'I'll take your bags upstairs Terry.'

'Thank you Vincent. I'll go up a bit later. I want to spend some time with Catherine first.'

'Women's talk I suppose?'

'Yes.'

Terry didn't expand on her single affirmative response. Vincent already knew what was troubling his wife. He would have no problem being excluded from a conversation which would likely give Catherine the opportunity to share her concerns. She could only speak as freely and openly as she wished, with the woman who brought her back to life. None knew better, the hard work and dedication shared between the two women which culminated in the reunion of Catherine with her lover and son.

Resigned to the inevitable Vincent nodded. 'I bow to the far superior energy of women, in the matter of talk.' His warm smile added reassuring meaning to his words. No sacrifice was too great to ensure the happiness of his family.

Catherine took Terry's hand and walked towards a door which led downstairs. Surprised, Terry followed meekly.

'Come and see what Vincent has done in the basement. It's cooler there anyway.'

'You mean there's more than this beautiful space upstairs?'

'Vincent has become quite handy.' Catherine said proudly, knowing that her husband had put in some hard work to refurbish the basement and backyard. She slowly negotiated the steps leading downstairs. Catherine still had some trouble walking up and down steps. She hung on tightly to the double rail. Terry said nothing, observing Catherine's movements with a professional eye and noting how far her patient had progressed.

'Originally he wanted to make this a secure area if we were attacked or unsafe, but Jacob convinced him that if anyone wanted to breach the house this wouldn't help. How true that turned out to be.'

Catherine said no more as they reached the bottom of the stairs. She drew Terry to her side and waited, allowing her friend to take in the scene before them. The wide space was unlike anything Terry had ever seen. Basements were a rarity in her part of LA.

'What is this Catherine?'

'A replica of Vincent's home.'

'Wow!'

Vincent seldom spent much of his time below anymore. The tunnel community, now organized under the eye of a council, ran very well without his vigilence. He was not far away in an emergency but his need to be with Catherine was greater. To relieve some of the strangeness of living above, he brought some things from his room. He set aside a small area to be a replica of his library and writing space. That corner of the basement gave him a great deal of comfort during troubling times. The walls were refashioned in polished stone. A small indoor waterfall graced one corner. The lights although artificial, reflected the candle lit spaces below. It gave every appearance of being a haven.

There were comfortable chairs near the corner where Vincent had hoped to create a tunnel to the underground. That idea had been abandoned. Instead the whole area had been worked into something that would recreate the wonderful environment which brought Vincent and Catherine together.

'Did you and Vincent fall in love in a place like this?'

'He saved my life in a place like this and yes, I fell in love with him there too. I know we spoke about the tunnels when you were here and you never got to see them but it is very much like this only more profoundly spiritual.'

'Jason has been down twice. So farneither visit has been under good circumstances.' Terry moved around, touching the walls, observing the treasures. 'I want to see the tunnels in the way you do. This trip, I will look forward to it.'

'I want to share that with you too.'

'This is a lovely set up Catherine. It seems kind of eerie and cold at first but then you can sense a more natural feel to it.'

'Yes, I think that is what Vincent wanted to achieve. We have trouble getting over to the tunnels as often as we would like. This helps him a lot.'

Terry nodded understanding. She knew there were parts of LA which she missed, even as the excitement of New York could not be denied.

Catherine smiled and invited her friend to sit. 'Terry, I am so happy to see you here. There are so many times in a week or even in a day when I long to sit with you, just like this, and talk.'

The two women chatted at length about the changes in their lives. Terry was curious about the testing which had been done on Catherine at the hospital. She had anticipated some problems when she first removed the gastric feeding tube from her former patient in California. It wasn't hard to find the core cause of her pale complexion and weak feelings.

'The lack of parietal cells is a reasonable explanation for your inability to maintain a healthy hemoglobin. You should feel a difference with the injections of B12.'

'I do already. I have to admit that caring for the girls was physically challenging. I never seemed to have any energy. Now it's getting better.'

'Catherine, you were so brave and foolish to take on their care. You were hardly recovered yourself.'

'I know but they helped bring me from the brink of a deep depression. I had to do something for them.'

'You have a good heart!'

Terry had been troubled by Catherine's decision to take on the challenge of raising the girls. Her patient had just returned to the one place in the world which should have allowed her to live comfortably, fulfilling a destiny which few could ever hope to achieve. She knew the adjustment to a normal life would be difficult, almost impossible at times given the history, but on the surface, all seemed well.

'Tell me how you have been coping Catherine.'

'Terry, I don't want to burden you when you have so much on your mind already.'

'I took this time off partly to be with you. There are matters I have to look after, about the wedding, but ...I'm here for you and I mean it.'

Catherine took a deep breath. She wanted to give Terry a real understanding of her concerns. She started out sharing her thoughts about the ongoing threats from external forces which seemed to paralyze her family.

'You were here when it first began. Even as one branch of the extended family is neutralized another pops up. We can't run and we cant hide. The emotional cost of defending ourselves is taking its toll on my husband, my son and my daughter in law.'

Catherine paused, feeling suddenly fearful. She realized in that moment how much her family's safety and wellbeing meant to her. Another deep breath was needed before she could continue. 'I can't live below. I would like to but I am too unsteady on my feet. My doctor advises against any other physical stresses and I can't override his concerns.'

'Neither can I Catherine.'

'I know Terry. I do trust him and you too. What I need is perspective. We can't live in a cocoon here either, even though we may try. Both Vincent and I, want our son to have the life he never did.'

'I understand the feeling of being trapped. For years, Jason was so caught up in his work with the DEA. I never knew when he would come home. In my fear of losing him to a gunshot, I was scared to make a committment to our relationship.'

'What did you do?'

'Wasted years running from myself and the love of lifetime... until the day you woke up and showed me the real power of love. If he died, I realized I would have wasted years living in fear. A day may come when he might not come home but at least I would be able to look back and know that during our time together we gave all to each other.'

The easy conversation and low light soon had Terry lulled into a place of comfort. Before long she felt the need for sleep.

'Is there anything else worrying you Catherine? I don't think I will be able to hold up much longer without a nap.'

'You said Jason told you all about what happened. I am worried about the kids. I'm sure you know that already but we can talk about it later.'

'Tell me what your thinking is and I can mull it over in my mind for awhile.'

'I feel sure that some of Jacob's feelings now are tied into those early months, when he was taken from me, but he was also not with his father. My son is too sensitive, at some deeper level, not to be aware of that early separation. The empathic connection we all share was broken. While he was being held this last time, he could not communicate with his father. The stress of his early life, I think, has come back to haunt him.'

Terry nodded listening to Catherine words carefully, knowing that the young couple would have to face their own demons. 'What of Cathy? I am shocked by her vulnerability.'

'Me too, even though I am sure she has an amazing wellspring of inner strength. Anyone else would have been completely lost after enduring what she did.'

'I think you are right, but she also has a wonderful role model for courage. I am going to ask her to accompany me tomorrow. I need help. She can provide it. The drive will give us a chance to talk.'

'Are you sure Terry? I don't want her to be stressed.'

'I know. I want to give her every opportunity to talk….if she wishes. We'll see.' Terry tilted her head, staring at Catherine with a slightly puzzled look. 'I am surprised that you would feel worried about this.'

'You pushed me hard.'

'I did. You needed it. Cathy doesn't.'

Catherine chuckled. 'Terry, you are an incredible person. You are also tired. Let's go back upstairs and you can lie down.'

'No….. leave me here. These chairs are amazingly comfortable. Just call me for supper. A couple of hours and I will be fine.'

Sue came down with a light blanket and a glass of fresh water. Terry elevated the legs and lowered the back of the chair. Before long she was deeply asleep having reassured her hostess that she would not cause any harm to the son or daughter in law who meant so much.

Jacob was concerned when Kurt called him into the office to talk. He knew that his boss was trying to help him overcome his angst but Jacob resisted help at every turn. He was surprised when the conversation centered on the vast holdings of Holly and Brian.

'They are trying Kurt but it's hard for them to make the changes as quickly as they would like.'

'What about her father?'

'He left for India right after her wedding. Kardin had a complete conversion. Now he wants to meditate in some mountain monastery.'

'I don't suppose you had anything to do with that?'

'I just presented him with the opportunity, nothing more.'

'I don't trust Brian and I don't know Holly. The DA will be on their backs if they don't get things cleaned up.'

Jacob sighed. He knew that Kurt was sharing privileged information. Holly and Brian had inherited a massive web of businesses, some legitimate and others deeply tied into crime rings around the world. They were both trying to unload or disband anything that would connect them with drug or human trafficking. Holly was sickened by the type of activities which used to occupy her father's time.

Brian, on the other hand, knew of his grandfather's holdings, knew the old man had tried to legitimize his organization but still had a lot of work ahead to make them legal. There would be repercussions, for the newly married couple, by those who were inclined to challenge any change in status, especially if it meant a decrease in the massive income available to those at the top.

Jacob had no wish to get caught up in the struggles or spend any more energy on fighting the elements of evil within his clan. Virgil's claim against Holly was not an isolated event. Everyone else, who had been caught up in the kidnapping, weren't just innocent bystanders. Vincent and Jacob were enormously valued for their unique skills. Virgil would have been happy to trap both men as well as his 'bride'. Fortunately, he underestimated Vincent's legendary appearance and strength.

Jacob also had the rich heritage of alchemy handed down to him in Pater's papers. The various formulae would always be an invaluable and seductive lure for other clan members. Those thoughts distracted him from the man seated behind the desk. He turned his attention back to Kurt and voiced his support for Holly and Brian

'They are truly trying to work within the law. If there is too much pressure on them, it could lead to major gang war. I would not like to see that happen.'

'No, I wouldn't either. As much as I dislike what Brian did, I have to admit that he looked and sounded much different. I believe in the possibility of redemption if ….'

'Give him time. I hope he will make good on his promise.'

'Are you feeling alright Jacob?'

There was a long sigh. Jacob knew he hadn't been himself. The question was personal and not perfunctory. Kurt had asked him many times, and in various ways, how he felt. Since his return to work, it was clear that Jacob was not functioning at the level of his own high standards. He had been inclined to dismiss the concerns of his boss but to continue to do so, in the face of his obvious withdrawal, was disrespectful.

'I guess we have come close to having this discussion for awhile but I just wasn't sure what to say. Cathy and I have been hiding away emotionally. I hope it hasn't affected my work?'

'No Jacob and you don't have to trust me with your confidences. I just want you to know I am prepared to listen if you need to talk.'

'I just need to feel safe again,' he murmured softly. 'I don't know how long that will take.'

'I don't know either. What you went through was terrible. Somehow you have to find a balance between living normally even while you are aware of the dangers which are unique to you and your situation.'

'I wish I could Kurt. I just don't know what I need.'

The repetition of the word 'need' had the immediate effect of bringing tears to the young man's eyes. A vision of Cathy rose up before him and he knew she was crying too. He wondered when it would stop.

Sensing the change, Kurt said quite gently, 'we're done for today. Go home. Talk it over with someone. Try to come in tomorrow with a plan. You can't go on like this.'

'I know. Jacob rose from his seat and returned to his office. He remembered that Terry was coming to spend a few days, trying to finalize the details of her wedding. A moment's pause allowed him to sense that she was already at the house. How do I know these things? If I know that, why can't I help myself? Jacob cleared his desk and left the building. Even if Terry was at home, Cathy was also there and her tears washed over his heart. She was his priority.

Was he dragging her down with his depression? Was he insensitive to her needs even as he was overwhelmed with his own.

Jacob remembered his father's words from the day when he first kissed Cathy. How important it was to be receptive to the needs of a woman, always seeking forgiveness if she had been wronged through his insensitivity. If he was at fault in anyway then he needed to make things right with her. She had struggled with that monster Virgil, taking his abuse in hopes of saving her husband. Jacob could not comprehend her strength and courage in the face of the assault. Perhaps he did not show enough appreciation. It had been a long time since he bought anything personal for Cathy. He stopped in a small store on the way home, browsing for something which he hoped would reassure without words and cheer her up.

Jacob was in and out of three stores before he found something which would convey his feelings. He actually felt a lightening of his spirits with the little gift. Kurt was right. He couldn't continue to operate from a place of fear, sadness and unfulfilled needs.