A/N: Here it is, the big reveal chapter. Don't worry when you get to the end. There are a few more revelations but they come later. This one's more about Mick and his state of mind, especially vis a vis Beth. Please let me know what you think of this chapter. As always, flashbacks are in italics! Enjoy!

Chapter Twelve

The ride to the courthouse was spent in silence. Mick remained too much of a coward to have the inevitable Thomas conversation. How do you explain to the love of your undead life about the person that led you down the dark path? And have her not hate me? Mick wasn't convinced that it could be done and it terrified him.

He'd been prowling the streets for over two hours. The unseasonably cold weather made people stay inside. It was maddening. He looked at his watch. Sunrise was in an hour. He needed to get home before that. He had a client meeting promptly at eight.

Mick stopped on the corner. He sniffed the air searching for an enticing scent. He smelled the usual city smells: sewage, car exhausts, salt air, fast food. He growled in frustration. Surely he could find one good catch in this fucking city. Mick strode down the street, apparently unconcerned. A couple of blocks down the street he paused to sniff again. Finally!he thought triumphantly. There it is. He scanned the surrounding area. He was in the heart of downtown, much of it still bustling despite the early hour. And they call New York the city that never sleeps. He saw it coming toward him. It brushed past a couple of winos with a look of distaste. It was young with long legs and a shock of auburn hair. It was beautiful, probably an actress headed for her call time. Too bad it would never get there.

Mick quickly crossed the street. He didn't move to fast; he didn't want it startled. As he neared his prey, he put on his most innocent expression. "Excuse me, miss," he said, reaching for its arm.

It turned, clearly irritated. "Listen, buster –" It stopped sort when it saw Mick. It sucked in a breath. Exhaling, it said, "I'm sorry. Can I help you?"

Mick was disappointed. This would be easier than he hoped. He glanced at the horizon; he could feel sunrise approaching. Mick smiled hesitantly. "Yes. I think I'm lost. Do you thing you could direct me to the Capitol Records building?"

"You a musician?"

Mick nodded. It turned its head, exposing the neck. Mick felt the change begin to overtake him. He used the distraction to strike. He dragged his prey off to the deep shadows to his left. The movement was so fast it didn't have a chance to scream. Mick inhaled; the scent of fear was intoxicating. His prey whimpered softly. Mick ran his tongue over the pulse point on his prey's neck. "It's OK," he said softly into its skin. Inhaling one final time, Mick's fangs sliced into its neck, releasing its sweet blood to his waiting throat. He relished its taste; it had just the right amount of tang. He felt the prey go limp in his grasp as he savored the last few drops of blood. It dropped carelessly to the ground as Mick noticed the first rays of dawn in the eastern sky.

Mick pulled into the courthouse parking lot. Beth was climbing out before the Mercedes had come to a stop. "Beth, wait," Mick called.

"Why? You said it yourself. The sooner we get him the better. Now come on, or you're gonna miss all the fun."

Mick caught up to her easily. Together they strode into the police precinct. Mick gazed quickly around the room but he didn't see Thomas. Looks like we're too late. Damn! Beth glanced up at him; he shook his head slightly. She frowned.

"What are you two doing here?"

Mick looked seriously at Carl. The cop shivered inwardly under Mick's gaze. "Well?" said Carl again.

Beth opened her mouth to speak but Mick beat her to it. "Did you notice anyone unusual around here this afternoon? Anyone that shouldn't be here?"

Carl looked utterly confused. "What are you talking about, St. John? Beth, I think your boy here has finally lost it."

Beth said, "Look, Carl, we don't have a lot of time. Did you see anyone or not? It would have been around the time my friend had her heart attack."

"No one was here that wasn't supposed to be. Except you," Carl said nodding to Beth.

"What about Homeland Security?" Mick asked.

"Just their liaison, Roberts. He was sitting over there." Carl pointed.

Mick walked over to the desk that Carl indicated. Thomas's scent clung to the area like a wet blanket. Unfortunately, he was long gone. Cursing under his breath, he returned to Beth.

"He's gone."

"Any idea where he went?"

Mick shook his head. Beth turned to Carl, eyebrows raised. "He wasn't here when I came back from the ambulance. I assumed he left to…you know…liaise."

Beth rolled her eyes. "Carl, may I see the surveillance footage while we're here?"

Mick interjected, "Hold on, Beth. I'm not sure we have time for that."

"Do you have a better idea? It'll take five minutes."

Mick sighed. "Fine."

Carl led the way to one of the interrogation rooms. He turned quietly to Mick and Beth. "You never saw this." They nodded. Carl hit the play button on the VCR. The first ten minutes were pretty mundane. The phone booth was in direct line of sight from the bank. A couple of customers appeared at the ATM but no takers at the phone. Then a dark haired figure came into the frame. The caller was on the phone for only thirty seconds. He looked left and right as he hung up. Beth gasped and Mick stared in disbelief.

"Charles," Beth whispered.

"Thomas," Mick said, just as quietly.

Carl saw the shock on their faces. He was about to question it when Mick abruptly led Beth out of the room. "Hey!" Carl yelled after them. Mick ignored him. As inconspicuously as they could, Mick and Beth returned to the Mercedes. Beth still looked shocked. Mick was faster to recover; scenarios were tumbling through his mind, each more ludicrous than the last. The only thing he knew was that Beth would never look at him the same way again.

They arrived at the apartment a half hour later. Neither had spoken in the car. Silently, they took the elevator up to their floor. As soon as they were inside, Beth rounded on Mick.

"Did I see what I think I saw?"

"Yeah."

"How is that possible?"

"I don't know, Beth. How long has he been at Buzzwire?"

"About a month."

"He's been slowly ingratiating himself. It's what he does. I don't think he counted on his cover being blown this soon though."

"I see him at Buzzwire! Everyday!" Beth paused. "Oh my god! This afternoon! I thought I saw something. I could have sworn that I'd seen his eyes change. How could I have been so stupid?"

Mick wrapped an arm around her shoulders and led her to the couch. He sat down next to her and took a deep breath. It was more important than ever that Beth know the truth. He would deal with the consequences later. Beth was still berating herself when Mick placed a finger under her chin and met her eyes.

"Beth, look at me. There are things you need to know. Important things. They won't be easy to hear. But I'm asking you not to interrupt until I've finished. Can you do that?"

Beth gulped. "Yes, Mick."

Mick averted his eyes to the floor. Shame, a deeper shame than he'd ever felt, washed over him. He wasn't sure he could do it. But he did. He just started talking. He told Beth about his marriage to Coraline in all its bloody and destructive detail. He told her about being an outcast, the pain, the hunger, Josef's attempts to include him in vampire circles. He told her about the night he reunited with Thomas. He stared determinedly at the floor as he spoke of the pure joy of feeding.

Then came the hard part, explaining how he went from mild mannered PI to a monster that hunted for fun not food. He explained how he destroyed lives, every gory detail. He explained how humans became things instead of people. Of course Thomas was an integral part of the transformation. Thomas reveled in destruction. Josef preferred the more low key approach. Thomas made waves wherever he went. Josef chose to blend in. It was a distinction that Mick didn't appreciate until much later. As he neared the end, Mick's throat began to close up, tears stung his eyes. His emotions got the better of him. Terrified of what he would see if he looked at Beth, Mick ran for it. He ran up the stairs and through the gray door. Shutting it firmly behind him, he put his back to the door and listened to see if Beth had followed him. All he heard was the closing of the front door. Beth had left. She finally understood the monster that he was and she left. Mick slid his back down the door landing with a soft thump. And he wept.

To be continued…