Disclaimer: I do not own any rights to "True Blood."

Thanks for reading! I have an idea for a sequel if you'll have it. Let me know. There are a couple chapters left to this though.

Chapter 14- Number the Stars

Eric awoke to an empty bed. His arm was sprawled across where Layla was. He glanced at his arm. It seemed paler and lighter than he was used to. The light of the hotel room revealed his skin to be so. Then an alarm went off in his head.

The light…

Eric jumped up and thumped on the floor opposite from the window. Layla entered from the bathroom holding a cell phone.

"I'm going to have to call you back." She spoke as she hung up and bent down where Eric was crouching.

"How are you feeling?" She asked as she knelt down beside him. "What's wrong?"

Eric stared at her blankly. Expecting her to know.

"The light…it's day it's…"

Layla sighed and tilted her head.

Eric looked back at her. He cautiously held up his hand to the light through the window. To his surprise, all he could feel was the warmth from the sun.

Eric sat up and slowly relaxed on the bed.

"So it's true?" He asked carefully pulling Layla to sit beside him, still staring at the window.

"Yeah, it's true." She rubbed her head.

"I feel…." He paused for a moment. "I feel incredible."

Layla smiled. "Well good. Cause you didn't seem to feel so incredible last night. I thought you were going to die."

"You were worried about me."

Layla lowered her eyes. "A little." She smiled.

"Who were you calling?"

"I had to call Rob, make up some excuse for why I was missing. I also had him send me some money, so I got some new clothes, a prepaid cell… and there's some clothes for you." She gestured towards the desk chair. Eric immediately started changing.

Layla looked to the floor to distract herself.

"Anyways, I saw no downside in everyone knowing where I was. I had to talk to the Nine Inch Nail's manager, the event coordinator at the CenturyTel, there's a lot to be done."

"Nine Inch Nails?"

"They're a band. A really big one. They were scheduled to be at my hotel. But since the fire…"

"You had to make other arrangements. I know who the band is….so what did you tell Rob?" Eric spoke as he peered out the window.

"I told him a distant relative died, and I had to close the estate." She looked down and fumbled with her hands.

Eric turned back towards her. "I am sorry about Maddox."

Layla slowly nodded. "You heard him though, he didn't want to be here anymore anyways."

"But you're still upset I can tell."

"I'm fine."

"I have your blood now, you're definitely not fine."

Layla smiled. "I guess not, but I'm pretty sure he's at peace now….wherever he is. He never had the desire to be a vampire. In fact he loathed it."

Eric shook his head. He didn't agree with Maddox's martyrdom, but somehow he respected him… Or maybe that was just Layla's blood talking.

"So…" Layla started. "You want to go outside?"

Eric looked towards her. "How did you know that? Can you tell from my blood?"

"I don't have to. It's obvious."

Eric looked like a kid at Christmas. He stared directly towards the sun in awe. But quickly turned away his eyes.

"Apparently I'm still a bit sensitive to the sun." He blinked several times.

"Uh, no. No one can stare directly at the sun without seeing spots." She laughed. "But I …guess you forget those kind of things."

Eric nodded as he looked around. "What is San Antonio famous for?"

Layla pondered for a moment. "Well, The Alamo, the colonial missions, the river walk, botanical gardens…"

"The botanical gardens, take me there."

Layla almost snapped back at him. He didn't have to be so pushy, but it was already three o' clock and Eric probably would only have one day of being out in the sunlight. Layla shrugged as she grabbed Eric's hand and dragged him to the nearest bus.

"Alright then."

"A bus?" He asked as he walked up the steps and glanced at the many passengers.

"Well unless you acquired a car in between now and last night…" Layla started as she pulled some quarters out of her pocket and paid for them.

Eric followed her to a seat and sat down cautiously beside her, slowly looking around.

"Are you nervous?" She spoke in a hushed tone, trying to hold back her amusement.

"You better snap out of it. People are going to think you're stuck up. It's a beautiful day." She smiled as she looked out the window. "Just relax and enjoy it."

Eric seemed to agree, but he made no remark.

Layla pulled the cord to signify they wanted to get off at New Braunfuls Ave. The bus driver halted the bus and Layla motioned for Eric to get up.

..

The gardens were a spectacle. The pallet of Texas landscape swept together beautifully. There were a group of kids touring in front of Eric and Layla. Eric seemed a little uneasy, yet fascinated by the kids.

"It's been centuries since I've been around a child." He spoke a little too loudly. One of the mother's looked back and scooted the children away as quickly as she could.

Layla laughed abruptly.

Eric was amazed by all the colors. He couldn't help but glide his hands across dozens of plants and flowers.

"Without the sun, they would cease to exist." Eric observed as he tilted his head and studied a bouquet of Caladiums.

Layla nodded as she stood next to them. "That's miserably ironic."

Eric shook his head. "And here I am, contradicting the creature I thought I was, for hundreds of years." He looked over towards Layla and brushed his lips on her cheek.

"I haven't thanked you for saving my life…I would be lying in a tacky suburb, nothing but ash if it weren't for you."

"Well, to get down to it, you wouldn't have been there if it weren't for me in the first place."

"It was my choice." He started walking and wrapped his arm around her back.

"…And the pay off turned out to be entirely worth it." In a flash, Eric had glided them off the concrete path. Eric pressed Layla's back to a tree and moved into her body. She let out a short gasp as he lifted her face. He attacked her lips with his, pulling in her back closer to him. Layla felt as if her blood was churning. She held her mouth open slightly for easier entry and slowly closed her eyes.

"Damn it. I knew this whole blood exchange was a bad idea…" She moaned between his eager kisses.

Eric grinned and used his hands to push up her shirt. He ran his hands across her skin from her stomach to her lower back. Layla shivered.

"We're in a public place." She warned half heartedly.

"I don't care." He spoke quickly, taking off his shirt.

"Besides…" He glanced left to right. "No one is around…and your skin is even more beautiful in the daylight." He admired with feverous curiosity.

Layla shook her head. She felt her resolve quickly fading. From what she could tell, resolve wasn't a problem for Eric. He was fully ready.

Eric strategically guided his lips to her forehead. He parted strands of her hair with his hand, and held it there.

"Let me see all of you now." He tugged with his free hand once more on her shirt.

Layla sighed, about to comply when two men emerged from the path on the left.

"Excuse me, but I'm going to have to ask the two of you to leave the gardens." One of the men said. Both had work shirts on, to signify they were employed there. But the man who stayed silent just slightly smiled. He seemed more amused by the sight than angry.

Eric bared his fangs and defied the men heatedly. Layla could tell he was furious for being interrupted.

The man who told them to leave rolled his eyes. "Alright you too, stop messing around. Vampires aren't something to pretend about."

Layla grinned. Eric stared with a mixture of confusion and anger that they had not cowered to him.

"Look, we're really sorry." Layla started while she pulled down and smoothed her shirt. She picked up Eric's and handed it to him quickly.

"We just got lost in the…eh moment." She grabbed his hand and dragged him past the two men who watched them peculiarly.

"Don't go scaring the people Eric…" Layla chided. "Most people are frightened enough about vampires, don't make them think they can't control their hormones." She winked.

Eric's face seemed to slightly relax.

"That would be the end of the fellowship…if they found out a vampire could rise during the day." He grinned at the prospect. "Their whole light/dark premise would be shattered."

"Do they have a San Antonio chapter?" He asked.

"I've had my fair share of death threats from them already for employing vampires. I don't need them broadcasting that I'm some tool for the devil."

"They wouldn't find out."

"Well let me put it this way, I don't make a habit of seeking trouble out."

Eric nodded. "So I guess we have to leave…unless you want me to glamour them."

Eric shrugged. "I really don't mind."

She shook her head. "I get carried away to easily with you. Besides, I really should be getting back to Shreveport."

"If you must."

"I must." She playfully mocked. "I have three days until the concert and I've only had one meeting with everyone." She spoke as she sat on the bench to wait for the next bus.

"Being prospective business partners, will Fangtasia be getting an invitation to the event? At least Pam and I?"

"Well, being prospective business partners, it would be wrong of you to just come and not work. You should sponsor, or have a booth."

"I sense you have something in mind."

A smile spread across her face. "You should sponsor the blood drive."

"Blood drive?" He spoke inquisitively with a cocked eyebrow.

"Yes, where donors donate blood for people in need."

"Just people?"

"That's right, you and Pam could decorate outside the Red Cross booth, hand out Fangtasia t-shirts and souvenirs to the donors? You could also bring a couple other vampires, to "wow" the crowd."

"That would be feasible. And it could definitely attract new customers to the club."

"Is that a yes?"

"Alright then…Will you be donating blood?"

"I feel that I'd be a bad example if I didn't."

"So through you I'll be donating blood as well?"

"The screening is anonymous, if they find my blood unusable, which they will, they'll discard it."

"Good. I don't want anyone else having your blood." He spoke decidedly.

Layla rolled her eyes. Protectiveness was one thing, but his possessiveness was a whole other. She decided to change the subject. "I've had just about enough of Texas."

Eric agreed. "It was smart or you to send Dameon's vampires off with Tyler. That way no witnesses were left behind. We're tremendously that lucky vampire bodies disintegrate. Otherwise, there would be no stopping Batista's wrath."

She only met him briefly, but judging from his legendary past and his temperament, Batista was definitely a threat.

Layla rubbed her eyes. "I'm so glad it's over….and I can finally move on."

Eric grinned. So was he.

….

Pam had a surprised look on her face in Fangtasia the next evening when she found Eric in his office.

"Things went well I hope?" She leaned in the doorway and crossed her arms.

"Dameon is dead." He spoke not even looking up from his papers.

Pam widened her eyes and shut the door.

"Really…" She sat down across from him. "What happened?"

"Well there was that first henchmen that kidnapped Layla, she got away but then I went with her to see Batista and we were ambushed by Dameon's men and she was taken once more. This time by Dameon's second, Elias."

"And what happened to him?"

Eric gave her a glance.

"Dead and gone."

"Exactly, Our Layla took on that task."

"By herself?"

"Oh yes."

"My oh my, then what?"

"Well Batista was not going to do anything anytime soon so Layla decided to take matters into her own hands. I accompanied her to Dameon's in an attempt to get Maddox out peacefully. Unfortunately Dameon and his men far outnumbered us and Maddox was staked. It just so happened that Tyler Gaines was there, Sherriff from Alabama. He became a crucial ally and ultimately was the one who staked Dameon."

"And what does King of Texas say about this?"

"He doesn't know."

Pam leaned her head forward. "He doesn't know? Will he soon find out?"

"For my sake, Tyler's, and Layla's I sure hope not. Luckily there were no witnesses, Gaines took all of Dameon's young children with him to Alabama."

"What do you require of me?" She spoke faithfully. Pam was loyal to Eric, and whoever Eric was loyal to at the time.

"Nothing regarding that. You did a sensational job as always in my absence. I do however have rather interesting news. Fangtasia will be hosting a blood drive at the concert Layla's hotel is hosting."

"The Nine Inch Nails concert?"

"How is it you knew about this and I did not?"

"Layla sent me two tickets a week or so ago. I assumed she sent you some as well."

Eric glared up at her, Pam snickered.

"So Fangtasia is to sponsor a blood drive huh?" She said quickly changing the subject. "Our Layla has a sense of humor now doesn't she?"

"That she does."

"So what does she taste like?"

This caught Eric off guard, he shifted his eyes up to her quickly.

"I can smell her blood like she's in the room."

Eric pursed his lips and looked down to his paperwork.

"It's quite enthralling, if you must know. I feel sprightly and rejuvenated. And she is mine so don't even think about it."

Pam laughed. "Have I ever took anything of yours?"

"No, it's just a annual warning."

"So what about Rob? Is he yours too?" She spoke sarcastically. Pam was never one for possessiveness. She preferred a more open policy.

Eric laughed. "Do with him what you like. It would be easier on me if he were….how do they say it?…"

"Off the market?"

"Off the market, or away from Layla." Eric stood up and smoothed his pants.

"If you have marketing ideas for the blood drive; t-shirts, bumper stickers, flyers please make them tonight and tomorrow."

"Consider it done."

"Thank you."

……..

Layla's eyes shot open. She glanced over at her clock. It was barely five a.m. Since the ingestion of Eric's blood, she hadn't felt much need for sleep. She began to wonder how much of her blood was actually left in her body since a normal human would require much more sleep. The little sleep she actually got was filled with dreams. The dreams consisted of different variations and recollections of what had happened to her the past few weeks. She was glad to be awaken from them.

Though that was rather annoying because she had way too many hours awake. And all the evening hours she tediously buried in work. Work that would help her avoid Eric. Fortunately she'd succeeded all day yesterday. But tonight was the night before the concert. It would be almost inevitable to see him at the rehearsal. Tonight at the rehearsal the vendors and sponsors were allowed to com set up their booths. Layla sighed. His blood invigorated her, but every time she even thought about him, a uncontrollable smile swept across her face. Damn.

Since there was no way she was going back to sleep, Layla shot out of bed and pulled back her hair. She made her way to the bathroom to brush her teeth and take a shower. The water was warm and inviting. But after fifteen minutes, her old water heater started to falter. Layla rolled her eyes. That was something she definitely needed to fix.

After she got dressed, she made her way to the kitchen to fix herself some breakfast. When she finished, she looked at the clock, it was only six.

"Come on!" Layla pouted at the clock. She didn't need to be at work until ten. Since there was nothing left to do, she decided she could mow the yard. She peered out to the front, and it seemed still fairly short. But the back was a different story. She got her lawnmower out from her garage and started it up. She was amazed by how little the task seemed to affect her energy. And she finished in the record time of twenty minutes. She laughed as she looked down at her attire. She'd earlier discarded her work clothes, which were semi casual. She never liked dressing up. For mowing she threw on a tank top and shorts. She hadn't even been to work yet and she needed another shower.

She returned her mower to the garage and once more hopped in the shower then got dressed for a second time.

Now it was seven thirty and the house was spotless. It didn't require any cleaning in the first place. Layla plopped on the couch. She was proud of her house. She'd bought it a year and a half ago from her night manager Aisha. Aisha and her husband were nomads, they didn't stay anywhere for too long. When they got a job to be hosts on a cruise ship, they jumped on it. Aisha was a good friend. Layla had been over several times and when Aisha was ready to move, Layla assumed the mortgage and all other responsibilities. With the rapid success of her hotel she was quickly able to pay it off and make a few changes. It was a spacious four bedroom. Which was honestly too big a house for just one person, But Layla loved her space.

She smiled for a moment and closed her eyes. Five seconds passed. Layla sprung up and grabbed her keys. When she returned from Texas, her newly repaired Jeep was sitting in the driveway. She figured she'd go to the rented offices and go over the construction plans she'd seen a thousand times. She was in such a hurry, she almost tripped when she stepped on an object on the pathway. Layla squinted as she bent down to pick it up. It was a small blue box, about the size of a ring box with a white ribbon wrapped around it. Layla unlocked and climbed in her Jeep to unwrap it. Inside the box was a small copper star. Layla pursed her lips in curiosity. It practically shined in the light of the morning sun. The five points were razor sharp. She almost pricked her finger when she touched it. She looked around her. There didn't seem to be anyone lurking in the neighbor's bushes. She tried to think of who would give her such a thing. But in all honesty, it might not even be for her. Layla shrugged as she returned the star to it's box and backed out of the driveway.

The offices were empty as she suspected. She took the time to get on the computer and look up her new found symbol. It was naturally a dead end. A five pointed start or a pentagram could mean millions of different things. Or it could simply mean nothing.

She was relieved when she saw Rob walk in the door with two coffees. This meant she could at least bury herself in work again until this evening.

The day progressed as expected. She really didn't get a chance to leave her desk because the phone constantly rang. Vendor and coordinators asking the earliest possible time they could arrive.

Right after lunch a delivery man pushed his way into the crowded office, he looked a little intimidated by the massive amount of people and the limited amount of space. Layla approached him politely and smiled.

"Looking for somebody?"

The man looked on his roster. "Layla Oxley?"

"That would be me."

The man looked relieved as he handed her the clipboard for her to sign. He passed over to her a small package as he gestured and quickly exited.

Layla shut the door to the office. Though it didn't give her much privacy since it was all glass. She sat down in her chair and unwrapped the package.

Rob slipped in through the door and quickly shut it behind him. He handed her a sandwich and sat in the chair facing her. He quickly unwrapped his food and began to inhale.

"What's that?" He asked through eager bites.

Layla pulled out a small blue box. She opened it to reveal yet another copper star.

Oh boy. Now she knew the previous one was definitely intended for her.

"Layla?" Rob had stopped chewing and was staring at her. "You alright?"

She quickly closed the box and pushed it aside. "I'm fine. Just a gift from one of the vendors, saying thank you."

Rob nodded and continued to eat. Layla picked up her sandwich and forced herself to take a bite.

"Thanks for the lunch."

After Rob had left she pulled the package back out. Of course it had no return address. Her first thought was to ask Eric if he knew what the star meant. She was slightly angered that her first thought was to ask Eric. The truth was if Eric knew what it was, it probably wasn't good. Either way she'd have to wait until the evening, which came entirely too soon.

….

Layla and Rob met out at the CenturyTel. Rob was ready with a clipboard and a Bluetooth attached to his ear. Layla held back her laughter. Bluetooth's looked silly to her.

The band techs were marking the stage, and setting things up for the instruments. The drummer and bass guitarist were talking to them standing on the side of the stage.

Layla looked around. The 'lobby' was full of vendors and booths. The Army and the Marines, LSU, Tulane, United Way, there were several radio stations who had booths. The band's booth had a side of the wall closest to an exit. It marked off space in the middle and had bars set up for the anticipated line.

"There's that….that woman vampire." Rob whispered from behind Layla.

"Who, Pam?" Layla mused.

"Yeah, over there."

To Layla's delight, it was Pam, in stead of Eric Leaning on a pole. She had two helpers that were draping tablecloths and setting up a black and red satin tent above the table the booth.

"Hi Pam."

Pam turned towards Layla and smiled.

"Lovely Layla…" Pam gave her a once over, the kind that guys on the prowl do. Layla ignored this.

"You smell like Eric." She announced.

"I guess I do, but not by choice."

Pam nodded. "You're not that kind of girl that would by choice." Pam complimented.

"That's why Eric likes you."

Layla shook her head. "Eric likes everyone."

"Not really." Pam glanced over Layla's shoulder at Rob. Who seemed to be pretending to write something on his clipboard.

"Is everything going alright over here? Can I get you anything?" Layla asked, a little disappointed by Rob's behavior.

"Naturally the mobile donor truck won't arrive until tomorrow night, but Eric suggested we get an early start….we should be fine. Though I am rather thirsty."

"Rob, go get Pam some TruBlood."

Rob grudgingly nodded and went over to the concession.

"We want this to be a successful night for you….as far as donating blood goes." Pam grinned.

"What do you think of the display. Some humans think vampires should only be associated with red and black." Pam rolled her eyes.

"I think it looks very much what people expect of vampires, it looks well."

"You look well Layla." Pam flirted.

"So do you Pam." Layla smiled. She genuinely like Pam, but was still wary of her flirtatious attitude.

"Hello Rob." Pam tilted her head and gestured towards Rob who was standing directly behind Layla again.

"Hello." He muttered as he handed Pam four TruBlood's in a drink holster. Then walked off as he pretended to get a call on his Bluetooth.

"I think he likes you." Layla suggested as Pam watched him with curiosity.

"He told me he loves you."

Layla shook her head. "I'm just the only woman he sees…but he likes you I can tell."

"So he's loyal…? Like a puppy?" Pam asked inquisitively.

"Very loyal."

"I think he's afraid of me." Pam spoke suddenly, as if she were a little upset.

Layla shrugged. "Nothing a little glamour wouldn't solve."

Pam raised her eyebrow? "Now Layla, you aren't suggesting that…"

"Well Rob is shy. As long as you are fair, I don't see where making him feel more relaxed would hurt anything."

"I'll keep that in mind." Pam gestured as she opened one of the bottles and took a sip.

"You know Eric would be jealous if he were here. He already is, when I told him you sent me tickets for the concert already, He almost went through the roof with envy. What is it with men and possessiveness?" This was Pam's attempt at girl talk…or at least Layla thought that's what she was doing.

"I don't know. It's maddening." Layla added. "And ridiculous."

"You're a very clever and conniving one Layla, if only if only." If Pam were a human she would of sighed with longing. In stead she turned to monitor her helpers' progress. Then looked back at Layla.

"Thanks for the drink." She smiled as she gave her a wink.

"Why don't you go thank Rob?" Layla urged as she slowly strode off. Pam was just as persistent as Eric.

..

Layla pulled into her driveway and rested her head on the steering wheel. It had been a long night. And she wanted to make herself tired but simply couldn't. Having an extraordinarily seasoned vampires blood coursing through her veins was a little weird.

She tried to go to sleep as she tossed and turned in the bed. But her mind and body were awake. She was fully alert. Layla threw up the covers and quickly made her way to the kitchen. She found her appetite even more apparent than usual. She pulled out a bowl and poured herself some cereal. She took a few bites and placed her spoon down. She felt helplessly restless. As if she could just find the right activity, she'd be content. But nothing she'd done for the past few days had seemed to work. She got up and walked over to her purse.

She pulled out the two copper stars and placed them on her kitchen table. She stared at them blankly for several minutes. She just couldn't figure out what they meant, or who they could be from.

"You wanted to ask me something?" Eric said from behind her.

Layla shot up to her feet and whipped around to face him.

"What are you doing here?"

"You wanted to ask me something."

"I don't remember inviting you in?"

Eric grinned as he leaned forward and kissed her softly.

"Once was enough."

Layla rolled her eyes.

"Unless I rescind your invitation."

"Then you'd never get your answer."

"To what?"

"The question."

"What question?"

"The one you've been wanting to ask me. I have your blood, I know these things."

"How lovely."

"Oh yes. Your blood has oh so many things to tell." He cocked his eyebrow as he relaxed in one of the chairs by her table.

"Ask away my lover divine."

"I don't know what question you're talking about." lie.

"Sure you do. But if you're not in the mood for talking…." Eric winked. "I'm always in the mood to satisfy your other curiosities."