Hey everybody! Thank you so much for the reviews, follows and alerts! You all are pure gems! Here's chapter four as promised.

Disclaimer: Rights to Beauty and the Beast belong to CW/CBS. Don't sue me.

I'm sorry, Catherine.

He didn't want to leave her. He had no choice.

Chapter 4.

Catherine yawned for what seemed like the one-hundredth time. The words on the file she held in her hands had long ago begun to blend together as she struggled to concentrate on her case.

Gemma Parker…. Pushed from a building.

Find the motive. Find the killer.

Find Vincent.

No matter what she did her mind seemed to wander back to him. The night before was long and restless after he had disappeared. Catherine spent the remainder of the evening trying not to take out her frustration on Heather due to her inadvertent disruption. It wasn't really Heather's fault at all. Vincent was adamant about leaving long before her sister came crashing in. Maybe Catherine had just come on too strong. After all they had just officially met last night but already she'd embraced him, crawled into his lap and told him that she needed him.

Good job, Cat. Geez, I threw myself at him. Of course he ran.

Whether she berated herself for jumping him last night or daydreamed about him in general, her train of thoughts were doing nothing to help her victim. She had to solve this case. Get it over and done with and then concentrate on the enigma that is Vincent.

Gemma Parker… Pushed from a building.

Proof of second party present prior to incident.

Motive… possible disagreement with second party.

Second party vanished.

Vanished, like Vincent.

Catherine pinched the bridge of her nose, fed up with making no progress. The only things that seemed to be working for her were the tracks she'd followed to find Vincent. And yes, she had to find him. She wasn't ashamed. In fact she'd made it a priority. That was before she walked into the police department and it hit her that the current case was still unresolved.

Then again, sometimes it helped to walk away from the current problem, work on another, and then come back with a fresh perspective. At least that was her excuse. And damn if she didn't run with it.

She wanted to find him.

When he touched her he'd left his prints on the button of her shirt. That morning she'd contacted CSU and had the prints sent through IAFIS. Joe, her boss, would've killed her if he found out, but she just knew Vincent was worth the risk. Vincent said it was dangerous to be near him. He couldn't be near her for her own safety. She didn't care about that at the moment. She only wanted to know when and if she would ever see him again.

Catherine tilted her head around her desk, searching for anyone who would be able to reprimand her for what she was about to do. She lifted the data on her computer screen and waited for the match. Vincent Keller. A breath of relief came from her at seeing his face again.

Specialist Vincent Keller, MD. New York City. Killed in Afghanistan by enemy fire in 2002. Next of kin, deceased.

It was just as he'd told her. Because of that government issued black ops group, the rest of the world really thought he was dead. Catherine then used Vincent's information to locate him in the Special Crimes Unit database systems. His photo appeared immediately along with his prior work history.

"Vincent Keller, ER residency at St. Benjamin's Hospital," a voice over her shoulder said aloud, reading her computer screen.

Catherine turned to see her partner, Tess, leaning over her to get a closer look.

"Damn. Doc's a cutie. Is he our perp?" Tess asked, obviously assuming her dedicated partner was researching their case.

"Uh, no. No,… faulty info led me in the wrong direction. I got nothing," Catherine quickly exited the database and shut off her computer. "What did you find out?"

Tess shrugged off Catherine's excuse, "I talked to the ballet's artistic director. Turns out Victoria Hensen was more than just an understudy to Gemma. The lead role was hers all along, she was only recovering from a foot injury. Something's not right about this story. I was hoping we could go talk to Victoria… find out what's going on."

"Yeah, that's a good idea. You mind going it alone for a while though? I've got something to take care of at home…"

"Yeah, sure. Do what you need to do," Tess answered.

Cat wasted no time grabbing her jacket from the back of her chair and made for the exit. God knows she felt terrible for lying to her partner- leaving Tess to research their case all on her own. But the thought of seeing Vincent again filled her with an undeniable impatience.

Within ten minutes Cat had pulled her car up to St. Benjamin's Hospital and parked in a vacant spot. She took another minute, placing her hands tightly on the steering wheel, and collected her wits. Here she was searching for a man that had nothing to do with her case. Not to mention that she planned to use her authority as a detective to get the information she wanted. A small part of her knew it was wrong. The biggest part of her wanted it to be right. She'd come too close already.

Catherine exited her car before she could change her mind. Clearing through the spinning doors she headed for the ER's front desk clerk, badge ready in hand.

"Excuse me. I'm Detective Catherine Chandler," she flashed her badge at the petite red head, "Is there someone on staff I could talk to about a former employee. He was on staff approximately ten years ago…"

"Yeah, sure. Anita Sanchez has been head nurse for like nineteen years. If your guy worked here I'm sure he crossed paths with her. I'll page her for you."

"Thank you," Catherine managed to answer as her mind was doing a double on the words 'your guy'. The clerk went to work in contacting the head nurse like she said. Moments later a short lady with dark hair poked her head out of the swinging doors.

" You're the detective?" the lady asked.

"Yes, Catherine Chandler."

"Follow me," she said and disappeared behind the doors once again. Catherine followed her quickly. A part of her was afraid the nurse could see straight through her. That the information she was seeking had nothing to do with a criminal matter but a personal one.

"I'm sorry I don't really have much time to talk. Been pretty busy today," Anita glanced at a few patient's charts and continued making her rounds as Catherine followed.

"I'll be quick. I'm actually inquiring about a former employee. Vincent Keller?" Catherine asked with as much professionalism as possible and prayed the nurse didn't catch on.

"Doctor Keller… Yeah, I remember him. Most of these residents come in thinking they know everything. Keller wasn't like that. You know he lost both his brothers in The Towers…"

"No, I didn't know that." Catherine felt her lungs constrict, imagining the pain Vincent must've went through. The pain he was still going through.

"Yeah, he was here that day," Anita continued, " kept waiting for them to be brought in. Never came back to work after that."

"That's why he enlisted." She said more to herself; Connecting the dots of how and why Vincent was the way he was now. "So, you haven't seen him since?"

The nurse looked at her incredulously then.

"I mean, I know he's supposedly dead," Catherine scoffed before thinking.

Damn. Too far. What the hell am I doing anyway?

"Supposedly?" Anita countered, "There's a plaque in the lobby with his name on it…" Anita started to walk away again, clearly done with the conversation. Catherine hadn't really received any useful information at all. She stopped Anita one last time intent on making some sort of progress.

"Do you remember anyone he hung out with, someone he would have reached out to?"

The nurse was clearly busy and becoming quite annoyed. Luckily, Anita wasn't quite as rude enough to just walk away and answered Cat anyway. "Keller wasn't exactly social… but he did have a roommate,… J.T. They were college buddies I think. He came here during down time every once in a while."

"Thank you for your time." Catherine made a quick exit then for two reasons.

One,… to not push her luck. Two,…find this J.T. guy.

I can't believe I ran.

Vincent trailed his fingers through his wet hair. The day had went by surprisingly fast for him considering all he did with the day was sit on his bed and sulk. The sun had went down hours ago and he'd decided to take a shower to refresh and possibly clear his head. It didn't work. He'd dried his body and threw on a pair of sweatpants before lying across his bed intent on getting some rest. That failed to work as well. If anything it only gave him more time to think about the night before. How he'd finally spoke to Catherine face to face.

And what a beautiful face it was. Of course, he'd already known that, after following her and protecting her for years. But to see her up close where he could gaze into her jade colored eyes, fully take in her scent, listen to the steady rhythm of her heartbeat. Vincent had literally lived his dreams when she took hold of him and pulled herself into his lap. She was small but she felt just right in his strong arms. It took every ounce of his strength to finally leave.

The beast inside sure wasn't any help. His animal nature fought against him, clawing at the interior, roaring at him for leaving Catherine behind. Just like the man, beast was mesmerized by her. Vincent wasn't surprised. Catherine had long ago captured a piece of his heart and wouldn't turn it loose. When he saved her years before and she looked up at him with curiosity rather than disgust. His human instincts wouldn't let him just forget that. She was different. She was special. The beast… well, those were also instincts he couldn't ignore. The animal wanted to conquer her, seize her.

Claim her.

It was primitive. Visceral. And as much as he wanted to blame his reconstructed DNA for the feeling, there was something very basic, very male about it. It erupted inside of him- man, beast and all. Never before had Vincent felt the overwhelming urge to have someone. Until Catherine. Vincent had imagined the chance of comforting her, holding her, touching her. Before last night those were impossible feats.

Some still proved to be impossible. Because of who he was he would never kiss her, make love to her, earn her love. He couldn't even pinpoint which one he wanted the most from Catherine because truth was, he wanted it all.

Vincent tossed over, burying his face in the pillows. He was trying very hard to erase all thoughts of Catherine but his mind- and body, were not cooperating. He sat up on the edge of the bed frustrated to no end. It occurred to him that perhaps sleep wouldn't come to him tonight by just lying down. He needed to be exhausted if he wanted to rest. Exercise. Vincent dropped to the floor, prepping himself for a tiring workout.

Before he even had the chance to start, a certain awareness attacked his senses. The beast's senses. His eyes glowed with the knowledge of an intrusion. The light patter of footsteps, the swish of soft hair. A familiar scent. It couldn't be...

There was only one person with an aura that made him stand at attention. Catherine. He knew her presence so well that there was no way it could've been anyone else. She'd found him. But how?

Vincent jumped to his feet, treading lightly to the stairway. She was closer now and if she was near he definitely wanted to see her. From the stairs Vincent bent closer to the floor to get a peek through the old wooden posts. Instead of seeing Catherine, he saw his roommate guarding the door with a baseball bat, aimed and ready.

No, J.T.!

Vincent froze in place not knowing what to do. He obviously would never let anyone hurt Catherine, his friend included. But he couldn't possibly tell J.T not to protect them both from an intruder. Even though this intrusion was a welcomed one, in his opinion. How would he explain that this intruder was different?

The heavy, metal door began to creak open and Catherine's sweet voice reached his ears.

"Hello?" Her auburn hair swung through the door first as she poked her head in.

Before Vincent could enjoy the sight of her, JT swung his bat towards her. The beast released an involuntary growl at seeing Catherine flinch. But there was no need to act. She was in no need of a savior.

In fact, it seemed that JT required a little help instead. Catherine's instincts held no delays as she quickly confiscated JT's weapon, pushed him to the ground and pinned the bat to his throat.

Vincent leaped swiftly from the stairway to the door where the two were death glaring at each other from the floor.

"Vinceg..th," JT choked out, "Run, get outta here."

Catherine looked up at Vincent then, finally noticing his presence.

"Vincent," she whispered his name softly, sweetly. A stark contrast to the hard pressure she forced onto JT's throat.

"I hagh dis all under control..ggh," JT announced, barely audible from underneath Catherine's choke hold.

Vincent knew it was impossible to hold back the grin on his face then. Watching the two most important people in his world, tangled together on the floor, both gazing up at him for approval.

"What do you guys say we settle this… upright?" Vincent said.

JT raised both hands in surrender as Catherine lifted the bat and allowed them both to stand.

"Hi.." Vincent took in Catherine's disheveled appearance. Her hair was tossed about, her cheeks rosy. She looked impossibly cute.

"Hi..." she answered back, slightly breathless.

"Hi? Hi... Hi?' JT stuttered. "You two know each other?"

"I know it's late, I just.." Catherine started.

"Yeah, really late. Who the hell are you?" JT cut her off.

"I needed to see you," she continued for Vincent.

"Who are you?" JT asked louder.

"How did you find me?" Vincent finally chimed in.

"Yeah, how did you find us?" JT added.

"Through him, I guess," Catherine gestured to JT.

"Me? I don't know you! Hence my previous question. Who... are... you?"

"JT, do you mind?" He felt bad for the confusion he'd just caused JT, but Vincent was anxious to get Catherine alone. Why had she come for him? How much trouble had she really gone through to find him?

JT rolled his eyes at Vincent and glared at Catherine before snatching his trusty bat from her hand and stomping away.

Guess I've got some serious explaining to do.

Vincent watched and waited for his friend to disappear into a back room before he glanced toward Catherine. Much to his surprise, instead of waiting for his attention, she'd found her own entertainment. In his excitement to see her Vincent had forgotten his manners, to at least throw on a tank t-shirt, but Catherine had found no quarrel with that at the moment.

She was taking the liberty of scoping out his entire body.

Blatantly. Obviously.

He watched her eyes travel from the rim of his sweatpants up to his navel. She spent a little extra time watching his stomach, which, at first, made him slightly self-conscious about the deep-jagged scar that ran down his left abdomen. That was until she slowly began to moisten her soft lips, her eyes never leaving his body.

Vincent could barely breathe, could barely function at the thought of Catherine's desire for him. He wasn't oblivious. Women had found him attractive in the past. This woman desired him in the present. She wanted him now. After seeing and knowing what he was. A monster. A beast. She still saw the man. Her desire was a beacon of hope. A chance at redemption.

Vincent felt the very moment his senses awakened. Every nerve in his body stood on edge, aware of her. He watched as her olive eyes faded dark with emotion. He took in the scent of her lust. Something he knew well for he had studied her aroma the previous night. He shouldn't let her want him. He should've made her run away.

As if sensing his thoughts, Vincent's own body betrayed him when a droplet of water from his recent shower escaped the tendrils of his hair and ran down his neck. Catherine watched the thin, wet line drip from his shoulder, down his arm to his finger tips. She left no part of him untraced with her stare and he couldn't help but remember her touch from the night before.

Having her so close to him that night was the best thing he had ever experienced. He would hold onto to the memory of her resting in his arms forever. But that was all it could ever be. A memory. A fantasy. One that would replay in his mind throughout the remainder of his life and satisfy his yearning to love her.

"Catherine," was the only word he managed before his mouth went dry. Catherine had reached her hand out to the very spot the unruly bead of water had landed on his hand; touching his palm before intertwining her fingers through his. Remaining still, she simple held his hand.

Perfect.

It was the only notion he could come up with. She fit him absolutely perfect.

And it was a devastating discovery.

More than his hasty decision to become this. More than any crime he unintentionally committed. Vincent could never regret anything more than his newest, biggest mistake. It would have been better to never have touched her. Never have spoken to her. Because now Vincent had to live without her, knowing that she was perfect.

She would have been perfect for him if it wasn't for his problems. His baggage. As much as he wanted it, craved it, he could never be with her. He would not pull her into his world of desolation. Slipping his hand from hers, the warmth immediately left his body. Whatever trance had captured Catherine before was now leaving her eyes as she glance up at him dejectedly.

"I uhm… I needed to see you. I thought you should probably know that everything was taken care of from the alley the other night. It took forever to settle the whole mess, that's why I'm here so late. The men who attacked me were involved in a drug cartel. They were tailing me last night. I was an arresting officer in one of their friends cases."

Her words made sense, but all Vincent could decipher was the embarrassment in her eyes. He didn't want that for her. She deserved better than to be hurt because of him, but pushing her away was the only way to protect her in the end.

"Catherine, you shouldn't have come," Vincent's heart was disagreeing with him as he spoke. "I told you that being near me is dangerous. Muirfield…"

"That is precisely why I am here," Catherine cut him off. The fire was back in her eyes just as quickly as it had left. "Muirfield. They killed my mother. I know it now and I cannot let them get away. Neither can you. Vincent, it occurred to me that these people live their lives freely, without guilt. All the while, you are hidden away, lurking in the shadows because of what they did to you. We need to make them pay for this."

"We… don't need to do anything. You need to leave." Vincent turned away from her, not wanting to search the pain in her eyes when he spoke those words.

"You saved my life. I'd like to return the favor."

"You forget you know me, never tell anyone about me and we'll call it even." Vincent felt her hand grip him firmly as she turned him back to face her, holding him in place.

"I'm not an idiot. I know you're on the run for your safety. I would never tell anyone, I would never let anyone hurt you." Catherine seemed to surprise even herself with her admission, but she remained adamant. The heat emanating from her began to seep through his pores once more and there it was again -her desire. Only this time it was also coated with determination.

Catherine let her fingers slide slowly across his skin before she finally released him. "I'm sorry that I came so late. I'm sure you were probably… in bed." She whispered the last words and Vincent exhaled at the sound of her satiny voice.

"I guess should go now, but I'll see you again soon." She began to walk through the door, but Vincent couldn't let her leave thinking that anything had changed.

It didn't change, right?

"Catherine," he started, but true to her ways she stopped him.

"Vincent, I will see you again." And with her promise, she walked away.

So, was that okay?

I really love hearing your feedback. What do you guys think I have in store for these two? Anything in particular you're looking out for?

I have finally constructed an outline for this fic so at least now my plans are somewhat on paper. I do have a few spoilers for you if you're interested, if not feel free to overlook them, but please don't forget to review and tell me what you thought of chapter four.

Thanks a bunch! LovelyLadyD ;)

SPOILERS:

Evan is introduced into the story. (don't be scared guys LOL)

Vincent explains his feelings for Catherine to JT.

Catherine finds some interesting work files in her mother's records. (and it ain't about Dengue Fever!)

Catherine and Vincent struggle with their attraction to one another.