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: I've been struggling with this chapter for the past couple of days. I hope you enjoy the end result. I also got caught up reading all of the fanfics out there. Talking about bringing in the New Year right! Thanks for the inspiration and entertainment.

Thanks always to ED for her support of my work and for joining me when I just want to goof off.

When y'all read this chapter remember I warned you that I want some Ally wooing. This is just setting things up for it.

Ready..Set..Go!

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Chapter 10

When I made it to the foot of the stairs I was taken a little off guard. Cole was bending over in front of my washer and dryer pulling down his jeans. From the looks of it, he had soaked himself when he had been holding me in the shower. The whole backside was wet along with the back of his shirt and part of the front was twisted and wet from my crying. Even his boxers weren't spared. He was doing a little hop to try to yank off the other leg when I let out a chuckle causing him to lose his balance and fall on the floor.

I walked over to him still giggling and grabbed a towel from the shelf and tossed it at him.

"Cole, I think you should just throw it all in the washer and take a shower in the guest bathroom. You are a mess." I smiled at him and he smiled back. He got up rubbing his rear. "Ally, I don't have any clothes to wear. Let me go home and take a shower and I'll come back after." he offered.

"That's just silly. I'll get you something to wear while the clothes are washing." I said pushing him towards the guest bedroom. He agreed finally and I stood outside the door as he handed me his t-shirt, underwear and socks.

I started the washer and threw the clothes in on a short cycle and went to my backroom to find something that he could wear in the interim. Pulling out the box marked "Promo" I found what I was looking for.

Laying the items outside the door with a chuckle, I went to the kitchen to fix us a couple of turkey sandwiches and some chips. I figured we'd have a late lunch.

I grinned as Cole came out of the room dressed in the clothes I laid out for him. He was wearing a black Fangtasia tshirt that had their dripping fang logo in front with the word "Thirsty?" in bold print right below. His black boxers are plain in the front with the words "Bite" and "Me" on each respective butt cheek. It was almost like they were meant to be worn together. He would be eaten alive dressed like that at the bar. I leaned over to the side to get a better look and whistled. Cole rolled his eyes and sat down across from me.

"I guess I should be grateful that they fit me." he said giving me a playful grin.

"You could always just hang out in a towel while your clothes dry." I said looking at him up and down. I gave him a wink.

He arched his eyebrow at me and was instantly in front of me and leaning in to kiss me on the lips. My breath caught in my throat and my eyes grew wide. Looking at my reaction he turned his head slightly and kissed me on my cheek instead.

When he sat back down his eyes were sad again.

"I'm sorry, Cole."

"There is nothing to be sorry about Ally. You didn't do anything."

"Yes I did. I was teasing you like I used to..." I reached over for his hand and he took it. Looking into his beautiful eyes, I admitted, "Sometimes, I forget that we aren't together anymore."

"Me too, Ally. Me too." he said offering me a small smile.

I looked down at our hands. "I felt you coming for me last night, you know." I said softly. "I felt you both." I caressed his cheek with my free hand. "Thank you, Cole. Thank you for saving me."

"Ally, I..." He looked at me, his face full of conflicting emotions. Looking down and letting go of my hand he said, "No, Ally. Bill saved you. If it wasn't for his strength and Pam's we wouldn't have been able to get through to get you out. Bill's your hero, not me."

I sat back and looked at him. He shifted uncomfortably under my silent gaze.

Boy, was he a terrible liar. I know that Bill had helped in my rescue. I didn't doubt that he played a big part in it. I just knew that Cole was the one who found me. I knew it the moment I was able to move the picture. It was him. I also knew why he was lying to me. He was lying because he loved me. Because it would be easier for me to shower all my gratitude on Bill because I had chosen him.

He loved me. The scary thing was that I loved Cole too- as much as I ever did. The fact that I love Bill with the same intensity was disconcerting. How could I be in love with two men? This couldn't be right.

"Maybe you are all my heroes." I said finally.

Getting up, I went to the washer and took out his clothes and moved them into the dryer, threw in a dryer sheet and pushed the button to start it spinning.

When I went back to the kitchen, Cole was sitting with his head in his hands. He looked so lost and forlorn.

All my life he's been the one to console me. He's the one who brought me out of my despair. He's the one who always loved me without question. My heart reached out for him...

Stepping between his legs, I pulled his head to my chest. His arms instantly wrapped around my waist. I stroked his hair. Somehow by comforting him, I felt like I was comforting myself.

"It's okay, Cole. I love you too." I whispered. He let out a small sob as he held me tighter to him. We stayed there for what seemed like an eternity, holding each other, letting go our pain.

"What about Bill?" he asked. He gripped me tight as if bracing himself for my answer.

"Yes. I love Bill. I love him very much." His body stiffened for a moment then relaxed.

"So what now, Ally?"

"I wish I knew." What now indeed. How am I going to resolve this? Shouldn't love be easy?

I looked at the clock. It was approaching six o' clock.

"Cole?" I said gently squeezing him to get his attention.

"Yes Ally?"he said rubbing his cheek against my chest.

"Your clothes should be dry now." He leaned back and looked up at me.

"Bill?"

"Yes. I want to be there when he wakes." He nodded in understanding.

"Do you want me to go? Leave you two alone?"

"Just for a little while. I want to talk to you both later. Do you mind coming back around eight?"

Cole loosens his grip on me and stands up. Looking down at me he smiles gently.

"I'll come back whenever you want me to." He kisses me tenderly and lets me go, his eyes full of hope.

By the time I made it to the top of the stairs, he had already left.

I go inside my room and stand there by the side of bed. Gazing at Bill, I was overwhelmed by my love for him. How can I love these two men so much? I thought my love for Bill was destined. The connection, the love, the peace...it had to mean something right?

I was suddenly very worried. What if Bill won't understand? What would I do if he can't handle it and leaves me? Would I pursue him? My mind was reeling but I forced myself to focus. I'm a grown woman. Whatever comes, I need to deal with it openly and honestly. I owed it to them both. Carefully and with some pain, I crawl in next to his still form. Lying on my side facing him, a wait for my Bill to wake.

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If you've been around someone long enough, sometimes you take on some of their more prominent character traits. You know, like their quirky sense of humor or their temper- things of that nature. I never thought I would be able to share this particular trait that I have newly acquired.

I can now sense the sun. I know when it will be rising by the sudden pressure on my chest and the fatigue I feel. I can feel it set because my skin prickles and my heart beats just a fraction faster. I am more alert and if I listen sometimes, I can even hear the sun disappear below the horizon with a sigh as the blanket of night surrounds us.

That was what I was feeling as Bill began to stir and I can see the life force that animates him glowing softly against his skin. His eyes snap open and he looks at me, his gaze softening immediatedly.

"Hi." I said lovingly, echoing the greeting I gave him when they had rescued me. He reached out and caressed my face, his fingertips barely touching my skin.

He scooted closer to me our chests touching. He kisses me softly and gently as if a drop more pressure would shatter me like glass.

"When did you wake up?" he asked me, his voice dark and deep causing warm tingles to run down my body.

"Earlier this afternoon." His eyes looked sad.

"I'm sorry I wasn't here for you when you awoke."

I put my palm on his cheek. "You were here for me, Bill. Your presence alone made me feel safe."

He gave me a small smile then which quickly faded when he asked the next question.

"Do you remember what happened last night?"

Tears started to well up as I unlocked the pain and guilt I had been hiding. I kept my eyes fixed at his mouth, avoiding his gaze. "Yes. I'm sorry Bill. They drugged me. I thought I could stop him before he could do anything... I was such a fool." I confessed my voice tremulous as the tears started to flow again.

He touched his forehead to mine, his cool hand on the back of my neck.

"Why would you blame yourself? You are innocent. He was the monster that hurt you." I could feel the anger build in his voice. "I was rash in killing him so quickly. I should have taken him with us. I should have taken him and restrained him. His death should have been slow and painful for what he did to you."

"You're not mad at me?" I was starting to cry.

"Mad at you?" He looked at me in disbelief then pulled me to him causing me to yelp a little in pain. "Oh Ally, my precious darling. I am sorry. I am so sorry." was all he could say as he stroked my hair and a rocked me as I cried. He shifted my body to sit me up on his lap when I cried out again.

"Ally?"

"It hurts." I whimpered.

"Where?"

"My back and ..." I couldn't say where else. He looked searchingly in my eyes and then grew angry again.

"Will you let me heal you?" he asked softly.

"With your blood?" I asked in mid sniffle. I was starting to hiccup, which made it hurt even worse.

"Yes."

"Do you want me to? I know that it makes us more connected...Is this what you want after what's happened?" The last part made Bill growl a little. Then he stopped and spoke softly and directly.

"Ally, I love you. You did nothing wrong. I want to feel you, to know that you are safe. I can't stand to see you in such pain both on the outside and on the inside." Then he looked at me pleadingly. "Please let me give you a part of me. Let me take the pain away." He opened up his shirt and leaned me into his chest but not touching. He waited.

How could I deny him something that I wanted? I wanted to feel closer to him, to share with him. I wanted to feel safe again, to be Ally again. The Ally that my Bill loved. The Ally that vanished the moment I let that man touch me.

"I love you Bill." I said and leaned over the extra inch and bit. He moaned softly as I drank, his body shaking in restraint. I could actually feel my wounds knitting together, becoming whole again. I started to pull away after the first draw but he pressed his hand to the back of my head. "More Ally, take more." he rasped. I sucked again causing him to moan louder. I felt a tingling sensation sparking from my head down to my toes. I was feeling stronger and the weariness and fear started to disappear. Through Bill, I was becoming me again. I took one last draw and he called out my name as he came.

I pulled away and looked at him. Everything was a glowing haze. Maybe this is what it feels like to be high. I mused. I looked at Bill again and he was smiling at me.

"Did I take too much?" I asked nervously. He glanced down on himself and then smiled again. "No, you took just enough." I rolled my eyes at him and then leaned back into his chest.

"Thank you Bill." I whispered and I meant it.

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By the time eight o'clock came along, Bill and I were on the couch laughing. I had changed into a white t-shirt (with a bra) and some khaki chino shorts. Bill had found a video I took of Pam at Fangtasia. I was trying to be sneaky to catch her in a happy moment. She knew of course and was purposely moving to places where it would be awkward for me to hide. I was huffing in the speaker and banged into a few chairs before she whirled around and stuck her tongue out at me. I was laughing so hard the camera was shaking so the rest you see is the floor bobbing up and down before I finally stopped filming.

Cole knocked on the door. When I opened it, he smiled and gave me a hug. "You look a thousand times better, Ally." he said looking at me up and down.

Bill looked stunned.

"Bill, are you okay?" I asked. Cole looked at him too.

"You really love him." he said. "I can feel it."

I grabbed his hand before he could move. "Bill, look at me. Tell me what I'm feeling now."

He looked into my eyes and after a moment he smiled, "Love. I feel your love for me."

I turned and hold out my other hand for Cole. Tentatively he holds it.

"I love you both. I don't understand how this could happen but it did. Since I can't have you both, I need to sort out what each of you means to me. I need to figure out what type of relationship I want with you two. Will you two let me do this?" I held my breath as I looked at them.

Bill looked at me then Cole. Cole did the same. "Yes." they said finally. I let out my breath.

"So how is this going to work?" asked Cole.

"I guess I will need to spend time with each of you." I said. "Kind of like dating but with no sex, okay?" They both actually looked relieved at that and nodded.

"Thank you guys for doing this for me. I just want to be sure." I said as I held their hands to my chest. Suddenly, I felt a jolt and I was floating, my body light as air twirling in a colorful sea of ecstasy. I could feel both Bill and Cole with me, our life forces entwining together in unison in a strange but thrilling choreographed dance. Each touch full of love and bliss flowing over me in rhythmic waves as we moved as one...

I felt myself drift back into my body and opened my eyes, panting. Both Bill and Cole looked strange. Cole was covered in sweat and his eyes were wide. Bill's eyes were wide too and his fangs were down. I was soaked to the skin. We looked like we just had...

"Ahem."

We all turned to see Pam, Sookie and Eric standing at the doorway.

TBC