This is my first venture into Moonlight Fic. Josef is without a doubt my favourite character -- hence the fic about him. I realise Sara had no dialogue in the series, so this fic explores her, all from my take on what she could have been like.

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Chapter 1

Josef pinched the bridge of his nose and prayed for patience. Sometimes he wondered if he was the only person with any level of competence. He realised his thoughts were irrational, but after a day consisting of more losses than gains for Kostan Industries, he was understandably irritated with his staff.

Josef looked at his head business analyst and said, "Enough! Enough excuses. I want this done, and Jamal, make sure it's done!"

"As long as you understand the risks involved…" Jamal looked resigned at Josef's determined look and nodded wearily. "Yes Mr. Kostan."

Josef nodded and flicked his wrist dismissively, effectively calling an end to the meeting. Jamal rose, gathered his papers and left, relief evident in having the ordeal over and done with.

Josef tossed the pen he was holding carelessly onto the desk, and watched the shiny platinum tube role noisily to a stop next to the silver clock standing on his desk. The pen had been a gift from a European investor who wouldn't be too impressed with the way the pricey present was being handled. The thought brought a little smile to his face.

Noting that it was just before midnight, he pushed back from his desk, swivelled his chair around and reclined into the plush comfort of his leather chair, taking in the illuminated view of the sprawling city of Los Angeles from the top floor of his offices.

Josef pushed down at the irritation still battling within him. He needed a drink. Fresh, warm blood. He tugged at the knot of his tie, and attempted to relax. It had been a long day, and it wasn't over yet. There were stock reports he needed to look over before sleep was even a possibility.

The phone on his desk beeped and he grimaced in annoyance. What now? Turning back to the desk, he snapped into the receiver, "Yes?"

"Mr. St John is on his way up, Sir."

Josef's mood improved – marginally. He heard the ping of the elevator and dropped the receiver, listening as he heard Mick's stealthy approach. The other vampire was really good at stealth. But that made sense, considering Mick was a vampire private investigator and being unseen and unheard was what paid his bills.

Josef rose as his best friend entered the office. "Ah Mick buddy, not that it isn't a pleasure, but it's a little late for a social call, isn't it? I thought you would be in sub zero oblivion by now. Where I would like to be," he added as an after thought.

"Charles," said Mick, using Josef's given name, knowing it would irritate him, "nice to see you too." Mick watched his friend roll his eyes at the mention of his former identity and took a seat in a comfortable chair. "Couldn't sleep. And seeing as I figured you would be up, vampire workaholic that you are, I thought I would join you for a drink."

Josef loosened his tie and tossed it aside. "A drink? Great. I was just getting one myself. Freshie? Thought not," he said with mock disappointment and Mick's scowl. "Bottled stuff it is."

Josef moved over to a concealed panel in the wall, removed two glasses and poured fresh blood into them from a crystal decanter. "The early eighties was a great year." He swirled the thick red liquid, then brought one of the glasses to his nose and sniffed with pleasure as if it were a fine wine.

"Talking about freshie and the last time we shared one, where is the lovely Beth if you're having sleeping problems? I was under the impression you two were spending nights in her apartment?" Josef wiggled his eyebrows suggestively and handed Mick his drink, before taking a seat across from him.

"Beth's in New York on a business trip, a convention for journalists. And actually, she spends more time at my place. I already had a bed from my stint as a human and it was easier than attempting to move my freezer to hers."

"Ah yes, the complications that come with monogamy with a human. I think the last time I moved in with a human was during one of the World Wars… I'm not sure which. And that was out of necessity, not want." Josef shuddered for effect.

"You don't know what you're missing out on."

Josef wrinkled his nose in distaste. "I'm happy not knowing. I take it you can't come to rest without the lovely Ms. Turner at your side? You are whipped buddy. What happened to the Mick who used to have a different freshie every night? My friend, you are getting old."

Mick laughed. "That coming from 400 year old you. And what about Simone? Last I checked you were kinda whipped yourself."

"Simone is just a friend, with more than one benefit." Josef grinned.

"I don't buy it. You have taken her to more than one corporate and private function. The Josef Kostan I know doesn't do more than one date."

Josef sobered. He took a long drink and then swirled the remaining liquid in the glass. "I care about her," he admitted.

"But?"

"But I think she is investing more into this than I'm," Josef seemed to chose his next word carefully, "willing to." He tried to inject some humour into his voice. "Vampire here who's not too good with the whole relationship and eternal commitment deal." He sobered again. "Besides, I think she's angling for immortality."

Mick put his glass down. "Yeah urm… Beth mentioned Simone had said something about wanting you to turn her. What are you thinking about that?"

Memories that were never too far from the surface flooded Josef's mind, causing his tone to be harsher than he intended. "What do you think I'm thinking Mick? It's out of the question. I tried the whole turning your soul mate into a vampire thing in the fifties, and it didn't work. I won't do that to anyone again!"

Mick took no offence at the tone. He had met the woman his friend had loved, and had heard what had happened to her. In the years since he had known Josef, he had never seen his friend as vulnerable as the few days they had spent together at the New York apartment he kept where he had staff caring for Sara Whitley. Even after more than fifty years, he still blamed himself for her immortal catatonic state.

"But you do care about Simone."

Josef didn't say anything for a long time. "I like her. We have a good time together. She is fun and frankly, she is the first human in a couple decades who I want to be with for reasons beyond how potent the liquid refreshment is. But vamperism is not a fate I will consider for her. If she wants it, we are over."

"Hope you told her that man. Women have other ideas. And before you know it, you are doing things you never thought you would be doing."

Josef laughed. "Yeah, like you going to see Swan Lake?" At Mick's surprised expression he said, "I own the LA Times remember? And news about infamous PI Mick St John is news for the social column. By the way, I never pegged you as the ballet type. Men in tights… I see Beth all over that one. Swan Lake hasn't improved since its initial run. I could recommend a dozen others if you are interested in exploring the arts."

Mick raised his glass and toasted his friend, not making any attempt to deny how much Beth had him wrapped around her finger. "No thanks. It was a once off deal."

Josef chucked, then rose. "It's never a once off deal with woman. Take it from me. I have a couple hundred years on you. Experience is everything. And now, not that I don't love the company, but I have reports to review. I have a board meeting tomorrow. I swear, sometimes I think I built this corporation by having a hand in every aspect of it. Kostan Industries lost three million dollars this morning."

Mick whistled, rose and looked around the room in mock concern. "Is Jamal still around? You didn't send him on an extended trip to the tar pits did you?"

Josef grinned cheekily and gestured with his fingers. "This close."

Mick punched Josef in the arm good naturedly before heading for the exit. "Later."

"Yeah, sweet dreams," he added jokingly.

Mick carried on walking, but raised his hand in response to the comment, acknowledging the private joke.

Josef rolled his shoulders and poured himself another drink, taking the decanter with him as he moved back behind his desk. An hour later he was completely absorbed when his mobile buzzed.

Annoyed at the interruption, he ignored it. A minute later it buzzed again, signalling a text message. Josef flipped open the display and saw it was from Simone.

Sitting back, he read the message: Still coming over?

He started to respond before holding off. He really needed to be more careful with her. The problem was, he genuinely liked her. And he hadn't cared about another person in decades, least of all a woman, and a human at that. But Simone had the ability to make him forget that he had demons. She was fun, intelligent, and vibrant. He liked her openness, and her blood. She was good for him, an observation Mick had mentioned before.

The face of another woman he had cared for flashed into his conscious. Her vibrant red hair, smooth skin, her dazzling smile. Everything he ever felt for her flooded his being. If he wasn't already dead, his heart would have beat just a little faster. After more than five decades, he remembered their short time together like it was just yesterday. The plans they had had, the life he had envisioned for them, the love he had felt and never managed to feel again. It was all so vivid and real in his memory.

Josef's instincts told him to back away. But he couldn't. He was never going to make her a part of the league of the undead, and he was never going to make the same mistakes again, but he was content to be with her for as long as they both wanted it.

He replied: Give me an hour.