So I promised myself I'd do the next update at 80 reviews and here I am

Thank you again for all your kind reviews, please keep them coming

Word's out that next year mark the final season on True Blood and I couldn't be more heartbroken

But fear not, my series continues so long as support and readers continue likewise

Apologies for the short chapter, it's in place as a filler to get the story moving along nicely

My updates may not be too regular because I start university in two weeks but the more you review the more I'm inclined to do so

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Enjoy the chapter and I'll get started on the next right away

I walked into Merlotte's ready to sign off for a few days. Our bags were ready and packed at home while I'd gone into work for the both of us. Arlene would not be pleased at the two of us taking time off work like this, but it was important. We had a lead and Sookie was determined to find Bill, and soon.

And she wasn't going anywhere without me.

Nodding to one or two of the usual customers, I made my way out back to tell the guys I wouldn't be around for my shifts. With Sam gone for the last few days, they would have no choice but to accept it, though I would be getting a lot of hate thrown my way. With the money Eric had given her, Sookie had helped to pay for Eggs' funeral this afternoon but who knew if Tara would speak to her. The girls were on rough terms but they were best friends. They'd work through it.

Heading round the corner, I was slightly shocked to see an unexpected face. My handsome boss was currently placing pies onto the serving table before he looked up, noticing me. I stood awkwardly for a moment, both of us just staring in silence. Breathing deeply, I worked up the guts to walk towards him, with an uncomfortable smile on my face.

The last time Sam and I had spoken was on the night of Maryann Forrester's death. After a long and mouth-watering kiss, we'd settled our relationship and mutually agreed to remain friends. But that was before Eric had shagged some low-class whore.

You could say I was still bitter about the subject.

"Hey," I mumbled with a small smile.

He nodded and smiled back a little brighter, "Hey yourself."

I crossed my arms uncomfortably and pointed out the obvious.

"So you're back already?"

Sam sighed and rubbed the back of his neck, leaning back against the table. "Turns out I got more than I set out to find."

Clueless, I frowned and stood beside him, ignoring the tingle as my arm touched his own.

"I went to find my biological parents," he said quietly.

I gawked at him. I knew Sam had a complicated past. Sookie had mentioned he'd been adopted when he was a kid but I didn't know much past that. No one did.

"And did you?" I asked. "Find them, I mean?"

He nodded softly. "Yeah, I found them alright." He looked at me. "Mom's a shifter. So's my brother."

I grinned. "You have a brother?"

"Yeah, I do," he half-laughed, half-breathed.

I nudged his side playfully, happy that we went straight back to the easiness between us. "You think you'll move out anytime soon then?"

He scoffed, picking up the cutlery tray and walked into the bar.

"I'm more at home with the folks here," he confessed.

"Speaking of which," I started, following behind my boss. "Did you hear about the…well…"

Sam arched an eyebrow then paused, spinning on his heel to face me. "Yeah, I did," he replied. "Jesus, poor Tara. And Andy shot him?"

I shrugged. "Talk about a welcome home, huh?"

Sam eyed me protectively. "What about you though?" he asked carefully. "You ok?" His voice became awkward as he shifted from one foot to the other. "I mean, after that night, I assumed you went to see…"

His voice trailed off, not keen on talking about Eric out loud.

"I'm fine," I lied. "Speaking of which, Sam, me and Sookie are gonna have to take off for a couple more days."

"Ah no, Mels! Not more vampire bullshit?" Sam groaned, crouching down to put away the cutlery tray.

I rushed to explain, "It's nothing to do with Eric really, but Sookie needs some help while she's out in Mississippi and you know me, I don't wanna leave her…" I pouted as Sam stood and faced me, irritation and worry etched over his face. "Come on, Sam. Just two or three days? Please?"

"You know I don't like you wrapped in all this Vampire business, Melody," he muttered, rubbing his forehead tiredly.

"But it's for Bill, we have to help him!" I replied, my tone short. "They're my friends, Sam." I moaned, "Wouldn't you do it for me?"

He growled under his breath, "I might have to if ya keep on like this." Sam watched me for a moment and I gave him my best puppy-eyed look, hoping to win him over. He sighed. "Fine, but if you're not careful up there, Mel, so help me–"

"I'll be fine," I giggled, touching his arm reassuringly. Slowly, Sam looked down to where our skin touched. Hesitantly, he placed his own hand over mine and gave a soft smile. He looked back up to me and our eyes met. I resisted the twist and pull in my stomach, wishing I didn't notice how deep his sapphire eyes were.

"You come back to me in one piece, you hear?" he mumbled roughly.

I nodded with a dumb expression while his hand finally fell from mine. Sam snapped out of the gaze and frivolously scrubbed down the counter.

He changed the meaning of his words as he added angrily, "This bar don't need another dead waitress on its hands."

Understanding now, that the feelings he felt for me just days ago had evaporated, I nodded curtly and made towards the door. I bid goodbye to Arlene, who had obviously been listening in on our conversation as she looked somewhat shocked and uncomfortable as she waved to me.

Sam's voice reached me just before I left Merlotte's door.

"Ring me if you need anything!" he yelled, his angry voice wavering as it threatened to sound worried for me.

Driving in Sookie's car, I decided to give my friend a few hours alone with Tara. Rather than interrupt Eggs' funeral, I'd checked in on Auntie Barbs to make sure she wouldn't worry. When I reached Yuley Farm, I found my guardian sitting on the front steps.

I closed the car door and stomped up to her, a disapproving look on my face as she drew the cigarette away from her lips.

"You know that stuff kills?" I asked.

Auntie Barbs chuckled but dropped the dreaded thing onto the gravel, stomping it out with her foot.

I added irritably, "You promised me you would quit."

She shrugged with a guilty smile on her lips. "It's never too late to try." Auntie Barbs patted the step beside her and I sat down, staring out at the drive.

"You girls having fun living together?" she asked, her voice light and interested. "When you coming home? You're the only company I have, apart from the chickens. Talking to them makes me out to be a lunatic."

I gave her an odd look, amused by her ramblings. "Her boyfriend's been missing, Barbs. We're not playing cards, drinking schnapps til midnight, y'know." Earning a chuckle from the older woman, I took a breath and said, "That's what I wanted to tell you. Sookie and I will be away for a short while."

"Oh?"

"We think Bill might be out in Jackson."

"Melody, I don't know about that…" Her voice sounded anxious. "Your parents wouldn't want you travelling so far away all the time, sweetie. You're so young–"

I touched her arm and gave a reassuring smile. "Auntie Barbs, I'm a grown woman. I'll be in no danger, I promise," I lied. I gave a small shrug. "Besides, Sookie's like my best friend. I can't let her go alone."

After a moment, Barbs gave me one of her loveliest smiles and covered my hand with hers. "Of course you can't, baby." Her eyes wandered over my face. "You remind me so much of your dad."

My heart lurched at her words. Unable to reply, I simply leant against Barbs' arm, content with the silence between us. The only thing that disturbed us was the sound of her throaty post-cigarette coughs.

The sun was falling low on the horizon when I arrived back at Sookie's home. I parked the car close by, noticing several of our packed bags ready and waiting on the porch. A deep frown set on my face once I saw that the front door had been left wide open. Timidly, I took the steps two at a time and peered inside the house.

Movement caught my eye and sent my heart racing, pounding like a drum. A man clad in jeans and a turquoise slim fitted jumper passed the kitchen opening, and it was certainly not Jason Stackhouse. Biting my lip, I took the awaiting shovel by the door into my hands and gripped it firmly, thankful that Sookie hadn't put it away last night. Quietly, I stalked into the house and made for the kitchen, raising the shovel up high enough to get a good swing in.

Having not heard me, I took my chance and made to hit the tall guy.

A yell came from my mouth as I prepared to hit the intruder with the end of the shovel. At the last second, Sookie ran from the pantry and saw me.

"Mel, don't!"

I froze just as the stranger turned around, wondering who was screaming in his ear. My mouth dropped open and the shovel fell from my grip, hitting the floor with a clunk.

"Alcide?"

He looked just as surprised as I was. His smile grew, his beard neater than the last time I'd seen him. He was as large and muscular as I could remember, but seeing as I'd only really seen his reflection from my seat in Dallas, the build of his body would have taken any girl's breath away.

"Melody, right?" I nodded dumbly and his eyes sparkled with amusement as he glanced at the shovel. "Nice to see you again. I suppose you weren't expecting me either."

"Wait," Sookie spoke up from the other side of the kitchen. "You two know each other?"

I nodded, my eyes still on the man before me. "Eric had Alcide here drive me home from Dallas." I raised a curious eyebrow. "What are you doing here? Owe Eric another favour?"

Alcide growled to himself. "It's an on-going thing. Been told to take Sookie up to Jackson to help find her vamp boyfriend."

"Bill," Sookie corrected stiffly, sitting down with the cup of coffee she had been holding in her hands. She sipped from it and focused her attention on me. "He already knows about the mind reading. Alcide's gonna find us a way in."

I sat down, Alcide following my movements. "So what, you're friends with the pack or something? I thought werewolves kept secrets from us mere humans," I said in good humour.

Alcide raised an eyebrow at me. "Speak for yourself."

I frowned, unsure of what he meant. Then it hit me.

"No!"

The man snorted at my shock.

"You mean, you're a…"

He chuckled. "I don't tend to brag about it, but yeah," he replied, his amused smile growing, his toothy grin flashing dangerously. "I'm a werewolf."

My mouth remained open wide as I scanned the man, suddenly a bit wary of the guy I'd only met once before in my life. When I finally managed to close my mouth, mentally pinching myself to not be so rude to strangers, I asked, "So you're our way in?"

"I'm the best bet you got," he agreed.

"Friends in high places?" Sookie asked.

"Not exactly," Alcide replied uncomfortably, his mood suddenly lacking. "My ex is banging their leader."

Silence fell between us. The poor man was taking us to see the wolf who stole his girl. That had to sting. Did Eric know about this?

What does it matter? I thought. He wouldn't care, even if he did.

"Sorry," Sookie offered lamely.

Alcide's eyes darkened as he thought about his ex. "That pack is a cancer to our kind. Weres have lived in Jackson for almost two hundred years without a single human knowing it. Now these sons of bitches have come to town, there's crime spreading out a mile wide."

His head lowered for a moment when he added, "Not to say the rest of us are above violence, just shut the barn door behind you."

I nodded to the blonde. "One of them came after Sookie last night in here."

Alcide's gaze fell on me. "I wouldn't be surprised if they've got their sights on you now. If they want rid of Sookie, you can be damn sure they'll want rid of you too. You got any fight in ya?"

"Plenty," I smirked back.

He smirked back. "You're gonna need it when you face up to Northman. I have orders to keep you here."

"You what?" I balked.

He raised his hands in surrender. "He told me you wouldn't like it. If you want my opinion, I think you're no safer here that you are in Jackson."

"Then let me go with you," I pleaded.

Alcide sighed and looked at me.

"You seem like a real nice girl, Mel," he huffed. "But Northman…"

I growled, "Leave Eric to me. I've had enough of being pushed around by fucking vampires. Time I stood up for myself." I stared him right in the face. "I'm going."

Alcide soon enough gave a firm nod, not questioning me.

"Now that's settled," Sookie smirked, giving me a quick wink, "who wants lunch before we leave?"