Catherine left the office early that evening. She just could not concentrate on her work. She had not been able to tell Vincent about the baby the day before, as he had been in such turmoil. She could sense his pain and felt that she could not possibly add to his worries. But today she had not been able to stop thinking about it, she was still in shock herself. Tonight, she would tell Vincent about what had happened in the tunnel and about the baby.

She arrived at her apartment and unable to eat, paced in front of the fireplace going over and over in her mind what she would say. How would he take the news that they had consummated their relationship but he had no memory of it? And then there was the child. A knock at the window jolted her out of her daydream and she went to the balcony. Vincent was there waiting for her. "Catherine" he said softly, "I got your message. What is it"? She walked towards him and wrapped her arms around his waist. "Vincent" she whispered as she buried her head softly into his chest. "Catherine, please tell me what's troubling you"?

Her courage was failing her, but she knew that she must tell him. Vincent placed a clawed finger gently under her chin and lifted her head so that they were looking at each other. "Tell me" he repeated softly. Looking deep into his eyes, Catherine gave a sigh. "Vincent, there is something I need tell you". "What is it"? He asked, patiently waiting for her reply. "I just …." she trailed off, pulling away from him and walking a few paces away. "I just don't know where to start" she said eventually. "At the beginning" Vincent replied. Catherine took a deep breath and began ….

"Vincent, that night, down in the tunnels, when you weren't yourself ….. You collapsed to the floor …. There was no pulse, no nothing." Her lips began to tremble as the memories came flooding back. "I thought I'd lost you". He could hear the pain in her voice and it was cutting through him like a knife, but he gave nothing away. He stood looking at her, giving her the time she needed to carry on. "I didn't know what to do to bring you back to me Vincent". As she said his name she looked up at him, tears starting to run down her face. She carried on, still looking at him. "I did the only thing I could think of …. I kissed you". "I kissed you with the all the love that I have for you".

She saw a small flicker cross face. She started to walk slowly towards him. "And then you opened your eyes and you looked at me". She was close enough to touch him now, "You looked at me Vincent, and you lifted your hands to my face and you …. You kissed me". She raised her hands to his face simultaneously. Without realising what she was doing she raised herself up on her toes and kissed him on the lips – just as she had done once before.

Vincent was mesmerised by her touch, but he said nothing. She carried on. "Vincent …" Her voice had become a whisper "we …." She faltered, looking for the right words. Only the right words would do at this moment. "We gave each other everything we had to give". She looked at him hoping that he had caught the meaning of her words. "Everything"? He replied, tilting his head slightly. "Yes Vincent, everything". She looked intently into his eyes to stress the last word. "I'm not sure, but I have a feeling that is why we no longer have our bond".

Vincent stood fixed to spot, unable to move or talk. He had heard her words and knew they were true, but he could just not believe them. "Tell me what you're thinking Vincent …. Please". Catherine asked. He turned away from her, his thoughts and emotions starting to whirl around him. How could he have no memory of something so important? But one thought above all others was on his mind. He spoke with his back to her "Catherine… did I …. Did I hurt you"? At his words she rushed towards him and turned him to face her. "No" she replied softly looking up at him. He had concern in his eyes – she could see it. "Vincent - you were …, "she changed her words "there was only love between us". She could see her words eased him slightly.

"Catherine, I have not memory of what happened in the tunnel" he said. Catherine took his hands in hers and held them up between them. "Vincent, you were in such pain, you mind was not itself, your memory may return". Vincent looked at her shaking his head. "Vincent, don't you see" Catherine continued. "All this time you have been frightened of hurting me, but even in your darkest hour, you were gentle and loving. The future we dreamed of… it can be ours – we can be together as we truly want to be". Catherine once again placed her arms around his waist knowing that he would bring her close. He understood what she was saying. There would be other times. Trying to remember their one encounter in the dark, was nothing compared to the life they had ahead of them. They stood there for some time, neither saying anything. Catherine was the first to speak.

"Vincent" she whispered. "There is something else I need to tell you".

"Yes?" Vincent whispered back. Catherine took another deep breath and pulled herself away from him, just enough to look directly into his eyes. "Something unexpected and amazing has happened". He could sense the excitement in her voice. "Vincent" she said gazing up at him so lovingly that he almost had to steady himself. "Vincent … I'm going to have a child. Your child".

End of Part One