NOTES: I almost wrote this in first-person, since that's the way the Stackhouse novels are written, and because I enjoy Sookie's point of view so much. But in the end, I chose third-person so I could jump to different characters in parts of the story that Sookie wouldn't be witness to herself, more like the show. Most of this story is outlined if it's not written yet, so hopefully updates will come a little quicker. I hope you enjoy this story, and please leave feedback. Puss-puss!
PAIRING: Eric/Sookie
SPOILERS: True Blood through Season 3

SHADOWS OF DOUBT

Chapter One

The trip back to Bon Temps from Fae seemed long, and sad, and lonely. When Sookie was finally standing outside of the Stackhouse home, it occurred to her just how lonely. There was no one here for her, no one that even knew she was back. Not Tara, who had disappeared just before she had. Not Jason, who had been spending more and more time in Hotshot after promising to help the werepanthers. And especially not Bill Compton, since she'd sent him away with strict orders never to return. No, she was alone.

But not forgotten, clearly: her house, which had been close to destroyed by Marianne the maenad, was all but new again. There was fresh paint on the walls, the organic whatever that had been growing in vines all over the wood had been killed and removed. Even the driveway had been repaved. As she stepped inside, she noticed that the rug where Eric had killed a werewolf in her defense had been replaced, and that the house had been aired out and smelled of linens and sunshine again.

There was no question in her mind who was responsible for the remodel. She frowned to herself. She didn't like feeling in Eric Northman's debt, no matter how her time in Fae had blunted the edges of her anger toward him. He needn't have done her any favors. Tomorrow night she would call, find out how much she owed him, and set a schedule to pay him back. There would be no more favors, no more arrangements between them. She had been through enough thanks to vampires. She wasn't interested in living a life of fear and blood anymore.

She went upstairs and found that the repairs had extended to her wrecked bedroom. That was a comfort: she wanted nothing more than to lie down and rest before having to face the day - and the people of Bon Temps - tomorrow. She'd have to ask Sam for her job back, and she told herself not to be surprised if he wasn't inclined to give it back. But those were chores for the morning. For now, all she had to do was close her eyes and-

-answer the knock at the door.

Sookie dragged herself upright. It had to be a vampire. No one else in Bon Temps would knock on her door at such a ridiculous hour. Still feeling dreamlike from her trip, and as tired as old porcelin, she went down the stairs again. She wondered if it was Bill, wondered if it was Eric, and wasn't actually all that surprised when it turned out to be Pam.

"You got here quick," she said as she opened the door. Pam offered a wry half-smile.

"I was in the neighborhood," she replied in a tone that suggested she'd been in the neighborhood since Sookie's disappearance.

"Listen, Pam, I just got back, and I'm really not in the mood for any vampire emergencies, so..."

The vampire looked amused. "Well, now, we haven't had many of those lately. So don't worry. I'm only here to make sure you're whole, and sane, and healthy. Perhaps not in that order."

Sookie sighed. Of course Eric would have known the moment she had returned. They were bonded, after all. Clearly that bond hadn't exhausted itself yet. It would - Bill had explained to her once that three was the magic number insofaras blood exchanges go - but she was still annoyed. She had thought her time away would have been sufficient.

"Come in," she said to Pam, and gracefully, the other woman did. She cast her eyes around the reformed Stackhouse home with a faint smile, as though this was all a private joke. And for all Sookie knew, it was. She grit her teeth. Gran would have wanted her to be polite.

"True Blood?" she offered, though she wasn't sure if she had any, and even if she did, it might not be any good anymore. Pam waved a hand.

"Tempting but no. Call me a traditionalist - I prefer it from the source." She turned back to Sookie. "Are you back for good?"

Sookie shrugged.

"I see." There was a pregnant pause. "Well, shall I catch you up on the latest gossip?"

Another pause as Sookie considered this. It would be good to know what had been going on since she'd left, even though her very bones felt tired and heavy and sad now that she was back.

"Fire away," she said, and sat, gesturing for Pam to do the same. Pam did, crossing her legs delicately. She was clad in the pastels she preferred when not hostessing at Fangtasia, and again Sookie was stuck by the elegance of the other woman. She had poise, even if her tongue could be as barbed as a wasp's stinger.

"Well, for starters, no one's seen your boyfriend since you left." At Sookie's pained look, Pam smiled and ammended her statement. "Sorry, ex-boyfriend. Last I heard, he challenged the Queen, lost, and fled. Eric made an attempt to find him, but..."

Sookie didn't want or need an elaboration. Eric Northman was not counted among the members of Bill's fanclub, and vice versa.

"Your brother's had his hands full with those werepanthers. Have a word with him, would you? Maybe he can convince them to bathe." Her delicate nose wrinkled, and Sookie realized she was on the verge of smiling. Pam did have a way with words. "But even they've been relatively behaved. And since your charming friend Lafayette isn't having to push V for us, well, I guess you could say all's well."

"And that's it? What about Tara?"

Pam only shook her head. "Eric looked for her, too. He still has spies sniffing around, in fact. But she's wary of vampires, and she knows what to look for. It seems, for now, that she's long gone. Maybe she'll mail you a postcard."

Sookie resisted the urge to pout. None of what Pam was saying was bad news, per say, but she didn't like much of it anyway.

"You're still mad at my maker." Pam's sudden statement cut through Sookie's thoughts, and her eyes shot to the vampire.

"Not so much, not anymore. But that doesn't change anything, Pam. He's still not welcome here. And I want out of our deal. Y'all are playing a game and your stakes are too high for a simple girl like me."

"Maybe you're right." Pam stood and smoothed her skirt. "But you're not simple. Niave, and delectable-" she smiled at Sookie's discomfort-"but not simple. Well, I'll be going. Eric wanted to make sure you were all right, and you are. Besides, you know I hate small talk."

Sookie followed her to the door. "Goodnight, Pam."

"Oh, there is one more thing." Pam stopped in the doorway. "There's a hunter in town. Old...acquaintance. You might be interested in talking to her."

"Not to be rude, but I don't think so." Sookie didn't match Pam's smile with one of her own. Pam watched her for just a second more, and then she was gone, swallowed by the night. Back to Eric, no doubt, with her report of Sookie's wellbeing.

"Good grief." Sookie rested her back against the door for a moment before climbing the stairs that would lead to her bed. And sleep - blessed sleep, hopefully with no dreams.

Sookie had caught Sam in a generous mood, and he'd agreed to let her come back to work - the next day. Which left her with an entire free afternoon. She had to admit she was a bit relieved. She would be glad to get back to work, but having a little time to reacquaint herself was nice, too. Predictably, there were stares, and the accompanying theories. Most Bon Temps residents kept those theories locked in their minds, not that it made a difference to Sookie. But a few rumors had begun circulating, too: that Bill had kidnapped her, and she'd staked him to get away. That she had finally gone mad and had been taken away, but released because either she had been cured or there was no cure, depending on who you asked. Some people even thought she'd disappeared alongside Crystal.

Sookie told herself it didn't matter. The truth was her own, and she thought back on Fae with a fondness she'd always carry with her. It had been a special place, a place of light and healing and happiness. And the small-minded gossips of Bon Temps couldn't take that from her.

Jason was out in Hotshot, and Sookie had no pressing desire to go there, so she hung out in Merlotte's, chatting easily with Lafayette. He made her feel as though she'd never been away, which was nice, and when she avoided answering his questions he hadn't pressed her. There had been a glossy, eye-shadowed look of disapproval, but no pushing. That was nice. He was just filling her in on the details about the new girl when she walked in.

"There's the hooka now, just like as if I'd called her up." Lafayette was looking over at the girl. "She's a sweet thing, mostly, but there's a look in her eyes, Sook. Kinda like you. She's tough."

"She's the hunter? The one Pam was talking about?"

"Noo-ooo, I don't know nothin about it, an' I don't wanna know. You got questions, that's the skinny broad you ask." He gave Sookie another pointed look, then danced back deeper into the kitchen to stir the chili.

Well, why not? She did have the whole afternoon to herself. And she was curious. What exactly did this girl hunt? She didn't look particularly threatening, with her dark eyes and curls. She had a build similar to Sookie's, although maybe a bit more gifted in the breast area. Certainly she didn't look strong enough to take on anything bigger than rabbits and fowl.

"Hi, sorry to interrupt but I couldn't help but notice that you're a new face. I'm Sookie Stackhouse, welcome to Bon Temps," she said pleasantly as she stopped at the girl's table.

"Thanks. Please, sit. I've heard of you, Sookie." The girl smiled. She had no accent Sookie could detect - just like a Hollywood actress. "I'm Charlie Walsh."

"Heard of me?"

"Sure. You're kind of a celebrity around here, or so I'm discovering."

"Charlie. Is that short for something?" Sookie didn't like the idea of being a celebrity, not anywhere, so she changed the subject.

"Charlotte. After my grandmother."

"That's pretty. What brings you to town?"

"Well, now that's a funny story." Charlie was looking at her strangely, with a small smile curling up one corner of her lips. "Because, actually, it's you that brings me here. You and Bill Compton."

Sookie could only stare for a moment. She set her drink down and tried to gather her thoughts. "I'm sorry, what did you just say?"

"Eric Northman wanted me to find you, if I could." Charlie shrugged. "You're here now, and I can't take credit for it, but there's still Compton to be found. And there's a lot of other supernatural activity here."

"Find...me? And Bill?"

Charlie shrugged. "You know I'm a hunter?"

Sookie nodded, still trying to figure out what Eric would want with Bill - other than his final death - and what this girl had to do with it.

"Well, I hunt supernatural things. The violent ones, anyway. But occasionally I'll help out in other ways, like tracking supes that...may have lost their way. And when Eric needs a favor and I'm in town, I like to help him out."
Sookie was still reeling from the job description. Her mind flashed to Sam, to Crystal, to Jessica. If Charlie hunted supernatural things, could any of them - her own friends - become targets? And if she did hunt and kill supes, why would Eric invite her here?

"Why, what does he have over you?" she asked through numb lips. Charlie smiled again.

"He saved my life. From Pam."