Author Note: This is the first Moonlight fic I have attempted (and only my second ever fanfic). The final scene in 'Out of the Past' is one of my favourites and I was thinking about how Mick and Beth would react to the sudden revelation of his secret. That's where this came from. It was going to be a single chapter, but it ended up longer than I expected so it will now be a three parter. This fic is written from alternating points of view (Beth and Mick) and is heavy on inner conflict and contemplation but light on action. It hasn't been beta'd and I'm still learning the ropes, so please forgive any mistakes.
Title: Revelation
Rating: T (as a precaution)
Spoilers: For episodes 1 and 2 of Moonlight
Disclaimer: The series Moonlight and all characters from it are copyright of Warner Bros. I make no claim to the series, much as I love it. This story is written for non commercial purposes only.
Summary: An episode tag for 'Out of the Past'. How did Mick and Beth react after he spoke those immortal words...
BPOV
"What are you?"
I stared in horror at the face of the man before me, his unnatural pallor and the strange inhuman eyes that were fixed on mine. His answer, when it came, was shocking, unthinkable, and yet somehow it was not unexpected.
"I'm a vampire."
The words echoed in my mind as I stood there, unable to speak or even to move. I heard them clearly but I couldn't make sense of them. My thoughts seemed to move so slowly, like they sometimes did in my nightmares, and I had a curious feeling of paralysis. Was this even real? The seconds stretched out into an age but I stayed rooted to the spot, my eyes still locked with his; I couldn't look away.
After a long moment, he broke the contact, closing his eyes as if in pain. Perhaps he was. I had heard the gunshots, seen the bullet holes. Any normal man would be in agony. Actually, any normal man would be dead. I pushed that thought to the back of my mind - it was more than I could deal with in my state of shock.
It wasn't true of course, what he had said. Vampires didn't exist after all, so it had to be impossible, didn't it? I looked again at the man huddled on the floor, seeing the blood bag clenched in his hand, the pale white skin...the fangs...the blood around his mouth.
And still I made no sound, not even to scream. His appearance was horrifying, but this was Mick and I trusted him. Even now, I felt safe in his presence as I had almost since the first time I met him. The silence hung heavy in the room for an eternity, then, at last, he spoke again.
MPOV
The look on her face tore into me, piercing me as mere silver bullets never would. I couldn't bear to watch what I knew would come next - the slow realisation of the truth, the terror, the disgust. From anyone else I could take it, but not from her, not from Beth. So I closed my eyes and waited.
I'm not sure what I expected her to do, but she didn't move, didn't even say a word. It was almost as if she hadn't heard what I said, but I knew that was too much to hope for. Although I couldn't see her, I could sense her staring at me and eventually I couldn't stand it any longer. Better that she should leave now than prolong the agony.
"Get out of here, Beth"
I barely recognised my own voice, twisted by pain and despair into a hoarse whisper. She didn't react. I opened my eyes, glaring at her.
"Go on, leave me alone!" Louder this time and harsher, I finally got a response. She flinched and I cringed inside, hating myself for scaring her. Now would come the fear and the revulsion for the monster I truly was. I watched her and part of me hoped that she would stay, even as I did my best to drive her away. She hesitated and looked at me, her eyes confused and uncertain. I tried again, shouting in my desperation.
"Just get out!"
At last she fled. The door slammed behind her and I was left on my own to face my personal demons.
BPOV
I can't remember the drive home from Mick's apartment. The fog in my mind had finally cleared and my thoughts were racing out of control. Could it be true? No, it was ridiculous, incredible. Vampires were a myth, they were cold-blooded killers, found in melodramatic stories about Transylvania and such places. They certainly didn't live in Los Angeles and work as private investigators. It must have been the bloodloss making Mick delirious.
Bloodloss. Blood. I couldn't forget the image of his face - even now, I could see it as clearly as if he was right here in front of me. The blood on his mouth...dripping from his lips. If vampires didn't exist, how could I explain what I had seen?
And then there were the other memories - the ones I had tried to ignore: Mick pulling a knife out of his chest; the photo of his 'father' that could have been his identical twin; the times that he had suddenly disappeared without a sound; and, over it all, I heard the voice of Lee Jay Spaulding:
"I know what you are"
I had tried to believe Mick's explanations, not wanting to face the impossible reality, but now I couldn't hide from it any longer. I had to admit to myself what I had begun to suspect - that Mick St John was something 'other', something not quite human. But a vampire? I shook my head at the thought, not yet ready to accept the truth.