Chapter 3
Catherine enters the dance on the arm of Michael, as the valet takes their coats, her eyes sweep the room. She smiles and waves at Tess and JT standing by the bar. Her eye's continue and see Sam and Dana on the dance floor.
Sam and Dana are oblivious to the world around them, Sam has been gone 5 years and just like that they managed to pick up right where they left off. Catherine's heart is tender and sore, but watching them gives her hope.
Michael leads Catherine over to the bar to chat with Tess and JT.
Vincent sensed Catherine's presence immediately. If she had looked up when she entered she would have seen his eye's glowing. Vincent pulled back into the shadows.
As Michael led her to the bar, Catherine looked over her shoulder, she had the feeling that someone was watching her, but when she looked up, there was no one there.
"JT you look amazing, who knew you cleaned up so well." Catherine hugs him.
JT blushes and looks so uncomfortable.
"Thanks, you look beautiful too." He hugs her back.
Catherine introduces him to Michael and even JT glances upward before shaking the offered hand. Michael gets Catherine a glass of wine and the four of them talk about the many mundane things one uses to make small talk at parties. JT is watching Catherine, she appears to be trying too hard. Not that anyone else would notice, but he thinks he has gotten to know her pretty well in this last year. He hates that Vincent is hurting and it is now obvious to him that Catherine is too.
JT leads Tess out onto the dance floor.
"Thank you for putting on the monkey suit tonight, you look great in it." Tess says as they dance.
"You look amazing, who knew there was such a girly girl inside that tough cop exterior. Oh that's right I did."
JT gazes at Tess's mouth and leans forward unsure of what she will do.
She meets him halfway and kisses him hard, right there on the dance floor. She smiles and pulls him closer, closing her eyes and letting the music take them.
Catherine is happy for JT and Tess, after all JT has been through he deserves some happiness. But seeing Sam and Dana and now JT and Tess so happy also hurts. She excuses herself from Michael and walks over to the balcony. As she steps outside she wraps her arms around herself, she looks over the city and wonders what Vincent is doing.
Vincent sees Catherine leave and head for the balcony, he watches her as she stares out over the city. He remembers watching her at her Dad's engagement party, she looked over the city then as well, only he was in front of her then, across the street. Now he is behind her, it seems to him that he is destined to stay there. He can see that she is unhappy, and he knows he is the cause. He should leave her be and let her move on with anyone, even Michael, but he can't stay away from her.
Michael comes to find her and asks her to dance. She turns away from the city, places her hand in his and lets him lead her onto the dance floor, leaving her thoughts of Vincent behind.
"You look sad."
Michael is dancing with Catherine.
"I'm sorry Michael, it's not you, it's been a very tough year and Valentine's Day has some painful memories for me. But I am here and trying to make new ones." She takes a deep breath. "And you are doing a great job helping me do that."
Michael smiles at her and dips her.
"I aim to please."
Catherine laughs as he twirls her out and pulls her back in.
Catherine puts her head against his chest and closes her eyes. She tries to picture Michael in her head as she dances with him, but all she sees is Vincent, his beautiful hazel eyes, a gorgeous dimple and sexy smile.
JT is just about stepping on Tess's toes trying to watch Catherine and Michael on the dance floor.
"JT maybe you would rather dance with Catherine?"
JT looks chagrinned.
"Sorry, you caught me, I don't want to be dancing with anyone but you, but I just can't stand seeing the both of them so unhappy. Vincent is miserable without Cat and Cat is too."
"JT you have to give Cat some time to get over Vincent. She needs to take her life back and she deserves to be with someone who will put her first, not run off to play mating games with the first red headed she beast that comes into heat! And what is it with Vincent and red heads anyway?"
"I am sorry, I know she is your best friend and you are trying to protect her, but she is miserable without Vincent, wouldn't it be better if we got the two of them back together instead of watching them be so unhappy? And I don't think he has a thing for redheads it was just an ugly coincidence!"
Tess does not want to fight with JT but will protect Catherine till the day she dies.
"Maybe it will make Vincent feel better but I am not convinced that it is best for Cat. How can you be so sure he won't hurt her again?"
JT thinks a minute.
"I don't know that he won't hurt her again, I just know that he loves her and she loves him and it is stupid for him to be watching her from the shadows while she goes off and tries to find happiness with other guys."
"He is watching her from the shadows?" Tess is alarmed. "You mean stalking her?'
JT now rushes to his best friend's defense.
"Well it's not as creepy as you are making it out to be."
They both look at each other. And JT says.
"Stop we can't do this, we can't bring them into our relationship, this is Valentine's Day and I am dancing with the hottest woman in here, so I am just going to enjoy my evening with you and leave everything else for another day."
Tess smiles at him and places her head on his chest.
"Sounds good to me."
Vincent hears Catherine laugh and the sounds tears through him. He has to control the beast as he looks at her as she places her head against Michael's chest. He grips the railing in front of him and closes his eyes panting. When he looks up Michael is leading Catherine off the dance floor. Checking quickly to make sure Sam and Dana are ok, he follows.
"So do you want to get a drink sometime this week?' Michael asks.
"I thought we were getting a drink right now?" Catherine teases.
He laughs.
"Yes, but I mean ones that I actually pay for, and maybe someplace more quiet?"
Michael looks hopeful.
Catherine smiles at him and agrees.
"That sound like a lovely idea, name the time and place."
Vincent knows he should not do this, but he cannot help it. He is not thinking clearly, he is not thinking at all as he comes up behind Catherine.
"May I have this dance?"
He puts his hand on her back, and immediately feels that spark.
She takes a sharp breath at the contact, she can feel it to.
Poor Michael oblivious to it all, looks at Catherine.
Catherine turns around to tell Vincent no, but Michael jumps in.
"Of course, Catherine, I will go and get fresh drinks." He walks away and leaves them alone.
Catherine looks at Vincent her eyes immediately softening, her heart hammering, but she straightens her shoulders and the mask comes up, but not before he sees how she feels.
Vincent smiles a confident smile and holds his hand out to her.
She takes it and as he leads her out on the floor asks him.
"What are you doing here?"
"Watching Sam and Dana….they are find by the way. You look beautiful."
He looks at her, like he can see right through her, and he probably can, but she will not give him the satisfaction.
"Thank you, I….."
She has no idea what to say to him. She looks up at him and time falls away, and it's like they are dancing at her Father's wedding. They were just starting then and even though they did not know what kind of future they would have, it was clear they wanted it together.
Vincent doesn't speak, he pulls her close and closes his eyes, laying his head on top of hers, and she fits so perfectly against him. This is what he wants, this is where she belongs.
She relaxes against him and they move together to the music, Catherine closes her eyes as well and allows herself to get lost in the moment.
All of a sudden Vincent tenses up, his hold on her tightening. This brings her back to the here and now. It is obvious he senses a threat.
"May I cut back in?"
Michael has returned. Vincent wants to rip his throat out, and is impressed with himself when he shows restraint. He turns towards Michael and extends his hand.
Michael takes it and is enveloped in a bone crushing handshake.
"Thank you for allowing me to dance with your date, it was a pleasure."
Vincent releases Michael's hand and bows to Catherine, taking her hand he kisses the inside of her palm, just above her wrist.
Catherine scowls at his retreating back as Michael is massaging his throbbing hand.
"That guy had one hell of a grip."
Michael sweeps Catherine back into the crowd of the dance floor.
"Are you Ok, that guy seemed a little too into you."
"I'm fine, thank you for rescuing me, let's dance." She allows Michael to sweep her back into the crowded dance floor, she looks up at him smiling determined not to let Vincent interrupt her thoughts this time.
Vincent checks in with JT and Tess and after giving Tess and quick kiss on the cheek, tells them to enjoy their evening.
He then makes contact with Sam and Dana, while he is talking with them he senses another threat.
"There is another beast here!"
Vincent moves quickly whisking Sam and Dana into the coat room. Stay here until I come back for you. I will send Tess and JT.
Vincent is still scanning the room trying to id the beast when he comes up to JT and Tess.
"There is a beast here, I put Sam and Dana in the coat room, are you armed?"
Looking at Tess, she confirms that she is.
"Can you go and stay with them, until I figure this out?"
"Of course Vincent, but what about Catherine, she is here too?"
Vincent doesn't want to involve her, but he also won't put her at risk.
"I will tell her and get her to leave."
JT and Tess head to the coat room.
"Good luck with that!" Tess mutters under her breath as JT leads her away.
Vincent finds Catherine alone by the bar. She can tell by the look on his face something is very wrong.
"Where is your date?"
Out on the dance floor, what is going on?"
Vincent takes her by the shoulders.
"There is another beast here, you have to get Michael and get out of here, JT and Tess are guarding Sam and Dana in the coatroom. I want you out of harm's way."
Catherine of course was going to have none of that.
"You can sense him, but where is he?"
"I don't know, all I could think about was getting you to safety and then I will look for him."
She is touched that his first instinct was to come and find her.
Catherine looks around Vincent and sees Michael dancing with a beautiful blonde woman, not someone recognizes from the department or the DA's office.
"He is right there with the blonde."
Vincent turns and focuses in on the couple, he tenses up. Michael is dancing with the beast. Putting his mouth to Catherine's ear, speaking softly so as not to be overheard by the beast.
"Michael is dancing with the beast, don't react…She obviously saw me dancing with you earlier and must have sensed I was a beast. Follow my lead."
Catherine shivers as Vincent's warm breath tickles her ear and down her neck, she wants his mouth to follow…She shakes her head, got to stay focused…..but it is really hard with Vincent pressed up against her and his breath on her neck.
Vincent takes her hand and leads her back out onto the dance floor. He maneuvers her close to Michael and the beast. As they get close, Vincent puts his head to Catherine's ear again and tells her to pull the fire alarm and get Michael out of here. He slides in between Michael and his date and sweeps the she beast away from them.
He can see Catherine grab Michael and lead him from the floor.
He turns to the beautiful woman in his arms.
"Can I help you with something?" He says as he tightens his grip on her and allows his eyes to glow.
She smiles.
"Just enjoying my evening, it appeared you were as well. I thought I was doing you a favor, by keeping her date occupied, you seemed to be enjoying yourself dancing with his girl a few minutes ago."
Vincent is making his way towards the balcony with her. He would strangle her right now for calling Catherine Michael's girl if he could get away with it.
She purrs and rubs up against him as they dance.
Vincent's animal side kicks in, but he immediately controls it. She has no effect on him!
The fire alarm rings and everyone starts heading for the door. Except Vincent.
"What do you want? Who sent you?"
She laughs a deep throaty sound.
"So many questions, why don't you and I have some fun first?"
She presses herself up against him, running her fingers through his hair, clearing thinking the same thing as whoever sent her. Send a female beast to distract a male beast. But Vincent is still scanning the room and senses the other beast. He grabs her up against him.
This is what Catherine sees when she races back into the room. Images of him and Tori flash through her mind, the lustful look on the woman's face, her smile as she is pulled up against him.
Vincent runs his hand up the woman's neck. "Nice try, but that doesn't work on me anymore." He pushes on her pressure point and she drops to the floor, unconscious.
"Vincent!" Catherine yells.
He turns just as the other beast reveals himself and grabs Catherine from behind.
Vincent's beast unleashes and lunges for Catherine.
She is hauled up against the other beast as a shield between him and Vincent. The other beast puts his hand around Catherine's neck.
"Stop!...or I won't just make her unconscious!"
This makes Vincent stop in his tracks. He locks eyes with Catherine. Catherine is calm, steady as a rock. She keeps her eyes on Vincent.
"Let her go, she has nothing to do with this."
The beast laughs.
"Since she stopped you in your tracks, I am finding that a little hard to believe."
"What do you want? If you hurt her, you are dead right after. There is no way out of here."
The beast smiles at Vincent and tightens his grip on Catherine's neck. She does not cry out. Vincent notices her clench her fists. He narrows his eyes at her, shaking his head to try and stop her. Her hands relax.
"I am sure we can make some arrangement, there will always be a next time. The people who employ us will not stop until they get what they want."
"What exactly is that?"
"Don't know don't care, we were sent to do a job, grab Sam and Dana this time."
Vincent in a taunting tone.
"Well seems like you kinda suck at your job then."
The beast responds.
"I can admit you surprised us, I thought for sure Natalie would be screwing your brains out in no time, leaving me to grab Sam and Dana. Not sure how you resisted her."
Answering the beast, but looking directly at Catherine, Vincent says.
"I guess I am in love with someone else, your girl had no effect on me."
Catherine's eyes go wide and then close, tears forming behind her lids.
"I'll remember that for next time,"
The beast hurls Catherine across the room, Vincent blurs and manages to slide under her, catching her. She lands on top of him.
"Are you ok?" He asks as he reaches up and cradles her face in his hands.
Catherine is very aware of Vincent's body beneath her. Her heart is racing. Did he really mean what he said back there, was he talking about her? He controlled his beast. She stares into his eyes searching.
"I am fine."
Vincent stares at her, she is breathing heavily, she looks at his mouth and that is all the encouragement he needs. He kisses her hard, he overwhelms her and doesn't give her the chance to pull back. He needn't have worried, Catherine grabs the back of his head to pull him closer, kissing him back just as hard. She opens her mouth to him, darts her tongue in his mouth and presses her body against his.
"Wait"
Catherine stops and scrambles up and away from Vincent. They are both breathing hard and he hasn't moved, he is locked on to her like a predator. Catherine puts her hand against her mouth.
"I'm sorry Vincent…..I can't do this…I….."
She takes off again….
Vincent gets up to give chase.
Just as JT and Tess walk into the ballroom, Catherine goes running past them to Michael.
JT looks at Vincent.
"What the hell is going on?"
Vincent stops and let's Catherine go. He turns to JT and Tess.
"Where are Sam and Dana?"
Tess puts up both hands.
"Relax big guy, Dana took Sam back to her office, I am sure they are safe at the FBI."
"You want to tell us what just happened?" JT asks.
"I kissed Catherine."
JT smiles, but Tess interjects.
"Good for you, but that is not what we are talking about, what happened here!" She waves her arms to take in the ballroom.
Vincent feeling embarrassed.
"Sorry, there were two beasts a male and female, the female was sent to distract me and the male was supposed to grab Sam and Dana. The female beast had no effect on me, but the male beast grabbed Catherine, he threw her across the room and I was able to catch her. Unfortunately he used that time to grab the female beast and get away."
Tess gives Vincent a disapproving look.
"So while you were macking on a hottie, the bad guys got away?"
JT steps in to defend his friend.
"I am sure that the beasts got away while he was saving Catherine and were gone by the time he kissed her….right V?"
Vincent is so uncomfortable with the direction of this conversation. He rubs his hands over his face.
"Yes, can we please stop talking about Catherine and talk about the beasts."
JT is the first to point out the good news.
"So the female beast had no effect on you? Nothing like Tori did at first?"
"No JT I could sense her, and she tried pouring it on pretty heavy, my beast was aware of her, but I was in control the whole time."
Tess likes what she is hearing but is skeptical.
"So what is different?"
Vincent looks at JT questioning.
"I am not sure, looking back, Tori certainly caught me off guard, the first time she kissed me, but I stopped it. Then later, I had no reason to stop or hold back….." At his friend's extremely uncomfortable looks he stopped.
"But I broke things off with Tori before she died, she still clouded my judgment but I was starting to feel like the real me again, it got easier and easier to ignore the feelings she generated in me. Maybe now that I know what to expect I can control it better? Although they were surprised that I resisted."
JT looking confused.
"Who was surprised?"
"Sorry, the other beasts, expected me to react to the female beast, Natalie."
JT thought for a moment.
"So this visceral reaction between male and female beasts must be normal."
Vincent looks at JT.
"So why didn't Natalie affect me?"
JT put his hand on Vincent's shoulder.
"Because you love Catherine."
Tess also chimed in.
"She obviously loves you too Vincent, she came rushing back in here to find you after getting Michael to safety."
You said Sam and Dana are safe for the night?
JT and Tess both tell Vincent yes, and they will make sure they stay that way.
"What are you going to do?"
JT asks although he already knows the answer.
"I have to see Catherine."
Vincent blurs away and JT and Tess head for the FBI offices.
"This isn't exactly the way I wanted this evening to end." JT says as he places a kiss on Tess.
She smiles up at him.
"I know, but we have all the time in the world and I think we just gave Vincent and Catherine the best Valentine's gift."