Okay, sorry about the long wait, but for the first time in a long time I didn't have an update ready to go up. And I have to warn you, the next one is not written either. I will try to write as soon as I can, but this accursed cold and school and work is taking a lot out of me. So please be patient!!!

I want to inform all you readers that we are approaching the end of this fic. This is the second to last post. That means I have one chapter after this and an epilogue. That's it. Then I will be taking a couple weeks off to get a start on my next fic, a companion piece to this called 'Together.'

Thanks to nightcap and silvanelf for beta-ing!!! I couldn't have posted this without them!!! (All that cough syrup went to my head!)

Enjoy!!

The Turning

Beth awoke in her own bed. She smiled, remembering the day. She had started the morning with a perfectly staged break-up with Josef, then she and Mick had gone shopping, not her first choice, but she had enjoyed herself.

Mick had taken her to what she could only describe as a vampire clearing house. Anything and everything a vamp could want could be found there. The warehouse had been a little cold for Beth, but Mick had given her his coat. Which she had spent the rest of the trip secretly smelling, it had Mick all over it. They—yes they—had bought a freezer for two. Beth didn't even have to push Mick into the idea; he really had changed his outlook on life.

Next, Mick had taken Beth to a department store and outfitted her in vamp friendly clothing. She had spent more money than she should, but she was having a great time trying on clothes for Mick, who, oddly enough, seemed to have a good time too. Mick had insisted she get a heavy, dark coat and a good pair of sunglasses and few hats as protection from sunlight. Beth had a great time with the hats. She didn't go for inconspicuous like Mick suggested, but bought a bright red, thin brimmed hat, that Mick said made her look like a 1920's starlet.

Lastly, they had made a trip to the morgue, where Mick introduced Beth to Guillermo. She had protested, being that she was going to run a freashie agency, but he insisted that she should know all the options, and, she would need to get transfusions for her freshies.

They had come back to her place for lunch, which Mick could still (barely) taste. Mick had kissed her 'Good day' and left, reminding her to pack some of the clothes she wanted to keep and to get some sleep before they met Josef that evening. Mick had taken all the bags back to his place, since that was where she was going to be living after her turning.

Beth had gone to change, but before she could collapse into bed, there had been a knock on her door. A delivery boy held out a stack of paperwork and told her he was instructed to wait for return delivery. Beth had opened the package and found a neatly writen note, in what she presumed to be Josef's handwriting.

Here are the annulment papers and the legal acquisition of the Agency. Just sign next to the 'x' and I need a blood sample.

Beth eyed the syringe contained in the package. She had wished Mick was there, but the boy was waiting, so she took a breath and sunk the needle into her vein. She hadn't fainted, and the bruise from the needle wasn't too large. She signed the papers after scanning through the documents—she was glad she did, because Josef had included a prank form that had her signing her soul over to him. She had laughed at his audacity and wrote 'Only if you grant my three wishes,' across the form and handed it back to the delivery boy. As he was turning to leave, she had called out for him to stop. She took off Josef's ring, which she was still wearing from the party that morning, and put in the package. After that she had collapsed into bed and slept through the afternoon.

Now she lay in bed, staring at the ceiling, thinking about the night to come. I have to make out a will…But I want to keep my stuff…who can I will it to, so that it is given back to me? I could will it to Mick…I know he would give it back, but that might look suspicious if I give it all to him. I guess I should give something to Liz, so that it looks real… As she pondered how to divvy up her belongings, Beth brewed some coffee and then took a shower.

After a hot shower she packed up some clothes and left for Josef's office. She looked around her apartment making sure noting looked too out of place, she didn't know when or if she would ever be coming back.

Glances followed Beth as she entered the lobby of Josef's office building. She walked up to the desk and asked to be taken into Josef's office. The receptionist gawked at her like she thought Beth was joking. Beth insisted that she was there to see Josef and that he was expecting her.

"You must not have gotten the message, Miss. Josef has dismissed all you ladies, for the time being," the receptionist explained.

"I am not one of his floozies, I'm his wife!" Beth retorted, which technically wasn't true, since she had signed the annulment papers earlier.

The woman laughed at Beth. "Mr. Konstan is not married,Miss. I think you have the wrong building."

Beth bristled. She was about to tear the woman's head off when the room went eerily silent.

"Sweetheart, I thought I told you not to bother me at the office?" Josef said, his voice dripping with sarcasm. Audible gasps rose from the crowd in the lobby as they watched Josef escort Beth to the executive elevator.

Once inside the elevator Josef dropped the playful tone and said, "Wipe that smirk off your face, you are not my wife. And as far as anyone here knows, you never were."

Beth stopped grinning and looked at Josef. "Why don't you want them to know? Won't they find out anyways?"

"Not if I have anything to do about it. Our annulment will end this fiasco before any permanent damage is done."

"Damage? What damage could your being married do?" Beth asked.

"For one it hurts my image, but mainly it is protecting you. I have enemies. I don't want them to try to get to me through you, especially since it would hurt Mick more than me."

Beth smiled. Josef was worried about her safety. She was sure this was not a side many people got to see of him, but with all they had been through in the last few days, they had grown very close.

"So what was with all the paperwork you sent me?" she asked, trying to change the subject.

"You must have read through them, just annulment and acquisition papers," Josef replied.

"And a form signing over my soul. Nice try, but next time don't print it in red."

Josef smiled, "That wasn't red ink…" he joked.

Beth rolled her eyes and then remembered, "Hey, what ever happened with the Agency? I know I signed the acquisition papers this afternoon, but were all the coordinators caught?"

"Yeah, the Cleaner caught up with all of them. The freshies are safe, although a little scared. They are all back at the Agency headquarters, under the watchful eye of my guards," Josef explained. "Oh, and you owe me a lot for the Cleaner's bill."

Beth paled. Josef chuckled and replied, "Don't worry, you have the rest of eternity to work off the debt, but really…it would have been easier if you had just signed over your soul." Josef grinned at Beth and exited the elevator as the doors opened.

He timed that, Beth thought. He planned that out perfectly as an exit line.

Josef instructed Beth to give her coat, purse and keys to his head of security. She handed them over.

"Beth, meet Ms. Jameson and Mr. Mercadante. They are two of the top legal minds in the country, and today they are going to help you finalize your will," Josef introduced her to two young, stern looking lawyers.

Beth shook hands with the lawyers and sat down at the table in Josef's office to discus logistics. Josef excused himself from the group, but as he was leaving he said to Beth, "Don't forget to give something to Adriana's sister Ilsa."

Beth stared at him. Who? And why would I give her money?

Josef explained, "Don't tell me you've forgotten Ilsa. I know she hasn't been around recently, but you should really give her something."

Beth was puzzled. I don't know Adriana's family…Didn't her mom die when she was born?… Wait, I bet he set up a fake person so that I could will my money to her, then claim it myself. Thank you, Josef!

"Oh, Ilsa. How could I forget her? Of course…" Beth said. Then she had the lawyers distribute Beth's belongings evenly between Mick and this mythical Ilsa.

Josef left and Beth and the lawyers got down to the paperwork. "Don't you want to give something to Mr. Konstan?" Ms. Jameson asked.

Beth remembered Josef's plea not to be involved in her will and declined, saying, "No, but can you give a little to Miss Adriana Lebenblut?"

"Sure, Miss."

Beth added, "Oh and give a thousand dollars to Miss Elizabeth Smith." That's the only money I won't get back after this is done. I hope Liz understands…

The lawyers finished up the paperwork and had Beth sign all the forms. The whole process had taken longer than Beth expected. The sun had finished setting, hours ago. They got up to leave as Josef re-entered the office with Ryder pulling the luggage she had left in her car. She wondered why Ryder had it, but didn't ask. Josef turned to the lawyers. "All finished? Good. Thanks for your services and remember, this was all done last month." The lawyers nodded in approval. Josef handed them a wad of cash and had them escorted from the office.

"So, what's the plan?" Beth asked.

"I was hoping you'd ask," Ryder said as he pulled up a file on the screen over Josef's desk. Beth watched as a complete computer simulation showed how her car, outfitted with a remote device, was driving along the Pacific Coast Highway when a semi truck made a wide turn, forcing her car off the road. Beth watched in horror as the simulated car tumbled down the cliff, first igniting in a fireball, then crashing into the rocks at the base of the cliff. Pieces of wreckage floated among the simulated rocks.

"As you can see, there is not much left, but your ID and license plate should confirm your identity. If that doesn't work, the blood on the driver seat will prove, beyond a reasonable doubt, that it was you." Josef said after the simulation had finished.

Beth stared openmouthed at the screen. "Wow, you're thorough. So when is this going to happen?"

"Already done, Blondie," Josef retorted.

"What?! You mean I'm dead?!"

"Yeah. I thought you said there was no time like the present, or are you having second thoughts?"

"No, I just didn't expect it to be so soon. Mick wanted to wait a couple of weeks until my blood replenishes, to turn me. This is going to change that."

"No it won't. Mick's going to have to deal with the aftermath of your death and all the legal proceedings. It would be really difficult for him to be caring for a new turn at the same time. This will allow him time to finalize your death and let the story die down, then he can turn you, in a few weeks."

Beth understood. After her Mom had died, she had spent weeks just getting the funeral arrangements in order. I can't imagine going through all that while caring for…what did Josef call it?…a feral, bloodsucking infant. No, this is probably better. "So, you can't be implicated in this?" she asked.

"No. I was in the courthouse, finalizing our annulment, right under the noses of the police. I heard when the call came in and made sure I was on their cameras. There's no way for them to indicate me in the 'accident.'"

"So, what about the truck driver?" Beth asked.

"He owed me a favor. It's an accident, it happens," Josef said. He flipped on another screen. A Buzzwire report was running a live feed from the scene of Beth's 'accident.'

"Have they identified it as me yet?" Beth asked. She knew that Mo would jump on a story involving the death of her once star reporter.

"No, but I'm sure we will hear the moment they do." As if on cue, Josef's phone rang.

Josef answered, "Hey, Mick."

"Josef, the police just called me. They said Beth's car crashed." Mick voice sounded panicked.

"Mick, calm down. Beth's right here with me. This was the plan, remember," Josef reassured his friend.

"Oh…yeah…I just… I…" Mick stuttered.

"You panicked. It's okay. But Beth Turner is dead. You are going to have to deal with the legal aspect of Beth's death. So plenty of grieving and remember, Beth is dead. No one can suspect she is alive." Josef stated, firmly.

"Okay, but why me?"

"Because you're named as her emergency contact and the executor to her will."

"Fine, I'll deal with the police," Mick said, reluctantly. He was not looking forward to that conversation with DA Josh Lindsay

"Good. Oh, and Mick…when you're done, there's a Ilsa Lebenblut at my office that would like to have a place to sleep tonight."

"Ilsa?" Mick asked questionably. "Is she related to Adriana?"

"No, Mick. She is a 5' 6," blond, ex-reporter," Josef told his friend.

"Oh, yeah. I'll swing by later." Mick smiled and hung up.

"Ilsa Lebenblut?" Beth asked.

"Yes, Blondie. Say hello to the new you," Josef said as he handed her a bottle of black hair dye.

"What?!" Beth exclaimed. She couldn't help thinking this was payback for dressing up Josef earlier.

"Well, you're a well known reporter and we can't have anybody recognizing you. Susana will apply the dye and give you a new style." He indicated the woman standing in the doorway, "Oh…and here is your new identity, driver's license, birth certificate, social security card and passport." Josef handed Beth a stack of papers. "Nice to meet you Ilsa Lebenblut."

"Wow, thanks for getting all this for me. But can I ask, why Ilsa?"

"Your name, Bethany, means 'Consecrated to God.' Ilsa is a German variation on that. And as for Lebenblut…well, it is always better if you can have an established relative to back up any questions on your new identity."

An hour later Beth reentered Josef office. Her hair was jet-black and bobbed at shoulder length.

"I guess I'm going to need a new nick-name for you, Blondie." Josef chuckled. "You look good." He reassured her.

"Thanks. When will Mick be here?" Beth asked.

"It's going to be a while. Last I heard, your ex-boss was sending an army of reporters after him. A few even came here. Luckily, the security downstairs can handle a human reporter or two. Are you hungry? I had some food brought in, I can't vouch for the taste, but some of the girls like it." Josef motioned towards a pizza box on the table.

Beth laughed and grabbed a slice. "Next time you're human, I'm taking you out to pizza."

"Don't even joke about that!" Josef exclaimed, getting nervous at the thought of turning mortal again.

"Well, if you're going to stay with Adriana, it's bound to happen sooner or later," Beth retorted, loving the way he squirmed at the thought.

A few hours later, just before sunrise, Mick arrived, looking harried and tired. "Do you have any clue how annoying reporters are?" he stated as he collapsed on the couch.

Beth grinned and looked at him. Mick groaned and restated, "Okay, maybe you do, but seriously, why do you all have to be so pushy? Can't you take a hint? No means no and 'I don't want to talk about it' means 'Get out of my face!"

Beth chuckled and sat down next to Mick. He suddenly looked at her again and eyed her new color and cut. "What did you do to your hair?" he asked.

"Josef insisted I change it, so that people don't recognize me. It is amazing how much we rely on hair to define people," Beth said as she played with her new cut.

"Yeah, I guess. Being a vampire I relied on my sense of smell and the sound of your voice," Mick said. "It looks…interesting."

"Interesting?" Beth asked. "How so?"

"Well, I'm just not used to it. I don't tend to like that color, but you make it look good." Mick smiled and kissed her.

"Ahem," Josef cleared his throat. "Mick, you should go hit the ice before it gets too late. You are going to have to be up earlier to deal with the police. Blondie, don't leave Mick's place and wear a hat and glasses if you have to leave. We can't risk someone recognizing you."

"So when do I get to see my sister?" Beth asked Josef.

Josef looked between her and Mick confused. "I thought you were an only child?"

"Yes, but Ilsa has a sister. When do I get to see her? She's the only person besides you two that I get to talk to," Beth said.

"Oh, I will have Adriana drop by tomorrow with some food," Josef replied.

"Thanks," she said as she stood up to leave. "Could she take me to your place? I could do with a change of scenery and I would like to speak to you're girls about joining the Agency, since your not going to be needing them."

"I guess. As long as Mick doesn't have a problem." Mick nodded in approval. Josef added, "How did you know I was getting rid of my girls?"

"I had a hunch," Beth said. "If you are going to stay with Adriana, you have no need for them and frankly, I think she will get a little jealous if you keep a harem of freshies around."

Josef glared at Beth. "They are not a harem. I do not abuse my girls' privacy or free will in any way. They are free to leave at any time," he defended himself.

"Yeah, well, with your vampire attraction and allure, how can they say no?" Beth asked as she walked out the door.

Josef glared at her, but he didn't have to retort. She's going to make a good vampire. She already possessed the survivor instinct and spunkiness.

The next couple of weeks passed quickly. Beth (or Ilsa) spent most of her days with Adriana, either at Mick's or Josef's. Adriana helped Beth rearrang the Agency, while still running The Clubhouse. Beth ended up hiring most of Josef's girls as coordinators, since they were experienced and trustworthy and she managed to keep most of the Agency's existing freshies, assuring them safer working conditions and better compensation. The headquarters was transformed into a dormitory of sorts, where the girls could live between gigs.

Adriana and Beth had had long discussions on changing the image of the Agency and finally decided a name change would be best. It had taken a while, but Beth had decided on Lovett's Inc. She thought it sounded both professional and fun. If a human were to come across the name for any reason it would look like any other cooperation, but it was also a contraction of 'love it' because there is nothing vampires like more than willing freshies.

Mick was swamped with legal paperwork involving Beth's death. Because her body was not found he had to go to court to ask for a death certificate to be issued. He had managed to have her apartment cleared and most of her stuff brought over to his. She now had her bed to sleep on, but every morning she woke up in it she dreamed of the day she would no longer need it. Mick had the double freezer set up and his single was currently in the spare bedroom. Beth had argued to Mick that a real bed would give the image of normalcy and inwardly she doubted sex in a freezer would work, even for vampires.

Beth had been thinking of her turning constantly, and if she had to wait any longer she thought she might go crazy with anticipation. She was starting to get nervous and Dr. Shepherd's words kept coming back to her. "It usually happens when there are a lot of emotions involved. It's hard to kill the ones we love."

This worried Beth. Is Mick the best choice? We are emotionally attached. What happens if he messes up or gets cold feet? Would it be better if Josef turned me? That might not be too bad, he would know what to do and he would make sure nothing would happen to me…

Beth didn't know if she should bring this up to Mick. Her 'death' was an everyday reality for him right now and she didn't want to make him nervous. Maybe I should speak to Josef about it…

The next day Beth stayed late at Josef's, to see him when he came home in the morning. She approached him with the subject, "Josef, I'm worried about my turning."

Josef raised an eyebrow questionably at her. She continued, "I don't know if it is a good idea for Mick to be my sire. He's emotionally attached and I keep thinking how he will get cold feet at the last minute."

Josef smiled at her and put both his hands on her shoulder, waiting for her to look him in the eye. "Blondie, what makes you think I am less emotionally attached to you? Granted I'm not Mick…" He ruffled her hair, mussing up her short locks. "And as for Mick getting cold feet, I don't think you have to worry."

Beth blushed at Josef's words "But—" she protested.

"Blondie, I'm confident Mick will be a great sire, but if it makes you feel better I can be there to make sure nothing goes wrong."

"Thanks," Beth almost sobbed in relief as she hugged him. Josef was surprised but he placed a comforting hand on her back, soothing her anxiety.

After Beth composed herself she asked, "Could you talk to Mick about this? I'm really ready to start my new life and I don't want to wait anymore."

Josef chuckled and kissed her on the forehead. "I'll speak to Mick tonight."

Josef's gesture, made Beth smile and she put her hat on and kissed his cheek in thanks and bounded from the house. Josef chuckled again and closed the door.

After a long conversation with Mick the next night, Josef persuaded him to turn Beth the following night.

Beth paced the living room nervously and Josef was sitting on the couch with a glass of blood. Mick was late getting back from the courthouse. "Blondie, you're going to wear a hole in the rug if you keep pacing, and you're stating to make me dizzy," Josef said to Beth.

"I can't help it. I've been nervous all day. I couldn't sleep last night and I threw up this morning," Beth said as she sat down. Josef leaned forward and smiled reassuringly at her.

"It's going to be fine, Beth. Mick will be here soon and in a hour you will be one of us."

Beth sighed and sunk back into the couch. The door opened and Mick came in, looking tired and nervous. Beth jumped up, but noticed that he was avoiding looking at her. Josef stood and approached his friend. He said a few words to Mick so quiet that Beth couldn't hear. Mick looked up at her and smiled. She could tell it was forced.

"I need to get a drink and rest a moment, Beth. It was a very stressful day and I don't want anything to go wrong," Mick said.

"That's fine. Take all the time you need," Beth said. She picked up a bottle of blood from the kitchen counter that she had brought back from Lovett's Inc. "Here, have some of this," she offered.

Mick forced another smile and sank into the couch. Beth sat down tentatively beside him. Josef stood across the room and watched him. The uncomfortable silence grew and Josef finally asked, "So, Blondie, has Mick described all the changes your body will go through?"

"Yes. We have talked a lot about the subject." She grabbed Mick's hand and gave it a reassuring squeeze.

Mick set his half finished glass down and smiled at her, "Well, let's do this. There's no time like the present, right?" he said as he stood up.

Beth grinned from ear to ear and followed him towards the stairs. Josef hovered in the living room. "Do you want me up there too?" he asked.

"Yes," Beth said before Mick could answer.

Josef nodded and followed them to the master bedroom, which was now adorned with Beth's bed. Mick motioned for Beth to lie down. She nervously laid on the bed and Mick crawled up next to her. He kissed her lips softly and whispered in her ear, "Everything's, going to be alright. I'll see you on the other side…Together…" Upon saying the last word he sunk his fangs into her neck. Beth moaned and clutched Mick's arm.

Josef watched as Mick drained Beth. He listened as Beth's heart started to slow. Beth cried out in pain, She's not suppose to be in pain, Josef thought. Mick should be making this pleasurable. Josef looked at Mick. Mick had pulled away from Beth's neck and was looking down at her, confused.

That's when Josef smelled it, blood. Lots of blood. Josef looked at the wound on her neck, but there was only a small trickle of blood running from Mick's wounds. Josef followed the smell and saw the sheets under Beth's legs stained red. She's bleeding out…

Mick looked to Josef. His face was confused and desperate. Josef could hear Beth's heartbeat become erratic as she thrashed and moaned in the pain coming from her abdomen.

Josef rushed forward and pushed Mick aside. He bit his wrist and forced it into Beth's mouth. "Drink, Beth," Josef pleaded. She continued to thrash in pain and Mick came to the other side of the bed to watch.

"What's happening, Josef?" Mick asked, almost like a child questioning a parent.

Josef ignored Mick's question. All his energy was focused on Beth. She had to drink; she needed to stop struggling and drink. Josef tried pinning her with his other arm and continued plead, "Come on, Blondie, drink." He used his most soothing voice, but Beth continued to thrash and moan in pain. Josef had to bite again to reopen his wrist. He again held it to her mouth, but she still didn't drink.

"Josef, what's happening?" Mick asked again.

Josef snapped. 'Shut-up Mick! I need to concentrate!" Mick was about to reply but he stopped. Josef stopped too. They both looked at Beth.

Bum..bump…bum…bump…….bum…..bump……….bum………………….

Beth's heart stopped.

Don't kill me! I will write soon. I think I can write the next update by next weekend, but I can't promise anything!

How was that silvanelf? Did I sound pitiful enough? Do you think they will buy it? Wait is this thing still recording?!?!?!? SHIT!!!!!!

Beeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeep