Catherine opened the door to her apartment and backed in, laughing, giving Joe Maxwell a playful shove in the chest as he tried to follow her. Neither of them noticed the silhouette on the balcony outside.

"Come on Joe, give me a break. I have to be up by six thirty ... I don't have time for this!" She turned on the light and grinned at his pleading expression.

"Listen Radcliffe, we had a tough day, right? Which is why we went out in the first place. Don't spoil this terrific evening ... good food ... good music and..." He staggered slightly and they both giggled.

"Good wine!" they chorused.

"So," Joe continued, a silly grin on his face. "You're not going to send me back into the terrors of Downtown Manhattan without a nightcap, are you? Come on Cathy, please?" Catherine, a little lightheaded herself from too much champagne, placed her hands firmly on his shoulders and barred his way further into the room.

"No way Joe, I mean it. Now come on. Thank you for a wonderful evening. Goodnight!"

Joe was drunk enough to try his luck but not too drunk to know when he was beaten. With an exaggerated shrug of despair, he bent his head and kissed Catherine on the lips. Since he had never done such a thing before, his action took her completely by surprise. It began as a kiss between good friends. Then, probably because she didn't immediately pull away, his arms came round her firmly, drawing her against the full length of his body. It had been over two years since she'd kissed a man on the mouth, and slowly Catherine found herself begin to respond to the warm pressure of Joe's lips.. .but it wasn't Joe she was thinking of. The champagne made it unusually easy for her to fantasize about the man who held her. It was only when her hands slid over his shoulders and her fingers began to rake the short dark hair on his collar that Catherine was catapulted back to reality. Shaken, she pushed Joe away and he released her immediately, lifting his hands in an apologetic gesture.

"Guess I misread the signals," he explained. "See you in Court Counselor," and with a wave of his hand he was gone.

Catherine shut the door, slamming the bolts into place, and leaned against it, her breathing erratic. Joe's unexpected kiss and her equally unexpected reaction to it had sobered her instantly. Throwing down her bag she glanced toward the window and saw a shadow moving away.

"Vincent?" she called softly, running to open the French doors. She was just in time to see a flash of his cloak as he disappeared into the night.

"Vincent! Come back, please!" She whispered as loudly as she dared but it was no use. Whether or not he had heard her she didn't know. He had gone.

Engulfed by a feeling of desolation, Catherine stood at the rail for a few moments, allowing the night breeze to ruffle her hair. She had so looked forward to seeing Vincent tonight. She always did, but her lighthearted evening with Joe had put her in such good spirits that she had asked to leave the restaurant even before they'd had dessert because she couldn't wait to see Vincent. And now he'd gone without even speaking to her. Catherine was hurt and mystified.

The next day Joe had a hangover the size of the Hollywood Bowl. When Catherine returned from Court at 11.30 and took two coffees into his office to discuss her handling of the case, he looked up at her through bloodshot eyes.

"Whatever I did last night Cathy, I'm sorry". Catherine smiled and handed him a plastic cup of unappetizing brown liquid.

"It was just a kiss Joe

"Really? Then I must have dreamed the rest when I got home". She laughed and sat down opposite him, a sympathetic expression on her lovely face.

"You spoiled me with a wonderful meal, bought me champagne and brought me home in a cab ... I don't think one kiss counts as attempted rape, so you can stop beating up on yourself. Okay?" Joe swallowed a mouthful of coffee and grimaced.

"Thanks Cathy. Lucky for me your mystery man wasn' t around to witness me making a pass at you. He might not have been so understanding". Catherine knew it was time to change the subject. Ever since the day she had tearfully confessed that there was someone in her life, Joe had been curious, and she had long since regretted her rash admission brought on by a bout of depression.

"Joe it wasn't a pass. From where I'm standing it was just a good friend who'd had a little too much wine, so let's just drop it, okay?"

"Okay. I hear you knocked 'em dead in Court".

By eleven that night Vincent still hadn't come and Catherine drank both the glasses of wine she'd poured. Lying in bed, Joe's words returned to torment her. Just what had Vincent seen the previous evening? If he'd been on the balcony when Joe had brought her home then he'd probably seen that stupid kiss. What if he thought...? No, impossible. Vincent was the sanest, most reasonable person she'd ever met... except when the Dark side of his nature took over.

Still, the fact remained he hadn't stayed to talk to her, and maybe hadn' t seen Joe leave. Of course he may have seen or heard something out on the terrace which had spurred him into flight; he risked exposure every time he came Above. But that didn't explain why hadn't he come tonight.

If he doesn't come tomorrow I'll go to him she told herself.

Catherine's sleep was restless that night. The dreams of Vincent, usually so welcome, since they gave her free rein to flights of fantasy, were troubled, frightening even. She saw herself in the arms of a faceless man from whom she seemed powerless to break free. The man was kissing her, touching her and, although repulsed by his advances, Catherine's arms felt paralysed and she seemed unable to call out. Suddenly Vincent appeared, watched them for a moment and then roared, a terrifying sound. He raised his arm and brought it down on the man's shoulder. One blow would have been enough - it rendered the man unconscious- but Vincent slashed at him again and again until Catherine's screams finally penetrated and he turned away, chest and shoulders heaving with emotion.

Catherine sat up in bed, shaking. She looked at the clock beside her bed; 2.30. A tap at the window sent her heartbeat to twice its normal speed and she ran to throw open the french doors. He stood here, huge and intimidating in the moonlight. Catherine felt weak with relief at seeing him again. Her first impulse was to wrap her arms around him immediately but something in his manner stopped her.

"What is it Vincent? Are you all right? You look ... troubled". He took a deep breath, as if preparing himself for something unpleasant.

"Whatever you feel, Catherine, you must tell me. The only thing I expect from you is complete honesty".

"Of course. You know I tell you everything".

"You are free to live your life in any way you choose Catherine. You owe me nothing except the truth". Catherine began to feel fear stirring inside her at the direction the conversation was taking.

"We both know that's not true, Vincent- I owe you my life .. and I'd never lie to you about anything. Surely you must know that?"

He turned and walked over to the rail, keeping his back to her.

"I understand that it is... difficult for you, this relationship we have. You are a very beautiful and desirable woman, Catherine. I am not a fool. I know there must be times when you have .. certain needs ... when I am not there... or able to give you...

"NO Vincent! I understand what you're saying and you've got it all wrong. You were here the other night when Joe brought me home, weren' t you?"

"Joe Maxwell? The man you work for? I wondered who he was."

"Yes! So you see there's nothing for you to worry about! We'd had a tough day and we both needed to unwind. Joe suggested a meal and I was grateful to him. Vincent, I felt so good and I wanted so much to see you that I asked Joe to bring me home early. After he left I thought I saw you on the balcony but when I opened the doors you disappeared. After that I went to bed". Vincent's voice was very quiet when he spoke.

"I saw you in his arms. I saw you holding him. I saw the two of you kiss".

Very gently Catherine turned Vincent around so that she could see his face. Her heart contracted with love when she saw the pain reflected in his eyes.

"Oh Vincent, don't torture yourself like this. Joe had drunk a little too much wine and I told him, as tactfully as I know how, that he wasn't invited in for a nightcap. He understood ... he'd never have even tried to kiss me if he'd been completely sober. He's a good friend ... it was a kiss between friends. He left immediately after that".

Vincent looked up at the night sky.

"He is... a handsome man". Catherine looked surprised.

"He is? Well yes, I suppose he is. I hadn't really thought about it".

"He is attracted to you. What man wouldn't be". Catherine took his hand and kissed it.

"I think you overestimate my appeal, Vincent. But even if it was true, it wouldn't make any difference. You are the only man in my life. I suppose in my Job I see a lot of conventionally attractive men. I never gave it much thought".

He looked down at her and the vivid blue of his eyes penetrated her soul.

"I didn't mean to spy on you Catherine. It was purely by chance that I came to the window at that moment. It tore me apart to see you kissing him, especially since you ... forgive me ... since you did not seem to find his attentions unwelcome

"And that's why you left".

"How could I stay? I am not a voyeur Catherine", he snapped, and she dropped his hand.

"Well what did you think you were going to see for Heaven's sake!" she hissed, amazed that he could doubt her fidelity. Whirling round he began to pace up and down the balcony, breathing hard.

"I had no wish to find out!"

Suddenly Catherine realised she had never seen him angry with her before ... he had no reason to be jealous, but he was. Stepping in front of him she held out her arms and watched the indecision on his face.

"Oh Vincent this is so silly. Don't you know by now how much I love you? When Joe kissed me, I closed my eyes and pretended it was you. For a few seconds I actually convinced myself that you were there in my apartment and we were kissing like any other two people in love. It was only when I reached up to wind my fingers around your hair, that I came to my senses. That's when I pushed him away

Catherine felt tears were misting her eyes as his face blurred before her, yet still he hesitated.

"Vincent?" His breathing began to steady and he looked into her eyes.

"Yes Catherine

"Will you please stop glaring and come here, because if I don't hold you soon I think I'll die".

With a groan he pulled her into his arms and she laid her head against his chest, leaving tiny wet patches on his tunic and listening to the pounding of his heart beneath her cheek. It was the most wonderful sound she'd ever heard.. .signifying life, power and love.