Hello. This is my first fan fiction and I am not following the writing style of Charlaine Harris whatsoever. Not because I dislike her writing style, but because this better suits the story I want to tell. I hope it doesn't throw anyone off. Enjoy! :D

Dead Man Walking

Chapter 1

Sookie

Sookie flipped through the pages of her book mindlessly as she awaited a visit from Quinn. She scanned the words, but only saw the pansy colored eyes of the were-tiger she had come to care so much for. They barely saw each other between his work and taking care of his mother and sister. This was part of the problem with their relationship and thinking about it made focusing on her book difficult.

Entering the relationship, Sookie knew it wouldn't be easy having a long distance relationship with someone who is extremely busy with work but Quinn seemed worth it to her. Sometimes she missed her relationship with Bill because he was always so close. She even saw Eric more than she seemed to see Quinn. None of that mattered because she was done with vampires. So she thought, anyway.

Just as she finished her internal rant, Sookie heard a soft knock on the door. She set her book down and smiled, making her way to the front door. "Hey babe," Quinn said as he stepped inside with an arrangement of flowers.

He bent down to give Sookie a soft kiss as he offered the flowers to her. "I've really missed you," Quinn said as he wrapped his arms around Sookie's waist. She inhaled deeply, enjoying the scent of the flowers before looking up into his strangely beautiful eyes.

"I missed you too," Sookie said as she broke away from him and walked into the kitchen to put the flowers in a vase. Quinn helped himself to a glass of iced tea as she placed the flowers in the middle of the kitchen table.

Sookie glanced at Quinn and couldn't help but notice the awkward feeling in her gut. "I was thinking we could go to Merlotte's for dinner. It's really the only place around here that's open this late," Sookie said as she leaned against the kitchen counter. "I hope you don't mind."

"Of course not, babe. That sounds fine to me. I need to check out this place you work at anyway." He winked at her and Sookie frowned, thinking that sounded like he was trying to size up her boss. Quinn knew that Sookie worked for a shifter, but Sam and Quinn had never met. This had the potential to not go over well.

"You have to promise to behave yourself. I won't have you being rude to my boss," Sookie said as she grabbed her jacket. Quinn gave her a big, toothy grin and said, "I always behave."

…

Merlotte's was as crowded as it always was on a Friday night. Sookie waved to Arlene with a smile as she spotted her making rounds. The bar was full of the usual patrons and noisy as usual. She couldn't help noticing that everyone's eyes had been on her since she came in the door. Trying to ignore the fact that she was being stared at, Sookie made her way to a booth in Arlene's section.

Arlene approached their table and gave Sookie an overly cheerful smile.

"Well, hey Sookie! What a pleasant surprise! I'll have to tell Sam you're here!" Arlene said as she looked over at Quinn obviously wondering why Sookie was having dinner with anyone other than a vampire.

"Thanks, Arlene! This is my boyfriend Quinn. Quinn, this is my coworker and friend Arlene," Sookie said politely.

"It's nice to meet you, Quinn," Arlene said, obviously pleased with Sookie's choice in a significant other for once. She could hear Arlene thinking that maybe now Sookie won't get into so much trouble. What Arlene didn't know is that Quinn might be more trouble than both Bill and Eric put together. She also picked up on a thought about Bill.

"What?" Sookie said out loud by accident.

Arlene knew Sookie had read her thoughts and blatantly ignored her.

"What can I get y'all to drink?" Arlene said quickly as she grabbed the order pad from her apron. Both Sookie and Quinn ordered water and Arlene scurried to the back.

She fought the urge to roll her eyes and smiled at Quinn instead. "So, what do you think of Merlotte's?" Sookie asked to create small talk. Quinn looked around with a smile. "It seems like everyone here likes you," he said as he reached across the table for her hand. As their hands met, Sookie got a clear read of what Quinn was thinking and listened to his spastic thoughts.

Something doesn't feel right. Awkward tension. Why is everyone looking over here? Relationship strained.

Sookie took her hand away and Quinn frowned, suddenly remembering her ability. "Is there something you wanna talk about?" Sookie tilted her head.

Quinn lowered his voice before saying, "The tension. It's not just between you and me".

Just as Sookie was about to inquire what he meant, Sam walked up to their table with a big, incredibly fake grin. "Hey, Chere. I never expected to see you here for dinner," Sam said without so much as a glance in Quinn's direction.

"Sam, this is Quinn. Quinn this is my boss Sam," Sookie said, remembering her manners.

"Sookie, can I talk to you for a minute?" Sam was clearly uncomfortable and seemed to put the fact that there was a were in his midst completely aside. Sookie could sense something was wrong and only hoped it wasn't another lecture about whom she chose to date. She sighed heavily and stood from the table.

"I'll just be a minute. I'm real sorry," Sookie said to Quinn before turning and walking to Sam's office at a quick pace. Once they were both inside Sookie shut the door a bit loudly than she should have.

"Can't you see I'm on a date right now, Sam?"

"Sookie, Bill came by lookin' for you not too long ago," Sam said with a confused expression.

"Wait, Bill came here looking for me? Did he say why?"

"No, he just told me to tell you to contact him if I saw you."

Sookie bit her bottom lip trying to think of why Bill would be trying to contact her now. She could tell that Sam was concerned with her reaction. "Sookie, I don't want you getting in any more trouble. Whatever it is Bill needs, I'm sure he can find some one else to help him. And if he's trying to get back with you, well, I don't like that idea either," Sam said, blocking the door.

"Who I date is none of your business and if Bill needs me, I should at least see what he wants. I can always decline. Besides, I'm with Quinn so whether or not Bill is trying to get back with me doesn't matter. Now, let me out of here so I can tell my date what's going on," Sookie said, making sure she put extra emphasis on date.

Sam looked away, clearly not amused as he opened the door and let her through. All eyes were on her again as she made her way back to the booth. It must have not been long ago that Bill made his appearance here. Sookie sat back down opposite Quinn, who was obviously becoming annoyed at the stares, and sighed. "Sorry about that. Apparently Bill is looking for me," Sookie whispered as she looked around at the people in the bar.

"Looking for you? Bill? Why?" Quinn asked almost all at once.

"I hope it's not too important. I just want some peace and quiet. Maybe he just wants to see how I am," Sookie said hopefully. Though she seriously doubted that was the case. Judging by the looks she was receiving, she was willing to bet it was very important.

"You think he would go out of his way to Merlotte's, when he's your neighbor, just to see how you're doing?" Quinn asked with an arched brow. He glanced around the room with an expression that made everyone return to their own business.

"No. I don't."

"Do you need for us to leave? This is clearly bothering you," Quinn said with a frown as he reached for his wallet.

"I'm sorry, Quinn. Something just isn't right. I haven't seen or heard from Bill in months," said Sookie as she rose from the table laying down her own tip for Arlene. She could tell that Quinn was hungry and clearly frustrated at not getting to eat, but she couldn't shake the feeling that something was horribly wrong. Quinn's hunger was the least of her worries.

…

Sookie pulled into her driveway with haste, her feeling of dread becoming more and more apparent to Quinn. The moon had taken a strange shape, as if it was smiling and mocking her. It was a particularly dark and dreary night, much to her dismay.

She parked and removed the keys from the ignition, looking over at Quinn with a solemn expression.

"You can go inside if you want. You don't have to come with me," Sookie said as she opened her door. Quinn followed her motions, standing tall beside the car.

"If you think I'm going to sit in your house while you could be walking straight into danger at your ex-boyfriends house, you've lost your mind."

Sookie fought the urge to defend her ability to take care of herself and began the walk through the woods and cemetery to Bill's house. The all too familiar surroundings brought both fond and horrible memories back to her. As if Quinn could feel her anxiety, he grabbed her hand and gave it a gentle squeeze.

The old house that Bill resided in soon came into view and Sookie noticed that the front door was wide open. This immediately struck Sookie as strange and she broke from Quinn, running to the front door.

"BILL?" Sookie screamed as she ran through the house. Quinn had decided to check the perimeter.

She checked every room, including Bill's secret sleeping place before coming to her dedicated bedroom. On the bed she found a carefully placed piece of paper. As she approached the bed she noticed it was a note.

"Quinn!" Sookie screamed as she took the note in her hand. "I think I've found something!"

Sookie, I have searched for you all evening. You were not home and there was a strange vehicle in your driveway when I woke, so I went to Merlotte's in the hope of inquiring your whereabouts. I hope you do not mind as this is of utter importance. Eric has gone missing. I am currently on my way to New Orleans to consult Sophie Anne on the matter.

~Bill

"Eric gone missing? This can't be good. " Sookie thought to herself as she heard Quinn taking two steps at a time. He appeared in the door, his face white as a ghost. By the look on his face Sookie assumed he expected to find a body not a note.

"What is it?" Quinn asked.

"It's a note from Bill. Eric's missing. I think I have to go to New Orleans," Sookie said.