Disclaimer: I do not own Moonlight. I wrote this because I think Moonlight owns me.

Final chapter. Thank you to all who have followed this story to its conclusion. I appreciate all the reviews and alerts and everything. I've loved every minute.

Chapter 16

"I think it is time to leave," Lance said to them. "Mick, please lead the way."

"I don't think so," a voice behind Lance said coldly. Lance could feel the weight of a blade on his shoulder. "Let her go Lance," Josef ordered.

Josef had waited in the limousine and become impatient when it took so long for the others to return. He did not see Lance and his two henchmen come in the back entrance. When it was obvious that it was taking longer than planned, he decided to go in after them. Josef never travelled without some protection. He pulled a case from under the seat and opened it. A silver bladed short sword with a leather wrapped hilt lay inside. He took it out and exited the limo. He entered the building and followed the scents.

At the intersection of two hallways he picked up the three other vampires. The sound of screaming and the smell of something burning led him to Cynthia's lab. The screaming halted as he reached the door. Lance's cold voice could be heard threatening Beth. He could hear Beth's heart beating frantically and he didn't have to see Mick to know the agony his friend was going through.

With everything going on he was able to slip inside and come up behind Lance. He laid the blade on the big man's shoulder.

"Josef," Lance said in distaste. "It has been a long time."

"Not long enough Lance. I want you to release Beth or I will take your head," Josef instructed.

Lance did not immediately do as he was told. He did release Beth's arm but kept his hand at her throat.

"Brave talk Josef. You know you were never a match for me," Lance boasted.

Josef laughed harshly. He touched the blade to Lance's neck briefly. The silver stung the skin sharply before Josef removed it. He gripped the leather wrapped hilt tighter.

"Lance, we have never fought. You've always assumed you were the stronger. And you have always forgotten how much older I am," he said with deadly seriousness.

"You ran from Darius without a fight," Lance sneered.

"You are not Darius," Josef snarled. "You forget that Lance."

As Josef and Lance talked, Philippe released his hold on Mick. He reached out and took Cynthia's hand and drew her close to his side. She wrapped one arm around his waist. Mick stepped forward slightly. He tried to calm Beth with a reassuring look. He had never felt so helpless.

"Lance this does not need to become more violent. Release Beth, take the data back to Darius and assure him this whole cure thing has ended. Philippe and Cynthia will back you up. Mick will not pursue this further. Tell Darius that the matter is finished," Josef ordered.

"You presume to tell Darius what to do?"

"I presume to tell you what to do," Josef snapped. "You convince Darius."

"Why should I?" Lance asked.

"Because I don't think your little brother is as frightened of you as before. And Darius has never liked destroying his creations for no good reason. If he did, Coraline would have lost her pretty head," Josef explained. "Don't forget I learned everything from him. Power is wasted if there is no one left to follow."

Lance shrugged slightly.

"You always were a smart vampire Josef," he laughed.

"And I've become smarter since we last saw each other. America has been a good teacher. It serves no purpose to kill Beth. You do and I promise Mick will tear your head off. If not him, then I will."

Lance looked at Mick and saw the truth in Josef's words. Still he hesitated.

"Besides brother, she has the same blood type as Coraline. She might be of our blood line," Philippe added, trying to tip the scales in their favor.

Lance let go of Beth's neck. He didn't release her outright but held her by the shoulders more gently.

"She carries our sister's blood type?" he asked curiously. "That does change things."

"Let her go," Philippe told him. "If you kill her without exploring the possibility, Darius may not forgive you. You know how he favors our line."

Lance stroked Beth's cheek with one hand. She cringed under his touch, but did not try and pull away. She locked her gaze on Mick's face and willed herself to be calm. She gathered strength from the look in his eyes.

"Listen to him Lance," Josef insisted, tapping the blade ever so slightly on his shoulder for emphasis. "You can only win if you do as I suggest."

Lance released Beth and gave her a slight shove into Mick's embrace. He retreated with her, enfolding her in his arms. Lance stepped to the side when he felt the sword leave his shoulder. He faced Josef. His good eye glowed angrily.

"You may have won this round Josef, but this is far from over," he warned.

"Lance you were always arrogant. Don't let it get in the way of reason. You know where I live, if you really feel the need to continue this, come find me. I suggest you get Darius' approval before you do. He would never approve of you making decisions for him."

Josef looked at the others.

"Cynthia, have you given Lance the research?" he asked.

"Not yet," she replied. She brought the flash drives from her pocket.

"Give them to him," Josef told her.

"Josef……" Mick began to protest.

"Mick," Josef cut him off. "For Beth's life, for all of us, honor the bargain."

Mick held Beth tightly and released his dream of the cure. He would sacrifice that for her life and the others. Beth clung tightly to him, knowing what this cost him.

With that settled, Cynthia gave the flash drives to Lance.

"Well, it appears you have some cleaning to do Lance. Do you need a phone number or can you handle this? I suggest you make it look like a robbery, it will explain Cynthia's computer being wiped clean. Cynthia and Philippe will follow you to France," Josef told him.

Lance smiled coldly at them.

"You have been away a long time Josef. You don't know Darius anymore," he said.

"And Darius no longer knows me," Josef answered. His stomach did a small lurch and he hoped he looked calmer than he felt. He gripped the sword tighter. Right now he wanted everyone out of the lab. He'd take Lance's head if forced but he didn't want to do anything that would restart the violence. Friends could get hurt.

Seeing he was out numbered, Lance nodded and stepped further away. He continued to glare at Josef.

"Come on children," Josef urged. "It's time to leave. I think we've worn out our welcome in Canada."

Philippe and Cynthia quickly left the lab.

"If you ever come near Beth again, I will kill you," Mick told Lance. He picked up Beth in his arms and followed the others out.

Lance scoffed and then fixed his gaze on Josef.

"Such strong words from a young vampire."

"He means it. Lance, tell Darius I mean no disrespect but he is the one who sent me to the new world. He cannot expect me to stand by and let you attack my friends. He taught me better than that," Josef said and left the room.

Once in the limousine they left Reynard Labs.

"Josef, thank you," a subdued Mick said. Beth nodded, clinging to Mick still.

"Forget it Mick," Josef said, feeling sad for his friend. "I'm sorry but it's time to forget the research. It was a failure."

Mick looked conflicted.

"He's right Mick," Cynthia added. She was surprised that she felt sorry for Mick. It was beginning to sink in that Coraline's escapades left a lot of devastation in her wake.

Beth took Mick's face in her hands.

"It's okay. I love you," she said tenderly and then kissed him. Mick let the touch of her lips heal his heart.

Philippe kept one arm tight around Cynthia. He looked at Josef in concern.

"Do you believe what you said about Darius?"

"Philippe, I may not have seen Darius in about 200 years, but he has never destroyed what's useful to him. He is ruthless and cruel but not stupid. He has always valued strength, has that changed?" Philippe shook his head. "Then he will value that you brought back Cynthia, that the pursuit of the cure is over and that you stood up to Lance."

Philippe looked at Cynthia.

"It will be all right. Together we will face him."

She nodded and smiled.

They pulled up at the airport hangar. Josef bounded out of the limo and signaled to Demont. He gave him some quick instructions. Demont hurried back into the plane. Josef turned to the others.

"We are cleared to take off when we wish. Say goodbye now," he instructed.

"What?" Mick asked.

"You get three nights at the Hotel Saint Pierre on me. Think of it as a vacation," he grinned. "The plane will be back to get you in three days. Have fun lovebirds."

"Josef!" Mick protested.

"Mick, it's a small gesture, just enjoy it," Josef said quietly. "I owe you."

"We owe you," Beth said and leaned up to kiss him on the cheek. "Philippe and Cynthia, good luck."

Mick pulled Josef into a very quick male hug.

"Is it safe?" he asked.

"Lance won't bother you. Show Blondie a good time," Josef said. He went up the plane's steps.

Mick looked at Philippe. The two still had issues and might never be friends, but new respect had developed between them. They nodded curtly and Philippe and Cynthia entered the plane.

Beth turned to Mick. She smiled at him with love.

"Let's not let Josef down, let's discover Quebec," she told him.

"Whatever the lady wishes," he answered and they returned to the limousine.

End story.

Please don't hate me for not giving Mick the research data. I have trouble dealing with a workable cure. Moonlight is a great show but as much fun as it would be to watch Alex under any circumstances, it's Mick St. John ; vampire that I tune in for. So I shot down any cure. I hope to continue this further in the next story. I'm working on an idea. Many, many thanks to all who have read and especially to those who have reviewed. You made this fun. Vampire solidarity rah rah.