Do I really have to repeat that I don't own any of these character or even the base plot? Also I forgot to mention last time that the title for this story comes from the David Jordan song Sun Goes Down. If you haven't heard it you should go on Youtube and find it. It was basically the song I had on repeat in my iTunes while writing the first chapter.
Thanks to everybody who reviewed and alerted me.
I'm probably going to be one of those pretentious writers who will name each chapter after a song title or lyrics…so yeah. This ones from Stevie Nicks Landslide.
…
"Sam!" Sookie grabbed him before he could hit his office. "Thank God! I think the Rats are draining that vampire!"
"What?"
"The Vampire. I heard the Rats…There's no time! Meet me in the parking lot!"
Before he could say anything about vampires being able to take care of themselves Sookie took off back toward the front of the bar. She skidded to a stop a few inches from the door and whipped around.
"Andy Bellefleur!" She rushed back to the bar and grabbed onto the bulky Detective's shoulder. He was miraculously still on his first beer. "There's a crime being committed."
What the hell? She really is crazy.
"I am not crazy and you should be more thankful. You're always going around here moping about how nobody respects you or your job." Technically he thought this more than said this. "Well now's your chance to prove them all wrong!"
"What the hell are you jabbering about, girl?"
Are the rumors true? Is she really psychic?
"Yeah, what the hell you talking about, Sookie?" Tara asked, clearly unhappy. Well what else was new.
"There's no time! Somebody's going to die!"
She lit out the door without checking to see if either Sam or Andy were following her. She saw her brother's truck parked off to the right and made a beeline for it. She knew he kept a giant metal chain in the back, just in case. Knowing her brother's hot head it was not the most reassuring thing to hear but for once she was glad of it. The chain was longer than the length of her arm and heavy. She didn't know how well she would be able to wield it in a fight. Something was better than nothing she supposed.
Sookie stood still in the parking lot. She could hear crickets chirping and the darkness of the lot had never seemed so oppressive and terrifying. Even at night this had been a safe place for her.
She closed her eyes and reached out. There in the back of the lot to the right. She could hear the Rats' thoughts of delight at the amount of vampire blood they were getting and how much they would clean up in cash for it. It made Sookie sick to think that any human being could feel so much joy over causing such pain to…well okay not someone "living" per say, but a being that had thoughts and feelings. And those Fellowship of the Sun nuts called vampires the monsters. She slowly, and prayed she was silent, snuck toward the back of the lot. She could hear actual spoken voices now.
"…Taken him home." That was Denise.
"Where we gonna hide a dead vampire in our trailer?"
Mack was pacing. Apparently he was going through some kind of withdrawal. Sookie raised the chain and swung. She had meant to aim for Mack's head but the chain was heavy. The blow landed where his shoulder connected to his arm. He fell forward onto his knees but pivoted easily around in a crouch. He brought his hand up brandishing a knife. Sookie raised the chain ready to swing again. She would not back down, no matter how terrified she was.
"Freeze, Police! Drop the weapon!"
"Oh thank God!" Sookie whispered.
Sookie didn't turn around; she wasn't a complete retard like most in Bon Temps thought. She could tell from the direction and waver of Andy's voice that he was still a good distance away. Mack didn't seem to care about Andy's warning. He stood up straighter and raised the knife to strike.
At the sound of Andy's voice Sookie had let the chain go lax against her leg. Now she raised it again. She never got the chance to swing it. Something tackled Mack over. The knife fell from his grip and landed a few inches from Sookie's feet.
Sam lay atop Mack's chest with a baseball bat, which was pushed against Mack's neck, constricting his breathing.
"Don't even think about moving," Sam snarled. Sookie had never heard her boss's sound like that. It was animalistic.
Denise used the distraction to try to make a run for it. Sookie heard her mind before she saw any movement. She dropped the chain and snatched up the knife at her feet blocking the older woman's path.
"I think Sam's advice applies to you too."
If looks could kill Sookie would be six feet under and then some.
"This weren't none of your business you stupid cunt," Denise hissed.
"That just shows how low rent you really are," Sookie said, her voice just as harsh.
"I will fucking kill you."
Andy finally made his appearance, gun drawn and wheezing. Apparently the trek from Merlotte's had been too much for the husky detective. Sookie smiled her crazy smile.
"You're not in any position to make threats."
"Mack….and Denise…Rattray… You are.. under…arrest…for …uh…" Sookie rolled her eyes. Andy finally found the words he was looking for. "…Assault. And…possession of…a class A narcotic…" Andy looked down at the vampire and noted that they had almost three full bags of blood. "With intent to distribute."
He was getting his breath back. Sookie could hear his thoughts clearly. He was already patting himself on the back for this, though it seemed Sookie and Sam had done all the work. Andy barked at Sam to get off his collar and removed the handcuffs he kept on his person. Sam moved over to Sookie and Denise brandishing his bat.
"Give me the knife, Sookie." His voice seemed back to normal.
Sookie finally turned to get a good look at what the Rats had done to Vampire Bill. He was lying prostrate on his back, his jacket off. Something metal shined on both his wrists and disappeared under his shirt. He looked paler than before if that were even possible and was visibly in pain.
"Oh you poor thing!"
Before Sam could stop her she ran over and reached for the vampire. She pulled the chain free from his shirt and skin. The chain looked like it was silver. The skin where it had touched was red and smoking. Sookie watched amazed as the irritated burns began to fade. Vampire Bill tried to sit up but grunted as he fell back toward the dust.
"Here."
Sookie got an arm under him and helped him over to lean against a nearby tree.
"Sookie," Sam warned.
She ignored him. Andy only had the one pair of cuffs on his person, but another pair in the car. Sam said that he could stay with Denise while Andy took Mack to his car. Andy violently vetoed this plan. Too much chance of escape. Sookie snorted. It wasn't like the Rats were criminal masterminds. Hell they had been foiled by 'Crazy Sookie'. Sam was not apparently as open-minded as he seemed. Sam was always so difficult for her to read but he was clearly livid. Anger always made people easier to read unfortunately. He did not want to leave her with the vampire.
"It's okay, Sam. He doesn't look like he can do much harm in the state he's in." She took the length of silver chain from her pocket and wrapped it around her neck. "Besides someone needs to watch…" she looked down at the bags of blood "…the evidence."
She gave him a smile and after a long angry glare at the vampire he nodded. He stashed the knife in his back pocket and grabbed Denise by the forearm, pushing her forward and keeping his bat at waist height.
"This is police brutality," she griped.
"I'm not a cop," he shot back.
Sookie turned her attention back to Bill. He was staring at her very intently. If she didn't know any better she'd say he was angry, a petulant anger like a child deprived of a coveted treat. Sookie closed her eyes and reached out. Nothing. The only thing she heard were the crickets and the sounds drifting from the bar and even closer Andy and Sam managing the Rats. It hadn't been a fluke. She opened her eyes and smiled.
"I really can't hear you!"
"I didn't say anything."
Boy was that look he was giving her familiar. One more person getting their ticket punched for the 'she's crazy' train. Sookie tried to think of something to say that would make a better impression. Sure he seemed a bit dim and rude and he kind of did dress like a hobo like Lafayette said, but he was the only vampire she had ever met and probably would ever meet.
Her eyes lit on the rubber tubing the Rats had used to get the blood out into the bags. It was still stuck in his arm.
"I'm sorry. That must hurt."
She went to reach for the tubing and he flinched, pushing himself closer to the tree. The silver was nowhere near him and she knew there was no way he could really be afraid of her, so what was his problem. Well he was Southern and male so…
"I think you have a problem being rescued by a woman." She stepped back and leaned on the tree opposite him.
"I have more of a problem with you being human," he said.
She laughed. "Why? Humans are the ones who did this to you." This didn't seem to make him any happier or less angry.
Maybe you should stop now, Sookie.
She tried to be nice.
"Are you feeling any better?"
"Aren't you afraid of being left alone with a hungry vampire?" He completely ignored her question. Rude.
"Not a bit."
"Vampires often turn on those who trust them, you know. We don't have human values like you."
Was he trying to scare her?
"A lot of humans turn on those who trust them, too."
She played with the silver chain.
"Oh, but you have other very juicy arteries. There is one in the groin that's a particular favorite of mine."
Well that did it. He could rude but when he started talking vulgar she completely lost her wonderment of him.
"Hey!" Her voice came out harsh and angry. "You shut your nasty mouth, Mister. You may be a vampire, but when you talk to me, you will talk to me like the lady I am!"
He glared at her and she glared right back. Then she felt the itchy, tingling sensation in her head again. Seriously? She had just saved his life and he was trying to get in her head. She pushed back.
"Stop that," she spat.
In a blur he was towering over her. Apparently he was feeling much better. His voice had that strange ring to it like before in the restaurant.
"What are you?"
The push became harder in her head but it did nothing but annoy her.
"I'm a waitress. And you're crowding me."
He smirked at her. If he tried to lay a hand on her she would rap that chain around his neck.
"Hey!" It was Sam coming back. "Get away from her!"
Just as quickly as he was beside her Bill was back beside his own tree. Sam came up to her and put a hand on her shoulder.
"I'm fine, Sam." She assured. "He didn't do anything."
He didn't believe her or let her go.
"I apologize," Vampire Bill said. His voice was normal again.
"You bet you do," Sookie said.
"Sookie!" Sam squeezed her arm. He apparently did not think it was a good idea to try and school a vampire in manners. Bill ignored the venom in her voice.
"And thank you, for saving my life. I am sorry if I seem ungrateful. Let me make it up to you," he said. "I can give you some of my blood." He motioned to the bags that still lay on the ground.
Sam's arm fell away and his jaw went slack. He didn't have anything to say to that but Sookie could defiantly hear a few choice colorful praises breaking through.
"Uh…Ew," she said. "Why the hell would I want your blood?"
Wasn't he just victimized for the very thing that he seemed so nonchalant about giving away to a total stranger? Maybe he wasn't stupid, maybe he was the crazy one.
"It is supposed to make humans feel healthy." He stayed completely focused on Sookie, completely ignoring Sam. "It improves ones sex life as well."
Was he propositioning her? Double ew. She was healthy as a horse and had no sex life. She was just about to tell him this in a very terse voice when Sam found a way out of his fog.
"It's a drug. Illegal. And it's evidence."
"You're damn right it is," Andy said rejoining them. "None of you touch a damn thing. Kenya and Kevin are on their way to come tape off the crime scene and I need to get y'alls' statements."
Sookie's eyebrows rose to her hairline.
"Really, Andy? The 'crime scene' is a patch of dirt we've all trampled over and the victim seems in perfect health now. Aside from being dead."
Sookie could see Sam struggling not to laugh.
"It's Detective Bellefleur."
White trash, uppity bitch.
Sam felt Sookie tense beside him and worked to stabilize the situation.
"She has a point, Detective. You got the victim right here to give you a statement. Me and Sookie need to get back to the bar. All you really need's the blood."
Sookie could hear Andy grumbling about procedure and due diligence, but he was going to let them go. Finally she could get back to work. Vampire Bill was more trouble than he was worth and she almost regretted coming to his rescue. And then he opened his mouth and she completely regretted it.
"There is no need to collect my statement. I am not pressing charges."
All three humans' eyes went wide. Nobody said anything for a long minute. Crickets continued chirping. Sookie's laughter broke the night like a match being struck. Andy thought she was crazy and Bill looked as if he agreed. Sam just seemed worried that the stress of the situation had gotten to her.
"Don't y'all look at me like that. He's the crazy one." She pointed directly at Bill. "I mean Cheese and Rice they tried to kill you. What're you thinking?"
Bill's face looked like he had been sucking on lemons and Sookie couldn't stop another peel of laughter. Guess Bill was one more person who wished looks could kill.
"I have come to live in Renard Parish and do not wish to cause trouble. I find that it will be hard enough to be accepted here and do not want to alienate anyone by causing problems for locals."
Seriously?
"Mister, you put the Rattray's away and you're going to have people throwing you a damn parade." Sookie shook her head. "And maybe you don't care about your own self preservation, but what about others of your kind. Those two seemed pretty organized." She turned to Andy. "I'm sure if you pushed them you'd find this isn't their first rodeo."
The detective's mind started working over time, thinking about dealers, suppliers, and task forces.
"And then I was threatened tonight. I wouldn't hold my breath on any promise Denise Rattray makes, but something tells me she will follow through on that one if she gets out. Can I please get back to work now that I've done your job for you, Detective?"
Andy looked like a fish with his mouth open. He was one of those who believed in the school of thought that Sookie was not only crazy but also some kind of retard. Andy just nodded at her and she started to stomp back toward the bar, not even waiting for Sam.
Tara tried to stop her.
Girl had better be ready to explain some things.
"Sookie, what the hell?"
She ignored her and marched past snatching up her forgotten apron and headed toward the back.
"Sookie, where you been?" Arlene asked.
Just 'cause the boss has the hots for her doesn't mean she can take off whenever she wants. And why does she always get better tips than me?
She risked her life and he offered her his blood. Who the hell does that?
"Sook girl, you okay?" Lafayette stuck his head out of the kitchen.
She looks like she about to have a melt down.
"Sookie!"
Sam had finally caught up. He grabbed her by her arm and dragged her into his office. He was about to slam the door when Tara's hand grabbed it before she too stepped in and slammed it behind her.
"Seriously, Sookie," Tara said. "What the fuck?"
"I know! I know okay!" She read their thoughts before they could even speak. "I know it was stupid and reckless and vampires can look after themselves! And maybe I shouldn't be so naïve and trusting but it beats the hell out of being paranoid and just plain nasty to everyone like you two!" She said this all in one long, loud breath.
"Now that I've let y'all say your peace, I got to get back to work because I'm behind and Arlene is pissed at me because I get better tips!"
She stomped out and slammed the door behind her. She took a couple of deep breaths and closed her eyes. She waited a few moments, making sure her shields were securely in place before opening them. She saw Lafayette standing in the doorway that led back to the kitchen. The look on his face said he had heard the whole thing. He opened his arms wide.
"Come give Lala some sugar."
They wrapped their arms around each other and Sookie rubbed her cheek against the softness of Lafayette's shirt. She could feel the tears starting to prickle her eyes.
"I just wish I were normal so much," she whispered.
"Shoot girl, whether you read minds, talk shit, or be one of them dead mother fuckers you still got problems. Don't waste time wishing for something never going to be."
A few of the tears slipped and ran free down her cheeks.
"The night started out so well, Lala. I thought it was going to be great. Something…I don't know. Magic. Instead it's just horse manure." Laff laughed.
"That's part of living too."
The door to the office behind them opened and Sam stepped out. He stopped short when he saw the two friends clasping tight together. Lafayette's glare dared him to even try to say something. Sam ran his hand over his face in exasperation before beating it towards the front. Tara stepped out next. Her cousin's glare did not scare her. She flicked him off before following Sam suite. Sookie pulled out of her friends grasp and wiped her eyes and cheeks.
"Thanks, Laff." She gave him a less than dry smile.
"You know I go to bat for you, baby. Now get that sweet ass back out there. Don't let them see you sweat." He smacked said ass and she pretended to feign insult. "It sure is a shame, luscious booty like that! Going all to waste."
…
Closing time came quickly and Sookie was grateful. Sam had taken a post behind the bar with Tara for the rest of the night. He hadn't tried to say anything to Sookie and didn't see the need to apologize for anything it seemed. Tara had tried to get her attention several times. Her last attempt to talk was thwarted by her cousin.
"Bitch if you want to sleep on my couch, which I knows you do cause you don't want to pick up after Lettie Mae's drunk ass tonight, we gotta bounce now."
Tara looked over his shoulder at Sookie. Sookie bit her lip. She knew Tara wanted to apologize but she just didn't want to talk to anyone about anything right. Finally she smiled and waved her off. Tara smiled back.
"Fine, but I'm driving," Tara said, heading for the door.
"Oh hell no, you ain't driving my baby."
"Lala, you drive like a fucking crazy person."
Arlene and Sookie put up chairs while Sam counted the night's take. Dawn had had the early shift and had been off for a few hours. Evidently Jason had driven her home. Whatever he was worked up about had not worried him enough to keep him from getting laid. If this made him the town man-whore so be it. Sookie was done trying to save people, at least for tonight.
Sam finally spoke to her at the end of the night as the three of them headed out.
"Night, Arlene, Sookie. See you tomorrow."
Why'd she have to go and do something so stupid? If something had happened to her…She's everything I ever wanted.
Sookie cringed but kept walking. Hearing his last thoughts made a not so good knot in her stomach.
…
Sookie cut the engine to her car and looked up at the old farmhouse where she lived with Gran. It had certainly seen better days long before Sookie's time living there. The front porch light was on as was the one in the kitchen. Gran had waited up for her like she did most nights.
Sookie leaned back in the cracked leather car seat, thinking. Gran would be just as excited to hear about a vampire in Bon Temps as Sookie had been earlier this evening. She knew she couldn't not tell Gran, especially since the old woman was bound to find out anyway. Hoyt would most likely tell his mother, Maxine, who was the biggest gossip in the parish. Hell, probably the whole state. Gran would be hurt she hadn't said anything.
Yes, she would tell Gran she had met a vampire. She just had to figure out what exactly to tell. She couldn't tell the truth, at least not in its entirety.
"Hey, Gran," she greeted. She put her purse and keys down on the kitchen table and went to the fridge to get herself something to drink.
"Hello, dear." Adele put her book down and turned in her chair to smile at her granddaughter's back. "Did you have a nice night?"
It was too late to have anything caffeinated or full of sugar so Sookie chose one of the 12 oz bottles of apple juice they had in stock. Though the juice was in her hand she hesitated. The coolness of the fridge made the skin of her arms and neck pucker with goose bumps. She took a deep breath.
"It was interesting."
She grasped the bottle tighter and straightened up. She had a smile plastered on her face before she shut the fridge. She turned around. Gran had closed the book and had removed her glasses. She was staring thoughtfully at Sookie.
Uh oh. So much for having a poker face where Gran is concerned.
Then again the woman had raised Jason.
"I'm fine, Gran, honest. I'm just tired."
Which was very true; she was exhausted.
"What was so interesting?"
Gran nodded at the seat across from her. Sookie sat, unscrewed the cap of her apple juice and took a big gulp.
"A vampire came into the bar."
Gran's eyes lit up.
"A vampire? What was he like? Did you talk to him? I wonder how old he is? It was a he wasn't it?"
"Yes, Gran."
This seemed to make Gran smile even wider. Sookie didn't really get why him being male had anything to do with anything.
"I took his order, but we didn't have any True Blood so he ordered a red wine." Now came the lying. She took another gulp of juice. "We were slammed so I really didn't get a chance to talk to him." She bit her lip wondering whether she should really go on. "Gran…I couldn't hear him."
The old woman didn't need to ask what she meant. She knew all about Sookie's disability. She handled the situation and acceptance of it much better than her son and daughter-in-law. Sookie's parents had once upon a time seriously considered institutionalizing their little girl.
"Did you like him?"
That's all she had to say? Was Gran actually asking her if she wanted to be romantically involved with a complete stranger, and a vampire to boot?
"I barely spoke to him Gran. I may not have guys lined up around the block to ask me out but I'm not that desperate or stupid."
"Sookie Stackhouse…" Gran started.
"It's not cause he's a vampire."
She didn't want Gran to think she was being prejudice in any way, though she completely was. But it wasn't because Bill was a vampire. It was because he was a jerk.
"I told you I barely spoke to Bill. Just cause I can't hear him doesn't mean I'm going to go all weak at the knees for him before I even have a real conversation with him."
"Bill?"
"Yes, Bill Compton…"
Compton. Oh, shoot.
"I saw a car and some lights on over at the old Compton place," Gran said. "I wondered what was going on over there. Jesse didn't have no kin to leave anything to. I guess with the VRA though this Mr. Compton would be the next of kin. I wonder if he was alive during the war."
Gran meant the Civil War. She belong to the Descendants of the Glorious Dead which was a club consisting of the older women in Bon Temps who could trace their ancestry to someone who had fought in the war. It was mostly a place for them to gossip and set up the odd bake sale, but Gran enjoyed her time spent with it.
Gran would no doubt want Sookie to ask Bill Compton about his past. She might even go over and talk to him herself. Neither of these ideas appealed to Sookie. How could she explain to Gran that being neighborly with the vampire was not in their best interests without revealing what she had done tonight?
Gran noticed Sookie's pallor and mistook it for exhaustion.
"Oh, Sookie." Her voice became concerned. "Me talking on while you're ready to drop. Come on, it's past both our bed times."
"Yes, Gran."
They said goodnight and went to their respective bedroom. Sookie quickly changed and got into bed, pulling the covers up to her chin.
Bill Compton.
She went over the events in her head again, trying to be objective. It didn't work. For whatever reason she didn't like nor trust Bill Compton.
…
The morning had dawned bright and clear so Sookie decided to get in some sun before breakfast. She didn't have to work until this evening. She didn't want to do anything strenuous after the night she had just had and didn't want to think about any of the previous nights' events. God it seemed did not listen to her prayers.
She heard the car pulling up the gravel drive, followed by the opening and slamming of a single car door. Sookie didn't open her eyes just yet to see who it was. She knew it would be one of two people. She reached out with her mind and removed her sunglasses. Jason must have decided to sleep in with Dawn Green this morning.
Tara came to stand a few feet off. She was wearing the same clothes as the night before and Sookie could see Lafayette's car off behind her.
"Hey Sook." She gave a weak smile.
"Want to come in and get a shower and a change of clothes? Gran should almost be done making breakfast."
Tara spent more time at the Stackhouse residence than her own home.
"Yeah, in a minute." She looked at her feet.
"Come sit with me." Sookie patted the patch of grass next to her lawn chair.
"Let me just get this out. Lafayette threatened to throw me out last night unless I promised to come over first thing and apologize." She finally raised her eyes. "Stupid, bitch. I was going to do it anyways." She seemed to reconsider Sookie's earlier offer and plopped down next to her friend.
"I'm …sorry. About last night."
Sookie could probably count on one hand how many times she had heard Tara apologize or admit she was wrong. She knew how hard this was for her friend. Tara did not like others to see her vulnerable. She liked to imagine she had no feelings other than the blinding anger most people saw.
Sookie pressed her friend's shoulder.
"It's okay, sweetie."
"No it ain't, Sook. I do think you're too trusting. You're too fucking good for this town. With the lot you got…I'd probably go insane."
Tara wouldn't meet Sookie's eye. Her voice sounded choked. Sookie slid out of the chair onto the grass in front of Tara. She pulled the other woman into a tight, loving embrace.
"I almost did go mad a couple dozen times growing up." Tara rested her cheek on Sookie's sun kissed shoulder. "But I couldn't let myself. I didn't want to leave you."
"Too fucking good for this place," Tara repeated. She pulled back and after staring at Sookie for a long minute she pulled the little blonde forward for another hug. Tara had always been more athletic than Sookie, playing softball in high school, so this hug squeezed a bit too much. "You could've died last night, Sookie. I'd loose it if anything ever happened to you."
"I know. I know you think I was acting like a loon but I couldn't not help."
Sookie wiggled free so she could breath but stayed close. The two girls' faces were inches apart.
"Besides I got Sam and Andy to help."
Tara leaned back with her hands on the grass to support her.
"Bitch, you did not know if they were going to follow you. Don't even lie that you did."
Sookie gave a guilty smile.
"I had hope they would."
"Yeah, lot of good hope would of done you if went up against the Rats alone." Tara scoffed. "You so excited to meet a vampire you done lost your mind."
Sookie would have felt hurt if she didn't agree somewhat with her friend. She must have been out of her mind last night.
Tara looked at Sookie out of the corner of her eye.
"You mean what you said about thinking that vampire was creepy? You ain't going to get … involved with him or nothing."
Sookie made a face.
"Gosh no! He's a complete jerk. I don't know if I can promise about not seeing him again though. He's my new neighbor." She nodded her head out to the direction of the cemetery that separated the Stackhouse property from the Compton's. Off in the distance they could just see the outline of the house.
"No shit?"
"Gran's over the moon."
"Bet that means she doesn't know he's a creepy asshole who almost got her granddaughter killed."
"No, and she's not going to know. Promise you won't tell."
Tara gave her a look. It did not pay to lie to Adele Stackhouse.
"Please Tara!" Sookie entwined her hands and made a begging gesture.
"Fine." Tara rolled her eyes. "But I can't promise someone else ain't going to tell her. God knows no one can keep a secret for long in this town."
The girls turned on hearing a car door slam. They had been so engrossed in their conversation that they hadn't noticed Jason's truck pulling up. Tara sat up straighter and quickly primped her hair. After getting a better look at Jason though she slumped forward a bit. Like her, he was wearing the same clothes he had on the previous day.
"Can't you even bother washing the stink off you before coming to your grandmother's house?" she snapped instead of a greeting.
"Not now Tara." He held up his hand to her.
Uh oh.
Not even Jason, whom she loved, could get away clean talking to her like that. Sookie had to deflect the situation quickly.
"I'm sure Gran will just be glad to see the three of us here for breakfast."
She stood up and held out her hand to help Tara up. She put herself as a buffer between her and Jason. Tara had opened her mouth to speak when Jason beat her to it.
"Naw, we're going to wait a minute 'til you explain some things."
This made it worse for him.
"Jason Stackhouse, you talk to me like that I will take a hunk of flesh off you. You talk to your sister like that I will put you in the ground!"
"This ain't none of your concern Tara Mae," Jason said angrily. He turned his attention to Sookie. "What the hell you doing messing with the Rattrays? Over a fuckin' fanger too. What are you some kind of slut now?"
Sookie narrowed her eyes at her brother. Tara bulked and balled both her hands into fists. Sookie was almost tempted to let Tara take over. Instead she crossed her arms and set her body in a hard line.
"They were going to kill that 'fanger' Jason. And yeah I could have died so maybe instead of yelling at me you can say how glad you are to see I'm okay."
"Fucking asshole," Tara said. Jason ignored her. He opened his mouth to speak again but Sookie cut him off.
"And don't you dare tell Gran about any of this! How the hell do you know about it anyway?"
"René."
Great if René knew that meant Arlene knew which meant the whole of Bon Temps would know by lunchtime. Before Sookie could say anything else the screen of the front door opened and Adele called out.
"You three quit whatever fight you got brewing and get in here for breakfast."
"Yes ma'am," all three replied.
The three trudged up the porch. They sat around the table enjoying the smell of the homemade milk biscuits, fried eggs, and sausage links. Tara still shot dirty looks at Jason across the table. Half way through the meal the phone rang. Gran got up to take it.
"Oh, hello Maxine."
Sookie's fork and eggs dropped back to the plate half way to her mouth.
Oh God no.
"What…Oh my…No…Well that's just horrible…She was in the same year as Sookie."
Sookie's brow furrowed. Maxine obviously wasn't calling about the mess with the Rats. Sookie's heartbeat, which had shot up like a rabbit, started to right itself. Jason was now the one who looked nervous.
Oh god. What the hell am I going to do?
Shamefully Sookie would have listened to more if Gran hadn't finished the call and sat back down.
"Y'all remember Maudette Pickens?" The three younger people nodded. "Well she was found dead this morning."
"Shit," Tara said.
"Tara, language."
"Sorry Gran."
"Do they know what happened?" Sookie asked.
"She was strangled."
"She was fucking murdered?" Tara with the mouth again. "Nothing happens in this town for twenty-five years and a vampire moves in and somebody dies. That ain't no coincidence."
"Tara Mae," Gran slapped her hand onto the table. "I will not take discrimination of any kind in the house. Prejudice like that is the product of small minds. None of us know a thing about Mr. Compton. We do not know if he had any acquaintance with Maudette Pickens."
"She was a fang banger."
Jason finally spoke. His voice sounded shaky and had just a hint of anger to it. None of the woman spoke for what seemed forever.
"How the hell you know that?" Tara finally asked.
She didn't really expect him to answer, what with his Gran in the room. She didn't need him to even answer.
God, am I actually jealous of a dead girl? Tara you need to get a grip and a better fucking life.
Sookie wanted to squeeze her friend's hand but then she would surely know that she had heard the thought.
"Everybody knows that."
Well not everybody since it was news to the three woman at the table. Jason kept talking, his eyes still on the table.
"It ain't right. Letting a dead thing touch her."
The three women exchanged worried looks. Finally Gran cleared her throat.
"What exactly is a fang banger?"
Tara was surprisingly well informed.
"It's called reading, Sookie."
"I read."
"Romance novels."
"Don't you knock them, Tara," Gran scolded.
"Anyway…I read that in Dallas fang bangers can get $1,000 a night."
The thought made Sookie sick. She worked her ass off forty plus hours a week for 10 dollars an hour and tips while these girls were getting paid to basically just lie there.
Jason suddenly stood up, knocking his chair over in the process.
"I gotta go."
He took off. Sookie motioned for the others to stay put while she went after him. She caught him out on the porch.
"Jason!"
"Sook, I got to go…I got…I got work."
He was visibly sweating now.
Oh God what am I going to do? I didn't mean to do it! That crazy bitch told me to!
Sookie took her brother's face in her hands. The image she got from his mind made her breathe catch. Jason with his hands around Maudette Pickens' neck.
"Oh, Jase."
She felt tears prick her eyes. He shoved her off.
"I'm your brother, godamnit! You don't do that to me."
Tara came out the door just in time to see Jason's truck peeling out.
"I'll say it again. What is wrong with that boy?"
"I don't think you want to know Tara."
Tara noticed her friend's tears.
"Sookie?"
"Don't ask. Just don't ask." She swiped at her eyes. "I might actually tell you."
Tara looked on concerned. She stayed for another half an hour but left declining the offer of a shower and change of clothes. She needed to get Lafayette his car back.
And I should check on the mess Mama made of herself last night.
Sookie spent the rest of the time before she had to get ready for work in a daze. She tried to read one of her so called romance novels but could not concentrate on the words.
It couldn't have been what it seemed. Sure Jason was lazy as hell and tended to do his thinking with the wrong head, but he wasn't a killer. She could be interpreting what she saw wrong. The images she saw from people were not always exact truth. They were often skewed by what the person had felt and believed they saw. By the time she had to get ready to go off to work she had repeated these ideas to herself so many times that she was able to calm down. Jason was not a killer. He was her brother and she loved him, even if he made it difficult to do sometimes.
One thing was for sure: she could not tell Gran. She felt guilty about how much she was keeping from Gran as of late.
As if she knew Sookie was thinking about her Gran appeared behind her in the mirror as she was applying mascara; she always got better tips when she wore makeup.
"I was just thinking," Gran started. "About that vampire. How old do you think he is?"
Sookie knew what was coming. She agreed that if she saw Bill Compton again she would ask him if he had been in the Civil War. It made her uncomfortable, one because she didn't really want to see Bill Compton again, and two because she didn't know the proper etiquette with vampires. Was it rude to ask them their age? Mostly she agreed because she didn't want her Gran to go talk to him alone. She doubted she would even see him again any time soon.
She left the house for work a half hour before sunset. By the time she got there it was dark. Sookie was surprised by the turnout as she walked in. Weeknights could be rather busy but not this early. Something had to be up. Sookie took a moment to calm herself down before going inside. She tried to keep her shields up as best she could, but some things slipped through.
I guess crazy runs in the family.
She's a brave bitch coming in.
Sookie stopped but didn't turn around. She looked over the bar. Tara didn't work for another hour so she had expected to see Sam. Instead she saw Terry Bellefleur looking agitated. That was not good. It meant something was up with Sam. Terry caught her eye and looked away quickly.
I've known killers, done it myself. I just don't think Jason did it.
Sookie's scalp and face grew hot.
God no! she prayed, shooting for the back.
Lafayette, Arlene, and Dawn stood in deep conversation. Dawn saw her first and paled. Arlene had been about to say something, which Lafayette did not look pleased about. Dawn shook the redhead's shoulder to get her attention. At seeing Sookie, Arlene promptly shut her mouth.
"What's happened?"
She addressed her question to Lafayette. He rubbed his mouth.
"Sook, girl…I think Sam walks to talk to you."
Sam? Sam wanted to be the one to tell her something happened with Jason. Then where the hell was he? He knew she was coming in. Knew she would probably hear it from some cruel redneck's head first.
Well fuck him. She didn't need to wait for Sam Merlotte to decide when she was ready to hear something about her own damn family. Arlene was broadcasting more than loud and clear.
Poor Adele…She had to deal with raising Sookie and now Jason's in jail. Thank God I finally found me a good man.
"Jason's in jail!"
Lafayette shot Arlene a murderous look. "Stupid bitch."
"Sookie! I can't believe you just did that! A person's mind is private."
"I can't believe you would keep this from me." Her gaze swept over all three of them. Arlene turned almost as red as her hair. "All y'all."
Dawn would not look her in the eye. The fellow waitress looked almost green.
I spent the night with him. I know he's as dumb as a box of hair but…Jesus it just can't be true. I don't care what Hoyt and René said.
Sookie had seen Hoyt and René sitting in a booth on the way in. She stomped back up front to their table.
"Hey…" René trailed off, seeing her face.
"What the hell is going on with my brother?"
Hoyt wouldn't look up from his hands as he explained how the police had picked Jason up on the job.
"He was talking about how he was going to be hooking up with Maudette over the weekend, Sookie," René said.
"So you all just went to the cops? Your best friend…"
"We didn't rat Jason out, Sookie." Hoyt finally looked up, defensive.
"We wouldn't do that. That gotta have evidence or something," René said.
"Evidence? They're not going to find any evidence because Jason's not a killer!"
"Sookie." It was Sam. She turned to face him.
Why the hell didn't anyone tell me she was here? Shit she already knows.
"Sookie, why don't we talk in my office."
Her shields were worthless now, she could hear everyone.
Crazy Sookie's finally going to blow a gasket.
That whole families nothing but trash.
Maudette Pickens was a slut. She deserved what she got anyhow.
Where the hell's my waitress.
Sookie rubbed at her temples.
"Everybody just shut up!"
She ran outside and wanted to keep running but knew she couldn't. She came to a stop after she cleared the last car in the lot. She closed her eyes and took a couple of deep breaths. The stream of other's consciousnesses became fuzzy. She opened her eyes and realized that she was standing only a few feet away from where she had rescued Vampire Bill last night. Everything became peaceful and still. That should have been a clue.
"Are you alright, Miss Stackhouse?"
"Jesus Christ Shepherd of Judea!"
She whirled around to face Bill Compton. He looked better than the last time she had seen him. His hair looked like it had seen a comb. He wore khakis and a light blue button-down shirt with a black jean jacket. Sookie briefly wondered whether or not her really needed a jacket. Did vampires get cold?
"I did not mean to frighten you."
"Well then you really shouldn't sneak up on people," she snapped. "What're you doing out here anyway?"
He gave a hurt look. Sookie wanted to roll her eyes.
"I'm sorry. That was rude. I'm just dealing with some stuff. I shouldn't take it out on you though."
Just because she didn't really like the guy didn't mean she had to be discourteous to him. Who knew either, maybe Bill Compton would improve on acquaintance. She began to move back toward Merlotte's and motioned that he could accompany her. He walked a bit to close for comfort, but she didn't correct him.
"I'm known to be a good listener. Perhaps I can help."
She let out a laugh. Bill Compton seemed to take offence easily. He must have supposed she was laughing at him. She shook her head.
"You don't want to hear my problems." He tried to speak, probably to tell her he really did but she didn't let him. "I just don't want to talk about it."
"As you wish."
They walked in relative silence until they stopped a few feet from the front of the bar. Sookie could see Sam through one of the windows. His face changed from concern to incensed when he saw who she was with. Sookie probably would have been able to hear his unpleasant thoughts if Bill hadn't been so close.
"I will take my leave of you now," Bill said, giving a slight bow to her.
"Why?"
What was he doing there if he hadn't planned to come in.
"I do not think I would be welcome."
"Well, it's going to be like that everywhere. It is a small town." She gave him a friendly smile. "I know you might want to hide away because you're different, but that's not going to do you any good. You have to stick it out. Show them you don't care."
"Thank you for the advice." He tone and smile was that of one humoring a child. "Perhaps I shall start with making the acquaintance of a few. Might I call on you sometime?"
Oh crackers!
Her Gran's upbringing dispelled any thoughts of outright refusing him. She smiled sweetly and took a step back.
"Well, we're neighbors. I'm sure we'll see each other often enough."
Thinking that Gran would be proud of her not out-and-out snubbing him remind her of her promise to Gran.
"Can I ask you something? I don't know if it's rude or not to ask you your age."
She couldn't help thinking that his smile was turning smug again.
"I was born in 1865. I was thirty years old."
"Wow, you look older."
He face became indignant.
"Life was harder back then."
He seemed to have no sense of humor to speak of. She ignored his anger.
"Were you in the Civil War?"
He nodded.
"Would you be willing to come and talk to my grandmother's club? It's mostly a bunch of old people who had family in the war. They call themselves Descendants of the Glorious Dead."
"The glorious dead? There is nothing glorious about dying in a war. A bunch of starving, freezing boys killing each other so the rich people can stay rich? Madness."
Okay.
"Um…I'm sure it was awful."
Maybe it wasn't such a good idea to have him speak. Gran was a true history lover and wasn't a bit squeamish, but the rest of the group liked to only hear about the so called goods times, if there could be any such thing in war.
"Would it make you happy if I did this?"
He took a step closer to her. Sookie schooled her features not to show a negative response.
"It would make my Gran ecstatic."
"Would it make you happy?"
She was a little bit glad Sam was being a nuisance and watching them.
"I'll do it then. When may I call on you?"
Shoot. She really didn't want to be there. Then again she couldn't leave her grandmother alone with a vampire who she had an inky feeling about.
"I'm off tomorrow night."
"After dark then."
He didn't move then and Sookie realized he was waiting to watch her go inside. She was more than happy to oblige just to get out of the eerie situation. She braced her shields and walked through the door back into Merlotte's.
Everyone was looking at her. It wasn't her imagination. Sam made his way over to her. The look on his face told her he would probably not apologize for last night or for the spying just now.
"Sookie. He was gritting his teeth. "I need to talk to you."
He grabbed her by her upper arms and dragged her towards his office. His grip wasn't that tight. She had hurt worse from wrestling with Jason when they were little. She was outraged that Sam would grab her in any such way. He hauled her into his office and such the door. She found herself thrust onto the couch. Sam started pacing and running his hand through his hair. Sookie was about to speak her ire when he spoke first.
"What is wrong with you?"
He had never talked to her in that tone of voice. Not even last night when she had seen a bit of the ugly jealousy breaking through.
"I was just going to ask you the same question."
She crossed her arms and hoped her face showed how she was not going to be bullied.
"This isn't a joke, Sookie!"
"Well, duh! Otherwise I'd be laughing."
"Do you have a death wish? Because that's what you're going to be if you get involved with a vampire: dead."
Why the hell did everybody think she was interested in dating Bill?
"One: I am not getting involved with a vampire. We're neighbors."
Sam paled at this information. A couple four letter words escaped his mind but he didn't open his mouth to speak.
"Two: Even if I was interested in getting to know this vampire, or any other one for that matter, it would be none of your damn business Sam Merlotte. You are my boss. The only thing you should being yelling at me in your office about is that I'm…" She looked at her watch. "…Twenty-seven minutes late clocking in for my shift."
Sam didn't seem to have anything to say and if he did he'd lost his chance because the next second the door banged open, hard, leaving a crack in the wall. Tara stood there and she looked beyond pissed.
I cannot believe this shit. I haven't had a bad enough day. Jason's in fucking jail, which is just ridiculous. Merlotte's gotta pull this crap.
"Tara, get back up front. I'm paying you to tend bar, not crack my molding."
"I'll you what you're going to be paying. A shit load of money when Sookie and I go to Shreveport to get her a good lawyer to sue you for sexual harassment."
Sam blanched, then his face turned red with anger.
"Don't even say a fucking word. If Sookie wants to blow the entire Bon Temps High football team or became a fang banger it ain't none of your business!"
Sookie blushed a bright pink at her friend's words.
"Her brother was taken in for questioning for murder and you are pulling some macho ass bullshit? You've had years' worth of chances Sam. You were just too much of a pussy to do anything."
"Tara." It sounded like Sam was growling her name.
"Go ahead. Fucking fire me. Then you got two people suing your ass." She held out her arm. "Sookie, come on. We got work. Even if it is for a fucking dickhead."
…
"I cannot believe you said all that to him."
Sookie was filling ketchup bottles at the bar. No one seemed to want to be seated in her section tonight.
Gee I wonder why?
"Girl, you know I have your back. I'm sorry I didn't get here sooner. I only just heard about everything. You shouldn't have had to go through that alone."
Had to wait for Mama to make a liquor store run so I could sneak back in and get my phone and other shit.
"Oh, sweetie."
Sookie hugged her.
"Damn it Sookie!" She still returned the hug.
"You know you can always stay with me and Gran."
"Nuh-uh. I'll hit a motel. Don't want you white folks having me underfoot and tracking my coming and goings." Tara looked at her friend. "Oh, hell no. Do not give me the puppy eyes, Stackhouse."
"Then quit being such a witch, Thornton."
"Fine. Just for tonight. You know it means you gotta give me rides. The car was in Lettie Mae's name."
Even though Tara was making the insurance payments on the Thornton family car. Tara wouldn't put it past her mother to call the cops on her own daughter for 'stealing' the car.
Sookie quit the 'puppy eyes' and gave her friend a radiant smile instead.
"It'll be fun to carpool."
That was if Sam didn't decide to keep being an asshole and they kept their jobs. They worked in relative silence for the next several minutes. But Tara's thoughts plagued both her and Sookie.
Jason couldn't done it. He so sweet and nice. He'd never hurt anybody.
"Tara." Sookie interrupted her friend's thoughts. "You know my brother's a dog."
"Yeah. Old habits die hard though, Sook. It ain't from lack of wanting. I know it's stupid. J.B. asked me out again."
"J.B.'s nice."
Tara shot her a look.
"J.B.'s a retard and we both know it. He's dumber than Jason."
"Tara, that's not nice."
"Don't make it less true."
Mentioning Jason's name gave them both a sharp burst of pain in their chests. Tara quick changed the subject.
"You hear about the Rats?"
Sookie shook her head.
"Turns out they got some outstanding arrest warrant in Texas. Worse then a drug charge I guess cause they got them in holding waiting for the po po from some hick town in Texas to come get them."
"So I got rid of the Rats but I gained a stalker."
Tara gave her a look and Sookie filled her in on her interaction with Bill this night.
"I still think you should tell your Gran everything. That vamp will loose his polish real quick if she knew his creepy ass almost got you killed."
"No, I don't want to cause her any worry. She's not as young as she used to be. Her heart's got that murmur and everything."
Tara promised again not to tell Gran anything, but still told her she was being a stupid bitch about the whole vampire thing.
Tara helped stack the chairs at the end of the night. Sam kept himself hidden in his office, making Terry count.
"Big baby," Tara scoffed.
"You shouldn't have yelled at him like that," Arlene said.
"Arlene, mind your own damn business."
Gran was more than happy to let Tara spend the night. She had smiled and fussed, but her movements seemed constrained.
"You heard about Jason?" Sookie asked.
"Yes, Maxine called just after you left."
"That bitch," Tara said.
"Tara!" Sookie and Gran both admonished her.
"It can't be true," Gran said, more for her own benefit than theirs. "Jason is a lazy, immature lout, but he's no murderer."
"I know Gran." Sookie sat down next to her on the couch and hugged her. "And I'm the truth will will out."
…
Sookie had the next day off and Tara wasn't supposed to work until the afternoon.
"I ain't going in."
"Tara, you just got the job."
"Yeah, so. I need the day off due to the stress cause of some asshole. Now shut it and pass the sunscreen."
They spent the morning sunbathing. They went with Gran to the library and after to the grocery store. Midday saw Gran in her garden while the two girls sat drinking sweet tea in comfort on the back porch. Tara was working on a Sudoku booklet while Sookie was working her way through a novel.
Sookie's cell phone went off and she sighed as she read the caller id.
"Hi Sam."
Tara looked up, her eyes sullen. It would just be in line with his attitude of late if he called Sookie to complain about Tara not coming in. Fucking pussy.
"Hey Sookie, I know it's your day off and all…" No apology about his behavior last night. And now it seemed like he wanted her to work.
"Yeah." Her voice might have betrayed her irritation.
"Dawn was supposed to be in an hour ago. I called but no one picked up. I just got a shipment in so I was wondering if you could go check on her?"
She wanted to say no. She wasn't even really friends with Dawn.
"Sure, Sam. No problem."
"Thanks, Cher. You're the best."
And you're a jackass!
She might have closed her cell phone a little harder than necessary. She gave Tara the gist of the call and asked her if she wanted to come with.
"Yeah, and then after that I can get a root canal with no anesthesia.
…
Sookie knocked on the door for the fifth time. She called Dawn's name.
"Hey, Sookie."
She turned around and saw René by his truck.
"Everything okay?"
"Yea, Dawn just overslept is all."
She went around the side of the house. The blinds on the bedroom were pulled down but she could see a little between the slats. Someone was in the bedroom on the bed. She went back to the front door. She felt stupid when she tried the door and found it was open.
Dawn was spread across the bed, one foot dangling off the mattress. Her skin was pale and had an almost bluish tint. She could have been asleep if not for the eyes. They were open, staring toward the ceiling. Unmoving, glassy, and empty. Sookie heard a noise that hurt her ears. It was piercing. She suddenly realized what the noise was. Her screams.
…
Whoo. Long one. Gonna try to get another chapter by the end of this week before life gets crazy again. There will lots of Eric/Sookie goodness coming up people.
Reviews are love y'all.
