Time frame: Years after "From Dead to Worse"

This is a companion piece following "Family", "Bowling for Vampires" and "Leather Underwear" Please read the end of Family or you will be extremely confused.

Disclaimer: I don't have any claim on any characters in the Sookie Universe. Please don't sue me. The other characters are my own creation and just wanted to play with them for a while.

A/N: As promised, this is a slightly longer chapter. I hope you enjoy it.

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Chapter 3

Bill was standing there looking amazing as always. He was dressed in his usual dark khakis and a deep plum dress shirt. My heart skipped a beat as I looked at him wanting so much to be alone with him at this very moment instead of in this strange predicament. For what seemed like an eternity, Bill stood looking at us with an unreadable expression on his face. Even though I had done nothing, I felt extremely guilty under his gaze.

Gently breaking away from Cole, I took a nervous step back and reached out my hand to Bill. He glided to me and gently took it. Pulling me into him and kissing me softly on my lips he said, "Darling, I was worried when Clancy called me. Are you all right?" he said caressing my face just like Cole had done just a moment ago. I nodded mutely and turned to look at Cole. His face was pale as he took us in, speechless.

"Ally, what's going on here? Who is this guy?" Cole asked angrily, gesturing towards Bill.

I looked at Bill. He seemed to have the same question running through his mind.

Okay girl, suck it up. You can do this.

"Bill, I want you to meet Cole, he's my ...he's an old friend." Cole arched an eyebrow at me.

"Cole, I want you to meet Bill, my um...my er..."

"Boyfriend?" Bill added helpfully.

"Yes, my boyfriend." I smiled weakly.

The men just stood there looking at each other. I'm guessing they were sizing each other up. Physically, Cole was no match against a vampire but he was always very resourceful. I saw him eying I piece of wood laying on the ground about a foot away.

Bill's jaw tensed and I could almost see him ripping out Cole's throat as he glowered at him. His fangs were starting to come down.

"Ally, you've been out here a while. Are you o-..." Pam had popped her head out of the door. She looked from Bill to Cole to me. Then she looked at Clancy who offered her a huffy shrug. A slow grin percolated on her face.

"I see you have company. The parking lot is no place to chat." she said amicably as she looped her arm with mine. "Come, you must introduce me to your delicious new friend."

Pulling me into the bar, I couldn't help but notice the glee on her face. Oh how she loved situations like this.

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How did I get myself into this situation? I pondered as I sat in a circular booth sandwiched between my two loves. I was staring at my hands that were folded on the table. Pam had pulled up a chair and sat across from me.

In the background, Mary McGregor's "Torn Between Two Lovers" was playing. This was definitely not the usual Fantasia musical fare. It tended more towards modern rock. I looked across at the blonde vampire in front of me with the innocent eyes of an angel. A laugh a minute she was- that Pam.

"Sooo, what should we talk about?" I said casually finally looking at the two men.

"Why don't you start by explaining how you and Cole know each other?" said Bill in his smooth voice. "Darling." he added while placing a cool hand on my thigh.

"Ehhh. Okay." Pam scooted closer to the table. This was better than reading Dear Abby.

"Cole and I grew up together in an upscale town in Texas. Our parents were friends and we found out that we shared certain qualities of the gifted nature. As we got older, we became sweethearts." I began.

"We were more than that, Ally. Much more..." said Cole placing his much warmer hand on my other thigh.

This was getting more and more awkward by the moment, although in the back recesses of mind I found this whole thing a bit of a turn on.

Okay, gotta focus.

"Anyway, Cole found out that we were being groomed to be part of a ritual sacrifice by our parents..."

"What type of people were your parents?" asked Pam.

"Sight Harvesters." said Cole and I at the same time.

"Fascinating. I've only read briefly of such humans. They drink the blood of the gifted, yes?" she inquired.

We nodded.

"The only time I recall hearing of a couple sacrifice was after a joining ritual, which would mean that you and Cole would have had to..." her eyes widened and her grin spread to her entire face.

"Had to...what?" asked Bill.

"In order to retain the full potency of their blood they would need to obtain it after a virgin coupling."

Bill looked at Cole then at me. I felt the blush spread from my face all the way down to my toes.

Totally ignoring my reaction ,Pam continued. "Seeing how you two are alive, that obviously didn't happen. Pity. I hear those couplings are rare and extremely potent. How did you escape?"

"Ally and I thwarted their plans and escaped to Oklahoma." Cole said quickly giving my thigh a squeeze. I gave him a small smile. He was trying to spare me some embarrassment by leaving out the details. He obviously didn't know who he was dealing with.

"The only way to thwart their plans is to remove your virginity out of the equation." she said absently. Then she perked up and looked at us.

"Ally, are you and Cole joined?"

I looked from Cole to Bill. There was no point in denying it. I nodded my head.

Bill's hand was no longer resting gently on my thigh. His grip tightened until I let out a squeak in pain.

"Don't be so angry, Bill. Their solution was a logical one. It saved their lives." said Pam. It is times like this I am thankful of how much she resembles her maker.

"So why did you two separate? Lover's spat?" she asked.

"Not exactly. It's...complicated." I answered shifting in my seat. Thank goodness for my healing ability or I'm sure I would have a mega vampire handprint on my thigh come tomorrow.

"I kind of want to know what happened too, Ally. We were together and we were happy. Then I wake up one morning and you were gone- vanished. No good bye, nothing. You said you came here to start your life. I don't understand it. Explain this to me, Ally." Cole's voice was reaching a fevered pitch. I have never heard him so angry at me before, not since the night I killed him a lifetime ago.

"I came here to find Bill. I came to start my life with him." I said quietly.

"No. This can't be happening. Ally, you love me. I know you do. You and were supposed to be together forever, remember? We pledged that to each other." Cole had grabbed my arm pulling me out of the booth to have me facing him.

"Tell me you don't love me as much as I love you. Tell me and I'll go."

"I didn't know you were still alive, I didn't..."

"Tell me you don't love me."

Bill was instantly at my side his manner softened. "Tell him Ally. Tell him and let him go." He said softly.

I looked from one man to the other. "I...can't. I love you both." I cried as I broke away running to the bathroom. When I got inside I went into a stall locking it. Sliding down the wall, I curled into a ball praying for oblivion to take me.

There was a flash of light and I was suddenly gathered in a comforting embrace. He held me, gently rocking back and forth as I cried. "It's okay Ally. I'm here. All will be well- you'll see." he soothed.

Sookie burst into the bathroom. "Ally? Bill asked me to check on you..." she paused as she looked at me in the arms of...

"Great grandfather what are you doing here?"

TBC