Sookie tries to ignore the judgmental thoughts bouncing around her head. Sure, Sookie is stupid just by talking to another vampire, but it's just none of anyone's business. Narrowing her eyes, she gives everyone in the bar a good glare before heading back to Sam's office. Like usual, he's in there bent over stacks of paper work. Sookie knocks on the open door before entering.

"Hey, Sookie. I feel like I haven't seen you all day."

That's because I've been avoiding you ever since I walked in the door, Sookie thinks. "I know. Busy shift!"

"Well, what can I do for you?" Sam leans forward in the chair and rests his hands on his legs.

"I was just wondering if we still have any of that True Blood in stock."

"True Blood? Why on earth-" Sam pauses, and then his eyes narrow and his voice drops. "Sookie, is there a vampire in this bar right now?"

"Maybe." Sookie crosses her arms against her chest. "So what?" Without responding, Sam stands up and strides out of the office. Rolling her eyes, Sookie follows him out. "Sam Merlotte, what do you think you're doing? Now I'm a waitress, and a customer walked in, and he ordered a True Blood. I'm just trying to do my job..." Sookie's words seem to bounce right off of Sam's head without penetrating his thick skull.

All of the customers' watch as Sam walks right up to Bill Compton. Their heads swivel like a bunch of puppets at some little theatre play. A hush falls over the bar, and Sookie can practically hear everyone straining their ears, trying to glimpse a hint of the conversation between Sam and this strange, new vampire. Well, Sookie decides she doesn't have time for eavesdropping, so she marches right up to Sam and plants herself between him and Mr. Compton.

"Is there a problem?" She asks, directing her question towards Bill.

The vampire looks up at her, a flicker of interest passing through his dark eyes. He leans back in the red booth and places his hands in his lap. When he speaks, it's like the whole world goes silent and all the little voices flying around Sookie's head disappear, "I don't think so, Miss Stackhouse. Sam here was just welcoming me to his bar. Isn't that right?"

Sookie can feel the tension rising in Sam's body, can hear the anger boiling underneath his skin. But for some reason, he simply says, "Yes, that's right. I'm sorry we don't have any True Blood Mr. Compton-"

"Please, call me Bill." He flashes that same charming smile.

"I'll be sure to order some, so if you ever decide to stop in again, we'll be fully stocked."

"I really appreciate that Sam." Bill leans forward in the booth and locks eyes with Sam. "You know, some people are just so prejudice against vampires. It's truly a pleasure to find a group of such genuinely accepting people."

Sam doesn't respond for a moment, he just keeps staring at Bill, occasionally flickering his gaze towards Sookie. Finally, he says, "Well I'm sorry we couldn't serve you tonight. Let me walk you out."

"That's not necessary."

"I insist."

Amusement fills Bill's gaze, and he smiles slowly. "Actually," he says, "I was hoping to talk to Miss Stackhouse a bit longer. I'd be more than happy to order a glass of wine if you only allow paying customers in the bar."

Mixed emotions begin to flow through Sookie. Why does Bill want to talk to her? And why, for some strange reason, does she feel some tugging desire to talk to him? Sam turns to her, and in a whisper that Bill can obviously still hear, he says, "Sookie, would you like me to kick him out of here?"

Sam's fists are clenched, and his pulse is starting to quicken. Sookie knew Sam didn't really like vampires, but she had no idea his prejudice was this strong. She smiles. "That's all right, Sam. Thank you though."

At this point, unless Sam wants to cause a scene, there's nothing he can do but nod his head and return to his office. For a second, Sookie thinks Sam is going to throw away all decorum, grab Bill by the front of his shirt and physically drag him out of the bar- but the thought disappears as quickly as it came. Sometimes Sookie thinks Sam is just a bomb waiting to explode. A person can't always be so nice and accommodating.

After Sam leaves, Sookie turns her attention back to Bill, and his direct gaze unsettles her. Unsure if it's the appeal of attraction or the threat of the unknown, Sookie tries to stuff any new feelings away. Bill is a customer, and she's here to be polite, serve him, and make him feel welcome. "Would you like that glass of wine now?" She asks.

He smiles. "Did you know that vampires can't drink wine?"

"Low tolerance?"

Laughing, Bill's posture finally starts to relax. "We cannot digest human food or drink."

"Hmm, what's the point of being immortal when you can't dig into a steak every now and then?"

"That's an excellent question, but you come to find that there are other pleasures." Sookie swears that Bill's eyes transfix on her neck for a few tiny moments. Her heartbeat quickens, and she takes a small step back. Bill may be all manners so far, but after Eric, who is she to trust any vampire?

Changing the subject, Sookie asks, "So no glass of wine?"

"I'm afraid not. I just wanted a chance to talk to you without your boss around. He's very-"

"Rude?"

"I was just going to say dominant. Is he a friend of yours?"

"I guess you could say that." Sookie quickly glances around the restaurant. Most people have finally gone back to their meals; only the occasional pair of eyes still stray towards her and Bill. "I should probably get back to my customers now," Sookie says. "It was nice to meet you Mr. Compton, or Bill."

"Bill is fine." He stands up, and before Sookie has a chance to react, he leans forward and kisses her lightly on the cheek with those same cold lips. Sookie bites her lip, and she can feel her whole face flushing. "It was a pleasure to meet you. I'm sure this will not be our last encounter."

Shocked by the chaste kiss, Sookie simply stands there as Bill walks off, but at the last second, right as he's opening the door, Sookie runs up to him. She doesn't know why. She has no reason to trust him. No reason to invest her life into his hands. But for some unknown reason, she taps him on the shoulder and asks just about the dumbest question she could come up with, "Bill, do you know another vampire named Eric Northman?"

When Bill's eyes darken, and his face tightens with tension, and a feeling of dread swoops over Sookie, she knows she's made a mistake. Slowly, in short, spread out words, Bill asks, "How do you know Eric Northman, and what has he done to you?"

A/N - Yay for super quick updates! I have a question- would you guys rather have longer chapters that will take me longer to write, or would you rather have these short chapters where I update quickly? Let me know!

Also- what do you think of Sookie? Is she being stupid by engaging with another vampire after the Eric incident?

Please R&R. Thanks!