(This story is written strictly for the free enjoyment of fans of the "Beauty and the Beast" television series. No copyright infringement is intended.)

Reflections

Angie

Of wretched chance, most woeful mirrors chose

- Thomas Sackville

Catherine sat cross-legged beside the Mirror Pool. She had gone there to think, unaware that Vincent had done so many times as well. They had seen much, she guessed, those stars reflected in the still waters. What had they seen, she wondered? How many funerals had been held here, where every person was important, irreplaceable?

Vincent, she knew, was currently reading ‘A Tale of Two Cities’ with Charles, distracting the big man while his back healed. When that healing had happened to Father’s satisfaction, Charles and Devin would leave.

Devin! She wanted to talk to him, but had been unable to catch him alone. She had not wanted to seem too eager to do so, in case Vincent got curious. She heard a slight rustle at the tunnel entrance, and turned.

"Come out, whoever you are," she called, loudly enough to make the chamber ring.

There was a chuckle and she turned her head to see Devin, a sheepish look on his face, approaching her.

"You’re getting more like Vincent all the time, Chandler," he told her as he sat down beside her. "I could never follow or sneak up on him, either. Sometimes he pretended I had, but he’s a bad liar."

Catherine gathered her wits together. This man had been as close to Vincent as anyone else in the tunnels – and knew him from his early years. But would he tell her anything? There was so much she wanted to know. She smiled at him, careful to keep her face calm, and spoke quietly.

"Vincent has changed me in so many ways that my friends hardly recognize me. I don’t know if my senses are more acute, but this place would encourage that, if anywhere could. It makes you want to be special – to live up to its wonders."

Devin looked across the water. "Yes. Every time I come back, it clutches at me. Leaving this, and especially Vincent, was the most difficult thing I’ve ever done. It’s still hard. I leave my heart here, I think, no matter where I go in the world."

Catherine shook her head. "Not your heart, or you would never have helped Charles, or delivered a baby, or done any of those other things you told us about. I think you are linked to this place, just as I am now. This place gives our hearts strength, as Father has said. It isn’t a place to hide."

"Except perhaps for Vincent," Devin remarked softly.

"Yes. For him there is no other place. But he’s also hiding from himself."

"And you," Devin added.

Catherine sighed. "Yes. Not so much as the first time you were here, but he has built so many walls around himself. Why would he need to? Everyone loves him here. He’s the soul of this community."

Devin looked at her. "He didn’t have walls when I knew him. He was always quiet, but very affectionate, if carefully so. He loved to hug and be hugged."

"His hugs are still special. He puts his heart into them. They are a refuge, a balm to the weary."

"Yes, he hugged me when I returned that first time. Even though he’s a lot bigger, I knew he still cared deeply. He cares deeply about everything, Cathy. And he can be hurt."

Devin touched his face. "These scars happened because I falsely accused him. I was ashamed, later. That’s when I also realized I didn’t belong here if I could goad my patient little brother into doing this. I’m not so conceited that I think it was my leaving which made him what he is today. Something must have happened after I left."

Catherine looked at her hands. They ached to touch Vincent, hold him, stroke him, console him if necessary. She spoke quietly.

"He’s a man of few words. I think he missed you deeply when you left. If I ask him personal questions, he’ll answer, but never directly. He’s a master at sidetracking what he doesn’t want to discuss. And he only lets me get so close and no closer. What’s he afraid of? He knows I love him – will always love him, no matter what."

"So you two are not lovers yet? Sorry, none of my business," Devin corrected himself.

Catherine clasped her hands together and looked across the pool.

"No. Perhaps we never will be. But he is everything to me, Devin. If that’s what it means to love him, then I will accept it."

"Chandler, that is plain stupid and Vincent is an idiot! He’s a man. He has all the normal equipment, and I know he has all the urges and needs of a man. I’ve seen the way his eyes follow you. The rest doesn’t matter. One day he’ll realize he has to follow his heart, like the rest of us. You two have something special. I can sense it."

"Yes. Didn’t he tell you? We’re connected. He can feel what I feel, and I know when he’s in danger. I think I can feel his other emotions to some extent too."

Devin looked at her, amazed.

"You know, I always suspected he had some kind of … empathic … link with those he loved. He would never talk about it. He would never talk about anything that made him seem different."

Catherine sighed. "He really cares for everyone, for me, but there’s a part of his heart I can’t touch, that he has put armour plate around."

"Give him time, Chandler. He’ll come around. He’s probably waiting to be sure – not of you, so much as himself. He’s torn, I think. He wants you with him, but can’t ask you to give up your life above."

"Is that really necessary, Devin? He visits me above, and I come below as often as I can. I’ve made some adjustments to my workload, to give us more time. I would give it up entirely to be with him, but I know he wouldn’t let me. I have other ideas, but I want to be sure he won’t run away if I move closer. I couldn’t bear to lose him."

"You’ll never lose him, Chandler. I may have been away a long time, but I know a man in love when I see one. My brother is no different from the rest of us. He dreams, he loves, he believes in love."

"But does he know what he wants, Devin? Or is he just afraid to take it?"

"Afraid? Why would he be afraid? Half the women in these tunnels would be lined up outside his chamber, waiting for their turn to share his bed, if he gave them any encouragement. Oh, Father has done his best to keep Vincent a virgin, but I’m betting he won’t be much longer."

Catherine felt her face heat up. "There’s something wrong, Devin. He seems afraid to touch me. Why would that be?"

"I have no idea, but I bet I can find out. I still know a few people here."

Devin rose and left swiftly. Catherine sighed again, closed her eyes and lay back on the soft sand. Suddenly, she was weary of all the subterfuge, of trying to understand Vincent, of waiting for him to make the move she wanted above all else. She must have fallen asleep because suddenly she was aware of cold and then felt it disappear and warmth surround her.

She opened her eyes and saw Vincent’s cloak. Its owner was gazing down at her, his face relaxed and affectionate.

"I didn’t want to awaken you, but I didn’t want you to catch cold either."

Catherine sat up and leaned against him, felt his arms surround her.

"Hmmmm …. your cloak is warm, like you. How is Charles?"

"He is doing well. Tomorrow he will be healed enough to travel. I will miss him."

"Me too. He has such a bright, loving spirit. Somehow, he has held onto that, despite a terrible, lonely life."

"Charles makes me feel blessed and ashamed at the same time. Blessed for the love I have had all my life, and ashamed for wanting more."

"What more, Vincent?"

Vincent sighed. "Catherine, I think you know."

"Then it’s yours, Vincent. I’m yours. Whatever life allows us, we can have together."

"Catherine, our lives are so different."

"Yet you found me sleeping by the Mirror Pool. What do I have to do, to prove to you that this life can be mine as well? Would I be here if I didn’t love this place? Vincent, I don’t know what the future holds for us, but I do know that love needs nourishment. Words and airy dreams are not enough – not forever. I’m afraid."

Vincent lifted his legs and cradled her between them, hugged her closer.

"I know."

"But I don’t know what I’m afraid of, Vincent. Can you tell me?"

"The same as I, Catherine. Fear of the unknown, of misunderstanding, of making assumptions, of presuming. Of having our love wither for lack of solid nourishment."

"Yes. Why is it so hard to speak of these things?"

"Because fear is our only defense against danger. It keeps us alive, aware. It doesn’t discriminate between hate and love. Both are dangerous in their own way, risky - perhaps even deadly."

"Surely not deadly, Vincent. How can love be deadly? No one has ever died of love."

"No, but it can dull the edge that keeps us sharp, distract us, make us do stupid things."

Catherine turned to look at him. He seemed to have retreated from her slightly, his eyes were focused far away.

"You sound like you speak from experience, Vincent."

He sighed and looked down at her. She knew right away that he would sidetrack the comment.

"We live by our wits down here, however civilized we may appear. One lovesick sentry could be our downfall. Our world is so fragile. Brian followed you down here and found us, against all odds. We were lucky that time. Would you want to live on a knife edge like that?"

"Vincent, that’s a spurious argument, and you know it. You avoided my not-so-subtle remark. You should know that a lawyer never lets herself be sidetracked. But keep your secret – for now."

"There are no secrets here, Catherine. We live in each other’s pockets. Could you get used to a lack of privacy? There are no doors here, just rugs to keep out the draughts - and tunnels echo."

Catherine laughed.

"Is that what’s worrying you, Vincent? That someone might hear us making love? Don’t you know that even above, every child has probably heard his parents making love at some time? We learn to ignore those noises, as we ignore snoring or flatulence."

It was Vincent’s turn to laugh.

"Point taken. You can hear plenty of noises here, but they’re made by friends."

"So are you going to answer me, Vincent? You know what I want. I know that you want it too. Your brother tells me you have the equipment – although you hide it well, mostly."

"Mostly?"

"Well, you’re a man, Vincent. Women know how to spot the signs. Let’s just say you are not always aloof and cool when we hug."

"Catherine, that is an understatement. I cannot be aloof when you’re in my arms. As for the signs – my body knows your shape too well and I am not made of wood."

"So then, what’s the problem?"

Vincent was silent for long moments. When he spoke, it was softly, into her ear.

"Catherine, you know how I feel about you. The words are difficult for me, for many reasons. Please have patience with me. I am not going to push you away or let our love wither. I promise. But there are things you don’t know about me."

"Vincent, I know everything I need to know about you. You know how I feel."

There was a sudden tapping on the pipes and Vincent stood up quickly – too quickly, Catherine thought. Blast the damn pipes and their meal signals!

Vincent helped her to her feet and took back his cloak. He kept an arm around her, though. She looked up at him.

"This conversation isn’t over, Vincent."

"I know. But it is lunchtime and I’m hungry."

"Very well. May I join you?"

Vincent looked down at her.

"Can you think otherwise? Catherine, every moment we spend together is a blessing I cherish and relive when we’re apart."

"Good. Then you’ll be relieved to know I’m going to make sure we have a lot more of those moments."

Vincent was speechless for a moment. "How, Catherine?"

"You have your secrets, let me have mine. All in good time, Vincent."

"Very well."

Lunch was a quiet affair. Devin was telling Charles about the routes to the mountains and everyone else seemed sad. Charles had given everyone in the community an awareness of blessings – and family. Father was looking very thoughtful. He had declared Charles fit to travel, so the two men would be leaving the next day.

Catherine wondered whether Devin had found out anything and how he would tell her if he had. She returned to her apartment to shower and change. There was to be a special concert in honour of their departing guests that evening.

Right now, she wanted to think about what Vincent had told her. There was sadness there, for some reason. She couldn’t imagine what would cause that. She made herself a tea and was about to sit down with it, perhaps turn on some music, when she heard a knock at her door.

"Who is it?" she called. She was not expecting anyone and didn’t want visitors.

"Devin," came a man’s voice.

She rushed to let him in and invited him to sit.

"Would you like some tea or coffee?" she asked, when he didn’t take up her offer.

"No, thanks, Chandler. Nice place you have here. Is that the famous balcony, where you and Vincent tryst?"

Catherine laughed as Devin moved to the balcony doors.

"I wouldn’t call what we do that. We sit out there and read and relax."

"Doesn’t he come inside?"

"Oh, he has, once or twice, in an emergency."

"But not just to relax and read."

"No. He seems to want to have our meetings somewhere … neutral. My balcony is where our worlds truly meet."

Catherine took a deep breath. Devin was looking out over the city.

"I assume you didn’t come here to see the view. What did you find out, Devin?"

Devin turned to her, his expression serious.

"Chandler, I had never thought of my tunnel family as close-mouthed, but they’re proverbial clams when it comes to Vincent – even with me. However, I’ve been around a bit and I know a little about gathering facts. I can join the dots when I have enough of them. I think I have.

"First, as we thought, something happened to Vincent after I left. I’m not exactly sure what it was, but I can guess. A romance turned sour. Sounds like it was a teenage infatuation. It turned him inside out. He was very ill, dangerously so. He almost died. I wish I had been there. I’m positive that Father over-reacted and Vincent became afraid … of something."

"That would explain Father’s reaction to me when Vincent first introduced us."

"Well, there are other reasons for that. I heard about Margaret too. He thought you were too much like her – privileged – and would only hurt Vincent."

"Yes, I guessed that. He mellowed a little after he and she spent her last days together. Now he accepts me, I think."

"As well he should. You aren’t Margaret. Nor are you this other one. I don’t know who she was, but she went above after whatever happened between her and Vincent. She hasn’t been below since. I got the impression she’s a success story. But no one would tell me anything more."

"Well, that’s something. It gives me hope, Devin. How bad could it be? Vincent survived and I know he loves me."

"He does, Chandler, but there’s something preventing him from getting closer. It’s fear, but of what, I don’t know. I’m sure it dates back to that incident. Nothing else has even been hinted at. I can make a guess. Vincent wanted her and she played him. Maybe she dumped him, insulted him even."

"That would explain a lot. He cares deeply about everyone. Rejection would be devastating to him."

"Well, I hope I never meet her, whoever she is. Anyone who could do that to my brother must have a heart of stone. But you’ll make it right, Cathy. Don’t give up. The big lug wants what you’re offering, he’s just afraid to accept it."

"Thank you, Devin. I’m glad it’s nothing more serious. I think we can overcome this."

Devin walked to the front door.

"Right. Now I’d better get back below and pack our stuff. I think we’ll need a semi if we take everything we’ve been offered. We don’t need much – just clothes. I’ll find us a furnished place. See you later."

"Bye, Devin. And thanks."

He smiled at her and gave her a thumbs-up. She smiled back and closed the door behind him.

It was a great relief to know that her worst fears were actually not the reason for Vincent’s reticence. She had imagined all kinds of things – physical … anomalies … not the least of them. So they didn’t exist. Emotional challenges she could deal with. Patience, she told herself. She must tread carefully now, but show her love openly. He must have no more doubts about her commitment. She would start making other plans as well. Yes, one day, they would have their happy life. She was determined about that.

When she went below later, Vincent met her. She snuggled up to him as she loved to do, but did not bring up their previous conversation. She sensed him gradually relax when he realized he was not to be pressed, and they had a pleasant evening. Afterwards, she said goodbye to Devin and Charles, wishing them a safe journey. Devin gave her a hug and whispered a "good luck" in her ear.

When Vincent walked her back to her threshold, she hugged him a little longer than was her wont, let her love for him fill her. She felt him relax into it, hold her just a little closer.

When they broke apart at last, she saw something deep in his eyes. Hope. That was a step forward, she thought. He usually was careful about what he let her see. The other steps would be small too, but they would walk the route together.

Someday, perhaps, they would see the Mirror Pool as the place where reflections became dreams and dreams, reality.

END