Thanks to everyone who took the time to leave a review. I am sorry if there was any confusion about Sam's role in the tale. This is meant to stay within cannon, so please be assured that Sookie will still be innocent when she meets Bill two years hence. Sam will be playing his own role of overseer or protector, or however you choose to see him.
Merick
Part 2
Sookie had wondered if her Gran would be awake when she got home, but it was awfully late, well past three when she pulled the yellow hatchback around the back of the old house. The security lights came on, Gran always put them on at night, whether she was up or not, and especially since Sookie had started working at Merlotte's. She never had liked Sookie being out so late, (and mentioned it with a grin and cluck of her tongue on occasion) but she had liked it a great deal when Sookie had gotten the job, because it had made her so happy. Sookie could read her Grandmother's moods without even having to go into her head; in fact Sookie made a point to stay out of her Gran's mind, it was her first real practice at blocking people. Sam had been another good one to practice on. He was very hard to read, sometimes it even seemed as of he was two different people, when she accidentally trespassed, and it gave Sookie a place to start out with as she practiced blocking him out too. It gave her a real sense of confidence. Made her feel as if she could almost be normal.
And now that the Vampires were out she would look positively benign in the eyes of the Bon Temps citizenry. (Benign had been on her word of the day calendar, she made a point to try to use the words she learned from it, in proper context, whenever the opportunities presented themselves.) I mean, truthfully, what was scarier? Someone who might be able to read your mind or someone who could rip out your throat? Sookie hoped that she fell on the positive side of that formula.
She came in the house through the back porch, where the light was best, and was just a little disappointed that her Gran had indeed gone to sleep, part of her had really wanted to get her opinion on the Vampire matter. Of course the rational part of her was glad she hadn't tried to wait up, it was so late after all. Morning coffee would be soon enough to have that conversation; if she could get it in around the phone calls that were likely to start coming in almost as early as the sun itself. Gran certainly had a great network of ladies to chat with. Moving quietly around the familiar bric-a-brac in the kitchen, Sookie set the kettle on, intending to catch it before it started to whistle, feeling like a cup of warm tea just then, to help take the edge off the excitement of the day, because she knew it was going to be hard to sleep. And knowing how long it would take the kettle to boil, after years of experience with it and the old stove, she hurried to her room to change out of her work clothes, and into a sleep shirt. (A shower that late would be too noisy and wake Gran for certain; she could manage one in the morning.)
Catching the kettle as it began to steam Sookie poured a mug out for some herbal tea and nestled herself into old chair in front of the small TV that Gran kept to watch the local news and the occasional movie. Keeping the volume down Sookie scanned for a national news channel, meaning to watch the anchor's scripted reactions to the revelation. As she took a sip of tea she felt her shoulders finally relax and even felt a little smile on her face as she watched the American spokes-Vampire (it sounded funny still) fielding questions masterfully; even Sookie could tell that she had practiced every answer she gave.
They were reviewing this Tru Blood substance again with the woman (Sookie thought her name was Nan, she was a sever looking thing), explaining how it would come in bottles, no different than milk or beer, available at local stores and even bars and restaurants when Sookie suddenly remembered that she had been supposed to call Sam. She hoped he would still be up as she padded to the kitchen as quickly as she dared, taking up the old Bakelite handset and sitting herself on the stool her Gran used when a conversation was particularly compelling.
It rang once, twice and then a very awake sounding Sam picked up.
"Hello?"
"Hi Sam, it's Sookie, sorry to call so late."
"Did you have any problems getting home?" Sookie could hear the anxiety in his voice, far more than she was used to hearing from him: as if he was stressed by something. It made her stomach flop suddenly.
"No, sorry, I just forgot, I've been home almost a half hour now." She wondered if her own hesitance was audible to him.
"Good. I was a little worried Sookie."
"Why would you worry Sam?" She wanted to add 'what aren't you telling me?' but she wanted to stay friends with Sam, and she didn't want to think ill of him.
"Just worried that there might be some folk on the roads who were paying a little less attention than they should tonight."
"I didn't see anyone at all Sam, so don't worry. I'm in for the night, just here in my jammies ready to turn in."
"Good. You just stay in then Sookie, and I will see you tomorrow afternoon."
"Of course Sam. I'll see you then."
She hung up the phone carefully, staring at it, as if it could tell her what Sam wouldn't. She wrinkled her forehead in frustration.
"I wonder what's up with him?" She asked herself as she slid off the stool and went back to get her tea.
Still not tired Sookie thought she would just have a seat out on the porch and listen to the crickets and nighttime sounds until she was finished her drink. The sky was clear and the stars were still out and the human silence was absolutely comforting to Sookie. Closing the screen door carefully, so it wouldn't squeak, she curled her legs under her and leaned back against one of the old rattan patio chairs and just let herself be quiet.
ooOOoo
Hadley had come into the Queen's life only recently, and while Sophie Ann had embraced her (in multiple ways), it could not be said that Andre was a particular fan of hers. Whatever endeared her to the Queen, Andre kept his distance. In his eyes she was a little too desperate, and a little too needy, not that he dared point any of that out to Sophie Ann. She was in love, or at least in lust, and to keep up that affection Hadley had given to telling stories. Mostly they pandered to the Queen, but every once in awhile there was a bit of substance to the words that tumbled out of her mouth when she was afraid she was falling out of favor.
Andre had long wanted the opportunity to explore the background of the woman who was sleeping with his Sophie Ann; the revelation had given him just that. As he had told Sam, Bon Temps had long been on their radar because of the were community at Hot Shot, and the old stories of portals and fairy magic about the place: not that there was much fact that could be researched about the latter. However, Hadley's desperation had dropped a tidbit about a cousin, a cousin who was able to read minds, and that had peaked both his and Sophie Ann's interest. And while his motive might not have been as noble as Sophie Ann's, (although hers wasn't particularly noble either if you really examined it), searching out what this Bon Temps was made up of seemed like a good distraction, and a good opportunity to perhaps discredit the slip of a girl that Andre was certain would do nothing but bring ruin to his Beloved.
Sookie Stackhouse. It hadn't been at all hard to discover her name; he hadn't even needed to glamour the little pet to get it. The Internet and public records were a true boon. Finding her in the employ of the shifter, Sam Merlotte hadn't been much of a surprise either. Though it had been a surprise how much he had seemed to want to warn Andre off. It had been more than just territoriality, which was endemic to the two-natured. No, Sam Merlotte knew a great deal more about Bon Temps and Sookie Stackhouse than he was prepared to let on. It could certainly make him a useful asset (or tool) later on. Tracking the pitiful yellow car back to the house had been simple. And standing at the edge of her woods, watching it, Andre counted himself quite fortunate when the girl actually emerged from the structure and sat herself out on the porch, within easy reach.
Closing his eyes he listened for her heartbeat; quite normal, and stole closer, under the cover of the darkness, and took a deep breath, weeding his way through the scents of the forest and the animals and the chamomile of her tea to find something quite unique, something that brought another smile to his face.
"Oh, you are something special aren't you my dear?"
