Aftermath was orginally published in May 1992 as a full length zine by Roaring Lion Press. It is very much a Vincent and Diana story but also had Elliot, Devin, Lena, and Jamie as main characters and it's definitely ADULT or at least a soft R in spots. None of these characters belong to me I just borrow them and their universe. They belong to Ron Koslow and Republic Pictures. Let me know what you think. You can email me at BrdOFire@aol.com or brickle-macky@geocities.com.

Aftermath--A 3rd Season Adult Beauty & The Beast Novel

By Vickey Brickle-Macky

Part I : Resurrection

Neither he nor Vincent remembered Vincent grabbing him and throwing both of them off the Compass Rose as the explosion hit which propelled them even further. Even so they were both badly singed and burnt from the massive fireball and the concussion of the blast which hurtled bits of metal and other debris through the air at incredible velocities. A massive bit of pipe struck Elliot in the lower back and almost tore off his left arm. He was already half dead from the bullet the Gabriel's sniper had put in him. He knew he wasn't going make it, then what did he have left to live for, he asked himself? It was all gone--gone! Taken away by that cold creature Gabriel. But Vincent wouldn't let him die. He vaguely remembered that.

He remembered the shock of the cold water, the salt in it burning his wounds and raw burnt places on his face and body. Somehow Vincent kept them both from drowning. It would have been so easy to let go. God, there were times when he wished Vincent had let go of him--but he wouldn't. His clawed hands hooked in the heavy wool fabric of Elliot's coat he literally dragged him through the water to the shore.

What urges prompted the man-beast on Elliot didn't know. It was instinct, maybe revenge, and pure hate that drove the beast now and the absolute determination that he would find his son--he would keep looking until his dying breath cut off all possibilities. Fueling these fires now was the determination to keep Elliot alive for in his mind he called him friend even through they had been rivals for Catherine's heart. Though truth be known Elliot never had had a chance even from the start for her heart and soul had been lost to VIncent from the beginning many months before.

Elliot had both tried to destroy Vincent's hidden world and had saved it, as well as put Catherine in danger and then turn around and save her life. What ever Catherine had wanted from Elliot she had gotten it and he had learned not to ask or get explanations of why she would need him to do things. To save his life she had taken him through the tunnels. Though she had also told him that there was someone else and there was was hope for them. He had hurt badly after that but he did not give up loving her and trying to prove to her how much her cared by doing anything she asked. When she disappeared he kept looking even after all the official investigations had stopped, and even her death did not stop his probing for he was determined to find her murderer and bring him to justice. Then Vincent had showed up at his office to enlist his aid in the search.

Why he trusted him, believed him, wanted to help him like he had Cathy on every thing she asked of him he still didn't fully understand. There was something about Vincent that made you want to help and do whatever he asked of you. He had been more than shocked when he finally got to see Vincent. He had to do a lot of hard thinking after that, especially since he knew Catherine had loved Vincent and it was their child they were looking for. He was repelled on one hand but the personality behind the face, he could understand why Catherine had been drawn and why she had loved and protected him and his secret even at the cost of her life.

Somehow they made it to the shore with Vincent half carrying him, half dragging him to land on a wooden pier down from where the boat was still brightly burning. In the distance Elliot could dimly hear the sounds of fire engines and the police approaching them. He could feel Vincent tense and look around panic stricken at their exposed position. Vincent could have left Elliot there to be found, instead he picked Elliot up again, and after finding Elliot had no use of his legs threw him across his shoulders like he was a sack of potatoes and ran towards the shadows of the buildings to hide them both from sight. He didn't want to chance Gabriel finding out that they both still lived and having the sniper finish them off.

Vincent's breathing was labored, hard. Vincent was weaker than he had thought he was. The explosion, the fire, the swim through the water wearing his heavy clothes and carrying Elliot was taking a toil on his energy for it had not been that long since the merry-go-round murders and his encounter with Snow and he feel the strain on his heart and the beginning of his own blood loss from the reopened bullet wounds. Father was going to have his hide --when and if he made it home. First he had to do something about Elliot. He couldn't risk taking the man to a hospital. The nearest one was too far for either of them to make it.

Vincent quickly examined the semiconscious man. It was bad. The sniper's bullet had found target in his chest. With luck they had missed his heart, or lungs or other vital organs. Elliot was bleeding badly and getting weaker moment by moment. He noted to that Elliot had not feeling in his legs, nor could he use one of his arms and his right wrist was broke. His chances were not good, but he still breathed and he was alive. He knew the spirit inside was not ready to give up but it was going to be touch and go.

One of their helpers lived nearby--a nurse he recalled. He would take him to her and have her get in touch with Peter. Summoning his strength he lifted Elliot up and started walking to the Helpers home several blocks away. He was exhausted by the time he got them there. Chancing that no one was around at this time of night, Vincent left Elliot propped against the wall of the alley between the apartment building and went around front to ring the woman's bell. He got her on the intercom. She was surprised at his boldness, but when he told her of his need she came racing down.

"Vincent, you're taking such a risk. One of my neighbors might see you," the middle aged dark haired woman chided him as she opened the outer door and came out.

"It could not be helped Merriana. I have a friend . . . he is hurt . . . in the alley. Help him. Call Dr. Peter Alcott . . . have him come. No hospital . . . people are after him . . . want to kill him," Vincent gasped, finding talking difficult as waves of dizziness assaulted him.

"But you're hurt too. You should stay and let me look at you," she protested taking in his burns, bruises and the blood seeping through, staining his vest

He shook his head wearily. "No, I can't. . . have to leave before. . . someone sees me. Have to go. . . find. . . find Catherine," Vincent told her, gasping more, and starting to turn away.

"But Catherine's dead Vincent," she told him, trying to understand him.

"No . . . must find her. Have to see her. . . ," he said determinedly, shaking loose of her hand on his cloak, and he was gonein a swirl of ebony cloak and tawny gold into the night from whence he came.

The woman called Merriana stood there for a moment and watched him vanish into the shadows then she remember the man that Vincent said lay hurt in the alley and ran down the steps of the brownstone to find him. He was as hurt if not more so than Vincent had been. He didn't have Vincent's constitution so the damage to him was much, much worse. He was bloody, burnt and dirty. His once fine clothes were all but rags. Though she noted that this was no bum who had picked up a fine gentlemen's coat from Goodwill and wore it. These clothes were too new, with no worn marks or wear. They were torn but that was from what ever the man and Vincent had escaped from. Her first impulse was to call for an ambulance and take him to a hospital but Vincent had said emphatically--no hospital and to call Peter. It was against her better judgment but she would do ask Vincent asked, though looking at him she hoped he'd hang on long enough for Peter to come.

Luckily, she was a big woman and strong. Lifting patients had done that. Though this man was heavy, solid, and taller than she. The man looked up at her with soft brown eyes for a second as she came near, trying to focus on her face.

"Vincent?" he asked, the effort to ask that question obvious.

"No, Merriana. A friend. Vincent asked me to help you. He's gone--left into the night," she replied bending down to get a secure hold on him to lift him up.

"Compass Rose. . . burned, . . . explosion. Vincent saved me. . . . why?" the man asked, unsure why the man-beast had bothered.

"Probably thought you were worth saving. If you know Vincent, have seen him, then you must be his friend," she replied lifting him up to his feet, noting that his legs were not functioning.

"Elliot Burch . . . has no friends," he said bitterly and then lapsed into unconsciousness.

She looked at the brown haired man in stunned silence, her eyes widening perceptibly. Was that his name? Was he THE Elliot Burch from the papers? The young builder who had tried to build the Burch Towers which had almost destroyed the tunnels and that Catherine Chandler had stopped? She looked at the injured man with new respect and new interest and with a fierce determination to make sure he didn't die.

Somehow she got him up the four flights of steps to her apartment and let them in. She debated between the couch and her bed and decided that her bed being closer to the bathroom would be better. She laid him down on it after stripping back the covers and then threw them over him to keep him warm while she called Peter.

She had known Peter for a number of years and had worked with him on occasion. This was not the first time that Vincent or some other Helper or resident had deposited a victim of this city's violence on her doorstep and she had had to call Peter to check him out. Her only worry was that Peter might not be home and would arrive too late to save the man.

The phone rang four times, and was picked up and Peter's voice was heard on the other end. Merriana sighed with relief. "Peter, it's Merriana. I have a patient for you. Vincent brought him, said to call you, and no hospital. The man's in his thirties, looks like he's been through an explosion and fire. He has two bullet wounds in his chest, can't use his legs, his right wrist is broken and I don't think he can use his left arm. How soon can you get here and what do you want me to do?" she asked, trying to be as concise as she could.

"Is that all?" Peter said getting over his shock as he mentally ran over the opinions. "Vincent brought him? Where's Vincent?" he asked.

"Gone. He looked as hurt as this guy was but he wouldn't stay. He said he had to find Catherine, even after I reminded him that she was dead. Told me where the guy was in the alley and to call you,' she replied.

"That's not good. Vincent's still in bad shape from getting shot three weeks ago and then taking on a killer in the tunnels reopened his wounds. Father's worried about him. Then you say they look like they've been through some kind of explosion and fire?" Peter asked.

"Yes," she replied.

"Alright I'll be there in twenty minutes or less. Clean him up as best you can, and start him on an IV. I'll bring the surgical packs and some bandages . I know you're low from the last time. See you then," Peter quickly replied.

"Thanks, Peter," she told him hearing him hang up.

She went back to the bed room to check on her patient. His color was not good and he was losing a lot of blood and his breathing was getting labored. She got a plastic tub and filled it with warm water, and grabbed up some soap, washrags and some towels. Those she placed on the floor until she could get him undressed.

It was not easy but she managed to strip the sodden wool coat off, followed by his expensive suit that was now just rags and his shirt, and underwear. He had lost his shoes along the way. Despite his injuries he was a handsome man. His body was muscular. It looked like he did workouts and played sports regularly to stay fit. Though he was pale, getting paler under his all-over tan. He was unconscious and did not make any protest as she had stripped off his clothes, except for an occasion moan or sharp intake of breath when she had touched a particularly sensitive spot.

She washed off his body, trying to cleanse away the grime around his burns and bruises as well as to better see his gunshot wounds. One has just grazed his ribs while the other was lodged in his chest. It had missed his heart but she was not sure about his lung. She saw the large bruise and indentation on the small of his back and knew that was the cause of his paralysis of his legs. Whether it was permanent she didn't know. His left arm had been badly dislocated and his collar bone, and should blades had been crushed as well as the bones in the upper arm area. She could tell by the discoloration that there was extensive nerve damage there. His right wrist was just a simple break and should heal okay. She believed he had head injuries but she wasn't sure. He had talked coherently in the alley so there was hope.

She started him on a IV to give him fluids as Peter had told her, but left any further care to him go until Peter arrived. For the moment the only thing she could do was cover him and watch him and pray.

She heard a knock on the door. Peter had a pass key to get in and out. She had given him one years ago after he had had to make several trips like this and it had been late at night. She let him in and led him to the bedroom. Cleaned up, even with the burns and bruises Elliot's face was recognizable. Peter stood there a moment in the doorway, shocked at who his new patient was.

"He looks like Elliot Burch," was all Peter could say as he drew closer.

"It is. He said so before he passed out on me in the alley. He said, 'Elliot Burch has no friends,' and something about a 'Compass Rose,' and an explosion," she told him as he set his bag down on the bed and handed her a large grocery bag filled with bandages and other supplies.

"Well he's wrong. He's got at least one friend--Vincent. Who I wish was here so I could treat him and check his injuries. You say that Vincent looked this bad or worse?"

"Yeah. At least he did in the light from the hall. The hood was hiding most of his face, but his clothes were scorched and torn like his were and he was limping as he ran off. What do you think he meant, Peter? He had to find Catherine,"

"I don't know. With Vincent and the state of mind he's been in this last year who knows what goes through his mind. Right now he's obsessed with finding his son. If it weren't for the child's existence he might have given up and tried to join Catherine--in death. God! Maybe that's what he meant!" Peter said suddenly, stopping in mid-reach as he was getting his instruments and equipment from his bag.

"What Peter? What did Vincent mean?" she asked looking at him.

"I'm afraid Vincent has gone off somewhere to die--But where? God, poor Jacob. As soon as we can we must send word and let him know what has been happening," he said, and she nodded. He was calmer now as his mask of professionalism dropped into place and he began inspecting his patient.

* * * * *

Two hours later Peter straightened up, and washed off his hands and dried them, sighing to himself. "Well, that's all I can do for now. Just watch him carefully, give him the medications and change his dressings every four hours. If his fever rises let me know, and keep giving him the fluids until I can get the results back from the lab and get him some whole blood. I wish I could send him to a hospital, but Vincent must have had good reasons why he didn't want Mr. Burch here taken to one. Probably has to do with the explosion and whoever was shooting at them. I'll see if I can get Joney to let me bring him into the clinic sometime tomorrow and get some X-rays done. All in all, I think he'll make it but he's going to need extensive physical therapy and support for a number of years," Peter told her honestly.

"I figured that. So what's going to happened to him? Where is going to go after we pull him through this?" she asked frankly her hazel eyes pinning his.

"That I can't say. If he wants to contact his people we'll let him. He'd get better care than with what we can offer him. Though somehow I have the feeling he's not going to want the world to know he's still alive," Peter replied.

She nodded, "I get that impression too. For now he is alive and somehow we'll make sure he stays that way. Thanks Peter. You'll be by tomorrow?" she asked.

"As soon as I can and I'll let you know about getting him in the clinic. Call me if you need me, Merriana," he said with a reassuring squeeze on her shoulder.

She followed him to the door and let him out and then she went back to the bedroom to sit and watch over the sleeping man in her bed.

* * * * *

Three days later Elliot awoke to full consciousness. He found himself in a strange bed, wrapped in bandages, with IV's in his arm, and wearing a hospital gown, but he was not in a hospital rather he was somewhere, in someone's bedroom. He had a tremendous headache, that pounded against his temples, and he felt sick and dizzy when he tried to move his head. He lay back against his pillow and tried not to fight it, and tried to remember what had happened, how he had got here, and why was he still alive?

Bits and snatches of memory came at him: meeting Vincent on the Compass Rose to betray him, getting shot, the explosion, the heat, the pain, hitting the water, vague memories of being carried, Vincent's burned face, a dark alley, a woman bending over him and her picking him up, saying that she was there to help him and then nothing except for flashes of a white corridor, the hum of a machine, being moved and a car ride. The obvious conclusion was somehow he and Vincent survived the explosion and they had managed to get to shore and to safety. Was Vincent here too? Maybe in another room?

His mouth was dry, and parched, and tasted nasty. With great effort he attempts to call out. "Vincent!" he tried to yell but his cry was weak. He tried again a little louder, "Vincent, are you there?"

He heard someone stirring, the squeak of a chair as someone got up, and footsteps. A woman came into view. It matched the face he had glimpsed in the alley. This must be her place, her apartment, he quickly thought.

"You're awake?' she asked pleasantly coming closer.

"Yes. Where am I?" he asked, his voice sounding hoarse from his raw dry throat.

"Some place safe where no one can hurt you. Someone brought here three days ago, How are you feeling?" she asked cautiously.

Okay, I'll buy. Wants to check me out, see if she can trust me, Elliot quickly thought. He sensed that the woman was somehow connected with the secrets that Cathy and Vincent held, maybe part of that group. He decided to play it cool and not ask hard questions, not yet.

Elliot looked the woman over carefully. She was a tall woman, a little overweight, a pleasant, not pretty face, short brown curly hair and hazel eyes, close to his age. She was dressed in a a long tannish colored bathrobe that had seen better days with a nondescript blue nightgown peeking through.

"Okay, I think. Considering everything. I seem to have taken your bed," he apologized as she sat down on the edge near him.

"It happens. It's not the first time, and probably won't be the last. My name is Merriana. I'm a nurse. A doctor friend of mine Peter Alcott came and removed the bullets and we fixed your injuries as best we could. Do you know who you are?" she asked studying him.

"Yes, my name is Elliot Burch. Why aren't I in a hospital?"

She seemed pleased that he could remember. "I asked myself that too, but I was told not to."

"Vincent?" he asked. "Is he here?"

She shook her her no. "No, he left. He wouldn't stay. No one's seen him since that night. Everyone is worried," she said cautiously, not sure how much this man or didn't know.

"Everyone? The people Cathy was trying to protect, no doubt. Something to do with the tunnels she took me through. She told me to forget what I had seen and heard, but I couldn't. I didn't tell anyone, not even my private investigators when they were searching for her. Cathy was protecting some big secret, people, and would get super defensive if I tried to pry. Then when Vincent showed up and asked me to help him--I knew somehow it was all connected. It had to be for where else could someone like him hide out and survive," Elliot rambled.

The woman kept her face passive and just listened. "Cathy-- meaning Catherine Chandler?" she asked.

"Yeph. I was in love with her, I wanted to marry her but she wouldn't. She told me there was someone else. I didn't give up, didn't stop loving her. I would have waited a lifetime for her. Her death hit me pretty hard. Then Vincent shows up at my office and asks me to help him find Cathy's killer. I didn't know what to think. I knew he was the one Cathy had been seeing, who she was really in love with, but I also wanted to get the guy that killed her too. So I helped Vincent and it almost got me killed twice and thrown in jail. I saw him kill, Merriana. I saw what he did to Moreno and then I really saw him. Damn--how could Cathy could have loved that?" he asked her suddenly stopping his rambling for a moment.

"She just did. I met her only once at Winterfest. I saw how she and Vincent were together. There was such love there between them. It made you believe that anything was possible. No one has quite recovered from her death, let alone Vincent," she told him.

"I don't think any one will for a long time," he said with a sigh and his love for the dead woman was obvious to the woman who hovered by him. "So Vincent saved me and brought me here? Why couldn't he have just let me die? What the hell do I got left to live for--everythings gone! My money, my companies, all the dreams and hopes of a lifetime wiped out by Gabriel as if they had never been," he said bitterly, asking questions she couldn't answer.

"Vincent must have thought you were worth saving. He's very careful who he chooses for friends and to who he reveals his existence to. I've known him since I was a child. We grew up together in the tunnels," she answered as she took his pulse and began checking his dressings.

"So not every one stays where he lives?" he asked curiously.

"No. Some stay, some go Above like me and try to fit into this world and help those who remain and keep their secrets so that that world can be kept safe for those who need its healing powers and safety. But enough of that. You're safe here, and you're healing," she told him satisfied with what she saw underneath his bandages as she changed them.

"Tell me truthfully how bad am I banged up. I can't feel my legs or my arm. I can take it. Please tell me the truth?" he begged her gently, bracing himself for whatever she might say.

"Are you sure you want to know?" she asked, searching his face to see if he was mentally strong enough for her words.

He nodded, the effort hurting his head but he persevered. "Yes, the truth--please."

"Alright, you asked. "Your spinal cord and lower vertebrae were crushed by

some heavy object landing on you with force. It's paralyzed you from the waist down. Dr. Alcott thinks it can be repaired in time but you will never have full use of your legs. "

She saw him winch, and shake his head disgustedly. She lifted an eyebrow in question wondering whether to go on or not. He looked at her, his dark eyes harder.

"Go on, please. What else?" he asked.

She nodded, and did. For ten minutes she explained the further extent of his injuries and what it was going to take to make him begin to function and what Peter had proposed for physical therapy. He just nodded absorbing her words and what had happened to him. He was taking it better than he had expected he would.

"So, I'll never be able to walk again or do the things I used to?" he asked when she was through.

"No, not even with surgery and physical therapy you will only have forty percent use of your legs and as damaged as the tendons, nerves, and bones are in your upper arm and shoulder."

"Well Gabriel did a through job on me. I used to be able to boast I had my health. Can't now. God, Merriana what the hell am I going to do? I'd been better off dead!" he said close to tears now as the enormity of his situation hit home.

"Well you're not dead. Nor are you going to be if I have anything to say about it. There are places you can go if you fear for your safety. And judging from how serious those people were you have cause to fear for your safety," she said seriously letting her statement sink in.

"I out lived my usefulness. Gabriel wanted me to betray Vincent and I almost did. I couldn't--let him die. I took the bullet meant for him. He has to find their son. For Cathy's sake he has to do that. That monster Gabriel can't be allowed to get away with her murder and to take her son. Vincent's the only one who stands a chance of stopping and killing him. No matter how much I wish it could have been different --she chose him and had his child--not mine--but I want to see her child safe with his father if he can't be with his mother," Elliot told her, feeling the truth of his words that came from his heart.

"The only way you're going to be able to help is to get better and to rest. You lost a lot of blood. You need to sleep. Peter will be here in about two hours to check on you. We can talk more then. Rest now, Elliot. Everything is going to be alright, I promise, " she said tucking him in and getting up.

"I'll try, but I can't promise I'll sleep. I feel like I've slept my life away," he said trying to smile and finding even that painful. They really did a number on me, he thought to himself.

"No, not quite, but try anyway. When you feel up to it we'll try you on some soup and start getting some solid food down you," she told him starting to leave.

"Good, I'd like that. It does feel a little empty. Thank you Merriana for what you've done for me so far. I owe you," Elliot said sincerely, trying to smile reassuring at her.

"Don't worry about, Elliot just get some sleep," she said and then she was gone back into the other room.

Elliot lay there for a while just thinking about what had happened and what he was going to do next. That was the part he didn't have any answers for. What he was going do next. Did he dare contact anyone? What had Gabriel said, that half of his people were already his and in a short time they would be all his? Who could he trust. The only person he did trust, Clayton, was dead. His chauffeur body guard had shown himself to be on Gabriel's side. Who else was owned by that mad man?

No, he could never show his face again. He was being accused of killing Moreno and his men at the carousal even though Maxwell had to know there wasn't anyway he could have done that. And if he came forward he might expose Vincent and for Cathy and the baby's sake he couldn't do that. It was better that the world thought him dead. So where did that leave him? Where could he go? What could he do given his now physical limitations? He knew he couldn't stay here forever. There was no where, no where at all. And he cried, for all his hope was shattered.

Finally he did sleep and he dreamed. He dreamed of that other world that Vincent had talked about the one in where Vincent had died and Catherine had run in the sunlight with her children and held her grandchildren on her knees. Her children--his children. And he was happy he was so wondrously happy with her in his arms, by his side, helping him, supporting him, loving him, making the kind of life together that dreams were made of. Then in a instant it was over--that dream.

In the shadows he stood, waiting, watching, black cloak and hood hiding the wild red-gold hair and those penetrating blue eyes that bore into one's soul. He waited in those shadows and she ran from him and ran to Vincent his arms outstretched, his cloak flowing open, billowing open to her, for her, beckoning. She disappeared in those arms into his massive presence, enveloped into this light and shadow that radiated nothing but his absolute and total love for her --for their dream, their impossible dream of a life together. He saw her kiss that strange leonine-human face and he saw the love reflected there, love he would never have known from her no matter how hard he had tried for she was Vincent's, had always been Vincent's from the beginning to the ending of time. These souls were forever bond as one and he was merely an interloper and fraud upon that greater love. He knew great pain upon the realization of this truth, and it made him cry again not from losing her but from the knowledge that he would never know a love as pure and as beautiful as what she and Vincent had shared.

He felt a presence come into the room and he opened his eyes. There was a young woman standing there looking down at with frightened eyes seeing that he was awake. "I didn't me to wake you. I'm sorry, I heard crying. . . , " she said embarrassed.

Elliot got more fully awake then and really looked at his visitor. She couldn't have been older than in her early twenties. She had a pretty oval face, large brown eyes framed with dark lashes, under bangs of straight sandy blonde hair. The rest of her long hair was pulled plainly back in a pony tail. It was her clothes that really got his attention. There were like Vincent's. That odd patchwork composed of heavy fabrics and leathers. She wore a long belted tunic vest of rust and brown leathers over several heavy sweaters, corduroy pants with knee patches and boots. He also noted the long knife in a sheaf at her waist. This one looked after herself.

But she frightened easily. She looked like she was ready to run. "It's okay, don't be afraid. I won't hurt you. I don't think I could if I tried. Legs don't work anymore. What's your name?" he asked, smiling, trying to reassure her.

She still looked scared. "Jamie, I was just stopping by to see Merriana. She told me you were here. She said you had been with Vincent. Do you know where he went? It's important we find him," she asked.

"No, I'm sorry I don't. He must have left me here and then took off. He didn't come home?" he asked, and saw her get frightened again.

She didn't say anything, she just looked more and more frightened. She wasn't sure whether to trust him or not. The silence stretched between them.

Finally he broke it. "Jamie, I can see you come from wherever it is Vincent does live. Your clothes are similar. I'm not going to pry into your secrets. I understand. Catherine was the same way you are. I'm just very good at figuring puzzle pieces out and after meeting Vincent I know why your world is secret and I will keep those secrets safe for him and because I promised Cathy," he told her and saw her relax as well as study him more closely.

"You're that--Elliot. That Elliot Burch," she said suddenly in a horrified tone, looking at him oddly.

"Yeah. . . . I guess. I'm not sure whether to be pleased or not," he replied with a lifted eyebrow.

"The Burch Tower--it almost destroyed our world. Catherine almost married you. That almost killed Vincent. But I know you've been helping Vincent to try and find Catherine's killer and find the baby. I overheard Father and Vincent talking," she said suddenly ashamed, and blushed.

"I'm sorry, I didn't know. I never meant to hurt anyone. I loved Catherine, I would have done anything for her, including staying out of her life which I did. I helped Vincent because I want Cathy's killer brought to justice. I want him to pay for what he's done," he said sharply, and she looked up at him knowingly.

"He did this to you?"

"Yes, and the bullets were meant for Vincent. I just hope Vincent's okay. So no one's seen him?"

"No, not a word. Father's afraid he might be dead or captured," she said.

"Father? A very distinguished gray haired man walks with a limp?" he asked, and her eyes got wide again.

Jamie nodded slowly, looking at him hard. "You know Father?

"I met him when Catherine and I found him locked in a room in a penthouse. He had been hit in the head. Cathy called him Father and he told her to 'warn Vincent --that Paracelsus was Below'!" he said and saw her blanch.

"My God, you do know!" she said suddenly and then before he could stop her she spun on her heels and was gone.

"Wait Jamie! Come back! What did I say? Jamie?" he called, but she didn't reappear and he was more than a little confused as to what he had said or had said.

Merriana appeared looking worried and came over to where he laid. "What did you say to her?" she asked.

"Damn if I know. I mentioned I had met Father and how and she took off like a scared rabbit. That's one strange young lady. One of the below ground crowd I take it?" he asked.

She didn't make any comment to that remark, instead she said, "she's left, gone to tell Father you don't know where Vincent might be. So you've met him?

How?" she asked.

And he told her the story of Cathy and the reporter, his detective finding the penthouse, and Cathy asking him to let her see it and finding Father behind the false wall. Then what the old man and Cathy had said and Cathy taking the man away, refusing their help. She listened, occasionally asking him for clarification.

He was almost finished when they heard a knock on the door.

"That has to be Peter. Let me go let him in. I'll be back in a second," she told him and got up going into the other room after closing the door behind her.

She opened door and not only Peter stood there but Father as well dressed in street clothes. Her shock was quite evident. Father and Peter both laughed at her surprise.

"Merriana, it is me, I assure you. I had some business uptop and didn't have time to change. I met Jamie and she told me about Elliot. She told me everything. I wanted to see him, if its . . . alright?" he asked indicating that they were still out in the hall.

"I'm sorry Father, I was just overcome with seeing you there, dressed like that.

Please, . . . please come in," she invited, moving out of the way to let them come in.

"How is our patient?" Peter asked after taking off his coat and laying it down on the couch.

"Awake, very alert, asking and answering questions," she said leading them towards the bedroom.

She went in first followed by Peter and Father. Elliot didn't know Peter. He hadn't been awake for his previous visits. Father he did recognize. His eyes narrowed studying him, wondering what kind of magic or telepathy had conjured him up so quickly after he had mentioned his name to Jamie.

"Elliot, this is Dr. Peter Alcott, the doctor who has been looking after you," Merriana said introducing the thin older man.

"Pardon me if I don't get up, I seem not to be able to do that too well," Elliot quipped as the doctor set his bag down on the bed.

"At least you're in good spirits. Merriana has explained your injuries to you?" he asked.

"Yes, she did. The great have fallen far and hard, it seems," Elliot replied, and tried to look beyond Peter to Father who stood at the end of the bed looking on. Elliot looked at Peter and Merriana questioningly waiting to see when they would introduce the man or find out why he was there.

"It seems Mr. Burch and I have met under strange circumstances. I want to thank you for coming when you did and saving my life. You're arrival was quite timely, I assure you. I hope I can repay the debt I owe you. For unknowingly, Mr. Burch you have saved my life not once but several times. Then there has been your persistence in trying to find Cathy and her killer. We are all aware of what you have sacrificed," Father said warmly.

"It seemed the thing to do. You are Father, aren't you?" Elliot questioned wanting to know for his own verification as Peter began his exam of him.

"Yes, I am. I also have another name. In your world--long ago, I was known as Jacob Wells, Dr. Jacob Wells. I was a research scientist, a doctor. I still am. That's one reason Peter called me. I am going to be taking over your case, provided you can be moved. Merriana is a kind and generous person for letting you have her bed these last days but it's time we discussed what is to become of you," Father stated trying to be gentle but direct as well.

Elliot nodded, listening getting more and more intrigued. "Go on. I'm up for any possibilities at this point," Elliot replied just as directly.

"From what Jamie could gather and what she heard from Merriana who have figured out the existence of my world. Not all the details but enough to understand where Vincent came from, myself, Jamie, and the secrets that Cathy protected, am I correct?"

"Yes, . . . oww easy there, that hurts," Elliot said as Peter probed a particularly sensitive spot.

"Sorry, Elliot," Peter apologized and continued his exam.

"Alright then. We have a place, a safe place, far below this city. It's a whole community, a world separate and apart from this one. You need care, help, support, our world could offer you that, help you get on your feet so to speak,

. . . ," Father said forgetting for the moment about Elliot's paralysis and saw Elliot smile at that. "We are aware of your situation here above, how Gabriel has stripped you of everything, the dangers you may yet face if you remain here or turn yourself in. The world thinks you dead. The papers all say that now," Father told him watching for any adverse reaction there were none.

"I thought they would. It's better that way. My world is gone--everything! I might as well be dead," Elliot said bitterly.

"Well, you're not and if I have anything to say about it you will live a very long time," Father said.

"How? My legs are gone, one arm doesn't work, I'm a cripple. What kind of life can I have, except one that is dependent upon everyone around me for every need?" Elliot asked.

"You might be surprised. You still have your mind, your knowledge, your skills. . . in my world you would be very valued, you would have a place, a home, and you would never be alone," Father said sincerely.

"That sounds like a fairy tale."

"We have been told that, but its true. In my world you could survive, learn to live to your full potential. Elliot, I am offering you a home with us, down below, are you interested?" Father asked.

"Maybe, what choice do I have--really? What about this? Am I am to be moved?" Elliot asked, not sure of anything anymore.

"Peter?" Father asked.

"He's stable enough to be moved. You've handled worse cases than his in the past, haven't you?" Peter questioned.

"Yes, much worse," Father replied thinking back over the injuries and accidents he had had to deal with with more primitive equipment than he had now. "Jamie should be back with Colin and William soon, and Mary will get things set up for him in the infirmary until permanent chambers can be arranged.

And you said you will get Susan to come down for physical therapy?" Father asked.

"Yes, she's agree to. If he needs more we'll get it, whatever is needed to help," Peter replied putting his instruments back in his bag.

"It sounds like you already had it planned before you even asked me?" Elliot asked them both, and they looked a little sheepish.

"It was the only logical solution for your problem. However, if you had decided to return to your world we wouldn't have stopped you. You are still free to do so. But we would ask you to keep our secrets," Father told him.

Elliot tried to shrug his shoulder and found that to be rather painful, "I have been--that's what got me into this mess. Who is going to pay for all this medical attention I'm getting. I know you people don't have money," Elliot asked thinking about how much he did have in bank accounts all over the world.

"We have friends. . . sources. Elliot, I know what you're thinking. You have to walk away from it all if you come Below. The risk is too dangerous. Already your people would have notified the proper authorities and sealed those accounts," Father reminded him.

"Not all of them. I have secret accounts in different names. . . ," Elliot said seeing Father's look of surprise.

Elliot smiled, and laughed. "Hell, Elliot isn't even my real name. I was born Stanley Kasmarak. One day I knew something like this might happen. . . that I might have to hide and Elliot Burch would have to die. So I prepared for that eventuality, creating special funds that only I knew about and could access. Father, you don't get where I --was without planning for everything--including death," Elliot said seeing Father nod understandingly.

"Alright, Elliot, after we have gotten you Below and settled we'll see about tapping these hidden reserves if that is what you want?" Father questioned.

"Yes, I'd like that. I would make me feel better, and make me feel like I wasn't sponging off anyone. It's a matter of pride," Elliot said and Father understood exactly.

From the other room they heard a knock on the door and Merriana left to go answer it. She came back with Jamie and two men trailing her. The one was a giant of a man, big and burly with a wide friendly face and a thatch of light red hair. The other was tall and slim. They were all dressed in the odd fashion that Elliot had come to associate with the world Below. Jamie carried a bundle of what looked like clothes in her arms.

"Mary sent some clothes up for him. She got some of Vincent's 'cause I said they were similar in size. Is that okay?" Jamie asked coming over to the bed.

"Yes, Jamie, that's fine. If you and Colin and William will wait outside. We'll get Mr. Burch ready for his journey, alright?" he asked ushering them out.

"Sure, Father," William answered taking the girl out.

Elliot eyed the clothes dubiously after they had left. "I take it it's not too warm where ever it is I'm going?"

"It's a bit chilly at times, but you'll get used to that. And we have a few hot springs and other niceties you'll enjoy. We're sorry we have to put you through all this handling but we don't need you getting chilled, or have too many questioned asked once we leave this apartment. Since we are some distance from our main living area and traveling the route underground would be more damaging than traveling above we're going to take you most of the way by taxi and then carry you below. Don't look so alarmed, we know what we're doing. We've moved more serious cases than yours Below and they have survived," Father added with a smile seeing Elliot flinch at the idea of being carried.

Between Father, Peter, and Merriana they managed to get Elliot dressed without too much distress or pain to him and his injuries. Elliot on his part felt like he looked ridiculous dressed in the tunnel clothes. The new clothing styles were going to take some getting used to. He did have to admit they were a lot more comfortable. Merriana called the other three into the bedroom once they had Elliot properly dressed while Father consulted with Peter on medications, dosages and other instructions for Elliot's care.

Elliot noticed Jamie looking at him with new eyes. In the garb of her world he didn't appear quite as threatening. He was to be one of them, not an outsider, that made a difference with her. William and Cullen, he could tell were reserving judgment. God, what did they know and not know about him? Elliot could already see that his stay below was going to be very interesting. A lot of what he was going to have to do was win their trust, and prove his worthiness to these people.

"It's time," Father announced and motioned William to come pick Elliot up. He did carefully and gently, as if Elliot were spun glass.

Elliot looked for Merriana and saw her as William started to carry him through the door. He told William to stop. "Merriana, thank you for everything. Someday I hope I can return the favor," he said sincerely, letting her know he meant it.

"You can do that by getting well and taking care of yourself. Goodbye, Elliot, good luck," she wished him, and stepped back to let William through and to open the door for everyone.

The group descended the stairs, with Father and Peter trailing behind. There was a taxi waiting at the curb and the driver jumped out and immediately went and opened doors. Peter and Father said their last goodbyes and Peter got into his own car and drove away. William and Cullen ended up in the front seat with much maneuvering and wiggling to fit. In the end Cullen ended up on William's lap and all were warned not to say a word went they got back least they be eating gruel for the next month.

Elliot was braced in between Father and Jamie. It was hard and painful to sit up for him. Peter had given him a painkiller before they left and it started kicking in, but he could still feel every bump. He drifted in and out of consciousness on the seemingly long trip. He found his head resting on Jamie's shoulder. She didn't seem to mind. In fact Elliot got the impression she rather enjoyed it. Her hair smelled of sandalwood and of old leather, he noted as he drifted in and out of consciousness.

The taxi stopped, and they all got out. Elliot heard Father thanking the driver as William picked him up. He was conscious enough to recognize he was in Central Park. Another piece of the puzzle put into place. They went down the gentle slope cautiously to enter the large sewer pipe he had come out of when Cathy had led him through the tunnels. Some one slid open the hidden door and he was now back in the maze of tunnels that Cathy had led him through. Then they went deeper, and deeper than the levels he had traveled.

The walls changed from smooth sided pipes to rough hewn rocks, the deeper they went until it was nothing but rock and cooler. He was glad for the clothes they had given him. He understood their necessity now. There were torches and candles inset in the walls every couple of feet. All around was the constant clatter of pipes being banged and occasionally the rumble of a subway car could be held vibrating through the walls and air. Quiet, it was not. They began to pass people, who spoke friendly greetings to the group as they passed. He got the impressions of rooms off the corridors they traversed and people living in them. There were children, laughing, running by once and Father's stern admission to settle down.

Then an older woman appeared, very pretty in her own old-fashioned way and he heard the name Mary used. Her voice was gentle and soft. She told Father that everything was ready. Elliot was carried into a large room with cots and old-fashioned medical cases on the wall, cabinets, and hospital equipment of various ages. William set him down carefully on the bed Mary indicated. She told him he could go and he and Cullen left, only Jamie remained watching anxiously.

"Jamie, you can go. Mary and I can handle things from here. You can come visit later if you wish," Father suggested tactfully, trying to figure out why she was still here because the hospital chamber was usually the last place the girl wanted to be normally. Her behavior puzzled him.

"I'd kind of like staying here and help you with him. He needs a friend," she said shyly.

Mary and Father exchanged meaningful glances. Father just struggled.

"Alright, if you can stay if you want, Jamie. Just be prepared. Elliot, here is very damaged. He's got dressings that will need changing. Someone will have to work with him and give him physical therapy so he won't lose what muscles and nerves he still has functioning and help him begin to use the ones he's lost. He will need bathing, cleaning, feeding, and dressing until he is strong enough to do it on his on," Father told he, warning what helping Elliot was going to entail.

She looked at him, and nodded, already having guessed that. "Father, I'm not a kid anymore, and I have seen naked men before. I've also seen them injured a lot worse than this. You and Mary have got a lot to do and someone needs to be with him and I'm one of the few down here that isn't tied up with a husband or kids or is needed elsewhere," she argued logically.

"Okay, if that's what you really want to do, " Father said relucantly, "you can," he agreed not faulting her logic, for she was right she was the only one would wasn't tied down with responsibilities. "First we start by getting him out of those clothes and putting him in a night shirt to sleep in. Then I'll check his dressings and give him his medication. Tonight we'll try him on some broth and work up from there on solid foods," Father told them both as he started undoing Elliot's borrowed clothing.

When they finally got Elliot uncovered, Jamie was appalled at his bruises and burns. She saw the bullet holes, and the cast that ran from his left shoulder to the middle of his forearm. She also saw the cast on his right wrist and the way his ribs were taped up. She also saw how handsome a body he still had. Even with all the bruises he was still good looking with his long brown hair that lightly curled at the ends and his full beard. Those things she tried not notice but it was hard not to. She did her job efficiently, trying to be indifferent and clinical as she helped Mary clean and wash him so Father could put on new bandages. Finally it was done and he was put into a long nightshirt, and tucked into bed.

Father told her to go get something to eat and to come back in a hour. She did, not willingly though. She ate quickly and went back to her chamber to get some books to read and to get her notebook. In her notebook she wrote down her story ideas, her thoughts, and whatever else came to mind. She knew for awhile Elliot would be sleeping or drifting in and out of consciousness with the painkillers and the healing he would have to go through. She asked herself over and over if she knew what she was doing and if she really wanted to do this. Each time her answer was yes, there were no no's in her mind.

Elliot was still sleeping when she arrived with her backpack. Father lifted his eyebrow questioningly.

"Books, something to read while I sit. Have to be doing something, Father," she explained.

"Good thinking, Jamie. Mary and I are going to leave. I need to change clothes and eat too. He should be out for awhile. I just gave him so more painkillers. Put a message on the pipes if he starts breathing funny, so seems like he's having any kind of problem--at all," he told her.

"I will, Father," she promised.

"Good, and you get some rest, too. If you get tired lay down on that cot over there," he added, pointing to the one next to Elliot's.

She nodded, and Father seeing that all was well left with Mary. Thoughtfully someone had brought a huge old arm chair down for her to sit in while she kept her vigil. It beat the hard straight back chairs she saw against one of the rock walls. The chair was wide enough for her to sit cross-legged in and she did so, and from her backpack she got one of her books. A science-fiction one she had found in the trash behind a bookstore uptop. It was a novel based on the characters from a television show that had been on around the time she was born. It had space battles, and strange characters and she soon got lost in its pages.

She was about halfway through when she glanced up and noticed that Elliot was awake and watching her. She put the book down in surprise.

"Good book?" he asked, amused.

"Ah. . . yeah. Pretty good so far. You're supposed to be sleeping," she charged him.

He smiled. "Can't sleep all the time. I didn't expect you to be here. Everyone else gone?" he asked, trying to look and deciding against it.

"Father and Mary left, said they'd be back later. If you had any problems I was to call them. How are you feeling by the way?" she asked still sitting in her chair.

"Can't be sure. Hurt all over. Numb in spots. Stomach is growling. It must be days since I ate. Any chance of food?"

"Father said you can have a little soup. I'll call William and have him send some up," Jamie said starting to get up, suddenly nervous now alone with him.

"Room service, huh? How are you going call? I don't think you get AT&T down here," he remarked, curious now since it was the second time she had said she could call someone.

She smiled, he thought it was a pretty smile. "I use the pipes. William will hear the message," she said matter-of-factly to his blank look.

"Pipes?"

"Yeah, the steam pipes. Each one's different-- has a different sound--goes to a different place. We use codes to send messages. That's what all that noise is. It's people talking on the pipes," she told him listening to the latest message going by. "Like right now, the outer sentries are reporting in. Vincent's home!" she said delightedly, jumping up.

"Vincent's home? You can tell that from all that banging?" he asked amazed.

"Yeah, real easy once you learn them. We'll teach you. That's how we stay in touch, know what's happening all over the community and with the Helpers. The pipes connect everywhere. To outsiders it's just noise, to us its our telephone," she explained.

"Yeah, it is all noise to me. Whose idea was it?" he asked fascinated.

A sad look crossed her face, as of remembered hurts and pain. "Paracelsus came up with the idea, invented the first codes, then Pascal's father took over the pipes after Paracelsus was exiled. Now Pascal's in charge of them," she said.

"Didn't know it was such a personal question, sorry," he said thinking his question had somehow upset her.

She shook her head. "It wasn't the question. It was just a lot of old, bad memories. Paracelsus hurt people, and killed a good friend of mine, Winslow. Try to kill Father, and Vincent and Catherine too. Let's get you some soup while William still has some left," she told him changing the subject.

She got up graceful and found a wooden rod to beat on the pipe. Listening close, Elliot could detect a rhythm, a beat to what she was sending. She stood and listened for a few moments after she sent it, listening and nodding and then she came back and sat.

"William said it'll be about ten minutes. It's vegetable beef tonight. Goeffry's bringing it," she told him.

"Amazing. I could hear a rhythm, a pattern, but I couldn't understand it beyond that."

"It'll come to you. It took Catherine months to get the basic codes down. Some of her early messages were hilarious. If she ever knew what she had been saying--she would have died of embarrassment. How Father or Vincent ever kept a straight face. . . , she said laughing in remembrance.

"Kind of like talking in a foreign language and saying, 'I want to milk your chicken'?"

She laughed louder, "Yeah, only weirder. Pascal finally took her in hand and gave her pipe lessons for a week until he was satisfied she could carry on a conversation and not mess it up. Then she was always getting lost. Finally right after Winterfest she could make it back and forth to the surface on her own without help. She had a terrible sense of direction," Jamie told him fondly.

"So she was a frequent visitor down here?"

" Not at first because she kept getting lost. After the cave-in she started coming more. The one where she got the plastic explosives from you. Your gift helped save Father and Vincent. We are were very grateful," she told him, seeing his startlement as he put another piece into place.

"So that's why she wanted drillbits and explosives for. Now it makes sense. I've been wondering about that for two years now. That also explains Father's statement earlier to me. It's all starting to make sense," he said pleased to finally get some answers.

"You don't mind me talking about Catherine do you?' she asked suddenly wondering how painful a subject it was since it had been known he had wanted to marry Catherine and had been in love with her.

"No, I like hearing about her. It so strange. . .,"

"What Elliot?"

"Here everyone knows me, or at least knows about me, and I don't know any of you. Hell, I just barely know Vincent. But I feel like everyone knows the story of my life," he said some what embarrassed.

"Never thought of it that way. I guess because your relationship with Catherine effected Vincent and her, and then your building projects effected all of us uptop and down below, we got to know about you and wonder what kind of man you were," she told him.

"And what's the consensus?"

"You're okay. You didn't know about us and you didn't know about Vincent. You were a friend to Catherine when she needed one and helped her without asking questions as well as kept our secrets. If we didn't think you were okay you would be here now, true?" she asked.

"True, I guess. So everyone knew about my seeing Catherine?"

"Yeah, from the start. Vincent was unbearable until she broke up with you. You do not want to be around him when he's like that. God, he's moody, and grouchy. Everytime you and Catherine got together Vincent knew it. When she was going to marry you was the worse. No one, not even Father wanted to go near him."

"I'm sorry, I didn't know there was any one else in Cathy's life. She never told me until a month before she was kidnapped that there was someone else. That took me a long time to get over. Then after I met Vincent I wasn't sure what to think. He is rather different," he said and saw her protective look.

"No, don't get me wrong. I like Vincent. I saw what Cathy saw in him. I can see beyond the face. He was shock after I saw what he did to Moreno and his hired killers. I still have nightmares about that night. Vincent is just unlike anyone I have ever met, in every sense of the word," Elliot said seeing he was saying the right things to her. "I think my soup's here," he said looking towards the doorway and seeing a young boy carrying a covered bowl.

The days passed quickly as Elliot recovered and regained his strength. The recovery of his numbed limbs was another matter. One that caused him acute frustration and embarrassment as well as anger. Jamie stayed with him despite the temper fits, the set backs, and the ever present pain he now had to endure. Sometimes he just wanted to give up and find a way to throw himself in the Abyss, but Jamie argued with him and made him do what he had to. They grew closer without really realizing it over the months he was in the infirmary.

Vincent was a frequent visitor when he wasn't out searching the city for his son. He heard of Diana Bennet's involvement with Vincent. Then came Vincent's capture and the finding of the baby. There was great rejoicing in the tunnels when Vincent finally brought his son home. He brought Jacob to the infirmary for Elliot to see. There was no doubt that this was Catherine's child. He could see her so much in her son, except for the eyes--those were Vincent's. He became the baby's godfather or at least one of them. Diana came to see him too. She was surprised to see him there as he was to see her Below.

Father deemed him well enough to go to the naming ceremony and he did helped by Jamie in a wheelchair that had been brought down for his use. She helped him dress and for the first time in months he wore something besides a nightshirt. This time too he wore his own clothes made by Mary and Jamie just for him. He trimmed his beard and his hair, he didn't get rid of them just got rid of the split ends and shagginess. Coming into the common room of Father's chambers was a shock as he saw all the people there. Until that moment he had not realized how many did live here. And he was told these were just the ones who could make it that day that weren't off on errands or working elsewhere. How vast a place was this he really began to wonder?

He got to meet more than a few people that day, and began to feel more a part of the community as he was welcomed by all. They stayed to the very end and as the chamber cleared out he was amazed to see all the books piled floor to ceiling, and on shelves every where. Jamie had been reading to him but he longed to do some serious reading on his own. He longed to do something, anything besides worry about his physical condition and related problems. His right wrist was almost healed and he had been trying to use it. It was difficult but he could now write again. Drawing, however, was going to take more time to gain control of.

As he and Jamie were leaving to return him to His bed, one of Father's maps caught His eye and a notation about hidden doors. That gave him a whole bunch of ideas to think about. Here was something he could use His skills with. For the first time in months he felt really alive as he devised mechanisms and ways to camouflage the doors he was designing.

He knew Father was off with an old friend that had come to the ceremony, Vincent was off with Diana and Jacob. That left Mouse with whom he could discuss His new ideas. Jamie was skeptical but she hadn't seen him so enthusiastic in a long time. She called Mouse to come visit.

Mouse wandered in eventually, looking puzzled as the why he had been summoned. "Am I in trouble? Do something bad? Something need fixed here?" he questioned suspiciously. Since Jamie had taken up with Elliot he hadn't seen her much of her. In his own way he sort of resented that and missed her, though on the other hand he could understand that Elliot needed help to get around and to function.

"No, Mouse, nothing like that. I have a project I wanted to ask you about, interested?" Elliot asked smiling seeing the young man get very interested at the mention of a project.

"Okay good, okay fine. What do you want done?" he smiled the the gears in his head already engaging.

Jamie just rolled her eyes and sat down disgustedly in her chair. She just hoped it was something that wouldn't get them all in trouble with Father or the council.

"Sit," Elliot suggested and Mouse did on the corner of the bed and Elliot began. "When I was coming back from Father's Chambers I saw some maps lying on one of the tables. The words secret doors caught my attention. I had some ideas for some improvements. Who do I see about talking about making them?" Elliot asked.

Mouse looked at him with new interest and respect. "Me, Father, Vincent. I make doors now. What your idea?" Mouse asked curious.

Elliot went on to explain, and showed Mouse the crude diagram and mechanisms he had come up with, apologizing for their roughness. Mouse followed every word and concept that Elliot discussed and asked more than a few questions of his own which displayed a grasp of mechanics and physics that Elliot found astounding considering the way Mouse normally spoke.

"Might work. Make one, test it, see if it fools intruders. Better than Mouse's idea and cheaper. Father will like," Mouse told him at the end of their conservation. "Got more ideas?"

"Not yet, but I might if someone will let me know what all needs to be done around here. But you think Father will like this idea? Seriously?" Elliot asked not sure if he was overstepping some unseen boundaries.

"Father like. Less mess and fuss than my idea. It's Good Elliot. Real Good," Mouse said trying to reassure him. "So you build, design things?" Mouse asked.

"Yeah. I used to design whole buildings, everything in them, walls, floors, security systems, water and sewage, electrical and figure out how deep they had to go in the ground to be stable. A lot of stuff like that," Elliot explained.

Mouse's eyes got real big then, and he got real excited. "Okay good, okay fine. Have lots of projects to talk about now. Things that need fixed. Problems with water and electrical, need better ways to do," Mouse asked hopefully.

"Okay tell me what problems?" Elliot asked innocently and that began a solid afternoon's worth of conversation with Mouse running off the list of problems they were having. Elliot listened and made notes and asked a lot of questions and got answers and questions in return. By the end of their talk which Jamie called a halt to because of supper they were firm friends who understood one another very well.

"Do you want to eat here or go to the dining hall with everyone?" Jamie asked wondering if Mouse had tired him out.

"The dining hall. I want to begin to know the people here. Let's face it I've been pretty well isolated since I came down. Today is the first day I've really had a chance to see and talk with so many. How many do live down here by the way?" he asked as she helped him into his wheelchair.

She shrugged never really thinking about it. "I think I heard Father say there's close to five hundred that actually live down here. Though a lot of them are children. We take in the kids that are abused or neglected, or worse from Above. We either find them, they find us, or the Helpers refer them. Kids like Eric and Samantha. Catherine found Eric and his sister Ellie and brought them here because they had no one else and the foster home they were in was abusing them. I know a lot about that," she said her voice suddenly getting quiet and she shut up quickly realizing what she had revealed.

Elliot had already figured out that someone had abused her or she had been hurt quite a lot at an early age by the way she acted and talked sometimes. He had seen too many kids like her growing up in his old working class neighborhood. She had been down in the tunnels since she was about nine or ten. A wild child, running the streets, no family, no friends, scourging for scraps to eat after she had run away from a state-run foster home where she had gotten beaten and raped. That information he had gotten from Father when he had asked him privately to verify what he suspected about Jamie's background.

Father had also told him it had taken several patient years to civilized her. It had mainly been Vincent and Winslow who had had turned her around along with her friendship with the younger Mouse. She would have a thing to do with women, even Mary she treated with suspicion and contempt. She wanted to do hard work, construction, guard duty anything that wasn't feminine. Then she acquired her crossbow, it had been a gift from one of the helpers who had found it in the trash outside an antique store because it was badly busted and its mechanism had rusted. For months she worked on it, repairing it and learning how to shoot it. That with her big buck knife in the sheaf at her side with with her always, especially when she went Above on forging trips.

She didn't think of herself as pretty or beautiful, in fact she got very defensive and huffy if one tried to compliment her in that way. Elliot had found that out real quick. Though he had been noticing her dressing more feminine lately. There were less pants and more long skirts like the women here wore. He almost commented on it and thought better of it after the last explosion along that line. She had even been experimenting with fixing her hair differently too. He wasn't sure what she thought about him because getting her to talk about anything personal was impossible.

Elliot decided not to pursue the painful subject any further for the moment. "I take it Mary looks after the kids that are brought down?" he asked.

"Yes, her and Olivia and a couple of others. Later on I'll show you the different parts of our world, now that you're mobile," she said.

"I'd like that. I've heard about the Whispering Galley, the Great Hall, and the Chamber of the Winds but I'd like to see them for myself if this old chair can make it around to these places.," he said patting the arm rest.

She smiled, "You will even if I have to build the ramps myself. Father and I have already been discussing plans to smooth out some of the tunnel floors so you'll be able to get around easier," she told him.

"You'd do that for me?" he asked surprised.

"It's not only you, there's the kids and some of the elders find some of the surfaces rather dangerous. It's been a project for a long time but other ones were always more important or needed to be done first. I told Father that it was about time you got your own chamber and started joining everyone. You can feed yourself, dress and bath . . . sort of, and take care of yourself a lot more than you could even a month ago," she said proudly as she pushed him along the corridor.

"Thanks to you. And to Susan making me do those exercises. At least I can sit up and move my legs a little and use my left arm as a brace to help me get up. If I concentrate I make make it push things like this chair wheel but I still don't have a grip, or any feeling in it," he said sadly holding it up. He had at least regained his upper arm and should muscles there but it was far from functioning the way it had.

"You will in time. Susan has hopes. Well, here we are, the dining room," Jamie announced looking for an empty table. She saw one and steered Elliot's chair over to it. and parked him while she went to get them food.

Since they had had a big feast and banquet earlier it was mainly leftovers and cold cuts. She got a little of everything for them plus some hot coffee. Elliot was not a tea drinker she had discovered. Carrying her tray back she was surprised to see him in conversation with Lena who was trying to keep Cathy from escaping down the hall They were talking pleasantly like they were old friends. Jamie also saw the appraising looks Lena was giving Elliot, she was more than a little interested in the handsome man. Jamie knew she was going to have to squash that real fast.

"Hi Lena, I see you've met Elliot?" Jamie asking setting the tray down.

"I saw him earlier at the ceremony but Cathy was throwing fits so I had to go take her hope for a nap. I didn't realize that he was THE Elliot Burch until now," she said in an awe struck voice.

"Please, I'm only a mere mortal. And that's past not present. Here I am only Elliot. The man I was is now dead and I think I prefer it that way," he said sincerely. "And so this little one is Cathy. She's pretty," he added looking down at the active toddler that was trying to crawl into his lap.

"Thanks. She's named after Catherine. Catherine found me and brought me here, saved my life and hers. I've been here over two years now and don't miss the world up there. I hope you'll like it down here too, Elliot," she said and then saw Jamie's scowl and protective looks at Elliot. Lena got the hint real fast. Making excuses, Lena added, "It looks like Cathy needs to go run off some of her energy. I'm going to take her to the playroom. Maybe I'll see you later, gotta go," she said, quickly swooping up Cathy and disappearing down the corridor.

"Bye?" Elliot said, trying to figure out what had spooked her.

Jamie just smiled and looked innocent. "Is roast beef okay?" she asked cheerfully, handing him his plate and starting to eat herself.

He looked oddly at her and nodded, taking the plate with his good right hand. Then he too ate, when they were through she showed him where they put the dirty plates and silverware. She also explained about how the kitchen was set up, how they all took turns helping in some aspect of the food provisioning, preparing, serving and cleaning up. He was impressed with its efficiency.

They did a tour of some of the nearby areas, the common rooms, the workshops, and craft areas and the schoolrooms. She told him it was getting late and she didn't want to wear him out and have Father give her a lecture when he came back to check on him tonight. Elliot was a little disappointed but he was getting tired. The adrenalin high was starting to wear off. However, she had one more surprise for him.

They turned off one of the now familiar common corridors and started going down one that Elliot recognized as being a residential one. He was curious but he kept his peace, not wanting to spoil whatever surprise Jamie had in mind. Finally she stopped in front of a doorway covered by a heavy Persian rug. He looked at her questioningly, and she slid the rug aside to reveal a very comfortable looking living chamber.

"It's yours, Elliot," she announced to answer his unspoken question.

"Mine? I'm overwhelmed. You had mentioned that you had talked to Father, but I didn't expect anything for a couple of weeks. It's all mine?" he asked peering in.

"Yup, yours. I had Cullen make some modifications to lower the furniture for your wheelchair and had things like your clothes and books put where you could reach them easy," she exclaimed proudly.

"Wow, thank you," he exclaimed still overcome by it all. "Can we go in?"

She laughed, and pushed him forward into the room. The normal earthen floor had been replaced by plywood sheets he could tell as he felt the smooth flooring underneath the chair's wheels. Rugs were at a minimum here. There was a large table he could use for a desk, with a large supply of big candles and holders on a shelving unit next to it. An old fashioned wardrobe with shelves inside stood in one corner, with a large dresser with a tiltable mirror next to it. The room was dominated by a huge old fashioned high headboarded double bed that had been lowered so that he could get in and out of easier from his wheelchair. There was a large padded bench and the end of the bed. There was a large nightstand with an oil lamp and candles on it next to the bed. Empty book shelves lined the other wall ready for whatever the occupant wished to put in them. In the corner by the nightstand was a large overstuffed chair similar to the one Jamie always favored. On the rough bare stone walls were framed photographs and posters of the New York skyline. It was a room he could feel very comfortable in.

He was very touched and pleased. "Can I give you a hug. I feel like hugging something, I feel so good at this moment," he said, and her eyes widened in surprise.

She came over to his chair a little hesitant at first and then wrapped her arms around his neck and hugged him. She felt his arms go around her too. It wasn't a very tight hug but it felt wonderful to her and to him. She smiled shyly at him when he released her and she straightened up.

"Let me show you where your clothes are, and explain some of the other modifications that have been done," she said getting business like again.

He accepted her moodiness and watched and listened as she showed him where things were. He had overlooked the large pipe by the bed on his initial visual inspection. She explained that it connected to the other pipes in this area so that if he had any problems or needed help he could call and someone would hear him. He appreciated that. By now he had most of the basic codes memorized and could do them perfectly. He didn't want to repeat Cathy's embarrassing experiences and have to live them down.

Then she took him on a tour of the facilities in this area. New bars and rails had been installed for him he noted so he could even begin to use the tub which was fed by a hot spring by himself. There was even a mirror placed down low so he could shave if he wished. He noted that there was a separate set of towels and soaps placed where he could reach them. He looked at her.

"You did this all for me?" he asked.

"Yes, that's why I kept disappearing the last couple of weeks. I was working on this and your chamber since I know what you can and cannot do. By the way this a shared room. My chamber's the one next to yours. I thought it would be easier on both of us if I didn't have to run from one corridor to the next if you needed something. Jenny and Thomas are the only other ones in this area and their chambers are further down. So many have been moving to the lower chambers since they've been opening up," she explained.

"So we're roommates?" he asked as she wheeled him back to his room.

"Yeah, I guess. Never thought about it," she said as they went back in.

"Jamie, can I ask you something?"

"What?"

"Why are you doing all this? Why have you been so nice to me? You didn't have to?" he said seriously, not expecting an answer.

"I know. I just wanted to--that's all. You needed a friend. I volunteered," she said, and felt herself blushing,

Elliot caught on quick and backed down with his questioning. It wasn't the time, and mentally and emotionally he wasn't ready to get involved with anyone romatically--if ever again. The one thing he hadn't come to terms with was that he'd never be able to make love or be loved by a woman again. Not with his battered and broken body. The mind might be willing but he seriously doubted that the flesh would ever be able to respond again. He couldn't handle that.

He wondered why this beautiful young woman was wasting her time caring for this old broken down man. He knew he was close to fifteen years older than she was, and there were more than a few young men her age, healthy young men he amended, who were interested in her. Seeing her blush and putting that together with what she had done to make this chamber ready for him, plus all the things she did for him daily, it dawned on him she was in love with him. Poor girl, he thought to himself. He couldn't encourage her but he didn't want to lose her friendship either. He decided to be honest with her.

"Jamie, thank you for being a friend. I've needed that. I want to say something and I hope you won't get mad or upset," he said carefully seeing her look at him warily. The scared rabbit look was back so he would have to go cautiously.

"What Elliot?" she asked afraid of what he was going to say.

He cleared his throat, then began. "Jamie, I like you as a person and as a friend. I wouldn't have made it this far without you and your support. I have to tell you honestly, because of my physical problems we can never be anything other than friends. I don't want you to get your hopes up otherwise. It's not fair to you or to me. I will never be a man again, not one that can make love or be loved. That part of my life is over and I have to accept it and so do you. Do you understand?" he asked gently, seeing that she was close to tears.

"Yes. . . I have to go Elliot," she said suddenly and jumped up and ran out the room.

"Jamie! Come back, Jamie! I'm sorry!" he yelled after her but she didn't come back. Not all evening, or the next day, or the day after that, until it was a week that she was gone.

* * * * *

The days that Jamie was gone Elliot went exploring. He was determined not to be dependent on people for getting around. He made himself move the cumbersome chair through the dirt of the corridors and across the rocky surfaces of others. It may have taken him a bit longer to get some places but he managed getting quite proud of himself. He also managed to get himself bathed, dressed and fed.

Jamie did not come back to her room those days she was missing and Father and Mary told him not to worry, this was normal for her. Still her vanishing upset him more than he wanted to admit. He went over his conversation a thousand times in his head wishing he had not been so frank with her. He even told Father about it and he agreed that Elliot had done the right thing in not encouraging her. Still the guilt assaulted him whenever he went by and saw her empty room.

Finally, she returned, looking none the worse for wear in his doorway. She was shy and hesitant to come in.

"Jamie!" he shouted happily. His face lit up with a large smile of welcome for her as he moved his chair from the desk to come meet her.

"Hi, Elliot. Sorry to be gone so long. . . . I had to go do some thinking," she said her eyes downcast.

He stopped, waiting for her to go on.

"I think I got my head on straight now," she said finally meeting his eyes and there was pain still there but she covered it up quickly.

"That's good. I missed you. . . . I was worried something had happened."

"Nothing happened. I just had to get away, think. How have you been?" she asked, looking him over critically.

"Okay. Learning my way around--without help. Been sticking to the places you showed me. I didn't want to get lost. Been eating, doing my excercises--the usual stuff. Father and the council are looking over Mouse's and I's plans for the new hidden door system. He's also loaning me the maps to the lower chambers and I been talking to the construction crew to see if we can't come up with easier methods to work the rocks and carve out chambers," he said proudly.

"Sounds like they're keeping you busy."

He smiled. "Starting to. Vincent came by with Diana and Jacob to see how I was settling in. Looks like Diana's going to be a regular down here," he commented and saw her eyebrow raise.

"You think so? I like Diana. She's different from Catherine--kind of down to earth. She's got it bad for Vincent and for the baby. Even Mouse has noticed, and Mouse is sort of obvious to anything like that. Did you know Diana uptop?"

"Only as police investigator asking questions I wouldn't answer about Catherine or Vincent. I never pictured her as being interested in kids though," he said.

"It's for real. Vincent would know if it was put on. I don't think he'll mind her helping with the baby. Anything beyond that. . . there's no hope," she said seriously, almost regretting her words because it was too close to her situation.

Elliot looked away, aware of her pain and acknowledging his own. "Jamie, are we still friends?" he had to ask, not wanting to lose that.

"Yes, . . . always, Elliot," she said, trying to smile. "Do you want to go on another grand tour?"

"Sure, I'm game," he said keeping to the safer subjects. "Come on, let's start with the Whispering Gallery," she said with a sound of happy anticipation in her voice.

For the most part she let him guide himself, only helping when they got to terrain too rough for him to move easily through. Mentally he was making maps to match the maps he had gotten from Father on the layout of the tunnel complex. This world was even larger than he thought as he transversed it--and more magical as Jamie showed him its wonders.

On the bridge of the Whispering Gallery he heard snatches of Broadway plays and musicals, people talking, the life of the city in its echoes. Since they didn't want to try the steps he just sat in his chair to look out over the Abyss and down to see where the Great Hall was. He let the winds buffet him gladly in the Chamber of the Winds as he tried with his architects eye to figure out who had built the strange structures and galleries in that area. He saw another project in the making. Then they stopped by Narcissa's who welcomed them gladly.

"Ah, you must be Ell. . .ot," Narcissca welcomed rising from her seat to greet them.

"You know my name?" Elliot said in wonder as he looked up at the strange woman with her clouded over eyes, turbaned head, and piles of beaded, dangling jewelry around her neck and up and down her arms.

She crackled, "not so strange I know you. Hear the pipes and I get visitors. Come in child, you are much welcomed here. Has this one told you much about me?" she asked kindly.

"No, I thought I'd let Elliot make his own opinions," Jamie said.

Narcissca laughed and nodded as she wandered back over to her stool. "That is good. You getting smarter, Jamie-girl."

"So Elliot, you like this world?" Narcissa asked.

"Yes, it's amazing. No one would believe such a place exists. It's like a . . ."

"Dream?" she finished for him. "Yes, it is. Woven and forged of people's hopes, wants, and needs. It exists because it needs to exist for all those who seek refuse from a world that understands them not. Here the dreams can live--can grow--can be. It is magic everywhere--here--this place," she said with a smile and saw understanding and belief in her words on his face. "You have found your home at last. . . Elliot. This place is where you belong, what you searched for when you built your tall towers to the sky, is it not?" she questioned.

"You know about my towers?"

"I know many things. I see many things, both good and bad. You have been part of this world for long time but did not know it. I see you a long time come here. The life that you wished for, the love that you wished for will be yours, it is there already--just open your eyes child and it will be," she laughed, sending shivers down Elliot's and Jamie's spines.

"Elliot, it's time to go," Jamie said quietly wanting to get out of there.

"Yes, children it is time to go. Here Elliot a gift, to make you stronger," Narcissca said coming over to him and placing a necklace with a strange carved amulet in his left hand which somehow found the strength to close its fingers over it. She looked down at him pleased. "It is good. Bye Elliot we will meet again," she said kindly, dismissing him as she wandered back to her work.

Jamie was relieved to get out of there and back to the cleansing breezes of the winds. Elliot had enjoyed the visit and was pondering the old woman's words. Finding comfort in them as well as seeing beyond the layers of meaning. He took the necklace out of his left hand and studied it a moment. It's beads were green and yellow glass mixed with brass ones, the amulet looked Egyptian or Mayan, he couldn't be sure in this light with a fire opal in its center and strange writing on its surface. He placed it carefully over his head so that it slipped on and its amulet lay against his chest. He didn't feel any different, nor did anything appear odd or unusual. He's just have to wait and see.

"You're not going to wear that thing?" Jamie asked noticing he had put it on.

"Sure, why not. I can't see any harm in it and its kind of neat looking," he said fingering the edges.

"Narcissa gives me the creeps. She does Voodoo and Black Magic. Father says she's crazy. She's been here forever, even before Father came here she was here."

"She is pretty old. Every one's magic is some one else's science or religion, or something like that," Elliot laughed. "I couldn't refuse her, could I? That didn't seem right. Don't worry about it it'll be okay," he reassured her.

"I hope so," she mumbled worriedly under her breath as she took him back to the common tunnels.

Later after supper she took him the waterfall. He was spell bound by it, and the musical quality of the water seem to tranquilize him. They sat there just enjoying the beauty of the place for hours but it felt like only moments.

Vincent appeared in the doorway breaking the spell. "Excuse me, I didn't know anyone was here. Am I disturbing you?" he inquired politely.

"No, come on over. Jamie's been taking me on a tour of the place since I'm more mobile now," Elliot explained motioning him over to where they sat.

"Has it been enjoyable?" Vincent asked sitting down.

"Breathtaking is more like it. How can such impossible things exist? My training in geology tells me this is all impossible. But my mind and senses tell me it's real!"

"Yes, I know. And there are wonders still beyond these ones that only my eyes and possibly Narcissca has ever seen. A nameless river flowing through the darkness, caverns of crystals, a sunlit world within a world. . .," Vincent said lost in thought.

"I met Narcissca today."

"Indeed?" Vincent said interested now.

"Yeah, she said I had found home, that I was somehow destined to come here. She knew about my towers and my dreams. Told me I'd find my life and love here, then she gave me this amulet, said it would make me strong," Elliot said lifting the amulet to show him.

Vincent was surprised and peered at the strange necklace closely not daring to touch it. "For Narcissca to give you, a stranger, something is unusual. She does not give gifts lightly. I sense powerful forces within the stone and the words that surround it," Vincent said his empathic powers taking over.

"Is it dangerous?" Elliot asked worriedly, looking down at it.

"No. Only to those whom it was not intended for. Whatever else, it is yours, Elliot. It belongs to you alone--to protect you, I think." Vincent said, seriously, then he switched subjects to what he had sought them out for. "Actually, I was looking for you. Father wants you to come to the Council meeting tomorrow to explain your new locking system for the secret doors."

"That's great, I'll be there," Elliot was pleased that they wanted him.

"Good, some one will come and fetch you when its time," Vincent told him rising. He wore no cloak so he must be Below for the evening, Elliot thought. "Good night then, Jamie, Elliot," Vincent added and vanished back into the tunnel.

After Vincent had left Jamie looked down at Elliot still fingering the strange amulet. "Put that thing away. It makes me nervous," she said seriously, and he did slipping it beneath his shirt. "We should be going back. It's late and we both have had a long day."

"Yes, that we have. Jamie?"

"What Elliot?" she asked as she turned his wheelchair around and they headed for the common tunnels.

"Thank you again for the tour. It's been a wonderful day and I'm glad you came back," he said.

"So am I," she said with a sigh and a smile. "I promise I won't take off like that again--ever."

Since he couldn't see her face, he could tell by her tone she meant it, and it made him feel good inside. He knew he was in love with her, but their love was even more impossible than what he had had with Catherine. At least then he had been a whole man. All he could ever offer this one was his friendship and love her from afar.

He heard her speaking again. "Since its going to take awhile to get home, on the way back you can tell me all about your new latches," she added.

"Alright, its a deal," he replied and as they wound their ways through the tunnels he explained his ideas.

* * * * *

Six months after Diana had been coming to the tunnels Father gave her her own chamber for staying in when she came Below, rather than have her keep using the guest chambers. It had been noted over the previous six months by all that Diana was Below more than she was Above. However, no one had warned Vincent that he was getting a new next door neighbor, nor that Diana had been accepted as a new permanent member of the community.

The first Vincent had found out after he came back from a work crew and innocently got dressed for Winterfest and noted that someone had moved in. After he had picked up Diana and Jacob she had asked to go get her shawl and when she had gone to the chamber next to his to get it he was speechless. Then at Winterfest, Father made the announcement, and he got the second shock of the day. The third was when he danced with her and really noticed the electricity between them.

Somewhere around the time Jacob was sixteen months old Vincent began to look more seriously at Diana. Maybe it was her patient care of Jacob, her nearness, or just loneliness on the part of Vincent and the acknowledgement he did love her, that wrought the rapid changes in their relationship. Suddenly, they were getting married. Whether Devin's appearance on the scene had anything to do with these events was never known.

Jamie and Elliot were invited to the wedding as were the entire community. Jamie was dressed prettily in a long blue dress, tunnel fashion, as one of Diana's bridesmaids as was Lena. Elliot was merely a spectator as he sat in a place of honor in his wheelchair close to where the couple stood to be joined. He barely heard or saw Diana and Vincent exchanging their vows as he watched Jamie and dreamed.

For almost a year he had lived in the tunnels, recovering and recuperating from the explosion that had ruined his legs and arm. By his side always was Jamie patient, kind, encouraging him to go on, to try, to do, loving him in silence since their aborted conversation many months ago. He kept her at arms length, except for an occasional hug, or she might give him a quick peck on the top of his head then she would be gone before he could react or respond. He had learned to accept those from her and at those moments wish she touched him more, then he would feel guilty about such thoughts. She grew more beautiful in his eyes day by day.

He had talked to Father at the beginning when he suspected Jamie's interest in him was that of more than friendship, and he had told Elliot that it would be kinder to keep her at arms length and not encourage her for it would only bring heartbreak for both because of his physical limitations. Talking with Diana, and other people who had asked about what was going on between him and Jamie his certainties weren't so sure. From Peter and from Susan, the physical therapist who came down to work with him from time to time, he had gotten encouragement and told it was only in his head. That part of him was still very much among the living, even if his legs weren't fully functioning. Still in his mind he couldn't tie a beautiful woman like Jamie down to a crippled shell of a man, it wasn't fair.

He didn't know what to do and it ate at him as he watched Jamie look at Diana and Vincent in their happiness with such a wistful, longing look. Who would have thought Vincent would find love again after Catherine? The impossible had happened to the strange leonine man, who looked down upon his bride in wonder and awe as she said I do. Their wedding kiss left no doubts that the love was equal on both sides as when they broke apart after Father's loud throat clearing they both looked weak kneed and shaky.

Jamie wished them both well and ran back to his side as soon as it was over. She was bubbly and bouncy with happiness, going on and on about Vincent and Diana. The crowd disperse and went off to the Great Hall where the reception was being held. Soon they were alone. Elliot smiled weakly and tried to get in the swing of things but found himself failing. "Jamie, I'm going back to my room. I don't feel so good," he said, lying.

"Elliot? What's wrong? You looked so sad during the ceremony. Was it Catherine?" she asked pointedly.

His head snapped up sharply and he looked at her. "No. I'm happy for Vincent and Diana. They deserve the happiness. No, it's something else. I just want to be left alone," he asked her, not really wanting to discuss it.

"It's us isn't it?" she asked frankly.

He wouldn't answer, and instead looked down at the hands in his lap, one good, one bad.

"Elliot, I saw the looks you gave me and the way you watched Vincent and Diana. I know you. We've been together every day for over a year. I know what the problem is and why you keep me away. I also know I love you and I will always love you, no matter what. As long as I can be near you--that is enough," she said resting her hand on his shoulder.

"Jamie, do you know what you are saying?"

"Yes, I do. I can't help the way I feel about you. I fell in love with you when we met topside., I haven't since. I don't know how you feel about me, but I know there will never be anyone but you for me," she confessed, sinking down to the ground before him to be at his level.

He looked at her, his brown eyes filled with both pain and love. Torn between wanting her and wishing he was dead. "Jamie, I love you too, but its a dream-- an impossible dream--for us. Can't you see that?" he asked.

"Vincent always says, 'nothing is impossible'. Look at him and Diana, the miracle of Jacob, and what he and Catherine had. I'm not asking you for a like like Diana and Vincent will have. I'm asking you to give us a chance at whatever life we can make together. You think I don't know what you can and cannot do? I also talked to Peter and to Susan. We can have a life together, a real life. You are only handicapped in your own mind and we both know it. Know what you can do. Please, Elliot, think about it?" she asked, tears running down her face.

"Jamie, . . . I will try. I promise. Please don't cry. I can't handle it when you cry," he said reaching for her and gathering her in close to him. "I don't even have a handkerchief," he added with a slight laugh as she sat on his lap in the circle of his arms.

Then with his right hand he lifted her chin up and kissed her tenderly on the lips. It was sweet it was tender, it was the sum of their love flowing between them. He deepened the kiss and she was lost. They heard the approach of hard leather shod footsteps and they broke apart.

It was Devin who looked acutely embarrassed to have broken in on them at this moment. "Hey, don't stop on my account. Lena said Cathy left her doll up here somewhere and she won't go asleep without it. Kids, huh?" he explained, looking into the dim shadows of the room while Jamie got off Elliot's lap and straightened out her dress. Her checks were flushed and Elliot thought she never looked more beautiful.

"I think I saw it over there, Devin," Jamie said going back behind Father's desk and retrieving the Cathy's rag doll.

"Thanks, Jamie, I owe you. I'm not used to kids having fits over lost toys. Though I do kind of remember Vincent not sleeping unless he had his bear with him. One time, I think I threatened to drop it in the Abyss because he ratted on me for something and when Father found out I got grounded for a week," he told them remembering back. Then he saw them both looking at him and remember the party in the Great Hall. "Anyway, ignore me and do what ever it was you were doing. I'm gone," he said with a chuckle, and walked quickly away whistling a nameless tune as he went.

After he left and they were alone again, they both felt kind of tongue tied. Finally Elliot broke the silence. "So what do you want to do?"

"About what?"

"Do you want to go to the Great Hall or home?" he asked.

"I . . . don't know. Maybe both?"

He nodded. "Yeah, maybe both. We will talk--later, but now let's go give Diana and Vincent a send off. Does that sound okay?" he asked.

"Yeah, that's okay. You drive and I'll push," she joked as she grabbed his chair and began guiding it towards the party.

Two weeks later they were married and their real life together started. The bride wore an antique wedding dress contributed by Mary, and the groom wore a tunnel version of a tux. His wheelchair was festooned with flowers, and sometime after the ceremony as they were greeting well-wishers, Elliot found that his chair was trailing cans and streamers. Though no one would confess who had done it. Mouse had been his best man for Vincent and Diana were still gone on their honeymoon though they were due to arrive back at anytime. And they did sometime during the Elliot's and Jamie's reception at the Great Hall. The only thing he regretted was he could not dance with the bride, and Father stood in his stead for that.

For their honeymoon they were given a special chamber off near the hot springs cavern where no one would disturb them. Elliot quickly found that Peter and Susan had been right, his own limitations were only in his mind as he and his bride made love almost continuously for the two weeks they shared their private enchanted world. She was everything he had ever dreamed of and more and he wondered why he had waited so long. For the first time in his life Elliot was happy, truly happy and he knew what joy real love could bring.

When they returned they found that their separate chambers had been merged into one and expanded to accommodate a family if that should occur. That was the only thing they had not discussed--children. They wanted children but was it possible? They soon found it was, as within a month's time Jamie was pregnant. Eight months later, eight pound, Clayton was born with sandy hair and eyes that promised to be brown. Two years after that came Annabelle Lee, another two years later came Joseph, and then finally Desiree' a year later.

Five years after the explosion that nearly killed him Elliot was able to walk again after a series of operations using new techniques that had been devised unfroze his damaged nerves and muscles. He had to use a can to get around and on bad days he still had to use his chair, but he was able to stand and get around on his own once more. Life was full and rich for Elliot, and in his prayers he thanked Catherine for her small part in leading him in this direction and showing him that love was worth everything.