Note: Not sure when this story to going to end. Originally I thought I was going to end it before the 24th when the series returns but seeing were this story is headed I'm not entirely sure. Thanks for reading. Reviews are what keep me motivated so please be sure to let me know what you think! I decided to write a longer chapter because the last few ones have been very shot and not much went on.
I DO NOT OWN BEAUTY AND THE BEAST
Chapter 23
JT pulled out his phone when he heard he got a text message.
Catherine: Hi, I think it would be best if I came over instead of him coming here.
Vincent walked through the doors startling JT. "She wasn't there she must still be a work. I would've waiting but her sister was home"
J.T. turned around to face Vincent. "I got a text from her anyways, she must be caught up at work."
Vincent nodded. "What did the text say?"
JT looked down at his phone and read it out loud. "'Hi, I think it would be best if I came over instead of him coming here' Yeah, I dunno." JT said putting the phone back in his pocket.
Vincent held out his hand. "Can I see it?"
JT looked up at him. "You gotta phone don't you?"
Vincent didn't say anything he just held out his hand waiting for JT's phone.
"You know, the one I pay for even though it's yours?"
"Just give me the phone man." Vincent said.
JT sighed and reached into this pocket. He handed Vincent the phone and watched as he typed a message.
'Sounds good. See you then:) V'
Vincent handed JT the phone and saw JT laugh.
"What?" Vincent asked.
"You put a little smiley. How cute." JT teased.
Vincent playfully smacked JT on his shoulder.
"Ow!" JT said rubbing his shoulder.
"Oh, grow up." Vincent said walking away.
JT still was laughing as Vincent made his way towards the stairs. "I hear you!" Vincent called. But that didn't stop JT.
Catherine put on her coat on and headed towards the stairs.
"Cat!" Evan called.
She turned around and saw Evan making his way over to were she was standing. "Yeah?"
"You said JT Forbes was Vincent Keller's old room-mate right?"
Catherine didn't say anything she just rolled her eyes.
"Come on Cat." Evan pleaded.
"Evan, it doesn't even matter Keller's dead. When someone has a death cerificate it means they've kicked the bucket."
"But the DNA Cat! It's Vincent Keller's and maybe your friend JT, can help us find him. He is after all on NYPD's most wanted."
Catherine gave Evan a stern look. "Leave JT out of this okay? It's been 9 years since Keller's death and he most likely probably doesn't want to be reminded. Plus, I don't think you should just be going around like this talking about it."
Evan didn't say anything.
"Look Evan, I know you're eager to find this guy but he is dead. So why bother? Maybe it's someone different a dead guy's DNA doesn't just show up nine years after his death. Plus it's been longer than nine years since he even stepped foot in New York. He was in the military serving in Afghanistan remember?" Catherine really wanted to get Evan off her back and JT's. That's the last thing JT needed or he would surely die of multiple heart attacks. "Look, bottom line it's not Vincent Keller. He has been dead for nine years and out of New York for about ten. When you figure out how his DNA apparently ended up at all these crime scene's give me a call okay?" Catherine said sarcastically.
"Cat." Evan said as he watched her walk down the stairs. "Cat come on, I know it doesn't make sense but-"
Catherine turned around. "You're right. It doesn't. Look, if its driving you that much insane then talk to Brendan about it. That's what he is here for. But don't go around just blabbering about it okay? It's not even a case and I don't need anyone else bugging me about it okay? I just want to let it go. And honestly you should too. It's been about three weeks since that accident- almost a month."
Evan didn't say anything.
"Just look that's it's doing to you! You got your head so tightly wrapped around this thing that doesn't even exist. I don't want to watch you been eaten alive by all this. Don't do it for me but do it for your health. It's not healthy."
Evan remained silent as Catherine walked out of the precinct. She took out her phone to see any missed message and saw one from JT.
'Sounds good. See you then:) V'
She couldn't help but smile to herself. As she walked over to her car she couldn't help but think about Evan. She wondered how far he was really going to go with this.
She called Heather to tell her she was going to be home late because she was going grocery shopping, even though she was going to see Vincent.
Usually she parked by the warehouse but tonight she decided to park a bit farther away. She got out of her car and started making her way over to the warehouse.
She walked up towards the living quarters and saw JT watching TV
'And then you pre-heat the oven to 375 degrees and while your waiting you want to add the dry ingredients to the liquid.'
"JT?" Catherine asked noticed JT was watching the cooking channel.
He quickly picked up the remote and changed it to foot-ball. "Yeah go get 'em Giants!" JT yelled causing Catherine to crack up. "Oh hey." JT said casually like nothing had even happened. "What brings you by at this hour?"
Catherine couldn't help but laugh the way he was reacting. "JT come on, we all know it's important to pre-heat the oven in advance." Catherine joked.
JT forced a laugh. "Um...yeah."
"So were is he?" Catherine asked looking around.
"Upstairs." JT said filling his mouth with chips.
Catherine nodded. "Thanks." she replied as she made her way towards the stairs. About half way up the stairs she heard the TV change back to the cooking channel.
'And once your oven is nice and pre-heated then you carefully want to put your delicious treat into the cooking pan.'
Catherine laughed as she walked up the rest of the stairs.
Once she entered his level she looked around and couldn't see him. She walked around a bit until she found him doing pull-ups on one the bars going across the room.
"I always seem to come in at a bad time." she said causing Vincent to let go of the bar.
He turned around and smiled. "Nah." he bend down and picked up his tee-shirt and put it over his head. "So what made you decide to talk here?"
Catherine motioned Vincent to take a seat at the table in the middle of the room. They both walked over and took a seat.
"Well you wanted to ask me a favor, and well, since Heather was going to be home I decided to come here."
Vincent nodded. "Yes, well I was wondering if there was anyway you could find out more about Evan's little project about me."
Catherine sighed. "I would but before I left I made it pretty clear he should just let it go and move on. If I ask then he might get a bit more suspicious."
Vincent slowly nodded. "He's already suspicious? Does he think you're hiding something?"
"Well he found out I'm the one who let JT into the lab."
Vincent grew wide-eyed.
"But don't worry, I told him he just needed access to it for an up-coming lesson. He bought it and he is going to get me off the hook if I do something for him."
Vincent didn't want to ask but yet it came out anyways. "So you're going to go on a date with him to huh?"
Catherine noticed he sounded a bit hurt. She grabbed his hand in hers. "No, with my sister."
Vincent felt relief flow through him.
"Oh, and just to let you know, the other night, I had a lot of fun Vincent." she blushed and gave his hand a little squeeze.
He smiled. "Me too."
They were lost in each other's eyes when a loud pounding sound came from the door down on JT's level. Vincent quickly stood up and lead Catherine over to behind a self telling her to wait there and not make a sound. She silently nodded and watched him as he was about to leave.
She quickly grabbed his arm. "Where are you going?" she whispered.
The both heard another knock and Vincent put his finger to his lips telling her to be quite.
She release her grip and allowed to to go. He silently walked over to a different set of shelves closer to opening to the lower level.
"COMING!" JT yelled as he made his way over to the door. He opened it up and gave the person a confused look. "Um...hello. Can I help you?"
"Yes, are you JT Forbes?"
Catherine held her breath. She couldn't believe it. Evan came to find JT.
"Um...yeah." JT said confused.
"Can I come in?" Evan asked.
JT swallowed. He knew Vincent was home so if anything happened he would be there for him. He just hoped Vincent and Catherine wouldn't make any noise. "I guess." JT said moving out of the way to let Evan step inside.
"Do you recognize this man?" Evan asked pulling out a picture of Vincent.
"No, not that I can re-call." JT lied.
Evan put the picture back in his pocket. "How about the name Vincent Keller?"
JT rubbed his chin. "Vincent...Vincent..." he mumbled. "Um..."
"Well?" Evan ask impatiently.
Vincent slowly looked down below to were JT and Evan were standing. He saw Evan and his eyes began to glow.
"Do you know him or not?" Evan demanded.
"Um..Vincent Keller..." JT continued to rub his chin. "Oh that's right!"
Evan's face lit up. "Where is he?"
"Oh Keller?" JT asked. "He's long gone. He died about nine years ago while serving in Afghanistan."
"How do you know him?" Evan demanded.
JT gave Evan a weird look. "Okay, before we play 20 questions can I at least know who you are?" JT never saw Evan before so he wasn't sure if he was undercover for Murifield.
"Evan Marks, NYPD." Evan said with pride.
Once Evan said his name JT remembered that who Catherine need Vincent to help save him. "Can I see your badge?" JT said crossing his arms. "Also a warrant would be nice."
Evan didn't say anything. He just mentally cursed himself. 'What warrant?'
JT broke Evan's thoughts. "You don't have one do you?"
Evan immediately spoke up. "Not with me at the moment, no."
"Then why are you here asking 20 questions?" JT demanded. Last time someone showed up asking questions about Vincent it was Catherine and her partner.
Evan sighed. He was annoyed JT wasn't cooperating but he did have a point.
"Well?" JT asked.
Vincent slightly moved and knocked something off the shelf behind him causes a crashing sound.
"What the hell what that?" Evan asked.
"My uh..." JT started to think a million different things. "That would be my dog."
Evan gave JT a strange look. "You have a dog?"
JT nodded. "Yes."
Evan looked back up to where the noise came from. "Can I see him?" Evan asked no quite convinced.
JT shook his head. "No."
Evan continued to stare at the upper level.
JT broke the silence. "Can you leave?" JT asked. He wasn't going to try to be nice he just wanted Evan out. Now.
"Excuse me?" Evan asked.
JT shrugged his shoulders. "You heard me. I have a class to teach at the University in a couple hours and I have to grade papers and I'm not in the mood for company."
Evan looked back at JT. "You do realize you're taking to an employee of the NYPD right?"
"Look man, I don't know why you want to know so much about my former room-mate but as far as I know he is dead. I even attended his funeral like nine years ago and his mom was pretty emotional. They didn't even have his body." JT shook his head. "I don't wanna think about this. Can you please just leave? I really am quite busy."
Evan slowly nodded his head and looked once more were the nose came from. "Say hi to your dog for me." Evan said taking his eyes off the second level.
JT smiled. "Will do. Now you have a good day and good luck with well...whatever."
Before Evan made it all the way out the door he turned to face JT once more. "Wait, his mother...do you know where she might be?"
"She passed away about five years ago, sorry man." JT said holding the door waiting to close it.
Evan nodded and walked away. "Well if you think of anything just give the local precinct a call."
JT smiled. "Will do."
Evan took one last look at the level above and left the warehouse.
JT look a deep breath and marched up the stairs with steam practically coming out of his ears.
As he got up the stairs both Catherine and Vincent walked out of hiding.
"What...the...hell?!" JT screamed. "What were you thinking? Letting him just show up here like that? Couldn't even give us some sort of notice?" JT pointed a finger at Catherine. "What if he saw you? Huh? Then what? Then what would we do?!" JT got himself really worked up and didn't take his eyes off Catherine.
Catherine didn't say anything she never saw him this mad.
"JT, just calm down alright? Catherine didn't know her co-worker would just show up like that! You know her, she would absolutely never do anything to harm you or me. It's not her fault Evan just showed up! How could she have known? She cares about us! Understand? Now apologize!" Vincent started breathing quickly "Well?!" he shouted.
JT took a deep breath and looked over at Catherine. "I'm sorry okay? I just- it's just that was a close one...and to whoever made that noise? I hope you didn't break anything." JT stared at Catherine.
"That was me, not her." Vincent said defending her. "Now I would appreciate it if we could all just get along!"
Catherine and JT didn't say anything they both just stared at their feet.
Vincent took a deep breath trying to calm himself when his hand became numb. He looked at his hand and it was making a fist. Getting tighter, and tighter, and tighter. 'Long time no see Keller.' Vincent put his hand to his forehead.
Catherine and JT noticed what he was doing. "You okay?" they asked at almost the same time.
Vincent didn't move.
"Vincent?" JT asked.
Vincent kept hearing the man's voice and the sound of his neck crushing between his fingers.
"Vincent, whats wrong?" Catherine asked.
Vincent didn't respond.
"JT what's going on?" Catherine asked nervously.
JT just stood in shook.
"JT!" Catherine shouted. "What's going on with him?"
"Get him in a chair." JT said but saw Catherine not moving. "Now!"
As quick as she could she got him a chair and sat Vincent down.
"JT what the hell is going on?" She panicked. "Is he okay?"
JT didn't respond he just hooked Vincent up to some equipment.
"Is he having a black out?" Catherine asked in a worried tone."
JT shook his head. "No, he is hallucinating." JT said as he finishing hooking Vincent up to run a test.
"Hallucinating?" Catherine asked surprised.
Just then Vincent growled.
"Vincent, it's okay, it's okay." Catherine said putting a hand on his shoulder.
'Vincent, it's okay, it's okay.' Vincent heard in Alex's voice. He tried to get up.
"Sit him back down and keep him down." JT demanded.
"JT what's going on why is he hallucinating? How do you know?"
JT watched his computer and looked back at Vincent every now and again.
"JT!" Catherine shouted.
JT put a finger up. "What the hell?" he said under his breath. "I never saw this before..."
"JT! What is it?" Catherine asked almost in tears.
Vincent moved his head and began breathing quickly.
Catherine put a hand on his cheek. And to her surprise Vincent put a hand over her's. "I'm the reason you're dead." He manged to say.
"No Vincent, I'm not dead, I'm right here." Catherine said feeling a tear begin to fall. She turned over to look at JT. "You need to tell me what's happening now!" she demanded.
JT slowly turned to Catherine once he noticed Vincent was coming back to reality. "He think's you're Alex." JT said in almost a whisper.
Catherine looked at Vincent and back at JT in shock. "Why? Why would he think that?!"
"Because..." JT said once he noticed Vincent passed out. "'Cause he was hallucinating."
Catherine looked down at Vincent and noticed he was calm as could be.
"He passed out." JT said looking at Vincent.
"How long?" Catherine asked.
JT shrugged his shoulders. "I dunno. But I guess while he is out cold so he can't stop me, I guess I'll tell you what's going on."
Catherine quickly faced JT. "What do you mean?"
JT sighed. "Well, you see, for maybe about a week now he has been hallucinating. It first happened when he was coming out of his shower he just fell on the floor. This is the only second time he's actually passed out. The other time he just fell back on his bed and the snapped him out of it."
Catherine looked back at Vincent. "Why did he think I was Alex?"
"Well you see, he's only been 'seeing' three people. The man whose neck he crushed, Alex, and the guy who he shot and killed in order to save me."
Catherine looked up at JT. "He shot someone?"
JT nodded. "He was from Murifield. He wanted to find Vincent and was going to shoot me if I didn't tell him where he was. He was about to shoot me when Vincent shot him right in the head."
She looked back at Vincent. "Where did he get the gun?"
JT let out a small chuckle. "Funny story actually, it was yours."
"He took my gun?" Catherine asked.
JT nodded. "Yeah but when he comes-to we don't need to mention I told you okay?"
Catherine put a hand on Vincent's cheek. "Only if I didn't kill Alex..." she said to herself.
JT through his arms up in the air. "Oh for the love of god! Stop feeling bad, she would've killed him. No offense to her but from what I remember about her I didn't like her anyway." He knew that was really harsh but he was just trying to lighten the mood a bit.
Catherine felt Vincent move a little. "I think he's coming back."
JT looked at his computer. "Yup."
"C-Catherine?" Vincent asked.
"I'm right here Vincent." she said smiling.
"Wh-what happened?" Vincent asked rubbing his head. "All I remember is yelling."
JT crossed his arms. "You passed out from your hallucinations again."
Vincent looked over at JT.
"You thought Cat was Alex."
Vincent looked over at Catherine who was smiling at him. "Oh Catherine, I'm sorry I-"
Catherine kissed Vincent on the top of his head. "No need to be sorry Vincent, I'm just glad you're okay."
JT cleared his throat. "I hate to ruin your little "moment" but something came up in the test."
Vincent turned towards JT. "You tested me?" he asked as he felt Catherine place a hand on his shoulder.
JT nodded. "Yeah..."
Vincent looked down at the floor rubbing his head from his headache.
"I think you're right Vincent." JT said.
Vincent's head shot up. "Wait..."
"And so is Evan." JT continued. "Your DNA is mutating."
Vincent swallowed. "And the hallucinations?"
JT shrugged his shoulder's still not sure why those are happening. "Not sure man."
Vincent sighed.
"I'm sorry." JT replied.
Suddenly Catherine spoke up. "No..."
Vincent and JT both gave her a weird look. "We aren't just going to give up like this. I'm talking to Evan. Surely he can figure it out."
"In case you forgot, Evan just stormed in here demanding answers. I'm not sure that's the best thing to do right now."
Catherine flung her arms slightly in the air. "Then what do you suggest?"
"JT, Catherine has a point. These hallucinations aren't getting any better." Vincent looked over to JT.
"And what happens if he comes back? Hm? What then?" JT snapped.
Both JT and Vincent looked at Catherine when her phone started to go off. She pulled it out of her pocket. "Evan."
"Put it on speaker and Vincent this time, don't make noise." JT said.
"Woof." Vincent replied.
Catherine pressed talk and put it on speaker. "Chandler?"
"Are you on speaker?" Evan asked.
"Yeah I'm trying to make dinner, what's up?" Catherine lied.
"Well I don't know if I did the right thing." Evan emitted.
"Oh?" Catherine asked pretending like she didn't know anything.
"Yeah, now don't tell the precinct this okay?" Evan asked.
"Alright." Catherine replied.
"I went to JT Forbes." Evan confessed.
"You what?!" Catherine shouted. "I told you to leave him alone!" This made it ten time's more awkward because the phone was on speaker and JT could hear everything. She knew Vincent could hear speaker or no speaker but she just didn't like the fact JT could hear too. He's not what you would call, "level-headed" sometimes.
"I know, I know, but I couldn't resist." Evan said defending himself.
"Evan..." Catherine said into the phone. "I trust you and then you go behind my back and do the complete opposite of what I tell you?"
Evan didn't say anything and Catherine looked over at Vincent and JT.
"I'm sorry Cat I just- I just need to find out about Vincent Keller." Evan said through the phone.
Vincent perked up once he heard his name on the other end. 'How does he know my name?' he thought.
"I told you, he's dead." Catherine said into the phone.
"But his jacket!" Evan said "Explain why the ripped piece of the tuxedo had his DNA on it."
JT glared at Vincent but stopped once he notice Catherine was doing to same to him.
"Look Evan, I don't know how that happened but maybe your computer screwed up."
"No, no, no, no, no. You see? My computer doesn't do that."
Catherine rolled her eyes. "Whatever, alright since you're so insistent on talking about this Vincent Keller guy or whatever-"
Vincent looked over at Catherine wondering where she was going with this.
"Then why don't you share with me what you know huh?" Catherine said hoping he would tell her what else he knows.
"Why do you care?" Evan spat. "You're the one telling me it's not healthy or whatever."
Catherine rolled her eyes. "Well it certainly won't help keeping it all bottled up either."
Evan paused. "Fine, well what do you want to know?"
Vincent put all his focus into the conversation and JT did the same.
"I know to know what you found." Catherine said casually. "Like for starters what do you mean by mutating?"
"Pshh." Evan said into the phone. "You don't even care."
Catherine sighed. "Yeah, well now I do."
"Why do you want to know all the sudden?" Evan asked in a sharp tone.
"Why don't you want to talk about it all the sudden? You seemed pretty happy running your mouth off about it this morning." Catherine snapped back.
Vincent couldn't help but smile at how Catherine was talking to him.
Evan sighed. "Fine."
"Thank you." Catherine replied noticing the smirk on Vincent's face.
"Well the DNA as you know, half animal, half human. The animal half is trying to take over the human half so eventually it will be complete animal." Evan said.
Catherine nodded. "And how long will it be until that happens?"
Vincent looked at Catherine and JT walked over to get a TUMS.
"Well depends, most likely the he will think he feels great, like he is on top of the world and then it will start to take over." Evan said into the phone.
Catherine sighed. "How will it take over the human?"
"Well..." Evan started out. "I have some theories."
"Which are?" Catherine asked as she raised an eye brow.
"One being, the animal could just go nuts and overpower the human in a blink of an eye without warning."
Vincent felt relief come off his shoulders. He was glad that's not what happened.
"Another one being, sevear depression, or anxiety, suicidal thoughts? You know, break down the human." Evan said.
"Um...okay." Catherine said. "Anymore?"
Evan took a deep breath. "There is one more."
Vincent looked up and out of the corner of his eye saw JT gulping down beers.
"Which is?" Catherine asked nervously.
"Guilt." Evan said.
Vincent tensed up.
"The animal could just kill the human with guilt. Causing the human to only think about things he did wrong." Evan paused. "Hallucinations too. Seeing or hearing voices of the people who he killed."
Vincent's heart rate sped up and Catherine noticed his eyes shifting colors a bit.
"Cat?" Evan asked on the other end. "Cat you there?"
Catherine shook her head. "Yeah sorry about the just kitchen problems." she lied.
"Uh...okay." Evan replied. "So those are my theories. Any reason why you were so interested?"
Catherine saw Vincent's eyes begin to glow. "No not really, just thought it would be nice for you to get off your chest that's all. I felt kinda bad earlier telling you to just bottle it up. That's not good for you either. So um...if you ever need to bounce theories off someone let me know."
"Uh...okay..." Evan said confused.
"Well I gotta go, see you later. My chicken is done. Bye." Before Evan could respond she quickly made her way towards Vincent.
"I was right..." he said looking up at her.
"Vincent we will find a cure, I promise." Catherine put a hand on his shoulder and knelt down next to him.
"We can't risk Evan finding out not after what just happened we just need to lay low." Vincent said looking over to JT who was on his third bottle of beer. "JT if you get drunk..."
JT looked over at Vincent. "What? I'm freaking out over here! The Vincent Keller is on the NYPD's radar and they showed up looking for you!"
"Evan? He is just a medical examiner." Catherine said.
"Yeah, whatever." JT said taking another sip.
"Catherine, if it took nine years for Beast to try to take me over then there won't be a cure." Vincent said.
Catherine brought her attention back to Vincent. "Huh?"
"All those soldiers, they died before Murifield knew about the mutations. That means they won't have a cure."
Catherine forced a smile. "That's not necessarily true Vincent."
Vincent sighed. "Your sister is probably worried about you."
Catherine rolled her eyes. "Damn, I still have to get the stupid groceries." she looked over at the clock. "And the markets all close in like half and hour."
Vincent stood up an walked over to the fridge. "Here." he said grabbing an un-opened carton of eggs, a jug of milk. "Take these." he said handing her the eggs and milk. "And um..." he looked around the fridge a bit more and handed her another item.
"Canadian Bacon?" Catherine laughed.
"It's good bacon." Vincent said smiling.
"It's just sliced ham."
"Fine if you don't want the Canadian's bacon..." Vincent said putting it back in the fridge.
Catherine laughed. "No, I'll take the sliced ham."
Vincent gave her a serious look. "It's bacon." he said trying to hide a smile.
Catherine smiled. "I'll take the bacon."
Vincent smiled and handed her the bacon along with a paper bag. "There you go, that should keep your sister off your back."
Catherine smiled. "What would I do without you?" she asked finding herself only inches away from him.
"Hmm..." Vincent said as he leaned in to kiss her.
They both forgot about the news Evan gave them, right then it didn't matter. They were together and they were happy.
Even thought never of them wanted to they released each other as JT entered the room. "You better get going." Vincent whispered into her ear. "JT's not the prettiest thing when he's a bit tipsy." Vincent laughed.
Catherine smiled. "Thank you."
Vincent kissed her forehead. "Night Catherine."
She couldn't help but blush. "Goodnight Vincent." With that she took the bag of eggs, milk, and Canadian Bacon and made her way to her car.
5,000 words in one chapter woohoo! longest chapter yet! awesome!
I added a little fluff at the end to kinda lighten up this chapter a bit. I actually never had Canadian Bacon but I like bacon so hey why not?
Please let me know what you guys think! Reviews keep me motivated so please let me know what you think, what you want to see happen in this story, and also some of your predictions on what may happen!
Hope everyone had a fantastic New Year tomorrow is the 2nd day of 2013 and since it is 2013 that means BATB is going to be back soon!
Thanks for reading and please let me know what you think! :)