Time frame: Years after "From Dead to Worse"

This is a companion piece following "Family", "Bowling for Vampires" and "Leather Underwear" Please read the end of Family or you will be extremely confused.

Disclaimer: I don't have any claim on any characters in the Sookie Universe. Please don't sue me. The other characters are my own creation and just wanted to play with them for a while.

A/N: This chapter will be flipping from one POV to another. I will clearly mark them to avoid confusion.

Thanks to everyone for staying with me on this story- cliffhangers and all.

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Chapter 7

Ally's POV

I woke up to a slap on my face. The pain shot from my cheek and radiated through my skull. I let out a "mmph" through the duct tape that was covering my mouth.

Duct tape. That's gonna hurt coming off.

I was sitting with my arms tied behind my back on a wooden chair in a small room. There was hardly any other furniture in the room other than a small side table that held a cordless phone on it. I was barefoot.

I really didn't have much of a chance to look any deeper into my situation because I was slapped again. This time on the opposite cheek. Well, at least I'll have matching bruises.

I squinted to take a look at the man in front of me who clearly had anger management issues. He was maybe 6 foot with broad shoulders and a burly build- the type of body you get from heavy labor like construction. He had dark brown hair and hazel grey eyes that glinted with delight each time he smacked me. I would say he was moderately attractive, that is if he wasn't trying to knock my teeth from my skull.

Just then the phone on the table rang. "Paul Bunyan" walked over to the table and answered it on the second ring.

"We got her. Yes, we left the note on her front door." He was looking at me smiling. Then his smile faded.

"But sir...I...yes, I understand." He pushed the button with a "beep"- the call over. He was glowering at me. I take it he didn't like the conversation.

Please, don't let him take it out on me.

He took a step towards me and I braced myself for another hit. Instead, he unties my arms and with unadulterated zeal, yanks the tape off of me taking some of my skin with it.

I thought that it would hurt. I was wrong. "Hurt", would not be the word to describe it properly. It would be like me saying that Adonis was just cute guy or that Bill's kisses were merely palatable. Nope, hurt would definitely be the wrong adjective. I was thinking this as I screamed holding my hand over my lips as if it could dull the excrutiating sting. The jerk was smiling at me again.

As he turned around I tried to focus my mind on throwing him across the room. That would show him. My mind began to spin and felt like a was about to throw up. I concentrated harder, which only resulted in more disorientation and nausea. What the hell was happening to me? Shaking my head in confusion I happened to look down. There were several puncture marks on my fore arm. I had been drugged. Several times. I closed my eyes. I was helpless. I was powerless. I was just like a normal human. I swallowed bitterly at the irony.

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Bill's POV

I had just left my house and was heading towards Fangtasia. I had been occupying myself with my correspondences and research since I rose. I didn't want any distractions. I planned to focus my attentions on Ally tonight- many times until dawn.

I knew that tonight was her weekly "movie night" with Sookie and Pam so I figured that I would stop by Fangtasia and pass the time until they had left. Plus, Eric had wanted to talk to me about something.

Normally, I would be leery or uncomfortable with the prospect of speaking to Eric. Tonight, I didn't care. I smiled thinking of the suitcase I had in my trunk. I was going to Ally's and this time I was going to stay. The thought of holding her uninterrupted when I died for the day and waking up to her the following evening was thrilling. I remembered how wonderful it felt doing it that night she had asked me to stay. It was like coming home.

I was still caught up in my thoughts by the time I arrived at the bar. I walked directly to Eric's office.

May as well get it over with.

I steeled myself as I knocked on the door.

"Enter."

When I walked in, I saw that Eric was not alone. Sookie was there. I had thought she would have been at Ally's by now. She must of sensed my confusion because she said, "I just left Ally's."

I nodded.

Good. That meant I could go to her house as soon as I was done talking with Eric. The evening was turning out even better than expected.

Looking at Eric I said, " You wished to see me?"

"Yes, please sit." He nodded towards the couch. Sookie scooted over and patted the cushion beside her.

"So what did you want to talk to me about?"

"Ally." I shifted in my seat.

"What about Ally?"

"What is her relationship with Niall?"

"She told me that they've been in the other timeline together. He's a friend."

"He seems to regard her as more than a friend. Much more."

"Ally never voiced returning his interest."

"I've know Niall for a very long time. He doesn't give his affections easily."

"I don't understand what that has to do with Ally."

"You trust her then?" his eyes were riveted to mine.

"Yes."

Eric nodded, deep in thought. Apparently, my answer confirmed something.

"I am so happy to hear you say that you trust Ally, Bill." said Sookie. "She was worried that you would over react about her being with Cole today."

What? "What!" I said standing up. Sookie's eyes opened wide. Apparently she thought I knew.

"They had breakfast together and went shopping for his new place. Arlene saw them and was telling everyone that Ally was having an affair. I thought you had already heard."

I was bubbling over with jealousy.

"Eric, if this is all you wish to discuss, I will be leaving." I said stiffly. Eric waved me off. Sookie grabbed my arm.

"Bill don't be so angry. Ally isn't the type that fools around. You know that." she said desperately trying to calm me down. I ignored her as I gripped the door nob.

"Bill, you just said that you trusted her. Even if Cole was interested she wouldn't..."

"The problem is that Ally still loves him, Sookie. Don't you understand? She loves him."

"But she chose you Bill. Doesn't that count for anything?"

I couldn't think straight. I needed to see her. I needed to hear it from her lips. I would believe her. All she had to do was say it. I would believe.

I opened the door and walked out, leaving Sookie with her question unanswered.

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When I arrived at Ally's house, I knew immediately something was wrong. I smelled the scent of several unknown humans. By the intensity I would gauge that their visit was recent. I spotted a piece of paper tacked to her front door.

We have her.

We're going to hurt her.

We're going to kill her.

It will all be your fault.

I scanned the door way for anything that could give me a clue to her where abouts. I paused as I picked up a familiar scent- a human female. I flipped open my phone and hit speed dial.

"Bill, what a pleasure. Have you acted true to form and angered our Ally? Are you in the 'dog house' now?" Pam's voice sounded amused. I ignored her.

"Ally's been taken. I need someone to meet me at Merlotte's immediately."

That got her attention. "I will inform Eric of the situation. Any sign of a struggle?"

"None. Just a note stating that they plan to kill her."

"Sookie and I will meet you in 35 minutes. What's at Merlotte's?"

"Answers."

I flipped the phone closed and rushed back in my car. Fear and anger fueled my resolve as I sped down the interstate. I was going to find out where they've taken Ally, even if I have to beat that bitch Arlene within an inch of her life to do it.

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Cole's POV

I had unpacked all of my purchases from today and placed them on my kitchen table. Taking the pots and pans out first and the utensils I loaded them in the dishwasher to get the grit off of them. I stacked the new dishes and glasses on my kitchen counter waiting for the wash cycle to finish.

I smiled. I had a really good time today. It almost seemed like nothing had changed between us. Almost.

Maybe I'll cook Ally breakfast tomorrow morning when she comes over to surprise her.

I unzipped the bags containing my new comforter and sheets. Gathering them up I stuck them in the washer on gentle cycle.

As I cleared the table of the empty bags and boxes, I spied a medium sized rectangular box. Opening it, I pulled out a wooden plaque with "Home Sweet Home" carved in it.

Ally.

She must have gotten it when she had gone off to the "restroom". I was wondering why it would take her that long. She claimed that she had to use the one on the other side of the mall because the other one was flooded. She was such a cute little sneak.

I grabbed a nail from the utility drawer and not finding my hammer, opted to use my meat mallet to pound the plaque on my door.

Just as I started to load the dishes into the washer, I felt it.

Pain.

Something was wrong with Ally.

I called her house. It rang 4 times and then the machine picked up.

"Ally, it's Cole. If you're there, pick up. I know something's wrong." I hang up.

Then I call again. "Please call me as soon as you get this message. I need to hear that you are okay." I proceeded to leave my phone number.

No sooner than 2 minutes later, my phone rang.

I yanked it to my ear.

"Yes?"

"Cole?" said a female voice.

"Yes. Who is this?"

"This is Ally's friend, Sookie. Ally's been kidnapped."

I sat down on the floor. This was worse than I expected.

"Are you still there?" she asked

"Yes. Do you know who took her?"

"We have our suspicions. Bill's gone to Merlotte's to see if he could get some clues on her whereabouts."

"I'll head there right now."

"Uh, I don't think that that is such a good idea. Bill will be there."

"I don't fucking care who's there. You are going to need my help if we have any chance of saving her."

I hung up and ran to get my keys. I jumped into my car and sped to Merlotte's.

Hold on Ally. Hold on.

TBC