Disclaimer: I do not own the Southern Vampire Mysteries, they belong to Charlaine Harris

I awoke in the middle of the night to an empty bedroom. Eric wasn't lying beside me. The clock read that it was a little after three in the morning. My stomach growled loudly, letting me know exactly why I had awoken at such a strange hour. I got up from the bed, wrapping my light robe around me and then headed into the kitchen. It was in there, sat at the old dining table, that I found Eric.

His head was bent down as he pored over files spread out in front of him while a bottle of True Blood was within easy reach. He had even remembered to grab a coaster so that the wood wouldn't get damaged.

"What are you doing?" I asked, still slightly groggy. I wasn't entirely sure whether I had anticipated him to stay or not. Usually after something like what we had told each other last night, not that anything so climatic had ever happened, he stayed. However, since he had stayed the previous night as well, it didn't seem as clear cut to me.

"I got some of my people to investigate. I have even been in contact with my lawyers." He extended an arm out to me.

"Wow, you sure have been busy." I walked into his embrace where I was instantly pulled into his naked torso, which just so happened to put his head in line with my breasts.

"I put most of these plans into action last night. I got the documents about three hours ago."

"So you've been sat in the kitchen alone for the past three hours?" His face was buried in the soft fluff of my robe so when he responded he sounded quite muffled.

"I was not going to wake you, Lover. You needed sleep. However, I may now be regretting my decision to move from the bed." He moved slightly so that his nose and lips were against my bare skin. I swatted his shoulder lightly.

"What is all this stuff?" Scanning over the documents quickly I saw that several of them had rather familiar names over them and some were official documents or certificates.

"This is all the information that can be found quickly on our predicament." He paused to sigh. "This is not working." He kissed the skin between my boobs softly. The next thing I knew I was sitting across his laps. It happened so fast I didn't even manage to let out a squeal before I was already sitting. "This will have to do." His eyes trailed down slightly and instinctively I pulled my robe tighter around myself. We didn't need Eric becoming distracted. "These, are the hospital records from when Addison was born, including a copy of her birth certificate. This is all the information that is apparent about Crystal. Finally, this is information from my lawyers regarding the legalities of everything; Jason's rights, your rights, your property and Jason's property and a list of laws that have been broken so far. If whoever has been lurking around is discovered, we have enough to exact justice in the supernatural courts."

Calling the justice system of supernaturals a court was exaggerating quite extensively, unless they had developed a lot since I had last had anything to with them. I shuddered at the thought when I had been made to testify against a Werewolf because I could read his mind. He had been guilty, of that I had no doubt, whether he deserved his punishment was a completely different matter. I should have been grateful that Eric was even thinking about going to the justice system with things, I had thought he would be in a more of a deal with it himself mind set.

"Things have changed, surprisingly the Were's have become slightly more civilised. If I exacted my own vengeance for what had been done without any physical harm befalling those that are close to me I would face the local Pack. No matter the breed of Were involved. I can intervene if the physical harm is imminent; however, a threat is not enough."

"That is messed up." It was messed up on so many levels, it was both better and worse than the previous system.

"Maybe so, yet that is with what we are dealing. If this was purely vampires, things would be a lot easier."

"So what have you found out? And also, how the hell did you get hospital records?" I picked up the folder. Addy's birth certificate was exactly how it shoulder be, including Jason's name under the father's position.

"Doctor Ludwig owed me a favour. She despised it the entire time. She was grateful that I finally cashed it in and this was the extent of what I required."

"She still a cranky old crone?" The other sheets in the file appeared to be a print out of the hospital records, including a play by play of what happened during Addison's birth. It even included who had been present and interestingly, someone who had tried to visit.

"Worse than ever. Have you spotted something?" He pushed aside whatever he had been perusing when I walked in and pulled down the edge of the file so he could read as well.

"Maybe. I'm not sure, it could be nothing. Did you read through this?"

"I only read the birth certificate to double check that Jason was written as the father. We know he is the father, however this gives us a little more power. It would also give us an insight into Crystal's mind set at the time, whether she was actually unsure about paternity." When he explained it, it did make perfect sense. If Crystal had been unsure she could have put someone else's name in or left it blank, pending further investigation.

"Read this, it says there's an unidentified man who wants to see Crystal. He refused to give his name."

8:03pm. a man requests to see Crystal, refuses to give his name and relationship. Mother does not want to see anyone. Man was asked to leave and became abusive. Escorted out by security.

"Peculiar. Frustratingly lacking in detail." He scanned through the remaining pages. "No further mention of any incidents."

"It could definitely be the guy, it doesn't really help us though. Especially if he appeared when Crystal was having Addy. What's the rest in there?"

"Any other time that Addy was in the hospital for any reason." I knew from experience there hadn't been many. Addison had however, been rather unlucky twice in her life. "Tonsilectomy. Broken arm, closed fixation and cast."

"Yeah, she kept getting strep throat so she had her tonsils taken out at five. Last year she broke her lower arm. We were out walking and she tripped, landing funny. One of the scariest things ever. I couldn't reach Jason for hours, he'd gone out with his friends hunting and was out of range." Eric kissed my cheek.

"Did anything strange occur?" He continued to read. Unlike most men I knew he had mastered multitasking, to a certain extent. It must have taken him centuries and he still wasn't as good as me.

"I don't think so. It was just before her seventh birthday, in the evening. We were stuck at the hospital until the following afternoon. I was so tired by the morning... but I don't think anything weird happened."

"Read this." He pulled out the record from that horrible day and handed it over to me.

6:15pm, Addison Michelle Stackhouse admitted to the ER for a broken arm by her aunt, Sookie Stackhouse.

6:30pm, Triage. Arm broken, at distal radius/ulna/carpus. Admin NSAIDs. Xrays requested.

6:45pm, Xrays taken

7:30pm, xrays show clean break of distal radius, hairline fracture of ulna slightly proximal, rotation of distal radial fragment. Radial carpal bone has pathology, not distinguishable whether superficial. Repeat xrays when reduced. Candidate for closed reduction initially.

8:00pm, situation explained. Father still cannot be reached. Admitted to orthopaedics for the night. NBM - possible open reduction. IVFT, maintenance dose. Opioids and NSAIDs to be administered alternately to maintain comfort. Dr J.R. Harrison to see when out of sx.

12:00am, gentleman tried to see Addison and her aunt, wouldn't disclose relationship. Closed ward at night. Explained. Gave his name as Felton. Closed ward. Escorted out by security.

9:00am, seen in the night by Dr J R Harrison, closed reduction. Xrays repeated, show superficial damage only to radial carpal bone. Casted. Continue with NSAIDs, stop opioids and IVFT. Discharge after afternoon rounds, assess comfort. Send home with NSAIDS for 48hours. See doctor if discomfort persists. Check and xray in 1/2/4/6 weeks if all healing well.

4:00am, discharge. Father here to collect.

"What the hell? They never mentioned that to me!" I gave him the sheet back.

"We have a name."

"The nurses should have told me some random guy was trying to see Addison in the middle of the night!" I huffed, anger boiling away inside of me. It wouldn't have made much difference over a year ago, it would have been unnerving but I would have paid closer attention. "You're right," I finally conceded. "We have a mean. Does it mean much?"

"Not as it stands, however, it is a place to start. I can contact some vampires in the police and I even have a private investigator within my Area whom may be able to help." He kissed my temple and his hand stroked circles on my back. "You should try and get more sleep. You did not sleep well last night." My stomach chose that point to grumble loudly, reminding me exactly why I wasn't still asleep.

"Is there anything here I can help with?" However, I was simultaneously getting up to walk over to the refrigerator.

"No." He replied definitively. "I have read these," he pointed to the documents from his lawyers. I wasn't worried about that, Addison was a Stackhouse, there was no way she was going anywhere. "The hospital documents and Crystal's background information remain." So that was why he hadn't picked up on the late night visitors.

"Do you want some company while you go through it?" I grabbed yoghurt and an apple. It wasn't much of a snack, but I hadn't been to the grocery store in a few days so there wasn't much from which to choose.

"Only while you eat. Then you are going to bed." I rolled my eyes at him.

"Why are you so worried about me getting enough sleep?" He knew I wasn't working until the evening shift so I could sleep as late as I wanted.

"You did not sleep well last night. You did not like it when I moved. Restless and at one point I would describe you as pouting." I quirked an eyebrow at him. "It seemed that your subconscious was still trying to make sense of everything that had occurred. You need to get sleep tonight."

"Why, you got plans for me tomorrow?" I wasn't being serious when I asked which was why I was surprised when he nodded his head. "What?"

"There is a late night showing at the drive in. You finish earlier than usual with it being Sunday. We missed our date tonight." I grinned at him. He had far exceeded my expectations. He hadn't run, he hadn't screamed and he hadn't insisted that we break up, again. He was still here and more over, he was helping.

"Okay." I grinned at him again and then continued with my snack. "You can bring this stuff into the bedroom. I don't want to be alone." I through my spoon in the sink and the rest of the stuff in the trash.

"You are perfectly safe, Lover." He didn't exactly understand my words.

"I know. What I meant is, I want you in bed with me." I squeezed his shoulders, barely making a dent into the hard muscle. He finally seemed to grasp my meaning, which was actually innocent, and collected the files. I wanted my pillow back.

"You will be entirely distracting, Lover." I pulled my robe off, ignoring him, laid it over the chair and climbed into my side of the bed.

"Deal with it, you're a big boy."

"I know I am a big boy. That has nothing to do with this." I burst out laughing, shaking my head to try and clear the completely non innocent thoughts away.

"Just get in. I feel better with you here." Finally, he slid in beside me, sans his boxer briefs. A few seconds later we were comfortable; I was snuggled into his side, his arm wrapped around me while holding a file to read. I fell asleep, for the second time that night, wrapped in my vampire.

When I woke up, again, in the morning I was feeling better. My head was lighter and some of the tension had been lost from my muscles. I was actually feeling optimistic for once. I had to wonder how long that would last. I gave Eric's chest a quick kiss, even though he wouldn't have a clue that I did anything, before leaving the bed. It wasn't until I switched the light on that I realised something was rather odd.

The bedside table was covered with a small avalanche of red stained tissues, with even more spilling from the trash can. Since vampires didn't get nosebleeds or anything like people, there was only one explanation that fitted. He had stayed up far past dawn, later than even his centuries allowed. The bleeds had set in and he had battled through them. The files he had been reading the night before were stacked neatly beside the bed, with his sophisticated cell phone placed on top. He had stayed up to look further into what had happened. Since he hadn't bothered to wake me or stay up even later to tell me, it had to be something trivial in the grand scheme.

It warmed my heart to know how invested he was in all of this. I had to believe everything would be okay. With not much else that I could do to help further, I went to work. At least work went much better than it had yesterday. Especially just before I was due to take my break when I got a little surprise.

Boo.

I looked up, instinctively, from the bar where I was refilling a bottle of ketchup. I hadn't actually heard the word, at least not with my ears. I was just in time to see my favourite person skip through the doors with my big brother two steps behind her. Judging by the dust scattered along the bottom of his jeans and boots, he had been skipping too until he reached the door.

"Hey, Sweetie," I greeted aloud. "You guys want your usual?" I asked as I wandered over to them. The hostess didn't even bother to seat them anymore, they came in so regularly. They took a seat in a vacant booth.

"Please, Sook. You joining us?" Jason asked.

"Sure will." I kissed the top of Addy's head before walking away to place the dinner order with Lafayette and get their drinks. Twenty minutes later I was sliding into the booth beside my niece.

"How are you two doing?" Jason finished taking a massive bite out of his burger and, still partially chewing, answered.

"Pretty good. How about you? How are things going with Eric?" Addy hadn't been paying us much attention, instead she had been focused on her curly fries. At the mention of a certain vampire's name, she perked up.

"How's Eric?"

"Good." I answered all three questions in one. "We're going out on a date tonight actually." I turned toward Addy and leaned down, conspirationally. "He's a true gentleman, that's the kind of man that's good for you. He's taking me to the movies and I'll eat popcorn, and chocolate and probably some milk duds too. The best gentleman let you be yourself." She giggled quietly and went back to her food.

We spent the rest of meal chatting about trivial things relative to what I was concealing. For the time being I was choosing not to tell him what was happening. Whether it was the right decision or not, I really didn't know. He had a right to know everything, Addy was his daughter and he deserved to know if she was in danger. However, it didn't seem that the danger was imminent at the moment. I didn't want to hurt him, or worry him and if he found out he'd probably give himself an ulcer. I promised myself that I would tell him if anything at all happened.

After dinner they hung around for awhile, catching up with friends from the town that happened to be in Merlotte's while I got back to work. With only an hour left of my shift, Sam found me at the bar getting some drinks.

"You feeling better today?" He was carrying a crate of beers to restock the shelves.

"Yeah, much better. Thanks." I sent him a smile.

"Good. It's good to have you back, Chere."

"Sam," he turned back to face me. I double checked that no one was paying us any attention and continued. "Do you know of any other shifters that are in the city? Except the wolves?"

He set the crate down on the counter and rubbed his chin, contemplating. "Erm. There's a few true shifters obviously, but we're spread out across the state really. I think there used to be a couple of foxes over on the West, I'm not sure if they're still there. Other than that, I think it's just transients. Why?"

"Just something Eric mentioned, I was curious about the other types of shifters around here."

"Oh. There did used to be a pretty decent sized group of panthers around these parts, it's probably, whoa, about ten years ago or something now. They kept to themselves, didn't really socialise with anything. Just kept to their little community."

"Thanks, Sam."

"No problem, Sook. Just don't go getting too nosey, you know what curiosity did to the cat."

"Yeah, yeah." I retorted and went back to work.

Two and a half hours later I was safely fastened into the passenger seat of one of Eric's luxurious cars. He'd once again told me the name of it when he picked me up but I just couldn't remember it only fifteen minutes later. At some point he'd managed to get back to his apartment to grab the car since he hadn't left since flying to my rescue a couple of days ago. It seemed to long and yet like only a second ago at the same time to find that photo knifed to my front door. I shuddered and put it out of my mind, or as much as I could.

Eric's cool thumb stroked the back of my hand, centring me back into the present. We were just pulling into the ground of the drive in. Several other cars had already arrived and couples were cuddled up on the bonnets, a few were even laid out on the roof. When it was our turn to pay the entry fee, Eric simply pressed the button for his window, handed over a bill that too large and drove forward. We drove toward the concession stand instead of walking; I didn't bother questioning his motives.

"What would you like?" I relayed the list that I'd mentioned to Addy earlier, as well as adding a soda to the mix. I knew there was no point arguing with him about paying for my food. It had, at one point, been a contention point. He always paid for my food, which since he couldn't even share with me, I'd been annoyed with. However, I now just let it drop and understood it to just be one of his ways of caring for me. He wanted to pay and he thought it was the right thing to do.

When the purchases were safely stored on my lap Eric smoothly drove us over the other side of the field, away from most of the cars. There were still people around us, and it was by no means private, but it was at least quieter. At least I knew why we had driven to the concession stand now.

Once the car was safely parked we got out, Eric opening my door for me before I even got the chance to reach the handle.

"Wait one moment." He opened the small trunk of the car, pulling out a few blankets and pillows that must have come from his apartment since they were most definitely not mine. One blanket was spread out across the entire front of the car, protecting it. Another was folded over and placed across the bonnet where we were sitting. Next came the pillows, leaning against the wind shield for extra comfort. He hopped up on the bonnet and relaxed back after taking the junk food I was cradling. "Okay."

Since the sports car was so low to the ground I easily joined him, seating myself between his legs, my back against his chest.

Three hours later I was enveloped in Eric. I was sat between his legs on the hood of one of his cars. He had told me what it was when he first picked me up; I just couldn't remember. All I knew was that it looked nice. He'd popped back to his apartment when he had first awoken in order to get his car which was apparently more practical. Truthfully, the front of the car did seem to go on forever which meant sitting on it was surprisingly comfortable, especially with the amount of blankets and pillows surrounding us.

The massive screen in front of us was beginning to show trailers for new release movies and for the cinema itself. I wasn't really paying much attention. There wasn't a cinema in the town and I just didn't get a chance to go unless it was for the latest Disney or Dreamworks production, not that I was complaining about that really.

I had a pile of junk food next to me while my bucket of popcorn was resting on my lap, atop of the blanket wrapped around us. For the moment it was mainly forgotten. My head was thrown back on Eric's shoulder, my nose in the crook of his neck while my eyes remained closed. He was leaning back against the windshield with his arms wrapped snugly around me, keeping me close. Every so often one of us would lightly kiss the other.

"This is pretty awesome," I mumbled quietly. I felt more than heard his chuckle in response.

"Hmm." His hands grazed down my arms, dancing along my skin. I had chosen to dress simply, in a tank top and jeans, there was also a hoodie in the car for if I got really cold. "I have to agree." He twisted his head to lie atop of mine.

"Addy was asking about you today, it was too cute." I brought my hand up to his shoulder so that I could swirl his hair at the nape of his neck with my fingers. His hair was surprisingly soft.

"How is the Teacup?" So far we hadn't mentioned anything that had happened during the past couple of days. During the drive I had simply held his hand, apart from when he needed to change the transmission, while we sat in very comfortable quiet, the radio the only real noise.

"She's fine. I decided not tell Jason exactly what's wrong just that I have the heebie-jeebies. He's going to be extra careful and on the lookout for a while. It'll probably come back to bite me in the ass, most things do."

"Things should be sorted out before you would have to reveal everything to Jason." Eric knew full well how holding back some information could spare people. "What was the Teacup asking?"

"Next time she sees you, she wants you to read or rather tell her another story. Including voices."

"I think that can be arranged." My heart swelled and I placed a kiss over where his pulse would have been, if he had had one. We had still to share blood, before it had caused some confusion with me at first over what were my real feelings and what was the blood in my veins. I wanted to wait now until I was sure, but I already knew I loved him.

"Well she'll be sleeping over at my place on Wednesday, you can stay over if you like."

"What time does she go to bed?"

"Usually it's nine during the summer, but if we have a proper sleepover I break all the rules and let her stay up as late as she wants. We camp out in the living room watching movies and things."

"Good. I will not be able to make it over before eight. I have to check in at the restaurant." I thought about all the time that he spent with me during the past few days and had to wonder how his businesses were doing.

"What about the bar and the restaurant at the minute? You've been stuck with me for awhile." I still wasn't moving from my position since the movie was still a few minutes away from starting.

"Fangtasia, no matter how much I love it and keep it running, does survive without me. I will never admit that again. The restaurant is holding together, I stopped by this evening for a check. My staff seem to be getting better."

"Your secret is safe with me. Anyway, how come you stayed up this morning? I saw the Kleenex." They had actually been cleaned up by the time I got back and there was no sign of the files either.

"I wanted to finish some things and I was waiting for an email. Legally, you and your brother have nothing to worry about and even have enough to press charges if the shifter faces human courts." I seriously doubted he ever would. "I am still awaiting a response from a vampire I know down in Brazil, about what type of animal they could be."

It was just then that the opening credits began to roll. I could have continued questioning him about the type of animal but I trusted him to tell me as soon as he knew himself.

I spent most of the first movie laughing quietly. It was The Mummy, the version from the early thirties which Eric had no qualms telling me he had seen when it first came out. We did our usual thing of keeping a running commentary, pointing out the goofs and the problems with the effects. The time in between laughs, I spent essentially stuffing my face with junk food. Eric didn't mind me eating and he definitely wouldn't judge, so I could be myself.

By the time Creature from the Black Lagoon started, I was both proud and ashamed to say that I had finished most of my snacks. I definitely wouldn't be eating anything else. The night progressed, and to our right I could see other couples snuggled up on car hoods and the occasional group of teenagers too. It may not have been the typical date, but it was pretty perfect in my eyes.

"Have you ever met anything like that?" I whispered, even though the nearest car probably wouldn't have been able to hear me if I had spoken normally.

"No. Although, I once got into an altercation with a true chimera shapeshifter that could transform into anything he conjured into his mind, including things like that. It wasn't a true Lagoon monster, as he could not keep the shape for very long. It was more illusion." Eric shuffled slightly behind me. We were slouched further down, reclining against the car properly.

"What happened?" I had never heard this story before.

"We are going back centuries, he encroached on my territory. I eradicated the competition. There are not any more of that species left, they were always rare."

We fell into comfortable silence, watching the rest of the movie. When the chill of night really started to set in, I snuggled further into Eric, rather than getting my hoodie. Eventually I rolled over to face my vampire. Smirking at him slyly, I massaged my hands into his pecs before lowering my head to kiss his chest. His thin t-shirt clung deliciously to his torso and also had a deep v neck. The neckline left a rather inviting patch of pale skin bare. When I returned my gaze to his gorgeous eyes, one of his blond eyebrows was raised. Another open mouthed kiss to his chest changed his expression to more of a 'cat that got the cream' grin.

"Are the movies not sufficient to hold your attention?" He teased while his hands moved underneath the blanket to cup my ass.

"No. I've seen them before, we've seen them together before." This time my kiss landed at the base of his throat.

"Exactly." So he really had wanted to come to reminisce about us loving to watch cheesy movies together.

"It is kinda our thing, I admit. However, I don't quite feel like watching a third movie tonight. We only have about six hours until dawn."

I continued to trail kisses up his neck and along the stubble covered line of his jaw until, finally, I captured his lips. He met me with passion, his fangs already run down. His hands moved from my ass, with a final squeeze, to tangle in my hair, pulling me ever closer. My own hands trailed down to the point where his t-shirt met his jeans. My fingers explored down, following the line of hair as it disappeared into the denim. A second later I brought my hands up, underneath cotton to knead along his torso.

That was how I spent the vast majority of the third film; making out like teenagers with my vampire. He never really tried taking things further, knowing we were too much in public for progression, for my liking anyway. The cold didn't bother me at all, in fact my skin was flushed and my heart raced inside my chest. As soon as the final credits began to roll, Eric pulled back slightly, enough to whisper.

"My place." He brough his fingers up to gently trace across my swollen lips. I had barely nodded my agreement when he flipped us over so that I was laying on my back. "One moment," he added, breaking up each syllable with a quick kiss to my lips. I didn't get a chance to say anything. Quick as a blink he rolled away, jumping to the ground. I giggled when I realised he was taking my junk food remnants to the trash can. Perhaps old vampires could learn new tricks.

I gathered up the blankets and pillows, throwing them into the trunk once I'd figured out how to open it. By the time everything was safely away, Eric was in the driver's seat with the passenger door open for me.

"How am I supposed to get back home tomorrow?" I wasn't really worried, but my teasing mood was still present.

"We will figure it out. You are resourceful after all." The engine rumbled to life and we drove out of the expansive parking lot.

"Okay. Say I trust you." He quirked his eyebrows at me; it was obvious that I really did trust hi again by this point. "What are your plans for the rest of the night?" There really wasn't much of the night left by this point, just a little over four hours.

"Well, I seem to remember that You had a particular fondness for my shower. I thought we should see if you appreciate the upgrade even more."

I couldn't contain my grin.

When I awoke in the morning, or rather early afternoon, I'd had what was easily the best sleep in the past week. My body was aching deliciously, the feeling only heightened when I stretched. Eric's bed was the most comfortable thing I had had the pleasure of sleeping in. I was highly grateful that I'd had the chance to appreciate it properly. I thought how Eric had wished me a good morning.

"You are beautiful," he whispered in my ear, simultaneously brushing back my still damp hair from my face.

"Thank-you, handsome." I replied with a small smile. I pulled the sheets up to cover my naked body; with my skin still flushed the air in the room was cool. Eric joined me, laying moulded against my side. Unusually, I followed suit, rolling onto my side so that Eric was against my back. "What time is it?" There wasn't a clock in his bedroom and with the blinds firmly shut there was no way to tell.

"The sun rose approximately twenty minutes ago."

"Hmm." I tugged on his arm, pulling him closer so I ended up holding his hand tucked under my chin. He settled into me, enveloping me in his limbs, his other arm underneath my pillow. "My handsome vampire." I mumbled, already on the edge of sleep. "I love you, Eric Northman."

"I love you, Sookie Stackhouse, my beautiful human."

Eric was still huddled up to me, his body wrapped around mine, although he was more slumped now. Him being dead to the world didn't really bother me; he had roused before when it was deathly important, so I knew he wasn't truly dead. When we went to sleep like this he also stayed warm which helps. When I was finally awake enough to crawl out of bed, with a kiss to Eric's cheek, I started my day.

I spent the day being rather productive, what little of it I actually had free anyway. I worked on plans for the Wild West theme night. I'd called Jason from the taxi to check in and found that nothing abnormal or unusual had occurred. Around five o' clock I strolled into work to sort some things out with Sam before my shift started at half past. The two working waitresses smiled at me gratefully when I walked through the door from the office into the bar.

"Hey Sook, you're early." Sam greeted me as I stepped behind the bar. "How you doing?" He shot me a glance, including a smile, but never broken from getting some drinks.

"I'm good thanks, you?" He nodded in reply. "I wanted to sort some stuff out first, mainly running some ideas by you."

"Shoot." He continued to work, the people sat at the bar keeping him busy with a steady stream of orders. I decided to get started on the drinks the waitresses needed for the tables.

"So I mentioned that theme night to you?" Another nod an affirmative hum was my reply. "I've done some more work on it. This is what I'm thinking; Wild West theme, sometime early this fall. There's a country singer I've found with a small band willing to pay for a small fee and some drinks. We can get some carnival games in, perhaps a bucking bronco." I paused to gauge his reaction.

"Wild West with a bronco? Really?" I knew this would be a hard sell, although he had already agreed without knowing the idea.

"Yes, besides, you already said yes." I decided to just barrel on with my ideas. "We can set up a makeshift bar outside, Jason will make it if we buy the materials. I'm going to make cocktails, we'll change the names of the and the other mixed drinks to themed names. I'm going to take some lessons too so it'll be entertaining. We can charge a few bucks entry to cover the cost of the band. I can sort everything out if you just give me the go ahead, properly." I smiled at him hopefully.

"Come on, Sam. It does sound fun." Hoyt perked up from the bar stool he was perched on. I smiled my appreciation.

"Fine, but you are organizing it all. Just tell me when and where to show up."

Squealing in delight I threw my arms around Sam, squeezing him tightly. I even kissed his cheek. "Thank-you, thank-you, thank-you!"

"Yeah, yeah. Now get to work!"

My shift passed faster than it had in a long while and nothing brought my mood down. Even old Mrs Fortenberry complaining about the service going down in Merlotte's whenever I walked by didn't bother me. When I finally got back to my house after closing up, the loneliness of the empty rooms brought me down slightly. However, when I thought that a puppy would soon be tearing up the place my grin returned. After a quick text conversation with Eric, since he was on the floor at Fangtasia, I went to bed.

That was how the next couple of days passed. Myself and Eric were both busy with work. I was also spending my afternoons making plans getting the theme night sorted. My house continued to be lonely, especially since I didn't have Addison over at all as Jason had taken a couple of days off work. Nothing happened at all; the hairs on the back of my neck didn't raise once and Jason said everything was fine at his place too. I finally began to relax again.

I should have known it was only the deep breath before the plunge.

Busy week, but I have got the next chapter of Silver for after Angels has finished and a new story :) 2 chapters left in this story. See you next week :)