I do not own CW's Beauty and the Beast or any of the characters.

Chapter 2 – Birthday

Playlist: Charlene Soraia - Wherever You Will Go

November 2013

"Happy birthday, Cat!" exclaimed Evan. He leaned forward to kiss Catherine. She clumsily dodged his lips. The result was an extremely awkward cheek kiss that pleased neither of them.

"Thank you, Evan," Catherine stalled, looking around for a polite exit. Evan had been extremely intense in the last few months: asking her out, bringing coffee and little treats by her desk, sending her flirtatious emails and texts. He had even tried to kiss her. Twice.

Catherine had started to feel uncomfortable with his attentions. When they had first met, she had enjoyed his light flirtations, often flirting back and mildly encouraging him. Now, however, she was extremely careful not to lead him on. He'd become different lately, not as light-hearted as before. There was an edge to his attentions. She did not have any romantic feelings towards him but he was still her friend and she didn't want to see him get hurt.

No one stood any chance of winning her affections. Well, no one she could admit to, anyway. Her male colleagues at the precinct had several running jokes about her permanently single status, some light-hearted and some…not so much. They had bothered her at first, but now, however, she would flash a sphinx-like smile and let the comments roll right over her. She knew the truth.

"No problem, Cat. Thanks for having me." Evan's eyes were warm and his pupils dilated every time he looked at her. He leaned in towards her, coming closer than was strictly comfortable, and placed a soft hand on the small of her back. He inhaled and breathed in the intoxicating smell of her warm skin, her hair. Goosebumps rose on her bare arms. This was not what she wanted. "I wouldn't have missed this for the world."

"Tess!" Catherine awkwardly patted Evan on the arm and stepped back. She called to her best friend in an overly loud voice, waving to get her attention. Tess walked over and clinked her champagne glass with Catherine's. Catherine shot her a grateful look.

Tess had noticed how clingy Evan had been the past few months. She had also noticed that Cat seemed unimpressed with the attention. Unfortunately, she had never gotten the real reason for Cat's reticence out of her. She always just said that she wasn't interested in Evan in that way. Tess figured there was more to it than that. Cat wasn't talking so Tess was being patient. For now.

"Hey, Cat. Evan." Tess sidled up to the pair and slid her arm around Cat's shoulders. Evan stepped back, removing his hand from the small of her back. Cat sighed gently. "Nice party! Heather has really outdone herself this year."

The trio looked around the dazzling apartment and took in Heather's handiwork. That girl was a party planning whiz. Streamers hung from the ceiling and fairy lights illuminated the room. Heather had organized a full bar on the kitchen counter. There was a buffet on the dining room table. All of the furniture had been moved out of the way in the living room to clear space for a dance floor. The music was pumping and all of the guests were smiling.

"Excuse me for a second," Catherine mumbled. She caught Tess's eye and mouthed 'bathroom' to her. Tess nodded imperceptibly and engaged Evan in conversation.

Catherine passed the bathroom door and went into her room. She pressed the door shut behind her and leaned against it, relieved. She didn't want to hurt Evan but his attentions were becoming too much. She wearily walked to the bed. She sat down on the edge of the bed and sighed, enjoying the quiet pause from the whirlwind of her party. She had genuinely been surprised this year; Heather had made sure of it. The crush of people was overwhelming. Personally, she would have been happier with a few friends, some beers and a bit of drunken karaoke down at Bobby's.

If she was honest with herself, Catherine was sad that Vincent wasn't able to share her birthday with her. Realistically, she knew that it just wasn't possible but at this moment she wasn't interested in what was possible or not. She just wanted him near. Catherine hadn't seen Vincent in days, not since he had given her a crucial tip on her last case. She had been extremely busy with work lately. She sighed and rubbed her arms. It was chilly.

The window was slightly ajar and something was sitting on the sill. Catherine walked over and inhaled sharply. It was a beautiful red rose. The petals were plump and lush and flawless. It was absolutely perfect. Catherine picked it up and inhaled its intoxicating scent. Under the rose was a folded piece of lined paper. She opened it, her heart pounding furiously. It contained one word: 'roof.'

Catherine's breath hitched and her heart raced faster. He was here. Catherine locked both doors to her bedroom ensuring no one would be able to come looking for her. She pulled on a sweater, opened the window and climbed through it onto the fire escape. She gingerly climbed the metal stairs in her high heels.

At the top of the steps, she carefully stepped over the edge and looked up. Vincent was standing on the other side of the roof, facing her, waiting for her. He had plugged in a string of fairy lights left from a communal barbeque in the summer. Soft music was playing.

"Vincent!" exclaimed Catherine happily as she crossed the roof to stand in front of him. A silly grin spread across her face. "What are you doing here?"

"It's your birthday, Catherine. What do you think I'm doing here?" His eyes lit up with humour.

"I know…but you shouldn't be here. You could be exposed," she whispered, worried. She looked over her shoulder, back towards the staircase.

"Don't worry about me. I was careful," he said, his eyes scanning her quickly, taking in her flushed cheeks and her pretty outfit. He leaned over and kissed her cheek. Unlike with Evan, Catherine wished he had aimed for her mouth. "Happy birthday. You look beautiful."

"Thank you, Vincent. I'm sorry you couldn't be downstairs at the party. I would much rather spend the evening with you," Catherine said, her cheeks colouring. She looked down. She didn't mean to sound so intense, but she couldn't help it. She wanted this man and she wanted to be able to spend her time with him.

"I'm here now."

"I know, but it's not the same," she replied. Catherine looked down, trying not to let the sadness and reality of their situation choke and overwhelm her. She needed to pull herself together for him. He had made an effort for her birthday. He had risked his cover and his secret to be here. With her. Catherine looked up and smiled. Her heart was pounding in her chest.

"It's OK," Vincent noted how she blushed while speaking to him. Her pupils dilated and her heart raced. He smiled at her reaction. He brought his big hand up to her cheek. He felt her soft skin beneath his calloused fingers. Catherine shivered and Vincent smiled in reply. She cleared her throat in embarrassment. Vincent cocked his head for a moment. He reached over and turned the volume up on the music as a familiar song started. Vincent quirked his eyebrow up and held his hand out to Catherine. His face was serious and his eyes were deep and dark and full of questions. "May I have the honour?"

"Why certainly, Dr. Zalanski. I thought you'd never ask," Catherine replied, trying to keep her tone light. Vincent quirked his eyebrow at the name. The last time – the only time – they had danced, Vincent had showed up to be her date to her dad's wedding. She had jokingly given him the cover name Vincent Zalanski after her kindergarten crush. Catherine smiled and looked down. She quickly wiped her suddenly moist hands on the dark fabric of her dress, trying to be as surreptitious as possible. She wasn't sure she was able to pull it off. She took his proffered hand and gulped nervously as his big hand swallowed hers.

The music from the small iPod and speakers swelled as he slipped his right hand around her waist. He took her right hand in his left and slowly started moving to the music, guiding her body with his. The low and heartfelt tones of a female singer accompanied by her piano filled the open air. Catherine looked up into his eyes and gulped. Vincent looked down at her, his gaze penetrating. A muscle worked in his jaw, causing his dimple to appear.

Catherine looked away from him, out into the dark night, purposefully ending the intense moment, the heady eye contact. She was exceptionally anxious and pretty sure that Vincent could hear the crazy rhythm her heart was pounding out. His hand tensed and flexed on the small of her back, drawing her closer. He dropped his head lower and she could feel his hair brushing the side of her head, his soft breath in her ear. Vincent gently placed her right hand on his shoulder and moved his free hand to her waist. He linked both of his hands together behind her back, enclosing her, holding her tightly.

They swayed together for a moment, for forever. Music and laughter from the party below streamed through the open windows, bounced off the adjoining buildings and floated up to the roof. Traffic noise was ever present. A couple was fighting through an open apartment window somewhere nearby. Catherine barely noticed any of it. She was living in a world made up of her and Vincent, the music and the space contained within his arms.

He rocked her slowly in time to the haunting melody, making her feel safe in his embrace. Her mind emptied of worries, loose ends at work, Vincent's beastly nature, his hidden existence, endless secrets and lies. She tried to forget the months of torment. She was always so close to him but she couldn't touch him, couldn't give in to her feelings. In that moment, they were together, they were a couple, they were normal. She closed her eyes and let the music and his hands dictate her movements.

Catherine felt the muscles in Vincent's back and neck tense as he lifted his head. She looked up at him. His gaze burned through her, making her shiver. He looked down at her, fairy lights sparkling in his eyes. His dark irises shimmered yellow for a brief moment as his hands tightened around her. She had never seen him look at her that way before. Her breath caught in her throat and she almost stumbled. She grasped the lapels of his woollen coat to steady herself.

He leaned down as she reached up for him. Their lips met for fleeting seconds before they both pulled away. She looked at him, searching for reassurance. His eyes penetrated her soul, burned into her. Her heart skittered against her rib cage and her fingers and toes felt as though they were alive with sparks of electricity. He ducked his head and found her lips with his mouth once more. His hand grasped her cheek. His lips were firm and soft, but they seemed almost shy and hesitant on hers. She timidly tangled her hand into the hair at the nape of his neck. They stopped swaying in time to the music and stood still, completely captured in the moment, locked in each other.

They stepped back from each other at the same moment, breaking the kiss.

"V-Vincent," said Catherine, shakily, looking up at him. She wasn't herself and it was hard for her to stay standing up. She stumbled in her high heels, deeply affected by their kiss.

"Catherine," said Vincent simultaneously. His eyes shone with a golden patina. His hands were shaking. He hid them behind his back. They continued to stare at each other, unmoving for a few seconds. The tension was almost unbearable. Vincent made the first move, closing the gap between their bodies once more. He took her into his arms and kissed her again. Catherine inhaled sharply before his lips met hers.

Vincent wasn't shy this time. His tongue sought her mouth and claimed her, again and again. Catherine moaned and let him. By the time the song ended, Vincent had pushed her up against the roof door. Catherine was up on her tiptoes while she kissed him, the cold metal door at her back. Vincent's hands tangled in her hair and his mouth was hungry on hers.

"Catherine, I'm sorry," he gasped. It was Vincent's turn to end the kiss. He stepped back from her, his eyes blazing. He was shocked at what he had just done. He looked at her in horror.

"For what?" she said, brushing her swollen lips with her hand. Her cheeks were flushed and her eyes shone.

Vincent looked down, ashamed. "For that kiss. It was…"

"Perfect." Vincent looked at her suddenly. She continued, "Please don't apologize, Vincent. We should have done that a long time ago."

Vincent took a step towards her. He stopped suddenly, his head cocked to the side.

"What is it?" Catherine asked.

"I think it's time for you to go back to the party. I can hear people looking for you." Vincent's super hearing abilities amazed Catherine.

"Do you know who it is?" she asked, curious.

"It's your sister, Tess and…Evan," Vincent said, his voice sharp. "You should go back down."

"I guess so," she responded, reluctant to leave. "Thank you, Vincent. What a lovely surprise."

"You're welcome," said Vincent. Catherine stepped forward and placed her hands on Vincent's shoulders. She leaned up and pressed a kiss to his cheek. She started to walk back across the roof to the fire escape. "Catherine, watch out for Evan. I don't like him."

"Don't worry, Vincent," said Catherine, her back to him. Her lips curved into a smile. He was jealous. "I'm already on it."

"Good night, Catherine."

Catherine turned back around so she could face him and walked back towards him. She stopped once she had reached him and tucked a strand of wayward hair behind her ear. She looked him in the eyes and asked, huskily, "Vincent, would you like to come back after the party is finished?"

Her eyes were full of promise and they shone in the sparkly fairy lights. Vincent's answer was reflected in the quick yellow flash of his eyes. He nodded, mutely, his jaw working. His dimple flashed briefly. Catherine smiled and walked away.

Catherine paused momentarily at the edge of the building and when she looked back, Vincent was gone, the music had stopped and the fairy lights had been unplugged. She smiled widely as she climbed over the half wall surrounding the roof. She descended the stairs dreamily, lifted her bedroom window and climbed back in. She shut the window, took off her sweater, unlocked her bedroom door and went to rejoin the party.

A lone figure hidden in the shadows on the far end of the balcony watched as Catherine made her way down the stairs from the roof to the fire escape. The guest waited until Catherine had climbed back inside her bedroom before entering the apartment and mingling with the partygoers inside.

A/N: By the way, this is how "Bridesmaid Up!" (1x09) would have ended if I had been allowed to have my say (with the kiss, not the lurker on the balcony)! Sadly, no one asked.

Thank you for your reviews. I hope you are enjoying the story so far. I had a review from a guest who wasn't entirely pleased that Vincent and Catherine had been "flirty" for so many months in this story without doing anything about it. My reason for doing that is twofold. First of all, in this story/universe, there is no Alex. I did not enjoy the Alex arc, but I do think that she was the catalyst that was needed to help Vincent and Catherine realize their feelings for each other and bring them together that soon. Without her, they probably would have skated around the issue of their relationship for much longer. Secondly, the writers themselves stated at one point in an interview that they weren't even sure that they were going to have Vincat kiss in the first season. So, in answer to that review, I do think it is perfectly plausible that Vincent and Catherine have stayed platonic for so long. It was also convenient to my timeline and the plot of my story to have it work out that way. Please stick with this story...now that they have kissed, it will be hard for them to stay away from each other. I promise. xA