Chapter 20

"Vincent, I am feeling your pain! The only way I will feel better is if you let Rebecca attend to your injuries," she told him.

Nodding his agreement he shrugged out of his upper garments. As Rebecca began to work on the angry looking cuts and bruises, Catherine inquired, "What is going on in there?"

"Father and Peter are operating on Devin. Mary is helping as their nurse."

"How badly is he hurt?" Catherine asked in concern.

"They aren't sure, but his back could be broken," Rebecca answered instead of Vincent. Her voice contained a catch that told Catherine she was close to tears.

Trays of food and drink arrived then and Catherine suggested that Rebecca take a break while she took over Vincent's care. Rebecca nodded and passed her the bottle of astringent and a clean gauze pad.

As she dabbed at Vincent's wounds, Catherine could feel him trying not to wince so he wouldn't worry her. However, with their Bond it was impossible to do. "Vincent has anyone given you something for the pain yet?"

"My physiology does not work well with most medications," he admitted. "In the past when I have been hurt I just slept it off. But I can't let myself do that until I know how Devin is."

"What if I promised to come and wake you as soon as there is any word at all?" she questioned.

Vincent shook his head, "You wouldn't be able to wake me. It is sort of like a bear's winter hibernation."

"Oh," was all she said, as she took in another of her husband's differences. Catherine had to wonder if any child they had would be more like Vincent or herself.

Rebecca came over to them and held out a plate to Vincent, "You should at least eat something. I know you only took the shortest drink breaks today as you were trying to free him. You need to keep your strength up."

As Vincent took the plate from her with a quiet thank you, Rebecca turned back to the food to fix one for Catherine too. They ate and waited, and waited some more.

They could hear the quiet mummers of conversation from the three working on Devin, but nothing was clear enough to make out. After what seemed to be an eternity Mary came out from behind the screen and announced, "We need more blood."

Vincent was on his feet in an instant, but Mary shook her head, "You know you can't Vincent."

Catherine spoke up, "I have type O, so I am a universal donor."

"But you're pregnant dear. It wouldn't be good for you or the baby."

"I'm A positive, if that would help," Rebecca offered.

"That is Devin's type too, will you come with me Rebecca?" Mary asked, motioning her behind the screen.

When the two of them were gone Catherine and Vincent sat back down to wait some more.

Rebecca returned after donating blood and broke down into sobs as she told them how pale and still Devin looked. They tried to reassure her saying her blood would help with the paleness and that he was still because of the anesthetic. Calmed somewhat, they convinced her to try and nap, promising they would wake her as soon as there was any news.

When Catherine was sure that she was asleep, she asked Vincent, "How long as she been in love with Devin?"

Vincent looked stunned, and then replied with a shake of his head, "We have all been close since childhood, Rebecca and Devin are like sister and brother."

"No, Vincent, she's in love with him. A woman can sense these things."

With another shake of his head he assured her, "It is just our way here Below to be so concerned about each other."

Catherine wisely held her tongue knowing that in the days ahead he would see she was right.

William had sent another round of food and drink before the three working on Devin made an appearance. The first one to come from behind the screen was Father. A wearier and older looking version of the man than Catherine or Vincent had ever seen.

Vincent had gotten to his feet as quickly as his injuries would let him moments before Father had appeared and Catherine was just about to ask why, when she saw Father herself and realized that Vincent must have heard him approaching.

"Father, how is he?" Vincent inquired after his brother.

To be continued…..