Unlucky - Chapter 1 PG

[jen]

This is the first chapter of this month's challenge. Please forgive any typos. I seem to be incapable of catching my errors. Initially, I forgot to credit a kind and brilliant lady around here, one of our fabulous Mods, Llbrarian7 or Lucky, as we call her. She agreed to look over the story and make some suggestions. If the story is not terrible, thank Lucky. If I wasn't able to salvage it, that's my own fault.

Disclaimer - I don't own Moonlight and am writing strictly for the enjoyment of writing and for the enjoyment of others. Moonlight and the characters therein are owned by others.

Beth won't play a large role in this story except to be missed.

Unlucky - Chapter 1

Long ago, Josef decided it was better to be comfortably wealthy than chased by a torch bearing mob, not knowing where the next blood was coming from.

His richly paneled office, filled with cherished momentos of a life well lived, brought him no comfort tonight. Sitting forward slowly, he placed his cell face up on his expansive desk and processed the conversation with his friend.

Damn. Mick found out about it. Even worse, Coraline gave it to him! He probably thinks she gave him what he always wanted, but it’s going to be a nightmare! He told himself Mick probably would have found out another way, but hoped he could have bought enough time for his young friend to get past what he considered, 'his irrational affection for all things human.' That was a moot point now. It all comes back to having resources, he thought. Direct the best resources you have at your disposal to the problem at hand…

An hour later, Allyn Cutler sat in his office mentally working through her assignment.

“There must be something I’m missing here. Vampires see, hear and smell things I’m not aware of-- my senses aren’t keen enough. Your sense of taste went ‘wonky’ when you were Turned-“

“I beg your pardon. ‘Wonky?’”

“-and I’m not clear on touch. You’re faster and stronger and heal almost instantly. Those are the biggies, right?”

“Right.”

“Mick was human for thirty years before he became a vampire. He understands human senses. He had human senses. So, why does he need a babysitter now?”

“Because he’s been reacting with vampire senses for over a half century. The job of a private investigator isn’t especially hazardous for a vampire, but for a human it can be damned near suicidal, especially the way Mick does it. He’s been shot, knifed, beaten up, thrown out of speeding cars, and who-knows-what-else over the years--no big deal when you heal in seconds, but if he steps in front of a bullet while he’s on this-”

“I see. You're afraid he’ll forget for a moment how fragile he is and do something he can’t heal from.”

“That’s it in a nutshell, Sweetheart--well, also that the world has changed a bit over the last fifty five years and he needs a guide.”

“Uh-huh.“ she said thoughtfully. “Last night, I saw a news report about the murder of Assistant District Attorney Josh Lindsey. Isn’t that the man Beth was involved with?”

“She and Mick were with him when Josh was shot. Mick tried to save him and when he couldn’t, Beth begged him to Turn her boyfriend.”

“Mick would never do that.”

“-and she’s angry because of it.”

“She’s in pain and lashing out, but she doesn’t mean it.”

“That may be true, but acknowledging that doesn’t make it any easier on Mick.”

“We should talk to her. See if there’s anything she needs.”

“May be polite, but my main concern here is Mick.”

“I know, but Mick’s very wrapped up in her life. We help Beth, we help Mick indirectly. Think about it, Josef--he wants to share this time with her. He may be my friend, but he loves Beth.”

“You’re right, but she isn’t around right now. I don’t want him to go through this alone, Allyn.”

“Everybody likes Mick. If you’d let me tell the others-”

“No. This has to stay secret, Babe. Mick has enemies who’d exploit his current weaknesses in a heartbeat (pardon the pun).”

“All right. How far do you want me to take this?” she asked. She knew of Josef‘s fondness for the vampire private investigator.

“Not that far.” he answered with a gentle smile. “Grocery store, drug store, all those trivial human things that I have no interest in--unless of course you do them.”

She nodded. “Two final questions.”

"Shoot.”

“How did you find out about his current condition and why did you choose me for this job?”

“Those are easy. Mick called me himself with the details. I picked you because you were the only freshie presently in house who wasn’t on rotation, and also because you’re bright, resourceful and good with people.”

“Riiight. Can I ask him for a favor while I’m doing this? I’ve wanted to for quite some time and it never seemed to be the right time.”

“You want him to check out what Eric’s into?”

“Yes. Would that be okay?”

“I think so. Checking out a little brother's walk on the wild side doesn't sound particularly hazardous.”

“I’ll pick up a few things at the drug store and start in the morning.”

“Perfect.”

“I’m curious about how his vampire friends will react.” she said softly, thinking out loud.

“I hope they aren’t going to find out.”

*************

The early morning sun was throwing shafts of light across the room when Mick opened his eyes. He felt pleasantly drowsy--wondered if he’d fallen asleep on his sofa and dreamed about the cure, getting beaten up, Coraline sacrificing herself to save him, and eating food. Although he rarely fell asleep outside a freezer, it did happen from time to time. Gazing sleepily at his battered reflection in the mirror, he put his finger into an open cut and things slipped quickly into focus.

Still human. It had been real!

Human memories were rich, multilayered things carrying more than the event but often also contained the emotional context in which hey were formed. Sometimes dim and insubstantial and sometimes vivid and visceral, they contrasted sharply with the clarity and intensity of vampire memories that more often lacked that emotional subtest.

He wondered how much of the memories forged as a vampire he’d retain while human, and was surprised that they were all still there with the same detail. He wondered briefly if his memories of humanity had been subject to the inevitable filter that screens out or reduces unpleasantness.

Memories of a conversation from a decade past proved very useful today. A former client and professional wrestler, Ted Evans, mentioned a small gym whose owner worked miracles on the aches, pains, and stiffness that followed a thorough beating. The near total recall he had as a vampire ensured the conversation was fresh in his mind. L.A. was dotted with gleaming, modern fitness centers and he wondered if the small operation he sought was still around, but found it at the same address Ted had given him--an old brick structure, painted brown with a sign in front reading ‘Boxing Gym.’

Once inside, he wondered if he'd stepped onto the set of a boxing film--there was a raised, roped off, regulation sized ring and separate exercise areas with medicine balls, punching bags and various other exercise machines. His human senses detected a mixture of smells--sweat, rubbing alchohol, and oils for the gloves and leather punching bags.

“Can I see Otto?” he asked the stocky man in his sixties sitting behind the desk near the door.

“That would be me. What can I do for you?”

“I’m Mick St. John. I was once told that you were the best person to see when…”

“…you got the shit beat out of you. Yeah. If you’re a fighter I’d recommend another line of work.” he eyed the cuts and bruises on mick's face.

Mick chuckled. “I’m a private investigator. Ted Evans used to be a client of mine and he recommended you. I guess I’ve been fortunate in my job as this is the first time I’ve taken a beating like this.”

“Stu, work up a standard contract for Mick. You’re going to need to spend some time in the whirlpool soaking the kinks out and getting your muscles to relax. Then, we do a massage after which you’ll spend some time in the sauna. Drink lots of water so you’ll really sweat. When you leave here in a couple of hours, you’ll feel like a new man.”

Almost three hours later, he got out of the elevator, headed to the door of his loft and was shocked to find a visitor waiting for him and he hadn’t smelled anything!

“Allyn? Is everything all right?”

“Fine. Josef asked me to check on how you‘re dealing with your new condition?”

“A lot better now. I looked up the owner of a gym. Let me get the door open.” Juggling two sacks of groceries, he fished out his electronic key. “I’m surprised Josef told anyone. He insisted on total secrecy last night.”

“You know Josef,” said Allyn, following him inside, “he wanted me to remind you not to tell anyone and recommends you avoid vampires altogether while like this. He’s worried they’ll be able to smell your condition and exploit the temporary weaknesses. I went by a drug store and picked up what every vampire needs in their medicine chest while on the cure.”

Mick took a six pack of soda out of a sack and started to put it away.

“I’d put that in the ‘fridge,” she suggested, “it tastes better cold. I didn’t know Mountain Dew was around in the fifties.”

“It wasn’t but it’s Beth’s favorite. Hopefully, she’ll stop by at some point and I want to be prepared.”

“I don’t mean to pry, but can I see what else you bought?”

“Sure.” he stepped back and she unpacked the first sack.

She smiled. “Okay, we have fresh squeezed orange juice--an excellent brand, by the way; ice cream--and you got rocky road, another good choice; no fresh fruit or vegetables--points off there, a package of hot dogs, buns, some mustard, dingdongs and three cans of chili--that wipes out your credits. At least you didn’t get a six pack of beer, a bag of pretzels, and potato chips.”

He grinned. “They’re in the other sack. I know disapproving look. My Mom used it a lot but you’re too pretty to pull it off.”

“Uh huh. Look at you pulling out the flattery! You have spent a lot of time around Josef.”

“Guilty.”

“If I was in your place, I’d probably do the same.” she said, “Let’s go over the items I brought.”

They sat down at the table and she started to unpack one of her sacks. “Judging from your food choices and all the takeout containers lying around, we should probably start here with the antacids, this pink stuff doesn’t taste great, but it’s not terrible either and will settle an upset stomach fast. This is Immodium- “

He laughed. “Cut me some slack, will you? I was a medic during World War II. I know the basics. I did a little bit of internet research and have been watching TV for decades. Thanks for the update, though.”

“My pleasure. There is something I’ve been meaning to ask you about for some time.“ She looked up through thick eyelashes. “It’s P.I. business. We can wait until later, if you want.“

“That’s okay. I owe you a favor for bringing me all this stuff. What‘s the problem?”

“My younger brother Eric just turned eighteen and has had some brushes with police. I’ve tried to ask him about them, but he won’t talk to me. Our folks are divorced, Mom’s away and he’s living with her sister over on the West side L.A. Truthfully, he feels abandoned and if I was in his position, I would too. It’s a long story and you probably don’t want to hear it. My folks both moved on to start new lives. It wasn't so bad for me as I was in college, but Eric was only fourteen. There’s a new gang active in that area where he’s living and I’m afraid they’ve become his new family. I’d like to find out what he is into and hopefully get him away from there before he does something to mess up his future.”

“Okay. I’ll do some checking on the net, make a couple of calls.”

“Thank you. I didn’t know what to do. He’s so angry.”

“His name’s Cutler? Same as yours?”

She nodded. “I have a picture of him in my wallet.” she took it out and handed it to him. “it’s a few years old.”

“If I need to talk to you later, you’ll be at Josef’s house?”

“Not a good idea for you to go there--too many vampires. Just call me.” she passed him a card. “and I can be here in a half hour.”

“If charges were filed when he was a juvenile, those records are probably sealed.”

Allyn nodded, understanding. “Have you seen Beth?”

“When I stopped at the D.A.‘s office yesterday to sign my statement, she was there--told me she needed space. Then, she stopped by to talk early last night, leaving when Coraline showed up. Less than an hour later, I was human.”

“Don’t you think she’s confused with all she’s been through and needs to process it?”

Mick nodded. “You can’t understand how much it hurts to lose someone you love unless you’ve experienced it. I wish she’d let me be there for her.”

“You’re both dealing with major life altering events. Let her work through the end of Beth and Josh. She’ll be ready for Beth and Mick soon.”

“Am I really that transparent?” he asked, smiling faintly.

“Totally.” Allyn said. “This is a surgical scrub. You probably remember stuff you put on cuts and scrapes that stung. This kills the germs and doesn’t hurt as much. This is an antibiotic salve for cuts and scratches. First you wash the cut with the surgical soap and rinse it, then you put this on.” She eyed his face critically. “I’ll get you another couple of tubes and more band aids.”

The conversation continued as item by item, they discussed common household medical products.

Mick picked up a bottle of a popular over the counter medication. “I did some research on analgesics on the internet last night and talked to the owner of a gym about them earlier today. He said to avoid them.”

“A purist. These belong to a category of drugs that have side effects if taken over long periods of time, but it’s my understanding this cure is temporary. Once you become a vampire again, any residue of the drugs will be purged so I don’t think there is any reason to be in pain when you don’t have to be.”

Mick nodded. “Makes sense. Give me two of whatever is strongest. My ribs took a bad beating and while I got the works at the gym earlier, I was told the pain would come back.”

Allyn got him some water, handed him the pills and left to run another errand.

*******************

Just as he expected, the internet searches didn’t reveal anything, so his next step was to call Carl Davis.

“Mick. I think I know where this is going to ask but I can’t give you any details about an ongoing investigation.”

“Relax, Carl. I get it. I wasn’t going to ask anything about either Tejada or the investigation into Josh‘s death. I would have come down but I don‘t want to run into Beth again. She‘s hurting and angry with me for not being able to save Josh.”

“I saw the paramedic’s report Mick, there was nothing you could have done. From what they said, the steps you took bought Josh a few extra minutes so he and Beth could say goodbye.”

“I wish Beth saw it that way.”

“She will. It’s going to take some time.” Carl said. “So what can I do for you?”

“Eric Cutler, just turned eighteen, had some run-ins with LAPD. His sister wants to know what he’s into but he won’t talk to her, so she asked me to look into it.”

“I’ll see what I can find out but you know juvenile records-.”

“-are sealed. Yeah, but she used the phrase, ’brushes with police’ so I thought things may be more accessible.”

“I’ll let you know. You holding up okay?”

“Yes. You?”

“We’re still in shock around here. The mayor‘s office is talking about bringing in a replacement?”

“So soon? That’s cold.”

“We thought so, too, but there's a lot of work. We can handle things for a while, but there will be a new face in that office quickly. Maybe more quickly that will be comfortable for us or them.”

“Carl, I’m sorry the lead from Bustos didn’t pan out.“

“You don’t have anything to apologize for, Mick. He played you just like he played us.“

When Mick terminated the call, he didn‘t expect to hear from Carl until late that afternoon or the next day, but his telephone rang within minutes.

“One of my contacts at the school district office said your man dropped out of high school last year. A new gang has moved in to fill the vacuum created when we cleaned out the area. So we start again. I just got off the phone with a friend on that task force. Eric’s mostly into drugs, but investigators think he’s also involved in assaults on some residents. ‘Brushes’ is the right word--but brushes like these never stop there. Don’t take this gang on by yourself, Mick. This is escalating and somebody will wind up dead soon. Beth doesn’t need to lose any more people she cares about.”

“Thanks for the warning, Carl. I’ll be careful.”

…to be continued.

[darkstarrising]

Oooh this is an interesting story, Jen. Josef is trying to take care of Mick, knowing Mick might forget he's not a vampire and get into trouble he can't handle....yet the freshie he sends over to 'help' Mick might just end up getting him in the very trouble he's supposed to avoid.

And just how much trouble can an ex-vampire get into in six days?

Looking forward to the second chapter

[jen]

Karen

Thank you for reading!

I don't think Mick will totally forget that he's on the cure, but he could rely on speed, strength and healing abilities that he doesn't have when on the cure and it was never really clearly answered if he would die or revert to being a vampire (or it wasn't clear to me).

I have the next chapter ready (kind of) but will probably do a few more read throughs to catch typos and other details that I miss so easily. It will probably be up tomorrow of the next day.

Thank you!

Jenna

[allegrita]

Hey Jenna,

What an interesting idea--that Mick worked on a case during the days he and Beth were apart! I like the set-up: Josef worrying about his friend possibly getting in deeper than he realizes until it's too late (and we saw from the encounter with Lance and co. that he was inclined that way, didn't we??) and asking a favorite freshie to keep an eye on Mick. And that freshie getting Mick involved in her own family problems... hmmm... is she going to cause more trouble than she solves? I guess we'll see in chapter two!

Great start.

[Marigold]

It is so nice that Josef asked Allyn to help Mick adjust to his newfound humanity. I hope that Mick is able to help Eric, and that both of them stay safe in the process.

“I’d put the soda in the ‘fridge,” she suggested, “it tastes better cold. I didn’t know Mountain Dew was around in the fifties.”

“It wasn’t. It’s Beth’s favorite. Hopefully, she’ll stop by at some point and I want to be prepared when she does.”

I really hope Beth does stop by.

Thanks, Jenna! Nicely done!

[jen]

Alle

I know how often I personally try to do something that was once easy for me but I haven't done for a few years that I can't do because of lack of exercise or just my introduction to the wonderful world or arthritis Mick on the other hand was dealing with that sort of thing times ten or twenty, as the senses and abilities he had grown accustomed to weren't there any more. He was apt to rely on them in a split second of need and find them to be absent with disastrous results! We saw him come to full conscious realization of that when Beth was kidnapped in FTP but what if it had been a process that went on ofscreen as well...hence, this story.

Thank you for getting all that. I often don't know if I communicated things like that effectively. You are always so nice.

Jenna

[jen]

Marigold

Fabulous. I'm glad you got that, too!

Josef likes Mick and in the Moonlight universe in my head, Mick has helped Josef often in the past and Josef reciprocates by returning the favor when he can. He had become a type of surrogate sire to Mick once Coraline was out of the picture.

Thank you for the lovely comment!

Jenna

[maggatha3]

What an intruiging beginning, Jenna!
I am really worried at how your mind works,though...Isn't it enough that he is human and in danger from the vampires that might know about it, now he has to work on a case that involves dangerous gangs? And Josef or Allyn couldn't think this case might be dangerous for him? I mean...she knows about the gang already!!

He went shopping...for himself and for Beth! I do hope she comes by..but she is trouble magnet too, could she complicate things ?

[jen]

Maggatha

Thank you so much for reading!

As for the way my mind works...yeah. I worry about it sometimes myself.

Anyway, Beth is trying to wrap her mind around other things right now. Mick and Allyn will soon be occupied with more than they expected in this case.

Oops. Said too much. I must keep my big mouth shut...I must keep my big mouth shut...I must...work on Chapter 2!!!

It will be up later today or more likely tomorrow.

Jenna

[MickLifeCrisis]

A very interesting premise! Seems to me Mick should be waiting till he's a vamp again to investigate a gang but then there wouldn't be a story!

I like Josef's approach. Having a freshie look after Mick and show him the human ropes!

On to the next chapter!

[jen]

MickLifeCrisis

Thank you so much for stopping by to give this story a read.

There have been lots of different takes on the challenge this month as we look at various facets of this time when Mick was on the cure, but I wondered what if there was more to the story that we saw in FTP. What if Mick's acceptance of his vampirism was actually more of a process than we saw.

Hope you enjoyed!

Jenna

[Lucy]

I love that is more than a short.

So....Mick is tackling being human rather methodically.... joggin' on for more.....

[jen]

Lucy

It started out as a short, but sometimes you get started and the story goes in a different direction than you think it will--kinda like the case they started working on. It went in a different direction than they thought it would, too.

Thank you for taking the journey with me and leaving the lovely note.

Jenna

[francis]

I really like this story. Josef talked Allyn into helping Mick while staying out of it himself. He knows when he needs outside help because he wouldn't know the basics. I love the idea of Mick going into a gym to treat his owies. And she gives him great advice on eating and first-aid but of course he wouldn't really like to be treated like he didn't know diarrhea from constipation.
The case seems straight forward but I'm sure there will be complications. It's Mick, after all.

[jen]

Francis

How very kind of you to read my story and leave the nice comment!!

You are absolutely correct about complications being right around the corner, we are talking about Mick, here.

Josef is maintaining his distance while...not completely removing himself from the situation. He wants to help Mick while keeping an eye on the situation.

Thank you!

Jenna