The Other Path ~ Season 1
By Thomas Mc

Authors Note : Because of everything that has gone before and led to the way this story begins, And because I didn't really like that episode that much anyway. With a few small scenes, the plot in the original episode will not happen. Instead this episode will explain something that some readers have asked me about, namely 'Mouse Engineering'. This episode will be relatively short with only a few references to the TV episode but I hope you like it anyway.

Fever

Elliot Burk wiped the sweat from his brow and glanced at the two young people on either side of him. Mouse was on his right sporting a huge grin and occasionally giving an affectionate pat to the side of the machine. Jamie was on his left. Several times. He took a deep breath as the three of them applied their weight against the one of a kind machine before him. This was the first, real world, test of the first prototype of the 'Mouse Portable Rock Drilling Machine'. They had decided to test it by cutting a new short cut tunnel from one of the more isolated wings of the home tunnels through to the main dining chamber. So far the machine was working perfectly.

This machine was based on a design originally created by Mouse. Mouse's prototype had been used for the first time to rescue Vincent, Jacob and Charles after they had been caught in a cave in. That was when Elliot had first met mouse and seen mouse's creation for the first time. Despite its hodge-podge kludged together look the machine had performed its job admirably and the three trapped men had been rescued.

Since that day Elliot had been very busy. Between cooperating with the DA office and their prosecution of the Max Avery corruption case and fighting off the efforts of Max Avery to destroy him, Elliot had not been able to visit below since. He had latched onto the testing of this prototype as an excuse to visit Below.

Elliot's engineers had taken the rough design of mouse's portable rock drill and refined it into this sleek practical tool. If this machine turned out to be as successful as he expected, it would revolutionize small scale rock drilling and make Mouse a relatively rich individual. Elliot set up a small consulting firm called 'Mouse Engineering' that currently consisted of a small office and a reliable secretary. Then he had arranged for the original patent on the portable rock drilling machine to be assigned to that company. Royalties for the production model would be paid directly into the account of that small company. As the manufacturer, Elliot's company would come out ahead as well.

Considering Mouse's relative innocence in matters of finance, Elliot was going to have to find a smart and scrupulously honest financial advisor to help mouse manage his wealth wisely. Maybe Catherine would have some ideas about that. He shook his head to clear it. He could worry about Max Avery and Mouse's financial security later. For now he just wanted to enjoy himself playing with this fascinating new toy.

After a few hours more Elliot finally called a halt to their endeavors and turned off the machine. Mouse gave a small groan of disappointment at Elliot's action. Eliot just smiled and commented. "I think we've managed to get a lot accomplished for one day." He glanced back at the length of tunnel that they had already cut. "Yes, I'd say we've done well." He patted the side of the machine. This 'gizmo' of yours really does get the job done quite efficiently."

Mouse looked at Elliot quizzically. "Mine?" On Mouse's face was a look of doubt mixed with a hint of hope.

Jamie glanced at Mouse then was looking at Elliot with a combination of surprise mixed with doubt.

Elliot's smile increased at the looks on both of their faces. "Of course." Elliot responded with a quick chuckle. "It's based on your design and I always give credit where credit is due." He brushed the rock dust off of the small metal plaque on the side of the machine's case. "This machine is even named after you."

Jamie and Mouse both read the printing on the plate.

The Mouse Portable Rock Drilling Machine
- Patent No. 4039712990
- Designed by Mouse Engineering Inc.
- Manufactured by Burk Industrie
- Serial No 000001

They both looked at Elliot, their expressions asking for an explanation.

Elliot grinned back at them. "It's close to dinner time. Let's go meet up with the others. I have some things that I wish to discuss with you two and a few others if we have time. Then we can go and get some dinner." He glanced down at his rock dust covered clothes and he brushed at himself with his hands then looked back at them. "But first I think we need to get cleaned up." He turned and headed up the new tunnel with Mouse and Jamie following close behind, both bursting with curiosity.

~ o ~

Kipper glanced curiously around the chamber. It reminded him of Mouse's chamber except, rather than various types of mechanical tools, this room had all types of carved wood items scattered everywhere. Cullen is seated at his work table, carving a piece of wood.

Kipper approached the rather crusty older man. "Cullen? Cullen…uh… Father needs to talk to you. He said…" Kipper glanced at what he was carving and recognizes the image. "Hey, that's Vincent!"

Cullen looked up at Kipper. "Yeah. He's a chess piece, the queen's knight." He paused to examine his handy work. "It's for a set I'm gonna give Father at Winter Feast." He held it out to Kipper. "You like it?"

Kipper held the little figure almost reverently. He had always looked up to and admired Vincent. "It looks just like him. It's fantastic." He handed it back to Cullen. "So, you're doing a whole set of these things?"

Cullen grinned as he set the figure down on the work table next to several other figures and touched the figure next to it. "Yeah, I've already done Winslow…" He pointed to another figure. "…and Pascal, I made them bishops." His finger moved on. "And Mouse is gonna be a rook. Jamie is the other rook."

Kipper laughed. "You didn't."

"They're such a tight pair I had to." Cullen grinned back. "Oh, and the white king is gonna be … guess who?"

Kipper's curiosity was peeked. "Who?"

Cullen grinned. "Father. You know, leaning on his stick…"

Kipper cocked his head as a grin began to spread across his face. "Uh-huh."

Cullen continued. "…books under his arm. He'll fuss and fume, but secretly, he's gonna love it." He stood up and pulled on a vest then paused as he turned toward his chamber door. " Oh and…uh…this is my surprise, okay?" His look turned more serious. " So, not a word to anyone?"

Kipper developed a mischievous grin. "Oh, my lips are sealed…if…"

Cullen cocked his head in anticipation of his next words.

Kipper continued. "…if I can be a pawn?"

Cullen smiled back at him. "Done, you cheeky blackmailer." Then he pointed to one in a group of the shortest figures. It was Kipper along with seven other recognizable tunnel orphans. He laughed at the charmed look that replaced the earlier mischievous look on Kippers face. "Let's go see what Father wants." He stepped toward the door way followed closely by Kipper.

~ o ~

Father's chamber was a hive of activity. Catherine, Vincent and Charles were there handing out clothing from a box Vincent had brought down with them. She handed a cream-colored knitted button-down vest and a dark brown windbreaker to Winslow.

Winslow held the items up for display. "Let's see. Will you look at this!" He graced Catherine with one of his rare smiles . "Thank you, Catherine!"

Catherine smiled back as she crouched down on the floor by the box. "Just a few odds and ends from around the house."

Vincent picked up another item from the box, his eyes dancing with humor. "You should learn to remove the price tags from your odds and ends."

Catherine snatched the item back and set it aside. "Tattle-tale." She responded in a stage whisper. She then pulled a nice looking maroon sweater out of the box. "My father bought this when he took up skiing and put it in a drawer after one trip down the slopes… in a less than dignified manner." She held it up to measure it against Father. "What do you think?"

At that moment Cullen came through the entry at the top of the spiral stairs followed closely by Kipper and saw Father holding the sweater. "It's him. Father, that is definitely you."

Father looked up at Cullen. "This sweater?"

Cullen nodded. "Yeah."

Father turned it slightly looking it over. "Yeah, well, it's…uh…" He was momentarily unsure what to say. "… just what I need for when I…um, go skiing."

That got a laugh from everyone in the chamber.

Catherine glanced around as she pulled a white gift box out. "I – I brought something for Mouse." She glanced around the room. "Where is he?"

Winslow remarked with a bit of a smirk. "Oh, he's supposed to be here, but Mouse isn't exactly the most dependable when it comes to…"

At that moment Mouse came rushing into the chamber followed closely by Jamie with Elliot Burk bringing up the rear.

Father glanced at them curiously then spoke. "As Winslow was saying, Mouse hasn't entirely grasped the concept of time."

Mouse spoke from the top of the short stairs to the lower entrance. "Time? . . . Easy. Early? Come before Mouse. Late? Come after." He leaped the three steps to the main floor and joined the others.

Father nodded. "Yes, I see." He glanced at Jamie and Elliot then back at Mouse. "Well now, tell me, Mouse, what have you been doing?" He knew from the pipe messages that Elliot had arrived shortly after lunch with two burly helpers that were carrying a fairly large wooden crate. He had met up with Mouse and Jamie and they had all disappeared into one of the more remote sections of the community.

"Working." Mouse responded succinctly.

Father again glanced curiously at Elliot. "Something useful, I hope?"

Vincent spoke up. "Catherine has brought you a present, Mouse."

Catherine handed Mouse the box. He opened it and looked inside with an expression of awe. "Tools. For me?"

Jamie grinned with pride at the looks on everyone's face. She and Vincent had worked very hard to get Mouse to use the word 'tools' rather than the word 'gismos', at least when referring to simple hand tools and they had finally succeeded. Mouse looked up at Catherine. "Look. New!"

Cullen was looking on enviously. "Expensive."

Winslow shook his head. "Uh, just say thank you and get it over with, Mouse."

Mouse bobbed his head. "Thank you."

Catherine smiled back at Mouse. "You're welcome." She turned toward Cullen as she picked up the wooden box she had set on the floor earlier while surreptitiously removing the price tag and held it out to him. "And this is for you."

Cullen opened the wooden box and stared in amazement. It was a complete set of the best woodcarving tools that money could buy. Cullen looked up at Catherine, his eyes bright with emotion. "Well … Uh … I … Uh … Thank you." He stammered out.

At this point Elliot spoke up drawing every one's attention. "Before we head to dinner there is something that I would like to speak to you Father, and you Charles, and Mouse and Jamie and Catherine." He had nodded to each of them in turn. "It won't take very long." He added.

Everyone else began to filter out of the chamber, carrying their new gifts with them. Soon only Charles, Father, Catherine, Vincent, Mouse and Jamie.

Father was brimming with curiosity and a hint of trepidation as he turned to Elliot. Elliot had only recently become aware of the existence of the tunnel community and was still very much an outsider. Being as wealthy as he was, in Father's eyes, would have once made Elliot's motives suspect but years of knowing Catherine and her father had significantly altered his perception. Now he was willing to give Elliot the benefit of the doubt because Catherine said that he could be trusted. Once the room was cleared Father inquired. "So, what is it that you wished to discuss with us?"

Elliot glanced momentarily at each of those remaining in the room, reviewing his thoughts, before he spoke. He wanted to be sure he presented his plans clearly. "I wanted to explain what I have done and get your ideas on how to go from here." he explained.

He immediately had everyone's attention.

"Several weeks ago there was a cave-in down here and Catherine came to me for some help. She needed a tough rock drilling bit and some explosives. I got her what she needed but I also insisted on coming along. I felt that the explosives should be handled by someone with experience." He paused just a moment. "And to be honest, I was extremely curious about what was going on." He ended with a shrug and a self deprecating smile. "Cathy was too worried and in too much of a hurry to argue with me. That is when I first entered this fascinating place and where I first saw Mouse's portable rock drilling machine." He glanced over at Mouse. "Crude as it was, I was blown away by the sheer genius of it." His attention returned to Father. "It was such a simple yet elegant piece of machinery and I could immediately see dozens of uses for it." His glance swung back to Mouse again. "So I asked Mouse if he had any drawings of his new 'gizmo' and he dug them out and gave them to me . . . said he didn't need them anymore."

Another scan of the occupants of the chamber assured him that he had their undivided curiosity. He smiled at Mouse and Jamie as he continued. "I took those drawings to a couple of my best engineers and asked them to turn Mouse's basic design into a commercial product." He favored Mouse with an admiring grin. "It didn't take them very long. They told me that the original design was so well thought out that all they really had to do was pretty it up a bit. Mouse, Jamie and I were testing out the production model prototype under real world conditions just before coming here. It performed flawlessly."

Mouse was grinning and nodding vigorously. "Look pretty, worked good." Then his grin got bigger. "Named Mouse."

Elliot again graced Mouse with an admiring look. "Regardless of his unique way of speaking, Mouse is a genuine engineering genius."

Elliot then turned his attention back to the rest of those assembled and proceeded to describe the company he had created to handle any commercially viable creations that Mouse might invent. Finally he came to what he wanted to discuss with them. "Charles, you and your firm have an excellent reputation in business law and I was hoping that you would be willing to take on Mouse and Jamie and their company on as clients. Jacob, I was hoping you could suggest a few reliable helpers that could help run the small office that I leased for Mouse and Jamie's company. I think only people that are already aware of the tunnel community should be directly involved with their company. I think with a little help from their friends, Mouse and Jamie would make a superior engineering team." He then turned to Catherine. "Cathy, I'm hoping that you and Joe can arrange to get Mouse and Jamie, legally viable identities so that their ownership of their company can be properly protected."

Elliot paused and surveyed those in the room. Mouse and Jamie were looking at each other with expressions of delight and amazement. The rest were looking thoughtful as they contemplated the tasks Elliot had requested of them.

Charles was the first to speak as he smiled at Mouse and Jamie. "I would be proud to represent the legal affairs of Mouse and Jamie and their company." He reached out and patted Mouse on the back with an almost fatherly air.

Catherine spoke next while deep in thought. "Arranging legal identities for Mouse and Jamie will be complicated. The most difficult part will be establishing the government identification for them." She looked up at the rest of the room. "But I think Joe and I can manage it. This won't be the first time that we have helped people from the tunnels establish themselves in the world above."

Silence descended in the chamber as everyone's attention shifted to Father. He stood there with his head down, frowning deep in thought. After a couple of seconds he raised his head and looked at Mouse and Jamie and a faint smile graced his features. "I think I know a few helpers that would be able to help."

Elliot grinned at the assembled friends and nodded. "Great! How about we get back together here with the helpers that you select in a couple of weeks and work out the final details."

Everyone agreed to Elliot's plan and they all retired to the dining chamber.

~ o ~

Vincent and Catherine stood on their tiny, currently unlighted, bedroom balcony. Vincent stood behind her with his arms wrapped around her waist. The two of them were silently looking at the narrow slice of Central Park that they could see from there and enjoying each other's company.

Vincent spoke softly to her. "Catherine, your gifts brought much joy today."

Catherine leaned her head back against his chest as she responded. "Sometimes I wish I could do more for them. I have so much and there are so many things I could give them." She paused a moment. "Then I remember the words at the beginning of Winterfest and what 'Below' really stands for." Her eyes glazed over with memories. "So, I settle for making sure that they have a steady supply of food and insure that Peter has the funds for the medical supplies he sends them." Her voice took on a slightly rebellious tone to match her emotions. "And on occasion I buy a few very special gifts for those that I know have a special need."

Vincent chuckled. "And you hope that you can sneak them past Father as second-hand junk." He felt her shiver and tightened his arms around her. "But, more importantly, you give of yourself, your generosity, and your friendship, to all of us. There is no gift more precious than that."

Catherine shrugged. "You know how I am. I'm from this world and disgustingly rich but I've spent a large portion of my life immersed in the tunnel philosophy." She shrugged. "Living in both worlds like that makes me feel generous but it sometimes gives me a skewed outlook on what people really need."

Vincent responded. "I know. You are the most generous person I have ever met and sometimes you have to remind yourself to control your generosity where the tunnels are concerned." He kissed the top of her head. "You balance the impulses very well, and I know how much you give to people in need in this world."

For a few moments they just stood there enjoying each other's company.

Catherine finally broke the comfortable silence. "What did you think of Elliot's ideas?"

Vincent chuckled then responded. "I was very impressed. He could have taken Mouse's design and made a lot of money from it. Instead he created this company for Mouse and Jamie and did his best to protect their interests." He paused a moment in thought. "I suspect that Mouse and Jamie will do very well."

~ o ~

Catherine arrived home after a long busy day at work. She entered her brownstone, unzipping her jacket and throwing it at the parlor love seat, then headed upstairs to her bedroom. Sitting on the bed, she picked up the phone, calling her friend Jenny.

"Yeah, hi, Jenn, it's me. I'm running a little late. Vincent is busy helping repair a dangerous leak in one of the tunnels and will be very late getting home tonight so I'm all yours this evening."

She pulled off her boots as she talked. ""Okay, just give me time to shower and change and I'll meet you at the bookstore."

She started to remove her top. "Okay. Save a copy for me! Bye."

She hung up the phone and headed into the bathroom.

Fifteen minutes later she emerged from the bathroom and, after a few minutes selecting her clothes for the evening, she sat down in front of her dressing table mirror. She started to reach over to the expensive looking jewelry box to her right then paused. With a shake of her head she instead reached for the very plain looking jewelry box to her left.

That box contained some very old antique jewelry that she inherited from her mother. A jeweler had told her that the pieces were a couple of hundred years old and of museum quality. They were virtually priceless. Catherine smiled to herself. They would be perfect for the book signing event that she was going to this evening.

Catherine stepped out of the taxi in front of the old bookstore that had been a favorite haunt in her youth and that had become a landmark for this part of the city. She glanced at the poster as she entered the place.

Book Signing Tonite!
From 8-11.

ALAIN VISO's Latest book

RE-DISCOVERING
THE LOST CITY OF PETRA

Many people were milling about with drinks in their hands, while the author, an elderly French adventurer-archaelogist, sat at a big table off to the left. There was a long line of people waiting for him to sign their copy of his book.

Jenny stepped up to greet Catherine. "So … how do you think it's going?"

"Seems to be going great." Catherine smiled at her long time friend, "Alain Viso is a fascinating character. You're gonna sell a lot of books." A hint of mischievousness crossed her face. "And, even if it were a disaster, I'd still be your friend."

Jenny nudged her friend good naturedly. "Would you like to meet him?"

Catherine responded. "Yes, I would."

"Okay, I'll be right back." Jenny remarked as she moved off toward the author's table.

As she stood perusing the crowd, a man approaches from behind Catherine. "Excuse me? Are you with the publishing house?"

Catherine turned to face him. "No."

The man glanced at her necklace. "Are you a collector?"

"No, not really." Catherine responded.

The man held out his hand. "Jonathan Thorpe. "I'm he 'without whom this book could never have been written'." As Ctherine shook his hand he glanced at the bracelet she was wearing.

Catherine introduced herself.

He kisses her hand, as his gaze returned to her necklace. He continued holding her hand long enough for Catherine to become concerned. Finally she inquired. "Something wrong?"

Thorp responded while still looking at her necklace. "I was merely admiring your … necklace. It's beautiful.

At that moment Jenny approaches the pair with the author in tow. "Alain, I'd like you to meet a very good friend of mine, Catherine Chandler.

Thorp glanced at Viso then spoke to Catherine. "Excuse me …"

Viso looked at Thorp. "Jonathan."

Thorp acted to draw Viso's attention. "Have you seen this? Gerstner's new book on Egypt?" He drew Viso away from Catherine."

Viso seemed intrigued as he followed Thorp. "Let me look. I tell you, Jonathan, Gerstner could not tell a century…"

As the two men walk away from them, Jenny turns to Catherine apologetically. "Sorry. Maybe later."

Catherine laughed but she glanced speculatively after the two men.

~ o ~

The next day Catherine sat at her desk pouring over some depositions when Sol, one of her co-workers, approached and sighed as she looked up at him. She cocked her head at his expression. "That bad?" She shook her head. "I had a feeling. Tell me."

Sol glanced at the folder in his hand. "Well, Thorpe hasn't found a way to smuggle the pyramids out of Egypt yet, but I figure he's working on it." He glanced back at the folder he was holding. "Try bribery, try theft of national antiquities, try smuggling. He's wanted in India, Egypt, and half of South America." He handed her the folder.

"Thanks." Catherine responded. She began to look through the documents as Sol walked away.

Several minutes later Catherine took the folder into Joe's office.

Joe looked up as Catherine entered. "Ah, I was just about to call for you. Close the door." Catherine did as requested and Joe continued. "I've got everything ready to legitimize Jamie and Mouse." He picked up a folder and handed it to her. "All I need is their signature on a couple of documents, and it's done."

Catherine accepted the documents from Joe then held up the folder that she had brought in with her. "Last night I encountered a very interesting character that seemed to show an unusually strong interest in my mother's antique jewelry." She handed the folder to Joe. "He pushed me to have dinner with him and, considering the value of the pieces I was wearing, I have my suspicions about his motives." She cocked her head. "I'm meeting him for dinner this evening and I thought that maybe we can catch him red handed."

Joe's eyebrows climbed as he glanced through the folder. He closed the folder and looked up at Catherine. "I think that sounds like a good idea. I'll call Henderson and set everything up."

"Thanks, Joe." Catherine held up the folder with the documents for Mouse and Jamie. "I'll take care of this as soon as I can."

~ o ~

The next morning Catherine sat in Joe's office as they discussed the previous evening. Joe was laughing. "Your picture perfect act of slightly guilty naiveté was classic. Henderson said that he was having a devil of a time keeping a straight face through the whole thing. All of us in the back room listening in on the wire were nearly falling out of our chairs from laughing." He shook his head. "But we've got Jonathan Thorpe dead to rights on extortion and blackmail charges."

Catherine grinned back at Joe. "Good. I knew he was corrupt but he turned out to be a lot slimier than I had expected. It took every ounce of self control I had to keep from blowing up at him." She shrugged. "The act I put on was in some part to help me keep my reactions in check."

Joe chuckled. "Well it worked and Thorpe will be out of circulation for a long time. And once we're through with him there are those extradition requests from all those other countries to be considered." He cocked his head. "How are things going with Mouse and Jamie?"

Catherine grinned and held out a small handful of documents that she had been holding. "I got all the signatures that you needed."

Joe took them then handed Catherine two envelopes. One had Mouse on the front and the other had Jamie on it. "Good, Here are their ID documents. I used the last names that you suggested."

"Thanks Joe." She took the envelopes. "They will be happy to get these."

~ o ~

Two days later Catherine, Vincent, Jamie, Mouse and Elliot were sitting together in the tunnel dining chamber. Catherine handed envelopes to Mouse and Jamie. "These are your birth certificates. You are both listed as foundlings. Joe used the standard legal channels created to handle grown children that have been raised outside of regular society. Everything is legal and above board." She smiled at the two young people. "Mouse, your family name is now Wells, at Vincent's insistence." She turned her attention to Jamie and smiled. "I hope you don't mind but I requested that your last name be Chandler."

Jamie looked back at Catherine, her eyes shining. "Thank you Catherine. I'm honored."

Mouse looked up from the envelope that he was holding and smiled. "OK good, OK fine. Thank you."

Elliot spoke up at this point. "Things are also going well with your company. Next month the second prototype of the 'Mouse Portable Rock Drilling Machine' will be introduced at the 'San Diego Engineering Convention'. I expect it to be the hit of the convention." He smiled. "The original prototype that I gave you is now listed in the books as being donated to your company." He cocked his head. "I thought it might be a good idea to display that original model that you used to rescue Vincent, Charles and Jacob as the centerpiece in the office of your new company."

"That's wonderful." Catherine exclaimed. She smiled. "By the way Mouse and Jamie finished that new tunnel that you started to test the production model. Father was quite pleased with the results." She grinned conspiratorially at Elliot. "Mouse is already thinking of other projects for his new toy, much to Father's chagrin."

Elliot laughed at the thought of Jacob's probable reactions to Mouse's latest schemes.

The End (of episode 18)

'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.