Disclaimer: I do not own Moonlight. But I do intend to play with their characters whenever I feel like it.

I apologize for how long it took to post this chapter. This was the hardest chapter I have ever written. I believe I found it difficult to let go of this story, after all it's been in my head since June. But now it is finished and I hope you enjoy it. Thank you to all who have supported me by reading and reviewing. I appreciate all of you.

Chapter 36

Once they got inside the house, they found Granny and Robert talking to Teresa and Shani. Granny took one look at the flat metal box in Josef's hands and hissed. She stalked over to Josef with an angry glint in her eyes.

"You won't listen to me," she stated tersely.

"No, not in this matter," Josef said tightly. "I will not be unprepared again."

"Destroy it Josef. It's too dangerous," Granny warned. The others stepped back to give them space. Savannah slid behind Tyson wanting no part in a vampire fight. Rayna handed Josef's egg to Beth and went to the pair. She touched each one's arm.

"Please don't fight," she pleaded.

"I saw what he did to you and Beth," Josef said, his eyes hot with the memory. "I will not trust that no one else knows about these drugs. Moriah, are you going to track down every vamp that escaped tonight?" he growled at Granny.

She reached out and touched the box gingerly, as if it were made of silver.

"This is poison Josef," she said slowly. "I cannot promise we will find them all and I do not know if one of White's men has the information. But this needs to be destroyed." Granny tapped the box with one finger.

Josef's angry look softened.

"Moriah," he said quietly. "I swear this will be studied, not used. I will not use them against other vampires. But I will learn how to protect us from them."

"He means it Granny," Rayna assured her. "I promise that it will not be misused."

Granny closed her eyes and stood silent, as if listening to an inner voice. When she looked back at Josef, her anger was gone.

"I trust your motives Josef. But I hate the existence of these drugs."

"I understand," Josef replied. "I hate them too."

"So, what is the plan for this place?" Tyson broke in, wanting the subject to change.

"Teresa and Shani suggest we blow the lab and make it look like an experiment went wrong," Robert answered.

"Well, I have some of the drugs Rafael was moving through Vega," Tyson said indicating the box he had set on the table. "Having it here will help the police make the link."

"I think Vega's body should be found in the house as well," Savannah spoke up. "You will clear the house of any paperwork concerning vampires?"

"We do a thorough search of the house," Teresa said stiffly. "It was fortunate that Robert only staked Max. He will help us clean the premises."

"Well, I'd leave out any account books on the drug deals if Maurico has them," Savannah added.

Granny smiled and Robert beamed. Teresa gave Savannah a grudging nod of approval. She did like how the human used her brain.

"What about the art work?" Beth asked holding the egg.

"The Ming vase and the Monet will be returned to their rightful owners through us," Granny told her. "Since Martindale had his reported to the humans, we will let them return his and take care of the rest."

"Hey, Teresa, Darnell Rourke's body and head are in the warehouse. I think it would be a good idea if he blows up with the lab," Tyson suggested.

"Sure. We know what to do. I suggest you get out of here so we can do our work," Teresa said suddenly becoming very business-like. "Det. Lowe, I hope you understand that none of this can be written into any police report. Our secrecy is vital and we will protect it."

Savannah lifted her chin and met the woman in black leather's gaze levelly.

"I have no desire to tell others your secret. First, no one would believe me and second, I gave Tyson my promise that I'd say nothing. I don't break my promises," Savannah said firmly.

Teresa nodded curtly and headed out to check her crew.

"She'll thaw with time," Shani said with a wink. She looked at Tyson. "You need to bring Scott up to speed brother," she added and hurried after Teresa.

"Scott? Did she… is Dr. Barlow…is he one too?" Savannah stammered.

"Just one big happy family," Tyson grinned.

"What happened to Towne?" Mick asked.

"He high-tailed it out of here when we confronted Rafael," Robert answered. "I wouldn't be surprised if there is no trace of him in New Orleans by sunset tomorrow."

"So how do we get back to the city?" Mick asked remembering that Towne's truck was no longer out front.

"I called my men. Transportation is on its way," Robert replied.

They went out on the veranda to wait for their ride.

It was two hours past sunset the next night when they gathered in Tyson's apartment. The Big Easy looked untouched by the previous night's events as life went on in the French Quarter. Charity poured a glass of white wine and handed it to Savannah. The minute she had gotten the "all clear" from Tyson, Charity had headed home. Los Angeles had been nice but she had to see with her own eyes that those she held dear were okay. Now she watched Savannah cross the room to join Tyson, who couldn't take his eyes off her.

"She's pretty remarkable you know," Rayna said from beside her.

"So Tyson tells me," Charity answered with a sigh. "I want to hate her but I can't. I've always known that this day would come."

Rayna slid an arm around Charity's shoulders and hugged her close.

"And therein lies the problems of human/vampire relations. Tyson would rather stake himself than hurt you, but he can't help how he feels about her," Rayna said gently.

"I want his happiness, I really do," Charity murmured.

"Of course you do," Rayna comforted. "Anthony said he enjoyed your visit."

"He is one sweet man. Too bad LA is so far away," Charity went over to the window.

Rayna smiled as a thought sparked in the back of her mind.

"No matchmaking," Josef whispered in her ear.

"I'm just thinking that Anthony could use a vacation," Rayna said and flashed him an innocent smile.

Josef chuckled and kissed her quickly. He drew her away.

Mick, Beth and Robert were watching a news report on the explosion and murders in a rural compound. Speculation was that an internal struggled had turned bloody and the main suspect in Edward Rossier's death had been found dead in the house. Mick nodded in satisfaction, pleased that everything had played out as planned.

"Granny approached Josef and Rayna. She took both of Josef's hands in hers.

"My dear, I apologize for our conflict. I do see the wisdom in being prepared. Just take care who sees those journals. White was a dangerous vampire and his work cannot fall into the wrong hands," she said seriously. Josef leaned in and kissed each of her cheeks.

"Moriah, I swear no one will acquire it from me," he promised.

"You are a good boy," Granny laughed. "I will miss you. Take care not to become a stranger."

"Now that I know where you are, I promise we'll be back."

"I'll hold him to that," Rayna said happily.

"Will there be a Farewell for Edward?" Beth asked. Savannah listened with interest.

"Yes, but we will wait for things to settle," Granny said. "We will remember Rafael as well."

"After what he did?" Beth exclaimed.

"He will not be honored. He will be held up as an example of what the community will not tolerate," Granny said with a hard edge.

Beth was pleased with her answer.

Savannah observed this silently, finding assurance in what she heard. All her life she had trusted her gut. It made her a good cop and now it told her that she didn't need to fear these vampires. They had honor and what happened had been for the good of the human community as well as the vampire.

Tyson's hand rested possessively on her shoulder. She looked up at him out of the corner of her eye. A smile broke across her face before she could stop it.

"What is so amusing?" Tyson asked.

"Me. I don't fully understand how I got to this night but for some reason it's not all that strange. Vampires exist and I'm accepting it without a struggle. Were we fated?" she whispered, looking up at him.

"The cards say you were," Granny said coming up to the couple. Savannah leaned back a little, still intimidated by the woman. "Savannah child, you show great strength. You will be good for my boy."

"Thank you," Savannah murmured, one thing still concerning her. "Don't I worry you ma'm?"

"No child," Granny chuckled. "The cards say I can trust you and I don't question the cards. They don't lie."

Savannah understood her. In Baton Rouge a great many trusted in those who read cards. She didn't doubt that Tyson's mentor believed what she said. Tyson circled his arms around her waist from behind. He liked how she fit in his hold.

"Don't let him convince you it's his irresistible charm, his ego is big enough all ready," Rayna called over to her.

"I love you Rayna but it is good you are going back to LA. I can see you would be a bad influence on Savannah," Tyson retorted.

Savannah giggled at the almost sibling teasing.

"Keep him on his toes Savannah," Rayna advised her as she accepted a glass of blood from Josef. She raised the glass in a salute.

Beth joined Savannah as Tyson excused himself to talk to Charity. Beth handed her a card.

"Here's my cell number. When all this settles in, you will have questions and Tyson won't be able to answer them all. I have been where you are and I will be happy to talk to you about it," Beth told her.

Savannah hugged her impulsively.

"Thanks Beth, that means a lot."

"Our worlds can combine," Beth said with a grin. "And you can always talk to Charity. She's lived in Tyson's world for a long time."

Savannah looked at Charity, who was talking to Mick and Tyson.

"She guards him, doesn't she?" she asked softly.

"Yes, she does," Beth agreed. "She cares for him but she also sees that you are important to him. Make her your friend."

"This is complicated," Savannah sighed.

"Indeed."

"Are you happy with the choice you made?" Savannah said, blushing in embarrassment.

"Yes," Beth said quickly. "It took time to make it but I'm happy. It is not easy to decide how far you wish to step into our world."

"You know, Beth is an impressive fledgling," Tyson said to Mick as they watched the two women.

"She constantly amazes me. Beth made me face what I am and accept it. I owe her everything," Mick said in a low voice. His love for Beth was clear in every word. "Thanks for showing us your city."

"Hey come back for Mardi Gras. I promise it will be more fun and less drama," Tyson laughed.

"Let us show you our city under better circumstances," Charity added.

"I'll keep it in mind," Mick answered smiling at both of them.

Tyson went over and drew Savannah aside. He took her face in his hands and kissed her gently. He wanted to feel for a woman like Mick did about Beth. He thought Savannah could be that woman. He kissed her again.

"I think that's our cue to leave," Josef announced. "We are cramping Tyson's style. Come visit us in Los Angeles Tyson, I'm sure we can dig up some excitement."

In a flurry of hugs, kisses and handshakes, the goodbyes were said. Promises of future visits were exchanged. Granny, Robert and Charity left with the foursome. As the door closed Tyson swept Savannah into his arms. He stared into her deep brown eyes, the gold flecks glowing back at him.

"Now where were we?" he grinned as he leaned in to capture her mouth.

End Story.

So here is my final review request. Let me know your thoughts. Thanks for reading. And good news, if you haven't heard, Moonlight reruns will be shown on Scifi channel starting Jan.23, 2009 at 9EST/8Central. It may only be reruns but it will make my Fridays perfect again. Tune in and help Scifi beat CBS in the time slot.