Disclaimer: I do not own Moonlight. But I have thought about filing papers to adopt.

Thank you again for your support of this story. I do appreciate all of you.

Chapter 10

By late afternoon of the next day Mick was headed out to talk to the delivery service. He was sure he'd get no more information than the last three times but he wanted to be thorough. He and Logan had gone through property sales for the last five years the night before and had a promising list of those that might have appealed to Cole. It was a long list and Mick had left Logan with instructions to keep searching while he tried to find a name. While Mick was sure that Cole would not be using that name it was possible he had used it in the past. His final instructions to Logan had been to check back in the records of any mention of Jefferson Cole. The tech wizard had made dark mutterings of never getting to play World of Warcraft again but quieted when Mick reminded him that Josef Kostan was footing the bill. An appeased Logan had set to work with a smile. After the delivery service, Mick would swing by and pick up the sketch from Rayna.

Beth had gone to the magazine to handle the last minute pre-publication snags for the new issue. Faxes had been sent and received from Granny and everything was approved for the new look. With a satisfied smile Beth relaxed at her desk, admiring the mock up of the magazine cover. She felt a great sense of accomplishment and when her phone rang she reached for it without considering who it might be.

"Beth Turner, managing editor," she said crisply.

"My goodness you sound official," a soft voice responded. "Beth this is Coraline."

Beth's good spirits fled and she started to replace the receiver then stopped. She brought the phone back to her ear.

"What can I do for you Coraline?" Beth said with false interest. A light laugh danced over the phone back to her.

"I do wish I could see your face. Beth, I wish to meet with you, we have much to discuss. Could we get together and talk?"

"Coraline, we gave Dimitri our answer. Do you really not understand the work no?" Beth said trying to hold in her anger.

"Please Beth, let me explain. I should never have sent Dimitri to plead my case. It is very important that I talk to you," Coraline insisted desperately.

Everything inside her head told Beth to hang up on the tormenting voice. But her old reporter instinct was needling her to find out what was motivating Coraline this time. It was becoming clear that trying to ignore the woman was not working.

"Where do you want to meet?" she said in frustration.

"Somewhere public. Do you know the club Nightfall?" Coraline asked the pleasure at winning clear in her voice.

"Yes I do," Beth answered and doodled the name of the club and Coraline's name on the pad on her desk. "I can meet you there. What time?"

Coraline's choice of meeting place pleased Beth and eased her mind. The vampire club would be the right place to protect humans from the other woman's mood swings.

"Will an hour work for you?" Coraline asked.

"One hour," Beth agreed and hung up. It would take almost a half hour to reach the club and she debated calling Mick to let him know what she was up to. Quickly she rejected that, knowing she needed to deal with this on her own. Coraline would never respect her if she had to drag Mick along to the meeting.

An hour later, Beth entered the classy vampire club Nightfall and had no trouble locating the brunette sitting in a private booth across the room. She joined her, sliding gracefully into the booth opposite her. With a sigh she confronted the vampire who had haunted her human life and threatened her vampire love.

"Okay, I'm here, talk," Beth said bluntly.

"Would you care for a drink?" Coraline offered sweetly and indicated two glasses of blood in front of her.

"Thank you, why not, "Beth agreed reaching for a glass. She drew it close but didn't drink. "Coraline, why do you want to attend our commitment?"

"I know you don't want to believe this but I have changed," Coraline said quietly and took a sip of the remaining drink. Beth let out a snort of disbelief. "Hear me out. You are here so you must be curious."

"All right," Beth sighed. "Tell me."

"After Mardi Gras, Dimitri and I had a long talk. He is not the vampire I thought he was." Coraline paused; a soft smile lit her face briefly. "Then Moriah invited me to her home and we had an intense discussion. She pointed out that I have not always made good choices for myself."

"Not just for you," Beth said dryly.

"I realize that," Coraline admitted. "And now if I am to move forward, I must settle my past."

"I still see no reason why my commitment is necessary for this step," Beth said in irritation. She took a swallow of the blood after a quick sniff. It was fresh AB neg. and the taste calmed her.

"Beth, I want Dimitri in my life. We are rebuilding our relationship but I know he is watching me. He chose to come to UCLA to test me." Coraline's eyes glowed brightly. "I know I can prove myself to him if I can be there to wish you and Mick well. I have to show him I've moved on." She reached out to grasp Beth's hand. "Please Beth."

With a low hiss and her eyes flashing silver briefly, Beth pulled her hand away.

"I do not appreciate being handled by you," Beth growled softly. "I'm no longer a fledgling you can push around. I wish you well with your plan to move on but you do not need Mick and me to do it."

"I am serious Beth."

"Please Coraline, you expect me to believe you no longer love Mick and only want Dimitri? A talk with Granny and everything changes just like that?" Beth said suspiciously.

"I still love Mick," Coraline admitted quietly, her fingers linked together in front of her. She twisted them nervously. "I probably always will but I do know he doesn't love me. I've lost him Beth and you have won." Beth could see the pain of realization in Coraline's eyes. "Help me save what I have with Dimitri."

Beth sat back and considered Coraline's admission. She knew that Coraline was a master liar and this could be an elaborate act but there was a ring of truth to her words. Beth felt conflicted on what to tell the woman opposite her.

"Listen Beth, with Philippe, Moriah and Josef there do you really believe I could cause trouble? Cynthia has warned me not to interfere," Coraline said seriously. She took another sip of her drink.

Considering Coraline's statement, Beth finished her glass of blood. Coraline did have a point; none of the other guests at the commitment would allow Coraline to disrupt the ceremony. Cynthia was the one vampire Coraline cared about and Granny would also command her respect. Perhaps actually witnessing Mick state his love to her would convince Coraline it was really over.

"I will speak to Mick," she finally conceded. "If he is against it then that ends this discussion. You will not pursue this further, understand?"

To her surprise there were tears glittering in Coraline's eyes as she nodded.

"Of course," she said sounding very subdued. "Please tell Mick….I…I will abide by his decision." Suddenly she stiffened and looked towards the door. "Really Beth, I didn't think you would need a body guard," she said dryly.

Beth followed her gaze to see Rayna heading in their direction. Sam remained near the entrance.

"I didn't tell Rayna I was coming here," Beth responded, as surprised to see her as Coraline was. "Don't expect her or Josef to be pleased with your request."

"I've given them cause to dislike me," the brunette admitted ruefully. "I purposely drove her away from Josef in the 20's just to get even with him. I do carry some regrets," she said pointedly. "Give me a call when you and Mick reach a decision," Coraline added and gave Beth a slip of paper with her phone number. She slid out of the booth and walked away.

She met Rayna several feet from the table. The pale blonde blocked her exit.

"Can't you just leave Beth alone," she demanded in a hiss.

"Beth displays much nicer manners than you Rayna," Coraline informed her coolly. "All I did was request an invitation to the commitment to wish them well. Beth told me she would consider it."

"You are not welcome in my house. Since we are hosting the ceremony, Josef and I have some say in this," Rayna said hotly.

"Talk to Beth, it is her ceremony. I wish them no harm," Coraline said mildly.

"Sure you don't," Rayna huffed sarcastically and brushed past her to join Beth. "Please tell me you aren't seriously considering letting that witch attend," she demanded.

"Calm down Rayna. I said I would speak to Mick. I think she might be serious about letting go and maybe witnessing our union will drive the point home," Beth pointed out.

Rayna calmed as she considered Beth's words and nodded reluctantly.

"Okay, I see your point. But can you trust her?" Rayna asked. "We all know how good a liar she is."

"I know that but I think she really does care for Dimitri and is afraid of losing him," Beth said thoughtfully. "And I don't think Cynthia will let her make a scene."

"It is really up to you and Mick," Rayna said with a sigh. "I will hold my tongue if you decide to include her. But I intend to keep an eye on her."

"I knew I could count on you," Beth laughed. Then she sobered as she looked at the woman seated across from her. "Now tell me dear friend……how did you find me here?"

End chapter.

Please don't everyone flame me at once. I know that you don't want Coraline at the ceremony but Beth has a point. Coraline doesn't take no for an answer easily. Please be patient with me. Okay, let me have it, I still want your review. Thanks.