AN: Well here is part 3. It is the last. I wasn't entirely happy about the dialogue so, I apologize if its somewhat crappy. I am better at insights then talking.
Mick made his way to Josef's mansion all the while wondering if Josef would take what he wanted to say seriously or make no big deal of it. He knew his friend, knew that despite how worried and hurt he may be, Josef would always try to make himself into the tough guy, show all of his 400 plus years in order to save himself from further pain.
Mick was never one to believe that act of his. He was in fact the only one that Josef would and could be himself, though those times were few and far between. But he did not blame Josef, he had asked for this and he was more than a little startled with the implications of having both Coraline and Josef as his sires-though he would gladly take Josef any day. While he knew he was not a fledgling that needed to be trained Mick was glad his friend was near all the same.
He looked up at the Mansion and had no clear remembrance of walking all the way to the hills but…He was here. By the time he was finished Josef better have it through his thick head and self hate that Mick did not blame him and that he was forgiven because the ancient Vamp would accept nothing less.
Josef sat at his desk, staring morosely into the fire he had lit more than an hour ago. If anyone noticed the irony of him being so near something that could kill him, they did not say. His employees both Human and Vamp knew when to leave him alone.
Karl had told him Mick was outside, had been for well over an hour, just standing there. In Josef's mind that did not bode well for that friendship. While consciously he knew Mick would still be his friend, sub-consciously he worried. He knew that Mick wanted to be human and he had taken that chance from him in mere seconds, when he knew full when there would never be another way again. He sighed, time to face the music.
Josef straightened, stood upright and fixed his tie. There was no use in meeting Mick not looking his best.
"Well," began Josef, as Mick stood before him, "What brings you here? Shouldn't you and Blondie be….well...not here?" he smirked.
"We were, I just need some time." Mick replied as the two stared at one another.
A conversation passed between the two in this meeting of stares, both apprehensive.
"I am sorry-" Josef began.
"It wasn't your-" Mick started at the same time, then he sighed.
"I asked you to Turn me Josef," Mick went on, "It was my choice, I had to save Beth and that was the only way." He paused.
"You wanted to be human for years Mick and you through it all away in minutes and I helped." Josef remorsefully told him.
"I don't regret it," Mick responded forcefully, leaving no doubt in his voice. "I am just glad you showed up to help, otherwise…"
"Don't remind me," Josef responded wryly, "Even I didn't think you could be that idiotic, but I guess I was wrong," he continued as he smirked at his friend.
Josef watched his friend and honestly would not believe the words coming from his mouth. How could Mick not regret it? How could he not hate Josef for what he did? He turned and faced the window, a glass of scotch in his hand.
"Thank you."
Those two words were enough to make Josef start and turn around. He had never heard Mick sound so sincere and heartfelt, at least towards him. No. he though, as he saw the look on his friend's face, that's not true. Last night, he had when Mick had begged him, asked him, all to save one human, the one he loved.
"Send me a gift basket," he responded sarcastically.
"I mean it Josef, I owe you," Mick said as he ignored the dig. "I made my choice-and you know what?"
Josef looked at him curiously.
"I am glad, I mean I loved being Human-it was my dream come true but…," Mick paused, "I got to eat, sleep-for the first time in decades-"
"Is this going somewhere?"
Mick smiled lightly, "For the first time, I don't hate who I am, and I know I have Beth to thank for that for the most part, you helped too."
"Ah, how's Blondie doing? Worn out yet?" Josef responded with a smirk.
At that Mick glared, but he also relaxed. They were okay; he had been worried for a little-he was not use to the serious side of Josef that he had been confronted with when he first showed up.
"She's fine," Mick said, "We're just taking it slow, I need time to think." He continued.
"You love her," Josef stated, he had already told his stubborn friend, he was merely reinstating the fact.
Mick nodded, then paused and continued, "And thanks."
"You already said that," Josef responded.
"I meant for what you did after I was human you know?"Mick began haltingly, "You didn't treat me differently, just the same as always."
"Was I not suppose to?" Josef said amusedly, "Or did I miss that memo?"
"I was Human Josef, you didn't have to do that, and you could've-" Mick rapidly said
"It wasn't permanent," Josef interrupted, "And besides you needed someone to keep you from getting yourself killed," Josef paused, thought for a moment and continued, "though I can't say I succeeded."
At this both Vampires paused as their eyes locked, both remembering the previous night. In that moment both knew it was okay. Nothing else needed to be said.
Mick nodded first and with a small smile turned to leave.
"Don't do something like that again," Josef said and it was all but a command.
"I won't." Mick responded with one last glance at his friend, his brother, and left.
As soon as Mick left, Josef closed his eyes and sighed. That was perhaps the most difficult conversation he had ever had with Mick and yet he felt more at ease than he had been for awhile. For once everything was okay and he no longer had to worry about Mick hating himself. But best of all he still had his best friend, his brother.
AN: How was it?? And if anyone's interested I am trying to write another Moonlight fic, but considering I have scenes but no real plot line yet it may be slow going but it centers around one of Josef's freshies.
