Disclaimer: I do not own Moonlight. I have adopted it though.

Thank you for the reviews. I realize this story is different from my others. It is an exercise in creating a character and bringing her into the show but trying to stay canon to each episode. I thank all of you who are giving me a chance to stretch my writing muscles.

Chapter 5 Love Lasts Forever: Heartbreak and Regrets

It was a quiet night in Kira's club with a small crowd and only a piano player for entertainment. Josef had returned from New York and thrown himself into work. He had stopped by the first night only to tell her that he had visited John Whitley and had left the old man alive. The news that his assassin had failed and seeing Josef in his vampire form had frightened the old man so much he had weakened before Josef's eyes. He felt sure that they would be reading Whitley's obituary soon.

Mick had called and informed Kira that he now understood what Kira had been keeping from him. With an apology again given, Mick told her that he appreciated how Kira kept their secrets. Beth had also called to try to tearfully explain leaving Mick in New York to return to Josh. The poor girl was torn by her guilt at being attracted to Mick and neglecting Josh, who cared so deeply for her. She was the one to tell Kira that while they were gone, Coraline had vanished from the hospital.

As Kira sat at the end of the bar going over a liquor order, a strong scent entered her club. She looked up with narrowed eyes as she focused on the lovely brunette standing in the entrance. Eli came down the bar, watching the newcomer warily.

"What do you want me to do Boss?" he asked. "Should I have Rick escort her out?"

Kira studied the slim figure dressed in a black designer dress. With a small flash of ego, Kira smoothed her Stella McCartney outfit and was pleased she had dressed well tonight.

"No, I want to talk to her. I see dear Coraline has rejoined the tribe. Please have her join me at my table," Kira instructed. Eli went to do as she requested and after giving an order to a waitress, Kira went to her reserved table in a back corner. The waitress delivered a red frosted carafe and two dark glasses as Coraline stopped next to the table.

"Thank you Liz," Kira told the waitress and then favored Coraline with a cool smile. "Have a seat Coraline."

Coraline sank gracefully into the chair.

"The club looks wonderful Kira," Coraline said finally after looking around. She smiled slightly attempting to look comfortable.

"Well I certainly didn't expect you to show up here. I see your human experiment is over. Does Mick know you are here?" Kira said dryly. She poured two glasses of blood.

"I haven't contacted Mick yet. I have a few things to take care of before I go to him," Coraline said vaguely. She accepted the glass and took a drink. She nodded approval at the freshness.

"Don't look to me to help you. Just what games are you playing with Mick and Beth?" Kira asked suspiciously.

"Mick is my husband Kira. Why shouldn't I come back to him?" Coraline said sweetly.

"Because for twenty two years he thought you were dead and you let him think it," Kira said in irritation. "Then you come back as a human and stalk him. Just where is the love in that Coraline? Haven't you done enough to him?"

Coraline sat back in the chair, a smug smile playing on her ruby lips.

"You still have feelings for my husband, don't you Kira?" she smirked. "Is this why you have befriended his human obsession? Do you keep her close to control the situation?"

Kira laughed in delight.

"Oh Coraline, you really know nothing about friendship do you? Mick and I are only friends these days. I have only just returned to LA after a fifteen year absence. And I find Beth to be a smart young woman who is willing to keep our secret. She is a friend I value. If Mick cares about her, then I wish them well," she informed the other woman. "Now why don't you tell me what really brought you into my club?"
Kira took a drink, watching Coraline over the rim of her glass.

The dark vampire squirmed slightly, looking ill at ease suddenly. It was clearly evident Coraline didn't want to admit to the reason she had come.

"I've heard a rumor and I know Josef has the resources to confirm it for me," Coraline said evasively.

"So why come to me? I'm not Josef's secretary. Go to Josef yourself," Kira said in annoyance.

"I didn't want him to know I was the one asking. He would check it out for you. This could be important to Mick," Coraline answered. She looked nervous.

"I won't be used by you," Kira snapped.

"Not even for Mick?" Coraline countered.

"I don't lie to Josef," Kira said coldly. "If Mick is affected by this then go to him and tell him. Or go to Josef directly. Take some responsibility for your own actions for once Coraline."

Hissing in anger, Coraline rose to her feet, eyes silvering.

"You bitch, acting so superior. I should have known you would refuse to help."

"Mind your manners here Coraline, there are humans present," Kira growled. "And the only help I will ever give you is to help you out of town." She stood and faced Coraline calmly. "Now get out and do not let me find you anywhere near Beth. Do I make myself clear?"

"You will be sorry," Coraline swore and strode out of the club.

"I'm only sorry I didn't stake you before Beth did. My aim is better," Kira muttered under her breath. She couldn't help thinking that Coraline being back was a bad sign.

******

It was past midnight a day later when Mick walked into the club looking like his worst nightmare had occurred. Kira's heart dropped as she recognized that look. Taking him by the arm she guided him into her office.

"Damn that Coraline," she thought as she shut the door behind them. It was the only reason she could think of for why that dull look was in her friend's eyes. This time she would personally deal with Mick's ex-wife.

"Mick, what's wrong?" she asked as he sank onto her couch, his head in his hands.

"Josh is dead," he said flatly.

"Josh….?" Kira questioned and then it hit her. Beth's boyfriend. For once Coraline was not to blame for Mick's unhappiness. This was more complicated. "What happened?"

"I was helping protect Beth from the group HEM. One of its members was being prosecuted by Josh and they had threatened Beth to stop him. They grabbed Josh instead and Beth and I gave chase. We got to him but he was shot. Many times. Kira, I tried to save him, I did everything I could to stop the bleeding. He lost too much blood, I failed," Mick said looking up with pain filled eyes. Kira sat next to him, one arm around his shoulders, trying to comfort him.

"I'm sure you did your best. Poor Beth," she crooned. She could feel him flinch at that and knew there was more to his pain. "What else happened?"

"Beth wanted….she asked me to save him. She wanted me to turn him. I couldn't," he whispered, staring at the floor.

Kira swallowed hard, knowing just what that request had done to Mick.

"Of course you couldn't," she agreed. "Beth must understand."

"She blames me for Josh's death," Mick said shaking his head. "I just left her. She asked me, if I hated being a vampire so much, why did I keep living." Tears leaked out as he squeezed his eyes shut. Kira pulled his head onto her shoulder and held him close. She had no words that could counter that.

Moments later Mick pulled back.

"Why do I keep living?" he murmured bleakly.

"For Josef and me. To watch over Beth. To make things right in this world," Kira answered gently. "How many times do I have to tell you, you are a good man?"

"She asked me if it had been her, would I have turned her," he said looking beaten.

"What did you say?"

"I told her I would have done the same thing. Turning someone is not saving them," he said a stared at his hands, clenched in his lap. Kira heard the unspoken "but" in his voice.

"I'm not sure you've completely convinced yourself of that. Not if it was Beth," she told him.

"I don't know," he mumbled.

Kira took his face in her hands, cupping his cheek in her right while she brushed his hair out of his eyes with her left. She smoothed his brow gently and was tempted to kiss him. Mick looked so lost.

It was apparent that right now it would be so very easy to seduce him into her bed. His whole being was crying out for validation. Coraline's words rang in her head and Kira knew for sure that her time with Mick was in the past. Unlike Coraline, Kira would not try to revive something that was over. Mick would hate both himself and her once it was done. She only wanted to take his pain away.

And then there was Beth, alone with her grief. Kira didn't doubt for a moment that the human would see how wrong her request was once she had time to think. She would forgive Mick. It had been the pain of the moment that had her striking out at him.

"Beth didn't mean what she said Mick. That was her grief talking and she didn't realize what she was asking. She will forgive you," Kira assured him softly. Kissing his cheek lightly, she got to her feet.

"Would you like a drink? Scotch, blood or both?" she offered.

"Scotch would be fine. I fed before seeing Beth. Do you really think she'll come around?" he asked hopefully.

"I can talk to her," Kira suggested. She handed him a glass of amber liquid. "Maybe she shouldn't be alone."

"I'm not sure she wants anything to do with vampires right now," Mick said ruefully.

"Maybe not but she might want a friend," Kira said thoughtfully.

End chapter.

So, how was this? I hope I made Kira's feelings clear. She will not get in between Mick and Beth. I don't want to give the wrong impression; I love Mick and Beth together. Thank you for reading.