I want to apologize for the delay in getting this story to you. Life is pretty hectic for me these days, as I am sure it is for all of you, and I somehow didn't realize I'd failed to update this story last week, but instead updated Just in Time twice. I only realized my mistake this evening. My apologies, but better late than never, right?
Hope you enjoy!
At some point or another, everyone has a moment in their lives where they look back and wonder what might have been had a pivotal moment gone another way. For Sookie Stackhouse, this was one of those moments. Standing in front of the vampire Queen of Louisiana – the very vampire who wished to basically enslave her – Sookie took a moment to wonder what this moment may have looked like had her Fae family not intervened in her life.
In the days before her Fae heritage and spark were revealed, Sookie had been a sweet but entirely naïve girl, an innocent shielded fiercely by her devoted grandmother. Her sheltered existence and quiet country life would have left her ill-prepared to deal with such forceful, powerful beings. That girl would have been lost in this world, even with a powerful ally such as Eric Northman by her side. Without her fairy magic to back her up, servitude would have been forced upon her, like it or not. As powerful as he was in his own right, even Eric couldn't completely outmaneuver his Queen.
The knowledge and power she gained as she accepted her fairy abilities irrevocably changed the sweet, innocent girl into a fierce, proud warrior. Sookie's essential spark was strong; her spirit was even stronger. She'd learned much while she was in the Realm, but nothing more important than learning, finally, to love herself and accept her otherness. She'd never felt worthy of being loved before; a man like Eric Northman would have almost been too much for her then. How could she ever be expected to wade through the complications of falling in love with an ancient vampire when she couldn't even love herself?
The Sookie Stackhouse standing before the Queen was a complex amalgamation of the two. Just enough of the simple country girl remained to make her want to gawk at the ridiculous opulence of their surroundings, while the more focused fairy side made her take stock of all she was here to fight for; all the unfulfilled promises of life and love surrounding her. The fairy princess was playing for keeps.
"May I speak freely?" Sookie asked, mainly for the sake of politeness.
"I hardly see why you would stop now," Sophie-Ann replied snidely. "Speak."
"I wanted to meet face to face to avoid the unpleasantness of dealing through third parties," Sookie stated plainly, her eyes sliding to the Queen's right to stare coolly at Bill Compton before returning to the Queen's narrowed emerald green eyes. "We need to come to an understanding, majesty. I know you are interested in my telepathy and I'm willing to make a deal with you."
Sophie-Ann's eyes narrowed even further as she contemplated the telepath's words. Her eyes moved to study her Sheriff, searching for any clue how to proceed. She wasn't expecting her telepath to come walking in and offer herself up, nor was she stupid enough to trust it was as easy as it seemed. The Queen sat back into her throne, studying the way Sookie held herself in her designer dress and expensive shoes. The trio from Area Five were impressively tricked out; Eric was attired in his usual impeccably tailored charcoal gray suit and polished black shoes, while each of the blondes book-ending him were wearing what Sophie-Ann's experienced eye knew to be designs straight off this season's runways.
Sophie-Ann knew she'd gravely underestimated the girl. The temptation to assume Northman had provided the clothing didn't account for the blonde's inherent confidence. The self-possessed, assured woman before her was no country bumpkin; Sookie Stackhouse was not the simple, naïve country girl with low self-esteem as she'd been led to believe.
The silence only lengthened as Sophie-Ann reviewed her options. Sookie and her two vampire escorts stood silently and patiently as the Queen scrambled to keep up.
"The prospect of having a telepath in my retinue is intriguing," Sophie-Ann eventually said, not finding a more clever response in her arsenal. "What kind of deal are you proposing, Miss Stackhouse?"
"I am willing to offer my services to you," Sookie replied evenly as she looked directly at the small, deadly monarch before her. "But not as part of your retinue."
The hope soaring through Sophie-Ann came crashing down as Sookie's disclaimer followed her offer. She stared at the telepath, her hands again gripping the gilded armrests. The steady tap, tap, tap of her fingernail against the curved wood echoed through the cavernous room.
"I don't understand," she replied somewhat dumbly. "What does she mean, Sheriff?"
Eric looked at her with a mixture of amusement and pity hidden behind his eyes. His Queen was unused to being denied, it was true. Everything she wanted, or ever thought she wanted, she simply ordered someone to acquire it for her, and woe betide the one who failed in his mission. Sophie-Ann simply didn't take no for an answer. This was about to get interesting.
"I mean," Sookie interjected in a steely tone, "that I am willing to offer my services to you when necessary, but I am not interested in being part of anyone's retinue. I have my own life, ma'am, and it's not in New Orleans."
"And how do you suggest I avail of your services in Bon Temps, is it?" the Queen sniped, genuine outrage building within. "Be reasonable, Miss Stackhouse. I would need you in New Orleans to utilize you effectively."
"I would be willing to travel down regularly, at least once a month, but I plan on remaining in Area Five for the foreseeable future," Sookie stood her ground with a sweet, demure smile gracing her face.
"Once a month!" Sophie-Ann exclaimed. Her plans for the telepath included her being available at all times. So little access was offensive. "Unacceptable," she replied briskly, staring balefully at the assured young woman before her. "What does Area Five offer that New Orleans cannot?"
"Other than my whole life?" Sookie asked dubiously, one eyebrow arched delicately. "Area Five is Eric's territory. Obviously, I wish to stay there."
Sophie-Ann sat a little straighter as she heard Sookie's very deliberate, informal usage of the Sheriff's first name. The significance was not lost on her, nor on the silently lurking Bill, who looked startled as his small brown eyes darted back and forth between the Queen and Sookie. Sophie-Ann looked past Sookie to gaze at her Sheriff, whose impassive expression gave nothing away.
"Why is it important to remain within Eric's Area?" Sophie-Ann was angry with herself for allowing the telepath the floor, and the upper hand.
"Because I am his," Sookie replied clearly and proudly. A thrill of excitement went through her as she heard the words come from her mouth. For a moment she'd dreaded, her declaration instead infused her with a warm sense of belonging and satisfaction.
Sophie-Ann's mouth opened and closed again before her blazing green eyes shot to the vampire in question. Although his expression barely changed, Sophie-Ann could see the truth in the telepath's words immediately. The possession shining in his eyes was proof enough; the slight inclination of his head lit a match to all the wild plans she'd concocted for the telepath.
"Why did you not say so?" the Queen asked querulously.
"I figured it would come up, as it has," Eric replied shortly, his massive shoulders shrugging carelessly.
Bill took two steps forward, his head tilted back just a touch. With his nostrils twitching, the younger vampire stared at Eric with a slight smile on his lips.
"If she's yours, Sheriff, why does she not smell of you, or bear your mark?" he asked with a smarmy, slithering politeness. Bill wondered if perhaps there might still be an opportunity to sample the girl. Her beauty had been enough to engage his senses, but her spirit truly enflamed his passions. The Queen's procurer would like nothing more than to break that feisty spirit. He had all the necessary tools to accomplish that desire, instilled in him by Lorena, his beloved, blood-thirsty maker.
"I don't need to mark my property," Eric answered coolly as Sookie wisely remained silent and let him handle the pitiful challenge Bill was throwing down.
Emboldened by his fantasies, and the Queen's seeming compliance with his line of questioning, Bill took another step towards Eric, scenting the air deeply.
"You don't smell much like her, either," he remarked boldly. "Have you even tasted her?"
Eric's posture didn't change, but everyone in the room was well aware of the power coursing through him as he looked down at the smaller vampire. Eric had never held any respect for Bill Compton and daring to question his claim to Sookie was not changing his opinion. The older vampire ignored Bill's disrespect and looked at his Queen who was watching their exchange raptly.
"She is mine," he stated simply. The vampire didn't truly understand the feelings she inspired, but he knew, without the slightest doubt, that the telepathic fairy princess was the best thing to ever happen to him. Even though he sincerely hoped he'd never have to implement them, he already had plans in place should Sophie-Ann prove difficult to deal with.
"Mr. Compton does have a point, Sheriff," Sophie-Ann remarked with a sly smile. "What is your claim to the telepath without blood?"
"Sheriff Northman's claim is absolute," Sookie interjected primly. "I am his. The blood is a technically easily remedied."
"Hardly a technicality, Miss Stackhouse," the Queen scoffed, with Bill giving a supporting snort. "Blood is everything."
"As I said, it is a situation easily remedied," Sookie replied stubbornly while maintaining her cool demeanor. "But one I will not be forced into."
"Allowing your human to call the shots, Sheriff? Tsk, tsk, tsk," the Queen mocked, sweeping her curtain of red hair to the side and sitting more forward in her throne. The meeting was see-sawing too much for her liking, but Bill's line of questioning had exposed an opening she wanted to poke. If the Viking hadn't given her blood, there may yet be a chance to sway the situation in her direction.
"Not at all," Eric replied easily, unruffled by the Queen's insinuation. It was one he'd expected and was prepared for. "But she's one hell of a negotiator," he offered by way of explanation as Sookie tried to repress a smile and Pam grinned outright, her first response to the drama unfolding before them.
"You know I could order you to hand her over," Sophie-Ann said conversationally.
"What good would an unwilling telepath be?" Eric responded in the same tone. "I'd be very difficult to deal with," Sookie confirmed with a glint in her eye and a steely smile on her face.
"I could simply glamour you into compliance," the Queen replied with a haughty, superior smile of her own.
"You could try," Sookie stated, "but it doesn't work on me." She tapped her temple with a manicured nail. "Must be because of the telepathy. I do know when someone tries to glamour me, though."
Sophie-Ann's green eyes raised to meet Eric's appraising gaze. "Is this true?"
"It is," he replied, inclining his head. "She is completely immune to suggestion."
"Rather dangerous situation, wouldn't you say?" she mused. "She cannot be controlled by glamour or blood."
"I do not need to be controlled," Sookie answered her question. "I'm willing to work for you when needed. That should be all that matters."
"I need her here, Sheriff," Sophie-Ann ignored Sookie and addressed Eric. "She is useless to me on those terms."
"The terms are non-negotiable," Sookie replied before Eric could. "I'm willing to be reasonable, your majesty. I was hoping you would be, too."
"This is what you call being reasonable?" The Queen gave a short, tittering laugh. "Non-negotiable terms are not what I would call reasonable." Her attention once again shifted to the imposing Viking by the telepath's side. "As your Queen, I demand you make your asset see reason. I need her here, Northman. Area Five is too far away."
"I am not his asset," Sookie replied sharply, her patience wearing thin. "I told you, I do not wish to be part of anyone's retinue. That includes Sheriff Northman's."
"What nonsense is this?" Bill exclaimed. Two pairs of glacial blue eyes, so incredibly alike, turned to stare at him as he spoke. Neither the vampire nor the telepath seemed amused by his outburst.
"Answer the question," the Queen demanded.
"She is under my personal protection," Eric answered stiffly. "She is not an Area asset, although she has kindly agreed to work for me, too. I have accepted that offer, as I suggest you consider doing."
"This is ridiculous!" Sophie-Ann huffed. "What kind of foolish game is this, Sheriff? You expect you can come waltzing in here and present me with a telepath, and then tell me I cannot make use of her?"
"Again, I am willing to extend the same offer to you as I have given Eric," Sookie stated in a firm tone. "I'm more than willing to provide my services to Louisiana, provided Louisiana is willing to abide by my terms."
"Your terms are worthless!" the Queen raged, looking every inch the angry teen she was when she was turned. "Louisiana needs more than a couple of hours once a month! You need to abide by my terms, not the other way around."
"If there was a genuine need, I would be willing to consider any request you made," Sookie responded calmly. "I am willing to be reasonable, but I will not be moving to New Orleans. I am going to live in Area Five, and there's nothing you can say," Sookie paused and looked directly at Bill as she spoke again," or do that will make me change my mind."
Sophie-Ann and Bill both noticed the telepath's inclusion of the latter, but neither could guess as to how she knew their plans. The Queen had deliberately left even her Sheriff in the dark about the telepath in his Area. Was she only making a lucky guess?
Snide laughter erupted from Sophie-Ann as she stared at the telepath. If she chose to, she could make Sookie's life a living nightmare. Even the Viking could not stop her from claiming her should she force the issue. He might be a formidable opponent, but she was a Queen with an army at her disposal.
"You are nothing more than a silly child," she mocked. "I have endless ways to ensure your co-operation. Need I remind you that your sweet cousin is in my care?"
"Hadley?" Sookie asked in an incredulous tone. "Hadley's the best you've got? Sorry, but that won't take you far. Hadley and I haven't been close since we were little kids. I haven't seen her in years and that was only because she came to scam Gran into giving her money she couldn't afford to give. Hadley was close to my brother, not me. In truth, she was awful to me for years."
Sophie-Ann's rage became too much and her fangs dropped with a hiss as she leaned forward and bared them at the decidedly unimpressed telepath. Sookie didn't flinch in the face of the Queen's aggression.
"You may not care for Hadley as she does for you," Sophie-Ann lisped around her protruding fangs, choosing to ignore for the moment the truths in Sookie's words, "but there are others you would lay down for. Your brother, for example. Jason, isn't it?"
"I'm well aware you could kill everyone I know," Sookie acknowledged with a nod. "But I promise you now, this will not sway me. It will only serve to anger me and lead us in a direction neither of us wants to take."
"And what direction would that be, little girl?" the Queen demanded in a condescending tone. Sophie-Ann had been so caught up in her own problems, she never even gave any serious thought to Sookie's telepathy beyond how it could benefit her. It hadn't occurred to her the girl before her had anything more special than telepathy at her disposal.
"War," Sookie replied. Sophie-Ann's jaw dropped as Sookie began to glow, a soft blue light pulsing around the space she occupied. Bill took a step backward and towards his Queen, his mousy brown eyes widening as he looked at the glowing girl. Perversely, his body was responding to the visual she presented, even as fear and uncertainty coursed through him. Bill's fangs emerged from his gums with a wet snick.
"What are you?" Sophie-Ann asked quietly.
"I'm a waitress," Sookie responded flippantly, a grin forming on her face.
"Very funny," the Queen snapped, tendrils of fear snaking down her spine. "What are you?"
"I'm someone you don't want to mess with," the telepathic fairy princess replied sweetly as she sized up the vampire standing next to the Queen's side. Palpable fear surrounded him as he nervously eyed the telepath and the strange glow surrounding her.
Sophie-Ann had met many supernatural creatures in her long life, including several fairies, but she was unable to identify the breed of the woman before her. The otherworldly glow cloaking her was disconcerting, but it was the obvious power emanating from within her that gave Sophie-Ann pause. Whatever she was, she was right: This was not a being to mess with.
"Hadley was human," the Queen muttered, her jaw just a touch slack as she gaped at the imposing figure before her. "Her blood was sweet, but she was human."
"Genetics," Sookie said with a shrug. "It's a crapshoot as to who inherits what genes. Hadley, as well as my brother Jason, got human in the DNA lottery. Me, not so much."
Pam stood quietly to Sookie's right with an impassive look on her face, but delight coursing through her very core. The fairy princess had breathed vibrancy into a life gone a little stale; the vampire had expected to like the telepath because of what she was, but was quick to learn that who she was mattered the most. Watching her put a ruthless vampire Queen in her place, Pam couldn't help but think Sookie Stackhouse was the perfect match for her maker.
"What did you win in the DNA lottery?" Bill's smarmy voice questioned. "You are clearly more than human."
Sookie allowed her gaze to travel over the dark-haired vampire, disdain marring her delicate beauty. Although he'd yet to cause her any harm, one thing had always been clear in Claudine's visions: The harm Bill Compton caused would ripple through the entire course of her life, in effect ruling her existence in one way or another. There was no way in hell she would allow that to happen.
Taking slow, measured steps, Sookie closed the distance between them, her eyes locked on his the entire time. Stopping a mere foot away from him, Sookie gave him a demure smile before replying to his question. "That's none of your damned business," she told him in a sweet voice before raising her finger and placing it on his chest. A sideways glance told her the Queen was paying close attention to her movements and with a soft crackle, similar to an electrical current, the fairy princess shot the vampire with a small dose of her light, rendering him effectively catatonic.
The other vampires in the room reacted well, covering their shock and surprise at her spectacular skills well, except for the Queen. Sophie-Ann's emerald green gaze was locked on the unresponsive Bill, only occasionally flickering to the glowing telepath. Her shock and surprise was etched deeply into her youthful features. For one small moment in time, Sookie was tempted to feel sorry for her, until she recalled the monarch's plans. The small wave of pity welling inside her receded, leaving her feeling nothing but determination in it's wake.
"What have you done with him?" the Queen finally asked, her voice quivering just enough to be noticeable. She was doing a remarkable job of hiding the turmoil inside her; the few outward signs were but the tip of the iceberg. Very little scared vampires, it was true. Sophie-Ann wasn't so much scared of the supernatural creature before her as she was very aware of the very real possibility of a fight she could not win.
The Queen had to win, but was aware of the fact she could lose against the powerful telepath. The extent of her power was unknown, but Sophie-Ann knew it in her bones that Sookie had only showed the tip of her iceberg. Her frustration only mounted as she risked a look at the Viking, only to find him staring back at her with icy, impassive eyes. His casual stance; the hands tucked away into pockets; none of it fooled her. A sense of purpose – one the Queen had never before witnessed – emanated from his very pores. She was his. The Viking, her trusted Sheriff, would fight to the death for telepath, even though it didn't appear she needed his help. She was protecting him as much as was he protecting her.
"Don't worry about him," Sookie replied in a dismissive tone. "He'll be fine."
"Why should I believe you?"
"Because I am not a liar," Sookie stated as she drew the pulsing power back into herself. The glow surrounding her diminished until it was only a memory indelibly marked in the Queen of Louisiana's mind.
"Very well," she agreed easily. "Tell me what you want."
"I want nothing more than to be left in peace. I stand by my offer to work for you, but I will not be taken advantage of. I am willing to do this because of, and for, Eric." Sookie paused and gave the Queen a pointed look. "Should anything ever happen to him, my motivation to play nice will disappear with him. I trust you will take this information very seriously."
Sophie-Ann did in fact take this information very seriously. She'd never had an issue with Eric Northman in the past and had actually counted him in the number of vampires she trusted to maintain her rule and her personal safety. Her desire for the telepath overrode most of her good judgement, it was true, but even she was not careless enough to jump into the fray with the infamous Viking. Now, with the mysterious, powerful telepath by his side, he would be untouchable.
And the telepath was indeed by his side, both literally and figuratively. She couldn't understand the relationship between them – Bill had been right, neither truly scented of the other – but Sophie-Ann wondered how she'd not seen their togetherness from the very beginning. The natural intimacy of the attractive pair was obvious, even though they stood apart and rarely as much as glanced at one another. The Queen could only wonder what might happened to their already potent chemistry should they decide to share blood. The Viking's ancient blood packed a wallop of its own, but Sophie-Ann wondered what powerful magic Sookie carried in her bloodstream.
"Sheriff Northman is a trusted member of my court, Ms. Stackhouse. I assure you, his safety and wellbeing are a paramount concern," Sophie-Ann gave her assurances in a stiff, awkward tone, not accustomed to making concessions.
"Do we have a deal, your majesty?"
"One day a month is not enough. I would need you at least twice a month, maybe more if something comes up," Sophie-Ann offered as a last minute attempt at bartering.
"I can do twice a month," Sookie confirmed with a nod. She'd been prepared to offer a bi-weekly schedule, if necessary. In truth, she didn't mind having to travel to New Orleans, as long as she went home at the end of the assignment. It was a vibrant city, jam packed with amenities lacking in Area Five.
The steely determination in Sookie's voice had the Queen nodding in agreement. "Twice a month, then, unless I have need of you sooner," she stated.
"Twice a week it is, starting in two weeks," Sookie stipulated. "That will give you time to arrange for everyone you want read. I will require adequate notice of any other times you would need me," she informed the Queen, turning to accept a sheaf of papers from Pam's extended hand. "I took the liberty of having my lawyer draw up a contract, in draft form, of course. You can take a look at it now and he will be in contact later in the week to negotiate any points of concern. A final version will be available for both of our signatures when I return in two weeks."
The Queen was forced to stand and step down from her throne in order to accept the documents the telepath offered. Even in her high heels, Sophie-Ann stood several inches shorter than the less than statuesque telepath. Their eyes met and held as Sophie-Ann reached for the documents, a look of understanding passing between them before Sookie relinquished her hold on the contract her demon lawyer, Mr. Cataliades, had drafted for her. The wily demon had been her fairy families lawyer for generations and the rotund, kindly attorney had been more than pleased to draw up the contract, chuckling to himself as he composed the legal jargon which would protect Sookie permanently from the greedy Queen's clutches.
"Very well," she accepted the offer as she accepted the contract from the telepath. Sophie-Ann wasn't conceding so much as she was biding her time, but she was willing to play by the telepath's rules for the moment. "I will expect you in two weeks. Someone from my office will make arrangements with Sheriff Northman for your travel and accommodations."
"No need," Sookie responded. "We'll make our own travel arrangements, thank you, and Eric has lodgings we will make use of. There's no need to put yourself out at all on our account. We can look after ourselves," she finished with a sweet smile.
"Very well," Sophie-Ann repeated in a disgruntled tone. The telepath had an answer for everything.
"Now, unless you have anything else you need to discuss, it is getting late and we must be on our way," Sookie stated briskly, looking first at Eric and then Pam for confirmation neither had anything to add.
"No, nothing," the Queen answered, looking a little dazed and confused by the abrupt turn-about of her plans. "Wait! What about him?" she asked, pointing at Bill, still asleep on his feet.
Sookie shrugged, an impudent grin on her face. "He'll be fine. Put him somewhere light tight before daylight and he will be fine when he rises tomorrow."
"Okay," the Queen responded, her mind already moving to more important matters than Bill Compton.
"Good night, your majesty," Eric spoke as he turned and followed the telepath from the room. Pam, following closely behind her master and his apparent mate, echoed Eric's sentiments with a smile.
Sophie-Ann, the vampire Queen of Louisiana, was left standing in the ashes of her plans, wondering how it all went so wrong, so quickly. With no one but Bill to vent her frustrations and anger on, Sophie-Ann didn't hesitate to turn on the catatonic vampire, unleashing her fury on his unresponsive body.
Somebody had to pay for her loss, after all.
And there you have it. Hope it was fun!