Thank you again to all who are reading and enjoying this story. I truly appreciate it and your reviews. Just to let you know, this chapter will delve into some of the reasons why Eric hates Bill so much in this story and why he wants to take Sookie away. There's also some fun Pam stuff.
As soon as Sookie got to her room, she picked up her phone and called Bill.
"Hello, Bill. It's me Sookie. We need to talk." Sookie said quietly into her phone.
"Yes, my love, what is it? Is Arabella doing alright?" Bill replied knowing there was a good chance he didn't want to know the answer.
"Arabella's fine, for now, but we do have as slight problem. Her first night at Merlotte's is supposed to be tomorrow night. She can't call and say she ain't coming in. She needs that job. It's not like Bon Temps is the job mecca of the world, and honestly, the tips are pretty good with all the drunks there. Anyway, while Sam is a very understanding boss, what do you think he'll say about Arabella skipping out on her first shift? And for that matter, if he were to ask why she couldn't work, she'd have to lie because it's not like she could say it's because Eric Northman has requested her presence. I know Arabella Bill, she won't put out a friend, especially not one that just gave her a job, so I could see her just not going tomorrow night and it worries me what Eric would do if she didn't show up." Sookie said hoping Bill would find a way to get her sister out of going, at all.
"I see your points and agree. I will call Eric and try to find a solution. After I talk with him, I'll call you back and let you know the outcome. Try and get some sleep my love, it'll all work out in the end." Bill said, trying to convince himself as much as he was trying to convince her. Eric and him were not on the best of terms these days. He knew that Eric was not likely to do him a favor, but he hoped that he could get Eric to listen to reason. He sighed and thought to himself that he never regretted, not for one day, moving to Bon Temps and meeting the love of his life, but it would've been a heck of a lot sweeter if he didn't have to put up with Eric's bullshit all the time.
Meanwhile Eric and Pam had just reached Fangtasia and were about to head into Eric's office to chat. Before they could do so, Eric's phone rang. Pam seeing that he would probably be busy with the call, took it as a sign to do something else. Feeling parched, she headed toward the front of the bar. Tonight the club was closed to customers, but open for the dancers to come and practice. She'd have her pick if she chose one now. Soon enough she began eyeing the busty new dirty blonde dancer from Estonia, who was wearing almost nothing but a smile and gyrating on the stripper pole. Damn that girl is flexible she thought to herself as she licked her lips. Feeling the rush of blood and sexual lust swirling inside of her, she said with a wink, "Oh Yvetta…. Don't you look simply delicious tonight. Why don't we head downstairs and discuss that outfit of yours." Yvetta smirked back at Pam and said in an eastern European accent, "Of course. I would love to go downstairs on you… no I mean with you. You know my English is not so good." Pam smirked back and said, "Honey, your English is spot on, now let's go." The two then quickly exited to the basement where they did not actually do any talking in the least.
As Eric continued to his office he looked at the caller id on his phone and saw it was Compton. Stupid Compton, does he really think he can succeed in getting those girls out of coming here? Eric was about to hit the ignore button on his phone, but then thought better of it and decided he'd have a bit of fun at Bill's expense.
"Northman here." Eric said as he answered his phone.
"Eric, it's Bill. I need to discuss something with you. Arabella has a work obligation tomorrow and won't be able to make it. I will bring Sookie, of course, as you requested." Bill said, hoping this would suffice. He could protect Sookie, as she was his, but Arabella would have no such protection.
"I don't care what kind of work related crap she has Bill, you get her ass in here as well. You don't want to piss off your sheriff, do you?" Eric asked, clearly happy with himself and the power he had over Bill.
"No, I do not want to piss you off, but she's new on the job and needs the money. You claimed her anyway. Why do Sookie and I have to bring her to you?" Bill said somewhat sounding like a petulant child. Realizing this was probably not the thing to say, he hoped he didn't overstep his bounds too much. Eric could be a loose cannon at times when it came to his anger towards Bill.
"Listen here Compton, Need I remind you again that I am your Sheriff, and as such have numerous duties and obligations on top of running my own business. I don't have time to go get her, and besides, she lives with Sookie. Proximity Bill, it just makes sense." Eric replied loving that he could throw his position in Bill's face.
Trying to salvage the situation, Bill replied, "Well, how about this… Can we all come later, after her shift is over and after Fangtasia's is closed, instead of at 9:00pm? Say around 3:00am?" He offered this knowing that he would not be able to get Arabella out of going there.
Eric thought about this for a moment. He supposed it didn't matter if the interrogation happened before Fangtasia opened or after it closed. He also thought it'd probably be better not to piss off his new property so soon, so he ended up agreeing to the compromise. Throw them a bone, he thought. It'll be fun to let them think they actually have any say in the matter. Players in his menagerie were all they were to him.
"Thank you, Eric. We will see you then. Goodbye." Bill said, wanting to get off the phone with Eric as soon as possible.
"Yes, well, don't get to comfortable with your situation Bill. You're house of cards will fall soon enough." Eric said cryptically to Bill before hanging up.
'What an asshole.' Bill thought to himself as he prepared himself to call Sookie and fill her in. She wasn't going to be thrilled, but at least Arabella would still have her job.
Pam, who made haste with her late night snack, finally paid heed to the tingle going down her back signaling that her maker was ready to talk. So she quickly got dressed, shooed Yvetta back up to the pole to practice and headed to his office.
"Who was that on the phone?" She asked as she pushed her hands down her baby pink cotton skirt trying to straighten it out. Damn this material wrinkles too easily she thought.
"Compton. Turns out we'll be having our little interrogation at 3:00am tomorrow night instead of 9:00pm. Oh, and by the way, love the hair and makeup job. Who's the lucky lady?" Eric replied with a huge grin on his face.
"What, oh shit." She said looking in the mirror on his wall. Well, Yvetta is a kinky bitch. Just the way I like 'em." Pam said with a smirk as she tried to fix her hair and wipe the lipstick stains off of her face. She continued, "As for the meeting, I don't care if it's early or late, just as long as we find the scum that's been stealing from us. I'd love to do a little happy dance all over the culprits' dead body." She said as she moved away from the mirror to sit in the chair in front of Eric's desk.
"That'd be quite the sight. I didn't think you'd ever want to get your Manolo's dirty with blood and guts." Eric said with a glimmer in his eye to his progeny.
"Yes, well, if we find the culprits and retrieve the stolen money, I'll be able to replace them and get a few more pairs." She replied, hoping they'd get the money because mama needed to take care of her shoe fix.
"But honestly Eric, enough about that, I want to know what you have planned for the Stackhouse ladies." Pam's curiosity finally got the best of her.
Eric, sitting behind his desk leaned forward, placing his elbows on the desk while bringing his hands to a point at his chin, began to tell her his plan. "As you know, Compton has claimed Sookie as his and she can't be glamoured. Pity. So, I have to find ways around those facts to crush him and get her. This is where the sister is going to come into play. I have claimed her, and as such, will have far greater access to her, and then further, to Sookie. The younger Stackhouse is very innocent. I could smell the innocence pouring off of her like an aphrodisiac. Manipulating her will be easy. Having greater access to Sookie is the key to taking her away from Bill. Right now, he can keep her at arm's length and she can keep me out of her house. However, if the sister is convinced to offer me an invitation into their home, well, I think you know where this is going." Eric finally stopped to hear Pam's take.
"That's it. That's the plan. Well, I have to say this is a lot more convoluted than I would have thought you would do, but if that's your decision I will help you in any way I can. It's just… you're normally an upfront kind of guy. I'm surprised this is it." Pam replied wondering why Eric wouldn't just off Bill to get him out of the picture and finally take Sookie and be done with it. Eric was a thousand years old. Bill was nothing in strength compared to Eric. It didn't add up.
"It's not the whole plan Pam, but I understand your thoughts. Unfortunately for me, Bill has some friends in high places. I have to go about this somewhat gingerly, well, as gingerly as I can. Teasing him is one thing, but to actually do something to physically harm him or take away his property without a solid foundation behind it would sign my true death sentence.
"I understand." Pam said as she nodded. So that was it. Bill had good friends, the crafty bastard. As much as she never much cared for Bill, she felt that this whole grudge Eric had and obsession with taking Sookie for his was a distraction her maker didn't need. She had hoped over the last few months that it would peter out, but it looks like that's not going to happen.
"It's been a long night. We'll talk further tomorrow. Goodnight my child." Eric said as he got up to go to his own home.
You didn't need to tell her twice. She was outta there. "Goodnight Eric." Pam replied as she left the building in a whoosh.
Eric then proceeded to get the last of his employees out and lock up Fangtasia. Sometimes he would sleep in a hidden room at his establishment, but tonight he felt like going home. As Eric got into his BMW to drive to his house in the burbs, his thoughts drifted to a time some thirty odd years ago…
Flashback…
Chicago, 1979
Eric was having a blast in the windy city. There were tons of clubs to visit at night with lots of lovely ladies to snack on. Pam was with him, of course, also snacking on the lovely ladies. They had been there for four months now, getting acclimated to the area. The city was big, which allowed for many vamps to hide out there, but it never felt like there were so many there that they were tripping over themselves for a meal. This was, of course, before the great revelation and vamps had to be careful about where they lived and how they ate. Eric and Pam could go for weeks without seeing another vamp at whatever club they decided to dine at. One night though, Pam decided to call up one of her particularly tasty treats to come over for a bite (ha!) so Eric would have to go out by himself. Not that he minded. It wasn't like he needed her there every night, he just preferred to have her company. Feeling hungry, he bid her adieu and headed to a local tavern for dinner.
The tavern was filling up with the aroma of many different delicious options. As Eric surveyed the room, he noticed another fellow doing the same. Their eyes met and he knew that the guy was obviously a vamp as well. 'Well, better go introduce myself' he thought. He could sense that the other vamp was younger, much younger, but still, decorum dictated that they introduce themselves and not get in each other's way in procuring a meal for the night.
"I see that you look like you're looking for a treat tonight. The brunette with the bell bottoms smells particularly good tonight don't you think?" Eric asked the stranger while taking a seat next to him at the bar.
"Yes, I did notice that, but I think that I have my sights tonight on that red head over in the corner with the, might I say, very revealing V-neck sweater. By the way, my name is Bill. Bill Compton." Replied the stranger with an old Southern accent.
The bartender shook his head as he overheard the conversation and said, "You two casanovas want a drink or are you just going to eye fuck the ladies all night. He obviously had no idea that two vamps were sitting in front of him.
Eric replied, "Two Miller's please." And then he added staring at the bartender with that intense stare of the glamour, "You will not listen in on our conversation the rest of the night. And further, you will not charge us for the drinks either."
"I will not listen in on you two the rest of the night. I will not charge you for the drinks." The bartender repeated to Eric with a dazed look on his face before he walked to the other end of the bar to get the drinks for them. He returned shortly with the beers, told them it was on the house and never came back down to bother the vamps the rest of the night.
"Oh, that never gets old, does it?" Said Eric laughing to himself. "Well Bill Compton, my name is Eric Northman. Nice to meet you."
"It's a pleasure to meet your acquaintance Eric. And no, it certainly does not get old. Comes in handy at times too." Bill said with a wink.
"Yes it does. Yes it does. So Bill, just to let you know, I'm going to partake of the lovely brunette I spoke about earlier. Good luck, not that you'll need it, with the red head."
"Yes, well, it was a pleasure. See you around." Replied Bill.
"Bon appetite." Eric said as he grabbed his beer and walked toward his dinner for the night.
As the weeks progressed, it turned out that Eric and Bill had similar tastes in dining establishments, so they frequently ran into each other. The more they ran into each other, the more they would converse and over time they actually became friends. Eric wasn't one to usually let new vampires into his fold, but he felt a kinship with Bill. Pam didn't really care for Bill too much though, so she often left the boys to their own defenses. She didn't get jealous at their friendship, as she knew it would never be as deep as hers with Eric, so it didn't bother her when they would go out without her. Besides, she was never really alone… wink wink.
During one of their nights out, Eric and Bill decided to go to a restaurant instead of a bar. The bars were a great stomping ground, but sometimes the meals were a little too drunk for their tastes. This is how they met Emma.
It was a local tapas restaurant called Emilio's that they decided to go to that night. They were in the mood for 'spicy'. Sitting down at a secluded table in the corner, they saw her walk in and were amazed at her beauty. Emma was a curvy buxom brunette with legs that didn't end and a bounce to her step that had everyone in the restaurant looking at her. While no one else could tell, Eric and Bill knew the minute she looked at them, she was a vampire like them. They nodded to her. She returned the nod and continued to walk over to their table.
"Hello boys." Emma said in a flirtatious manner while smiling at them.
"Why hello miss beautiful. What brings you out to a place like this?" Eric said sensually, knowing she'd know what he meant.
"Well we all know it isn't the tapas." Emma said, again smiling. She then continued, "I'm supposed to meet my 'dinner' date here. If I'm not mistaken, I believe you boys seem to be doing the same?"
"Yes, you would be correct." Bill said, completely caught up in her charm.
"Well, I'd love to stay and chat, but I am rather hungry. Maybe we can meet up at the pub down the street for an after dinner snack." Emma said with wink as she got up and made her way over to a table at the front of the restaurant where a very handsome young man thinking he was going to eat dinner was about to be dinner.
A few hours, and few meals later, the three of them met up at the bar down the street. They chatted about themselves for hours it seemed. They found out that Emma worked for the AVL (American Vampire League). It was an underground organization run by some very old and powerful vampires who were working toward the possibility of Vampires coming out of the closet. It was a very lucrative position for her and allowed her many luxuries. They also found that Emma and Bill had much in common. Both were turned about the same time, during the Civil War, both had crazy makers (although Emma's was killed, unfortunately for Bill, his was still around, somewhere, probably still off of her fucking rocker), and both loved to keep up with new technologies. While Bill seemed utterly entranced by Emma, Eric was as well. She was a breath of fresh air to him and he knew he wanted to get with her.
Over the next few weeks, the three of them would often meet up. Emma was a humungous flirt, so of course both vampires were quickly smitten with her. Eric, however, had voiced his desire for Emma before Bill ever got the chance. "I've got to have her." He said to Bill. Bill nodded to his friend and tried to let go of his own desire for the beauty.
One night, weeks later, when Pam insisted that Eric go out with her, and only her, Emma asked Bill to join her out.
"I was wondering when you were going to have the balls to ask me out on a date Mr. Compton. As it turns out, I had to ask. I don't' mind though. I like hard to get." Emma said, clearly showing that she was just as attracted to him as he was to her.
"Well, and please don't take this the wrong way, you did kinda flirt with both Eric and myself." Bill replied.
"Yes, well, I was just being nice to Eric, I wanted you. Is that clear enough?" Emma said with an alluring smile.
"Yes, crystal clear." Bill replied. And throwing caution to the wind asked, "Would you like to continue this conversation back at my place?" He knew this would be a bad idea and hated the thought of hurting his friendship with Eric, but his desire for Emma was too great.
"Well, I'd love to go back to your place, but not to talk." Emma replied with a wink.
So, that was the start of Bill and Emma's romance. Because neither wanted to hurt Eric's feelings, they avoided him over the next few weeks. It was only a matter of time before he was to find out though.
Eric began to wonder why neither was available to go out anymore. Also, as many times as he tried to get Emma to go out alone with him, she always refused. Eric wasn't used to not getting what he wanted, so to say that he was getting a little frustrated would be an understatement. And, as much as he hated to admit it, he missed the camaraderie he had with Bill as well. He decided to go to Emma's condo to find out what was going on. He soon found out the answer.
Upon knocking on her door, Emma answered it with her hair messed up and wearing nothing but her bra and panties. She had thought that it was the pizza delivery guy who was going to be dinner. She was shocked when she saw Eric standing there.
"Oh, Eric… What a surprise." She said, clearly startled.
"Well, it's nice to see you too Emma. May I come in?" Eric asked, curious about what her home looked like, what she would look like on her bed, etc.
"Ummmm, now's not a good time, maybe later?" She said, clearly hiding something.
It was at this point that Bill came up to her, wrapped his arms around her bare middle, gave her a kiss on her neck and said, "Emma dear, is that dinner?" He then looked up wide-eyed to see the furious Eric Northman ready to pounce.
Eric, upon seeing the scene in front of him, with fangs out, rushed up to Bill and threw him against one wall and then another, and then another.
"Eric! Enough! You're ruining my home!" Emma screamed at the crazed vampire.
Eric stopped and gained some composure. Bill looked a mess on the floor, his fangs out as well, angered that he was just thrown around like a ragdoll.
"Look Eric, I know you were interested in me, but I want Bill. You throwing him around my place is not going to change that." Emma said, not sugar coating her lack in interest in the Viking in the least.
Finally after an awkward silence Eric spit out, "Well Bill, it looks like you care nothing about loyalty. You deserve this slut. Good riddance to both of you."
Bill felt horrible. He knew he would have been just as pissed if the roles were reversed. He gave into his desire for Emma and it cost him his friendship with Eric. Emma on the other hand was more pissed that her condo had been torn apart.
"Shit. This is going to be a bitch to clean up. Eric clearly is not used to hearing he's not the cat's meow. Well, I have news for him. I know that he's up for some lucrative contracts with some AVL businesses. Fuck with me and I'll fuck with you. He's definitely not going to get them now. Bill, how would you like to make some serious cash?" Emma asked as she helped Bill off of the floor and back to her bed.
If was a few days later that Eric found out that he had lost out on the business opportunities he had been trying to secure with the AVL folks. Emma obviously had cock-blocked him. The worst part of finding that out though was that Bill received the business. That fucker. Not only did he bed the woman he was interested in, he stole the business he thought was in the bag. Did his so-called friend have these intentions all along? It didn't matter. Bill was dead to him now and so was Emma.
It was fate that brought the two old friends back together in Louisiana, much to the chagrin of both. Eric vowed though that Bill was going to eventually pay for his betrayals. No one betrays Eric Northman and gets away with it.