Disclaimer: I do not own Moonlight. I do however want to continue my writing obsession.
Happy Birthday Alex, you made Moonlight come alive for all of us.
Thank you all who have read this.
Chapter 3 Sleeping Beauty: Turmoil
The fire crews were long gone when Kira arrived outside Josef's building. She looked up in horror at the ruins of the upper floor from the street. Avoiding the media that was still camped out on the street in front, she went around to the back to the private entrance. Josef had given her a key, years ago and she used it to go inside and then headed to his private elevator, pushing the button to summon the car. She stepped back in surprise when the doors opened and Mick stepped out quickly. Anger and despair radiated off of him and he looked at her in shock when he recognized her.
"Kira," he stammered in surprise. "Where do you think you are going?"
She looked at him through red rimmed eyes. Tears were threatening to spill again.
"I have to see……….. Mick, tell me he wasn't there. Tell me Josef isn't gone," she choked out, reaching out for him.
Mick quickly gathered her into his arms. He held her close, his own tears being held in check. For several moments they stood in each other's arms, trying to comfort each other. Finally they separated and Kira swiped angrily at her eyes.
"Who did this?" she demanded heatedly. "Just give me a name."
"I don't know yet. But I will find out," Mick promised. "I have video of who was in the building. I will track him down."
"You will let me know," Kira insisted. "Don't try to protect me."
"I will," Mick said and then he hesitated. "I have to go to the hospital now. I have another matter to deal with."
"Coraline," Kira said bitterly. "Is she more important than Josef?"
"No," Mick denied angrily. He stepped back and rubbed one hand over his face. "She's human; I have to know how she did it."
"Mick, let it go. Coraline is bad news. Finding Josef's killer is more important," Kira said harshly.
Mick reached out to touch her shoulder. It hurt to see the anger in her eyes directed at him. He understood how she could dislike any mention of his ex-wife.
"I've got the surveillance video of the killer. I will identify him and he will pay," Mick vowed. "I promise you that Kira. But the doctor called and Coraline is awake. I have to talk to her now. I have to know how she did it," he finished urgently.
Kira swallowed back her tears and nodded. Even now Coraline had the power to draw him in. Fighting that was pointless and not important right now. She hugged herself, fighting to control the overwhelming pain washing over her.
"How can he be gone? He was over 400 years old for Pete's sake. That can't just disappear."
Once again Mick pulled her into his arms. He stroked her hair and tried to ease her pain.
"Kira, go home. Let Eli take care of you. I promise I will find the bastard who did this. I'll keep you informed," he told her. He kissed her cheeks and then released her.
Kira clamped down on her emotions and then nodded.
"How is Beth? She left a very panicked phone message while I was sleeping," she asked.
"Beth is fine," Mick said shortly. Annoyance flared in his eyes. "She bounced back well enough to bring a camera man and do a report on Josef's death for BuzzWire." Kira winced at his bitter tone.
"She is just doing her job," Kira said sympathetically. "At least with Beth reporting, we don't have to worry about our secret slipping out."
"That is beside the point," Mick said shaking his head. "This is Josef……."
"And it is news Mick. Beth will keep it from becoming sordid," Kira pointed out.
She could see how torn up he was about this situation. His eyes darted around the room, not meeting her gaze.
"I've got to go," he muttered and brushed past her.
Kira stood there, trying to decide if she should leave or go up. She could not bring herself to leave without seeing for herself what had happened. And she felt the need to check if Beth was still up there. Getting on the elevator she pressed the button to take her to the top floor. She stepped out and followed the hallway to the still smoking area where the explosions had gone off. As she approached she could hear Beth's voice reporting. She stopped in the shadows to watch the reporter in action.
"At this point the police have no one in custody and no idea why Josef Kostan was targeted for this attack. The wealthy businessman was highly respected in the world of finance and had no known dealings that would explain why this happened. I had the pleasure of meeting Mr. Kostan on a few occasions and found him to be a charming man as well as someone his friends cared deeply about. The world is emptier with his passing. This is Beth Turner reporting for BuzzWire."
Beth turned off her microphone and handed it to her cameraman.
"Take that back to the office. I'll be in shortly to edit. Thanks," she told the guy and turned away. He headed out, not seeing the other woman standing in the darkness. Beth stared out at the city lights through the twisted metal of the damaged building.
"That was very generous of you Beth," Kira said stepping out of the shadows. Beth whirled around, one hand pressed to her chest. Kira could see the tears tracking down her cheeks.
"Kira!" she gasped. "You were listening?"
"I caught your wrap up. Thank you for the kind things you said about Josef."
"I'm so sorry for your loss. This is terrible. Who could hate anyone enough to do this?" Beth said in bewilderment.
"You live as long as he did, you make enemies," Kira responded. "Mick will find who did this and make him pay."
She saw Beth wince at the mention of Mick's name. Guilt came off the human in waves.
"Mick is not happy that I was here to repot this," she admitted.
"You did your job and you handled it well. Mick will get over it," Kira assured her.
"But I staked Coraline. I didn't know she was human. I was so angry, remembering what she did to me, I couldn't stop myself," Beth said, tears flowing.
Kira went to her and gathered her into a hug.
"It's okay Beth. Personally I've always felt Coraline deserved a good staking. Mick is heading to the hospital to check on her," Kira said trying to comfort her. "She's awake."
"I didn't want to kill her. I was sure she was a vampire and I had to prove to Mick that she was lying to us. I found pictures at her glass house of Mick and me. She has been stalking us," Beth said, the anger building again. She stepped away from Kira.
"That sounds like Coraline," Kira confirmed with a sigh. "I am sorry you had to learn that. She has always excelled at creating havoc. If she is awake now, it may mean she is getting better."
"And Mick went running to her," Beth said dully.
"He wants to know how she became human," Kira said.
"He still cares about her."
Kira sighed again and looked around at the destruction that had been Josef's office.
"None of this will be easy Beth. But it will work out. Please trust Mick, please," she said brokenly.
Beth felt a rush of sympathy for the vampire standing before her. Kira had cared for her sire and some stranger had murdered him. Now was not the time to be dealing with Beth's insecurities with Mick's affections. She could see that remaining here was not good for Kira. Going to her and putting an arm around her, she guided her towards the elevator.
"Come on Kira, you should go back to Dusk to Dawn. There is nothing you can do here," Beth said gently.
They left the building together but when Beth left her at her car, Kira couldn't bring herself to go home. Without a second thought she started the Jaguar and headed for the hospital.
******
It was quiet in ICU as Kira walked down the halls. The low lighting and smaller staff allowed her to find Coraline's room without opposition. She entered the room, drawing the doors closed behind her. Then she turned to face the silent figure in the bed.
"Coraline," she said leaning over the woman. "Coraline, wake up."
The dark haired woman stirred slightly and her eyes flickered open. Dark eyes focused on the woman leaning over her.
"Kira?" the woman breathed softly.
"Yes, it's me. What little game are you playing now?" Kira hissed. She could smell the humanity on the woman.
"I came back for Mick. He likes humans. But Beth staked me," Coraline whispered.
"She needs to work on her aim," Kira replied, her voice a low growl. "Why can't you just leave Mick alone?"
"He is my husband."
"And that is a broken record Coraline. You can't just jerk him around whenever you feel like it."
"I'm sorry about Josef," Coraline said unexpectedly.
Kira felt the grief come crashing over her again. She shook her head angrily.
"You have no idea how to be sorry," Kira said, a catch in her voice.
"Why did you come here? What do you want Kira?" Coraline asked tiredly.
"You were stalking Mick and Beth. Mick can take care of himself but if you touch Beth you will answer to me," Kira said bluntly.
"Why do you care?"
"Beth is my friend," Kira growled.
Coraline closed her eyes wearily.
"I just want my husband back," she sighed.
"That is up to Mick. But leave Beth alone," Kira warned, her eyes flashing silver. "Leave her alone and I will leave you alone."
Feeling better having said that, Kira turned and left the room quickly.
End chapter.
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