A New York Night: Part 3

Summery: Mick and Beth go someplace a little warmer.

Disclaimer: I'll say it again, I own nothing.


A chime tinkled softly as Beth walked through the door Mick held open for her. He followed her in the building and at once the smell of fresh coffee washed over both of them.

Inside, the coffee shop it was warm and cozy. Tables built for two lined the right wall in front of the windows and several bigger tables sat in the middle of the floor, their tops adorned with tiny twinkling Christmas trees. The walls were covered in old black and white pictures of the city.

A coffee house wasn't the first thing that had come to mind when Beth had suggested they go some place warmer. But it was the first place she had led him to after they'd returned the skates to the rental shack. Mick had given her a questioning look when she headed for the entrance to the little café, but didn't say anything. She just smiled sweetly in reply.

They waited patiently for the man in front of them to get his order before stepping up to the counter. "I'll have a medium hot chocolate please," Beth told the cashier. She looked up at Mick hesitantly. "Make that two," he requested. Now it was Beth's turn to look at Mick with question in her eyes.

They took their steaming cups and moved to a small table in the farthest corner of the room so they could talk without being overheard. Mick set his mug on the table and pulled out a chair for Beth. Only after she was seated did Mick sit down in the chair across from her.

She gave him an odd look as he took a sip of hot chocolate, "I thought you said vampires couldn't eat, or drink, human food?"

Mick looked down at his drink, a wry expression on his face, "We can eat human food, we just can't taste it."

"Then why did you order some too?" She was still puzzled.

Mick reached across the table and grabbed her hand, giving it a slight squeeze. "I want us to be just like a normal couple tonight, Beth. If that means drinking something I can't taste, then so be it. It is a very small price to pay for this night."

He'd called them a couple! Beth couldn't help but smile at his words, glad that this night meant as much to him as it did to her. She looked down at her own cup of warm, chocolaty goodness, contemplating something. "Do you miss it? The taste of food?"

Mick nodded, unable to lie to her. "There used to be this little restaurant on Riverside and Grand that made the best apple pie. Even after I was turned into a vampire I would still go there on occasion, just to enjoy the smell. It was torn down a few years ago to make way for a hotel."

"I'm sorry." She gave his hand a small, sympathetic squeeze.

Mick let out a small chuckle, "Josef always used to say that I needed to act more like a vampire, that I should give up liking such trivial things as food. He still tells me that once in awhile, but I think for he has given up for the most part."

Beth smiled, "I like the way you act just fine."

She glanced down at her mug once more, finally making a decision. "Close your eyes," she told Mick as she started digging around in her purse.

"Why?" he asked suspiciously.

"Just do it," Beth ordered, still digging.

She sounded determined, so he did as she asked and closed his eyes, waiting. He heard her continue to rummage around in her purse for a few more seconds before setting it down and pulling his drink towards her. The smell of warm blood filled the air and Mick's eyes flew open to find Beth holding her hand above his cup. He watched, speechless, as crimson drops fell one by one into his mug. It was only after she pulled her hand away and wrapped her injured finger in napkin did Mick notice the safety pin that sat on the table beside her.

His eyes flicked to hers, shocked, "Beth, why?"

"I want this night to be for both of us too, Mick. But we aren't a normal couple so things have to be a little different. I want you to enjoy this night just as much as I do. If that means putting a few drops of my blood in your drink so you can taste it then so be it. It is a very small price to pay for this night," she said, echoing his words from earlier.

She slid the mug back towards him and he leaned away from the table, as though it might bite him at any second. Beth giggled, "Oh come on Mick, it's not like you haven't tasted my blood before." Vivid memories of that day in the desert flashed through her mind and made her remember why she had brought him here instead of hauling him to the nearest hotel.

"Mick," she said in a quiet, solemn voice. "We need to talk."

In Mick's experience, when said by a woman, those 4 little words were more powerful than a nuclear bomb. Those words could mean almost anything, and could make or break a relationship in an instant.

"About Sara." It wasn't a question. He knew Beth would want to talk about it eventually. Better sooner then later.

She nodded, "We have to find a cure Mick, one for you or one for Sara. I…I don't want what happened to her happen to me. I can't--"

Mick cut her off quickly, "Beth, you know I would never Turn you. Never."

Beth shook her head slowly, "I know you mean that now, but one day, if we can't find a cure for vampirism, you would either have to turn me or watch me die. I can't…I won't let you be forced to make that choice. I want to be with you Mick, as a human or a vampire, it doesn't matter." Mick opened his mouth to speak but Beth silenced him with a wave of her hand. "But," she continued, "I can't bear the thought of becoming like Sara. If I did, you would take care of me, I know that. But I would rather be dead than bind you to such a horrible task." A tear ran silently down her cheek. "We have to find a cure Mick, one way or another."

Mick felt like his heart was about to break. She wanted him, forever, and her only fear about being Turned was leaving him alone. What had he ever done to deserve the treasure that was this beautiful, loving woman? He reached out to wipe away the tear from her cheek. "Don't cry Beth, we'll find a cure." He said it with such certainty that she couldn't help but believe him.

She nodded in acknowledgment and took a small sip of her now lukewarm hot chocolate. Mick copied her. When the tepid liquid touched his tongue Mick was powerless to stifle the moan that Beth's blood induced. He had forgotten her little gift to him and the pleasurable surprise was such a shock that he felt his eyes turn icy blue and his fangs lengthen.

Beth looked up from her cup at his moan, but it took her a second to realize what had caused Mick's reaction. Then it clicked and she smiled. "Everything tastes better with chocolate, doesn't it?" she questioned coyly, looking him straight in the eye. The thought for him responding so strongly to her blood sent an excited thrill through her body.

Mick sat very still across from her, fighting the vampire in him. It wasn't that he was truly hungry; he made sure he'd drank enough at Josef's for the plane ride home. Beth's blood was just so sweet and spicy that he couldn't help but vamp out at the taste of it. The last time her blood had been on his tongue he didn't have the time to really taste it, savor it. But now he took all the time in the world, relishing ever drop. He raised his glass to take a final sip and saw Beth watching him closely. He saw a subtle droop around her eyes and realized that she must be tired. She was, after all, a human and not used to staying up so late. He quickly swallowed the remaining contents of his drink and leaned across the table. "It's getting late and you look tired," he whispered. "We should probably find a place to stay for the night. We can get a flight back to L.A. in the morning."

Beth nodded, "Sounds like a plan to me."


A/N: Thank you all for your wonderful reviews! You guys are the best!