Chapter 10

If my details are a bit exaggerated here at the beginning of this chapter, it is only for dramatic effect. To any purist fans, I apologize.

Catherine stood near the top of the ladder, struggling to close the heavy trapdoor to her sub-basement. She didn't want to seek any help since she wanted to surprise Vincent. Just as she managed to close it, there was an eerie groan of metal. Instantly, Catherine found herself plunging down over twenty feet only to land on the unyielding floor below. She felt and heard a loud pop in her left leg that was swiftly followed by a white hot shaft of pain. It shot straight to her head and had her seeing stars. After several painful breaths, she managed to clear her vision and tried to rise. Immediately, the pain returned and she was forced to remain on the floor.

She tried calling for help, but surmised that she was too far from the nearest sentry to be heard. Slowly and painfully, she managed to crawl out into the tunnel to a nearby pipe and tap out a short call for help. Almost instantly, Jaime arrived.

"Catherine, I was on sentry duty and heard your message! What happened?"

"I fell. It's my leg. I can't get up." Catherine managed to gasp.

"Don't try! I'll get help!" Jaime replied as she quickly began to tap on the nearby pipe.

The message rapidly went over the pipes and reached Vincent in Father's chamber.

Catherine hurt at threshold to her building. Tell Vincent.

Vincent was up and out the doorway before Father had barely left his chair. At once, the physician in him took over and he headed for the infirmary to await his patient.

"Catherine!" Vincent exclaimed as he arrived and kneeled at her side. "What happened?"

Catherine's face was pinched in pain as she took in great breaths, fighting to stay conscious. Jaime answered for her.

"It looks like the ladder gave way. She must have fallen!" Silently, Catherine nodded in agreement.

Tenderly, Vincent lifted her into his arms. "It's all right, love." He soothed as he pressed a kiss to the top of her head. "I have you now." Vincent ran as quickly as he dared directly to the infirmary.

"Good heavens, what happened?" Father declared as Vincent brought Catherine in.

"The ladder to her building gave way. Catherine fell. It's her leg, Father." He replied gravely. "She's in a great deal of pain."

"Set her down here."

Catherine couldn't hold back a shriek of agony even as Vincent carefully placed her on the bed. Tears welled up in her eyes as she bit her lip to keep from crying out. Vincent's face was a mask of concern as he held her hand tightly, all the while stroking her hair and murmuring soothingly. "You'll be all right, my love. Father will help you."

"Catherine, did you hit your head?" Father asked quietly as he checked her scalp for abrasions. Catherine managed a negative shake. "Good."

Father quickly produced a syringe. "This is a mild pain killer, Catherine. It will make you sleepy, but I think you need it so I can examine your leg. Is that all right?" Catherine nodded as Vincent kissed her hand.

Swiftly, the injection took effect and Catherine visibly relaxed. The tension left Vincent as well, now that his beloved's pain was eased. "Better?" Father inquired.

"Much." Catherine whispered in relief, finding her voice.

With great care, Father removed Catherine's shoe and tried to lift her pant leg. Shortly, he resorted to scissors. "I'm sorry, but I'm going to have to cut your slacks, Catherine."

"Be my guest." Catherine murmured dreamily, proving the drug was working.

Father chuckled, but continued to examine her leg. Unable to stand the tension any longer, Vincent spoke up. "How bad is it?"

"Well, it doesn't appear to be broken, but I'll need to get the swelling down for a better look." Father answered.

"'Does Catherine need to go to the hospital?" Jamie piped in, speaking for the first time.

'Not necessarily. Jaime, go and get some ice from William. You'll need to bring as much as you can. We may have to pack her leg in it."

"Catherine, are you feeling better, my love?" Vincent asked gently as he dared to draw her close at last.

"Mmm, hmm. But that last step was a real doozy." She muttered right before falling asleep.

"Ouch!" Catherine said, before finally managing to open her eyes. Looking around, she discovered she was tucked up into Vincent's bed, her left leg wrapped in a soft splint and surrounded by pillows. The pain in her leg had subsided to a dull throb, but she still felt quite groggy. Vincent appeared, moving to sit on the bed next to her.

"How do feel, Catherine? Are you in pain?" he asked solicitously as he took her hand.

"Not much." She replied after a pause.

"I thought I heard voices." Father called as he entered. "How's the patient?'

"Awake and I just asked her the same question." Vincent responded with a smile.

"What happened?" Catherine asked.

"You don't remember?"

"Well, I was on my way Below to surprise you and I had trouble closing the door. I remember falling, but it gets pretty fuzzy after that." Catherine said, wrinkling her nose in concentration. Vincent had to restrain himself from kissing it since she looked so cute.

"When you fell, you sprained both your ankle and your knee." Father informed her. "I've already arranged with Peter for us to take you to his office later today after his last patient for an x-ray and anything else he thinks you need. In the meantime, you should eat something and try to rest."

"Don't worry, Father. I'll look after her." Vincent assured him.

Father chuckled as he left. "I knew you would."