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Chapter 7

It was two nights later that Josef came down for the evening to find Mick waiting in his living room. The older vamp did not like the expression on his friend's face.

"To what do I owe the honor?" Josef asked. "Shouldn't you be working things out with Beth? You know, long soul searching conversations and the like?"

"I have some questions," Mick said.

"And you came to me, how sweet," Josef sniggered.

Mick just shook his head.

"This is serious Josef," he said impatiently.

"All right, all right. What questions?" he asked as he took a seat. He gave Mick his full attention.

"I'm a bit hazy on my turning. It was my wedding night; my mind was on other things. Coraline took me completely by surprise, so I don't remember much. How do I know when to stop drinking and give my blood? When is it too late?" Mick asked.

"You'll know Mick. You'll be able to tell when the heart is ready to stop beating. It's like how you know when you have taken enough from a freshie. When you are in control you will know when it's time," Josef assured him. "It's not something you can practice. So does this mean you are giving in to Blondie's request?"

"I'm sorting this out. I've never even attempted a turning," Mick answered. "I'm still afraid of failing."

"If you keep thinking like that you will fail," his friend pointed out. "If you are unsure, you reduce the chance of success."

"I've drank from Beth, it's not like I've never bitten her."

"Good, that's a start."

"It's just that deep inside, something is holding me back," Mick confessed.

"Well Beth won't wait forever. You had better figure it out quick. I seem to remember Philippe offering to do it."

"Beth called him. For advice she said," Mick said looking down at his hands.



"Well isn't that interesting?" Josef said thoughtfully. "Hey buddy, it looks like the clock is ticking. I can promise you that Philippe will do it."

"I know," Mick sighed.

Before he could say more, the door opened and Rayna swept in. She was juggling two packages and a suitcase. Mick saw Josef's face instantly light up and his friend bounded to his feet to rescue the packages before they crashed. He quickly relieved Rayna of the parcels and suitcase and then lifted her up in his arms. Josef kissed her hungrily. Rayna ran her hands into his hair holding on tight. She smiled in delight when he released her mouth.

"Oh, I've missed you," she sighed. She gazed deeply into his brown eyes, seeing her feelings reflected there.

"You have no idea how I've hated the fact that you were gone," Josef replied, still holding her off the ground.

Rayna noticed Mick as he got to his feet.

"Oh Mick. I'm so glad to see you. Tyson saw us off and he told me you called. I didn't know you knew him," she laughed.

"Who's Tyson?" Josef growled. He set Rayna on her feet.

"A friend. Didn't I mention him when I called?" she said in a rush. Words came pouring out. "I guess I didn't, I was just so happy to be talking to you, I forgot. Mick knows him. He is a friend of Granny's. Oh, I got some great ideas for the book, almost enough to write two. Anthony is going to be so busy editing. I can't wait to get writing, I………." Josef kissed her to shut her up.

"Well I can see I'm only going to be in the way," Mick said starting for the door.

"Oh Mick," Rayna said breaking away. "I have a great idea." She kept a hold of Josef's hand and looked between the two men. "Let me hold Beth's party here. Please Josef. I'd really like to do this."

Josef laughed and nodded. "If Mick's okay with it, it's okay with me."

"Hey, go for it," Mick said quietly. "Party planning isn't my strong suit. I've got a few other things to deal with. Thank you Rayna," he added and headed out of the room.

Rayna watched him leave in puzzlement. She turned to Josef with hurt in her eyes.

"What's wrong?" she asked. "Did he have plans that I've ruined?"

"No," Josef said pulling her back into his arms. "Mick is wrestling with a pretty big decision. Beth wants to be turned. She's upped the ante. I think she will ask Philippe to do it if Mick won't."



"Oh," Rayna responded, grasping the full implication of that. "No wonder he's so down. I know for sure that Beth really wants Mick for her sire. We've talked."

"He's coming around. The reason he stopped by was to ask how he would know when he had taken her to the point of feeding her his blood. Mick is very afraid that he will not successfully complete the turning. If it goes badly and he loses her, it will destroy him," Josef said with certainty.

Rayna could see that that was Josef's biggest fear. He hated the possibility of watching his friend self-destruct if he lost Beth. She wished she could promise nothing would go wrong. Rayna reached up to stroke his cheek.

"I'm sure it will work out. I know that I can't be sure, but he loves her too much not to do as she asks. He'll do what he has to and it will be okay," she murmured as she pulled his head down into a deep kiss.

Josef let Mick slip from his mind as he lost himself in Rayna. He growled and picked her up.

"Now, I want to hear all about this Tyson character," Josef whispered.

Rayna smiled sweetly. She placed her hands on his face, holding him lightly.

"Sexiest Cajun vampire I've ever met. Dark blonde, green eyes and six foot two," she listed as her smile turned wicked. "And he is much too young for me. I've got exactly the vamp I want."

"Don't you ever forget it," Josef warned.

Rayna ran her hands from his face down to his collar. She tugged at his tie, loosening it and undoing the top couple of buttons of his shirt. Her clear grey eyes twinkled at him.

"I could never forget you my love. I spent eighty years trying and look where I ended up."

"In my arms."

"One of my favorite places," Rayna laughed. "It's so good to be home."

"Where's Anthony?" Josef suddenly realized he hadn't seen the man since Rayna arrived.

"Down at the guest house. He figured we would want alone time."

"Smart man," Josef chuckled. "Alone is exactly where we are going to be."

He headed toward the stairs with her laugh floating behind them.

End chapter.

This week has not been the best for our show. While I hope someone wakes up and smells the coffee and does something to save the show, I am grateful to be able to come here and write. You wonderful readers help keep it alive. Together we won't let Moonlight doesn't slip away. Please press the button and review.