A/N: For those who read the previous chapter and found a repeat, I changed the chapter to the correct one.

Dawn broke over the horizon with colors that would cause envy in many artist hearts. Streaks of red and orange painted the darkened sky, like a fireball of ash rising from the depths of the Earth, as the sun began to make its way upwards and rising over a city that hardly slept as people bustled through the streets of New York.

Like every morning, Vincent woke before the crack of dawn, just as he was trained for years. He watched the sunrise with a smile on his face but it wasn't the show that nature provided that brightened up his morning or made his heart race and pounding against his chest. It was the woman who slept peacefully in his arms that made him smile until his cheeks began to hurt. He couldn't remember the last time he'd done that and he hoped that it wouldn't be the last.

Catherine began to stir as she mumbled before opening her eyes. She smiled at him as the memories from last night flashed through her mind. Never did she think that it would be possible to be as happy as she was or be able to find someone who made her smile the way he did. After being in a relationship for many years but only to get her heart broken and shattered, she closed herself off and built walls to protect her mending heart. She made her career her priority and never looked at men in the same way until the day she met Vincent. Since then everything in her life changed, but for the better. She smiled more often and began to let others in once more. Her friendship with her sister, albeit already close, they drifted apart after their mother past away, was once again on the right track. They made an effort to spend more time together though sometimes Catherine's job called her away in the middle of a meal or conversation but it was those simple moments that made her smile and reminded her why her sister was one of her best friend.

"Morning, beautiful," Vincent planted a soft kiss on her lips. "Hope you slept well," he smiled against her lips as he wrapped his arm around her waist and pulled her along the length of his half naked body save his jeans. After spending half the night over the covers he got too cold with only his hoodie to keep warm but it was too hot underneath her huge blanket. He removed his favorite hoodie but forgot to wear a shirt after rushing out the door in his haste to see her and forgot about it.

Catherine nodded, brushing her lips against his. "Good morning," she smiled as she realized that he was now underneath the blanket that he refused last night and was also lacking clothes. "I guess it got too cold for you or hot. Can't exactly tell with you being half naked and all," she giggled as her fingers softly brushed his scar.

"Well, you did offer. It got too cold earlier then it got too hot underneath this huge blanket of yours," he grinned before kissing her lips. "I hope you don't mind I borrowed your blanket.

"Not at all," Catherine replied as she slowly ran her fingers through his bare shoulders and down to his chest where she felt his heart racing heart against her palm. "I can get use to this."

"So can I," Vincent smiled. "It's your day off. What would you like to do?"

Catherine shrugged her shoulders. "I don't have any plans," she answered as she scribbled on his chest with her fingertip causing him to shiver.

"Let's stay in," he barely said above a whisper as he placed his hand over hers, stilling her movement. "We can finally have that breakfast you promised me," he gently grabbed her wrist and brought her hand up to his lips, softly kissing each fingertip. "And can you make that scrambled eggs with veggies, again?"

"Oh, okay," she managed to get out between being awestruck by his affectionate gesture and happy that she found someone who made her heart race.

"We have the whole day. What else would you like to do?"

"Since you're asking, there's a couple of movies I was suppose to watch with Heather but duty called and," she was immediately cut off by his lips on hers.

"Just no chick flicks, okay?"

"Uhm," Catherine bit her bottom lip as she gazed into his eyes. "Just one, please."

"Hmm," he narrowed his eyes, squinting at her as if in thought. "You can pick the movies but I get to pick the take out. We can make a day out of it. What do you say?"

Catherine couldn't help but smile. "Vincent Keller, are you asking me out on a date?"

"Only if you say yes."

"Yes, I would love to spend the day with you," Catherine answered and softly kissed his lips. "Waking up next to you isn't half bad," she teased.

"Not half bad?" he replied with a grin and a gleam in his eyes.

"Oh no, Vincent. Don't you dare!"

"I didn't do anything," he smiled coyly. "Yet," he finished and crushed their lips together, kissing her. "I beg to differ but then again, I don't mind proving it to you," there was a hint of lust in his voice as he stared into her eyes. Since their first kiss all he ever thought about was her and the moment they would finally be together. He no longer had to hope for that one day or wonder if she felt the same way about him.

Catherine drew him out of his thoughts as she placed a kiss on his lips. "You have nothing to prove. I already know how I feel about you, Vincent."

Not being able to keep his emotions at bay, he kissed her once more. It was all he ever wanted to hear from her since they first met. All of him wanted every part of her, especially her heart. He wanted what his great ancestor had, love that overcame so much and withstood so many obstacles. Somehow, deep down he just knew that it was with Catherine.

"I feel the same way," he panted, their lips just a hairbreadth away.

Her lips were soft against his as he rolled them over on the bed and pinned her underneath him. His urgency was not to be missed when he licked the seam of her lips as his legs made their way between hers and closed the gap between their bodies.

Arching her back, she caught his hips as he thrust slowly and rubbing the denim of his jeans against her. She felt every movement and his hard bulge through the thin fabric of her pajamas bottoms. Moving with him, neither could deny what their bodies craved. It was on the tip of their tongues as they tasted the sweet moans of their action.

Vincent lowered his head and kissed the soft skin of her neck. Pausing above her collar bone and suckled on her soft skin as his nimble fingers made quick work of the buttons on her pajama top.

Catherine slowly raised her hand up his back, her soft fingertips feeling the strain of his muscles as he tried not to react but gone was the little control he had left and the voice that told him to take it slow. He continued to thrust his hips, grinding the edge of his belt buckle against her sensitive spot, over and over.

Her moans soon became loud, pleading for a release her body had long forgotten. "Vincent," she moaned as her nails left their mark down his back.

Vincent kissed her lips, capturing the unspoken words as their bodies molded perfectly together. Heartbeat to heartbeat. Lips on lips. Hungry hands on heated skin.

His darkened eyes gazed into hers as his movements stopped and her body came back down from the euphoria. He lightly kissed her lips and smiled. "I'll be here when you're ready."

Catherine nodded as she reached for her buttons and made herself decent. "I'm sorry, Vincent."

"Don't worry. Nothing a cold shower can't fix," Vincent smiled and kissed her lips. "I'll be back," he lifted himself up and knelt between her legs.

Catherine sat up and grabbed his arm. "Use my bathroom. Right there," she pointed to a door actors the room, behind him. "In case Heather is here."

Vincent smiled as Catherine blushed at the thought of her sister hearing everything that just went on. They were more like two horny teenagers in lust instead of two sexually experienced adults.

"At least she didn't walk in on us this time," he joked, trying to make light of things but instead her cheeks turned crimson and a look of embarrassment washed over her.

Catherine covered her blushing cheeks with her hands. "Oh god," she mumbled. "I'm a horrible sister."

"Hey. No. No," Vincent stammered as he tried to fix his mistake. He immediately leaned over and wrapped her up into his arms, hopefully comforting her. "I'm sorry," he whispered in her ear. "I'm the one who keeps getting caught up but can you blame me when I have someone like you?"

Catherine slowly peeked her head out from his chest. Her cheeks were still pink from blushing.

"You're just too damn cute," Vincent smiled. "From now on I'll keep my hands to myself or at least try," he kissed her lips before hopping off the bed.

BATB

After Catherine was left alone in her bedroom, she found herself lost in her own thought. A part of her that wanted to move on from her heart breaking past was frightened of that unknown future with a man, who was slowly making his way into her mending heart but she wasn't sure if she was ready to let him in.

"Hey," Vincent peeked his head out of the small opening of the bathroom door, breaking her thoughts and hopefully any doubts she had about them but he was too happy to notice the pensive look on her face. "Can you call JT and have him drop off my go bag. I need my toothbrush and sweats. I don't want to wear jeans all day if we're staying in."

Catherine nodded in respondents. "Sure," she added and smiled at his unruly hair that was sticking out all over the place.

"Thanks. You're the best," he smiled in return before closing the door.

BATB

Catherine busied herself in the kitchen while Vincent took care of his own needs in her bathroom but that wasn't the reason she was suddenly having second thoughts about them and their future. She tried shaking the feeling of doubt as she chopped the vegetables for the scrambled eggs but fear was slowly creeping into her wounded heart. "What if he breaks my heart, too?" she heard herself say while cutting the onions and tears began to well in her eyes. "Stupid onions," she mumbled as she picked up the diced onions with her knife and placed it on the plate with the rest of the vegetables.

"Is there anything I can help you out with?" Vincent whispered in her ear as he wrapped his arms around her waist from behind her causing her to jump back towards him. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to scare you," he held her closer as he kissed her cheek.

"I didn't hear you," Catherine put the knife down on the counter and turned her head to look at him. "I'm almost done here."

"You should have waited for me."

"Didn't know how long you were going to be."

"That's what she said," he smirked at her.

"Oh god, not you, too," Catherine shook her head as she turned in his arms and blushed at his clothing of choice or lack thereof, just one of her towels in the bathroom wrapped around his waist.

"Couldn't help myself," he smiled before leaning down and kissing her lips. "Especially not after the morning we had. Took me back to my teenage years. Not that I mind," he kissed her again. "Are you okay?"

Catherine couldn't help but blush. She nodded and bit her bottom lip as if in thought. "I just want to wait a little while. I hope you understand," she looked at him as if unsure.

"I know the wait will be worth it," he softly kissed her lips. "I'm just happy you gave me a chance. I don't want to take that for granted. So if you want to take things slow, we'll take it slow. I just want you to be happy, Catherine."

"I am happy and also very distracted. I have to get cooking. JT, will be here soon," she replied as she placed her hands on his chest, hoping to put some distance between them but he didn't budge on inch.

"What did he say?"

"It's more like what he didn't say. When I told him you were asking if he could bring your bag, first he scoffed then hissed and what sounded like a huff. Finally answered and said he was already running late but he'll pass by. He sounded stressed. So as a thank you, I told him that I'll have breakfast and coffee for him when he gets here."

"You didn't have to do that," his smile grew wider as he thought about how lucky he was. He couldn't help but fall for her more and more. She was too perfect for words. "I'll talk to him when he gets here."

"There's no need. He apologized for being rude. And was very thankful. Said it was the only thing going right for him this morning. So, you, mister, have to get out of my kitchen," she said, playfully as she poked him on his chest."

"You sure you don't want my help? It's your day off. You're the one who's suppose to be relaxing."

"This might sound odd but I find cooking to be relaxing. It helps me de-stress especially after my last case," Catherine replied as she absentmindedly drew on his chest with her fingertips.

"I'm here for you, Catherine. Whatever you need, just let me know."

"Right now, all I need you to do is leave my kitchen and wear some clothes."

Vincent smirked and kissed her lips. "Take one last long look, hun, because I'm saving myself for someone special," he said before leaving her to stare at him as he slowly sashayed out of the kitchen. "Enjoy the view, baby. It'll be a long while 'til you get to see these goods again," he sang as he turned into the hallway and disappeared from her view.

BATB

After changing back to his clothes, Vincent noticed the unkempt bedroom. Her bed was unmade, clothes strewn on the floor beside the door to the bathroom and piles of papers and books completed the messy room. He didn't give it a second thought or wondered why her room was messy. It was like he was on autopilot as he made his way around the room. When he was done with her bed, it looked as if it was never slept in. The pillows were in stacks of two, side by side. The blanket was straightened, no creases or dents of his large hands, and tucked securely in the corner on the foot of the bed. He neatly separated the piles of folders and papers and placed it on her bedside drawer underneath the lampshade. Her books went back on the bookshelf next to the drawer. By the time he reached the mess of clothes on the floor there was a knock on the door.

"Vincent, breakfast is ready."

He abandoned the heap of clothing and opened the door, oddly enough, to her own bedroom. The smile on his face came effortlessly as he saw Catherine in a way he never had. Her hair was in a messy bun with a few fallen strands in front and even without makeup she still managed to take his breath away. "Beautiful," he whispered as he tucked her hair loosely behind her ears.

Her freckles stood out on her blushing cheeks as Catherine bit her bottom lip. "Thanks."

His eyes sought hers as he leaned down and kissed her lips. He gently placed his forehead on hers. "How did I get so lucky?"

"You got shot," she joked. "By my suspect, no less."

Vincent chuckled as he wrapped his arm around her waist. "Here I am trying to be romantic and sweep you off your feet and you make a joke of it."

"Sorry," Catherine giggled as she tiptoed and wrapped her arms over his shoulders, around his neck. "I'm sorry. Please continue."

"Too late. Mood is over and I'm hungry," he smirked as he lifted her off the floor and carried her inside her bedroom.

"Vincent, put me down," Catherine tried wriggling out but stopped as she noticed how tidy her room was. "Vincent," she said more softly. "Did you do this?"

Vincent put her back down and turned to look at what she was looking at, a decent looking room save the clothes on the floor. "I was almost done when you knocked."

Catherine stared at him in awe and thankful, she kissed him on the lips. "You are going to make a great housemaid someday."

"Not exactly the 'H' word a guy wants to be called but I'll take it," he leaned down and kissed her lips. "I'll be your housemaid for as long as you'll have me."

"So is that how I'm suppose to introduce you, as my housemaid?"

"I prefer boyfriend but you can call me anything you want," he smirked at her.

Catherine rolled her eyes. "Boys will be boys."

"I'm all man, baby," he winked and kissed her lips before running off to the kitchen.

"You just proved my point," she shook her head as she followed his lead. "And by the way, JT called," she said as she walked through the hallway and turned the corner to find him in front of the table.

"What did he say?" Vincent asked as he picked up a toast and bit it.

Catherine laughed at sight if him holding bacon in one hand and toast in the other. "He's stuck in traffic and asked if you can just grab your bag from him downstairs. He'll call again when he's close by. Since he can't stay, his food is in the container and there's coffee, too. Please bring it with you when you go downstairs."

Vincent stopped mid chew and smiled at her. He gave her a thumbs up as he finished chewing his food. "Thanks hun. You're the best."

BATB

Breakfast was more tame after the morning they had. They sat next to each other in her small kitchen as Catherine read the newspaper, she asked Vincent to buy when he went downstairs to make a trade with JT, who was running very late but was thankful for the breakfast and coffee. It wasn't usually like him to not wake up on time but he had a late night with colleagues celebrating one of their birthday. They spoke for a few seconds before healing off to different directions.

Vincent wasn't much into reading but he grabbed the comic section and glanced at between bites. It wasn't the comics that distracted from his food and his love for it, especially her cooking but he kept stealing glances of her as she read the newspaper and still managed to look beautiful without makeup on and in that mess of a bun as strands of her touched her neck. He preferred her that way, simple yet beautiful and so effortlessly.

He leaned over to her side and kissed the dimples on her cheek as she mused over the story she just read, which was about their case and the suspect that had New York city in fear but it was all over now thanks to her and her partner, Detective Vargas. "Everything okay?"

Catherine quickly glanced at him but placed her attention back to the newspaper. "Just reading about my case. Thankfully, it's over."

"Thanks to you and your partner."

"Yea," Catherine replied as she stared at the article she just finished reading. "Wish we could have caught him sooner and save more lives."

"You did all you could," Vincent reached for her hand that was holding on tightly to the newspaper and slowly pried it away. He put the paper down on the table and took her hand in his as he entwined their fingers. "You did everything you possibly could. I know it's difficult to think of the countless lives you saved but you did. By capturing him, you stopped him from killing many more. The families of the victims can sleep in peace knowing he's no longer out on the streets. You gave them that and they can finally mourn their lost," he raised her hand to his lips, softly kissing the back of her hand. "Don't let the bad guys win. Capture them and don't give them another thought. Trust me, I understand what you're going through. I know the pain of wishing you can do more but you'll only be hurting if you keep thinking that way. And I don't want you to be sad."

She squeezed his hand and laid her head on his shoulder. "Why can't they report on the victims instead of that waste of a space monster? It's just frustrating, that's all."

"I know," he whispered and kissed the side of her head. "We just have to keep doing our jobs and save the ones we can."

Catherine raised her head to look at him. "I guess you've seen some stuff, too."

"Nothing to worry you're pretty little head off," he leaned down and kissed her lips. "Don't worry about me."

"It goes both ways, Vincent."

"I'm right here. There's nothing to worry about. Besides, today is about you. If you're done with breakfast, I'll clean up here and you relax."

Catherine looked down at her plate, which still held a few bites of eggs and toast. "I lost my appetite after that article."

"Hate to waste food," he said as he reached for her plate and slid the food down to his. "You're a helluva chef," Vincent smiled. "Now go and relax."

"Are you sure?"

"You've already done plenty today. Do something for yourself, sweetheart."

Catherine paused as she thought about it. There was something she hadn't done in so long. "A nice warm bath," she smiled.

"Wish I could join you," Vincent smirked. "I'm kidding, only half kidding," he kissed her lips. "I'll be here if you need anything. Anything at all, just let me know."

"I have everything I need and want," Catherine's face turned hot and pink as she blushed at her confession.

His eyes gleamed and smile grew wider. "I have everything I need and want, too."