Chapter Two

Father and Mouse helped Vincent back to his chambers. Pascal and Catherine followed after them. Vincent seemed unnaturally weak as if all of his incredible strength was now gone. They helped him into his bed and Catherine bent down to pull a blanket over his body. Vincent's eyes went shut again as if the effort to keep them open was suddenly far too great.

"Thank you, Father," Catherine said, turning to give Father a small smile. "I can care for him now."

"Good night, Catherine." He and the others left Vincent's chamber.

Catherine slowly approached Vincent's bedside and knelt down next to him. Slowly his eyes opened and met hers. "How are you feeling now?" she asked him, her voice like a soft caress of silk.

"Where am I?" he asked, his eyes sweeping his chamber as if it were unfamiliar to him.

Catherine looked troubled by his words as her hand brushed his cheek tenderly. "We are in your chamber, Vincent. You are safe here," she said. "You are among people who love you."

They slept together that night, both lying on their sides in his narrow bed which was meant for one. Catherine pressed her face close to his chest, inhaling his masculine scent. His warmth and his touch calmed her. He caressed her light-brown hair with a large, clawed hand for many moments, staring into her eyes for awhile. Then sleep came to take him. She watched over him peacefully until it came to take her, too.

~*~o~*~

Catherine did not go into the office the following day. She didn't even call Joe. Vincent was still not himself and he needed her. There was something in his expression, something Catherine did not understand. She knew there was some kind of change within him, but she did not know what form the change might be.

"How are you doing this morning, Vincent?" she asked as he sat up on the bed. She stood near him. She hadn't left his side.

"I cannot remember things - words. I search for words for things and the meanings of the words, but they are not there." There was such pain in his eyes and it saddened her.

She sat down next him, pressing his large hand into hers. "The words will come, Vincent," she said. "You must believe me."

"I search for names... but I cannot remember," he spoke. "I cannot remember your name." There was disbelief in his eyes and quiet confusion.

"It's Catherine."

"Catherine," he said, testing the name upon his tongue. "Yes. Catherine."

"It's going to be alright, Vincent." She pulled him into her loving embrace, holding him tightly.

"You're going to be fine," she promised and she hoped that with time, it would be true.

~*~o~*~

Catherine went to the office at seven o'clock that evening. When Joe stepped out of his office, he saw her sitting at her desk. A worried expression furrowed his dark brow.

"Hi, Radcliffe. What are you doing?" Joe asked. There was no scolding for her not coming into work that morning - just a tender look on Joe's face and Catherine admired him for it.

"Just catching up on some work," she replied as she reorganized a pile of documents upon her desk. "For tomorrow."

"You know, you really should take it easy. That flu has a way of hanging around for awhile."

"Joe, I didn't have the flu."

"You didn't? Then what's wrong with you?"

"Can we go into your office?" Catherine asked, her eyes scanning the room for the janitor who was cleaning her office and the other adjoining ones. It was imperative that their conversation not be overheard.

"Sure. Follow me," Joe said, gesturing toward his office to the right.

Once inside his office, Joe closed the door and took a seat at his desk. "Okay, Radcliffe. What's wrong?"

"There's something I've got to tell you, Joe." She hesitated, her words barely audible.

"I don't like the look on your face. Is this good or bad?"

"You've been a good friend. I wouldn't want to be less than truthful with you, Joe, but I have,' Catherine stated with regret.

"About what?"

"I didn't have the flu. There is someone in my life. Someone I love very much."

"That's great," Joe said sincerely, smiling when he heard Catherine's news.

"He... he's going through a difficult time right now. He needed me to be there for him," Catherine said. "He- he's not well, Joe."

"I'm sorry. Is there anything I can do?"

"I don't know," she replied. "But I am praying."

Then, before she left his office, she added, "You have a heart like his."

Her words made Joe's heart swell. A huge smile overtook his face.

~*~o~*~

After she had done all she could at the office, Catherine went Below to see Vincent. She needed to be with him; to comfort and reassure him. Vincent sat at his desk in his chamber, the same forlorn expression upon his face.

"How are you feeling?" she asked when he looked up to meet her eyes.

"The same," he said. "I need you."

That night they went to the music cavern where they had gone many nights before to listen to the musical concertos from the world Above. Vincent held Catherine in his embrace as they rested their backs against the cavern wall. The beautiful music filtered into the semi-dark cavern, echoing gracefully off the walls.

Catherine's eyes were like blue-green jewels as Vincent gazed at her lovingly in the pale rays of light which flickered from the grating far above them. His eyes searched hers as his heart beat steadily against the tender touch of her hand.

"How are you feeling now?" she asked.

"There are no words."

"Try one," she insisted.

"Blessed," he said as he pressed her even closer.

She closed her eyes, content and relaxed in the warmth of his arms. She wished they could remain this way forever - safe and warm and surrounded by love.

~*~o~*~

Catherine arrived home very late that night. She had barely stumbled into her apartment and turned on the light when the telephone rang. "Hello," she answered.

"Is this Cathy Chandler?" a woman's voice asked.

"It is."

"I'm calling for Joe. He's been in an accident. He's at Memorial Hospital. You better come down here right away."

~*~o~*~

Meanwhile, Vincent and Father stood just outside the entrance of the tunnels where Mouse had waited for Catherine just one night before. Father was looking up at the stars with a small silver telescope.

"Tell me, Father. What happened in that dark cavern? I have no memory of it," said Vincent.

"You were angry. You had such a terrible, all-consuming rage. None of us could reach you. I was so afraid, Vincent. I've never been more afraid - afraid for you- afraid for all of us," Father explained. "And then Catherine came. She went into that dark cavern all alone. She was not afraid. She went into that dark cavern... and she saved you."

Vincent started out at the stars. He still could not remember any of the events that had taken place in the cavern, but yet he knew that whatever had occurred, it had changed him. He did not welcome the change. It made him feel separated - separated from Catherine in some way...