Disclaimer: I own nothing.

Monday was a busy day for Sookie. She had gone shopping in the morning, and was now the proud owner of four new summer dresses, all of them on sale on Dillard's. She was getting ready to pick a book from her small collection when she heard a truck approaching the house. Getting to the front door, Sookie recognized Sam's old truck.

Guess I can't avoid him anymore.

Getting out of the car the shifter said.

"Hey, Sookie. Can I come in?"

Not liking his shy posture, Sookie replied.

"Sure, Sam. Como in, I'll get us some iced tea."

Sam waited for her on the living room couch. Soon, Sookie showed up on the hallway carrying a tray with two tall glasses of iced tea and a plate with biscuits. She took a seat at one of the high-backed chairs.

"So… Eric went to see you."

"Yeah, he did."

A heavy silence reigned in the room.

"Look, Sam. I know, now, that I messed up. I shouldn't have gone there to begin with. But, Eric has offered me a good opportunity and I just can't ignore this chance of making something new out of my life. Can you understand that?"

Visibly uncomfortable, Sam cowered in his seat at every word uttered by Sookie.

Sounding defeated he spoke.

"I get it, Sook. And I think you should quit Merlotes", Sookie begins to protest, but he stops her.

"Just hear me out, Sookie. Please."

"When Eric came to see me I knew that I had messed up bad by telling vampire secrets. But I also realized that my biggest mistake had been not telling you how to defend yourself from vamps. I had no idea it could be possible not to be glamoured. And, honestly, if I had thought you were going to look for the Sherriff, I would have stopped you. Now, that it's done… I just want you to know that I will always be here for you, Sookie, no matter what. You probably saved my life by going to Eric."

Sam took a long sip of his tea.

"I met him when I moved to Bon Temps. But I've first seen him many years before. I was working as a security guard in a big vampire event, some kind of year summit. Eric was one of the spokesmen of the night. This happened before the Great Revelation, when vampires had no reason to respect humans or otherwise. After his speech, vampires were invited to go to one of the ball rooms. They were having a party, an orgy…" Sam moved around his seat and Sookie sipped her tea.

"It was awful. The humans were being fed upon and killed with no regard. There was blood everywhere. But Eric, he was standing with his progeny, Pam, outside the room. He dismissed all humans that were offered to him and just watched the hallway. I could tell he was old, much older than any other vamp there. He had this impressive aura of power about him. I had never met a vampire like him. And believe me, Sookie, he was a scary mother fucker."

After taking another long gulp of his tea, Sam continued:

"The vampires have a form of hierarchy which, sometimes, gives them little choice. That night, for some reason I don't know about, Eric was appointed as judge and executioner on a case against another vampire. Even though it was dangerous, I followed him and his progeny when they left the hallway. They entered a room, and I stood outside listening. I'll spare you some of the details, but basically the vampire being accused had given some of Louisiana's secrets to vampires from another state, I do not know which. The standard punishment for this sort of thing is death. But Eric kept questioning the vampire and soon he found out why he had given out secrets. The vampire's pet, his human, had been taken by the other state and he was trying to protect her. So, instead of killing him, Eric had him bound in silver and locked in a coffin for two months."

"Okay, Sam I know vampires are brutal. So what is your point?"

"Sookie, as far as vampires go, Eric is not the worse you will ever find. If you stay under his protection, there is a chance for you to lead a normal life. Alright, as normal as it can get. What I'm saying is: now, that you have been introduced to their world, to be without Eric's help is a bigger mistake than looking for him in the first place. If another vampire was to come to Merlottes there is nothing I could do to stop him from taking you, Sookie. At least, Eric is fair in his dealings. A cold bastard when necessary, but an honorable one just the same", begrudgingly finished Sam.

"I won't lie to you, Sam. It crossed my mind to leave Merlottes. But boss, I can't lose my friends just because the vampires pay good money. Your friendship is worth a lot more than a few dollars."

"If that is your concern, Sook, forget it. There's no way you're gonna loose us because you took a better job." Sam smiled.

"Thanks, Sam. I'm just not so sure about Arlene. I doubt she'll understand. She only acknowledges my telepathy when it suites her". For years the older waitress had asked Sookie to read her boyfriends.

"Forget Arlene, Sookie. This is about you and your safety. It won't be easy, and you're probably gonna have to face a lot of dangerous situations, but it could be a lot worse."

"I could be someone's slave", Sookie spoke softly.

Reaching out, Sam held her hand. They were silent for a few minutes.

"You can't hear then, can you?"

Thinking about the short glimpse Sookie had had of Eric's mind, she lied. "No. I can't."

"It must be peaceful to you. You can have some silence at least."

"Yeah."

"It will be less stressful for you, Sookie. You'll see. In time, you will get used to resort to your telepathy in a new way, to embrace it, and not just avoid it. Who knows? Maybe you'll find your real purpose in life."

"That's my hope too, Sam. That's my hope", said the telepath with a small smile.