A/N: I don't own Vincent, Father or Mary, more's the pity. I do own all other characters. Due to a couple of my other stories having been plagiarized, I must add this: Please do not copy, print, upload, download or hotlink this without my express written or oral permission.

Thank all of you who have reviewed this. I'm sorry I haven't written any more for a while, but my computer died, and then I was out of town for a while. I'll try to keep up with it from here on in.

Elena decided to enter the tunnels through the drainage ditch in the park not far from her apartment building. She felt the fresh air and exercise would help her get into a calmer mood, She smiled at herself as she thought, I wonder if Vincent will know where I'm arriving and will be there to meet me. If so, I'm going to have to see if I can find a way to surprise him some time. She chuckled quietly. It could be fun having a little brother.

Her mood quickly evaporated when a couple of young men stepped out of the shadows as she neared the park. They blocked her way, then one of them moved – or tried to move – behind her. She moved to the side, keeping both of them in her line of vision. "Excuse me. Please let me pass. I'm in a bit of a hurry."

"Did you hear that? She's in a bit of a hurry," the shorter one, who had a goatee, said to his companion. He turned back to her. "Now what could be so important that you couldn't take the time to be with us? We just want to have some fun. Don't you like to have fun?"

"Of course I do," she replied. "But you wouldn't like my idea of fun. It could be very painful for you both."

Both men laughed, which didn't surprise her at all. No one who accosted her ever believed her warning, until it was too late. She took a deep breath, not wanting to get into a situation this close to the entrance to the tunnels, which might bring Vincent out.

"Did you hear that, Howser? She says we'd feel pain."

"Yeah, Jag. Now how could such a little thing as you hurt us?"

"Guys, you really don't want to know, but if this keeps up, you will. Why do men have to learn the hard way all the time?"

"Ooh, she's got me shakin'." Jag, the one with the goatee, grabbed her arm. "Honey, you're gonna come along with us, and we're gonna show you our idea of a good time. And then – what the hell?"

By this time, they had moved near a street lamp and he saw her face. Howser turned and looked at them, and his jaw dropped. Elena was growling low in her throat, and her hair had lifted slightly away from her head. Her face took on a feral, feline aspect and the look in her eyes was one of great danger to them.

She grabbed Jag's wrist, and removed his hand from her arm. As she did so, they all heard the sound of breaking bones, and Jag let out a howl of pain. She shoved him at his friend and said in a low rough tone, "Take him and get his wrist looked at. And spread the word. This area is off limits to people like you who 'want to have fun'. I plan to be around for some time to come, and if I find anyone who tries something like this, I will show them my idea of a good time." Her face returned to its normal look, and her hair smoothed itself down.

She smiled suddenly, as she listened to Jag whimpering slightly. "Now there's a macho guy. Just remember, I could have done worse. And if I catch either of you pulling a stunt like this anywhere, I will. Now get out of here!" Her smile disappeared and she moved toward them. They took off, Howser helping his friend. Moments later, she heard a couple of car doors slam and an engine start.

She turned back to the park and continued to the drainage ditch. Moving quickly, she soon reached it, and saw Vincent waiting for her. When she reached him, he grabbed her and hugged her, spinning around. She laughed delightedly. When he finally put her down, she said, "Hey, Fluffy."

He gave a mock growl, grabbed her by the waist and lifted her off the ground above his head. "What did you call me?"

She gave a little squeal, and laughingly said, "Okay, okay. Vincent, put me down."

He spun her around once more, then set her on her feet, chuckling. She looked up at him and said, "That was wonderful. But why did you do it?"

"Your mood for the last few hours – except for a few minutes ago – infected me. I felt like I was meeting a family member I hadn't seen in some time. It felt good, and I had to do it." He escorted her into and through the tunnels. "I presume you found more information? Have you found proof about our family relationship?"

"Vincent," she replied as they walked along. "I know of no way to prove absolutely that you and I really are brother and sister." She stopped suddenly and so did he. "All I can say is that I'm sure of it, and so are you – here." She put her hand on his chest, over his heart.

He smiled at her and nodded. Then he put his hand over hers. "You're right, of course. Even if no one else believes it, we do." He pulled her hand away, but kept hold of it as they continued on, finally arriving in the library, where Father awaited them.

"Good evening, Elena," he said. "Vincent has been on pins and needles, waiting for you to come. Did you find out anything more?"

"Yes, Father, I did." She looked questioningly at Vincent, who shook his head slightly. She smiled and continued. "I did some digging and found a couple who died in a fire about the time I believe my parents did. Their names were George and Virginia Stewart. He was the head of the chemical research department at Richland Industries, and she was an author of popular children's books." She glanced up at Father with a twinkle in her eyes. "So you see, I get my writing ability honestly."

He smiled back at her, but simply said, "Go on."

"There was also some information in the newspaper article about a man who worked with my – Mr. Stewart, named Mark Haskell." At the mention of his name, Elena felt a twinge of pain, but took a deep breath and continued. "Something told me that these were the people who were important in my life. So I went to Richland Industries. They were reluctant to help me when they saw something on the file folder of the other man, but finally did. There were pictures of both men. When I saw the one of George Stewart, I remembered him picking me up and hugging me. When I saw the picture of-" she winced as another, stronger twinge of pain lanced through her head, "the other picture, I knew absolutely that he was the one who killed them."

She stopped for a few minutes, breathing heavily. Both men gazed at her in concern. She looked up at them, smiling wanly. "Every time I think of that man, I get these searing headaches. I keep hoping that they'll lessen as I remember more, but that hasn't happened, yet."

She took another deep breath and sat up. "That all happened yesterday. Today, I was able to locate some people who knew my parents, and visited them." She held out a file envelope to Vincent and he took it. "In it are pictures of both of them, and typewritten pages of what the people told me about them."

Vincent opened the envelope and removed the contents. He and Father looked at the pictures, and read the notes she made, while Elena waited patiently. Several minutes later, Father picked up one of the pictures of her mother and looked at it, then at her. "It says here that one of the women you talked to said you have your mother's eyes." He gazed at the picture once again. "I believe she is right. You do have her eyes, and her mouth."

"Then you believe-"

"That George and Virginia Stewart were your parents, yes. But that doesn't mean that they were Vincent's parents."

"Father-"

"No, hear me out, Vincent. I know you feel a bond with Elena, but you felt one with Catherine, and she wasn't related to you in any way. And she is completely human in appearance. I know you said her face changed when you first met, and I don't doubt that you believe that. But are you sure? Could it have been a trick of the light, or even wishful thinking on your part?" He paused, looking from one to the other.

"Father, I've never seen what I look like when I – 'change' – and it only happens when I or someone I care about is threatened. So I can't tell you how I appear to others. But I know I do change. I can feel it." Elena looked at him, her eyes pleading for understanding and acceptance.

"My bond with Catherine," Vincent began, "was similar, yet different from the one I share with Elena." He saw they had turned to look at him. "I can't explain it, any more than I could, then. But it is there, and it is real. Father, you do know I wouldn't lie to you about that, don't you?"

Before anyone could say another word, they heard a cry from the tunnel nearby, saying, "Jacob! Come back here!"

There was a giggle, then a very small child toddled into the room. Instantly, Vincent was out of his seat and reached for the boy just before he tripped over a book and fell. The child giggled again and patted Vincent's face. "Da."

Mary hurried in. "I'm sorry, Vincent, Father. I turned my back for only a moment and-"

"It's all right, Mary. No harm done. You remember Elena, don't you?"

"Yes," she answered and smiled. "It's good to see you again. How are you feeling."

Elena smiled back. "I'm feeling very well, thank you. And it's good to see you, too." She rose and turned to Vincent and the child. "And who is this handsome young fellow?"

Vincent, Father and Mary looked at each other for a long moment, while Elena looked from one to the other questioningly. Finally, Vincent spoke.

"This is Jacob, Catherine's and my son."