Disclaimer: I own nothing, these characters belong to Ms. Harris and Mr. Ball.

Author's Note: I just want to take a moment to thank all those who reivewed my first chapter, it is very exciting to see you like it so far. Thanks to those who added me to your subscription/alerts or to your favorite stories list as well. I really appreciate it and it's very inspiring. I can't say for sure how often I will be updating chapters, but I decided to go ahead and post chapter 2 because chapter 1 was so short. I hope you enjoy it, and please let me know what you think!

CHAPTER 2

Sookie POV

As I neared my front steps I could feel a tug of magic, as if something were beckoning me home, urging me inside. The sensation didn't alarm me, but caused me to move with more urgency up the steps and onto the porch. There the feeling disappeared and I shrugged it off as mere excitement.

I frowned as I tried the door. It was locked. I distinctly remembered running out in such a hurry that I hadn't secured the house. It hadn't even crossed my mind that night that I would be leaving for an extended period of time, but why would it? I turned back down the steps and found what I was looking for, a small pile of rocks bordering the flower bed which included one fake rock containing the spare key. My brows gathered as I studied the flower bed. When I had left it was autumn and the gardens had consisted of cosmos, gerbera daisies and sunflowers, I distinctly remembered that. Now however, the flower beds were currently in full bloom, over flowing with Irises, Cannas and Dahlias.

I turned, my gaze sweeping the yard and landing on a cluster of azalea bushes in full bloom. Their delicate scent perfuming my yard with a spicy richness and mixing wonderfully with the scent of honeysuckle. The hydrangea bushes were blooming as well. I frowned as I pulled the key out of its hiding spot and trudged back up the stairs. I wasn't much of a gardener, so my knowledge of when flowers bloomed and when they didn't was limited. I did seem to remember however, that azaleas and hydrangeas bloomed once a year and for short periods of time, perhaps a month or two.

I tucked those thoughts aside for now as the key slid easily into the lock and the door opened with little effort. I was greeted with the musty smell of a home that hadn't been inhabited for months. I set the key and my bouquet of magical flowers down on the small table in the hall and set about exploring.

Most everything was the same as when I'd left. I did notice in the kitchen that someone had washed and put away the dishes I'd left in the sink on the night I'd left. Opening the refrigerator, I found it empty save for one box of baking soda to keep it fresh; the same was true for the freezer. I crossed to the pantry and found unopened boxes and cans of items I was sure I had left open; a bag of Oreos I was sure I'd left half full had been replaced with an fresh one.

I closed the cabinets with a frown and made my way into my bedroom. What I noticed immediately was that the light throw I used in the summer time had been replaced with the heavier knit blanket I tended to use in the spring and fall. I frowned as I fingered the blanket carefully. Azaleas were in bloom, the contents of my refrigerator had been thrown out and my blanket had been changed. I knew from the temperature outside and the fact that the azaleas were in bloom that it definitely wasn't fall, so it must be spring time.

It was a bit of a shock realizing that I had been gone from this world nearly twice as long as I'd been in Fae, but I was silently thankful my great grandfather had given me a bit of warning beforehand. I found that my little red cell phone stashed in my nightstand, not where I had left it mind you, was fully charged. Flipping it open I realized I was right about it being spring time, but what I was wrong about had me on my knees in an instant.

April 19th, 2012 the date read.

"Ohmigod," I breathed. Four months in Fae had translated to nineteen months here. Tears pricked my eyes and I wiped them away hastily as they began to fall. My first thought was for my brother, I needed to call Jason. I picked up my phone, not realizing I had dropped it in my shock, and dialled his number.

There was no answer and when his voicemail picked up I decided against leaving a message. What would I say? There was nothing I could say over the phone. Hopefully he would see the missed call from me and call me back soon; if not I would try again later.

A knock at the door pulled me out of my reverie. I closed my eyes and cast out my mind mentally to identify who was on my porch. Recognising the thoughts immediately, I rushed to the front door and threw it open.

"Lafayette!" I exclaimed, throwing my arms around him and hugging him tightly.

He returned the hug gratefully before pulling away slightly. "Mmm mmm, baby girl look at you," he stepped away and circled me. "Don't you just look delicious." He reached forward and touched the crown I still wore as he returned to stand in front of me. "What's this?" he asked.

"Oh it's nothing," I replied, quickly pulling it off. "Why don't you have a seat and I'll be right back," I waved my hand indicating for him to take a seat on the couch before I dashed back into my bedroom.

I tore open the closet finding all of my clothes were, thankfully, the same as I'd left them. I quickly pulled off the beautiful gown I had been wearing and slipped into jeans and a T-shirt. I hid my crown in my jewellery box and smoothed my hair with a brush before heading back into the living room. When I returned Lafayette was lounging comfortably on the sofa with one arm draped across the back and one ankle resting on the knee of the other leg.

He studied my quick change of clothes carefully before he smiled, "Now that's more like the old Sook."

I smiled warmly, "I would offer you something to drink, but I'm afraid all I have is water."

He waved a hand dismissing my offer, "No worries baby girl, I's straight." He sighed as he studied me some more, "You been gone a long time Sook," he mused.

I nodded, "Time seems to have gotten away from me," I replied, wincing inwardly at just how true that statement was.

"Where'd ya go?" he asked, turning his head to the side.

"Just visiting my family," I replied after a bit of hesitation. I wasn't sure I should tell anyone where I had been, and even if I did, it was doubtful many would believe me. "How did you know I was home?"

"I felt ya enter my wards," he answered with a simple shrug of his shoulders.

"Wards?" I questioned in confusion.

He sighed and placed both feet on the floor, his elbows now resting on his thighs as he leaned forward as if to tell me a secret, "Sook, things've changed since ya been gone, people've changed."

My brows furrowed as I tried to decipher the deeper meaning behind his statement.

He noticed my confusion and continued hesitantly, "Sookie, I'm a witch."

"A witch?" I repeated.

"Well technically I'm a warlock, but I'm touch with my feminine side, so I prefer ta call myself a witch," he said with a flutter of his long fake eyelashes.

I laughed, slowly processing the fact that witches were indeed real. I remembered what my great grandfather had told me: The supernatural world is much larger than you could imagine, Sookie. "That's great Lafayette, I always knew there was something special about you."

"Thanks!" he said with a dazzling smile, "I came into my powers about the time you dipped out. I have a mentor, Jesus; he's helpin' me learn all about witchery."

I smiled, properly impressed, "What else has happened in Bon Temps?"

"Oh tons," he gushed. "Tara skipped town, been living out in Kansas," he put extra emphasis on that last word as if he despised the place. "She keep tellin' me she be back though." He shrugged and continued. "Sam's dating some were bitch from Shreveport, they been bumpin' uglies for a while so I guess they serious."

He continued on for about an hour, rattling off the whole town's gossip. I discovered Arlene and Terry had a son who was just over a year old now, but the boy looked nothing like Terry. Rumor had it the baby was Rene's, not Terry's, but Terry refused to admit the child wasn't his and was raising him as his own. I couldn't help the shudder I felt at the thought of Rene's baby, but I pushed it aside after reminding myself that it was only a baby after all.

Jessica and Hoyt were living together and it was rumored he'd be poppin the question any day now - Vampire-Human marriage was now legal in 36 states, Louisiana included. Andy Bellefleur was doing a fantastic job as the new Sheriff of Renard Parrish. His younger sister Portia had come back from Washington DC and set up a law practice in Bon Temps. Jason had worked his way up to construction manager with the road crew. I knew that was at least one promotion, maybe two, over his previous 'crew leader' position he'd held when I last saw him. He spoke of a few others around the town before he glanced at his watch.

"Damn, I'm gonna be late to work," he said and stood up.

I noticed it was almost 11. "Are you still at Merlotte's?" I asked.

He nodded, "And the road crew... among other things," he replied, wiggling his fingers dramatically at the last part which made me assume those other things involved witchcraft.

"So when do you think I can start back?" I asked, suddenly realizing that my bills were probably astronomical and long passed due.

He stopped at the front door, his hand on the knob but didn't turn to face me, "I think you had better lay low for a while Sook."

"Why?" I asked, he still wasn't looking at me which made me suspicious.

He hesitated to answer. "They's been some folk lookin' for ya since ya left, I don't know what for but I'm pretty damn sure they ain't friends of yours."

"Like who Lafayette? I pressed, placing a hand on his forearm.

He shrugged. "Vamps, weres, witches, some things I ain't even know what they is."

Same ol' same ol', I thought to myself. "I can handle myself," I told him, raising my chin with a confidence I felt all the way down to my toes.

"Just stay inside for me Sook," he took my hands to plead his point, "My wards will keep anyone from known' you home unless you want 'em to know."

I narrowed my eyes at him in defiance, prepared to to argue some more with him.

"Please Sook, promise me you'll stay inside for the rest of the day," he tightened his grip on my hands, "I'll stop by after work and tell you everything I know."

I nodded reluctantly after a long hesitation. He smiled and released my hands as he crossed over the threshold onto the porch.

I watched him slip into his sleek coupe and disappear down the driveway, then closed the door with a frown. Locking up had never been a habit of mine; living out here on this deserted country road in backwoods Louisiana we didn't tend get many people creeping in the woods. Today however, I just had a feeling, so I twisted the lock.

The house had been completely isolated before I met Bill Compton, my Vampire ex boyfriend. My frown deepened at the thought of him. I no longer felt the twinge of pain and betrayal when I thought of him, or at least it wasn't the same heart wrenching twinge as before. I had moved past my denial and anger at him for what he'd done, now harboring a deep resentment. Seeing Bill again had been something I had thought of when contemplating my return from Fae, it had weighed heavily on the 'con' side. Truth be told, I wasn't sure what I'd do when I saw him again. Notice I didn't say if. I'd already accepted the fact that I would indeed see him again one day, hopefully later rather than sooner.

At first I thought I would stake him if I ever saw him again, but I quickly realized that would never happen. Not because I wasn't a killer, which I wasn't - except that one time - but because no matter how much he'd hurt me I just couldn't justify his death as something that would make it all better. Then I thought maybe I'd just act like nothing had ever happened between us, ever. Fat chance. Maybe I'd ignore him completely and pretend he didn't exist, but that was childish and immature. No, I really wasn't sure what I'd do.

My stomach growled angrily, pulling me from my thoughts and demanding my attention. I trudged into the kitchen and opened the pantry doors. All that stared back at me were a few cans of vegetables and soups, a bag of Oreos, crackers and cereal. I wrinkled my nose as I pulled out a can of potato soup and set about warming it on the stove. I realized that even if I hadn't promised Lafayette I would stay inside, I didn't have any money to buy groceries anyhow. What little bit I had in my account left over from Dallas was sure to be gone after nineteen months of automatic bill payments.

My head started to hurt at the thought of how much I'd missed in nineteen months. I'd missed two new years celebrations, my own 26th birthday: here I was rounding on 27 when I thought I still had a few months left of being 25. Jason was going to be 30 in a few weeks; I snickered at the thought and wondered if his age had finally caught up with him. There was just no telling what else I'd missed.

I shook my head thinking of the passage of time. How could it be that drastically different between this realm and the Fae realm? One day in Fae translated to something like five days here. It did explain why I had taken so many naps while I was there. Every few hours in Fae I would retreat to my room and take a nap for an hour or so; Claudine had teased me incessantly about my sleeping habits.

I noticed my answering machine was blinking as I pulled a bowl down from the cabinet and poured the soup in it. I pressed play before settling down at the kitchen table to eat.

September 13th, 2010. The night I'd left.

"Sookie, I felt- just call me," Eric's voice was my first message. I could hear a hint of distress in his usually cool steady voice.

September 14th, 2010.

"Hey Sook," my brother's voice called. "I haven't heard from you in a few days, just checkin in."

"Sookie, it's Sam. You were supposed to be here twenty minutes ago. Call me." Was the next message.

"So I guess you're not coming in today. Call me back and let me know if you need more time off." Sam's voice said, he sounded highly displeased with me.

September 15th, 2010.

"Hey sis, I stopped by earlier and your door was unlocked but you weren't home. Call me when you get this." Jason again.

September 16th, 2010.

"Sookie, where are you?" Jason asked.

Two more messages for that day, one from Sam telling me I'd missed my shift again, one from somebody trying to sell me something.

September 17th, 2010.

"Sookie, I really wish you'd call me back," Jason again.

"You know what, I'm just gonna take you off the schedule until you call me back," Sam sounded really irritated.

"Hey hooker, you seen Tara?" Lafayette asked.

September 18th, 2010.

"Sookie, it's Jessica, I haven't seen you or Bill in a few days... Just seeing if you knew where he was. Hope you're well."

"CALL ME BACK!" Jason again.

September 19th, 2010.

"Sookie I talked to your brother last night, says he hasn't heard from you in over a week. Worried about you Cher," Sam this time.

"Hey Sookie it's Alcide. I was just callin' to see if maybe you would uh, wanna go grab a bite to eat with me sometime... Uh call me back." I stared at the machine in surprise. Alcide had asked me out, kinda. I smiled.

September 20th, 2010.

"It's Pam. Eric is driving me crazy looking for you. You owe me two new pairs of heels, if you're not dead that is."

The rest of the messages alternated between my brother and Sam, with a few others scattered in like Jessica and Lafayette. Each message was a little more worriesome as they progressed, until the machine had finally filled up around Halloween. There were two messages in which nothing was said, but I could hear music playing faintly in the back ground. I was pretty sure those were from Eric, but I couldn't be certain.

I stood up after the last message played and rinsed my bowl in the sink before wandering back into the living room. Nothing seemed out of place, though someone had cleaned and I'd bet $50 it wasn't my brother. Who the most likely candidate was, I couldn't tell you.

I picked up my little red cell phone and flipped it open. The voice mail icon was lit with the number 25 next to it and I had 16 text messages. I wasn't much of a texter and most people knew that, so I was betting people had only resorted to that when both my voicemail had filled up. I decided not to go through those messages just yet.

It was just passed noon so I decided to try my brother again. He should be on his lunch break now if he was working. It rang three times this time before someone answered.

"Hello?" a male voice said, after a long hesitation.

"Jason," was all I could manage. Tears welled up in my eyes and I had to choke back a sob of relief.

"Who is this?" he demanded, though his voice wasn't as strong as he would have liked, I could tell.

"It's me," I replied after I was sure I wasn't going to sound like a crying fool.

"Hang on," he said after another long moment. I could hear the muffled voices and laughter in the back ground grow fainter as my brother excused himself to step away. "Sook?" he asked when he had found a quite place to talk.

"Yeah, Jason, it's me," I said, my smile couldn't have been any bigger if I tried.

"Oh, thank God," he breathed. "Sookie where have you been? I've been worried sick about you, I thought you were dead!"

"It's a long story," I answered hesitantly. "I'll tell it when you get here?"

He paused. "Yeah, yeah. I'll be right there, just gotta tell Catfish," he said, referring to his boss who eerily resembled just that ugly creature.

"Don't say anything about me, 'kay?"

I could tell he was frowning on the other end of the line, I just knew it.

"Alright," he agreed reluctantly.

"Thanks," I said, wondering if he could tell I had a crazy smile plastered over my face. "See you soon."

"Hey Sook?" Jason asked as I was about to hang up.

"Yeah?"

"I love you," he said after a moment.

I smiled even more broadly, "I love you too Jason."