New Year's had come and gone, bringing a fresh snowfall over Kalispell Montana. Between the lights decorating the stores and lamp posts and the fresh snowfall, the town glistened like the stars. The town was located in the north western part of Montana, just under one hundred miles from the Canadian border. It was well secluded from the rest of the state, with only the highway in or out of the city. But it was slim travel during the winter season. It was what had attracted Vincent to the town years ago. The people were charming, friendly, and respected privacy.

Snow crunched under his boots as he walked the open streets. His cost was pulled close to his body, a warm scarf wrapped around his neck, and his hat was covered in snow. He hurried into the general store and dusted the snow from his body.

The elderly keeper came out from the back. "Morning Johnny!"

Vincent looked up and smiled. "Morning Mr. Hail. How's the hand treating?"

Mr. Hail lifted his bandages left hand. Vincent had sutured the man's hand just a few nights ago when he'd cut his palm preparing for a party. The limited Hospital staff was already swarmed for the evening, so Hail had called Vincent for help. "Still here. You sure I can't pay you for your troubles. I did drag you from your family on New Year's Eve."

Vincent shook his head. "It's no problem Mr. Hail."

"Okay then, son." He said. "You know we've missed you around here this past year. Thought you'd be coming back in the summer, but you didn't show."

"Yeah…my uh…plans fell through." Vincent explained. He walked toward the counter.

Mr. Hail chuckled. "I know the feeling. You see Jennifer yet?"

Vincent shook his head. "Nah, not yet. How's she doing?"

"Perfect. Little Megan's almost two now." Hail explained.

"Already?" Vincent asked. Jennifer had been a young mother who's crashed her car on the way to the hospital. She'd gone into labor in her car when Vincent found her. To complicate it more, her baby had been breached. Both the mother and the baby managed to hold on until the paramedics arrived for them.

"It's amazing how fast they grow up." Hail said.

"No kidding, my son turns five soon."

"You gonna bring him by soon? My wife and I have been dying to meet your boy. Your wife too." Hail continued.

"My uh… my wife and I are still working some things out." He explained.

"She didn't come with you?"

"No she did, she'd just…rather stay up in the cabin until things work out." Vincent explained.

Hail nodded. "Ah. Understandable. Oh! A package came in for you today."

Vincent frowned. "Really?"

"Yep. Now, where did I put it?" he asked himself. "Oh yeah!" He walked into the back and returned with a small box. He set it on the desk. "Yes, it came in two days ago, from New York."

Vincent looked at the address and smiled. "Thanks Mr. Hail."

"You go on and do your shopping; I'll keep it here till you're ready."

Vincent chuckled. "Whatever you say Mr. Hail." He walked from the counter and grabbed a basket. He walked down the aisles slowly, inspecting the shelves.

"It's been three days since the story of Vincent Keller aired in New York City, and already the story has gripped the entire nation."

Vincent's head shot up. Mr. Hail was leaning against the desk watching the television. His enlistment photo was on the screen beside the newcaster.

"DNA mutation turned young soldier's into elite killing monsters. The sole survivor known to the nation is one, Vincent Keller. A native New Yorker, Vincent was a medical Intern when the North and South Towers fell on 9-11. Keller then enlisted in the Army and was chosen for a Special Opts squadron. However none of the thirteen soldiers expected what was to come as Vincent Keller explains in this video diary…

"'They created the serum to help end the war and save lives, but they were pushed into the corner by the Army. They tested the serum on us and at first, everything seemed fine. Then slowly we became show unexpected side effects. Blackouts, amnesia, fugue states. Whenever our adrenaline kicked in, we would lose control and…become these monsters, unable to stop ourselves. We became the real threat'

"The serum mentioned was created by a team of doctors employed by Muirfield, a New York based research facility. The project was headed up by Doctor Vanessa Chandler, who was killed outside the bar her oldest daughter worked at back in two thousand three, another causality of the failed project…

"'Under the order of Colonel Johnson, the project was shut down and everyone was deemed a liability; doctors and soldiers. The soldier's I'd trained with, my friends, they were all killed before Doctor Chandler could fix the side effects. Doctor Chandler was killed by two Muirfield agents in front of her daughter, in the states in two thousand and three, not long after returning from Afghanistan. As far as I know, I'm the only survivor…

"The information pertaining to the project and its personnel was delivered via virus to millions of computers In New York alone, by none other than Muirfield itself. Already lawsuits are forming against the agency responsible by the families of the victims. Heading up this heated lawsuit is the husband of Doctor Vanessa Chandler and retired attorney; Thomas Chandler. When interview for his hopes of the lawsuits outcome, Chandler had this to say…

"For fifteen years these families have been living under the impression their loved ones died in war. Now they learn that their loved ones were killed because the military was too impatient for their own good. Every family that suffered through those hard years believing the lies deserves to finally have the closure they were denied years ago. After fifteen years, my wife will finally be at peace, knowing that what happened is told to the world. And my daughter Catherine will have put her mother's killers away.

"Catherine Chandler, now a highly decorated NYPD Detective, witnessed her mother's murder fifteen years ago. During her statement Catherine described what she called 'a beast' that saved her from the killers. Police and investigators believed it was merely Post Traumatic Stress, however many believe that her rescuer was none other than Vincent Keller. The whereabouts of Detective Chandler and her four year old son Jamie are unknown to the police and to her family. The two went missing on December twenty-sixth after police found their apartment trashed and Catherine assaulted. Catherine disappeared from the hospital later that day. However there is DNA placing Chandler inside the Muirfield Headquarters that same day in which two workers were killed and a third, Colonel Johnson wounded. However, there is no evidence that directly links Chandler to the crime itself. Johnson is being held for questioning but Police are asking that if anyone has seen or knows where the Chandlers are, to call the tip hotline. The family and friends hope and pray that with at the conclusion of the lawsuit, Catherine and her son will come out of hiding.

"However whether Vincent Keller will be met with the same acceptance is unclear. Many believe because of the serum he is too dangerous, other believe he deserves a second change. Groups supporting Keller have expanded nationwide since the story first aired. Many show their support and offer their help to Keller, but no words or voice, is stronger than Catherine Chandler's…

Vincent swallowed as Catherine's face appeared on the television. She was sitting up, in pain. Her skin was pale and her hair stuck to her face. It was right after she'd woken up and before JT had told them.

"'No one asks for this to happen to them. No one on that team went into it thinking they would lose themselves to this drug created by Muirfield. Vincent didn't go into this knowing he'd spend the rest of his life living on the run. He didn't know he'd spend the next fifteen years pretending to be dead, missing his family from afar, and living in secret from Muirfield. Yes…people have died. And not one day goes by that he wishes he could take back. But he's not a monster. Monsters don't save people at the risk of themselves. I know. He saved me the night my mom died and he's saved me hundreds of times since them. He's saved hundreds of more people. There are dozens of cases of Vincent saving people in New York and by down dozens in each state. He doesn't deserve to be locked up in a cage for the rest of his life. He deserves to have a life. To go out in broad daylight and not watch his back, to walk his son to school, to work at a hospital and help more people. That is what Vincent deserves…'"

Mr. Hail nodded. "Amen.

Vincent looked to Hail.

Hail held Vincent's gaze steady. "The nerve of some people. Exploiting others for their own gain."

Vincent hesitantly walked to the front desk and set down the basket. "Yeah."

Hail quickly rang up Vincent and bagged the groceries. "Take care, Johnny." He winked.

Vincent smiled as he gathered his things. "You too, Mr. Hail."

"Tell your wife and son I said 'hello'."

Vincent nodded. "Will do." He stepped outside into the cold air, feeling better than he had in…a long while. He tightened the coat around his body and hurried through the snow. He walked down the street to the parked SUV. He unlocked the car and set his things inside. Vincent climbed into the front and started the engine. He pulled away from the street and headed out of town.

When he was on the run from Muirfield, Vincent had stumbled across the small town. While he debated heading to Canada, Vincent had dropped into Mr. Hail's store for supplies. The man seemed to have a sixth sense that Vincent was in trouble and helped him out. Mr. Hail had allowed him to live in an old cabin on a piece of property he own outside of town whenever he needed it. Vincent had expected Mr. Hail to tell the authorities when Muirfield passed through, but he didn't, even after Vincent had given him a fake name. Vincent managed to stay for a few weeks before he set out again. Mr. Hail had allowed Vincent to keep the keys and allow him to return if the need ever arose. Vincent never thought he'd need it again.

The cabin-if it could be called that-was three levels, as it was settled on a hillside. The walls were layered with wood panels. In the back of the house, facing the hillside, the walls were lined with massive windows. A sturdy porch stretched from the front of the house all around to the back. The outside of the chimney was layered with wood panels, but the inside was beautiful red bricks and grey stones on the inside. He pulled along the dirt road to the front door. Jamie was standing on the porch railing, trying to climb one of the posts.

Vincent shut off the engine and climbed out of the car. "Jamie, climb the trees not the house."

"Okay!" Jamie leaped off the railing and grabbed ahold of a low tree branch. He started pulling himself up onto the branch.

Vincent smirked and shook his head. He pulled out the bags and package from the car. He walked toward the porch, crunching snow as he went.

"What's in the box, daddy?" Jamie called.

"Not sure." He answered. "Want to find out?"

Jamie dropped to the ground and followed him inside the house. The inside was massive. The air was filled with the smell of old oak. They walked into the kitchen. The cabinets and bar were built into the walls. Vincent set the bags and box onto the bar. He pulled the letter from the top and ripped it open. Jamie climbed up onto one of the stools and leaned over the counter.

"Who sent it?" Jamie asked.

"JT." Vincent set the letter down on the counter and sliced through the tape. He opened the lid and pushed it closer toward Jamie. "He sent us some things from home."

Jamie pushed aside the flaps and looked inside. "Boo!" He pulled out his old blue bear and gave it a big hug.

Vincent continued to read the letter. "Where's your mommy?"

Jamie grew quiet.

Vincent noticed and stopped reading. He turned his head toward his son. "Jamie?"

Jamie shrunk behind his bear. "She's in basement."

Vincent sighed and folded up the letter. "Why am I not surprised?"

"I told her not to go down there." Jamie said. "Is mommy in trouble?"

Vincent ruffled his son's hair and kissed his forehead. "Big trouble. I'll be back, do some schoolwork."

Jamie sighed as Vincent left the room. JT had sent them workbooks for Jamie a few weeks back, just in case he wasn't able to enroll in public school when the time came. As it was, Jamie was cruising through material above him.

Vincent walked down the stairs to the basement. The door was propped open as it usually was. Vincent could hear Catherine's accelerated heartbeat and breathing. He entered the basement and found her by the punching bag. She wore a dark blue sports bra beneath her black tank top that read 'Beastmode'. Another one of JT's ideas of a joke. Her black pants touched the floor as she stood barefoot in front of the bag. Her arms were brought up to her chest as she bounced from foot to foot. She jabbed the bag, kicking it on occasion. His tags clattered together with each motion.

"Now I know how JT felt." He called. "I'm getting an ulcer being your doctor."

Cat jumped and spun around. The tail of her pony swung around her face. "Vincent. Damn I thought I'd hear you coming."

Vincent walked into the basement. "What are you doing down here?"

Cat shrugged. "Working out?"

"After I told you not to." Vincent added.

"Okay." Catherine held up her right arm. "Look, I'm fine. You removed the stitches yourself, Vincent."

"I wasn't talking about your arm."

Cat pulled off her shirt. There was a line of red skin just below her bra. "I repeat, I'm fine. Completely heal."

"JT sent us a package today." He stated.

Catherine paused, stunned by Vincent's words. She nervously shifted her footing. "And?"

Vincent held out the letter toward her. "And he's run every test he can think of. So far…he doesn't think we should worry about you changing. Looks like you lucked out with accelerated healing. And we all know how badly you need it."

"Funny." Cat said, reading over the letter. "Kind of relieving though."

Vincent nodded. "No kidding."

"What did he say about you?"

"Still mutated by it looks like whatever was in the serum…managed to give me more control." He explained.

"That's great."

"Especially after what I heard in town today."

Cat looked up. "What did you hear?"

"Your dad's taking on Muirfield in a lawsuit to bring you and Jamie home." He smirked.

Cat's brows rose. "He's what?"

"Well you did say he was the most stubborn attorney in New York." Vincent said. "Guess that stubborn streak runs in the family."

"When did you hear this?" she asked.

"In Hail's store." He answered.

Cat pulled her shirt back over her head. "What's it look like over there?"

"The store or the case?" Vincent smirked.

Cat couldn't help but smirk back. "You know what I mean."

Vincent sighed. "Too early to tell. But a lot of people are hoping you come back."

"Not without you. That was the deal." She reminded.

"A bad one."

"Doesn't matter." Cat stated. She stepped closer to her. "You're not running alone anymore."

Despite the seriousness of their conversation and situation, Vincent smirked. "What'd I say? Stubbornness runs in the family."

"So does surviving." Cat replied. She walked past him, kissing his cheek as she went. She jogged up the stairs to the ground floor.

Vincent sighed and followed her up the stairs. "Cat you've got more of your life back in New York."

"And the most important part is here." Cat stated.

Jamie came running down the hall carrying Boo in his arms. Their conversation halted there, as it usually did. That didn't stop the boy from overhearing their conversations from across the house, but it at least gave them some comfort knowing the rest of the conversation would most likely take place after he was in bed.

"Mommy we're on the TV!" he cried. He grabbed Cat's hand and started leading her toward the living room.

"What?" she asked.

Vincent lifted his eyebrows unsurprised and followed them down the hall. Jamie pulled Catherine onto the couch. Vincent walked to the bar and leaned against the counter. The same broadcast he'd seen in town was replying. Instead of watching the broadcast, Vincent watched Catherine. He could hear her heartbeat increase a fraction. He pushed himself off the counter and walked out through the back door onto the porch.

The cold breeze caused him to tighten his coat. He walked around the porch and sat down on the railing near the car. He stared out at the snow covered mountain region. The trees were dusted in a heavy blanket of snow. The sky was thick with clouds, bringing more snowfall. The chilly air was silent, a complete contrast to the constant noise in New York. All his life he begged for a moment's peace without worrying about Muirfield. For a moment like this; living in silence and tranquility. But no matter how hard he tried, no matter how many people knew about him, he would never be completely free. He could never walk in the open back in New York. He would never be trusted to work in a hospital or doctor's office. There would always be someone watching him, doing everything to insure he never received his freedom. But here…far from the city and regulations, Vincent was nearly free. If this ever ended…he wasn't sure if he'd actually go back permanently. However Cat and Jamie would pay the price for his choice…again.

Vincent heard her silent approach. "Even if Muirfield loses the lawsuit it doesn't mean I'm free. Someone's always going to be watching me no matter where I go."

"Anywhere…except here." Cat replied. She walked up behind him and wrapped her arm around his neck.

Vincent grabbed her hand beneath his neck. "I can't ask you to do that Catherine."

"When have you ever asked me?" she replied.

Vincent turned to her. With his free hand, he reached up and ran his fingers down her jaw. "Have I told you that I love you?"

"No." Cat smiled. "But it's always been implied."

Vincent gently pulled Catherine toward him. He brushed her lips before kissing her. His hand reached behind her neck, pulling her close. Vincent wasn't afraid of Muirfield anymore. He wasn't afraid of what he was. For the first time in fifteen years…Vincent Keller was completely happy.

"I love you, Catherine."

...i think my heart stopped...i...i finished it...so many weeks...and...it's over...*headdesk* now what do i do?

Oh! you guys have been the greatest readers ever! you're support was is so appreciated! i hope the ending didn't disappoint. I'm terrible at endings. Until next time dear readers!