This is my very first fanfiction. Be gentle. I am really interested in ideas and advice, so review, review, review. I am a huge Eric/Sookie fan, but this is from Bill's POV. I figured he needed a life of his own. He really is a sweet guy, he's just gotten a raw deal. Enjoy!

I do not own any of the characters from Southern Vampire Mysteries. They all belong to Charlaine Harris. Bless her for sharing them with us. Mattie is my very own.

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Chapter 2

There in all his 6'4" Viking glory stood Eric Northman, Bill's boss and Sheriff of Area 5. He walked into Merlotte's as if he owned the place and strode over in Sookie's direction. Naturally, Bill thought as he turned back toward the bar. He just couldn't stay away and had to come and ruin his night. Mattie watched him walk over to her cousin and grab her around the waist. The Viking swiftly pulled her to him and kissed her straight on the lips. Sookie seemed rather upset and pushed back at his chest.

"Eric!" Sookie exclaimed, "I'm working here, do you mind?" She seemed exasperated with him and at the same time she looked as though she had kind of liked it.

"Of course I don't mind lover. We can finish this in the back room right now if you wish."

Sookie stomped back over to the kitchen window to place her order and then over to the bar. Bill noticed that Eric followed her in much the same way a predator followed it's prey. Not that Bill hadn't had the same feelings at times, but it disgusted him just the same.

"Oh man guys! Please do NOT tell me that is the "sort-of boyfriend" Sookie mentioned to me earlier? Mattie asked in a semi-disgusted tone.

"Yes." answered Bill, Sam, and Jason at the same exact moment. They all seemed to react in different ways. Bill was sad, Sam was pissed off, and Jason was grossed out with some fear thrown in.

"EEWWW!" exclaimed Mattie in a voice loud enough to grab Eric's attention.

"Do you have some kind of problem human?" Eric said in his typically haughty manner.

"Yeah. I'm just thinking you should kill the macho routine. It's not very becoming." Mattie retorted in a manner Bill had to appreciate based on whom she was directing it at.

"I don't see that it is any of your business woman." Eric blasted back, his fangs starting to run down a bit.

"Well since Sookie here is my cousin, I think I know a bit about her. I know her opinion about that possessive ownership behavior you've been touting pal! That is certainly no way to treat the 21st century woman she is!"

Bill almost choked on the blood he was swirling around in his mouth trying to look inconspicuous. That was probably the funniest thing he had heard in a long time and couldn't help but smile at Mattie and her general disdain for the great Eric Northman.

"Pal?" Eric said in disbelief. "Do you honestly think your opinion matters to me at all?" Eric was reacting in a way that felt quite foreign to him. He was definitely not used to having humans talk to him in such a way. Certainly not women. He took a step closer to Mattie and looked her in the eye. Bill's fangs ran down a bit to protect his new found friend. Bill thought for sure he intended to glamour her into his good graces. For some reason Eric seemed intent on making her accept his relationship with Sookie. It was interesting to Bill that Eric actually cared what Sookie's family thought. Bill let out a little HMPH! Sound. Hadn't he always done that as well?

"Eric knock it off!" Sookie yelled at him from across the bar. "That doesn't work on her either." Eric raised one eyebrow and looked slightly confused as to that statement. Perhaps Sookie had told him that Mattie was not of the Fae. What other reason would she not be affected by a vampire's glamour? Bill found this very curious, but decided that now was not the time to investigate the matter.

"For you my lover, I will comply." Eric said in a tone of general disdain. " I will do my best to be polite to your family if that pleases you." He seemed not all together pleased about the statement he had made, but he was clearly serious about his claim. At least in Eric's holier-than-though way. He and Sookie began to bicker quietly with each other .

Bill wrinkled his nose in disgust and rolled his eyes when Eric claimed Sookie as his lover. He returned his face to normal so fast that no one even noticed what he had done. Well, almost no one. When Bill looked up, Mattie was smiling at him and looking deep into his eyes. It seemed as though Bill had discovered a bit of a kindred spirit in her. He smiled back and felt pleased at the revelation.

"So Mattie, what line of work were you into up in the windy city? If you don't mind me asking." Sam inquired gently pushing her attention away from Eric.

"Sam, I had a lot of jobs." She gestured over to Sookie and smiled. " I was a barmaid for a while actually." Bill wondered how a woman with Mattie's obviously heightened senses and apparent lack of fear had not been working with law enforcement or as a government agent. He figured that was something he'd end up asking her at a later date. He had hoped they would spend some more time talking with one and other. He was finding her intriguing. He especially wanted to ask her why she seemed so put off by Eric. Bill certainly wasn't used to seeing that in a woman any more that Eric was.

"Well, I'll be!" Sam seemed excited to hear that bit of information. "It just so happens that we have an opening here if you're interested Mattie?" Bill looked at Mattie wondering, hoping what her answer would be.

"Well Sam, I think I can help you out with that. When can I start?" Mattie replied with a confident look on her face. By then Eric had keyed back into the conversation they were having.

"Coincidently shifter, I was about to offer her the open position at Fangtasia. It would definitely pay considerably more, the tips would be better, and a group health plan is included which I know from Sookie that you do not have." Eric seemed confident that Mattie would jump at the chance to be waiting tables at Fangtasia.

Mattie stood up and stepped right up to Eric and looked up. He was a full foot taller than her, but it didn't seem to phase her at all. "Sorry Northman, but it seems you're too late. I already have a job here at Merlotte's." That being said, she excused herself to the ladies room and turned on her heal to walk away. Bill, Sam, and Jason shared a silent cheer for their team and looked back down into their drinks. Eric walked away sulking slightly and telling Sookie he would be waiting for her in the parking lot when she finished working. He floated out the door and into the night

Mattie returned from the ladies room with a happy look on her face. "Good," she stated frankly. "The buzzkill's gone." Bill chuckled at that statement. " Honestly Sook, what do you see in that guy?" Bill waited to hear Sookie's answer to the question Mattie had posed at her. Although he was sure he wouldn't care for the answer.

"He's not so bad when you get to know him the way I do. I suppose he's an acquired taste." Sookie replied matter of factly and walked away to tend to her tables.

"Acquired taste?" Mattie thought that was a hilarious statement given Eric's nature and it was really a delightful play on words. "That's rich" She commented. "Well, at least he left."

"Mattie, I'm headed home to get some rest. I gotta be up at the crack of dawn tomorrow to put a sealant on the Parrish road. You comin'?" Jason asked as he jumped off his barstool. She had been staying in Jason's extra room since Crystal had moved out anyway and Sookie already had a house full. Mattie shook her head . "I'm gonna stay here a bit Jay and talk to Sam about fitting me into the schedule. I'm sure Sook can give me a lift on her way home. If the Viking allows her to." Mattie added jokingly. "Don't count on it." Jason teased.

"I would be happy to give Miss Mattie a ride home if she is so inclined." Bill responded before even thinking about it. He was surprised at himself for being so forward, but he enjoyed her company after all and saw nothing wrong with helping her out.

"OK then. It's settled." Mattie said. "It appears that Mr. Compton will be 'Driving Miss Mattie' tonight." They all chuckled at her reference to the movie. Bill thought about how much he loved that sense of humor. She was certainly a welcome addition to the little group they had in Bon Temps.

They remained at Merlotte's for another hour working out the new schedule until Sam announced last call. Bill rose from his seat and looked over at Mattie. "Shall we get you home ma'am?" Bill asked in his most sincere southern gentleman tone. "Wel,l I am sort of tired," replied Mattie. "It's been a long day and I have to work tomorrow." She winked at Sam, said goodnight to her new friends and gave Sookie a wave on her way out. As she turned back toward Bill, she quietly said to him, "Quit calling me ma'am. It makes me feel old." Mattie smiled and took the arm Bill had offered her. Although he knew she was serious, he couldn't help but smile.

They strolled out of the bar and into the cool night air. They passed by Eric leaning against the back of his car having some down time while waiting for Sookie. Mattie waved and gave him an insincere smile. "Good night Mr. Northman. Have a pleasant evening!" Bill had to laugh at her sarcastic comment, but Eric seemed nonplussed. He merely glowered a bit at them and looked away.

Bill walked her over to his car and opened the passenger door. Mattie started to giggle as she got in.

"What's so funny."

"Oh nothing, it's just the car. I can usually tell a lot about a person based on what kind of car that they drive."

"You find my automobile choice humorous?" Bill looked confused.

"I was actually thinking more about Eric for the moment. He totally screams red Corvette. I should have known. Red or yellow. He is SOOOO totally the guy that wants everyone to look at him. Those colors and vettes in general for that matter, seem to call for that type of personality." She seemed to have Eric nailed in that regard. "On the other hand, he could just like the speed and power it has, but I'm guessing no."

"And what is it that you can tell about me based on what car I choose to drive?" Bill inquired in a tone that was almost teasing.

Mattie looked at him for a moment and began to explain herself. " Well Bill, it's a Cadillac. I'm guessing you enjoy the luxury it offers. Not to mention the fact that you seem like a slow paced guy that's kind of safe." Bill got the impression that she chose her words carefully as not to insult him. He wasn't hurt, but he wasn't exactly feeling complimented either.

"So I appear to you like a senior citizen?"

Mattie laughed so hard at that comment Bill thought she would stop breathing. "Oh Bill, you are so far from that." For some reason Bill liked that answer an awful lot. He leaned over and stared her in the eyes and said, "Put your seat belt on." She busted up laughing again as they pulled out of the parking lot.

They drove quietly for a few minutes listening to the radio and enjoying the breeze through the car's open windows. Bill took a few deep breaths to take in her scent as if to determine it's origin. She looked over at him curiously and then back out the window. "So if you are so quick to judge people by their transportation choice, what is it that you drive yourself around in?" Bill asked. Mattie was quiet for a moment before she spoke. "Well actually Bill, I tried to find a car that would back up my theory about people and their cars. I had a lot of trucks when I was younger since they seemed tough and sturdy. My dad taught me how to drive stick on an old Camaro he had and I drove that for a bit. It was a pretty sweet ride and the boys in town seemed to like it." She waggled her eyebrows a bit. "It was fast and tough and sturdy. I felt like I was all of those things and we fit together pretty well." She paused for a moment before she continued to explain. "I bought a new car just last year in fact. At least it's new to me. She called to me when I saw her and I just couldn't resist the temptation."

As they pulled into the driveway of Jason's house, Bill saw her car under the street light. It was his turn to enjoy this moment as he let out a big belly laugh. Mattie looked embarrassed as she glanced over at her car. Bill found it extremely funny that she had just finished commenting on the need for some people to see and be seen. They got out of Bill's car and walked to the door of Jason's house. He casually picked up her hand and kissed it gently. "Goodnight Mattie." he said with a big smile still on his face.

"Thank you for the ride Bill. It was very kind of you." Mattie responded. "I hope we can see each other again really soon."

"I would very much like that." Bill replied. He stuck his hands in his pockets and turned to walk away. He let out another belly laugh before he got into his car and drove home. Mattie grimaced as she slowly closed the door and diminished the view of her bright purple 1970 Plymouth Barracuda.