Hey everyone, thank you to all that took the time to review! It kept me thinking about the story, knowing that people were into it so far! :)
Chapter 2
Alcide rushed past Pam towards Sookie grasping her in a tight hug.
"Alsheede" She managed to utter from his chest. Pushing him back she smiled at him.
"What are you doing here? I thought you were headed back to your pack?"
"I was when I got this text from Bill." He pulled his phone from his plaid jacket. Sookie looked towards Eric, his eyes were cold and he was gripping the sides of desk. Deciding to ignore his reaction she took Alcide's offered phone.
Got sent away by queen. Keep Sookie safe she's in danger.
"I was headed to Eric to see if he knew what this was about." He explained making eye contact with the vampire in question. Eric only narrowed his eyes in response. Sookie let out a heavy sigh. What was up with him?
"Well Alcide the queen wants me as a pet and now that I am no longer Bill's seems I'm fair game."
"You and Bill aren't together anymore Sookie?" Alcide asked in a hopeful voice.
"Well..." Sookie began, but was interrupted by Eric's booming voice.
"That is no business of yours." Eric leapt from his desk coming to stand in front of Sookie. "Leave here your services are not required."
"Jeez Eric I can speak for myself you know?" Sookie stepped from behind Eric. "Anything you can think of to help would be appreciated Alcide."
Alcide rose to his full height, still an inch or two shy of Eric. "Well not getting involved with fucking vampers would be a good start." He growled at Eric. Eric leaned towards Alcide his voice unnaturally soft.
"Know your place...dog."
"Will you both just cut it out?" Sookie yelled. "No use shutting the barn door behind the horse anyway right?" She walked to Alcide, taking his chin in her hand and bringing her eyes to his. "Thank you for coming, I appreciate it more than you know." Eric reached forward jerking Sookie's hand from Alcide's face.
"You are not to touch him." He demanded. Sookie lost it.
"How dare you Eric! You have no right to tell me who I can and cannot touch!" Her heart started beating rapidly her breathing coming in pants. "He's trying to help me find a way out of this situation and he's my friend. If you can't handle that then Alcide and I should be on our way." She backed up beside Alcide crossing her arms over her chest.
Was Sookie trying to anger him? Eric thought. She really thought that this mangy mutt offered her more help than he could? Given a choice between an ancient vampire and a smelly wolf she would really choose Alcide? How close had they grown in Mississippi? Eric made his way towards his desk and sat.
"What are your ideas then?" He questioned Alcide.
Alcide looked from Eric to Sookie with a confused look. Was there something between these two?
"I only learned of the situation a few minutes ago mind you, haven't had time to think up nothin yet." He answered softly.
"Mhmm" Eric said rolling his eyes.
"Well let's talk about it then." Sookie told them. Walking towards the door. "I could use a drink, and this room is getting too crowded. Can we take this out to the bar please?" She knew Alcide and Eric being stuck together in a small room was only asking for more trouble. Eric nodded his head and stood to follow them out to the bar.
"I still say I could protect her just fine." Alcide repeated for the twelfth time in an hour. Eric growled in response.
"No, you are not capable of protecting her like I can." He repeated again. Sookie was getting tired of this back and forth between them both. They had been sitting here for two hours and this was as far as they had progressed. It was getting late and the amount of people had drastically dropped. With Eric no longer on his throne "entertaining the vermin" as he called it, people were dropping like flies. She sat in a booth next to Alcide and across from Eric, looking at all the paraphernalia on the walls. She hadn't really looked before; most of it was pretty funny. George Bush biting the neck of Lady Liberty was downright hilarious. She was racking her brain trying to find an answer to her problem that didn't involve being claimed by Eric. She let out a yawn. It would be dawn in a few hours and she was beat. Alcide turned towards her brushing her hair behind her ear. "You want me to take you home Sook?"
"No thanks, I drove here tonight and I don't want to leave my car here all night." She smiled at him. Alcide was the kind of guy she could see herself with. He was kind, considerate, and gorgeous and he had a heartbeat. She looked towards Eric and noticed he was staring at the table tearing up a Fangtasia napkin. She had never seen Eric do something so...human like before. Sookie was about to say something to him when she felt a great power enter the room. The air crackled with energy. She turned to the door and saw a tall beautiful women enter. She had red hair and it hung from her back in waves. A pencil skirt showed off her mile long legs and the stilettos she wore made her calves look amazing. Her brilliant green eyes scanned the bar and settled on Eric, an eerie smile appeared on her face. Eric had also noticed the woman, his eyebrow quirking, looking at the woman appreciatively. Sookie felt herself grow angry. Wait...why did she care? She threw her shoulders back and made her way over to their table.
"Mr. Northman I presume?" She asked sweetly.
"Oh and who do I owe this pleasure?" He asked standing at his full height puffing out his chest, grabbing the woman's diamond laden hand and giving it a kiss. Sookie sat with her arms crossed over her chest.
"The name is Hallow." She winked at him. "Did she just WINK at Eric?" Sookie thought.
"What a lovely name." Eric responded with that crooked grin of his. She giggled in response. Sookie rolled her eyes. She hated when women giggled. She decided to dip into her mind and see just exactly what she was there for. She only got static. Hmmm another supe. Not were and definitely not vampire. What was she?
"I've heard you were handsome, but the rumors certainly didn't give you justice." She whispered daintily.
Okay Sookie was going to be sick.
"I think I'm going to head home now Eric." Eric continued to look at the annoying woman. "Eric!" Sookie yelled. He turned to her with that smirk on his face. Oh what she wouldn't give to smack that right off his face.
"Yes?"
"I'm going home. Let me know if you think of anything?" He nodded his head and turned his attention to Hallow once again. Sookie stood with Alcide behind her walking her to the door, and out to her car. That was Eric for you, a new skirt shows up and he forgets all about her. Was she jealous? "No!" She told herself. "Just pissed because I'm in danger and he's thinking with his little head is all." She assured herself. Pulling her keys from her purse she forgot Alcide was standing behind her.
"You want me to come over to your place for the night? You know keep watch?" He asked. She jumped at the sound of his voice.
"I hate to be a bother Alcide but would you mind? Just until dawn?"
He smiled shyly putting his hand behind his head. "No bother Sook, you know that."
When the door shut behind them Eric let his fake smile drop. There was no point in flirting with the witch where Sookie couldn't see.
"State your business witch." He said sitting back in the booth. Hallow's mouth dropped. She thought she had intrigued this vampire, what was with the mood change?
"Mr. Northman?" She questioned sweetly putting her hand on his shoulder. He threw her hand off of him and growled. She took a step back in shock.
"I repeat myself, what is your business here witch?" How dare she take such liberties with him. She was a member of the supernatural community; she should know her place beneath him. He looked her up and down again. She was beautiful in that witchy sort of way, but not his type. Hell it didn't seem anybody besides Sookie was his type anymore.
"No business, I only wanted to meet you. Let you know that I plan on residing in your area Sheriff." She replied still stunned.
"Good, done. Now go." He said standing.
Just who did he think he was? Did he not feel her power? She wouldn't be treated like this, a plaything. Toying with her emotions like that. She felt herself growing angry.
"Mr. Northman where have your manners gone?" She asked him her voice dropping an octave.
Eric turned surprised at her response.
"I choose who I use my manners with and where, and I choose to no longer use them with the likes of you. Now go before I make you go." He said letting his fangs click into place. She laughed. SHE LAUGHED! How dare she! He took a step towards her and found himself frozen in place. Pam came out from the back, and taking in the scene let her fangs out and rushed towards her maker's side, also hitting a barrier.
"How dare you speak to me like that? And with your fangs in place no less." She rolled her eyes at the both of them unable to move. "Do you treat everyone in this way? Another vampire with a superiority complex? Honestly you all are just the worst." She said turning her nails over for a mock inspection.
"Release my childe and I this instant!" Eric yelled. The few people left in the bar saw the scene and hurriedly got they're things and headed for the exit. Hugh had left his shift only minutes earlier, they were now alone.
"Now, now Viking I should think your survival instincts should have kicked in by now. Are you completely unaware of the power I hold? Can you not feel it?" She raised her hands in question. "I think I might have to teach you a lesson vampire, you are not invincible you know." She laughed.
Sookie pulled up to her house and could see the sun begin rising in the sky, she saw Alcide's truck pull in behind her. Getting out they met on her porch.
"I guess that was pointless huh?" She pointed to the sun. "You don't have to stay now."
"I would feel better staying here until we can figure this out Sookie." He said leaning his head closer to hers; they're foreheads resting against each other. His lips found hers easily she eagerly accepted his kiss pulling him closer.
So sweet...so perfect...
Sookie smiled into the kiss at his thoughts.
Just like it was with Debbie...Debbie...
Sookie pushed him off of her, trying to find her house key in a hurry.
"Sookie what happened?" He asked confused.
"Just like it was with Debbie? With Debbie? Debbie tried to kill me Alcide! Your thinking of her when were kissing? Really?" She yelled at him, trying to concentrate on getting her door open.
"They're just thoughts Sookie, I can't help it!"
"Right right." She said turning to him finding her key and unlocking her door. "If you still want to help me then fine. But if you're doing this thinking we can get closer and something will happen, then you can go now." She told him stepping inside her house.
"Of course I want to help you Sookie." He said his eyes on the ground. "I'm sorry. I guess I just can't give up on her is all." He said sadly.
"Goodnight Alcide, thanks for following me home." She said shutting the door on him. She felt the tears begin at her eyes. Slowly making her way up the stairs she wiped the tears from her cheeks, and fell into bed with her clothes still on. She should clean her face and change her clothes at least, she thought. But she was so drained physically and emotionally. Turning on her side she let out a long breath closing her eyes and welcoming the sleep she desperately needed. "At least Eric had a good night no doubt." She said. Why did that thought bother her so much? Before she had time to think it over sleep claimed her.
Sookie was scrubbing the walls of her living room that evening thankful she didn't have to work. Gran would be spinning in her grave if she saw how long I've let this go. Sookie thought to herself. She had gotten the entire upstairs clean and was now working on the lower level. She had cashed Eric's check that morning and bought cleaning supplies. The rest would go to a new paintjob on the outside, something that needed to be done for a long time now. Something Jason should have done for Gran years ago. The phone was ringing in the other room and Sookie hurriedly removed her rubber gloves and ran to answer it.
"Hello?"
"Sookie, this is Pam." Something was off in her voice.
"What is it Pam, I'm busy." She was in no mood for vampire shit tonight.
"You must come quickly, its Eric." Was Pam worried?
"What's wrong?" Sookie asked beginning to worry herself.
"You must come. I know of nobody else to call."
"Is he Okay?" Her question was met with silence.
"Pam? Is he okay?" Sookie asked again.
"That is a matter of opinion Sookie. Please hurry." Hanging up Sookie rushed for her purse and headed out the door.
She knew something was wrong when she pulled into the parking lot. It was empty, the bar looked closed. Walking towards the door she was met by Pam with bloodstains on her cheeks, she had been crying.
"Thank you for coming Sookie." Pam grabbed Sookie by the elbow and pulled her inside. "He is inside here." She pointed to the door of his office. She began to wring her hands together, stalling herself from opening the door. This got Sookie thinking Pam was frightened of what she would find there.
"Pam, he's not going to get all "grr" and fangy in there is he?" Sookie asked quietly, afraid of the answer. Pam laughed softly in response.
"No Sookie, you have nothing to fear in that regard. Nothing to fear at all." She finished so quietly Sookie could barely hear her. She opened the door and there was Eric sitting behind his desk, looking up at the two women. Sookie cautiously walked inside watching the emotions on his face. That was odd; Eric usually had no emotion in his face. She looked in his eyes, odd they seemed deeper than she could remember. His complexion was off also. He was downright rosy. Had he just fed or something? It was then she noticed his chest expanding.
"Eric? Why are you breathing right now?"
