Sorry for the delay, folks! I promise I haven't forgotten about this story! Huge thanks to MistMountainDreamer, Guest, Guest, Guest, Firefly-class, guiltypleasure211, Guest, Guest, and isismama for your lovely messages left for the last chapter! I really appreciate all of the support this story has received so far! Now, without further ado, here is the next chapter! Feedback is greatly loved and appreciated!-Jen

Chapter Nine:

"Oh a party, isn't this fucking fantastic?"

It was clear to all that were present that Pam's mood was far worse than usual. The entire journey to Louisiana had left her sleepless and as a result, everyone and everything within a proximate ten mile radius was to blame-in her opinion at least. The baby seemed to squirm relentlessly, obviously not suffering from her mother's extreme exhaustion. As the trio approached the brightly lit home of Sookie Stackhouse, weaving in and out of the various cars that sat out front, Pam's mood only seemed to decrease by the second. Eric watched her quietly out of the corner of his eye, knowing what he had to say in just a few minutes was certain to set her off for-at least from his count-the fifth time tonight.

"It will be empty soon," Eric promised as they moved up the small flight of steps to the porch. "Then you are more than welcome to sleep if you desire."

Pam scoffed, rolling her eyes as Willa knocked on Sookie's door. "I'm coming with you," she said firmly. "I may fucking hate Shreveport, but Fangtasia has been my home for several decades. I've got stuff in there I don't want ruined. Expensive lingerie. I swear to God, if someone fucking ruined my pairs of silk underwear I'll..."

But the door to the Stackhouse residence opened before the vampire could finish. Bill Compton stood behind the threshold, his face expressionless as he and Eric locked eyes. Pam ignored the snide remark said by her maker as she pressed a hand to the small of her back. Her muscles ached, an odd sensation seeming to stem from right underneath her belly button. It wasn't anything particularly too painful, just somewhat uncomfortable. As the progeny pondered this, she seemed unaware as Sookie stepped beside the Confederate vampire and immediately offered access to the three outside vampires.

"Pamela," Eric said, when he noted the other woman was not moving. "Pam, are you coming?"

When Pam finally snapped back into reality, she was greeted by the concerned expression masked on Eric's face as he watched her. Rolling her eyes, she pushed past her maker, entering Sookie's house without a word to the fairy. She really didn't want to be here right now. Why they couldn't just go to fucking Shreveport themselves and deal with this, she would never know. Eric seemed too keen on help these days and Pam wasn't a fan of it one bit.

"Are you alright?" Eric asked quietly as they made their way into the sitting room. "You don't look well."

"I'm fine," Pam replied bluntly. "Just worry about yourself, alright? You're far worse off than I am."

She took a seat on the couch, a little annoyed when it was Willa who joined her. Sookie's eyes followed her as well, staring a few seconds too long at her lower abdomen before she turned to speak to Eric. A flare of jealousy burned in the pit of Pam's chest as she watched the blonde's arms wrap around Eric in what really was nothing more than a friendly right now, there was no one else on Earth that Pam despised-besides Sarah Newlin-more than Sookie. The discomfort from her center seemed to grow a little more, the feeling becoming more painful than unpleasant. But the progeny was too concerned with other things than to pay attention to it. In her mind, it was nothing more than the stress of the journey over. Until all of this shit was said and done, she would leave it at that too if anyone asked.

"I have a room downstairs," Sookie offered, finally addressing Pam. Her voice was kind, not holding any sort of resentment at all. God how Pam fucking hated her. "I could bring some blankets down too if you'd be more comfortable."

"I'm fine," Pam growled. "Besides, I'm going with you to Fangtasia. I can't exactly sleep when my business is being fucked over by a bunch of..." her voice trailed off, the thought of Eric's own sickness coming to her mind. "...a bunch of stupid, inconsiderate vampires."

"Pamela," Eric said gently. "You aren't in any condition to fight."

"Well have you looked in a mirror lately, Eric," retorted the progeny. "You aren't exactly in the fittest of shapes either."

She hadn't meant to be so cold to her maker. Eric was only concerned about her health after all. But right now, she was more worried about his. She didn't want the viking going into some fucking solo mission that would get him staked. If anything, she needed to be there to make sure he stayed out of harm's way. Pam couldn't afford to let anything happen to the other vampire. Even if it meant putting her own life at risk.

Pam turned away from Eric and looked out towards the window. It was near eight at night, most vampires choosing to wake up around nine or possibly even ten. If they were going to defeat this nest, they had better leave now while many were still unconscious. According to Eric, they were greatly outnumbered as it was. The less they had to fight, the better the outcome was sure to be. Inhaling, Pam ignored the odd pressure against her pelvic region as she turned back to her maker and the telepath. Christ, she really wasn't feeling up to this. But, of course, stubborn as she was, there was no way in hell she planned to admit this to Eric.

"We should go," she said, watching as Bill and a few others she recognized from various occasions entered the room. "Before they-"

The pain was low, almost deep as it spread from the core of Pam's groin region up her spine. Her fingers instinctively dug into the fabric of the couch, a hiss of discomfort slipping unsuppressed from her mouth. She hadn't even noticed Eric kneel in front of her until the wave finally disappeared, leaving her in a numb sense of relief as whatever just occurred finally died down.

"Pam?" Eric asked worriedly, reaching forward to take his progeny's face in his hands. "Pam, can you hear me?"

Instead of muttering some rude remark, Pam merely nodded her head in response. Her stomach churned, muscles aching as she met the worried eyes of her maker. She really shouldn't be going to Fangtasia, even that was becoming clear to the progeny. When he gaze finally broke away from the viking, she noted that everyone else in the room was watching her with the same mixed expression of confusion and uncertainty. Embarrassment and annoyance swirled in Pam's mind as she cringed back from her maker.

"Just tired," she said, trying to bring some confidence in her tone. "It's been forever since I've fucking slept."

But even Pam knew that Eric realized she was lying. The doctor-whatever the hell her name was-had warned Pam was close to giving birth. Was it possible that these were the early signs of labor? A sense of fear came across the progeny as she met her maker's eyes once again. Finally admitting to herself that perhaps being stubborn was not the best idea right now, she looked to Eric in defeat.

"I'll stay," she said quietly. "But I want you to stay with me. Send Willa, she can handle herself."

Surprisingly, Willa quickly agreed to her sister's statement, most likely due to the fact that something was clearly going on with Pam. It wasn't like the twentieth century vampire to admit weakness so soon. And it was this idea that raised more concern with Eric than anything else that had or would be happening this evening.

"Of course," Eric agreed, not tearing his gaze away from his progeny. "Sookie?"

"I'll keep you updated on what happens," she promised Eric, looking to the others who all nodded in agreement. "I think it's a good idea that you're-"

"Shut up," Pam muttered, not ignoring Eric's help as she struggled to stand up. "Just show me where this fucking room is."

xXx

It was the first time Pam actually slept well in several weeks. The bed Sookie had set up downstairs was surprisingly comfortable despite most vampires feeling no preference to hard or soft sleeping quarters. Of course, the only thing that would have improved upon this luxury was that if Eric had taken to sleeping too. But Eric decided to keep an eye on Pam, lying to his progeny that his reason for staying awake was to keep updated on the happenings at Fangtasia. Pam knew this, but was too glad and tired to argue. At least he was safe, that was what mattered most.

When she finally woke up, she was greeted by Eric messing with what looked like a piece of folded fabric in the corner. The coloring was dark, between black and gray, and something about whatever it was brought a sense of great annoyance to the female vampire. She knew at once what it was. How she completely missed its purchase, she was unsure. But even though her impending motherhood was just now approaching, she could recognize a piece of clothing a mile away.

"Is that a fucking onesie?"

Eric looked up in surprise, his expression almost sheepish as he glanced down at what he held in his hands. "Maybe," he smiled, unfolding the article of clothing. "I saw it in a store the other day while we were waiting for the train. I couldn't resist, forgive me."

And much to Pam's horror, she watched as he held up the monstrosity, the words "Mommy's Little Teether" etched in red with two tiny fangs underneath of the title. God it was hideous, the pun far too much for the female vampire to handle. She shook her head violently as Eric held it out for her to get a closer look. "No," she groaned. "Eric, you've got to be fucking kidding me. 'Mommy's Little Teether?' For fuck's sakes."

"What?" the viking mused, admiring his purchase. "I thought it was cute."

"It's fucking ridiculous," Pam hissed. "There is no way in hell I'm putting her in that."

"I think it would suit Aggie nicely," interjected the maker. "And it's true. It was either that or 'Vampire in Training'. You wouldn't believe all of the vampire paraphernalia they had available nowadays. I had to resist buying much more."

"Thank Christ for that," Pam exhaled, shaking her head as she finally took the piece of clothing from Eric. Though she would never openly admit it, it was starting to grow on her. "I don't think I have enough matches to burn a full arsenal of cheesy baby outfits."

Eric chuckled, his eyes meeting Pam's briefly as they exchanged a small smile. After a moment, his expression became far more serious, eyes falling to the swell of his lover's abdomen. "How are you feeling?" he asked, concern lacing his tone. "And be blunt, Pamela."

"Better," the female admitted, refolding the onesie. "It was bad upstairs before, but the pain is gone."

"Pain?" Eric asked, almost sounding alarmed. "Pam, what kind of pain? Was it like what happened out in the woods or worse?"

Before Pam could answer, there was the sound of cheering coming from up the steps. The noise of victory. Pam was glad for this distraction now, the last thing she needed was to worry Eric any more than he already was. She was, after all, feeling a lot better than before. "I'm fine," she said, her smile weak as she heard the celebratory sounds grow even louder. "Don't worry about me. Let's just go upstairs and listen to how fucked our poor nightclub is."

Eric didn't seem relieved as Pam pushed herself up into a standing position, placing the onesie on the small, beside table that rested beside the makeshift bed. Motioning to Eric, the two made their way to the ladder, leaving the dimly lit room to go speak with the others who had-as it sounded-had success rescuing their many friends. But the perils of the night were far from over, and Pam's troubles had only just begun...