I know this took awhile, but it is eleven pages! I can't guarantee any kind of regular updates for a while, but I will do my best. Enjoy the new episode on Friday!

A few notes…First I am not sure how people would shark pool in the '60's, but I imagine it would not have been much different from today. Please bear with me if the language or descriptions are a little off. I never claimed to be a great writer. In fact I don't even claim to be a writer. I just have a million stories going through my head and I want to share them with you so that I'm not the only one with a goofy smile in the crowd.

Second, There is a harsh warning on this chapter. I used some very offensive language that was very difficult for me to write. Please don't take it as a reflection of my own ideas. And don't think of Mick as a bigot either; remember he was raised in the 30's and 40's. Personally, it is some of the meanest stuff you can say to someone. If you are offended easily, I would not suggest reading.

Third, I changed the title. I had this great plan for my titles, but it got off when I added a chapter and I had to go back and rename my last chapter to get back on track. I hope this doesn't confuse anyone.

Enjoy!!

Love is Kind

"Love is being stupid together."
-Paul Valery

Josef paced his office. What could he want to 'talk' to me about? We haven't had a serious 'talk' in years… Josef paused and looked out his window, worried. What's changed? Does he want to stop our…our…

Josef still hadn't figured out how to describe their relationship. He was happy, but he couldn't admit it to himself, much less Mick. I should tell him…No. I need to know how he feels. I can't put myself out there to get hurt again… Josef paced some more. If Mick was a woman he'd buy her flowers or a piece of jewelry and gage her reaction to determine her feelings, but with Mick… A thought struck Josef. I know just what to do…

Mick swaggered into Josef's office. He smiled at the secretary and nodded to the guards. By now they were well aware to leave him alone.

Mick plopped himself down on Josef's couch and waited. When Josef entered he found Mick sitting contently on the couch. Josef's heart tightened. Why is he so happy? I haven't seen him for at least a week. What did he come here to say? If Josef really listened to himself, he would have realized how pathetic and needy he sounded, but he was too worried to think about how rash his reactions were.

"Hey, Buddy." Mick grinned as Josef stood before him. Mick's casual greeting did nothing to lighten Josef's fears. Mick bounded up off the couch and walked towards Josef, still grinning. Josef watched him, confused and nervous.

"Here." Mick handed Josef an envelope. Josef looked at him quizzically and took the offering. Mick continued to grin as Josef cautiously opened the envelope.

When Josef finally got it open, a check fluttered out and into his hand. He flipped it over and examined it. His eyes grew wide and he looked up at Mick, shocked. "Is this…"

"Yep. That's all of it. I got a huge case last week, that's why I haven't been around, and…" Mick's enthusiasm died out as he finally noticed Josef's face. "What's wrong, Josef?"

Josef looked up from the check that he was still staring at. "Nothing, Mick, I'm really happy for you."

"Really? You don't look happy."

"I'm happy, Mick," Josef snapped. "I'm just a little surprised and…relieved."

"Relieved?"

Josef sighed. "Yes. I thought…When you said, 'We need to talk'…I mean…"

"Oh." There was an awkward pause as the two debated with their feelings.

"Well," Josef broke the silence. "I've got a gift for you. I'm pretty sure you're going to refuse, but I'm going to insist. Keep in mind the percent of my income I spent on the gift is still smaller than you buying me a nice watch."

Mick looked at Josef like he was trying to figure out a riddle. "Okay, tell me."

Josef held out a set of keys from his pocket. Mick took them from him, hesitantly. He saw the unmistakable Mercedes Benz logo. "Are these?"

"Yes. They go to the green 220 SE downstairs. I remembered how you stared at it when we were out looking for my Austin Healey that day."

Mick looked at Josef, shocked. "You bought me a car?"

"Yes. Now that you have your own apartment," Josef waved the check in front of Mick. "You need a car to get you there. And before you offer…No. You won't pay me back. It's a gift."

Mick flipped the keys over in his hand, admiring their beauty. He couldn't remember a better gift. It was both practical and fun. Josef really knew him.

Josef watched nervously. So far, Mick hadn't refused, but he hadn't accepted either. Josef couldn't tell what was happening. He thought he felt a strong feeling of love coming from Mick, but he could have mistaken that for his own feelings, or maybe just wishful thinking. Damn! Why can't I read him? Am I that hopelessly attached?

"Thank you, Josef," Mick whispered. Josef looked up into Mick's eyes. He was smiling and tears were glistening in the corners of his eyes. Josef took a step towards Mick, unsure if Mick was happy or sad.

Mick continued to smile. He even let out a half laugh at the confused look on Josef's face, but it got caught in his throat and sounded more like a sob. Josef wrapped him arms around Mick and hugged him close.

Mick broke down in tears of joy as he felt Josef's arms encircle him. "I'm sorry…It's just…" Mick tried to choke out a sentence, but was unable to due to the tears. Mick continued to cry and Josef held him.

When Mick had regained control he righted himself and took a calming breath. He was still smiling. "I'm sorry, Josef. This was so nice. I didn't expect it. I'm really happy and I just…"

Josef placed a calming hand on Mick's shoulder and silenced Mick. "I understand. You've had a emotional day I'm sure and I didn't help any."

Mick nodded. "You'd think after all these years I'd be over it."

"No, Mick. You're going to remember your wedding night for the rest of eternity. Besides, it's only been ten years. When you're as old as me, you'll realize how short that is."

Mick sniffled and tried to put on a serious face. "Are you saying I'm only a one-night stand?"

Josef chuckled and placed a chaste kiss on Mick's lips. "Of course not."

Mick looked Josef in the eye as he pulled back and the two froze. This was usually where they'd attack each other and ruin all the office furniture, but instead they were caught in the stare.

Josef could swear he felt Mick's emotions, but either they were too similar to his own or his were overpowering Mick's. Josef leaned back in and his lips met Mick's again. The kiss was short and innocent. Yet each expressed the depth of their feelings with that simple kiss.

It was pure compassion and love, not unbridled lust. It spoke of promises and happiness, of good times and bad, of a friendship so deep that nothing or no one could come between them. The power of the kiss made them each weak at the knees and they held each other for mutual support against the storm of emotions that threatened to break them apart.

That kiss held more passion than all their previous kisses combined.

I love you.

A while later, Josef stood in the parking garage watching Mick admire his new baby. Josef smiled, knowing he had done well. Mick finally looked up from admiring the car and said, "Do you want to go for a drive?"

"I'd thought you'd never ask."

Mick smiled and jumped in the driver seat, while Josef slid into the passenger side. "Okay, where to?" Mick asked.

"Come on, Mick. Don't you have a favorite place to go?"

Mick looked sheepish. "My favorite place has become the ocean." Josef smiled knowing that he and Mick both shared a deep connection to the ocean.

"Okay, but how about somewhere you used to go before you were turned? Something from your human years?"

Mick thought back. He had stopped going around to the places he had when he was human. "Well, this was this bar that my buddies and I used to hang out at. It's nothing special, but they have a bunch of pool tables."

Josef's eyes lit up. "Really? It's been a while since I played. We could go shark a few games. Take so insolent drunks for all they're worth…"

Mick laughed. "Yeah, that sounds like fun, but I'd like to point out that we drink more on a daily bases then they do in a week."

"Yeah, so? That comes with having a liquid diet." Josef mimicked biting his arm.

Mick smiled and revved the engine. He and Josef both grinned at the sweet music that met their ears.

Mick pulled up outside a dumpy little bar off the PCH. Josef looked at it wearily. "Are you sure this is the place?"

"Yes," Mick replied, a little upset that Josef didn't like it. "It's changed in the last ten years."

Mick remembered a friendly, clean bar, but it had obviously fallen into disrepair and a row of motorcycles parked out front indicated that its patronage had changed.

Josef smiled. "Well, we can't die, so let's have fun." He exited the car and Mick followed him.

They were defiantly out of place. Josef was still dressed in his work suit and Mick was wearing a clean-cut shirt and kaki pants. Josef quickly removed his tie and jacket and threw them back in the car. Then he smiled at Mick and walked towards the establishment, drawing funny looks from the crowd assembled outside.

Mick hurried to catch up with him, giving his new car a last look, worried that it might be the last time he saw it. When Mick entered his senses were bombarded with smoke and noise. He searched out Josef who was already at the bar ordering a drink. Mick joined him and they sipped at the scotch on the rocks as they assessed the situation.

They had already established themselves as wealthy, snobbish, and a little stupid. Perfect for sharking pool. Now all they needed was to find a gullible pair to challenge. Josef quickly found the best players in the place. They had a stack of hundred dollar bills on the table and everyone was avoiding challenging them.

Good. Everyone will think we're stupid. Josef caught Mick's eye and nodded towards the pair. Mick looked at them and looked back at Josef. "Are you nuts?" he whispered, so only Josef could hear him.

Josef downed his drink ordered two more and downed them. Then he smiled at Mick and staggered over to the pool table. Mick finished his drink and followed Josef. Mick could tell Josef was playing up being drunk and he decided to stand pack and let Josef talk.

"Hello, good sirs. My friend and I were wondering if we could play you a game?"

The men looked at Josef like he was a joke. Obviously, not many suit clad drunks stumbled into their bar. "I think you better leave, sir."

Mick was surprised at how gentlemanly they were, even if they were condescending, they weren't trying to take Josef for everything he was worth.

"Is my money not good enough for you?" Josef pulled out his wallet and waved over a thousand dollars in crisp one hundred dollar bills in front of their faces.

The men looked at each other and shrugged. "500 dollar minimum." Josef nodded and made a show of drunkenly counting out the bills. The men handed both Mick and Josef a cue and then set the table.

Josef stood next to Mick and whispered, very quietly, "Miss all your shots. We want them to think we suck."

Mick nodded and concentrated on the table. One of the men broke, adequately scattering the balls across the table. Josef went next. He took a long time setting up his shot and when he finally hit it, he missed my more than three inches.

The men snickered and proceeded to hit two in, but he scratched on the second, making it Mick's turn. Mick looked at Josef and lined up his shot. He clumsily hit the ball, scattering the table, but not sinking any.

The game continued for another half-hour. With their opponents sinking one a turn and Josef and Mick randomly scattering the balls. Mick noticed that Josef shots were less than random. He was purposefully leaving the ball in a bad position so it was near impossible for the man who followed him to sink a shot.

Finally, Josef looked up from his shot. The other men just had the eight ball to sink and Mick and Josef still had all their balls on the table. "You guys wan to make this interesting?"

The men looked at Josef and then at each other. "Sure, why not. What do you have in mind?"

"Double or nothing."

The men stood dumbfounded for a second and started to laugh. They laughed so hard the bar grew quite as the other patrons watched them. Josef and Mick waited for the men to nod.

"Sure, double or nothing."

Josef smiled, stood up straight and lined up a shot. With the easy of hundred of years of experience he split the cue, sinking two ball with one shot. Then he proceeded around the table, knocking in every ball with precise accurate shots.

The men stared as Josef cleaned the table. Mick could sense their building anger and when Josef had sunk the last ball, leaving the cue in perfect alignment with the eight, the men started to mutter complaints. To add to their embarrassment, the entire bar was watching Josef clean the table.

With ease, Josef sunk the eight then looked up at the men. "Pay up."

One of the men made a step forward as if to fight Josef, but the other stopped him. "Bar rules, man. He won, even if he lied."

"I didn't lie. I never claimed to be bad at pool or even drunk. You assumed that and you know what that means…"

The man who wanted to fight Josef continued to glare at him as the other handed Josef his winnings. Josef smiled and thanked the man for the game. Then he turned around and motioned for Mick to follow him out of the bar.

Mick hurried after Josef. Once they were outside the bar, Josef began to laugh. "Man, that was fun. We need to go out more often."

Mick glared at him. "Yeah, and you almost got yourself killed."

"Come on, Mick. We're vampires. I highly doubt those men are carrying silver loaded guns or rapiers. We'd be fine."

Mick knew Josef was right but he still grumbled, "It still hurts."

"Only if you let them hit you. You are too fair when you fight. I've watched the security footage of a few of your 'investigations'—next time make sure there is no video proof that vampires exist—you let the bad guys get too many hits in. Why don't you just kill them in a quick easy snap of the neck before they know you're there?"

"Because I need information out of them and they can't confess when they're dead. Besides, there wouldn't be any proof, I don't show up on film," Mick protested.

"Yes, but its pretty obvious when a man is getting the shit beaten out of him and there is no one else in the room. Unless the invisible man is real, it's you and it looks mighty suspicious."

Mick looked away from Josef and realized they had wandered across the PCH and were looking out over the ocean. Mick smiled and took in a deep breath, taking in all the smells of the ocean.

Josef felt Mick relax next to him and smiled. He was so glad he was able to share his love of the ocean with someone as close as Mick. Josef leaned against Mick and Mick wrapped his arm around him. Together they stood their watching the serenity of the ocean and enjoying their time together.

The men from the pool hall were not content to let Josef walk away, but bar rules said you didn't pick a fight, just cause you lost. They gave him the money and watched him walk out, with his faithful sidekick in toe. The humiliation they had suffered was too great to bear and they were going to get their money back, just to prove to the bar that they were still the toughest men around.

They followed Josef and Mick outside and watched as they crossed the highway to the overlook at the ocean. The men stood in the dirt parking lot of the bar watching the two. When they saw Josef lean into Mick and Mick wrap his arm around Josef they realized something was not quite right with the two.

The men continued to watch. "They're homos," one man whispered to the other.

His friend nodded in agreement. "That ain't natural." The men took out their guns and crossed the highway to confront Mick and Josef.

Mick became aware of the sound of footsteps behind them and turned to see the men Josef had just beat crossing the road. Josef looked at Mick and they turned to see what he was watching. The men were advancing on them, guns drawn.

"This can't be good," Josef muttered.

"Hey queers! Give us our money back and get out of here! We don't want you're kind around here," one of the men shouted.

Mick looked at Josef who was growling under his breath. The men held the guns in front of them, ready to fire. "Toss the money here, fag, and get on your way."

"Why don't you come take it from me?" Josef asked.

The guys looked nervously at each other. Mick could tell that buy the distance they were keeping their distance, afraid they might 'catch' whatever disease Mick and Josef had.

"Just toss it or we shoot."

Josef lunged. He was on top of the guy before the man knew what happened. The man's gun skidded off into the road. The man's friend watched in horror and his comrade was punched repetitively in the face. He aimed his gun at Josef, but before he could fire, Mick was on him, his gun long gone over the cliff.

Mick kicked the man into the road and watched as he scampered up and tried to flee to the bar. Mick chased him across the street. He caught up with him in the parking lot, landing a good punch to his jaw before the man could reach the bar.

Mick looked back to see how Josef was faring. The man had managed to land a blow to Josef's jaw that sent Josef rolling to one side, allowing the man time to get up. He was kicking Josef in the ribs.

Mick started back across the road to help Josef, but the man he had punched came up behind him and kicked him in the back causing Mick to fall flat on his face. Mick rolled over to avoid the man's second kick. He jumped back to his feet, dodging a right hook and landed a blow to the man's stomach.

The man doubled over and backed away. Mick pursued. He punched him again, knocking him into a row of motorcycles, which toppled like dominos. The man's nose was bleeding profusely and Mick's inner vampire wanted to come out and play.

Mick vamped out and his fangs showed as he smiled mirthlessly down at the man, whose eyes widened in terror. But before Mick could drain the man, the man's cohort went flying over Mick's head and crashed through the bar room window. Mick turned to look at Josef, who was also vamped out and crossing the road to pursue the man he just threw sixty feet through a window.

Mick doubled over with pain as the man he was standing over kicked him in the groin. Mick turned his attention back to the man who was crawling out of the mess of bikes towards Mick's new car. Out of the corner of his eye, Mick saw Josef climb through the broken window into the bar of screaming patrons.

Mick easily caught the man before he reached his car. He encircled the man's neck in a death grip and snarled as he raised him off the ground. The man, who was nearly twice the size of Mick, kicked wildly in the air, trying to free himself. Mick let his aggression take over as he snapped the man neck as easily as one would snap a toothpick.

Mick watched as the lifeless body crumpled to the ground. He growled in a very primal way, asserting dominance over the man he'd just killed. Then he tossed the body aside. He turned his attention back to the bar and the screams that where coming from within.

Mick bounded up the steps and through the door. He found most of the patrons packed along one wall watching Josef circle the pool tables with the other man. The man's face was unrecognizable from all the blood that was pouring out of the cut above his eye. Josef was staying a good distance away, because the man was banishing a broken pool cue as a weapon.

Of all the weapons in this place, he had to choose the one that actually could hurt Josef, Mick thought. Josef was well aware that the man meant to stab him with it, which is why he was looking for a distraction.

The crowd gasped as Mick entered. Apparently the sight of another fanged human was still shocking. The man looked away from Josef for a fraction of a second, but that was all Josef needed.

Josef lunged forward. Swatting the cue from the man's hand and pinning him to the table. Mick watched as Josef glared down at the man, waiting to strike. Mick watched in fascination as Josef lowered his fangs to the man's neck. If Mick had been thinking rationally he would have pulled Josef off the guy and gotten out of there before anyone figured out what they were.

Just as Josef was about to bite a shot rang out. Mick spun around to find the bar tender holding a shotgun, pointed directly at Josef's back. Mick looked over to Josef to find the back of his shirt torn to shreds from the buckshot and Josef crumbling to the floor in pain. Mick ran to Josef's side and propped him up. Josef's victim freed himself from Josef's grasp and scurried out of Mick's path. Mick heard the bartender reload and cock the gun as he helped Josef up. Mick quickly checked Josef's wounds. Some were pretty deep, he knew he had to get Josef out of there, get the bullets removed and get them some blood.

"Get out of here, freaks," the bartender said from the other side of the shotgun barrel. Mick stood up slowly, carrying Josef's weight. He managed to regain his composure and turn towards the man with a human face. Mick detected the bartender's confusion and hoped that he would decide that what he saw was the effects of alcohol and fear.

Mick pulled the money Josef had won off the game of pool and tossed it onto the table. It should cover the damage. Then Mick carried Josef out of the bar and to his car.

Mick didn't even think twice about his upholstery, he laid Josef in the passenger side and hurried to the drivers seat. He pealed out of the parking lot, heading for the only place he knew they'd be safe and no one would ask any questions. The morgue.

"Damnit, Mick!" Josef screamed as Mick dug deeper into his back. So far Mick had removed ten pieces of buckshot, but there was still about five pieces left and Josef was being a wuss about the pain.

As Mick finished, he handed Josef a drink and took swig himself. "You really need to leave," the nervous ME said. "I don't need any more trouble from my boss."

Mick nodded and started to help Josef off the autopsy table. "I'm not an invalid, Mick. I am perfectly capable of walking, thank you." Mick stepped back and allowed Josef to pull his tattered shirt on and stride towards the door. Mick handed the ME a fifty-dollar bill and followed Josef out.

Mick caught up with Josef at the car. Josef was smiling and before Mick could say anything, Josef crushed his lips against Mick's. Mick could feel Josef's arousal and even though it made his stomach tighten, he pushed Josef away. While Josef didn't seem to be fazed by the night's events, Mick was.

Josef looked at him, confused. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing," Mick lied. Josef glared at him, like he didn't believe him. Mick sighed. "Just not here, okay, Josef?"

Josef stepped back from Mick. "I see. You don't want to be seen with me."

"No."

"Really, Mick?"

"Okay, yes, but let's just go home."

"No. I'm an important person, Mick. I'm not a back door hooker. When you realize that come see me." Josef disappeared into the night.

Mick tried to follow him, but Josef was too fast. Mick walked back to his car and thought about what just happened. The words those men said were pounding in his head. Queer, freak, fag, 'your kind,' homo…Am I? Have I become…No. I like women, I just like Josef too…

Mick was confused. He had spent the last ten years in a vacuum. Josef's and his relationship was more or less secret outside the vampire community and the community was very open and accepting, mainly because of Josef's power and influence, but after a few decades anything new and exciting was worth a try.

Tonight was the first time Mick had been faced with resistance. He had avoided everything that reminded him of his former life and now he was learning why. The way they looked at me…The way the acted…The way they screamed. It was all new and a little too much to handle. To top it all off the only person who could help him through this crisis had run off into the night. Because of me. I drive away everything I care about.

Mick got into his car and drove home. The night had started so well—he'd paid Josef off, Josef gave him a car, they went to a bar and played a game a pool—but it had turned out bad, they'd risked exposure, were shot at, been run out of the bar, were called names, and worst off all, he'd lost Josef.

Mick parked his new car on the street, no longer excited about it. He made his way upstairs, trying to figure out his feelings. He liked Josef, he really did. He couldn't imagine living without him, but he couldn't shake the feeling of being called a queer.

I'm not attracted to other men. But even that wasn't reassuring. His upbringing had taught him that men and women were suppose to be together, not two men and Mick couldn't help wondering if that was right. The way those men acted…They're just bigots…or maybe I'm the sinner…? I have a wife. Coraline is a beautiful woman. I gave her up for Josef. What does that mean?

As Mick reached his floor he scented the air. He hoped to detect that Josef was inside waiting for him, but another—just as failure—scent, caught him. Well, damn. I should have known better.

Mick opened his door to find his very beautiful, very naked wife sprawled out waiting for him on the sofa.

"Happy Anniversary, Mick."

I know, I know…you hate her, but you knew she had to come back and she will be back again…spoiler alert.