Everyone in the state of Louisiana seemed to be at Merlotte's later that day. Kaeson did not get a break all day, but the tips were worth it. As she was walking to the back office to gather her things to go home, Sam approached her.
"Hey, Kaeson?"
"Yes, Sam."
"Can you do me a favor?" He asked as he rubbed the back of his neck.
"Sure, what is it?"
"Can you work another shift?" He asked timidly while eyeing her carefully.
She sighed as she sat down on the couch.
"Please Kaeson; I'll throw in a bonus."
"Sam, it's not about the money. I just get one day off a week as it is, plus I pulled two doubles last week and I didn't have a break today."
"I know Kaeson, and I'm sorry. I'll give you two or even three days off next week with pay. It's just that Sookie doesn't come in 'till later, it's Jessica's night off and Arlene just called in because her kids are sick-"
"Sam! It's fine, I'll take it. Can I at least take a ten minute nap?"
"Yes. Thank you so much Kaeson! I'll take you out to dinner sometime next week too." He replied as he hugged her tight.
"Sam, it's not a big deal. What's gotten into you lately?"
"Nothing, why?"
"You've been acting desperate lately, for work positions, I mean."
"It's crazy running your own business" he said smiling, "now, go get a nap."
Kaeson smiled as Sam quietly closed the door and then she stretched out on the couch. Sam let her sleep for about twenty minutes until he decided to wake her up.
Kaeson drug herself back to work and was quickly slammed with what seemed like twice as many people than had came through the bar earlier that day. She was hoping Sookie would show up a bit early because she was the only waitress working but she knew better than that. Her twenty minute nap had worn out long ago by the time Sookie walked in the door. Kaeson looked at her watch, Sookie was an hour early. She felt relieved until she seen Bill and Eric entering after her. Kaeson sighed as she walked over and lead them to their table.
Sookie was apparently reading her thoughts,
"After I take care of these boys I'll clock in. I thought you worked the morning shift today?"
"I did, and then Sam needed an extra set of hands. Thank you so much Sookie. It's been hectic all day today." Kaeson replied as they sat down at their table.
She took their drink orders and blushed as Eric looked her over. When she walked off they began to have an intense conversation. After waiting a couple of tables, she quietly placed their drinks on the table and quickly went back to work. She could not help but have the feeling that Eric was watching her from across the room, but dismissed it as wishful thinking.
Kaeson was too busy waiting the rest of her tables to wonder what was being discussed between the three of them or how long they were sitting there, but she figured it had to do with some choice Sookie made that did not settle well with either Eric or Bill. Kaeson walked back over after some time to see if Sookie wanted to pay for the drinks or just add them on to her tab. Sookie told her to tack it on and she was getting ready to start work in a few minutes.
Kaeson had a brief time of rest before the drinks came out, so she sat down at the bar.
"Pathetic, isn't it?" A cool voice asked from behind her.
"What do you mean, Eric?" She asked as she wiped a glass ring from the bar counter.
"Sookie and Bill." Eric replied in somewhat of a disgusted tone.
Kaeson glanced over at the booth where they were sitting. They were holding hands across the table while talking and laughing.
"What's so pathetic?" Kaeson asked as the pulled her gaze from them to glance over her shoulder at Eric.
"They will never be able to stay together so they are wasting their time."
"You think being with the one you love is a waste of time?" She asked in disbelief turning to face him.
"Why do you love something that will unlimitedly become the reason for your fall and is only for a limited amount of time?" He replied with a raised eyebrow.
"Point made but if the fall is into something completely amazing, I wouldn't mind never being the same." Kaeson said as she nodded and took a tray of drinks over to a table.
Eric's gaze followed her across the room as a smile played on his lips. 'The fall is a very nasty fall, with no mercy. It shows one's weakness and leads to one's destruction.' He thought as he watched her.
Kaeson was relieved when Sookie took over half of the tables she was waiting. She noticed that Eric was still sitting at the bar when she went back to get another order of drinks.
"What are you still doing here?" She asked casually as she waited for the drinks.
"Can I not have a drink at another bar?" He asked playfully.
Kaeson just laughed and shook her head as she turned to walk off with the drinks.
"What time do you get off?"
"No telling, probably not until we close up for the night." She replied turning to look at him.
"Why not call it an early work night?" He asked tilting his head to the side.
"I wish I could but Sam is shorthanded and asked me to pull a double."
She went back to waiting her tables, when she turned around a few minutes later Eric was no longer sitting at the bar. She did not think much of it after all he was a busy vampire and had his own bar to run. She was in the middle of a drink and food order a few minutes later when Sam interrupted her.
"Kaeson, go ahead and call it a night."
"Excuse me? Earlier you were begging me to take over this shift." She replied puzzled.
"Take the rest of the night off."
"Are you sure? I don't want to leave Sookie with all these tables, it sucks having this many, trust me."
Sam laughed as he responded, "Yes, I'm sure we can manage without you for one night."
"Alright then. Thanks Sam, see you in the morning." She said as she walked to the back of the bar.
"Take tomorrow off too. We can handle it and you need the rest." Sam called after her.
When she turned into the back room to gather her things, Eric was waiting for her in the shadows.
"Eric, what are you doing here?" She asked in surprise.
"Waiting for you to get off work." He replied mischievously.