A red car pulled into the yard as I pushed the mower around the house. I'd spent the last four or more hours out here. I knew the sun would set and there were only lights around the house. As such, I started on the furthest and worked my way in.

I glanced up, pulling the mower back to circle the bush. Sweat was on my brow, shirt plastered to me. It got hot as the Dickens. My stubborn will kept me at it. I'd stopped once an hour ago to put a sports bottle on the porch after a small break. My hair was raked back in a very sloppy ponytail. Headphones were on my ears, music blasting in them.

My eyes went back to the task at hand. Sook should be home soon. I wanted this yard done by then. That is, if she didn't go to Bill's. No. She'd go to his place. Somebody came to stand out of the way, watching. I stepped back, hand letting go of the mower. It sputtered to a stop as I ripped the headphones off.

"What are you doing here?" I ask a bit breathless.

My hands went to my waist, allowing me to breathe a bit easier as I looked up at him. I must have smelled like sweat. I knew I did. One of my hands lifted to brush some of the sweat off. He looked me over, smirking.

"Working hard?"

I glanced around at the yard as if that were all that needed said. "Yard needed cut."

"Cutting it in the dark?"

I motion at the light. "All I've got left is around the house. The grass further out took longer than I thought."

The hand I used to motion fell to my side. "Pam get a place?"

He held out a set of keys with a smirk. I reached for them. He pulled them up and out of reach. "I take it, your affairs are in order?"

He meant the lack of a van in the drive. I huff, shifting my weight to my left for a moment. I motioned him to follow me.

"Yeah. They came for the van and uniforms. They weren't happy."

"You were their best worker," he mocks, following me to the porch.

I dropped to the swing, snatching up my bottle. I'd not used my power since he got here. He watched as I greedily drank the water in the bottle.

"Sookie thinks I got promoted. That's what I'm telling them all."

"I will need you tonight."

I look up at him with my brow scrunched, like he was crazy. "Really? I'm not even dressed for anything."

He smirks. "Who said clothing was needed?"

I huff, rolling my eyes as I stand up. "Don't tell Sook I'm doing this."

I stepped inside the house, door open behind me, "Come on in, Eric. Watch TV or something while I get a shower."

"I could always join you," he says breathing on my neck as I reach the stairs.

I blindly shove him back with my hand, continuing up the steps. "Not happening. Sook will be home soon. Both of us need to be gone by then."

"We could always tell her."

He was following me up the steps. I didn't pay mind, ripping off my shirt. My shoes had been kicked off at the door. The shirt fell to the floor by my bed.

"Not happening. She'd freak. She's not even used to the idea of me being here again."

I turned, a bundle of clothing in hand as I passed him for the bathroom. I shut the door in his face, locking it.

"I'll be a moment."

I was true to my word, I stepped out of the bathroom with a towel in my hair. I didn't bother with the blow dryer, never did. I had another pair of jeans on, the top was a simple white blouse that fit my form well. It was dressy, lace ruffles down the front of the flashy cut over the cleavage.

"No make up?" he teases as I enter my room. He lay on my bed, arms folded behind his head as he watched me walk in.

"I try not to use it, too much bother."

I swung the closet open. The bottom was covered in neatly stacked shoe boxes. I paused, glancing over the shoes. I, personally, like heels. But I had so much to choose from. I paused, frowning as I spotted two boxes out of their order. One, a pair of flats, was open and empty. Sookie had those. I'd let her use them last night. The other was a pair of black lace up ankle boots. The heels on them were pointed and high, just the way I loved my heels. Those were open and on the top. Eric. My eyes rolled as I grabbed them. It was a good idea. They were my favorites.

I turned, boots flopping on the bed near him. "Don't let me forget those."

He just lifted a brow as I started rubbing the towel in my hair. I dropped the towel, ripping a brush through my hair too quick to do more than get the knots out. I was weaving it down the back of my head in a braid in moments. My fingers were working as I headed for the door.

"Come on. It's almost nine thirty," I call, bouncing down the steps.

I pulled to a halt, eyes a bit wide at the sight of Bill at the bottom of the steps. Eric stepped up behind me, heels dangling from his fingers. He calmly looked at Bill.

"What are you doing here?" I ask, frowning a bit. "Sook isn't home yet."

"I had hoped to speak with you," Bill says, eyes flicking from me to land on Eric. "Though, I seem to be too late."

I use the strip of ribbon to tie off the braid, glancing over the way Bill stood. He was dressed as usual.

"Does Sookie know?"

I let out a loud breath, moving around him for my wallet and stuff on the table by the door. I didn't look at him.

"What? That Eric's in here?" Not like it was his business.

"Evening, Compton," Eric says smugly, stepping down to tower over him.

"What are you doing here, Eric?"

I turn, stuffing my phone in my bra. "I should be asking you that, Compton," I huff, stepping toward him.

He looked toward me, a small frown in place. My hip cocked to the side. "Eric is taking me to see Pam. I'd asked her to help me shop for new clothes." I lied with ease.

"Sookie would have helped, had you asked," Bill says pointedly.

My eyes roll to the side. "Bill, I love Sookie to death," I state as I look back at him. "But Pam has amazing fashion sense. With my new promotion, I need office wear." I lean into him, reaching for my heels in Eric's hand. I spoke as I pulled back. "Sookie knows I asked Pam. We already spoke about it."

"Does she know you've had Eric's blood?"
I frown at Bill, like he had said something very personal. "I don't ask about her sex life. Stay out of mine."

I shift back, arms crossing as I look him over from head to toe. The heels tapping as I thought.

"I'm not sure what she sees in you," I mutter, finally looking over his face again. "Never said she had fantastic taste, but…" I shrug, turning for the door. "I'm leaving. Hopefully Pam will let me eat before we shop."

"Your van is gone," Bill speaks up as I open the door.

I don't pause, stepping out. "Come on, Eric. I'd rather not rescind your invitation with you in there."

He stepped out, rushing to his car. He didn't open the door for me. Bill stepped out to the porch, watching.

"Eric, I rescind you invitation to Sookie's home," I state with a smirk as I swing the door to his Corvette open.

"You're hiding something, Miss Lynwood."

I stop, glancing back to Bill. "So are you," I call back. I dropped my shoes in the car, one foot in it as I smirked at Bill. "Tell me, does she know that your blood caused her to fall for you? Does she even know if what she feels is really her loving you, or the effect of all that blood you give her?"

He was not happy as I sat, shutting the door. I extended a hand in the air. "I'd say it was nice talking to you, but that stick up your ass makes it hard."

Eric chuckled as the car sped off. I started putting my boots on as we reached the road.

"You know about the effects of our blood."

I glance at him, a shorter strand of hair escaping the braid. "My step father was a good man, kept me in on a few things."

"How much do you know?"

"All depends. I tried to stay out of the political crap."

I sat back, boots laced up and on. Eric pulled something from the floor board on his side. A bag was dropped in my lap. It was a work bag, leather and the long strap. I would have used it for school, had I still been going. Messenger bag? I flipped it open. There were pens, pencils, sticky notes, and a few other office supplies. The large pocket held some folders and a schedule book.

"I'm a glorified secretary?" I demand while pulling the schedule book out.

He held out a card to me. A credit card. I frown, taking it. "A company card."

"Clearly," I say with sarcasm.

"You will do things during the day for me. This does not limit or exclude picking things up."

"I feel like I should tell you that I demand at least six hours of solid sleep a day."

I pulled my wallet from my back pocket. Eric shot it a glance. It was a worn, man's wallet with Duck Tape on it for decoration. I put the card in one of the slots, shrugging as I put the wallet in my new bag. I sat back, pulling my phone out to text Sook.

'Out with Pam. Not sure when I'll be back.'

I hardly waited a moment before the sound of clashing swords came from it, screen lighting up. I smirk at the response.

'Bill says you headed out with Eric.'

'Taking me to Pam. Want me to find a pair of heels for you?'

I glanced up as Eric slowed the speed, turning into the back of Fangtasia.

'Can you?'

'Sure. Have fun with Bill. I'll try to stay out late to allow you more time.'

'lol.'

Eric parked the car, glancing to me.

"I will need to get shoes for Sook before I go home," I say while swinging the door open. Pam was stepping out of her own car.

She looked at the boots on my feet as I stood, swinging the bag over my shoulder.

"Acceptable," she says as she nears, circling me.

"Pam, get heels for a lavender dress."

"Heels?" She glanced me over.

"Nothing too expensive," I say quickly. "They will hardly be worn."

"For you?"

"Sure," I say with a smirk and a wink at her.

Eric was opening the door to the back. It was quiet for once. I gave a few quick strides after him, catching the door as Pam took off. Eric was glancing back toward me from his office. He must have had something he needed done.

I stepped around him, pausing at the sight of a young red head. She looked up, long hair hanging down.

"Jessica, this is Fae. No, you cannot eat her," Eric states as he moves to sit at his desk.

Jessica pouted from her location at the couch. I moved for the chair facing Eric's desk, bag dropping next to me.

"I thought you had work for me," I push as I tug my shirt back down, it had shifted when I sat.

"Legal part first," he states, shoving a paper at me.

I groaned at the sight of it. An application, a very dumbed down one. I snatched the pen from his hand, quickly filling it all in. I didn't put anything for the address, he knew where my new place was to be. I tossed the pen down, shoving the paper at him.

A set of keys was tossed at me. I caught them, lifting a brow at the number of keys. There had to be five or six of them on the ring. Each had a colored ring around the key to mark them.

"Pam is the pink. You are the green. Fangtasia is red. Mine is orange."

"I have keys to your places? You trust me not to kill either of you?"

"I doubt you would try it," he said with a dark look, threatening.

I lifted one of the pens from the cup on his desk and tossed it at him with little enthusiasm. He caught it, hardly blinking at it. I shifted to sit back, jerking to the side in a bit of a start at the girl's face hardly an inch from mine. I wasn't scared, my heart didn't jump up a beat. No, I glared at her.

"Sit the fuck down, little girl," I snap.

"Make me," she says cocky. Very new. "I'm a vampire. I could eat you."

"Good God, Eric, tell me she isn't yours," I demand with my teeth flashing from my sneer.

"Bill's."

"Oh!" I purr out happily looking to Eric. "Does Sook know?"

Eric smirked deviously back. The girl was leaning in as if to smell me. My hand pressed against her face, my power shoving her back. She smacked the couch, falling to sit with the force.

"Do tell," I push, legs crossing at the knees as I look to Eric still.

"The Fuck?" Jessica demands with wide eyes at me.

"Be quiet, Jessica," Eric snaps. He motioned at my bag. I lifted it, pulling out the folders and book. They were placed on the desk as I took one of the pens from the bag. "You'll need to have those read."

"I'm not the best at remembering things," I state with a look from under my brows at him.

"Then you'd best try hard."

I flipped the first open. It was a list of things for Fangtasia. They obviously didn't do the drop off for stock at night. I flipped to the next folder, glancing over it all. Things I would have to do for Pam and Eric. I flipped the schedule open. It was filled with everything that I had in the folders, almost. On another page of the folder for them was a short list of numbers.

"Food," Eric speaks up.

My mouth opened in a silent 'O', giving a small nod. I stuffed the things away, back in the bag. I left the schedule out, opening it for that night. Nothing was listed, utterly blank. I looked back up to Eric, page held open for him to see.

"I'm starting to think you just wanted to see me," I tease, letting the book drop to my lap.

"As much as you would like that, the paperwork needed done."

My eyes rolled to the side, glancing at the young vampire. I shifted in my seat to better study her. She wore this crappy Goth outfit. Super short skirt, crappy fishnets, shirt that didn't cover, fakest corset ever…. Too much make up. My brow lifts.

"Looks like somebody slipped out of the whore tree," I state with a laugh in my tone.

Her eyes flicked to me, judging me like any good woman would. She wasn't worth her salt yet. It would take time.

"I'd hate to see how Billy will act," I say with a laugh to Eric.

"What is that? Walmart special?" she snips like the high schooler that she was.

My eyes snap back to her. "No. I believe it was Forever 21. " I stand, motioning to myself. "Then again, I don't doubt my abilities enough to have to flaunt my body around."

"Care to share?" Eric speaks up, eyeing me.

"You've seen me nearly naked, Eric. Not like you haven't got it memorized," I say with a wink at him. I glance back to Jessica.

"You look too desperate. Too eager. Clearly you came from a strict home. There is an art to flirting and the whole game about it."

"Teaching her to flirt isn't part of what I pay you for," Eric says while putting his feet on his desk.

"Obviously," I say with a pointed look at him. "I'm to be your errand runner."

"You could be my bed warmer."

I sat, looking pointedly at the wall. "Still preferring my men with a pulse. Maybe a scruffy beard."

I tapped my chin in thought. My foot swung a bit in time with my tapping.

"That shifter?" Eric sneered a bit.

My eyes flick over to him. "Sam?" I smirk, foot and finger stilling. "Not that I wouldn't mind to see how he was, I prefer him as a friend." I let out an annoyed growl. "Another member of the Sookie fan club. Just like so many men."

"Fan club?"

He sat forward, feet sliding to the floor. My eyes flick to him. "Oh yes. All the men that just want Sookie. Sam, Bill, you, a few other useless men who have no way to get her."

This had me frowning a bit. "Annoying really. It's why I hate going out with her. Either the men want to eat her or shag her. Makes it a big bother if I'm stuck on baby sitting duty."

"Eat her?" Jessica perked, fangs dropping.

"Oh put those away," I huff at her, giving a click with my tongue.

"But I'm hungry," she whines.

I groan, looking to Eric. "I have to agree with the whining teenage brat. I didn't get to eat dinner yet."

"You seem to always be hungry," Eric counters.

"High metabolism," I say with a shrug. "I could go for some Chinese. Something spicy."

"You will both have to wait."

He had his phone out, texting. My eyes flicked to the redhead. "How did you plan to feed her? Should I call one of the numbers?"

"You could always offer," Eric says, letting me see his fangs drop.

"Yeah, about that." I stood, swinging the bag over my chest to hang opposite the strap. "You'd have better luck getting Pam to go straight."

"I heard my name," Pam purrs as she steps in.

A bag was tossed to me. I caught it, almost dropping it. I lifted a brow at the plain bag. She held up the receipt, offered to me. I snatched it, looking to the price. My brow lifted.

"I'd thought you'd spend more," I admit. I glanced in the bag then, not pulling the box out for the others to see. "Yeah. You are still my hero."

I look to her with a big grin. "I'm starting to like the sound of that," Pam says as she poses next to me.

"So, about that place?" I ask, looking to Eric, hip cocking to the side. "I've a number of people who want to have a house warming party."

"Can I come?"

I glanced at the redhead. Eric frowned at her. "Better not, cupcake," Pam states, looking at her like she were a fungus.

"Not a good idea. Knowing Sook, she'll try to get your maker there."

"I'd rather Compton not be there," Eric speaks up.

I frown, rounding on him. "You said I would have my own place. Who cares if I have Compton there?"

Pam looks at me. "You've got the apartment over the garage."

My hands shoot up to stop it all right there. "Woah. Woah."

I took a breath, thinking back to the keys. There had been one without color. "The keys?"

"Cars, mainly." Pam was looking at her nails.

"Come on!" I cry out, throwing my hands in the air. "How the fuck do I explain that to Sook?"

"Then don't have her over."

"You are utterly unbelievable," I snap. I took another deep breath, tongue running over my lip as I tried to reign in my too strong emotion. My control tended to slip, or migraines happened. One hand rested over my eyes as I focused on counting numbers in my head. "I'm going to pretend you didn't just play that card. " My hand dropped from my face as I looked at the group. Nope. Just nope. My jaw snapped shut tight, fingers curling as I just whirled, hand in the air. "Yeah. I'll be at the bar for a while."

"Is that not good?" Jessica asks, confused.

"FUCK!" I yell out in utter rage as soon as I reach the middle of the bar. I knew damned good and well that Eric felt it all. Things banged as I let out a near roar of my anger, chairs and tables soaring away from me.

I needed that drink, one hand over my left eye. God damned it all. Eric stepped through the door, hands in his pockets, smirk in place. I didn't look to him. I just held up a finger at him, jaw still clenched. It was the international hold on motion.

I'd set up a line of things on the bar. I pulled the lever for the beer, filling a mug and two shots. I was careful in lining it up with the others. Three half full glasses were spaced evenly between the seven shots. The first two were clear. Cup of soda. Three amber colored shots, two of which were beer. A cup with scotch. Three different colored shots followed, the mug after it.

I took a breath, hand falling from my face as I looked at the first two shots. One more breath was taken before both hands shot out to grab the shots of Everclear. I downed them. Everything fell in a rapid succession. In under a short time, the mug smacked the counter. I leaned over the counter, palms pressed tight as I took even breaths. I looked up, testing. Nope. Not feeling it yet. My eyes flicked to Eric. Yeah. Nope.

My head smacked the bar as I bit back my anger. "You really are an asshole," I growl, face pressed to the wood. With my stomach empty, the alcohol should have…

I sagged a bit as I felt it kick in. The pain in my head slowly lessened, nose utterly numb. And that, folks, was the name of the game. I didn't glance up as I heard glass set in the sink. I didn't even look up when I knew he was right next to me.

"I'm not moving in."

"You already accepted it."

"I take it back. I'd rather put my foot up your ass."

I was muttering into the wood, Eric had to be leaning on the counter next to me.

"You could try."

"Not now," I sigh, batting a hand to the side he was on. "I'd rather not try."

My words were slurring a little. "You've had a tantrum." He was talking about the chairs and tables.

"You're making my head hurt, Northman. Stop."

I heard him clear his throat, turning a bit near me. I held a hand out, "Pass me something to drink. That Everclear isn't sitting well."

Glass met my palm. I leaned back, letting out a breath before looking at the bottle. My face went blank as I looked at him. He lifted a brow.

"I meant like a bear or soda," I mutter, putting the bottle down.

"Pam said we're leaving."

"Then leave," Eric states, not glancing to the girl.

I rubbed at my temple, trying to not get too pissed as I thought about this situation. "How will I explain to Sook? She's not likely to leave me be."

"Has that stopped you before?" he asks dryly, eyes rolling down to look at me. He leaned back with his arms crossed.

"I'm not thinking on it," I state, hands giving a cutting motion. "I'm liable to get upset. We are just going to leave the subject. I'll find something to tell her."

"Then you're done wasting time?"

I shoved his arm, knowing it was pointless. He didn't even budge as I stormed around the bar. "I want food."

"You've said this earlier."

He walked behind me to his car. I slipped out my phone, checking messages. Nothing, yet. I sent one to Sam.

'Change of plans on helping move.'

About now, the bar should be busy. I'd hardly stepped out of Fangtasia as a dog started barking, my phone. I sighed, swiping the button as I slid into the Corvette.

"Yeah?"

"What do you mean? Sookie was talking about her big plan on trying to get you a present."

I rubbed my face, not caring if Eric was frowning and could hear. "Yeah. Trust me, I guessed as much."

"You been drinking?"

I could hear the frown on his end. I heard a few people in the background talking, then Sam's muffled voice. "Yeah, Holly. I'll find out if she will."

Sam gave a sigh, receiver had to be back to his mouth. "Need a ride?"

I smirk, shifting in my seat. "I thought we talked about that, Sam," I tease. "But, nah. I've got a sober driver."

"You know where you're staying?"

"Hell?" I offer, knuckle tapping the dash to get Eric's attention. I pointed to the burger joint. "Let me give you a call back. Or come on by Sook's tomorrow. I'm thinking of making ribs and chops."

"I'll get Terry to cover for me. What time?"

"Uh…" I rub my face in thought, not like I could really feel it. "After noon. Sook's off tomorrow?"

"Yeah."

"Nice. Sneak me out some gumbo, a big container of it. I'll pay ya when you get there."

He chuckles, "I'll see what I can do."

"Tomorrow then, Sam. Later."

I hung up before he could say bye. Eric had stopped a bit back from the main board. I leaned a bit near him, frowning at the sign. "Something random. I've had most everything on this menu."

I pulled away, digging out my wallet. I passed him a twenty as he ordered.

'How's the shopping?'

"The heck?" I utter, leaning back to wait.

'Good.'

'Just good?'

"I'm missing not having a phone."

I didn't respond, dropping the phone with little care. Eric shoved my change at me. I was clumsy in my rush to catch it.

"Have a nice night," the worker said with little care, shutting the window.

Eric's nose was wrinkled as he held the food and soda out to me. I happily took it, grinning at the soda. He tore off down the road, definitely a fan of speeding.

"I will never understand how humans eat such filth."

I look up, fry half way to my mouth. "Hey, I try not to be picky. I eat most anything."

I stuffed the fry in, glancing back into the bag. He'd ordered a chicken. It wasn't long before he was pulling into his drive, garage opening. I'd hardly gone through half the fries in the time. He lived just out of the city, enough that he could ensure he had no neighbors.

I stepped out, using my butt to close the door. Two other cars were in the garage. One was Pam's, that one was tan. I couldn't tell the brand. My eyes flicked over the garage. Not much in here aside from the cars, a door into the house and a small set of steps leading up.

I frowned, glancing to Eric. He was stopped at the bottom of the steps, looking impatiently to me. With a breath, I followed him. It would be impossible to get a couch or chair up these. Groceries would have to be few at a time, lots of trips. Eric swung the door at the top open, a lock on it. Thank God for small miracles.

I stopped at the entrance. It was a large bedroom. No kitchen. In the corner was a small room. After glancing, I found it was just a bathroom. No shower. Not tube. A toilet and a sink. That's it. I calmly set the food and drink on the desk in the room by the other door with a small lock on it. The room looked freshly cleaned, but it hadn't been lived in. The carpet was a charcoal color, everything in it matching the white, black, and charcoal theme. It was mainly white. Such a bland room.

My finger extended toward the other door as Eric boredly watched me. My brow lifted in the silent question.

Nothing needed said as the door swung open. Jessica bounced in. My hands were thrown in the air. "My life if fucked," I claim, with a small flair of drama. I rounded on him though. My hand swept at the room "This isn't a fucking apartment, Eric. This is a guest room. You said I would have my own place. Preferably, you would think, on my own."

"That can be looked into later. For now, you will stay here. Jessica will show you the rest of the house."

He stepped out, whipping his phone out as he went down the steps. I didn't move a hand as the door slammed with enough force to shake the frame and echo throughout the house.

"I fucking hate you, Northman!" I yell out.