I have no rights to the Sookie Stackhouse books by Charlaine Harris. I recently read all eight books of the series in one week and couldn't wait until May to think of what might happen with the characters. :) Hope it helps you pass the time as well!

FYI to readers: I did edit the few misplacements of foul language on Sookie's part in the first couple of chapters. It's not really in my nature to swear unless I'm in a really stressful situation either…I guess I was a little nervous when I was writing! Thanks sincerely for the feedback and reviews. I really took your constructive criticism to heart and hope you all enjoy the next chapter. Also, the comments about Sam are valid, but please just read on!

Chapter 4

I didn't want to get pulled over so I tried not to speed, but I had a jumble of nerves and irritation inside of me. I thought I might explode.

I started a mental review of the evening tried to find a way to reassure myself I hadn't finally and completely lost my mind.

Sam and I always had an easy relationship, nothing that would assume a romantic scenario aside from a pretty innocent kiss. He's always been protective of me, a stand-up guy and a really good friend. Suddenly he was all-out ready to jump my bones and getting pretty angry about my refusal. And threatening my job?!!!

Ooh, I could feel my blood boiling.

And Jason just topped it off. After he put me in a very precarious position to find Crystal in bed with someone else, he let the responsibility fall on me to break a friend's hand. Then he just saunters into the bar where I work and practically announces he's taken his wife's lead in the infidelity department. He's gotten himself into serious trouble. Not just with me, but with the whole community of Hotshot if they find out. I can't say he was being too discreet about it. I just flat-out refuse to be punished again for actions in a union that I didn't even agree with in the first place.

My cell phone rang and I nearly jumped out of my skin. Sheesh, time to switch to decaf!

It was a call from Merlotte's. I groaned. I wasn't going to hide, so I answered it.

"Yes?" I asked sharply. Gran would have been so disappointed.

It was Sam. "Sookie, don't hang up. It's really busy here, so I only have a second, but I'm sorry about earlier. You and I are going to need to talk later." He sounded sincere and a little worried. "Are you home yet?"

"No, I'm not going home. I have to go over to Fangtasia."

He sounded panicked. "I think that's a bad idea."

"Sam, while I appreciate the concern, I told you; you don't get to tell me what to do."

"Sookie, I was frustrated with everything about you from the moment I saw you tonight. And then the second you left the room, the air completely changed. I felt my mood flip in a split second. I have a reason for saying this." He sounded like he was gearing up for the next question. "Have you been around anyone that might mean to harm you or me or our friendship? Someone with a little, ah, magic up their sleeve?"

I couldn't believe it. "So you're saying you think you were under some sort of spell?" That was rich.

He sounded really tired all of a sudden, "I definitely felt like I was under the influence of something. Things like that just don't happen between us. Think about it. You know me."

The whole "men under spells" thing was getting a little old. But I had to admit, it was easier for me to believe Sam could act the way he did tonight under a magical influence than I could fathom his behavior without. For now that was reason enough for me to contemplate it.

I seemed to deflate, "Let's talk later then. I have some thinking to do."

"Alright Sookie, I wish you would just go home instead. Something's definitely going on. I've really gotta go now. Please be safe." He hung up.

I cracked my window to get some fresh air. I tried to be objective about the situation. I wondered what kind of hex would cause a good friend to turn into an overly possessive, ticked-off horn dog. The big question was; who was trying to push us apart?

"I'll get you and your little dog too!" I snickered.

Sam's relationships have been pretty scarce that I know of. I could only think of the tryst with the maenad.

I didn't see any motive in my exes. Bill always seemed a little irritated about my close relationship with Sam, but I think it was mostly territorial behavior, since he couldn't deny how often Sam has protected or helped me (especially during the day when he couldn't). It would be a cold day in you-know-where before Eric would go to a witch for any help. Quinn wasn't someone to retaliate like that either. He was disappointed at the circumstances of our break-up and messed up big-time leading vampires to my home, but I honestly didn't think he would ever do anything to intentionally hurt me.

Exploring another avenue of thought; the local supernatural powers-that-be found interest in my ability and wanted to keep me safe. I had been offered the protection of the vampires and I was a friend of Alcide's pack. Claudine was there to help me when I needed her and I felt confident that Niall would save me from harm if it was in his power.

The Hotshot community is extended family – which could go either way. After all, Calvin Norris had always been nice to me, but I did reject his offer to broaden the Hotshot gene pool and broke his hand. Three strikes, you're out! And my brother…well I don't need to get into that again.

Changes were taking place in the Were communities and they were looking for allies. They could have singled Sam out because he is so close to me or because he's a shifter and tends to go his own way.

The Fellowship of the Sun was also a lead and more likely than any other. I didn't even want to think about whether Arlene could be involved.

I had lots of theories, but no solid answers and I didn't know if the curse was on him, me or the bar - or whether it was something else entirely. Maybe we would have to test the options tomorrow to see if it will help figure out who is behind it.

He was right - I should be careful. While I had an impressive measure of protection surrounding me, it could also attract quite an arsenal of potential enemies.

Don't worry, for those of you waiting - she's going to see Eric next…