***Disclaimer*** No copyright infringement intended. These characters are exclusive property of Charlaine Harris, Alan Ball and HBO.

Sookie was glad for the distraction of her kids the next day. She had missed them overnight and wanted to spend as much time with them during the day today as possible. She was worried about what was going to happen tonight, and part of her was also worried about what would happen next, after all of the danger was over. It didn't help when Adele asked about Bill, eager to visit with her friend next time it was dark. Sookie knew last night hadn't been the right time to ask about Bill's plans when this was over, but she had been thinking about it too much and the question just came out. Of course he hadn't given her an answer, which frustrated her almost as much as waiting for this to be over. "I don't know." Was all he could say before he disappeared into the back yard. Sookie had thought about waiting for him to come back in and demand a better answer, but she knew that wasn't fair. This situation was complicated for both of them.

The important thing for today was to end this, to make sure she and the children would be safe. She didn't want to think about the possibility of things not going as planned, but she did hold them each a little closer every time she hugged them while they played today. Her thoughts went back and forth between certainty that she would be just fine and this would all be finished after tonight and the fear that this was the last time she would ever hold her children. It was not a good feeling and she knew it would only get worse before things finally got better. Bill would do everything he could to keep her safe, she knew that and it made her a little more confident.

"You gotta let me help, Sook. It's too dangerous." Jason said for the fifth time as they sat down for some lunch.

"Exactly, it's too dangerous. I can't let you risk yourself, you've got a family too. And you need to be here to keep Adele and Charlie safe, just in case Niall is wrong and they come for them too."

"But if we can stop them, there won't be nothin' to worry about here. You know I'm a good shot, fairies aren't takin' my sister again, damnit."

"Jason, watch your mouth." She scolded, shooting a glance towards the kids who were busy playing with their food. "Bill will protect me, he's faster and stronger than whoever they send, and I'm not some weakling who can't defend herself."

"I don't like it."

"You don't have to like it. But that's how things are going to go."

"Can't you have somebody for back up? Let me call Andy or... or Jessica?"

"I tried to reach out to Niall, if he's watching the way he says he is, he'll know it's happening tonight and he'll come." Sookie wouldn't put anyone else in danger to protect her, it was bad enough that she was depending on Bill to keep her safe.

"I hope you're right about that."

"I'm right. Now, lets enjoy the rest of the beautiful day and we'll worry about the rest later."

Somehow that's exactly what they did, at least until the sun started to sink lower on the horizon. Sookie said goodbye to the children, putting on a brave face for them both. She saved her tears for the car, letting herself have a good cry so she could keep her head on straight tonight. When they made it through, this would finally be over.

Like the previous night, she arrived just as the sun set. She took a moment to open her mind, checking for anyone around. With no sign of fairies, she made a quick dash into the house, locking the door behind her. She was nervous, and she wondered if the baby knew it. She'd been kicking up a storm all day and even now was thumping out a rhythm on Sookie's belly. "This will be over soon, sweetheart." She told her belly, rubbing a hand over the spot of the most recent kicks.

Sookie put down her purse, pulling out the trowel she'd been carrying with her. Something about it made her feel just a little bit safer. She tried to act normal, knowing that she couldn't settle down on the couch with Bill tonight to wait. He would be here, but he needed to stay in the shadows so it looked like Sookie was alone.

"How do you think they're going to do it?" She asked Bill once he rose for the night. She figured they had a few minutes to talk, to come up with a plan.

"I'm not sure. They may be counting on the element of surprise, or they could approach you, thinking they can convince you to go with them."

"You'll stay close?"

"Of course, Sookie. The thing that worries me is if they try to vanish with you somewhere I can't follow."

"The cemetery, if they take me there, it's connected to that fairy place. But with how my light is stronger now, I could get out of there myself... I think." Sookie hadn't even thought of that as a possibility. Bill couldn't protect her if she wasn't here anymore.

"Hopefully it will not come to that, try your best to stay inside the house, it will be safest. You have a weapon?"

"Yes, I'll keep it on me all night. The others are close by, too." She pointed towards the front door where an iron poker, a shotgun and several other items sat. She also knew the frying pan was by the back door along with a mean looking sword Bill had brought.

"I should find a spot to hide, they could come at any time. Would you feel safer with me inside or out?"

"Inside, I think? I mean, that way I can still talk to you, I can let you know when I hear them." Sookie was nearly shaking with nerves as they talked about what could happen tonight. "Is this really happening?"

"It's going to be okay, I promise you." He stepped closer, his arms going around her and Sookie didn't hesitate to fall into his embrace. He gave her strength just by being here and she was grateful for it, even if he was making promises he couldn't keep.

"You can't promise that, Bill. As much as you might want to."

She let go of him and tried to figure out how to occupy her time tonight. Cleaning didn't sound like any fun even if it would be a good distraction, she also knew she wouldn't get very far if she tried to read. She grabbed her book anyway and a glass of sweet tea, settling on the couch with another movie playing. Multiple things to distract her until it happened. All she could do now was wait and hope that they had done enough.

Eventually, she managed to focus on her book, the minutes passing as she read a thrilling story of a woman on the run from her past. Bill was the one who interrupted her reading, hearing them approach before Sookie could hear their thoughts.

"There are many, in the woods." He whispered, moving silently through the back hallway to the darkened kitchen. It was then that she could feel them, several minds out there, some fearful, some angry, all of them determined.

Sookie, do not be afraid. She heard a voice in her head.

"Who are you?" She said out loud, thinking the same thing. Bill needed to know what was going on in her head.

I mean you no harm, but need to speak with you. We need your help.

"Help with what?" She waited, trying to keep her thoughts on what was happening right now, not about what she already knew they wanted from her.

Our species is in danger. I come to ask your help.

At that moment, Sookie heard the doorbell ring and near jumped out of her skin. She got up to move toward the front door, not sure what to do. Looking toward the kitchen she could see a shadow of Bill in the dining room, he was close just like he'd promised.

She pulled back the curtain to look out the window, surprised to see a very normal looking female fairy waiting on the other side of the door. She didn't know what she had been expecting, but her fear had been so built up she'd almost expected monsters.

"Back up, please." She told her, nervous that they were so close.

"Sookie, it is so wonderful to meet you. I knew Claudine, and your other cousins. She spoke very fondly of you when you were growing up."

"If you knew Claudine then you know that I didn't trust her... and I don't trust you. What do you want?" She spoke through the door, not willing to open it just yet.

"As I said, we need your help. If you would come with me, you can save our species."

"I'm not going anywhere with you, you'll have to find someone else."

"There is no one else, you are the only one with the light inside of you." The fairy said, but also glanced just behind her and gave a nod. Sookie stopped worrying about the others hearing her thoughts and instead focused on the one standing in front of her. It's not going to work, take her by force as Mab instructed. Now.

"They're coming, Bill. Now." She said quietly, knowing he could hear her from where he stood near the kitchen.

"Get upstairs, lock the doors behind you." He appeared next to her, but still in shadow. She saw the iron poker in his hand and his fangs bared. "Go."

Just then there was a bang at the back door and a scream of pain. The iron handle. Sookie didn't know what to do. She wanted to help, she couldn't leave Bill to fight them all off himself. But he kept urging her upstairs, practically carrying her up the first few steps.

She had the iron trowel and Bill had also put the shotgun in her hands. He followed behind her, rushing her up the stairs and into Charlie's room. It all happened so fast, as quick as he'd guided her upstairs, he was gone. She locked the door and pushed the crib in front of it for extra protection. Once the door was barricaded, she sank against the wall, her weapons clutched to her chest. She closed her eyes and did the only thing she could do, listen.

xx

xx

Bill knew this was his only chance to keep Sookie safe, to end this. Once she was headed upstairs, he didn't hesitate. He could hear the fae outside, quiet whispers to each other as they approached the house. The fairy at the front door continued to call out for Sookie, to try and talk to her as if she weren't planning to kidnap her. Knowing that Sookie was locked in the safest room they had, he used his speed and stealth to go out the upstairs window and land softly in the darkest part of the yard. He had counted at least five other fairies in the yard nearing the house. Some carried swords as Niall had said.

For a split second Bill felt guilty for what he was about to do, but Sookie's life was at stake, he had no choice. Half a dozen fairies were in the yard, ready to take Sookie away and eventually kill her and her child. Bill would not allow that to happen, no matter the cost. The first one didn't even hear him approach, with one swing of the iron poker the fairy turned to dust. He saw a group of them prepared to knock down Sookie's back door. Keeping the fairies out of the house was his priority. Using a burst of speed, he rushed the fairies that were at the door. He sent them flying away from the porch and heard one cry out for help. His element of surprise was now gone, but it didn't matter. Sweet smelling blood filled the air, adding fuel to the blood lust that Bill was barely controlling.

Most of the fae appeared afraid of him, he recognized the panic in their eyes as he kept them away from Sookie. Bill felt fleeting moments of sympathy for them, if what Sookie had told him of Mab was true, they didn't have much choice but to do her bidding. Some wanted to flee, at least one of them did turn away from the house, vanishing into the woods. His sympathy didn't last long when a bolder fae stepped forward, almost eager to take on the vampire that was keeping them from their goal.

He circled Bill, his sword drawn. He was fast, but Bill was still faster. Bill parried with him, using the iron poker as a make shift sword. He also tried to keep an eye on the house knowing that this fight wouldn't matter if the others could get to Sookie. With his attention divided between the other fairies and this attacker, he felt the sting of a blade against his left upper arm. Spinning to face the fighter, Bill's weapon connected with his midsection, sending him to the ground. Bill knew he had to move faster, he couldn't make careless mistakes that could cost Sookie her life. This was not a time for mercy. Bill finished the wounded fae on the ground before him and turned his attention back to the remaining three fairies at the front door.

He had heard the shatter of glass and another fae cry out as they touched the iron door handle. It wasn't going to keep them out much longer. He raced to the front of the house. At full speed, he collided with another fae before he could reach the steps. How many more are out there? Passed quickly through his mind. He managed to remain standing after the collision, but lost his weapon. Instead of reaching for it, he reached for the fae who had collided with him. Sinking his fangs into her neck, he twisted and dropped the limp body to the ground.

He reached the front door, grabbing the closest fairy by the neck and tossing them off the porch. Before he could grab the next one, he was hit with a burning pain in his back that knocked him off of his feet. He had been hit by Sookie's fairy light before, this wasn't all dissimilar, but not quite the same. Bill didn't feel mortally wounded, but the blast had pushed him from the porch. He moved quickly to face whoever had attacked him, just barely dodging another hit of fairy energy.

He tackled the fairy to the ground before he could produce another burst of light to hurt Bill. They struggled, Bill surprised by the strength of the fairy beneath him.

"You're not taking her." His voice raged as he gained the upper hand over the fairy.

"She belongs with us, look at what you've done to us in mere minutes..." The fairy struggled to speak as they grappled. "This place... will never be safe... as long as vampires exist."

Bill reached for the fairy's throat, ignoring his words. Bill would kill who or whatever he needed to kill to keep Sookie safe. He would deal with the guilt later.

Sookie's voice from the porch caught Bill off guard, allowing his opponent to take advantage. Bill was suddenly airborne landing against Sookie's vehicle parked in the drive with a thud, the crunch of bone in his ears. What the hell is she doing downstairs? He thought as he got up, his arm limp at his side while the bones of his arm and shoulder mended. His injuries didn't stop him, he pushed himself, needing to get to her.

She stood alone on the porch, several of the fae lay on the ground beneath her. Bill was curious how she had repelled them until he moved closer and could see the glow fading from her hands. He made it to her side on the porch, ready to take on whoever attacked next. The fairies appeared weakened by Sookie's light, much to Bill's surprise. They cowered away from Sookie, all of them looking ready to run.

Before they could decide between further attack or running away, another light appeared at the edge of the woods. A female fae in a regal dress came into view. She was flanked by a handful of muscular men, that based on their dress and weaponry, Bill could only assume were guards of some kind.

"Queen Mab." He heard Sookie say, her fear shooting through their connection. Bill knew things had just gotten much worse.

xx

xx

Shit, shit, shit! was all Sookie could think when Mab appeared in her yard. She had thought things were going pretty well, even if Bill was going to be pissed at her for coming downstairs. Sookie couldn't help it, she sat up there and waited, but knew she couldn't let Bill do everything by himself. If something happened to him while she hid in fear, she'd never be able to live with that. She'd been thinking about her new light, this power inside her, it had to do something, what else was it for? When she made it downstairs, she learned quickly that her light did far more than she'd expected to the fairies. The short burst of energy she had summoned sent them flying, though it didn't kill them. If she pushed herself harder, would her light have the same effect on Mab? Mab was an old fairy like Niall, which meant she could have different abilities from the others, stronger abilities.

"Sookie, get to safety." Bill's voice was urgent beside her. If she hadn't known him, the way he looked would have scared her. His fangs coupled with the vicious look on his face and the smears of blood made him the picture perfect scary vampire.

"No, you can't do this alone." She wouldn't leave him, she couldn't. They would stop Mab together or not at all.

There was no time to argue when Mab flashed and disappeared, reappearing next to Sookie. Bill growled, ready to attack when a flash of light sent him flying from the porch.

"Bill!" Sookie cried out before she could even think of what to do next.

"The vampire can't save you now, even if he did force me to come do this myself. You will come with us."

Sookie watched, horrified, as the warrior like fairies surrounded Bill. Thankfully, faster than she could follow, they didn't all remains standing for long.

"I'm not going anywhere." She told Mab, trying to back away from the older fairy. Sookie wasn't fast enough and Mab grabbed her by the arm, shoving her down the steps. Sookie stumbled, catching herself on her hands and knees.

"Do you think you have a choice?" Mab reached for her again, trying to drag her to her feet.

Sookie resisted, staying on the ground for a moment. Anger flared along with her fear. She needed to find away out of this. Her grandmother's trowel was still tucked into the side of her pants, thank god for maternity stretch bands! She reached for the trowel and as she stood, she swung as hard as she could, catching Mab across the chest. Free from Mab's grasp, Sookie ran. She had to get to Bill.

He was still fighting with the other fae, though there were only two of them left. As she approached them, she did wonder just how much her light would hurt Bill if she hit him full force along with the others. She didn't know if she could do it. He said he always came back to life, but what if this were the time he didn't?

Her time to ponder was cut short when in a flash of light Bill cried out in pain. He was brought to his knees in front of Sookie, Mab holding a silver chain around his neck. Sookie was mere feet away, but it wasn't enough. Sookie watched as Mab handed off the chain to one of the other fae and turned her attention back to Sookie.

"If you are determined to do this the hard way, then we will do things the hard way. Your friend will die in front of you and then your light will become my light."

"It's my light, you can't have it." Sookie said, adding more bravado than she felt. She feared that it was too late, that Mab was too powerful. All Sookie had left was her light.

Use it. A voice said in her head. The voice of her grandfather Niall.

Are you here? Help us! She thought back frantically.

Use your light. He repeated. Sookie wanted to search for him, but there wasn't time. Bill still struggled against the chain holding him. Sookie could almost feel him weakening. This needed to end somehow.

She focused on her hands, on her light. As they began to glow, Mab stopped in her tracks. The brief look of panic on the queen's face was exactly what Sookie needed. This was it. She put all of her feelings: her anger, her fear, her love into the light in her hands, the light within herself. Bill was too close, he would be hit with the light as well, no matter what Sookie tried to do. It was breaking her heart all over again, but she had no choice. She couldn't control it enough to just hit Mab, not if she wanted it to be powerful enough to harm her. Bill stopped his struggle as the glow became brighter. The light had traveled fully up her arms now. His eyes found hers and he knew. He smiled at her, reassured her with a wink. Telling her it was okay.

"I'm sorry." She said, knowing he would hear her. She let the warmth spread further, almost like the light was coming from her whole body. She tried not to think about the tears falling down her cheeks, about what was about to happen. All that mattered was that this was almost over.

Mab turned away, she tried to run. She tried to transport herself away, but something was holding her in place. Niall appeared from thin air, somehow blocking Mab's ability to vanish.

"Do it, Child." He said, wavering in and out of view. Sookie was perplexed by his odd appearance, but she did as she was told. Instead of concentrating on the light within her, she focused outward and the yard lit up as if it where day. Mab collapsed on the ground and Sookie wasn't sure if the fairy queen was alive or dead.

The other fae hit by the light had vaporized into dust. Bill along with them. He was... gone. Sookie could hardly think, she could only stare at the space where Bill had been. What have I done?

She sank to the ground, numbness surrounding her... emptiness. He had to be okay. He said he always came back, he'd come back. She repeated it to herself like a mantra until Niall appeared in front of her.

"Sookie?" He said her name. "Sookie." He repeated it again, his hand waving in front of her face. She tried her best to refocus, to talk to the man standing in front of her. Her gaze finally landed on Niall's. "You did it, Sookie."

"What exactly did I do?"

"You harnessed your light, your full potential. This is what Mab wants to take from you."

"Is she... is she dead?" She asked, looking over towards the body on the ground.

"She is weakened, injured, but not dead."

"So it's still not over?"

"It's over, do not worry. Now I will take her, I will contain her so she can speak to her crimes."

"Crimes?" Sookie's brow furrowed. She was confused and had no idea what Niall was talking about.

"You may not believe it, but we do follow certain rules. Mab violated many. She will be contained until far after your light has again faded. The danger is ended."

"Why didn't you stop her before?"

"She grew too powerful, had too many followers. Regrettably, I've been unable to stop her before this."

"Oh." Sookie knew she had more questions, but she couldn't think of a single one. Her mind was a fog.

"I must go, before she regains her strength. I will see you again."

Sookie didn't have a chance to respond, both Niall and Mab vanished with a flash of light leaving Sookie alone in her darkened yard. More alone than she'd been in a very long time.

The trowel of her grandmother was on the ground at her feet. She picked it up and turned toward the empty house. She stepped over the glass from her broken door, closing it anyway and turning the lock out of habit. She managed to walk up the steps and into her room. Unable to do anything else, she crawled into bed, her arms cradling her growing belly. We're safe, it's over. She thought to herself and the baby. More tears tracked down her cheeks, but Sookie didn't even feel them, she didn't feel anything. They may have won the fight tonight, but if there wasn't another miracle waiting for her when the sun set tomorrow, she didn't know how she would survive.