A/N: Hello my Readers! First and foremost i am soo soo very sorry for the delay, i have had serious writers block and couldn't find the inspiration for this chapter for some reason. So I know this is not going to be my best. Secondly, I have a poll (don't know if you know about it or if you even voted on it) that is helping me decide what my next FanFic should be based on. Right now it is pretty equal between all of the topics. So please please please vote on the poll and please please please review if you enjoyed this chapter. Thanks

Chapter 18: Dawn

Give me one more chance to be the one to love you

Give me one more chance to prove you wrong

Give me one more chance to say I'm sorry for the pain

I know I was a fool for letting you go

But I will be a better man

Just give me one more chance to be the one

Celeste had no idea how Sookie did it. After a few days of being trapped in Fangtasia, Eric constantly pocking and probing at her-trying to get into her pants (however, after the incident when they arrived she was sure not to repeat it again), she was more than happy to leave. Sookie came by ,obviously during the day, when one of the human employees was in, and easily took the stressed girl away from the vampire bar. However, a part of Celeste was weary of Sookie and her intentions. She didn't really like the telepath, and was constantly questioning her. At times Sookie was a cold-hearted bitch to her, and other times sweeter than iced tea on a scorching day. As she sat in the car, Celeste couldn't help but notice what she was wearing. A skin-tight white shirt with a green oval on the left side just above her breast with Merlotte's written in white, and black shorts.

"You work at Merlotte's?" Celeste leaned toward her to get a better look at the writing.

"Yeah," Sookie smiled. "I already told you this, Celeste."

"Oh. Right." Celeste leaned back in the seat, feeling embarrassed and stupid for her forgetfulness. They sat in silence, neither feeling the need to talk, rather, Celeste didn't feel the need. When she looked at what Sookie was wearing, then at her own attire, she felt like a tramp to say the least. Eric bought her a variety of clothes that she would never be caught in. Most of them were skin-tight, revealing, clothes that hardly covered her most private female parts-in particular her breasts. What she wore at the moment was a black mini-skirt that hugged her hips and flared out around her mid-thigh, translucent white stockings with a few inches of lace at the top that grazed the hem of the skirt, a one-size-to-small white tank top that hugged her skin like an anaconda constricting around its prey, squeezing the life out of it, and black and white checkered Daly stiletto pumps to tops it all off. Her naturally long wavy hair cascaded over her shoulders and down her breasts, covering the protruding masses better than any jacket. Celeste hated the fact that out of everything, what she wore was the only "suitable" outfit that could be conjured from the mass of lingerie and bikini like outfits.

She squeezed her thighs together, feeling completely exposed and vulnerable. She felt naked even though she had clothes, if that's what they could be called, on. Sookie could sense how uncomfortable Celeste was, but paid no mind to it. As far as Celeste was concerned, the more uncomfortable she felt, the better. Maybe then she might leave Eric if she knew what was good for her. In the back of her mind, Sookie was upset that Eric would pick out such things, but then again it was Eric, and he did like having easy access to his women whenever he wanted, but she also knew that the sight of Celeste in that outfit would probably give Sam a heart attack or a hard-on, which ever came first (she hoped the second one though).

"So," Sookie broke the silence, deciding it was time she got some questions answered. "how is living with Eric?" She looked at her for a few seconds then back at the road. Celeste rubbed her bare arms, her hands somewhat shaking.

"You don't want to know." She replied honestly. Sookie didn't want to know. Eric tried to take advantage of her every chance he got, whether it was setting her on his lap, trying to get his hands up her skirt or whatever she was wearing, or just dragging her away to another room-which he was never able to do, because something always required his attention or Pam interrupted, this irritated him to the point of insanity.

"Well it can't be that bad, sure Eric's a slime ball and everything, but even he has boundaries."

"If he does than I haven't seen them." Celeste grimaced.

"Besides, he has Pam to keep him in check right?" Sookie continued to pry.

"I would hardly call it that. Either she's advocating him on or trying to get me alone. Anyway, with both of them there there's no way I'm gonna survive without being raped." Sookie laughed at the comment, which caught her off guard, because Celeste was completely serious. There was no way possible that she was going to survive staying at Fangtasia with both of the most horny vampires she had ever seen breathing down her neck. "You find that amusing?" Her eyes narrowed at the telepath. Sookie slowly stopped laughing and looked at Celeste.

"It's just odd that you say that, since you have your field and all." She looked back at the road, a smile plastered to her face with small giggles emerging every now and then.

"My what?" Celeste shifted her body in Sookie's direction so that her back leaned against the side door and her knees pointed to the drivers seat. Sookie stopped laughing and looked at her from the corner of her eye.

"Your field Celeste? The one you put up to keep Eric away from you?" Sookie rolled her eyes and kept her gaze on the road.

"What field?" Celeste was becoming annoyed, and it showed when her voice went slightly higher. "What the hell are you talking about?" The car began to slow down, not deliberately, but because Sookie was confused and in deep thought. Celeste may have lost her memory, but did that mean she also lost her ability. She doubted it, because she tried to read her mind countless times, but she never got anything.

"Has Eric ever been unable to touch you?" She decided to change the wording of it so that Celeste could understand. Celeste looked at her quizzically, her eyes narrowed, brows pulled together. "I mean," Sookie began again. "has he ever tried to touch but couldn't? Like he was physically unable to?" She wasn't able to word it right to make Celeste understand the question. "Do you know what I mean?" She asked finally, her fingers curing around the steering wheel tighter. Celeste nodded her head slowly as she thought.

"Yeah . . ." She managed to drag out, and like a truck slamming into her, the light bulb lit up in her head. "Yeah!" She gave Sookie her full attention. "There was one time when he took me to his bedroom and tried to . . .well he tried stuff. And he threw me on the bed and he tried to get on top of me," Sookie tried not to imagine the disgusting scene-also trying to restrain herself from jumping over the seat and chocking Celeste. "but he couldn't." Celeste said. "It was like he was just hovering over me. Like an invisible sheet came out of no where." Celeste smiled at the memory. "And when he banged against it, he just flung back. It was the most surreal thing I have ever seen." She laughed. "The look on his face was so priceless."

"How long ago was this?" Sookie asked through slightly gritted teeth.

"A few days after we got here."

"Has it happened since then?"

"Nah," Celeste waved a hand in the air nonchalantly. "but Eric has been more careful now that I think about it. Actually, he hasn't messed with me as much since then, neither has Pam for that matter."

"Oh really." Sookie said with a little more interest than she liked. "So, are you happy about seeing Sam?" She quickly changed the subject.

"We're going to Merlotte's? I thought you were just gonna take me into town or something."

"Well, Merlotte's is in town, so I'll take you there first then show you around once I get off. Besides, I'm sure everyone is going to be more than happy to see you, so you'll have plenty of time to play catch-up with your friends." Sookie smiled.

"Friends?"

"Yeah." Sookie looked at her. "Lafayette. Tara. Terry. Lucy even, if we stop by Harry's and see if she's working today. And pretty much the rest of the town." Celeste didn't even try to understand what she was talking about. She had no idea who Sookie was talking about. Who was Lafayette? Who was Tara? Who was Terry? And the rest of the town? She had no idea what to expect or if the idea of even going with her was a good one anymore. But ever since she arrived to Louisiana everything started to feel familiar. She started to wonder if what Sookie, Eric, and Bill were saying was true. Did she loose her memory? And if so, how did it happen? But most importantly, did she want to remember what she lost? Celeste shook her head, trying not to think about it

Come on Celeste, you couldn't have lost your memory. You have a sister, a loving mother and father, and a great life . . .in Dallas. You didn't loose your memory, you couldn't have. These Louisiana people are just crazy that's all.

"I have a sister you know." Celeste started. She thought it was about time to convince people that they kidnapped the wrong girl. "Her names Christina, she's twenty-one."

"You never told me you had any siblings." Sookie looked at her quizzically.

"That's because you never asked." There was silence. "I'm also a member of the Fellowship of the Sun."

"Really." Sookie choked out the word. Celeste could see that mentioning it made her uncomfortable. She tried to think of more things to tell her, that would make her even more uneasy.

"A few months ago I captured my first vampire, definitely an experience with Rev. Newlin's help. And, before you guys arrived in Dallas, I was suppose to direct the Holy Bonfire-"

"You were suppose to do that?" Sookie yelled.

"Yeah." Celeste hid her grin. "I never met the vampire we captured, but he was supposed to die that day. Then it was a change of plans when Eric arrived, because then it was supposed to be him. Right now I wish it was him."

"How can you do that? Be so mean and hateful towards vampires . . .this is not like you, Celeste." Sookie said with concern.

"How do you know what's like me, Sookie?" Celeste's voice rose. "You don't even know me. You have no idea what my life is like, what I've done, what I've seen, or anything."

"A year ago you were-"

"A year ago I nearly died, Sookie."

"W-what?" The car came to a near stop. "What do you mean you nearly died?"

"My family and I were at a rodeo in central Dallas. It ran later than usual and it was dark out. My family went ahead of me to the car so I could get some last minute autographs from the cowboy's. By the time I left the stadium most of the cars were gone, and that's when I was nearly beaten to death. I went to the hospital with internal bleeding, broken and fractured ribs, dislocated shoulder, brain hemorrhaging, my humerus bone protruding from my right arm, and a stab wound to my stomach." Celeste lifted up her shirt, her perfectly flat and toned stomach showing, with only one imperfection: a scar, about three inches long, located under her left rib cage, right where her descending colon was located. Sookie let in a deep breath, the car coming to a complete stop. "I spent four months in recovery." Celeste said. She pulled her shirt down and adjusted in her seat. "You don't know me Sookie Stackhouse. So don't pretend that you do."

"Do you know who did it?" Sookie asked after a long moment of silence.

"Yeah, some son-of-a-bitch named Margo. Said it was payback for what I did. Unfortunately the police never caught the fucker."

Sam leaned against the bar, not sure of what to do. There wasn't much that required his attention, and it was only the afternoon so business was slow. All he could think about was Celeste and how a few days had passed since his invitation for her to visit the bar . . .him. After he told everyone that she was back, minor quarrels started and confusion was stitched in the air. Andy had gone to Fangtasia, a long with a few others, during the day to see if she was there, but came back empty handed. Sam told them it was a bad idea for them to go there, he knew Eric would not let Celeste wander so freely. However, amongst the newly informed public, Lafayette, Tara, and Terry calmed down fairly quickly. They were a few of the close friends Celeste had, and saw them on a regular basis in the past, but he feared that her absence might have built a wedge between the four people.

His thoughts were interrupted when Sookie entered the bar; he was surprised to see her back so soon, since whenever she asked for a break she would be back for a few hours. Sam could tell her breathing was heavy and that she was somewhat nervous, her eyes fixed on him like some kind of bull chasing after a red cape. She went around the bar next to him.

"We need to talk." Her accent punctuating her urgency.

"Okay." He nodded. She led him into to kitchen. "This isn't really private Sookie." Sam said, looking at Lafayette and Terry.

"Where is Tara?" Sookie asked.

"In the back." Lafayette said over his shoulder, plating a club sandwich.

"Terry, can you go get her please. All of you need to hear this." Terry jostled around for a moment, not sure of whether to continue what he was doing, which was shaping hamburger patties, or to go do what she said. When Sam tipped his head in Tara's direction, he went to go get her. They were back seconds later, Tara in a sour mode for some odd reason.

"What's this about?" Tara leaned against the island in the middle of the kitchen.

"It's about Celeste." Lafayette immediately stopped and turned around to face her. Sookie could tell by the looks on their faces that it was s tense situation. The mere mention of her name made them go stiff with anticipation. "Celeste is-"

"If your trying to tell us she's back, we know already." Terry interjected.

"Sam told us." Tara added.

"He also told us that she is at Fangtasia with Eric Northman. That true?" Lafayette put his hands in his pockets.

"Yeah. She's staying there with him until she gets her own place." She lied. "But that's not what I want to talk about. I brought Celeste here. She's in my car, just outside." Everyone seemed to stand more erect and looked through the windows at the front. Sookie's car was clearly visible, but no one could be seen in the inside.

"Well why doesn't she come in?" Tara asked.

"I told her to stay in the car."

"Why?" Lafayette questioned.

"Because there is something I need to tell you. All of you." Sookie looked at each other them, knowing that they were not going to like what she was about to say, and would not understand.

"Well spit it out." Sam stepped around her so that he could see her clearly, instead of standing side by side.

"I don't know how to say this, so I just am. Celeste lost her memory." At first there was a moment of silence. Lafayette crossed his arms over his chest and dropped his head down, his cousin almost doing the same thing. Terry looked at everyone, complete and utter confusion written all over his face. Sam's eyes narrowed at her, his brows pulling together as he contemplated what she said.

"What do you mean she lost her memory?" Terry asked. "Your joking right?"

"No Terry. Not at all. I would never joke about this."

"Really Sookie?" Tara took a step toward her. "Because you were the first one to find out that Celeste was alive, and you didn't tell any of us. But you told Sam, and we had to hear it from him?"

"I wasn't sure if I should tell anyone at the time."

"But it was okay to tell Sam?" Lafayette retorted, anger hinting in his voice.

"It's complicated Lafayette. When we found her she had no idea who we were." Sookie explained. "She doesn't remember me, Bill, Eric, Bon Temps, or any of you. We asked her as many questions humanly possible about what happened in the past year but she didn't remember anything about any of us."

"Then at the airport," Sam recollected. "She didn't even remember then?" Sookie dropped her head, remembering the scene.

"Now is not the times Sam. Celeste is unfamiliar with all of you, and it is your duty as her great friends-that she doesn't remember-to refamiliarize herself with ya'll. Celeste has changed a lot since last time, so don't be surprised if she gets all snappy with you."

As soon as Eric woke up he knew that Celeste was gone, and he knew exactly who did it. His natural response would be to anger and curiosity, then he would go after her and bring her back from some intense primal sex that he'd been waiting to have since he first laid eyes on her. However, Eric decided to be kind for the evening and allow Celeste to enjoy her little moment of freedom, because once she came back he was going to bring a storm of hell down on her, and he was going to enjoy every second of it.

Eric lazily got out of bed, rubbing the sleep from his eyes, before entering the shower and getting dressed. He could already hear the club filling with people and decided to go up before anything got out of control during his absence. Not much time later upon entering, Pam was in front of him.

"There is something we need to talk about." She said sternly.

"It can wait for a later time." Eric moved passed her and went to his common thrown at the front of the club and sat down. Eyes immediately moved to him and grins of seduction from fangbangers followed suit.

"This cannot wait Eric, you need to hear this." Pam insisted.

"Unless it is about finances then it's not important." Eric was starting to become annoyed.

"It's about Celeste." Eric shot a menacing glance at her. When she didn't flinch he decided to give in. They went to his office, closing the door behind them. He assumed it would be about Celeste's sudden recurrence, or the fact that he was spending so much time with her and not tending to the demanding obligations of his business. Eric sat down at his desk.

"What is this about, Pam?"

"Do you remember the night I called you while you were in Vegas? I was trying to tell you something important but you were . . .distracted, and hung up on me."

"I recall." Eric rolled his eyes; she acted like he was incapable of any sort of memory.

"Well," Pam, leaned against his desk, her expression serious and fixed. "Since Celeste went missing, I was hoping I would never have to tell you this. But since she is back, I think you should know."

Eric leaned forward in his seat, suddenly interested in what she had to tell him. It wasn't often that Pam withheld information from him, but when she did, it was usually for his sake. "Know what, Pam?"

Celeste tip her Miller Light bottle back and forth on the counter. It was late and the bar was starting to clear out, minus a few lingering bodies at the booths. She was surprised at how close and attached she became to the employees: Lafayette, Tara, and Terry. From where she sat she could see Lafayette and Terry starting to clear down the kitchen; for some odd reason a grin formed on her face and an overwhelming sensation of happiness and content came over her. She took a sip of her beer and leaned back in the seat as Tara grabbed herself one and leaned over the counter.

"So what's it feel like to be back?" Tara asked. "Is it the same as you remember?" Her expression suddenly hardened and she rolled her eyes. She could shoot herself in the foot for asking such a stupid question. She remembered what Sookie told her, about Celeste not being able to remember anything, and Tara honestly thought it was bullshit, until Celeste came inside and proved her wrong.

"Everybody keeps asking me that." Celeste wrapped both her hands around the body of her beer bottle. She made a noise with her tongue and shook her head. "But I suppose it can't be helped. I mean what if I did loose my memory? I haven't had any car accidents or any major events happen to me, maybe it's just God's way of saying, "There's something you need to forget. There's something you don't need to worry about anymore."

"That's fucked up." Tara took a gulp from her beer.

"Well it is what it is. I can't help what happened in the past, and honestly I could give a rats-ass about it. I forgot for a reason . . .so I ain't gonna try to figure out what happened." Celeste chugged down the rest of her beer, wiping the corner of her mouth as she set it down on the counter. Tara shifted her weight back and forth.

"Does that include the forgotten people that love you?" She asked boldly. Celeste dropped her head in defeat.

"I don't know." Her eyes met Tara's lazily. "Could you get me another one?"

"Sure." Tara pulled a cold one out and popped the lid before handing it to her. "I have to take care of some things in the back so I'll be back." Celeste tipped the bottle in her direction in affirmation and took a quick swig once she was out of sight. At the moment she hated Sookie Stackhouse. She couldn't believe that the person that insisted on bringing her here would bail out on taking her back to Fangtasia (not that she wanted to go back, but honestly, Celeste was in "uncharted" territory and had no where else to go.) She could picture Sookie at her house with Bill Compton there, laughing and giggling like some giddy teens that pulled a prank on an old man. A fit of anger started to boil inside of her, she was half tempted to throw the bottle on the ground just for the hell of it, but decided against it. At the thought, as if he read her mind, Sam Merlotte sat down on the seat next to her, turning his body so that he was completely facing her.

"You look like your fix'in to break something." He said.

"I just might," She looked at him then turned her body so that she was completely facing him. "but I'm in your bar, so I wont." Celeste smiled.

"I appreciate that. Last thing I want is Tara throwing another fit, because I told her to clean up the mess you made." He replied. Sam reached for the bottle in her hand and took it, stealing a few sips before giving it back. Celeste looked at the bottle and made a gagging sound. "Hey now I ain't go cooties or anything." Sam laughed.

"I'd hope so. Wouldn't want me getting sick because of you know would we?"

"If you do I'll take good care of ya."

"Beats going to a hospital." Celeste laughed. "Lord knows I've been in to many for my liking."

"It's the needles huh?" Sam teased. "You don't like Docter's sticking ya?" He pinched her bare arms playfully. Celeste gently pushed him away and hissed as she rubber her aggravated arms.

"No I don't like the needles. Look!" She flashed her arms, turning them this way and that at him. "Now I gotta a whole bunch of red marks on me because of your dumbass."

"Hey, this dumbass is letting you have drinks on the house, so you should be a little nicer to him or else he'll make you pay for all four beers you had tonight." Sam shot back, gesturing at the one in her hand. "Make that five."

"I'm sorry Mr. Merlotte. I'll be nice. I won't bad mouth you anymore." Celeste batted her lashes and turned the corner of her lips into a slight smile. Sam disregarded her expression with a small laugh.

"That's more like it." He replied. He placed his hands on her knees and slowly started rubbing them up and down her thighs. Celeste didn't mind in the slightest, on the contrary, she enjoyed it. Butterflies started to build in her stomach and her heart slowly began to pound in her chest with what felt like a giant anchor on it. Sam carefully started to lean in, but quickly stopped himself.

"It's umm, it's really late."

"Yeah." Celeste rolled her eyes.

"Sookie asked me to take you back to Shreveport, so if you wanna get your stuff, we can go." Sam stood up and wiped his suddenly sweaty hands on the front of his jeans.

"Stuff? I didn't bring anything." Celeste giggled.

"Well than we can just go." Sam grabbed his keys out of his pockets and headed toward the door, but stopped when Celeste spoke:

"Why can't I just stay with you?" She asked. Sam slowly turned around and put his hands in his pockets. "I mean, you said it's late. And honestly I'm really tired and I am in no rush at all to get back to Fangtasia. And it's a really long drive too and I wouldn't want you to drive back all the way here by yourself. So could I just crash with you and have you drive me back tomorrow?"

"Umm," Sam gripped his keys. The proposition sounded so inviting. To have Celeste all to himself for an entire evening, how could he refuse that? However, Sam didn't trust himself with her. So much had happened between them, and even more didn't happen, not to mention she lost her memory-it wouldn't feel right-he would just be taking advantage of her. "I don't think that's a good idea." He said finally.

"Why not? I can see you're tired Sam and I don't want you driven to and from Shreveport, and it'll be dawn soon so most likely Eric and them are hitting the ground and Ginger is gonna be gone so I'll be locked out anyway. Please Sam, can't I just stay with you tonight, you can drive me back as soon we wake up."

Sam closed his eyes and mentally cursed at himself. He knew it was a bad idea, but she was right. The sun was coming up slowly but surely, and by the time they would get to Fangtasia they would have to turn around since she would be locked out. If he could, Sam would have kicked himself in the ass for letting the situation get like this, but nothing else could be done. He made a mental note for this to never happen again.

"Come on," He gestured for her to come next to him. "You can stay with me tonight."