Disclaimer: I do not own Moonlight. And I still like playing in their world.

Here is the second treat in this story. I hope you liked it.

Chapter 2

Later on, Mick left Beth talking to Ryder and Logan while he sought out Josef.

"And just why would you invite Talbot tonight?" he demanded. "I've told you he doesn't like me and acts very suspicious of everything I do. Can you be sure everyone will behave tonight?"

"There are no nervous fledglings here tonight. Everyone is aware that it is a mixed party," Josef said calmly. He glanced around to be sure no one was listening. He placed a hand on Mick's shoulder as he stepped closer. "I invited the man to get a closer look at him. I wanted a chance to observe."

Josef and Mick looked over to where Talbot was talking to Anthony and Cleopatra on the other side of the room. He held an almost full glass of champagne.

"It seems our considerate public servant doesn't let himself relax much off duty. He's had that same glass of wine for the last fifteen minutes. Damned waste of expensive champagne," Josef muttered.

"I don't trust him," Mick grumbled.

"And you aren't the least bit biased are you?" Josef jabbed at him. "I wouldn't worry if I were you, your kitty isn't about to stray."

"I'm not worried about Beth," Mick snorted. "I just don't like letting Talbot get too close to us."

"Okay pal, I'll keep an eye on him," Josef chuckled. "Now where did you leave your little human? I'm surprised you let her out of your sight."

"She's talking to Logan and Ryder," Mick said nodding towards the other room.

"Oh for heaven's sake man, go rescue the poor girl," Josef said in mock horror. "And enjoy my party."

"Yes Josef," Mick laughed and went in search of Beth. He found her talking to Guillermo and Tinkerbelle. It appeared that Don Juan had scored points with one vampire lady tonight.

As he approached Beth, Mick caught a disturbingly familiar scent. Closing his eyes and inhaling, his stomach clenched in concern. Coraline? He opened his eyes and searched the room as he came to a stop beside Beth. He put a protective arm around her shoulder. A masked gypsy woman watching from the edge of the room snagged his gaze.

"Beth," he murmured softly. "Don't get upset but Coraline is here."

Beth tensed and looked around the room hurriedly and then up at Mick.

"Where?" she asked under her breath.

"The gypsy over by the bar," Mick said leaning in to speak close to her ear. He nodded to Guillermo and his lady and then directed Beth further away from the dark haired woman whose eyes stayed glued on them.

"She won't do anything in front of people will she?" Beth asked anxiously. "You aren't worried are you?"

"No, she's not stupid, she won't make a scene. But I don't like that she is back in LA," Mick muttered. He looked at her seriously. "Beth, please go find Josef and stay with him until I'm finished with Coraline. I'll come get you."

"I'm not afraid of her," Beth insisted hotly.

"I know that," Mick smiled. "But Josef does not allow stakings at his mixed parties. Let me handle Coraline."

"Okay," Beth agreed with a grimace. She knew he was right this time and she had every intention of informing Josef he had a party crasher.

Mick watched her safely leave the room and when he looked back, the gypsy woman was at his side, her lips curved in a too familiar smile.

"I always thought you would make a wonderful pirate," Coraline cooed. She took hold of one arm as she stepped closer.

"What are you doing here Coraline?" Mick asked tiredly.

"I came back. For you as always."

"We are finished Coraline," he stated firmly.

"I brought you the cure Mick. I sacrificed myself to Lance to save you. Doesn't that count?" Coraline insisted as she grabbed his other arm. She looked desperate. "I love you Mick."

Mick stared into the dark eyes that used to stir his blood. Her scent used to make him lose control of his senses. Now there was no pull against his will, no allure. He could look at his ex-wife and feel nothing but pity. He shook his head at her.

"I don't love you. It wasn't meant to be, let it go," he said gently and disengaged her hands. He glanced around quickly to see if they were gathering unwanted attention. He took her arm and led her from the room and down the hall, away from the crowd.

"How can you say that? After what I did?" Coraline whimpered.

Mick released her arm.

"I love Beth. Yes, you gave me the cure and you did stop Lance but you also lied to me and took my life. We're even Coraline, let's be done with each other. Our relationship was tainted from the beginning," he said coldly.

"You don't mean that," Coraline protested, reaching for his face. Mick flinched back, eluding her hands. She growled in frustration, her eyes flashing to silver.

"Coraline, you will behave in my house," Josef ordered sharply from behind them. Beth was a couple of steps behind him, fingering the handle of the whip wrapped around her.

"Josef, you are always interfering," Coraline sneered at him but let her appearance return to normal.

"And you are always ignoring the truth. You were not invited my dear," Josef growled back.

Coraline smiled sweetly at him.

"I'm sorry Josef. I thought it would not be a problem since my husband was invited."

EX…. Husband," Mick said through gritted teeth.

"But Mick, I'm not dead, I'm still here," Coraline reminded him.

"That's getting old Coraline," Beth spoke up. "Mick has told you it is over; do you need another stake in you to get the message?"

"Well doesn't our little Beth sound brave hiding behind two vampires?" Coraline said dismissively.

"I'm not afraid of you," Beth declared.

"You are a fool."

"Enough Coraline," Mick snapped. "She's right, we are done." He turned away from her and went to Beth. With an arm around her, they left the hallway.

"Leave them alone," Josef commanded when Coraline took a step to pursue them. She paused and looked at him levelly.

"I don't follow your orders Josef."

"You are in my house Coraline and you had better follow my orders," Josef said in a low voice. His arm shot out, blocking her passage. "It's over, you have lost him. Stop being stupid."

"He's my ……"

"I'd say staking you and trying to burn you qualifies as a divorce," Josef said harshly. "If you continue to pursue this, I promise you that you will have to answer to me. You will not win Coraline."

For a moment Coraline considered fighting him and then recognized the foolishness of that. She should leave and wait. If anything, she was good at biding her time.

"It won't last, he'll never turn her," she said smugly.

"That's between them. You stay away," Josef warned.

Coraline nodded and he dropped his arm.

"Don't cross me," Josef added as she brushed past him. He watched her leave the house and then went in search of Beth and Mick. He found them out by the pool, staring out at the city lights. Mick stood behind Beth, holding her close.

"Do I throw the greatest parties or what?" he announced cheerfully.

"Not funny Josef," Mick said sourly.

"Hey, I didn't invite her. I think it went well, you told it to her straight. She left." He shrugged.

"If she listens," Beth grumbled.

"She hurts you and she knows Mick will never forgive her," Josef pointed out. "She's gone for now so enjoy the rest of the party. It's only Halloween once a year." He flashed back into his vampire visage.

Mick hugged Beth tighter and kissed the top of her head. Beth turned in his arms and looked up at him.

"You were very feisty back there. I see I have to watch out for your claws," he told her.

"Don't you forget it," Beth smiled up at him as she trailed one clawed hand up his chest.

"Well I see you two have your treats," Josef said with a dramatic sigh. "Dracula will have to go find his own fun. Good evening my children." With a flourish of cape, he headed back inside.

Mick caught her hand in his and leaned down to her.

"All right my little kitty cat, let's do as the Count suggested and enjoy our treats. The tricks are over," he said with a low growl and then kissed her deeply.

End Story

I hope you enjoyed my little flight of fancy. I love Halloween. Thank you for reading.