A/N: Just a little something to say "welcome to the weekend"! Have a great one and enjoy!

Ch. 9

Two Weeks Earlier

I walked across the cemetary to my only neighbor's house and knocked on the front door. "Hi Bill," I said as he opened his the heavy wooden door. It was about an hour after dark. I knew better than to come over at first dark, as Bill sometimes liked to sleep in the cemetery naked (why ruin clothes after all), and then he'd need to get cleaned up.

"Sookie, what a surprise," he said, inviting me in. "To what do I owe the pleasure?"

Bill and I remained friends over the years, but other than going to dinner at a vamp friendly restaurant in Shreveport, or taking in a movie or show, every few weeks, I didn't often stop in on him, at least not unannounced. I didn't want to catch him in the middle of eating … or entertaining … or both. However, today I had a favor to ask, and for more than one reason.

"I'm sorry to barge in on you like this. You aren't busy are you?" I asked as we walked into his living room.

"No, please have a seat. I was just doing some work; but Sookie, you know you're always welcome here. For any reason or no reason... but I can tell you have something on your mind," he said with a knowing look.

"You know me well Bill," I laughed an awkward nervous laugh. I couldn't believe I was going to do this. I needed to buck up my courage already and just get it over with. "It's about Chicago…"

"Yes," he replied and waited expectantly for me to continue. Gosh, this was tougher than I thought.

"Well, I had a room booked with Sam originally - months ago - and Mandy, well, she was supposed to be rooming with a Were, a friend of hers. But now ... well, the hotel is completely booked…." I said while twisting my hands in my lap.

"And you need a place to stay?" Bill intuited.

"Obviously Sam and Mandy are now gonna be rooming together, so I've lost my room." I had momentariily thought about forcing the issue with Sam and staying him just to piss him and Mandy off, but I knew, deep down, I really didn't want to room with him. Why make myself miserable. "And, I can't stay with Mandy's roommate. She's a real good friend of Mandy's. The thoughts…." I said trailing off. "Well, the hotel is fully booked since it's accommodating both the Summit and the Conference. I looked at other hotels, but on this short notice they are all booked too, either, with other vamps, Weres, or those who are capitalizing on the meetings. Of course, the Summit and Conference aren't the only things going on in Chicago that week too, although it would have certainly made the city busy nonetheless. Anyway, the closest hotel I could find was clear outside the city in Gary, Indiana. Pam isn't going, so I can't stay with her, and it's been decades since I've had a lot of contact with vamps, other than you and Pam that is. Well, I was hoping that maybe I could share your room? Look, this was really hard for me to ask you... I know it's asking a lot and you won't hurt my feelings by saying no…." I fumbled.

Bill cut off my ramblings, "Sookie, it's fine. Sure, you can share my room. I'm happy to help you out."

I sat there momentarily stunned while the weight of his words sunk in. "Thank you," I said, the relief clear in my voice, but then I hesitated before I continued. I didn't want Bill to send Bill mixed messages. "Another thing … I don't want you to get the wrong idea, but this isn't romantic or anything. I mean, just because we're sharing a room—"

"It doesn't mean we're getting together. I understand Sookie. I will respect your space and I promise, I'll be a perfect gentleman. Nothing untoward will occur. In fact, the room comes with a bed, but I planned on sleeping in a coffin in my room during my stay, so the bed is yours. And since I'll be dead for the day, well, our schedules probably won't create too much of an issue."

I sighed a huge sigh that I didn't even know I had in me. "Thank you Bill. This really means a lot to me."

"Anytime darling. I'm happy to help," and then he reached over, squeezing my hand in reassurance.

Of course, Bill knew about me splitting up with Sam, but he had been nice enough to not say anything about it to me. This was decidedly unlike how he had been thirty years ago when Eric left. Quite frankly, I think Bill still felt bad for being so smug when he told me that Eric paid to get me out of jail all those years ago on the condition that Sam not court me. I thought it was pretty petty of Bill to be taking such pleasure at my expense at the time – he was downright gleeful after all – and well, after I gave him a good telling off, he felt pretty bad about it. I know there was no love loss between him and Eric, but it was still low, even for him back then.

"I also have something else I want to ask you," I started.

"What is it Sookie? You know you can ask me anything."

"Well, I spoke with Pam and she explained to me that my protection with vamps only extended to North America. After we talked, I went back over the roster and noticed that there is the vampire king from England and a vampire queen from Spain attending the Summit. How safe am I going to be if I go to this thing? I mean, I want to finish this business with the Weres, but I don't want to make myself a target either."

"They would be fools to try to take you under the noses of so many North American vampires who are sworn to protect you. Sookie, vampires are pragmatic. We calculate, plan and take our time. It would be insanity for them to try to take you unwillingly at the Summit."

I knew I should be relieved, but I wasn't. I didn't really trust vampires all that much, at least not ones I didn't know. Well, at least not many of the ones I knew.

Bill pulled me from my thoughts and said "Pam told me that you're now aware of the threat you are under, but you must understand, that there are those that instead of kidnapping you would be willing to woo you."

My brow furrowed, "What do you mean Bill?"

"News that you are no longer affiliated with Weres, or at least soon won't be, is starting to spread. Yes, there are those who would take you against your will if they could, but how effective would you be as an unwilling telepath? However, they and others may try to convince you that you are better off going to another vampire kingdom willingly, well …"

And it reminded me of Sophie Ann. She sent Bill to procure me, not to kidnap me. Influence me with glamour and when that didn't work, romance me instead. A willing telepath is far more controllable than an unwilling one. So, these vamps would likely try to do the same. Of course, had I not started work under contract for Eric all those years ago, then Sophie Ann would have influenced even more control over my life, maybe moving me to New Orleans, forcing a blood bond with Andre. But Eric stepped in then, more than once. And I couldn't help thinking that again, thirty years later, it still all came back to Eric. I shook my head to try to clear it.

"Sookie you should know that an updated roster will be going out soon. As word spreads about your situation, more vampires from other nations will likely try to attend the Summit in hopes of convincing you to go to them – rumor has it Russia and China are seeking a late admittance."

"Two of the countries that tried to kidnap me?" I was unable to help the rising panic in my voice.

"Yes. Given your ties to Weres back then, they probably felt there were no viable options that did not involve force, but now… I imagine they will try to appeal to you directly. But you don't have to go, nor would I want you to," he said with a small smile. "And you will be well-guarded. Felipe will be there as your monarch, although you owe him no services due to your bargain. I will be there and I am sworn to protect you and I will Sookie, to the day I cease to exist," and I could see the guilt that still lingered in Bill's eyes … guilt over taking my virginity under false pretenses, cheating on me, raping me, almost draining me dry, not being able to protect me from the torture I experienced at the hands of Lochlan and Neave, well... I suppose he had a lot to feel guilty about. "I imagine Sam and the Weres would not want harm to come to you either and will offer you their protection while at the Summit. And naturally Eric and Freyda will be there. While Freyda does not have any particular affection for you, she would not want you harmed if such harm could undo her contract. Otherwise, it would cost her Eric. And Eric, well, I'm ashamed to say that even I underestimated him," Bill looked abashed and I couldn't understand why. He and Eric were friendly rivals at one time, but they never really held each other in esteem.

"What do you mean Bill?" I pressed.

"Despite Eric's … situation … he has worked, and continues to work, to safeguard you and your freedom. I understand Pam told you he has made contacts with those who owe him favors from abroad, but I understand he has committed substantial sums towards getting you Britlingens. He started those negotiations while you and Sam were still together, but now, given your impending divorce, he is trying to expedite the negotiations so that you will be adequately protected. However, securing their services is a lengthy and costly process. Apparently, it has not deterred him though." Bill then let out a self-deprecating chuckle, "I honestly didn't think he would continue to look after your interests once he left for Oklahoma. Certainly not after Karin left. He is not known for his sentimentality, and well, if you are not his then why would he bother?" I was puzzled by Bill's assessment but didn't have time to dwell on it. I had gotten what I came for and would just have to think that over another time, without Bill's appraising eye.

"Well, thanks Bill. For everything. The room, the information, it's a lot to take in, but I appreciate your candor." I said as I excused myself from his home. The next two weeks would certainly be stressful, to say the least.

A/N: I promise, Sookie is NOT going to run back into Bill's arms. I'm no fan of Bill, but I do think they would likely remain friends. I mean, after all he did to her, she was still friendly with him in DEA. And after all, this should create some nice conflict, don't you think? :)

Special shout out to tabularasa88. All mistakes are mine.