AN. Hey there y'all. This is the sequel to An English Girl Still In Shreveport and continues Evie's story a couple of weeks after the last chapter. Please do R+R, it is greatly appreciated.

Much love Flamink xx

An English Girl Back Home

Deathly Slumber

With the sun shining gloriously on this pretty southern US midweek afternoon, highlighting the lovely blossoms on the trees in the grounds below the house, you'd be forgiven for pointing out that the men dressed head to toe in black were entirely out of place. They were, of course, the King of Louisiana's daytime security detail. They'd been tasked, in addition to their usual itinerary, with keeping an eye on me. Ever since my ordeal at the hands of crazed psychopathic vampire Stephan nearly a fortnight ago, King Bill had deemed it a prerequisite that I stay with him in Bon Temps. Though I hated to admit it, it was probably a good idea that I stayed where people, even the hired help, could watch me, but I had no inclination to converse with them. I was struggling to say the least. I couldn't sleep at night, knowing that vampires were awake and lurking, and I couldn't sleep in the day, my head fuzzy with a million what ifs and thoughts that threatened to damage my very soul. When I did manage to drift off into slumber, I awoke moments later in hot sweats, panting and gripping the sheets.

Bill had called the publishers on my behalf and said that I would be taking some time off for personal reasons. I don't know what else he had said, nor did I care, I just couldn't agree to the idea of promoting a book which would make me relive events I was currently unable to handle. In time I knew that I would have to face those demons, but right now I was content sitting on these steps and watching the day go by.

The bandage around my wrist made my skin itch horrendously and every time I touched it, like I did absently now, those events came back to haunt me.

After Pam had slain my captor, it hadn't taken me very long to completely pass out, maybe minutes, probably seconds. I'd awoken some time later in a bed in Bill's antebellum abode, being tended to by a very small woman. I'd assumed she was a dwarf, but I was later told that she was a goblin Doctor to the vampires and werewolves and other creatures of this world. There was only her and Bill in the room when I roused, and I'd noted that I had been undressed, washed and wrapped in a deliciously soft, pure white robe. Whilst I'd not relished the idea of someone removing my clothes, I had to admit that I was grateful to them. I doubt I would've been able to face the removal of said attire myself, especially with it covered in the remains of vampire.

Bill had told me that Dr Ludwig didn't usually treat humans, but had treated Sookie once before and she had had a complete recovery, so I shouldn't worry. Also, that Eric was paying for the doctors expensive services. I'd forgotten health care wasn't taken care of by the government in the US as it was in the UK. Hmm, Eric. I supposed I would have to thank him for that at some remote point in the future. I hadn't seen him since the night I'd been rescued.

I really didn't want to have to take any vampire blood to mend my physical wounds, but the Doctor insisted that I should take Bill up on the offer, without it, the healing process would take weeks. She told me that I was very weak, due to Stephan's feeding on me and the fact I'd not eaten in days. I needed to rest. She told me my wrist would never mend truly without having to visit a hospital and having it braced and x-rayed, my cheekbone too would never reset itself the way it was before and my ribs would take months to return to normal. I'd reluctantly agreed, now fully aware of the penalty of not accepting the offer, but all too aware of the consequences of taking it.

I'd refused to have more than a few drops of Bill's blood, on the grounds that the simple idea of it was too painful for me to bear, which was true, but I also had reservations as to the introduction of the dreams again. I was still a little shaken from my last visage with Bill in the starring role. More of his blood would only confuse matters further.

I must admit, there were moments when I wished I'd had more of the healing elixir, the times when my cheekbone, though miraculously back in place, throbbed dreadfully. My wrist ached, and I was somehow disinclined to remove the bandage that supported it, even though it did itch something fierce. Though I'd only fractured a rib, at most two, it still was an effort to breathe comfortably. But in truth, I knew most of my symptoms were imaginary; vampire blood was magic after all. It would heal the physical pains, but the emotional trauma was another matter.

As the daytime began to give way to dusk, a cook Bill had hired, on the advice of Dr Ludwig, the pair fearing I would not eat, ushered me inside to my waiting dinner. Money, it seemed, was no object. Especially not to the Vampire King of Louisiana. The cook, Delores, was a middle aged coloured lady who made me hearty, filling meals. She'd learnt early on that I wasn't into talking and so she babbled on to herself about trivial things, while she pottered around the small kitchen, tiding as she went, which brought a smile to my face as I remembered Mrs Wilson doing pretty much the same.

I think Bill had visited Mrs Wilson last week, to ask her to watch over my house whilst I was out of town. He had picked me up a few items of clothing and my laptop while he'd been there and laid them on the bed in the room where I was staying, whilst I had bathed one evening.

I ate the delicious stew and dumplings that Delores had cooked for me tonight, listening to her as she mumbled on about some chicken and grits she was planning on doing for me tomorrow. She removed the plate the second I put down the cutlery, washed up and told me she was leaving for the night and would see me tomorrow. A security guard showed her from the house as I noticed that it had become dark outside.

Now, I knew what I was doing wasn't healthy but I felt I just needed to hide and the last thing I wanted was to have an in depth discussion with the King, so I zipped off up the staircase and into my room as quickly as I could manage.
I stood a moment inside the bedroom door and listened carefully. The guard a little way down the hall didn't even falter from his post to act wary of my actions, he'd seen me completing this routine nearly every night whilst I'd been here. Instead he gave me my privacy, as I heard the creak of the door to Bill's cubby hole open as the King stirred from his deathly slumber.

I shut the door quietly, but Bill would hear it anyway. I scooted over to the bed, lay down carefully and pulled over the covers. A few moments later there were soft footsteps on the stairs and landing, getting louder as he approached my room. The door opened in silence and I closed my eyes.

The bed moved as he sat down beside where I lay and I felt the cool touch of a fingertip move an errant lock of hair from my face.

"Evelyn," Bill whispered. I remained as I was, he sighed emphatically, "I know you are not asleep. I am concerned about you." The inflection in his voice told me he was telling the truth, he was indeed worried about me. I callously ignored it. On previous nights he had simply told me to sleep tight and that he would check in on me later. He hadn't yet.

"You need to talk to someone… If you refuse to speak to me, then perhaps you would speak with Eric."

I peeked open an eye and frowned at him. He was looking straight back.

"I thought as much," he smirked, "He has been asking after you."

Maybe he had. Why was that my problem? I couldn't hold Bill's gaze any longer and so closed my eye again.

"Evelyn, please."

I sighed and pushed up to sit against the headboard. Looking at Bill's face, filled with concern and disquiet, broke my heart. Relenting, I shook my head and buried my tearful face in my hands.

Bill shifted and placed something on nightstand with a rattle and a tap, "I spoke to Dr Ludwig about your insomnia."

I wiped my face and gazed at the pills and water bottle on the table.

"They are sleeping tablets. You spend all night avoiding me and all day padding around the house," he spoke softly, and I knew what he was meaning. I did need to sleep, to get lost in the bliss of oblivion.

I shuffled to the edge of the bed next to him, reached out and took the items, "Thank-you," I muttered.

Bill stood triumphantly, took my head in his hand and kissed my hair. He paused at the door on the way out, watching me as I took two of the pills, as directed on the bottle.

"Good night Evie," he smiled and I returned in kind, slipping into the comfort of the quilt.

I drifted off into slumber soon afterwards. I didn't wake moments later clutching the sheets. I wasn't murdered and drained in my sleep. I didn't have the blood dreams, as I feared, and I rested properly, not a thought of Stephan creeping its unwelcome way into my medication induced unconscious.

Bill stirred me some time later. I yawned and stretched my arms, pushed myself up in the bed.

"Hey," I croaked. My throat dry.

Bill handed me a bottle of water, "Sleep well?"

"Yeah, a little too well," the back of my head throbbed.

"The guards say you've slept all day," he informed me, sitting on the edge of the mattress.

"Gee, really? I guess I must have needed it," I rubbed at my wrist, yawning.

"Care to talk now?" Bill said, after a little silence.

"Oh, um…." I faltered, caught off guard, this was the most I had spoken to anyone for a long time now.

Bill smiled kindly, understanding I wasn't yet ready, "Are you hungry? I gave Miss Martin the day off. So if you would like we could go out for something for you."

I nodded, and my stomach rumbled on cue, "That would be nice."

Bill went to sort out some business while I showered and dressed in some new clothes that had miraculously appeared in the wardrobe in my room, a purple shirt and a dark blue pair of Levi's. I didn't know whether Bill was trying to make it easier for me to go home or not. I could get used to being here, waited on hand and foot, but something told me that eventually I would have to return home, though quite why I was so concerned about it, I've no idea.

Pulling on my trusty biker boots and leather jacket, I tousled my hair in the mirror and actually looked at my face for the first time. It was phenomenal, quite why the hospitals hadn't cottoned on to the healing properties of even a few drops of vampire blood, still amazed me. Though vampires were secretive creatures, so perhaps they only told a select few. If you were to look at me now, you would never have guessed the state I was in when they found me. My face was perfectly normal, infact my skin appeared to be glowing.

As I made my way downstairs, I heard Bill conducting his vampire affairs. How the King had deigned it possible to spend an evening with me I didn't know. His office was full of people. Contractors I assumed, for they were all dressed in work attire. Some painters in overalls, some people with hard hats on. All human, I think.

"It will take as little time as possible. You should be prepared to work both day and night until completion," Bill's strong articulate voice emanated from the office, "Obviously, you shall work together to ensure a very high finish. I expect nothing less than perfection."

There was a rapture of different noises and sounds as the contractors all agreed and claimed that it would be done in no time at all, whatever task it was they'd been given. I'd ask the King over dinner.

The men were ushered out of the house by the security guards. I noticed that these were different guards than I'd seen in the day. One turned and I saw that he was indeed different. Unlike the daytime detail, he could only work at night. He winked at me endearingly as he stood to attention at the foot of the stairs.

Bill appeared down to my right, dressed smart casual. He looked deliciously handsome and when he grinned as he saw me, my heart melted a little.

"You look lovely, Evelyn," he complimented, taking my hand.

Flattered, I blushed, "Are you sure you've the time for this?" I asked, "You seem like you have things to do."

"Nothing that won't wait," Bill replied, "Come." The way he said the word, sounded like a command he would give a lover, his tongue licking the syllable as it cascaded smoothly from his Southern accented voice. I had to catch myself as I followed him dutifully outside to the waiting car. A bright red Ford Mustang stood proudly at the foot of the steps, a black ensemble security detail opened the door for us as we got in.

"Where are we going?" I asked, as Bill set off.

"I thought I'd show you Merlotte's," he said, "You can eat and I can get a True Blood.

We arrived sooner than I expected, pulling into what looked like an incredibly secluded parking lot, lined with big old trees. It looked creepy and seemed relatively quiet tonight, there being few cars in the lot.

Bill drew the car into a spot, and the engine purred to a stop as he removed the key, and turned to me.

"I should warn you Evelyn, the people of Bon Temps… they may not be especially friendly this evening."

I frowned at him, "Why…?" Expecting something horrific.

He furrowed his brow and pursed his lips, "They believe I have murdered Sookie."

Oh.

"And you thought it'd be a good idea to bring me here?"

"I have nothing to hide, you know that and so do I."

I raised my eyebrow, not looking forward to the prospect of a meal in a close knit community, which, if it were anything like the little villages back home, would quite happily turn on the weakest member of the pack if it so suited.

"We can go somewhere else," Bill offered reluctantly. Obviously he had a point to make.

I sighed and left the car. Bill mirrored my actions.

"No…clearly you want to prove something to them," I conceded.

He flashed a smile and I rolled my eyes. The thought, blipping briefly across my mind that he was indeed managing to distract me from my own troubles and worries, if that was his intention.

Bill held open the door and I took a deep breath as I stepped through the doors. Nobody so much as turned from their drinks to look at me…that was until they all became aware of Bill's presence. The eyes felt like they were burning into my very soul, judging me without even knowing my name. Bill took my elbow and ushered me towards a booth.

The eyes returned to their own meals and drinks but were wary of my every move. As a red haired waitress trotted over to the table, I gazed absently at the menu.

"Bill," she said brusquely and in that heavy southern drawl which, despite living in the area for a while now, I still struggled to understand sometimes, "What can I get y'all?" She didn't want to be serving us and I could tell she was having to fight herself hard not to comment.

"Good evening. I will have a B Negative please Arlene," Bill replied politely, but with a lack of sincerity in his pleasantries.

"We're all out," the redhead drawled, "We got O." She shrugged and glanced at me.

"Then O will be fine thank you."

"Okay," she turned to me, "Anything for you?"

"Oh, I'll have a cheeseburger, fries and an ice tea please," I replied, closing the menu.

She noted my order down on her pad, "Not from around here are ya sweetie," she smiled peculiarly at me, stating the obvious, and I should've recognised the malice in her tone. She bent closer to me, "Be careful with this one. He killed his last girlfriend." And with that malicious nugget of knowledge planted in my brain, she flashed Bill a sneer and hobbled away on her heels to deposit my order with the cook.

I turned my wide eyed, open mouth face to Bill. "I warned you they would not be friendly," he almost grinned.

I shook my head and shrugged my shoulders, "Names, faces, places. They can change but the attitudes will always be the same. Wherever you are."

Bill nodded in agreement as Arlene returned with our drinks, "Microwave's busted," she said, slamming down the bottle of blood on the table a little too hard and turning on her heel.

Bill smiled cursedly and caught my eyes, which I rolled in response, "And what point are you trying to make again?"

We remained seated, Bill spoke idly about nothing in particular, and I listened watching the patrons of the bar pretending not to watch me. My food arrived shortly and I tucked in. It was delicious and perhaps the best cheeseburger I'd ever eaten. I just hoped that the chef hadn't done anything untoward, like spit in it because they thought I was on a date with the vampire that they thought killed one of their own. I was after all in Merlotte's. A place not only the favourite of a little town that seemed to have a severe dislike for vampires, King Bill in particular, but the bar in which the famed telepathic waitress worked, or at least had worked until a few weeks ago.

I asked him about the contractors at the house. He divulged that he was having the house remodelled, into something more fitting for a man of his stature. I told him that I should go home soon, get myself out of his hair. Bill said I was welcome for as long I wanted to be there. If I didn't feel ready to face going home, then I shouldn't and that he would prefer if I stopped longer… If I wanted.

Bill took an unnecessary breath, and the air between us altered, filled with a certain apprehension. Looking at him, I could see he wanted to tell me something, I could see the thought formulating as he searched for the words.

"Evelyn. I have received word that you have been…summoned."

"Summoned? What?"

He hung his head and absently slid the bottle of Tru Blood between his hands on the table, "A Sheriff, in Britain, has requested your audience."

Yet more vampire drama.