Disclaimer: I do not own Moonlight. After all these chapters it's getting hard to separate reality from dreams. Don't wake me.
I have some loose ends to tie up and then we proceed to the heart of this story. Thanks to my reviewers, I appreciate all of you.
Chapter 12
The following days rushed by. Mick created a story that would satisfy the police and not explain how he learned what house to go to rescue the girls. He knew it frustrated Lt. Davis and the others when they couldn't put their hands on the killer. Mick had hidden the body and head back in the woods and called the Cleaner. Her crew was able to find the body and head and dispose of them without alerting the police.
Maureen was thrilled with Beth's reports. The website was overwhelmed with hits and Buzz Wire had the leading edge in reporting the story. Beth did a series of stories including interviews with the last victims. She downplayed Josef's involvement at his request. She did know that according to Mick, Josef had loved every minute. He said the older vampire had enjoyed flexing his muscles.
All of this excitement managed to block Beth's thoughts of being related to Coraline and Lance. When that intruded she concentrated on the fact that she came from Philippe. Memories of the handsome French vampire made this whole situation easier to live with. Thoughts of Darius could never be shut out completely.
In the following six days, Rayna decided to move out of Josef's house. She was grateful for the hospitality but she needed a place of her own. She was afraid of ruining the new relationship with Josef that was developing. She also recognized that Anthony was not comfortable at Josef's home. Josef was beginning like the human but wasn't able to completely accept Anthony's place in Rayna's life. He graciously helped Rayna find a very trendy condo that she agreed would work for her. Rayna took an immediate liking to it and made herself at home. She left her Chicago place untouched.
Rayna had never kept freshies. In Chicago she had arrangements with some of the men in her building or used the blood bank. Here in LA she had to find new resources. The Cleaner knew some young men who were willing be available. Since she had her own sources and she was fond of both Josef and Mick, she helped set Rayna up.
The next Saturday night, the doorbell rang at Rayna's new condo. Anthony answered the door and let Josef in. The vampire strolled in and looked around.
"You've settled in fast," he commented.
"Ray is like that. She hates not having it feel like home. I don't think she can relax unless it has her touch," Anthony chuckled.
"Are you comfortable?" Josef asked pointedly. He still was looking for his comfort level with this human.
Anthony knew he should consider his words carefully. He didn't want to offend Josef but he had been in Rayna's life these past 25 years and he had to let Josef know that he did indeed belong.
"I'm always comfortable with Rayna. Josef, I understand how you feel and I'm no challenge to what you have with Rayna. She loves you. I'm Rayna's best friend, the one she can say anything to with no judgments made. No one can replace my Mary, but Rayna holds my complete loyalty," Anthony explained.
Josef walked up to him and extended his hand to the human. Anthony took it and they shook hands.
"Oh, my best guys are making nice," Rayna said from the door to her bedroom.
Josef felt a flash of guilt knowing how Rayna cared for Anthony. The human smiled at him in total amusement.
"The older I get the more she's a daughter to me," he said in a low voice. He knew that Rayna could hear him. "I'm going to proof that new chapter Ray," Anthony added and headed to the office.
Rayna came over to Josef and took hold of his hands. She kissed his cheek.
"He'll grow on you," she teased.
"He's fed you," Josef said trying to keep the growl out of his voice.
"Only in an emergency. I do not use Anthony as a freshie," Rayna said heatedly. "That is not our relationship. It's like finding Erik again. Maybe my brother is reincarnated in Anthony."
Josef looked slightly embarrassed. He hugged her and kissed her on the temple.
"Sorry Beauty," he whispered. "You are making me crazy. I have never felt this territorial before."
Rayna smiled but experienced a small twinge of sadness pull at her. She loved him but he had yet to say those words to her. She knew what she risked when she had confessed her love and she was ready to accept what he gave back. Rayna would accept territorial for now.
Josef's phone rang, breaking into the moment.
"Yes?" he responded cautiously. Rayna went on alert with the tone of his voice.
"Josef, my son. It is good to hear your voice."
"Darius."
"You were able to deal with my little test. Well done."
"What game are you playing?" Josef snarled.
"No games boy. A test. You must understand my influence travels far. We will discuss this further. Soon." The call ended.
Josef stood looking at his phone. A tremor ran through him but it wasn't fear, it was anger.
"How dare he?" he said tightly.
Rayna had heard every word. Her arms went around his waist and she held on to him.
"I am not a child. And he will learn that when he comes," Josef vowed. He pocketed his phone.
Rayna hugged him tighter.
"You aren't alone Josef. He will not find you standing alone," she promised.
Josef brought his arms around her in response.
"I'm glad you're back," he said softly. Tilting her head back he kissed her. It was a sweet, gentle kiss, unlike most of their previous ones. Rayna saw a warm tender look in his dark brown eyes. At first she couldn't believe it but Josef continued kissing her in the same manner. Rayna felt she could melt.
Josef picked her up and carried her to the bedroom. Inside he carefully laid her on the bed and sat beside her. He stroked his hand along her cheek, his fingers coming to rest just below her jaw line.
"I keep telling myself that if I close my eyes you won't vanish," he said quietly. "But part of me still worries."
"I told you I wasn't leaving," she answered.
"Yes and there was a time when I wouldn't have been concerned. We parted before and always found each other. But after this last time I thought you were gone for good. Rayna I missed you. I think I was drawn to Sarah because she gave me the joy in existing that you had." His face became solemn, his eyes looked lost. "She wasn't like you but her spirit was similar. She touched me where I felt empty."
Rayna's heart twisted. She sat up a reached out but he held her off. He shook his head.
"She just lies there now. Each passing year I keep her body going but her spirit eludes me. I just haven't let myself admit its over." He closed his eyes, fighting the emotions that threatened to overtake him.
Rayna's hands moved up his shirt front and slid around his neck. Drawing him near she feathered kisses over his cheeks, forehead and finally lightly on his lips.
"You do what you need to do for her Josef. For as long as you need to," Rayna soothed. She lay back drawing him with her. They moved until they lay fully on the bed. Rayna cradled his head on her chest, stroking his hair. "It's okay Josef. It's okay."
They lay there quietly for some time. Rayna was crooning calming sounds while Josef held on to her and let his feelings sort themselves out.
Slowly he rose up and moved up to kiss her gently. He continued his slow, patient claim on her mouth. His hands lightly stroked her body. Rayna moaned in pleasure and began her own leisurely exploration of him. Little fires seemed to ignite where their hands touched but the flames were the slow warming kind. Rayna sighed and gave herself over to the gentle flow of their lovemaking.
Josef held her, marveling at how satisfying it was to have her in his arms. He felt lighter and liked the feeling.
"Beauty, you are a wonder," he whispered.
"I love you," she whispered back.
"And I love you Rayna," Josef said tenderly.
"Oh, Josef," she replied with a hitch in her voice.
"Ssh, I do." Josef tightened his hold briefly. "Don't leave, I need you here."
Rayna glowed with the happiness that ran through her. She had waited so long for those words.
"I'm not going anywhere. As long as you need me, I'll be here," she said looking up at him. Josef smiled and now there was a glint in his brown eyes. The next kiss held more heated passion than before.
End chapter.
Okay, I'm a hopeless romantic. This story is going somewhere; I just like taking the occasional side trip. I hope you enjoy it too. Please review, I love the feedback. Okay I've become addicted to reviews. Please don't let me suffer. lol
