A/N: I apologize. This chapter has kicked me in the behind and took me forever to write. On top of it, I have been dealing with some personal issues. I'll try to get the next chapters out as soon as I can, but real life comes first :)

Chapter 11

Three nights of sleeping on Jason's couch was as much as Sookie could take. Being the typical bachelor that he was, he hadn't updated any of the furniture since he'd moved in when he was eighteen years old. The couch was lumpy and uncomfortable and she always woke up with a sore back and neck. On top of that, Sookie's nightmares hadn't stopped. She woke several times a night, her heart racing and gasping for breath as if she'd been deprived of precious air. Either Jason didn't hear her at night, or he didn't know how to deal with it because he never bothered to check on her.

As Sookie let herself into Jason's house after her shift at Merlotte's her eyes traveled to the couch once more. No more, she told herself. She sat down on the newest and most comfortable piece of furniture, Jason's Laz-E-Boy. As the sofa stared her down, she sighed and reached into her purse for her phone. Flipping it open and dialing a number, she waited for someone to pick up on the other end.

"Hey Alcide," she said when he picked up. "Does that offer of a place to stay still stand?"

Alcide was just climbing into the cab of his truck when his phone rang. He thought for a moment about ignoring it, figuring it was someone trying to catch him before he left work. He glanced at the caller ID and flipped open the phone when he saw it was Sookie.

"Hey Sookie," he said.

"Hey Alcide, does that offer of a place to stay still stand?" she asked him hesitantly.

Alcide was speechless for a moment. He thought himself pretty unshakeable, but for some reason her simple question caught him off guard. Recovering quickly, he felt a smile spread across his face. "Yeah, of course, Sookie. Anything you need. I can come and pick you up right now, I'm just leaving the office," he offered.

She hesitated a moment and Alcide wondered if she was going to back out. He thought he heard her swallow before saying, "Yeah, that'd be great. I'll just pack up the few things I have here that are out and be ready by the time you get here."

"Great. See you soon," he said before hanging up.

Alcide looked at his phone a moment before tossing it onto the seat next to him. Was this really happening? He felt like he should pinch himself or something but that was pretty childish. Then he mentally chastised himself. He'd promised her that the ball was in her court and just because she was going to take up his offer of a bed for awhile didn't mean that she was taking up the offer to sleep in his bed.

Sookie was waiting for him when he pulled up to Jason's house. When he walked up to the door she opened it and gave him a bright smile. "Thanks so much, Alcide, for coming to my rescue. I don't think I could take another night on Jason's couch. It's the same one our parents had, so it's pretty old and uncomfortable."

Alcide chuckled as he grabbed one of her bags from her. "Really, Sookie, it's no problem."

"I didn't get a car yet," she said quietly as they headed to his truck. "The insurance hasn't gone through yet, and they are hesitant to pay for a loaner."

"It's no problem, I told you that. I'll drive you in until you get it taken care of." He opened the tailgate tossed her bag into the bed of his truck and then took the one she was carrying and shoved it in next to it. After closing the tailgate he followed her to the passenger side and opened the door for her, helping her into the seat.

The trip to Shreveport was uneventful and filled with conversation about their respective days since they'd last seen each other. It wasn't until Alcide pulled into the underground garage of his condo that Sookie started to get nervous. She worried that he would see this as she wanted more, when in truth, she had no idea what she wanted, except not to sleep on her brother's couch.

They both climbed out of the truck, the doors echoing loudly as they were slammed shut in the quietness of the garage. Alcide had sensed the change in Sookie and worried that she was once again having second thoughts. He strove to put her at ease. "Home sweet home," he said with a slight smile. He unlocked the tailgate and reached in for her bags. "I'll get you a key tomorrow."

She glanced at him with a forced smile. "I really appreciate this, Alcide. You have no idea."

They rode the elevator up to his apartment in silence, each contemplating what this meant for them. When he unlocked the door and opened it for her, she stepped in and glanced around. "It hasn't changed much," Sookie remarked.

Alcide shrugged as he walked down the short hall to the bedrooms. He stopped at the first room and deposited her bags inside the door. "I haven't made up the bed, but I can do that for you right now," he offered.

Sookie shook her head, relieved to have something to do to dispel some of the awkwardness. "That's okay, I can do it if you just show me where the sheets are. I have to unpack a few things anyway."

Alcide retrieved the bedding for her and returned to the living room while she took her time getting settled. By the time she emerged from the bedroom he had made them a spaghetti dinner. "It's not much, but it's all I had in the cupboard," he apologized. "I can run to the grocery store tomorrow."

"This is fine," she said with a smile as she helped herself to a plate. "Even frozen garlic bread," she teased as she picked up a piece.

They ate in companionable silence, the earlier awkwardness held at bay for the moment. When they had finished, Sookie did the dishes while Alcide watched the news. When she joined him in the living room he grinned and pulled a box out from under the easy chair he'd been sitting in. "Want to play a game of Scrabble?" he asked.

Sookie giggled. "Let's do it," she replied and he set up the board while she dumped the tiles out and arranged them all face down. They laughed as they each tried to out do each other, coming up with the most outrageous words they could think of.

In the end Sookie won, but it was close. She smiled and then yawned. "I think I'm going to take advantage of that bed. Thank you, Alcide." She leaned over to kiss his cheek, but he turned his head at the last second and their lips met. Sookie was surprised, but she didn't pull away. She felt his hand reach up and cup her neck as the kiss intensified.

Finally Sookie pulled back, breathless. She could feel the heat in her cheeks as she gave him a nervous smile before fleeing back to her room. Once she was inside, she closed the door and leaned against it. Her eyes closed and she relived that kiss. It has been sweet and sensual at the same time, and it left her craving more. Silently cursing herself she undressed and put her pajamas on, climbing into bed. Sleep came blessedly quick.

Alcide watched her retreat and mentally kicked himself. He should have just let her kiss his cheek, but in the end he had wanted to really kiss her, and he felt that, deep down, she wanted it too. He wouldn't push it. He put the game away and walked down the hall. He passed her bedroom and lifted his hand to knock but thought better of it. He could apologize in the morning.

A/N: Please review!