Chapter Ten:
I seemed to come to Bon Temps at the right time. Merlotte's was packed and crowded as ever when Sookie and I arrived at the bar and grill. Sam just about hired me on the spot and asked me to fill in for Arlene who had called in sick. I was more than happy to oblige, and quickly learned the ropes from Sookie. The patrons weren't too nosey, though some were a bit rude asking why I would go around and fuck vampires. Sookie would interject every time however, as would Sam. I really appreciated the two, making me feel more welcome than I ever had before. By the time my first shift ended, alongside Sookie, everything was looking a little brighter. I had a dreamless sleep in Sookie's former room, and actually woke up with a smile on my face. I hadn't felt this relaxed in a long time. It was nice to not have overprotective (and rather sexy) vampires looking over my shoulder every minute of the day. I could just be myself, enjoying the sunshine with Sookie as we sat on the porch and talked for half of the day. By the time it came for our shifts at Merlotte's, I was happier than I probably should have been. But I couldn't help how I felt. Being around Sookie, someone who could understand what I was going through, it made me feel relaxed and at ease. Sam was the most fantastic boss, not prying as to why I was staying in Bon temps, but also making sure I knew that I could talk to him if I needed to. It really felt like everything was going right for once.
Of course, that night I was welcomed by a surprise that knocked my happiness down a few pegs.
The night at Merlotte's seemed typical to their normal nights; busy busy busy. There a good amount of drinkers, while some just came by for a quick meal and a good laugh. I personally enjoyed the drunken patrons more than anything, some good hefty tips being left. I chuckled and pocketed the tips, a smile on my face every time. I was just placing a pitcher of beer at the table Sookie's Brother Jason and his coworkers were sitting at when the door to the bar opened. I wouldn't have noticed anything at all if it weren't for the fact that there was a large gasp from a good amount of the female population. I twisted around, about to berate whichever vampire that it was. But I was surprised that the new customer was not a vampire at all, or at least that's what the dark tan and lively eyes told me. My mouth dropped open as did every other girl's in the bar. The man was absolutely gorgeous. He had that rugged but charming air about him. He was wearing a flannel unbuttoned shirt over a white tank, the muscles clear under his clothing. I almost wanted to walk right up to him and start feeling him up.
Well at least that was one way to not think about jumping Godric or Eric.
His hair was black, his eyes dark as they danced around the room, as if looking for something or someone. There was stubble on his face, making him look even more handsome than he already was. When his eyes suddenly fell on me, my cheeks flamed up and I finally got the feeling back in my legs and hurried to the kitchen window to pick up an order.
"Who's that?" I whispered to Sookie as I stood close to her, gazing at the handsome stranger over my shoulder.
"No idea, he's not from around here." Sookie was watching him just as closely, mesmerized by his looks. And that was saying a lot for a girl who was dating a vampire.
"Well he's rather..."
"Good enough to eat." Lafayette finished, winking at us.
I chuckled but nodded. "That about sums it up."
The initial awe of the man seemed to die down as quickly as it began. I kept my eye on him as I brought over a basket of chicken fingers to a nearby table before heading to the back to grab some napkins to refill a few napkin holders. I told Sam where I was going before slipping into the back hall.
Out on the main floor, Sookie was hurriedly catering to the patrons of the bar. Thankfully large clumps of groups began leaving at the same time, leaving the bar almost completely empty. It was getting later in the night, only a few hours to closing time. As it was the middle of the week, Sookie wasn't expecting another rush and stood by the bar to chat with Sam for a few minutes until someone needed her.
"Excuse me." a gruff voice interrupted Sookie and Sam's conversation.
Sookie went to flash a smile at the mysterious stranger that had entered the bar, but stopped when she saw Sam stiffen. She shot him a questioning look, to which he responded with a pointed look and a nod in the stranger's direction. Frowning, Sookie gazed at the stranger, who was watching them closely. She let her eyes close, her guards falling as she attempted to listen to the stranger's thoughts. She gasped however, her eyes flying open when she realized that it was a struggle to pull out even a single emotion from the stranger, an easy indicator that he wasn't completely human. She shot Sam a look before shooting off in the direction of the back.
"Can I help you with something?" Sam crossed his arms, having felt the two-natured creature the moment he stepped into the bar. As a shifter himself, he could feel and recognize another shifty easier than a human could. He wasn't sure why Ellie had mysteriously shown up in Bon Temps, but he had a feeling that it wasn't for just a friendly visit. He may not have known the girl for very long, and he hated those she spent her time with, but he liked her as a person. She was sweet, good to his customers, and accepted who he was kindly. And as an employee of his, no matter for how long that may last, Sam vowed to protect her from whatever evil that was after her.
"I'm looking for Elizabeth Cole." The stranger spoke, a frown settled on his gorgeous face.
"She's not here." Sam answered icily. "I'm going to have to ask you to leave."
"I don't want any trouble, I just need to speak with Elizabeth Cole." The stranger tensed.
"And why's that?"
"That's none of your business, shifter." The stranger's eyes narrowed.
Sam became more alert as he leaned over the bar. "Get off my property, Were."
"I'll leave your bar, but I'm not going anywhere until I speak with her." The stranger gave Sam a dark look. He strode over to the door and knocked it open, leaving the bar but not the property.
Sam spied him leaning up against a truck before asking Terry to watch over the bar for a minute. He quickly entered the back hallway and slid into his office where he could hear Ellie and Sookie talking.
"I don't know what he is, but he's not human." Sookie's face was full of worry.
"Crap." My heart began racing. "Crap crap crap crap. I should have known they would show up here. Shit."
Why did the handsome ones always have to be evil? For once, I would love a good looking guy to be one of the good guys. Was that too much to ask? I mean really!
"Can one of you please tell me why there's a werewolf looking for Ellie." Sam slipped into the office where Sookie had dragged me only moments before, closing the door tightly behind him.
My face paled. "He's a Werewolf?"
Sam nodded as he looked between Sookie and I. "One of you better start explaining. And now. He's waiting in the parking lot and won't leave until he sees you Ellie."
"Oh shit." I fell into a nearby chair, my head in my hands. "I'm sorry. I never thought..."
"What's going on Ellie?" Sam walked over, kneeling down beside me. "I told you that I was here if you ever needed to talk."
I sighed as I looked up, shooting Sookie a look. She nodded and motioned for me to tell Sam what had happened to cause me to come here. Or at least why there were Weres after me. I began the story of how there was a vampire after me, and he had sent a disguised Were to kidnap me. I also made sure to tell him how I dealt with said werewolf, just so he knew that I wasn't some weak little girl who couldn't stay out of trouble. It wasn't my fault my blood was some sort of vampire crack.
"Shit." Sam ran a hand down his face. "Are you alright?"
"I'm fine. For now at least. What are we going to do about the Were?" I looked between Sam and Sookie, fear shooting through me.
"I could call Bill." Sookie suggested.
"No. I'll deal with him." Sam stood suddenly, a look of determination on his face.
"Oh Sam, no." I shook my head, shooting out of the chair. "This isn't you problem."
"You're my employee." He laid a hand on my shoulder. "I'm not about to let a Were come in here and cause trouble for my bar or my employees. None of this is your fault."
"But..."
"No buts." He assured before walking over to a closet and opening the door. He pushed a few things to the side before pulling out a shot gun, making my eyes grow wide.
"Sam, what the hell are you going to do with that?" Sookie's eyes were just as wide as mine were.
"I'm going to take care of a problem." A serious expression on the man's face as he left the room.
Sookie and I exchanged a look before quickly hurrying after him. We followed him through the main bar, gaining looks from the few patrons that were left, and exited through the front door. I caught sight of the Were leaning against a dark truck, and my heart began racing even faster. I wondered for a minute if Godric or Eric could feel my fright. Would they show up if they knew I was scared? Or would Godric keep to his word and not intervene? At the moment, it didn't seem to matter as Sam was determined to take care of the problem.
"I want you off my property now." Sam demanded, the shotgun being aimed at the werewolf.
The Were's eyes were on me immediately however. "Elizabeth Cole?"
"I said off!" Sam took a step forward, his finger on the trigger. "And you're going to stay away from Ellie. Got that?"
"I'm not here to cause any harm." The Were's hands shot up in defence.
"I don't care why your here." Sam's voice lowered. "Get off my property and I don't want to see you back here again."
"Look, my name is Alcide Herveaux. I was sent by..."
Sam didn't look like he wanted to continue the conversation pulled the trigger. Everything was going in slow motion as I stared into the eyes of the Werewolf, something clicking into place. He didn't look evil. He didn't look like he wanted to kill me. He didn't once try to attack us, or threaten me. He looked completely innocent.
Innocent and milliseconds away from getting shot.
I didn't even think as I raised my hand, eying the flying bullet as it exited the gun. I focused on it before pushing it with my mind elsewhere. Sookie jumped when the bullet hit a car across the parking lot, surprising Sam and the Were as well.
"What the..." Sam turned to stare at me in disbelief. I may have left out the fact that I could do that. "Ellie?"
"Who sent you?" I ignored Sam and questioned the werewolf.
He sighed and looked me directly in the eye, as if willing me to believe his innocence. "Eric Northman."
I sighed in relief. He wasn't here to kill me.
"Why did Eric of all people send you?" Sookie asked.
"Vampires hate werewolves." Sam eyed him, not believing him for one minute.
"My father is in dept to Northman. He asked me to keep a watch over Elizabeth Cole and the debt would be wiped clean." The werewolf gazed at Sam and Sookie for a moment before turning his attention on me. "I don't mean any harm. Northman made it sound like you were being tracked by a vampire and Weres. He thought I could help. You obviously know what I am."
I probably shouldn't have trusted him, considering everything that had happened this week with the whole trust issue, but I couldn't help it. He radiated warmth and kindness. There wasn't an evil bone in his body, I could sense that. And if he was sent by Eric, then that just made me trust him even more. And made me want to jump Eric a tiny bit as well. Maybe he did care if he called in someone to watch over me, someone who could protect me not only at night but during the day.
"Alcide was it?" I stepped forward, sticking my hand out. "Please, call me Ellie."
He nodded and took my hand. He was surprisingly warm compared to the cold touch I was used to.
"You believe all of this?" Sam asked incredulously.
"Yes." I shot him a look. "Eric sent him."
"He could be making that up."
"Call him and find out." I told him before offering a small smile at Alcide. "Sorry about all of this."
"I understand." He nodded. "Better be safe than sorry. Do you mind not aiming that thing at me?"
"Sam." Sookie walked up to him, laying a hand on his arm. "I don't get anything harmful from him. Just put the gun down."
Sam grunted but did so anyways. He shot Alcide a glare before storming back into the bar, the gun in his hand.
"I should have approached you in a better way." Alcide broke the silence.
"Probably a better idea it was a gun and not what I can do when I'm angry." I lightened the mood and laughed.
"I'll keep that in mind." He eyed me carefully. "Now, could you explain exactly what we're dealing with, Northman didn't explain everything."
"It's almost closing, go ahead home." Sookie waved at me. "I'll tell Sam where you are."
"Thanks Sook." I gave her an appreciative smile.
She smiled in return and headed back into the bar while I turned back to Alcide.
"So, do you want the long version or the short version?"
"Better go with the long." He nodded at his truck. "Give me the directions and I'll drive you to wherever you're staying."
"Thanks." I walked over to the passenger door he was now holding over. "Really, thanks. I know this is just paying down your dad's dept, and you wouldn't do this normally, but thank you."
Alcide stared down at me for a long time with that deep look of his before sighing and smiling slightly. "You don't look like someone who deserves all this trouble."
"I seem to be a magnet for it." I frowned.
"Well I'll make sure to keep the trouble down to a minimum." He jerked his head to the side. "Let's get going. And don't leave anything out."
I nodded and, with his gracious help, got into the truck. As I waited for him to climb in, I thought about the pride Eric was swallowing to call Alcide, a werewolf, to watch over me. Whether this was Godric's doing or not, I appreciated the effort. He had to of cared, even a little bit if he was calling in one of his enemies to keep me safe. Or at least, I was going to keep that thought as a fantasy for awhile. It felt nice to think Eric cared.
A/N: see, as promised, updating is random and at any time! lol, though in all honesty, I wrote this before I posted the last chapter, just had to finish it and edit. Alcide is now part of the story! I quite enjoy writing about him, because then I can imagine the hottie all the time...could they get a hotter man to portray Alcide? absolutely perfect!
