Disclaimer: I do not own Moonlight. And that is not going to stop me from writing about it.

Thank you….everyone who has taken this journey with me. I so appreciate those who read this and those who also reviewed. I hate ending stories but all good things must come to an end.

Chapter 30

Not long after sunset on Friday evening Mick and Beth arrived at Josef's home overlooking Los Angeles. Both of them had received phone calls from Josef and Kira while they were out shopping, requesting this visit to Josef's home.

Mick held Beth's hand as they approached the impressive entrance to the older vampire's lavish house. Beth had only been to Josef's office and this place took her breath away.

"Hedge fund trading really does pay well," she commented to Mick.

"Remember that Josef has had 400 years to build on his wealth. He is a smart man," Mick replied. "When you've lived through the 1700's and 1800's the nicer things in life appeal to you. And he loves his privacy."

"Paranoia does seem to rule Josef's life," Beth laughed as Mick rang the doorbell.

"It's kept him alive this long," Mick pointed out.

Josef answered the door himself and welcomed them, ushering them inside. He complimented them on dressing up, praising Beth's cobalt blue dress and teasing Mick about wearing a tie. Of course he was wearing his usual Armani.

"Come in, Kira's in the living room," he announced.

Kira was at the large glass windows, looking lovely in a long forest green halter dress. She turned with a welcoming smile when Mick and Beth entered the room and she hurried to them, hugging them both.

"Are we having some type of celebration?" Mick asked in confusion. He couldn't help noticing the champagne flutes and a bottle in an ice bucket on the coffee table.

"Yes, we are," Josef grinned. He pulled Kira close and kissed her quickly and then went to remove the bottle from the ice.

"Josef adores the dramatic," Kira said happily. She picked up two flutes as Josef popped the cork. After he filled the glasses she held, Kira took them to her friends while Josef poured the wine into the remaining two flutes. He set the bottle back in the bucket and handed Kira her glass.

"What are we celebrating?" Beth asked curiously.

"Changes," Josef said firmly.

Beth and Mick exchanged confused looks.

"I am making a change in my life and so is Kira," Josef began. "As of today….Kira has agreed to move in here with me." He took her hand in his and raised it to his lips, kissing her fingers. Then he looked at Mick and Beth and raised his flute. "To my love, my beautiful Kira," he announced and drank.

With surprised pleasure, Mick and Beth both drank. Beth looked at Kira and was happy to see the delight in Kira's eyes as she sipped from her glass.

"We will see how it goes," she said softly.

"My girl doubts my sincerity," Josef laughed. "But I will prove my feelings to her. I will not disappoint her."

"I think I would listen to him," Beth said to Kira warmly. Knowing how much Kira loved Josef….it was wonderful to see the feelings returned. She didn't doubt Josef meant what he said.

"That is great. It's about time you realized this," Mick told Josef as he gave him a slap on the back. He then went to Kira after setting down his glass and wrapped her in a bear hug. "I am so happy you have what you deserve," he whispered in her ear. He planted a kiss on her cheek.

"Thank you my dear friend. Now we both have what we want," Kira whispered back. She knew Mick meant what he said.

Beth smiled at Josef and stepped up to him and quickly stretched up to kiss him impulsively on the cheek, surprising both Josef and herself. Josef grinned in pleasure, touched by her gesture. Beth then went to hug Kira.

"I'm glad that you are so happy," Beth told her.

"I do love him," Kira said in a low voice. "I think he really does mean it."

"Of course he does," Beth assured her. "It is written all over his face."

Mick leaned in close to Josef and lowered his voice.

"Don't break her heart," he warned, even while he smiled.

"I have no intention of hurting her," Josef told him seriously. "She is special."

"Good, I am glad you see that," Mick approved and retrieved his glass. Clearing his throat, he held up his flute, waiting for the others to follow suit. "To Josef and Kira, a couple who took long enough to realize how much they mean to each other. Enjoy the future."

Amid the laughter, they all drank and Josef kissed Kira once more, while Mick drew Beth close to his side with one arm. Life was looking pretty good right now.

*M*M*

Sitting in the study of his comfortable condo, Ben Talbot stared at the list of names he kept in his wall safe. He had been told to recheck the names when his mysterious caller had contacted him. It shouldn't have surprised him to discover that the names; Kira Starling, Laslo Masterson and even Calvin Simmons were listed there. More confusion resulted as to what these names of real people had to do with the names of fictional and historical characters. What was the key to their meaning? Some were obvious criminals…such as Emma Monaghan and now Calvin Simmons while others were people with unblemished reputations such as Josef Kostan and Kira Starling. And then there was the final name that he could not take his eyes off of…..Mick St. John. What connected these names and why had the list been sent to him?

Rubbing the bridge of his nose, Ben set the paper back down in the folder and closed it. He was no closer to understanding why it had been compiled and what he was to do with it. The temptation to show it to Beth was great, he couldn't help thinking she could provide some answers to these questions, but the caller had warned him it was for his eyes only. Did he dare ignore that instruction and talk to her? In frustration he put the folder back in the safe, knowing that there would be no dealing with it tonight.

*M*M*

Late Saturday afternoon a loud knocking on the door, pulled Simone away from her closet organizing chores and she hurried to see who was interrupting her. She opened the door to discover a smiling Thomas Wolfe looking very sexy in jeans, T-shirt and black leather jacket.

"Ms Walker, could I interest you in a motorcycle ride?" he inquired as he leaned against the door jamb. His eyes sparkled in amusement. A slow smile spread over Simone's face as she looked Thomas over from head to toe.

"You know Mr. Wolfe, leather definitely looks good on you," she said with an appreciative purr. "I would love to go for a ride with you. Am I dressed appropriately?"

Thomas assessed her clothing…slim cut jeans and a light weight V-necked sweater.

"If you have a protective jacket, I would say you're perfect," Thomas replied. "I am in favor of riding safe."

Simone motioned him inside and went to her front closet and withdrew a tan leather bomber jacket.

"Will this do?" she asked.

"Perfect," Thomas agreed. "I can't wait to see you in that."

Grabbing her wallet and keys, Simone slipped on the jacket and locked up her apartment. They went outside and Simone saw a top of the line Harley Davidson sitting at the curb.

"Nice ride Wolfe," she said appreciatively. "Kira must pay well."

"I'll have you know that I saved a long time for this baby," he answered, pretending to be hurt. He took two helmets from the where they hung on the handlebars and handed her one. "And if you're wondering about my income…yes, Kira pays very well," he laughed and gave her a wink.

"So does Josef," Simone laughed back as she accepted the helmet. "I think we will get along very well Thomas."

"Come on then, let's ride," Thomas said as he helped her onto the bike behind him. As she wrapped her arms around his waist, he started the bike and headed out for the Pacific Coast highway.

*M*M*

Late in the day on Sunday afternoon, the fading rays of the sun glinted around the edges of the shades drawn tight in Mick's new bedroom. Beth stretched lazily in bed and smiled at Mick lying beside her. He had left the freezer earlier, swept her into his arms and took her to bed. A small satisfied sigh escaped Beth as she reflected on just how gently he had made love to her; he knew exactly how to light up all her senses.

Mick's fingers reached out to gently stroke the two small puncture marks on her neck. Beth could see the concern and a bit of shame in his hazel eyes.

"Are you sure I didn't hurt you?" his low voice rumbled.

"I told you before…..I'm fine," Beth said firmly, grabbing his hand and pressing her lips to his palm. "I knew you wouldn't hurt me."

For a moment they both just lay there, staring into each other's eyes. Mick could sense the truth in her words, she felt no regret and her pleasure when he drank was written in her relaxed body language. There was no pain, only love. Kira had been right, he could love Beth fully and not hurt her. A happy smile spread over his face as he leaned in to kiss her.

"You give me peace," he murmured. "I love you."

"I love you too," Beth whispered softly.

Mick let his gaze move around the room.

"You, Ms Turner, have excellent taste in bedroom décor," he observed with a twinkle in his eyes. "Thank you."

Beth had enjoyed picking out the black/cream/taupe bedding and window treatments. The framed black and white photos that adorned the walls created a simple touch that was very masculine.

"It suits you," she said with a nod.

"Just like you do," Mick said pulling her close and kissing her deeply.

A thrill ran through Beth as she hugged him tightly, returning his kisses. She had hope now that some way, somehow, she and Mick could blend their worlds and have a future together.

End story.

I always find it so very difficult to end a story. Thank you for reading. I am not done writing stories for Moonlight…..I am not sure I am able to stop. I hope you will continue to read. My next story still is in the formation stage, I will post as soon as I am able to put it together. Thank you again.