I was in a pretty grouchy mood to say the least at work Friday night. I tried to avoid Sam because he kept asking me what was wrong. I just wasn't in the mood to talk. Sam finally sensed that and left me alone.

We were really busy which was good. Things have been slow lately, but I was glad that we were busy tonight. When I turned to head back to the bar to get a refill on a pitcher of beer I saw Pam walk through the door. She saw me and was heading for the bar too. I told her that I was really busy but would come and talk when I could. I returned the pitcher now full and ran to get Andy's burger and fries that just came up. I made my way back to the bar.

"Hey Pam what's up?"

"Sookie I need to talk to you."

"Ok let me check with Sam to see if I can take a quick break."

"Hey Sam I just checked on all my tables. I'm going to step out back for a minute to talk with Pam. Ok?"

"That's fine Chere."

"Ok Pam lets step out back but I only have a few minutes."

As we made our way to the back door I couldn't help but to wonder why she was there and what was going on. Once outside Pam pulled out a folded envelope from her jacket pocket and handed it to me. Of course she didn't need to wear a jacket but it matched her pink and white outfit. Sometimes she looks just like Alice in Wonderland.

"What's this?"

"The King didn't just get all of Queen's property when He took over, he also got her debts. Which means that he had to pay you for your time in Rhodes. He gave it to Eric to give to you before he left yesterday."

"Oh, I just thought that I would never see that money since the Queen was gone. So why didn't Eric bring it himself?" I knew that he was avoiding me and now Pam would say it and I would have to accept it.

"Sookie….. Well, he couldn't come tonight. Victor hasn't left yet, so he sent me,"

She said with a fangy smile.

When she hesitated I just knew she was going to tell me how he was busy in his office with a couple of fangbangers. But she didn't. She didn't tell me anything. Her face was expressionless. Like always. Damn vampires.

I thanked her and told her that I better get back to work. She just stood there for a second and I thought that she had something that she wanted to say, but nothing else was said.

"Ok Pam I guess I'll just talk to you later then." And I started to walk away.

"Oh I'm sure Eric will be talking to you soon."

I just stopped dead in my tracks. I turned seeing her smirk on her face and said "Yea right, whatever. Try to have a nice evening Pam." She just snickered and vanished into the night.

I quickly ran into Sam's office and put the envelope into my purse and went to check on my customers. When I came back into the bar Amelia and Tray had came in while I was talking with Pam. It was only an hour before I got off but I guess she couldn't wait to tell me her news. I already knew it because she is such a loud broadcaster.

"Hey Amelia, what brought you two in tonight." As if I didn't know already.

"Well Sook, I talked to my dad earlier tonight and he said the place is available for the next 3 weeks and we could use it for as long as we want to beginning on Sunday."

"Wow that is great! I will talk to Sam and see if I can get about a weeks vacation. I could really use the time away."

"Sam told me Pam stopped by."

"Yea, I'll tell you about it later. Look I have to give Andy his check."

"Hey, I'm staying the night with Tray tonight so I'll talk to you tomorrow and we can start planning our trip."

"Sounds great!" Looks like my night is starting to look up.

"I'm so excited we are going to have so much fun." She gave me a quick hug and I turned on my heels to get back to work.

Before I knew it my tables were empty, my side work was done, and I was ready to talk to Sam about time off. I noticed Sam was eyeing me from behind the bar. He was drying the last of the mugs and putting them up. Selma and Holly was leaving for the night and said good night over their shoulder as they left.

"Are you alright Chere?" Sam had a worried look in his eye.

"Yea Sam, I guess I am just mentally and physically tired." That's an understatement.

"So what did Pam want tonight?"

"Oh yea I almost forgot she brought me the check that the Queen owed me for Rhodes. Apparently the new King has to pay her debts. I thought that money was as good as gone."

"That's great Sook. Do you mind me asking how much he gave you?"

"To be honest, I didn't even look at it. I was so happy to get it that it doesn't even matter. I do need to ask you for a favor though."

"Is everything ok?"

"Yes, I just need some time off Sam. I…"

"More vampire shit? Sookie when are you going to learn, they are no good for you. They are going to get you killed."

"No Sam!" I spat. "They really don't want to have anything to do with me. I have seen Pam now twice in the last 6 weeks and haven't seen Bill or Eric at all. I just need a vacation." I took a deep breath to collect my thoughts and to calm down a little. "I just need to get away and collect my thoughts and renew myself. Amelia's dad has a beach home in Ft. Walton, Florida and he said that we could use it for a while."

"Ok Sookie. Take as long as you need. When do you want to leave?"

"Well I was thinking about Sunday and maybe returning the Sunday after. Would that be ok?"

"That would be fine. I'll let Danielle cover your shift tomorrow so you can get ready to leave. Besides Tanya wants to get extra hours and so was Selma so we will be covered."

"Thanks Sam!" I reached up and gave him a soft kiss on his cheek. Sam blushed a little.

"Ok chere, just have fun and be careful. Please keep in touch."

I grabbed my purse and headed home. I couldn't wait to see how much the check was for and start planning. I couldn't believe what a bad mood I was in when the night started and how great I was feeling now. I parked in the back of the house and was getting out and realized that someone was sitting on my back porch. Great!! It was Bill. So much for my great mood.

"Bill" I said.

"Sookie, can I speak with you."

"What do you want Bill?" I wasn't very happy right now.

"Can we go in and talk?"

"Sure, I don't have any true blood. I'll meet you in the living room in just a minute.

As he went into the living room, I went back to my bedroom to change out of my work clothes. I just threw on a pair of sweat and an old t-shirt. I went to my bathroom and washed my face and took my ponytail down. Now I felt much better. Now to go deal with Bill.

I settled in the chair across from Bill. The look on his face made me dread this conversation.

"Ok Bill, I'm really tired what is it that you needed to tell me so bad?"

"Well Sookie, I guess you know the King has been here and has been going all of Eric's paper work with a fine tooth comb. He is really keeping his eye on Eric. He has to prove to be a trust worthy subject to the new King or he could loose more than his postion."

"Why are you telling me this? What does this have to do with me?" I was really worried for Eric and hoped it turned out well.

"I know that you are bonded with Eric" he spat "and was surprised that you are ok with sharing Eric. I didn't remember you being like this before and thought that maybe you and Eric decided not to take the bond seriously. I was hoping…"

"What are you talking about Bill?"

"At the party for the Kings departure last night at Fangtasia, he gave Eric some very attractive young women for a gift. For all of his hard work and his devotion, the King thought that this would be a fitting gift." I guess the look on my face told him the devastation I was feeling. "Oh Sookie….I didn't realize….I'm sorry I thought that you knew….I thought…"

"I KNOW WHAT YOU THOUGHT BILL!" I was so mad and hurt and confused. But mainly MAD! "I KNOW EXCATLY WHAT YOU THOUGHT" Trying to calm down and stop yelling, "You THOUGHT that if YOU told me this that I would come running back to your arms. But what you don't know is that even if I'm not with Eric, I don't want to be with you. I don't plan on going down that road again!"

"But Sookie I will always love…

"GET OUT BILL! Just GET OUT!" I couldn't believe this rollercoaster ride. As he left I slammed the door and locked it. I went to my room and cried my eyes out. Well there, my heart was ripped out. I knew it but now I had proof. I cried for my lost hope, I cried for my shattered heart, I cried for something that I would never have, and I cried until I didn't have anything left to cry. Some how, I had a feeling of peace settle over me. Then I just drifted off to sleep. I slept like the dead.

When I woke the next day I felt like I had been beat. It was hard to get out of bed. I was so glad that Sam let me off today. I got up and went to the bathroom to take care of my needs. When I looked into the mirror, I couldn't believe how bad I looked. I even looked like I had been beat up. When I went to the kitchen Amelia was already there with a cup of coffee in her hand.

"Hey Sookie, there's more coffee." She had a worried look on her face. "Sookie are you ok?"

"Yea," I poured my coffee and took a couple of drinks and then said "Bill stopped by last night."

"Well that explains a lot."

Then I just told her what happen. She couldn't believe it. I was able to hold off the tears. I told her that Sam let me off today so I could get ready for the trip. Boy was I ready to get away. Oops almost forgot about the check. I ran to my purse and opened the envelope. The check was for $15,000. I was so happy about that. After another cup of coffee and a couple pieces of toast, Amelia and I went by the bank and went by Tara's Togs. Amelia told me how she booked a flight for Sunday at 11:00 in Shreveport and it will land in Destin. When we got home, we got on line and booked me a car at the airport so I could drive to Ft. Walton and printed directions from the airport to the house.

Amelia cooked dinner and I finished packing my bags. We decided that I would leave on Sunday and Amelia would get a flight on Tuesday. I just needed some time alone. After dinner I cleaned up and brought my bags to the door. We watched a movie and then I turned in early.

The next day Amelia and I had breakfast together and I got a shower to get ready to leave. Amelia and I drove to Shreveport laughing and discussing the things we would do when she got there. Before I knew it I was boarding the plane. I really didn't like take off or landings but I was ready to leave. During the trip I read my book about a girl that could find dead bodies and tell how they died. It was a nice distraction on the plane. But it couldn't distract me from the landing. I'm just gad to finally be here.

TBC

A.N.-Please review.