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Joe stared in disgust at the murky black sludge in his Styrofoam cup, surprised that someone had the guts to call the liquid coffee. Sighing deeply, Maxwell stood up and walked over to his sleeping sister's bed. Planting a soft kiss on her temple, he stepped out of her room in search of real food.
Heading towards the vending machines, he was surprised when he saw Catherine walking down the hall. He greeted her with a smile, "Hey you."
Catherine Chandler smiled back at her friend, "Hey yourself. How's Lauren?"
"Sleeping," Maxwell answered as he dropped a few coins into a slot. "What's new?"
Quickly glancing around, Catherine looked at her boss, her voice lowered, "I have a safe place for Lauren to stay until the trial."
Catching her apprehension, Joe quickly pushed a button for a soda and bent over and picked it up, "Come on," he said softly, leading her by the elbow. "We can talk in the chapel."
Chandler walked with Joe towards the chapel, once they were in, both were relieved to find it empty. Taking a seat in an empty pew, she merely gave Joe a quiet smile as he saw him pull the tab on the soda, "I don't think you are allowed to drink in here, Joe."
"What's God gonna do, Cathy?" Joe quipped, "Sue me?"
The two shared a chuckle and Catherine took a deep breath, "The place that I found for Lauren... it has to be kept a secret, Joe."
"I get it," Maxwell said, nodding, "those kind of shelters usually are kept secret."
The woman shook her head, "It isn't a battered woman's' shelter." Catherine took another deep breath, "You are always asking me about Vincent. Well, you and Lauren both are going to meet him, and lot of other really good people. Joe, Vincent doesn't live like you would think he lives... Far below the city streets is a forgotten city of tunnels and chambers, it's even below the subways... A whole community live there, Joe, Vincent included. It's a safe haven for those who are hurt or can't safely live above in the streets of New York. Orphans go there when they can't stand orphanages any longer and the adults below become their parents. It was there that I went when I had my accident, Joe. Vincent found me and took me down below and I healed."
Joe looked at his friend, fascination on his face, "Why can't this guy safely live up here?"
Catherine reached into her purse and pulled out a drawing of Vincent, done by Kipper, a drawing that was startlingly realistic and handed it to Joe, "This is why."
Taking the drawing, Maxwell looked at it and drew a breath, "Wow," he said softly, looking at Catherine, "Cathy, is this guy safe?"
Catherine smiled quietly as she took the drawing back, "Would I be with someone who wasn't, Joe?"
The man sighed deeply, "Good point." Leaning back in the pew, he ran a hand through his hair, "I don't know, Cathy, I don't like the idea of my little sister being in the sewers with rats and other rodents running around."
"But it isn't like that down Below, Joe," Catherine said, feeling the need to defend her second home. "It's beautiful. It's furnished... People who live Above, such as myself, are called Helpers. Helpers bring things down below that allow them to live comfortably. Father, the man who started the community, is a doctor and he really is a father to everybody. He's wonderful. He adopted Vincent when Vincent was a baby. I've already been granted permission for you and Lauren to come down... Lauren can stay there and you can visit anytime you'd like. She'd be safe down there and she'd be welcomed with open arms. I know that everything sounds so foreign to you, Joe, but you have to trust me on this. Lauren would be safer down Below than Above in a shelter. I know that without a shadow of a doubt."
Joe sighed heavily and finally nodded, "Alright," he said. "I trust you... and don't worry, Cathy. Your secret will be safe with us. I'll tell Lauren too. Would you mind if I hung onto that drawing? I want to show it to Lauren, so she won't be alarmed when she sees him."
Catherine chewed her bottom lip for a moment and finally nodded, handing it back to him, "Make sure nobody else sees it."
Her friend nodded as he folded the piece of paper up and slipped it into his inner coat pocket. Giving her a smile, Joe stepped forward and hugged her, "Thank you, Cathy, for everything. I won't be able to repay you."
Catherine smiled as she hugged him back, "Your friendship is more than repayment, Joe."
Stepping back, the man gave her hand a squeeze. "I'm going to go talk to Lauren... why don't you come with me? She needs to meet you anyway." Reaching into his pocket, he handed Catherine back her drawing of Vincent, "You can show her this."
Chandler nodded and smiled softly, "Okay."
Joe lead Catherine around the pentagon-shaped nurse's station towards Lauren's room. Once they were outside, he turned and looked at her, speaking softly, "Let me make sure she's awake and is ready for company."
Cathy nodded as she watched the man walk into his sister's room.
Joe opened the door and stepped inside the room and smiled when he saw the large spray of lilies, "These are nice," he commented as he went over to them.
Lauren smiled at her older brother and nodded, "Tobias and Grace sent them."
Joe nodded, not knowing who Tobias and Grace were. "They're lovely," walking over, he sat down on a stool and looked at her, "Cathy Chandler's outside, Lauren. She's found a place for you, but she needs to tell you about it because there are a few things that you need to be aware of."
The younger woman nodded, quietly, a little unsure of what was to happen, "Okay... sure. Send her in."
Joe nodded and stood up and walked over to the door and invited Catherine in. When she came in, she gave her boss' sister a warm smile, "Hello, Lauren," she said, walking over to the bed, extending her hand, "I'm Catherine."
Lauren smiled softly as she shook Catherine's hand, "Joe speaks highly of you. He's lucky to have you for a friend."
Catherine turned and smiled at the man before turning back to his sister, "I think we're both lucky." Taking a seat, she handed her the small gift bag, "It isn't much, but I thought maybe it might make you feel a little better."
Joe blinked in surprise as he watched Catherine give his sister the gift, not having noticed the gift bag the entire time he was talking to her.
Lauren gave the other woman a polite smile as she moved the tissue paper around and peeked inside, "Bubble bath," she said, pulling out a bottle and then grinning, "and it's from Bath and Body Works."
Catherine grinned, "There's also some lotion, salts and a few other things in there. I thought maybe you'd like a girl moment or two."
Lauren smiled softly as she placed the bottle of bubble bath back in the bag, "I appreciate it, Catherine, thank you so much. That was a very thoughtful thing to do."
Cathy nodded as she sat back in her chair, "I assume that Joe has told you that I have found a place for you until the trial?"
The younger woman nodded, "Yes, but he hasn't said where yet."
Joe quietly cleared his throat, "I didn't know what to say."
Catherine turned and smiled softly at her friend, "Joe, would you mind if I had a moment with your sister, please?"
Maxwell nodded as he breathed a sigh of relief, the estrogen level was entirely too high for his tastes. "Sure," he remarked, "I'm going to just go and hit a few vending machines and get us some snacks and drinks." Eager to leave, he turned and stepped out, leaving Catherine to simply shake her head in amusement.
"Men," she said, with a small grin. "Anytime anything girly is taken out, they start panicking."
Lauren giggled quietly as she nodded in agreement.
"This place," Catherine began, "may sound a little unorthodox to you, Lauren. You may worry and your initial reaction may be to say no immediately, but all that I ask of you is to hear me out and let me tell you about it. Deal?"
The girl nodded, "Okay."
Catherine took a deep breath, "Okay," she said, smiling, a little nervous, but unsure why. "There is somebody in my life whom I love a great deal. I've been with him for a little over three years now and he means more to me than anybody has in a very long time... his name is Vincent. Vincent isn't what you would think of as your typical man. He lives far below the city streets, below even the subways. There's a whole forgotten city down there of tunnels and mazes that are all intertwined," she explained, "there's a community down there. People who you can trust and who will care for you and welcome you with open arms."
Lauren blinked a little in surprise, "Why do they live down there? Why not just live up here?"
Catherine took a deep breath and then pulled out Kipper's drawing of Vincent and handed it to her, "This is Vincent," she said quietly. "I think it's clear to see why he lives his life the way he lives it."
The other woman looked at Catherine a moment and then looked at the drawing and let out a soft gasp, "He's beautiful, yet scary looking."
The attorney gave her a quiet smile at the description, "Believe me when I tell you, Lauren, that he is the most gentle of men ever. All of the men Below are gentle. Father, the man who started the community, is a licensed doctor... His real name is Jacob Wells, but everybody just as such an enormous amount of love, respect and admiration for him, that they call him Father... and it isn't just Father and Vincent down there. There's a community of about thirty to fifty people, men, women, children... Children who were orphans and were tired of waiting to be adopted and who went down Below. It's a sanctuary, Lauren. Father and Vincent teach the children so they are educated."
Lauren smiled softly, "It's cool that people call him Father."
Catherine smiled wider, "It's very cool," she agreed. Slipping the drawing back in her purse, Catherine continued, "Lauren, it's very important that you keep this place a secret. I can't begin to tell you how many people depend on this. If word gets out than Vincent..." she stopped herself as she felt the tears well up in her eyes, speaking quietly, "the man I love will be killed, or he'll be made to wish he were dead."
The girl nodded, "You have my word, Miss Chandler, I promise," Lauren paused, "Can Joe visit me?"
"Of course," Catherine said, before adding, "and call me Cathy."
Lauren smiled and nodded, "Thank you."
"You're welcome," the other woman said with a smile. "I'm going to go and get Joe now, okay?"
Lauren nodded again as she watched Catherine leave.
Sighing heavily, Cathy ran a hand through her hair as she walked down the hall and found Joe browsing the front page of the Times, "Joe? She's ready."
Maxwell dropped the newspaper and walked over to his friend, "She knows everything?"
Catherine nodded, "She does. I showed her the drawing and she's agreed to keep everything a secret."
"Good," Joe said with a soft smile, "Catherine, I can't thank you enough."
"Thank me when this animal is put behind bars," she responded.
"We just need to get his name,"
Catherine looked at him, surprised, "Lauren hasn't given you his name?"
Joe sighed, "Every time I try to get it, the minute she starts talking about it, she gets upset."
The woman nodded in sympathy, "Don't press her, Joe. Let her come around to it. There is no expiration date on how long she can stay Below."
Maxwell nodded, "That's good to know."
"Why don't you give me a key to her apartment and tell me where it is," Catherine began, "and I'll go over there and get her some clothes, personal affects and a few things to make her comfortable."
Joe reached into his pocket and pulled out a set of keys. Thumbing through them on the ring, he found the right one and removed it and handed it to Catherine, "She lives in the East Hudson complex, apartment 4G."
She nodded and smiled, "I'll bring an outfit for her to change into tomorrow and take the rest down Below."
Joe nodded, still a little apprehensive about this whole 'going down Below' experience, "That sounds great, Cathy, thanks."
Smiling some more, Catherine Chandler turned and left, leaving Joe alone with his thoughts.
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
"Alright now, let's get some more candles in here, please. I want this room as illuminated as we can," Mary explained, "this poor girl is used to sunlight all the time."
The children quickly went in search of some more candles. As they left the guest chamber, they nearly collided with Father. Father greeted them all and then came up behind Mary, "Mary," he said as he surveyed the room, "this is exquisite."
Mary smiled quietly as she walked in and fluffed a few pillows, "Well, it certainly isn't home," she said, "but I think the children have done a lovely job."
Jacob came into the room and slipped an arm around the woman's waist, "You don't give yourself the credit that you deserve, Mary," he said softly, "the children, while an immense help, only gathered what you asked for... You assembled the room. Joe's sister shall be very comfortable."
The older woman turned and looked at him, giving him a soft smile, "You surprise me, Jacob," she said, "you were so adamant about Vincent bringing Catherine down here. If memory serves me, you two had a very loud argument over it, yet you didn't seem so upset when Catherine asked if her boss and his sister may be exposed to our world."
The doctor sighed quietly as he went over and sat down in a chair, propping his cane up against a nearby table, "Perhaps I've mellowed some in my advanced years, Mary. Does it concern me that two more people will know about this? Very much. However, Vincent trusts Catherine... My God, he loves that woman more than he's ever loved another person in his entire life. His trust and faith in her are good enough for me. Besides, my son brought up a good point... Catherine has invested a great deal of her time and herself to us, she has never shied away when we needed assistance. She's one of the first people here, sleeves rolled up, asking what she can do to help where there's trouble. Look at what she did when Vincent and I were trapped in the Maze. She got everybody to break the silence and allow Mouse to help. If it had not been for Mouse and his explosives, than Vincent and I would surely be dead."
Mary looked down at her hands rested in her lap, keeping her eyes focused on them as she quietly spoke, "I was so frightened that you were dead, Jacob," she admitted. Lifting her head up, she looked at him, her eyes glassy with unshed tears, "I don't know how I would go on if you were to die."
Jacob looked at her thoughtfully as he pushed himself out of the chair. Grabbing his cane, he made his way over to her and took her hands in his and kissed them tenderly, "Mary," he whispered, "we can't all live forever. Eventually, my body will give out and I'll die."
"Oh I know that," she sighed. "I know that there isn't some special elixir that we can all take in order to become immortal, I know that, Jacob. My point was, that I've already had to bury one man that I love in my life when I buried my husband," she said. Mary rarely spoke of the years when she was married to Gerald Buckner. Father knew little about them, except that he had died a long and slow death. "And I know that, sooner or later, you too will depart us. I'm just saying that I hope it's later, rather sooner."
Jacob smiled softly at her. "Mary, you are a very important part of my life and I have loved you for many a year. Yet I was worried to display my feelings for you because I didn't want you to feel uncomfortable and pull away. Deep in my heart, I know that it would be easier to have you in my life as my good friend, than to embarrass you and not have you in my life at all."
Mary took a deep breath and looked at him, "So what happens now? What do we do from here?"
"Well, I know what I would like to do," he said, "but I'm not sure if you are ready for it."
The woman looked at him quizzically, "What is that?"
Jacob smiled at her, "Well, ordinarily a man would get down on a knee and do this, but given the fact that my knees are unpredictable, I hope you'll forgive me this. Mary, I want to marry you. I want you to be my wife and my partner."
Mary looked at him, speechless, "Jacob, I would love nothing more, however, how can we do that? We would have to go above to make it legal and our loved ones would not be there to witness it."
"Legal in whose eyes, Mary?" Jacob asked, "The government's? We have our own government down here. We both know that we will wish to live down here until the end of our times, with those we love. With our children, our brothers, our sisters..."
"Who would perform the ceremony?"
"We can ask Vincent. Or, if you'd like it more official, we can ask Catherine." he suggested.
Mary nodded and smiled, "I think that would be lovely. Do you think she'll do it?"
Jacob nodded confidently, "I think she would be pleased to."
The woman's smile widened as she leaned in and hugged him, "Oh, Jacob, I'm so happy."
The man held the woman close to him as he pressed his lips into her hair, "Not nearly as happy as I am, my love," he whispered softly into her ear.
