Fate 1

Beth sat in her seat on the redeye back to LA…she and Josh had not been getting along, and on top of that she went with Mick to find Josef in NY…I should have answered Josh when he asked me if I had any feeling for Mick…It was definitely an eye opening experience…all that she thought she knew was confirmed and more, the feelings she had for Mick, Sara's diary said it all, but this time she is the one who held back-Mick had ask her to stay and have a night on the town, but I turned him down...I needed to get back to take care of things with Josh, and I asked Mick to come back with me but he said he would take a later flight...I could see he was heart broken, but I had to get back, I contemplated on the way home how I would face Josh,

She wasn't sure until the plane landed, there was an emptiness in her heart and soul, and she finally knew why…its not having Mick here, he was several thousand miles away.

When Beth got back to her apartment...she called Mick
"Hey you", he said answering the phone
"Hey", she said back
"Can you come over tonight? It's very important" of course he said yes
"Beth is something wrong?"
"Nothing's wrong but there are some things I need you to know ok, what time will you be here?"
"Is 8 ok, that will give me a few hours in the freezer first?"…good she thought, smiling to herself

Now she had to see Josh...this wouldn't be easy, but it had to be done...she drove to the downtown DA's office ...he was there working on the Tejada case...A case that has taken over much of his life...Beth gently knocked, and he looked up to seeing her
His face lit up...Beth prayed he would make this easy, but she knew he wouldn't…

"Josh we need to talk...can we go to lunch, or somewhere private"...she could see that look in his eye, it was dread

"Sure" he said hesitantly

They walked down the block to a small cafe was quiet...the restaurant was nice and had a patio; which was good maybe this would be civil out in the public...she could only hope...Beth went to the restroom, while Josh waited on a table…she saw Josh waving at her from their table as she came out of the restroom…Im going to get through this, I'm going to get through this…she thought
"so how was the trip to NY, did you get your story wrapped up?"
"Yes I did, listen we need to talk"
"Yes we do, Beth I'm sorry I was so insensitive about the trip, I know you were only trying to help him"
"Josh wait you know I care about you, but you were right, I'm not going to lie to you or myself anymore, I DO have feeling for Mick, I didn't admit them to myself until the plane ride back…"
He cut her off

"what do you mean, did you sleep with him, did he take advantage of you…Beth we can work this out"

"Josh no I did not sleep with him, Mick doesn't know how I feel…but we have to end it now before we end up hating each other...I love you but I'm not in love with you, please don't make this harder than it is!"

"He will only hurt you...what kind of hold does he have over you?...you have gotten into some weird situations since you met him…you don't even know him"

"Josh it's over ok...Im leaving"

"Beth I don't believe you". He grabbed her wrist..."Josh don't you are hurting me!!!", she jerked away, "I was hoping it would end peacefully, but I see it's not, goodbye"

Beth scurried out of the restaurant…continued straight to her car and on to her apartment, she called and left Josh a voice mail that's she would let him know when to get his things...she was crying now, yes she was in a way sad but also relieved...it was over, now she had to break through the walls around Mick, which probably got thicker after last night...GOD what did I do, I should have stayed

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Mick was home now waiting to go see her, he couldn't sleep - all he could think about was her, how she smelled, how she looked, I will die if she broke off all contact with me, but maybe its for the best he thought…I will continue to watch her from a distance no matter how hard and painful.

Beth went in her apartment, straightened up a bit and changed the sheets on her bed, she was hoping to be curled up to Mick soon …she made sure everything was perfect…setting candles about, not lighting them just yet, she had an errand to run first.

Beth grabbed her keys and headed to the morgue,

"Beth what are you doing here?, is there a case I don't know about?"

"No this is personal"

"Beth you know I can hone in one Mick's lady"

"NO not that, it's a surprise for him, I need some fresh A+ do you know where I can get some, and I need it ASAP", she said with a smile but urgency, "well you have to wait…I will make a few calls"…

"ok I will wait but while we are waiting I need you to draw some of my blood"

"Beth what are you doing?"

"I'm going to inject some of my blood into some strawberries and cherries...if you have to know"

"Oh someone is going to be naughty tonight"

"OK Guillermo Ive told you enough…now get to work"

Within the hour Beth had 6 pts of A+ and 1 AO-

It was 6pm, she had 2 more hours, on her way back home she stopped in to get some groceries for the night, she would need her strength, she got a bottle red wine and champagne…some fruit, cheese and bread

She arrived home, and took the blood and syringe and injected the fruit with her blood and set them in the fridge, set out the chilled champagne and lit the candles now she just needed to wait

8:01 there was a knock, Beth opened the door

"Hey come in we need to talk" she said seriously

He was standing there just watching, he could smell her, like vanilla with a hint of Lavender…the scent that was only Beth she has on a navy silk gown and robe

"What's up...you sound so serious…if you need To go to bed, motioning at the way she was dressed, we can do this later"

"No Mick, I will explain this, motioning to her gown, in due time", she took his hand and led him to the couch

"Mick I just want to explain about last night…It wasn't to hurt you…I just wanted to do the right thing, and honestly seeing Sarah like that scared the hell out of me…I'm so sorry I didn't stay with you I wanted to more than anything…but I had to come and deal with Josh, to be honest with him about my feelings"

"Beth I..." she held a finger to his lips..."shhhh let me finish"

She knew she needed to get through to him

"when Josh told me that day that you and Leni were dead it felt like my heart was being ripped apart, then when I read Sara's diary it was like a punch in the stomach as to how deep my feelings went; Mick I love you...I know that now, I broke up with Josh, I want to be with you...forever."

Mick looked at her… his eyes like a child begging her to explain, but he knew he could not be with her because of the danger he put her in... he would NEVER forgive himself it something bad happened to her...he started to speak but she put her finger up to his lips shushing him...."shhhhh...Dance with me"...she said grabbing his hand..."Beth, I dont think this is a...."

"good idea" she finished for him, the music filled the room, and Mick held her close, not even realizing he was..."Mick ever since we met I have had a connection with you, the first time I saw you at the crime scene, then when you rescued me, and held me in your arms I could feel it…I tried to ignore it but every time I saw you it grew…then when I fed you, the connection was there, I could feel it pulling at my soul, like we were destined to be together, like fate was on our side... but at the time I didn't know what that feeling meant, I didn't understand … all I knew is I couldn't get enough of you and had to be around you…and when I confronted you about being the one who saved me…I saw the love in your eyes…."

"Beth Stop…we can't…I put you in danger this cannot happen we …" he pulled away...Before he knew it she was kissing him... he hesitated but finally gave in………the kiss was hard and wet and passionate

Then the words came out of her mouth…"Mick St John... I love you...and no matter what you say I know you love me too...and you are NOT going to hurt me and you are not a monster, you are a perfect, gentle caring man"

Mick stopped and looked into her eyes..."Beth..."

"Yes Mick", he had a single lone tear trailing down his face

"I love you too Beth…more than u will ever know, I'm so tired of running...Of being alone...I'm just scared, I need you, Oh God "he said pulling her into his embrace..."After last night I was so scared I had lost you, even as a friend"

"Mick I am much more than your friend, we will deal with what ever comes our way, we are good together"

"yes" he said "yes, we are"

"I have been planning this all day, now kiss me dammit", Mick shook his head and smiled, then pulled her in for another passionate kiss, he had to hold her up, because her legs went weak from the kiss..."Mick we have all night, I have a surprise for you, come with me"...Beth turned on soft jazz and took his hand leading him to her bedroom, She leaned in kissing him again, "Hey want some wine"

"sure, let me get it""

"No I have a surprise...brb"

Beth went to the Kitchen and poured 2 glasses red wine, one glass of A+ and then sat the fruit with the blood on a red dish, hers on a white one, she also decided a few chocolates would do perfectly

When Beth emerged back in the room, Mick had taken his shoes and coat off, "I see you are getting more comfy "

"yes...wow Beth what is all this?", she sat the tray down on the bed and climbed in, Mick took a sip of wine, then sniffed, picked up the other glass, "Beth this is blood"

"yes Mick, I wanted to have something for you, so I went to see Guillermo, and this is fresh not morgue blood"

"I don't know what to say, this means alot, I was so nervous about coming here I didn't eat"

"ok so now eat, then you get your next surprise"

Mick drained the glass, and set it aside, then drank a bit more wine..."ok I was a good boy", his eyes were curious

"ok close your eyes and taste",

"Beth..."

"trust me Mick"

Mick did as he was told, and bit down into the strawberry....His eyes shot open, but he couldn't speak, he just closed them again savoring the blood berry

"Beth why did you do that?"

"Mick its ok, I did it for you, I love you, and wanted you to be able to taste me"

"aaaw Beth, your not a freshie to me-I love you"

"I know Mick but I wanted you to taste me when you weren't dying...

"Beth in due time, but we need to talk first"