March gave way to April – Niagara Falls was cold and crowded and Amy and Elliot visited every imaginable tourist trap and bought a ton of silly touristy merchandise – and when she got back home, Amy had to swear on a stack of holy books that no, they had not run off and gotten married…not that she really would mind… Being around Elliot made her feel sixteen all over again – only happier, without all that teen-age angst…
And April's showers gave way to a May that was warm and sunny…and Elliot called Amy every day in the morning, rain or shine, just to "talk" (usually it was about nothing in particular) and she called him every night just before going to bed, just to say good night…and once a week Elliot drove to Hartford to take Amy and Lauren to a movie.
-
"That's your mother's boyfriend?" Taylor said, when Lauren said she had to go – Elliot had called and secretly arranged to pick her up from school today.
Lauren smiled at her best friend, "Cute, huh?"
-
"Ready?" Elliot asked, when Lauren got to the car – he was dressed casually, having cut out of work early today to come pick Lauren up and go shopping.
"You bet."
Their first stop was a jewelry store – she knew what she wanted to get her mother and had been saving a part of her allowance forever – Elliot said he'd chip in half for the necklace, in return for her assistance on the gift he'd had made for Amy for Mother's day. (Lauren wished that it wasn't wrapped already, she was dying to see…)
"So," Elliot said; after the jewelry store, they'd stopped for a soda in the mall. "Not – today or tomorrow – but – how do you think you'd feel if – things got more serious between your mom and me?"
Lauren considered for a moment. "Would that mean moving to New York?"
"Is that a bad thing?"
"I'd be closer to my dad and that would be nice – but I'd be further from my friends and that wouldn't be so great. Since you've got all kinds of money, would mom stick me in some private school?"
"Maybe – but Claudia, Jake and Caroline all go to a really nice one."
"What about the rest of them?"
"Charles, William and Jayne are home schooled," Elliot hated lying. It wasn't quite a lie – but he hated it none the less.
"How come?"
"It's what they wanted."
"I guess when you have a stay at home parent, you can do that – some days I wish my mom didn't work. But I know she'll never quit her job – you know that too, right?"
"I'd guessed," he smiled.
"When do you think you're going to ask her?"
"Not right now – there's something coming up in a few months – sort of a special occasion. I was thinking of doing it then."
"Mom really likes you a lot – so do I. Are you coming to the big family thing Jillian is planning for Sunday?"
"I wasn't aware that I'd been invited."
"Well, I'm inviting you," Lauren proclaimed.
Elliot laughed, "Why don't we discuss it with your mother and see what she says – speaking of which – we only have an hour to get all the food and go pick her up."
"Ok," Lauren finished up her iced tea.
-
Amy gathered her things and said her good nights as she left the courthouse – she was looking forward to a – who was she kidding, she wasn't looking forward to her night at all. When she'd hinted at Elliot this morning that although she had plans for Sunday, the rest of her weekend was free, he hadn't picked up the hint at all… so it would be an evening in front of the television with her mother…not really a bad way to spend the Friday before Mother's Day…
Amy was surprised to see Lauren waiting for her outside. "Happy Mother's Day!" Lauren hugged her mother and handed her a bouquet of pink roses.
"Lauren – did you take the bus?" She looked around for some sign of either of her brothers or her mother.
"No, come on," Lauren pulled her mother by the hand towards the little picnic area in the square across the street where Elliot was waiting for them...
"Elliot?" Amy asked – he was sitting on a picnic blanket – with an amazing spread laid out.
"Happy Mother's Day, Amy," he stood and kissed her warmly - she responded - then they both became aware that not only were they in public, but Amy's daughter was standing right there...
Amy cleared her throat and looked at Lauren - who was grinning.Amy felt her face growing warm - even Elliot was blushing. She cleared her throat again and looked at the food he'd lain out... Sushi, caviar, crackers and cheese and fresh fruit – cucumber sandwiches and chocolate cake from the bakery down the street from his apartment… "This is really – wow." She sat down. "Mother's Day isn't until Sunday," she finally managed to get out a coherent sentence.
"I know," Elliot told her, "But we wanted to do something special for you."
"For just the three of us," Lauren added.
"Just the three of us, huh?" Amy gave Elliot a questioning look – for which his only answer was an impish smile.
"So – are you hungry or shall we do presents first?" Elliot inquired.
"Presents?"
"Presents," Lauren said, handing her mother the box with her gift in it.
Elliot prepared a cracker with brie and caviar and fed it to Amy while she opened the box.
"I'm starting to feel spoiled here," Amy said between nibbles.
"That is the idea," Elliot told her.
She got the wrapping off the small box; inside was a gold pendant of a mother and child curled together in a contemporary design; Lauren's birthstone was between the two figures. "Oh my gosh – it's so beautiful – Lauren – " Amy gushed, as Lauren helped her put it on.
"I love you, Mom."
"Oh honey – I love you too – so much," Amy hugged her daughter and just held her for a long moment – and in that moment, she realized something. For the first time in a very, very long time, she felt like a family – not that she didn't get that feeling with her own family – but this was different. Amy realized she was crying.
"You ok?" Elliot asked.
"Just – it's been a long week," Amy lied. Although it had been a long week and she was very glad that it was over. She looked at the box Elliot was handing her – it wasn't jewelry – or at least if it was, she wasn't sure what it could be, because the box was the size of a shoe box…in fact, as she ripped off the paper, she realized that it was a shoe box.
"I didn't really get you a pair of men's running shoes," Elliot assured her with a grin.
"That's good – I don't think I'd fit a men's size eleven," she smiled back at him. No one had given her a mother's day present – except for Lauren – since she and Michael hadbeen married– and even he'd forgotten a couple of times. Amy lifted back the paper surrounding the object – to reveal the most beautiful wood carving – it was her and Lauren and Maxine… "Oh – Elliot – it's – it's magnificent."
"I couldn't have had it done without Lauren's help".
"I had to sneak out pictures of you and me and Grandma."
"This is so beautiful," Amy said again… "Lauren – I'm – I really don't know what to say. This is – the most amazing thing – everything – the whole picnic – it's all – I love you both," she wiped her cheeks. "And I feel like an idiot sitting here crying!"
Elliot smiled and drew her to him – and was floored when Lauren joined their hug…
-
"Oh my," Maxine said, when she saw the statue. "What an incredible likeness – and – all from photographs?"
"The artist is very talented," Elliot explained. He'd followed Amy home and was going to take both she and Lauren out fortheir weeklymovie.
"I'll say," said Vincent.
"For the right price, you can afford talent," Peter looked over his brother's shoulder.
Elliot decided to hold his tongue – Peter Gray would not likely believe that Cullen never charged family for his work – and that family to him extended well beyond the usual bounds. The only place his work was for sale was a small shop, run by a Helper, who sold various handicrafts made by those Below to help pay for the things for which they could not barter and did not want to rely exclusively upon the Helpers to supply. "And – I hope you don't think I'm being too forward," Elliot handed Maxine a card. "Happy Mother's Day a little early."
"Well," Maxine accepted it, "I suppose this means you can stop calling me Mrs. Gray and use my first name like most other people."
"Thank you," he kissed her cheek.
"Oh my," Maxine said when she opened the card – inside was a gift certificate for a day spa.
"I thought you might enjoy a little pampering," he winked. "It's got to be good for your blood pressure."
Maxine chuckled, "Thank you, Elliot," she pulled him closer and kissed his cheek – well aware that Peter was smoldering. Life, however, was too short for that kind of nonsense… "I've never been the pampered sort – but it might be nice to try it out."
"According to the lady I got this from, the hot rock massage is really amazing – I've never had one myself."
"So – are you going to be here for Sunday dinner?" Jillian asked Elliot – much to her husband's chagrin.
"I'd love to – but I have a guest coming in from out of town tomorrow."
"You know," Amy began, "If she doesn't have any big plans for Sunday, she might enjoy a home cooked meal – it's just going to be what – ham?" Amy looked to Jillian for confirmation.
"And a small capon," Jillian added, proudly.
"Yeah, but it's a family thing," Peter began to argue.
"Oh don't be silly," said Maxine. "The more the merrier," which of course was the usual Gray philosophy.
"I'm sure she'd love a home cooked meal," Elliot smiled, "Because as I'm sure Amy can tell you, a gourmet chef I am not."
"Most of the time I'd be happy if you were just a line cook," Amy teased him. His fridge scared her.
-
Brigit O'Donnell was a petite woman of forty something – she had shoulder length curly brown hair, big brown eyes and an infectious smile. And when she opened her mouth there was absolutely no doubting her country of origin. "Oh what a lovely home you have here, Mrs. Gray!" Brigit proclaimed in a thick Irish accent. "So much nicer than Elliot's place," she gave him a playfully dour look.
Peter gave Amy a dark look – he had no idea that Elliot was brining a woman for Sunday's no longer family dinner, and truly wanted to know how his sister was putting up with havinga womanstay with Elliot… they arranged themselves in the living room – Vincent was running late. As usual, these days.
"So – Brigit – what – are you doing so far from home?" Jillian made an attempt to start polite conversation.
"I come to visit now an' again, to see how the little ones are growin'."
"Little ones?" Jillian queried.
"Jake and Caroline, Claudia, William, Charles, Jayne – an' others I've come to know over the years. Jake isn't so little these days, an I do believe Caroline has herself a suitor," she said, more in Amy's direction than anywhere else, because Amy was acquainted with the elder Wells daughters."Sweet lookin' boy come to the reading las' night - an' oh the evil eye that Jake was givin' him," she chuckled. "Definately the look o' an older brother bein' protective."
"Reading?" asked Jillian.
"Brigit is a poet,"Maxine supplied. "Elliot's lent me a couple of your books," she added, in Brigit's direction.
"They're nothin' but ramblins – well, there are a couple that are near and dear," she smiled.
"So you're published?" said Jillian.
"Oh, aye – part o' this trip is because a big house in New York has persuaded me to pen a novel. I wouldna done it if not fer Jenny – one of Catherine's friends," she said to Amy.
"We've met," Amy nodded.
"Persuasive one, she is."
"Sorry I'm – Birgit O'Donnell?" Vincent Gray walked in the door.
"Aye, herself."
"Wow – when Mom said we were having company for dinner I didn't expect – wow. I saw you speak in San Francisco last year, at the University. You were really amazing."
"Well thank you," she smiled at him. "I think it's important for folks to remember what's still goin' on in the world."
"What were you speaking on?" Jillian queried.
"Northern Ireland – an' what it was really like growin' up in that kind o' turmoil in what is supposed to be a 'modern' country – there is so much about m' home that people on this side of the Atlantic just do not realize. The whole of the St. Paddy's Day and the wearin' o' green," she shook her head. "Don' get me started."
Amy stood, "Well, now that we're all here," she gave her younger brother a look – though it was tempered by a smile, "Dinner?"
"How can I help?" Brigit asked.
"Oh, just sit," Jillian began.
"Nonsense – I'd rather be put to work than be waited on. Elliot can tell ye that."
He chuckled – the ladies brought out dinner – and he insisted on helping clean up afterwards, at least until Maxine pulled him out onto the front porch. "I was wrong – and I apologize."
"For what?" he queried, perplexed.
"For doubting your intentions, Elliot. I am very happy that you and Amy have found one another. And I've never said that to any other man she's brought home."
"That means more to me than I think you could ever know," he said, quietly.
-
Summer followed quickly on the heels of spring… Amy began spending regular weekends in New York – and had come to enjoy the "regular Sunday morning routine" – when she had Lauren with her, Caroline and Claudia usually came with Catherine…even if Vincent Wells was never to be seen. It was always something… After a while, Amy stopped asking about him…
Some Sundays, the "girls" – Amy, Catherine, and Diana – left their men (and Joe) behind to go see a 'chick flick' or a 'girly play' – and sometimes Catherine's friend Jenny would join them when she wasn't "swamped with work." On other occasions, they were joined by Laura Callahan, especially on the days her husband wasn't working and could stay home with their children. He was a cop – Laura was deaf and they had met when Laura was in a gang… It seemed as if Elliot's friends came from every imaginable walk of life… Amy learned that Joe had been married to the one true love of his life – only to loose her on 9/11 after only a few short years of marriage – apparently Catherine and Diana had lost a few friends that day… Amy would certainly never forget it…
Peter was still unyielding on his opinion of Elliot Burch – but Vincent Gray had made an effort to get to know him a little. It was good to see Amy this happy – and nice that she'd inherited a few girlfriends – ever since her best friend had died, it was like her only friends were Donna and Bruce...
-
"Mom – would you mind if I stayed home this weekend?" Lauren asked. It was her usual weekend with her mother – which meant it was her usual weekend with her mother and Elliot.
"Oh? Oh – I guess not. Why?" Amy asked, feeling a little disappointed. Weekends were the only time she got to really spend with Lauren, between Lauren's homeworkand her own work, during the week…but weekends were the only time she got to really spend with Elliot. He came out once in a while during the week – and they spoke daily on the phone – but the long distance thing, even at only two hours away, was killing her. Going to sleep next to Elliot two nights a week – and waking up next to him in the morning – were truly the happiest moments of her week.
"Mom – I like hanging out with you guys – and it's cool the way you find stuff to do that I like – but I'd like to hang with Taylor this weekend. We haven't really seen each other much and she's my best friend."
"Well – ok. I guess."
"Mom," Lauren put her arms around Lauren, "I love you. And I really like Elliot too."
"Better than David or Stu?"
"Way better. Elliot makes you smile – I know they did too, but he makes you really smile. It's like you're happy all the time – happier than you ever were with Dad."
Amy blinked.
Lauren just giggled.
"Lauren – is there something you know that I don't?"
"What would I know – I'm just a kid." Lauren bounded up the stairs before her mother could ask more…
-
Amy left for work wondering what Lauren had been so giggly about…but it was probably nothing, she told herself. She kept telling herself that, even when she arrived in her chambers to find several dozen red and white roses in a huge vase on her desk. The flowers in and ofthemselves weren't unusual – Elliothad startedsending her flowers every week right after theprivate investigator/photo fiascoback inMarch– usually, however he sent them on Monday, not Thursday (and in fact, he had sent her a beautiful purple arrangement on Monday, so this made two bouquets in one week). And usually he sent her whatever was in season, just something to "brighten up her office" – nothing as extravagant as this.
Bruce came in. "Roses?"
"Morning, Bruce," she smiled up at him, as she reached for the note that was tucked into the flowers.
"Must be something serious."
"I'm sure it's just what the florist happened to have," Amy said, still trying to cover the giddy feeling that kept threatening to over take her.
"Uh-huh," Bruce teased her. "Just like I'm sure he forgot that he already sent flowers this week."
Amy shook her head and read the note:
I'm sending helicopter to fly you in up for the weekend because I've taken the liberty of making plans for early in the evening – please dress for a very special concert and dinner. And wear sensible shoes. A driver will pick you up from the courthouse tomorrow after work.
"Oh my gosh," Amy caught her breath. Sensible shoes. She still didn't know what it meant – but it had something to do with all the mystery in his life…
"What is it?" Bruce queried.
"Sensible shoes," she told him, knowing that it would make even less sense to Bruce than it did to her. He took it in stride, reminded her that she had ten minutes and a full docket for the day… Amy was just as glad. She needed every distraction she could get to keep from wondering…
-
"What do you think?" Amy asked her daughter.
"I liked the other outfit better," Lauren said. "You look good in black."
Amy picked the black velvet dress back up and held it against her – it was sleek, clingy in the right places – the neckline was just a little on the plunging side… "You really think so?"
Lauren just rolled her eyes. "You'd better decide or you're going to be late for work."
"Right." Amy put the black velvet dress into a garment bag – and reached for the only sensible shoes she had that would go with it, a pair of comfortable, Victorian styled boots. Not a perfect match – she liked to wear the slinky velvet with a pair of strappy sandals, but the three inch heels on those shoes were anything but practical…
-
"Roses and then this?" Bruce queried – he'd stepped in to let her know that there was someone looking for her downstairs – the dress…was…. It was.
"You don't think it's too much do you?"
"I guess that depends on where you're going."
"Dinner and a concert – he said it was a special concert," she added.
"Well there's a limo driver looking for you – so I guess your chariot awaits," Bruce grinned.
Amy smiled – then impulsively gave his cheek a quick peck.
"What was that for?"
"For being a wonderful friend. Thank you."
"You're welcome, Judge Gray. Now go on and get out of here," he said. "And have a good weekend."
Amy took a second look at herself in the mirror – her hair was up – her make up perfect for an evening out – and she was wearing sensible shoes.
In the back of the limo she found a package addressed to her – it was plain brown paper tied with string – it felt soft and lumpy. She ripped the paper to reveal a beautiful shawl of emerald velvet; it was hooded and had long, silky fringe. The note simply indicated that she would need a wrap for the evening – although according to the weather man, it was going to be a hot evening…
Less than an hour later, she was getting out of the helicopter – Elliot was waiting for her, in his tux, on the roof of his office building. He smiled when she stepped down – and as soon as they were out of the noise and wind he told her how beautiful she looked and handed her a single red rose.
"You know – first Lauren says she doesn't want to come up this weekend – and then all of this – a girl could get suspicious, you know," Amy looked up from smelling the rose – it was a perfect blossom, full of sweet rose scent.
Elliot grinned, mischievously, "I know. We've got dinner reservations for six thirty, so we'd better hurry."
"Where are we going?"
"You'll see," was all he said, guiding her onto the elevator; moments later, it opened out into the parking garage… they stepped out – a limo should have been waiting – a shiver ran up Elliot's spine as the only warning that something was off…
-
A mile below and a ways away, sitting with Catherine in their chamber, Vincent felt a sudden shiver of cold fear that pierced him to the very core.
"Vincent?" Catherine queried. He was staring off into the corner as if he saw something there she could not see.
"I'm not sure. If I'm not back – make sure the children start on time."
"Vincent – what's wrong?"
He pulled the heavy black cloak around his shoulders, "I hope it is nothing."
"It's never nothing when you look like that. Be careful."
"I will," he kissed her forehead tenderly – and took off out of their chamber at a fast walk that quickly turned into a run.
Dirt and stone passed by in a blur – Vincent hopped to the roof of a subway train that led uptown, as the sense of dread took him to the tunnels that ran below Elliot's office building. Vincent had come this way many times in the past – the sound of a woman's scream brought him out of the tunnels and into the underground parking garage, through a hidden door in the maintenance area. The garage should have been lit – but it was pitch black. He heard Elliot's voice, shouting at someone to run – tires squealed and a gunshot exploded through the darkened brick and cement cavern…
-
As soon as the lights cut out, Elliot told Amy to get back on the elevator – but it wasn't working. She heard a car door open – hands grabbed at her – she screamed – and Elliot told her to run – she couldn't see a thing, but she thought he'd hit the guy who grabbed her because the hands released their hold enough for her to wriggle free – everything happened so fast – tires squealed – a gun fired. Amy screamed again, shouting Elliot's name in the darkness. She stumbled and fell over something, crying out as she hit the hard floor with a painful thump.
Then Amy heard the sound – it was feral – a roar, like a lion or a tiger – and she screamed again, although in the back of her mind, Amy told herself that she was a brave woman. Her eyes began to adjust to the darkness – a maintenance closet – maybe she could find a circuit breaker or something then at least she could see… there was scuffling behind her and another shot – damn it, why hadn't someone heard the gunfire and called the police by now! She would have – but her cell was in her purse and that had been knocked from her in the initial attack – rough hands grabbed her again. Amy looked up – a man in a dark shirt and ski mask – she didn't think, she acted, jabbing straight up at his throat with her fist. He let go and stumbled back – Amy got to her feet – she ran for the closet, slamming and locking the door behind her… Elliot… no, she'd do more good if she could get the lights to come back on, then they could both see – and maybe if the lights were on, the elevators would work too…
A scream – Elliot…? Emergency lights. She flipped the switch. Something banged hard against the door. "This is not happening!" Amy said aloud – it didn't really help. She shoved the door open – the guy in the ski mask was lying limp against it. His chest oozed blood. She gasped – the garage was dimly lit now – red emergency lights. Elliot – he was lying against the far wall, not moving, "Oh God," she began moving towards him, unsure how many other thugs in ski masks might be here…a shape caught her eye. It was big, shrouded as if in shadow – and moving fast. Moving towards Elliot – without thought, Amy ran to him.
She got there first, just ahead of the shadow – and then she looked up and saw it's face…a terrible, feral, animal face surrounded by a mane of thick golden hair – it's teeth were bared in a snarl. There were claws where hands should have been – bloodied claws. Somewhere in the distance, tires squealed and an engine roared – whatever attackers were left, they were fleeing in the face of this – thing.
Amy looked around, desperately afraid – Elliot was breathing – it seemed shallow, but what did she know? There was blood coming from a cut on his head – maybe he hadn't been shot, it was hard to tell – but he was alive… at least so far. There were a few loose bricks at his feet. Amy grabbed on and hurled at the – the whatever it was that was looming closer. The creature batted it out of the way with frightening ease.
"Stay away from us!" Amy screamed at it.
Vincent smiled – although it was clear she was mistaking his smile for something more sinister. He could smell her fear – and Elliot's blood, the latter of which concerned him far more. Though he doubted that the wound was serious, it would be impossible to know for sure until he got closer – and unless he wanted to dodge more bricks, he had to convince an uncommonly brave woman that he was who he was about to say he was.
Amy grabbed another brick and threw it as hard as she could. "Get away!"
Vincent barely ducked it – brave and a good shot. "I can see why Elliot is so attracted to you, Judge Gray. You are truly a remarkable woman."
Amy gasped – that voice – it was – like velvet. It didn't fit with the rest of him. It. Him. "Who – what are you – what do you want?"
"I would like very much to get Elliot to a doctor."
"How do you know his name – or mine?" She was starting to feel like a contestant on that show where they set people up to be scared by silly practical jokes. Only this wasn't feeling very silly.
"My name is Vincent – you know my wife, Catherine, and two of our daughters, Caroline and Claudia. Elliot is my best friend. You were on your way down to a concert that the children have put on – much like the one he was coming home from the night you met."
"Oh my God," Amy almost fell over. "You're – Vincent – you're real?"
"Very real."
He moved closer – Amy watched as – he – it? – knelt next to Elliot and examined his head, very gently.
Vincent turned to her, "There is a lot of blood – but I believe he will be all right," after considering several options, he lifted Elliot up into his arms. Given a choice, Elliot would rather spend the night Below than in an emergency room. "Come," he said to Amy. "I will show you what Elliot was going to show you."
He made his way back towards the maintenance closet; she gathered up the velvet shawl and followed him on shaky legs…this wasn't real… she saw the body…it was real… it couldn't be…but it was.
"You – you killed a man," Amy babbled. "He's dead."
"He is," Vincent agreed. "His death is regrettable – but – sometimes it cannot be helped."
"But – you – you killed him – with your bare – hands?" she looked at the hands that held Elliot now – gently. "What are you?"
"I cannot answer that the way you want me to – there is a lever there, just behind that panel – yes. Press down."
Amy blinked as the back of the closet slid open. "But – you're just going to leave the body there? Oh God – he's dead." Her stomach heaved, but nothing came up.
"Are you all right?"
"No! You killed a man!"
"A man with a gun who was shooting at you and Elliot," Vincent said, calmly, rationally.
"That doesn't excuse murder – well maybe it would in a court – but there isn't going be court or a trial because you're – what are you?"
"My father found me, abandoned as an infant, behind St. Vincent's hospital," Vincent explained. "That is why he called me Vincent. He knows nothing of my birth parents or how I came to be where I was when he found me. We have always assumed to obvious – look at me and imagine the horror my mother must have felt."
"I – I – I'm – I can't – where are you taking him? Where are we going?"
"My father is a doctor. Come – I'll show you the way." He stepped through the secret passage and instructed her on how to close it.
"And – Claudia and Caroline – they're your children," Amy looked up at the – the man-beast. It was – impossible to imagine – Catherine and this – this creature – together…she had borne his offspring? (Amy was only barely aware of the sandy floor beneath her feet or the rounded cavern walls that formed a tunnel stretching on for miles…)
Vincent chuckled softly, "When they misbehave, yes, they are mine – when they are angelic, Catherine tends to claim all the credit. And when they beat one of his old pupils at chess, they miraculously turn into their Grand Father's children as if Catherine and I had no hand in their conception at all."
Elliot groaned – the world began to come back into focus – a slight musky scent reached his nostrils – musk and vanilla and – apple. Mary's soap. And well oiled leather. Vincent was carrying him. "Amy?"
"I'm here."
Vincent set him down gently, "Can you stand?"
"Just the head," Elliot could barely open his eyes the pain was so great. "What happened?"
"You were attacked – I – felt it and came as quickly as I could."
"Thank you. Amy – I'm sorry – this was not how I had the evening planned." He fell forward – Vincent caught him.
"Perhaps I should carry you the rest of the way."
"I'll be ok – I think I have a concussion, everything is spinning."
"You will probably need stitches as well," Vincent said.
Elliot nodded – it hurt. "Amy –?" he looked for her – she was terrified, he could see it in her eyes and in the way she hung back as far as she could without actually running away.
"I'm here," she told him; her voice was a fearful whisper.
"I'm sorry," he said again. "This isn't how I wanted you two to meet."
"It's ok," she lied; it sunk in, suddenly, like a brick hitting the bottom of a pool, just how scary the last ten minutes had been. "Oh God – they were going to kill us, weren't they?" Amy began to cry.
"I don't know," Elliot reached out, drawing her to him, grateful that she didn't pull away when he touched her – if it weren't for Vincent and the wall, he would have fallen over. "I don't know – but it's over and it's all right," he held her. "Shh – it's ok."
"Who were they? What did they want?" Amy felt as if the whole world was crashing down around her…it was so unreal…but it was really happening. She'd been grabbed – shot at – and she was standing in some underground tunnel with Elliot, who was barely standing but trying to hold her anyway and – and Catherine's husband who was not at all human…
"I have enemies, Amy – some of them – might stoop to something like this." He cast a sidelong glance at Vincent – collectively they had other enemies…enemies that had lain silent for many, many years, but who was to say that they might not resurface some day…
"We will not tell the children," said Vincent. "I don't want to frighten them. There is always the chance that this was random – Elliot is a wealthy man, he may have simply been targeted for a ransom."
Amy nodded. Of course that made perfect sense as well. "The police – someone should still call the police."
"Fin will be Below soon," Vincent said. "We will tell both he and Joe."
"They – they'll be there?" Amy asked. "They know – about – about –" she looked helplessly up at Vincent, utterly at a lack for words.
"They know," said Elliot. She was so afraid…so confused… he remembered the first time he'd met Vincent – and yet, even unprepared, he'd known that Vincent had to be special… but that in itself had been a sort of preparedness. After all, Catherine loved him – and that love had helped them forge a bond…
"Come, lean on me," Vincent helped Elliot find his feet. "We should get you to Father before the concert begins, or the children will wonder where you are."
"It's going to be ok?" Amy asked.
"Yes," they both said.
"I promise," Elliot added.
Amy held Elliot's hand in frightened silence as Vincent led the way through a labyrinth of tunnels and down an endless staircase… it did end, of course, but Vincent had to stop half way down and pick Elliot up because he couldn't walk any further… then there were more tunnels and tapping – constant tapping…metal on metal… Amy focused on putting one foot in front of the other, choosing to ignore the rest of the world, which was no longer making any sense at all.