because of the black notebook; the one Joe Maxwell got from Pat Halloran. Moreno's probably in it. He's on the payroll of a big crime lord name Gabriel that controls a big drug and weapons cartel. They know you're onto them. That's why they're after you." Emily said in a rush. Catherine's face became anxious again, but whatever she was going to say was preempted as a reply came back on the pipes.