PART ONE

Chapter 1

"You did pick up everything on the list, right? Because I ain't doing this half assed, this has got to be perfect. More than perfect. For weeks we've been planning this and-"

"I get it, I get it. This is important to you and believe me, it's important to me too. But really, I mean, never in a century together you never once-"

"Never really came up much….parties….like those….I don't think back in his time birthdays were ever made a big deal of, save for maybe when they came of age. He was secretive about his past and I have to admit, there is much I don't know about him."

"Preaching to the choir…though at least with my powers I can see into his mind, his past. Only when I am touching him though. And honestly, I wouldn't just do it without permission. Normally….but it may help us get the rest of this party planning finished up…..by the way….I know I got the best gift but out of curiosity, what, may I ask, have you procured?" Pam still liked to try to compete with the blonde waitress and couldn't help but smirk smugly at her friendly rival.

"Well….I kind of got two things in mind and one is going to be rather….private…not that he won't blab about it later on…but for the party….well, I am just going to let you stew in your thoughts as to how well I have likely outdone you." Sookie grinned slyly as she spun on her heels and left her dining room where they were finalizing the plans for the next night. Not that she had a particular aptitude for party planning-she was glad Pam was more along those lines-but Sookie felt reasonably confident that the next night would most certainly be a night to remember. It was odd for her to think that he had never once celebrated a birthday and part of her thought it was sad and yet, she knew very well that though he was more than acclimated to the 21st century, he was also a literal blast from the past. And that was both sobering, sad and mystifying. As was he himself, she knew. But at least with all their recent troubles behind them, she hoped and prayed that the night 24 hours from now would hold some meaning for him. After all, she had helped bring about something of the Christmas spirit in him not all that long ago. Now as summer was firmly entrenched in their part of town and it had taken Sookie sneaking into his mind while he was resting during the day to discern his actual birthday==August 30...but she had been cautions enough not to linger too long, for she knew it was possible for him to be woken, what with the intrusion into his mind. Though she had stayed briefly, long enough to also learn that it was very true-he had never once celebrated a birthday once in over a thousand years of existence. Part of her was sad about it and yet she knew that it would make this party all the more meaningful, special.

"So…..things are gonna be ready tomorrow, the venue will be-"

"I said I had it taken care of, didn't I? you know I wouldn't want this going badly and I want things as perfect as you do. Calm the f down, Pam." Sookie said, annoyance in her voice but she couldn't help but smirk back at her. "Things will be fine and together, I think you and I can prove we care very much women of many talents. Granted, this is the biggest party I have ever planned and keeping something like this from him…well, it is not easy…but with all the RSVP's I have been left in my locker at work-
"Smart move, by the way, having them sent to Bellefleurs rather than here. Your work place is not and hasn't ever, been one of his favorite places to visit. He prefers meeting you outside when he does come calling on you there."

"Yeah, yeah, I know he looks down his nose on my work place and I am well aware it ain't Fangtasia…but it a cute and homey place with good people….someday maybe I can get him to see that. Stubborn as he may be, I can usually get him to do what I want, when I want."

"Yes, you are certainly his kryptonite, as it were…..and I could see that you were from the moment you two met. Something was there that I ignored at first but after that night, well…..it is funny that after all these years that I went from wanting to rip your had off to being family. And that I came to….well, caring about you and considering you one of my closest and best friends…not that I have ever had many, save for your hubby…." Pam trailed off as she looked Sookie up and down. "You have certainly come a long way, Tinkerbell. It would be funny….."

"What would be funny?" Sookie asked as Pam trailed off.

"If we got his actual age in candles on the cake. Like 1,070 or some number like that…..I figure a thousand and change is no different than a round thousand, right?"

"Still older than dirt." Sookie said as the two shared a all too rare laugh. There had not been a tone to laugh about in the recent months but they had hoped that at least for a night, they could all have a good time. "It is a wonder though, haven't you ever thought, that he has seen so much more than we have? The things he has seen and lived through? A little hard to believe and take in. I mean, you yourself have had a century with him and even in that time, I would think you had some adventures…"

"You have no idea, honey….have I ever told you about the night he kicked out Lorena and Bill from my whorehouse? How he turned me?" Pam said, a smirk across her face. "The best night of my life, I can safely say." and for the next several minutes, the older woman regaled Sookie with her tale.

Chapter 2

The place where they were set to party was within the confines of the small, heavily secured, gated community where all of a handful of people resided in. there were all of three manor like houses, all cavernous and no expense spared. And yet they were also surprisingly welcoming-depending on how well you knew the inhabitants. Ginger was the lone human of those residing in the little community- a gift long overdue to the loyal and overlabored barmaid. Her loyalty had been well rewarded and thought he never admitted it, Eric felt badly for the way he and Pam had addled her mind. Though the gesture was somewhat hollow, in the way that Ginger's mind could never be what it was, Sookie knew him well enough to know he was at least making the effort in having her live somewhere safer than anywhere else in the area. Not that they were immune from any trouble, not by a long shot. But at least this little sliver of paradise and seclusion was a place that few knew about and great pains had been enacted to make it that way. Her thoughts drifted to the guest list, a list that was exclusively friends and family with a recent addition of a surprise visitor. At work the other night, Sookie had been shocked to see none other than her former boss and owner of her workplace. Sam had come without the rest of the family as Nicole, though she had liked the residents of Bon Temps, was steadfast at not returning there even for a visit. And Sookie could understand that and she had paid them a visit in their newish stomping grounds and had learned that their kids-a boy and a girl-were perfectly happy and healthy. And as anxious as Nicole had been at seeing who was accompanying Sookie when she had visited, Sam had made certain to impress upon his wife that she was safe around Eric. It had taken some time and for awhile, Nicole had not even gotten a foot away from either of her kids. But as she spent more time with the admittedly intimidating Viking, she too was able to get a glimpse at the otherness about him. The side of him so few ever witnessed. So as glad as she was that Sam had happened to be in town the same time as the party, Sookie was still sad but understanding that Nicole had not come along.

The building was made to look like a old but stately barn from the outside, flowerbeds and bushes surrounding it, save for a gap where set of double glass rested. These doors led to a raised patio deck that had 6 round tables set in place, replete with umbrellas. Strands of white lights were wound everywhere, giving the barn a subtly glow from the outside and when one walked through the main entrance-a path that crossed over a narrow but bubbling stream by way of a iron bridge that was also entwined with twinkling lights. A old looking door swung inward, letting one into the barn itself, its high ceiling done up in polished beams of wood.

There was something rustic, primitive about the place and yet there was a sleekness and a modernness to the design and layout of the place that both Pam and Sookie had fallen in love with when scouting locations for this party. They figured it was old meets the new and it was, they supposed like the person they were throwing this party for…a figure from the past living in the present. "I think the muted foresty colors were a good idea. I mean, I know you were leaning toward a color scheme like Fangtasia but….well, something like from his homeland, well, I kind of like the earthy tones. Not as nice as pink but I don't see him appreciating pastels as much as I do." Pam said with a smirk.

"Imagine him in a lilac leather jacket…..and pale yellow socks…with pink bunnies…" Sookie was losing control of herself as her train of thought went on, the vivid imagery in her mind giving her a terrible case of the giggles. But then her face sobered and she looked thoughtful. "I have to say though, baby blue is a good color on him, that sweater he wore once…mmmmm." her mind drifted to memories of a not too distant past as she was forced back into the here and now by a rough tug on her arm.

"Enough daydreaming, this all has to be perfect." Pam said as she finished smoothing down the tan leather tablecloths that covered the head table and the four large round tables that had been rented. The tables and chairs had been painstakingly carved from reclaimed wood, the backs and legs of the chairs still having bark on them. The floor was one of the selling points to their renting of this building as it was as rustic and sleek as the rest of the place was, the floor boards having been polished so it shone under the dim lighting. Rented throw rugs were not of the average variety, as average was not going to cut it for this party. Real pelts of formerly live animals were scattered on the floor and it was lucky that there were no PETA or vegetarian types in their friend and family circle. The animals turned rugs were animals that would have been found back in his homeland, his village. Several bearskin rigs were splayed on the floor but Pam had not been able to restrain herself from selecting a couple of tigers. She thought they simply looked cool, to which Sookie had no response. She couldn't appreciate a good pelt, she knew Eric would say to her and at that thought she had to smile. In a matter of hours, things would be in full swing and she only hoped that this night could be a rare night off for him a chance to relax and have a good time. Even after how much he had changed over the years, he still was so serious and stoic much of the time. But he wasn't the only one that needed this night and so she welcomed the change of pace, hoping against hope that no supernatural or normal variety threat came their way. All she wanted was to drink and party and be with her loved ones and she hoped that the invitation that she had sent to Faery hadn't somehow gotten lost in transit.

"It didn't." a voice sounded in her head and spinning towards the open door and grinning in the doorway, a lean figure approached, wearing a pale lilac and blue tunic and slim fitting jeans. Dirty blonde hair flowed down to the small of her back and as she looked to her mother and her friend to the right, Aurora seemed to be almost glowing. And when another figure entered the building, it was not hard to see why that was.

"It's been way too long." Aurora said as pleasantries were exchanged between herself, her mother and Pam, her godmother. "it's taken a lot of work but I think I may have become a passable ruler of Faery. I just….I hope I am doing Niall proud….oh and I can't wait to see Harper and Brock, Jason's kids must be growing like weeds!" Nerves were making Aurora ramble on as she finally got around to gesturing her companion to come closer as he was waiting with trepidation in the doorway still. She gestured for him to approach and he did, revealing himself to be quite broad shouldered and clearly strong in appearance. Not to mention being easy on the eyes. He had black hair that was cropped short and the most mysterious green eyes Sookie had ever seen and even Pam seemed ever so slightly taken by the stranger.

"Hello there….and who might you be?" Sookie said to the man as he went to the side of Aurora. She had a inkling that there was more than just friendship in the air before her and it was confirmed as the stranger took the hand of the svelte yet powerful woman at his side.

"The name is Blaze. I have been recently promoted to being the head of your daughter's security detail and I have to say how impressed I am with her. So brave and her power is incomparable….save for you and her father of course." the faerie was respectful and knew full well the back-story of Aurora's upbringing and just who her parents were. "I hope I am not out of place coming here but she wanted to bring me and introduce me to everyone."

"Well, you're a tad early but we could always use help finishing setting up…..and you needn't be nervous. You're among friends here."

"I do love meeting new people….but it is the guest of honor I am the most anxious about." Blaze replied with a rueful smile before following the two women with Aurora, ready to oblige and pitch in, almost dreading the inevitable encounter with the Viking. He hoped he wasn't going to be sent out of the party in pieces. That, of cordwood mean he hadn't made the best of impressions.

TO BE CONTINUED