Reversed

Yeah, I know. It has been ages. I know that you guys liked the fact that I was uploading very quickly in the beginning but things will be different from now on.

University is killing me and I have to focus all my attention on my future. I wrote this chapter over quite a period of time because I had barely time to write more than a few sentences a time.

Please be patient. I hope that you understand that school is more important and continue supporting me even if you have to wait longer. I will try to upload once a week, but I can't promise anything. Probably, it will take longer. If you don't hear from me in a while, don't worry. I don't intend to abandon my stories. Sooner or later I will finish them.

Chapter 11 - Problems

Catherine's point of view

The moment he closed the door behind him I sank on the couch. Wow. He kissed me. Wow.

My mind tried to process everything but it was somehow clouded. It was filled with his sent, the sensation of his lips on mine. Part of me cursed mentally for kissing him back. What was I thinking? I couldn't let this happen. It was against my own rules. I sighed in frustration when I realized that another part of me was angry that I pushed him away eventually. I could still feel his tongue caressing mine. My body lusted for more. Why had he to do this? It was difficult enough being attracted to him. Knowing that the attraction was reciprocated only made things worse. How should I stay away when I knew that he wanted me, too? How could I be rational? This kiss, even though short, was the best kiss of my life. There was a tension between us; like electricity. My body shivered from his mere touch. Every cell of me responded to his kiss. I sighed. Did my life really need to be more complicated? Was the hell I have been living for the last five years not enough?

'Pretty boy went home already?' JT pulled me away from my thoughts.

'Thought you were supposed to head out early tomorrow?' I said.

'Well, I couldn't sleep after those events and as I couldn't hear any talking, I figured that he left,' he explained.

'Just shoot, JT,' I knew he was dying to discuss the current issue.

'Well, we obviously have a problem. I don't trust Gabe. I don't think you should meet him, Cat,' JT expressed his feelings.

'I know how you feel about this whole situation, JT. I am not sure if I can trust him myself. At first I just planned to not show up and hope he will forget about it. I thought about moving to another place. Another thought crossed my mind though. What if this behavior just infuriates him? Maybe his intentions are good and if I ignore him it will be my loss. He is a beast after all. Beasts are not known for mild temper and logical responses. If I ignore him and he gets angry, he might sell me out. And as soon as they are positive that I am alive, the hunt will begin. No place will be safe,' I analyzed my trail of thought.

'You have got a point there,' he admitted,' but what if it is a trap?'

'Well, if he wanted to harm me, why not right away? Why play nice if he intends to work against me?'

'Minimal risk. If he fought you right away, there was a chance of you escaping and vanishing. If he succeeds in luring you into a meeting, they can prepare. They can make sure there is no way for you to escape.'

I sighed. He had a point. There was a risk either way. The question was, which one was the higher one and which one was I willing to pay?

'We will have to plan our next move carefully. I suppose he doesn't expect you to show up right away. We have a few days, maybe even weeks. I suggest that we do a little research as quietly as possible. Just to have a picture about what Gabe has been doing during the past five years, officially and in the shadows. We will have to be careful, though, not to draw any attention.'

'That sounds like a plan. Thank you JT. I don't know what I would do without you,' I hugged him.

'You can always count on me, Cat,' he promised while blushing. Then he seemed to remember something.

'When I came in you were kind of lost in your thoughts,' he started.

'Well, how could I not be with Gabe and all that stuff,' I pointed out, although Gabe didn't cross my mind once until JT showed up.

'Come one, Cat. You know, you can't fool me. You were thinking about Vincent, right?'

Dammit, he knew me too well.

'I knew it. Look, Cat, I don't know what happened while I was in my room and you obviously don't want to let me in right now. What I want to say is that we are running out of time now that Gabe knows. Vincent seems to be ok. If he wanted to sell you out, he would have done so already. His medical skills might be helpful. Two brains are better than one and if his assistance means, that we can cure you faster and avoid Gabe, than it is a risk I am willing to take if you want to take it as well.'

'Who are you and what have you done to my overprotective coward?' I teased. But regardless to my teasing I was very surprised. And it surprised me even more that JT's face remained serious.

'We are running out of options, Cat. And I'd rather have Vincent knowing about you than dealing with Gabe and his bosses. Besides, seriously, the guy is already head over heels for you, he won't betray you,' he laughed.

'Let me think about it, ok? I know we might not have much time any more, but I don't want to jeopardize anything right now. Let's just observe him for a little while longer and then decide,' I responded. I wanted to trust Vincent. But I wasn't in ease with endangering him. JT cared only about my safety right now. He only spoke about how Vincent seemed trustworthy. He never mentioned what effect it could have on Vincent if we asked him for help. Now that I was semi-exposed being involved could endanger him.

Tess's point of view

I was walking towards the address I was given by the anonymous caller. It wasn't the first time, I had to go out on the dark streets of New York at night to catch a lead. But that was the nice part of being a reporter. The trill, the rush of adrenalin while pursuing a big, even kind of dangerous story. I didn't care much about the money. Sure it was convenient, but it wasn't what kept me digging. Not even fame was the answer. It was my curiosity. My curiosity and the way I could still it with adventurous researches. There were reporters who just stood in front of cameras interviewing people. I wasn't one of them. This kind of occupation could never satisfy me. I had to investigate. I debated about being a cop after all. It was in my blood. The reason why I chose journalism was because I didn't want to have to work on a specific case. Now that I had built a name I could do whatever story pleased me.

Even for my standards, though, this meeting was kind of creepy. The caller claimed to have information about the woman I could swear I hit. He promised to give me a lead if I was willing to investigate for him. He didn't say his name. He just gave me this address. He insisted on meeting at night. As I saw now, the neighborhood wasn't exactly friendly. Where have you gotten yourself into, Vargas?

I finally reached my destination. It was an old, abandoned factory. Great. Skills in martial arts or not, it was plain stupid to go inside. I didn't know the guy, no one knew I was here and no one would hear me scream if I had to. Although every reasonable person would have turned away and left, I just couldn't. This woman had intrigued me too much. I had to find out more about her. And if this meant to go into a creepy building alone at night, then so shall it be.

With these thoughts I took a deep breath and entered the building.

JT and Cat have some decisions to make. The question is, if there is actually a way out of this mess. Catherine must also decide if she is willing to risk Vincent's life for her own sake.

Tess took some risk today. It might be a great mistake or a great chance for her career.

Stay tuned to find out.