You Promised Forever XXVI

Disclaimer: I do not own Moonlight. Enough said.

Thank you all of you who are still hanging in here with me. I am having a bit of a problem wrapping this story up due to real life issues. I promise I will not abandon it.

Chapter 26

"Let me make this perfectly clear," Kira began as the two women relaxed in the living room. They were each enjoying a hot beverage, Beth sipping coffee and Kira drinking from a mug of heated blood. "I believe you have every right to be present at this operation as long as Coraline is involved. She can't be trusted around Mick. You don't need to go inside the warehouse but Mick can't protest if I'm with you."

"Babysitting," Beth sighed.

"Hanging out with my best girlfriend. If it makes Mick feel better, what's wrong with that? If that sneaky bitch thinks she can leverage her actions into getting cozy with Mick again, we'll be there to set her straight. I can't wait to help send her back to France," Kira said seriously.

Beth sipped her coffee and smiled.

"Thank you my friend. You have a wonderful way of pointing out that I need protecting but not rubbing my nose in it," she stated.

"I'm only exercising common sense Beth. Bullets just sting me my friend, they can kill you. I love how you have adapted to our world but let's be sensible, it would hurt me to lose you when I don't have to," Kira responded.

"That was presented in a way that I cannot dispute," Beth said, her voice catching with emotion. "I'm touched."

"I meant every word…..and Mick would take my head if I didn't protect you," the redhead laughed. "Face it Beth, if he's happy with my staying by you then he won't fight you being there. We all win."

"You're right, I shouldn't be annoyed by my limitations. Is Josef okay with you taking on the big sister role?" Beth asked.

Kira gazed up at the ceiling and wrinkled her nose.

"I didn't exactly tell him my plans. He thinks I'm at the club. I don't need his permission," she declared.

"Would he object?"

"Well…that darn sire thing does flare up more now that we've rekindled our relationship. Josef is an old fashioned vamp, he wants to protect what he considers his. He'll get over it."

"I do not want to be the cause of trouble between you two," Beth said in concern.

"Don't worry about it. Josef and I are too old to let a small disagreement get between us. Josef forgets that I am not a fledgling anymore, we'll be fine," Kira assured her. She knew Josef's bark was often worse than his bite to those he was close to. She felt secure in Josef's love at this time and knew he would forgive her not running her plan past him.

"It's difficult to remember your age, you both look no older than me," Beth grinned.

"Thank you for that, I love how you feed my vanity," Kira said warmly. She set her mug down. "I'm sure Mick will accept our plan without too much protesting."

They changed the topic of conversation and were planning their next shopping trop when Mick came downstairs near dusk. He wasn't surprised to see Kira in the loft although he was a bit suspicious of why she was here.

"What are you two plotting?" he asked as he paused at the foot of the stairs.

"I'm not sure plotting is accurate although we do have a major shopping trip in the works. For the record, Beth and I are coming along tonight," Kira said rising and going over to him. "We will not go into the warehouse or confront any HEM members. We will make sure Coraline does not try to pull an end run on you once this is over. I'll watch Beth's back."

"I can handle Coraline," Mick said defensively.

"That doesn't mean she will give up," Beth said. "Mick, I can't just sit here and wait."

"I'm not objecting to your plan. I just want you to know that Coraline can't do anything to win me back," Mick replied. "If Kira is with you then I don't have a problem with you coming along."

Beth knew she should not press further on the subject of Coraline. She had to show Mick that she trusted him. And he was right, she was safer with Kira beside her. That didn't mean that she wouldn't be bringing her own weapon that would be loaded with silver ammunition. She didn't want underestimate Santiago or Coraline.

Kira gave Mick a quick, tight hug.

"Smart choice my friend," she whispered in his ear. "I would die before I would let any harm come to Beth." In a louder voice she added. "So when do you contact dear Cora?"

"Soon, I told her around dusk," Mick replied. "Promise me you won't confront Coraline until this is all over. I need her cooperative if this is going to work."

"I promise. I will not interfere with the sting," Kira assured him.

"I'll make sure she remembers," Beth added. "Mick…..I swear that I want no part of the HEM sting. I just need to know you are okay."

Mick hurried over to her, his eyes tender as he drew her up into his arms.

"I will be fine. This ends tonight. HEM will be broken and Coraline will go back to France," he promised.

"I believe you," Beth mumbled into his chest. "I just want this over. I hope Carl and his men can wrap this up so there is no breach of your secret and we can keep the Sentinels out of this."

"Amen to that," Kira echoed as she returned to her chair.

"I can't worry how the Sentinels feel about this action. This is none of their business and if they step in I'm going straight for Dr. Peterson and set him straight. I don't care if I blow the lid off the secrecy," Mick said in a fit of temper.

"You don't mean that Mick," Beth chided softly. She looked up at him to find his vampire showing.

"But I do Beth. I know…..I know, I am always the one preaching restraint but I can't let a group of human watchers dictate how I protect those I love. If the Sentinels truly favor drug dealers because they're human then maybe it's time to fight back. We have no chance at an existence if we have to fear retribution for just being on this earth."

"I think I like this side of you Mick," Kira said in admiration. "I like seeing your true vampire showing on occasion. Josef would be so proud. However, I know that you won't act on it because your practical side will step in and keep your temper in check in the long run."

Mick grinned at her sheepishly as he pushed his vampire down.

"It did feel good to blow off some steam," he sighed. "I may wish to do that but I know I can't."

Beth hugged him tightly, not at all concerned by Mic's flash of temper. She completely understood his frustration.

"We all want justice, Mick. It will come in time," she said softly.

Mick bent her back slightly and kissed her deeply. He was constantly amazed at how well she understood him. When they broke apart, he looked at her in apology.

"I suppose I have to go call Coraline. She needs to know our plans," he said reluctantly.

"Okay. Do what you have to do," Beth agreed. She knew he really didn't want to talk to Coraline but it was necessary.

Mick decided to make his call from upstairs, not wanting Kira to be able to listen in on the conversation. He dreaded how many hoops he might have to jump through to appease Coraline.

"Mick…..I've been waiting to hear from you," Coraline purred when she answered his call. "Have you worked out a plan for how to deal with Javier?"

"I met with Carl Davis at the LAPD this morning. He will have men surrounding the warehouse when we go in. They will provide us with 20 kilos of real heroin in case Santiago decides to test your product," Mick explained. "Our job will be to then get out of the way and let the cops do their job."

"That sounds very boring Mick. Are you sure that just arresting Javier will secure Beth's safety?"

"It is the best option," Mick said firmly. "It will end the threat for now."

"Am I allowed a gun?" Coraline asked eagerly, her voice filled with excitement.

"Do you even know how to use one?" Mick sighed, rubbing one hand over his face.

"I have fired one," she responded indignantly.

"We will see if Carl approves," Mick informed her. "We can't have you shooting a cop by mistake. I'll protect you even though we know no bullet can hurt you."

"You do care about me," Coraline cooed happily.

"No…don't even start down that road Coraline. I meant every word I said the other night. We are finished. I am only going through with this to undo the mess you created by giving HEM Beth's name," Mick said harshly. His fingers now raked through his hair. "Meet me tomorrow in the parking lot of an all-night diner two blocks east of the warehouse. I'll be there at eleven and Carl will join us to go over final plans then."

"Okay, I will see you then," Coraline said in a subdued voice.

"Okay, at eleven," Mick said curtly and broke the connection. He headed downstairs as he heard a knock at the door.

Beth was headed towards the door as he jumped the final steps and rushed to her side.

"Let me get that," he said urgently.

"It's Josef," Beth laughed, pointing to the monitor. "He just called to say he was coming up."

Mick smiled and backed off.

"Protective mode…sorry," he shrugged.

"No harm, no foul," Beth laughed and went to let Josef in.

The older vampire entered the room with a smirk on his face, having heard every word that had been uttered.

"Hello children, I understand there is a party happening tonight," he greeted them.

"Hardly a party Josef," Mick responded.

"Well I get the impression that everyone is going to be present. Imagine my surprise when I call Dusk to Dawn and find out that Kira isn't expected back all night." He looked sternly at the redhead sitting calmly, smiling back at him. "Just what are you planning my pet?"

"Beth and I are going to play witness to this epic takedown of HEM," she said mildly.

"And I should believe that's all there is to it?" Josef said suspiciously.

"We are just waiting to see how it all plays out and if we're lucky we can offer Coraline a ride to the airport," Kira grinned mischievously.

Josef threw Mick a skeptical look.

"Don't fight it Josef, they've made up their minds. I trust Kira to watch over Beth and as long as they stay away from the sting, I'm okay with it," Mick said holding Beth close.

End chapter.

Thank you for reading. I will be back as soon as I can.