Disclaimer: I don't own Moonlight. If it weren't for fanfic I'd be going through withdrawal

I hope this chapter works for you. I'm not used to writing stories of any length. I'm glad all the fanfic writers aren't on strike. And once again I thank you all for the reviews. That's what keeps me going.

Welcome to the Family

Chapter 4

As Mick approached the door it swung open. He recognized the man from his encounter with Lance. As he entered the room, Mick had to block out the flood of memories that assaulted him. He sought out Beth and let out a sigh of relief when he saw she was seated across the room. A tall, dark man stood just behind her chair. One hand lay possessively on her shoulder. Mick could see the resemblance he bore to Coraline.

"Ah, Mick St. John. It is time that we meet."

"I'm afraid you have the advantage. Who are you?" Mick asked.

"I am Philippe," the man said and gave a slight bow of the head.

"So why are you here and what do you want with Beth?" He felt Josef move up just behind him.

"I have come at Lance's request. Our dear sister has caused considerable concern within the family. I'm here to clear some things up." Philippe answered. He looked past Mick and smiled. "Ah, Josef. I wasn't expecting you here this evening."

Mick swung around to stare at his friend in shock. Josef gave Mick an apologetic look and then nodded to Philippe.

"Hello Philippe. I didn't realize you would be the one who was coming. You could have called and arranged a meeting. It would have been less frightening to Beth," Josef chided.

"I wasn't intending to involve you Josef," Philippe answered.

"You don't come into my town and threaten my friends and not involve me," Josef said icily. His eyes glazed briefly.

"But this is family business, Josef," Philippe reminded him. "This is between Mick and me."

"I would appreciate it if I wasn't treated as if I weren't here," Mick interrupted. "I'm here to get Beth. She's my priority." He took a few steps toward them.

"Yes, Ms Turner," Philippe nodded. In one swift move he lifted Beth to her feet and shoved the chair to one side. Mick froze. Philippe held Beth in front of him. One arm was around her waist and with his free hand he stroked her neck. "Ms Turner has a very big part in why we are all here."

"She's done nothing to you," Mick argued. "Coraline dragged her into this when she was just a child."

"Coraline never spoke of me to you, did she?"

"No."

"We were always the closest, my little sister and I. She would tell me everything. But then there came a time when she stopped confiding in me. She didn't tell me about the human she fell in love with. And then she marries him without the family blessing. She couldn't bring herself to explain how he refused the gift she so generously shared with him. He didn't appreciate the full magnitude of what she offered," Philippe said bitingly.

"She never gave me a choice," Mick said bitterly.

"Your rejection caused her to take drastic measures. First she steals the child, and then later she steals the compound from the family to search for a permanent cure. It was never intended to be permanent! But she went against family to try and develop it. All for you. My sister has paid a dear price for what she did. I'm here to see if it was worth it. And to make sure you understand that you will not pursue the compound and it's so called cure."

"What has that have to do with Beth?" Mick asked.

"I wanted to make sure you would come. And I wanted to meet the human who had the nerve to stake my sister." He extended on nail and scratched Beth's neck drawing blood. Beth gasped as he ran his finger through the blood and then licked it. His eyes widened in surprise. Mick growled and showed fangs, but was prevented from moving since Philippe still held her close.

"Well. Well," Philippe said softly. "Coraline failed to mention the rare blood type. Ms Turner, you are a rare find."

"Enough," Beth said struggling against his hold. "I'm not a walking meal. Let me go."

Mick snarled again. He saw Demont moving closer, ready to protect Philippe. From behind him, he heard Josef growl.

"Gentlemen, do not lose control," Philippe said calmly. "I have no intention of hurting Ms Turner now. This is a most fascinating discovery." Beth continued to struggle in his grasp. He stroked his hand along her neck, trying to calm her. "Ssh. Be still."

"I'm not your pet," Beth snapped angrily.

"Let her go," Mick rumbled. He stepped forward wanting to tear Philippe's head off.

"Mick," Josef warned. "Back off for now."

Philippe suddenly released Beth and shoved her toward Mick. He caught her as Beth stumbled into him. He swiftly enveloped her in his arms, holding her tight.

"Mick," she sobbed and clung to him.

"It's okay," he murmured in her ear.

"Very touching," Philippe sneered. "You could not bring yourself to care for Coraline this way? You choose this human over my sister?"

"The point is, it is my choice," Mick said. "Coraline never shared that with me. And she went too far when she threatened a four year old to force me to come back to her."

Philippe studied the blonde buried in St. John's arms. He knew Coraline was impetuous and he himself found the idea of stealing a child distasteful. His sister had told him that Mick had formed an attachment to the child. She had tearfully told him that Mick preferred the human to her now the girl was an adult. He couldn't help but think his sister made poor choices.

"So now what?" Josef asked. "Was this whole meeting just to check Mick out? You could have arranged this better Philippe."

"Lance wants me to make it clear to St. John that he should forget about the compound. And to tell him to not get any ideas about finding Coraline. Obviously he does not need to worry about that. My brother does not know that I came to fulfill a promise to Coraline. You nave not asked Mick, do you not want to know how she is after her sacrifice for you?" Philippe stared at Mick in distaste.

"Since you aren't referring to her in the past tense, I assume she is still alive, "Mick said. "I know what she did for me, but it doesn't change how I feel. It wasn't meant to be."

"What was your promise?" Josef asked.

"She still cares for this one. She worried about his injuries and his touch with humanity. She begged me to find out if he was all right. I had to satisfy my curiosity about this man."

"And now?" Mick inquired. "Are you satisfied?"

"I am…..disappointed," Philippe replied coldly. "You are not worthy of our bloodline."

"Fine. Then let's just consider this over. I thought I had killed her. I thought the madness was done. Philippe, Coraline and I weren't good for one another. I love Beth."

Philippe looked over at the eastern windows.

"Day comes. I am not finished here." He examined Beth closely. Taking her cell phone out of his pocket he approached Beth and Mick. He held out the phone and Beth took it. His eyes locked angrily with Mick's. The antagonism between the two was almost a physical force in the room. "I am not finished with you," he added in a low voice. "We will meet again."

"Then come to me. Leave Beth out of this," Mick warned him. He positioned Beth slightly behind him.

"I have no wish to harm her," Philippe said with a smile for Beth. "But I do hope to get to know her better; she has some very interesting aspects."

"I prefer to remain strangers," Beth told him from her place next to Mick.

"My dear, I admire your spunk." He gave Mick another scowl and then stepped away and turned his attention to Josef.

"Talk to your hot-headed friend. Explain the situation to him. Make it clear that he should not go against the bloodline. I will be here for some time. I will be in touch. Now go before the sun rises."

"Always the considerate host Philippe. You remember that Coraline has always left chaos in her wake. Blaming Mick for what she did is ridiculous. Be careful what you do in my town," Josef answered pointedly. "Mick, Beth, let's go." He headed for the door. Beth grabbed her purse and holding tight to Mick's hand, they followed Josef outside.

"I should make you find your own way home," Mick snarled at Josef. "You lied to me."

"I kept things from you," Josef corrected. "I have my reasons. This is not the time to discuss this."

Mick stared at him for a moment and then nodded to the back seat of the car. "Get in." Mick then walked Beth around to the passenger seat and opened the door for her. Beth threw her arms around Mick.

"You're okay Beth," he said calmly. She looked up at him and he leaned down to kiss her. He didn't care that they had a very interested audience in the back seat of the car.

"You're coming back to my place. I'm not letting you stay alone. No arguments," he said firmly.

"No arguments," Beth agreed and they kissed again.

"Children, daylight is approaching. I for one would like to get home and get some sleep."

"Right now I don't care what you'd like," Mick retorted. He did leave Beth and come around to get behind the wheel. "We will be talking later," he promised. Beth touched his arm and he smiled at her. He headed the car away from Coraline's house.

End chapter.

There will be some time before I continue this. I'm tangled in exactly how I want the talk with Josef to go. I'm looking for inspiration. I must haul out my Moonlight tapes (yes I'm old fashioned, no DVD writer capabilities) and immerse myself. Sound tough doesn't it. As usual, I love review for inspiration also. Please.