A/N: Just to clear up for some readers/reviewers - there will not be any three ways with Sookie, Sam and Eric happening in this story. It's listed as Sookie x Eric x Sam just to identify the main characters. It's also listed just as a Sookie story because it's her dilemmas, her choices, she's the main character.
As for Eric: a lot of people feel very strongly about his portrayal in this story. I made him hated in the beginning, but now he's been insisting in my mind that I make him more human. He's not perfect, and the situation he finds himself in is a difficult one. There is no "right or wrong Eric" as this is a non-canon story. My personal feelings (and I like Book Eric) is that he is constantly portrayed in fanfic as perfect or a saint, always saving the day. The idea just came to me that "Eric can't always win." That's not to say that Sookie will not try to fix her marriage, it's just throwing out a new characterization of him for readers.
About Sookie: she's not evil or a saint either in this situation. She's a woman whose life has just gone adrift. There are many levels to her situation; like Gran said, "nothing is black and white." So right now she's trying to make her way through the gray areas. Remember, her character in this story is very organized and methodical, a bit OCD, and she's most at home in situations where she has a level of control. She's now having to figure out how to cope with issues that she can't just "fix."
Sam: I'm always perplexed by readers who think Sam is evil somehow. Hell, he's not Quinn! LOL This Sam is similar to the books in that he's a: got a torch for Sookie and b: he's always there for her. He's not trying to control her, he's merely trying to be supportive while keeping his personal feelings at bay. I think the last chapter showed that Sam is honorable - he won't take advantage of Sookie being vulnerable, and he values himself enough to not settle for second best or being the rebound guy.
Ok, so this is probably the longest A/N in the history of fanfic. All legal issues and comments are just what I've come up with, I have no legal training. I just watch a lot of CourtTV. Oh, and the Adele song referenced is "Turning Tables." On with the show.
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Sookie was shocked at herself when Sam left. Had she just tried to take advantage of one of her best friends? If she was simply trying to explore new options, hell, why didn't she just hit on Pam?
She remembered Gran's remark about Sam always having a crush on her, and always being the one she turned to in a crisis. Did that mean that she kept Eric at arm's length during their marriage, always relying on Sam? She thought that surely she had depended on her husband. But when things were at their darkest, and Eric wasn't the husband she could depend on, she ran to Sam. She supposed this was one of the things Gran had referred to as "gray areas," things not being black and white. Did she do that knowing Sam would always provide a safe haven for her, or because she knew that his feelings for her transcended friendship and he always put her first?
Sookie had a restless night's sleep. She kept tossing and turning, with Eric and Sam both running through her mind. She woke up and decided that the best thing she could do in this situation was to distance herself from Sam for a bit until she sorted out her feelings for him. She had already put Eric at arm's length; it was time for her to stand up on her own and decide what was best for her. Even if what was best for her was the most painful option, or went against what Pam and Amelia urged her to do. A line from an Adele song ran through her head: "next time I'll be braver, I'll be my own savior, standing on my own two feet." She decided that would be her new motto.
She started work on a new movie, and working helped her re-focus and remember that she was good at something, that her work gave her a sense of self-esteem, separate from being married to Eric or being a good friend. She was about a week and a half into the new project - and her self-imposed isolation - when she got a phone call from her lawyer.
Mr. Cataliades greeted her warmly, as he always did. "Miss Stackhouse, I hope this call finds you well?"
"I'm doing pretty good, Mr. Cataliades. Do you have an update on the divorce petition? Did Eric ever sign it?"
"Actually, no, he hasn't. I received a call from his attorney this morning, a man named Bobby Burnham. He and I have had several cases against each other before; I know him to be upfront in his dealings and honest."
"What did this Mr. Burnham say?" she asked.
"Well, I was informed of some new information that I was instructed to pass along to you. First, Mr. Northman requests that you both attend marriage counseling before he will agree to sign the divorce petition. Also, he wanted you to be made aware that he has filed a paternity suit against the woman claiming he fathered her child. She will be made to supply a DNA sample for comparison. If it turns out Mr. Northman is not the father, he is considering the option of suing her for slander. That's a very serious accusation, and if he does choose this path, you would be expected to give testimony to the court of the issues this woman has caused in your marriage."
"Wow. I have to admit, I'm a bit stunned that Eric is actually pursuing the DNA issue. He's avoided this whole thing for so long, I'm surprised that he is willing to go to court to clear his name. Assuming he's not the father, that is. What happens if he is the father? Where does that leave him?"
"That would be for him to decide. Since he is starting the paternity suit, he would have the option of presenting to the court an affadavit alleging that she took advantage of him for procreational reasons, without his consent. Unfortunately, as Mr. Burnham pointed out, too much time has lapsed for any kind of drug testing to be done."
"I see. So he's really taking this seriously?"
"Oh yes, indeed. His lawyer has informed me that Mr. Northman is willing to do just about anything to clear his name of paternity and to try to repair your marriage. Even if DNA shows he is the biological father, he can submit to court record his version of events, and he can either choose to be involved in this child's life, or simply provide child support until the girl is 18 and elect to have no visitation rights.
However, Mr. Burnham stressed that the DNA aspect of things is of secondary importance to Mr. Northman. His most pressing desire is to see you drop the divorce suit. He has made it clear to his attorney that he is willing to go to any lengths to try and repair this marriage. As for the request for counseling, how do you feel about that?"
"I... I need to think on it awhile. If I did agree to go, could we see my therapist, Bill Compton? He already knows my feelings about everything that's gone on, and I'd feel more comfortable with him."
"If this Dr. Compton provides couples' counseling, I'm sure Mr. Northman would be agreeable to use him. If you agree to go, I doubt Mr. Northman would object to using someone you are comfortable with already."
"Okay...," Sookie said slowly. "I need some time to think on this. How long before I have to give an answer?"
"I would say a week would be a reasonable amount of time. Do you think you can decide in that timetable?"
"Yeah, that sounds fair. Okay, I will call you my answer soon. And can you keep me posted on the DNA issue?" she asked.
"Of course. However, I must warn you that the legal system in this country is slow, and getting a DNA sample could take some time. Then, there will have to be time for the samples to be compared. And, the mother could opt to get her own attorney and try to stop the proceedings. There are a number a variables and outcomes this suit could have. I feel it's my duty to make sure you are aware of this, and that you know Mr. Northman may not get an answer for some time."
"I understand," Sookie replied. "Life's not like 'Law and Order' where everything is solved in an hour."
Mr. Cataliades chuckled. "That is an excellent way of describing things, Miss Stackhouse."
"Well, I appreciate your call, and I'll get in touch with you soon with my answer about counseling. Thank you so much for all your help."
"It's my pleasure to represent you, Miss Stackhouse. Have a good day."
"You, too" Sookie responded and ended the call. She had some major thinking to do, and like the song said, she was going to do it standing on her own two feet.