Summary: Vincent managed to get to Catherine in time before she died. In a last resort he takes her to a scientist who may have the solution for saving her…. By giving her a part of Vincent that shames him greatly. A/U for S3
Disclaimer: I own nothing of Beauty and the Beast
Pairing: Vincent/ Catherine
Rating: T+
A DIFFERENT PATH:
Catherine felt warm; she felt safe and secure. But more than that she felt alive and she felt like she was being watched. Turning slightly, slowly, Catherine saw Father sitting in one of Vincent's large chairs. His head was lowered; he was sleeping. She smiled and turned back into Vincent's arms but sleep would not claim her again. She had too much energy. She had to move, to run, and to live, but more than that she was content to lie in Vincent's arms. Catherine was just about to sit up when she felt something knew in her mind. It reminded her of the time Vincent had tried to explain about the darkness in his mind; about the animal he kept caged. There was some shadow lurking in her mind, a pale figure of an animal that was now apart of her. As she stretched so do the animal. It was a strange sensation to have to separate thoughts locked up in her mind. There was the rational human side and then there were the territorial instincts to protect, to hunt down the men who had her son, who had their son.
Catherine had just untangled herself from Vincent when she sensed that he was awake. She could feel him just as she knew he could feel her. Turning to him she stared down into his bright, sky blue eyes, and smiled. Finally she was home in the world below where she belonged. Before he could speak Catherine lifted her hand and covered his mouth. She motioned with her head over to where Father slept to indicate that they should be silent lest they wake him. Catherine removed her hand and leaned down to steal a kiss before Vincent had time to stop her. For now she would have to content herself with just one kiss because soon they would have to search for their son.
Vincent sat up and wanted nothing more than for Catherine to tell him everything about their son that she could. He wanted to know about the men who took her, the man who tried to kill her, but more importantly he wanted to know how she was feeling. Vincent could sense her joy at being with him, being in the tunnels. He could feel that the anger simmering just below the joy and it was an anger he was all too familiar with. It was a dim echo of his own rage, of his own animal. Whatever Ather had done had certainly changed his Catherine. She was still the woman he knew, the woman he loved, but now she had this added darkness. Vincent wasn't sure how she would live with the knowledge that she was now like him in mind. "Catherine, I have to ask. How do you feel right at this moment?" Vincent's voice was barely a whisper.
"I feel alive. I feel happy and I feel angry." The last word to leave her mouth was barely above a growl. Catherine stilled and thought back to the shadowy animal pacing in the back of her mind. Now she could put a name to the unknown animal; a lioness. Always when she pictured Vincent, he had leonine features beautifully blended with features of a human man. He was her heart and the man that she loved, and now she could share that darkness with him. Whatever Ather had done to her had bound her closer to Vincent.
"Vincent? Catherine?"
Together the pair of them turned to stare at a now alert and awake Father. They saw the look of relief and joy wash over him. Catherine was first off the bed and hugging him. He was a welcome sight. It truly meant that she was home. Vincent sat back and watched his father embrace Catherine like any father would a daughter. It bought pride and joy to his heart. Two halves of his life was now being joined into one. Catherine had been saved and now she was home where she belonged. The animal, the lion, inside of him let the pride swell. She was his lioness now, had been before she had been taken, and when the time was right he would ask her to stay down here, stay with him.
"Oh my dear Catherine," Father wrapped his arms round the woman his son loved and felt relieved that she was actually among them alive and well. He hadn't wanted to face what would have happened to Vincent had he not been in time to save her. One thing was for sure it would have destroyed his spirit, his heart.
"I thought for sure…" Catherine wanted to say that she thought that she was going to die. But she couldn't make the words fall form her lips. If she gave voice to those awful words then Catherine might have started to cry.
"You're among family, a family that has felt your absence and rejoices in your return." Father quickly interrupted. He could tell where her words were going and Father was eager to avoid them being said.
"This is the only place I could think about." Catherine replied and sat in one of the chairs across from him while Vincent took the chair next to hers. She reached over and took his hand.
It was uncomfortable to ask, but Father had to, "What can you tell us about where you were?"
"I don't know. They kept me in a room mostly with just a window looking out over Mid Town, but other than that I don't remember." Catherine's free hand reached up and fooled with the chain she forgot she was wearing. It wasn't the crystal Vincent had given her. She had left that back at her apartment. "When they took me I was on my way back down here to tell Vincent of the child we were going to have."
"A child?" Jacob was stunned.
"A son." Catherine smiled and then continued her voice going cold, "Then men who took me have our son." She pulled the chain over her head and placed the pendant on the table. "I managed to pull that from one of the guards before they sedated me."
Vincent extended his free hand and picked up the necklace. He turned over in his hand and studied the emblem stamped into the metal. Then he passed the chain to Father and let him study it. This was the only link they had to their son and he knew that Catherine would grasp to it as tightly as she could. They had been brave enough to dream of a life together, of being apart of one another's lives. Now that they had that chance someone had taken a vital part of them, their son. In response to his anger and hurt, Vincent could feel the same rising in Catherine. He could tell that she barely had a handle on it, but she was in control.
"I am truly sorry to hear that," Father said. It wasn't enough that these unknown men took Catherine from them, but they stole her and Vincent's child, a son, another part of their family.
"I could contact Joe and ask him for help, but I don't know how to do that without giving away Vincent's secret." Catherine spoke and squeezed his hand. The world above had meddled in her life for the last time. When she had her son in her arms she was saying goodbye to living above.
"Do you know who this is?" Father stretched out his hand and let the pendant pick up the light of the candle before he set it back down on the table in front of Catherine.
"Jupiter Group, they're a pharmaceutical research organization. They had just come to the attention of the DA about a day before I ..." Catherine couldn't bring herself to speak of Vincent's madness. That was truly a scary time for her. He had had no heart beat and Catherine had thought she had lost him forever. She couldn't stand it one minute longer. Catherine let go of Vincent's hand, rose from the chair, and started to pace. The pain in her heart was becoming too much, the rage boiling inside her mind threatened to spill over into her words and she knew she would lash out at Father or at Vincent. She didn't want that. "If I go to the DA I run the risk of exposing my son, exposing the world below, and betraying Vincent."
Vincent immediately went to Catherine and pulled her to a stop, securing her in his arms. She needed the reassurance, "Nothing you do would ever betray me. We will do what we must." He took a deep breath and rested his cheek against the top of Catherine's head as she buried her face in the front of his shirt.
"You can't possibly mean…"
"Father, this is my son. If there is a way to bring him home without breaking the law," Vincent let the sentence drop. He had been about to add 'without killing', but he stopped himself. I the end he knew the only avenue that would be left for them would be to cause death. The men who had his son would pay, of that he was sure.
Catherine pulled back and looked at him, "You want me to contact Joe?"
"If you think that is the best way," Vincent loosened his hold on her slightly.
"Joe will have a lot of questions. None of them I will be able to answer truthfully." Catherine moved away from Vincent and back over to the bed where she dropped down to the edge. Suddenly she was so tired again.
Father could read the expression on Catherine's face clear enough, she was still exhausted. Looking towards his son he saw the same expression mirrored in Vincent's eyes. They were both in need of more rest. "I'll have a helper initiate contact with this Joe…"
"Joe Maxwell." Catherine supplied.
"Yes, thank you. The both of you should rest some more." Father took the first few steps towards the chamber entrance and then stopped. "We'll do whatever it takes to bring your son home." And with that said he ambled off back to his own chamber to set I motion the plans for the next day.
Once Father had gone Vincent quickly moved to Catherine. How ever long they had both been sleeping was not enough. He needed more sleep to make up for the nine months of poor care he had given himself in his search for Catherine. "Father is right we should continue to rest," Vincent sat down. "I feel the exhaustion battling with the anger inside you."
"I feel the same in you." Catherine replied. She could barely keep her eyes open. Battling the exhaustion, the anger, was also hunger and thirst. "Maybe we should eat first." Without saying anything Vincent once again rose to his feet and offered her his hand. Catherine placed her soft, delicate in his and used his strength to pull herself to her feet. Looking down she realized what she was still dressed in. The stench of the building she had been kept him filled her nose and threatened to make her sick. She really needed something else to wear. Moving away from his momentarily Catherine looked around for the bundle of clothes she thought she had left behind. And sure enough they were where she had last set them. It was behind his foot locker. Catherine had no idea what possessed her to hide it, but she had and right now she was thankful that she had. She pulled out a pair of black cotton underwear and jeans. As quick as she could she pulled them on and fastened the button of the jeans before turning back and getting her bra and t-shirt.
Catherine had just pulled off the drab grey hospital gown when she felt Vincent's warm fingers on her skin. She shivered and leaned back into that touch, into his touch. His fingers were so soft and so rough at the same time. They reminded her of a cat's paw, the pad n the bottom, both rough and soft. He ran his hand down the center of her back and then ran the back of his hand up to the back of her neck, the fur tickling her. He kissed her shoulder and then retreated to let her finish dressing. She would have wanted more of his touch, but her stomach took that moment to growl and grumble for sustenance and she had to obey. She hooked her bra into place ad pulled the straps over her shoulders. Finally she pulled her black t-shirt on and faced Vincent. He had another of his mysterious smiles on his face. "What is it?" She asked stepping closer.
"You are a gift I never thought I would have." Reaching out he cupped her face; he felt the scar that was on the left side of her face. So much violence had happened to them. It was a wonder that they had survived this time apart at all. Vincent knew they could survive much worse.
"You have given me a deep and unwavering love that I never thought I would know." Catherine replied. She leaned in and brushed her lips to his. He was always amazed at her whenever she had cupped his face or kissed him. Vincent never believed that he deserved her, not until that moment. She could feel that from him. It was as if their bond was now a two way conduit and she could feel him in return.
DINING CHAMBER:
Vincent led Catherine through the maze of tunnels where sometimes the community would have dinner together. Right now there were only a scattering of people. Mary sat with Kipper while William was cooking. Mouse and Jamie were talking over at one of the far tables. Pascal was finishing up his meal. All of them stopped when they saw Vincent and Catherine stepped into the chamber hand in hand. All eyes were riveted on Catherine. She was back among them where she belonged.
Catherine tightened her hand on Vincent's as they walked to a table. Almost immediately everyone crowded them with questions. It was good to be home and surrounded by people who loved her. She could feel Vincent's happiness, his love, at the reception she was receiving. All the questions ranged from, 'how are you?' to 'where have you been?' In time she would answer them all but her overwhelming need to eat was gnawing at her mind. "It's good to be home, but I am starving." Catherine laughed and watched as they all fell silent. Pascal passed by, lightly touched Catherine's shoulder and headed out of the dinning chamber. She knew he was headed for his beloved pipes. Mary, Jamie, and Mouse were the only three to linger at their table and she was grateful to see them.
William tottered over with two bowls of hot tomato soup and grilled cheese sandwiches. There was nothing better for the body than a hot bowl of soup and a sandwich after two days of continuous sleep. He set the bowl in front of Catherine and, just as Pascal had done, he touched her shoulder and muttered, "We're really glad you are home. It hasn't been the same without your sweet face."
Catherine chuckled and replied, "Thank you William. I have missed your cooking." Before he could remove his hand she placed hers on top of his and squeezed his finger slightly.
"Enjoy," William smiled a broad smile and headed back to his stove.
Catherine lifted her spoon and stirred the soup for a few seconds before bringing some of it to her lips. The taste was divine. In no time she was finished with her soup and with ravenous hunger devoured her sandwich. She had never been so hungry in all her life.
"Eats faster than Mouse does." Mouse muttered and looked around when Jamie and Mary laughed at him. Even Catherine and Vincent chuckled. Mouse was so happy to have them back.
Vincent watched on while Catherine devoured a second bowl of soup and another sandwich. He two had another helping which served to revitalize his weary body and beat back the way of exhaustion that had been clawing at his mind since waking. Catherine had been right all they needed was food. He could feel the same within her; she was coming out of the exhaustion as well.
Catherine thought that she could eat two more bowls full of soup but she would rather not push her luck or her stomachs limits to contain food. Instead she leaned against Vincent and basked in his warmth his presence and the presence of her family. Sadness tried to creep in and take hold of her for the loss of her son, of their son. When they reclaimed him this was where she wanted him raised, right here in the world the below. Just at the thought of those men she was over come with rage, but it was a rage she couldn't afford to show, not now. She wanted the Jupiter Group to pay dearly for what they did. But more than anything she was going to make that doctor pay for trying to kill her. Under the table Catherine laced her fingers with Vincent's and tried to quell the anger. He squeezed her hand and offered her is self control and more of her self control came back to cool the fire. If she was going to have any hope at all a saving her son she was going to have to have more control over her new instinctual rage.
"Mary, what time is it?" Vincent asked as he held Catherine's hand while she fought to control the savage rage roaring in her mind. If there had been another way to save her than he would have pursued that avenue, but Catherine had been so close to death that it demanded drastic measures. Ather had been his drastic measure. Vincent hadn't wanted to inflict his demons upon but he had been left no choice by the men who took her and tried to kill her.
"It's 9:32pm." Mary answered as she cleared the bowls from in front of them.
"Do you think it would be safe to go up into the park?" Catherine calmed at the prospect of seeing the moon and stars. The anger and hatred that had been choking fled just at her question.
"Are you sure?" Vincent asked. He knew he would deny her nothing, but he wanted her safe. There was also the need in her to be free.
"Vincent I want…" Catherine didn't have the words to convey what she wanted. She wanted to be up above if only for a little while. When she had been held by the Jupiter Group Catherine had sworn that if Vincent ever saved her that she would never return to the World Above. It was no longer her home; it had taken her a while to realize it. There were no more ties keeping her there.
"Freedom?" He knew that was the word she searched for and saw it in her face when she smiled. Catherine nodded and sighed. It was what she wanted; the freedom of the night and the coverage of the darkness in which to use her new senses.
"Yes," She breathed out. It was what she wanted and what she needed. But she knew there was also and inherent danger in roaming the night. If people had been following her then how long before it had been before they had seen Vincent? Were they waiting for him? "As long as you think it's safe." Catherine added. She didn't want to run the risk of being recaptured or Vincent.
Rising to his feet Vincent pulled Catherine to her feet and they bid the others a good night. If they were to go out into the park then he would have to get her a cloak to hide her face. Vincent was worried about someone watching them, watching for him. Even if they believed Catherine dead they still might be interested in capturing him and he was not in a hurry to return to a cage.
UP IN THE PARK:
Catherine had wanted to argue about wearing a cloak with the hood up, but she thought better of it just in case someone was watching them, watching Vincent. It was just enough to be outside, to be with Vincent and holding his hand. The stars were so bright and the moon was so full; like she had never had seen them before, not without Vincent. She breathed in and instantly felt… Catherine didn't know how she felt. Content, maybe, but there was still a restlessness, and emptiness that was deep in her mind. There was more than Vincent beside her and more to the night that engulfed them. She finally saw the night in the same way her love saw the world. "Is this how you see the world?" Catherine breathed out.
"Yes," Vincent replied and catalogued all the sounds and stirrings of the night. There was nothing out of the ordinary; for now it was safe for them to be out in the night.
Catherine lifted her face towards the night sky and just listened. There were so many sounds, so many different noises all vying for her attention. Now she knew what it was to be embraced, engulfed, by the night. "This is amazing, so many sounds, and it's so…"
"Bright? As if it were the day?" Vincent asked pulling Catherine close and aligning her to his side. He couldn't help but to smile at her child like amazement.
"Yes, that's it exactly," Catherine replied; a chuckle coloring her words. She took her hand out of his and wrapped her arm around his waist, under his cloak. Vincent, in turn, draped his arm over her shoulder. She hadn't noticed the cold until his warmth was there. Catherine had been slowly seduced by all the noise of the night. There was one sound she couldn't place, foot steps, careful and measured. Turning from Vincent Catherine tried to find them in the dark but all she saw were the trees and the grass. Maybe her mind was conjuring a threat. Maybe she was… snap! There is was again and this time a twig broke. Vincent was at her side in an instant, taking her hand, and tugging her back towards the drainage pipe that let back to their world.
"Someone was watching," Vincent said as they made it back to the hidden door and walked through. While she had been so enamored with the night Vincent had stretched is senses to the limit so he would have advanced warning should someone happen upon them, but it was Catherine who had sensed the threat.
Catherine walked away a few steps and then back, "I'm sorry I nearly…"
"No, you needed this." Vincent again embraced Catherine and kissed the top of her head.
"Now I know how you feel every time you came to the balcony. I understand, truly, the risk you took." Catherine confessed. Every time she had yearned to see him he had been there on her balcony, exposing himself to the sights of humans, much as it had been when she had had that stalker. But now that she was like him, she had to be just as careful if not more so.
Vincent rubbed his hands up and down her back offering her comfort. Before someone had started to watch them Catherine had been so happy, so enraptured with the sights and sounds of the night. It was how he felt the fist time he came out of the tunnels with Devin. She was going to have a hard adjustment to all of this, all of the evil that he was. Vincent viewed the animal part of his nature, the viciousness, to be evil. It was what took him away from being a man. And yet Catherine loved him, loved all of him.