A/N – short prologue/introduction. The story is before any of the novels take place. Basically, Sookie finds out that Jason is on V, and she tracks him down at Fangtasia—where she meets Eric Northman. And, of course, seductive dangerous romance ensues.

"Tara, do you know where Jason is?"

Merlotte's is busy, and Tara can barely hear Sookie over the noisy customers and loud music. She puts down her dishrag and leans over the polished oak bar. "What?"

"Do you know where Jason is?" Sookie repeats.

Tara's face changes when she hears Jason's name, and with new interest, she asks, "What about Jason?"

Sookie sighs. "Do you know he is?"

"Naw," Tara says. "Why?"

"I haven't heard from him in the past few days." Sookie glances around Merlotte's to make sure no one is listening to her conversation. She props her arms on the bar and leans forward so she can speak directly in Tara's ear. "I think he might be in some sort of trouble."

Tara laughs. "Jason? Trouble? Well, no kidding Sookie. That brother of yours finds trouble more easily than Arlene finds a new husband."

Sookie shakes her head. "Not that kind of trouble. Not woman trouble or alcohol trouble or money trouble."

"Well, what kind of trouble then?"

"Oh, Tara, just promise you won't tell anybody about this."

Tara glances around the crowded bar. "Sookie, look at us surrounded in Bon Temps by a bunch of racist, drunk rednecks. Who would I tell?"

Sookie smiles, despite Tara's rude statement. Not everyone in Bon Temps is a racist and a redneck, but that definitely does describe some of the population. "I think Jason has been doing drugs."

Tara shrugs her shoulders. "Like what? Marijuana? Cocaine?"

"Worse." Sookie lowers her voice. "I think Jason has been doing V."

"What!" Tara exclaims. "As in vampire blood? No way. Jason just wouldn't do that, Sookie. I know Jason comes across as dumb, but he just ain't that dumb."

"He's been hanging around with this new girl in the past week. I think she's from California or something. He didn't even introduce me to her. Whenever I call, he says he's busy. And when I called yesterday, he didn't even pick up the phone. So, earlier today, before my shift at work, I drove over to his place. His truck wasn't there, so I went inside. I snooped around a little bit, and I found these." Sookie pulls two items out of her tiny black shorts and hands them over the counter to Tara. She watches the shock overcome her best friend's face.

"Sookie, is this what I think it is?" Tara turns a tiny glass vial in her hands, entranced by the thick red liquid inside of it.

"Well, I'm not sure. It's not like I've ever met a, vampire, so I sure as heck don't know what their blood looks like. But that's my best guess." Sookie motions to the piece of paper in Tara's hand. "Look at that too."

Tara reads the card: "Fangtasia, the bar with a bite." Tara's eyes widen. "Sookie, is this a vampire bar?"

She nods. "Read the address. It's in Shreveport. I found this card and the vial on Jason's bathroom counter."

"Do you think that's where he is?"

"It's my only guess. I was thinking about going tonight when I get off of work. He might not even be there, but maybe someone will recognize his name and point me in the right direction." She looks up at Tara with hopeful eyes. "Is there any chance I can convince you to go with me?"

"Of course I'm going with you. You think I'd let my best friend walk alone into some vampire bar full of horny little blood-sucking devils?"

Sookie giggles. "I guess you wouldn't."

"Why aren't you two working?" Sookie jumps in surprise and turns around to face Sam. He's staring and Sookie and Tara expectantly. A pencil is tucked behind his ear, nestled in his shaggy brown hair.

"Sorry, Sam. I'm just going to refill some drinks right now." Sookie looks into her boss's very blue eyes. Although she can't read his exact thoughts, she can sense his mood, a combination of aggravation and desire. Sookie tries to shove away these emotions. For a few months, she has been picking up strange feelings from Sam, and they partially excite, but mostly just worry her. Telepaths don't date, and they especially don't date their bosses.

"Ya'll, I'm just trying to run a business."

"Yeah, yeah. We know Sam," Tara says.

"Really, sorry. We're getting back to work right now." Sookie says this, but she does not move from her spot besides Tara.

Sam glances back and forth between the two friends. "What's so important that it can't wait until after the dinner rush?"

"Nothing," Sookie and Tara say at the same time.

Sam eyes them suspiciously, but instead of pressing the issue, he sighs and walks away. Sookie watches him leave, her eyes reflexively flickering down to his bottom. Such a cute butt, she thinks. She shakes her head, brushing the inappropriate thoughts away, and turns back to Tara. "All right, we can drive back to my house after work and change clothes. We should make it to Fangtasia by one. I know it's just a Thursday, but I'm assuming they'll still be open, since you know, they're vampires and all."

Tara nods her head. "Sounds fine to me. I guess we'd better get back to work."

Sookie rolls her eyes. "I guess we'd better." She grabs her tray of empty drinks and heads to refill them.

Eventually, around midnight, the bar empties. After cashing in the check for her last table, Sookie ventures into the back of Merlotte's. She knocks twice on Sam's door. "Come on in," he says.

Sookie walks inside and finds Sam at his desk. He's hunched over a stack of papers and receipts. "Hey, Sam," Sookie says.

He looks up and smiles. "Hey, Sookie. Good night?"

Sookie shrugs her shoulders. "Decent tips. I was wondering if Tara and I could clock out a little early. We've finished our side work and all my customers have paid."

"Sure." Sam narrows his eyes. "Any reason you're so anxious to get out of here early tonight?"

"Nothing in particular."

"I can tell when you're lying, Sookie Stackhouse."

"You cannot Sam Merlotte."

He stands up and walks towards Sookie. A small smile plays across his lips. "I definitely can. Go on. Tell me a lie."

"I love being a waitress." Sam laughs, and Sookie eyes him with agitation. "What? What's my tell-tale sign of lying?"

Sam reaches out and brushes a finger against Sookie's lower lip. Her skin tingles from the contact, and she feels her face flush with heat. For a moment, she imagines him replacing his finger with his warm lips. "You always bite your lip," Sam says. "Every time you lie, you bite your lip right there in that bottom corner."

Sookie's eyes flash. "So?"

"So," Sam says, stepping back, distancing himself from Sookie. "I know you're lying. Why do you want to leave early tonight?"

"That's none of your business, Sam."

"Sookie, I'm asking you as your friend, not your boss."

Sookie sighs. Should I tell him, she thinks. Sam has always been a good friend, especially handling the sensitive subject of her telepathy. Maybe it will be good if someone knows where Tara and I are tonight, just in case something happens. "We're going to Fangtasia."

"The vampire bar?" Sookie nods, and Sam looks concerned. "You can't go there, Sookie. It's not safe."

"You can't tell me where I can or cannot go. Now I've had enough of push back from you tonight. You said Tara and I can leave, and we're going to that now. I'll see you on Saturday for my shift."

She turns around to go, but Sam says, "Sookie, wait." He grabs her hand and tugs her back.

"What?"

"Why are you going to a vampire bar?"

"I think Jason might be there. He's been out of touch for a few days."

"Jason?" Sam scoffs. "At a vampire bar? I don't think they play any Garth Brooks there"

Sookie lowers her brown eyes and softly says. "I think he might be into some bad things. I just want to bring him back home and make sure he's all right."

"What kind of bad things?"

"Well, that's what I'm trying to find out."

"And I can't convince you not to go?"

Sookie smiles at Sam's resigned voice. He knows that when she's made up her mind, she's sticking to it. "No, you can't."

"Just promise me you'll be safe and that you'll call if you need me."

"All right, Sam."

"Promise me."

His blue eyes stare Sookie down, and she can feel the worry emanating from him. "I promise, Sam."

"All right," he nods. "Go on then."

"I'll see you on Saturday. Goodnight Sam." Sookie leaves the office without another word. Tonight, she thinks, I will go to Fangtasia and find my brother, and then I will never have to think of or deal with vampires ever again.

A/N – So, should I continue? Eric will be in the next chapter if I do :) What do you guys think so far? Let me know if you want me to keep going or if you have any suggestions!