Season 7.2- Chapter 4

Int. Stackhouse Living Room- Day

Sookie is in the kitchen, we hear some clattering going on there. The living room is bare, the television shows a black screen, and there is no other noise.

There is a knock on the front door. We see Sookie walking over to the foyer with yellow rubber gloves still on.

The door swings open, and we see her eyebrows pop up in surprise and her buck-toothed smile emanating widely, "Sam!"

"Hey, Sook."

"Well, come on in!"

Sam enters the foyer, puts his hands in his pockets, and shifts on his other foot.

"Gimme just a minute, I'll be right in the living room with you!"

Sam nods, and heads to sit on the couch. His face looks like it's been worn, and he has gone through a hundred years of toil, but we can see that content is settling down on his body, he starts to relax more, and a smile creeps in slowly.

"Well, Sam Merlotte. It's certainly been a while since you've came here, god darn it."

Sookie settles on the couch opposite of Sam.

"It has, Sook. I've missed ya already."

"Me too."

Both of their smiles are warm, but there is sadness lingering behind them.

"How are you?"

"I've been good. I'm still waitressing, and I'm with Alcide now, but I'm sure you know all that already."

"Yeah, that I do."

"What about you? How are things now, being Mayor?"

"Well. It's hard work, but I think I'm doing okay."

"I think you're doing the right thing."

Sam glances up from the floor, and stares intently at Sookie's eyes, trying to unearth what she was talking about specifically.

"I mean, with all of the vampire pairing up- Lord knows it's not easy to convince everyone here, but I think it's wise."

"It's a crazy idea. I never thought the day would come where I'd want people to partner up with vampires. But it has come."

Sookie smiles, and says "It's funny. It's as if we've completely switched places. I no longer want to associate with any vampire, and you're rubbing elbows with them."

Sam cocks his head sideways, his eyes revealing a bit of confusion.

"You don't want to talk to any vampire? Not even Eric?"

"I needed to find myself. I always get caught into some sort of trouble with vampires."

"Well. How are they coping without you?"

Sookie giggles a little bit, in surprise. "What do you mean, coping?"

"God knows Eric's head over heels for you. That bastard might not admit it but he's got an achilles heel, and it's you."

"Sam, I'm not in love with Eric. I loved him, I still do, but it's not the same."

"Isn't he back in town?"

"Yeah, I saw him several nights ago."

"I heard he's the new vampire king around here now."

Sookie's head bolts up, and her eyes widen in bewilderment.

Int. Jason Stackhouse's Living Room- Night

"Where have you been?"

Jason is startled by Violet's question. He drops his utility belt on the floor, and grabs a beer from the fridge before settling down on the couch.

"What do you mean? I just left work."

"I meant this week. You've been away for several hours some times the past week during the night. When you know that's the only time I can be awake and with you."

Her eyes glare at Jason's with suspicion.

Jason gulps down his beer uneasily, and he inhales a deep breath.

"I've been talking with Bill."

"Bill Compton?"

"Y-yeah."

"What about?"

"Well, I'm just trying to see how the whole vampire pairing thing is going, considering that the police won't be able to stop the infected vampires and-"

"And why you?"

Jason grunts mid-sentence, unable to comprehend the question, blinking his eyes a bit too much.

"Wouldn't that be Bellefleur's job?"

"Oh, uh, he's got a lot on his plate, and I'm up to doing it, considering he had a bad experience with his daughters-"

"Next time, let me know. I want to accompany you."

Being cut in mid-sentence again, Jason sighs, and he places his beer on the coffee table in front of him with a loud thunk.

"Vi, I really appreciate the enthusiasm, but I can handle this by myself."

"I know you can."

"Then why do ya gotta accompany me everywhere every second of the night?"

Violet's eyes narrow dangerously, she gets up, and walks slowly to Jason's seat. Jason's heart is fluttering like a hummingbird, and his eyes reveal a bit of fear.

"I just love you too darn much, Jason Stackhouse." Violet's sickeningly violent grin appears, and she props her head against Jason's shoulder, and her arm finds its' way around Jason's stomach. Jason's eyes emit even more fear.

Int. Fangtasia- Night

Sookie barges into the bar, scanning around the place for Eric. He is nowhere to be found.

"Looking for someone dearest, sweetie?"

Sookie whirls around to find Pam, in her dauntless yet elegant pose. Just like a cougar.

"Where's Eric?"

"Oh, it's nice to see you too." Pam rolls her eyes, walking towards the counter.

"Pardon me for not saying Hello, but god knows that I've had enough with vampires lately."

"Apparently not enough of Eric." Pam has settled behind the bar, and she grabs a martini glass.

"Is it true?"

Pam stops mid-shake, and she looks up at Sookie, her eyes unwavering.

"Is what true?"

"He's king now?"

Pam sighs, and she nods faintly.

"Why?"

"Why don't you ask Bill Compton?"

"Bill?"

"Yes, in case you've forgotten, he's this vampire who used to reign Area 5 as king."

"So he gave up his throne?"

Pam scoffs, "Throne? Like hell it was a throne."

"Well whatever it is, he gave it up….? To Eric?"

"I'm not exactly happy too. It means more work, and I know I could use a break. Especially Eric."

"So why didn't Eric say no?"

"Because he has no choice. Because he wants to protect you, or have you not caught on yet?"

"Protect me? From what?" Sookie's eyebrows scrunch down uncertainly.

"If any other vampire knew about the fae, or your precious fairy-blood, you would have been dead meat a long time ago."

"So where is he?"

"He's in his throne."

Int. Herveaux Living Room- Night

Alcide is laying on his couch. The television is on, but his mind is a million miles away. The doorbell rings, and Alcide gets up, his lips curl into a snarl.

Behind the door stands Bill Compton.

"What are you doing here?"

"I came here to talk to you, would you invite me in?"

"Why would I do that? What makes you think I'd talk to you? You lied to me."

"Because if you love Sookie, you would want to."

Alcide's eyes narrow with doubt, but he reluctantly extends his door open.

"Actually, I need a verbal invitation."

"You can come in. Just for a bit."

Bill steps in, and enters his living room.

"Now, what about Sookie?"

Bill rotates to face Alcide, still standing.

"She's in more danger than anyone else in Bon Temps."

"You think I don't know that already?"

"Do you honestly think that she doesn't need any more protection?"

Alcide scoffs, and he crosses his arms.

"Think about it, I know Sookie doesn't like being the damsel in distress, but she's no vampire— or werewolf."

"Well, what did you have in mind?"

"I live nearby, I could-"

"Like hell that's going to happen." Alcide growls.

"I'm not saying I have to be around her physically." Bill sighs. "It doesn't have to be only me either, but we could get several other vampires-"

"She's got enough of vampires." Alcide stares at Bill sharply.

"And even if she's not around you, you guys are always fucking feeling her with that blood bond."

"That isn't by choice-"

"Oh no. You fed her your blood. You fooled her way back then."

"That wasn't honorable, I'll admit. But knowing what I know now, if I could change anything-" Bill took a deep breath, glancing at the floor, then slowly looking into Alcide's eyes, "I wouldn't. Because everything we ever did, blossomed into something beautiful, and everything we've been through, up until now, it hasn't changed. I still see how beautiful she is, inside and out. No matter how fucked up I became."

Alcide's eyes don't reveal a hard glare anymore. Instead he is muddled with confusion.

"And I'm asking you now, do you truly think you're enough? Not in spite or offense, but in honesty. Do you think that you're all it takes to make her safe?"

Alcide doesn't reply. His eyes soften, his mouth still a grim line, but he looks down in defeat.