The Lies We Tell

A/N HOLY COW PEOPLE! Wow, some of you are pretty angry. If it helps everyone, There is more to Alex's rant than just what Vincent remembered. He's not in her head, and has no idea what is going through it. Just like he isn't in Catherine's head. Everything will be revealed...just be patient! Enjoy!

Chapter 6

Catherine watched as Vincent sat Ryan in his swing and set it rocking. She smiled at how natural he acted with Ryan. He wasn't afraid or stilted in any way. He turned and caught the smile. He sat back down and faced her. Catherine mentally prepared herself.

"Catherine...what happened? What happened to us? After that night...everything changed. You didn't come around as much. We hardly talked to each other. And then, you showed up at my door, on my wedding day. Why were you really there? Was it to tell me you were pregnant?"

Catherine's eyes widened, and her breathing stopped. She swallowed hard, and took in a shuddering breath. Max's words came back to haunt her again. You are never to tell him...

Vincent watched her reactions. He had hit the nail on the head. He just knew it. Now, she had to tell him the truth.

"I...I..." Lie Catherine. You need to protect your son. "I...couldn't face you...after that night. I was so embarrassed and ashamed of my behavior. I just...I couldn't go back to the way it had been. So, I...stayed away. But, I couldn't let your wedding happen...without telling you...about how much I wanted you to be happy," she struggled out.

Vincent stared at her, incredulous. He was giving her an in, and yet, she was still lying to him! He grabbed her arms, and pulled her closer. She yelped quietly. He realized he had frightened her, and released her arms. "Sorry..." he mumbled. Catherine rubbed her arms.

"You want to know something funny? My whole marriage, I was never happy. I just kept thinking about one woman, and it wasn't my wife," Vincent said.

Catherine stared at him, confused. He was in love with someone else? That knowledge ate at her. "Why were you with Alex then, if you loved this other woman?" she asked, her voice small. She dropped her head, to hide her tears.

She felt Vincent scoot closer to her, so that their legs were touching. His body heat hit her, and she fought against throwing herself into his arms, to beg his forgiveness for everything. His fingers curled under her chin, and gently he raised her head so their eyes met. What she saw there made her gasp. Desire...white hot desire...

"Because I didn't think that she loved me," he said, his fingers cupping her cheek. Catherine stared at him, hypnotized. "Now, who do you think that woman is, hmmm?" he said, seconds before his lips pressed against hers. Catherine was shocked for a second, but finally gave in, returning the kiss.

He kissed her gently, taking his time. His hand slipped behind her neck and caressed the skin there. Her hands slipped to his chest, pressing her hands flat there. She moaned and he gave up on gentle, thrusting his tongue against her closed lips, begging entrance. She gave in, and opened her mouth. His tongue slipped inside, and his arms went around her, crushing her to his chest. A gutteral moan sounded from the back of his throat.

At that sound, Catherine froze against him. Suddenly, she pushed against his chest, desperately trying to break free of his hold. He released her, and stared at her as they both panted, trying to regain their breath. Catherine started crying.

"No! I can't do this. I can't do this again. You are a married man! I can't do this again!" she sobbed out.

"Catherine, my marriage is over. I told you that! In all honesty, it wasn't a real marriage anyway. I never should have married her when I was in love with you," he told her earnestly.

Catherine stood up, and backed to the far corner of the room. She glanced at Ryan. He was asleep in his swing. She looked at Vincent, who had also stood, and was advancing slowly toward her. She held out her hands. "Stop, please! Don't say things like that!" she begged.

Vincent stopped, and his face was confused. "It's the truth! Catherine, I have been in love with you for 18 years. Since the first day I met you, you were the one!"

"Why didn't you ever say anything, then?"

"I didn't think you felt the same way, and I didn't want to ruin our friendship," he told her honestly.

Catherine couldn't breath. She felt nauseous and the room started spinning. What had she done? She reached out blindly, trying to find an anchor. Vincent's strong arms caught her.

"Catherine...?" he said, but his voice was distorted. She tried to focus, but the room was going black. The last thing she heard was his panicked, "Catherine!"

Vincent carefully laid Catherine on the couch. Undoing the buttons on her blouse, he loosened it to get air into her lungs. He raced to the kitchen, and ran cold water over a washcloth. Gently, he placed it on her forehead. He reached down, undoing her jeans to help her breath better. He looked at Ryan. He was still peacefully sleeping, oblivious.

Vincent checked her pulse, and was relieved to feel the steady beat of her heart. What the hell just happened? He stared at her face, which was white.

Several minutes passed, and Catherine was still passed out on the couch. Vincent was seriously thinking about calling an ambulance, when he heard Catherine groan. He raced to her side. Her eyes fluttered open and she saw his relieved face hovering above hers. She sat up quickly, and groaned when the room swayed.

"Easy...easy now. You need to take it easy," Vincent said, supporting her. She leaned against him, and then gasped.

"Ryan?" she asked, panicked. Vincent shushed her, and pointed. Ryan was still asleep, oblivious to what had just happened. Catherine sighed audibly, relieved. She began doing up the buttons on her jeans and blouse.

"What happened, Catherine? Has that ever happened before?" Vincent said, having gone into doctor mode.

"No, it's never happened before. I just...I haven't eaten a lot today. That's all," she lied.

Vincent stared at her. His fist clenched at his side. She was lying again. Why did she keep doing that? "Catherine, I don't believe you."

"Believe whatever makes you feel better. I really don't know what else to tell you," Catherine said.

"How about the truth? For once?"

"What truth?"

"Did it shock you to find out I'm in love with you? Is that why you passed out?"

Catherine inhaled deeply. She met his eyes. For once, she told the truth. "Yes, it shocked me. I never knew. I never suspected."

"Catherine, have you ever...do you love me?" Vincent asked, shy for the first time. Catherine stared at him. Tears pricked at her eyes.

"I do...but we can't be together."

"Why not? If we love each other, why can't we be together?" Vincent asked, confused.

"You don't understand. There are things I can't tell you. Things you can never know. I'm sorry."

He approached her, and took her in his arms. "Why can't you tell me? What is going on?"

She shook her head. "You need to leave, Vincent. You need to leave and never come back. Go back to your wife. Forget I exist. Please...please Vincent," she ended on a whisper.

"Is someone threatening you? Is that it? Is it Marks?" Vincent asked, barely containing his rage.

Catherine stared at the floor. "Just leave, Vincent. Please. Please...forget about me. Forget about Ryan. Go back to Alex. Have the family you've always wanted."

"I wanted that family with you!" Vincent said, desperation in his voice. Catherine wanted to die with those words. You have that family...but I can't tell you, ever.

"I'm not your wife. I'll never be your wife. You said those vows to another woman, and you need to honor them. You need to go back to her, no matter how we feel about each other. You need to forget about me. Forget our past. Forget about having a future with me. Your future is with Alex," Catherine told him, tears in her eyes.

"Catherine..."Vincent started, but she cut him off.

"Just go...please. Go..." she breathed out.

Vincent stared at her. Finally, he sighed and walked to her door. Turning around, he said, "We aren't done here." He threw open the door, and walked out. It slammed shut behind him.

Catherine collapsed on the floor, and a torrent of tears fell. She curled into a ball on the floor, wailing out her misery. I'm so sorry, Vincent. Please...please forgive me...but, I can't lose our son. He's all I have left of you. I'm sorry...

Vincent stood outside her door, and heard her wails. His teeth clenched together, and his knuckles turned white as he clenched his fists together. He had someone to see...

A/N I know, some of you probably got tears in your eyes on that. I know I did writing it. Just in Case you are wondering, Catherine had a panic attack. Next chapter Vincent is going to confront someone...but who? Review!