I sighed as I bounced on my heeled feet, hips bopping from side to side. A poufy tutu in pink shifting with my movements. I looked like a blasted fairy in the grey tattered tights, pink tutu, knee high spike heeled boots with laces up the front, a grey corset with a black lace over lay showing my usually hidden form to all, and lace gloves. To put it all together, my hair was done up in large ringlets, bangs sweeping prettily to one side with a large black ribbon on my head like a headband.

Don't look at me, Pam did it. It was her idea for my outfit tonight. The bar was yet to open for the night. Yvetta was just arriving. Pam was in the back. Chow was setting up the bar, checking stock. Music lightly played, ready for guests.

"Ooh!" Ginger squeal as she comes in. "Look at you, Kathy!"

She was on me, I paid no mind, head bobbing slightly as I continue to lightly dance in place. She wore the usual mini skirt and band like top.

"Katherine."

I glance up at the voice directly behind me. Pam stood over me, hand on her hip. A smile gleams on my face as I look up at her.

"Miss Pam."

"Help Chow tonight."

"Yes, ma'am," I chirp, giving a playful salute.

I slipped behind the bar, butt wiggling as I started helping the set up for Chow. He gave me a questioning look. I swung my hip to lightly bump his.

"Hey there, partner," I say with a teasing tone. "Anything specific?"

"Just entertain and get them drinks that don't need much mixing."

I wink as I pull away, still in a good mood. I didn't let in sour as Eric walked in. In fact, I paid it no mind, focusing on checking that the beer was stocked getting out coasters with the bar logo on them. He stopped near Pam, just this side of the door to the back offices. I could feel him looking at me as I practically danced about. They spoke as I lightly chatted with Chow and Ginger over work things.

He didn't stop to talk to me, but he looked about ready to. That is, until Yvetta came out in hardly any clothes. I didn't grace her much of a look as I jumped over the bar, dashing across the floor to Pam with a few playful sliding steps.

"These shoes are fun," I say happily at her as I stand straight with my hands swaying at my sides. "Thanks again for letting me stay. It means a lot."

"Just don't make a habit of it, cupcake," she say with a bored tone, a smirk pulling at the corner of her lips.

"I won't. Ginger offered to let me come over after work, so I won't need a ride home."

She quirks a brow at me. I glance to the side; Eric was looking at me with more focus than usual, more weight to the eyes. His arms lift to cross over his chest.

"You are not on schedule."

"Pam let me work since I missed so many days."

He doesn't respond, brow lifting. I sigh, stopping my bouncing on my feet as I roll my eyes to the side.

"I just want to move on from that," I state with a motion of my hand, "It was a crappy night, followed by a big blank. Thank the stars. I'm just going to keep busy and hope Godric hurries back."

"Stay after work."

I just blink as he walks off. Pam just watches him, curious like me. I shrug, bouncing off to the bar. My mood continued to stay happy and playful. I was quick behind the bar with Chow, cutting his work in half. He mainly just left me flit back and forth, serving most all of the customers. He generally just made the harder drinks that I didn't know and Ginger's orders. It wasn't too busy.

Then again, it was the middle of the week and we had only been open a few hours. Yvetta was dancing on the pole in front of Eric's stage, focusing all of her attention on him. She was popping out of the top of her corset and generally… icky. Eric was calmly sitting in his chair facing her, but keeping an eye on the club in general.

"Two Jack and Cokes and one True Blood," a male calls as I quickly rush to the far end of the bar, further from the door.

He was eyeing me over as I beamed at him, whipping out two glasses. I was quickly mixing the drinks as Chow took a break. The man leaned closer, sniffing at the air, eyes closing.

"Upsetting."

I glance at the man. He was lightly tanned, something from his human days. Lean, not turned at his prime, but his thirties? Eyes a common shade of blue; black hair. He was wearing black. Two shirts, one t-shirt with a black button up shirt over and dark jeans. A smirk played at his lips as I glanced him over.

"What is?" I ask as I place the True Blood in the microwave to warm.

"That they have you hidden behind the bar." He was flirting lightly. A charming smile on his lips. I paused, actually looking over his face.

I shift, hand going to my hip. "I get better tips here, sir." I lean in, hands resting on the ledge on my side, lips pulling to the side as I actually looked at his chin and cheeks. "I like it," I chirp with a smile.

His brows lift as one, shifting so he leaned on one arm on the bar. "What is it you like?"

"Your stubble. It suits you." The microwave dinged. I turn back to it, getting it. "You're the first vampire I've seen with stubble."

"Come now, I can't be the first."

I smile widely at him. "I tend not to lie, sir." I wink as I pass him the last drink. He pushes some money my way.

"Keep the change."

I flash a brighter smile at him. "Thanks."

"What's your name?"

"Kath-"

He was gone before I could finish. I blink slowly. "Oh…kay….?"

I understood why soon as I glanced to the doors. A couple had walked in, something not right about them. The female I knew. The Queen. The male wasn't the tallest, but he was so strict looking. The severe look and expensive but simple suit made it more so. The Queen's eyes were set ahead of her, the man glancing around.

I dropped quickly, slamming hard against the ground. My breathing picked up fast, heart pounding and hand quivering. Shoot! I felt Eric cross the room to them.

"Your Highness. Magister."

I wanted to keep an eye on them, but I was scared to look at them.

The male spoke. "Mr. Northman. I haven't seen you since the Compton trial."

"Yes, it's been, uh, too long," Eric says, sucking up. A tense pause happened. "May I ask what brings you to Fangtasia?"

"We need to talk," the female cuts, all business. She takes a loud breath. "You should probably close up."

"We can just use my office," Eric say quickly.

I glanced over the bar, looking for a moment to flit over the edge of the bar and run. The man spotted me, giving me an odd look. Ya, I must look crazy.

"Miss."

I wave a hand absently at the customer, motioning them away.

"It's bugged," the Queen says with a satisfied smile.

"How do you know this?" Eric was confused.

"Because I'm the one who bugged it," she says with a little proud sass. "It's how I know I can trust you." She gives him a look before stepping away from the group and further into the bar.

"All right, everyone out now!" she calls over the music.

The small crowd in the bar starts to make their way for the door calmly. The man, Magister, and the Queen mover further in still. The Queen had spotted Yvetta on the pole. I shot up, hand flat on the bar and ready to make a rapid run for the back. Eric spotted me, a dark look warned me of leaving. I lower my shoulders, eyes avoiding his after that look. I was quick to slip over the bar and dash at top speed for the back office.

I didn't dare leave the office, fearing that woman would come for me again. Sitting on the couch seemed the smart thing to do. So, I sat there, twiddling my thumbs and bouncing my feet impatiently.

Eric shoved the door open with out looking at me, eyes set angrily at the floor. I knew what was expected. I jumped up, keeping my head down and hurrying for the main of the club. He was on my heels. I hardly had a moment to think as I gave a shrill scream, cowering as soon as I felt his hand start to touch the back of my neck.

"I said nothing!" I cry out, shrinking away from him. My hair helped hide my face from him, or at least kept me from seeing his. A stupid as it was, I had my hands up as if that would actually protect me better.

The sound of my feet stumbling backwards was the only sound aside from my frantic breathing. I gave a squeak as I tripped and fell back on the couch.

"What happened now?" Pam demands as she steps in.

Quick, uneven breaths escaped me as I huddled closer upon myself on the couch. Finally chancing a look, Eric was watching me as if I had sprouted not just one extra head, but two. My reaction must have startled him. His eyes were wide, mouth parted the slightest. His form looked like he had taken a blow, shoulders hunched and stiff.

Pam stood to the side, looking between us. "For fuck's sake. You are going to ruin my work," Pam snips as she crosses to me and grips my chin.

My breathing slowed a bit, eyes widely looking at her. I was lost as she carefully fixed anything that was wrong. My watery eyes stopped, breathing slowing to an even level as she mussed over my attire and hair.

"What's happened?" Pam asks as she straightens, looking at her maker.

I looked to my feet, sitting correctly now. They spoke quickly in Swedish. I didn't try to look at them, focusing on pushing my fear back. When I did look up, Pam was gone and Eric was a little closer.

"We need to have a conversation, Katherine." He took a breath, loud enough for me to hear as he pulled his hands from his pockets and crossed them over his chest. One large step had him almost towering over me. My head tilted up to keep his face in sight, hands gripping at the tutu. "And I expect you to forth coming with information."

I slowly blink, not wishing to put myself in trouble. He glances away before looking at my huddled form.

"What are you to Godric?"

I take a shuddering breath, looking down at my hands. "I think of him as my best friend."

"Do you care for him?"

My face shoots up to look at him, a stubborn willed steel to my eyes and voice. "Of course I do. I would follow him to the ends of the realms."

He frowns a little. "What are you." It was not a question.

I look away slowly, hands shifting in the fabric of the tutu again. "I swore I would not say it, Eric," I whisper. "Godric and I know. That's more than enough."

His hand snapped out too quick for me, forcing my face toward his. A shock of fear and pleasure blasted me. The pleasure over rode it all.

My eyes fluttered, lips parting as a whining moan slipped out. As soon as the sound left me my fear shot it away. My eyes snapped open wide, jaw slacking as I tried to jerk away. His hand was steel. And the touch was causing my body to continue to react, against my wishes and fear.

His eyes flicked to my chest, making me curse not having a bra.

"Let me go!" I cry out, hand lashing toward his with a small shock.

It was enough. I fell back, chest heaving, arms crossing over my chest. My knees rose quickly, helping to huddle myself into a small ball.

"D-don't t-touch me," I stutter, keeping my eyes on him incase he decided to reach out for me.

He was still bent over where I had been. His eyes were surprised, but hard.

"Tell me, Katherine Morgan. "

My glasses slid a bit down my nose as I just looked into his eyes. He knew the glamour didn't work. I let my different kind of glamour, one that changed physical forms, drop. My skin lit up instantly, eyes flashing and current crackling across my skin and hair. He took it all in, eyes flicking over my whole body.

"Don't make me say it. Is this not enough?" I whisper sadly.

"How many of you are there?"

"More than you would know. But too few."

"Are you a half breed like Sookie?"

I blink. "Sookie is not half. She is less than."

His flat look gave nothing away. "I am full. Please, Mr. Northman. Just don't let them get me. I've tried to hide so long."

"Who?"

I look away, shoulders sinking as I put my chin on my knees. "Other vampires, my own kind. I don't want to be caged or taken back to our realm."

"Eric!"


Remember to Review! Please?!