As much as I wish it. Moonlight doesn't belong to me in any way shape or form. I like to come play in their sandbox.

This takes place after Forever Werewolf. This story may turn into a kind of bridge. We'll have to see where it goes.

Thank you to those of you who have reviewed.

This story of this series feels like it's a bridge to a grown-up Beth. She's not a fledgling anymore. She's still living with overprotective male vampires, but there will be more of Beth standing on her own two feet. It's time she became less of a spoiled brat.

Xxxxxxxxxxxxx

Thinking about protecting Beth, Mick turns scrutinizing the clearing. "Let's start with figuring out where we can hide Beth and Josef. If we can't do that, then we'll have to find another spot."

Beth scrunches her nose at him but looks around.

Ryker points to the pump house off to the edge of the field. "Beth, is that too far away?"

"No, not if you're in this clearing, but I don't like the idea of being boxed in and it's pretty small." She says.

Ryker steps towards the small brick building. "Let's give it a look see."

Mick stops him. "I'm sure it's wired. Let me disable the alarm."

Kaida, steps through the door of the pump house. "Already taken care of. You might be surprised at what's in this pump house."

One by one they file in. There is a set of metal stairs going down into a large room. Along one wall there are three huge pipes running the length of the wall. The pipes disappear through the wall on both sides. There are three large shut off valves in the middle of the pipes. Against the adjoining wall there is a metal door with an electronic lock and a keypad.

"This must be some kind of maintenance shop." Beth says. She runs her finger across a metal table and leaves a mark in the dust. "Doesn't look like anyone's been down here in a long time."

Kaida and Ryker are studying the diagram next to the door. "This was used for overflow back in the days before California was in a perpetual draught. That's why no one's been down here in forever."

Mick is studying the electronic lock. "This looks like it was added much later." He turns to Kaida and Ryker. "Either of you any good with cracking this kind of lock?"

Kaida studies it for a moment. "Not without tools we don't have with us."

Beth walks over and punches in one, two, three, four and the door pops open.

Mick smiles and raises and eyebrow at her in question.

She shrugs and then snickers. "People are lazy. If no one expected to use it, I figured they'd put some perfunctory code in there in case of an emergency."

Mick smiles. "Anyone up for a little exploring? I'd like to see if we can tell where this goes."

Ryker points to the map on the wall. "It goes to another pumphouse at the spillway about five miles east of here."

Mick smiles at Beth. "We need to walk it and make sure it's not sealed off, but this would be an ideal place for you and Josef to hang out. Let's go back outside. I'll walk this if we figure out a way to make the area above work for the meeting."

They file back up the stairs and out the door.

Mick motions to the Observatory. "If we put someone up there as a look out, they'll have plenty of time to see someone is coming and warn us."

Ryker nods. "I like that. Most likely they'll think the trees will cover them. That might be enough but to be on the safe side we should station someone on that clock tower. He points in the opposite direction. The only thing is it would be hard to see if they are on the ground coming through the woods over there."

Beth smiles mischievously. "We could put the lost boys in the trees. Those three are damn near invisible when they want to be."

Mick scowls but knows she's right. "We'll let Josef handle that end."

Kaida shakes her head. "The problem with that is they wouldn't be able to signal us if they saw anyone. The slightest noise will tip the invadors off."

"What if they had a radio." Mick begins

"If they send backup for our contacts, and I'm sure they will even if they don't plan to double cross us. They will monitor all radio traffic on all frequencies." Ryker says.

"Hey I've got it. What if all they do is key the radio, so it beeps? Or better yet, one long hold so that the radio sounds like it's malfunctioning, not a signal." Beth says.

Ryker nods. "They wouldn't be able to tell if it was part of their op or coming from somewhere else. If it was less than twenty seconds, they wouldn't be able to pinpoint where it's coming from." Ryker squints into the night. "Then the lookout could let off a flair."

Mick picks up the thought. "A different color flare for a different entry point."

Kaida nods to Ryker. "Then they jump down and disappear into the night."

"We all do." Mick agrees.

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Josef calls Victoria. "Josef? What's up?"

"Mick tells me you have guns that shoot tranquilizer darts for humans."

She pauses for a moment wondering what this is leading up to. "Ah, yes. Rifles and handguns. Remember that sedative we used on Beth way back when?"

Josef nods to himself. He remembers all too well. Beth was hysterical after being attacked by three vampires. "Yes. I remember."

"This is based off that. I worked with a chemist to get a dose that knocks most humans out without killing them. We've been field testing it for a few months. Works great for the most part. There are dangers. It won't always work on someone using illegal pharmaceuticals. Also if there is an underlying problem, like a weak heart it still might kill the human but it's worth the chance."

Josef squints in thought. "Vick, you're starting to sound like Mick."

Victoria snorts. "Josef if I killed every human that we bumped up against while we're doing clean up, the cops would be more of a problem that any of us like."

Josef ponders this for a moment. He can see where these guns could be useful in certain situations.

She pauses for a moment. "Why are you asking?"

"First," he says slowly trying to make an assessment. "I can see your point. Who do I contact to get some of these modified guns and the darts that go with them?"

"Oh, the guns aren't modified. They are large bore air guns. You shouldn't have any trouble getting them. If you let me know how many doses of the drug you need, I'll order it."

Josef nods to himself. "I'll take a hundred doses. I'd like someone to come out and show my chief of security how to go about loading them and using them safely. I still need to borrow a couple of guns sometime in the next ten days."

Victoria snorts. "You never do things halfway. I'll tell you what, I'll send Eric out. He can go over it with your people. Now tell me why you need some before that?"

"This stays quiet." He says.

"Josef." She snaps at him. "You don't have to tell me that."

"I know, it's more for my own peace of mind. We're going to do a bit of hit and run with the Feds. Ryker doesn't want to ask for certain people as contacts and then kill them."

Victoria squints into the darkness. "Have you spoken to Vanessa about this? She has people in the government."

"No and I'm not going to. Other than those of us running this operation, you and Hank are the only ones who will know. If it goes sideways, you can tell her."

"Thanks." Victoria says dryly. "I'll have Eric call Mick; I'm assuming Mick and Beth are into this wild plan of yours. Eric can show Mick how to use it."

Xxxxxxx

Beth stops at the entrance to Jenny's. She steadies herself and walks up the steps. Aldrich smiles at her and then looks over her shoulder. "What are looking for?"

"Ah, Josef called this afternoon. He texted a picture of your bodyguards, so there wouldn't be any hitch in their entry. I don't see anyone with you."

Beth sighs. "She's not with me. I mean she is, but she wants to come in a couple minutes after me and sit where she can see the room. I'm supposed to ignore her."

Aldrich nods thinking this is smart. Maybe this way Beth won't shoot anyone. "If you're looking for Sheila and her gang, they're in the main room. They have the far corner staked out."

"Thanks." Beth enters the main room and sees a group of about ten vampires in the corner, all but a couple are female. When she gets a couple feet away, they turn towards Beth, stand, and let out a cheer. Beth is touched and she covers her mouth for a moment. Then she clears her voice and smiles. "I'm not the one going to school."

"Yea, but you made it all happen." Sheila says. "Now come sit down and let's have a party!"

There is lots of whooping and hollering and the party begins.

Marissa sits at a table where she can clearly see Beth and the rest of the room. She orders a drink and then sits in such a way it looks like she's looking at her phone. In reality she's scanning the room for threats.

A few hours later there are only Beth, Sheila and four other female vampires left. Beth taps on the tabletop. The others look at her. "What's up?" Sheila asks.

Beth motions to the five of them. "You've all lived in Los Angeles for a long time, right?"

Sheila shrugs. "Sure." She smiles teasingly at Beth. "We've lived in L.A. longer than you've been alive."

Beth laughs and shakes her head. "Not saying much."

Blanche nods at Beth. "Why the question?"

"I'm starting an online newspaper for vampires." Beth says.

"Yea, I heard about that." Joyce says. "I thought it was a rumor."

"No, we're a week or so away from going live. I hired Stephanie for my network and general technology expert. She's doing a great job. Ava is coming back from Dallas. She was thrilled when I called her and asked her if she was interested in what we're putting together. She'll do the reporting for the human part of the paper." Beth goes on to explain how they will camouflage the vampire newspaper. "The problem is, I need a few more people with special skill sets. I could go to Josef. He has people who specialize in finding the right people for jobs, headhunters. Before I do that I'd like to see if I can find someone qualified who is local."

"What are the special skills you're looking for?" Arlene asks.

"First, I need an editor. I'd like someone who's an English major, and ideally some experience in Journalism. In the beginning they would also oversee managing the office. That really boils down to making sure we don't run out of supplies. Later if this takes off and we get really busy I'll hire someone else for the managing position. Second, I need someone who's really got good grip on computers and using them to dig for information. They also need to be able to use old tech, microfiche and the library. What I'm looking for is a competent research assistant. They'll also do double duty for a while on a tip line we're setting up. Once word gets out on the tip line I'll have to hire someone to monitor that. And last, I need at least one person to start that can teach self-defense to vampires." Beth looks around the table. "Any ideas?"

"Wellllll," Sheila says.

"We know a guy would be perfect for the editor slot." Says Arlene

Beth can hear a but coming. "But?"

"Ah, he and Josef had a falling out several years ago. No one knows what the problem was, but he left town. Since then, he's been teaching English among other things all over the world. He just got back to town last week. I talked to him earlier tonight. He said he's burnt out on teaching but doesn't know what else to do."

"Hhhmmm. I'd sure like to talk to him but first I'll run upstairs and see the guys. This is a question I need to ask Josef face to face. What's his name?" Beth says.

Sheila nods. "His name is Matt Kelly. While you go talk to Josef, I'll find him, I'm sure he's around somewhere and ask him to hang out."

"He's here in Jenny's?" Beth asks.

"I saw him sitting at the bar when I went to order that last round. You go talk to Josef and I'll go see."

Beth runs up the stairs and finds five male vampires playing poker in an all but empty large meeting room. They turn as one. She smiles and waves. "Could I speak to Josef for a moment?" she asks.

Marissa sees Beth on the move and easily tracks her to the hallway leading up the stairs. She listens from the top of the stairs. When she hears Beth ask for Josef she goes back down and waits for Beth to return.

Josef wonders what this is about. He tosses his cards onto the table. "I'll be back, unless she's found a way to shoot people silently this shouldn't be too bad."

Mick nods and keeps his cards. He's finally got a decent hand.

Josef and Beth sit on the far side of the room. "So?" Josef asks.

"Sorry to interupt. I need to know what the problem is with you and Matt Kelly. I might ask him if he'd like a job as my editor, but I understand you made him leave town. Sheila says they don't know why and if those ladies don't know, nobody does."

Josef nods. "Mick needs to be in on this conversation. Give him a minute to finish this hand." When they see him toss his cares in, they know it's time.

Mick can you come here a minute. Josef says you need to be in on this conversation.

On my way. He says.

He gets up and joins them at the far end. He smiles at Beth, "So?"

"She wants to know about Matt Kelly." Josef says "She's thinking of offering him a job."

Mick nods. "Fine with me. I never had any problems with Matt."

Josef snorts and Mick shrugs.

"Tell me. Did you tell Matt to leave town?" Beth asks.

"I did but not because he was a bad guy." Josef glances at Mick "I was afraid he and Mick would end up killing each other, so I asked Matt to leave. This was back when Mick was hooked up with Coraline and she wasn't going anywhere so neither was he."

Mick sighs. Beth can see this isn't a good memory for him. Mick motions for Josef to continue. "I don't know what the reason was, but Matt hated Coraline. I mean hated. It was not going to be long before he went after her. I could see it coming. Mick hated her too, but they were still in that toxic place where one minute he hated her and the next he wanted to protect her. This was long before he found you. I asked Matt to put it aside and leave town before he ended up in a battle with Mick. He didn't like it but he did. It was the only way I could protect them both."

Beth turns to Mick. "No lasting animosity?"

Mick shakes his head. He glances at Josef. "Coraline killed Matt's sister."

"He told you that?" Josef asks.

"No Coraline bragged about it. Bragged about how he'd be next. I was glad he left. I didn't blame him for wanting to kill her, but I also didn't know if I'd be able to stop from defending her. He could have come back any time after I found Beth."

Josef nods. "I told him that. I've spoken to him a few times over the years. I even spoke to him after you took Coraline's head, but he said he was in good place for the time being. He said he'd be back when that changed."

Beth looks between the two. "Sounds good." She narrows her eyes at both of them. "Neither of you has any reservations if I offer him a job, and he takes it?" She has more worry about Mick than Josef.

Mick shakes his head. "Not at all. Other than the Coraline problem I liked Matt."

Beth nods. "Sheila said he's downstairs at the bar. Who knows he may not be interested but I have to ask."

Josef smiles. "You're doing interviews in the bar?"

"Seems so. Why, do you know someone who can be a research assistant or teach self-defense?"

"No, on the research assistant, although you might ask Rose. She hires temps on occasion. She keeps a list of the best ones. When a position opens that call for certain talents, she hires them away from temp agency. I do have someone in mind for the self-defense position."

Beth glances at Mick who is shaking his head. "No. Now that you're in a good place I'm done teaching."

"Mick's style of fighting works well for him, it's a form of street fighting. This person has taught a more structured type of defense to humans and non-humans for a long time. I think he would be very interested in hearing what you have to say. I used to spar with him back in the day. He's not as good as Frank but close and he kept me sharp. I'll call him and if he's interested, I'll see if he can come to Jenny's so you can talk to him." Josef says.

Beth narrows her eyes at him. She's pretty good at reading him. "There's something else."

Josef glances at Mick. "This is no reflection on what you taught Beth. You did a very good job." He turns to Beth. "Whether you hire him or not, I'd like you to take at least one if not two classes from him a week."

"Josef, I have too much going on. I still have sessions with Hank to deal with. Mick taught me so much. I'm fine, really. Not only that I have my stakes and guns."

"Josef's right." Mick says.

Beth looks at him surprised by this.

"I did teach you a lot but first off more is always better. Secondly, I fight very disorganized, meaning I improvise on the fly. I get away with it because I never let my skills get rusty. You need a secondary discipline to fall back on." Mick says.

Beth rolls her eyes. She knows she's not going to win since they seem to be in accord. "Fine. Call him. If he can come to Jenny's I'll talk to him after Matt."

"On a lighter note." Josef says. "I got a call from the manager of Fitzgerald's. He told me he had a huge order of very expensive pieces. He said he double checked the credit card, and the payment went through. He said the woman, a Beth Turner is a new client and wanted to make sure this wasn't some kind of con."

Beth laughs. "I've got a three-suite apartment to furnish."

"Yes, I explained to him thtat I know the woman very well. I also told him if for some reason she orders something and there is ever a problem with the payment to charge it to me." He says.

"Awe, you're a sweety." Beth says

Josef snorts at her. "Like I'd do anything else. What the manager forgot to ask you, was if you wanted Theresa to come with the delivery. I told him I would ask you."

"Theresa?" Beth asks.

"Theresa is one of the perks of spending so much money. What she will do, is before they deliver, she will go over your order and suggest things you may have forgotten. She's a vampire so she won't suggest pot and pans beyond basic stuff to make it look human. Once the order is fixed, she will come with the deliverymen and take charge. If you can't be there you can tell her where you want the pieces, she will make sure that's where they are put. She will make sure the deliverymen take all the trash with them. If you bought linen's she will make sure the beds get made and the towels are put away. Once all is settled, she will vacuum and dust the furniture. It is a service we only offer to vampires and only the ones who spend quite a bit or are on our preferred list. I know you like to do things yourself but as busy as you are, this might be something to consider."

Beth stares at him. "This isn't something you made up for me. This is really a thing Fitzgerald's does?"

Josef nods. "Oh yes. I would bet yours isn't the only apartment in the building where she will be required. In fact, I know it's not because Christophe and Anna went back to Canada. Before they left, they asked me about this service. They'd heard about it from one of our other customers." He smiles gently at her. "It's a busy rich person's service and whether you like it or not are a busy rich person."

Beth sighs. "Yea, okay. Tell her to call me. You're right. This would take a load off my mind."

After Beth leaves. Josef turns to Mick. "Thanks. She'd of fought a lot harder on the self-defense if you hadn't added your two cents."

Mick shrugs. "You're right. I tried to teach straight up self-defense but it's not how I go about it. Guns and stakes are fine, but they aren't always available, and I don't like her relying on them. I did teach her how to survive. If she needs to run, she knows the roof tops and alleys of this city better than most anyone. By the way who are you going to call about this? Beth forgot to ask you, for a name."

Josef looks up from his phone. "Ziggy."

"Really? I know you've got him teaching Stephanie and the household staff, but I had no idea he has those kinds skils."

He's very good. The thing with Ziggy is, he hides it. He's so laid back. He's got a good personality for teaching. He's patient. That said, I would not want to piss him off."

Marissa waits in the shadows for Beth to reappear. She watches as one of the women Beth was sitting with earlier intercepts her. The two women speak for a minute and then Beth fallows the woman to the bar.

xxxxxxxxxxx

I hope this isn't boring the hell out of everyone.