Adam arrived in Portland only a few days after Vincent, the younger man following his quarry's trail like it was a red painted line leading all the way to the diner. Raising his head, Adam inhaled and sifted through the different scents of the night, his lip curling when he caught the rich and unmistakable aroma of sex, his infrared vision piercing the darkness and illuminating the two people in the apartment across the road from where he stood in the unlit room. The former inhabitant was stinking up his own bedroom, blood sprays decorating the walls while his viscera hung from the ceiling light. Adam didn't intend staying there much longer, the smell of death not unpleasant to him but a familiar and intoxicating perfume he never tired of. Eventually it would bring the flies, then someone to investigate, and that would bring the police then Muirfield. Before then he expected to have captured the fugitive, made use of his lover and snuffed the life out of their puling spawn. The image was so vivid in his mind his eyes glowed brightly, his hand rhythmical raking the wall beside him, scoring deep furrows in the plaster and wood. That the thought of the death and terror he planned for his intended victims aroused him didn't raise a flicker of a red flag for his conscience. That had been supressed and despatched, his first scent of Vincent back in Arco firing his desires to fever pitch and banishing any guilt or remorse to the furthest corner of his intellect. Adam was pure animal instinct running without a leash or restraint. If he saw it, he took it, if he wanted it, he had it. His path was littered with unfortunates that had excited one hunger or another, his lust or desire satisfied in whatever way suited his mood. There was no pity in his golden gaze, no hesitation in his slashing claws or rending teeth, he was all Beast with a thin veneer to lend him a normal aspect in daylight. At night all civility was abandoned and he prowled and hunted with frightening intensity.
He had achieved his primary goal of tracking down the second gen, now he had to find somewhere to bring the bait, a place suitable for the purpose of proving his superiority over those that had gone before. With this in mind he left the apartment, leaving the door open, and took the fire escape down to the back alley. Once there he prowled behind the row of shops and business, looking for a suitable place to carry out the next part of his plan.
Janet sank gratefully into one of the plush chairs in the apartment, kicking off her shoes and accepting the glass of a well earned Whiskey from Catherine. Vincent stood with Bella in his arms, the baby grizzling a little, fighting the wind that refused to come up. He gently patted her bottom and walked barefoot across the room, jostling the baby to help dislodge the bubble of wind causing the discomfort. He had a cloth over his shoulder that proved its worth when Bella brought up a mouthful of milk with the wind. Janet watched and smiled to see such a rough looking man be so tender and patient. Despite Catherine's protestations, Janet still harboured a fear that Vincent was as fearsome as his appearance, the wicked scar, long hair and bruiser physique were not at all what she'd expected Catherine's husband to be like. She had to give him credit though, since he'd arrived he had made himself useful, working on the truck out back in his spare time between fixing up bits and pieces around the diner including a new coat of paint on the walls of the men's and women's restrooms and even installing a security camera, a stipulation of her insurance company after the hold up.
"You know those two blockheads that robbed us the other week" Janet asked, ignoring the horrified expression on Catherine's face and her frantic hand waving.
"The diner was robbed?" Vincent asked, flicking a glance at Catherine. "What happened?"
"Well..." Janet started only to be interrupted by Catherine.
"Nothing, nothing at all." Catherine smiled up at him, the picture of innocence. "Want me to take Bella for a moment?"
"No, we're good. Janet?" Vincent looked over at the diner's owner. "What was this nothing?"
"Two punks decided they had a better right to our days takings and held up the diner at gunpoint." Janet told him, taking a perverse delight in Vincent's grim expression. "Gunpoint?"
Catherine tried to deflect Vincent's interest. "I thought we could take Bella to the park and see the ducks tomorrow..."
"Fine." Vincent replied. "So, Janet...about these two punks with guns?"
"So, as I was saying, these two assholes walk into my place and demand the takings. The younger one spots Catherine off to the side and decides to try his luck..."
Catherine propped her elbows on her knees and dropped her head into her hands, stifling a groan.
Janet smiled and warmed to her tale. "Well, Catherine here doesn't take kindly to his overtures and when he pulls a gun on her she does this amazing kick thing and then punches him. Never saw anything like it before. Reckon she broke his nose. After that they both took off like rabbits." Janet made a gesture and whoosh sound like a rocket taking off.
Vincent raised his eyebrows, regarding his lover intently. "You took out an armed robber and didn't think to mention it?" he asked, still rocking Bella who was rapidly falling asleep on his shoulder.
Catherine looked up and cast Janet a look before lifting her gaze to meet Vincent's.
"Really, it was nothing."
Janet snorted and downed the contents of her glass. "I think it's time I was off. I'll give Sally a call and she can take your shift. The weather is set fair for tomorrow, so make the most of it. Goodnight to you both." After struggling into her shoes she walked out leaving a pregnant silence in her wake.
Realising that Bella was dozing, Vincent walked to the bedroom and carefully laid her in her cot, disposing of the soiled cloth in the laundry before returning to the lounge to confront Catherine. She was still sitting on the couch, leaning back now with one hand covering her eyes. Vincent sat down beside her and took her free hand.
"Not only beautiful and brave, but a force to be reckoned with in sensible sneakers."
Catherine didn't lower her hand from her eyes but did laugh.
"You're impossible." She told him, lowering her hand to meet his gaze. "It wasn't as dramatic as Janet makes out. Really."
"No, it was probably worse, but it's good to know you can still defend yourself if needed," said Vincent, squeezing her fingers.
Catherine looked at him quizzically. "What does that mean?"
Vincent looked down at their joined hands and drew in a long breath. "This week with you has been a gift. I've loved spending time with Bella and you but..."
Catherine suddenly sat up, alarmed. "But what?"
"Catherine, I love you, I love Bella but I'm a danger to you both. If I stay here I will eventually draw Muirfield, it's inevitable."
"So your plan is to leave us?" Catherine ignored the small voice reminding her that she had already had this very same conversation with herself, that giving up Vincent was possibly the only way to have a future for Bella and herself. Now here they were facing that very decision and she knew without a shadow of a doubt that she wasn't prepared to live in a future without him. "Don't you dare even contemplate leaving us, Vincent. I won't have you go all noble on me and give up your life with us because of the threat of Muirfield." She got up on her knees on the couch and faced him, using her finger to emphasise her points, stabbing it on his chest. "I have spent the last few weeks in a haze of indecision and misery thinking the same as you, that we would have to part to be safe, but now it's here I won't accept that as a solution. I won't."
"Catherine..." Vincent captured her accusing fingers and dragged her forward. "It's the only sensible thing to do..." It was killing him to say the words, but he truly believed they would be safer without him.
"Don't, Vincent. I won't listen. Where you go I go, with Bella. We're a family, our own true family. If it means living rough, or sleeping in cars, we'll do it because I've been in torment wondering what was happening to you, and I hated feeling like that. Don't make me go through that again."
She was snuggled up against him, her arms around his middle, her head against his heart. Despite his best intentions he was helpless in the face of her pleading and anguish. He no more wanted to part from her than she did from him and he'd rather die than hurt her again. He'd lost so much since his brother's deaths, his own friends and family all but gone, that if he lost Catherine and Bella as well there was no purpose in breathing anymore for him.
"Vincent?"
"Yeah."
"We'll make it work somehow, just don't leave me."
He swallowed. "Okay.
Adam looked around the abandoned building in the dawn light and smiled to himself. This was perfect. Very soon he would have the second gen on his knees and begging for mercy, the image so clear he felt the Beast rise up and transform him, his nails extending, fingers flexing as if preparing to deliver the killing blow to his adversary. His blue eyes turned yellow and his lips peeled back in a snarl, his roar frightening the birds roosting in the girders above his head and sending them clattering out in a sudden exodus. Adam paused to stretch out his senses for any reaction to the noise. Hearing nothing to indicate an investigation into the disturbance he relaxed. Here would be staged his triumph over Vincent Keller, and to the victor the spoils – Catherine Chandler.
The park was busy with mum's and their kids making the most of the morning sunshine. The air was full of birdsong and the shouts of children, the muted growl of traffic in the background. Vincent carried Bella in the sling, walking hand in hand with Catherine who still wore a wig when out in public, choosing sunglasses rather than heavy makeup to aid her disguise. Vincent simply turned up the collar of his unexceptional jacket and pulled his cap down further, hiding most of his face in the shadow cast by the peak. together they walked the perimeter of the park before deciding where to sit. Catherine chose the bench and sat down while Vincent sat down on the grass a little way in front of the bench and lifted Bella out of her cosy pouch, unfolded a small changing mat and laid her on the grass, shading her with his body to keep the bright sun out of her eyes. Everything smelt woodsy and crisp, the trees shedding the last of their fall leaves to float down and land in copper and gold coloured drifts on the grass and along the footpaths. Camellia blooms gave splashes of colour around the park softening the hard lines of the nearly bare trees trunks, in direct contrast to the neon coloured playground and colourfully dressed children running around.
"Won't be long before you'll be chasing around too," Vincent chided Bella, waggling his fingers just beyond the baby's reach while she chortled happily. Catherine took a last swig of her chai latte and looked around for a bin to put the disposable cup in.
"I'll be back in a tick, just want to get rid of this." She got up and headed for a rubbish bin set further along the path.
Vincent continued to play with Bella, the baby pushing her booty covered feet against his palm, her eyes intent on his so that he didn't notice the passage of time for several minutes. Eventually he looked up expecting to see Catherine walking back towards them. Instead the path was empty with no sign of Catherine anywhere.
Alarmed he twisted around to scan the area behind him but she wasn't there either. Bella protested his lack of attention and started to cry.
"Sorry sweetheart but your mum is playing a silly game of hide and seek. Let's get you up and back in the sling so we can go look for her, okay?" Vincent got back on his feet and scooped Bella up and slipped her back into the sling, the mat once more folded and in his jacket pocket. Walking quickly along the path towards the trash can he listened intently for any sound that was out of place, any cry of someone being taken against their will. There was nothing but the twitter of birds and distant laughter of the children. Looking into the trash can he saw the discarded disposable cup but still no sign of Catherine.
With all his internal alarm bells ringing, Vincent moved as quickly as he could with the baby held secure against his body and left the park to return to Janet's Diner. His first instinct was to tear the park apart until he found Catherine's trail, but he had to consider Bella, her safety now paramount.
On reaching the Diner he walked around to the back door and entered the apartment, hoping against hope that maybe Catherine was waiting for them. She wasn't. Marita was there, pottering about as she did and Vincent was glad to see her.
"Marita, have you heard from Catherine this morning?" As he questioned the woman he took off the sling and placed Bella on the sofa. Marita padded over.
"No, I thought she was with you and Bella."
Vincent ran a distracted hand through his hair. "Marita, I don't know what you know about our situation but I'm going to have to trust you..."
Marita's sunny expression turned serious. "What has happened?"
"Catherine is..." Vincent paused, feeling the Beast starting to surface, fed by his fear and anxiety for his lover's safety.
"Someone took our Catherina?"
"I'll find her but I have to be sure that Bella is safe, whatever happens to me or Catherine."
Marita placed a gnarled hand on his arm, instantly calming him. "I will look after the baby. You need to find our Catherina and bring her home safe."
Vincent regarded the tiny woman for a long moment before speaking again. "I need you to do more than just look after Bella. The people looking for us will want Bella too. I can't leave unless I know she will be hidden somewhere safe. I'm asking a lot of you..." Vincent paused.
"Go and find her." Marita urged him. "No one will take Bella from me. I will take her now to my home, and from there to somewhere safe. No bad people will find her once she is sheltered by the Toscarelli family." The spirited italian woman reached for the baby, cradling her. "You let Janet know when you are safe to take care of your baby again and I'll return her."
Vincent watched as Marita wrapped a dark shawl about her head and shoulders, hiding Bella in its folds, then walked out of the apartment leaving him standing there alone.
As sure as he could be that his child was in the safest a pair of hands available at short notice, Vincent put his fears for Bella out of his mind and concentrated on how he was going to find Catherine and whoever had taken her from under his nose.
There was no one around to see, so he let the Beast off the leash, his eyes glowing a fierce gold, his talons extending like unsheathed knives. Blanking his mind of anything but the image of Catherine, he breathed deeply and let the Beast enhance his senses, his nostrils flaring as he absorbed her scent within the apartment, imprinting it sharply on his brain to aid him in finding her. After a few moments he turned and raced out the door, taking the stairs in two bounds, the back door crashing open as he flung himself into the alley behind the Diner and sped off.
In the sky above the sun continued to shine down on an unsuspecting population going about their business oblivious to the fate of two lovers desperate for a future and one tiny baby, innocent and alone, hidden among strangers.
"We have them, sir." the voice over the headphones informed him. Reynolds nodded and turned to stare out the helicopter window at the thick forest rushing past below. They were approaching the outskirts of Portland, his Black Hawk flanked by three others, loaded with agents and the latest intelligence pin pointing the whereabouts of not only Vincent Keller and Catherine Chandler, but also their child and Muirfield's rogue agent, Adam. This was to be a drop and snatch with as few witnesses as possible, little or no body count and a quick clean up and exit plan. Two of the helicopters would drop their payload and dust off, while Reynolds craft and the remaining would approach their target and drop directly on the building identified by his geeks. They timed it to coincide with dusk for maximum cover and minimum exposure.
Reynolds bared his teeth in a humourless grin, glancing over at the man beside him who returned the grin with one of his own. Gregory's voice crackled in his headphones.
"We should get out more often."
This time Reynolds relaxed his face and gave a genuine laugh. "Bastard. It's like being back in Afghanistan again, tracking down insurgents in night ops."
Gregory have the thumbs up sign, then returned to his perusal of the map displayed on his iPad.
Reynold turned his head to watch the lights of Portland grow closer by the second, the faint glow of the snow covered summit of Mount Hood clearly visible in the far distance.
In a few short hours the mission would be completed and they'd be on their way back to Canada, captives aboard. He almost felt sorry for Vincent, given how hard the man had tried to shake off his pursuers, getting shot in the process. As for his daughter, Catherine, he refused to allow himself the luxury of thinking of her as his own, her choices made without knowledge of their connections, her loyalty all for her lover and child now. The time to inform her of his part in her life was long past. She was just a means to an end in controlling the rogue gen two, a lever to get results and enforce co-operation. If he told himself that enough times he mights even come to believe it – eventually.