Lionhearted

by Beth Gualda

To avoid frightening her further, Vincent stepped out of theshadows. Catherine saw him and quickened her step. She sighedheavily.

"Am I glad to see you," she breathed. "Take me home, please."

Vincent nodded. He took her hand and led her down the alley. Sheclung to him tightly as Vincent moved her through the back streetsand alleyways to her apartment building. He stopped, pressing intothe darkness. Catherine's building was across the street. She glancedover at him and squeezed his arm in a gesture of appreciation. Sheturned but Vincent pulled her back.

"I'll meet you. We have to talk."

Catherine didn't like the solemn tone he used, but she nodded andstarted across the street. Vincent ducked behind the building.

Catherine took off her shoes and threw them, agitated, into hercloset. Her nerves were frayed and her head throbbed. She jumped atthe soft knock on her French doors. Turning, she exhaled slowly andopened them and turned and walked back into her bedroom.

Vincent sighed heavily, leaning against the doorframe. Catherinecontinued undressing, unphased by his presence, distracted beyondcaring.

"Catherine," Vincent began. "Talk to me please. Tell me what hashappened," his voice pleading and impatient.

She looked up at him. Her face expressionless. "There's nothing totell."

Vincent's face hardened. He stepped into her bedroom and over towhere she stood struggling with her dress zipper. Vincent turned heraround and unzipped it for her. "Don't you think I know what you aregoing through? I've felt every bit of your fear. Your indecision.Your fleeting moments of abject terror. I know it's eating away atyou. It's pulling you away from me."

Catherine turned and faced him. Her eyes reflecting his concern."I know you do. I'm sorry. I can't prevent that though." She startedmoving away from him but he caught her wrists and held her in frontof him.

"What's doing this to you? Why have you been so afraid?"

Catherine lowered her eyes. "You can't help me now, Vincent."

He shook his head vehemently. "You're shutting me out. You'venever done this to me before. Why don't you let me help you?"

"Because you can't!" Catherine suddenly snapped. She jerked freeof his grasp and walked away from him to her closet.

Vincent's hands remained in the air, holding nothing. He droppedthem heavily with a sigh of exasperation. Slowly, he turned to leaveand stepped out onto the balcony.

"No! Don't go!" Catherine called after him. She ran to him andthrew herself into his arms. She buried her face in his cloak. "Don'task me anymore questions. Please just be here for me."

Vincent folded his arms around her. She began to cry and his heartfelt as though it were bleeding. He tightened his embrace and rockedher slowly.

"Hush, it's all right. I'm here." He stroked her hair. "I'll stayas long as you want."

"I'll be fine," Catherine said determined. She looked up at himand wiped her fingers over her eyes. She tried to smile. "I didn'tmean to be cross."

Vincent looked back at her, worried and anxious. "I'm afraid foryou."

Catherine shook her head, struggling with her composure. "Pleasetry not to worry."

"You can't tell me not to worry," Vincent stated, pressing herhead against his chest protectively. "Not when I'm living with yourfears." He took a deep breath.

Catherine pulled back from him to look up at him. "I'm sorry. Ican't make you understand now." She hesitated. "I don't want you toknow what's going on. It would only make things worse."

Vincent growled, frustrated. "Then this has something to do withme?"

Catherine reached down and took his clenched hands in hers. "AllI'm asking of you is to allow me some time." She lifted his hands toher face and rubbed his velvety knuckles across her cheek. "But Istill want you close. More than ever. Will you stay tonight? I'll setthe alarm early so you can get back down before daylight."

Vincent closed his eyes and growled again, softly this time."Please tell me this has nothing to do with me."

"It doesn't, I promise. And I promise I'll explain everything whenI can."

Vincent pulled her against him again and covered her mouth withhis. "God, Catherine. If anything should happen to you...."

"I love you," she breathed. "Just promise me you won't leave meever. Promise we'll always be together, no matter what."

Vincent's heart was pounding. He stared into her glistening jadeeyes and swore. "No matter what happens. I'll never leave you."

Vincent walked wearily into the main chamber. Father had fallenasleep in a chair. He woke as Vincent walked by.

"Vincent," he yawned. "What time is it? Are you just getting in?"He peered at his son and frowned. "What's the matter?"

With an exasperated sigh, Vincent dropped into the chair next toFather. "I saw her tonight."

"And....?"

Vincent shook his head. "All this fear. She refuses to confide inme its source. But she swears it is not me that is causing it."

Father looked skeptical. "Catherine is hardly afraid ofyou,Vincent."

"No. Not afraid of me, afraid for me. Or something she knows willprovoke a reaction in me that makes her afraid to tell me...." Herose, shaking his head. "I don't even understand it enough to explainit to you."

"It's not like Catherine, not to speak with you. I don'tunderstand it either." Father rose stiffly, rubbing his temples. "Sheobviously wants to work out whatever is bothering her alone. All youcan do is to leave her to work it out."

Vincent raised a fist in frustration. "Normally, I would take thatroute, but she doesn't want that either. She clung to me as though Iwould leave her and never return if she let me go. She said over andover, don't leave me." He sighed softly, remembering. "She criedtonight. I felt so useless."

Father faced him. "Do you want me to try to talk to her?"

Vincent shook his head, but grateful for the offer. He pulled hiscloak off his shoulders and turned to his room. "I'm late because shesimply would not let me leave. I stayed with her, holding her,reassuring her. Finally she slept." He walked wearily into hisroom.

Joe frowned as Catherine entered his office. She placed a stack offiles on his desk.

"You know, everytime you walk through that door in the morining, Ibreathe a sigh of relief," he began. "I was hoping you were coming into tell me you had reconsidered and decided to accept our offer. Itmight only be temporary."

Catherine started to protest. Joe cut her off.

"For Christ's sake, Cathy, at least let me put you undersurveillance. Or police protection!"

"No!" she shouted back. Struggling to regain her composure, shesaid more softly, "Look, this will all be over in a few weeks. It'snot worth it."

"Your life, is not worth it? Do you hear yourself?" Joe shook hishead. "Can I at least ask why? Do I even get an explanation?"

Catherine massaged her throbbing temples. "I'm sorry, I have myreasons. I'll be fine. There's no need."

"I'm sure Falla's people know where you live. I'm sure they knowyour routine by now. You're just not safe."

Catherine sighed heavily and turned to go. Joe interceptedher.

"You shouldn't be trying to carry on like normal. You shouldn'teven be here! You need to be in the witness protection program!"

"I can't do that. I can't," she whimpered.

"That is no excuse!"

"It's all I can give you."

Joe softened. "We are talking about professional killers. You aremaking their job real easy." He looked at her, his concern up frontand undisguised. "You won't even let me hire you a bodyguard. Nowwhy? What secret is worth risking your life to keep?"

Catherine didn't answer. Joe swore softly.

"How 'bout this? At least get off your routine. Is there somewhereyou can go? Maybe out of the way? Like way out of the way? Can I getyou to agree to something like that at least?"

Catherine began nodding slowly.

Joe clapped his hands together triumphantly. "Great! You're now onextended leave. Give us a few weeks to round up the rest of Falla'sgoons. Leave the address and phone number where you'll be at with me,and I'll call you when it's time. They are going to try anything tostop you from testifying. You're the only witness to the Polkmanmurder we have. And they know that."

"Well, I've always had a knack for being at the wrong place at theright time," Catherine said and forced a smile. "I do have a secludedplace I could go. Among friends. I know it will be safe. But I'll getin touch with you. There aren't any phones there."

"Fine. Just go now."

Catherine nodded. "I'm on my way."

Vincent slid over the balcony wall and looked around. Catherineburst out of the apartment and into his arms. She hugged himtightly.

"I got your message...." Vincent began.

Catherine took his hands and pulled him inside. "I needed to seeyou right away."

Vincent merely sighed heavily.

"I need to ask you something."

"Go on."

"Would it be possible," she began slowly but with excitement inher voice. "For me to stay underground with you for a month ofso?"

Vincent looked back at her curiously. "Of course. Can you tell mewhy? Does this have anything to do with what we talked about lastnight?"

Catherine took a steadying breath. She carefully considered whatshe was about to say. "Because of certain things I know. Something Ihave seen, I have reason to believe my life is in danger." Vincentpulled away from her and stared at her shocked. "I need to gosomewhere safe."

"In danger?" Vincent echoed. "How? Is someone trying to kill you?"He was suddenly seething with fury. "Why did you keep this from me?Why didn't you come to me with this sooner?" He strode to the otherside of the balcony and turned to face her, his blue eyes blazing. Itwas as though he needed the physical distance from her to regaincontrol over his anger.

Catherine pleaded. "I needed a few days unprotected. To show myboss I didn't need to be placed in a witness protection program." Shestruggled to make him understand. "I would have been taken away fromhere, my name changed, my where abouts kept secret. Do you know whatthat means? We'd be separated. We'd never be able to see each otheragain. I'd be watched, under protective surveillance." She loweredher eyes, looking away from him. "I knew...if I told you about allthis before, you would insist I go." Tears welled up in her eyessuddenly as she faced him and walked slowly over to him. "I know youwould do anything, even lose me, to keep me safe. But I know I can'tlive without you. I just couldn't bear the thought of being separatedfrom you."

Vincent took a deep steadying breath and expelled it through histeeth. "You placed yourself in danger because you were afraid I wouldsend you away? You're right. I would have." He shook his head toclear it. "You should have told me before."

"But I managed to get my boss to agree to let me seclude myself.My plan worked. No new locations. No bodyguards," she went onhopefully. "And we are still together. I know a few days of fear areworth that."

Vincent's anger began to subside finally. He reached over andtouched her cheek. "I don't agree. But at least it's over now." Heleaned against the balcony edge. "When will you be down?"

Catherine gestured back inside her apartment. "I just need togather a few more things." She suddenly smiled. "Think about it.We'll have a whole month together."

Vincent had been so upset by her revelation, he failed to takethis aspect of Catherine's plan in consideration before. "Yes," hebreathed. "A month...." He straddled the balcony wall. "Shall I meetyou in the basement?"

Catherine shook her head. "I can't get through there now. They aredoing construction in the lower lobby and the hallway I use to getbelow is closed off. I'll have to meet you outside."

"A half hour then? In the alley, behind the building?"

Catherine nodded. She suddenly seized his arm before he could go."Can you just be there and wait for me?" Vincent felt a trace of fearonce more run through her. He placed his hand reassuringly overhers.

"I'll be there. I'll wait for you."

Twenty minutes later, Catherine pushed her bag higher on hershoulder and locked up her apartment. She looked around brieflybefore heading for the elevator.

A man was in the elevator when it opened. He stepped out on herfloor and gestured at her bag with a friendly smile.

"Taking a trip?"

Catherine nodded and hurried past him.

"Well have a good one," he said as the doors closed, separatingthem. Then under his breath, "Why wasn't I told?"

Once alone in the elevator, Catherine inhaled deeply. This wouldall be over soon, she told herself. She was beginning to understandwhy crime witnesses often withheld their information. She wasbeginning to see things from their point of view and she could relateto the consuming fear that kept them from their moralobligations.

The doors opened and Catherine stepped out. Quickly, she surveyedthe lobby before crossing to the front door.

Outside, she clung to her overstuffed bag and walked quickly alongthe side of the building. She didn't see Vincent initially. Shecalled out to him softly.

Vincent suddenly appeared before her materializing out of theshadows. She gasped, startled briefly, then hurried up to him. Hetook her hand.

"Come," he instructed. "I'm going to take you to a differententrance. It's more secluded than the one in the park and a littlecloser but it's somewhat harder to get to. It's seldom used."

He started back up the alley, disappearing in the darkness.Catherine held tightly to his hand. She could barely make him out infront of her, he seemed to blend into the night. He stopped suddenlyand Catherine ran into him.

"Why did you stop?" she whispered.

Vincent didn't answer her at first. Finally he said, "Someone isnear. They are watching us. I can feel their eyes." He looked back ather. Catherine's pulse quickened.

"How much farther till we reach the tunnels?"

Vincent gestured forward. "There's two streets left to cross afterwe leave this alley. Inside the third building on the north side ofthe street is the access tunnel."

Catherine leaned against him for security. She always felt saferjust being close to him. He took a deep breath and suddenly startedforward again.

Warily he led her into the street out of the alley, stretching outwith his mind and senses. Catherine had to jog to keep up with hislong stride. She tugged on his hand in an effort to slow him, butthen he suddenly released her and pushed her back. Catherine heard afast, muffled explosion of sorts. Vincent jerked backwards with asharp scream of pain. He grabbed his upper left arm, doubling overand twisting to the ground.

"Run!" he hissed at her, struggling to his feet.

Stunned, Catherine bent towards him, unaware of what exactlyhappened. Vincent turned at her snarling, his fangs flashing.Catherine jumped back.

"Leave me!"

Another explosion popped near her ears. Catherine shrieked andlept back. She dodged around Vincent, who was still trying to get up,and raced for the alley in front of them, the darkness swallowingher. She knew now they were being shot at.

"Vincent!" she gasped, looking into the street briefly but notseeing him anymore. Now everything was disturbingly quiet. She didn'thear him come up behind her.

"I'm here," he said quietly. She whirled around and sighed. Hecame slowly over to her, clutching his arm, his eyes burning withpain. He threw himself against the side of the building beside her.Catherine stared at him horrified, watching the dark blood seepthrough his fingers, over his hand at an alarming rate. He moanedsoftly.

"I don't know what type of bullet they are using but the pain isalmost paralyzing," he mumbled facing her. "We can't get to thatentrance now. They've cut us off."

"We have to! Where else can we go? We have to get you below!"Catherine sputtered in reply.

"This way," Vincent breathed and staggered stiffly down the alley.Catherine skipped after him.

He took her to the other side of the street, around a dilapidatedoffice building. They stopped at a boarded-up side door. Vincent tookahold of the boards with his one good arm and freed the door, holdingit open for Catherine. She ducked inside just as another muffledbullet splintered the metal doorframe. Vincent dodged in afterher.

He stood inside a moment, panting from the pain. Catherine lookedanxiously around.

"Where to now?"

He brushed unsteadily past her and stalked over to an obvious holein one of the walls. "Get in," he whispered.

She slipped inside. Vincent followed her and pulled a nearby crateover the hole to cover it. The space Catherine found herself in was amere 10x10 room. Four solid looking stone walls surrounded them.

Vincent moved to the wall opposite the concealed entrance andleaned against it. He swayed back suddenly from the exhertion andpain. He put a steadying hand on the wall and faced Catherine with aheavy sigh.

"What are you trying to do?" Catherine asked, baffled.

"This wall moves," he half moaned. "It's a false wall. It leads toanother access down. But I...." he paused as a wave of pain suddenlyenveloped him.

"Oh God, Vincent! We have to get below! You're losing a lot ofblood!"

"....I can't move it," he lamented. Slowly, he sank to thefloor.

Catherine's eyes blurred with tears. "Come on," she offered. "I'llhelp. Maybe we can move it together." She got Vincent back on hisfeet carefully and together they pushed on the wall; it movedslightly and then refused to move further. Vincent turned his backagainst it and slid again to the ground. He looked up at her, hiseyes apologetic.

Catherine dropped beside him, hugging his head to her breast. "I'mso sorry I got you involved in this! I should have known I wasputting your life in danger too!" She kissed his temple, holding himclose. "I'll have to go back out," she said suddenly. "I'll have toget to the other entrance."

"No!" Vincent growled, seizing her hand in a crushing grip. "Youmust stay here. They are still out there. Waiting. I can feel them.As soon as they see you...." He exhaled, the rest of his sentence toohorrible to put into words. "This is my fault. I've trapped ushere."

Catherine shook her head. "All you've done is savemy life. Youwouldn't be here, hurt and bleeding, if not for me. You have to letme go."

"No," Vincent said. He refused to let go of her hand. "Don't leaveme, Catherine." He leaned his head on her shoulder, his soft voiceheavy with pain.

"Vincent, if I have to wait until you pass out, it will be toolate," she replied matter of factly. She tried to keep her voicelevel and assertive. She wanted him to know no matter what, she wouldleave. Whether it be now or later.

Vincent tightened his grip on her hand even more. Catherine winceda little. "Then I'll fight it. I'll stay awake. But you are notleaving."

Catherine's tears fell upon his hair. She tried to pry her handfree from his. "All right, I won't," she whimpered. "Let go of me soI can at least take a look at your arm."

Vincent released her. Catherine pulled her bag off her shoulderand fumbled with the clasps to open it. Vincent watched as she pulledout a cotton shirt and tore it into strips. She crawled over to himand sat before him.

"Let's try to slow the bleeding at least," she stated, wipingimpatiently at her watery eyes. She slid her hand over his shouldersand under his cloak, pushing it off of him. She frowned and pinchedat his layered torso. "You're going to have to take these off."

Resigned, Vincent sighed and sat forward. Catherine's fingers werealready at work unlacing his vest, then slowly, carefully, she slidit off and tossed it aside. She frowned again realizing she hadhardly made a dent in his wardrobe.

"Jeez, you think you lived in Antartica down there," shegrumbled.

Vincent smiled slightly. "I like to be warm," he sighed. "Justtear the rest. I can't move my arm enough to get them over myhead."

Catherine looked skeptical as she placed her hands on his collarand pulled. The sweater gave way readily enough. The shirt underneathwas a different story. Catherine pulled with little results andoffered Vincent a thin smile.

Vincent covered her hand with his. He closed his eyes, knowingthis was going to hurt. "Try again," he instructed.

Catherine did, and with their combined effort, managed to rip thegarment down the front. Vincent winced slightly and opened his eyes.Catherine sighed in relief and tenatively peeled the shirt fromVincent's chest and arms. Leaning his head back against the wall,Vincent watched her silently. Catherine's eyes focused on his leftshoulder. Her face contorted.

"God Vincent, your arm is a mess. I can't even see the wound inall this blood." She began wiping futilely at his arm with one of thestrips of cloth, her fingers softly probing.

Vincent suddenly jerked from her with a sharp gasp. Then hebreathed a heavy sigh and settled back against the wall.

"I'm sorry," Catherine said and frowned again. She folded a pieceof cloth and carefully pressed it over the profusely bleeding wound.With her other hand, she began wrapping another strip around it tohold it in place. She wrapped a second strip of cloth around his armand tied it off tightly. Vincent looked from the bandage to Catherineand tried to smile.

Catherine sat back, wiping her hands on her jeans. "Does that feelany better?"

Vincent nodded. He lay his head back and closed his eyes.Catherine settled in beside him. Her hand began absently stroking hischest, running her fingers through his dense tawny hair. Shesighed.

"Try to rest," she whispered. She felt him exhale deeply, slowly,relaxing. "Sleep if you can." She also felt his hand encircle herwrist caressingly at first and then in a vice like grip.

"I know what you are trying to do," he rumbled. "It won'twork."

Catherine continued undaunted. Her hands moved to his neck andslipped up to his temples, her fingertips expertly kneading circlesin his skin. Her thumbs passed over his deeply set eyes, then herhands moved back down to his neck, softly massaging tightly cordedmuscles. Vincent had eased his grip on her wrist, she noticedtriumphantly. She shifted her position, her hands moving over theexpanse of his chest tenderly. She found herself getting caught up inwhat she was trying to do. He felt so exquisite beneath her palms.She slipped her hand under his hair and pushed it off his neck. Shebent forward and kissed him there, nibbling along iron-like muscle,tasting the sweet saltiness of his skin. He moaned softly. Her mouthbrushed over his jawline, kissing and nibbling. She paused to breatheinto his ear and then kissed the side of his face.

Stifling his surprise at Catherine's untimely amorous notions,Vincent responded. He moved his hand around her back and pressed heragainst him, his mouth taking hers in a slow languid kiss.

Her tongue slipped into his mouth, slowly probing, passing oversharp teeth, twisting with his. She realized suddenly she was wakinghim up more than putting him to sleep and pulled away with a mutterof exasperation.

Vincent gazed back at her, love and amusement glittering in hiseyes. "I told you it wouldn't work." He took her hand again andsqueezed it gently, affectionately. "Catherine, remember the night Istayed with you, because you were afraid. You needed me to be near.Having me close was a great comfort to you. Do you remember?"

She nodded slowly. "I remember."

Vincent took a deep breath. "Well, now I need you close to me. I'masking you to stay with me."

Resigned, Catherine sighed and tried to smile. "I'm here. I'llstay with you." She nestled herself under his arm, laying her head onhis chest.

"What are we going to do?" she asked quietly.

Vincent rested his chin on her head. Catherine's arms circled hiswaist and she snuggled closer to him. "Is there anyway we can callsomeone...to come and move the wall?"

"No. The noise would only lead our pursuers to us. They are stillout there. I can still sense them."

Catherine could feel her throat tightening. Her eyes were burningagain with tears. "Oh Vincent. I'm so sorry."

Vincent kissed the top of her head and hugged her to him. "Don'tlose hope, Catherine," he whispered in her ear. "There arepossibilities we've yet to discover."

Catherine shook her head. "We're running out of possibilities andyou are running out of time." She gestured at the crate coveredentry. "We've got to get out of here."

Vincent frowned. "What we need is to get in." He glanced angrilyat the wall behind him.

Catherine began to cry. "I'm sorry. I know I need to be strongnow." Her voice was determined, but at the same time, small andshaky.

Vincent peered at her affectionately. He reached up and brushedher cheek lightly with his knuckle. "Don't punish yourself. You'vebeen through so much already."

Catherine looked up at him. "You are always concerned about me.About how I feel. Even now," she told him sadly.

Vincent felt her despair wrenching his heart. He sighed. "You seemto forget, your pain is my pain. Your sadness is mine. You must tryto understand that your emotions become my emotions. So you see, I'mnot as compassionate as you would believe. When I try to console you,it's for my own selfish means."

Catherine sat up and stared at him stunned. Suddenly Vincentlaughed and then Catherine blushed with embarrassment. She grinned athim.

"That's better," Vincent lisped.

Catherine shook her head. "What a pair we make." She gazed at him,worried. He looked pale and was sweating and shivering slightly atthe same time. He was breathing in short shallow breaths and his eyestook on a glazed far away look. His arm lay limply against his leftside. Catherine noticed her makeshift bandage was already dark withhis blood. She reached over and touched his left hand.

"Can you feel this?" she asked. His hand was cold and clammy.

"I can a little. Just a trace of sensation," he told her. "My armis numbing. It feels very heavy."

Catherine exhaled slowly. "You've lost so much blood. I'msurprised you are still coherent."

"I've been fighting it. But I think I'm losing," he admitted.Catherine could tell his strength was beginning to ebb.

"Don't fight it," she urged.

He looked over at her, his eyes imploring. "Promise me. You'llstay here. Whatever happens...to me. Stay here." He closed his eyes."If you expose yourself, they will kill you."

"Vincent, maybe they are gone now. Maybe they have given up. Icould go and get to the other access tunnel for help."

Vincent opened his eyes. He shook his head slowly. "No, they arewaiting. Waiting for the opportunity you so desparately want to givethem."

"You've been shot! You'll bleed to death. The bandage isn'tworking. You have to let me try!" Catherine insisted. Shedeliberately moved out of his reach.

"No....Promise me."

Catherine shook her head. "I can't. I'm sorry."

Vincent stared vacantly forward. "I'm here to protect you. I'mwith you tonight to keep you safe. I intend to continue to do justthat... whatever the risks to myself. I'll do whatever I have to, butyou are not going out there."

Catherine edged farther away from him. She didn't like the tone ofhis voice or the implications behind it. "What do you mean?"

Vincent took a deep breath. "You stay. I'll go."

Catherine stared back at him horrified. "You can't! You barelyhave the strength to stand."

Vincent gestured at the hole in the wall opposite them. "I haveenough strength left in me to get by them or at least distract themso you can signal for help. I'll show you the code to use. There is alever on the other side of this wall that releases it with relativeease. Anyone could open it if we can just get the word out to them.This is the only way we'll get below. We need to call someone to openthe wall."

"Vincent, I can't let you," Catherine began lamely. "What if theysee you?"

"As soon as the wall opens," he continued ignoring her protests,"Go inside and close it again." He struggled to his feet. "I'll getin from the other access tunnel." He bent slowly and reached for hiscloak and the torn shirt. "Allow me some time before you signal."

Catherine shook her head. "You'll never make it alone all thatway."

He gazed down at her. "Catherine, I love you so much. Even if myattempt fails, if it gets you to safety, it will have been entirelyworth the price."

"That's not a price I'm willing to pay!" Catherine stated hotly.She went to him and took his hand, kissing it. "Please Vincent.No..."she pleaded.

Vincent leaned back against the wall to steady himself. "There isno other way."

"We'll just have to wait," Catherine told him. "They are bound toleave soon. They'll give up and go away and then we can get below.I'll stay and wait with you. I promise. Just don't leave."

Vincent looked up at her solemnly. "By then I fear it will be toolate."

Catherine searched his face. "What are you saying?"

Vincent shrugged his cloak over his shoulders. "I can't hold onmuch longer. I can feel my mind slipping. My senses dulling. I needto act now...while I'm still able."

He turned towards the hole. Catherine deliberately stepped infront of him. "If we do this, we do this together."

Vincent sighed heavily. "Catherine...."

"I'm going with you."

Vincent shakily stood his ground. "I'm not going to argue with youabout this."

"Look, we need each other right now. If you go out there alone andsomething happens to you or you can't pull Falla's men away from herehow am I to know? I could give the signal but they could still hearme. They'll find me. I won't know if you succeeded or not. That's whywe need to stay together. Together we have the advantage. We can seekthem out, take them by surprise. We stand a better chance thisway."

Vincent found he didn't have the energy to cross her unyeildingstance. He looked at her in conceding defeat. "Why risk both ourlives? At least I know if you stay, you'll be safe."

"Come on," she urged. "We are wasting time."

Catherine had already turned and was pushing against the cratecovering the hole. Vincent reluctantly joined her. Together theyuncovered the hole. "Whatever happens," she said, "We face ittogether. I won't leave you."

Vincent nodded slowly. "Now of all times,you promise to stay withme."

Slowly, carefully, they backtracked out of the building and backup the alley. Vincent could still sense the men faintly. They decidedto use it to their benefit.

One of the men was standing at the mouth of the alley, his back toVincent and Catherine, looking towards the street.

Vincent motioned to Catherine. She nodded and split from him,heading back up the alley and purposefully kicking some trash on theway.

The man turned, his gun drawn. He stared intently into the darkalley searchingly. He didn't notice Vincent coming up behind him.Before he knew what was happening, Vincent seized the man by theneck, forcibly driving his face into the side of the building. Theman crumpled limply and silently to the ground as soon as Vincent lethim go.

Catherine sighed relieved. She hurried to Vincent's side. "Saveyour strength," she whispered. "I'll bring them to you." She startedoff but Vincent grabbed her hand.

"Together, remember?"

Reluctantly, Catherine nodded.

"Let me go first," Vincent offered. "I know where they are."Catherine watched, not daring to breathe as Vincent made his wayaround the corner of the building pressing himself along the wallsinto the shadows. Catherine peered after him, feeling suddenly veryalone. She strained to see around the corner. Tentatively, sheventured forth, listening. All she could hear was her own quickbreathing and the banging of her pulse in her ears. Vincent's backmaterialized before her. He turned slowly and stretched out his handto her. She took it gratefully and sighed.

"We need to cross the street," he whispered. "The other one isover there. But I don't see how without exposing ourselves."

Catherine looked up at Vincent. "We'll draw him out."

Vincent nodded. They continued on to where Vincent thought the manwas hiding opposite them around to the side of the building and intoanother alley.

"How many are there?" Catherine asked.

"Two, I think."

Catherine stepped forward and peered out into the street. "Whereis he?"

Vincent started to point but then a bullet ripped through the airand impacted on the brick just above Catherine's head. She screamedand dropped to the ground. Vincent disappeared back around thebuilding in a swirl of cloak.

Suddenly Catherine heard slow steady footsteps coming up the alleybehind her. Catherine looked up to see a man calmly approach. His gunwas fitted with a bulbous silencer and he had it trained onCatherine.

"We figured you would be turning up eventually," he begannonchalantly. "It was only a matter of time." His voice was gratingand cold. "But now, Miss Chandler, it's time to say good bye to theD.A.'s star witness." He took aim carefully.

Vincent grabbed the gunman's arm and spun him around. He snarledsavagely and forced the man back away from Catherine. Catherineseized the opportunity and fled up the alley. The man tried to wrenchhimself free from Vincent's grip and managed to turn his gun justenough. He fired and stepped around Vincent, heading into the alleyafter Catherine. Vincent staggered after him but collapsed. The painof his new wound pulling him down.

Catherine suddenly appeared beside him. She dropped to her kneesand lifted his head into her lap. "Oh my God! Vincent!"

"Go," he gasped. "You must."

Catherine's tears poured from her eyes. "I can't leave you."

"He's coming back," Vincent panted, wincing. "Save yourself."

Catherine placed her hand over his side in a futile attempt tostop the bleeding.

"Leave me," Vincent pleaded. He closed his eyes and his bodysuddenly went limp. Catherine hugged him, crying.

A noise from inside the building caused her to look up. Her wholebody began to shake with fear. Reluctantly, she pried herself fromVincent, placing his head carefully on the ground. She rose slowly,her grief and fear making her every movement an effort. Her head wasreeling. The sound of footsteps were getting louder and clearer. Sheturned and started to walk away, then started to run. The man withthe grating voice suddenly appeared in front of her out of theshadows of the alley. She skidded to a halt.

"Time to die," he growled.

Catherine took a deep breath.

Another man stepped out of the darkness just behind her would-bekiller. He held a gun as well, aiming it not at her, but at the manjust in front of her. He fired one fatal shot. The man in front ofher fell to the ground.

Catherine stood, motionless, stunned. The second man lowered hisgun and walked calmly over to her.

"Talk about timing," he said. "Another second later, you'd be deadinstead of him."

Catherine stared hard at the man. He looked vaguely familiar. "Whoare you?"

He extended his hand, holstering his weapon. "Jerry Menegan.Personal security services. Joe hired me to keep an eye on you. We goway back him and me."

Catherine took his hand and shook it. She exhaled forcibly,grateful he had turned up when he did, but now desparately wanting tobe rid of him. "I can't thank you enough."

He gestured across the street. "My car is parked in front of theSycamore towers. How 'bout a lift downtown?"

Catherine panicked momentarily. Then she nodded. "I'd like nothingbetter."

Menegan escorted her to his car.

"How did you find me?" She wondered if he had seen her withVincent.

"I noticed your bag when you got on the elevator earlier tonight."He smiled as a light of recognition brightened Catherine's features."I caught a glimpse of you on the street, but then I lost track ofyou. I was driving around the area looking for you when I heard thegunfire. I checked it out and sure enough, there was two of Falla'shenchmen lurking around that abandoned office building. I figured youmust be around there too. By the time you came out into the alley off29th, I already had Duke in my sights. Like I said, talk abouttiming."

"Yes," Catherine breathed. When they arrived at his car, shepositioned herself beside the car fender, flanked by Menegan. Sheinconspicuously pushed the ring off her finger with her thumb whilereaching for the car door. The ring fell on the asphalt with a crispjingle. Menegan looked at it curiously.

"Oh could you get that for me? I think it rolled under the car,"Catherine said with a smile.

"Sure," Menegan said and bent to retrieve it. Catherine opened thedoor swiftly and banged it as hard as she could on Menegan's head. Heslumped to the curb.

"Sorry," Catherine said, turning on her heels. She raced back tothe alley.

Her only concern now was getting Vincent below to Father. Shehurried into the old office building and picked up a piece of metalfrom the splintered doorframe and searched for a pipe. She urgentlytapped out a signal, making more than a few mistakes in her state ofmind. She called an SOS. She called to have someone come to her. Shecalled to make sure Father would be waiting for them. She called tosay Vincent was in trouble.

After repeating the messages three times, she abandoned the pipeand hurried out of the building and over to where Vincent lay inertand unconscious in the mouth of the alley. She dropped to her kneesbeside him, her tears once more spilling from her eyes at the sightof him. She placed his head in her lap and tried to wait for help tocome.

The tunnel chambers glowed with a hundred plus candles, creatingan atmosphere of peace and tranquility. But Catherine found no solicein her surroundings at the moment. She paced the floor of thelibrary, sighing occasionally, just to break the overbearingsilence.

Father had managed to get word to Peter who came to assist in theoperation. He brough fresh supplies and medicines with him and a muchneeded friendly face for Catherine. Her main concern was that theywere performing the operation entirely under local anesthesia and hadto more or less chain Vincent to the table in case he woke up. Peterhad assured her all went well, he never did wake up through theentire procedure and he was lucky. The bullets' paths were direct andclean and he would suffer no permanent damage to anything vital. Buthe had lost a lot of blood and he did run the risk of infection.

When Father finally entered the chamber, he could hardly bare tolook at her. He struggled to keep his voice level. "He's restingnow," he told her, dabbing his face with a towel.

Peter reached over and squeezed Catherine's hand. "I'm leaving.He'll be all right, Cathy, hang in there." Then to Father: "If youneed me again. Don't hesitate." He picked up his coat and hurriedoff.

Catherine walked over to where Father was now sitting, stiff anduncomfortable.

"Can I see him?"

"He should be unconscious for sometime. You might as well gohome."

Catherine knelt beside his chair. "Is he going to be allright?"

"It appears so. This time. Vincent is strong and healthy." Hiswords were comforting, but his tone was cold. He looked at her paleand drained. Someone who had been very very scared.

Catherine looked longingly in the direction of Vincent's room."Please can I see him? Before I go?" Her voice was small, barely awhisper.

Father took a deep breath. "I'd rather you not disturb him."

Catherine wiped at her watering eyes. "You don't understand--"

Father exploded. "No you don't understand! He could have beenkilled! He could be dead now! I'm not prepared for surgery such asthis! If those bullets had hit anywhere else, I wouldn't have beenable to save him. If he would have lost anymore blood he would havenever come through the operation. It's not like he has a common bloodtype. If Daniel and Martin hadn't already been on their way up, itwould have been another thirty minutes before we could have gotten toyou. You obviously don't understand how close we came tonight tolosing him."

Catherine sobbed into her hands. "I do! I do understand! And Iknow if it wasn't for me, Vincent wouldn't be placing himself indanger the way he does. I know this isn't the first time he has beenhurt because of me and more than likely, it won't be the last.There's only one way I know to assure this won't happen again," shesuddenly felt her words choking her. "That's why, I would like to seehim....one last time."

Father stared back at her stunned.

"Catherine....that will tear him up more than any bullet can." Hereached over and took her hands in his. "Forgive me. I wasfrightened. I took it out on you. There's no reason to come to suchan extreme conclusion. Not in your present state of mind."

Catherine shook her head. She squeezed Father's hands tightly."No. I know it is what I have to do." She took a deep breath andtried to explain. "Vincent was willing to die for me tonight. Itmeant that much for him to know I'd be safe. By leaving him, I'mdoing the same. In the end, I'll at least know he will be safe. Youhave to back me up on this."

Father was shaking his head. "Give it a few days. This is not theright time to make these kinds of decisions. It will destroy him. Itwill destroy you."

Catherine climbed to her feet, wiping her eyes with her hands."Please. Let me see him."

Father nodded. "Yes go to him. Having you near will help him."

Without further hesitation, Catherine strode to Vincent'sroom.

The chamber was dark, lit only by a few candles. Vincent lay onthe bed, breathing easily, his expression one of comfort.

His face was damp with perspiration and it matted the hair overhis forehead. His torso and arm were swathed in gauze, distorting hisnormal streamlined body.

Catherine seated herself, pulling the desk chair next to the bed.She reached over and brushed his damp bangs from his eyes and lay ahand gently on his chest. She could feel his heart hammering againsther palm. It seemed to be getting stronger. She noticed his hand moveto cover hers on his chest. He squeezed it softly.

"Vincent!" Catherine gasped. She leaned over him, her eyessearching his passive face. "Can you hear me?"

"....Cath...."

She took his hand in both of hers. "Hush. Don't try to talk. Rest.You're going to be all right."

"....Weak..."

"You've lost a lot of blood. It's to be expected."

"...Stay...yes...?"

Catherine tried to smile. "Vincent, I..."

"...Promised me..."

Catherine sighed. "Yes, I remember." She was crying again andcouldn't stop. She reached up, stroking his hair. "Don't worry. Iwon't leave you. I promise." Vincent smiled slowly, triumphantly.Catherine wondered how he had known.

Father sighed in relief. He turned from the entrance to Vincent'schamber and headed back to the library for a much deserved cup oftea.

The End.