Vincent stood just inside the bedroom balcony doors watching the storm raging over the city. Lightening lit up the sky and thunder rattled the very walls of the building as rain pounded the balcony. As the storm raged outside, he was raging inside. This was the night of his and Catherine's seventh anniversary and he had planned a romantic dinner on the balcony surrounded by gentle candlelight. The only way that could be achieved now would be in scuba gear. With more than a little irritation, he fell back on the bed to wait for Catherine.

The rain continued and Vincent soon found himself being caught up in the power of the storm. Nature's way of releasing its rage touched the darkness in him and beckoned it seductively to join forces with it. It was almost sexual in its drive to find release. He found himself longing for Catherine's presence. The strength of his feelings frightened him and he struggled to contain them.

When the door opened, he jumped to his feet. His dark fascination with the storm had distracted him and he had not felt Catherine returning home. A series of deep breaths managed to soothe his pounding heart and he walked into the living room to greet his wife. "Welcome home, Catherine."

One look at her told him just how bad the storm outside had really been. She looked like a drowned kitten standing there drenched to the bone in a puddle made by her dripping clothes. Her hair was plastered to her head and was dripping water onto her shoulders. Her make-up had been all but washed off but sparks were flashing in her eyes.

"Damn it! Damn it! Damn it!" she swore as she shook like a wet dog.

"Let me help you?" he offered.

"No. Don't touch me. There's no sense in both of us being drenched. Where are the kids?"

"They're Below with Father and Mary."

"Good. I was hoping you wouldn't try bringing them out tonight."

It became clear to Vincent, at that point, that she had forgotten what tonight was.

"Have you ever seen such a storm? I spent the whole day in court waiting to go to trial only to have the case continued then walk out into this. Sometimes I wonder why I keep doing this. Corporate law looks awfully good on days like this. I'll get changed."

He watched her drip her way into the bedroom then sighed in disappointment. What a disaster!

Catherine walked back into the room still dripping but with a strange look on her face. "Vincent, what are those candles doing in the bedroom? Were you expecting a power outage?"

"No, Catherine. Tonight was--I just thought we'd have a special dinner that's all."

The significance of the day's date suddenly hit her. "Oh my God! Tonight is our anniversary!"

"Yes," he answered hopefully.

"Damn! How could I forget that?"

"You've had a lot on your mind lately."

"Yes, but that's no excuse. I can't believe this."

"It's all right, Catherine."

"No, it isn't! You planned a special celebration for us and I walked in here looking like a wet noodle and completely destroy your evening. Damn!"

"Catherine, please. It's not that important. I'll get over it."

"How can you stand there and be so damned understanding? Don't you ever get mad as hell and yell?"

"I've learned to control my temper."

"You argue and lose your temper with Father. Why not me?"

"You're the woman I love, Catherine. I don't want to lose my temper with you."

"Here we go again, trying to be Mr. Perfect."

Vincent clenched his teeth as best he could. Tonight there was no appeasing her. "Are you having a PMS attack?"

"Oh--that does it! Why does every man assume a woman is having PMS every time she loses her temper? If a man acts like a jackass he's called aggressive. If a woman gets ticked off about something, she's having PMS or she's just a bitch."

"Catherine, this is getting out of hand."

"You're damn right it is!"

"Why don't you get out of those clothes. You'll feel better when you're dry."

"I'd feel better if you'd stop being so complacent."

"What do you want me to do?" he asked in exasperation.

"Express yourself. You must have worked hard planning this evening. First the storm and then this!" She pointed at her own drenched appearance. "You have every right to be at least a little frustrated."

The unrest brought on by the evening's storm flared through him. "Yes, Catherine," he said through clenched teeth. "I am-- disappointed about the dinner. I'm even more disappointed by the fact YOU forgot our anniversary." He glared at her.

"I can't believe I forgot our anniversary!" she repeated.

"Frankly Catherine, I can't either."

The regret in her eyes turned to anger once again. "It's not like I have anything else to do!" she responded with sarcasm.

"Catherine--what is wrong with you?"

"Me!"

Vincent stepped closer as the rage inside of him responded to hers. All around them lightening flashed and thunder rumbled loudly. His eyes bore into hers. His blood pounded through his veins until nothing else existed except her rage calling him, drawing him. The wildness in him heeded the siren song of a kindred wildness in her.

He didn't know exactly when that rage became arousal, but it did and he felt it in her. Without a word or a gentle caress, he transmitted his desires to her through their bond then reached for her neck. For a moment, he held her vulnerable throat in his powerful hand and felt the life pulsing through her veins. She stared at him defiantly, never blinking an eye.

The next move was Catherine's. She grasped his shirt in her hands and ripped it open as far as she could. Then she gripped his head firmly in her hands and forcefully pulled his mouth down to hers. Her kiss was not gentle or sweet, it was hungry and challenging. It was a challenge he met and conquered.

With no words of endearment, they literally tore off each other's clothes as the storm and their passions escalated. Making love became more an issue of dominance than the gentle give and take it usually was. Passions raged with the storm, uninhibited and wild. There was no roughness or pain inflicted, but it was raw and brought about an explosion of release.

They lay on the bed, sheets, covers, and clothes scattered all about the room. The storm outside had subsided as quickly as their passions leaving them exhausted and the room heavy with silence.

Catherine finally sat up and wrapped her arms around her knees. "What the hell just happened!?

"I think that's pretty obvious isn't it?"

"I don't mean that. Of course I know WHAT happened, I just don't understand why. We've never made love like that."

"You're right. I'm sorry. I don't know what came over me. If I--offended you..."

"NO! That was some of the best sex I've ever had! It's just that I felt disconnected from you but..."

"But what?"

"It's as if something deep inside of me responded to that other in you. Like when you lose yourself."

"I don't understand."

"I never told you, but every time that happened, I felt connected to you in an almost sexual way. When you... became ill, I began to wonder if I didn't put myself in danger knowing you'd come to me. Maybe some part of me thought that was the closest thing to a sexual relationship I'd ever have with you. Do you suppose that's possible?"

He sat up beside her. "With us, anything is possible."

"What are you thinking?" she asked when he grew suddenly silent.

"Before you came home, I was lying here watching the storm and began losing myself to its power. Perhaps you felt that through our bond and your anger was not really anger at all. Perhaps you were simply responding to the--wildness in me."

They were both silent as they considered the possibility. "Catherine, are you frightened?"

"No. Not really. It was so exciting, I get chill bumps just remembering."

Gently, he put his arm around her and held her close. He began rubbing her arms to warm her. When she began to laugh, he leaned over and whispered in her ear. "I love you. Even if I don't always understand exactly what it is we have, I wouldn't have it any other way."

"Me either."

"Where are you going?" he asked as she suddenly got up and turned the television on.

"I want to watch the weather channel for awhile. If we're lucky, there will be another storm front moving in."