So here is some more back ground info. I thought is would be fun to have a little small talk between Mick, Beth and Adriana. I promise a Josef focused chapter to come!!

Enjoy!!!!

The Kitchen

Beth pulled up to Josef's. She saw Mick's and Josef's cars. Strange, She thought, It looks like Mick's car is still running… Is the Mick setting in his car? She turned off her engine and got out. She noticed the door to Josef's house was standing wide open, but she continued toward Mick's car.

She walked up to the passenger side and looked through the window a Mick. He was sitting in the driver seat, his hands glued to the wheel, his face frozen in a look of trauma. He was staring off into space; he hadn't even noticed Beth approaching.

She opened the door and sat down next to him. Still he did not look at her. Beth gently slid her hand onto Mick's. He turned and looked at her, as if seeing her for the first time.

"What the matter?" Beth waited for a response. "Mick? What happened?"

Mick turned to stare ahead again. He started to speak then stopped. Clearly, something had traumatized him. Beth waited patently for him to respond.

"I…I just…" Mick was stumbling to find the right way to express what he saw. "Josef…Adriana," Mick's voice died off again.

"Oh." Beth understood. She quickly stifled a laugh. Mick wasn't new to doing surveillance on people having sex, but he wasn't usually in the same room. She doubted he was prepared to actually walk in on someone, not to mention his best friend and mentor. It put a whole different—personal— perspective on it.

Beth continued to hold Mick's hand. Offering comfort. Inwardly she was glad that Mick was focusing on Josef and not their relationship at the moment. Finally, she put her other hand on his shoulder, making him turn to face her.

"Mick, it's okay. They are both adults and so are you…so grow up!" Beth laughed and Mick started to smile. His grin broke into a small chuckle and he knew she was right. It was just weird to walk in on your friend like that.

Mick relaxed. He let go of the steering wheel and sat back, turning off the car. Beth continued to hold his hand and she gave him an encouraging squeeze. Mick squeezed back and smiled…truly smiled at her.

Suddenly, Mick got a determined look in his face and opened his car door. He let go of Beth's hand and headed for the door. She quickly followed him as he burst into Josef's house.

"Mick…Mick!" Beth called after him, hoping he would turn around and explain what he was doing. Mick swept through the first floor of the house, then, having not found anybody, he sat down on the couch determined to wait.

Beth sat next to him and grabbed his hand, lacing her fingers with his. Mick looked at her and smiled.

"Mick, why are we here?" She liked saying 'we.' It sounded good.

"I need to speak with Josef. I came back to talk to him." He paused then continued, "Now I really need to speak with him." Beth didn't press him for the reason. She was content to sit in silence, as long as they were together.

Adriana walked into the living room. Mick and Beth were sitting on the couch. Beth was curled up next to Mick, her head resting on his shoulder. Beth looked up.

Mick noticed Adriana. He stood up in gentlemanly fashion. She was wearing a bathrobe he recognized as Josef's. He swallowed hard trying not to conjure images of earlier.

Adriana smiled at Mick's gesture and motioned him to sit. "If I had know you were down here, I would have come down sooner."

"Where is Josef?" Mick asked. "I need to speak to him."

"He's asleep." Adriana answered. "I was just coming down to grab a bite to eat. You want anything?" She asked Beth.

"Sure, I'll help you." Beth got up from the couch and followed Adriana into the kitchen. Mick sat back into the couch and closed his eyes. It was near ten in the morning and he was really wishing he was in his freezer about now.

Beth popped her head into the room, "Mick, do you want anything?"

Mick turned to look at Beth. She was ginning sheepishly. He stood up and walked over to her. "Why? You offering?"

"No," she laughed, "Adriana offered…" Beth died off as she saw the look of horror in Mick's face. "Sorry, did I say something wrong?"

"I don't think Josef would be happy with me if…" Mick trailed off.

Adriana looked around the corner at Mick, "He doesn't own me. And I can feed both of you. Remember, I can heal like a vamp, that includes replenishing blood."

"I really don't know-" Mick started.

"Come on Mick. You looked famished, please have something to eat." Beth pleaded with him. Mick looked at her in shock.

"Here." Adriana pulled out a glass and grabbed a knife. She slit her wrist and grimaced. The blood flowed freely over the knife, which she left in the wound. Beth and Mick watched as the glassed filled. When in was full, Adriana set the knife in the sink and grabbed a towel to clean her wrist. Beth saw the cut heal as Adriana cleaned away the blood.

Adriana picked up the glass and handed in to Mick. He accepted it, begrudgingly, but he was hungry and the deed was already done.

He took a sip. "Wow!" He looked to Adriana, "I haven't tasted anything like this since…" he looked to Beth, then down to his glass.

"Yes, well, my dad always commented on the potency of my blood. It was why I took the name Lebenblut… Life blood." She explained, seeing the confusion on Beth's face. "My dad said that my blood made him feel almost human again."

"You choose your name?" Beth found this odd.

"Yes, my dad didn't want me taking my father's surname, but he also thought it was too dangerous to take his. He has enemies, who would like nothing more then to capture me. Of course, the kidnappers would have another thing coming if they tried to capture me now." Adriana ginned and Beth and Mick couldn't help joining her.

"Who is your dad? If you don't mind my asking." Mick didn't know what spawned him to ask, but for some reason he was drawn to Adriana and wanted to know more about her, especially if she was involved with his closest friend.

"He's gone by many names," Adriana shrugged-off, "But he currently goes by Raj. I don't actually know his birth name or even his birth date." Adriana gave a small laugh, "In fact I don't know if even he remembers or knows."

Beth and Mick looked at her in astonishment. Adriana continued, "It wasn't as big a deal back then."

"How old is he?" Beth was still getting used to years in immortality.

"He thinks he was born in 1557 of the Vikrim samvat. So… about 1500 on the Gregorian calendar." Adriana opened the fringe and rummaged around inside while Mick and Beth took in this last bit of information.

"Vikrim what?" Beth finally asked.

"Samvat." Mick answered, "It's an Indian calendar used in Hindu regions of India and Nepal."

"Correct. He was born in what is now the Uttar Pradesh in a small town near Lucknow."

"So he is Indian?" Beth was confused.

"Yes. Why?" Adriana asked.

"Well you said he was your 15th Great Grandfather and you don't look Indian." Mick agreed. Adriana's skin was too pale and her features looked very westernized.

"Well, yes, but 15 generations changes the genes. Most of my ancestors have been of European origin. My dad left his homeland shortly after being turned. Tropical sun is not good for a vampires completion." The three laughed and continued small talk as Beth and Adriana prepared their food.