As much as I wish it. Moonlight doesn't belong to me in any way shape or form. I like to come play in their sandbox.

This follows Second Life. Best if they're read in order.

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Six months later….

Beth looks in the mirror and scrunches her nose at her reflection. She already knows that Josef won't like this one either. She and the shop owner are both getting exasperated with him. Beth leaves the confines of the dressing room and before she makes a full turn, he is shaking his head. "Nope. Not that one either."

Beth can't help but laugh at him. "Are you sure you're straight? I've never known any straight man that cares this much about clothing."

Josef gives her a wolfish smile full of lust. "What do you think, my lady?"

Despite herself she knows if she could blush, she would. Josef knows that expression and laughs. "Just what I thought." Before Beth can think up a suitable retort, Josef is at her side. He takes her in his arms. "You look beautiful in anything, but I want this to be something special."

Beth sighs. "I know you do, but I've tried on everything in the store." And before the owner can interrupt, Beth holds her hand up. "Excuse me, Boutique." Beth looks at Josef and rolls her eyes, and she can see Josef holding back a snicker.

Josef cocks his head to the side and turns to the woman. "Do you know who Grace Kelly was?"

The woman sniffs "Of course. She was an amazing fashion icon in her time."

"Is there any chance you have anything that is reminiscent of her style?"

The woman stands staring at Josef for a moment and then snaps her fingers. "I've got it."

Josef turns to Beth. "Do you know who Grace Kelly was?"

"Sure, High Society and To Catch a Thief. She was beautiful."

The woman returns "I put the gown in the dressing room for you."

Beth takes a deep breath, crosses her fingers and heads for the dressing room.

Josef figures they either have a winner or Beth has decided to never come out again. When she finally comes out, she is back in her own clothes. "Pay the nice lady."

"But I didn't get to see the dress, let alone see the dress on you."

"And you won't, until it's time for the party. They'll send it along."

"Oh, no you don't. I want to see it on you."

"Josef, don't you trust me?"

He groans inwardly. "That's a loaded question. I trust you with my life, not with your clothing choices."

Beth swats at him. "You're going to make me try this on for you, aren't you?"

"Yes, baby, I am." He says this with enough conviction that Beth knows she might as well do it and get it over with. "Nice try though."

Beth heads back to the dressing room to try on the new gown. It's a dark electric blue. The dress is simple with; clean lines that hug her figure. Beth thinks it makes the blue in her eyes stand out, and she likes that it's not fussy. This is by far the best one she has tried on all day. She leaves the dressing room and the boutique owner smiles at her for the first time in hours. It gives Beth hope that they finally have a winner. She peeks around the corner at Josef. "Close your eyes."

He snickers and hopes it's as good as she seems to think.

"Josef, close them and don't peek or I'm not coming out."

"Ok, ok." He can sense her excitement. He closes his eyes and hears her move to the center of the room.

"Ok, you can look now."

Josef opens his eyes and Beth can see from the look on his face he approves. He makes a motion for her to turn and she does. "Yes, that's it. You look amazing. You know, one of my Ferraris is that exact color of blue." Beth rolls her eyes.

He turns to the boutique owner. We'll take it. I'll have someone call you with the heel length she'll have on, so you can adjust the hem accordingly."

The owner nods. Beth changes and they spend more time finding accessories to match.

They finally get home and Beth flops down on the couch in Josef's study. "Josef, that's it. I'm done. I hate shopping. I'm never going shopping for clothes with you again."

Josef sits down next to her and gathers her up in his arms. "In less than three weeks I have to give you up. It's been a great year for us, and I want to celebrate."

Josef looks down at her and sees the tears welling up in her eyes. "Now don't start that. It will be fine, and in a year, you'll be back here."

Beth sniffs the tears back and sighs. "I'm going to miss you. Why are we having this party on the night before I leave? I want one last night with you all to myself."

Josef kisses her. "And I'll miss you. We are having the party on that night because if I'm not occupied with something it could get ugly, and you may not be going anywhere."

Beth let out a sigh. "Josef…. you were so intent on seeing what Mick and I thought of this nobody ever asked you what you thought. I need the truth from you, too."

"The truth is, it's better than the alternative and that's all I can say. I'll be fine, but you need to know one thing, no one is going to replace you. So, if you hear things…."

Beth laughs. "In other words, when the gossips get going, I should not be worried that any of them are special."

Josef gives her a smirk. "Pretty much."

Beth gives him a speculative look and starts to move away from him. "You sure this party isn't a way for you to check out all the women you've passed up over the last year?" Beth laughs, wanting to tease him a little. "That's it, isn't it? You want them all to know that you're going to be back in circulation again."

Josef grabs her before she can get far and pulls her down into his lap. He growls into her ear. "No, this is about saying good-bye to you for a year."

Beth was teasing him, but she realizes that she may have hurt him. "Josef, I'm sorry. I wasn't serious. I know how much you love me and want to celebrate the year we spent together." She strokes his face. "I love you, and I'm sure the party will be wonderful."

xxxxxxx

Beth looks across the ballroom and watches everyone having such a nice time. Her gaze stops when she sees Josef. He looks so amazing. He's wearing a charcoal tux with a dark red shirt. No wonder almost every woman at this party is trying to get his attention.

Beth's hand unconsciously moves to the necklace she's wearing. Tonight, when she was getting dressed, Josef wandered in and handed her a velvet box. Beth knows Josef doesn't do things halfway, and her hands tremble at the thought of what he's done now. She opened the box and a beautiful diamond necklace with a matching bracelet and earrings shone in the lights. Beth tries to speak but nothing comes out. She looked up at him with tears in her eyes. "It's beautiful…too beautiful… I can't…. I mean… you shouldn't have." Beth moves to his arms. "It's beautiful Josef and I love it. Thank you."

"I'm glad you like it. Can I help you with it?"

"Of course. I'd like that."

Beth put on the earrings and then held her hand out so he can wrap the bracelet around her wrist. Josef snapped the clasp and then brought her wrist to his lips and kissed the underside of her wrist sending a shiver through her. Beth turns and sweeps her hair up and out of the way, so Josef can put the necklace on her. Josef nuzzles her neck and smiles at her reaction while he attaches the clasp. Beth walks over to the full-length mirror. She stands back, looking at the overall effect of the new dress and jewelry. She shacks her head and sees Josef frown behind her. "You don't like it?"

"It's beautiful, and I love everything you've done for me." Beth turns to him. "I love you. It's a little overwhelming."

Beth brings herself out of her reverie and continues to watch Josef across the room. He stops and smiles across the room at Beth and laughs when she is surprised that he knew she was watching him. Beth snickers and shakes her head. Men are the same no matter if they are human or vampire. The last few weeks, Josef has been making love to her on every flat surface, in the house and sometimes outside of it. She knows it is his subtle way of staking claim, even if he won't acknowledge it, or even recognize it. If that's what it takes for him to let her go, it's fine with her, she giggles to herself, more than fine with her. Nobody was ever going to hear her complain.

Robert approaches Josef, whispers in his ear and Josef moves off to his study to take the call.

"Mick?"

"Josef we may have trouble. I was going for a drive and I've picked up a tail. I'm not working on anything right now that would warrant this, so be on guard. I'm going to swing by for a minute and see if I lose them at your place."

"See you then." Josef hangs up and turns to Robert. "Get Al in here."

Josef sits and stares out into the night. He turns as he hears his security head approach. "I got a call from Mick. We may have trouble. I want two of your best men watching Beth. They don't need to be close, but I want them to be able to get to her in a moment's notice. Also, make sure the girls are well protected." Josef smiles up at Al ruefully. "It may be nothing but…."

Al shrugs. "Better safe than sorry. I'll get right on it."

Returning to the party, Josef walks up behind Beth and wraps a possessive arm around her. He knows from watching her that she has no idea the glances she is getting from some of the partygoers. The women are envious, and the men are trying to figure out how to shake her lose from Josef. Josef has had to let more than one male know that he will not put up with any nonsense.

Josef watches Coraline appear in the crowd. He doesn't want Beth to be taken by surprise, so he leans in and whispers in her ear. "Beth, you'll never guess who I saw."

"Coraline? She's been here a good hour or more."

Josef smiles at the sound of cold steel in Beth's voice. "Still not one of your favorite vamps."

"Not one of my favorite anything's. She hurts Mick over and over. The bitch needs to be taken out and staked."

"Beth…" she can hear the warning in his voice.

"I know, I know, it was different when I staked her before because I was human and oh yea, so was she, well kind of. She's going to be surprised to find Mick isn't so uptight about being a vampire anymore."

Josef laughs. "No, what's going to get her is that he doesn't mind being a vampire because of you. Now that will piss her off. Baby, the best revenge is living well. Please don't antagonize her. She's far more powerful than you are, and it wouldn't take much for her to come after you. I'm sure she was less than pleased when she found out you'd been turned. Now you won't die and leave her Mick."

"Yea, yea…. I'll settle with her someday, you can be sure of that, but you don't have to worry Josef. I'll bide my time. Hey, look who else decided to join us."

Josef watches as Mick approaches them. Mick leans over and kisses Beth on the cheek. Josef steels himself to keep from doing something stupid. Mick sees the tightness in Josef's smile and thinks he only stay for a minute. This is, after all, their last night together. "Hey, nice party. Thought I would stop by for a minute and say hi." Mick sees no point in alarming Beth with what he and Josef have discussed.

Coraline sees the three of them and gives a little wave. She starts to move towards them. "Oh, look your ex is headed this way. Aren't we oh, so civilized?" Beth snarls

The sarcasm is not lost on Mick and Josef, who smile. Coraline walks across the room to them and stops. She stares at Mick for a minute and then continues. As Coraline leaves the crowd behind Beth realizes that she has a man following close at her heels. He's a bit over six foot tall. He has very dark wavy hair and a nice build. Beth snorts when she realizes how much he reminds her of Mick. Apparently if Coraline can't have the original, she's going for a knock off.

Coraline looks Beth over from head to toe. "Beth. I see you finally decided to join us."

Beth glances at Coraline's escort. "Coraline, nice knockoff." Beth gives her a dead smile.

Coraline narrows her eyes and then turns to Mick "So it's true. You're back to the freshies."

Mick smiles, "Now and then, now and then."

Coraline turns to Josef and gives him a tilt of her head. "I commend you for finally getting through to him."

Josef snorts. "Not me" as he gives Beth a sidelong glance.

Coraline turns back to Mick. "You, you, are drinking direct and have finally come to terms with what you are? You don't care about being human again?"

Mick shrugs. "No reason to be human now. The only woman I've ever loved, loves me enough to choose to join me as a vampire."

Coraline looks like she's been slapped. The emphasis on 'chooses to be a vampire' is not lost on her.

Coraline turns to Beth and can't quite read the expression on her face. Coraline thinks that she's missing something but can't figure out what it is. "Beth…. I was under the impression that you lived here with Josef."

"I do. For now."

"For now?"

Mick watches this exchange and can't help but want to put in his two cents. "Yes, tomorrow she's moving in with me for a while."

"For a while? So, is she with you or Josef?"

Josef sees where this is going and wants in, too. "Yes, for a while, she is with Mick, then she'll move back in with me and then she'll be with me again."

Coraline narrows her eyes and looks at Beth. "You move back and forth between them?"

Beth nods and then laughs. "Calm yourself Coraline, green is not a good color on you."

She then turns to Josef. "You've never been faithful to one woman in the two hundred years I've known you."

Josef smiles. "Until this last year."

Coraline looks as though she's going to lunge at Beth, who smirks at her. "Oh, and I'd like to thank you."

Coraline narrows her eyes at her. "For what?"

"Well, if not for you, I would never have met these two wonderful men who I love so much. I want to thank you for making it all possible."

Coraline looks at the three of them standing there smiling pleasantly at her, and it's too much. Mick sees her start to shift her weight for an attack. "Coraline if you touch her, you'll be dead before you hit the floor." Josef joins Mick in a low growl and both flash their fangs at her. Beth notices that Coraline's escort has taken several steps backwards. A really bad knockoff, Beth thinks.

Coraline pushes down her anger and hisses at Beth. "Bitch." She hears the tinkle of Beth's laughter as she turns and leaves.

Beth turns to Josef and gives him a big hug and a kiss. "You're right. The best revenge is living well. Thanks guys." She shakes her finger at Josef. "You said not to antagonize her, and you jumped right in."

Josef laughs. "I couldn't resist. Now you stay out of her way."

Mick snorts. "I'll be right back."

Beth watches as Mick crosses over to Coraline, who looks pleased when she sees him coming over to her. Coraline glances over at Beth and tries to look smug until she sees the laugh Beth lets out. Mick puts his hand under Coraline's chin, so she can't look anywhere but right into his eyes. After a minute, she jerks her head away and stalks out of the party. Mick ambles back to Josef and Beth.

Beth thinks this is a great party. Tormenting Coraline is great fun. "That went well."

"I explained that if anything, and I mean anything, happened to you she would be at the top of my list. I would be so angry I wouldn't be asking a lot of questions. I would be carrying out judgment, so she is better off not being even in the same city with you. Hopefully she will leave town."

Mick turns to Josef and Beth. "Now I'm taking off. Dropped in to say hi. See you later." And he disappears into the party.

Beth feels a strong mix of emotions coming off Josef and turns to him. "I'm trying." Is all he says.

She moves to his arms. "I know. Let's not do this now or I'm going to start crying and neither of us wants that."

Josef leans in and kisses her neck. "Would you like to dance?"

"Love to."

Josef takes her hand and, instead of going out on the dance floor, he guides her out to the balcony. The music wafts its way out to the balcony. Josef takes her in his arms, and they close their eyes and sway to the music. Beth can feel Josef's breath on her neck and she instinctively moves to kiss him. Before they can progress, farther Josef feels a tap on his shoulder and lets out a growl as he tries to ignore it. "This better be damned important."

Beth looks up at him and smiles. "Back to the real world."

Josef reluctantly lets Beth slip from his embrace but leaves one arm around her waist. When he turns, he sees Cassandra watching them. Cassandra is a beautiful redhead that has always had a thing for Mick. Even with that beautiful mane of red hair, Mick's never been all that interested. "Hi, Josef."

Josef nods at her. "Cassie, I'd like to have you meet Beth. Beth this is Cassie."

Cassie barely gives Beth a glance. "Hi, nice to meet you." Cassie turns back to Josef. "Sorry for interrupting. I thought I saw Mick. Do you know where he went?"

"Cassie he's gone. He dropped by to say hi, and then he left."

"Damn. I always miss him. I hear he's finally adjusting to life as a vampire."

Josef snorts and nods He turns to Beth. "Didn't we have bits and pieces of this same conversation?"

Beth shakes her head. "I have fallen in love with the two most sought-after men in the damn state. At least they seem to be waiting to hit on you until I'm gone from the room, and don't you deny it. I saw that stacked blond propositioning you when she thought I was off to the lady's room."

Josef smirks at her and shrugs. "Not my fault."

Cassie is looking from one to the other. "I'm lost."

Josef sees the look in Beth's eyes and decides he better handle this one. "Cassie, dear, come have a drink with me and I'll explain." Josef moves away with the little redhead in tow. Beth rolls her eyes and goes back to the balcony, wishing Josef would join her again. Beth stands next to the railing watching the stars. She's so deep in thought she doesn't sense the vamp that is standing next to her until he speaks. "Beautiful."

Beth jumps a little. She thinks of how unhappy Josef would be to know that she let a stranger get this close to her without her knowing it. "Yes, it's a very beautiful night." Beth turns to him. She sees a tall, dark haired vamp. Good looking enough but something isn't quite right with the eyes. She looks at him questioningly. "Have we met before Mr.?"

He smiles a very predatory smile. "Castillo. Lorenzo, Castillo, Miss Turner and I wasn't talking about the night." Beth recognizes the name right away and tries not to panic. This is the vampire she was investigating and writing stories on last fall. She had no idea he's a vampire. This is not good. She glances around for Josef but he's not there. Oh, Josef, where are you?

Xxxxxx

Comments are always welcome.