Oblivion 1 parts index

Chapter Nine

Father was worried about Vincent, he had become insecure again, yet Father simply could not understand the reason behind it. When they had first learned of the purpose behind Devin and Catherine's long absence, from Charles message, Vincent had sat quietly in his chamber absorbing the news for some days, eventually confining his feelings to Father, and together they had sat down and talked through all the possibilities. Those relating to Devin and Catherine bringing back with them the knowledge of Vincent's existence along with the possibility of their also bringing home some family member of his. And Vincent had come to accept that whatever or whomever Devin and Catherine brought back with them, they had done so under great risk to themselves. So Father could not fathom Vincent's unrest, neither did his son come forward with any explanation, he only knew that day by day, Vincent's eyes wore an agonised expression, which Father wished he could wipe away.

Only Vincent knew the reasons behind his distress. He knew from the onset that Catherine had gone with Devin to help him, and he knew that they both loved him, but he also knew for a certainty through the Bond that Devin was being drawn towards Catherine in some way, so subtly that even she was unaware of the pull. And then for a brief tantalising moment, he had felt her joy and also felt her respond to a fleeting kiss, which ended as abruptly as it had began, but had left her feeling breathless and confused. And as the length of time they were away increased, Vincent could not shake off the doubts that had crept into his mind, stemmed from his past feelings about the two of them. He could only wait and agonise day after day, and hope that he was wrong.

The way Marie had intended to take Catherine and Devin was to the place where she repeatedly escaped from. It had been a cause of great concern to Strasser, he never managed to find out how Marie did it, for she was very cunning.

One day she had noticed a small ray of light at the foot of a tunnel along the buggy rail, and bending to investigate, had found that she could hollow out a gap large enough to allow herself to slither through into an unexplored gallery beyond. Once inside she had jumped from ledge to ledge until she found a way out, up near the ceiling, breaking through onto the mountainside itself.

All she had to do was conceal the gap each time she used it from the other side, and no-one ever discovered it. Looking at Catherine and Devin, Marie was certain that Catherine at least would be tiny enough to be able to slither through the gap, and out into the tunnels that eventually led to Geraldine's cell from the inside, however, just as she was contemplating the idea Marie heard the siren go off again. Knowing from past experience what it related to she waited with nervous excitement outside the villas, while Catherine and Devin raced back inside to pack their belongings.

Devin finished packing first and came across to Catherine's villa, only to find himself being pushed inside by Marie, roughly from behind. "Aren't you coming in too, " he bade her, as she made to close the door behind him.

Marie put a finger to her lips, and closed the door firmly in his face. She had heard Geraldine's roars, the bloodcurdling cries of Strasser, and until Geraldine could be reasoned with, Marie wanted these two people safe and out of sight.

Catherine opened the door slightly, "Marie come on inside." she pleaded.

"Me safe", Marie told her pulling the door shut again.

Unconvinced, Catherine made her way to the window with Devin to look outside.

Marie was pacing back and forth in the moonlight, sniffing the air, when they saw her suddenly step out of sight.

Geraldine approached cautiously, it was very dark beneath the canopy of trees, yet she could smell them. She recognised her mother's scent and that of two others she did not know. She could not see them, but she knew her mother was close by. "Mama where are you?", she called softly.

Marie stepped from the shadows, back into the light of the moon, and relief flooded through Geraldine, when she saw that her mother was unharmed. Running across to Marie, she pulled her close and hugged her tightly, it was the first time in years that they had made such close contact. "Strasser told me that you were in trouble", Geraldine told Marie. Holding her daughter at arms length, Marie looked into her eyes, "No." she replied softly, "Me safe, friends here." then she led Geraldine across to Catherine's villa and opened the door, bringing her inside.

Catherine and Devin watching the scene from inside, moved slowly back against the far wall, as Marie snapped on the light. "No!", Devin pointed to the camera.

Marie shook her head, "No matter", she said "Camera dead", she smiled mischievously. She had spent the entire day crushing as many cameras as she could find, and breaking all the connecting circuits in-between.

Devin stepped back against the wall, tensing as Geraldine stepped into the villa. His breath caught in his throat, she was absolutely stunning! Catherine watched the two of them, it was like watching a play unfolding. Looking at Geraldine, Catherine saw little resemblance to Vincent. The shape of her nose, the mouth, the eyes were the same, yet with her ivory complexion she was totally different. And the shape of her head was feminine. Yet it was her hair that made Catherine gasp, beautiful long silken hair that reached almost to her waist, in ripples of black, amber and ivory, just like the stripes of a tiger.

And her height! She was well over six feet, Vincent's height! Watching them with a keen eye, Marie sensed the desire within her daughter for this man, as Geraldine padded softly across the room to stand before him. Devin found himself glued to the most fascinating amber eyes he had ever seen, tinted with green and edged with tiny little strokes of black beneath the lids and upon her temples. He was spellbound by her presence, and unable to move. A creature so like Vincent, yet so unlike Vincent, almost as if he had been thrown into the middle of a delightful dream.

Automatically he reached out a hand to greet her, and Geraldine took it within her own to sniff at it. Sensing his friendship Geraldine draped herself around him in affectionate greeting, purring softly. Devin felt the rise of desire swamp his senses, and was rewarded with a chuckle from Geraldine as she sensed how she had affected him. Suddenly, she noticed that Catherine still grasped Devin's other hand tightly and Geraldine's eyes narrowed into defiant slits, as a low slow growl rose from her chest.

Recognising the signs, Marie grasped her daughter, pulling her away, "No", she shouted at her, "friend, friend."

"Please don't be afraid", Catherine spoke, and then smiled as she remembered those very same words that Vincent had spoken to her so long ago, "We are not here to harm you, we came only to set you free."

Geraldine listened and reasoned before answering, "Are you two lovers?" she asked nodding in Devin's direction, needing to know the answer to this more than anything.

Catherine laughed out loud, unable to stop herself, "No...we are not, and never will be", then as an afterthought told her, "I am in love with your brother."

Marie drew in a sharp breath, "My son?" she queried.

Catherine nodded, feeling tears prick her eyes, "Yes, and we have a child too, a son. Your grandson."

Marie clapped her hands with glee, and seemed to notice Catherine for the first time. She had already known that she was beautiful, and now as she remembered her son, with his cat-like features, Marie was overjoyed to know that this woman possessed also an inner beauty that had allowed her to love him, and bear him a child. "What is his name?" Geraldine asked.

"Who?" Catherine replied.

"My brother. What is his name?" Catherine smiled, "His name is Vincent, and our son is named Jacob. We would like very much to take you and your mother to be with Vincent. Would you come with us?"

"Will we be free?" Geraldine asked hopefully.

"Yes. You will be free."

"Then we shall come with you." she replied happily. "First let us introduce ourselves properly," Catherine continued, "This is Devin. Vincent and Devin grew up together as brothers. And my name is Catherine. I met Vincent over four years ago now, when he saved my life."

Geraldine listened intently, she was particularly interested in how her brother had saved Catherine's life, but did not ask at that moment. "My name is Geraldine, though I would prefer to be called Gerry. Strasser named me Geraldine, and I have no wish to be reminded of him ever again." She reached for Marie's hand, "He will not harm us ever again Mama, I killed him."

Marie nodded, "I know. I heard."

"We must go then," Devin spoke at last, "Before his body is discovered and they come looking for you. Do you know a way out Gerry?"

"I can make one." she replied impishly. Liking the sound of his voice.

"Now why doesn't that surprise me." Catherine laughed.

Devin squeezed her hand, "Come on Cath, let's get these two home."

Peter was reading some documents when the telephone rang. Idly he lifted the receiver to his ear, "Hello," a breathless voice came down the line, before he'd had a chance to speak, "Peter is that you?"

Peter recognised the voice at once, "Cathy! Where are you? Are you well, we have all been so worried. Is Devin all right?"

"Yes, yes and yes. Peter look, we desperately need your help. Can you get a message Below for us, and meet us at the airstrip tomorrow evening after dark, in your limo with the darkened windows?"

"Of course Cathy, anything. On the wanted list are we?"

"Possibly. Devin and I have just stolen two priceless gems." at his sharp intake of breath, Catherine laughed, "No not really Peter", and as she heard him sigh, with relief she couldn't resist saying, "The theft is of something more priceless than gemstones."

"Catherine..." he spoke in his stern fatherly voice, "What have you done?" Her tinkling laughter drifted down the line, as he waited for her to explain, wondering if she had been drinking.

"Don't worry Peter, I'm not about to be shot at dawn, but we do need your help. Peter are you sitting down?"

"Yes." he didn't like to think what was coming next.

Catherine took a deep breath. It was one of those exciting moments that hung in the air, something that desperately needed to be said, yet the deliciousness of withholding the knowledge surpassed the telling. "Peter....Devin and I....are bringing Vincent's mother and sister home with us." There was silence. "Peter?"

"I'm still here Cathy."

"Did you hear me?" Catherine couldn't believe how her words seem to have gone down like a lead balloon. "Peter? I'll explain more when I see you."

Peter regained his senses at last, and the room had stopped spinning, "Catherine are you sure. If you are wrong about this, you could do Vincent irreparable damage."

"I am positive Peter. Not only does his mother look somewhat like him, but the story matches, and his sister resembles him too. They have both been cruelly treated Peter, they need a lot of patience and understanding. Love too."

"Then they are going to the right place Cathy. I'll go and tell Jacob myself, right now."

Peter couldn't believe how nervous he was feeling, as he made his way down the steps into Father's chamber within the hour. It just did not seem possible! Not only that there were others like Vincent, but that it had been Catherine and Devin that had found them.

Father was dozing in a chair, and Vincent had just entered from having tucked Jacob into his crib for a nap, when Peter came into view. "Peter!", Vincent crossed the room in a few easy strides, holding out his hands, "How good it is to see you. Please, here, let me take your coat, can I get you some tea?"

Peter shook his head, handing the coat to Vincent, and taking the comfy seat gratefully. "Jacob?" Peter queried, "are you well?"

"Yes, yes, please don't concern yourself, I am just a little tired that's all."

Vincent smiled, "Father has been educating the children with his favourite game, and he has over done it somewhat." A half smile rose to Peter's lips, which Vincent was quick to notice, "Peter is there something wrong?"

Peter shuffled in his seat. He began to feel a little of what Catherine had felt earlier when she had told him her news, except that Peter found that passing it on, made him tense. Sitting opposite him, Vincent and then Father became concerned when Peter obviously had difficulty in speaking. "I bring a message...." he got out some of the words at last.

"A message from whom?" Father asked him softly.

"From Catherine."

"Catherine?" Vincent repeated slowly. A tiny hand of fear plucked at his heart.

Peter nodded, "Yes she rang me not an hour since. She and Devin are on their way home."

"Now!" Vincent shook away the fear as his heart soared on wings of joy.

"Yes they will be home late tomorrow evening. I have to meet them at the airstrip."

Vincent's face radiated the sunshine he so longed to walk beneath, and his body felt weak with relief. Catherine was coming home. Home to him. Yet Peter was holding something back, and what was it he had said about having to meet them? "What is it Peter?" Father encouraged him again, "Why do you look so troubled, are Catherine and Devin well?"

"Yes, at least I think so, no its not that. Catherine told me something that I find so remarkable that I am having difficulty believing it, let alone relating it to you."

What was Peter trying to say? Vincent's heart hammered in his chest, as he got up to pace the room, his breath seemed to be locked tightly in his lungs, had his fears been right? Had Catherine and Devin found love between themselves after all?

Peter took Vincent's arm, " Sit down Vincent, this may come as quite a shock." Vincent was rooted to the spot, he could not sit, he could not stand, his legs felt too weak to carry him, he leaned heavily against the table. Catherine loved someone else, she loved Devin, his own brother, he could not bear to hear the words, yet he could not move away. Unaware of what he was putting Vincent through, Peter opened his mouth to speak, and found no words would come. Stammering he forced them out, "Cath...er..ine and Dev..in" he began.

Vincent knew it, here it comes he thought wretchedly. "They er, they have..."

"Have what - fallen in love? Was that it?" Vincent's thoughts ran riot through his mind.

Sensing Vincent's obvious discomfort Father intervened, urgently, "Peter what about Catherine and Devin, they have what?"

Peter seemed to shake himself, he had slipped into a void, a wonderful void, where he did not have to utter the words he had come here to say. "Not what Jacob, but who?" he said at last.

"Who?" Father and Vincent exclaimed as one.

"Yes," he regaining his composure, Peter went on faster now, more sure of himself, "Vincent, Jacob, I bring word from Catherine that ...she and Devin...."

"Oh no, please no" Vincent's mind screamed. " are bringing home with them, Vincent's mother and sister." he finally finished.

Suddenly Vincent needed that chair and fast, and fell into it with a look of utter disbelief on his face. "How Peter, did she tell you how they managed this?" he asked at last, his words barely audible.

"No Catherine said she would explain it all to us, but she is convinced without a shadow of a doubt that these two are your family Vincent. Apparently the story matches what we already know, and your mother and sister look something like you."

Father stood up, using the same table for support, and crossed the room to place his arm lovingly around Vincent's shoulders, "Then we must make plans to welcome them, huh, Vincent, and this will be one of the finest celebrations we will ever have had."

Devin found the aircraft exactly where his friend told him he would leave it, and persuading Gerry and Marie on board was not as difficult as he had imagined, as fired by their eagerness to see Vincent, they would have allowed him to lead them anywhere. And he could not help feeling ecstatically happy. From the moment he had laid eyes on Gerry, Devin had known he could love her, and began to see the sense of this Bond thing that Vincent and Catherine shared, feeling positive that Gerry had this remarkable gift too.

She seemed to know exactly when he was about to speak and sensed his emotions so that he felt instantly close to her. It was as if she was a part of himself that he had never known he had lost until he found her, and then it seemed to him that a gaping hole had been filled and that she had been the one to fill it. Like two parts that fitted snugly together.

Catherine watched this interchange with fascination. She recognised the signs as Gerry's eyes lit up every time Devin glanced her way. If love at first sight existed, this was it in the making. Marie seemed to want to stay close to Catherine. Since learning that this woman loved her son and had bore him a child, she felt at peace being beside her and trusted her completely. If Catherine had asked her to sink herself into the abyss of a great ocean, Marie would have done it without question. Her trust was such.

The journey home was a long one. And once over Europe the Atlantic Ocean stretched all the way to America, affording everyone the chance to rest and to think.

Catherine was pleased that their assignment was over. That they had achieved what they set out to do, and they were at last going home. She thought about Vincent, suddenly it did not seem right that she should be there when he met his family. The whole thing had been Devin's idea, and she did not want to steal his thunder. But for him none of this would have come to pass, and Catherine knew how important it was to Devin to have achieved something so wonderful for Vincent's sake.

The more she thought about it, the more she knew that she would allow Peter to drop her off at the apartment before taking Devin, Marie and Gerry Below, and she would allow Vincent time to be with his family, without the added burden of feeling her eyes upon him, sensing her desire for him. For Catherine knew now with every passing mile the rise of her desire, the hunger for his love, his kiss, his as yet unfelt caresses on her fully naked body. She yearned for him to love her and became inflamed with a passion for him that surprised her.

Only a few months ago, she had pushed him away, convinced that marriage should come first, now she did not care anymore. Only the boundless joy of being with him mattered and she longed for him with every passing mile.

Marie looked down at the few lights from passing ships on the ocean far below. It was a dream come true. She was going to be re-united with her son. She had never thought it possible, had not even known where he was. No-one knew. The knowledge that he was truly alive and well cheered her heart and soul, and she cherished the thought that he had a son of his own. Her life was only just beginning now, the past and all its misery were over, from now on she would have all her family around her and she would be free! Gerry's head nodded wearily. It wasn't just the journey, or the motion of the aircraft, it was the bliss of knowing that she had freedom, and that she was in love.

She eyed Devin thoughtfully. From the moment she had set eyes on him, she had felt a bonding with him. She could sense his feelings, his emotions and knew that he felt towards her as she did him. She had read about such love, yet she did not believe it could be so. She wondered if it could be because he was the first man she had ever been attracted to, yet no, it was more than that, from the moment her eyes had looked into his, it was as if she had known him all her life, that he had been born for her, and she for him, and she knew without a shadow of a doubt that they would be together now for the rest of their lives. Devin tried hard to concentrate on the control of the aircraft as he became aware of Gerry's eyes burning into his back. He knew what she was thinking and he had to pinch himself. It had all happened so suddenly and Devin had never felt so attuned to anyone in all his life. The feeling was new to him. Perhaps it was something to do with his connection to Vincent, in spending his childhood with Gerry's half brother, perhaps some magical spark had rubbed off on him, and Gerry had been drawn towards it.

As his thoughts turned to Vincent he wondered about his reaction to meeting his mother and sister. Devin had wanted this so much, yet he could not have done it without Catherine's help, and though he owed her his gratitude, he wished he could be alone when he took Marie and Gerry to meet Vincent. He felt somehow that he should be the one to do this. It was important to him, to do something right for once. He so desperately wanted to do something that would show Father and mainly Vincent, just how much he loved him.

Glancing at Catherine, Devin smiled, she too was deep in thought. "Not long now Cathy." he broke through her dreams.

She turned to look at him, "You're getting almost as good as Vincent, knowing what I am thinking." she laughed.

He smiled broadly, "The look gave you away. Are you going straight Below?"

She looked thoughtful, "I've been trying to decide that for hours. I really want to see Vincent's face when he sees Marie and Gerry for the first time, but somehow I feel my being there will be an intrusion. Without you Devin, none of this would have been possible, and I really think it should be you, and you alone who steals the limelight."

"You can hover in the background Cathy?" he said, secretly relieved.

"No, I think I shall go straight home, rest and come Below in the morning."

"Do you think you can bear to do. After all you and Vincent have been apart for so long. If it were me, I couldn't wait to be back with the one I loved."

"A few more hours won't hurt, but yes you are right, I do long to hold him in my arms. I feel as though my whole body is melting at the thought of him, with each passing mile."

Devin smiled knowingly, he had seen the hunger in her eyes, knew how she longed for Vincent, and no doubt he for her, and Catherine had not noticed the skyline of New York coming into view just ahead. "Well melt no more Cathy," he told her sheepishly, "Take a look down there, we have arrived."

As the day folded into evening, Vincent paced his chamber, never feeling so strange in all his life. Here coming towards him were people he had never dared hope to see, and he didn't know whether he should wait for them to arrive, or hide some place and scrutinise them until he was sure.

Father was quite beside himself with joy, and the Great Hall was being bedecked with flowers and candles, while William, even at such short notice, had excelled himself in the preparation of refreshments for all invited. "I wonder what they will look like Vincent?" Father managed to say with his mouth full of pins, as he helped Jamie erect the Welcome sign.

Vincent had thought of little else all day, yet words failed him. "They have to look like Vincent, Father, or Catherine would never have been so convinced." Jamie told him, when Vincent failed to answer.

"Yes, Catherine told Peter that they did. I wonder how Catherine reacted to that when she first saw them. I'd give up chess for two weeks to know." Father told them.

"Can I have that in writing please Father," Vincent spoke at last smiling at the exchange between the two of them as if he wasn't there.

Father chuckled, "Seriously Vincent, tell us, what do you think about all of this, you have hardly said a word since Peter left."

"I am not sure what to say. I find it all a dream, and I don't know whether to be happy about it or not. Certainly learning the truth is something I have longed for, but to know that there are others like me, well it hurts to think of their lives, I can't help wondering about that. I am sure that they could never have been blessed with what has been given to me, or Catherine would have left them where they were. I worry Father, for without your love and guidance, my dark side would have taken over, so too could theirs have done, and I worry just what we are letting ourselves in for down here."

"Mmm you do have a point Vincent, but I don't think Catherine or Devin would bring wild beasts into our midst, even if they did want to re-unite you so desperately. I don't think we need worry unduly Vincent. Look why don't you stop moping around and instead allow yourself to think of the return of the other positive event in your life, and you don't need me to tell you what that is."

Vincent recognised the mischievous smile that Father shot him, and couldn't help but tease, "Do you mean Catherine, Father?"

"Who else?"

"Its so long since I saw her, and we did not part on the best of terms, even that makes me feel a little nervous too Father."

"Are you allowing yourself to feel her through your Bond?"

"No, I am a little afraid of what I might find there."

"Then don't be Vincent. Catherine loves you. Look, Jamie and I can finish up here, why don't you go to your chamber and rest. Allow yourself to reach out to Catherine, no doubt she is feeling insecure also."

"All right Father if you are sure. Promise you will send for me, if you need my help with anything?"

"I promise, now off you go Vincent."

Vincent left them to finish off. Father as usual had been right, he should be opening the Bond to contact Catherine, yet since he had felt something transpire between herself and Devin he had been afraid of what he might find there.

Reaching his chamber, he noticed that Jacob had woken and someone, no doubt Mary, had taken him off somewhere. Vincent did not worry, he was used to returning and finding Jacob gone.

Lying back upon his bed, he closed his eyes, forcing himself to open the Bond, and gasped as something like a thunderbolt struck him, a tidal wave of longing swept through the Bond, engulfing him with a passion that drove every doubt from his mind. His voice heavy with emotion he whispered her name, "Catherine," as his body arched upwards as if to meet her, and he felt her hunger devour his soul.

Not expecting such desire flowing from her to him, Vincent could not control the sudden rise of his own desire, and he groaned with a longing as his body fused with hers in spirit. And suddenly he became aware of a nervousness he had not expected of himself, and he knew without a doubt that he could not face her, not yet, not after the shameful way he had behaved on the previous occasion they had met, and especially not at the same time as meeting his mother and sister for the first time.

Assuming Catherine would come straight Below with his family, he decided to go to her apartment, familiarising himself with her belongings before he could feel ready to face her again.

Continued in Chapter Ten.