Thank You

by Deborah Shanks

Catherine hurried down the ladder, wondering why Vincent wanted tosee her. Not that she minded coming down to see him, but due to herbusy schedule these past weeks, they had decided not to see eachother until the weekend. Please, Catherine sent up a silent plea,don't let this be a cancellation of our weekend plans!

Geoffrey was waiting for her just inside the tunnel entrance.

"Hello, Geoffrey. Did Vincent ask you to wait for me? I had tostay late at the office, and I just found the note when I walked inmy door. I hope you didn't have to wait very long," Catherine smileddown at the quiet boy in front of her. "Where is Vincent? Do youhave a message for me?"

"No . . . no message" he whispered, then looked down at his feetand took a deep breath.

"Vincent doesn't know you're here. I'm the one . . . I need totalk to you," he said in a rush and looked up at her face. "Are youmad at me, Catherine?"

An audible sigh of disappointment escaped Catherine's lips,followed by a puzzled frown.

"Of course not, Geoffrey, I'm glad you trust me enough to want totalk to me. So tell me, what's on your mind?"

"Don't you like Vincent any more?"

Catherine was stunned. "Of course, I still like Vincent. How canyou ask such a thing?"

Confusion evident in her expression and her voice, Catherinecontinued in a softer tone. "Whatever made you think I didn't likehim, Geoffrey?"

"How come Vincent doesn't go above to see you any more then? He'sbeen down here almost every night for the last two weeks!"

Catherine was perplexed at Geoffrey's tone of voice. It almostsounded as if he didn't want Vincent around. "Nothing is wrong. I'vebeen working on a very important case, and I just haven't had a lotof free time, Geoffrey . . . "

"Couldn't you think of something to keep him busy? Just for acouple of nights? She's spent the last five nights with him." Theboy kicked a pebble several yards down the tunnel. "She sits therestaring at him all goofy-eyed." Geoffrey frowned and continued totake his frustrations out on the pebbles.

Catherine took off her coat; she was still dressed for work,having only changed her shoes before heading Below. Spreading thecoat on the tunnel floor, she settled down to listen, "Now Geoffrey,let's talk. Start at the beginning."

*****

Vincent was bewildered. Catherine looked angry and was busytapping her foot in what seemed impatience, yet he felt no hint ofanger through their Bond. In fact, Catherine seemed to be blockingoff her feelings.

"Catherine, is something wrong?" Vincent inquired, as he put asidethe book he held

and rose from his bed.

Never taking her eyes off the girl sitting at Vincent's feet,Catherine waited almost a full minute before she spoke. "We need totalk, Vincent," she said in a serious tone of voice, without oncelooking at him.

Vincent's guest stood up and started gathering her things,including the book he had just put down. As she edged toward theentrance of his chamber, she kept up a running commentary, "Well,I'll leave you two to your talk. Vincent was just reading . . . ah,helping me rehearse my . . . ah, memorize my lines for a play we'reputting on." Holding up the book for Catherine to see as she passedher, she continued. "It's Romeo and Juliet and I'm going to beJuliet!" Catherine's unflinching gaze was making Samantha nervous."Thank you, Vincent. Goodnight, Catherine," she called, as she rushedout of his chamber.

"Catherine, what . . ." Vincent stopped as Catherine placed onefinger against his unique lips to silence him.

Eyes sparkling with merriment, Catherine went to the chamberentrance and very carefully peeked out the way Samantha had justvanished. When she looked back at Vincent, she motioned for him tocome closer.

Vincent stood near the entrance, listening, perplexed. Even thoughGeoffrey and Samantha were talking farther down the passageway, heheard them clearly.

Samantha was saying, ". . . and I really need more work on mylines. Catherine must have finished the case that Vincent said was soimportant."

"Vincent must really be happy! You know how much he's been missingtheir time together," Geoffrey replied.

"He has really enjoyed our rehearsals. I don't think . . ."

"Oh yeah, your rehearsal. I guess I could go over your lines withyou, for a little while."

Geoffrey smiled sweetly and continued, "Since Vincent is busy withCatherine."

Samantha paused for a minute. "Would you, really? It's gettingkind of late."

'"I'm not tired. I was planning on raiding the pantry and going tothe Mirror Pool after I deliver this message for Father."

"Well, why don't I meet you there? I can stop off and get us afire built, while you get the food," Samantha offered.

"Great! See you there." Geoffrey headed straight for Vincent'schamber, as Samantha disappeared around a bend in the tunnel.

Vincent stepped back barely in time as the boy exploded into hischamber. Without even a nod to acknowledge him, Geoffrey ran straightto Catherine. "It really worked! She's going to meet me at the MirrorPool. Thanks a lot, Catherine. You're the greatest!" He turned todash out again. At the entrance way he stopped and asked, "You won'tforget will you?"

"No, I know exactly what to do." Catherine glanced over atVincent. "Trust me." Not looking away, she spoke to the boy again,"Now get the basket we packed and go meet Samantha."

A single word, "Bye," and Vincent and Catherine were alone.

Vincent almost lost himself in the green eyes watching him beforehe spoke. "Trust you?" He tilted his head and asked, "Can I trust youfor an explanation?"

Smiling Catherine went to him. "Oh, yes, at the very least."Taking him by the arm, she led him to his bed, "You had better besitting for this one." Once he was sitting, she took a pillow off thebed and settled down on the floor at his feet.

"It all started when I found a note under my door asking me tocome Below. I must admit to being disappointed when I found it wasfrom Geoffrey, not you. I think I went into mild shock when he askedhis first question." Catherine paused, a small smile on her lips.

"What was his question?" Vincent prompted.

"He asked 'Why don't you like Vincent any more?'" Catherine saidquietly. "Why would Geoffrey ask you . . . ?"

"Wait, Vincent," Catherine interrupted. A smile was on her lipsand her eyes sparkled, "You have to hear the rest of this tale!"

*****

" . . . I told Geoffrey if he waited outside your chamber Samanthawould be leaving shortly after I entered. End of story. Anyquestions?" Catherine asked as she finished.

Vincent shook his head, the suggestion of a smile showing at thecomers of his mouth. "Why did Geoffrey go to you? I don't understand,Catherine. If he wanted to see Samantha, all he had to do was askher. I am sure she . . ."

Catherine was amazed. How could someone as empathic as he was beso totally blind in some areas? "Vincent," she interrupted him,changing to the position Samantha was sitting in when Catherine hasarrived. Then she tilted her head to gaze up adoringly at Vincentwith Samantha's same wide-eyed dreamy look. "I seriously doubt ifGeoffrey came in here and asked to take over for you he would get anyfurther with me than he would with Samantha." Catherine continued ina husky whisper, "You are a hard act to follow, and you completelyoutclass Geoffrey, my love."

Seeing Catherine imitating Samantha's expression, the lightsuddenly dawned for Vincent. He thought back over the last two weeks,only now realizing how often Samantha had "happened" to be in hisvicinity.

Catherine watched Vincent as a very distinctive blush rosebecomingly under his gold-tinted fur. Knowing he had honestly had noidea of the devastating effect he presented to any female did notstop a quick stab of jealous possessiveness from hitting Catherinewith full force.

As Vincent felt Catherine's reaction through their Bond, itshocked him out of his embarrassment. "Catherine! You cannot bejealous of Samantha."

"I am jealous of every female living down here. They get to seeyou anytime: day or night," Catherine spoke in a subdued tone ofvoice. Then, with a twinkle coming back to her eyes, she continued."The hard part is knowing that every female down here has been, is,or will be in love with you at some point. Perhaps, I should hireGeoffrey to look out for my interests on a permanent basis."Catherine laughed. "Maybe I should get a supply of baseball bats."

The picture of Catherine chasing Samantha with a bat in hand leftCatherine holding her sides and even got a few chuckles out ofVincent.

"I am sorry Geoffrey bothered you with this, Catherine. I havefelt your weariness these last few days. You need your rest." Vincentsighed, "I suppose I shall have to try to talk to Samantha about thissituation. How could this happen?"

"Vincent, there is nothing logical, nothing so overpowering as ayoung girl's first crush. I'm only surprised it hasn't happened morefrequently. Give Samantha a few days before you talk to her. Maybe itwon't even be necessary if we handle the next few days correctly."

"You have something in mind, Catherine?" Vincent asked.

"I just think we should remove the temptation from Samantha'sreach. Besides, I promised Geoffrey I would think of something tokeep you too busy to have any time for the young lady." She smiledmischievously, "I guess you will just have to come up to my placeevery evening, just to help Geoffrey out."

"What about your case, Catherine? I know you're working late everyevening. That is the only reason we agreed to wait until thisweekend," Vincent reminded her gently.

"I know, Vincent, but I think we can work it out. Right now, mostof my work is searching for bits and pieces of information throughseveral cartons of back files." Catherine lowered her eyes before shecontinued, "I was thinking I could bring some of the files and workat home in the evenings. If you helped me, I might even get enoughdone to ask Joe to free me a few hours early Friday"

"Of course, Catherine, I would be honored to help you, in any way.I will see you tomorrow night at nine." Vincent sat up. "You aretired. I should take you home."

"Trying to get rid of me already? Then Samantha would comewandering by, accidentally on purpose, and we would be back at squareone." Catherine rose to her knees in front of Vincent and smiled. "Ithink not. I promised Geoffrey I would keep you busy, and I havethought of something to do just that." Catherine moved closer, untilshe was directly in front of Vincent. "Do you remember when I cameBelow after my father died?

"Indeed I do, Catherine." A look of puzzlement appeared to troublehis features.

"Do you remember when I decided to return Above?"

"Yes, I do, Catherine." Vincent's answer was slightly choked.

"And do you recall when I thanked you?" Catherine's voice hadsoftened to the texture of velvet.

"I do, Catherine. It is imprinted in my heart, forever." Vincent'svoice was a hoarse, husky whisper.

"Well, I did promise to think of something to keep you occupiedtonight, and I think I have the perfect idea to keep your attentionengaged. I realized the vast amount of services you have done for me,and I have never even thanked you for any of them." Catherine placedher hands on the bed on either side of Vincent, leaned forward andkissed the soft down on his left cheek. "Thank you for saving mylife." She tilted her head and kissed him on his right cheek. "Thankyou for giving Eric and Ellie a home." Catherine took Vincent's headbetween her hands. She felt him start to tremble at her touch and sawhim close his eyes as she angled his head down. Gently she kissedeach eyelid. "Thank you for our concerts in the rain."

Vincent was lost in a torrent of emotions. A delightful freshfrontier of unexplored sensations cascaded through him. The entireworld dissolved around him and crystalized itself into the touch ofCatherine's lips on his face. He was unable to think clearly, tospeak, or even to move for a time which seemed to his heightenedsenses an eternity. Each contact melted, changing into superheatedsteam searing his heart. He started to quiver and closed his eyes.

Catherine shivered, her breathing turning to deep gasps, while adeluge of emotions engulfed her through their special bond. A smallsound of surprise escaped from her.

Vincent's head jerked up. Two anguished blue eyes locked with twoshocked green eyes. Time froze, while he struggled to force air intolungs which had forgotten how to work. "Catherine," he whispered.Vincent carefully grasped Catherine's hands, pulling them away fromhis face and then releasing them. "Catherine," he tried again in astronger tone of voice. "It is late." Even though the tone wasformal, his eyes and heart pleaded for her understanding.

Catherine was still amazed at the intensity and clarity of theirbond. She had not only experienced the kisses from her side, but alsoVincent's reactions to them. Although her heart was overflowing, shesmiled and answered Vincent's silent plea with a question. "Would youwalk me home?"

*****

Except for the one time when Vincent had helped Catherine to herfeet, they did not touch at all on the walk to her basement entranceway. They were silent for the first half of the walk. Finally, theystarted talking. Catching up on what each other had been up to in thelast two weeks. All too soon, they reached Catherine's building. Noword was spoken of what had transpired between them.

"You must be tired, Catherine."

"Not really. However, I doubt I will feel the same when my alarmrings at 5:45 in the . . . " Catherine paused, looking down at herwrist watch, "this morning."

Vincent opened his arms and embraced her. "Good night, Catherine.Sleep well."

"Goodnight, Vincent." Catherine raised her head from his shoulder,looking into his eyes.

"Will you come to see me tonight?"

"Certainly. You did make a promise. And we must not disappointGeoffrey."

Catherine stepped back and started for the ladder. As she reachedit she turned and called, "Vincent. Pleasant dreams."

Vincent called to her when she set foot on the third rung of theladder. "Catherine, wait." He came forward, arriving at the base asCatherine stepped down. She turned to find him directly in front ofher. Catherine's back was against the ladder, and she tilted her headback to ask Vincent a question, but what she saw in his face made herheart pound in her chest. Vincent's unique mouth descended over herhalf-opened lips. It was not a passionate kiss; it was much more asharing of trust . . . a promise of their future . . . an acceptanceof two bonded hearts. It was a beginning. It lasted aminute&endash;and forever&endash;and ended when Catherine's kneesbuckled. Vincent caught and held her until she grabbed the ladder forsupport.

Vincent was astounded at Catherine's response to his kiss. Theirbond assured him he had caused her no pain. A delighted smile lit hisface, as he whispered, "Thank you, Catherine, for helping Geoffrey."When he finished speaking, Vincent spun around and disappeared intothe tunnels.

Catherine held onto the ladder and sank to the floor. After aminute, a soft "Wow!" escaped her still parted lips.

THE END