4/

The following day, Joe and Lauren didn't say anything when Catherine lead them through Central Park in the dark. Once they got towards the tunnel entrance, Catherine turned and broke the silence, "This is one of the entrances. You'll need to watch your step though because it's also a drain and there may be some water on the floor of it." Joe stood silent as he watched his friend--a woman whom he thought he knew fairly well, but clearly was way off base--walked over to the tunnel and opened a gate that appeared to be welded shut. Smiling at her boss and his sister, she stepped aside and let the two come in first, "Right this way," she instructed. Once the trio were in, Catherine closed the door, the latch catching loudly.

Joe cleared this throat, "Radcliffe, how do you know there aren't derelicts in here?"

Catherine smiled as she lead them through the tunnel, "If there were derelicts, Joe, than Father would have had this sealed up and isolated from everybody until they left. It's perfectly safe, I assure you." She gave her boss a small grin, "Just wait till you see the wind chamber and the spiral staircase."

Lauren blinked as she tried to take everything in, "Spiral staircase?"

The other woman smiled reassuringly, "It's safe, I promise you. It's just very steep and there aren't any guard rails so you'll have to be careful." Catherine stopped speaking when she saw a shadowy figure in the distance. Her eyes tracing his broad shape, she smiled brightly, "It's Vincent." Quickening her pace, she went over and hugged him tightly, giving him a gentle kiss, "This is a nice surprise."

Vincent smiled at Catherine and nodded his head simply, "I thought that perhaps I may be of assistance with any bags that Miss Maxwell may be bringing." Breaking his gaze on Catherine, he walked over to Joe and extended a hand, "Catherine speaks very highly of you."

Joe stood before Vincent, dumbfounded. He wasn't shocked at his appearance, Catherine's drawing had prepared him for physical nature that was Vincent. What took him aback was Vincent's sheer size in comparison to Catherine. He was a mountain of a man, Joe determined. His legs were long and muscular, far more muscular than Joe had seen on any man while he exercised in his gym. Looking at his arms, it was easy for Joe to see that they were equally as long... and his hands... Joe was certain that those hands could crush a skull if intended. He swallowed hard as he kept his eyes on Vincent's outstretched hand and summoned his own strength to reach his hand out and shake it, stammering as he spoke, "Joe Maxwell."

Catherine grinned. Seeing her boss at a loss for words was rare. "He's not going to maul you, Joe."

Vincent chuckled softly, which allowed Joe to chuckle as well. His face softening, Vincent turned and looked at Lauren and walked over to her, speaking softly, "We are all heartbroken over the atrocity that you suffered," he said, "I do hope that you will be able to heal amongst your new friends and that you will learn to live your life without fear. My father and I extend our most heartfelt welcome to you and ask that if you ever find that you need or want something... anything... than to please let us know and we will see that you have it."

Lauren bit her bottom lip for a moment before nodding, a tear in her eye, whispering softly, "Thank you, Vincent."

"You're welcome," he replied before reaching down and picking up the woman's bags. Though Catherine had already moved most of her things down Below the previous night and that morning, Lauren still had two suitcases containing the clothes that she wore when she was brought in, as well as various other 'get well' trinkets that friends and family had either given or sent her.

Joe followed his sister as Catherine and Vincent lead them into the community room where everybody was gathered to welcome Lauren. Deciding to show Lauren and Joe that the tunnels can indeed be very beautiful, Vincent lead the two through the Great Hall, a place that was sealed throughout the year, with the exception of during Winterfest. "We use this hall for our Winterfest events," Vincent explained.

"What is Winterfest?" Lauren asked curiously.

Vincent turned and looked at her, "A week long celebration that starts on February 7th and lasts through February 15th. There is music, stories, dances, feasts... it's a celebration of love and family. We make gifts for our loved ones during the year and during Winterfest, we exchange those gifts." He smiled quietly, "It's our version of Christmas and Hanukkah."

"It sounds exhilarating," she remarked.

"It is," Catherine confirmed with a smile. "It's a very romantic time too. Everybody gets together and decorates the Great Hall with candles and flowers. It's a lot of fun."

Lauren smiled softly, "I hope to some day be able to attend."

"You will," Vincent promised and then looked at Joe, "and of course, the invitation will extend to you as well."

Joe smiled and nodded, "I appreciate that."

The other man nodded as he slipped his hand around Catherine and continued to lead Lauren and Joe to the community room. Once they arrived, the Maxwell siblings were taken aback by the grandeur of everything, particularly with the fashion of clothing... more of a Renaissance theme than modern, made of fabrics that boasted durability and practicality, in addition to sheer beauty. Moments after their arrival, a man came over, a cane in his right hand. Smiling softly, he extended a hand to Lauren, "Jacob Wells," he introduced.

Lauren nodded and smiled softly, extending her own hand to the older man, "Lauren Maxwell."

Father nodded as he continued to smile, "Well, Lauren, welcome... and please, let's just squash two birds with one stone now... I am not Mr. Wells, nor am I 'sir'... You may call me Father as everybody else does. Or, if you aren't comfortable with that title, than you may call me Jacob."

Lauren nodded again, "I think I can get used to 'Father'." she said quietly.

Catherine cleared her throat softly before stepping over and hugging Father, kissing his cheek softly, "Father, this is my dear friend, Joe Maxwell. He's Lauren's older," she paused as she gave a wink and a grin to Joe, "her *much* older brother."

Everybody assembled in the room chuckled at Catherine's playful teasing, meanwhile Joe only rolled his eyes, "I love you too, Cathy, thanks." He laughed softly as he extended a hand to Father, "Cathy has told me that you are a very good and wise man. I appreciate all that you are doing for my sister."

Father nodded thoughtfully as he shook Joe's hand, "It is our pleasure, Mr. Maxwell."

"Please, call me Joe."

The other man simply smiled quietly. "Mary will show your sister to the guest chamber if you wish to follow them."

At hearing her name, Mary slipped over and smiled softly at Lauren, "Come along, sweetheart," she said tenderly as she lead her to the guest chamber.

Unsure of what to do, Joe simply followed as Vincent took up the rear, still carrying Lauren's bags. Once they were alone, Father walked over to Catherine and took both of her hands in his, "Catherine, I was wondering if I may have a moment of your time, please."

Catherine smiled at Father and then nodded, "Of course, Father."

Still holding one hand, Father lead Catherine to a secluded part of the chamber and sat down. Once the woman was seated as well, he smiled at her, "Mary and I have a favor to ask of you."

The attorney nodded, "What can I do?"

Wearing a bright smile, Father announced, "I've asked Mary to be my wife. She and I would like to be married down here, that way Vincent and the others can be in attendance. We both have discussed it and would like for you to officiate."

Catherine looked at Father, her eyes wide with excitement. Unable to help herself, she let out a girlish giggle as she reached forward and hugged him tight, "Oh, Father, this is wonderful news, congratulations."

The older man chuckled softly as he hugged her back, "So you'll do it?"

Pulling back, the woman looked at him, "Well, I would love to, but I'm afraid that I don't have the credentials. It wouldn't be valid."

"It would be valid down here, Catherine," he said, "and that's all that matters to Mary and myself."

Catherine nodded as she smiled, "Than I'd be honored."

"Excellent! I can't tell you how pleased that makes me."

Unable to rid herself of the smile, she asked, "Have you told Vincent yet?"

"No," Father said, "you are the only one we've told thus far. It all just happened within the hour." Thinking about the past hour, Father couldn't help but chuckle.

Catherine continued to smile, "Well, than you best start spreading the news, because I'm horrible when it comes to keeping a secret."

The man laughed as he nodded, "Good idea. Come," he said, leading her by the elbow, "I'll find Mary and then we can congregate everybody into the common chamber."

The woman followed him, "I'll meet you there. I want to make sure that Lauren is getting settled in."

Father nodded as he and Catherine parted ways, each heading to a different destination.

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

"I'm scared."

Joe Maxwell looked at his younger sister as she was seated on the edge of the bed. It had been a few moments since Vincent and Mary had left them and in the stillness of the room, Lauren went silent as she unpacked her belongings and attempted to make her new home just that... a home.

Sitting down next to her, he let out a heavy sigh, "You ready to talk about it?"

The younger brunette shook her hair as she kept her warm chocolate eyes focused on her hands. Nodding, Joe tried a different approach, "At the very least, kiddo, give me the guy's name. That way we can have something to start with."

Lauren sighed herself as she kept her gaze on her hands, "Travis Banks," she said quietly. "He's a commodities trader on Wall Street." Joe nodded in silence, not wanting to interrupt, wanting to see how much information Lauren would volunteer. "Maureen had said she'd known him for a while."

"How long is 'a while'?" Joe asked quietly.

The young woman sighed as she ran a hand through her hair, "I don't know," she admitted quietly.

"Okay," he said softly, "continue please."

Lauren nodded, "Maureen came to me, so excited, telling me that she had my 'Mr. Wonderful'. She said that he was perfect for me... said that he was smart, successful, handsome, funny... she made him out to be a real dreamboat. She then told me that everybody was meeting at the Twenty-One club for drinks and that Travis would be there. She wanted me to come, and she asked me to wear something really hot." Joe nodded in silence as he took mental notes. Lauren continued, "Drinks were a disaster. Everybody got toasted and all I wanted to do was just leave and go home, but Maureen was my ride, so I had to stick it out. I was smart though, I drank mostly coke."

"What did Travis have?"

"What didn't he have? I think he ordered one of everything and he even wanted to do body shots off me." She sighed quietly, "I finally grew tired of the bullshit and so I told everybody that I was bailing and that I would just call a cab."

"Why didn't you call me?" Joe asked softly, "I would have come and picked you up and brought you home."

"Because I knew that you were swamped with some big case."

Maxwell sighed quietly, "Lauren, there isn't a case in this world big enough to prevent me from helping you out. If I were prosecuting the entire Republican party for crimes against humanity, I would still take the time to help my sister out. You ought to know that."

She couldn't help but chuckle quietly, "I know. But I didn't want to bother you."

Joe leaned in and kissed her temple softly and then saw her stifle a yawn, "When did you last sleep?"

"What day is it?"

"Tuesday."

Lauren nodded, "It's been a week."

"Okay," he stood up and helped her up as well. Pulling the blankets off, he looked at his sister, "I want you to lay down and rest and get some good, solid sleep. You need it."

Lauren looked down at the crisp white sheets with lace edges, "I wonder where they got these," she mused softly.

Joe reached down and gently fingered the tip of the lace, "Who knows," he said, "but they are pretty."

She nodded as she slowly slipped down into the bed, surprised at how comfortable it was. Exhaling, she allowed her eyes to close and within seconds, she was asleep.

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

Catherine found Vincent leaning against the wall outside of Lauren's room. Smiling, she went over and gave him a hug and then looked up at his face and softly kissed him, "Thank you for helping Lauren get settled."

Wrapping an arm around her shoulder, Vincent smiled down at her softly, "It was my pleasure," he said. "I was waiting to help Joe find his way out so he didn't get lost."

The woman nodded as she gave him a soft smile, "That was sweet of you."

"I was hoping," he said, "that perhaps you'd consider staying down here tonight... with me. Perhaps we could read some more Dickens."

"Among other things?" Catherine asked, grinning a little.

Vincent blushed a little and then nodded his affirmation, "Yes," he said, "among other things."

She laughed softly and nodded, kissing him again, "I would love that. I just spoke with Father... he's calling a meeting tonight in the common chamber."

Vincent looked at her quizzically, "Do you know what it is about?" he asked, a little surprised that Catherine would know before he did.

"I do," she said, "but I've been sworn to secrecy."

He groaned inwardly, "I hate secrets."

"Do you?" Catherine asked, surprised. "I thought you loved a good mystery."

"Mysteries, yes," Vincent said, "but mysteries are much different than secrets."

"I suppose you are right," she said and then kissed the corner of his mouth, "but I'm still keeping my secret."

Vincent sighed, knowing he wouldn't get it out of her, "Than I suppose," he said, very slowly, "that I will have to use other methods of persuasion to get it out of you."

Catherine laughed, "What other methods of persuasion are you thinking of?"

Vincent grinned as he glanced around and spotted Pascal, "Pascal? Would you do me a favor please?"

Pascal walked over to them and then smiled in greeting at Catherine before turning to Vincent, "What is it?"

"Catherine's friend is in there. When he comes out, would you please escort him to the Central Park exit?"

Pascal looked at his friend for a moment and then nodded, "Sure, Vincent."

Vincent smiled softly in gratitude as he took Catherine's hand and whisked her off to his chambers, to display his other 'methods of persuasion'.