Chapter Eight

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"Catherine..." Vincent started, but she didn't let him go on.

"We must go, now!"

He nodded, took the candle she was handing him and they exited the chamber without a word. As they walked in the tunnel, Vincent felt Catherine's small hand seek his, and took it gratefully, finding comfort in the warm contact as his head was spinning with the magnitude of what had occurred. He felt he should apologize for his behavior, but Catherine had made it clear that she didn't want him to, and to be totally honest, deep inside he didn't wish to, either. What had happened... had happened, and Catherine didn't seem shocked or repulsed. If truth be told she had seemed to enjoy it as much as he had. She, too, had liked what she saw in the mirror. She, too, had looked at him as… a man!

Even when arousal had drawn a shameful growl from his throat, she hadn't pulled away from him, her soft body seeking his with insistence as if to elicit more of the same! He didn't know what would have happened if Mary had not arrived, but somehow he felt sure that whatever might have taken place would have been with Catherine's full consent and participation, and that stunned him. It was so contrary to all what he had come to believe about himself!

He could not even tell whether he was glad or furious about the interruption. At the moment he'd felt so frustrated he could have roared, but with a sigh he admitted that he should be glad. It had been too much, too fast, too soon.

Vincent couldn't deny that over the last three months their relationship had grown and blossomed, shaking some of his lifelong certainties, opening paths to new possibilities he still hardly dared consider. He was unable to deny now that he loved Catherine, and, however incredible it might appear, she seemed to reciprocate his feelings, yet too many issues remained unsolved between them. Catherine's pregnancy, and her quiet unwillingness to volunteer any information about it. His own loss of memory, and all the unknown, perhaps terrible things that might fall back on him at any moment. They were both in temporary situations, facing uncertain futures, not a solid enough ground for them to take such a huge step forward. If indeed such a step would have been advisable even in better circumstances. Catherine belonged Above, in the sunshine, and he...

As if she'd been aware of his thoughts, Catherine squeezed his hand and smiled radiantly up at him. Vincent couldn't help smiling back and then, to his surprise, she distinctly winked. With a throaty chuckle he quickly raised her hand to his lips for a fleeting kiss. She was right. He shouldn't be brooding. Tonight was Winterfest, a time to enjoy companionship and warmth. A time to be thankful for life's gifts, and Catherine's presence at his side, her feelings for him, were the most wonderful gifts he could dream of. The glowing memory of their shared moment of desire was something he would treasure, too precious to be spoiled by doubts and interrogations. For the moment he could be content with what he had. Time would tell if there was more to come...

As they approached the waiting group, Vincent considered releasing Catherine's hand, but finally kept it tight and safe in his. He had a feeling it wouldn't trouble the tunnel dwellers but fleetingly wondered how the Helpers would react. To his surprise no one so much as batted an eye. They got numerous smiles, cheerful greetings and even a few good-natured jokes about the supposed reason for their late arrival, which all but made Vincent blush.

Even Father had a mischievous glint in his eyes as he handed him a torch. "I was beginning to consider sending out a search party."

Vincent smiled wryly as he handed his candle to Catherine and took the torch. He had indeed been close to losing himself, but not where he would have wished anyone to find him..."I don't think it would have been necessary, Father." he answered gravely, signalling the group to follow as he started toward the Great Hall, still holding Catherine's hand.

Catherine felt as if she was walking on clouds. So many of her deepest wishes and hopes had been fulfilled tonight! Vincent had held her as a lover, and openly expressed his desire, with a self-assurance she had never seen in him. He had faced his own reflection, their reflection, and not flinched away from the vision of their intimate posture, and its significance. Rather, he seemed to have found it... arousing. She bit her lip at the memory of the way his hard body had imperiously pressed against hers. Would he have kissed her if Mary hadn't arrived? Probably... Part of her regretted that untimely intrusion, yet it had prevented them from progressing too fast, from inevitably reaching the point where Vincent would have backed away from her in shame. The interruption had been frustrating for both of them, but she preferred him to feel frustrated than ashamed!

Though they still had a long way to go, they had taken a big step forward tonight, and, even better, one Vincent didn't seem to regret or deny so far.

As they reached the stairs, Vincent's arm enveloped Catherine protectively, his body shielding her from the howling winds as he cautiously helped her down the narrow, uneven steps. She felt safe and cherished, and couldn't help an acute feeling of loss when he released her, trusting her to Father's care. As she had the year before, she watched him remove the bar blocking the Great Hall's door, admiring the graceful power of his movements as he lifted the heavy piece of wood it would have taken at least two ordinary men to handle. Soon his arm was back around her, and, following Father, they ventured together into the dark chamber.

After some fumbling everyone found a seat and the doors were closed. Darkness and silence surrounded them for a while, Father allowing them to sink in before starting the ceremony. Just as the feeling was becoming oppressive, Catherine felt Vincent's hand seek hers and pressed it gratefully. There is no darkness, Vincent, when you're with me.

"The world above us, is cold, and gray..." A first flame pierced the dark, illuminating Father's face in an eerie way, his deep, vibrant voice resonating in the huge, silent chamber.

Catherine reverently raised her candle to touch it to Vincent's, almost physically feeling the current of light pass through them to spread around the huge table as the words of the ritual unfurled, touching her even deeper than they had the year before, because darkness had come even closer to engulf them.

"And each of us grew stronger, those who gave the help, and those who took it." the beloved voice went on.

They had survived! They were here, together once more, celebrating the victory of light over darkness, and Catherine knew, at that moment, that everything would be all right.

".... so long as we share the light!" The big chandeliers rose to the ceiling, illuminating the gaily decorated Great Hall, the tables loaded with food and drinks, the joyous faces and beautiful clothes. Music broke out, Winterfest had begun!

Vincent helped Catherine up. He had taken his cloak off, and she took her time to admire his outfit, from the tip of his boots to the ruffles of his shirt. When her eyes finally arrived at his face, they encountered an amused expression.

"Do I pass?" he softly asked.

She poked him in the chest. "You're fishing! You know you do. You always look wonderful in this shirt, and I just love your new vest!"

Vincent almost blushed. Without being vain in the least, he did have a liking for nice clothes, and always kept his appearance as pleasant for himself and others as he could make it, while knowing it could never hide his differences. He had been fishing for her approval, but hadn't expected such a response. Wonderful! Was it really how Catherine saw him? One detail troubled him even more. She had said 'always' when she mentioned his ruffled shirt, which meant she had seen it.... liked it on previous occasions. When? He hadn't worn it once since she'd come to live Below... It must have been for the previous Winterfest. Had Catherine found him... beautiful then? Like every time he tried to prod into his elusive memories he felt a faint nausea threatening and got hold of himself, concentrating on the present.

"I... like your dress very much Catherine."

She smiled impishly. "I like it too!" She touched Vincent's vest and giggled. "Who would have thought dear Mary was such a match-maker?"

He raised an eyebrow. "You mean, for matching clothes?"

She grinned. "Of course!"

They looked at each other, savoring their humorous, warm complicity for a few seconds, before turning their attention back to the rest of the world.

Vincent offered Catherine his arm, and together they went around the Great Hall. Together they greeted friends from Above and chatted with them. Catherine knew that all Helpers had been briefed about the situation. Though many furtive looks were directed toward her stomach, not a single person mentioned her pregnancy. Neither did they speak about the dramatic events of the previous year's Winterfest. As Vincent couldn't remember having ever heard about Paracelsus, Father had thought it best that it remain that way, for the moment.

"Cathy!"

Catherine started. Only Peter called her that name Below, and it wasn't his voice. Turning around, she found herself facing someone she would never have expected to meet in the tunnels. Someone whose sight brought her back to a life she hadn't been thinking often about, lately.

"Sam! What are you doing here?"

Sam Greene, assistant DA, grinned at her.

"Same as you it would seem, Chandler! Enjoying Winterfest. But I'm not supposed to be currently travelling through Europe! Oh, hi Vincent! Good to see you again! How long has it been, seven years?"

"Eight." Vincent answered, hugging the man back. "Your father told me of your return. Is Karen here?"

"Of course! She's out there somewhere chatting with Rebecca. And you're the next one on her list. She's missed you all so much!"

"You and Catherine know each other already?" Vincent inquired, intrigued.

"Sam works at the DA's office, too." Catherine explained, her voice and eyes now slightly wary. The unexpected collision between her two worlds made her uneasy. If ever... Then she realized. "Oh, you're Mr Greene's son! I hadn't made the connection!" Somehow it reassured her. Mr Greene was a longtime Helper, and Sam must have grown up keeping the tunnels' secret.

Sam chuckled. "You had no reason to! Greene is a fairly common name. Just as I couldn't have dreamed that Cathy Chandler and 'Catherine' were the same person! So that's where you've been hiding? Everyone at the office has been wondering why you'd vanished, and those few words on postcards from France and Italy didn't help much! Guess you had your reasons..." he added with a quick glance at her stomach.

"Yes, I had," she answered, looking hard at him. "And it's very important that..."

"Don't worry!" he instantly reassured her, his gaze serious and intent. "I've been keeping the secret all my life, and I owe too much to this world to ever let a word slip! Even if I know someone who'd love to hear about you!"

"How's Joe?" she inquired.

"Same as ever. Slave-driver. Even worse since he's become DA!"

"He's WHAT???"

"Oh! You really have been hiding underground, have you? Moreno's in jail, and Joe's the new DA! Didn't you know?"

"No! How did that happen?"

Vincent watched her listen eagerly to Sam's explanations, feeling a little left out, and almost angry. The evening had been perfect so far, illuminated by the new closeness he shared with Catherine and he'd almost come to believe his dreams might not all be out of reach. Why did he have to be reminded just tonight that she had a life Above?

A pair of arms locked around his neck."Vincent! I've missed you so much!"

"I've missed you too, Karen!" he answered, responding to the young woman's hearty embrace.

She pulled away to look at him. "Wow! I'd almost forgotten how gorgeous you are! A true Prince Charming."

Before he could answer, Vincent felt Catherine grab his arm and lean possessively against him.

"I completely agree!" she said, with a touch of defiance.

Sam chuckled at seeing how Chandler had suddenly lost all interest for the latest developments at the DA's office, and hastened to make introductions.

"Cathy, you haven't met my wife Karen yet! Honey, this is Cathy Chandler, also known as Catherine."

The pretty brunette grinned. "Oh! The famous Cathy Chandler and The famous Catherine wrapped up into one? I'm honored!" she proclaimed with a mock curtsy.

"And I'm glad to meet The famous Karen at last!" Catherine retorted. "Everyone at the office has heard a lot about you!"

"Was it before or after I phoned Mr Maxwell and threatened to bomb the building if Sam didn't come back home at more decent hours?"

"Somewhere around that time, I think." Catherine giggled, immediately conquered by the young woman's lively and contagious humor.

They chatted for a while. Catherine learned that Karen had lived in the tunnels for two years, after her parents, both Helpers, had been killed in a fire. After she and Sam had met at Winterfest, she'd left the tunnels to go to school Above. They had married and a few years later they had left for Hawaii, where a school friend of Sam's had offered him a position in a law firm.

"We hesitated a lot before leaving NYC, but it was a really good opportunity for Sam's career! We've always known we'd come back here, though. Sam's father is not getting any younger, and when he had those heart problems last year, that settled it. I've wanted to come here for a visit ever since we came back, but between my new job as a teacher, arranging the house and taking care of the kids, I've had my hands full!"

"You have children? Are they here?"

"Sure they must be, somewhere. Samantha and Geoffrey offered to take care of them, but they don't know what they've gotten into! Becky and Vinnie are angel-faced little hellions!"

"Becky and... Vinnie?" Catherine asked, intrigued.

"Rebecca and Vincent. They're twins, six years old. They were born in Hawaii, and we named them after our tunnel friends. Helped us feel a little less far away from home!"

Vincent smiled. "Yes, I remember your letter telling us of our new namesakes. Rebecca and I felt greatly honored."

"Want to meet them, Vincent?" Sam proposed.

"Yes, go!" Karen said, taking Catherine's arm. "We girls will have a chat around a drink. Alcohol-free, promised!" Catherine was a little reluctant to let Vincent go, but she couldn't resist Karen's warm, friendly enthusiasm. She realized she'd missed her friends from Above. Of course she had woman friends Below, but it wasn't quite the same thing. Soon after they were sitting in a corner, glasses of William's soft punch in hand.