The Other Path ~ Season 1
By Thomas Mc

Authors Note : Because of events in the story "The Road Not Taken" this episode will have very little in common with the original episode of this name. But, as before, that doesn't mean that there isn't an alternate story line for this episode.

Song Of Orpheus

Vincent and Catherine were spending a cold snowy afternoon stretched out on the sofa watching a movie called 'The Quiet Man' on their new big screen TV. It had been a month since that terrible night when those two scientists had captured Vincent and still she could see the effects of that time in Vincent's quieter than normal demeanor. Ever since their childhood Catherine had worked hard to remind Vincent that he was as good as anybody else and better than most yet in one single night those two men had nearly undone everything she had spent her life building. In two days it would be Winterfest and she was hoping that celebrating with all his friends would help to restore Vincent's normal spirit.

A feeling of movement combined with a sharp tightening of the muscles across her very distended belly brought her attention to what that condition portended. She had been having these mild false labor pains for a couple of days now. According to Peter she was due in about a week and a half but Father said that it could happen any time though he expected to have plenty of warning when the time came. First babies were always slow to arrive. Father had announced that the day after Winterfest he would be moving into one of the brownstone's guest rooms so that he would be there for the big event. Peter was also going to be back from Chicago tomorrow so that he could be there for her.

Catherine's musing was interrupted when the door chime sounded. With a groan Catherine hit the pause button on the Beta tape player remote. Then she tried to get up.

After three unsuccessful attempts she turned to Vincent. "Hey I could use a little help here. After all it's your fault that I'm having such difficulty getting up." Then she giggled at the look of comical chagrin on his beautiful leonine face.

Vincent gave her a little push, on her butt, to help her stand up as his mood lightened. He grinned and responded. "I seem to recall that you were a willing, even enthusiastic, co-conspirator at the time."

"Fine." She turned toward him with upraised eyebrow and retorted, grinning back. "But next time you get to carry the kid and watch your body go all wonky on you. And don't think I didn't notice where you put your hand, you Beast."

"Next Time?" Vincent looked up at her inquisitively. There was just a hint of wonder in his voice.

"Well of course." She replied with a soft loving grin. "Every child needs a few siblings to fight with." She looked up as the door chime sounded again. "You'd better get out of sight while I get this."

Vincent popped up from the sofa then paused; there was a puzzled look on his face. "I'm sensing confusion and uncertainty and also there is something very familiar to the presence but I can't place it." He shook himself and moved quickly around the corner into the stairway to the basement.

Once Vincent was out of sight Catherine waddled over to the door. "I'm coming," she called out.

She glanced through the spy hole in the door but only saw the back of a balding head against the white snowy background. She pulled the door open just a few inches then gave out with a startled gasp and her heart went cold with fear as the man turned back around. After a stunned moment she finally managed to stutter out. "Mm .. . . ah . . . Doctor . . . ah, Hughes. Ah, what can I do for you?"

Despite his condition there was no doubt that it was the same Doctor Edward Hughes that had captured and caged Vincent four weeks ago. She thought he had died in the fight with Jonathan Gould the night she and Henderson had rescued Vincent. Then a bit over a week ago she had heard he was still alive but he had slipped into a coma. He still looked like he was hovering at death's door and she was surprised that he was able to stand under his own steam.

After a few moment's Hughes spoke. "I, um, I'm not entirely sure what happened between us. And I don't really know how you feel about me but, if you will allow it, I would like to speak to you for a few minutes." He swayed as though about to fall down and reached out to grab the doorjamb for support. "I apologize for my appearance. I'm not really in the best of health right now."

After a moment's indecision she picked up sympathy and curiosity from Vincent, which did a lot to mediate her own animosity toward the man, and decided on a still reluctant response. "Yes, Doctor Hughes." She sighed and pulled the door fully open. "Won't you come in?" She stepped aside to allow him to pass then closed the door. As she turned back to face him Hughes wobbled again and Catherine quickly reached out to give him some support. In an uncomfortable silence she helped him over to the sofa and eased him down. Then she eased herself down into the adjacent loveseat. She then reached over with some difficulty, grabbed a couple of remotes and turned off the tape machine and the TV.

Hughes commented. "I always liked John Wayne movies." He reluctantly looked directly at the woman, uncertain of his reception. Then he took in her very pregnant state. "I'm sorry for bothering you at such an inopportune time."

Again the silence stretched for several seconds before Catherine finally spoke. "What is it that you want?"

Hughes looked away from her belly for a second then returned to her face before responding. "That is kinda hard to say exactly." He paused looking at his hands, that she now noticed were shaking slightly, then looked up at her. "I guess what I want to know is . . . how much of what I remember was real?" He looked back down at his hands.

Catherine blinked twice as she stared at this man who had caused her and Vincent so much torment. Finally she asked him. "And just what do you remember?"

Hughes continued staring at his hands for another second then he took a deep breath and scrubbed his hands on his legs. He took another deep breath. "I woke up in the hospital yesterday and I'm beginning to doubt my own sanity. My memories are foggy, jumbled and spotty. Mostly it is a collection of random illogical images of the college laboratory, a basement with a cage and night in Central Park." Again he paused. "I vaguely remember fighting with some young man. I think his name was Jonathon something." Hughes seemed to sink into an introspective silence.

After a couple of seconds of silence Catherine inquired uncertainly. "And what has all this to do with me?"

Hughes focused in on her face. There was fear, uncertainty and a hint of doubtful hope in his eyes. "One image that appears in several of my memory fragments is a strange creature . . . man . . . whatever that appears to be half man, half lion. One sequence that stands out is of the creature in a cage in the basement of the school and you are helping him out of the cage. That one sequence in particular seems to fill me with sorrow and self loathing." He shook his head. "Then a couple of hours ago I saw a news article about you on the TV set in my room. That's how I found you." There was now a pleading element to his gaze. "Can you tell me? . . . Am I going crazy? Was he real?"

"If I were to tell you that you are crazy?" She inquired with upraised eyebrow. That was what she wanted most to say to him and send him away out of their lives but she felt a hint of disapproval from Vincent at that impulse.

Hughes took a deep breath. "Then I will return to the hospital and hope that someday my mind will be whole again."

"And if I were to tell you that that . . . 'creature' you remember is real?" She inquired a bit patronizingly.

Hughes paused for a long time before responding. "In that case I will thank you for putting my mind at ease and ask you to pass on a message for me then I will be on my way."

"And what message is that?" She asked.

He looked her in the eyes with the barest hint of hope mixed with remorse. "I would ask you to tell him that I apologize for whatever I may have put him through and to wish him well."

Catherine felt her cool reserve melt just a bit at the sincerity she saw in his eyes. Then her eyes opened wide in surprise as a gentle commanding male voice interrupted them. "You can tell me yourself."

Hughes head swiveled around then his eyes bugged out as he saw the big-as-life creature from his shattered memory approach and stop behind the sofa Hughes was sitting in. Hughes blinked several times, barely able to believe his eyes. It had not been a delusion! It was real!

Vincent circled the sofa moving with cat-like grace and sat on the love seat next to Catherine. Her hand reached out blindly to interlace with the fingers of the creature's clawed hand. The creature's other hand closed around her wrist and they glanced momentarily at each other.

The image of this woman helping this creature out of the cage again played through Hughes mind and this time a new detail stood out. She had been obviously pregnant and they had exchanged that exact same look when she had taken his hand to draw him out of the cage. Hughes became aware of the wedding rings adorning their fingers then his gaze shifted again to Catherine's very pregnant belly. His mouth fell open as he flopped back against the back of the sofa in stunned realization of the implications. After a couple of seconds he spoke in a barely heard voice. "Oh . . . my . . ."

Again stunned silence descended on the room as Catherine glanced down at the telltale bulge of her abdomen.

Catherine sighed deeply. "Yes Doctor Hughes, I am pregnant." She glanced lovingly at her husband as she continued. "And the baby is Vincent's."

Hughes blinked owlishly at them as though his brain was stuck trying to analyze something that simply made no sense. Everything he knew about biology and cross specie fertility was telling him that this was not possible. It was strange enough that something like this Vincent creature could suddenly appear out of nowhere but now she was trying to claim that he was able to get her pregnant. At this point his brain slipped almost without conscious intention into professor mode. A thought flashed through his mind and he voiced it without thinking. "That is not possible Miss Chandler. No matter how much you might wish it, he could not possibly be the baby's father." He glanced nervously back and forth between them. "It must have been someone else." He shrugged helplessly. They might not like what he was telling them but biological facts could not be ignored. Two species as widely divergent as they appeared to be could not reproduce no matter how active their physical relationship might be.

Catherine merely smiled, not at all upset by his words. "I'm afraid you are the one that is mistaken. Vincent is the only one that could possibly be the father. There is no one else."

Hughes shook his head confused by how calm they both were over what must be a case of infidelity where they were concerned. "I understand how you might want to spare his feeling but the facts are irrefutable."

Catherine and Vincent both produced short laughs. "Then your facts are in error." Catherine replied. "Vincent is an empath. I cannot lie to him. We grew up together and he is the only one I have ever been with." They glanced at each other smiling then she continued. "In fact we are so closely linked that we can feel each other's emotions at any time and at any distance." She paused a moment to let that sink in. "That is how I was able to track him down to where you had taken him. We always know where the other is . . . and how the other is feeling." She looked Hughes straight in the eye. "So you see, professor, if I were to be with another man, Vincent would know immediately. I wouldn't even have the chance to lie to him." She shrugged at the obviousness of her argument.

Again Hughes sat there in shocked silence as these new ideas whirled in his brain.

They were all startled when the door chime sounded at that same moment that the phone rang. "Oh lord, what now?" Catherine mumbled to herself. Then she turned to Vincent. "Dear, could you help me up?" With a gentle nudge from Vincent she pushed herself to her feet. "Why don't you get the phone in the kitchen while I get the door." She watched him move quickly around the corner into the kitchen then she waddled over to the front door. A quick peek through the spy hole revealed the newest visitor to be FBI Agent James McClendon.

She pulled the door open. "James, how nice to see you."

James nodded to Catherine. "May I come in?"

Catherine opened the door and stepped back. "Of course James, please come in." As he stepped through the doorway she closed it behind him. "What can we do for you . . . or is this a social call."

James nodded solemnly. "There have been a few very important recent developments that you need to know about." He paused dramatically then noticed for the first time the haggard looking man sitting on the sofa. "Cathy, um, this is very confidential. Can we talk in private?"

At that moment Vincent came back from the kitchen. "That was Joe on the phone. He called to warn us that Doctor Hughes has woken up and disappeared from the hospital. I told him that we were already aware of the situation and that Doctor Hughes was currently in our parlor." He nodded to James. "Hello Agent McClendon."

James looked suspiciously at Hughes. "Is this the guy that . . ."

Catherine nodded. "James, may I introduce Doctor Edward Hughes. Doctor Hughes this is a friend of ours, Agent James McClendon of the FBI." To say that Hughes was stunned would have been a gross understatement as he glanced back and forth between the FBI agent and the creature Vincent. Catherine turned her attention back to the agent. "James, let's go into the office." She then addressed Hughes. "We shouldn't be too long Doctor Hughes. Just make yourself comfortable." She and Vincent led James to the small room behind the kitchen that had been turned into a small office space.

James jumped right in as soon as the door was closed. "Cathy, have you heard from the Neil family recently?"

Catherine matched the agent's serious expression. "Yes I have. Vincent stopped by to check up on them two days ago. They were all doing fine." She chuckled and looked over at Vincent. "Little Naomi absolutely adores Vincent." Her face turned serious again as she looked at James. "Why do you ask?"

James took a deep breath. "There have been rumors stirring on the grapevine. The cartel is apparently actively looking for them. I am afraid that there is probably a leak in my department which means that your involvement in this may be known to them." He shook his head, a look of dismay on his face. "The cartel we are after is very rich and powerful and will not fall easily. It will take time to bring them down. Meanwhile we really don't know how far their reach extends. I'm not sure how safe the Neil family is in that apartment building of yours."

Catherine reached out and touched James' shoulder. "So far only four people, you, me, Vincent and Rudy, Dad's building security manager, know where the Neil family is hidden." She gave his shoulder a squeeze. "Considering the rental rates in that building, no one will think of looking there for a government witness. If there is even a hint that their location has been compromised, I can quickly have them moved to a place where no one will ever be able to find them, even you."

James cocked his head and frowned. "This has something to do with those underground tunnels you led us through, doesn't it."

Catherine merely nodded as she looked him in the eye. She looked again at Vincent as she responded to the other concern that he hadn't yet mentioned directly. "And if that cartel is fool enough to send their goons after me, I'm sure Vincent will have no trouble dissuading them."

James took deep breath and sighed. "Very well, I'll leave things in your hands then and if I hear anything new I'll let you know immediately."

Vincent reached out and clasped James' hand. "That's settled then and tonight I'll go by and check up on them and let them know how things stand. I'll also let father know that there is a possibility we may have to bring the family 'Below'."

James raised one eyebrow at Vincent's use of the term 'Below'. He had apparently guessed right.

Catherine led James back to the door and let him out then turned back to face Vincent and Doctor Hughes over by the sofa. "Well that was an interesting development." She commented as she waddled back over toward the sofa.

"The FBI knows about him?!" Hughes inquired incredulously.

Catherine shrugged. "No. Just the head of 'Witness Protection' knows Vincent." She smiled. "As you might guess Vincent is very good at hiding from the public."

Catherine paused as she felt another of those mild contractions. Then it suddenly turned into a strong sharp pain that caused her to double over and her knees to give way. Vincent leaped over the sofa, causing Hughes to cry out in surprise, and caught her before she could hit the floor. When the pain subsided they all became aware of a puddle of pale reddish fluid at her feet.

Catherine looked up at Vincent in surprise and fear. "The baby!"

Vincent swept her up into his arms and carried her swiftly up into one of the second floor guest bedrooms. As he laid her onto the bed she was hit by another severe contraction. "Too close." Catherine gritted out through clenched teeth.

Vincent was feeling a hint of panic. He had been present at a few births and he knew that this just wasn't right. The pain eased off and Catherine saw Hughes arrive at the bedroom door.

"I'll call for an ambulance." Hughes announced from the door.

Catherine called out. "We can't do that. This is Vincent's baby. We don't know whether it will look like Vincent."

Vincent turned toward Hughes. "I remember you discussing my biology. Do you have any medical experience?"

Hughes looked at Vincent in dismay. "I've had medical training but I went into research. I have no practical experience. I'm no medical doctor."

Vincent now looked at Hughes a hint of desperate pleading in his unique eyes. "Please Doctor Hughes, she needs help right now and you're all we've got. There's no time."

After a moment's hesitation during which Hughes thought about how he owed these two after what he did to them. Tentatively he approached the bed then began to feel around her abdomen. After a minute he frowned and his touch became more secure. He cocked his head and his frown got deeper then he looked up at Vincent. "It's a breach the baby has to be turned around for proper delivery." He paused as another strong contraction hit then spoke to Vincent. "I need your help to turn the baby and we must do it quickly before the mother and baby are damaged."

"What do I do?" Vincent asked, the hint of panic edging closer to the surface.

Hughes took Vincent's hands and put them on her abdomen as he spoke. "Place your hands here and here." He then placed his hands on her as well. "Now very carefully help me ease the baby around until its head is pointed down and be careful not to apply too much pressure."

For the next few minutes, following Doctor Hughes instructions, they carefully got the baby turned. Hughes internal self assurance and his calm instructions helped Vincent to fight the sense of panic. As they worked, having something to do as well as the physical contact with Catherine soon helped Vincent to push the threatening panic even further into the background.

"There, the baby is turned." Doctor Hughes announced as he relaxed and checked Catherine's progress. "It looks like she is already fully dilated. I know it's not supposed to happen this fast." He frowned again as he concentrated on trying to remember what he had learned in medical school about giving birth. Finally he addressed Vincent. "Take her hand and hold on to her."

Vincent's face still showed deep worry. "Doctor, the baby is in distress. I can feel it getting weaker."

Catherine groaned as another, less painful but still very strong contraction hit her. Hughes looked up in surprise. "Oh, God, it's coming." Then his eyes got wide as he caught sight of a distinctly feline face. The next moment his eyes got wider still and he called out. "Stop pushing! The umbilical is around its neck."

Vincent held her hand tightly encouraging her to relax as she fought to resist the overwhelming urge to push. Meanwhile Hughes was working the umbilical away from the infant's neck and over the now exposed head. The contraction eased and while Catherine relaxed Hughes freed the head from the umbilical.

The next contraction hit. "Push!" Hughes called out and Catherine did just that.

Then it was over and they heard a mewling cry. They looked over to see Doctor Hughes holding the newborn, a look of wonder suffusing his expression. Hughes looked up at Catherine and Vincent. "It's a boy . . . and he definitely favors his father."

~ o ~

Two hours later Father, Charles and several friends from below were gathered in the brownstone to admire the new addition to their extended family. Doctor Hughes was in a chair in the corner of the room sound asleep, a soft smile graced his face.

At the sound of the doorbell Father and Charles headed downstairs to answer the door while Catherine and Vincent continued to admire their infant son.

A minute later Judge Marilyn Sanders entered the room, followed by Father and Charles, moving quickly toward Catherine and Vincent. "Cathy . . ." She paused at the sight of the newborn in Catherine's arms and smiled. After a moment she returned to herself then remarked. "Cathy, he is amazing." She glanced up at Vincent. "There's no doubt who his father is . . ." Her glance returned to Catherine. ". . . but I also see a lot of you in him."

"Thank-you Marilyn." Catherine responded.

Judge Sanders paused a moment as her face turned more serious. "I was in Joe's office earlier and he said that Hughes was here in your house."

Catherine put her finger to her lips then pointed to where the man was sleeping in the corner. "He's over there." She smiled. "I guess delivering my new baby turned out to be too exhausting for him."

"Delivering your baby?" Judge Sanders enquired with a puzzled frown as she glanced back and forth between the infant and the sleeping man.

Catherine shrugged. "It was an emergency and he was the only one available at the time." She glanced over in the corner and smiled at the sleeping man. "He just dropped off about a half hour ago."

Vincent placed his arm protectively around Catherine and their new baby. "It was a breach. If Doctor Hughes had not been here they both could have died." He glanced over at the sleeping doctor and smiled. "I owe the lives of the two that I love most to him."

Catherine patted Vincent's hand. "Dear, he looks so uncomfortable like that. Why don't you move him to one of the spare bedrooms for tonight?" As Vincent moved to carry out the suggestion, Catherine picked up a slip of parchment-like paper and held it out to Marilyn. "Could I impose on you to deliver this to Joe for me?"

"I can do that." Marilyn looked at the note. It read: "The Eagle has landed." along with todays date. She looked back at Catherine with a grin. "Cryptic."

Catherine smiled back at her. "Joe will understand."

~ BB ~

The brownstone was filled nearly to overflowing with eager guests and Catherine sat off to the side holding her son as she watched those guests swirling around her. Bill and Jennifer McCormick were seated to one side of her and couldn't get enough of their very unusual new grandson. Vincent sat to her other side. Catherine glanced around at the gathering. She wished that Joe could have made it but he was in court today on a very important case.

On the love seat she could see Father and Maggie sitting together leaning on each other. The cancer that was eating away at her had left her little energy and they didn't expect her to last much longer but she had insisted on being here for this event and she swore that even the Grim Reaper himself wasn't going to keep her away from this ceremony nor would he keep her away from Winterfest tonight.

Over on the other side of the Parlor Doctor Hughes stood leaning against the wall with a confused look on face as he wondered what the party was about and why he had been invited. He had been quite surprised to awaken in a very nice bedroom the next day after the birth of Catherine's very unusual baby. He had also been surprised at the kind and generous way in which she and Vincent had looked after him for the last two days. This morning a Doctor Peter Alcott had examined him and said that he was recovering nicely and would not need to return to the hospital. Peter had in fact pronounced him well enough to go home if he wished. Vincent had suggested that he stay at least until lunch then they both had insisted that he stay after lunch for this little gathering before finally heading back to his own home.

Charles called the group to order and began the naming ceremony ritual. Doctor Hughes' interest peaked once the naming ceremony began. He now found the ritual of the unique ceremony quite fascinating.

Finally it came to the part where Catherine and Vincent announced the new baby's name. Vincent spoke up. "After a very short discussion Catherine and I are in full agreement. We have named our son Edward, in honor of Doctor Edward Hughes; who delivered him under difficult circumstances and thereby saved both Catherine's and Little Edward's lives."

Hughes was stunned. He had never expected anything like this. It made him feel very humbled that Vincent and Catherine would have even considering bestowing such an honor on him, of all people. Soon he was surrounded by strangers congratulating him. Catherine and Vincent simply smiled and nodded at him.

The End (of episode 8)

'Beauty and the Beast' and its characters are owned by Witt-Thomas Productions and Republic Pictures. No infringement on copyrights is intended. This story is presented merely for the enjoyment of fans. Original concepts and story elements may be used by other authors as long as appropriate credit is given.