A/N I would have had this posted last night, but FF didn't feel like cooperating. There's a bit going on, mostly Sookie's move so enjoy and let me know what you think! Reviews make me want to write more!

I was thankful that it was slow in Merlotte's today. I knew that this wasn't going to be a pleasant conversation, so the less people here to witness it the better in my opinion.

I saw Sam working at the bar and I walked up to him with a smile on my face. I tried to make it my genuine smile, but I was nervous and pissed at the same time. Sam had kept a huge secret from me and I was hell bent on finding out why. "Hello Sam."

He looked up and smiled when he saw me. "Hey Sook. What's up?"

"I need to talk to you in private."

"Sure. Let's head to my office." I walked back towards his office and when Sam caught up next to me I heard him sniff me and the air around us changed in that moment. I wasn't sure what it was, but I knew that it wasn't good.

We were barely out of sight of the customers when Sam grabbed my arm and started dragging me to his office. "Sam, what in the hell are you doing."

He didn't answer right away, he just shoved me into his office and slammed the door behind him. "What the fuck have you done Sookie?"

"What are you talking about?"

"I can smell him all over you and I can smell that you drank his blood. Do you have a death wish getting involved with vampires?"

Now I was completely pissed off at him and his attitude. "You have no right yelling at me about what I do in my life SHIFTER!"

He stopped short as I called him that, but I could fell that he was still angry with what I had done. "What I am has nothing to do with you hanging around with vampires. They will just use you Sookie, for your blood and your telepathy if they find out about it. You have to stay away from them."

"It's a little late for that Sam." I told him all that I had learned in the last couple of days about the vampires and what Eric was willing to do for me to keep me safe. "So I'm taking the Sheriff's protection to keep from being dragged away to become a slave."

"What exactly does this 'protection' entail?"

In any other scenario I would have laughed at Sam using air quotes when he said protection, but I was too angry to laugh. "Well, for starters he has given me a beautiful place to stay in Shreveport."

"How are you going to get back and forth to work in that old car of yours?"

"He also bought me a new car, but I won't have to worry about a long trek to and from work anymore,"

"He's making you quit?"

"He's doing it for my safety. I'm going to be working for him at Fangtasia from now on."

"You really do have a death wish. They are going to ruin you in a place like that. It's not right for you to work there Sookie." He paused and took a step closer to me. "I could protect you Sookie. I would be so good to you and for you." He placed his hands on my face and I could see him leaning in to kiss me and I quickly pulled away.

"Sam Merlotte, what in the hell do you think you are doing?"

"Sookie, I love you. I have loved you since the first moment that you walked into my bar looking for a job. I could keep you safe and we could be together."

"You have lost your mind. You say you love me and yet you never said anything until somebody else comes into the pictures, but I want you to answer me one very important question. How the fuck do you, a shifter who had no real powers, expect to keep me safe from a Vampire Queen?"

"We could move away from here. We could get married and live somewhere where there are no vampires. We could have a family and a happy peaceful life that I know you have always wanted."

Now I couldn't stop the crazy laughter that escaped my lips. "You are completely insane. You want to keep me from one prison by putting me in another. I have never seen you as more than a boss and a friend Sam Merlotte and I certainly don't love you and I definitely don't want to marry you. And I'm not about to let you or anyone else take me away from the little bit of family that I have left." I took a deep breath to calm myself down, but it didn't work, so I did the one thing that I came here to do. "Sam, I quit, effective immediately." I turned and walked out the door without looking back.

I was almost to the door when I caught a thought that made me stop in my tracks. I can't wait to get to that vampire bar and find another fangbanger to kill. Those vamps tried to take my Cindy, but I stopped her and I need to do the same for these other girls. They have to be stopped and I am the one to do it. I caught images from the mind of what he was planning on doing and I had to force back the bile that was rising up in my throat. I glanced around the bar to see who was thinking these things and realized that these thoughts were coming from Arlene's ex-husband and current boyfriend Rene Lanier. He had his back to me, so I went outside as quick as I could and scrambled up into my car.

My mind was racing. Rene was going to kill someone! I couldn't let that happen. I pulled my iPhone out of my bag and looked at it trying to figure out how it worked. Somehow through pure dumb luck I found the phonebook and called Eric's cell. I knew that he wouldn't be awake yet, but I needed to let him know what was going to happen as soon as possible.

His phone went to voicemail and my whole body tingled hearing his voice, but I couldn't focus on that now. "Hi Eric, it's Sookie and I know that you aren't going to be up for awhile, but I needed to tell you that a man is going to be coming to your bar tonight and he is going to look for a fangbanger to kill. I don't know when he is going to be there, but we have to stop him." I told Eric his name and gave him Rene's description in case he had a fake ID or didn't have a reason to show his ID. "Please be careful and call me when you wake up." I wanted to say more like I miss you and I really need to see you tonight, but that wasn't important now.

I disconnected the call and tossed my phone back in my back. I took a couple of deep breaths before starting up my car and heading back to Gran's house.

I was scared for the woman that Rene was going to go after. I was scared thinking about how many other women he had murdered. I was scared that something terrible was going to happen to Eric. All these things were going through my head, but I couldn't let these things take over my mind. It would just get me even more riled up, so I pushed them all aside for now so I could focus on moving into my new house.

It didn't take me long to turn onto the newly graveled driveway. I could see that the workers were already gone for the day. I looked at my clock and I saw that it was already after two in the afternoon. My stomach rumbled at that moment and I was amazed I could think about food after what I'd seen, but I would need my strength to pack.

I parked out front since it was closer to my room than the back door and I saw that Gran was sitting on the porch swing with her knitting and a glass of sweet tea. I got out and went around to the back to start unloading my boxes. "Hey Gran."

"Hi Dear. Didn't they do a wonderful job on the driveway?"

"They did Gran. I wouldn't expect anything less from Eric."

"He's very kind. When do I get to meet him?"

I had my arms full of boxes and Gran had kindly grabbed my other packing material as we went inside. "Well Gran, I don't know when you'll get to meet him, but there is something very important that I need to tell you, but I need you to promise that you won't say anything to anyone about this."

"Does this have anything to do with why Sam Merlotte called all frantic to talk to you a few minutes ago?"

"No, Sam's just upset that I quit and he doesn't think what I'm doing is right for me. I don't want to talk about it right now." I wished that I could forget all about that uncomfortable conversation, but I decided to just push it aside as we walked into my room. "Gran, I found a murderer at Merlotte's when I was there."

"Oh my Lord! Sookie, who is it?"

"It's Rene." I set my boxes down on my bed and focused on Gran as I told her the abridged version of what I'd heard. "It was so horrible Gran."

"Sookie, you need to call Bud Dearborn and let him know what it happening so he can stop it."

"Gran, I don't have any physical evidence that I can give. I heard it in his head. I know that he's going to be at Eric's bar tonight and Eric will find out what's going on and stop him." My growling stomach stopped any more conversation between us.

"You get to your packing and I'll go fix you some lunch."

"Thanks Gran." I turned on my little boom box to some country music as I started putting my boxes together and filling them up. Gran dropped of a sandwich, chips and a sweet tea a few minutes later and I ate as I packed. It didn't take me long to pack everything that I wanted to take with me. I fit everything, but my clothes into three boxes. I could probably get settled sooner than I thought.

After I finished eating I carried my boxes outside and brought my luggage inside. I laid them out on my bed and I rushed to get all of my clothes packed. For some reason I had the overwhelming need to spend the night in my new home. I didn't feel safe her in a house that I had been in since I was a little girl. I wanted to be in Shreveport before dark. Just thinking about being closer to Eric made me feel safer/

When I finished with my clothes I took my suitcases out to my car and took my new purse and the pen and paper I'd bought back to my room. I went through the papers that Bobby had given me and wrote down my address, home number and my cell phone number for Gran to have.

I packed everything into my new purse and made my way out to the porch where Gran was still sitting. She looked up at me as I stepped outside and she knew I was leaving for good. I could see the tears welling in her eyes. I tried to hold back my own tears as I sat down next to her. "Gran, it's okay. This will do us both good." I handed her my new information. "Here is my address and phone numbers. You can call me and visit me anytime you want."

"What about Jason?"

I'd forgotten about Jason with everything that was going on today. I was ready to deal with him another day, until I saw his truck coming up the driveway. I really didn't want to deal with him now, but I didn't have a choice as he parked his truck next to my new car, got out and made his way towards us. "Hey Gran, Sook. Who's car?"

"It's mine Jason."

"Where did you get the money for a ride like this?"

I had no idea what to tell him, but I didn't have to. Gran did it for me. "All you need to know Jason Stackhouse is that your sister has come into some good luck. She's gotten a new and better job in Shreveport. She had a nice place to live and a nice car as part of the package, so now you are going to have to keep a closer eye on your old Gran." I smiled over at Gran for making this easy on me. "Now your sister has to be on her way." I went over and gave Gran a big hug. "You call me when you get settled in."

"I will. Thank you Gran."

"Your welcome Sweetheart."

"Bye Gran." I pulled away from her and raced past Jason to my car. "Bye Jason." I got in before he could ask me any questions. As I pulled away, I realized that I didn't feel as bad as I thought I would leaving home. I knew that Gran was safe and that I was doing what I had to do and I was okay with that.

I followed the directions Bobby had left me and I felt a peace come over me as I pulled into my new driveway. I opened the garage door and backed in to easily unload my things.

I brought my boxes inside, but I left them in the living room. I didn't have the energy right now to carry them upstairs. I left my suitcases down here as well, then I took my new dishes and things into the kitchen. I loaded up the dishwasher and got that started, then set up my new coffee maker.

As I was doing that I realized that I was going to need to go to the grocery store. I would have rather taken a nice hot bath to relax before I had to unpack, but that would have to wait.

I got out my paper and pen and made a list of the necessities that I was going to need. It was a lot longer than I expected, but it was all stuff that I was going to need. It was only a little after six, so I had at least two hours before dark, so that would be plenty of time to get what I needed.

I was lucky there was a Save-A-Lot not to far away, so it didn't take me long to get there. I went up and down the aisles and got everything that I needed, plus some. I got the essentials; bread, butter, milk, coffee, sugar, plus eggs, bacon and a couple of boxes of cereal for breakfast. I also picked up some lunch meats and cheese, mayo and mustard, some frozen dinners that were on sale, some pre-made fruit salad, a couple of bottles of soda, orange juice, a frozen pizza for dinner and a six pack of True Blood in case Eric stopped by later.

I headed for the front of the store and I couldn't stop myself from checking out the books and magazines. I found a couple of cooking magazines that looked interesting and that I could share with Gran when I was done with them, and I also picked out a couple of romance novels. I also noticed the book that I had checked out of the library that I'd left behind and hadn't finished. I'd have to call Gran and ask if she could return them for me. I'd also have to find where the local library was so I could get a card when I had the chance.

I got in line and loaded all my items on the conveyor belt and I couldn't help picking out a big pack of spearmint gum and a king sized Twix bar. I paid for everything and headed out to the car.

As I was loading everything I realized that I didn't get any toiletries or paper products. I didn't want to go back into the grocery store, but I was lucky that there was a pharmacy right next door. I locked up the car, took care of my car and headed in.

I picked up shampoo, soap, toilet paper, paper towels, a tooth brush, toothpaste, mouth wash, tampons and a giant bottle of lavender bubble bath that was on sale. I was desperate to relax later on.

I went back out to the car with my purchases and I was quickly on my way home. The sky was starting to darken and I was getting a bad feeling in the pit of my stomach. I was worried that something terrible was going to happen to Eric. I knew that was unlikely, but I knew that I would feel better once I saw or heard from him.

I got back home, backed into the garage and closed the door behind me. I hoped that I would be in for the night, but I new that if Eric needed anything from me I would be out of her in a heart beat.

I brought everything inside and put away all of my groceries. I put my books, magazines, candy bar and gum in with my toiletries to take upstairs with me, then I put away most of the dishes. I found that there wasn't a utensil caddy, so that was the first thing I added to the list of things that I would need for the house.

I went through the kitchen, the downstairs bathroom and the laundry room to see what I needed. Just this floor of the house filled up an entire notebook page. Maybe I could get Eric to go with me and help me pick out everything that I would need. I looked out the window and saw that it was full dark outside now. I quickly checked my phone and he hadn't called yet. I didn't worry yet. He probably had things he had to take care of before he could call me.

I slid my phone in my pocket and decided to fix something to eat. I had a bowl of fruit instead of the pizza I had picked out. I didn't feel like waiting for it to cook. I also had a glass of soda, then I put my dishes in the dishwasher and decided to just get it over with and bring my stuff upstairs.

I knew as I went upstairs that I should stay in one of the guest rooms, but I had a feeling that I would be safer in the master bedroom. I felt closer to Eric as I stepped inside and I liked that feeling very much.

It took four trips for me to get everything upstairs. I really wanted to relax now, but it would be more satisfying when I had everything put away.

Two of the boxes where filled with mementoes and stuffed animals that was kind of silly, so I put those off to the side. I went to put my suitcases on the bed and I noticed that it was still all ruffled from where Eric and I had been jumping up and down the night before. I couldn't stop a smile from spreading across my face, but as I thought about Eric I realized that he couldn't even come into his own house anymore. I didn't like that thought, so I decided to remedy that. I didn't know if this would work or not, but I was going to do it anyway. "Eric Northman, wherever you are, I invite you into my home." I felt better after doing that.

I opened my suitcases and started putting my clothes away. I noticed that he had cleared out the dresser for me and that made me smile. I wonder if he was thinking about me half as much as I was thinking about him. I checked my phone and still no call. I pushed my disappointment away.

I went to the closet hoping he had hangers for the few nice things that I had to hang up. I found that he had a huge walk in closet and that wasn't what surprised me the most. He had cleared half of the closet for me and left me plenty of hangers. I pushed back the happy tears and continued with my task.

When all my clothes and shoes were put away and I slid the two boxes into the back of the closet I went and got my first glimpse of the bathroom. I stopped short when I walked inside. The bathroom was almost as big as the bedroom. There was a huge walk in shower that could fit at least a have a dozen people and had more showerheads than I had ever seen, but that wasn't what held my attention. The tub that looked more like a small pool was what held my attention. There were jets and a detachable showerhead and I knew I was in heaven.

I quickly put away all of my toiletries and started filling up the tub. I added lots of bubble bath and just the smell helped me relax. This was going to be very enjoyable.

I grabbed my Viking book, set that and my phone on the edge of the tub, took off my clothes and noticing that I would need to pick up a hamper and slid into the bubble filled water.

I felt like a princess with this small amount of luxury. I turned the jets on, and I just laid my head back and cleared my mind. My book was forgotten for now and just focused on relaxing. I should have been focused on my surroundings so that I wouldn't have been surprised when I heard a deep voice close to my ear say, "Hello Sookie."