Lady of My Heart by Allison

Lady of My Heart
by Allison

Catherine put the VHS tape that Jenny gave her into her VCR. She finally got a chance to watch some of the episodes from General Hospital. Jenny was always telling her how great that soap opera was and was bugging her to watch it with her one night; but due to Catherine's busy schedule, she and Jenny could never get a night free together to watch, and she could never remember to borrow Jenny's copy of the show to try and catch an episode.

Catherine was never into watching soap operas anyway, but Jenny insisted that she should at least watch this tape. Jenny was a big fan of the show, watched it faithfully, and taped all the wedding episodes. Jenny told her this tape had the wedding of Frisco and Felicia on it and that she would love the song Frisco sang to his new wife… that she had to listen to it.

Before she pressed the play button, the kettle she put on for a cup of tea started making a noise from the kitchen, and she hurried to turn it off. She reached for her tea making things, and soon the tempting smell of the Chinese tea Vincent had given her wafted through the room. Opening the refrigerator, she pulled out a wedge of Munster cheese, grabbed a box of crackers and an apple, placed them onto a plate on the counter, and grabbed for her tea.

After a rough day at the DA's office, she was glad to be home finally and looking forward the spending the weekend with Vincent. She put her dinner onto a tray and then placed her tea there as well, carried it into the living room, and made a little nest for herself in front of the couch so she had clear access to the television. Catherine wasn't expecting Vincent tonight since they had made plans to get together early on Saturday.

While Catherine settled herself in front of the TV, Vincent landed softly on the terrace floor. He had sensed how tired she was earlier, and since they were seeing each other tomorrow, he just wanted a glimpse of her before retiring for the night. A light breeze was blowing through the open French doors, but Catherine never turned around. She started the tape and fast-forwarded through the first episode because Jenny had told her the wedding was the second episode on the tape.

Vincent watched Catherine as the show started and felt her joy as she watched Frisco and Felicia say their wedding vows and then walk underneath the raised batons as husband and wife. He listened as one of the characters announced the newly married couple's first dance. The music drew Vincent's eyes to the screen, and he watched as the two characters slowly started to dance.

There's a quiet time when everyone goes home
and I'm left standing there, on the stage alone
When shadows paint the scene where spotlights used to fall
And now, it's like a dream did it happen after all?
Then I see you there in silent silhouette
the glow of your cigarette is like a shooting star

Lady of my heart, tell me who you are
You've waited in the dark and I need you with me
Lady, please reveal if what you are is real
Can I touch? Can I feel? Just an image of you

I've listened to the cheers; I guess I've had my share
But I was never sure, was it you out there?
Now I understand, you've always been the one
Who stood out from the crowd, you're my inspiration.
So take me by the hand, before the moment's gone
I'll dance you into the dawn and dream you into my life

Lady of my heart, tell me who you are
You've waited in the dark and I need you with me tonight
Lady, please reveal, if what you are is real
Can I touch? Can I feel? Are you just a fantasy?

You're the Lady of my heart
I know you are.'

Vincent could see the love shining in the young man's eyes as he sang to his new bride. He saw the tears glistening in her eyes as she listened to him, and he glanced at Catherine's reflection. Tears were on her cheeks and her lips trembled as she watched the screen, so absorbed in the scene she never noticed his reflection in the TV screen as well. Vincent decided to leave her to watch the tape and return below. As he turned his booted foot hit the bottom of the glass door, alerting Catherine that he was there.

Startled out of her reverie, she turned and saw his shadow start to pass out of sight. She flew from the floor and out the door and grabbed his cloak. "Vincent! Why didn't you tell me you were out here? Is anything wrong?"

"No, Catherine. Nothing is wrong. I just wanted to see you. I didn't mean to disturb you. You were so intent on watching that wedding; I felt your joy watching it and decided to return below before you realized I was here. I would have left sooner, but the music drew me closer. It was so beautiful, it reminded me of us. That song..."

"It's beautiful, isn't it?"

"Do you know the name of the song?"

"I'll have to rewind the tape. Would you like to come inside and watch the wedding with me again? We could listen to the song together."

Vincent hesitated at first but then relented and allowed Catherine to draw him back into the apartment. She helped him remove his cloak and settled him on the floor where she was sitting. "Would you like a cup of tea?" she asked. "I just brewed a cup. I also have more cheese and crackers. Would you join me?" Vincent nodded his agreement and Catherine went to get everything. When she returned, she rewound the tape before settling herself beside Vincent.

As they listened to the song, Catherine thought she heard a low baritone near her ear.Vincent humming? The idea flashed in her mind. I have never heard him attempt to sing anything. When the tape came to the end of the episode, Vincent asked Catherine to rewind the tape--he'd like to hear the song again. Catherine again heard the low baritone near her right ear, humming the chorus 'Lady of my Heart". When she looked at him, he turned away--hiding his head behind his bangs. She knew not to ask him now about what she heard because she knew it would embarrass him, but she did intend to hear him do it again. Little did she realize that Vincent thought the same thing?

***

Michael was surprised when he got a call at school from one of the helpers with a message from Vincent. Vincent? Asking a favor from him? The helper relayed Vincent's request for a copy of the music and lyrics to the song from the General Hospital episode. Michael asked around among his female classmates and finally found the wedding episode with the song Vincent wanted.

One of his friends was an AV wiz and offered to get the song onto a cassette tape for him. He also offered to copy down the lyrics for him as well. Michael found his cassette player and made sure he had a set of fresh batteries for it. He was pleased to be able to help Vincent with this surprise for Catherine. He wasn't privy to what exactly Vincent's plans were, but he knew if it involved Catherine, anything was possible. His friend even managed to get another friend who was into calligraphy to transcribe the words onto the inside of a holiday card that Michael picked up at the five and dime store right off campus, something for Vincent to give to Catherine.

Michael got ahold of the helper who contacted him and asked him to relay a message to Vincent: that he was able to obtain what he requested and would be bringing it with him when he came home next week. "Whatever Vincent is planning, I plan on being there to see it and be there for them."

Vincent breathed a sigh of relief when he got Michael's message. He was hoping he wouldn't have to change his plans when he finally got the courage to do something special for Catherine and for himself. He knew he couldn't sing to her in front of the entire community, but he was willing to sing, even if was only quietly into her ear as he held her close. The last time Vincent sang with anyone was years ago when Devin, Pascal and he went to a Halloween party up top, and the party was having a talent show.

Devin convinced Vincent and Pascal to sing 'You've Lost That Lovin' Feeling' by the Righteous Brothers…Vincent and Pascal knew the words from hearing the song on one of the helpers' radios. He remembered fondly how terrified he and Pascal were when they started, but they were also happy when they found out they won afterward.

After Devin left, Vincent never attempted to sing again, not even during the holiday services they had Below, though the others have coaxed him to try. Without Devin's inspiration, Vincent was too self-conscious of his singing ability. He was always conscious of his teeth and how his voice sounded.

***

Winterfest was in full swing when Michael made his way over to where Vincent was standing. "Hey Vincent," he said in a low whisper, "where's Catherine?"

"She is with Father and Peter at the moment, right across from me." He pointed directly across from him, and Michael caught Catherine's eye as she looked their way. She smiled shyly and then turned back to the conversation.

"I have the cassette player ready when you are."

"Thank you, Michael, for arranging this for me. I just…."

"Vincent, stop worrying. Catherine will love it, and the music will be loud enough so that only Catherine will hear you."

"You're sure?"

"Trust me."

Vincent nodded his assent, and Michael melted back into the crowd and made his way over to where the cassette player was plugged into one of the speakers he brought below for this special surprise.

Michael cleared his throat as Vincent made his way to stand next to Catherine and the others. "Can I have everyone's attention please? Vincent has made a special request for a dance with his lovely Catherine." Clapping and cheers could be heard around the Great Hall.

"Will you, Catherine...dance with me, in front of everyone?"

"Vincent, I would dance with you anywhere! I'd love to.'' He gently clasped her hand and slowly led her onto the dance floor. Gently wrapping his arm around her and putting her left hand into his right, he waited for the music to start. Softly music started to flow out of the speaker as Vincent glided Catherine gently around the floor.

Vincent pulled Catherine close just before the chorus was about to start. She could hear the gentle humming in her ear like the other night. Then, when the chorus started, she heard a soft baritone whisper low in her ear.

'Lady of my heart, tell me who you are
You've waited in the dark
and I need you with me
Lady, please reveal if what you are is real
Can I touch? Can I feel? Just an image of you'

As Catherine listened to Vincent's soft baritone along with the voice of Jack Wagner, she got a delicious tingle from her head to her toes.

'I've listened to the cheers; I guess I've had my share
But I was never sure, was it you out there?
Now I understand, you've always been the one
Who stood out from the crowd, you're my inspiration.
So take me by the hand, before the moment's gone
I'll dance you into the dawn and dream you into my life'

Vincent looked deeply into Catherine's eyes and saw all her love shining in her emerald green depths as she saw in his azure blue ones. He pulled her close once more as the final chorus started.

Lady of my heart, tell me who you are
You've waited in the dark
and I need you with me tonight
Lady, please reveal, if what you are is real
Can I touch? Can I feel? Are you just a fantasy?

You're the Lady of my heart
I know you are.'

Vincent bent his head low toward hers and took her lips in a long, tender lingering kiss that left them both breathless when it ended.

"Yes, Catherine, you are indeed 'The Lady of my Heart' "

Writers: Foster, David / Graydon, Jay Joseph / Ballard, Glen