Ch. 4
Disclaimer: I don't own anything but Layla and a few of the plot twists.
Layla had made it home without incident and after three quiet days of work, food shopping and other normal routines, she thought she would be able to put that incident at the Vampire bar behind her. It was late on a Friday afternoon and she found herself without work, without inspiration, watching reruns on her TV. Lying on the counter was Sookie's phone number. Layla was reluctant to put herself anywhere near someone who seemed to be familiar with Eric Northman, but eventually her boredom won out over her nerves and she dialed the girl's number.
"Hello?" Sookie answered.
"Hey, Sookie, it's Layla."
"Oh hey! How are you?" the girl asked, sounding like she was actually interested in the answer.
"Good, I'm pretty bored. I was wondering if you maybe wanted to hang out? If you're busy that's cool-"
"Sure! That'd great. You should come over. I'm sure you're dying to get out of your house." Sookie said. Layla smiled. Normally perkiness was something that made her want to smack people upside the head with a shovel, but Sookie's was endearing.
"That would be great." Layla agreed. After the brief directions, Layla changed into a black sundress she had bought the day before. It was an attempt to fit in, but she refused to buy anything pink. Also, she paired it with a pair of combat boots. She threw on some black eye make-up but left her lips their natural rosy color. The sun was sitting low in the sky as she pulled up to Sookie's house. Layla wished she had been able to afford something like this. All white, with a classic southern charm to it.
She walked up to the front door and knocked. Sookie appeared in a flash wearing a blue apron over khaki shorts and a blousy blue top.
"Hey, Layla. Come in." she said, holding the door open for the pale girl to enter. Layla stepped inside and could immediately smell something delicious coming from the kitchen.
"Wow, what is that?" she asked, unable to hide her awe. The most she could cook was instant noodles.
"Homemade apple pie. It just came out of the oven. I also made some lemonade if you want some." Sookie told her as she led the way to the kitchen. Layla tried not to stare. It was like some weird sitcom. Who the hell baked homemade apple pie anymore? Who cares, it smelled incredible.
After sitting down at the kitchen table with our glasses of lemonade Sookie started the conversation and much to Layla's surprise she didn't feel awkward or out of place at all talking to the girl she had just met.
"So how was Fangtasia the other night?" she asked, resting her chin on her hand. Layla made a face and smiled.
"You're friend Eric is a real piece of work." she said.
"Eric is no friend of mine. What did he do?" Sookie asked, looking serious. Layla took another sip of lemonade before answering.
"Just asked me a bunch of questions. I have no idea what he was trying to figure out and it was getting really annoying. He was acting like he was royalty. What's up with the throne, anyway?" The brunette asked, tossing her hair over her shoulder. Sookie giggled.
"He is pretty full of himself. What was he asking you?"
"Weird things. He wanted to know 'what I was'. Uhm, human? And then he wanted to know what you and I had in common. I made it kind of clear that we don't have anything in common. I mean, no offense, but you seem like my total opposite." Layla said with a smile. Sookie had that concentrating look on her face again and let out a small laugh.
"That's strange." Sookie agreed. Layla nodded.
"It was. I was getting really pissed. He tried intimidating me but it didn't work really, so I just gave him my card and left."
Sookie stared at her for a minute. "He let you go? Just like that?"
Layla nodded. Sookie's shocked expression made her uneasy but she ignored it as the blonde cleared away the empty plates where their apple pie had once been. Outside the window over the sink, the sun had almost completely disappeared below the horizon.
"My boyfriend is probably going to be here soon." she noted. Layla stood up from the table.
"Okay, well I'll call you later in the week." she said.
"Don't be ridiculous! Stay. I'm sure he'd love to meet you." Sookie said. Layla bit her lip and thought it over.
"Are you sure? I really don't want to intrude." she said. Sookie gave her a look and so Layla smiled and decided to stay. Pretty soon after the sun went down Layla could hear people coming.
"Is your boyfriend bringing someone?" she asked when she heard more than one set of feet coming up onto the porch. Sookie turned and frowned.
"He doesn't usually. Why?"
There wasn't a moment to respond because there was a knock at the front door. Sookie wiped her hands on her apron and tossed it quickly on the counter. Layla followed her to the front door. There was a man standing there only a bit taller than herself, with dark hair and kind eyes and a smile only for Sookie. Behind him, stood Eric Northman.
"Bill, what is he doing here?" Sookie asked, sounding annoyed. Layla found it only slightly comforting that the blonde vampire's presence hadn't been anticipated.
"Miss Stackhouse...and Miss Dahlin, what an unexpected pleasure." Eric said. Bill made a face that other man couldn't see. It seemed no one liked Eric. Good. Sookie seemed torn between wanting Bill to come in and keeping Eric out, ultimately she chose Bill.
"Please, come in." she said tightly. Bill walked through the door and immediately took her hand and kissed her sweetly. Eric stepped in. Layla was surprised he didn't have to duck his head to get through the doorway. He really was massive, in a good way.
"Bill, this is my friend Layla. Layla, this is Bill Compton." Sookie said, presenting the brunette who was standing off to the side. Bill extended his hand with a friendly smile.
"It's nice to meet you Layla. Welcome to Bon Temps." he said. Layla took his cold hand and mimicked the smile.
"Nice to meet you too, Mr. Compton."
"Bill, please." Bill corrected her. Eric rolled his eyes at all the introductions.
"Bill, what is Eric doing here?" Sookie whispered into her boyfriend's ear. Although it wasn't really a whisper since Layla heard it, and if she had heard it then Eric most certainly had as well.
"I did come here to discuss this one." Eric said, pointing towards Layla. The brunette raised an eyebrow at his condescension.
"'This one' has a name." she replied testily. Bill and Sookie watch the interaction quietly.
"You really should watch how to speak to me." Eric warned, taking a step closer.
"I could say the same to you." Layla responded taking a step towards him. She was so fed up with the way this guy spoke to her. Vampire or not. Eric's fangs popped out but Layla didn't blink however Bill and Sookie did.
"Eric!" Bill said, taking a step forward.
"If you don't stop harassing my friend I'll rescind your invitation and you can leave. I won't have this in my house." Sookie warned. Eric's fangs went back.
"She started it." he muttered. Layla rolled her eyes. Bill and Sookie walked into the living room, sitting beside each other on the love seat. Eric took the opposite couch. Layla chose to stand.
"Perhaps it would be best if Miss Dahlin left for our conversation as it contains things of a...private nature." Eric suggested.
"If you're talking about me, then I'm staying." Layla told him flatly, leaving no room for argument. Sookie nodded in agreement. Bill looked nervous but stood by Sookie.
"Layla will stay." he said. Eric sighed and leaned back on the couch, making himself comfortable.
"It seems, Miss Stackhouse, that you're new friend can not be glamoured. I was wondering if you can hear her thoughts." Eric said plainly, as if he were talking about the weather. Layla looked sharply to Sookie. She could read people's minds? Creepy. A few years ago it would have taken serious convincing to prove that theory, but ever since Vampires had integrated into society, Layla was more willing to accept things she had previously thought to be impossible.
"Sort of. I mean, I can't hear her thoughts. It's like she's talking so quietly I can't make it out. every once in a while I'll catch a word, or a feeling, but nothing concrete." Sookie explained.
"Interesting." Eric noted, looking over at the pale woman who was paying close attention as she learned some new things about herself. "Anything else?"
"No." Sookie said, just a little too quickly. Eric frowned.
"I do not appreciate being lied to." he told her. Bill squeezed Sookie's hand.
"Just tell him, Sookie." the vampire urged. Sookie looked at him and frowned.
"I don't see how any of this is his business." she said crossly, but after a pleading look from Bill she sighed and turned back to look at Eric.
"Layla took on three guys by herself. She was...unnaturally strong. I saw it in the thoughts of the guys that attacked her. If I hadn't gone and seen her in the sunlight the next morning and eat a steak without a problem, I would have thought she was a Vampire." she said, casting Layla an apologetic look. Layla was frowning looking at all three of them like they were crazy. Bill and Eric studied her closely.
"I'm not a Vampire." she said flatly.
"Clearly. But you may not be totally useless." Eric said in a low voice. Bill and Sookie looked to him sharply. Layla glared at him. "I want you to go with Miss Stackhouse and Mr. Compton to Dallas."
"Why?" Layla asked. "What the hell is in Dallas?"
"A very old, very powerful vampire named Godric has gone missing. I want him found and I believe you can help." Eric told her. Layla took a step further into the living room.
"Give me one good reason I should go." she said, crossing her arms in front of her chest.
"Because I asked." Eric said, appearing in front of her face. Bill and Sookie were both on their feet. Layla didn't move except to lean her head back and look him in the eyes.
"Not good enough." she said tightly.
"I will also give you the same amount of money I'm paying Miss Stackhouse for her services." he added. Layla smiled up at him.
"Well, see, now I'm actually interested in helping you." she said sarcastically. "I'll do it."
"Good." Eric said pulling away from her. "I suggest you go home and pack, you have a busy day tomorrow."
"It's tomorrow? Thanks for the notice." Layla grumbled. Sookie came over and quickly took Layla's arm.
"I'll walk you to your car." she said, practically dragging a still glaring Layla from the house. When they were outside Sookie spoke in heated whispers.
"Are you crazy? Do you have any idea what your doing?"
"Apparently, going to Dallas and getting paid. How much am I getting anyway?" Layla asked.
"Ten thousand dollars."
"Wow!" Layla said, her eyes going wide. She could already envision the upgrades she would make to her house with that kind of money.
"Layla, listen to me, Eric is dangerous. If you can avoid him, you should. The only reason I agreed to do this was to help out a friend of mine. You should just stay here." Sookie advised. Layla shrugged and gave her new friend a playful smile.
"Sookie, it'll be fine. I can handle myself, okay? Don't stress. Consider this a lovely bonding thing we can do so we become better friends." Layla told her. Sookie rolled her eyes when she realized she wasn't going to get anywhere convincing Layla not to go, so instead she hugged her goodbye and told her to drive safe.
"I'll call you tomorrow." she said, watching as the brunette drove away. When Sookie went back inside Bill and Eric were sitting in a cold silence. Sookie immediately walked over to Eric.
"Why are you involving Layla in this? She can't hear thoughts, she doesn't know anything. She hasn't even been in Bon Temps for a full week and already you have her running across state lines to do your dirty work."
"What I plan to do with her is none of your concern." Eric said smoothly.
"Like hell it isn't!" Sookie shot back. Bill put a calming hand on her shoulder. "You'd better not let anything happen to her. I have Bill looking out for me. Who does she have? No one."
Eric smiled down at the angry blonde. "I'm perfectly capable of taking care of what is mine." he said. Sookie blinked up at him and found herself speechless for a moment. Even Bill was staring.
"Y-Yours?" Sookie asked. Eric smiled wickedly. Bill cleared his throat.
"Does she even know you claimed her?" he asked. Eric shrugged.
"She will figure it out soon enough."
"Why?" Bill asked.
"I wasn't about to leave her lying around for someone else to take." he said, looking meaningfully at Sookie, who took a step closer to Bill's side. Eric just laughed quietly.
"Good night Bill...Sookie." he said as he walked out the door.