Author's note: I am certain, sooner or later, this story will have to have an 'M' rating. For the present, it is acceptable for all readers, just a gentle reminder for future reference. I will give ample warning. I am new to the fanfic world, so..please advise if I make errors that upset or offend. Not quite sure how to navigate the site just yet. I'm working on it..


I do know I must put a disclaimer so..do not own the characters or anything associated with Moonlight...just saying.


Chapter Two (I love to boogie...)

"Still...Hans will not like me if I help you..more than I have, I mean. For I have helped tremendously, as you know." Althea reminded helpfully, sipping her 'drink' delicately.

"News flash.." Josef informed her gently...NOT. "I don't think he especially 'likes' you all that much anyway!"

"Stop being so negative..of course he likes me..who does not??" Such a concept seemed to stump her completely. "I am likeable and..I dress well, as you can see." She opened her arms, turning this way and that showing off the silk of the black dress she sported. "I got this in Paris. Of course..Pops doesn't KNOW I got it in Paris..just yet." Althea cut her eyes warily. "But, I'm sure he won't mind. Right? I mean..how could he? I look amazing in it, yes?"

"Yeah, yeah..amazing." Josef had picked up on Mick's urgency and dismay. "Al..listen to me. This is serious shit here, ok? These two are star crossed lovers..destined to be together, just like all those couple you read about in your smutty novels. You would hate yourself if you didn't help them out in their time of need."

Mick exchanged uncomfortable glances with Beth, both uneasy over such an evaluation of their..relationship, stated so..off-handedly.

"Josef.." Mick felt the need to intervene..

The Master Vampire waved him silent, continuing. "This is so..1890s!" Josef stated enthusiastically. "How cool is that?? Isn't it romantic?"

The female cut her gaze to the two other occupants of the room. Her features softened. "It is rather..sweet."

"Yes, it is very sweet! Terribly sweet." Josef concurred. "And all you have to do is talk to good old Papa and ask him to speak to the Council on our behalf."

"Will you come too?" Althea bit her nail thoughtfully, sulking a bit.

"I will be there. Right by your side!" Josef was looking forward to it, in reality. "All I need is..an invitation."

Mick was beginning to understand a little better now. He waited, unaware that he still held tightly to Beth Turner's hand, his thumb gently caressing the inside of her soft flesh absently. He bit his inner lip, the tension coursing throughout his body.

"No..no, let me..set the path." Althea knew how her Sire disliked uninvited guests. "I will send for you when all is well..alright?"

"Whatever you think best, Althea." Josef smiled charmingly down at the female.

She drew in a long breath, exhaling slowly. "Well..alright then. I will go now." She sat her glass aside. "And let us pray that Pops is in a good mood this evening."

"Pray?" Josef could not help the observation.

"Or a facsimile thereof." Althea shrugged. "You look very nice in stripes, Josef..that blue tie brings out the color of your eyes." She decided to be polite if nothing else, finally.

"My eyes are brown, Althea." Josef sighed lightly.

The female squinted, peering at his face scrutinizing. "Well..it's not like I am attracted to that particular part of your anatomy, Josef...excuse the hell out of me, alright??"

"I forgive you." Josef could be magnanimous is necessary. He folded his arms leisurely, leaning to kiss the full, sensual lips in a gentle caress. "Come back later and...I will 'forgive you'...in private." He flicked Beth and Mick with an impatient sweep of the 'brown' eyes.

"Really?" The woman's interest perked up.

"Absolutely."

"You will 'forgive me'..like you did..last time? In Monaco?"

"It was Morocco and..yes..like...that."

"Ohhh." Althea swept the being's frame with undisguised interest. "I do wish Hans were more like you."

"I'm sure you do." Josef commiserated.

The female left...by the door, with but one suspicious look to Mick St. John and Beth Turner. "You had best be worth the trouble. I dislike being staked ever so much." She scowled over at the two. "I'm just saying."

The silence was uncanny for a spell, each to his or her own thoughts concerning the events of the past half hour.

"What the hell just happened here?" Mick was trying to assimilate it all.

"I was hoping everything was alright..it's been a while, after all." Josef sat on the plush divan, then arose, too agitated to sit for very long. He began a slow, deliberate pace of the gleaming tile floor beneath his expensive Italian shoes. "We need an advocate with the Council. Her Sire is very powerful. They will listen to him but..I must make him see the merit in our plight."

"Just go talk to the guy, Josef."

The Vampire grinned at such folly. "You just don't pop in on 'this guy', Mick. Not and come out alive, I hear tell. He's been very reclusive since the death of his son. He's an Elder. We need Althea to reach him."

"If he doesn't come around..what are our options?" Mick didn't like depending on anyone else where Beth's fate was concerned.

"One?" Josef tilted his head slightly, lifting his brows. "Hide out until..or if..this thing blows over. A couple years with no fuss or bother ..no headlines about our Society coming to the fore? Should prove our sincerity."

"Two years?" Beth was astonished.

"And two?" Mick wanted more options than the one stated.

"We all die a horrible death at the hands of good old Hans." Josef looked around for his car keys, finding them in the crystal bowl on the bar area.

"He's that good..he could defeat even you? With me at your side?"

"He's that 'bad'." Josef quipped. "I've made provisions..all is not lost just yet. Let's see what tomorrow brings. I'm assuming, no one is really in a party mood any longer?"

Mick shook his head aimlessly, the question in itself having upset him even further. "No Josef..we're not."

"Ahh...then, I will take a little drive." He had been scribbling on a note pad, tearing the paper off, handing it over for the other being to take. "Go to this place..wait for me to contact you. Under no circumstances..are you to go out alone..either of you." He waited for Mick to peruse the bold script. "Do you remember it?"

Mick nodded. "I don't like just sitting around an..."

"Well, in this instance..you have no other choice." Josef cut him short. "Let me see what I can find out. Just sit tight and give me a few hours..alright?"

Mick checked with Beth who seemed fine with the suggestion. "It will be fine, Mick." She tried a weak smile of encouragement.

"Hurry, Josef." Mick asked.

The Vampire nodded and..took his leave.


Althea had approached the living area of the stylish home cautiously. She never knew in what mood her Sire would be found. She had never been the model 'daughter' but..this time, even she realized the severity of her 'disobediance.'

The room was very large. Heavy drapes lined each window, cutting off the view and any rays of moonlight or..sun. The furniture was tasteful and from another era. A fire burned cheerfully in the mammoth hearth, belying the atmosphere of the occupants found within the space.

The woman searched out each face, her own features carefully composed. "Hi, Pops." She smiled tentatively to the only individual which really concerned her.

"Do NOT..." The deep tone sent shivers down her spine. "Refer to me as....that."

She swallowed, venturing into the area, her hand trailing across the lush softness of a huge chair to her right. She made her way around an occasional table with a marble top. "Anna Lisa..how...nice." Althea's tone suggested..otherwise, as did the animosity in her eyes as she observed the other female present. "Where did you park your broom?" She smiled sweetly to lessen the barb.

"Will you never mature, Althea?" The weariness in Anna Lisa's tone said it all. "I grow so very tired of this constant..strain between us."

"Oh,..like I give a fig." Althea's smile softened but ..not her eyes. "Why is SHE here, Dad?"

"Because I allow she be."

Althea couldn't say much to that. She turned her attention to the last member of the group which had greeted her arrival 'home'. "Did Benedict Arnold get all his facts right?" She swept 'Hans' with a neutral gaze. "You big snitch!" She disgusted.

"I cannot work with her constant interference." 'Hans' interjected, his tone and manner..beyond cool.

Anna Lisa stepped gracefully, her hand sliding along the dark cloth of the Enforcer's sleeve, as she leaned her head unto his shoulder. There was something so intimate in the gesture, it served to nullify Althea's reaction for a long spell. She stared at the contact, her mouth slightly agape.

It was not allowed..Hans never allowed anyone to touch him..not ever! Such liberties were..simply unheard of.

Althea felt the blood flow from her extremities. The shock of Anna Lisa's actions..but, moreso..the Enforcer's acceptance of them..

She blinked, totally shocked..stunned into silence for a very long time.

Anna Lisa's smile was one of pure venom.

"I will NOT..." The Ancient was speaking, his tone as always, most soothing to the soul. "Have you embroiled in this farce, Althea."

"...I.." The woman lost her bravado for a beat when confronted by the essence of...her Sire's displeasure. "B-But..she is..is..hasn't said anything. The human..loves him..Mick St. John. She won't.." Althea trailed away, unsure even in her own mind suddenly..of anything any longer.

"You disgrace your Sire with such affiliations, Althea.." Anna Lisa was genuinely concerned for the fact. "I know you do not wish that."

So many things rushed through Althea's mind. Her senses were reeling, truth told. She had not realized just how much she had 'liked' Hans until..this moment. This horrible moment. It was more than evident that he..approved of Anna Lisa's touch. He had stood, hands in his pockets, just staring at the younger woman.

The bastard! Allowing Anna Lisa to lean all over him..and before LaCroix! Her own Sire! How...devastating! How..embarrassing a thing! After ..after she had made it known that..

Althea closed her eyes to her lost pride, humiliation flooding her mind. A coldness gripped her soul, an icy numbness seizing her heart.

She lifted an empty gaze, her mood undeterminable as yet, even in her own mind. It was bad enough she was suddenly at odds with her Sire..but, to have this ..this..unconscionable absurdity!

"You cannot possibly know...my wishes right now, Anna Lisa!" Althea's tone dripped with revulsion. She turned her attention to.. "Well...Hans..."

"That is NOT MY NAME!" The man's cool was momentarily absent, the dark eyes flashing their fury.

"Whatever." Althea dismissed with a wave of her hand. "You look like a 'Hans' to me..among other things." She sighed lightly. "And since you are so fucking secretive about your 'real' name..be grateful I didn't christen you 'Adolph'..or 'Fido'..."

"Bitch!" 'Fido' could 'christen' too, apparently. He had jerked from Anna Lisa's touch at least, but his expression did not bode well for Althea either at the moment.

She ignored him. "I don't want to go against you, Lacroix.." Her eyes and manner had softened two fold when she sought the being out. "You know that. You know my heart. But..I cannot.." She lowered her head, the long blonde tresses obscuring her face for a beat. "I..can not...NOT..do this thing." There was infinite sadness in her gaze.

"I forbid it, Althea." Was the deathly quiet response.

He stood, apart from the others. A force to be reckoned with. A lone figure, set against the blaze of the heart's fire, which out lined the imminent perfection of his body. The still handsome face silhouetted by the harsh light given off by the flames.

Althea lifted her head. "I know how you hate long goodbyes." She leaped unto the upper balcony, gracefully landing on the outside of the ornate balestrade, looking down on the area below with an intent stare. "...your luck with your children is still running to form, isn't it."

Lacroix's features were expressionless.

"Oh well." She used his most favorite 'remark'... "You can always make another, can't you."


Mick paced the area like a caged animal. Where was Josef..what was taking so long? Why hadn't they heard..

"Mick..can I ask a question?" Beth was sensing the man's turmoil. She thought to make the situation more tolerable by taking his mind off things for a while. "..this..woman..this..."

"Althea." Mick nodded absently, slowing his pace, searching out the lovely features. His heart softened, realizing that..this must be even more upsetting to the human but..she was remarkably subdued. He..smiled at her, crossing to take a seat across from the divan where she reposed. The lights above gave a soft glow to her hair. She looked beautiful and...vulnerable.

He wanted desperately to protect her..to make her world safe and content, suddenly.

"Yes..Althea..is she..well, of course she is but..I mean.." Beth smiled at her own folly. "Do you know anything about her? She's Josef's friend..but, for..how long? Do you..have any idea how old she might be, say? Or.."

"Never you mind how old I am, young lady!" The soft, musical rejoinder halted any further 'prying'.. Both individuals turned at the unexpected statement.

Mick arose, his nerves on edge. He had sensed an 'approach', of course. But, he could not have identified the scent which troubled him no end. Josef..of course, but..

"What a thing to ask!" Althea pushed Josef bodily aside, heading for the most comfortable chair in the 'house'. "Shot gun!" She fell heavily into the deep cushions, propping her feet on the..

"Get your feet off my coffee table." Josef removed the shapely legs physically as he had passed.

"That's the gratitude I get??" Althea was dumbfounded by such a lack of...gratitude.

"Look...you need one of those." Josef knew how to misdirect the female's attention when he needed to do so. He had motioned to the television screen, handing her the tuner from the table. He headed for the bar. "Don't you?"

Althea watched with avid interest, the info commercial being displayed on the gigantic flat screen which took up most of the west wall. "Only 19.95?" Her interest was piqued.

Beth found herself smiling in spite of herself, at the woman's obvious..amazement.

"Plus shipping." Josef reminded.

"Still a bargain." Althea reminded peevishly.

"I...I didn't know." Beth was ever curious. "Eh...can you..use...a vegetable slicer? I mean..do you..eat..vegetables?"

"No." Althea scoffed at such a concept. "But, come ON...19.95! That's a steal!"

Josef handed the woman her 'drink' that he had prepared..being the gentleman he was. "And if you act now..you get an extra one free."

Mick shook his head woefully. "Damn it, Josef...what happened? Did you get to speak to..." He turned fretfully to the female. "Your Sire?"

"Is probably holed up in some secluded little hide-a-way with the first cabana boy that caught her wayward attent..ohh..you mean her." Josef took the tuner from Althea's resisting hands, ignoring her sullen expression, as he switched channels. "He wasn't very..receptive to our entreaties...was he, Al."

"No and it's all your fault, Josef!" The female whined. "And now we are all going to die horrible deaths..probably worse and I'm just sick about it!"

"What could be more 'horrible' than death?" Josef philosophized.

"This is no fucking joke, damn it!" Mick grated, snapping his anger and frustration.

"There's nothing to be done." Althea shrugged her slender shoulders. "Hans..or Fido..whatever he prefers..is very good at his job. I have heard tales that would make your blood curdle, which is not very tasty at ALL..He's not my boyfriend any longer so I feel ok saying such things about him now."

"Trouble in paradise?" Josef was genuinely interested.

"Anna Lisa." Althea's eyes narrowed slightly. "The bitch."

"Ahh." Josef now understood.

"What do you mean..there's nothing to be done??" Mick was not about to just sit by and listen to that shit. "I'm going to do something!" Of that? He was positive. He didn't exactly know what at this point..but...no way in hell he was simply going to sit around and wait to die..wait..for BETH to die. Fuck that notion! He looked about for his coat..and Beth's.

"You don't have to go looking for them." Josef turned in his seat, his tone a sardonic one. "They will be here soon enough, Mick."

"They...know where we are?" Beth tried to keep her tone steady but she was shaking like a leaf inside. She hoped her fear did not show.

Everyone looked at the female vampire.

"Hey! I didn't tell them!" She took umbrage. Then she...hesitated. "What do you mean..them?"

Josef went back to his television program. 'Everyone just relax.." He suggested evenly. "It's going to be a long night."

Althea sat back, putting her feet up on the...Josef waved such a notion aside. "Don't even." He shook his head. The woman rolled her eyes but..lowered her feet off the coffee table.

Mick went to Beth, embracing her soundly. "It'll be alright." He whispered encouragingly, putting the long tresses behind her shoulder as she lay her head into the crook of his neck line. "I'll think of something."

He held her securely, his arms about the petite frame protectively. He absently kissed her forehead, his mind whirling with unanswered questions.