Disclaimer: I do not own Moonlight. I have decided that I will continue to play with the characters as much as I want.

This is not the story I intended to write when I finished Cajun Moon Rising. But this is what grabbed me and insisted that I needed to write some fun and it had to be in New Orleans. Who am I to argue with inspiration? So it's time for some fluff and fun. Enjoy the party.

Mardi Gras

Chapter 1

The sun had set an hour ago in Los Angeles, the city lights now twinkling in the dark sky. On the balcony of Mick St John's apartment, he had just finished a sparring session with Beth. They had begun with fencing and finished with hand to hand training. Mick wanted his fledgling prepared to defend herself. Now he leaned against the balcony wall and watched Beth go through her cool down stretching exercises. She looked so beautiful in her cropped T-shirt and yoga pants. Her glorious hair was pulled back in a ponytail.

"Keep staring Mick. Next time you'll go down and stay down," she grinned, stretching back to her full height.

"You're improving rapidly," Mick said proudly.

Before Beth could reply, Mick's phone rang. He grabbed it off the wall, recognizing Josef's ringtone.

"Yea Josef?"

"I want you and Beth to quickly pack and meet me at the airport at midnight. Don't be late," Josef snapped out.

"What's going on Josef? Where are we going?" Mick asked.

"You'll find out when you get to the airport. Pack party clothes for several functions. We'll be gone about six nights."

"Josef…."

"No questions, we don't have time. Just be there," Josef ordered and broke the connection.

Mick looked from the phone in his hand to Beth standing next to him. She looked just as confused.

"And what was that all about?" she asked, having heard most of the conversation.

"You heard what I did. He says pack for six nights and bring lots of party clothes. We have until midnight," Mick shrugged. "Josef does like a mystery."

"Maybe I should call Rayna," Beth suggested.

Mick slid his phone into his sweatpants pocket and pulled Beth into his arms.

"I have the feeling she doesn't know any more than we do. What do you say we shower and go pack? We will learn what's up soon enough," he whispered against her hair.

"We have to be at the airport at midnight," she reminded him.

"I think we can manage to do both," Mick said with a grin. "I'll wash your back and you can wash mine. It should speed things up."

"Right," Beth said dryly. "You get to explain to Josef why we are late." She giggled as he threw her over his shoulder and headed inside.

Mick was right, they managed to keep the shower to a reasonable time frame, but when faced with her closet, Beth was stumped. Everyday wear was all ready packed but evening wear was more difficult. She fingered a few dresses and let out a frustrated sigh.

"I wish I knew what I was dressing for," she muttered.

Mick's arms slid around her from behind. He pulled her back and rested his chin on her head.

"Want my opinion?" he asked. "I can tell you how I like you best."

"I know how you like me best but Josef did not say this was clothing optional," Beth giggled. "I have to make a decision here."

"I like you in blue, black, red," Mick said as he started to kiss his way down her neck between colors. "Dark green, purple……."

"Mick," Beth said laughing. She twisted in his arms and grabbed his face and kissed him. "You are no help. You like me in everything."

"No," Mick said seriously. "I'm not fond of you in yellow. Let me show you my favorites."

"Okay," Beth agreed. "You play fashion coordinator for me and I'll pick what I like you in." She slipped out of his grasp and headed to his closet.

They made it to the airport with ten minutes to spare. When they boarded the plane, they found Anthony and Rayna all ready seated. There was no sign of Josef.

"So what does Josef have planned?" Mick asked Rayna as he took a seat with Beth beside him.

The lovely, pale blonde looked disgruntled.

"I can't get a hint out of the vamp. And don't think I didn't try everything," she growled.

"Josef and his secrets," Mick said but couldn't help smiling. "At least this trip sounds pleasant."

Rayna's face lightened somewhat.

"I love parties but I'm not pleased that he was able to resist me so," she pouted. "I must be slipping."

"Never my love," Josef said from the front of the plane. "You have no idea how difficult it was to keep this secret. You were so close to making me spill everything this morning." He came over to Rayna and took her hand. With a courtly bow, he bestowed an old world kiss to the back of her hand. "Beauty, I promise you will love this surprise," he said softly, but didn't release her hand. Rayna felt a shiver run through her whole body. She loved how he made her feel special.

"So where are we headed my love?" she asked huskily.

"In due time," Josef said quickly. He released her hand and went back to the cockpit door. With a sharp rap he informed the pilots that everyone was ready and made sure the exterior door was closed. He then came back to his guests and instructed everyone to buckle up. He sat beside Rayna and secured his own belt.

"You are a tease," she muttered.

Josef kissed her cheek and smiled smugly.

"Patience dear girl. You have no idea how much I'm enjoying this," he chuckled.

"This had better be good buddy," Mick warned. "I had a job lined up to do some investigation for a chemical company."

"It will still be there next week when we get back," Josef laughed. "The world won't end because someone stole that next great cold medicine."

"Easy for you to say," Anthony spoke up. "For those of us who actually suffer from head colds, Mick's work might actually be important."

Josef looked at Anthony with narrowed eyes and then saw the human wink. Josef smiled broadly, he really did like this human.

"Children, relax. I promise this adventure will be a pleasant one," Josef announced. He leaned back and closed his eyes. He ignored everyone as the plane took off.

It wasn't a long flight and as the plane landed, Mick was the first to recognize the airport. He turned from the window and grinned at Josef.

"You devil. Does Tyson know we're coming?" he asked.

"Not him. I called just before takeoff, so Moriah knows we're coming," Josef answered. "She'll tell Tyson."

Rayna turned to Josef with a happy smile.

"Why couldn't you tell me? I'm thrilled to be back," she said with sparkling eyes. Then the reason hit her. "Mardi Gras! Oh Josef, you've brought us here to party," she finished hugging him.

"More than that Beauty. We are using Mardi Gras to promote the release of your latest book. We're having a big party Sunday night with humans and vampires alike. It will be a big media event. And Fat Tuesday I'm hosting a party for vampires after all the parades. We will enjoy this city the way we didn't last time," he promised. "Moriah helped me plan. Only she and Robert knew we were coming, she kept it from Tyson. I hear he is rather preoccupied lately."

"Savannah," Beth grinned.

"He is certainly enjoying his mortal lady," Josef replied.

"I think it's great," Beth said. "I've talked with Savannah several times. She is taking this all so much better than I did. Do you know Tyson took her along to meet one of his freshies? A singer in a blues club off Bourbon Street."

"Alisha," Rayna nodded.

"You know her?"

"We've met. She's one of Tyson's favorites. I would love to have witnessed that meeting," Rayna chuckled wickedly.

"Well Savannah said it was enlightening. She got the feeling Alisha was not thrilled to meet her," Beth said knowingly.

"Please tell me he didn't feed in front of her," Mick groaned.

"No," Beth giggled. "He brought her to hear Alisha sing. Tyson isn't ready to expose her to that yet. Savannah was relieved about that."

"He certainly is immersing her in our world," Josef observed. "I hope his trust isn't misplaced."

"Josef, you know better," Rayna admonished. "Savannah was a great help in covering up the Maurico business. Tyson is crazy about her and you can see she feel s the same."

"Well it's early yet," Josef replied. "I'm curious about how it goes once they have their first fight."

"You can trust Savannah," Beth insisted.

"Granny approves," Rayna added.

"Moriah wants her boy happy. I'm just finding it hard to believe that there is another Beth out there."

"Another me? What does that mean?" Beth exclaimed.

The plane taxied to a stop at the private hangers. Josef got to his feet and smiled at Beth.

"What I mean my dear is I am amazed that there is another human who so easily accepts us and is willing to fight for us," he said seriously. "I truly thought you were one of a kind."

Beth smiled in pleasure. She recognized that that was high praise coming from Josef. She felt a close connection to Savannah, knowing so well what the detective was experiencing. She felt that Savannah was handling this revelation far better than she had.

Rayna got to her feet and hugged Josef tightly.

"Thank you love," she whispered in his ear. "You are too good to me."

"My pleasure Beauty," he smiled. His gaze took in the others standing around them. "The rule for the next few days is to have fun. We will enjoy the Big Easy at its best. This is a celebration."

End chapter.

Are you ready to party with me? Leave a review and let me know. Thank you.