This chapter was SO hard for me. I must have written it seven different ways.

I tried really hard to use your reviews when writing. The suggestions were great but I think I could really use someone to bounce ideas off of for the coming chapters.

Also, confession. When I proofread my chapters, I put my Sookie hat on and speak aloud in a Southern accent. I am just that cool.

Chapter 4

Before you think I just stood there in stunned silence gawking at Bill Compton, try to remember that I have years of practice in dealing with both vampires and bar patrons. I was caught off guard by his words, it's true, but I've learned to think quickly in stressful situations.

While my mind played out multiple scenarios, Bill took advantage of my and gestured to his ears. "Vampire hearing," He explained.

Well, that explained how he formed his conclusion. I could work with this.

"Who are you?" My voice sounded annoyed- and make no mistake, I was annoyed… and furious (more with myself than with Bill).

He tucked his hands into his pant pockets. "I'm Bill Compton." That was all he said- he clearly believed it was I who should be providing the answers.

I bet you think you have this already in the bag, Bill.

"Well, Mr. Compton. Let's think about this. I am a twenty-six year old barmaid who still lives with her grandmother and struggles to pay all her bills. I have very few close friends and I am pretty sure the town thinks I'm nuts."

He seemed taken aback by my approach. I continued, "Now you think I can hypnotize people and maybe even something more? Here I thought vampires were supposed t'be so smart."

Bill had stopped moving during my monologue so I decided to bridge that gap between us. I needed to make him think I had nothing to hide.

"Do you believe that if I had that ability at my disposal I'd still be in this God forsaken town? Don't you think that I'd use that, maybe have people cut me some slack now and then, help out with the bills once in a while or at least make them treat me better? Do you honestly believe I would let myself waste away in Bon Temps like this?"

The sad part about this speech was that it came straight out of my own musings. Hadn't I already spent a lifetime doing just that? I figured the only reason I never really gave much thought to taking this route in life was that I wouldn't be able to live with myself for using people like that.

(But it doesn't have to be that way this time around Sookie. You can do so much better now. I tucked that thought away for later.)

Lucky for me, those types of morals were not common in vampires. I doubted Bill even considered the ethics of my hypothetical questions.

"You got lucky tonight, Bill." I stared him straight in the eyes. "I don't believe Mack and Densie would have listened to my suggestions had the Sherriff and his colleagues not been in the next booth over."

He didn't seem to have a response for that- or he could have reevaluating his strategy. I took this as an opportunity for escape.

"I don't know what you were looking for Bill. Frankly, I don't give a rat's ass." I tried to sound tired, defeated by my own confession. "But, I appreciate you taking the time to make me feel great about my life."

I retreated back to the side of my car. "You have a splendid evening now, y'hear?"

I climbed in and by the time I turned on the engine, he was nowhere in sight. That didn't mean he wasn't still there, though.

I cast my telepathy out, using it like a radar on Bill's mind- or rather, his void. He was running parallel to my car as I made my way home.

Well, that certainly is terrifying. He didn't believe me? That was more than possible. Or was he checking up on my story? Sounds likely.

If Bill wanted to know where I lived, it wasn't like it would be difficult for him to find out. So leading him there didn't pose that much of a threat to me; I drove straight home. I couldn't help but be cautious just the same. I kept a close tab on him.

Had Bill always been this… creepy? I recalled the companionship we had shared- before his betrayal with Lorena, that is. He had acted wonderfully, practically the ideal vampire boyfriend.

Then I thought of the three vampires from Monroe he had kept company with before we were an item: Malcolm, Liam, and Diane. They had been sinister and disturbing; much like Bill was proving to be now. In that timeline, he had a chance with me and I am willin' to believe he made a choice to separate himself from that behavior in order to earn my trust. I guess I had changed him.

My heart ached just a bit: the Bill from that alternate universe was lost to me. Despite how he had hurt me unforgivably, Bill had been a very loyal and dependable friend toward the end. But, again, that man would never exist in this world.

What else had would be different this time around? If I wasn't careful, would something similar happen with Eric?

I pulled up close to my back porch, readied my keys, and made my way into the house quickly. (I didn't want Bill to know I sensed him out there but I could feel his eyes follow my every movement and well, that was scary.)

First thing in the morning, when the threat of Bill overhearing me was eliminated, I would warn Gran about our new neighbor. I figured I owed her the truth, the whole truth, too.

I wasn't sure if Bill would try another angle to get at me or if he would simply believe my story and move on. Either way, I wanted us to be prepared.

As I got ready for bed (making sure my blinds were closed because I could still sense a void in my yard), I started to think over all that I had said to Bill.

Don't you worry, I wasn't planning on using my ability to make people give me things or do what I wanted. I was thinking more along the lines of changing my life in Bon Temp.

After about thirty minutes of sleepless contemplation, I pulled on a robe and made my way to the front of the house. Maybe the night air will clear my head.

I couldn't sense Bill in my yard anymore so I sat on the front porch swing and reflected.

I won't lie, I spent a great deal of time thinking about how I could make myself known to Eric. Did I want to feign innocence, pretend to be a waitress, and attract his attentions that way? Or did I want to honest with him from the beginning and establish a professional relationship first?

There were definitely pros and cons to both choices but I was leaning more towards the honest approach- that way he could help me with Bill if I needed it.

And if I drew up a contract to work as a telepath in supe community, I could try to maintain a little freedom and control this time around. It seemed that the Queen already knew about my ability, since she sent Bill, but that didn't mean I would place myself under her thumb again. Was there a way to contact Mr. Cataliades? I could sure use his help with this.

Soon, my mind wandered back to Eric. I got amazingly frustrated when I realized that I would have to play hard to get with him for a while. If I give into him too soon, I'll just be another 'suck and fuck'. I just couldn't let that happen.

I got a little far-fetched as I imagined all the ways I could impress him with my telepathy when and if I decided to I revealed it.

How strong is my ability now, anyway? My newfound youth and sharper mind had paired nicely with my more developed skills. I had yet to test my limits, though.

I cast out my telepathy as far as it could go and I was both pleased and surprised that I was able to reach all the way across the cemetery toward Bill's house. I found his familiar void easily.

A moment later, on the periphery of my mental net, I felt another void closing in rapidly on Bill's home. He moved toward the void slowly, confronting his vistor it seemed. The two must have had only a small interaction because after a few minutes, they went their separate ways. One raced off from whence it came and the other headed straight toward my house- fast.

I didn't even have time to react before Bill appeared in the clearing, obviously as surprised to see me out and about at this time of night as I was to see him return to my property.

He looked like a deer caught in the headlights, or better yet, a kid spotted with his hand in the cookie jar. I had to stop the smile from spreading across my face at the sight of his discomfort. Ha ha. Caught you red-handed Bill.

I figure some people might not be happy with this chapter or how things are going down with Sookie and Bill. Its too hard to please everyone, I suppose. So long as the majority enjoy it, I'll be happy. Of course, if everyone hates it... then boo to you guys. I'm writing this for me, anyway. :]