A/N – Sorry! Sorry! Sorry for the prolonged absence! It was never my intention to take this long to update but I hope to not keep you waiting so long in the future! Thank you to everyone who has followed and review my story so far I get a warm feeling inside every time I get a notification about my story!

I have been busy going back through the previous chapters, cleaning them up a bit (I'm amazed at the amount of spelling mistakes I missed). I have also taken the time to try and plan/write further ahead in the story so hopefully the next chapters won't be so long in coming *crossing fingers*

Without further rambles – here you go!

Disclaimer: I own nothing, all characters belong to CH and HBO. I'm just playing…

Chapter 10

True to his word, Bill returned the following night, and every other night that week. Sam had grudgingly put in an order for a couple of packs of TrueBlood at my insistence, convincing him that Bill might actually spend more money if he could actually drink the stuff he was being served. He had continued to order a glass of red wine each night and each night it sat in front of him untouched as he watched me work. I had agreed to pick up the slack following Dawn's death until Sam could find a suitable waitress replacement, which gave me plenty of time to notice his unwavering attention on me night after night. I chalked it down to me being the only one who actual treated him like a person and made any proper effort to converse with him. Everyone else still kept a close eye on him as they ate their own meals, still unsure what to make of a vampire in their midst.

I had told Gran of Bill the day after he first had come into Merlotte's and she had lit up when I had described his old-fashioned appearance and family name.

"Oh my Sookie, do you think he fought in the war?" she asked and I didn't need to ask which war she was referring to. Gran belonged to the Descendants of the Glorious dead – a group that liked to share stories about the war. If Bill had actually fought in the American Civil War than it would be like Christmas had come early.

"I don't know Gran, maybe…?"

"Do you think you could ask him…next time he comes into the bar?" she asked bubbling over with excitement. "Imagine the stories he could tell us…We could have a special event and everything!"

I had promised to ask him after he had settled in a bit more and hoping that it wouldn't be too personal a thing to ask. I still didn't know Bill very well and although he had been nothing but open and friendly I didn't want to come off rude.

I also had a sinking feeling that I would have to tell Eric about Bill. I had held off so far not wanting to cause trouble Bill who for the most part didn't seem to be doing anything other than trying to mainstream – as he put it. Maybe he was just here to restore his old home and live out some of his life in relative quiet, away from the hungry attentions of city folk.

But surely Eric would know? He had made it clear to me that he was the sheriff, which meant he was aware of all the vampires that resided within his area. Surely he would know Bill existed and was living as my neighbor? Unless Bill had not been sent by Eric to 'watch me', but I had a feeling Eric would have been more subtle.

I had these thoughts on my mind as I approached Bills table for the third night in a row with a genuine smile on my face. Entering his bubble of mental silence I let my shields drop and my mind relax while asking him for his order, even though I was pretty certain of the reply.

"How's the settling in going Bill?" I asked after he had ordered his usual glass of wine. I was stalling to allow myself a bit of peace from the thoughts of other patrons.

Bill answered with a polite smile, "I feel as though I have come home. Bon Temps has flourished since I was last here. I am very glad to be back."

"If you don't mind my asking, when were you last here?"

"I lived here with my family during the 1850s before I was called away to war"

My Gran would be thrilled I thought, ready to ask him if he would be interested talking about him experiences in the war. Before I could get the question out heard a large crash and looking around I noticed that Jane Bodehouse had managed to knock over her half empty beer glass and was looking down at the shatter glass in a sort of dazed confusion. I quickly excused myself from Bill and made my way over to Jane's side to ensure she didn't step or fall in the glass.

"I think that's enough for you tonight Ms Bodehouse. I'll call your son to pick you up" I told her and received a vague noise of protest from her.

Sam then arrived from the back look a little flustered but once he had determined the source of the noise I noticed him relax. I wondered if he had expected me to be in some sort of trouble and had run in to protect me, I noticed him glance quickly in Bill's direction with a suspicious gaze as the vampire sat watching the situation with a fixed expression. I was glad that Jane hadn't cut herself on the glass – that may have ended badly. I ordered Jane not to move while I went and got the dustpan and brush and quickly swept up the glass while Sam called Jane's son.

As I carefully wrapped the glass shards in newspaper I noticed the Rattrays walk into the bar from the corner of my eye. They were their usual selves; Denise had made herself up to look as trashy as ever in a low cut top and a cut off denim mini skirt. Mack followed in behind her in baggy jeans and a tatty leather jacket, slapping her butt as he walked past with his usual cocky grin fixed on his face.

I felt myself inwardly groan as they made their way across the bar to seat themselves in my section, right behind the booth Bill was occupying. I quickly poured Bill's glass of wine and made my way over to him hoping his silence would extend to the Rattray's booth. I was always guaranteed a bad shift if they came in, having to put up with their trashy thoughts and bad tips.

"Sorry for the wait" I said apologetically.

"Think nothing of it" he said genially. Bringing the glass to his lips to touch the edge in an act of drinking. I wondered idly what would happening if he was to actually drink something other than blood.

"Hopefully we will have something for you to actually drink soon"

Mack took that moment to turn around in his booth and lean over the divide,

"Don't mind Sookie there Mister, she's straight up crazy" I felt myself flush a little in embarrassment and anger at being labeled crazy and made fun of in front of Bill. Even after all the years of being called a freak it still hurt to be openly insulted.

Noticing my discomfort Bill looked at Mack with a slight frown on his face, making him look more serve, "I don't understand your reasoning" he replied.

Mack smiled lazily, he eye's flickering over me and the wine glass on the table. "She just delivered you wine didn't she? Then she told you she was going to bring you something to drink. That don't sound a little crazy to you?" I let out a small breath of relief that Mac didn't refer to my other odd traits.

"She is correct in her choice of wording. I don't not drink human beverages" Bill stated simply and I noticed Mack pull himself up slightly as the information sunk in.

"My mistake" he said in an easy tone as he studied Bill with an intensity that had not been present earlier. I didn't like the sort of look he was giving to distract him I quickly moved over to their table, forcing a smile onto my face and attempting to act cheerful and perky, even as Bill's bubble of silence faded and the thoughts of others pervaded my mind once again. I felt Mack's eye's on me, or more specifically, my chest as he turned to face me. It was moments like this I wished for a flat chest. His thoughts were oily and never failed to make me feel dirty and cheap.

"What can I do for both of ya'll tonight?" I asked addressing them both with forced politeness.

I tell you what you can do for me sweetcheeks…you can kneel in front of me and wrap those sweet lips around my…

I cringed away from Mack's mind, almost physically recoiling from the graphic images he was sending my way as I tried to pay attention to the order he was giving me.

"Why don't we just start with a pitcher of Bud…" he said in a smooth tone, a leer fixed on his face as he eyed me openly, his graphic thoughts broadcast through his expression of desire.

"Alrightly, anything else?" I asked turning my focus to Denise whose thoughts weren't much better, only less graphic.

Fucking perky slut, what the hell is wrong with her? God it's pathetic, whose she fooling?…she's dumber than a box of rocks…

"Onion rings….with mustard" She spoke out her order with exaggerated slowness someone reserves for when they are speaking to someone simple or young. She had come to the conclusion on pervious occasions that I must be mentally incapacitated, and in a way she was right, but had decided that I must be treated as her inferior in every way. I despised her.

I smiled with increased strain and with an over cheerful 'coming right up' I hightailed it out of there to put in the order with Lafayette.

"Onion rings please. Oh, but if you could drop a few on the floor….I wouldn't mind…"

"The Rats?"

I nodded.

"Got it" he said with a mischievous smirk alighting his features.

o o o o

The next time I had a chance to look over at my section I noticed to my dismay that Mack and Denise had moved over to the same table as Bill's. They were talking to him and although he didn't look like he was responding much to their attention he wasn't discouraging it either. He was even tolerating Denise stoking his shoulder with her fake talon-like nails that had been painted a cheap red colour. I felt a small stab of betrayal at the fact he didn't immediately leave the table. I knew he had overheard the way they had treated me and had even defended me from Mack's insult, but maybe I had deluded myself to think that maybe we were on friendly enough terms that he wouldn't associate with scum like them.

Then it hit me - he was probably hungry. I hadn't seen him have anything other than wine for the past week, something that he didn't even drink and who knew how he usually sourced his meals. Denise was practically flaunting herself in front of him; extending her neck out, stroking her throat in what I guessed was supposed to be an alluring manner and ultimately ensuring her 'assets' were on full display. I felt angry that my source of peace and decent conversation for the night had been ruined by the mindless chatter of the Rattrays.

I then noticed that as Denise was flirting, Mack was usually quiet in his seat. It was enough to make me suspicious and feel a sliver of unease at what might be going through his head. I moved closer, clearing one of the tables close by as an excuse to linger while I let down my guard, listening in on Mack's thoughts.

I promptly discovered that Mack and Denise had previously been in jail of vampire draining. They were sizing Bill up in terms of market value and I felt myself become disturbed by the information I gleaned off them regarding the procedure. Denise had a thin coil of silver chain in her purse that they used to hold down the vampire after she had enticed them to drink from her. They then drained it to the point of death before leaving it weak and unable to flee from the sunlight – ultimately destroying the evidence of their crimes.

I was shocked at what they had planned in their minds for Bill and I knew that I had to do something quickly to try and warn Bill before they convinced him to come home with them. Steeling myself I walking quickly over to their table in time to hear Denise's pathetic pick up lines,

"In a way were similar you see, we are both discriminated against. Just because I don't want to conform to what society wants me to be. I like to life on the wild side, if you know what I mean."

"Can I get ya'll anything else?" I said interrupting.

what's your problem you dim-witted country bitch…ruining my performance, almost have the stupid vamp in my grasp..

is this girl retarded, can't she see were busy…fuck I need some v, got to get the vamp out soon and drain that fucker dry…

While the Rattrays looked up at me with disgust I started at Bill tried to indicate that he was in danger.

"We are fine here" Mack ground out pulling a couple of ratty bills from his pocket and putting them on the table – a sure sign they were intending to leave, and soon. I didn't have much time to warn him.

I tried again, "You know what, I'm gonna bring ya'll a free round of beer, okay? Don't go anywhere." I said looking directly at Bill trying to communicate the danger he was in hoping that he took my not so subtle hint.

I hoped promising a free round of beer would be enough to keep the Rattrays in Merlottes just a little longer while I figured out how to warn Bill of their plans. He hadn't seemed to take the hint but it was hard to tell with vampire's whose faces barely changed from one emotion to the next. I rushed around the back of he bar, with the intention of grabbing the baseball bat where Sam usually kept it under the bar for when trouble emerged. I certainly counted this situation as trouble. In my rush I failed to notice Sam crouched down restocking the shelves with clean glasses and booze. I ended up running straight into him and it was only thanks to his faster reflexes that prevented me from falling face first on the floor.

"Sookie? What's wrong?" he asked me noticing my panicked expression.

"Sam! We have to stop them!"

"Stop who? What – "

"The Rattrays – they're vampire drainers! They're planning to drain Bill out in the parking lot and sell his blood!" I replied frantically, "I need to – "

"You don't need to do anything Sookie", Sam interrupted me, "you don't owe that vampire anything."

"I can let the Rattrays get away with doing something like this, it's wrong! And that vampire has a name."

"Well I'm sure Bill can take care if himself"

"And what makes you so sure he can?" I retorted

"He's a vampire – it's in his nature to kill people. When will you understand that?"

"I can't believe what I'm hearing! Just because he's a vampire doesn't mean he's a killer and deserves to die!" I exclaimed disbelieving of my bosses tone. I thought he might have warmed up to Bill or vampires somewhat over the past week. Another thought suddenly struck me. What if Bill defended himself by killing the Rattrays? As much as I hated them both I didn't want them being murdered outside Merlottes. I could just imagine the backlash that would come out of it and the hate groups that would spring up.

"It's not our problem Sookie – not anymore…"

"What?" I looked around to see an empty booth where Bill and the Rattrays had sat only moments before. All that was left was a full glass of wine and a few dollar bills.

"Shit!" I said in a rare case of bad language, running towards the back door hoping I wouldn't be too late to prevent the death of atleast one person. Sam followed and caught up to me half way down, pulling me to a stop – rather abruptly I might add – in a grip that I was sure would leave a bruise.

"No Sookie, I can't just let you go off and try and act the hero for a vampire you barely know! This is just stupidity!"

"I can't just stand around and let it happen either! If you aren't going to help let go of me" I yanked my arm out of Sam's grip, who looked a little shocked at my commanding tone. I suppose he was used to me just conceding to his wishes. But I couldn't dwell on that little problem right now. I had already lost precious seconds arguing with Sam and I had no idea what the Rattray's were doing with Bill – or what he was doing to them.

I pushed my way through the back door of Merlotte's and paused for a moment in the shadows 'listening' for any minds in the immediate vicinity, hoping they hadn't managed to drive away. Luck was on my side as I zeroed in on Mac and Denise's thoughts in the furthest corner of the parking lot, where the lights didn't reach very well. The perfect place for shady dealings. Through their minds I could tell they had Bill under silver and were draining him as fast as they could get his blood to pump. Denise was estimating the worth of Bill by his blood and Mack was quickly losing his cool as he saw the blood. I didn't have much time to act.

Look at all this blood…it's so thick…damn it's gonna bring a pretty penny…vamp's not that big but he's probably got atleast 12 pints in him…holy shit, that's almost 200 ounces. Bet we could get 500 an ounce in Dallas…fuck me that's $10,000…sweet jesus…

…goddamn gotta get some of that sweet blood in me…my body hurts…I need the high…fuck…

I moved quickly towards Sam's truck where it was parked next to his trailer and grabbed the length of chain I knew he kept in the back for when he needed to secure bar supplies. I hugged it close to my body to prevent the links from clanking together as I moved carefully closer towards the Rattray's position. I tiptoed through the undergrowth knowing that stepping on a twig now would decrease my chances of successfully fighting them off.

"Hurry" I heard Mack grate out, sounding agitated.

"We should have taken him home, what if someone finds us here like this?" Denise asked sounding hassled.

"Too fucking dangerous. Where the hell are we gonna hide a dead vampire in our trailer?"

"Well atleast we won't be out in the fucking open like this?" she shot back.

I stopped behind a tree large enough to shield me and peaked around to survey the situation. I found the Denise crouched next to Bill, who had been spread out on his back with a thin silver chain draped over his body and wound around his neck and arms. I could hear a faint sizzling coming from where Bill's exposed skin touched the silver and the smell of burning flesh permeated the air. They had torn the sleeve on Bill's right arm, exposing the pale skin of his for arm were they had taped down a large needle that looked like it had been brutally shoved into his arm. A tube connected the needle to a pile of blood bags that seemed to be filling at an alarming rate with thick red blood.

'I just need some V-juice. I need it bad" Mack had begun pacing restlessly as he watched this process and I could see how twitchy he had become in just a short amount of time. I knew that he would be my biggest threat to take out so I lined him up as my first target.

"Goddamn it Mack, you're a damn drug addict. We're supposed to be selling the stuff, not using it."

"Woman, would you just shut the fuck up and get on with it?"

Bill was silent through all this, his body tense and his face rigid with pain. His fangs were out and he looked almost feral. His eyes flickered to mine and I took that as my cue to attack. Mack was still ranting which covered any noise I might have made.

Stepping out from my hiding place I brought the chain up and wacked Mack across the back and shoulders. My aim was good and he went down hard into the dirt with a grunt of pain. Denise looked shocked at my sudden appearance and attack but immediate started collecting together the bags of blood she had collected so far, leaving Mack to fend for himself.

Unfortunately I hadn't managed to put as much power behind my swing as I had hoped and Mack recovered quickly turning to face me with an ugly expression on his face and a sharp looking knife in his hands.

"You crazy bitch." He growled out and I felt my knees go weak at the violent thoughts in his head of what he intended to do with me. My hands felt slippery on the chain but I clung onto it for dear live, keeping my distance from Mack. I was seriously regretting my hasty rescue plan.

Mack lunged at me with his knife and I jumped back out of reach, swinging my chain up in defense. To my utter surprise the end of the chain flicked up of it's own accord to wrap itself around his neck and start squeezing in a very unchain-like way. At the sudden lack of oxygen Mack dropped the knife and fell sideways in the dirt, gasping for air as he tried to frantically rip the chain off.

I noticed Bill watching this with an expression of surprise before Denise jumped to her feet.

"What the fuck did you do to him you bitch?" she yelled charging forward, ready to tackle me. I ducked out of her way and quickly grabbed the knife off the ground before turning to face her. This change had Denise pause as her self-preservation instinct overrode her hatred of me.

"This ain't your business you stupid bitch. You have any idea who you're messing with?" She said trying to intimidate me with her words instead.

"You listen hear you low rent piece of trash" I said savagely, too worked up to edit my language. "You leave, and you leave now. I never want to see you back here again – and if I do, I know a vampire who would love to get his hands on a coupe of drainers like you."

I saw her go slightly pale at my words but this didn't stop her words from being any less venomous. "You fucking freaky bitch, this ain't over"

"Oh I say it is. " I said smiling my full watt crazy Sookie smile. This seemed to disturb her more than anything else I had done and I noticed her begin to back away from me and edge her way towards the pile of blood bags she had filled earlier.

I took a threating step forward, waving the knife. "Don't you even think about taking that blood."

"I will kill you for this" she said with a glare before pulling a still choking Mack off the ground and dragging him stumbling along.

"Come on Mack, I ain't fucking waiting for you. Take that damn stupid chain off"

"Wait!" Mack gasped out as Denise charged ahead. I dropped my defensive stance once they were both out of sight and moved quickly towards Bill who was still chained and bleeding on the ground. I looked him over trying to figure out the best course of action.

"The chain" Bill rasped roughly through his fangs as he looked up at me. I searched around and grabbed the nearest end I could find before hesitating again. The skin around the sliver was raw and bleeding and I noticed that the chain had actually dug its way into his flesh. I would have to rip it out of his skin. The thought made me feel sick, along with the smell of burning flesh and blood.

"This is gonna hurt" I told him, steeling myself as he closed his eyes and tensed his body for the pain. I carefully pulled the chain off his wrist and from across his neck, trying not to gag at the way the flesh pulled along with it. I then quickly proceeded to pull the rest of the chain off his body. I saw his fangs retract and him his body relax once I had finished and I sat back on my haunches feeling utterly drained after the ordeal.

The rev of an engine had me sitting back up again, tense and alert. Car headlight blinded me as I jumped up, grabbing Bill under the arms and pulling him as he pushed with his feet, together scrambling backwards into the safety of the trees mere seconds before Denise barreled across the spot we had just occupied.

"I'll fucking get you, bitch!" she yelled out the window as she speed off into the night.

Bill pulled himself awkwardly to sit up against a nearby tree as I crouched down next to him, recovering from my most recent adrenaline shock.

"Are you okay?" I asked him, "you'll be okay in a minute right?"

"I will be fine" he replied stiffly as he removed the needle from his arm and I could tell he was telling the truth. I could see the raw skin on his neck and wrists beginning to knit itself back together and I watched fascinated at the process. It really was like magic.

"Do you want me to leave?" I asked after a pause realizing he might not like being seen in this weak state. I could understand the feeling.

"No" he said in a tone that sounded almost angry, "I'm not strong enough to fight them off if they come back." He didn't seem happy about this.

"I reckon you're not too happy about being rescued by a woman." I said patronizingly.

"No" he said and I raised my eyebrows at him, "I am thankful at your interference but not pleased at the risk you put yourself in at my expense."

"You don't sound too thankful…maybe next time I won't bother." I said hotly, moving away from him to sit on a near by stump a little pissed at the treatment I was getting from someone who's life I had just saved.

A thought occurred to me. "How did they manage to take you in the first place?" I asked. Bill looked away and I saw a number of dark thoughts flash across his eyes.

"I was hungry" he stated flatly, turning back to look me straight in the eye. "She was offering. I got careless." I nodded as I digested this.

"Are you not afraid? To be out here alone with a hungry vampire?" he asked me a moment later, seeming genuinely curious.

"No" I replied truthfully. After Eric, Bill didn't really come close to frightening me in any particular way.

"We don't have human values like you. We take what we want."

"I'm not completely defenseless" I said making a show of wrapping the bloodied silver chain around my neck. He watched me do it with a hint of a smile on his lips.

"You know that won't stop me if I truly wanted to feed from you" he said

"I know" I said simply but I thought back to how the chain had wrapped itself around Mack's neck and started choking him. Had I caused that? Could I do it again?

Bill seemed to be thinking along the same lines. "How was it that you did what you did with that chain?"

I shrugged, "I have no clue what happened" I answered truthfully and hoping he would drop it. He didn't and instead moved with vampire speed into my personal space, his intense gaze fixing me to the spot. I felt my heart speed up a little by his closeness.

"What are you" he asked me in a smooth as gravel voice.

"I'm a waitress" I replied simply using the same answer I had given Eric but Bill seemed only as equally satisfied as Eric had been by my answer. I needed a better way of deflecting that question since everyone kept asking me.

Luckily for me, before Bill could speak there was a rustling in the bushes that had us both freeze before out emerged a friendly looking border collie. I wondered if it was a coincidence that a dog should being hang around this area but my suspicions were soon answered when the dog barked at Bill a few times before trotting its way up to me. I looked into the dogs eyes as it put it's head in my lap and saw Sam's grey eyes staring back at me seriously. I got the message loud and clear – leave.

"Well hey there dog, where did you come from?" I said stroking him on the head like I would any other dog.

"He's checking on you it seems" Bill said with an expression on his face at indicated he knew exactly who the dog was.

"He's just some old dog that hangs round the bar sometimes" I said pretending to be completely ignorant. His arrival had been perfect and gave me a perfect excuse for me to leave before Bill started asking more questions about how I had done what I had done.

"Well I should be getting back to work. You'll be alright now?" I asked as I stood with Sam he dog pressed against my side nudging me forward.

"Yes" Bill replied and after a pause he added, "I thank you again for your assistance. I hope to repay the favour one day"

I nodded and started walking back through he trees. As I stepped out onto the parking lot I noticed the blood the Rattrays had drained sitting in a scattered pile next to were Bill had been silvered. Denise had managed to completely miss it when she had driven past.

"Do you want it?" Bill asked me suddenly and I couldn't hide the look of disgust that crossed my face at the thought, especially now I knew what drinking a vampire's blood would mean. It made me suspicious that Bill would offer me his blood so freely.

"I understand it makes humans feel more healthy and improves their sex life." Bill continued, as though he was in a TV commercial.

"I'm as healthy as can be and have no sex life to improve upon" I said but Bill tried a different tactic.

"You could sell it?"

"I wouldn't touch it." I said with a tone of finality before leaving with Sam hot on my heels.

Bill looked a little surprised and put out by my tone and I wondered had he really expected me to accept? Had offended him in some way by refusing?

But then I realized I didn't really care anymore. I had just saved his life.

Please review and tell me what you think… Next update soon I hope!