Snarling, Vincent twisted around trying to swipe at Gabe, who jumped out of the way. With his back to her, Catherine could see the gash and Vincent's blood soaked clothes. The sight made her wince. It was easy to see the tension in Vincent's stance, the strain to stand his ground. He had to stand firm, he had to protect Catherine. The beast's eyes were locked on each other snarling at one another. One had a beauty by his side, aiming her gun at Gabe.
Gabe charges forward, to take out the weakened beast before him. Vincent managed to run at Gabe to try to strike first and to keep him away from Catherine. The ADA struck Vincent in the chest with his claws. The claws dug in deep, Vincent fell to his knees with a huff. Growling, Vincent grabbed Gabe's arm. Pinning the beast in place with what he had left but at the same time keeping those claws dug in his chest. Catherine wasn't sure what she could do, she watched as Gabe tried to get away from Vincent's grasp.
"Catherine!" Vincent's distorted voice yelled out. She jumped and looked at Vincent who was looking at her. Eyes tired and pained. Unspoken words were said, Catherine just shook her head.
"No!" Catherine shouted. In desperation she aimed at Gabe and unleashed 4 bullets in his chest. Her clip was empty now, and Gabe was falling back. The only thing that was holding Gabe up was Vincent's grasp. The strain was too great and Vincent let go, Gabe fell to the ground. Catherine rushed to Vincent, who was hunched over breathing lowly. The beast inside was the only thing healing Vincent and keeping him conscious. Catherine knelt in front of him and put her hands on his shoulders.
"Vincent, look at me." Catherine fear was evident. She was trying to get him to focus on something, to keep him here. Lifting his head a bit to see he was still in his beast form. His chest was heaving, trying to keep his adrenaline going. He weakly looked into her eyes, leaning into her hands. Vincent felt so cold in her palm, yet his veins were still pulsing. She looked to the wound on his chest and saw it slowly healing, she actually saw it healing. That is good right, he is healing. Catherine turned to look at Gabe, his breathing was choked. That bastard was still clinging to life. She could not move Vincent while his wounds were closing. Catherine had to keep an eye on both of them, waiting for the right moment to move. She looked to Gabe to see if he showed any sign of getting up; she could try to take him with her own skills, but that was a risk. She looked to Vincent to see how his wounds were closing; he was such a bloody mess that she left her hand on his face to make sure his veins were pulsing.
Seems like just moments until she saw Gabe struggling to get up. Her hair stood on end, what was she going to do. Vincent was still cold and his wounds were almost closed. His breathing was steady sounding like a purr. Catherine had to keep Gabe away while Vincent was healing. Her hand left Vincent, as she got to her feet she saw him look at her, his amber eyes worried.
"I have to let you heal before we leave here, so once your wounds heal, run." Catherine affirmed. She had no plan from here, just to survive. Taking her stance, she watched as Gabe raised himself up. There was nothing left of the ADA, that she knew, in there. His movements were feral and he seemed to be only focused on Vincent. He started to walk to Vincent, and just when he was to close for Catherine's taste she kicked Gabe in the face. That kick only angered the feral beast and he hissed at her. Next thing Catherine knew she felt claws at her neck. Gabe lifted her off the ground then pinned her against the crumbled car. His grip tightened relentlessly, leaving Catherine gasping for air.
Vincent was in a fog, he was only focused on his pulse. He had to keep it spiked up. He then heard a hiss through the fog. Which snapped him out and he saw Gabe grabbing Catherine by the neck. His rage sparked like an inferno, and his veins felt like fire. Vincent's breathing became erratic, rage giving him a sense of vertigo. His wounds closed and he arose slowly. He heard a slam of metal behind him, his head swung in that direction. Vincent's vision was blurred but he could see Gabe's figure choking Catherine. With a roar, Vincent charged at Gabe and tackled him to the ground. Under Vincent's grip the feral beast was stuck and under his mercy. Vincent quickly swiped at Gabe's throat as a final blow. Gabe shook violently but Vincent had him trapped under his iron grip. Even after the last breath left Gabe's mouth Vincent was still tense.
Catherine was having a hard time catching her breath again. She witnessed the whole ordeal, Vincent saved her life again. She walked to Vincent to get them both out of there. As she reached for him he tensed up. Vincent snarled at her, his eyes locking onto hers. When he recognized her he calmed down quickly, looking ashamed.
"It's okay. Let's get out of here before things get worse." Catherine tried to comfort him and herself. They were a little too close to death's clutches today. Her neck hurt like hell but she'll be fine. Vincent went to stand up and shook his head. He brought his hands to his face still feeling the distortion. He looked to his hands claws still protruding and veins darkened in his forearms. Vincent started to freak, he was calm but he wasn't morphing back. Even though his back was turned to her, Catherine could tell he was not okay.
"Vincent, what's wrong?" she asked with concern. As she tried to walk to his front he turned away. Catherine then put her hand on his shoulder so he couldn't turn anymore. He flinched under her touch and tried to pull away. Her grip was firm though and she wouldn't let him turn any farther.
"Vincent, it's okay. Turn around; you know I'd never judge you." Catherine urged Vincent. Vincent just grunted in response, and turned to her. She saw that he was still in his beastly state. She put her palm on his scar, and stroked his face.
"I…I..Can't." Vincent put so much effort to say those words. They were deep and distorted. His ocher eyes were heartbreaking. Then Catherine just knew, he was stuck in this form. But he was still himself. Still her Vincent. Catherine embraced him and left Vincent shocked. He wrapped his arms around her in fragile way, careful of what he could do to her. He rested his forehead on hers and they look at each other. He sounded as though he was purring and his eyes were happy. Catherine giggled.
"I'm sure You, JT, and I can figure out what's going on. We'll get through this, don't worry." She reassured him. She guessed cause of the strain Vincent had that he was stuck. He was stuck so long in beast mode to protect and survive it had to be a trigger. She stepped back and saw how much of a bloody mess Vincent was. She held her hand out for him and he carefully held her hand. They went to Catherine's car and made their way to the loft.
