I DO NOT OWN THESE CHARACTERS. THEY BELONG TO THE CW NETWORK. THIS IS A WORK OF FANFICTION BY OMEGA WHITE.

VINCENT AND CATHERINE

Sunshine spilled into the room, casting a light on Catherine's sleep tousled hair. Vincent looked at her, lying in repose, looking so tranquil. His eyes moved down her body, admiring the porcelain, supple skin. He found himself growing jealous at the sheet for being so close, hugging her so tightly. The view before him contradicted the emotional storm raging inside. He berated himself for the bygone years, time lost and unnecessary pain. Regret threatened to overwhelm him, but his resolve persevered. It was time to bury the past and look to the future. With the secret he carried at present, life was going to get very convoluted in the next couple of days. Events beyond his control were at play and today would most certainly test the fibers of his sanity. Sighing, his mind drifted to the task that lay ahead. He laced his fingers behind his head, with his focus on the ceiling. Although his thoughts were in an internal conflict, his face remained stoic.

To the left of him, he felt movement and turned to see Catherine coming awake. His breath caught in his throat. "You're beautiful," spilled out before he could stop it. He found he meant it, even if a little trite, truer words hadn't been spoken, at least not from him.

Catherine smiled. "Thank you."

Vincent gazed at her feeling like a teenager in love. Suddenly aware that he was staring, he looked away.

"What does a girl have to do to get breakfast around here?" Catherine asked, batting her lashes.

"I can think of a couple of things, if you can settle for brunch instead of breakfast." Vincent said with a mischievous grin.

"Words without action make me bored," stated Catherine, as she stifled a yawn with her right hand.

In a blink of an eye, Vincent was on top of her. He leaned forward and whispered in her ear. "You little flirt, you're baiting me. Keep it up and I'll be feeding you dinner."

He then commenced to ravishing her body. Hours later, the sated couple emerged from the room, exuding a post-coital afterglow.

"Where is your mom?"

"She's at the studio. I'm not expecting her to return until tomorrow. And it just occurred to you to ask," Catherine stated, smiling and shaking her head.

"Well you commandeered my mind and body. I'm just starting to get the feeling back in my faculties," Vincent said, grinning.

Slapping him on his arm, Catherine said, "You are a hopeless rogue."

Smirking, he said "I aim to please and by the look on your face, I'd say I did my job, and if I may so myself, very well." Catherine blushed profusely and Vincent, quite pleased with himself, chuckled.

Catherine deftly prepared two omelettes and toast while Vincent engaged her in conversation. However, the solemn look on Vincent's face didn't escape her notice.

"Are we going to address the elephant in the room?" Catherine asked.

Vincent gave her quizzical look. "Excuse me?"

"Come on, Vincent. We both know there are topics we must discuss no matter how uncomfortable or difficult the task may seem."

"Okay, I admit that I initially came to speak with you about a highly sensitive matter, but your tools of persuasion were too formidable, even for a prince. Can we eat first and I promise to explain everything afterwards?"

"Fine, but I expect a full explanation of your status quo," Catherine said, with a resigned look.

"As you wish, my lady," Vincent said, with a smirk.

"And don't think I forgot about dinner. I made breakfast, so I fully expect to be wined and dined for dinner."

"If we're still on speaking terms after our conversation, then your wish is my command," Vincent stated, sounding forlorn.

Catherine handed Vincent a plate, then grabbed her plate, taking a seat beside him at the breakfast bar, perplexed at his cryptic statement. After saying grace, she realized she had forgotten the drinks. "Orange juice or water?" She asked. "Juice is fine." For the rest of the meal, they ate in companionable silence. Each lost in their own thoughts. Finally it came time to broach the subject that would either alter or end their relationship forever. Vincent took a seat in one of the wingback chairs in the living room and Catherine sat on the sofa.

"Catherine, I won't beat around the bush, but I must ask you to keep an open mind about what I'm going to tell you. I can scarcely believe it myself. You see while you were away for two weeks, we hosted a procession of women, hoping to be chosen as my future bride. After a rather grueling process, I finally settled on one of the candidates. However, my mind and heart was not in it, but my father was ecstatic. In the midst of informing my father of my decision, a messenger interrupted and indicated blood had been spilled in the palace. I assumed my father could handle the situation, so I left to see if you had returned. Of course, I found you and we went to the explore the dungeon. You remember we found a ring and I slipped it on my finger. I didn't think nothing of it at the time, but the next evening I absently put it in my pocket, while getting dressed for the party. Afterwards I went to speak to my father, to inform him I couldn't marry the bride I had chosen, and he was not happy with my decision. I do understand his anger, because I basically renounced the throne unless he changes the antiquated laws, of which he has complete power to do so. I lost you once because of my own stupidity and I refuse to lose you again. When the guard summoned me after I proposed to you, it was a trap. The guard was working for my would be kidnapper. I was either knocked out or drugged and taken to the dungeon. I'm assuming it was the latter, since the death of the apothecary was the reason for my father having to rush back to the palace. When I came to, I was chained like an animal and a different guard was there, but he was wearing a mask. Here is where the story gets weird and I implore you to trust me. No one, but my kidnapper is privy to this information and right now you are the only person I can trust."

Vincent took a deep breath and released it. Catherine observed his unusual behavior, but sat quietly, waiting on the story to unfold.

Getting his breathing and composure under control, Vincent began to speak again. "In so many words, the guard or rather imposter, threatened you and me, if I didn't walk away. Catherine could see Vincent struggling with his breathing and his hands were balled in a fist. He didn't say your name, but his hints were enough to get his point across. It infuriated me that he would drag you into his clandestine plot. I began to turn the ring around my finger unconsciously and at some point I turned the stone inadvertently. Right away, my body transformed into something I can't begin to describe. It was like an out of body experience. I was like a beast and I attacked and almost killed the man. At the last minute, I regained some semblance of control and ran away before further harm was done. In doing so, I failed to identify my abductor. He undoubtedly has a vested interest or was hired by someone to prevent my succession to the throne. He has to be connected to my family in some way, because the dungeon and its location is not public knowledge."

Vincent inhaled deeply and expelled the air. Clearly he was exhausted from earlier activities and the sharing of his story. For several minutes, silence permeated the room. Catherine had no idea what to say.

"It's very rare that I find myself at a loss for words, but this is one of those times. That is not to say that I don't believe you, it's just hard to process everything you've told me. Considering the circumstances and your title, I believe you should give your father a chance. Right now, we need an ally and I'm sure he has extensive knowledge on your family's history and hopefully can shed more light on the details of the ring."

"You are taking certainly taking the news better than I imagined. I know we have other issues to discuss, but I ask that we table those until we speak with my father and get more insight. I feel ill-equipped to make a decision regarding our future, without gaining more clarity or at least until my abductor is caught and punished. I hope there is still an us after this business is finished," Vincent stated, sounding unsure of himself.

"This is definitely uncharted waters for me, but I'm all in. I spent too much time thinking you didn't want me. I'm scared, but I trust and accept you for who you are, whether it's a commoner, prince, or as you put it, a beast." Catherine looked at Vincent and said, "I never stopped loving you."

He could see the truth so clearly in her eyes. Catherine's lips begin to quiver and her eyes watered. Tears escaped and streamed down her face. Vincent hurried to her side and wrapped her in the cocoon of his body. He didn't dare utter a word. Instinct told him she needed to let it out. With every sob, his heart fractured. Guilt searched for a chink in his armor, ready to infiltrate his heart. Doubt reared its ugly head, but Vincent stayed strong, refusing to succumb to the darkness.

Between sobs, Catherine said, "My mind ordered my heart to let you go, but it refused to listen." She looked up at Vincent with red eyes and tear stained cheeks, and he nearly came undone.

He pulled her into his lap and kissed her forehead. He fought against unshed tears in his own eyes as he whispered in her ear. "Baby, I'm so sorry and it's killing me to know I caused you so much pain. I promise you, I will spend the rest of my life making it up to you. I love you with a heart that has always been yours. You are my first and only love."

I HOPE YOU ENJOYED THIS CHAPTER. SORRY IT TOOK SO LONG. REAL LIFE SLOWED ME DOWN. HOPEFULLY THE NEXT UPDATE WILL BE MUCH FASTER. THANKS FOR YOUR WONDERFUL REVIEWS AND I HOPE YOU WILL KEEP THEM COMING. PLEASE BE PATIENT WITH ME AS I GET BACK INTO THE FLOW OF WRITING. THANKS FOR READING.