Disclaimer: I do not own Moonlight. There I said it; CBS, WB are you happy now?

Thank you to all who have read and reviewed. I am sorry that some of you feel that I have made Josef rather harsh. I promise that things will make sense as I go along. Thank you for staying with me, your support does matter.

Chapter 4

Beth could not hide her discomfort at Mick's statement. This subject made her very uncomfortable

"So you just…." She couldn't complete the thought.

"Beth, most freshies retire to other things in their life after being very handsomely compensated for their services," Kira spoke up quickly. "They know that speaking out is a serious offense and they will most likely either be labeled crazy or ignored. If one of them deliberately tries to reveal our presence to the world, they know the price they will pay. We have no other options." Her eyes pleaded with Beth to understand.

"It really doesn't happen very often," Mick added trying to comfort her. "Our secret must be protected, you know that."

"Yes Beth, you do understand the need to preserve our secret, don't you?" Josef said giving her a meaningful look. "Some people cannot be bought off."

Beth cringed inside, knowing full well that Josef was referring to Dean Foster. She had had a very pivotal role in the photographer's death and she knew Josef was right. Her actions in that situation did not allow her to sit in judgment over the vampires; her hands were not clean either. Kira gave her a sympathetic smile, knowing very well what Beth had asked of Josef that night. Only Mick was in the dark about how close he had come to being exposed.

"Yes, I guess you are right. I keep forgetting that you can't take freshies to court for breaking an agreement," she said trying to lighten the mood. She smiled at Mick's worried expression. "I do understand there is a need for vampire justice."

Mick smiled back, tightening his fingers lightly around hers.

"I'm sorry my world has its dark side," he said in a low voice. "It is rare that a freshie tries to betray us. Most of them feel very kindly towards their vampire employers."

"It's that whole "intimate bite" business isn't it?" Beth asked, wrinkling her nose.

Josef and Kira laughed as Mick suddenly looked very uncomfortable.

"Mick my boy, I think Beth needs some firsthand experience with the "intimate bite" business," Josef smirked.

"What? No…..Josef….Beth doesn't want…" Mick stammered. He looked at Beth, pleadingly, hoping she would understand that he didn't agree with Josef. He felt her stiffen and saw the surprise on her face. "I would never….."

"Never say never," Josef laughed. "Blondie might like it."

"Josef," Kira calmly interrupted. "Beth and Mick are not ready for that yet. It is not right to tease them, not everyone wishes to feed us. And that is perfectly normal," she finished, directing her last statement to Beth.

"I'm just saying…." Josef shrugged. He looked at Beth. "You know Blondie; there is a reason why freshies agree to donate in the first place."

Beth considered Josef's words. She knew she had over-reacted to Mick tasting Simone's blood. It was Simone's reaction to Mick's lips on her wrist that had made Beth extremely jealous and the fact that Mick did not seem to want her blood that stung. After consuming her blood in the desert, Berth could only feel that Mick avoided the subject with her and that bothered her. Did her blood repel him?

Kira could see the conflict building in Beth and that neither man seemed to notice. She suspected that the human was not as repulsed by the thought of vampires drinking from humans as much as she was jealous that Mick chose to taste someone other than her. She would need to have a private talk with Beth very soon. And that brought to mind the reason behind her requesting that Mick bring her by tonight.

"Josef, why don't you and Mick go talk to Eli for a moment. I have something I wish to discuss with Beth," Kira said sweetly.

"Sure thing," Josef agreed. "Come on lover boy, let's see if we can talk Eli into a refill," he added picking up his glass. "You look like you could use a good glass of scotch."

"Tell Eli to break out the best, it's on me," Kira instructed.

"Oh, I fully intend to," Josef laughed and he and Mick headed to the bar.

"Now Beth, I have something important to discuss with you," Kira said in a low voice.

"What?" Beth asked leaning forward. She was eager to hear what Kira had to say.

"I have been alone for some time and I'm afraid that my "couple" skills are in need of polishing. We sleep in freezers, you know," she added dropping her voice even lower. Beth nodded. "Clothing does not do well in freezers, it becomes stiff and uncomfortable."

"I had not thought of that," Beth replied, suddenly getting a very erotic picture of Mick in her head. She blushed deeply. "What do you need from me?"

"I am woefully without suitable lingerie," Kira grinned. "I have a few silk robes but the last negligee I bought was when I was dating Brad. Naturally I threw those reminders out," she continued, thinking of the abusive lover she had killed. "I need to go shopping and I would really like a friend's opinion."

Beth felt a warm, happy glow spread through her. This vampire who had decades of living wanted her opinion and company and that touched her. She really did want to be friends.

"I would love to go with you," she said delightedly. "A shopping trip sounds like fun."

"Wonderful," Kira answered feeling pleased herself. "My aim is to blow Josef's socks off."

"I would think that Josef doesn't need much of a push in that direction," Beth giggled. "He seems very smitten with you."

"Smitten…." Kira smiled broadly. "I like that word. I believe it works here. Now let us hope it lasts for a while," she finished wistfully.

Beth could see a small flicker of sadness in Kira's eyes.

"Don't you believe it will last?" she asked in concern.

"Josef's true love lies in a coma in New York," Kira reminded her gently. "I remember when he came back here after he failed to turn her. He was devastated. Josef is very fond of me and we do have a long and special history together. But I am not foolish enough to believe he is suddenly in love with me. I do however plan to enjoy every moment of this stage of our relationship," Kira stated, her mood lightening. She gave Beth a bright smile.

"Then it isn't possible to have forever?" Beth asked, feeling a sinking in her stomach. She couldn't help thinking about Jackson and Emma.

"Oh, I don't know about that. Time does make it difficult to maintain the intensity, but look at it this way, after 150 years Jackson still loved Emma enough to die with her," Kira replied as if she could read Beth's mind. "I am just aware of Josef's nature, his heart belongs to Sarah. Other than her, he is not a one woman man. Now Mick…he's a different story. That man has a deep capacity to love one woman," she finished with a warm smile.

Beth blushed, knowing that Kira could read her reaction to that statement.

"I am still having a difficult time wrapping my head around the length of your existence," she sighed.

Kira nodded in understanding.

"I realize it is difficult to comprehend. You seem so comfortable at times with our world that I forget that you are still so new to it," she apologized.

"Don't apologize, this is my issue not yours," Beth said quickly. "I think Mick tries to shield me from so much and perhaps it is time for me to learn more."

"I believe you are right. You need to understand us if you want to make things work with Mick."

"He picks and chooses what he tells me. I get very frustrated with the way he shuts me out," Beth grumbled.

"Mick has played protector for so very long that he finds relinquishing that role difficult," Kira agreed. "Give him a chance to adjust to your new relationship and the more equal standing you now have. I will try to answer your questions and help you learn. Just remember, I don't tell tales about Mick behind his back."

"Thanks Kira, I appreciate that," Beth said sincerely. "I think that I will make fewer mistakes if I just understand more,"

"I will try to help as much as I can. I cannot possibly explain the entire vampire nation to you but I will do my best," Kira assured her with a laugh. She paused as Josef and Mick returned to the table.

"And just what were you two plotting?" Josef enquired as he set a glass of vodka on the rocks in front of Kira. Mick sat beside Beth and gave her a second glass of wine. Josef took his seat, swirling his scotch in his glass and giving Kira an amused glance.

"None of your business, we women have a right to our secrets. And you had better not have been listening in," Kira said firmly.

"Such disrespect," Josef sighed. "And no, we weren't eavesdropping."

"Good and don't play the sire card with me Josef Kostan. If you try that you could find yourself banned from the club," Kira scolded.

"She fights dirty," Mick chuckled while Beth giggled.

"She does indeed," Josef said fondly. He reached out to take Kira's hand in his. "And I love the challenge."

Mick noticed Beth try and stifle a small yawn. He knew that while she wanted adapt to his lifestyle, she had a daytime job to get to and it was late.

"I think it is time for Beth and me to leave," he announced.

"We don't have to," Beth protested. She took a drink of her wine and tried to look less tired.

"I think we have something to get back to. Something we started earlier…."Mick breathed in her ear, bringing out a wide smile on Beth's face.

"Of course…" she said blushing.

"Go on you two," Kira urged, knowing what Mick had in mind. "Beth, I think we can get together on Saturday afternoon. Is that okay with you?"

"Saturday will be fine," Beth agreed with a smile as she and Mick got to their feet. "I am looking forward to it."

"Have fun you two," Josef said as they prepared to leave. "Don't do anything I wouldn't."

"Josef….." Kira admonished with a groan. She smiled at the couple. "I will call you with a time Beth."

End chapter.

Thank you for reading. I hope you feel I resolved Beth's concerns okay. Feedback is always appreciated and responded to. Thanks.