Disclaimer: I don't own the Southern Vampires. Sole copyright belongs to Charlaine Harris. I'm poor, please don't sue. Most of the characters are Charlaine Harris's... but some are mine! All the mistakes are my own.

Chapter Two:

When I went to the bar, Merlotte's, to check out my future conquest for the first time, I took a seat at one of the tables and looked around assessing the barmaids looking for the one in question. Andre told me she was blonde and I was surprised and pleased when I saw her coming out from behind the bar to deliver some drinks to a table near mine. She was nothing like I imagined. She was gorgeous. Her long blonde hair was up in a ponytail high on her head and her curvacious body was hugged tightly by her work uniform. The short black shorts and tight white tee-shirt made me hard almost instantly. Maybe this little chore the Queen was having me do would not be so dreadful. I could enjoy a body like hers. I had to work to keep my fangs from extending. Most women today are too thin, I like my women with curves and she was not lacking those, in any way.

The woman walked up to my table with a huge smile on her face, I could tell the smile was slightly a forced one, she looked a little anxious. "What can I get you?" She said brightly.

"Blood?" I asked as I looked straight into her sparkling blue-gray eyes. I thought about glamoring her right there, but then thought the better of it. I would want to be alone with her when I did that.

"No, I am so sorry, my boss has some on order but it won't be in until next week." She looked at me apologetically.

"An ale will be fine then." I knew I couldn't drink it but it would make me fit in better with the other patrons.

"What kind would you like." She asked sweetly.

I had no idea what kind. I had not had an ale in over a thousand years. "Surprise me." I said and gave her my signature smile that had worked on so many before her. I could see a slight blush come to her face as I stared at her, and it made her look more than appetizing. She laughed and shook her head. I couldn't help but feel a little taken aback. It was not the reaction I was expecting. 'Interesting.' I thought.

"Coming right up." She said as she strode away toward the bar. I watched as her bottom swayed back and forth as she walked, I was almost memorized by it.

"Don't mind Sookie mister. She's crazy." A patron said to me shaking me from me reverie. He was sitting in a booth against the wall with a woman and he had smug smile across his face. He had dark brown hair and was wearing a old looking jeans and a flannel shirt. The woman was dressed in a low cut halter top and shorts. Her brown hair looked like a mess of tangles. They looked like common red-neck trash. I glanced over to him then back to Sookie. I could see her pause in her tracks as she walked over to the bar, for just a moment, as she heard his comment. Her shoulders slumped a little, and I couldn't help but feel anger slowly rising in me. 'Why did I care what this human said about her?' I mused briefly before I shook myself free of the thought.

"Your beer sir." Sookie said formally as she set a napkin on the table and placed the glass of ale on top of it. She stared at me for a moment with not even an ounce of fear in her eyes. 'Curious.'

"Enjoy!" She said as the red-neck, who said she was crazy, called to her, "Sookie we need another pitcher of beer here." Sookie pulled her gaze from mine and made her way back to the bar.

I continued to watch her from the corner of my eye as she worked. The bar was busy and she was running around making sure everyone was taken care of. The trashy couple got up and moved themselves to my table. I was annoyed that they would presume to think I would treat with the likes of them, but I was hungry and it looked as though they may be willing. If not, I could just glamor them. This would kill two birds with one stone, I figured. I could get them outside and take some blood before sending them on their way. Maybe Sookie would relax when they were gone, then I could make more progress with the beautiful barmaid.

The two humans talked at me. I didn't pay much attention to what they were saying as I eyed Sookie. She was talking to another barmaid, a red-head and a bit older than her. It wasn't until I noticed the tacky girl sitting next to me running her fingers down her throat that I was pulled from my gaze. She said, "Would you like a taste? My husband would love to watch you take me." I realized this tramp was offering me her blood. 'I will make this quick.' I just wanted to be rid of them.

I just nodded and the three of us got up. I dropped a twenty dollar bill on the table before we made our way out the front door. The man and woman led me to the to a spot near the woods not far from the bar. It was slightly illuminated from the overhead lights of the parking lot. The woman ran her hands down my arms and leaned up to kiss me. I allowed this for a moment, fantasizing that it was Sookie I was kissing. I had planned on glamoring the worthless woman but her eyes were closed. I had not noticed that the man had gone to his vehicle until I heard the car door slam. The woman pulled away from me and before I had a chance to react, a silver net was thrown on top of me. 'SHIT!' I thought furiously. I was so distracted by thoughts of the barmaid, I was now going to be drained by some hick white trash. I was careless and this was something not common for me.

"We got him baby!" The woman squealed. "Hurry and grab the kit. We need to get the blood quick before someone sees us here." The man scurried off and came back with some blood drawing equipment while the woman made sure the silver net was securely around me.

It wasn't long before they had gotten several containers of my blood when I heard the quiet steps of someone on the gravel. I hoped it would be someone who would assist me. When a slight breeze went through the air I caught the scent of Sookie. 'Was she in on this? What is she doing here.'

Sookie leapt out from behind a pick-up near to us and she was holding a heavy chain. She swung the chain at the man hitting him on his back as he knelt beside me. The man yelled and jumped up, the woman continued trying to get as much blood from me as she could. The man pulled a knife from his boot and it shined under the parking lot lights. I was helpless and could not assist her and the anger in me grew.

"UT OH!" Sookie said and she grinned at the man. 'Maybe she was insane?'

"You crazy BITCH!" The male screamed. Sookie's grin turned to a look of fury and she went for him. The man sliced at her arm with the knife and barely missed her. She swung the chain and it wrapped around his neck. I was shocked and impressed that Sookie would defend me. The man made a gurgling sound as he dropped to his knees, dropping the knife to the ground beside him. He yanked the chain from Sookie's hand and without pause she dipped down and picked up the knife. The woman got up and lunged at Sookie, but stopped short when she saw the knife.

"You fucking whore. What have you done to him." The woman said moving away from Sookie and assisting the man to his feet. She started to drag him back to their car.

"GET. OUT. NOW!" Sookie hissed at her angerly.

The female drainer helped the male into the car and got in, starting it. Sookie ran over to me trying to pull me further into the woods. "Push with your feet!" She said as she put her hands under my arms and pulled. I did my best in my weakened state and we just made it into the trees when the car came at us, it barely missed us, before barreling away. 'I will track them down and drain them of all of their blood. They will see their end shortly.' I was furious and a bit embarrassed that I needed the help of a human woman.

"Oh wow." Sookie said breathing heavily, sinking to her knees.

"Are you alright?" She asked as she released me from the silver net and set it aside. A look of concern was on her exquisite face. "Poor baby." She whispered so soft, I barely caught it. At hearing the term of endearment, I looked at her sharply. 'Did she just call me...baby?'

"Yes, I am now." I said begrudgingly as I looked myself over. The burns were already healing and I got to my feet.

"I'm sorry I didn't get here faster." Sookie stood up, with a strange look on her face. "Do you want me to leave?"

"No." I said instantly, before realizing that I had answered before thinking.

She smiled at me and sat on the pavement near my feet. I just stared at her. Letting my strength return to me. I could tell there was something different about her. 'It must be the telepathy.'

"You saved me." I said keeping my voice flat. I wanted to thank her but I just couldn't bring myself to. I was not used to thanking people, especially humans.

"Yes." Sookie said a little indignantly. She looked me in the eyes and her face seemed to scrunch in concentration. "Oh." She said, "I can't hear you."

"What?" I was taken aback. So she was truly telepathic, and she apparently could not read Vampire minds. 'This is good.' I thought as she got up and walked over to me. Her hands reached up and cupped my face. I was unsure of what she was doing but stayed completely still. 'Was she still trying to get into my mind?' She noticed the look of confusion on my face and her hands dropped to her sides.

"I'm sorry, excuse me." She turned from me giving me her back. How could she trust that I would not attack her. I was a injured, hungry Vampire. I was more intrigued by her with every passing moment. She babbled on for a few minutes while I contemplated this unusual human woman. Without even noticing I done it I found I had inched closer to her.

"You could have been hurt." I said sternly, interrupting her jabbering. I was wondering why she would risk herself to help a Vampire she didn't even know.

"Well, I couldn't just let them drain you. It's not right." Sookie said this as if she believed this was the only possible course of action. I heard someone running toward us on the gravel and I quickly pulled Sookie to me. I encased her in my arms. She looked up at me surprised, and I felt just as surprised as she looked.

"Sookie?! Are you alright?" The Shifter who owned the bar said nervously. When he saw that I had Sookie wrapped in my arms his expression turned dangerous. "Let her go." He said venomously.

"Sam." Sookie said pulling away from me, "I am fine. The Rattrays were trying to drain him and I just saved him." The Shifters eyes flashed to the vials of my blood on the ground and then back to me. "Sookie you should go inside."

Sookie looked over to me and I gave her a reassuring smile. "Yes Sookie, it is a cold night you should get into the warmth." I decided to take the chance to thank her in my own way and I pulled her back to me. Both Sookie and the Shifter looked at me a bit alarmed, but I laid a sweet kiss on her lips. I had wanted to taste her all night and her lips were soft and tasted sweet. I reluctantly released her.

Sookie stumbled back from me with a small smile on her lips. Her eyes looking a little glazed. "Uh...OK." She said a little dreamily as she turned and walked back to the bar.

When she was safely inside the Shifter turned back to me. "Are you a resident here or just passing through?" He asked suspiciously. I did not answer to Shifters. I was a Vampire, but this was Sookie's boss and I thought it would be better if he was not trying to get in my way. "I have just moved here." I said flatly.

"What is your interest in Sookie?" The Shifter didn't waste time getting to the point.

"My interests are my own...but you have nothing to fear, I wish her no harm." I responded carefully.

"If you know what is good for you, you will stay away from her." The Shifter said in a threatening tone.

"Really? Are you her mate?" I sneered, trying to contain my anger at his threat.

"No, but she is special and I care about her. I will not let anyone or anything hurt her, Vampire."

"I think she can take care of herself. We will see if she wants me to stay away." I said having no intention of doing so. I strode past him to my corvette and got in. I wanted to see Sookie again but I thought there would be time enough for that. I was living across the cemetery from her now after all. So I took off to find myself a donor with thoughts of Sookie running through my head.