Crimson Rain

Chapter 4

AN: OMG I finally got a chapter uploaded! Holy crap its about time! I just really quickly want to say thank you to those that reviewed, or hit that follow or favorite button and haven't abandoned me. Also please excuse if this chapter is rife with grammatical errors as I finished typing this chapter around 2:15am, just did one quick proofread, and uploaded this chapter around 2:30. But man this one is the longest chapter to date for this story, being 10 pages long on Microsoft Word, and I hope this makes up for the long wait. And we meet Eric and Pam in this one! I have learned that Eric is one tough cookie to write, so its up to you guys to help me keep him in character. Also since Eric and Pam speak Swedish, and I don't lol, I had to use Google Translate. If anyone does speak Swedish and I made a goof, please let me know and I'll fix it. The English translation for their conversation is at the very end. Now let's get this show on the road.

Thoughts

Recap: "And just where do you think you're going?"

So much for a quick escape, I thought. "I think it's time I get back home," I replied.

"You are home."

"Sookie this place hasn't been home for years."

"Please," she choked, tearing up, "please stay."

I sighed, "Sookie…"

"Please Leah, I don't know how I'm going to get through this, but you being here makes it a little easier."

Damn it, that girl knows just where to hit me, I thought but instead I just said, "Fine." What the hell have I gotten myself into?


"So did you have fun last night?" I asked, hoping to steer the conversation away from topics that I wasn't ready to discuss. However, that was a mistake, I expected Sookie to be a blushing virgin. Imagine my surprise when my vanilla pudding, cream cheese, cousin couldn't, or wouldn't, shut up about her night with the resident vampire.

It wasn't until Sookie was changing clothes, having dragged me to her room so she could continue her monologue, that I noticed the fang marks on her neck. Apparently Sookie noticed where I was looking because she slapped a hand over the marks on her neck. I focused on Sookie's face again, but couldn't read her expression. Sookie seemed to be looking at me with a mix of emotions. She seemed to be sheepish, terrified, defiant, worried, and just plain pissed off; and all at the same time which is quite a feat.

"I just have one question," Sookie nodded, giving me the go-ahead, "was that consensual?" I asked nodding to indicate the marks.

Sookie almost seemed to deflate, "Yes it was, I asked him to."

"Ok," I replied, lounging back on her bed.

"Wait that's it?" Sookie asked, clad in nothing but her underwear and a pair of shorts, with an incredulous look on her face.

I slapped a hand over my eyes, "Geez Sook! Put on a shirt," I teased.

"Ha ha," she deadpanned, turning to her dresser and beginning to dig through it. "But seriously aren't you going to start in on me too?"

I waited until she had her shirt on before saying anything; I wanted to look in her eyes when I said my peace. "Sookie you are twenty-five and I've been away for eight years, in what world do I have the right to tell you not to do something?"

"Leah…"

I held up a hand, "Let me finish." I waited a few seconds to make sure that Sookie understood I needed to say this. "I may be two years older than you, but that doesn't mean that I am somehow more mature or know more than you do. No one has the right to judge you or make you feel bad because you happen to feel something for a vampire. All I ask is that you be careful and listen to your instincts. If your gut tells you that something isn't right, listen to it and get out of there."

Next thing I knew Sookie had pulled me up into a sitting position and was giving me a lung compressing hug, "I promise and thank you." She leaned back, but kept a hold of my arms, "But you're wrong, you are more mature than I am, you always have been."

"Nah," I replied shaking my head, "I was just born an old soul." At least that's what Gran used to say.

"I miss her too," Sookie said, taking a seat on the bed next to me. "Does it ever get any better?"

"The pain never really goes away," I answered, not really thinking, "the wound will scab over and eventually scar, the pain will eventually fade but it never really goes away."

"Leah?" It was only then that I realized exactly what I had given away.

"I went looking for mom," I said, answering her implied question.

"Did you find her?" Sookie asked taking my hand.

I nodded, "I tried to get her into rehab, but she didn't want to get help. I finally lost it and went off on her. Everything I ever felt came pouring out before I could stop it."

"Oh Leah"

"I know she is a chronic user and that no matter what if she doesn't want help that she'll never get better. So there isn't much I could do."

"What did you do?"

"Packed up and left the next day, I couldn't stand to stay there and see her like that."

"Where'd you go?"

I smiled, "Where didn't I go? I drove all across the U.S, I'm actually surprised that my car made it. I went out west, down to the gulf, up to New England, all up and down the coast, and drove through the plains. I eventually settled in Virginia for a while, my lease is up but my landlord is holding everything for me until I decide what I'm going to do."

"Really?"

I smiled, "It helps when I'm the only tenant to pay on time and keep the place clean. Plus I'm respectful and mind my manners around her. She reminds me of Gran."

"So what are you going to do?"

"Stay here for a while, then who knows?"

"You're always welcome here."

"Thanks cuz," I replied, giving my cousin a small smile. I hopped up from the bed, "Ok enough with the heavy. I'm starving."

In all honesty that was probably the longest conversation I had ever had with Sookie. What I told Sookie about my mom was true, but I wasn't as upset as I should have been. Gran was my first and only experience with a real parental figure. When I found my mom, and convinced her of whom I was her first act was to offer me a line of crack.

I'll admit to being temped, I wanted to know what was so great about the high to consume someone's entire life. But I kept my promise to Gran. Gran caught me smoking once; I was legal but didn't want Gran to compare me to my parents so I hid my habit from her. That night she made me promise her that 1) I would never accept anything illegal, 2) that I would never drive unless I was stone-cold sober, and 3) that I would not smoke in her house. I had only broken that promise one time, I experimented with marijuana, but that was where I drew the line. Nothing was going up my nose or in my vein. Doctors, nurses, and lab techs were the only people that were allowed around me with a needle.

Before I could say anything else, Sookie had bounded down the stairs and into the kitchen. Well someone is energetic this morning, I thought. I followed at a more subdued pace; I would never be a morning person. By the time I reached the kitchen Sookie was already putting a frying pan on the eye and pulling the eggs and Gran's homemade sausage out of the fridge. I knew better than to get in her way, so I just went to the coffee pot and started it.

"Heads up, coffee is going to be strong," I always took my coffee stronger than everyone else in the family. Like I said, I was not a morning person. I did have to add cream and sugar to my cup, but Sookie had to water her cup down, even after cream and sugar. After breakfast I helped Sookie pick up the mess Jason had created in the living room. Apparently he had come in sometime during the night and gathered some family heirlooms so that he could sell them. While Sookie didn't know why he needed the money (having a truck and house that were completely paid for and a job that paid decently) she wasn't about to baby him, especially with the way he treated her earlier in the week. I however, had some suspicions about what might cause Jason to need a sudden inflow of cash and, while I hoped I was wrong, if his demeanor at the funeral was anything to go by then my fears were going to be confirmed; Jason was a drug addict. Sookie was too busy in her own head, probably reliving her night with Bill, to poke around in mine so she didn't hear my suspicions.

Thank god, I thought. I'm going to kill Jason next time I see him. Jason had just rubbed me the wrong way ever since I had gotten out of my car. First he knocks me over, which I could give him a pass on, he was upset and probably didn't recognize me. Second he hits Sookie and, while there were many family members that I would dearly love to give broken bones and bloody noses to, that is something I could not forgive. Yes he was upset but he had no right to physically or verbally harm Sookie. She, and others, had attempted for several hours to get a hold of him, but he was too busy with his latest one-night stand to answer the damn phone.

Third, he had invited Bartlett to Gran's funeral. You would think that not talking to, and actively ignoring, someone biologically related to you might mean that you wanted nothing to do with them. And last, but certainly not least, Jason had snuck into the house and attempted to steal pieces of Gran's jewelry and family heirlooms. That boy was cruisin' for a bruisin' and I was just the pissed off female to give it to him.

After helping Sookie to put both the living room and Gran's bedroom back to rights, Sookie had to get ready for work. I was seriously considering job hunting around Bon Temps myself, if I was going to be staying for a while it seemed only fair that I help with the bills. On the other hand, if I didn't Sookie may get frustrated and kick me out. Oh who was I kidding, the only way I was getting out of Bon Temps was either to sneak out in the middle of the night or convince Sookie to let me go, both of which were easier said than done.

I sighed, Well looks like I'm going to be job hunting, ugh. Ok so where can I get a decent paying job in this hillbilly hell hole?

"You could always come with me to Merlotte's," Sookie replied to my thoughts, bounding down the stairs in her uniform.

"Damn it Sookie! You really need to remember to keep your shield up."

"Sorry!"

"It's all right, really. Just do your best to remember that I'm here and need privacy in my own mind."

"I really am sorry Leah, I just sometimes forget after being with Bill."

"Hold up, rewind a second here. Are you telling me that you can't hear Bill's thoughts?"

She nodded, "Or any other vampire's for that matter."

Huh, well that explains why Sookie is so obsessed with him, she finally gets a break. Wait did she say "other vampires?" "What do you mean 'other vampires'?"

"Ugh," she hesitated, looking down and shuffling her feet. "I might have met some of Bill's old nest mates one time when I went to Bill's and gone to that vampire bar in Shreveport to try and clear Jason's name."

"Do you have a fucking death wish?!" I practically shrieked. Bill had told me about their visit to Fangtasia, but he had conveniently left out the part about his old nest mates paying him a visit.

"You watch your language!" Sookie yelled back.

"Oh my god really? You're going to get on to me for my language when I just found out that you and Bill had vampire house guests? Sookie the older a vampire is the stronger they are, and even a strong vampire can be overcome by sheer numbers. What stopped them from killing you both other than they didn't want to deal with the mess?" Sookie opened her mouth, whether to defend herself or concede my point I neither knew nor cared, I was on a roll. "Use your head for more than poking around in other's and growing hair for god sake. If you're going to pursue a relationship with Bill then you're going to have to understand what that entails. He's not always going to be there to save you, so you're going to have to learn to save yourself a little," I ranted, finally running out of steam.

Before Sookie could reply, I stomped off too upset with her stupidity; she really did have a death wish. When the vampire community came "out of the coffin" I decided to do my research. I read every online article I could find, both myth and truth, visited a couple of bars and people watched, but most of my information came straight from the source. During my travels I met a few vampires and, surprisingly, made friends. One of them was old, well ancient really having lived during the Roman Empire, and revealed many things to me, some of which he probably shouldn't have.

I honestly don't know why he took the time with me, but I was eternally grateful that he did. I learned so much from him, and not just about the vampire race. Being so old he had lived through so much. Now that I think about it, that is how it all began with him. I was reading and walking at the same time, which I do not recommend, and ran right into him. I of course landed on my ass while he remained completely upright and unmoved. Instead of ripping me limb from limb, like I expected, he picked me up and asked if I was alright. After assuring him I was and apologizing for running into him I began to gather my things. My purse had been open and some of the contents spilled out, another book being one of the items that ended up on the sidewalk. However, before I could even bend over my new acquaintance already had most of my things gathered up from the ground. He had snuck a peak at the titles of my books, one being a biography on Henry VIII and the other a historical fiction novel about George and Martha Washington. That is what had got us started talking, history, and we had been friends ever since.

While I knew and understood that Sookie didn't have the same opportunity, the girl did have common sense; she just chose to not use it. I was too keyed up after my rant at Sookie and needed to get out of the house. I need a drink, I thought. There was no way I was going to Merlotte's, I didn't want to run into Sookie, though I did intend to have a talk with Bill, just not now. And with no liquor in the house that left me to make my way to the nearest town that could have an open bar, Shreveport. Aww hell, do I really want to go to a vampire bar just to get a stiff drink? I asked myself. After thinking for a while I finally decided that I did need a drink that bad, but I decided to at least take some precautions, unlike Sookie I didn't want to stand out. I changed into some clean dark jeans and a black vest that I had packed for some reason and stole the only pair of black heels that Sookie had, they were a little small, but they would do the job. I did my makeup with the little that I had brought with me; foundation, powder, eye liner, mascara, and my favorite shade of red lipstick. I slapped on some deodorant, this heat was brutal, sprayed a little hairspray and ran a brush through my hair to tame the flyaways. I didn't want to carry a purse so I gathered some money and my ID from my wallet and got my keys.

Ok first thing I'm doing after getting a paycheck is fix this damn AC. Even after rolling down all the windows I could still feel the sweat beginning to bead on my forehead. Lucky for me though Fangtasia wasn't hard to find and my makeup hadn't started to run yet. I quickly found a parking spot, ran the brush that I kept in the car through my hair, and used a tissue to blot my forehead and nose. There wasn't a line at the entrance like I expected there to be, either the night was young, or it was slow. No matter though, it just meant that I would be able to get that drink faster.

Obviously there was someone checking IDs at the door, one sure fire way to get closed down would be to have a minor enter a vampire bar and get a drink, and the woman with the job looked bored out of her skull. I had my ID in hand before I even reached the door, offering it to the woman before she could ask for it. While she scanned my ID I kept my eyes on her, better to show that I wasn't uncomfortable, which I wasn't actually, my friends had made me comfortable enough with vampires that I wasn't squeamish around them, just cautious. The woman with my ID was beautiful; blonde haired with piercing eyes, full lips, and a body that would make any sane woman jealous. Hey I may be straight but even I can appreciate female beauty.

"Twenty-seven hmm? How sweet that is," she purred. "What brings you here Leah Thompson from Virginia?" She asked, handing back my ID.

"Visiting family and needed a drink," I stated, knowing that she wasn't just asking why I was at Fangtasia.

She dropped her fangs and, leering at me; purred again, "Go right on in doll."

"Thanks."

I had been to several vampire bars over the years and they all usually took on one of two themes. The bars were either downplayed to camouflage and seem more human, or they played up the vampire look to cliché. Fangtasia was the later, all black and red with old vampire movie posters decking the walls and subdued lighting. The building was honestly more like a club and bar combined; with dancers up on pedestals and music blaring to give it the feeling of a club, but the people milling around and the tables and booths made it feel more like a bar. I slowly made my way over to the bar, weaving around people and being careful to not step on any toes. I took a seat at the bar and waited for someone to notice me, which didn't take long.

"What can I get you?" The bartender, a male vampire with Native American looks, asked.

"Rum and coke please," I answered. Using his vampire speed I had my drink in about five seconds flat. "Thanks," I said, sliding him some money, which I quickly received my change for. I turned and, sipping my drink through the straw, began to people watch. The patrons of the bar were a motley crew to be honest. They were a mix of college kids, tourists, and fanbangers. The college kids were probably here as a dare, they were huddled in group nervously looking around and were certainly not dressed for a place like this. The tourists were much the same, dressed in campy clothes and huddled together or looking at the merchandise that the bar offered. The fanbangers were the only people, besides the vampires, that didn't look out of place. Dressed in lots of black and leather both the vampires and their groupies went with the bar's theme and played it up.

Suddenly something cut through the din of the music, "Haha V8?! Yeah I don't think they serve that here!" Say what? Who would honestly be stupid enough to come to a vampire bar looking for V? It was a piss poor attempt at a save, but no one was screaming, so apparently the vampires were letting the idiot live. I looked around hoping to find the moron, so that I could keep my distance, only to groan out loud when I saw Jason. What is it with the Stackhouse children? Do they both have a fucking death wish?

"Everything alright?" The bartender asked, not really looking like he gave a damn.

"Fine, just my idiotic cousin, can I have another?" I asked passing him my empty glass.

This time he didn't use his super speed, possibly because I wasn't so impressed with it the first time. But then the woman from before leaned up against the bar and gave me a look, "That your cousin?"

Damn that's some impressive hearing, especially over the music. Hmm, wonder when she came inside? Factoring in that the bartender had certainly hear my slip of the tongue, I decided that honesty was the best policy here, "Unfortunately."

"Come with me," she said beginning to walk toward the "throne" I had spotted during my scan of the room. Once again I decided to not take any chances and picked up my drink to follow her. The vampire sitting on the "throne," for it couldn't really be described as anything else, was tall, well over six feet, with most of his height in his legs, chin length blonde hair and killer blue eyes. He was wearing a tight black shirt under a leather coat and dark jeans. His shirt left little to the imagination, lean muscle straining under the fabric. Holy shit! I thought, Yum. What can I say? I have a thing for lean muscle and this guy just oozed sex appeal.

"Eric, jag tror att du kommer att vilja träffa den här," the woman said in, what I thought, was an impeccable accent, though not speaking the language I really couldn't say.

"Och varför är det Pam?"

"Hon är Sookie kusin"

"Och?"

"Sookie bror var här söker V, och hon inte springa till undsättning"

"Hmm, intressant"

I had remained silent during the entire interlude, but I was getting really fucking annoyed. Due to the context clues, hearing the names Eric, Pam, and Sookie, and hearing the term V I was able to figure out what they were talking about. Since Sookie sticks out like a sore thumb it was obvious that she would be remembered. Since the woman had gotten his attention with the name Eric, I assumed that was the name of the blonde giant, he had replied with the name Pam, so I assumed that was the woman's name. Considering that Pan was taking IDs at the door when I arrived, it was only logical that she took a look at Jason's as well, and Stackhouse isn't exactly a common name. And if I heard the small scene that Jason had started, before he and the woman he met decided to be smart and leave, then surely beings with super hearing heard more than I did.

Fan-fucking-tastic, I go out for a drink and to forget everything for a while and I end up in the damn lion's den. Fuck my life! Apparently the two vampires were continuing their conversation while I was mentally cussing out my idiot cousin because I was suddenly brought out of my inner bitch fit when I hear my name.

"Miss Thompson what brings you to Fangtasia this evening?"

Holy damn that voice! Does everything about this guy just ooze sex or what? "Just looking to get away for a couple of hours and get a drink. But it seems I can't get away from my moronic cousins."

"And why do you say that?" He asked, attempting to sound inquisitive and concerned, which he didn't really manage.

"Oh please, my cousin may be an idiot, but I'm not. If I could hear that scene, then surely ever vampire here heard more than I did. And I may not be able to speak whatever language you two were, but certain words don't really translate, such as 'Sookie' and 'V,'" I explained.

"And yet you didn't run to his rescue?"

"He was the dumb fuck that came looking for V, in a vampire bar of all places." I sighed and shrugged, "If I run to his rescue, and actually manage to save his sorry ass without getting myself killed, then there is the chance that he'll try and get away with it again. And while he's family and I love him, I'm not about to get in the way of justice if someone decided to take it."

Eric and Pam, who had gone to stand slightly behind him and began to lean on the back of his chair, looked at me for a long while. Eventually Eric spoke again, in the language that only he and Pam understood, "Du hade rätt Pam," and then he switched back to english, "Please Miss Thompson, sit," he gestured to the chair next to him. I took my seat and nervously took a sip of drink to give me something to do, only now it was watered down making me grimace a little. "Pam would you get Miss Thompson a fresh drink please?" Suddenly Pam was gone, and in a few moments I had a fresh rum and coke in front of me. "So Miss Thompson, where did you gain this knowledge?"

"Common sense, research, and a few vampires that were willing to indulge a girl that didn't want to die because of some stupid mistake."

"Tell me, do you share you're cousin's...gifts?" He asked leaning toward me.

Damn it Sookie! That girl must be trying to get herself killed. The way Eric said "gifts" could only mean one thing, that he knew about Sookie's telepathy, which means that she probably used it around him. If there was one thing I had learned during this short meeting, it was that Eric was not dumb. "No, I don't."

Eric leaned closer to me and began to stare into my eyes, in no time at all I began to feel that nagging presence in the back of my mind. Another perk to having at least one close vampire friend, I had been exposed to glamouring before. However, together we quickly realized that I couldn't be glamoured, though we had no idea why. I quickly allowed myself to go slack, I wasn't about to forfeit the one ace up my sleeve. "Now tell me Miss Thompson, do you and Sookie share the same gifts?"

"No," I answered simply, maintaing my stare and keeping my voice dull.

"Pity," he said, breaking the attempted glamour. I blinked several times, keeping up the ruse that I was coming out of the daze.

"Well, it certainly was interesting meeting you," I said standing, determined to get out of there now, "but I really must be going."

However, before I could make my escape Eric called out to me. "Oh Miss Thompson one more thing," I turned to face him, "you. are. mine."

"I'm sorry?! Do what?!"


Translations:

Eric, jag tror att du kommer att vilja träffa den här – Eric, I think you'll want to meet this one

Och varför är det Pam? – And why is that Pam?

Hon är Sookie kusin – She's Sookie's cousin

Och? – And?

Sookie bror var här söker V, och hon inte springa till undsättning - Sookie's brother was here looking for V, and she didn't run to the rescue

Hmm, intressant – Hmm, interesting

Du hade rätt Pam – You were right Pam