SUCH FIRE AS LOVE'S

The Tunnel adoption ceremony had begun as an impromptu declarationon the day so many years ago when Father had taken Vincent as hisson. It had developed into a more formal event since then, similar tothose other rites of communal celebration Below: Winterfest, namingceremonies and joinings, among others. Yet adoptions were among therarest of the formal rites performed Below, for the simple reasonthat the entire community took over the raising and nurturing of theTunnels' many orphans. Although housed communally, the children wereall considered "family" and shared fully in every aspect of life inthe Tunnels.

Often, special attachments occurred as one or another childdeveloped a closeness to a certain adult, but no formal arrangementswere made due to lack of housing options or lack of true necessity.Pascal was widely accepted as Zak's mentor and father-figure. Fatherhimself had taken Samantha under his wing, guiding her bright,inquisitive mind and giving her the special tutelage she craved inthe wide range of matters of interest Below. Mary, surrogate motherto all the Tunnel children (young and old), had been particularlyclose to Rebecca when the young woman was a child, a relationshipthat continued, rich and fulfilling to them both, even as Rebeccaceased to require any "mothering" at all. So, the specialrelationship that had grown between Catherine and Geoffrey was notconsidered unusual, even though few Helpers had developed such bondswith the youngsters Below.

As word spread that Catherine intended to ask the Council forpermission to adopt Geoffrey, excitement buzzed among the adultinhabitants of the Tunnels. Many wondered aloud how this would changeVincent's relationship with Catherine. When word filtered around thatCatherine would also be asking to move Below permanently, the gossipmill worked overtime considering all the ramifications that bit ofnews represented. The only piece of the puzzle that was missing --the only news that Vincent and Catherine had managed to keep fromleaking out to all and sundry -- was that the two of them planned tobe Joined. That information, the biggest bombshell to hit the Tunnelssince the news the previous year that Vincent and Catherine were nolonger seeing each other, was held only in the two lovers' hearts.But it could not be held there for long.

_ _ _

Vincent called out, "Geoffrey, may I speak with you for a moment?"

As the youngster fell back from his buddies at the older man'scall, he was beckoned to a side tunnel. Standing there now, withVincent's hand on his shoulder, he looked up in anticipation.

Vincent dropped to one knee to face him, his brow contracted inconsternation, and he said, "A decision has been made which greatlyaffects you, and I have realized somewhat belatedly that it was madewithout your knowledge...or approval. The decision should not havebeen made without you, and I apologize." He looked away for a moment,as if it pained him to meet the youngster's eyes.

Vincent was clearly uncomfortable, and Geoffrey couldn't imaginewhy. Besides, he was never consulted about any decisions -- he wasjust a kid! The only time anyone had consulted him was when...uh-oh.He began to get nervous. This had something to do withCatherine...with Catherine and his adoption. So...some decision hadbeen made which affected his adoption. Tears formed in his eyes buthe willed them back. He had to be brave. Vincent needed him to bebrave, he could sense that.

The older man lifted his head again and stared into Geoffrey'seyes. He didn't know how to begin. So much depended upon theunderstanding of this young boy. "Catherine has...spoken to you aboutadoption, and you have agreed to become her son."

As he paused, Geoffrey nodded in confirmation. So far there didn'tseem to be a problem.

Vincent went on. "Recently...I asked Catherine about...comingBelow to live with me. She...she has accepted me, Geoffrey. She and Iwill be Joined."

Geoffrey heart plummeted. He felt as if he had been kicked in thestomach. All he wanted to do was run somewhere and scream. He hadcome so close to having a Mother again -- so close. And now....

Vincent's eyes betrayed his deep trepidation as he came to thereason he had sought the youngster out. "I should have asked youbefore, Geoffrey. You should have been part of the decision. I amsorry."

The young boy stood stiffly and put his hand on the large man'sshoulder. "It's OK, Vincent, really. You and Catherine...you belongtogether. More than...anything. It's OK."

Vincent looked at him in amazement and wonder. "Thank you,Geoffrey! I cannot tell you how much this means to me. I promise youI shall never forget what you have done for me today."

Avoiding his eyes, Geoffrey whispered, "Was that all, Vincent? CanI go now?"

Vincent nodded, puzzled by his reaction, and watched the boy rundown the passageway.

_ _ _

Gathering her gently into his arms, Vincent concluded, "He saidthat you and I belong together. Even a child could see that,Catherine. What took me so long?"

His Bondmate smiled and shook her head, placing a tender kissagainst the strong column of his neck. "It doesn't matter. What doesmatter is that we will be a family! I'm so happy, Vincent! The two ofyou have made me so happy!"

_ _ _

"Geoffrey? Geoffrey, where are you?" Catherine's voice reflectedher worry. She had been searching for the youngster for over an hour.It wasn't like him to just disappear. All the children Below weretaught from the time they could walk to let an adult know wherethey'd be at all times. Too many unpleasant things could befallsomeone -- grown-up or child -- in the often treacherous landscapeBelow.

Having checked chambers and side tunnels along the way, sheeventually entered the Chamber of the Falls. The muted thunder of thewater as it crashed against the rocks far below made her voice soundtinny in her own ears as she called out again.

Just as she was about to leave the area, an obviously reluctantGeoffrey came out from behind some large boulders. He stood still,not approaching Catherine, his head bowed.

Relief coursed through her that the stray had been found. "I'vebeen looking everywhere for you. No one's seen you since thismorning." She ran over to him and knelt, taking his face in herhands. "I was so worried. Are you all right?"

He pulled away from her, moving to sit facing the Falls. In a dullmonotone, he replied, "I'm OK. I just...wanted to be by myself for awhile. I'm sorry if I worried you."

Catherine sat beside him, dangling her legs over the ledge, andnudged him with her shoulder. "It's OK to want to be alone sometimes.You don't need to apologize for it. Just leave a note or something,OK?"

Puzzled, he mumbled, "Why?"

Surprised by his sullenness, she remarked, "Why? Because otherwiseI'll worry, like I told you."

He turned to look at her then, and she noticed that his face wasflushed, his eyes red and puffy.

"Geoffrey, something is wrong! Please tell me?"

In that same distressing monotone, he muttered, "Vincent...Italked to Vincent this morning."

Baffled, she reached out to caress his face, brushing a stray curlfrom his forehead. Vincent had sounded so relieved and happy afterhis discussion with the boy. What could have happened? "Did somethinghe say upset you?"

Fresh tears sprang to his eyes. "He told me...about you andhim."

Catherine smiled, exhilarated at the thought. "Yes! He said youunderstood -- that you said he and I belonged together."

"Yeah, I do believe that." He put his head down and she sawspreading dark patches on his jeans from the tears falling now withabandon. Alarm overwhelmed her.

"Please, Geoffrey, what is it? I can't stand to see you in pain.Come here to me, please." She reached out and pulled him close.

He resisted at first, but his need for comfort overcame hisreluctance to allow any further intimacy between them. He let herwarmth flow over him, but it couldn't ease the hollow feeling in thepit of his stomach. He didn't think that feeling would ever go away.

Her proximity suddenly became unbearable to him. He pulled awayfrom her, roughly, and stammered, "P-p-please, Catherine. I...I don'twant you here! This just makes it h-h-harder."

Confused and concerned, she grasped his shoulders and shook himgently. "What are you talking about? This makes what harder? You'renot making any sense!"

He tore himself from her grasp and stared at her with accusingeyes. "I did what you wanted. Don't you understand? I did what youwanted!" He jumped to his feet and ran from her, blindly, and didn'tstop running until he was sure she couldn't follow.

_ _ _

Catherine finished relating the essence of her troubling encounterto Vincent. She concluded by admitting, "I don't know what to do. Hesaid he didn't want me near him, that I was making something harderfor him. The last thing he said was that he did what I wanted him todo. And...and he called me 'Catherine' -- not 'Mom.' What could hemean?"

Vincent's puzzlement was clear. He went over in his mind his ownrecent conversation with the boy and found no clue to the mystery."And you couldn't find him after that?"

Catherine shook her head. "He ran so fast. I tried to follow but Icouldn't keep up. I called and called, but I couldn't find him. He'salone and he's hurting, Vincent -- and I don't know why!"

Placing a comforting kiss on her brow, he rose and grabbed hiscloak. "I will find him for you -- don't worry," he vowed. With that,he turned and strode from the chamber.

_ _ _

His keen hearing detected the soft shuffling steps retreatingfarther down a dimly lit side tunnel. Following the sound, Vincentcame upon a narrow chamber entrance. He could barely squeeze throughthe entry, but after divesting himself of cloak and tunic he managedthe feat. Raising his torch high, he saw the small figure huddledmiserably against the far wall of the rock-strewn cavern.

"Geoffrey, Catherine is very worried about you. Won't you comeback to the Home Tunnels with me and talk to her about what'stroubling you?"

The boy shook his head in a vehement "no."

He approached the now cowering child and bent to lay a hand on hisshoulder. Geoffrey twisted away from his touch. "Just leave me alone,please! Just go away and leave me alone!" His voice cracked withemotion on the last word.

With a voice filled with sympathy, Vincent responded, "No,Geoffrey. You need someone. Let me be the one you need rightnow."

Anguished eyes looked into his as Geoffrey turned to him andreplied, "I love her."

Stunned, Vincent answered him. "I know. So do I."

Bitterly, the youngster said, "And you've loved her longer. Iunderstand. I'm only a kid, but even I can understand that. That'swhy I gave her back to you. I couldn't stand to see her unhappy, andyou're the one she really wants."

Vincent dropped down beside the boy, shock reverberating throughhim. Of course! How could he have been so blind! In his ownhappiness, he had not thought about what effect his announcementwould have upon the boy. Geoffrey's interpretation of events was achild's, and yet...he had responded as a man. Vincent's respect forthe boy grew immensely as he sat, forming his reply. He had to be socareful now. He'd already unwittingly caused so much torment to thisbrave little one.

Gently, he contradicted the child's heartbreakingly erroneousconclusions. "You are wrong, Geoffrey. She wants both of us. This hasall been my fault, for not explaining what was in my heart, for notmaking you truly understand."

He reached out to stroke the boy's back, but checked the almostunconscious gesture. The youngster wouldn't welcome that touch...notyet. "Geoffrey, Catherine already thinks of you as her son. Theadoption ceremony is only an occasion for celebration for everyoneBelow. You and she are already family.

"When I came to see you this morning...what I was trying to say toyou...was that I had not...asked for your approval before I askedCatherine to...to be with me. I should have done so, and so Iapologized. I wanted to ask your permission to...join yourfamily."

Earnestly, he leaned toward the boy, anxious for him to trulyunderstand. "When you said 'OK' I just...assumed that you understoodeverything I was trying to say. I didn't realize that you thought youhad to...sacrifice your happiness for hers, for mine. That youthought that's what you were being asked...and did it anyway,willingly, out of your love for Catherine -- that was the mostselfless act I have ever witnessed. I hope someday to become the manyou already are, Geoffrey."

The words were slow in penetrating his mind. He hadn't expectedthis -- maybe a lecture about brooding or running away...but notthis! He couldn't think, couldn't form a coherent sentence, and so heresponded with a strangled, "What?"

With formality in his tone, the older man answered, "I'm askingyou if you would allow me to join your family, Geoffrey...if youwould allow me to become your father. I would be honored to have youfor my son."

Geoffrey gulped in astonishment. So, he wasn't going crazy!Vincent had actually said it! He wasn't losing his Mom! Spindly armsthrew themselves around Vincent, hugging him tight.

Vincent's eyes misted, and he whispered, "Do I take this as a'yes'?"

A fierce young voice responded in his ear, "Oh, yes, Vincent! Yes!Catherine's still my Mom, right? And now you're gonna be my Dad?Really?" He realized he was babbling as Vincent's rumbling chuckleaccompanied a hearty "Absolutely!" They hugged for a long time,relief and happiness vying for dominance in their hearts.

_ _ _

"...and this time I'm sure he understood what I said." Vincent,smiling, came to the end of his tale, and Catherine wept intoGeoffrey's hair as she held him tight.

Taking his slight chin in her cupped palm, she angled his face upto hers. Searching his eyes for confirmation, she demanded, "You dounderstand, don't you? The three of us...we'll be a family?"

Geoffrey nodded vigorously. "Like Vinc...like Dad said to me, Mom-- absolutely!"

_ _ _

The formal approval of the Council having been givenenthusiastically to both the adoption and Catherine's permanentrelocation, work proceeded in earnest to prepare for both events.Letting Kanin in on their plans for Joining and swearing him toabsolute secrecy had been necessary, for Kanin's assistance andadvice were vital in selecting appropriate accommodations. Catherinecould have handled all of it with Kanin by herself, of course, butshe didn't want to deprive Vincent of an active voice in all thedecisions which would have to be made. Making Kanin aware of theirintentions would allow the planning to proceed much more easily andquickly.

For several days, Vincent and Catherine huddled with Kanin overplans for family chambers. After considering several options, the twoBondmates decided upon a series of small natural caverns located alittle way outside of the main Hub. Kanin assured them that thecaverns they had selected could be made habitable with some minorstonework. Small but adequate bathing chambers were already availablenearby. They would be relatively close to the sites of all communalactivity, yet they would be far enough away to enjoy a sense offamilial solitude, their nearest neighbors being a long tunnelhallway beyond their portal.

Geoffrey had been asked his opinion about his own chamber and hadselected a modest one right next to the two connected caverns whichwould become the master bedchamber and the family common room. Hewould have his privacy -- and his parents theirs -- but they allwould be within close proximity. The youngster was truly excitedabout having his own chamber, even as he had some trepidation aboutsleeping all alone. As far back as he could remember, he'd alwaysshared living quarters with a number of other children, and it waskind of scary to contemplate the absolute silence which wouldaccompany his nights. Still, his Mom and Dad would be close by, so itwould be OK.

Kanin advised that work on the chambers could be undertaken andaccomplished during his and Vincent's free time within a few months,barring unforeseen problems -- just in time for the festivities.Vincent intended that there would be no such problems -- if he had towork night and day until their Joining to make it so.

_ _ _

"I'm ready!" Catherine, her face flushed with excitement, knelt atthe basement entrance to her threshold. She handed down severalsuitcases to Vincent, then climbed down to join them...and him.

After a long, satisfyingly intense embrace, Vincent remarked,"Mouse and Jamie are available to assist you in moving any of yourother things Below, Catherine. If you can get them to the warehousewhere Peter delivers our drug supplies, they will be able totransport them from there."

Catherine frowned at the idea, asking, "If you don't mind, I'drather wait...until our chambers are ready? There's no sense inmoving things twice. After all, I'll be in a guest chamber until then-- hardly the place to unpack the household items I'll be using afterwe've Joined."

Tilting his head in acknowledgment of her logic, he replied,"Nevertheless...they...may think it strange that you have broughtonly these few things Below. Even knowing you are in temporaryquarters."

"You mean...I would be expected to make the guest chamber 'home'for a few months?"

He nodded.

She sighed deeply. "But I just don't feel like it will be." Then athought struck her, and in a lightly playful voice she suggested,"Now...if I were sharing quarters....?"

He looked at her in genuine puzzlement, not catching her meaning."With whom, Catherine? Geoffrey?"

Shaking her head, she murmured in a soft, low voice, serious now,"No. With...you."

Vincent set the suitcases down gingerly and stared at her. Hestammered in shock, "But...we aren't yet...and we haven't even toldanyone except Kanin that we...."

She honestly hadn't intended to make such a rash suggestion, butit had suddenly seemed so logical when they began discussing movingher things. She was moving Below to be with him, after all. So whynot truly be with him? She sighed softly, realizing she had shockedand disconcerted him. Hardly the way to begin my new life Below, shethought ruefully.

What seemed to Catherine a simple matter caused Vincent's heart toskip a beat. Sharing his chamber...his bed.... He wasn't yet preparedfor all that would mean. Intellectually, he realized that sometimesoon, they would...deepen their relationship. They had agreed to beJoined, and implicit in that was...the joining of not just souls andhearts...but bodies, too. But his mind still skittered away from theactual moment. He thought he still had two months to...preparehimself. And now Catherine was suggesting...tonight?

"Vincent?" She shook his arm gently to get his attention. "It'sOK. Forget I mentioned it. I only thought.... But we have lots oftime. When you're ready...." She let her implication sink in.

When he was ready.... So...she already was. His stomach trembledand clutched. She was ready to...to...he couldn't even wrap his mindaround the concept! She offered him...everything...soeffortlessly...as if it was the easiest, most natural thing in theworld....

Without another word, he hefted her bags and began to walk withCatherine down the long tunnels toward...home.

_ _ _

"Welcome, Catherine!" Father, Mary and Geoffrey were awaiting heras she turned the last corner leading to the guest chamber which hadbeen prepared for her. Smiling in delight, Catherine dropped the bagsshe was carrying and rushed down the passageway into their open arms.

Father's gruff voice was thick with emotion as he murmured in herear, "It is so good to have you here, my dear." Mary held her closefor a long moment, whispering, "Welcome, child!" Geoffrey, hoppingfrom foot to foot in impatience, finally tugged on her sweater togain her attention, and she bent to receive his enthusiasticgreeting.

As Father and Geoffrey moved to take the bags she had abandoned,Vincent spoke for the first time. "Not...here, Father, Geoffrey."

They looked up at him in surprise. Mary remarked, "Buteverything's been prepared! William is planning to bring tea andcarrot cake in a few minutes."

All eyes turned to the large man who almost filled the tunnel. Heturned and said over his shoulder, "Follow me."

Geoffrey looked at Catherine, who shrugged. She took Mary's armand trailed after Vincent, curious now, although a little flame ofhope began to burn within. Father and Geoffrey brought up the rear ofthe little troop as they wound their way through the familiartunnels, stopping at Vincent's chamber entrance. Father's eyeswidened in surprise, and Mary fussed with the warm knitted scarf ather throat.

Aware that he had their complete attention, Vincent began,"Father, Mary...Catherine and I...and Geoffrey...have something totell you."

"But...I thought it was a secret?" the youngster hissed.

Vincent inclined his shaggy head to look down into the boy'squestioning brown eyes. "Not anymore." Facing the older couple, hesaid, "The adoption ceremony will not be the only rite you willconduct on April 12th, Father. Catherine and I...ask that...youpronounce the words that will Join us, also."

Father's mouth worked, but no sound emanated from it. Maryclutched his arm, partially to support him, partially to supportherself. Tears flowed from her eyes as she looked from Vincent toCatherine and back. "So wonderful," she murmured, as if to herself.Rallying, she embraced first one, then the other, saying,"Congratulations, children. This is the best news you could giveus."

Father had found his voice by this time and seconded Mary. Hiseyes suspiciously bright, he congratulated the couple. "It will be acelebration, indeed! Vincent...Catherine...." His voice choked on hername, and he could no longer stifle the tears which fell as he wasembraced by both of them.

Recovering after a moment, he straightened and announced, "We havemuch to plan. The Helpers will all have to be notified, of course.Many will likely want to be included in the festivities. William willneed to plan for a much larger gathering than we had first assumed.Instead of my chambers, I would suggest we hold the ceremonies in theGreat Hall, don't you agree, Mary?" As he spoke, Mary gently herdedhim and Geoffrey down the tunnel towards Father's chamber, murmuring,"Yes, indeed...yes, Father...of course," as he continued to enumerateeverything that would need doing.

Left alone in the passageway, Catherine turned to Vincent. "Thatwas quite a bombshell you dropped. I think it's entirely escapedFather that I'm...moving in with you. He's focused so on the future,he's forgotten about objecting to these...arrangements."

"Yes." The corners of his unique mouth turned up slightly in aquiet smile.

Catherine laughed delightedly. "You're a sly one, Mr. Wells. But Ibelieve you're enjoying your little subterfuge a bit prematurely.Just wait until Father figures it out!"

He shrugged at her warning. "By then, Catherine, you willbe...quite...moved in. He will not be able to...dislodge you soeasily."

She smiled at the thought, then turned serious, gazing deeply intohis eyes. "You're...sure about this? The other chamber is allprepared for me, and if you'd rather....?"

Taking her in his arms, he lowered his head and kissed her -- amove so unexpected that she was caught off-guard and didn't evenrespond to the gentle pressure of his lips upon hers. Breathless, shebegged, "Again?" Obliging her, he offered her that sweetness anew,and she returned the embrace in full. Then, without pulling his mouthfrom hers, Vincent lifted her into his arms and carried her into hischamber.

Catherine's suitcases remained piled outside the chamber entrance,effectively blocking entry. As word spread like wildfire about theimpending Joining, many came to Vincent's chamber to offer theirfelicitations, but none dared to brave that barrier.

The afternoon turned to evening and so to night as notes, smallgifts and the occasional flower began to pile up against the bags. Inthe small hours of the next morning, when Vincent stirred to foragefor food, he found the loving messages there. Smiling, he steppedover them. Time enough later to read them, time enough to accept thecongratulations of their family and friends. Time enough...all thetime in the world.