You Promised Forever XXIX

Disclaimer: I do not own Moonlight. I have always enjoyed playing with the characters, even after this long of a time.

We have now reached the final chapter. Thank you for taking this journey with me, I have loved hearing your comments along the way.

Chapter 29

"Mick!" Coraline called out in surprise as Carl and his men rushed inside to round up Santiago's men. She dropped her gun and ran to Mick who was on his knees, slumped forward, his head bent towards the floor. "You can't be hurt," she said in alarm as she went to her knees beside him.

Mick looked up at her as a few shots were fired in the background and let a lopsided grin spread over his face.

"I had forgotten that even with a vest the impact hurts like hell," he chuckled. He checked to make sure that no humans were closing in on them just yet.

"Vest?" Coraline said in bewilderment. "What are you talking about?"

Mick unbuttoned his shirt, exposing a lightweight version of a Kevlar vest that he was wearing under his shirt and coat.

"Carl suggested I wear this when I was getting wired. It made sense and now I don't have to explain why I'm not dead," Mick told her.

The reality of the situation they had been in finally registered with Coraline. She would never have been in danger of dying if shot but it would have been difficult to explain her still being alive to the humans if Santiago's bullet had landed in her.

"You wore it to protect me," she said softly. "You do care."

"I care about protecting our secret, now you do the same," he warned in a low voice as Carl approached them.

"Sure glad I suggested the vest. Good job you two, we've got enough to put this group away," Carl said in pleasure as he extended a hand to help Mick to his feet. Mick was fully recovered but to keep up appearances he allowed Carl to help pull him to his feet. "I just heard that the raid on Santiago's house has yielded a goldmine."

"Thanks, that's great news," Mick smiled.

Coraline got to her feet, her expression a bit peeved as she considered the news about Santiago's house being raided. Mick must have known about that plan and that's why he didn't want her to leave with Javier. He hadn't shared all the information with her…he still didn't trust her.

Carl mistook her annoyed expression for being shook up and reached out to touch her shoulder.

"Are you okay Ms. Duvall? I know you're shook up but it's okay. The shooting is self-defense, you won't be in trouble," he assured her.

"I….I'm fine," Coraline responded and looked at Carl with eyes beginning to brim with tears. "I didn't know Mick was wearing a vest, I was frightened. I just fired the gun without thinking."

"You were lucky," Mick said, wondering what Coraline was up to now. "Carl, I should get Coraline back to Cynthia so she can take her home. You didn't need us anymore, do you?"

"No, go home. We'll talk tomorrow and take your official statements. Come in by ten, okay?" Carl said.

"Sounds good," Mick agreed and took Coraline's arm to lead her out of the warehouse.

Outside the building, Mick released her and she quickly whirled around to take his face in her hands and kissed him soundly. Mick angrily pulled back as he pushed her away. Stumbling backwards, Coraline stared at him in shock.

"Enough Coraline! What do you think you are doing?" Mick snarled.

"I'm thanking you for taking care of me. You still care…you lied to me and didn't share the whole plan but I know that was to protect me," she hurriedly explained.

"I did what I had to do. I don't trust you and that is why I didn't share the whole plan. As it was you didn't do as you were told. I wasn't doing it for you and I don't love you. I want this over," Mick said heatedly. "Be at Carl's office at ten tomorrow, I will not cover for you. I'm going to find Beth and take her home," he declared and headed for the diner.

Coraline followed, hot on his heels, his rejection burning in her soul. She caught his arm just across the street from the parking lot.

"Mick….please, don't be angry," she pleaded. "I'm sorry, I just can't lose you my love. I can't help it."

Mick looked at her coldly and removed her hand from his sleeve.

"You have to learn to accept it. I'm finished with you. I'm tired of your lies, your games and your total disregard for my feelings. You don't love me, you only love yourself. I want you gone Coraline and you have to accept that because that's the truth," he said stiffly.

She stared at him, tears brimming in her eyes. Her mind worked furiously, trying to figure out how to turn this mess to her advantage. She had never seen Mick so unfeeling before. Their fights so often had sparked passion but he had withdrawn from her. Coraline had no idea how to fight his icy anger.

"I'm sorry," she whispered.

"So am I. We didn't need to part angry but you forced this. Goodbye," Mick responded and crossed the street. Beth has seen him coming and left the car to run to meet him. They met halfway and Mick swept her up in his arms. Swinging her around, he kissed her deeply.

"I'm so relieved you are okay," Beth breathed when their lips parted. "We heard shots fired."

"I told you I would be okay," Mick answered as he set her on her feet.

"What's this?" Beth questioned as she tapped the vest that was still visible under his open shirt.

"A Kevlar vest that Carl suggested and it proved to be a very wise decision," Mick replied. "Of course now I have a hole in my coat and shirt that needs repair."

"You were shot?" Beth squeaked in concern.

"I was but the vest worked. The only damage is to my clothing. It saves me from a lot of questions. Our secret is safe," Mick assured her.

Beth's smile lit her face and she flung herself into his arms once more.

"You are so smart. Is it really over?" she asked with a sigh.

"It is," Mick promised, holding her close. "Santiago is dead and HEM is going down. He can't hurt you anymore."

"Or you," Beth said burrowing her face into his vest clad chest.

Josef and Kira strolled up to the couple, waiting for Mick and Beth to finish their private moment. Meanwhile Cynthia had rushed to Coraline's said as she stood forlornly on the other side of the street.

"He told me to go away Cyn. He rejected me," Coraline cried as Cynthia hugged her.

"Forget him, he's not worth it. He isn't worthy of you," Cynthia said. "Let's go home." She put an arm around Cora's waist and directed her towards their car.

"Nicely played Mick," Josef grinned as they joined the couple. "You might have mentioned the vest to Beth before you walked into the warehouse."

"I didn't want Coraline to know. I didn't trust her and her actions proved she wasn't trustworthy. If she knew I was wearing a vest she might have been even more careless," Mick said in irritation. He looked at where Cynthia and Coraline had reached the vehicle and were getting in. He shook his head in regret. "It's done now. I told her that I want her gone."

"If only she listens," Kira murmured.

"It doesn't matter. I've said all I can and now I want to go home. Beth is tired and so am I. Thanks for staying and supporting her tonight," Mick told the pair sincerely.

"Once she stopped doing laps around your car, things were fine," Josef quipped.

"Josef has issues with human emotions," Beth said as she clung to Mick.

"Yes, he does," Mick chuckled as he hugged her. "I really do appreciate you waiting with Beth. Thank you."

"It was our pleasure," Kira spoke up. "We were happy to wait with Beth and very happy we didn't have to come to your rescue."

"Oh yes, I am very relieved I didn't have to get my hands dirty," Josef replied with a shrug.

"Thanks for the concern," Mick said dryly. "You are a true friend."

"Mick, his ego is inflated enough," Kira laughed as she slipped an arm around Josef's waist. "Come on my sire, I have a bottle of my best scotch waiting at my place. Why don't you and I have a party of our own?"

"You've become quite bossy," Josef observed as he put an arm around her shoulders. "Of course I love you so you are forgiven."

"I'm forgiven, am I?" Kira said in amusement. "Oh Josef, you are so lucky that I know you as well as I do or you'd be calling a cab and going to your house….alone."

"I love how you tease my pet," Josef grinned.

"Oh…..come on, let's go," Kira sighed. "Mick, take Beth home. You two need some alone time. Come Josef, you can play boss at the club," she said with a twinkle in her eye.

"We can take turns," Josef said with a wicked smile. "Go on Mick…..take Blondie home."

"Yes sir," Mick chuckled and nudged Beth forward. "Come on Beth."

They followed Josef and Kira back to the cars and bid each other good night once more. When Mick and Beth reached the loft, Mick insisted they head straight upstairs to bed. He explained it was late and Beth was tired but he also needed to wash away all memory of Coraline's touch and kiss from his memory. He needed to lose himself in Beth's arms and honesty. After the meeting with Carl in the morning, he never wanted to see his ex-wife again.

Later, Beth held Mick with his head resting on her chest, her fingers stroking his hair. She knew without asking that Coraline had pushed every button she could tonight. Beth wished desperately that she could give him some peace.

"I'm going with you to see Carl tomorrow morning," she murmured as her fingers ran through his hair.

Mick smiled and pushed himself up to look down at her.

I should have seen that coming," he said. "Then you need to get some sleep and I need freezer time. Carl said to be there at ten."

"Okay, go to your freezer. Tomorrow we present a united front to Coraline. She will see that you've move on. Now go get some sleep. First one up wakes the other," she said pulling him down for a kiss.

Reluctantly Mick left her and went to his freezer.

They arrived the next morning at Carl's office several minutes before Cynthia and Coraline did. Carl insisted on speaking to Mick and Coraline in private since Ben Talbot was there to sit in on the statements. Beth and Cynthia settled in a couple of chairs to wait.

Cynthia watched Beth carefully for a few moments and then leaned forward.

"You surprised me Beth, I've never seen anyone speak to Josef like you did," she finally spoke.

"I'm not afraid of Josef, he is a friend. He wouldn't hurt me. You may think you're special but you're only different…..not better," Beth replied.

Cynthia shook her head in amazement.

"I told Coraline to forget Mick….he is a lost cause. We have been summoned home by Lance, we will leave tonight."

"That is probably for the best," Beth agreed. "Mick has tried all he can to make her understand and she chooses to ignore him. It is better she just goes far away."

"I happen to agree," Cynthia nodded. She doubted Coraline would let go just yet but going back to France would help.

In the conference room, Carl and Ben questioned Mick and Coraline, took their official statements and thanked them for the help in taking down HEM and Santiago. Carl had to go question some of the men arrested the night before and file the reports. Ben lingered a moment.

During the statements, Ben had studied Coraline, guessing she was a vampire also. Her name was not on the list but since the creatures used many names that was not an issue. As a prosecutor, Ben was used to reading people and he sensed there was more of a connection between St. John and this woman than just a former lover. He hadn't checked too deeply into St. John's past before because it might make working with Beth even more awkward but it seemed he needed to talk with Charles soon. He needed to know more about the PI's history.

"Thank you for the help," he told the pair.

"Anything to protect Beth," Mick said seriously. "HEM needed to be shut down."

"I just wanted to help," Coraline said demurely. She found the ADA very handsome and she could have such fun if her family would let her stay. LA could provide interesting entertainment while she searched for a way to win Mick back. It was just a matter of time.

"You did fine. Mick explained you have to return to your family because of an emergency. There is no reason for you to stay in Los Angeles, the shooting was clearly self-defense," Ben assured her.

"Thank you Mr. Talbot," Coraline said with a smile.

"I will talk to you later Mick. Goodbye Ms. Duvall," Ben said and left the room. On his way out he paused to speak briefly to Beth.

In the conference room, Coraline turned on Mick as soon as Ben left. Anger sparked in her eyes.

"Why did you tell him I had to leave town," she hissed.

"Because you do. I know Lance has ordered you home, he called Josef and insisted he make sure you leave tonight," Mick said firmly.

"And you support this? You think they are right to control my life? You won't defend me?" she asked angrily.

"I don't care what they do Coraline. I'm done with you, I'm done talking to you. How many times must I say it?" Mick asked wearily.

"I hate you," Coraline growled and stalked out of the room. Ignoring Beth, she told Cynthia that they were leaving.

"I only wish that were true," Mick said to empty air and then he exited the room. Beth rose to meet him as he moved toward her.

"All done?"

"We are," Mick nodded and put an arm around her shoulders. "Let's go home."

"Sounds perfect. Ben did stop by to say he expects me back at work tomorrow now that the danger is past. I guess I am back on daylight hours," she said with a sigh.

"So life returns to normal," Mick chuckled as they headed out of the building. "I think we can handle that together."

"I agree," Beth said happily.

End story.

There you have it, another story finished. Thank you for reading. I hope you enjoyed it.