I don't own Beauty and the Beast.

Thank you for the feedback, you all.

This is chap 13. :)

Note: On chap 12, when Cat and her dad talked, Vincent was still at the hospital. When JT dragged him to the museum, it was 2 days further. That same day, Heather arrived in Tinos. Her flight was delayed, cause of bad weather. :)

And thank you guys for the reviews! They blew me away. :)))

REVIEW?

Catherine felt like she was about to faint. It looked like he wanted her to take that step to close the gap between them. But she was still frozen at her spot…

Vincent watched her every move. Her breathing, the way her heart rate was speeding up, the look in her eyes, the way her knees were shaking; her body language. She was frozen at her spot, he didn't know what was going through her pretty little head, but he knew that it must be something big. He knew that if he didn't hold her up soon, that she would sink to the ground.

Seeing him, clearly seem to be too much for her to process. Vincent never knew love… you know the kind of love you feel for one special someone. He never had those feelings, but his guts told him that these feelings that he had for Catherine, was about to turn into just that soon. Very soon. It frightened him, but it also made him feel incredible.

Vincent wanted to help her get through what she was going through right now, so he reached out to her. With his arm stretched out with his handpalm open, asking her without words to take his hand, he looked at her with pleading eyes.

'Take my hand. God, please let her take my hand in hers.' He prayed.

A tear escaped her eye, knowing what he was asking of her. Catherine wanted nothing more than to do as he asked, but she was torn. She knew that if she took that step, there was no turning back. Never before did she have strong feelings for someone, until Vincent came into her life.

Fear struck her, when she realized that her past would probably haunt her always. But like Galya said; could she let Vincent help her heal? She didn't know the answer to that question, but if she didn't take that chance. How will she find out?

Fear will always be there. Fear of getting hurt, fear to love again, fear to let someone in to her heart. But fear shouldn't get in the way of what you want or need. It exists so it can be overcome…

Suddenly a sense of calmness took over her whole being. Knowing that Vincent would be there for her to save her, to pick her up, when she needed him. She was still afraid, but she decided to… to just take the risk…

In her eyes, Vincent saw a light. And in that moment, he knew that she had decided to let him in.

Catherine slowly brought her hand closer to his. As the seconds past, she brought her hand closer and closer… Her fingertips brushed against his, making a current go through both of them.

'Take my hand, please.' He prayed.

As their fingers collided, Catherine and Vincent closed their eyes. It didn't matter where they were. It didn't matter to her anymore why he said Alexia's name first. It didn't matter to him, why she didn't visit him at the villa. All that mattered was the now and the here.

She was here and he was here. Together. No one said that life was easy, but if they just leaned on each other, life would be okay no matter what.

At one point, their fingers were locked together completely. They both opened their eyes, losing themselves in each other's gaze. They had an understanding, even though words weren't used. Words weren't necessary at this point. Not at all.

()

From afar, Galya watched the two young people. A smile crept on her face, knowing that everything was coming together. The curse is real. And it can be broken. Deep in her heart, the old woman knew that the path that Catherine and Vincent just had taken, was going to be rough. Really rough. It was going to be painful and very hard. Obstacles were going to make it very hard for the two to heal each other, but… she had a feeling they were strong enough to overcome them. One of the most crucial obstacles, would be his need to protect her. Galya knew that he was going to do everything in his power to protect her. Even if it meant, protecting her from himself and the curse. Even if it meant that he was going to let her go at one point to do so. Even if it meant, that he was going to sacrifice his own happiness for her. But they will overcome the obstacles, that much Galya knew. At times, he was going to have to pick her up. And the other way around too.

It will be hard, but it will be worth it…

()

Catherine and Vincent still had their fingers locked together, when tears welled up in her eyes. She smiled through her tears and so did he. Standing in front of each other, Catherine whispered.

"Do you know what I wanted to do, when I saw you in the hospital?"

He shook his head.

"I had the urge to… to kiss your hand." She said and sighed.

Vincent's heart almost skipped a beat. He desperately wanted to wrap his arms around her, but instead he asked.

"Why didn't you?"

"I was afraid. Afraid of so many things. Afraid that…" she began, but was cut off by someone.

"Sorry, sir. Sorry miss Catherine. But there's someone here who wants to see y…" Calinico began, but was cut off by a loud squeal.

"Aaaahh!"

Catherine and Vincent turned and saw Heather jump up and down, clapping her hands.

"Cat!" she shouted and hugged her big sister.

Vincent still had Catherine's hand in his and reluctantly let go. After Heather got out of Cat's embrace, she turned to look at Vincent. And smiled widely.

"Who is your 'friend'?" she asked and raised her eye brow.

"Oh! Uhumm, Vincent this is Heather, my little sister. Heather this is Vincent. Our host." Cat said, looking him in the eyes.

Vincent shook Heather's hand and welcomed her. Heather was acting her usual self; talking like a chatterbox. Telling Vincent how beautiful Tinos is. He listened to her, but now and again he caught Cat's gaze and just… stared into her gorgeous, hazel eyes.

Catherine also listened to Heather and answered the many questions she had. But she also couldn't help searching and catching his gaze. Her stomach did the infamous flip flops, while she blushed a little.

"Okay, what's going on with you two?" Heather asked curiously.

"Huh? What? What do you mean?" Cat asked.

"I don't know. But I get this vibe… like this sexual tension between you two… it's giving me goosebumps." Heather replied without any shame.

"Heather!" Cat exclaimed, while giving her a not amused look.

"What?! I am just an objective bystander and that's what I see, okay?" she retorted.

Vincent began to chuckle, while Catherine placed her hands on her hips, frowning.

"Don't frown like that, Cat. Its gonna give you premature wrinkles." Heather stated.

"Heather!" Cat exclaimed and dragged her little sister away.

Vincent laughed loudly and walked behind the two.

Calinico smiled and said."Oh! She is going to make their visit much more interesting."

Vincent shook his head and followed the two young women out the museum.

()

Heather and Catherine were lying on the beach, enjoying the sun and sea.

"So… where's Vincent?" Heather asked.

Catherine had her eyes closed and her sunglasses on. She sighed deeply.

"He is at the villa, but working also." She replied.

"Working?! But he is still walking with crutches! Why does he work?! Shouldn't he rest in bed?" Heather asked, a bit outraged.

"That's the downside of owning and managing a huge empire. No matter what, you have this responsibility and obligation to keep it standing." Cat replied.

"That sucks!" Heather said.

"Yeah, I know." Cat replied.

"So… he has invited us to have dinner tonight?" Heather asked.

"Yup." Cat said.

"I love his house. It's like from a fairy tale." Heather said, her voice dreamy.

"Yeah, I like it too." Cat replied.

"So... you do like him, don't you Cat?" she asked.

"Yes, I do."

"Then why don't you… do something about it."

Cat laughed and took off her glasses." I need some time. Some more time, ok?"

"Okay." Heather said and looked up at the sky.

Suddenly she sat up and exclaimed." I know now! This whole situation and setting reminds me of a fairy tale! And I know which one!"

Cat took her sunglasses off and frowned, sitting up."What?! Huh? What are you talking about?"

"You know, what Calinico told me about 'the curse' and that you look like Agathe. I don't believe in curses and stuff, but I can have an open mind about it." Heather said.

"Oh, come on. Curses? Really?" Cat retorted.

"Yes, curses really. Oh, don't be like JT, saying that curses are not real. The way you and the butler summed it all up, makes me believe that it could be possible."Heather said.

"Oh, come on." Cat replied.

Heather nodded and asked."Guess what fairy tale, your situation reminds me off." Heather asked, her eyes wide.

Cat thought hard, but said."I don't know. I give up."

Heather began to chuckle." If you look at it clearly, it's kinda 'funny' really. You know:

1. There's a curse that should or can be broken by a young woman.

2. You have a Beauty.

3. There's a 'prince'. Cause Vincent is like a prince you know. He's beyond wealthy and owns a villa almost as big as a castle.

But…" she said.

Cat was curious and asked."But?"

Heather smiled dreamily."Beauty and the Beast. Only we are missing a Beast here." she whispered.

Cat suddenly was reminded of something… Vincent! That night of the attack! That night… that night when she was attacked by that creepy man. Between the time that he pushed her against the tree and the time that she lost conciousness, she... she heard a Beast growl…

A/N: Ooh, oh! Will she be able to put 2 and 2 together?

Review?

Ruby.

:)