A/N: This story is sort of AU because there is not an Eric/Sookie blood bond. Sookie is happily, so far, with Bill. I know I kind of made Bill the villain but I do think that he would do anything to keep Sookie to himself and away from Eric. Alcide makes an appearance and I know in the show we didn't see him until season 3. But, perhaps, he did odd jobs for Eric before then.

Chapter Six

Darcie woke up the next morning before Sookie and headed downstairs and made a pot of coffee, since she couldn't find any tea in the cupboards. She then sat at the kitchen table and her thoughts dwelled on the vampire. She wondered why she was so worried about him. She could pack her bags right now and leave. She had the power to dissolve this arrangement with him anytime. She was in control, she thought. But, there was still a irksome doubt at the back of her head that wondered if she was. That vampire was a control freak just like she was. He had to have some advantage that she couldn't see or else he was planning on doing something that could shift the balance of power. She wished her grandmother was still alive. She would know how to deal with Mr. Northman.

Sookie came down with a yawn and Darcie poured her a cup of coffee.

"Thanks, I need this," said Sookie. "So, uh, how was your date with Eric?"

Darcie smiled and said, "He's a terrible bowler."

Sookie gave her a smile at that.

"Darcie, what to see in him?" asked Sookie.

"That should be obvious, dear Cousin," said Darcie with a smile.

"You can't trust him," said Sookie.

Time to play the part, thought Darcie, and make Sookie think that she was smitten with the vampire. Of course, it wasn't so hard to pretend that he was attractive.

"I realize what he is," said Darcie. "Maybe I just want to have a little fun with him."

"That sounds like something he would say," said Sookie.

"That vampire and I are not so different, Sookie," said Darcie.

She grinned at her cousin and said, "Besides, I would never let something that fine go without thoroughly putting him through his paces first."

"Darcie!" exclaimed Sookie. "You're terrible."

"I have a feeling that he is more than a one-trick pony, too," said Darcie, still grinning.

At Sookie's red face, Darcie smiled and said, "I'm just having a little fun with you, you're so easy to tease and embarrass."

As they drank their coffee, Darcie said, "Let's have a girls day out."

"That sounds like fun," said Sookie.

"Maybe, we can get a pedicure somewhere," said Darcie.

"Even better," said Sookie.

"Why don't we invite Tara?" said Darcie.

"Tara's my best friend, but sometimes she can be a little difficult," said Sookie.

"If she is your best friend, then she is probably missing you since I came to town," said Darcie.

So, Sookie called Tara and invited her along.

"I don't want to get in the way," said Tara.

"It was Darcie's idea. She likes you," said Sookie.

"For real?" said Tara.

"Yes," said Sookie. "It's a date then."

Tara was a little reserved at first, thinking that Darcie would be a typical snob. But, Darcie surprised her by being easy to get along with and having a wicked sense of humor.

They had gone into one of the nicer boutiques in town when Darcie had seen a pretty dress in the window.

"Okay, here's your size," said Darcie to Tara. "Go try it on."

Tara looked at the price tag and said, "I couldn't afford this."

"Oh, we are just having some fun today. Come on, I bet it would look good on you," said Darcie.

So, Tara went to change and when she came out in the dress, both Sookie and Darcie were amazed at how pretty the dress looked on her. The vibrant colors of the dress looked beautiful against her dark skin. Tara twirled and looked at herself and a small smile found it's way to her face.

"Tara, that looks so pretty on you," said Darcie.

"Yeah, well, time to come back to reality," said Tara, who went in to take it off.

Sookie looked around store and did not notice that Darcie went to speak to the saleslady.

The girls then went to their pedicures and Darcie surprised Tara by choosing a purple color.

As they sat relaxing, Darcie said, "Girls this has been fun, but I have to get back and take a nap since I have a date with Eric again."

"Eric? Eric Northman the vampire, Eric?" said Tara.

"The one and only," said Darcie, smiling.

Tara looked over to Sookie and raised her eyebrows. Sookie shrugged.

"You mean, that you are dating that vampire and Sookie has not convinced you to stay away from him?" said Tara.

"Sookie has given it her best shot," said Darcie. "I'm ignoring her advice. The truth of the matter is that I like them naughty."

"What is it with the Stackhouses and vampires?" said Tara.

"I don't know because Eric is my first vampire," said Darcie.

"Just make sure that he isn't your last boyfriend, if you know what I mean," said Tara.

"He isn't the first supe that I have dated, though," said Darcie.

"Darcie, how could you date boys when you can read their minds?" asked Sookie.

Darcie could turn it off if she wanted to, but she didn't want to tell Sookie that.

"I don't mind knowing what they are thinking," said Darcie. "Maybe, I like having that power. Do you think me wicked?"

"No, of course not," said Sookie. But, she did think that maybe her cousin wasn't as vulnerable as she had thought. Maybe she shouldn't be so worried about Darcie and Eric.

The girls parted company and when Tara arrived home, she found a package outside her door. She took it inside and opened it up. Inside she found the dress from the boutique and a note.

The note said:

Every girl needs a dress like this. It looked like it had been made just for you.

Darcie.

p.s. Don't even think about returning it. They won't take it back.

For some reason, this spontaneous gift made Tara cry. But only for an instant, then she raced into her bedroom to try it on again.

Later that evening, Darcie arrived at Fangtasia wearing a gray pantsuit with a purple silk shirt underneath and a very fitted jacket. She once again wore high heels that were barely visible beneath the hem of the pants. As Eric watched her, he felt that she had regained her composure after last night. But, he thought that she should feel confident since she held the upper hand, at least for the moment. He had an assignment for her tonight. He was not going so that he could see how she would function on her own.

Darcie looked at the vampire as she approached. He was wearing all black tonight and she had to admit that it looked good against his blonde hair. He really had an ego, didn't he, she thought. Sitting in his chair, or rather throne, as he waited for her. That ego and superiority complex were weaknesses and she was sure that he didn't have many of those.

She gave him a small smile and said, "Two nights in a row, people are going to talk, Mr. Northman."

"I didn't think that you were afraid of a little gossip," said Eric.

"Normally, I'm too dull to even generate any gossip, Mr. Northman," said Darcie.

"While I may believe that you somehow avoid detection," said Eric. "I don't think that you are the boring girl next door."

"You're wrong, I assure you. I'm exceedingly dull and boring," said Darcie with a smile. "You just might be driven to the true death by being in my company."

"I'm sure that I could think of something to liven things up," said Eric.

"Are you still flirting with me, Mr. Northman?" asked Darcie. "You should realize by now that I am immune to your charm."

"So you say," said Eric.

Darcie didn't reply to that and sat in the chair and glanced around the bar. She really didn't belong here any more than Sookie did, he thought. She was still an enigma to him. He felt that he had just touched the tip of the iceberg as far as finding out anything about her. He couldn't read her and that bothered him. And he wished he had a greater hold on her.

"I thought that we might do some business tonight," said Eric.

"Okay," said Darcie, curious.

"I want you to find a thief," said Eric.

"Very well," said Darcie.

"There are two suspects. I need you to interview them and find out which one is guilty," said Eric. "Everyone is awaiting your arrival."

"You're not coming?" said Darcie.

"No, I have another matter to deal with," said Eric.

Eric studied her a moment. When he had asked Sookie to do essentially the same thing, she had balked at finding the thief unless he had given her assurances that the thief would not be harmed. And that was how she had ended up being obligated to him. But, Darcie had remained quiet.

"You haven't asked me what I intend to do with this thief," said Eric.

Darcie looked at him with a very calculating gaze and said, "I may not be able to read your mind. But, I have a pretty good idea of how it works. You want me to ask you what will happen to this thief and when you tell me that you intend him harm, you think that I will be upset enough to plead with you to alter our bargain. Say, I work for you with no conditions as long as you don't hurt the ones that I reveal to you. Is this what you want to happen?"

Eric only stared at her, surprised at how well she could read him.

"I'm not foolish enough to fall into that trap, Mr. Northman," said Darcie.

"And the thief?" asked Eric.

"If he was stupid enough to steal from you, then he deserves what happens to him," said Darcie.

"I'm surprised at your ruthlessness, Darcie," said Eric.

"Now, I would have thought that ruthlessness was right down your alley," said Darcie.

"I don't mind a little ruthlessness at all, especially in my women. It makes you much more intriguing," said Eric, as he studied her.

Darcie noticed that vampires never learned the 'it's not polite to stare' rule. However, they probably felt that the rules of polite society don't apply to them, she thought. She stared back at the vampire. She wondered if she brought the full force of her abilities on him, if she could breach his defenses. Vampires must be immune to telepathic abilities because their physiology was different. They were not alive in the sense that other creatures were. At least, he couldn't read her mind either, she thought.

"You speak like you would treat me as an equal, when we both know that is not the case," said Darcie.

"There are women and there are women, Darcie. I treat them according to station and talents. Don't be so quick to judge how I would treat something as rare and exceptional as you," said Eric. "And don't be so sure that you know exactly what I want from you."

She dropped her eyes under his stare and he felt this glimpse of shyness was probably a true trait of hers. She was a marvelous chameleon, he thought. Able to adapt and pretend with ease. It was probably why she was able to blend in so effectively. And why she would be such a challenge to him. But, he did like a worthy adversary.

"Since I'm not accompanying you, I'm sending a bodyguard with you," said Eric, who interrupted her thoughts.

As Darcie watched, Eric signaled a handsome, tall man with dark hair and eyes. She knew immediately what he was and that surprised her. The man came forward and while he glanced at Eric with a less than friendly glance, he gave her a brief smile.

"This is Alcide," said Eric. "He will watch over you."

Darcie gave Alcide a polite smile and turned her eyes to Eric.

The smile turned wicked as she said, "You are teasing me, aren't you?"

"What?" said Eric.

"How did you know that I absolutely have a thing for werewolves?" said Darcie.

Darcie's eyes roved over Alcide and she added, "My, these American ones are just dishy. My boyfriends back at home had better not find out."

"Boyfriends, as in plural?" asked Eric.

"Jealous?" said Darcie with a sly smirk. "I'm not some innocent barmaid that you can easily seduce and manipulate."

While Eric thought that the slightly devious Darcie wasn't as knowledgeable as she liked to imply, she was still much more worldly that Sookie. And as she rightly stated, harder to manipulate. But, he had nothing but time to find her weaknesses.

"Alcide knows where to go," said Eric.

Darcie walked over to Alcide and took his arm in hers and exclaimed, "Crikey, you're warm. That is so delicious."

Darcie gave Eric a smile and turned back to Alcide, saying, "So, Alcide, do you have a girlfriend?"

Alcide drove them to a seedier side of town. He glanced over at Darcie as they drove. He really hadn't appreciated her flirting with him and getting him into the middle of whatever was going on between her and the vampire. During the drive, she had been quiet and seemed lost in her own thoughts. He didn't know what she did for Eric Northman. He had only been instructed to accompany her and act as her bodyguard.

"How long have you worked for Eric Northman?" asked Alcide.

"This is my first job for him," said Darcie.

"What exactly do you do for him?" asked Alcide.

"I look inside people's heads for him," said Darcie.

"Oh," said Alcide. "Are you looking inside mine now?"

Darcie turned to look at him and said, "I'm trying not to, at the moment. But, yes, I can hear your thoughts."

She paused and said, "I'm sorry about the flirting."

Alcide looked back at the road and tried to keep his mind clear. But, this quiet, well-to-do girl who was so not like the types that he would have thought to be connected with the vampire made him curious.

"So, are you with the vampire?" asked Alcide.

"If you are asking me if I am his girlfriend, the answer is no," said Darcie.

"You seemed like you were cozy with him to me," said Alcide.

"He has his charm," said Darcie.

"You sound like you like him," said Alcide.

"Maybe I do," said Darcie. "But, I don't trust him."

At least the girl wasn't totally crazy, thought Alcide, as he turned his eyes back to the road and tried to keep his mind blank, just in case she was listening.

They finally arrived at a slightly run-down looking bar and Alcide escorted Darcie inside. Several heads turned to look at the pretty girl as they made their way to the bar. The bartender was a rough looking sort who eyed Darcie hungrily. However, once Alcide had informed him that they were sent by Eric Northman, the bartender stopped eying Darcie like she was a pork chop to a starving man and took them back into the office. The owner was a vampire who looked like he was too young to even come inside the bar. Yet, his eyes did not look young and he gazed at Darcie with outright lust. Alcide was surprised that his fangs didn't come out.

"I'm Joseph," he said from his desk.

He got up and came around to the front of the desk and and leaned against it.

"Our last deposit which was a sizable amount vanished. I have the last two people known to have handled it. I will bring them in one at a time if you are ready to start," he said.

Darcie nodded and Joseph signaled the bartender. The bartender went to the door and left briefly. He returned with a man who he brought into the room and forced into a chair in the room. The man was probably in his early forties and was extremely nervous with a slight sheen of sweat on his forehead. His clothes were rumpled and his eyes seemed to shift around the room without focus.

Darcie stared at him and opened her mind to his thoughts. Just like his flickering eyes, his thoughts seemed to flit around his head.

I need to quit this job, that is, if they don't kill me.

I didn't take the money

I can't prove it, though.

I think I'm getting an ulcer.

Damn vampires.

Who is this chick and what the hell is her problem. Why is she staring at me?

Darcie turned to Joseph and said, "He is not your thief."

The man know looked to Darcie with a look of confusion.

She said to him, "Maybe, you should get another job, this one is hard on your nerves."

"Fields, you may leave," said Joseph.

Fields got up and hurriedly made his way out of the room, but gave Darcie a quick nod of thanks.

"Well, if it isn't Fields, then that leaves Allen," said Joseph.

"If you don't mind, I would like to see Allen," said Darcie. "Just to be sure."

Joseph thought for a moment and then nodded to the bartender once again. This time the bartender brought in a much younger man. He appeared to be in his early twenties. Looking at him, Darcie thought that he was not smart enough to realize the trouble that he was in. He sat down and looked around the room. His eyes found hers and he smiled a friendly smile. Poor boy, thought Darcie. She gazed into his eyes and heard his thoughts.

Wow, who is the babe?

I don't know why they think I took the money, do I look stupid enough to steal from Joseph?

Okay, maybe I do look that stupid, but I'm not.

I swear Randall was messing with the package, but he says he wasn't and they believe him.

My mom is going to kill me.

Darcie frowned slightly and turned to Joseph, saying, "He is not your thief, either. I would like to see this person called Randall."

Joseph raised his eyebrows and stared back at her for several seconds.

Finally, Joseph looked to the bartender and said, "Bring Randall in here."

The bartender left, pulling out Allen with him, and several minutes later reappeared with Randall. Randall was a sullen looking man and he didn't look happy at being brought into the office for an interrogation. He had frown lines etched into his face and gazed at Darcie with malice. Alcide noticed his gaze and moved a step closer to Darcie.

"I don't know why some fangbanger has the right to call me in here," he muttered.

Joseph's eyes widened and he did a quick glance to Darcie.

"You will mind you manners," he said. "This woman works for Mr. Northman, apologize to the lady."

Joseph didn't say anything and then the bartender painfully gripped the back of his neck.

"I'm sorry," he finally muttered.

He looked at Darcie with anger. Darcie boldly stared back at him and opened her mind again.

I guess if you are the boss's whore, you get treated with respect around here.

I thought that I was brought in here to be interviewed. When is she going to ask me questions?

Why is she staring at me like that?

She's too stupid to figure out that I took the money before Allen got to it. What an idiot that boy is.

And I was smart enough to get it out of here. Still in my car while I wait for everything to blow over.

Of course, I admit the fangers have good taste. I'd like to show her some stuff, myself.

Darcie turned to Joseph and said, "He took your money before the package got to Allen. The money is in his car."

"You little whore," exclaimed Randall.

Randall lunged at Darcie. Alcide was still a few steps away from Darcie and the ferocity of Randall's attack surprised him. Randall grabbed Darcie by the arms and shook her. Darcie gave a cry and wrenched free an arm. As Alcide reached them, Darcie put her hand to Randall's forehead which caused Randall to look into Darcie's eyes.

"Stop," cried Darcie, just as Alcide reached them and pulled her out of Randall's grasp.

He protectively put her behind him. Alcide then faced Randall. But, Randall had become immobile, his face slack and his eyes unseeing and glazed over. The room was quiet as everyone stared at Randall. Alcide turned to look at Darcie and she looked frightened. But, he thought that it had more to do with what she had done to Randall.

"What did you do to him?" asked Joseph.

"I...I didn't do anything to him," said Darcie. "Maybe, he is having some sort of fit or something."

"The lady is done here," said Alcide and he took Darcie's arm and led her away.

"Wait," said Joseph.

Darcie turned back to him and Alcide could feel her tense up.

But, Joseph only grinned and said, "This fit that so suddenly came over him, have you ever seen anything like this before?"

"Perhaps," said Darcie, warily.

"Will he come out of it?" asked Joseph.

"I believe that he will come out of it, eventually," said Darcie.

"Thank you for your assistance and give my regards to Mr. Northman," he said.

Alcide hurriedly led Darcie away.

Alcide with Darcie drove off as quickly as possible.

"What the hell just happened in there?" asked Alcide.

"I found a thief," said Darcie.

"That's not what I meant. What happened with Randall?" asked Alcide.

"It looked like he had some sort of fit," said Darcie.

Whatever she did to him, she was not going to admit it, thought Alcide. He had never seen anything like that and he wasn't sure if he wanted to again. But, hadn't she acted in self-defense, he thought. Randall was trying to hurt her and it seemed that she acted instinctively. But, none the less, he was glad when they arrived back at Fangtasia.

As they made their way inside, Darcie went to the rest room and Alcide headed to the vampire.

"Is she alright?" asked Eric.

"How do you know what happened?" asked Alcide.

"Joseph called me," said Eric.

"She was frightened, but not hurt," said Alcide.

Eric normally would have been angry that Alcide had let Darcie get attacked by Randall. But, that attack had caused her to show him another ability because her careful control had been broken.

"I want you to be her bodyguard when she moves here," said Eric.

"Perhaps someone else would be better," said Alcide.

"Are you, a werewolf, frightened of a pretty girl?" asked Eric.

"She is not just a girl and, yes, I am frightened of her," he said.

"Think it over and I expect an answer within the week," said Eric.

Alcide left quickly and didn't look back.

Eric watched Darcie approach him.

"Did that handsome werewolf leave?" she asked.

"Yes," said Eric. "I think that you frightened him away."

Darcie frowned and looked unhappy. He surprised her by taking her hand. He felt her freeze and try to remove it.

"You don't scare me," said Eric.

He could feel her hand tremble within his grasp, and not just from fear. For a moment, their eyes locked. He didn't know how long he held her hand and gazed into those mysterious eyes of hers because it seemed like time itself was slowing down. Was she glamouring him?

Darcie gave a sigh and pulled away her hand, saying, "Are you trying to glamour me, vampire? That doesn't work on me."

Eric stared at her, a little troubled by what had happened. For a moment, he wasn't so sure of his ability to control her. If only, he could go back in time and redo their bargain, he thought. He would never had given her so much power.

He decided to move onto the issue of Randall.

"It seems that you have solved my problem of Randall's punishment, Darcie," he said. "Is he going to come out of that trance?"

"You're assuming that I did that to him," said Darcie.

"Darcie, deceit is unbecoming," said Eric.

"He surprised me," said Darcie. "He was so awful and his thoughts were so ugly, but I didn't mean for what happened to happen. I could try to undo it, I guess."

Eric thought that he had gotten what was coming to him, but he didn't want Darcie to feel too much guilt over it.

"He will keep until tomorrow. If he is still under, you can try to reach him," said Eric. "You will need to stay in town."

Darcie nodded and said, "Are you finished with me tonight?"

"No playful teasing tonight?" asked Eric.

"I didn't think that you were the type who liked to be teased, Mr. Northman," said Darcie.

"It depends on who is doing the teasing," said Eric.

Darcie rewarded him with a small smile and said, "Careful, it would not do for your underlings to find out that you allow your minion to shamelessly tease you."

"Minion? I don't think that you are my minion," said Eric.

"I do your bidding, don't I?" said Darcie.

"In some things," said Eric.

"Sorry, but there isn't any sexual favors clause in that bargain, Mr. Northman," said Darcie. "That means that you are going to have to just rely on your good looks, charm and personality in order to tempt me into bed with you."

"I knew that I shouldn't have been so quick to agree to your terms," said Eric with a smile.

"I wasn't surprised that you did," said Darcie.

"Is that because you thought that I would have some mercy on you?" asked Eric.

"No, you accepted those terms because you underestimated me," said Darcie who turned and made her way out of the bar.

But, he would never do so again, thought Eric, as he watched her walk away.