Disclaimer: I do not own Moonlight. I miss it so much that I can't quit writing about it.

Thank you for following me on this story. It is always sad to end a storyline, but I do have other ideas brewing. Thanks for reading.

Chapter 14 Beyond Sonata: Forward

Kira rolled over in Josef's embrace and reached up to brush her fingertips along his cheek.

"I should be very angry with you," she scolded softly and tapped her fingers against his nose. "That was extremely domineering of you."

"You loved every minute of it," Josef chuckled and nipped at her fingers. He slowly stroked his hands down her sides, enjoying the way it made her whole body quiver. It had been a long time since he had made love with Kira and he was amazed at how different she was. It was exciting to discover how much she had changed and he liked it.

Ever since Kira had returned to LA, Josef had tried to ignore the changes his feelings for her had undergone. In doing so he had tried to distract himself and ended up violating several of his rules about freshies. He had let Simone get deeper into his life than he would normally allow a freshie. How many times had he lectured young vamps not to get emotionally involved with their food? Thinking about Simone did make him feel a bit guilty, he liked her and she might make a wonderful vampire. But the truth was, he didn't love her and he had never promised to turn her. And he was eager to explore where this new step with Kira would lead.

"You know, you were right about one thing," Kira whispered as if reading his thoughts. Her green eyes glinted with humor. "I think I may be jealous of Simone."

"You are? And why on earth is that?" Josef said in amusement as his lips went to her throat.

"I have no desire to share you and your bossy attention," Kira sighed, tilting her head back to give him greater access to her neck. She felt his fangs scrape her skin as his lips moved further down her body.

"You have my full attention now baby," he growled against her skin.

Kira buried her fingers in his hair and hooked one leg around him.

"Show me," she demanded huskily.

******

Beth stepped out of the shower humming happily. She was expecting Mick to return at any moment and was hurrying to get ready. After a blissful afternoon, he had left to feed and change, promising to come back and take her out that evening.

As she finished dressing, the phone rang and she was surprised to see Ben Talbot's name on the caller ID. She hoped he wasn't upset that she had called to say she wasn't coming in to work that day.

"Hello Ben. I'm sorry I wasn't in today. When I called they said you were in meetings all day and I figured you wouldn't mind………" Beth said hurriedly.

"No Beth….. that's okay, I didn't need you. You did hear that Emma Monaghan escaped last night didn't you?" he said neutrally.

"Yes Ben. Do you have any leads?" Beth asked curiously.

"No, she just vanished. We can't locate her husband Jackson either. It's like they fell off the earth," Ben said slowly. Beth didn't like the tone of his voice. "By the way, have you seen St. John lately?"

Beth felt a shiver run down her spine. She hadn't expected Ben to take up this line of questioning and she was frightened for Mick. Had they been seen last night? She had to protect him.

"He was with me last night, why?" she answered.

"All night?" Ben's suspicion was clearer now.

"Yes Ben, all night," Beth said keeping her voice cool. "He will be stopping by shortly, is there something he can help you with? I can have him call you."

"No…no, it's okay. Just had a few questions, nothing important," Ben answered tripping over his words. "I'll see you at work tomorrow, okay?"

"Of course Ben," Beth said, feeling pleased she had deflected his suspicions for the moment. She hung up, not completely sure this issue was finished.

A knock on the door startled her out of her thoughts and she hurried to it hoping to find Mick waiting. Her stomach flipped happily at the sight of him standing there, smiling at her.

"Hi handsome," she greeted him.

"Hey Beth. Are you ready to go?" he asked.

"Come in a moment," she invited, motioning him inside. "Ben just called and he sounded very upset about Emma's escape." She shut the door behind them. "He asked if I had seen you lately."

"Oh? What did you tell him?" Mick asked in interest.

"I told him the truth," Beth said innocently. Mick's eyes widened in surprise; confusion flashing in their depths. "I informed Ben that you had spent the night here with me," she finished, batting her eyes at him.

Mick grinned.

"And how did ADA Talbot take that news?"

"It shut him up very quickly," Beth giggled. She slipped her arms around his waist and snuggled close to him. "You don't mind do you?"

"No, I don't mind," Mick chuckled, enveloping her in his arms. Beth tilted her head back and he leaned down to kiss her. The blonde responded happily. "Shall we go to Kira's?"

"Yes, I owe her an apology. I was rather harsh last night," Beth said quietly.

"I'm sure she'll forgive you," Mick soothed her. "Let's go."

******

It was hunger that finally got Kira and Josef out of bed. Wrapped in a green silk robe, Kira poured two glasses of blood from her fridge. A pair of bare, strong arms slid around her from behind and she felt Josef's lips on the back of her neck.

"Here, drink your blood, I've donated enough tonight," Kira laughed as she turned in his embrace. She grinned as she noticed he had pulled on his pants. "Are you shy suddenly?" she teased.

"Heavens no, and you are being a spoilsport," Josef pouted but took the offered glass. He kept one arm hooked around her waist as he drank.

"I should check in downstairs," Kira said finishing her own drink.

"Eli and Thomas can handle anything that comes up," Josef said wiggling his eyebrows suggestively.

"Of course they can," Kira said rolling her eyes. "While I adore spending the night in bed with you my darling, I need to know what is going on in the outside world. I'm worried about Beth."

"Blondie will be fine. Mick will make it all better," Josef insisted. He set his glass down, his free hand going to the sash on her robe. Kira covered his hand with both of hers.

"Josef, I hurt her last night," she said softly, remembering Beth's face as she walked out.

Josef could see how this bothered Kira and it surprised him that he wanted to make her feel better. He kissed her gently on the forehead and hugged her close.

"Call her," he suggested.

"When I check in downstairs. We have all the time in the world to explore this," she promised huskily.

"Indeed we do," Josef agreed.

******

Downstairs they went to Kira's private table with drinks and Kira took out her phone to call Beth. Josef sat next to her, one hand playing along her bare shoulder. He lightly squeezed the back of her neck when he saw the couple enter the club. Kira paused in her dialing to watch Mick and Beth approach the table. There was no mistaking the possessive way Mick's arm was around Beth or the happy glow in the human's eyes. They joined them at the table.

"I'm so glad to see you," Kira sighed happily, setting her phone down. "Things are okay?"

"Someone has gotten over himself," Josef smirked before Beth or Mick could answer. Beth blushed deeply at Josef's words.

Mick was about to chastise Josef for embarrassing Beth when he noticed how Josef's fingers were intimately stroking the curve of Kira's neck. He smiled when he realized that his friend's relationship had altered dramatically.

"Seems like I'm not the only one," he said dryly.

Beth glanced questioningly at Mick and then looked closely at Kira and Josef. She noticed the way the two vampires seemed to have a different attitude with each other. There was a spark there that had not existed before and she smiled in delight at Kira.

"It looks like many things are all right," she observed.

"Indeed," Josef said smugly.

"Talbot called Beth about Emma's escape. He asked if she had seen me lately," Mick informed the other two. "I am not sure he is going to drop the investigation easily."

"Then we plant a false lead," Josef said dismissively. "I'll call Ryder and put him on it."

"Anything I can do to help?" Beth asked.

"Keep those ears open Blondie, we can use any info you pick up from your boss," Josef advised.

"Of course," Beth agreed as Mick held her hand on the table top. He squeezed her fingers lightly.

Eli delivered an opaque glass to Mick and a glass of wine to Beth. He stared in puzzlement at Josef and Kira before going back to the bar.

"Oh I see I need to do a lot of explaining," Kira sighed watching him go back to the bar.

As Eli looked back at them from the bar, Josef drew Kira close and kissed her deeply. When he released her, he grinned at Eli.

"There, I think he understands," Josef chuckled.

"Subtle," Mick groaned as Beth stifled a laugh.

"Thank you Josef, I'm sure I could not have explained it that well," Kira growled. She patted his cheek lightly. "Good thing Eli has an open mind."

"Kira, I'm so sorry about last night," Beth started to explain.

"Beth, it is okay. We were not at our best, please just let it go," Kira said softly.

Beth nodded and a few moments later Eli signaled to Kira that he needed her at the bar. Beth excused herself moments later, knowing Mick and Josef wanted to speak alone.

"Well you certainly didn't frighten her off," Josef observed as Beth walked away.

"I almost lost her," Mick replied seriously.

"So how did you manage to save the day?" Josef inquired.

"I told her I loved her."

"Good for you," Josef approved.

"So Josef, what brought about this change with Kira?" Mick asked changing the subject.

Josef looked at Kira talking to Eli and Thomas at the bar.

"My eyes have been opened to a whole new Kira," he said warmly.

Mick nodded. "I'm glad you see the change. Now don't hurt her," he warned.

"I have no intention of hurting her," Josef protested. "She is too valuable to me."

"I am pleased you recognize that," Mick agreed solemnly.

Across the room, Beth stopped beside Kira.

"You look happy. I knew there was more to Josef's feelings than what you said," Beth teased gently.

"Old flames can be rekindled," Kira confirmed. "And I am happy for you and Mick, that you have opened yourselves to the possibilities."

Beth practically glowed as she looked over at Mick.

"You were right…… it was amazing. I love him so much," she said softly.

Kira hugged her.

"Hold on to that. Love is too precious to throw away," she told her. "Let's go back to the guys. I am not wasting any more time with Josef."

"Yes, time is precious too," Beth replied thoughtfully. She was too aware of how time wasn't on her side when she was involved with vampires. But she was not going to miss this opportunity with Mick.

End story.

Thank you for reading. You have helped make my experiment with placing Kira into the final episodes so much fun. I have ideas of how to continue these characters and I will have to see how it works out in my head. I have another Moonlight universe to return to and unfinished business to write there so I hope you will continue to read. Thanks again.