A/N: One year later in the TB universe everything happened excluding Tara's 'true-death'.
Song: I Can't Feel My Face by The Weekend
"Girlfriend, is you outta yo mind?"
"Nope." She said firmly. "You can come with me if you like." Sookie offered, smiling optimistically at her sassy friend.
"I ain't goin and neither should you," Lafayette said stiffly, his big brown eyes full of apprehension. He casually slid the young woman her order of chicken tenders and French fries. "If you know what's best, you'd keep ya narrow ass home with yo fine ass husband and ya lil rug-rat."
Sookie rolled her eyes cynically and took another sip of her mint julep... "Stephen is out of town for the entire week and I've already asked Jessica and Hoyt if they'd watch Saul for tonight. Besides, don't you miss Tara?"
Lafayette peered at Sookie unblinkingly for a moment, recalling the numerous times he'd called Fangtasia only to have Pam sass him before hanging up in his face. He didn't have Tara's new cellular number, even though he knew she had one. And he also knew Tara and Willa had their own apartment in Shreveport but has yet to be invited. He shrugged before leaning forward against the bar, leaving only a few inches separating them. "Look here heffa, if Akasha wanted to see us, she knows where we at."
Sookie shrugged, "Maybe she can't," Sookie mumbled, staring at her plate for a second, thinking of how much of a bitch Pam is. She then dipped a couple of French fries in the ketchup. She wondered why Tara or Eric for that matter hasn't visited or even bothered calling her in over a year. She was certain they both missed her too.
"You know he's right Sook," Sam said interrupting her thoughts. "I think if Tara wanted to see us, she'd come around." Sam reiterates while filling her glass with ice, then spraying in some cola and pouring in a little whiskey before passing it to Lafayette. "Besides, you shouldn't drive all the way to Shreveport to a vampire bar all alone."
"You're welcome to come along," Sookie proposed. "I'm sure Tara would be happy to see you too."
"Count me out Sook," Sam shook his head dismissively, "I never want to see that place again." The scruffy-faced man grabbed two beers out of the cooler and walked towards two waiting customers.
"Don't you wonder how Tara's doing? If she's happy." Sookie huffed clearly. She couldn't help but picture her poor friend being treated like a slave, cleaning blood, hauling coffins, and being isolated from her friends and family...most importantly from her. Sookie wanted to cry.
"What time you goin?" Lafayette asked dryly, interrupting her train of thought. Knowing that Sookie was determined to go, despite their warnings.
"I plan on leaving around 7, should be there by 8." She said primly, patting her face with her napkin, afterward, drawing the last sip of her drink before sliding out of the barstool.
"I get outta here at 7." He said thoughtfully, placing his hand coyly to his big hoop earring. "And James doesn't roll out of his coffin till then, so if you can wait till round 8, we'll go with you."
Sookie beamed, "Oh thank you La-La!" the young woman ran all the way around the bar to hug her friend.
"You welcome hookah." Lafayette shook his head in exasperation. No matter how many times he's explained what he knew about vampires to Sookie, still, she just could not leave well enough alone.
"I'll meet you at your place at 8!" Sookie expressed happily as she ran out of the restaurant.
In all honesty, Sookie was not the entire reason Lafayette agreed to go to the infamous Shreveport bar. James had been inviting him to go to Fangtasia since they remodeled and reopened; he figured tonight was as good as any. Personally, Lafayette was no longer bothered by Tara's absence. Although in the beginning, it was hard to take, however, once James had explained to him the whole Sire and Progeny relationship, he understood a great deal more. According to James, a Sire provides for and teaches their Progeny everything they know about being a vampire. During that bonding time, they can become very possessive. James told Lafayette it could take a lifetime before Tara returns home, by then most of her human family will be dead and gone. The only way Tara would return to Bon Temps sooner was if Pam suddenly released her. Lafayette accepted this and allowed himself to believe in his heart that his cousin is doing well.
At home, Sookie began the joyful task of getting dolled up for the night. Feeling nostalgic, Sookie decided to wear her favorite white sundress. She wore a black jean- jacket and black strappy- wedges. She slid on all red accessories and glided on bright blood- red lipstick for the finishing touch.
"Vampire bait." She giggled at her reflection in the mirror.
They arrived at the doors of Fangtasia a little after 10:30 pm. Lafayette had taken exceptionally long getting ready. His first issue was his accessories; he couldn't decide what would look best with is leopard print button up shirt, shiny gold- pants and black high-tops with gold spikes. Before long, James amusement turned to boredom and he suggested to his beau that he wear the gold spike earrings to match his shoes.
James, the 60-year-old (who doesn't look a day over 30), brooding vampire, sported a casual black blazer, white-V-neck t-shirt, dark-blue skinny -jeans and black boat- shoes.
The line at Fangtasia was semi-long but moved quickly. Willa Burrell was at the door, dressed in a micro- short, lace, black-dress and lace-up high-heels.
"Hi, Lafayette." Willa beamed the moment she saw Tara's stylishly flamboyant cousin.
"Hi there-"Lafayette began, but before he could finish, Sookie maneuvered so she was standing in front of him.
"Hi Willow, I'm Sookie, remember me," Sookie asked, unaware that she'd mispronounced her name. But one thing Sookie was sure of; Eric must have mentioned her to his newest progeny.
Willa paid her mistake no mind and focused on recalling who Sookie was, and when she did, she smiled tentatively and greeted her warmly. "Welcome, tell Ginger that you have VIP service." She handed Lafayette a black card that had the word VIP written in bold red on the front and back.
"Thank you, honey." Lafayette's winked at the brunette, his apprehension swiftly washing away. "Is Tara in there?"
A demure smile crossed Willa's face before she spoke. "She's here...go on in."
Feeling Willa's good-vampire vibe, Lafayette needed no further invitation. Lafayette sashayed inside, James and Sookie followed close behind.
Sookie gasped when she stepped inside the newly renovation nightclub. There were several life-size, sexy pictures of Tara, Willa, Eric, and Pam hanging on the walls. Sookie was unable to focus on much else going on. She was so amazed at how sensual Tara looked in her photo. The Tara she remembered always looked...causal. The Tara in the pictures was a vixen! Sookie needed a moment to absorb the amazing transformation.
James had patronized Fangtasia on many occasions, and he was never impressed with the place until now. Space had been expanded, making room for a huge dancefloor. On each side of the dancefloor were golden cages; inside, scantily clad dancers, gyrating provocatively. The bar area was remodeled, shiny gold brass, glass, and mirrors gave the area a stylish appearance. The well-appointed bar was decorated with larger than normal wine and spirit bottles. The bottles had lights inside creating a very stylish look. Even the shiny black floors sparkled with gold glitter.
The moment Lafayette entered the doors, he noticed Pam sitting in the throne center- stage. He could not deny, his cousin's maker had a grandeur presence about her. Her style was impeccable; the tall blond was dressed in a crimson-colored, racy off the shoulder, low-cut ruched blouse, painted -on- shiny-black tights and red knee-high boots. Pam was literally dressed to kill.
"That looks like the VIP area," James spoke loudly due to the vivacious, blaring music in the club. He pointed to a door on the right side of the dancefloor.
Sookie gasped again, the big red neon sign above the door said TARA'S JOINT. A hefty sized man dressed in a black tracksuit stood adversely in front of the door.
"I think we supposed to give this to you big bear," Lafayette said flirtatiously to the stern looking man, unintimidated by his gruff demeanor. The man said nothing as he took the cards and opened the door.
The dimly-lit, cozy room was adorned with swanky tables, plush chairs, and a large one-sided mirror. They could see the entire club from the room, however, the people on the other side could only see their own reflection. The music from the club played softly in the background. Not a moment after they took a seat Ginger shuffled in to take their drink orders.
"Damn, this ditzy bitch still here letting random vampires chew on her narrow ass," Lafayette said coolly the moment Ginger left the room. "You see all those bite marks on her?"
James nodded and laughed, "It's a lifestyle for some humans."
"I just hope her dumb-ass get our orders right, that hussy is dumber than a box of hair."
James laughed earnestly again. "Right on lover, A positive is the only type for me." He smiled lovingly at the best thing that ever happened to him and Lafayette smiled back at his Bohemian vampire.
"Sookie, yous awfully quiet, what's on yo mind sweetheart?"
The young woman had several things on her mind, none of which she wanted to reveal to her friend at the moment. Everything had changed so much from the last time she was here. She expected to see Eric with his steely visage, gazing at her from the throne. He'd summon her and she'd finally have the chance to tell him and Tara all about her new life. It was odd for her to see Pam sitting on Eric's throne. Although she'd prepared herself to be unceremoniously greeted by the snarky vampire; yet tonight, Eric's eldest progeny seemed completely unaffected by her presence.
And where is Tara?
"Just taking it all in." She smiled, attempting to mask her circumvention, "Geese, I could really use a drink right now."
Not a second later, Ginger strolled back in with a tray full of cocktails, "Pam said, the first round is on her," the platinum blonde chirped gleefully.
"Please tell Pam we appreciate her generous hospitality." James requested, handing Ginger a five-dollar tip.
Sookie and Lafayette were momentarily shocked into silence.
"Well, this is new, Vampire Barbie is playing nice for a change." Lafayette acknowledged, his perfectly-arched eyebrow raised with surprise.
Thirty-five minutes and two strawberry-daiquiris later, Sookie had become restless. By the third apple- martini, Lafayette's dirty jokes had everyone in the VIP room laughing uncontrollably. With each drink, Lafayette became more and more rambunctious, much to James delight.
"I'm gonna excuse myself to the ladies room," Sookie announced to her friends, but didn't wait for them to respond. It wouldn't have mattered, they were not paying attention to her anyway. The young blond politely pushed her way through the crowd to the ladies restroom. She finished her business, washed her hands and reapplied her rouge lip color. Instead of going left towards the bar, she took a right and headed down to Eric's office. Although the door was closed she didn't bother to knock and twisted the doorknob, pushing the door forward. The sight caused Sookie let out a shocking gasp while doing her best to hold herself together. Her doe eyes went wide and her mouth fell open. She wasn't sure how to register what she was witnessing.
Tara's totally naked, shapely backside was facing her, straddled over Eric's equally nude, muscular form. His back arched in his big leather chair, his hands placed firmly on her hips, Eric's pale body thrust upwards, driving his well-endowed cock deep inside her at a rapid speed. The dark-skinned beauty release a loud moan, her long dark hair brushing lightly against her arched back. In every loud moan, Eric got encouraged to drive his cock faster, with brute force causing her moans to become louder and louder. And every thrust ended with a loud thudding sound, as he slammed at her curvaceous backside. The whole room was filled with moaning and thudding sounds. His cock was quite thick, its girth opened her lips wide, allowing her juices to coat his cock, bathing it completely.
"Eric!" Sookie breathed... she was unsure if she even said it aloud in the state she was in. In any case, she received no response.
The handsome vampire's eyes were shut tight, the Viking was fully captured in the throes of pleasure, loving the feeling of Tara's tight wetness sliding up and down his shaft.
"Tara!" Sookie's voice shook, leaving no doubt that she'd spoken aloud.
"WHAT!" Tara sounded hostile at first until the voice registered and she turned her head as much as she could and caught a glimpse of Sookie, "Oh hey Sook," she said offhandedly. "What are you doing here?"
Sookie was too overcome with confusion to answer. She managed to get her legs moving and she fled. It was close to midnight and the club was packed. That did not stop Sookie from rudely pushing patrons until she got outside the doors of Fangtasia for some much needed fresh air.
What were they thinking? She said to herself. She didn't think they were thinking.
In the office, Tara tried to look ashamed, but since she wasn't feeling ashamed it wasn't really working for her.