Chapter 2:

Sam's birthday has come around and Claudine has granted him a wish. Does Sookie change with Sam? What kinds of fun and games can they get up to? Continued from Chapter 1. Not mine - don't own a thing! Sookie/Sam

Sookie descended the stairs and drew a shaky breath. There was another sharp knock at the door and Sookie gathered her nerve.

All day she had been second guessing her decision to join Sam. She had not been able to eat, she had cleaned the house from top to bottom trying to rid herself of her nervous energy. She wanted to do this for Sam; he was her friend and had done so much for her without asking anything in return. And she was really curious to experience what it was like for him to shift. She had seen him do it several times and, while it looked painful, it looked thrilling.

She straightened her shirt, running her hands nervously over the material, before opening the door. When she did she was greeted with Sam's smiling face. He looked nervous too. The sun was setting behind him and caused his hair to glow.

He was dressed in a checked shirt and his worn jeans. Sookie looked down at her t-shirt and shorts, feeling underdressed.

"Don't worry about them," Sam said, surprising her. It was as though he had read her mind. You wont need them, anyway he thought. Sookie couldn't help but grin at his cheeky comment.

"You keep those thoughts to yourself Sam Merlotte." She sassed playfully, stepping back to let him in. Sam brushed against her as he walked inside and Sookie caught her breath. She knew he must have felt the crackle of electricity where they touched because he stopped and gave her a quick look.

"You nervous?" he asked slowly. Sookie didn't answer right away. She closed the door and took a moment before answering.

When she turned to him she found Sam much closer than she had expected. His gaze was intent and there was a smile on his lips.

"A little," she whispered. Sam nodded. He did not step back. Instead, he put his hand on her arm.

"It's ok. You don't have to do this Sookie. I understand." He gave her a soft smile, but his eyes held his disappointment. Sookie shook her head.

"No, Sam. I want to do this." She set her smile with resolve.

"I'll be here with you." He ran his hand down her arm to lace his fingers in hers. "I'll help you through it."

Sookie nodded and led him towards the kitchen.

"Did you want something to drink? Eat? I have some chicken in the fridge. Or I can make you up a sandwich." She dropped his hand and opened the fridge.

"No, I'm fine. But thanks." Sam looked awkward again, standing there in the middle of her kitchen, his hands stuffed deep in his pockets. Sookie closed the fridge and leant against it.

"This is so strange." She muttered. Sam nodded his agreement. "I don't know what to say. What to do."

"Maybe we could talk through it. I could explain what will happen. Maybe choose something to shift into. That way you can have some idea of what to expect. Ease your nerves a bit."

"Ok. Let's sit down."

They moved to the living room, Sam stopping to open the front door a crack, and perched on the couch. Sam laughed when they fell into another awkward silence.

"Claudine spelt it out for me. You'll change into whatever I do. So if I shift into a dog, you can shift into a dog. You'll kind of imprint on what I become. You'll only be able to do it once. And just tonight."

"Will it hurt?" Sookie asked the question that had been burning in her mind all day. Sam looked at her intently for a moment.

"It does, a little. Just initially. When your body starts to take on the new form. I think its to do with the muscles stretching and moving. It feels more strange than hurts. Like pins and needles."

Sookie's face must have shown her concern. I have never lied to you, Sam thought. Sookie nodded.

"Ok. What do I have to do? How will I change?"

"I'm not too sure on that part. When I want to change I just think of what I become and it happens. I guess the same will go for you." He leant back on the chair.

"Do you want to do it now?" Sookie asked, smiling. Sam looked at her, chagrined. She had read his thoughts again.

"Sorry. I didn't mean to push. I guess I'm kind of excited."

"Ok. Well why put it off? What do we do?" Sookie stood, Sam following her. He looked at her clothes and Sookie blushed. "Oh."

"Well, it can get a bit tricky if you shift wearing them. Get stuck in things. Believe me, it's a lot harder to get yourself out of a button up shirt when you don't have hands than you think." Sam laughed. Sookie gave him a smile, her cheeks still burning.

"So we strip?" She asked slowly. Sam shrugged casually, although Sookie could sense his mind spinning.

"I promise not to look," he said in a low voice, looking up at her boyishly. She had to smile at his sweet nature. She believed him wholeheartedly. She surprised him by pulling her shirt over her head and giving him a cocky grin.

Sam laughed and then followed suit. He unbuttoned his shirt and gently folded it onto the couch. His hands shook as the reached for his belt buckle. He had never been so nervous about the change. Not even his first time had been this loaded with promise. He was excited for Sookie. Excited to be sharing this with her.

He looked up before quickly glancing away. She was standing there in her underwear, obviously waiting for him to catch up. He removed his pants, kicking off his shoes as he went.

Then he was bare, and she was bare and they were standing, waiting for the other to make a move. Sam was fighting with all of his strength to keep his eyes on her face, and not let them wander over her delectable body.

"What now?" Sookie asked, ignoring his thoughts. She didn't blame him, was actually impressed by his will power. He was a man and couldn't help those kinds of thoughts.

"I guess you just have to copy me," he said softly, reaching out to take her hand. Claudine hadn't said that touching was necessary but he figured it couldn't hurt. It would sure make him feel better. He was so nervous he wasn't sure he was going to be able to make the change at all.

His eyes met hers and he gave the slightest nod.

The air began to shimmer and quiver. Sam's form started to change. There was the sound of muscles stretching, sinews snapping, bones morphing until the beautiful collie Sam became was sitting beside Sookie.

She could feel her own body shaking. There was something powerful urging her to do something. She concentrated really hard, like she did when she was trying to pinpoint one person's thoughts among many. She thought about becoming a dog. Being a dog. She looked down at Sam; his pink tongue dangling out, his eyes playful.

And then Sookie felt it. A pain in her legs, her arms. Not an intense pain; more like a dull ache. She could feel her body bending forward, her legs shortening, her arms changing shape. Her head ached as it, too, started to change. Before she could think too long on whether this had been a good idea she fell to the floor in a heap. The next thing she knew there was a wet tongue lapping at her cheek. She opened her eyes and found the world a different place.

Everything looked different. Things seemed much bigger, higher up. She felt warm, very warm. And the smells! There were so many new smells in the air. She inhaled deeply. It felt different. She could taste something. Dust. Her tongue had lolled out of her mouth and was resting on the floor. She quickly pulled it back in, a growl of displeasure passing her lips. She definitely needed to sweep in here tomorrow.

Sitting up she looked at Sam. Even as a dog, his grin was wide. He was loving this. And he obviously found her first few moments as a dog fascinating. He was watching her intently. When she made no move for several moments he stamped his front paw on the floor.

Are you ok? He thought. Sookie was surprised that she hear his thoughts while she was like this. She tried to answer. A bark came out. OK, she thought to herself, need to remember that I am a dog now. But how would a dog answer? She did the only thing she could think of. She licked Sam's snout.

She was surprised that the taste was not gross, as she thought it would be. He tasted…familiar.

Just take it slow, Sam thought at her. She cocked her head to the side, her tongue lolling again. She thought she should feel embarrassed by that, but what could she do? The darn thing had a mind of its own.

Slowly, carefully, she raised herself onto all four paws. The sensation was thrilling, if a bit disconcerting. She unsteadily walked towards Sam, getting an idea of her footing. Sam stood too, his tail wagging ecstatically. He let out a yip of excitement when Sookie successfully navigated the living room.

When Sookie felt more steady and confident she stepped it up a notch, trying out her new legs in a bit of a run. She saw Sam on all fours, bum wagging with his tail, tongue hanging out and she acted on instinct.

She pounced.

They fell to the floor in a tangle of tails and fur. Sookie buried her snout in his fur, inhaling his scent. She couldn't believe how different her sense of smell had become. Sam was trying to roll them so that he had the upper hand, his mouth playfully latching onto one of Sookie's ears. She bit him back, not realising the strength of her bite. Sam yelped.

Sookie pulled back immediately and dropped her head - the dog version of apology. It's ok, Sam thought at her. Just surprised me is all. He moved to her and licked her nose gently. Follow me, he urged.

Sam led Sookie into the hall and towards the front door. He used his paw to open it wider and Sookie smacked herself for not thinking of leaving the door open. At least Sam had thought ahead. He trotted out onto the porch and sat at the edge of the steps, his nose raised to the air, testing. Sookie sat and mirrored him. She could feel her legs itching to get out into the woods surrounding her house and run!

This must be how Sam feels every time he comes out here, she thought to herself. The urge to run was incredible. It was overpowering.

Sookie felt her tail start wagging and her butt raise of the hard wood of its own accord. Sensing her excitement Sam looked at her.

Race ya! He thought and then he was off. Sookie was stunned for a moment before she leapt off the stairs and took off after Sam. She lost him as he tore off into the dark woods. As she was passing the tree line, her eyes ahead, searching for him, Sam jumped out and leapt on her from the side. Sookie let out a startled yelp before growling playfully.

They wrestled for a moment before unanimously deciding to run further. The reached the cemetery that lay just past Sookie's house and trotted past the headstones. Sookie's nose crinkled at the smell of moss and damp. Cemeteries were even grosser when you were a dog.

Before Sookie realised where they were headed she found herself looking up at the old Compton house. A quick glance at Sam told her that this was no accident. They reached the old tree that stood in the front yard.

Wait here, Sam thought, giving her a lick on the cheek. Sookie wondered what was going on.

Sam made his way up to the house, climbed the steps and sat facing the old front door. There were lights on inside, so Bill had to be home. Sookie gave a nervous bark.

Trust me, Sam thought, looking back at her. You'll like it. He gave her a goofy dog face and turned back to the door. He let out three sharp barks.

Sookie could hear movement inside and she sunk further back into the shadows. She hadn't spoken to Bill in some time, not since he had cheated on her and they had gone their separate ways. She wasn't sure what Sam was playing at but she sure was nervous as to what would happen if Bill knew she was here.

Sam's bark woke her from her reverie and she looked up to see the front door open. Bill stepped out onto the porch, his pale skin shining in the moonlight. He looked down at Sam.

"What are you doing here, Shifter?" He asked warily. He and Sam had never been friendly, especially not after Bill had caught them lip locked. But for Sam to be there Bill thought there must be something wrong.

Sam stood, his tail wagging, his feet moving playfully. He lowered his head in a playful challenge. Bill raised an eyebrow at him.

"Are you expecting me to play 'fetch' with you, dog?" He asked humorously. Sookie had to laugh, it coming out in a soft humph sound. It seemed that even Bill was not immune to treating Sam's dog form as just that - a dog. She was not expecting, however, for Bill's keen nose to pick up her scent.

He looked up and into the tree line, his sharp eyes looking for movement. It always unnerved Sookie, the way he did that. Especially now that she was in dog form - how could he possibly know she was here? But it was Bill, and she had had his blood so, as much as she hated it, he was able to sense her. She shuffled further back into the shadows, a small whimper coming from her.

Bill was walking across the lawn, ignoring Sam, who was tugging on Bill's pant leg. Bill could hear something in the woods and he could sense Sookie nearby. His mind was processing all the possibilities. Sam being there. Sookie's smell all over him, along with the scent of something else - another dog. And there were noises coming from the tree line. If Sookie was hurt, or in trouble, he would help her.

Sam heard Sookie's whimper and let out a bark. It was meant to caution Bill, to stop him, but instead made the vampire keener to discover the source of the noise. Sam ran ahead of the vampire, hoping to calm Sookie. He had only meant to stir the vampire up a bit, have a bit of fun. He hadn't intended to upset Sookie.
He found Sookie lying on the ground, her head on her front paws. Her tail gave a little wag when he approached.

You ok? he asked her, giving her a lick. Sookie wagged her tail some more. Bill's coming over here. We can run if you want. Sam nudged her with his snout. Sookie looked at him, then stood. Her tongue lolled out of her mouth and Sam just wanted to kiss her so badly. She looked gorgeous, even as a dog. Before he could again suggest that they leave Sookie casually padded out of the woods, towards the searching Bill.

Sam's mouth hung open as Sookie walked right up to the vampire and sat at his feet, looking up at him. She let out a yip. Bill glanced down at the dog before looking back into the woods. And then he did a very comical double take. The dog sitting before him was slightly different to Sam. The colours were darker, the snout shorter, the body more lithe. And the scent. It was Sookie. Bill cocked his head to the side, trying to decide what he was seeing.

"Merlotte?" He tested, crouching down to look at the dog more closely. Sookie did not respond. There was a long pause.

"Sookie?" Bill asked, his voice quite hoarse. Sookie barked. She stood, jumping a little, her tail wagging madly. She ran a circle around the confused vampire. "Sookie?" Bill asked again, still not believing what he was seeing. The dog before him barked madly. The vampire shook his head. Merlotte must be pulling some kind of prank, he thought to himself. Sookie was not a shifter. This couldn't be her.

Just as he made that decision another dog, the one from the porch, padded out of the woods. It came to sit next to the new dog. They mirrored one another. Front legs straight, tails slightly cocked, heads tilted to the right, tongues lolling. Bill shook his head, thinking he was seeing double. The first dog barked, followed closely by the second. They seemed to give Bill a grin before they turned and ran back into the woods.

Sookie felt invigorated. She couldn't help her joyful yelps as she ran and jumped through the woods, Sam close on her heels. He barked to, enjoying her happiness. Sam was sure that the vampire was thoroughly confused and he barked all the louder for it. If Bill deserved anything for what he had done to Sookie, a little confusion and a prank were hardly equivalent. But Sam was enjoying Sookie's happiness, and he was enjoying sharing this gift with her.

They ran back in the direction of her house, taking their time, exploring the woods and the smells and chasing small animals just for fun.

Sam had never enjoyed the change so much. And the evening wasn't over yet.

To be cont…