A/N: I have no excuse for not updating other than just not wanting to write. Also haven't finished watching the show. Still have a few episodes in Season 3 & 4 to watch.

After eating a hearty dinner, Vincent and JT cleared the table and washed the dishes without being asked, or nagged in their case. As teenagers they hated chores and was needed to be told multiple times before they finally got off their butts and finally went to task. Now as adults they were more reliant and hardly complained about chores.

When finished they made their way to the living room and sat on the couch for a much needed rest. The couch was old, worn and beat up but they still loved the thing since it held an abundance of memories from their childhood. After long day of work, JT teaching college students and Vincent helping out at the flower shop, they both needed to enjoy the last couple of hours of the night.

"You've been spending a lot of time with her," JT said as he reached for the remote on the coffee table in front of them and turned on the television.

"Yea," Vincent answered absentmindedly as he checked his phone for any missed calls or text but there was none.

"Have you told her?"

"About?" Vincent turned his best friend with a confused look on his face.

"Vincent, she's not me or Ma. She's not use to you being constantly away."

"Oh. That. No. It completely slipped my mind," Vincent ran his large hands through his short hair. "I suppose I should."

"You have to tell her Vincent. No if's, and's or but's."

"It just never occurred to me. I'm so use to you and Ma being okay with it that I kinda figured she would be too."

"You obviously don't understand women."

"Well if you're so smart, tell me oh great one," Vincent mocked and teased.

"Do what I do and read it on the internet," JT answered with confidence and smiled as if he knew everything there was to know about women.

"Internet? JT are you serious?" Vincent tried to suppress his laughter but couldn't help it.

"Well see who's right once you tell her about you deploying. When are you leaving?"

"In a couple of weeks," Vincent answered.

"And you haven't told her yet?"

Vincent shook his head no as he looked down at his phone that he held tightly in his hand. "I'll tell her tonight."

"Good luck with that."

Without wasting anymore time, Vincent dialed her number and silently wished for the best. After the first ring, there was an answer on the other line.

"Hello," she answered.

"Hey Catherine. Are you busy?"

"Just having dinner with Heather at the apartment."

"Is it okay if I pass by tonight?"

"Yes, of course. Is everything okay?"

"Yea," he looked away from a smirking JT. "I'll see you in a bit. Bye."

"Bye."

Vincent ended the call and quietly walked to the bedroom to compose himself. This was something he never expected to do, leave someone behind besides the only family he ever knew and cared for but Catherine was different, she meant more to him than he could admit. He sighed and ran his fingers through his hair as he thought about her reaction but quickly shook it out of his mind. He quickly changed his clothes and put his jacket on before heading back into the living room.

"You might want to bring her some flowers," JT advised.

"I will. Thanks," Vincent replied as he made his way to the front door and contemplated on how he was going to tell her about his deployment.

BATB

Vincent held on tightly to the bouquet of flowers he bought along the way and nervously raised his right hand to knock on her front door. After a few seconds he heard footsteps from the other side and the door opened. He was greeted with a smiled and he smiled back. "Hi Heather."

"Hi Vincent, come in," she replied as she opened the door wider.

There was a slight hesitant as he looked around the apartment and didn't see who he wanted to see the most.

"Hey Vincent," Catherine called out from the kitchen which was out his view from outside the apartment.

He walked inside the apartment and saw Catherine in front if the kitchen sink washing dishes. Heather closed the door behind him and decided to stick around which he didn't like but didn't day anything.

"Did you eat yet?" Catherine asked as she washed the dishes but took a second or two to look at him.

"I had dinner before I came here. And these are for you," Vincent raised the bouquet of flowers to give her a better view. "Can we talk in private?"

"I know when I'm not wanted," Heather answered. "By the way Vincent, next time. A little lower," she pointed at her neck and smirked, giving him the I know what you two did last night.

Catherine quickly shut off the water and turned around. "Heather!" she squealed as she her cheeks turned a bright pink.

Confused, Vincent stared at Catherine then Heather and back and Catherine, who quickly covered one side of her neck. "Oh," he whispered to himself as he realized what they were talking about.

"I'm going. I know when I'm not wanted," Heather replied and walked away from them and disappeared into the hallway leading the the bedrooms.

"Catherine," he started but was quickly cut off by her as she raised her hand up to stop him from continuing.

"Heather your door," Catherine yelled.

"You two need to lighten up," Heather replied before shutting her bedroom door.

"Can we talk in your room?"

Her eyebrows furrowed as she stared at him tightly holding on to the bouquet of flowers. "Is everything okay?"

Vincent nodded in answer fearing that his voice would give him away. He held the flowers up and extended his arm towards her.

"Thanks, Vincent. Let me just put them in a vase then I'm all yours."

BATB

Vincent slowly made his way into her room as he dreaded telling her the news about his deployment. The last thing he wanted to do was leave New York and her behind. There were a few married men in his unit and he knew their stories about how difficult it was to leave their families and loved ones back home. He never thought about it until now and a part of him ached, deep in his chest.

Her room was well lit by the moon and from the bright lights from the neighboring building. He walked inside the room but left the lights off and looked at it as if was the last time. There were so much memories in so little time they spent together and he wanted remember every minute of it. He smiled to himself as he walked pass her bed. They also made some good memories on there.

The sky was clear and the moon full as he stared out the window. He realized just how peaceful the view was and how much he would miss it. Lost in his thoughts, he didn't hear her approach and feel her presence until she felt the warmth of her lips and her soft kiss on the back of his neck, causing goosebumps to form all over his body.

"Is everything okay?" she whispered.

Vincent nodded again in answer as he turned around to look at her. She was as beautiful as ever. Overwhelmed with emotions, he cupped her face and kissed her lips. It was passionate yet soft and gentle as their tongues touched and tasted.

How could he leave her? The thought quickly made its way into his mind and reminding him why he was there.

Vincent paused and gently placed her forehead on his as he stared into her bright green eyes. He wrapped his strong arms around her petite body and held her close. It was this moment he was going to miss the most, just being able to be with her.

"Vincent?"

"Don't be mad at me," he whispered against her lips.

"Why would I be mad at you?"

Vincent opened his mouth but couldn't get the words out. There was so much that they hadn't done yet and he didn't want to leave her but it was out of his hands.

"Vincent, what's going on?" There was a slight tremble in her voice.

"I don't want to but I have to," he shook his head. "Believe me that I don't want to," he stopped himself from continuing and crushed his lips against hers.

Catherine pressed her palms against his chest and slowly pulled away from the kiss. "Do what?"

Vincent sighed. "I'm leaving in two weeks. My unit is deploying."

"Wh...what?" she stammered between heartbeat. "How long?"

"Our mission can take months. This one could take up to four months. It always varies."

"Four months? You'll be gone for four months?" she couldn't help the sadness in her voice and the tears that was burning in her eyes. "Where are you going?"

"Classified."

"Oh," she looked away and stared out into the night.

"I hope you know that this is the last thing I want to do."

Catherine turned her attention to him and noticed the sadness in his brown eyes. "Will you be able to call?"

Vincent tightened his arms around her. "No phone calls or letters. No one can know where we are at anytime."

Catherine let the tears roll down her cheeks. Just when she thought she found someone she could trust and let into her heart but she should have known better. Vincent was just too good to be true. "I understand."

"I'm sorry, Catherine."

"How long have you known?"

"Before I came here to New York. They told us before they sent us back home that we could be sent back as soon as they get more intel. I didn't know where this thing with us was going and then it just slipped my mind. I've never done this before."

"Four months is a long time Vincent."

"I know but it can also be shorter than that. Sometimes we finish our mission within weeks," he looked at her, pleading, please wait for me but the words never made it out. "What now?" His eyes searched hers for an answer.

"I don't know," she shrugged her shoulders, more in disbelief of their situation than being unsure of what they should do.

"Do you want me to leave?"

"I don't know," Catherine shrugged her shoulders again as she tried to comprehend the situation they were in. She wanted more but their time together was being cut short.

"We still have two weeks," Vincent tried to plead with her again.

"And then what? You're leaving. I'll be here while you'll be somewhere out in the world. We won't be together. We can't see each other or talk. That's not a relationship, Vincent." When she thought things were great, the world had to remind her of one simple rule, what comes up must go down. Catherine pushed him away and wiped her tears. "I need to be alone."

Vincent tried reaching out to her but she quickly backed away from his reach. "I never meant to hurt you," he said before walking away, leaving the one person he truly cared about.

A/N: Also, currently drunk.