Author's Note: I know I haven't been posting that often. It's hard for my muse to work when I don't know if you guys like this or not. That being said I'd like to thank Karen, SPCLjmm, and Omskwife for your reviews. They make my muse happy. I hope this chapter will continue to entertain you.
"Mick, after you listen to this come by my office. We need to talk."
Mick frowned as he listened to Josef's message. He didn't like the tone he heard. Josef was worried about something. He got cleaned up and was out the door twenty minutes later.
He arrived at Josef's office to find multiple cars parked in the parking lot. He glanced at his watch as he climbed out of his car. It was already past ten o'clock at night. What was going on? He nodded his head toward the new receptionist as he hit the button for the elevator.
A couple minutes later, he walked out of the elevator and headed for Josef's office. He opened the door as Josef began yelling. Oh, yeah, Josef was pissed off about something. He waited patiently for his friend to calm down and dismiss his minions. Fifteen minutes later, the said minions scattered leaving him and Josef alone.
"Mick, it's good to see you finally joined us."
"What's going on Josef?"
"I had a visit from Beth today. She's concerned about ADA Talbot."
"Why?"
"He's watching you."
"Well, that's nothing new."
"No, but he's convinced you're connected to some disappearances the LAPD and DA office are looking into."
"What disappearances are you talking about? I haven't heard about anyone disappearing."
"That's the other thing, Mick. I think it's vampires that's vanishing."
"What? How do you know?"
"I had a meeting scheduled with David Phillips today. When he wasn't waiting for me I called Rider. I received a call back from him a few minutes before Beth left. He said he found a pile of ash inside David's office. When I arrived the cleaners were just leaving. They said this was the tenth call they'd received this month alone."
"Why didn't Beth tell me about this?"
"She didn't know, Mick. She just found out about this herself."
"And Talbot thinks I'm doing what exactly?"
"I don't know. David was a PI as you know. Maybe Talbot thinks you're killing off the competition. That's not what has me concerned. It's the number of cleaner calls that's worrying me. I think we have a vampire hunter in LA."
"That means Beth is in danger."
"Yeah, I think she is."
"I've got to go, Josef."
"I know. Listen, just be careful, Mick. I think it's safe to assume this hunter is working for the Council. I hate to admit it, but Lance was right."
"Yeah, I'm starting to see that. I'll talk to you later,"
Mick made his way over to Beth's apartment. This made no sense to him. Lance did say the Council would kill anyone that got in their way, but why send a vampire hunter to kill vamps he didn't even know? And how long would it be before this hunter began targeting his friends?
He arrived at Beth's apartment ten minutes later. He stepped out of the elevator on Beth's floor and froze. A vampire had been here. A very old vampire…Beth. He rushed forward busting the front door in the process. The smell was even stronger inside. Oh God, The vamp had been inside Beth's apartment.
"Beth! Where are you?!"
The toilet flushed then her voice came from the bedroom. Her very living voice. He began pacing back and forth waiting impatiently for her to appear. The second she appeared his head snapped in her direction, and his feet began moving under their own accord. He pulled her into his arms and buried his nose in her hair. And that's when he heard the echo of Beth's beating heart.
He pulled her away from him gently so he could look into her eyes. "Beth, are you pregnant?"
"I haven't officially taken the test yet, but from what I've been told yes, I'm pregnant."
Mick released his hold on Beth and took a step away from her. "You and Josh…"
"Yeah, we did the night you and I made plans to go to Bio Analysis to test Coraline's blood."
"So, it's Josh's baby."
"No, it's not, Mick."
Mick raised his eyebrows in surprise. No, he didn't just hear what he thought he heard. "What? If it's not Josh's. Any, then whose is it?"
"It's your baby, Mick."
He had to admit Beth's smile was dazzling, but she was wrong. It couldn't be his baby. Vampires couldn't have children. "That's not possible."
"That's what I thought too. But I've since changed my mind."
"Why?"
"It's because of the visitor you smelled causing you to bust down my door."
"Did they hurt you?"
"No, he didn't hurt me."
"He…"
"Yeah, he said his name was Lance. He also said he gave you a warning two months ago."
Mick closed his eyes, and nodded his head. "He did."
"Why didn't you tell me, Mick?"
He opened his eyes focusing then on Beth. "I didn't want to worry you since it was vampire business. There wasn't anything you could do to help. You aren't a vampire."
"Yes, I know, Mick. You keep reminding me almost everyday."
"I'm just trying to protect you."
"I know you are. But now you have to keep our baby safe as well."
"Beth, you keep saying this baby is mine, but I know it's not possible."
Beth took a step forward taking hold of his hand then lead him over to the couch. She took a seat and gently pulled him down beside her. "Under normal circumstances you'd be right, but these aren't normal circumstances."
"What are you talking about?"
"I'm talking about the compound Coraline gave you two months ago."
"Okay…"
"Mick, it's the reason I'm pregnant with your baby."
"What?"
"According to Lance, there's two compounds. What Coraline stole was some of the original compound their sire hid away."
"He told you that?"
"Yes, he actually told me a lot. He said a Vampire Council from Europe is coming after you because of the compound, but Lance gave me the impression they think you got the new compound not the old one. And as long as they think that the baby and I are safe. But if they find out it was the old compound then they'll start hunting me as well."
"I won't allow anything to happen to you, Beth."
"I know you won't, Mick. There's one other thing I need to ask you."
"You can ask me anything. You know that,"
"Okay, then here goes. How much do you trust Guillermo?"
"I trust him. Why?"
"I really don't like the idea of having to do this, but I'll do what I have to for our baby. Lance told me I'll have to start drinking blood since the baby is half vampire and half mortal. And since you get your blood from Guillermo I figured I could too as long as he can be trusted to keep the secret."
Mick shook his head as he gently squeezed Beth's hand. "No, that's not a good idea. I do trust Guillermo, but I don't want to involve him in this. And if I start buying any blood type other than A positive he'll know something is up."
"So, basically you want to just keep this between ourselves and Josef like when you had Coraline's blood tested?"
"I think that'll be the safest for you and the baby. Like the compound, we don't know who'll view this child as a threat."
"Lance said the same thing. And I think Josef knows I'm pregnant. He also probably thinks I cheated on you as well."
"Don't worry about Josef. Once we explain the situation he'll be thrilled to be Uncle Josef."
"So, you believe me?"
"Beth, you've never lied to me before. So, why would you start lying to me now? I don't trust Lance, but he's the expert on the compound. If he says that's how I got you pregnant then who am I to argue?"
Beth smiled as they rose to their feet. "Knowing Josef, he'll want tests run."
"And I'll only allow it as long as it won't hurt the two of you."
"Josef won't hurt us."
Thirty minutes later, they were watching a shell shocked Josef starring back at them. "Josef, are you all right?"
"That's impossible. Vampires can't have children. Our DNA is altered the moment we are turned."
"That's true Josef, but Coraline told me the compound hides the signs of vampirism." Mick wrapped his arm around Beth's shoulders.
Beth smiled as she snuggled into his embrace. "And according to Lance there is something in the original compound that makes this possible. That's why the Council started over."
Josef raised his eye brows smiling slightly causing Mick to return the smile. "So, you didn't cheat on my best friend?"
"No, of course not. I'd never do that to him."
Mick laughed and buried his nose into Beth's hair. "Yeah, except you cheated on Josh with me."
"What? No, I didn't."
"You don't call kissing another guy cheating?"
He saw the burn of a blush creep up her face before she buried her nose into his neck. "Okay, yeah, I did kiss you while I was still dating Josh. But we didn't do anything else."
"Well, it wasn't for the lack of you trying."
Beth's head snapped up to look at him in the eyes. "Hey, I was under the influence of Black Crystal at the time."
Josef's smile widened and nodded his head. "So, now I'm really envious of you, my friend."
Mick laughed and shrugged his shoulders. "I'm sorry, man. I didn't know this was even possible myself. If you want a child…"
"No, but thanks for the offer, Mick. The only woman I'd want rug rats with is Sarah. And she's stuck somewhere in the middle. So, what's the next step in this new adventure?"
"Well, we were wondering if you'd like to be the baby's uncle?"
"I'd be honored, Beth."
Mick glanced at Beth before turning his focus back to Josef. "There is something else, Josef. Lance told Beth that she'll have to start drinking blood if she wants to survive the pregnancy."
"And if you go to Guillermo he might not keep this to himself."
Beth nodded her head. "Exactly, And we can't risk the Council finding out about the baby."
"They'll kill both of you if they ever found out. Don't worry, Beth. I can help you out. What blood type do you need?"
"I think it would be best if we use my blood type, but it's rare. I'm AO negative."
Mick smiled seeing Josef's eyes light up. "You have someone in mind don't you?"
"Mick, my friend, I do indeed. And she's a good year."
"A freshie…Josef, you know freshies can only give one maybe two pints of blood every fifty-six days. Beth is going to need more than that."
"You wound me, Mick. Danielle might be a freshie, but she also works at the blood bank. She should be able to provide the blood we need from donors as well as giving her own since she has the same blood type as Beth."
"How many AO negative donors live in LA?"
"I don't know that answer, but Danielle will. I'll give her a call tomorrow."
"Thanks, Josef. Any new news on what we talked about earlier?" Mick slowly rose to his feet and helped Beth to her feet.
"No, I haven't heard anything yet. I really want to know what Talbot knows." Josef rose to his feet as they headed for his door.
"Maybe I can help with that."
"No, absolutely not Beth, it's too dangerous."
"Mick, I'm pregnant. That doesn't mean I can't still help you guys out."
"No, I agree with Mick on this one. It's too dangerous for you now. Let us handle this."
Beth sighed before nodding her head much to Mick's relief. "Keep me informed on any new developments you hear about."
"I will. You two have a good evening."
Mick nodded his head as he and Beth walked out of the office. He opened the car door for Beth then climbed in himself. He glanced over at her as he started the car. He recognized the determined look on her face. She was planning something.
"Okay, What are you planning, Beth?"
"I'm not planning anything."
"Beth, I know you. You're planning something."
"No, I'm not. I'm just thinking about what Ben might know."
"We'll figure it out."
"I know we will."
