There seems to be some confusion about my plot. Beth and Josef are getting married on paper, so that the lab will do the blood test on both of them. Then they can take the results to a vampire specialist to see if Josef can be turned again. There are NO romantic feelings between them!

I admit that it is a little weak, but I wanted the have them get married for some comedy (they will periodically bring it up to each other) and so that Mick would get jealous enough to do something about his feelings for Beth (this chapter) and possibly for some angst later.

Note: THIS IS RATED R. IF YOU DON'T WANT TO READ, THEN DON'T!!!!!

Enjoy!!!!!

Affairs

Mick and Adriana were setting at the table. Mick had a glass of blood half finished and Adriana had an un-eaten piece of toast setting in front of her. The sun was setting and the living room beyond where they were sitting was filled with bright orange light.

They were both getting nervous. Josef and Beth were not back yet. It was nearly 6 o'clock. Adriana reached over and picked up Mick's glass. She took a large gulp and set it back in front of Mick. She replied to his quizzical look, "I needed a stiff drink. Remember, I am more vamp then human now."

Mick shook his head and went back to staring at his glass. He was losing his appetite.

Mick looked up. He heard a car approaching. It slowed and then the garage opened. Adriana looked up too. They both looked at the hallway as Josef and Beth entered. Mick noticed that they had changed clothes. They must have come back here at some point. But when? Mick thought.

Beth and Josef collapsed at the table. Josef kissed Adriana on the forehead and took the piece of toast. Beth grabbed an apple from the bowl in on the center of the table and munched into it.

"Where have you guys been?" Mick asked. He was surprised to see Josef eat. In fifty years of friendship he had never seen him chew anything before, unless freshies necks' counted.

Beth looked to Josef then Mick and responded, "Where haven't we been, is the better question."

"How was the check-up?" Adriana asked.

"Fine." Josef said. "I am healthy and have uncharted brain-wave function. I'm a genus. They proved it with their machine thingy." Beth, Adriana and Mick snickered at Josef's statement.

Josef added, "Oh, and my headache's are from the Ritalin I am taking."

"Ritalin?" Mick questioned.

"Yeah, probably something to do with the vamp senses and inhuman brain-wave capacity. Maybe my head hurts because I have 400 years to remember, instead of the average 80 year human lifespan."

"What about the blood work?" Adriana asked.

Beth and Josef looked at each other, silently begging the other to say it.

Mick noticed the odd looks between then and asked, "What is it? Is something wrong?"

Josef lost to Beth's pleading eyes and answered. "We're not sure."

"Not sure? Then what's with the looks?" Mick asked, getting suspicious.

Josef tried to be as delicate as he could, "The doctor wouldn't do the blood test. So…so we had to pretend we were getting married to have it done downtown in the courthouse."

Josef waited for the explosion, but it didn't come. Mick looked at them quizzically and asked, "So did you get the test done?"

"No, but I don't-" Josef started.

"Why not?!" Mick asked.

"Mick," Beth spoke up. Mick turned to look at her. "We have to wait because we can't eat anything for at least 12 hours before for the test. We will have to go back tomorrow when the lab is open, but I don't think you understand. Josef and I are married."

Mick was shocked. He looked back and forth between Josef and Beth. Then he saw something glitter on Beth's hand. He looked down and saw an exquisite gold ring with red stones on her ring finger. Oh my God, it's true. He couldn't speak. He couldn't think.

"Con-congratulation." Adriana stammered. "So you're Mrs. Konstan now?" She asked Beth, weakly, trying to hide the jealousy and hurt in her voice.

"No. I mean yes, but not really…" Beth looked to Josef for help. Mick was still in shock.

Josef explained, "We pretended to get married for the blood test. So, yes, on paper we are legally married, or we will be when the test results come back, it doesn't really matter because we are going to have it annulled as soon as the blood work gets back."

Adriana smile brightened and she kissed Josef. Josef kissed her back, but pulled back, saying, "Whoa there missy. I'm a married man." He smiled and turned to Beth, "You don't mind, do you sweetheart?"

"Go right ahead. I only married you for your money." She smiled as Josef went back to kissing Adriana.

Mick finally found his voice and asked dryly, "What about the ring?" He motioned to Beth's hand.

"Oh." Beth blushed slightly and removed the ring. She handed it back to Josef. "It was to make our story more convincing. Guess you should have it back."

Josef smiled gratefully and took the ring. They shared a look. Josef used his eyes to thank her for all she had done for him and Beth gave him a reassuring look, promising that if he ever wanted to talk, she was there.

Mick didn't like the look Josef and Beth were giving each other. His heart was pounding so loud he was sure the others could hear it. He could barley contain his emotions and the urge to rip Josef's head off.

Adriana broke the silence by standing up and saying, "I have to go get ready. I have a long night ahead of me." She left the room.

Josef followed her out with his eyes. "I need to hit the ice. You're welcome to stay Blondie. I saw you nodding off in the car. I wouldn't want you falling asleep at the wheel."

"Thanks Josef." Beth said with sincerity. Then she added, "But I'll just ask Mick to drop me off on his way home."

"Nonsense, the lady of the house cannot leave with another man." Josef said sarcastically.

"Really? Well, the lady of this house is leaving with another man and she is taking the red Ferrari with her." Beth joked back, grabbing Mick's arm as if to pull him from the kitchen. Mick remained in his seat, still confused and barely controlling his emotions.

Josef laughed and left the room. He met Adriana in the hall for a last kiss before she left for the club and he went upstairs to bed.

Beth chuckled and turned to Mick, "And he gets mad at me for leaving with another guy." She motioned to Josef and Adriana making-out in the hallway. "I wonder when he'll realize he can't sleep in his freezer?" Beth suddenly became serious when she saw the look on Mick's face. "What is it?"

"Did you really marry him?" Mick asked.

"Yes, but-"

"Do you love him?"

"No, it's just-"

"Like him?"

"No. We are just-"

Beth never got a chance to finish her sentence. Mick had covered her lips with his. Beth eagerly accepted his kiss and moved out of her chair so that she was setting on his lap.

Mick wrapped his arms around her. He pulled her close to him, never wanting to let go. Beth trailed kisses up his jaw line. When she reached his ear, she applied feather-light kisses along the rim and then paused. She waited for him to draw her closer with his embrace. Then she kissed his ear lobe. Mick inhaled sharply and she began sucking on the lobe, gently, building momentum.

Mick labored to breath. Beth felt him harden beneath her. She released his ear and moaned softly as she pressed herself down onto Mick lap. She pulled back and looked into Mick's face.

His eyes were shut tight. His mouth was slightly open, due to his extended fangs and he was breathing deeply.

Beth kissed him. Taking advantage of his mouth being open, she slid her tongue over his fangs. Mick growled. She stopped a little afraid, but Mick wasn't being aggressive. She kissed him again. This time he took control, exploring her mouth with his tongue.

Mick started to run his hands down her body. Beth moaned as Mick placed a forceful hand between her shoulder blades. She rocked her hips into his.

Mick pulled back, "No Beth."

"Why not?" She pleaded, kissing his neck and rocking her hips against his again. "I know you want this."

"I do, but this is Josef's place." Mick gave a low growled as she moved her hips again.

"Is that all that stopping you?" She asked seductively. "You know, this place is half mine now too." She sealed his lips with hers and pressed her body against his.

Mick lost all sense of reason. He pressed Beth into his chest and used his other hand to support her butt. He stood up, still kissing her, and moved toward the bedrooms down the hall. Beth wrapped her legs around Mick's waist and tangled her fingers into his hair.

Mick pressed her against the first bedroom door and ground his hips into hers. She felt every inch of his arousal pressed against her sensitive, wet core. They let out a simultaneous moan.

Mick fumbled for the doorknob and opened the door. He caught Beth as she fell back into the room, taking him with her. Mick used his foot to swing the door closed.

He laid Beth down on the bed and looked down at her. She raised her hands above her head seductively, so he could view all of her slender form. Mick flashed back to the evening before.

He felt his fangs on her artery. "Turn me." She commanded.

Mick blinked. He wouldn't, he couldn't, let that happen.

Then he remembered, Together, we will find a way. Together.

Mick noticed Beth's face had dropped, Did she see my hesitation? Mick smiled and grabbed Beth's hands, pinning them above her head. He leaned down and kissed her, softly, building passion.

Beth melted in his embrace. She was aching to touch him and struggled against his grasp, but he didn't let go. She tried again, but it was futile.

Mick pulled back from the kiss. Beth opened her eyes and looked at him longingly. His pale eyes expressing a wealth of emotions all topped with sadness. This is it. This is where he tells me we can't go through with it. Sadness and frustration welled up into tears in her eyes.

Mick wiped away her tears with his free hand. Still not letting go of her hands. "What is it?" He asked lovingly.

"Us. Why are we doomed?" Beth asked.

"Doomed, were not doomed. Why do you think we are doomed?"

"You stopped. You always stop. You're always going to stop." Beth sobbed.

"I'm not stopping… I'm pausing." Mick said lovingly as he caressed her cheek, wiping away the tears. "I was going to say we have to be careful." Beth gulped back tears and nodded. Mick continued, "You can't freak out on me, okay? You have to stay calm and not pull away. If you struggle to free yourself I might not be able to stop my predator nature from pursing, okay?"

Beth nodded and reached up to kiss him passionately. Mick pulled back again, "and you have to go slow. I have to keep my inner monster in check, don't insight me to passion."

"You are no monster Mick St. John." Beth smiled and kissed him, tentatively this time. She let him set the pace. He still had her hands above her head, so she used her legs to pull him closer to her. Mick stiffened as her legs encircled his hips, but then relaxed. He ran his free hand up, under her shirt. He lifted the shirt and exposed her subtle breasts.

Beth moaned and Mick moved down to kiss her stomach. She arched against him, trying to make as much contact with him as possible. Mick used the opportunity to reach behind and undo her bra one handed. She was surprised when the clasps snapped open. Where did he learn to do that?

She desperately wanted to run her hands over his body, but with her hands still captive above her head, all she could do was inhale deeply as Mick ran his hand under her bra. His hands were rough, yet gentle. Mick kissed his way up her stomach and over her breast to the nipple.

She moaned as Mick started sucking on her nipple. He teased her with his tongue and she arched into him, grinding their hips together. Mick's fangs pulsed downward, scraping the sensitive skin on her breast. Mick released her breast and turned his head away for a moment to regain control.

I need to stay in control. I need to stay in control. No more near misses. Mick realized he was teasing Beth by restraining her and her frustration and struggle was only making him lose control faster.

Mick moved his free hand up to her shirt and bra, which were now scrunched up above her breasts. He let go of her hands. He quickly pulled her shirt and bra over her head.

Her hands were now free to roam and she moved them down Mick's body to the hem of his shirt. Mick helped her remove his shirt. She pulled him up into a passionate kiss, letting their skin move against each other.

His skin was warm, unlike the night before. Beth rolled her hips into his again. He ground his hips back into hers. She reached down and cupped his firm ass in her hands. She pulled him closer to her and rolled up into him again. Mick pressed his lips harder against hers and brought his hands up from her hips to play with the fly of her jeans.

He undid her pants and she arched up to allow him to pull them and her panties off. Now she lay totally naked before him. They paused for a moment, then both reached for his pants at the same time. Their fingers tripped over each other as the hurriedly pulled off his pants and boxers.

Once all their clothing lay on the floor next to them Mick eased himself back onto Beth. She relished the feel of his skin against hers and the fire that seemed to burn between them. She rocked herself up onto him, wrapping her legs around his waist.

Mick tried to swallow, but couldn't, as Beth's wet core rubbed against his hard length. She was hot and wet. He paused, looked into her eyes and took a shaky breath.

Beth waited. He had to do this himself. Mick positioned himself at her opening and then gently slid into her.

They both inhaled from the sensation. Mick growled from the depth of his being and his fangs flexed, trying to extend father. Beth shut her eyes as she adjusted to fit him. Mick paused to regain control and looked down into her face. He waited for her to open her eyes.

Beth's eyes fluttered open and they locked with his. The pale blue didn't scare her because all she could see was the love behind his eyes. He started to move. Slowly, keeping control, and letting the passion built. If he could, he would have stayed with her forever like that. On the brink, but not yet in ecstasy, anticipating the release to come.

Beth marveled in his tender yet forceful nature. She let him set the pace. She wrapped her hands around him and held on. Mick leaned in and she kissed him.

Steadily their pace increased. They had to stop kissing to catch their breath, so they rested their foreheads together. Their eyes were closed as they let their passion and love express itself.

Beth could feel herself tightening. She knew her release was close and she pleaded with Mick, "Faster, harder."

Mick grunted and obeyed. His forehead slipped off hers and rested on her shoulder. He placed fleeting kissing on her neck. He was close to the end and he was trying with all his might to hold on. His fangs kept grazing her veins and she moaned louder each time.

"Beth," Mick breathed, "Beth don't struggle." Was the last thing he said before he lost control. He plunged his fangs into her soft neck. Beth's body seized up. The mixture of pleasure and pain accumulated in her orgasm. Beth screamed Mick's name as she fell into oblivion.

Mick was on sensory overload. From the taste of her warm blood in his mouth to the feeling of her tightening around him, to the sound of his name, cried out in passion, Mick pumped into her a few more times before her came crashing down too. His vision went red and he lost contact with the world.

Beth came down off her high first. There was a dull pain in her neck. She realized that Mick was still, gently, feeding.

She started to panic, but remembered Mick's words. You can't freak out on me, okay? You have to stay calm and not pull away. Softly, she said, "Mick." Then she slowly reached her hands up to touch his face. "Mick stop."

Mick stopped. He gently removed his fangs from her neck and pulled the sheet up, holding it against the bleeding wound. He applied pressure. He looked away, trying to regain control over his senses.

Beth raised her hand to cover his. Then she used her other hand to turn Mick's face to her. Mick was stilled vamped out. He couldn't retract his fangs because of all the emotions flowing through him. His pale blue eyes looked sad as he gazed at her neck.

She pulled him in for a soft kiss, then she leaned her forehead against his and murmured, "Together."