Hey it's been a while, but I've been having some relationship issues of my own. Things may be slow for a while. This is short, but it's a bit of fun-with-Pam, hopefully that's a consolation?

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I watched a little TV (not the set itself, it was huge), and within minutes Pam was at my side. She must have been literally flying, because I hardly felt a thing until she was next to me on the couch.

"Oh, sweet Sookie. I'm sorry your evening was ruined," she whispered, placing an arm around me.

"Why are you being so nice? Shouldn't you be teasing me relentlessly?"

"While I do enjoy teasing both you and my master, I know this evening meant something to you both, and I was hopeful to see a more permanent solution come out of the proceedings."

"I wasn't going to ask him to turn me, Pam," I said, rolling my eyes.

"You will change your mind, I am confident. But that's a discussion for another day. Has it occurred to you to question why you two continue to be interrupted?"

"Because Eric's a big badass Sheriff and has to tend to his minions?"

Pam grinned, restraining a laugh. "You are never short on amusement, sweet girl," She replied, taking me in her arms and laying my head in her lap. She softly scratched my head and played with my hair before continuing. It was nice; I felt like I had a big sister for the first time in my life.

"I ask because it has been bothering me. There are…circumstances at play that seem to be too keenly timed to be coincidental. It's as if we have a very annoying fly buzzing around our Area."

"I think you're reading too much into it, Pam. He's been busy. And I mean, who sets off the fire alarm at a vampire bar just to break up my date? That's ridiculous."

"Perhaps. I will be on the lookout regardless. At some point the two of you must lower your defenses and admit the depth of your feelings for each other. I have known my master a very long time, dear friend, and I know that you have found something inside him that he has thought long dead,"

I sighed heavily, rolling her words around in my head. "Hey Pam?"

"Hmm?"

"You know why he didn't come for me during the fairy war."

"Yes."

"I know you can't tell me."

"Even if I could, I wouldn't. It's simply not for me to tell."

"Will I really understand?"

She actually took a minute to think it over. "You continually amaze me with your depth of awareness and understanding. It is beyond what is natural for you to understand, but I believe you will. And I believe your heart has much more faith in Eric than your head does. Sometimes your head needs to shut the fuck up," she explained, mincing no words.

"Y'know Pam, I agree completely."

She continued rubbing my head until I had completely passed out. I felt so relaxed and comfortable, which was strange seeing as a) I'd never been to Eric's before, and b) this was the closest Pam and I had ever been. I knew that, like Eric, what she told me would always be honest. And I suspected that her "vamps first" rule didn't necessarily apply to me anymore, either.

At some point I started to come to and realized I was no longer napping on Pam's lap. I was trying to get my bearings when I realized she was on the phone. Likely with Eric. I only heard the tail end of the conversation.

"Eric, this cannot continue. Neither of you believe me, but it would seem someone doesn't want you two together.

-I understand you cannot shirk your responsibilities on a hunch, but she is not going to be pleased. You are at a very vulnerable point in your relationship.

-Yes, you are my master, and I will never forget that. But it is because you made me that I will not spare you my opinion. She is ready to love you—and you, you big lug, are ready to let her. Find the source of this irritation and as the humans say, squash it.

-I will do that. Goodnight, Eric."

I didn't have the energy to argue with her at this point in the night. I just wanted to know what was going on so I could go back to sleep.

"Dear Sookie, I regret to inform you," she paused and her jaw set rigidly before she continued, "that I will be returning you to your home now."

I was so tired and so out of my element that my eyes began welling up. I fanned my face. "Sorry, Pam, I don't mean to leak…that news just catches me way off guard."

"And me as well, little friend. Unfortunately, the Viking is being unreasonable. It seems playing pranks on vampires is no longer a lighthearted matter. Madden and Seachrest are arriving tomorrow to be briefed on the investigation of the…situation. In Sophie-Ann's day, Eric would ascertain who committed the act, punish the criminal, and turn them over to me to…play with. I'm beginning to regret our new circumstances."

"Don't let the Viking hear you say that…"

"You do not joke. And please keep that to yourself."

I had to smile, despite my frustration. "My, my, Pam, are we keeping secrets from Daddy now?"

She glared at me in warning, but I knew how not serious she really was. I simply hopped off the couch, kissed her on the cheek, and gathered my things to go home. At least Pam and I bonded tonight…I guess that's one step forward. I gathered up my things and we made our way to the garage. We drove home in relative silence, as I was nodding off frequently, and we had said everything there was to say for one night. I had to admit, there were parts of the whole avoid small talk mentality that I was beginning to find appealing.

We pulled up at my house, and I slowly crawled out of the car, opening the back door to retrieve my overnight bag. I smirked a little and Pam cast a curious glance my way. "Hey Pam, if Eric and I do get things worked out eventually, will that make me your step mom?" I could barely get the words out without laughing. She growled—actually growled—at me, so I blew her a kiss and retreated as quickly as possible into the house. As I turned to shut the door, I swear I saw a grin playing at her lips.

I slept away most of the following day. I was strangely exhausted from the disappointed, and I began to let my fears get the better of me the more I let myself think about my situation with Eric. I had no idea how to categorize our relationship, and I doubted very seriously that things would ever be too concrete in that realm.

Around 7:30 I went up to Merlotte's to eat dinner. I just couldn't stand sitting in the house any longer. It was slow, but it gave me the chance to visit with everyone instead of wallowing in frustration all night. I went home two hours later, and hadn't heard a peep out of the Viking all night. I plopped down on the couch and watched TV with Amelia for a couple of hours before finally giving up and going to bed. The disappointment of not hearing from him all night was trumped only by my sadness at not having a note the next morning.