Chapter Twenty-Nine

I woke up after a few hours of sleep, I don't know why exactly. Circadian rhythms perhaps, despite my fatigue; or hunger, whatever it was I was awake, if not completely alert. I listened to Eric's house, ensuring myself that it wasn't an out of place noise that had done it; but not knowing what his house should sound like during the day, I gave up that pursuit fairly quickly.

The door to the bedroom was still closed, and locked as far as I could tell from my warm vantage point under the covers of Eric's bed, his still body beside me. I moved carefully to slip out from underneath the quilts, not wanting to disturb him, knowing that he must have been even more exhausted than I was.

The bedroom had an ensuite, and I crept in, thankful that his bathroom doors latched properly, and didn't squeak like mine did. It was an amazing space; not that I did much to enhance it. I almost scared myself looking in the mirror. My lips were smeared with blood, and there were traces of other droplets, which had dried on my chest.

I looked at the beautiful antique tub, brass clawed feet, fixtures worn almost dull from decades of use and debated just filling it up and soaking in it for awhile, but I didn't know what kind of noise it would make, and I didn't want to wake Eric. I settled for a somewhat less satisfying, but equally as effective washcloth and sink full of warm water. Once I felt presentable again I decided to leave Eric in peace for a few moments in the bedroom, just to see if I might be able to get myself a little something to eat, after all, I had been invited to help myself to whatever I needed. Fortunately Eric had a robe hanging in his bathroom, so I didn't have to try to wrap myself up in a towel, or search the piles of discarded and torn clothing to cover myself. Like the green robe I'd purchased for him at home, this one also fell to the floor on me, but it was cozy, and again, it smelled of his scent, which I just loved having around me.

I drew back the locks on the door, as Eric had shown me, and slipped out, trying to open it only as much as I needed. A gentle push sealed it again to keep him safe, and to keep things quiet. I was surprised to see the fireplace still lit; I had thought that it would have burned down long since. I was more surprised to see my overnight bag sitting in front of the fire, it hadn't occurred to me to bring it down, though it had obviously occurred to someone. Likewise there was a little tray of fruit and a bottle of orange juice sitting in a small bowl of ice. The sight of it all put a smile on my face. I could have only guessed who it was who had been so thoughtful, I didn't think that Eric had left my side, and besides, the sun was most certainly up, and it would have been a terrible risk to take, just to look after me. No, I guessed that it had likely been a human servant, or Mr. Cataliades; and likely the latter. Still bundled in the robe, I settled myself into one of the wing chairs and opened the juice first, downing most of it, then started in on the strawberries. As I was sitting there I heard a gentle purr from my bag, and recognizing it as my iPhone I retrieved it to see who was calling. I recognized the number, as Alcide's and not just from the Mississippi area code. I hesitated before answering it.

"Hello?"

"Sookie?"

"Hi Alcide, how are you?" I tried to sound friendly yet keep my voice quiet for the Vampires in the house.

"I'm alright." His voice sounded tired, more tired than I think he wanted to let on, actually it was kind of weary as I think about it. I didn't push him on it knowing what kind of things he'd likely been up to most nights for the last few weeks. Killing people who had once been friends, or lovers; I shook at that thought, could not be easy.

"How is Janice?" Janice was his sister.

"She's okay too, has the new shop just about set up now." The Weres, Russell's Weres and probably Debbie Pelt had set her salon on fire after we'd made it back to Bon Temps, after I'd gotten out of the hospital.

"That's good." I felt happy for Janice; she hadn't been part of the war, except in her obvious views about Debbie, Alcide's ex. I didn't even know if she was a shifter herself, or I guess I should say Were. I'd never asked.

"How are you Sookie? I'm sorry I didn't call you back before this. I did get your messages."

"It's okay Alcide, I know you've had much more important things to deal with than me."

"Still Sookie, that isn't an excuse. You've been such a good friend to me, and to the pack and you deserve better than that."

"Alcide, really. I'm just glad to hear your voice and to know that you are alright."

"Same here. You haven't had any more problems with Bill have you?" Bill had not left the best impression with Alcide, having nearly killed me in the back of his work truck.

"No, he's left town for awhile."

"Really?"

"Yeah, Eric had to have a talk with him, Bill got a little angry with me, and well, he got a little physical, and well it's done now." I stuttered a bit as I spoke. I had no idea why I felt the need to open up to Alcide about what had happened, I guess I had always just felt as if I could trust him.

"He didn't hurt you did he Sookie?"

"Nothing that wouldn't heal."

"I'm not sure I like the sound of that Sookie. I'm glad Eric was there to protect you since I wasn't."

"Yeah, me too." I didn't want to think back to the bruising around my neck, or the fear I'd had of Bill's anger.

"Listen Sookie, I did call for a reason. I wondered if you'd like to come out to Jackson sometime soon?"

"Is everything okay, did you need my help?" A shiver ran down my back, I wasn't sure I wanted to get myself back into the middle of the Were conflict.

"No, everything is under control, I just wondered if I could take you out to dinner or something. Just to say thanks."

"Umm." I tried to find an answer, dread now replaced with anxiety. I remembered the nights in his apartment, the time in the hospital, and back at Gran's, him holding me, the warmth of his body; Weres run hot he told me, the tender eyes and those glances, too long glances that could have lead to something so much deeper but for the fact I was still under Bill's spell, or at least still confused by my feelings towards Bill. It wouldn't have been fair to either of us then, and it wouldn't be fair to him now, because I did love Eric, no matter how much my hormones flipped for Alcide.

"I don't know Alcide, really you don't have to thank me."

"Then maybe I could just come out so I can see you again."

Oh God, this was getting worse and I just couldn't tell him about Eric, at least not over the phone. All I could think about was what Bill had done to me, the cruel words, however forced they were, when he broke up with me, and taunted me with the details of his lovemaking with Lorena.

"You know, I was thinking about picking up some new shutters for the house, maybe you could take me out to some supply store and help me get that sorted?" It was true; the old ones looked even shabbier after the new paint on the rest of the house, and really did need replacing. And Alcide was a contractor, so he'd know about those kinds of things I figured.

"Ah sure, okay." He seemed a bit confused by my answer, but went with it thankfully. "I know a few shops, just measure up the ones you need and we'll go."

"I'll give you a call when I get back home then, once I have the measurements."

"You at work already?" Damn, why couldn't I have just lied to him?

"No, just out to check up on a friend. I'll be home later today. I'll call you tonight, before I go to work, I promise."

"As long as you're sure Sookie, I can come out any time if you need me."

"Thanks Alcide, but I really am okay."

We hung up with me still feeling a little sick to my stomach about deceiving him, but I just couldn't do to him what Bill did to me, he deserved the truth, and he deserved it face to face.