So, this was the post that was going to be longer, but silvanelf suggested the cut and I ran with it… Apparently, I have now graduated from Evil Cliffie School!

This is for all those reviewers who begged me to save Beth and have Mick kick some butt… all I have to say is, be careful what you wish for!!!!

Note: I wrote this a week before 'Love Lasts Forever' aired. Yes I know I am the Queen of with-holding updates. (I currently have 3 more, but the next will be posted Friday). I wrote Mick as a medic before the show canonized it!!! It was like I knew!!!!!!!!!! I even wrote a line Mick used in the show!!!!!

Enjoy!!!

Mortal Peril

Beth struggled to remain conscious. She didn't have the strength to fight anymore and her vision was dark. Her body started to relax, she felt peaceful. No, no, no. Fight back, you have to fight back! She saw a light. Don't go towards the light. Keep fighting.

Then she felt the woman's grip loosen. Air flooded into Beth lungs and she gasped. She heard the sounds of distant fighting and a car door. Beth continued to breathe, blinking furiously, trying to clear her vision. She mustered her strength and tried to get up, but someone grabbed her. She panicked and her breath caught in her chest, stopping the flow of much needed oxygen.

"Where're you going, Blondie?"

Josef! Beth's mind screamed in joy. Beth blinked a few more times and Josef swam into view. He was looking down at her, concerned, but smiling.

"Hey, there," he said softly. "You had us quite worried."

Beth's heart poured out and she started sobbing. She couldn't stop. All sorts of emotions were welling up inside of her, fear, joy, hatred, love and especially friendship. Josef held her, comforting her with his voice and soft embrace.

Beth finally registered the sounds of a fight raging in the background and she raised her head from Josef's shoulder to see what it was.

She saw Mick fighting the woman who had nearly killed her. They were dancing around each other, lunging forward, trying to catch each other off guard.

Beth watched in horrid fascination as the woman kicked Mick in the chest, causing him to fly ten feet backwards. The woman and Mick were evenly matched. Mick recovered from the kick and lunged forward toppling the woman into a nearby cactus.

"We were in such a hurry to get here that we didn't bring along any supplies," Josef said, also watching the fight. "It's a good thing we did, too. Any later and…" he trailed off, not wanting to finish the thought, much less the sentence.

Beth stiffened, thinking about what had almost happened, but she continued to watch, wishing there was something she could do. A heavy rain started to fall. Josef looked toward the heavens, as if cursing fate's timing. He spoke again, "Maybe there's something Mick can use in the SUV." Josef stood up, helping Beth to her feet.

She was still shaky, but she wasn't gasping for breath anymore. They circled around the fight to the SUV. The ground was become muddy and Beth's cloths were already soaked through. Josef opened the back, looking for something for Mick to defend himself with.

Beth caught a glimpse of something shiny near the rear tire of Josef's Xterra. She approached cautiously, bending over, to pick up the other half of the discarded broken mirror. She turned to tell Josef what she had found, but froze.

Josef had pulled a gun from the back of the SUV. The woman had left her fight with Mick and was advancing on Josef.

"Josef, watch out!" Beth screamed. Josef turned, but it was too late. The woman dove and grabbed him. They brawled on the ground, fighting in the mud and rain.

Beth watched horrified as the woman kicked Josef in his jaw, stunning him. The next thing she knew the female vamp was standing, holding the gun, pointing it straight at Beth. Mick stood four feet away, watching intently, not daring to move out of fear for Beth. Josef got up, slowly. Beth looked at Mick. 'I love you' she mouthed and then she threw the mirror shard towards him.

She watched in slow motion, as Mick caught the mirror—wincing in pain from the silver—and stabbed it into the woman's back.

The woman fell to the ground as a shot rang out. Beth waited for the pain, but it didn't come. Then she saw Josef. He had lunged forward when Beth threw the mirror. Now he lay crumpled on the ground, in the mud.

Josef's mortal! He can't heal! He can't heal! Mick thought, as he and Beth raced to Josef's side. Blood soaked through Josef's shirt. Mick laid his friend back, applying pressure to the gunshot wound in Josef's chest.

The smell of Josef's blood was driving Mick's senses crazy. Even with the rain, the smell was potent. He's my friend… he's my friend, and he needs my help, Mick kept reminding himself, He sacrificed his life for Beth's. You owe him.

"Remove his shirt and use it to apply pressure to the wound," Mick ordered, not wanting to get too close to Josef.

Beth complied. Gently, yet quickly, she pulled Josef's shirt from his body. She and Mick took in a collective breath when they saw the wound. The bullet had entered just right of his heart, most likely puncturing his lung. Beth wadded up the shirt and pressed it over the seeping wound. Josef's eyes opened wide and he gasped. Blood had filled his mouth and he coughed, trying to breath.

"He's dying. We need to get him to a hospital… now," Beth said. Mick nodded and picked Josef up, caring him to the Xterra. Beth climbed in and helped Mick lay Josef in the back seat. Josef's eyes were shut, but Mick could still hear his heart beating.

Beth looked up at Mick, worried. If it had been a stomach wound, Josef would have had an hour, plenty of time to get to a hospital, and get treated. A chest wound was much more serious. Josef had only a few minutes, certainly not enough time to get to a hospital. Mick looked back at Beth, knowing there was noting they could do.

Josef was dying.

So… I kinda wrote myself into a corner here…

Just Kidding! I know what is going to happen, but you don't…

This is for you silvanelf… MWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA….takes deep breath MWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHA…hahahahahahahaha…ha

(Realize no one else is laughing but greenleaf9, runs for cover in pillow fortress…meep)