Disclaimer: I do not own Moonlight. And here I am again, still thinking about it.

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Chapter 9

Josef broke a number of traffic laws getting back to the house. He arrived moments before Mick. When he entered the room, he headed straight to Rayna and gathered her into his arms. He felt ready to burst with questions but he could tell that Rayna needed comfort not an interrogation.

Mick walked in shortly after to witness the silent pair in the middle of the room and Beth looking concerned as she held the latest delivery. He hurried to her side and she handed him the book, opening it to the inscription. He read it and then looked back at Beth gravely.

"So you know this guy Rayna?" Mick asked.

Rayna nodded as she drew out of Josef's embrace but kept a tight grip on his hand.

"Yes, I knew him as Jefferson Cole in 1900. I truly thought he had died in a mine explosion. Shortly before the explosion I began to wonder if his attentions were more than just friends. A few of my donors had fatal accidents or went missing," Rayna said briefly.

"I'm going to need all the background you can give me on this guy," Mick said tapping the closed book in his hands. "I suggest we sit down and have Rayna tell us a story. Give us details about this vamp," he added to Rayna.

"Mick's right Beauty. Let's hear all about your Wild West days," Josef urged as he led her to one of the loveseats. Rayna sank down and rested her head in her hands, rubbing her temples. Josef sat beside her and gently rubbed a circle between her shoulder blades. "Take a moment and then take us back to South Dakota. How did you ever end up there after New Orleans?"

Rayna gazed up at him and smiled weakly. Then she looked over at Mick and Beth who had taken a seat on the loveseat opposite them. Beth smiled encouragingly.

"All right," Rayna nodded. "After the encounter with the hunter and David's death, I ran as far from New Orleans as I could get. I headed north and eventually landed in the mining town of Lead, South Dakota. The change was so extreme that it helped erase the bad memories. I loved how simple life was there and I made friends easily. Jefferson was the only other vampire in town and I was drawn to him. He owned a saloon named Capulet's Tomb of all things, and he gave me a job." Her eyes travelled around the group. Josef patted her hand.

"So you spent a lot of time with him," Beth stated. "Were you involved?"

"No, not like that," Rayna said quickly. She gave Josef an anxious look. "After David…..I just couldn't feel that way about anyone. I told Jefferson what had happened. He was charming, fun and interesting, I believed we were friends. Nothing that Jeff did or said made me think he felt more than that. It was only a year and a half later I began to suspect there might be stronger feelings on his side. I said that a few of my donors had fatal accidents or went missing?" The others nodded. "Well accidents happened in mining that wasn't a surprise but I noticed they were all my donors, the few I shared my secret with. Then Bill, my favorite guy came to me and said he was uncomfortable around Jefferson. Jeff had made veiled suggestions that Bill was "too close" to me. The next evening I observed Jeff following Bill to one of the mines. There was an explosion and a fire deep in one of the shafts. I truly believed Jefferson had died there," Rayna finished painfully. Clenching her fingers together she looked at Josef begging for understanding.

"Of course you did," he answered soothingly. He wrapped an arm around her and pulled her close. "You aren't to blame for his actions. Rayna this was not your fault."

"Can you give us more background on Cole? How old is he?" Mick asked. Beth had settled closer to him as Rayna had talked and he held her hand in his.

"Jefferson was around 26 or 27 when he was turned. He was young, a vampire about fifty years when I met him. His youth made me feel very protective of him although he was very controlled, very comfortable in his skin. Talking about his human life was something Jeff loved to do and he told great tales of the Idaho territory where he was born. His father was a reclusive mountain man who married a woman from the Shoshone tribe. Jeff came by his love of reading, especially Shakespeare from his father and his love of nature from his mother. He was surprisingly cultured for growing up in such isolation and we had such interesting conversations," Rayna tried to explain. "The only subject he wouldn't discuss was his turning. I don't know how or when it happened."

"Tell them about the waterfall," Beth suggested. She picked up a magazine from the coffee table and handed it to Mick. Rayna's grotto waterfall photo was prominent on the page. "Tell them why this triggered the gift giving."

"In the remote valley where Jefferson grew up was this amazing waterfall. He held that valley and waterfall as something sacred. The fact that it was so desolate made it impossible for him to return there after he was turned for there were no human blood sources and he refused to live on animal blood. But he talked about it constantly and often spoke of how he would love to show me the valley and waterfall someday," Rayna continued her story. "He must have seen this photo and believed I was calling to him."

"How did one photo do that?" Josef questioned skeptically. "What are the odds he would find it?"

"I suspect Cole has been keeping tabs on Rayna for a long time," Mick offered his opinion. "He's been waiting and watching for decades and most likely building on his obsession. I would imagine he has a subscription to Southern California View and undoubtedly was on on-line member of the RK Fitzgerald book club as well." Mick held out the book. "Read this Josef. This inscription is serious and this vamp is not dealing with reality," he said grimly.

Josef leaned forward and accepted the book from Mick. He opened it to the inside cover and his jaw clenched tightly as he read the writing.

Rayna my love, I have waited so long for your summons. At last you have called to me; I knew you would remember my waterfall. I know that Kostan must be keeping you from me. Have faith, I will save you. Be prepared my lady for I will come. Remember; "And what love can do that dares love attempt." We will be together again. Jefferson

Josef looked at Rayna, his eyes burning into hers.

"I'm sorry Josef," she whispered. "He thinks you are the reason I haven't gone to him. He may have been watching me all these years but he doesn't see that I love you. He has made you the enemy," she said in agitation.

"He wouldn't be the first," Josef quipped. He failed to make Rayna smile.

"This is serious Josef. You are his target, the obstacle that is keeping me from him. Don't laugh this off," she said heatedly.

Josef set the book down and tenderly cupped Rayna's face in his hands. He made her eyes meet his.

"I am serious…..listen to me love, I am not afraid of this vamp. We have a warning now, we will be prepared," he said patiently. "This character is here in town and we will find him."

He drew her close and kissed her sweetly. Rayna grabbed Josef and hugged him tightly. Her arms were wrapped around his neck, her face buried in his chest. Josef rocked her slowly trying to calm her.

"I don't like this," she moaned. "Why does he want me?"

"You're irresistible my darling. I totally understand his desiring you," Josef chuckled softly. "He displays good taste for a crazy man."

"Always the smart answer," Rayna scolded as she got control of herself. "I'm sorry I lost it. I don't like threats to my man."

"Well I like the sound of that," Josef smiled. "Good girl, now we fight back."

He looked over at Mick who nodded and got to his feet. He drew Beth up beside him.

"Find him," Josef ordered harshly.

"I will," Mick promised. "I have a feeling he isn't covering his tracks as carefully now. I think you're absolutely right, he is here in LA. Cole has the need to be near Rayna so I think he's been in town as long as she's been here. Or shortly after she moved here," he added. "Watch your back buddy; he has decided you are the source of his troubles. I have Logan tracing that email address and I will have him start to sort through property purchases in the last five years."

"Isn't that a lot to sort through?" Beth questioned. "We don't have a name to trace unless he still uses Cole. "

"I doubt he is using that. But he has money, those earrings are expensive. All this stalking costs money and he will have needed a vamp friendly house. It will narrow the search," Mick replied. "Rayna be prepared, he may contact you personally now."

"I can do a sketch of Jefferson as he appeared in Lead. Logan can search the data bases like the DMV to see what name he may be using," Rayna offered.

"Good idea," Mick approved. "That would help a lot. He's a clever vamp but he can't hide forever if he wants Rayna to come to him."

"Rayna, Mick will find him," Beth said confidently and went to hug her friend. "Don't worry about coming in to the magazine tomorrow. There's nothing you need to do. Work on the sketch and get it to Mick as quickly as possible."

"Okay," Rayna agreed.

"Thank you Mick. I appreciate all you are doing," Josef said seriously.

Mick could see how having a course of action eased Josef's concern. He didn't fear the threat aimed at himself but he did not like what the strain was doing to Rayna. Mick had every intention of making sure that Jefferson Cole didn't hurt either of his friends.

"We'll get him Josef," he promised. "Come on Beth, let's get this started."

End chapter.

Now we all know our stalker a bit better. Will Mick find him before he makes his move for Rayna? I hope you stay with me and find out. Thanks for reading.