Sam was wiping down the bar when Eric walked in. Sam could not look at him without seeing her that night, spread out on Eric's car, writhing in ecstasy. He took some small comfort in knowing that Eric was not going to like his news.
Eric approached the bar, nodding slightly to the shifter. He looked around the bar, but could already smell that Sookie was not working tonight. He had gone to her house first, as he knew she was not scheduled to work tonight and, when she was not there, assumed she came into work last minute. His brain started churning out possibilities. Some harmless - she is probably with Claudine. He thought he might have smelled some lingering traces of fairy. Some made his blood boil - if she is with Compton again I will . . . you will what? Said the little voice in his head. Kill him? If you do so she will never forgive you and you will lose her.
Eric leaned against the bar.
"What can I get for you Eric?" Sam asked, although he knew what type Eric favored.
"A bottle of O Neg please."
Sam went to the refrigerator, pulled out a bottle, flipped the top and put it in the microwave. When it was warm, he slid it over to Eric who caught it neatly and, in one motion, took a long draught. Sam bent down to adjust the tubes on some of his soda dispensers.
"Where is she Sam?"
Sam smiled slightly before standing up. "Sookie is on vacation." He waited for Eric's inevitable next question.
"Sookie? On vacation? Where?"
This time Sam smiled right at Eric. "I have no idea."
Eric growled. "What do you mean you 'have no idea?' She must have told you where she was going."
"No she didn't. She did not want anyone to know where she was going." Sam was drying glasses as he spoke.
"I see," was Eric's icy reply. He tipped back his bottle, drained it and slid it back towards Sam. He threw some money on the counter, thanked Sam and walked out.
Ten minutes later Sam's smile lit up again as Bill walked in.