A/N: I want to take this time to thanks my betas Aimee1985 and slcurwin. With out you girls this would have been a real mess. Thanks for your support and kind words. You guys are amazing!
This is my first story in two years so I'm a little rusty. Please, be brutal when you guys are letting me know your thoughts on it! Which you can do in a review, PM or at tweeter where I am 24/7. You can find me there under PrincessVegeta.
Warning: underage sex; adultery; violence; slash; fluff and lemons. Also the story pre- Great Revelation; AU.
Disclaimer: All of this belong to Charlain Harris, Allan Ball and HBO. No profit is being made of this. Please don't sue I'm two step from being completely broke!And now Enjoy!
This is a re-post. All mistakes are now fix thanks to my super-wonderfull beta team! Send some love their way!
And now Enjoy!
Chapter 1
"You two did what?" screamed Sookie at her companions. "How could you? Did you have any idea of what you had done to me?"
"We are so sorry, Sookie. It wasn't meant to be this way. It wasn't what we meant to do." Cried Tara.
"Yeah, we never meant to hurt you."
"Just turned me into a fucking whore. Literally, it seems."
"It wasn't like that, Sookie." Marianne interrupted her. "We actually thought we were helping you."
"How in sweet baby Jesus' name did this help me? Do you guys have any idea how I have felt since coming home? I can barely stand to looked at myself. I slept with men I didn't even know, besides their name -and by the way one of them now hates my guts. How was this supposed to help me?"
"Listen to us, Sookie." Pleaded Tara, mopping her face with a tissue. Her eyes and her nose were red rimmed; her dark brown hair, usually impeccable, was looking dishevelled. She did not handle herself well under stress. "That potion wasn't supposed to affect you like it did. That was our fault. We didn't communicate right, you see? So we gave you too much."
"Glad we cleared that up." Sookie said sarcastically. "Can you guys tell me why? Why on earth did you do it?" she didn't cry though part of her wanted to. She had cried herself dry since returning to Bon Temps and was sure she had no more tears in her.
"Look, Sookie," started Marianne. "You said you wanted an adventure. You said you wanted to experience romance. You wanted to feel like a normal woman for once in your life. That was the whole point of this trip. We were going to go to some place where no one knew us, where we could do as we please. Let our hair down and have some fun!"
Sookie nodded but kept silent. They had just graduated from high school and decided to go out of the country to celebrate the new start in their lives. It was meant to be their first adventure as adult women, a kind of bridge between what has been and what would be. They were, in fact, going their separate ways once September comes. Marianne for one was moving to New Orleans to live with her mother and though both Tara and Sookie were remaining in Bon Temps, Tara already had plans to attend Shreveport Community College while Sookie was going to look for a job. No college in her future.
They had been planning the trip since they entered High School; it had been fourteen year old Tara's idea but four years of planning and saving hadn't gotten them enough money to go to France, Italy or Greece like they had originally wanted. They had instead chosen to go to a remote Bed and Breakfast in Öland for three weeks.
Sookie had loved it. The village they had been staying in was small, and quaint. Not that much different to Bon Temps and the people in the village had been nice, even though they had to communicate through dictionaries and signs for the most part. The climate, though considerably colder and windier than what she was a costumed to, hadn't been uncomfortable. They hadn't found any night clubs or discos close by, much to Tara and Marianne's displeasure. Though even their adventure seeking spirits had been satisfied with their overall experience. Or so Sookie had thought.
"You never date." Continued Tara in a more subdued tone of voice, "You always say it's because the boys here think you are crazy."
"It's the truth." She said defensibly. And it was, just not the entire truth. There was no point in telling her friends that the reason she didn't date wasn't so much that the boys called her crazy but rather that she could hear their thoughts. No point really in reminding her friends that she had a problem. That she was cursed.
"Yes." Agreed Marianne; sitting down next to Tara on the sofa in her living room. Now that Sookie had calmed down somewhat and was letting them explain Marianne was taking advantage to get everything out before it got worse again. "Do you remember the first time we went to that bar in the village? When that really hot guy hit on you?" Sookie frowned at her friend and crossed her arms. She hadn't wanted to go to that bar. She had been scared out of her mind. At 17, she was the youngest of their group. And still a few weeks short of coming of age. Her ID had been a fake one that Tara had given her and she had been too scared someone was going to realized that and kick her out of the bar. "He was hot. Probably the most amazing, most handsome man I've ever seen. And he had eyes only for you." She didn't say it in a bitter tone though at the time she had been jealous of all the attention Sookie was getting. "But what did you do? Did you flirt with him? Dance with him? No, you did not. Tara, what did Sookie here do?" she asked turning her face sideways to watch the brunet.
"She ran away." She gave Sookie and apologetic look but continued, "We knew then that you were not going to loosen up. We had to do something or you were going to end up staying inside the room at the bed and breakfast for the whole three weeks."
"And turning me into a nymphomaniac was your answer?" she walked to the window to stare out onto Marianne's lawn, giving her back to her friends. She could hear from their minds how sorry they were that she had been hurt. But both of them still thought they had been right with what they did for her, they knew she wouldn't let her inhibitions go and just enjoy their time away from everything back home. They only wanted her to have fun and not to think too hard about anything she was doing.
"Just listen to us. We didn't mean to do that. The potion we gave you, it was meant to lower your inhibitions. Sure, one side effect was an increased libido but it could hardly make you a nymphomaniac."
"But it did!" she said turning around again, this time facing the other girls. "I slept with a guy I had met a handful of times. And it was my first time too!" that was one of the things that burned her the most. She had given her virginity to a guy she was not going to see again. A man, who at that moment hated her. "I posed naked for an entire collection of paintings." She hadn't slept with the artist though part of her had been tempted. She hadn't realized that part was thanks to the potion, at the time she had been very disturbed because the artist had been a woman. Not much older than her seventeen years. "And slept with the artist's brother three hours after I met him. And not that much longer after John told me how much I disgusted him."
"It wasn't supposed to make you act that way Sookie."
"Then why did it?" but she had their answer from their brains. They didn't speak to each other about how they were going to give her the potion. So they had both been giving it to her at the same time. More than what was required. They had overdosed her with it. "You could have killed me! You two had no idea what you were doing! Are you both crazy?"
"It couldn't have killed you." Marianne said with surprising dignity. Tara was crying again. "The old woman who gave it to us said it was perfectly safe for humans."
"Yes, she said it only causes side effects with anything other than human beings. She even asked us various time's if you were completely human or not."
"What the hell is that supposed to mean?"
"I think she thought Sookie was a dog name or something."
"Gee, thanks."
"Look, Sookie. We are sorry. It was a mistake and it won't happen again."
"You guys are unbelievable." Said Sookie before grabbing her clutch bag and going to the bathroom slamming the door shut behind her.
"She hates us." Cried Tara again.
"She does not." Marianne comforted her. "This is Sookie we are talking about. She has stewed for a while but now she is going to forgive us, because that's how this works. We messed up sure but she will realize how sorry we are and we didn't mean her any harm."
"You sure?"
"Yeah, now she has calmed down and came here to speak to us she is going to see the bright side of this. She slept with two of the most beautiful men in the world. I mean, take John, he was so sexy and exotic looking. With his purple eyes and great physic; and then take the Swedish God. He could easily be a Viking. And if he was half as good in bed as he looked he is every girl's wet dream. And no harm done."
"You are right. It's not like she's going to see any of them again. And as long as they hadn't been sick with something contagious or something, what's the worse that she could take from this?"
"That's the spirit."
Sookie looked at the two pink colored stripes and felt her chest tighten. For a moment she couldn't remember where she was or what she was doing. Then everything came crashing down on her again.
As she moved away from the toilet, she had to concentrate on moving one foot in front of the other. She walked towards the sink, put down the small pregnancy test that gave her the news and washed her hands. Then she just looked at her reflection. She looked pale and her eyes huge. They were red rimmed and filled with tears. She blinked a few times and willed the tears away. She would not cry. She wasn't sure what the hell she was supposed to do now, but at the moment she was doing her best not to cry. Everything would be all right, as long as she didn't cry.
"Damn it. Oh God. Oh Jesus." For the moment she could only breathe. Then she started to shake. "This can't be happening. This just can't." she murmured to herself. Looking down at the small piece of plastic, she let a dry sob escape her. There was no mistake. She was pregnant. And for the life of her she didn't know who the father was.
"Sookie, did the toilet swallow you up girl?" the voice was accompanied with a knock on the door, and then she heard it open. "What's up?" asked Tara in a soft watery voice, entering the bathroom and walking to her friend. Their friendship wasn't what it used to be before their trip to Öland, but at least they were speaking again. Sookie had refused to talk to her or Marianne in the last few days of their trip and had in fact avoided both girls for a month after they returned home. Until today when she agreed to go to Marianne's house to find out why her friends would do what they did. "Are you ok?"
"I'm pregnant, Tara." She said it quietly taking the pregnancy test and giving it to her childhood friend.
"Oh my God. Sookie are you sure?" she looked at the test and was overcome with nausea. "Do you know who the father is?"
Sookie just looked at her blankly for a moment then seemed to draw herself back and took the pregnancy test from her best friend's hands. "I don't know Tara. See I slept with more than one guy at the same time. My bad." She left Tara looking like she had been slapped and walked away. She hoped her friends at least realized what their childish actions have cost her. Either way she left Marianne's house with her head held high.
Five months later
"I invited Jason to dinner tonight." That was Adele greeting her when she entered the kitchen with her hands filled with grocery bags.
Sookie stiffened for a moment then deliberately relaxed. She had been laying down on the couch reading a romance novel, but sat up when she heard her grandmother entering the house. She hadn't spoken with her brother since she told him she was pregnant and was keeping the baby. That had been four months ago.
"I can get out of the house for a few hours if you want me to." She offered her grandmother. She knew how hard it was for Adele not to have Jason show up at her house anymore. But he had been clear in his feelings for Sookie and had kept his word. As long as their grandmother allowed Sookie and the bastard she was carrying to remain in the house he would not be going there.
"Don't be an idiot now, darling." Chided her grandmother gently, putting all the groceries in their respective places. "I'm not kicking you out of your home because Jason is acting like a jackass. He can come if he wants to or not. But this is your home and that's not going to change."
Sookie was really grateful for the support from gran, but she was aware of how much it was costing her. As it were, Adele had resigned from her gardening and reading book clubs. She didn't get together with all of her friends like she used to do and when she did, more often than not she returned home too soon and too mad to talk.
Sookie was aware of how people in a small town like Bon Temps looked at single mothers. And the fact that she couldn't name the father of the baby was just another strike against her. She had been prepared for all the attacks that she knew were going to come at her once she decided to keep her baby. And though it really hurt her when Jason had given her his back she hadn't been, at the heart of it, surprised by his action. It hadn't been the first time her brother had abandoned her when she needed his support the most. What she hadn't thought about was having her grandmother hurt by others. She hadn't really thought how people whom had known her grandmother for years would turn against her. Would blame her for Sookie's situation and would make her ashamed.
There was only one thing Jason had said when he found out about the baby that Sookie agreed with. She had shamed the family. And even though her grandmother would cut out her own tongue before she said aloud, Sookie knew she was ashamed of her. Of her actions. Her choices.
"You know, Sookie. Jason is really sorry about his actions." Said Adele a short time later coming into the living room with a glass of lemonade in her hand. She handed the drink to her granddaughter and sat in a loveseat in front of her. "He misses you."
Sookie could tell that her grandmother really believed that. She was hoping Jason would apologize for his harsh words to Sookie and that they would be a family again. She was thinking how much it hurts her not hearing anything from Hadley, and it would kill her if she had to go through something similar now with Jason and Sookie.
The blond young woman just took a sip from her lemonade to stop herself from answering her grandmother's thoughts.
"Would you give him a chance, at least, darling?"
"Sure Gran," she said smiling at her. It wasn't her signature crazy Sookie smile, but a dimmed version of it. "As long as he doesn't start on my baby, I'll behave."
"Thank you, darling. Now, why don't you go lie down for a little bit? You'll need your strength for the baby and you're looking a bit peaked, honey." Adele told her worriedly, her granddaughter looked way to pale for her liking and seemed to be losing weight instead of gaining.
"Not to worry, Gran. The baby is just active is all."
"Still, up to bed with you young lady. Try to sleep for a while; I'll wake you up later on."
Nodding at her grandmother and still drinking lemonade she went to her bedroom. Once inside the room she closed the door and locked it. Better if her grandmother thought her asleep and left her alone for a few hours. She had some research to do.
There was a desk beside the window full of books. Most of them were about babies and children in general. There were some mystery and romance books on it for her entertainment. And almost hidden underneath all of the books, was her research project. The subject of her fascination for almost as long as she had been pregnant.
Vampires.
It wasn't fiction books, though she had read a few romances with that theme. These were supposed to be non-fiction books exploring the undead. So far she hadn't encountered anything that either dissuaded her that they didn't exist or prove their existence. None of the books seemed to agree on a single point beyond the fact that the vampires need to drink blood to survive.
Some claim that sunlight was lethal to vampires; others said it was a weakness given to them through fiction so humans could feel like they had a sporting chance. Some say they looked like they used to when they were alive, others claimed they looked like zombies, and were in fact just another form of those. Some say vampires did exist; that they live and move alongside human kind and had done since the beginning of time. Others, claimed that the closest thing to real vampires were humans suffering from Renfield syndrome.
As for her, she wasn't sure what to think. She wasn't sure if she wanted to explore the option that she had slept with a crazy guy that got off on drinking blood from her or the fact that she might have slept with a honest to God, vampire. She might even be carrying his child.
Sookie hadn't told either Tara or Marianne about Eric's action. When he drank from her, while they were having sex, it hadn't seemed like a big deal. At the time the potion running through her veins had made her more interested in the sex itself rather than what was happening around her. And truthfully having him drinking from her had been spectacular. It had been later on, when he had looked at her dead in the eyes and told her quite clearly that they only had sex, that he hadn't bit her, that she hadn't seen his fangs and that he hadn't drank her blood; that scared her. Because for a moment, she could have sworn she felt him in her mind, like a pull. A force. She had wanted to believe him, and in fact acted like she did.
But as strange as that had seemed, as much as that had shaken her, what made her tip the scale towards him being a real vampire was the fact that his skin glowed, and she also couldn't hear his thoughts.
He had been a complete blank to her. A void, where there should have not been a void.
And that possibility pushed her all the more to find out what the hell he was. Because she was sure, that the Viking God who had given her more orgasms in one night than John, her previous and only other, lover had done in the two weeks they were together, was no more human than the child she carrying inside of her.
And she didn't know what to do.
Sookie stood in front of her father's tomb and sighed. It was a moonless night and the darkness was heavy around her. Besides the sound of insects in the cemetery, there was blessed silence. Dinner had gone well. Jason had showed up much to her grandmother's delight. And though he had not apologized to Sookie for his actions and comments, he had not said anything bad about Sookie or the baby. As long as he kept it that way, she would gladly keep the peace.
Jason had gone as far as to invite Sookie to a BBQ that his best friend Hoyt was throwing that next Saturday. Since he had acted for months like he had no sister, being willing to take her now to one of his friend's parties, was more of an apology than words would ever be to her.
Still, having Jason back, as good as that was, had only taken care of half of her worries. Her fears about her baby and the possible nature of the father were never far from her mind. She hadn't so far started craving blood, for which she was grateful. If Eric was indeed a real vampire, that trait had not passed over her child. So far. What she had read about demi-vampires claimed that the child could survive on human's food. Then again, most of the information she had on demi-vampires had come from fiction books so they weren't reliable.
She had not, however, discounted the fact that there was a possibility that the father of her child wasn't Eric but the only other man she had taken as a lover. John. Who had been so cruel to her the last time they saw each other.
Sookie hadn't been able to read his thoughts like other people. In fact the only thing she could get clear from him was his emotions. His thoughts, though she could read them if she made more of an effort, came with a slight buzz that caused an interference. She had only encountered something like that with the Hotshot people. And finding a man that was so difficult to read had been a nice respite for her curse. That was of course, before she met Pam, the artist, or her older brother Eric. She couldn't read any of them.
Though it hurt her to think of the last encounter she had with John. She couldn't in good conscience blame him for his actions. He had been the perfect gentleman every time they meet. Though he was obviously a man of the world, he had been patient with her, with her naïveté. He hadn't been open about his life, but of the little she knew of him she could perceive a deep respect for women. That had been their downfall in the end.
When he found out that Sookie was still underage he had gone berserk. He had accused her of all kinds of stuff and called her a few names, but Sookie had been able to glimpse a bit from his mind to realize that he was disgusted mostly with himself. Though Sookie was past the age of consent, the fact that she was still a teenager had made him felt like he took advantage of her. Despite the fact that she had thrown herself at him, he was convinced he had raped her. Technical rape, to him was still raped. And that seemed to stroke a deep chord within him.
However things had ended up with John, he was human. That she was sure of. Except for the difficulties of reading his mind and his high body temperature, he had shown no more signs of being any different than her. This made her tip the balance on Eric being the father. He obviously was not human. She just wasn't sure what the hell he was.
"I don't know what to do Dad." she said to the tombstone, sitting beside it on the floor. "I know what I know, which at this point is nothing at all. My baby is not normal. And I'm scared out of my mind because of that. Was this how you and mom felt when you were expecting me? Did you somehow know of my curse? That I was different?" she sighed and put her hand on her swollen stomach. She could feel her baby moving inside of her. "What I'm supposed to do when the baby is born? Or years later when he or she asks me about their father?" that was another of her fears. She could get away with refusing to name the father to everyone else who asked, and had already done so. It hadn't been anyone's business but her own anyway. But her child had all the right in the world to ask and deserve the truth from her. However, unless the baby was born with violet eyes or a pair of fangs, she had no idea of what to say. "Will you send me a sign Dad? Will you tell me what to do?" silence was her only answer. "Didn't think so but it was worth a try."
She kissed the tip of her fingers and passed them over her father's name on the tombstone. Then she stood up, with her arms wrapped around herself she made her way back to her home. With only her baby for company.
"Come on, Sookie you have to sit down." since it was the first show of care coming from her brother since she told him she was pregnant Sookie allowed him to pull her over to sit in a chair. The fact that she had only gone from Jason's truck to Hoyt's backyard was lost somewhere.
So far people had shouted her name when she entered with Jason and had waved to her in greeting. She had her shields up full force, and the only stray thoughts she had picked up on were food related, for which she gave eternal thanks to God.
Though she would have rather stayed at her home, her grandmother had put her foot down and practically throw her out of the house for the day. She had to admit that Adele had been right in forcing her to go. For once, spending time with her brother when he was trying so hard to be good to her was nice. Also she had missed being around people. Not only because it helped her with her telepathy, but because she was as sociable as Jason. She needed to be around people every bit as much as her brother did.
"Hey, Sookie." Hoyt called to her, waving from his place at the barbecue. "Glad you could make it." She smiled at him and waved back.
"Well, well, well. Look who decided to join us poor mortals." Sookie turned around to see that the cold cutting voice belonged to Dawn. The brunet and Sookie had never really gotten along. Dawn was a believer – which means she fully believes that Sookie was capable of reading minds. -and as such she avoided Sookie as much as she could. This time was no different since she had been talking to Jason, not to her.
"Hi, Dawn." Jason replied and because he was still touching Sookie she could hear Jason was desperate to get as far away from Dawn as he could get. Apparently their last hook up hadn't really worked out. At that, Sookie got away from his mind as fast as she could. She had zero interest in learning the particulars.
Taking pity in her brother, Sookie smiled at Dawn. "Hello, there. How have you been?"
Dawn looked for the first time at the blond, and Sookie didn't need to be a telepath to hear her thoughts since they were written all over her face. "Well, I heard the rumors of course, but I didn't believe them." there was a cruel smile on her lips and Sookie knew she was about to pay for whatever Jason had done to Dawn. "Tell me; is it true the other part of the rumors? You don't even know who the father of that thing is?"
"That thing is my nephew or niece, Dawn." said Jason before Sookie could defend herself. "Take care with what you say." turning to Sookie he helped her stand up from the chair he had forced on her. "I see Mel over there. I think you'll want to meet him."
"Jason if this is your lame attempt at matchmaking…" he laughed like she meant it. She couldn't thank him for defending her. That only would embarrass him and her. But she was glad he had, that more than anything made her forgive him for his past action about the baby.
"Nah, he's married. But his wife ain't here."
Mel Hart turned out to be from Hotshot. He was young, 23 or 24 years old. He had shaggy brown hair and a pleasant face. There was something in him that remind her of Jason, which Sookie supposed was what draw them towards each other. He was also hard to read, something that made her pay him far more attention now than she would have done had she met him six months ago.
"Now Mel, you take care of my sister. I'm going to give Hoyt a hand." He said after introductions were complete. Jason was big on gadgets and machines and he had been dying to try Hoyt's new barbecue since his friend bought it. Giving Sookie one last glance to make sure she was ok, he left.
There was silence between them and it was awkward. Despite the fact that Hotshot's kids were treated as outsiders in school almost as much as she had been, for some reason Sookie had never struck a friendship with any of them. She had been lucky to have Marianne and Tara, with both of them coming from difficult households as well, and the Hotshot kids had found comfort in their own numbers. She may have wanted at one point to befriend them, especially when she found out how difficult to read there were, but they had obviously felt about her what other kids in school had. Never having been a masochist, she had left them alone.
Now though, she wasn't the only one curious. Mel, who had been cordial while Jason had been there, was looking at her not only with curiosity but a bit of hostility as well.
"Are you ok?" Sookie asked him. His actions and his mood, -which she could feel like it was her own- where becoming fascinating. Mel just looked at her and took one step closer, until they were face to face. Then, he sniffed around her neck. Stupefied, Sookie took one step back and pushed her hands against his hard chest to make him step away from her. She couldn't move him one inch. "What the hell is your problem?"
"What kind of were are you?" he growled at her.
"I have no idea of what you are talking about." she said still with her hands in his chest. His t- shirt was so thin it was like she was touching his skin. Thanks to that his thoughts came clear to her, like he was another normal human, instead of another thing entirely. "You turn into a panther? For real?" thankfully the surprise had robbed her of air, so instead of shouting it she only murmured.
It was enough to make him blanch and step away from her. He looked at her with chagrin then left her standing by herself. Sookie would have called him back, had Jason not came at that moment ready for blood having witnessed the last part of their encounter.
"What the hell happed?" Jason took Sookie by her shoulders and turned her to him so he could examine her quickly. "What was his problem?"
Shaken still for what she found out, she could only shrug. Taking a deep breath she stepped away from Jason. "I answered something that he didn't ask. It spooked him a little." it was the truth more or less. She just left out the first part. When he accused her of being a were. Like him.
"Aww, Sookie. Did you have to?" he was embarrassed now.
"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to. I'll apologize next time I see him. I promise." he just nodded and took her hand.
"Come on, let's go and find you a seat. You have to get off of your feet."
She didn't bother to protest. Jason was trying and that was enough.
Sookie walked into the shop like she knew where she was going. The auto parts store, which was the only one in Bon Temps, belongs to her friend JB du Rone's father. JB himself worked there on and off; every time he managed to get himself fired from another job.
That day she wasn't looking for JB though, but another employee. She found him where she had been told he would be, in the employee lounge where they all take their breaks. She was glad he was alone, because she was pretty sure that they need privacy.
Mel was surprised to see Sookie, but she could tell by his face and his mood that he had been expecting her to seek him out sooner or later. With that in mind, she had no qualms about seeking him out at work and locking herself in the lounge with him. He only looked at her resigned to the fact that he had some explaining to do.
"Hello, Mel." she knew she was wearing her crazy Sookie smile but didn't particularly care. For the first time in months she felt as though she was close to finding out what was wrong with her, with her baby, and she wasn't about to be dissuaded of the truth because she was making anyone uncomfortable. "I called your house. Your wife, Ginger, told me when your break hour is. Hope I'm not interrupting."
He just sighed and signaled to the seat next to him. Sookie narrowed her eyes but sat. She wasn't sure what it was about men that they couldn't see a pregnant woman standing up. But she wasn't going to press the issue since there were more important things at hand.
"I'm sorry about Saturday." he said without looking at her directly. He seemed to be trying to find some particular smell in the air without making it obvious he smelled something.
"I know what you are." he looked up at once then, Sookie saw panic in his eyes and dread. She wasn't stupid enough not to know that had she been someone else who stumbled onto his secret, she could have suffered an accident. "I'm not going to say anything to anyone," she reassured him just in case. "Is not like I'm in any position to reveal secrets." he stared at her for a long moment, and then nodded. "I just want to know what made you think I was…. like you."
"Not like me." he was quick to answer his pride showing. He didn't like the fact that she was comparing whatever she smells like to his own nature. "But you do smell like a shifter. Another kind of wild cat would be my guess."
"I'm not a shifter."
"You can't be one. Jason is older than you." she wasn't sure what that had to do with anything, but didn't pursue it. "Besides, it's not you, but the baby."
"Excuse me? My baby is a shifter?" though Sookie wasn't sure she completely understood what a shifter was, besides the quick look into Mel's head, it made sense to her. She had known for almost as long as she been pregnant that her baby wasn't normal.
"Look," Mel started, combing his fingers through his hair making a mess of it. "I'm not sure what's going on with you or with your baby. I talked with Calvin; he's the leader of us in Hotshot. And he's willing to talk to you, to try to find out what the hell that thing is you are carrying. Because there's no way you are having a were since you are not one. And to be honest a kind of cat is not the only thing I smell on you."
Sookie bit her lower lip and nodded. She knew by sight alone who Calvin Norris was but she was willing to talk to the Pope himself if he could give her any insight into what was happening to her.
"When can I see him?"
She must have looked as lost and young as she felt because Mel's eyes turned soft and were full of pity. "I'll take you tonight. Once my shift is over."
She only nodded. There was nothing else she could say.
Sookie waited two days after the BBQ to seek out Mel Hart so it didn't bother her having to wait a few more hours for him to finish his shift and take her to Hotshot to meet his leader. She did use the time, however, to visit the town.
Her plan's to find a job had gone down the drain. With her being pregnant no one had been willing to hire her since they would end up losing her after the baby was born and they would have to pay her maternity leave to boot. She was very greatful for her Aunt Linda's help in the last few months. If it wasn't for her, Sookie wasn't sure how long she and her grandmother would have something to eat since most of her grandmother's social security check went in to the house.
Jason could have helped even though he had been so mad at Sookie, but their grandmother had been really firm about him giving her money. Apparently buying groceries when you live in the house was permitted but when you have your own house, it was charity and Adele Hale Stackhouse did not like charity.
Sometimes, Sookie suspected that her grandmother had more money hidden than what she claim's, because there had been instances when things had gone a little tighter than usual and overnight everything would go back to the usual bills. Adele would of course, at those times, claim it was thanks to the oil found on their land but Sookie knew that well had dried up a long time ago. Still it wasn't really her place to comment on it even if she was curious.
Her first stop was to the library, which had been her sanctuary since she was a child. Even in a small town like Bon Temps people found better things to do with their time than reading. She was grateful for that because she could always count on the silence of the library. Of course, she didn't mean the usual physical silence – though that was welcome as well- but the one that comes from the minds of people. Being a telepathic means that she could always hear what was going through the minds of other people whether she liked it or not. So the respite she got in the old brick structure was cherished.
There was a new interim in the Library. A beautiful black woman named Barbara, who Sookie already knew was involved with Alcee Beck, the only black detective in Bon Temps. They exchange the greetings of casual acquaintance that don't particularly like each other.
"We just got a few books you may be interested in." she said to Sookie.
"Really?" Sookie had early on realized that one of the things that had made the woman a good librarian was the fact that she took notice of what her patrons read and made sure to bring new books of their preferred genres, be that fiction or not, to them. "Well, let me see them!" she was always open to read new things. She could proudly say she was self-educated with genres books.
"I'll be right back."
It didn't take long before Barbara came back with four new books in her arms. The Vampire Book: The Encyclopedia of the Undead; read the first. Vampires, Burial, and Death: Folklore and Reality; was the second. Vampire: His Kith and Kin; and the last was, The Vampire in Lore and Legend. Though she had tried to keep her research a secret, she wasn't surprise she hadn't escaped the other woman's hawk like eyes. Nothing went in the library without her knowing. She was also, thankfully, very discrete.
"Thanks!" said Sookie taking the books from her. Since they were new (or at least new to the library, she wasn't sure when they were published), she hadn't read them yet.
Sookie added to her list of books the new Stephen King novel and two books by Nora Roberts she had read countless of times but were her favorites. Then she left in a hurry. The librarian was a broadcaster, which means Sookie could hear her thoughts like she had been saying them a loud. She had been thinking that Sookie really was as crazy as everybody says; why else would she be so interested in damned things? And she was wondering if soon she was going to see Sookie all in black like those gothic guys who belong to satanic cults. And how maybe it comes in the blood because she remembered Sookie's cousin, Hadley, had been like that too, always wearing black, before she vanished for good. When she started wondering if someone should take the baby away from her when he or she was born to protect it from Sookie's influence, the blond slammed the door of the library.
Sookie would have liked to be immune to what other people thought, after a lifetime of being a telepath she could have hoped to be used to people's opinions of her. Used to it enough that it didn't hurt her, but that wasn't the case. Still she wasn't going to dwell on the woman's thoughts. She was aware of who and what she was and that was enough for her. Let the rest of the world compare her to Hadley if they wanted, she was nothing like her cousin. And that, she thought to herself firmly, was everything I'm going to say about that.
Because she had time still until Mel left work, she went to the nearest Wal-Mart which was in Clarice. Thanks to her grandmother, - and her aunt Linda, too – keeping hers, Jason and Hadley's baby stuff, she had most of what she needed for her child. The crib was old, but in perfect condition as was the bassinet, carriers and even some very delicate looking clothing. But even having all that, she enjoyed buying things for her baby.
Though she didn't have a regular constant job, Sookie kept a small string of odd jobs to help her grandmother and to keep some spending money for her. Her usual jobs as babysitting hasn't been high on her do to list since becoming pregnant, but she had maintained some of her usual clients. Apparently kids don't particularly care she is having a baby without the benefit of marriage or even a man beside her and there were some parents in Bon Temps ready to spoil their children, even if they wished their pride and joy would develop an attachment to another babysitter. And of course, there was always old Mr. Jesse Compton. He didn't like people, or paying people for jobs that need doing in his house in any case. He mostly did things for himself but after arthritis became too much for him he had allowed Sookie to clean the old mansion. However, he only welcomed Sookie into his house and even then it would be months between one of her visits, so when she was finally permitted to go clean again the house was in such a state she gave serious thoughts to calling the health department. Because of that she always charged him more than she could have any other person.
She browsed over the baby section for a while. Most of the stuff she had bought had been white, yellow and green, because she didn't know the sex of the baby. She had forbid her grandmother – Adele had been the one only who would go with her to her appointments so far – to ask because she could pick the answer from her grandma's brain whether she wants to or not and she really wanted it to be a surprise.
After paying for her purchases – a small white kimono and a squeaky Elmo doll- Sookie went back to Bon Temps. Anticipation had been building inside of her since that morning when she first left her house to confront Mel, now it had changed from anticipation to dread and sat painfully in the pit of her stomach.
She met with him in front of the auto shop then followed him all the way to Hotshot, which was out in the country. She really tried not to judge the people in the small community based only on what she was seeing, but she had to wonder how could they live practically in the middle of nowhere, with roads in badly need of repair and the aura of despondency that seems to cling to everything in the crossroad that made Hotshot.
The house they stopped in front of was small in her estimation yet it was easily the biggest in Hotshot. It was off white and you could see the owner took great care of it. There was a small yard with flowers that seems awfully hopeful and out of place. There was no dog or any other domestic animal that she could see in the house. Nor in any of the other houses around as far as she could see.
"Everything is going to be ok, Sookie." said Mel walking towards her. Sookie could tell by his mood that he wasn't really sure of what was going to happen to her or what Calvin might decide to do, but he wanted her to be as comfortable as she could in her situation. "Come on. He knows we are here."
He and everybody else, thought Sookie uneasily as she got out of her old nova; she couldn't see anybody but Mel yet she was sure that the residents of Hotshot that where near her were in front of their windows watching. Waiting. Never having been a coward she gave Mel a nod and walked decisively to the front door. It opened before she reached it.
The man inside of it wasn't that much taller than her. 5' 7 at the most. He had lithe build and muscular arms. His hair was blond and cut close to his head. He looked to be in his 40's but she could be mistaken on that. His eyes were what distinguished him more from his peers. They were golden eyes. Cat's eyes. There is no way in hell those eyes belong to a human being.
He looked at Sookie closely from head to toe. He lingered a moment on her stomach, but the look on his face wasn't disrespectful but curious so Sookie didn't comment on it. He did give a hard look at Mel, who didn't meet his eyes. Finally turning back to Sookie he extended his hand to her. "Welcome to Hotshot, Ms. Stackhouse." he said after Sookie took his hand in hers. "I'm Calvin Norris."
His hand was hard and dry and immediately made her feel better. He didn't mean her any harm. He was wary of her, for what Mel had told him and for the rumors that had been circulating about her since she was a small girl and her parents had put her through all the mental health crap. But he didn't have any plans to hurt her or her baby.
"Nice to meet you, Mr. Norris." she said shaking his hands firmly. Her grandmother had raised her with manners. "I'm really glad that you agreed to meet with me."
He nodded at her once, and then standing aside gestured towards the living room. "Come on in." he invited.
It was bigger than she expected and clean. There was no clutter, but rather open space. The furniture looked Scandinavian though she wasn't an expert so she could be mistaken. She could see an open doorway that leads to the kitchen, considerably smaller than the living room. It was in a good state too. Though there were curtains in the windows they were the only feminine touch the house could claim. She could only classify that house as a bachelor home.
Calvin was watching her with an amused expression in his eyes. He knew she was evaluating his home and was waiting for her verdict. "This is very nice." was the only thing she said.
"Thank you. We like it that way." Sookie wasn't sure who were the "we" in his sentence but didn't comment. "Take a seat Ms. Stackhouse. Is there something I can offer you?" he asked after the three of them were sitting.
"Thank you, but no. I'm fine."
"Then I guess we're going right to the point." he wait until Sookie nodded. "You know what we are?" it wasn't exactly a question yet neither was a statement.
"I know you guys are shifters. Werepanthers."
"And you know this how?" his tone was as hard as the look he leveled in Mel's way.
Sookie opened her mouth then closed it again. In all her life, even with her own family who were aware of what was really going on with her, she had never said the words aloud. "I'm a telepath." she said in a rush. The time for secrets was long passed, in dealing with these people she had to be honest to expect honesty in return.
"I heard rumors, of course, but part of me never…" he paused, then shook his head. "That's a lie, Ms. Stackhouse. I did believe the rumors from the first time I saw you. You might not remember it, I saw you once when you were a little girl. You were with your grandfather and your father that day. I knew then that there was something supernatural with you."
Sookie shook her head. There wasn't much she remembered before her parents died when she was seven and those memories where mostly bad ones. "I don't remember, but then I was younger than seven, because that's when my dad died." she explain even though it wasn't necessary.
"Like I said, I knew there was something supe in you that day." continued Calvin. "And in your father."
"What?" asked Sookie surprised. "My father was not… he was not like me." there was alarms in her brain. She wasn't sure she wanted to hear whatever Calvin was going to say, because if her father had been like she was and still he put her through all that hell of doctors and tests, she wasn't sure she could forgive him.
"He wasn't a telepath." he clarified much to her relief. "That I know of. The fact is Ms. Stackhouse, that until I heard of you I didn't know of another telepath. It may as well have been just a myth. What makes you a supe is not your telepathy but something else. Something you got from your father, but not from his father."
"I don't understand."
"I told you the first time I met you, you were with them. Your grandfather was a regular human. Your father was not."
Sookie closed her eyes. Since the moment she had realized the baby she was carrying was not a normal one, she had become obsessed with the father. She had convinced herself that whoever that was, it was his fault her baby wasn't human or not completely human. It has never occurred to her that she may be the problem. That she was the one abnormal.
Unbearable hurt, she gazed into Calvin's golden eyes. "What I am?"
"I'm not sure of that, my dear." he said gently. "Whatever the whiff of otherness I'm having from you is, is not enough for me to identify it."
"But Mel says I smell like a shifter." there were tears in her eyes and she told herself firmly it was the hormones.
"Ahh, yes. May I?" not knowing what he was exactly asking, Sookie nodded. Then Calvin stood up walked over her seat and help her up as well. Putting his hands on her shoulders he started to smell her. All over. She stood still, too afraid to move completely uncomfortable with his actions. After a few long minutes, Calvin stopped and moved away. "You smell of magic, Ms. Stackhouse. And of shifter."
"Lion?" asked Mel, he had stood up when Calvin and Sookie did, and had been watching their interaction without comments until now.
"Tiger." corrected the packmaster. He watched completely puzzled by the young woman in his arms. She was shaking. "I don't know how this is possible." he said to her gently yet there was an urgency in his voice that made her come to attention. "You smell like a woman carrying a full weretiger. I've never heard of something like this before. Only a pure weretiger couple can have a child like this."
"I don't understand." a lone tear made his way down her cheek.
"Now, don't cry little one." he said drying her tear away with the pad of his fingers. "We'll find out what's going on. You are not alone now. I'll help you."
Sookie nodded at him, then overwhelmed threw herself into his arms. "Thank you. And please, call me Sookie."
"I cannot believe you let him get away with this."
"I don't believe I asked for your opinion." countered Eric. His voice was cold and cutting. He was regarding her from his desk chair like a headmaster would a troublesome student.
"You are a sheriff. You outrank him."
"I am a Sheriff, yes." he said softly, his child's angry eyes were focused on him. "In America. In case you haven't notice this is not my clan."
"But you are Eric Northman." she was precariously closed to whining.
"Which is why they are willing to forgive your indiscretion. If you had of been anyone else's child but mine…." he didn't need to finished, she was perfectly aware of what would have happen to her had she not called Eric. That was why she called him in the first place.
"He insulted you." her voice shook with rage though she didn't raise it. She knew better. "You have the ear of the Emperor." she said referring to the ultimate vampire ruler of Japan. "You could have that bumbling idiot on a stake in two minutes should you want it."
"First of all he insulted you, not me. Second of all, I don't want to stake anyone. That bumbling idiot is one of my business associates."
"Still? After what he did?" there was outrage in her voice now.
"Enough." he said with a snap in his voice. He had finally tired of her. She closed her mouth, her lips forming a thin line and nodded to him, he had after all given her an order she was magically bound to obey. "You should remember that you were the one in the wrong here. And trying to provoke me into going after anyone else is pointless."
He seemed to be waiting for something so she answered him the only way she could. "Of course, Master. I'm sorry, Master."
For the next several minutes he completely ignored her while he worked on his laptop. Technology was a great ally. He could be in charge of everything going on back in the States, in his small Kingdom, even when he was all the way across the globe. After sending the last of his documents he turned back to his oldest child.
She was lovely to look at and when she wasn't busy acting like a child for his benefit, she was actually a great vampire. Though vampires could live close to eternity, if they do it right, being hard to kill was in no means a warranty of actually living forever. Vampires had to be very intelligent, very cunning and very ferocious to make it passed their first century. Unfortunately most vampires didn't make it. His child, though not even half his age, was considered one of the oldest vampires still around. And the years had gone to her head. Younger vampires were expected to give their elders respect. But her, like an alarming increasing numbers, had started to believe that her age would give her carta blanche to do as she please. Like it was some kind of immunity to the normal rules and tradition of the vampire nation.
Her slap with reality was long in coming and Eric was really gratefully he was the one delivering it.
"You have managed to get yourself in deep waters, my dear." the last words weren't said in an endearing tone despite their meaning. He was further humiliating her with them. "Thankfully I have some urgent business here; otherwise you would have had to extricate yourself from problems of your own making."
"I am aware of that."
"Did I say you could speak?" but his tone was not hard or angry. It was bored and that was more hurtful to her. "You are not to speak again, until I gave you leave. You understand?" she nodded but didn't look at him. He wouldn't have that, "Look at me, child. Now." she had no choice but to raise her head and gaze into his Arctic cold blue eyes. "I have made reparations with the proper's authorities. You will not be charged with anything." had she been a human she would have exhaled with relief. "That was of course, done as a favor to me. And for my sake, this matter will be buried after tonight." there was a low sound from the computer signalling he had got a new e-mail waiting. Clicking on it he let the room fall in to silence, his child could wait a bit more to learn her fate.
Minutes passed in silence. Because she was a vampire it didn't bother her having to wait or at least not the same way it could have had she being mortal. Time had been her biggest and favorite luxury since Eric brought her over. Still it rankled her, the fact that he could consider business to be more important than her. She could remember the time when she was the center of his universe. Then again, she reflected, that didn't last long either. Their sexual relationship had ended within 30 years of being together much to her disappointment, it hadn't been her choice. She had stayed with him for two centuries even after the thrilling part of their interaction was over. He had taught her everything about being a vampire then he had let her go. It still bothered her that he never protested when she told him she was leaving him to be on her own. But she got past that; he was her father in every way that counts.
"You will leave Japan with me." his voice startled her out of her own thoughts. For a moment she allowed herself to believe that he was inviting her to live with him again. "As part of the agreement I made you are not to come back here for the next five centuries." her eyes widened at that. She had not expected to be banned from the country. Still, she didn't speak since he hadn't given her leave to it. "If you manage to survive that long without getting staked, I suggest you still keep away for another century of two. That's my decision." if she could have, she would have closed her eyes but she didn't dare. Being banned for seven hundred years from one of her favorite's places in the world was not easy. She had no choice, however, but to accept her maker's will. "I will leave in a week's time." he continued, "I will go to Greece. You, my dear one, will go to Africa." she didn't speak aloud but did mouth the name of the country in a silent question. "I have small estate in Botswana. You will move there and you will stay there for the next fifty years. There will be no companions for you, no parties. No outside contact with anyone but with those I send to you. You will not hunt. The only source of nutrition you'll have will be from what I give you. You are not to leave the premises unless I personally allow you to. Do you understand?"
She was shaking, whether from rage or sorrow he didn't bother to find out. Finally after a long moment in which she just looked at him, she nodded. She could have allowed a bloody tear to escape her had there not been a knock on the door at that moment.
The slight small man who entered after a moment was part Japanese part goblin. He was very intelligent, cunning and loyal which was why Eric's child hired him in the first place. Most of the supe communities were in conflicting views of the vampires. They still tumble along between a healthy dose of fear and disgust. Goblins thankfully were on the side of money.
"There is a visitor for you, Sir." he said in his native Japanese. Until that moment, both Eric and his oldest child were speaking Estonian, her native language.
"Are you expecting someone?" he asked the stilled woman in Japanese for the goblin's benefit, she had been sitting in front of his desk in a leather chair; she shook her head. "Please, bring the visitor here."
"As you please, Sir." he closed the door after he left. He returned not thirty seconds later with two big suitcases in his arms, a woman -even smaller than him- behind him. She was carrying a third suitcase this one with wheels on it and a small carryon bag. All of her luggage was blue as was her coat and hat. Her hands were gloved and her makeup was professionally applied. "Ms. Pamela Ravenscroft to see you, Sir."
Her introduction was unnecessary since Eric felt her glee the moment she came into the hallway. So had his other child felt the present of her vampire sister and enraged she stood up from her seat.
"You have no right to come here. Get out." she said in her native tongue. Though she could speak roughly ten languages – Eric has insisted on that while they were still living together when she had been a young vampire. – She refused to acknowledge her maker's other progeny in any way she could. That includes speaking English. There was no lost love between the two women
"Good evening, Master." said Pam ignoring the other female. She put her carryon bag on the floor then went to Eric and kissed his hand in greeting. "When I heard you were in the area I couldn't help myself but to come see you." she wasn't speaking English though she had been tempted to take a page out of the other vampire's book, instead she was speaking in her maker's old tongue. That more than anything else incised her sister.
"You did well." was all Eric said to her. If he'd had breath in his body, he would have sighed.
The two women were physically unalike as any two strangers could be. His older child was all dark allured. Grey eyes, dark brown hair that fell to her shoulders, a thin mouth painted bloody red. Her skin was tanned and exotic and her curves were more subtle than obvious. There was an aura around her that shouted tough girl, keep away. Her hard edges were becoming more visible every day. He worried, when he thought of her, that her long existence was becoming too much. Pam on the other hand was all rose and cream. Her baby blue eyes, blond long hair and ivory skin make her look young and vulnerable. Her lips full and rose colored, made you think automatically of sex until you looked really close and you saw the predator inside the eternal teenager. Most often than not, by that time it was too late.
Pam, who was just past one hundred and fifty, -a relatively young vampire still, - was his pride and joy. A fact that his other child knew and resented.
"This is my house, and I want her gone." said the angry vampire, yet she couldn't bring herself to look at what she considered her competition.
"Your house?" asked Eric in a deadly voice. "As long as I'm staying here this is my house." he paused, then seemed to remember he was in the middle of punishing her. "And you will sign this house over to Pam."
"No. You can't." Now she was beyond angry. "This is my house. Mine. I won't give anything to her but a stake to her cold thieving heart."
Eric slapped her. She shut up. Pam just smiled. The half goblin that had started to inch away when he saw Eric move from his place behind the desk was a few seconds to late closing the door after him slowly to not draw attention to himself. His exit was ignored by all vampires in the room. Eric sat himself back in his chair and signaled the two women to sit as well. Pam, still smiling took off her gloves and sat demurely. Though there was a smirk on her face, she realized she would be better off not saying anything.
"You will sign not only this house, but all of your current properties to Pam. This is not a request, this is not up for discussion, it is an order." he paused until she nodded. The rage in her eyes had subsided a little to be replaced by sorrow. She was losing everything to her worst enemy. Through the bond they share Eric could feel her emotions like his own. He was unmoved. "After your solitary confinement in Botswana is at an end, Pam will sign everything back to you but this house. Since you are not allowed to return for the next few centuries it makes no sense to leave this in your care."
Whether Pam was aware of what was going on or not was everybody's guess, she made no comment or made no question while Eric was delivering his verdict to the vampire. For that he was grateful. Later if he felt like it, he would tell his youngest what has happened. If he didn't she would have to learn of the events through other means. He held no doubts that she would know before the night was over one way or the other.
"Is there any questions as to your punishment?"
"No, Sire." she lowered her head. She didn't have the strength to look at him anymore.
"Then you will retire to your chambers until such time I call for you."
"Of course, Master." she stood up from her chair walked around the desk and falling to her knees, took Eric's right hand and kissed his knuckles. If she had any hope that he could somehow touch her, she hid her disappointment when he didn't. She left the room silently and quickly.
"What are you doing here, Pamela?" he asked after a long pause. "I thought you were going to Paris."
"I did. It was boring." she said standing up and walking, much like her vampire sister, around the desk to reach her maker. She put her hands on his shoulder and rested her head against the hollow of his neck. "Everything is boring lately."
"Take a trip to Disney, then." he didn't see her roll her eyes at him more than he felt it.
"I'm going to have a showing." she announced leaving his master personal space.
"A showing of what?" he asked her surprised.
"Paintings of course. My paintings. The only thing remotely interesting in Paris was this gallery owner. He saw some of my paintings, he like them and wants to show them in Italy, where he is from."
"No paintings of me, I hope." it wasn't an offhand comment of the shy but a warning of the vampire. Secrecy was the number one rule in their world and a painting like photos where proof that they had existed at one point in a particular place.
"Of course not. I do have other models. I have made plenty of paintings that don't have you as the center piece." she said.
"Yes, but they are not nearly as interesting as I am." there was a joking tone now that he was sure his child would not unwillingly reveal anything that would come back to bite them in the ass.
"Ha. I'm not so sure of that. I seem to remember a young tasty girl, not too long ago who was… exquisite. She was a natural." now she smirked at him. "You remember her, yes? The blond with the most beautiful pair of breast ever created?"
"Ahh yes, Sookie." there was for a moment a faraway look on his face. Like he was remembering something so pleasant it was preferable to reality. Then he focused on his child with a renewed interest. "You know, I didn't get to see the final result of your paintings. You made more than one of her didn't you? That's not usual for you."
"She was the most engaging model so far. One painting would not have been enough." she gave herself a moment to be regretful of the fact that after trying hard she didn't get more than flirting from the girl. Her young model had been heterosexual. In the end it had been her maker instead of her that had got the pleasure of being inside the girl. "I have some of her paintings with me." she said at last, "If there's one you want before the showing, I'll give it to you." she smirked at him and there was a bit of fang showing from her mouth. She was enjoying herself. "For a price. Of course."
"Of course." repeated her maker one eyebrow raised. "Let's go see those painting then. Let's go see my Sookie in all her glory."
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