This has been an interesting chapter to write. I had a hard time with making the characters believable. I am still not sure if I captured their essences, but since nothing, like this has come up on the show, I don't know how they would react. This is my best guess. I had a hard time titling this piece as well.

I also need to give credit to another great author from a non-moonlight story(Alive and Not His by Kazy). I got the idea from their fic (posted on I hope they don't mind my taking and tweaking of their idea.

With that said… THIS IS A 'R' TO 'NC-17' RATING!!! PLEASE DON'T READ IF YOU DON'T WANT.

You have been warned. There will be more scenes like this to come, it was not my intention to write smut, but it fits the plot and it gets reviews!

I also want to point out that there is a running theme between silvanelf and I in my previous chapters. Some of you may have noticed that Josef's bad days are always rainy days. This something to look for in the future!

Enjoy!!!

Clash of Thunder

The Xterra pulled up to the other SUV. The two vamps were still where they had left them.

"I'm going to siphon the SUV's gas tank. Then we can trap the vamps, inside and set it ablaze," Mick said.

"I'll bring the bodies over," Josef volunteered.

"Are you sure?" Beth asked. "You were just shot…"

"And now I'm healed. Thanks a whole bottle of vampire essence," Josef said. "I am perfectly capable of pulling a couple of bodies around."

The two men went to their tasks, giving Beth a chance to ponder on the night's events. She still didn't know what the Agency was up to—she had put herself in mortal peril, nearly died, and to top it all off, jeopardized her budding relationship with Mick. He hadn't said a word to her since he showed up. Yes, Josef had been direly injured, but he still could have said something to her, to reassure her… he hadn't even asked if she was okay. He's probably blaming himself, for me getting hurt and now he's going to convince himself that he can't be with me for my own good.

Josef grunted as he pulled the man across the desert. "Jesus, Blondie, could you give me some help." Beth bounded from the Xterra, glad to get a reprieve from her thoughts. The earlier rain had made the ground muddy, and the bodies became difficult to move without slipping.

She helped Josef drag the man and then the woman and place them inside the SUV. Beth rescued her purse from the back seat and hastily shoved all her belongings into it. By the time they were done, Mick had finished draining the gas tank. He splashed the gas over the car and pulled out his lighter, ready to ignite the car when Beth stopped him.

"Wait. Let's remove the mirror shards."

"Why?" Mick asked.

"So that Josef can at least have the pieces," Beth tried to reason.

"I told you, Beth. The mirror is just an object," Josef protested.

"But, you could at least…"

"No, Beth." Mick's voice was stern. She recoiled from him. His anger frightened her.

"For Blondies' sake, Mick, just remove the pieces. She can have the shards. Since they seem to mean so much to her," Josef said.

Mick growled at Josef, Why is he enabling her? "Those shards are the only thing keeping them paralyzed. If I remove them, they will escape."

"Snap their necks, then remove the pieces and set the car ablaze. Even vampires can't heal from that wound fast enough to get away," Josef told Mick.

Mick knew he was right, but he didn't want to do it. He didn't want to give into Beth. He always gave into Beth. She had ended up in this situation because he had given in. It was his fault she was caught. If he had stopped her, she wouldn't have gone. He had known it was too dangerous, but he let her go. He hated himself. Why can't I say no to her?

"Fine," Mick growled. He snapped the vamps' necks, as easy as spinning a top. Then, using a piece of cloth, he pulled the mirror shards from their bodies. Backing away, he set the gas on fire. The car ignited in a burst of flame, enveloping the vamps inside.

The three stood and watched the SUV burn. Once Mick was sure the vamps could no longer escape, he turned to Beth. Her heart leapt, He's finally going to ask me how I am, she rejoiced. He silently handed her the mirror shards and climbed into the Xterra. Beth's heart fell. She tucked the mirror pieces into her purse and followed Josef into the Xterra. They drove back to Josef's in silence.

Mick pulled into Josef's garage. Josef excused himself and climbed the stairs to his room. He needed a change of cloths and some sleep.

At first, Mick had wanted to take Beth back to her place, but after he looked into her eyes, he knew he couldn't have left her alone, soaked and bloody.

The rain had caused Beth's hair to stick to the back of her neck. Her dress was soaked through and it clung to her seductive curves. Mick didn't protest when she pulled him toward the downstairs bathroom. She found a washcloth, turned on the tap and started to gently clean his face and hands. The cuts and bruises had healed, but some blood remained on his skin.

Mick caught a whiff of Beth's blood and scented the past…

The male vamp kicked Beth unconscious. She crumpled to the floor of the SUV and he laughed ruthlessly as he pressed his boot into her face.

Anger and hatred pulsed through Mick's veins as he watched. The vision continued...

Beth struggling against the female vamp. The woman threw Beth in a sagebrush. She picked Beth up by the neck, strangling her. The Xterra pull up, it's headlights blinding the vamp. The woman dropped Beth, snarling into the light. She bent to deliver a fatal blow to Beth. Mick saw himself jump into the light attacking the woman.

Mick jerked his head away from Beth to stop the flow of the visions. "Mick, look at me," she said gently. He turned back to her. She reached up and continued to wash his face. The anger and fear he felt from the vision washed over him anew, as he looked at her injuries.

Guilt flooded through Mick. She shouldn't have been there. She never should have been involved. Why can't she see it's dangerous? Why, why, why? Why does she do this to herself? Why does she put herself in these situations?

He knew she loved him, but he didn't think she would realize how much it would hurt him if something were to happen to her. She is my reason for living…

Guilt welled up inside him again, Why did I let her go? I knew it was too dangerous… Why didn't I stop her?

"What, no lecture?" Beth whispered as she rubbed his cheek. She couldn't take his silent treatment any longer. A screaming match would be better than the agony of watching Mick's disappointment, self-loathing, hatred and guilt.

"What for? You are who you are. I can't change that, no matter how much I want to." Mick missed the sadness in her eyes as he said this. He was concentrating on calming himself and getting rid of the anger and guilt.

"We really needed the information," Beth tried to defend herself.

"It's not about the information, Beth, it's about your LIFE!" Mick exploded. "Don't you understand? I kept myself from being with you because something like this would happen. You would get yourself in more trouble than you can handle, and I wouldn't be there to help you! Why can't you see that?!"

"Oh, no, don't you drag our relationship into this! This had nothing to with our relationship. I was trying to help those girls from being drugged!"

"And it doesn't matter if you were drugged, beaten and killed?! Dammit, will you ever learn? Vampires are dangerous! You can't defend yourself around them!"

"I didn't think about that."

"Yeah, obviously not! One day you're going to get yourself killed and I won't be able to live without you!" Tears were streaming down Mick's face has he shouted his deepest fear to her.

His statement stopped her. She had been about to retort, but now she stood there, surprised and shocked. They had been yelling at each other. Now they stood there, breathing heavily, mere inches from each other.

One moment, Mick stood there, burning in anger and fear, and the next, he felt her lips on his and her curves under his hands. His fangs extended, forcing his mouth open. Beth slipped her tongue into his mouth and ran it over his fangs. Mick was enveloped by her scent and he pulled her to his hip.

Beth moaned and pushed him against the bathroom wall. His thoughts flew back to the evening before at the club and his stomach tightened. She pressed into his arousal and he stopped thinking.

Mick helped Beth tug off his wet shirt. She discarded the shirt on the floor and ran her hand across his chest, resting it on his abs. She entwined her other hand in his hair, pulling him deeper into their kiss.

Once he was topless, Mick reversed the situation, pinning her to the wall. He played with her tongue, exploring her mouth. He explored her body with his hands, as if touching her for the first time. He moved kisses down her neck.

"I haven't gotten myself killed," she whispered, sending shivers down his spine.

She tightened her grip in his hair, and Mick lifted her up. Her legs wrapped around his hips. Oh God, she'd better not die…

"I'm alive," she whispered again. She knew he needed to hear it, needed to feel it.

Mick realized how afraid he was. His life began and ended with her. He cursed himself for getting too close, and yet for being too far away. He needed to be there to protect her, but he had to stay away to save her. She had to understand what she meant to him.

Mick pushed her harder against the wall. This wasn't about sex, this wasn't about love, it was about her. He needed to know she was alive, to know she was alright. He wanted her to respond to his caress, to move, to moan, to show him she was living.

Mick pushed her dress up. The wet material clung to her warm flesh. Mick could almost see the steam rising off her body. Her dress and bra joined his shirt on the floor. He pulled her in for a deep kiss. Then he moved down her chest to her exposed breast. Her skin was cool from the rain and his warm mouth made her moan.

Mick used all of his 85 years of experience to make her feel. He warmed one breast with his mouth and the other with the palm of his hand. He used his knee to caress the 'v' of her legs. She moaned under his ministrations.

Beth's skin warmed, flushing under his touch. Mick kissed his way back up to her neck, finding her vein and biting at it playfully. Beth moaned louder and pressed her throat into his mouth. Her reactions relieved some of Mick's fear. She's alive… she's okay… she's going to be fine…

He needed more. More of her, more of this… more. He pulled her panties down and picked her up, carrying her through the door to the bedroom beyond. He laid her out on the bed—not pausing to admire her beauty—he continued running kisses all over her body. He kissed her hip and then opened her legs to kiss her inner thigh. The smell of her washed over him and he bit into her leg lightly. He could taste a drop of blood on his fangs.

Beth's leg jerked away, opening herself to him more. Mick froze. He restrained his urge to bite. He let her scent permeate his being. He moved towards her, letting his tongue dip down into her folds. Beth arched into him, throwing her head back in passion. Her legs went limp. It scared Mick. With her eyes closed and her body limp, she might have been dead, if it wasn't for her wild heartbeat.

Mick urged her faster, adding one of his fingers to push her over the edge. Beth came, crying out his name. Mick reveled in the sound. His chest relaxed a little, but his heart still ached. His fear was not gone.

Mick pulled off his pants and boxers. He positioned himself over her and pushed into her, in one long thrust. She gasped. Her previous orgasm was still rippling through her body. He moved slowly, not wanting to hurt her, but he needed to feel her, feel that she was alive.

She wrapped her arms around him and buried her head in his shoulder. This isn't helping… Mick need to see her alive, needed to see her react.

He thrusted harder and faster, trying to get a reaction. Beth clawed his back and pleaded, "Mick, slow down… please."

He was beyond reason. All he knew was that he need to feel her… alive.

He was demanding. He needed her body. He had pushed himself over the edge, his fangs were fully extended and his eyes were pale blue. He knew he looked like a monster, but he couldn't stop himself. Beth bit her lip. A trickle of blood emerged.

The scent of fresh blood hit Mick. He unconsciously slowed his pace. He leaned forward and licked the blood from her lips. Beth kissed him back and relaxed. He had stopped pounding into her.

Mick could taste the love flowing through her veins. He was repulsed by himself. Why had he done it? She needed him right now and he had been so arrogant as to demand her attentions.

Mick slowly kissed her, reassuring her. She relaxed and began to breath easier. Slowly he ran his hands over her body, stopping to caress each of her breasts.

"Say it," he commanded as he kissed her ear.

"I'm alive," she sighed. Mick sucked on her neck, teasing the vein with his fangs again. "I'm alive," she repeated.

He kissed her again. He still needed to feel her, but now, he knew, she needed to feel him too. Their kiss was slow, passionate, and not enough. Beth ground her hips up into him. Mick began to move, tentatively, afraid of hurting her. Beth kept her eyes open. She understood. He needed to see.

Mick groaned as Beth bit into his neck playfully. "Together," Beth whispered in his ear. Then she bit down hard on his throat. Mick cried out her name and sunk his fangs into her neck. They fell into oblivion.

Beth stirred. Mick held her closer. She was wrapped in his arms. The bite on her neck had stopped bleeding and he now lay spooned protectively behind her.

Beth's eyes fluttered open. She turned to look at Mick who smiled down at her. "You okay?" Concern was written all over his face.

"Yeah," Beth took a slow breath and looked at Mick's neck. There were no bite marks. Of course not, it would have healed by now, Beth thought.

Mick followed her eyes and smiled. "Sorry, no battle scars," Mick laughed.

"But…" Beth started.

Mick saw what she was thinking, "Oh…No, no, no. Beth, you didn't, it's okay."

"You mean-"

"You didn't draw blood. You safe, you haven't been turned," Mick reassured her.

A tear rolled down Beth's cheek, then another and another. He raised his hand to wipe away her tears. "Shhhh," Mick tried to sooth her, but Beth started to sob.

Mick was confused. "Beth, what's-"

He was cut off by another great sob and he grabbed her, clutching her to his chest. He continued to sooth her. She clung his shoulder and cried.

Finally, he heard her gasp between sobs, "I wanted to."

Mick stopped dead. 'She wanted to.' Wanted to what? Wanted to be turned…?

"Beth," he said tentatively.

She looked into his face. He could see the disappointment in her eyes. Then she said the thing he had been waiting to hear, "I wanted to be turned, Mick. I want to be with you, together, forever."

So this is where I shamelessly, beg for reviews. I know I should be blushing and hiding my head in the sand, but I really really want to know what you guys think!!!!!