A/N Sorry for the delay with this. You see – sometimes I get what Sephrenia calls, "Add-On-Its." It is contagious but no one seems to mind when I get a flare up. So, I went back to this Episode and added about 3K more words to it. Again, no one seems to mind when this happens but it does cause delays in posting. I'm sorry.
Okay, so….we gotta talk about Sunday's episode.
Did anyone else find the HBO's first episode seriously Anticlimactic ? Yeah, me too.
I do have a lot of questions regarding the episode and I will post them between the *** so if you haven't seen the episode, please scroll down. You ready? Okay…
Okay, for those of you who have seen the episode or those of you who just are curious, here are my questions.
1) WTF – Tara's off in the first five minutes? Seriously? Who did she piss off?
2) All of a sudden Sookie can't keep out of peoples heads? Again WTF?
3) You would think after 6 seasons, Sookie would learn not to walk home when Armageddon is approaching in the dark with crazy ass Vamps who can smell her blood. How dumb is this chick? She seriously gives us blondes a bad wrap.
4) What was the point of playing Russian Roulette?
5) Alcide thinks all the town's problems are because of Sookie and she says sorry and jumps in bed with him? Really? Again – WHAT THE FUCK!
6) What did Jessica think she was going to accomplish by staying out side as the sun rose? The Flipping Vamp is dying. He isn't going to run for shelter. Now she's giving redheads a bad name.
7) What happen to Sookie's boobs (that one came from my husband)?
8) What was up with the map that they flashed and Pam wouldn't allow us to see?
9) How are kids the only ones not infected and if they are why are the Hep-V Vamps in Bon Temps taking people? Stupid Vamps.
10) Did anyone think that that dude that was jumping all over Sam about being a dog looks like Burrell?
11) Sam doesn't seem to upset that the Vamps have his wife and daughter? You would think he and Alcide could sniff them out a bit. And why did he turn into a dog and not something that could fly?
12) Wait…Vamps can smoke a bong? Um… yeah.
So, now that I got the questions out of the way, I think we could have a contest… Who was the stupidest person (human or creature) of the episode. What do you think?
My vote goes for Sookie. Seriously girl, walking in the dark in Bon Temps = dead blond chick.
Thanks to my Beta Goddesses and of course my partner in crime. Thank you to all who are reading this and recommending it to other groups and sites. Thank you very much. You are making my day.
So, please, read, respond, post your own questions and don't forget to give us your vote for Stupidest creature of the episode (not ours, HBO's version) (Laugh- you know that was funny).
***0***
Episode 7 It's a Dog eat Dog World
***0***
Alcide's POV
I walk out onto the porch as Sam pulls up. After our little conversation, it was suggested by Nicole that we both get the hell out of her house. Not wanting to upset his very pregnant wife, Sam decided he was going to look around town for some answers and I was going to see what I could find at the farmhouse. Since he really didn't have anywhere else to go, we'd decided to meet back at the Farmhouse at three which incidentally was almost an hour ago. I'm hoping his lateness means he found something, anything that could help us with our current situation.
Watching him get out of the car, he looks around before heading up to meet me.
"Find anything?" I ask him.
He shakes his head. "It ain't good Alcide. No one has seen hide nor hair of any of them," he says. "Lafayette is gone too."
"What you mean Lafayette is gone? We just saw him at your fucking shing-dig last night," I growl at him. "He was there and so were those two Vamps!"
"I'm telling you what I know, Alcide," Sam says to me. "Lafayette ain't home and he ain't at the bar. He didn't show and he didn't call. No one knows where Tara and Willa are either. When I went to talk to Arlene, she said she saw them both leave the party about an hour after you and Sookie did. Jessica show up for a few minutes last night but Arlene said that she told them she had something to do."
"I talked to a few people down in town. The rumor is that the authorities took Andy last fucking night after a Vamp took off with Adilyn. From what I'm hearing, it was only one Vamp and I think it was Jessica but only Bill will be able to confirm that. Holly is going crazy down at the police station. Jason is trying to keep her calm but she wants answers as do a lot of people. Jason is trying to assure them that it wasn't one of those Hep-V Vamps and that we aren't certain it was a Vamp at all but no one's buying that. Holly said she showed up just in time to see the military take Andy and they wouldn't give her any answers."
"So Jason's still in town?" I ask him not really caring about the rest of his story.
I know I should care but right now we have enough on our plate. Sookie was my concern, Adilyn isn't.
Maybe things aren't as bad as we think if he's still around. After all, if there is one thing I know is how much Sookie cares about those she considers family. There is no way she would leave her brother here to swing in the wind if she knew what was planned for her. She would know that Jason would be the first person they'd use to get to her if she ran. Hell, it really is only logical. If she knew what was going on then she'd tell everyone close to her to run. If Jason didn't, then we still may have a chance in finding her and convincing her to come back. It's either that or we will all be up the creek without a paddle.
"Yeah Jason's down at the police station but he ain't saying shit," Sam says as he throws his hands up and walks to the other side of the porch. "He told me that someone from the government will be around tonight to explain what happened out at Andy's place. All he'd say was that it had something to do with his own protection."
"What the hell did Andy do?" I ask.
He shakes his head. "I don't know but Holly says that the military guys were claiming it had something to do with a Vampire attack but you and I know that's bullshit because the only Hep-V Vamps were the ones the military had. So either Andy went after them when they tried to take Adilyn or they are holding him until they can find her."
"What did he say about the rest of them?" I ask.
He shrugs. "He said that he'll have to check with Shreveport PD if we think something happened to Tara or Willa. That until we can have someone check the bar and their home that nothing can be done and the fact that Lafayette isn't home doesn't mean anything's wrong. We can't file a missing person until he's gone for 72 hours anyway and he said at this point, the best person to inform that Tara and Willa are missing is Bill but he doesn't know that Bill is back in town so he said he would try to contact him tonight. It's looking like Pam took her away like you all thought. She doesn't seem to be anywhere in town and no one has seen her. If they are all hiding together than no one is talking."
I shake my head. I was still holding out hope that Pam used the plane as a diversion and she's somewhere around Shreveport. Sookie wouldn't just up and run. It isn't like her to do something like that. Not when everything she loves is here. I can't see her running off with Pam like that but it's starting to look like she's done just that.
"Well, did you tell Jason that we think his sister is missing?" I ask walking over to him getting even more frustrated.
"Yeah, I told him." he nods. "He wanted to know why you weren't down there talking to him yourself. He told me to go home and he'd come and check on Sookie as soon as his shift was done. But since you weren't the one that was reporting it he would wait and see for himself." he shakes his head. "I'm telling ya, Alcide, he knows something. Stackhouse ain't ever been what you would call bright or even considerate of others but he's always worried about Sookie. If he thought for one minute Sookie was in harm's way, he'd come running. This just ain't right."
"If he knows something, then why isn't he gone too?" I ask. "If he knew about Sookie, Bill and those military asshats, why wouldn't he be gone like those Vamps and Lafayette?"
"I don't fucking know Alcide, alright! All I know is what he fucking told me. If you wanted more information why didn't you call him yourself?"
"Cause I was here trying to find anything that would tell me what she knew and where she was headed," I say as I start to pace the length of the porch. "I am walking a razor's edge here, Merlotte. If I make too many waves, I can make things worse. If anyone gets wind that I'm making inquiries on the woman I love and her friends, I'm afraid that Tisdale would either get pissed or take someone he thinks will help him use against her," I rub the back of my neck with my hand. "Sookie will never forgive me if I mix her brother up in all this."
"Like the military wouldn't know that he's her brother, Alcide," he shakes his head at me. "They are probably going to come and get him and make it look like he's working for them or something. Oh, and you think getting her brother involved will upset her? Never mind that it was your idea to give her to those military people in the first place."
"Don't you think I know that?" I scream at him. This cluster fuck just keeps getting better. "Look, they promised Bill to leave all her friends and family alone if she didn't put up much of a fuss. Bill knew that if Sookie knew that her friends and family were in danger, she'd do what they asked once they got her to the facility. But now with her gone," I shake my head. "I don't know what they'll do."
Shit, that means, my ass is in the fire now as well as Sam's and Nicole's. Fucking Bill and his ideas. He's gonna get us all killed.
"This is nuts," I shake my head. "There is no way that she could have known what was up."
"You don't know that," he says. "She could have known about this for a while or do you forget what she can do?"
"I made sure that I never thought about it," I say to him. "Plus, she made me a promise to never look into my head. She thought it was rude," I sigh.
It's a good thing too. I had convinced her that our relationship wouldn't survive if she was constantly in my head. She agreed and there has been more than one occasion I was thankful for that.
"She could have been faking it, ya know," he says.
I look back at Sam. "She ain't that good of an actress. I'd smell it on her if she was lying. Hell, if she had been talking to Pam, I'd have smelled that too. As it was, she hadn't seen Tara in over a week."
"You sure of that?" he asks.
"Of course I'm fucking sure," I growl at him. "I've made sure that I've known where she is at all times."
"Now why would you be keeping tabs on your girl, Alcide?" Sam asks.
"Cause he didn't want her to know what he does when he's off for a run," I hear behind me. "The same reason he doesn't want the little cream puff in his head."
I turn quickly and growl at the person walking up the steps.
"Rikki, what the fuck are you doing here?" I ask her.
"Oh what's the matter Lover?" she smirks at me and spreads her arms wide. "She ain't here. I'd smell her if she was."
"What the fuck, Alcide?" Sam asks. "I thought you were done with the pack?"
"Oh, he is," she says as she climbs the stairs. "But you can't control that animal instinct, now can you baby?"
"Rikki, you need to leave," I growl and I know my eyes are turning. "NOW!"
"You're not my Pack Master anymore, baby. I don't take orders from you."
I move quickly to block her way and growl. She growls right back.
God that does things to me and she knows it. Her smirk tells me she knows exactly what she's doing.
"You Son of a Bitch!" Sam screams at me. "You've been cheating on Sookie?"
"Oh," Rikki smiles at Sam and then looks back at me. "That's not how Pack sees it. Isn't that right, Alcide?"
"What the fuck is she talking about?" Sam growls again.
"Rikki," I say a little calmer. "This isn't the time for this. You need to leave."
"Why?" she moves closer to me. "Like I said. I know your little cream puff isn't here. We've got time."
She takes one more step and I get a better whiff of her. God damn she smells good. Fuck this is killing me.
"Alcide you better start talking!" Sam yells at me. "You said you were going to protect Sookie. Now I find out not only did you fuck up last night but that you were taking this Wolf Bitch on the side?"
"Hey," Rikki growls. "I might be a Bitch but you are a fucking dog, shifter. Don't think I forgot there is a score to settle between you and me."
"Rikki, that's enough. Go now," I say to her.
"No," she says as she saunters around me and goes to sit in one of the rockers. "I think it's time you let the cream puff know that her garden isn't the only one you sniff around, Alcide. She needs to know what the deal is and I'm tired of waiting in the shadows for you to find time for me."
"Rikki," I say again in warning but she just smiles knowing that I won't hurt her.
I wouldn't kill her before and I damn well won't hurt her now. The Bitch has me by the balls and she knows it.
"What she talking about Alcide.."
The wind changes and Sam stops right in the middle of his sentence and turns to look at Rikki who has a full out smile now.
Sam turns back to me. "She's pregnant."
It wasn't a question so I don't answer.
"You fucking asshole," Sam growls. "You weren't ever going to leave with Sookie were you?"
"Of course I was," I say to him.
Rikki jumps up.
"You were going to what?" she tilts her head to the side.
"Rikki, now is not the time," I say to her holding up one hand to stop her advance.
"What the fuck did the dog mean, Alcide?" she moves closer. "Where were you going with the cream puff? You have a fucking responsibility to me, to our kind and to this pup!" she points to her belly. "Tell me you weren't planning on skipping out on your responsibility?"
"Alcide what the fuck!" Sam yells.
I pull my hands through my hair and growl. "ENOUGH!"
I turn to look at Sam. "Look, you're a shifter. You don't understand this mating shit."
"What mating shit?" he asks.
"It's a pull for our kind to mate," Rikki says. "We need to keep our numbers and when the strongest of the pack come together they make the strongest pups."
"You are telling me you fucked her to add to the pack?" Sam shakes his head.
"It's more complicated than that, okay?" I shake my head. "I didn't have a choice."
"Yeah, right," Sam says and goes to walk away.
"Where the fuck are you going?" I ask him.
"I'm going to figure out how to save this fucking town, Alcide. I need to make sure that the shit doesn't hit the fan after last night."
"Sam, we need to find her before they do or…" I start to say when he swings around.
"Or what?" he asks. "Clearly, you have a whole other life that you didn't want any of us to know about. You were cheating on a woman that you said you loved and I think you were going to leave her to fucking swing in the wind."
"That's not true," I say walking towards the stairs. "I was going to protect her. This," I turn to look at Rikki, "this thing with her was a Wolf thing. It had nothing to do with Sookie. I'm expected to increase our numbers. I couldn't do that with Sookie."
"And you expected her to go along with that?" he laughs. "Do you fucking know that woman at all? Hell," he throws up his hand. "I'm beginning to think she's better off with Northman. He's the only one that hasn't fucking lied to her."
"You know that's not true," I growl back.
"Is it?" he asks. "Bill's lied to her since day one. I didn't tell her what I was until I had too. That fuck Warlow wanted to control her and you," he points to me. "You say you love her, make her change just about everything about herself to please you and you thank her by fucking a Wolf Bitch behind her back to get a puppy out of it."
He shakes his head and gets into his car.
"We need to figure this out," I yell as he starts the car.
"I'm done, Alcide," he says. "I should have never believed you or Compton."
He turns the car around and heads back down the drive without giving me one look.
I stand there for a moment trying to calm the fuck down.
"What did he mean, Alcide?" Rikki asks. "You were going to leave me here with your kid?"
"Fucking not now, Rikki," I say and turn around. "What the fuck are you doing here?"
She looks at me for a moment without saying anything.
"Well?" I ask her.
"Fine," she growls. "I heard there was trouble with some Hep-V vamps last night and I wanted to make sure you were okay," she huffs and crosses her arms.
"So you come to my house when you know Sookie would be here to find out?" I ask her.
"She wouldn't have known I was here," she stands and walks toward me. "I was just going to wait in the woods," she puts a hand up to my face. "I know you would have smelled me sooner or later."
I close my eyes at her touch. The way she smells carrying my pup is, Fuck I need to control myself.
"I can't do this shit now," I push her hand away. "Go home and stay there. I'll call you when I can."
I move away from her and go for the door. I only stop when she grabs my arm.
"I may be carrying your pup, but I don't answer to you," she moves closer. "I deserve to know what the hell is going on and what that dog meant about you leaving with your cream puff."
I pull my arm away. "You deserve nothing. I have to find Sookie and I can't deal with you right now. Go home so I know you're safe."
"What do you mean you have to find her?" Rikki asks. "Why do you even care? It's not like she can give you the life you want or need. She can't have your kids and if she could, they would be shunned from any pack for being half-breeds. That is if they changed at all. Would you do that to your own kids?"
I growl at her. This is why I never wanted kids. I didn't want them with Deb because I knew what it would mean. I just couldn't stop myself with Rikki. She is so much stronger then Debbie was. I couldn't resist her.
"You know I'm telling the truth, Alcide. You may say you love her but we both know that she isn't what you need. She can never be enough for you. She isn't one of us."
I walk right up to her so she has to look up to meet my eyes.
"I love her. Sookie is what I want," I say just above a whisper.
I feel her hand as she glides it up my neck into my hair.
"No she's not," she whispers back.
Before I can say anything else, she pulls me toward her and kisses me.
The feeling of her, her scent and her strength rolls over me. I want to pull away but I can't. Her scent is driving me crazy.
Growling, I pull her closer to me and take control. I can feel her smiling but I don't fucking care. My Wolf is calling to her and there is nothing I can do to control him.
***0***
SPOV
I sat there tapping my foot as they take yet another vial of blood from me.
"Are we almost done?" I ask her.
"You are most eager to get back to the Norseman. I wonder why he was so hesitant to call you to him before now," Doctor Ludwig says as she hands the last of the vials to her assistant who was introduced to me as Louisa.
She hasn't said much but I know that she is like Doctor Ludwig but for the life of me, I haven't worked up the courage to ask her what she is. For some reason, I would think she'd consider that rude. On the other hand, she does know what I am so it's only fair that she tells me the same, wouldn't you think. Deciding to fall back on my southern upbringing, I put the question aside and decide to talk about something else.
"I feel like a pin cousin," I huff. "What are you looking for anyway?" I ask.
"We are making sure your blood has nothing other than what should be in it," she says and marks something in a file before turning back to me.
"I told you," I say. "They tested our blood in Bon Temps and I was supposed to be clean."
"How would they know you were clean when your type blood is unknown to the humans," she raises one of her eyebrows in my direction?
I sit back a little. The little doctor has a point.
"There, you see," she smiles at me. "Humans are useless with this kind of stuff. They start dealing with things that are beyond their comprehension they just make it worse."
"That's not very nice," I say to her.
"Nice or not it's the truth," she wheels her little stool a little closer to me and raises it so that we are closer to the same height. "Now, let's get a good look at you."
She places both hands on my clavicle and traces both of them with her index fingers. Then she moves her hands to my neck and then to back of my head, holding my head and looking into my eyes. She makes several noises but for the life of me, I'm not sure if they are good or bad.
Finally she places her hand just above my heart and everyone in the room goes silent. I even try to hold my breath when it seems to be just too loud in the silence.
She nods her head and then looks up at me.
"You have shared light with another besides the Norseman," she says. It's not a question.
She smiles at me.
"Fear not, little Faerie. This is a good thing. It has made you strong," she pushes away and moves back to her file. "Much stronger than the Norseman originally thought."
I know what she means about my light. But I didn't share my light with anyone, at least I don't think I did.
"I didn't even know I shared light with Eric," I say. "How did I share it with someone else? God," I roll my eyes. "I didn't share it with Bill or Alcide did I?"
She looks at me. "You know the answer, Faerie. Don't pretend you are as naive as some think you to be."
I wait a moment. I remember what Claudine said about my light. She said Warlow tried but since I was already tied to Eric, he couldn't use it to control me.
I look at the strange doctor again.
"Ah there," she points to me. "You know more than even you know. You shared light with another Faerie. Or should I say that you took light from another Faerie. You are stronger and more potent of a Fae than you should be. That could only mean that either the other gave you his light willingly, which knowing what I do about that Faepire you encountered would never happen in a million years or," she looks in my eyes, "you took it from him."
"How could I take light from him without knowing it?" I ask her. Never mind we are talking about me taking it from him while he was tied to a stone in the cemetery. I shudder just a little and will the image away. God only knows why I did what I did. Thinking back at the situation, I thought it was a good idea then. Why would I do something like that? Hell, if I know.
"You are Faerie," she says to me. "If my tests come back the way I'm thinking they will, you are much more of a Fae than originally thought. The only way a Fae can increase their powers is by absorbing light from another. Usually, this is a mutual thing between two that are joined. But what I see in you was more than one dose. There is another reason for this but it's very unlikely. How many times did you mate with the Faepire?"
"I beg your pardon," I cross my arms.
"You can beg all you want. It's not going to change the question," she drops her pen and looks at me. "How many times?"
I wait for a moment and look around the room. No one seems to be listening in on our conversation but they are all Supes. They could probably been in the next room and still hear us. But no one seems to be bothered by our rather private conversation.
"Just," I swallow. "Just the once."
"No," the doctor shakes her head. "You have much more in you than just the once and what I can tell from your connection to the Norseman, it was a true joining so you couldn't take any more from him than you gave. So, I ask you again; how many times?"
"I'm telling you," I raise my voice just a little. "I was only with him that once. After that…" I sigh.
"After that, he changed," she said. "He wanted you and when you denied him still, he became violent."
I just nod.
"Are you sure you didn't share light again?" she asks.
"Doctor," I say leaning forward. "I think I'd know if we, well, if we were together more than once. Besides," I lean back. "I've been with Alcide for the past few months and I wouldn't sleep around on him."
She nods. "I will trust you then," she moves a little closer. "But that doesn't change the fact that you have a lot more than would be from that one incident with the Faepire."
"Well he was a really old Faerie," I remind her. I don't know exactly what age he was but if Lilith changed him than he had to be ancient.
"No," she shakes her head. "You must have received it from another source. You and your brother are the only left of your line?"
"Well, there is Hadley but I don't think she has any of the light," I pause. "So there's just us and my great Grandfather, Niall," I say. "But I've not seen him a bit. I'm not sure where he is."
She spins around. "Niall?" she asks. "That is not a name I've heard in some time," she sighs. "Tell me, Faerie, did he give you anything the last time he was with you?"
"I…no," I stutter. "Well," I shrug. "He had this sort of liquor with him the last few times I saw him. It was very good and had a citrus taste to it."
She leans forward. "Was it gold or silver?" she asks.
"Um," I shake my head. "Gold, it was gold."
She shakes her head. "That sneaky Faerie," she growls.
"Why," I say. "What's wrong with what he gave me?"
"Sookie," She says. I pay closer attention because it's the first time she's called me by name. "I need to ask you something and I want you to think before you answer. How did you feel after you drank the elixir?"
I think on it for a moment. How did I feel? I'm not really sure how to put it into words.
"I," I pause. "I felt like I do when I spend the day in the sun. I don't know how to describe it. But I feel light, free," I look at her. "Does that make any sense?"
She nods. "It does when you consider your parentage," she huffs and rolls away. "Stupid, meddling, old Faerie."
"What are you talking about?" I ask her.
"Niall is a very old, very strong Faerie. But did he tell you that he's considered royalty?" she asks.
"He's what?" I ask her.
"Well, he's just about an elder," she shrugs.
"I hate to disagree with you and all but I met a Faerie Elder. Niall has a little more focus than she did," I smile.
"Ah, you met one that was on the other side of the portal. Yes, I heard about her. She had been rumored to be a bit scattered," she laughs.
"You said the one that was on the other side of the portal?" I ask. "What do you mean? I thought all the Faeries that were here came through that portal with me when we ran?"
She looks at me with very serious expression on her face. "My, you really don't know anything about your heritage do you?"
"Well considering I didn't know what I was until Bill told me, no. Oh and Niall hasn't been so forthcoming with me either and the others are dead, thanks to Warlow so no, I guess I don't know much about what I am."
"The ones that were slaughtered were unfortunate. I was called to the cleanup and was saddened by what I saw. Faeries are not known to linger or even mingle with other kinds but it still doesn't change the fact that it was a tragedy of epic proportion. But don't think for one moment that they were all killed that day," she pauses but before I can ask her what she means by that she continues. "I'm not surprised Niall hasn't been more forthcoming. He was always a secretive bastard," she waves her hand. "I will tell you what I know. Others here may know more but it will be a start for you."
The doctor is silent for a moment. I'm not sure if it's for dramatic effect but I'm about ready to lose my patience with all of this.
"There are many tribes of Fae, young one. It is said that at one point in time, they were all one. The unit was strong and whole and every Fae lived in cohesive union with the other. But as things have a tendency to do, they changed. None are sure when, but at some point several different groups broke off into separate factions. Some stayed here on this plane of existence, while others searched out other times, other realms and other planes to live on, conqueror or absorb within their own control. One Fae, by the name of Mab was said to have been a bit eccentric. Well more eccentric than most. Most Fae have some eccentricities. However, Mab's mood said to have turned to other things, more violent things. What she was planning was unknown to most but the Fae were at war with her and her followers. She was taking Fae from other factions and hiding them away. It didn't take long for the other factions to react to her outbursts. They rose up and with the help of very powerful Fae Magick, bewitched her, sealing her within her own plane. They thought that would take care of Mab. If she couldn't move between planes she could do no harm. The Magick affected her and her blood line. But the Magick couldn't prevent others who were not blood to her or owed her their lives to come and go as they pleased," she raises an eyebrow to me. "There are rumors that she somehow bound halflings to be her slaves and help create more Fae."
She stops for a moment and nods. "Yes, my child," she sighs. "We learned when those others escaped with you that she was using halflings to breed both with other halflings and full fae. She was literally breeding her own army. They even told us that once there for some time, the abducted halflings could never return to this place but that has never been confirmed."
I nod. Yeah, I'm thinking I can confirm that one. But that means that Grampa and Barry were not only trapped there but that this Mab was breeding them. Okay, that is just, ugh, I don't want to think about it.
"I've heard that some rose up and opened the portal before she closed it herself. Those who got through were saved. The ones who didn't are now trapped in the realm with Mab and her minions."
"I know of this place," I say nodding.
"Yes," she smiles, "I believe you do. But that is all I know of Mab and her followers. Niall would know more as would others but they don't talk to those who aren't of their kind about such things."
I think on what she's said for a minute. That means that Claudine was bringing me there to what, breed more Faeries? How could I believe a word she said to me if that is what she was doing.
"I was taken there," I say softly.
"And you escaped," the doctor replies.
"But the one that took me," I pause. "How could she do that?"
"I believe that this Fae was your caretaker? Or as the human's say, your Faerie Godmother?" she asks.
I shrug. "That's what she said. I'd seen her more than once and she seemed to want to help me. But now I find out that she was trying to get me to be a breeding machine."
She is silent for a moment.
"One would think that her two tasks were polar opposites, protecting you and obeying Mab. But I think that is not the case. Perhaps she felt bringing you to Mab, was protecting you, at the time."
"But if I took that fruit and bred, I'd never been able to come back," I sigh.
"At the time, perhaps she was doing what she thought best for you," she replies.
"But they were all, ugly and," I shake my head.
"That plane is dying from what I'm told. Those who could, got out when they could. That is why they needed light, and young ones. They needed a rebirth."
"Why would Claudine and the rest stay there?" I ask.
"I am not sure, young one," she says in a very tender voice. All the ones I've spoken with have told me different stories on why they were there. But I can tell you this; none were there by choice."
"Where are all the full blooded Faeries?" I ask her.
"When Vampires numbers increased some time back, the Faeries thought it best to move to other times. They come and go," she smirks, "leaving parts of themselves here but then return to where they feel safe."
"You mean us halflings," I say to her.
"Indeed," she smiles. "But I'm not sure how much of a Halfling you are any longer. As I said, you have a great deal of light. More so than others I've seen. If I didn't know that you were supposed to be human, I'd swear you are full Fae."
"How can that be?" I ask her. "If I was full Fae, then every Vampire around would be going crazy for my blood."
"That is the question, now isn't it?" she smiles. "I am thinking that the fact that you have absorbed light instead of being born with all of it has a great deal to do with that.. I don't think you smelled any different to any Vampire here but then again, it could be because they didn't taste your blood. But one thing is for sure. You are more powerful than any of us realized and I believe it is due to you taking in the light of the Faepire as well as Niall feeding you the elixir of life."
"I'm sorry, the what?" I ask her.
"Well, that is what I've heard it called. You have heard of lightning in a bottle?" she asks me.
I nod.
"Well this is Fae Light in a bottle. More specifically it is sunlight in a bottle. Your type of Fae thrive off of light and air. Others find solace with the ground and nature. While still others, find solace in the sea."
"Why would Niall be giving me this elixir of life?" I ask.
She shrugs. "I don't know. But it has done one thing. It's assisted in expanding and making your light very strong."
I think on this for a moment before looking back to Ludwig. "If Warlow's light was strong, how come Eric hasn't healed? He drank in Warlow and Claudine. That should be some pretty heavy light."
She smirks. "The first Faerie, you say her name was Claudine?"
I nod again.
"Yes, Claudine," she pauses. "Gave him the light he could share with you. The connection, the bond, the sharing of light usually results in off-spring. Since he is a Vampire, the connection formed an unbreakable union between the two of you."
"You're sure?" I ask her.
"What other reason would there be for the Norseman to not be able to heal? He needs you to heal. He needs your light, your connection."
"What about Warlow?" I ask her.
"I suspect that by the time that the Norseman drank from him, the Faepire had very little light left. You," she points to me. "You took most of it."
I shake my head. "So you are saying that Eric needed me to well," I roll my hand over trying to say what I'm saying without saying it.
"Join, yes," Ludwig helps me out.
"Right, he needs me to do that and he hasn't called me do this joining?" I ask her. "I would think that Eric would be falling over himself to get me to join with him."
"Yes, well," she says and turns back to her file. "Now you know what you are and how you came to be. What Niall had planned for you will be a moot point. You are in a union, a Fae union with your Vampire. Even as old as Niall is, he can't change that."
"I don't understand," I say to her.
"Never you mind, Faerie," she says with a smile as she turns to take a bag of blood that was handed to her.
Turning to me she holds it out to me. "Give this to your Vampire. You will need to exchange blood during the joining but this will go a long way to make him strong enough for the journey."
I take the bag from her. "I still don't understand all of this."
"He will explain it to you," she snaps her fingers at someone in the corner. I'm thinking it's a guard.
He comes forward without saying a word.
"Take her back to Norseman," she says and then turns back to her file. "We will be talking again soon Faerie."
Just like that, I'm dismissed.
Turning, I wait for the guard to say something. When he turns without so much as a word. I huff and follow him out of the lab and back down the hall. Hoping when I get back to Eric, he's going to give me more than just a few answers.
***0***
Jason's POV
I look at the clock one more time and start tapping my foot. I need to get out of here if I'm going to make it out of town before those military guys come back. I hate doing this but like that message we got last night said, Violet and I really don't have any choice. With Sookie gone, they were going to come for us sooner or later and I'd bet it's going to be sooner than soon. Hell, that is what the Fellowship would have done and I don't think these people are much better. I just wish I had more time. With Andy gone, there won't be much help for the town. Not like I could do anything against them Hep-V Vamps by myself and I'll be damned if I'm going to let Violet get hurt but at least I'd be here. But with Bill and Sam in charge, I don't think anyone has much of a chance of coming out of this. If I could save everyone, I would but the message said that they would do what they could for the town but right now we were in trouble and had to think of ourselves.
Violet didn't want me to stay last night. Hell, she was ready to turn me just so she could get me out of the house with her. But then she wouldn't have my blood on tap and right now, that means more to Vampires than anything. Besides, I needed to create a diversion and I couldn't do that if there was any way they could use Violet against me. She would be a sitting duck in the house and I wasn't gonna have none of that. She may want to protect me but I want to do the same right back.
We may only been together a few months, but I love that Vampire. It's the first time in my life that I've cared about someone and their needs before myself. If those military fuckers laid one hand on her, I'd destroy them where they stood.
The only way I got her to go without me was to promise to be out of here before those idiots showed up. We didn't have to worry about money or anything like that. Violet was taking care of our needs. Being as old as she is, she has her ways and she is planning on making us disappear for as long as she possibly can. The only thing I made her promise is that we made sure Sookie got out and is safe. I may be selfish and done a lot in my life I'm not proud of but I love my sister and so does Violet. If staying here or going with Sookie would have protected her from these fuckers, I know that Violet would have done it. But she needs to be as far away as I can get her and I need to make an appearance so the town doesn't go into full blown panic.
Looking at the clock again, I decide that it's now or never. Turning around I grab the bag I had stashed in my office all day and head on out.
"Taking a break, Jason?" one of my deputies asks.
I nod and point to the door. "Be back in a bit," I say.
"Okay," he looks back at the computer. "What you want me to tell them army guys if they get here before you're back?"
I stop and look at him. "Tell them, to wait and I'll be back."
"Oh, okay," he says and turns his attention back to what he was watching.
Shaking my head, I head out and get in my patrol car. Turning the car towards Mendon, I start out of town. About fifteen minutes into the drive, I get a sinking feeling like I'm being watched but I don't see anything and I haven't passed one car since I left the center of town.
I half thought I'd pass those military people on the way but as luck would have it, they must have been delayed. I knew I was cutting it close on time and I'm thanking whoever is up there looking out for me that I'm almost in the clear.
Pulling into the new Executive Business Complex, I drive my cruiser to the far side of the parking lot and park next to a very nice looking black sedan. I smile. Violet promised that the car waiting for me would be nothing anyone would expect me to drive and she is so right.
"It will be ideal, Jason," she said to me. "No one will suspect you to be driving the car I have in mind."
I smile again and grab the bag beside me before getting out. Turning to face the car I unbutton my shirt and pull it off along with the uniform pants. Grabbing the jeans and shirt out of the bag I look around to make sure no one is around and change before leaving the clothes, my badge, and my wallet on the seat of the cruiser. I keep my sidearm because honestly, I won't feel safe until I'm as far away from here as possible and I need to have something in case all of this goes sideways. It's not like I'm going to have a five hundred year old Vampire to protect me. Well, that is until I meet up with Violet. Hell, I think I'll probably keep my sidearm then too. If the last twenty-four hours has taught me anything is that no one is safe and you can only trust your own. Oh and the Government are a bunch of fucked up individuals. Lastly, I open my wallet and take out a picture I've had on me since I was like twelve or something. It's a picture of Gran, Sookie and I sitting on the front porch swing. Hell, I don't even remember who took the dang thing. But I do know that any time I've needed to smile, all I've had to do is look at this picture. I'm okay with leaving everything else but this picture is coming with me. At least until I can see my sister's pretty smile again.
Taking another deep breath, I turn to the new sedan and open the door. Looking under the seat, I find the new wallet and keys that Violet promised would be there. Taking them, I sit down in the leather seat and start the car. Giving myself a few minutes to get adjusted to it, I finally put the car in drive and head out to the intersection. Once there, I take the turn off that's going to head me north and out of the state. With any luck, I'll make St. Louis in time to make the plane and I'll be off to meet Violet. Going all the way to St. Louis was her idea. She wanted me far enough away from Louisiana before I got on a plane. She said there was no one that would think I'd travel so far to get on a plane and a Vampire plane to boot. She said that she didn't want me to go to Dallas or even Shreveport In case any of them were looking for me. I think that driving all the way to St. Louis to get on a plane was a little overkill but there's a reason Violet is as old as she is and I'll take her advice on all of this.
Once we'd found out what was going on, it didn't take her much time to make all the arrangements. It's like she already knew this was all going to happen so she at least had a plan in place to get out of Bon Temps if we had too. She didn't even think to question the message we got just after midnight. Again, it was like she already knew what was gonna happen. I'm really gonna need to talk to her about all that when I see her. Until then, I just have to concentrate on the road and get my ass out of here before those jackasses decide to take me like they took Andy and how they were gonna take Sookie.
I squeeze the steering wheel when I think about what they all had planned for my sister. It took every ounce of control (and a lot of Violet's blood) to not go crazy on Sam when he came into the station earlier. I couldn't believe the nerve of him coming in to report all my friends missing. Okay, maybe not all of them but the ones that mattered to me and Sookie were gone and I knew all too well why. Hell, he even tried to get me to jump when he said Sookie was missing. Funny thing is, I would have believed him more if one, I didn't know what was going on and two, Alcide was with him.
It's a good thing that Wolf wasn't with him. I just may have had to shoot him for what he did to my sister. But if I did, there would have been a crazy mess to clean up and I've had enough messes for one lifetime, thank you very much.
Passing the next exit, I see a mile marker for Bon Temps and something low in my stomach tightens. I look in the back of the car and see all the bags Violet took with her the night before. A good thing I don't have to pack much but there is still a lot that I'm leaving behind. There is a lot that both Sookie and I are leaving behind. Hell, neither of us has ever lived outside the state and now we may never come back.
That thought brings a tear to my eye. Taking another deep breath I try to will the sadness away. I know this is the only way we can keep ourselves and Sookie out of the hands of those monsters. Still, I really wish I could talk to her right about now but I know that is impossible. When it's safe, we'll talk to her. I know I will. Sookie's too strong to let anything happen to her. And she has that big Vamp to protect her. No, Sookie will be just fine. I just have to have a little faith is all. She's out and away and that's what matters the most right now.
Don't get me wrong. It's not that I really want her with that Vampire but I know that he'll protect her. When Tara called and let us know what was going on, she promised me that Sookie would be safe. I know Tara wouldn't do anything to hurt Sook. She would rather burn in the sun than hurt her. It doesn't change the fact that I'm her big brother and I'd do anything to talk to her and hear for myself that she's okay.
Taking another turn, I merge onto the interstate and hope that my luck stays with me and that I get to my destination safely. The alternative is just too much to think about.
***0***
Lt. Tisdale POV
"What do you mean, they are all gone?" I ask my second standing in front of me.
"Sir," he moves a little closer. "It's exactly what we said earlier. No one has seen the Vampires in question since early last night. We've checked their homes, their phones, and found nothing. Either they've met their true end or they've gone off the grid. I'm thinking the latter."
I motion for him to continue. "The cook Miss Stackhouse is reportedly friends with has disappeared as well. He didn't show up to work today and there is no one at his residence."
"What about the brother?" I ask him.
"We have uniforms down at the Police Station now. They said he went on a break but hasn't returned yet," he states.
"Go to his house," I say stepping toward him. "Get that Vampire that has been co-habitating with him and seal her in a box. That will get the brother's attention. We will take those two if that's all we have," I turn and go back to the desk in the office of the Fangtasia bar we decided to make our point place since last night's fiasco. It's a bit more convenient than going back to the facility. Besides, if everything goes as planned, we will be out of here by dawn.
My second nods at me.
"Oh," I say and he stops to look at me. "Bring in the other one that Miss Stackhouse was living with and the Mayor," I sit in the chair. "I think they have some explaining to do."
He nods and walks out.
Checking my watch, I see we have several hours until sunset. I need to get this done before our Pet Vampire rises.
Looking down at the file of material we've compiled I shove it away. It is giving me nothing new on this matter and quite frankly right now I can't afford nothing. I need something, anything to go our way or it's going to be me that has a lot of explaining to do and I don't think the brass or the delegation will be happy with my answers.
I'd thought that the plane angle would be our best lead. But we couldn't find the plane landing anywhere between here and Wyoming and there were no requests for small planes to land in any of the lower 48 states that hasn't been accounted for in the last twenty-four hours. I'd requested that we ground all Vampire planes from that Vamp Company that carts them around like luggage but my request was declined. With all the problems we are having with Hep-V and the sensitive nature of the non-infected Vampires, the Government didn't want to muddy the waters. Muddy, hell, if we don't figure out what is going on soon, mud in the water will be the least of our worries. Vampires will have us all swimming in blood.
But even without the request we checked and found nothing. It's like she just vanished. Though, after what she did at the bar, I'm not sure anything is out of this little girl's reach.
Looking around the room, I shake my head at the sight of this place. I can't believe that humans ever came to such a place. I've seen some Vampire bars in New York and even been to that one in Vegas but I've never seen anything like this. It's just a hole in the wall bar. Why are we even here? Why am I not out making inquiries? Why am I not hunting down the next on the list of prospective case subjects instead of sitting in this rat hole trying to find some red-neck little girl who everyone is up in arms about? Oh right, the Delegation and more importantly, Doctor Stork thinks she can be utilized better than the others that we've found. Up until last night, I'd have said she was no more than a little hick that would be no better to us than the rest. But after seeing her do what she did, makes me take pause.
Oh, and let's not forget, the Delegation will want to know how we lost a little girl. To tell you the truth, I've no idea.
Picking up my phone, I dial a number. I sit, waiting for it to be answered.
"Yes?" the receiver asks.
"Bring up the father," I say and hang up.
Leaning back, I close my eyes. Maybe this father will know where his daughter is. If he doesn't then we will have a problem and I don't like problems. They are messy and I'm really done with cleaning them up.
There is a knock on my door and I look up as one of my men comes in with a very tired, very weary man. I hadn't gotten a good look at him last night but today, I take my time to examine him.
He is overweight and a little unkempt. That's probably due to the fact that we had him down in a dark storage room all night. Yeah, that could be it. But that doesn't change the fact that this portly gentleman has information that we need and I'll do what I have to in order to get it from him.
"Have a seat," I say to him.
"Not until you tell me what the hell I'm doing in this Vamp bar," he growls.
"Today it's where we are operating from," I say without any emotion in my voice. "Now, please have a seat."
Bellefleur looks around before taking the seat in front of the desk.
"Why am I here?" He asks me.
"We would like to discuss your daughter," I say.
He leans forward. "You know where she is?"
"Mr. Bellefleur," I begin.
"That's Sheriff Bellefleur," he growls.
I look up at him for a moment. Yes, I know he's the law in that small town and I almost feel sorry for him that he thinks that his job pulls any weight here. Small town law doesn't mean a thing, not any more. We are about half a second from declaring Marshall Law on this area. The only thing holding back the Delegation is that it will cause the Vamps to rise up. They know we can't beat them. Even with all the things Burrell came up with. They are just too strong. I'm not a Vamp supporter but I'm a realist. If I was called to fight against the healthy ones, I know I'd come home drained in a body bag. It's just how it is.
"Very well," I pause. "Sheriff Bellefleur, do you know of any reason for your daughter to be taken away from you by a Vampire in the middle of the night?"
I see that he's holding the chair trying to compose himself. "I'll tell you what I told the rest of those guys. I've got no idea where my daughter is or who would be dumb enough to take the Sheriff's daughter. Now, you have no right to hold me and I want to go home NOW!"
"Yes well," I stand and come around the desk. "I find that hard to believe you don't know where your daughter is or who took her. Now, let's start again. Who was the Vampire that took your daughter? Because we know that a human couldn't move that fast."
"How many times do I need to say this, son," he looks at the door and then back at me. "I don't know what you are all talking about. One minute, me and my daughter are at home watching some girly thing she wanted to see and then next minute your men are waltzing into my family home like they own the joint."
"Mr," I pause. "Sheriff," I smile at him. "I understand that you are upset. But we need to protect you and your daughter from the threats facing your town. Now, we need to find her to make sure she is out of harm's way. We know that she's different and others will come after her."
"Yeah, throwing someone in a storage room under guard is how you show your concern. I'm the law in these here parts. You can't just be taking people from their homes."
"Sheriff," I say to him. "I don't think you understand the gravity of the situation."
"I understand what's going on. What I don't understand is what you have to do with it." Bellefleur snaps at me.
I stay quiet.
"You have nothing to say," he goes to stand up. "Then I'd like to leave."
"I'm afraid I can't allow that," I say and two guards move to the door.
He spins around to look at me. "We still have rights. Last time I looked, the Constitution still controlled what we can and can't do. Until I'm told otherwise, you have nothing to hold me. Now let me out of here!"
I lean back against the desk and look at the man before me. I don't honestly think he knows where his daughter is but I can't take the chance that he may say something about what he's already seen either.
I say nothing to the Sheriff and look toward the guards who have been waiting at the door "Prepare him for transport. Have him moved to the Facility before nightfall."
Perhaps the doctor will be able to talk some sense into him.
I turn away as the guards help the Sheriff up out of his chair and move him back down the hall to his accommodations. I try not to listen to the shouts and accusations he's screaming at anyone that he passes. There aren't many of our men here but then again, none of them would listen to him anyway. Right or wrong, we have all been desensitized to it all. .
Six months ago, I would never hold a civilian against their wishes. But things have changed and I don't have the time or the energy to think on the ethical ramifications of my actions right now. We need to save the humans and if we have to take some of those humans down while we do it, so be it. After all, isn't this all for the greater good?
Making my way back to my desk, the phone begins to ring.
Picking it up, I say hello.
"Tisdale, McAvoy here," he says. "It would seem that we have an issue."
"Sir," I pause. "What would that be?"
Besides the twenty I'm currently facing.
"Yes, well, there has been some information that has come to light…"
I don't get to hear the rest of the statement. A blinding light and an explosion that rattles the building resonate through the building. I'm about to go running toward the blast when everything goes black.