Chapter 2

Author's note: Wow! A big thank you to you all for the awesome reception. I really appreciate all the reviews, follows and favourites. It has inspired me to start writing immediately. Here is the next instalment. A little longer than the first. Hope you enjoy! Character's thoughts are in bold italics.

oOo

Vincent had arrived at Cat's apartment not long after she had begun her evening ritual. He sat perched on the window sill outside Cat's bedroom, waiting patiently for her to complete her routine. He wanted to know how things had panned out with the suspect, Donahue, now in custody. What would happen next? Would the evidence that Vincent found at the crime scene be sufficient to lock Donahue away for good? Vincent felt good after what was a very long time indeed. He was beginning to really enjoy his new role as unofficial police consultant working closely with Cat. Before that first case, the days had seemed to blur from one into the next, now each day had focus and meaning. His days now had purpose. Feels good to have something to look forward to, instead of always trying to run away from discovery. He could hear her inside, finishing up now. Could hear her satin robes sliding against her soft skin as she prepared to return to the bedroom. Could hear her uneven footfalls as she padded bare foot across the bathroom floor... Vincent frowned. Something was not right.

Although the bedroom window was open, he did not enter. He sat on the edge with his back facing the room, not wanting to startle Cat more than usual.

oOo

"Vincent!" said Cat in a startled gasp. She was dressed in a knee length pearl satin bath robe that covered her to just below her knee. Her hair was tied up in a messy bun and the steam from her bath had created damp ringlets that framed her flushed face. The heat of the long soak (and her heated thoughts of Vincent) had rendered her a charming shade of pink. She looked enticing and the Beast found her delectable. Cat was standing there looking vulnerable and fragile, no trace of the tough NYPD detective, the mask that she wore to work every day. No shield to hide behind. She was leaning on her right leg and the swelling on her left ankle now clearly evident.

"Catherine, what's wrong? How did this happen?" said Vincent noticing the ankle after making an appreciative sweep (a man is a man after all). With a swift swoosh he was soon standing by her side.

"Oh it's nothing," she replied. She tried to walk off towards her dresser and nearly tripped.

Before she could react, Vincent had her in his arms. He was carrying her as if she weighed nothing. His left hand cradled her beneath her thighs and his right arm held her tightly to his chest. Cat's skin tingled at the contact. His closeness making her heart beat much faster. Cat felt suddenly very hot indeed.

Vincent carried her to the right side of her bed and gently laid her down. He took up position at the foot of the bed and kept both her feet on his lap. Cat gulped.

"It happened earlier this evening. Donahue thought he would rather make a break for it then face questioning back at the precinct. I tried to run interference but ended up twisting my ankle instead." Cat smiled sheepishly, embarrassed at the disclosure.

"I did wonder about the boots, Cat. The streets and back alleys of New York are hardly high-heel friendly."

" So you spend time thinking about my boots, Vincent?" Cat countered. She was grinning at the idea of Vincent daydreaming about her boots. Serves him right! All's fair in love and war. Wait did I just say love?

"Your safety is always top of mind, Cat. But I must admit that the boots have featured from time to time." Vincent did not make eye contact as he said it. His warm hands were holding the injured ankle gently inspecting the sprain. He was in 'Doctor-Mode'.

Cat's eyes widened in response. She did not know what to say immediately. After a while she said, "Then I am glad I have Doctor Keller to make house-calls."

Vincent gave a sad smile. It had been a while since anyone had called him Doctor Keller. Wasn't that a lifetime ago. He pressed his palm firmly against Cat's heel. She didn't complain of any pain.

"Lucky for you. As you said. No breaks. Just a sprain. We should put some ice on this." He hands now rested on both her ankles, gently holding them and stroking the tops of her feet.

Cat was distracted by the motion.

"Catherine?"

"Hmmm"

Vincent chuckled.

"Catherine, do you have an ice pack?"

"Oh yes – one of the blue ones. Freezer door, always on stand by incase of such emergencies."

"On it"

Vincent gently lifted her legs and placed them under the quilt at the base of her bed.

"Back in sec.."

Cat smiled and nodded. As soon as Vincent left the room she grabbed one of the cushions on her bed and smothered her face in it.

Stop this! You're behaving like a high school girl with her first crush.

Tonight was going to be a long one indeed.

oOo