Author's Note: I hope everyone is well during this chaotic time. Here is the newest chapter. I haven't written further chapters, but I believe that this chapter will end in one or two chapters. This story will finally end after five years! Thanks to those who have stuck with me since the beginning and the long periods of not updating. This might be a short chapter, but I believe it is an important one. Please let me know what you think in the reviews!

Enjoy the chapter!


"Gabe, no!"

It happened way too fast. As soon as Gabe turned around, the Beast's claws raked across Gabe's midsection. Immediately, the ADA's knees buckled, causing him to collapse back onto the ballroom carpet. His clammy hands naturally came to the injured section. They confirmed what Gabe feared the most: deep lacerations that already started to bleed pools of dark red liquid.

This wasn't his intention to be the victim of such a terrible Beast. He wanted to be a hero, but not in this way. At least not in front of…

Cat!

Gabe turned his head slowly towards the area where he last saw her. His eyes then looked up to her face. The shock was etched throughout her face as she watched the scene unfold. As his vision became hazy, he saw another emotion on her face. Something that he was half-heartedly expecting: was she worried about him?

"Gabe," Catherine spoke while kneeling down next to his body, "Hang in there." She couldn't believe what had just happened. Of course, she was worried about Gabe's wellbeing, but something else. How could Vincent do such a thing? But most importantly, why did Gabe try to save him from Vincent? Was he trying to be a martyr? Why?

She had a lot of questions for the man in front of her. But, there was one question that came out from her ruby-red lips immediately:

"Why, Gabe?"

"Because…" Gabe heaved as his breathing became slower and slower, "I am in love with you. I was hoping that you could give me another chance, even if it was a small one. I was hoping that you could love me back."

Cat gasped at his confession. She couldn't believe what he was saying: he was still in love with her? Even though he knew that Cat was still in love with Vincent? Even so, she also couldn't believe that Gabe risked his own life for her. All because he loved her, too! Was this the meaning of true love?

" Cat, I still hoped…"

Yet, the rest didn't come out. With one gasp, Gabe slowly closed his eyes, falling into an unconscious state. Cat watched slowly as the gaze that he held - one full of love - be extinguished.

"Gabe, no!" The brunette woman cried as she frantically checked for any kind of pulse. She quickly placed two fingers on the side of his neck, finally finding a faint pulse a few seconds later. This calmed down Cat a bit as she was relieved that he was alive somewhat. Good, she thought in relief as the detective looked at Gabe's peaceful state, He's just unconscious for now.

She knew that he had to see a doctor right away. Before reaching for her smartphone, Cat looked up and around the ballroom to see if someone already was on the phone with 911. But instead, she saw that her best friend was approaching her with no phone in sight.

"Cat, you have to do something fast. Vincent is on a rampage!"

Vincent!

Cat was so focused on taking care of Gabe and nursing his well being that she didn't notice that Vincent was missing. The petit woman stood up in a crouch position, swirling her head and body to look for the man-turned-beast. Worried filled her chest as Cat couldn't find him anywhere in the huge room. Panic crept in as she thought for the worse: that he could be the one to cause massive casualties if she didn't do something right away.

"Where did he go?" Cat responded as she tried to subdue the panic and worry that was bubbling inside. But, it didn't work as the emotions worked up as they were etched in her face.

"I don't know exactly," Tess replied as she knelt beside her friend, "All I know is that he went that way." The taller woman pointed in the direction of shattered glass, indicating that something tried to escape. "You have to go, Cat, before something terrible happens. I heard rumors that the New York Police Department might order more backup. And this time, they are going to go with something bigger and better. He is too strong for anyone."

"But what about Gabe? I can't leave him like this. Not after what he did for me."

Cat's best friend placed a reassuring hand on Cat's shoulder as she began to speak. "Cat, don't worry about Gabe. J.T. called 911 right after the attack, and the people on the line said that the paramedics will be here any second now. J.T. and I will stay with him until help arrives. But, what you have to do is to save Vincent from the creature he has become. You owe that to him and even to the whole city. Only you can save him."

Tess hugged her best friend, murmuring more encouraging words into Cat's ear. "You got this"

Cat smiled at her best friend's encouragement. Tess's words sparked a new determination inside Cat: to take back the one who she loved dearly. Although the man who was lying on the ground near her confessed his love for her, she knew that he wasn't one she was supposed to save. Cat knew that in her heart, she had to try to save Vincent no matter what.

"Thanks, Tess," Cat smiled as she squeezed her friend's shoulders like some sort of a hug. The petit woman then stood up and began her search by walking towards the broken glass. Once there, she went through the windows, careful to not get cut on the shape edges. She traversed through the gardens, hoping to find Vincent quickly.


Vincent growled as he walked along the street without a care about his surroundings. Fresh blood seeps from his claw-like fingers. It was the blood of the victims whom he attacked along the way from the ballroom. Behind him, there were a few bodies sprawled unconscious across the asphalt and pavement. Innocent victims, too. Ones who suffered at the hands of a Vincent without humanity.

"Vincent, stop!"

A voice pleaded from behind him. Yet, it seemed that he didn't hear the plea as continued on his unknown path. This didn't stop Cat as the petite woman called out one more time.

"Vincent! You have to stop. This isn't you!"

She quickly moved close to his backside, placing both of her hands on his shoulder. The brunette woman held onto his shoulders tightly to prevent him from going any further.

But, her pleas went on deafen ears. Vincent turned around swiftly, raising his claws to signal that he was to strike. Yet, it didn't happen.

Instead, he found a pair of lips on his. He didn't show any emotion towards the kiss. Yet, Cat was pouring all her emotions, memories, and the love for him into the kiss in hopes that he would remember. Although unnoticed to Cat, something about the kiss sparked something familiar inside of Vincent. He knew these lips: it's warmth and taste. A feeling of recognition slowly bubbled up. Yes, these lips only belonged to one person. That person is…

"Catherine"