The Lies We Tell

A/N Hello Hello! New chappie!

Chapter 9

As Vincent approached the apartment, an unsettling feeling wrapped around him. He could hear Ryan howling from within. Why wasn't Catherine taking care of him? He tested the doorknob, and found it unlocked. His unease grew. Carefully, he stepped inside.

At first glance, nothing was out of place. He set the food on the counter, and hurried into Ryan's room. The poor baby was red faced and crying fat tears. Quickly, Vincent picked him up and placed him against his chest. Ryan huffed and sniffled against his chest, beginning to finally calm down at Vincent's touch. Vincent rubbed Ryan's back and swayed back and forth.

"Where is your mother?" he wondered out loud. The uneasy feeling continued to plague him. He walked around the apartment quickly, and confirmed that Catherine was not there. She would never leave Ryan...willingly. His eyes widened and his heart stopped.

"No!" he exclaimed. Somehow he knew who had taken Catherine. And, he knew exactly where they would take her...

Catherine groaned, as she began to wake up. She blinked rapidly against the bright light that was currently shining in her eyes. Her throat was dry and her head was pounding. She realized that she was strapped to a chair, and her hands and feet were duct taped together. She heard someone breathing nearby.

"Well, you're finally awake I see. That drug knocked you out for longer than I thought it would."

"Alex? What...what are you doing? Why are you doing this?" Catherine asked, trying to see her past the brightness. Alex chuckled.

"You know exactly why I am doing this. Did you really think I would let you keep him?" she asked, venom in her voice.

"Alex...you don't need to do this. This won't change anything. He doesn't love you."

"Only because you keep getting in the way. Once you're gone, he'll come back to me. He'll have to."

Catherine shook her head, trying to clear the fog that permeated it. She was having trouble focusing. "What did you give me? I can barely think straight."

"Just a little cocktail of my own making. It will keep you just conscious enough to answer questions."

Suddenly, Catherine remembered. "Ryan! Where is my son?" she asked, panic stricken.

"I'm sure Vince has discovered the little bastard by now. He's probably realized you were kidnapped. Even now, he's probably on his way here. Too bad you won't be alive when he does get here."

"Alex, please. Just tell me why. Why are you doing this?"

"You sound like a broken record. I told you why."

"What's the real reason? I don't believe that killing me is all you plan on doing."

"It's all so black and white with you, isn't it? With you finally out of our lives, Vince and I can have the life we were suppose to have," Alex said.

"What about my son? Do you really think Vincent would leave him now, knowing what he knows?" Catherine said, trying to keep Alex talking. She knew Vincent would find her. She knew it with every fiber of her being. She also knew that Alex was insane.

"What he knows? You mean that he is the father of your bastard?" At Catherine's shocked face, Alex laughed. "Daddy and I have no secrets from each other. He told me just before we left for our honeymoon."

"And, you never said anything to Vincent this whole time?"

"Why? So he could go running back to his best friend and their bastard child? Nope, wasn't gonna happen. So, I did what any loving wife would do...I kept my mouth shut and tried to get pregnant with his legitimate child."

"Obviously, that didn't work..." Catherine smirked. Alex screeched.

"You bitch! One time, just one time with you, and he knocked you up. You little slut! You knew you would get pregnant that night, didn't you? Is that why you picked that specific night?"

"I'm sorry, Alex. I never meant for any of this to happen. I wasn't trying to get pregnant. It just happened. And, I'll never regret it. Ever!"

"Oh, you'll regret it. Know why? Because, your bastard will grow up without its mother."

Catherine was tired of hearing the word "bastard". "His name is Ryan. He's 4 months old. Would you really do that to him? He is still 1/2 Vincent's, too. And, Vincent will never give him up!"

"I suppose I could allow the little bas- Ryan, into my house. It's not his fault his mother is a slut."

An awareness crept over Catherine. She knew Vincent was nearby. She knew...

"Alex...could I have some water? My mouth is so dry. Please?" Catherine said, making sure to sound like she was begging.

Alex eyed her. Finally, she said, "Since you aren't gonna be alive that much longer, I guess I can do that much for you," before heading up a flight of stairs.

When she was gone, Catherine struggled against the bindings. They wouldn't budge. She tried again to look around the light. Her eyes caught a shadow creeping toward her. Catherine opened her mouth to scream. A hand covered her mouth.

"It's okay. It's okay. It's me," Vincent whispered. He began tugging on the tape. "Are you alright?"

"She drugged me. Everything is so fuzzy," Catherine told him. He got the tape free, and worked on the binding around her waist. "Is Ryan okay?" she asked frantically.

"Shhh! Yes, he's fine. He's with your neighbor, Heather."

"I opened the door, and the next thing I knew, everything was going black. I don't even know where I am."

"Our house. She brought you to our house upstate," Vincent said grimly. He finally got the binding loose, and pulled Catherine to her feet. She swayed from the sudden upward motion. Vincent swept her into his arms, and she laid her head against his shoulder. "We need to get out of here," he whispered.

Just then, they heard the distinct sound of a gun being cocked. Laughter filled their ears. "Well, if it isn't Prince Charming, come to rescue his Princess. How sweet!" Alex said, her voice holding an edge of insanity.

Vincent set Catherine down carefully on the chair. He stepped in front of her, shielding her. He raised his hands. "Alex...you don't have to do this. You know that, right?" he said, trying to reason with her. Alex stared at him.

"You want me to let your lover live? Fine...under one condition."

"What is that?" Vincent said, trying to distract her from Catherine.

"You cancel the Divorce papers, and stay here forever with me. You forget all about that slut and her bastard son. You have babies with me," Alex rattled off.

"Fine...fine," Vincent said, moving slowly toward her. Alex didn't even notice. "It's just you and me baby, okay? We'll have lots of babies. How many do you want? 2? 3?"

"I want 2. A boy and a girl." Alex was still oblivious to his movements.

"2 it is then. A boy and a girl," Vincent agreed. Suddenly, he sprang and caught Alex off guard. The gun swung wildly as Alex and Vincent fought to control it. 2 shots rang out, and Vincent heard Catherine grunt in pain. He swiveled his head, and saw her slumped in the chair, blood seeping from her shoulder. He roared in anger.

Catherine was vaguely aware of the struggle that continued. Her shoulder felt like it was on fire, and her vision swam in and out. Just before she lost consciousness, she heard the gun go off again.

"Vincent..." she muttered, and slipped into unconsciousness.

A/N Well...? Review!