Disclaimer...well your all smart enough to know I own nothing! So we can all stop rubbing it in XD

Chapter 3

The time just seemed to have flown past, it only seemed like yesterday when she had arrived at the vampire bar looking for work. Now she was an official employee of Fangtasia, having completed her two week trial and lived! She had to admit she was growing fond of the place, it wasn't some creepy bar full of vampires that wanted to kill her, to her it was not just a normal club. She felt safe there, especially after the attempt attack on her first few days and having Eric step in so suddenly. That alone gave her a relief. The nights were busy so it kept her entertained, after close Chow always helped her clean up. They had chatted a lot during the night cleans, mostly about him and his hobbies. She found it amusing that he enjoyed playing Wii, he was always telling her when he beat his highest score on one game or another. He called her a cavewomen for not even owning a TV, claiming that almost every vampire, regardless of age, owned basic technology...including a TV. Kate had laughed it off, saying that this place was enough entertainment and drama for her and she didn't need a TV to get a 'soap opera' fix, not that Chow ever admitted to watching Soap operas. She had a more friendly relationship with Chow then she did with Pam and Eric, it was a more business like scenario with those two. Pam had a strange sense of humor that it seemed only Eric understood, the two would speak in a language Kate did not know and laugh. Still they had been friendly enough towards her so she guess it was not all bad.

Kate had been given a few days of freedom, something about Eric being called away on business and did not wish for the club to be opened without him being there. Kate had taken the few days to get to know the town a little more, now that she actually had some money to get herself by on she had allowed herself to be treated to some new clothes and some lunches at Merlotte's. The little bar had intrigued her, it was so quaint and had a homely vibe to it. Granted most of the bars she worked at tended to be city bound where no one really talked to one another. So hearing everyone call each other by their full names sounded odd to Kate at first. Yet this was a fairly small town, a lot of the towns folk having grown up together. Regardless of it all, she found it to be a nice place and it was much better then eating microwave dinners by herself at home!

It was a humid and hot night, the air con in her place was busted, not that it ever worked in the first place, and the unit was just far to hot to do anything in. Determined not to die from being cooked alive Kate slipped into a pair of battered denim shorts and a t-shirt and made her way down to Merlotte's for dinner. The cool air blowing through the car windows was refreshing, soon the damp line of sweat from the top of her brow was gone. The slight wind teased her un-bound hair, giving it loose curls that she would never be able to create. By the time Kate got to Merlotte's she was feeling better toward hers life, the cool air had made her attitude to a 180. The bar itself was in full swing when she arrived, many people were seated in the quaint booths, eating, drinking and laughing. The waitress' whipped around the room with a practiced ease, managing to still talked to those who wished in-between serving. Kate took a seat in an empty booth, picking up the worn menu and allowed her green eyes to skim over it all.

Her mind wandered away on its own, drifting back to Fangtasia and the oddness of it being closed down due to its owners departure. She found it weird that a bar would simply close because the owner was not present, surely Pam and Chow could have managed the place a few nights while Eric was away? How much destruction could they make from a few nights?

Kate was so busy with her own thoughts that she failed to notice the blonde waitress approach until she spoke.

"Welcome to Merlotte's what can I get you tonight?" Either she didn't notice Kate jump or she chose to ignore it, continuing to smile down at her, pen poised to the paper.

"Oh..um. I'll just have the Beef burger, chips and a coke thanks" Surprised by herself that her voice didn't waiver. The blonde jotted down her order, telling her she would be back with her drink and scooted off. Kate, herself, had been growing more confident in her job. Once meek, rarely talking she had blossomed. She was more familiar with her surroundings and the people she worked with, it really helped her open up and communicate with them a little more. Although she still felt like a babbling school child around Eric, there was something about the tall vampire that just made her feel like...well bait!

'It's that what I am to him regardless?' Kate thought to herself 'Merely a fleshy bit of entertainment for Eric and the others at Fangtasia, something to keep the guests amused?' Again she had failed to note the blonde waitress, this time the coke was placed by her folded arms and the girl slid into the seat opposite her.

"What about Eric and Fangtasia?" The blonde had a confused look on her face, Kate's own face was most likely mirroring the same look.

"Did I say it out loud?" She swore she hadn't, the blonde shook her head and swallowed.

"Nevermind that" She said, brushing off the thought "How do you know Eric?"

"He's my boss, I was recently hired at Fangtasia as the bartender"

"So you are Longshadow's...replacement?" 'Ok this is getting a little weird' Kate thought, a little concerned that the waitress in front of her knew so much about the club and was not afraid of discussing it in the open. A lot of people were very reserved about admitting that they have gone to the vampire bar.

"Yes, but how do you know about Longshadow?"

"Long story, too long to share. It's just strange, everyone around here hates vampires and yet here you are...their newest Bartender" the blonde had a strange look in her eye, like she was proud or something!

"It's alright working for them, they are kind enough and don't let me get bugged too much. It was Eric's idea to hire a human, figured it might make for an interesting topic in the bar."

"I would have guessed it was Eric's idea, that 'man' has no sense of humanity" Blondie scolded, shaking her head.

"Well he isn't technically human so he really doesn't need any humanity, but he is nice..in a way. He doesn't say a lot, keeps to himself and speaks through Pam a lot"

"Pam is just as bad! Sarcasm is only useful when it isn't you main language!" Kate had to laugh, Pam did have a tendency to overuse her sarcasm but it just seemed like her nature, after some time Kate hardly noticed it.

"How do you know so much about them all?" The laughter still present in her voice.

"I'm dating a vampire, Bill knows Eric and Pam well enough. I've been to Fangtasia once before and spoken to them a few times. We can just say that I am the reason that you are working there"

Kate looked at the blonde with a puzzled face but judging by the lack of response she guess she wasn't going to hear that story, at least not for tonight. At the far side of the room, in the Kitchen, came the call of 'Order Up'. Blondie slid out from the booth, telling her that it was most likely her burger and chips. Then rushed off to fetch it. Kate's mind was still wheeling from the information gave to her, she hadn't expected to meet someone straight off the bat that was not only dating a vampire but knew a lot of details about her work, including the reason for Longshadow's need to be replaced.

Blondie came back with her food shortly after she left, placing it on the table. "I'm Sookie by the way"

"Kate" She offered, pulling the plate towards her as Sookie nodded.

"well its nice to meet another pro vampire such as yourself Kate, I hope you will be coming around some more. It's a nice change to all the others in this hick town! Who knows I might even come visit you at work sometime?"

"That would be nice, I am fairly new so it would be good to have someone to talk to once and awhile..you know someone living"

Sookie gave a nod and walked off to serve some others that had taken the seats close by. Leaving Kate to ponder over a few things while she ate, one being how Sookie had managed to bring up Eric without her even speaking. It was creepy to say the least but in a world where vampires have been found to exist, how was it not possible that someone had the ability to read minds? Sookie had also mentioned the fact that she was dating a vampire, the tone in her voice made it seem like no one really approved of her choice.

A buzzing at her side broke her thoughts, her mobile phone vibrated in her pocket. She pulled out the battered old thing and clicked the buttons hard, scrolling till she got to the text. It was from Eric!

'Come to the Fangtasia tomorrow, the club is not open but I require your assistance'

The thought of Eric texting alone made her laugh, not to mention the fact he needed her help. Honestly she should have been worried, a vampire asking her to come in to a closed bar..it had all the makings of a cheesy horror flick. Regardless of that she did not feel any foreboding thoughts about heading there tomorrow, if they had wanted to snuff her she didn't think they would allow her to go to the bar to do it. Too many chances of witness' seeing her enter and not leave. Kate slipped the phone back into her pocket, not bothering to reply to the text, she had a feeling that Eric did not expect a reply because that would be considered asking. This was more of a command, one that held no other option but to follow.

Still she did not have to worry about that till tomorrow, tonight she allowed herself to feel the joy of being out and about. By the end of the night her stomach was full, her emotions were happy and she was ready to head home and enjoy a night of full sleep before she was thrown back into early morning to mid afternoon sleeps. Kate left some money on her table, waved a goodbye to Sookie and made her way out to the car. The night was getting much cooler now, goosebumps prickled her arms and legs as she slipped into her rusty car. Kate hoped that leaving the windows in the unit cracked open a little would cool the house down enough for when she got home. She hated sleeping when she was sticky and felt weird about sleeping in the nude, despite how comfortable people say it is.

Jeans and shirt, it was plain but Kate didn't care. The club was not open so she didn't have to impress anyone tonight. She was a little confused as to why she was being asked to come in, something in her mind told her there was going to be cleaning...and lots of it. Maybe a health inspector visit and they were going to ask her to remove the bodies from the basement or something! Kate laughed at her own thoughts, as if they would be stupid enough to have bodies in their basements.

Still it was work, she was getting paid so if she had to dust a few spider webs and wash a few curtains or something she didn't care. Pulling her hair into a ponytail, Kate grabbed her keys and set off for Fangtasia.

Once again she found herself out the front of the club, banging on the door for some sort of attention. 'I really need to find the staff entrance or something, I look like a mad women' Kate thought, banging a little harder. Chow answered, looking a little frazzled and ushered her in.

"What's on the agenda tonight Chow, am I playing housewife...or club wife?"

"Just head straight for Eric's office, he will tell you what you need to do" Then he made his way out the door, closing it firmly behind him. Kate's brow furrowed in confusion, 'that was odd' she thought. 'Normally he would have some witty come back, although he did act differently' Now she was getting worried, he looked like he couldn't wait to leave the place. Kate turned around and surveyed the club, it was no wonder why! This place looked like a Bomb hit it! What on earth had happened, were they vandalized over the short period? Was Chow suppose to look after the place and hadn't so was being punished...or fired!

Kate made her way through the over turned chairs and rubbish on the floor, heading down the hallway to Eric's study. She knocked on the door and waited for Eric to call her in, when she opened it she noticed a very stressed out looking Eric with a younger girl seated on the couch.

"Kate come in" He called, a large hand rubbing his brow as if he had a headache.

"What happened out there? Did we get burgled?" She questioned as she shut the door and took a seat on one of the single chairs. She felt the females eyes on her the entire time, the odd smile on her face was making her feel very..exposed.

"No we weren't broken into, that out there is the result of a temper tantrum." There was a snicker from the young girl, which earned her a very hard look from Eric. He was not in a good mood tonight.

"Temper tantrum?"

"Our dear little firecat here is a newly turned, having had a sheltered life as a human she is taking her undead life a little too...loosely. No is not something she had liked to hear" Eric muttered.

"I was hungry, there is nothing in this stupid place. I want to go out and eat, hunt..maim..SOMETHING. But he won't let me, your just like my father!" the red head spat from her position on the couch. Eric glared again.

"If I was your father I would have disciplined you long ago! Do not tempt me young one"

"Something tells me she might like it" Kate muttered, forgetting for the moment that vampire had very sensitive hearing. The red head broke into a large smile and laughed, Eric on the other hand did not seem amused. Kate colored in the cheeks and remained silent.

"The reason you are here Kate is that I am taking this one out, you are smart enough to know what for, you are to stay here and clean up the mess in the main room. Chow was stressed enough and has gone and Pam will be accompanying me"

"I knew I was going to be cleaning" She sighed, standing up to make her way out and begin the monstrous task. Eric stood up as well, striding over to take the red head vampire by the arm and pull her to her feet and proceeded to man handle her out the door. There was a lot of cursing coming from the young one, it seemed she was enjoying swearing and proved she knew a lot of them!

"We will be back later. Come on Jessica" Eric growled, pulling the red head out the door. Pam followed through shortly and Kate was left by herself to clean up the mess.

"Where to start" she sighed, heading out to the main room to pick a random spot. She was going to sleep well after this.....very well!

Next chapter down, now with the introduction of Jessica it will give you an idea of the time line. Like I said some thing will clash with this story but the whole thing will not be centered around the series plot.

I am starting to get back into the swing of writing, so I hope the following chapters wont be so excruciating to read! Keep those reviews coming! It feeds the soul and brings more readers in!