I know you were all probably starting to wonder if I had abandoned you... unfortunately, life happened. Things have been much busier at work, and then I spent an entire weekend driving my very pregnant best friend up to a wedding almost 9 hours away when her sister bailed on her at the last minute... Anywho, another fun little chapter. Not quite to the action sequence yet, but definitely within the next two chapters. Expect things to go a little differently at Club Dead!

Disclaimer: Alan Ball owns the concept of Godric, Charlene Harris owns just about everything else.

An alarm clock went off on the end table next to the bed, though Sookie had never sent one. In fact, she really did not want to get up. Eric must have known she would not get up on her own. Even when she hadn't been seeing a vampire, she had rarely gotten up at this ungodly hour. Still, Alcide struck her as the up-and-at-'em type, no doubt he would be there to get her before too long.

The light streaming in through the window told her that her room had not been made light tight, which explained why Eric was no longer laying there. As much as she would have liked to wake up in bed with him, it made the space feel even more her own that he had given her the sun. Maybe next time she could spend the night in his room, and she had every intention of there being a next time… soon.

Her bags had been brought in and stowed in the closet, including her garment bag which was now hanging up. Her toiletries bag was on top of her larger suitcase, but she did not need it. She had noticed the night before, Eric had stocked her bathroom with everything she could need, even buying the right brand of toothpaste. Apparently, he wanted there to be a next time as well. Instead, she pulled out a pair of some comfy jeans and a long sleeve shirt that would travel well. It wasn't a horrible drive to Jackson, but comfort was a much larger priority than impressing Alcide. She also grabbed a new pair of underwear, not quite sure where hers from the night before had ended up.

Looking at the rumpled mess of her hair, she realized it would have to be a bun day. If she had thought to ask Eric, she would have found out exactly what time Alcide was coming to pick her up, and if she had time for a quick shower. Her thoughts of the tub brought back a delightful twinge of feeling in her abdomen, and she caught herself smiling stupidly into the mirror in remembrance.

Eric in a bathtub could make any girl smile that way, but she still shook her head and got back to getting ready. After all, she had no idea how long he thought it took her to get ready. He might have set her alarm to give her an hour or ten minutes. Sookie did not consider herself particularly high maintenance, but ten minutes would have been cutting it close. She threw on enough make-up to be presentable without trying too hard and found some hairspray to tame the fly-aways from her bun.

It would work.

The telepath brought her bags to the front door once everything was zipped shut again, albeit a little slower than Pam had. Sookie would have sworn they were heavier than she remembered, but it was probably just muscle exhaustion. Between work and a whole lot of play, she could tell her muscles were a little more well used than she would have liked. Perhaps it was time to start working out again.

No car was waiting outside, so she ventured into the kitchen. It surprised her that Eric would be okay with Alcide coming over to his house. She would have thought the Were would be one of the last people Eric wanted knowing where he slept. Of course, Sookie trusted him not to do anything with the information, but it was odd that Eric did as well. Maybe Eric was warming up to Alcide, but he hadn't seemed like it the other night. Jesus Christ, Shepherd of Judea, vampires were complicated!

When she opened the fridge, she found bacon, eggs, sausage, even one of those tubes of ready to bake biscuits. Someone had done their homework on a Southern girl's breakfast. Unfortunately, one important detail had gone unnoticed. Looking around the kitchen (and there weren't many places to look), Sookie realized that the same person was not quite as much on how you cooked the things in the fridge. While cups, plates and utensils were readily available, all she could find was one lonely pot to cook in, without even a cookie sheet to accompany it. Rather than boil eggs, she went with the cereal and juice she had found while searching the sparse cabinetry.

It was definitely the thought that counted, and Eric had gotten the most important thing right. Taking one entire counter was the most beautiful coffeemaker she had ever seen. It was one of those fancy, single serve machines that let you select the size mug you needed to fill. Beside it was a traveling mug she would have been willing to bet had come with the machine. Mugs were no where to be found in the vampire kitchen, so she placed the traveler under the spout and starting push buttons and turning knobs in the hopes that coffee would come out. Luckily, she had known enough to put one of the little cups that held the coffee ground in it, and the smell that was now coming from the steaming liquid made her eyes close in appreciation. It was almost worth getting up this early… almost.

For obvious reasons, Eric had never been a part of her morning routine, but she had mentioned how much she loved coffee a few times. It made her feel all warm and fuzzy to know that he not only listened to her when she was babbling, but that he actually paid attention to what she was saying. That is what every woman wanted out of a man, and she had managed to find it in a gorgeous package.

The stools at the breakfast bar gave her a place to sit while eating her honey-nut cheerios. Any person eating alone doesn't need a table big enough for twelve to remind them. The dining room table was easily as big as the kitchen, and Sookie could not understand what Eric used it for. He did not strike her as the entertaining type, and he certainly didn't eat there. Or if he did, she certainly didn't want to know about it.

As she rinsed out her bowl and made another cup of coffee for the road, the waitress realized she would have had time to wash her hair. Eric had given her plenty of time. Exploring the house crossed her mind. Every vampire who had come into her house had search every room, but it still felt like an invasion of privacy. Plus, she wanted Eric to be the one to show her around. She would just have to not get distracted next time.

It had been easy to forget what she was about to do: infiltrate a group of vampires who had possibly tried to kidnap her. Sookie was not, by nature, a pessimist, but she had to admit that it was possible there would be no next time. The thing that kept her going through with it was the thought that doing nothing would ensure there was no next time. She would not be the reason that Eric left this world.

The doorbell ringing made her jump. Alcide was outside waiting for her. It was easy to tell from the angry jumble on thoughts on the other side of the door, but she checked the peephole just in case.

"Morning Alcide!" She greeted him, pushing away her earlier thoughts. She was going to do what had to be done. Alcide was already in a bad mood, no need to add gloom of her own to the mix.

"Morning." His greeting was less than enthusiastic. "Let me get your bags, and we can hit the road."

She grabbed her garment bag with a small "oof." She was definitely going to start working out when she got back. When, not if.

Alcide hung her bag where his toolbelt or hardhat probably went, not struggling with it all, and the rest of her bags when in the back of the extended cab. She scrambled up, glad she was in jeans this time and did not need a boost. Alcide was already pulling off before she had clicked her seat belt shut. She hoped it was just that he wasn't a morning person, or this was going to turn into one long car ride.

Rather than chatter at him uselessly, Sookie let him brood silently. Usually, when she was uncomfortable, she started babbling, but she tucked her hands in her lap and stared out her window. Hopefully, he would perk up in a little while. Why was it all the men in her life were more temperamental than they always claimed women were? It was a good thing she had eaten before they left. No way was she going to ask him to drive through McDonald's for her.

"I didn't realize you had moved in with him."

"What?" She had heard him just fine, but it was one of those statements that takes you so completely by surprise it requires repetition before it will stick.

"I said: 'I didn't realize you had moved in with him.'" He repeated with more attitude than necessary. Stupid boys and their assumptions.

"Who told you that?"

The Were stared straight ahead without even a glance in her direction. "He did." The 'he' was obviously Eric. "Well, he implied it anyway."

Now it all made sense, or at least, she thought she had figured it out. Eric so rarely did anything for just one reason. Having Alcide pick her up at his house was a way of marking her as his almost as surely as the healing bite marks on her thigh and more much visible. Sookie started laughing. Of course, it had been hard for Eric to let her go with Alcide like these, and he had managed to get the last jab while slumbering. It was impressive in a somewhat possessive way. Alcide's knuckles were white on the steering wheel, and she knew she was pushing him too far.

"Look, I'm not living with him." Her driver exhaled audibly and smiled but missed when she rolled her eyes at him. "Not that it should really matter to you where I am living. You know good and well that he and I are… together." It was hard to put a name to what they were. Dating seemed too silly for someone Eric's age.

"Yeah…" He was practically whining. "but moving in is to… permanent. Like one step away from being one of them."

"Really, Alcide! Eric knows I have no intention of being a vampire." That had been an interesting discussion, and not one she had planned on re-living with her Were escort.

"You don't?" He was as surprised that she didn't as Sookie was that he had to ask.

"No, I like sun tanning too much. Plus, being Eric's 'progeny' is not my idea of a healthy romantic relationship."

"So, how's that gonna work?"

She had thought a lot about that question, but it was one of those things she and Eric never really talked about outloud. They both wanted to make it work, so that was the important thing. "We will spend as much time together as possible, and then what happens, happens. I am happy with the way things are now."

In fact, lately, she had been way more than happy. Despite their disagreements, Eric made her feel the best she had felt… at least since Gran died, possibly since her parents had. She had a confidence that had been missing before, and she had never felt this way about anyone. But Alcide didn't need to know all that. "Look, I don't mean to be rude, but I don't really feel like talking about all this. We haven't caught up in a while. How are things with you?"

"Debbie's engaged." His voice was cold as he spoke those words, and with them, Sookie said good-bye to a pleasant car ride.

Her emotionally unavailable friend had finally calmed down and was even able to field a couple business calls by the time they neared Jackson. Usually, she would have considered a phone conversation which required the only other person in the car to be silent was rude, but at that point, she was just happy for a respite from Debbie and her owl.

Once they hit Jackson proper, she was distracted by the new city, and Alcide even provided commentary on the land marks. They stopped to grab a burger as he was getting hungry. It was not quite noon, but already her day had been filled with a couple twists.

"After you are settled in at the apartment, I have to go out for a bit. There are some work things I need to get done while here." He explained once back in the truck.

"That's alright; I understand." It felt like he was apologizing, even though she knew he had a business to run. "So, what's the cover story here?"

"Well, I guess we're dating." He didn't seem quite as happy about that as she had thought he might be.

"What about Godric?"

"He is a business associate of mine looking to relocate to the area." He was much more confident about that part than their relationship status.

"And since you were showing him around, you decided to bring your girlfriend along." Sookie filled in the gap.

"Exactly. With Godric around, it shouldn't be too hard to meet Russell." She felt his hesitation, even though it was a natural end to his statement.

"Oh, just spit it out."

"The club we're going to tonight, it's… pretty upscale, like black tie."

"Thanks for letting me know." She left off that it would have been helpful to know before she packed. It would do no good to say it now. Sookie had packed a couple dresses, the ones she had gotten for her trip to Texas, but none of them were black tie worthy. "I don't suppose you know where I could pick up a dress?"

"My sister might be able to suggest a couple shops."

"I might just have to do that." It was a wonderful feeling to be set up where buying a dress wouldn't break the bank for her. Sure, she wasn't looking forward to the dip it would take, but she could still pay her bills. The only real problem was finding one that fit on such short notice.

"She's real excited about meeting you, and you could get your hair and nails done." Her nonchalant attitude over the dress must have put him at ease. If he knew that Eric was still paying her, he wouldn't have been concerned over her finances.

"That sounds like fun actually." It would be a first for her.

"They pulled into a gorgeous looking 'apartment' building with a gated garage underneath. The gateman greeted Alcide as Mr. Hearveaux and let them through while Alcide explained they would take the elevator up to the top floor to get to their suite.

Sookie may have been from a small town in the middle of nowhere, but she knew what that meant: Penthouse.

He detailed his neighbors as they went up. One was a Senator, then an old lady, and all of them rich. Well, he didn't mention that part, but Sookie inferred it from their surroundings. He opened the door for her to the most expensive, beige apartment she had ever seen.

"It's really nice Alcide." And it was, nothing in there looked cheap or secondhand, but it also looked very impersonal. After seeing the few touches at Eric's house, it just wasn't the same. Even the heavy cherry wood dining table that Eric probably never used fit him, unlike the bamboo accent in Alcide's living room. She would have put money on the fact that they brought someone on in to decorate.

"Thanks, dad and I like having a little home away from home." For some reason, she doubted that his home looked anything like this. Not that she thought him messy, but she figured it was probably much more… lived in, like his truck.

"Which one is the guestroom?" She was ready to set down her hanging bag.

"Over here." He said, looking relieved. "I would let you have the master bedroom, but a few of my contacts will be calling me here, and it has the only hardline. Your bathroom is right down the hall, please put anything in there you need. I've got a bathroom in the master suite."

"Alright." She followed him in with a smile, only a little sad she would not have a connected bathroom. At least she knew he wouldn't be making any passes at her, not after the morning's conversation. "You mind if I use the closet? I brought stuff that needs to hang."

"Sure, it should be pretty empty, but just smash over anything in your way." Apparently, they left clothes there just in case. It was a good idea, you never know when travelling.

The bedroom was just as nicely decorated at the outside, just as professionally done. He set her bags at the foot of the bed and stood there, looking very unsure for a man in his own place.

"You can go ahead and start on your business calls if you need. I am fine getting settled on my own."

"I feel bad just leaving you like this."

"I'm fine, really. I know you are here to pay off your debt to Eric, and that you still have a life to live. He didn't contract to wait on me hand and foot, just bring me up here and escort me tonight."

"Alright, well, I'll leave the number and address to my sister's salon in the kitchen for you."

"Thanks! That'd be great."

Once she heard his bedroom door shut, she slipped off her shoes and unzipped her bag. The faster she got everything out, the less likely it was to wrinkle, which meant less ironing. She was all about less ironing… if two men even owned one. Drawing open the sides, she noticed a golden fabric that definitely did not belong to any of the outfits she had packed. It was tulle.

Pulling it out, she held the most beautiful dress she had ever held. It looked like something one of her favorite actresses might wear down the red carpet, and it was probably just as expensive. The cloth shimmered in the sunlight, looking as though the tulle had been spun around it. No sooner had she picked it up than the coat beneath caught her eye. Usually, she was not one for fur (or at least, she always thought she would not be if she could afford it), but the dark brown of the coat set off gold still pooling around it, she decided she could make an exception this once. It felt amazing as she brushed her finger over it. The thought of a coat had not even crossed her mind, and she would have either had to freeze or where her ugly old coat. A note from Eric had been attached to the hanger.

I wish I could be there to see you in this.- E

PS Jewelry is in your little bag, and the shoes are in the suitcase.

He had thought of everything! Her excitement bubbled over as she carefully laid the dress out on the bed to look over it some more. It was even her size, and if the stitching was any indication, it looked as though he had gotten it tailored. How did he know her measurements? She grabbed her phone from her purse, unable to wait until he was awake to let him know how she felt about her present.

"I love it, Eric! Thank you so much for my surprise! I didn't see it till we got to Jackson, and I can't believe you managed to sneak everything in to my bags. The color is absolutely perfect, and now I don't have to try and find something last minute which probably wouldn't have even fit! You are the best! I love you." The smile was still plastered on her face when she hung up.

It wasn't until she turned to hang up the dress that the smile faltered. Had she just said 'I love you' for the first time… on a voicemail?

I have had some complaints about Sookie and Eric's relationship. I am terribly sorry if you don't think I am doing it justice, but this is honestly how I see it. I am not going to overly romanticize it. They are complicated people with even more complicated lives which makes for a complicated relationship. Despite Sookie's bloodline, this is no fairy tale.

If you think you know why things should be easy and simply lovey-dovey between the two of them, feel free to detail that to me in a review!