As they entered the kitchen, Catherine requested, "Just set it here, and thank you Vincent."
In compliance, Vincent tipped his head as replied, "Of course."
As Vincent put on his cloak, both Catherine and Noodles walked Vincent out to the Balcony, and as he brought her to him, he sweetly kissed her hair, and bade her goodnight.
As he slipped over the Balcony wall, Catherine sadly whispered good night to him, in return.
As the cold November wind blew, there were a few snowflakes in the air, causing Catherine to look skyward, and thought the snow clouds looked so heavy-laden, and she was happy Vincent left before the snow came. And as the snowflakes began falling heavier, they were so huge and billowy, she took in a deep breath, and marveled how beautiful life could be.
Meanwhile, Noodles pranced restlessly back and fourth, causing Catherine to think she really should take him for a walk, to burn off some of his energy.
Thinking it wasn't all that late, she attached the leash to Noodles collar, and said, "Let's go for a walk in the snow buddy."
Excitedly, Catherine bundled up, and exited her apartment building, circling around to the back, where all the other pet owners walked their dogs.
Noodles was so excited about this outing, that Catherine had to run to keep up with him.
As Noodles finally stopped to do a little investigating, Catherine nodded to the other dog owners, and as they departed, one by one, they bade each other a good night.
As she now stood alone, waiting on Noodles, Catherine enjoyed the snow falling, thinking it seemed to insulate, and sound proof the area around her.
Finally, Noodles was ready, and as they neared her apartment's entrance, a nervous yelp from a fidgety Noodles, alerted Catherine to the sound of the footsteps behind her!
And though she was always among people, being only one person amongst millions in a busy city, she for some reason...this time, began to feel edgy and fearful.
This was a rare sensation for Catherine, as she never felt afraid. She loved this city, and she never let the cautious warnings issued to her, from well meaning loved ones in the past, keep her from doing what she wanted to do.
But tonight, was different, and so as she began to walk faster, and the man's footsteps quickened too, this caused her to decide, she better start running for the door.
It was then the man grabbed her arm, and said, "Give me all your money, or I will kill your Dog!"
Unable to pull away, Catherine yelled at him, "I haven't any money, Please leave us alone!"
Meanwhile, Catherine looked at him, as she tried to notice some identifying trait, noting the man was wearing a full face-stocking hat, and also, on his coat, was a symbol, a symbol of some group, or club, one she had never seen before. It looked like some sort of an inverted peace sign!
In reply to Catherine's plea, the man then threatened, "No money uh? Well that's too bad for your dog."
He then grabbed the leash away from Catherine, and he scooped up Noodles.
Catherine pleaded with him, "Don't harm him, I live near by, I can get you all the money you want, just please don't hurt Noodles!"
The man pushed Catherine down to the ground, and knelt beside her, deciding he wasn't happy just taking Noodles, he was going to harm Catherine too.
Meanwhile...for some inexplicable reason, Vincent knew he had to return to Catherine!
Sensing she was in extreme danger, Vincent circled back around, and with a primal growl, approached Catherine, and the man.
Upon hearing this sound, the assailant looked up startlingly at Vincent, and as he assessed his size, he stealthily performed a few martial arts flips, and ran away, still carrying Noodles!
Catherine looked up at Vincent, feeling a bit startled too, as she had never before witnessed, or heard such a bestial sound from anyone before.
As Vincent looked down, and saw the look on Catherine's face. He then shamefully asked, "Catherine, are you all right?"
With a nod, Catherine replied, "Yes Vincent, but please help Noodles!"
And so Vincent ran a short distance, and thankfully because of the snowfall, it was easy to track the assailants footprints! And though the thug was gone, Vincent luckily came upon Noodles, safe-and-sound down the block.
Vincent carefully picked up Noodles, and tenderly petted his little head, telling him he was fine now.
Meanwhile, Catherine tried to stand, but couldn't, then finally saw Vincent returning, holding Noodles.
An obviously, unaffected Noodles, wagged his tail, as Vincent knelt down beside Catherine to show her that Noodles was just fine.
With thankful tears, Catherine looked at Vincent with gratitude, and told him, "Thank you for saving Noodles...and me."
In wonderment Catherine asked, "Vincent...what made you come back?"
Vincent heaved a sigh, and said, "I knew you needed me and you were some how in danger...
As Noodles then jumped over to Catherine, she lovingly said, "Oh Noodles, you are safe, thanks to Vincent. We both are."
And though Vincent too, felt thankful he was there to protect them, he could not help but think, Catherine should not have been out walking by herself after dark!
And so Vincent shook his head, as he asked her, "Why didn't you tell me before I left you wanted to walk Noodles? "
To which Catherine explained, "I wasn't going to, but Noodles seemed so restless after you were gone. So since all the other pet owners seem to be out at all hours, I thought it would be all right...and besides, the snowfall was so beautiful, I guess I wanted to go for a walk in the snow too..."
As Vincent listened to Catherine explain, he assisted her to her feet, and when she winced, with concern, he asked, "Catherine?"
In reply, Catherine surmised, "I must have hurt my ankle when he pushed me down..."
With concern, Vincent asked "Are you able to make it inside by yourself?"
To which Catherine nodded and said, "Yes, I can make it alright."
Assessing she would be able to, Vincent then said, "I will be there in a moment then. Go safely inside."
And so upon Catherine entering her apartment, Vincent was already at her balcony door, waiting for her to let him in.
As she limped to the door, the realization of what had just happened, struck her, and she tearfully said, "What if he would have harmed Noodles?"
Kindly, Vincent warmed by Catherine's unselfishness, astonishingly said, "Catherine...are you aware you were in danger as well? You mustn't take such chances, I only just promised your father an hour ago, that I would watch over you..."
Realizing she did make a bad decision, Catherine replied, "I'm sorry Vincent, I will go earlier next time."
Vincent then scooped Catherine up in his arms, and as he carried her to her couch, he said, "Let me have a look at your ankle Catherine."
As Vincent gently lowered Catherine onto the couch, he untied her shoelaces and slipped the shoe off her injured foot.
Catherine was so moved by the sweet gentleness in which he helped her, and as he then removed her sock, Vincent took Catherine's foot in his hands to inspect her bruised ankle for the extent of injury. Feeling satisfied there was no break, he then said it looked fine, and she will just need to keep weight off of it for a day or two.
As Catherine listened, she became puzzled by the smile in Vincent's eyes, and so wondering why, she curiously looked down at her foot too, and she was so embarrassed! She had forgotten the wild nail color she had chosen on the day she felt so very downhearted.
And so modestly, she pulled her foot inward, and then said, "How embarrassing, I forgot I had done this silly thing!"
In reply, Vincent looked at Catherine, and solemnly said, "Silly? Catherine, I don't agree. I think the metallic hot pink was a perfect color choice."
To which Catherine with umbrage replied, "I can tell you are making fun of me."
Humbly, Vincent then assured her, "Make fun of you Catherine, no...how could I..."
Vincent's voice then trailed off as his thoughts settled on their many differences, causing a shamefulness to come over him, as he thought back on the growl that erupted from him earlier.
As Catherine touched his cheek, she inquired, "What is it?"
Vincent raised his eyes as he said, "I am shamed you saw me as you did tonight. I know I frightened you."
Catherine looked down trying to find the words to sooth Vincent's troubled mind, and so she gently said, "I suppose I was startled, but only for a moment. I know it came from a place deep inside of you that wanted to protect me."
Catherine then added, "Each day that passes I am learning more and more about you...and at the dawning of the new day, our bond strengthens, and I admire you more."
Vincent listened to Catherine's words of devotion, and he knew that it was so.
He recognized the feeling of growing fondness, and felt the bond between them, was especially rare on some other level that was hard to define.
His emotions revealed themselves in his voice, as Vincent thoughtfully said, "Catherine...this connection which has drawn me to your side in the past and now tonight, is beyond words..."
With a tone of wonder, Catherine replied, "Yes..."
Rising up above the moment, Vincent then asked, "Can you move your ankle?"