Mick made his way to Josef's office, it was about 2 hours after sunset and he was still exhausted. Between Coraline's return, Beth insecurities and the business with the Legion, were taking its toll on Mick. Now he was headed to Josef's with disturbing evidence of the Legion's activities. He kept thinking about the Council woman who came to his apartment, her warning about choosing sides and that there was a war coming. What side was he on? The idea of Beth being "harvested" for her blood or anyone else for that matter, made him sick to his stomach. And then there was the fact his friends were being hunted. He may not like being a vampire, but he would be damned if he allowed them to be hunted. He groaned at the thought of deciding between humans and vamps. Was there room for a gray area in his life, or did things really need to be black and white, cut and dry?

"Mick, you look tired, not sleeping much. You and Beth…" Josef bounced on his heels as he grinned at Mick. All he got in return was a disgusted look. "I would take that as a no. Yeah know, if you did you might be in a better mood." Josef walked around to his bar settling on getting him and his grumpy friend a drink.

"Josef, do we need to discuss my sex life every time we see each other?"

"Man, you are testy. What the hell is wrong with you?" Josef handed a scotch and sat in his chair watching as Mick sat in the high back chair rubbing his head in an agitated manner.

"I'm tired… That's all." Mick took a quick sip of the Scotch and refocused on Josef. "So this Legion business, how bad can we expect it to be?" Mick leaned forward resting his elbows on his knees as he watched his old friend.

"Well if they do as they have in the past it will be like wolves hunting their prey, more of pack mentality." Josef took a slow sip and then settled his gaze back to Mick. "Whose side are you on Mick?"

"What kind of question is that?" Mick sat back in his chair, taken off guard by Josef's sudden question.

"It's a valid question, are you vampire or still wanting to be human, who's interest will you protect?"

"My own, Beth, my friends. If the Legion is full of lunatics like the Foster brothers who want to threaten me and mine… I have no problem fighting back. If we're being called to accounts because Lance and Coraline want to play God… because they think they own Beth and her blood or she's part of some sick family feud… I think we should clean house." Mick rose from his seat and went back to Josef's bar, filling his glass and slamming it back and then filling it again.

"So that what its about for you.. a quarrel with the ex-wife?" Josef sits back into his chair gaging Mick's answer.

"That's not what I said, Josef, human's aren't toys."

"Tasty, but not toys.. I can live with that and our secrecy?"

"Yeah, its all we got… Does the Legion want to expose us?" Mick said from the bar, his back turned to Josef.

"I don't know Mick, I don't know…" Josef walks over to Mick giving him a reassuring squeeze to his shoulder. Mick nods and pats Josef on the back and heads for the door. Suddenly he has the urge to see Beth, hold her, find comfort in her arms. He's not sure what's coming, but he's pretty sure it will change everything.

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She watched as Mick left Josef's office, the one Vampire she would let live no matter what, one she would fight for. A saving grace among predators who had found his own way. Why couldn't vampires learn more from him? Lady Wallace slowly made her way into Josef's house, up his stairs and into his freezer room, knowing he would be showing up at any moment. She had long practice in hiding her scent and heart beat from vampires, a secret that she would take to her grave. It was why she was feared most by vampires. They considered her the grim reaper of the Legion. If, as a vampire, you saw Lady Wallace, your undead existence was over. True, she had nothing to do with Ryder's death. That was a majority ruling and had been carried out by the proper team. Nor did she have any intentions that on this night or dawn she would be taking the life of one Josef Kostan. No, this visit was to establishing his new found role in this war.

Josef smiled at the freshie that sat in his lap, his hand caressing her arm, finding the vein that would suit his needs for his last meal of the day. The young blonde smiled sweetly at him, her heart pounding in anticipation, her scent signaling she was ready for him. He held her gaze as his eyes slowly iced, he lifted her arm to his nose, and like a connoisseur sniffs a fine wine, Josef sniffed her arm, finding his mark and sinking his fangs in. She whimpered then sighed, and soon began to moan, undulating her hips on his lap as she started to climb toward oblivion. And once she came, Josef took a few more swallows, licked her wound and allowed her to swoon in his lap, satisfying his ego as well as his hunger. He indicated to the attendant he could finally take the girl. Once he had removed her from Josef's lap he rose, more than satisfied as he headed to his room.

Lady Wallace listened as Josef started to remove his shoes, his socks, she heard the rustling of fine silk, she assumed it was his shirt and the unclasping of his belt. She used the noises to mask her removal of her coat and the drawing of her claymore. She placed the tip of the blade on his expensive Italian marble floor, leaning against it, waiting for her prey to enter the room. A cat like grin traced across her face as she squared her shoulders and watched as Josef stepped into the room.

She charged immediately, not giving the 400 year old vampire any advantage to recover. She kicked him in the chest sending him into the opposite wall. Josef straightened and vamped, growling wildly at the woman that dared enter his chamber. Lady Wallace flipped the blade so that the handle was now a weapon swinging it and hitting Josef across the temple. He staggered to the side, not ready for the next blow that Lady Wallace already had lined up. She swung the blunt hilt of the sword and slammed it into Josef's back then turned the sword slicing across his chest. Josef hissed and staggered to a corner, his bare chest already healing, but fighting for breath as he stared at his attacker realizing who it was.

Lady Wallace leveled the tip of the blade to Josef's throat, letting him know if he twitched she would removed his handsome head from the rest of him, drawing the only slightest bit of blood.

"Now that I have your attention…" She smiled at the vampire that eyed her and the blade she pressed firmly to his throat. "Don't worry, Kostan; today isn't your day to die. But I want to keep your attention." She raised her head and peered down at him, her soft light blue eyes holding his ghostly white eyes.

"What do you want?" Josef pushed his head further back into the wall, wanting to get away from the blade that pressed to close to his neck.

"Your cooperation, Kostan. And I'm more than sure I have it now. The girl, known as Beth, and her vampire lover, Mick St. John, you know them, yes?" Josef nodded his head forgoing the use of words.

"Good, you have the arduous task of keeping them both alive, from the Legion as well as that abomination known as Lance Duvall and that bicth of a sister Coraline." Josef eyed the blade that pressed harder against his neck and winced at the pain.

"They have been both marked by the Legion."

"Why should I believe you?" Josef said breathlessly.

"Do you think I would be here now if it weren't true? And do you think you would still be alive if you didn't serve a purpose? Use your head, Kostan, you claim to be an intelligent vampire, prove it to me." Josef winced again as she dug the blade in once more for good measure.

"Why are they in danger?"

"Her blood and the very fact he is a vampire, lying with a human girl. Lance and Coraline's desires should be enough for you to know. I doubt his ex-wife and Sire would give up on him that easily. Beth life is in far more danger now that they seek your Cure." Lady Wallace eased the pressure of the blade and looked at Josef again. "Know this, Kostan, if he or she dies, I will personally remove your head. They are to live at all cost. I can not protect them; it is up to you to do it." Josef looked at her in confusion wondering, why is it my responsibility?

"Did the great Lady Wallace loose her seat in power?" Josef sneered. She pressed the blade hard enough to make Josef cry out in pain.

"Winds of change Josef, and they are blowing against you. Bite your tongue, vampire. I shall be watching you, Josef. Pray I never visit again." She turned and ran to his window leaping from it. Guards could be heard from below. Josef grabbed his neck and touched the already healed wound. His hands shook as he closed his eyes, thanking who ever would listen to his already condemned soul for sparing his life.

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Mick walked briskly into the "Gentleman's Club". It was really a who's who of vampire society. He didn't like the place, it seemed every time he came here, something would always go wrong. And by the tone of Josef's voice, this visit would be no different. As he stepped toward the pool room He picked up on a familiar scent. He looked around the room for Josef, spotting him by the bar, already motioning to him.

"So… Pick up on it yet." Josef said a little nervously.

"Yeah, is he here?" Josef nodded behind him and as Mick turned he saw Lance with two girls sitting on his lap giggling. His jaw clenched and his eyes narrowed.

"This is why you called me here?" Mick said through pursed lips.

"Of course…" Josef picked up a glass and handed it to Mick. He downed the aged amber liquid in one gulp. He already knew Lance was standing behind him.

"Hello brother-in-law. So good to see you… Alive." Mick slowly turned to see the menacing smile on Lance's face. His jaw clenched again as he eyed Coraline's brother. He should have known if she was in town, her keeper would be too. "So tell me St. John , how is... what's her name again?" Lance turned toward Josef and then smiled as he turned toward Mick. "Ah yes, Miss Turner. How is our Miss Turner?" Mick moved forward when Josef pulled on his arm and shook his head.

"She's none of your business." It was taking all the restraint Mick had not to pounce him. And all Josef's willpower as well.

"Ahh you see, that's where you're wrong. She is my business. Her blood is my business. And I want to make sure she is well taken care of." Lance stepped forward, purposely getting into Mick's face. Mick released a low growl and Josef stood quickly stepping between Lance and Mick.

"What could you possible want with Beth?" Josef forced himself closer to Lance, almost bumping him back. Lance stepped back and straightened his shirt.

"Oh come now, Josef you know the reasons. Her blood type alone warrants her safety." Lance glared at Mick who was still growling. "You've marked her haven't you…? Did you claim her as your own? How sweet is her blood St. John ?"

"That's it…" Mick charges only to have Lance hit him square in the chest throwing him clear back against the wall. Mick sat up and charged again. Josef grabbed him and pushed him back.

"He's threatening Beth and you want me to stand here?" Josef pushed on Mick back and gave him a warning stare, reminding him even though he didn't claim to be Mick's sire, in some respects Josef held a sire's authority over him.

"Let me handle this. Pull yourself together." Mick jerked his arm from Josef and then jerked his jacket back to straighten it. Mick ran his hands through his hair and released a slow breath still eyeing Lance. He started to pace back and forth as Josef tried to ease the tension.

"Lance this isn't the place and you know it. And whatever interest your crazy sister thought she had in Beth, forget it. She's being protected. We can discuss this another time." Lance looked at Josef and then back at Mick. He gave another one of his ruthless grins and chuckled as he nodded his head.

"Fine Josef, another time. But I will press my case again. Keep your pup in line, remind him who I am." Lance gave another growl and left the room. Mick ran his hand through his hair again and down his face rubbing his jaw.

"He has no right, Josef. NO RIGHT!" Mick bit his lip, his temper completely gone.

"What the is a matter with you? That man has more power than even me. Don't piss him off! We'll protect Beth, but use your head!" Josef walked over to his chair and jerked his jacket from his chair and stormed from the room. Mick watched as Josef left the room. He was the only one there, he picked up a bar stool and slammed it over the bar "DAMN IT!"

* Back in Episode 4....

Mick walks in and notices Josef's grim expression. "Did Logan find out anything else?"

"No but I just received some unsettling news." Josef stood and hands Mick the report.

Mick scans the page and his expression becomes one of fury. "CORALINE! You know where she is and you didn't tell me!"

"Uh think with you're big head….you are totally missing the point. Did you look over the part where she told them about Beth?"

"So Coraline told Lance about Beth. What does that ha----."

"Beth's blood type AO- is component of the compound."

Realization dawns on Mick. "So Coraline never want to make a little family it was always about Beth's blood."

"I'm sorry man. I'll do whatever to keep her safe you know that."

"Yeah….yeah, I do."