A/N: And the second game of cat and mouse begins. The fangy isn't mine, and I take no credit for it, but I can't for the life of me remember whose story it was in to ask for permission for using it! If it's yours, I hope you don't mind me borrowing it - PM me and I'll make sure you're named as its owner!

The sun was streaming through my windows when I woke. I could hear Gran moving around in the kitchen, and wondered how I'd managed to sleep so long, so deeply.

Memories of the previous night seeped back in slowly, and I flushed a little; I'd started drowsing in Eric's arms, snuggled up on the couch, and he'd carried me to my room, helping me into a pair of comfy pyjamas. A glance at the chair confirmed that he'd folded my uniform neatly and left it there.

I remembered the moment of panic as he turned out the light, clutching for his hand in the dark; the feel of the mattress dipping with his weight as he spooned behind me, and wrapped an arm around me. The feeling of safety as he wound his fingers with mine, and murmured something softly in my ear, in a language I didn't understand.

I'd met him a total of three times, and I already had a better relationship with him than I'd had with any previous date of mine. I wondered what that said about me, him, and the dates in question. I suspected I wouldn't much like the answers.

I dragged myself out of bed and into the shower, pondering the conversation I'd had with him. He'd told me himself that vampires were private, so I was taken aback at how open he'd been with me. Sure, we'd skirted the most sensitive areas and avoided saying the actual words, but we'd understood each other. He'd told me a little about the vampire world, its traditions and hierarchy, a little about his homeland, and himself. I was fascinated.

Hair still damp from the shower, I got dressed, and joined Gran in the kitchen. She poured me a coffee. "Sam called. He asked me to tell you the Rattrays were arrested last night." She gave me a shrewd look. "Something happened at the bar?"

I blew out a breath. "I heard them thinking about draining a vampire who was drinking in the bar. Bill Compton – he's just moved into the old Compton house, across the cemetery?"

"That's terrible!" she exclaimed. "The Comptons were a good family, too. I hope he's prepared to do some work on that house, it's in a pretty bad state. Old Mr Jesse never did a thing to it, as far as I could see. But what happened?"

"I told Sam what I'd heard, and he followed them out back. I guess he dealt with everything that was happening, while he got me to call out the vampire sheriff."

"They have their own sheriff?" she asked.

"Yes, ma'am – happens it's the vampire I met the other night."

"Really, fancy that! What a small world!"

I nodded. "Anyway, he said he'd call the AVL to pick them up, and he swung by to check on Mr Compton. He gave me some good advice on keeping us safe from vampires, too."

"He thinks they're likely to be a problem?" she asked, surprised.

"I don't know. He seemed to think that they might… want me for my telepathy," I said nervously. "He warned me against inviting a vampire into the house."

"Even our new neighbour?" She seemed disappointed.

"Even him," I confirmed. "Until he's sure he's not a threat. He said not to let on that I would be working for him, too."

"Well, I've not said a word, nor will I. He sure seems to be taking an interest in you, Sookie," she commented. "Is he interested in your telepathy, or is it something else?" She gave me a knowing smile.

I blushed. "A little of both, I think."

Gran's smiled widened. "And you liked him a lot, when you met him. I could tell."

I'd gushed about Eric after our first two meetings, so it wasn't a surprise she'd made that connection. "I did," I confirmed. "Not just because of not being able to hear his thoughts – though that's a huge bonus, of course – but he's a lot of fun, too. We talked a good deal last night, and he explained some vampire stuff to me, told me a bit about himself… that kind of thing."

"I suppose if you're going to get involved with a vampire, best it's one who's the local lawman," she said firmly. "Now, come and get something to eat."

I was surprised that Jason, my brother, came by for lunch. "Say, you two heard the news?" he asked. "It's all happening in Bon Temps right now. The Rattrays were arrested for draining last night – apparently their place was full of vials of V, syringes, silver chains… scary, huh?"

I nodded, and shot a warning look at Gran. "That's terrible," she said, as if it was the first she'd heard of it. I gave an inward sigh of relief.

"And you remember Maudette Pickens?" he went on, looking at me. "She was in your class, wasn't she?"

"Yep, I remember her."

"Apparently she was murdered. The police are asking anyone with information to come forward."

"Poor Maudette!" I lamented. "She was a sweet girl. I can't imagine why anyone would want to kill her."

"Apparently she had fang marks on her."

"She'd been drained?" I asked, making a mental note to text that bit of information to Eric. If a vampire had killed a human in his area, he probably needed to know.

"No, that's the strange thing. She'd been strangled."

"Maybe because she'd been with a vampire," Gran suggested, surprising me a little. "There are some folks out there who've been against vampires ever since the Great Revelation, haven't got a good word to say about them. Maybe she was killed because of her association with them." She gave me a warning look, and I knew what she meant. If poor, inoffensive Maudette, a nobody in a nowhere town, could be killed for that, then what was to stop me from becoming a victim, too?

I was glad Eric had been cautious about being seen with me.

"You went with her a time or two, didn't you, Jason?" Gran went on.

"Sometimes." When there was nobody else available, he meant. That's my tomcat brother for you.

"She wasn't, ah…"

Jason made a face, and shook his head. "Naw, she wasn't a pro. Just lonely, I guess." I was surprised, but touched, that he'd stuck up for her. Maybe he'd been fond of her, in his way.

After Jason had left, I picked up my cell phone, and laboriously texted Eric a message – I wasn't great with technology, and it took me a while to figure it out. Girl was murdered in Bon Temps, had fang marks but was strangled, not drained. Not sure if you needed to know. S.

I wasn't working that night, which I was pleased about. Apart from anything else, I just knew Sam would have a fair bit to say about my association with Eric – his body language had screamed it the previous night. I wondered how he knew about Eric, and to contact him in case of trouble with vampires. Knowing I didn't have to go into work meant I could enjoy my afternoon and evening off; and after the last couple of days, I felt I deserved that.

I ran some errands for Gran in town. I hesitated about buying a couple of bottles of True Blood in case Eric came by again, and eventually decided against it. If Gran was right, and Maudette was targeted because she was involved with a vampire, it might be safer not to be seen buying the stuff. I left it safely on the shelf.

I spent the rest of the afternoon helping Gran in the garden, soaking up as much sun as I could. Sunbathing's my one vice – I love the feel of the sun on my skin. I know about the risks, of course, but I still can't help but love it.

Half an hour after sunset, I got a text from Eric. Name of girl? If strangled rather than drained, unlikely to be vampire. Why waste blood? ;-k

I stared at the strange little emoticon, until I figured out the 'k' was meant to represent a mouth and fangs, and started to laugh, despite myself, at the representation of a fangy smile. Maudette Pickens. She was in my class at school, I texted back.

Will make enquiries. Close friend?

No. Gran thought she might have been targeted for associating with vampires.

She might be right. Be careful. Stay safe. Let me know if any further trouble.

Will do.

Gran was out for the evening, so after feeding Tina, my cat, and then myself (because the cat gets precedence over the human, of course!), I ran myself a bubble bath, and luxuriated in it. It felt wonderful, all the tension and worry drifting away. Perfect.

There was another text message from Eric waiting for me when I got out of the bath. What have you been doing this evening? You seem very relaxed.

Bubble bath, I texted back.

Need help scrubbing your back? ;-k

I rolled my eyes. I can manage, thanks!

More fun with two.

My bath's not big enough.

Mine is. :-k

You are such a tart, Eric!

:-k

I couldn't help but giggle, though. I went to bed in a much happier frame of mind.