Once again, I apologize for leaving you hanging. I had intended to get this out a few days ago, but pretty much everyone in my house got sick, including myself. I have had a couple people ask what's with Stalker Bill. I always kind of saw him that way after the third book, so I thought I'd portray him that way. Obviously it's a bit more pronounced in my story, but the spirit is the same.

Chapter 6

Three months had passed and Alcide was getting ready to meet Sookie for lunch. He had stayed true to his word and hadn't pushed a romantic relationship on her. They talked on the phone three to four times a week, and when one of them were in the others town, they would get together for lunch or drinks.

Today was a Friday, and Sookie didn't have to work until later that night. She was coming to Shreveport to do some work for Eric and Pam, and she'd decided to come early and have lunch with Alcide. When she had called, Alcide had jumped at the chance and took the rest of the afternoon off.

"I'm leaving for the day," he told his new secretary, Mrs. Hoffman. She was the complete opposite of Maria. Married for thirty years, Mrs. Hoffman was in her fifties now. She had four grown children and seven grandchildren. She was competent and efficient to a fault. Alcide liked her immensely.

"Have a great weekend Mr. Herveaux," she replied as he walked through the outer office.

Sookie was in the parking lot when he reached his truck. He couldn't help the broad smile that spread across his face when he saw her. "Sookie," he said, leaning down to kiss her cheek lightly. "I wasn't expecting you here, I thought we were going to meet at Johnson's."

Alcide thought she looked incredible. Her blonde hair fell in soft waves down her back and her makeup was minimal. She was wearing a pair of skinny blue jeans and a soft purple sweater that came off one shoulder, and her favorite worn sneakers.

Sookie smiled and returned the kiss to his cheek. She discreetly inhaled the scent of him, reveling in it. He looked amazing in boot cut jeans, a green t-shirt that matched his eyes and a plaid shirt open over it. "I thought I'd surprise you. Maybe we could go to the Blind Tiger for lunch instead? If you don't mind." The Blind Tiger was a casual restaurant, but it was a little more upscale than Johnson's diner.

"Anything you want darlin'" he replied. "One car or two?"

"Well if we can make it back here by two we can take one car. I have to meet Eric and Pam at two thirty," she explained.

"We better get moving then," he said, unlocking the truck and helping her into the passenger seat.

After they reached the restaurant and were seated Alcide asked the question he'd been avoiding asking on the way there. "So why the change? This place is much fancier than Johnson's."

Sookie took a sip of water and grinned at him. "I wanted to celebrate a little. I just got all my grades back... I passed. I finally finished school!" If it was possible, her smile got bigger.

Alcide returned her smile with one of his own. "That's great Sookie! Does that mean you'll be moving to Shreveport to work for Eric and Pam full time?" They had discussed her schooling at length one afternoon over lunch. She had been finishing up her last semester to get her real estate degree. Her goal was to one day be a partner with Pam and Eric in their company.

"Well," she said slowly, her bright smile fading just slightly, "I'm here to talk to them about taking on a more permanent job with them, but I'm really not sure I want to move to Shreveport. I like Bon Temps, and there's my brother, and my house, my job..."

"I understand. It's a huge decision. Besides, we're talking like Eric and Pam are going to make you a full time partner right away," he said with a smile, trying to diffuse the situation.

"One step at a time," she replied with a smile as the waitress arrived to take their orders.

"Lets go out to celebrate," Alcide said once the waitress had left.

"Isn't that what we're doing right now?" Sookie asked, confused.

"Well yes, but lets go dancing. I know how much you love to dance. They just opened a new dance club in town, we can go check it out."

Sookie smiled. "You know I can't turn down a chance to go dancing. Tomorrow night? I'm off since I'm working tonight."

"I'll pick you up at eight," he replied with a grin.

~***~

On Saturday night, Sookie stood in front of her closet wrapped in a towel, another fluffy towel wound around her head. She pushed a few hangers out of the way, looking for the one that held something covered in a plastic bag. She plucked it off the rack and laid it on the bed before going back to her bathroom. She unwrapped her hair and took a wide toothed comb from the basket on the counter. She started working the tangles from her hair and was half way done when there was a knock on her back door. Frowning, Sookie went through the kitchen and peeked out the window in the door. She sighed and rolled her eyes before opening it. "Bill, what are you doing here?" she asked, irritably.

"Sookie, why is your back door locked? You're home," he pointed out.

"As you can see, Bill, I was in the shower. And why should you even be trying to walk in without knocking?" She was getting annoyed now.

"Would you like me to comb out your hair for you?" he asked instead of answering her question.

"No, Bill, I would not." He used to comb her hair for her when they were together. It had been something they both enjoyed at the time. Now, Sookie saw it as an invasion of her privacy. "If you came over for a visit, I'm sorry, but I don't have time. Maybe we can catch up another time," she said, throwing her Southern manners out the window. Her Gran would have admonished her out of earshot of their guest for behaving such.

"Do you have a date?" he asked, suddenly realizing that maybe she wasn't just settling in for a Saturday night in front of the TV with her Buffy the Vampire Slayer DVDs.

"That is none of your business. Now, I need you to leave. Good night Bill." Sookie practically slammed the door in his face and re-locked it. Maybe moving to Shreveport wasn't a bad idea she thought briefly as she returned to the bathroom and her task of combing her hair.

At eight o'clock sharp there was a knock on her front door. Sookie opened it and gave Alcide a megawatt smile. He was dressed in a pair of black dress slacks, a pair of black shoes and a black t-shirt underneath a green button down shirt that was left open. He had tried to tame his black hair, but it never worked. It fell roguishly across his forehead. His hands were in his pockets and he was looking at his feet when she opened the door. When he glanced up, his eyes widened and he let out a low wolf whistle.

Sookie was dressed in a fire engine red halter dress. It fell just about to mid-thigh and had a whirly skirt. Separate sleeves were worn on her biceps, and they came down in a slight bell to her wrists. She had painted her fingernails and toenails a bright red to match. Her shoes were black strappy three inch heels. Her hair fell in soft waves almost to her waist, pinned up on either side by sparkly bobby pins. When she caught him staring she spun around, the skirt of the dress twirling out around her. "Do you like it?" She looked just a little uncertain as she asked.

Alcide swallowed hard. "You look amazing, Sookie."

"You look pretty good yourself, Alcide. Now lets go dancing," she said, grabbing her tiny clutch purse and black shawl.

When they arrived at the club, it was packed. They chose a table and ordered drinks: a beer for Alcide and a champagne cocktail for Sookie. The two of them made quite the pair, with eyes on them from all around. Sookie was used to the looks she got from men, especially drunk ones, but these ones were different. The expressions she read were varied. Some were typical males just wanting her for her looks, others were keenly interested and not just in her body. A few wondered why she was with Alcide. The women looked at Alcide with the same types of expressions. She didn't wonder why. Alcide was a gorgeous man, tall and broad shouldered, his green eyes piercing.

Their drinks arrived and they sipped them and tried to talk, but the club was no place for conversation. Soon Sookie was on her feet and tugging Alcide toward the dance floor. The colored lights flashed and the music pounded out a beat as Alcide drew Sookie to him. She was an excellent dancer, and Alcide was light on his feet for such a large man. They moved deftly to the beat, him leading her, and then switching roles. Her hips shook, and he ran his hands down her sides. Sookie grinned up at him as she moved and Alcide was pretty sure his heart skipped a few beats. He felt like the luckiest man in the club to be there with her. As he spun her around, her skirt and her hair twirled away from her body and she came back to face him, laughing.

"I think I need another drink, it's getting hot in here!" she yelled over the music.

It was getting warm. Alcide had sweat beading his forehead and his hair hung in damp curls across it. When they reached their table, he took his green shirt off to reveal the black t-shirt beneath it. It stretched tautly across his chest and showed off his muscled arms. Sookie unconsciously licked her lips as she took in the sight before her.

When the waitress arrived, Alcide ordered them another round. He looked at Sookie's face, which was practically glowing with excitement. "Are you having fun?" he asked.

"I haven't had this much fun in a long time, Alcide," she answered truthfully.

The waitress returned with their drinks, and Sookie took a long drink of hers. "Sookie," Alcide started.

Sookie put the drink down and grinned. "I was thirstier than I realized," she replied. "I probably should have gotten water," she said sheepishly.

They sat and finished their drinks, trying to converse over the blaring music. After the drinks had been drained, Sookie was pulling Alcide once again to his feet. Bad Romance by Lady Gaga had just come over the speakers. Sookie was feeling slightly tipsy, but she didn't mind. When Alcide pulled her close to dance, she pressed closer, their bodies flush against each other. When he looked down at her in question, she just smiled into his eyes and started dancing. Their bodies moved as one to the beat. Sookie wound her arms around his neck, pulling his head down so their foreheads were touching. She let the music carry her away, lost in the rhythm, the feel of his arms around her and the heat of the moment. When his gaze clashed with hers, Sookie closed the gap between their lips and kissed him. He didn't pull away, and she felt her hand tangle in his hair just as his tongue invaded her mouth.

Alcide was shocked when Sookie kissed him. It took all of a second before he was kissing her back, and when he felt her hand in his hair he deepened the kiss. After a few moments though, he realized that they were in the middle of a crowded club. Not only that, but he remembered that they were supposed to be just friends, and Sookie was slightly toasted. To take advantage of her in this state could ruin the bond they'd forged over the past three months and he wasn't willing to risk that no matter what his body was telling him.

He groaned slightly at how idiotic he was being as he broke off the kiss. "Sookie," he said. When he looked at her, her lips rosy from his kiss, he was almost undone. "Chere, you're slightly drunk. Let me take you home."

Sookie looked at him uncomprehendingly for a moment and then nodded, looking stricken. Had she really just kissed him? They were supposed to be just friends! He was on the rebound from his fiancee. She had a stalker ex. Talk about complicated. As he led her through the crowd she felt lightheaded and she wasn't sure it was just from the alcohol.

Alcide retrieved his shirt and Sookie's shawl and purse. When he went to wrap her shawl around her he saw a large hole burned in the middle of it. He glanced around, looking for the culprit. Not finding anyone obvious, he put his shirt over her shoulders instead. "I'm sorry, chere, but something happened to your shawl. I'll buy you a new one," he promised.

Sookie still looked a little dazed as she accepted her purse from him. "It's fine, Alcide," she replied. She took his arm and let him lead her out of the club and help her into his truck.