Beauty and the Beast
“Resolution”

by Orianna

Disclaimer: The Beauty and the Beast television series and all related characters belong to Ron Koslow, and Republic Pictures, used without permission, but the story belongs to me (copyright 2000).

Author’s Note: A short piece to make things right…

*

New York City, NY

The doctor drew a lethal dose of Morphine into the syringe. Never before had he actually killed anyone. The idea went against his conscience, but the order came from Gabriel and had to be obeyed. It was her life, or his. He turned back to the woman in the birthing chair, his eyes filled with nervous remorse.

“You won’t suffer, I promise.”

As the needle pricked her skin, Catherine looked up at the doctor. She saw the look in his eyes, the words of regret on his tongue. Then she saw him jerk back with surprise. The syringe pulled out of her arm, still full, and fell to the ground. Only then did she hear the loud roaring sound. She recognized it a split second later, as the door to the room violently burst open.

“Vincent?” she whispered, unable to believe her eyes.

The tall cloaked figure ran to her side with no hesitation. “Catherine…my Catherine!”

Taking advantage of the distraction, the doctor fled through the doorway, disappearing up the stairs. Neither noticed.

“Catherine. Oh, Catherine,” he breathed. His hand reached for hers, taking it gently, his eyes full of wonder.

She stared into his eyes, as she had almost a lifetime ago, lost in the depths of the brillant blue shadows. Then a mild contraction rippled across her stomach as the afterbirth began to deliver. She glanced toward the door, her eyes filling with panic. “The child, Vincent! They took it! Please….”

Even though he didn’t fully comprehend, he nodded and reluctantly left her side. It took only a few moment for him to climb the stairs to the roof, guided by the loud chopping sounds of a helicopter.

Vincent didn’t hesitate, running quickly toward the black and red machine. A woman in white tried to climb into the helicopter, her arms occupied by a blanket-wrapped bundle. The doctor tried to help her up, but Vincent got there first.

His long, thick hair blew wildly in the wind, and he growled loudly, baring his fang-like teeth to complete the image of ferocity. When the nurse turned, half in and half out of the helicopter, Vincent reached forward and grabbed the child from her arms.

She protested, trying to take the infant back, but the doctor took her arm, hauling her back into the helicopter. It lifted off the ground, retreating quickly into the night sky, and as it moved away, Vincent could see the face of the pilot, staring at him with a look of hatred. Not fear or alarm, but pure seething hate.

He waited until the helicopter disappeared, then he walked quickly back to the stairwell. Catherine was waiting for him….




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