The Other Path ~ Season 1
By Thomas Mc

Author's Note:

Paracelsus is dead ! That fact means that the entire plot of this episode is out the window. What is an author to do when the main villain is already dead making the whole plot of a story invalid?

Well, it turns out that there are other things going on in this world that can provide fodder for other stories. Therefore, this episode will have nothing in common with the original TV episode. It took me awhile to choose the particular situation that would become the source for this story. I will be delving deeply into Crossover territory with this episode and I plan to have some fun with it.

This little adventure brings back some other characters I introduced in earlier episodes. The friendship between Catherine Chandler and Sue Charlton will have a definite effect on the events in this version of 'Crocodile Dundee II'. I hope you enjoy.

Special mention goes out to Paul Hogan and Linda Kozlowski who did such a wonderful job bringing their characters to life..

To Reign In Hell

Catherine was concentrating hard on the two-day-old interrogation transcript on her desk. It was from a drug dealer case that Joe was currently involved with and it was very important that she analyze every nuance of what was said. If this particular case was prosecuted successfully it could get them two steps closer to a very slippery drug kingpin that ran his drug business out of Columbia. They knew who the kingpin was. His name was Luis Rico but, until this latest case, they had never been able to get anything on him. Witnesses against him had a tendency to disappear. The lawyer that had shown up this morning to represent the man currently on trial was a known shark that specialized in getting obviously guilty bad guys off on the smallest of technicalities. Joe had given Catherine the task of ferreting out any weak points and develop legal strategies to shore up those weak points.

Catherine was surprised when she caught the hint of movement in her peripheral vision. She glanced up at the woman that was approaching her desk. The woman was very tall with long strawberry blond hair, slender, very pretty and appeared to be somewhere in her early to mid twenties. She wore a western style shirt, a knee length denim skirt, and gray cowboy cut boots. She looked like she had just wandered off of a western movie set. Catherine's gaze was drawn to her hazel eyes that were dancing with barely contained merriment.

The woman stopped in front of Catherine's desk and her grin got wider. For a moment Catherine wondered why the woman looked so familiar. Then she broke out in a huge grin as she recognized the woman. "Sammy, it's been so long since you moved to Connecticut. What brings you into town?"

"I had a little vacation time and I'm in town to relax and look up a few old friends." Her voice dropped to a conspiratorial whisper. "And I've heard some very interesting things about you and Vincent . . . and a baby?"

Catherine laughed. "Yea, a lot has happened since you moved away." She cocked her head. "And how have you been doing since then?"

"I've been doing well. I've got a good paying job at a nice dress boutique. And a week ago I made the acquaintance of a friend of yours named Nancy." She gave a short chuckle. "Imagine my surprise at encountering another person in Connecticut that knew . . ." She glanced around quickly then leaned in closer with raised eyebrows. ". . . about Vincent." She continued in a lower voice.

Catherine laughed. "Yea, Vincent has friends in the most unlikely places."

"So . . ." Sammy continued . "What about the rumors?"

Catherine glanced up at the clock on the far wall. "If you can hang around for awhile, we can have lunch together. I'll tell you all about it."

"Sounds like a date." Sammy responded.

"Just give me a couple of minutes to put these files away." Catherine began to organize her desk so she could leave for lunch. Because of the sensitive nature of the documents she was dealing with, she had to make sure they were properly locked away. She put everything in the proper folders then placed them in the locked cabinets under case labels that appeared to have nothing to do with the relevant case. The correctly labeled folders contained nothing that would be of any use to the opposing lawyer.

Five minutes later, as she closed and locked the file drawer and headed back to her desk, Joe came up behind her. He paused glancing back and forth between Catherine and Sammy. "I was wondering if you were free for lunch but it seems you already have plans." His gaze had settled appreciatively on Sammy.

Noticing how both Sammy and Joe were eyeing each other, Catherine decided that introductions were in order. "Sammy, this is District Attorney Joe Maxwell, my boss. Joe this is Samantha Johnson, an old friend." She grinned at the looks of interest in both of their faces and continued. "Why don't you join us for lunch?"

Sammy looked surprised and Joe looked intrigued.

We were just going to gossip about Vincent and the baby." She continued.

Sammy and Joe both looked at Catherine in stunned surprise and Catherine continued speaking to Joe. "Sammy grew up in the tunnels." Her look shifted to Sammy. "Joe has known Vincent for a few years now."

Joe was the first to recover and spoke to Sammy. "I've been below several times and I don't think I've ever seen you."

"Sammy had to leave the tunnels back in '78 after a particularly severe bout of pneumonia." Catherine informed him. "It turned out that she was very allergic to a type of mold that is common down there." She grabbed her purse from her bottom desk drawer. "I'm hungry. Let's go eat." On those words the three of them headed out of the office.

~ o ~

Lunch had been quite interesting. At first there had been the usual small talk, including updates on life in the tunnels and stories about Vincent and Joe and Sammy. As lunch had progressed, Catherine had become amused at how Joe and Sammy had steadily become more and more engrossed in each other. Finally, after the check had been paid, she had quietly slipped away barely noticed by Joe or Sammy. A half hour later Joe and Sammy returned to the office.

As they approached her desk, Catherine noticed with a grin that they were hand in hand. Hey, Joe, if you don't have any other plans this evening, why don't you bring Sammy by my place for dinner?"

Sammy and Joe glanced at each other for just a moment then he responded. "Sounds good to me." He looked at Sammy. "How about you?"

"I would love to." Sammy replied with a grin. "I can't wait to see that new kid of yours."

Catherine nodded. "Then I'll expect you around seven." Her gaze centered on Joe. "Which means, you will have to leave work, more or less, on time." She finished with a grin and one raised eyebrow.

Joe laughed. "OK, Radcliffe, I'll be there on time." He turned to face Sammy. "Come on, I'll show you around the office."

Catherine stood up, grabbing her purse. "You two stay out of trouble while I'm out."

"Where, ya going?" Sammy inquired.

"I have to drop by the police station, I won't be gone long." Catherine turned and was on her way out of the office and chuckling to herself.

~ o ~

As Catherine approached the police station front desk she spotted River Patrol Officer O'Hara and Manhattan Police Officer Johnson talking to the Desk Sergeant. She automatically slowed down, thinking that, with those two involved, it had to be something interesting.

O'Hara was speaking. "I swear to God the plume had to be fifteen feet high. As we turned the cutter toward it we saw a small rowboat with a single person in it floating close to where the explosion had occurred. Once we got close enough to see the man clearly I realized that it was Mick."

Johnson laughed. "I can't wait to hear what he had to say for himself."

The desk Sergeant also laughed. "I've heard tales about this character."

O'Hara continued. "As we pulled up he was pulling a thirteen incher out of the water. I called out to him 'Mick Dundee, I might've known it was you'."

"And he said?" The Desk Sergeant inquired expectantly.

O'Hara's eyes glinted with humor as he responded. "He held the fish up and called out 'It's these New York fish . . . They just won't take the bait'."

Officer Johnson and The desk Sergeant both cracked up. Catherine couldn't help laughing as well. That sounded just like something that Mick would say.

Johnson and O'Hara both became aware of her standing behind them and turned toward her. Officer Johnson remarked. I didn't see you there, Cathy. What can New York's finest do for you today?"

Catherine smiled at the three officers. "I'm just here to pick-up a copy of the transcript of the Pierson interrogation."

"Oh, yea." The desk sergeant shifted through the documents littering his desk then picked up a folder and double checked the label. "Detective Henderson left this for you." He handed the folder over to Catherine.

Johnson then addressed the others. "Speaking of Mick, if you think The East River fishing incident was interesting, I got called to a suicide a couple of hours ago." Johnson chuckled. "I looked out of the window near where the jumper was standing, and the next instant I saw Mick come around the corner walking on that twelve-inch-wide ledge. He had his hands in his pockets and was acting like he was just out for a stroll in the park without a care in the world."

"You're joking." The desk sergeant remarked.

"I kid you not." Johnson shrugged with a grin. "Mick started talking to the guy, saying all the things that they tell us never to say to a jumper. Mick was talking like he was just waiting for the guy to jump so he could continue his afternoon stroll. He never actually said the word jump. He just made graphic hand motions and sound effects representing a long fall with a splat at the end." At this point Officer Johnson shook his head in admiration. "Then Mick pretended to slip and the jumper was so un-nerved that he couldn't get inside the building fast enough."

Again everyone laughed. Catherine commented. "Last week Sue told me that she never knows what kind of mischief Mick will get into next, and her life is never dull." She gave a quick wave of the folder and turned to go. "I gotta get back to work. See you guys later."

~ o ~

Mick (Crocodile) Dundee was scared and angry. An hour ago he had received a phone call, informing him that Sue had been kidnapped and if he didn't bring them the letter that had arrived in the morning post, she would be killed. Now he was standing on the subway platform, face to face with one of the kidnappers. They were at a standoff, waiting for the next train that was supposed to be carrying Sue. Then the exchange would, supposedly, be made.

At least that was what the tall long haired man had told him. Mick did not believe the man but played along while he thought over his options. He was currently making this up as he went alone. Before he could act, he needed to find out what type of people he was up against. Whatever was in that package seemed to be very important to them and he didn't think that they would harm Sue as long as they thought that they could use her to get it back.

The train arrived but no Sue Charlton got off. They had betrayed him, which he had half expected. In the confusion created by some tourists, Mick evaded the kidnapper and with the help of two strangers the kidnapper was subdued. Mick got away and returned to the apartment.

The kidnappers were sure to send another person with the intention of taking a more direct action. Mick would have to be ready. He spent the next couple of hours sharpening his knife while going over his options and making plans. He was also psyching himself up for the next move.

The first thing he had to do was to find out where Sue was being held. He figured that the best next step would be to contact his friend Leroy Brown. He figured that Leroy would have the resources to help him rescue Sue without getting the police getting involved too soon. If that was unsuccessful there was always Catherine and Vincent as a backup source.

His thoughts were interrupted by a knock at the door. "Who's there?" He inquired.

He stood up and cautiously approached the door staying way off to the side. Suddenly part of the door exploded inward leaving a large hole in the center. Mick flattened himself against the wall next to the door. Now the games began. Seconds later the muzzle of a shotgun appeared through the opening. Mick grabbed the gun barrel and yanked back as hard as he could, causing the man on the other end to slam into the door before the gun came free. Mick yanked the door open to face the dazed man. One blow across the head with the butt of the man's own gun and he was out. Mick quickly checked the hallway then dragged the assassin into the apartment and closed the shattered door.

~ o ~

Several minutes later Mick had the panicking assassin suspended by a rope out over the balcony of Sue's tenth floor apartment. After a short time slowly but relentlessly cutting at the rope, fiber by fiber, the assassin cracked. Mick found out that Sue had been kidnapped by a drug lord named Luis Rico and his right hand man, Miguel. They were holed–up in a heavily guarded compound out on Long Island.

At that point two DEA agents appeared on the street below and., after looking up, both rushed into the apartment building.

A quick glance at where he had been cutting the rope to be sure there was still more than enough left to safely hold the assassin then he grabbed the loose end of the rope and swung down onto the balcony below. By the time the agents arrived at Sue's apartment, Mick was long gone.

~ o ~

Leroy Brown was at the end of a busy day and headed home for the evening. He turned the corner and came face to face With an unusually serious looking Mick Dundee. "Hey man, why so serious? Who died?" He immediately regretted his words when Mick's glower turned even darker as his jaw mussels twitched. "Mick what's wrong?" He inquired.

"Sue's been kidnapped by some really bad dudes. I know who they are and where they're keeping her but I'm going to need some help to get her out." He paused. You often tell me that you know guys who know guys." He took a deep breath. "I think that I'm going to need some help from some of those guys."

"I might be able to help you . . . where is she being held?"

"The place is out on Long Island and belongs to some drug guy named Rico."

"Rico!?" Leroy's eyes nearly bugged out of his head. "Rico is very, very dangerous. His place is an armed fortress." With serious effort, Leroy forced himself to remain cool. "How can I help?"

"You once mentioned some really bad dudes. Maybe you can get some of them to help me." Mick replied hopefully.

"You want them to help you storm a heavily armed compound?" Leroy remarked incredulously.

"Naw, I'll be the only one getting shot at." Mick responded. "I just need a noisy diversion."

Leroy thought a moment then snapped his fingers. "Catherine! . . . Catherine Chandler could help."

After a moment's pause, Mick shook his head. "I don't want to put her in danger. Vincent would never forgive me."

Again Leroy looked surprised. "You know Vincent?"

Mick nodded. "We've met."

Leroy recovered. "She knows a lot of . . . people that would be willing to help in your diversion."

Leroy pulled Mick into the nearest building and picked up the pay phone. Seconds later he was talking to Catherine. Afterwards Leroy told Mick that she would bring some help and meet them at a small park near Rico's compound at sundown.

~ o ~

Catherine hung-up the phone. Seeing the serious look on her face, Joe stopped and turned to face her. "Cathy, what's wrong?"

Catherine sighed. "I hate to cancel tonight's plans but something serious has come up." She looked Joe in the eye. "I don't want to get you involved in this but I may need some cavalry assistance later tonight."

"I'm here for you, Radcliffe." Joe seemed to stand a bit straighter as his expression became suffused with resolve. "Just tell me what you need."

Catherine quickly explained the situation to an incredulous Joe.

After a few moments of silence Joe Finally responded. "You are telling me that Luis Rico has kidnapped Sue Charlton, the reporter!? And you are planning to help rescue her from him!?"

"Actually Mick is planning to do the rescuing. He just needs some people to act as a diversion while he sneaks into the place." She cocked her head at Joe. "Actually it might be convenient if there is a few police officers nearby when Mick and Sue are making their escape."

Joe nodded. "Leave that part to me." He gave her his serious face. "Just promise me to be careful. I don't want you or any of your help in this screwball plan getting hurt."

Catherine touched the side of his face. "I'll be careful Joe, I promise." Then she turned and headed out of the office.

After a deep sigh and a shake of his head, Joe entered his office and picked up his phone.

~ o ~

It was nearly midnight and peaceful silence had settled over the large compound that dominated this part of town. At the south end of the property, Vincent, Mick, Leroy and Mouse perched in a tree near the wall that surrounded the fortress-like compound. They were quietly observing the movements of the security people. At the base of the tree stood a group of helpers, including Catherine, Joe and Sammy.

Leroy seemed a bit miffed. "I was expecting Uzis. All I see are handguns."

Vincent looked askance at Leroy. "You sound disappointed."

Leroy shook his head with a hint of embarrassment. "Naw, It's just that Uzis would have made more of an impact on my street rep."

Vincent shook his head. He never could understand Leroy's fixation on his street reputation. He turned to Mick. "It's time." He remarked.

Mick hefted the rock in his hand, reared back and threw. The lens of the security camera facing this side of the compound shattered. Mouse produced a warbling whistle. The next moment a major commotion broke out from the north side of the compound. Most of the armed guards headed toward the source of the ruckus. Only about four remained on the south side of the property.

Vincent dropped nimbly down just inside the compound wall. Mick was right behind him though a little less nimble about it.

After a muffled curse at his less graceful landing Mick turned to Vincent, speaking in a quiet but intense voice. "What are you doing? I'm the only one that was supposed to be going in."

Vincent shrugged. "Just watching your back. Catherine made me promise to keep you safe."

Mick shook his head and shrugged. The next second they had both disappeared into the shadows.

From his perch, Leroy saw Vincent step out directly in front of one of the guards. With raised claws and fangs bared, Vincent emitted a low menacing growl. The guard wet himself, his eyes rolled back and he dropped like a puppet with his strings cut. Even having known Vincent for several years, Leroy felt a shiver run up his back. He didn't think he would have fared any better if faced by such a frightening apparition.

Leroy's attention was then drawn to another guard that was heading toward where Vincent was dragging the unconscious guard into a thick stand of bushes. The man came around a tree into full view of Vincent and stopped fumbling for his gun. The next instant an old style push mower came swinging down out of the tree and cold-cocked the guy, sending him sprawling face first onto the grass. A second later Mick dropped out of the tree and dragged the man behind another bush.

The other two guards were dispatched just as neatly and quietly as the first two. Then the two invaders headed in through the side door. "They're going in." Leroy reported quietly to those standing around the base of the tree.

Mick and Vincent slipped through the side door then hid behind it as two armed and flustered looking men rushed in through the same door and immediately passed through another door nearby .

After a moment of concentration Vincent commented. "I am getting a very weak sense of Sue, but it's still more than I might have expected." He pointed down the hall. "She is that way." Then he headed in the indicated direction followed closely by Mick. Seconds later Vincent pulled up short and flattened both of them against the wall. "Someone's coming."

They both saw Miguel come out of a room just up the hall and head toward a door across from them. Mick pulled out his oversized knife and Vincent's eyes opened wide. Just before he could object, Mick flipped the knife and threw it. The handle hit Miguel on the back of the head and down he went with a thud.

Mick went to retrieve his knife and Vincent approached the door Miguel had come out of. He waved Mick over and whispered. "She's in here with one other person." Then he held his finger to his lips for quiet. He gently raked his claws across the door making a barely audible scratching sound followed by standing there with a faraway look in his eyes. Five seconds later Vincent suddenly reared back and slammed into the door sending it flying into the room with a significant amount of force. The door slammed into Rico, knocking him down and out.

Mick rushed in. Sue cried out "Mick!" and ran into Mick's embrace.

"We've got to go now!" Vincent insisted.

Mick took a firm grasp of Sue's hand as they hurried to follow Vincent back the way they had come. As they exited the building they heard loud music playing. Then they were greeted by a large group of tunnel dwellers and helpers, including Catherine, Joe, Sammy and Leroy, coming noisily up the driveway. One of the teenage helpers was carrying a large 'boom box' which was the source of the music. Leroy, Catherine, Vincent, Mick, and Sue met in the middle of the driveway and were quickly surrounded by the crowd. Sue entered into Mick's reassuring embrace as she looked, in wonder, at the crowd.

Leroy spoke first. "We thought you might need a hand but it looks like you've already taken care of business."

Sue glanced around. "Where'd all these people come from?" She asked Mick.

Mick pointed to Leroy, Catherine and Vincent. "Ask them. They're in charge of the cavalry."

Catherine jumped in. "We thought that Rico and his bunch would be less likely to do anything precipitous if there was a large crowd of witnesses present. That should be more than enough time for the police to arrive." She glanced back toward the street. "And they should be fairly soon." She added as Vincent wrapped his arms protectively around her.

Sue was being held very close by Mick as she finally spoke to Vincent and Catherine. "I can't tell you how grateful I am that you helped Mick get me out of that horrible place." She shivered. "I have no doubt that he would have killed me and Mick as soon as he got what he wanted." She took a moment to control the shakes that threatened to overcome her. "By the way, what was he after?" She finally asked.

Catherine responded. "They were pictures of Rico personally shooting a man in the head." She shook her head. "He is a sociopathic monster and both the DEA and the FBI want him in a bad way. The DEA talked your Ex into doing a little spying for them while he was down there on another assignment."

They all noticed the faint flickering of red and blue lights at the same time.

"Uh, oh! That's my queue to split." Leroy remarked as he donned his shades.

"You need to make yourself scarce as well." Catherine told Vincent.

Vincent draped his arm across Leroy's shoulders and together they quickly made their way toward the back wall. As they disappeared into the darkness Vincent commented. "You know, Leroy, this could be the beginning of a beautiful friendship."

At the looks on Mick and Sue's face, Catherine explained with a chuckle. "Vincent and I watched 'Casablanca' on the TV last weekend." She shrugged. "He liked the movie"

"Looks like its explanation time." Mick remarked as a police cruiser turned into the driveway. It was followed closely by a second police car and a large black sedan.

"Let me handle this." Catherine insisted as she turned to approach the oncoming cars.

Joe stopped her. "Sammy and I were on a date." He stated with a wink. "And we saw this large crowd pouring in through the gates in front of the place." He glanced at Sammy and shrugged. "We just stopped to see what was going on when Mick and Sue ran out of the building."

Five police officers exited the two police cars and four men in dark suits exited the black sedan. They surrounded Joe, Sammy and Catherine for about a half- minute, then all but officer Johnson and one of the suits headed quickly into the house. Officer Johnson and the suit, who turned out to be a DEA agent, continued to talk to Joe and Catherine. Catherine explained that she was here because Sue Charles was a close friend and Mick had needed her help to get Sue out.

The other officers and suits came out of the house escorting Rico and Miguel between them. The suits were sporting sel-satisfied grins as they shoved the two drug lords into the back of the black SUV,

Next they interviewed Mick and Sue to get their side of the story. Meanwhile a large percentage of the gathered crowd melted into the shadows and disappeared. About a dozen of the helpers remained in case they were needed to make a statement.

~ o ~

Mick, Sue, Vincent, Catherine, Joe, Sammy and FBI agent James McClendon were sitting around Catherine's dining room table eating breakfast. Little Edward however seemed to be getting the 'lion's' share of the attention.

James had assumed the task of feeding little Edward. "This little guy is growing like a weed. "He commented."

Catherine laughed. "Don't I know it! I've been spending a fortune just keeping him in clothes."

"I just can't get over how incredibly cute he is." Remarked Sue.

"I can." Responded Sammy. "I grew up hearing stories of Vincent when he was a baby. Edward looks just like the way they used to describe baby Vincent."

Catherine cocked her head and studied the two being discussed. "Vincent was eleven when I first met him and he was so adorable back then so I can believe it."

By now Vincent was starting to squirm as his face slowly became redder.

Noticing Vincent's predicament, James decided to change the subject. "The police got Rico and Miguel last night and have managed to round up most of their gang during the early hours of the morning." James was telling them. "Rico really blew it this time." James shook his head. "Between those Pictures, and your testimony, Miss Charles, Rico and Miguel will both be put away for life without parole."

"I hope so." Catherine commented. "According to a friend in the DEA, Rico has a lot of wealth and influence that he can call on."

"Not this time." Joe jumped in. "There's too much hard evidence. And that little kidnapping stunt means that we can get the judge to deny bail. I don't care how much money Rico has, he isn't going to be able to buy his way out of it this time."

Again James remarked. "The FBI has invoked the R.I.C.O act and frozen all of Rico's accounts." He grinned. "Rico has been R.I.C. ." He chuckled at his little play on words.

Catherine Laughed. "James you are so baaad."

"I try." James responded. "Well it looks like this little guy is done with his breakfast." He stood up. "I hate to eat and run but I have a mountain of paperwork to fill out because of this so I had better get going."

Vincent walked James to the Door while Catherine placed Edward in his playpen.

"I'll let you all know if there are any new developments in the case." James called out. A quick firm handshake between James and Vincent then James was out the door. The rest of those at the table conspired over how they wouldspend the day together Below.

The End (of episode 20)

'Beauty and the Beast' and its characters are owned by Witt-Thomas Productions and Republic Pictures. 'Crocodile Dundee' and its characters are owned by Paramount 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.