Disclaimer: I do not own Moonlight. But I fully intend to continue my involvement in their world.

It was suggested that I explore the movement between past and present with this story. I do like that idea. Since this takes place after the show, The Ringer, it takes place when Mick and Beth are still dancing around their feelings. And Josh is still alive. I will continue Mick's reflections on his meeting Kira in 1960.

Chapter 2

2007

Mick slowly took a drink and wished he had added some scotch to it. Right now he would like the burn of alcohol mixed with the blood. A tentative knock on his door drew his attention away from his thoughts. With a sigh, Mick pushed himself up and went to answer it. He knew Beth would be waiting on the other side.

She looked up at him solemnly, unsure if she was welcome. Mick gestured for her to enter and closed the door behind her as she passed by him. She went right to the couch as he sat in a chair opposite her. Glancing briefly at the half finished glass of blood on the coffee table and then back at him with guilty eyes.

"Beth," he prompted.

"I've talked to Kira. I had questions that I needed answered after last night," she confessed.

"So you went behind my back to my friend," Mick said crossly. He brought one leg over the other and tried to shake off his disappointment in both Kira and Beth. "Did Kira give you all the answers you wanted?"

Beth flushed and looked down at her fingers that were laced together in her lap. She swallowed hard and forced her eyes up to meet his gaze.

"Kira is a very loyal friend. She refuses to discuss your personal business. She did answer a few questions about Coraline," she admitted.

Mick quickly hid a grin with his hand over his mouth. He liked how attractive Beth looked when she blushed. He should have known Kira wouldn't discuss him behind his back. He took pity on Beth; her curiosity was one of the things he liked so much about her.

"So what did she tell you about Coraline?"

"That she was very manipulative. She said that Coraline was the reason it didn't work with you two." Beth was really blushing now. Mick let his smile show finally. He could imagine that Kira might have said more considering her dislike of his ex-wife.

"Well she is right about that. I told you that loving her was like an infection. Coraline consumed me, it was a love/hate relationship and in the end it never let Kira and me have any peace together. We have remained friends though."

"She said that I assumed you wanted Morgan to be Coraline. And she said your reaction could be that you were relieved to know you didn't kill her," Beth explained.

"So this is what this is all about. You think I want Coraline back," Mick said as it downed on him what had motivated Beth to go to Kira. "Morgan is human, she didn't have Coraline's tattoo. But if it had been her, it would mean she had found a way to be human again. I need to know how."

"Oh…….." Beth said realizing why he had reacted the way he did to Morgan. "I'm sorry Mick. I thought……….." She bit her tongue before saying anything more. She wasn't sure what made her feel so curious about Mick's ex-wife. It was almost like she was jealous, like Mick had kidded her at BuzzWire the other day. But she had a boyfriend; she had no right to be interested in Mick St. John.

"It's okay Beth," Mick said letting her off the hook. "Did it help to talk to Kira?"

"Yes, I like her," Beth said happy to change the subject. "I think she still cares about Josef. Didn't he object to you being with Kira? He is her sire, right?"

"They hadn't been lovers for a long time before we met."

"So she said. But still, it had to be awkward," Beth mused.

Mick chuckled softly.

"Josef set us up. He thought she would make me forget Coraline. It worked for a while," he told her. "You have to understand that when we live as long as we do, relationships change."

"Do you love Kira?" Beth asked bluntly.

"As a friend, nothing more," Mick responded. "As I said, relationships change. Kira is special, a polar opposite of Coraline. And I suspect you are right about Josef and Kira."

"It was more at one time for you and her," Beth said shrewdly.

"It was, then," Mick nodded, thinking back.

1960

A week after Josef's party, Mick found himself entering Dusk to Dawn. He immediately felt at home in the dimly lit club. There was a quartet on stage and about half the tables scattered around the room were occupied. A long bar ran along the wall opposite the entrance and in the back far corner were some secluded booths with curtained sides.

A long-legged black girl, in a colorful mini-dress stopped beside hm. She carried a tray with three dark, frosted glasses.

"O positive, A positive or AB negative?" she asked with a warm smile.

"Uh…. A positive, thank you," Mick said in surprise.

The girl noted his confusion and nodded towards the end of the bar.

"Thank the boss," she explained handing him the glass and moving on.

Mick looked to the bar where Kira stood in a doorway that said "Private" above it. Taking a sip of his drink, he headed over to her. Tonight she was dressed in flowing, forest green halter dress. Gold hoops dangled from her earlobes.

"Thank you," he said, saluting her with his glass. "Very good stuff. Smart move, having vampire waitresses."

"My whole staff is vampire," Kira smiled. "It makes it easier to keep the clients straight."

"Nice place. I like the quartet. I'll make a point of stopping by more often," Mick said looking around.

Kira beamed.

"I'm glad you like my place. I worked hard to make it the way I wanted. You are always welcome. What has brought you by tonight?"

"I was interested, and you did say you hoped you would see me again," Mick said, a touch of eagerness in his voice.

Kira crossed her arms over her chest and looked at him levelly.

"Aren't you getting ahead of yourself?" she asked coolly.

"I didn't mistake the message you were sending out at the party," he said moving closer. "Am I wrong?"

Kira sighed and favored him with an indulgent smile.

"No, you're not wrong," she admitted. "I am happy to see you. Come with me." Kira turned and headed through the doorway and down a hallway to a secure door. She opened it and entered a comfortable office with a large desk, a leather couch and nice artwork. Kira indicated for Mick to take a seat, while she poured herself a flute of blood. She sat next to him on the couch.

"Mick, I'm flattered that you wanted to see me," she said slowly. He leaned in for a kiss and she held him off with one hand. "Slow down handsome, you don't know the whole story. I need to tell you everything."

Mick sat back, curious about what she had to say. He set his glass on the coffee table. Kira took a drink and then set her flute beside his glass. She took his hands in hers and looked at him with a very sober expression.

"You wish to know me better. Well let's start at the beginning. I told you I was turned in 1902…." Mick nodded quickly. Kira began again. "I didn't tell you that my sire is Josef." She sat there watching his face closely.

Mick pulled his hands away and looked at her suspiciously.

"Josef? Why would he push us together if he is your sire? Or is this just some twisted game?" he asked harshly.

"No Mick," Kira protested. "I didn't know what he planned when he invited me to the party. He had mentioned you before but never told me to seek you out or do anything in particular."

"But if he is your sire…………" Mick argued.

Kira took Mick's hands in hers again. She did not let him pull free.

"He is my sire and that happened fifty-eight years ago Mick. He and I haven't been lovers in over ten years. We are friends; he has invested in my clubs. Josef has moved on," Kira explained. "He only wanted you to feel better. Josef thought we would fit well together."

Mick looked at her open, honest face and believed her. He was happy to discover that not every female vamp was out to use him. And he wanted to get to know Kira better.

"I'm sorry, I jumped to conclusions," he apologized. "Coraline delights in twisting me in knots."

"I understand," Kira said softly. "Josef does enjoy manipulating things, but his intention in this case was purely to make you feel better. I'm flattered he thought I would be able to do that."

"I'm sorry he used you this way."

"Oh Mick, I do like you. I'm a big girl, I can take care of myself," Kira said with a warm smile. "I can't be angry with Josef, I know him too well." There was a great deal of fondness in her voice.

Mick began drawing her closer and she didn't resist. He captured her mouth with his. A very pleasant jolt ran through him as she responded. She pulled back after a moment and shook her head slightly.

"I was right, you are dangerous," she said huskily. "I am attracted to you Mick but I don't make a habit of getting involved with married men."

"I don't want Coraline. She destroyed everything between us," Mick protested. "Kira, please, forget about Coraline."

Kira was touched by the plea in his eyes. He was so handsome and vulnerable.

"To hell with her, she doesn't deserve him," she thought and kissed him.

Mick wrapped his arms around her, cradling her in his embrace. Kira's fingers ran through his long hair and then down his neck, sliding along his shoulders. She felt his hands slide lower, down her back, searching for the zipper to her dress.

"Whoa boy," she cautioned. "This is moving too fast."

"I want you Kira," Mick rasped. He didn't release his hold on her. A rush of desire ran through him, taking control.

"Slowly Mick," Kira said gently. She took his face in her hands and let herself fall into his hazel gaze.

"I don't want to go slow," he growled. He nipped at her lower lip and pulled her tight against him.

"I won't be rushed," she stated and pushed free of his grasp, getting to her feet. She took his hand and drew him up from the couch. He followed her willingly to a spiral staircase that led to her apartment over the club.

"Let me show you how to really enjoy being together. Don't rush it," Kira said calmly as she led him to the bedroom.

Mick felt lightheaded as he looked into her green eyes. Fangs elongated and Mick could only focus on her neck.

"It's okay Mick," she murmured and drew his head down to her throat. He bit, drinking in the richness of her blood. He scooped her up and carried her to the bed. He withdrew his fangs and his fingers found the ties to her halter dress. His mouth closed over hers as he lay her down and lay over her.

Mick stirred later as Kira moved out of his arms. He hung on to her, stopping her from leaving.

"Don't go,"

"It's my place handsome; I was just going to get us a drink."

"Stay."

"Young man, you are insatiable," Kira chuckled. She braced her hands against his chest and pushed away. "I have a club to run."

"I'm sure your staff knows what they are doing," Mick argued, holding tight. He hooked one leg over the back of hers. "Stay."

"Dangerous," Kira whispered as she brushed her lips over his. "You could prove to be bad for business."

2007

"Mick?" Beth's voice brought him back to the present with a start. He looked at her and felt a flash of guilt for where his thoughts had been.

"Kira helped me find some stability during a time when I was on an emotional rollercoaster. Coraline and I were swinging between love and hate constantly. For a year I reconciled myself to what I was and relaxed. Kira taught me a lot," Mick tried to explain. He felt uncomfortable with Beth.

She sat quietly, contemplating Mick's confession. It was endearing that he seemed embarrassed to admit to her that he had sex with Kira. She remembered the era he grew up in and found it sweet that he found this awkward. Beth was surprised that she felt a small twinge of jealousy for the closeness that Kira and Mick had shared. Kira was part of his world and who said that things couldn't rekindle again. And what would Josh think if he knew what she was feeling? She shouldn't be here with Mick.

"I had better go," she mumbled and started to get to her feet.

End chapter.

So that is some of Mick and Kira's past. We all know that Coraline doesn't stay away. I would love some feedback on this. Do you want me to finish this story arc? Press the button and tell me what you think.