I am famished…, I feel completely exhausted…, I feel gritty and violated too, angry at the horror show that was last night. Yet I'm still asleep. My white date dress is toast. I just know that guy was going commando. My hand floundered at the side of my bed -all of my muscles were stretched in the wrong way. Cramped up by being huddled on my old twin bed. I was feeling for Bill. No Good. Damn the sunlight! I spoke kind of harshly to my love last night, even though I knew he had given his lifeblood to save Sam. Bill is my hero, I mused. Sam had been exceptionally brave, too. It was overwhelming, watching him as a Bull, a bull for Pete's sake, a crazy big beautiful bull with horns to impale that ..that.. thing… wow and naked and powerful Sam, pulling his hand away from her chest, crushing a literal heart of evil, all purple and black and ucchh… I can hardly register it all… I must let my mind and body linger on the quiet and shelter of my old room. I long for the time when I could rest and hear the purring of Tina or the light snores or shuffling of my Gran nearby. It seemed far away now, so I forced my mind to erase the other things that stood in its way. When I remember the last nights before Gran, -Oh it stabs me when I think of her. I could see it in her killer's mind, and that is the worst nightmare. You know those filet knives that fishermen use? It feels like one of those –so thin and so sharp you hardly know what's happened -shocked to find it's slid under your ribcage and you feel your lung become a thick sluggish sack that is slowly leaking. ( suffocated by sorrow and pain.) I have to let that go- I need more rest- if Bill were here he could absorb some of this, like that night he lay here with me just to reassure me. I dreamt of him in this bed, the first night we met, - not of reassurance, but of the possibilities of a silent lover, scared of opening myself to him fully,… his cool fingers brushing the hair from my neck, his nose burrowed into the delicate areas of my throat , bright intense eyes that long for me, treasure me, the excitement I feel when his fangs penetrate me and how earnestly his body moves inside mine. I'm safe in those arms, and so loved….. I feel like dirt dreaming about Eric, that conniving bastard! --that blood thing had better wear off. It won't work anyway! It's not like I'm gonna' turn into some love sick puppy and go running on all fours into the arms of that, that … calm down , You've got a lot of cleaning to do today and, let's face it, for weeks to come. SLEEP...please sleep,sleep

"WAKE UP!" My shoulders were being shaken. What the hell is happening? My ancient mentation has just been assaulted by the disturbed thoughts and feeling of a… a… My stomach lurched.

" Master, are you well?"

" You sound…tortured!" … " What has our loving Queen done this time?"

(It's Pam.)

"I'm fine Pam, Why are you here?" I attempt to calmly inquire.

Pam scans the Fangtasia office left to right, her long, chestnut locks brushing her bare shoulders and the top of her leather bodice. "Because, you command me, to put my gorgeous immortal ass on display, here," she knits her brow into a question.

(I need to collect myself now. After interminable Yahtzee, and the frenzied feeding on, and fucking of, some of the Queen's favored retinue ... I could not shake the persistent buzzing of danger and fear coursing through my veins… I nearly went to ground in the woods. Perhaps some of the Queen's gifts had been spiked? I wonder … for my memory of settling in the office safe room was hazy now.)

"Are you here because of the Maenad battle, then? " Pam plies hopefully, her head cocked with concern. " I would have loved to have stood with you to fight," her eyes and fangs were indeed shining. " Did you assure that my pumps were avenged in style?" (Pam assumes my disturbance is due to battle; if only that were so.)

"Those are all excellent questions, Pam." I step out of my chamber and hover to stretch my sizeable frame. "But… I'm afraid our Queen insisted last night… that we not engage in Maenad battle," I state remorsefully, and throw myself onto the office chair.

"It is Her Royal Highnesses sincere wish that we should "stick" to these, these… immortal ass display endeavors," (and illegal pet projects I provide mentally to Pam), I sweep my hand out to the bar. " so that we may continue happily keeping her Queendom flush with cash!" (For the purchase of gold chaise lounges, and proletarian board games, no doubt. ) I knew Pam's smooth impassive face belied a storm of inquiries, but she wisely stayed silent. (Good. I had questions for her. ) " The Bon Temps area has been damaged with the battle, Pam ," I said sternly "We must see if there are any vampire needs." ( back in control, thank you.)

"Chow is working on it, Master."

"Good." "Report his findings to me at close"

" Have we suffered any losses among employees … or… your… pets?" I trailed off.

"None ,Eric…" Pam affixed her sheer black stockings to her garters, her long heeled shoes clicked on the floor as she shifted legs. ( Such perfect womanly curves that I have frozen in time for my child, we used to have so much fun testing the limits of sexual endurance… "… but, what of our amusing prostitute minion?" Pam interrupts my musing . "Can you tell if he survived?"

"Yes, he is fine." I replied. (scared shitless of me, as it should be, but fine.)

"Are you sometimes able to detect their feelings, Pam?" I paused meaningfully. "Your humans, I mean?"

"I have only shared my blood in emergencies, or at your request," she replied dispassionately. "The most recent, if you recall, was my human that went awry with the werewolf." she paused, considering "Yet she has come to no further harm as far as I know. "

"Dammit, Pam!" I thought furiously… "I know about location and danger!" (Bristling discomfort was roiling behind my forehead. I didn't think it possible to feel so much, nor experience the stomach wrenching nausea that I have suffered with since sharing that miserable dream. What I desired to know, but would never ask Pam directly, is: Do you ever see their memories? Or, personally experience their feelings : the hunger , exhaustion, sadness … hatred? How about passionate love for your weak, impertinent, petulant underlings? … someone that you will have to deal with personally to the Queen's satisfaction. Someone that already flouts your authority! )

Pam seemed frozen when I returned her gaze.

"Has there been report of the telepath, Master?" (Her name has left your vault, Pam? )

"She is fine." I reported back too quickly. (How would I know that if I just rose?)

Pam lifted her right eyebrow slightly, in an irritating way

"I tricked her into bonding with me... because Compton is an insufferable ass and I needed to teach him some manners. Do you have a question about this?"( I dare anyone to say a goddamn thing!)

Pam's eyes widened. " I believe you had the question of me, master? " Pam said quietly, "Is there some difference if the blood sharing is with a telepath?"

(Blood sharing? I wish. If "that ones" bitter thoughts, and my Queen's wishes ruled the day I would nev…wait, perhaps that is part of the problem- because I have not had her blood -only she mine? ) I don't like the expression Pam is studying me with; if she even smirks I will rip her arm off, I swear by my Maker !

"It would seem so, Pam."

Sookie's brother was bundling fetid debris onto his pickup truck when I arrive.( Where was Pam to supply me with this one's name? No Matter. ) I zipped next to him.

"If it isn't the conquering hero," I whisper.

"Oh shit man, You scared me! " (No! Perhaps, I hadn't noticed your aerial half gainer ?)

"Sookie said she called some kind of vamp cop… that you?"

I stared. ( What does he keep in his cranium? Does it just hold that lovely hair up? He shares her eye color but not their depth, I notice.)

"Well, I told her it made sense to call one of you. Cause I don't 'spect Sherriff Dearborne to give two shits about missing vamps err.. vampire Americans. But you'd think Andy would listen, cause we saved everybody in this town's ass," he circled his finger in the air to indicate the "whole town"… "and Bill helped."

I gave him a questioning eyebrow lift.

"Too bad you missed it," he added. ( I smell impertinent accusation.)

"I was otherwise engaged." I nearly hissed.

" Well, I ain't seen her this upset since Gran. Look, I got to haul all the rest of this crazy meat statue out. You can just go on in."

(An invitation inside? Wonderful. … Did he say meat statue?)

I tapped gently at the door, there was no sound of movement. I could sense her location and focused on her breathing. Uneasy slumber. I would just take a look around … (for the sake of my investigation.)

Sookie's house had been hit by a tornado . (I don't understand how she became the focus of the Maenad's wrath. It is Bill or the shifter's fault, no doubt. Still, they are the "brave" ones she holds in such esteem in her dream. I wonder what she dreams of tonight? I pray I don't find out at daylight. I have quite enough feelings for the duration, unless she is naked in bed with me again… )

There is a little worn kitchen and I can see that the soul of this house has changed very little from Bill's era, with a few modern conveniences. ( This is a manner of living that I feel comfortable in. Technologies are useful, but so…)

A note was on the refrigerator :

Laf and me just about got Gran's room done and part of the kitchen. We can watch things at Merlotte's while Sam is gone. Can Terry borrow your uniform? (he's got the ass for it, but I might need to lend him some NEET) Call if there's any word on Bill. He'll be ok Sook.

We Love you. Tara

Lafayette was helping. Good. I need to have a serious word with him. I will have my day person look into a cleaning service for her. I need a game plan here. I can't believe Bill has gotten himself over his head again. I need to know if it involves the Queen's "V" sales. He may be held for that or whatever other project I suspect the Queen of having him work on. What does Sookie know of Compton's activities? I need to interrogate Sookie, but subtly. If Bill is killed, or worse divulges Her secrets, the Queen will.. well … I am in the pool with Bill I'm afraid.

I scouted the rooms; they smelled of every cleaning agent on the market and every body fluid imaginable. (Oh, her white dress with the red, how I love her in red, she wore it for me… and now- defiled. I have been desperately itching for a fight, and my fangs were down with just the thought of adding those responsible to the cemetery or the swamp… ) A nasty orgy of smells, here. She had lots of family pictures that were smashed -and even one of her cat. (I like felines… I get them. They are predators and have dignity. Nothing, like a lovely pussy. She has a number of hideous afghans, perhaps she shares with Lafayette? She has a shotgun in her laundry room, interesting… What's this?... a beautiful lilac gown that is lovingly returned to a gift box? I gently inhale. It has been recently worn… Danced in perhaps? Lucky gown…To be snuggled tightly against that smooth, voluptuous skin… a letter note in the box. From Compton, naturally. After reading it, I agree that she is owed a night out, and an abundance more, I think, considering the state of her house. If she is your human I don't know how you would not supply her the means to… Focus Northman!!)

This is from the day he disappeared. Did he make it to his destination?

I will ask Sookie, ( gently or torturously she will decide. ) (I have not investigated the bedroom, yet. The largest bedroom was empty, still cleaning it out. It was her Grandmothers'. I recognize some of this from my…our..dream . It is the room of a charming woman that died bravely. Is she somehow the source of Sookie's otherness? The Queen's allusions were … veiled, but her pet seemed to have some role in this…she seems familiar… )

A soft moan breaks my ruminations...

( As I peek my head into the smaller bedroom, my heart clenches. Around the time I heard that my maker was missing in Dallas, my otherwise silent chest cavity has started communication. In Sookie's presence- it is positively chatty.)

(Alas, Sookie was not there. Her beautiful body is huddled protectively in the twin bed, but it is just a dim shell. Where is my courageous fiery burst of light? My comet had burned out. More reason to hate Compton. How could he have ingrained himself so deep? She has endured serial killers, maenad attacks, attempted rape, imprisonment… and worry for him has broken her? )

( Humans certainly don't waste time in their affections. They become so caught up, in such a short time? Cursed feelings! I don't want to waken her and register that pain for Compton.)

(Well, she couldn't feel pain if she were too frightened. And if I'm anything to her- I'm scary (I saved her from death twice now, but why did it have to be her friend, in my dungeon?) I remember her spectacular slap after that realization. So… sexy. Alright, I choose plan C- pissed off. And why do it half way? I quickly shed my leather jacket and yellow tee. Pants, too? Oh yes. I'll leave the silk boxers. There should be some mystery. )

I don't really fit in this bed. But, oh doesn't her body curve perfectly to my shape. She smells of tears, this is only second in sweetness to the aroma of her blood. "Which you are forbidden to taste!" My brain viciously reminds. My mouth wasn't listening to edicts, and started to moisten, another part of my body stiffened to remind me that it did not need her blood to be satisfied. ( I will bet that Eden's forbidden apple was only the third tastiest fruit in the garden, but you know the longing made it unbearable.) I love the bow of her lips, they beg to be licked, her hair is the exact color as mine. She still has that light cocoa tan, even in the dip of her throat, where her pulse whooshes hypnotically. Even as a human, I was not a sun worshipper, the snow and the purple shades of dusk were always my favorites. Creatures of the night were not meant for this much light- and heat. Surely, I am as a moth bashing my head into a glowing porch lantern. It hurts so good.

"Time to rise, Sunshine… " I gently dip my head to the curve of her neck, I will my fangs into place and brush only my lips against her. The stress and pains of her world are coiled tightly in her back and shoulders. I put the weight of my hands over her shoulder blades, with slight circling pressure I pull the pain away from her and into me. (Swedish massage is the original muscle "glamour.") She nudges closer to me and raises her leg slightly. (I have been dreaming of those thighs since they walked into Fangtasia with the wrong vampire.) My roughened fingers nearly tremble as they swirl down to her creamy depths. (When Sookie yields to me, this is where I will first taste her. I never tire of a woman's thighs: the flesh so soft and the skin's blush and perspiration make ready to receive me. I wanted to lick her there and make her writhe, but I settled to lick the sweet nectar from my own fingers.

"Sookie, what you do to me. What I would do to you if you would let me," I whisper.

I licked my fingers clean of her taste and twirled them in my mouth. ( I want more!) I brush my lips near her ear and trace my tongue over her tear streaked cheek. (Delicious.) She seemed to respond then, moaning and moving to her back. (This is getting good.) Those breasts are rising up at me, hot like the sun and radiating warmth all through my body. Perhaps I could just .. (bury myself in there?, latch on like an infant?? -touch them?)As if she heard my thoughts her hand went up and covered her breast and the slightly swollen nipple. Though barely awake , she seemed to recognize me and respond happily. (I could feel this through our blood and I certainly responded in kind. I had dreamed of this joy and now I was awake and it was inside me like I haven't felt in…..when?) She let her right hand travel to my hips and thrust her chest to mine, she was kissing my throat, licking almost desperately, and I thought she might bite.( What a fucking turn-on! ) Her right hand intimately brushes my cheek, …then she put her thumb in my mouth. My fangs will no longer be denied , they snick into place and I catch her fluttering hand in mine. (What is on her left hand!!! Is that a diamond? Bill you stupid man!! You dare call me desperate? Centuries of vampire's control through patience and mystery and seduction ..and Mr. Subtle as a Sledgehammer… ) Then the leaking started." Oh thank God… Oh thank God you're here… sweetheart are you injured? "

(.. or finally dead I hope?)

" Do you need my blood?"

( more than I'll ever tell you..)

"Sookie, It is me."