Author's Note: I would just like to remind everyone, that if you have a story on story alert, it is generally polite to leave some sort of feedback. It doesn't have to be long and mushy, just a quick note letting the author know you're enjoying their story and to please continue. It's encouraging to the author and a nice thing to do. Just a reminder. Also I'm not going to spend the time researching entire conversations from episodes, so don't freak out on me if they don't match word for word. Thanks, hope you're enjoying.
Marie copied her cousin's deft movement as she applied her lip-gloss. She'd picked a pair of shorts and a black one-shoulder halter-top. Sookie had frowned at what Marie had decided on, but Marie was determined so she relented.
They were going to a vampire club after all. Sookie's outfit was the ridiculous one. She had chosen a white sundress and pearl earrings. Marie at least was dressing the part.
Also she'd never really been able to wear what she wanted at the school, so it was nice to have the freedom. She also decided to leave her hair down, as she always had it up at Merlotte's. The only other thing she was wearing were the dog tags around her neck, which she never took off, no matter how much they clashed. She couldn't stand it.
Sookie had helped her with her makeup, which she'd never really mastered. Marie took a deep breath as she surveyed herself in the mirror. She'd really grown a lot since she had met the 'x-men'. Part of her wondered if even Logan would recognize her if they ever met.
"All right. You ready?" Sookie asked, casting a quick look in her direction as she zipped her little purse. Marie simply nodded.
They took Bill's car, and naturally Marie was forced to sit in the back. But even that indignity couldn't dampen her spirits. Although she told herself she was only going to watch Sookie, a part of her was yearning for some action.
The club was ten times lamer than she'd imagined and she wondered why she'd dressed up for this. The name was tacky enough but the neon sign and entrance brought it to a whole new level. She was dreading seeing the inside.
Bill opened Sookie's car, causing the blond to melt at his chivalry.
Marie found herself unimpressed at the vampire's ability to open a door and got out, with no chivalrous acts from Bill. Apparently that was reserved for Sookie, only.
They walked towards the entrance and Bill rapped smartly on the door. They waited several seconds until a blonde, tall woman answered the door. She had a little too much makeup for Marie, but was pretty despite the excess. She was wearing a sarcastic smile and a tight blouse with a short skirt. Marie found herself admiring her ability to balance in those ridiculously high heels. The thing that stood out most about the lady was her pale skin and cruel eyes. Marie found herself shrinking as she surveyed the obvious vampire. She did not seem like someone you would want to piss off.
The woman surveyed them with a swift glance and then moved from blocking the door. They followed Bill inside and the woman turned to look at them.
"Why, Sookie. Don't you just look…" She didn't finish her sentence, instead her gaze sweeping over to Marie. Her eyes widened very slightly.
"I don't recall Eric saying to bring a friend. But isn't this intriguing. A mini-Sookie. Eric will be…interested."
Marie tried not to gulp as the vampire's gaze bored into her. She wore an expression of half boredom and amusement. "I didn't realize you had a twin."
Sookie stepped closer to Marie. "She's my cousin. And if Eric touches her, Pam, I swear I'll-"
Pam's smile widened and Bill's hand clenched very slightly. Marie could tell he was barely restraining himself from clapping a hand over her mouth.
Pam finally looked away from Marie and said to Sookie, "I'm sure Eric will consider that."
Sookie opened her mouth to respond but closed it when a tall, muscular man with long blond hair slowly entered the room.
His face was unreadable as he slowly sauntered over to Sookie. Marie grabbed the dog tags around her neck as she watched the man. He radiated power and confidence, and his icy blue were cold and calculating.
When he was standing directly in front of Sookie, he turned his head to look at Pam. "Consider what?" He had a deep voice, with no discernable accent, a voice that sent a little shiver up Marie's spine.
Pam didn't bother to answer, as Eric's eye had settled upon Marie. "Well, I must admit this is…surprising." He stalked towards her, making eye contact. As much as she yearned to, she couldn't lower her gaze.
He towered over her. He must have been over 6'7'' and she was barely 5'1'', several inches shorter than Sookie.
"Who are you, little human?" he crooned, the corner of his mouth turning up as he stared down at her.
Marie licked her lips, her mouth suddenly very dry and barely managed to croak, "I'm Marie, Sookie's cousin."
Eric's eyes slid back to Sookie. "Fascinating." Sookie simply glared at him, eyes blazing.
Marie was standing perfectly still, finding it difficult to breathe as he looked back down at her, leaning down to be closer to her height. "Well little Marie, I'm pleased to meet your acquaintance." He straightened gracefully. "Though I might inquire as to why you're here."
Marie glanced at Sookie and Bill spoke up. "She insisted on coming. She wanted to make sure no harm would come to Sookie."
Eric looked at Bill, a very faint smile on his lips. "Quaint." Pam gave a little chuckle and he continued, "Well I'm delighted Miss Stackhouse agreed to help us out."
Sookie crossed her arms, scowling. "As if I had a choice."
Eric smiled at Sookie, though it didn't reach his eyes and said evenly, "Bill, I would suggest you keep your human under control. I imagine eventually, I will tire of her…amusing little sayings."
Sookie looked annoyed, but a warning look from Bill caused her to keep her mouth closed.
Eric waited and then nodded very slightly. "Very well." He turned and walked into the middle of the club, near the bar, where a chair had been placed "It appears that someone had been stealing from us, and we need Miss Stackhouse to help us discover who. It's a significant amount of money. Simple enough, hmm?"
Sookie's brow furrowed. "How am I supposed to help?"
"You will use your ability to listen in on our employees thoughts."
Sookie bit a lip. "And if I do…what's going to happen to the person taking money from you?"
Eric's smile widened. "When you do, the culprit will be turned over to the authorities, of course."
Her eyes narrowed. "I'm sure. I promise to help you out, whenever you ask, if, and only if, you promise me to deal with your criminals legally."
He surveyed the short blond, with a raised eyebrow. "You are aware I can simply force you to do whatever I please."
"Yes, but you want to keep things as legal as possible. You really don't want any extra attention from the police." She countered.
Eric considered this for a moment. "That seems reasonable. All right, you have an agreement." He turned to Pam. "Bring him out."
Pam sighed and disappeared. She came back seconds later, a nervous, little man behind her. He was sweating profusely and Marie felt sorry for him.
Pam gave him a shove and he sat down in the chair, shaking and looking up at them, terrified.
Sookie sat across from him and took his hands. He gave her a confused expression, but didn't protest.
They watched silently as Sookie's brow furrowed in concentration. Marie noticed out of the corner of her eye, a vampire behind the bar, watching the scene silently. He scared her almost as much as Pam. Not even close to Eric though.
After a while, Sookie let go of the man's hands, shaking her head. "He didn't do it."
Eric's eyes flickered briefly to the accountant and then he waved his hand. "Go get Ginger. He may leave."
Pam ushered him out and returned with a blond woman wearing practically a child's sized t-shirt and shorts. As she passed Marie, she could smell the alcohol coming off of her in waves.
She smiled widely at Eric, brushing down part of her hair as she passed him, and then sat down. She glanced at Sookie, with a tired expression and allowed her to touch her.
Sookie asked her a few questions, staring intently at her. Then she turned to look at Bill and Eric. "She didn't do it. But she knows who did. However, she doesn't remember the name. It's like the name has been erased from her mind. Like she's been glamoured by a vam-"
Before she could finish her sentence, the vampire behind the bar leapt forward and knocked into Sookie, grabbing her by the throat.
Marie screamed and jumped back. The vampire had her pinned against the table, slowly choking her. Marie watched in horror and then screeched in the general direction of the supposedly non-evil vampires "DO SOMETHING!"
She ran forwards, trying to pull the vampire off of her cousin. With one arm, he batted her backwards, sending her flying into the mirror behind the bar. She crumpled in pain, shards of glass exploding all over her, several burying into her. Dazed, Marie crawled out from behind the bar to help, but swift as lightning Bill picked up some wood and buried it into the vampire's back. He exploded in a shower of red and Sookie lay against the table, breathing hard and covered in vampire blood.
Marie sat up slowly, her head aching and covered in small cuts. There was a long silence until the Ginger girl started screaming, frantically trying to scoop up the vampire remains. Marie watched for a minute, repressing the urge to gag. Bill helped Sookie up, who was spitting out red and shaking.
Eric and Pam had watched this silently, and Marie found herself hating the vampires. Eric surveyed the screeching Ginger and then said calmly to Pam, "Have her finish and then glamour her."
Pam raised a perfect eyebrow and said in a bored voice. "Are you sure that's a good idea? I don't know if she can take anymore-"
He interrupted her swiftly. "Our other option is to turn her."
Pam smiled quickly. "Glamouring it is." Eric nodded in satisfaction and then turned to Sookie. "You're welcome to use the restrooms to get cleaned up. Bill and I need to talk."
Sookie nodded slowly, and Marie wasn't sure if she really comprehended anything. Being exploded upon by a vampire could probably make it hard to think.
Marie stood trying on shaky legs and walked over to Sookie. She took her cousin's arm, and they walked to the bathrooms together.
They both wiped at the blood on them in silence. Marie only had a few cuts to tend to, but Sookie looked like she had taken a bath in blood.
When Marie had gotten most of the spots, she turned to help Sookie, who was trying to drain the blood from her hair.
Together they got most of it out, but Sookie looked close to tears. "I never should have taken you with me."
Marie shook her head. "I've been through much worse. Don't worry about me. And I'm glad I came."
Sookie glanced at her, wringing out her hair. "I'm so happy you're okay."
She smiled. "I'm glad you're okay. And it's nice to know you have friends that are just as weird as mine."
Sookie frowned. "They are not my friends."
Marie nodded, fixing her shirt. Pam walked into the bathroom carrying clothing.
She reached to hand it to Sookie, saying, "I thought you might want to change."
Sookie shook her head and said politely, "No thanks. I think I just wanna go home and shower. Bill and I should get going."
Pam handed them to her anyways. "Change. You're not going anywhere until Eric finishes talking to Bill."
Sookie sighed and took them.