Disclaimer: I do not own Moonlight. But I love it so much I keep writing.
This is a standalone story that came about when a friend and I began speculating what our favorite Moonlight characters would wear to a Halloween party. So thank you D, you made this such fun to imagine. It is not connected to any of my Moonlight worlds, just something that might have happened in season two.
Tricks and Treats by Moonlight
Halloween 2008
Fall came around and Josef decided to throw a costume-mandatory Halloween party. Beth was excited to see Mick jump into the spirit of the party and express some real enthusiasm in picking out a costume. Just after nightfall they arrived at Josef's house in the hills. The door swung open to reveal their host fully vamped out. Dressed in a black tux and snowy white shirt, a high collared black cape flowed from Josef's shoulders.
"Good evening……." He greeted them in his best Bela Lugosi imitation.
"Being a little obvious, aren't we?" Mick asked with raised eyebrows.
"This is the one night I can embrace my true nature. Why not enjoy it? Just call me "Count" tonight," he said smugly. He looked his friend over critically.
Mick had decided to come dressed as a pirate; his full sleeved shirt with black vest over it was open almost to his waist, showing off his abs. Dark jeans were tucked into knee high buccaneer boots and a cutlass hung from his belt. He had a day's growth of stubble covering his cheeks and a gold hoop hung from one ear. A colorful bandana covered his head trying to confine his dark curls.
"Well, well….yo ho Captn' Mick," Josef grinned. "Don't you look dangerous?" He turned to Mick's companion and for a moment his eyes flashed back to brown in surprise.
Beth was clad in a form fitting black cat woman suit. She was balanced on black boots with three inch heels and her blue eyes glowed mischievously from behind a mask with pointed ears. Her ruby lips smiled as she placed one claw-enhanced glove on Josef's arm.
"Thank you for the invitation Count," she purred as she sashayed past him. Her tail twitched as she went by and Josef noticed the black whip that wound over her shoulder and around her waist.
"Well let's get some catnip in her and see what happens," Josef murmured to Mick as he closed the door.
"Down Drac, that's my kitty," Mick growled.
"You salty dog you," Josef said, impressed with his friend's response. "Go have fun. Get your lady a glass of cream. Spiked of course."
Mick grinned at his friend and followed Beth's disappearing form into the party. When he caught her, a waitress had all ready given her a glass of champagne. Beth took a sip, gazing around the room admiring all the different costumes. She focused on a familiar masked figure on one of the sofas.
"Is that Guillermo?" she asked pointing to the stocky man dressed in the fancy clothes of a Spanish gentleman from long ago. He had a blonde Tinkerbelle on one side and a brunette Little Red Riding Hood on the other. Both women were hanging on his every word.
"He has always dreamed of being Don Juan," Mick grinned. He caught the morgue attendant's eye and winked. Guillermo nodded, looked at Beth and then back at Mick, giving him a thumbs up. Beth giggled and took another sip of her drink. Mick claimed a glass for himself from a passing waitress.
"Well it looks like he's living the dream," Beth commented. "Are the ladies vampires?"
"They are," Mick confirmed.
"Am I the only human here?" Beth asked scanning the crowd curiously.
"I hear other heartbeats," Mick replied. "It's a mixed crowd. I guess it's fangs in tonight. Except for the Count of course," he added with a chuckle as he watched Josef work the crowd. The older vamp was having the time of his life playing Dracula.
Beth smiled and continued to try and identify any familiar faces. Not everyone was wearing a mask. Mick guided her deeper into the room when she stopped dead suddenly as she spotted a familiar figure standing alone in a corner.
"That's……."
"Logan."
"Is he supposed to be…...?"
"Lando Calrissian," Mick finished for her. He couldn't help grinning; the young tech genius had found a perfect replica of the costume from "The Empire Strikes Back". He had done everything but darken his skin to look like Billy Dee Williams.
Beth chuckled, remembering how Mick had told her of Logan's desire to have a code name when rescuing Emma Monaghan.
"He is adorable," she commented.
"Yea, well don't tell him that. I think he is going for exciting and heroic," Mick warned.
Logan caught sight of them and hurried over.
Mick, Beth….. wow Beth you look fantastic," he gushed.
"You look pretty good yourself Lando," she answered.
"Nice to see you out of the basement Logan," Mick told him.
"I can't believe Mr. Kostan invited me," Logan said looking around the room with big eyes.
"You were a big help with Emma," Mick said softly. "But you need to mingle man. Don't hide in a corner. I think I saw Ryder England in the other room. Just look for Alice Cooper."
"Really? Thanks Mick," Logan said excitedly and hurried off.
"Alice Cooper?" Beth questioned, thinking of the quiet computer guy she had met last fall.
"Halloween does bring out the "strange" in a lot of us," Mick acknowledged with a glint in his eyes.
"Like hidden desires to sail the seven seas?" Beth teased.
"Like wanting to make out with sexy kitty cats," Mick said in a low voice as he bent to kiss her. Wrapping one arm around her he guided her to the corner that Logan had abandoned. Beth leaned back against the wall and smiled up at him. Mick took her face in his hands and kissed her deeply. Beth grabbed his vest, hanging on tightly.
"Meow….you have such good ideas," she said huskily.
Mick smiled and then stiffened as he picked up a familiar human scent approaching. He turned slightly to see Zorro standing close, watching them.
"Well hello ADA Talbot," Mick said coolly. Beth blinked in surprise and looked at the masked man intently.
"Ben? You never said you were coming to the party," she said, her tone puzzled.
"I wasn't sure I was coming," Ben said stiffly. His gaze swept over Mick critically and then warmed as he looked at Beth. "Quite the costume Beth. Do you have a secret life I'm not aware of?" he enquired.
Beth froze for a moment, wondering if there was something hidden in his remark. She threw Mick a concerned glance.
"Mild mannered civilian investigator by day, but at night her wilder nature comes out," Mick said lightly, one arm going possessively around Beth's waist.
"I see I have to keep an eye on my staff, they are full of surprises," Ben said his attention back on Mick.
Beth looked between the two in concern. She hoped this would stick to verbal sparring. It had been a summer of strange questions from Ben, oblique hints about Mick. She wished she knew why Ben seemed to dislike Mick.
"You look quite dashing Ben. It seems you have a secret life of your own," Beth said sweetly.
"Righting wrongs…..that is the ADA's job," Ben answered quickly. "And making sure the bad guys are put away for a long time." He looked at Mick pointedly.
"I sleep safer with you on the job," Mick informed him.
Before Ben could respond, Josef appeared beside them. He could read the tenseness in the men's postures from across the room.
"ADA Talbot… so good of you to come," Josef said extending his hand. "Josef Kostan."
Ben shook his hand and looked his host over closely. One of the reasons he came tonight was to get a closer look at his host. The list of names he had received in the spring still had him puzzled and he was no closer to solving that mystery. He wanted to meet Josef Kostan, billionaire and see if anything was off. He had to hand it to the man; he threw a great party and certainly had a flare for drama and costumes.
"Good to meet you sir. I appreciate the invitation," Ben told Josef. Something about the man was very familiar.
"I like having contacts in the DA's office. Have you seen the deputy mayor tonight? I believe she is channeling her inner Cleopatra," Josef said smoothly steering him away from Mick and Beth.
"I'm going to kiss that vampire later," Beth sighed. She looked up at Mick as he watched Josef and Talbot walk away. She reached up and turned his face to her. Beth moistened her lips with her tongue. "First I would like a kiss from my favorite pirate," she hinted.
A smile broke over Mick's face and he leaned down to her.
"Your wish is my command," he growled softly. He kissed her teasingly and then raised his head. "Now let's dance," he suggested.
End chapter.
Did you like this little visit to Halloween, Moonlight style? Please review.