Disclaimer: No, unfortunately I don't own Moonlight. If I did, there would be many more episodes to come, Beth might be a vampire, and most importantly…I'd be a Jason Alexandwich. But since I don't, and CBS decided to be assholes, it doesn't look very likely that any of that's going to happen.
AN: Thank you all for your wonderful reviews and support. It feels amazing to know that you all appreciate my work so much. And as for the bet…well, it wasn't technically a bet, as there was really nothing to be won or lost…except pride, mind you…so it was more a mutual agreement between my father and I to an exercise in self-restraint. Anyway…I did manage to make it past midnight without going on the computer…about 20 minutes past midnight, mind you, but still. I'm proud of myself. Anyway, as promised, now that it's over, I shall get back to the story.
If there was one thing Leigh Francis…Elizabeth McKnight…whatever her name was…hated most in the world, it was not knowing. It was her driving need to know that had gotten her into this mess in the first place…that had disrupted her formerly semi-peaceful life. And not knowing what was happening to Kyle now was what was currently driving her to the brink of insanity.
Pacing back and forth, Leigh would spare a glance at her alarm clock every few seconds; it was all she really could do. She hated feeling like this…helpless and weak. She had always been empowered through her ability to fight, had never encountered a situation she couldn't work her way out of, and now…now she was trapped and helpless. Even her training couldn't help her now.
She gave a frustrated groan and flopped down on her bed, glaring up at the ceiling. She was almost to the point of tears, so intense was her frustration and her fear for Kyle's safety. She was terrified of what possible tortures he might be enduring at this very moment…and what tortures awaited her when the time came for her ceremony.
Suddenly and without warning, there came shouting from the other side of her bedroom door. She jumped in surprise as the shouts cut through the heavy silence that had hung in the air for seemingly endless hours.
The shouts were followed immediately by several loud crashes and thuds, and just as Leigh got up from her bed to listen at the door and investigate the noise, two men came crashing through the door, splintering it into millions of tiny fragments. Leigh barely even had time to jump out of the way before the men landed on the floor with a crash; in the exact spot she'd been standing only moments before.
Leigh stood, shocked, as she watched the scene unfold. The two men fought furiously, growling and snarling, so that they barely even sounded human.
The fight lasted only moments, yet by the time it was over half her stuff was in pieces, strewn across the room.
Leigh shrieked in horror as, with a final snarl, one of the men managed to drive a round, smooth stick of engraved wood into the other's chest. The other immediately stopped moving, allowing Leigh to get a good look at his face. Leigh froze, her blood running icy through her veins, at the sight that met her eyes.
White eyes, glinting silver in the dim light flooding in from the hallway. Long, menacing incisors…more fang-like than anything…could be seen poking out from beneath the guard's upper lip. His face was pale…paler than death itself, far paler than any human being could ever possibly be…
Leigh's attention was drawn to the doorway when another person stepped into the room…or rather, another creature.
"Well…that was fun." The creature said, a sarcastic edge to his voice. He looked down at his clothes, brushing himself off, and stopped dead when he noticed the huge, gaping hole in the leg of his black pants. "Oh, great. Isn't that just perfect…"
The man who had stabbed the guard started getting slowly to his feet after seemingly taking a moment to recover.
"What is it now, Josef? Did you break a nail?" The man replied sarcastically. Leigh still couldn't get a good look at his face.
"Worse. The left leg of my pants is torn all to hell! These are expensive pants, man! I'm so making you pay for these." The creature called Josef replied with a grin.
"Yeah, because God knows you can't afford another pair…" The man grumbled, finally managing to stand up straight. As Leigh finally saw his face, she took an instinctual step back, gasping.
It was Mick…but it wasn't Mick. The face of the Private Investigator she'd hired…the man she'd trusted with her life…he was one of those creatures!
Mick looked at Leigh imploringly, begging her with his eyes to listen to him.
"Leigh, wait…" He said, taking a step closer to her. Leigh backed up, not taking her eyes off of him. In all of her years of schooling…all of her training…she'd never encountered anything as surreal as this…she didn't know how to even begin to go about handling the situation.
"No…stay back! Get away from me!" Leigh said, continuing to back away. "I trusted you! I trusted you and-"
"You might want to stop-" Josef began, but Mick immediately cut across him.
"Shut up Josef!"
"Alright fine, ignore me. I was only trying to-"
Josef was interrupted yet again, but this time it wasn't Mick that silenced him. Instead, there came a loud thud as Leigh tripped over a fallen table and landed painfully on her back. Josef couldn't help but laugh.
"You know, with all the fancy training these people supposedly gave you, you'd think they would have covered basic co-ordination." He chuckled.
"Josef, shut up or wait outside. You're not helping matters." Mick said angrily. Josef just continued to chuckle to himself as he took a step into the room, looking around.
"Wh…What are you?" Leigh asked fearfully, struggling to scramble to her feet.
"I'm…uh…well you see…" Mick said, his features reverting to their human form right before Leigh's eyes. He gave Josef a pleading look.
Leigh allowed her gaze to flicker momentarily over to the creature named Josef, and was startled to see that he looked…well, like your everyday average Joe. There was no indication that, only moments before, the man had been a monster. If Leigh hadn't seen it for herself, she wouldn't even have believed it.
"Oh, no, don't look at me, Mick…you're the one that has the experience in this department. After all, you did let Blondilocks into the loop. Not that I'm questioning her motives or anything," He said hastily as Mick glared at him, "she's more than proven her loyalty. And besides, it's good to have someone who works in the news industry…helps to deflect publicity."
Mick sighed, shook his head, and turned back to Leigh to face the matter at hand. Leigh was staring at him, terrified, waiting for his answer. Mick sighed and made his decision. Considering what she'd seen, it was probably best he dive right into it like he had with Beth.
"I'm a vampire."
There was absolute silence in the room. Mick and Josef watched closely for Leigh's reaction, hoping for the best. Her face was blank, but they could see her inner turmoil reflected in her eyes. It wasn't exactly as though she had the luxury of disbelief at the moment…not after she'd seen them vamped out. Josef just hoped that she took it well…it'd be a pity to have to kill a kid for damage control. He'd do it in a heartbeat…well, if vamps had a heartbeat, anyway…if it came to that, but he hoped to avoid that if possible. After all, Mick had put so much time and effort into trying to help the girl…it would be a pity to have to dispose of her after all that.
"Vampire…but…but vampires don't exist!" Leigh protested. Of course she believed it…she'd seen it for herself, but…she didn't want to believe it. To believe that there actually were things that go bump in the night was nearly too much to handle, considering everything that happened lately.
"We do exist, Leigh…and whether you believe it or not, you've spent nearly your whole life in their presence. Everyone in the Community…at least all of the adults…they're vampires, Leigh. All of them."
"No…" Leigh denied, backing into the wall. She glanced briefly at the unmoving guard on her bedroom floor, all too aware that there was no way she could possibly deny that kind of evidence. Then a thought struck her and she stared at Mick, a horrified expression on her face.
"But…if you're a vampire…and they're all vampires…then that means…you were working with them the whole time! You set me up! I trusted you…I thought you were trying to help me…but all along you were on their side!"
"Leigh, no, wait…" Mick pleaded with her. Heaving a sigh, Josef decided that now would be a good time to speak up.
"Look, kid," He began, "Just because we're all vampires, it doesn't mean we're all necessarily on the same side. And we're not all the evil, demonic creatures Stoker made us out to be. Most of us follow a code…a set of laws, if you will, that ensure our secrecy and the peaceful co-existence of humans and vamps alike. The vampires here, in this Community…we didn't even know this place existed until you stumbled into Mick's office. We don't all know each other…we don't all keep in touch…and we punish those who do wrong. I assure you, with all the power that I possess…and trust me, it's a considerable amount…they will be brought to justice and punished for their actions."
"Leigh, please…" Mick followed up Josef's speech, shooting his friend a grateful look before turning his attention back to the terrified girl. "You trusted me before you knew I'm a vampire, right? I'm the same person, Leigh, I'm still the investigator you hired to help you find out who you were…I'm still Mick St. John. I still want to help you, but if I'm going to do that I need you to trust me now. I'm not here to hurt you; I'm here to help you. We came here to break you out. Please…trust me."
Mick held out his hand to the girl, who'd sank down onto the floor and curled up into a ball. Leigh eyed his hand sceptically, deciding whether or not she should trust him. It wasn't like she had much of a choice in the matter…she didn't have a lot of allies currently, but at the same time…what if it was some sort of trap? Some sick game the Community Leader was playing with her mind. All things considered, though, it wasn't like she had anything to lose…
Mick gave a sigh of relief as Leigh took his hand, and he helped her to her feet. He led her to the bed so she could sit down, as she was currently shaking uncontrollably. Sitting down beside her, Mick spoke softly.
"I know this is a lot to process all at once, especially considering everything that's happened to you lately-"
"You think?" She said sarcastically. Josef, who was still standing a few feet away, grinned at Mick.
"You know, Mick, I think I'm really starting to like her."
Mick burst into laughter as Josef chuckled quietly. Even Leigh couldn't help the smile that crept slowly across her face.
"Does that mean I won't be dinner?"
Mick and Josef quieted immediately, looking at her with shocked expressions. Just as Leigh was starting to worry that she might have said something wrong, the two vampires began to roar with laughter once more. After a few moments, Mick calmed down enough to respond.
"I think it's safe to say you're off the menu, Leigh."
Leigh looked at the two vampires for a moment before speaking again.
"What…I mean, how…" She paused, trying to organize her thoughts, "It's just…I have so many questions-"
"Look, I hate to cut the vamp/human bonding time here a little short, but we're kinda running short on time at the moment." Josef cut in, "So here's the Cliff's Notes version: Yes, we drink blood, No, we don't have to kill people to feed. Most of our blood comes from willing donors…except in the case of vamps like Mick, here, whose Catholic Conscience keeps them drinking bagged blood. Garlic, crosses, and Holy Water…they have no effect whatsoever on us. We sleep in freezers, not coffins, and we don't burst into flame if we go out into sunlight. I mean, it makes us feel sick, and too much can kill us, but other than that…as for stakes, well, as you can see from our friend here, a stake to the heart will paralyse a vampire. It does not, however, kill a vamp, contrary to popular belief. Yes, we are immortal, but there are three ways we can die. Fire, silver, and decapitation."
"Wait, why are you telling me how to kill vampires? What if I were to decide that I didn't overly like you and-"
"Listen, if there was any possible way to avoid this conversation, believe me; we wouldn't be having it. I'm just slightly uncomfortable about people knowing how to kill me, you know, should they suddenly feel the compulsion to do so. However, considering that we currently find ourselves preparing to go to war with a hundred or so vamps and need all the help we can get, I can't really see any other options. As for you cutting off our heads while we're not looking? Well, I'd certainly hope you wouldn't, considering we're all on the same side here…not to mention that we went to all this trouble to bust you out of here and all…but let me be the first to warn you that, should the thought even so much as enter your mind to kill us, I will personally put you in the tar pits before you even have time to blink."
Leigh just stared at Josef, while Mick glared angrily.
"I-I wasn't planning on it or anything…just so you know." Leigh stammered.
"Good…then I think we'll get along just fine." Josef said with a grin.
Mick shot Josef a look before getting up and leaving the room, leaving a terrified Leigh with a smug-looking Josef. Mick returned a moment later carrying a huge black duffel bag. Placing the bag on top of the bed, Mick opened it and retrieved several handguns, about fifteen wooden sticks similar to the one currently protruding from the frozen guard's chest, a long, sharp sword complete with sheath, and several grenades. He also retrieved a leather weapons belt like the ones both Josef and Mick currently wore.
"Here…this is for you." Mick said, tossing the belt to Leigh, "We figured we'd have to fight our way out of here, so we brought some extra weapons along. I assumed with all your training you'd have no trouble using this stuff."
Catching sight of all of the weaponry set out on her bed, Leigh's face lit up like a kid in a candy store. She picked up one of the guns on the bed, loaded the clip, and cocked it. Closing one eye, she aimed at a spot on the wall. Then, with a smile, she turned the gun over in her hands, examining it.
"Nice…9 millimetre, semi-automatic…" She ejected the clip and examined the bullets. "Not your standard ammo-"
"Silver bullets." Mick explained, "We're fighting vamps, we can't just use your standard bullet. Now, a single round won't kill a vamp…even a full clip won't kill them right away…but it'll weaken them so you can get close enough to finish the job."
Leigh nodded to him and re-loaded the gun in her hand. Repeating the process with the rest of the guns, she placed them all carefully on the comforter of her bed. Once they were all loaded, Leigh put on the weapons belt and filled all the empty spaces with stakes, grenades, and extra clips for the guns. She hurriedly donned her combat boots and shoved a gun in each boot, then put a few in the waistband of her pyjama pants, and one in her bra under her shirt. When she'd found a place for everything, she strapped the sheathed sword to her back.
"Alright, I'm ready." She said to the vampires with a grin. They nodded back to her and, as they headed toward the door, they were intercepted by a hysterical, growling black cat that darted out suddenly from his hiding place under the bed.
"Doom, enough! What are you doing, buddy?" Leigh asked, picking up the hissing creature. "I'm so sorry, I don't know what's gotten into him; he's not usually like this. I haven't seen him this upset since-"
"It's alright, we get that a lot…animals are naturally afraid of vampires." Mick explained, regarding Doom thoughtfully.
"Which would explain why he doesn't quite get along with my parents…" Leigh said. She placed the cat on top of the bed, gave him a kiss on the head and a scratch under the chin, and headed toward the door.
Leigh stopped suddenly, something just occurring to her. She'd been so overwhelmed by the arrival of the vampires that she was only just starting to process everything they'd told her.
"Wait."
Josef groaned.
"What is it now, kid?"
"There's just one last thing I need to know…"
"And that is?" Josef said with a sigh, "You know we are kind of running short on time here."
"It's quick, I promise." Leigh assured him, "It's just, it never occurred to me to ask at the time…I was a bit preoccupied with the idea that there were two real, live-"
"Well, not exactly live, but-"
"Vampires in the room." Leigh continued as though she hadn't just been interrupted, "Anyway…who the hell is Stoker?"
Mick and Josef just stared at her, speechless at the completely random question.
"What?" Leigh asked defensively, "Everything I know about vampires I learned from watching Underworld after I figured out the password for the channel-blocker on the T.V." She said, smiling at the fond memory, "My parents were so pissed…anyway, after that they changed the password. I never did figure out what the new one was…"
She looked at the two vampires who were just staring blankly at her. Finally, after a tense moment, Josef cracked a smile.
"I'll tell you what, kid." He said, "If we manage to get through this alive, I'll tell you who Stoker is."
He gave Leigh a smile and a pat on the arm before stepping through the empty doorway. Mick gestured for Leigh to go next, and he brought up the rear. He had a funny feeling that this was going to be an extremely long night.
AN: And there you have it. I'm actually quite pleased with myself, all things considered. I feel this chapter has the perfect balance of filler, plot-furthering devices, and some much-needed comic relief. It's going to get pretty intense for Mick and the gang from here, so I thought maybe I needed to throw in some comic relief while I could. Actually, truth be told, I didn't plan for this chapter to turn out this way. Well actually I did…just I pictured it with a little less snark and a little more plot-furthering actiony goodness. But…well, it's Josef's fault. He demanded to be heard, and he wouldn't let me rest until I'd written what he considered to be a sufficient amount of snark. And you know how Josef always gets what he wants. And really, I did owe it to the guy…I mean, 10 chapters and he hasn't really made much of an appearance up until now…(just a passing mention once in a while and a few snarky comments last chapter) Anyway…here you have it. I hope you like it, and I hope I held true to Josef's character for all you snark-loving Josef fans.
Love always, Cat.