Death Shall Have No Dominion

The heartbeat was fast. The pressure he had felt, gone. He was running past doors toward the stairs,where the heartbeat was pulling him. That was when he smelled it…blood! But the pull was stronger. Running up the stairs and out to the roof, he was too late. “Catherine!” Vincent yelled her name.
And that face, the face of a man with cold eyes looked at him with no fear. Vincent looked back at him in bewilderment. As the helicopter flew out of sight, Vincent turned back toward the smell of blood. He prayed if it were Catherine that she was alive.

She replayed the doctor’s words. “Morphine. If it doesn’t kill you, get out of here and hide. Never show your face again.” He didn’t say the words but as he injected it straight into her vein, his eyes seemed to almost hold an apology. Almost didn’t count in this instance. It was like someone had walked across her grave. It shook her. She had to get out. How? Catherine was laying there feeling tired, hopeless, miserable and alone when Vincent burst through the closed door. She turned her head as swiftly as she could and heard Vincent call “Catherine!” In surprise and then whispered brokenly “Cathe…rine.” Tears filled his vision as he rushed to her side, but stopped for a brief second as the smell of morphine assailed his nostrils.
“No! NO! Catherine, we must hurry. We must..” Then he smelled the blood.

“Vincent..” She touched his face, his tears. Felt her own as he brushed his hand across her cheek, his thumb brushed under her eye.
“You’re hurt. Catherine, where are you hurt?” He smelled the antiseptics, felt the hospital like surroundings. He turned around facing away from her, took in the stirrups, the blood on the floor, between her legs. Frightened to hear what happened, but knew he had to know, fear crawling up his spine like an icy spider he asked “What happened?”

“There’s a child.” Her words slow, her body sluggish. The morphine was taking effect. Although his mind was going numb with fear and his body started shaking with rage, his chest tightening in worry; unclenching his jaw, he spoke. “A child?” He cocked his head to the side, confused.

She smiled a small tight smile and told him,”We loved, Vincent. He’s beautiful.” Vincent picked up her shoulders, slid his arm underneath them. He could feel her get heavier, saw her getting more sluggish. “They took him. Vincent…below, get Below.”

His mind suddenly caught up with his body and he gently lowered her back down. She was struggling to stay awake to help him get her ready to leave. He wasted no time now.
He found a towel, turned the warm water on and quickly cleaned her up as best as he could. Later he might realize what he had had to do but now he was worried about her bleeding and his biggest fear that she would die. He would NOT lose her again.
Grabbing another towel, he put it between her legs and quickly wrapped the sheet around her. Dropping his cloak, he then proceeded to untie his vest. Slipping the vest off his shoulders,he pulled his thicker sweater over his head and roused Catherine.
“You must put this on Catherine. It’ll keep you warm.”
She helped him slip the sweater over her head and she struggled to put her arms through the sleeves, grateful for his help.

Vincent had saw the needle marks and it made him cringe with fear even more. Anger once again rushed through him and yet again he pushed it away. Now was not the time. He had to get her Below. He didn’t know how much morphine was given to her but he was sure it was meant to kill her. The cold eyes of a hard man would not let her live, he was sure of that.

Writer’s Note: It makes sense to me that Vincent’s keen sense of smell would detect blood but he finally had a sense of the bond and was more intent to follow it to the roof. More to come.

~*~

After adjusting his vest and cloak, Vincent gently picked her up in his arms. She whispered, a breathy sound to his ears; “Forgive me.” Her head on his shoulder felt instantly heavy. His heart skipped a beat and he let loose a few tears and his heart responded ‘There is nothing to forgive.’

He wasted no more time. With fear, anger, and love driving him on, he quickened his pace out of the building. Through alleyways he strode purposely to an old tunnel passage way where he knew the pipes were seldom used but always on patrol.  He tapped out a quick urgent message for Father. “Meet in hospital chamber. V” He adjusted Catherine’s weight and continued on.

*~*

Mary had been walking back from retrieving some blankets for a new mother when she heard the urgent tapping on the pipes. She listened and deciphered the code quickly. She quickened her pace, her heartbeat racing faster now than it had been.  As luck would have it, the older daughter of the new mother was looking for Mary and called out to her as Amanda saw her. “Mary! There you are, Mother thought you may have needed some help..” She saw an expression on Mary’s face that spoke of urgency. “I..is..everything alright?”

Mary smiled kindly and told Amanda that she was needed else where and asked if her mother was alright?
“Yes Mary, I will take the blankets to her.” Mary sighed with relief and handed over the much needed blankets for the newest baby.

She made her apologies and quickly turned down the next passage to lead her down the hospital chambers.

~*~

“FATHER!”

Father looked up sharply from his text book, and glared slightly at the young man before him. “Yes Geoffrey, what is so urgent?” He knew he was gruff and impatient. His thoughts, not on the text before him, but on Vincent and the loss of Catherine.

“It’s Vincent! He needs you in the hospital chambers, quickly, Father, quickly!” Geoffrey rushed over to the desk to help Father more quickly.

Father moved as fast as he possibly could, while realizing he was so lost in thought that he had actually not heard the tapping. Geoffrey caught him as he stumbled slightly, bringing himself out of his reverie once more. They reached the passage way to the hospital when Mary brought them up short.

“Geoffrey, run along and have William put on some tea, and some stew, please.” Mary waited for Geoffrey to let go of Father and turn before she grabbed him.
“Come Mary,Let us pray he is not wounded again.”

They entered one right after the other and stopped still, neither believing their own eyes.

~*~

After he had tapped out his message, he looked down at Catherine and noticed her wan complexion.

This made him pick up a slight jog, trying not jostle her too much. He then realized she had passed out. This made him run to the last of the tunnels and he ran blindly the rest of the way to the hospital chambers, fear spurring him on, love quickening his pace; and only when he got her to the nearest bed, did he stop.

~*~

Vincent sat on the other side of the bed facing the entrance, they easily saw who lie on the bed.
“Vin..” Mary gasped and came up quietly to the bed.
Father joined her side and spoke quietly and urgently. “Tell us, Vincent. Please what has happened?”

Vincent lifted her hand against his cheek. As he looked up at them, he knew tears were racing down his face, gently warming Catherine’s cool fingertips.”She… has been drugged..” He took a breath and let it out in big sigh, a mournful sound.”She has had a ..child. She needs our help, Catherine has lost a lot of blood. Please, there’s not much time. Please?”

He was not entirely sure why he was begging. He knew they would help. As they moved her bed to the other side of the room, he felt his strength leave him. Just as he was trying to stand tall, Mary noticed the slight wilt of his shoulders and she commanded he rest.

“No. I must stay. I..please..” His voice broke and he whispered.”If she wakes, she will need me close by. I need to be close.”

She understood what his heart spoke louder than his words. “Rest in here, on one of the beds.” She led him to one nearer the exam chamber and watched him as he sat first then laid back on the cot. She prayed that now when hope was so near, hope would help them fight, would help them live, would give them the courage and strength to face what they would inevitably have to face.

~*~

In his sleep, Vincent saw blossoms falling from a tree. The blossoms went from pink to crimson,from crimson to azure,from azure to black and as they continued to fall and collide with one another, Vincent’s soul knew Catherine was not well. As he was waking from a from a world where all things “shimmer and float” he heard Father and Mary murmuring to one another. All was not lost, it was just another battle to keep what was his.

Thy Death-Thy Shall Not Near Death Any Longer

The first thing Father did was cut the sweater off her. He regretted that it was one of Vincent’s but he did try to cut it so that it could be repaired. He didn’t pull the sweater off her immediately; as soon as Mary came back he asked her to get some of the blankets out of the warming bin. He started unwrapping the sheet as quickly and gently as possible, a task not new to Father, therefore he was efficient at his job. Mary brought warm water over first with the necessary rags and towels.  He stepped away back for Mary to to tend to her cleaning and went to remove the sweater from Catherine.

He was appalled at the bruising on her arms and the needle marks along the inside of elbow and down to the top of her hands. The treatments she must have endured; he mentally shook his head at the pain she must have been in.
Mary worked quickly; easily detaching herself and becoming a nurse. She gently washed away the blood and knew that if she could cleanse Catherine’s and Vincent’s souls’ as easily, she would. She moved on. She washed away the residual blood that tracked down her legs and cleaned her feet thoroughly, removing any dirt or remaining blood. She needed to be completely clean.  As she realized they would have to remove the dirty sheets under her, Father spoke up.

“I will hold her, Mary, if you would remove and replace the sheets.” They worked quickly. Father held her upper body as Mary moved the old sheet down toward her waist and added a clean one. He laid Catherine’s body down and together they gently removed the old sheet simultaneously replacing it with the new one.

Catherine was as clean as they could manage, the sheets were clean..time to set about seeing what needed to be done.

~*~

Mary passed Father the suture needle and thread, their eyes meeting and speaking words that which they were afraid to even speak.  The pregnancy had been slightly early.  They had to remove the placenta knowing as they did that that would be cause for infection. Signs of morphine overdose were also evident. They seemed to be mild, though her respiration was slow, her skin slightly cool and clammy.
Intravenous antibiotics along with fluid that contained vital nutrients that would also help flush the morphine out in her urine.
They hadn’t given anything to her for pain. They waited to see if the discomfort would wake her up. However, Father did not count on it waking Vincent.

~*~

He hurt everywhere. At first he attributed it to the fact that he hadn’t been sleeping well and was sleeping somewhere other than his bed. Then his stomach pained him more than ever, his legs and arms ached more than they ever had after a hard days work, and his jaw..oh it hurt as if he had been clenching his teeth forever and his throat was unbelievably dry…He jolted up and quickly went to the curtain separating the beds from the surgery.

He swallowed first to try to wet his throat, then cleared his throat quietly. He hadn’t meant to, but it came out just the same; he growled that she was in severe pain. “What can you do for her?” He whispered achingly, eyes fixed on her pain ridden body. “What will you do for her? She is in a great deal of pain.”
His eyes flicked over Father, Mary back to Catherine, unnerved by the pain.

“Vincent, my dear boy..” Vincent’s eyes bore into Father and although it unsettled him, Father stared back, stood straighter, voice stronger and became not only father but physician as well. He cleared his throat and came back strong. “Vincent. We must wait for her to wake up. I didn’t realize, forgive me, I forgot to ask if your bond had returned. I..Vincent?”

Vincent’s face was one of shock. He stepped forward to Catherine’s side and knelt beside her. He took one of her hands and held it near his face. The Bond has returned..? What did it mean? That he felt her pain so strongly..perhaps that is all it was.
“I was not aware of it myself.” He stood and though he stayed near her side, he spoke to Father and Mary. “She is suffering a great deal. What must I do? Tell me? I want to help, I have to help. I certainly can not sit by and do nothing!”
He was entirely aware that he had risen his voice. He was frightened, tired and in some ways, in pain as well.
And he began to grow impatient as he waited and watched them debating on how to answer.
He sighed deeply and let it out, the sound a defeated one. “Please?”

“Vincent, Catherine has a mild overdose to the morphine. We can wake her, move her around, keep her awake, help her function until we know if the morphine has left her body and she will not succumb to a coma. “

“How long before we know?”

“A week at best, possibly two. Vincent, this will be..” Father realized this would be no more trying on them than this whole ordeal had already been. Father did only what he could do. “Vincent, I’d like to keep her here overnight, then perhaps in the morning, afternoon, we could move her. Tonight however, we all need to sleep.” He held up his hand to motion Vincent not speak yet. “We will have someone bring food to you. Catherine won’t be hungry when she first wakes. The other IV is taking care of that. Goodnight my boy.” Father hugged him close, kissed his forehead and murmured “Thank God you found her when you did.”

Mary watched this all in silence, her motherly heart breaking for the man she had come to love as her son. The struggle she knew he would face, that he had been facing, would not be easy. She adjusted Catherine’s blankets then hugged Vincent next. “She’s safe here Vincent, take comfort that you can be near her, bringing her comfort. She knew if you found her, she would be safe again.” She kissed his cheek but did not bid him good night.

~*~

‘Too close to death have you and I come, Beloved. Thy death-thy shall not near death’s door no longer, Catherine.’ His last sleeping thought made him wake abruptly.

He had only slept thirty minutes.  Catherine was moving slightly- he picked up her hand to merely rest it in his own- waiting to see if she would wake on her own or if he would have to waken her with words.
His heart sped up quickly as if he had run a great distance,his throat ached again and he knew he was feeling Catherine.

~*~

She dreamed of the color red. Not just any color of red though-she recognized it as the color of someone’s hair. Then the shade of red turned to a golden hue, more like Vincent’s hair.
The sky was the color of Vincent’s eyes, the tall grass the color of his hair, the smell of candle smoke and cherries were heavily laden in the air, she called Vincent’s name though why she did, she had no idea.
‘Vincent.‘ She became askance as she said it again ‘Vincent?’‘

“Vincent?” Catherine murmured sleepily.

“I’m here. Can you open your eyes Catherine?” Vincent leaned forward from his perch near the bed so that when she did open her eyes, she would see his face. He brought her hand against his face, holding her palm against his cheek.

“I..I’m not sure..Vincent? Where are you? Where am I?”

He smiled, knowing she would feel it and gently spoke to her, slowly trying to pull her from her sleep.
“You’re dreaming, Catherine.  I’m here by your side. We are Below- in the tunnels- inside the hospital chamber. Do you.. try to tell me what you remember.”

*~*

She remembered everything. That was the problem. She wanted to push it away-tried to force her mind from all of it. What she started with though was this-”You found me.” Her voice startled her. It was so quiet and slightly raspy. Vincent’s eyes seemed so blue and clear. She remembered the last time she saw them; they were beginning to be clear of illness and they were gaining their luster once again. She noticed his eyes were tired. “You’ve been searching for me.”

Something flashed in his eyes and then he sat up straighter, not once letting go of her hand. “I never stopped. I could never stop searching for you.” He shook his maned head fiercely. “I would have never stop searching until I found you. Never doubt that Catherine. I will always search for you.”

He paused, uncertain for a brief second and then he told her softly, but strongly so she would not doubt his words. “I love you. I would have found you because I love you.” He watched her turn her face away and her eyes squeeze shut. He felt her tug her hand and he held for one last second then let her go.

“Please leave. Vincent, please go, please send Mary in.”
“Cather..”
“PLEASE.”
He sighed heavily and nodded. “I will send Mary then.”

~*~

She felt…unworthy.. of his love. She was..unworthy of his love. She had LOST HIS CHILD. HIS CHILD! It was all her fault. She didn’t know, couldn’t imagine how he must feel. Betrayed. How could he look at her for what she did. She felt so ugly. Their baby..she turned to her side, holding her still slightly swollen belly and started sobbing. Hot tears full of shame, anger, sadness and…pain.

Vincent did not leave. He stood outside the curtained room, weakened by her tears. He had no sense of her emotions the way he usually did but standing there, it was like standing outside a burning room. The intensity of the heat from her shame was that hot. He could almost see the silver blue of the hottest part of a flame, he didn’t understand this shame. Where did it come from? He heard her cries louder than the pipes coming alive in the dawn of the day.
Too many times of running away, of backing down or being asked to leave-too many from either of them.. He would not do it. He would stay and be her strength, forever. Even now. Especially now. There was no reason for her to feel this way and he hoped to make her see that, in time.

Though The Way Is Uncertain

She had asked for Mary. He had sent for Mary knowing she would be awhile. Vincent waited for Catherine’s cries to settle before he pushed the curtain aside to speak to her.
Although he did not approach her, Catherine waited silently for him to speak.
“Mary will be here soon. Catherine..” He stepped toward her and this time Catherine turned her face to him. He stopped, uncertain to continue-but even though he could not know her heart-her eyes seemed to plead for him..to what?
She saw him shrug slightly. “I’ll..be near should you…need…me.” His hands closed in fists and then he opened them slowly.”Though Lover’s be lost,Catherine…..” A pregnant pause.
They did not finish it. Mary arrived and Vincent took his leave. Although her tears had subsided, the turmoil had not passed. It was building inside him as well. ‘Love shall not’.

The burning desire to hold her as he once would have done, to feel her close-body,mind,spirit-the ache was too much. Not knowing how to help her, not knowing her heart…”the way is uncertain”. His walking sped up, his breathing accelerated and his emotions running rampant through him so quickly-even he would not be able to say which were stronger than the other-he ran, as far and fast as he possible could-til his lungs were burning and he had no energy left…and then he roared! All her cries, the rage he felt when he found her,this ..barricade that seemed to be between them that he didn’t know how to break down..-It all ascended into a roar and descended into a whisper and tears. He dropped to his knees, lowered his head and cried.

He should be the one to ask for forgiveness. Not trusting her but expecting her to trust him. He was a fool.
He had been the one to obsess over the loss of their bond. What was it she had said then…’Think..THINK!’
“maybe the bond will return in another form.” and he had replied that he didn’t think it would return. She had tried to explain something then and he chose to ignore her and drown in his own loss…

~*~

Catherine was sleepy. After crying, after watching Vincent leave, after all that had happened..why did she still live? Surely she was undeserving. She had managed to…
“Catherine, dear?” Mary received Vincent’s request and came as immediately possible,stopping along the way to request Father’s presence as well. She waited now for a response before she stepped into the curtained room.

“Mary.” Mary rushed over to her, helped her sit up.
“How do you feel?”
*How do you feel?  I don’t..I’m not sure.  Try to tell me.*
Catherine shook her head and simply told her “Sleepy.”

Mary’s eyes softened. “You have been through so much. I would imagine you would want to sleep for days. But you can’t. Father will be along and he will want to talk to you..do you know you were drugged?”

“Yes.”

“We are hoping to push the morphine out of your system. Father and I - we had to remove the placenta, there is a risk of infection to which we have given you an antibiotic.”

“Take one step at a time, Catherine. You have been through quite an ordeal.” Father had been quite the doctor. He and Mary both would have made a wonderful team Above. “I would like to give you something for the pain however I feel it is best to wait until the morphine has left your system.”

She hadn’t talked to them yet. Oh she went through the right commentary but she did not talk about what happened. Where she had been, who had her, what she went through-she wasn’t ready to tell Vincent either.
How long had she been Below? One day? Maybe two? A lifetime to be sure-her sense of time is off and nothing seems real. The entire situation seems surreal.

They were helping her walk about the chamber when Vincent stopped right in the doorway. His eyes remained on Catherine and was proud of her progress. How long had she been Below? Two days perhaps? His perception of time had seemed to blur since she had gone missing and he found her.
“Vincent?”
He blinked and it was suddenly clear to him. A part of her was still missing, a part of himself as well..their child-alive and missing. That was the barricade, the shame she felt, the forgiveness she wanted.

He stepped forward and gave her his hand. He felt her strength grow when she placed her palm against his palm and even though their bond still remained aloof, his empathic ability was intact. His heartbeat drummed quicker, hers met his beat and when she looked at him, he knew they were not lost. Just were uncertain about how to regain their steps. ‘The way is uncertain, the path before us is one no one has taken.’

~*~

The first short steps to relieve herself had been exhausting and encouraging. However when she had blotted instead of wiped, she had saw the amount of blood and had almost fainted. She was in pain. It seemed though the morphine was still in her system because she knew she should have felt more pain than she was in.
The walk back to the bed was more encouraging. Mary had helped her wash her hair and brush it. She even helped her into another gown, this one the color of old moss. She was grateful to see something besides white. Mary helped her put on thick socks to keep her feet warm as well.
“You look lovely Catherine. I think your walk and bath has tired you some though, hmm?” Catherine knew better than to try to argue. However she was not ready to get back in bed.

“May we walk a little more? Please, I’d rather be completely tired than not.”
So Father had agreed to help her and Mary; that’s how Vincent had found them.

When she had placed her palm against his, she saw his eyes flicker in surprise. There seemed to be so much that was uncertain between them. Catherine wondered if he knew that she loved him. She wanted to tell him. She needed to tell him. She felt her womb clench and a movement..odd….
“Catherine?”
“It’s nothing.” She thought it her imagination..’They would think I was going crazy.’

“Father, do you know when Catherine can be moved? You still want to move her closer yes?” Then Vincent hugged Catherine close and kissed the top of her head only lingering but a moment. He felt Father’s and Mary’s eyes upon them briefly. Then he moved back and crooked a finger under her chin to tilt her gaze up at his.

Father cleared his throat. “Ah yes..yes Vincent I do believe we could move her closer or uh,” clearing his throat once again he continued “You or perhaps Brooke and Jamie  could come stay with Catherine before she is ready to move. However we could move some of the equipme..

“No Father..that won’t necessary. I’ll stay until I’m well enough..

“You needn’t bother Brooke nor Jamie.Father, I will stay with Catherine, if she wishes.”
“Of course. Vincent..

Mary ended all conversation. “That settles it. I’ll have two plates prepared and bring them down myself. We won’t stir up the gossip just yet. Catherine needs her strength and time to recover a little more.” Then she grabbed Father’s arm and they walked out..

Instead of letting her walk back to her bed, he lifted her up in his arms to and carried her back to the bed.

“I’m not certain Vincent..” She stopped. Sighing heavily as he lifted the covers up and helped her get under them, she waited patiently for him to sit on the side of the bed. “Do you remember..”Catherine shook her head, frustrated as how to begin.

Vincent touched her hand gently. She looked up and the tears glistening in his eyes were her undoing. She wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him close. “I do not blame you Catherine. If it is the words you need then know you have done nothing to have such shame. Our son was taken, there was nothing, NOTHING, Catherine that you could have done.” He kissed the top of her head again, breathing her in deeply. Although it was a soft scent -one he knew was used Below; he still smelled her.
He wanted to ask for her forgiveness, but he refused to make it about him. One day he would ask but not now. Now he needed to help her heal as she was always willing to help him.

“Do you want me stay with until Father says you can be moved? I’m not Mary nor Father but we will manage.”
He pulled away from her and asked it again. “What do you think?”

“Vincent, have you written in the journal I gave you?”

He tried to follow her thoughts. “Quite a lot.”

“Do you read the inscription inside?”

Ah, now he was following..”With love, all things are possible.”

“With love, Vincent, all things ARE possible.”

She hugged him tighter to her once more and Vincent had realized he received two answers from her.
Yes she wanted him to stay and the other…Oh he hugged her tighter to his chest …Catherine still loved him. She LOVES him and she hasn’t stopped.

Though the way is uncertain, the path one not taken..go with courage and with care. Because with love, all things are possible.

*~*

More to come-stay with me.
Writing has been slow
RL has been busy, busy.

Time Is Agony

All is very still again. It has been days, a week even-I can’t be sure. Winter is here and everyone tucks in for the evening early and rising from bed a little later. We moved Catherine. Selfish though it may seem, I couldn’t part with her. Without question-without thought, I brought her to my chamber. I have no idea if I have made the right decision. I cannot feel her even though I know she is there, I can see her. The moment when I had felt her pain was just that, a moment of intensity coursing through her.

Vincent stopped writing and looked towards his bed. She is there sleeping and he hoped that tonight at least that she would sleep. Father will do a brief examination in two days. He had told Catherine that in normal situations he wouldn’t do any exams for several weeks; however Catherine agreed this has been anything but normal. I fear she is withdrawing into herself. The part of me that understands that feeling to do so wants to let her, the part of me that knows why she shouldn’t wants to draw her out.

He tried to continue writing a little longer and then put it away. There was no need tonight to walk Above; the reason for those long walks recently had been to search for her. Vincent wasn’t restless. He wasn’t content either but he didn’t the feel need to walk far.

He went to wake Catherine. Not knowing for sure how much of the morphine was still in her system; Father insisted that she could still lapse into a coma. They moved her to his room just one day ago or perhaps it had been two… time has been irrelevant thus far. Vincent knew it would catch up to him.

“Catherine, how long have you been awake?”

The fact that he hadn’t known only seemed to heighten his awareness of her physical presence.

“I haven’t been awake long, only a moment, Vincent.” She wet her lips then reached for glass of water Vincent held out for her.

“How are you feeling?” It was a loaded question, he knew that, but it couldn’t be avoided and he hoped that she would see it for what it is.

“Better, the same, I’m not sure yet.” She looked away from him first.

He sat on the bed next to her and gently touched her hand. He didn’t say anything. He just sat there with her quietly and waited for it to happen. That moment of intense emotion would sweep through her so rapidly; Vincent would control his breathing, his touch so that she would not be aware that he felt this storm coursing through her. He didn’t want her to hide it. He needed to share this with her. And then just as quickly, it would fade and there would be nothing of her inside him. She turned to him, her eyes showing him a brief anger then sadness and yet she would smile (though the smile did not reach her eyes) and thank him…it was maddening yet he would wait a while longer before he began trying to draw her out. Not too much longer, he would wait until Father’s exam then if nothing came from her, no words, no tears, then he would begin to break down her defenses and protect her from even herself if need be.

Quite The Distraction

Geoffrey went to Mary first. He needed a Mother’s guidance on this matter.
“Remember when we all planned the recital and invited Catherine? She really seemed
to enjoy it then.”

Mary looked at him a moment then hugged him to her.
“It’s a wonderful idea. Do you have anything in mind?”

He told her about a story they were learning in Music Class-
Peter and the Wolf- how the story is told through musical instruments.

“I thought we could do a play with the music and the costumes for Catherine and Vincent, for everyone else too but you know what I mean right?”

His face wore that hopeful expression that only someone so young could pull off so well.
“I will talk to Father. I can’t see why he would disagree. Don’t worry Geoffrey. I am more than positive
that Father will think this a wonderful distraction!”

She led him out of the chamber, her mind already making a list of people to help make the costumes and what fabrics best to use that will be easy to reuse when needed.

Geoffrey headed to towards the “Music Chamber” to see if their “Teacher” was in. They had a temporary room and a temporary teacher but they hoped to keep her on, she was a magical lady!

*~*

*AN:Tell me.. What do you think about Peter and the Wolf? Will it give them a moment out of time or only bring everything to the surface?

~*~

Once a stubborn person, always a stubborn person? ,thought Catherine. She stood in the passage, feeling foolish and weak. She had cleaned herself up, dressed herself and walked less than half way to the hospital chamber without any help. She realized that in doing so, she had made herself more tired and now she waited for the soft foot steps and the slight uneven step of whom could only be Vincent and Father.

Oh She knew they would berate her. Wasn’t she scolding herself now? Acting like a child really-Catherine knew she was wrong in not waiting for help. But she wanted to feel as if she were in control of herself again. She didn’t want to feel helpless anymore. Right now, she felt completely helpless, foolish and angry with herself.
So much so that Vincent knew she was hurting. “Father..” Vincent spoke softly to him. “Don’t scold her, Father. She’s been through enough.”
Father stared into Vincent’s eyes and Vincent wondered what he saw there.. Catherine’s pain or his love for her? Maybe something else entirely….Whatever Father saw it made him agree not to scold her.

“Catherine, perhaps you would like some help?” He waited patiently for her answer and though he knew it might pain her to do so, she agreed.

Catherine sighed heavily and nodded. “Please. It was foolish of me to think I would be ready to do so much. One step at a time, right Father?” Vincent picked her up and she wrapped her arms around him as he placed his arm around her back and the other under her knees.

“That’s correct, my dear Catherine.” And that was all he said.

Vincent slowly lowered her legs down by the examination table. For a moment she kept her embrace and he hugged her to him. “Everything will be alright.” He whispered to her then kissed the top of her head.
“I love you.” She whispered so softly and with such emotion in her voice that Vincent could only hope this was the beginning of her healing.

He helped her sit up on the exam table and remove her shoes. Father told them from the other side of the room that Mary would be in shortly. Mary appeared shortly and smiled.

“I’ll help her, Vincent.” She waited for him to leave but he didn’t, he only step aside so as not to be in the way. He wanted to be there for her.

~*~

As Father was examining Catherine and asking her questions; Vincent had a flashback to finding her.’cleaning her up, the smell of the blood mixing with the sickly sweet scent of the morphine, the blood on the floor, between her legs, the needle marks, his fear and Mary calling his name..’Mary?

“Vincent, are you alright? You look a little pale.” Mary asked him quietly.

He felt light headed and quietly excused himself out of the room.

He stopped near the entrance and slid down the wall. What had happened? He wasn’t the squeamish type. ..

~*~

“Vincent will be alright, Catherine.” Father had seen her eyes follow Vincent out and there her eyes had remained. “Catherine, I need to ask you some questions.”

He cleared his throat and helped her sit up.
“Catherine?”

“HMM? Oh..” She smiled slightly and apologized. “I’m sorry Father. Please, go ahead and ask.”

“Have you noticed any movements in your womb?”

She answered hesitantly, unsure of what this could mean. “Yes..”
“Good. Good. You will feel this for a little longer, as your womb and uterus shrink back down to the normal size again.” He cleared his throat once more. “Your healing is going quite well as long as you continue to not overdue it. Cathy, my dear girl, I understand your hurry to be well again, but…in order for you to find your son; you must be healed completely.” He looked over his shoulder as Mary walked out of the room and Father knew Catherine would want to be leaving soon.
“You have no signs of fever or infection. The morphine in your system helped slow the healing but it helped fight an infection. However this being said, Catherine, you must take things more slowly now that the morphine is nearly clear of your system. If you find yourself in pain, please let me know. I suggest food and bed rest today.”

He helped her adjust her clothes and waited to see if she had any questions.
And she said she didn’t then Vincent was there, of a sudden helping her with her shoes…

*to be continued.

Quite The Distraction
Part 2

Tonight he walked Above, but not alone. He took Mouse with him. Mouse would help make
calculations.
Vincent knew he himself could make all the mathematical plans but
he didn’t want to be alone tonight and he hadn’t had a chance to speak
with Mouse for a while. “How have you been, Mouse?”

“Good, better now. Vincent’s Catherine home.” Mouse gave Vincent a small smile
but his eyes remained sad. “Still sad. Something of Vincent still missing. Catherine’s too.”

“Yes Mouse but we will find it too.” Vincent wasn’t sure if Mouse was aware that they had child and that was what was missing or if he eluded to something different.  Instead of continuing on they stopped, conversation halting and counting began.

“Tell me Mouse. You think she will like this?” The idea came to him as he had heard whispers of the children and the plan they were making. He had decided to give her his own gift of distraction as well. One of the helpers had a friend who had an amazing job. One Vincent was in need of. So together: Mouse and Vincent planned a secret surprise for Catherine.

“The calculations have to be exact Mouse. There can be no error here.” They stood above a drain that led to secrets below and beyond the park. The orchestra band stand empty and quiet; Vincent heard the music play on and a lightning storm continue on in his memory.  Yes it had to be perfect.

“Catherine like? More than like, love!” Mouse put his hand on Vincent’s shoulder. “Love it. Mouse knows
so does Vincent.”

“Indeed we do Mouse.” They turned and heading back to the tunnels.

They parted their ways, Vincent making sure Mouse knew to say nothing to anyone. It was to be a
surprise for Catherine. As he was making his way back to the his chamber, he felt it. He stopped and let it run its short course. His heart beat sped up, he felt her anger, frustration, exhaustion and fear. This time however, she did not let it go. He let it run through him, letting himself feel his own anger, frustration, worry and the fear of losing Catherine still and not finding their son thus far. He made a quick jog the rest of the way to his chamber and stopped short outside his entrance.

*~*

“Catherine?” Vincent spoke so softly, still riding on the waves of her emotions, unsure of how to approach her. Somehow he must have back peddled..he thought they were making progress.

She whirled around to face him, her hair flowing over her shoulder so beautifully that for a brief second he was caught up in that beauty.
Her eyes though so beautiful and..angry. At him..for what?

“How could you not tell me? Vincent! How could you have gone Above and not tell me? You could have been in serious danger!” Her arms straight down her sides, fists tight and knuckles white-she was definitely angry.

“Catherine, there was no danger. I had no sense of being watched, no one was out. I was safe. I wouldn’t have led Mouse into danger, Catherine.” He understood that she could be worried, but angry? He understood her fear. “Tell me. Please.”

“How long have you known? How long have you been able to feel my…how long?” She sat down on the edge of the bed and Vincent felt nothing of her emotions once again. Oh certainly he knew she felt worn down but he didn’t know how Catherine really felt now.

“Our bond…” He stopped. He went to her and knelt by her side. Taking her hands into his, he squeezed them gently and began rubbing his thumbs along her skin soothingly.

She looked into his eyes and waited.

“Before you went missing, you knew our bond was gone.” She nodded and tried to look away but Vincent lovingly put one hand against her cheek and kept her face toward him. “I may have had trouble remembering several things while I was recovering but I have not forgotten that you came here that night to tell me something.”

She closed her eyes and once again he felt her sadness and frustration. Her shame. He knew now that perhaps she was going to tell him of their child.

“You told me that perhaps the gift would come to me in another form. Catherine, tell me, what did you mean to tell me that night?”

His thumb had found a spot near her eye that enjoyed the softness of her skin. She leaned her face into his hand and put her palm upon his cheek.

“You already know, Vincent.”

He wouldn’t let this go that easily.

“Tell me.” He whispered it so gently.

His eyes never left her face. He knew they had to get this out, so he could tell her the rest.

“When Joe, When you were sick, Joe was in an explosion…”She drew in a deep breath and let it out slowly. “Vincent, I can’t. Not yet.”

He nodded. “Perhaps you will never be able to talk of this. You might have to though, some day, Catherine.” He kissed her forehead, her cheeks, her nose, her chin but not her lips..not yet.

“I can’t, Catherine. Not yet. But someday soon, I hope.” He drew a breath and continued his story for her.

“When you went missing, I had no way of finding you, nothing to lead me to where you went. I knew it had been something terrible. You had sent me a note to meet you at the threshold. I felt so much urgency in that letter Catherine, I knew you had to tell me something.”

“What I presumed was your distress had led me to you. But it wasn’t you Catherine. It’s our son. I have a bond with our son. And when you allow me, I have a bond with you. It comes and goes since I found you again. A part of you must want me to share it with you. I miss having that part of you, here.” He placed her hand above his heart and she rested it upon his chest.

“For days now, I have been trying to ignore the whispers, but something is happening outside this chamber. Something big, a secret. Do you know what it is Vincent?”

He nodded. “Only that the children are planning a secret.” And he smiled, which made her smile and in turn made Vincent’s heart swell. His surprise would indeed be quite the distraction and perhaps be the opening ceremony for the children’ big secret.

Tags: batb, batb fan fiction, beauty and the beast, fanfic, vincent and catherine