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"This is it, doll. You ready?" Mick teased with the tough guy look from beneath the brim of the fedora and Beth smiled nervously in return. "I'm as ready as I'm going to get." She waited impatiently for Mick to circle the car to open her door. Mick offered his hand and Beth stepped from the Benz, her eyes shining. "I kinda feel like Cinderella."

Mick let his gaze travel lazily over her; from the shining blond curls falling about her bare shoulders down over the form fitting ocean blue satin to the matching pumps that peeked from beneath the flowing skirt. "You look like a Princess." He raised her hand to his lips and gently kissed her knuckles. "You might find Prince Charming while we're here."

"You think?" Beth swatted his arm. "Don't get your hopes up. You're still taking me home."

"Let's hope." Mick offered her his arm. "Miss Turner, may I escort you to the ball?"

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The Sarah Whitley Memorial Sports Arena had been transformed into a ghoulish Halloween confection and Mick guided Beth carefully through the crush of revelers, nodding to familiar faces while searching for their host and reserved table. Beth tugged at Mick's elbow, halting their progress as she spotted Oscar and his guests. "Look, Oscar did bring guests."

Mick gave the bodyguard a quick once over, amused by the Roman Centurion garb. "Not every man can get away with wearing a skirt and a leather bra."

Beth giggled. "I'll say. Though I think they're called breast plates, not bras. Are those two his dates? She pulled Mick close to whisper. "I thought witches wore more clothes than that."

Mick grinned, nodding acknowledgement as Oscar inclined his head. "Apparently that one doesn't." The witch pressed herself against Oscar and reached to pull his other companion, a young Jedi Knight, closer as well. Oscar remained stoic, arms crossed and powerful legs planted firmly as they fawned over him. Beth continued to stare until Mick tugged her arm, drawing her attention back to him. "I see Josef over by the champagne fountain."

Josef was filling a long stemmed glass for Simone and Mick shook his head at Josef's lack of imagination in his costume. "Who're you supposed to be? Fred Astaire?"

Josef smirked and straightened his cuffs. "Costumes are for people who need help with their imagination, PI Mick. I have no trouble in that department." He raised Simone's gloved hand to his lips, brushing a scant kiss to her fingertips. "Simone could pass for Jean Harlowe, couldn't she?"

Beth and Simone laughed when all Mick could do was nod. Beth leaned to fill a champagne glass for herself before turning to Josef. "Do you actually know all these people?

"Most of them." Josef scanned the crowd with a tight smile. "There are a few I don't recognize and the human mix makes it hard to sort them from the vamps in this crowd. As long as they're behaving and making a donation to the Red Cross, they're welcome." He offered his arm to Simone and patted her gloved hand as she placed it at his elbow. "Let's circulate, my dear. I'd like a closer look at some of our guests." He inclined his head, throwing a mischievous look at Mick as they moved away. "What're you standing around for? Dance with girl."

Beth smiled over the rim of the glass as Mick looked at her expectantly. "Do you want to dance?" The music throbbed in a techno beat and Mick looked uncertainly at the dancers as he waited for her answer. Beth shook her head, leaning close. "Why don't we wait for something a little slower."

"That'd be good." Mick gave her a pained look. "For a minute there, I was having disco flashbacks."

"You discoed?" Beth laughed as he shrugged sheepishly. "I'd like to see that."

"Believe me, you wouldn't." Mick chuckled at his own expense. "There's nothing perpetually cool about the Hustle."

"Well, I don't know about that." Beth set her glass down near the fountain and turned to take his hand as the music faded and a slower, more romantic song started to play. "I think this one is us."

"I think you're right." Mick gently tugged on her hand, drawing her onto the dance floor, spinning her in a slow turn to pull her close. "I like how you feel in my arms."

They began to sway slowly, and Beth looked up into his eyes as he threaded his fingers through hers, pulling her closer. "I think this dancing thing is becoming a habit."

"We are making progress." Mick glanced at the couples around them. "I'm re-learning the steps I've forgotten."

"Yes, you are." Beth smiled softly as he spun her around. "It's not complicated, difficult or danger…"

"Ssshhh!" Mick spun them around again. "Not tonight, Beth. Let's just be tonight, just you and me." He touched his forehead to hers, smiling the crooked smile she loved so much. "Can we do that?"

"I'd like that." Beth kissed his cheek, laying her head on his shoulder and Mick hugged her close. The crowd faded around them. Tonight they would just be.

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Lance silently cursed the decadence of humans as he shadowed the movement of the dancing couple. A group of overly decorated and heavily perfumed matrons continued to stalk him around the fringes of the dance floor, not one of them put off by his glacial stare and he was growing weary of their pursuit. Catching Edward's eye, he motioned the servant to intervene.

With a quick glance around, Edward grabbed a tray of champagne glasses from a startled waiter and stumbled full bore into the matrons' midst, spilling champagne and pardons all over them. Lance moved quickly away, leaving the curses and berating for Edward to deal with. St. John had maneuvered Beth to other side of the dance floor and Lance pushed through the crowd to follow, careful to keep the large plumed hat tilted low to hide his face. He barely paid attention to the chubby Guitar Hero and the Morgue Attendant as he shoved his way between them.

"Jerk!" Logan shook the spilled champagne from his hand as he glowered after the pirate in the billowing cape. "At your age, you should have some manners!" His grin faded as he caught the look of alarm on Guillermo's face. "What? Who was that?"

"Trouble." Guillermo looked around quickly, searching faces for Mick or Josef. "He's big trouble. We need to find Kostan or Mick now!"

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Mick filled two champagne glasses and turned with a smile to hand one to Beth. "Drink. You need your energy for another dance." He rolled his eyes goofily and Beth giggled, almost spilling the glass. "So we're dancing again?"

"Of course we are." Mick sipped the champagne as he looked out over the dance floor. You want to, don't you?"

"Yes, I…Hello, Ben." Beth smiled as Talbot pushed his way through the crowd to join them. "I didn't think you'd show."

"Mick." Ben nodded stiffly to Mick. "I guess I was curious." Casting a quick look around at the crowd, he focused back on Beth. "It's like every other civic function I've ever attended. Looks like everybody who's anybody is here."

"Yeah, well, Josef knows everybody who's anybody." Beth put her hand on Mick's arm and smiled up at him. "This is my first Blood is Life Ball, too. I'm really enjoying myself."

Mick put his hand over hers, nodding absently as he watched the crowd. The ebb and flow of the crowd was distracting and he began to search faces, looking past the costumes and masks. He felt…someone watching…eyes on him, Beth…where…And there it was. Anger flared and he nudged Beth toward Ben, giving her shoulder a tight squeeze. "Stay with Ben. I'll be right back."

"Wha..?" Beth tried to cover her confusion, giving Ben a pained smile. "I guess he saw someone he knows."

Mick slid quickly through the crowd, focused on the pale shoulder sporting the Fleur Di Lis tattoo.

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Lance smiled as Mick took the bait, scurrying to follow Coraline through the crowd as she drew him away from Beth. "Sister, you still possess the courtesan wiles."

Circling the fountain, he swooped in a billow of black cape and confidence, smiling as Beth startled at his touch. "Hello, Beth. I don't believe we've met. I am Lance Duvall."

"I…" Beth backed a step as gooseflesh crawled up her spine. "Lance Duvall? You're…you're Coraline's brother. I…where's Mick?" She batted his hand away as he reached for her arm. "Don't touch me! Where's Mick?"

Ben watched the short exchange, becoming alarmed as the stranger tried to grab Beth's arm. He stepped forward to pull Beth away. "Hey, buddy. Keep your hands to yourself."

Lance glared at his interference. "This doesn't concern you, human. Leave us." He backhanded Ben sharply, sending him flying onto the dance floor to knock dancers and observers from their feet. Ben landed flat on his butt, skidding back in shocked pain. A chorus of shouts and curses flared and all eyes turned toward Lance and a very frightened Beth.

Coraline stopped as the commotion flared, turning back to grace Mick with her most beguiling smile. "Mick? So nice to see you."

"What are you doing here, Coraline?" Mick gritted out, ignoring the shift of the crowd back toward the fountain, "What do you want now?"

"Why, Mick, aren't you happy to see me?" Coraline pouted prettily. "I've risked everything to…" Her voice faded as they were suddenly surrounded by Josef's security and Mick turned warily in confusion. "What the hell is going on?"

"Time for us to leave, Miss Turner." Lance murmured smoothly, unconcerned by the sudden attention. "We've an important matter to discuss." He took a firm hold on her upper arm and drew her close. "It's a matter of blood between you and I."

Beth began to struggle and her voice rose above the crowd. "I'm not going anywhere with you!"

"Yes, you are." Lance jerked her closer. "Behave and I won't have to hurt you."

"She's not going anywhere." Josef's voice was coldly amused as he motioned for security to clear the area. "Ah Lance, I've just seen your charming Marie Antoinette, I wonder if it's safe for her here in LA… or will she lose her head like her predecessor?"

Mick came shoving through the crowd, desperate to reach Beth and Oscar intercepted him, holding him back with an unbreakable bear hug. "Stop. He'll let her go."

Lance thrust Beth away, eyeing Josef imperiously. "Kostan, you wouldn't dare touch what is mine?"

Josef's laugh was humorless. "Mine, interesting concept… especially when it extends to people. I've let your sister live twice now… the first time, I was being a good little vampire. The second because she gave me information about the compound… now she is back in LA, breaking our agreement. I disagree…," he inclined his head toward the security staff holding her, "Coraline is mine."

Lance's eyes silver as Josef makes his claim. "You will never be able to hold her… you're just an orphan who doesn't understand family. Money does not buy loyalty."

"Neither does power, it only buys fear." Josef's eyes paled briefly and he gestured for Coraline to be released. "Consider that you are my guest, at this event and in my city." He moved closer, matching Lance's arrogant stare with his own. "I believe your business here is done. Take your sister and go."

In a swirl of cape and Coraline's lace, Lance was gone.

Beth ran to Mick's arms and Josef took a deep breath.

I could use a drink… right now. I just told "The Count" to go fuck himself… if there ever was an evening for staying hungry… this is it. Josef calculates the angles and the odds as he looks over his guests, his friends, his enemies and the unknown factors like Talbot. And now The Legion, the bastards were watching all of them.