THE REST OF THEIR LIVESII

By Ginny Shearin

Now that she had a wedding to plan,Catherine didn't have as much time as she had expected to work on asafer way to share her world with Vincent. The wedding had a date anda location. Everything else could wait a week or two. First thingsfirst, she thought. She had consulted with Kanin and Cullen, who hadspoken with a few others, and they seemed to think her plan shouldwork. She had copied lists of helpers and their businesses fromFather's master list and set about organizing things into a workablescheme. There was a lot of planning left to do, but she feltconfident that she could approach Father with at least an outline.Peter was on his way to her apartment, and she intended to try theidea out on him before she let him escape that evening.

Her father's penthouse apartment wasnow hers. After his death, she was surprised to find that he had alsobought the two large apartments on the floor below him as well asthree old buildings in a part of town that had no connection toanything she imagined a corporate lawyer would have an interest in.She already owned her own apartment free and clear and now also ownedthe vacation house in Connecticut. Balances on anything her fatherdidn't own outright had been covered by insurance. Aside from thoseassets and what she received from the law firm, there were herfather's investments. Early in his career, Charles Chandler hadinvested his money with a man about his own age, who had beenconsistently successful, and it was rare that an investment hadn'tbeen profitable.

Catherine had already been anextremely wealthy woman in her own right. Her mother had left her alarge trust, a substantial amount of which remained untouched. Someof her earnings as a corporate attorney had gone into investmentswith her father's financial expert, and those had also done quitewell. She no longer traveled or went on the frequent wild shoppingbinges she used to indulge in. Now that she had no need for that kindof financial abundance in her life, she had suddenly moved fromextremely wealthy to unreasonably rich.

Her father was the last remainingmember of her family. There were no aunts, uncles, or cousins. Shehad been an only child, and the estate had recently been settled. Nowshe needed plans; but with Vincent's illness and trying to catch upat work, her life since her father died had left her precious littletime for planning. Peter was on his way to her apartment for a briefvisit and she hoped he might have answers for some of herquestions.

The doorbell rang and she met Peterat the door with a kiss on the cheek and a mug of his favoritecoffee.

"First I have a favor to ask," shetold him energetically, "and then I have questions."

"May I sit down first," he teased,taking the mug from her and enjoying a sip.

"I'm sorry, Peter. My mind is runningahead of my explanations. There are so many things going on at thesame time." She sat down on the sofa beside him.

"Start with the favor. What can I dofor you?" he asked, taking one more sip before putting the coffee onthe table and turning to face her.

"Vincent and I are going to bemarried, and I'd like you to take Daddy's place and give me away atthe wedding."

Peter gave her a big hug. "I'm sohappy for both of you. So you finally cornered him, huh!"

Catherine swatted his arm. "I'll haveyou know it was his idea, and he planned a very romantic evening toask me. He's a constant source of surprise. He actually designedthis...But I'll let him tell you that story," she told him, holdingout her hand to show off the ring. "Now do you intend to walk me downthe aisle or not?"

"I would be honored."

"We're planning on the day afterThanksgiving."

"Now, what kind of questions did youhave? I can't stay as long as I intended. I have to check in on oneof my patients -- a minor unexpected complication," he said, takinganother sip of his coffee.

"There are three buildings here," shesaid, pulling herself back to the work at hand, and showing him anarea on a map. "I have no idea why Daddy would have bought them. Idrove by and looked at them today, and there isn't anything therethat looks like a reasonable business interest. In the year before hedied I know the two of you spent more time together than you had in along time. Did he say anything to you about plans for theseplaces?"

"Cathy, your father was a good man.He was always generous, but with a corporate lawyer's eye to taxbenefits. You know that. He taught you. In the last couple of years,seeing the change in your life, he began to rethink his own; and hisnatural generosity became less a tax advantage and more a desire tomake a difference. Those buildings were going to be well constructed,attractive, low cost housing - something sorely needed in thatneighborhood. I was guiding him toward helpers who could do thearchitectural planning and the construction. He certainly had theexpertise and contacts to handle everything else. Another few monthsand I would have talked to Jacob about allowing him into the tunnels- and meeting Vincent. Charles would have needed some time to adjustto the idea, but seeing the you and Vincent together... He would havelearned to be happy for you. I know he would."

Tears misted Catherine's eyes at thethought that she could have shared everything with herfather.

"I miss him so much. I can't believehe was so close to knowing everything. Somehow I think he knows nowand that I have his blessings, but it would have been nice to knowfor sure." She put her head on his shoulder, and he held her the wayher father would have.

"He was very proud of you. He missedyou at the law firm, but he was always telling people about hisdaughter and how she had already made more of a contribution to theworld than he ever had."

"I suppose I should follow up on hisplans, shouldn't I?"

"I think he would likethat."

"Would you guide me to some of thosehelpers? I have plans for his apartment, too. This apartment is justthe right size for me, but after seeing Vincent in it while he wassick, I know he wouldn't be comfortable for long with either thefurniture or the space. He puts himself in danger every time he comeshere, and I've come as close to losing him as I ever want to. Daddy'sapartment is much larger, so I can replace some of the furniture withthings that will fit Vincent. I want to remodel a few things, and putin a state of the art security system. I think I can get him theremore safely. When we're married, that can be our space - our alonetime. There isn't much of that in the tunnels. I've scheduled ameeting next week to clear the remodeling with the building's owners'association."

"How does Vincent feel about this?"Peter asked.

"I haven't told him anything specificyet. I was trying to put a few more of the plans in place first. Iwanted to know it could work before I mentioned it to him. What doyou think? If I can make it safe for him to reach the apartment andput together enough security for him to be safe while he's in it,would Father forgive me for stealing him away now andthen?

"If you can convince him it would besafe, I think he might," Peter smiled after mulling it over briefly."Jacob seems to have mellowed a little recently," he added with ahint of amusement. "What do you have in mind?" She had piqued hiscuriosity.

"I spoke to Kanin and Cullen a fewweekends ago," she answered, launching herself excitedly into tellinghim her plans, "and they took a small crew to check under Daddy'sapartment building. They said a new threshold shouldn't be aproblem."

"Daddy's apartment has a large,private elevator that he rarely used. I want to add a few features tothe elevator and the shaft that will make it safe for Vincent underany conceivable circumstance. I'll make the entrance to theelevator's lobby door more secure and work out an access for Vincentfrom the basement. He'll be able to get here much moresafely."

"Cullen also had a crew looking atthe possibility of adding a second elevator a level below thebasement, one that would take us closer to the central part of thetunnels. Neither Vincent nor I are getting any younger, and it wouldmake it easier for the older folks to go Above now and then. Cullenand Kanin said the crew thought it might be possible, that it lookedless daunting than they expected when I first mentioned it to them.I'm sure they thought I was crazy. They said I they probably couldn'thave found a better place for what I want to do. One of the helpersowns a company that installs and services elevators, and I plan tosee him tomorrow. Another helper plans security systems for majorcorporations. Surely they could make an apartment safe. There arehelpers who are plumbers and carpenters, and... But you know that,don't you?"

Catherine had to stop for a breath.Her words were tumbling over one another so quickly that Peter had tolaugh at her excitement. It reminded him of the way she and hisdaughter, Susan, sounded when they were children, and he allowedhimself a few pleasant memories from those times. SuddenlyCatherine's voice brought him back to reality.

"And on top of all this," she said,catching her breath and indicating all the financial statements,notes and sketchy remodeling plans on the table in front of them, "Ihave a wedding to plan."

"And you think you can work fulltime, spend weekends Below, and accomplish all this by Thanksgiving?"Peter asked incredulously. Seeing that Catherine had thatMoses-at-the-Red-Sea look on her face again, he laughed. "Well, ifanybody can, it's probably Cathy Chandler," he said giving her afatherly hug.

"Peter, it's so nice to have someonein my world to talk to without having to keep secrets. Thank you forlistening to me ramble. My plans are so dependent on finding theright people to do the work that has to accommodate Vincent, and Ihave to be so careful to see that I'm not compromising anything abouthis world... Will you help me when I start to havedoubts?"

"Just call," he assuredher.

She hugged him the way she did whenshe was a little girl, all love and enthusiasm; and he left smiling,knowing there was someone committed to loving her and watching overher when he no longer could.

Catherine was grateful that the caseJoe had given her had been as cut and dried as he thought. Theemergency assignment had kept her from Vincent the weekend before,and she was relieved to find that it moved smoothly and closedquickly. She actually had a few evenings for herself.

She called Peter and asked if hewould go with her to look at two of three buildings her father hadbought. She wanted to walk through each one and see what was there,but she didn't want to go alone. If she ran into any kind of trouble,she didn't want Vincent running to her defense again. He looked andacted as if he had completely recovered, but she saw no need to pushtheir luck. Remembering that he had worked with youth in thatneighborhood at one time, she decided to call Isaac, too. Maybe hewould have time to meet them there. He would probably have somevaluable insights into the nature and needs of the neighborhood. As abonus, she would feel safer and Vincent wouldn't worry.

On Wednesday night she went to herfather's apartment and looked around more carefully than she had thelast time she had been there, taking stock of changes she might needto make. She had sorted through everything that could have a bearingon the settlement of the estate, but she still hadn't gone throughall of his personal things. She had put it off because it was such asad, final thing to do, then Vincent was ill, then work took over...If she intended to follow through with her plans for the apartment,that job had to be done.

Both Peter and Isaac agreed to meether on Thursday; and the three of them walked through each building,pointing out problems and possibilities as Catherine took notes. Asshe expected, Isaac had some understandings of the neighborhood thatwould be valuable in her planning, and he offered his help if sheneeded it.

After consulting Father's helperlist, she had arranged for someone to look at the elevator in herfather's apartment on Friday and to meet with her early Fridayevening. She had spoken to someone else about a very comprehensivesecurity system. He was to pick up a key on Monday and visit theapartment to assess what would be needed. She felt better. She wasmaking progress toward a new life that allowed Vincent both easierand safer access to her world.

Catherine made separate folders forher father's apartment and each of the three buildings she had plansfor. Each night that week she carefully divided any new notes,questions, ideas, etc. about each one into the appropriate folder andarranged the information in the best order she could manage at thepresent stage of planning.

She was disappointed when shereceived word from Vincent that an emergency would keep him frommeeting her on Friday night; but she put the time to good use. Shegathered the things she intended to present to Father and Vincent,and for a change, went to bed early enough to get a good night'ssleep. She would go Below early the next morning and have breakfastwith Vincent.

Catherine arrived in the tunnels on Saturdaymorning, having sent a message ahead of time asking to see Father.Since Vincent wasn't available for breakfast, she had breakfast withthe others in the dining hall before Father escorted her to hischamber to talk.

She was glad she had Father to herself to broach thesubject she came to talk about.

"Father, I'm about to be part of your family, andeveryone here shares whatever they have, isn't thatright?"

"Yes, they have the right to keep their own things;but when real need arises, we share. If you're about to offer tospend money on us again, please don't. You live Above. You've alreadybeen more than generous, and you need to think ofyourself."

"I have no desire to change the system you'vecultivated so well with your helpers. It benefits both sides. You'vecreated something wonderful, and I only want to add some of myassets," she assured him. "I don't think you fully understand theextent of what I have to offer."

"We all appreciate what you do for us," Fatheranswered. "We've suspected that the recent increase in groceries andbasic supplies has something to do with you, in spite of the factthat it came from other helpers. You're here to help in any crisis.You help with the children when you come to visit. We know thatyou're available for legal advice and helping with transitions fromone world to the other. You give of yourself in enough waysalready."

"But that isn't what I'm trying to tell you," shesighed. Not knowing what else to say to make her point, she simplyhanded him a folder containing a few papers. "These are the financialassets we can draw from."

"Really, Catherine, it isn't necessary for you toshow me this. We have no need to delve into your finances. It'senough that you want to share with us," he said as he pushed thefolder back in her direction.

"Read it," she insisted, pushing it back. "I want toshare it with my world, too. There are people there who need more ofwhat this world provides, and I have resources to help provide it;but I want to start here. I need you to understand what can beavailable for the things this community needs and can't afford.Read!" She emphasized her determination by giving the folder anothergentle push in Father's direction.

To humor her, Father adjusted his spectacles, tookthe papers from the folder and began to read. With each line and eachpage he became more aghast at what he saw.

"Catherine?" he finally stammered, collapsing backagainst his chair and removing his glasses. "The newspapers calledyou an heiress, indicated you were wealthy, but this..." He swept hisspectacles in a small arc across the page. "All of this belongs toyou?"

"Disgusting, isn't it?" she answered. "I had morethan I needed before, but Daddy left me much more than I realized hehad. All this for one woman when so many need so much. I used to takethis sort of thing for granted. I grew up with it. Now it's a littleembarrassing."

"A lot of people would love to be this embarrassed,"Father chortled nervously, still shaken at what he had just fullyrealized. "Is Vincent aware of the...extent of yourassets?"

"No. It never came up as important. Do we have totell him?" she asked with a sheepish smile. Catherine had been soconcerned about her talk with Father that she didn't detect Vincent'sarrival.

"Do we have to tell him what?" Vincent asked fromthe doorway. He had caught only his name and "Do we have to tellhim?" He was exhausted and dusty from his work, and he had intendedto stop only long enough to see Catherine briefly before a bath and achange of clothes. "I thought we were to have no more secrets," hesmiled.

Knowing that Father was aware of some of their"understandings" he indulged himself, bent and gave Catherine a quickkiss on the top of her head, then stood behind her with his hands onher shoulders. She moved her hand up to cover one of his.

"Catherine has just insisted on giving me anaccounting of her financial assets. She finds it 'a littleembarrassing'," Father smiled.

After seeing a reluctant nod of approval fromCatherine, Father pushed the folder and the papers across the desktoward Vincent, who picked them up to read. Noticing the look onFather's face, he expected to see something surprising; but he wascompletely unprepared for what he saw. He reacted very much as Fatherhad, dropping into a chair with one elbow resting on the chair armand his hand at his forehead before he had finishedreading.

"All of this belongs to you?" he finally asked inquiet awe.

"Guilty," she said, looking down.

"And you want to be here..."

"I want to be with you...wherever that takes me. Yousaid you believe that now."

"You would turn your back on all that this couldprovide you...to be with me?"

"Without a minute's regret."

"Catherine..." Vincent said, shaking his headslightly as he stared at the papers in an appreciative, butdumbfounded state.

"I always hoped to find a man who wouldn't want tomarry me just for my money," she answered with a hint of humor. Herhead was still down, but she glanced up at him through her lashes,looking for his reaction. "Does the council need to know all this,Father?" she asked. "I don't think I want anyone else here toknow."

"I think it might be better if they don't, given theepisode with the ship and the treasure. Why did you feel that Ineeded to know this now, after all this time?"

"It's so much more than I had before. I'm about tobe your daughter-in-law, so this will more officially be my home andfamily, too. I know there are bound to be expensive improvementsyou'd like to make but haven't been able to. Margaret left moneyyou've decided to use for college for the children who want aneducation Above. I'd like to contribute to your everyday needs.Systems for electricity and running water and a few modernconveniences could make the work easier if you want that - not enoughto change the nature of the tunnels, just enough to ease the workload. You could have better medical equipment. There could be anemergency fund for times when food or medical supplies are lower thanusual, or a fund that would allow a standing supply of constructionmaterials for jobs like the one our dusty friend here was doing thismorning."

She paused briefly and glanced fondly at Vincentthen took a deep breath and continued. "All the plans, all thedecisions would come from the council. I would only provide thematerials without imposing anything you don't want. Please let mehelp. All the council needs to know is that you received an anonymousgift to be used as they decide."

"I literally owe you my life. There's no way I canever repay you for that...or for Vincent." She gave Father a winningsmile. "You could consider it a dowry."

"Perhaps you should put this back in your briefcaseand take it home with you. I'll need to give this some thought," hesaid, returning her smile as he took the papers from Vincent andhanded them to her.

Catherine placed the folder in her briefcase andlooked up at Vincent.

"Do you still plan to spend the afternoon with me?"she asked.

"Yes," he answered, temporarily reduced to very fewwords.

"Then clean up and walk to the falls with me. I'llfind some reading material while you bathe."

"Clean up. Yes, I will," he echoed.

"I'll know when you're ready for me. I'll meet youin your chamber."

"In my chamber," he agreed as he touched hershoulder and left, still looking a little dazed.

Turning to Father again, Catherine pulled out morepapers. Sketchy plans for her father's apartment and easy access forVincent.

"Can you withstand some plans that include yourson?" she asked him.

"Wedding plans?" Father asked, hoping for somethingmore mundane.

"Wedding plans next time. This is more like livingarrangements," she answered. "I intend to give up my job at the DA'soffice at the end of the year. I've already asked for less dangerouswork, and I'll give Joe plenty of notice before I resign, but thereare still reasons for me to keep an apartment above."

She handed Father the outline of her plans for herfather's apartment and the elevators. Having spoken to the owners ofboth the elevator business and the security company, she had a fewmore details to work with. She had also included the opinions of thecrew from Below.

"My father bought three buildings that aren't ofmuch interest for business. Peter said he was going to turn them intogood low-income housing. I'm planning to use one of them for thatpurpose. The other two are large, warehouse sized buildings acrossthe street from one another. If I can manage it, one will be achildren's home. I can't just keep snatching children like Eric andEllie and bringing them here. The other building would be assistedliving for the elderly; the ones who need help and can't afford it.The two could work well together - children and foster grandparents.It could be a service to both sides. From the planning and remodelingto the staffing it would provide jobs for helpers. The more helperswe pay, the more they can help you. I would want to be an active partof the work, which means spending time Above, especially atfirst."

"Knowing my reasons for spending time Above afterwe're married, would you forgive me for enticing your son there parttime? Could you feel that he would be safe under theseconditions?

Father looked over the plans as Catherine explainedthem in as much detail as she could presently manage and shook hishead in astonishment as she finished.

"Catherine, this is too much to take in all in oneday. Give me time to think. How have you had time to work and put allthis together?"

"I haven't slept much," she laughed wryly. "I wantedto start work on this before I started planning awedding."

"If you keep going at this pace Vincent will have tohold you up while you say your vows," he chuckled. "Have you shownthese plans to Vincent?"

"Not yet. I wanted to be sure they could be workablefirst. I want your opinions - and your blessings. So far nobody hasdiscouraged me."

"Maybe it would be best to wait until next weekend.Let us both recover from his fiance's financial status first," Fatheranswered.

"He's waiting for me. I'll go and talk to him,"Catherine said, and patted Father's hand when she reached to retrievethe folder from his desk. She then left, looking forward to the sightof a damp, but very appealing Vincent waiting for her nextdoor.

Father was accustomed to the look on his son's facewhen Vincent felt emotions from Catherine. He wondered how long itwould take to become used to seeing the same expression onCatherine's face now that the bond was working in the otherdirection, too. Vincent said it wasn't as strong on her side, butdefinitely there. He just smiled and shook his head, knowing he wouldnever fully understand. He would simply enjoy knowing that it madethe young couple happy and gave them a feeling of security after allthey had been through in the past couple of years.

Vincent stood near his bed drying his arms andchest, wearing only the knit pants that served as pajamas, severaldry towels draped across a chair. Catherine picked up a towel andlooked up at him with a suggestive smile.

"Where would you like me to start?" sheasked.

"Anywhere you'd like," he answered returning hersmile in kind, "but, if you plan to reach the falls you shouldprobably make conservative choices"

"Spoilsport," she said with a little pout thensmiled, started with the ends of his hair and moved to hisback.

"Were you ever going to tell me?" he asked as hedried.

"I don't think so. Maybe after we were married andyou couldn't get rid of me. My money never mattered to you exceptwhen you thought I was using too much of it for your world...and Iguess I thought it would just give you another chance to think youwere depriving me of something. Then you would have tried again tosend me back to where I came from."

"You really felt you had to be that careful?" heasked, stopping the towel in its track.

"I was always afraid I'd do or say something thatwould set off your altruistic nature, something that would convinceyou I should have a life that didn't include you. It was exasperatingand it hurt...but I do understand that you had the best ofintentions." She put her arms around his waist from behind and gavehim a quick squeeze, pressing her face against the now only slightlydamp hair on his back. "You wouldn't ever consider that again, wouldyou?"

He turned and put his arms around her waist, lookingdown at her.

"As selfish as I know it is, I don't believe I couldnow. My voice and the reasonable part of me used to encourage you tofind a better life, told you to find someone else and be happy; butmy heart always shouted, 'Please don't go! Please don't leave me.'"He drew her closer and brushed a kiss on her hair. "I don't think myheart would continue to beat without you."

"Now you understand." She smiled and stretched up tokiss him. "Are we still going to the falls?"

"Five minutes," he promised.

While he dressed Catherine turned her attention backto her briefcase and removed a few folders to take along when theywalked to the falls. She said nothing about them, just added them tothe two books she had chosen. Vincent asked nothing, knowing shewould explain when she was ready. He took it all from her, took herhand, and enjoyed the walk. They spread a blanket and sat in theirfavorite spot, leaning against a large rock and eachother.

"You haven't slept much lately," he ventured as shenestled against his shoulder. "You've been working much too hard, butyou don't seem to be as tired as usual."

"That's because it wasn't all the same work asusual. You missed a couple of pages," she pointed out, and showed himthe notes on the lower elevator. "What do you think? Will itwork?"

"Is this what Cullen and the others were discussinglast weekend?" he asked, sounding amused. "I knew they were up tosomething. The conversation stopped or changed every time I was nearthem. Cullen appeared to be in charge, so I thought they might beconcocting some nefarious plan for our wedding."

"I asked them to give me an objectiveopinion before I mentioned it to you," she admitted. "I haven't seenthat part of the tunnels, so I don't understand everything in thesketches yet, but they sounded encouraging."

"If everything here is correct, there could be agood chance it would work. Look at the area here," he said, pointingout the section of the sketch that made the least sense to her. Thereis a large opening in the rock structure here that drops what youwould call several stories. For as long as I can remember, the crewshave used a system of slings, ropes and pulleys there to move large,heavy supplies into the lower tunnels."

"Like the pictures I've seen of pianos being movedto fifteenth story apartments?"

Catherine asked, delighted to make another discoveryabout her adopted home.

Vincent smiled. He always took pleasure inCatherine's excitement at a new understanding of how his worldworked.

"This is where Mouse moved the grand piano he'found' before he had to admit what he had done. It would have beenentertaining to watch the process he invented to move what he managedon his own. When it came to lowering the part of the piano thatincluded the cast iron frame, he had to ask for assistance. Father'sface was a picture I shall never forget when he was told why Mousewas asking for help." Vincent laughed quietly at thememory.

Catherine chuckled in response,enjoying her imagined perception of Father's face.

"This opening is less than a cityblock east of the basement of your father's apartment. The storagebuilding we use as access to move large supplies into the tunnels isnot much farther to the west. We use the opening here often enoughthat we have it protected with a false wall and a sentry post. Thereare similar rock structures in other places, but this is the one weuse.

"Why this one?"

"Security and ease of travel. Thestorage building provides the only outside access to this area, sothere is minimal activity from sources other than the tunnels -- andtravel from the base of this opening to the home tunnels is bothshorter and easier than from the others. Stability is important, too.The buildings in this part of the city are well-established,well-maintained, and their well-to-do home-owners aren't likely to bedisplaced by development of new buildings."

"Like another BurchTowers?"

Vincent nodded as he looked at the crew's notesagain. "If you weren't aware of the tunnel access there, why were youconsidering an elevator?" he finally asked out ofcuriosity.

"I plan to move into Daddy's apartment. It's larger,it has its own private elevator, the balcony still overlooks thepark, it isn't far from where I am now, I'm told that the rockstructure lends itself to the lower elevator, and you could get theresafely...anytime you want... day or night." She looked up at him."You could have sunlight, and we could have time completely alone.There would be a way for you to leave in any kind of emergency, asecurity system any government lab would be proud to own, and itwould fit you better than my smaller apartment does. I would stillwant to spend a lot of time here, but do you think you could adjustto spending some time there?"

"Catherine..." he answered, with a touch ofreprimand. "This would cost a fortune, and you would need all of thisonly for me."

"You and Cullen have said one of the thresholds youuse for bringing in large supplies isn't too far away. A freightelevator would be large enough to be useful for moving things intothe tunnels, it would be easier for some of the older people to goAbove now and then...and neither of us is getting any younger. Therewould be a hidden compartment in the upper elevator and access toladders in the shafts of both so you would have an exit no matterwhat happened. ...And you're worth it. What have Imissed?"

"Very little, it seems. Is this what you meant... aman of a world and a half?"

"I have plans to help in my world - those are infolders two, three, and four - but I'm starting with us and thetunnels. Vincent, I could live in your world and be happy, but thereare so many people I could help in mine; and you've seen that I havethe resources to do it. I've loved every minute of the time we'veshared on my balcony; but I need a place Above to work, and I'd liketo be able to share more of my world with you than a balcony that youhave to take risks to reach." She looked a little concerned about hisreaction and asked again, a little more tentatively, "What do youthink?"

"I hardly know where to begin."

"Father said I should talk to you next weekend andlet you adjust to one surprise at a time, but I was too excited towait."

"You've discussed this with Father?" he exclaimed indisbelief. Then he asked with a small chuckle, "Was he stillbreathing when you left?"

"He didn't give me the opinions I asked for," shelaughed, "but he didn't ask about my sanity either...and I didn'thave to administer CPR. It gave me hope."

Vincent chuckled again as he looked over the plansonce more. Thinking realistically and sounding more serious, he said."There would have to be a way I could be contacted in case of anemergency. The well-being of this community has to be a priority.This is my home, my family."

"I wouldn't expect any less of you."

"Catherine, I need time to absorb all this. Should Iconsider asking about the other folders?"

"Those are the reasons I'd like to keep a place inmy world as well as yours. I would want to be actively involved,especially where the children are concerned. But keep in mind, Iconsider the tunnels my home too, and your family already feels likemine." Launching her thoughts in yet another direction, she teased,"Have you considered that your chamber may have to undergo somechanges to accommodate a wife?"

"My chamber and I await," he answered gallantly, andkissed the top of her head as he reached for the otherfolders.

He looked at the very sketchy plans. Those, she haddecided, could wait until after the wedding. There were pictures ofthe buildings, notes she had made when she and Peter and Isaac hadwalked through them, square footages and floor plans. There were alsothe plans and contacts her father had made, lists of helpers Peterhad provided for her father and those she had copied from Father'slists, as well as notes she had made on what she thought she mightrealistically be able to accomplish with each one.

"This is a great deal of work in such a short time.Ambitious plans. Do you think you can accomplish it all?"

"It won't all happen at once; but with the rightkind of guidance, I think it could all happen eventually. You'll helpme, won't you? You know how much I value your advice."

"Anything I can do, Catherine. Anything at all," hepromised a little absently, still assimilating the plans.

They walked back in an easy silence that wascomfortable to both of them, each enjoying the evening and wonderingexactly what the other was thinking. After a few minutes at the guestchamber a message was heard on the pipes calling Vincent away again,so they said their good-nights and parted.

Catherine was relieved to have finally told Vincentof her intentions, but lay awake wondering how he would respond afterit all sunk in.

Vincent, when he was able to return, lay awaketrying to imagine the latest new turns his life could take, andappreciating again the talents and generosity his Catherinepossessed. Neither of them slept until the wee hours of themorning.

Catherine woke feeling a quizzical kind ofexcitement in Vincent. She dressed and intended to meet him in hischamber; but she sensed him coming from another direction, andfarther away. She waited a few minutes and then began to hear voicesin animated conversation coming from the outer parts of the main hub.Vincent appeared with Cullen, Kanin, Father, Pascal, Jamie andseveral men she knew were usually involved in the planning when therewere structural concerns. Mouse was trailing behind, shouting asuggestion now and then in response to their conversation. They hadobviously been to look at the area for the lower elevator. The factthat Mouse was now involved gave Catherine dual feelings. One wasthat creative new ideas were about to emerge. The other was that sheneeded to be a little nervous.

"Dare I ask for your conclusions?" she asked as sheapproached them.

Vincent was holding the apartment/elevator folder,and a couple of the men were looking at Catherine with a new respect.A wedding to plan, and she had found time to put this togetherfirst.

"We don't have final conclusions yet, but it doeslook pretty promising," Cullen told her. "Even Father thinks it mightwork. We need to get Tom Mason down here to tell us what he can dowith an elevator system to accommodate what we have to workwith."

"I'll call him and make some arrangements Mondaymorning," she promised. "Be sure to include anything that would be ofhelp to the tunnels in your discussions, and whatever you need,you'll have."

Most of the men looked at her as if she had lost hermind - or they were losing theirs.

"My father's estate is settled now," she explained,"I was his only living relative, and I...there's enough to providewhatever you need. Make it work for the community, not just forVincent and me."

Father could see that Catherine was a littleuncomfortable when the conversation had turned to finances, so hestepped in to steer things in a new direction. She felt so much apart of them now, and everyone accepted her that way. He knew shedidn't want to emphasize the differences any further.

"Have you had breakfast, young lady?"

"No," she admitted. "I was about to look for Vincentwhen I came upon all you early birds."

"Then why don't you come with us. We can talk whilewe eat. We left before William ever serves breakfast." He emphasizedthe word "ever" and gave her a purposeful look, reminding her ofVincent's unheard of bending of William's hours while she was servingas nurse a few weeks before. She grinned and joined the crew to walkto the dining hall.

"After breakfast," Father said, "I think I shallreturn to my chamber and recover from this walk."

"Father, does all this mean that you trust me tomake it safe for Vincent to spend time Above with me?" she askedhopefully. Vincent was still conferring with Cullen, and she waslagging behind with Father, keeping him company while he indulged histired hip.

"Catherine, my dear," he said, putting his armaround her shoulder, "I admit that I wasn't always your biggest fan;but I have seen the error of my ways. I know now that you would workwith the same ferocity as I to keep Vincent safe. Giving up your job,changing your life style..."

"Giving up your job? When did you make thatdecision? Are you doing this because of me?" Vincent had turned tojoin them, and caught the last of the conversation as he walkedtoward them. He seemed upset. "When were you planning to tell methis?"

Catherine stopped and looked up at himcalmly.

"To answer to your questions in order... One - Yes,I am, at the end of the year... Two - When I decided to work withDaddy's plans. Ummm...Three - No I'm not, not entirely. And Four -Last night, but I forgot." She looked up at him a little defiantly,obviously preparing her argument.

Father walked away smiling. When it came to beingstubborn, his son had certainly met his match. This small woman wasgoing to stand up to his very large son whenever she felt itnecessary. When they announced their engagement, he had promisedhimself not to meddle in their decisions anymore. He knew it mightnot always happen, but he intended to do his best. Father just movedon and left them to work this out for themselves.

"Catherine, you've given up so much for mealready...kept secrets from friends, isolated yourself from so muchof what you did before you knew me. You shouldn't give up a job youlove. I don't want to take anything else from you."

"My priorities have changed, Vincent. That's all.I'm tired of being shot at or kidnapped or shoved around, and I don'twant you feeling a continual need to rescue me. Surely you can'tobject to my giving that up. The longer I work with the DA, the moreenemies I make, and the more danger there will be for both of us.I'll still be doing something we can both be proud of - taking theconcerns we share into my world. I'll still be making a difference.I'll love my new work, too - probably more than what I'm doingnow."

He leaned his head slightly to one side and noddedhis acceptance of her decision, then he took her hand and theyfollowed his father to the dining hall.

Over breakfast the group discussed the elevator anda new threshold to Charles Chandler's apartment building. Pascal hadgrown up in the tunnels, Cullen had spent most of his adult lifethere, and Kanin had been there for about fifteen years. They had allworked with helpers at times, especially those in construction. Theysometimes bartered services for materials, giving their time andskills when construction workers were needed, and in return,receiving supplies needed to keep the tunnels and thresholds in goodrepair. That experience gave them some insight into which helpersprovided the best work. They looked over Catherine's lists andoffered their advice, as well as offering any help they themselvescould provide. Most of the tunnel residents would be likely to makesimilar offers when the need for their talents arose. All of themembers of the crew were impatient to meet with Tom Mason to startmaking more solid plans.

With a great deal of respect, Catherine watchedJamie absorbing everything being discussed. Jamie was a formidablepresence for such a young woman. She seemed determined to learn everyaspect of the needs of her community; and to their credit, the men,as well as the women, had recently begun to allow her involvement insome of the more important projects. She seemed to understand thevarying rock structures and the reasons for treating eachdifferently. She understood the political workings of the community,and never failed to voice her opinions - often showing an insightbeyond her years. She was often asked to schedule daily duties; andshe was a good mediator when tempers flared and things got out ofhand - except, of course, on the occasions when the flaring temperwas her own. She was also the only one, other than Vincent, whoseemed to be able to keep Mouse in check - a valuable asset initself. In spite of her youth, Catherine expected to see her electedto the council soon. She wondered if Jamie might have anyinclinations toward college and engineering, and whether she couldtolerate being away from her family and community for that long. Shewould have to broach the subject when there weren't so many otherthings to think about.

Now that the elevator problem hadbeen tackled, it was time to start planning a wedding. She hadalready accepted that everyone at her wedding would be tunnelresidents and helpers. It helped that Peter would be there to giveher away. There would be at least one familiar face from Above in thewedding party. She hadn't talked to anyone yet about beingbridesmaids or a maid of honor. She could hardly wait to be marriedto Vincent, but this wedding would be missing some important peoplein her life. The first step in the planning was to sit down with Maryand some of the other women and decide how to organize and decoratethe room for the ceremony. After that they needed to decide whateveryone would wear. They didn't have to know specifically who wouldbe wearing it. Shopping was next. Her first thought was to have Jennygo shopping with her, but that would mean telling her why. Tellingher why would mean telling her about Vincent, and that she couldn'tdo. A wave of sadness suddenly rushed over her, catching bothCatherine and Vincent by surprise. He excused himself from theelevator conversation and held his hand out to Catherine.

"Come with me," he said, taking her hand and leadingher out of the dining hall. "Tell me," he insisted as theywalked.

"Can we talk in your chamber? I could use your armsaround me for a little while."

"That was my plan," he smiled. "My arms have beensearching for a reason to be around you."

"Do you plan to be my knight in shining armor forthe rest of your life?" she smiled back, already feeling a littlebetter.

"Yes," he answered playfully.

"A childhood dream come true."

Vincent tilted his head and raised a questioningeyebrow.

"A life with Lancelot."

He returned her smile with the same good humor. Thistime there was no mention of Lancelot's flaws. Vincent finallyunderstood that in Catherine's eyes he was the greatest knight ofall; and in spite of himself, he now basked unashamed in thatthought. Catherine's eyes were the ones that mattered.

When they reached his chamber, he pulled the screenacross the door, led her to his chair and sat down.

"What caused you such sadness. Is there something Ican do?"

Catherine gladly let him pull her into his lap, andshe rested against him.

"I don't know. Probably not."

"Tell me," he said, kissing her forehead as he heldher a little closer.

"I was thinking of our wedding and all thepreparations we need to make. I need to find fabric for the dressesand choose flowers, and a host of other things..."

"And that made you sad?" he asked gently, wipingaway a single errant tear from the corner of her eye.

"No, that makes me very happy. It's having to do italone that made me sad. I found myself thinking of shopping withJenny and Nancy, but that would mean telling them. Jenny knowsthere's someone, and she's left me alone about who; but I know itkills her." She stopped and smiled at Jenny's forced self-control onthe subject. "Nancy knows I love someone named Vincent, and she's agood enough friend to listen to what I can tell her and accept that Ican't tell her more. I could call her; but then I couldn't invite herto the wedding... She would understand, but it would hurt both of us.I want to tell them everything. I want to have them in our wedding. Iknow they would love you, too; but I won't betray the community.Telling them only about you would leave too many unansweredquestions." She took in a deep breath and sounded more cheerful."I'll get over it. It just hit me by surprise this morning before Icould stop it. I didn't mean to worry you with anything like that.Maybe Mary and Olivia would go with me. Jenny and Nancy don't knowany more about sewing than I do. We'd probably be a disaster lookingfor a place to happen."

"Catherine..." he breathed against her hair."Another disappointment because you love me." He shifted slightly inthe chair and seemed to be thinking, rather than brooding, the waysuch a conversation would often affect him. "You trust these peoplecompletely, don't you?"

"Completely. Neither of them would ever betray mytrust...ever."

"Mmmm..." he responded sympathetically and left thesubject there, resting his cheek against the top of herhead.

Catherine snuggled against him and enjoyed beingclose for a while. Sharing a kiss now and then made her feelconsiderably better. She knew it couldn't last. Vincent had work todo that morning, and it wasn't long before Cullen was teasing fromthe other side of the screen.

"Hey! What are you two doing in there?"

"Come in, Cullen," Catherine answered, reluctantlyleaving her nice, warm snuggle to move the screen away from the door.Smiling at him mischievously as he entered the room, she added,"...and you can leave your one track mind out there."

He grinned back. For a spoiled little rich girl, shehad turned out pretty well, and for someone like her to love someonelike Vincent... 'Go figure,' he thought to himself, but he had toadmit to admiring her. She had certainly paid her dues Below, andhe'd be in her corner any time.

"Come on, Vincent, we're ready to go. The sooner weget started, the sooner you can get back to whatever I interrupted."He grinned again at seeing Vincent look annoyed.

Vincent picked up a toolbag near the door, swung itover one shoulder, and looked toward Catherineapologetically.

"Don't worry about me," she told him. I'll go andtalk about weddings with Mary and Olivia and Jamie and Rebecca, andSarah, and..." The list of names came out in a sing-songy fashion,indicating a long list, and the twinkle in her eyes indicated herexcitement about the subject.

Vincent smiled and followed Cullen out. When theywere barely out of the door, she heard Vincent's voice.

"Tell the others I'll catch up, Cullen. I forgotsomething."

His large form reappeared in the doorway. He swunghis free arm around her and planted a kiss full of promise on herlips.

"I love you," he whispered.

"I love you, too, Lancelot," she whispered back."See you this afternoon."

It was Sunday, and normally on Sunday morning thingswere quiet in the tunnels; but there had been a security breach atone of the thresholds on Saturday night. That was what had keptVincent and Catherine's goodnight so short the night before. Vincentheard the message on the pipes and had to respond with the securitycrew. After checking, it didn't seem to be a real problem, but to becertain, they had posted extra sentries there overnight. It was afrequently used entrance; so to avoid the possibility of discovery,Vincent's work crew planned to close that threshold temporarily andreopen an old one close by.

On Sunday mornings things were usually very laidback. Breakfast was always as simple as possible, and was generallyserved an hour later than usual. The Sunday cooking was all done onSaturday, and the assigned kitchen staff served it on Sunday to giveWilliam a day off. This Sunday William had come in early to enlistthe help of the kitchen staff for the morning and had helped packlunches and drinks for the crew to take with them. They would all beexhausted when they returned.

Catherine resigned herself to seeing very little ofVincent that weekend, picked up her notebook, walked to Mary'schamber and asked if she had time to discuss a wedding. As sheexpected, Mary was more than willing. Knowing that several of theother women would never forgive being left out of the planning, shegave Catherine several names and claimed a few more for herself. Theythen separated and went to round up those who could meet them in thedining hall where they could all sit around a table andtalk.

Knowing the women in the group always had a hand inplanning Winterfest, Catherine expected that they would have goodideas about how to set up the hall to best accommodate a weddingceremony. She wanted to allow the tunnel residents the time theyneeded for extra wedding preparations without placing an unreasonableburden on their normal duties. The room itself and what they wouldneed in terms of organizing food and decorations seemed the rightplace to start. From what she was hearing about the number of peoplewho would want to attend the wedding, she had already decided theymight as well plan it as an event the size of Winterfest. Catherinehad no desire for a wedding that size, but she felt she shouldaccommodate the wishes of Vincent's friends and family.

The women who had lived Above were well aware of thekind of wedding Catherine would probably have had in her world, andthey wanted to give her something as close to that as they couldmanage.

They didn't have much time to plan something thatsize, but if everything else was arranged, Catherine knew she couldbuy dresses, etc. if it became necessary. Besides, she wasn't readyto think about dresses without Jenny and Nancy in two of them quiteyet.

'Good thing I have money!' she thought with asmile.

She and her soon-to-be family members sat talking,planning, and laughing at the ridiculous suggestions that always comefrom trying to solve the last few seemingly impossible problems. Bythe time they had worn themselves out coming to what appeared to be aworkable plan, they were referring to themselves as TheCommittee.

The children were excited enough about the weddingthat Catherine wanted to find a way to include them in the planning,so The Committee decided on an area that the children would beresponsible for decorating. They all envisioned some arguments and ahigh degree of whining and complaining among the younger members ofthe community. They also envisioned a high degree of refereeing anddiplomatic intervention by the older members, but the thought of thechildren's pride at seeing their contributions used for the weddingmore than offset the anticipated wrangling.

When they finally came to the conclusion that theyhad done all they could do for the time being, Catherine had actualplans to share with Vincent and Father. As she closed her notebookthey realized people were beginning to drift in for lunch.

"Well," Rebecca announced in a rather self-satisfiedtone, "I believe we've put in a good morning's work. Let's see whatwe have for lunch."

No one argued. Everyone just followed her to thesteadily growing lunch line.

Catherine filled a tray for herself and Father withthe intention of having lunch with him in his chamber and showing himtheir plans. She put the tray down, hugged the members of TheCommittee, and thanked them for their help. As long as it had takenfor Father to accept her so completely, all of them understood herexcitement at sharing her plans with him.

She appeared at the top of the stairs to Father'schamber just as he was collecting his cane for the short trek to thedining hall.

"I brought lunch and wedding plans, Father. Sit downand let me refill your tea for you."

"Lunch and wedding plans? You're full of surprisesthis weekend, aren't you?"

He sat down at his desk, accepted the hot teaCatherine offered and watched as she laid out their lunch. She cameto his side of the desk, playfully dropped a napkin across his lapand bent to kiss his forehead. He smiled as she walked to sit acrossfrom him, relishing the attention.

"May I assume the little meeting in the dining hallconcerned wedding plans?" "It did," she answered, sounding bothexcited and amused. "I have sketches of a couple of arrangements forthe hall, and some decorating plans, and there are reception plansfor a very large number of people." She emphasized the words "verylarge". "I'll need to talk to some of the helpers about arranging forflowers and for some catering to help William out. I know he'd try tomanage it all, but he shouldn't have to worry about Thanksgiving, awedding this size, and Winterfest all in the same fewweeks."

"He will undoubtedly grouse about too many cooks,etc.," Father agreed, "but I'm quite sure he will appreciate the helpwhen the reality of so many events rears its head."

"After lunch will you give me your opinion aboutwhich layout looks most workable?"

"May I see?" he asked.

Catherine handed Father the plans and they ate lunchin a companionable silence as Father looked over the morning's work.They discussed the pros and cons of the different arrangements anddecided on the one with the fewest cons.

"Father, I know you often officiate at the joiningceremonies here, but I would like to have this wedding as close tolegal in my world as possible. Vincent has never had a legalexistence, and if anything happened to the tunnels - another builderwith Burch Tower plans, an intrusion that revealed this place to theworld... I can't imagine anything worse for him. If our marriage wererecognized, at least by a church, it might give me some leverage tokeep him safe. My father used to take me to church. We were involvedin a lot of activities there with Peter and his daughter through mostof my childhood, but the minister there isn't on your list ofhelpers. Do you have any suggestions?"

"I believe I do," Father answered. "One of the youngmen who grew up here graduated from seminary year before last and hasjust been assigned as associate pastor in a church in Brooklyn. Jasonidolized Vincent when he was growing up. I imagine he would considerit a consummate honor to perform the ceremony."

"Then I'll see him next week," Catherine told him."May we count on you to open the ceremony?"

"My dear, I would also consider it a consummatehonor. You may count on me for whatever you need, including mindingmy own business...as much as I can manage," he saidgood-naturedly.

"I love you, Father," Catherine said sincerely,reaching across the desk to place her hand on his.

"I have come to love you, too, Catherine - verymuch," he answered, taking her hand in both of his. "I look forwardto this wedding for many reasons, not the least of which is claiminga remarkable daughter-in-law."

Catherine smiled in pleasure and appreciation atwords she once thought she would never hear, and briefly placed herother hand over his. She then stood to gather the dishes.

"I'll talk to Vincent about this when he returns,"she said, and grinned mischievously. "Next weekend we discussfashion."

As Catherine left with the dishes Father was stillchuckling at the thought of Vincent discussing fashion.

After the work crew returned and Vincent cleaned up,he and Catherine had dinner and looked at the wedding plans. He madeonly one suggestion for change, which made perfect sense whenCatherine thought about it; so she made that change in her writtenplans and felt quite relieved that so much had been accomplished inone day.

They spent some quiet time together before Catherinehad to grudgingly go back to reality. She had to be at work the nextmorning. Vincent walked her to her threshold and only intended togive her a good-night kiss; but the moment their lips touched, itignited something in both of them. They hadn't seen each other at allthe weekend before, hadn't had time for more than kisses on Saturday;and with the work crew gone on Sunday, they had precious little timetogether for anything at all. Things were immediately getting out ofhand. Vincent lifted her and pressed her against the brick wall nextto the ladder, and she was willingly responding when the pipes sangout another message for Vincent. Simultaneously Mouse came barrelingaround the corner toward them. Vincent released Catherine and whirledtoward him with an angry snarl, standing protectively in front ofCatherine.

"Need you quick, Vincent. Accident. Nathan. Legcaught. Hurry!"

Mouse said all that in total oblivion to whatVincent and Catherine might have been doing, or to the fact thatVincent had snarled at him. Most of the time Mouse lived in hisperception of the moment, and this moment only included gettingVincent to where he was needed.

Vincent glanced quickly at Catherine, stilldisoriented both at what had nearly happened and from being snatchedaway from it so unexpectedly.

"Go, Vincent. Nathan needs help. I'll see you nextweekend," Catherine told him.

Vincent touched her arm and squeezed it gently,adding a quiet apology before he left, running back through thetunnels with Mouse.

Catherine leaned against the wall for a few minutes,calming her overwhelming response to Vincent's kiss and recoveringfrom the thought of what might have happened if Mouse hadn'tinterrupted. What was Vincent doing to her judgment? What was shedoing to his? Neither of them would have intentionally startedsomething like that in such an inappropriate place. She had to admitto herself that she was glad it had been Mouse looking for theminstead of someone who might have actually been paying attention. Shereleased a long, slow breath at the relief of being spared thatindignity and pulled herself up the ladder toward herworld.

The week that followed was largely uneventful at theDA's office. Catherine took advantage of the unexpected lull and usedthe late afternoons for meetings with the contractors who would beworking on her father's apartment. She had hired only helpers, inpart because she wanted to support their businesses, but moreimportantly because she knew that she could trust them completely.All of them would understand the need for Vincent's safety. None ofthem would speak to tabloid reporters or gossip mongers about theaccommodations for a very large man in an apartment meant to beoccupied by only a small woman.

Both of the companies she was presently dealing withhad started small, and their owners had worked hard to turn them intosuccessful, respected businesses in their fields. Both owners hadbeen helped at some time in their lives by the tunnel community andhad made it a point to hire as many helpers as possible to return thefavor. They would both see that only helpers entered Catherine'sapartment.

Knowing the security conscious nature of thetunnels, neither of them objected to giving Catherine a copy of theirproposed plans to take Below. They both had a great deal of respectfor the opinions of the crews in the tunnels. They both understoodCatherine's concern for Vincent's safety and knew those in thetunnels did as well, and if their plans had missed anything at allthat could compromise that, they wanted to find it.

The workweek in both the tunnels and the DA's officewas pretty mundane for a change. There was always something pressingin the DA's office, but this week it hadn't been pressing quite ashard as usual. Catherine had worked late a couple of nights, but shehad managed to leave work on time on Friday afternoon. She knewVincent was still busy, so she took her time preparing to go Below.Her bag was packed, including a stack of magazines - some of themvintage magazines - and a couple of books with pictures of gowns andthe accompanying men's wear, several century's worth. She had nointention of trying to get Vincent into a tuxedo, but she smileddevilishly at the thought. In her opinion he looked just fine inexactly what he usually wore. She just needed to find Mary the rightfabric to make him a new silk shirt like the white one he wore whenhe proposed - and a new vest, and she had to remember to ask who madehis boots. He could use some new ones anyway, and this would be agood excuse to keep him from complaining about the extravagance. Theother men in the wedding party - maybe tuxedos? ...maybe even Father?Another mischievous smile.

After the bag was packed Catherine took a long,leisurely bath and took time to paint her nails a soft peach color tomatch the sweater she was wearing. She hadn't bothered with coloringher nails for a while, and she felt like pampering herself tonight.It would do Vincent good, too, to feel this complete relaxationcoming from her direction. He worried about her too much.

Dinner was warming in the microwave while shechecked once more to see that she had everything she would need forthe weekend. She looked through the headlines in the newspaper as sheate her dinner, then she cleaned up the small mess in the kitchen andgathered her things to go Below.

Vincent was waiting impatiently at Catherine'sthreshold, pacing restlessly now and then. He knew she was on herway; but he needed to be close to her, and it seemed hours since shearrived at home. He hadn't been there long and couldn't have beenthere any earlier anyway, but he was impatient nevertheless. Finallyhe heard movement in the storage room above him, saw the light fromthe basement door; and there she was, moving down the ladder towardhim. He took her bag, dropped it to the dusty floor and caught her inhis arms before she reached the bottom of the ladder.

Her feet were dangling and she was nearly eye levelwith Vincent, but she was getting the kind of kiss she had dreamed ofall week. At that moment she really didn't care if her feet evertouched the ground again.

"Mmmmm... " she growled breathlessly. "After thelast time we did this here, do you think this is wise?"

"It may not be wise, but I believe it was the bestmoment of my week," he said, smiling broadly.

"Do you intend to put me down?"

"Do I have to?"

"You do unless you intend to carry me back to yourchamber and then cover the entrance. That might raise a few eyebrows,don't you think?"

"Do you think so?" he chuckled as he lowered her tothe floor.

She reached for her bag, but Vincent was faster andswung the strap over his shoulder.

"You had a pleasant evening," he said, wrapping hisother arm around her shoulders.

"Yes," she answered as she snuggled against himcontentedly and reached under his cloak to put her arm around hiswaist. "And it's getting more pleasant by the minute."

They talked on the way back to the living area,trying not to look as if they wanted to run to Vincent's chamber,although that was the way they felt. It had been too long since theywere together, and they needed the loving touches they could nowallow themselves. Vincent immediately moved the screen to cover thedoor as they entered his chamber, and he swept a very cooperativeCatherine into his arms. He drew her as close to himself as he couldmanage, and she seemed to feel it wasn't close enough. They let thekiss that followed take its own course, and it was rapidly leadingthem toward Vincent's large bed when he suddenly moved and turnedaway from the door. Catherine was confused at first. She understoodwhen Teresa rushed in, pushing the screen to get through and callingVincent's name as she entered.

Catherine could see where Teresa was going at thatspeed and she had no intention of allowing it. Vincent was sitting inhis large chair by then with his hands across his lap, wondering howembarrassing this situation might become. Knowing that Vincent's lapright then was neither the proper place for a four year old, nor thebest target for a forty pound bundle of energy moving at warp speed,Catherine grabbed the little girl up and swung Teresa into herarms.

"Vincent, Vincent?!" Catherine exclaimed with asmile she hoped looked more sincere than it really was after thatparticular interruption. "What about Catherine, Catherine? Why areyou in such a hurry?" she asked.

Teresa laughed and gave Catherine a hug.

"The other kids gave Vincent good-night kisses, butI didn't get a chance. I came to say good-night."

"Why didn't you give him a kiss, too?"

"Brooke was still helping me take abath."

"So you weren't there," Catherine said. "Well, Ithink Vincent would be willing to take care of that problem."Thinking as fast as she could, Catherine asked, "Do you know what mymother would do after my bath sometimes when I was little likeyou?"

"What?"

"She would get me into my pajamas, turn meupside-down and I would give my daddy upside-down kisses before theytucked me in. Would you like to give Vincent upside-downkisses?"

"Yeah," Teresa giggled, obviously enjoying theidea.

Catherine walked toward Vincent with Teresa's feetover her shoulder and the rest of the giggling little girl danglingupside down in front of her. Teresa planted two big kisses onVincent's cheek just as Brooke called his name from outside the door.She had gone to check on one of the other children, and Teresa hadescaped. Another child told her that Teresa ran out saying somethingabout Vincent, so she checked at his chamber first. Hearing afour-year-old voice coming from the chamber, she let herself in.Brooke took Teresa from Catherine and reprimanded her forleaving.

"I just wanted to kiss Vincent good-night" Teresaprotested.

"Well, you should tell me before you leave nexttime," Brooke scolded. "I'm sorry, Vincent," she said in hisdirection. "It looked like the door was covered. Did she just burstin?"

"We'll talk to her about that tomorrow," Vincenttold Brooke, sounding a great deal more patient than hefelt.

Brooke left, holding Teresa's hand firmly andspeaking to her about entering chambers without announcing herselfproperly.

Catherine put the screen firmly back inplace.

"I guess it was a little early to think we could getaway with it, wasn't it? But it certainly seemed like a good idea atthe time."

Vincent leaned his head back against the chair inexasperated silence then voiced a small growl. Catherine laughed andsat on his knee.

"What now?" he asked, his head still leanedback.

"We wait until they all go to sleep, I suppose," shesaid equally exasperated. "That's two close calls. If she had burstin a few minutes later..."

"A disconcerting thought," Vincent agreed. He pulledher into his lap and rested his head on hers. "I know that patienceis a virtue, but right now it isn't one of mine." "We could visitFather," Catherine suggested.

"He would welcome a visit. It might be a wisedecision."

They sat for a few minutes calming their impatiencethen went to visit Father.

Later Vincent walked Catherine to the guest chamber,knowing no one had seen them and that most of the tunnel residentswere sleeping peacefully; and they loved one another until they wereboth content. When he moved to sit up, Catherine pulled him back inprotest.

"I can hardly wait until we can do this without oneof us having to leave" she complained.

"Two months, one week and six days," Vincentanswered, kissing her shoulder.

"Too long," Catherine groaned.

"Yes," Vincent answered as he moved from the bed anddressed.

Before he went back to his chamber and his coldempty bed, he leaned and gave her a lingering kiss and promised towake her the same way.

Knowing it had been two weeks since he and Catherinehad any extended time together, no one would assign Vincent a dutythat morning. They knew how much he had missed her. He and Catherinespent a quiet morning at the mirror pool. They talked about thepresent status of the plans they had made, and intended to make morewedding plans that afternoon. They also entertained the thought thatif eloping Below were a possibility, they might considerit.

Catherine wanted Vincent to have a say in what themen in the wedding would wear, a subject Vincent was not terriblyexcited about. He was going along with the excitement patientlybecause he understood it was the way his family and friends chose toshow their joy in his happiness - the way of wedding celebrationsthrough the centuries. Like Catherine, though, he was ready to reachthe end of the ceremony and the beginning of the actual marriage.Being completely honest with himself, he would have to admit thatreaching the actual honeymoon wasn't too low on his wish list either.He couldn't suppress a smile at the thought of waking up next toCatherine for the rest of his life, or at knowing that she felt thesame about him. Now and then he still felt he needed to pinch himselfto be sure it was all real.

Devin would be best man, and Kanin and Olivia wouldstand with them, as well as Mouse and Jamie. That was as far as thewedding party decisions had progressed.

Knowing both how proud Mouse would feel to beincluded in the wedding and how unpredictable he could be, Vincenthad mentioned the idea to Catherine before saying anything to Mouse;and she had immediately agreed. She did mention that she was gladJamie would be close by for back up.

After lunch in the dining hall Catherine broughtKanin, Mary and Olivia to Vincent's chamber to help them make theirdecisions.

Kanin was as thrilled as Vincent about beingincluded, but Olivia insisted it was necessary. He just hoped itwouldn't take too long. Tunnel clothes were meant for comfort andwarmth, and he had become quite happy with that over the years. Hecould only imagine what these women might want to subject himto.

Mouse had not been invited. No one thought thatMouse would understand a discussion of clothes. The women intended tosimply tell him, "This is what you will wear." and tolerate theprotests.

When Catherine entered the chamber with her smallentourage, Vincent and Kanin exchanged looks similar to what onewould expect of a deer in someone's headlights. No one expected tosee Vincent in anything other than a newly made version of what heusually wore. They just needed to try to drag out of him somepreference for color and the type of vest he would like Mary to make.How to dress the other men was the next question - tunnel clothes orAbove clothes? Knowing the men's lack of enthusiasm for the project,the women did their best to help.

With a little encouragement and prodding, decisionswere made. Knowing they had extracted all the fashion advice theywere likely to get from Vincent and Kanin, the women thanked them fortheir help. Gathering their books and lists, they removed allevidence of their visit from Vincent's chamber, and went to join therest of The Committee to plan what the women would wear. Mary smiledat Vincent and Kanin on her way out, patting Kanin on the shoulder asshe left. Olivia gave Kanin a kiss on the cheek. Catherine placed herhand on Vincent's shoulder, and he covered it with one of his,looking up at her.

"Thank you for your patience. I know this wasn'tyour favorite topic for discussion."

"It's my wedding, too."

She returned the smile he offered, let her hand fallto his upper arm and rubbed it gently before turning togo.

"And thank you, Kanin," she said as she turned toleave, smiling as she passed his chair.

"Whew," Kanin teased when he was sure Catherine wasgone. "I've never seen a little touch on the arm lookso..."

"Kanin..." Vincent interrupted with a tone of gentlereprimand.

"I'm only saying that if you two get that much outof a little touch on the arm, life should be good."

"We plan to have a happy life, a life I neverthought would be mine."

Kanin stood to leave. "I need to go and rescueSamantha from Luke. He was a menace this morning."

He turned when he reached the door. "We all want youto have a happy life, my friend. You don't say much about it, but Iknow you worry about being different. You do know that nobody herecares about that, don't you? We've been waiting for this joining fora long time."

Vincent smiled and lowered his head in response.After watching Kanin leave, Vincent opened his journal and penned afew lines about happiness, warm feelings of love and support from hisfamily, and the pleasure he felt in comfortably sharing even such asmall touch of affection with Catherine in the presence of hisfriend. There was also a brief mention of his aversion to being afashion consultant.

Sunday night and the familiar parting at Catherine'sthreshold came too soon, the only consolation being that their nextmeeting would only be a week away.

Monday morning brought another domestic abuse caseto Catherine's desk. This time there were no children involved, onlythe wife. She had been beaten badly enough to require hospitalization- broken ribs, numerous severe bruises, some internal bleeding,several cuts on her face, and a gash on the back of her head whereshe had been shoved against a metal sculpture. Having met the doctorin the course of other similar investigations, Catherine suspectedthat he would stretch the hospitalization to its limits to give thevictim extra time to consider what to do when she left the hospital.It was the third time the woman had been hospitalized with injuries,but this time was far worse than the others. The two times before shehad agreed with her husband's explanation of accidents. This timethere was no way to explain it as anything short of what itwas.

The husband had been caught in the act when thepolice arrived. The incident started when she tried to leave him andhe snatched her back into the apartment as she opened the door to go.In his anger he carelessly left the door ajar, so the neighbors heardeverything. They liked his wife, Elaine. They found her to be acaring, pleasant person and hated what he did to her. This time twoof them decided they needed to be brave enough to do something aboutit. One of them even worked up the nerve to peek in the door to seewhat was happening while the other called the police.

The stomach virus from the week before was stillmaking its way through the DA's office. They had been short-handedfor about a week, so Joe had no choice but to reassign the case.Catherine had already interviewed the witnesses and agreed to Joe'srequest that she go to the hospital to take Elaine Langston'sstatement. It looked like a solid case against the husband. Therewere witnesses, and they had hopes that the wife would cooperate thistime.

Since Elaine was trying to leave him when this hadhappened, she was in the right frame of mind to help the DA prosecuteher husband. She had already seen a crisis counselor, and whenCatherine mentioned the probability that Gerald would be released onbail soon, she asked about a restraining order to keep him away.Rather than going home again, she planned on going to a shelter orsafe house temporarily. Catherine had advised her not to confrontGerald or mention the restraining order if he visited her at thehospital.

The husband, Gerald Langston, had been in jail forseveral days because his lawyer had been out of town, and he refusedto talk to anyone else. He was a well-established businessman who thepolice and District Attorney had been trying to convict for a varietyof crimes for several years, but they had found no solid evidence.Since there had been no prior convictions, his lawyer managed toarrange bail. Gerald went straight to the hospital when he wasreleased on Thursday afternoon, swooping into the room with roses,apologies, and professions of love just as Catherine had finishedtaking Elaine's statement.

"Who are you?" Gerald asked belligerently when hesaw her.

"I'm from the DA's office," Catherine answered, notcowering at all.

"Well you can leave now. We don'tneed you here, do we, honey?" he said, looking at his wifelovingly.

Elaine just turned her bruised and swollen facetoward the wall.

Catherine stooped and put the papers in her satchelnext to the bed then stood and leaned to lay one hand on Elaine'sarm. With the other hand she surreptitiously slipped the call buttonfor the nurse's station in Elaine's hand and tucked the cordinconspicuously under her arm.

"Just in case..." she whispered, moving the coversslightly to make it less obvious. She added very quietly, "You knowhow to find me." Catherine patted Elaine's arm encouragingly andreached for her satchel.

Elaine turned her face back toward Catherine, gaveher an appreciative look and nodded very slightly.

Even knowing there were witnesses this time, Geraldwas still arrogant enough to think he was immune totrouble.

"My wife doesn't need you here upsetting her," hetold Catherine.

"She doesn't need to be in this condition, either."Catherine answered quietly, slipping the strap of her bag over hershoulder.

"Leave us alone from now on, understand?" he said toCatherine, approaching her menacingly.

She walked past him nonchalantly, appearingunintimidated.

Knowing he was pushing his luck, he said nothing,just glared angrily as she left. He then turned his attentionsolicitously to his wife, expecting that she would forgive him againand that his life would go on as usual.

Catherine stopped at the nurse's station on the wayout, explained the situation, left her business card, and asked thatthey alert security and have someone close as long as Gerald was inthe building. She promised to provide a picture of Gerald so thestaff would be aware if he came back and to send them notice as soonas the restraining order was issued.

After she left the hospital she went back to theoffice and reminded herself why she had decided to give up this job.Gerald Langston had shaken her a little, but she had no intention ofallowing him to know it. She knew the man could be dangerous, and hedefinitely had no use for Catherine stirring around in hisbusiness.

It was nearly closing time, if the DA's officeactually had such a thing. Catherine had arranged to see the floristwho provided Vincent with the flowers when he proposed. She intendedto spend the evening making some floral decisions for the wedding.Jenny was going to meet her for dinner, and then the florist, Myra,would meet with her after she closed her shop for the night. Therewas a threshold in the shop's basement, and Vincent and some membersof The Committee would be meeting her there. She was looking forwardto a very pleasant evening, and thoughts of Gerald Langston weregoing on the back burner for now.

She decided what still needed to be done before sheleft and completed it quickly, with no intention of taking work homewith her. Tonight was hers. She had a friend to meet and a wedding toplan; and to add to the anticipation, Vincent would be close enoughto touch. Tomorrow was Friday. Knowing that one more piece of weddingplanning was completed would make the weekend easier.

The lower elevator project had started on Wednesday.It seemed that anything that could be done for Vincent's wedding ortheir apartment went to the head of the helpers' priority lists. TomMason employed only helpers, so any member of his crew could betrusted to handle the elevator projects. They all knew Vincent, somefrom as long ago as childhood, and they jumped at the chance toprovide him a little extra freedom. The security system installationwould start the following week, with a few finishing touches to beadded when the changes to the upper elevator were complete. The newplumbing and the redecorating in the apartment itself came afterthat. It never failed to amaze Catherine that so many people in herworld knew and loved Vincent, but that his existence still remained asecret from her world in general.

Jenny was waiting at the restaurant when Catherinearrived, dramatically pretending to have been there much longer thanthe five minutes she had actually been waiting. During dinner shementioned vague dreams about a man in Catherine's life, but said itwas all very strange and sketchy. She knew Catherine was happy, butthat was about all she could tell her. Catherine wanted to tell Jennyeverything; but she smiled and remained non-committal, changing thesubject as quickly as she could without looking suspicious. They hadsqueezed dinner into their schedules between Catherine's job and abook signing Jenny had arranged at a store near the restaurant.Sooner than they wanted they rose to go their separate ways. On theway out of the restaurant Catherine heard a smooth voice say hername, as if in surprise. She turned to see who had spoken to her andthere stood Gerald Langston, a smile on his face and an appearance ofcomplete self-control.

"Miss Chandler, I didn't expect to see youhere."

To any casual observer it would have appeared to bea chance encounter, but Catherine sensed something more sinister inhis being there and wanted to be away from him as soon as possible.Jenny felt that something was going on, so she didn't leave as soonas she had paid her check as she had intended to. She walked outsidewith Catherine, got a very sketchy explanation and waited until herfriend was safely in a cab before she walked around the corner to thebookstore. She looked back briefly at the door before she left anddidn't see Langston. She and Catherine both assumed he was paying hisbill inside.

The taxi got only as far as the corner near therestaurant before having to stop at a traffic light. Catherine wasfidgety, anxious to put some distance between herself and herunwelcome encounter.

It was still early for her meeting with the florist,so she had plenty of time to do some quick errands and unwind alittle. She knew Vincent had felt her anxiety at the encounter withLangston. If she didn't control the apprehensive feelings, he mightcome to meet her early to see what was wrong. He might also feel theneed to be out looking for her; and she didn't want that. Although itwas dark, it was still early enough in the evening that there were alot of people on the streets; and he wouldn't be safe. She intendedto go to the florist shop and wait in the back room until everyoneelse was there, and she would go back to her apartment by way of thetunnels. She had left Langston at the restaurant, and the thought ofextra time with Vincent successfully cleared most of the worry fromher mind.

She didn't feel that Vincent was that close yet, andthere was a small grocery store across the street from the florist,so she stopped to pick up a few things she needed. Realizing she hada little more time, she asked the grocer to hold the items for her topick up in a few minutes and went to a little shop a couple of doorsdown the street to look for a gift for Nancy's birthday. As she leftthe shop someone opened the door for her. She turned to thank him,and looked into the eyes of Gerald Langston again. It was such asurprise that she didn't have time to shield any of the shock fromVincent.

"We meet again, Miss Chandler."

"And we'd better not meet again any time soon," sheanswered icily as she left.

She tried to compose herself as she walked back tothe grocer's. The clerk at the grocer's looked up when she enteredhis store. He placed a bag on the counter and smiled at the pleasant,attractive woman he had joked with as she shopped.

"Here it is," he said. "Enjoy."

"Thank you," Catherine answered. "I'm sure I will.How much do I owe you?"

As she handed him the money, the bell on the doorannounced another customer, and there was Gerald Langstonagain.

"Leave me alone," Catherine demanded.

"Leave you alone? What do you mean? I have everyright to enter a grocery shop."

"But you have no right to follow me all overManhattan." She turned toward the clerk; and as she placed hergrocery bag on the counter, she silently mouthed, "Please call 911."She turned back to confront Langston and suggested, "Why don't wediscuss this outside? This young man shouldn't have to deal with itany further."

With that statement she brushed past him and movedjust outside the door. It was a pleasant autumn evening, and theglass door was open, leaving only a screen door between theirconversation and the clerk, who was stealthily using the phone behindthe counter to dial 911.

"There's no chance it could be coincidence that youwere at the same restaurant over a mile from here, standing at thedoor for me at another shop less than five minutes ago and nowappearing at the grocer's right behind me. I'm prosecuting your case.This could easily be construed as an effort to intimidateme."

"I haven't done anything intimidating - yet," heanswered, a little more venom in his tone than before.

'No, Vincent,' Catherine thought pointedly. Aloudshe said, "I intend to report these 'coincidental meetings' to thepolice. Right now I intend to pick up my groceries and go about mybusiness, and I don't expect to see you again thisevening."

A police car rounded the corner behind Langston justin time for it's occupants to see everything that happened afterCatherine's last statement. They had been less than a block away whenthe dispatcher alerted them to a possible problem outside the groceryshop.

"Who do you think you are, telling me what I cando?" Langston exploded, his carefully controlled exterior quicklyfalling away. This was a woman issuing him orders. On top of that, itwas a woman who was going to make a lot of trouble for him. Hiscontrol was gone, and he needed to teach her a lesson. He advanced onher, shouting abusive names and remarks, grabbing her arms androughly shoving her back against the store window.

With Jamie close on his heels, Vincent had alreadyheaded for Catherine when he felt her initial reaction to Langston atthe restaurant. He mentioned the impression of fear from Catherinewhen Jamie questioned his distraction. It hadn't felt lifethreatening, but he wanted to know what caused it. He wasn't running,but he wasn't wasting time either. After Catherine was in the taxiand distancing herself from the problem, he altered his course forthe florist shop and was already at the threshold when he felt thestab of shock she felt at the shop door. Now he felt both fear andanger, and he had to be there. He wasn't in the rage that had alwaystaken him before, but the need to protect Catherine was much toostrong to ignore. Jamie was desperately trying to reason with him inthe alley behind the shop. Her opportunity to reason with him existedonly because Vincent could feel Catherine's determination throughtheir bond - she wanted him to stay out of it. Jamie did, too -pointing out the number of people who would see him.

"I'll go this time, Vincent," she insisted. "She'sokay on her own so far. It doesn't look like anything's happened yet.Catherine and I can handle him between the two of us...and you won'tdo Catherine any good if somebody panics and shoots you.

Vincent said nothing, just backed up against thewall in frustration and waved Jamie on, knowing she was right, buthating it. He watched as she ran toward the street; then they bothsaw Langston shove Catherine against the window, grab her and shakeher, hurling verbal abuse at her all the time. Simultaneously a low,angry growl came from the alley and Vincent's half of their bondreceived a powerful jolt from Catherine's that strongly suggested shewanted him to stay away.

Gerald Langston had beaten his wife and severalformer girlfriends in his lifetime and had always gotten away withit. He wasn't expecting a woman who would fight back. Catherinesurprised him and shoved his arms away, at the same time stomping theheel of one of her high-heeled pumps down on his foot. While hereeled from that, she elbowed him sharply in the ribs and swung thelarge satchel from her shoulder hitting him directly on the side ofhis head. By that time a policewoman was out of the car announcingherself as police and ordering Langston to place his hands on thewindow. Her partner had stopped the car and was on theway.

Gerald immediately shifted himself into victimmode.

"Thank goodness you're here," he moaned, holding hishead. "You must have seen her attack me. She had no reason. She mustbe crazy."

"Hands behind your head. You have the right toremain silent..." the policeman began, going through the familiarMiranda warning as the policewoman handcuffed Langston.

"What are you doing?" he demanded. "She attacked me.You saw her."

"We also saw you shout at her, throw her against thewindow, grab her arm and shake her before she ever touched you.Looked to us like she was defending herself," the policewoman toldhim. "...And a lot better than you expected her to, from what wesaw," she grinned as her partner took him to the waiting car. Turningback to Catherine she asked, "Are you hurt, miss?"

"No," Catherine assured her. "A little shaken, and Imay have a few bruises; but I

think that's all."

She saw to it that Vincent received the sameassurances about her safety, knowing that it would allow him somerelief.

"We'll need to get a statement from you,Miss...?"

"Chandler, Catherine Chandler."

Catherine gave her a brief explanation of thesituation and a business card, and promised whatever cooperation sheneeded. By the time her story was complete, Catherine had caught herbreath and was pulling herself together.

"Thanks, Miss Chandler. One of us will contact youtomorrow," the young officer told her, closing her notebook. "With asecond offense so close to the last one and witnesses to both, Idon't think you need to worry about seeing him again any time soon.I'll speak to the young man at the grocery store before we leave.Just need to check with my partner first. Good moves back there, bythe way. Glad you're on our side. G'night."

"Thanks for everything," Catherine answered as theyparted.

Jamie had been watching from across the street,thoroughly impressed at seeing Catherine in action like that for thefirst time. It wasn't the right time to dwell on that, though. Sheran across the street calling Catherine's name, asking if she hadbeen hurt.

Catherine hugged her and assured her that she wasfine.

"You need to go to him. He needs to see for himselfthat you're okay. It was all I could do to keep him from runningright out here in the middle of all these people."

"I know. I gave him a piece of my mind - literally,"Catherine laughed ruefully, crossing the street toward theflorist.

"You alright, ma'am?" the clerk called.

"She's fine," Jamie answered as Catherine ran towardMyra's shop. I'll take her bag.

"That guy sure got what he deserved. Tell her she'swelcome to come along when I ask my brother-in-law to pay back themoney he borrowed last month," he said with a grin.

Jamie laughed and thanked the clerk for hishelp.

Catherine hurried into the florist shop, told Myrashe would wait for her in the back and headed straight for the stairsJamie had described.

Vincent had consciously tried to calm himself, buthe was still impatiently waiting at the top step to fold her into hisarms.

"I'm sorry. I didn't want to frighten you,"Catherine apologized from against his chest."

"What happened?" he asked, pulling her closer. "Wasthere a reason he wanted to hurt you? I've felt your concern aboutsomething several times since this afternoon."

"To make a long story short..." Catherine againbriefly explained the day's events. She finished by saying, "I toldhim I intended to call the police, and told him to stop following me.He snapped - I guess you saw the rest. I knew you wereclose."

"Yes," he answered, kissing her head, "I felt sohelpless. I know you and Jamie were right, but it was littleconsolation. I believe it was the first time I really saw how wellyou defend yourself. Other times when you were in danger, I sawlittle more than the anger that someone intended to harm you." Hepulled away from her slightly and looked down at her with one of hissmall smiles. "At first I feared for you," he said, emphasizing theword "you". "Isaac taught you well."

"Yes, he did," she stated firmly, but a littleflirtatiously. She was both floored and hopeful at this new turn inhis response. "Keep that in mind the next time you're about to putyourself in danger unnecessarily."

"It didn't feel unnecessary at the time," heinsisted.

"Thank you for wanting to be there," she answered,"but I want you to be safe, too. I plan to need you for a very longtime, and I want to keep you around."

Catherine stretched herself up to kiss him, feelinghappy that the tension between them was diffusing itself so quicklyafter this incident.

Vincent willingly put the tension aside in favor ofsavoring her kiss and knowing she was safe.

When he abruptly separated himself from her, sherealized Mary and Rebecca were entering the basement from thethreshold.

He and Catherine were still in a shadow at the topof the stairs; so he took advantage and kissed her forehead quicklybefore going down the stairs to offer Mary his hand and assist herthrough the threshold.

To give her time to formulate a plan, Catherine hadtaken Myra a copy of their sketch of the layout for Great Hall,knowing she would be familiar with the room. Her plan was acceptedwith a few minor suggestions. Decisions made, Catherine quietlyslipped Myra a generous deposit check while the others cleared thetable, and they moved toward the basement, copies of the editedsketch in hand.

It was an unspoken understanding that Vincent wouldwalk Catherine home through the tunnels.

As they walked back, Olivia led the others inteasing Vincent about keeping him company all the way to Catherine'sthreshold. Olivia was a couple of years older than Vincent and theyhad grown up feeling that she was his older sister, especially afterDevin left. That feeling continued, no matter how much bigger he wasnow; and she was currently pressing her rights as a big sister. Asthey reached the fork that took them either to the living areas or toCatherine's threshold, Vincent had a brief moment of worry that theymight have been serious; but they finally turned toward home, saying"Good-night." He could hear them laughing at their joke as theywalked away.

"I was beginning to think they meant it," he said,sounding relieved.

"Me, too," Catherine answered, smiling at Olivia'sregression to childhood.

They walked hand in hand until they passed the lastsentries, then Vincent put his arm around Catherine's shoulders andpulled her closer. She wound her arm around his waist and leanedclose, appreciating his warmth, his scent, the movement of firmmuscles against her... They walked in silence for a while, content tojust enjoy being close, and alone.

Catherine was surprised when, out of the blue,Vincent suddenly asked, "Would you keep your calendar free one weekfrom tomorrow?"

"For you, definitely," she smiled up at him. "Whathappens one week from tomorrow?"

"There are two people I'd like you to spend theevening with - with me. I think you should enjoy theircompany."

"Should I meet you at my threshold?What time? Wait...I'll have to be at my father's apartment that nightto meet with the last contractor. He has plans for the remodeling."She stopped and corrected herself and grinned at the thought. "I'llhave be at our apartment that night. I can probably meet youat the elevator that evening. Mr. Mason said the upper elevatorshould be complete by the middle of next week, and Cullen said thenew threshold should be finished this weekend. What time?"

"They should arrive at seven o'clock, and theyshould say that they have invitations from your friend."

"Who are they? You don't usually go to so muchtrouble."

"They are two women who will be important to both ofus. Indulge me for now," he insisted. "Allow me to surprise you."Leaning his head to one side as he spoke and giving her one of hissmall, teasing smiles, he easily won the moment.

"Fine, but I may be eaten alive with curiositybefore Friday. We should meet you at the threshold, then?"

"May I meet you at the apartment instead? Perhaps,since they will expect to see me, it would be easier for them to meetyou there and then come here with us."

"What can I do to help?"

"Just be there," he answered, enjoying hercuriosity.

Calling it their apartment instead of her apartmentstill felt wrong somehow - too presumptuous, too much like acceptingmore than he should. Still, it made her so happy he couldn't bringhimself to tell her that. He was sure she was aware of itanyway.

They lingered longer than necessary at Catherine'sthreshold, hating to have to part. Finally Vincent movedaway.

"You need rest. You have to work tomorrow," he saidfirmly.

"You need rest, too. I'll be here as early as I cantomorrow night."

"Something to look forward to," he answered, kissingthe hand he was still holding.

"Sleep well, Vincent."

Catherine watched as he turned to walk away. A fewyards away he looked back longingly. She smiled slightly with asimilar look on her face and started up the ladder.

Friday wasn't nearly as eventful as the day before.Catherine never left the office, just gathered and processedinformation. Joe had been in meetings all morning and wasn't aware ofLangston's attack on Catherine until another file folder appeared onhis desk. The judge had refused bail this time, and a friend of Joe'shad pushed the paperwork through and delivered it to his deskpersonally. There was a note on top that said, "Thought you'd wantthis one fast." He burst out of his office and went straight toCatherine's desk, wielding the folder.

"Are you okay? Geez, Cathy, can't you even take astatement without getting into trouble?"

"I'm fine - just a few bruises. I think I caused oneof them myself swinging this bag," she smiled, nodding toward thelarge satchel on the floor.

"I see you kicked butt," he grinned, satisfied thatshe wasn't hurt.

"He didn't expect a woman to actually fight back. Itwas a woman who cuffed him, too. Fitting, don't you think?" shesmiled.

"Yeah," Joe answered, appreciating the irony. He hadno sympathy for men who abused their families. "Trouble is, now Ihave to give his case to somebody else."

"What a shame," Catherine said sarcastically. "I'mtired of being a target. Sometimes it feels like every nut case inthe city has a folder that crosses my desk."

Joe looked at her sympathetically. He felt guiltythat the little interview he assigned her had turned into somethingdangerous - exactly what she had tried to avoid.

"I told Vincent I was out of investigations and thedanger should be behind us. I promised him. He worries about me. Idon't want..."

"Look, if I had any idea this would happen, I wouldnever have sent you."

"I know that, Joe. It was a fluke - bad timing. Thegood that came from it is that Langston is likely to be in jail for awhile, so Mrs. Langston can go home and recover in peace - and I canstop worrying about where he might show up next."

"From what it says in this report here," Joe saidwith a grin, "wherever he shows up next, he'll be limping." Hechuckled as he turned toward his office. "Just don't plan to get outof the next case by beating up the defendant," he said over hisshoulder as he walked away.

After a long, relaxing hot shower Catherine dressedfor Below, rechecked her bag and shuffled through her folders for theones she intended to take with her. She wanted to show Vincent andFather what had been accomplished in her father's apartment so far,and she dared not go near The Committee without the weddingfolder.

The biggest decisions about the wedding had beenmade. The rest of it could wait a day or two. Vincent and Catherinewanted a quiet weekend after all the excitement of the night before.Catherine would spend some time with The Committee while she wasthere; but this weekend the children had put together a little playfor Saturday night, and Catherine had promised to help with whatevershe could. She intended to devote whatever time was necessary to dothat. Since Vincent was working with them, too, it wasn't difficultto generate some enthusiasm for the project. She was certain thatwould be excitement enough for Saturday.

"I love you," Catherine said when she saw Vincent atthe bottom of the ladder.

"And I love you," he answered with a smile. "Isthere a reason for that particular greeting?"

"Just wanted you to know," she answered, and shethrew her arms around him. "I've missed you. I can't wait to be yourwife."

Vincent laughed softly, joy bubbling up in him ather enthusiasm. He hugged her close and gave her a kiss that echoedher enthusiasm, then took her hand and turned toward the centraltunnels.

"The children are excited that you plan to help ustomorrow."

"I brought milk and cookies to surprise them afterthe show. Well, I didn't actually bring all of it. Mr. Jackson wassending some produce down tomorrow morning, so he's delivering mythings, too. The milk was a little heavy."

"You spoil them, you know."

"I do not. Well, not too much, anyway," she concededunwillingly. "All children need to be spoiled once in a while. Didn'tyou enjoy it when someone spoiled you?"

"I still do," he said suggestively with one of hishalf smiles, and lifted her hand to kiss it as theywalked.

The easy exchange continued between them as theywalked toward the main hub.

They dropped her bag off in the guest chamber andwent to see Father, knowing they dare not trust themselves aloneuntil everyone else was settled in for the night. Two close callswere enough.

"Catherine, welcome back," the older man said,greeting her with a hug.

Catherine still felt a burst of joy when Fatherseemed so glad to welcome her to stay in the tunnels. She wonderedhow long it would take to get over each visit's initial surprise thathe now accepted her, even welcomed her so completely.

The three of them talked for a while, synchronizingthe schedule for the children's project the next day and answeringFather's questions about the previous night.

"Have you had any pain? Did you see Peter for anexamination?"

"No. I'm fine," she assured him. "A couple of minorbruises and some sore muscles, but nothing else, not a scratchanywhere. Please don't worry."

"Fathers worry, dear. Worry comes with the job," heanswered, patting her shoulder affectionately.

Vincent was both pleased and amused to hear thosefamiliar words being used on Catherine, rather thanhimself.

"Catherine, you promised to read the children abedtime story," Vincent reminded her. "They should be ready by now.After being disappointed that you didn't have time last weekend, theymay show up en masse at the doorway if we don'tgo."

Catherine stood to leave. She turned to Father andasked, "Shall we meet you for breakfast? I'd like to tell you andVincent about the progress in the work on the apartment."

"I would enjoy that," Father answered, pleased to beincluded in their plans.

The younger children were waiting impatiently whenVincent and Catherine arrived. They had the books they had chosen theweek before waiting in the reading chair for Catherine. A third bookhad been added to their selections. They apparently thought thatdisappointment warranted an additional story. Catherine smiled whenshe noticed the third book.

"You're sneaky little rascals tonight, aren't you,"she said, sitting down and holding up each book individually as ifcounting them.

A chorus of various responses, all meaning"Pleeeeeease," answered her remark.

"We'll see how long the first two are," she toldthem and saw their little eyes twinkle. That did it. She already knewthey would get all three stories out of her.

Just before she started the first book, she lookedup at Vincent, who was leaning against the wall behind the childrenwith his arms folded, silently mouthing, "You spoil them." Shestifled a laugh and began. "Once upon a time..."

After the three books were read and the tucking inritual was complete, Vincent and Catherine stopped to visit Mary fora while before he walked Catherine to the guest chamber - anothereffort to keep themselves apart until later.

There was a large, overstuffed chair in the guestchamber on the side of the bed farthest from the door. They sattogether in the chair, Catherine in his lap with her legs danglingover the chair arm and the rest of her snuggled against Vincent. Theysat there for a good while, just being close. Words weren'tnecessary. Kisses, touches and small sounds of pleasure orcontentment spoke volumes. After the fear and worry and tension ofthe night before, they both needed that sense of well-being andcomplete relaxation.

"The other guest chambers are empty tonight. Do yousuppose we can get away with it?" Catherine asked, looking yearninglytoward the bed.

"I think we might," he answered with asmile.

She swung her feet down to the floor and stood nextto the bed to turn down the covers. She had only managed to pull thecovers on that side of the bed away from the pillow when Vincentwrapped his arms around her from behind. She instinctively droppedthe covers and leaned her head back against his shoulder. He slowlyundressed her, kissing her neck and shoulders seductively betweenmoving the various hindrances of fabric out of their way. He held upthe covers for her, to get her out of the chilly tunnel air, then heput out candles and less patiently moved fabric away from himself.Catherine slipped the covers from under the other pillow and burrowedunder the soft, warm weight of the quilts, moving over to make roomfor him to join her. He loved her slowly and gently, and they heldone another quietly and contentedly afterward.

"I wish you could stay," Catherinewhispered.

"But I can't," he answered softly, wishing as muchas Catherine that his answer could be different.

"I love you," he told her, and kissed her once morebefore sitting up and reaching for his clothes. The temperature ofthe air seemed much cooler than it had before. He had his boots onand was fastening his belt when they heard Jamie's voice from thepassageway.

"Catherine," she called out before entering, waitingto see if there was a response.

Catherine quickly pulled up the covers Vincent hadturned back when he left the bed and gathered them around her neckbefore she answered.

Jamie came into the chamber and started to explainwhy she was there, then she suddenly realized Catherine wasn't alone.Seeing Vincent on the other side of the bed, she assumed she hadinterrupted exactly what she had barely missed.

"Oh..." I'm so sorry. I didn't expect to... I didn'tmean to interrupt..."

"You've interrupted nothing," Vincent assured her."What was important enough to wake Catherine in the middle of thenight?"

"It's Keith. He heard me say something about whathappened with Langston on Thursday night, and he dreamed thatsomebody hurt Catherine. He's been crying for fifteen minutesnon-stop. Sarah bundled him up and took him to the dining hall so theothers would go back to sleep, but he won't settle for anything lessthan seeing Catherine for himself. I'm sorry."

It's okay, Jamie. I had a bad dream, too. I'll goand see him. We'll console each other," Catherineanswered.

Knowing what Catherine wasn't wearing, Vincentsuggested that he go with Jamie and see if he could help whileCatherine found her robe and slippers. Catherine promised to followquickly.

"I can understand why she might have a nightmare,"Jamie said sympathetically.

"Hating the idea of lying to Jamie, Vincent saidnon-committally, "I knew she needed me. I stayed with her for awhile." Neither of those statements represented the whole truth, butthey weren't entirely lies, either.

Catherine caught up with them as they neared thedining hall. They could hear Keith crying well before they reachedthe doorway. She quickened her step and hurried in to take thedistraught little boy from Sarah, who by that time was as glad to seeCatherine as Keith was.

"Ca'frin," Keith sobbed against her shoulder. I sawthe bad man hurt you."

"I'm not hurt, Keith. Look at me. No hurts, not evena little boo-boo. It was only a dream." Catherine walked, rubbed hisback, and soothingly reassured him as his crying gradually calmed toloud sniffles and an occasional hiccup. He still clung tenaciously toCatherine's neck.

Vincent had only watched until the little boy beganto calm, then he joined Catherine.

"Do you think you'll be alright now?" he asked,stroking Keith's hair gently as he spoke. "You can see that Catherineis fine."

"I was scared. He was a mean man, an' I loveCa'frin," he sniffed.

"I love Catherine, too," Vincentanswered.

Sarah and Jamie looked at one another in surprise.Everyone knew it, but hearing it so matter-of-factly from Vincent'slips was uncommon and brought an exchange of smiles betweenthem.

"If Catherine were hurt, I wouldn't be so calm,would I?"

"No," Keith admitted, lifting his head slightly andbarely easing his vise-like grip on Catherine's neck.

"Is there a bad man?"

"No," Vincent assured him.

"Is there a bad man, Ca'frin?" he asked, finallyleaning back enough to look at her.

"No. He was just a dream. Nobody hurt me.See."

Vincent took him from Catherine's arms, sat on oneof the benches near a table, and sat Keith in his lap.

"Nightmares can be frightening, can'tthey?"

"Yeah. I cried," he said, putting his thumb in hismouth and leaning against Vincent.

Vincent suppressed a smile at Keith'sunderstatement.

"There was a time when I had a dream that a bad manhurt Catherine, and I felt afraid when I woke up. It made me want tocry, too," Vincent told him. "Then I realized it was only a dream,and I felt better. Do you feel better?"

"I guess so," he sniffled quietly, his breathingnearly back to normal.

"If I carry you back to bed and Catherine tucks youin, do you think you can go back to sleep now?"

"Maybe."

"Catherine will walk with us," Vincent promised."There won't be a bad man anywhere. We can watch over her. Will thatbe alright?"

"Okay," Keith agreed.

Vincent stood with the little boy, and he andCatherine took him back to bed.

Sarah looked at Jamie inquisitively. "By the way,why was Vincent here?"

"Catherine had a bad dream, too. He had gone tocheck on her, I guess. That bond thing... I thought I might haveinterrupted something, but he was dressed just like you saw him. Hesaid I didn't. Looked like he just got up out of thechair."

"Too bad," Sarah answered with an uncharacteristicmischievous smile.

She and Jamie took their time walking to thenursery, and passed Vincent and Catherine as they wereleaving.

"He's exhausted. We think he'll sleep now,"Catherine told Sarah.

"Thanks... both of you. We needed a rescue," sheanswered.

Catherine and Vincent walked back toward the guestchamber. When they reached the uninhabited part of the passage wherethey knew they could speak freely, Vincent said, "It seems we've beenreduced to untruths to cover our tracks."

"Untruths about what?"

"I saw no evidence of a nightmare before Jamiearrived," he teased.

"The nightmare was after Jamie arrived," she smiled."It happened when I imagined Jamie arriving ten minutes earlier. Allthree of us would have been mortified, and you and I would have hadvery few secrets left. Only five minutes earlier and Jamie would havehad the answer to every question she might ever have had about youranatomy."

"Another disconcerting thought," Vincent said,remembering a similar conversation from the weekendbefore.

"Even the middle of the night isn't safe anymoreunless we announce our intentions," Catherine complained. "I don'twant to announce our intentions. This belongs to us."

"There are only two solutions," Vincentanswered.

"I'm afraid to ask," Catherine responded, alreadyknowing what they were.

"We either allow everyone to know, or we stop untilwe are married and hope they have the courtesy to leave us alone fora while."

"I know you're right, but I don't like it," shepouted. "Reading to each other is still nice, but it isn't quite asmuch fun as it used to be."

"No," he agreed with a smile. "But perhaps we couldtolerate it a little longer."

They reached Catherine's chamber, and he followedher in and took her in his arms.

"I could come to your apartment. I've stayed awayonly because I knew you were busy and needed to rest - and because Iknow you worry about me."

"I don't want you putting yourself in danger. We'retoo close to our dream to take chances. The way you get to my balconyhas always made me a little nervous. Maybe after I move into Daddy'sapartment? I suppose, in the overall scheme of life it isn't reallythat long. It just seems that way right now."

"Yes," Vincent agreed, with a deep sigh.

"We don't have to give up everything, do we? I canstill kiss you and sit in your lap?"

"I would be disappointed if you didn't."

"I knew that was the only answer as soon as Jamiecalled from the passage. I just didn't want to think about it. Thatwas the rest of the nightmare."

Vincent chuckled and pulled her close. "Then we areagreed?"

"Yes," Catherine answered reluctantly, "But it won'tbe easy."

He held her a little tighter and then pulled himselfaway and started to leave.

"Vincent..."

"Yes?" he answered, turning to look ather.

"Tonight made a beautiful enough memory to lastuntil our wedding night if it has to. It was loving andwonderful."

"For me, as well," he answered. He cupped her facein his hands and gave her a gentle kiss before going back to hischamber.

On Saturday morning they had breakfast with Fatherand went over the checklist for the children's performance. Catherineexcitedly showed Father and Vincent the apartment folder, pointingout the progress made since her last visit.

She and Vincent laughingly found a favorite book andread to one another for a while during the morning.

There was a final rehearsal with the children onSaturday afternoon. They spent some time after the rehearsal soothingrattled, young nerves and helping with last minute costume problems.When the last of the children left, they reorganized the minor messthe young actors had made of the props so they would be found in thecorrect places for the performance. Breathing a sigh of relief,Vincent kissed Catherine quickly on the forehead and took her hand towalk with her to his chamber. They talked for a while before dinner,visited with others while they ate, and went back to help thechildren prepare for their performance.

The little show went well. Eric forgot his line onceand there were a couple of late entrances - all corrected quickly -but there were no major problems. The children were quite proud ofthemselves, the adults were all appropriately enthusiastic in theirpraise, and Vincent, along with the others helping to put it togetherwere relieved that it was finished. Catherine asked the children inboth the cast and the audience to follow her to the dining hall. Afew of the other adults had already set out the cookies and milk -for the actors, a reward and for the others, a celebration that theirfriends had done well.

The bedtime routine began immediately after theirsurprise snack, and it wasn't long before they were all tucked in andthe weary adults went back to their own chambers.

Their new agreement was aided by the fact that twoof the guest chambers near Catherine's were occupied that evening.She and Vincent indulged themselves in the agreed upon kisses and lapsitting before Vincent returned to his chamber.

Sunday brought another meeting with The Committeeand a few more completed wedding plans. The day was quiet, pleasantand uneventful - exactly what Catherine needed before going back towork. She left early that evening to prepare for Monday's busyschedule.

"Don't forget about your guests on Fridaynight."

"I don't believe I could. My curiosity is killingme. Shall I meet you at the threshold on Wednesday night? You can letme know then if you need me to arrange for anything."

"I would meet you on Wednesday night for any reasonyou want," he assured her.

"She kissed him thoroughly, and said, "See youWednesday."

Catherine returned from her last trip to the tunnelsarmed with Vincent's measurements and the name of the helper who hadmade those wonderful tan boots she loved to see him wear.

During the week she managed time for enough phonecalls to find a reputable costumer who would make a costume customfit for Vincent - and paid him enough to entice him to have it readya week before Halloween. She smiled remembering his reaction to themeasurements. "He's a big boy, isn't he?" was the man'scomment.

She also ordered Vincent two new pairs of boots, oneblack and one brown. Knowing Vincent's style of dress, the shoemakermade some suggestions and helped Catherine make herdecisions.

The week at work moved non-stop, but she was able toleave nearly on time every day to check the work being done at theapartment.

The upper elevator work was complete; and thesecurity system was nearly complete. The plumbing and wall movingwould begin the next week and the work on the lower elevator wouldcontinue. The large storage area for the penthouse apartment hadconveniently been beside the elevator. That made it easy to enclosethe elevator inside a wall that allowed it to open directly into thestorage room, rather than into the basement - part of the securityplan. Catherine had a small desk there along with a bookshelf for herfather's law books and another wall of shelves for other storage. Thebookshelf unlatched and swung out to uncover the threshold, and itgave her the added benefit of a small law library at home. Thoseimprovements would have to do for Friday night's visit.

By the end of the week Catherine was pleased withwhat had been accomplished.

Standing in the lobby waiting for Catherine toanswer their call from the newly installed intercom system, Nancy andJenny were thinking of the message that started this visit, themeeting with Peter, and the impatient excitement of the week sincethen.

Jenny Aronson had been late getting home that day.She had tried to call Cathy repeatedly for a couple of weeks. Herdreams had been haunting her again lately, but this time she didn'tfeel the need to warn Cathy of disaster. This time she had beendesperately trying to find out who and what was making her so happy -in so many ways - and the woman was never home.

Amid those thoughts she juggled her purse and hergrocery bag until she could open her mailbox, dropped the mail in thebag and took the elevator to her apartment. To her surprise, when shechecked her answering machine there were four messages from Nancy,each more impatient than the last. Jenny stood staring at the machineas it played the last message.

"Jenny, it's Nancy again. I hope you're not out oftown or something. Call me the very minute you walk in the door,understand."

When the machine announced the last of the messages,Jenny immediately picked up her phone and dialed Nancy's number.Nancy's voice was there after the first ring.

"Hello? Jenny is that you?" Nancy's words rushed outat her.

"Nancy, what on earth is going on?"

"Have you checked your mail today?"

"Not yet," she answered dryly. "I had instructionsto call someone the very minute I walked in the door."

"Very funny," Nancy retorted. "Go check your mailfor a card with really nice handwriting.

"What is it? I take it you got one of these cards.Should I check it for signs of explosives or something?" she joked asshe made her way to the kitchen and fished the contents of hermailbox from the grocery bag.

"Just go and check."

"I'm checking. I'm checking...even as we speak.You're not going to explain anything while I do this, are you?" sheasked in frustration as she sorted through a stack of junk mail, afew catalogues, and a couple of bills. "Maybe this is it," she said,"Old fashioned handwriting, no return address?"

"That's it!" Nancy answered eagerly. "Hurry up andopen it. You won't believe this. Mine came this morning. I can't tellanybody else, and I'm about to explode."

"Okay, you're scaring me, Nance," she laughed,pulling the card out of the envelope.

Jenny starting reading, her eyes getting bigger asshe read.

Jenny, you don't know me, but you probably knowthat I exist in Catherine Chandler's life. For reasons which willbecome obvious to you

later, she has had to keep our relationshiphidden; but it has been especially

difficult for her to keep it from you and Nancy.It has been distressing to

see her struggle so often with her secrets. I askyour help with a remedy

for that problem.

I would consider it an honor to meet the two ofyou, and a joy

to give Catherine the freedom to again share herlife with her close

friends. Unfortunately, I need to ask that youmention this to no one else.

Peter Alcott can make arrangements with you for atime and place.

Vincent

Jenny screamed briefly into the phonewith glee.

"Have you called Peter?" sheasked.

"Yeah. This afternoon - betweenleaving desperate messages on your answering machine," Nancy laughed."He's going to meet me at that Chinese restaurant on your cornertomorrow night at eight o'clock. Can you be there?"

"I couldn't be stopped by wildhorses," Jenny exclaimed, pacing her kitchen in excitement. "What doyou suppose brought this on? Hey! This is the same signature as theone in that book of sonnets she keeps so close all the time. This hasbeen going on for a couple of years? She's good. Vincent, huh? Wonderwhat the big secret is. Is he married or something?"

"We talked once. She said he isn't.Jen, you should see her talk about him. Once she made up her mind,even as little as she could tell me, she positively glowed. The girlis really in love. Whatever makes them hide this, we might as wellplan on accepting it, or we'll see less of her than we donow."

"That would be pretty much nil. I'vebeen trying to call her for two weeks. Peter couldn't meet ustonight?"

Nancy laughed at her friend'sfrustration. "I may die of curiosity before this get-together. ThisVincent must be something special to make her willing to go to suchlengths to keep him a secret," Nancy speculated.

"Special!?" Jenny snorted. "Have youever dated a guy who would take time to send your two best friendshandwritten notes asking to meet them - just to make things easierfor you? That says special, don't you think? Nope. Wild horsescouldn't keep me away from this guy!" With a deep sigh, shecontinued. "You couldn't have called me in the morning, could you?I'll never sleep now. I'll probably be face down on the table at thestaff meeting tomorrow morning, and it will be all yourfault."

"Jenny," Nancy answered, pretendingshock. "That note was in your mailbox, too. If you had opened it attwo in the morning, you know you would have called to wake meup."

"Right, as usual," Jenny laughed. "Idon't know how I'm going to last until we see Peter, much less untilwe meet Vincent."

Both women were early for the meetingat the restaurant the next night.

After checking schedules andconsidering what would be best for everyone concerned, they settledon one week from that day. Neither of them was happy at the wait, butthat was what would work. Peter gave them a few instructions,verified the date and time, and enjoyed a pleasant dinner with them.He sent a message to Vincent immediately, confirming the plans forhim.

Friday had finally arrived; andCatherine was nervously waiting for her guests, not knowing at allwhat to expect, other than visitors. Why had their portrait fromKristopher Gentian suddenly appeared in the apartment, and what wasthat cryptic note on the frame all about? She had placed the pictureagainst the wall in the bedroom where she could close the door andhide it if necessary. She wished she had a little more information.When it came to meeting new people, Vincent was usually moreforthcoming.

The intercom phone from the lobbyrang, and she felt a stab of panic when she heard Jenny's voice. Howwould she be able to send her away without looking suspicious orunwelcoming?

"Cathy, did you hear me? Nancy iswith me. We have invitations from your friend."

"Say that again," Catherine said indisbelief.

"What?" Nancy asked, sharing thehandset for the intercom with Jenny. "That we have invitations fromyour friend. Peter said it would be a surprise."

"Well, Cath? Are you going to inviteus in sometime tonight?" Jenny demanded impatiently.

"Yes! Yes! I'm, sorry. I'll be rightthere," Catherine answered excitedly.

She took the elevator eagerly to thelobby to meet her friends, mulling over the things she hadn'tunderstood about this evening. What had Vincent said? - "Two womenwho will be important to both of us" - and the sudden appearance oftheir portrait with a note saying, "A picture is worth a thousandwords." He had planned time for her to speak to Nancy and Jennybefore he arrived... Oh, yes. This was a wonderful man.

Leaving his chamber on his way to theapartment, Vincent knew from the evident joy pouring through the bondthat Catherine's friends had arrived. He allowed himself the luxuryof being rather pleased with himself. This surprise had worked quitewell so far. He smiled at that thought as he walked, although he wasnervous at the idea of meeting her friends and was wondering howdifficult it would be for them to accept him. Still, it was wellworth his discomfort to bring her friends back into her life. She hadcertainly given up more for him than a little temporary mentaldiscomfort, and he no longer had doubts that Catherine would love himno matter what her friends decided to think.

The suspense had made that week seemendless. Nancy and Jenny eagerly moved into the elevator as soon asthe door opened, and they were grabbed together in an energetic grouphug as soon as Catherine saw them. As the door closed, they were alltalking at the same time the way they did in college.

"I can't believe he did this,"Catherine exclaimed about the time the elevator reached theapartment.

"Is he waiting for us?" Nancy askedexcitedly.

"No. He'll be here at seven-thirty. Iknow now that he wanted us to have time to talk first. I need toexplain a few things before you meet him."

"You need to explain a lot," Jennylaughed. "How about starting with why we need warm clothes andcomfortable walking shoes for a visit, and why we need to stay thenight. Not that I mind, you understand. It's October. These clothesare fine, and we haven't had a sleepover in ages."

As the elevator reached theapartment, Catherine realized for the first time that each of herfriends had an overnight bag with her; then the implications of thecomfortable shoes suddenly hit her. They were going below. That waswhat Vincent had said, wasn't it?

"He's thought of everything - andmanaged to surprise me with all of it," she exclaimed in awe, almostto herself. She then turned to settling her friends in for theevening.

"Give me your bags. Both of you havebeen here before. Jenny, I'll put you in the guest room and Nancy canhave what was my room."

She quickly took the bags to thecorrect bedrooms and returned to see her two friends glancing aroundthe apartment as if they were looking for something. When Nancyfinally spoke, she realized what they were looking for.

"With all this security, don't youfeel free to have pictures of him around yet? We're dying ofcuriosity," Nancy said.

Maybe they were going to make thiseasy for her.

"Remember that package addressed tome, the one that was found at the end of the Kristopher Gentian artexhibit?" Catherine asked turning to Jenny.

"Yeah. Looked like a big piece of artwork."

"It was a portrait of the two of us -Vincent and me. It's propped against the wall in the bedroom. Youmight as well come and look."

Catherine found herself agreeing withVincent about a picture being worth a thousand words. She just wasn'tquite sure yet what words would follow the picture.

Nancy and Jenny thought she sounded alittle nervous, but both of them gave that idea the benefit of thedoubt because they were all three so obviously excited.

Entering the bedroom the first thingthey saw was a king-sized bed.

"Geez, Cathy," Jenny blurted out,always one to speak her mind. "Is that a bed or a playground? And hasit been properly initiated?" She followed the last question with ateasing grin and some suggestive eyebrow wiggling.

"No," Catherine answered, lookingaway.

"What a shame." Jenny answered, aboutto ask another question when Nancy interrupted.

"Cathy, this is gorgeous!" Nancyexclaimed.

When she turned toward Nancy the grinvanished from Jenny's face and her hand went to her mouth.

"Oh my god. Is this Vincent?" Jennyasked.

"Yes."

"Look at the way he's holding you,"Nancy sighed, stepping closer for a better look and reaching to touchit. "This is beautiful, but why a portrait in costume and make-up?You both look like you belong to another time. What was the occasion?Why were you costumed?" Turning back to Cathy, she asked, "Is he asbig as he looks? And is he as protective of you as this makes himseem?"

"Yes, he's that big, and yes, he'sthat protective. He isn't too possessive, though. He doesn't need toown me. He's wonderful," Catherine smiled. "I'm that protective ofhim, too."

Nancy and Catherine suddenly realizedthat Jenny was uncharacteristically quiet and turned to see herlooking a little pale, her hand still at her mouth.

"Jenny, are you okay?" Catherineasked, sounding concerned.

"I've seen him in my dreams. That'swhy I was trying to call you all week. The two of you were in astrange place... like another time, like Nancy said. You were both sohappy. I kept waiting for my dreams to show me his real face, but itnever happened." As if dreading the answer, she finally asked, "...Itisn't a fantasy portrait, is it? It isn't make-up?"

Maybe this was going to be a loteasier than Catherine originally thought.

"No," Catherine admitted. "This isVincent. This is how he looks, this is how he dresses; and thestrange place you saw in your dreams is probably where he lives.There it all seems perfectly normal. I'm sure that's the reason forthe comfortable shoes. He plans to take you there later."

"Wait a minute," Nancy began, lookinga little agitated. "You're trying to tell us that the face in thisportrait is actually Vincent. How could what I see here be real?" Shelooked at Catherine, expecting to see some sign that she was joking,but found no such sign."

"Nobody knows; but he does exist, andI love him more than I can begin to describe." She took a deep breathand released it in a resigned burst of air. "Sit down, and let meexplain a few things."

Nancy and Jenny looked at each otherin disbelief and wordlessly sat on the edge of the bed. Catherine satacross from them in a chair. She explained how Vincent found her,about their bond and about her need to keep secrets for hissafety.

"I've missed being able to talk toboth of you, but I couldn't give away anything that would put him orhis community in any danger. I made promises I had to keep, not justfor his safety, but for the safety of his whole family."

Both her friends were stunned, butnow understood why she had been so hard to reach and so secretive forthe last two years. They were speechless for a couple ofminutes.

"Does his whole family look likehim?" Nancy finally managed to ask.

"No," Catherine answered. "We'llexplain all that later."

How does he get here?" Nancyobviously had a lot of questions. "He can't just walk to the frontdoor, can he?"

"That's why I'm moving here. Now hecan almost do that. For all practical purposes, the elevator hasbecome the front door, and he has access to the elevator." Shestopped, looked away briefly, and took and released another deepbreath. "I know this is a lot to take in; and believe me, before thenight is over there will be more surprises. I hope you can accept itall eventually, because nothing is going to change. I've never beenthis happy. He gives me so much... Listen to me. I'm hopeless. I'mtoo in love to make sense."

"That's what I saw in my dreams,"Jenny said quietly. "I've never seen you so happy, or so certaineverything is right. Is that how it is, Cath?"

"Yeah. That's how it is," shesmiled.

"That's how it looked when you leftmy house in the middle of the night to come back to him," Nancychimed in, standing to enclose Catherine in a sisterly hug. "If hemakes you this happy, then we have to learn to love him, too. Right,Jen?"

"Absolutely," Jenny answered, joiningthem.

Just then they all heard the elevatormoving.

"Give him a little space at first,okay?" Catherine asked. "I know he's nervous about meetingyou."

"Only a little," Jenny answered. "Heinvited us, remember? ...and we've waited too longalready."

"Just give us a minute."

Catherine met Vincent at theelevator.

"Thank you," she said softly andsincerely. She was at his side, taking his hand and looking up athim.

"Were you surprised?" he asked withone of his small smiles.

"You know I was," she grinned. "Theportrait was a nice touch. It helped with Nancy, but Jenny hadalready dreamed about you. She simply had to accept that her dreamswere real. Are you ready to meet them?"

"Yes," he answered and reached toadjust his hood.

Catherine stopped hishand.

"No. No cloak this time," she toldhim with an air of determination. These are my friends, and this isgoing to be your home. They will meet you and accept youopenly."

This approach was obviously importantto Catherine, so Vincent swallowed his anxiety over theseintroductions. He pushed back his hood, swung his cloak from hisshoulders, and forced himself to appear more relaxed than he was.After she quickly folded his cloak and left it across the back of achair, she took his hand and turned to introduce him to her impatientfriends. Standing behind Catherine he both looked at them and spoketo them individually, smiling gently and pretending that they weren'tstaring.

"Nancy, I believe Catherine and Iboth owe you thanks for your counseling services...and Jenny, Iunderstand I appeared in your dreams recently. I hope I behavedwell."

The face and the voice and the blueeyes were enough, but the grace and easy self-assurance of the manand the nearly visible connection between him and their friend werealmost too much to accept. Both Nancy and Jenny seemed to finallyfind their tongues at the same time.

"I didn't do much more than listen,"Nancy told him.

"You behaved very well," Jenny saidwith a mischievous twinkle in her eye.

As they talked, Vincent, in his usualmanner, drew the women to talk about themselves. They realized laterhow well he listened and turned the conversation to things thatrelated to their interests. He seemed to be interested and wellversed in nearly everything they brought up. They also noticed how heseemed constantly tuned to Catherine without ever appearing to leavethe conversation with the others. It was becoming easier to see whyshe could love him. Before long they found themselves fascinated bythe fact that someone who could have looked so ferocious could besuch delightful company - and that his manners were far better than alot of the normal men they knew.

Talking later, Nancy and Jenny searched for a wordto describe him and finally settled on two - "elegant" and"distinguished". If not for his unusual physical features, he couldeasily move in the social circles Catherine had grown up in. Theyalready had the impression, though, that he wouldn't be happy forlong in that atmosphere. They had the feeling there was much more tohim than social skills.

Nancy had a little more trouble accepting all thisnew information than Jenny -- maybe because Vincent and Catherinehadn't been wandering around regularly in her dreams. She had enjoyedVincent's company, though, and she did like him, in spite of herdoubts.

Catherine turned back to Nancy and Jenny. "Well,ladies, I suppose it's time for the second round of surprises. Shallwe go Below now?" she asked Vincent, and he nodded his agreement andstood.

"Is this the part where we need the warm clothes andgood shoes?" Jenny asked as the elevator started moving.

"This is it," Catherine answered, going to thecloset to pick up her jacket.

"And this is the strange place I saw in mydreams?"

"Probably."

"What did you mean by 'go below?'" Nancyasked.

"Below is where I live," Vincent answered simply."You can see that I couldn't live in your world. By your standards itwill appear quite primitive; but it works well for us, and there aregood people there. Most of us aren't related, but we regard ourselvesas family. Everyone expects you this evening, so prepare to betreated as the guests of honor... by a large number of people.William has a dessert table waiting for us."

"William?" Nancy and Jenny asked, nearly inunison.

"The best cook in the world," Catherine explained."Just wait until you taste the chocolate cake."

Nancy suddenly realized they were passing the lobbyand pointed that out to Catherine.

"Below doesn't start at the lobby," shesmiled.

The door opened in Catherine's basement storageroom, and the two new occupants looked around inamazement.

"It looks more like a law office than a storageroom," Jenny said, surprised, seeing the desk and her father's lawbooks on shelves beside it. "But why are we in thebasement?"

"It's the entrance to Below," Catherine answered."From here you're going to have to trust me more than you've evertrusted me before."

Catherine released a hidden latch on the bookshelf,and Vincent pulled it away from the wall to reveal the threshold. Heswung himself effortlessly through the opening and started down theladder.

"Okay, girls, you're next," Catherinegrinned.

"We're going below the basement? You've got to bekidding," Nancy said uncertainly.

"Deadly serious," Catherine answered.

"What the heck!" Jenny interrupted. "Come on, Nance.A little adventure will do us good." She then stepped out on thelittle ledge and onto the ladder.

Nancy watched as her friend disappeared down theladder, shrugged her shoulders uncertainly, and followed Jenny.Catherine pulled the bookshelf back in place before she started downand met them where they stood at the bottom with Vincent. They hadentered the elevator in a world they knew well, and shortly afterexiting it found themselves in what Jenny and Nancy could onlydescribe as another world.

"Wow," Jenny breathed softly as she looked aroundher."

"Yeah," Nancy echoed.

"It gets better," Catherine smiled.

The two newest visitors to the tunnels walkedsilently, following Vincent and Catherine through the rock walledpassages on what seemed to them an endless journey in the soft glowof the torches. Both women had to reach to touch the rock walls nowand then just to see that they weren't imagining the place. They hadseen the wisdom in the comfortable shoes before reaching even theoutskirts of the living area.

Out of habit and the need for her reassuring touch,Vincent looked down at Catherine and took her hand, and she looked upat him with a smile. Their love seemed to enclose the two of themwithout leaving out their companions. Jenny elbowed Nancy and pointedas they watched from behind.

After the initial shock of their new surroundingswore off, both women began to ask questions about the people and thecommunity they were going to see. Vincent and Catherine explained asmuch as they thought would make sense at the time.

"Peter visits here often. He went to medical schoolwith Vincent's Father," Catherine told them. "Can you imagine? Allthese years he's helped take care of both Vincent and me. Two of hisbest friends were Vincent's father and mine."

"Vincent, why did you decide we needed to see whereyou live tonight instead of later," Jenny asked.

"Because time is growing short. Mary insists thatshe needs measurements for your dresses," he responded.

Catherine understood immediately and looked up athim with a wide smile, wanting nothing more than to leap into hisarms and give him a huge kiss. This wedding had already grown so farbeyond what Catherine had originally imagined... what differencewould a couple of extra bridesmaids make now? Vincent had apparentlyalready plotted with The Committee.

"Dresses?" Nancy asked, looking confused.

"Bridesmaid's dresses, I believe she called them.The wedding will be the day after Thanksgiving. Will you have time tobe here?"

Jenny stopped walking and seized Nancy's arm,stopping her, too.

"Wedding?" she asked. "What wedding? Bridesmaid'sdresses?" There was a short pause, and both women looked confused."Wedding!" she exclaimed, suddenly understanding. "You're gettingmarried? Cathy, you're getting married! Nancy, they're gettingmarried!" Jenny was beginning to babble and the excitement in hervoice was growing by the syllable.

"Cathy, you and Vincent are getting married?Really?" Nancy asked.

Catherine nodded.

Nancy's reaction was a little more subdued andcarried a little more doubt than Jenny's, but she tried to hide thatand held out her arms. She knew the soul searching that it took forthem to reach this decision, and Cathy seemed happier than she hadever seen her. Whatever Vincent was, Cathy loved him and he wantedher friends to be in their lives, and she was going to do her best tobe happy for them.

Nancy hugged, Jenny hugged and babbled, and Vincentwatched and smiled. He felt that he had just returned to Catherinethe most important thing she'd had to leave behind when she chose tobe with him.

Father and Mary met the four of them in the passagenear Father's chamber. They introduced themselves before escortingthem to the dining hall - warning them to be prepared for a crowd ofenthusiastic friends of Catherine's. Jenny and Nancy arrived in theliving area of the tunnels already excited and in awe of their newsurroundings; and to add to that feeling, they were received in thedining hall like visiting royalty - by about eighty-five people of avariety of ages.

Father gave the official welcome, and even made itbrief; then he invited them to enjoy the sweets William's kitchencrew had created and to meet the other members of thecommunity.

Once they had adjusted to the strange clothing andlack of electricity and modern conveniences, they had a wonderfulevening. The children had made them cards, all saying in one form oranother that they were glad Catherine could bring her friends herenow. They talked to The Committee about the upcoming wedding,immediately becoming it's two newest members, and both agreeing theycould hardly wait to see the Great Hall.

The men all took time to pay their respects, even ifthey couldn't think of anything more to say - some speaking of theirrespect for Catherine or how they had benefited from her help, somejust making small talk. Jamie and Cullen seemed to enjoy Jenny'sbrusque, no nonsense approach to things. Cullen joked with her andthoroughly enjoyed her quick comebacks.

After briefly meeting what seemed an endless supplyof new faces, Nancy settled into a long conversation with Mary andOlivia, accompanied by the best cake she had ever eaten.

Jenny was busy moving from group to group - anddessert to dessert - all the while bemoaning what she was doing toher figure. She was in the process of telling William about herparents' delicatessen when Mary announced to the children that it wasbedtime. The expected protests rose from the children, followed bythe expected insistence from the adults.

Catherine and Nancy offered their help with thechildren; and Mary was protesting that they should stay and enjoy theparty, when several of the younger children latched on to Catherine,wanting her to read them a bedtime story. Keith, one of thefour-year-old boys, came and leaned against Nancy and stuck his thumbin his mouth, looking sleepy, but not wanting to admit it.

Nancy's motherly heart did little flips.

"You look tired. Would you like me to carry you?"she asked, putting her arm around his little shoulders. He nodded andshe picked him up. She felt several small tugs at her jacket sleeve,and looked down into the big brown eyes of little Teresa. She heldher hand out to take Nancy's free one.

"Want me to show you where we sleep?" Teresaasked.

"I would like that," Nancy answered.

Mary stopped protesting. She knew she'd lost thebattle. The older children helped gather the younger ones and usherthem toward the nursery. Nancy and Catherine and their chargesbrought up the rear.

Jenny realized that her two friends were leaving andexcused herself from the conversation she was finishing. She wasn'tabout to miss any part of this adventure.

"Hey! Wait for me," she called, scurrying to catchup. "Where are we going?" she asked when she was closeenough.

"We're on bedtime duty," Catherinesmiled.

"I could go back now."

"And let all these people know you're a coward?"Catherine teased.

Jenny laughed and fell in step with the others. Itwasn't as bad as she expected it to be. They had a good system here.Each of the older children was assigned a younger one to help thatevening, so the hand and face washing and tooth brushing and dressingfor bed and trips to the bathroom were not nearly as time consumingas Jenny and Nancy imagined. The adults supervised all the activity,stepping in to help when they were needed. After that flurry ofactivity all the freshly pajama clad children sat near the storychair in anticipation of a bedtime story - two stories if they playedtheir cards right. One of the children handed Catherine Green Eggsand Ham, a book the children loved and Father loved to complainabout.

Seeing the title, Jenny exclaimed, "I used to loveto read that when I babysat my neighbors. Move over, Cath. We'll readit together." Jenny, of course, read Sam I Am's lines and letCatherine read the rest. To the delight of their audience, young andold, they both threw themselves fully into their parts. When theyfinished the book, the children laughed and applauded and wanted themto read it again. Mary, Nancy and Vincent, watching from the doorway,had enjoyed the little performance enough that they were tempted toallow it; but common sense won out. The children were excited enoughalready.

"If you go to bed now, maybe we can talk Jenny intocoming back soon and reading it again, but right now it's bedtime,"Mary insisted. With a chorus of mild grumbling the younger childrenclimbed into their beds and the older ones went to their ownchambers. Nancy tucked Keith in and felt her heart swell when he tookhis thumb out of his mouth long enough to say, "Thank you, Ca'frin'sfriend," in a very sleepy voice.

The adults made the rounds with good-night hugs andkisses and tucked them all in. They then went to the older children'schambers doing the same for those who still wanted that attention andtouching the shoulder or ruffling the hair of those who thoughtthemselves too old for such foolishness. Each child receivedappropriate attention of some sort, invited or not, and none of themprotested. The adults seemed to know what each one needed andprovided it. Nancy and Jenny learned that an adult was assigned tosleep in the nursery each night, so emergencies were always covered.The more they saw of this place, the more impressed theywere.

Vincent escorted them back to the party.

"The bedtime story was quite a success," heobserved, smiling at Jenny. "The children will be looking forward toyour next visit."

"I'm looking forward to my next visit, too. Wehaven't begun to see everything here, have we?" sheanswered.

"Not even close," Catherine told her.

"Where do the children come from?" Nancy asked. Afew of them seemed to go with their parents. Are the othersorphans?"

"Their situations vary," Vincent explained."Occasionally a parent will ask us to take a child temporarily. Mostof them have been found abandoned and living on the streets or havecome from various abusive situations. We have a large network ofhelpers now, and we often manage to find their families. If there aregood families who are looking for them, we see that they arereunited. If they have been fending for themselves on the streets, weoffer them a home, people to care for them and a place to heal. Withthe young children there is never a question. With the older ones wehave to be more careful, but we always try to find a way tohelp."

"Where do they go to school?" Nancy asked. "Do theyever play in the sunlight?"

"We teach them here. Father and Mary teach the smallchildren. Mary does most of that, with help from some of the otheradults. Father teaches the older students math and science, and Iteach history and government and what your schools would calllanguage arts and literature," Vincent answered. "Some of the adultstake them Above to play in the park almost every day, and there areoccasional trips to museums or concerts in the park. The olderchildren are allowed Above for errands."

"Wow!" Jenny responded, completely dazzled by thesurprise after surprise they encountered in this world. Withouthaving to think about it, Jenny knew that Vincent had never beenincluded in the trips to the park or the outings to the museums. Inspite of that and all the similar disappointments and difficulties hemust have had in his life, this place had still turned out an unusualman with a loving spirit - one who felt the need to share his worldwith Cathy's friends. Her admiration for both him and his home grewanother notch larger.

Vincent immediately recognized that moment ofunderstanding from Jenny and gave her an appreciative glance,receiving a warm smile from her in return.

"Will my family ever be allowed to come here?" Nancyasked. "Paul would be fascinated. He would be asking you questionsfrom the time he arrived to the time you shoved him bodily back intothe basement to get rid of him," she grinned.

Vincent returned her smile, again appreciative ofCatherine's friends and their acceptance of his home, and especiallytheir acceptance of his intent to marry Catherine.

"Catherine would need to present that possibility tothe council for approval," Vincent told her. There is a system ofgovernment here, one of the strongest priorities being protecting thecommunity. Anyone new to the community has to beapproved."

"You did that for us?" Nancy more stated thanasked.

"Actually, he did that for Cathy. Right Vincent?"Jenny asked.

He again smiled in return. He was understanding moreand more why these women were so important in Catherine'slife.

"When they arrived at the dining hall the party wasabout to break up. Everyone repeated their welcomes and theirappreciation for helping with the children, and they added theirinvitations to return; then, a few at a time, they returned to theirchambers for the night.

"Does this mean we have to go back now?" Nancyasked, looking around to commit the scene to memory.

"Not until Mary has those measurements," Vincenttold them. "I would not hear the end of it if I allowed you to leavebefore she finds you with her measuring tape."

The two women laughed at the image of someone thesize of Vincent dreading catching the wrath of someone as small asMary.

"I'll take them to her," Catherine volunteered. "Whydon't we meet you in your chamber after Mary finishes with these two?You can walk us home,"

Vincent nodded his agreement and watched as theyturned toward Mary's chamber.

"Brace yourselves," he heard Catherine say. "Marytakes very thorough measurements. Want to go shoppingtomorrow?"

He walked leisurely back to his chamber wearing aself-satisfied smile and savoring the happy glow he felt inCatherine. Yes. He was definitely pleased with himself. His surprisehad worked quite well.

Mary lived up to Catherine's warning. Themeasurements were thorough, but the work they were intended tofacilitate would be equally accurate. They would realize later thatit was well worth the trouble. The fitting stage of the process wouldbe much faster - and with a wedding this close at hand that would bea definite plus.

Olivia had left the party with Luke when the otherchildren left for bed. She had tucked him in a few minutes before shecame to Mary's chamber, hoping to catch Catherine and her friendsbefore they left. She asked if they had seen the sketches of thedresses they would be wearing.

"We were just getting to that," Mary toldher.

After seeing what the others here were wearing thatnight, Nancy and Jenny mentally held their breath, waiting to seewhat they would be expected to wear. They were pleasantly surprisedto find a something they could wear Above if they choseto.

Thinking back to her comment to Vincent that she andher friends knew nothing about sewing, Catherine issued an invitationwithout consulting Jenny and Nancy. It was her wedding, after all;and she wanted everything about it to work well. With her two bestfriends involved, it had just taken a positive turn. She lookedtoward Mary and Olivia and smiled.

"We're going shopping tomorrow to look for fabricfor the dresses. Come with us. The three of us know nothing aboutsewing... and we can take you to lunch and make a day of it. I haveto warn you though, these women are professional, marathon shoppers.Get out your Above clothes and come with us... Please."

Catherine was feeling excited about having her Abovefriends blending with her Below friends. Her two worlds were suddenlybecoming a little more comfortable with one another. It wasnice.

"Find Jamie, and bring her, too. She's my otherbridesmaid from Below. Do you think we can talk her into wearing adress?" Catherine grinned.

"For this, I think she'll make a temporaryconcession," Olivia answered with a smile.

"Tell her that you have to go shopping with ustomorrow to be sure we don't plan something hideous for you towear."

Catherine saw a pleased smile grow on Olivia's face- excitement bubbling up about both the wedding and an all day tripAbove.

"I'll talk to Kanin about watching Luke tomorrow.Mary, you'll go, too, won't you? This sounds like so much fun. It'sbeen ages since either of us went Above for anything but taking thechildren to the park. I'd enjoy seeing some of thestores."

"Please come, Mary," Catherine pleaded. "We have todress you up, too. You have to serve as Mother of both the bride andthe groom."

Mary laughed at her excitement and agreed to goalong, and Olivia went to find Jamie. Mary and Catherine decided on atime to meet at Catherine's threshold, then Catherine guided theothers back to Vincent's chamber.

Vincent met Catherine and her friends at the door ofhis chamber rather than inviting them in. He knew that none of thethree women would sleep much that night. They had too much to talkabout, and he realized that much of it centered on him. That thoughtmade him uncomfortable, but he could see that Catherine would brookno intolerance of their relationship. He had no idea what had he doneto deserve such a woman; but whatever it was, he certainly was gladhe had done it.

"Mary and Olivia, and maybe Jamie, are goingshopping with us tomorrow," Catherine told Vincent enthusiasticallyas they approached. "We're going to make Jamie wear a dress for thewedding."

"That will be a treat," Vincentchuckled. "I believe I am to walk you home now," he said as theyreached the doorway.

"You're sending us away?" Jenny wailedplayfully.

"Just for tonight," he assured her, sounding amused."I've heard stories of your shopping trips, and you might needrest."

"He's probably right," Nancy agreed, smiling inanticipation. "I'm out of practice. I need to call Paul and tell himnot to expect me until late tomorrow night.

The four of them talked easily as they walked.Catherine was feeling satisfied with the evening. Her friends had putVincent and his family at ease and he and his community had freelyaccepted them. Everyone seemed to feel comfortable with oneanother.

Vincent saw them back to the apartment, stillanswering questions about his world and the helpers they had heardmentioned. When he turned to leave, Catherine asked her friends togive them a few minutes alone. They went to the kitchen to findsomething to drink, and Catherine stayed with Vincent in theelevator.

"Thank you seems so inadequate for what you've givenme tonight," she said, wrapping her arms around his waist. "I'vewanted this for so long."

Vincent returned her hug, resting his head on hers,glad to finally have a few minutes alone with her.

"You needed to be relieved of some of the struggleyou've endured for the past two years. I couldn't watch you hurt anylonger." He brushed a kiss on her hair, then moved slightly to lookdown at her. "I like your friends."

"They like you, too. I can tell," shesmiled.

Just as she was ready to give him the consuming kissshe had wanted to give him earlier, they became aware of two otherpeople watching them mischievously not far away. Catherine playfullygave them a menacing look and pushed the button to close the elevatordoor. She and Vincent heard teasing, unison voices saying"Good-night, Vincent," as the door closed.

They laughed and went back to Catherine's originalconsuming kiss plan before Vincent opened the door for her to returnto the apartment.

"Some people have very nosy friends," Catherine saidjokingly as she returned.

"Cathy, that place is amazing," Nancy said. "Do youthink they would let me bring Paul and the kids?"

"I don't know. Do you think the kids could keep thatkind of secret?"

"I think they would do absolutely anything ifVincent asked them to," she answered.

"Huh!" Jenny snorted. "If he weren't Cathy's, I'dprobably do anything Vincent asked me to. Not that he'd ask. I sawthe way he looks at you. You two really haven't initiated that bedyet?" she asked.

"No," Catherine answered.

"I don't remember your dad having a gigantic bedlike that," Nancy observed. "When did you get it?"

"It was delivered yesterday," Catherine toldher.

"So there hasn't been time. Maybe Vincent's bedBelow?" Jenny prodded playfully. "That's where you were in my dreams.He makes you veeery happy in my dreams," she said suggestively,looking for a response from Catherine.

"You see that in your dreams?" Catherine exclaimed,looking uncomfortable at the thought.

"Well, I don't actually see anything, but it'sdefinitely going on - and on, and on, and on..." she teased. Shecaught exactly the expression on Catherine's face that she had beenlooking for. She'd known her long enough to know the "dead give-awaylook" when Catherine wore it, even for just a fleeting second. "I'mright, Nancy. Look at her."

"Jenny. I'm not talking about it. It's just for thetwo of us," Catherine said, annoyed at herself but knowing when shewas beaten. "Nobody else knows, and you're not going to tell them,understand? Nothing is happening now - not until we'remarried."

"Nothing? Really?" Jenny said both in disbelief andapparent disappointment.

"Really." Catherine assured her.

"It was really great though, wasn't it?"

"Jenny!" Catherine protested.

"Oh, come on... It's just the three of us. You haveto tell us something," Jenny wailed in frustration. "There's nothinggoing on in my life right now. I have to live vicariously throughyours. Really, really terrific... wasn't it?" she insisted with atwinkle in her eyes.

Catherine looked away and released a little puff ofair in her own frustration; then in spite of herself, she smiled andanswered, "Yeah... But that's all you get."

Nancy was watching the exchange, admittedly ascurious as Jenny.

"Should I ask again if he's as big as he looks," shechuckled.

Catherine broke down and laughed as she shoved atNancy's shoulder in playful protest, but she didn't answer anotherquestion on the subject. She dropped herself to the sofa and acceptedthe little bottle of juice Jenny had brought her.

Nancy sat down beside her and asked more seriously,"Do you plan to have children?"

"No," Catherine answered. "Vincent won't evenconsider it, and I've agreed. There are good reasons beyond theobvious ones. We'll just parent the ones in the tunnels."

"That's a lot to give up, Cathy. I know you'vealways wanted children."

"Nothing is too much to give up for him. I don'tknow how to begin to tell you how much I love him."

"You don't need to try. I think we can both see it,"Nancy answered.

Jenny nodded her head in agreement.

The three of them talked well into the night. Theycovered the pros and cons of the life Catherine had chosen forherself and the ups and downs of life with a family at Nancy's home.Jenny's job and the fact that she hadn't found the right man yet,came next, then old college memories and time spent in the apartmentwhen Catherine's father was there. Finally they admitted they wereexhausted and needed at least a few hours sleep before the shoppingexpedition they intended to tackle that morning.

Mary, Olivia, and Jamie met Catherine and herfriends at the threshold in Catherine's storage room on Saturdaymorning. They took the elevator to the lobby and left as if they hadall spent the night in Catherine's apartment. Nancy had called afriend who did a lot of sewing to ask where they should go to lookfor the kinds of fabric they hoped to find. Armed with one list ofstores and another list of sizes and fabric requirements, theyexcitedly started their adventure, taking two taxis to the areaNancy's friend said would be the best place to start.

On Sunday morning Catherine appeared at thethreshold below her apartment with some of their purchases. She had agym bag over each shoulder and more in her arms. Vincent took all ofit from her and asked with a teasing smile if they had enjoyed theirshopping trip.

"Yes, but I think Nancy and Jenny andI got a little carried away," Catherine told him sheepishly. "This isonly the beginning. You might want to bring a cart next trip, maybetwo," she chuckled. "Between the three of us... Well... You may needto carve out an extra storage chamber."

"Mary and Olivia didn't mention thatyou bought that much."

"Mary and Olivia don't know about all of it yet. Inonly the first fabric store we saw more fabric than Nancy, Jenny, andI thought existed. Mary and Olivia were like children in a candystore, touching the different textures and enjoying the colors andpatterns. I found a salesperson in each store; and when Mary or Jamieor Olivia found something she particularly liked or thought someoneat home would especially enjoy, I quietly showed the sales clerk. Thesales staff and I had a wonderful morning. I was verysneaky."

Catherine evidently had a wonderful time, andVincent was enjoying her eagerness to include him in thefun.

"Did you find what you were looking forthere?"

"You obviously don't understand marathon shoppingtrips," she grinned. "We were just getting started at that point. Westopped at an antique store and the owner told us where to findvintage clothing and fabrics. There was a children's store, and Nancyand Jenny bought jeans, sweaters, socks and underwear for thechildren and warm sleepers for the babies. That's what you'recarrying."

"All this is for the children?" Vincent asked insurprise.

"Compliments of Jenny and Nancy. You have two newhelpers. They were impressed with 'Below.' They can't wait to comeback. Nancy wants to bring the family. The next fabric shop hadwedding fabric, and the vintage store had lace and trims that Ibought when Mary and Olivia weren't looking... and I found a softwool shawl to give Mary for Christmas or Winterfest or something...and Jamie found perfect buttons for your vest there. By that timeeven the marathon shoppers were wearing down, so we hailed taxis andeverybody went home."

"Not taking it with us when we left the store wasn'twise, though. I was surprised at what I'd gathered when we went backto pick everything up at the end of the day. I think I can safely saythat no one who wants to make something new to wear for Winterfestwill be disappointed. The wedding fabric will be deliveredtomorrow."

"You exaggerate well," Vincent teased.

"Exaggerate? Just bring the cart," she laughed."You'll see. I hope I can manage to appease Mary and Olivia for mystealth purchases."

They spent Sunday afternoon at the falls, visitedwith others at dinner, and Vincent walked Catherine back to herthreshold.

"I'm glad you enjoyed your weekend," he told her. "Idon't feel you so completely relaxed Above very often."

"You made it special for me. The shopping was fun,but watching my Above friends enjoying my Below friends was the realjoy. It brings my two worlds closer." She gave him a warm hug and aloving kiss and thanked him again for including her friends in theirlives, then she went home and resignedly returned to the briefcaseshe had successfully ignored all weekend.

Joe and Catherine had worked late again. He lookedat his watch, closed the folder and stretched his arms andshoulders.

"We got a lot done. Let's table the rest fortomorrow morning," he said.

"What?" Catherine answered, feigning shock. "Didthose words actually come from your lips?"

"Yeah, I know it's a little unusual. It's stillpretty early. Suppose I buy you dinner and drive you home... anddon't give me that shocked look again. You've put in a lot ofovertime this week. I can at least treat you to a decentmeal."

"Sure. That sounds great," Catherine agreed. "I'llget my coat."

Joe took the folder back to his desk, grabbed hisovercoat and put it on as he joined Catherine. They stopped for acouple of minutes to speak to the night custodian on the way out. Hewas accustomed to seeing them there late.

It was a crisp, unseasonably cold fall night, and astiff breeze blew the leaves and bits of trash around their feet asthey walked to a restaurant a block from the office.

"First you try to work me to death, then you try tofreeze me to death," Catherine joked, pulling her coat closer. "Itwasn't this cold this morning. Can we start with coffee? Nice hotcoffee."

"Sounds good to me," he answered, holding the dooropen for her.

They talked over dinner and relaxed, enjoying theeasy-going nature of their friendship.

As they left the restaurant they were met by twopolice officers.

"Joe Maxwell and Catherine Chandler?" one of themasked.

"That's right," Joe answered. "Can we helpyou?"

"We're here to help you," the other officer stated,showing them identification. "I'm Latham, this is Thompson. We'vebeen ordered to take you into protective custody. Gerald Langston hasescaped from jail, and the word is he was throwing your names arounda lot while he was locked up - especially Miss Chandler's. The car'sright there at the corner." He looked around, keeping careful watchas he pointed. His partner was checking the corner.

"How did this happen?" Joe asked indignantly as theywalked toward the car.

"He managed to switch identities with another guywho was being released today. We didn't get the whole story. Come on.We need to get you off the street. We'll take you to a safe housetonight. You'll get more details when we get there," Thompson toldhim.

"How did you find us?" Catherine asked.

"Night custodian told us where you said you weregoing," Latham answered.

"Watch your heads," Thompson warned as Joe andCatherine slid into the back seat of the car.

Officer Thompson slipped in behind the wheel andstarted the engine while Latham got in on the passenger side. Notmuch was said at the beginning of the trip, but before long a quietconversation began between the two officers. Joe and Catherine werebehind a separating window and couldn't understand the conversation,but Latham seemed to be questioning Thompson about something anddidn't look happy with the answers. The farther they drove, the moreagitated Latham seemed to become.

Both Joe and Catherine began to feel uncomfortablewith the situation, a feeling aggravated by Latham's sudden demandingtone and angry pointing, followed by a swift turn into an alley. Thetwo officers were obviously having a substantial disagreement aboutsomething. They both left the car and stood on the driver's sidearguing vehemently.

"I don't like this," Joe said. "Something's wronghere. I'll go with them, but I'll have them take you wherever youwant. Go to that place you disappear to, wherever that is, and don'tcome back until they find Langston. This wasn't supposed to haveanything to do with you.

"What do you think they're arguingabout?"

"I don't know, but ten-to-one it has something to dowith us."

"We can't get out of here, can we?" Catherine asked,trying to stay calm.

Outside the car, Latham was making a frighteningdiscovery.

"What do you mean there's no safe house?" he hissed."What have you gotten us into?"

"We're going to the docks. Langston has my wife andkids. He's trading them for these two. What am I supposed to do, justlet him kill them?"

"There's got to be another way, man. We'll callfor... "

"No!" Thompson shouted, pounding his fist on thecar's hood. "He said anything suspicious and they're all dead. Idon't have a choice."

"You know what he's planned for these people,"Latham argued, gesturing toward the car. "We can't be responsible forthat. I'm calling... "

"You contact anybody and I swear I'll kill youmyself," Thompson said through gritted teeth and rested his hand onhis gun. "Langston has people everywhere. All we need to do is letthe wrong person hear us ask for help, and my family is gone. I'm notletting that happen. Get in the car."

"Wait a minute, Latham pleaded. "We could give themthe vests in the trunk. In the dark and under the winter coats, heprobably won't notice. They'd have at least a slim chance of gettingout alive. We'll get your family to a safe place and figure out whatto do next."

"I don't know," Thompson said, having troublethinking in his agitated state.

"Come on. Get the vests. We can't leave them withnothing."

Thompson finally opened the trunk and they each tooka vest. They opened the back doors, handed the vests to Joe andCatherine and told them to put them on, quickly closing the doors andgetting in the front seats without another word.

Catherine pounded on the window, demanding anexplanation, but got no response.

"Put it on now, Cathy," Joe insisted. "Looks liketrouble."

She wasted no time following his instructions. Bynow, Catherine had advanced from nervous to frightened. She wastrying to stay calm to help Vincent do the same; but when the carpulled out of the alley as they donned bulletproof vests, it wasn'tan easy task.

It wasn't long before the DAs realized where theywere being taken and fully understood the danger they were in. Thecar pulled into a dark area near the water and a figure emerged fromthe shadows.

"You got Chandler and Maxwell?" the man asked whenThompson got out of the car.

"Yeah. You get them when I see my family walking tothe car."

"No problem. The boss owns you now," he laughed."Get 'em out of the car and we'll make the trade."

"Thompson saw his six-year old son and orderedLatham to get Catherine. He yanked Joe from the car and took him tothe other side to join Catherine. When a woman and two other childrenappeared from the darkness behind the little boy, Catherine realizedwhy they were in this predicament. Thompson hugged them briefly andhustled them into the back seat. Latham got in on the driver's sideand Thompson took Joe and Catherine at gunpoint to the man he hadspoken to.

"Thanks, Thompson," he said with a sarcastic smile."Good work. We'll be in touch."

Thompson quickly returned to the car and Latham gotthem out of there as fast as he could, a cold, sick feeling growingin the pit of his stomach.

From the shadows another figure came into Catherineand Joe's view and stood behind the first one, closer to the water.It was Gerald Langston leering at them and pointing a gun atCatherine.

"You didn't seriously believe I'd let you win, didyou?" Turning to his partner, he ordered with a satisfied sneer, "Youtake care of Maxwell. I get the lady litigator. They do their jobsway too well for our peace of mind. Isn't that right, Jack?" he saidsmoothly.

Catherine heard a familiar, quiet growl. A splitsecond after Langston raised his gun and fired at Catherine,Vincent's arm came up over the edge of the wharf, grabbed Langston'sleg and yanked him into the water.

"Cathy!" Joe shouted as she fell.

Jack recovered quickly from the distraction ofLangston's plunge into the water and aimed for Joe's head. Vincentpulled Jack's feet from under him and the bullet hit Joe's thighinstead. A second shot, fired as Jack dropped to the pavement, grazedthe side of Joe's head as Joe himself was falling. In the aftermathof Joe's wounds and the two men's forceful encounters with thepavement, both Joe and his assailant lay unconscious on thewharf.

Vincent immediately went to Catherine's side,knowing she was still alive but in pain. He could feel her beginningto recover.

"Where are you hurt?" Vincent asked her.

"Chest hurts...hard to breathe," she rasped. "... Noblood? Joe?" Looking next to her, she gasped at the sight of theblood there.

"Oh, my God!" she whispered. "Is he...?"

Vincent looked at the wounds and used the skills hehad learned from Father to assess the damage as best he could underthose conditions. "He was hit here, and here," he told her, pointingout the wounds. I need something to stop the blood loss from his leg,and we need to put pressure on the other wound."

"Help me out of my coat and vest. You can use myshirt" she answered weakly.

He removed her coat and the vest that had blessedlysaved her from Langston's bullet, then the shirt. Vincent wasrelieved that there was no sign of a bullet wound. He wrapped thecoat back around her, and with the help of one of his claws, he toreseveral wide strips from the shirt. He deftly bandaged Joe's woundsand turned his attention back to Catherine.

"I don't think either of his wounds is lifethreatening if he has medical attention quickly. You could call forhelp, but it might take a while to get someone here, and you are inno condition to either drive or find a telephone. We could take himto Father. You need attention, too. I came here often when I wasyounger because that storage building has a threshold. Can you walkthat far?" he asked, indicating a small building about one hundredfeet away.

"I don't know. If you can get me as far as thethreshold, I can wait there for someone else to come for me while youmove Joe."

Without further discussion, Vincent helped Catherinestand against the building behind her, lifted Joe across his shoulderand braced Catherine against his side. She leaned against the wallwhile he opened the hidden door at the threshold. Vincent broughtboth Catherine and Joe past the threshold, took them to the firsttorch, and sent a message to Father. He knew it wouldn't be wellreceived, but he also knew Father wouldn't refuse someone who hadbeen such a friend to Catherine, and indirectly to Vincent,too.

"Go Vincent. Just ask someone to meet me so I don'tget lost when I'm up to traveling."

Vincent had already sent that message. "Don't leavethis place," he instructed. "Someone will be here soon."

"Wouldn't think of it," Catherine smiled weakly,leaning back against the wall to recover.

Vincent took Joe toward the main tunnels, and asmall crew met him with a stretcher about halfway there. While theytransported Joe to the hospital chamber, he went back for Catherineand carried her to the main hub.

Seeing Joe's blood on both of them, Mary was worriedas she followed them into Vincent's chamber.

"Sit down, both of you. Let me see where you'rehurt," she insisted.

"You shouldn't worry, Mary. We were helping Joe," hetold her as he finally allowed Catherine to stand again. He stilldidn't take his supporting arm from around her, and she didn't mindthe opportunity to lean against him. "Catherine feels bruised, butshe is not bleeding. I believe she just needs rest. I am completelyunharmed."

"Father will still want to look at her. I'll make upthe guest chamber," Mary answered, turning to do justthat.

"No. Catherine will stay in my chamber tonight. Ineed to be the one to watch over her. I need to know..."

"Of course, Vincent. I understand," Maryinterrupted, seeing the tears threaten his eyes. She had seen thismany times before. The adrenalin slowed, and reality took its uglytoll. "Father will be here as soon as he can to let you know aboutJoe. I'll find something clean and comfortable for Catherine to sleepin and help her clean up. Why don't you go for a bath and a change ofclothes while we do that?" she encouraged kindly.

"Thank you," Vincent said appreciatively and washedhis hands in the basin before getting clean clothes.

"Leave your cloak, dear, and I'll see that it'scleaned before too much damage is done."

Vincent made sure that Catherine was steady on herfeet, then swung his cloak carefully from his shoulders and folded itinside out to keep the blood from touching anything else.

"Vincent, did you have to..."

"No," he interrupted. "The only blood shed wasJoe's...from the gunshots. Thank you for being concerned." He bentand kissed Mary's cheek, reluctantly leaving Catherine to hercare.

"I left a change of clothes here, Mary. Vincentkeeps them in the bottom drawer for me. If there's water in the basinto clean up, I'll be fine."

"I had put fresh water in Father's chamber justbefore the call to help Joe. I'll be right back. When you get out ofthose clothes, I'll see that those are cleaned, too."

Mary pulled the screen across the door behind her,went quickly to her chamber for a nightgown, and stopped in Father'schamber next door for the fresh water. She returned to find Catherinesitting on the edge of Vincent's bed, grimacing as she tried toremove her coat.

Catherine's adrenalin had stopped pumping, too, andreality was hitting her hard. She was going to be sore. She gingerlypushed off her shoes and socks with her toes. Mary helped her removethe coat and skirt and insisted a nightgown would be more practicalthan the clean jeans and sweatshirt she had left with Vincent - lesswork and more comfort. Catherine gratefully accepted the gown andallowed Mary to check her for injuries and clean her face, hands, andarms the way she remembered her own mother doing when she was achild.

"I'm sure Vincent intends for you to have his bedtonight, dear. Let's tuck you in before he returns. You need torest."

By the time Vincent was back, an exhausted Catherinewas under the covers and fighting sleep. "Is Joe okay?" she askeddrowsily, trying to stay awake long enough for an answer.

"Father is still with him. We aren't certain of hiscondition yet."

Catherine's eyes opened briefly a time or two, andthen she gave in and slept.

"She looks so small, Mary... " Vincent said softly,"... so fragile, and yet she has such strength. She thinks she drawsstrength from me. I wonder if she knows how much strength I draw fromher. I don't know how I would exist now without her."

Mary's response was interrupted by Father'sentrance.

"I thought you would want to know about Joe..." hestarted at full voice, but Mary and Vincent both shushed him,pointing at a sleeping Catherine.

"Should we wake her?" Father asked more quietly. Hehad intended to end with his usual blustering reprimands, but shelooked so small and fragile to him, too... tomorrow would do just aswell.

"No. I intend to watch over her tonight. If shewakes and has questions, I can answer them," Vincent told him,clearly intending that there would be no argument. "How ishe?"

"He's a lucky man," Father reported more quietly."He's going to need crutches for a while, and he's likely to wakewith a whopping headache; but in time everything should heal. Withthe medication we gave him, he should sleep well into the morning; Ibelieve it would be a good idea to have Catherine there when hewakes. These surroundings will be disconcerting for him, and Iwouldn't want him to be upset enough to dislodge any stitches. Heshould see a familiar face to keep him calm when his eyes open... Ireally should examine Catherine."

"I checked, Jacob," Mary told him. "I think sheneeds rest more than an examination right now."

"I think so, too, Father," Vincentechoed.

"Well, the two of you are seldom wrong...Vincentdoes have the advantage of their bond...and she looks so peaceful...Tomorrow it is, then. Vincent, I'm sure you know to wake me if youhave the slightest concern for her. Mary, could I interest you in aspot of tea? I think I need to wind down before I cansleep."

"Start the tea. I'll be right there," sheanswered.

"I'll cover the doorway before I leave," she toldVincent softly as Father left. "Go and hold her. Both of you need tofeel safe tonight. I'll bring your breakfast and wake you beforeFather comes to see Catherine."

"I seem to be thanking you endlessly tonight, Mary."Looking down at Catherine he added, "I don't tell either of you oftenenough how much I love you, do I?"

"We know, Vincent," she smiled, patting his cheekgently, "We both know. Now I'm going to have some tea, and you'regoing to take care of Catherine. Good-night, dear."

As promised, Mary slipped into Vincent's chamberearly to bring breakfast. She put the tray on his desk and justwatched the couple sleep for a moment. Catherine was under the coversand Vincent was sleeping on top of them with a quilt pulled aroundhim, but his arm was around her waist where she wouldn't feel painfrom the touch, and he was curled protectively close aroundher.

Mary had cared for Vincent since he was brought tothe tunnels; and she knew him better than anyone but Father. Fatherhad mentioned the kisses he had witnessed, insisting on Mary'spromise that they keep that information to themselves. She hadnoticed the subtle changes in the way Vincent looked at Catherinelately, and she wondered if the arrangement of the covers might befor her benefit rather than for Catherine's. She found herself hopingso. They both looked so peaceful, so content. Her heart nearly burstwith joy every time she saw them together. She had wished this forher little boy all his life and had feared it would never happen. Ofall the children she had helped raise in the tunnels, Vincent was theone she thought of as hers. Father claimed him as his own outright,but she had always claimed him in her heart.

She walked to the edge of the bed and reluctantlyshook him gently.

"Wake up, Vincent. I've brought you breakfast," shewhispered, hoping not to wake Catherine. After waiting for aresponse, she tried again and Vincent's eyes opened. "Good morning.I've brought breakfast," she repeated. "It's only muffins and fruit.It can keep if you don't want to wake Catherine just yet. I thoughtyou might want to be out of bed when Father came to talk to Catherineabout being with Joe."

"You are a wise woman," Vincent answered quietly,smiling as he slipped from under the quilt, and being careful not todisturb Catherine. "Father said Joe should sleep late into themorning. We can let her rest a while longer."

"Will you speak to Joe, meet him while he'shere?"

"I'd like to. I feel we can trust him, but I'llleave it to Catherine. Will you have breakfast with me, Mary?" heasked, pulling an extra chair up to his desk. "I'll go to the kitchenand get something for Catherine when she wakes. I would appreciateyour company. Do you have time?"

"Of course I have time for you," she answered,accepting the chair he offered. "Is anything special on yourmind?"

Vincent, as usual, was slow to share what was reallybothering him. His lips moved several times before he finally partedwith his thoughts.

"She came so close to dying last night... If thatman had aimed for her head instead of her heart..." He took in ashuddering breath at the image that statement called forth. "Ourwedding day could so easily have become a memorial service... I loveher so much..." His elbows went to his knees and his face fell to hishands.

In spite of his huge frame, he was distraught, andhe needed her comfort now as much as he did when he was less thanthree feet tall. Mary came to his side of the desk, stood beside himand drew his head to her shoulder the way she did when he was a boy.He wrapped his arms around her waist the way he used to, but now hefelt his arms could circle it nearly twice.

"She loves you just as much," she said, stroking hishair soothingly. "She felt awful that she had put you through allthis."

"As much as I want her to accomplish the good workshe wants to do in her world, I look forward to the day when this jobends. I know I'm being selfish, but I can't seem to helpmyself."

"You're not being selfish, child. You're being inlove. You want her around to grow old with you, and she wants thesame thing. That's why she's giving up this job. Did you know thatshe feels selfish, too, walking away from her work to indulgeherself? That's because she wants you to be safe, so you're around togrow old with her." She continued to stroke his hair, allowing him amoment to absorb that idea. "There's nothing wrong with either of youfeeling the way you do. It's perfectly normal."

Father walked into that picture.

"Vincent, is something wrong? Is it Catherine?" heasked with growing concern.

"Only indirectly, "Mary assured him. "He's stillshaken about last night."

"She's drawn you to the killing again, hasn't she?"he said accusingly.

"No, Father," he snapped, sitting up straight. "Ikilled no one. She has encouraged me not to allow the rage toovertake me, and it didn't. I threw one man into the water near thewharf, and knocked the other one off his feet. Neither of them saw myface. The second man was unconscious when I brought Catherine and Joeto the threshold, but I left both of them alive."

"Perhaps I have misjudged Catherine again," heconceded. Then unable to drop the idea entirely, he continued. "Whatwas she doing on the wharf at that time of the night? What was shethinking?"

"What was she thinking?!" Vincent shot back athim.

"Jacob, you have no right to blame Catherine," Marychided. "He protected us before he ever knew her. We allowed him toexpect to do that. How can you be so shortsighted? We're all equallyguilty." While she spoke she left her hand protectively aroundVincent's shoulder, as if she dared Father to upset him anyfurther.

Father backed off.

Vincent kept his voice hushed to avoid wakingCatherine; but his anger grew as he spoke. He stood, glowering downat his parent. "The two of them were leaving the restaurant wherethey had dinner and were taken by a police escort. The police tookthem to the docks instead of a safe house." He began to pace. "Howcould they have known not to trust the police?" He stopped and turnedtoward Father and virtually hissed. "If I hadn't been there theywould both be dead. You will not speak harshly to her about this. Shehas been through enough."

Father could see that to upset Catherine would onlyupset Vincent further. This close call seemed to have taken quite atoll on his son, and apparently he really had misjudged Catherinethis time. He decided to simply get Joe out of the tunnels as soon aspossible and leave the subject behind them. He would just have to begrateful that all of them came through it alive.

Joe slept deeply for more than an hour afterCatherine set up camp in the hospital chamber. There was acomfortable chair and a small table where she propped her feet.Vincent had confiscated a pillow to make the chair more comfortable.While Vincent taught his literature class, she sat reading and movingas little as possible. She was still uncomfortable.

Vincent returned to check on her as soon as he lefthis class, pausing at the door and calling her softly to be sure Joewasn't awake. She stood slowly when she knew he was there and met himat the door with a much gentler hug than she reallywanted.

"I want to hold you closer, too...but I'll waituntil it won't hurt." Looking into the chamber at the bed, he asked,"Has he shown any sign of waking? I don't want to frightenhim."

"Nothing yet, but Father said it shouldn't belong."

Most of the tunnel residents were either involved intheir morning chores or their classes, and there was a curtain pulledpartially around Joe's area of the hospital chamber. They both lookedat Joe, then at each other. Catherine tilted her face toward Vincentand he slowly, gently gave her the kiss he knew she wanted, thenanother. She moved her hands to his shoulders to return his kisseswith an enthusiasm tempered only enough to adjust to her bruises andsoreness. Unfortunately, that was when Joe chose to wakeup.

He first noticed that he wasn't at home; not onlynot at home, but not in any kind of home he recognized. His eyesdrifted around the room, looking for something familiar. SeeingCatherine, he was about to feel relieved, then he saw Vincent; andshe was kissing him... He watched the giving and returning of kissesfor a moment, seeing Vincent smile gently at Catherine before thelast one. He closed his eyes again, noticing the pain then andthinking he must be hallucinating. The light hurt his eyes, anyway,even if it did look like candles. He slowly moved his forearm acrosshis eyes. "Cathy?" he mumbled.

She moved quickly away from Vincent's arms, wincingat the sudden movement. "Do you think he saw us?"

"I think you'll know soon enough," he whispered,looking contrite. "I should have had more self control. I'll beoutside if you need me."

"Don't blame yourself. I think I started this," shewhispered with her own apologetic smile, and moved as quickly as shedared to the bed.

"I'm here, Joe." She took his hand as she spoke tohim, trying to will him to stay calm as he discovered his strangesurroundings. "You were shot, but you're safe. The doctor said youhave some recovering to do, but you'll be fine. He said you may havea humdinger of a headache."

"He was right about that," Joe muttered, his otherarm still over his eyes. "Must have affected my mind. When I woke upI thought I was in some sort of cave...and you were in a lip lockwith...I dunno...some kind of cat man, big strapping guy, lots ofhair..." He stopped briefly and grinned, in spite of his pain. "...and you looked like you were lovin' it. Some imagination,huh?"

While Catherine decided how to answer him, hismemory of the night before began to return and he opened his eyes tolook at her.

"You okay, Radcliffe? Last I remember, Langston shotat you and you fell... Really scared me... Thought I'd gotten youkilled. I'm sorry I got you into all this." He reached to place hisother hand over hers but suddenly became acutely aware of the painfrom both wounds, and he closed his eyes again, stoically waiting forthe pain to subside.

"He hit the vest, Joe. I'm okay. You're the one whogot shot."

"Jeez, what did he shoot me with, a cannon?Everything hurts."

"He shot you twice. Once in the thigh and anothershot grazed the side of your head." She added more lightly, "Fathersaid your hair should cover the scar."

"Father? Am I in a Catholic hospital?" Opening hiseyes, he realized the cave part of his hallucination was real. "Wheream I? This place looks like a World War II bomb shelter. Are wereally in a cave? How did I get here? Please tell me the cat manisn't outside the door. That would sure explain why you don'tintroduce your boyfriend to anybody... Oh, God. Am I stillhallucinating?"

Catherine could see he was still disoriented and wasbecoming agitated. She held his hand tighter and used a firmer toneof voice.

"You trust me, don't you?"

"Yeah, I trust you."

"Then for right now, can you just accept that you'rein an old fashioned hospital room in a cave and being well cared forby a good doctor? Let yourself get a little stronger and I'll explainlater. You're very safe here."

"How long will I be here?"

"Until you can get around a little on your own. Youlost a lot of blood. Father is your doctor, and he wants you to resta couple of days..."

"The mysterious Dr. Father... " heteased.

Catherine smiled and sighed. The irrepressible senseof humor was still there. He would be fine.

"He wants you to rest a couple of days before we getyou back to your apartment. You'll need crutches for a while. We wereboth lucky it wasn't any worse last night."

"Like I said, Cathy, I'm really sorry."

"Are you hungry - thirsty?" she asked, changing thesubject.

"Thirsty," he answered, and she poured him a glassof water, holding a straw so he wouldn't have to move his head toomuch. His head was beginning to clear and the DA habits wereshowing.

"What time is it?" he asked her. "Have you talked toanybody about last night? I remember Langston falling into the water.What happened to the other guy?"

"It's about noon. I'm not sure what happened toLangston. We left the other man unconscious. I need to go and file areport this afternoon. I'm going to have to introduce you to somefriends of mine and leave you for a while, but I'll be back tonight.I'm going to say that you're sedated and that your doctor says he'llallow you to talk to them by Saturday or Sunday. You'll be fine here.The people are friendly and the food is good, two of yourprerequisites for life."

"I'll just watch TV till you get back."

"Not here, you won't," Catherine chuckled. "Youwon't make any phone calls, either.

"Who doesn't have TV and phones in a hospital thesedays? Are you in some kind of cult, Chandler? And what about the catman? Do I meet him, too?" he grinned.

"Maybe," she smiled enigmatically. "You never know.I'll be right back."

Catherine returned with Sarah, Pascal, Kanin, Mary,and Father. She introduced each of them, finally reachingFather.

"And this is the mysterious Dr. Father," she smiled."He's the one who stitched you up last night. People here call himFather because he heads the community, and no, it isn't a cult. It'san unusual place, but not a cult - more of a kibbutz. It's a goodplace, and when we go home, you'll have to forget it exists. Thesepeople are part of my secrets, Joe. You'll have to help me protectthem. Do you remember Dr. Peter Alcott?"

"Your doctor, right?"

"He'll take care of reporting the gunshot wounds. Iknow this is a lot to take in, but last night this was the bestsolution for getting you help when you needed it. I was in nocondition to drive. As you gradually get your head back togetherwe'll explain, I promise. I'm going home now to change clothes andtalk to Greg Hughes. We know we can trust him. Do you want anythingfrom your apartment?"

"I guess I'll need clean clothes. Can you find mykeys?"

Father indicated a small table in the corner, andSarah retrieved the keys from the drawer.

"These people will see that you have everything youneed. They'll take turns sitting with you. Somebody might even rustleup a deck of cards if you feel up to it. I'll be back tonight." Sheleaned over to whisper close to his ear. "These people don't know youyet. It might be best not to mention the cat man thing for now.Okay?"

"Good plan," he mouthed silently.

Catherine smiled at him and patted his arm. As sheleft, she could hear the beginnings of the "Any friend ofCatherine's..." sort of introductions to conversation. He would be ingood hands.

After stopping at her apartment for a shower and achange of clothes, Catherine went to see Peter. He examined her so hecould present the police with a legitimate report. Greg Hughes had acopy of the report Latham had filed as soon as he knew his partner'sfamily was in a safe place, so she only needed to report whathappened after the meeting at the wharf the night before. Shereturned the vests she and Joe had used and reported the incident asclose to accurately as she could without giving awaysecrets.

Her report included a fabrication to cover theirdeparture from the docks. Since Joe was unconscious at that point, itwas one less lie that he would feel responsible for. She said Joe wastaken to a small clinic where Peter was owed a favor. Joe was in nocondition to protect himself. Since they weren't sure yet whathappened to Langston or who his informants were, it seemed a wiseprecaution to keep Joe under wraps until Langston was in custodyagain.

Greg Hughes apparently accepted her story withoutquestion. It fit what they knew of Langston's habits, and followedthe ramblings of his cohort, Jack.

"Jack Faison was the man with Langston," Hughes toldher. "He said Langston shot you. He saw you fall and thought you weredead. Apparently after the gun was fired Langston lost his footingand fell into the water. Did you hear any growling? Jack said heheard some kind of growling or snarling just before Langstonfell."

"Growling? No, I don't remember anything like that.Of course, most of my attention was on the gun pointed atme."

"He probably imagined it. Maybe Joe can fill in therest later. What were his injuries?"

Catherine recounted Joe's injuries and theencouraging prognosis.

"I left him sleeping, sedated. Peter has promised tokeep me posted. I'm not planning to stay at my apartment untilLangston has been found. If you need me, leave a message at theoffice or my apartment. I'll be staying with a friend, but I'll checkdaily for messages. If I remember anything else, I'll callyou."

"Thank you, Cathy. I appreciate your coming in soquickly after such an ordeal. I'll send an escort with you to takeyou back for your belongings and see you safely to your friend. I'llhandle this carefully. If Langston is interested in Joe, he'llcertainly be interested in you, too."

"Thank you. I do need to stop at Joe's apartment andget him a change of clothes. If someone would just escort me thereand back to my building, I would appreciate it. My friend and I havethings worked out from there."

"The lieutenant called to another man across theroom, saying quietly when he arrived at the desk, "I need you to takeMiss Chandler wherever she needs to go and see that she gets into herapartment safely. She's become a witness in a new case against GeraldLangston, and we've temporarily lost track of him. Keep your eyesopen."

"My pleasure, Miss Chandler," the younger mananswered, gesturing to his partner to join them. "We're going to takegood care of you. All of us want this guy." They all also felt a gooddeal of respect that she and Joe were willing to leave themselves inthe position they were in to try to put Langston away."

After leaving with the two officers she went toJoe's apartment, then they drove her home. The two young officerswere true to their word. They intended to take good care of her. Shetried to convince them to leave, but they were insistent. She wantednothing more than to go straight to the basement and Vincent'swaiting arms, but she had to tolerate all these good intentionsfirst. They escorted her to her apartment, checked it before theyleft, and cautioned her to be on her guard.

She thanked them, assured them she would be careful,and locked the door behind them. After waiting a few minutes to besure they were gone, she picked up Joe's bag and took the elevator tothe basement. Her bag was already packed and waiting in the basementstorage room. Now that she had Joe's things, all she needed to do wasgo back to the tunnels.

Vincent was waiting, this time at the top of theladder. He had no intention of allowing her to handle those bags aswell as climb down. She was already exhausted - mentally andphysically.

"Give me the bags and I'll help youdown."

"What would I do without you?" she askedgratefully.

"Get much less exercise," he teased, taking the bagsdown the ladder.

Catherine gingerly moved through the opening anddown the ladder and suddenly found herself scooped up carefully intoVincent's arms.

He was very conscious of her discomfort, andaccommodated it as much as he could, but she welcomed whateverphysical discomfort came with the gratifying comfort of his arms.Gratefully resting her head on his shoulder and draping one armaround his neck, she nuzzled her face there and kissed it in severalplaces.

"I've already sent the message that we're on theway. Someone else will be here for the bags soon. You are my onlyconcern. You're exhausted, and again putting everyone else beforeyourself," he scolded as he started striding smoothly towardhome.

"All the reports are covered for a couple of days. Ican relax at least until tomorrow afternoon. Greg Hughes will leaveany messages at the office or on my answering machine. I really couldwalk, you know."

"I know," he answered, "But then I could only holdyour hand."

Catherine smiled appreciatively.

"Okay, You can carry me for a little while," shesaid from the comfort of his shoulder. "How is Joe?"

"Recovering well - rapidly charming his way into thecommunity. He never meets a stranger, does he?" Vincentchuckled.

Catherine chuckled, too. She could see Joe makingfriends left and right. Maybe he would become a helper. It was goingto be nice to have someone else close in her world to talk to besidesPeter.

"Joe and I need to coordinate our stories before hegoes back Above... and we have to figure out how we're going to gethim back. I'll give you his address and you can see if there's athreshold somewhere near his building."

He knew she was paying attention to theirconversation; but as they walked, Catherine couldn't resist leavinglittle kisses against Vincent's neck. It was so close, and he smelledso nice... and he didn't mind at all.

"Those arrangements have already been made," hesaid, kissing her head. It seems we have a helper in the buildingnext door to Joe's - a threshold similar to yours. The worst part forJoe will be getting him up the ladder, but I'll be there tohelp."

"You'll be there to help?" she exclaimed. "Have youmet Joe while I was gone?"

"No, but I think it's time, don't you? He's a goodfriend to you, Catherine. He deserves some answers, and I don't thinkhe would betray your trust." Sounding more somber, he added, "He willlikely put two and two together and have trouble with the answers;but in the end he will undoubtedly see them as having saved yourlife. He's in love with you too, you know."

"I know. I haven't consciously done anything toencourage it, and he's never done anything to make me uncomfortablebeing with him. He knows there's someone else, and he's accepted it."She stopped for a moment. "He did see us this morning."

"You and the cat man?"

"I was afraid you heard that."

"What was he supposed to say? He was alreadydisoriented and completely unprepared for what he saw. He did havethe good manners to mention that you were 'lovin' it,'" Vincentsmiled mischievously.

"And if you'd slow down for a minute, I'd love itagain," she smiled back.

Vincent stopped, knowing they were between sentriesand still in a relatively untraveled area. He gave her several shortkisses, not allowing her to feel where he would like it to lead -just enjoying having her close, the scent of her hair, her lips onhis... He couldn't dwell on that too long. He started moving towardthe home chambers again.

"Mary has a guest chamber ready for you, andinsisted on preparing it herself. She already loves you like adaughter. I believe she may be as excited about our wedding as weare."

"Not quite as excited as I am," Catherine answered."She'll be missing some of the fringe benefits I'm looking forwardto."

Vincent treated her to a warm smile, also enjoyingthoughts of the fringe benefits, and kissed her forehead again asthey walked.

As they came close to the main hub, Catherine beganto insist on walking, protesting that she was just sore anduncomfortable, not helpless. After much persistence on her part,Vincent finally put her down. He took her hand and walked besideher.

"Your hand is a poor substitute for what I hadbefore," he complained good-naturedly.

"I'll kiss your neck some more when we're alone,"she whispered.

"Then you might be forgiven," he whispered back.More seriously he asked, "Shall we see Joe before dinner?"

"Yes," she answered hesitantly. "How would you liketo do this?"

"Perhaps you should talk to him for a few minutes.Tell him what you learned from the police today. When he mentions thecat man... as I'm sure he will; ask if he would like to meet him.I'll let you decide how much to prepare him. Just be sure he doesn'thave anything to toss at me. His throwing arm might be stronger thanyours," he said playfully.

"Vincent, will you never let me live that down?" sheprotested.

Vincent laughed as she batted at his arm.

"Cathy, is that you?" Joe called out.

Catherine patted Vincent's hand. "Here goes," shesaid quietly. "I won't be long." Raising the volume of her voice, sheanswered Joe. "It's me. Have you behaved yourself while I wasgone?"

Kipper was sitting with him and beating him soundlyat gin rummy.

"I tried," Joe answered.

"He's been okay," Kipper chimed in.

"Yeah, kid. You say that because you're winning,"Joe said, and handed his cards to Kipper.

"Kipper, I need to talk to Joe a few minutes alone.Would you mind..."

"No problem. Winning all the time gets old after awhile," he grinned.

"Hey, kid. Give me a break. I'm in pain. It blowsthe concentration," Joe retorted toward Kipper's back.

"Bye, Joe," Kipper chuckled as he left, smiling overhis shoulder on the way out.

"How are you?" Catherine asked.

"I hurt," he answered with a less of asmile.

"I thought you might."

"Dr. Father gave me pain killers a while ago, soit's a little better now. I may fall asleep in the middle of theconversation, though. What did you do while you weregone?"

Catherine recounted the afternoon's events and thereport she filed, and told him she was going to have to ask him tocoordinate a story with her before they went back home.

"I need to lie about what happened?" he responded,looking concerned.

"I don't think so. Not much, anyway. The only partyou may have to lie about is what happened after you were shot.You'll have to back my story about the clinic. This place isn't onthe map, and it needs to stay that way."

"I guess I owe you that. There are some good peoplehere. They dress funny, but they're good people. Hey, Kanin, the onewe sent up for that drunk driving accident...he lives here. Seemslike a nice guy."

"I know."

"You knew then, too, didn't you?" hechallenged.

"Yes."

"So does this place have something to do with thatinformation network you developed so fast?"

"Yes."

"Is this where you disappear tosometimes?"

"Yes."

"Are you gonna to tell me more about it before I gohome?"

"Yes."

"Are you gonna to introduce me to the cat man?" heasked with a playful smile.

"Yes."

"Yeah, right," Joe grinned. "He's your mystery man,isn't he? You don't know I exist because I don't have enoughhair."

"Something like that," she answered, looking down,and looking more serious, hating for Vincent to hear thosereferences.

"Okay, Radcliffe. You're beginning to worryme."

"Joe, I want you to meet Vincent."

"I actually get to meet Vincent?"

"Before you meet him, you need to know he's verydifferent. There literally isn't anyone else like him. Well... justknow you're in for a surprise, but you'll get over it." She turnedtoward the door and called quietly, "Vincent, come and meetJoe."

"Wait till Vincent hears you were kissing the catman," Joe teased. The grin on his face as he spoke turned to asilent, slack-jawed stare of astonishment when Vincent appeared inthe doorway. He looked huge...and strong...and scary.

"Vincent already knows about that," Vincent saidwith a small, non-teeth-baring smile, intending to put Joe at easeabout his last remark. He pushed back the hood of his cloak andrested his gloved hands at the foot of the bed. "I'm pleased tofinally meet you. Catherine speaks of you often."

Vincent's soothing voice and the gentle humor in hisresponse to Joe's unintentionally rude comment brought Joe almostback to his senses. After struggling to regain his voice, as well ashis composure. He finally managed to speak with his typicalif-you're-uncomfortable-you-can-always-make-a-joke Joehumor.

"Hey, I'm really sorry about that. If I could movemy leg, I'd stick the other foot in here with this one." He pointedtoward his mouth.

He was relieved to hear both Vincent and Catherinechuckle.

"That's real?" he asked, looking closely atVincent's face. "That isn't make-up?"

"No."

"The guy on the subways...?" He had toask.

"That was Jason Walker with a mask and metal claws,"Catherine assured him. "He saw Vincent, followed him here, and therewas an accident. He died, and there was no way to retrieve thebody."

Joe seemed relieved at that disclosure.

"Where did you come from? Is your whole family likeyou?"

Simultaneously Catherine heard both men.

"I doubt that I will ever know."

"I'm sorry. My mother taught me better manners thanthis."

"Don't be concerned," Vincent told him. "I am wellaware that this is not what you expected to see."

Joe nodded, biting his tongue to keep fromexclaiming, "You got that right!" He turned to Catherine forencouragement and saw her watching Vincent with a look he couldhardly believe. He knew then that a friend was all he would ever beto her. He just couldn't understand how she could have fallenfor...whatever you'd call this...person?

"How did you find Vincent?" he finally managed toask.

"Actually, he found me," she said, still gazing ather favorite sight.

Joe glanced back at Vincent and saw him looking atCatherine the same way she was looking at him. The connection betweenthem was almost visible- he could nearly feel it in the air aroundhim - and they were on opposite sides of his bed. They weren't evenholding hands.

"He found me in the park the night I was attackedand brought me here," she told him, looking back at Joe. "He helpedtake care of me until I was able to go back. His father is yourdoctor."

"That's your father?" Joe said in Vincent'sdirection, clearly confused.

"I was adopted," Vincent explained.

"You see now why I had to 'forget' where I hadbeen," Catherine continued. "This place means his safety. I couldn'tdo anything to jeopardize that."

"Okay. That makes sense," Joe agreed.

"He brought you here last night after you were shot.I wasn't in any condition to help you, and he wouldn't leave me,"Catherine told him.

"Then I guess I need to thank you - for both of us,"Joe said, looking back at Vincent.

"No thanks are necessary. You are Catherine'sfriend."

"We should let you get some rest. I brought youclean clothes and a few other things. Someone will bring your bag ina few minutes. Do you need anything before we go?"

"No, thanks. Can't think of anything."

"Then we'll leave you to recover from today'ssurprises," she smiled sympathetically and gave his arm anaffectionate squeeze. She and Vincent turned to leave, then sheturned back. "Oh, by the way, would you keep what you saw thismorning to yourself? We'd just as soon avoid gossip. With no TV, it'squite a pastime here," Catherine asked a littlesheepishly.

"My lips are sealed," he assured her with the besttwinkle in his eye that he could muster up at the moment.

"Thank you, Joe," Vincent said warmly. "We'll visitagain tomorrow."

Joe caught a fleeting glimpse of the tips of hiscanines that time. He had felt the solid strength of the "man" whenthey shook hands. He must be all muscle, He could practically see thepower lurking there; and the guy didn't even seem to be particularlyaware of it. Seeing those teeth unnerved him. When he was sure theywere away from the door, he allowed himself to exhale a breath ofrelief. He wasn't sure what this Vincent was; but, whatever he was,he knew he wanted him on his side. Other than the obvious differencesin appearance, what was it that left him so unstrung about meetinghim?

Cathy Chandler certainly was full of surprises. Shewould obviously never forgive him if he did anything to compromisethis place or Vincent, and that had a power of it's own in Joe'sheart. Besides, he seemed to owe Vincent for his life at this point.Why did that concern him so? Then there were all the people who livedhere - wherever "here" was. Yeah, he'd have to keep her secrets. Hesettled down into his pillows, grateful for the pain medication. Theway his mind was racing, he wasn't sure he would sleep now withoutit.

"Why the gloves this time?" Catherine asked,watching Vincent remove the gloves and tuck them in the pocket insidehis cloak. He reached for her hand as they walked. It was still theonly show of affection they allowed themselves in public.

"I didn't want him to make too many connections yet.We both know he will before long. We should allow him another night'srest before he has to contend with those thoughts. I like him,Catherine. I hope he can learn to see me as a friend."

"I hope so, too. Thank you for this, Vincent. I knowit wasn't comfortable for you."

They walked a little way in silence.

"He loves children, you know. You saw how he andKipper took to one another. Once he meets the children, he's likelyto become a helper," Catherine said.

"Anyone who has met him so far would certainlywelcome him back any time he wants to visit. The mention of his namebrings a smile already," he told her.

When they reached the guest chamber, Vincent stayedfor a short time. He sat in the chair near the bed and pulledCatherine gently into his lap, her favorite place to sit.

"We are now alone. I believe you have a promise tokeep," he said with a mischievous smile in his blue eyes.

Catherine had already snuggled against him. It tookonly a small move to plant the promised kisses on his neck. Shestretched a little more to briefly nip at his ear lobe. From thereher small kisses brushed across his jaw line and gradually reachedhis lips, where he willingly joined her efforts. After a few minuteshe moved, indicating that he intended to stand.

"If not for your bruises I would be tempted to breakour agreement. How many years away is our wedding?" he groaned as hestood.

"Weeks, not years," Catherine grinned. "We'll makeit."

"Rest now," he said, kissing her lightly. "I think Imay go for a cold swim."

"See you in the morning," she answered with a littlelaugh, and fueled his need for the cold swim with one morekiss.

Vincent uttered a small, frustrated growl, chuckled,grasped her shoulders, kissed the top of her head and left hersmiling.

Attesting to the fact that Joe was winning his wayinto the community, Catherine arrived at the hospital chamber onFriday morning to find William personally delivering his breakfast.When William left, she let Joe know what an honor he had justexperienced.

"You were right about the food. It's great. I toldsomebody yesterday that I'd love to thank the chef, and I guess hegot the word." He said as he moved a forkful of hotcakes toward hismouth.

"How are you feeling?" she asked.

"As long as I take my meds and don't move too fast,it isn't too bad. Except for the lack of TV, this is the besthospital care I've ever had. People here take real good care of eachother, don't they?"

"Yes," Catherine answered.

"The lack of phones has been kind of nice - nobodytrying to get me back to work."

"You noticed that, too?" Catherine saidpointedly.

"Oh, you're funny this morning," Joe answeredgood-naturedly. "You loved zinging the boss with that one, didn'tyou?"

Catherine just laughed as she watched him downanother bite of hotcakes.

"Are you going to tell me where we are?" Joe askedsuddenly after he swallowed. "My head is clearer today, and I've seenenough of the people here to know I couldn't say anything to exposethem. I'm not telling any of your secrets, Cathy. Be straight withme."

"We're below the city...below the subways. Theringing you hear is from the pipes - it's a communication system.There were a few people living here even before Father came here inthe early fifties."

"That long? Wow," Joe responded indisbelief.

"Father was brought here by a friend when his lifeAbove fell apart, and he stayed. He and another man, John Pater,turned it into a well-organized community and established a system ofbarter and foraging to keep the supply lines alive. They take fromthe city in a way, but what they've given back to it replaces ittenfold. There are people who have lived here their whole lives andothers who are here temporarily - long enough to get their lives backtogether and return to our world. Most of the people who have beenhelped here in one way or another become helpers and continue to giveto this community in whatever way they can."

"I don't remember meeting any John Pater. Will Imeet him before I leave?"

"No. John Pater is dead." Taking a deep breath, sheadded, "Do you remember the drug case, the dealer who insisted onbeing paid in gold?"

"You're about to tell me that had something to dowith this place, too, aren't you?"

"That was John Pater. He called himself Paracelsusby that time. He was both a genius and a madman. I dealt with him afew other times, both directly and indirectly - all extremelyunpleasant experiences. Again, I couldn't turn him in because itwould have betrayed this community. More secrets..."

Joe could see that it was getting more difficult forCatherine to talk to him.

"This is only the tip of the iceberg, isn't it? I'mgetting the feeling there's some heavy stuff you've had to keep toyourself. That's a big load for one woman to carry around allalone."

"I'm only alone in my world, not inVincent's."

"That must have been hard for you."

"It has. At least now I can talk to yousometimes...can't I?"

"Sure, Radcliffe. You know I'm always there if youneed me."

"Thanks, Joe," she answered, giving him a gentlehug, mindful of his injuries.

It tore at his heart to think of all the times shemust have felt so alone. He would have to get over being in love withher and concentrate on being the best friend she could ask for. Justthen a stab of intense jealousy ran through him as the recipient ofher affections entered the room.

"Good morning," Vincent greeted him, stopping besideCatherine next to the bed.

Catherine smiled up at him and moved closer. Joeextended his hand in greeting. To return Joe's gesture of goodwill,Vincent reached out for a brief handshake with his now unglovedhand.

"Don't get any wrong ideas. She hugged me," Joe saidquickly.

"Chivalry is dead," Catherine answereddryly.

Vincent just smiled at their bantering.

"Father tells me that you're recovering well. Nosign of problems developing," Vincent said.

"That's what he tells me, too," Joe answered."Doesn't make it hurt any less."

Vincent looked at him in a way that made Joe feelcompletely understood.

"It will be good for Catherine to have someone closein her world who understands the burden she carries. I'm sorry youhad to undergo such pain to provide that."

Joe suddenly became distracted when he noticedVincent's hands. "Good Lord, are those as sharp as they look?" Heasked without thinking first.

"Yes," Vincent answered with resignation. Itappeared the time of reckoning had come. He could imagine the DA'ssharp, analytical mind struggling to make the connections Joe hadn'tidentified yet, and he dreaded the moment when it all came togetherin a single truth. Catherine saw it, too, and shared the samedread.

"Don't you have a class this morning?" Catherineasked, partly from curiosity and partly to quickly change thesubject.

"In about twenty minutes." He smiled and chuckledslightly. "Father was busy removing a button from Jonah's nose, soI've already taught the early math class."

"Jonah is one of the more active three year olds,"Catherine interjected with a knowing smile.

"I was instructed to tell Joe he can go home onSunday morning, as long as he shows no sign of complications."Turning to Joe, he added. "Father says we can give you crutches todayand allow you some movement."

"Will I be able to do some exploring?"

"Whatever you feel you can manage... within reason,of course."

"If I have to go home on Sunday, I guess I'd betterstart managing," Joe observed. "Cathy told me where we are. How do Iget home from here?" he asked curiously.

"With a lot of help," Vincent answered. "We'll doour best to make it as easy for you as possible. Peter will meet usto see that you don't need further care."

"I'll keep all this to myself," Joe assuredhim.

"I know," Vincent told him. "Catherine trusts youcompletely. That tells me we can trust you as well."

Kipper suddenly bounded in the door on his way toclass. "Morning Joe. Want me to bring the cards later?" He stopped assuddenly as he had entered, surprised to see Vincent there. "Did youcancel class this morning?" he asked hopefully.

Vincent gave him a stern, but patientlook.

"No, Kipper, I'm afraid you still have to tolerateme - and King Lear. Did you finish your reading?"

"Yeah. I think I'm actually beginning to understandthis stuff."

Vincent smiled and ruffled Kipper's hair.

Kipper reached up to bat his hand away, but anyonewatching could see that he relished that attention fromVincent.

"Then perhaps we can both conclude that all thefrustrations have been worthwhile. Why don't we prepare for class andleave Catherine to entertain Joe for a while?"

"Sure, Vincent. See you Later, Joe."

Vincent draped one arm over Kipper's shoulder andstarted an easygoing conversation as they left.

"What class were they talking about?" Joeasked.

"Vincent teaches a literature class in the morning.Right now they're studying Shakespeare - KingLear."

"Shakespeare? He teaches Shakespeare?" Joe repeatedin amazement.

"Doesn't look the part, does he?" Catherine grinned."It would amaze you to know how many interests he has, how manythings he does well."

"Are you sure he didn't go to a Catholic school?"Joe asked. That look he shot Kipper reminded me of the ones the nunsgave me."

His mind was working overtime now, beginning to pullthings together.

"Those times you were going to a concert in thepark, but nobody saw you there..."

"He's been listening from a place under the park foryears. I go there with him." We don't see much, but the sound issuperb," she said mischievously.

"How much are you willing to give up for him?" Joeasked seriously.

"Everything I have to. I'm not sure how I would livewithout him."

"What does he give up for you? Looks like you'remaking most of the sacrifices."

"He gives me more than you can imagine," she shotback angrily. How dare he pass judgments with so little information."His influence is the reason I wanted to work for the districtattorney - the reason I managed to put that attack behind me. I drawon his strength constantly. He puts my welfare ahead of his own muchtoo often. Every time he comes to my balcony to see me, he puts hislife in danger. Every time he comes to help me..."

She stopped suddenly, realizing she was about to saytoo much, but it was too late. Joe had finally made the connectionthat had been eating away at the back of his mind ever since he sawVincent. Under the kindness and that unique, soothing voice there wasthe raw power, the claws...and the visible love forCatherine.

"To help you... To protect you. Isn't that what youmeant?" Joe asked, suddenly feeling very uneasy. "All thosekillings...some of the bodies looked like they had been mutilated byan animal. Those sharp nails... My God. That was Vincent, wasn'tit?"

Tears gathered in Catherine's eyes and one escapeddown her cheek.

"It nearly killed him, Joe. My carelessness nearlykilled him. He had come to my defense too many times... and he hateswhat he did. Can you imagine being what he is...so much a man and yetpartly something that can't be explained? There was no time that hekilled for any reason except to defend me or his community. When ithappened here it was no different than the special forces going in tocomplete a mission, but when it was to protect me he was out ofcontrol. The remorse for the lack of control and what it could meanin our lives pushed him into a breakdown that we weren't sure hewould survive. There were other factors, but I'll always feelresponsible. Jason Walker can be blamed for the subway killings -Vincent was responsible for the others."

"God, Cathy," Joe breathed softly. "He ripped someof those guys to pieces. How can you live with that?"

"There was no innocence in what they were trying todo either. All of them had killed before with no sense of remorse orresponsibility, and they were in the act of attempting it again...butthat doesn't change anything, does it?" She couldn't look at Joe whenshe actually made that admission. The tears were flowing freely now.She realized she had never had to put all this into words, and it waspainful. Joe slowly shook his head, temporarilyspeechless.

"That's why I asked to be transferred awayinvestigation. I didn't want to put him in that positionagain."

"And I dropped the two of you right back into it.Are there more mutilated bodies to be accounted for?"

"No. Vincent and I talked after his illness, triedto account for the reason he lost control. I don't think it will bethat way again. Wednesday night he pulled Langston into the water andthrew the other man off balance. It knocked him out when he fell. Nodeaths to account for at all. They haven't found him yet; but Vincentsaid Langston was alive, clinging to a board or something in thewater when he last saw him."

"Whew. I'd hate to be responsible for anythingworse. Geez, I'm sorry. I had no idea how bad this would be foryou."

"You didn't come out of it too well yourself," shesmiled slightly, feeling appreciative that he could find any sympathyat all for her after what he had just learned.

"I left you out there again, all by yourself, tryingto practice law and cover for Vincent at the same time. How have youmanaged? How have you juggled so many secrets and still functionedlike a normal person?"

"It's been hard," she admitted. "Vincent knows itisn't easy. He knows what I've given up; and for a long time hecouldn't, or wouldn't understand that what he gives me is worth morethan anything I can gain from what I've left behind. He's tried tosend me away more than once 'for my own good,' but I came back oftenenough that he finally gave up and kept me," she sniffed, smiling aweak smile through her tears.

"He was a fool to send you away even once," Joemuttered, wondering if he could have been that generous.

Apparently there was a lot more to this Vincent thanclaws and fangs and carnage. He put Cathy's best interests above hisown when it was so clear to anybody with eyes how much he loved her.He was ready to defend her in spite of the danger to himself fromjust being seen in her world. He was built like a boulder. He enjoyedShakespeare, and classical music, taught math, seemed to lovechildren... From the comments of people here and their responses tohim he could see that Vincent was certainly a valued and trustedfriend and a community leader. There was a lot to admire. Whycouldn't complex problems ever be black and white? Why did thingsthis complicated always have to come in shades of gray?

"Joe, I'm sorry. I never wanted you to have to dealwith all this."

"I'm sorry, too. If I hadn't gotten you into thisLangston mess we wouldn't be having this conversation." He looked upat her. "I'll still keep your secrets. I'll have a lot of troublewith some of them; but I'll keep them... and I'll be around if youneed somebody to talk to when you can't get here."

"Thank you," she said, tears flowing freely again.She leaned over and gave Joe a big hug. He wrapped his arms aroundher, hoping to soothe away some of the pain their last conversationbrought her. When Catherine stood again, he had a few morequestions.

"You would give up everything for him, wouldn't you?Move here if you had to?"

"Whatever it takes to be with him and keep himsafe."

"How much longer will you stay at the DA'soffice?"

"You're not going to make this easy, are you?" shesmiled ruefully, the tears beginning to subside.

"Was it ever easy?"

"No."

"Okay, then answer the question."

"The end of the year, probably. I had planned totalk to you next week."

"Any particular reason?"

"My life needs to be less dangerous. I havefinancial resources I can use to work with children who need thelove, patience and help they get from people here. Maybe I can helpstop at least a little of the criminal behavior before it startsinstead of reacting to it after it happens. You can join me any timeyou want."

"I had a feeling this was coming. It won't be thesame without you."

Like I said, you can join me any time you get tiredof what you're doing. I'll make you one of the headhonchos."

"You'd like being the boss for a change, wouldn'tyou?" he teased, trying to lighten the mood.

"You better believe it," she smiled.

"Anything else I need to know?"

"This is an engagement ring. Will you come to thewedding? Your leg should be healed by then."

That bit of information hit him like a knife to hisheart, but he smiled.

"I wouldn't miss it."

She gave him another appreciative hug.

After his class, Vincent came to bring Joe crutches.Catherine had gone Above to check messages and see if Langston hadbeen located. Joe accepted Vincent's help in moving from the bed andadjusting the crutches for his height, but knowing what he now knewmade it difficult not to imagine the details of those attacks.Vincent needed no empathic abilities to sense Joe's discomfort at hispresence.

"You know, don't you?" Vincent asked as he completedthe adjustment for the second crutch. He didn't look up, just stoppedand rested one arm across his knee where he knelt next toJoe.

"Cathy said something that put it all together," Joeanswered nervously, leaning back to rest on the edge of his bed. "Youknow it can't happen again, don't you? She'll have to take the heatfor it alone if, or when, it comes out. If I made the connection,somebody else will figure it out sooner or later. She can say shedoesn't know anything, but she'll always look suspicious. If itstops, maybe..."

Vincent was still having difficulty looking at Joedirectly, but he felt it necessary to face his questions. He hadnever been one to share his feelings about himself, even with thoseclosest to him; but Joe was important to Catherine, and he wanted Joeto trust him. That required painful honesty. He stood, but facedslightly away from Joe when he spoke.

"It's complicated. Part of me is capable of morethan human responses. It frightens me - sickens me that I was capableof doing those things; but some of those same abilities haveprotected the people I love. I have killed in defense of my home andfamily, but only when we were threatened, and with as little violenceas possible. When there was no real danger, we simply found ways tofrighten intruders away and seal off their entrances. ProtectingCatherine was something different. When I knew someone was trying tohurt her and I wasn't sure I could reach her in time... The rage thatcame with the anger and fear for her safety took over completely, andI was lost in it. If she hadn't stopped me, it could have been worse.Seeing someone try to kill her...I may never be able to entirely stopthe rage." He still hadn't looked up.

"How did you know where she was?" Joe interrupted."Did she tell you where she was going?"

"I felt her fear and followed my sense of her,"Vincent told him matter-of-factly as he finally faced Joe. "I can'texplain the connection between us, but it exists; and it has savedboth her life and mine."

"Wow," Joe responded softly.

Joe began to relax a little. He thought quietly fora short time. So Cathy hadn't actually planned any of this withVincent, and what Vincent had done sickened him, too. He began toimagine what it might be like to be Vincent. You've found the womanyou love and watched as she recovered from one horrible,life-threatening attack. She's being threatened with death again. Youknow you can't afford to be seen; but you know you don't want to livewithout her. You aren't sure you can get to her fast enough to saveher. You have the strength and natural weapons to make short work ofthe people threatening her. Adrenalin, fear, anger and frustrationare flowing like fountains... What would you do under thoseconditions? How would you react? He came to a frighteningconclusion.

"It scares me to think it; but if I had to work withthe same factors you do, I might have done the same thing," Joeadmitted slowly.

Vincent looked at Joe as if he were absolutelymad.

"You can't mean that," he stated in completedisbelief, yet he felt that Joe was being truthful.

"Yeah. I do mean that. I'd fight like that for her,too. I'd like to think I could stop before it got that bad, but Idon't know... I've never had to live the way you do... I'll never puther, or you, in that kind of spot again. You have my word." Anotherstark realization suddenly hit him. "Wait a minute. If she hadn'tstopped you? She saw all that happen?" Joe shuddered as hespoke.

Vincent answered only by lowering his headagain.

"My God. She watched all that," Joe repeated inquiet shock, and again he felt his stomach churn. "What did she do?How did she handle it?"

"She didn't," Vincent answered quietly, still notlooking up.

"What do you mean 'she didn't'?" Joe asked,concerned.

"She has yet to...'handle it'," Vincent answered,glancing at Joe now and then, still unable to face him completely."She only allowed herself to be concerned with my safety. She saw,but didn't allow herself to feel. One day she will; and I fear whatit may bring. We hardly mention that the killings happened...as if wedon't speak the words, the reality can be held at bay." He took adeep breath that shuddered slightly. "I always stayed away from herafterward. I believed she would finally be too disgusted to want tobe near me again."

"But in spite of all that, she always came back?"Joe asked.

"I told her to leave me, to find a normal life.Elliott could have given her the life she was accustomed to. You loveher. You could have given her the love and the family shewants."

Joe's stomach knotted. This "man" who could easilyrip him to shreds had just, very matter-of-factly, stated that theywere both in love with the same woman. It wasn't presented as anassumption. It was presented as a known fact. He began to relax againas he grasped that there was no anger or accusation in the statement.He might as well just admit to it and get them past it."

"You love her more than either of us. I'm not sure Icould let her go if I'd had the chance to marry her -- or even if shehad ever looked at me the way she looks at you. Burch had a promiseof marriage and let her go. I never figured out what happened, butshe didn't seem too excited about any part of it." Suddenly anotherrevelation hit Joe. "She didn't agree to that marriage because shewanted it, did she?"

"No."

"That had something to do with this place too,didn't it?"

"The excavations for Burch Towers were about todestroy our community. She made stopping the building a prerequisitefor the marriage."

"And that engagement... It nearly killed both ofyou..." Joe thought out loud

Vincent's look was all Joe needed as aconfirmation.

"So Burch was a big enough fool to give her up for abuilding - a pile of concrete and steel. She would have married himand never loved him to save you and this place." Joe breathed out aslow breath in astonishment. "I don't think I can absorb any moresecrets today," he said, shaking his head slightly and imagining howmuch they must love one another to still be together through all ofthis. "I want to see some of this place she's so attachedto."

"Lunch will be served soon. You can visit this area,and I'll help you to the dining hall for lunch if you feel up toit."

"Let's go," Joe answered, working out a slow rhythmof movement with the crutches. His sense of reality was slipping awayin increments. First he had learned of the attacks, now he wasfeeling that he understood them. Cathy had watched some of thekillings, undoubtedly felt guilty and appalled about it, but stillloved Vincent enough to make this many changes in her life to be withhim and protect his home. He had to see this place forhimself.

By the time he and Vincent had explored the closestpassage, including a bathing chamber and, to his great relief, one ofthe "necessary chambers", Joe thought he must have asked Vincent ahundred questions. When he seemed to be tiring, they had stopped tovisit one of the tunnel residents in a home chamber where Joe wasoffered a place to sit.

Vincent walked slowly, allowing Joe to set his ownpace as he guided him to the dining hall. Once they reached it, hewas welcomed as if the community had known him for years. Some of thechildren who came for attention from Vincent were drawn to Joeimmediately.

Watching him with the children, Vincent knewCatherine had been right. He would be back, and probably looking forthe little ones first.

By Sunday morning Joe had moved around enough tofeel reasonably comfortable about going home on his own. Some of hisnew friends had helped him pack his things in his gym bag. He wasready to go Above; but he still couldn't imagine how he would getthere. If they were as far below the city as it seemed from theconversations he'd been part of, he certainly couldn't get there oncrutches. As if answering his question, four men from the communitycame in the chamber, one with an old fashioned stretcher.

"You don't mean to carry me on that thing all theway to the surface, do you?" he asked, feeling embarrassed at thethought of being such a bother - as well as a little less thanmacho.

"We do unless you intend to hobble up there byyourself," Cullen told him dryly. "We'll let you try if you want, butyou probably won't make it home before next weekend."

"This is the only way?" Joe asked.

"Only one we can think of," Martinanswered.

"So how do we do this?" Joe concededreluctantly.

"We put the stretcher on the bed, you lie down onit, and then you trust us not to drop you," Cullen teased. "We'll beas easy on you as we can," he added a little morethoughtfully.

When they arrived at the threshold, Vincent helpedJoe stand, stooped enough that Joe could lean across his shoulder,carried him up the ladder and eased him into a sitting position atthe edge of the threshold. From there Joe was able to swing his goodleg into the storage room and scoot back a little at a time until hecould coerce the other one into following. Vincent helped support theinjured leg through the threshold then followed him into the storageroom and again carefully helped him to his feet. Joe could see thatthis crew had done this sort of thing before. Peter met them there.He kept a close watch on the proceedings and stayed with Joe until hehad him safely settled in his own apartment and knew that he hadample groceries for a day or two.

Catherine returned to work on Monday, but Peterinsisted that Joe stay home for a few days.

Joe protested; but after the trip from the hospitalchamber to the threshold in the building next door, he was exhausted.After that there was the trek on crutches to his apartment. Gettingaround on crutches and doing things for himself in his apartment wasa little more effort than he cared to admit, and he began to feelmore willing to stay home for another few days.

Catherine stopped by on her way home each afternoonthat week to check on Joe and keep him up to date on what was goingon in the office. He was relieved to know that Jack Faison wastalking in return for a guarantee of protection. He seemed to havesome valuable information pertaining to other cases involvingLangston as well, and had evidence to support a lot of hisclaims.

Langston had been fished out of the river when a 911call came in about someone clinging to a board and yelling for help.He had never learned to swim; and he had spent some time clinging toa large board in what the police thought was a well-deserved panic,trying desperately to get someone's attention as he drifted with thecurrent in the cold water. The attention he got was more than hebargained for. He thought he had left two dead DA's on the wharf. Tohis dismay, he found he had left two live witnesses to the fact thathe tried to kill one DA and had, in their presence, ordered themurder of her boss. His recollection of events included feeling thatsomething had pulled him into the water, but his only other memorywas of frantically trying to find something to hold on to keephimself from sinking like a rock. Vincent didn't figure into thepicture at all.

With Langston behind bars in a more secure facility,Joe saw that his life might finally be returning to the reasonablynormal state he was accustomed to. The following Monday morning hecould hardly wait to get back to work and help coordinate Langston'scertain demise.

"Welcome back." Catherine said when she stopped athis office door.

"Come on in, Radcliffe."

Catherine entered the office and closed the doorbehind her. "You're looking good."

"I should. I've been well looked after. Did Vincenttell you he came to check on me Thursday night? He came up the fireescape and tapped on the window -- scared the bejeebers out of me,but my blood pressure came back down while we talked. Somebody's beenthere every day with food, and Bill Reston from the apartments nextdoor has called or stopped by every day to see if I need anything. Heeven gave me a key to his storage room in case I needed to go backBelow. It's hard to believe that so many people who hardly know mehave taken that much of an interest."

"They can always use new helpers," Catherineanswered pointedly.

"Well, they found one. I owe them big time," hesaid. "Tell me what I should do."

"When you get on your feet again, go and visit.You'll pick up on what you can do just by keeping your eyes and earsopen. There are all kinds of ways to help. Talk to Father," shesuggested.

"I sort of missed the old grouch when I came backhome," Joe admitted with a grin.

They spent the afternoon in a conference room withseveral others who would be working on the Langston case. Theircarefully coordinated statements were scrutinized and readilyaccepted, and the most recent evidence from several of Langston'scronies was organized into its appropriate place amid the evidencethey already had.

As they left the conference room, Joe asked jokinglyif Catherine intended to go to the concert in the park onHalloween.

"There isn't a concert on Halloween."

"Yes, there is. I saw it in the paper thismorning."

"Do you still have the paper," Catherine askedhopefully.

"I think so," Joe answered. "Go ahead and getyourself ready to go before somebody finds something else for us todo. I'll be right back."

He was back at Catherine's desk as quickly as hiscrutches would allow, the newspaper stuffed in his jacketpocket.

"There you go, Kiddo. Enjoy." he said, leaning onone crutch and plopping the paper on the desk.

"Do you need help with anything?" sheasked.

"Nope. I'm getting pretty good with these things.Peter says I can start using a cane next week. That's bound to be anuisance, too; but it's got to be better than this," he answered."Better get out of here while you can," he warned with asmile.

"Okay, see you tomorrow. Thanks for the paper." Shefound the entertainment section and the concert schedule. Sureenough, there was a concert on Halloween that had been inadvertentlyleft out of the previously printed season's schedule. She took in alittle breath of surprise as she glanced at the adjacent page,smiled, stuffed the paper in her satchel and headed for home, goingstraight to her threshold when she arrived.

Catherine didn't stop to leave her satchel in thebasement, and she didn't even get to the bottom of the ladder beforeshe started talking. Vincent had to kiss her to make her stop for afew seconds so he could keep up with what she was trying to tellhim.

"Vincent, lets go to your chamber rightnow..."

"At this hour of the evening?!" he teased with oneof his half smiles. "Everyone in the tunnels will be awake now. Wewould never get away with it. I thought we had anagreement."

"I was about to say..." she answered sternly, "Ihave something to show you. I know how we can spendHalloween."

"You can't tell me here?"

"I can't see in this light as well as you can; butif you insist, I'll tell you about it while we walk."

"Then we should walk," he answered. "You've piquedmy curiosity."

They walked down the narrow path and across thelittle bridge Vincent had built across the chasm after Catherinebecame a regular visitor to his world. After they reached the easierpart of their walk he took her hand and led her toward the hometunnels.

"There are a couple of events going on that I thinkyou'll enjoy," she told him. "There's a Halloween concert in the parkthat night. We can watch this time, not just listen. You can see aprofessional orchestra up close. We'll sit wherever youwant."

"Are you sure? I don't recall hearing of a concerton Halloween."

"Yes. That's what I wanted to show you. Joementioned it to me. I brought the newspaper with me. But the concertisn't everything," she said spiritedly. "There's a museum exhibit,too. It's a special exhibit of all kinds of works based on magic andmythical creatures - witches, wizards, dragons, centaurs, elves andfairies, unicorns...and it's open until the 'witching hour.'" Sheturned to make appropriate gestures as she said "the witching hour."We can go to the museum after the concert and see the exhibit, andthe rest of the museum, until midnight. You can see some of thethings you've only been able to see in books."

By the time they reached his chamber, Catherine'sexcitement had grown in Vincent, too. He could hardly believe thethings they were discussing could be for him. They looked at thenewspaper and planned for their evening out, Catherine spontaneouslyhugging him now and then in her enthusiasm.

"I told Nancy and Jenny about our Halloweenexcursion after Bridget's party, and they want to come with us thisyear. What do you think? Would you mind sharing our timeAbove?"

"They really want to spend time with me -Above?"

"With both of us. They can hardly wait to get backhere; and Nancy still hopes that you might ask the council to let herbring the family to the wedding.

"I still find it difficult enough to believe theyaccepted me so easily, but to be willing to be with me Above, where Icould be found out for what I really am..."

"Haven't I been telling you you're easy to love?"she asked, grabbing his vest with both hands. "Convincing you of ithas always been the hard part. Besides that, they want to help usblend into the rest of the scenery. The larger the group in costume,the less conspicuous we'll be."

Vincent took Catherine in his arms, wordlesslyappreciating her energetic assurances. He had come a long way towardaccepting himself, but long years of self-doubt had taken theirtoll.

"What would you like to do, Vincent?" she asked."This is your night. We'll do whatever you want."

"I would enjoy spending the evening with yourfriends," he answered. "A concert and a museum..." he said with asomewhat awed smile. "I never thought to have either. To have achoice..."

"Or to have both," Catherine reminded him with agrin. "Jenny likes museums. I'm not sure about Joe and Jenny andconcerts," she laughed, "but Nancy and Paul take the children to themuseum often, and Nancy takes them to children's concerts during theday. Jenny would go along to humor us just to have the chance toharass us later about what she didn't like."

"Speaking of Jenny... I'm supposed to meet her fordinner later tonight. We finally managed to make our schedules workout together again long enough for dinner. Did I tell you thecaterers have already agreed to work with us for the wedding? Henryand Lin do some catering from their restaurant. Mrs. Braxton'srestaurant is providing more, and there's a little bakery that hasgreat desserts and beautiful cakes. I intend to order enough ofsomething to give William a whole day off. Did you know you had threesmall catering services on your helper list?"

"Yes," Vincent answered, again enjoying Catherine'senthusiasm.

"Are you laughing at me?" she asked, hands on herhips.

"Never," he answered with a small smile.

"I don't believe you," she retorted. "You forget -the bond works both ways now."

"Have I told you how much I enjoy watching you whenyou're excited?" Vincent asked, showing the tips of all four caninesas he smiled.

"No, but I knew," she answered playfully. "I supposethat makes up for laughing at me." She stood on tiptoe and kissedhim. "I'll tell Nancy and Jenny to have their costumes ready. I'veordered something for you. Halloween is a week from tomorrow, and thecostumer promised it would be ready a week beforehand. That will giveMary or Sarah time to alter it if necessary. Mary gave me yourmeasurements to work from." "What do you intend me to wear?" heasked, sounding a little concerned.

"You'll have new pants, a new cloak, a vest, andgloves. You'll need to wear your tall tan boots and your whiteruffled shirt. I can hardly wait to see you in this outfit. Don'tworry. I won't ask you to wear anything that makes you feeluncomfortable." She looked up at him, her arms still around hiswaist. "I have to get back. I'm supposed to meet the plumber atDaddy's apartment in about half an hour. I've only hired helpers. Youcould come with me if you want."

"I would like nothing better," he said."Unfortunately, Mary and Father both have plans for metonight."

"I understand."

"I think I have time to walk you back." he offered,not ready to part with her yet.

After stopping at Father's doorway long enough tolet him know that Vincent would be back in time for their meeting,they walked to Catherine's building and said a lingering"Good-night." Both went to their appointments with smiles at thethought that in barely more than a month they could go to thatapartment together and stay until morning - no explanationsnecessary.

It was Halloween. That afternoon Father stopped atVincent's chamber with an envelope. He said that a man shouldn't havea rare night out without a little cash in his pocket and handed theenvelope to a flabbergasted Vincent.

"It seems wrong to accept this. It should belong tothe community, not to my evening out."

"Take it, Vincent. It was a small gift sent to mepersonally by a helper. Do something for Catherine if the opportunityarises. Consider it an effort to make amends to the two of you formaking things difficult at times. Both of you put us first sooften... If I'm going to have more gray hair tomorrow from worryingabout you, I might as well have the satisfaction of knowing you haveeverything you need to enjoy your time Above."

"Thank you," Vincent answered, accepting the giftand hugging his father.

Both of them understood that Father's support ofVincent's evening Above was a far greater gift than the contents ofthe envelope.

"Please be careful, my boy."

"Shall I let you know when I return?" Vincent askedwith a small smile.

"That would be appreciated." Father patted Vincent'sarm, and with a resigned sigh went to help prepare for the children'sHalloween party.

Vincent bathed and dressed in his new clothes, alongwith the boots and shirt Catherine asked him to wear. In a raremoment he wished for a mirror. She had been so excited, he foundhimself wanting to see if he thought she would be pleased.

The children were beginning to gatherin the large open room of Father's chamber for the standard readingof Halloween stories - traditionally ending with "The Legend ofSleepy Hollow" and the party and Jack-o-lantern contest in the dininghall.

Vincent was to see the children's costumes and reada few poems for them before he left to join Catherine and herfriends. When he entered Father's chamber, a chorus of complimentsgreeted him, all meaning "Vincent, you look great!"

Father smiled in approval. "You look quite theproper gentleman this evening. I'm sure Catherine will beimpressed."

"You're certain it looks acceptable?" Vincentasked.

"If he isn't, I am," Jamie answered, walking aroundhim for a better look.

"She's right," Mary agreed quickly. Seeing hisuncertainty she took his arm and pulled him into Father's smallerprivate chamber. "Here. See for yourself," she told him, guiding himtoward the long mirror.

The mirror was angled for Father's shorter stature,so at first all Vincent could see was from his shoulders down. Whathe saw with the gloves covering his furred, clawed hands was verymuch the image of a well-built, well-proportioned, well-dressed man.Perhaps Catherine would be as pleased as she thought. Then Maryadjusted the mirror for his height, and Vincent saw his face. Hequickly turned away. When Catherine looked at him he couldtemporarily forget the reality of his features; but when that realitystared back at him from the mirror, there was no ignoring it. All theold doubts and pain came rushing back.

Mary saw his reaction for what it was, and she wasdetermined it would not be allowed to spoil his evening.

"Vincent, look at yourself. You lookwonderful."

"I look inhuman... as I always have," he answered,the pain so close to the surface it was nearly visible.

Mary picked up a smaller mirror and held it up tohim.

"How does Catherine feel when she sees this face?"she asked him. She caught his chin with her hand when he tried toturn away and insisted that he look. "You know that better thananyone. This is the face she loves above any other, the face she haschosen to live with for the rest of her life. I've loved it since Isaw it for the first time. This is a face the children trust to runto when they're hurt or excited or need reassurance, the one thecouncil turns to when a voice of reason is needed, the one so many ofus and our helpers call a friend. Can it really be so bad? If thatmany others accept it, can't you give it a little honor, too? You'redifferent, Vincent; but your face has its own beauty, just like theman behind it. Look at yourself again. See yourself the way Catherinewill see you. You cut a dashing figure tonight. She won't bedisappointed."

Vincent reluctantly allowed Mary to turn him backtoward the long mirror and looked again. His face still surprised himbecause he never allowed himself to look at it, but Mary was right.He imagined Catherine's face the last time they said good-bye. Sheenjoyed looking at him, said that other men's faces were boring now.No. She wouldn't be disappointed, and wasn't she the one he wasconcerned about? Her friends had accepted him, as odd as that stillseemed to him, and wanted to spend their evening with him tonight. Hehadn't frightened them. Except for his face and his hidden hands helooked acceptable, even to himself.

"Now... let's join the others so you can go and meetCatherine," Mary smiled.

Vincent grabbed her in a appreciative hug thatnearly took her breath.

"Thank you, Mary. What would I do withoutyou?"

"You might find out if you don't let me breathe,"she laughed. "Now get yourself moving so you can start your eveningout."

Vincent chuckled softly and released her, feeling arenewed burst of confidence, and he went to take his part in thefestivities. He started by commenting on each child's costume andpretending he didn't know who was behind the mask, then he read thepoems Father had chosen for him and quietly exited the room as Fathertook over the reading.

Watching him leave, Jamie leaned over to Sarah andwhispered, "Wonder if I could interrupt something tonight afterCatherine sees him in that outfit."

She and Sarah giggled quietly, but it was enough toearn a stern look of reprimand from Father.

Vincent started toward the park, but decided itmight be more prudent to use the threshold in a building not too farfrom Catherine's. He watched from an alley between two buildings fora moment or two, then he stepped out on the sidewalk about a blockfrom Catherine's building when he thought he would be leastconspicuous. Just as the self-doubt was resurfacing, his confidencewas shored up by wolf whistles from two young women who were lookingdirectly at him, one dressed as a witch and the other as Red-RidingHood. He stopped and gave them a brief courtly bow, prompting hugesmiles from them.

"You looking for a date?" Red Riding Hood asked."We're available."

"I have one, thank you," he answered.

"Ooooo, and a voice to match the rest of thepackage. Tell her she's a lucky lady. Have fun," the witch smiledover her shoulder as they walked away.

Jenny and Nancy were waiting for Vincent in front ofCatherine's apartment building, intending to accompany him to pickher up at her front door.

Jenny caught sight of him a few doors away andtouched Nancy's arm to get her attention. His slight smile onlyenhanced the picture his normal stature and bearing presented. Whenthe new clothes were added to the mix, the effect wasstunning.

"There he is, Nancy. Look at him - the way he moves,the clothes... Do we dare let Cathy close to him in public? She mayembarrass us."

Nancy turned to look and understood Jenny'sresponse. Vincent was wearing his tall tan leather boots, matchingtan leather gloves and dark blue, fine wale corduroy pants - as formfitting as most of his others. The ruffled front of his white shirtcascaded over a slightly deeper tan suede fitted vest that was onlywaist length, and he wore a dark blue suede cloak. As Fatherobserved, he looked every inch an early nineteenth century gentleman- as if he might mount his horse to ride up to his estate anyminute.

"Vincent, you look wonderful!" Jenny gushed, walkingaround him, much as Jamie had, to see the entire picture.

Nancy agreed and gave him a quiet hug. Nancy waswearing a Victorian dress and pale make-up. Her hair was in Victorianringlets and arranged to emphasize the two bright red fang marks shesported prominently on the side of her neck.

"Let's go," Jenny insisted. "I can't wait to seeCathy's face when she sees you." With that she moved toward the frontdoor of Catherine's building, pulling Nancy and Vincentalong.

Vincent rode inside the elevator for the first time,a little nervously, and followed the others to Catherine's door. Itsuddenly dawned on him that he had never seen this side of herdoor.

Jenny rang the doorbell then grabbed Vincent's armand pulled him in front of her.

Catherine answered the door looking every inch theearly nineteenth century lady. She wore a long, high-waisted, low-cutdress and looked as if she had just stepped out of Pride andPrejudice.

"You look beautiful," Vincent saidsoftly.

"You look even better than I thought you would," sheanswered, taking his hands. Mary had been right. Catherine was farfrom disappointed, and the way she looked at him left him nearlyspeechless. He involuntarily raised her hand to his lips and kissedit, never looking away from her.

"Okay, so what are the rest of us, chopped liver?"Jenny asked from behind him. "Are you two going to stand there andgaze into each other's eyes until the concert is over?"

"Sorry, Jenny. Come in. Both of you look great,"Catherine laughed. Looking at Nancy's neck, she added, "Nicetouch."

"Where's Joe? I thought he might be here. Shouldsomebody see if he's looking for us outside?" Nancy asked.

"He's meeting us at the concert; taking a taxi tothe park," Catherine answered. "He's still using a cane, and this waywill be easier for him. He should be there in about half an hour. Weshould probably leave now and find seats. They're setting up somechairs this time because of the costumes."

Vincent waited in the hallway until Catherine hadlocked the door and escorted the women to the elevator.

The little group received more than a few stares andcomments on the way to the park, many of them aimed toward Vincent.When they reached the park, they waited where Catherine had agreed tomeet Joe, but there was no sign of a taxi. Catherine looked behindher, grabbed Vincent's arm, and pointed.

"It couldn't be. Do you suppose he's decided to comeand keep an eye on us?" she asked.

Vincent looked up and saw a familiar looking figurehobbling toward them, and for a moment he was deciding whether to beamused or annoyed; then he realized the figure had darker hair thanhe expected.

Joe walked up to them with a grin. "I decided todress as Dr. Father," he said, his eyes twinkling with mischief. Hesent me one of his canes, so I figured I'd just go for the wholepicture. The taxi dropped me off down there," he said, pointing histhumb over his shoulder. Had you worried for a minute, didn't I? Didyou think dear old dad was going to tag along?"

"For a moment we were concerned," Vincent concededwith a smile. Gesturing toward Joe's costume, he said, "Father willfeel honored."

"You've mastered the walk and the mannerisms,"Catherine laughed. "A talent I didn't know you had."

"Comes with the cane, I guess," Joe teased. "Where'sJenny?"

"Little Bo Peep, right over there," Catherine said,pointing in Jenny's direction.

About that time Jenny turned toward them and wasnearly fooled by Joe's costume, too.

"Joe?" she asked laughing. "What a greatidea."

"I wouldn't have known you, either with those blondringlets," he answered. "I guess I can't try anything out of line.Looks like you brought your cudgel," he said gesturing at hershepherd's crook with his cane.

"I can do damage, too," she assured him, playfullymaneuvering the shepherd's crook.

"We're going to find seats," Catherine announced."We want a good view of the orchestra."

"Why do they need to see the orchestra?" Jenny askedJoe quietly. "Isn't it enough to just hear it?"

"Don't ask me. I wouldn't be here if it weren'tRadcliffe asking," he answered. "Can't we go get some coffee orsomething while they sit and listen - and watch?"

"We promised. I'm staying in case somebody needs torun interference for Vincent," Jenny insisted.

"Yeah, you're right," Joe agreed, and with verygentlemanly manners offered her his arm. She curtsied, accepted anddecided the evening might hold more promise than she thought. Joeseemed to be more fun than she remembered.

"Hey, I know why Cathy wants to be up close - so hecan see everything. All he ever gets to do is listen. We take a lotfor granted, don't we?" Joe said, showing more interest in stayingthan before. Watching Vincent would be interesting - like seeingsomeone watch snow falling for the first time. The museum was lookinga little more interesting at this point, too. Joe was certain thathad never happened for Vincent before either.

The orchestra played an hour-longpops style concert with a few entertaining explanations of the musicfor the children and new listeners in the audience. They started witha few classical pieces of standard Halloween fare - "Night on BaldMountain," "Danse Macabre," "The Sorcerer's Apprentice"... The lastsection of the program was given to themes from movies and televisionprograms about magic or monsters. Vincent didn't recognize most ofthem, but he enjoyed both watching the orchestra and seeing theaudience's responses. By the end of the concert even Joe and Jennyhad to admit they had enjoyed it.

When the concert ended, Catherine couldn't resisthugging Vincent quickly. His pleasure in watching the orchestra hadbeen evident during the program.

"You heard the music differently tonight, didn'tyou?" she asked.

"Yes," he answered, still watching as the orchestraleft the stage. "I had heard the energy in the music before; but nowwhen I hear it, I can remember their faces and the choreography ofthe bows...the intensity, the director..."

"You enjoyed it, huh?" Joe asked.

"Yes," Vincent answered with a smile. "Verymuch."

Catherine had released her hold on his waistquickly, but her hand immediately went to his arm, and he placed onehand over hers.

"Jenny, why don't we sit over there and take in thecostumes for a few minutes. I saw a couple of creative ones when wegot here," Nancy suggested.

They watched the crowd leaving, commenting on someof the costumes, laughing at the creativity of others and graciouslyaccepting the comments on theirs. Someone asked Joe who he wassupposed to be.

"A grouchy old man with a bum leg and a dangerouscane," he answered, wielding his cane good-naturedly. "Don't give mea hard time."

The questioner feigned fear and walked awaylaughing.

Vincent saw something and turned to Catherine. "Waithere," he told her. "I'll be right back."

She was watching to see where he went, but Jennytouched her arm and distracted her.

"Did you see the guy over there? He's dressed as atube of toothpaste," she laughed then suddenly realized Catherine wasalone. "Where's Vincent?"

"I'm not sure," Catherine said looking back in thedirection she last saw him. "He told me to wait here. There heis."

"What's he doing?" Jenny asked.

"It looks like he's talking to one of the vendors,"Catherine answered, puzzled. "It's hard to tell. He has his backturned."

Just then Vincent turned to come back, and he hadsomething in his hands. As he came closer she could see that he hadcups.

"Hey, Jenny. Come check out this guy's costume," Joecalled.

Vincent reached Catherine's side as Jenny went tolook. He handed Catherine one of the cups.

"You've made so many of my dreams come true, Ithought I could provide a small one for you," he said.

Catherine accepted the cup and looked confused for amoment.

"It isn't daylight; but we are walking down thestreet with everyone else, no one is paying much attention, and I'vejust bought you ice cream," he explained with a smallsmile.

She rewarded him with a smile of absolute delight,remembering her dream at the hospital the year before.

"I love you," was all she could think of toanswer.

It was all Vincent needed to hear. He took ice creamto the others and guided Catherine to a bench nearby where they satand enjoyed their treats more than either of them had enjoyed icecream in a long time.

Joe, Jenny and Nancy soon joined Vincent andCatherine to see if they were ready for the trip to the museum. Theyhailed taxis, laughingly shoved Vincent into the back seat of one ofthem and started toward their next adventure.

As they approached the museum building, Vincentclaimed Catherine's hand with his. She could feel his excitementbuilding. They had to smile at the large signs that announced thetitle of the exhibit - "Ghoulies and Ghosties and Long-leggedyBeasties and Things That Go Bump in the Night."

The exhibit included the advertised mythicalcreatures, as well as a few illustrations from children's books, andpaintings depicting witches and magic. Like the costumes they hadseen, some were frightening, some were beautiful, some were funny,and every degree in between was represented as well - very fittingfor the occasion. Knowing it would be open through the weekend, Nancyplanned to bring the children later in the week and lead them to theless frightening displays.

Joe and Jenny stayed at the first exhibit a littlelonger and sat to talk for a while, giving Joe's leg arest.

They still had well more than an hour to wanderthrough the rest of the museum, and Vincent could hardly wait to seeit. Nancy turned out to be a very effective guide, and she andVincent had enthusiastic conversations about colors, textures, form,styles, artists and the various mediums they used.

Catherine included herself off and on, but she wasenjoying the interchange between Vincent and Nancy. She watchedVincent and luxuriated in the joy he felt at seeing such treasures,and in his opportunity to feel a part of what everyone else took forgranted.

When the "witching hour" struck, they reluctantlyleft the art treasures behind; and, as they reached the street,Vincent turned to take one more look, wanting to remember everydetail. Catherine took his hand.

"Nancy and I are spending the night at Daddy'sapartment. Joe is wearing out. He says all he needs right now issleep and ibuprofen. Jenny has an early meeting tomorrow, so I thinkthey're both going home from here. Nancy is taking a cab back to theapartment. You and I can stay out longer if you'd like."

"Tonight has been a joy," he said, looking down ather, "whether we see anything else or not. You have opened doors forme that I thought would be locked for my lifetime. I can find no wayto thank you."

"We'll think of something later," shegrinned.

Vincent and Catherine strolled leisurely back toCatherine's second apartment, arriving a little after one o'clock,tired but happy; and they took the elevator to thebasement.

"Thank you for tonight. It wasextraordinary."

"Yes... It was. You could come back to the apartmentand stay a while longer," she suggested.

"You have to be in court tomorrow. You shouldrest."

He kissed her softly. That fueled their need for oneanother, and the next kiss left Catherine reeling when their lipsseparated. Clinging to him for support, she asked with a shaky littlelaugh, "How many years until our wedding?"

"Weeks, not years. We'll make it," Vincent laughedsoftly. He rested his cheek against her hair, feeling a littleunsteady himself, and held her until both their heads were clearer.He kissed her again more gently and moved her away, his hands stillresting on her shoulders. Just before he opened the threshold, shecaught his arm and turned him toward her to claim anotherkiss.

"You look drop-dead gorgeous tonight, by the way,"she said, leaning against the wall with her hands behind her andwatching as he moved the bookcase. "There were women watching you allevening," Catherine said casually, but almost as achallenge.

He smiled at her indulgently. "Good-night,Catherine," he answered firmly.

"They were definitely looking. I thought I mighthave to tell one of them to back off," she called softly as thebookcase swung back into place. She was rewarded with a low-pitchedchuckle just before it latched.

Catherine stood leaning against the wall for amoment, smiling to herself and savoring her last few minutes withVincent before returning to her world.

The following day Jenny called to say she had lefther purse at Catherine's apartment and they arranged to meet at herfather's apartment that evening.

When she arrived, Jenny could see that Catherinewasn't her normal, cheerful self.

"Why don't you stay for dinner," Catherine asked. "Ipicked up Chinese on the way here, and there's enough food here forboth of us. It would be a shame for it to go to waste."

"Twist my arm just one more time," Jenny smiled."I'll get the dishes. You get the rest."

During dinner Catherine brought up a subject thathad been on her mind for a while.

"You've always liked my apartment, haven'tyou?"

"This apartment?"

"No, the other one."

"I love it. The view is great. The balcony is great.The kitchen is small enough to give me an excuse not to cook toomuch." she said mischievously.

Catherine laughed. "Enough with the cooking jokes,"she said. "Would you like to move into that apartment?"

"I can't afford that apartment," Jenny answered insurprise. "If I could, I'd take it in a minute. I'd love itthere."

"I'm not asking you to buy it, just whether you wantto live in it," Catherine said.

"I couldn't impose on you that way," Jennyprotested, all the while dying to grab the opportunity.

"You wouldn't be imposing on anything. Somebody hasto live there. You could just pay the taxes and maintenance. I wouldlove knowing you were there - that somebody loved it as much as I did-- and you'd already have a threshold to the tunnels. If the tableswere turned, you'd do the same for me. Besides, I owe you and Nancyso much for the way you accepted Vincent. There's no way to tell youhow much that means to me."

"There's no way we can tell you what it means tohave you back, either," Jenny said, reaching to place her hand overCatherine's.

"Before we both start blubbering... What about theapartment?"

"Twist my arm just one more time." Jenny laughedagain. "My lease is up for renewal at the end ofDecember."

"Great!" Catherine answered with a smile. "Then it'ssettled. You can move in anytime after Thanksgiving. That will giveme plenty of time to get my things packed. Whatever furniture I don'tmove here will go Below. It won't take long to find uses for all ofit. I need to go through Daddy's clothes and personal things, too anddecide what would be useful there."

"Do you want some company when you do that?" Jennyasked, seeing Catherine's expression change at the thought of anotherfinality. "We could start on it tonight. I can stay over and go homelong enough to change tomorrow morning."

Catherine thought a moment. She was tired, but shedidn't want to be alone for that job, and it did need to be done. Herfather would like knowing that his things were being used well. Shewould separate the things that were usable in the tunnels from thesuits, etc. that could be sent to a helper's consignment shop toprofit the community in other ways. Maybe she would have Mary look atthe suits to see if one could be altered for Father - to give himsomething more up-to-date, just in case he needed to make other tripsAbove. Tonight was as good as any to get the job done. Jenny alwaysmade things more fun. That might take the edge off the sadness in thetask.

"Do you mean it?" she asked, giving Jenny a chanceto change her mind.

"Sure," Jenny answered. "We'll start as soon as weclear the dishes."

They finished dinner in companionable conversation,disposed of the kitchen chores and set to their task. They startedwith the smaller things like belts and shoes and began the sortingwith determination. Catherine slowed the process now and then bystopping to share a memory connected to something she found; andJenny responded with an enjoyment of the memory or a hug at thesorrow that a memory was all that remained. Neither of them sleptmuch that night, but before morning, there were severalwell-organized stacks of Charles Chandler's belongings in the livingroom not far from the elevator, ready to be transported to theirappropriate destinations. Catherine had kept a few things that heldparticularly precious memories and parted with the others knowingthat her new family would appreciate them and use themwell.

With a minimum of sleep, both Catherine and Jennywere a little bleary-eyed the next morning; but both had a feeling ofaccomplishment, and both headed directly in search of a cup of coffeeon the way to work.

Catherine went to work Thursday morning feeling aweight lifted from her. She had wanted to sort through her father'sthings, but hadn't had the strength to start such a task. Jenny'shelp had made the job go more quickly, and her understanding andsense of humor had made it less emotionally wrenching. She couldn'tthank Vincent enough for bringing Jen and Nancy fully back into herlife.

"Morning Joe," she called as she passed his openoffice door.

Joe looked up and smiled. He enjoyed seeing her lookso happy. He would miss her terribly when she left, but knowing whathe now knew, he couldn't blame her for wanting a change. The changeshe was making would produce as much of a contribution to the city aswhat she was doing now.

He still had trouble understanding how Cathy couldbe so in love with Vincent. He had to call him a person after beingaround him for a while. He had a conscience, a concern for others, asense of humor, a work ethic... He would trust Vincent to care forhis nieces and nephews more easily than he would trust a lot of thenormal men he'd known. In a lot of ways he was a better man than someof the people right there in the office, but those people hadn't leftmutilated bodies behind them. Joe still had a moral dilemma stemmingfrom his knowledge of the killings, but he was coming to terms withthe idea of just living with it. What he had seen of Vincent had lefthim having difficulty believing that the soft-spoken, caring "man"he'd met could have ever have been so violent. Both Vincent andCatherine had acknowledged the fact, though, proving that neither ofthem intended to lie to him about anything.

He still worried about Vincent's assessment ofCatherine's lack of response to the killings, too. Sooner or later,she would have to face it; and having seen victims and witnesses ofparticularly brutal crimes as often as he had, he knew the longer thetrauma lay dormant, the more difficult it was likely to be to face itwhen it surfaced. To add to the problem, she couldn't go forcounseling because she couldn't tell anyone; and as far as he couldtell, she felt that she was responsible for most of it. Worst of all,the horror had been perpetrated by someone she loved beyond allunderstanding. That was a pretty heavy load to have suddenly reachyour consciousness. Right now, though, she was nearly a bride, andvery happy. There was no way he was going to bring up anything thatwould destroy that before her wedding.

Catherine settled at her desk with her large cup ofcoffee and resignedly started work on the untouched folders she hadtaken home the day before.

The rest of the week was busy, but there were nosubstantial surprises to deal with, so with less than an hour ofovertime on Friday, she managed to leave the officebehind.

Over the weekend she spent time with Mary and Sarahfor fittings and consultations about her wedding dress and met withThe Committee for a progress report session. They listed everythingthat still needed to be done and assigned responsibilities. Catherinewas overwhelmed at the effort and love that was so willingly goinginto the wedding tasks. With all the holidays they celebrated betweenthe end of October and the end of December, she was amazed that theyweren't all stressed beyond endurance. She questioned the wisdom ofadding a wedding to the normal busy end-of-the-year schedule -especially one that had grown well beyond her intended boundariesalmost by the time it was announced. It was late. The meeting hadbeen something of a marathon, starting after dinner and bubbling withexcitement and anticipation.

"Too late to back out now," she thought, smiling atthe flurry of activity she had just left behind her.

"Does The Committee have everything under control?"Vincent asked as she entered his chamber.

"You know very well that they have everything undercontrol, including us," she laughed and closed the heavy curtainVincent had installed to replace the screen at the door.

"They won't be in control much longer," he answeredas Catherine dropped into his lap and adjusted herself comfortablyagainst his chest and into the curve of his arm.

"No. By then we can go to the apartment and closethem out if they get too pushy," she answered with a smile. "Mmmmm...This feels so good."

"Yes, it does," Vincent answered, moving his handpossessively along her leg.

"There was a time - not too long ago, as a matter offact - when I thought I might never get you to kiss me, much lessmake a suggestive remark."

"I have...mellowed, as you said of Father," heanswered with a small smile, his hand still moving.

"And extremely well," she answered, mirroring hisplayful mood. "Three weeks and I won't have to leave you to go backto my apartment or the guest chamber. You will be totally,completely, one hundred per cent mine...to do with as I please." Shesaid the last few words with absolute pleasure as she moved to plantsmall kisses under his chin and wrap her arms around hisneck.

Vincent held her tighter and growled softly againsther neck, planting a few kisses of his own.

"And you will be totally, completely, one hundredper cent mine," he responded. "To do with as I please."

"Should we shock everyone and slip that into thewedding vows?" Catherine asked mischievously.

"The Committee would probably have collectiveapoplexy," Vincent chuckled in amusement. "We wouldn't want to beresponsible for that."

"I suppose not," Catherine grinned, and kissed himsoundly on the lips.

When he returned her kiss, it rapidly became lessplayful. Their hands-off policy was wearing on both of them, and theywere both breathing harder when the kiss broke.

"If I stay here, I'll lose all sense of control; andsomeone, if not the entire population of the tunnels will be enteringyour chamber to interrupt us at the worst possible moment," shelaughed shakily. "You should walk me back to the guest chamber, orI'll take no responsibility for our embarrassment."

"I probably should, but it falls very low on thelist of things I want to do," Vincent answered and kissed her oncemore before he allowed her to stand.

They walked slowly, hand in hand, to the guestchamber, talking along the way.

"I should have everything at my apartment boxed andready to move by next Sunday. I've already started. Why don't youcome for dinner on Thursday night? We can say good-bye to theapartment. There are a lot of memories there."

"Yes," Vincent answered, gently squeezing her hand."What time would you like me to be there?"

"Is nine o'clock safe this time of year?" sheasked.

"I think I can make it safe," he smiled.

They said good-night at the door of the guestchamber, not trusting themselves to go inside alone, and parted untilmorning.

Catherine left the tunnels on Sunday afternoon togive herself time for more sorting and packing before she had to goto work the next morning. She was still trying to understand where ithad all been stored before she started sorting and boxing.

Tom Mason promised that the lower elevator would becomplete the week of the wedding, and on Wednesday afternoon,everyone concerned proclaimed her father's apartment finished.Catherine felt another weight lifted.

On Thursday afternoon the jury was still out on thecase Catherine had expected would have been decided the day before.She told Joe he would have to take her place if the verdict came inthat night.

"Tell them I'm sick. Tell them I was called away foran emergency. Tell them I just don't want to be there. Tell themanything you want. I don't care. This time Vincent comes first," shetold him adamantly.

"Yes, ma'am," he answered when she finished herdemand and stalked back to her desk to collect her things and gohome.

Catherine chose to wear a deep green dress, cut lowin the front so her crystal could be seen to best advantage, althoughshe knew that her jewelry wouldn't be Vincent's strongestinterest.

The apartment was lit by candles and decorated witha few vases of flowers. The table had candles and a bud vase with tworoses, one red and one white. She hadn't been extravagant indecorating, but she wanted to make the evening look romantic. Thenight was cool, so a fire was crackling invitingly in thefireplace.

Vincent arrived on the balcony at nine o'clock, andCatherine met him at the door and took his hand to lead him inside.He wore the dark blue pants and high boots she had loved at Halloweenalong with his ruffled shirt and a long, leather vest. He wore thenew suede cloak for the occasion.

She had prepared dinner herself and was very proudof the results. She had bought the rolls from a bakery, but she hadput together a baked potato and a salad on her own. The steaks - oneof which was a size she was pretty certain Vincent hadn't had placedin front of him before &endash; were still cooking. She was pleasedwith herself so far. She realized that this, sandwiches, eggs, toast,and things from cans and frozen packages pretty well covered hercooking skills; but she was bright. She could learn.

"I've missed you," he said softly.

"I've missed you, too." She stood on tiptoe to givehim a kiss then led him to the kitchen.

"Nothing is burning," Vincent teased in mockamazement.

"You and Jenny give me no credit at all," shelaughed, and pushed him in the chest with one hand for emphasis. "Youdon't have to eat it if you don't trust my cooking."

"It smells good," he said in a more conciliatorytone, peeking over her shoulder to see what was there.

"That's better," she answered with a flirtatioussmile. "I'll still feed you if your manners improve."

Vincent chuckled as she checked thesteaks.

She decided they were done, filled the plates andhanded them to Vincent to take to the table. Taking the salads fromthe refrigerator, she followed him. Everything else was already inplace.

Looking at the steak she gave him, Vincent said "Iremember hearing stories of steaks this size, but I don't believeI've ever seen one. Did you really believe I would be thishungry?"

"I didn't want you to go home and need to raidWilliam's kitchen. It would only encourage the jokes about mycooking,"

Vincent smiled, knowing that was probablytrue.

"You did all this for me?" he said, looking aroundthe apartment appreciatively. "...When you have so many other thingsto do before you move."

"It's the last time we'll be here together," shesaid softly, reaching to touch his hand. "I wanted it to feelspecial."

"When we're together, it always feels special,Catherine - with or without roses and candlelight," he answered,placing his other hand over hers.

"I love you," she said softly, then retrieved herhand, took her napkin from the table and put it in her lapdeterminedly. "You should eat your dinner. If you don't start now, Imay not let you," she said suggestively.

"Is that a promise?" he asked with a smile and nomovement at all toward his meal.

"Eat!" Catherine demanded good-naturedly. "Steak ismuch better when it's still hot."

They enjoyed their quiet, easy conversation, both asan opportunity to have time alone together and as a precursor ofevenings to come after their marriage. Vincent helped her clear thedishes after the meal, and they sat together on one of the sofas infront of the fireplace. She took Vincent's boots off for him andencouraged him to prop his feet on the table, then she swung her legsacross his lap and snuggled against his shoulder with his arm aroundher. They sat that way for a while, enjoying the uninterruptedcloseness and the calm, unhurried atmosphere of their last evening atthe apartment, then Vincent leaned to kiss her and the atmospherechanged. Catherine leaned back against the pillows at the arm of thesofa, and Vincent followed. Her arms moved around his neck and hiskisses fell on her cheeks, down to her neck, and across hershoulders. Just as she made a little sound of pleasure that furtherincited Vincent's intentions the phone rang.

"Ignore it," Catherine said when Vincent stopped hisattentions to her shoulders. "The answering machine will getit."

The answering machine wasn't to be ignored, either.They suddenly heard Joe's voice saying, "Cathy, I know you're there.Pick up. The verdict's in."

"You know you want the answer," Vincent said, movingback into an upright position on the sofa.

Catherine made a frustrated growling sound andanswered the phone.

"Hope I didn't interrupt anything," Joe's way toocheerful voice said. "I thought you'd want to know you won. He won'thave an opportunity to hurt another child for a very long time. Goodwork, Radcliffe."

"Thanks. And thank you for covering for metonight."

"Good date?"

"Yeah. So far this phone call is the only glitch inthe evening."

Vincent had moved out to the balcony and stoodleaning forward with both hands on the brick wall. He laughed softlyat Catherine's response to Joe's phone call.

"Oh, did I interrupt something interesting?" Joeteased, not actually considering what he might haveinterrupted.

"I'll see you tomorrow," Catherine answered firmlyand hung up the phone. She walked out to the balcony to joinVincent.

Vincent held out his arm and Catherine tuckedherself against him, relishing the warmth and comfort of his armdrawing her close and wrapping her in his cloak. They stood andlooked out over the city as they had so often in the past.

"Would you like to go back inside?" Catherineasked.

"Perhaps we should stay here," Vincent answered. "Inthree weeks you will be my wife, with all the fringe benefits. Thisplace has always been the meeting of our worlds - the place where wedreamed of what could be. The interruptions we've encountered may betelling us that it should remain the place for our dreams. In lessthan a month our dreams will become reality. Shall we exercise ourself-control a little longer?"

"We can do that," Catherine answered. "It won't beas much fun, but we can do that. That little sofa wouldn't have givenus much room, anyway," she said looking up at him with a frustratedsmile. "Telephones and doorbells are real mood-breakers, aren'tthey?"

He laughed gently and pulled her close, brushing akiss against the top of her head and resting his cheekthere.

Tell me about your case," he encouraged. "I take ityou were successful."

Catherine told him about the case, and Joe's reportof the outcome.

"Your work accomplishes such good in your world. Areyou certain you want to give this up, Catherine?" he asked withconcern, moving to look directly into her eyes as he spoke. "I don'twant you to have any regrets about the changes you've made forme."

"My new work will accomplish a lot of good, too. I'msure I've made the right decisions - about you, about work, about theapartment, about everything... I'm certain, Vincent. I'm verycertain."

He pulled her close again, breathing a quiet sigh ofrelief. He still had feelings of guilt for closing so many paths herlife had allowed her before, but she loved him. He knew that. She hadvoluntarily closed some of those paths well more than a year ago, andhad shown no sign of missing any of them except her two closestfriends. She had those friends back now. Regardless of his naggingfeelings of guilt, he no longer had the strength to even considersending her away. Their lives would be permanently linked in a fewshort weeks, and the joy in his heart rose to great proportions everytime he thought about it.

Catherine recognized what he was feeling andconsciously allowed her love and confidence to surface to reassurehim.

They enjoyed their last night on the balcony,talking and enjoying their plans for the future until well aftermidnight.

That Saturday Jenny and Nancy met Catherine to goBelow for an overnight visit and dress fittings. This time she tookthem through the threshold behind the boxes in her storage room. Shealso gave them both keys to the storage room in her new apartment.They were now accepted readily as helpers, with access to the tunnelsanytime they wanted to visit. They might as well have easyaccess.

The dresses fit well. With the finishing touchescompleted, Mary and Sarah could breathe a sigh of relief that thesewing for the big day was complete.

Nancy and Jenny stayed overnight in the guestchambers, and went back home the following afternoon. Catherine andJenny agreed to repeat their Green Eggs and Ham reading forthe children; but this time, having heard the reports from the youngones, some of the adults insisted on having the reading in Father'scommon chamber so there would be room for them to listen, too.Everyone went away thoroughly entertained.

Catherine again lagged behind the others when it wastime to leave, wanting a few more minutes alone with Vincent. After akiss that would probably lead Vincent to consider another cold swim,she reached for the ladder; then she remembered her earlierconversation with Nancy and turned before she wentfurther.

"Nancy asked me again about bringing Paul and thechildren to the wedding," Catherine said. "What should I tell her? Ihave the feeling you would rather they didn't come."

"I would rather they didn't come now," he answered,lowering his head to screen his face from her and losing thelight-hearted feeling he'd had only moments before.

"Why?" Catherine asked. "Does something concern youabout Nancy?"

"Something concerns me about what she should be toldbefore she introduces me to her family. Joe knows everything. Heworks with the results of brutal crimes often, and even he hasdifficulty imagining the kind of violence that would cause the deathshe knows of. Nancy deserves to know what I'm capable of before sheexposes her family &endash; especially her children - to me. Sheshould know what questions she may have to answer sometime in thefuture."

Feeling the pain that permeated him at thatstatement, Catherine closed the distance between them and hugged himtightly.

"I would rather tell her after the wedding if youdon't mind," he said, resting his head on hers. "I want you to haveyour friends with you. I don't want to frighten them away. We'll talkto them soon. If they can still accept me, perhaps Paul can beinvited to Winterfest, and the children sometime later."

"I understand. I'll think of something to tell her.I'm sorry, Vincent. If it weren't for me..."

"Not now," he answered, placing one clawed fingergently on her lips. "We have to face this, but now is not the time.Our marriage is soon, and it should be a joyful occasion. We have alifetime after that to work out all the problems that come with it...and we have more than our fair share."

"Yes," Catherine agreed quietly and accepted hiscomforting embrace before she climbed the ladder back into herworld.

The following two weeks were a blur for Catherine.The apartment was ready to become their second home, and the weddingplans seemed to be well under control. She certainly didn't lack forhelp. When she was in the tunnels, the members of The Committeebombarded her with plans and questions; and when she was at home,Nancy and Jenny were calling. She would be glad when all that was afond memory and she could just have Vincent to herself for awhile.

Her lunch times were spent shopping for things forVincent to keep at their apartment. "Their apartment" - the thoughtnearly consumed her with contentment. She found him a few necessitiesthat weren't too different from what he wore in the tunnels. She alsobought one pair of very large, silk pajamas - for herself, as well asfor him. She couldn't help but imagine the feel of the silk over thehair, over the muscles...

Devin's plane arrived at LaGuardia at 10:00 p.m. Hegathered his luggage, hailed a taxi, and headed for the hole in theground he called home. It was hard for him to contain the smile thatautomatically rose in him each time he thought of the reason for hisvisit. His little brother was going to be married, and he was to bebest man. He wondered how Catherine had managed to pull Vincent outof that cocoon his father had helped him build around himself for somany years. After his first visit he could see that if anyone couldmanage Vincent, it was Chandler. Not only had Little Brother found awoman who loved him; he had found a rich, good-lookingone.

The taxi dropped him at the home of a helper. He haddecided that taking luggage into Central Park late at night mightlook too suspicious. Mrs. Baker insisted on feeding him before hewent Below, knowing that William's kitchen would be closed at thathour. He ate and visited with Mrs. Baker and her daughter for a fewextra minutes before descending through the threshold in theirbasement.

Catherine had a long, difficult day. It was Tuesdaynight, the wedding was only three days away, and she was trying tofinish everything before she left on Wednesday afternoon. She hadrefused to allow Joe to lighten her workload too much because shestill felt guilty about taking so much time off and then quitting afew months after returning. She didn't want it to appear that he wasgiving her special favors.

Joe now knew everything and was trying to ease theworkload as much as he could until after the wedding, but the workitself wasn't cooperating.

There had been a series of small but time consuminglittle surprises and Catherine was way behind the goals she had setfor herself. She had planned to work on Wednesday and go Below earlyin the evening, but she needed to be with Vincent right now. Shecould feel some of the strength and comfort she needed drifting toher through their bond, but she needed it to be up close andpersonal.

Finally realizing that she would accomplish more thenext day after some rest -and probably accomplish it in less time;she resolutely slammed the folder in her hands shut and dropped itnoisily on her desk. Never looking back, she gathered her coat andpurse and left everything else behind.

Vincent was dressed for bed, not expecting to seeCatherine until Wednesday night. He had felt her exhaustion andfrustration during the day and expected that she would go home,shower, and fall asleep. Now he realized she was on her way to thetunnels. He pulled his boots on over his knit pants, threw his cloakaround him and met her when she was halfway to hischamber.

"I didn't expect to see you tonight," he said,obviously pleased to have been wrong.

"I won't stay long," she told him. "You need rest,too. This will be a busy few days for both of us."

"So you made this trip just for a short visit? Youmust have missed me," he answered, taking her hand as they walkedtoward his chamber.

"I made this visit for a hug. Do you suppose I couldfind one?"

"Joe wouldn't give you a hug and save you this longjourney?"

"Those hugs just don't work as well as yours. Icould feel some frustration in you today, too. Where was that comingfrom?"

"You have left me alone with a number of women whointend to produce a perfect wedding - a large number of women with alarge number of plans and questions," he answeredgood-naturedly.

Catherine laughed, feeling better just being nearhim. She could imagine his efforts to be patient with questions, andprobably instructions, coming from so many directions. As much as shewas looking forward to marrying him, she would also be glad when theycould stop worrying about the ceremony.

By the time they reached his chamber she had toldhim briefly about her day and he had told her about his. Both weremore fun in the retelling than they had been in reality.

The room was dark except for the light from thestained glass window, and Vincent moved to light candles; butCatherine stopped him.

"There's no need for that. I can't stay long, and wedon't need light for a hug.

He sat on the bed and she sat down beside him, thenhe leaned back on the pillows and invited her into his arms. Shegladly moved to the pillows next to the window and snuggled close tohim. They held each other, indulged in a few kisses and a very closeembrace and talked quietly, each providing the other with the peaceof mind they had longed for all day.

Devin was passing Father's chamber. He knew Fatherwould be asleep and had no intention of waking him, but his brotherwas another story. Vincent never minded seeing him, no matter whattime of the day or night. He stopped briefly at the sight of thecurtain, wondering why it was there; then he barged right in,dropping his bags noisily on the floor.

"Hey, Vincent. You awake?" he laughed.

Vincent's response was a menacing snarl as he turnedtoward the sound, moving one arm protectively overCatherine

"Calm down, Little Brother. It's justme."

Catherine rose from behind Vincent, propping herselfon her elbows.

"Hello, Devin," she said, not in her best welcomingtone.

"Oh... It isn't just you, though, is it?" Devinanswered. They could practically see his mischievous grin in thedark. "Sorry, guys. You two couldn't wait a couple more days?" heasked. He was much too amused at catching his very proper littlebrother with a woman in his bed to sound nearly as contrite as heshould under the circumstances.

"He doesn't seem to be going away," Catherine toldVincent dryly.

"Do you suppose my family will ever learn toannounce themselves before entering a chamber in the middle of thenight?" Vincent asked, following her lead.

"Who else has... No! Don't tell me the old manwalked in on this. I'd love to have been here for that," Devinlaughed.

Vincent was, by then, out of the bed and lightingcandles; and Catherine sat on the side of the bed. Devin could seethat they were both fully dressed, even though Vincent was in hisnight clothes. Having lit enough candles to provide reasonable light,Vincent greeted Devin with a hug.

"It's good to have you home. We didn't expect to seeyou until tomorrow evening."

"You obviously didn't expect to see me tonight,"Devin answered, grinning over Vincent's shoulder atCatherine.

"You interrupted only a little comfort at the end ofa long day," Vincent assured him as he stepped away.

"And Father only interrupted a kiss," Catherine saidas she stood and gave Devin a hug, too. "Sorry to disappoint you,"she added, patting his cheek slightly harder than necessary. "Welcomehome."

"Thanks, Sis," he answered. "Sis. I like the soundof that."

"I need to go home and get some rest. Tomorrow willbe a hectic day. You two catch up," Catherine smiled. "Don't keep himup too late, Devin. He's going to have a couple of busy days ahead ofhim,"

Vincent walked Catherine to the door, and she turnedto give him a hug. 'Forget Devin,' she thought. 'We'll be married inthree more days.'

Vincent returned her embrace, seeming to have cometo the same conclusion. She stood on tiptoe and gave him a soft, warmkiss, then stroked his cheek longingly before leaving. Vincent leanedon the doorway briefly, watching her go.

"Wow. If one little good-night kiss can stir up thatmany sparks, I'm gonna be green with envy on the wedding night. Sowhat about the bed? Has there been more than a little comfort at theend of a long day yet?" Devin asked with a suggestivelook.

"Devin, you will show Catherine more respect,"Vincent snapped, the earlier snarl barely below thesurface.

"Believe me, I mean Catherine no disrespect. I'mjust happy for you. I want you to have everything you're supposed tohave in your life. You know, most men would be proud to talk to abrother about having a woman like Catherine in..."

"Have I ever been listed among 'most men'?" Vincentasked.

"Come on, Vincent. Talk to me. If you have, don'tyou think her girlfriends know? You said Jenny and the other one...Nancy... know everything now. Do you think women don't talk, too?I've met Jenny, and if anybody could drag information out ofChandler, that woman could."

Vincent did need someone to talk to and as much ashis brother teased, he knew their conversation would remain betweenthe two of them. He concentrated on lighting a few more candles as hespoke.

"Catherine never meant to tell them anything. Jennyknows Catherine well enough to ask the right questions, make theright statements, and read the answers in her responses. She haddreams about us. 'I was making Catherine very happy,' I believe wasthe way she phrased it."

"I really am sorry. If I hadn't come barging in whenI did..." Devin started

"It would have changed nothing," Vincent saidfirmly. "We intend to wait until after the wedding."

"I thought you were 'making Catherine very happy,'"he said with some appropriate eyebrow activity.

"We were getting careless," Vincent answered with ashort, self-conscious chuckle. "The only way to control ourselves wasabstinence."

"There must be a story behind that," Devinchortled.

"Maybe another time," Vincent answered. "Right nowit's all new and something we wish to keep between the two of us. Noone here knows, and we'd like to keep it that way."

"Need any advice?" Devin grinned. "Anything I can doto help?"

"You could save me from the wedding planners."Vincent answered with a smile. They seem to beeverywhere."

"Sorry, Kid. I've been all over the world, and I'veobserved in nearly every culture that a man cannot be saved from thewedding planners - but I'll do my best to runinterference."

"Any help will be welcome," Vincent answered, stillsmiling. "We'll talk about the wedding tomorrow. Right now, tell mewhere you've been. What have you been doing?"

Devin knew when to give up. He told Vincent aboutliving in the mountains with Charles for a while. They met an oldercouple while they were there who had lost a son to a genetic disordersimilar to his. They took a liking to Charles and offered him apermanent home. They offered Devin a place to stay anytime he wantedto visit, so Devin was off on his adventures again. He told Vincentabout some of his time in Alaska working on an oil rig. He enjoyed itfor a while, but decided against staying longer after experiencing anAlaska winter. His plane tonight had arrived from nice, warm SanDiego where he was now working for an investment firm.

Vincent stretched out on the bed to listen, his armsfolded behind his head the way he did when they were young and Devinwould tell him about his adventures Above. They talked until the weehours of the morning before they both succumbed to the need forsleep.

Devin knew the guest chamber wouldn't be prepared.No one had expected him that night. He changed into sweat pants and aT-shirt and put out all but one small candle.

"Move over, Bro," he ordered, sitting down on theside of the bed.

"Devin..." Vincent protested.

"Hey, I know I'm not much of a substitute for whatwas here when I came in, but I'm not looking for sheets and blanketsat this time of night. If I'm sleeping anywhere comfortable tonight,it looks like this is it," he said, shoving at Vincent.

Vincent moved over and turned toward the window.Devin settled in on his own side of the bed and pulled the covers uparound his neck and shoulders. Feeling the covers slipping away fromhim, Vincent yanked them back, feeling himself reverting tochildhood.

"You can't hog the covers anymore," Vincent told himfirmly, pulling them back in place around himself.

"Why not?" Devin asked with a chuckle. "It alwaysworked before."

"Because I'm bigger than you now," Vincentresponded, emphasizing that statement with another small,self-satisfied tug.

Devin laughed at the brotherly teasing, burroweddown into his fair share of the covers, and fell asleep.

When Vincent didn't arrive in Father's chamber tomeet him for breakfast at the usual time, Father went to look forhim. Entering Vincent's chamber, Father saw the luggage, and by thelight of the one small, guttering candle he could see a second personin Vincent's bed. Just as he started to retreat, thinking he wasintruding again, he realized the second figure was much larger thanCatherine. He moved closer and saw that it was Devin.

Standing at the side of the bed, he watched themsleep for a few minutes, remembering such times when they werechildren. He noticed the covers and smiled to himself at the factthat Devin didn't have them all this time. He remembered having tobring extra quilts for Vincent when they were small. Finally,thinking of the several busy days ahead of them, he mustered up hisbest dad voice.

"Time to get up boys," he said as loudly as he hadin their youth.

Vincent stirred and opened his eyes briefly, butDevin didn't respond at all.

"Vincent! Devin! Wake up. William won't be servingbreakfast all morning," Father all but shouted sternly, trying tosquelch the chuckle that was building as he watched hissons.

Vincent and Devin opened their eyes to find Fatherstanding next to the bed smiling at them fondly, his hands resting ontop of his cane.

"It's been a long time since I could wake both myboys together," Father observed.

"And it will be a long time before it happensagain," Vincent responded as he sat up.

Devin just waved slightly and closed his eyesagain.

"If I have to get up, you do too," Vincent told him.He smiled mischievously as he snatched the covers away, leaving Devinexposed to the chilly tunnel air. "You're the one who kept me up halfthe night."

"Is he always this pleasant first thing in themorning?" Devin asked, almost able to joke about it. He drowsilypulled himself to a sitting position.

Father was smiling broadly now, enjoying the easybanter between his two sons.

"Good morning, Father," Devin said, rising to givethe older man a hug.

"Welcome home," Father answered, hugging his olderson, warming with the thought that they had now begun to mend somelong neglected fences between them.

"Make yourselves presentable and meet me in thedining hall," Father instructed as he left.

"Hasn't changed much, has he?" Devin grinned,running his fingers through his hair.

Vincent chuckled at Devin's half-awake state as hegathered his clothes and dressed. Devin was moving more slowly, butmanaged to dress in a respectable length of time, and the two of themmet Father in the dining hall. Devin was immediately added to theschedule for Thanksgiving chores and given an appointment time by TheCommittee for wedding instructions.

"Remind me to make my next visit when there isn't somuch going on," he grumbled to Vincent as they finished their meal."Can't we sneak off somewhere this afternoon like we usedto?"

Catherine arrived in the tunnels right after work.She and The Committee arranged everything that could be leftovernight in The Great Hall and organized everything they would haveto move the next morning. Everyone else in the tunnels seemed to beworking on daily chores and Thanksgiving arrangements. With that manywilling hands, everything seemed to be falling into place.

The Thanksgiving meal was usually a real treat, andthis one was no exception. Helpers were generous around the holidays.Generally there were no free guest chambers because former tunnelchildren often came home for the holiday. Some of the helpers wouldcome as well. As in many families, it was a joyous and noisy reunion.To add to this year's festivities, there was the excitement about thewedding. Thanks were given for the old and new members of thecommunity and for its safety and success through anotheryear.

Catherine had intended to spend the night in theapartment Above to allow her guest chamber to be used for anothervisitor, but Mary and Sarah wouldn't hear of it. They didn't intendto miss one minute of this wedding day.

By late evening, after a short wedding rehearsal inthe dining hall, Catherine and Vincent were exhausted. Finallymanaging to wrestle a little time alone out of the busy andwell-inhabited tunnel holiday, they collapsed into the big chair inthe guest chamber and both breathed a sigh of relief.

"I'm envious," Vincent said against her hair as heheld her.

"Why?"

"If someone looks for you here, you can pretend tobe asleep. I have to manage to reach my chamberundetected."

"What do you suppose your chances might be," sheasked, amused.

"Slim to none," he answered with a rueful chuckleand kissed her forehead. "Do you realize this is the last time I haveto leave you in the guest chamber?"

"I've thought of very little else during any freemoment all day."

"I know," he said. "We have to find a way to controlsome of those thoughts of yours. They can be very distracting - withthe strong possibility of embarrassing."

Catherine laughed and nestled into the warmth of hisarms, contentedly imagining never again having to spend their nightsin separate rooms.

"Hey! You two behaving?" Devin's voice called fromthe passageway. He had heard his brother's voice when hearrived.

Catherine started to stand, but Vincent stoppedher.

"This time tomorrow Devin will be your brother, aswell as mine; and I don't want to give this up yet. There areelaborate plans to keep me from seeing my bride until the ceremonytomorrow, and I'd like this moment to last as long aspossible."

She kissed his cheek and smiled.

"Come in, Devin," she called. "Your timing isimpeccable, as always."

"I might leave you alone tomorrow night if you'renice to me," he grinned devilishly. "Mary asked me to bring you this,Chandler. She said you left it in the dining hall." He handed her alist she would need for the next morning.

"Thanks Devin," she said, putting it on the tablebetween the bed and the chair. "I hadn't missed it yet."

"Wonder why?" he said with a big, mischievous smile."Are you there because you didn't think you could get away withthere?" he asked, nodding toward the bed.

"He knows?" Catherine asked Vincent, leaning herforehead against his cheek.

"He operates very much like Jenny," Vincentanswered, and Catherine chuckled.

"You can't stay here all night, you know. Peoplewill talk." Devin teased, looking at his brother. "I'll wait for youin your chamber. We have Big Brother/Best Man things to talkabout."

"This time tomorrow...one hundred per cent mine..."Catherine said, looking up at Vincent and knowing Vincent would onehundred per cent understand. She stood and said, "Go and talk to yourbrother as a single man. Your hours are numbered."

Vincent took a deep breath of resignation and stoodto follow Devin.

"Wait outside, Devin," Catherine ordered. "He's minefor a minute."

Devin flashed his devilish grin one more time andwent to wait in the passage.

Catherine pushed Vincent against the wall, moldedherself against him, kissed him thoroughly, and touched him in a waythat hadn't happened in a good while.

"I thought you told me to go," he said with one ofhis small smiles. "You're sending mixed signals."

"Promises," Catherine answered flirtatiously, "Soyou'll dream about me until tomorrow night."

"I believe you've just assured that," he chuckledsoftly and kissed her before he reluctantly joined Devin.

Devin was grinning again when Vincent joinedhim.

"That's a satisfied look. Must have been some'good-night,'" he teased.

"You can be vexing at times. Has anyone ever toldyou that? This had better be a very important conversation," Vincentwarned him as they walked back to his chamber."

"It might be worth your time," Devin answered, "butyou probably want me to wait until we close the curtain at yourdoor."

Vincent looked at his brother questioningly but saidnothing else.

Safely ensconced in Vincent's chamber, Vincent satin the chair next to his desk as Devin broached the subject he meantto discuss.

"I know you don't need the basic birds and bees talkanymore, but I know you. You still don't think of yourself as quitehuman enough, so you may not trust your wants to be human wants.That's what Big Brother hauled you in here for." Devin paced briefly,then launched into a short litany of affairs with several women - atone point bringing Vincent to ask, "A woman would want to dothat?"

"This one did," Devin answered. "That's what I'mtrying to tell you. Don't assume that because of the way you look,your response isn't human. If it's what you want and what Catherinewants, it's probably a perfectly normal human desire. Hey, does thatbond thing work when..."

"Yes. Otherwise I may never have had the nerve."Vincent answered, not looking directly at Devin.

"Does she know... ?"

"Yes."

"Wow!" Devin breathed in awe. "No wonder you didn'thave any questions. I guess you were 'making Catherine veryhappy,'"

"Does that mean our discussion is complete?" Vincentasked as he stood.

"Yeah, I guess so," Devin answered. "I'm reallyhappy for you Little Brother, and more than a little jealous. The twoof you are likely to have more to contend with than most, but I don'tthink for a second that you won't have a good life together. If I'mlucky, one day I might find somebody who loves me even half as muchas she loves you." He gave Vincent a warm, brotherly hug. "Get somesleep if you can," he grinned. "See you in the morning."

"Sleep well, Devin... Thank you," Vincent answeredappreciatively.

Vincent woke the day of his wedding feeling thelove, joy and anticipation from Catherine flowing into his heart. Hecouldn't seem to stop smiling and imagined her having the sameproblem. He no longer had doubts. He no longer had fears. He nolonger worried that he was limiting her life. He now simply acceptedher love and her desire to live her life with him. However misguidedhe once saw it on her part, he now accepted that it was her decisionto make, and was grateful that she had decided in his favor. The onlynervousness he felt was concern that he might do something wrongduring the ceremony. He stretched, luxuriating in thoughts of havingCatherine with him as long as he lived and reached to the table nextto his bed to pick up the schedule The Committee had given him thenight before. They had planned the day to avoid having Vincent crosspaths with either Catherine or her wedding dress before she walkeddown the aisle to marry him. He wondered how he would get through theday without seeing her when she was so close.

Catherine woke feeling the same way Vincent did. Shecould feel his confidence in their decision - something she thoughtmight never happen; and she felt no last minute doubts. They had beenthrough too much together to leave room for doubts that their lovecould survive. All that remained was the ceremony to publicly cementtheir commitment to one another and start their new life together.The Committee's schedule was what Devin had brought her the nightbefore.

With resigned sighs, knowing neither would see theother any time soon, Vincent and Catherine sat up in their beds,consulted their schedules and prepared for the day'sevents.

Their breakfast schedules were separate, Vincenteating first and being dispatched to open the door of the Great Halland assist with moving some of the things that would have given thewomen some difficulty. After his duties were complete, they wouldbring Catherine to help them oversee the final preparations.Mid-afternoon should see the hall decorated and prepared for thewedding and by late afternoon the caterers would start deliveringtheir wares for the reception. Catherine would be given time for aleisurely bath, hair drying, etc. Nancy and Jenny would be there bythen to help, and Joe would be joining Vincent as the last member ofwedding party. If everything ran according to The Committee's plans,this wedding should go without a hitch.

When seven o'clock arrived the crowd was gathered inThe Great Hall, the small orchestra from the tunnels as well as a fewmusicians from Above were providing the music. Catherine was waitingout of sight of the others, Vincent and Devin were ready to enter andFather and Jason were prepared to speak to the congregation. Thecongregation was ready to get on with the wedding they had allanticipated for so long.

Father spoke first. He referred to the love betweenVincent and Catherine and of their selfless love for others. Hewelcomed Catherine into his heart and his family, saying that shealready held that place - they were here only to make it official. Hemade mention of his well-known original doubts, which brought aripple of laughter from the crowd, and his complete lack of doubtnow. He then deferred to Jason to perform the ceremony.

The orchestra began the wedding music, and Vincentand Devin appeared from one side of the hall. Vincent wore blacktrousers with new black cuffed leather boots. His white silk ruffledshirt was worn with a deep green suede vest. An aisle had beenarranged from the steps at the entrance to a platform set up near thetapestries on the other side of the room. Kanin and Olivia came downthe aisle together followed by an amazingly well-behaved andwell-dressed Mouse accompanying Jamie and looking very proud. Joe andJenny took their places with the rest of the wedding party, thenNancy made her entrance. The orchestra began the Trumpet Voluntaryfor the bride, and everyone turned to look for Catherine.

Her dress was simple. She thought that wasappropriately in keeping with the tunnels and a compliment to whatVincent wore. It was similar to the one she wore at Halloween, butmade of soft, winter white velvet with long, pointed sleeves, a highwaist, and a low cut neckline. Mary and Sarah had decorated it subtlywith matching lace and small, iridescent beads that caught just theright glow from the candlelight and complimented the crystal shewore. Her veil was long and made in several layers, one of whichcovered her face. It was attached to a wreath of flowers Myra hadlovingly created for her. She held a cascading bouquet of roses inone hand and held Peter's arm with the other as she walked towardVincent. Neither Vincent nor Catherine thought they had ever seen asight as beautiful as the other, and neither was much aware of anyoneelse in the room. They quickly found it necessary to be aware of theminister when he asked, "Who gives this woman to be married to thisman?"

Peter placed his hand lovingly over Catherine's andpatted it gently. Turning to the minister, he answered, "I do." Hethen kissed her on the cheek and ushered her to Vincent.

Jason began the service, looking with great joy andpride at his childhood friend and mentor and the lovely woman whointended to share his life. Vincent and Catherine had discussed thepossibility of writing their own vows; but with the wedding growinginto the event it had become, they decided in favor of keeping thingsas simple as possible. Jason guided them through their vows and theexchange of their rings, hearing a sincerity in their responses thatwarmed his heart.

After the exchange of rings Vincent took Catherine'shand and kissed her fingers where he had placed the ring, thegreatest physical display of affection their family had been allowedto see at that point. He lifted the veil from her face, and Catherinedrew his larger hand to her lips and kissed the back of his furredfingers the same way he had kissed hers. All the while they gazedinto each other's eyes with a look that held the crowd in the GreatHall spellbound. Jason, both the minister and the friend, smiled atthis unlikely pair, who he thought would probably have a moresuccessful marriage than most normal couples, and pronounced them manand wife. Vincent turned and took Catherine into a quietly lovingembrace and held her close, resting his head close to hers almostreverently; and her arms went around his waist, her head resting onhis chest. Applause was about to break out when they separated, thenhis hand went to her cheek and his fingers slid slightly into herhair at the back of her neck as if they had minds of their own. WhenCatherine's hands went to his chest, the scattered applause died andthere was a sudden silence when everyone realized what they mightsee. Vincent leaned his face toward Catherine's to place a slow,gentle, loving kiss on her lips, and she responded by sliding herarms up to his shoulders to accept and return it.

The collective, silent holding of breath was finallyreleased when the kiss ended and Kipper's voice broke the silence bysimply saying "Woh!" in a quiet tone of absolute awe. He echoed thethoughts of everyone there. For Vincent and Catherine it hadn't beena passionate kiss, but the electricity Father had mentioned toVincent filled the room. Kipper would always remember that kiss asthe moment his young hormones had sprung to life, and Samantha, aswell as a couple of the other girls, suddenly looked much moreinteresting than they had a few minutes earlier.

Couples with children began to scout the hall forprospective babysitters for the evening, and the crowd began to relaxinto giggles and twitters and comments. After that kiss, many of thewomen in the room would never again see Vincent in quite the samebrotherly light. Before the response grew any more, the ministerquickly took advantage of the relative quiet.

"Ladies and gentlemen," he announced in his bestcathedral voice, "I present to you Vincent and Catherine... Hehesitated briefly at the unfamiliar thought of giving Vincent asurname, "...Wells," he finished, as if just making a discovery.Please offer them your support and your prayers in their new lifetogether."

The applause and cheering was thunderous, andmatched by the size of Vincent's smile. Catherine looked just ashappy when she took his arm to walk down the aisle to the receptionarea at the other end of the room. About halfway down the aisleVincent, in his joy, suddenly lost all sense of propriety and sweptCatherine up in his arms to carry her the rest of the way. Theirlaughter disappeared into their audience's response to Vincent'sunexpected lapse of decorum. Reaching the end of their walk, heplaced a kiss on Catherine's cheek and gently put her down. Theirsmiles were contagious, spreading to everyone in the room.

The members of the wedding party, by virtue ofhaving followed them down the aisle, had the first opportunity tocongratulate the newlyweds, starting a crush of enthusiasticwell-wishers Vincent and Catherine weren't sure would ever end. Therewas no semblance of a receiving line. It rapidly became a veryinformal reception. Eventually they were able to cut the work ofart/wedding cake that William and a helper had created and to pointthe congregation's attention to the reception tables. The childrenled the adults to the food, and the musicians made their way back totheir instruments to strike up a waltz. Vincent and Catherine startedthe dance alone. The onlookers watched for a while, enjoying how wellthey moved together; and then, a few at a time, they drifted on thedance floor to join them, cutting in on them over and over as theevening progressed.

They were married, Vincent was fully recovered, thecommunity was happy for them, Catherine's closest friends could nowshare in her happiness, there were no present threats to their livesor the tunnels... They could finally relax and allow themselves to behappy for a while. Their new life had actually begun; and they knewthat whatever happened, whatever came, they would face it together...and they would endure.