Disclaimer: I do not own Moonlight. It has gotten into my head and I can't get it out.

Thanks for reading. I am now going to alter the perspective of this story for the epilogue portion of this story. Please bear with me; we are going to see things from several points of view. I do hope you like my take on things.

Chapter 13 Beyond Sonata: Fireworks

Josef stood there, anger building in him and debated pursuing Kira, when he felt the Cleaner's presence behind him.

"I'd let her go if I were you," she advised.

"What brought that on?" Josef asked, turning to her in bewilderment. "Why is she so angry?"

"This judgment hit close to home for her."

"It's not the same and she should know it," Josef scoffed, scowling at Claudia.

"Never presume to tell a woman what to think," she chuckled. The Cleaner then looked at him seriously. "Did I hear you are planning to take on a new fledgling?"

"Simone?" Josef asked with raised eyebrows. "I'm not sure where Kira got that idea either. It's crossed my mind but what has that to do with her?"

The Cleaner rolled her eyes and shook her head.

"For an old vamp sometimes you are clueless Josef. Kira has held a favored place in your life for a long time. I doubt either one of you recognize how close you are. Do you love this human?"

"Of course not," Josef snorted. "I like her and that has nothing to do with my relationship with Kira."

The Cleaner looked at him levelly and gave him a slight smile.

"Give Kira a night to cool her temper and then talk to her," the Cleaner said. "Our lives do tend to turn in circles," she added cryptically. She strode away, leaving behind a thoughtful vampire.

******

The next morning the sunlight filtered in the window, awakening Mick. For a brief moment when his eyes blinked open, he was surprised to find himself in a bed. Then the happenings of the previous night came rushing back as he felt Beth's warm body pressed against him. Mick was curved to her form as she lay on her side hugging her pillow. Her blonde hair was tickling his nose as he relished the feel of her soft skin against his. He realized in shock that he had actually slept like a human for the first time since his brief experience with the cure.

Shifting carefully so as not to wake her, he pushed himself up on one elbow to look down at his bedmate. Asleep, Beth looked so peaceful, a small smile on her lips as if she was having a pleasant dream. He reached out and lightly caressed her cheek, then traced the line of her jaw down to her neck. Beth quivered, a happy sigh escaping her.

The events of the night before ran through his head as he lay there holding Beth. There had been so much conflict; freeing Emma and then watching her death sentence carried out. Then he had gone to Beth's and she had told him that they could never make it work. It had taken that soul-ripping rejection to make him take a stand and fight back. For once he went back and confessed how he really felt, admitting that he loved her. That confession had broken down the wall and they had finally given in to the desire that had always bubbled beneath the surface.

Making love to Beth had been everything he had dreamed of and more. His great fear of biting her had been misguided as the smooth, unblemished skin of her neck beneath his fingers proved. Mick knew that his iron control had been strong enough even while he lost the rest of himself in loving her. His Beth; he could truly make that claim now. She had declared her love in the heat of passion and then murmured it sleepily before sinking into sleep just a few hours ago. A wave of tenderness flowed over him as he gazed down on her. Why had he denied himself this feeling for so long?

Beth stirred, coming awake slowly as she felt cool fingers stroking her neck. For a brief moment she stiffened and then remembered why she could feel the cool, firm body behind her. She relaxed with a sigh of pure pleasure and opened her eyes. Rolling part way onto her back and she gazed up into Mick's beautiful eyes. A smile spread across her face.

"Hi," she whispered.

"Hi yourself," Mick grinned back. He cupped her cheek with one hand. "Sleep well?"

"Oh yes," she sighed. Then her eyes widened. "Mick….did you sleep?"

"I think I did," he admitted. "Do you have any idea how beautiful you are?"

Beth blushed, suddenly feeling shy. She had played out this scenario many times in her dreams and reality had surpassed the dream. A small part of her feared that she would discover this was just the most vivid dream to date. With hesitant fingers she reached out and pressed her hand against his chest. It wasn't a dream, he was really there.

"I love you," she murmured.

A smile broke over his face and Mick leaned in to kiss her. As their lips met he felt a jolt of pleasure tear through his body.

"And I love you," he answered, his voice rough with building passion.

Beth shivered in delight. How could she have believed she could break things off with Mick? It would have been impossible to sever herself from Mick and his world. She might not be ready to even consider becoming a vampire but she knew with complete certainty that she couldn't let Mick walk out of her life.

With boldness that surprised her, she trailed her hand down his body, her eyes clouding with desire. Groaning, Mick crushed her back into the mattress as his mouth closed over hers. Beth willingly surrendered to him, riding the waves of need that rose within her. When his eyes flashed silver, she found herself unafraid but once again he resisted the urge to bite.

In the aftermath of making love, Beth stretched in satisfaction and snuggled against him when an odd thought out of nowhere struck her. She giggled softly in delight.

"What is so amusing?" Mick asked as he stroked one hand down her back. They lay face to face, her arms around his neck.

"Me. Remember when I suggested that sex between us might not be any good?" she asked. He nodded with a grin. "What was I thinking?" she sighed.

"I'm pleased I could dispel that misguided notion." Mick chuckled.

"You sure did," she agreed. "Blew that right out of the water. Mick, can you stay or do you have to get to your freezer?"

"I can stay," he answered kissing her hungrily.

******

As evening headed to darkness, Kira stepped out of her walk- in closet and instantly could tell there was another vampire in her apartment. She should have known that Josef would show up tonight. It did surprise her that he had chosen to come up to her private space. Checking her appearance in her full length mirror, she nodded in satisfaction and headed out to the living room to face her sire.

"You do have difficulty grasping the concept of private space, don't you Josef?" she commented as she entered the room. He was sitting in a high backed chair facing her, a glass of scotch in his hand.

"You look lovely tonight my dear," he said, ignoring her statement and admiring the midnight blue dress that clung to her curves.

"Why are you here?" she asked although she knew that answer.

"Did you really think I would let yesterday's outburst pass without talking to you? We are not finished my girl."

"I'm not "your" girl anymore Josef. I'm all grown up in case you didn't notice," she snapped. The irritation from the night before came flooding back at the tone of his voice.

"What is wrong with you Kira?" Josef demanded as he got to his feet, setting his glass on the side table. "What is with this attitude of yours?"

"My attitude? Josef, I have managed for fifteen years on my own and I return and suddenly you are bossing me around like a child. I don't need a keeper," she fumed.

"I was worried about your safety, don't stake me for it," Josef grumbled. "And just where did you get the idea I might turn Simone?"

"Beth said Simone hinted she was interested."

"And why does that matter to you? I decide who I will turn or not. Are you jealous?"

"Of course not," Kira spit out a bit too quickly. "You do as you please as always." She looked at him through narrowed eyes. "Do you love her?"

"Love her?" Josef sputtered. Kira was the second woman to ask him that. "No, I don't love her. I like her…..very much. She has expressed an interest in joining the tribe. But I'm not sure I'm in the mood to take on a fledgling right now. You are giving me enough grief to deal with."

Kira's eyes flashed to silver as she stiffened.

"I think that's quite enough Josef. If you are that unhappy with me, feel free to leave. I have a club to run," she said haughtily and headed for the door.

With an annoyed growl, Josef caught her at the door. He grabbed her left arm tightly and when she swung at him with her right, he grabbed that wrist as well.

"Let me go," she hissed.

"Not until this is settled," he insisted bringing his face close to hers. "Don't push me my dear."

They glared at each other, fangs showing.

"Do….not…give….me…..orders," Kira enunciated carefully.

For a moment Josef looked ready to go for her throat. Kira had never spoken to him like this before, never in 106 years. This spitfire was nothing like his sweet girl that he had sired and he suddenly found himself intrigued. A spark of desire flamed to life inside him.

"Disrespectful minx," he muttered and pulled her into his arms. She struggled briefly but couldn't break his strong grip. He bent his head and kissed her forcefully, surprising himself at the feelings that were released in him. Kira found that she couldn't resist the emotions that his mouth on hers brought forth. She yielded to the heat of his kiss and wrapped her arms around his neck. She molded herself to him, a moan of pleasure escaping her. Her fingers found themselves winding into his hair as she clung to him.

Josef raised his head, looking as shaken as Kira was. He stared into her eyes that had returned to their emerald green.

"Just what was that?" she whispered roughly.

"You've changed," he said in wonder. He looked at her as if seeing her for the first time. A smile quirked at his lips as he looked her over. "I think I like it."

"What will you do about it?" she challenged.

"We will explore this further," he said with determination and scooped her up in his arms. He once more kissed her as he headed for the bedroom.

End chapter.

So there you have it. I hope you liked the change in perspective. Please hit that review button and let me know your thoughts. I do live for feedback from you. I think one more chapter will wrap this up. Thanks.