AN: I think if you've read this far, you'll understand that this series will have spoilers for all books. Reviews are wonderful and welcomed. Thank you to all of those who have reviewed so far, it's very exciting to know that someone else enjoys the stories that play non-stop in my head. This chapter doesn't have as much action, but it does handle some things necessary to the next few chapters.

Disclaimer: I do not own any of these characters; they are the property of Charlaine Harris, an amazing writer whose work I enjoy playing with once in a while.


Chapter 4

Sookie had to work half of the dinner shift at Merlotte's, covering for part of Holly's shift, but other than that the day was hers to enjoy. Sliding into a bikini and some overalls, she headed outside to work on the garden, shuddering when she remembered her last excursion out to do the same chore. She headed towards the shed and, after some hesitation, grabbed the iron trowel. Somehow, the tool, the weapon, was more comforting than evocative. Images of Gran using the tool, on her hands and knees tidying up one section or another, images of her grandfather painstakingly arranging the shed to his satisfaction, and images of using it herself, days in the joy of the sun, working with the Earth and delighting in nature, all embraced her, easing any trepidation she might have had for using the instrument. It had saved her life; having been used by all of her family at one point in time, it was her history, and it saved her.

Setting a quick alarm on her phone, one that would leave her plenty of time to shower and prepare before work, she set to weeding, tilling, and the general maintenance that Gran's flower gardens required. Very quickly, Sookie was humming, completely immersed in her work. Dead heads were clipped, weeds were pulled, and the garden was edged when suddenly Sookie realized the beeping wasn't from someone or somewhere else, but rather her own phone. Straightening, she headed over to the chair and shut off the alarm.

It was time for the less relaxing part of the day. Having taken 2 weeks off after the Fae War, Sookie grew restless, but, after a joint effort on the part of Sam and Eric, Sookie agreed to take it slow and begin working only half shifts at a time. It's been a week, and she has seen the intelligence behind their suggestion, even if she wouldn't admit it. The end of a half shift leaves her nearly completely depleted. Her mental blocks are weak, and the continuous physical activity from the bar definitely subtracts from her ability to uphold them. On more than one occasion, she would return home and pass out on the couch from pure physical and mental exhaustion, but she was doing something, and that was much more pleasant than lying in bed and having Amelia, Sam, Eric, Pam, and whoever else decided to drop in, peering sympathetically at her. Pitying her. Sookie really couldn't stand all of the pity. Sympathy was a bit easier to swallow, but, lately, that was the minority. So, she proved, to herself as well as others, that she was fine by working again. Perhaps she started a bit early, but the looks of pity had decreased, so she didn't regret it.

A quick shower, to freshen up from the earthy scent of the garden, followed by quickly throwing on her uniform, and Sookie was ready to go. She put her hair into her characteristic ponytail, and was in the car, allowing herself thirty minutes to drive to the bar. This is about twice the time it normally takes, but her reaction speed isn't really up to par yet, so driving slower and leaving earlier is a concession that Sookie has made for herself, without yet informing others. If Eric were to know that she worried about driving, about her reaction time should she need it, he would never let her out; Sam would have the same reaction. No, it was much better that she kept that information to herself.

Arriving, as expected, only five minutes early, Sookie paused for a moment and added a light amount of lip gloss. Not one who would normally fuss with make-up, before she met the vampires, about five minutes in front of the mirror would do, now she threw on lip gloss, a few second process, and was ready to face the crowds. Pleased with the relative lack of vulnerability, Sookie headed to the employer's door to begin her shift.

It was strangely quiet for a Wednesday night, but Sookie knew better than to take that for granted. What was slow, for a Wednesday night, would be barely manageable for her in the condition she was in, but even if it were busy she would attempt it. Sam barely looked her way when she stepped in. While he had been concerned as to her wellbeing after the Fae War, he was definitely very strongly keeping his distance, he was cool towards her to the point of cold sometimes, and rarely did he spare her a smile or a kind word anymore. Grumpily, Sookie decided that tonight was the night to change all of that, but it would have to wait until after her shift. Holly, glad to be leaving early, was already grabbing her bag, and Hoyt's hand. As Cody was with Hoyt's parents for the evening, Holly and Hoyt are going to see a movie, and perhaps dessert. Sookie smiled as she intercepted that thought. Holly was a really good mom, and she deserved a night off, especially a night where she can enjoy herself, and have fun with Hoyt. They were good together.

The section of Holly's that she was taking over was relatively clear, except for Jane Bodehouse, the resident alcoholic, who looked like she was on her last gin and tonic. Sookie headed over to Sam to ask how long she had been there, that way Sookie could make a more informed estimate of when she should be calling Jane's son, and, to Sookie's surprise, Sam's face broke into a grin as he welcomed her, albeit quickly, and then got back to business. Hearing that Jane had been there for a few hours, Sookie decided that it was indeed time to phone ahead to the young Mr. Bodehouse. She headed into Sam's office and grabbed the phone. That taken care of, Sookie went to check her tables again, still empty, save Mrs. Bodehouse, Sookie headed over to help Sam at the bar, waiting for someone else to come in. Fairly certain that the shifter had purposely made it so her tables were empty, or nearly so, Sookie figured the best she could do was help as she could at the bar, even if that help was merely cleaning up spills and washing glasses.

"Hey Sam, could we talk after my shift?"

"Of course, cher, Terry is coming in to cover the rest of the night, so I'm off when you are."

"Oh, goodness, I didn't even realize that it was the full moon."

"Ha-ha, Sookie, with everything you are going through, I really wouldn't expect you to have noticed what else is going on in the world. The very fact that you are here, working, amazes me." Sookie blushed, but it was great to hear him laugh. It had been so long since she had been able to smile easily around him.

"Sam, I was going insane sitting still. Also, you know that if I don't keep up the practice of my mental shields, I relax the strength I need to hold it up, and it's that much harder to re-assimilate myself."

"Ah, yes, cher, but we could have just had wild parties at your house." Shocked into a laugh, Sookie stares at Sam a moment, and then gives him a hug. Surprised, he stiffens for a moment, and then wraps his arms around her.

"I missed you, Sam."

"I'm sorry, cher, we can discuss this more in depth later, but it looks like you may have someone arriving to sit at one of your tables."

Glancing over, Sookie realized that he was indeed right, and the customer who came in was none other than Alcide Herveaux. Not positive that she was willing to handle the can of worms that he inevitably opens, Sookie slaps on her nervous smile, the crazy smile, and greets him.

"Hey Alcide, what can I get you?"

"Hey Sookie, could I get just a beer? Also, I would like to talk to you when you have a moment."

"Of course, Alcide, my tables are pretty empty other than yours, so I'll sit down with you after I get your Bud."

"Thanks Sook," he said as she heads off to the bar. Sam looks worriedly at her, but she sends him a smile to convey that things are okay. He nods, and turns back to Catfish, who was drunkenly trying to regale anyone who would listen with one story after another.

"Here you are," Sookie said as she laid before Alcide his beer. "What else can I help you with?"

"This is purely pack business, Sookie. While you are still Friend of the Pack, the Shreveport Were-pack, having lost someone in your protection, considers itself no longer in your debt. While you are protected from us, and any interior fighting, which won't be happening again, as a pack we have paid back our debt." Sookie nodded, she had expected nothing less, but when he continued, she was mildly surprised. "That being said, I still consider you a personal friend, and if necessary, I will help you when I can."

"Thanks, Alcide. That really means a lot to me."

"Do you mind if I ask you what happened?" Sighing, Sookie looked around the bar, relatively empty, Sookie decided to give a base description.

"My great-grandfather is Niall Brigant, who is the Fae Prince. One of his enemies, Breandan, decided to start a war, and, being of Niall's blood, I was in danger. Breandan is now dead, and Niall has closed the portal between the Fae worlds and this one. The danger that is still here is in the form of my great uncle, but it is unlikely that he will do anything, being here alone." Alcide looked mildly overwhelmed by the influx of information, and he took a moment to gather himself before he started talking.

"Jesus, Sook, if I had realized just the depth of everything, how much help you needed, I would have guarded you myself. Why the hell didn't you tell me that there were Fae with personal vendetta against you? Fae can be freaking terrifying, and, had I known, you would have been guarded by the entire pack."

"I wasn't sure how much I could say, or should say. And, while it was clear there were some Fae who were checking me out, it didn't seem to me like I was in too much danger… until I was kidnapped, that is."

"You were taken by the same Fae that took Tray?"

"Yeah, I was. I'm sorry about what happened to him."

"He was a good man, he died valiantly and he will be missed. The Fae are dead?"

"Yes, Niall and Bill took care of them. Bill nearly died in the attempt, but he seems to be coming around okay."

"I take back what I said in the beginning of this conversation. The pack clearly didn't do the job they should have in service to your protection. As leader of the pack, I am issuing you a formal apology, and the promise of our protection in the future. However, as a friend and informal conversant, I am saying that in future instances I need you to tell me the depth of the situation in order to judge it properly and I will provide you with the protection necessary."

"Thanks Alcide. That really means a lot to me."

"Sook, we are friends. We could have been more once, but as it is, you are one of the few people I can trust, at least partially due to the fact that you lie horribly. I do hope that you will trust me more, but I will be here as a friend for you."

"Really, Alcide, you have no idea how much that means to me. Thank you."

"Okay, Sook, I have to go, I have a date of sorts tonight. Wish me luck." Unfortunately, she is nowhere near as attractive as you. This is one of those thoughts that Sookie would rather not catch. Enjoying Alcide's friendship was always difficult when he was reminiscing on what could have happened between them, or what he wanted to happen, on a purely physical level. It was good to see, however, that he was dating again, after what happened to Maria Star.

"Good luck, Alcide. I'll see you around."

Looking at the clock, Sookie realized that she had merely fifteen minutes left on her shift, and empty tables. She cleaned the tables, and checked napkins and salt and pepper supplies. Everything was all set, and there was no other section that was full, or overwhelmingly busy. In fact, there was only three other busy tables. Those tables belonged to Tanya, who had two, and one of the other waitresses, one Sookie hadn't seen before, had one. They seemed to be managing really well, and Sookie wasn't sure she was willing to offer help to Tanya, as they weren't exactly fans of one another. The new girl was holding her own, and even if she wasn't, Sookie would be hesitant to offer help because she would need to learn to handle the crowds. Finally making a decision, Sookie decided to head back behind the bar to help Sam for her last few minutes.