Note: Thanks very much for your reviews. Here's chapter 13...

I DO NOT OWN BEAUTY AND THE BEAST

Chapter 13

Later that evening Catherine made her way back to her apartment. Heather was out with Brooke having family bonding time. She sat on the couch in the living room and put the folder's on the coffee table. She began to go through them when her phone rang.

"Chandler." she said into the speaker.

"I never heard back from you Detective. Have you made your choice?" Gabe asked.

"Before I say anything, why do you think I'm the one who let Mr. Forbes into the lab?" Catherine asked in a frustrated tone.

"First of all, you can drop the act, I know you're friends with him. Second, he told me."

Catherine rolled her eyes. "What's gunna happen to him?" Catherine asked.

"Six years in jail." Gabe paused. "Probably more considering it was a police precinct."

Catherine sighed. "And why do you think you can get J.T. off the hook?"

"Well, considering your boss and I go way back and I'm a ADA, I think I can pull a few strings."

"That's just it, you're an ADA. You would be going against the law if you cover up for a suspect. You would lose your job."

"My job is not the one at stake here. I can take care of myself. But you on the other hand..." Gabe paused again. "You seem to have gotten yourself into a bit of a pickle."

Catherine was mad. She didn't understand how Gabe thought he could get away with this. "You do realize you're black-mailing me correct? That could get you in some trouble too for black-mailing a detective."

Gabe took a few seconds to reply. "I won't say anything if you won't."

Catherine rolled her eyes. He was really trying to get inside her head. "What do exactly want from me? I have a feeling this isn't just about covering for J.T."

"You join me for dinner your friend's off the hook." Gabe said.

'This guy is unbelievable.' she thought. "So if I go on a date with you, J.T.'s off the hook?"

"That's correct." Gabe said sounding pretty accomplished.

"And what about my job?" Catherine asked.

"You will be off the hook as well."

Catherine sighed. "Just dinner?"

"Just dinner." Gabe repeated.

Catherine sighed knowing she was going to regret this. "Fine."

"Good." Gabe said happily.

"When?" Catherine asked annoyed.

"Tomorrow night. Let's say around eight?" Gabe asked.

"Alright." Catherine said. "Tomorrow and eight." she said before she hung up the phone.

"See, now what that so hard?" A familiar voice asked.

Catherine jumped and looked over towards the hallway. "Vincent?" she asked surprised.

"I wanted to make sure you were going to keep your word." Vincent said smiling.

"Yup, tomorrow at eight." Catherine sighed as she threw her phone to the other side of the couch.

"Sounds fun." Vincent said sitting on the other couch.

Catherine glared at him.

"I'm just saying." Vincent chucked.

"It's not going to be fun, it's going to be torture." Catherine closed the folders on the table.

Vincent smiled to himself. "Just act casual and it will be over before you know it."

Catherine didn't say anything she just moved the folders around.

"He sounded pretty excited about it if you ask me." Vincent said.

Catherine looked up at him. "You heard the whole conversation?"

"Yup." Vincent nodded as he sat back in the chair.

"You know I'm surprised you're cool with all this." Catherine stood up and walked over to the kitchen.

"What do you mean?" Vincent asked standing up and putting his hands in his pockets.

"Well considering I just agreed to a date with some government shower-creep-o and J.T. almost ending up in jail." Catherine walked over to the fridge.

"Okay," Vincent followed Catherine. "I never said I was cool with any off this, I'm just trying to act as normal and calm about all this as I can." Vincent leaned on one of the supporting columns next to the bar.

Catherine gave Vincent a confused look as she took out a jug of milk.

"What?" Vincent asked.

"Okay there is something definitely going on with you." Catherine laughed as she grabbed a glass from one of the cabinets.

"What do you mean?" Vincent asked confused.

"Don't take this the wrong way but it just seems weird that you're the calmest one out of the three of us." Catherine looked at Vincent and he didn't say anything. "I'm freaking out because I just got blackmailed and J.T. is flipping out because he almost ended up and jail for six years and then there's you who just witnessed the death of your ex-fiance and found out you're DNA is mutating and yet some how you're the calmest one?" Catherine poured the milk into a glass and looked up at Vincent. The minute she looked at him she regretted everything that just came out of her mouth.

Vincent didn't say anything he just walked back to the couch.

"Vincent..." Catherine said walking over to him.

Vincent sat down on the couch and opened one of the folders.

"Vincent, I-" Catherine said as she walked over to him.

Vincent flipped through some papers and then looked up. "I gotta go." He got up and walked down the hall.

"Vincent!" Catherine called as she followed him. "Vincent I-" she looked around and went into her room to where the window for the fire-escape was. It was open and the wind from the outside caused the curtains to blow around. Catherine went over to the window and shut it. She rested her forehand on the closed window and sighed.

The next day Catherine pulled up to the precinct. She was still really mad at herself for hurting Vincent's feelings the night before. Frustrated and with only a few hours of sleep she walked into the precinct.

"Good Morning Detective." Gabe looked up from his desk and smiled.

"Oh...uh...hi Gabe." Catherine said making her way over to her desk.

"We still on for dinner tonight?" Gabe asked smiling.

Catherine looked around to make sure no one was listening. "Yup."

Gabe smiled.

"And try not to talk about it, it's just dinner. Nothing more." Catherine went through some papers.

"What ever you say." Gabe smiled as he returned to his work.

Catherine rolled her eyes. This guy was really getting on her nerves.

"Hey, you okay man?" J.T. asked handing Vincent a beer. "You barely said a word since you got home last night."

"Looks like you're pretty calm too." Vincent said under his breath.

"What?" J.T. asked in confusion. "Did everything go okay last night with Catherine?"

Vincent shook his head. "Yeah, yeah." Vincent said "Everything's fine." He took a sip of his beer.

"Well okay." J.T. said taking a sip of his. "Up for another test?"

Vincent looked up at J.T. "Sure."

After a couple minutes J.T. began testing Vincent.

"You okay?" J.T. asked looking at his computer screen.

"Yeah, why?" Vincent asked nervously. "Is something wrong?"

"Well it just looks like you're stressed about something." J.T. looked over at Vincent. "You sure nothing happened at Catherine's?"

"Yeah, I'm sure." Vincent replied. "Why is something happening?"

J.T. just stared at his computer.

"J.T." Vincent said.

"No, no...nothing's happening." J.T. said looking at the screen.

Vincent didn't say anything. He thought about what Catherine said to him last night.

"Okay well maybe there is this one thing." Vincent said looking over at J.T.

"I'm listening." J.T. turned to face Vincent.

"Well she said..." Vincent paused.

"You can tell me Vincent, it can't be that bad." J.T. chuckled nervously.

"She made a reference to how I'm the calmest one in this whole situation." Vincent looked up at J.T.

"I'm lost..." J.T. gave Vincent a confused look.

"She said she was freaking out because she got blackmailed and you are freaking out because you almost ended up and jail for six years and then there's me who just witnessed the death of my ex-fiance and found out my DNA is mutating and yet some how I'm the calmest one." Vincent sighed.

"Well, I do have to say so myself you are a bit on the calmer side." J.T. said.

"How?" Vincent snapped. "How am I on the calmer side? I'm just try to act as calm as I can so I can be there for you two while you guys are going through all this stuff." Vincent paused. "You honestly don't think I'm freaking out too? You almost got caught and sent to jail and Catherine is being blackmailed. Yeah, I know I just saw Alex get shot and I found out I'm becoming more of a freaking animal..." Vincent started breathing really fast.

"Vincent, calm down..." J.T. put out his hands.

Vincent looked over at J.T. and his eyes glowed orange. A small growl escaped from the back of his throat.

"Vincent, I need you to calm down. Just come on, calm down." J.T. walked over to him. "Just calm down."

Vincent put a hand on his forehead and slowly relaxed.

"Sorry." Vincent said looking down at the floor. "I gotta get some rest." Vincent go up out of the chair and began walked towards the stairs.

"Uh..." J.T. paused "We'll pick this up tomorrow."

Catherine looked up at the clock. It was 6:30 and 7:00 was the end of her shift. She looked over at Gabe.

"You and Gabe huh?" Tess asked leaning down on Catherine's desk.

"What?" Catherine asked.

"Yeah, I see the way you're looking at him. Don't think you're fooling anybody." Tess smiled.

"You've got to be kidding." Catherine said moving some papers.

"No, I'm serious." Tess said.

Catherine looked up at Tess. "Well then you are mistaken. There is nothing going on in between us." Catherine paused. "Trust me."

"Alright." Tess said standing up. "What ever you say."

"Thank you." Catherine smiled.

"But I still want details." Tess smiled as she walked away.

"Tess I-" Catherine called out annoyed.

Gabe walked over to Catherine's desk. "You excited for tonight? I know I am." Gabe smiled.

Catherine looked up at Gabe with a straight face. "Can I just do my work?"

Gabe didn't move.

"Please?" Catherine asked.

Gabe smiled and leaned down on Catherine's desk grabbing her hand. "You know, you're cute when you're angry."

Catherine took a deep breath. "Gabe seriously, I'm kinda busy." she said yanking her hand away.

Gabe didn't move. He just stared at Catherine and gripped harder on her hand.

"Don't make me get Joe." Catherine said as she looked up to face him.

"Or what?" Gabe grabbed Catherine's hand.

Catherine held her breath. "Gabe, seriously that's the third time I asked you to leave. Now leave." Catherine said under her breath not trying to draw attention.

Gabe looked over at Tess. "Looks like your friend over there wants me to stay."

Catherine looked over at Tess who was giving her a thumbs up.

"Now, just be sure you're in a better mood for dinner." Gabe let go of Catherine's hand and walked away back towards his desk.

Vincent sat in his bed and stared up at the ceiling.

"Vincent?" J.T. called from downstairs.

Vincent sat up. "Up here." Vincent called grabbing his t-shirt.

J.T. made his way up the stairs and entered the room as Vincent slid the shirt over his head.

"What's up?" Vincent asked. "Oh, and I'm sorry...I just haven't been getting that much sleep lately and-"

J.T. cut Vincent off. "Downstairs you said Catherine is getting blackmailed." J.T. paused. "What's that about?"

Vincent sat on the side of his bed. "Well the new ADA who interviewed you..." Vincent stopped talking he couldn't help but think about Catherine.

"Yeah and?" J.T. asked nervously.

Vincent shook his head to focus. "The ADA who interviewed you found out it was Catherine who let you in and-"

J.T. bit his bottom lip.

"He told Catherine he wouldn't tell anyone if she went to dinner with him." Vincent looked up at J.T.

"No ADA that I've ever met would just let someone who broke into a precinct get off the hook with no charges just if they could go to dinner with their co-worker." J.T. rubbed his chin.

"What other ADA have you met?" Vincent asked confused.

J.T. shook his head. "Not my point." J.T. looked at Vincent. "Vincent, there has to be more to it than just dinner."

"What are you implying?" Vincent asked concerned.

"Vincent you have to follow her." J.T. said looking at Vincent.

"Follow her? Like on her date?" Vincent asked.

J.T. nodded. "Yeah, who knows what that ADA is up to."

Vincent nodded in agreement. "Alright, I'll do it."

"Good, when does she leave? Do you know?" J.T. asked

"Around 8:00." Vincent replied looking at the clock. "It's 6:45. Catherine gets out of work at 7:00"

"Alright, how about you head over to her place now." J.T. said looking at the clock. "That way you two have time to sort your differences over the "Who is the Calmest"competition.

Vincent nodded in agreement. "Alright." he got up off his bed. "I'll go."

J.T. nodded and walked to the stairs. "You're not over it are you?"

"What do you mean?" Vincent asked putting on his jacket.

"Alex, you're still not over it." J.T. crossed his arms.

"I'm not gunna lie it's gunna take awhile." Vincent said grabbing his base-ball cap. "I went to the funeral home."

"You what?" J.T. asked

"The night I left, I went to the place were Alex is having her funeral." Vincent paused. "Are you gunna go?"

J.T. sighed. "Only if you want me to."

Vincent nodded.

"And depending on if this whole, 'me breaking into the precinct to save your ass.' gets taken care of that.

Vincent didn't say anything he just thought about how upset Alex's mother sounded that night.

J.T. looked over at the clock. "You should probably get going man, it's getting late."

Vincent nodded. "Thanks."

"No problem." J.T. said watching Vincent walk down the stairs. "And good luck!" J.T. called.

Vincent made his way up to Catherine's fire-escape. He sat on the steps for a while trying to figure out exactly what to say. He wasn't just going to say: 'Hey Catherine I'm gunna follow you on your dinner date.' Because that was definitely not an option.

While thinking of what to say he heard a loud crashing noise.

"Damn it!" Catherine shouted from inside.

Vincent got up off the steps and opened the window. She wasn't in her room so he decided to look for her. He heard grunts and he walked over to where they came from.

"Stupid Gabe, stupid dinner, stupid blackmailing." Catherine complained.

Vincent stood in the hallway watching her put on her earrings.

"It won't be too bad." Vincent said stepping into the room.

Catherine jumped and turned around. "Vincent?"

"Hi." he relied putting his hands in his pockets.

"What are you doing here? I have to go soon." she said walking over to the other side of the room.

"I just came here to apologize." he watched as she put on her shoes.

"Now's not the best time." she said standing up.

Vincent didn't say anything.

Catherine sighed and looked over at Vincent. "I'm sorry." she said as she put her hand to her forehead. "And I'm sorry about what I said, I shouldn't have said that."

Vincent nodded slightly. "It's fine."

"No Vincent, it's not fine. I shouldn't have spoken like that and I'm really, really, really, really sorry." she walked over to Vincent.

"Don't worry about it." he said shrugging his shoulders.

Catherine was about to say something when they both heard a knock on the door. She looked over to the door and sighed.

"Looks like your date's here." Vincent said looking at the door.

Catherine sighed and looked at Vincent. "Vincent I-"

"Go." Vincent said motioning with his head towards the door. "Have fun."

"Vincent-" Catherine stared.

They both heard another knock and they both looked at each other without saying anything.

Catherine looked over the door and back at Vincent. "Bye." she whispered. She went to the back of the couch and grabbed her coat and walked over to the door. She opened the door and smiled at Gabe.

"You look lovely." Gabe said smiling.

"Uh, thanks." Catherine forced a smile.

"Oh, and sorry about earlier." Gabe smiled.

"Don't worry about it." Catherine forced a smile and let out a small nervous chuckle.

Gabe smiled. "Shall we?" he held out his hand.

Catherine grabbed his hand and smiled as they both made there way outside to Gabe's car.

Vincent looked around and sighed. He knew J.T. was right. He had to follow them.

He walked back to Catherine's room and went over to the window. He looked back to her room and sighed. He was about to leave when he saw something. He walked over to it and grabbed it. It was Catherine's gun. He didn't know exactly why he was going to take it but something just told him to. He took the gun and placed it into the deep pocket on his coat. He sighed and made his way over to the window to the fire-escape. He looked down and noticed Gabe and Catherine walking towards a car. He hopped down the building and looked at the license plate.

This is going to get interesting! :D

Please review to let me know what you guys think. I'm not sure if I will be able to update tomorrow due to the fact it is Christmas Eve! (where did the time go?) I will try my best to update as much as I can over the next few days but no promises. Thanks for reading and be sure to let me know what you think! :)