Disclaimer: I am not the owner of these characters. The original story and the characters belong to Charlaine Harris. I am only borrowing them for a little while.

Chapter 17

Sookie's POV

I didn't like to be the center of attention and right now everybody's eyes were on me. Ruben, Mario, and Stephan stared at me in a weird way. I couldn't read their minds, but the way they were looking at me made me feel uncomfortable. Eric was next to me in an instant as if something was about to happen.

"We need to figure this out, but it will have to wait until tomorrow. Sunrise is approaching," Sophie Anne said.

"We're going to offer security during the day time as it was agreed with Sookie," Alcide said. He looked at one of his pack members who nodded back to him and then he continued, "We've a truck that's sun proof. We'll keep guard all day. It's not luxury, but it'll fit y'all."

"I am the Queen, how can you expect me to trust my life in your hands?" Sophie Anne said.

"It's either that or you go underground. I'm sure there's a cemetery nearby," I snapped.

"I'll be there too your majesty. I trust my wife," Eric said.

There were so many things I wanted to talk to Eric… yet, there was never enough time.

"We need to go now," Bill said as he left Fangtasia through the front door; everybody followed him.

Without them in the room, I had a better view of the aftermath of the fight. The walls were covered with blood of who knows how many vampires. There were several broken tables and so many piles of guts splashed all over the floor.

Eric collected his sword and extended his other hand for me to hold it. For the first time, we walked holding hands. It felt so human, so normal. Eric locked the front door on our way out. I felt giggly when I looked down at our locked hands. Even though I just had his blood, I couldn't feel him the same way before I broke our blood bond, but I was starting to and if felt great. Soon we'll have our blood bond back.

When we walked out of Fangtasia, Sophie Anne and her group of vampires were gone while Eric's group was reluctantly getting inside the large U-Haul truck. Even the last three Oklahoma survivors were there.

"Where's Sophie Anne?" Eric asked.

"She left with her guards," Maxwell replied.

"Very well," Eric said as we walked towards the back of the U-Haul.

There were three boxes of True Blood set up against the far back corner and Rubio, Pam, and Karin, already had a bottle on hand. I was tempted to ask them if that would that be their dinner or breakfast, but I chose to keep my mouth shut.

"What happened to the vampire whose arm you amputated at the beginning of the fight?" I asked Eric.

"Sophie Anne took him with her," Bill replied.

Eric glared at Bill for butting in our private conversation. A silent conversation between Eric and Bill happened right in front of my eyes. I wanted to ask, but there wasn't any time. Bill went inside the U-Haul while minding his own business as Eric turned to face me and said, "tomorrow night we will talk and we will fix our marriage." He then kissed me deep but short, and off he went to join the others inside the truck. Using thick cloth materials, Alcide's pack members quickly sealed up the U-Haul to prevent the sun from permeating and then latched the rear door. I could feel Eric fading away as the sun was beginning to rise.

"We'll make sure nothing happens to them today," Alcide assured me.

His pack members stood there waiting for their Alpha, while Quinn stood near his car. I smiled at all of them; they all looked horrible. Not only were they a bloody mess, but they were also tired. Shifting always drained their energy. "Thank you from the bottom of my heart. I wouldn't have done it without y'alls help."

"Let's hope that these changes bring good things for all of us. Felipe de Castro cancelled several construction projects on us and gave them to other contractors; his friends," Alcide said.

"I'm sure things are going to change for your company," I replied.

"The Las Vegas vampires have been using my family to force me to fight the pits for them. I still have a few others on my 'to kill' list. That will happen soon enough," Quinn said. His words reminded me how much his mother and sister meant to him.

"I really hope you get to solve that problem soon. You deserve to have happiness and peace."

"You could have been part of that happiness and peace," Quinn replied.

I shook my head slowly urging him not to go there again. He got my message because he didn't add to his comment.

"I'm going to shower all of this blood and then go to sleep," I said.

"I can take you home if you want me to," Quinn offered. I was about to reply when he continued, "don't worry, I won't bring it up again."

After careful consideration I nodded. We all left with the exception of three werewolves that stayed to guard the vampires while they were dead to this world.

On the way home, Quinn and I spoke briefly about Fanny, his sister, and his quest to find her. For the most part, we were silent most of the ride. We were exhausted. The silence gave me space to think and one little detail hadn't escaped me: Sam was there during the fight, but he wasn't there afterwards. Where did he go? Why did he leave without talking to me? It was time to have a conversation with him about his strange behavior.

Quinn parked in front of my house and walked me to the front door. After a quick hug and a promise to keep in touch, he left. I took a shower and went to bed; my clean bed sheets felt good after this long night. It didn't take me long to fall asleep.

I woke up a little after noon. For a second I was strangely surprised that I wasn't sore at all, but then I remembered Eric had healed me. I smiled at the thought of the many possibilities I now had with him. Today was a good day.

After using the restroom, I went straight to fix myself a nice, hot cup of coffee, a toast, eggs, and bacon. I was starving!

Apparently I left hunger to dictate my cooking because I cooked too much food, but then I realized I could bring this to Jason for his breakfast. That way, I could use the food as an excuse to check on him; I really hoped that he was healed. I cooked more eggs and bacon and then packed the food.

On my way out of the kitchen I walked by my birthday gifts which were piled up on the table and I remembered I haven't checked Sam's gift. I opened the envelope and I had to sit down from my impression. I was officially one-third owner of Merlottes. My eyes got watery as I read the document. It was a sweet surprise. I was planning on talking to Sam about his strange attitude last night, but this has softened my heart again. I still had to talk to Sam, but I was no longer angry anymore. After all, he has always been good to me.

First things first, Jason. I took a quick shower, put on shorts, a t-shirt, and the tennis shoes were the final touch. I wanted to dress comfortably to visit Hotshot. Of course, I couldn't forget the Cluviel Dor which I put it in my pants' pocket.

The road was somewhat busy with people returning to work after their lunch break. I wasn't in a hurry, so a little traffic was ok with me.

Usually, Hotshot was totally empty, but today it was easy to find them… I just had to follow the commotion in front of the light pink house on my right. Several men were coming in and out of it. I parked in front of the property next to it and went to meet the two adults that were cutting some wood on the front yard.

"Mornin' y'all. You know where can I find Jason or Calvin?" I asked them.

"Follow me," said one of the men.

We walked past several broken pieces of kitchen cabinets that had been tossed on the front yard. The house was simple with furniture had seen better days, but the four children sitting on them watching TV didn't seem to mind. In one corner of the kitchen, the floor was full of cooking pans, plates, and cups. Everything was full of dust from the ongoing construction.

"Hey Sook," Jason called from one corner. He and another man, who I recognized from last night, were holding a set of cabinets, while Calvin secured it with an electric screwdriver.

Jason was completely healed. He was covered with wood dust and sweat. There were no traces of blood or even muscle discomfort. He looked as healthy as a horse.

"Jason, you're healed!" I said amazed.

"I told you he was going to heal," Calvin said.

As soon as Calvin finished using the electric screwdriver, Jason and the familiar faced man let go the cabinet as it stayed in place.

"I won't lie; I had my doubts because Jason isn't full blood. Now I see I had nothing to worry about," I told Calvin.

He gave me a small smile. I guess he wasn't happy I doubted his word, but hey, I was new at this half-werepanther thing.

"Calvin, I would like to thank you again for last night and for helping Jason. I wouldn't have accomplished my plans without your help," I said honestly.

He nodded, pleased with my words.

"I brought breakfast thinking you were going to be bedridden. Had I known I would have brought more food," I told Jason apologetically.

"You're a good sister," Calvin said.

"Could I treat you guys with Pizza for lunch?" I asked.

"Oh man, that would be great Sook," Jason replied.

"Only if you want to," Calvin replied afterwards.

"I would like to do that," I assured them.

I took my cell phone out of my pocket to call our local pizzeria. I stayed with them talking unimportant things while they continued working. It turned out the owner of the house, Liam, got a mid-year bonus at work and decided to remodel the kitchen cabinet with the money. Of course, that meant everybody in Hotshot had to help.

Four pizzas were delivered within thirty minutes or less, as it was advertised; everybody devoured them enthusiastically. The kids were the ones that enjoyed them the most. I only ate one slice since I just ate breakfast before coming here. I had to admit, it tasted delicious.

After pizza, Jason stopped working and we both walked out of the house towards my car. Then, I went home, but first agreed with Jason that he was going to come to my house in about an hour because I needed his help with something crazy I wanted to do. I wondered what was going to be Eric's reaction when he found out; the thought of it made me smile.

At home there wasn't much to do except the almost impossible task of removing the blood stains from last night's clothes. I could cook an early dinner too. That way I would have the rest of the afternoon off. I liked that idea. I put some water, salt, and oil, to boil and got some spaghetti out to cook. Then, I finished setting up the washer machine when I heard a car entering my driveway.

My schedule for the evening was full, so I wasn't very pleased at having an uninvited guest. I was even more astonished when I looked out the living room window to see that my caller was Donald Callaway. I'd wondered if I'd hear from him after Sam told me about the break-in, but I hadn't ever imagined I'd get a personal visit.

Donald, standing by his car, looked as crisp as he had the morning he's spent examining the contents of my attic: creased khakis, seer-sucker shirt, polished loafers. His salt-and-pepper hair and mustache were freshly trimmed, and he radiated a sort of middle-aged tan fitness. Golfer, maybe. He seemed to be having some difficulty.

I opened the door, worried about the boiling water, which should be ready for me to add the pasta at anytime.

"Hey, Mr. Callaway," I called. "What are you doing way out here?" And why didn't he approach?

"Can I come in for a second?" he asked.

"Okay," I said, and he started forward. "But I'm afraid I don't have a lot of time."

He was just a little surprised that I wasn't more cordial. I got a waft of wrongness. I dropped all my shields and looked inside his brain.

He was on the porch now, and I said, "Stop right there."

He looked at me with apparent surprise.

"What have you done?" I asked. "You've screwed me over somehow. You might as well tell me."

His eyes widened. "Are you human?"

"I'm human with extras. Spill it, Mr. Callaway."

He was almost frightened, but he was becoming angry, too. That was a bad combination. "I need that thing that was in the secret compartment."

Revelation. "You opened it first, before you showed it to me." It was my turn to be astonished.

"If I'd had any idea what that thing was, I'd never have told you," he said, regret weighing down his voice. "As it was, I thought it was worthless, and I thought I might as well boost my reputation for honesty."

"But you're not honest, are you?" I glided through his thoughts, my head tilted on one side. "You're a twisty bastard." The wards around the house had been trying to keep him out, but like an idiot, I'd invited him in.

He had the gall to be offended.

"Come on now, just trying to turn a buck and keep our business afloat in a bad economy." He thought he could tell me this, and I'd accept it? I checked him out quickly but thoroughly. I didn't think he had a gun, but he had a knife in a sheath slipped to his belt, just like many men who had to open boxes every day. It wasn't a big knife, but any knife was pretty damn frightening.

"Sookie," he continued, "I came out here tonight to do you a favor. I don't think you know that you have a valuable little item. Interest in this item is heating up, and word's getting around. You might find it a tad dangerous to keep it in your house. I'll be glad to put it in a safe at my office. I did some research on your behalf, and what you think may be a pretty thing your grandma left in the desk is something a few people do want for their private collection."

Not only had he opened the secret compartment and glanced at the contents before he'd called me to come look, he'd at least scanned the letter. The letter my grandmother had written to me. Thank God he hadn't had a chance to read it carefully. He was completely ignorant about me.

Something inside me caught fire. I was mad. Really mad.

"Come in," I said calmly. "We'll talk about it."

He was surprised, but relieved.

I smiled at him.

I turned and walked back to the kitchen. There were lots of weapons in the kitchen.

Callaway followed me, his loafers making little thwacks on the boards of the floor.

It would be very opportune if Jason arrived right now, but it was still too early. He should still be in Hotshot.

"So you did open the bag? You looked at it?" I said over my shoulder. "I don't know why Gran left me an old powder compact, but it is kind of pretty. Gran was sort of a crackpot; a sweet old lady, but real imaginative."

"So often our elderly relatives love things that don't really have much intrinsic value," the antiques dealer said. "In your case, your grandmother left you an item that is of interest only to a few specialized collectors."

"Really? What is it? She called it something crazy." I was still leading the way. I smiled to myself. I was pretty sure it wasn't a very pleasant smile.

He didn't hesitate. "It's a turn-of-the-century Valentine's Day present," he said. "Made out of soapstone. If you can open it, there's a little compartment for a lock of the hair of the person giving it."

"Really? I couldn't open it. You know how?" I was sure that only the intention to use it could open the cluviel dor.

"Yes, I'm pretty sure I can open it," he said, and he believed that, but he'd never tried. He hadn't had time that day, had only a quick glance at the cluviel dor and at the letter. He assumed that he'd be able to open the round object because he's never been thwarted when he'd tried to open similar antiques items before.

"That would be real interesting," I said. "And how many people are gonna bid on this old thing? How much money you think I could make?"

"At least two people are involved," he said. "But that's all you need, to make a little profit. Maybe you'd make as much as a thousand, though I'd have to take my cut."

"Why should I give you any? Why shouldn't I contact them myself?"

He sat at the kitchen table uninvited, while I went to the stove and threw in some spaghetti into the boiling water.

He was taken aback by my question, but he rallied. "Why, you don't want to deal with these people, young lady. They're pretty rough people. You want to let me do that. So it's only fair that I get a little recompense for my trouble."

"What if I don't want to let you 'do that'?" Steam rose from the boiling water and I moved the spaghetti with a spoon to prevent them from sticking together. I was monitoring his thoughts closely; as I should have done the day he'd been here working.

"Then I'll just take it," he said.

I turned to face him. He had some Mace and a knife. I heard the front door open and shut, very quickly. Callaway didn't hear it; he didn't know this house like I did.

"I won't give it up," I said flatly, my voice louder than it needed to be. "And you can't find it."

"I'm an antiques dealer," he said with absolute assurance. "I'm very good at finding old things."

He took a couple of steps towards me, holding the knife in a strong fist… ready to take me down.

Note: Would there be a day that Sookie wouldn't find herself in trouble? *evil smile*