So, I had intended for the date to be in this chapter...it's not. I'm sorry!

The next chapter WILL be the date. It's already written and has been looked over and will be posted within a few days; I promise! For now though, enjoy this taste of Pre-date mania, as I like to call it.

Many thanks and declarations of favor and songs of praise to my beta: evenflo78, for her quick editing and skill! I am lost without her!

DISCLAIMER: I do NOT own Southern Vampire Mysteries/True Blood. SVM belongs to Charlaine Harris & TB belongs to HBO. I make no profit from this story – I'm just manipulating the characters/storyline for fun!

Chapter Six: Bring Night

(Sookie P.O.V.)

It was only three and I still had seven hours of my shift left, but I was already longing for home. It was still lunch so I was a little busy, but not nearly enough to keep the butterflies in my stomach still for any extended period of time.

I'd slept like the dead and gotten up late; as in I woke up at twelve and my shift started at one. I ran around like a headless chicken; got my clothes out, showered, threw my damp hair into a tail, dressed, slapped on some mascara, eyeshadow, and lip gloss before running for the door. I stopped long enough to grab a sandwich and shoveled it down in the car, nearly choking to death, arriving at work with only seconds to spare.

I'd been giddy as a school girl after talking to Eric last night, but now, as I refilled drinks and carted orders to their tables, I felt the nerves bubbling up. Since it was Sunday only four girls were scheduled; Holly had left early because her son, Cody, wasn't feeling well. Arlene would be in any minute, but until then it was just me and Dawn; joy.

Don't get me wrong, Dawn can be a nice girl - when she's not being a bitch, that is.

She's gorgeous, I'll admit that. Long dark brown hair framing a delicate face, bright green eyes, full lips, and a waistline that would make any woman reconsider eating in her presence. Her smile was infectious and her voice sweet, all eyes locked on the sway of her hips as she moved. Of course, her attitude was repulsive enough to scare off a horde of cockroaches, but men still fell over themselves to get her attention.

She'd dated my brother off and on for about three years now, much to my dismay.

I eyed her as she bent over a table to take an order, noting the way the two men stared at her chest while ordering.

I had a catty thought, and normally I tried to ignore the impulse to gloat internally, but this time I didn't bother. Because, well, it's true - my breasts are bigger.

I poured two glasses of sweet tea and dropped them at my only currently occupied table. I cleaned up a table in my section from customers who'd left only a moment ago, whisking the dirty dishes and empty cups away and dropping them in the kitchen. Lafayette gave me a wave and then went back to chopping vegetables and mixing spices as he prepared for the dinner crowd. I left him to it, passing Dawn on my way out front as she dropped an order off.

"Sookie!"

I paused, forced a smile, and turned back to her. "Yeah?" I rocked back on my heels, trying to relax.

Dawn eyed me critically for a moment, tilting her head before grinning. "Do you know if Jason is busy tonight?"

I blinked at her. Seriously? Did she not think I had better things to do in my life than keep track of my brother?

"Ah, I'm not sure, actually. It's Sunday, so he doesn't work, but you know Jason." I shrugged. The boy was wild, out almost every night with a woman – or two, if I'd heard, and seen, right.

"Aw," she pouted at me, "I was hoping to catch up with him."

I didn't need to be a mind reader to know that meant 'have wild monkey sex', but I kept those thoughts to myself.

"Well, who knows, maybe he'll be in tonight. If I see him you want me to have him give you a call?"

"Ooh, yeah! Thanks Sookie." She flounced off to check on her other table and I rolled my eyes behind her back.

"Ya know, your eyes might get stuck that way."

I jumped and squeaked, whirling around to swat at Arlene. "For goodness sake, Arlene, don't sneak up on me like that!"

She laughed and finished tying her apron strings. "That's what ya get for not paying attention."

"Whatever." I stuck my tongue out at her and went towards the bar, knowing she was following me, and started getting out the lemons and limes.

She came to my side, offering me a knife, and we worked on slicing up some wedges to stock the bar. My table was still eating and didn't need anything and I'd helped Holly finish her side-work before she left so there wasn't much to do.

"So," She drew the word out, casting me an impish grin, "you sure were happy last night."

"Was I?" I finished my last lime, placed the wedges in a container and slipped on the cover. "I didn't notice."

It was her turn to roll her eyes. "Right, 'cause I totally believe that." She finished the lemons and we put the containers away, wiped the cutting boards down, and washed the knives and our hands. "Fess up Stackhouse."

"To what?" I batted my eyes at her and she playfully hissed at me, making a clawing gesture with her fingers.

"You know what."

"No, really, I don't. What did I do that I have to fess up to?"

She stomped her foot and huffed. "Sookie Stackhouse, don't you play coy with me!"

My customers stood so I went to collect their dishes and wish them well, pleased to find they'd left me a nice tip. Arlene came over with the spray and a rag and wiped my table down while I took the dishes away, and I brought a towel to dry it with while she grabbed some fresh silverware.

"You talked to him, didn't you? He called last night?" She was shifting from foot to foot, eyes big and bright, hands clasped over her chest. She reminded me of a kid begging for a toy.

"Yes," I decided to put her out of her misery and save myself the constant begging, "he called me."

"Oh my god! Did he ask you out?"

My face flushed and I bit my lip. It was telling enough because she dragged me towards the servers station, shaking me once we were safely away from the eyes of the customers.

"What did you say? Please tell me you said yes! He was fine! Oh my god!"

Her reaction soothed my nerves and I felt myself getting excited again. "I said yes!"

"Seriously?" She gasped in surprise and then hugged me and we did a girly-bounce while holding each other. "Ooh, you lucky bitch! When, what, and where?"

"Tomorrow at six. We agreed on dinner and after that we'll see what strikes our fancy, and he didn't tell me actually. He asked about allergies though – oh, he's picking me up. He said he wanted to do it the 'proper way'. Sweet, right?"

"Yes! I'm so jealous!"

"Jealous of what?" Dawn paused by us, the dirty dishes from her table in hand.

I wouldn't have told her, but Arlene beat me to it, so I didn't have much choice. "Sookie's got a date!"

Dawn smiled. "Aw. Where did ya'll meet?"

I reached behind Arlene for an empty glass, pushing my knuckles into the small of her back in a warning to keep her mouth shut. "A bar in Shreveport." I pulled a glass from the stack and went to pour myself a soda.

"Dawn!" We all jumped, looking at Sam who'd stuck his head out of his office. "Arlene's on shift – clean up and you're free!"

"'Kay, thanks!" She deposited her dishes and went to wipe her table down, all thoughts of me overtaken by the knowledge that she could leave.

God bless Sam. I didn't know how much of her curiosity I could take.

We started to pick up so Arlene and I got busy seating our sections and left Dawn to do her work – she was gone in just a few minutes.

Work passed in relative peace for the rest of the night.

Arlene and I chatted throughout our shift, working together in harmony, and after the initial talk about my date we'd shifted to other things; her kids, vacation plans, and such. By the time closing rolled around we'd already gotten everything done since we'd been pretty slow for a Sunday, and I was out the door a little after ten.

Gran was waiting up for me, snuggled up on the couch, afghan draped over her knees and book in hand. "Tara came by."

I toed my sneakers off and pulled my feet free of my socks before settling into the armchair diagonal to Gran. "She could have come by the bar." I raised a brow. "Or was she trying to get your help with something?"

"For shame, Sookie Stackhouse, being so suspicious of your best friend." Gran marked her page and closed the book, 'tsking' at me.

I snorted. "For shame my butt! Ya'll are devious and you know it."

"Never denied it honey." Gran sat up a bit straighter, and placed a hand over her heart. "For shame that I have to hear about your date through the grape-vine."

She practically cackled at my slack-jaw, bug eyed, face.

"Grape-vine? More like the 'nosey-gonna-get-their-butts-kicked-busy-body-so-called-friends'-vine."

"That works too; a little long though."

I cracked up. Gran had said it with a straight face and such a serious tone, that I couldn't help myself. "I didn't have a chance to tell you! Or did you not notice me streak outta here like my feet were on fire?"

Gran smiled innocently. "Was that you? I thought it was a fairy – a brownie perhaps."

Giving a mock huff I turned my nose up.

"So, tell me; he asked you out? Where is he taking you? What time is your date – when is it, for that matter?"

"You're as bad as Arlene! Yes, he did. I don't know where actually, just that we'll be going to dinner and then after," I shrugged, "if we're having a good time we can look at our options. Tomorrow at six."

"Oh, well, in that case, you're safe. My DGD meeting is tomorrow at five, so I'll be out of your hair." She waggled a finger at me. "I won't be here to embarrass you by drooling or anything else unseemly."

Descendants of the Glorious Dead, better known as DGD, is one of the clubs Gran belongs to. It's a group full of history buffs, focused on the south and civil war era information – all of the members are indeed descendants of those who fought in the American Civil War. It's Gran's most favored club; she helps organize their bake sales, meetings, and what not along with the other church ladies in the club.

"I doubt you could do any worse than Tara and Arlene."

"True. They are a kind of their own, aren't they?" She rose slowly, groaning as her back popped. "This old lady needs to get to bed. If your hungry I left a plate in the fridge for you."

"Thanks Gran." I stood and gave her a goodnight kiss before heading for the kitchen.

I warmed the plate of meatloaf and veggies, buttered a biscuit and dug in. Forget the not eating after seven o'clock rule, I was hungry and despite my love of Lafayette, a girl needs more than what Merlotte's menu has to offer to live. I did my dishes when I finished, gathered my things, dropped them off just inside my bedroom door, and went to brush my teeth and clean up a bit before bed.

It was creeping up on eleven when I finally went into my room, Tina close on my heels. I stopped dead in my tracks and stared at the bed.

A thin white box and a matching medium sized gift bag lay in the middle of my bed, each bearing a large pink bow and curled ribbons.

Tina jumped onto the bed, sniffing at the packages, then promptly turned her back to them and made herself comfortable on my pillow. Apparently there was nothing for her, so she was going to let me deal with it on my own. Spoiled kitty-cat.

I went through my nightly ritual of attending to my phone and laying out my clothes for the next day, brushed my hair, and dressed in a nightgown before inspecting the 'presents'. I found a card tucked under the ribbon of the box and I plucked it free; it was plain and white, no décor or frills. I flipped it open, recognizing Tara's looping handwriting.

Sookie,

Congrats on the date! We know it was short notice, so this is our way of showing our support.

Love you bitch,

Tara & Arlene

P.S.

If you refuse our gift using the words 'pity', 'charity', or 'dependent', I swear you will regret it. I know where you sleep and I'm not afraid to use Gran as a hostage – remember that.

Hostage? I snickered, because knowing Gran she'd go willingly and bake cookies while being 'held captive', if Tara ever made good on her threat.

Sucking in a deep breath I untied the ribbon on the box, setting it aside, and lifted the lid. Pink tissue paper obstructed my view and I brushed it aside impatiently. Soft fabric met my fingers, and I traced the design of a red flower. Clothing?

I pulled the folded fabric from the box and shook it out. A dress!

Oh my goodness! It was so pretty; a halter style top with a pinched waist and flowing skirt. The fabric was soft, white with a scattering of red flowers; it was gorgeous. I couldn't have picked something better for my first date. Sighing wistfully I draped the dress over my vanity chair and peered into the box. More tissue paper was wrapped around something so I dug it out, biting my lip when I found the lingerie.

A white strapless bra and matching cheeky panties – both decorated with delicate lace, and underneath those lay a white garter belt with pink bows and a pair of 'nude' colored stockings.

To bury Tara and Arlene out back in the woods, or just dump them in a bayou? That is the question.

I laid the panties and bra over the dress and stood there in my room, eying the garter belt and stockings. They were nice, pretty and something I'd thought about buying before, but should I wear them on the first date? Seemed kind of, well, presumptuous of me, didn't it?

Closing my eyes I laid them over the rest. It didn't mean anything would happen, I just wanted to feel sexy, that's all. The moment they left my hands I went for the gift bag, untying the ribbon and digging inside.

Shoes. I felt the contour of heels and pulled them out, wondering what torture they planned to put my feet through.

I held up the heels, thankful that they weren't stilettos, and admired them for a moment. They were a perfect match of red hue to the flowers on the dress and the little ankle strap seemed to add a bit of 'sex appeal'.

Maybe I'd let the girls live. I suppose it was sweet of them to surprise me like this. Oh fuck it, let's be truthful; I hadn't even thought of what I was going to wear and they basically saved my ass. I wouldn't tell them that in so many words, however. A simple thank you would work.

I cleared the bed off and settled in, huffing and prodding at Tina until she shifted over – wow, one whole inch! - so I could lay my head on my pillow. I closed my eyes, sighed, and attempted to melt into the bed.

I wiggled, turned to my side, my front, to my other side, and finally onto my back again. I kicked the covers off, pulled them back over myself, kicked on leg out from beneath, twiddled my thumbs, and hummed at least three songs before I was able to fall asleep.

Fucking butterflies.

Five forty AM came quicker than I would have liked, but I was up and awake like someone had shot me when the alarm clock blared to life, Carrie Underwood's voice spilling from the speakers.

I slapped at the alarm, not even looking at it, as I tried to get my breathing under control. I'd had a horrific dream that Eric and I had went on the date and everything had went wrong. I looked hideous, the food was horrible, I broke my ankle and his toe while we danced, and he'd all but run from my house screaming after he dropped me off – though he was polite when he asked me to lose his number, at least.

Climbing out of bed I headed for the bathroom, attending to my bladder and washing up a bit before I shuffled to the kitchen. Gran was still sleeping so I started the coffee and got out the fixings for a good breakfast.

By the time Gran was up and made it into the kitchen I was plating the food. Slices of fried ham, eggs, grits, biscuits and gravy, and hash browns crowded our plates and Gran eyed me like I'd started singing in tongues when I greeted her.

"Morning Gran!" I sat our plates on the table and poured a cup of coffee for myself and a glass of orange juice for her before plopping into my seat. "Hungry?"

She nodded and sat down, eying the spread before her. "Mornin' honey. You been up long?"

"Not really." I dug in since it was already six thirty and I still needed to shower and get myself together.

Gran could tell I was nervous but she left me be and that was fine with me. Halfway through breakfast the timer on the counter went off and I pulled two batches of muffins from the oven and shucked them out of the muffin pans so they could cool.

Gran helped me do the breakfast dishes and we chattered while we worked; she stole a muffin before I packed them away into a container – which was already full with two other batches I'd made earlier, before baking our biscuits.

"You know, I planned to make muffins for the DGD meeting tonight."

"Oh?" I smiled innocently. "Well, since I've made so many you can just take them instead if you'd like."

"Considering that the recipes are even the ones I was intending to make – blueberry and strawberry – I guess I will."

"Okay." Placing the containers to the side I wiped down the counter and gave Gran's cheek a kiss. "I'm gonna go shower and get ready."

I was jerked back when Gran caught the collar of my shirt. "Uh-huh. I know you girlie; what do you need?"

Laughing I twisted and gave her a smile. "Wash my new dress and under-things while I'm at work?"

"Fair enough. Go shower and bring them to the laundry room on your way out." She let me go with a grin and swatted my butt to get me moving.

I yelped and ran, lest she get the inkling to do it again, and I could hear her laughing even as I reached the bathroom.

Thirty minutes later I was freshly showered, dressed, my make-up was done, and I was pulling my hair into a tail after blowing it dry. I was ready.

I tucked the garter belt and stockings in my underwear drawer and took the dress, bra, and panties to the laundry room, along with the hamper from the bathroom. I headed out to my car, spotting Gran tending the front garden, blew her a kiss before making my way to work.

Only eleven hours and thirty-seven minutes until my date. Not that I was counting or anything.

When I got to work I locked my purse in Sam's desk drawer and went out into the bar area where Sam was filling the cash register and Charlsie – and older woman who'd been with us for only a few months – was setting up the servers station. Since I closed last night I knew that everything restaurant-wise was stocked, so I went to the bar and started checking the liquor levels and refilling the container of mixed nuts that we kept under the bar.

Merlotte's is the biggest bar in town and also serves as a 'grille', so we open at eight AM Monday through Saturday, and ten AM on Sunday. Our normal breakfast crowd is made up of the elderly groups in town and sometimes the people passing through, or those who commuted to bigger cities for their work.

Mornings weren't terrible busy, so Charlsie and I passed the time with idle chit-chat. How are her kids, has her daughter had her baby yet – is it a boy or girl, what names are they thinking of, and so on. Our first customer strolled in half an hour after opening and Charlsie took care of her, leaving me to attend to the group of elderly gentlemen who came in shortly after.

Around eleven I stepped out for a quick break, downing my tea with one hand while texting Eric with the other. Looking forward to seeing you tonight. Have a good day!

I'd been inside for nearly an hour when I felt my phone vibrate in my apron so I slipped into the ladies room for a moment, pleased to see Eric had replied.

As am I. Only a few hours now and then you and I will enjoy a night out. Have a good day, Sookie.

Only six hours and two minutes, actually. Still, I wasn't counting. I just, uh, had a great sense of time. Really. Putting my phone away I skipped out and went to check on my tables, experiencing a whole different species of butterflies now, opposed to yesterdays nervous-butterflies. I couldn't wait – I was more excited than I could ever remember being!

My shift really was uneventful, so I was going to take that as a good sign seeing as I didn't trip over my feet or drop any plates, and I'd barely noticed that it was already one thirty when Holly came in to relieve me.

Sam told me I could finish my two tables and go. Bad idea Sam, really bad idea.

I zoomed about like I was on speed, cleaning my section, and was ready to rip my hair out by the time my tables finished eating and paid. I cleaned the tables, did my side-work, and was out the door by six after two.

Gran was waiting in the kitchen when I got home and she laughed at me as I paced from the living-room and back a few times, jittery as a canary with a cat in the birdcage.

"Sookie, honey," I paused and Gran caught my face between her hands, peering up at me. "Everything will be alright. You are a pretty girl with a heart of gold and wonderful manners. This Eric seems to have some of his own, so relax. It will be okay." She grinned. "Besides, even if it isn't perfect, you'll have some eye-candy to stare at, right?"

I started laughing. I couldn't help it. There is just something about an older woman – a grandmother – saying 'eye-candy' that tickles my funny bone. "Okay."

"Good. Go take a nap; I'll wake you up before four. Scoot!"

I gave her a mock-bow and 'scooted' from the room, because truth be told I was a little tired and I had no idea what time I was going to get home. I stripped to just my bra and panties and laid down, snuggling under my cover. By the time Tina had gotten comfortable against my side I was fast asleep.

I hope you all enjoyed the chapter!

Thank you so much to everyone who has reviewed, placed this story on their favorite/alert list(s), and placed me on your author alert/favorite list(s) – I have been completely blown away by how many people are enjoying this story. You guys are fan-fucking-tastic! Seriously; you're the best ever!

The date is coming in the next chapter and will be out in just a few days!