Disclaimer: I do not own Moonlight. And I'm getting tired of CBS not showing our show any love.

It's not easy trying to tie this up and make the finish satisfying. I know what I want to say, I just hope I say it right. Thanks again to everyone who reads and especially those who review. I love the feedback.

Chapter 13

"You aren't afraid of me?" Cynthia hissed.

Beth smiled and took a seat in the chair opposite the desk.

"I'm getting used to being around vampires. I don't scare as easy as I did before," she answered seriously. She saw Cynthia inhale slightly. "I'm beginning to really hate that about you vamps."

"Yes, you certainly have been around vampires. Coraline said you were moving in on Mick," Cynthia observed.

"I don't wish to discuss Coraline with you or anyone else. She started this when she kidnapped me all those years ago. I love Mick and that has nothing to do with Coraline. She created her own problems," Beth said firmly. "We're here with Philippe to help you. Lance is coming."

Cynthia paled a little. She looked at Beth suspiciously.

"How do I know that Philippe isn't following Lance's orders?" she said fingering the charm. "How do I know that you aren't bringing Lance here?"

"Because Mick and I wouldn't be here. We would have no reason to help Lance or Darius. And Josef would never do anything at Darius' bidding. You know that to be true."

The mention of Darius startled Cynthia. She looked at Beth with grudging respect.

"You are well informed. You have no idea what it's like to confront Darius," she said bitterly.

"No, but Josef does," Beth pointed out. "And he is here. You need to talk to Philippe. I know there's something between you two. Hear him out," she urged.

Cynthia sat back in her chair and regarded Beth thoughtfully. Cynthia had always tried to cover her back and protect herself. Even when she followed some of Coraline's schemes, she had always kept a way out for herself. She set this identity up long ago and hid money away. She gave herself a means to disappear and blend in. Coraline had asked her to help with trying to reproduce the compound and Cynthia had always had trouble telling her no. She pursed the education and set to work. Loving Coraline like a sister had made it hard to deny her anything. It didn't matter that Cynthia had felt that a permanent cure was a useless pursuit.

And now with Coraline in Darius' hands and unable to protect her, Cynthia was not sure who to trust or believe. It would be nice to think that Philippe was here to rescue her, but he had never stood against Darius. She knew that he often disagreed with his sire, but he feared him like all the others. Lance and some of the others tried to emulate the ancient vampire. Philippe had never had displayed the same cruelty.

"Philippe has always done as Darius commands. Why would I think things have changed?"

"He's here isn't he? He seemed to think that would mean something to you. So you tell me, why would he send you that?"

Cynthia looked at the charm in her hand.

"What do you think of Philippe? You appear drawn to vampires. What do you make of my sire?"

"First impressions weren't good. He kidnapped me, he threatened Mick. He's arrogant, scary and very charming when he tries," Beth smiled slightly. "And he appears to care about you enough to ask Mick to help him. That's quite a concession considering they don't like each other. They don't seem to agree on Coraline."

"Philippe has always hated the way Mick treated Coraline. His little sister should never be hurt."

"Don't get me started on Coraline," Beth snorted. "I harbor a lot of anger when I think of her and what she did."

"I understand you wield a mean stake," Cynthia commented dryly. "Where is Philippe?"

"He's here."

"In the building?" Cynthia asked in surprise.

"Yes, he's with Mick and Josef. They're meeting with a Mr. Champlaine. If your new drug is any good, Josef may invest."

Cynthia rose to her feet and looked around quickly. "We must go. If Lance is following you we do not have much time."

"We didn't advertise where we were headed," Beth muttered defensively. She got to her feet also.

Cynthia grabbed her coat and bag "Let's go Ms Turner. We need to move, now."

Beth followed her out the door and down the hall. They hurried to the front where the executive offices were located. The secretary for Mr. Champlaine looked up in surprise at the two women's entrance.

"Dr. Deverall, the boss is meeting with a Mr. Kostan about investing in your project," the woman said in excitement.

"That's what I've heard. Could I perhaps go in?"

"Of course," the woman agreed. "Go in."

Cynthia sailed into the other room with Beth in her wake. Demont was again waiting just inside the door. The others looked up in interest as the women entered.

"Ah, Dr. Deverall, you will be pleased to know Mr. Kostan here is interested in investing in your project," Champlaine announced in delight. "I'm so glad you are here. And is this the reporter from Buzz Wire?"

"Yes sir, this is Beth Turner. She told me that Mr. Kostan was here. I have an idea that might work to everyone's advantage. Why don't I take these people out to dinner and present the whole project to them all at once? It will save time and I can answer everyone's questions to their satisfaction."

"Wonderful idea Dr. Deverall. This would be quite a coup to secure backing from someone of Mr. Kostan's stature. It would put our little lab on the map," the older man gushed. "Gentlemen, we were very fortunate to acquire the services of Dr. Deverall."

"I'm sure you were," Josef said smoothly. "I would enjoy dinner very much."

Cynthia kept her eyes moving between Josef and Champlaine. She couldn't bring herself to look at Philippe. She gave Josef a look that urged him to make haste.

"Thank you Mr. Champlaine, I will be in touch," Josef said standing and shaking the older man's hand.

"That's wonderful. And Ms Turner, if there is anything I can do to help you with your story, please call.

Beth smiled. "I will Mr. Champlaine. Dr. Deverall has already been most helpful."

They left the office as quickly as was seemly. The limousine was waiting and they got in with Demont joining the driver up front. Josef gave instructions to go to the hotel and closed the glass partition. He looked around at the group as the car pulled away from the lab.

Beth and Mick sat together. Cynthia had sat next to Josef and Philippe was opposite them. Cynthia still had not made eye contact with Philippe. Josef smiled at Cynthia.

"Well my dear, it certainly has been a long time. You look well."

"Thank you. So do you. LA must agree with you," she said.

"Oh it does. It's a shame you didn't call when you were in town," Josef chided.

"Mick made me feel welcome," she said sarcastically. She noticed Mick slip his arm around Beth's shoulders and draw her close. She had to give the human points; she remained calm in a car full of vampires. The young woman knew how to think on her feet.

"Nice plan to get us out of the office," Mick said

"Beth said Lance was coming. We couldn't delay. I should have respected your investigative skill more. You were able to track me down."

"It would have been harder if Philippe hadn't given us a name to follow," Mick said.

Finally Cynthia was forced to look at Philippe. Pretending he wasn't there was not possible anymore. She was surprised at the emotion in his eyes. Over the last hundred years they had drifted apart and hardly spoke. Most of what she knew about what he was doing had been reported to her through Coraline.

"Philippe, I thought that was our secret," she said lightly, trying to bury her own feelings.

"This is not a game Cyn, Coraline has left you in a very difficult situation," Philippe said quietly. "I came here to help. I won't turn you over to Lance."

It was so hard to believe him. Cynthia had never seen any evidence of any of the brothers ever opposing Lance.

"I wish I could believe you. You have never stood up to Lance or Darius before," she said sadly.

It was the lone human voice that spoke up.

"You're not alone," Beth said. "We're all here to help."

The blonde vampire looked around the limousine. She realized that by coming after her they all had defied Darius. Mick was young and may not understand what he was taking on, but Josef knew all too well. And Josef was here. She wanted to believe Philippe.

The limousine arriving at the hotel put an end to the conversation. They got out and entered the hotel.

"My suite, ten minutes," Josef ordered as he got out.

Philippe took Cynthia by the arm and immediately directed her to an elevator, separate from the one the others got in. The door closed behind them.

"Anyone interested in betting on whether they kill each other before they get to my suite?" Josef grinned.

"Josef, be nice," Beth admonished.

"Our little romantic," Josef teased. "You have no idea what may be happening in that elevator."

Beth slipped an arm around Mick's waist. He hugged her close.

"Josef, it's been too long since you've had someone special." She was careful not to say Sara's name. "You don't trust in love."

Josef chuckled. "Blondie, it may be long, but I do remember. We have other concerns to deal with first. Lance will figure out where we went; we need to figure out how to return Cynthia to Lance's good graces. And Philippe too for that matter."

"It better be good," Mick said. "Lance did not strike me as someone easily appeased. Try to go easy on Cynthia and Philippe; we don't need to be fighting each other."

"I am the soul of discretion," Josef smirked.

End chapter.

I request reviews. I'm afraid I had to find a way to set the later chapters up so this is not everything I hoped. Maybe I need to shovel but it's been so cold. Please be kind. Some chapters have to be a little dry. Thanks for reading.