Disclaimer: I do not own Moonlight. I may not own it but I sure do play with it a lot so that sort of makes it mine.
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Chapter 3
"Josef, be nice," Kira warned softly just before Simone arrived at the table. "This is your fault after all."
The lawyer stopped next to the table between Beth and Kira, looking intently at Josef. The three vampires could hear how quickly her heart was beating as she took a few deep breaths to steady herself. She tugged nervously on her tailored jacket that fitted perfectly over her deep gold silk shirt, and then dropped her hands to smooth her pencil skirt.
"Josef, may I speak with you?" she asked, trying not to look at the redhead sitting within touching distance of him.
"Is there a problem Simone?" Josef asked coolly. He might feel guilty about not clearing things with her and he did have a certain fondness for the human but he was not happy she had sought him out outside the office. He knew he should have talked to her but even so, he did not appreciate having Simone force the issue.
Simone bit her lip nervously, losing some of the nerve that had propelled her to this moment. When Josef had not shown up at the office tonight she found herself drawn to the club Beth had mentioned. She was very aware that Josef would not be happy with her but she could not stand not knowing any longer.
"I apologize for the interruption but there is a matter I really need to clarify with you," she said trying to keep her voice professional.
"Is this business related?" Josef asked continuing to maintain a cool tone to his voice. He could feel the disapproval from Kira.
"I believe you could say it is," Simone answered formally. She understood Josef's irritation but she was in too deep to back off.
"Why don't the two of you go discuss this in my office," Kira suggested, not enjoying how difficult Josef was making this. "I am positive that Simone has a very good reason for coming here tonight. You will be able to talk privately in there."
Finally Simone allowed her gaze to go to the woman seated next to Josef. She could see kindness and understanding in the lovely green eyes. This woman seemed to know what she was feeling and there was no hint of hostility from her. It didn't matter that Josef had turned the woman; she seemed concerned about Simone's feelings.
"Thank you, I would appreciate a few moments of Josef's time," she told Kira. She looked back at Josef. "Please?"
"All right Simone, come with me," he said, getting to his feet and gesturing towards the doorway that led to Kira's office.
"Be careful," Kira warned below human hearing as Josef passed her. He touched her shoulder briefly as he walked by.
Beth glanced quickly between Mick and Kira, her brow furrowed in concern.
"He doesn't plan to hurt her does he?" she asked anxiously. "Simone came by my place earlier and I'm the one who let it slip that that Josef came by here. I had no idea she would actually come here," Beth said to Kira.
"Josef does not intend to harm Simone," Kira reassured her gently. "He is annoyed that she came here tonight but he knows he should have spoken to her earlier."
"I intended to tell him that she had come to me." Beth was still worried.
"It is not your fault Beth," Mick said squeezing her fingers lightly.
Beth gazed at the darkened hallway doubtfully. The memory of Josef's casual reference to the tar pits a while back still resonated with her.
"Beth, Josef would never dare kill someone in my office," Kira said trying to lighten the mood. She could feel Beth's lingering doubt. "Trust me Beth, Josef is not as angry with her as he seemed. He is fond of her and knows that this is mostly his own doing."
Inside the quiet of Kira's plush office, Simone stopped in front of Kira's desk and turned back to Josef as he closed the door.
"So what business do we need to discuss?" he inquired as he crossed his arms over his chest and leaned back against the door.
"I need to know if I am still your employee Josef," Simone said with a slight tremor in her voice. "Either as your lawyer or your freshie."
"Have you received a pink slip for either position Simone?" Josef countered, unable to resist the barb.
"No…no but you have been avoiding me since the whole Emma fiasco," Simone stated her temper beginning to rise. She was tiring of the verbal games. "If you are unhappy with either of my services I would appreciate some honesty."
Josef chuckled in spite of himself; he had always admired Simone's spunk. That trait had been one of the reasons she had gotten past his defenses in the first place. He went to her and gently took her by the arm and led her over to the couch. They sat on the soft leather as he kept one of hands in his.
"Simone, you are definitely still one of my lawyers. As for being one of my freshies….well that I will let you decide. I am sorry if I gave you the wrong impression. I do like you Simone but I have never promised you anything," he said quietly.
"But….." Simone started to protest, choking back her disappointment.
"I know, I let things go much further than they should have," Josef continued. "I have no plans to continue any relationship with you outside of our business. "
"Is it because of Kira? Beth told me you turned her," Simone blurted out.
"I sired Kira," Josef admitted. "And presently we are together." He released her hand, not wanting to continue any more false impressions. "I am not ready to sire anyone else at this time, I am sorry."
Simone sat quietly, absorbing all the information she had just received. It felt cruelly like a demotion, it had been her belief that she held a special place in Josef's life. However, if she was honest, he had never made any real promises. And it did not appear that he had any intention of firing her so perhaps it was not as bleak as she feared.
"Then I do still have my job?" she said slowly.
"I would be a fool to fire an excellent lawyer as you," Josef answered. "As for your other duties…..I will abide by whatever choice you make. I will respect your wishes on that," he said kindly.
Nodding Simone rose to her feet, smoothing her skirt and trying to hold on to her dignity.
"I will have to get back to you on that. Thank you Josef," she said stiffly.
Josef rose and escorted her to the office door. He paused at the door and looked at her with a small smile.
"Simone, I am sorry that I gave you the wrong impression. I have enjoyed the time I spent with you and you have done nothing wrong. I forgot my own rules and I was not fair to you. Please, do not feel the need to go back to the office tonight. Take the evening off and I will see you tomorrow," he told her.
"Thank you," she repeated with a sigh and followed him out to the bar. She watched him rejoin the others at the table. Knowing that she should probably go home but she could not direct her feet to the door. Moving down the bar to the end, she slid onto a stool and ordered a stiff drink.
"Are you all right?" a deep voice spoke from beside her.
Simone looked up into a pair of sympathetic brown eyes that belonged to a tall, handsome blonde man.
"I've been better."
"They do complicate our lives at times, don't they?" he continued.
"Who?" Simone stuttered.
"Vampires," he answered softly.
More confusion flashed across Simone's face. Was this some type of test to get her in trouble?
"Let me introduce myself," the man said, aware of how confused she was. "I'm Thomas Wolfe, my father and I manage this club for Kira. I know your concerns; I had my own impossible dreams about Kira at one time. She has only seen me as a son." He smiled. "May I join you?" At her welcoming nod he slid on a stool next to her.
"It is nice to meet you Thomas," she said holding out her hand. "I am Simone Walker, one of Josef's lawyers." They shook hands.
"I have seen you in here before with him," he admitted. "Not just his lawyer I suspect."
"No, not just. But it does appear that is all I am now," she said in disappointment.
"Such is the way of things," Thomas agreed.
"Not for Beth," Simone said enviously.
"Well Mick is a special case and they will not have an easy road," Thomas observed. "Now Simone Walker, tell me about yourself."
Across the room Kira watched the couple and nodded in satisfaction.
"Very good," she murmured.
"What?" Josef asked turning from the conversation he was having with Mick and Beth.
"Thomas is smoothing Simone's ruffled feathers," Kira commented. "You know….they would make a lovely couple."
"You should curb the matchmaking my girl," he chuckled.
"Do I sense some jealousy there?" she teased, and then became serious. "Just remember that rejected freshies can be dangerous. If Thomas can deflect some of her disappointment then it is less likely she will violate our secret."
"Simone wouldn't do that, would she?" Beth said in surprise. "She didn't betray Josef when she was accused of killing Dominic."
"That was before Josef ceased to be boyfriend material," Mick pointed out.
"Simone will not betray us," Josef said confidently. "She is aware of what happens to those who speak out of turn."
Beth's eyes widened and she glanced around the table hoping she misunderstood Josef's implication. This conversation made her feel very insecure.
"Do you have trouble…uh….do very many….not keep your secret?" she asked in a small voice, not sure she wanted to know the answer.
"On occasion," Mick admitted reluctantly. He again reached out to take her hand reassuringly in his. He looked at her seriously. "Beth, keeping our secrecy is vital; it is all that protects us. We cannot afford loose tongues."
End chapter.
I hope you all liked how I handled this scene. I do believe that Josef may have known he owed Simone an explanation but he would not be thrilled to have to her force the meeting. Reviews are most welcome and really feed the muse. Thank you.