THE JOINING

By Margaret Davis

(This story first appeared in the fanzine Within the CrystalRose, Volume 1.)

Catherine, Joe and District Attorney Moreno emerged from theJustice Building into a sea of reporters. A forest of microphoneswere thrust in their direction as the person holding each one shoutedquestions, each trying to be heard above the others. Catherine andJoe stepped back a pace to let the District Attorney be the focus ofthe crowd and the mini-cams.

"Please, just let me make a statement," Moreno began and waitedfor comparative silence before he continued. "Today the people havegiven us a victory. But in the face of this victory, there is norejoicing. Three children died because of crack. How many more of ourchildren must die before this city, this nation goes to battle tosave them from the scourge of drugs?

"It is not enough to destroy the factories in South America or tocatch an occasional shipment. We must cut off the demand for thedrugs! Only then will our children be safe. That's the message youneed to convey. Thank you."

Catherine felt proud, proud to be a part of the team that broughta drug dealer to justice; proud to work for a man who ignored threatsfrom the drug world to bring the recruiter of young children todeliver drugs to trial. And yet there was sadness for the familieswho had lost their children in violence.

This trial had been heart wrenching. Little children drawn intothe sordid world of drugs, lured into the maze by the promise ofmoney to spend at the arcade and the candy store. Seven and eightyear olds who carried crack in their backpacks and who paid theultimate price drugs extract from all they touch, death.

* * * * *

When she finally arrived back in the office, Catherine looked atthe piles of folders and paperwork on her desk in dismay. 'They mustbe hatching at night, the stack is twice the size it was yesterday.'Wearily she dropped her briefcase beside the desk and sat down.

"Radcliffe, I need to talk to you," Joe stood beside Cathy's deskwith a ghost of a smile on his face. "I have your nextassignment."

Catherine fumed as she followed him back to his office. 'Not eventime to take off my coat,' she grumbled to herself, Joe motioned toher to sit down and closed the door.

"Joe, my desk is covered. I'll need two weeks... "

"Hold it, Cathy, let me at least tell you what the assignment is,"Joe said with a smile. "Moreno is so pleased with the verdict, he'sgiven us some comp time for all the nights and weekends we worked."He watched her face and was rewarded with a grin.

"Really, Joe?"

"Yep, starting Monday. A week, Cathy, I may sleep the first threedays."

Catherine was grateful for the time off, but wished it could startnow. Time to sleep and time to be with Vincent, she'd had littleenough of either lately.

"Go home, Radcliffe, we'll get everything sorted out tomorrow andthen... veg out."

"Thanks, Joe." Catherine left his office, picked up her briefcaseand headed for the door. She was tired and hungry and fortunately,late enough that flagging down a taxi was no problem.

When the elevator opened at her floor, she was not sure she hadthe strength to walk to her door. 'Come on, just a few more feet, youcan do it,' she coaxed her body. Just knowing the trial was over wassuch a relief, as the tension left her body it felt like the musclesturned to mush.

The door swung inward and she saw a dim light from the kitchen.There was a wonderful smell in the air. He was here! Hurriedly sheclosed the door and slipped on the chain.

"Vincent?"

"I'm here," came the answer in that soft, silk on steel voice. Hecame forward and took her in his arms, savoring the feel of heragainst him. He could feel her profound weariness mixed with herhappiness.

"I've brought some soup for you, William made minestronetonight."

"It smells delicious, I'll go wash my hands." Catherine thoughtback to the first time Vincent had brought supper just three weeksago. It was the first day of the trial. She had worked in the lawlibrary for hours on a list of additional precedents Moreno had givenher. She had left after she read the same page four times and itstill didn't make sense.

When she arrived at home, she found a little lamp on in the livingroom and Vincent in the kitchen. She had not been frightened for shehad instantly recognized his cloak draped over one end of theloveseat.

"Catherine, I felt your weariness and your hunger. I brought yousome of the casserole from dinner." Vincent had explained his missionas he helped her remove her coat. He had made tea and sat with herwhile she ate.

In the three weeks of the trial, he had brought her supper on thedays she worked very late, concerned that she would ignore her hungerin favor of collapsing into her bed straight away.

It was a routine that had a very comfortable feel. Several timesafter he left, Catherine could not help but long for a time when hewould be there always. He had told her so long ago they would only betogether if they could move through the fears. Surely the last sixmonths met that requirement.

Returning to the present, Catherine moved to the table where hehad set a place for her. When he placed the bowl of soup in front ofher, she leaned forward and took a deep breath.

"It smells so good. There's something about soup that is so...well, soothing is the only word I can think of," she said and pickedup her spoon.

"We won, Vincent. They gave us a guilty verdict early thisevening. I know it's only one person, but it's a start."

"The most important fact is that you are doing something," Vincentreplied. "So many are overwhelmed at the scope of the problem, thatthey are defeated without a battle."

"Yes. When I think of the pain of those three families. One of themothers talked with me yesterday while we waited for the verdict. Sheasked me what she could have done differently to have avoided this.Billy was her only child. Vincent, I felt so helpless, I had no wordsto comfort her."

"There are no words to ease the loss of a child, especially a lossunder violent circumstances, Catherine. But what you have done todaywill make the world Above a little safer for other children."

They rinsed the dishes in silence and then moved to the balconyfor a few minutes before he left. There was a brisk breeze thatrustled the leaves on the plants and tugged at wisps of their hair.They stood shoulder to shoulder gazing down on the glittering arrayof lights. The sounds of the traffic that drifted up to them was notenough to disturb their contemplation.

"Eight more hours," Catherine said, finally.

"Until what, Catherine?"

"A whole week off! Moreno gave us a week to make up for some ofthe long nights and weekends. A return of probably one hour for everyfour we put in, but a nice gesture anyway."

Vincent murmured, "Well deserved. What are your plans?"

"I don't know, I want to sleep and catch up on the laundry, and Ihope you and I can spend some time together. We've not had time totalk, lately."

"Perhaps you could come Below for a few days. The children andFather have been asking for you." 'And I have been thinking about usand our future, we do need to talk,' he added silently.

"I've missed everyone, too. I could run all my errands onSaturday, meet Jenny for brunch on Sunday and then come Below Sundayevening."

"I'll see that your chamber is prepared." A shiver of anticipationdrew an icy finger up his spine. Catherine, close by in the night,was not a thought to dwell upon, yet. He forced his attention back toher.

"... tomorrow night? I'll fix dinner this time."

"As soon as it's dark, I will come to you," he replied and wasrewarded with a gentle smile and a hug.

* * * * *

After morning meal Vincent gathered up clean clothes, soap andtowels for a bath. He had already checked Catherine's chamber. Allwas in order waiting for her arrival this evening.

High above him, Catherine slept peacefully. Over the months theirbond had gradually returned to its former level, and once again hecould feel her moods and emotions clearly. While Vincent was gratefulfor its return, in some ways he wished the connection could bemuffled at will. Catherine's dreams drew him until sometimes it wasas if he saw through her eyes. She dreamed of loving him, dreams ofsweetness and passion.

Vincent dropped his clothes at the side of the mineral pool andgingerly stepped into the water. It was hot but not unbearable.Gradually he immersed himself until he could recline on theunderwater ledge with just his head above water resting on a towel atthe edge of the pool.

The water moved against him gently, bubbling up from the naturalspring. Slowly the tensions flowed from his body and his eyelidsclosed. He drifted in that place between sleep and awareness, lulledby the warmth of the water.

Catherine dreamt of a place, warm and misty and quiet. The waterbeckoned her. She dropped her clothes and entered the pool. There wasroom to lie down and enjoy the currents pushing over and around her.She opened her eyes and Vincent stood beside the pool. She extendedher hand to him in invitation. He dropped his cloak and stood beforeher unashamed of his body. Taking her hand he moved into the waterwith her.

Vincent's eyes opened suddenly. He looked around for her andrealized the sense of her presence had been only in his mind. Hereached for her consciously through the bond and gently touched her.Her feelings of love and desire flowed through him along with herwish for a permanent relationship, a commitment.

Vincent wondered if their bond had carried to Catherine histhoughts of their future. For weeks he had thought of little else,going over and over in his mind the questions and doubts about a lifetogether. Again and again he was reminded of Catherine's acceptanceand love, her unshakable belief in the rightness of their love. Shehad demonstrated her faith in their bond and their love when shefollowed him where madness had driven him.

He had been determined to subdue the dark one, even if it meanthis death. Her screaming of his name had pulled him back from theabyss of despair. Vincent worried at the problem long after hisself-inflicted wounds had healed.

When stripped of the guilt, the doubts and the cocoon of limits heplaced around it, their love for each other rose up a clear andshining thing. Pliant as a reed, strong as the finest steel, it wasthis love that carried them through all they had endured together.And finally, Vincent with rigorous honesty stripped the fears down tothe very basics. Would she find his body ugly? Was he capable ofhurting that which he loved best? The answer to both was, No.

Catherine had seen him as he was, naked and driven to the edge bythe struggle. Howling his misery, roaring his agony, beyond thebounds of speech or thought, he came instantly to himself when shescreamed his name and touched him. Even in that instant he knew noteven the dark one would hurt her, he loved her as well.

Vincent had waited for the right time to share this withCatherine. The preparations for the trial and the mourning for herfather had necessitated a delay. Now the time off and her imminentvisit drew him near the time to tell her, to ask her.

He thought of the plain gold band hidden in his chamber. Made fromthe gold piece left on her balcony so long ago to draw him to her andinto Paracelsus' lair. Now it was a thing of beauty with delicateengraving inside, Forever and Always. He hoped to see it on herfinger as a symbol of their love.

* * * * *

"Jen, I haven't given Christmas a thought. Thanksgiving was just ablur. We spent so much time in the law library that I felt like itwas my new home. All I needed was a bed and a closet."

"A big closet," Jenny added with a laugh. "Maybe two closets."

The two friends laughed together as only best friends can. Thoughit had been weeks since they had last seen each other, they had keptin contact with brief phone calls. Sometimes it was just a message onthe answering machine to say, I'm thinking about you. They neverseemed to run out of things to say, the conversation leapfrogged as acomment brought a idea to mind or the memory of something toshare.

What a wonderful thing, friendship. Each knew she had only to pickup the phone and say, I need you, and the other would be there. Andwhen one of them was angry or moody, the other forgave, casting asidethe unpleasant and retaining the essence, the heart of theirrelationship.

"Well, let's go shopping then. Wear comfortable shoes and bringyour plastic," Jenny invited. "How about Friday?"

"Okay. Meet you at Bloomies at five."

"Done."

They parted with a hug and a laugh, each thankful for the love andcompanionship and sense of family she received from the other.

* * * * *

Catherine strolled through the tunnels hand in hand with Vincent.The last two days had been spent catching up with the happenings inthe tunnels, letting Father beat her at chess and sleeping, longrestful hours. Now they were in search of a quiet place to be alone,sometimes a difficult feat in the underground community.

The Mirror Pool was far from the living quarters and provided anideal spot for them. They watched the constellations reflected in thewater for a time before moving to sit on Vincent's cloak with theirbacks against one of the walls. Alone took on a new meaning as theytalked together and the hours of night slipped away.

"Catherine."

The sound of her name and the feelings behind it brought Catherineimmediately to attention.

"Do you remember when you asked me if we would ever be trulytogether?" At her nod, he continued. "I told you we had to movethrough the fears. You said you were not afraid, but I was. Thefuture is an uncertain thing, Catherine. There are no guarantees,thirty years, thirty days, who knows where the future lies?"

In Catherine's heart the bud of hope nurtured these many months,began to open. The Future! He had thought of the future, theirfuture?

"My fear has always been that I might hurt you." At her firstwords of protest, he held up his hand and she fell silent. "When youcame for me, followed me, touched me, you placed your life in myhands. I did not hurt you. Our bond, our connection remained, thoughI had cast off all vestiges of the man.

"It endured when all else was gone. You saw me as I am... all ofme, which is my other fear. I am different, Catherine. I neverthought to find someone who loved me in spite of my differences."

"Not in spite of, Vincent, because of your differences."Catherine's voice was soft with the emotions cascading though herheart.

"No one can say where our future will lead us, Catherine. If youwill have me, I would be all to you that I can for such time as wehave remaining."

The tears slid down Catherine's cheeks as she took her hands inhis, "It will never be long enough. I love you."

"Catherine, my heart, I will love you until my last breath." Heleaned down and took her mouth with his, sealing his promise.

After a time they pulled apart and gazed into each other's eyes.Reflected there, they saw peace and joy and a love that would neverdie.

"Catherine, there are many decisions to be made." He stopped asher fingers were placed gently over his lips.

"And we will make them Vincent, in time. The most important onehas been made, we will have a future, together; and whatever itsshape and form, it will be enough, Vincent."

"If we are to join, Catherine, I would speak vows with you. Weneed time to prepare. I will come to you Above, tomorrow."

"Will you walk back with me?" she asked. She wondered if they metanyone how she would keep from shouting her joy.

* * * * *

Catherine made one more walk through her apartment to see that allwas in order. Candles covered the tables in all the rooms, freshroses glowed like jewels in their vases, champagne cooled in therefrigerator. All was ready.

She showered then dried her hair and brushed it to a lustrouscurve. Lotion was smoothed on her skin and the most delicate touchesof makeup added to eyes and lips. She dressed in delicateundergarments, mere wisps of lace and fabric, and donned an apricotsilk blouse under a creamy woolen jumper. As she added earrings, sheheard the familiar tapping at the door.

Catherine drew in her breath as Vincent entered from the balcony.His hair was freshly washed and framed his face in a golden halo. Awhite, deeply ruffled shirt was tucked into dark green trousers thatclung snugly to his thighs. Leather boots and a green brocade vestcompleted his outfit.

Vincent laid his cloak across the chair and stepped forward totake both Catherine's hands in his. "Are you ready?" he asked.

"Yes."

"Catherine, I love you. I will live with you, love you, protectyou and be a husband to you for as long as we shall live." From hispocket he took a ring and slipped it on her finger. "I promise beforeGod to share all with you: joy, sorrow, health, sickness until theend of time."

"Vincent, I love you. I will live with you, love you, accept yourguidance, and be your wife for as long as I live. All that is mine isnow ours. I promise before God to share all with you in plenty and inwant, in sickness and in health, forsaking all others, until the endof time."

They remained clasping hands and gazing into one another's eyesfor a moment.

"My wife," Vincent said softly as he took her in his arms andkissed her.

Catherine nestled under his chin and murmured, "My belovedhusband." She felt his happiness clearer than anything she had everexperienced in their bond and rejoiced that their dream was finallyreality.

* * * * *

The moonlight streaming through the balcony doors, shown on thecouple standing beside the bed. Clothing fell to the floor untilnothing was between them but air. Vincent took Catherine in his armsand pulled her close. She fit against his body as if made to measure.Mouths whispered words of love.

She felt him lift her easily and carry her to the bed. Each touchof his hand fanned the flames of her love and the touch of his mindintensified the merging to one. Together they rose to mingle with thestars in the radiance of their love.