I own nothing to do with True Blood, and I never will lol.

I want to thank you all so much for your amazing reviews, and for alerting this story. I never knew anyone would be interested in reading my writing, being my first time writing a fanfiction and all, so I wasn't really sure whether I was doing it right or not. So thank you all, so so much!

I suppose you could say this is only a filler chapter, but I really hope you will enjoy it all the same. Sookie makes a few little revelations about Eric and, I know you're all trying to figure out why Eric is running around like a homeless vamp in Bon Temps the way he is lol- just like Sookie is now-, but it will be revealed very soon, I promise you. I love Adele Stackhouse in True Blood and SVM, was so sad when she died so quickly. Hence I'm writing more on her. She's fun :-)

Again, hope you enjoy! :} Feel free to let me know! *massive bear hugs to you all*

Chapter Six

"Morning Sookie, dear," Gran announced pleasantly early next morning, laughing quietly to herself all the while.

I blinked up at her. Gran usually was not this good-spirited at such an early hour of the morning. That was a first. But then, I figured, something about having Mr. Compton over last night must have made her so, because she was practically grinning like a Chesire Cat while she worked absentmindedly to make the both of us a fresh brew of coffee.

"Had a nice evening with Mr. Compton over last night, Gran?" I asked, in a sweetly knowing tone, which had her flushing madly. It was too cute of her.

"As a matter of fact, I did, Sookie," she said, sounding surprised to admit it. "Though, at first I was nervous about having a vampire in my home, he turned out to be rather... pleasant and sophisticated. Not at all like those crude vampires you hear on the evening news."

"Well, that's mighty good you enjoyed yourself, then," I said, smiling widely for her. "What did you two get up to? Did he have many interesting stories?"

"Oh, Sookie," she breathed, an odd look coming across her face, like she were about to cry in pure exultation. "He had plenty!"

"Well, that's great to hear, Gran," I said. "I'm sincerely happy for you."

She didn't have much more to say on the matter. I thought she was purposely trying to distract herself by making the both of us a coffee, just so I wouldn't dare ask her anymore questions. She looked truly happy for once in her life, and it warmed my heart up. Her skin was even glowing a little bit. Maybe crushes did that to a woman?

Just as she set my steaming mug of coffee down onto the round pine next to the morning newspaper, Jason entered the kitchen in his tiny blue sports shorts and nothing else, rubbing his eyes sleepily. He looked an exhausted mess.

"Now Gran, where's my coffee?" He teased in playful outrage, and she gave out a big fond laugh. She patted him on the cheek, before turning to get started on making him a mug.

"Oh, hey Sook," he greeted, a little reluctantly I noted. Then, he leaned in to start muttering at me in a low, hushed tone, which was very unusual for him, to say the least. "Hey, you haven't seen anymore of that dirty, big old vamp, now have you?"

My first instinct was to tell him the truth. Hell yes, Jason, I have! In fact, I saw him right last night and I even had managed to cajole him into taking one of Gran's old afghans to keep himself toasty warm. Just thought I'd let you know, in case you see a huge vamp running around after dark in our yard draped in one... I had to stifle a laugh at the thought. But, realistically, I knew I couldn't tell Jason the truth. And honestly, I was planning on keeping this Eric Northman vampire a secret all to myself for as long as possible.

"Nope, I haven't seen him at all," I lied, shaking my head like it was deeply sad that I hadn't. Lying to Jason had always been easy-peasy for me, mainly because sometimes Jason could be as dim as a lightbulb. "Why, have you?" I asked, forcing a note of interest into my voice just to make it sound extra convincing.

"Nope, me neither," he said, slumping himself into the chair across from me. "Absolutely nothing. Nada."

He opened his big mouth, about to say something else... but then glanced over his shoulder cautiously into Gran's direction. We both didn't want her overhearing. Sure, she had met the big vampire two nights ago whilst we went over to meet our new neighbour Mr. Compton, but she hadn't picked up on much of what else had happened. I think, as soon as Jessica had popped out those fangs at me, Gran's brain had stopped working and all she knew was great fear for her Granddaughter's safety.

"Does she know about it?" He managed in a low voice, throwing another glance in Gran's direction, while she worked obliviously at making Jason's coffee.

"Hell no," I shot back in an equally low voice. "I'd never tell her, Jason. And you made a promise you wouldn't, either," I reminded him, with a stern look.

"Yeah, I know that," he hissed back, offended. "You don't need to worry about me, Sook! I'm a man of my word. I won't be telling her nothin'."

"Now what are you two children whispering about over there?" Gran called over her shoulder, belatedly.

She turned around, holding Jason's steaming mug of freshly brewed coffee mid-air. Jason jumped up from his chair thoughtfully to take it from her and gave her a quick peck on the cheek in thanks.

Gran clearly was not going to let it slip easily. She gave the pair of us a long, suspicious look, while putting her hands on her hips.

"Nothing, Gran," Jason and I said quickly, in unison.

But she was not convinced. "Sookie, you're not spreading rumours to your brother about Mr. Compton, are you? Because I expect better from you. Mr. Compton is a lovely, decent man." She continued with her little rant, while Jason listened on with a blank expression on his face, "Just because he is of the vampire persuasion, does not change that!"

"What did you just say?" Jason spat out, spinning around to shoot her a wild look. He looked crazy, all wide-eyed and breathing heavy. "There is a bloodsucker living nextdoor from us?" He shot me a frightened look, and I knew what he was thinking; He assumed this vampire was Eric Northman. But, thankfully, he was not. "When were you gonna tell me about this?"

"Jason, dear," Gran was blabbering in a soothing tone. "Calm down. There is no need to get worked up over it, honey. He came over last night, and we had some very interesting conversations. He was a soldier in the Civil War, and the stories were just delightful! I almost felt as if I was right there with him. He was so-"

"- We have a bloodsucker as our nextdoor neighbour?" Jason repeated hysterically, cutting poor little Gran off. "Since when?"

Gran stared at him silently, at a loss for the reasons into why he was acting the way he was. I answered calmly for her, "Since two nights ago, Jason. And he's not all that bad, I guess."

"Not bad?" He was getting louder and louder by the second. We were coming dangerously close to having our cover blown. "Sookie, how can you say that? They're fucking crazy, big-ass..." He trailed off, making a rude disgusted noise, in which Gran gave him a severe reprimanding stare for.

Gran slapped him on the arm. "Jason!" Now she was yelling. I had to hand it to her; Gran could be very scary when she wanted to be. "I will not have that rude talk in my house!"

"But... I... I..." Jason had no choice but to calm down. He took in a deep breath, then blew it all back out again, puffing out his cheeks. He turned to Gran with a deeply apologetic expression. "I'm sorry, Gran," he sighed, resignedly. Gran beamed, and then all about Jason's hysterical rant was slowly forgiven and forgotten. On Gran's part, anyway.

I could feel Jason's eyes boring into my skull, as I flipped open today's addition of the newspaper.

I was greeted with the same information as usual; There was an article on the "controversial" topic of vampires being allowed to marry. Since Bon Temps had now legalized gay couples to marry by law, many vampires were deeming it hypocritical and unfair of the legal justice system. Why weren't vampires intitled to the same rights as human's?

I read through the heavy debatable article with mixed feelings, then took a swallow of my own coffee. My eyes scanned the bottom corner of the page, just right where the advertisements were for a new type of Tru-Blood ("Tru-Blood now comes in a new flavor... AB Positive for the flashy vamp in you..."), I almost spat out my mouthful of coffee, spraying it all over Jason.

It was a shot, professionally taken of a fair-haired Fangtasia Eric Northman. He was sitting perched on what resembled some kind of roughly carved, mahogany throne- like a King or something of the sort- draped in all sorts of red velvet cloth.

"Son of a mother," I let out quietly in bewildered shock, which luckily went unnoticed by Gran's ears. But by Jason, well... I wasn't entirely sure. That was another thing altogether.

The difference between this Eric Northman and the Eric Northman I knew from outside in appearance was staggering. It was totally him. Goddamn it, it had to be! No one else could look like that, unless he had himself an identical twin... which was highly unlikely.

The Eric Northman I had seen in the flesh, outside of Gran's yard, presented himself as a frightened and heartbreakingly vulnerable, dirty wet vampire.

The photograph printed out right underneath the urgently bold 'Have You Seen This Vampire?' heading showed something different entirely.

The photograph was in black and white and, while he still looked a little young and charming, he also had an air of palpable mischievousness about him. His fair-hair was combed back in a slick, presentable fashion, brushing down just underneath his earlobes, and he was wearing a tightly-fitted leather jacket that clung to those broad shoulders, with not much else underneath- only what looked like a snug V-neck leather vest. It showed off his masculine chest muscles something shocking.

Those large hands and sinewy fingers were still in motion as they rested steepled on top of his lap, and those pointed fangs were on show, peeking through a small tight-lipped, self-assured grin.

He no longer looked like the frightened, pitiful vamp that I had came across earlier, whilst giving him one of Gran's old, moth-eaten afghans to keep himself snug and warm. No, he had this unmistakable air of a vampire on the verge of becoming dangerous... ready to sink his fangs into something, or someone within close eye, I thought. Hardly like he was now.

Underneath the photograph, was a set of contact details had anyone been fortunate enough to come across him. Heck, there was even a five-thousand dollar reward thrown in for anyone who rang-up with leads.

If known any leads on the whereabouts of Eric Northman, please contact immediately:

Pamela Swynford De Beaufort
Fangtasia co-owner, Shreveport, LA.
Available 6.00 p.m- 6.00 a.m

Underneath this Fangtasia co-owner's name, was a cell-phone number. I considered scribbling down the number and taking note of it, just in case I had decided later to call and make it known that this Eric Northman was hanging about after daylight outside Gran's yard, looking all pitiful and tragically vulnerable.

Then again, I was faced with two very hard decisions.

Clearly, this Eric Northman did not want to be found, and was perfectly content doing Lord knows what outside in Bon Temps at dark. Perhaps it wouldn't have been the best thing for the vamp to call this lady?

But, then again... This lady was clearly searching for him. Who knows how long she had been searching far and wide for him to return to her, or make any form of long-awaited contact with her? If she had been anything like me- if I had so-happened to have a loved one go missing- I would have felt frantic, with never giving up the search.

Mr. Compton's stunned words instantly came to mind: "Thirteen years, is how long you have been absent?"

Then, it all eventually clicked together. Mr. Compton had asked why this Eric Northman was not in Shreveport- where he belonged. And, judging by this missing person's piece, Fangtasia resided in Shreveport. Therefore, Eric Northman belonged in Shreveport, co-owning Fangtasia with this Pamela Swynford De Beaufort.

So, why in the Lord's holy name, was he not with her? Why did he so-happen to be miles away, here in Bon Temps?

While battling through all this in my mind, I finally came to a decision. And that was, that I would not be calling her with the information. At least, not yet anyhow. Not until I found out the reasons into why he was here in Bon Temps, that is. And, surely, it had to be because of something good. Something major. Was he hiding away for his life?

Something was just not... right. About any of it.