Disclaimer: I don't own Moonlight.

Thanks for all the reviews. They are what keeps me writing ; that and this plot which has started running through my head and is interfering with my regular life.

Chapter 5

The sun was spiking the skyline when Mick parked in his garage and he guided Beth to the elevator. She stayed tucked against his side as they rode the elevator up to his apartment. With the threat over for the moment, her energy had faded rapidly. Mick ended up scooping her up in his arms to carry her from the elevator into his apartment.

Inside he gently laid her on the couch. He wished he had a bed to offer her but he had never gotten around to buying one. His experience being human had been too short lived. He wished now that he had bought one.

Mick sat in a chair across from the couch watching her sleep. He was so very grateful that he had her back safely. He was not comfortable with Philippe staying in town. It was unsettling to have him know about Beth's rare blood type. Did it have anything to with the cure? Or worse, did it mean she was related to Coraline's family? That was not a pleasant thought.

Mick ran his fingers through his hair in frustration. How could he protect Beth? He needed to get Philippe out of town. Finding the cure had been so important to him. It still was. He could not ask Beth to join him as a vampire. Coraline had requested that Philippe check on him. Truthfully he did feel some guilt for her sacrifice, but it wouldn't make him love her again. He wasn't sure it ever was love, it had always bordered on madness.

"Knowing me has endangered Beth," he muttered to himself. "I love her but I place her in such danger."

Beth stirred and looked at Mick. She could tell where his thoughts were going by the look on his face.

"Mick, stop hating yourself," Beth said softly.

Mick met her eyes and smiled weakly.

"He wouldn't have taken you if it hadn't been for me."

"You didn't cause this. I'm tired of you finding a way to blame yourself for everything. Let it go," she urged.

"I love you Beth. With all that I am," he confessed.

"Then let that be enough. Have I asked for more?" Beth asked smiling. "I'm a big girl. I know what choice I was making. Drop the self hate now."

"Yes ma'm," Mick smiled in return. "I'll try. You look tired Beth. Get some sleep." He came over and drew an afghan over her. He leaned down and gave her a sweet, gentle kiss.

"Go to your freezer," Beth ordered with a yawn. "You're going to need your rest if you're going to fight with Josef later."

Mick chuckled. "It will only be a fight if he doesn't tell me what I want to know."

"Then get your rest," Beth yawned again.

"Go to sleep," he urged and kissed her one last time. He went up to his freezer. Sleep would take longer for him as he tried to figure out just how much Josef had been keeping form him.

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He awoke just after the sun went down. Climbing out of the freezer he slipped on some pajama bottoms and went downstairs seeking something to eat. Beth was drinking a cup of coffee and eating a bagel. She had taken to leaving some food in his fridge since they had officially become a couple.

"Good evening," she said trying to sound sultry. She ruined the effect by giggling.

"Good evening to you," Mick said stopping to kiss her. "Did you sleep okay?"

"That couch is very comfortable," Beth answered.

He looked at her doubtfully. "I've slept on that couch. You're just being nice."

Beth smiled. She loved how relaxed she felt in Mick's apartment. These little moments seemed so natural and real.

"I called Mo. She reluctantly has agreed to give me a few days off. So I'm good to go to Josef's."

"I don't think it's a good idea for you to come with me," Mick said pouring himself a glass of blood.

"Why not? I'm not sitting here alone," she protested.

"Beth, I'm not sure how this will go. I don't think it's wise for a human to be around if Josef loses his temper," Mick explained.

"I really don't think Josef would hurt me," Beth said confidently. "And Mick, as much as I love your place, I don't want to stay here alone tonight."

Mick let out a sigh. He hated arguing with her. She wore him down.

"Okay. But if I say run, run."

"You got it," Beth said with a satisfied grin. "I can always go interview the freshies for that book I'm never going to write," she laughed.

Mick shook his head and went up to get dressed. Beth cleaned up the dishes. She had to laugh at herself as she washed the remains of blood out of Mick's glass. A year ago this would have all seemed so impossible. Now it seemed like the most normal of activities.

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Later when they arrived at Josef's house, Mick made sure Beth stayed in the living room. He didn't want her anywhere near Josef's office.

Josef had waited at home since he knew Mick would be coming over. He did not want a confrontation in his work place. Too many ears with a chance to hear things he didn't want over heard. He looked up from his computer as Mick walked in.

"Well, well, you look ready for a fight," Josef smirked.

"Don't tempt me Josef," Mick said, anger all ready creeping into his voice. "You've been lying to me and I want to know why. And I want to know just how much you really know about Coraline's family."

"Did you ever stop to think that I kept things from you for your own protection?" Josef asked. "I'm older; I'm not going to tell you everything I know. You don't need to know everything."

Mick shut the officer door and advanced on Josef. He didn't vamp, but there was a growl to his voice. "Why don't you let me decide what I need to know? I'm not a child."

Josef shook his head. He gave Mick a pitying look.

"You aren't a child but you are not experienced enough to deal with this bloodline."

"The bloodline, yes the one you claimed not to know very well."

Josef looked sheepishly at Mick.

"All right, I lied," he admitted. "You have to understand just how dangerous they are."

"Josef, you're older than them. Shouldn't that make you more powerful? Why would you fear them?" Mick said curiously. "I haven't seen you act this way about anyone."

"It's not Lance, Philippe or the others. It's their sire. He's the ruthless one," Josef said seriously. Mick could see the fear flicker in Josef's eyes. It was obvious that there was one vampire in existence that Josef was afraid of.

"Josef?"

"You know the story of Dracula by Bram Stoker?"

"Are you telling me that's true?" Mick said in surprise.

"Well Stoker may have gotten some of the legend right, but he was wrong about Vlad being the father of all vampires. This vamp is older than Vlad. Very old. He has a power you cannot stand against," Josef warned.

"Have you met him?"

Josef swallowed slightly and nodded.

"Oh yes. And I don't wish to again. Believe me Mick; you don't want to cross paths with him."

"He turned her whole family?"

"Mick I don't want to discuss him. This is not the time for a history lesson on vampirism. He created many vampires, the French bloodline happens to be his favorite." Josef stopped. He was tired of this topic.

Mick could see he touched a nerve. He couldn't shake the feeling that there was more Josef could tell him. There was more to tell about the ancient vampire that was important, but he could see he wouldn't get it tonight.

Mick took a seat in the chair across from Josef's desk. He folded his hands in his lap and looked at Josef expectantly.

"So tell me about Lance, Philippe and the rest of the family. How did you meet them?" he asked changing tactics.

End chapter.

I don't normally do cliff hangers but this chapter was getting too long and I had to break up the conversation. There are more revelations to come. Here's where I plead for you to review. I need to know I haven't lost you. Thanks.