Not The Other Man Chapter 7

Welcome back me! Uni is over so its updates a go go! Lots of things are happening in Bon Temps. Sookie and Sam have got lots to work out, not to mention Sam's big secret has to come out some time! And now that Dawn has been murdered (yes, it happened, although I didn't write about it) Sam may have some bigger issues to deal with.

Read and Review! You know how happy it makes me and it will certainly make the updates happen quicker now I have some time on my hands.

To say that he'd been surprised when Sookie had admitted to tangling tongues with Pam would be an understatement. To say that he was angry with the vampire for touching what was his would be putting it mildly. To say that he felt a very possessive urge to brand the bubbly blonde and lock her away from all the things in the world that could possibly hurt her would be right along the lines of Sam's thoughts as he dressed for work.

His mind flashed to the car trip home the night before. Sookie's passionate attack had left him pretty stunned. Not to say it wasn't hot. But he hated that she felt so powerless towards the vampires. And he hated that she was always in so much danger whenever they were around.

Eric's words were still clear in Sam's mind. He had concerns that the vampire would take it upon himself to tell Sookie about his otherness. He wanted to be the one to tell her. When the time was right. Things were still new between them and Sookie had a lot on her plate. What with her Gran being murdered and all. And the fact that the Bon Temps police didn't seem to have any idea who had been behind that.

Buttoning his red checked shirt, Sam glanced at his reflection in the mirror. Despite the wild hair that he had never been able to tame he looked different, even to himself. He could see what Arlene had been talking about. He looked younger, happier; as though he'd had the best sleep he'd ever had. He knew the cause of these changes and that brought a smile to his face. He was one lucky man. And he planned to keep it that way. If he wanted to have a chance at making this work with Sookie then he had to be upfront and honest.

Taking a steadying breath Sam stood up straighter. He would tell her the truth about himself. And he would try his hardest to accept her reaction.

He walked into his bedroom, intending to have this whole thing out right then. His heart hitched in his chest as his eyes fell on Sookie. She was lying on her side, her arm reaching across the space where he had been lying. Her face was peaceful in slumber, her lips pulled into a slight smile. Her breathing was soft and even. Her golden hair fanned out across the pillow and framed her face. Sam sighed. God, she is beautiful. He sat on the edge of the bed, careful not to wake her.

Trailing his fingers down her arm he gazed at her, smiling to himself. His heart filled with love. He would not wake her now. He could wait.

It was a quiet night at Merlotte's. The usual crowd had been and gone, there were only two waitresses on. Sam was hankering to finish up and head on over to Sookie's. She had the night off and he was looking forward to the home cooked meal she had promised. He was also anxious about the big news he had to tell her. But Sam was nothing if not optimistic. He was certain that everything would turn out alright.

That happy little bubble popped as Sheriff Dearborne entered and approached the bar.

"Evenin' Sam." The short man said solemnly. Sam hung his tea towel over his shoulder and eyed the older man.

"Evenin' Bud. What can I get for you? Beer?" He kept his voice light, pleasant.

"Not tonight, Sam. On police business." Bud leant in closer to the bar. Sam found himself unconsciously mirroring the officer.

"Anything I should be worried about?"

"You got someone that can cover the bar?" Bud's voice was low, conscious of the pricked ears listening in around the bar.

"Lafayette is out the back. What's this all about, Bud?"

"That's Sheriff Dearborne, Sam." The Sheriff stood up to his full height. "I need you to come with me."

"What's going on? Am I under arrest?" Sam stepped back, his hands going up in a stop motion.

"Sam, don't make this harder than it already is. I don't like it any more than you do but you have to come down to the station."

"What is it I have supposedly done?" Sam crossed his arms over his chest. His head was ringing with confusion, his chest tight. What was happening?

"We found your prints, Sam. At Dawn's and at Sookie's. Now I need you to come with me. We can do this quietly and let you keep some dignity, or I can have the boys drag you out in cuffs. Its your choice." Bud's face was grim and Sam couldn't help but feel sorry for the old fella.

"You don't really think I had anything to do with Dawn's death do you? Or Sookie's Gran?"

"It doesn't matter what I think, Sam. Now you call Lafayette out here and get him to take over."

Sam eyed the Sheriff for a moment, weighing his options. Finally he gave a curt nod and gave a yell for Lafayette.

Without offering the dark man an explanation Sam merely said he needed Lafayette to close and followed Bud out to the car park. There he was hustled into the back of a police car and driven to Bon Temps station.

Being finger printed, checked and photographed left Sam feeling like a common criminal. He wasn't even offered his one phone call. Finding himself in a cell, Sam sat on the hard mattress and put his head in his hands. How had everything gone so horribly wrong? Sookie was going to be worried sick. He knew that she would call the bar asking for him and Arlene was going to pass on the news that one Sam Merlotte had been hustled out of his own bar by the police. This was definitely not the start to the evening he had had planned.

Bud was sitting across the table giving Sam a hard look. Sam was exhausted, thirsty and fed up. He had been at the station for a good six hours and there was no end in sight. All he wanted was to call Sookie.

"For the last time, Bud. I didn't have anything to do with it." He sighed, exasperated.

"Where were you on the night Dawn Green was murdered?"

"At work, Bud. As you already know. And there are plenty of people to verify that statement."

"Did you leave at any point during the evening?"

"No!" Sam clenched his fists, wishing for patience.

"Where were you on the night that Adele Stackhouse was murdered?"

This gave Sam pause. He had been at work, however, he had spent the better part of the evening with Sookie. He didn't really want to out their relationship to Bud Dearborne.

"I was at work. And then I was at my place."

"Were you there alone?"

"No." Sam's clipped tone caused Bud to raise an eyebrow.

"How was it that you happened to be at the Stackhouse house when the body was discovered?"

"I was giving Sookie a ride home. Her car had broken down." That was the truth. Although he omitted the part about having nearly had sex with Sookie just prior.

"Explain how it was that your finger prints were found at both crime scenes." Bud was relentless.

"I told you. And you already know. I own the rental that Dawn was staying in. Its only reasonable that my prints would be in the place. And I helped her when she moved in. And I was with Sookie at her place. I probably left fingerprints then."

"Do you own a dog?" Bud looked directly into Sam's eyes.

"What?" Sam was puzzled. What did a dog have to do with all this?

"Do you own a dog?" Bud repeated, his expression giving nothing away.

"There's a dog that hangs around the bar. But he's basically a stray. I just feed him sometimes. Why?"

"Several witnesses claim they saw a collie very similar to the one that frequents Merlotte's at both murder scenes at various times. One has stated that the dog was at Miss Green's house just the night before she was murdered."

Sam swallowed hard. He had been near Dawn's place the night before she died. Except that the dog wasn't the one from the bar. It was him. He'd only been going for a run. And he hadn't seen anyone suspicious around the rental properties. Just Rene smoking on the porch of Arlene's place.

"I will ask you again. Did you murder Dawn Green and Adele Stackhouse?"

"No! Now I've answered your questions Bud. I want to make my phone call." Sam had had enough.

"You will be escorted back to your cell. We will have further questions for you."

Kevin entered and led Sam back to the cells. He had a stony look on his face and refused to answer any of Sam's questions. He locked Sam into the cell and left without a word.

Sam sat down heavily, once again wondering how in hell everything had gotten so messed up.

Oh no! What has Sam gotten himself into? How is he going to get out of this mess? And what is Sookie going to think? Are they about to have their relationship brought out into the open? And will Sam be able to tell Sookie what he is? And how will she react? Lots more to come! Please REVIEW!