Chapter 9

Catherine dropped the gem, like it was on fire. She backed away from it, stumbling into Tess. "Whoa Cat, it's fine." Catherine stopped and got control of herself. "No it's not ok."

Vincent knows Catherine so well, he knows she is freaking out at the thought of controlling him. He has been experimented on, isolated, kidnapped, and tortured. Having control over him would be horrific to her.

Catherine looks at Vincent an agonizing look on her face. "I would never…."

Vincent moves quickly to her side and envelops her in his arms. "I know you would never use it against me, Catherine. But it might be very helpful in controlling other beasts. Kissing the top of her head, "You could control them, we could help beasts, without having to hurt them. And that is a good thing."

Catherine does not see it that way. "I don't want to be responsible for controlling people, that seems…wrong." She looked up at Vincent.

He took her face in his hands. "Helping beasts without having to kill them? Helping people gain control over their beast instead of being controlled? Those are all good things Catherine."

Catherine pulls away from Vincent, shaking her head. "But Vincent, just the fact that it exists is wrong…. if this jewel controls you then there are probably other ones out there that do the same thing. In the wrong hands…you could be controlled and made to do things…Oh my God, we have to destroy it!"

At the same time Sam and JT speak up. "Whoa Whoa…..Let's not be too hasty"….. "I agree", JT turns and looks at Sam. "We need to do more research, we don't know if this is just unique to you and Vincent or if you can really control other beasts."

JT can see that Catherine is repulsed by the idea that she or that anyone can control Vincent. But Vincent has a point, if they can figure out a way to help people with this gem and Cat's talent….. that would make all of this worth it. "Cat I understand your fear, but the gem is no different that the gun you carry every day. It is a tool and it can be used for good or evil depending on who is controlling it. The gem is no different."

Tess smiled and shrugged her shoulders, leave it to JT to be the voice of reason. "He is right Cat, it's all about how you used it, what your intent is when you use it. This could be the difference between Vincent having to kill an out of control beast or saving someone."

Catherine looks at Vincent. He smiles at her, trying to show her that he is not worried. "Look JT and Sam need to do some more research, we need to find out exactly how it works and if it works on more than just me. But we don't have to do it all tonight."

Vincent looks at his friends, both old and new. He reflects back to a year ago when it was just him and JT, for 10 years it had been just him and JT. Now he had Tess, Dana and Sam as well as JT and most importantly he had Catherine. After everything they had been through, surely the gem was a good thing. The beasts that were after Sam could be dealt with and hopefully lead them back to whomever was controlling them. They could get some answers and maybe just maybe he and Catherine could find some peace….

JT offers Sam and Dana a place to stay.

"I have plenty of room and this place is off the radar. Plus it's a short commute to work for Sam." JT smiles conspiratorially. Sam and Dana agree that this is the safest spot for them right now. Dana wants to do some more research on Rebecca and the gem, so she heads to her office. Everyone is watching their backs in case whomever is behind the attack on Sam tries again.

Cat and Vincent leave JT's and head back to her apartment. Catherine walks into her apartment and just stands there for a moment. She takes a deep breath, holds it and the exhales. After finding her center, she walks into the apartment. "This place has always chased away the chaos. It has always been my safe haven. I did not realize until I walked in here, how important that is."

Vincent holds her in his arms and kisses her. Putting his forehead against hers he whispers. "You are my safe haven. You calm the chaos and I have always known it….I am sorry it took me so long to remember it."

Catherine sighs and wraps her arms around him. "Sorry I freaked out back there, with everything you have gone through, the thought of anyone controlling you just knocked me back a bit. But your right, using the gem can be a good thing." She looked up at him smiling.

Vincent lowered his head and captured her mouth, his kiss at first was soft and gentle, trying to infuse her with calm. However it did not take long before the kiss turned into something more. As the stress melted away, Catherine clung to Vincent. As she pressed against him, Vincent's pulse raced, he could sense Catherine's rising arousal. Picking her up in his arms his assault on her mouth continued as he walked them to her bedroom. As he crossed the threshold, he stopped, raised his eyebrows and looking at her asked. "You don't still have the gem on you do you?"

Catherine laughed her head tilting back, Vincent thought no sound was sweeter. "No I left it at JT's, why are you afraid of what I might make you do with it?" Vincent lowered his head to her exposed throat, kissing and nipping his way up to her ear. "You can be awfully demanding and I may need all my beastly strength to keep up with you."

Catherine's eyes narrowed, the corner of her lip lifted a bit. She leaned in to kiss him…"I knew there was a reason I loved your beast."

Displaying mock shock Vincent laughed. "So you only love my beast do you?"

Turning suddenly serious, Catherine looked into Vincent's eyes, "I love ALL of you."