This is an older fanfic I wrote as part of a "backstory to True Blood" series this spring. The other day I realized this would be perfect for my Sam/Sookie story, and also as a way to make up for the hiatus which is almost over. So here is Sookie finding a new job at the bar...

Hey Pretty Lady Won't You Give Me a Sign

Business was slow at the office and Sookie was on edge. Her boss was the head of a lumber company outside Monroe, and for the past couple of days he had been pacing a lot and muttering. Sookie was his secretary, but basically was a go-fer for the company. She was in charge of faxing papers, typing up letters, answering the phone, being a typical pretty gal behind a desk. And she could not stand it. Her telepathy was a burden in the office, as she poured most of her effort just into blocking out the thoughts around her. The accountant and the resource manager were unbelievably chatty, and Sookie couldn't concentrate on anything unless she blocked out the buzz of their thoughts. It was a dead-end job, she kept thinking to herself, but how am I supposed to get anywhere picking up thoughts like a DirecTV dish or something? Now, her boss was acting all kooky, and Sookie had had it.
She walked around the corner, and looked in at the rotund man tossing papers about. "I need Monday next week off, Mr. Jones. My grandmother's having a special meeting for her club, and she wants me to go."
"Aw, Jesus." (Sookie flinched at the curse.) "Monday is when an important customer's supposed to show up. This guy's coming over from Shreveport, wondering about wood paneling for a bar. What's the guy's name?"
"That Jim Minden off the phone?"
"Yeah, him, some special order thing for his boss. What the hell was that name? Ed Newman? Eric Norton? Eric Northman, that's it. My point is, we're awfully busy, and it's too shorta notice. I'll pay you a little extra overtime if you cancel that thing. Sorry, Sookie. Have you seen that damn address book? I paid ten bucks for that thing." The whole time the boss was rambling, he was pulling out drawers. "Oh here it is. If it'a been a snake it'a bit me. I swear, I'm going nuts today." I've noticed thought Sookie.
"Is something the matter, Mr. Jones?"
"Naw, everything's peachy. Just peachy." He took out a pad and scribbled something on it. Now Sookie was wondering just what was up. She took a deep breath, since she knew she'd regret it. She relaxed and listened in.
--Supplier getting cold feet, staying over in Jackson. I bought dinner for the cheapskate and all, said nice things to his wife, paid his secretary a hundred to let me in anyways. And what the hell is with my secretary? Dumb blonde's standing there like I'm going to toss her a raise or something. She needs to loosen up, smile at people like I'm paying her to. And fix those damn teeth already. And now she's crying. What is with her? "Are you alright, Sookie?"
Sookie was standing in the doorway trying to hold herself together. "If you like his secretary so much, why don't you hire her!? I've had it, I quit!" And she threw down the pad she'd been carrying and stormed out the door, leaving Mr. Jones with his mouth open. I never mentioned that other secretary was the last thought she picked up.

"Oh honey. My dear sweetie. It'll be alright. I didn't like that guy anyways." Adele Stackhouse was rubbing Sookie's shoulders while the poor telepath was sobbing over a lost job, again.
"Gran, this is the third job I've lost in a year. How am I going to support myself if I keep changing jobs with the seasons?"
"Well, maybe you just haven't found the right place, dear." The older woman was smiling to try and lift Sookie's spirits. Ever since the Flood, her granddaughter had taken things like this so harshly. "If you want to rest for a while, sugar, you just go lie on down and rest your head. Someplace nice and quiet, a soothing silence with your name on it. You deserve it, Sook." Gran kissed the top of her head, a little action that always cleared both of their minds, giving Sookie a few precious moments of peace.
"Hey gal." Tara walked in, a grin on her face and sympathy on her eyes. She saw Sookie's red eyes and nose. Poor thing's been bawling. If I find that guy I'll kick his fuc-
Sookie gave her a look. Sorry.
"I'm just fed up with getting a job, losing it, getting a job, and quitting, Tara."
"Hm-hmm. Girl, I know what you mean. Try working at that big-box over in Coushatta. I'll smack that stuck-up boss for you and for me. He could use it."
Sookie smiled weakly at her opinionated friend. "I should probably go looking for another one. I'll just feel sorry for myself if I lay around here."
Adele leaned in. "You could always help out with organizing the DOD meetings."
Tara chimed in. "I know a place. Lafayette got a job as the fry cook. This new restaurant on the edge of town, Merlotte's. Lafayette said it's not the most prestigious of places but the boss guy was real nice to him. And that's something for Lafayette."
"Huh. I'll call and see what they're like. Thanks, Tara."
"Yeah. Hey, did Jason dump that floozy yet?" Sookie laughed at the mention of her brother, and Adele smiled again.

Later that week, Sookie dialed the number out of the phone book. The voice that answered was warm and welcoming, Southern but not local. "Umm I heard there is a waitress job available and I should talk to Sam?"
"This is him. We could use some help. Mind if I ask your name?"
"Sookie Stackhouse. I left my old job a couple days ago. I can't stand being out of a job."
"Whoa, you work fast. I like that. Swing on by tomorrow and bring some ID. Bye."

Sam hung up the phone and walked to the order window. "Hey, Lafayette. There might be a new waitress. A gal just called, said her name was Sookie."
The fry cook did a double take and laughed. "Sookie Stackhouse? Hot damn, this'll be fun. She's a good gal and all. She's unique." He winked at Sam. "Yo, Arlene. You gonna get this burger or talk to the babysitter all night?"
The red-headed waitress came over. "Don't get your panties in a wad."
"Too late for that, sister. You's getting some help out there in the jungle. Sookie Stackhouse is coming on in. Her brother's that Jason fellow that's dating every other woman in the parish."
"I've heard of her before. There's a rumor about that girl, about why she hasn't had a man yet."
"Well, Arlene, whatever it is, it's wrong. You'll like her. She's got spirit." And he laughed again. "Don't forget ya burger."

Sookie pulled up in her beat up yellow car and walked into Merlotte's. She was wearing one of her nicer dresses, and had a headband holding back her bangs. She looked around, noting all the tables and the animals alongside the walls. Her eyes fixed on the gator head over the bar. "Can I help you?" A woman with bushy red-hair was smiling and carrying a stack of menus. Sookie noticed that the waitress outfit was a bit skimpy, but if she got the job the outfit wasn't what she had to worry about, but instead keeping her guard up. It was the middle of the afternoon, so the place was empty, but the telepath knew the chatter from thirty, forty people having a good time would be a challenge.
"Yeah, sorry. I'm the one wondering about a waitress position?"
"Oh, you must be Sookie. Sam said you'd be dropping by. I'm Arlene." Arlene gave Sookie a smile two sizes too big. "Sam's in his office, back and around the corner."
"Hey Sooks! Welcome to the Parish Pit! Order uuup!" Lafayette laughed and tapped his spatulas in a drumroll. "The boss man's back behind there." He pointed with the utensil.

Sookie reached the door marked "Sam" and knocked twice. "Who is it?" came the voice.
"It's Sookie Stackhouse."
"Come right on in, chere." Sookie opened the door and walked in. Sam Merlotte was stretched in his chair behind a good-sized desk, in an office that was covered in wood. His hair was in the usual organized chaos, and his Western-style boots vanished beneath the desk. "Welcome to Merlotte's. Have a seat. So, what got you interested in this little old place?" He smiled a little grin and leaned forward.
"Well, Mr. Merlotte, I like to be on my feet making a living. And I figured I might try being a waitress." She shrugged and smiled nervously. Sam seemed all right. He smiled right back. She's alright. I wonder why she left that job she told me about? His thought was not picked up by Sookie though. Her mental guards had been in place since she stepped out of her car. Sam bent over and came up with a form. "Call me Sam. This is an application to fill out. I meant to print off a bunch of copies, but nobody really wanted one." He handed a pen over to Sookie and she filled out the application. Sam waited patiently, watching the woman writing on the form. She handed it back, and Sam scanned it to check her basics. Lived here in town, high school class of 2001, closest contact was her grandmother. Sam noted the lack of parents or a significant other. Just like me, he thought. No—I'm entirely different. She's a normal person. I'm not.
"So, everything looks good. Mind if I call you Sookie?"
She shook her head. "Thanks for the job. I really could use it."
Sam cocked his head a little. "Now Sookie, I don't mean to pry, but why'd you leave your last job?"
Oh crap. What should I say? I read my boss' mind and flipped out? "I didn't get along very well with my old boss. He was kind of, um, brash."
Sam gave her a reassuring smile. "Don't worry. I'm real laid back." And he patted her hand. That instant of physical contact was too much for her mental safeguards, and his thoughts rushed forth. The bizarre thing was, they weren't words or images like everyone else. Instead, Sookie felt his emotions: curiosity about her, relief at finding another waitress, and another, still developing emotion. Sookie withdrew her hand. "When do I start?"
"How about tomorrow at four? Arlene could probably use the help, and I should have a uniform in your size."

Sookie stood in front of the mirror, looking at her new outfit. Merlotte's was printed in a green oval on the front, while the rather tight white shirt fit her curves like a glove. She raised an eyebrow at how short these dang shorts were, pulled on the leg, then shrugged. She fixed up her long blonde hair in a ponytail, put on some makeup and walked downstairs. "Gran, I'm going."
"Let me see you, gal. Oh that is a nice outfit." Always with an encouraging word, Adele gave her a grandmother's smile. "I may just have to come on by and see this place for myself."
"Gran, it's just a corner bar." Sookie looked down and nervously twisted a shoe. "Good luck sweetheart. I'll be here when you come back." Adele smiled and opened her romance novel. "Run along now dear."

When she walked into Merlotte's, Sam motioned her over to the order window. He had shown her the table numbers the day he hired her, and now he pointed out the north side of the restaurant. "Tables eight through fifteen. Here's your order pad and your tray."
Lafayette came over and whistled. "Wow Sam, that uniform scheme is good. A Stackhouse with curves. Whaddya know? Here ya go, Sook." He grinned, and put five sodas, two plates, and a basket of wings on her plate. "Order up! Hey Arlene, get off the damn phone! I got to get in touch with a very special guy before Christmas!"
Sam laughed, scratched his neck, and turned back to the register.
Sookie pulled the tray off the counter, grunted at first with the heavy tray, tried not to drop everything, and managed to reach the table without spilling more than a bit of sloshing pop. "Thanks, Sookie." Hoyt Fortenberry had ordered the wings, and he turned to his other side. "Yo Jason! Quit chatting that chick up and see our waitress!"
Jason spun around and saw his sister. "Holy…Sookie? You're the new waitress? Gran said you got a new career, but she wouldn't say what. Watch out everyone, she'll spill everything!"
Sookie teased him right back. "Only your secrets, Jason. I got this job to keep an eye on you. We can't have you run through all the women yet. So, how many have you hit on tonight, Jase?"
"None of your business. Keep asking questions and you ain't getting a tip." He winked. Hoyt looked at her and mouthed "Five."
Jason's face got serious and he leaned in. "But Sookie, what about your gift? All these people?"
Sookie looked around. The hum of conversation helped obscure the buzzing of thoughts. "I'll manage, Jason. Besides, I've gotten good at blocking 'em all out."

Later that night, Sookie made a mistake. As she was leaning against the bar, stretching out her back, Arlene walked by and Sookie caught her thoughts. She seems like she'll be a good waitress if she's new. But she needs to quit standing around and talking so much to her brother. Oh, Lafayette, hurry up, I need that phone back!
Without thinking, Sookie replied to her thoughts. "I'll be back out there once my arms quit hurting. Soda and beer get heavy real quick. And I think Lafayette might almost be done."
Arlene wheeled around, her mouth open. "What? I thought that stuff, didn't say it. I didn't mean to—You can read my mind?" I'm thinking of seven and George Strait.
Sookie dropped her voice down low. "Seven and George Strait. Yeah, sorry if I surprised you. Please don't tell anyone, but I'm telepathic. I can read thoughts. Sam doesn't know yet. That's why I quit my last job. Only my friends and family know. Please don't tell Sam."
"Ohhkay." Arlene looked like she'd seen a ghost. "I, I won't tell anyone." And she walked over to the bar to pour herself something strong to clear her mind.

Over the next few weeks, Sookie quickly got the hang of being a waitress. Sam generally hung back behind the bar, serving drinks or just watching. Sookie occasionally felt sorry for Sam, as he never seemed to have a girlfriend or even a regular friend. After closing, he'd play with an old collie that hung around, but that dog was the only creature he'd loosen up around. He was always polite to Sookie, but he acted awkwardly too, like there was something that kept bothering him. Sookie wondered if she could ever figure out the riddle that was Sam Merlotte, but unbeknownst to her, the near future was about to reveal itself on the evening news.

"Whoa. Ev'rybody, check this shit out." Lafayette turned the volume on the TV, where a reporter was standing outside an office building somewhere at dusk. The reporter was chatting wildly. "Yes, the door is opening! Could the report earlier today be true? Is this the world premiere of—" A thin man stepped out, with pale skin and a strange expression. He grinned, and Arlene screamed. The reporter babbled excitedly. "It's true. Ladies and gentlemen. It's true! Vampires do exist!"
And Sookie's mouth fell open.

Two years later, Bill Compton walks in while Sam's still working up the courage to tell Sookie how he feels, and True Blood/the books begin...