Okay, so please don't hate me after this. As I said before, this story will cover our favorite duos entire friendship. This is the end of the first phase of their relationship, but there will be more to follow!

Enjoy!!!

Love is Blind

"Nothing is miserable unless you think it is so."
-Boethius

Knock, knock

Mick opened the door to find Josef standing there, grinning at him. A smile spread across Mick's face and he stepped back, allowing Josef to enter.

Josef entered, looking around. He eyed the un-opened boxes and the newly assembled bookcase. "Like what you've done with the place."

"Thanks," Mick said. "What are you doing here?"

Josef turned to Mick and flashed him his trademark cat-that-ate-the-canary smile. "What? I can't just be wanting to spend the evening with my friend?"

"I thought the idea of me getting my own place was so that we spent less time together?" Mick asked coyly.

"I haven't seen you in a week. I think that counts as 'time apart,'" Josef answered. "Besides, I have a great idea to relax." Mick raised his eyebrows and looked at Josef. "Come on. Get your coat. We're going on a road trip."

Mick climbed into Josef's car, remembering their last outing to the beach. "Where are we going, Josef?"

"Does it matter? It's a road trip. I was thinking of just driving up the Pacific Coast Highway." Mick smiled. The new PCH was a beautiful drive and the ocean would look great in the light of the full moon.

Mick enjoyed the cool evening breeze running past his face. He was learning to enjoy his new abilities. Josef had taught him to appreciate every molecule as it brushed past him. He took a deep breath and focused on each individual smell. The ocean, the wet sand of the beach, the road, the soil and bushes along the side of the road and even the occasional diner they pasted.

The ride proceeded in silence. Both enjoying the other's company. "Have you thought of a job? Do you want to be a doctor? I know you were a medic in World War II," Josef asked.

"No," Mick said flatly. "I don't trust myself around fresh blood all day."

Josef nodded, knowingly. Fledglings always had difficultly around human blood, especially ones filled with fear.

"I was thinking of police work," Mick said. "I have some military skills and my heightened senses could really help."

"Sorry, buddy, but that won't work," Josef replied.

"What? Why?" Mick asked.

"Well, for one, questions will be raised as to why you only work nights. Second, you'll have a partner who is bound to notice your abilities and lack of eating. Third, if you happen to get shot, how do you explain not having a wound? And fourth, you'd have to leave in 5 years anyways because your colleagues would notice you haven't aged," Josef answered.

Mick's face dropped. Josef could tell he had really liked the idea. "I have a compromise," Josef said. Mick looked at him hopefully. "Why don't you try being a private investigator? Your abilities would make you a good detective and you could still help people without having to explain yourself to colleagues."

Mick smiled. "Yeah, that sounds great. How do you become a PI?"

"I think there's a test. We can look it up when we get back."

"Great," Mick said, looking out at the road. Josef continued to drive the windy road along the coast. At 3 am the PCH was all but deserted. They had the road to themselves and they only thing that could make it better was if the sun was shinning, but Mick knew that would be more painful than pleasant. Still caught in the mortal coil… he thought.

Mick was roused from his thoughts as Josef pulled off the road. Josef parked the car in a pullout and looked at Mick. Mick, taking the hint, opened the door and stepped out. Josef climbed out as well, and they stood, leaning against the car, looking over the ocean.

The sound of the waves crashing against the rocks below filled the air. Mick reached out and grabbed Josef's hand, pulling him over. Josef moved in front of Mick and leaned back against his chest, allowing Mick's head to rest on his shoulder.

Mick sighed contently as Josef's body leaned against his. He wrapped his arms around Josef's waist and snuck a smell. Josef smelled of soap, blood, and masculinity with a hint of warm vanilla.

Josef rested his hands on Mick's arms. He heard Mick breath in his scent and he smiled wirily at Mick's attempt to be discreet. He felt Mick relax. "Mick…"

"Yeah, Josef," Mick responded, totally relaxed.

"Do you know what today is?"

"No, what day is it?" Mick asked absently.

"Your birthday."

Mick chuckled, "You need to get your research right. My birthday's is in November."

Josef's voice stayed serious. "No, Mick. Not that birthday, actually…it's your deathday and you first wedding anniversary." Josef had planned this. He wanted to get Mick relaxed before he broached the subject. Mick had come a long way in the last months, but Josef knew he was still not over the shock of a year ago.

Mick went ridged and he let go of Josef. Josef turned around and faced Mick. "I know you don't want to think about it, but you have to face reality."

Mick looked away from Josef. He couldn't believe the sucker punch Josef had just delivered him. How could I forget? What's gotten into me…? Mick looked back into Josef's eyes and saw concern. He's made me forget. Made me forget that I'm a monster. He made me enjoy this cursed life.

Josef laid his hand, in a comforting gesture, on Mick's shoulder. Mick shrugged away from Josef's touch, scooting father along the car. Josef rolled his eyes and grabbed the front of Mick's shirt. "Listen to me," he demanded. "You can't live like this. You have to let the past go. You can't keep carrying it around." Josef forced a kiss to Mick's lips, but Mick pushed him away.

"You're wrong…you're wrong, Josef," Mick said shaking his head as he backed away. "This isn't living. We're not living." He turned around and ran off into the night, leaving Josef standing alone, and hurt, by his car on the lonely highway, bathed in the light of the full moon.

It took Josef awhile to get over the shock of Mick running off. But he finally climbed into his car and drove back to town. He stopped by Mick's to see if he had made it back. He was thankful that Mick had left the door unlocked, but he was depressed to find that Mick had not returned yet.

Josef leaned against the counter debating with himself, whether to stay and confront Mick, or leave him alone. Josef pulled out a small folded up piece of paper and set it on the counter. He took one last look around and walked out the door.

Mick slowed down after a couple of miles. He couldn't bring himself to go home, but he couldn't go back. He wandered down the road as he looked out over the ocean. Watching the ocean he realized where he wanted and needed to be. He took off back up the road, but when he reached the pull out Josef was gone.

Mick looked around and took a deep breath. He smiled to himself. He knew where he had to go…

Mick ran up to Josef's house. He had to tell the older vampire what he felt. But what he found was not Josef…

"Coraline…?"

"Hey, Mick. Happy Anniversary, baby."