A/N: This is my first A/U fic so please bare with me. It's a nod to Audry and Cary, a great on screen couple. I hope you enjoy and if there's anyone interested in where my inspiration comes from, PM me or you can check out Charade on IMDB. Let me know what you think =)

~Yve

***

Sookie paced back and fourth in the lobby at Ceasar's Palace. She was waiting with her sister Amelia for her nephew, Jason, to emerge from the magic shop in the coliseum. The trip had been Bill's idea – a sort of long overdue family vacation – until the damned computer database had kept him in New Orleans. How convenient.

"Amelia," she shuffled her feet nervously, even though she suspected Amelia would support her in whatever decision she made. "I'm getting a divorce."

"From Bill?" Amelia looked shocked and she tipped her latte over far enough that it began pouring out onto the tile floor.

"Amelia!" Sookie pointed to the puddle forming on the floor. Amelia stooped to mop it up with a few spare napkins. "Anyway, yes. He's the only husband I've got. I tried to make it work, but for the longest time we've been growing apart… I feel like we don't even know each other anymore."

"But do you really want a divorce? He's been begging you to spend more time in New Orleans. Maybe you could make it work if you moved there full time. Or, I mean with all the money and the stock options coming in from that software…"

Sookie shot her a reproving glance. "Really, Amelia? Does that sound like me – to stay in it for the money? I don't think so. I mean I hate the idea of divorce. But, honestly, I don't think I love him anymore. I don't think I've loved him for a long time. I thought after we got married there would be no more secrets, but everything about him is deceit and lies. I know he's hiding something from me. Something big."

"Is this yours?" A tall blond man strode forward with Jason in tow, protesting the whole way.

"He's hers," Sookie pointed to Amelia. "Where'd you find him, robbing a bank?"

"He was pulling magic coins out of a woman's cleavage. Nice trick, I have to say."

Amelia looked horrified, but eight year old Jason wore a grin from ear to ear. "Oh my God. I've gotta go apologize," Amelia sputtered, grabbing her son by the elbow. "Stay with me! Or I swear I'll make you hold my hand the rest of the trip."

"Do we know each other?" The tall man had taken a cue from Jason, smiling a toothy vampire smile down at her.

"I don't think so." She answered shakily. She new not to get involved with strange vampires – Bill had made sure to warn her of the numerous dangers. But for some reason this guy didn't seem threatening. Not yet.

"Maybe we should get to know each other then."

"Hmm. I know an awful lot of people and until one of them bites the dust, I couldn't possibly meet anyone else." She was instantly regretful of her phrasing. Better watch her mouth more closely. Fortunately, the vampire just shrugged his shoulders.

"Well, you'll let me know if anyone 'bites the dust'." He turned slightly on his heels as if to walk away. Sookie realized she was beginning to enjoy the attention from someone other than Amelia and hotel staff. She decided to stop him.

"Quitter."

He turned back to face her. "I'm Leif Joshua. And you are?" He inclined his head slightly, as if he were taking a little bow.

"Sookie Compton." She stopped herself short of sticking her hand out for him to shake. Vampires didn't do that. She smiled dumbly instead.

"Is there a Mr. Compton?"

"Yes."

"Good for him." Leif chuckled softly to himself and got a mischievous look in his eye.

"No it's not. We're getting a divorce." Sookie turned her lips down into an intense frown. She hadn't realized how terrible the word sounded until just then. Divorce. Her gran hadn't raised her to even consider getting a divorce. For that she blamed Bill. "But it's alright. I don't really love him. Is there a Mrs. Joshua?"

Leif thought she was blunt and quick witted. He liked that about her. "Yes, but we're divorced." His eyes began to light up with their own kind of smile to match the one on his lips. "Pleasure to meet you, Mrs. Compton."

"Too bad we won't run into each other again. I'm flying back to Shreveport tomorrow." She didn't want the conversation to end. She felt drawn to the vampire for some reason. It was odd; their glamour had never worked on her.

"Oh, I'm flying back to Shreveport tonight myself, actually. I can't stand the day flights. Don't trust the baggage handlers, if you get my meaning." He was laying on all of the charm now.

"I think I understand. So, are you going to call me?"

"Are you listed?" He raised his eyebrows skeptically at her round about invitation.

"Bill is."

"Is there only one Bill Compton?" He laughed softly as he began backing away, heading back to his hotel room, leaving Sookie staring after him.

"Lord, I hope so," she sighed.