Chapter 2

Bill Compton computer genius and successful businessman drove his new G-L class down the old country road that would lead to his fiancée's ramshackle of a house. Like everything in hole-in-the-wall Bon Temps the road was badly in need of repairs. If he was forced to live here he would see to it that the city government made it a priority to repair it otherwise it would badly damage his car's transmission. It was not that he could not afford another Mercedes in fact he could afford ten and not feel the pinch but he did not want to be inconvenienced.

Oh delicious money. At last he had it and with it came all the luxuries he'd been indulging in as of late. He had cars, designer suits, a state-of-the art house that was almost finished and he even the Bellefleur's ancestral home. They'd had been forced to mortgage it to pay for Caroline Bellefleur's medical care and when the bank took it Bill had bought it at a very good price. He really had no need of it except that he'd never liked the Bellefleurs with their high and mighty ways. It would be nice to see them brought low for once.

Bill had grown up in Bon Temps and his family had been anything but well-off. His father had left and his mother had struggled to take care of her son. They'd often had to rely on the kindness of their neighbors to get by. That's how he had met Sookie.

Sookie's grandmother Adele had gone out of her way to ease the Compton's burden. She offered to watch Billy when his mother was working and the boy had grown up with the sweet scent of baking pies and even the sweeter scent of Sookie Stackhouse.

Bill had become her best friend and then her first love. He'd watched patiently as she'd gone from a scrawny girl with skinned knees to a graceful young belle with her Gran's carefully cultivated manners. Bill had been enchanted and when his long-suffering mother had passed away he'd clung to her with everything he had.

He'd believed that she would be his wife one day but when she went to community college in Shreveport it had all gone to hell. Bill's misfortune had a name and it was Eric Northman. The love of his life had taken one look at the Swedish dolt who was taking English as second language and she'd forgotten all about old faithful Bill. She did not care that she was giving up a man who everyone recognized as a true talent in the programming field. All she had seen was the tall, blond mammoth who laughed easily and made her feel things that Bill had been unable to.

Disgusted he left Bon Temps for better pastures and did not return until the news of Adele's death brought him home. By then Sookie had already been married to Eric who was supporting her by working as a bartender at Merlotte's. The jerk had dared to treat him like Sookie's brother Jason. He'd been polite and friendly making sure to thank him for being there to share in their grief. It was during that visit that Bill's plan began to take shape in his head.

It would take another year before he'd been able to accumulate enough money to make it happen. He would need to use someone who could do the deed without getting caught and then simply disappear. Consequently, it ended up costing him as much as the car he was currently driving but gave so much more satisfaction. On one lonely October night Eric Northman was shot point blank as he walked towards the Merlotte's parking lot after finishing his shift. The killer also took his wallet and his gold wedding ring which Bill kept hidden under the lining of his watch case.

This time Bill did not make it home but called Sookie to offer his condolences. She was too heartbroken to be receptive to his attentions. He bided his time and worked on building his wealth so when he returned to Bon Temps two years later she was ready for him. It would have been perfect if not for the dammed witches and their spell.

So now Eric Northman was back albeit in a lesser form. The zombie version of the man was not as handsome or charming or even able to communicate but he still had a hold on Sookie's heart and that was something that Bill would not stand for. Not this time.

He had to be careful. The creature kept himself in the swampy wilderness but he would venture regularly into his fiancée's land. He never tried to come inside the house but hid in the wooded part of the property as if waiting to catch a glimpse of a life he could no longer have. Sookie had tried to underplay what was going on but sometimes when he stayed over for dinner he would catch her looking out the kitchen window and into the dark impenetrable woods with something akin to longing.

But never let it be said that Bill wasn't ready to deal with all complications even the most unexpected ones. In a week he and Sookie would leave for their Mediterranean honeymoon and by the time they returned his zombie problem would be a thing of the past.

He couldn't wait.

XxXxXxXx

It had taken her a great effort to get him to come into the house. His apparent docility continued until he was removed from her car but he'd balked at entering the home that they'd once shared. She tried pulling him but in his reluctance he'd tripped and fallen on her recently paved driveway.

Instead of rising he used his hands to crawl away from her and towards the brush that lined the perimeter of her home. She knew that is she let him go he would spend hours hidden amidst the dense greenery staring at the old farmhouse he seemed so afraid of now.

"Eric!" she shouted.

The zombie froze and looked up at her from his position on the ground. She took a deep breath and tried to steady her voice.

"I want you to come with me inside to so that I can help you. You're hurt, filthy and your clothes are tattered beyond repair. I kept all of your stuff and you can have a bath and maybe rest for a little bit until you're stronger."

The look that he gave her was one of confusion and dread.

"Don't worry, I don't want to lock you up or harm you in any way. You were my husband once and it kills me to see you like this."

With much effort he rose to his feet. His motor skills were poor and further compromised by the injuries he'd recently sustained. She watched him as he cautiously walked towards the steps that led to her porch. His head was down and his tangled blond hair hid his face.

He stopped on the landing and planted a hesitant foot on the first step. Sookie sidled next to him to as he pulled his injured leg to join the other. It took a while but at last he was standing in front of her door while Sookie retrieved her keys from her bag and opened the door.

She did not expect him to simply walk inside and he didn't. For some unfathomable reason he was afraid of being in the house he had once called home. At her gesture he ambled into the house and stood in the entrance hall blinking at the sudden brightness.

"Do you remember living here?" she asked softly.

Of course he did not reply but kept looking up at the light fixture with his arms held out at his sides to keep his balance.

"I guess this is very difficult for you because your memories are all jumbled up right? That must be really confusing."

Silence but there was a tiny glimmer of something in his eyes. Sookie smiled and took his cold hand in hers.

"I think the first order of business is a bath. I don't want to force you up the stairs so the shower in this floor is going to have to do." She explained as she walked both of them to the bathroom just off the spare room. It seemed that he had accepted her guidance and followed obediently until he came to an unexpected halt in the middle of the hallway.

Sookie turned to him questioningly but when she tracked his eyes she understood. It was their wedding picture mounted on the wall. She'd been unable to remove even after she'd accepted Bill's proposal but she hadn't looked at it in a long while. They were standing side by side with Gran and Jason flanking them. Eric'd looked so young and full of life then standing in his rented suit while holding on to the arm of his new bride. Her smile was bright and the camera lens had captured the dreamy look in her eyes. It seemed like a lifetime ago and for him it really was.

His hand went up to his chest where she knew that the bullet that had taken his life had embedded itself in his heart. If he pressed hard enough he might even feel the tiny bits of shrapnel that had fused themselves with the broken bones of his rib cage. Sookie' heart felt just as shattered.

"It's okay Eric, I understand."

TBC.

Thank you so much for the reviews. I was anticipating a lot of flames for the rather weird/creepy subject matter. I know I said that this was going to be a two chapter story but it has gotten away from me. Bill's evil deeds need a well thought out retribution (he's still going to get eaten though). I'm also going to be bringing in Amelia who had been involved in that coven of witches that made dear Eric and others into the undead. She is going to be feeling all guilty and offer Sookie some much needed answers because right now she is flying blind. Please review.

P.S. to tglea: I'm sorry that I could not PM you but the feature was turned off in your profile. Thank you so much for your kind words. They really gave me the chills in a good way. I hope that you find the rest of this story to your liking.- Jill