Not With A Bang, But A Bullet

by Julie A. (Davis) Richards

(A prequel to and inspired by Beth Adams' Lionhearted)

Catherine's hiking boots slipped on the lose stone and she startedto slide sideways before catching herself, just as Vincent grabbedone of her out thrown hands she had instinctively raised for balance.Getting her feet back under her and regaining her balance, she lookedup and flashed a smile at him.

Vincent smiled back. "Just a little farther, Catherine, and wewill be there."

"It'll be nice to camp at one spot for a couple of days, as Iadmit, I've not done much involved with nature for years. But I'vereally enjoyed this trip so far, Vincent."

He felt the truth of her words, the honest emotion echoing downthe Bond, and squeezed her hand, taking a moment to wrap one armaround her and gave her a gentle hug.

An hour and a half later found them at the spot Vincent had chosento bring his beloved to for their vacation. Catherine had twostraight weeks off and had opted to spend almost all of it Below.Vincent had taken the opportunity to plan an eleven day campingexcursion to a place he'd found a few years earlier.

The cavern was enormous, the largest Vincent, as well asCatherine, had ever seen. It was filled with several cascading falls,ending in a lake. Off to the right, steam could be seen curling upfrom some natural hot springs, which ran down into another pond thatmixed with the lake, and then cascaded into a couple of others. Mostinteresting of all was the amount of light in the chamber.

Catherine was absolutely stunned. She looked over at Vincent, whohad one of his rare true smiles on his face.

"I thought you would appreciate it."

"That's hardly the word I would have chosen, Vincent." She repliedbreathlessly.

Vincent took the packs, some real hiking and camping gearCatherine had purchased, and began to set up camp not too far fromthe hot springs pools.

After four days of setting up and breaking down camps, they werepretty good at the teamwork effort and each parted for their duties.Although this time, they set up the tent, something that had themlaughing and giggling over for two hours before they finally figuredout how to get it up correctly.

With camp all set up, they were content to lean up against somerocks near their tent and gaze out at the falls. Vincent beganexplaining why there was so much light, pointing to actual holes inthe ceiling where sunshine from the world Above was penetrating intothe cavern.

"I've explored them, but they are far too small and deep for muchof anything to come through other than the light, dirt, water, and afew bugs." He smiled over at Catherine.

"Well... just as long as it's safe for you is all that matters tome."

As the hours passed, they talked of their lives, dreams, hopes anddesires, friends and family, the latest news from Devin, and manyother topics. Vincent and Catherine never got to chat about thelittle ordinary things in each of their lives and they both realizedwhile talking and listening to the other, how much was still hiddenfrom each other after two years together. Stopping only to fix lunch,they continued.

"You have to admit, Vincent, that even if it wasn't Shakespearewho truly wrote all those poems and sonnets, that whoever did... hestill knew a lot about the human... factor. Love, sorrow, loneliness,desire..."

"Yes. Yes, I do. And... it really does not pain me to know ifShakespeare did them or not. All that really matters it that theywere written and have lived through the ages."

"And think about how, even the uneducated, the people who haven'tstudied them at all, can quote them. Those poems and sonnets are auniversal language of the truths of all of humanity's emotions."

"It is so surprising to so many that when they think of love orexpressing such deep emotions... one always has a tendency to thinkof Shakespeare. No matter how many times the poems have been...'revitalized' in other people's works, it always seems to beremembered as it was first written..."

As the light faded and day turned to night, Catherine gave Vincenta surprise.

"I've been saving these especially for our three days here." Andfrom the bottom of her pack, she pulled out three compressed, longburning Presto logs.

Vincent was astonished and then started laughing. "Is that whyyour pack was so heavy? I had wondered why it never seemed to get anylighter."

Vincent and Catherine gathered stones to place around a pit theyhad dug and when it was sufficiently dark enough, they lit the firstlog and blew out the candles they had used for lighting theirprevious camp evenings.

They snuggled in close together enjoying not only the warmth andlight of the fire, but the warmth and light of their love. Vincenttook out the book of poetry they had been taking turns reading toeach other over the coarse of their camping trip and began.

** We are the hollow men / we are the stuffed men Leaning together/ Headpiece filled with straw. Alas!

Our dried voices, when / We whisper together

Are quiet and meaningless / As wind in dry grass

Or rat's feet on broken glass / In our dry cellar

Shape without form, shade without color, / Paralyzed force,gesture without motion;

Those who have crossed / With direct eyes, to death's otherKingdom

Remember us - if at all - not as lost / Violent souls, butonly

As the hollow men / The stuffed men.

Eyes I dare not meet in dreams / In death's dream Kingdom These donot appear / There, the eyes are

Sunlight on a broken column / There, is a tree swinging

And voices are / In the wind's singing

More distant and more solemn / Than a fading star.

Let me be no nearer / In death's dream Kingdom

Let me also wear / Such deliberate disguises

Rat's coat, crowskin, crossed staves / In a field

Behaving as the wind behaves / No nearer -

Not that final meeting / In the twilight Kingdom

This is the dead land / This is cactus land Here the stone images/ Are raised, here they receive

The supplication of a dead man's hand / Under the twinkle of afading star

Is it like this / In death's other Kingdom

Waking alone / At the hour when we are

Trembling with tenderness / Lips that would kiss

Form prayers to broken stone.

The eyes are not here / There are no eyes here In the valley ofdying stars / In this hollow valley

This broken jaw of our lost Kingdoms / In this last of meetingplaces

We grope together / and avoid speech

Gathered on this beach of the tumid river / Sightless, unless Theeyes reappear / As the perpetual star

Multifoliate rose / Of death's twilight Kingdom

The hope only / Of empty men

Here we go round the prickly pear / Prickly pear prickly pear Herewe go round the prickly pear / At five o'clock in the morning.

Between the idea / And the reality

Between the motion / And the act

Falls the Shadow / For Thine is the Kingdom

Between the conception / And the creation

Between the emotion / And the response

Falls the Shadow / Life is very long

Between the desire / And the spasm

Between the potency / And the existence

Between the essence / And the descent

Falls the Shadow / For Thine is the Kingdom

For thine is / Life is

For Thine is the / This is the way the world ends

This is the way the world ends / This is the way the worldends

Not with a bang but a whimper.

"I never understood a lot of that poem before college. And then,one of the humanities professors had our class extrapolate it and...I think it really drove home to me about symbolism and such hiddenlanguage in between words."

"Yes, I too had trouble understanding this work as well. But theending... I think Elliot knew a bit about the human factor aswell."

He set the book aside and they sat in silence, enjoying the otherscompany, eating dinner, listening to the cascading water and thecrackle of the fire, for several minutes.

Somewhere into the fourth hour of the burning log, Catherineturned towards Vincent. Her eyes caught the enchantment of thefirelight glistening off his long mane, dancing in his eyes, andseemed to soften his face even further than the light fuzz around hisfeatures.

Noticing her stare, Vincent turned to her. The firelight seemed tomake her even more stunning. The honey hair seemed to have a haloaround it, her eyes flickering with the flames. Light and shadowplayed over her features.

Catherine moved closer to him, her hand reaching up to caress theside of his throat, following the jugular down into the hollow andonto his exposed chest above the clothing he wore.

Vincent closed his eyes, reveling in her touch, making him shiver.He was aware of her movement, but by the time he opened his eyes,he'd already felt the pressure of her lips taking the place of herfingers. Instinctively, his arms came up and around her, pulling hercloser.

Catherine took this as a good sign and continued to kiss histhroat. She moved upwards slowly, bringing her hands up and began torun them through his thick mane. She kissed his cheeks, his nose, hisclosed eyelids, and then his forehead.

Vincent moaned slightly with the sensations she was causing inhim. The feeling of her so close to him, the passion and love he feltfrom her for him through the Bond as well as in the physical sense,everything was stunning him into a stupor.

One of Catherine's hands found its way through the layers ofclothing he wore and began caressing his chest. She could feel hisheartbeat and breathing quickening and looked up into his face, hismouth slightly open and his eyes half closed.

Seeing her look at him, Vincent brought his head over to hers. Herbreath was warm and humid against his face in the cool chamber.Tentatively and very shyly, Vincent's mouth closed over Catherine'sand each lost the breath in their bodies as the sensations withineach overcame them. Neither wanting the kiss to end, they had to stopin order to gain the breath they had lost.

"Catherine..." Vincent gasped in utter astonishment. "I... Ican't... believe what I am feeling."

For her answer, Catherine just looked at him, smiling. Then shelooked back at his mouth, one hand coming up to caress his cheek anddown his throat and around his neck to run through his hair, whilethe other continued to caress his chest.

Vincent brought one trembling hand up to her cheek and repeatedthe gesture she had done to him, ending with bringing his hand backto her neck and pulling her towards him. Vincent's mouth once againcaptured Catherine's.

She opened her mouth to allow him to drink deeply of her. When hehesitated, seeming to not understand, Catherine prodded his lips withher tongue. After a moment, he parted them and she probed him slowlyand near his fangs. Vincent opened his mouth even wider after theastonished shiver she felt run through him and she allowed herself togo in deeper. Soon, Vincent was repeating the experience on her.

Catherine untied the strings of the top shirt he wore, parting thefabric to allow her more access to his chest, running her hands overthe hair, her fingers sending shiver after shiver of emotion throughVincent.

He opened his eyes, wrapped his arms loosely around Catherine andturned her sideways and laid her down on the cloak they had beensitting on next to the fire. She never stopped the caresses and whenher back was firmly on the ground, she pulled him closer, her mouthclaiming his once more.

Catherine wanted to touch more of him, one hand trying to findaccess to his stomach, wanting to curl her arm around his back andpull him ever closer.

Vincent felt all of Catherine's longing and desire. Still kissingher, he broke contact only long enough to take the layers of shirtsoff, before coming back down to her. Catherine's hands immediatelywrapped around him, pulling him close, caressing, kneading, rubbing,and fondling his back, chest, and shoulders.

By this time, Vincent was experiencing emotions he had never evendreamed of. He was fighting himself to remain in control, yet it wasa losing battle, one he wanted desperately to lose. Knowing hewouldn't be able to contain himself much longer, he picked Catherineup in mid kiss and carried her into the tent, placing her on the bedof sleeping bags.

Still kissing her, he felt her grasp his hands and move them fromher waist and neck to her breasts. He stopped the kiss and looked ather, eyes questioning. Catherine grasped his hands and moved themover and around her breasts, encouraging him, letting him know whatshe liked, what she wanted, how she liked it.

Very shyly, he continued and was again stunned at the emotionscoming from her. Then she moved and took her shirt off. Vincent'seyes widened at the vision she showed to him. Then she grasped hishands again, laying down, pulling him with her, and placed his handson her breasts and encouraged him to continue.

Vincent began again to caress her, this time seeing the fair, softskin underneath his hands. After a few moments, greatly daring,looking into her eyes, asking all the while, he slid her bra strapsdown her arms and kissed the skin that was reveled. Catherine broughther hands up to her front, unfastening the bra and set it aside.

Again, stunned, Vincent's trembling hands were taken in hers andencouraged to caress the nipples and soft skin around them. After afew moments, daring again and looking into his beloved's eyes, hebent his head down and kissed her breasts. A moan escaped Catherine'slips and full of encouragement, he took heart and began to use histongue.

After a few minutes, Catherine was wanting to scream at Vincent.She wanted him, she needed him. But she knew she had to go slow. Thiswould be his, their, first time and Catherine knew that this timewasn't going to be perfect for him but knew that it was going to bewonderful and would open a doorway into the future for them. But shehad to go slow or she might scare him and they would never get tothis point again.

Several moments later, she pulled away a little and when he backedoff a bit, she motioned for him to lay down. After a brief hesitationhe did so, and she maneuvered to a more comfortable position in thesmall tent.

Vincent shyly watched as she took the rest of her clothing off andthen laid next to him, turned sideways, her right breast crushedagainst his side, her left laying on his chest. Her bare left leg wasthrown over his left, her left hand caressing his chest.

A bit tense and still very uncertain, Vincent wrapped his armsaround her, one hand caressing her shoulder, arm, breast, neck, andface while the other was resting on her lower back.

After several minutes of getting Vincent to relax again and tohave him become even more comfortable with caressing her, ever soslowly, the hand that had been caressing his chest made its way downpast his stomach and began caressing his hardened manhood through thepants he was wearing.

Vincent's breath was coming faster, his heartbeat quickening.Wherever Catherine's hands were, he felt like he had been burned.Very slowly, he loosened his pants around his waist and guided herhand inside.

Catherine was ecstatic, but kept calm. Her hand gently caressedhis groin area, getting him use to her touch and he relaxedfurther.

When Catherine finally touched him, Vincent's breath went out ofhim in a gasp. Never had he ever known that such a sensation wouldexist for him.

After a few minutes of Catherine caressing and fondling hishardness, he moved her hand away and took off the remainder of hisclothes.

Catherine pushed herself up on her elbow as he laid back down,looking at him with the last of the dying fire. Then she began,slowly, to caress and kiss him all over, feeling his trembling bodyunderneath her hands and lips.

Vincent's breathing was coming in gasps, his heart pounding. Afterseveral minutes, he was again caressing and kissing Catherine. Takingher encouragement, he began roaming around her body instead ofstaying at her breasts and head and began kissing her stomach, makinghis shy way down to caressing the hair in between her legs andkissing her inner thighs.

Finally, Catherine could stand it no longer. She gently pushed himdown onto the sleeping bags and carefully straddled him. Slowly, shebrought herself down onto him, moving his throbbing maleness aroundthe outside of her vaginal opening, letting him get used to thesensations she was causing.

Vincent was totally lost in what she was doing with his hardenedand throbbing flesh. And then something exploded inside of him as shepushed herself down onto him all the way.

As soon as Vincent was inside of her, she felt him lose control,felt his warm hot liquid fire pour into her as he called her name,part cry, part roar. Then she began rocking back and forth, knowinghe had already climaxed, she still wanted to show him what it feltlike.

Vincent forced his eyes open, watching Catherine. He brought hishands up and began caressing her breasts, rubbing his thumbs over hernipples and then using his hands to caress her buttocks.Instinctively, he began to move his hips in time with her thrusts andpulled her into him while at the same time trying to force himselfdeeper into her.

The rhythm she was setting had them gasping for air within a fewshort moments. Catherine had been hard pressed to control her ownorgasm after all the foreplay and Vincent's climax, but she wantedVincent to know what it felt like, what everything felt like.

Vincent felt something in his beloved beginning to spasm and feltliquid fire exploding all around himself, deep inside her.

Catherine was moaning, calling out his name over and over.Finally, spent, she collapsed down beside him and Vincent wrapped hisarms around her.

"Catherine..." He was speechless. "I... I don't... know what tosay. I never... I always thought that feeling such emotions wouldalways be a mystery to me. That I would never experience them..."Vincent couldn't begin to put his emotions or his feelings oranything that was spinning around inside of him into words.

"Vincent... I knew that this time would come. I knew it with allof my heart and soul. I love you and you love me... it's natural forus to have reached this point. And now you can set aside your fears.You didn't hurt me and... you can't hurt me, Vincent. It's what Ihave been trying to tell you all along, my dearest Love." Catherinewas looking into his eyes, deeply, trying to see if any shadows ofany doubts lingered in him regarding them. Regarding beingintimate.

Vincent let her look and through her, he looked at himself andinto himself, and realized that he didn't have any. Those doubts andfears had evaporated, perhaps not in the first stages of the evening,but definitely by the time his body had exploded into hers with hisclimax. It was like he was looking through a doorway, one that he hadnever even realized was there until he passed through it.

They talked for a little while longer and then Catherine cuddledinto Vincent, reveling in the whole feeling of him, without clothes,without barriers, and Vincent reveled with her. Soon, they foundtheir energy returned to them and began again to explore the manypossibilities that were finally open to them.

Needless to say, the rest of the camping trip was spent in waysthat neither of them had ever dreamed of.

About two weeks later,

10AM, Sunday

Sara sank down onto the down comforter of her parents bed with herboyfriend's arms firmly around her waist and back. His breath was hoton her lips and then his mouth was on hers. Kyle's legs werestraddling her and she had one hand wrapped around his neck while theother was finding it's way down into his running shorts.

"Oh, come on!"

The two figures remained embraced in each other's arms,unresponsive to the young woman laying on the couch in her livingroom.

In disgust, Aimee changed the channel and came across a cookingshow and then a home decorating program followed by a churchservice.

"I hate Sunday's. Actually, there isn't anything worth watching onTV any day of the week. You'd think with seventy plus TV stationsthat there would be something worth my time to watch." Aimee strokedthe fur of Abigail's terrier, KC, while she was speaking.

"Well, you could always go back to that first program, you know.It was at least going to get interesting." Piped in Randy, her"adopted" brother.

"You wish." Aimee said with force. "You can go back over to yourhouse to watch it, but I'm really not into that, especiallytoday."

Randy laughed. "Only because Matt is out of town and you are flaton your back for a couple of more days. I'm telling you, Aimee, youreally should know better what you are capable of doing by now. Andbesides, if I left, who would you have to be your servant?"

Aimee threw one of her pillows at him, which he grabbed whilestill in the air and promptly threw it back at her, hitting her inthe head, as she wasn't as fast or capable of catching it at themoment.

Randy looked at his friend with affection. "Would you like me togo and rent some movies, bring your laptop over, or get you somebooks or something?"

"Actually..." Aimee thought for a moment. "Movies do sound good.How about handing me the laptop and then getting me something todrink. Then you can go see what's available to rent."

Randy got up from his place on the floor where he'd been using thesofa as a backrest while working on a model airplane, making sure thenewly glued piece was over the paper on the coffee table. Shaking hislegs a little as he walked into the kitchen he asked her what shewanted.

"How about a 7UP? Do we still have some?"

After looking in the fridge and not finding any, he went over toone of the pantries.

"Yeah, but it's not cold. I'll put some ice in it and put the restof them in the fridge for you."

"Thanks, Randy. What would I do without you?"

"No comment." He replied as he came back to the living room andhanded her the tall glass, smiling.

Randy went into the bedroom and came back shortly with her laptop.Giving it to her, he plugged the electrical cord into the outletbehind the couch. Then he went over and grabbed his coat from therack by the main entrance and stooped over to put his tennis shoeson.

"What do you feel like watching? And do you want me to do anythingelse while I'm out?"

"Wait a moment. There should have been a briefcase under thelaptop, would you bring that here also, please?"

When he came back to her, she had the laptop running and wasopening various programs. She smiled up at him.

"Think about what you want?" Randy leaned over to see what she wasdoing.

"Yeah. How about some real adventure types. Something IndianaJonesy type... and whatever else you can think of or would like."

"How about groceries or anything? Mom and Dad will be over atvarious times tomorrow. Stephanie said she was going to stop by also.Martha and Terry will be over to fix lunch and maybe dinner and keepyou company for a little while. Then I'll be back from taking thekids to practice and having dinner with them and Kristy.

"Oh, and someone called for you when you were soaking in the tub."Randy went over to the counter under the phone in the kitchen. Comingback, he handed her the note.

"She said it was important and when I said you weren't going to begoing anywhere for a couple of days, she told me to let you know thatshe'd call you later."

"Catherine Chandler?" The name didn't ring any bells withAimee.

"She said she's an assistant District Attorney and she needed totalk to you about a guy named..." Randy was trying to remember thename, the lady had only said it once and he didn't ask her to repeatit.

"... I think his name was Falla."

Randy had turned around and didn't see her face go pale. By thetime he'd checked his airplane model and turned it over to allow moreair to circulate around the drying wing, she had recovered enoughthat he didn't notice.

"Uh... unless you need anything in particular, Randy, I think Idon't need anything." She responded, her mind still on the name ofFalla.

"Ok." He replied on his way to the door. "I'll be back as soon asI can. Don't try and do anything or you'll be sorry." Randy pointedhis finger at her and gave her another smile. "You remember whathappened last time."

"Yeah... I do." And she gave her friend a smile as he left herapartment.

Aimee looked down at the note in her hand, Catherine Chandler. Andthen she noticed she was trembling. How did you find me? And what doyou want to talk to me about? And then Aimee started shaking evenmore. If you found me, so can he. Then Aimee started crying.

9:30AM, Tuesday

Catherine dialed the number and again got the answeringmachine.

For someone who isn't supposed to be going anywhere for a coupleof days... She thought.

Catherine gathered up the files regarding this particular case,grabbed her coat and purse, and preceded towards the elevator. Joecaught her going out the door.

"Hey Radcliffe. Where you going at this time of day, it's not timefor lunch and it's definitely not time for you to go home?" He hadthat stern look on his face, but it was marred by the twinkle in hiseye and the slight smile.

"I found a possible source of information regarding the Falla caseyou gave me. Her name's Aimee Polkman. I called her place on Sundayand her friend said she wouldn't be going anywhere because she'dthrown out her back. But every time I've called her since then I'vegotten the answering machine. I'm going to see if she'll talk to mein person."

Joe nodded his head. "Sounds good."

10:15AM

Catherine arrived via taxi at the address listed for Aimee. It wasin a fairly nice section of the city with trees lining both sides andthere was a small park attached to a daycare center just down theblock. Catherine gathered her files under her arm, readjusted herpurse on her shoulder and went up the steps to the entrance. Sheopened the door and started up the stairs to C3. Knocking on thedoor, it opened a few seconds later to a lady dressed in officeclothing.

"Hello, my name is Catherine Chandler, assistant DistrictAttorney, I'm looking for Aimee Polkman." She smiled at the olderlady, extending her right hand for a handshake.

"Hello. I'm Abigail Williams." The older lady looked a littleuncertain. "Please, come in. Aimee's in the living room on thecouch."

Catherine made her way into the well decorated apartment and sawanother woman on the couch. Her head was turned to see who thevisitor was and she had undoubtedly heard Catherine introduceherself.

"Hello Ms. Polkman. I've tried several times to get hold of you,but have only been able to get your answering machine." Catherine sawthe phone next to the couch. Aimee saw her look.

"I haven't been returning anyone's calls, nor have I felt liketalking much." Aimee looked over to Abigail.

"Thanks for stopping by and doing lunch, you know how much I hatethis."

"Yes, Aimee, I know, but thank goodness you have friends andfamily to help you when it happens." The older lady gave her a warmembrace and kiss on the forehead. "I must get back to the office.Stephanie said she would be over to fix you dinner, but not to worryif it's after six before she gets here, as she's going to stop by theparty." And with that, she picked up her things and started for thedoor, KC following behind with his leash dragging on the floor. Shelooked back at them, looking fixedly at Catherine. "Nice meeting youMs. Chandler. I hope everything is alright." Then she turned back toAimee. "I'll make sure Stephanie brings you back something from theparty also. All of us will be thinking of you, sweetheart." And thenshe was gone.

The silence that followed was broken only by the stereo Aimee hadplaying and the slight hum of her laptop computer sitting on the sidetable where she could easily reach it.

Aimee sighed and looked at Catherine. "Why are you trying so hardto talk with me?"

"I'm trying to get some information regarding the businessdealings of Trent Falla and, according to my research, you use to befairly close to him. I was wondering if you could give me anythingthat may be of use to the case we're building against him." Catherinenoticed how Aimee paled when Falla's name was mentioned.

"I'm sorry, Ms. Chandler, but I don't know anything of importance.I went out with him a few times after working in his company forseveral months. But then I was offered a better position and left. Ihaven't talked with him or seen him since I gave my notice."

"Aimee... Since I've mentioned his name you have gotten pale andstarted trembling. Obviously there's more to it than that. Whateveris causing such a reaction is bound to be of some use to us. If theinformation is vital enough or you are considered to be in any typeof danger because of that information, we can put you in the WitnessProtection Program. This man-" Catherine was cut off.

"I don't know anything. My reaction is not from the mention of myprevious employer's name but due to the medication I am taking. Henever discussed business matters with me, nor anything of hispersonal business or life. We went out to the movies, had somedinners, went dancing, and had some drinks together. There wasnothing else." Aimee's voice started out a little stressed but by theend of the sentence she was calm.

Catherine didn't believe that Aimee didn't know anything. But shewould have to go about this another way or continue to have wallsthrown up in front of her.

"Well, thank you for your time, Ms. Polkman. If you should happento think of anything that will be of help to our investigation or youjust want to talk, here's my card." Catherine handed the creamcolored oblong card over to her.

She stood up. "Can I do anything for you before I leave?"

"No... no. Thank you." Aimee smiled slightly. "I'm sorry I can'thelp you further, Ms. Chandler."

11:30AM

"She knows something, Joe. The moment I mentioned his name shestarted trembling and went three shades of pale. We need to know whatthat something is."

"I agree Chandler, but you know the rules as well as I. The onlything I can do at the moment is put her under surveillance, whichwe've already agreed on. Until something else happens or she decidesto tell you what she knows or asks for protection, there isn'tanything else we can do." Joe had that expression on his face, theone that said I-hate-this-as-much-as-you-but-rules-are-rules.

"Ok, ok. I'll just have to come up with some other sources untilshe decides to talk." She looked over at Joe. "Or something happens."And they both stared at the other for a moment in the silence thatfollowed. Both knowing that in their business something alwayshappened. Sometimes it was good... sometimes it was bad... andsometimes it was a combination.

5:30PM

Aimee had just been visited by some employees of Falla. They toldher in no uncertain terms that, given how hard she had tried todisappear and that an assistant District Attorney had found her withlittle effort, Aimee hadn't tried hard enough to vanish. Aimee hadthought she had escaped from their notice, but after thatconversation, she knew that they had known all along where she wasand how to find her. And more importantly, about everyone in heradopted family and her friends.

She took the card, now bent and rumpled, stained with her sweat offear, from between the cushion and the side of the couch where shehad hastily stashed it when the men had broken into her apartment.Aimee didn't consider herself a coward or someone of little courage,but she didn't consider herself someone of extra ordinary strengtheither.

It took Aimee a few minutes to talk herself into calling CatherineChandler, but she finally picked up the phone, her hand shaking somuch that she had to dial the number twice.

"Catherine Chandler."

Aimee took a breath. "Ms. Chandler... this is Aimee. You're right.I do know some things that could help your case. But..."

Catherine listened to Aimee talk, telling of the visitors she hadtoday, what they had told her and promised would happen to her lovedones and herself, and a little bit of what she knew.

"Aimee, just on the basis of what you have told me, you canqualify for police protection and the Witness Protection Program. I'mgoing to send an officer over to your apartment, get a bag ready andwe'll get your other things packed for you. Expect the officer to bethere in about twenty minutes. I'm going to send a couple ofpoliceman over to the Williams' place to make sure everything thereis ok as well."

"Thanks Ms. Chandler." Aimee sounded just as tense now as she hadat the beginning of the call.

"Try not to worry. The officer will be there soon."

5:45PM

The police car pulled up in front of the Williams' residence andone of the officers was just calling in their report while the otherwas heading around to the back of the house where the party could beheard, when there was an explosion. The front of the house becameencased in fire and the force of the blast sent its windows sprayingoutward, the police officer to be throw to the ground, and variouscar alarms on the block to go off.

The officer using the radio changed his report in mid word callingfor emergency vehicles and police backup.

5:50PM

The officer arrived and walked up to Aimee's apartment. She hadbeen wobbling around, getting the bag packed, and had just sat down,sweating and in pain from the exertion, when the officer came in. Hetook her bag and helped her off of the couch, escorting her down tothe waiting vehicle.

There was a car just across the street with two men sitting in thefront seat. They saw Aimee and the bag and then started the engine.Following the police car to it's destination would be easy, they didit all the time.

As they were riding, Aimee staring out the window, the scannergave additional information regarding the explosion. Aimee heard theaddress, the blood draining from her face.

"What happened? I need to get over there right now!" Aimee toldthe officer.

"I'm sorry ma'am, but my instructions are to take you to a safehouse, no detours."

"But, you don't understand, that my friend's address, there was aparty there tonight. I need to know what happened and if... ifthey're ok." Aimee was beside herself with what had happened and theimplications of it.

The officer talked into the radio and got more details regardingthe explosion. He looked over at Aimee and then asked to be patchedover to headquarters.

"I have Aimee Polkman with me, transporting her to a safe house inregards to assistant District Attorney Chandler's instructions. Theexplosion that just occurred..." The officer continued.

Aimee listened to the conversation and went totally silent whenthe answer the officer got back was a negative to take her to theWilliams.

"Continue on to the safe house, we'll make sure Ms. Polkman getsall the information she needs after she's there."

The officer gave her a sympathetic look and told her he knew thiswould be hard, but she needed to think about keeping herselfsafe.

For a moment, Aimee debated on getting out of the car at the nextstop light. Who am I kidding? With this back I wouldn't get one footout the door before he pulled me back in.

As they continued on, slow tears slid down her face.

"Please..." Aimee whispered, "please, let them be ok."

6:10PM

Catherine had left the office moments after making thearrangements for Aimee to be sent to a safe house and sending thepolice car over to the Williams' residence. Vincent had invited herto a concert Below and she was already late, although she knew hewould understand.

She took a cab straight to her apartment but went immediatelyBelow.

Seeing a bunch of construction tools and materials, Catherinereminded herself again that she was going to have to start using adifferent entrance to Below for a couple of weeks.

Coming down the ladder, she sensed his presence, like the sunappearing from up behind the clouds after a long period of rainydays.

Catherine walked into his embrace, snuggling into her usual placebelow his chin and feeling the warmth and peace he offered.

"Sorry I'm late, we just got a major break in a case that's goingto put a very ugly man out of business."

"Yes, I know. I felt your determination all day, and then towardsthe end it was like a window opened to let fresh air into a staleroom." Vincent stroked her hair and kissed her forehead, then ever soshyly kissed her lips. She sank into his embrace even further,drinking deeply of him.

After a sigh, Vincent broke away from her. "Come, let us see theconcert and put away the day together. Tomorrow will come and youneed to rest for it."

She smiled up at him and let him lead her through the tunnels toher own adopted family.

They took a short tour through the various common areas, greetingfriends and chatting a bit, much like the talk that is done byfriends and others attending a concert Above. However, when Williamfound out that Catherine hadn't eaten anything since lunch, he fixedher a sandwich and a cup of tea and wouldn't allow her to leave thedining hall until he'd watched her eat the whole thing, much toVincent's amusement.

They ended up in Father's Library only moments before the concertbegan, seated on a loveseat reserved for them, with children gatheredaround their feet. There was a quartet tonight and the selectionsthey picked were very soothing to Catherine. She couldn't believe shewas so tired, it being such a short time after that wonderfulvacation, as well as only being Tuesday.

Vincent had felt that Catherine was tired and had immediatelyknown when she had fallen asleep. He moved his arm and shifted hisbody just a little to give her a more comfortable position to relaxin, not wanting her to get a crick in her neck.

The concert went on for about an hour and a half and no onenoticed Catherine. He debated on letting her sleep after the concertended, knowing he could carry her to one of the guest chamberswithout disturbing her, but he would have to wait until everyone wascleared from the room or make a spectacle of it.

The buzz of conversation began filling the room, interspersed withyawns of children and adults alike. Mary turned to look at one of thechildren and her eyes caught the site of Vincent and Catherine. Shesmiled and got Father's attention, motioning for him to look atthem.

Father made his way over to Vincent.

"I see the concert did it's magic a bit too powerfully on oneparticular person." His voice was just above a whisper.

Vincent smiled, his voice not needing to be altered because ofit's pitch to begin with.

"She has had a long week already."

"Perhaps you would consider having her stay in one of the guestchambers this evening, Vincent? Seems a shame to send her home insuch a state." And Father left them.

Vincent smiled again. Yes, I would welcome Catherine to stay thenight.

The chamber emptied very quickly and Vincent had his suspicionsabout that. Within just a couple of moments after the last personleft, Vincent picked Catherine up in his arms, not disturbing herwhatsoever, and carried her through the tunnels to the chamber shealways used when she was Below.

He found candles already lit and the blankets folded down, anightgown spread out on the bed. Vincent's suspicions were nowconfirmed. Mary. Or Father.

Vincent laid Catherine down on the bed, took her shoes off, andthen sat down beside her. He still felt hesitant about doing anythingwithout Catherine initiating it and felt very shy about unclothingher without her consent.

My dearest, Catherine. How I love thee.

He sat in silence, just starring down at her for several minutes,watching her breathing, her face full of peace that only came insleep. Vincent came to the conclusion that he couldn't leave hertonight. They had agreed to keep their newfound status as lovers asecret for themselves for a little while longer, to get used to theidea of being so intimate, so that when it became "common" knowledge,they wouldn't feel so... shy about it. He never wanted to leave her;but tonight, something was calling him to stay.

Taking off his cloak, he set it on one of the chairs near thetable. He gently raised Catherine's legs and moved the covers she waslaying on, putting her legs inside and covering her with them. Hemoved the nightgown from it's place on the bed to lay on top of hiscloak. Vincent took off his shoes, blew out all the candles but theone at the bedside, and went around to the other side and crawled inbeside Catherine.

He reveled at the feeling of their closeness and turned sideways,his head resting on the pillow raised by his right arm. Vincentcontinued to watch Catherine breathing, the play of the flickeringcandle light creating light and shadow around her features.

A moment more he watched and then Catherine turned towards himand, sensing warmth, she instinctively drew close to him and wrappedher arms around him, her head snuggling into his chest, a slightsmile on her lips. Caught off guard, Vincent held his breath, notwanting to wake her. When she didn't stir again, he wrapped his armsaround her and enjoyed the warmth their bodies were making.

Slowly, Vincent dropped off to sleep, a smile on his lips and inhis heart.

Catherine awoke totally disoriented. She was snuggled against awarm body and still fully clothed. The candle at the bedside wasstill lit and gave her an anchor.

I'm Below. I must have fallen asleep during the concert.

She felt the warmth of the body close to her and realized it wasVincent. Smiling, she sighed deeply and contentedly.

At that moment, Vincent turned from being on his back and facedtowards her.

"Catherine?" He whispered very quietly, not sure if she wasawake.

In answer, Catherine turned to him and pushed herself as close tohim as she could and then tilted her head up a little and kissed thebase of his throat.

Vincent's arms went around her and pulled her even closer, a sighescaping his lips and brushing softly against her hair.

"You have not been asleep long, you should try and get some morerest before you need to return home." Vincent said softly, yet hisbody was giving hers ideas of its own.

"I'm sorry, Vincent, but I can't do that. At least not with howI'm feeling at the moment." Catherine responded and again kissed himon the throat, following that with several more.

Vincent pulled her in closer to him and began caressing her hair,face, neck, and throat. He had a habit of breathing when he wasaroused that soundly strangely like a kitten purring in uttercontentment.

Catherine brought one hand up and wrapped it around the back ofhis neck and pulled his face to hers, capturing his mouth, probinghis lips with her tongue until he opened his mouth and let her in.The other hand was caressing his chest through his clothing.Vincent's hands were at her waist and back, pulling her into him andsighing deeply into her hair and then coming back to her mouth.

She was beginning to slip out of her blazer when Vincent froze.Thinking that he was going to tell her that they shouldn't be doingthis, Catherine started to say that it was alright, that it was abouttime they stopped being so secretive. Before she could voice themhowever, Vincent was out of the bed and facing the wall, just beforeJamie came pounding into the guest chamber.

"Catherine... Oh, you're awake." Then she noticed Vincent's back."Vincent. I'm sorry, I didn't mean to interrupt anything."

"It's alright, Jamie. What did you need?" Catherine had composedherself quickly and focused Jamie's attention on her, giving Vincenttime to pull himself together.

"A message from Jenny. She says it's urgent that you contact JoeMaxwell regarding the Polkman case, there's been an explosion andthey need you." Jamie repeated the message word for word fromJenny.

"Oh, God." Catherine jumped out of the bed and grabbed her shoesfrom under the chair and put them on.

By this time, Vincent had been able to compose himself and camearound the bed, Jamie having left knowing that he would helpCatherine exit the tunnels.

"Catherine... you must be careful." Vincent stopped Catherine'smotions of hurry by simply wrapping his arms around her. Catherinenestled into his embrace, her forehead resting just under histhroat.

"I will Vincent." And then she looked up a him, a smile tugging ather lips. "After all, I have a lot to live for, especially now. And Iintend on finishing what we started tonight."

Vincent smiled at her. Holding her close, he bent his head downand gave her a passionate kiss, letting the leash loose on some ofhis earlier desire that he had not been able to show due to Jamie'suntimely entrance.

"A promise. For later." He whispered to her.

Catherine was absolutely delighted. Looking deeply into Vincent'sface, she realized that, indeed, it was a promise for later, that hewas ready to share their secret with his family now.

Vincent's heart engulfed him with the emotion that Catherineexploded with, echoing down through the Bond, as well as the smileshe gave him.

"Until later then, my Love."

12:15AM, Wednesday

Catherine arrived back at her apartment to several messages on hermachine. Changing into jeans, a warm shirt, and tennis shoes, sheheaded out and over to the police station.

"Finally, Radcliff. Where the Hell ya been?" Joe Maxwell's temperfound a target.

"Contrary to popular belief, boss, I do have a life outside ofwork. What's happened?" Catherine walked into the captain'soffice.

"A life outside? Will wonders never cease?" Joe took one more jibebefore he began explaining all the happenings.

"No one was seriously injured in the explosion, however, I'm sureit was used as a warning for Aimee Polkman. She was on her way to thesafe house when it came over the scanner and since then, all shewants to do is go home. I think she's caught the ŒI don't knowanything' bug. If we don't get a lid on this fast, Cath, we're goingto lose her." Joe finished.

Catherine sighed. "Great." She stretched.

"Ok. Let's just assume that Falla knows about everything. Let'sassume he knows about Aimee going to a safe house and assume he knowswhere that safe house is. Captain, can we transfer her to anothersafe house along with assuming that Falla already has men at thecurrent house?"

"It'll take a few hours to arrange, but it shouldn't be a problem.I'll need to find a couple of female officers or staff to make theruse work." The captain replied, grabbing for his phone to make thefirst of several calls.

"Joe, can we get any people to start tailing the tailers? And towatch Aimee's family so we don't get something worse than a warningnext time?" She looked over at her boss.

Joe looked over at the captain, talking on the phone, who nodded."We'll work on it, Cath. Now, what about Polkman? You want to go overand talk with her before she loses it completely?" He continued.

"Now?"

Joe smiled and nodded.

"Might as well, I suppose. It needs to be done, of course."Catherine had hoped the rest could wait until later in the morning,after she'd gotten some more rest, but duty called.

The captain hung up the phone. "We should be able to haveeverything set by around 8AM. I'll give you a call and let you knowthe details when everything's ready."

1:45AM

Catherine arrived at the safe house to find two officers involvedin a conversation revolving around football and Aimee laying on thecouch, wide awake.

"Hello, Aimee."

"Ms. Chandler!" Aimee was clearly surprised to see her, but smiledat her good fortune. "Please... can I go home? Nothing I can tell youis of worth enough for people to be... hurt over."

"Aimee, I know this is hard, but what you know will put Falla andmany of his goons away for a long time. And it's not going to stopsimply because you go home. This business, you being involved withFalla, is kind of like being pregnant... once committed, you're infor the long haul.

"This is going to take a lot of patience and strength from you,for you to get through this. We, the District Attorney's office andthe rest of the justice system, will support you as much as we areable to. But... it all boils down to you." Catherine earnestly toldthe young woman.

Aimee knew she was right, but Aimee was scared. She wanted to gohome, she wanted everything to go back to how it was before she'dever met Falla. But she knew that that wasn't possible.

"I've been living... a lie, for a long time now. I thought I wassafe, thought I had gotten free of their reach... but I haven't andI'm never going to until the whole organization is gone." This last,a statement.

"It's never going to stop is it?" Then going on, "What happensif... Who's to say that it will ever be over? What happens if someonetakes over Falla's organization? I can't hide forever."

Catherine had listened to Aimee and understood the fears, as manyof her clients had those same questions.

"You think that after we cut off the snake's head, it will growback?

"Aimee, we are going to do our best to destroy his organization,but we can't do as much damage to it without you, or someone else, orseveral someone else's, to help us."

Catherine sat in silence while Aimee absorbed this.

"I... need to think, Catherine."

She stood up and then bent a little towards Aimee.

"I understand. Goodnight, Aimee. Call if you need to talk."

2:30AM

Catherine arrived back at her apartment and found one of theFrench doors open. Going out onto the balcony, she found Vincentseated in one of the patio set chairs.

"Catherine." He stood up and wrapped his arms around her after shecame in close.

"You've had a very long day. You need to get some sleep before ittruly starts."

"Yes, I know. Thanks for being here, Vincent. Things are prettyhectic... I hope there aren't any more developments, although I'msure there's going to be."

She was exhausted and would only have a few hours of rest beforeanother full day of office work and more investigations took more ofher strength from her.

Catherine had a moment of utter depression and despair, of knowingthat, like Aimee, she was as much a victim of the Œit's nevergoing to stop' thinking because society wasn't changing in it's waysof violence and other crimes.

"This is the way the world ends, This is the way the world ends,Not with a bang but a whimper." She quoted softly.

But then she wrapped her strength around her like a cloak.

Vincent felt her desperation and depression, knew what the quotemeant, and also felt her pull herself around herself, the strengthflowing from her inner being and engulfing her in its protection.

Smiling slightly, he drew her in closer and caressed her hair.Tilting her head up to his, he kissed her, again letting the leashloose on some of the emotions he had been holding in him sinceearlier.

Catherine's eyes filled with love and warmth and she kissed himback, yet with more exhaustion then passion.

"And after you are rested and relaxed, we still have someunfinished business." Vincent whispered.

Catherine laughed, a smile precluding her emotions and filling himwith happiness, the earlier despair and depression forgotten.

6:45PM, Wednesday

Catherine was sitting on her couch with a hot cup of tea whenthere was a light tap on one of the French doors. Smiling, she sether cup down and crossed the room. Opening the door, she then slippedinto Vincent's embrace.

"I was expecting you sooner."

"I'm sorry, I was delayed by some errands." Vincent smiled at her,holding her close and then pushing her backwards into her apartment.Catherine turned in his arms and they come into the living room andsat down on the couch, snuggling close.

"I had forgotten a prior engagement and had to make some lastminute arrangements. One of which is you."

Catherine looked over at him, a little puzzled.

Vincent smiled and gave a shy chuckle. "I have been... sopreoccupied of late that I have forgotten what time of the year itis."

Catherine didn't lose the puzzled expression on her face.

"It's time for the older children to go camping." Vincentresponded.

"Again? Already? Well... I guess we have been... a bit busy." Shelaughed at Vincent's blush. "When are you supposed to beleaving?"

"Tomorrow morning." Seeing her expression, he held up one hand. "Iknow, I know... But duty calls, my dearest Catherine. I will be backby Sunday at the latest and I will come back as quickly as possibleif the need arises. I promise."

"I'm not worried about that, Vincent. Things are going well, Aimeeis at another safe house and as far as we can tell, no one tailed herthere, and her adopted family is safe. And I have more than enoughpolice officers to help out on this particular case if somethingshould happen. Don't worry about me, things are going... ok. I'm justgoing to miss you. This new relationship we have is addicting." Sheresponded to him while caressing one of his legs.

Vincent returned the caresses on her hair and cheek. "I know. Butit will only be for a couple of days."

"Vincent, at this stage, Œonly a couple of days' will seemlike a lifetime." Catherine giggled and kissed him.

Before Catherine could work any more of her magic on him, althoughhe suspected that it was too late to stop his body's reactions toher, he stood up.

"Catherine. I must go. I have a camping trip to get together andtwo chaperons to prepare."

"Who's going with you this time?" Catherine understood Vincent'sreaction and was disappointed yet glad of it, as she had a long dayin court to rest for and she needed to focus on that, and not...well, she wouldn't dwell on that.

"Mouse and Jaimie." Vincent smiled at Catherine's knowing andamused look. He shrugged.

"I must go, Catherine. I will be back as soon as I can, but eachof us have lives to attend to. Nothing has changed to them... just tous." And he bent down, taking her in his arms and gave her the mostwonderful Œuntil later' kiss. Full of passion and promises itwas.

4:45PM, Friday

Answering the phone, Catherine grabbed another pencil, making surethe point on it wasn't broken.

She began taking notes and after several minutes, a few briefwords, and reiterating what the person had told her, Catherine hungup the phone and hurried over to Joe's office.

His door was open and she knocked on the door jam to get hisattention.

"Aimee's just been given the go ahead for the Witness ProtectionProgram, they're going to send the paperwork over by specialmessenger and then we can start getting her into the program. As soonas it's here, I'll head over to the safe house and have her fill outthose forms and get her ready to move.

"I'm glad it came through, Aimee's really been skittish."Catherine smiled at Joe. "I'll be glad when this case is wrapped upand she's safe, with Falla and all his goons in jail."

"You and me both, Radcliffe. Do whatever needs doing. Give me acall and let me know how it went or if you need any last minutedetails taken care of." Joe told her as he grabbed his coat andumbrella.

"Hot date, Joe?" Catherine asked with a chuckle.

"Only if you think that includes a meeting with the captain at thestation. We need to do some more paper work and get some otherdetails together regarding the Chapman file. Talk to ya later,Radcliffe."

"Night boss."

8:15PM

Catherine and Aimee had gone over all the requisite paperwork andfilled out everything while the officers on duty had filled out theirreports and put them in order. By the time the other officers beingused to transfer Aimee to the Witness Protection Program facilitiesarrived, everything was complete, and Catherine was sitting with her,keeping Aimee calm and explaining what to expect.

The police officers left and then Catherine walked with Aimee outto the car that was going to transport her. The other officers wereloading her belongings in the trunk and filling out their last minutepaperwork, to be taken back to the District Attorney's office, whenanother car came rolling down the street. No one paid it any mind,until the passenger window rolled down, and several silenced bulletsrained down on them, bursting the car windows and taking one of theofficers down.

Aimee screamed while Catherine grabbed her and forced her down tothe pavement.

The car Falla's men were using stopped and two men got out. Theother officer was taken out when he placed himself between the womenand one of the men who opened fire on them. Before the officer hadfallen to the ground, Catherine was urging Aimee to run as fast asshe could down the block.

The group of campers were enjoying the evening as they satroasting marshmallows and singing one of those nonsense campfiresongs, when Vincent's head jerked up. Everyone's laughter and singingdied as they watched him.

Suddenly he was on his feet, grabbing a water skin.

"Catherine's in trouble. Mouse, Jaime, stay with the children. Iwill be back as soon as I can or send someone else to take over forme." And then he was gone.

With Aimee's bad back, they couldn't run very fast and Catherineknew they were going to be in trouble.

Running ahead of Aimee, Catherine looked for some place to duckinto that might offer some sort of safety.

Grabbing Aimee as she started to run past her, Catherine lookedbehind her, one man on foot following them. Catherine ducked into thebuilding, trying the elevator and the doors on the other side of thehall. Finding them locked, she saw the door to the stairwell. Shemotioned Aimee inside. Telling her to go downstairs into the parkinggarage, Catherine looked around for something to block the door withor to use as a weapon. Seizing the fire extinguisher, Catherinefollowed Aimee down the stairs.

Once in the parking garage, she and Aimee started running down thewalkway between the building and the cars, picking a car at random,they each ducked in between cars and crouched down on the floor.Catherine had ducked in one row too early and she was just about tocrouch-walk around to the next row to be with Aimee, when thestairwell door banged open.

Freezing in place, Catherine hoped Aimee would be calm enough tosit where she was and not make any noise.

Vincent's strides were eating up the distance the campers hadtaken a day to traverse, but sensing the fear in his beloved growingeven more, he tried to coax more speed into his limbs.

"You aren't going to get out of here alive, Aimee. You were warnedwhat would happen if you tried to tell what you knew. You were warnedwhen we came to your apartment and again with that explosion. Youaren't going to be given another chance to stay silent, Aimee. You'vealready proven that you can't." The man was coming closer, making noeffort at stealth.

Catherine could hear Aimee's ragged breathing and prayed thatFalla's goon would be so preoccupied with finding Aimee that he wouldforget about her.

Catherine heard his footsteps coming over to her car, getting infront of the front bumper she watched him pass. Then she quietly gotup out of the crouch and made her way to follow him.

"Hello." And then Aimee screamed, but before the man had a chanceto fire his gun, Catherine came up behind him and swung the fireextinguisher into his head. He crumpled to the floor and Catherinewas just about to grab his gun, motioning for Aimee to come with her,when she heard a noise.

Taking the younger woman's sweaty palm in her's, Catherine quicklymade their way into a darkened section of the parking garage, wishingshe'd had time to grab the weapon.

"Wait. You hit him, we can leave now." Aimee's voice was tooloud.

Catherine put her finger up to her mouth. "Ssshhh."

As if in answer to Aimee's naiveté, a car pulled slowlyinto the garage, and Catherine pulled Aimee into the dark between aJeep Cherokee and a BMW.

The headlights flashed on the crumpled form and the car rolledon.

Vincent was gasping slightly for air, his legs still eating up theground, but he had a long way to go with the knowledge thatCatherine's fear was growing and that he might arrive too late thistime.

Angrily throwing that thought out of his mind, he again pulled upmore energy and sped on.

Aimee was sitting next to her, tears in her eyes, and her handswere massaging her lower back. Catherine looked at her in sympathybut had no time to spare caring for her.

"Aimee, I want you to get under that car and lay very quietly. Ineed to scout our location, see if there's any way we can get out ofhere without them seeing us." Catherine was already choosing herroute.

"You want me to get under the car?"

"Just do it, Aimee."

After making sure Aimee was laying quietly, Catherine, keeping tothe shadows, darted in and out and between cars, looking for anotherexit or even an emergency phone.

She looked back just in time to see another car pulling into thegarage. Thinking it could be a diversion they could use, shewatched.

The first car had stopped just passed the crumpled form and thedriver got out of it to check on his partner. The second car pulledup behind it and three other men got out and greeted the first.

"No help there." Catherine uttered sarcastically.

Praying that Aimee would sit quietly and not panic, Catherinesearched the garage with her eyes.

Nothing. She thought. Then she noticed an emergency exit door onthe other side of the garage. Smiling, she began making her way backtowards Aimee.

And came up short as Catherine saw that Aimee had gotten out fromunder the car and was looking around for her. Before Catherine coulddo more than see Aimee, one of the men shouted and the other threespread out and closed in on the girl.

One of the men happened to glance in Catherine's direction and shehad to waste precious seconds sliding between cars, slowly making herway around the edge to see if he'd seen her.

Then she heard Falla himself speaking with Aimee, then he raisedhis own gun, not paying any attention to Aimee's screaming, and firedthree shots into the woman.

As Aimee fell to the ground, another shout went up, jerkingCatherine's eyes over to the man who happened to have glanced in herdirection.

Catherine turned around and ran for the exit she had just seen,slamming through the door hard enough to send it crashing into thewall behind, a fire alarm beginning to blare. A moment later, sheheard the door crash again into the wall and knew at least one ofFalla's goons was in hot pursuit.

On her own, Catherine was able to run unfettered and she quicklydistanced her pursuer and took a chance to run down a dark alleywhich ended in a well lit street. Glancing behind her, she saw out ofthe corner of her eye, her purser round the corner. Before itregistered, the rear window was blown out of the car she was nearing.Forcing a burst of energy into her legs, she started zig-zaggingalong the sidewalk, looking for another building or alley to duckinto.

She could hear sirens now, perhaps responding to the alarm at theparking garage, and Catherine hoped that there would be a police carwith them.

Just then, a car pulled out in front of her from the alley she wasbeginning to cross and she couldn't stop, running into it, sheflipped herself over the top of it. Catherine hit the ground and wasgetting back up when hands closed on her shoulders.

Thinking that it was the partners of her pursuer, she crushed hershoe into the man's foot closest to her and was just about to followit up with an elbow to the chest when it became clear she was hurtinga police officer.

His partner had had the forbearance to look up the street to seewho she might be running from and saw the man with the gun. Turningon the police siren and lights, he took off after the pursuer, hispartner's door slamming shut with the turn.

"Sorry officer. I thought you might be his backup." Catherinesupported the officer, who was hobbling just a little, while she wastrying to catch her breath.

"That's ok, ma'am. I can understand the situation. Besides, mywife said that if I kept walking on her feet while we were dancing,someone was going to walk on mine someday."

Catherine laughed. Who says there isn't ever a policeman aroundwhen you need one.

Vincent felt Catherine's fear diminish and then disappear, a senseof safety now taking it's place. He slowed, only because he waswinded and took a long drink of the water skin he had grabbed.Vincent was not quite halfway to the Park entrance... He realizedthat if something had not given Catherine that safety he felt in hernow... he would probably have been too late.

Vincent lifted his head and stared up at the roof of the tunneland offered a silent prayer.

3:15AM, Saturday

Catherine walked, exhausted, into her apartment.

"Catherine." And then Vincent was there, his arms wrapping aroundher and she almost shrieked at his unexpected, yet expected,presence.

I can't let him know what happened. I can't tell him that Iwitnessed Aimee being murdered and that it was Falla who did it. Ican't let him know anything about tonight. Catherine thought as sherested her head on his chest.

"I felt your fear. It kept growing, and then it was gone. I'm soglad that you are alright, I had begun to despair that I wouldn'treach you in time." Vincent had his arms wrapped possessively andtightly around his beloved.

"I'm sorry, Vincent. One of the cases I'm on got a little hairy.But now he's in police custody and everything is kind of back tonormal."

Catherine knew that her exhaustion would cover her apprehension ofnot telling Vincent everything. Then she started calming her mind andtold herself that she hadn't ever lied to Vincent and she wouldn'tstart now, but she needed to protect him and herself, needed toprotect them, and she would do it by not telling him the whole truthuntil after she was no longer in danger.

Because now she was the witness to a wrong doing of Falla's andCatherine couldn't let herself be put under surveillance or policeprotection, or there would be no them.

(Continued in Beth Adams' Lionhearted.)