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Chapter 10

Mick was at her side instantly and gathered her close in his arms, his chin rested on her shoulder.

"It ends Tuesday. I swear I will make it clear that I'm done with her," he vowed as his hand stroked her hair and back. "Trust me love."

"I do. Oh Mick, I do," she said pulling back and tilting her head up to look at him. She smiled and touched his cheek. "I don't doubt your love. I always feel safe and secure with my Guardian Angel. I worry that we will not be able to convince Coraline it's over. If we have to hurt her it will only hurt Philippe as well," Beth worried. "I can't stand putting him in the middle."

Mick kissed her cheek and hugged her again.

"We will try to prevent that. Philippe knows we aren't looking to hurt Coraline. I will make her understand. Even when she brought me the cure, I could not rekindle my old feelings for her. I have forgiven her but I can't forget and I can't love her." Mick held her so he could search her face, looking for assurance that she understood how he really felt. He could not stand thinking she doubted his love. He saw Beth's love for him shining in her eyes.

"I love you Mick St. John. And I do not have any jealousy of her and I am secure with your love for me." She pressed against him, her arms slipped around his neck. The kiss began gentle and then built in intensity, until they were both shaken.

"My Beth, you rescued me," Mick growled and swept her up in his arms. At the far end of the terrace there was a large pergola that covered a seating area. There were several chairs and a double wide chaise. The vine covered pergola put the whole spot in shadowed darkness.

Mick's eyes had gone silver and when he looked into hers he saw they had changed too. With long strides he carried her to the pergola and laid her on the chaise. He quickly shed his tie and knelt beside her. Leaning over her, his mouth locked on hers as his hands were on either side of her head. Moaning in pleasure, Beth grabbed his shirt front and yanked him down on top of her. Twisting so they were on their sides, Beth started to rip at his shirt. Mick's fingers went to her zipper at the back of her dress and in one tug pulled it all the way down. They quickly helped each other remove their clothes and then nipping and growling, Beth took the upper hand. Mick let her lead, enjoying her aggression. Beth claimed him, biting into his neck and pinning him to the chaise lounge. The possessive display was a delight to Mick.

"Nope, she is not getting you back," Beth murmured against his chest later. "Definitely not."

A deep laugh shook Mick's chest. He pulled her close, molding her form to his.

"That's fine by me, I only want you," he answered.

Beth raised her head and looked around. Where they were sunk in for the first time and her eyes widened.

"Uh-Mick, we're in the open," she giggled.

"No we're not. This is secluded," he said and twisted slightly to grab a throw that lay on the chair next to them. He drew it over them and grinned.

"My tiger," he said; his voice hoarse. He ran the back of his hand along her cheekbone.

"You are mine," she growled.

Mick lowered his head and ran his lips along her shoulder and reached the hollow where it met her neck. His fangs sank in and he took a long drink of her sweet blood. Beth's whole body shuddered as he kissed the marks as they were already healing.

"And you are mine," he whispered. "Now let's go upstairs and finish this." Swiftly he rolled over and pulled on his pants. Beth wrapped the throw around her and gathered her clothes Mick collected his and they hurried to their room laughing like teenagers about to be caught by their parents.

The next evening Beth awoke before Mick. She gently extracted herself from his embrace and slipped out of the freezer. Dressing causal and comfortable she took a glass of blood, heading out to the terrace off the ballroom to watch the moon rise. That was where Philippe found her, leaning against the railing, her empty glass beside her. Beth looked from the sky to him with a soft smile.

"My petite, you look lovely standing there," he said coming over to her to stand at her side.

"Thank you Philippe. Isn't it a beautiful night?" she said, her eyes aglow in the moonlight.

"Yes my dear, beautiful."

"Tonight Mick and I get to choose the activities. I know Mick wants to hear some jazz and mingle with the crowds for a bit. Will you be coming with us?"

"No, I promised Coraline I would join her and Dimitri this evening. I want to know just what her intentions are. Perhaps I can smooth things over," he said reaching out to touch her cheek. "I am so sorry Beth that she isn't staying out of your life."

"If she wants Mick back, she can't have him," Beth said firmly. She thought back to the night before and smiled in satisfaction. She was left with no doubts about Mick's love for her. "Mick doesn't love her anymore and she has to understand that."

"I think deep down she does know," Philippe reassured her. He touched her cheek lightly and then rested his hand on her shoulder. "But Coraline has always had difficulty letting go. She does not accept defeat easily."

"I don't want to fight with her, I just wish she'd go away," Beth said, steel in her voice. "But I will fight for Mick."

Philippe chuckled.

"I believe you will."

"I hate that I have put you in the middle Philippe," Beth sighed. She took his free hand in both of hers and looked up at his handsome face. His concern for her was clearly written there. "You love Coraline, I understand that and I do not want you choosing sides."

"I am in the middle little one and there is nothing any of us can do about it," he laughed lightly and kissed her forehead. "I do not wish to see you and my sister fight."

Beth let go of his hand and hugged him.

"Poor Grandpere, we have made this so difficult for you. I'm sorry."

When Beth looked up at him, she saw a strange look quickly cross his face. "What?" she questioned softly.

"In this light you look so much like Marie-Teresa," he said referring to his wife who had died in childbirth. "I find it remarkable how you resemble her. It is difficult to have such a long memory sometimes; I was a very different man before I was turned. I know my wife would not approve of my choice. It is why I gave Claire to Marie's parents," Philippe explained with great sadness. He slipped his arms around her and rested his cheek on the top of her head. Beth gave him a quick squeeze. Philippe leaned back and tilted her head up.

"I am happy that we have gotten to know each other. When I came to LA that first time and had a chance to see you, I was shaken by your resemblance to my wife. I used my anger at her early death to close off any kind feelings I might have for you or Mick. I wanted to dislike you both for Coraline's sake. And I was wrong. It has brought me great joy to learn that you are of my bloodline; that you are from my Claire."

"Me too," she responded, her face glowing.

Mick stood in the doorway watching them. He smiled at how much Philippe had come to care for Beth. A sniff of the air announced Rayna had found him.

"Philippe is in a difficult position, he loves both Beth and Coraline," Mick observed. "I hope Coraline can understand what a strain she puts him under if she forces him to choose."

"And how about you Mick?" Rayna asked, touching his arm. "Are you sure where your feelings truly lie?"

"I don't love Coraline. I do remember the feelings I had when I married her in 1952. But too much has happened and neither she nor I are the same people we were back then," Mick said thoughtfully. He looked directly into Rayna's eyes. "I love Beth with my whole being."

Rayna tapped him lightly on the arm.

"Good answer," she approved with a catch in her voice.

Philippe and Beth looked towards them and then joined them in the doorway to the ballroom. Philippe met Mick's gaze directly.

"You are right; Coraline is not the same vampire who sired you so long ago. And you have grown beyond her. She did not handle your turning as she should have. You have been an excellent sire to Beth," Philippe told him. "I only ask that you deal with Coraline fairly."

Beth left Philippe's side and went to Mick. She circled her arm around his waist, providing a united front to the other two.

"We will, if she lets us," Beth promised. "I hope she listens to you." She looked up at Mick. "So where do we start the night?"

"Preservation Hall, where else?" Mick smiled. They all went inside to join the others.

Anthony had begged off from going to the Quarter with them. He had made plans with Charity, who was going to give him a private tour of the city. She had all ready picked him up. Rayna was delighted with that news but kept her feelings to herself.

Josef arranged for Philippe to take a car and driver to meet with Coraline and Dimitri. With a devilish smile he handed Rayna the keys to a new Lexus similar to the one that they had rented last time. She kissed him in delight and the foursome headed to Tyson's place.

Granny and Robert had experienced many Mardi Gras in their time and had informed the group that they would be at the Crimson Crescent later in the night. The four joined Tyson and Savannah and headed to Preservation Hall. Knowing that the others were here to please him, Mick suggested they head out into the street and mingle a little after a couple sets. They were on a corner watching the parade when a group of revelers with sloshing drinks accosted them. One young lady tripped into Josef and spilled her drink down his leg. He growled in anger and Savannah quickly inserted herself between the vampire and the drunken girl. Boldly she met his silvered gaze with her steady brown eyes until his returned to their human brown. Savannah smiled and patted him lightly on the chest.

"Down boy, tipsy is the name of the game here. She meant no harm," she said in a low voice.

"Sorry," Josef muttered. "She took me by surprise."

"It's okay," Rayna assured him and gave Savannah a grateful look.

"I think we've had enough street fun," Mick put in. "Let's go hear Tyson's singer."

"What! I don't think….." Tyson started to protest.

"I want to meet Alisha," Beth said eagerly. "She is performing, right? It is Mick and my night Tyson," she grinned.

"Yes, she is performing," Tyson admitted.

"Then you are overruled," Savannah said taking his hand. "Come on let's go." Tugging on his hand she headed for Jazzy Blues with the others following.

End chapter.

Happy New Year to all of you. I couldn't have ignored Mick and Beth in this story. Coraline is going to find out that she can't just snap her fingers and Mick will come back. Please press the button and give me a review. Thanks.