Disclaimer: True Blood belongs to Alan Ball and HBO. Beauty and the Beast belongs to Disney, this is just for fun.
AN: Here's Chapter two! Now I had a really hard time deciding which of Sookie's many suitors to have step in as "Gaston" but I eventually landed on Quinn. I briefly debated using Alcide (mostly because I thought visually he was more fitting) but I actually like Alcide and didn't think I could convincingly make such a likable, humble character into the kind of jerk Gaston is supposed to be. Now for any Quinn fans out there, I apologize. I actually don't mind Quinn but he just fit in the role better than anyone else I considered. Anyway, enough with the boring technical stuff and on to the story!
The smell of fried chicken and stale beer permeated the air as I made my way through the busy lunchtime rush, balancing a tray decorated with french fries, chicken wings and glasses of beer.
It was another typical day at Merlotte's Bar and Grill.
I smiled brightly as I set the food down in front of Maxine Thortenberry and her son Hoyt.
" Is there anything else I can get ya'll? More ice tea Ms. Thortenberry?"
Maxine bat her overly made up eyes and smiled sweetly.
"No thank you Sookie dear, I think we're just fine."
I risked a quick glance over at Hoyt. I had always been fond of Hoyt, who was a truly kind hearted person, (not to mention my brother Jason's closest friend) and his mamma had a tendency to speak for her son without consulting him, so I felt it was only right that I made sure he was content.
" You sure you don't need anything else Hoyt?"
I felt Maxine bristle a bit but Hoyt smiled boyishly and shook his head. " Naw, Thank you Sookie but I'm alright."
I smiled a bit more and gathered my tray. "Well, If you two need anything else don't hesistate to flag me down. I'll be back to check on ya in a bit." I spun around and started walking towards the bar.
I just said we didn't need anything else! It's not enough that Stackhouse girl has to be a freak but thick headed too?
I stopped short of reaching the bar and closed my eyes, trying to get ahold of myself. Sometimes I couldn't understand how such a sweet boy could come out of such a hateful women. Maxine's thoughts had slipped right by my shields and I needed a moment to rein in my little disability.
I had barely begun to repair my mental blocking when I heard Laffayette bellow my name from the kitchen.
"Sook! Hooka I know you ain't standing in the middle of the dinner doin' nothing while your food orders are backin' up my kitchen!" he said as he continued to keep his eyes trained on whatever item of food he was currently cooking.
I sighed and jogged over to the kitchen window grabbing a basket of fries and a burger. "Sorry." I mumbled.
He gave me a pointed look and aimed his spatula at me. "You need to get yourself a vacation. Or dick. But get somethin' and get it fast because I can see you wearing yourself down girl."
As long as I had known Laffayette, sometimes he could still shock me with his crudeness. "Laffayette!"
He shrugged as if to say "You know I'm right" and went back to concentrating on the food.
I could feel my boss Sam's consciousness brush against my mind before he even spoke from behind me. "Lafayette, leave Sookie alone. Sookie you alright? You need a break?"
I turned around and smiled at him. Sam had always been protective over the girls who worked in his diner, but sometimes I couldn't help but wonder if he was a little extra protective of me.
I hadn't decided how I felt about that, so I put that thought out of my mind for the moment.
"No, I'm alright. I'm just a little tired. It's been a long day."
Sam's face went sort of grim as he pulled me in a little closer and lowered his voice. "Yeah, well it's about to get a little longer. Quinn just came in and he's sitting in your section." Sam knew exactly how I felt about John Quinn.
I let my back thud against the wall and whispered "Shoot."
"You want me to get Arlene to take it for you?" He asked.
"No, thank you Sam I can take care of it myself." I replied and Sam gave me a sympathetic pat on the shoulder before returning behind the bar.
John Quinn was Bon Temps own little town hero, right up there with Jason, although I'd like to think my brother was made up of stronger moral fiber than Quinn, even if he was a little dim-witted sometimes. Everyone loved him because he was handsome, strong and fast. He carried Bon Temp High School's football team to the finals twice before Jason came, and any woman will tell you he can charm the skin off a snake.
In the past year he had gotten it in his thick little head that I would be a fun conquest to tackle. I had a reputation for being perpetually dateless (as well as being possibly crazy) since high school. It wasn't that boys hadn't asked, but my talent for reading people's thoughts made it near impossible to date. You try attempting to have a good time when your date is spending it wondering if your blonde "all over". So to save myself the grief I gave up all thoughts of dating, along with any hope of losing my V-card.
The thought of being that intimate with someone and being subjected to what they were really thinking during the act was just too frightening for me, and since nobody had seemed to lock me down Quinn saw that as some kind of challenge. And he so did love a challenge.
The more I turned him down the more determined he was to wear me down and I had resorted to avoiding him as much as I socially could. I knew there were plenty of women in town who didn't understand what was wrong with me and sometimes I wondered myself why I couldn't just let myself enjoy the attention from such an attractive, charismatic man. Almost every girl in Bon Temps would love a chance to date Quinn, but I had to remind myself that I knew better. I'm ashamed to say I'd rummaged around in his head once or twice and he certainly had no concerns for anyone except himself. Besides, I'm used to people thinking I'm a little...odd.
I peeked around the corner and searched my tables until, sure enough I spotted Quinn sitting with three of his buddies right smack in the middle of my section. Hoping to avoid any unnesesary talking between us, I walked straight to the bar and asked Sam to pour me three glasses of PBR. Quinn came in here often enough and always ordered the same thing.
As I leaned against the bar with my hand under my chin, waiting for the drinks, I noticed a slender blonde sitting across from me at the bar gazing at Quinn admiringly.
God he's georgeous. I wouldn't mind bringing him home for a little fun...
Before I could stop myself, I responded to the women's inner monolgoue, my eyes also set on Quinn.
"Trust me, the fun wouldn't last long and you can bet your life he'll never call you again..." I didn't notice her bewildered expression until I absently let my gaze travel back to her face. Oh...oops.
" Sorry!" I whispered to her as Sam set down my drink order. And I really was. It wasn't my business poking around in her thoughts, it was just plain rude, even if sometimes I couldn't help it.
What in the world? It was almost like she could read my... god what an weird girl...
My shields were weak and as I begrudgingly made my way to Quinn's table, I tried not to show any reaction when I was bombarded by the thoughts of the other Merlotte's customers, some of their eyes following me as I walked.
Got a nice pair 'ah tits on her too bad she's a fucking nut job...
Is this medium rare? It tastes rare... maybe I should send it back.
Damn Stackhouses. A bunch of freaks the whole lot of 'em...
I don't want to go back to work! This half hour lunch break is a load of crap, we should get at least an hour...
What a peculiar girl.
Luckily for me, Quinn wasn't what I would call a very clear broadcaster so I was saved from any awkwardness when I reached his table, minus a visual image or two of what he wanted to do to me alone, which was incredibly embarrassing and caused a slight blush to creep up my neck.
Quinn flashed his charming smile at me and winked and I inwardly rolled my eyes.
" Well if it isn't my favorite little barmaid!"
I set the drinks down in front of Quinn and his cronies, avoiding eye contact with him as much as I could.
" And you already brought my favorite! See boys, this is a real women. Brings you a beer without even having to ask. All you need to do now is bring my favorite sandwich and I'll get down on one knee right now!"
His buddies chuckled a little, grinning at each other. Was that supposed to be Quinn's version of a compliment?
"Do you need anything else?" I asked, hoping my exaggerated smile was enough to conceal how uncomfortable I really felt. I just wanted to get them in and out as soon as possible.
"Babe, relax a little. Pour yourself a drink and have a seat!" He said patting the spot next to him in the booth. "I came here to spend a little time with you..." His tone suggesting the things he wanted to do with me during that time were not exactly honorable.
" That's awful sweet Quinn but I'm in the middle of work here, so if there's nothing else I can get ya'll then you're gonna have to excuse me." I may have loathed Quinn but that didn't mean I should forget that my Gran had taught me to have good manners when dealing with all sorts of people.
I intended to spin on my high and mighty heel before he could respond when Quinn's big hand snapped out, seizing my wrist and gently pulling me closer to him. " These games are gettin' a little old babe. So why don't we just cut to the chase. Come out with me tomorrow night." he smiled arrogantly as he trailed a finger up and down what was exposed of my thigh. I yanked my arm out of his grasp and replied stiffly " Thank you but I already have plans. If you need anything else, Arlene will take care of it." and walked away as fast as my legs could take me.
Maybe Laffayette was right. Maybe I needed a break because tonight, I couldn't handle blocking everyone's consciousness out and dealing with Quinn's nonsense. As I rushed passed the bar I called out to Sam. "On second thought I think I'll take you up on that break, Sam."
Sam followed me as I briskly walked toward his office. He shut the door closing us both in the room.
"Did he do something? I swear to god I'll throw him out on his ass-"
I held up my hands, signaling him to calm down. "It's nothing he hasn't tried tried to pull before. I'm just... I don't know. I'm not coping well today I guess."
Sam sighed and ran a hand through his light brown hair. "How about you take the rest of the afternoon off? Go home, relax and take a night for yourself. Arlene can handle Quinn and Dawn should be comin' in a bit later. I think it'll be good for you."
" No Sam that's just silly-"
"Now I don't want to hear another word about it. You're taking the night off and thats the end of it." Sam said with mock authority.
I couldn't help but smile as I looked at him. You could always count on Sam.
After gathering my things and clocking out, I made my way towards the parking lot and my old yellow car, looking forward to a night of nothing in particular. I could feel someone's eyes on me and sure enough when I glanced around the room, I saw Quinn glowering at me. That perked me up a bit. At the very least I had put a cramp in his day. I let the door swing shut behind me, the remnants of some random customer's thoughts ringing in my consciousness.
She really is a funny girl.
I was surprised to find my brother Jason's car parked in front of my house when I arrived home.
Jason knew I usually worked the lunch shift on fridays so I couldn't imagine he had come just to see me. But I was glad he was there all the same. I had been having trouble getting ahold of him lately and needed his help with a few things around the house.
"Jason?" I called out once I was in. I heard a loud CLANK come from the living room followed by a curse. Jason was definitely here. As I rounded the corner I was nearly knocked over by my brother, who had a bag clutched in his grasp like it was his only life-line.
"Jesus H! Jason! You scared me half to death...what are you doing here?"
"Oh-ah...hiya Sook. I thought you'd be workin'."
Jason clutched the bag a little tighter, shifting his feet and looking at anything else but me. I eyed him wearily.
"Yeah. Sam gave me the night off...so did you suddenly forget how to pick up a phone? I've been callin' you for three days straight..."
Jason scratched the back of his head, his eyes still skipping across the room. " Oh. Yeah I'm...I'm real sorry about that I've just got a lot goin' on at work and..."
I took notice of Jason's appearance for the first time as he continued to explain. He was sweaty and shaking and looked like he couldn't stand still if his life depended on it. His skin looked almost gray in color, and he was still clutching that bag so hard his knuckles were turning white. Something was up.
"Jason." I interrupted him. "What's in the bag?"
I recognized slight panic on his face and caught a fragment of his thoughts.
Shit!
Jason shifted the bag into his other hand. "Nothin'. Just some stuff I left here before Gran died."
Liar. I knew damn well he hadn't had anything stored here for years.
Gran raised Jason and I in this house for years after our parents died, and she herself passed on a little over a year ago. Jason had moved out as soon as he could live on his own, taking over our parents old house while I opted to stay with Gran in our old but loving home. Ever since she died it had been just me in this big old house on my own and I knew from my meticulous cleaning and organization that Jason no longer had anything left here.
"Jason Stackhouse you tell me the truth. What is in that bag?"
" I told you nothin'. Just some old shit..." he said as he tried to brush passed me towards the front door. Before he could I caught his thoughts again.
Fuck! Just leave it alone Sook-I need this stuff to pay for the V! If I don't get some more soon I'm going to fuckin' lose it...
In my shock, my arm reached out and caught the edge of the bag, yanking it down, causing the contents to spill out onto the floor. I gaped in anger and disappointment at the ground, where my Gran's best silverware lay scattered on the floor next to her candlesticks that she had always been so proud of.
"Dammit Sookie!" Jason yelled as he looked at the mess on the floor.
I couldn't even hear him. I was so angry. "How dare you! How could you even think of stealing from Gran like that-"
"Gran is dead Sookie!"
"I can't believe you! You're doin' V? What the hell's the matter with you Jason? Do you have any idea how dangerous that is?"
Ever since a few years ago, when our new fanged friends came out of the coffin, vampire blood had become the newest hot illegal drug on the market. I didn't know much about it, but I did know that ingesting anyone's blood, human or vampire was generally not a good idea, not to mention from what I read most Vampire's took offense to their blood being used like a common street drug.
Jason's eyes finally set on mine as he pointed an angry finger straight at my face. "Stay the FUCK outta my head!"
I grabbed his arms trying desperately to get through to him but he yanked them out of my grasp, slowly backing towards the door.
"Jason-"
"Fuck it. You keep that old crap but don't you ever go snoopin' in my brain again!"
" Jason, wait!" But before I could stop him he had walked out, slamming the door so hard the old house creaked in the aftermath.
As I heard the sound of his truck pull away from the house, I ran a shaky hand through my hair before bending down to pick up Gran's spilt silverware.
So much for a stress-free night. I laughed out loud at the ridiculousness of it all. This was definitely not the time for laughter, but I just couldn't seem to help myself.
I really was a funny girl.
