by Allyson Diana & Steven Goralski

Central Park

New York City

Catherine Chandler walked along the streets toward Central Park, she was angry, outraged to be exact. She wanted those kids to pay for their crimes...how badly she wanted to bring them to justice, but after today’s hearing at the courthouse, she knew that would never happen. They had been too careful, or rather the one who was controlling the kids had been careful. Catherine knew those kids, who were no more than fifteen, gang or not, did not know what they were doing. They were being controlled by someone and she wanted to get him, lock him up and throw away the key. She could feel the blood boiling within her. It scared her to know she could be this vengeful, this crazed....

She let the thought trail off as she approached the Central Park entrance. Soon, she thought, as she quickened her pace toward the other side of the park. Soon, I’ll be with him. He’ll comfort me, he’ll help me understand these ugly, hateful feelings I have inside me. He always understands. She smiled at the thought of him and how well he knew her, sometimes, even better than herself. That was their connection, that was their love. Soon she would be in his arms and the ugliness of the feelings, the coldness of the New York streets, and the hate which swelled within her, would be melted away like ice being kissed by a warm flame. Soon, she said again to herself, hoping to will away the feelings of the past few days, and take comfort in their safe haven.

She smiled as she saw the opening that would lead her to him. He would be waiting for her, as always. He always knew when she was coming to join him. "I’m coming, Vincent", she said softly in her mind. "Please help me, make this nightmare go away....."

Suddenly Catherine heard two voices to her left. She stopped and turned quickly, scanning the grounds of the park and the trees nearby. She froze in place, waiting to hear something…anything she could recognize. Nothing. She looked over the park again and decided to keep walking. She wasn’t followed, she knew that. No one would have cause to follow her. No one knew what she did at night and most of her friends didn’t live here in New York. She shrugged off the feeling she had, not wanting to alarm him. She knew if she allowed herself to, she would frightened. After all it was past midnight in Central Park and she was no stranger to violent crime.

Just as that thought crossed her mind, they appeared. Two at first, then three more behind, encircling her until she had no escape. They moved in quickly. Catherine reached for her gun. She felt it in her hand but it was too late. One of the boys behind her, hit her in the back-- hard. Hard enough, to make her fall. She got up quickly, ready for a fight. She knocked two of them down then she was caught by the other two, each holding an arm, they pushed her to the ground. Dazed, she looked up…and screamed. She saw the gun pointed at her by what looked like the oldest boy.

"Shut up lady or the DA’s office will put you away…in a body bag," he said in a slight Hispanic accent. As he laughed, Catherine wondered if this child truly understood the crimes he had committed, if the five women this boy had violated and left for dead, ever visited him in his nightmares. As she tried to stand, the three behind her pinned her to ground.

She fought against the fear of these attackers, she had to , she kept telling herself. Until the older boy looked down at her with an expression Catherine prayed she would never see…fear consumed her. She was not going to be a victim… "ever again !!" She struggled harder as the adrenaline burned through her. This only caused the boys to tighten their grip and pain shot from her wrists as they pushed down with their weight. Fear and anger ripped through her now. Complete anger and all consuming hatred, she wanted them all dead. She wanted them more than dead.

The savage roar could have been heard miles away and chilled many a soul that night. But to Catherine, that voice was the call of deliverance from a saving angel of grace. Her attackers all stopped their poking and laughing at her, to look in the direction of the blood curdling sound. Those precious moments gave Catherine enough time to act. She kicked the older boy in the groin and broke free from the other two who were looking in horror and shock, as Vincent appeared through the darkness. They stood in terrified amazement at this thing which raped them of all thoughts but one… "I’m going to die."

As Vincent ran towards the stunned and huddled group, the oldest boy fired the gun. The bullet , intended to send Vincent into eternal darkness, served only to awaken the darkness within him. The boy started muttering Spanish prayers he had long forsaken and scrambled away from his aggressor. Vincent growled as he continued his charge. The boys who had held Catherine turned and ran towards the woods. Vincent stood over the oldest who pointed the gun at him with a shaking hand. Vincent reached down, grabbing the boy’s wrist, he twisted it in his hand until he felt the bones crack. The gun dropped to the ground as the boy screamed in pain.

Two more boys, Catherine hadn’t noticed before, stepped out of the shadows, running towards her. With a strong grip they dragged her away, muffling her screams. As he felt her fear again, Vincent instantly dropped the boy and tore after them, running at a break neck speed.

A few moments later, he heard Catherine scream again and found her lying face down in a puddle of mud. Vincent looked around for any sign `of the attackers. When he found none, he went to her and gently turned her over. He delicately brushed the hair away from her bloodied face. He could scarcely believe this was his beloved Catherine. Holding her in his arms, he felt the object, strong and heavy come down upon him. Catherine moved slightly as she slipped from his arms. He shook his head quickly to clear his vision and felt another blow. He turned, claws bared, to the three boys standing before him. The four other boys reappeared from the shadows, encircling he and Catherine. Vincent glared at the nearest child…who believed himself ready for manhood….

Fox Mulder stood next to the carousel of slides, looking at Dana Scully. She stood in front of him, glancing back at him over her shoulder.

"Claw marks?" She questioned after his last statement.

"That’s what it looks like," Mulder answered, pushing the remote to show the next slide.

"Did you check the local zoo, Mulder? Maybe a lion escaped?" She was joking, but when Mulder’s face changed to a serious expression. She walked to him. "What do you think?" She wasn’t sure she wanted the answer.

"The claw marks on the bodies were done by someone…or something, Scully." The slide changed again to reveal the fourth teenage male victim. "All of them were slashed, preciously in places which would only cause deep wounds, but not death." He walked up to the latest slide and pointed at the slash marks. "A lion would not have been so thoughtful." He stared at Scully through the light of the slide projector. She stared back, then turned her attention to the slide itself. Carefully looking at the marks. She had to admit, if even to herself, that Mulder was right. No animal she knew of, or that would reside in New York could of calculated exactly where to hit. However, that didn’t mean that it was an X- File.

"What about the local authorities, Mulder?"

"They interviewed the teenagers, all had conflicting stories. Mostly they were scared of whatever it was the saw the night in the park." Mulder moved back to the slide projector. "And strangely enough, the woman who the kids assaulted doesn’t remember anything about what attacked the boys or shed any light on the fact that she was left unharmed and somehow showed up on the steps of the emergency room at St. Vincent’s Hospital." Mulder looked at Scully for a long moment, trying to reel her into the case. He knew there was more going on with this case and he wanted both of them to find out.

"Who was the victim, the women?" Scully finally asked, breaking their stare.

Mulder pushed the button on the remote and the next slide appeared. Mulder thought he heard Scully gasp. He looked over at her slightly before turning back to the picture on the screen.

"Her name is…" Mulder started, but Scully was the one who finished his sentence.

"Catherine Chandler." Scully walked a few steps to the photo.

"You know her?" Mulder asked, now intrigued.

"We went to the academy together." Mulder flipped open the file left on his desk and searched for information.

"She’s with the DA’s office in New York."

"I know, she never finished the FBI training, she quit . She had gone to law school and was a brilliant lawyer. She worked with her father’s law firm, corporate. Until she had the accident." Scully said as if reciting from the file itself. "Cathy and I used to joke about how we were the only two women in the Bureau." She glanced over at Mulder. "At least the only two in a lot of our classes."

"What accident?" Mulder asked, turning off the slide projector and flipping off the lights. He turned back to Scully, waiting for her answer. This case was a lot more than it seemed, he thought to himself.

Scully stared back at him for a moment. She sighed, moving to the edge of his desk. Leaning against it, she proceeded to tell Mulder about Catherine Chandler.

"It happened about….five years ago. Cathy was assaulted by three attackers. They took her in van and slashed her face terribly. She was left for dead in Central Park." Scully stopped and looked back to the projector as if seeing Cathy’s face again. Mulder glanced down at the file in his hand with a picture of Catherine in it.

"I take it she had reconstructive surgery done," Mulder said, compassionately trying to imagine that type of pain.

"Yes," she sighed and continued. "10 days after the attack. She was found with her wounds stitched and healing. It was amazing, actually. Judging from the deep cuts, I saw on her the day she returned, she would never have survived for two weeks roaming around New York."

"What happened?"

"No one really knows. Obviously someone took care of her. Someone who knew about medicine. The stitches seemed to have been done with old instruments, but they were done well. Cathy didn’t remember anything about the incident…or so she had said." Scully stopped, surprised at her last comment. Mulder leaned against the desk close to her.

"You think she knows who saved her life," Mulder eyed her closely. He wanted to know what Scully knew about this woman, it could help with the case now.

"I don’t know, Mulder. Even if she did know who had saved her, it’s likely she would never reveal the identity. Maybe that’s what this person asked her for in exchange for his kindness. Whoever it was, Mulder, I’m glad they were there for her." Scully looked up at Mulder. Mulder read her expression and understood that this woman, this Cathy Chandler meant a lot to Scully. He felt guilty about the way he had told Scully about Cathy, but then he didn’t know at the time they were friends.

"Have you seen her recently?" Mulder finally asked, walking to his chair and grabbing his coat.

"No, it’s been awhile. After the accident, we sort of grew apart. I told myself I would call her soon, but I never seemed to get around to it. She did call me a few times since then and every year I receive a Christmas card from her. I guess she gave up on me." Scully finished the last sentence with a sad tone to her voice. Mulder put his hand on her shoulder.

"Maybe it’s time for a reunion," Mulder handed Scully her coat and they walked out the door of their basement office, heading to the airport.

"They have nothing to find, Vincent," Catherine said in a soft tone, looking at her love. Vincent stared out into the lights of the city, deep in thought.

"Joe’s being crazy. He’s bringing in the FBI to make himself feel better." Catherine thought about the past few days at the office. She honestly couldn’t believe, Joe, her boss, her friend, had called the FBI to help find out who wounded those kids. Catherine felt like screaming to him about Vincent and Father and the safe world under the streets of New York. Instead, she had just decided to fight against it, explaining to him that finding the one who controlled those kids would be the best route to take. Cathy knew then that this was personal for Joe and he was not going to relent. No matter what reasons she gave him. Cathy looked back at Vincent and reached up, gently pulling his chin to have his eyes meet hers.

"No one is going to hurt you," she said with deep conviction. "I will never allow it."

"Catherine, you have to risk so much for our secret. I do not want you to protect me. You need to do your job and I knew what I was doing when I stopped those boys from attacking you," Vincent touched her face, dearly and sighed, looking back over the cityscape. "I can’t lose you, Catherine." He looked back at her.

She looked up at him, with loving eyes. "Vincent, you will never lose me."

They stared at each other for a long moment and then Vincent pulled her into his arms and held her close. He thought, sometimes, if they could just be together in his world, nothing would ever hurt her. If only he could be there…..always. But he knew that was not possible…not now. Vincent’s thoughts were cut short by Catherine’s phone ringing. He let go of her and started to move away.

"No, stay. I don’t need to answer it," she said, pleading in her eyes as she held onto his arm. They stared at each other, connected with one feeling, one heart, as the phone rang two more times.

"I have to go, Catherine," he finally said. "It’s late." He looked at her one more time, then turned to leave. Catherine stopped him.

"Vincent…." She looked into his eyes, deeply, "I love you. I will always love you." He moved back to her, holding her shoulders. His smile was slight, but love-filled.

"And I can love no other...for eternity," he said slowly, each word holding deep meaning in it. Vincent reached down, touching her face again. Catherine smiled and reaching up on her toes to meet her face with his, she placed a kiss on his lips. He stared for a moment after their kiss ended, then smiled and turned to go back to his world. Catherine watched him for a moment, then turned back to her apartment and the insistent ringing of her phone. She realized as she walked back into her bedroom that she had forgotten to put the answering machine back on.

"Hello?" Catherine said, distantly staring back onto the balcony.

"Cathy? Is that you?" Cathy snapped back to the phone and the other person of the end of it. She took in a breath and let it out slowly. She knew that voice.

"Dana, god, Dana is that you?" Cathy smiled.

"Yes, I wasn’t sure you would want to speak with me after not returning any of your phone calls," Dana said, unsure of how to deal with this situation. She looked over at Mulder standing next to her in the hotel room. He was staring at the file in his hand, but she knew he was listening. Listening to her stammering through this. Scully smiled to herself, he probably enjoyed seeing her like this. She focused back to the phone and Cathy.

"Dana, it’s great to hear from you. So how’s the FBI? Are you in charge yet?" Cathy laughed slightly. It had always been one of their in-jokes. Although, deep down, Cathy knew Dana Scully would be remembered at the FBI or anywhere she went.

"No, not yet. But I’m working on it." Dana said. Mulder looked up at her statement, Scully didn’t notice, she was now engrossed in a talk with her friend. A friend, she hadn’t realized how much she had missed over the years.

After a few more minutes of remininsciencing about "old times", Dana decided it was time to get to business.

"You really should come to New York, Dana, it’s beautiful…especially at Christmas time," Cathy said, indicating that Dana shouldn’t disappoint her again.

"Actually, Cathy, I am in New York. Not too far from you."

"Great! Let me take you out for some coffee or you could just come over here. God, Dana I would really love to see you. It has been too long and I’ve missed you. There is so much that has happened since the last time we talked. It was right after the accident, wasn’t it? That feels like a whole lifetime ago," Cathy stopped taking a breath. Dana smiled, it was nice to be talking with Cathy again. She was always forgiving. She never judged. That’s what Dana liked about her the most. Cathy wouldn’t make her explain why she hadn’t called after four years.

"Listen, Cathy, we’re on a case."

"We?" Cathy questioned. Then stopped herself. "Oh, right you would have a partner." She was about to ask what case when she felt her stomach drop. She paused a minute and Dana heard her suck her breath in. "The Mirandas case." She finally said flatly. All the enthusiasm and excitement gone from her voice. Dana was surprised a bit by the complete change in her voice.

"Yes. It seems your office called in the FBI." Scully waited for an answer, anything to indicate how Cathy was going to take this.

"That’s great, Dana. I mean, it’s not great why you’re here, but I’m glad we’ll be able to see each other again." Catherine said, changing somewhat back to her earlier mood. "So, I suppose you will want to interview the kids…and me." She said slowly. Dana was trying hard to read through Cathy’s voice how she was feeling about all of this. She didn’t want Cathy to think that she only came because of the crime committed, but Dana wasn’t really sure why she had jumped on the plane, without any more questions. It certainly wasn’t a typical X File. Well, it had some unanswered questions, but usually she would of tried to rationalize it out with Mulder before letting her curiosity get the better of her. Maybe, she thought quickly, she want to know for herself. What happened to her friend over five years ago, had always bothered Scully. She always, deep in the back of her mind, wanted to know what happened those 10 days that Cathy was gone. Maybe this time, Cathy would tell her.

"Tomorrow. We’ll meet you at the DA’s office..if that’s all right with you. Unless you would like to meet…" Dana trailed off. Cathy picked up on her uneasiness with the situation and helped her friend out.

"You can come to the office around noon and we’ll go to lunch. How does that sound?" She said, hoping to make the situation more comfortable for both of them.

"That would be great. We’ll see you then, Cathy."

"It was nice hearing from you, Dana. I’m glad you’re here. We have a lot of catching up to do."

"It was nice talking to you, too, Cathy. It’s been awhile." Scully finally said and then hung up the phone, turning to Mulder. He was waiting for the verdict. "Tomorrow at noon. We’ll meet her at the DA’s office." Scully picked up the file from the dresser, Mulder had left it on and moved to the chair. She opened it and sat down. Mulder moved towards her and sat down in the chair opposite hers.

"How was she?" Mulder asked. Scully didn’t look up from the file.

"Fine. Actually, she sounded....content." Scully looked up, past Mulder in deep thought. Cathy sounded too content. It was strange. She had always been a positive type of person, that’s why they had gotten along so well in the FBI, but after what had just happened to her, Scully thought she would of been more shaken up.

"You sound like there’s more," Mulder said, looking at her. Scully averted her eyes from the wall to look into his.

"She’s very content. That experience in the park had to bring back memories, Mulder. At least some for her. She sounded as if she hadn’t gone through the assault." Scully put down the file, realizing it wasn’t going to explain Cathy’s attitude. "And that’s not all, she changed the minute I mentioned we were out here to work on the case."

"Well, maybe she is shaken up, but is trying not to let you see it," Mulder resolved. "Either way, I guess we’ll know tomorrow."

"I suppose I’m jumping to conclusions. Cathy’s always held her emotions tight. She just seemed different. More open...more, I don’t know." Scully looked down, thinking about this woman and how different she really did sound to her after all these years.

"It’s been five years, Scully. Everyone changes." Mulder stood up and headed for the door. He put his hand on the doorknob and turned back to Scully. "She was a good friend of yours." It wasn’t really a question, more of an observation, Mulder had made.

"Cathy and I were good friends....but like you said that was a long time ago. People change." Mulder smiled and walked out the door. Scully turned to the window looking out over the city. New York was beautiful at night, she thought as she pulled the curtains closed and decided to get some sleep.

Joe Montana looked up from his desk as Cathy walked in with two people in suits behind her.

"Joe, I want you to meet Special Agents Dana Scully and Fox Mulder." Cathy said, standing to the side of the office as they came in. Joe smiled, got up and moved to them, extending his hand to Scully first.

"Nice to meet you. So the FBI does make house calls." He said, shaking Mulder’s hand and ushering them to the couch in the office. Scully and Mulder sat down. Joe leaned against his desk, Cathy remained standing. Scully noticed her uncomfortableness. Even though, her greeting had been warm. Hugging Scully and talking to her, then quickly apologizing to Mulder for ignoring him. She had shaken his hand. Mulder had looked at her and smiled, Scully knew that smile and usually ignored it. After all, Mulder’s taste wasn’t bad, Catherine Chandler was a beautiful woman. Scully had always thought so, but this exchange was different. Cathy noticed Mulder’s smile and look, even if it was for the briefest moment and even if it meant nothing, but appreciation to see a beautiful woman. Cathy noticed it and stayed a distance away from Mulder as if she had experienced this before and the experience wasn’t good. She did not look Mulder over, either. Scully had almost laughed to herself. She was very good at reading Mulder. She had seen almost every woman give him at least a once-over, but Cathy just smiled back to him and told them she would introduce them to her boss, the Assistant DA.

Scully had seen Mulder was taken back by the fact that his usual reaction wasn’t received and the fact that his supposed look actually offended her. For a moment, Scully actually thought Mulder felt terrible for doing it, but it wasn’t his fault, he didn’t necessarily do it consciously. It was just something he always did when he saw a beautiful woman and now seeing the distance Cathy had put between herself and Mulder had bothered him. Scully knew that Mulder would have to be careful on his next move. She needed him for this case. She didn’t want to become personally involved because of the victim being a friend. Mulder would know how and when to keep things professional. He wasn’t good at it when it came to himself, but he can and has helped her before. Scully turned to him, watching the man in the white shirt, no tie and slacks. Scully knew he was intentionally focusing his attention on the case and not make Cathy feel any more uncomfortable than necessary with the circumstances.

"So, Agent Mulder, what do you think is going on? Those kids have some sort of animal they let loose by accident or were they attacked by some animal who had escaped the local zoo?" Joe looked from Mulder to Scully assessing their glances at each other.

"I think we’ll need some time to determine that, Mr. Montana," Scully answered getting to business. "We would like to interview the kids later this afternoon." As if on cue, Mulder and Scully both stood up.

"Of course. I’ll call the hospital and let them know you’re coming." Joe said, standing up also. "I appreciate you responding so quickly to this matter." He shook their hands again and led them out the door. "By the way, any resources we can pull for you both, just let me know." He stopped at the door. " I want to find out what happened to Cathy. She’s one of my best." He said, sincerely, smiling at her and closing the door behind him.

"He’s a little overprotective," Cathy smiled and turned to the agents. "I’ll get my coat and we’ll be on our way." She moved back to her paper covered desk and pulled her coat off the chair. She reached down for her purse and proceeded to walk back to the pair of agents standing to the side, huddling close to each other, softly talking. Cathy slowed down her pace a bit to let them talk.

"It’s nice to have local law on our side," Mulder said smiling at Scully. She looked at him and smiled slightly back. He paused a moment and let out a sigh. Scully waited for the next question. "Scully, was it just me or does your friend feel uncomfortable around me? I could be reading into it, but she practically ran away from me when I shake her hand and looked at her." Scully almost laughed. He was serious.

"What can I say, Mulder, you have a way with women." Scully smiled and moved away from the wall as Cathy approached. All three of them walked out of the DA’s office and into the hustle of New York Lunch hour.

Mulder, Scully and Cathy had been nice and courteous to each other from the minute they arrived and ordered at the cafe. It wasn’t that any one of them were not friendly to each other, it was mostly the feeling Cathy got which seemed no one wanted to start the questioning and if truth be told, Cathy did not want to have to explain herself or lie to one of her friends, whether they have grown apart or not. So she was content to provide information about the DA’s office and her work.

Mulder finally after eating half his lunch, decided it was time to find out what Cathy knew about the case and whether or not she was going to tell them. He put down his sandwich and waited for Cathy to finish her nice conversation. Then he pounced.

"Miss Chandler, I’m sorry, but we have to ask you some questions...about the assault." Mulder said softly. Scully looked at him for a moment, he was making a concerted effort not to further make her uncomfortable around him, but he was right and she hadn’t been sure how to start the interrogation. Cathy sighed quickly and put down her sandwich, wiping her mouth with the napkin in her lap. She looked from Scully to Mulder and finally decided how she would handle this.

"There’s not much to know. I was assaulted in Central Park by the Miranda gang after the judge at the hearing let them go on a technicality. I had been the one to catch them with a local police officer so I assumed they wanted to take revenge. It’s nothing new. Probably happens to you as well, Agent Mulder." Cathy averted her eyes from Scully’s and concentrated on Mulder. "It would be easier talking to him than Dana," she thought to herself. After all, she had just met him today.

"Then what happened, Miss Chandler? How did you arrive at the hospital?" Cathy keep her eyes on Mulder.

"I don’t know. I went unconscious sometime during the attack. Two of them threw me to the ground and I must of blacked out. Next thing I remember was waking up in the hospital." She finished, holding Mulder’s eyes for a moment longer, then returning her attention back to her sandwich.

Mulder watched her closely with a trained physiologist eye. Scully reached over and touched Cathy’s hand.

"I’m sorry, we have to do this, Cathy. I wish it was better circumstances, but there are a lot of questions about this case and Mulder and I just want to make sure that gang isn’t allowed to do this to someone else. So anything you can remember would be helpful." Scully moved her hand back down to her side and looked at Cathy. She looked in her eyes, but couldn’t tell what was there. "Try and think, Cathy. Is there anyone else you remember that night? Anyone who may have helped you? Anyone who stopped those kids from hurting you?" Scully was speaking gently, softly and Cathy was looking down at her plate. "Anyone...or anything?" Cathy head shot up at the last statement. Scully could of sworn she had seen anger in her eyes, for a brief moment. Scully and Mulder exchanged a glance. They both were thinking the same thing. Cathy knew more...and she wasn’t about to tell them.

"Do you remember something, Cathy?" Scully continued, putting her hand on Cathy’s. Cathy pulled back slightly.

"I’ve all ready been through this, Dana, with the police. I don’t remember anything," she said angry. Then she turned back to Dana and softened her expression. "I’m sorry, Dana, but I just can’t remember." She looked down at her watch, picked up the bill left on the table, stood up quickly and smiled at them. "I’ve got to get back. This is on me, all right. I’m sorry I couldn’t help you." She looked from Mulder to Scully, who were now standing as well. "I wish I could help you out. Dana, I’ll talk to you soon. We should get together and talk about old times, before you go back."

"I’d like that, Cathy," Scully agreed.

"Well, it was nice meeting you, Agent Mulder," she said quickly and turned around, leaving money with the cashier and walking out the door.

Mulder and Scully sat back down.

"Strike one," Mulder said, looking away from Scully.

"She knows what happened, Mulder," Scully offered with a feeling of anger in her voice. Mulder looked up at her, quickly. "She knows who helped her....and she’s lying to us." Scully looked toward the door and then down at the table. "Why?" She said, almost to herself.

"She’s protecting someone, Scully." Mulder said, looking at his partner. He understood how it felt to be lied to by friends, people you cared about. Mulder understood all too well.

"I thought she would tell me," Scully said, then laughed suddenly. "Why would she? Who am I to her now, anyway. We had a good friendship, but it was years ago. Our lives have changed. She has no reason to trust me." Scully stood up, changing her attitude back to an FBI agent. "We should interview those kids." Mulder stand up and followed Scully out the door. He knew she would talk with him later about Cathy and Mulder had a few ideas he wanted to share with Scully about helping Miss Chandler trust them.

Catherine slammed down the third file she was looking at and grabbed her coat. "I have to warn him," she thought as she passed by Joe’s office. She debating going in, but decided against it.

"I’ll be right back, Joe. I’ve got to talk with someone," she called to him as she passed. She saw him nod and she continued out of the office and onto fifth avenue. She had to talk with Vincent and let him know what Dana Scully and Fox Mulder wanted. They wanted the answers to all the questions, local investigators had asked for years. But they were different, Cathy had seen that. Dana’s partner was determined, too determined and Cathy found it unsettling. Dana, herself, was curious. She wanted to tell her, make her understand, but Cathy knew Dana too well. She was not a romantic, she did not believe in true love and following your heart. She had spent too much of her life, being cold, logical, unwavering in her thoughts and completely insensitive to her feelings and emotions. Cathy didn’t blame her, that’s why she had left the academy. She knew she couldn’t be like that, but Dana had to be. It was still a man’s world and it couldn’t be easy for Dana with a male partner, especially one as intense as Fox Mulder. "No," Cathy thought as she walked quickly to the 14^th street entrance, "no I can’t tell you Dana, you wouldn’t understand. I wish you did, I wish I..." she stopped her thoughts and went down the stairs to the basement of the Laundromat.

Slowly she stepped into the opening, feeling for the ladder. She didn’t know this entrance as well. Before she knew what happened she had leaned too quickly without support and no ladder under her foot. She fell into the opening.

"Catherine, are you all right?"

"Vincent..." she said, softly but with intensity. He had caught her. He knew she was there. The connection they had always amazed her. He put her down gently and then faced her. She didn’t allow herself the need to hug him. The need to feel his arms around her. She had to tell him quickly and leave. She was worried and Vincent could sense that.

"What is it, Catherine? What has happened?" Vincent said, slowly, studying her every move. Catherine wanted to go to him and show him all the fear she had inside of her. The fear of losing him, the fear of him being hurt, the fear of discovery. But she stood in the same place and slowly pushed the fears aside, not wanting to alarm him.

"The FBI agents have spoken with me about what happened that night in the park. I told them I don’t remember, but..." She stopped and looked at him. Now that she was here, she couldn’t find the right words to say to him.

"You believe they know you are lying," Vincent said, finished her thought. Catherine nodded. Vincent took in a breath and turned slightly away from her. "Catherine, we must not speak or see each other....for awhile." He looked back at her, both sharing in the anguish of what that suggestion would mean. It was hard for them to be apart, the pain almost became unbearable.

"I know," Catherine said. "It is what I came here to tell you." She looked deep into his eyes, he held the stare.

"Catherine, I am sorry you must keep this secret at the cost of lies. I wish it were not this way," Vincent said, pain in his voice. Catherine held his hands in hers.

"Vincent, it is no one’s fault. I choose my path many years ago and I will never regret what I have done to keep you safe. To keep you here...where we can be together." Vincent looked down and then back to her eyes. He loved her eyes. Those beautiful eyes, he could see into her soul. He knew she spoke the truth, Catherine never lied to him. Vincent had one more question before they would depart from each other’s side, something he had felt as soon as he caught her in his arms.

"Catherine...," he started, looking at her, intently, "why do I feel guilt for what you have done? Something, I have not felt from you before." Vincent searched for her answer. Cathy sighed and turned her head away. She walked past him to the other side of the tunnel. Vincent turned following her with his eyes.

"One of the FBI agents was...is a friend of mine from years ago. I have not spoken with her for awhile, but somehow I felt guilty lying to her. We were very close." She looked back at him.

"And she would not understand," Vincent said. Catherine nodded, walking back to him.

"She would not understand," she said, trying to smile.

"Catherine, people can surprise you, especially ones we care about." Vincent looked at her again. Catherine smiled and they embraced, holding onto each other, hoping to keep this feeling for as long as they would be apart. This was their strength, in each other.

"I will contact you when I feel it is safe," Catherine said as she started back up the ladder.

Vincent caught her hand, "I will know when it is safe, Catherine." She smiled, he let go of her hand and watched her as she disappeared through the opening in the floor and the light emitting from basement was shut off by the door closing behind her. Vincent started to make his way back to his home. He walked a few steps and turned back to the closed door.

"Be well, Catherine."

Mulder sat, stretched out on Scully’s bed in the hotel room, watching her go over the reports on the gang members for the fourth or fifth time in the last few days. He loved the way her mind worked. Un-relentlessly, trying to put the pieces together. He loved the way she was rational and logical about what those kids described. What they thought they had seen. "A beast-man, horrific and terrorizing," one of the kids had said. He loved how she dismissed it as scared kids, when he knew she saw those marks on their bodies. He knew she couldn’t openly deny it. He loved everything about Dana Scully. And he especially loved working with her.

Over the last week, they had looked over the crime scene at the park, interviewed the kids in the hospital as well as some of the gang they could locate with the help of the DAs office. They had concluded that someone was controlling those kids and that he most likely lived here in New York, but that wasn’t too difficult. The local police basically had figured that out. Since they were waiting for this gang to screw up. Montana and the DA was backing the police in assisting them with their investigation. Much to Mulder’s liking and Cathy’s disliking, they were able to investigate, specifically what attacked those kids in Central Park. Mulder had interviewed some of Cathy’s co-workers in an unofficial capacity, including Joe Montana, her boss. Scully told him in no uncertain terms that Cathy was not the one of trial, at which point, Mulder begged to differ with her, but decided in the end, it would be better not to antagonize Scully or Cathy. So he dropped it, but he mentally took notes of some of the conversations. That left only Cathy to further get answers from and she wasn’t exactly accessible. They had tried in the office, but her story remained intact. Then Scully tried alone, but Cathy had called the restaurant to apologize but she couldn’t make it. She was working late at the office. Now, here they sat in the hotel room with no more of an answer to this attacker and friend than a week ago when they had first arrived.

Mulder smiled again at Scully’s determination. She was now looking through the file on Cathy herself, five years ago. Mulder had pulled the file from the local police station to look into the first assault case on Catherine Chandler.

"Hey Scully, tell me about Cathy’s assault again," he said, breaking her out of her own thoughts. She looked up at him, quickly.

"I told you what I know. It’s all here in the report. What does it have to do with this case anyway? It was a long time ago, Mulder," she said moving to the bed and sitting down. Mulder pulled up his legs and crossed them, giving her more room. She edged up on the side of the bed, looking at him. He smiled to himself, he also liked how comfortable she was with him. Her suit jacket was off, draped over a chair. He had no tie or jacket on. This felt right to them, this was their time together. They worked best late at night in hotel rooms. He leaned forward to talk with her.

"I think Cathy Chandler not only knows who attacked those kids, but where that person is," Mulder started, Scully started to protest, but Mulder put up his hand. "Just hear me out. The kids said they pushed her down to ‘rough her up a bit.’ Then they heard a roar, a loud roar, like a lion’s, right?"

"Right." Scully confirmed.

"They all scattered, but this thing approached them in the darkness. One of them, the older one, said it attacked him and it had a gun. We know he was lying about the gun, because of the kid’s fingerprints all over the gun. The others said they fled and this thing, this beast-man ran after them and they cornered them attacking them as well." Scully looked at him, shaking her head at his phrasing of the attacker.

"Right. What are you getting at, Mulder?" She said, impatiently.

"Scully, I don’t think those kids let Catherine Chandler go. I think they had more things in mind for her." Mulder looked closely at Scully.

"They were going to make her remember what she had done to them," Scully said, a dark shadow was around her words.

"Right. I think they were going to make her pay for catching them and making them go through the process...in more ways than just a few cuts and bruises"

"Raping her," Scully said.

"It would fit their pattern. Why just knock her out. They weren’t after roughing her up, they wanted more than that." Mulder said, looking intently at Scully. "They wanted her to remember what would happen if she tried again."

Scully got up and moved to the file lying on the table. She picked up a piece of paper and took it back to the bed, sitting down again, reading it.

"Cathy said in her statement, that after the boys came at her, she was knocked to the ground by two of them and she fell unconscious. That was all, except the reason she was in the park in the first place," Scully finished and looked back at Mulder. She could tell his mind was working, quickly.

"Yea, taking a walk. By herself, through Central Park, after midnight. Not to mention that the scene of the crime was quite always from the entrance. On a side of the park, no one used anymore." Mulder and Scully looked at each other.

"Did you think she was meeting someone? Do you think she was somehow involved?" Scully stopped that thought and stood up quickly. "Mulder, I may not have seen Cathy for awhile and people do change, but I honestly cannot believe she would be involved in illegal activity. Cathy just isn’t like that. She always wanted to help people not hurt them." Scully stood, staring down at Mulder, with determination. It was one thing that she lied to them, but she may of had a good reason and Mulder was not about to make her believe Cathy was involved with these kids.

"No, I agree, Scully. I don’t think she was involved with the crime. But I do think she was meeting someone or waiting to meet someone in that park. She, herself, said in her statement, she goes a lot to the park at night. Why? After being attacked and brutally hurt, then being left to die in that park, why would she return to it? Who is she seeing in that park, Scully? Why was she there that night? She knew those kids were out, she even said, they threatened her in court before they were released. Why would she pick that night to walk through Central Park after midnight alone?"

"We need to speak with Cathy again."

"You know, Scully," Mulder started sitting on the edge of bed, putting on his shoes. "I know you think the answer to this case is with those kids, but to be honest with you, have you heard any of Cathy’s co-workers. Do you know she was missing for several weeks after her father died, a few years back and when she first came to the DA’s office, she was involved in an investigation on some small-time prostitute ring, who just happened to be the men who had mistaken her identify and slashed her face and," Mulder continue, gaining speed, "just happened to be killed in a brownstone in the village." Mulder stood up, walked to his duffel bag and tossed Scully the folder on the investigation. "They died of severe claw marks and slash wounds across their chest and neck."

Scully looked from Mulder to the file, opening it. She gasped at the horror in the pictures. One by one, it revealed the men and their wounds. The slashing was severe, that was certain. She looked up. "These wounds could of been done by the same thing, they look like the same size claws marks as the recent ones," Scully stopped, looked down one of the photos again, " except there was no calculated attack. It looked like they were just mauled."

Mulder picked up the file on Cathy and the file in Scully’s hand. She stood up. He leaned in close to her. "Maybe he got better as he went along," he said, smiling at her slightly.

Scully looked almost vacantly into space, she was thinking. What the hell was this thing? How did Cathy know of it? It seemed strange to think someone she knew could be the key to this case. She was beginning to not like the feeling of personal involvement on any level.

"So what do you think, Scully?" Mulder said, reaching for his coat.

"I don’t know, " she reached over, grabbed her suit jacket and coat and headed for the door. Mulder got up off the bed and put on his shoes, quickly following her. "But I intend to find out." She finished, walking out the door, heading for Cathy’s apartment and to hopefully find some answers.

Mulder followed her out, staying closely behind her.

"Uh, Scully," he said as they reached the elevator. "I think I’m going to go back to the park. I want to take another look around that crime scene." Mulder waited for her answer.

"I’ll try Mulder," she said, smiling at him. She knew what he was doing. Leaving her alone with Cathy might give them the answers they want. "But I can’t promise anything."

"I have complete faith in you, Scully." He said, smiling and getting out of the elevator, handing her the keys. "Here, I’ll even give you the car. I’ll take a cab. I’m sure I can find one of those at this time of night in New York City. Good luck, Scully. I’ll see back here later." Mulder turned and walked toward the street exit. He turned back and smiled quickly at her, before going through the revolving doors. Scully smiled to herself and went to the garage to get the car and talk with Cathy.

The Tunnel

Father impatiently paced the floor of the main living chamber, where he worked and studied, where all the families congregated for music, stories, anything which made them come together as one big family. It was their home and their own existence, apart from the cruelty of the metropolis not far above them. Father finally stopped and turned toward the entranceway when he saw Vincent appear. With great strides, Vincent came down the steps leading to where Father was standing.

"The outside tunnels on 14^th street and 5^th avenue entrances are blocked. Miles and Mouse are guarding the Central Park Entrance," Vincent said and sat down in a chair to the side of Father. Father paced once more back to the table then back to Vincent. "Do not worry, Father. They will not find us."

"I knew this would happen, Vincent. I have had nightmares about you being caught topside." Father put his hands down on the table in front of him, leaning his head over.

Vincent stood up, going to him. He placed a hand on his shoulder, "Father, do not concern yourself with me. I have not been up since Catherine came, over a week has passed now."

"You must make certain no one uses the Central Park entrance....and seal off Catherine building’s one as well."

"What?" Vincent said, louder. Father heard the tone in his voice and knew he would receive this reaction to his last statement.

"Vincent, it is for the best. We do not want anyone to discover any of the entrances and it would seem like Catherine’s building is the most logical place to look."

Vincent stood up and laughed, slightly. "Father, we can not even be sure the FBI agents are looking for a person underground. Why would they? There is no cause." Vincent said softly, then leaned over Father. "You worry too much." He smiled, placing a hand on his shoulder again and turning to leave.

"Vincent, I worry because I care. I do not want to see anything happen to you."

Vincent stopped on the top of the stairs and turned around to face Father. "I know. I was aware of the dangers when I first met Catherine and now after all these years. Do you think we have become careless in our meetings?"

"No. Perhaps, less careful, Vincent, that is all," Father stood with his cane in one hand, looking at him. "It has been a many years. The threat had subsided."

"The threat has never subsided for Catherine, Father. It never will." Vincent took a last look at the man he called Father, the one who found him that night abandoned and left to die outside of St. Vincent’s Hospital and who raised him as his own son, and felt compassion for him. He knew it was difficult for him to stand by and watch the danger he puts himself in everytime he sees Catherine, everytime he tries to help her. He understood that concern, that pain. It was the same concern, the same pain, he felt when Catherine went back to her world. He feared for her, he feared for himself. Perhaps, one day, he would think, she would not return. He had prepared himself for that possibility ever since he had found her that night and nursed her back to health from the cruelty her world showed her.

Vincent walked out of the meeting room and down through the tunnels to his chamber. He did see Father’s point of view. They may have been less careful, then before. Five years could give anyone a sense of security. Five years, he thought to himself as he sat down in his chair. Five years with her. Five years apart from her world, and her from his. He smiled as he thought of it all. She stood by him, she risked her life, everything for him. She had lied to protect him, but still she came to him for comfort, warmth, caring, and most of all...for love. All the endless nights they spent either on her balcony or down here in his world. All the nights, holding each other, finding strength in each other. Even that night she returned to him, seemed like an eternity ago. She ran through the park, he was waiting, he had felt her coming. He knew she had made her choice. The joy he had felt in that moment as she looked up at him, without doubt, without regret, ready to move forward in this forbidden relationship...with him. She never turned back from that decision that night. She said she would never doubt again....and she had been truthful to her heart. He smiled at the memory. He had let her go and she had returned to him. And now, neither of them would ever leave...could ever leave.

Vincent stared at the wall in front of him and pictured Catherine there. He could always imagine her anywhere. It was what keep him content until next they saw each other. His thoughts shifted to the FBI agents, Catherine had spoken of days ago. She gave so much in order to protect him, to protect their world. The ones on the outside never knew how hard it was for Catherine. How much he could feel, she wanted to tell. She wanted to talk about their love, to talk about him and the world beneath the streets of New York. He knew, he had always known she felt that way and in honesty, he had hoped someday, he would meet one of her friends, but he knew that would not be possible. Vincent was grateful for the friends she had made here in the tunnels. The children she helped, the people she touched, the helpers she met with. He was grateful for all of that and grateful Catherine could find some solace. But he also knew, no matter how much the others understood about their love, Catherine did not speak with them either about him or their time they shared together. He knew she kept it hidden in a secret part of herself, a part only Vincent knew and a part she shielded herself from her world with. This was the part, Vincent fell in love with. This was the part of herself which allowed them to have a connection between each other. It was the part that made their love real.

"Someday, Catherine," he thought as he opened his journal to write. " Someday, if only in our dreams and deepest wishes, we will truly be together in both worlds. Then you will not have to carry this burden, this secret alone."

Vincent picked up his pen to write, then he felt it, strong and loud in his head, in his heart. He jumped up and ran out of his chamber, he ran towards it, towards her.

Catherine fumbled for her key. She knew she shouldn’t of stayed at the office this late. She hated feeling afraid. She pushed down the emotion and continued to get the right key from her chain. She heard a noise behind her and turned quickly. No one was there. She scanned around the surrounding streets and turned back to the lock. She slid the key in and she caught a shadow from out of her eye. She turned quickly. One person appeared, almost it seemed, out of the shadows. She kept her gaze fixed on him as he walked to her. She couldn’t see him yet, but she wasn’t going to stay around and find out who he was. He was walking closer to her now. She reached in her purse for her gun and pointed it at him. He came into the light, he looked just as he had that night in the park. She had no choice but to kill him. She was not going to be a victim.

"Stay back. I will shoot," she said, panic lacing her voice. "Stay back."

Instantly she saw his hands went in the air.

"Cathy, it’s me, Dana." She moved very slowly towards her, so she could see clearly.

Cathy let out a breath as she recognized Dana’s face and then released the gun back into her purse.

"You scared me," she said opening the door to her apartment building.

"I’m sorry, I thought you could see me. You were looking directly at me." Dana said, moving behind Cathy.

She opened the door and held it for Dana to come in. "Sorry, I couldn’t see who it was with the street light out," she said laughing nervously. Scully looked at her, held the door with her hand and turned to look at the street lights. Not one of them was out. She turned back to see Cathy making her way to the elevator in the lobby. She went inside, following her.

Vincent stopped running up the stairs that lead to the exit and Catherine’s balcony. It had stopped, the feeling of overwhelming fear and anxiety. It just stopped. He leaned against one of the walls. He held a breath and concentrated. "No, she was all right," he had said to himself. He felt calmness, a little anxiety or nervousness, but no more fear. He thought about what might of happened and decided it was better he shouldn’t go there tonight. It was too dangerous. Catherine was fine, he could feel her. It took Vincent great strength to not see her, to not check for himself to see how she was. He slowly went back down the stairs. It had been one full week and all ready the restlessness of each night was approaching and it caused Vincent to worry, to always worry about her...about his love. That would never end. And, in truth, Vincent didn’t want to stop worrying. He didn’t want to stop feeling her emotions, her love, her joy, her sadness, her fear. No matter the emotion, he could feel it and it made them close, closer than any two people. They were as one....truly.

Cathy opened the door and let Dana in. Dana looked around slowly as she moved through the apartment. "It was beautiful," she thought. Carefully decorated. "It was….Cathy."

"I’ll make some coffee," Cathy said, putting down her purse and briefcase on the kitchen table. Dana nodded to her and continued in awe over this woman’s apartment. It wasn’t that she didn’t like her own, she loved it. But Cathy had everything so nicely placed. It was a home, warm and cozy. As she walked by the living room table, she noticed the doors leading to Cathy’s balcony. Dana, without thinking, went there, throwing open the doors and letting in the cold December air. She breathed in heavy, feeling the cold on her face and through her hair. She proceeded onto the balcony, leaning against the rail, looking over the city. "It was so different from up here," she thought. "So beautiful and bright." She closed her eyes for a moment and soaked in the calmness, the serenity of the moment.

"Can’t complain about the view," Cathy said smiling, stepping onto the balcony and next to Dana. Dana opened her eyes, quickly. Suddenly feeling guilty for just walking out here.

"I love it, Cathy. It’s breathtaking," Dana said, smiling back at her. "Now, I know why you left the FBI."

"It was a little more complicated than that, Dana," Cathy smiled, turning her face toward the cool wind. Dana watched her for a moment then started to relax a bit. "They could still be friends," she thought, "they hadn’t changed that much."

Cathy leaned against the railing. Her mind wandered. She could almost see him there…with her. She could almost feel him...near.

"Cathy," Dana said suddenly, breaking Cathy out of her dream. Cathy opened her eyes to see Dana standing next to the small table and chairs off to the side of the balcony itself. "You really do like this balcony, don’t you?" Dana smiled and then to Cathy’s surprise she picked up the book lying on the table. "Great Expectations, huh?"

Cathy couldn’t speak, she just stared at the book in Dana’s hand and suddenly wished she had remembered to put it away. She had been reading it the night before. She missed Vincent so much, she needed something to feel close to him. That was the first book he had ever read to her. It seemed like an eternity ago, that she laid in his chamber, her face and head bandaged from the cuts. He read to her to help her feel safe. Ever since then, reading it always made her feel safe and think of him. Sometimes when she was alone and it was very still, she could hear his voice in her head, reading it to her.

"You always loved the classics, Cathy." Dana smiled at her and remembered how much Cathy loved the Renaissance Period and the Classic novels of the past. She loved the opera, ballet, classical music, everything Dana never found time for. Dana used to think of Cathy as the one of the last great Romantics. Dana silently vowed to herself that she would make time to enjoy some of those things as well. Things she had forgotten since Cathy left the academy. Dana handled the book, looking at Cathy. "So is it just as good as I remember," she said. Cathy turned toward the door and was about to suggest that they go back inside and have some coffee, when she turned back to Dana as she was opening the cover of the book. She watched, knowing what Dana would find on the inside of the front cover. She took a deep breath and let it out.

Dana looked down at the inscription printed in black ink. It read:

Dana looked up slowly from the open book. Cathy smiled, took the book and walked back in the house. Dana followed her, closing the balcony doors. Cathy had gone to the kitchen. Dana stood for a moment in awe. It wasn’t the exact words that caught Dana’s attention, it was more in the phrasing of them. The meaning behind them. Dana had never read so beautiful and simple a sentence before in her life and she certainly was never the receiver of such an inscription.

Cathy returned to the living room, holding two coffee cups in her hands. She walked to Dana, handing her a mug.

"Cream, no sugar," she said, smiling.

"How did you remember that?" Dana asked, truly surprised.

"Come on Dana, all those nights we stayed up late studying the FBI handbook," she said, sitting down on the couch, laughing slightly. Dana followed and sat on the opposite couch facing her. "We must of drunken gallons of coffee each night." Catherine, pulled up her legs and took a sip from her coffee cup.

"So, Cathy, you seem happy," Dana said, feeling comfortable again.

"Yes. Yes I am," she said, smiling. Dana marveled at her recovery. Cathy always had strength in her. That was mostly the reason, Dana had hated to see her leave the FBI academy. She knew Cathy could have made it through, but she also knew Cathy wanted a life, more of a life than the FBI would have been able to give her. "And what about you, Dana?" Cathy asked, quickly, before Dana could ponder any more about her life and Vincent’s inscription on the book. "Are you happy?"

Dana thought for a moment. That was a difficult question. She loved her work, she loved being able to save lives and help people, but there was a missing part of her life, something she saw in Cathy now as she watched her friend. Something she had wanted for so long. She had been wondering what the change was in Cathy, it had been apparent right at the beginning. Dana stared at her coffee cup and realized how much she had missed in five years, how much might have been different for her. She pushed that thought away and looked up at her friend.

"I love my job," she said, then smiled, "Mulder can be frustrating at times, but he is a great agent....and I’ve learned a lot working with him," she said.

Cathy smiled at her and took another sip of coffee. She knew Dana was telling the truth, at least part of the truth. She believed she enjoyed her job, enjoyed working with Agent Mulder, but there was more. Cathy did want to know what her friend felt, but if it meant they were going to have a heart to heart talk, she decided against it. She couldn’t let Dana know of Vincent, and somehow excluding him from the reasons she was happy felt wrong for Cathy. She didn’t want to lie to Dana again. She really did miss her. Dana had been one of her closest friends in her life. It was a brief few years, but Dana and Cathy had touched each other. They could talk about almost anything. At least, they used to.

"That’s great, Dana. I’m really glad for you. Agent Mulder seems competent in his field, if not persistent," she said, laughing slightly. Dana smiled.

"He is persistent," she answered. "So, tell me Cathy, who’s Vincent?" She changed the subject so quickly, Cathy had to stop herself from explaining. Dana had threw her off-guard and as she looked at Dana, she realized she had intended to do that. Cathy wasn’t sure if she was angry or amazed at Dana’s lack of true emotions. She would never have figured Dana would use her FBI tactics on her, on a friend. Cathy had looked up at Dana after the words escaped her lips. Dana noticed the look and quickly said, "I’m sorry, maybe I shouldn’t have asked. It is your life, Cathy." She smiled and leaned towards her. "I do hope he makes you happy, Cath," she looked at her sincerely. Cathy felt better, this was the Dana she remembered with real emotions. "You deserve it." Dana smiled again and leaned back against the couch. "You really do."

"Thanks, Dana." Cathy laughed. "I hope you have the same. Your relationships never quite worked out." She took another sip of her coffee, looking at Dana intently.

"Yea, well, mine’s a long story," Dana averted her eyes, looking at the cup in her hand.

Cathy tilted her head, waiting for some other answer. When none came, she decided to speak of Vincent. Perhaps, it would open up Dana a little. She definitely looked like she needed to relax for a moment, no matter how much Cathy didn’t want to reveal anything of her secret love hidden below the cruelty of this city. Vincent, she thought, would never lose faith though, even if he was allowed to live above, even with the cruelty, Vincent always looked for good. That was what her to him. An unspeakable need to be reborn. To change. As she looked at her friend, staring absently, thinking thoughts Cathy couldn’t distinguish, she knew Dana needed to change, too. But, she thought quickly, it takes time and Dana doesn’t have Vincent to help her, like she did.

"Dana, I hope you are happy. I really do." She reached over and touched her hand lightly. Dana looked up from her thoughts and gave her a small smile. Cathy smiled back and leaned against the couch and took a deep breath. She was about to let someone into her life…her secret life and it took courage for Cathy. It took all her courage.

"What is it?" Dana asked watching Cathy’s expression change from comforting to dream-like.

"You asked me about Vincent? Who he is?" Dana sat upright, looking at her friend, intently now. Cathy took another quick breath and let it out slowly. Then looked at Dana, ready to open herself, her heart up to this woman. She felt excitement as she formed the words in her head. "Vincent…is wonderful, Dana, there are no other words to describe him completely. He was one who saved me that night in the park….after the attack." Dana saw Cathy remember the attack, she shivered, then her expression changed again to happiness. An overwhelming gratefulness, she had never experienced before from anyone.

"So he’s a doctor?" Dana asked.

Cathy smiled and laughed a bit. "No, not in your sense. He knows about it, he’s studied it with…" she paused briefly. "How do I explain this one," she thought quickly. "his father." She finally decided.

Cathy continued talking of Vincent, their life together, the concerts they heard, the poetry, the readings. She was careful to disclose his whereabouts, or anything that would make Dana curious. When Dana asked what he did for a living. Catherine had simply said, he is a teacher. It was the easiest thing to say and it hadn’t been a lie. He was a teacher to all the children of the tunnels. But Cathy was also quick to say he was so much more than just a teacher. That piqued Dana’s interest. Maybe it was way she had said it, with such conviction, with such love, or maybe Dana was getting caught in Cathy’s beautiful fairy tale romance. She didn’t really care which one was the answer. She could see and feel the love Catherine held for this man. And her happiness covered Dana so intensely, she felt she knew him.

"So, will I get to meet this wonderful man, Cath?" Dana smiled, but changed her look to concern, when she saw Cathy’s eyes grow dim, the light that was in them, changed so drastically. Cathy was troubled by something. "Cathy, is Vincent the one you’re trying to protect? Is he the one who helped you? Did he do that to those boys? Cathy, please don’t lie to me again." Cathy shot her head up quickly at Dana, again she show anger, but sadness as well. "Cathy, please tell me."

"I can’t." She turned away slightly. "I told you I don’t remember."

Dana sighed. She had to get the answers they’re time was growing short. Cathy had to trust her. She stood up and moved to the seat next to Cathy, when her cellular phone rang. She stood up again and picked up the phone.

"Scully," Mulder’s voice resonated through the quiet room. "I think I know how Cathy’s mystery savior got away before the police came and left no trace."

"I’ll meet you back at the hotel." Scully said, looking over at Cathy. She was listening intently to their conversation.

"No, you wait there, I’ll come there. So, did you find anything out?" Cathy finally stood up and went into her kitchen with the coffee cup, leaving Dana some privacy. Dana watched her until she saw her disappear behind the door. "Scully, are you still there?"

"Yes, Mulder, I’m here." She turned slightly away from the kitchen, walking out on the balcony and closing the doors behind her. She felt the cold chill, but she ignored it. "Mulder, I think I know who wounded those boys." She walked over to the table on the balcony. "His name is Vincent. He’s a friend of Cathy’s…a very close friend. Mulder," she said, pausing a moment, "she trying to protect him. She’s in love with him. He saved her that night she was left for dead in the park."

"She told you this?" Mulder asked.

"Yes. She told me a lot, but didn’t confirm Vincent was the one who saved her and wounded those kids. Not yet, anywhere."

"Well, from what I found, Scully. I think your friend has a lot of explaining to do." Mulder clicked off his phone and Dana stared in to the lights of New York. Wishing this could be easier.

Cathy and Dana didn’t say much before Mulder got to Cathy’s apartment. Actually, if truth be told, Cathy’s whole demeanor had changed from a caring friend, wondering how Dana was doing and talking in depth about this Vincent to a withdrawn woman, who was about to let Dana talk her way into explaining anything of the events of that night.

Mulder didn’t explain anything to Catherine or Dana as he walked them down to the car and they all got inside. Catherine only went because he did say he wanted her to see something. Somehow, she knew she had to go, she knew this man would not let it go and somehow Catherine had to protect Vincent, she had to lie again.

Now, they sat in the car, Cathy in back, Dana and Mulder in front. She was staring at the passing lights. Mulder finally broke the silence. He had had enough of Catherine Chandler’s games.

"Do you know where we’re going, Miss Chandler?"

"I suppose you’re taking me to the crime scene to show me something," Cathy said, matter of factly.

"I found something there, I think you might know about. Maybe you can shed some light, so to speak on the matter," Mulder looked in the rearview mirror at Cathy. She stared back at him.

"What would that be?" Cathy asked, calmly.

Dana was watching her two friends waiting for one to pounce on the other. She could feel the tension and it was making her uncomfortable.

"Maybe we should just wait until we get there, Mulder," Dana said looking at him to let him know she didn’t want to do this, not this way.

He looked over at her and silently told her he agreed.

A few minutes later they pulled into Central Park and got out, walking to the crime scene. When Mulder kept walking past the area where Cathy was attacked and towards the tunnel entrance, Cathy stopped quickly. Mulder and Scully stopped looking back at her.

"You want to tell us something, Miss Chandler?" Mulder said.

Cathy just stood there frozen in place. Mulder looked at Scully, then turned and kept walking. Dana walked up to her friend.

"What’s wrong, Cathy? Is it being here?"

"No." She didn’t look at Dana.

Scully took her hand, but Cathy pulled it away. Mulder stopped again, waiting for the Dana and Cathy to catch up with him. Dana walked beside Cathy as they approached him. Cathy stopped again in front of the beginning of the path leading to the tunnel’s entrance. She was afraid and angry. He had no right to do this. Vincent hadn’t done anything wrong. She knew her actions had caused Mulder’s next outburst, but she didn’t care. She wasn’t going to lead him there. She wasn’t. Vincent deserved more than that.

"Look, Miss Chandler, we know you know what happened. We know you were meeting someone here in the park that night. Now, we know that person’s name." Mulder looked quickly at Dana. She was giving him a dangerous look, but he continued. He wanted the answer to what happened that night and why this woman needed to protect this Vincent and lie for him. Mulder understand why he hurt those kids and he would of done the same for Scully, but things didn’t add up in this case. Why slash them like that? He still didn’t understand that. He wanted to meet this Vincent and talk to him, himself. "Help us out, I just want to talk with him and I think you know where to find him, don’t you, Miss Chandler? You’ve known all along, haven’t you? Why did he do that to those kids? Why?" Mulder’s voice was getting louder and Scully stepped in-between them.

"Mulder…" she started, but Mulder stepped closer to Cathy and Dana, looking at her.

"No, Scully. She knows what’s in there? Where do those tunnels lead, Miss Chandler?" Cathy didn’t speak. "Miss Chandler, I’m going in there whether or not you want me to."

"I don’t know what you’re talking about. There are hundreds of tunnels under the city. Everyone know that." Cathy said and started to walk away from the entrance and away from Agent Mulder.

"Mulder, what is going on," Scully turned on him.

"In there," he pointed toward the entrance, "is a gate and a door. I think Vincent went in there after he saved your friend from her attackers and I think he was responsible for a lot of deaths to protect her, Scully."

"Mulder, even if Vincent left through the tunnels. It doesn’t make him a murderer. You, yourself said he was protecting Cathy. He’s a vigilante, maybe, but not a murderer."

"Scully, did you really look at those marks. If I didn’t know better I’d say that this Vincent, makes the Jersey Devil look like an amateur. Why would a man do something like that? How would he?" Mulder said, letting the thought sink into Scully’s head. She shook her head quickly.

"All right, you go after Vincent, I’ll go talk with Cathy. She was starting to open up before." Scully turned and walked towards Cathy, who was halfway across the park. Mulder turned to the entrance and went inside.

When Mulder reached the gate, he suddenly realized the door beyond it which had been closed before was open. He stopped quickly as he had quiet breathing to his side. He turned quickly, pulling his gun. He wasn’t taking any chances.

"There is no need to fear from me. I will not harm you," Vincent said, quietly, but resonating through the tunnel. Mulder looked in the direction of the voice and could only make out shadows in the dark. Vincent stepped out. Mulder moved back a step, still holding the gun.

"Please, put down the gun, Agent Mulder. I know what you want." Mulder studied the man before him. His face was perfectly curved to match a lion’s, it was majestic and disturbing all at once. Mulder slowly put his gun away as his senses were returned to him. He looked down at the man’s hands and knew what made those wounds on the boys. But that was all forgotten as he looked back to his face and the amazement he felt wasn’t lost on Vincent.

"My name is Vincent. Catherine told me of you and your partner investigating what happened to her in the park the other night." Vincent’s voice was calm and steady. Mulder stood in fascination at what stood before him. A true X File, a man who resembled a beast. It was too much. Mulder finally felt himself let the breath he was unconsciously holding go. His voice was what struck Mulder the most. It wasn’t'’ just calm, it was soothing. If all he had heard was Vincent’s voice without seeing him, he would never had believed this man could of done the things he saw done to those kids. His voice was peaceful. He did not sound as if he would hurt anyone. Mulder shook his thoughts away as he concentrated on Vincent.

"Come, I will tell you what I can. Catherine was only trying to protect me. It is something we have grown accustomed to although I do not wish it to be this way. It must. Their are more lives at stake, if she breaks her promise."

"What promise is that?" Mulder finally asked, his throat dry and his voice sounding raspy.

Vincent didn’t answer, but opened the gate and walked through. He stopped and waited for Mulder to enter as well. He did and Vincent carefully closed the gate and hit the lever for the door. Mulder looked ahead at the tunnels, wondering why the entrance way had been blocked and locked and mostly, why someone had installed the lever. Did Vincent live here? Below the city? His thoughts were interrupted as Vincent started walking. Mulder followed him as he began to speak.

Dana and Catherine sat quietly in the car as they headed back to Cathy’s apartment. Dana had tried to find out more about Vincent and the validity of Mulder’s accusations, but Cathy didn’t answer her, except to say she wanted to go home. Dana had been reluctant to leave Mulder there with the vigilante, but she felt she had to help her friend as well.

Now driving, back down the roads they had just come, Dana tried to think about all the information she had received through Cathy and Mulder. It was clear to her that this Vincent, Cathy was in love with, was most likely responsible for the slashing of the kids and he ran from the police and the investigation. Why he ran was a question, Dana still hadn’t received an answer about. She also knew those kids would of raped or killed Cathy if Vincent hadn’t been there. As to her meeting him in the park that night, she could only assume that was their first meeting place, when she was attacked five years ago, and it made some sense that they would continue to meet there. Even when Mulder had questioned Cathy’s reasons for going into Central Park that night, she had believed Cathy may have suffered from a psychosis which lured her into the park to some how heal herself from the brutal attack on her years before. Dana had really believed that, even with Cathy’s current state of mind and contentness, Dana knew that could be a cover for the turmoil and pain she was still experiencing. Meeting Vincent there could help her remember not to be afraid, not to be a victim. Dana glanced over at Cathy again, who was staring out the window, deep in her own thoughts. She knew Cathy feared for Vincent, she knew she had to get through to her and make her understand Mulder’s intentions…and her own. Dana didn’t want to be the one to explain the law to Cathy. She had hoped her work with the DA’s and her career choice as a lawyer would of explained that to herself, but she knew Cathy wasn’t thinking rational about the law. She was concerned about the man she loved and Dana could be said to be in the same shoes when it came to Mulder. Hadn’t she lied for him…more than once? Hadn’t she done everything to protect him when he was framed for his father’s murder? She almost laughed to herself, the irony of the situation was astounding. Dana hated it when she was judged for her actions revolving Mulder and now here she was judging her own friend for the same reasons. She decided it was time to stop judging and start understanding why Vincent had to run and where he was running to, but she intended to make certain she was on Cathy’s side.

"Cathy," she said finally, breaking the endless silence in the car. Cathy turned to her. "I want to understand. Let me understand." Dana looked at her with concern, before turning back to the road.

"What do you want from me, Dana? I told you all I can. It wouldn’t matter if you knew what happened. It wouldn’t change your thinking."

Cathy turned back to the road. Dana sighed quietly.

"Maybe, if I understood why Vincent ran from the police and us, I could…"

Cathy cut her off, staring back at her, "What? What could you do?" She took a deep breath, trying to calm her anger. "You don’t understand. I can’t explain it to you." She pleaded with her eyes and Dana stopped the car in front of Cathy’s apartment building. She turned to look at her. "I can’t tell you. I’m sorry."

"Cathy, I’m your friend. I know I’m an FBI agent, but I am your friend. Mulder and I only want to know what happened that night. Our job, just like yours, entitles us to uphold the law. We are all sworn by that duty. Vincent cannot attack people regardless of the reasons and you know that. I know you know that, Cathy. And I know you want to help him. The only way you can help him is to let us talk with him. He needs to understand vigilante acts are illegal. He should of appended them, yes, but then bring them to the police. Cathy, the slashing, the brutality of it, doesn’t help his case."

"Don’t you see, Dana." Cathy said, getting louder. "He can’t. He can’t bring them to the police. He can’t even…." She trailed off. Dana leaned in.

"Cathy, I’m glad he was there for you. Those kids would of…." She stopped not wanted to tell Cathy what she thought those kids would of done to her. "They would of hurt you and I am glad Vincent was able to save from that. I truly am." She placed a hand on Cathy’s, Cathy turned to her. "Why couldn’t he bring them in? Why did he run, Cathy? Does he have a record? He is a criminal? Is he in hiding? Cathy you can tell me."

"He is in hiding, but not because of criminal acts. He’s the gentlest person I know, but others, you, won’t see him like that and you won’t understand unless…" she trailed off again, moving her hand and looking back out the window. Cathy could feel herself crumbling. She wanted to cry out to Dana and let her understand. She was tired and she missed Vincent, she needed him now more than ever. They had been apart for so long and even admist all of the turmoil in the last week, all she could think of was seeing him, being with him.

"Unless what, Cath?" Dana asked quietly. Cathy took a breath, let it out and turned back to Dana.

"Unless..you meet him." She said, defeated at last. She couldn’t keep it up. She wanted Dana to truly understand who Vincent was, not just what he was. To her he was her love, to Dana, he would only be a monster and a criminal, capable of awful deeds and running from them. Vincent would never run from his actions. Dana needed to see that, Cathy thought silently. There was no other way. "Come on," she said, getting out of the car. Dana followed her into the building.

"Cathy, where are we going?" Cathy turned to face Dana.

"To meet Vincent."

"And so you live here…alone." Mulder said, following Vincent around a corner. They had been walking for quite some time, but Mulder didn’t notice, he had been concentrating on Vincent’s story or the little bit he had been telling Mulder as they’ve been walking. He heard how him and Catherine met, how he nursed her back to health and how they had some sort of connection. Vincent could feel her emotions….somehow. Mulder figured it was some kind of physic ability. Vincent had also spoke of that night in the park and what happened. But Mulder wanted to know so much more. How did he become this way? How did he live? So many questions, Vincent recognized this and slowly, carefully planned out his answers.

"I was born…I survived," was all he had told Mulder about his existence.

As to the other questions, not much information was given. So that left him with the recent question he asked.

Vincent stopped and turned to Mulder. Mulder looked up at this man, one of the few people he ever had to look up to and waited for an answer.

"There are no other like me…here," he said, his deep voice calm. Mulder thought about his answer, they were so well through out and said. Vincent’s intelligent was apparent to Mulder even the time they had spent walking through these tunnels.

"How do you eat?" He said, almost cringing at the thought. Vincent smiled slightly at Mulder’s thoughts.

"Just as you do. I don’t eat people, Agent Mulder. I’m not a beast. I am just who I am." Vincent continued walking. Mulder had to walk quickly to keep up. He followed him around another corner. Mulder was amazed at the extent of these tunnels. They seemed to go on forever. Even if Mulder had been paying attention, he doubted he could get back out again and then a thought suddenly occurred to him.

"Where are we going, Vincent?" He had left Scully in the park with Cathy and without Cathy’s help, he could be killed here and never found. Although, Mulder did find it hard to believe this man with his soothing voice and calming tones would have brought him here to kill him.

Vincent turned one more corner and then stopped at a doorway, which looked like the bricks had been torn away. Mulder couldn’t see anything past the doorway. It was pitch black.

"We are meeting your partner, Agent Mulder." Vincent looked from Mulder to the blackness. Mulder stared at him, still in awe of his presence. He had all ready speculated upon his existence, but deformity didn’t seem to be what happened to Vincent. His features were too defined, too lion-like. If it was a deformity, it was perfect in design. Too perfect. The only other explanation, Mulder could make, would be an experiment Vincent obviously wasn’t aware of .

Mulder’s thoughts were cut short as a beam of light cut through the darkness. He could hear footsteps as if someone was coming down a ladder. He listened and watched intently. Cathy stepped off the ladder first. Dana following her down. They stood there in the light for a moment adjusting their eyes to the darkness before them.

"Vincent…" Cathy said, quietly.

"Mulder," Scully said, moving through the light. They both stopped a few steps ahead of them.

"Right here, Scully. I think you need to meet someone," Mulder said, walking up to Scully.

"Are you all right?" She said, with concern in her voice.

"I’m fine. Vincent and I were getting to know each other." Mulder said, dryly.

"Vincent…" Cathy said again this time it sounded more like a beckoning to him. Letting him know, it was all right for him to come out.

"Catherine, perhaps it…." Vincent didn’t continue as Cathy ran to him in the shadows, hugging him. Showing her all the emotions she had been hiding from Mulder and Scully. Everything she was, everything she felt washed over him, causing him to pull her closer. "Catherine…" he murmured softly. Dana strained her eyes to see into o the shadows but all she saw were two figures hugging. Mulder stood dumbfounded in that small space watching these two lovers and completely understanding the bond they shared. It may not feel Scully’s emotions all the time or have physic abilities, but he knew what it felt like to be frightened for the other. They both knew what happened when they were separated. He couldn’t take his eyes off the two people before him. They were in love. Mulder may not have ever understood it completely, had he not been here to witness it. He watched intently as Catherine took his hand and started to lead him in the light. He went willingly with her. Mulder thought, she could of lead him in to hell and he would of gone willingly. Vincent would of done anything for Catherine. As astounding it was to watch these two, Mulder couldn’t help but feel a connection to them. He would do the same for Scully and she for him. He was pulled out of his thoughts when he heard Scully gasp next to him.

"Dana, this is…Vincent." Cathy looked from Dana to Vincent. Vincent smiled slightly at Dana.

"Catherine told me of what your friendship means to her. I am very glad to meet you. It is rare I ever meet any of Catherine’s friends from Above, but one who meant so much to her. I am truly honored, Miss Scully," Vincent finished, but continued to hold her eye contact.

After a moment, Dana was finally able to speak. "How…Why…" she stammered. Mulder took a step next to her.

"I’ll tell you about it on our way back to Washington, Scully." Mulder said in her ear.

"You have a very….persistent partner, Miss Scully," Vincent said with admiration. Mulder smiled to himself. Dana couldn’t take her eyes off of him. He towered over her and had the softest eyes she had ever seen. His face…his face frightened her at first, but the expression he held was a gentle one and Scully couldn’t help but be entranced by his melodic voice.

"Yes," she said absently. Finally, she broke her stare and concentrated on Cathy. "Cathy, I…."

"I know. It wasn’t your fault. I didn’t want to lie to you. But I wasn’t sure you wouldn’t understand. Now, I know I underestimated you. I am the one who is sorry, Dana." Cathy took her friends hand and squeezed it. "Now, you understand?"

Dana nodded, turning back to Vincent’s face then looking down at his hands, his claws, she felt a tinge of fear go through her again, then as she turned back to Cathy’s face beaming. She realized how hard this must of been for her. How hard her life must be. If she had believed Cathy loved this…man before this moment, she could not of guessed just how much. As she watched Cathy looked at him so gently, so loving, she was amazed. Thoughts of asking Vincent about the attack in the park and the other attacks over the years left in the unsolved case files, Mulder had pulled from the police department, were far from her mind as she looked up at Vincent.

"It was nice to meet you, Vincent." She said, smiling quickly. "I understand now why Cathy had to protect you. I never would of guessed, you were…." Dana stopped as Vincent finished her sentence.

"A man, Miss Scully. No more or less. A man who has come to accept his circumstances and have found comfort in a safe place away from the city Above." Vincent looked over to Mulder. "Agent Mulder," Mulder looked at him. "I did not mean to harm those children. I was only protecting Catherine from the cruelty of your world. It was done…out of love, not need." Mulder nodded slowly, understanding what Vincent was trying to say to him. Vincent and Mulder stood a moment, eyes locked. The pure fascination of Vincent was gone for Mulder, but what he had experienced on this night would never be forgotten in his mind. New York would never be the same for Mulder and Scully, he thought as he looked at her, staring up still in awe.

"I think we should go, Scully. There is nothing for us to find here." Scully slowly turned to Mulder, searching his eyes for an answer. He smiled at her. "Come on."

"Cathy," Scully said turning to her. "I don’t know what to say to you." Cathy laughed and hugged her.

"Dana, don’t stay away for so long next time," she said, letting go of Scully and shaking Mulder’s hand. "I’m sorry, we didn’t meet under other circumstances, Agent Mulder. Dana told me you are a great partner, I’m sure you understand as well why I did what I did." Mulder nodded to her.

"You’re secret is safe with us, Miss Chandler." He laughed slightly, "and that’s not an easy thing for me to do. I have searched all my life for…" He looked over at Vincent again. "Well, we should go." He reached down and took Dana’s hand.

"Agent Mulder, there is nothing extraordinary about me. It is only what you see in me that makes me extraordinary. Look in your world, there are many extraordinary things which at first seem ordinary," Vincent said, looking from Mulder to Dana. "Miss Scully, I hope we see each other again someday."

"Yes," Dana said then looked once more at Cathy before following Mulder to the beaming light shining from above the basement door. She went up the ladder. Mulder waited and then proceeded up after her. Before he reached the top, he turned back to Catherine and Vincent, straining to see through the light. He watched as they watched him. Then he smiled. And disappeared through the door, closing it behind him.