Trouble Maker

A/N: Sorry, guys, but it's a short chapter this week. Unfortunately, this chapter got crazily long, and too much was getting crammed in. So, I split it up where I could, which left this particularly chapter with the short straw. I know that no one would mind a nineteen page chapter, but I think the split works better. Anyway, on with the chapter!

-Andi

Chapter Thirty-Seven: This World Will Change

Eric arrived back at his home that he shared with Sookie. Even before he had walked through the door, he could smell smoke. Flinging the barrier open, he came charging into the scorched smell, straight to the den. There sat his Bonded on the charred remains of the couch, doused in water, and his Maker standing in front of her with a full bucket in his ready hands.

"What is this?" Eric asked in bafflement.

"Interesting side-effect," Godric smirked amusedly in response. "Your rage in the Bond flared her fire power. She set the couch on fire, and I had to put her, and it, out."

Eric ran his hand through his hair. "I see. Sookie, are you all right?"

"Yeah, but Godric thought it would be prudent to keep an extinguisher handy in case you flipped out again." Sookie smiled bemusedly before asking, "What happened?"

"We found the sniper." Eric came and sat beside her on the damp, burnt sofa. "It was the cook, Sweety, from Merlotte's. She was a Liken, and was taking her cursed two-natured form out on Weres. She mistook you for a Were since you smelled of Rhames," he explained.

"Cursed?"

Eric nodded. "Weres can bite humans and turn them into Likens. It is a sort of humanoid Were. Like what you would see in an old Werewolf movie."

"I take it she didn't want to be a Liken?" Sookie frowned sadly.

"No, and she took to sniping any Weres she encountered, with the exception of Merlotte since she needed the job he gave her. She knew him to be a Shifter and unable to administer a cursing bite."

"You killed her." Sookie cupped her hands and placed her face within them.

"I did."

Sookie took in a shuddering breath, "She must have been so tormented. Poor Sweety." She swiped at an un-summoned tear that was rolling down her cheek.

"She shot you."

"She was hurting, and no one was helping her. She was being assaulted by all of these things she couldn't understand. She was lashing out because she needed help, but the only ones she could turn to were the ones who put her in so much pain. Sweety just wanted to make them hurt as badly as they hurt her. I'm not saying what she did was right, but I can't say I don't understand." Sookie leaned against the back of the couch and looked up at the ceiling. "There were a lot of times I wanted to lash out at someone. My telepathy was my curse, only I had no one to blame it on. So I blamed myself as I got older. I blamed myself for the distance between Jason and I. I hated myself for stealing the things I heard that no one wanted anyone else to know. If I had someone to blame like Sweety did, I can't say I would have handled things much better," she admitted.

"Even if Sweety had sought out a pack to help her adjust, it would have been unlikely she would have found one to take her in," Eric informed her.

"What do you mean?" She looked at him with surprise.

"Likens are lower than Shifters to real Weres. There are a few exceptions, though. If someone wants to become a Liken to increase the chances of having a Were child with their Were mate, they are quite revered. The reason it is called the Liken Curse is because it is meant to demean and exclude Likens from Packs," Godric murmured. "It is how we look at Blood Slaves. Humans that vampires have made addicts of their blood, and control without use of glamour. Blood Slaves are created for the purpose of humiliating a human."

Sookie growled in her throat, "That's despicable."

"That is the way of things-"

"Not anymore," Sookie snapped. "Who is the Shreveport Pack Leader?"

"Colonel John Flood," Eric answered, his eyebrows raised at Sookie's tone.

Sookie reached into Eric's breast pocket and took his phone, holding it out to him, "Call him. Arrange a meeting for me with him."

"Why?" Eric was confused.

"Because I want to have a little chat with him." Sookie stood up sharply from the couch and stormed to her bedroom while Eric dialed the Pack Leader. The Colonel refused the meeting, and now Eric was more than a little weary of how Sookie would react. Godric was still standing in the living room, bucket now gone, but the same amused smile on his face. He could feel Eric's internal struggle at admitting to his Bonded that he had failed to meet her request.

The telepath showered quickly and returned looking rather imposing, or as imposing as a five month pregnant woman could. "Did you call him?" she demanded.

"He does not wish to meet with you," Eric answered with comical hesitation.

Sookie's lip sneered, "Take me to him then."

"Sookie-"

"Now, Eric." The vampire rose to his feet sharply at the command, and Godric actually laughed at his Child's helplessness.

Soon, the three of them were in Eric's Escalade, driving towards Colonel Flood's residence. Godric had chosen to tag along both out of curiosity and entertainment. He had to admit that seeing Eric so wrapped around his Bonded's finger was quite hilarious.

As Eric pulled into the driveway of a rather inconspicuous two story home, a man was stepping out onto the front porch of the house. His face clearly seemed put off, but Sookie could hear in his head that he was curious. Not about who they were, but what they were doing there after being firmly told that he wanted nothing to do with them.

"You're John Flood?" Sookie asked as she climbed clumsily out of the Escalade before Eric could offer assistance.

"Colonel," he barked back.

"Colonel," Sookie nodded, accepting her error.

"What do you want?" he demanded. "How dare you come to my home and-"

"I apologize, Colonel, but you left me with little choice. You denied an audience with me, and I cannot rest until I have spoken with you," she told him.

"Then speak and get lost," Flood growled, giving away that he was not human.

"I don't presume to understand the motives of your Pack, and I don't presume to think myself an experts on Weres. I'm not an expert on anything," Sookie began, "but depending on the answer to this question, I might have a lot to say to you." Sookie took a deep breath and asked, "Are you aware of a Liken by the name of Sweety-"

"Des Arts," Flood finished for her. "Yeah, I know her. One of our pack bit her a few years back."

Sookie's hands fisted, making Eric and Godric tense. "Why was she bitten?"

"It was done by a young Were. He has some anger issues, and during a full moon he bit her. He and Sweety had been dating. He wanted her to become a Liken so they could have a Were child. She refused, he bit her anyway," Flood explained.

"And what repercussions did that Were face?" she demanded.

Flood raised his eyebrows at her forceful voice, "A bit of silvering. Now, you want to tell me why the hell you're asking me all these questions?"

"Sweety Des Arts attempted to start killing Weres in retribution. She shot at me today because she smelled my Were guard on me."

"Well obviously she's just as bad a shot as she is excuse for a Were-"

"And whose fault is that!?" Sookie snarled. "If your pack had properly reprimanded the Were that bit her, offered her help adjusting, and sincerely apologized for the infraction, maybe she could have adjusted. Maybe she wouldn't have been filled with so much rage that she tried to start shooting Weres!"

"She was a Liken-"

"So what?" Sookie flung her hands in the air. "One of your pack did that to her. She didn't ask for it or deserve it. You didn't hold up any responsibility to her. Now she's dead, and you never will have any responsibility to her. I just thought you should know for the future. Doing that to people, maliciously, against their will... It has consequences. The next Liken, whether it's one your pack hurt or not... Just remember that you can prevent some hurt-"

"Who do you think you are, coming here and telling me how I should run my pack!?" Flood demanded. "You don't know the first thing about us, or what we do and why. Why don't you go back with your vamps and get lost!" Flood tried to dismiss her, but Sookie would not have it.

"You and yours." She frowned at him. "That's all you care about. Not making the world better for all Weres. Just the ones born in your area. You can't even accept Matteo properly. Giving him a hard time because he looked at the taboo of vampire/Were cooperation and realized it was a pointless feud. He is trying to make progress. He tries so hard, and you-"

"I said get off of my property! And tell your pet wolf that he's not welcome in our pack!" Flood snarled, getting a step closer, and causing Eric to put his hand on Sookie's shoulder protectively.

"You're so closed minded." Sookie squared off her shoulders as she said, "You can deny the truth, you can refuse taking responsibility. I can't stop you from doing that. I just want you to know, that when you need help. When you ask for help from me or mine? It will always be given." The tension left Sookie's shoulders at the Colonel's surprised expression, and she smiled gently at him. "Because that's the way I want this world to be."

There was a distinct vision in Flood's thoughts. One of dead Weres. He was worried about recent deaths in his pack. Though no suspicion towards them was linked to that memory, it still made Sookie give brief pause. Her offer of assistance could be called in much sooner than even she could have anticipated.

Turning sharply to disperse the awkwardness of her brief lingering, Sookie walked back to the Escalade, smiling at her Bonded as he helped her back into the vehicle. When the vampires were seated, and they were rolling back out of the driveway, Eric murmured, "That was a surprising closing statement."

"It's the truth. I don't know when they'll need our help, but I have a feeling that they will. I just want him to think of Sweety when that time comes. When he comes to us and needs our assistance; I want him to think of how freely we give it, without complaint or demands, and to think how easily he could have done that for Sweety. Maybe then, when another poor Liken comes to him or his pack for help, he'll give that help just as freely as we will."

Godric was smiling to himself in the backseat of the car. True, Sookie had been more passive/aggressive than she should have, but for some reason, Godric felt her tone had been right. Aggression to get the Were's attention, but ultimately the tone had been one of peace. Her intent had been to annoy Flood, perhaps make him indignant. All so that in months or years, when they came to need assistance, he would remember what Sookie said. Even if the memory provoked anger, he would still remember.

When Eric pulled back into the driveway, he stomped, suddenly on the brakes. Doctor Ludwig stood in front of the headlights, her arms crossed over her chest, and an irritated expression on her face.

"What did I tell you about staying put, Sookie?" Ludwig demanded as the telepath slinked out of the car shamefully.

"I'm sorry, Doc, but this was not something I could ignore," Sookie mumbled apologetically.

"What could not wait?" Ludwig stood, listening to the woman explain her actions for the evening, and Sookie was surprised when Ludwig smiled. "I suppose that a Peace Keeper could not ignore such a thing."

Sookie let out a sigh of relief.

"Now, off to bed with you. You have had a long enough day."

"But it's only-"

"BED!" Ludwig pointed to the house. Once the blonde had sulked past the door, Ludwig turned to the vampires. "I cannot believe you let her confront Flood."

"She was very insistent," Eric told her, making Godric smirk.

"Who are you trying to convince, Northman? Everyone knows you're wrapped around her little finger." Ludwig cackled to herself. "You best make sure your doting on her does not keep you from upholding your responsibilities as her consort."

"She does not keep me from killing those who need killing. I dispatched Sweety without any penalty. She even dealt with my torturing of Compton," Eric assured the doctor.

"I see." Ludwig's face turned thoughtful a moment before she said, "Perhaps trying to keep her confined until the birth was short sighted of me. It is difficult to judge what will be beneficial to her. On one hand, I would never suggest that a healthy pregnant woman remain under house arrest. With her nesting instincts, she will want to be home often as it is. To enforce such a thing, when she is physically fit and as sturdy as she is with the Earth Clan in her blood, seems too tedious. On the other hand, my concern for her has elements that many pregnant supernaturals have not raised." Ludwig sighed and then added, "Explain to her and her guard that Rhames monitor her mentality if she decides to venture out. If he senses she is anxious or stressed, she should come straight home. If she were depressed, I have little doubt she would wish to remain home anyway."

Eric nodded in agreement. "I will see that they are both made aware of this. Rhames will probably be spending days with Sookie at the house soon. I understand that multiple births can come early, yes?"

Ludwig nodded, "I still think that she will make it to December. Her and the children are quite strong, and her body will be more compliant than a human woman in carrying the twins longer. Expect her to get quite large, Northman."

The vampire snorted. "I expected that, but I do not believe Sookie will be very receptive."

The doctor smiled slightly before saying, "She is a very grateful person, even when her and I were not getting along, she was always extremely thankful. With the gift she has been given, I have great doubt that she will be anything but grateful for the opportunity, even if it means a swollen belly."

"Yes, I know." Eric felt his lips perk into a soft smile. "I should go check on her. Thank you for today, Doctor."

Sedately, Eric walked into the house and to the bedroom. He found Sookie laying on the bed, flipping through a maternity book.

"You know," she said conversationally, "I don't know how helpful these things are." She held the book up with a small flourish before resuming her skimming. "Will the babies eat this often? Will it be more often or less? Will they eat? Will they drink blood because of you? Will they have gifts like me? Will they have powers like yours? How will that affect their growth if they do?" Sookie flung the book to the end of the bed. "These books give me more questions than answers," she sighed, leaning back into the pillow.

"I suppose they do that for most expectant parents." Eric laid down next to her, raising his arm over her shoulder so that she could nuzzle her face into his chest. "We have done little in regards to preparing for them, what with your transfusions, acclimations, Compton, and then today's sniper." Sookie shrugged as she played with the edge of the duvet. "We have done little preparation for the birth as well." This made Eric uneasy. Even with medical advancements, many things could still go wrong during the birthing process, and a thrill of fear swept through him at the thought of Sookie dying from something so common after the harsher things she had endured.

"Yeah, now that Ludwig and I are getting along better, I think I should start having her prepare me for everything I'll have to do," Sookie agreed.

"As well as myself. If you go into labor at night, or continue into labor at night; I need to be ready to help you however I can." His hand came to rub at her rounded belly, and he let out a sigh that spoke volumes of his fears and contentment. Though his thoughts were still troubled, Eric had no choice but to feel the calm his children pushing at his palm brought him. "Leif, Astrid, you two are going to make this easy on your mother, correct? You will not give her a harder time than any other babies, will you?" he asked them gently.

Sookie giggled at Eric's question to their children as she threaded her fingers with his and gave her belly a firmer rub.

"I have never been so excited and terrified at the same time," Eric admitted.

"Oh? Are you the one that has to squeeze, not one, but two babies out of your body?" Sookie teased.

"I am terrified for you," he whispered. "I am terrified that all of this, not just them, will finally take the toll it has been threatening to. Your body has gone through so much in such a short time. The damages, the Bonding, the transformations, adjusting to carry them, and soon you will need to deliver them into this world. There is nothing I can do. There is no burden I can take from your shoulders, or pain I can ease. It is frustrating and terrifying. Why do you insist on making me so helpless?" he teased, but deep down felt he was being honest.

"I'm sorry, Darlin'. I don't mean to make you worry so much," she whispered against his chest. "I wish there was something I could give you to do, but honestly? All I need you to do is hold my hand when it gets scary, and to tell me everything's gonna be all right. 'Cause you've never lied to me, and I know if you say nothing bad will happen, then it won't. All because you said it wouldn't."

"Nothing bad will happen," Eric whispered, his hand tightening marginally around her smaller one. He kissed the top of her head, keeping his lips pressed to her hair for a long time as he kept whispering, "Nothing bad will happen."

TBC

A/N: Remember to review, everyone!

-Andi