Queenie: And it's the start of Season Two! Woohoo~ *fires confetti gun*...oh...now I have a mess. I didn't think about that, did I? Oh, well! I hope you all like this chapter, dearies!

I stood there frowning in annoyance as Tara and Sookie screamed at the dead body in the back of Andy's car. Their screaming was killing my ears. Andy yelled at them to shut up as Sam came up to check on Tara and Sookie.

"What happened?" Sam asked.

"Step back!" Andy yelled at us. "I got this."

Yeah, I'm sure he's got this when he's this drunk. I shook my head, but said nothing as Sookie and Tara explained why the three of us were trying to help Andy find his car.

"Someone fucking moved it." Andy added.

"And this person was inside." I finished. "We should probably call the cops."

"What?" Andy asked sounding offended. "I am the cops."

Tara suggested an ambulance be called, but I doubted that'd be necessary. I could practically smell death all over the corpse inside.

"Oh, my God." Tara said clinging to Sam. "Please, tell me it's not Lafayette, please."

"Check for a pulse." Sookie said quickly.

Terry lifted the sheet over the woman, and I glanced under it to see a large whole in her chest with her face frozen in pain and agony she felt during her murder.

"There isn't a pulse." I said. "Her heart is missing."

Tara relaxed when I said 'her' because that meant it couldn't be Lafayette, which I was grateful for.

"Who the heck is that?" Sam asked.

I shrugged my shoulders having no idea, but then Tara let out an ear-piercing scream. I winced holding my ears. I'm guessing Tara recognized the woman.

I stood silently by Andy's car as I looked down at the ground to look for any tracks. There was just something about this murder that seemed supernatural or mystical, which is why I wanted to see if I could find something out. The cops were so preoccupied moving the body that they didn't pay me much attention. I couched down seeing a boot print in the ground. My brow quirked curiously as I mentally memorized the print design and width. I then looked for tire tracks that led up to Andy's car.

I went over to where Andy's car had been before it was moved to see the same boot print around Andy's car. I knelt down with my eyes looking for any other signs. Whoever brought the body here had to have some kind of transportation, right? Or did he or she walk here from where ever they killed that woman? I frowned when surprisingly not seeing any blood around. The body had been wrapped up though. I sighed having a gut feeling this was connected to something supernatural...or mythological.

My mind flashed to that Maryann character because I knew she wasn't human...not completely anyway. And it was kind of coincidence that she happens to show up in town, and then a dead body shows up. Doubt I could tell the cops this, and they actually listen to me. I did need to really be on alert though until things are resolved. I highly doubt that woman in that car is the last body we'll have with a heart missing.

"Hey, what are you doing?!" Andy called over to me. "This is a crime scene! Watch where you're stepping!"

I gave him a deadpanned look as he walked right towards me with a stumble in his step.

"Andy, relax." Bud said walking towards Andy and I. "Did you see something, Rissy?"

I frowned wondering if I should mention the boot prints. It wasn't like they went anywhere really, and if this really does involve some mystical monsters, the less humans involved the better.

"No." I said shaking my head. "Sorry...I thought I did, but I doubt it's anything. I'll just leave you to it. Like you said, this is a crime scene. Do you need to ask me anymore questions? Or may I go home?"

"Yes, you can return to your home, Rissy." Bud said. "Thank-you for your cooperation."

I nodded my head as I dusted off my hands. I placed my hands into my leather jacket pockets. I walked over to where Sookie and Sam were as Tara turned back to Kenya with a frown on her face.

"Well, if you don't need me anymore, Sam, I'm going to head home." I said to my boss. "That okay?"

"Yeah, you go on home, and get some rest." Sam said patting my shoulder.

I nodded to him then glanced at Sookie. She pulled me into her arms for a hug, and I pat her back in return.

"See you later." I said to Sookie.

Sookie nodded her head then I left to go get my things, and changed out of my work clothes. Once I was done doing that, I went to my bike. I got onto my bike then revved the engine to start heading for home. And once again another night ends on sour note.

I sighed walking up the steps to my porch, but I paused when seeing Eric sitting in the porch swing.

"You're home later than usual." Eric said casually.

"Well, there was a dead body at work, and I was one of the people who found it." I said shrugging.

Eric nodded his head as I moved over to sit next to him. I vaguely noticed I seem more relaxed around Eric, and I'm pretty sure that isn't a good thing. I put my feet in his lap, and he looked at me with a quirked brow. I quirked my brow right back at him, and he chuckled with a smirk.

"Shouldn't you be at your bar?" I asked. "I'm pretty sure as the owner you're needed there...not visiting me every night."

"I was in the neighborhood." Eric said with a shrug. "I dropped the annoying redhead off with Bill."

I pursed my lips knowing that Sookie was in for a surprise when she went to Bill's place tonight. And it wasn't one she was going to like at all.

"Jessica isn't that bad." I said to defend her.

Eric gave me a look that said 'you don't know what you're saying', and I lightly laughed.

"For someone who just saw a dead body you're in a surprisingly good mood." Eric said.

"I've seen a lot of dead bodies." I said. "Dead bodies of friends and family, so a stranger's dead body doesn't really meritt much of a reaction from me. That might seem cold, but that's how it is."

Eric looked at me a moment as if studying me, and I looked back waiting for him to say something.

"You have seen war." Eric said finally.

"Yeah." I said simply. "You might not believe it, but a full out war with the Titans happened in the middle of Manhattan...a little over a year ago. We lost a lot...mostly our younger half bloods. My planned successor for the Apollo Cabin...dead...one brother missing."

I mentally thought about Luke, but I refused to cry in front of Eric, so I contained my emotions.

"Cabin?" Eric asked after another pause.

"Yeah...the world is dangerous for half bloods because the moment we know of our heritage...we are hunted." I said. "I ran from home because a hellhound came for me. It nearly killed me. I traveled out of Louisiana not knowing exactly what was going on, but I just kept running. I met up with other half bloods and a satyr. The five of us went up to Long Island where there's a place called Camp Half Blood. It's a safe haven for half bloods, and we're all divided up into cabins."

I smiled lightly thinking of Cabin Five, and how every morning when the sun hit it just right to make it shine golden.

"There were once only twelve for the twelve main Olympians." I said. "But I've heard it's expanded since I left."

Eric nodded in acknowledgement to what I said as he seemed to absently run his fingers up my leg to my knee then down again.

"Anything else you want to ask me?" I asked tilting my head back. "I'm pretty sure we've only talked about my life the last two weeks, so there can't be much more you need to know."

"Yes, when are you going to invite me in so I can-"

"Don't even finish that question." I said looking to him with a frown.

He blinked at me 'innocently' causing me to roll my eyes. I went to remove my legs from his lap, but he grabbed onto my ankle. He pulled me into his lap with my legs on either side of his thighs. I gave him an unimpressed look as he smirked at me.

"No goodnight kiss?" He asked me.

"No." I said pushing against his chest to put some distance between us. "Because, Eric, I don't kiss men who's only interest is to fuck me then not commit to something more."

I pat his cheek then climbed out of his lap with his eyes following me as I went to my door.

"I will win you over eventually." Eric said undeterred as he flashed over to my side. "I always win."

"Not this time." I said staring up into his eyes.

Eric just grinned still looking confident, which made my lips twitch up in amusement.

"And who said I'm going to bed?" I asked as I opened the door. "I have things to do tonight."

Eric's brow quirked in question, but I just smiled as I pat his cheek a few times.

"Say hi to Pam for me...and Pow-wow or whatever his name is." I said.

"It's Chow." Eric said with a chuckle.

"Like the dog?" I asked.

Eric nodded his head as I stored that back inside my head for later to remember.

"Goodnight, Eric." I said while I bit my lip as I looked up to meet Eric's eyes.

He stared back down at me as he leaned in closer. I leaned up with our noses coming to brush.

"Eric." I breathed as our lips got closer. "...I told you it wasn't going to happen."

I pulled back with a cheeky grin as I stepped back into the safety of my house, so he couldn't grab me.

"Tease." He said causing me to laugh.

"I'm sorry to bother you at this hour, Chiron." I said as I stood in my living room using an Iris Message to speak with the Centaur.

"It is alright, Corissa." Chiron said. "You would never contact me unless it was important."

I nodded while telling him about the murder, the body with the missing heart, and the feeling I got around the woman Maryann.

"Has she shown any signs of being a monster?" Chiron asked.

"No, and I don't get the feeling that she's a monster exactly." I said. "But she definitely isn't human, Chiron. There's something about her though...like her presence. It has a familiar air about it. Something I've been around before, but not as strong in presence."

Chiron's brows furrowed, and I bit the back of my thumbnail wondering if Chiron could make things clearer for me.

"I'm afraid I do not have enough to make an assumption of what this woman might be, Corissa." Chiron said. "But I can send a few of your siblings over if you think they are needed."

"No, I don't want to pull Will or my other siblings into this." I said shaking. "I don't want to pull any one from camp into this."

Chiron nodded his head respecting my decision, which I was grateful for.

"Stay sharp, Corissa." Chiron said.

I bowed my head respectfully to Chiron as he ended the Iris Message. Once the message connection was cut, I groaned plopping down onto my couch. I'm just going to have to keep my eyes on Maryann, and hope another dead body doesn't turn up too soon.

I was working under the sink in my kitchen to fix a leak when the phone, which I had turned on last week, rang. I came out from the cabinet as grabbed my rag. I cleaned off my hands while going over to the phone. I pulled it off the hook, and placed it to my ear.

"Hello." I greeted.

I put the rag in my hand over my shoulder as I put the phone between my ear and shoulder, so I could open the fridge.

"Rissy, it's me Sookie." My dear cousin said. "I have some news...Great Uncle Bartlett is dead."

I paused in grabbing the orange juice from the fridge when hearing the news. That bastard is dead?

"I see." Was all I said as I pulled out the juice.

I shut the fridge as I went to get a glass. I honestly wasn't saddened by Bartlett's death. In fact, I didn't care at all that he was dead.

"How'd it happen?" I asked not really caring.

"They think he accidentally fell into a creak behind his house and drowned." Sookie said.

I could hear the skepticism in her voice, but I decided not to question her about it. I just poured my juice then picked up the glass when I was done.

"Well, thanks for telling me." I said as I poured. "But I need to get to get back to working on the house."

"Wait, Rissy." Sookie said. "Uh...Uncle Bartlett left something to us...an inheritance. Mr. Lancaster gave me yours to give to you."

I froze with a sick feeling falling over my body...that bastard thought he could apologize for what he done with money? The glass in my hand shattered when I gripped it too tightly. I ignored the mess on the counter, and the blood running down my hand.

"Rissy, what was that?" Sookie asked sounding worried. "Did something happen?"

"I'm fine. Everything alright." I said. "And that money...keep it...burn it...I don't care."

"Well, I was going to give mine to Jason." Sookie said.

I told her to just give Jason mine too, and then I told her I'd see her later at work. I hung up the phone before she could get another word out. I set the phone down while taking a minute to compose myself. I looked to my hand as blood poured down it. I un-clenched my hand with some of the glass falling to the counter. I looked at my hand seeing pieces of glass left over, and I frowned when seeing I'd need stitches. I didn't even register the pain as I grabbed a towel to clean up the mess.

"Sorry, I'm late." I said as I walked into Merlotte's.

I had went to the doctor's office, which took longer than I thought, to get my stitches since I had hurt my right hand, which is my dominant hand. It was wrapped up under my fingers , and around under my thumb with stitches underneath.

"Oh, Honey, where have you been?" Arlene asked looking exhausted then she saw my hand. "Oh, my God, what happened?"

"I accidentally cut myself on some glass today when I was working on the house." I said shrugging. "I had to go get some stitches."

Arlene asked me if I'd be alright to work tonight, and I nodded my head. She hugged me saying she hoped I got well soon. She hurried off to continue work as I went to put my bag away. I put my bag in my cubby hole then tied my apron around my waist. I went back to the front to go over to my section.

"What can I get you tonight?" I asked.

I took a break behind the bar as I looked at my hand. It was really itchy, but it wasn't like I could scratch it. I glared at my hand wishing it'd just heal already. I should ask Will or one of my other siblings to send me some ambrosia...especially since I keep getting hurt so much. I don't want to have to drink vampire blood every time time I get hurt.

"I don't think staring at it like that will get it to heal faster, Riss." Tara told me.

"If only." I said. "By the way, I need a picture of beer."

Tara nodded her head getting what I asked for. Once she was done, I grabbed it to place it on my tray. I took it over to the men who ordered it, and when one of them slapped my ass, I didn't hesitate to punch him in the face. The bar went silent as everyone looked over towards me and the man I just punched.

"Nothing to see here." I said. "Return to your meals."

Some people turned away, but others continued to stare as I looked to the man I punched.

"I think you should just pay for your drinks and meal and get out." I said. "Oh, and let's not forget the tip."

"You beating people out of their money, Rissy?" Jason asked me jokingly as he walked up then he frowned at the man who slapped my ass. "Seriously though, pay up and get out."

The man quickly out of his wallet, and he shoved a fifty dollar bill into my hand. He left quickly with his friends also paying before leaving.

"Hmm, this is more than enough." I said grinning. "Such a nice tip."

Jason chuckled as I pocketed the extra cash away into my apron for myself.

"So, you need to talk to me?" I asked as I started cleaning up the table.

"Yeah, I'm planning to go away for a bit." Jason admitted as he followed me away from the table when I collected everything.

I looked at him in confusion as I dumped the dirty plates and silverware in the tub. I put the picture of beer on a table with young men sitting around it since it shouldn't go to waste.

"On the house." I said to them causing them to cheer.

I looked back to Jason for explanation, and he explained he wanted to go to a church camp.

"A church camp." I repeated. "Do you really want that?"

"Yes." Jason said. "And it's thanks to you and Sookie giving me that money that I get to go. So thank-you."

Jason hugged me, and I hugged him back while sad that he'd be leaving for a while.

"Well, it's sad that you're leaving, but I hope you find what you're looking for, Jas." I said. "Just try to keep in touch, okay?"

"I promise." Jason said giving me another squeeze. "Take care of Sookie for me, okay?"

I nodded my head when he pulled away. I told him I had to get back to work, so I left him to continue my work.

"Stackhouse, I need to speak with you." Andy called out to me, which made me sigh.

I stood there waiting for the drunk Andy to say what he wanted to say. I wasn't really in the mood after the inheritance thing, and I was pretty sure I wouldn't be able to hold back my temper if Andy ticked me off tonight.

"How can I help you, Andy?" I asked.

"Do you know a Miss Jeannette?" Andy asked.

"Andy, I didn't know that dead woman in the back of your car." I said. "I don't know how she got there, and I don't know who moved your damn car."

Andy glared down at me, but I just glared right back. I would not put up with him. He keeps messing with me, and the bottle in his hand will be busted over his head.

"You know, Rissy, you're a very suspicious person." Andy said "You vanish for nine years, and then come back without an explanation. What were you doing the last nine years?"

"Living in Long Island, New York." I said.

"And how do you explain all that blood found when the police were looking for you?" Andy asked.

I narrowed my eyes at him as my jaw clenched. I tried to count backwards from ten, but it wasn't really working out.

"What do you think happened to cause all that blood, Andy?" I asked. "You're such a great detective, right? You tell me."

I knew I hit a bit under the belt, but I didn't really care at the moment. I wasn't about to take his shit.

"What do I think?" Andy asked. "What do I think?!"

"That's what I asked, Andy." I retorted.

I started noticing eyes on the two of us, but I didn't turn to look at them.

"What happened to you over the years, Rissy?" Andy asked. "You disappeared with only your blood left behind...and you don't come home for nine years. You didn't even come home for your Momma's funeral. What kind of cold bitch does that? Did you not care for her? Was she nothing to you? If you didn't even love your mother enough to come to her funeral, then what other cold...sick things are you capable of?"

In the blink of an eye I punched Andy right in the face. He hit the floor as everyone stopped in what they were doing.

"You have no right bringing up my mother to me, Andy Bellefleur!" I snapped at him. "No fucking right at all! I already feel enough guilt not being here for her funeral. You have no idea what kind of shit I went through in the last nine years, so don't act like you know me!"

I felt someone place their hands on my shoulders, and I tried to jerk away. However, they held me tight. I was turned around to seeing it was Terry. He pat me on the head as if I was a small child before he moved me out of public eye. Arlene, who was waiting near the back, brought me into her arms once we were out of everyon'e eye.

"Oh, Sweetie, don't you listen to that Andy Bellefleur." Arlene told me. "He doesn't know what he's saying."

I just rested my head on Arlene's shoulder as she soothingly rubbed her hand down my back. I calmed down as I concentrated on Arlene's hand going up and down my back. As soon as I was calm, I moved back from Arlene.

"Thanks, Terry, Arlene." I said. "I didn't mean to lose it back there...sorry."

"Honey, you don't have to apologize." Arlene said. "Andy had no right saying those things."

"And I want to say sorry on his behalf." Terry said. "He was way out of line."

I thanked them again when Sookie came up to the three of us to pull me over to the side.

"We're leaving." Sookie said. "I need you to look after...Jessica, so I can talk to Bill. By the way, I am upset you didn't say anything about her when you've known about her for two weeks."

I frowned while feeling a slight headache coming on. She wanted me to babysit Jessica just so she could speak with Bill? I honestly didn't feel like it after everything that's gone on today.

"Rissy, are you okay?" Sookie asked. "You look a little pale."

"Everything's fine." I lied. "Anyway, I can't just leave work. I need to work to make money, which happens to pay my bills."

Of course, Apollo does help out in the money department some. I have a bank account filled with drachmas. Still I like to pull my own weight, and I see those drachmas as emergency money.

"Rissy, please!" Sookie begged. "I need to speak with Bill tonight. I need to apologize and ask him about something...I think he killed Uncle Bartlett."

I blinked in confusion, so Sookie explained she told Bill about what Bartlett did to Sookie and I when we were little, and I doubted it was coincidence that Bartlett mysteriously died after Bill heard this.

"Then we should get him a gift basket." I said. "But I don't think Sam is going to let both of us off."

"He already did." Sookie said. "I asked him a few minutes ago...but he wants us to come in early tomorrow to make up for lost time."

Sookie then gave me puppy dog eyes, and I sighed knowing I couldn't say no to her.

"Fine." I said. "I'll babysit Jessica tonight."

Sookie squealed hugging me as I prayed to whatever god who might listen that I would remain sane.

I arrived at Bill's place just a few minutes after Sookie since I had went home to change. I let myself in, and when I entered, Jessica was dressed and waiting.

"Alright, Red, let's go." I said. "We'll go shopping or something, so Bill and Sookie don't have to worry about keeping their sounds of pleasure down."

"Rissy!" Sookie said appalled.

Jessica giggled as she practically skipped over to me. She hugged me, which surprised me, but I did pat her back.

"Now, Jessica, I want you to behave tonight for Corissa." Bill said. "Do as she says."

Jessica rolled her eyes though she did nod her head as she kept her arm looped with mine.

"Everything will be fine, Bill." I said waving off his worry. "Red and I will go have some fun, and we'll be back before her bedtime."

"Call if you need anything." Bill said.

"How? I have no cell phone." I pointed out. "We'll be fine, right, Red?"

Jessica nodded seeming really excited to go out. I saluted Bill and Sookie about to leave, but I paused as Jessica went out the door.

"I need your keys." I said holding my hand Sookie. "Carrying shopping bags on a motorcycle isn't easy."

Sookie handed over her keys, and I noticed Bill looking at my hand. He held out his hand to me, and I placed my hand in his.

"What happened?" Bill asked me.

"Cut my hand on some glass." I said shrugging. "I'm fine. Just needed a few stitches."

Bill nodded his head as he released my hand. I nodded to Bill and Sookie then left to meet Jessica outside.

"Okay, Red, into Sookie's car." I said.

"Aw, we're not going to ride your motorcycle?" Jessica asked pouting.

"Next time I'll take you for a ride." I promised her. "Now get in. We're going to go have some fun."

"Okay, I'm going to be honest." I said to Jessica as we walked into a vampire friendly mall, which I had to drive up to Shreveport for. "I suck at shopping, so we're going to have to help each other."

Jessica nodded with a smile as she looked around at everything. We walked around a bit, and whenever Jessica saw anything interesting, we went there to look at it. Bill gave Jessica his card, which probably wasn't the smartest thing. As we walked, I filled her in on what I was since she is Bill's...kid. I thought it only fair she knows, and she's been taking it rather well.

"You should get yourself some things." Jessica said as we walked into a jewelry store. "I don't want to be the only one getting stuff."

"Well, I did see a tattoo parlor inside this mall." I said. "I was planning to get a new one."

"You have a tattoo?!" Jessica asked smiling widely.

I chuckled raising the front of my shirt then pulled down the waist band of my jeans to reveal a small tattoo. It was a simple tattoo of an small arrow that looked like it was tattooed into my hip, and 'Apollo' was tattooed above the arrow in Greek.

"If you don't mind taking the time to let me get a tattoo, we could go do that." I said.

Jessica nodded then told me she wanted to help me pick my tattoo since she couldn't get one herself since Bill would flip if she did.

"Okay, Red." I said. "But nothing too crazy."

"They're so pretty." Jessica said as we looked at my new tattoos.

I had gotten two since Jessica had seen one she thought I should get, and there was one I had wanted for myself for a while. The one I wanted was on my upper right arm. It an old proverb, and it was 'time is precious', which it is when you have so little of it. I had it put in Greek, of course. Then the second one was of a butterfly that was on my ankle, which I had gotten for Jessica.

"You're lucky I like you, Red, because I hate needles." I said shuddering.

"You already had a tattoo." Jessica said sticking her tongue out at me.

I lightly nudged her playfully causing her to giggle. I shook my head because I was actually feeling a lot better than I was usually. I thanked the tattoo artist as I paid him, and he thanked me for my business.

"Well, I'm kind of hungry." I said. "Want a Tru Blood?"

Jessica blanched at the mention of Tru Blood, but she did nod her head in consent.

"Alright, come on." I said. "We'll take a rest, and I'll pick up where we left on explaining my life. Where did I leave off anyway?"

"You were telling me about the time you were stuck in a gas station with a hungry Cyclops." Jessica said.

I laughed remembering that time...it had been terrifying, but in the end also amusing at the same time. I started telling Jessica about the Cyclops while guessing tonight hadn't been so bad.