The Favor
Part One

Just about the time I had hoped to be on the highway, I headed north to Bon Temps. The last time I was there was the night of the vampire attack. After everything had been settled that night, Pam gave her assurances to my grandfather Princes that no vampires that owed her fealty would bother yours truly. Yet despite Pam's assurances, we still warded our property against vampires and fairies. A person could never be too careful. Not only that, but since Preston was too weak to teleport, we stayed at the farmhouse that night. I felt a lot safer with the wards in place, not to mention the elfin guards that were posted outside around the property. It seemed that after that night, all my vampire troubles were in the past.

The next day, when Preston was strong enough to teleport, we returned together to Alvar. And when I was finally able to join hands with the Eburone, we felt nothing untoward any of us, as far as the vampires were concerned. However, we did pick up a lot of uneasy energy around the vampires. We had a feeling that they would be seeing a lot of trouble in the coming year.

I pulled Preston's car into the parking lot, and parked in front of my old work studio. It was a strange feeling; bitter sweet. Apple had gotten everything packed while I was in Alvar, so when I got back to Louisiana, it was just a matter of meeting the moving truck at my new studio. My new studio was in a boutique area of Baton Rouge. It was nicer; well, a lot quainter than my old one.

After I parked, I opened the door for the last time. The mail basket inside was overfilled with mail. My brows arched and I hauled in a deep breath. It was a good thing I stopped in to make sure nothing had been left behind. I walked passed the mail and took a short walk through the small studio. In all, it probably only took a few minutes. On my way out, I picked up my mail. Inside the car, I started going through the mail one piece at a time. It was all mostly junk mail and a small package.

Carefully, I picked up the padded package and inspected it for any identifying marks, but there wasn't any sender information. I took the envelope opener and tore it open with one swift perfect swipe. Tipping it slightly, I reached in for the contents. Something landed on my lap. Looking down, there was a strange key like device on my lap. My forehead creased. I picked it up and examined it. It looked rather benign except for some sort of code that was etched onto its side. Inside the package I found a note.

It was from Bill.

The note was simple. He said I was the only one he could trust with the contents. And when the time came, he said I would know what to do with this information. On the corner of the letter was inscribed an alphanumeric number. And that was it. I wasn't sure what to make of it, and I knew it was pointless calling him to ask about it. After all he was in his daytime slumber; literally dead to the world.

I sat the mail down on the passenger side seat, and headed to the leasing management company to drop off the forms they asked me to go through, as well as the keys. Once that chore was done, I personally dropped off to Tara a wedding invitation. Preston and I were having a small and private ceremony in Baton Rouge in about three months. Then we would be going to Alvar to perform our second Communion Ceremony. Unlike the first time, our second Communion was going to be a big production. It would officially mark us as married.

"Sookie." Tara greeted me with a big hug when I came into her boutique store. I had been prepared for the contact so her thoughts weren't such an intrusion.

"I came for a special dress," I smiled brightly handing her the invitation. She looked at it with a raised brow and then squealed like a happy pig in fresh mud.

"Oh my god Sookie," she chimed. "I'm so happy for you."

"I need a dress."

"Of course," she gushed.

"Something simple," I insisted. "We're having a small garden ceremony."

"How romantic," she smiled. "Well let's see." She took a closer look at the invitation. In her thoughts I could see where she was going and I was happy. After several hours, we settled on a strapless dress with rouching and a pleated bodice. There were very tiny blue crystals that were sparse on the bodice, but enough to add some interest. It would need some minor tailoring, so I set-up an appointment to take care of that.

Eventually, after several goodbyes and hugs, I was back on the highway and heading to Baton Rouge. During my drive back, Gran and I chewed the fat over the phone. We covered everything from tonight's dinner, Christmas, Jason of course, and the wedding. It made the drive go by quick.

Just when I pulled up into the driveway, I felt myself jerk. My cell phone rang after a mile of complete silence. One look at the caller ID, and suddenly a hard knot formed in the back of my throat. "Hello," I choked out.

"Ms. Stackhouse this is Bobby," said the voice. "Mr. Northman has requested a meeting with you." Immediately my mind was racing over every detail of when I had joined hands with the Eburone. Everything I felt, that we felt, gave every indication that the vampires were done with me. "Sookie," I heard Bobby. He cleared his throat.

"I'm here," I droned out after a noticeable silence.

"The matter relates to your relationship with William Compton," explained Bobby. "Mr. Northman says it's urgent." The letter, I thought quietly. I knew he was in trouble. "Do you have a message for him?"

"What?" I asked confused.

"Where should I say you have agreed to meet?"

"Who?"

"Mr. Northman of course."

"Oh," I breathed audibly. I knew I never wanted to step foot in Fangtasia again. "Merlotte's." It was the only public and neutral place, almost, that I could think of. "Right after sunset," I said. Preston and I were expected at my grandparents for dinner. I just hoped whatever he had to say wouldn't take long.

"Very well," said Bobby. "Good bye." From my previous experience with Bobby and Eric, I had expected some sort of objection, but I got none.

"Well," I thought. "At least I was able to go a full month without any vampires."

Preston got home an hour after I did, and like I had expected he wasn't too happy about Eric's call or Bill's package. Reluctantly, at sundown we headed out to meet Eric at Merlotte's. When we arrived, he was already there sitting toward the back, in a corner booth, when we entered. I swung by the bar to say hi to Sam. His nostrils flared at picking up my scent. He gave me the glare that indicated to me that he didn't want any trouble. Innocently I smiled and assured him he wouldn't hear a thing from us.

"Preston, Sookie," nodded Eric. Instantly I suppressed our essence. With Preston and I living together, I wasn't too sure how strong our combined intoxicating scent would affect the vampire. Eric stood up all 6 feet of his gorgeous vampire self. He stared at us with his cold arctic blue eyes. I wasn't sure why he was smirking, but a quick glance at his thoughts said it all. I didn't understand the vampire fascination with seeing Faeries in some sort of sexual content. Eric Northman could keep dreaming; Preston and I would never be inviting him into our bedroom.

"I'm sure you're wondering why I've called you this evening," said Eric. "Bill has gone missing." He cut right to the chase.

"And how does this concern us?" asked Preston, even though we had a feeling that Bill was cashing in his favor. This had been a day Preston dreaded.

"Three days after he went missing," Eric handed us an envelope. "We found this in his home." Preston opened it. Before I looked at it, Eric's mind told me the contents. It was a card with one word. 'Sookie.' I knew this was Bill's way of telling me he was ready for me to make good on my favor.

"What have you found out so far?" I asked.

"Not very much," commented Eric and then he turned his attention to Preston's questions. "Bill was working on a special project for Louisiana," explained Eric. "I was hoping since I found this note with your name on it, that you may know the whereabouts of his work."

"What work?" I asked instantly making the connection to the package Bill sent me. There wasn't a doubt in my mind that the account number and key, led to this 'work' thing Eric was talking about. Eric's answer to my question was ambiguous, but I saw his thoughts clearly. In Bill's package, he had said I would know what to do when the time came. And that time was here. Eric hadn't contacted me to ask me to help Bill out, but to locate the 'project'. I needed to get as much information from Eric, so that I could find Bill and pay back my debt to him. "Do you have any idea where Bill might be?" I asked.

"Taking his close relationship with you," pointed out Eric, choosing to ignore my question. "I'm sure you know. Wherever Bill's project is, Bill will be there as well." What he didn't say is that Pam, the new vampire Queen, suspected the vampire King of Mississippi may have had something to do with Bill's disappearance. In the precarious position that her new regime was in, she couldn't risk offending this King.

"Then why do you need Sookie?" asked Preston. "I'm sure your Queen then knows the whereabouts of your missing vampire." Eric prickled at Preston's line of questioning. He had hoped with my inexperience, he could have gotten what he wanted, but I put a dent in his plan when he saw Preston walk in with me. What is it about some people, they take one look at me and immediately think I'm clueless? What does a person have to do to get some respect; some good ol'fashion fear?

"Bill has hidden his project," said Eric; his face a cold stone.

"From your Queen?" asked Preston skeptically. Bill knew that the only leverage he had was his simple but dangerous project. It had the same potential as the FBI's fingerprinting and DNA database. Bill's project was not something vampires wanted to get into the wrong hands.

"It seems that when Bill disappeared, so did his project," pointed out Eric.

"So were you hoping I knew where Bill was, or where his project is?" My question was sarcastic. Eric smiled. His eyes playfully twinkled.

"The project would do," smirked Eric, "but with Bill it would be a bonus."

"I don't know where either one is," I said flatly. My blank expression gave nothing away, which frustrated Eric as much as my prickly mood. "In order for me to help Bill," I stressed. "You need to tell me everything you know." Halfhearted, Eric gave us what he knew; it wasn't much.

"If and when he's found," said Preston, "where do we take him?"

"Fangtasia," said Eric. "It won't be easy. Russell's compound is heavily secured."

"If he's there, his extraction will be discreet," confidently said Preston.

"If you do locate him, chances are he'll be damaged," pointed out Eric. "There will be a chamber set-up for him. Under no circumstances take him home or to the Queen."

"Where does this King of Mississippi live?" I asked. Eric pulled out a pen and quickly wrote something on the back side of the envelope. With his fingers he slid the envelope across the table toward Preston. Throwing down some bills, he got up. "It's on me, I insist." With a big grin on his face, Eric walked away before we could object.

Leaving our drinks untouched, we left. Without a word about our meeting with Eric, we teleported back to Baton Rouge. It was nice being with my grandparents, but I would be lying if I didn't admit that the weight of the favor I owed Bill pressed on me the entire time. After dinner as the evening began to wind down, we went into Gram-pa's office. Preston handed Gram-pa Bill's package and the note that Eric had given us.

"Where do they think he's being held?" asked Gram-pa. Preston told him that the vampires believed the King of Mississippi was holding him at his compound.

"I can easily scan to see if he's there," I suggested.

"And if he is?" asked Preston meeting my eyes. He wasn't happy about any plan that involved me going within a mile of anymore vampires.

"I can teleport in and out," I pointed out. "No one would ever know."

"We," stressed Gram-pa. "This is as much my debt as yours."

"Neither you or Sookie need to do this," said Preston. "I can have someone else go in and extract Bill."

"The Fae can't be implicated," said Gram-pa. "If you send someone in, their scent as altered as they could manage, could eventually be tracked back to the Fae."

Gram-pa was right and I could see in Preston's eyes that he knew this. Through our connection I sensed the emotional wrestling happening inside him. He hated the logic because it led to what he didn't want; me risking my life for a vampire. Even if Preston went in my place with Gram-pa, for Gram-pa to suppress Preston's essence would take energy. And Gram-pa wasn't a Pureblood. He couldn't replenish his energy as quickly as a Pureblood. He couldn't afford to be weakened before they even got in there.

"You'll need to stay behind," I gently said. Immediately, the intensity of Preston's feelings surged.

"No," he bolted out of his chair. My heart sped up anxiously. His gaze locked on mine like a tractor beam. There were so many thoughts and feelings swimming in his soulful tawny eyes. If he came with us, and we were caught, what would happen? He was the Alvar Ambassador. It wouldn't look good if he was caught abating us.

"It's the only way Preston," I said softly.

"Sookie is right," second Gram-pa. "We'll use too much energy shielding your presence."

"There has to be another way." Preston's face was tortured. His eyes pleading.

"If we fail and we're caught," I swallowed hard at the frightening prospect. "I need you to negotiate our release." Preston paced several times before dropping heavily into his chair.

He let out a slow and deep sigh. His elegant and straight shoulders slumped over as he buried his face in to his palms. The urge to fall into his arms and to tell him I wouldn't go pressed unkindly against my chest. But I couldn't; I gave my word. My expression and my heart were strained. A sick pain in my stomach made me feel like throwing up.

A strong hand cupped mine. I peeled my attention away from Preston and turned around. Gram-pa's eyes were confident and clear. He squeezed my hand and filled me with his strength and assurance.

"I'll go say goodnight to Gran and then we'll go." Gram-pa gave me a hug and kiss.

"I'll see you tomorrow," projected Gram-pa. We would be leaving in the morning.

"Tomorrow." One corner of my mouth peaked in an apprehensive smile. I took several deep breaths. Once I joined Gran I plastered on a bright and happy smile.

"Is everything okay?' she asked.

"Peachy keen," I beamed kissing her on her cheek. "Preston and I will bring the pie and sweet potatoes. Don't forget."

"That isn't necessary," insisted Gran.

"It'll make me happy." We passed several minutes talking and making plans while Gram-pa spoke with Preston.

Needless to say, the 20 minute drive back to our home was quiet and dark. I couldn't shut off our special connection, so I sensed every single emotion Preston was feeling. It was exhausting. A few times I glanced over at him wondering how it was possible that he hadn't passed out yet from the intensity of what he was feeling. Silently he parked the car and unlocked the house. Once inside, I made my way to the bathroom to shower before bed. Normally the hot water would relax me completely, but not tonight. Though I tried not to, I watched his signature pacing through the house. With the same sick hard sensation in my stomach I had back at Gram-pa's office, I slipped my camie and matching panties on before sliding under the sheets.

I wadded up the pillow under me and muffled my tears.

Seeing Preston so torn and upset broke my heart. It was hard enough to deal with my own feelings; having Preston's pressing against me was more than I could bear. I would give anything to make it all go away, but I couldn't. Bill saved my Gran, and now I had to pay back the favor.

"Sookie." Preston's smooth tenor vibrated through me as his hands wrapped themselves around my hips. He turned me to face him. My breathing was jagged and shallow from crying. "I'm so sorry." He leaned forward and nestled in the opening I made for him. I hooked my legs around him.

"Don't be mad anymore," I whispered my voice breaking.

"I won't." He kissed me.

"I'm scared," I whimpered. "Please, don't make it worse." He gently wiped the tears away from my cheeks. Softly he kissed my swollen lips.

"I'll be here for you." I felt my head swishing and swirling with his scent; his gentle touch; his taste. "I will always protect you." Through my tears, he kissed me again. One kiss. Then another. "My sweet, sweet Sookie." My small hands caressed him etching every inch of his handsome face onto my memory. I laced my fingers through his dark soft hair, and he deepened his intoxicating kisses. "I won't go to work tomorrow," he breathed.

"Why?" I asked breathless from his wine kisses.

"I'll be here waiting for you," he whispered.

I gasped.

My back arched, pushing my chest into his welcoming warm and wet mouth. Through the fabric of my camie he lovingly worked the hard bud. "I love you," he moaned. Flashes of bright lights flooded my vision blinding me. For the rest of the night, Preston made all the badness go away.

I forgot about everything; vampires and favors.