Chapter 17

Vincent burst into the room. "What do you mean we have a problem?"

Carson explained. "There is a failsafe. The last two doors, the outer one can only be opened once the inner one is closed. It has to be done from in here. Someone is going to have to stay behind."

Vincent immediately spoke up. "I'll stay; just show me what to do. I can escape the same way we got in."

"Vincent!" cried Catherine.

"I will stay," Said Helena calmly. I know this system and I know this facility better than you, Vincent. You leave with Catherine and your friends."

"Helena I am not going to leave you behind," said Carson.

"Look, we don't have time to argue, I swear I will meet you outside, just tell me where."

Vincent explained, "There is an abandoned warehouse about a mile down the main road, we will regroup there."

"OK, I will be there as soon as I can; she looked at Vincent….just get Carson out of here."

Vincent nodded his head in acknowledgement.

Carson kissed Helena…. hard, "Make sure you follow us out, promise me!"

"I promise, now go!"

As they left, Vincent yelled back to Helena, "Don't forget to let Gabe out right before you leave this room."

They ran through the facility, with Helena opening the doors as they went. Vincent only had to take out 2 guards in the process.

"I think this is what rats trapped in a maze feel like." JT said, trying to instill some humor into the situation.

Helena watched their progress on the monitors. She was also keeping an eye on the rest of the facility. So far so good, Vincent had managed to take care of the guards as the team came across them and no one else in the facility seemed to be aware of the break out. As the team approached the final set of doors, Helena did one last quick scan to be sure that it was ok to open the door. Nothing looked amiss, so she opened the first door and watched as everyone quickly went through. She then closed the door behind them.

She heard a beeping sound…..She checked the monitors one last time before opening the outer door and saw that Maxim was outside the same door wanting to come back in.

"Shit…..Vincent, Maxim is on the other side of the door, he came back to the facility." Helena said over the intercom.

Vincent paused and looked at his friends and at Catherine. "I know he may have answers for you, but I can't let him live."

Catherine put her hand on Vincent's shoulder, "I understand you do what you have to do."

"Ok Helena, open the door." Vincent was ready, summoning the beast as the door opened and Maxim appeared. Vincent did not give Maxim a chance to do anything, he grabbed him by the throat, pulled him through the doorway, telling everyone one else to run. Vincent twisted Maxim's neck until he heard a pop and Maxim went limp. Dropping the body Vincent shook off his beast and ran off after his friends.

Helena watched as Carson and everyone escaped, she breathed sigh of relief that everyone had gotten away and was safe. She hits the release button for Gabe's cell and takes off to make her own way out.

She makes it to the ventilation shaft that Vincent used to enter the building, but just as she is preparing to jump up into the shaft; a guard comes around the corner. Startled, they stare at each other.

"Stop!" he says bringing his weapon up to target her.

Helena squats down in preparation to jump and before she can leave the ground…. he shoots.

Helena makes it up into the shaft and starts moving quickly through it. Her side is stinging but she does not take the time to check, she is still moving so it must not be that bad.

Panic and chaos erupt inside the facility as Maxim's body is discovered and staff realizes subjects have escaped.

Helena makes it out of the facility and starts toward the rendezvous to meet up with Carson. Looking down she discovers that the bullet hit her in the gut and she is bleeding badly.

Vincent and the others make it to safety. There are hugs and kisses exchanged all around. Except for Carson, he is standing alone, looking back at where they came from desperately seeking a glimpse of blonde hair.

Helena is struggling to keep moving, her vision keeps tunneling, and she is having difficulty breathing. Leaning against a building she calls to Vincent, hoping he can hear her. "Vincent…. I am not sure if you can hear me but I don't think I am going to make it. I have been shot and I think it's bad. Please tell Carson I love him and I am sorry. Tell him that I'm sorry I wasted so much time, tell him that I am sorry, he had to watch me do all those awful things, tell him I'm sorry that I wasn't strong enough to fight them, tell him I'm sorry….

Vincent appeared…..You can tell him yourself, no one else is dying today….He scoops her up and races back to join the others.

"Helena!" Carson screams as Vincent returns with her in his arms. He rushes over to her.

Vincent lays her down on the table JT set up. JT rips open her shirt and he and Vincent quickly examine her. They both can see that the bullet did not exit. There is no way to know the extent of the damage, but more than likely it's fatal. She is bleeding heavily and they have no supplies and they can't take her to the hospital.

Vincent looks at Carson and shakes his head, "I'm sorry there isn't anything we can do." Vincent and JT back away, to give Carson and Helena some privacy.

"Carson, can you take me over to the windows?" Helena asks quietly.

Carson gently picks up Helena and carries her over to the windows. There are huge floor to ceiling windows and the sunlight streams in bathing everything in warm clear light. He cradles her in his lap and presses his lips to her forehead.

"I'm sorry." He says as tears begin to form in his eyes. "I never should have left you in there alone; I should have stayed behind with you."

"I am glad you didn't, you could have been killed and I couldn't have lived with that."

"But I am?" Carson said tears starting to flow. I am just supposed to go on living without you? How am I going to do that, knowing what we could have had?"

"I'm sorry that I'm leaving you behind, I want you to get away from this stuff and be happy. You gave me something today that I thought I would never have….." Helena coughed, it was getting harder to speak.

"You gave me love; I didn't think I was good enough for someone to love. I thought Maxim had destroyed anything that was good in me, but you saw through all of it and loved me anyway, so Thank you for that…..and for this." She took her hand and motioned to the windows. "Freedom…..at least I am free now."

Carson kissed her softly and inhaled her last breath…

Vincent could hear everything that Carson and Helena were saying, even though he wasn't trying to overhear them. His senses were on overdrive listening for anything that might be a threat to them. He was holding Catherine tightly imagining how easily it could have been them in this situation. This was the closest they had come to losing each other and he had to make sure it never happened again. They needed to disappear and go somewhere no one would ever find them. It would mean leaving JT and Tess, but it would be better for them as well if he and Catherine were gone.

He looked over at JT and Tess; they could not stop touching each other either. A few days of being able to see each other but not talk or touch had brought some realization to both of them. Vincent had no doubt they would be ok.

Catherine had been watching Helena and Carson and when she saw Carson's head drop onto Helena's chest and saw him wracked by sobs, she clutched Vincent even tighter. "This is so horrible; they just found each other, now she is gone…."

Vincent gave Carson as much time with Helena as he could, but they had to keep moving. He came up to Carson and placed his hand on Carson's shoulder. "I'm sorry man but we have to get going. It's not going to be safe to stay here much longer."

Carson laid Helena gently on the ground. He stood up and looked at Vincent. "I can't go with you, you guys need to get out of here, and I don't want to know anything about you that could put you in danger. I am not sorry that I helped you get out, but I can't…" Carson stopped to collect himself.

Vincent put his hand out, "I understand, and I can't thank you enough for saving all our lives, especially Catherine's. Helena loved you and when she realized that you loved her too; I saw how that realization made her feel. I am sorry for your pain, but you have to know that you changed her life in that moment and I hope that gives you some peace in the days to come. They shook hands and Vincent went back to Catherine.

Catherine did not want to leave without talking to Carson. "Thank you for saving us. I am so sorry about Helena, I wish there was something I could do." She said giving him a hug.

He hugged her back tight, "Go and be happy, you two deserve it."

Vincent and JT decided it was probably safe to head back to their respective houses. Maxim was dead and it appeared that each research facility operated independently. JT and Tess headed back to the Gentlemen's club and Vincent and Catherine headed back to the houseboat.

"You know tomorrow you can help me come up with a story to explain why I had the university van and GPR unit so long!" JT said laughing as both couples took off.

Catherine and Vincent make it back to the houseboat. Once they get inside they stare at each other, both of them thinking the same thing. It could have all gone wrong; they could have lost each other….They come together violently, Vincent picking Catherine up and taking her upstairs. Talking could wait; everything else could wait…..right now they needed to be together, skin to skin, no words needed as their bodies speak.

Vincent kisses Catherine as he sets her down, her body sliding against his as her feet touched the ground. She grasps his shoulders to steady herself as their mouths devour one another. They are starving for the taste of one another. Vincent grasps Catherine's face and tilts it to get a better angle, his tongue sliding in between her teeth, passionately dueling with hers. Catherine moans into his mouth as her hands slide down his back and underneath his shirt.

Vincent lets go of her face and raises his arms so Catherine can take off his shirt. She grabs his face, and slides her hands down his neck and over his shoulders. She marvels at his strength and relishes the flexing of his muscles as he slides his arms around her. His hands make their way under her shirt to lift it over her head.

"God you are so beautiful," He unhooks her bra and slides the straps off her shoulders. He lowers his head and worships her breasts. Her nipples perk up as if begging him for his attention. His tongue swirls around a nipple, licking and sucking; he pays homage first to one and then the other. Catherine's head falls back as she holds Vincent's head to her chest as he pulls her closer. She can feel his erection against her stomach as he pulls her pelvis into his.

"Vincent" she breathes his name. He lifts his head and looks into her eyes, they are both breathing heavy, wanting each other so badly but also wanting to go slow, to savor every moment.

Vincent unbuttons Catherine's jeans and slides them off along with her underwear. He runs his hands up along the outside of her legs, kneading her ass as he places kisses on her stomach. "Vincent" Catherine says his name again as he finds her center.

He inhales her scent, branding her onto his brain. He kisses his way back up to her face. "Catherine." Vincent says her name like a prayer.

Catherine makes short work of Vincent's pants and underwear. Catherine can barely breathe as she takes in all of Vincent. He is so beautiful. Strong shoulders, narrow waist and powerful legs. He is capable of such violence but also such tenderness. She looks at his erection and it jerks as if to get her attention. She wraps her hands around him, needing to use both to stroke him. He closes his eyes and enjoys the way her hands are light yet firm on his aching member.

Vincent picks her up and places her on the bed, He settles himself between her legs, and she moves her hips to give him access. He traces the curve of her cheek and runs his hand down her neck, smiling at her impatience. "Not yet, I want to take my time." He says as he lowers his head and kisses her. Catherine arches her neck and kisses him back. She moves her hands down his back, sliding them up to his shoulders, threading her fingers in his hair as he nips the side of her neck, making his way to her collar bone.

Vincent takes both of Catherine's hands and holds them over her head, loving the way her chest lifts and her breasts are presented to him like an offering. Never one to refuse anything Catherine had to offer, he lavishes attention on her breasts, loving the feeling of Catherine moving underneath him as he drives her wild.

"Vincent… please!" She begs as her hips undulate, mimicking the action she so desperately seeks from him. Vincent gives in and slowly enters her, she is hot and wet and so snug, he about comes undone.

Catherine inhales as he seats himself fully inside her. She arches her back in an effort to get him as far inside her as she can. He pulls out of her and slides back in slowly letting each stroke last as long as possible. Slowly they move together, Vincent kisses Catherine as he moves inside her, his tongue matching the same thrusts as his cock.

They move together slowly, gazing into each other's eyes as they find heaven together.

As they lay in the warm afterglow of their lovemaking, Catherine asks Vincent. "What now?"

"We have a lot to figure out, but it will wait until morning." He says as he kisses her, get some sleep. "I know I will sleep well tonight with you in my arms."

Catherine falls asleep cradled in Vincent's arms.

The next morning Vincent wakes up and Catherine is not in the bed. What is it about her that she can sneak out of bed and his beast senses are not alerted? He lays there and reaches out with his beast senses and hears her heartbeat downstairs. He can smell the coffee she made and he can hear pages turning. Of course, she would be reading Rebecca's journal, given everything that happened to them, she is desperate to know the outcome of Rebecca and Lucas's journey.

I had been locked up by my own Uncle now that I knew what he was involved with. I worried about Lucas; he would panic when I did not show up to meet him. He would come for me, of that I was sure. I was afraid that he would be captured as well.

Turns out I need not have worried. Lucas was too smart to fall for any trap and carefully stole his way into the facility. He got me free and we took off on the run.

We made our way to London and immediately onto a ship bound for America. The weeks on board ship were some of the happiest of my life. Free from worry about being discovered we were able to enjoy each other without fear or shame. Our days were spent laughing and talking and our nights were spent making love; learning the language our bodies spoke to one another. By the time we arrived in NY Lucas and I were madly in love and determined to stay together.

Vincent smiled as he came downstairs and saw Catherine curled up on the couch, a cup of coffee in her hands. He pours himself a cup of coffee and goes over to sit on the couch with her.

"How long have you been up? He asks tipping her face up to give her a kiss.

"Not long, I just couldn't wait to see what happened to them." She filled him in on what she had read so far. "By the time they got to NY they were madly in love."

"Have you eaten?" She shook her head no.

"How about you keep reading and I will make breakfast?"

"Mmmmm sounds good" she said as she snuggled down into the couch.

We found a place to live; cheap anonymous places were easy to come by as well as jobs. Day's turned into weeks and weeks turned into months. After a few years we forgot about my Uncle and the experiments. We were just two people living our lives. We told people we were married when we boarded the ship in London so there was no record of Rebecca Reynolds anywhere, no way would anyone find us. Or so we thought.

We got careless. It had been so many years with no threat that we forgot. Looking back now I can't believe we were so stupid, I also wish I had written this earlier, before the chaos, before they found us. There were so many little moments that I don't have time to write about now. How thoughtful Lucas was and how he never took me for granted, always grateful to have found me. We had a great love and we were both so aware of how rare that was. We cherished each other. No woman in the history of love was as happy as I for those few years in NY.

It was a normal day when it started to fall apart. Lucas was on his way home from work and heard a woman scream. He went to help and found a woman fighting off unwanted attention from a man. Lucas stopped the man and the woman got away, but not before she saw him and his beast. The paper the next day told the story of the "Woman saved by a Beast"

It was not long after that the beast hunters showed up. They showed up at Lucas's work and described him well enough that his co workers pointed them in his direction. He managed to get away from work that day and home without them following but we knew it was only a matter of time until they found us. We had not kept our home a secret, any number of people knew where we lived.

I decided to take a risk and expose myself to them. I knew enough about hunting that I felt I could convince them that I was also looking for the beast.

I met with them and learned that they had a beast of their own, they were using him to track Lucas and they had a Gem as well that allowed them to control it.

I met with them in the dudgeon they had established as their base. For awhile I was able to run interference and keep Lucas safe.

I tried to get Lucas to leave, just go anywhere for awhile until the hunters got frustrated and moved on. But of course he would not leave me.

Eventually our luck ran out and Lucas was captured and taken to the dudgeon.

I allowed myself about 5 minutes of panic before I got myself together and went to rescue him.

I walked into the dudgeon and congratulated the hunters on finally capturing their prey. I stood in front of Lucas' cell and pretended not to know him. Telling him with my eyes that everything was going to be ok….. it was all going well until my Uncle walked in.

He had headed for NY as soon as he got word that a beast was here.

When he grabbed me, Lucas went wild in his cell clawing the concrete trying to get out. Understanding lit my Uncle's face as he realized that Lucas was how I had escaped him in London. I fought him, but I could not take on him and the other hunters. Not even I was that good.

I begged him to let me go, to let Lucas go and told him that we would disappear and he would never hear from us again. He just laughed at me. I told him I loved Lucas and he loved me but he did not believe me. He was the only family I had left and he didn't give a damn about me.

He stood me in front of Lucas' cell and taunted him. He watched as Lucas went crazy. What my Uncle didn't count on was Lucas breaking out of the cell.

Lucas exploded out of the cell and immediately took out the two hunters. I turned on my Uncle and while I could not kill him, I was able to knock him out.

Lucas grabbed me up and we clung to one another. I was crying so relieved to be in his arms again. It's ok Mo Thaisce, he said as he stroked my hair. Mo Cheann Cro'ga. I stopped crying, what does that mean? He wiped my tears and said "My brave one, for that is what you are, the bravest person I have ever met."

"I love you Lucas"

I love you too; now let's get out of here."

We escaped the dudgeon and took off to whatever our future held, we were together and together we could face anything.

"They got away!" Catherine said as I was putting breakfast on the table. "Oh my God, I was so afraid that you had been right and that she had been killed trying to rescue him."

She jumped up and ran over and threw her arms around me. "I hate to say it, but I told you so! She saved him!"

"It kind of sounds like they saved each other," I said smiling at her happiness.

"Maybe it is possible to escape all of this and live happily ever after." Catherine said helping herself to a huge pile of pancakes.

"Anything is possible as long as we are together," I said and in that moment I knew that we would be Ok because just like Rebecca and Lucas we were stronger together that we ever would be apart and there was nothing I could not do with Catherine by my side.

"I love you Catherine Chandler and I will spend the rest of my life making sure you never regret choosing me." I said as I leaned down to kiss her, she tasted of maple syrup and my mind wandered a moment to all the fun things we could do with that syrup.

Catherine smiled as if she could read my mind. "I love you Vincent Keller and I will spend the rest of my life making sure you know that I will never regret choosing you." She stood up and picked up the bottle of maple syrup and backed towards the stairs, she smiled…. and turned and ran up the stairs.

I took off after her racing her up the stairs and towards our future, never looking back.

The End

This is my first story and I just want to thank everyone who read this and commented on it, you were an inspiration. I hope you enjoyed this story, next up I am going finish Don't Die on Me, so check back soon for updates to that one.

Go raibh maith agat aris.