Trust Issues

by ChiefPam

This is fanfic for Beauty & the Beast (2012). They own it, I don't, I'm just borrowing their toys. This is based loosely on spoilers for Season 2, and will no doubt be an alternate universe as soon as October 7th, 2013 gets here, but I needed the emotional fix.

Previously: Back in the city, Vincent is trying to figure out what Muirfield is up to, and has called the base where he'd been staying.

Catherine stared at Vincent as he hung up the phone. There was a dazed look on his face. "Well?"

"They want to hire me."

"They what?"

"Full legal status, no more hiding, and a salary."

"And you're buying that?"

"I don't know. Shostak believed it, though."

That stunned her.

Tess waved a hand. "I know I haven't been nearly killed by Muirfield, so maybe my opinion doesn't count, but, Vincent's right; they had him for three months. They could have done anything. What did they do? Act friendly and give him training, help him control his wild side."

"What did they want you to do?" JT asked.

"They were talking about me infiltrating the mob, terror cells, etc. I could get a lot more information than the normal type of informant, and I'd be more able to extricate myself safely if things went sideways. Lots of possibilities."

"But to do that," Catherine said slowly, processing it, "they need you to willingly participate. Hence the suck-up."

"Guess so."

"I think we should all sleep on it," JT suggested. "V, I assume you're staying here?"

"Yes," Catherine answered immediately. "He is." Heather might be back later, but for once Cat didn't care. If she objected, Cat had no problem going code yellow on her, not now. But it probably wouldn't be an issue; Heather would be too glad to see Cat happy again to worry about the sketchiness of Vincent Zalansky.

The idea that he could be declared alive again, and be Vincent Keller all out in public, with no need to hide... that would be wonderful. But the more important part was that he stay in her life, openly or not. She was afraid to get her hopes up.

"Fine. I'm going home, then. Tess, you want a lift?"

Tess grinned. "Sure, TJ, that'd be great."

JT rolled his eyes. "Yeah, TJ left ten minutes ago, so I guess you're taking a cab."

She laughed. "Sorry, I couldn't help it."

They made their way out the door, still negotiating transportation, leaving Catherine alone with Vincent once more. She sighed, and walked into his arms. "I'll admit it would be nice if you didn't have to hide anymore. But while I trust you, I do not trust them."

"I know. Tell you what, tomorrow we can go back over there to collect your car from wherever you hid it, and I can do some spying on them. Find out what they're saying about me."

"Okay, that makes sense."

"Big day tomorrow, then," he said, starting to walk her backwards towards the bedroom.

She grinned. "Hmm, so you think we need to rest up?"

"Early to bed..." He kissed her, guiding her into her room.

"Sounds wonderful."

"Thanks for the ride, JT," Vincent said, feeling a little awkward now that Catherine wasn't with him. He missed her already.

"Hey, she had to work, I didn't, no big deal."

"It's just, you know, we didn't get to talk much yesterday, and I know I know you, but it doesn't feel like I do. And I don't think I can ever thank you enough for-"

"V, shut up, okay? We're friends, and, for the record, I know you'd do the same for me."

He hoped so. He'd learned so much in the past 24 hours; he felt like he was still catching up. Yesterday had been a huge emotional high - Catherine had been overwhelmingly, unbelievably wonderful - but today, things were more confusing. To suddenly have this amazing life - okay, a life in hiding, but with her. Add in good friends like Tess and JT and it seemed too good to be true.

"So, seriously, how are you handling this?" JT asked.

He half-shrugged. "Not quite sure, actually." Yesterday everything had been perfect. Today it was unreal. "I still don't really remember much. Being with Catherine... it's a dream come true. I guess I'm a little scared that I'll wake up and lose it. Lose her."

"V, trust me, that ain't happening. She moved heaven and earth for *months* to find you. I'm not sure you could lose her even if you were actively trying to."

"Yeah, I did kind of get that impression. I just don't understand it."

"Well, regaining your memory probably won't help you with that." JT smirked. "I don't think you've ever understood it. But she's as serious as a heart attack, my friend."

There didn't seem to be much to say to that. He looked out the window, not really seeing anything. Catherine was so amazing, and he was... well, it sure felt like he was in love. He hadn't even questioned it yesterday. But what did he really have to offer her? A life in hiding, always at risk.

And then there was the whole DNA problem. Muirfield seemed to think it was incurable. So even if they were on the level and they weren't hunting him anymore, the beast was always going to be there. And if he came out at the wrong moment... Vincent preferred not to think about what could happen.

He didn't remember anything about Catherine, really, but he responded to her so strongly. The depths of her trust in him staggered him. She knew everything - the good, the bad, and the beastly - and still wanted to be with him. In every possible way.

So if she was perfectly happy with their life in hiding, why was he even considering Muirfield's offer? It could be a trap. The work sounded as if it could be important, though, and he liked the idea of contributing to the world, using all his abilities to protect people.

The idea of a paycheck was seductive, too, although he wasn't quite sure why. He'd been doing okay without one, hadn't he? Maybe it was as simple as wanting to provide for her, in addition to protecting her. He wanted to give her everything. He wanted to be worthy of her love, and in some corner of his subconcious mind, that seemed to include having a job.

He realized that he was thinking long-term - like, eventually, maybe marriage - about a woman who, essentially, he'd only met the day before. How much did he really know about her? What if she was manipulating him, somehow, for some unknown reason. He felt crazy to doubt her, but the thought wouldn't go away.

"JT, you've known me a long time, right?"

"All my life. We grew up as neighbors, and were roommates after college, and then when you were on the run, you contacted me. I helped you hide for years."

"And you know Catherine?"

"Yeah, for over a year now. I didn't like her much at first - she was putting you at risk without even realizing it - but you were always crazy about her."

"So what do you think of her now?"

"She's the best thing that ever happened to you, bro," JT answered with quiet intensity. "Remember that, when you're trying to decide whether you can trust Muirfield, because whichever way you decide to go, she'll be going with you. And anything they do to you will affect her."

It was a sobering reminder. "She'll go with whatever I decide?"

"She may try to change your mind, but yeah. She's *with* you, period. She trusts your judgement, and your ability to protect her. And if you even try to break up with her for her own good, she *will* kick your ass."

That made Vincent chuckle.

"Not kidding," JT stated. "I know you, V. You've been sitting there thinking that she deserves better than you, that you can't offer her anything. Thing is, you don't need to. She just wants you."

"It's hard to believe."

"Yeah, you've always had a problem with that. But I owe her so I'm trying to get your head on straight here. Listen, after this little recon mission, we should take some time to try to get past your memory blocks, so you can remember her telling you all this. A thousand times."

"Maybe we can do it before she comes over."

"No way. It can be disorienting for you, and I want her there to keep you from freaking out."

"She can do that?"

"Don't ask me how, but yeah."

"Wow."

"Best thing that ever happened to you," JT reiterated, shooting him a frowning glance. "Do not screw this up."

"I will try not to," he answered sincerely, feeling a lot better, somehow.

So maybe he'd only met her yesterday, and still didn't know that much about her, but he was sure now that his instincts, his reactions, weren't lying to him. She really loved him. And he loved her, too. So much.

"Almost there," JT announced as he exited the highway.

"Okay." He sat up. He was facing maybe the biggest decision in his whole life - the riskiest one for him, and for her, too. He needed to concentrate on figuring out what Muirfield was up to. He still didn't really sense a threat from them - not anymore - but he needed evidence one way or the other before he could make that choice.

Okay, so maybe it'll be more than four chapters, after all... had to add a few things based on comments. Thanks for all the reviews, btw - it's great to know people are enjoying my work. :) Less than a week to go now!