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 II: Recognition

Father

"Hello, Father," a cheerful voice called from the top of the steps. Then Diana descended the stairs. It was clear she was here for a while and not a short in and out trip. She was wearing one of the tunnel outfits that Mary had given her after it had become obvious that she was going a be a regular visitor and guest down Below. She even had her own chamber now, ready for whenever she did come for awhile.

"Hello, Diana, back for a visit?" Father asked as she came into his study.

She nodded, setting her backpack down and pulling up a chair by him. "For a couple of days. Taking some time off to get my head clear before they pile another case on me. Joe's going to hate not being able to find me, but he's getting used to that."

"He must wonder like he did when Catherine worked for him?" he inquired, looking at her over the top of his glasses with a quizzical expression.

"Yes, and no. But since I basically work for the police department and only for him on special cases, he doesn't give me too hard a time. Is Vincent around?' she asked hopefully.

"No, he and Colin and Mouse have gone to the northern perimeter to work on secret entrances in that area. One of the sentries noticed that the street gangs have been using the outer tunnels in that area for a hangout and they want to make sure we don't get any visitors from that area breaking through. They should be home sometime this evening though," he answered seeing her relived look. "What's up?"

"I wanted to talk to you, alone, Father,' she said tensely, brushing a few strands of her coppery red hair back from her face and looking at him seriously.

"You have my attention," he replied curious now, removing his glasses and putting a bookmark in the book he had been reading.

"What is your opinion of Vincent's and I's relationship?" she asked bluntly.

"I see. You get right to the point don't you?" he asked taken by surprise.

"When I need to. I need to find out what you think. I get the impression you don't disapprove of me being down here or otherwise you wouldn't have let me have that chamber down from Vincent's room, or you would have objected to my being down here more than I'm Above anymore?" she questioned.

"No, I like you Diana, so do the other residents. That you just passed the residency requirements and are now a permanent member of the community if you decide to stay here all the time ought to show you how much we do approve of you. As to your relationship with my son, I have hopes he will end his aloneness. He cares for you, I know that, but since Catherine's death the only one he will allow close to him is Jacob."

"I know that and I am patient. Father, I've known for a long time that I loved him. I think since the minute I found him at Catherine's grave. Those three days he was at my apartment, I couldn't believe he was real, sometimes I look at him and I think I have to be dreaming all this. When we were trying to find Gabriel and Jacob it was hard sometimes to be objective. Then when Vincent brought me down here and took me on the tour of this world, I felt like I was walking on air and the way everyone welcomed me, made me feel at home like I belonged here."

He smiled at her warmly and patted her hand. "You do belong here, Diana. I knew that the moment I set eyes on you. I hate to say this, more so than I felt Catherine belonged here. Don't get me wrong, I loved Catherine dearly, but she was never truly one of us because she wasn't willing to give up her world and keep herself and my son out of danger," Father said, his voice sad and bitter. "Her own recklessness killed her in a way. I begged her and Vincent did too on more than one occasion to stay Below, or to find less dangerous work, but she wouldn't. You at least have some sense."

"I try, Father," she replied, shifting a little uncomfortably at his statements about Catherine. "But I've come here for your advice."

"My advice, is it? You usually don't need my advice."

"This time I do. How do I get Vincent to notice me or at least see me as something other than just a friend. How does one get through that wall he's put around him? Sometimes I catch him looking at me, or starting to say something and he just . . . stops. Sometimes the tension between is so bad that either he leaves or I do," she explained her lavender eyes serious and sad.

"Yes, I've seen that. More than once or twice and its been getting worse hasn't it?"

"Yes. But I don't want to stay away. I care about him and you know how much I love Jacob. It's heartbreaking when I have to go back uptop and not see him for a couple of days. I feel like I'm deserting him, and Vincent. I know I have no real claim on him but there are times when I feel like he is my son. Before him I never really had that great of interest in children or at least other people's children. I just want to hold him, love him, and be there for him all the time not just every once in awhile when I can get away. Am I being strange?" she asked.

"No, not at all. Diana, I can see the love you have for my grandson everytime you hold him in your arms or play with him and I think Vincent sees it too. We all do. No doubt Vincent has seen how much you care for him too but he's afraid to acknowledge your love. I think for him it is alright for you to love Jacob but not him. Have you told Vincent how you feel?" he asked gently.

"No. Every time I think I've got the nerve to, he looks at me and I get tongue tied. Or else he talks about Catherine, and I can't. Then when I try to get near him he backs away. The few times he has put his arm around me when he wasn't thinking, he's caught himself and damn near apologized for fifteen minutes as if he were somehow offending me in some way and no amount of explaining to him seems to get through," she told him frankly.

"That bad is it?" Father asked stroking his chin as he leaned back in his chair.

"Sometimes it's worse. The few times we've ran into each other late at night in the hall have been laughable. Is he really that shy?" she asked with a smile remembering literally running into him in her night gown or bathrobe and him in his nightshirt as she went to go take a shower or use the bathroom.

"Not that I knew of," Father chuckled, imagining those encounters.

"The only time he relaxes is when we are taking care of Jacob. It's like he doesn't trust himself to be alone with me or let me know how he feels. But whether or not he realizes it I can feel what he feels, I know what he's thinking, where he is. . . ," she admitted.

"You have a bond with him?"

"I . . . think so, I'm not sure. I don't whether it's the same thing he and Catherine had or whether I just have it. I knew Vincent wasn't here when I came in. I knew where he was. How do you think I used to locate him when we were searching for Jacob and since then how I always find him when I come Below. I don't question it anymore, I just accept."

"That's remarkable, Diana. Does he know?" he asked, digesting this latest news.

"I really don't know since we can't seem to talk to one another. I've been wanting to tell him for a long time but everytime something happens and I just keep putting it off. Then there are the dreams. . . ." she started to say.

"Dreams? What kind of dreams?"

"God, I really don't know how to talk about them. Let's just say they are extremely personal and . . . ."

"I think I got the idea. If its any consolation, Vincent hasn't been sleeping too well either and has been mumbling about his dreams too, but he won't tell me what they are about. He just sighs a lot and looks embarrassed. I really think you two should compare notes," Father said encouraging.

She sighed in exasperation. "I wish we could. On more than one occasion lately the temptation to go have a midnight talk with him has been overwhelming. Though I have made the comment to him recently that I wished whoever does the dream programming would get a different programmer so I could get a decent night's sleep. He looked at me real strangely for a number of days after that." she smiled.

"I bet he did," Father replied with a laugh. "So what is it you want from me, Diana? What can I do to help?" he asked sincerely.

"Can you talk to him, feel him out. Maybe even nudge him. I'm going to try to talk to him tonight after he comes back, but I don't know what kind of luck I'll have."

"I do what I can, I promise. He needs you, Diana. And I believe he does care for you, perhaps even loves you. And I know he's afraid of that, afraid that if he does he'll be tarnishing Catherine's memory and his love for her if he loves you and commits to you because he couldn't commit himself to Catherine. Then there's Jacob, he needs you too. He looks for you whenever you leave. He's accepted your absences but I know he'd be happier if something could be worked out between you and his father," Father told her.

"Thank you, Father for your support. By the way where is Jacob? At Mary's?" she asked.

"I believe he's visiting at Lena's. Jamie and Elliot are there too, trying to work on the new construction specs for the lower chambers." Father said with a knowing smile, wondering how much the man was getting accomplished with two active toddlers under foot.

She smiled too after having watched Cathy and Jacob playing. "So Elliot's feeling better?"

"Some. He'll never have full use of his legs and his left arm's all but useless but he's a lot stronger and has more will to go on than he did. Jamie has to take credit for that. She's been staying with him almost day and night, doing physical therapy with him, per Peter's friend's instructions and keeping him company. It's too soon to tell but I think we might have a romance going there. They both seem to glow whenever they are around one another," Father said with a smile.

"I thought I had seen Jamie rather dreamy eyed lately. It's good that they have found one another and that Elliot is starting to live again. When Merriana found him it was so touch and go. Elliot had lost everything that he had worked for his companies, his money, his good name and then the explosion almost took his life and left him with crippled legs and a useless arm. At least he's regaining his hearing and his vision. That he and Vincent survived is a miracle," she said, remembering Vincent's condition when she had found him at Cathy's grave. Unfortunately, Elliot didn't have Vincent's supernormal stamina or constitution, he would never ever fully recover from his injuries.

"The success of Elliot's recovery has to go to Jamie. From the minute Thomas brought him to us she's stayed by his side, helping him, giving him the will to go on. I've never seen her be so caring for a virtual stranger, or at least one she had only heard negative things about. Then Vincent has helped too by making Elliot feel wanted and needed, asking his advice on some of the expansion projects for the lower chambers. With Kanin gone we didn't have anyone with construction skills, Elliot has been showing us all shortcuts and easier ways of doing things and for that I am grateful," Father said proudly.

She nodded in understanding, and sighed looking down at her watch. "I'm going to drop my things off and then go get Jacob and take him down for dinner. Are you coming down tonight?" she asked hopefully.

"No, not tonight. I was going to have William send me up something. I want to be here when Vincent arrives. It's past time when I should have had a talk with him about you. I said too much and too little during his relationship with Catherine. I have many regrets over what I did and didn't do. But I don't regret you coming into my son's life and becoming one of us. You belong here, Diana. Catherine, I regret to say, was merely a visitor. I loved her like a daughter and she tried so hard to be a part of us but we all knew she belonged Above and even if she and Vincent did finally get together she couldn't commit herself fully to out world as you have.," he said sadly, speaking the truth as he saw it.

"I wish I could have known her when she was alive. She was a remarkable person from all that I learned about her."

"That she was, but she was also very foolhardy and reckless. It was her own recklessness that killed her. Vincent and I had both begged her to either stay Below or to find less hazardous cases. He knew that one day he wouldn't be there to save her, wouldn't be able to reach he in time. And sadly, he was right. That's his biggest pain, that he couldn't find her in time and that she died in his arms."

"He told me of finding her before he left my apartment to return here. He still feels it, and relives it in his dreams and nightmares. I don't know whether that will ever leave him," Diana said looking away, remembering Vincent's anguished voice and his own self recriminations for losing both her and their child that night. Jacob had been recovered but Catherine was gone forever except in his memories and of those who had known her. Even if the impossible happened Catherine's memory would still lie between them.

"Nor do I. But don't look so sad, Diana. Vincent does care, I'm sure of that. I've seen the looks he gives you and I recognize them. It just going to take the proper nudging to get him to act on his feelings," Father reassured her, patting her hand.

"I hope so, Father. It's almost dinner time. Lena has enough to do with Cathy without trying to get Jacob fed too. I'll stop by after dinner and see how you're doing, alright?" she asking getting up, taking her backpack with her, then she leaned over and kissed him on the cheek.

"See you later," she called as she bonded up the stairs, the long navy skirt of her jumper swirling with her movements as she disappeared.

Father sighed, and picked up his glasses, he twiddled them thoughtful as he thought over their conversation and what he was going to say to his son when he came back.

He had liked Diana from the beginning when he had had her brought to the upper level to find out what had happened to Vincent. Her straight forward manner had not bothered him, in fact it was rather refreshing. She spoke her mind, and she had true guts and courage, but she also had a good dose of common sense and knew when and how to take risks. She had saved both Vincent and Jacob and killed Gabriel so that he would never pray upon another innocent soul again. She had also been intelligent enough to destroy Gabriel's video records of Vincent both the early ones and later ones. The detectives weren't too happy with her when they found that the tapes were destroyed and Gabriel was dead, but somehow Joe Maxwell had gotten it all smoothed out and all she got was a reprimand. She never divulged their secrets, even when revealing them could have saved her skin.

She began working for the DA's office under Joe as a special investigator, rather than back with the special crimes division. Joe oddly enough did not pry as to what happened to the baby or what had been in the cage down in the basement. Joe kept her safe from the FBI trying to figure out what she she knew and didn't know. He saw her as a replacement for Cathy and let her handle things her own way because he knew when he did she came up with results and that's what counted with him. Though the last six months since her move Below she had been taking on less and less cases so she could spend more time with Jacob and get to know the people of the community.

Shortly before Winterfest after she had been commuting for close to six months when Father surprised her with the offer of having her own chamber so she could come and go as she pleased and have a more permanent place, if she wanted it to be, than the guest room she had been using. The chamber he had in mind was the vacant one next to Vincent's so that she could be closer to Jacob. She accepted, somewhat embarrassed at his offer and wondering what he was up to by putting her so close by his son.

Vincent was off on a three day trip to repair some broken water pipes in the west sector when she moved in. The residents in on Father's surprise contributed odds and ends of furniture: a bed, a couple of chest of drawers, an old comfortable chair, a rocker and some tables and a desk. From Above she brought down some personal items and spare clothes. The only addition was to hang a heavy cloth across the doorway for privacy.

Mary surprised her with a whole chest of tunnel clothes that she had been making for her. Diana was overwhelmed, because she knew then she was fully accepted as a real member of the community and no longer just thought of as a visitor or Vincent's friend from Above. She had achieved her own status as one of them.

Winterfest drew near and Vincent and crew arrived back in time to join in the festivities. Father heard about Vincent's arrival and subsequent discoveries from various sources over the course of the evening. Vincent had noted that someone had moved in next door to him. After cleaning up and dressing he went in search of his son. Diana had been helping Mary with Jacob when he arrived to pick up his son. He noted her new attire, but made no comment and only asked if he could escort her to the Great Hall since she had been invited. Mary had smiled, and told her to go on.

Diana had left her shawl she had planned to wear in her room and asked if they could stop to get it. He started walking in the direction of the guest chamber and was greatly confused when she went in the direction of his chamber. He had not remembered seeing it there earlier. When she stopped and went in the chamber next his and then emerged a minute later with her shawl. He was more than a little puzzled. That's when she had told him they were now neighbors and Father had arranged it so she wouldn't have to commute so much and use the guest chamber.

Vincent was in a state of shock all the way to the Great Hall.

They arrived, and she held Jacob as he unbarred the huge doors. He started to ask her if he could lead her through the darkness and stopped himself. Instead, he merely held out his hand and told her to watch her step. Even doing that her hand was like ice and fire in his and he wondered if he could make it through the evening.

It was after Father's benediction that Vincent received his second shock when it was announced to all assembled that Diana had been formerly accepted as a full member of the community and had been given her own permanent chamber. When she was below she would be working with Mary as a helper. That evening Vincent really began looking at her with new eyes.

Up to then Diana had just been there. Coming down whenever she could to visit, and to take care of Jacob when Vincent would let her. His son had accepted her company and her help, but he had kept his distance too. It was clear to all that Vincent was afraid to let her get too close, too friendly, or too personal. Initially, when he had given her the grand tour of his world, she had been touched and amazed. At Jacob's naming ceremony everyone had welcomed her and she had been made to feel a part of them, of their community. She liked that and started coming down more often.

Being able to find her way down by herself was a point of pride with her. Within weeks she learned all the main routes and even some of the minor ones that weren't used much except for emergencies. From Pascal she learned the pipe codes and got so good that she would occasionally spell him when he needed to rest and she wasn't watching Jacob or helping Mary or someone else. She learned the Helpers names and their locations and did her share of running errands.

The closer as she got to being accepted in the community, the more Vincent retreated. At first he took her to concerts underneath the park, and for long walks both Above and Below, now the only things they did together were read or play chess outside of playing with Jacob. He found out she played cutthroat chess, and was a real challenge to go up against her. They read a wide range of books, everything except Shakesphere, and the romance poets and novels. She accepted these limitations he put on their relationship with grace and good cheer, which in itself surprised him.

In all ways she was a mother to Jacob. She hated being separated from him as much as he hated separated from her. It had been a gradually evolution, not born of anything conscious on her part or anyone else's. Even from the beginning when Vincent had first let her hold him Jacob had wanted her over everyone else, except his father. Mary, Lena, Brooke and Jamie, as well as others were nice substitutes but Jacob wanted Diana.

When she was gone he missed her terribly and if his father had cared to admit it, he did too. It was because of him she came more often and stayed longer, sometimes days at time. Or other times she would leave in the morning and return at night and stay over, especially when Vincent let it be known that he was going to be gone for awhile on a work crew.

Then she would almost move in. Rather than move all of Jacob's things to her guest chamber, she would sleep in Vincent's. Many a time he would come home to find her deep asleep on his bed. He would either gently wake her up or else carry her to her room and put her to bed. Now with the new chambers he didn't have that far to go.

Father thought it must have been last week when Vincent had come home, dead tired and sleepily to find Diana asleep in his bed. Instead of moving her as he usually did, he undressed and crawled into bed next to her, covering them both up. That is how he had found them, except his son had been awake and if he had not decided to come in at that point in time he believed that Vincent was going kiss her. His loud mouth and Vincent startlement had woke Diana and she had fled in acute embarrassment for her room.

Father figured out that while they couldn't talk out loud, they did their talking in their dreams. While neither had been very specific as to content, he got the idea. Neither one had been getting much real sleep in the last few months, and his son was growing grouchier by the day. It was even worse when Diana was Above and Father had made the mistake of remarking on the fact that he missed her and why didn't he do something about it. He had almost got his head bit off for his effort, and Vincent had stormed off heading for a long walk Above.

Painfully, he had to admit his son was no longer a child to be protected. His experiences with Catherine, her loss, his searching for her and for Jacob had forged a new mature man who still listened to him on occasion but was in all ways his own man with his own thoughts and agentas. No longer could he tell him no he couldn't do this or that. If he wanted to stalk the city streets at three A.M., he did. If he wanted a relationship with Diana then he would. Though there were occasions when a little nudging was in order to get his stubborn son to rethink his options and possibilities. This was definitely a time for nudging, Father thought to himself as he picked up his book and began reading again.

* * * * *

Vincent

Vincent followed Colin and Mouse as they walked back from the work site. He had been lost in thought all day, barely responding to their conversations or to accessing the needed work. His thought were centered on Diana and what he was going to do about their relationship. He had reached his breaking point.

He had come close to it several times with Catherine and if his illness and her disappearance had not intervened he would have settled their relationship as he should have when she had come Below to grieve after her father's death. Nothing could bring her back, all the maybe's, should have been's, did nothing to change the reality of what was now. And his now was Diana.

Since that night last week when he had crawled in bed with her and woke up to find her in his arms his mind had been racing with the possibilities. He had awaken first and found to his surprise that she was snuggled up against his chest, her hand had slipped inside the opening of his night shirt resting on his bare chest, while his bare leg was slung over hers, holding her tight to him while his arm lay draped across her waist. For many long minutes he had studied her sleeping face and dared not move, least he wake her. He was enjoying the physical contact with her, savoring the somehow rightness of this intimate togetherness. Her coppery red hair, gave off glints of gold in the light from the window and it smelled of honeysuckle, he noted.

He had not held anyone quite like this except when he had been ill and had laying in Catherine's bed, and he had only vague memories of that. Nor had he ever fully remembered what happened in the cave to cause Jacob's conception. Laying here with Diana he realized he desired her as a man desires a woman, it both filled him with joy and fear at the same time. He also acknowledged how much that he really was in love with her and had been since they had met. Not in the same way he had loved Catherine, but similar.

There was matter too, of their own unique bond, it was there as strong if not stronger than he had had with Catherine. He could not accept that at first but he had grown aware of how much he knew her thoughts, her feelings, her desires, and with a shock he realized she always knew where to find him. She knew him in ways Catherine had never had. He realized suddenly that he wanted her with him always in all ways, now and forever.

Then with a shock he felt through their bond the same feelings, the same wants and desires as he was having towards her. Her body stirred against his, pressing more tightly against his. She was waking up but not fully awake. Her lips looked very desirable as she did. Bravely, he made a decision. As he was bending his head down to kiss her, Father had called his name and before Vincent could say a word he was walking in to see him.

That woke Diana who looked up at Vincent in flustered surprise and realized their intimate positioning. Mumbling a few words of apology she jumped out of bed, quickly grabbed her robe and beat a hasty retreat to her room. It was hard to say who looked more embarrassed Father or Vincent. The incident was never spoken of by any of the three. There was a change in the way Vincent looked at Diana and how she looked at him. The tension between the two was growing. One could feel it in the air. Vincent could feel that she wanted to talk as much as he did but neither would. Tonight they would, he was going to make sure of that.

If Catherine had been water and air, then Diana was earth and fire. In many ways she was as stubborn as he was. She made him laugh, made him sad, made him happy, frustrated him, challenged him, made him think, see the logic he could not in a situation, she was more than his mental equal, and she knew him--she knew him more than he knew himself.

If anything her emphatic powers were stronger than his. On more than one occasions she had left him standing in shocked silence with his mouth hanging open unable to come back with a rebuttal, just staring at her retreating form after she had made a remark that had hit the mark all too well. She never pushed, or used her abilities to gain any advantage, though she had been known to use incredible logic to make him see a point he had been unwilling to see.

He was in awe of her fiery temper too, and she wasn't afraid to show it no matter what the situation. He also found she didn't back down easily nor was she afraid of his considerable temper. Though he never lost it to the point he roared at her. Her very directness and boldness, tempered with a down to earth no nonsense approach to life were qualities he admired in her.

Though there was a very strong romantic streak in her, that wanted to be wooed, sent flowers, read poetry to, and treated like spun glass as he had with Catherine. That was what he couldn't bear to do. The pain was still too intense. Somehow it didn't seem to fit into their relationship. He felt the words in his heart but his lips could not say them to her, especially when she looked at him so frankly, and direct. He had heard her sigh, and felt the fluttering of her heart when she read a passage that struck cords in her soul and she would give him such wistful looks and then have to put the book away and leave herself. Those were painful times for him. As was her being so close when she stayed Below.

Winterfest and her moving Below would always be intertwined from now on. He had been out checking the passages and secret doors of the west sector when he had caught her burst of excitement and bubbling happiness through the bond. He could get no clear images except of a room and it puzzled him greatly the three days he was gone.

He arrived in time to get washed and cleaned up for the Winterfest festivities that evening. He noticed the hanging on the door next to his, but no one was home. He was a little surprised that Father had allowed anyone to move in there because he had requested that the chambers be reserved for when Jacob got older he could have them. He was very curious as to who had moved Below and why they had been given these rooms instead of ones in the lower chambers.

He knew Jacob was at Mary's, he could feel him there and he could also feel Diana there too. He arrived and he noted with amusement Diana's sharp intake of breath at his outfit and how stunning he looked. He noted too her tunnel clothes, a long patchwork jumper dress in shades of blues over a dark blue sweater and her hair was caught up similar to Mary's. He raised a eyebrow in surprise, but made no comment about her new apparel. He had expected her to be in clothes from Above. Only those who were going to stay for awhile Below wore the special clothes, that this was a festive occasion should make no difference. Another puzzlement, he thought to himself.

She handed him his son, who was dressed in a similar outfit to his father's except not as fancy, and gathered up the child's diapers and spare clothes. Jacob was over a year old and walking quite well. He was a very active toddler with a mind of his own that kept everyone on their toes. He was also beginning to talk and more than once he had to be corrected when he called Diana Momma. He had learned the word and the concept from Lena's Cathy and Oliva's Luke who he played with. It caused acute embarrassment to Diana, and amusement to everyone else. There were times that Diana swore that he did it deliberately in front of his father, just to see their reactions. When Jacob called her that Vincent would give her the oddest looks and grow very quiet and thoughtful for a moment then correct his son.

For some reason Jacob decided to do that a that moment. And as she was bending over to find some toy Jacob had dropped she caught Vincent whispered remark of ' not yet, but soon'. She flushed bright red, and spent extra time looking for the toy until she could regain her composure and straightened up to face him calmly.

"May I escort you to the Great Hall," he had asked, holding out his hand. She had took it and it was like liquid fire between them. She quickly dropped it and just walked beside him.

Vincent had gotten the shock of his life, so so he thought, when she asked if they could stopped by her chamber and pick up the shawl that Lena had made for her. He agreed and started leading her towards the guest chambers where she had been staying. When she told him no, that she had moved, he followed her in puzzlement as she headed for the direction of his own chambers but stopped and went in the one next door to his. He remembered standing there with this sort of glazed look in his eyes as she emerged and asked him if there was anything wrong.

Finally he got enough courage to ask her whose chamber it was and when she told him and explained that Father had given it to her three days before he didn't know whether to be happy, sad or scared. That was all he needed. It had been bad enough when she had stayed over at the guest chamber two corridors over but to have her next door with only a rock wall between them? He didn't see himself getting too much sleep from now on. Somehow he managed to smile pleasantly, and welcome her, but she could tell he wasn't pleased.

They walked to the hall in silence for the most part or just talked about his trip and her work. His mind was spinning too much to talk about what he really wanted to talk about. They alternated carrying Jacob because he was excited and didn't want to be carried and playing with him kept the tension down between the two adults..

They arrived and he unbolted the huge door to let everyone in. Another Winterfest swam before his eyes and he caught himself before he could ask her if he could lead her through the dark. Those lines would always be reserved for Catherine. Instead he had told her to watch her step, and he took Jacob so he could guide her safely to her seat at the main banquet table, next to his with a high chair set up for Jacob beside him.

It was after the lighting of the candles and Father's benediction that Father announced to the whole community that Diana was now a permanent full member and had been given her own chambers, so that she could come and stay whenever she wanted. Vincent had not been expecting that either. And he looked at Father who just smiled innocently, and who quickly went back to talking with Mary and Cullen.

He managed to make it through the banquet, and get Jacob fed. Diana stayed unintrusively out of the way sensing his mood. Afterwards he and Jacob made the rounds of the hall talking to people. While Diana made her own separate way. Elliot had been brought down with the help of William and Cullen, and sat in his wheelchair watching the festivities in wonder with Jamie never far from his side. He was learning to accept his new limitations, but Vincent could tell he wished he could be dancing with Jamie instead of just watching.

Despite the scars on Elliot's face from the fire and having being thrown a considerable distance, Elliot was still a handsome man. He would never walk again or use his left arm but the mind was still as sharp and clear as it had been before. He was happy here, happier than he had been Above because he had found a home here and he now understood why Catherine had fought so hard to keep this place a secret, even from him. It was too precious, too fragile, and too special to be destroyed. If it hadn't been for this place he wouldn't have been found and nursed back to health. To the world he was dead, here he was just beginning to live.

Vincent watched Diana laughing and joking with Elliot and Jamie, noting her easy familiarity with all the people here. He hadn't noticed before this how easily she fit in and blended with this world. She was no outsider, she had her own place in this world independent of him, something Catherine had not managed to achieve, though she had tried hard to do so.

He watched too as various people asked her to dance. she did so willingly, enjoying herself. Father came up and asked him quite bluntly why he hadn't asked a beautiful girl like Diana to dance? He thought about it and finally gave Jacob to Mary and did ask Diana to dance.

It was the first time they had been so close, or he had held her in such an intimate embrace. All their touching up that point had been accidental. He had put his hand on her shoulder a few times, and brushed up against her when they had been doing something with Jacob. He had held her hand while walking or guiding her through dangerous places, but he had never actively sought to hold her close. They danced together effortlessly, a perfect matched couple of the dance floor. He realized then that her dancing with him in no way marred his memories of his dance with Catherine and he relaxed finally and danced more dances with her.

He enjoyed the feel of her in his arms and he began to smile and look at her more and more with new eyes, and allowed the possibilities to flow within his mind as he sensed she was too. They danced together the rest of the evening, and no one dared cut in. They didn't want to break the spell that was being woven before their eyes. It had been a long time since they had seen Vincent so happy, so relaxed.

The look he wore when he looked at Diana and she looked at him was unmistakable, they had seen that look very often on his face when he had looked at Catherine. He hadn't realized he was looking at her that way until later when someone had commented on it and told him what a lovely couple they made. He almost choked on the piece of cake he was eating.

He escorted her home, letting her talk and occasionally injecting his own thoughts about the dance and the gathering. About what had happened between them he said nothing, nor did she. He had been so much on automatic pilot during the walk that he started leading her towards the guest rooms. When she stopped and reminded him that she had moved. He looked sheepish and headed in the right direction.

"Goodnight, Diana," he had told her innocently at the entrance to her chamber.

She had smiled, and kissed Jacob good night, and for a second looked up at him expectantly, saw his not disinterested look, then blushed as she realized her mistake. "Good night, Vincent," she had called as she beat a quick exit into her room leaving him standing there with a sleepy Jacob in his arms.

He had put his son to bed, and was changing into his nightshirt when she popped in. He had his shirt off and was clad only in his under pants. His back was to her, but he could hear her quick intake of breath and her eyes on him. Though the bond he could feel that the sight of him did not displease her, in fact she was very interested and impressed.

It was he that spoke first since she was too embarrassed to speak. "You wanted something, Diana?" he asked half turning around slowly and gracefully picking up his nightshirt from the bed, his muscles rippling in the soft golden candlelight.

"Ah, . . . yeah. I forgot to give you Jacob's things. . . I thought you might need them. I'm sorry that I barraged in," she said, the flush creeping across her face as she stood there in her flannel nightgown unsure what to do.

"It happens," he said calmly, simply watching her reactions. "Thank you, Diana. . . that was very thoughtful. Is there anything else?" he inquired, slipping the gown over his head and then facing her with a raised eyebrow trying to keep from smiling.

She shook her head, "No, . . . that was it. Good night, Vincent, see you in the morning," she replied, backing out of the entrance way.

He smiled. "Good night to you too," he said softly, and chuckled to himself as he read the thoughts racing through her mind. Neither got very much sleep that night.

Diana was a lot more careful after that to announce her presence especially late at night. Using the facilities down the hall was also amusing and embarrassing. Vincent had not been used to having to share his bathroom with anyone, not since Devin had moved out. Eventually they worked out a system where they wouldn't be running into one another at embarrassing times.

The few glimpses of her he had had when he had accidentally surprised her in the bath had made him decide to take a cold shower instead of the hot one he had originally planned. In time he got used to panty hose and intimate apparel left to dry draped over the shower rod. Her shampoos ,conditioners and soaps from Above also interested him. He also noted that the bathroom was kept considerably cleaner and neater with her around. He almost protested when one day he found a mirror on the wall above the sink, but he let it be, because she needed it.

Their routine smoothed out over the months. Her coming and leaving still affected him as much as it did Jacob, but he tried not to show it. When she was home she spent her time with Jacob and with Mary helping her with the little ones who had found and been brought from Above. He would find her and Jacob all over the place, in his chambers, in hers, Mary's, Lena's, Father's, Mouse's, by the waterfall, in the kitchen, and in the school rooms.

He watched in interest as she worked on her first quilt with Mary, and tried her hand at making clothes from the savaged clothes that had been found. Soon she was wearing her own designs, and making clothes for the children, especially Jacob to wear. One afternoon he came home to find a new vest, shirt and pants on his bed. He was very touched and wore them proudly to dinner that night.

He noted too that she was never idle, she always found something to do, so that she entertained herself. It all she seemed contented, happy. As to her work Above she was taking on less and less cases. She had made the statement more than once in his hearing that she'd rather be here making clothes, and quilts than up Above chasing killers. She liked her work but it wasn't everything to her. She preferred the peace and quiet and feeling of family Below to her lonely life she had had.

Over the months she had moved almost everything from her apartment Below and was in the process of giving up her lease. She had found a Helper who would take her calls and had her mail sent to a post office box. Gradually she began cutting off all ties to the world. Joe begged her not to do it because she was such a good investigator but her heart wasn't in it anymore and she wasn't willing to take the risks that some of her cases put her in. Neither Father or Vincent said much to her about her decisions, but secretly they were pleased.

He found his thoughts drifting more and more to last weeks events and waking up with her in his arms and her willowy body next to his. It had felt right, it had felt natural, and he wondered what it would be like with out layers of clothes in the way. He wanted to find out, he would find out, he thought as he started planning how he was going to court her.

* * * * *

Devin

"Hello, anyone home?" a cheery male voice called from the top of the stairs.

Father looked up in delighted surprise from his book, disbelief and and relief on his face when he saw Devin, his wandering son, standing there with bags in hand, and a broad smile across his handsome tanned face.

"Devin, is that you?" Father asked in wonder as he rose from the chair to greet him.

Devin bounded the rest of the way down the stairs to run and meet his father half way across the room. They embraced warmly with Father giving Devin a big kiss on the cheek. "Devin, whatever are you doing here? We . . . I missed you so much. I have so much to tell you, so much has happened, and we tried to reach you," Father said going on and on.

"I'm glad to see you too, Dad. I'm glad to be back home--home in this old hole in the ground," Devin said returning his kiss with one of his own. Then he flushed and looked a little embarrassed for his actions.

Devin stepped out of the circle of his father's arms and sank heavily into the easy chair by the table, and setting down his bags on the floor next the chair, he then looked up at him, his eyes sudden sad. "So much has happened with me too. I came here for a visit, maybe longer---I don't know yet," Devin said slowly, unsure what to say next.

"Is something wrong? What's happened? Can you tell me? You're not in trouble are you?" Father asked sitting back down in his own chair worriedly.

Devin shook his head no. "No, I'm not in trouble. Charles is dead." He then became quiet as his words sunk in.

"Oh my God, how? When?" Father asked, feeling his son's pain.

He sighed. "It was two weeks ago. A stupid accident. We were swimming in the lake and his rubber tube over turned and he drowned. I tried to contact you but I guess you didn't get my message."

"No, we didn't. So what are you going to do now?" Father asked.

"I settled Charles's affairs, packed up everything and came back here. Everything is in a van and Uhaul outside. Thought I give you all the furniture and clothes seeing that I won't be needing it for awhile. Right now I just want to get my head on straight and figure out what I'm going to do. I didn't realize until Charles and I got together how it was to stay in any one place for a while. In the meantime, I've put the property up for sale. I tried to get a hold of Catherine, let her know what was happening but when I reached the DA's office I was told she didn't work there any more. What happened? Did she go back to private practice? Did she and Vincent split up? What?" he asked half jokingly.

"Then you don't know?" Father asked with a sudden realization that Devin know what had happened since he was here last.

"Know what?" Devin asked puzzled as his father gave him a strange look.

There was no easy way to do this so Father plunged ahead. "Catherine's dead. She was kidnapped then murdered six months later. Vincent found her, but he was too late and Gabriel took the child. . . ."

"Whoa, slow down. Chandler's dead? When? Why didn't someone tell me?" Devin asked shocked to the bottom of his soul. "I can't believe this. Man, Vincent must have gone through hell. He's okay? He's not dead, is he?" he asked sitting limply in the chair now.

"No, he's quite alive and well, but that was touch and go for a while too and Jacob is doing fine too, " Father told him.

"Jacob? Who's Jacob?"

"He's Vincent and Catherine's son, my grandson. He's about sixteen months old now," Father replied watching the disbelief and wonder on Devin's face as he contemplated that bit of information.

"Jeez, things change down here. Vincent --a father? Never thought I hear that!" The disbelief and amusement clear in his tones as he thought that idea over.

"Nor did I when Vincent told me that Catherine had left him a son on the day of her funeral. Then when he finally found him and brought Jacob down and I saw him, I knew this was his son and Cathy's," Father said remembering that happy day.

"I take it he looks like Vincent?"

Father smiled, seeing that would be the obvious conclusion for Devin to draw. "No, he looks like Cathy. He's perfectly normal looking except he's got Vincent's eyes, and hair color. He does have odd blood like his father and never gets sick."

"So Cathy and Vincent finally got together. Did they get married?" Devin asked politely.

"Not exactly. Vincent doesn't remember . . . their . . . getting together," father said with an embarrassed cough.

Devin grinned, and thought about Vincent finally getting together with his Catherine and then not being able to remember it.

"Oh really, what a bummer. Maybe you should start from the beginning so that this all makes sense?" Devin asked relaxing a little into the overstuffed ancient chair.

"Yes, you're right. I should start at the beginning after you and Charles left," Father agreed and began telling him the tale of what had happened. Cathy's father's death, her stay in the tunnels, her near death by drowning, her California trip, the attempts on her life, Elliot Burch, the reporter, Paracelsus, Vincent's madness, the cave, his recovery, the loss of the bond, the ledger, her disappearnce, and Vincent's search for her.

Then he told him about how the baby's heartbeat during labor had helped him locate Catherine, but he had arrived too late and Catherine had died in his arms while Gabriel got away with the child. Then came the months of searching for the baby. How he had gone to Elliot's for help, and the Merry-go-round murders, his near brush with death from getting shot, and the invasion of the tunnels by Gabriel's assassin.

Father also told Devin how Diana Bennet's got involved in their lives. He told Devin how Joe Maxwell had assigned her to investigate the case from the beginning since he couldn't do anything himself. How she put together the pieces of Catherine's life together with Vincent, and how she had found Vincent after the explosion of the Compass Rose at Cathy's grave , took him home, cared for him, and kept his secret. How Gabriel had found her through her investigating the assassin's ring, and then had made her bring Vincent to him to save his son who was dying.

After Vincent had left he had the Helpers look for her and bring Diana to him here in the tunnels. They had combined forces to save Vincent. He told how he had gone Above to see Mr. Maxwell and to give him a drawing of a floor title that helped identify Gabriel's home. Then with his help she had gotten into Gabriel's home that was about to be sieged by the police and how she had helped Vincent get away with Jacob and she had then shot Gabriel so he would never bother anyone again.

Vincent had brought Jacob home, and Diana had been invited to the naming ceremony and shown the tunnel world along with being welcomed by everyone. Then later how she helped save his own life when a mad killer was taking his revenge for his father being killed in a tunnel accident. Then after that how thing had finally became peaceful down here and how Diana had gradually found her place in this world over the months.

Devin just sat there listening to it all for almost two hours as the tale unwound, shaking his head and asking questions here and there to clarify points. "So what happened to Elliot Burch and Diana Bennet?"Devin asked, wondering what had happened to these people who had helped so much.

"Elliot was found by one of our helpers and brought here. He now lives here and Jamie looks after him. He lost the use of his legs and his left arm. He's our resident construction expert. And Diana, well let's just say, she's sort of here. She's lives Below most of the time and helps with Jacob. She has the chamber next to Vincent's."

Devon chuckled at that, knowing how his brother had been and how he had behaved around Catherine. "I somehow see your hand in that. What are you up to?"" Devon asked, his eyes bright with laughter.

Father looked innocently at him. "Oh, nothing, nothing at all."

"Father?" Devin questioned with a raised eyebrow.

"Oh maybe, just a nudge in the right direction. The two are made for one another. More so than he was with Catherine. And Jacob adores her and she adores him. The way she looks at Vincent, and the way he looks at her, you can feel the electricity in the air and it's damn frustrating watching your brother not do anything about it," Father said with a sigh.

"He's back playing Mr. Noble like he did with Catherine?"

"Worse. She doesn't get hugs or poetry or midnight walks in the park. No, he keeps Diana at even greater arms length than Cathy. However, there is hope. One morning I wandered in and found them in bed together

. . ."

"Oh really?" Devin's eyebrows raised in curious amusement, visualizing that scene.

"I think Diana had been babysitting and fell asleep in his bed. Vincent came back in the middle of the night and was too tired to move her so he crawled into bed. When I wandered in to ask him something, I swear it looked like he was going kiss her. She got embarrassed and left, and I could tell Vincent was not too happy with my timing. Both of them have been real bears since then and won't talk about it. In fact that's the problem--they don't talk. Can't it seems," Father explained.

Devin shook his head and scratched the growth of beard on his chin. "Any ideas?" he asked.

"Some. I plan on talking to Vincent tonight. He should be back any time. Have you eaten?" Father asked.

"Yeah, I had a burger and fries before I came down. I should be okay for awhile."

Their further conversation was interrupted when Diana bounced into the room with Jacob on her hip. Her coppery red hair was braided into one long tail and she wore an apron over her jumper. Devin's eyes took in everything and he liked what he say--very much. He smiled charmingly as she approached Father, eyeing him and then looking back at Father she clicked on who he might be. The family resemblance was quite strong.

"Father, Mary needs to talk to you. She says she's found those papers you been looking for in one of the old chambers," Diana said without preamble, setting Jacob down to go see his grandfather.

"Good, very good. I will be up to see her shortly. Diana, I don't believe you've had the privilege of meeting my son, Devin. He's come here for a visit. And Devin, this is Diana." Father said introducing them.

They shook hands, and he was amazed at how strong a grip she had. He was also amazed at how beautiful she was too. She was taller than Catherine had been and thinner. She was also more self assured and confident, naturally tough and somehow earthy. It was hard to tear his eyes away from her and look down at the small boy tugging fiercely on his pants legs. Jacob looked up at him with bright blue eyes that were a mirror image of his father's. The hair too was Vincent's except a little paler, a little finer and straighter. He looked as if he would someday be his father's size, for the child was taller and heavier than most children his age. But the smile was Catherine's, as was the nose, though the face shape was some where in between.

"So you're Jacob? Hi, I'm your Uncle Devin, kid," he said with a smile reaching down and picking up the boy who wanted to be held. "Oh, you're going to be a heart breaker with those eyes," he laughed.

"He already is. Lena's Cathy has a crush on him and she's a year older. According to her he's not a baby--he's a boy!" she said with a laugh which made Father chuckle too. "So you're here for a visit?" Diana asked, still sizing him up.

"For awhile. Charles, the guy I was living with died two weeks ago. I thought I needed to come home and get my head straight before I took off again some where," Devin replied, trying to hold on to Jacob who now wanted to go to Diana.

"We welcome you, Devin," came the gravely-whisper voice from the top of the steps.

"Vincent!" Devin said happily and went to hug his brother. "Damn, you're looking good. After all Father said you'd been through I wasn't sure what to expect," Devon said stepping back and looking him over.

"Then Father has told you. . . about Catherine?"

Devin nodded, "Yeah, I'm sorry. She was a good lady. Even helped me clean up my act."

Vincent smiled in remembrance. "Yes, she did. I heard you from the top of the stairs. Charles is dead?" Vincent inquired politely.

"Two weeks ago, drowned in the lake. I came home to rest as I was just telling Diana," Devin said, watching Vincent look over at Diana who was trying to keep Jacob from trying to escape to the floor.

"Sorry to hear that, but I'm glad you're home. And you've met Jacob?"

"Yes, he's quite a handful. He looks like both of you-- you and Catherine I mean," Devin said quickly, realizing that Vincent almost misunderstood him.

"I keep getting told that. So what are your plans tonight?" Vincent asked.

"Nothing much, just settling in. Are one of the guest chambers empty?"

"I believe so."

Father spoke up then. "Vincent, show him to Diana's old room. It's not far and closer than some."

Vincent nodded. "Come, I'll show you the way. Diana, can you take Jacob home. I'll be back shortly. I have some things I wish to discuss with you," Vincent said quietly, his eyes very serious and smoldering.

She looked flustered for a moment and then recovered. "Sure, no problem. I'll be there," Diana replied, trying to gauge his mood and failing.

He nodded, and smiled. "Come," he told his brother and picked up one of Devin's bags and then went off in the direction of the guest rooms.

Devin called his goodbyes and told them he's see them later, leaving Father and Diana alone in the room with Jacob.

"So that's the Devin I've heard so much about. Charming and a con-artist if I ever saw one. He's really your son?" Diana asked.

"Yes, . . . he is. Kind of the opposite side of the coin from me. God, how we used to fight when he was younger. He was always so reckless, so foolhardy, always in trouble, and getting the other kids, and Vincent into all sorts of messes.I'd hoped he'd grow out of it--but," Father said with a sigh.

"He hasn't really, has he?"

"No, Devin will always be the little boy looking to see what's over the next hill. I always expected him to show up with a wife and six kids in tow down here one day but as far as I know he's never married or had any children," Father said thoughtfully looking towards the space where his two sons had gone.

"He might surprise you yet and settle down, if he ever finds a girl to put up with him."

"True, all too true," Father agreed. "I see you have your evening planned. Vincent wants to talk with you. Maybe you won't need my help after all," Father smiled knowing at her.

She shrugged. "We'll see. He's used that tone to talk to me about nothing more than the inventory lists before. I'll just wait and see what's up. In any event, Jacob's getting cranky and its getting close to his bed time, so I better be going," she told him, getting a more secure grip on the wiggling toddler.

"Good luck, Diana, and keep me posted how it comes out?" Father requested, wanting to know how things worked out between his son and this young woman who he had grown very fond of.

"I will, I promise," she replied, with a reassuring smile, and left carrying a sleepy Jacob in her arms.

*     *    * *    *

End of part 2/7 Aftermath