Disclaimer: I do not own Moonlight. But I really, really want to.

I am so grateful for all the support I have received for this story so far. I am so blessed to have readers who let me stretch my creative muscles and make me feel special. Thank you.

Chapter 2

At nine PM promptly, Mick stood outside Beth's door and prepared to knock. He felt as nervous as a guy on his first date, not an 85 year old vampire calling on a woman he had known since she was four. It amazed him how one human woman could shake his confidence. He still harbored a hidden fear that she would open the door and tell him that she had changed her mind about this relationship.

The door swung open at his second knock and his hidden fear was blown away by the warm, welcoming smile that Beth greeted him with. She was a vision in a curve hugging, deep purple dress that showed plenty of leg. Short sleeves capped her upper arms and a wide black belt cinched her small waist.

"Wow," he said feeling a silly smile spread over his face. "You look great."

"Thank you, kind sir. It is very difficult to compete with vampire, perpetual cool," she responded, admiring his black shirt with thin stripes, dark jeans and a mid-thigh black duster.

"No one will be looking at me," he replied and pulled her close for a kiss. Beth let a happy sigh escape as she responded.

"Are you ready to go?" he asked when he finally released her and put an arm's length of distance between them.

"Where are we going?" Beth enquired breathlessly, still under the influence of the last kiss.

"Where would you like to go?" he teased.

"Dusk to Dawn?" Beth suggested with dancing eyes.

"Again?" Mick chuckled. "Don't you want to go somewhere else?"

"Maybe some other night, but tonight I need to speak to Josef," Beth told him.

"Josef?" Mick asked in surprise. "Why Josef?"

Beth pulled Mick further into the apartment after making sure the door was closed tightly. She looked at him seriously.

"Simone stopped by here earlier this evening," she replied. "She is afraid Josef is going to fire her and she doesn't understand why he is behaving differently." Beth looked at the floor and blushed. "I'm afraid I said I saw Josef at Dusk to Dawn and she quickly guessed about Kira. I'm sorry but I just don't have the heart to keep lying to her."

Mick gathered her close and hugged her gently.

"Don't worry, I won't let him tear your heart out," he chuckled against her hair. "I think it will do Josef good to squirm a little. He knew what breaking the rules with Simone could lead to. And I can promise that Kira won't let him hurt you either." He moved her away from him to be able to kiss her forehead. "I do think it would be a good idea to give him a heads up about Simone."

"I didn't mean to tell her. Mick…she really hoped that Josef would turn her," Beth said hesitantly. She could see Mick stiffen at her words, his smile fading.

"Yes….Josef indicated that Simone was leaning that way," he admitted quietly.

"Would he have done it?" Beth questioned.

"I'm not sure if he knows the answer to that," Mick said slowly. "I don't think he's considering it now, not with how things have changed with Kira."

"Simone is upset, Josef really does need to reassure her that she has her job at the very least," Beth said. "He shouldn't play with her feelings that way."

Again Mick drew her close, loving how well she fit in his embrace.

"All right Beth, we'll go and give Josef a lesson in human/vampire relations. Just be prepared to run if he loses his cool," Mick laughed.

Beth pulled away looking nervous.

"He wouldn't do anything, would he?" she asked, uncertainty again creeping into her voice.

"No Beth," Mick reassured her, feeling like a heel for teasing her. "Josef would never hurt you, I won't let him."

Beth smiled shakily in return.

"I would hope I could count on my Guardian Angel," she said softly.

"You can," Mick promised brushing her hair back from her face. He wrapped one arm around her back, drawing her against him. His fingers lingered on her cheek. "I will never allow anyone to hurt you."

"I know," Beth said gazing up into his hazel eyes. "I trust you."

"Good," he said before kissing her again. God, the woman just begged to be kissed. How had he resisted for so long?

Beth's arms circled around his waist and little whimpers of pleasure escaped as she returned his kisses. Her senses were reeling in response to his touch, aching for more. She didn't want to leave the apartment; all she wanted was to have him take her to bed.

Feeling Beth's emotions start to rage out of control, Mick pulled back. Taking her to bed was a growing desire for him as well but the voice in his head was screaming for him to slow down. His greatest fear still was that the vampire within would take control and hurt Beth. That was the concern that he had not been able to vanquish.

"Beth, if we are going to Kira's then we should leave now," he said, his voice still rough with desire. "You are so very tempting but Kira did ask me to bring you by tonight."

"She did?" Beth asked in surprise, pleased to think that Kira requested to see her.

"Yes she did," he smiled. "She mentioned having something she wished to discuss with you and no, she didn't say what it was."

"Well then, I suppose we should go," Beth said coyly. "But I will remember what you started her handsome."

"I will consider myself warned," Mick chuckled and turned to the door. He picked up her coat from a chair back and held it out for her. She slipped into it and picked up her purse. Mick escorted her to the door with a hand in the small of her back.

Arriving at Kira's club, they were seated at Kira's private table and shortly after a glass of wine and blood were delivered to them. Ten minutes later Kira Starling and Josef Kostan emerged from the hall that led to Kira's private office. A small jab of jealousy ran through Beth at the sight of the lovely designer black dress that Kira wore. It was obvious to her that a long, successful life allowed for the chance to acquire a killer wardrobe. Beth felt a bit silly for envying the vampire's clothing.

"I am so glad you came tonight," the redhead smiled as she sat down.

"So you two didn't decide to stay home tonight," Josef said with an amused grin. "I would think you would be making up for lost time," he snickered.

"Not funny Josef," Mick admonished as Kira punched Josef's shoulder lightly.

"Really Josef, you are not one to talk," she scolded softly. "And you are embarrassing Beth."

"But she blushes so prettily," Josef beamed as Beth's face darkened even further. "Hey, I'm glad the two of them are finally together. It's a relief not to have Mick brooding all the time."

"Enough Josef," Mick said but he had difficulty repressing his own smile. He lifted one of Beth's hands and laced his fingers through hers. "Just let it go." Beth smiled at him, her eyes aglow.

"Young love, such a heartwarming sight," the older vampire smirked as he took a sip of scotch the waitress had delivered.

"I would say you were jealous but given the fact that you're here instead of the office means you are enjoying some of life's pleasures as well," Mick observed as he reached out with his free hand and plucked a strand of red hair from Josef's shoulder.

"I don't recall saying I was jealous," Josef corrected as he stroked one hand along Kira's bare shoulder. "When one is happy, one likes to see others feel the same way."

Mick nodded and Beth couldn't help feeling a bit guilty as she thought of Simone's unhappiness earlier that evening. But one look at the smile on Kira's face drove the guilty thoughts away. The female vampire had a sparkle about her that Beth had only become aware of in the last week. It was obvious that Beth was not the only one enjoying the joys of a new romance. The fact that Mick had been watching over her since she was four was nothing compared to the fact that Josef and Kira had been together since 1902. Sometimes the thoughts of vampire longevity completely overwhelmed Beth's sensibilities.

"I am seeing a whole new side of my sire," Kira said, her green eyes lighting with pleasure. "Josef Kostan is a romantic."

"That is not supposed to be common knowledge my girl," Josef reproved but his smile belied his words. Kira leaned into him to kiss his cheek as his hand cupped the back of her neck.

"Uh…we have company," Mick warned them, looking towards the entrance to the club.

"Oh no," Beth breathed as she followed his gaze. "I never dreamed she'd come here tonight."

Just inside the entrance stood Simone, her eyes focused on their table, pain written across her lovely face. Beth could see that Josef had the decency to look uncomfortable and Kira drew back from him, looking confused.

"Josef, didn't you talk to Simone yet?" she asked softly.

"No damn it," Josef growled in irritation. "I haven't gotten around to it." He felt a twinge of guilt as his lawyer approached the table.

End chapter.

It does appear that Josef will have some explaining to do and he had better make it quick. I hope you will let me know what you think. Feedback is always appreciated. Thank you.