The Other Path ~ Season 1
By Thomas Mc

Authors Note : Because of the changes in the character dynamics vis-à-vis the relationship between Catherine, Vincent, Devin, Joe, and Charles, Joe is not the target of Erika and the story is shorter. Also the anniversary dinner is a little different as well. The overall plot of this episode however doesn't change that much.

Temptation

Catherine looked up from her desk at the two approaching figures and her eyes opened wide in surprise. "Devin, Carol, what a surprise!" Her face lit up in a smile. "When did you get in? Where have you been? How long will you be here? Do Vincent and Father know?"

Devin and Carol both laughed. Then Devin responded. "We just got in an hour ago and this was our first stop. Carol has an appointment with her plastic surgeon at two for a final checkup. After that we are going to head below to see the rest of the gang."

Carol jumped in at this point. "As for where we've been . . ." She shrugged. "All around the world. It's been an adventure of a lifetime. Like my every dream come true. But we always seem to end-up returning to Walkabout Creek in Australia. It's practically like our second home. Mick and Wally are like family to us."

Catherine laughed. "Yea, I've noticed that any message sent there usually get picked up within a month or two. It's the one place that I know that I can reliably contact you." She paused a moment then continued. "Where are you staying?"

"We are planning on finding a hotel after she sees the doctor." Devin responded.

Catherine jumped in. "Forget that. We have plenty of room. You're staying with us . . . that is if you don't mind being awakened by midnight feedings." She finished with a shrug.

"That sounds wonderful. Devin can sleep through an atomic bomb and I'm really looking forward to seeing little Edward."

She glanced at her watch. "You still have some time before your appointment and I haven't had lunch yet. How about having lunch with me at that little place across the street?"

"Devin looked at Carol then responded. "Sounds great. All we had for lunch was bad airplane food and I haven't been to that old place for years. Let's go."

Catherine grabbed her jacket and told Joe that she was taking a late lunch and they were out the door.

~ o ~

As Devin looked on from the corner of the examination room, Doctor Sanderle gently turned her face from side to side while lightly touching the skin of Carol's cheeks and forehead. "Good. Looks good. Everything's healed beautifully. I can't believe it's been a year." He pushed the magnifier aside. "Any pain?"

Carol shook her head. "Um-um."

Doctor Sanderle continued. "Loss of feeling?"

Carol again shook her head. "Nope."

Devin spoke up. "What about the numbness in your left eyelid?"

Doctor Sanderle nodded, frowning. "Yes. I noticed the very slight droop of that eyelid. I'm sorry to say that the nerve damage from the original attack is not something that I can do anything about."

Doctor Sanderle touched the scar near her left ear. "This one gave us so much trouble. There have been some new techniques developed in the last year and we can remove that now. Make an appointment next week."

Carol glanced down at her folded hands. "I . . . I don't know."

Doctor Sanderle continued smoothly. "When it's convenient."

"It's not that." Carol glanced over at Devin. "I . . ."

The doctor interrupted. "You do want to have it removed?"

Carol shook her head. "I don't think so."

"Carol, it's not a complicated procedure. I can do it in the office." He insisted.

Carol touched the scar gently. "I've gotten used to it. I'd rather just leave it."

The doctor looked at her in confusion. "I'm surprised. Don't you want to put it all behind you, once and for all? Wipe the slate clean?"

Carol shook her head. "No."

Doctor Sanderle's face showed some real compassion. "It's been a rough year for you. Why cling to it?"

"Because . . ." Carol looked over at Devin and smiled softly. "It's been the most wonderful year of my life."

~ BB ~

Catherine and Deputy District Attorney Paul Levinson sat in front of the desk of District Attorney Joe Maxwell. Joe closed a file and looked up at the other two. "Good work. Both of you."

Levinson smiled in appreciation at the compliment. When the corruption of DA Moreno had come to light Levinson, as Moreno's DDA, had been tarred by the same brush. But when Joe had been appointed as Moreno's replacement he had kept Levinson on as DDA and given him the chance to prove himself. He had proved to be both loyal and honest. "When do we go into the grand jury?"

Joe shook his head. "Not yet." Joe stood up and began to pace back and forth. "I'd like more. Another solid witness. Maybe those missing documents. Something that decisively tips the scale in our favor."

Catherine nodded her understanding. "Well, I'm working on one last possibility."

Levinson grumbled. "But it's all there. You can follow the trail. Taylor's importing operation. Counterfeit fashions from Taiwan. Using his wholesale outlets to market the knockoffs. The whole thing's a money laundry for the mob."

Joe leaned back on his desk, an expression of frustration on his face. "Taylor's being represented by Evan Brannigan." He grimaced. "We all know it's gonna be war. We only get one shot. I want this thing nailed down tight before we present it."

Catherine reluctantly nodded her head. "Joe's right, Paul. This case will have to be air tight from every angle. Evan Brannigan is a shark and a master at finding the tiniest weakness in the opponent's case." She shrugged. "So, we keep hammering."

Paul Levinson picked up the folder and they both turned to leave Joes office.

Joe called out as they reached the door. "Don't forget, I'm expecting you both at the mayor's reception tonight."

Paul and Catherine nodded back at Joe as they started out of the office. Paul addressed Catherine. "I suppose you have a date with Burch?"

Catherine paused and shook her head. "Not this time. Elliot is in California working a major business deal. How about you?"

Paul nodded his head. "Certainly."

Catherine sighed and shook her head. "I really thought we had this case wrapped up."

Paul shrugged. "I did too." He glanced at Catherine. "Joe has a lot of faith in you and I've seen you pull more than one rabbit out of your hat." He grinned. "If anyone can find that one last nail to tie this case shut it would be you." He turned and walked away.

~ o ~

Down in the tunnels Devin and Vincent were examining a small inch and a half long sparkling crystal. "This came from the same cluster as the one I gave Catherine." Vincent informed him.

"And you and Cathy don't mind?" Devin inquired.

"Of course we don't mind. Catherine thinks that it would be a perfect gift for Carol." He grinned, showing his fangs. "Catherine said that it was completely appropriate since you and I are brothers." He pointed to another similar crystal still sitting in the small wooden box. "We're saving that one for Dennis. For when he finally finds his perfect mate."

Devin smiled at Vincent. "We sure are a strange family. Three brothers that are so completely different from each other. Dennis is the only one of us with a life that even comes close to what others think of as normal."

Vincent laughed. "That is until he found out about us."

~ o ~

That evening at the Mayor's reception Catherine waved off the waiter's offer of champagne. Joe spotted her and approached her. "Your date parking the car, Radcliffe?"

Catherine chuckled. "Elliot is somewhere in California. Yours must be in the powder room?"

Joe laughed. "Afraid I'm on my own tonight, they don't know what they're missing, huh?" He fidgeted a bit. "I feel like a head waiter in this outfit. I hate parties like this. Everybody dressed up to impress people they don't know. And don't want to know."

Catherine nodded. "I must say, you look great in a tuxedo." She cocked her head as her voice took on a half teasing tone. "If I didn't have Vincent, I might be tempted to steal you away."

Joe blushed a bit. Cathy could do that to him. "I'm no Vincent but maybe for tonight I can serve as a suitable substitute." He shrugged then looked to his left at the sound of a booming voice. "There's The Mayor over there. Better go pay my respects."

Catherine started to follow Joe when he remarked. "Oh, did I tell you how gorgeous you look?"

Catherine looked back. "No."

Joe remarked. "Well, consider it done."

Catherine smiled and they walked up to the mayor.

~ o ~

Paul Levinson was adjusting his bowtie by the reflection in a silver tea dispenser when woman's reflection appeared over his shoulder. Paul noticed and, embarrassed, turned to greet her.

The beautiful redheaded woman smiled. "You're blushing!" Paul shrugged. And the woman continued. "I'm Erika Salven." She extended her hand.

"Uh, Paul Levinson." He responded as he belatedly took her hand. "Well, it's nice to meet you."

Erica glanced over at the live band. "The music's nice."

Paul followed her gaze. "Yes, it is." He looked back at Erica timidly. "Would you like to dance?"

Erica nodded. "I think I would."

~ BB ~

Catherine looked up from her desk as Levinson rushed past. "Paul, Joe is looking for you."

"Yea," He responded, glancing down at his slightly rumpled jacket. "How bad do I look?"

"You look like you had fun last night." She responded with amusement.

Paul paused looking a bit dreamy eyed. "I met the most incredible woman last night. We left the party and we walked from the hotel all the way down to Battery Park. Just walked and talked about everything till the sun came up. It was great. She's terrific."

Catherine cocked her head. "Erika Salven?"

Paul looked surprised. "You know her?"

"I know she's with Proctor & Brannigan." Catherine responded. "Do you?

Pauls demeanor turned slightly defensive. "So?"

Catherine frowned. "So they represent Phillip Taylor. Remember him? The guy we're grooming for the grand jury indictment?"

"There's over a hundred attorneys at that firm. She's probably never heard of Taylor." He responded defensively.

Catherine's frown increased. "Don't you think you better ask? You could be looking at a conflict of interest."

Paul looked a bit rebellious. "I know what I'm doing." Then he moved away, ignoring the worried frown on Catherine's face. She shook her head. Paul was walking a dangerously thin line here. She hoped that he didn't slip.

~ o ~

As Catherine began to straighten her desk at the end of the day she became conscious of her link to Vincent when she detected a moment of surprise then happiness from Vincent. During the taxi ride home she sensed a hint of concern barely perceptible at the edge of Vincent's mind. She tried not to let herself become alarmed. Vincent knew that she was on her way home and would tell her what was going on when she got there.

When Catherine arrived home that evening she called out in a, sitcom, sing-song voice. "Honey I'm home." She then was surprised, glad, and curious, in that order when she found her father there talking to Vincent. ""Dad, how good to see you."

Charles smiled up at Catherine. "Hello, sweetheart. How was your day?"

"Typical Day. Equal parts interesting and frustrating." She answered with a smile. Then her smile faded a bit as she again sensed the hint of concern coming from Vincent. "I get the feeling that this is more than just a social call." She cocked her head at her father in inquiry.

"I'm not sure just how reliable this is but I thought I would bring this to your attention anyway." Charles paused for a moment. "One of our law clerks used to work for Proctor & Brannigan and she still has a few friends that work there. There is some interesting scuttlebutt going around. First they have been digging for dirt in the backgrounds of Joe Maxwell and Paul Levinson. Second, Erika Salven, one of their lower level lawyers in the corporate division, had a visit from none other than Evan Brannigan himself this morning. Afterwards she appeared to be distracted and off balance. Third, Evan Brannigan spent a long time this afternoon in his office with a very unsavory character that specializes in dirty tricks. He is suspected of everything from jury tampering to the disappearance of crucial evidence and witnesses." He shrugged. "My firm lost an important case against them when our lawyer, as straight arrow as they come, was caught with a small amount of cocaine under very suspicious circumstances. Later he was cleared when the whole thing was proven to be a set-up but by then it was too late. We lost the case and the reputation of lawyer that was set-up was too badly tarnished to be recovered. I just thought you should know."

Catherine thought over what her father had told her. "I already suspected that something might be going on with Erika Salven, but the other news is new to me and it disturbs me." She glanced over at Vincent the back to her father. "Tomorrow morning I'll look into it. Vincent, could you spread the word among the helpers to keep an eye on Joe and Paul?"

~BB ~

Erica looked up as Branigan strolled into her office. He sat down across from her. "So, tell me, what's the story on Paul Levinson and Joe Maxwell?" To Erica his voice had a slightly oily tone to it.

She paused a moment to gather her wits. "I wasn't able to get to Maxwell. He spent most of the evening with that Chandler woman. Everyone says that he is as straight and incorruptible as they come." She paused in thought. "Paul is very bright, very charming. He grew up in Brooklyn, less than a quarter mile from where Maxwell grew up. He came close to being swept up in the government corruption mess a while back but the subsequent investigation found that he was not involved and Maxwell insisted that he stay on in his old job. Paul is determined to prove himself. He's very committed and aggressive..."

Brannigan interrupted her. "Aggressive I know about. Levinson and Maxwell are pursuing this Taylor investigation like some kind of personal crusade." Brannigan rose to his feet and leaned on her desk. "Erika, I'm depending on you to find a way to get to them."

Erika looked nervously up at Brannigan. "Maxwell's a straight shooter. He believes in what he's doing. Paul is very conscious of propriety and appearances. I don't think either of them can be bought."

Brannigan frowned sending a shiver up Erika's spine. "But can Levinson be slowed down?"

Erika swallowed twice before answering. "I don't know. Maybe…"

Brannigan stared at her for a moment then remarked. "Maybe we could make him a job offer. Would he be interested?"

Erika shrugged nervously. "Yeah, he might be."

Brannigan gazed at her a moment. There was a hard edge to the look in his eyes. "The trick in landing a game fish is in setting the hook. I will find another way to deal with Maxwell." Brannigan walked over and opened her office door, then turned to address Erika again. "There's a lot riding on this." Brannigan left the office leaving Erika shivering and thinking about what he said. As Brannigan exited Erika's office he nearly collided with the new law clerk that had started work yesterday. He vaguely remembered his name, something Wells. The man mumbled a nervous apology and continued down the hallway.

After pulling herself together Erika called Paul and invited him to have dinner with her that evening

~ o ~

The door to her office opened and Erika showed three men out of her office. "I'll be in touch as soon as we review the material. I think we can settle this without litigation."

At that point the newest legal clerk walked in and began to clear coffee cups from the table. Erika barely noticed him as she spotted Paul in the outer office and beckoned him inside.

Paul glanced at the three men that were exiting the outer office. "I guess I'm early."

Erika shook her head. "No, I think I'm late." She reached out and took Paul's hand as she spoke to the secretary. "See if you can move my 2:30 to 3:30."

The secretary nodded in response. "Certainly."

"And make sure that the Harrison contracts are ready by this afternoon." Erika added

The Law clerk exited the private office as Paul paused in the middle of the room, looking around the office. "This is quite a layout."

Erika responded with a tight smile. "One of the perks of being an obsessive compulsive." She cocked her head to the side. "Although lately, I've been trying to get a little balance in my life."

Paul looked down a moment before responding. "If I'm the balance, then we're both in trouble." He frowned. "I came to tell you that I like you a lot and would love to get to know you better but a relationship between us is going to have to wait for a little while."

Erika felt a cold weight in her gut as his words sank in. "What do you mean?"

Paul shook his head. "We have a major case coming up against Phillip Taylor and he is being defended by your law firm."

Erika grabbed his hand. "I work in the business law branch. I have nothing to do with that case." She insisted.

"It doesn't matter. It's the perception of conflict that I would have to worry about." Paul responded.

"Let somebody else handle the case . . . or better yet come to work here with me. I know that the partners are impressed by you and have considered offering you a position in this firm." There was an unintentional hint of pleading in her voice.

Paul sadly shook his head. "It doesn't matter. Erika you have to understand; I was nearly dragged down by the investigation of D.A. Moreno." He looked down at her desk. "Joe had faith in me. He threw me a lifeline and helped me prove that I was not involved in Moreno's corruption. He saved my job and my reputation and now he has put me in charge of this case. I can't let even a hint of scandal taint this case and I won't let Joe down." He looked up into Erika's eyes. "If you are still interested in me after this case is over then I'll be there, but for now I must go." There was a lump in his throat as he turned to leave but he knew that it was the best for both of them.

Erika was surprised how much it hurt as she watched him leave.

A few minutes after Paul left her office Brannigan entered, closing the door behind him.

Two offices down the new law clerk was listening to what appeared to be a micro cassette player while typing random characters on his terminal. There was a very serious look on his face as Devin listened in on a very disturbing conversation.

~ o ~

Catherine gazed at Devin in shock. "You bugged their offices?"

Devin shrugged. "Only Erika and Brannigan." He grinned.

Catherine shook her head. "The simple fact is that it is useless. It was obtained without a warrant so it is inadmissible."

"Just call it an anonymous tip." Devin replied with his usual cheeky grin.

~ o ~

The large secretive man named Bill Cassut watched from inside the phone booth as Joe Maxwell stepped up to his car. He then picked up the receiver and made the call exactly as he had been directed. Then he steped into a car that sat very close to the phone booth. Joe got into his car and drove off. Cassut pulled out and followed.

Several blocks away Joe Maxwell was pulled over by a patrol car. The Secretive man stopped about a hundred yards back and settled in to watch. The officers approached Joe's car from both sides with their guns draw. The officer on the driver's side pulled Joe out of the car and handcuffed him. A few seconds later the other officer produced a small white baggie from the back floor board. A few minutes later the police officers placed Joe in the back seat of their patrol car. The secretive man grinned evilly to himself. A few minutes later he drove off. That was one down.

A half hour later Cassut entered Brannigan's office.

"Close the door." Brannigan ordered. Cassut complied then settled into one of the overstuffed chairs in the elegant office. "Well?" Brannigan demanded.

"Everything went as planned." Cassut replied with an oily sneer. "The cops pulled Maxwell over and found the drugs I planted." He Cocked his head. "How did the woman do?"

"Salven failed. Let her emotions over rule her head." Brannigan responded with distain. "It looks like you will have to take care of Levinson when you eliminate Chandler. Maybe we can make it look like Maxwell, Chandler and Levinson are in it together then we can claim that all of the evidence is tainted and get it all thrown out."

Cassut gave a quick nod. "I'll see to it."

"Good. Now get out of here." Brannigan ordered in a clipped tone. "I can't afford to be seen with you."

Cassut stood up and replied in an equally clipped tone. "Whatever you say, boss!"

As Cassut turned toward the office door it banged open. "New York Police! Everybody freeze!" Called out a voice from the the hallway beyond as uniformed police swarmed through the door, guns drawn.

~ o ~

Late the next morning Joe walked into his office. As soon as they saw him Paul and Catherine entered his offic. Joe leaned back and propped his feet onto his desk, letting out a self satisfied sigh. Paul Levinson sat in one of the two guest chairs. Catherine perched on the corner of Joe's desk.

Catherine, her face revealing a cheeky grin, was the first to speak. "So, how does it feel to be out of the slammer?"

Joe responded with a matching grin. "I beat that rap before they even got me to the station." He chuckled. "The police had already searched my car before I drove it to work this morning. There were two detectives watching my car the whole time it was sitting outside the building. They followed Cassut. Cassut quit following as soon as the police cruiser pulled away from my car. The cops circled the block and dropped me back off at my car. The Detectives followed Cassut to his boss and caught their plans on tape, then raided the office."

Paul looked suspiciously at Catherine. "It's a lucky thing Cathy got that anonymous tip or you could have been in big trouble." Paul sighed. "It's too bad about Erika. I had started to like her. How much trouble is she in?"

Catherine gave Paul a look of sympathy. "I don't think Erika's heart was really in it. She didn't push you as hard as she could have."

The look on Paul's face softened slightly. "So what's going to happen to her."

Joe responded. "Legally, nothing. She skated dangerously close to the line but in the end refused to cross it. And at this moment she is in one of the conference rooms right now giving state's evidence. As far as her legal career goes though, she has a tough road ahead of her. I think that she found that she liked you more than she expected and couldn't bring herself to go through with the original plan. She's still in the conference rom if you wish to talk to her."

Paul stood up and took a deep breath. "I think I will." He turned and left the office.

Joe and Catherine both watched him leave then looked at each other, half amused and half curious.

Catherine shrugged. "That could get interesting."

Joe simply nodded.

~ o ~

That evening, on the roof top garden of Catherine and Vincent's home, two figures stood beside a table containing the remains of a romantic dinner and surrounded by dozens of lit candles. Devin and Carol gazed lovingly at each other's eyes as Carol broke the contented silence that had descended around them. "It was a year ago, tonight."

Devin responded softly. "You are so unusual. To be remembering such a dark time with dancing candle light."

Carol closed the short distance between them and reached up to caress the prominent scars on his cheek. "Don't you see? It's a time for celebration. I found hope and a wonderful new life that night. I met you.

Devin placed his hand over her hand on his cheek then turned his head slightly to kiss her palm. Then he lowered his hand, still holding her's. "I have something for you. I wanted to give you, something from that world where I first met you." With his free hand Devin held up the crystal necklace that sparkled in the candlelight. "I knew how much you liked Cathy's necklace and since Vincent is my brother . . . It just seemed like a good idea."

Carol's eyes sparkled as she looked up into Devin's eyes. "Devin, it's beautiful."

Devin's smile widened. "It comes from our deepest chamber. It is a part of where I come from and it seals your place as a part of my family." Devin placed the crystal around her neck.

Carol placed her hand over the the crystal resting above her breast. "I love it." She leaned in and they exchanged a tender kiss. Then she picked up a small box that had lay unobtrusively off to the side. "I wanted you to have a part of me from before my life spun so far out of control. When I was little, I loved the Greek myths around Perseus and Andromeda. A year before she died, my mother gave me this." She opened the small box to reveal a small ivory figurine of Pegasus with a tiny man astride it's back. "She told me that someday, like Perseus riding in on his flying horse, my very own hero would appear in my life." She looked down and placed the figurine in Devin's hand then closed his fingers over it. Then she looked back up into his eyes. "And now here you are. Until we met, I'd forgotten how it felt to know there was someone thinking of me; someone who knows who I am and loves me still."

Devin felt a lump in his throat as he wrapped his arms around her. Finally he was able to speak. "Ever since that night, your presence has been a constant reminder of what a gift life and love is. We are as much a part of each other as Vincent and Cathy are."

Carol laid her head on his shoulder. Devin responded by tightening his arms around her in a warm embrace.

Below, standing beside the crib containing their infant son, Catherine and Vincent were engaged in a very similar embrace.

The End (of episode 15)

'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.