Disclaimer: I do not own Moonlight. But here I am….back with another story. It is an addiction.

Hello again. I have returned to my first Moonlight universe. As I promised a commitment for Philippe and Cynthia…I must deliver. I have missed everyone and I hope that you haven't forgotten me.

Family Blood Ties and Other Complications

Chapter 1

Beth opened the door to the loft apartment and entered after a long evening at the magazine. She had everything set for the next issue's publish date and now she was ready to leave for France and Philippe and Cynthia's commitment ceremony. The comfortable apartment she shared with Mick was quiet and at first she believed Mick was out on a case but then she spotted him in his office. Pausing in the doorway she observed him as he sat behind his desk, pensively studying his computer monitor.

Mick glanced up and smiled slightly as he motioned for her to enter.

"Hey babe, how were things at the magazine?" he asked as hazel eyes glowed in welcome.

"Good, I'm free to leave for France," she announced as she approached him. "What have you been up to?" Stopping alongside him, she peered curiously at the computer screen. A painting was displayed of seven people posed in an outdoor setting set sometime in the 1700s if she was right about the clothing they wore. Six men and a woman either sat or stood on the lawn of a manor home. Beth looked at Mick in confusion and then back at the screen, her eyes narrowing. "Is that Coraline?" she asked pointing at the woman seated on a chair.

"Yes…and all the brothers," Mick confirmed. He indicated the man holding Coraline's hand and smiling at her. "Recognize Philippe?"

"Oh my goodness, it is him," Beth exclaimed as she peered closer at the monitor. "Where did you get this?" she asked as she studied the image of her ancestor in old fashioned clothing and a powdered wig.

"Philippe sent this to us. He has owned the painting for decades and wanted us to see it. There is your family sweetheart," Mick replied and drew her down onto his lap.

"I'm only willing to acknowledge Philippe," Beth replied dryly.

"We are not allowed to choose our family my love," Mick chuckled.

"Careful handsome, you are just as entangled in this family, this bloodline as I am," she pointed out. "As much as you may wish to deny it, Coraline is your sire." She paused to nibble on her bottom lip. "Mick….are we making a mistake, putting ourselves within her sphere again?" she asked worriedly.

"Beth, she can't touch us anymore," Mick said softly. "I don't care what she says or does…..I don't love her. It's over."

Beth gazed deeply into the eyes of the man she loved with her whole soul. She did not doubt his word. The nagging fears left her as she saw in his gaze how much he loved her, Coraline could not come between them; she could not touch what they shared. Slowly her eyes wandered back to the painting, picking Lance out of the group.

"So these are the rest of the brothers. It is interesting that they were shown in an outdoor setting. Was this painted before or after they were turned?" she enquired.

"After. Philippe says it was painted that way to deflect any human's suspicions that they were different and to keep the questions about the family from being asked. The artist was very talented; this is a very good likeness according to Philippe. He said that Darius had him killed after the painting was finished to keep him from possibly telling their secret," Mick said in distaste.

"Ugh…." Beth said wrinkling her nose. "Why doesn't that surprise me?" She had not forgotten the cold, cruel creator of the French vampire family who had also sired Josef. A small shiver ran through her at the memory of how his pale eyes seemed to look straight through her.

Mick hugged her close and kissed her cheek.

"He's gone now sweetheart," he soothed.

"I know," Beth answered and looked at the painting again. "But how much of him survives inside those he has created? I do love Philippe and trust him but what about the others? Rayna has expressed some concern about Josef going to France. What if the others want some revenge for Darius' death?"

Beth and Rayna had discussed the trip and the possibility that Josef would face retaliation for killing their sire. While Philippe had assured them that there was no danger, Rayna still worried.

"I think that if they wanted revenge they would have come after Josef immediately. Lance is not the patient type from what we've seen. Philippe has given his word that the brothers are not looking for payback and Josef wants to go," Mick said, trying to reassure her.

"I do hope he is right," Beth said resting her head on Mick's shoulder. "Has Philippe given you names to go with these faces?"

"He did," Mick replied and began to point to each figure. "That is Andre and this is Raoul, the ones most like Lance in behavior and thinking. Not Josef's favorites if you haven't guessed. That one is Christophe and there is Marius. They were the ones, along with Philippe that Josef got along with the best."

"Well….." Beth sighed. "You know that family reunions are never smooth sailing." She gave him a small smile. "We do not have to stay long Mick. I do wish that Tyson and Savannah were joining us."

They had heard from Tyson earlier, who had explained that Savannah had made great strides in adapting to her undead status and she had finally gone back to work. The New Orleans police department was not willing to give her time off and she had used all her sick leave during her adjustment to her turning. Granny and Robert however were going to join them in France.

"It is remarkable how well Savannah has transitioned given how brutally things began for her," Mick reflected. Cassandra's cruel act of draining her to the point that Tyson was forced to turn her or lose her had worried Mick. His attitude towards his own vampirism had changed over the years with Beth and he had become comfortable enough to turn her a few years earlier but the circumstances of Savannah's turning had been particularly harsh.

"She is happy," Beth said softly, remembering her last phone conversation with her friend. Savannah was at peace with the change and had no regrets. "She really was ready for the change."

Mick leaned in and kissed her gently.

"I am glad she is doing so well," he told her. "I know that Tyson is relieved. I think it would have destroyed him if she had died or gone feral."

"They are perfect for each other and she has discovered the perks of being one of us," Beth agreed.

"Maybe we can arrange a stop in New Orleans when we return from France. I don't think it will be difficult to convince Josef to take a detour," Mick suggested.

"That would be lovely," Beth sighed.

"Then I will suggest it to him," Mick said before kissing her once again. His hands began to travel up her back and then along her sides…..stroking her skin under the edge of her shirt.

"Mr. St. John, are you seducing me?" Beth asked her voice rough.

"Yes Mrs. St. John, do you have a problem with that?"

"Goodness no, I just wanted to be sure we were on the same wave length," she giggled.

"Oh we are….we definitely are," Mick said holding her close and bringing his mouth down on hers.

*M*M*

Josef searched the house without success for Rayna when he came home from his office downtown. Finally he caught her scent floating in on the breeze from the patio. Stepping out into the cool of the night he found her sitting on a lounge chair, her knees drawn up to her chin and her arms wrapped around her legs.

"Beauty…are you hiding?" he asked softly.

"No, just thinking."

Josef walked over to her and took a seat on the chair next to her, gazing at her curiously. There was no mistaking the worry and concern that was consuming her.

"And just what are you thinking?" he enquired quietly.

"Maybe going to France is not a good idea," she said hesitantly. When she met Josef's eyes he could see how haunted her eyes were.

"And why would we back out of Philippe and Cynthia's commitment? I've promised to officiate," he asked.

"Because Lance or one of the others might want revenge for Darius' death. I don't think we should tempt fate," she explained.

Josef chuckled softly as he moved to sit beside her, his arm slipping around her shoulders.

"If they were pissed at me for killing Darius they would have come after me right away. Philippe has assured me that they have all benefited from his death even if they were not happy I caused it," Josef said confidently.

"Philippe doesn't' know all his brother's thoughts," Rayna protested. "He doesn't know what is in their hearts."

"Rayna my love, trust me. I am older than those French stiffs and I can handle them. I will not let Philippe down. And don't forget, Moriah and Robert will be there. We will not be outnumbered."

Rayna smiled hesitantly and leaned against him.

"I do trust you. And I know that our friends are more than enough to stand against that family. Granny alone is a force to be reckoned with at her age," she replied. "I just have a great deal of difficulty trusting anything that has to do with Coraline, Lance or the others."

"I am not a fool Beauty. We will be fine. Remember this is Beth's family and mine too in its own twisted way. I promise, everything will be fine," he assured her as he leaned in to kiss her cheek.

"I know…..I know," Rayna sighed. "I'm sorry my dear….it's just my vivid imagination in overdrive and some pre-travel nerves."

Josef turned her face to his and kissed her.

"I know just how to calm those nerves," he promised as he deepened the kiss.

End chapter.

Well my dears…are you willing to take a trip to France with the gang? Reviews always feed the muse. Thanks for reading.