Title: It's The Little Things That Count

Author: Marianne H. Stillie

Categories: Missing Scene from B. C., Hurt/Comfort, Romance

Rating: T

Pairing: Mick and Beth

Season: Season 1

Summary: Even vampires shouldn't be taken for granted.

Disclaimer: All publicly recognizable characters and places for Moonlight are the property of Silver Pictures Television and Warner Bros. Television. This piece of fan fiction was created for entertainment, not monetary purposes and no infringement on copyrights or trademarks are intended. Previously unrecognized characters, places and this story are copyrighted to the author. Any similarity to real persons, living or dead, is coincidental and not intended by the author.

Archive: Please do not archive anywhere without the author's permission.

Copyright (c) 2007 Marianne H. Stillie

Author's Note: This is my first Moonlight story, a short piece to fill in the three simple words that were sorely missing at the end of the B. C. episode.


It's The Little Things That Count

One last glance into the cheval mirror in Mick's bedroom and Beth was ready to get back to the real world. What was that old chestnut about vampires and mirrors? It really didn't matter though. Along with all the other contradictions that Mick St. John represented in the traditional mythos, she would file this one away for future reference.

She stood at the top of the open stairway afraid to take that first step down. She dreaded facing more of the emotions he hid behind those compelling jade green eyes. His friendly voice and casual attitude when they'd talked after she woke up on his couch belied the powerful feelings she knew he had experienced while she was under the influence of the drug. Her body throbbed when she remembered his forceful hands on her last night. His strength in balancing his overpowering passion for her with his obsessive need to protect her, especially from him, amazed her. If only…

The living room was empty when she stepped down at the bottom of the landing. In the silence, she heard a deeply human sigh and followed the sound into the kitchen. Standing at the sink, his body stiffened, but he didn't turn to face her. She hesitated then placed her hand at the center of his back. Her heart pounded faster as she sensed that his preternatural energy was sorely depleted. His sadness at the forced laughter and acceptance of the space that had to remain between them seeped through her skin, triggering every nerve ending in her body as his presence had last night.

"Thank you, Mick." She held her touch for just a few seconds longer to feel him one last time. Under the thick muscles, she perceived a subtle shift in his emotions, relief, gratitude, and one other that still lacked a name.

Breaking the intimate contact, Beth swept through the living room and was out the door.