A/N: I'm back! I promised I wouldn't make y'all wait to long! Thanks for reading, I'll let you get too it. See you below!

Disclaimer: I own none of the characters or anything else here. I'm writing purely for shits and giggle purposes. Please don't sue.

One last thing, big shout out too my totally awesome Beta, slcurwin, for putting up with me. She laughs and all the right places and makes me feel so smart. Thanks!

Chapter 14

How does a parent explain the concept of sex or lovemaking to a small child when caught in the act? More importantly to Eric…how the hell did he explain to Sarah he was not trying to kill Sookie when she saw him feeding from her in such an avid manner? They'd been searching the house for an hour, but somehow the frightened child had managed to completely mask her scent as well as cut off the bond to Eric. Lafayette finally found her asleep inside a laundry basket under a mound of dirty laundry. How she managed to breathe had been a mystery to him, and honestly he only found her when he knocked over the basket in his frantic search for her and heard the thud. It took another half hour to wake her and convince Sarah that Eric was not hurting Sookie. In fact she flat out refused to see him for the rest of the night and it took Sookie showing Sarah her healed, clean, and mark less body before she could convince the toddler she was fine.

It was almost nine in the evening when they finally left Sarah to be consoled and rocked by Lafayette to meet Gran at a nearby late night café. As they drove to the location Sookie looked over at Eric. He looked like his normal stoic picture of calm and cool but she knew how deeply scaring Sarah had affected him. She placed her hand over his and thought to him, 'She'll be fine my love. I'll explain more to her in the morning after the shock has worn off. She'll be fine in a day or so. Children have remarkable resilience.' Though no one else was in the car with them, this way of communicating gave them a sense of intimacy and security that they both craved at the moment.

'But what if I scarred her for life? What if she'll never allow anyone her trust again after that? What if she hates me? What if…'

'Shhhhhh….don't do this Eric. She'll be fine and in the future we will learn to lock the door.' They both couldn't help but chuckle as they pulled into the parking lot of the small building. Making their way inside, they spotted Adele sitting with Dr. Ludwig and rocking the small baby from the night before in her arms. With Hadley nowhere to be seen, they continued to the table and sat opposite the two women.

"Hadley's gone," Gran began without any greeting or niceties. "She left this," she pushed several pieces of folded over paper; "you need to read it before we go any further." She looked at Eric, "I think you should both read it, I've already shared it with Amy, and since there is a sensitive subject matter discussed, I suggest you don't read it aloud."

"Who's Amy?" Sookie looked puzzled as she pulled the note toward her and began unfolding the pages.

"I am," stated Dr. Ludwig. "What, you thought my first name was doctor?"

"No," said Sookie.

"Yes," Eric deadpanned.

Ludwig snorted into her drink, "Typical bloodsucker, read the damn note, I've got other things to do."

Sookie rolled her eyes at the bickering between the two supernatural leaders and leaned into Eric's shoulder so that he could read with her. Opening the letter to Hadley's surprisingly flowing and elegant looking cursive writing style, Eric thought, 'Who knew someone that nasty would have such good penmanship?'

'We all have hidden depths,' Sookie sighed as she began reading.

Dear Gran,

By the time you read this, providing that 'Barney Fife' doesn't find this first, (that asshat's been watching me like a hawk all afternoon), I'll be long gone. I only came back because of Hunter and I wasn't expecting anybody to even be here or awake when I came by last night. But the shower and clean clothes felt good on my skin, I almost forgot how good.

I was going to just leave Hunter here for Sookie. I know it's a shitty thing to do, but let's be honest, I'm a shitty person and I don't deserve anything good that's ever happened to me in my life, not that much has, but still.

I lied, surprise, surprise, about how Hunter got in his current condition. I got married a year ago and for the first time ever I felt loved, cared for, protected and safe. But Sookie is right about me, I'm toxic. Everything I touch turns to shit eventually. When I found out I was pregnant shortly after we were married, I knew it wasn't Remy's. He was so excited though that we were having a kid, he picked out names immediately after I told him. Hunter, after his grandfather, Mitchell, after mine, Savoy was what he came up with and we agreed on for a boy. I couldn't make myself tell this wonderful man that the baby wasn't his, that I was a whore and drug addict when we met, trying to quit, again. He found out about the drugs and helped me get sober and for nine months it was perfect. Well as close to perfect as I will ever see. Then about two months ago, on the day Hunter turned four months old, Remy was killed in a freak accident at work and my life went to shit again.

I couldn't leave him with Remy's family because they never really liked me to begin with and I wasn't sure how well they'd treat Hunter because of it, and also because I think he might be different. The way Sookie is. I see him watching me sometimes, just staring the way children do when you're talkin' to them but I wouldn't be, talkin' that is. It was like he could hear me thinking and was listening. It's the same damn look Sookie use to give me when we were little. It was creepy then and just as creepy now. I knew that I couldn't raise him myself and that anyone else other than Sookie or his daddy would end up locking him away. Since his daddy was dead I choose Sookie.

I know you're wondering what the hell took me so long to get here; well it took me this long to figure it out. It was actually a run in I had a few days ago that finally made up my mind. I've been bouncing from shelter to shelter since Remy passed trying to just, well, NOT fall apart. I got back on drugs almost right after the accident, but I knew that Hunter shouldn't feed from me because of them so I've been trying to make enough to feed him formula but when there wasn't enough money for that I'd thin it out or give him juice. I was living in a shelter in Gulfport and working in this dive strip joint that didn't mind that I brought the baby with me as long as he stayed in the back out of the sight of customers and I did my job. It was the end of my shift when he saw me from the crowd. I didn't see him at first since I was on stage finishing my set, but when I was finished and went to the back to change, collect Hunter and leave, the bouncer told me I had a visitor. I thought it might be someone looking for a good time and since it pays money I needed, well you can guess what I did. Imagine my shock when I saw Jason standing there staring at me.

Sookie jolted and looked up from the letter, "Jason's in Mississippi?"

"Keep reading, there's more," Gran stated.

We talked for hours. He took me and Hunt to get some real food, something I hadn't had in a while and he got a can of formula for the baby. I told him about Remy and Hunter and he told me about Sarah and how bad he'd screwed up. He told me about how he was livin' up in Alaska for a while but got a job as a 'roughneck' working for an oil drilling company that was currently working a site out in the gulf. He was on a 24 hour break or leave or vacation, I don't really remember what he called it but he said all his buddies from the rig went into New Orleans for the day and they'd all be going back out to the rig by morning. I asked why he wasn't with them and he said he wasn't allowed in Louisiana anymore. He told me all about Sookie hookin' up with a wealthy vamp that owned some bar called Fantasia and all about his 'punishment'. I guess I'm not the only one in the family that's a fuck up. He told me I should give Hunter to Sookie. She was watchin' Sarah for him and that she'd never turn away family, especially a helpless baby. He gave me what extra money he had with him and told me I needed to face facts that people like us weren't meant to be parents. It was Gods nasty trick that people like us had kids and ended up fucking them up so bad we just make the world worse, and good kind hearted people like Sookie end up alone and cleaning up our messes.

The thing you need to know Gran is why I know Sookie wouldn't help me. I'm a monster. I was pregnant once before, when I was 15. It was Bartlett's. I was terrified about what I should do and Sookie caught me thinking about having an abortion one day at school. She told me that she'd help me care for the baby. That even though it was that evil bastards spawn, it could still be ok. I didn't need to kill it. She spent hours after school that day trying to convince me and she almost did, until I got home that night. Mom was in bed because she was sick again, and I was left alone until he came over that night. I skipped school the next morning and took a bus into Shreveport to the clinic. When Sookie saw me the next time at school, she'd been so hopeful for me, and excited that she'd get to help with a baby. I couldn't stand the look of pain on her face when she 'heard me'. I think that's when I gave up. I was officially as bad as Bartlett, a monster. I didn't just kill my baby; I killed Sookie's hope of getting that family she always wanted.

When Jas told me about Sarah I began to hope that maybe Sook could take Hunter after all. I bought a bus ticket the next day and headed for Shreveport. I didn't know if Sookie would help me but I knew Jas was right. She wouldn't turn away Hunter. Maybe I could give her back that hope I'd killed in her and give her and my son a future.

I won't darken your doorway again Gran. Now that I know Hunt's safe and with people that will help him and understand him, I can go back to the darkness, where I belong. I want you to know that I heard what you said earlier, about always loving me, and I know that if I stayed I'd have a home again. But it's too late for that. I'm broken. You may be able to forgive me and love me, hell if I stayed I might even find another Remy that would do the same, but I don't love me. How can I expect anyone else too? How can I forgive myself when I just can't ever forget? I should have left when Hunter was born. Maybe if I had Remy would still be alive. Who knows?

Please don't look for me, not that I expect you too. Take care of Hunter, please. Maybe once Sookie calms down she'll take pity on his little soul and help him just like she once tried to help me. I know I have no right to ask but will you tell her something for me? Tell her Thank you and I hope that she gets that family she's always wanted, the kind of family that actually deserve her kindness and love. Please don't tell Hunter about me. He'd be better off thinking Sookie was his mom.

Hadley

Sookie wept into Eric's chest as he took the letter and reread it again before handing it back to Adele. He looked at the boy in her arms, "How is he?"

Ludwig began with a scowl, "The boy is malnourished but not quite as badly as I first thought. He is suffering from anemia, which is ironic considering his heritage; he's also afflicted with an inner ear and an upper respiratory infection, a bad case of head lice and diaper rash I wouldn't wish on my worst enemy. All of which are treatable…."

"And given a little TLC this little man should be right as rain." Gran interrupted as she cooed at the baby.

"It should also be noted that he is of your line Miss Stackhouse and does carry the spark." Dr. Ludwig stated casually but covertly. "If I may suggest a more secure location to continue our meeting, your house perhaps, Viking?"

Eric said no a little too quickly and was then forced to explain the reasoning behind why. While Adele tried in vain to cover her laugh with a cough and her smile with a drink from her glass of tea, Ludwig gave him a raised eyebrow look. "Let me get this straight, you were caught by your child having sex and feeding from your mate and now you're hiding from her. Very mature. Welcome to the world of parenthood, grow a pair Vampire. Don't let one little girl keep you from your home." She somehow managed to say all this with a straight face but the glisten in her eyes told Eric she was about to lose her composure and flat out laugh at him.

He fought the urge to rip her head off and instead just growled saying, "Let's move to my office at Fangtasia. Sookie and I need to conduct a little business there later tonight anyway and we were going to see if you would like to observe. Sookie will be practicing a few of her new tricks and your opinion is always valued." Eric even managed to say that last part without any sarcasm in his voice. Sookie was proud of him.

The mirth turned to barely suppressed glee as she hopped down from her chair and practically buzzing from excitement said, "Agreed. I'll meet you at your office in half an hour; I need to get a few things from my lab. If you'll excuse me Adele, I'll meet you there." She turned and walked out of the diner much more swiftly than someone of her size should have been able to walk.

When Gran rose from her seat to leave, Sookie did also. Stepping close she looked at the small baby, "May I hold him, please?"

"Of course," Adele said as she handed Hunter to Sookie. "He's been very good, and Hadley was correct in her observation. He's just like you and then Sarah were at this age. Remember how she would stare right at you whenever you'd rock her?"

"Yes, I remember, I'd be thinking to her and she'd giggle." Staring down at the large brown eyes blinking back at her, Sookie thought, 'Hello little man! You look so much better tonight. Gran does that you know. She just loves you so much she makes all the bad go away.'

Eric hearing her inner conversation from their close proximity, added, 'You do that as well Lover. I think it is a gift the women in your family share. You've certainly managed to make my life better. What do you think small one? Do you want to be part of our family?'

Neither of them was expecting it when Hunter kicked his little feet and released a noise that sounded suspiciously like a giggled coo.

"I believe that means yes," Gran said smiling at Hunter but not missing the look of utter astonishment on both Eric and Sookie's faces. "Come on let's get to Fangtasia, there are several things I need to tell you and Amy said she has news as well."

Sookie's mind was in a whirl. She listened to Gran explain about her meeting and deal (can you call blackmail a deal?) with Cataliades, while driving to the club. The catch was that she and Hunter were in Bubba's Cadillac while Eric and Sookie were in Sookie's new SUV. Sookie had never held a mental conversation from two separate vehicles before, Hell she wasn't really having one now since Gran was doing all the talking. By the time they pulled up behind Fangtasia, Adele had outlined the brief but intense training the lawyer had given her during her trips into Shreveport for the past few days.

Once they were in Eric's office, with the baby sleeping in his car seat which was sitting on the corner of the couch, and Bubba had gone in search of his evening meal (he'd heard cat's fighting in the alley), Eric decided to raise a few questions.

"Since we have a few minutes before Amy returns, explain what happened today. When did Hadley leave? Did she take anything?" Eric really didn't care about the answers but knew Sookie needed to hear them and she was too embarrassed about her behavior last night to ask the questions.

Adele took a deep breath, "I was up all night caring for Hunter. Hadley passed out shortly after you left last night and somebody needed to clean him up and feed him. I asked Bull to run to the store for supplies because I didn't think it would be wise to send Bubba, though he did offer bless his soul. When Tray arrived at dawn, he helped me get ready for Amy's visit by watching Hunter while I took a much needed shower and cooked breakfast. He agreed to keep an eye out for Hadley and watch her while she was in the house to make sure she didn't steal anything." A haunted look passed over Adele's face and she heaved a tired sigh. "We had to wake Hadley when Amy arrived so that she could get her samples, but she went right back to sleep afterward and didn't emerge until after lunch. I left Hunter to her care so that I could get a little rest. When I was alone I decided I needed answers she wasn't going to give me the conventional way, so I snooped. I used the techniques that lawyer had been showing me and I took a walk though her memories. I know what she says in that note is true because I saw it in her mind. But I didn't just hear it like you've described it Sookie, it was like I lived it with her. I was able to keep you safe from Bartlett but not her. I saw, heard and felt everything he did to her." Gran growled, she actually growled, in disgust. "I'm so sickened and mortified with myself that I didn't do something more for her, but I'm even more so with Bartlett." She spat his name like a curse. "It makes me want to hunt that bastard down and use his nether bits as target practice for my shotgun!"

Eric perked up at this declaration and said, "Would it help if I told you that was no longer necessary?"

Gran gave Eric what Sookie would call the 'stink eye'. "And may I ask just why that would no longer be necessary?"

Eric paused. He actually felt nervous at the stare down he was getting from the elderly human woman. In fact there was only one other being he'd ever met that made him feel… anxious in this way. For some unknown reason he didn't want to confess the revenge he'd taken in Sookie's defense. He was becoming increasingly edgy under Adele's relentless glare. He knew that glare too, hell he'd used that same fierce look countless times in his capacity as Sherriff. Eric unnecessarily cleared his throat, "I believe I read an obituary notice in the paper recently about the death of a Bartlett Hale. Since it was once mentioned he was your brother and I know from Sookie that this was your maiden name, I assumed this to be the same person. If you'd like I can send Pam to find a copy of this notice." His attempt at deflection didn't seem to work on Gran.

She raised an eyebrow at him and calmly but with a hint of ice in her voice said, "Did the notice mention how he died?"

"No, there was no mention of next of kin either. If you'd like I can have Pam dig up a coroner's report." His voice held no emotion and he wore a demeanor of calm innocence, though Sookie could tell he was hiding something because of the connection they shared, she just couldn't make herself care. She figured it probably made her a terrible Christian for not praying for his departed soul, but as far as she was concerned Bartlett didn't have one to begin with.

After a long pause, Gran huffed out a sigh and sank into the couch next to the baby. "It's awful of me and not at all a Christian thought but I hope that bastard suffered greatly and for a long time before he died."

"I believe that was mentioned in the column I read. He hadn't been in good health for a number of years. Would you like me to get more information for you? It might help relieve some grief."

"Pffft! Grief my big toe! I'm just mad I didn't get a shot off when I had the chance. God forgive me for what I'm about to say, but I just hope however he died it was equal to the suffering he caused in his life." Gran crossed her arms and looked very much in her own thoughts.

Eric just nodded and smiled slightly, and the nerves Sookie had earlier detected seemed to ease off completely. They sat in silence for a few more moments until a brief knock at the door alerted them to Dr. Ludwig's arrival. She let herself in and scanned the somber mood of the office, "I see you began without me, what did I miss?"

"Adele was explaining the events of her afternoon to us and we got a bit side tracked. Adele would you like to continue?"

As Amy took a seat beside her, Adele nodded and continued. "After my trip into Hadley's damaged mind, I slept for a few hours. After I woke up and went back into the living room I saw Tray feeding Hunter. He said Hadley went for a walk a little while before and hadn't come back yet. As far as he knew she was coming back because she had nothing with her when she left the house. That's when I found the note. She left it next to the 'cookie' tin on the counter. It was empty."

Eric asked slightly confused, "She took sugary confections with her?"

"No," Sookie shook her head. "The old cookie tin was where Grandpa Mitchell use to keep his emergency cash fund. He didn't trust banks. I thought you didn't keep cash there anymore. Not since the last time Hadley robbed it."

Gran smiled in acknowledgement, "I don't usually, but I put a few things inside it this morning after Amy's visit. I knew if Hadley ran she'd check the tin first. I left about $80 in cash for her and the doctor's little bottle." She fished a small empty bottle from her purse and held it up to Dr. Ludwig. "She took the bait."

"Explain," Eric stated authoritatively as he saw the conspiratorial look pass between the two women.

"We set the girl up," Ludwig began explaining. "Adele asked me before we woke the twit, if there was a way to help save Hadley from herself. Keep her from causing more damage to herself or your family. Of course I told her there wasn't but I did have something that might help." She held up the bottle, "we made sure the fool was listening when I told Adele to hide this and instructed her not to let Hadley near it as it had addictive properties. It seems she drank it all before she left." Ludwig shook her head. "Her greed will seal her fate."

"What was in the bottle?" Sookie asked.

"A very potent drug I keep for emergencies. If used as a topical agent it sterilizes any infected surface. We cured the boy's lice this way and it helped clear up some of his rash when Adele used a drop in his bath. When taken orally however it has much stronger and longer lasting effects. Its main ingredient for example is pure fairy blood." Eric's fangs clicked down involuntarily at this information. It took a moment for him to retract them. Ludwig chuckled, "That's exactly the reason why I use it so sparingly. Mixed with the other ingredients, most supernatural creatures tend to have very animated reactions to the formula, especially vampires. Taken in a small amount it can be used as a truth serum; however in the amount Hadley ingested it will likely cause more damage than good."

"That explains the note," Adele said. "What else will it do?"

Ludwig blinked at her, "I thought I just explained that? It's a sterilizing agent. It will work through her body and do just that."

"So your saying we won't have to worry about any other Hunter's being left with us?" Sookie said as she immediately took him from his carrier and rocked him when he began to fuss.

"That's one effect but it will literally scrub her clean as it moves through her system. It would normally kill most humans but because of the small amount and her 1/8 fairy blood it will more than likely just eradicate any residual drugs and toxins from her system and purify her blood. It will make her Fae taste more evident while making her taste like…"

"Like a virgin." Eric teeth were down again and Sookie noticed he was getting excited. "How long will this last?"

"With the amount she ingested, I'm not sure, at least a few months, possibly longer if she remains sober. Why?" Ludwig shrugged her shoulders.

Eric smiled mischievously, "Let's just say I have an idea of how she can make herself useful." He called Thalia from the phone on his desk and told her to track Hadley from her departure at the Stackhouse's residence and report back her location but not to engage, "Keep out of sight but keep her in sight. Report when she's found." He hung up the phone. "Now Adele, is there anything else you'd like to tell us about what you've been up too? Since the telepathy is a recent addition what is it you and my childe have been doing for the past four months?"

Gran actually looked sheepish and blushed deeply before pulling a letter out of her purse and handing it to Sookie to read. Sookie glanced at it and then looked at Adele in surprise. "College? You're taking night classes and Shreveport Community College? Why? I mean I didn't know you wanted….I…umm….." Sookie was flummoxed. She didn't realize Gran wanted to further her education. It had never occurred to her even though Gran had always been an avid reader and frequent denizen of the Bon Temp library for as long as she could remember. She was the main influence for Sookie's love of reading.

"For the past few months, actually since the night we met Eric and I had that little episode, I've been having some odd dreams. I didn't really understand what I was dreaming about until I began my course work. I saw an ad for history classes being held at SCC that were being taught by a Vampire professor. The class is on European history from the Renaissance to the present and I was just fascinated that the vampire was not just teaching from historical texts but would be adding personal experiences from his life at that time as well. I took a small amount from my savings and Pam agreed to accompany me since I don't see well enough to drive at night. I always wanted to go to a university when I was younger but besides the fact that my father didn't see the sense in women getting a higher education, we simply didn't have the money. I married Mitchell soon thereafter and it wouldn't have been proper for me to go after gaining a husband. So I let it go. I figured it was a dream that I wouldn't get to experience and I was a bit embarrassed that as an old woman in her late seventies, I would be going now. If it wasn't for Pam's encouragement I wouldn't have signed up at all. It's just the one class and I'm signed up as a non-degree seeking student. I hope you're not mad or embarrassed to have your old granny back in a classroom."

"Of course not Gran! I never knew you wanted to go to college but it doesn't really surprise me. You love to learn, and I think you should seek a degree of some sort if for no other reason than just to say you could. I've been thinking about taking a few classes myself. I wish you would have told me earlier, I'd have gone with you." She knelt in front of Gran as she spoke, holding her hand with the one not supporting the sleeping bundle in her arms.

"What were your dreams concerning, Adele?" Eric asked trying to keep the emotional women on topic.

"Oddly enough, they're mostly about the past. Not my past, but an event that happened well before I was born. The more I studied the events talked about in class the clearer the dreams became, almost as if I was there or as if I was experiencing the events through the eyes of someone who was. What's odd is that all the dreams seem to take place at night. And I don't mean the time in which I'm asleep, the events of the dreams themselves is always at night."

Dr. Ludwig took this moment to add to the conversation. "Did you ever have dreams like this before? When exactly did they start?"

"No, I never really remembered my dreams before and I had the first one the night after Sookie and I met Eric and Pam. They were so detailed," she pulled out a spiraled notebook from her handbag, "I wrote them down."

"May I?" Eric asked as he extended his hand.

"Sure," Adele handed him the notepad that held her scribbling.

As Eric began perusing the information contained inside, Ludwig continued her questions. "Adele, I believe Sookie once mentioned to me that you were given blood by Pam that night, is this correct?

"Well, yes."

Sookie noticed that the doctor was busily scribbling notes of her own in the pad she was holding. "Dr. Ludwig," she hadn't been given permission to call her Amy, "do you think Pam's blood triggered Gran's spark the same way Eric's did mine and Sarah's?"

"Hmmm…yes, I do believe that is the case. Unfortunately, I don't have a sample of your Gran's blood work prior to her ingestion of Ms. Ravenscroft's blood nor do I know of any one with the spark that hasn't been exposed too…" she trailed off as she stared at the baby for a moment then opened her bag and pulled out what looked like a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant) device of some sort. Sookie wasn't sure because she'd never had much use for technology. After a few moments the hobbit looking creature asked, "Are you planning on giving the boy your blood the way you did Sarah?" She smiled slightly because Amy really had developed a soft spot for that child, watching the Viking react to her was endlessly amusing.

Sookie startled by the sudden topic change, held Hunter a little closer and stepped instinctively toward Eric. "I had not given it any thought, however if you believe it would help him improve his physical condition…." Eric trailed off as he reached for Sookie.

"On the contrary I was thinking you might want to hold off on that course of action until the boy is a little older. His condition, though poor, is not anything that won't heal with time, proper nutrients, and lots of loving care which he's obviously getting now." She gestured at Sookie who had reached Eric and was now sitting on his lap, in his office chair, while still cradling Hunter protectively. "It will also give me time to observe him and see how his spark develops without the…boost…of vampire blood."

"I won't let him be turned into you science experiment doctor, nor will I allow you to do the same with Sarah or myself," Sookie said hotly.

"Shh, Lover, I don't believe that was the doctor's intention. She wouldn't be alive for long if it was." Eric shot her a warning look.

Ludwig rolled her eyes, "Spare me your threats Vampire. But no, Miss Stackhouse, I am not interested in turning your children into 'science experiments'. I do however; believe some careful observation is needed before he is given any blood. Being an infant, I cannot accurately assess the effects it may have on him and his growth. It's best to wait until he's older and err on the side of caution. I would also advise that Sarah not be given another dose until you feel the tie you have created with her fade. It would be beneficial to know if her ability to cloak herself would still be strong or even working without vampire blood in her system."

"Is that what she's doing? Cloaking herself? Then why are others affected when they come in contact with her and why does she pass out from exhaustion afterward? She hid for nearly an hour tonight and if Laf hadn't accidentally knocked over that basket, I don't know if we'd have ever found her. Eric said her couldn't sense her, is she blocking him or something? And now Gran's got telepathy but not like mine and she's having dreams from the past. Honestly could our life get any stranger?" Sookie looked at Eric and let out a huff of exasperation.

Ludwig flipped the pages of her notepad until she found what she was looking for. "I believe that what I hypothesized before is becoming less theory and more fact. With all the incidents I've been told of and observed it appears that this has nothing to do with the Fae in you or the 'magic' of vampire blood, though that does appear to be a catalyst. Your human spark seems to be the cause or source of your family's new-found abilities. The daemon confirmed that it was the spark in Adele that enabled her to accept his 'gift of telepathy'. It also seems to be the one factor that separates those in your family tree that do have it from those that don't. This is why watching Hunter's progress as well as Sarah's will give us some much needed proof that the spark seems to remain dormant unless activated by a 'supernatural' source, for example Daemon or Vampire blood. I am currently in search of humans who have the spark that would be willing to participate in a 'scientific study' if you will. I've put out notices at various college campuses and the like but unfortunately I've only found two."

"Only two completely human people with the spark in the Shreveport area?" Eric asked curiously.

"Only two people in the state of Louisiana. I told you it was a rare occurrence. I'm going to begin searching nationally next and if necessary I'll broaden it too internationally. Ideally I'd need a large pool of volunteers to begin with, in most scientific studies this is approximately 1,000 participants. In this case I'd be lucky to get a hundred. It hopefully should be enough. In order to do this I'm going to need two things from you Vampire."

Eric just raised an eyebrow.

"I'm going to need time. Studies like this take years, usually, so I don't want you snarling in my ear for answers after only a few months. I've already got a cover for the research; most people interviewed believe we're looking for volunteers for a new drug testing. Only the few actually chosen to participate will be told the truth after being given confidentiality statements to sign and glamored to keep silent. The last thing I need is the headache of losing my focus group to greedy opportunist."

Sookie frowned at the doctors callous words, "Yes, God forbid you should be inconvenienced when someone's life and freedom is on the line."

Eric chuckled at Sookie's ire until she elbowed him in the gut. Had he been human it might have triggered a gag reflex. Thank the Gods he wasn't. "What's the second thing, Amy?" Eric grinned when she growled at him for using her first name.

"Funding," she spit out. "Not just financially but I'll also require vampire help once I begin the actual experiments. I'll also need Were, Daemon and Fae help but I can take care of those angles. I suggest choosing young vampires as their blood is not as potent but I'd like at least one ancient if that's possible. I also suggest the true reason for this project be kept tightly guarded. If other vampires, especially those in power, got wind of what we're doing, it could get…"

"Dangerous. Yes, I am aware, but I have an 'ace up my sleeve', so to speak. Don't worry about funding or help, you will get plenty of both. Time however, is a factor. This needs to be completed before May of 2005."

Dr. Ludwig looked startled few a few moments. "Isn't that the date of the next summit? That's little more than two years."

"Yes, but my 'Ace' insists. She believes this will be a critical period for my kind and your 'subjects' will be needed at the conference. All of them." His eyes dart briefly to Adele and Sookie and lingering briefly on Hunter before returning to Ludwig.

Sookie heard the doctor mumble something about 'damned seers' before huffing out, "Fine. I might be able to get the numbers I need, in the time we have, if I can get more help. A lot more."

"Done. Help should be at your clinic by the end of the week. I'll have all the funding you need set up through a dummy corporation by then as well. Now, I believe Sookie and I should see to our guests. Doctor you are welcome to stay and observe, however I believe Adele and Hunter should be taken back to the house for tonight."

When they looked in Adele's direction, she was fast asleep with her head resting on the side of the couch. "I'll have Pam sit with them until Bubba returns from his meal and then he can take them home." He smiled thinking of his house as a home. It would be the first time since he was human he'd thought of a dwelling he occupied as such.

Sookie looked him in the eye and thought at him, 'Are you going to fill me in on this 'Ace' of yours and why Ludwig suddenly turned pale and accommodating at the mere mention of her. And what's a summit?'

"I will explain as much as I can to you later, Lover.' He kissed her forehead as he called for Pam through their bond. Almost immediately Pam opened the door. Sookie had to bite her lip almost to the point of bleeding to keep from laughing at the sight of a very unhappy Pam.

"Yes Eric?" She said in the most 'put upon' voice Sookie had ever heard.

"Stay with Adele and Hunter until Bubba returns and instruct him to take them both back to my house for the night. We'll be downstairs and not to be disturbed unless the bar's on fire. Understood?"

Pam cocked her hip with the attitude of the terminally spoiled and said, "Where's the hunter?"

Sookie held up the sleeping baby in her arms briefly before putting him carefully back in his car seat. "This is Hunter. It's his name. He's my cousin's son and my new ward. Sarah hasn't even met him yet since he just arrived in our care last night. I'm sure Eric will fill you in later. By the way, I love your outfit. Orange spandex leggings, paired with hot pink heels and a lime green tank top is totally you. Can I get a picture for posterity?" Sookie took out her phone as soon as her hands were free. LaLa had to see his master piece in motion. These were all pieces from their 'Target shopping spree'.

Pam growled, "Unless you'd like that phone broken in pieces….." Her threat came too late as Eric snapped several with his phone and emailed them to Sookie.

"You were saying Pam?" He gave her a warning look. Oh yeah, he was still pissed about that whole threatening his bonded thing. Pam pouted.

"Another teacup human, Eric? Are you planning on starting an orphanage?" She snarked.

They ignored her looks of distain aimed at the baby, as they made their way down the hall to the door leading downstairs. He paused before entering. "Lover, I know you have been witness to certain behavior adjustments in the past but I'm concerned your actual participation might be overwhelming for you. Are you sure you want to do this?"

"You mean am I sure I want to punish the bitches responsible for trying to harm my family, my child? Damn straight I am. Bring it."

Eric grinned in pride and anticipation at the impending torture session. He and Ludwig shared an eager expression as Sookie open the door and preceded them down the stairs.

A/N: I hope that this was worth the wait. I know that plenty of questions were answered but just the same a few more are asked. We have one more chapter coming up and it will contain if on the 'Guests' in Fangtasia's basement. After that there's gonna be a Time Warp, Baby! Meaning, we'll be jumping ahead again. I'm considering doing a few one-shots that highlight the time that we'll be missing but I'm not sure if y'all will even be interested in that. Maybe I'll make a new poll...hmmmm. *taps chin pensively* Decisions, Decisions.

Anyone want to see anything specific during Sookie's 'demonstration' for Ludwig? Let me know!

As always, thanks to everyone for your comments and hilarious embaressing moments. I loved each one I got. Thanks again!