Beauty and the Beast
"Almost Family"
A fanfiction based on the 1987 tv-series
Situated in an alternate third season, where Catherine and Vincent are still together.
An attempt is made on Joe's life and Vincent becomes the prime suspect.
By Anita Meuris
The banquet hall was lit up by hundreds of candles. Spread around the room were sculptures of children carrying flowers, delicate portrait paintings and antique wooden jars. The doors were open, allowing the ivory-colored curtains to dance with the evening wind. Small groups of people softly conversed while a waiter in a tuxedo served refreshments. All of the guests wore costumes.
"You've outdone yourself on the settings …" a familiar voice started.
Catherine turned around. She wore a ruby red evening gown, long gloves and a black lace masquerade mask. Her guest had pulled his wavy hair back and was dressed in a velvet vampire cloak.
"… but I'm not too keen on the concept. This costume is killing me!"
He used his pocket square to pat his brow.
Catherine laughed.
"You can lose the cloak, Joe. We all know it's you."
"Your boyfriend is still wearing his," Joe pointed out, gazing over her shoulder. "When are you introducing us?"
Catherine placed a small, delicate hand on the biceps of the man flanking her. He was significantly taller than Joe and twice as muscular. He was not the type of man he had pictured Cathy with.
Slowly the man turned around. Underneath his hood he wore a highly realistic cat mask.
"Vincent," Catherine softly addressed him, "this is Joe."
The man had gentle and intelligent eyes. His voice was like grains of sand brushing against the coast rocks:
"Yes. I have heard much about you. You have been a good friend to Catherine."
"Maybe not that good," Joe teasingly pointed out. "Up to a year ago I thought she spent her weekends by herself with a bottle of expensive wine."
A smile dimpled Catherine's cheeks.
"We waited to tell people about our relationship," she explained. "I suppose we wanted to savor the magic for as long as we could."
Joe took in the scenery.
"This classifies as magical," he thought aloud. "So, what do you do for a living, Vincent?"
Catherine intervened:
"Vincent has dedicated his life to helping others."
"Oh …"
Joe seemed puzzled.
"… So, you're a social worker?"
"Something like that," Vincent softly replied.
Joe couldn't help but stare at his fangs. They looked remarkably real.
"Well …" he concluded, bending forward to kiss Catherine's forehead. "… I'm afraid I have to call it a night. Got a big case in the morning. Happy birthday, Radcliff. You look ravishing. I'll see you on Monday."
He reached out his hand to Vincent.
"It's been great to finally meet you."
Vincent wrapped a large, fur covered hand around his.
"Likewise."
"I'll walk you out," Catherine suggested.
Her robe glided over the tile floor as they walked towards the exit.
"He seems quite impressive," Joe said.
Catherine's eyes lit up.
"He is. I met him shortly after I got assaulted. He brought me back to life in every possible way."
A smile pulled at the corner of Joe's lip.
"I'm glad you're happy, Radcliffe."
She spontaneously embraced him.
"Thank you, Joe. I'm glad you got the chance to meet him."
"Although we were all wearing masks and I couldn't see his face. Nice touch."
"Not being able to see a person's face," Catherine answered, "forces us to focus on what is inside. Ultimately that is what is most important."
"Well," Joe said, "your guy seems decent enough."
She briefly touched his wrist.
"I'll see you on Monday."
"I'm parked over there …"
Joe pointed at a dark car across the street.
"… don't make it too late. I want to see you bright and early on Monday morning."
Catherine waved him goodbye as he crossed the street. He stopped for a moment to wave back. At the same time another cloaked figure appeared from out of the shadows. Swiftly he approached Joe.
Catherine frowned. Was that someone they knew or just a hasty pedestrian?
The stranger did not walk past Joe. Instead, he jumped him. Catherine shrieked when she saw the knife.
"Joe!" she screamed out.
The assailant stabbed him in the ribs and slid back into the shadows. By the time she had regained the strength in her legs, Joe was on the ground, bleeding. She knelt by his side.
"Catherine …"
Vincent hovered his body over her.
"Someone just stabbed Joe," she commented. "We need an ambulance …"
"There is no time," Vincent objected. "I'll carry him to the hospital."
He bent further down. His hair fell over her cheekbone. Soft. Cool. It smelled of grass and leather.
"Vincent," she said, grabbing his arm and squeezing it. "Be careful."