A/n: this chapter is a buildup on what's to come. Sorry if its boring. Sorry for the latw update.

things in BOLD are their thoughts. :)

The game was over and the New York Knicks won so all were in good spirits. They said their goodbyes and they all headed their own separate ways. Vincent drove to the arena and parked about 3 blocks away. On the way to his car he kept thinking about what Tess had implied that Catherine was maybe into him. He finds her attractive, yes, but to him she's just a jumbled mess when it comes to life. But somehow that chaotic woman makes him think about her endlessly.

He finally reached his car and felt a couple of drops of water on his head.

Great.

By some freak of nature it started pouring really hard and Vincent tried to navigate through traffic carefully as his wipers didn't really help much. Suddenly, he felt his car hydroplaning, as he eased off the gas he tried to steer away from the car ahead of him. He lost control, thankfully avoided the car but smashed into the curb. He felt his front passenger side lower and he instantly knew that his tire blew out.

Shit!Shit!

He hit the steering wheel causing his car to honk twice. He slumped over it and tried to think about what to do next.

Catherine was driving home and saw the car infront of her lose control. As she slowed down she suddenly heard the car honked twice. Worried that the driver might have been injured, she turned on her hazards and parked infront of the stopped car. She grabbed her umbrella from her back seat and walked towards the driver's door. She gently knocked at the window and as she tried to look through it, all she could see was a body slumped over the wheel.

Are they dead?

She reached for the door handle and tried to open it.

"Hey!hey! Are u ok?"

Vincent looked up to see a woman with an umbrella pounding on his window. He couldn't quite see her face as the water from the rain blurred it. As he opened his door she went around it and now stood infront of him.

"Vincent?! Omg are you ok?" She said eyeing his reaction.Please be ok.

"Catherine, what are you doing here?"

"Well i saw a car lose control so i stopped to make sure everyone was ok."

"Oh. Um yeah I'm fine. My tire blew out. I need a tow truck to get it to a tire shop. Hopefully theres no big damage."

"Good. Well I know someone that owns a tow truck if u need some help" she smiled. "Joe, also has a tire store next door. I can call him if you'd like and possibly help us out."

"Yeah that would be great."he smiled back. Although he couldn't help to feel jealous about this "joe" character. It almost bothered him that she would call "joe" for help and not him. Im being dumb.

Catherine stepped away to make the phone call and Vincent just couldn't help but look at her. The rain has eased up and now its barely just sprinkling. She walked back to him, " he should be here in 10 mins. He's was just around the corner finishing up."

"Great"

Vincent went outside of his car on the sidewalk and checked out the damage. It looks like it was just the blown out tire and the rest of his car was fine. As she was walking back to him, he noticed a guy in a bicycle almost about the hit her. "Catherine, look out!"He quickly grabbed her and now they stand face to face. She could feel his warm breath on her lips as she looked up at him. "Uh. Thanks." Kiss him!

Her body wanted nothing more but feel his lips on hers but her brain was telling her not to. She almost felt him lean closer right before she backed off. "That was close"

"Yeah it sure was."

The tow truck pulled up behind Vincents car and Catherine headed over to it to greet Joe.

"Joe, this is Vincent and it looks like he's blown his tire." She said as she pointed to the flat rubber wedged between his rim and the curb.

Joe turned over to Vincent and extended his hand. "Nice to meet you. I can definitely help you out. I can get this done for you by Sunday afternoon, would that work? "

Vincent shook his hand and nodded. "That would be great. Thanks again for coming in such short notice."

"Yeah no prob. Any friend of Catherine is a friend of mine. You two hang tight and I'll get your car hooked up so i can take it to the shop. Ill be right back."

Joe walked over to his truck and Vincent looked over at Catherine who seemed to be in a daze.

"Penny for your thoughts?"

"Oh nothing. I'm just glad that you didn't get into a serious accident and i was able to help you ... and im sorry about the beer." I really want you to kiss me right now.

Vincent chuckled, "Eh. First for everything right?"

"Yeah that's true."

Joe walked back to the two and gave Catherine a hug. Vincent cringed at the gesture and had to look away. What the hell is wrong with me?He then turned to Vincent,"Ok everything is all set. I'd offer you a ride home but my cab is full with parts. Here's my card so you can call me sunday to pick it up. Goodnight!" He waved and got in his truck with the car in tow.

"So how far do you live from here? "

"Not far. Im just going to get a cab. "

"No!" She yelped.

"What?" He looked at her confused.

"I mean ... don't be silly, I will drive you home."

"Ok. Thanks"

He walked over to Catherine and opened the driver's door for her.

Hmm. Nice. Not a total jerk.

He then walked over to his side and got into the car.

Vincent told her where to go and moments later they pulled up to his apartment building.

"This is me. Thanks again for helping me out tonight. I don't know what I would've done."

"You're welcome."

"Well goodnight.

He unbuckled his seat belt and opened his door. As he got up, Catherine reached for his hand.

"Hey if you need a ride to get your car I'll be glad to take you."

"Uh. Yeah that would be nice."Anything to see you again.

He got out and shut the car door but before leaving he slightly leaned in through the window.

"I had a great time tonight. Thanks again for the tickets."

"Anytime."

SUNDAY MORNING

Vincent sat on the edge of his bed comtemplating on what to say to Catherine. Yes, she did offer to take him to the shop to pick up his car, but he didn't want to impose in her plans of she had any. He was awake at 6am but waited until a little later in the morning to call her wanting not to wake her up. Here he is now, at 10 am, just staring at her card that Tess gave him and his heart beating so fast it could break out of his chest.

Ring ring.

"Chandler."

"Hi. Its Vincent. Did i disturb you?"

"Hi Vincent!"she shrieked. She cleared her throat hoping to hide the excitement she just let out. "Hey. No I'm not busy. What's up?"

"Well i talked to Joe last night and he said the car would be ready around noon, and I was hoping if you're still up for it if you could take me to him?"

"Yeah sure. Ill see you in an hr?"

"Yeah that would be great. Thanks again Catherine."

The way he says her name makes her heart skip a beat everytime. She's been waiting for him to call all morning and finally he did. She excitedly got up and started getting ready. The weather was nice today and so she settled on a knit sweater and some jeans. She put in light makeup and pulled her hair back in a ponytail. She couldn't understand the attraction she has for him. Then again she hasn't been in a relationship in about 5 years.

An hr has passed and Vincent stood infront of his building waiting for her. She pulled up in her car and Vincent gave her a smile. Catherine felt shivers down her spine and felt goosebumps on her arms.What is wrong with me. He will be the death of me.

"Thanks again. I really appreciate this."

"Yeah. Anytime. Did he get it fixed for you?"

"Yeah. And he gave me a great deal."

"Well here we are. You need me to come in?"

"I think I can handle this." And i can't stand him touching you. He lingered trying to get his thoughts together staring at the dash. Catherine looked at him sensing he was uneasy. She dared not say anything and just kept staring at him. He finally looked back at her, "Listen, umm i"

"Yes." She answered abruptly. She quickly covered her mouth with her hand.

"Huh?" He raised his eyebrows at her.

"Sorry. Go on."

"I was wondering if you have any plans today."

Her heart fluttered. "Nothing planned. Why do you ask?".

"Well uh. I just wanted to thank you for helping me out and I was wondering maybe you'd like to go out to dinner ... not like a date or anything ... just friends." Yes. Its a date.

"Well if its not a date then ... yes" im hoping its a date

Vincent felt disappointed with her response at the same time he did give her an out for the date. Who can blame her anyways, to him, she was way out of his league.

"Ok. Ill pick you up at 6, and dress casual". He then got out of the car and went into Joe's shop.

Catherine sat back in her car. She was excited to spend some time with Vincent even though it was just as friends. Although being honest with herself, she wanted more.

6pm.

Catherine had texted Vincent her address and was heading out the door but when she opened it she was caught in surprise. There he was standing there with a small bouquet of flowers.

"Hey! I was just about to head down and wait for you."

"Oh. Um. Sorry. Here I got these for you."

She opened the door wider and gestured for him to come in.

"Thanks!" She took in the scent of the flowers. "They smell pretty. Give me a sec, Ill just put this in water."

As she filled the vase up, she looked over to Vincent who was looking around her apartment. "So ... do you get all your friends flowers?" She teased.

"Not all. Just the ladies." He winked at her.

"Nice."

"Ready?"

"Yeah."

They headed out and when they reached his car, Vincent went to the passenger's door and opened it for her.Hmm. What a gentleman.

He started driving and ended up at a little pizzeria in the middle of the city. He opened the door and he let her enter first. She held back a smile as she felt his hand lightly touch the small of her back. She liked the feeling of intimacy although he was barely touching her. They were sat in a booth at the back to the restaurant away from most of the people. If the rest of the crowd was to melt away, neither one would notice. They are the only two that mattered at this moment. They shared small talk and eventually Vincent gazed into Catherine's eyes.

"Tell me something that no one knows." He whispers leaning forward focusing on her lips then back into her eyes.

She was caught off guard by his question.

"Umm." She thought about it, not wanting to devulge anything too embarassing about herself.

He noticed her trying to shift through her thoughts.

"Ok. I've always wanted a tatoo but im afraid of needles. I've gone several times by myself and I've always chicken out."

Vincent nooded. "Understandable."

"Ok. Your turn."

"Im not allergic to peanuts."

"Really?" She scoffed.

He chuckled. "I've never been in love."

"Oh." She almost felt sorry for him. But then again, she really hasn't either.

They finished dinner and walked back to his car. He drove her back to her apartment.

"Thanks for dinner." She turned to face him.

"Anytime."

As she tried to fumble with the seatbelt, he helped by tugging on the lock.

"I'm sorry. This seatbelt is a pain sometimes."

As they both were pulling and tugging on it, they both realized that they were face to face. Lips so close barely touching, feeling each other's warmth. Vincent leaned in and pressed his lips lightly into hers. She didnt pull back but lingered in the feeling that she didnt want to end. They both leaned back and Vincent looked at her.

"thank you" thank you, keller? Really?

"You're welcome." She said shyly. She licked her lips savoring the kiss.

He got out of the car that caught her off guard until he reached her side of the car and opened her door.

He held out his hand to help her out.

"Goodnight Catherine. Until I see you again."

"Goodnight Vincent."