Time frame: Years after "From Dead to Worse"

This is a companion piece following "Family", "Bowling for Vampires" and "Leather Underwear" Please read the end of Family or you will be extremely confused.

Disclaimer: I don't have any claim on any characters in the Sookie Universe. Please don't sue me. The other characters are my own creation and just wanted to play with them for a while.

A/N: Yes I know, I know. I was so naughty leaving you guys like that in the last chapter. But really, would you have me any other way?

"Under My Skin" from Trading Yesterday makes a repeat performance in this chapter. For those who've stuck with me from Family you'll understand the significance of this particular song.

On a personal note, none of the romance of these chapters were taken from actual experience, but a girl can dream can't she? I won't cry and whine about it though- it's beneath me.

Oh to heck with it- Wahhhhhhhhhhhh!

Chapter 29

Sam's POV- Following day at Merlotte's

It had been a long night and I was exhausted. There seemed to be an increase in the amount of jerks with a hard on for some fighting over the past few days. I had to diffuse three bar brawls, and that was just last night. Something was at work out there and it wasn't good.

I walk out back the door to move my truck. As I round the corner, I spot a pair of perfect tanned legs crossed over each other on the tailgate with one sandaled foot bouncing to a silent beat. Her scent already gives her away. She smells of a spring rain with a hint of vanilla.

Ally.

Slowly, I take a few steps forward, taking her in. From her cute French pedicured toes up her firm legs to her black miniskirt up to her frilly pink camisole top. Her eyes were closed, her long sooty lashes perfectly curled, with her head propped up on a rolled up towel. She wore her hair loose and her skin had that silky sheen that practically screamed at me to touch it. Her full red lips curves in a winsome smile as she hums along with her Ipod.

I reach over and curl my fingers over her ankle giving her foot a slight shake. Her eyes open slowly and I suck in my breath slightly as her glittering green eyes meet mine. She offers me a warm smile. "Sam." she says half dreamily as she pulls the headphones out of her ears. I could almost envision her doing the same thing from my bed as the first rays of sunshine fall on her face.

Snapping back to reality, I return her smile and offer my hand to help her out of the truck. She takes it graciously and hops out. Turning back to the truck she hands me a cup of coffee.

"So what brings you here at this early hour, Ally?" I ask taking a sip of the dark brew. She even knew how I took my coffee. How perfect can she get?

She tilts her head and looks at me. "You look a little tired Sam. Been having problems at the bar lately?"

"As a matter of fact, I have." I say running my fingers through my unruly hair. "Many of my late night regulars seem to be on edge. Even had to break up a few fights."

She nods thoughtfully. "So it's already starting to reach out."

"What? What's reaching out?" I ask resting the cup on the bumper.

"Sam, something bad is coming. It's some kind of evil magical being called Etul. It preys on the weak and gathers its strength from emotions like anger and hate. That's what I had come to warn you about and to see if you would be willing to train with us to prepare for it." I let out an irritated huff.

"When would this training take place? I'm not like Eric who can just leave his bar anytime he wants, I run my bar usually by myself and I'm already short handed."

"I'm sorry Sam. I didn't mean to be insensitive to your situation." she says taking my hand. I feel my annoyance ease slightly.

She thinks about it for a moment then her face brightens. "Oh, I know! How about you train during the day with me and on the night's Terri can watch the bar, you can join the rest of us? Would that be better?"

"You'll put yourself through extra training just so that I could get some?" I ask incredulously. She shrugs.

"It's no big deal. I want to help. Plus from what I hear of this Etul thing, we all need to be on the same page when it comes to fighting it."

"Seems like you thought of everything, Ally." I smile softly at her.

"Don't give me that much credit, Sam. I just don't want anything to happen to you that's all." She looks down at her watch. "I'd better get going. I've got a few things I need to pick up before heading back to Shreveport." She gives me a soft kiss on the cheek and turns to go.

My heart sank as I watch her leave. Although, I knew she only thought of me as a friend and has never lead me to believe she thought otherwise, a man has his fantasies. When she was in the hospital, I heard from the nurses of how Bill never left her side until dawn. He really loves her and judging from what I just saw, she really loves him too.

It had a large round center stone with little diamonds surrounding it in a delicate titanium band. It flashed in the morning sun, glittering on her left ring finger as she bounded to her car.

Bill's POV- Last night- Somewhere in the Mediterranean...

What just happened? Is this a nightmare? She kneels down in front of me so that our eyes are level, her hands wrapped around my free one.

I don't know what to do. How did things get so bad so fast? I don't want to look at her but I can't move my eyes away. This must be what Hell feels like. Maybe I was finally dead and all of my past sins have caught up with me at last.

"You need to hear me out, Bill. I know I don't have any right to ask this of you, but I'm asking anyway. Can you please let me say what I need to say without interruption?" Her voice is gentle and pleading.

I nod slowly and was rewarded with a smile. How she could give me such joy from a simple curve of her mouth after just breaking my heart, I can't imagine.

"I knew I loved him from the second we met. We had this connection from the beginning. He was so sexy and handsome and I felt worthwhile just by sharing the same space that he occupied. As time went on I began to rely on him for his wisdom, his humor and his strength. I needed him to keep me steady to keep me focused. He understood me- something very few people do and I understood him. I ached whenever he wasn't near me. I felt hollow until he came, now I'm complete. If I had to dream of the someone I could build a life with, he'd be that dream."

She leaned closer staring straight into my eyes. My mind was reeling. Who could this person be?

"I believe you might know this someone. He is a vampire like yourself, only he has all the qualities that you claim you don't have."

"What's his name?" I ask bitterly. Why was she torturing me like this?

"His name is William only everyone calls him Bill. Bill Compton- do you know him?" she asked sweetly batting her eyelashes.

What did she just say? I look at her in utter disbelief while she looks at me with a toothy smile.

Then realization hit as I finally grasp what Ally was trying to tell me.

I yank her to me, pulling her forward so hard that she slams against my chest. She throws her arms around me.

"Goodness, Bill." she giggles.

"To which Bill are you referring? The Bill you just rejected or the Bill you profess your undying love to?"

"I don't know, which Bill am I speaking with?" she tilts her head and gives me a mock frown.

My hand in her hair, I press her in for a deep, smoldering kiss. "Does that answer your question?"

"Mmm hmmm. It's about time you showed up." she purrs in my ear. "That other guy has nothing on you."

"Marry me?" I whisper holding her face in my hands.

"Yes." she whispers back. I pull back and take her left hand and slide the ring on her finger. Her green eyes glitter like emeralds in the moonlight as she looks down at the ring then back at me.

"It's like it was always meant to be there." she breathes.

I bring her hand to my lips and kiss her knuckles. "It always was, my darling."

I stand up pulling her up with me.

She lays her cheek on my chest once again as we hold each other. I will her to come with me as I transport us to Fangtasia. It's just her and me on the dance floor as the music begins to play softly in the darkness.

Under my skin,

Under these scars

Take me again

Tear me apart

Cause I wanna see

Everything you are

Til all that's left

Is not myself...

"You remember our song." she murmured into my chest. She presses tighter against me.

"I remember everything, my darling."

TBC- Almost there....