Thanks to everyone who took the time to post reviews - Your feedback means the world to me.
Disclaimer - I do not own of have any claim to the story or characters of Moonlight - still learning to live with this one day at a time...

Space Between Them – Part 2

"So" Joseph said, smirking. "Did I miss playtime?"

Propped against the counter, Mick replayed what had just happened in his mind - Beth's questions, his reaction, her expression when he told her that he'd killed Tejada. Lost in his thoughts, Mick was unaware of Josef's presence until he spoke. Startled, he snarled in frustration. Growling in response, Josef recognized the pain in his eyes and relented. Holding up his hands in mock surrender Josef said with a sigh "I'll take that as a no."

As his anger ebbed, Mick's features returned to normal. Fangs receding and eyes darkening, he became human-like again. Refusing to meet Josef's eyes, he stepped around him and made his way out of the kitchen. Slumping into the armchair, he stared at the floor.

Picking out two glasses and a bottle of scotch, Josef followed. Pouring them a few fingers each, he sat and eyed his friend, wondering how to proceed. Relaxing into his seat, he sipped his drink and said "I take it our favourite little reporter wanted another round of interview with the vampire?"

Mick glared at Josef and seemed about to speak, but reached for his glass instead. Downing the contents with a grimace, he fell back into the seat and closed his eyes, the glass resting on his thigh, forgotten.

As the minutes passed, Josef began losing patience. "Not that watching you drink yourself silly won't be entertaining in its own way" he began "but it might be nice to have some idea of what I just walked in on."

After their long years of friendship Mick knew Josef's tone masked a genuine concern. Without opening his eyes he said "It was about what happened to Josh."

Nodding, Josef said "She still won't accept why you wouldn't turn him."

"No, it's not that." Mick answered, almost unable to believe what he was saying "That she understands"

Josef couldn't hide his surprise. Mick had told him some of what had happened when Josh had died, and he knew how hurt and angry Beth had been. Confused he asked "So what then?"

"You remember I told you about the man responsible for Josh's death?" Josef nodded. "Beth found out that I killed him."

"She is tenacious" he smirked, then added with a shrug "It's not like she hasn't seen you kill before – the assassin in New York."

Mick shook his head. "This is different. The guy in New York was self defence - this was cold-blooded." Frowning, he said "I murdered him."

Seeing where Mick was heading Josef said "Let's not get too dramatic. You did what you had to do."

"I don't think Beth sees it that way." Mick said softly. "When she said that she understood about Josh I thought we'd be ok, but now..."

Josef cocked his head to one side "Maybe you're underestimating her?"

Mick sighed. "No - I reacted badly when she asked if I had killed him, I know that. But you didn't see the look on her face. It was..." Shaking his head, his voice trailed off. He still couldn't describe Beth's expression when he admitted to what he had done.

Leaning forward Josef set his glass onto the table "So what? You're just going to give up?"

With a humourless laugh Mick said "I would have thought that would make you happy – you've always told me that it can't work between us and humans."

"I know." Josef answered with a small shrug. "But I like Beth."

"You do?"

Seeing the stunned look on Mick's face, Josef tried to suppress a smile. "No matter how ill-advised your relationship is, she's made you happier than I've seen you in a long time." Settling back into the couch he became serious. "She's willing to accept you for what you are."

"Maybe not any more." Mick said sadly. "You know, before all this happened, I was actually going to tell her how I feel. I kept telling her that she should stay away from me, but that's not what I want."

"Maybe when it comes to you and Beth, the universe isn't on your side." Josef said "But either way you need to decide what you're going to do." Sitting back he laced his fingers together and gave Mick a wolfish smile "Whatever you decide, being a vampire, you'll have plenty of time to regret it."

Sitting at his desk the next evening, Mick drank from a large glass of blood. Determined to concentrate on work, in the hope it would distract him from thoughts of Beth, and their disastrous encounter the night before, he grabbed a file and flipped it open. After going over several pages, he realised that he had no idea what he'd just read. With a grunt of disgust he closed the file and tossed it back onto the desk.

As he stared moodily at the file the phone rang. Leaving the machine to pick up, he leant back and closed his eyes. "Mick? It's me... Please pick up." Hearing Beth's voice Mick's eyes flew open. "I need to see you." Leaning forward his hand hovered over the receiver. "Please…" Beth's voice dropped to a whisper "I can't lose you to."

As Beth hung up, Mick was at a loss. He knew that she would be safer without him, but there was no denying how much he wanted to go to her. Still trying to decide what to do, Mick grabbed his coat as he headed out the door.

TBC