He had a contact in New York. A ghost named Kristopher Gentian. Kristopher had a tendancy to show up haunting a bookstore in the village. A bookstore owned by a man named Jonathan Smyth. Jonathan had been the man who identified Kristopher’s body after he spent the night outside in –30 degrees. He had frequented the bookstore when he was alive, so naturally he found sanctuary there as a ghost. Angel was hoping to find him tonight to see if he knew anyone who could help him locate this demon.
Walking along the sidewalk he spotted the address. 777, he noted as he opened the door.
“Hello young man, is there anything I can do for you tonight?” Mr. Smyth asked as he walked in.
“No, I’m just looking. Thank you.” Angel said sauntering through the aisles. Knowing Kristopher he’d be haunting the poetry section. Finding it in the back he started looking through the titles.
“I didn’t know you were in New York again.” Said a voice behind him.
“Kristopher!” he said turning around. “I knew I could find you here.”
“What are you doing here? I haven’t seen you since after you first arrived in Sunnydale. Are you still living there?” Kristopher asked animatedly.
“I’m afriad not. I moved onto LA a few months ago. I’ve started an agency there. I’m afraid a case has sent me back here.” Angel said quietly. He noted there were other customers in the store and he wasn’t sure which ones could see Kristopher.
“They can all see me.” Kristopher said watching Angel look around. “Here, let me take you to a place just down the street. It’s a great little expresso bar. Been there since before it was cool to drink expresso.”
“Ok.” Angel agreed following him out of the store.
“Oh, I can see you found what you were looking for.” Mr. Smyth commented as he walked past with Kristopher.
“You could say that.” Angel responded.
At the coffee shop Angel noted that several of Kristopher’s paintings were on the wall. He recalled Kristopher telling him about a woman who helped him get all of his old paintings and art supplies out of a warehouse. His old landlord stashed them there after his death, payment for back rent he owed.
“So you are here on a case.” Kristopher commented drinking from his mug slowly.
“You could say that.” Angel said careful to not reveal too much.
“So why’d you come and seek me out?” Kristopher asked.
“I need to know of anyone who could help me out.” Angel said softly.
“I know the perfect person. Her name is Catherine Chandler. She works for the DA’s office.”
“No, I don’t need a DA helping me on this one. I don’t really want the law involved.” Angel said quickly.
“She is the perfect person to help you. When you meet her you will understand.” Kristopher said assuredly. Pulling out her card from his wallet he handed it to Angel.
“Ok, Kris.” Angel said taking the card he handed him. “I hope you are right.”
“How is your homework coming Nuala?” Catherine asked walking into the living room of her apartment.
“I’m working on it.” Nuala remarked. She was pouring over some algebra equations that she didn’t really understand. “When is Dad going to be home to help me?”
“He will arrive soon.” Catherine commented looking at her daughter fondly. Eight years ago Catherine adopted Nuala from Ireland. She had been left an orphan from a bombing in Belfast. Catherine’s friend Bridget O’Donnell knew that she and Vincent were looking to adopt a child together. Nuala seemed perfect for them. She was eight years old, but very settled despite what she had been through. She had always been a loving and forgiving child. Back then Vincent and Catherine had just been married. They were working out the living arrangements at the time. Now, nine years later, they had it down to a science. Vincent worked in the tunnels during the day and lived in her apartment at night.
By now all of her friends knew about Vincent. His identity had been revealed when she had been kidnapped ten years ago. As all of her friends began to look for her they all discovered Vincent’s existance. Diana was the first to find him, but Vincent had sought out Elliot Burch himself. Within a few weeks Joe and Jenny also met him. Together all of them banned together to find her.
After she was found, alive and well, Vincent asked her to marry him. The dream of their happy life together was suddenly becoming a reality after nearly losing each other. Any risk would be microscopic compared to the joy they would share together.
“Mom, I hear Dad on the balcony.” Nuala commented looking up from her equations.
Walking over to the glass doors, Catherine threw them open and hugged Vincent tightly. Bending down he gave her a quick kiss on the lips before crossing the threshold to the bedroom.
“Dad!” Nuala screamed running up and jumping into his arms.
“Hi honey.” Vincent said twirling her around before setting her down on the floor again.
“Dad, I need help with my algebra. I don’t understand why A plus ¾ equals B times 20.” Nuala said grabbing her homework and showing it to him.
Sitting down on the couch he began explaining it to her slowly. Within a half hour her homework was finished and she was ready for bed.
“Goodnight sweetheart.” Catherine said giving her a kiss on the cheek.
“Goodnight honey.” Vincent said giving her a quick hug before she bouced off to her bedroom.
“I have to go to the feis this weekend. She’s hoping to move up to open level.” Catherine commented. Nuala had just started Irish Step Dancing lessons before her parent’s deaths. Once Vincent learned about this he insisted she continue. Catherine was able to find a school for her and she had been moving up fairly steadily. Although the past two levels were a bit more difficult for her.
“I wish I could be there to see her.” Vincent commented quietly. The only problem with their happy life was he couldn’t be there to share in Nuala’s life outside the home. He had missed all of her competitions, conferences and school plays. But he resolved himself to it and took joy in watching her teach the tunnel children Irish dancing and seeing her play the fiddle at Winterfest.
“She understands Vincent.” Catherine replied holding his hand. “She wouldn’t have it differently.”
The following morning Angel arose in a cheap hotel near the Criminal Courts Building. Showering and dressing quickly he headed out the door determined to meet Catherine Chandler as soon as she arrived at work. Deciding to wait outside, he looked around trying to figure out which one was her.
“Good morning Rita.” Catherine commented as she walked past Rita’s desk. Walking down the hallway she came to her office. The door said: Catherine Chandler; Child Welfare Division. She had earned that promotion when she returned to work after the kidnapping. It had made her life much easier now that she wasn’t chasing after the scum and underbelly of NYC. Dropping her briefcase on her desk she walked into Joe’s office. He was now the DA.
“Hey Radcliffe, what’s new and exciting?”
“Algebra.” Catherine commented with a laugh. “Nuala doesn’t understand it. Luckily her dad is better at it than I am.”
“I’m so glad my girls aren’t up to that stage yet.” Joe replied. Joe had seven year old twin girls named Sarah and Ashley. He had married Jenny about eight years ago. Through the investigation into Catherine's kidnapping they had become closer and closer. Shortly after she was found they began dating seriously.
“Wait until they are.” Catherine laughed as she walked out of his office. Back in her own she heard a knock on the door.
“Come in.” She said loudly as she logged onto her computer.
“Hello Ms. Chandler.” Angel said walking into her office. Looking up she was taken aback by his looks. Tall with dark hair and eyes he looked like a model. Somewhere in his late twenties he had a look about him that showed he had seen a lot. One thing she noted as she looked at him was his unusually light skin.
“Can I help you?” She asked.
“I need to find someone. I was told you could help me.” Angel said nonchalantly sitting down on a chair by her desk.
“Who referred you to me?” Catherine asked with interest.
“A man named Kristopher Gentian.”
Vincent was on his way back to the tunnels when he felt a sudden chill. Realizing that it couldn’t be that cold in the tunnels on a May morning he tried to figure out why Catherine was cold. Focusing harder on the bond he realized it wasn’t her, but someone with her. “Strange.” He thought to himself as he walked on. The last time he felt that kind of coldness was when Kristopher Gentian had been around. That was such a long time ago. He wondered why Kristopher was seeking her out now.
“How do you know Kristopher?” Catherine asked cautiously.
“Do you believe in the unknown?” Angel asked suddenly.
“I have to.” Catherine replied curtly. This man didn’t realize who he was talking to.
Turning around to shut the door Angel began speaking. “I’m a vampire. I’ve known Kris for awhile. We met at one of my old haunts you could say. I’m now working in LA. I founded an agency that works with the paranormal. Well one of my clients was viciously murdered a few days ago by her demon boyfriend. I have vowed to find him. I was told you could help me.”
“A vampire? How do you expect me to believe that?” Catherine asked with a laugh.
“You said you believed in impossible things. I’m asking you to trust me.” Angel said honestly.
“I will take the name of who you are looking for, but I still don’t believe you Mr….”
“Angel is my name.” Angel replied.
“Angel? A vampire named Angel, this is just too much.” Catherine said opening the door to let him out.
“Have a good day Ms. Chandler.” Angel said polietly walking out the door.
Walking back to her desk Catherine sat and shook her head. A vampire was referred to her by Kristopher? This was just too much to believe.
“Hey Cathy, who was that guy that just stopped by.” Rita asked with interest.
“A friend of a friend of mine. He needed some help.”
“I can’t imagine someone as fine as him needing any help!” Rita exclaimed.
“You couldn’t even begin to imagine.” Catherine said with a laugh. Looking at the piece of paper on her desk she picked it up. “Rita, can you do me a favor and look up this name for me.”
“Sure.” Rita said taking the paper. As she walked off Joe stopped by.
“Who was that guy?” He asked sitting on the edge of her desk.
“Someone who needed some help.” Catherine replied nonchalantly.
“Just be careful Radcliffe. You never know about guys like that.” Joe replied. Catherine had to laugh. He had always been overprotective of her, especially when it came to other men.
“So are you still going Below tonight?” Catherine asked. Tonight the children were putting on a talent show. Nuala was participating.
“Sure. Sarah and Ashley can’t wait to see Vincent again.” Joe said jumping off the desk. “Just be careful Radcliffe.”
“Are you ready honey?” Catherine asked putting on a spritz of perfume. Nuala was taking extra time tonight to get ready.
“I’m having trouble with my hair.” Nuala yelled from her bedroom. Everytime she pulled it up it would fall again.
“Let me help you.” Catherine said walking into her bedroom. Pulling back her hair she began twisting it in individual curls all around the top of her head. Placing her matching tiara on last she smiled. “You look beautiful tonight.”
“Thanks mom.” Nuala said. “I’m taking extra clothes to change into later. Some of us were talking about swimming in the mirror pool later.”
“Does your father know about this?” Catherine asked sternely.
“Of course he does. He suggested it!” Nuala said with a laugh. Gathering her things Catherine and Nuala walked out of the apartment and into the elevator.
“I felt a coldness around you earlier today.” Vincent said. He and Catherine were sitting up at the top of the staircase in Father’s chamber.
“When was this?” Catherine asked tentively. She was almost afraid to learn the answer.
“In the morning.” Vincent replied.
“A man came into my office today. He claimed he was referred to me by Kristopher Gentian. He told me he was a vampire. Is there such a thing?”
“I’ve read legends about them…I didn’t think they existed.” Vincent replied.
“That would explain the coldness.” Catherine said with a laugh. She wasn’t sure what she should believe. “Nuala is next.”
Turning around to see the stage the children had constructed at one end of Father’s chamber, Vincent watched lovingly as his daughter began to dance. She had shown marked improvement in the past few weeks. He would often leave in the morning and hear her dancing in her bedroom.
“She’s doing great.” Catherine said grabbing Vincent’s arm tightly.
“Hi guys.” Joe said coming over to join them. Jenny was right behind him.”
“Hi.” Catherine whispered turning back to watch her daughter.
“I’m sorry we’re late. Ashley fell asleep right before we were ready to walk out the door. I had a hard time waking her back up.” Jenny explained ruffling Ashley’s hair.
“At least we didn’t miss the star pupil.” Joe remarked watching Nuala.
After her performance was over everyone applauded loudly. Smiling she gave a traditional bow before jumping off the stage. Running up the spiral staircase to where her parent’s were sitting she was beaming.
“That was beautiful.” Vincent commented giving her a tight hug.
“It really was.” Catherine said smiling. “You should make open without thinking about it on Sunday. She has a competiton this weekend.”
“You should win.” Joe said giving her a hug. “Anyone who can jump like that should.”
“You’re so silly Joe.” Nuala commented .
“It was a great performance.” Jenny said putting her arm around her. “You should have no problem making it to open.”
“I truly hope so.” Nuala said. She still carried a faint accent that came out at different times.
After the program was over Vincent and Catherine found their way to the main tunnel enterance by Central Park. They had spent many evenings there. Smiling Catherine embraced him tightly. Stroking her hair he let out a happy sigh.
“It should be crime to be this happy.” Catherine commented looking at him lovingly.
“Think of the sacrifice it took to bring us here.” Vincent commented. “Father would like us to spend the night here tonight. He’s planning a special breakfast tomorrow morning.”
“That would be great.” Catherine said. Vincent still had his chamber below. Many nights they spent there along with Nuala. She often stayed in Corrie’s chamber. Corrie was the daughter of Rebecca and also fifteen.
“I thought I would find you here.” A voice said coming around behind the bushes.
“Go!” Catherine whispered loudly before turning to see who it was.
“Don’t worry Catherine, I’ve seen him before.” The voice said reveling himself.
“Kristopher!” She exclaimed, relieved. “Vincent it’s safe. It’s only Kristopher.”
“I understand that you two are married now.” Kristopher remarked. “Congradulations.”
“Where did you hear that?” Catherine asked with interest.
“From Angel. He noticed the clauddagh wedding band on your finger. He’s from Ireland you know.”
“You really believe he’s a vampire?” Catherine questioned.
“I know he is. I’ve seen him in action. It isn’t very pretty.”
“So why did you refer him to me. I quit that kind of work a long time ago.” Catherine stated.
“You were the only person I knew who would believe.” Kristopher said emphatically. “Please help him, he’s kind and gentle. A lot like you actually.” Kristopher added looking at Vincent.
“A vampire kind and gentle?” Catherine remarked unconvinced. “That’s a bit of an oxymoron don’t you think?”
“The difference is that he has a soul. Not many vampires do.” Kristopher explained. “Well I will let you continue your conversation.” With that Kristopher disappeared in front of them.
“Do you really think what he is saying is true?” Catherine asked Vincent.
“Did you believe in ghosts until you saw Kristopher?”
“That is true. I’m going to call Bridget on Monday and see if she knows anything about him.” Catherine commented before embracing Vincent once again.
