Disclaimer: I don't own anything but Layla and a few of the plot twists.

Layla sat in the passenger seat of Sam's truck with Coby and Lisa in the back. They were parked in lot of Fangtasia with a few hours to kill before the sun went down.

"Sam? Did you know my daddy?" Lisa asked.

"I did not. Your mom, she split up with him 'fore I came to town." Sam told her. "I heard about him though."

"What did you hear?" she asked.

"That, uh, he was a bit of a wild card, with a big personality." Sam said. Layla smiled at how sweet he was being with the kids.

"Momma cut him out of all the pictures. All I know is that his name was Dwayne and he has Momma's name tattooed across his stomach." Lisa said.

"Well, he must have loved her a lot, cause you know that hurt." Sam said.

"Yeah, tattoos are painful and last forever. Like taxes." Layla noted. Sam laughed lightly at the joke and Layla beamed at his approval. She had almost forgotten who they were here to see until they heard the sound of a car alarm being set. The bartender from a few nights ago who had mistaken Layla for a Vampire herself was walking up to the front door. Layla and Sam jumped out and walked over to her.

"Excuse me!" Sam called. The woman screamed, caught off-guard. "Nothing to be afraid of. I'm just here to see Eric."

"WE'RE, here to see Eric." Layla amended.

"He won't be here 'till after dark." the woman told them.

"No shit." Layla said flatly. God, this woman was dumb.

"We have two kids with us. Can we wait inside?" Sam asked.

"No." the woman answered immediately. Layla sighed. She had every right to wait inside and she knew the more time she spent in the sun the weaker she would be, and she needed every ounce of strength she had to help Sam keep those kids safe.

"Look, my name is Layla Dahlin. I'm a close friend of Eric's and trust me, he'll be much more angry if you force me to wait outside than he would be if you let us in a teensy bit early. I just have to make a few simple phone calls and then he'll be down here the minute the sun sets to fire your sorry ass and Lord Know's what else. So I'll ask again. Can we, please, wait inside?" Layla asked.

"I can't let anyone in without his permission." the woman repeated. Layla turned to Sam and gave a dramatic sigh.

"Do you think Eric would be mad if I drained his bartender? I mean, I haven't eaten since lunch, and I'm pretty thirsty." she said, her eyes pleading with him to play along. Sam shrugged.

"Probably not. I mean there's plenty of people looking for work." Sam said.

"You're not a Vampire. The sun's out. I'm not stupid." the woman said meanly. In a swift motion Layla grabbed the woman's throat and lifted her from the ground.

"Lady, you don't know what I am."

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Once they were inside time flew by much faster than it had out in the truck. Layla felt dirty and gross, but oddly at home in the cool, sophisticated atmosphere of Fangtasia. No crazy bug-eyes people from Bon Temps, no Fellowship of the sun people. Just music, and booze and dancing. Ugh, it was like heaven and she never wanted to leave. In the bathroom she fixed her hair and dusted off her clothes best she could. She would still like a construction worker compared to the other women here but she didn't look completely vile. In fact, all the time spent in the sun today had actually given her skin a bit of color, and it didn't look too bad. It made her look, well, happier. She smiled and walked out to the bar where the woman, Ginger was cleaning some glasses.

"Captain and coke, two limes. You can put it on my tab." she said sweetly. The brunette glanced over her shoulder at Sam.

"Did you want anything? Kids?" she asked.

"I'll have a coke!" Coby said.

"Me too!" Lisa chimed in.

"I'm good, thanks." Sam said. Layla smiled at him and turned back to Ginger.

"Did you get that?" she asked.

"Two cokes, and your drink, Ms. Dahlin. Here you go." she said, her hands still shaking from Layla's light roughing up earlier. Layla walked the drinks over to the leather seats where the others sat.

"Here you go. One for you. One for you. And one for me." she said, handing out the drinks. "Cheers." she said, clinking glasses with the kids and taking a long sip of hers, savoring it.

"Layla, are you a Vampire?" Coby asked.

"Only a little." she told him with a wink. The two children gasped excitedly.

"Layla..." Sam warned. Layla sighed and didn't go any further into detail. After a little while Sam scooted closer and leaned into her ear.

"Are you really part Vampire?" he asked. Layla frowned.

"Is that a problem?" she asked. Sam shrugged.

"No. Not to me. I'm kind of used to the weird, what with my own little thing goin' on, not to mention Sookie."

"Yeah, Bon Temps is chock full of weird. I guess I moved to the right town." Layla joked. There was a noise as people started coming into the bar with Ginger carding them when they got there. Layla took a deep breath and waited for Eric's arrival. It wasn't long until he walked in, with Pam at his side. Eric smiled for a moment when he saw her, but when he noted her companions the expression faltered and disappeared.

"Layla, I'm so happy you came to see me. After the other night...well, I woke up and you were gone. Not even a note. Really. After all we've shared." he purred and a shiver went down her spine.

"We need your help." she said.

"With what?" he asked, sitting down and lounging on a piece of leather furniture, while Pam stood behind him.

"There's a Maynad in Bon Temps." Sam piped up.

"And why should I help you...shifter." Eric said, coating the last word in derision.

"Because I need it...we need it." Sam said, gesturing to the other three. "And who knows, maybe someday I can help you get something you need."

"Can you get me Sookie Stackhouse?" Eric asked. The glass in Layla's hand shattered.

"Really? Do you really have to ask THAT question RIGHT now? Please, for my sanity, do not mention her." Layla shot out breathlessly, overcome by the sudden jealous fury that overtook her to the very core. Eric smiled, obviously pleased with her reaction. Sam and the kids looked petrified of the half-vampire woman who was licking rum and blood from her hands.

"Uh, no. I can't get Sookie." Sam said.

"Well, that's a shame. That would be a tribute I would not soon forget." Eric said softly. Layla heard a growl and for a moment didn't even register it was her own voice until Eric's eyes locked with hers and he smiled that heart-breakingly beautiful smile of his.

"I take back what I said in Dallas. I think jealousy suits you quite well, Layla."

"Bite me."

"I have, and trust me, I will again." Eric said.

"Look," Sam said, trying to get back on topic. "I'm not here to give you tribute."

"No, you're here to request my help based on a hypothetical future where you might be able to return the favor. But you are known not to be friendly towards those like me. Why should I trust you?"

Sam sat there for a moment and Layla sighed.

"Don't trust him then. Trust me. Do this for me. Please, Eric." Layla said, her eyes wide as she basically begged for his help. Eric snapped his eyes to hers and held her gaze just long enough to see her sincerity.

"I have no knowledge of this Maynad creature, although I suspect it's the bull-headed beast that passed through here recently, right Pam?" he asked over his shoulder.

"That thing owes me a pair of shoes." the tall woman said bitterly.

"So can you help us or not?" Sam asked.

"I do know someone who may be able to offer something useful. Might, be able to." Eric repeated, making it clear this was no sure thing.

"Can we see your fangs?" Coby asked. Eric obligingly popped them out for the little boy, who's sister jumped back into Layla's arms. The brunette just smiled. Eric might have just told them 'no' but instead he appeased them. In a strange, twisted way, she found it sweet.

"Don't you like Vampires, little girl?" Eric asked Lisa, who was still pressed into Layla's side.

"Eric!" Sam said, not wanting to scare the kids.

"Sam! He's fine. They're fine. Chill out." Layla said, annoyed with the way his temper had jumped the gun like that. Not that she really had room to talk when it came to temper's jumping the gun. After all, she still had slices in her hand from where she'd crushed her glass.

"Our almost step-daddy hated Vampires...but we don't." Lisa said. Layla smiled at the innocent tolerance the kids had.

"He went on a vacation of Jesus." Coby added. Pam rolled her eyes.

"You make me so happy I never had any of you." she said.

"Now, c'mon Pam, they're funny. They're like humans but miniature. Teacup humans." Eric said, making the most adorable face when he said 'teacup' that Layla couldn't help but to laugh, a warm sound that did not at all match their surroundings or the situation. Eric glanced up at her and smiled again, like they were sharing a secret. Pam said something in Swedish but Layla didn't catch it. She did however catch when Eric said 'delicious'. Layla cleared her throat and shook her head. No one would be eating the children.

"So, can you call this other person who might be able to-" Sam began.

"Better yet, I'll go see her, but we must leave right away." Eric said, glancing at Layla.

"We?" she repeated. "You mean you and Pam right?"

"No, I mean you and I. Why? Is the shifter incapable of watching two little humans for a while?" Eric asked, glancing over at Sam.

"I'm fine with the kids." Sam said flatly. Layla sighed and shrugged.

"Okay. I guess it's settled then." she said, standing with Sam and the kids.

"I'll walk you out." Eric said. Pam said something in Swedish again. She heard Eric's laughter from behind her as they walked.

"Do you really need me to come with you?" she asked quietly so no one else could hear.

"No, but I really want you to come with me." he replied as they walked across the parking lot towards the car.

"You have my cell phone number." Sam said, opening the door for the kids to climb into the truck.

"Yes, I do." Layla said with a reassuring smile.

"We'll let you know if we learn anything of use to you." Eric said, buttoning up his coat and wrapping a strong arm around Layla's waist. "It would be best if you held on tight."

"I beg your pardon?" Layla asked, already feeling uncomfortable being so close to Eric in front of Sam, or anybody for that matter.

"Goodnight, tiny humans." Eric said with a grim smile. Layla opened her mouth to say goodbye as well but was suddenly catapulted into the sky with only Eric's body keeping her from plummeting to her death. She was too shocked even to scream and instead scrambled to get a stronger grip, even going so far as to wrap her legs around his waist. It was a position more intimate that probably necessary but fear made it impossible for her to loosen her grip.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

When they finally landed Layla was windblown and shaken.

"Did you enjoy the ride?" Eric asked smugly, his own hair disheveled. Layla slowly raised her gaze to his and noticed his hands were under her thighs which were still wrapped around him and her chest was crushed to his in a tight embrace. Her breath was coming out in short, flustered pants. She leaned back and looked into his eyes and then started punching him hard in every place she could reach.

"A bit of warning would be nice next time!" she growled. Eric laughed as her fists did no harm and gently set her down before taking her hands and kissing her fists.

"I'm glad to hear there will be a next time." he said smugly. Layla rolled her eyes.

"That would be the only part you hear." she said roughly. They walked down the weird path to the front door of the odd-looking house only to see Bill walk out.

"Hey! Aren't you supposed to be in Bon Temps?" Layla asked.

"I could say the same to you. What are you doing here?" Bill asked, looking more to Eric than to her.

"Hoping the Queen knows how to kick a Maynad's ass." Eric said with a smile. Layla looked sharply between the two men.

"Queen?" she repeated.

"Now why would you want to do that?" Bill asked with a smile. "So that you look like a hero to Sookie."

Layla stiffened at Eric's side.

"Ah, Billy. I wouldn't mention the lovely Sookie in front of my Layla. She has a fierce problem with jealousy. Besides, this paranoia is really quite unbecoming." Eric said, wrapping an arm around Layla's shoulders and pulling her into his side.

"I do NOT have a problem with jealousy." Layla said flatly, glaring at Eric. "And your hair is a wreck." she added. Eric used his free hand to try and smooth his hair back into place.

"Has she, mentioned me?" Eric asked.

"No. That was really quite desperate of you. Tricking her into drinking your blood so that she became attracted to you?" Bill said.

"I agree." Layla added.

"Unlike you, who fed her your own blood the very night you met." Eric said. Bill frowned.

"How do you know that?" he asked.

"So you're not denying it?" Eric asked with a smile.

"I was saving her life." Bill said.

"Isn't that convenient?" Eric said with a mocking smirk on his face. Bill took a step forward.

"You stay away from Sookie, Eric." he said. Layla tried to disentangle herself but Eric held her tight.

"Why would I want Sookie when I already have a human of my own?" he asked. Layla sighed and looked up at Eric.

"Funny, I've been wondering that myself." she said.

"I mean it, Eric, or I will tell the Queen that you have been forcing humans to sell Vampire blood for you." Bill threatened. Layla paled and stared at Bill. She wasn't exactly a know-it-all of Vampire law, but that sounded bad, and judging by Eric's expression, it was really, really bad.

"You wouldn't."

"I won't." Bill said. "As long as you never come close to Sookie ever again."

"I don't like threats, Bill." Eric said.

"Neither do I." he replied before walking away, leaving Eric and Layla on the odd stepping stones.

"When we go inside, do not speak unless spoken to, or I won't be able to protect you." Eric said. Layla stared up at him.

"Eric, are you really-" she began to ask about the V but he silenced her with a look.

"We will not discuss that. It's none of your business." he said. Layla sighed.

"Whatever. If it keeps you away from Sookie than I'm fine with it." she said, for once voicing her jealousy. Eric's eyes widened, caught off-guard by the admission. Layla reached up and helped smooth his hair back into place.

"There. Now you don't look like a windblown mess." she said with a smug smile. Eric let a grin slide over his features and ducked his head to kiss her cheek.

"It's too bad you heal so fast. You look quite lovely with my fang marks on your neck." he whispered into her ear.

"I'm sure that wasn't the last we've seen of them." Layla replied darkly. Eric laughed and escorted her inside.