A/N: Since there's only one episode left, I'm writing a 3rd season of the show. It follows the storyline in the show. I've read all the books, but I'll try not to cross the two. It's my first fic, so be kind while you're being critical.

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I opened my eyes, very slowly, not quite remembering where I was. Oh yeah, my very own bed. No more hotels. I looked around my bedroom, which had been Gran's. There wasn't too much left that hadn't been broken or ruined when Tara and Eggs made the nest. It's been over a month since Mary-Anne destroyed my home, and my hometown, Bon Temps. Very few of the residents remembered the violence and lust that had consumed them, driving them to hunt Sam, and destroy the town.

I pulled myself up onto my elbows and gazed around the now sparse, bare bedroom. The only thing that had really survived was the bed frame with the wooden headboard my great-grandfather had carved, and a covered chair. Everything else was new, from the red quilt to my clothing. Thank you, Eric. I'm not sure why, but he gave me much more money from the Dallas job than I had been expecting. Who am I kidding? I know why- he wants in my pants. Not that I'd mind...

I decided that thinking about Eric was not a good way to start my day. There were too many mixed feelings left over, and I had trouble knowing which feelings were because of the blood and which were just for him. The dreams I had of us naked, groping each other in bed or in the shower or out in the woods or at Fangtasia, were starting to come less frequently. Bill was happy I didn't moan Eric's name in my sleep anymore.

OK, Sookie, out of bed. It's the afternoon! The grand (re)opening of Merlotte's was happening that night. I'd been in to the bar late last night, making sure everything was perfect, that the bar was restocked and that there was enough TrueBlood, since Bill and Jessica were coming. Though I could barely admit it, I hoped Eric would make an appearance. It had been weeks since I'd seen him, and I'd only talked to him for a few minutes on the phone to thank him for the "bonus" check, as he called it. I don't like taking charity, but after he tricked me into sucking out the bullet, I felt I deserved a little extra, despite the pleasure those dreams had been giving me.

I got up and got dressed in my Merlotte's uniform. Tiny black shorts, a tight white t-shirt with the logo on my left breast, and put my hair up in a pony tail. Just the usual outfit, but I decided I needed a little extra make-up, even though I was sure the tips would be good tonight, either way. I headed out the door, ready for work.

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"Sookie! Another pitcher of Budweiser" Andy yelled from across the bar, his arm slung over Jason's shoulders. Their short time as partners against Mary-Anne had really created an unlikely but strong bond between the two. Andy was still drinking though, and Sheriff Dearborn didn't know what to do about that. Since it turned out that Andy had been right about something awful happening in Bon Temps, he didn't really deserve to be on leave anymore.

Despite the fact that many of the citizens of Bon Temps didn't remember the details of what had happened to the town, everyone seemed to be under agreement not to talk about it. Since it wasn't easily explained, the cause of the town's destruction was ignored by everyone. However, it was clear from their thoughts that everyone remembered more than they let on, which was probably why all the town residents had readily pitched in to help with the clean-up.

"Coming up!" I was happy to be back at work. Happy that things in the town were back to normal and happy that everyone I cared about came out alive, both in Dallas and Bon Temps.

The door swung open, and in walked Bill and Jessica. Hoyt, who was sitting with Andy and Jason, looked at them, and his thought turned into a confusing mess of love and anger. Jessica was doing an excellent job of mainstreaming, even if she had made one little mistake. After seeing the Dallas vamps, I know that Jessica's attack on Maxine had been more frustration than evil. Bill came over and kissed me cheek, his cool lips making me shiver. Bill looked good tonight, in a grey button-down shirt and black slacks.

"Have a seat, I'll get you two both a TrueBlood." I could tell he wanted to say more to me, but he just shut his mouth and walked over to a booth with Jessica, saying hi to a few people on the way. I just couldn't get past some of my anger at him staying with the Queen in New Orleans overnight, but even before that, I felt a distance between us at his reaction to my time with Godric. He was too blinded by Eric's subtle (or not so subtle) pursuit of me.

A loud rock song that I'd heard before, but didn't know the name of, came on the Jukebox and instantly the atmosphere turned into even more of a party. I was so busy refilling drinks that I never noticed Eric walk into the bar. I felt his presence and knew he was walking my way before I'd even turned around. As I turned, I met his glacial blue eyes with my own. He was staring at me so intently that I blushed. My dreams about Eric, naked and thrusting into me and drinking from my neck, flashed before my eyes.

"Sookie, I trust all is well with you?"

My heart started pounding.

"Ye-yes. The house is finally renovated after all the damage, and now that Merlotte's is open again, everything is back to normal."

I pasted a huge smile on my face, so he wouldn't know I was thinking licking his entire body. Eric just looked at me, smirked like he could tell what I was thinking, then leaned forward and grazed my cheek with his lips, very gently. He covered the exacr spot Bill had kissed just an hour or two earlier. I could hear Bill begin to protest, but Eric was already leaving. I turned by back to the bar, back to the drink's I'd poured before he came in.

I touched my cheek and I could swear it felt hot, like he'd branded me with his lips.