Chapter Three

Catherine ached for someone to confide in. She was feeling more than a little unbalanced herself, what with worrying about Vincent, continuing to try to hide her feelings from him, missing sleep but having her body flooded with endorphins, plus the usual stresses of her job. Keeping the secret of Below and Vincent had been hard enough—this was nigh onto impossible! When Jenny called and invited her to dinner, she knew she’d be putting herself in a touchy situation, but she just couldn’t resist. She had to talk to someone!

Jenny had suggested a favorite restaurant, but Catherine had rejected that idea in favor of Chinese takeout. She arrived at Jenny’s with dinner in hand.

"Hi, Cath! Long time, no see!" Jenny greeted her warmly.

"I missed you too, Jen," Catherine replied, stepping inside.

"Here, let me take that while you get your coat off."

They sat down to eat and barely had food onto plates before Jenny exclaimed, "Oh my god! Cathy, look at you!"

"What?" Catherine replied, a little startled, looking down to see if she’d spilled something on her blouse.

"You’re glowing!"

Catherine blushed in spite of herself, smiling sheepishly.

"Come on, tell me! Who’s the lucky guy?" Jenny positively beamed with excitement and happiness for her friend.

Catherine hesitated, but she needed to talk. "Well... his name is Vincent."

"Vincent, huh? Soooo, where’d you meet him?"

Damn! Already a question she couldn’t answer! She knew this had been a mistake! She looked down at her food, poking it with her fork, her smile gone.

"Cathy, what’s wrong?"

She shook her head. "It’s... complicated."

"Complicated how?" Jenny asked gently.

Catherine sighed heavily.

"Oh, you’ve got it bad, honey. Tell me about it."

"Well... our relationship had been moving really slowly for a long time, and then, suddenly... we..." Catherine struggled for words.

"Got it on?" Jenny supplied.

Catherine giggled, the release breaking much of her tension. "Well, yeah."

"And from the look of you, it’s really good, am I right?"

Catherine nodded, blushing again.

"So what’s the problem?" Jenny asked. "If the relationship’s been moving slowly, you obviously know him well enough to know he’s worth holding onto."

"Yeah, he definitely is."

"It’s plain that you’re in love with him. Does he love you?"

Catherine found herself growing misty. "Yeah, he does."

Jenny waited.

"I’m worried about him."

Jenny nodded.

"He hasn’t been himself lately."

"In what way?"

Catherine sighed. "Oh, Jenny, it’s so complicated! I don’t think I can explain it without you thinking we’re both crazy!"

"Hey!" Jenny said gently. "It’s me, remember. There are plenty of people who think I’m crazy when I tell them about my dreams. But that’s their problem. I don’t think you’re crazy, Cath. I think you’re smart and caring and kind and the best friend a girl could have! I love you."

"Thanks, Jen," she said, a tear slipping from one eye. "I love you too." She reached out her hand and Jenny took it. They locked gazes for a few moments.

Jenny smiled. "Let’s eat. You look like you’ve been skipping meals again."

Catherine decided the current situation between Vincent/Beast and herself was too strange to go into with Jenny; instead, she began by telling her generally about the things she loved about him and then related a few stories with the details carefully worded to avoid revealing anything out of the ordinary. When that all seemed to go well, she confided that she’d met Vincent after her attack and that she’d spent the 10 days she was missing with him and his family in a "secret place". That had raised Jenny’s eyebrows, but she still listened supportively. Catherine continued by explaining that Vincent’s appearance was "unusual", that he had some "issues", and that he’d led something of a "sheltered life".

"Well, Cath, it sounds like you’ve gotten past some barriers in your relationship. That’s a good thing, right?"

"It should be."

"But?"

She shrugged, not knowing how, or even if, to proceed. "He hasn’t been himself lately.... It’s almost like... he’s another person."

"How do you mean?"

She shrugged again. "Well... in bed... he’s... different."

Jenny giggled. "Cathy, you’ve been out of circulation a while. They’re all different in bed!"

Catherine laughed. "No, it’s more than that. He’s... he knows what he wants."

"Evidently he knows what you want too, hon," Jenny quipped.

Catherine laughed again. "Yeah."

The clock cuckooed 2 am, and Catherine decided she wouldn’t try to explain anything more. "I didn’t realize how late it was! I should go."

"Ok. Hang in there, Cath. I’m sure it’ll all work out."

"I hope so," Catherine smiled. "Jenny, I can’t tell you how much better I’m feeling. Thanks for listening."

She waved her hand dismissively. "Any time! That’s what friends are for, you know. You’ve listened to me plenty of times."

Catherine put her coat on. "Good night, Jenny."

"Good night, Cath," Jenny said, hugging her.

Catherine truly did feel much better. Even if she hadn’t been able to describe the situation with Vincent/Beast, it had helped a lot to talk about her feelings.

***

"Finally!" a male voice exclaimed as Catherine entered her bedroom.

She nearly jumped out of her skin. "You scared me!" she exclaimed, her hands over her rapidly beating heart. "You could warn a girl, you know."

He chuckled softly. "You enjoyed your evening."

She sighed, forgiving him. "Yes, very much." She noticed a pile of Vincent/Beast’s clothing on the chair at her dressing table. "I should really make a point of getting together with Jenny more often. She always lifts my spirits."

"Did your spirits need lifting?" he asked suggestively.

She approached the bed, where he sat stark naked, legs stretched before him, arms draped over the headboard. "Well... yes. I’ve been worried about... Vincent. And you."

"We’re both fine."

Catherine raised her eyebrows in a mix of disbelief and amusement and turned toward the balcony, where the full moon shone brightly.

"I could lift your spirits more effectively, I think," he beckoned.

Catherine giggled. "I have no doubt!" She postponed his advances, wanting to keep him talking, and opened the French doors. "It’s beautiful tonight — unseasonably warm. And that moon...." She walked out onto the balcony to stand at the railing.

Presently, Beast rose and joined her, standing at her side. After a moment, he remarked, "You’re stunning in the moonlight."

Catherine beamed, pausing to bask in his adoration, and looked up at him. "And you’re nothing short of enchanting."

He smiled in return, and then stepped back and to the side to stand behind her, wrapping his arms about her, one hand splayed possessively across her lower abdomen, the other resting on her shoulder.

She sighed, leaning back against him blissfully.

"Vincent noticed the warm weather too; he was here earlier."

"Was he?"

"Mmm," he assented.

"How long did he wait?"

"He left an hour or so ago. Then I decided to wait in your bed, which is really rather more comfortable than your balcony."

She wanted to ask more questions about Vincent, but the warmth of his body and the rhythm of his breath began to lull her. Beast chose that moment to lower his hand to cup her breast, squeezing gently. She ran her fingers through the fur of his arm which still rested against her belly. He opened the buttons of her blouse to touch her skin. Her desire began to rise, and she moved her hand to stroke his hip. Still caressing her breast, his other hand dropped to her pelvis to gently rub her. She moaned softly, moving one foot to slightly separate her legs. Her hand slipped behind her, enclosing his penis. She felt it swell beneath her touch, and she began to anticipate. So far, he hadn’t done the same thing twice, and she wondered what he had in mind tonight.

His lower hand shifted off to the side to pull up successive handfuls of skirt until he could touch her hip. He grimaced as he touched her pantyhose. "What is this barbaric undergarment?"

"Get it off," she entreated, raising one knee to the side.

He slit the hose from the crotch to the waist, peeling it back. Catherine arched her back and moved her other hand behind her to cup his testicles. He groaned with pleasure, slipping his fingers under the crotch of her panties and spreading her wetness in repeating outward spirals, his other hand moving to her other breast. She moaned pleadingly, moving both hands to encircle his penis and stroke up and down. He sliced through the crotch of her panties with an efficient motion of one claw, then removed her wrists from his body with a reluctant gasp, placing them at the edge of the balcony wall. He lifted her feet from the ground slightly, moving her a few feet back from the wall, pushing her torso forward and lifting her skirt and the remains of her undergarments over her hips.

For an instant Catherine wondered how he would compensate for the difference in their heights, but her question was immediately answered as he lifted her hips and held them aloft for penetration. He made long, deep, relatively quick strokes for a minute or so, growling deeply, until his initial thirst was quenched, then slowed.

"Oh god, don’t stop!" Catherine cried out, unable to effectively move in the position she was in.

"I won’t, my Beauty." Beast gradually spread his feet wide apart, until Catherine’s feet reached the ground again, thrusting gently all the while in an effort to partially appease his beloved while he repositioned himself. She had moved so that her forearms rested atop the balcony wall; as the connection of her feet to earth again enabled her to move, she moved her hands back to the near edge of the top of the wall and abruptly and firmly pressed back, causing Beast to nearly lose his balance and wrap his arms about her for support. She groaned with pleasure, leaning forward to shift them back into balance as he grinned at her obvious enthusiasm. He resumed maneuvering himself into the desired position by gripping the far edge of the top of the wall and moving his feet forward as a brace against the wall.

"Hold on, Catherine," he warned. He thrust forward, she pressed back, and they thus pleasured each other and themselves intensely and loudly for many minutes until that slowed as well, both of them sinking nearer the ground, knees bent. Catherine shifted, trying to move her legs so that his were between hers, but only managed to separate their bodies. Both cried out at the loss of contact. Catherine quickly turned to face him, straddling and squatting over him to sink onto his impatiently waiting, warm, hard, slick length. She wrapped her arms around his back with her hands resting on his shoulders and plunged herself repeatedly down his shaft as he flexed up to meet her, his arms now supporting both their weights. Their ecstasy soon exploded into shards of brilliant moonlight. Beast maneuvered his feet closer to support them both while he removed his hands from the wall. He lay back, holding Catherine close, a twinge of something passing through him at the unexpectedly intense intimacy of holding her chest to chest, her head on his shoulder.

He usually had to guard carefully lest Vincent suddenly steal over him in his fatigued state, but this time he wasn’t tired. Something was different, but he couldn’t think what. A chill passed over him, and he realized the wind had begun to pick up. ‘Unseasonably’ warm was still fairly cool.

"Catherine," he prodded. "Wake up."

She sighed heavily.

"We have to go inside."

Catherine rose, moaning in a disappointed manner when she separated from him. His eyes followed her, and then he noticed —

"Catherine! You’re bleeding!"

"What?!" she replied, a bit disoriented.

"I smell blood."

"Oh!" she realized. "I’ve been expecting my period. It’s nothing to worry about. Come on, we’ll get you washed off."

Something about the blood had set off his internal alarms, and he let her lead him with a very heightened sense of awareness. She brought him to the sink, turned on the water and waited for the right temperature, then urged him closer to the sink with a hand on his bottom while beginning to splash water on his member with the other. He watched her, immensely enjoying her ministrations. She lathered and rinsed, touching him firmly but gently. She finished with his penis and reached for a washcloth to clean the remaining blood from his fur.

Turning off the water, she said, "There. All clean." On impulse, she bent forward and kissed his penis. He groan-growled loudly and was fully erect in seconds. Narrowing her eyes and growling back at him in a sudden heat that matched his own, she turned him sideways and knelt before him, sucking at first only the head of his penis, then drawing more and more of him into her mouth. She had thus far unfortunately had all too little opportunity to use her mouth to express her passion for him, and those pent-up feelings burst forth as her tongue caressed him increasingly fervently.

Beast, for his part, let her have her way with him in complete incredulity, watching her devour him with wide, unbelieving eyes. He touched her head, trying to warn her that climax was near. She glanced up at him in apparent understanding, but only held him more firmly, taking him in more deeply yet, sucking harder than before. He came hard and she moaned, still suckling.

He was utterly exhausted. He didn’t know how he could still be standing. He wanted to sleep. No! "Catherine, I must go!" He pushed her away gently but abruptly and disappeared into the bedroom.

Bewildered, it took Catherine a few moments to rise and follow him. She stopped in the doorway, watching him dress, puzzled. Not knowing which question to ask, her mouth made repeated W motions. Finally, she managed, "Why?!"

"I must go before Vincent returns."

Understanding dawned, and she didn’t press him. She waited, wondering if he would say goodbye. He finished dressing and paused at the door, looking at her. "I must go." He opened the door and paused again. "You know I’d prefer to stay?"

She smiled gently and nodded. "Go. Good night... my Beast."

"Good night, my Beauty." He winked at her and was gone.

***

Several relatively uneventful days passed, during which Catherine managed to mostly catch up on her missed sleep. By the weekend, she missed both Vincent and Beast and decided to go Below and visit. To her frustration, Vincent was away again. She decided to leave him a note.

Dearest Vincent,

Why does it seem that life conspires to keep us apart? I hope you’re enjoying your journey to the crystal cavern. I’m sure the children are.

My week has been much the same as usual.

I miss you.

Love, Catherine

***

The following evening, as Catherine put away the last of the work she’d brought home with her, she heard a tap on the glass of the French doors. Her heart leapt, and she rose quickly to greet Vincent. Before she got there, however, he let himself in.

He smiled briefly, then his face clouded over and he hung his head, staring at the floor. "Catherine, I’m sorry." He turned to leave.

"No, Vincent, wait!" She reached out for his arm to hold him back. "What’s wrong? What are you sorry for?"

"I — Catherine, I’m trespassing in your apartment! I don’t know what came over me. I —" He shook his head, trying to clear it of the confusing thoughts.

"Vincent, you’re not trespassing," Catherine said gently. "You’re always welcome here. I’m glad you —"

He shook his head again, bending forward, and pressed his hands to the crown.

"Vincent... are you all right? Tell me what’s happening."

A too-real image of Catherine performing fellatio on him passed through his mind. He was mortified. "No!" he shouted. "I’m sorry, Catherine. I —

"Shit!" he spat.

Catherine was caught so off guard she was speechless for a moment.

He looked up at her. "Goddamn son of a bitch!" He began to pace.

"Vincent?" she prompted, truly alarmed.

"Vincent doesn’t curse, my Beauty. Surely you know that," he said sarcastically.

"What’s wrong? Tell me."

He continued to pace. "Evidently I’ve not hidden everything as well as I thought I had. He was just having visions of our last little... tryst." The last word had a seductive emphasis. "Dammit! If he finds out, he’ll spoil everything!"

Catherine felt sick. "What do you mean by that?" she asked, her heart hammering and full of dread.

"Oh, you know Vincent! He’ll probably go off and do something horribly... noble." He sighed, exasperated, and continued pacing.

"Like what?" Catherine didn’t like the sound of this at all.

"Oh, I don’t know," he said with disgust. "Like suicide maybe, or —"

"NO!" She lunged at him, gripping his shoulders with all her might. Through hysterical tears she said, "No, you mustn’t let him! He can’t! He can’t! You can’t let him! I need him! I need you!" Running out of words, she sobbed uncontrollably, the thought of losing him too terrible to contemplate rationally. She wrapped her arms tightly about him, as if to hold him there forever.

After a moment, his arms came around her, holding her firmly. "Oh, Catherine. It disturbs me so to see you in such pain. Tell me what troubles you?"

She paused, staring up at him, bewildered by the personality shifts. "Oh Vincent!" She began to sob again, not sure what to say to him, worried for his sanity, afraid for his very life. She held him tighter than before.

"Catherine, I’m here. I’ll stay with you as long as you need."

"Promise?!" It was more a command than a plea. "Promise me, Vincent! You’ll never leave me, never!"

"I promise, Catherine."

"Never ever, Vincent, for any reason! Promise me!"

"I promise, Catherine. I give you my word of honor."

Again she cried on his shoulder, but she began to calm a bit. He would keep his word — she was sure of that much. She looked up at him again. "Do you know how much I love you, Vincent? How much I need you?"

He nodded. "Yes," he whispered.

"I couldn’t live without you, Vincent. You’re everything to me."

He glanced away and shyly said, "As you are to me, Catherine."

She thought for a moment about the truth of their words. "Vincent," she said decisively, "I’m going to give my notice."

"Notice? Notice of what?" he asked, perplexed.

"I’m going to quit my job," she stated flatly.

"No, Catherine, you mustn’t."

"Why not? I want to spend more time with you."

"But Catherine, you love your job."

"I love you more! So much more, Vincent."

"But... you needn’t choose between me and your job, Catherine. I will always be here."

Her lower lip began to quiver as she realized that she wasn’t so certain of that these days. "I want to spend more time with you, Vincent. You’re what’s important to me."

He nodded. "I understand, Catherine, and I would like to spend more time with you as well. But you must realize we can’t spend every waking moment together."

"Why not?" she asked, afraid his answer would be a long list of the reasons they could never really be together.

"I have responsibilities, Catherine. "‘Jobs of my own."

"Yes. Of course." He had a point. She wasn’t thinking clearly. Perhaps she wouldn’t quit outright. "Vincent, are you free most evenings?"

He paused. Somehow his time always managed to get filled up with something. "Well..."

"How about we start spending most evenings together? Would you mind?"

He beamed, caught up by her hopeful tone. The other things that came up were less important than Catherine. "It would be a dream come true!"

She wrapped her arms around him again. "For me too. Oh, Vincent, I’m so glad you’re here. I’ve missed you so."

"Likewise."

"Vincent? Will you stay a while? Please?"

He glanced around, realizing as the emotional turbulence dissipated that he was still inside Catherine’s apartment. Hesitantly, he replied, "As you wish, Catherine."

She flashed him a smile that would light up New York. "I love you too, Vincent." At his puzzled look, she replied, "Come and sit with me, and we’ll read The Princess Bride." She took his arm and led him to the sofa.