Chase Me Faster
Catherine Gale and John Steed and Emma Peel
THE AVENGERS
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by Caroline Miniscule
Prelude: Lost Rocket Summer...page 3 Something would have to be done. These nightmares were coming frequently and becoming worse and worse. Never before had she seen Steed as the Grim Reaper, but obviously in her sub-conscious that was now how she thought of him...and her thoughts for him, sub-consciously at least, were thoughts of hatred. But not hatred for Steed, Cathy told herself. Hatred for herself, hatred that she had lived through her ordeal by fire but was now afraid, afraid. Afraid that when she had to confront death again she would not have the courage to do so. "I need a vacation," she told herself. "I need to test myself. Scuba diving...sky diving...that's the ticket. Live life to the edge and prove to myself that I'm not turning into a coward....and...get away from Steed." She hadn't seen Steed since it had happened. It would be best if she did not see him. Cathy nodded to herself as she spun the lazy Susan around idly, watching the chess boards spin around, their pieces spinning around helplessly at her whim. The morning sun arrived while Cathy was still engrossed over her chessboards - this time with her countering moves to her opponents. As soon as she noticed the sun rising over the horizon she went out into her yard to watch the sunrise, breathing in deeply of the sweet smelling air. She was calm now. She'd made her decision. She went back to bed, set her alarm for ten in the morning, and then nestled under the covers and allowed herself to drift to sleep. She did not fear the firey dreams, and she did not have any. When she wakened at ten o'clock she showered again, dressed, and then called her travel agent and booked passage to the Bahamas. Scuba diving, sky diving, and she'd visit Dan Dare and listen to his dreams for the stars. She spent the rest of the afternoon at the library, researching the history of the Bahamas and making plans for things she'd like to see. When she returned home there was a message on her answer phone from Steed, inviting her to tea the next day. Cathy nodded to herself slowly. Tomorrow was the day she would break away. 
She was round to Steed flat's on the dot of the time he had suggested. Knowing her knack for punctuality he'd already had the tea on the boil, and handed her a cup. As she drank the tea he had poured for her Steed puttered around his flat somewhat nervously. He, too, seemed different, more forced, somehow. But his voice was as flippant as usual when he said, "You really look wonderful, my dear." Cathy handed him her empty cup, and he put it away. " And," he said happily, I've hung you in a place of honor." She followed his pointing finger to her portrait above her bureau. It was a lovely likeness. "Yes." Cathy said very grimly. "Very touching." She had steeled herself for this meeting. She knew what Steed would try to do, she knew her feelings for him when she wasn't minutes away from a horrible nightmare, and she knew that she would not be swayed. "I told you a couple of days' complete relaxation would work wonders." Steed said cheerfully. "How are the burns, by the way?" "Only superficial." "Good. I'm delighted to hear it, 'cause....." Cathy watched him cross the room and opened a cabinet door. He removed a small, flat white box and handed it to her. "I've got something for you. To replace the wardrobe you lost in the - er - the line of fire." "Ah, that's nice." She opened the box, and took out the two pieces of a bathing suit. Of course, she thought to herself. "Who told you?" she said resignedly. " Told me what?" " That I'm taking a holiday." "Are you?" Ah, Steed, Steed, there's no one to match you, the way you try to sound innocent when you know that your opponent knows that you are not innocent at all... " Yes." Is all she said. "I leave tomorrow. I'm off to the Bahamas." Steed sat. Steed smiled. "No! What an extraordinary coincidence... As a matter of fact there's just a... " That was it! That was Steed! " A tiny bit of trouble out there?" Cathy said, not quite sure how to sort out the emotions she was feeling. " That's right!" Steed said. "Nothing dangerous, of course." Still that innocent voice. " No, no. Of course not." Steed said brightly, "As you're going to be out there anyway, pussy-footing along those sun-soaked shores..." "I might as well do a little investigating?" "That's the idea. What do you say?" Cathy said very coldly, more coldly then she intended, "Goodbye, Steed!" Steed blinked. For a second she could swear he was actually disconcerted, more at the tone of her voice than at what she had said. But all he said was, "Eh?" Cathy replaced the swimsuit in the box and, holding the box, stood up. "That's what I say. 'Goodbye'." " Oh, but that isn't asking too much...." "Yes, it is! You see, I shan't be pussy-footing along those sun-soaked beaches, I'll be lying on them. Thanks for the swimsuit.'' She gave him a dismissing nod, and walked out of the flat quickly, before she could change her mind, before he could make her change his mind. She more than half expected he'd come after her, and steeled herself for the approach of footsteps, but none came. In his flat, Steed stood still, his face a study. "No pussy-footing? I must have been misinformed." he murmured... Steed sat down and picked up the telephone, and proceeded to dial his superior at Department S to give him the news. |
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