Thank you all for the lovely reviews!
Dear Kelsey, I do indeed watch the Vampire Diaries. Trust me when I say it is with a great amount of effort I am restraining myself from writing a fic where I can play with Damon to my hearts content. :) Alas, if I went down that road this story would come to a screeching halt. Damon will in all probability take over my creative muse; he does seem to enjoy manipulating people. I'm not saying I never will, but I do want to get these stories done first.
I'd like to give a shout out to MellyKen for going over this chapter for me. *hugs*
Any mistakes are mine, as I shamelessly played with it after I got it back. Do let me know if you see anything glaringly annoying - I am unfortunately blind when it comes to things like that in my own fics. Anyway...
So we are finally on our way to Jackson, but before the action really starts there is Alcide to deal with. I hope you enjoy.
Disclaimer: I do not own anything here save for Jeremy.
The morning was bright and sunny; the complete opposite of my mood when I stomped upstairs in search of coffee. I barely slept and what sleep I did get had been broken.
Thank goodness I'd packed the night before after Eric had told me that Alcide agreed to take me to Jackson. The process of packing last night was made easier by the fact that I only folded—Pam picked out all my clothes. It made her happy, even if she didn't show it I knew it did.
The plan was that Alcide would pick me up from Fangtasia at noon. Jeremy would collect me from home and take me there; nobody was taking any chances with my safety. Well, until I was in Jackson; then I'd be responsible for not getting myself into trouble.
I didn't complain, for once the sombre mood around me made me compliant to their wishes, steeling my tongue on the argument that I was more than capable to drive myself.
We didn't get to bed till almost sunrise. Pam had stayed to train (and pack) with me, but she didn't push me as much as I was expecting. Our session would have been considered light even by Lexie standards. She'd hugged me in the end, and with uncharacteristic feeling told me to stay out of trouble. If I hadn't been worried already that alone would have had me panicking.
Despite his show of confidence Eric had been just as worried. Oh, he tried to hide it, but I found out that my blood exchange with Godric had a side effect that was useful too. I'd picked up some of Eric's emotion through skin to skin contact. In a futile attempt he'd tried to hide it, but I felt him anyway. I was pretty sure it was about me. He might have been the one to suggest my trip to Jackson, but it hadn't been without reservations.
We'd made love in the early hours of the morning, soft and gentle, just the two of us. His persistence had almost killed me as he stretched one long orgasm into the next. And afterwards I fell asleep in his arms while he whispered something to me in a language I couldn't understand. And as much as I wanted to know, I didn't have the energy to ask.
Godric didn't come back that night. And if it wasn't for my instinctual knowledge that he was fine along with Eric's assurances of the same I would have been more worried. As it was I had a suspicion that part of Eric's motives had been to completely distract me with orgasms. It had worked marvellously, but this morning I felt the emptiness of the bed despite my Vikings presence in it.
With a touch of wonder I let myself remember his parting words, my fingers hovering over my lips, his kiss still a vibrant imprint on them.
"Why are you so mad at me about this? I went to rescue you before I even knew you." My words seemed harsher in the stark light of the day. And the hurt look in his eyes when I'd said them dug deep into me, I was haunted by it.
I felt his ghost hands cupping my face gently, fingers spreading on my cheeks as he brought our foreheads together. My eyes fluttered close.
"I love you, Sookie." I had stood there stunned by his words, caught in the caress of fingers on my cheeks and the intensity with which he regarded me. "I could not bear the destruction of who I love again. Take care of yourself in Jackson, ma petite. Take care of my soul," he whispered. His eyes had burned into mine, all of him open to me in that brief second before his lips brushed mine. And then I was alone in the darkness with doubts creeping out from the shadows.
I knew without being told just how risky my visit to Jackson was going to be. They didn't have to tell me any details on that front to realise I'd be swimming through dangerous water.
I had no doubt that finding Bill would be difficult. I had no idea how I was going to rescue him, and get him back. I only hoped that Eric was right, and I'd have help when I needed it.
Shaking off the gloomy feeling of unease I poured a second cup of coffee.
It was just past ten in the morning. I hadn't been up this early after such a late night in months. Lately I only needed a few hours of sleep, but the last couple of days had drained me. I was exhausted and wired at the same time.
When my phone rang, I almost spilt the coffee as the music broke into the silence startling me.
"Hey, sunshine. How's it going? Still sparkling?" Jeremy's extremely cheery greeting told me he was wide awake and happy about it. God help me, he was a morning person.
"As a matter of fact, no. Where are you?"
He snickered into the phone, probably pleased he'd gotten a rise out of me. "Coming up to the gates, cranky pants, do you want me at the house, or garage?"
I told him to meet me at the house since I was still making breakfast. Plus my bag was heavy and I had no intentions of carrying it all the way to the garage.
When he knocked on the front door a few minutes later I opened it to find what I expected. A very cheerful and most importantly awake Werewolf: the grimace on my face was an involuntary reaction.
He looked me over. "How'd you manage that?"
"What?" I stared at him blankly. Clearly the coffee wasn't helping, not a good sign for the rest of the day.
"You're not glowing anymore," he clarified sounding disappointed. I'm sure he was, seeing as he'd just lost a valuable foothold.
Crossing my arms over my chest I gave him a smug smile. "And here I thought I'd share my breakfast with you, but now…"
The amount of effort it took for me to keep a stoic expression while watching his face fall was herculean. I managed anyway.
"C'mon, Sookie." He all but begged. "Please." Oh, the puppy eyes!
I couldn't hold it anymore, I laughed.
"Come on in," I said making way for him. "But you'll be on your best behaviour, puppy, or I'll accidentally burn something." I didn't tell him I'd already made his breakfast. Let him stew for a bit.
It was the first time Jeremy had ever been inside the house for longer than dropping of grocery bags. Normally, my guards would pick me up from the garage, but I had no intention of missing out on my food; I already missed dinner last night. I was starving and cooking had only made me more hungry.
"So, Jackson." It wasn't a question, making me wonder just how much Eric had told him.
I slid the hot plate of food I'd gotten out of the oven towards him. Eggs, bacon, hash browns and baked beans. I went all out this morning; cooking equalled therapy in my books.
"Yep. Looks like it. You know anything interesting to do there?" I asked getting my own plate out. I'd already put the juice and cups on the bench.
He gave me a wary look. "I'd prefer—as would everyone else—that you kept to the most uninteresting activities while there."
I chuckled. "Yeah, I'm sure y'all would. But do you really think I'd manage to do that?"
His answering laugh was slightly hollow, but I pretended not to notice. It was nice to be able to laugh about all this, just for a little while.
It was also nice to sit and eat with someone who actually ate in this house. And Lexie didn't count. Sure I'd spent plenty of meals at the Stackhouse homestead with Phedre. But this was different. I haven't ever invited anyone here. The idea of having friends over at this house wasn't something I'd thought about simply because up until very recently it hadn't been my house. When all this was over I'd have to talk to my vampires about having my friends come visit me.
"What's he like?" I asked Jeremy. We were already on our way to Fangtasia to meet up with Alcide Herveaux. I sincerely hoped he wouldn't be as much of a jackass as he'd been on previous occasions.
"Who?"
"Alcide," I clarified.
Jeremy looked at me sideways. "You've met him before?"
"Yeah, but I didn't get much of a read on him." I told him honestly. My guards were well aware of my "abilities". While Kyle usually ignored them, Jeremy's usually pestered me to use them on strangers when we were out. He thought it was fun to listen in; when he was around to joke about what I heard it was. "We didn't get past the "I'm a Were and you are a fangbanger" routine."
He snorted. "Very funny."
It was my turn to look at him sideways. "You're the one who asked, and you were the one who postured last time."
He actually had the decency to look guilty. "I didn't know you back then. For all I know you could have been a regular fangbanger that just tasted better."
I snorted, but kept quiet. We all knew that was the truth of it. Most fangbangers were just that. I hated the fact that my dating the vampires would always be looked under the same light.
"He's a nice guy once you get to know him, sparky. I'm sure you'll get along just fine when he sees you for the charming, intelligent and classy lady that you are."
My lips twitched as I tried to scowl. "Are you making fun of me, furball?"
"See, delightfully charming," he pointed out with a smile.
Neither of us could hold in the laughter after that.
When we pulled into the front parking lot of Fangtasia it was bare. Having never seen the building during the day only accentuated the eeriness. The bright neon signs were off, and there was no line of pitiful humans hoping to be bitten. No vampires either, since the sun was out.
Completely different.
There was no mystery, just a plain warehouse building with a neon sign.
There was, however, a blue pickup truck sitting in the middle of the emptiness. Naturally top of the line, and I just knew that the inside held every single possible upgrade known to man.
Alcide Herveaux was a typical southern man, even if he had a predisposition to be furry on occasion. He was leaning against his pickup truck, scowling at ours.
He did not look happy about being saddled with me. Seeing as he had been the one we'd questioned about the Were's attack I wasn't entirely surprised. Heck, I'd been expecting attitude.
Jeremy used his own pickup to drive me here today, forgoing the usual change of vehicles. It saved him extra mileage between my house and the city; he lived in the city. After inspecting my new security and his larger than life attitude Jeremy said, "Do you want me to have a word with him?"
As tempting as the idea was, it just wouldn't do. "I'll manage, but thanks, Jer," I told him with a smile. "I'll miss you."
He gave me his famous laze smirk. "You won't get the chance."
Oh, brother! He was getting to be worse than Jason. I wondered just much worse he'd be when he was Jason's age. My brother was only a few years older than me, so that gave Jeremy a good seven years to catch up.
When I slid out of the pickup Jeremy was already walking up to Alcide.
"Alcide." Jeremy's greeting lacked the usual warmth.
"Jeremy." Alcide nodded curtly, his curly black hair falling over his face. He wasn't at all bad looking. Tall, ruggedly handsome, build like a mountain, but the attitude just spoilt all of it.
The same cold judgemental eyes I'd remembered assessing me previously were now resentful as well. "Miss Stackhouse."
My smile was the bright and easy; it was also fake. "Good morning, Mr Herveaux. And it's Sookie, please. I'm sorry about putting you out like this, but it is fair important that I go to Jackson as soon as possible."
He nodded, but didn't reply. Well screw him, Itried.
The Were hierarchy never interested me much, but I noticed that Jeremy was muted while we said our goodbyes and transferred my luggage over to the shinier vehicle. To say I was surprised by his obvious lack of flare would be an understatement. It made me wonder just how effective he would have been in persuading Alcide Herveaux to like me more.
That aside, I was genuinely sad to say goodbye to him. Jeremey had become a friend, and I'd miss him almost as much as my vampires.
The drive was strained.
One small bit of relief for me was the fact that I couldn't really read Alcide well. Sure I could pick up some thoughts; if they were directed at me, but not as clearly as with humans, and not if my shield was up. Thank heaven for small mercies.
After more than an hour of uncomfortable silence I cracked.
"So how did they rope you into this?" I asked. Eric had mentioned that Alcide owed him a favour. He hadn't said what though.
After eyeing me cautiously he said, "They have a marker of my dad's. They own the casino in Shreveport, you know?"
"Sure." I nodded. I'd interviewed every staff member working there.
"Dad likes to gamble. He got in too deep. If they call in, our company would go under." He glanced at me. "This trip would cancel it out... I have to admit though; I'm confused to why you're here."
From what I could tell, what he didn't understand is why they care to give up an obviously tasty treat.
"I'm helping them find something they misplaced."
"How accommodating of you." He sneered leaving me fuming.
I wasn't sure what caused my next outburst, but if I had to bet I'd say it was the combination of his prejudice, his obvious lack of respect for me, and his resentment of me like I was the cause for his changed schedule. I was, but not on purpose. His disrespect towards vampires didn't help at all, but then I couldn't really blame him on that front; vampires weren't overly fond of Weres either.
"How dare you assume anything about me! I'm not a fangbanger, or anything of the sort. I'm with them by choice. I am with them because I care for them, and they care for me."
"Sure they do, sweetheart, they probably brainwash you as well."
"Oh? At least that gives me a good enough excuse to be their lap dog doesn't it," I snarled. Good manners and all be damned, he was impossible.
"When the collar fits…"
My fingers dug into the fabric of my seat as I tried, but failed to contain myself. Shutting my eyes and focusing on calming down wasn't really working, but I still started to count to ten in the hopes it would help. I just couldn't believe his gall.
It was the screech of the tires that alerted me to the fact that something was wrong. We pulled over so fast that I didn't have a chance to be thankful for bulking up.
"What the fuck are you?" And for the first time he sounded almost afraid.
His face betrayed his anger and…fear. Well shit.
I'd forgotten something during the fight. A look at my hand confirmed it. I was glowing again. Not only was I a freak for reading minds, but now I had to worry about people being afraid that I was glowing.
My mouth curled in the corners. "A fangbanger."
"Fuck that shit. What are you?" But he flinched when I said the word. It was a start.
"None of your fucking business, Mr Herveaux. I believe you were asked to drive me to Jackson. So drive," I told him.
He gave me a long measuring look, no doubt trying to figure out how safe he was in the car with me.
"Oh, for crying out loud, I'm just glowing. It won't kill you, ok? Just drive me to Jackson if you will, please," I told him, exasperated. If I had to find my own way around when I got there that was just fine with me.
For a Were his obvious fear of a glowing "fangbanger" was irrational. He could kill me in second. Of course, he had no idea I had two very sharp, charmed knives in my boots. It was one of the reasons I'd worn these boots—easy access to my weapons—though I had serious doubts I'd be able to reach either of them before my neck was snapped. So much for being on the safe side.
We stopped at a gas station not long after that. I had calmed down enough that the glow faded into nothing again. It was becoming easier each time to keep things under control, though I sincerely hoped this would be the one and only thing that I'd have to keep under control—deep down I just knew it wouldn't, but I ignored that gut feeling like a stubborn man refusing glasses.
I silently went to use the bathroom, and Alcide just as silently let me go. The girl behind the counter had given him a welcoming smile, but he didn't seem to notice. She was pretty enough, if a little on the homely side, with dark brown hair and a little too much make up.
I almost felt sorry for her, almost. None of her thoughts had been complimentary towards me since she was under the impression the hunky man would have swept her off her feet in only I hadn't been with him. If only she knew the truth.
"So where are you from?" Alcide asked sometime after we left the petrol station.
Normal questions?
"Born and raised in Bon Temps," I told him. It didn't take me long to realise I shouldn't have lost my temper. It was seriously stupid all things considering. He was my one contact in a potentially lethal situation; I needed him. Simple.
"You from Shreveport or Jackson?" I asked trying to be friendly since he was.
"Shreveport, but we have business branch in Jackson." He paused. "My sister lives there too."
I smiled, remembering that I hadn't even called Jason to let him know what's going on. Not that Jason and I are ever in each others business, but I should call him. Who knew what was going to happen.
"Does this have anything to do with those Weres that attacked you?"
I hadn't thought about that. "Well, I'm not sure. I don't think so though. If it's any help at all, I haven't been attacked since then," I offered. He'd been very disgusted with need to protect me; probably why Jeremy wasn't one of Alcide's favourite people.
"I'm glad to hear it. What the heck are you going to Jackson for anyway?" Alcide asked. He seemed curious. I guess given the fact that he'd be the one "escorting" me around he deserved to know a little information.
"I'm looking for someone there. A vampire that's missing." I wasn't sure how much Eric had told him last night, and even less sure of how much I was allowed to tell him.
"They are sending a human to look for a vamp?" He asked, then thought better. I'd have laughed, but it wasn't all that funny. "Well, I guess you aren't exactly human. What the heck can you do to rescue a vamp though? You said it yourself; the glowing thing isn't much of use in any situation save when you need to see where you're going."
I had to smile. "Oh, I have other useful talents."
He gave me a look that had heat mixed in with curiosity and caution. "No doubt."
"In the interest of keeping peace I won't take that personally. You aren't the first to think of me that way. I am dating two vampires; something uncommon enough to warrant that reaction from just about anyone. But that wasn't what I meant."
"How did you know what I was thinking about?"
This was the moment where I had to think. I'd either trust him, or not. Seeing as he was my guide, my only security I didn't think I had much of a choice.
"I'm a telepath," I blurted out. There really wasn't a good way of telling people the truth about me.
Whatever he'd been expecting that was most certainly not it.
"So the rumours are true. Can you read my thoughts?" He asked.
I nodded. "Not all the time, but if they are accompanied with strong emotions, or thought about me..."
"What am I thinking about right now?"
I gave him a sidelong look. "You're thinking that I'm too pretty to be nuts and that vampires aren't good for me. Tell me something, do you think Weres would be better? Because, frankly, I don't see that much of a difference between the two."
"They're dead, that's the difference!" He sounded outraged I'd dared to compare him to a bloodsucker. Well, whoopee!
"And so they are, yet they walk, talk and fuck like the rest of the world. Fair enough, only at night. But they do not turn into animals once a month. They don't hunt down rabbits and eat them, and they don't all kill indiscriminately either, I've heard of rogue Weres. How are they better than any other killing insane supe? Just because vamps need blood doesn't make them bad, just different," I argued. Well, it was true, frankly after finding out a little about Underworld from Lexie vampires seemed to be almost fluffy and cuddly.
He drove quietly for a few minutes before answering. "They really did a number on you, didn't they."
It wasn't a question.
"Alcide, they can't glamour me." I said slowly.
He looked sceptical.
"Really, really. I'm not sure why, but they never could. Some genetic quirk or another made sure I was completely immune to them." That was the simple explanation. I was so not telling him the actual reason.
"So you're saying you love them anyway, knowing what kind of double crossing monsters they are?"
"Urgh!" I was starting to glow again. "You're impossible! Why don't we just agree to disagree on this, ok? Your job is to make sure I'm safe enough to do my job. Is it really that hard?"
His mouth twitched a little as he looked me over. I've been looked over that way enough in my time waitressing to know exactly what he was thinking without the need to pick his brain apart for it.
The tight caramel sweater I threw on that morning fit snugly and was cut low enough to display my cleavage and the dark blue jeans tucked into my boots were almost second skin. I knew I looked damn good and was proud of it.
"Nah. Not too hard at all," he said as he gave into that smile he'd been holding back on. "I think you and I will get along just fine."
I finally let myself grin. What I learned about Weres in the time I spent with my guards was that you never back down if you want them to take you seriously. Considering how often I butted heads with Kyle and Jeremy for practise, Alcide was easy target.
"So do you have a plan? We need to figure out a way to introduce me to the vampires in the area," I said after a few moments of companionable silence.
'Sure I do. There is a club in Jackson. It's owned by the bloodsuckers…" he started but after looking at me and rolling his eyes at my expression changed course. "I mean vampires. I usually drop in when I'm in town, so it won't look out of place if I brought a date this time."
"Won't your girlfriend mind?" I asked, not sure if the extra complication of a territorial Were was needed. I had enough problems to deal with.
His hands tightened on the wheel. "Ex-girlfriend. And no, she won't. She's with someone else now."
"Uhuh….sorry," I offered.
He shook his head. "It's fine. We broke up a couple of months ago."
He didn't look fine, but I didn't call him on it instead opting to ask more questions about the club and the required attire.
The rest of the trip went peacefully. I napped a bit, and before I knew it Alcide was shaking my shoulder as we pulled up to an undercover garage.
The building was an older one, and the once golden bricks were now a weathered brown. Alcide explained that the older apartments were bigger and there would be a ready guest room for me, so I could stay with him. I hoped my vampires were aware of the arrangements, because I sure as hell wouldn't want to face them in when they went all territorial on my ass. My dislike for their proprietary instinct aside they were truly intimidating when it came to protecting what was theirs.
The guard at the entrance barely glanced at Alcide's pass before letting us through making me question his usefulness. I'd do a better job of security and I was a girl.
When we got to the elevator Alcide punched in the fifth floor.
"There are four per floor," he told me. I must have looked curious.
"How are the neighbours?" I asked genuinely interested. Aside from living with Phedre and Gran before her, my only neighbour had been Bill. Now I was living with vampires on a piece of property larger than my own, there weren't any neighbours for a good long swim either way from us.
"Well, two state senators own 501, and I'm sure they've gone home for the holidays," he said. "Mrs Charles Osburg the Third lives in 502, with her nurse. Mrs Osburg was a grand old lady until about a year ago. I don't think she can move much anymore. 503 is empty right now, unless the realtor sold it in the past two weeks." He unlocked the door to 504 gesturing for me to go in before him. It looked like our little talk on the way here woke up the gentleman in him.
The apartment was neat and modern. The furnishings and décor was done in a scale of beige and looked like it could have been pictured in one of those interior decorating magazines I've seen at the shops. It was nice, though I couldn't say I'd enjoy living here for longer than a couple of nights.
Alcide showed me around and left me to unpack. Pam had packed my suitcase and I wasn't surprised to find a selection of nice dresses included among the jeans and t-shirts I snuck into the damned bag. Everything came with matching accessories and even a shawl in case I needed it. I would, it wasn't cold yet, but I bet any money I'd freeze my butt of tonight for the sake of vanity.
The realization that I was in Jackson to find my missing ex-boyfriend and possibly put myself in serious danger hit me then. It had been a real long while since I felt this uncertain. My adventures in Dallas had been different. It was only a few months ago, but somehow I hadn't been as scared of walking into the Fellowship church looking for a vampire I hadn't even met.
I felt braver then, more confident and all things considering incredibly naive and stupid for I thinking then I hadn't been alone. I thought Bill would come to my rescue, I shouldn't have trusted him that much.
What if Eric and Godric proved no different? What if this trip would reveal that neither of them cared for me if I was in trouble? Godric had said he loved me, Bill said the same words and then left me to fend for myself, to be rescued by Eric, to—
"You okay?" Alcide's voice interrupted my inner panic.
I nodded. I hadn't realised I'd sat on the bed.
"You're worried," he said coming into the room and sitting down right next to me.
Weres run hotter than humans. I could feel the heat coming off him and after being used to the coolness of vampires it was disconcerting, more so considering our current location.
"Sure, I'd be crazy not to be." It was true. I felt a little guilty about the fact that he'd assumed something else.
"It'll be alright. We'll find him and you won't even get a scratch on you."
I wish I was as confident about it all.
"Thanks. What time will we go to the club?" I offered him a weak smile.
He didn't look like he was buying the show. "Well, the vamps won't get there till ten, so I was thinking about dinner around eight if you're ok with that? We can go to the Mayflower Café. It's an old diner, but very popular, everyone goes there. I'm sure you'll love the food."
"That sounds fine." It was only four. I brought a few books, but I wasn't sure I'd be able to read them.
"Look, I have to go and see a client before we go out," he said as though asking my permission at the same time as trying to apologies for his job getting in the way of us spending the afternoon together.
I smiled at him cheerfully, all fake. "I'm sure I can entertain myself for a couple of hours."
"Well…if you wanted to….my sister has a salon down the road," he offered somewhat awkwardly.
Alcide being nice, that was new. "You sure she wouldn't mind pampering a fangbanger?"
His pushed a hand through his hair looking slightly flushed. "I'm sure she won't. She'd like you, and after all you're supposed to be my girlfriend. Besides, I think I might have been wrong assuming things."
I couldn't help but enjoy his discomfort.
"I'm sorry," he said gruffly turning an even darker shade of red.
The poor guy was really embarrassed. "It's fine, Alcide," I said offering him my hand. "Friends?"
"Friends." His goofy grin as he shook it was endearing, and I caught a regretful thought that if it wasn't for my being with the vamps he'd actually want to ask me out. For real. Well, well, well. His change of attitude didn't entirely displease me; after all I am a girl.
Janice Herveaux Phillips was exactly what I'd have expected of a sister of Alcide's. She was tall, attractive, plainspoken, and confident; and she ran her business efficiently.
While I hadn't spent much time in beauty salons before, Pam had started to drag me out for girl nights regularly enough that I'd become more comfortable with the idea. Before I just didn't have the luxury to spend money on things I could have easily done for myself. Now that I didn't have to worry about bills I'd come to enjoy the pampering of being massaged and buffed.
I hadn't planned to come down, but curiosity and my own restlessness didn't give me much of a choice.
"Well, we don't have time to do everything, but we can sure style your hair and re-paint those nails to match the dress," Janice said confidently.
I smiled. "That'll be nice. Thank you."
"Darling, no thanks is necessary, I'd have done more, but it's late. I'd do anything for the woman who helped my brother get over that bitch." She then proceeded to guide me to a chair. "Even if you break up with him tomorrow, just getting him through tonight would be enough for me to be grateful to you."
I looked at her, confused. "Tonight?"
"Didn't he tell you?" She looked at me, aggravated. "Well, of course he didn't. She's going to announce her engagement at the club they go to."
Well, fuck. "The one she dumped Alcide for?" I clarified.
"The very one. I just can't see what he has that my brother doesn't."
"No brains," I said before thinking my answer through.
Janice laughed. "You might be right there, I'm glad she did move on. Those two together just weren't good. Alcide's better off with someone like you."
I flushed red knowing full well just how hopeless her dream was. I wasn't interested, wasn't available, and I sure as hell didn't see her brother that way.
"Where you from, darling?" she asked with a smile.
"Bon Temps, just outside of Shreveport. But I live in Shreveport now," I told her. I didn't see any point in lying about that.
"Oh? You moved for work?"
"Yeah. I used to waitress in Bon Temps, but a job opportunity came up with better pay, so I took it. I'd have stayed in Bon Temps, but the commute was getting to me." And so were my two overprotective vampires.
She nodded in understanding. "What do you do now?"
"Consulting," I said trying to be vague, but realised from the expectant look on her face she wanted more information. "I help employers and employees make sure they are…right for each other."
She nodded, though from her thoughts I could tell she was still confused. She didn't ask more about it though.
We chatted for a while more, and she introduced me to her staff. The more time I spent in the salon being pampered and chatting to Janice every moment she could come over the more I hated the big lie. She was so nice and too happy for her brother. I could tell she really liked me. In an odd moment of weakness I wished she was my future sister-in-law. I would never have the chance to find out.
When I walked out of the salon almost two hours later and after a short argument with Janice over payment—she won and I felt guilty—I was looking and feeling like a supermodel. There is nothing like a trip to the salon to boost a girl's spirit.
I was in the process of putting on my dress when my phone rang. My heart leapt when I saw that it was Godric.
"Hello?" I was almost breathless.
"Good evening, ma petite. How was your trip to Jackson?" he asked and I felt a bit deflated that he skipped any lovey-dovey comments and got straight to business.
"It was okay," I said, resigned.
"I trust the Were wasn't problematic."
"No, we sorted out our difference. Where are you?"
Silence.
"Godric?"
"It isn't important. I wanted to make sure you are safe—" He made a frustrated sound. "As safe as you can be under the circumstance. You will be going to Josephine's tonight?"
A wished he was here, next to me, so I could gauge his mood better. Godric was hard enough to read when you talked to him in person, it was impossible over the phone to figure out what he was thinking. My earlier insecurities played on my mind.
"Yes, we're going out to eat first," I told him knowing exactly what reaction to expect. He didn't disappoint.
A rumble that resembled a growl came through the speaker. The over protectiveness that had made me feel so caged was soothing for once. I didn't dwell on that.
"He is taking you out for dinner?"
"I do need food to function." I pointed out gently, not wanting to upset him anymore. "Besides, we need to keep up the pretence of being on a date."
The silence that followed had me worried, while I had said it specifically to rile him up; I hadn't wanted to hurt him.
"Godric, you know I'm yours, right? You know that? I'm yours and Eric, I don't want anyone else in my life." Still silence. "I missed you last night," I whispered.
It took him a moment before he answered. "I missed you too, ma petite. Make sure to behave yourself, no matter the provocation you must not let anyone injure you. You might not smell of either Eric or me right now, but your blood will give you away. I'll be at the club. Don't react to my presence. I'm there as a safety net only… And Sookie, be careful."
Whatever he meant by that I had no idea, but somehow I got the impression that he wasn't talking about Bill or the vampires I was going to have to meet. I didn't get a chance to say anything else. He'd hung up on me.
It was irritating how months of me telling them that they should wait until after I said goodbye to hang up had absolutely no effect. And yet again I was struck by the fact that I enjoyed the irritation. I missed them already.
"Sookie, you ready?" Alcide called through the closed door.
I gave the phone one last glare. "Be right out," I called back and went about putting finishing touches to my outfit. If Godric was going to be there tonight I wanted to look good enough to eat. It was asking for trouble, but just then I didn't give a shit.
I also thought of how nice Janice had been to me today, she didn't once think a bad though and that made me feel even guiltier for deceiving her. I wasn't really dating her brother. That's not to say I wouldn't have been interested if I was single. Under the gruff exterior he was a nice guy. A type of guy I'd sure be interested in if I hadn't been attached to someone, two someones.
The least I could do is help him get through the evening. After all he wouldn't have been there if it wasn't for me. Having recently been on the receiving end of the ex-pain I had a new appreciation for what he was going to go through.
When I walked out of my room to find Alcide in the kitchen I expected some sort of a reaction, but the overflowing drink he'd continued to pour as he stared at me was more than I'd though I'd get. It was gratifying.
I did a slow turn to make sure he had a chance to take in the full effect of my wardrobe. Pam outdid herself with this dress. It was beautiful and I felt like a fairy princess in it.
The dress was midnight blue and figure hugging. The straps had decorative light blue jewels all over them that extended all the way under my bust accentuating it without making me looks slutty in the least. They spread out at the back in a cut out butterfly pattern showing off my golden tan and leaving most of my back bare. The rest was plain satin. The dress was one of many Pam had bought for me while on her vacation, and it was also one of Godric's favourites.
My bronze pumps, bag and shawl made the blue stand out more against my tan—I'd kept it up with regular visits to the video store tanning lounge in Bon Temps.
While my skin was nice and bronze, there was also a soft glow to it; I'd fiddled around with my shields while I was getting dressed to make it look healthy glowing, not light bulb glowing.
Thanks to Janice my hair fell down my back in gorgeous curls and my make was subtle, but striking. I'd never been much for lipstick so shadowed eyes and some lips gloss were all I was wearing.
My association with Pam and Lexie taught me a few things; the difference between classy and trashy was one of them.
Alcide cleared his throat, trying to find his voice. "Turn around again," he said raggedly. I grinned rolling my eyes, but obliged.
When I was facing him again he was scowling at me. My smile dropped. Had I done something wrong? Maybe overdid it a little?
"How the fuck am I going to keep you safe?" he asked shaking his head.
I was about to answer, but he held up his hand. I shut my mouth and waited.
"Sookie, you look mouth-watering. Those vampires are fucking lucky bastards," he growled. "Let's get dinner."
Right on cue my stomach made itself known and I laughed awkwardly, trying hard to ignore the sudden sexual tension between us.
Dinner was an interesting affair. The Mayflower Café wasn't impressive from the outside, but it was sure interesting inside. The clientele was varied, some were dressed to the nines, like Alcide and I. He'd worn a grey suit with a black shirt. Others just wore flannel and denim. Everyone seemed to be having a grand old time, and a lot of the clients knew Alcide coming over to say hello and see if they could find out who I was.
I had never been vain about my looks. Sure I like knowing I looked good, but having grown up in a town that mostly considered you a freak didn't exactly worked well for a girl's ego. Spending time in the company of supes helped. I learnt that some valued me for my ability instead of considering me daft.
Tonight was different. For once the only person who knew was my dinner partner, and given his own hairy secret he wasn't about to tattle. I enjoyed the relative anonymity my position had to offer. Most thought Alcide was a lucky son of a gun to have found me, then there were the other type of opinions. But given the fact that most were just jealous I didn't mind.
"You've been quiet. You didn't have a good time?" Alcide asked once I was safely deposited in the truck. It had taken some effort from both of us due to the tightness of my dress and the height of the seat. I felt awkward, but Alcide didn't mind one bit.
"It was lovely; I just didn't feel like talking too much. I didn't really know anyone." I told him honestly. "Besides it was interesting to listen."
He raised an eyebrow as the car peeled away from the sidewalk.
"You realise Jake O'Malley is planning to screw you six ways from Sunday," I said.
"Nooo." He looked shocked. I was glad he hadn't been driving fast or I'd be a Sookie sandwich when he pressed his break and the car lurched to a stop.
I nodded. "He's going to underbid you on your next job, because he's bribed one of the women in your office—Thoma-sina something?—to let him know what you all's bid is."
After an appreciative pause he asked, "Was there anything good?"
"Sure. Mrs O'Malley wants to screw you," I said lightly. I put the emphasis on the word so he'd realize I wasn't talking about the same kind of screwing as Mr O'Malley had in mind.
She was young, much younger than her husband and she looked like she spent all her free time grooming herself. Alcide looked disgusted. I sympathized.
We spent the rest of the drive making a plan. We needed a cover story, just in case. And Alcide asked me the details of what, who and why I was looking for. Now that he knew how I was looking he understood a little bit better the reasons why I was the one the vampires sent. When we stopped in front of the unwelcoming stretch of sidewalk I almost balked. Almost.
The creepy feeling that I wasn't welcomed passed over me, but dissipated quickly leaving me confused and looking for a reason as to why I'd feel like that part of sidewalk looked almost malevolent.
Alcide got out of the truck leaving it running. He came over to my side to help me out as well, a true gentleman.
"It feels strange," I told him.
"It's spelled so humans don't come here," he explained. "I'm guessing you're feeling the effects." He didn't seem to be affected at all.
I shrugged and put my arm through is like a dutiful date as he led me to the dark stainless steel door. There weren't any signs signalling it was a bar. There was nothing. Just a door.
Behind us the truck drove away at the same time as the grey door opened.
Alcide leaned close and whispered just before we walked inside. "Welcome to Club Dead."
Now, I'm curious to see what will happen next, are you? Thoughts? I'd love to hear them!
xxx