Chapter 5: Some Enchanted Evening

The dressed to impress Catherine and Vincent and arrived at the fancy dinner cruise Bateaux New York. Vincent gave the valet his keys as he held his hand out to escort Catherine inside. Catherine was extremely impressed. She had never been to a place this fancy the whole boat and restaurant theme seemed so rich and famous lifestyle. Everyone around them was dressed to impress Catherine definitely wasn't used to this. She and Tess have been to some very classy parties and Bars but nothing this exquisite.

"Vincent this is incredible," she says with her arm locked on his arms as their Hostess walked them to their seats. Vincent made sure to request a table near the window of the boat so they can see the view of New York's Hudson River as they eat. Vincent pulled out Catherine's chair for her and then sat down across from her again taking in her beauty as she looked around taking in the sites. Vincent had never been on the boat either but he didn't care about the scenery at the moment his attention was on Catherine. That Ruby red dress she had on complimented her well, she was stunning and sexy at the same time.

"Glad you like it," Vincent says to her. She noticed the stare he was giving her and it made her shy a little still not used to the intense feelings he has for her she tried not to let it get to her but it did.

"Vincent stop please," Catherine says smiling and blushing at him.

"I am sorry I can't help it you look so incredibly hot right now. If you didn't want me looking at you should not have worn that sexy ass dress" he says teasing her.

She smiled looking at him slightly flirting then replied "are you always like this?"

"Like what?" Vincent asks.

"Head over heels for me... Are you like that on a regular?"

"To an extent yes but only because I just got back with you… well, the other Catherine. With you, I feel like I am starting from scratch"

A live band started to play smooth jazz music as the waiter came over to take their drink order. Vincent ordered a bottle of their finest Cabernet red wine. Almost immediately the waiter came back with their bottle of wine. He filled both their glasses and told them he would be back in a little while to take their food order. Also suggested they walk around the boat and take in the view while the boat sailed around the Hudson.

"So why did we break up, I remember you telling me we broke up for a while but you didn't go into detail," Catherine says taking a sip of her wine. She loved the wine it was smooth and tasted wonderful. "I like this" she added referring to the wine.

Vincent took a sip of his too before responding to her question "Well after I found out that your father was the one who took me and had me doing a beast-killing missions I tried to kill him. You wanted me to let you handle it the justice way but I wanted to do it my way. Since I tried to take the law into my own hands you had to shoot me"

"What!" she says in shock "I shot you? But I thought I loved you I don't understand"

Vincent went on to tell her Catherine's reasons for doing what she did and his reasons for doing what he did. Even adding Tori into the mix which he preferred not to do but did anyway because he didn't want to lie to her, but also liked that she thought of him as this perfect guy who would never hurt her. He felt that Tori situation would taint that. He found an outlet by adding the Gabe part in the whole thing as well.

"So Gabe Lowan was obsessed with me?" she says in disbelief. "I use to see him around the precinct all the time. I haven't seen him in a while but heard he got married. Glad he never set his eyes on me here" she says finishing her wine.

"Yes I am glad too it was very stressful, trying to clear me, and having the whole state of New York looking for us"

"We really are epic, aren't we? We went through all that and still came back together" she chuckled then said "I swear that doesn't sound like that could be my life"

"Well it definitely was a different lifetime," Vincent says. The waiter brought out their entrees while Vincent told the story of their break up they had ordered their appetizers and they finished them. Now it was time for the entrees, they both were glad because their appetizers didn't fill them up at all.

"Umm this is sooo… good," Catherine says digging into her Ginger roasted Chatham cod and eating another fork full. "Taste this," she says grabbing a fork full and feeding it to Vincent who happily accepted.

"That is good it's an odd combination but it works. Ginger Roasted Cod Fillet, Roasted Pineapple, and Mango Chutney, Citrus Infused Quinoa. I prefer spicy" he says digging into his own plate. Vincent had Slow Roasted Pork Shoulder, Citrus Garlic Jus, and Saffron Yucca Gratin. "Would give you some of mine but I know you don't eat meat" he teased.

"Now where did you get that idea," Catherine says smiling

"Wait so you do like meat?" he says thinking maybe this Catherine does eat meat.

She laughed "I was just joking with you"

He laughed to "I know my Catherine Chandler" he says giving her a flirtatious look.

"Indeed you do," she says staring back at him with the same look. Catherine was having so much fun with Vincent and it could have been the wine making her finally flirt back with him. She still couldn't deny the attraction they both had for each other. She had been watching him since they got here and every time he smiled at her or gave her a flirtatious look her stomach did flips.

"I wish I could have met you as a beast Vincent"

"You wouldn't want that it can be pretty scary," he says as he finishes up his meal

"Obviously the other Catherine wasn't scared so that means I wouldn't be either"

He smiled liking that she was just as accepting as the other Catherine.

"I could just kiss you right now but I make you uncomfortable," he said pretending to pout.

Catherine doesn't know if it was the wine or just Vincent's pull he had on her but she smiled and used her finger to tell him to come closer. He leaned toward her from across the table and both meeting half they kissed. Electricity ran through both of their bodies as their lips locked together. Once they pulled away a look of desire was in both of their eyes.

"You don't make me uncomfortable," Catherine says "you make me a lot of things but uncomfortable is not one of them"

Catherine refilled her glass with more wine she was on her third glass. Vincent could tell she had a slight buzz the fact that she kissed him and was flirting was a dead giveaway. He liked that she was finally letting her guard down around him.

"Why don't we go on the deck and see the sights," Vincent says.

"Sure," Catherine says as he takes her hand helping her up. They both bring their glasses of wine with them.

The sun was nearly down as they made their way outside on the deck. There were other couples outside as well enjoying the romantic view of New York. It was still warm out with a cool breeze from the Hudson.

"You never really notice how beautiful New York really is until you see it from this view," Catherine says slightly shivering.

"You are right this is breathtaking" Vincent says noticing her shivering. "Are you cold? You want my jacket?" He offers.

"No I am ok," she says taking another sip of her wine she walked closer to the edge of the deck leaning on the railing. She looked down at the water looking at the reflection of the sky. "Vincent thank you for doing all of this for me, I haven't had this much fun in a long time" Catherine states.

"No problem I just wanted to make up for yesterday and spend time with you" he walked up behind her and wrapped his arms around her. The feel of Vincent's warm body against hers made her stop shivering. She leaned on him laying her head back against his chest. Vincent was loving the feeling of Catherine in his arms she smelled good and felt good. He had to put his hormones in check as being this close to her made him want her. The dress she had on didn't help at all his thoughts about taking it off constantly came to mind. They stayed on the deck for a while staring out into the night sky and talking about whatever came to mind. They eventually went back inside, once inside they saw other couples on the dance floor dancing to the music by the live band. Vincent put down his drink at their table and grabbed Cat's hand. She put her drink down as well and followed him onto the dance floor. The band was playing a popular song In a Sentimental Mood by John Coltrane. They slow danced Vincent with one hand at her waist and the other holding her hand led her effortlessly around the dance floor.

"Nice dancing," Catherine says smiling at him he just keeps getting more and more surprising.

"We've danced together a few times," he says thinking about a time when he and Catherine were on the dance floor but she was angry with him at the time. He had faked a memory to throw her off his trail. He smiled even though at the time it was not funny.

"What are you smiling about?" she asks as he spins her around.

He told her about what he was just thinking about, and she laugh and smiled too. He and the other Catherine's life were so full of ups and downs and excitement compared to hers. Ever since her mom passed her life had been filled with some ups but mostly downs. As the next song played which was Night and Day by The Temptations Catherine moved in closer to Vincent and wrapped her arms around his neck. She felt so good in his arms both of them were content just slow dancing the way they were right now. Felt like magic to Catherine her world had been so dark for so long Vincent was like a sudden light clearing out all the darkness and making her happy again. The fact that it was all happening so fast almost feels too good to be true to her. She kept feeling like there had to be a catch to this situation he was too perfect. Vincent was everything she wanted in a guy yet she felt like she didn't deserve him.

"Catherine I wish I could take away your pain," Vincent says noticing her deep in thought. He gently rubbed his hands along Cat's lower back.

"What do you mean?" she asked as Vincent's touch gave her Goosebumps

"You have been through a lot, you have too good of a heart to not be happy and I can tell you aren't happy" he looks down at her.

"I am ok Vincent, really," she said staring back at him

"That is what the other Catherine use to say when she really wasn't ok. You don't have to pretend with me Cat I want to be here for you"

Catherine didn't know what to say she felt so many emotions all at once happiness, fear, shame, and surprise. Vincent was making her feel things she never thought she will feel for anyone and the fact that it was happening so fast left her speechless. Her mind debating on what is wrong and what is right and what to do next.

"Where have you been all my life" she whispers trying not to get emotional. She fought back tears as Vincent kissed her on the forehead. He then leaned in to kiss her lips and she accepted locking her lips on his. Their kiss deepened as their tongues made their way into each other's mouths. The sweetness of the wine drinks made their kiss a sweet one. The kiss lasted longer than either one of them intended it to they melted into each other and it took them a minute to come out of it. They both felt like for a split second time and space stopped and it was just them swirling around on the dance floor.

Catherine and Vincent arrived at Cat's place with their desserts in hand. They both decided to take home their dessert which was a chocolate truffle dream cake.

"I can't wait to try this" Vincent says sitting at Catherine Kitchen Island. He opens the container and digs into his dessert. Vincent noticed how quiet Catherine was she was sitting next to him staring at her phone.

"What's wrong," Vincent asks.

"Nothing I am just thinking," she says smiling over at him.

"What's on your mind?"

"My sister actually, ever since I met you I keep feeling like I need to talk to her"

Vincent smiled "Maybe you should call her. I know she misses you and you definitely miss her"

"I didn't know if she will speak to me, I said some pretty mean things the last time we spoke," she says feeling shame.

"What happened?" He says taking one of her hands into his.

She sighs finally feeling like she should just go ahead and tell him. "When our mom died …I couldn't handle it I was angry and vengeful. I became a cop just so I could catch my mom's murderers. My dad and my sister tried to get me to let it go, they wanted me to move on… but I couldn't the more they insisted I move on the more I pushed them away. I didn't understand why they didn't want to find out why our mom was killed and didn't want to investigate. Eventually, me and Heather got into an argument about how I always bring up her case, dwelling on the past, and not trying to move forward in my life. I yelled at her and said some things that I now regret and we haven't spoken since. My dad calls me sometimes but I don't take his calls either. Over the years they both have just kept their distance" she said almost near tears. Vincent could tell she was trying her hardest not to cry. His Cat wasn't afraid to cry but this Cat hated to look vulnerable and show emotions she considered weak.

"Catherine it is ok to cry," he says standing up and pulling her into his arms.

"I can't" she whispered.

"You don't have to be so strong all the time. Sometimes you have to relieve your pain through crying. You can't keep your emotions bottled in it only makes things worse" he leaned down and kissed her forehead. Tears did escape her eyes as she stared up at Vincent with admiration. He wiped away her tears. She noticed a small chocolate smug on the side of Vincent's lip.

"You a little something…never mind I'll get it," she says. She pulled him to her and softly kissed his lips licking off the smug of chocolate on the side of his lip in the process. Vincent surprised by her forwardness responded by kissing her back. He pulled her closer to him. She was feeling things for Vincent that even she didn't know she was even looking for. It excited yet scared her all at the same time. In his arms, Catherine felt safe and protected. She definitely felt loved the look in Vincent's eyes every time he looked at her said it all.

Vincent deepened their kiss as their tongues collided wrestling with each other. He let his strong arms hold her close and his hands roam and caress her body. His soft hands made their way down her lower back to her round behind which he grips and squeezes before containing down her thighs. They continued to make out as they both made their way to the sofa. They kissed for a while before finally coming up for air.

"so are you ok now," Vincent asks her.

"yes I am fine I didn't mean to get all emotional" she laughs as she leaned back on him getting comfortable in his arms. Catherine heard her phone's text notification go off. she dismissed it assuming it was Tess wanting to talk about a date she want on or something of that nature.

Catherine's phone started ringing she didn't feel like getting it nor did she want to leave Vincent's arms. So let it ring as well until another alert blared on her phone. She knew if her phone was blowing up that much something was going on.

"Vincent I have to get that," she says. Her phone started ringing again and Vincent reluctantly let her go.

"Oh no," Catherine says looking at her phone messages. She immediately got on the phone and called back Tess as she headed off to her room. Catherine came back several minutes later in a change of clothes securing her badge and gun on the belt of her jeans.

"I am so sorry it is work, this one is bad one of our detectives was murdered" states trying to wrap her head around it "I have to go to the precinct"

"I understand," Vincent says. "I am actually am used to it you can't imagine how many times this happens to us on a regular"

Catherine walks over to him putting her arms around his neck. "Well I definitely owe you one" she kisses him goodbye.

"Yes you owe me big time" he smiles. "And be careful please I can't save you like I use to" he jokes.

"I don't need saving doctor Keller, I am no damsel in distress" she laughs "I can't believe I only just met you a few days ago I feel like I've known you longer," Catherine says.

"Technically you have known me longer, just in another alternate universe" he laughs as they both make their way out the front door.

Catherine drove off in a hurry while Vincent sat in his car for a few minutes. He wasn't exactly ready to go home but knew he had to face it sooner or later. When he arrived at the house all the lights were off which was odd to him, slowly opening the door trying to be cautious in case something happened he tip-toed in. Soon as he flicks on the light switch he spots Alex sitting on the stairs with a look of rage on her face. Vincent knew all hell was about to break loose.

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