A/N: Wow. I am beyond shocked and flattered at the amount of people that have stuck with this fic. Thank you SO much and I appreciate that you're sticking with me. Here's a short little chapter, but it's kind of important. It's paving the way for next chapter, which will be...the last.

Thanks so much to S. Meadows for beta-ing this puppy for me. All mistakes left are my own. Oh, and if I haven't mentioned this in a while - I don't own any of it except for maybe a few of the recipes. All the characters and whatnot are Charlaine Harris'.

Two surprise POVs ahead, enjoy!

PamPOV:

"Thank you very much. Mr. Northman will be quite pleased that you will be able to accommodate him."

I hung up the phone, glad that the last task on my to-do list was easier to accomplish than I had expected. After going over the details one more time, I picked the phone up once more and buzzed Mr. Northman.

"Yes," he answered, his voice gruff.

"Sorry to disturb you sir," I spoke clearly into to phone. "But I just finished arranging everything for your evening on Friday. You are all set for seven o'clock."

I could hear him shuffling some papers around as he cleared his throat.

"Excellent. Thank you, Pam."

With that he hung up the phone, and I was left to try and figure out just what the heck he was planning. Mr. Northman hadn't given me much to go by when he handed me my instructions. Of course I had pressed for details, but he remained tight-lipped, not budging at all. He only explained exactly what he needed me to organize and nothing more or any hints as to why I was doing it. It had been easy enough, and after providing the incentive that he suggested, I had no trouble fulfilling my job. In fact, the man I had spoken to on the phone seemed almost giddy at my unusual request.

My thoughts were interrupted by the office door opening. Ah, sweet, little Sookie was here. I had to say that despite never having had a female presence besides myself in the office, that I genuinely enjoyed this girl. Sure, she had a bit of a Pollyanna vibe to her, but once you got through her candy coated outer shell, she could trade snarky comments with the best of them.

"Hey Pam," she offered as she took her jacket off and hung it up.

I eyed the bag she was toting with her, sniffing the air for a hint. For almost the last year Sookie had been bringing by lunch for Mr. Northman a couple times a week and she always thoughtfully brought something for me as well. Her food was beyond stellar, and while I certainly didn't miss my chips and diet Coke, my waistline might have disagreed.

"Hello, Sookie. You smell…delectable," I smirked. "What have you brought for us today."

Sookie laughed as she dug into the bag and pulled out a glass bowl for me.

"Careful, it's hot," she warned.

I pulled back the lid, allowing some steaming air to escape as well as the most amazing smell ever. I closed my eyes and inhaled again, curious as to what it was. I peered in to see a mixture of beef mixed with peppers, onion, and something red. Sookie handed me a fork and a few bite sized rolls.

"It's grown up Sloppy Joe's. Instead of ground beef I went with some seared tenderloin, chopped up in small slices and made my own sauce with onions, peppers, a few secret ingredients, and sun dried tomatoes. Instead of eating it in buns, you can use a fork and then eat the mini rolls along with it."

I looked back at my meal appreciatively.

"Sookie, you know you should seriously consider going into business for yourself. Maybe a lunch catering thing or something, because this is some serious good eats."

Sookie blushed and smiled, shifting on her feet.

"Aw, thanks Pam. I really appreciate it. I just love cooking, and now that I'm taking some classes at the Annex, I've been able to experiment a bit more and use some more fancy techniques and stuff."

I tried to look interested in what she was saying, but I was too busy stuffing my face with the delicious food in front of me.

"Mmhmm…"I managed to mumble out through a mouthful of her fancy sloppy joe.

"Is Eric in?" she asked, almost timidly.

"Mmhmm," I nodded, unable to stop gorging myself.

I jerked my hand over my shoulder, letting her know it was fine to go in. She gathered up her bag of food and headed in, closing the door behind her. I wasn't a fool, and I had some sort of idea what most likely went on behind Mr. Northman's closed door. Sookie's food was damn good, but I wasn't sure it was good enough to provoke some of the noises that went on in there at times.

As soon as I downed the rest of my lunch, I grabbed a few singles and headed down to the break room to buy myself a diet Coke. I ran into one of the girls from Human Resources, and we ended up chatting a bit before I made my way back to my desk. Mr. Northman's door was open, so Sookie must have already gone.

I grabbed a few folders that I needed Mr. Northman to look at and headed back into his office. He was sitting at his desk, his hair slightly ruffled and the tie around his neck was horribly askew. He also had a shit-eating grin plastered on his face. Aw, homeboy got some. Good for him.

"Mr. Northman?" I asked, knocking at the door.

"Yes, Pam?" he responded, trying to discreetly straighten his tie.

I suppressed the urge to smirk at his overt 'I've just been fucked' appearance and instead let him know what I had for him.

"I have a few folders here that needed to be checked over. One is that restaurant that keeps coming across your desk. I know you had plans for it, but then it got pulled?"

He nodded, eyeing the folder in my hand.

"Well, it's back. Are you still interested?"

I waved the folder in front of him and he snatched it up immediately. He opened it up and started scanning it quickly.

"Thank you Pam," he uttered in my direction, not even bothering to look up at me.

I waited for a few seconds to see if he needed anything else before leaving. There was no need for me to have to drag my sloppy joe filled ass back in again for no reason.

"Pam? Can I help you with something?" Mr. Northman asked, clearly dismissing me.

"Nope, just wanted to make sure you were all set."

Mr. Northman shook his head and pushed himself away from his desk. He walked over to grab a folder up on one of his shelves. As he did so I noticed that his fly was open.

"Um, Mr. Northman," I said, right before exiting his office. "You might want to…" I trailed off, but not before motioning to his zipper, indicating he might want to close it.

He blushed furiously, something I had never seen him do, and waved his hand for me to leave. He didn't need to ask me twice, and I left before I burst out laughing. As I made it back to my desk, I broke out into a fit of giggles. I finally managed to calm myself down and was able to get some actual work done.

LafayettePOV:

"My goodness, Mr. Northman certainly ensures that he gets what he wants, doesn't he?"

I didn't let the sassy lady on the other end of the line answer me before I continued.

"Well, don't you worry your pretty little head, girl. I'm sure we can work something out. I'll double check with Sam, but I am beyond certain that he would be fine with what you're offering."

She thanked me and hung up as I grinned to myself. This was going to be one hell of a surprise. A few hours later I was prepping some stuff in the kitchen, waiting for Sookie to finally get her sweet ass into work. I was bubbling with excitement for her and couldn't wait to break the big news. Although, in the back of my mind I wondered if there was going to be bigger news than mine on the horizon for her.

While I was looking over the menu one last time, Arlene came in. I couldn't help but tell her about the phone call I got, and we jumped around, screeching like we just saw Lady Gaga herself.

"She is going to flip!" Arlene exclaimed. "I wonder what he's going to do. The lady on the phone didn't tell you?"

"Nope," I shook my head. "But for what he's offering Sam, it's got to be good."

"Who's offering Sam what?" asked a sweet voice behind me.

Shit on a stick! I wondered how much she had heard.

"Oh, hey baby girl. Um…" I fumbled trying to come up with something believable.

Arlene was no help. That bitch just laughed and walked away, winking at me and giving Sookie a quick kiss on the cheek before heading down to change up for work. I did my best to come up with a cover story.

"That was a…um… a new meat distributor. They want Sam's business and were offering a pretty sweet deal. He's not in, so I took the call. It sounds like it will work out though."

Sookie shrugged, but looked me up and down carefully. I prayed that she wouldn't push it because I wasn't sure how much more I could make up about a new meat vendor.

"Alrighty, then. So, what are we doing today?" she asked, causing me to relax.

I grinned, excited about what lay in store for us today. I just had to stall a little bit, until Sam got back.

"Can you go grab me some leeks from the fridge, girl?"

Sookie nodded before running off to the walk in fridge. It took everything I had not to squeal right then and there and bust open with the news. But I knew Sam would have my hide if I even thought to say something without him. Thankfully, he arrived just then, giving me a quick nod and heading to his office.

Sookie came back out a minute later, her arms full of leeks.

"Thanks, Sook. Why don't you leave those there and we can prep them later. Sam wants to see you in his office now."

She quirked her eyebrow up at me, her face full of the sass and spirit I loved so much.

"Oh, don't go thinking you know what it's about, now. Just get in there and you'll see." I winked at her.

Shaking her head, Sookie walked down the hallway to Sam's office, and I trailed behind, trying not to bounce too much, despite my excitement. I made it to Sam's door just in time to hear him ask Sookie to sit down. I didn't even try to hide it as I blatantly stood there, listening in on them.

"Sookie, you've been working here a long time now," Sam started, trying to look as serious as a heart attack.

Boy couldn't look serious if he tried, with his baby blue eyes and cheeky grin.

"We love the work you've been doing. All your customers only have great things to say to you. But…"

"But…" urged Sookie, her cute as a button nose scrunching up.

"But…I…we…think it's time for some change."

"We?" she asks.

I couldn't help it anymore, and I barreled into the room, my hands flapping above my head of their own accord.

"Sookie! We want you to stop being a waitress and come on as a chef de partie!"

Sookie looked at me, her huge blue eyes looking impossibly larger. I knew she was just in shock, but Sam felt the need to clarify what I had just said.

"You know, Sookie. A line cook? We were thinking of starting you off on the side dishes, and who knows, you could work your way up—"

"Sam!" I interrupted him. "Sookie knows what a chef de partie is; don't be daft. She's just speechless, aren't you baby girl?"

I went over to her and wraped her in a big hug, laughing as she shook her head in surprise.

"I…I…really? Me?"

I laughed some more, reassuring her that we didn't make a mistake. Sam went and grabbed the white apron we had purchased her for this occasion.

"B-b-but…I'm not even a fully trained chef."

"Oh, girl," I reassured her. "Don't you go pooh-poohing yourself like that. I know you've been taking some actual classes down at the Annex, and please – don't you dare go telling me that your lessons with me have meant nothing. I know genius in the kitchen when I see it. Hell, I am genius in the kitchen! And, you? You're getting there, girl. You're getting there."

Sam shook his head, and Sookie beamed, hugging me back.

"Thanks Lafayette! Thanks Sam!"

She rushed her little behind over to Sam and gave him a huge hug, letting him tie the apron on her.

"You look hot, girl," I told her.

Sookie rolled her eyes at me, but that didn't stop her from turning around to look at herself in the mirror next to Sam's desk.

"So," she asked. "What does this really mean? I'm done waitressing?"

Sam took over from there, explaining how she didn't have to waitress anymore, and would start on the line that night, shadowing Maria, the first line cook for the side dishes. In addition, she'd continue to take classes at the Annex to work on her knife skills and other basic stuff, even though I was convinced that she had that in the bag already. From what I had seen of Sookie in my own lessons with her, girl was a natural. The squeal Sookie emitted when she found out Merlotte's would pay for her classes made me think she didn't much mind having to go to them either. Sam had yet to tell her the best part, and I was excited to do so.

"Not only do you get to work on the line, Sook, but I want you to come to our weekly meetings where we discuss the menu. I've seen some of the tasty things you come up with, and I want to see that innovation in my kitchen. You're to come up with two new side dishes each week. You'll prepare them for the kitchen staff, and we'll decide if they should go on the menu. That's how we figure out new dishes around here."

Sookie stood there, her mouth open wide and her hand flapping in front of her face.

"That's just, that's just….amazing! Thank you so much!"

Seeing her this happy made my heart swell up with joy. My girl deserved to be happy. I wasn't sure what had happened with that pretty boy of hers, but I knew there was a time when things were not so good between them. I didn't press her for information, but I could just tell she was a sad puppy because of him. Thankfully, whatever he did, he fixed and she was right as rain after a few weeks, and even better after a few more months. They had been together almost a year now, and I had never seen her this happy.

As Sookie got started chopping up some leeks for a soup, I thought back to the phone conversation from earlier. Sookie was completely in the dark about the planning going on behind her back, and I was itching to find out how she'd react. She was never one for huge surprises, and if my hunch was right, this was going to be one wangdoozle of a surprise.

I stared at Sookie for a moment while I planned a meal out in my head. I wondered, what did one serve for a night like this?