Chapter 73

Entanglements

Author's note: Apologies for the delay in continuing the party – had to take time to welcome a new grandchild! I hope you are enjoying the festivities as much as I am…

Intro song: Bad Habits, Ed Sherran

Beth, her cheeks flushed from dancing several numbers with Mick, stood next to Logan, sipping yet more champagne. Her eyes followed the tall vampire as he made the rounds, stopping to talk with - and thank - each guest. She understood now why their host had made such an effort to gather everyone together in one place - it gave Mick the opportunity to express his appreciation to them, as Kostan had obviously known he would want to. Thank you, Josef. Her reverie was broken by Logan, nudging her with his elbow.

"So, what do you think?"

"About what?" Beth looked around, puzzled. Had she missed something?

"Ryder! And Gabby."

He nodded toward the tall, lanky vampire, trailing after Gabrielle Sinclair as she drifted from group to group, talking and laughing. She occasionally tossed her glossy black hair or adjusted her skintight, strapless black sheath, short enough to showcase her shapely legs. Ryder England never took his eyes off her as they moved around the terrace.

Logan snickered. "His tongue is all but hanging out. He doesn't stand a chance with her though...does he?"

Beth tried to discreetly observe the scene across the terrace, angling her body so she was facing Logan and then watching the interplay between the two vampires out of the corner of her eye. After a moment, she shook her head. "Nope, not a prayer. Poor Ryder."

Logan's face fell. Even though he enjoyed watching England make a fool of himself, there was a part of him that hoped against hope that Gabrielle would somehow return the affection. It would be a triumph for geeks everywhere.

"So, is this everyone, do you think?" Beth asked. As Griffin nodded, she looked out over the scene, marveling at humans and vampires mingling together, some drinking blood, some alcohol, all of them seeming to enjoy the evening. The jazz singer's smoky voice drifted over the crowd, singing, ironically, 'Night and Day'. "Who wrote that, I wonder? I'll ask Mick later. I'm sure he'll know."

"Yeah, afraid I can't help you there," Logan admitted. "Now, if you wanna know about an AC/DC song..."

Beth almost choked on her drink. "AC/DC, Logan? Really?!"

He shrugged, clearly embarrassed. "Better than Metallica or Anthrax - I used to be into them."

Beth immediately felt bad about denigrating his choice in music. The curly-haired vampire had quickly become one of her closest allies in this strange world she now inhabited. "No, Logan. AC/DC is fine. Honestly! I like 'It's A Long Way to the Top'."

"I know, right? And tell me 'Highway to Hell' isn't one of the greatest songs ever! And, it totally rocks on Guitar Hero!" His eyes sparkled with pleasure that his human friend seemed to appreciate his taste in music, not realizing she was biting the inside of her cheek to keep from smiling.

"Logan, who's that?" Beth gestured with her newly refilled glass of champagne, spilling the bubbly liquid over the edge. "Whoops!" She laughed and a hiccup slipped out.

"Beth, have you been over-served?" Logan inquired suspiciously.

"Not yet but I'm working on it." She grinned up at him. "Now, who are those beautiful women over there? Are they vampires?"

"Those three? I don't know them but I'd guess they are freshies, by the looks of them. Josef said he'd have some here."

Beth frowned. "Is that normal for his parties?" She was uneasy about the idea of vampires drinking from humans in front of her. For one thing, it reminded her too much of Mick 'tasting' Simone. And, what was the proper etiquette for situations like this? Did you look away? Keep on chatting? Miss Manners never covered things like this. She smiled to herself at the memory of Mick saying something similar when she brought him single-malt scotch as a 'thank you' for saving her from the psychotic grad student.

"Gee I don't know, Beth. I've never been invited to a Josef Kostan party before," Logan admitted sheepishly. "Don't worry though - I'm sure anyone who decides to have a snack will be discrete."

"Does that include you?" Somehow, Beth couldn't imagine the geeky vampire pulling one of these beautiful women into a corner and sinking in his fangs.

Logan laughed shyly. "Honestly, I wouldn't have the nerve - much as I'd like to. Besides, freshies are…complicated."

Beth opened her mouth to ask him about the complications of freshies, when suddenly, his grin disappeared and he blurted. "Oh-oh."

"What?! What's the matter?"

"Trouble," Logan replied cryptically, fighting the urge to put an arm around Beth protectively as he watched Josef approach with Guilia on his arm. Dammit Josef, Mick's ex? Really?!

Kostan caught the look of dismay on Logan's face and shrugged his shoulders almost imperceptibly. He'd been entertaining Guilia for the last thirty minutes, plying her with expensive wine, but she had grown insistent that he introduce her to Beth. He'd finally decided that it was better to supervise the introductions than leave the Cleaner to her own devices.

The woman in question broke away from the billionaire to run up and kiss the embarrassed man on the cheek. "Logan, it's so good to see you again! It's been too long."

"H- hi Guilia," the cherubic vampire stammered. Females like her were, by and large, people he didn't interact with, though he often dreamed about it. Cleaners were among some of the hottest vampires he'd ever seen, and this woman was bitchin' even by those standards.

As if she could read his thoughts, Guilia gave him her sultriest smile. "You always were my favorite, Logan. Of all Mick's vamp buddies, you were the nicest."

"Thanks," he responded uncomfortably, not sure why she was choosing to compliment him. He glanced at Beth for comfort. Generally, beautiful women made him nervous - he never could find his tongue around them. Beth was different, though; she put him at ease.

His human companion took pity on him. She smiled at the new vampire. "I agree, Logan's the best." Sticking out her hand, she introduced herself. "I'm Beth Turner. And you are...?"

"This is Guilia Boyd," Josef offered politely. "You didn't really get a chance to meet her when she was here last. She is one of the people who were instrumental in getting hold of the medications Mick needed for his surgery." He conveniently left out the tidbit that she had also been the one to carry out his execution order on the man who had been withholding those medications. Some things were better left unsaid. Although, thinking back to his discussion with Beth about revenge when they were holding vigil, waiting to see if Mick would live or die – and her response - he wasn't at all sure that she would entirely disapprove.

"In that case," Beth blurted, "you are my new best friend." Impulsively, she hugged the startled vampire.

Josef suppressed a smile. He knew Mick's former lover well enough to be sure that was the very last thing she would have expected. God bless a tipsy human!

Guilia tamped down her reflex to break away, realizing that the human meant well... and, judging from the smell and slight flush to her very pale color, that she was at least half drunk. With a very unusual, and undoubtedly delicious, blood type. Well, well, Mick Perhaps I underestimated you – and her. She cast a bemused glance at Josef. "So... this is Beth," she stated in a less-than-enthusiastic tone, using the sub-audible levels that humans couldn't hear.

Josef, however, caught it quite clearly.

Throwing a quick glare toward the female vampire, Josef cleared his throat. "Guilia, you have just had the pleasure of meeting Beth Turner - Mick's guardian angel." He smiled fondly down at the slightly inebriated young woman.

Guilia caught the look - and the message behind it. She took Beth's hand and shook it gravely.

"I've certainly heard a lot about you. I want to thank you for -"

"Saving Mick's life." Logan, in his new role as friend and protector of Beth Turner, spoke up.

The Cleaner nodded. Despite her own feelings and opinions regarding vampire and human relationships, if the stories were true – and Josef seemed to support them - there was no denying what this woman had done for Mick. "Humans do not generally make sacrifices for our kind. They usually either want something from us - or are scared to death of us. I am indeed honored to meet you." And she found, to her surprise, that she meant it.

Josef heaved a sigh of relief. Whatever his reservations about the relationship that Mick and Guilia had had, he'd never questioned her loyalties or her judgment. Beth would be fine with her - although, it might require a somewhat loose definition of the word 'fine'. Now, he could relax, sit back... and enjoy the potential fireworks.

"I'll leave you ladies to talk. Logan, I want you to try some of this bourbon..." He led the befuddled vampire away.

"That's kind of you to say Guilia." Beth was embarrassed. "I'm not sure what came over me just now – I don't usually go around hugging everyone I meet. I apologize. Guess it's the champagne." She grinned suddenly. "At least, that's my story and I'm sticking to it."

After a moment of silence which the vampire seemed disinclined to break, Beth asked with studied casualness, "So, how do you know Mick?"

Guilia paused. "Mick and I were... involved."

Beth choked on the champagne she was swallowing, coughing and sputtering. When she could catch her breath, she gasped, "I beg your pardon?" Her face was beet red, only partially from the shock-induced, near-drowning by champagne she'd just survived.

Their host stood on the far side of the terrace where he had hauled Logan to give Beth and Guilia space to talk, uninterrupted - but close enough for delightful eavesdropping. Scotch in hand, he waited with bated breath for the Cleaner's response. Yes, indeed, this could prove to be a very entertaining night.

Guilia usually loved when humans flushed with blood, but this young woman was almost crimson. "Beth, are you alright?!"

Sucking in great gulps of cool night air, Beth managed to squeak out, "I'm- I'm okay. For a minute there, I thought you said you and Mick were... involved."

Guilia sighed. "I probably should have phrased that differently. I apologize for being so... blunt. Tact is not my strong suit."

Beth sized up the vampire. Guilia was slightly taller, with golden skin, thick honey-blond hair, and sultry green eyes. Her fuller build surprised Beth, who continually waged a mental war with the image of Mick with ultra-thin Coraline. She took comfort in the fact that Guilia looked more like a pin-up girl than a fashion model. Nice to know that Mick hasn't always been into broomsticks!

"I have the feeling I'm not what you expected," Guilia purred. She surreptitiously inspected the petite blond human before her. She was pretty enough... if one were into porcelain dolls, that is. And probably just as fragile. Damn, Mick, I know you aren't going full throttle with this tiny thing.

To the surprise of both women, Beth burst out laughing. "It's okay... Guilia, is it? Nothing could bother me tonight! You do know you are going to have to explain yourself though - right?" She shocked even herself with this response - but she truly felt tonight as if she and Mick were...untouchable, invincible. It wasn't rational, but this night she was throwing caution to the winds. Emboldened, she pressed the vampire. "How long ago was this?"

Guilia's eyes widened. This human was feisty - ballsy even - to demand anything of her. You gotta admire that. She did appreciate the young woman's spunk... but not enough to give her the answers she sought. "I think that's something I should let your boyfriend answer. I wouldn't want to talk out of turn." She smiled tightly.

"I certainly will ask Mick. I just thought we should talk first... you know, woman to woman." Beth's blue eyes stared at the immortal over the rim of her newly-refilled champagne flute, courtesy of one of Josef's circulating servants. She briefly contemplated switching to something other than champagne, then reconsidered. Dance with the one that brung you, Turner.

If Mick were at her elbow, he'd be counseling her to start drinking water as he had the night at Babe and Ricky's. Memories of that evening - and the way it had ended - brought a smile to her face and confidence to her voice. "I'd like to get to know you, Guilia. Any... friend... of Mick's is a friend of mine."

Across the terrace, Logan fidgeted uneasily. Sometimes having a vampire's hearing wasn't a good thing...

Their host easily guessed his state of mind and laughed. "Logan, you need to lighten up. Enjoy the show. Why don't you get some more blood... or alcohol... or both. Pick your poison. I'm gonna circulate." As Josef strolled away, he called over his shoulder, "And thanks for all your help these last two weeks."

Stunned, Logan stood rooted to the spot for a moment. Had Josef Kostan just thanked him?!

He squared his shoulders, smiling at the thought. Spying Guillermo and Terrance, just coming out onto the terrace, he hurried over. "Hey, good to see you guys. Have a drink!"

Terrance, looking almost painfully ill at ease in a dress shirt and tie, asked, "Where's Ryder?" He and Josef's IT guru had a long-standing friendship.

Logan took pity on him and shoved his glass of blood at the tall, thin vampire. "He's sitting on the steps over there, hero-worshiping Gabrielle Sinclair. Go save him from himself."

Terrance wandered off in search of Ryder.

Guillermo remained with Logan, his black eyes sparking as he eyed the scene spread out across the rolling lawn. Turning back to Griffin, he considered the glasses the vampire was enthusiastically offering. "Blood or alcohol?"

Logan considered the question. In light of the events so far that evening and the fact that the night was still young... "Um, I'd say both."

Guillermo took the suggestion and grabbed a drink in each hand, alternately sipping blood and the vodka tonic he'd snagged. "So what's goin' on so far, man? I couldn't get off work any earlier. Have I missed anything?"

Logan snickered. "You're just in time. Beth is meeting Guilia."

The morgue attendant choked on his drink, dribbling blood onto his chin. Dabbing at his face with a napkin, he managed to spit out, "Where, Logan? Where are they?"

Logan jerked his head over his shoulder, directing Guillermo's gaze toward the two beautiful blond women standing at the far side of the terrace, engaged in what appeared to be an intense conversation.

"Man, oh man. Mick has some cojones, putting those two together," Guillermo sputtered. "The ex and the current talking is never good." He shook his head in dismay. "This is gonna go one of two ways - either we're gonna see a cat fight, or they're gonna team up and go after him. Damn... keep those drinks comin'! He's liable to be gutted again! And I am not fixing him up this time!"

"I know. I'm just gonna stand over here, drink... and watch... and maybe listen." Logan's youthful face appeared worried. "And for the record, this wasn't Mick's doing."

Guillermo raised his eyebrows. "Don't tell me. Josef. Now it all makes sense." He sighed heavily. "You're right. Let's just stay out of the line of fire and watch."

Across the terrace, two blond heads were close together as the slightly tipsy human and Mick St. John's vampire ex-lover continued their discussion.

Guilia imbibed a little liquid courage. "Just so you know, Beth, Mick and I have been over for a long time. You've no call for concern there." Checking for the human's reaction out of the corner of her eye, she continued. "So... what would you like to know?"

"Honestly? I'd like to say everything - but then I know I'd regret it. So, maybe... how you met?"

The Cleaner smiled. "It wasn't planned, believe me. It was just a random meeting on the street one night. I smelled him, of course, before I saw him - vampires can detect one another by scent, you know. Or maybe you don't," she added slyly.

Beth didn't respond to the implied dig. What could she say? These circumstances were as far removed from her first meeting with Mick as a person could get. She felt a twinge of envy at this woman who occupied the same world as Mick. What was it that Lola had said to her? "Half the world is night..." Yeah, and I'm excluded from that half. She took another gulp, draining her glass and snagging a fresh flute from a passing server. "Go on."

Guilia continued. "We both know how it is when you see Mick St. John for the first time, don't we, Beth..." She fell silent for a moment as the images played through her mind - the young but powerful vampire vaulting through the night sky with an ease and dominance that, to this day, still excited her when she thought about it

Beth thought back to her own first meeting with Mick as an adult. She remembered the feeling she'd had that he was someone she knew and trusted - and she also remembered the way her stomach had knotted and her knees had grown weak when he had looked into her eyes. "Yes," she said softly, speaking almost to herself. "I do know how it is."

Guilia detected the emotion in her companion's voice. Mick St. John has a way of doing that to a woman...

"Well, Mick was very cautious, though. I'm sure I'm not talking out of school to say that he doesn't exactly trust his own kind - especially the female variety."

"With good reason," Beth couldn't help adding. I know more about that than you do.

"You think?" Guilia responded sarcastically.

The word 'bitch' flashed in Beth's head, but she swallowed her impulse to blurt it out. She felt disloyal to Mick for saying anything, but whether she should have said it or not, Guilia was not going to get away with talking down to her! "No. I don't think. I know." Get hold of yourself, Beth. This was Josef's party - and Mick's - and she wasn't going to spoil it. Reining in her irritation, she continued. "Sorry. After everything that's happened, we are all a little tired. I hope you understand."

"Oh, I do," Guilia assured Beth. "I'm sure it's getting close to your bedtime." The vampire tried to make her expression as innocent as possible. This woman was really very amusing.

Beth stiffened. "You needn't worry about me. My bed is just fine... but then, given your history with Mick, you probably already know that." She leveled her gaze at the smirking vampire. We understand each other, don't we? As calmly as she could, she added, "I've got a little more time Guilia - and I'd love to hear you finish your story."

The Cleaner decided that, in keeping with the spirit of the evening, she would give the girl the benefit of the doubt. Besides, Josef would have her head if she didn't.

"Okay, but it's really not a very long story. Mick being Mick, we didn't exactly start off on the right foot. And then, of course, I had to get the last word in. That really pissed him off. I mean, he literally jumped backwards from several feet away and landed in front of me. I was actually scared for a moment - but then I could see he wasn't going to attack. He was just... a wounded person." Here, Guilia smiled. "That's when I grabbed his arm, headed for one of my favorite dives for drinks... and the rest, as they say, is history."

On the other side of the veranda, Beth saw Mick and Josef conferring and deliberately turned her back on them. She was determined to handle this new vampire herself. She had something to prove to Josef Kostan. "So, Guilia, that's how you met. What happened? How did you two split up? Or, perhaps 'why' is a more accurate question."

Grabbing a wine glass from a nearby table, Guilia responded. "For what it's worth, Mick and I weren't really a couple. We were... companions. It was mostly for sex, so there weren't the same expectations." She took a quick sip from her new glass. "That said, we still had a nice arrangement - one I have no shame in admitting I enjoyed immensely. Vampire sex can be very...intense. Not that I'd expect a human to really get that."

Beth's blue eyes fixed Guilia in their gaze. "What makes you think that human-vampire sex isn't ...intense?"

The Cleaner raised her eyebrows. "Please don't take this the wrong way – I'm not trying to be condescending, but, I'm fairly sure that your definition of intense doesn't quite capture what vampires are capable of. Knowing Mick the way I do, I am willing to bet that there are things he has not - and will not - do with or to you. That man is something else when he - excuse the pun - goes balls out. I doubt a human could handle it."

Beth returned the other woman's stare, unblinking. "I guess it boils down to what a person wants and how satisfied they are. Love is a great equalizer." It felt like an insufficient response but she didn't know what else to say. Mick had alluded to just these types of things with her in their conversations about biting... and sex. She admitted to having great curiosity about exactly what he had meant - but she did not want to be schooled on it by one of Mick's ex-lovers. Especially not a vampire ex-lover! Suddenly, she felt lost. What am I doing here with all these vampires?

"So what's this rumor I'm hearing about ending my leave?"

Carl Davis was a loner in the detective ranks, courtesy of the problems that had arisen with his now-former wife. But he still had allies... those who were willing to be his eyes and ears to the goings-on within his department – one of whom had reached out to inform him that the rumor in the department was that his administrative leave was about to be terminated.

Given what he'd seen during what was now internally branded "the San Diego incident," his increasing distrust of the DA's Office, topped off by the mystery that was Jamie Sommers, the leave he'd originally taken with such protest was now, ironically, exactly what he wanted – and needed – so that he could continue his own personal investigation.

The detective's teeth clenched when the answer to his question came. "Just one more week?! You cannot be serious! I've already made travel plans… I mean, what the… No, I am calm… I know you understand – front line people like us always get it. While the guys behind the desks…" He grinned as the man on the other end of the conversation finished his sentence for him with some colorful language. "Yeah, Thomas, I hear ya. Couldn't find their asses with both hands and a map. So, do I need to do anything to protest this?" The detective listened intently as his acquaintance outlined the available options. The man was a representative for their police union, so he knew the ins and outs of these kind of things much better than Davis ever would.

"So, if I'm understanding you, the department shrink's recommendation carries the most weight – guess they are good for something! Damn good thing I keep those appointments. In other words, I should still have four weeks..."

He smiled, nodding vigorously into the phone at the response. "Good… so do you know why this happened? Who was behind the move to shorten my leave?" His brows furrowed. "Ben Talbot?!" That stunned and worried him. Why does Talbot want me back so badly? "He was the one who encouraged me to take time off! You got any scuttlebutt on that?" He shook his head in frustration at the negative response.

"Alright. Sorry to grill you about it, I'm just…confused…Oh… my travel plans? Yeah… I'm going up to Northern California – near Paso Robles." Carl laughed. "Damn right I'm wine tasting! After all I've been through? Shit, yeah! Okay… just keep me posted. And thanks again. I owe you man… okay, okay… I'll bring you back a bottle or two of something special." A final, forced laugh, and the call ended.

"Son of a bitch." Davis threw his phone down on the sofa in frustration. It seemed like everyone was playing games – Talbot, Jamie, even the cops in San Diego. McGowan, the detective who had seemed to hate Mick St. John on sight, had disappeared. His colleagues professed not to know where he was, something he didn't believe for a second.

Well, at least he had staved off going back to work for a little longer. He'd just have to get this all sorted out in the next week or so. Sure, Davis, no problem. Piece of cake, walk in the park… He sighed. "It's a sign of the times," he muttered aloud.

End song: A Sign of the Times, Harry Styles