Moonlight – Virtual Season 2
Episode Six – Posers & Promises
Rating: PG13/T
Writer: Evilous
Beta'd: Writers Group

VS2 Writers Group includes PhotoSue, CIChen, Sunny, Misfit, Evilous, mxwwmickd, Night Owl, PhantomPhoenix and Candomom.

Disclaimer: Moonlight and its characters are owned by CBS and Warner Brothers. All use of Moonlight and its characters in this venue are for entertainment purposes and completed solely for the pleasure of Moonlight lovers. The original storylines and episodes have been created by the VS2 Writers and Discussion Group. We hope you enjoy.

MLMLMLMLML

Beth is working away at her desk reading over reports, and is startled when Ben literally drops a file in front of her.

"Jesus, you scared me," Beth looks up at him.

"Sorry, didn't mean to. I'm just in a hurry, I have to be in court soon. I want you to look into this for me, all the notes are inside just see what you can come up with."

As Beth starts to look at the folder, Ben is already making his way out of the office. He is in a hurry, must be an important case, Beth muses to herself.

Startling her all over again, her phone rings, "Beth Turner," she answered.

"Hey, how is your day?" Mick asked.

"Good, just got a case."

"I was wondering if you were still going to come over for dinner tonight." Beth couldn't help but smile at how nervous he always sounded, like a boy asking out his first crush, half expecting her to turn him down.

"Of course, if you still want me to."

"Yes," he answered a little too quickly. "Any special requests for dinner?"

"Surprise me."

"I'll see you tonight."

"See you then."

Beth hung up the phone, ready to get through the day and over to Mick's later.

MLMLMLMLML

With her personal security detail in tow, Beth made her way to the home address of the most recent attack. Taking advantage of her personal security meant she didn't have to drive, leaving her time to read over facts during the ride, which made for better company than her silent protector.

Arriving at the first home, Beth tried to convince Oscar to wait in the car but it seems that he is just as stubborn as she is. Oscar walked with her up to the home and as silent as ever, they waited at the door.

"Hi, my name is Beth Turner, I'm with the DA's office. Are you Bryon Fletcher?" Beth presented her ID badge to the man at the door.

"I'm Bryon Fletcher, how can I help you?"

"Would you mind if I came in and asked you a few questions about the robbery?"

"Come on in," he motioned for her to enter, eyeing the silent Oscar behind her.

"Don't mind him, he is here to provide protection, company policy."

"What can I do for you? My wife and I have already talked to the police. We didn't see anything thing we were out of the house, it was date night."

Beth smiled at something so simple and sweet. "Is your wife home?"

"Yes. Have a seat. I'll get her, she is doing her workout tape."

As he went up the stairs to gather his wife, Beth walked about the room looking at the pictures on the wall; looking for anything that seemed out of place. Nothing, the pictures of them throughout the room were of a couple completely in love.

A few moments later, Mr. Fletcher came back down stairs with his wife, who was wearing her sweats and had a towel thrown over her shoulder. It was clear she wasn't expecting to entertain anyone at the moment.

"Miss Turner, this is my wife Julia."

Beth extended a hand to the woman, which she happily shook, before they all made their way to the couch. Oscar had moved to stand guard by the door.

"Can we get you anything to drink?" Julia offered.

"No, thank you, I would just like to ask you what happened. I know you went over it with the police, but I would like to hear about it first hand."

Mr. Fletcher put his arm protectively over his wife's shoulder as he began, "We came home and nothing seemed wrong at first. Then we got further into the house and there were drawers pulled out and the TV and our sound system gone. We didn't know if they were still here so we ran next door and called 911."

"Where were you?"

"It was our weekly date night. We go every Wednesday to dinner, a movie, something just for us."

"Does anyone know you always go out on Wednesdays?"

"Everyone, we never thought it was something to hide."

"How long were you gone?" Beth scribbled some notes onto her pad.

They look at one another, "We left around what, 6?" Mr. Fletcher asked his wife.

"Yes, because we were almost late for the 6:30 movie," she confirmed.

"You're right. After the movie we grabbed a late dinner, got home around 11."

Beth took a few more notes then stood, "Thank you for your time."

"Anything to help the investigation, I just thank God that we weren't home. If anything had happened to her I..."

Mr. Fletcher held his wife closer, it was clear to anyone just how much in love they were. Beth just stepped towards the door where Oscar awaited her. As they walked out Beth noticed some brochures for Whitmore Reality on the table by the door, swiping one on the way out.

MLMLMLMLML

The drive to the next address was short. Beth didn't even bother trying to get Oscar to stay in the car this time. They made their way up to a house quite like the first, two stories, 2 car garage, beautiful front yard with a picket fence, a small garden; only this home had children's toys littering the yard.

Stepping over a large Tonka truck on the porch Beth knocked on the door.

"Mrs. Vickers?"

"Yes, can I help you?" The petite woman asked looking at the two strangers at her door. "Are you here to see the house?"

"My name is Beth Turner; I'm with the DA's office. I would like to ask you some questions about the robbery."

"Oh yes come on in. Please excuse the mess but we are still working with Aaron on the concept of picking up your toys when you are finished with them."

"You have a lovely home," Beth commented as they made their way in, past the scattered toys and to the living room.

"Thank you. Have a seat," Mrs. Vickers sat on the couch pushing the hot wheels from the arm of the couch. "What about your friend?"

"He is part of company policy; he will just wait by the door." Beth was growing tired of explaining Oscar's presence.

"What can I do for you?"

"Is your husband home?"

"No he is at work."

"Can you tell me what happened the night of the robbery?" Beth had pen and paper ready.

Mrs. Vickers takes a steadying breath releasing a heavy sigh, "No one was home, Todd, my husband, was out of town on a business trip, Aaron was at his grandparents, and I had the monthly PTA meeting Aaron's school. When I came home the front door was open, I was scared so I called the police."

"That must have been horrible, I'm sorry that happened."

"I'm just glad Aaron wasn't home, our things can be replaced."

"Mrs. Vickers--"

"Please call me Lisa."

"Lisa, when I arrived you asked if I was here to see the house, are you selling your house?"

"Yes, Todd was made partner and we are moving to San Francisco."

"Have you had any showings?"

"Yes, we have had one the day before the robbery. Why?"

"No reason. You have a beautiful home, I am sure someone will snatch it up."

"Thank you. Is there anything else?"

"No, I think that'll be all. I can show myself out."

Beth made her way out the door, Oscar waiting for her. As they made their way to the car Beth was rechecking the police reports.

MLMLMLMLML

Arriving at Mick's, her overnight bag in tow, research in hand. Mick had ordered her dinner from a little bistro down the road from his place that he enjoyed those few days as when he was human.

Beth made herself comfortable, taking off her shoes and setting her bags aside while Mick poured them both a glass of wine, and set the table with her dinner.

"You're not having dinner," Beth motioned to his glass of wine noticing he wasn't drinking his usual dinner.

"I ate before you got here. So, how was work?" Mick asked knowing she had a case, files in her hand and that look in her eye always gave her away.

"Good, I got a case. A string of home invasions. I think I have a lead."

"Want to talk about it?" Mick asked as he watched her eat sipping on his own wine.

"Sure, the file is on the couch if you want to sort through it."

Mick got up from the table and retrieved the file before returning. Mick spent the rest of the meal reading over her notes commenting on some of the things she had picked up on.

As Beth started to clear her plates Mick stopped her and took over, "Why don't you tell me what plan you have?"

Beth grabbed a towel and joined him as they cleaned up. "All the houses that were hit had a home showing one or two days prior to the attack. I thought what if one of the potential buyers who came to see the house was planning the crime. They could get a good look at the floor plan, security and each of the homeowners said they talked with all the visiting couples and mentioned they would be out of the house on specific days and times. One couple had movie night, another PTA, so..."

"What's your plan?" Mick loved to watch the wheels that were turning in that head of hers.

"Go to a couple open houses see who shows up, then run some names." Beth said innocently as she took the cleaned dish from him and dried it.

"You just want to go and pretend to be an interested shopper? Do you think they will believe you?"

"Yeah," she shrugs taking another sip of her wine. "Although a couple of newly weds does stand to be more believable, but where would I find someone interested in helping me?" She looks up at Mick with a knowing grin.

"I think I know someone who would be willing to help."

Dishes now done, Mick takes her hand and leads her to the couch to sit. They continue to talk about little things, his day, his music choices since Dashboard Confessional was out, he told her some of his favorite bands and promised to give her an education in good music.

Growing tired, Beth made her way up to get ready for bed as Mick prepared the air mattress. Soon they were both snuggled together on it, both always aware of the way their bodies seemed to fit together as he held her she drifted off to sleep.

MLMLMLMLML