I'm Just a Heart You Don't Know is Beating
As Josef helped her into the car, Charlie asked, "We're going to a bar. Can we drink?"
"Oh, I don't know. Are you 21?" he asked jokingly, looking out the window to refrain from looking down her shirt. That was all he needed a one night stand with the girl who lived with him. Can you say awkward?
"Not what I meant and you know it," she retorted.
"We can't taste much, but Mick and I do enjoy a glass of good scotch now and then. But as for getting drunk, have fun trying, it's impossible," Josef explained.
"Are you buying?" Charlie asked, smiling slyly.
Josef rolled his eyes, and put his arm around her shoulders, "Have fun. Just don't let Beth try and keep up with you. She'll get cirrhosis."
"Beth? Who's Beth?" she asked.
"Mick's Beth. They're circling each other in a twisted angsty pseudo relationship," Josef rolled his eyes at the fact that the explanation alone was enough to irritate him.
"Mick? PI that found me on a sidewalk, Mick? He's your best friend right?" Charlie inquired.
"Yes, yes, and yes," Josef affirmed.
"Why haven't I seen him since then? Or are you the kind of friends who only see each other every few months?"
"He's been out of town on that case he was working, and he wasn't sure this was a good idea until we were sure of your control," Josef explained logically.
"But, wait. Why all the angsty circling?" she asked, clearly missing a main point.
"Beth's a human," Josef said, explaining everything in those three words.
"Ohhhh. Which explains his concern over my control. But as for their relationship isn't there– Can't they– Why don't they just–"
"Yeah, basically. So now you're up to speed. As long as you don't bite her, I think the night will go very well," Josef said seriously.
"I'll take that under advisement," Charlie smiled broadly. "So how long have you known Mick?"
"Since before he was turned. I introduced him to his ex wife, who was also his sire, but that's really not a good subject with these two," Josef said vaguely.
"Check, forget about disgruntled ex/vampire sire. Anything else I should steer clear of?" Charlie asked, worriedly biting her lip.
"Hey, don't do that. This isn't a job interview, it's a few friends meeting for drinks. If it's awful we'll leave," Josef offered.
"What like, we'll have a secret sign?" she said embarrassed.
"Yeah, if it gets too uncomfortable, just say something about how hot it is. Just don't say you're hungry. Mick will tackle someone, either you or Beth, and I really don't want to put bar repairs on my tab," Josef shook his head ruefully.
"Oh, I don't know. Mick's kinda cute. It could be a singular experience," she joked.
"Hey none of that. Beth would be terribly jealous,"Josef replied pulling her hair playfully. "We're here," he said gazing out the window. He opened the door, and held his hand down to pull her out of the car.
She gathered all her courage, and stood up straight, smoothing down her vest.
"You look fine, stop fidgeting," he said, grabbing her hand to comfort her as they walked into the bar. They ordered drinks at the bar before they spotted Mick and Beth.
As they walked to the table where Mick and Beth were sitting, Josef said, "Mick, Beth, this is Charlie Brandt."
Charlie reached out and shook their hands and said with a smile, "Nice to meet you. I wish I could say 'Josef's told me so much about you,' but he hasn't so I'm afraid we must start from scratch."
"I'm sorry, I figured the most pressing conversations were 'avoid stakes' and 'don't kill anyone,'" Josef said drily.
"It's okay," Beth said, "we know his social skills are kind of lacking."
"You'd think he'd be more adept after four hundred years," Charlie replied, eyes twinkling.
She and Josef sat down in the empty chairs and chatted as they waited for their drinks to arrive.
Two scotches for Mick and Josef, a glass of red wine for Beth, and a tall clear glass for Charlie.
"You don't drink?" Beth asked politely.
"Hon, that's Patron. Tequila. Josef assures me I can't get drunk, and I aim to test that," Charlie explained.
Beth laughed so hard tears ran down her face. "Well, if Josef's buying, they may as well bring over the bottle."
"That's what I said," Charlie replied laughing.
The boys just took long sips and signaled for another round, which made the girls laugh even harder.
Several moments later, Beth stood up and said, "Excuse me."
Charlie stood up and said, "I'll go too."
Mick and Josef looked mystified, but said nothing. Charlie followed Beth to the restroom.
"Okay, I know you don't need to use the facilities. What's up?" Beth asked.
"Gotta keep 'em guessing," Charlie answered with a smirk. "That and I figured you'd have questions."
"I knew I was gonna like you," Beth began. "So?" Beth asked with an obvious inflection.
"So, what?" Charlie said, looking into the mirror, rather than at Beth.
"So, what's going on with you and the prince of Darkness?" Beth asked very directly.
Charlie smiled, but lowered her voice to say, "Nothing, it's not like that."
"Sure. Josef is like the least demonstrative person in history, but he walked in holding your hand, and he hasn't taken his eyes off you even once," Beth argued.
"That's because Mick was worried about my control. Josef promised to watch me like a hawk so Mick doesn't have to hover the whole time," Charlie explained.
"Or he's into you. One or the other," Beth whispered. "He's not exactly a bad catch, I hear."
"Really, what do you hear?" Charlie asked, incredulously.
"Well, all Mick ever says about him is that he's the most loyal guy in the world. Besides being best friends, they've known each other forever, and Mick trusts him with his life. And for all his stern posturing, he seems to have a soft spot for Mick," Beth said quietly.
"I know, I mean, he took me in. But even if I wanted something more from him, he's still heartbroken over– " Charlie began.
"Sara, I know. I'm surprised he told you. He just told Mick about a year ago. Which proves my point, he wants to be close to you, even if he doesn't know it himself," Beth concluded with a smile.
"Beth, sometimes it doesn't matter how much you want something. I just don't think it's in the cards. He doesn't care about me that way," Charlie said with a sad smile.
Famous by Eli Young Band (A/N: I chose this song for two reasons, one it is so heartbreakingly earnest it gives me goosebumps, and two, because Charlie wants more than Josef is willing to give, and he doesn't even realize it.)
I've seen you downtown
I've walked up to you
But the words wouldn't come out
And you never knew
I'm just a girl just down the street
I'm just a face you've never seen
I'm just a heart you don't know is beating
Maybe someday I'll understand
What it feels like
To hold your hand
Maybe someday but until then
I'm just a girl just down the street
I'm just a face you've never seen
I'm just a heart you don't know is beating