A/N: So here is the latest chapter, hope you enjoy it. Reviews are greatly appreciated. I will be completely honest, this is a little bit different from my usual posts, but I wanted to make it a bit more interesting from the beginning. And just so you know, because I have been asked this quite a bit, nothing happened between Sookie and Eric during that year. Sookie stayed "loyal" to Bill and Eric, well Eric was Eric lol.

Chapter 16: Planting the Seeds of Deception

Sookie tapped her foot on the floor, her arms crossed over her chest, as she observed Celeste. They were on a private jet back to Bon Temps and Sookie was more than happy to be leaving. Celeste sat directly across from her, gazing out the window-looking at the billions of stars through the haze of clouds-in an anything but simple black dress that hugged every part of her skin, that Eric undoubtedly made her wear, with black pumps, courtesy of Eric as well, Sookie assumed. The only thing separating the two women was a large table connected to the wall of the jet, covered with magazines, two wine glasses, and a bottle of wine that neither drank. Sookie's eyes squinted at the sight of Celeste.

How could Eric want that? She thought. She's not that pretty, and she doesn't even remember us for Christ sake! How could he still want her when she doesn't even know him? Yes, Eric loves a challenge. He thrives on obtaining women he can't have, like me, but I think that's what makes Celeste and I different. Sookie thought about this even deeper. With me, my attitude is enough to keep him away . . .sometimes. But with Celeste, being able to physically keep Eric at a distance? Well I guess he would find the appeal in that, since after all, if he did conquer the one woman that could keep him away, then there was nothing he couldn't do. Not to mention that would skyrocket his ego, which is big enough as it is. Maybe that is why he is so set on getting to her. Does that make me unchallenging now? Does that mean he is going to continue to loose interest until he gets what he wants?

Sookie stopped thinking about it and decided to use a different tactic. She figured that if Celeste didn't remember her or Bill or Eric, then she wasn't going to remember anybody else in Bon Temps, and she knew that Sam was going to be at the airport once they arrived, so maybe she could start convincing Celeste that Sam was the better choice early on.

"Hey, Celeste?" Sookie put on a fake smile and rest her arms on the table. Celeste looked at her from the corner of her eye, then back out the window. "Celeste, can we talk? Please?" Sookie easily hid her ignited frustration.

"For?" Celeste didn't look at Sookie when she replied.

"Well just to talk. I mean, I know all of this is weird for you, seeing as you have no idea what's going on, but I was hoping that you and I could get to know each other; I get the feeling that we're going to be seeing each other a lot."

"Now what would give you that impression?" Celeste turned around and looked at Sookie. Sookie took a deep breath and put on a small smile.

"Eric really-"

"Don't even get me started on the asshole." Celeste abruptly cut off. "He kidnaps me. Assaults me. Forces me to wear these stripper clothes. Makes me get on a plane to go to some town I've never even heard of, and at the same time, expects to get all close and personal with him and eventually get in his bed. I hate that vamps guts with a passion, so don't talk to me about that fucker." Celeste crossed her arms over her chest and leaned back into the seat, her face becoming heated with rage and a tint of red appearing on her cheeks and forehead.

"I did not know you felt that way." Sookie lied. She reached out and grabbed Celeste's hand, pulling it from her body so that both were set on top of each other in the center of the table. "Just so you know, I hate him too. Eric is always trying to get between me and Bill, and at one point I thought he would try to take advantage of me while we were in Dallas. I mean it's bad enough that he tricked me into drinking his blood, but to do this, it's horrible." Celeste gave Sookie a really quick once over, her brows furrowed together, creating small wrinkles where they met, her mouth slightly hanging open. She slowly tugged her hand away.

"Yeah, compared to you my life is a breeze. I don't have two leeches trying to mess with me." She replied sarcastically. "Where the hell are we going anyway? Where is Bon Temps?" She changed the subject. Sookies' lips curled into a snarl as she sat back in the seat, which quickly disappeared when Celeste returned her gaze.

"It's in Louisiana." She replied.

"Louisiana?" Celeste said in disgust. "Louisiana? With just a bunch of rednecks and cow herders? Oh hell no."

Sookie hid her now inflamed anger with a laugh. "Well we do have rednecks, but no cow herders. Bon Temps is a really nice place once you get to know it."

"I don't want to get to know it." Celeste snapped. "I want to go back to Dallas and be with my family and friends and the Fellowship, not with a whole bunch of hillbilly's that live on a swamp."

"It's not that bad, really. Yeah it's a small town, but in a way it's like we're all family. Not to mention there is this place called Merlottes. It's kind of the place everyone goes to after a long day of work or to just hang out with friends. My friend and boss Sam Merlotte owns the place. I'm gonna take you there once we get to town."

"I ain't going anywhere." Celeste tapped her food on the ground. "Someone is going to have to drag me off of this plane to get me anywhere near that town."

"Eric will do it." There was silence for a moment, neither Sookie nor Celeste saying anything. Sookie bit on her tongue to bite back the raging furry building inside her. Listening to Celeste talk down on her town, the one she had been born in and come to know and love, infuriated her. Yes, Bon Temps had it's fair share of problems, but to hear Celeste speak of it as if it was some, some, well she didn't know, but to speak about it that way did not sit well with Sookie Stackhouse at all. But she controlled herself, remembering what she was trying to do. Warm her up about Sam, that's all you gotta do Sookie. Just warm her up. She though behind closed eyes. "You know, my boss, he's really cute." Sookie said nonchalantly. Celeste rolled her eyes and looked back out the window. "Actually, I think I have a picture of him in my phone." Sookie rummaged through her purse, grabbing her phone and flipping it open. She quickly found the picture and put it out for Celeste to see. At first she didn't pay any attention, but decidedly looked at the picture. It was a man at a bar, with scruffy hair and a blue plaid shirt on, scrubbing down the counter with a cloth. The picture focused on his face, showing all his features.

"What was his name again?" Celeste asked.

"Sam." She replied. Celeste looked at his features more, noticing his gentle smile, strong hands, relaxed figure.

"His hair is really shaggy," She grinned. "It reminds me of a dog." Sookie took her phone and closed it.

"You have no idea." She laughed in response. "He's a like a dog in some ways: gentle, protective, attentative. And he's always there when you need him. But at the end of the day, he is still a man."

"What's that suppose to mean?" Celeste leaned against the table. I've got her now. Sookie inwardly grinned.

"Men have needs, to put it simply. Sam, he can be your friend one minute, then something completely different the next. I'm not saying he is a player or anything. But he can be what you need him to be when you need it: a friend, shrink, stranger, even lover. I think that's the most appealing thing about him. He's so versatile, flexible. Sam always knows just the right thing to say and when to say it." Sookie had to keep from laughing as she spoke about her boss. She was practically lying through her teeth about Sam: the Sam she knew wasn't any of those things, aside from the dog part.

"He sounds interesting."

"He is, more than you know. Sam is a very kind and caring man, the kind you would expect to be married and have kids and live in a wonderful house like in those Hollywood movies or som-"

"He's no married?" Celeste interjected.

"Nope, no kids either. Doesn't even have a girlfriend. Sam hasn't had that many relationships and isn't hasty to get into one, but he is always ready and willing to. With most guys now-a-days it's 'sleep with you first then get to know you later', kinda like my brother Jason. But Sam likes to take it slow, call him 'old-fashioned'."

"From what you're telling me, he sounds like a nice guy, so why hasn't he settled down or anything now?" Celeste asked out of pure curiosity. Sookie pretended to think for a moment.

"Probably because he's been hurt so much in the past. I mean there is only so much pain and suffering a person can take, and Sam had endured a lot more than most. It's only natural that he would be cautious and hesitant about entering a new relationship. He's afraid of getting hurt: Sam's only protecting himself."

"That's understandable I guess." Celeste slumped back into the seat, her eye lids feeling suddenly heavy with fatigue. "Do you know how much longer until we land?" Sookie looked at her phone.

"About five more hours I think."

"Okay." Celeste yawned. "I'm gonna go to the back and get some shut eye, since it's pretty obvious I'm gonna be stuck here." Celeste stood up and stretched out her limbs gingerly, giving Sookie a lazy solute before going to the back and grabbing a blanket and pillow from the holders above her head and making a bed out of two seats, fluffing the pillow before lying down and pulling the blanket over her. Sookie looked over her shoulder at Celeste, only seeing her dangling bare feet over the edge with the black pumps right below them. She turned back around and adjusted in her seat.

"Job well done, Sookie. Job well done." She grinned as she grabbed the bottle of wine and poured herself a glass.

When Eric woke up he could clearly hear Celestes' and Sookies' voice. The plane had landed and he could feel the Anubis coffin transport moving; when it stopped he diligently got out of it, fixing his grey suit jacket and slicking his hair back on the sides. He looked at the plane, noticing the women had not stepped out yet, he used this moment to gather his thoughts. When he told Bill at Hotel Camilla that Celeste did not remember him, and later found out that she did not remembering anything, not even Bon Temps, Bill pulled him to the side:

"What do you plan on doing with her Eric?" Bill asked.

"I have yet to figure that out."

"I know that you and Celeste were very close, but this? Do you really think you should be doing this to a woman that apparently thinks she does not know you or any of us for that matter?"

"I must try Bill." Eric pressed, imagining the Celeste he knew before they left to Las Vegas. "Celeste and I have some unfinished business."

"And what would that be?" Bill was not following him.

"None of which concerns you."

"Eric, may I suggest that if you are going to . . .court Celeste, so that you may finish the matter you have started with her, that you be gentle and attentative to her needs. She is not going to run into your arms if you are brutish and uncaring."

"Your counsel is not needed. If I seek it, then I shall ask."

Eric pulled on the sleeves of his suit jacket and thought about what Bill said. Yes, what he said was true, but it came from Bill Compton. Besides, Eric was going to handle the situation the way he wanted to, no matter what anyone said. As he approached the steps up to the jet Celeste and Sookie started to exit, a small smile on both of their faces. Eric gave Celeste a very slow once over, his eyes glazing over with lust almost immediately. He licked his bottom lip as she steeped down, her eyes finally catching his.

"See. I told you that dress suits you." He grinned.

"For your taste maybe." She retorted.

"Of course. You're only going to be wearing want I want you to." Eric smirked.

"What?" Celeste shot him a glare that made his skin crawl in the best way possible. "I don't think."

"Well you don't have any of your own clothes, so that means we are going to have to get you some. And I'll buy what I want you to wear."

"That's not fair!" She yelled, balling her hands into fists at her side and stomping her foot on the ground. To Eric she looked like a little girl throwing a temper tantrum, and quickly covered his mouth to keep from licking his lips, imagining her in a school girl costume with her long hair in two pigtails. "You took me by force so I couldn't get anything. You kidnapped me you son-of-a-bitch!"

"Call it what you like, kidnapping, abduction-it makes no difference to me. Just know that you are here now, and you're not going anywhere." Eric gave her a very slow once over again, his eyes stopping momentarily at the spot between her thighs he couldn't wait to be emerged in. He shoved his hands in his pocket and headed for the limo that sat a few yards away, the driver already holding the door open. A few moments later Bill emerged and went over to Sookie, taking her hand in his. Bill bent down to her ear, Celeste slightly flinched at the sudden movement.

"Don't worry about Eric." He whispered. "He is this way with everyone." Bill stood back up and gave her a reassuring smile. She didn't know why, but even though she was technically kidnapped, she didn't feel like it. A part of her, a far off distant part felt like she knew them-and that made her curious. Even though she hated to admit it, she felt comfortable around them, especially Bill-not that she had any attraction towards him. She returned his smile with one of her own and proceeded to the limo, but abruptly stopped when she noticed Eric stopped moving. He looked over his shoulder then back to the direction in front of him. Celeste looked past him and saw, on the other side of the platform where a large open gate was, stood a man. She stepped closer to get a better look at him and suddenly recognized the stranger.

"Sam?" She asked as if she knew him. Sam walked over to them, stepping around the limo but was stopped by Eric's hand pressed against his chest, keeping him from moving towards Celeste.

"Shifter. What are you doing here?" He asked with as much composure as possible.

"I let you take her away from me once Eric, I'm not gonna let it happen again." Sam retorted.

"It seems you have no choice." Eric moved his face closer to Sams', so that no other could hear. "Press me in this matter, and you will lose." Sam shot him a glare out of the corner of his eye and pushed his hand away, not speaking another word. He approached Celeste again, glancing at Sookie from the corner of his eye, who gave him an approving nod with a matching grin.

As Sam moved closer she noticed he was carrying a bouquet of flowers. He stopped in front of her and held up the flowers. "I remember you telling me tulips were your favorite." He said nervously as he handed them to her. Celeste hesitantly took them, looking at Eric who stood far away from them, then at the flowers. The plastic and colorful paper crackled and crunched under her fingers as she smelt them. It was a very nice bouquet with white, yellow, orange, pink, and red tulips. The corner of her lips curled into a smile.

"Thank you." She replied. "They're beautiful." There was something oddly familiar about Sam, something she was interested about and found it hard to resist. His boyish features, fit body, shaggy hair, and charismatic smile made her feel a little warm inside for some reason. It was a good feeling, something different and unique. Sam ran his fingers through his hair and constantly looked from the ground just to meet her eyes then divert back to the ground. "You look different, in person." Celeste said, comparing the real him to the picture Sookie showed her.

"You haven't changed at all. You look amazing." Sam gave her a slow once over. Not the one she was used to by Eric, his predatory gaze taking in every part of her like he was going to devour her in one bite, Sam's was different; when he looked at her Celeste felt as if he were admiring her, appreciating her in a way.

"Thank you. So, what are you doing here?" She asked. Sam glanced over at Sookie. Her eyes were suddenly large with fear and she shook her head 'no' lightly. He gave her a peculiar look then decided to not mention her.

"Well, word got around fast that you were comin'. I guess I decided I wanted to see you before anyone else did, I know you're gonna be real busy once you see everyone again." He smiled. Celeste wasn't sure of what he was talking about, but decided to play it off.

"Yeah, I guess. But it's really kind of you to come here Sam, I really appreciate it."

"No problem Cici." Celeste's face immediately lit up, she hid a laugh with her hand.

"You even know my nickname?"

"Of course. Besides, you always said you preferred it if you were called that."

"Yeah," Celeste nodded her head. "Yeah I guess I did."

"It's time to go." Eric barked in front of them, the anger hardly hidden in his voice. Bill and Sookie made their way to the car, while Sam and Celeste stayed where they were.

"You know I can take you home, if you'd like." Sam suggested, pushing his hands into his back pockets. Celeste looked down at the flowers, cradled in her arm, then at Sam.

"Home? I don't even know where home is. I'd think it'd be best if I just left with them Sam."

"I understand Cici. You just got back, you need to get settled and all that. Just . . .just give me a call or something if you need anything."

"But I don't have you're number."

"Stop my Merlottes then. You still know where that is don't you?" He grinned. Suddenly, in image of a bar entered her mind, one with a flashing green neon sign at night. Celeste knew it was Merlottes, the sign said it, and it gave off a familiar vibe, that she seemed to be getting a lot of recently.

"Yeah. Yeah I still know." She smiled.

"Good." Sam nodded his head in approval. "Drop by soon, because um . . .I really want to, well I really just want to see you again." He gave her another smile then turned on the heel of boot and exited the platform, glancing back at Celeste every now and then before disappearing into his truck and driving off. Celeste smelt the flowers again and clutched the close to her chest.

Celeste went to the limo and quickly entered, a small grin plastered on her face. It wasn't until she entered that she noticed Eric was already inside. Celeste sat at the end of the limo, while Eric sat on the middle cushion, and Bill and Sookie sat together on the other end of the limo, directly across from Celeste. The door shut behind her and soon the limo rod off. There was momentary silence, nobody sure of what to say.

"Those are beautiful flowers Celeste." Sookie broke the silence. "What are they again?"

"Tulips," She grazed her finger across the petal of one of the yellow flowers. "My favorite."

"Isn't that just sweet Bill?" Sookie grabbed his hand and squeezed it gently. "It's her first day back and already people are giving her beautiful gifts." She grinned.

"You know what Sookie, I think I'm going to like Bon Temps a little." She smiled, smelling the flowers again. "Who knows, it just might grow on me." Celeste glanced at Sookie over the flowers, Sookie replied with a small wink and smile. Unexpectedly, the bouquet of colorful tulips were ripped from her hands and a fraction of a second later they were exploding in the air. Before Celeste could react she saw the wrapping on the floor and the flowers turned into confetti as they trickled down from the air, scattering across the floor like colorful ripped pieces of paper. Water glazed over her eyes, her lips curled into a snarl, her jaw clenched; her gaze went from the destroyed bouquet to Eric, who sat back gingerly and clenched and unclenched his fist.

"You monster!" Celeste pounced on him and pounded on her chest, hitting his face every now and then. Eric caught her hands easily and threw her back onto the couch, not roughly, but just enough to make her hit her back against the seat with some force. "You son-of-a-bitch. Why would you do that? Those were mine! Mine!"

Eric looked from the obliterated bouquet to Celeste. "They smelt horrible." He replied with a completely stoic expression.