Chapter 10

Catherine ran over to pick Andrew up and immediately felt the tremendous heat coming off his small body. He was burning up! As she rushed to the bathroom for some water, she met Winnie in the hall. "Andrew has had a seizure and he's got a high fever! We have to cool him down!"

Though she was visibly distressed at the news, the older woman tried to remain calm. "I'll call an ambulance!"

Catherine hurried to the sink and began to sponge the infant down. Her first instinct had been to plunge him immediately into cold water, but she recalled how Father had cautioned her during the plague epidemic Below that sudden changes in body temperature could trigger seizures. Fearful of causing another, she decided instead to cool him gradually. After a moment, Winnie joined the younger woman, her expression grim.

"The phone is out. I can't reach anyone." Catherine heard Winnie's voice crack slightly and knew she was fighting the same panic.

Just then though, a sudden noise drew their attention to the doorway. Andrew's great aunt cried in alarm, but Catherine felt no such emotion. To anyone else the dark shadow the dim light revealed would have brought fear, but she experienced only relief.

"Vincent! Thank Heavens!" She cried as she went to him with Andrew in her arms. "Andrew is sick; he's has a fever! You have to get him to Father right away." The cloaked figure paused only a second before scooping the child up and vanishing back into the darkness.

"Catherine!"

Catherine tried to reassure her friend as best she could as she swiftly made her way to her room to change before heading Below. "I know how odd all that looked, Winnie, but it's ok. That was Vincent, Jay's son. He's taking Andrew to him right now. I'm going with them. Please try not to worry."

When Catherine emerged, she discovered Winnie dressed as well with all their outdoor clothing in her arms. She considered trying to dissuade Andrew's great aunt from accompanying her, but the resolute look on the older woman's face let her know Winnie was determined to go as well. It was also obvious to Catherine that Winnie thought they would be heading outside to brave the storm. "I'm ready." She declared.

"We won't be needing all that, Winnie. You'll definitely want to wear your coat and maybe your gloves for warmth, but there's no snow where we are going." Turning on her flashlight, Catherine cautiously led Winnie to the basement entrance.

She wasn't surprised to see Vincent had left the shelf entrance open. Confusion warred with curiosity on Winnie's face, but she made no comment for the moment. They had only gone a short way when Jamie appeared carrying a large lantern.

"Hi, Catherine. Hi, Ms. Winnie. Vincent told me you were on your way and sent me to meet you. I'm sorry to hear Andrew isn't feeling well. Father wants me to bring you to the hospital chamber."

It didn't take long for them to reach their destination. The instant Catherine's eyes fell on Father standing next to the small figure hooked up to a large IV, she couldn't hold back a sob.

"Oh, Father! It was awful; Andrew was sick and I felt so helpless!" Catherine choked as the tears began to fall.

"Now, Catherine, You can't blame yourself for this. From what Vincent tells me, you did exactly the right thing by immediately trying to cool Andrew down and sending him to me here. I'm sure it was very frightening to watch, but it is quite common for a young child with a high fever to have at least one such seizure." He put a comforting arm around her shoulders.

"As it happens, his fever has been caused by a bad ear infection complicated by his teething. I've already started him on something to control the fever and prevent any more seizures. If I had any doubts, Vincent could have him to Peter at the hospital much faster than any ambulance could have reached you in this storm."

From across the room, Vincent had been watching Catherine's arrival from the shadows with mixed emotions. While he stayed back in deference to Winnie, Catherine's distress through the Bond was almost more than he could bear. But the sight of her tears made him throw caution to the wind and he purposefully crossed the chamber and embraced the woman he loved to comfort her.

Father turned back to the doorway and at last noticed the other person who stood there. "Well, it seems as if now all my secrets have been revealed, dear Winnie." He smiled ruefully.

But his expression quickly grew serious as he took her hands in his own. "I don't want you to worry either. Andrew is going to be just fine. I promise you I will look after him. You might as well see everything now."

Offering her his arm, he guided her over to where the embracing couple stood.

"Winnie, I'd like you to meet someone. This is my son, Vincent."

Trying his best to put her at ease, Vincent spoke softly to the woman who meant so much to his parent. "I'm very pleased to meet you, . Father and Catherine have told me so much about you."

Winnie's eyes were already quite large as she took in her surroundings. She frowned as she appeared to be thinking. "Vincent? Then it was you in the hallway at Dr. Alcott's house. You are the one who brought Andrew here."

"Yes." He replied simply.

"But you looked different." She continued, her frown increasing.

"Vincent often wears a dark cloak when he goes Above, Winnie." Father explained. "I'm afraid it's a necessity for his own protection."

To everyone's surprise, Winnie gave a huge sigh of relief. "Thanks Heavens. You gave me quite a turn, young man. I thought I was seeing ghosts!"