I push around her, flinging the door open. Bill stood the closest, blocking my way out. My hand crashes against his chest, pushing him away. He put up the smallest of resistance, but he did move for me.

"So what am I needed for tonight?" I ask as I pause once I pass Bill to look back at her. She stood at the door to the bathroom.

"That will be explained on the way," a smooth, smug voice says from my left. Blondy.

"So that's a yes?" Sook pushes, hopeful.

I shrug. "Yeah, Crystal and Jason are great, but I hate that trailer."

Sookie beams, rushing forward to embrace me. I stood straight, one hand patting her back. She pulled back after Bill cleared his throat. Bill was quickly getting tiresome. She sent a mean look toward the blond.

My eyes flicked to the man in the small bit of shadow. One hand went to my hip, the other motioned as I spoke.

"Can I at least eat then change?" I ask as I look back to Sook. "If I'm to be up all night, I would like to not smell like bleach and other such."

"You can barrow something of mine," Sookie says quickly.

My head tilts as I look up at her with a pointed frown. "Sookie, I am far from your size." She laughs as she looks over my baggy clothing. I glance to the man behind her who looked ready to push us out the doors. "I've some spares in the van. If you grab those for me, I can get a quick wash at Sam's."

I hardly finished the sentence before a bag, my bag, was hanging before me. One long finger dangled the black duffle in the air. My eyes lifted to look toward the face of the person, the blond. He smirked, lifting one brow at me.

Sookie held in a laugh, smiling at me. "I'll get your burger to go."

She left me, Bill on her heels. The blond remained where he had been, arm still extended out. With a roll of my eyes I snatched the bag. He dropped his arm, eyes following me as I started ripping the shirt open on my way back to the door. "I'll try to hurry," I mutter. He lazily strolled after me.

Sam glanced up as I came down the hall in my thin tank. "Sam, I'm using your shower real quick."

He stood as he spotted blondy behind me. I paused at his rise, my eyes questioning. He never complained before when I would use his shower. My brow furls in confusion.

"Sam?"

"He stays," he says with a motion at the blond.

I smile at Sam, glancing back to the blond. "Like I would invite anyone into your home, Sam. I'm just cleaning up."

Blondy wisely said nothing. Sam watched out the window as we went for his trailer. Blondy stopped by the steps to the porch. I had kicked my shoes off on the way over, dropping them on the porch with little care to my dirty socks.

"I'll be right back," I call as the door shuts behind me.

It was a quick shower. I was fastening the button on my low slung jeans as I opened the door. A plain white fitted top showed the black bra under it. I dropped the bag, bending to pull the shoes on over my new socks. I smelled a bit like Sam, having used his body wash. No complaints on my end, it smelled great.

"Do you have no shame?" Sookie mocks as she crosses the lot with a takeout container.

"Depends on the situation," I call back, pulling a green and white plaid over shirt from the bag. "I could just go around your house in my underwear if you want."

"You know dang well that I won't allow that."

I smirk at her, rising to my feet. She glanced to blondy and Bill. "Ready?"

"Let's get this over with," Bill says in that pushy but brooding tone. Really, emo much?

"By all means," the blond responds with a smug look. We moved right for two cars. One was a red sports car, Corvette. The other was that beat up thing Sook called her car. Not like I had room to nag, I didn't even have a car yet.

"You can ride with us," Sook says with a motion at her car, Bill heading for the driver's side. I make a face.

"Choice between that crapper and this angel?" I say with a dry look at her. "Besides, Long-fang-the-Brooding is a total downer. Not sure I would do well in that car ride."

"Long-fang-the…" Sook held in an eye roll as she smiled a bit. "Grow up, Fae, you hardly know him."

I cock my hip out, eye balling her like she was nuts. "Really? Cause all I ever get from him is a diva like attitude from a brooding teenage emo." I jerk my thumb at the cocky blond. "At least he looks like he knows how to live without whining. I'll take my chances."

My hair whirled as I turned on my heel, opening the door to get into his car. He already had it started, waiting. The door hardly closed as he hit the gas. I let out a whoop of joy, wind beating my hair. Free hair dryer. I didn't bother with the seatbelt. Vampires have faster reflexes, doubtable that he would wreck.

That little yellow monster with Sookie and Bill was left in the dust. I put one arm on the ledge of the window, eyes closed as I used the other hand to rake hair from my eyes.

"Fae is it?"

I glance toward the male driving. Tall as hell. I turn my eyes back to watch the trees flying by us.

"That's what they call me."

Clearly I wasn't willing to be overly talkative with him. He smirked, whipping around a turn. It was one I should have braced for, but without warning there was nothing to do. I toppled to the side, smacking against him as my hand on the door turned into a white grip. He clearly was laughing at me with that smirk. I sat back up, having to use both hands to get my hair from my face.

"Seeing as you will be a permanent pain in my ass," I huff, shooting him a look. "What's your name?"

"Eric. Eric Northman." He said it like I should know it already. "I assume Fae is just a nickname."

"When you're named after an old lady, you use one," I admit with a sour look. We were going down another gravel road. I didn't know where we were going. "Faelyn Lynwood."

"What is you association with Miss Stackhouse?"
I really look at him then. I laughed, at him. "You've got the hots for my cousin," I laugh at him. "Really. She's so easy to play. Why didn't you get her? Bill should be a push over." He frowned, glancing at me.

"You think so highly of your cousin." Mock all you want.

"Sookie is as innocent as it gets. She's never really dated. If I'm right, Bill was her first. As such, that seems to be the one card that Bill holds strong. He's an asshole, hiding crap from her in plain sight." I shrug, looking back out at the trees. "Her call, not mine. Got to learn somehow."

"You side with her brother in morals?"

I laugh again. "Jason is a man whore. But a box of rocks has more sense than him. I'm more of the don't care type. Dating isn't my thing, too busy."

"You've just ruined your chances of living a normal life by accepting her offer."

He was smirking again. My fingers drummed the side of the car. "I thought as much. Either way, I hate being bored. Works out."

"I could offer you a better paying job."

He pulled to a stop in a clearing before a good sized home. My eyes flicked over the place. The yard was clear of flowers or plants. A bush by the front door, a few trees. Yeah, not sure this place was really lived in.

He got out, stopping at the front of the car as he didn't hear my door open. I vaulted over the door, shoes giving a soft crunch on the gravel. He lifted a brow at me, watching as my hands rested on my hips, eyes still looking over the dark place.

"So, why are we at a house?"

"Would you rather speak at the bar?"

My eyes roll, not bothering to hide it from him. "I could have had my beer at the bar. Getting drunk would be better than working."

The yellow car pulled into view, driving at a slower pace than Eric had. Clearly Bill wasn't in a hurry. One of my hands slipped from my hip to hang as I looked impatiently at the car. Bill got out, flashing to Sookie's side to open the door for her. I frown, letting out a bit of a sneer. Ugh. Old school gentleman.

I rolled my eyes again, looking to Eric. He had his brows lifted, hands in his pockets. So it was a usual thing for Bill to do.

"What, is Sookie's arm broken?" I call out, hand motioning at the woman as she got out.

"It's called class, Fae," Sookie argues back with a sigh as she linked her arm with Bill's. I made a gagging sound at the sight.

"Dear God, your displays are sickening."

"I don't complain when you flirt with my boss," Sookie snaps, frowning at me as she stopped before me.

"I don't go around pretending that I'm incompetent. He gives me free alcohol, rides home, lets me crash on his couch. Why not flirt? Have you seen his ass?"

Sookie looked appalled at me. I wave it off, hand motioning at Bill as a whole. "But, nobody said you had taste. Southern Belle wanna-be."

Her hand swung out. I laughed, flat of my arm lifting to deflect it to the side. My right hand swatting her cheek quicker than she could react as I had her face under my arm. We both laughed as I started poking at her side without mercy.

"Come on, Sook. I gave you years to work on that," I tease with a wide smile as I let her go. "Still can't even see the expected coming at ya."

"You're still a tart," she shoots back, tightening her ponytail with a warm smile at me.

Clearly, Bill was surprised by this attitude from Sook. While she chased after Jason, Hoyt and I when we were young, I would try to add her in. I never was one for the girly frills and dresses. She was. We found the medium and bounded over it. She was odd, so was I.

I give a lazy shrug, opening my hands in a whatever motion. "Shoe fits. I'll wear it."

"Speaking of," Sookie speaks at that reminder. "I need some new ones."

I light up instantly. "Oh, Sook, you love me so. I've a whole trunk full of shoes. Depending on your occasion, I should have some."

We found, one night while at the bar, that we had the same sized feet. She had blown the side of her shoes out. I was glad to offer her the shoes on my own feet. Seeing as I was done for the day and had spares of all shoes.

"Dress shoes."

I shove between her and Bill, slinging my arm over her shoulders as I move us toward the door to the house. The men stayed as we spoke of shoes.

"Not that I'm a fashionable choice," I start, stepping onto the concrete porch. "I do have many to choose from. Looking for flats or heels? I've got a few boots."

"I'm not sure. Bill got me a dress, but I've nothing to match it."

"Please tell me you told him not to buy shoes? Women should always get their own shoes."

"Of course I did," she says quickly, offended that I would think otherwise.

I looked expectantly behind me as we stood at the door. Bill stood with my takeout box, frowning at Eric. They had been speaking.

"Northman," I call back. "Are you going to open the door?"

"Is that a demand?"

He was a smug ass. I light up a pretty smile, head tilting cutely. "But I wanted to spend time with you in your home."

His brow shot up. Sookie smacked my arm. "You're such a tool," she laughs.

Eric was opening the door in hardly a beat. He smirked, motioning us in before he stepped in ahead of us. This made me laugh, shoving Sookie ahead of me. It was nice, leather couches with white carpet. It was a thick, plush carpet. I kicked my shoes off at the door, unlike the others as they moved into the living space. A steel and glass table sat in the middle of the room, facing a black marble fireplace. My shoes were set to the side on the mat with a pair of heels.

I snatched one heel up, holding it out for inspection. Gold, hated that color, but it was a beautiful Chu. Sookie glanced back as I held the shoe as if I could break it.

"Who ever owns this shoe, I must meet them," I say quickly as Sookie snatches it from me.

She dropped it without care. I smacked her good on the arm, shaking my finger at her.

"Sook, that shoe costs more than you make in a month," I snarl.

"It's a shoe, Fae. Calm down. Pam has lots of them."

"Obviously she has fashion sense," I argue, hands moving as I spoke. "In this po-dunk area, might I add. She could clearly help me with my failures."

"You look fine," she sighs, dragging me away from the shoes.

Eric was smirking, laughing at me again. He lounged on the 'love' seat. Sookie sat with Bill on the couch. They left hardly any room on the couch as they sat in the middle of it. I huffed, looking over the choices. Eric's couch or Sook's. I sat primly on the raised platform of the fireplace. My feet stretched outward, hands grasping the marble I sat on.

"So?" I push after a long silence of Bill and Sookie looking to Eric and me. Eric kept looking at me. I looked back and forth between the three. "Where's my food?"

"Is that your biggest focus?" Sookie huffs, taking the container from Bill.

I shrug, getting up to snatch it. "Tell me what your biggest worries are. I'm simple. Food. Sleep. Entertainment. Bills. Yeah, I think food repeats in between a few times."

I plop back on the ledge, stuffing a fry in my mouth. Sookie looks around at the men, just as curious as I was. After a moment she looks to Eric pointedly. I start on my burger, having to push down on it a bit between my hands to squish it. Clearly, I was paying them no mind. This burger was all I thought of for the last six hours.

"Fae!"

I look up, slowly chewing the mouthful I had. My eyes were a bit wide, I had zoned them out. I shake my head pointedly at her, clearly saying 'what?' I was opening my mouth for another bite when she spoke up.

"Put the burger down if you wont listen."

"Look here," I huff angrily. No way was that burger put down. "I just worked a crap ton, and I am starving. You're lucky I'm even here with just one burger. Just spit it the fuck out."

She looked a bit surprised by the foul word and my anger. I look back to my food, muttering under my breath before another bite is taken. "Ordering me to put my fucking food down. Idiot."

Bill was frowning at me like I were a child who needed scolded. I shot him a challenging look as I chewed. My eyes look to Eric, waiting for something to be said on any account.

"Bill is going out of town," Sookie finally says, arms crossed as she looked to me. "I need somebody there with me."

"Well," I start, one bite left of the burger. I ate a fry before talking again. "You're walking candy to a vampire. Who is fucking a vampire. While said vampire works for an equally shitty Queen. You are a danger slut. Plain and simple." Her jaw had dropped as I said this all like I spoke of the weather. Her cheeks were flushing, her thoughts quickly trying to come to an insulting come back. The vampires were looking at me like a hawk. I had said more than I should have known. I chew the last bite of burger before speaking again. "Kind of why I left all those years ago. You got me into too much shit." I let that sink in as I look up at her. "You're the one who told gran about me. You are the one that let it slip at church. Understandably why Jason wanted me to stay away from you."

"I don't even know what you're talking about," she snaps. Clearly I had egged out her control. I threw a fry at her.

"Stay the fuck out of my head." Her eyes went a bit wide. "I don't care really. It's just the facts, Sook. You are prone to not listening to logic. It's usually your guttural urges that win out. I adapted. Either you will become better at fighting your own battles or you find somebody who can."

I shrug, setting the empty container to the side.
"How do you know about vampire hierarchy?" Bill pushes. I was now a threat in his eyes.

I lean back on my hands, looking at him with little care. Eric had many things on the walls that I could use to my amusement. "Don't be stupid, Compton," I sigh. "It seems vampires are something common in our family. I just wasn't blinded like Sookie."

Eric's brow was up, interested. "Do tell, Miss Lynwood."

I looked to Sookie. She looked worried the bit about vampires and our family. Eric was ignored, again. I shrug, not really caring.

"Why did you come back, Fae?" Sookie demands, frowning now.

"Few reasons. Mainly a pleading call from Jason. Thought he needed another set of eyes on you. And the King of Missouri."

Eric shot up, frowning at me now. I hardly pay him mind, brushing my hand on my jeans. Sookie was utterly surprised and a bit betrayed.

"Jason just happened to call at the right time. Mom was snatched a few weeks before I took off."

"That doesn't explain how you know about vampires, Fae. It definitely doesn't explain to me why you're so calm around them."

I flick my eyes around the room. "Kind of helps that Northman likes pointy things." My hand lazily motions at a few things. "Also, my stepdad was a vampire. He helped get me out."

"You had a step dad? I thought Aunt Leu was against marriage." Sookie was confused.

I shoot her a look. "Really? Sookie, your small town mind is narrowing."

She frowned at me. "Are we going to argue about everything?"

I beam at her, the image of innocence. "Makes it more fun. Specially since I've nothing better to do."

"There are lots of things to do. Aside from your drinking-"

"Sookie, we have a schedule. There isn't time for these games."

I laugh, sitting up to let my elbows rest on my knees. "Time talk from the man who will out live us." Bill frowned at me. Clearly I wasn't getting him in my fandom. My eyes flick to Eric. "Why does this involve Blondy?"

"That's the other reason I asked for you," Sookie says with a frown at him. "Eric wants me to help him."

My brow lifts as I look from Sookie to Eric. "You paying her? Cause I'll do nothing if you aren't."

"He's paying," Sookie says smugly. There was the Stackhouse I knew. "He's paying for the new driveway."

"Oooh," I call as I clap my hands once. "Top dollar I hope."

Eric frowned at me. "I want it to remain gravel."
A sigh left me before Bill could snap something. Their eyes flicked to me. I was on my feet with ease, one hand rested on my hip while the other hung lazily.

"So, I am to stay with you. While there I am to keep an eye on you and babysit while you help Eric. This seems too easy. Too stupid to take me from my usual festivities."

"Can you take nothing seriously?" Bill pushes. "This is Sookie's life we are talking about."

I lazily look to him. "You have no room to speak of life. That you think I do not take the life of my family serious is an insult, Compton. I would gladly ask that you take a long hike into the sun."

"Faelyn!" Sookie yelled it out as she shot to her feet. Her cheeks were reddening, her eyes hard on me. "I won't have you insulting Bill."

I tilt my head as I look at her. "Sookie, sit down." Bill rested his hand on her arm, lightly pulling her down. I waited a moment before speaking again.

"I want you to realize what you are asking of me, Sookie Stackhouse."

"I'm asking you nothing surprising."

I frown, hair falling to cover a bit of my face. "Sam was right. You ask so much of people, not realizing that you are the cause of so much." Her cheeks paled, eyes wide. "You are asking me to get involved in vampire affairs. Affairs I left. You are asking me to risk my life for your own. You are asking me to let my life sit on the side while I focus on your own. You are asking that I dig my own grave with you."

"I didn't mean-"

I hold a hand up, still serious as I looked to her. "Between family, knowing the hazards, it is nothing. I want you to understand that I will not be your whipping child. I will say what I want, when I want. Including insulting the man you choose to blindly love. "

"Don't be rude," Sookie huffs. "I don't insult.."

She quiets. I lift my chin at her. "Oh? Sookie, we are practically sisters. There are no lies between us. I speak my mind, just as I want you to do with me."

She huffs, a slow smile pulling. "You're a bitch, Faelyn."

I give a laugh and hold my hand out to her. "That's the Sookie I've been waiting for. Tell me how it is. Oh, and if I have to play babysitter, I want payment."

"What?" Eric speaks up. "She offers you a place to stay."

I shrug, Sookie joining me as we smash our side together in a hug. "Never said it was rent free. I'm easily amused, so just free liquor."

"You're making me wonder if I should trust you," Bill speaks as he stands.

I glance to him. "Liquor helps," I say with a tap at my head. "Stress reliever."

Sookie finally jumps in on my side. She looks to Bill. "Fae hasn't been drunk once since she came back. Her tolerance is too high."

"My metabolism," I correct. My stomach gave a growl, as if hungry. I tap it, beaming at Sookie. "So, how about that burger."

"You're like a bottomless pit," she says in mock surprise.

"What? It takes a lot of energy to be this awesome."

She didn't hide the eye roll, pushing my face from her. I stumble a step, laughing. A music tone came from the couch. Eric's phone. He flipped it out, fingers flying at vampire speed as he texted. That reminded me. My hand slipped into Sookie's front pocket. She didn't seem bothered by it.

I pulled back, her phone in my hand. "I'm calling Jas, so he knows to go to bed without me."

"Do you not have a phone of your own?" Eric asks without looking from his phone.

I had the phone to my ear, waiting. "I spend most of my money on food," I state casually as if it were nothing. His eyes were on me then. He was frowning.

"Jas!" I chirp as the phone is picked up on the other end.

"Fae? Why you on Sook's phone?"

"Long story that started with an awesome thing called being cheap. Either way, I'm not going to be home tonight. Sookie needs bothering."

"Fae," Jason sighs. I could almost hear him rubbing his temple. "Last time you spent time with Sook you were hauled off in a cop car."

I laugh, stepping around Sookie absently. "Yeah, fun times." Clearly a good memory by the tone I used. "But, the Sheriff wont bother us. Doing some girly shit."

A short laugh came from Jason. "You and I both know you're making crap up. You don't do the girly thing."

I shrug, as if he would see it. "Yeah yeah. Whatever. I'm just letting you know not to put the man hunt out."

"Let me speak to Sook."

Ooh, serious Jason. I give a smile, teeth flashing mischievously. "Okay."

I hung up. Sookie looked surprised as the phone started to ring again. She went to take it. I held it out of her reach.

"What did you do, Fae?" Sookie pushes as she sees that it's Jason.

"Showing Jason that he isn't my dad and that he can go fuck off."

She looks insulted at the words I chose to use. I lean on her, arm around her shoulders. My eyes flicked over the men expectantly.

"So, why was I needed for the rest of the night?"

Eric stood now, moving to stand closer to me. He towered over me, looking down to meet my eyes.

"To stay with Miss Stackhouse."

My eyes roll as I look toward Sookie. "My place. I need you to spend the night."

I frown, pouting a bit. "Tell me we really won't be doing girly crap. Cause I am far from the mood for gossip and nail painting."

"What are you in the mood for, Miss Lynwood?"
My eyes slowly moved from Sookie toward Northman. A sarcastically blank look was in place as I looked up at him. I was a bit surprised that he would even say it.

"I so hope you weren't flirting," I start. I use one hand to push the hair behind my ear. "Cause, last I checked, I'm supposed to be busy for the next questionable amount of time."

Sookie snickered behind me, letting me go to cover her laugh. I frown as I look toward her, clearly I was serious. Eric was frowning at me. I was a bit confused at Sookie.

"What?" I demand. "I'm really going to be busy." I was arguing for nothing. She was still laughing as she looked to me. "Between work and watching you, I'm going to have my hands full."

"Let's go home," she says, still laughing a bit. "Before you take Eric up on his offer."

"How the hell can I keep track of you while having sex?" I cry out as she drags me toward the door.

"Go wait by the car," Sookie says as she shoves me out.

I throw my hands in the air, strutting toward the car as I let Sookie have her moment with Bill. Sickening as it was. Eric walked behind me, clearly not wanting to witness the display either.

"I'll come by to check on Sookie," Eric says to me as I lean on the ugly car.

"Whatever," I huff. "Clearly I get the short end of this stick. I should demand money instead of alcohol."

"It's still not too late," Sookie teases as she nears. She held Bill's hand as she walked toward us.

I shrug. "Just means I get to make you cook for me."

"How is that a surprise," she says with a smile at me. "You only know how to cook a steak and bbq."

"Hey, meat is an important thing." I frown a bit, distracted. "I should have gotten cows. Cheaper."

"I draw the line there," Sookie cuts. "There is no way I will allow you to keep cows at my house."

My eyes roll up to look toward Eric. "She ruins all of my fun."
I pull from the car only to snatch Sookie's hand. "Come on, Debby Downer. You're making me pancakes in the morning."

She smiles back at Bill as I drag her to the car. "Call me," she calls back to him as I push her into the driver's seat.

I shoot a look over the car at the two vampires. It wasn't that pretty smile I gave Sook. It was a bit dark, as if to show I didn't trust them. And I didn't. I got in just as quickly, smacking the dash to tell her to go.

"Northman's paying my portion of the bills," I call out the window as Sookie turns around.

Eric frowned at me, arms slipping from being crossed under his chest. I beamed at him as I waved. He said nothing though, watching as we left his drive.