A/N: Well here it is Jason POV, and as I predicted it one monster of a chapter at nearly 5000 words. It was completely unplanned, but it works out well, because I won't be able to post tomorrow. Hope everyone enjoys this chapter, I think it's my favorite that I've ever written.

Chapter 9

Jason POV

It was completely normal for someone who was healing to sleep a lot right? Jason wondered as he went into check on Sookie for the sixth time in an hour. Just her face and neck poked out of the huge mound of blankets, and Jason wished he could be sure she was breathing. He'd never been one to worry, he figured whatever happened, happened, but ever since he'd answered Tara's call from the hospital, Jason had begun to agonize over just about everything. He lowered himself shakily into Gran's old rocking chair, his eyes fixed on his sister's sleeping face. He'd come so close to loosing the only family he had left. He'd sat there stupidly, forced to watch as she seemingly slipped farther and farther away, and there had been nothing he could do. He'd made so many mistakes when it came to his relationship with his sister, he'd never been there for her like he should have. An endless line of examples came to mind and he slumped forward in the chair as he pulled at his hair roughly. He was trying so damn hard to do right by her now, but again he felt helpless. He'd fucking screwed up, and the worst part was he knew it was gonna upset her, but he just hadn't been able to keep his damn mouth shut. He'd told himself that it was necessary to keep her safe, and he stood by that, but if he was being 100% honest he had to admit he'd been thinking about himself, not Sookie. Truth was, Jason realized, he needed his sister in his life. He needed her to kick him in the ass, call him on his bullshit, and keep him on the right path, without her . . . well Jason didn't even want to imagine where he'd be.

Brutal self actualization aside, Jason still had no answers as to what his plan was to keep his sister safe. He didn't want to act like an idiot and run off half-cocked, he wanted a strategy, a precision strike if you will, but that was just beyond what Jason knew he was capable of. He was a damn excellent shot, but he knew he wasn't a big thinker kind of guy. So then what do you do when you need something done that you can't do? Jason almost laughed aloud the answer was so damn simple. You find someone who can! His glee was instantly replaced with doubt however, as he wondered just who he knew that could come up with such a plan. As he ran through his many friends and acquaintances no one stood out, and Jason sighed despondently. His mind spit out name after name, but not one of them had the skills he so needed. What kind of people do? He wondered trying to take a different route. Well the damn vampire I'm after sure does, his mind honed in on this thought, and it felt as though there was an itching sensation in his brain. Jason just let his thoughts continue down this path, thinking there was something significant there. He needed someone. . . older, someone . . . trickier, someone who had already outwitted more than his fair share of vamps. It hit Jason like a lightening strike; he needed his great granddaddy. While this, to Jason, was a beauty of an idea, trouble was Jason had not one clue as to how his granddaddy could be reached. Jason squeezed his eyes shut, and pinched the bridge of his nose. Damn if he didn't hate all this thinkin'. He just wanted to go, do, that's what he was good at not this! Jason stood up, bounced on his toes a few times, and shook out his arms and head, trying to relieve the frustration. Need Granddaddy Niall, need Granddaddy Niall, think Jason Stackhouse! He chanted over and over in his mind. Jason couldn't be sure how long he kept this up, but nothing was coming. "Dammit!" He was so flustered, he needed to to figure this out! He paced the small room like a caged animal, but he just couldn't think. Okay Jason, this ain't workin' man gotta try something different. . . . . A walk, he'd take a walk maybe that would get the wheels turnin'. He brushed his lips against his sister's forehead gently and strode from the room with a sense of purpose. He was a man on a mission. He let his feet take him where ever they chose, and he wandered for a good while before he found himself standing in the old cemetery. He made his way to where generations of his family lay, looking for a specific stone he'd never paid any mind to previously. He scanned the stones, pausing briefly to press a kiss to the tips of his fingers and place them atop his Gran's stone before continuing, it was difficult to make out, but finally his fingers traced out the name he'd been searching for:

Genevieve Rose Stackhouse

Beloved Wife and Mother

1918-1987

His great-grandmother, the beginning of the Stackhouse's involvement with the supernatural. Had she went searching for more than her boring life as a sheltered farm wife? Or had she simply stumbled into it? Jason shoved away from the grave angrily, there were no answers here only more questions. "Goddammit, Niall you helped to start this whole mess, now she's dead and can't help to make things right, but you can! Show yourself! If you give one shit about this family you've destroyed, you get your ass down here!" Jason felt the calm stillness of the grave yard change as the wind whipped up around him, and a brilliant eruption of the purest white light damn near caused his retina's burn out of his head. Left completely blind, he stumbled backward, tripped over something, and landed hard on his back knocking the air out of him.

"I don't like to be order about grandson, if you were not kin you would be dead!" Jason's head thumped to the ground beneath him as hysterical laughter bubbled up inside him. It came out as panting and chocking, but Jason was so relieved he didn't have a shred of embarrassment.

"So all's I gotta do is piss ya' off and you come? I'll try and remember that for the future." Jason watched in amusement as Niall spluttered indignantly.

"I'll remind you I'm a prince, I'm not just waiting around at your beck and call! I'm trying to reassure a million fae that the realm is safe, all the while attempting to keep your sister's involvement in the mess a secret!" Jason felt bad for Niall, it must be hard being pulled in so many directions.

"I'm sorry for losing my temper. It's just . . . well. . . I'm just gonna lay it all out on the line, here." Jason scrubbed his hands over his face a blew out a large exhale. "I'm scared, my sister's in some real serious danger, and I don't know what to do to keep her safe. I don't want to put all this on your shoulders, but you started all this. I'm not sayin' you could have predicted all this would happen, Lord knows I don't think anyone could have, but you left Sookie here without any protection. Heaven only knows how she's survived as long as she has with her bein' Vampire crack and all. Dammit, I'm sorry I'm ramblin', the point is we need your help now. I'm good with a gun and I can fight, but I need someone to look at the bigger picture. I won't last against what they can send after her, I'm not enough." Jason felt Niall's hand rest on his shoulder, and Jason met his Granddaddy's eyes.

"I'm the one who should be apologizing Jason. You're right I left you here, in my defense it never occurred to me that they would find Sookie before she fully matured, and was able to defend herself. That was very short sighted of me. I thought that if I stayed away, that would be enough. I didn't want you to be killed by my enemies as your parents were." Jason gasp and burst to his feet.

"What?" Jason felt like he was going to vomit, his parents were murdered?

"Again I must apologize, I only wanted to show that however stupid my actions, I did have reasons for them. I was always in your grandfather and father's lives I was there for every milestone, every achievement. I watched as they were born, as I did with you and your sister, but one of my enemies from a warring clan cunningly noticed my absences, and eventually discovered my secret. I thank the Gods everyday that he acted rashly and came after them alone telling no one else of their existence. I was too late to save your mother and father, but I did send him to the Summerlands before he could hurt either of you children. After his death I kept my distance, not wanting to repeat my former mistake. You must know it was like I was cutting out my own heart, I missed all of you so very much, but I did what I knew I was best. I still believe that Jason." Jason couldn't even begin to imagine what it must be like to have to leave your family, to have tell yourself every day that it was what was right, all the while your heart ached to be with them. His anger with Niall disappeared, Jason knew whatever the cost he wouldn't have been strong enough to continue to do the right thing day in and day out for years end as Niall had.

"I wish things could have been different, but I'm glad I understand now. I'm happy to know that even though you weren't here, you didn't abandon us, and that we never left your heart." Niall moved to Genevieve's grave and knelt down resting his head against the smooth stone.

"Fifty years was not nearly enough my love, but I know we will be united in the Summerlands. I will protect our grandchildren, I swear this to you! They carry our love in them, I will not allow that to be extinguished." Even in the dim light of the shaded cemetery, Niall's tears shimmered. "Come my child let's begin to fulfill our promises.

The next hour flew by as Niall walked Jason through the security measures he was putting in place. Jason was amazed at how quickly Niall had come up with such a thorough and extensive plan. There were traps spanning miles all around the property, not animal traps like Jason had first assumed, but more like deadly tricks. Some were a kind of doorway that when you walked through it would take you miles away to an entirely different forest, over by Hot Shot. When Jason wondered why that forest Niall laughed gleefully, and said the people there tended to be overly territorial. When Jason worried about the people there's safety Niall very earnestly assured him that they would be able to hold there own. Other traps seemed to bring nature itself to life, trees sprung to life attacking using their branches as stakes, Spanish moss slithered like snakes wrapping around and crushing enemies, and the ground turned to quicksand sucking their victims deep into the Earth. In fact, Niall had transformed just about every natural aspect of the property into a deadly defense. Jason stood in awe of his Grandaddy's power, and it seemed like it was all just too easy for him.

"Wow, that's just amazin' Granddaddy, with that kind of power I can't believe anyone would be stupid enough to try and go against you."

"I didn't use my power, I used the power that was already there. As Fae we are very connected to nature, especially here, as this is our home. Oh, we moved ourselves away, but this land will always be a part of us, and we of it. I simply asked nature to help us and it complied." Jason understood the words, but the overall meaning was lost on him.

"Will Sookie be as powerful as you someday?" Niall thought about his answer for a long time before he finally said

"I believe Sookie will be even more powerful, her Light it burns so strongly, it's brighter than any I've ever seen before. Even though she is part-human, I have a feeling she will surpass us all."

"Grandaddy will it be safe for Sookie and I to move around the yard and stuff without you? Sookie likes to lay in the sun most days, it makes her happy ya know, she'd kill me if she had to stay trapped in the house all day."

"Oh yes, perfectly safe. Nothing will happen to those who share our blood, or to a full blooded human. It's only supernatural beings that need be careful, not only of their intent, but if they possess a dark heart, the defenses will attack. One last thing and then I must be off, I am planning to send my most trusted warrior to come and watch over the two of you, his name is Waldo, he should be here before the sun sets. Know that I would trust only him with those I hold most dear to me." Niall placed a hand on Jason's shoulder and inclined his head slightly. "Take care of yourself and your sister, my son. I could not bare it if I were to loose the two of you as well." And dammed if he didn't disappear right on the spot no warnin' or nothin', Jason decided right then that as far as Grandaddies go his was pretty damn bad ass.

Jason jogged up the porch steps and hurried towards Sookie's room, he felt so much better now that they had a plan in place to keep her safe, but he still worried about the damage that had already been done. It didn't escape his notice that almost all of the little time that Sookie hadn't been asleep that day had been spent crying. He opened the door slowly, to avoid it's rather loud creak, and peered into the now dim room. Sookie lay cocooned in her many blankets, sleeping peacefully. Jason went to the kitchen to grab a pen and some paper. We wanted to have something there for her to eat when she woke, so he jotted out a quick note, and placed it on the night stand against the lamp where he was sure she would see it, along with a fresh glass of water in case she was thirsty. He kissed her forehead and checked and rechecked all the locks in the house. He knew that the house was very well guarded now, but he wasn't about to take a single chance when it came to his sister's safety. He felt a little stupid doing it, but as he climbed into his truck, he quickly mumbled. "I don't know if anything out there can hear me, but please, please keep my sister safe for me."

Jason decided that since he still had a few hours until the sun set, that he would run by his place to grab some things he needed before he stopped at Merlotte's. It was only a few minutes away, and before he knew it he was parked in his own driveway. He loved this house, it held so many memories of his parents for him. It didn't take long for him to gather up the few things he needed, guns, bullets, silver net, silver spray, a few changes of clothes. He wasn't proud of his time spent with the Fellowship of the Sun Church, but on the bright side it had taught him a few things. He was carefully packing the last few things in his duffel when someone began pounding on his door. "Hold your damn horses, I'm comin'." He zipped up the bag quickly and placed it behind the couch out of sight. "What's so damn important that your beatin' down my fuckin' door?" He yelled swinging said door open angrily. "Crystal?" He instantly regretted his outburst.

"I need your truck."

"What happened to you eye?" They said simultaneously. Crystal swept around him and into the living room. "Well damn come right on in." Jason mumbled sarcastically. His eyes swept over her trying to see if she was injured anywhere else, but other than being soaking wet she appeared to be fine. "Damn Crystal what'd ya do swim here?" She shifted nervously.

"It was the only way they wouldn't be able to follow me. Felton's a real good tracker. I'm sorry for just comin' here like this Jason, but I had nowhere else ta' go. All's I need is. ."

"My truck, yeah I heard ya, but Crystal you gotta understand I can't just give it to you. Why don't you tell me what happened, and we'll see if we can figure something out." Her eyes danced nervously to the door. "They ain't gonna find ya here, just sit down and tell me what in the world happened."

"You got something I can change into? And. . . maybe somethin' to take the edge off?" Jason nodded and silently headed toward his bedroom. There was a heavy sensation in his gut tellin' him something was wrong with this whole situation. He told himself he needed to be on his guard, but he wasn't sure if the feeling was about Crystal or something else. He grabbed one of his old T-shirts and an old pair of sweats along with a towel and headed back to the living room, he handed everything over, before heading to the kitchen to fix her a drink. He kept going over and over the pit in his stomach, but still he couldn't put his finger on just what was nagging at him.

"Ya know I ain't never been anywhere besides Bon Temp? Ain't never ever had a job aside from cookin'." Jason turned around to face her and saw that she was standing there naked as the day she was born in the middle of his living room. Keep your wits about ya Stackhouse she's up ta somethin'.

"Ah. . Um is that right. . Um my sister works at Merlotte's." Crystal giggled, and began making her way toward him, her tight little body on full display.

"Not food silly, meth." Her body moved so sinuously like a cat stalking its prey, Jason's mind swam, and he had trouble getting his brain to work. Dammit Jason stop thinkin' with your dick and focus!

"Oh. . Well I guess that's not a skill many people have." She was right in front of him her warm body damn near flush against his.

"I have other. . . skills too Jason." Her mouth pressed against his and he fought to keep his head.

"Crystal. . Aw shit. ." Her hand had made its way between them and was rubbing just right where it felt so goddamn good. Jason Stackhouse you idiot she's after your fucking truck! "I'm. . . I'm n. . .not gonna g. . .give you my tr. . .uck if you sl...eep with me." She pulled away instantly, looking him square in the eyes. His head so much clearer now, he stalked into the living room, and snatched up her water logged dress from the floor. "I'll drive you to the bus station, and even pay for your ticket, but you need to get the fuck outta my house." Jason knew she was in a bad situation, but it really pissed him off that she had tried to use sex against him. It was just so. . . low. If she'd given him the chance he would have driven her anyway, he wasn't the type to just sit around and do nothing while a woman was being abused. She snatched her dress from his hands and hastily threw it over her head, and when she was again covered she went to stand by the door. Jason grabbed his bag from behind the couch and without another word made their way to the bus station. Jason felt nothing but relieved that he had saw her for what she really was so quickly, he had a feeling that under that innocent face she was the type of girl who could go from zero to crazy in .2 seconds. Yeah he might have definitely just dodged a bullet there.

The sun had long since set as Jason pulled into Merlotte's parking lot and he cursed himself for allowing a cute little butt to distract him from his duty to his sister. He hurried inside and saw Terry was behind the bar. Bypassing the other staff completely, he made his way to the window to the kitchen. Lafayette was at the grill, singing away happily as he cooked. "Hey Lafayette, I thought Tara was workin' tonight?" Lafayette never paused in his ministrations as he answered.

"She is just took her thirty is all, she's probably out back, knowin' her."

"I'll go that way on my way out. Listen Lafayette I need your help with somethin'" With this Lafayette paused and arched an eyebrow at Jason. "Nothin' bad! I'm tryin' to take take care of Sook while she laid up healin' and all. Thing is I can't cook, I know her and she won't tolerate to-go food and sandwich's for long, and before I know it I'll catch her in the kitchen cookin' when she should be restin'! So I was wondering if you'd be willin' to make up a few things that I could maybe just pop in the microwave or somethin', but ya know somethin' good for her, healthy or whatever. I'd pay for the groceries and your time even!"

"Nah you ain't gotsta pay me, it's more than enough to see you finally takin' your head outcha ass and bein' there fo' yo' sister. I'll bring the stuff by in the mornin' and spend the day cookin', I'll even leave directions so your clueless ass don't fuck up my downright fabulousness."

"Thanks Lafayette, but seriously bring the receipt for the groceries, just wouldn't feel right havin' you pay for it all. I gotta head out and order us some supper, would it be askin' too much it I asked ya to put a rush on it. Sookie should still be asleep, but I meant to be back before the sun set, in case she was scared ya know?"

"Just give me two shakes and I'll have somethin' ready for ya, just head out and wait at the bar." Lafayette was good to his word and Jason was heading out the back door not fifteen minutes later. He wanted to check on Tara, Jason didn't know exactly what had happened to her before she'd placed that call from the hospital, but Tara shared the same haunted look he saw so often in Sookie's eyes now. Jason's hands fumbled the food as he opened the door, and he used one foot to prop the door as he crouched down to pick up the dropped container. His blood froze as he heard Tara's panic filled voice filter in from somewhere just outside.

"If you're going to fuckin' kill me, kill me. If you want me to beg for my life you're shit out of luck, I won't give you the satisfaction." Jason eased the door shut quietly, and sprinted off through the bar to his truck. He wrenched his duffel from the back and tore everything out until he reached his gun, and a few of the wooden bullets inside, which he opted to load as he ran. He paused as he reached the corner of the building, and stealthily inched his way into an optimal position for a shot. He'd only have one chance at this. He crawled forward slowly, having a good idea where they were, but when he reached the spot he'd anticipated taken his shot from they were no where in sight. Jason's heart thudded hollowly and he took slow breath's so as not to cry, he could cry later if . . . but right now they would only impair his vision. He noticed motion from the far base of the dumpster, and circled back slightly and into the treeline. When he finally had a clear view Jason's knees gave way, and he sank to the damp forest floor. Tara was gone, the Vamp had drained her, Jason stared into his friends lifeless eyes, and somehow managed to get his rubbery arms to lift the riffle and aim. His finger was just about to squeeze the trigger when the vampire tore into his own wrist and pressed it against Tara's mouth. He watched uncomprehendingly as the dark thick liquid flowed, was he. . . was he turning her? Jason saw a ray of hope and waited until the vampire finished. The vampire leaned once more over Tara's still form placing a fiery kiss to her now scarlet lips, and proclaimed

"You'll love me forever now." Jason had waited long enough. In a bold, if not slightly stupid, move, he rose from his knees and stepped out into clear view of the vampire.

"I don't think so asshole." The vampire turned just enough and Jason fired right into the fucker's heart. The vamp disintegrated into so much goo, splattering all over Jason's face, but he didn't even flinch as he made his way to Tara. "I'm so sorry I didn't get here sooner." His tears pour down as he scooped her up and carried her back to his truck. I'm gonna take you back to my house Tara, and I'm gonna b. . . bury you. I pray that this works and I'm blessed enough to see you again."