Disclaimer: I do not own Moonlight. But I do live in the Moonlight world in my head.

Thank you to all those who have read this story. I appreciate all of you.

Chapter 11 Sonata: Jeopardy

Beth hurried into Dusk to Dawn, eager to talk to Kira about the dedication of the Sarah Whitley Sports Arena the next night. She had a date with Mick and the thought made her glow happily. Waving to Eli, she paused long enough to receive the nod to continue back to Kira's office. Kira met her at the door.

"Kira, I've found the perfect dress for tomorrow," she announced happily as she entered the room. She stopped dead at the sight of a suitcase and tote sitting next to Kira's desk. "Are you going somewhere?" she asked in bewilderment. She turned back to Kira who was still standing at the door. Kira closed the door, looking apologetic.

"I have to go to Las Vegas. It seems my current manager thinks I wouldn't notice he has been skimming off my profits. I have to go teach a very stupid vamp that I am not someone to cheat," Kira growled. Her eyes flashed briefly.

"But the dedication…." Beth started to protest.

"I'm sorry Beth, I have to go," Kira apologized. "I have to handle this myself. My people have to know they cannot embezzle from me or I will lose control of my other clubs."

Disappointed as she was, Beth understood Kira's reason for leaving.

"I'm sorry too," she answered. "I was looking forward to you being there. But I understand that you have to deal with this."

Kira came over to her and touched her shoulder lightly.

"You have no idea how much I was looking forward to this. I have a killer black dress I was going to wear," she said with a wink, trying to soften the blow.

"Next party then," Beth said putting a positive spin on it.

"Of course," Kira agreed. "So what does this perfect dress look like?"

"Here, take a look," Beth said producing her phone and bringing up the image of the dress. She handed Kira the phone.

"Oh Beth, you will look lovely in this dress," Kira approved. She smiled at Beth. "Mick won't know what hit him." She handed the phone back to Beth. "I wish I could see you in it, have a wonderful time."

"I feel like I'm about to attend prom," Beth confessed, blushing deeply.

"Now there's an experience I've never had," Kira laughed. "Relax Beth, just enjoy the evening." She collected her purse and keys from the desk. "I hate to rush off but the sooner I put Louie in his place the better I will feel."

"Are you going alone?" Beth asked in concern. "Will there be trouble?"

"I'm a lot older than Louie, I can handle him. I made a mistake hiring him six years ago but I will correct that error. Josef has recommended a friend of his who has relocated to Vegas and is looking for a new challenge. Richard will meet me at the club so if Louie gets stupid, he will help me deal with him," Kira assured her. "This may be unpleasant but it won't be difficult."

Beth shivered slightly but didn't ask how Kira would "handle" Louie. She distinctly remembered Josef mentioning the tar pits when discussing a problem employee a while back.

"Let me know when you get back," Beth said with a smile.

"I will," Kira promised.

******

Two days later; it was midday when Kira's phone rang in her Vegas office.

"Kira, I want you to stay in Vegas until I tell you differently," Josef ordered without a greeting.

"Why Josef? What's wrong?" Kira asked. She had been so busy dealing with Louie and untangling the club's books that she had ignored all outside news.

"Emma Monaghan lost control at the dedication and killed a human. She has been arrested by the humans and is threatening to expose the whole community if we don't free her. If she talks, our secret is blown and no one is safe. I don't want you in LA," Josef instructed.

"Is she insane? Are you planning to free her?"

"Mick is working on it. We are meeting later," Josef told her.

"Then there is no worry. I've dealt with Louie and Richard is ready to take over here. I'm heading home," Kira said stubbornly.

"Eli and Thomas can take care of the club. Stay there until this is over," Josef insisted.

"You do not run my life Josef," Kira said tightly. "I appreciate the warning but I make my own decisions."

"Just do as I say woman," he growled in exasperation.

"Thank you for the advice. Take care of yourself," Kira said heatedly and hung up. Inside she was fuming at the way Josef presumed to run her life.

"I take it you won't be following Josef's advice," Richard's deep voice commented from across the desk.

Kira looked at the imposing black man who would be managing her club. Amusement sparkled in his dark eyes.

"He forgets himself sometimes," she said with a grimace. "I am no longer his child."

"Josef is not one to relinquish control easily," Richard said with a nod. "I don't think he was trying to make you angry. It sounds like he has a good reason to be concerned."

"Perhaps, but Mick will take care of things," Kira said confidently. "I have a life there that I will not abandon again." She was aware that there was no guarantee that this would work out okay. In the back of her mind she knew that Richard and Josef had a good reason to be concerned but she was tired of men presuming they needed to protect her. Putting Louie in his place had restored her feelings of control and power. She did not like the idea of sitting safely in Vegas when her friends were threatened.
"I have to trust my instincts because when I don't I end up with mistakes like Louie. I feel confident letting you handle the club."

Richard nodded and kept silent. He was not about to argue with his new boss. Josef definitely had his hands full with this woman.

*****

By late afternoon Kira had returned home and she called Eli into her office. She briefed him on what she knew and warned him to let her know if the authorities came looking for her or anything else unusual. After assuring her he would keep his eyes open, Eli returned to the club. When he left, Kira made sure all the paperwork was in order for Eli and Thomas to run the club if she had to leave town in a hurry. Then she decided to contact Beth.

Calling her, she got Beth's voice mail.

"Beth, I'm back in town. Let me know what is going on."

The last couple days had left Kira feeling agitated and unsettled. She sent a message out to Eli to ask Eric, one of the bartenders, to come back to the office. A freshie organization had referred Eric to Kira and the young man had taken a liking to the club and Kira. She hired him as a bartender and occasional fresh blood donor. Kira rewarded him with bonus pay for the donations and the arrangement suited them both. Tonight Kira felt the need for the restorative benefits that fresh from the vein blood gave to vampires.

As she finished her feeding she heard a knock on the door. Handing Eric a handkerchief for his neck she rose from the couch.

"Thank you Eric," Kira told him warmly.

"Always a pleasure Kira," Eric said holding the cloth to his throat. "You always make it enjoyable." He got to his feet and followed her to the door.

"Get yourself some orange juice and take a break," Kira instructed. "And no adding vodka to the juice while you recover," she added with a laugh.

"I'll take care of myself," he promised.

Opening the door, they were confronted by a very tense Beth. Her eyes widened as she focused on the red tinged cloth pressed to Eric's neck. It was clear what that represented. She brushed past them and then whirled to confront Kira as she closed the door behind Eric.

"You drink from freshies too?" Beth exclaimed.

Kira arched an eyebrow and moved into the room.

"I am a vampire Beth. I drink blood and every now and then I find fresh is best. That has never been red Kool-Aid in our glasses you know," she said calmly. "I do not force Eric to donate. What is bothering you Beth?"

"I caught Mick tasting Simone's blood. She is one of Josef's freshies. Do you know her?" Beth said tersely.

"Simone is one of his lawyers as well," Kira confirmed. "Why would Mick be tasting her blood?" This news surprised her.

"Josef brought her to the dedication. She discovered Dominic's body. Josef had Mick taste Simone to prove it was not her blood on the body," Beth explained. She looked at Kira expectantly. "How well do you know her? I think she is hoping Josef will turn her."

"I see," Kira commented and went to sit on the couch. Beth followed, selecting the nearby chair. "Josef has only brought her in here twice. I understand she is a good lawyer and Josef finds her intriguing," she added cryptically.

"Would he turn her?"

Kira closed her eyes and pressed one hand to her forehead.

"I don't know Beth. He has not discussed it with me," Kira answered. "Josef does not make a habit of turning freshies. Perhaps he sees Simone differently."

Beth could see her questions disturbed Kira but she was fascinated by the possibility of someone she knew being turned.

"Does that bother you?" she probed, trying to understand the dynamics of siring. "Would it change things between you and Josef?"

"No Beth, it would be Josef's choice," Kira answered wearily. "When you have eternity you cannot expect relationships to remain the same. I have told you this before."

Beth bit her lower lip, absorbing this information. This news was not what she wanted to hear. Emma had said she had loved Jackson for 150 years, yet she had still cheated on him. Josef had been Kira's sire and lover but now he might turn a new woman. Maybe passion and love couldn't last for eternity. Would that be the case if she and Mick ever got to that place in their relationship? Would she find herself alone in her immortality if they were ever to take that step? How could she even trust Mick to be there for her when he wouldn't even let her into his apartment tonight?

"Kira, just what vampire business is going on at Mick's place tonight?" she demanded suddenly.

End chapter.

As I get closer to the end of this story I find it harder to stay in just Kira's perspective. I hope you liked this chapter. Please review. Thank you.