The wonderful shows Moonlight and Veronica Mars are owned by companies and people other than me. They are just places I go to play.

This is a Moonlight / Veronica Mars crossover. The series starts with Who Are You? This installment follows the last one The Fountain of Youth.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Once Keith and Leo heard the information Mick had to give them and determined it didn't change their plan they went back to their suite, leaving Beth to explain the changes that the three of them have worked out. Keith gets up and motions Leo to follow him. "We're going next door." He smiles at Beth. "Get some sleep tonight. We need to roll out of here at eight thirty. I want to be there well ahead of them."

Once on the other side of the door Leo turns to Keith. "What do you think?"

Keith shrugs. "I think tomorrow we'll find out just how well Beth can bluff."

Keith knows Mick and Beth were having problems, he was at Veronica's the night she left. He'd thought she'd be back home by now. He hopes whatever the problem is that they work it out. Neither of them can be distracted while dealing with such a dangerous enemy.

Mick scowls at Beth, wondering what changes she talked Keith into making. "It was a perfectly workable plan before." he tries to keep the snarl from his voice but only succeeds by half. "This is not a game." this time the snarl is clear.

Beth snorts at his apprehension and show of anger. She doesn't rise to the bait because she knows that there is fear behind his words, not for himself, but for her. For that she can keep her own anger in check. Patiently she begins again "Don't make that face, it's still perfectly safe, but now with Ryder's help you can watch what's going on. I thought you would like that. Plus, everybody will get a very clear picture of whoever turns up to meet with me. I don't think they will send a foot soldier so whoever it is, will be important. Most likely Elliot or Shea or both. Putting a face to these men will go a long way to catching them if they manage to slip away. We need to take away their anonymity."

Mick narrows his eyes. "I can watch the meeting?"

Beth nods. "Yes, I think Ryder should be able to put it on a monitor so you can all watch but," she holds up her hand. "You have to give me your word you'll stay out of it. If you get in the way, it will spook them and it will all be for nothing. We're going to be in a fairly high traffic area so even if this guy brings extra help they are going to be very leery of causing a scene. Especially when I get done with them. They aren't going to want to risk exposure anymore than the vampires. Not to mention my heavily armed backup. Hiring Keith and Leo was a great idea. I wasn't sure at first but Keith has more insight into dealing with men like this than I would have given him credit. He's showed me that we have to take control from them without scaring them away. Now do you think there will be a problem with Ryder, he's not still in Columbia or where ever Josef sent him to cool is heels the last time he was in trouble?"

Mick shakes his head. "No Ryder's back in the states. He's just laying low. This shouldn't be a problem. I'll call Josef as soon as you explain what you need and let him set it up with Ryder."

Beth watches him closely. "And?"

He sighs. "And yes, I'll stay out of it. Is that it?" He asks her quietly

Beth nods and watches as Mick crosses the room.

Keith and Leo exchange a smile as they hear the lock between the two doors slide into place. "Sounds like they worked it out." Keith says with a grin.

After locking the interconnecting doors between the suites Mick moves back and once again sits next to Beth. He pulls her into his lap, and brushes her lips in a gentle kiss that sends heat through her body. She knows he wants her but he's being cautious after their problems. She senses he's afraid of her pulling away from him. It's time she put his mind at ease.

She wraps her arms around his neck her fingers threading through his hair. "I missed you so much." She looks down for a moment and then back to his eyes again. "I really am sorry for leaving."

He puts his forehead to hers. "Good because once this is over I never want to be separated from you again." He leans back and puts a finger under her chin, gently rubbing his thumb across her bottom lip. "Beth, when this is over I'm going to ask you again, to marry me. It has nothing to do with Shannon, nothing to do with whether you are or aren't turned. It's all about how much I love and need you. Think about it and we'll talk about it again after the hunters have been dealt with once and for all."

She smiles at him, fighting back tears as she's realizes how grateful she is that he didn't give up on them.

Mick leans back. "Now tell me what you've got planned and what we need to set up with Ryder."

Beth shakes her head wiping away the tears. "Not yet." She moves to face him, placing a knee on either side of his legs. She can see the burning desire come alive in his eyes as she straddles him. "I've missed you." she tells him as she places her hands against his chest. She feels his hands instinctively snake over her hips. "I don't want to go into this without being with you, I need to know that we are whole again."

Mick sees her happiness and the light in her eyes for him and a burning desire to do as she requests takes over. "I will love you and taste you, and we will be one, as we always have been and as always will be."

xxxxxxxxxxxxx

Everyone turns as Robert leads Grant and Sydney into the room. Josef only has to take one look at Grant's face to know something is seriously wrong. Just what we need one more problem. "Grant, what's wrong?" Josef has a terrible thought and one look at Logan and he knows his son is thinking the same thing. "Is it something to do with Logan's blood?"

Derrick feels Veronica stiffen along with the rest of Logan's family. He gently squeezes her hand trying to lend support.

Grant waves his hand in the air as he sits down. "Not at all. I haven't even tested him again since he started drinking direct. I'm sure he's fine but to set your mind at ease I'll take a sample later."

Though it is good news, Josef doesn't relax. There is still bad news coming. "Then tell what's wrong."

Grant looks around and sees the three ancient vampires he met the last time there was trouble. He almost smiles as he sees a small human child sitting in Vanessa's lap with a stuffed animal clutched in her hand. He remembers she's Mick and Beth's little girl. He continues to sweep the room and sees Logan, Veronica and Derrick. The only one's missing are Mick and Beth. Somehow Grant has a hunch Josef already knows about the hunters. There are just too many powerful vampires in this room unless they already know there is trouble and if they don't it is good that they are all ready here. "Hunters, we've got hunters here in town." Grant blurts out. "I came as soon as I found out. I knew you'd want to know right away."

Sydney looks at him surprised since he wouldn't tell her what the problem is while they were driving over. He just insisted she stay with him, forcing her to break a date, for her own safety he said.

"Yes, we know. The question," Vanessa says quietly "Is how do you know? Have they contacted you or Conrad?"

At the mention of his brother's name Derrick shakes his head. He knows if Conrad is in with the hunters that this time Derrick won't be able to save him. He glances at Gabriel who shakes his head so slightly that Derrick thinks he must have mistaken the movement as wishful thinking.

Josef moves to the sideboard and pours three fingers of whisky in two glasses. He quietly hands one to Grant. "Take a minute and get your bearings." Josef is giving Grant a minute because he also needs one as well. Just the thought of Conrad being involved sends Josef's temper into a rage as he still thinks he should have killed him. He takes a slug of whiskey to calm himself to wait until he hears Grant's tale. The last thing they need is Josef and Gabriel facing off again over Conrad and Serena.

Grant toss the amber liquid down in one gulp. He steady's himself and begins to tell his story from the time he got the first call from Janice.

Once he's done he looks around and for the life of him he can't understand why they all look so pleased. Then he remembers the age of the vampire whose blood he tested and it dawns on him. "He's a friend of yours, you know this vampire that Janice rescued?"

Vanessa nods. "Yes, I believe we do. Until recently we believed him to be dead. The news that you've found him is wonderful and yes, we already knew about the hunters. We're in the middle of setting up a plan to trap them."

Grant sags back in his chair. "Thank goodness."

Veronica sees the smile Derrick can't keep down and is happy that his friend has been found. She tries to latch on to those feelings as well but she can barley drag her eyes away from the one person in the room she'd still like to strangle.

Sydney shifts under Veronica's heavy gaze. She suspects Veronica holds a grudge.

Derrick stands up pulling out his keys. He looks at Vanessa. "I'll drive."

Vanessa turns to Finn and hands Shannon to him. "Mick wants you, Shannon, and Veronica to stay down in the guest house with him."

Finn nods."That's fine." He turns to Robert. "Can you help me move some of her stuff?"

"Of course." he readily answers.

Finn nods. "Good then I'll get her settled." he turns to Josef. "If he comes up here first, let Mick know all is well when he returns."

Josef nods. "We'll do."

Frank shakes his head and turns to Derrick. "I'll drive. Your heads not in the game. I'll keep look out while you and Vanessa go in and get Bowden."

Derrick nods and throws Frank his keys. He knows Frank's right.

Frank turns to Grant. "So where are they hold up?"

Grant shakes his head. "I don't know. He wouldn't let Janice tell me. She said in two hours' time, which is about twenty-five minutes from now, for me and whoever Josef sends as help, to go to Dave's Diner." and he gives Frank the address.

Derrick nod. "I know that place. Glass almost all around the front and sides. Once we go in he'll be able to see us and there won't be any hiding. He doesn't have anyone watching his back so he's doing what he can to make sure it's safe."

"Good." Frank says. "It shows he's thinking straight and being asleep all this time hasn't rattled him."

"And I have to go." Grant tells them again. "I think Janice asked for me because she knows me."

Derrick nods. "It makes senses since there is no reason for either of them to expect help to come in the form of old friends."

Grant turns to Josef. "That's why I brought Sydney with me. I don't want her alone while the hunters are a problem and there is no one to guard her."

Sydney scowls at him. "I'm not a fledgling. I can take care of myself. I should go with you."

Grant sighs. "No you are most definitely not going with us. You've never had proper training to defend yourself. I should have made it a priority, but I didn't so you will stay here while I go with Vanessa and Derrick."

Josef nods. "That's fine." He smiles at Sydney. "Stay here while Grant goes with Vanessa. It won't be so bad."

Sydney shifts from one foot to the next. She doesn't want to stay here. Josef may have forgiven what she did but she can tell Veronica would still like to get her hands on her.

Sarah feels the anger resonating through the room from Veronica. She understands Veronica's anger but all the same Sarah can't share it. Someone needs to get Sydney out from under Veronica's glare. She steps forward and stands in front of Sydney. "Come on, you and I'll go watch a movie or go see the girls and have a snack. Don't worry, Grant will be fine while you and I go find something to do."

Sydney nods reluctantly. She gives Grant a hug "Be safe." She follows Sarah out of the room.

Veronica follows the two women with her eyes.

Logan wobbles back and forth, heel to toe and back again. He's trying to go unnoticed in hopes that once Derrick leaves he can have a few words with Veronica.

Derrick watches Veronica's anger at Sydney. He wishes he knew what the history is between the two and if it has something to do with Logan. He can't tell if Veronica is jealous or if she's holding a grudge for some other reason. He takes Veronica's hand and gives her a small tug. The motion breaks into her thoughts. She looks up at his questioning gaze and shrugs. "We're all right here with the hunters, right now, with them wanting to kill Logan and Josef because of her. She set it all in motion."

"You'll have to fill me in later." he tells her softly. He puts his arm across her shoulders. "Come on, walk me to the car."

Logan watches the pair leave as Gabriel watches him wobble back and forth and pull slightly on his sleeves. These are all signs of just how nervous Logan is. Gabriel is no t sure exactly what Logan has in mind but he would like to pull him aside and remind him that his blood still isn't clear and no matter what happens he can't taste her. He would also like to try and get Logan to go upstairs and forget the whole thing, sparring himself the heartache that could come from forcing Veronica into a confrontation she's not in the mood to have. He sighs and resigns himself to staying out of the way and picking up the pieces or intervening depending on how badly this goes.

As they walk along Veronica looks at Derrick speculative. "Can I go?"

Vanessa walks up behind the pair. "No." she says as she passes them.

Derrick nods slowly. "We don't know what we're facing. It could be nothing but it could be a trap. Grant is the only one who knows this woman and even he hasn't seen her in years. Vanessa is right this time you stay home. Besides, when Mick gets back from seeing Beth you need to be here. If that doesn't go well he's going need reassurance that at least he doesn't have to worry about you, he's going to need to see that you're here and safe."

Veronica scrunches her nose at him. "That's dirty pool."

He smiles. "I know but you also know it's true."

"Yea, I guess you're right." She nudges him with her shoulder. "Go on, their waiting on you. Go get your friend."

He nods and kisses her cheek. "I'll be right back. Will you wait for me?"

She smiles at him. "Sure, unless Mick gets back and needs me."

"Deal." he tells her as he gets in the car.

As the car pulls away, Veronica turns to walk back into the house and finds Josef standing in the door way. "I want you to promise me you won't go after Sydney."

"How can you forgive her? How can you offer her sanctuary?" She bites back at him.

He sighs. "Because as bad as the repercussions have been because of what she did, it also freed Sarah from that bed. You and I know that sooner or later Logan was going to join the tribe and you know sooner or later the community was going to find out he's my son. It was all headed this way. All she did was hasten the inevitable as far as Logan is concerned. But Sarah...because of what Sydney did, it led me and Grant to the truth and that truth freed Sarah. V, you didn't see her, you didn't watch her year after year laying in that bed. You weren't the one trying to keep hope from waning away with every passing year that she would ever wake up. I can forgive a lot when it comes to freeing Sarah from that eternal hell. V, let it go."

Veronica sees the pain in his face. Josef doesn't show his emotions often and she knows how much he loves Sarah. She nods, knowing what he's said about Logan is true. She sits on the car behind her and sees him wince as she realizes she just sat on the hood of the red Ferrari. She quickly stands up and smiles at him weakly. "Sorry." She bends to rub the spot and he takes her arm pulling her up.

"Don't. You'll just make it worse. Jack will set it right." Josef hesitates a moment, not knowing if this is a conversation he should start, but he flips a coin in his head and it comes up heads. "V, what are you going to do about Logan? Are you ever going to forgive him?'

"Josef it's not about forgiveness, it's about trust. I don't trust him not to hurt me again and I don't trust myself not to hurt him. We've spent most of our lives doing that to each other. I'm just not sure if we should keep it up."

Josef watches her as she moves around him. He shakes his head. He can see the pain and love she still has when she talks about Logan. He hopes the past doesn't doom their present.

Veronica enters the study and sits heavily on the couch. She knows Logan is watching her from across the room. She looks up as he approaches her. He surprises her by not sitting next to her as he pulls up a chair across from her. He leans forward his elbows braced on his knees, his hands out stretched and he looks across at her. "Do you love him?" he asks her.

Veronica watches him. "Can we not do this right now?" or ever

Logan decides to take another tack. "I miss you." he tells her softly.

She scowls at him. "You know what I miss, I miss having you as a friend. We may have had our troubles as lovers but on some level we were always friends, even after all the crap with Lily, somewhere inside you knew you could come to me and I'd help you try and find your mom." she takes his hand. "Because somehow we formed a friendship, a bond all those years ago, that even our train wreck of a relationship can't kill."

He smiles at her finally seeing a way in, a way to be something more to her than a general screw up, to prove to her that he's worth trusting again. He hides the smirk that's threatening to give away what he's thinking. So, you still care about me, I'm still important to you. "Ok, so you want to be friends." He sits up smiling. "I can do that."

Mick enters the room. "You can do what?" he asks suspiciously.

Logan stands letting Veronica's hands slide away. "I'll let Veronica tell you."

Mick scowls at the pair as Logan leaves the room. Gabriel smiling to himself in surprise that Logan managed to keep his control and follows him out of the room.

Veronica waves her hand dismissively. "We'll talk about it later. How did it go with Beth?"

"Good, really good. "He turns to Josef. "I need to talk to Ryder right away. Beth has added an interesting twist to the plan."

Josef sees the satisfied grin on his friend's face. He tries to hide is smirk but can't quite manage it. "I would imagine good is probably an understatement." Josef laughs at Mick's scowl. He can't help it. It's so nice to have those two resolve their differences. "Ah things are definitely looking up."

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

One more in the can…..