That's What Friends Are For (2)

Although the rain had stopped, the general bleakness of the day did little for Catherine's spirits as she squinted against a cold wind, looking for the cafe where she had agreed to meet Jenny and Rosa. When she finally found it, she was grateful for its warmth and quiet. The two women she had come to meet were tucked away in a dim, inconspicuous corner.

Jenny seemed nervous performing the introductions, but Catherine felt an immediate liking for the small, soft-spoken woman her old friend had championed so forcefully. Nevertheless, Catherine felt her responsibility to the Tunnel community keenly, and had to judge Rosa for herself before finally bringing her Below. The Council's support only made Catherine more determined to make sure this was the right thing for both sides.

"Rosa," Catherine asked seriously, "how much has Jenny told you about the place you'll be going to?"

"Only that it is a safe place, un refugio with good people. She said they take care of los ninos. This is a very good thing. My babies must be safe." Rosa's voice was soft, but when she spoke of her children it became edged with steely determination. "I worry ..."

"What do you worry about, Rosa?" Catherine asked.

"This place is in New York, no?" At Catherine's nod, she continued. "My husband is good at finding people. His friends in la policia know him, but not me so well. They will believe him that I am crazy, that he wants Maria and Teresa because he loves them." Tears of grief and anger filled her dark eyes. "Many will help him look. New York is big, but how can I hide my children from such a one?"

Impulsively, Catherine took Rosa's hand. "Believe me, no one will find any of you in this place," Catherine assured her. "But I want you to understand, none of you can leave there, at least for quite awhile; we can't risk having any of you spotted on the streets. You and your children might find it a very confining life. I want to make sure you realize what you're getting into."

Rosa faced Catherine with conviction. "I have read about women who have gone to jail because they have hidden their children and will not tell where. I would have done that if Jenny had not told me of you. The place you take me to is better than that, no? And I will have my babies with me."

Catherine nodded, satisfied. "You certainly will. These people don't have much in the way of possessions, and they work hard. But in the things that count, they're the richest people I know."

Rosa shook her head. "When Jenny first tells me of this place, I think it seems una fabula, you know, a story for children; a fairy tale. But I know Jenny, and she tells me it is true, and she trusts you." For the first time she smiled, transforming her whole face. "Now I see you, and I believe too. You are as good as Jenny says."

"So, Cathy," Jenny interjected, "what's the next step? I want to be sure nobody knows you're involved. How can we arrange this without making it too obvious? So far Rosa's ex-husband hasn't done anything--he's probably too complacent, knowing about that judge. But I don't think Rosa should push her luck."

Rosa agreed. "I am afraid to wait long. I do not trust him."

Catherine leaned forward and became very businesslike. "A few days to prepare shouldn't be a risk. If you have things you want to bring--favorite books or toys for the children, clothes, as long as they're not too fancy--mail them to this address. It's a rooming house run by one of our Helpers, she'll see you get them. When you're ready to leave, it will look less suspicious if you're not carrying anything."

Catherine turned to Jenny. "Do you usually encounter Rosa often at work? Will it look normal if you go talk to her?"

Jenny nodded. "Rosa does a lot of my typing; I'm always giving her stuff to do and apologizing 'cause it's late."

Rosa smiled fondly. "No one will wonder at that."

"Good," Catherine approved. "In a few days, some innocuous delivery boy will bring you a package, Jenny, like you get all the time at work. It will contain a note that will just be signed 'Father'. The note will tell you where to go. After you've memorized the location, flush the note and tell Rosa as soon as you can do so without looking like there's any connection."

Jenny nodded enthusiastically. "I like it. That shouldn't look at all unusual, and your messenger will never be seen talking to Rosa directly."

"Exactly." Catherine continued. "Rosa, you said you and the children often go shopping in the evening, or out to a fast food place. We'll make sure you're in a part of town that makes it look like another one of those everyday expeditions. If your ex-husband does try to track you down, nobody will be able to say you did anything out of the ordinary--except vanish into thin air."

"I suppose," Jenny admitted disconsolately, "I wouldn't be a good idea for me to come along for moral support?"

"I'm sorry, Jenny," Catherine answered sadly. "It would be better if you aren't seen with Rosa, so her husband won't come around asking questions."

"And the fewer people that know about the place Rosa's going, the better, right?"

"Right." Catherine sighed. "You don't know how much I wish- --well, never mind. Rosa, I'm sure I'll see you again, but not until after you and your children are safe."

Catherine rose from the table. "Jenny--you're the best. I'll let you know how it all comes out, I promise."


* * *


Late the next afternoon, Catherine was congratulating herself at the unusual pace at which the contents of her "in" basket were shrinking when the phone rang. Her mind half on the call and half on the work in front of her, she became alert immediately when she realized it was Jenny--an agitated and frightened Jenny. "What's wrong?"

"Cathy, I'm calling from a pay phone. Rosa and her kids are with me. Her husband went to the kids' school and tried to sweet-talk the principal into letting him take the kids out; gave some cock-and-bull story about Rosa being in the hospital. Fortunately, that school's had too much experience with divorced parents and custody fights to fall for it. He pretended it was no big deal and left without them, but Rosa's terrified he's going to try a snatch. After school the kids came to tell Rosa at work. They're afraid to go home in case he's waiting there."

"Damn!" Catherine came to a quick decision. "Where are you? Okay, I'm going to give you the address of a little grocery store. Go there, ask for Michael Ng and tell him I sent you. He'll know what to do. I'll meet you as soon as I can. I think we've just run out of time."


* * *


Catherine left the cab a few blocks away and made her way by a circuitous route to the Vietnamese market tucked among a block full of similar establishments. She doubted there was any way she could have been followed, but caution had become second nature to her. She greeted Michael casually and they chatted for a few minutes. When it became clear that she had no unwanted company, one of the Ng children escorted her to the basement.

"Cathy!" Jenny cried. "I've never been so glad to see you."

"I am so sorry, Catherine, to put you to this trouble ..." Rosa began, but Catherine interrupted her.

"Rosa, don't be silly," Catherine answered. "Everything will be all right, we've just moved the timetable up a little."

She crouched down to greet the two wide-eyed little girls who clung to Rosa's hands. "Well, today you're going to have a pretty big adventure. You're going somewhere different from anywhere you've ever been. You'll be safe there, I promise. There'll be lots of other children to play with, and all sorts of fascinating and magical things. Are you ready?"

Both children nodded, their faces very serious. Fear began to be replaced by curiosity at this strange but intriguing prospect. Catherine turned to Jenny. "Don't look so woebegone. If you've come this far, it won't hurt for you to see Rosa's welcoming committee. Come on."

Mary Ng helped Catherine move the boxes which concealed the entrance to the Tunnels. After her charges were safely through, Catherine hugged the girl. "Thank your father for helping us out on such short notice. And thank you."

"No problem. I'll collect when I need references for law school." She winked at Catherine, and moved the boxes back.

Leaving her friends to stare to their heart's content, Catherine found a rock and tapped out a long message on the pipes. Listening to the reply, Catherine smiled to herself as she watched them. It would be difficult to say who looked more wide-eyed, Jenny or the eight-year-old Teresa. After a back-and- forth exchange that lasted several minutes, Catherine returned her full attention to them.

"It'll be a little while; the welcoming committee wasn't expecting you for a while yet, but they'll be here soon." Catherine smiled at the children to ease their residual fear. "Would you like me to tell you about some of the things you'll get to see here?" The children nodded. "Well, there's this beautiful waterfall ..."

Not long after, they became aware of the sound of footsteps approaching. Catherine realized that Father was in the lead, but couldn't tell at first who accompanied him. As they came closer, she recognized Lena and Julio. That young man had cured Lena's lingering infatuation with Vincent in the best way possible, and the happiest for all concerned. The young couple didn't know it yet, but William was already planning menus for their wedding feast. Father smiled as Catherine introduced him to each of her charges in turn. She was a little worried about his reaction to Jenny's presence, and sighed inwardly with relief when he greeted her with as much warmth as the others.

Beginning to relax at this reception, Rosa's face lit up at Julio's greeting. "nvenido! Rosa, a usted y vuestras ninas. Yo se tendran ustedes felicidad con nosotros." Switching to English, he introduced Lena. "Hello," Lena said, all smiles. "I came here less than a year ago, myself, and it's been the best year in my whole life. I'll help you get settled, and don't be afraid to ask me anything you want, OK?"

As Catherine began to bid Rosa goodbye, Father interrupted her. "Catherine--I am sure you would like to see your friends settled in, wouldn't you? Can you spare the time now?"

Catherine was in a quandary. "I could, but I want to make sure Jenny gets home all right."

Father turned to the silent Jenny, who was trying to blend into the stone wall without missing anything that went on. "I am extending the invitation to you as well, Jenny." Jenny smiled in delighted surprise. Catherine stared in astonishment.

Taking Catherine's hand, Father spoke seriously. "Catherine, your friend has impressed all of us with her willingness to help another. Besides, it's about time you had someone else on your side of the river." Chuckling at Catherine's bemused look, Father offered her his arm. "I'll explain later," he promised as the expedition began to move off toward the Hub.

Many Tunnel residents had drifted to Father's study to greet the new arrivals. Rosa was concerned that the sudden change in their carefully-laid plans caused them to arrive with only the clothes on their backs. The other clothes and few treasured possessions they had hoped to bring were at this moment half- packed in Rosa's apartment. Mouse eagerly volunteered to liberate them, but Jamie distracted him and adroitly led him away before he could discover where Rosa had lived.

Mary assured the three of them that many had come Below with even less, and William began to quiz them about their favorite foods. A contingent of children arrived to look over Maria and Teresa, trying not too seem too obvious about it. When their charges began to look a little overwhelmed by it all, Lena and Julio firmly extricated the small family from its well-wishers and led them off to their chambers to settle in.

As the crowd began to dissipate, Father nodded sagely as Jenny and Catherine sank gratefully into the chairs he indicated. "It seems the new residents you have brought us will fit in nicely," Father said with satisfaction.

"Assuming they can survive this initial burst of attention and curiosity. I'm glad we were able to help. The children will be safe here, and with love and time, the girls will heal, I promise you."

"I never even thought of that," Jenny admitted. "I never thought beyond getting them somewhere safe."

Catherine patted Jenny's arm with reassurance. "There are plenty of people here who are very good at dealing with children who've suffered what Maria and Teresa have. Many of the children here were victims of abuse of one kind or another; Father and the others have had all too much experience with this sort of thing. They'll do more for them than anyplace Above could."

"Lena will be invaluable," Father added. "She is rather new here herself and remembers how overwhelming it can seem at first. She also suffered similar abuse as a child, and can reassure Rosa's girls it is not the end of the world."

Jenny found it hard to concentrate on what was being said; she was still numb from the reality of this amazing place that Catherine had kept secret for so long. It wasn't anything like she expected. She had been thinking in terms of some little urban commune, and instead she'd been taken to a whole other world. It reminded her of the books she had read as a child-- Pellucidar, or fairy hills--when she emerged from here, would she find that years had passed Above?

She was so distracted she barely noticed the low-voiced conversation the man they called Father was having with Cathy, but realized it must have been pretty important when she saw the look on her friend's face. Mostly astonished happiness, Jenny decided, but also ... uncertainty? fear?

"Poor Jenny--this has been a bit much for you without warning hasn't it?" Catherine sounded unaccountably nervous. "Do you think you could stand one more surprise tonight?"

Pulling herself together, Jenny focused her attention on Catherine. "I come from pretty tough stock, remember. I can take it. Are you going to show me the unicorn stables, or Gollum, or what?"

Catherine smiled in spite of herself. "Close. Father tells me Vincent wants to meet you."

Jenny was delighted. For the first time she realized that Cathy's mystery man hadn't been in evidence. She was dying to meet the paragon at last, and find out what was so special about him. The look on Cathy's face, and the tone of her voice, on the rare occasions when she mentioned Vincent always caused Jenny to marvel. In all the years she'd known Catherine Chandler, Jenny had never seen her act that way about anyone. Not even close. Literally jumping out of her chair at the prospect, Jenny watched as Catherine and Father traded an unreadable look, and the older man squeezed her friend's hand as Catherine rose from her chair.

"I just realized friend Vincent wasn't one of the greeters," Jenny offered. "Is he far away?"

"No, his chamber's right next door. He usually stays away when new residents arrive. Vincent can be ... intimidating to some people; he wants them to have a chance to get used to the place before they meet him."

"Cathy ..." Jenny was uncertain, for a moment how to continue. "Why are you so nervous? You've already told me Vincent is different, although you've been pretty vague about just how. Do you really think I'm going to embarass you--not to mention myself--by staring or making some stupid remark?"

Catherine stopped and turned to Jenny. "I'm sorry, Jenny," she apologized. "It's just that you're my best friend, and Vincent is ..."

"Yeah, I know what Vincent is," Jenny teased.

"I guess this meeting is very important to me," Catherine admitted. "Let's go before you burst with curiosity."

At first the room they entered seemed empty to Jenny. The only illumination came from candles on a table in the center of the chamber. When Catherine turned unerringly to face a shadowed corner, Jenny realized someone was there a split-second before she heard the most indescribable voice ... "Welcome, Jenny. I am glad to meet someone so important to Catherine."

Jenny remembered Catherine telling her that she had heard Vincent's voice for days before she had ever seen him. No wonder she fell for him, Jenny thought as she replied. "I could say the same thing about you." She watched Catherine walk over to the shadowy figure and put her arms around him. As he returned the embrace Jenny had an impression of size and controlled power, but was unable to see his features clearly. Golden hair caught the candlelight as he bent to kiss the top of Catherine's head but his face remained in shadow.

Jenny decided some encouragement was needed. "I want to thank you for what you've done for my friend Rosa and her kids. You've got a fantastic place down here. I'm honored that you trusted me enough to let me see it, and to meet you."

"Indeed," the voice replied, "it is I who must thank you. I am grateful for your concern when that disturbed man was stalking Catherine. Your support meant a great deal to her at that time ... and to me as well. Catherine's happiness means everything to me."

"Well," Jenny said brightly, "I guess we have something in common right there. Cathy's been a good friend to me for a long time. I'm glad to see her so happy. It would be an honor to shake the hand of the man who's done that for her."

For a moment, it was so quiet that Jenny was sure Vincent and Catherine must be holding their breaths. Then Vincent stepped forward into the light.

Jenny's eyes widened as she automatically extended her hand. She found herself grinning delightedly from ear to ear, to the apparent surprise of Vincent and Catherine. Probably not a common reaction ... but her words caused Catherine to smile as well.

"At last, Cathy--a really accurate dream!"

Laughing in combined relief and delight, the two women explained Jenny's cryptic remark to Vincent as he moved around the chamber, turning on lights and inviting them to sit. He smiled over Jenny's account of her "Egypt" fiasco.

"Actually," he pointed out diplomatically, "the lion-headed Egyptian deity is Sekhmet--a goddess."

"You know," Jenny told Vincent, "when Cathy told me you looked ... different, I never put two and two together. I just assumed that lion business was symbolic, since Cathy kept telling me how brave and noble and heroic you are-"

"Jenny!" Catherine exclaimed, mortified. "I never ..."

"Well, not in so many words, exactly," Jenny admitted. "But your attitude was pretty clear, Chandler."

Giving Catherine a chance to compose herself, Jenny addressed Vincent. "I'm curious. What made you decide to meet me, and to show me all this, after ... what, two and a half years?"

Vincent looked at Catherine before he began. "Keeping our secret is so important it becomes second nature to us; so automatic we put it first without thinking."

Jenny noted that although Vincent was ostensibly answering her question, his eyes never left Catherine where she sat beside him on the bed. He took her hand as he continued. "My Father was not happy with me when I took the risk of bringing Catherine here for the first time. I never doubted, but it took him a long time to trust her. He was once betrayed by someone he loved, someone from a background similar to Catherine's. I believe it colored his attitude toward her."

Vincent turned at last to face Jenny. "We became so accustomed to Catherine's silence about us we never considered whether it was really necessary for her to be so alone in her knowledge. Do you know of our Helpers?"

Jenny nodded. "Cathy's told me a little bit. I know they exist; I know she's one."

"Many Helpers know of us," Vincent continued, "and they know of me. Many have met me, and have become quite used to me. I don't know why it took us so long to realize Catherine had people close to her who could be trusted as much as we trust our Helpers."

Jenny watched Vincent as he turned toward Catherine again. "I regret we did not reach this conclusion earlier, so Catherine could have told her father." Shaking her head wordlessly, Catherine stroked Vincent's cheek, looking pained at his distress.

"Well," Jenny declared, "you can trust me to keep your secret as well of any of your Helpers. As a matter of fact, I hope you'll let me help you in other ways besides giving Cathy someone to talk to about how terrific you are. It looks like you read a lot of books, for instance, and I work for a publishing house. I get free books all the time; I'd love to have somebody to give them to who'd really appreciate them."

Vincent brightened considerably at this prospect, and began to ask Jenny about books her firm had published. From there, the conversation wandered back and forth for hours, even during their brief dinner. Jenny noticed that Catherine said little. Curled up next to Vincent, she looked happier than Jenny had ever seen her. Watching the love of her life and her best friend getting along like they'd known each other for years, Catherine had the look of someone who'd unwrapped an unexpected present to discover it was something she'd always wanted.

Eventually Vincent and Jenny realized that Catherine was beginning to fall asleep, and reluctantly decided it was time for the little party to break up. Catherine insisted that Jenny stay with her that night rather than going to her own apartment so late. After bidding farewell to Father and promising to return soon to check on Rosa, the two friends allowed Vincent to escort them to the entrance below Catherine's building. Pretending to be fascinated by the access ladder--it didn't really take much pretending--Jenny gave Catherine and Vincent the chance for a more intimate goodbye.

After Jenny was tucked up in Catherine's bed with a borrowed nightgown, she discovered her previously exhausted friend was now restless and unable to sleep.

"Cathy, I just realized I shouldn't have let you be so nice to me; I should have gone home. I'm sure you'd rather spend the night down there with Vincent ... or does he usually stay with you up here?"

"Jenny he doesn't ... we don't ... I mean, we've never ...

For a moment, Jenny was so astonished at the disappearance of the articulate Catherine Chandler she didn't know what to think. Then the light dawned.

"Cathy, do you mean to tell me you and Vincent haven't ... after all this time ... I don't get it, I could have sworn--when the two of you are together, you can practically see it in the air."

Haltingly, Catherine began to explain. As she told Jenny about her early doubts, and Vincent's fears, the words began tumbling out. Jenny learned of Lisa, and Vincent's struggle with the dark power within him; the constant vigilance required to maintain the dynamic balance that was Vincent.

"Jenny, I believe with all my heart he's wrong to fear that kind of love between us. As a matter of fact, a few weeks ago I told him my theory that what he sees as a problem is really the solution."

"What do you mean?" Jenny asked.

"The only way he allows himself to express his passion is killing for me instead of loving me. And I let him do it. I was even afraid I let myself get into dangerous situations unconsciously to make it happen, just so we'd have some way of expressing that passion, even a destructive one."

"What did Vincent think about that?"

"I think it stunned him. He never looked at things in that way before. He's been very thoughtful ever since." The pain and longing in Catherine's voice touched Jenny deeply.

Lying beside Catherine in the dark, Jenny wondered what to say. She had been positive that Catherine and the no-longer- mysterious Vincent were lovers, because that's the way it had been in her dreams lately. If only she could be sure ...

"Cathy?"

"What?" Catherine's voice sounded infinitely weary. The emotional backlash of this amazing day must be catching up with her at last.

"Don't give up. I've got a feeling it'll work out."

"A feeling, have you." Jenny could hear the smile in Catherine's voice for a moment, before it became serious.

"Jenny--no matter what happens--it means more than I can say to be able to talk to you about this. I never realized until tonight how much I needed it, and missed it."

Jenny waited so long to reply she wasn't sure if Catherine was still awake. She only knew how glad she was to receive the gifts of knowledge and trust she had been given tonight. And she knew that she was privileged to share something magical. Life from now on would never be the same. Feeling sleep about to claim her, Jenny turned to whisper very softly into Catherine's ear.

"Think nothing of it, Cath. That's what friends are for."

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