I had some problems with FF when I posted the last chapter, sorry if it looked like I skipped a chapter, but it's fixed now… Enjoy!

Chapter 7

The next night started much the same as the last. When we reached his club, I went directly to the bar area and received some instruction from one of the waitresses named Belinda. She seemed competent and nice, although she had little self esteem as was typical for a fangbanger.

She showed me the ropes, so to speak and I picked everything up pretty quickly. As the night went on, I started making pretty good tips, almost double what I made at Merlotte's on a Friday night. I noticed Eric taking a fangbanger into his office. I didn't want to think about what was going on in there.

I started to feel the hunger as well, so I grabbed a bottle of Trublood. I didn't feel comfortable feeding on a fangbanger and even less so without Eric's supervision. Eric said that I only needed human blood every couple of months or so, so I felt comfortable satiating myself with synthetic.

I was wiping down a table, when I heard my name being called.

"Sookie, Chere!" Sam called from across the bar. He wore an expression of happiness mixed with sorrow, anger and guilt. His thoughts were laced with relief, but he also felt guilty for not protecting me from Bill.

"Sam, Oh my god. I never thought I would see you again." I said as I flew into his open arms. I wanted to cry so badly, but I willed the bloody tears away. I was ashamed to show my vampire nature around Sam, knowing how he felt about vampires.

"I know chere, I know. I looked for you I swear it. I didn't believe you had dies or ran away. I went to Bill's. I could have sworn I smelled your scent, but it was off somehow so I couldn't be sure it was you. Dammit, I should have protected you better, I should have told you how I felt. Maybe this never would have happened." Sam spilled. It was tearing him up inside knowing what all happened to me. He felt extreme guilt for not being there for me and for not telling me that he loved me.

"It's not your fault, it's not anyone's except Bill's. " I said as I looked him deep in the eyes. I refused to drop his embrace. In truth, Sam was exactly the comfort that I needed, he was familiar, he was a link to my former life, the life that I never wanted to give up. In truth, I loved him too, maybe not in the same way he loved me, but I cherished him anyway.

There were no more words to say between the two of us, we just stood there embracing each other, not wanting to let go. Moments went by until a booming demanding voice interrupted our reunion.

"Shifter, get your paws off my child." demanded Eric.

"Sheriff, Sookie and I are longtime friends. I mean no harm to her." Explained Sam.

"Follow me." Eric said as he flicked his hand ushering us towards his office. Sam and I followed, but I refused to drop his hand from mine. As we entered Eric's office holding hands, Eric noticed our affectionate display and gave me a warning glare.

"Shifter, it is too dangerous for you to be around Sookie alone. If you wish to see her, you must obtain permission from me first. Is that understood." Eric ordered. He was in full on Sheriff mode. I thought it was irrational of him to make such demands of Sam. Sam was a friend of mine and I thought I should be able to see him whenever I wanted.

"I understand Eric, but you should know that Sookie is very special to me and should be treated with respect and dignity." Same replied, and he was completely honest when he said I was special to him.

"Is that so, well she is definitely special, and asset is you will. I have treated Sookie well thus far. Wouldn't you agree Sookie?" I was definitely not keen on the fact that Eric thought of me as nothing more than an asset to him. It truly made me question the decision to reveal my telepathy to him. But I did have to agree that he was treating me well, infinitely better than my maker.

"Yes, Sheriff." I replied. If I was touted as an asset to him, than he was nothing more than a sheriff to me.

"Very well. Shifter, you may come to see Sookie on Wednesdays between the hours of 8 and 10." I wanted to protest, but I thought the better of it. I felt like a prisoner who had visiting hours. Sam was not happy about our limited interaction time, but he didn't argue.

"Fine. Sookie, Wednesdays will be my new favorite day, and I look forward to spending time with you." Sam said.

Sam, not letting the male posturing get the best of him, kissed my lips lightly and said. "Until then Cher, please know that I love you." He said as he walked out of the office and left the club.

I let out an unnecessary sigh and allowed a single bloody tear to escape down my cheek. In that moment, I permitted myself to mourn the loss of my human life. Eric eyed me carefully, not letting my emotional outburst to go unnoticed.

"Do you love the shifter?" Eric asked carefully as he tossed around some papers on his desk.

"In my own way, yes." I replied honestly. I loved Sam like I loved my brother Jason. He was always there for me and I him.

"Yes, well you should get back to work." Eric stated icily.

I took a minute to compose myself and clean my face, and I walked out to the bar area. The rest of the night went without a hitch. Eric and I closed up and left to go back to his home. I wanted to talk to Eric about a timeline when I could be allowed to go back to my own home, but I thought that with everything that happened with Sam tonight, I would wait to broach the topic with him.

Eric didn't say anything to me the rest of the night, and I was okay with that. The tranquil silence gave me time to gather my thoughts and reflect on the last four months of my undead life. Whatever progress I felt I had made with Eric last night, seemingly disappeared by his demeanor tonight. I felt so out of place and had no one to talk to. Pam ignored me all night, and Eric made me feel like I was some kind of monster who would murder Sam. Funny how he would allow me to work at a bar surrounded by humans, but I couldn't spend time alone with Sam. The more I thought about it, the more furious I became. But if the last four months had taught me anything, it was to reign in my emotions and not speak my thoughts and feelings.

In truth, I couldn't really judge how Eric would treat me as a maker; we had really only spent two and a half nights together.

The next five days droned on like the last. Eric and I fell into a silent routine. I would rise an hour after him, we would go to the bar. He would take a couple of fangbangers a night and I would drink my TruBlood. I would wait the tables, while he sat on the throne. We would close the bar and go home to rest. We barely spoke to each other, save the hour each night he would spend with me explaining and teaching me the ways of the vampire world.

I learned a lot by him, both by his instruction and just by me observing him each night. Pam never spoke to me. I don't know what her problem was with me, but in truth, I didn't really care.

Finally the silence between us was broken on the ride home.

"Bill's trial is tomorrow." Eric said stoically as he stared blankly ahead behind the steering wheel.

I didn't say anything in response, but the amount of emotion running through me felt like I was being struck by lightning. I tried to reign myself in and show no emotion. I didn't want anyone to think that Bill had broken me.

"You are expected to go and possible testify." Eric continued without looking at me.

I couldn't rein it in any longer; I didn't want to see Bill again much less have to recount the god-awful things he had done to me in front of anyone. My body started shaking uncontrollably as red tears brimmed the lids of my eyes.

"Sookie, it will be fine. I will be there for you." Eric finally softened and looked at me with pity and comfort in lacing his eyes. He put his hand on top of mine in a gesture of comfort. The last thing I wanted anyone to feel for me was pity. I quickly composed myself and wiped away the tears.

"I am fine." I replied frigidly as I pulled away from his touch. I neither wanted his pity nor his comfort. I just wanted to be alone. The remainder of the drive home was awkwardly silent and thankfully Eric drove like a bat out of hell, so it didn't last long.

As we walked into his house, he stopped me before I could go to my room.

"Sookie, I am not your enemy." He whispered softly.

"I know, but you're not exactly my friend either." I quickly replied.

"Maybe not, but I would like to be." He said humbly as he held my wrist and looked deeply into my eyes.

"Look Sheriff" I used his official title to try to drive the conversation away from some kind of emotional one to one talk. "We both know that you are only watching over me because you were forced to. I am nothing but an asset to you." I continued. The tenor of my voice was not overtly confrontational, but it wasn't exactly friendly either.

"Is that how you see it?" Eric said angrily. He was seething; I had made his angry by my accusation.

"Is that not how it is?" I retorted. Answering a question with a question, a good deflection tactic.

"No!"

"Then tell me Sheriff, how is it?" This conversation was pointless and I was angry at myself for taking his bait.

"Why do you call me by my official title? Sookie, why are you so angry with me? Tell me what have I done to make you hate me?"

"I don't hate you, I don't even know you and you don't even know me. Yet you won't allow me to see Sam for more than a measly hour once a week. What have I done to deserve that?" I countered. I wanted to be done with this conversation, so I could go die for the day.

"We don't know anything about each other because you won't let anyone in!" he spewed angrily. "I won't let you see the shifter because he doesn't deserve you!" he continued. He pulled me into his body roughly by my shoulders. Before I knew what was happening he crushed his lips to mine in such an urgent way. He ran his tongue roughly against my lips begging me for entry, but I quickly pulled away from his coarse embrace.

I stood in utter shock, eyes focused on his as I backed away from him carefully.

"Sookie, I'm sorry, I shouldn't have done that." He apologized. "Sookie, you are beautiful and I just…"

I cut him off before he could continue his line of thought. "You just thought you could take what you wanted." I counteracted. I was getting real tired of this dominant vampire, take what you want screw the consequences attitude.

"NO!" he replied bitterly. "I have never taken anyone without their consent. I am not like Bill." He was angry at my insinuation that he was like my maker. I actually regretted that particular insinuation, because I honestly didn't believe he was anything like Bill. Hell, Satan himself was better than Bill.

"I need to rest." I said softly. I was resigned to get out of this uncomfortable situation. I turned away from him and walked up to my room closing the door behind me.

Eric and I had only spent a week together and we were not exactly getting along. I didn't want to be angry at him, but I just had so much anger inside me and I suppose I was misdirecting all of it at him. Certainly what he did to me and Sam made me angry, and there was definite tension between is, but I needed to remember to reign in my emotions better in the future. I needed to remember that the goal was to bide my time with Eric until he would release me.

When I woke the next night, Eric was sitting at the foot of my bed. He had sort of a somber look on his face. I could see the regret in his eyes, he must have been feeling the same way I had been.

He handed me a bottle of TruBlood and eyed me carefully.

"Sookie, I apologize for kissing you last night. I understand your trepidations of being touched without permission and I should have been more considerate of your feelings." He asked for forgiveness humbly.

"I accept. And I am sorry for insinuating that you are like Bill." I said sorrowfully.

"I accept as well. You should dress for the trial." He was not the big bad Sheriff that I have come to know, he was actually quite self-effacing . He got off the bed and went downstairs. He was already dressed for the trial, wearing grey suit pants, black dress shirt and a grey tie.

Judging by his attire, I knew I needed to find something similar. I went through the clothes that pam had bought for me and found a black Ann Taylor Ponte Sheath dress, I paired it with some black pointed toe Jimmy Choo pumps. I looked like I was going to a funeral, perhaps if all went well that's exactly what it would be.

As I descended the stairs, Eric looked upon me in apparent approval of my wardrobe choice. We didn't say anything to each other; I guess he was as exhausted with our conversation as I was.

I had no idea where the trial was being held, but Eric seemed to have all the details worked out, so I just rode in silence. After about a half hour of driving, we approached an abandoned building on the outskirts of Bon Temps. The building used to be an old basketball gymnasium that the High School used. But the school built a new one in the 90's, so this building fell into somewhat of disrepair.

As we walked in to the building, there were about 30 vampires situated in the bleachers. There was a podium and four chairs set up on top of a stage. There were another four chairs set up facing the stage.

I immediately noticed a tall bald headed man. He looked like he was setting up the stage. I laughed inwardly at his appearance because he reminded me of a genie. He was on these really bizarre gold parachute pants and no shirt. I checked his shoes to make sure they weren't the half-moon pointy shoes, but to my surprise they actually were these Roman looking sandals.

I found myself intrigued by him, if for anything, his appearance. The closer I got to him, the more I captivated I was by him. He had these gorgeous and unique pansy purple eyes. He was probably 200 pounds of pure muscle. He was definitely not a vampire either judging by his deep tan. I thought he was a shifter of some sort, I thought some kind of feline.

Eric motioned for me to sit next to him the front row of the bleachers. I sat quietly observing my surroundings, when suddenly the entire room fell silent as some VIV's (Very Important Vampires) walked into the room. It was 2 men and a 2 woman, and they all went to sit on the stage. One of the women looked to be ancient, but I knew she was a vampire. As they took their seats, genie man, who I assumed was the emcee, began the trial.

"Ladies and Gentleman, We are here for the Trial of William Compton. He is charged with crimes against humanity specifically the rape and subsequent nonconsensual turning of Sookie Stackhouse. Will the accused please come forth."

Bill entered the room flanked by what I assumed was his attorney. He immediately made eye contact with me. I felt his burning seething anger. He wanted to kill me, and I knew it. I projected the same feelings back at him. I was proud of myself for not cowering in his presence, I held my head high and I found the courage to return his hateful stares. I somehow felt empowered in that moment to face him without fear. I felt Eric's hand embrace mine, but I didn't want to look like I needed any kind of support, because I really didn't, so I quickly removed my hand from his.

This was all on me, and I wanted to face Bill alone because I knew I was strong and brave enough to do it on my own.

Bill took a seat in one of the chairs sitting in front of the stage, so his back was facing me. The genie man began to make the VIV's introductions.

"William Compton is being judged by Sophie Anne LeClerq, Queen of Louisiana, Stan Davis, King of Texas, Jermaine Thompson, King of Kansas, and the honorable, her grace, The Ancient Pythoness. Mr. Davis, you may begin your questioning."

"Thank you Quinn, Mr. Compton, you are being accused of heinous crimes against an innocent woman. These accusations, as you well know, are very serious. You have caused great turmoil, not only to this woman, but also to the vampire population as a whole. Your blatant disregard for the laws which were adopted at the start of the Great Revelation have caused a rift in the human relations, not to mention the abscess terror to this innocent woman. What have you say for yourself?"

"Your Majesty, this woman, my child, was not unwilling. She agreed to be turned, just as she consented to a sexual relationship with me." Bill spouted. His lies made my blood boil, but I maintained my composure. He was baiting me for an emotional response in the hope that I would paint myself some kind of unstable lunatic in the eyes of the judges.

Sophie Ann spoke up, "Is this true? Bring the accuser forward to refute his response."

I stood from my chair and proudly walked to the stage. I made sure that I kept my emotions in check despite Bill's disgusting claim.

"No your majesties, this is not the truth." I said calmly and directly. I knew that they would appreciate my brevity.

"Little One, if you would please, tell us the circumstances surrounding your turning," said the Ancient Pythoness in an accent that I could not place.

Holding my head up proudly, I started telling the judges my side of the story. "About 2 years ago Bill moved into the old farm house across the cemetery from my own. At the time, he and my grandmother got along because of their mutual interest in the Civil War. I never really interacted with him much, but he would always ask me to go on dates with him which I repeatedly refused. After my grandmother died a little over a year ago, his interest in me increased and he continued his attempts to court me. One night about four months ago, Bill asked me out on a date while I was working at Merlotte's Bar and Grille. I again refused like I always did. When I got home from work that night, bill was standing on my porch, he started accosting me about why I would never go out with him. He followed me into my home, so I tried to rescind his invitation, but he grabbed me and put his hand over my mouth. I fought him as hard as I could, but it was to no avail. He drug me across the cemetery to his home where he violently raped me. I was a virgin before his attack and he was not gentle to say the least. He shattered my pelvis and bruised my legs and chest. He then ripped into my neck draining my life force, leaving me for dead. He forced his blood down my throat, thus resulting in my vampirism." I concluded. I didn't feel shameful about sharing my story with a bunch of strangers; in fact I found it quite cathartic. I felt nothing but anger coming from Bill's side of the bond; I projected vengeance back at him.

The room fell silent after I told my account of the events leading to my turning. The Ancient Pythoness was the first to speak.

"Child, come to me." She said solemnly as she held out her hand. I walked up to the stage and placed my soft hand into her wrinkled one.

I closed my eyes, as she held my hand for more than a minute. I'm felt a pull from my mind, sort of like glamouring, but it was different. The events of my turning played through my mind sort of like a movie reel. I wondered if the AP was seeing what I was projecting.

"William Compton, you are guilty." The AP proclaimed. I stood in front of her stunned at how I had just replayed my story to her.

"You Fucking Whore!" Bill bellowed angrily and he charged me. Eric flew in front of me grabbing Bill by the neck subduing him and thus protecting me.

Jermaine stood to hand down the sentence. "William Compton You are hereby sentenced to your final death. All of your assets will be transferred to your progeny. Ms. Stackhouse, you may decide how Mr. Compton meets his final death."

"Your majesty, if it pleases you I would like to differ to my maker by proxy. " I said as I smiled at Eric.

"Very well, Sheriff Northman, how would you like to deal with Mr. Compton?" asked Jermaine.

Eric grinned evilly in my direction as we unsheathed a sword that he had carried on his back.

"A quick death is too good for this pathetic creature." Eric seethed as he swung his sword swiftly effectively detaching Bill's head from his body.

As soon as Eric's sword made contact with Bill's head, I felt an unbearable pain. I fell to my knees and clenched my head. It felt like my head was being smashed to pieces. I screamed out in agony, and I felt cold hands embracing me. I looked up to find the hands belonged to none other than Pam. I didn't even know she was here.

After a few minutes, the pain subsided and I felt bizarrely free. I wondered why Pam felt the need to comfort me, she had been nothing but icy to me for the past week.

I rose from the floor with the aid of Pam and walked out the doors alone. I needed a few moments to take in everything that had just happened. I felt free and it was liberating, I hadn't come to terms fully with the events of the last four months, but facing Bill down and seeing him to his death sure helped.

I stood outside, looking up at the stars as I wrapped my arms around myself. I felt oddly peaceful knowing that that monster would absolutely never terrorize me again.

"You are a brave and strong woman Ms. Stackhouse." The genie said. He startled me and that is difficult to do to a vampire.

"Yes, well I guess it is my cross to bear." I said coldly.

"I saw my mother go through something similar, and she didn't come out of it a sane person." He said. He was trying to comfort me or let me know that I was brave, but in all honesty, I didn't appreciate or want his input in the matter. Some people think that by hearing someone's story that they somehow know what I am going through or that they have some obliging input on how I should handle it.

"Yes, well everyone handles things differently, now if you'll excuse me." I said

"I meant no disrespect, I was just…"

I cut him off the same way I did with Eric "You just thought that you had an opinion about me that was worth sharing."

"I'm sorry ma'am. I only meant to compliment you."

"I appreciate your compliments." I said as I walked away making my way back into the old gymnasium. I still had to tie up some loose ends by signing Bill's final death decree, the deed to his home, the title to his car and some other bank account information.

According to the lawyer, Mr. Cataliades, Bill was worth about $7.3 million dollars. Most of the proceeds were from the sale of his database. His house was worth $100,000 the BMW $18,000, a strip mall worth about $300,000. he had some meager jewelry. He was heavily invested in futures, specifically oil.

Although I wanted nothing to do with his possessions, it was nice to have a little nest egg of my own, maybe once Eric released me, I could go into business of my own. I figured I would sell his car and house, and I would speak to Eric about the strip mall and the database.

"You showed me great respect tonight. You make me proud to call you my child" Eric whispered in my ear as we walked out to the car.

"Thank you Eric, I appreciate it." I replied.

The drive home was quiet and I was reflective. I was happy to close that chapter in my undead life, and I actually felt anxious about my future.

"Sookie, I really do want to get to know you. I look forward to the day that you will come to count me as your friend." Eric said, and I didn't really respond, but I felt the same way, I just needed time to heal and come to terms with the sexual abuse that I had been subjected to my entire life. I felt hopeful for the first time in over four months and that was a good feeling.

TBC