Time frame: Years after "From Dead to Worse"

This is a companion piece following "Family", "Bowling for Vampires" and "Leather Underwear".

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: The Audubon Nature Institute is an actual place in New Orleans. I've never been but I hear it's lots of fun. Heck, what do you want? I love animals.

Enjoy!

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Chapter 12

5:30 am.

I'd been laying on my side, staring at the clock for the past half hour. I was keenly aware that each minute that ticked by was another minute of sleep I did not receive. I'd tried reading, watching tv, doing crosswords- anything that would distract me mind enough so that I could rest. Nothing worked.

I even tried drinking some warm milk. Yuch! Whoever thought up that idea should be flogged repeatedly. It was terrible. Not only could I not fall asleep, I had now added a stomach ache on top of problems.

I checked the locks on the doors and windows - twice. I hovered from room to room restlessly haunting my own house, caught up in a nightmare of my own making.

Finally giving up, I crawled back into bed and was now laying in this position, watching time tick away.

I reached over and grabbed the pillow that Bill had been sleeping on. Hugging it to me, I closed my eyes and inhaled his crisp clean scent. Suddenly, my chest felt heavy and what energy had remained in my body ebbed away. Smiling, I felt myself drift away to sleep, my mind and body resting at last.

Dawn had come.

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7:00 am.

The first tendrils of a dream had just begun to take shape when I was snapped back into consciousness. Damned internal clock.

Defeated, I shuffled to the bathroom to clean up and ready myself for the day. After taking the fastest shower in the planet, I stood in my bedroom in my towel debating on what I was going to wear. I guess it would help if I knew what I was doing today. I finally decided on a pair of black capris and a powder blue baby doll top. Slipping on a pair of matching blue ballet flats, I went downstairs to make some coffee.

No sooner had I taken my first sip did I hear a knock on the door. Opening it, I was surprised to find a police officer standing there. He was around 5' 11" with sandy brown hair and brown eyes. He looked around forty and by the slight paunch he was sporting, he'd consumed more than his share of baked goods.

"Yes?" I asked politely.

"Ms. McCallen?" he said avoiding my eyes.

"I am. Is there something I can help you with officer..."

"Thick. Jordan Thick. I am here to take your statement about the other night."

I stared at him for a moment. "Please come in." I said finally as I stepped aside. He nodded and walked in without so much as a thank you. I was about to close the door when I saw Cole's car pull up the driveway. Eying the police cruiser with a frown he quickly made his way up the steps. As his foot hit the top of the landing, he swooped me up and into his arms and swung me around planting a firm kiss on my lips. I held him tight, never so happy to see someone in my life. He gave me one more kiss before lowering me to the ground.

"What are you doing here?" I asked, beaming.

"I wanted to take you out on an official date, but I see that you have company." he said smiling at me. Walking straight to the living room he said to the officer with a scowl, "I thought I told you that Ally would call you when she was ready to give her statement."

"I was in the neighborhood, so I figured I would stop by." he replied grinning smugly. He took out his memo book and waited for me to speak, pen in hand.

If I didn't know better, I would think that this man of the law was looking forward to hearing my ordeal. I swallowed my disgust forcing the bile that was buiding in the back of my throat to stay down. I sat down weakly on the slipper chair and Cole stood beside me with his hand on my shoulder.

"Okay, let's get this over with." I said.

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9:15 am

A little over an hour later, I had signed my statement, putting my copy on the kitchen table and was walking Officer Thick to the door.

"Feel free to give me a call if you remember anything else." he said with a leer. His expression had not faltered once during my questioning. I slammed the door on his face and leaned back against the door, my body shaking in anger.

Cole pulled me into his arms and held me, gently stroking me hair. "Breathe, Ally. Let it go." he cooed. I let out a deep breath and closed my eyes, pressing my cheek against his chest. He had a woodsy smell that I always found comforting. I felt myself relaxing in his embrace.

After a moment, he stepped back and looked down at me with those deep blue eyes of his. Tucking a stray hair behind my ear he said, "Grab your purse, Allison McCallen. We're going out."

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11:00 am

"So where are we going?" I asked as we drove down the highway.

"It's a surprise." Cole said with a wry grin. I quirked a suspicious eyebrow at him.

"Am I going to like this surprise?"

"I sure hope so." he said giving me a wink.

"Hmmm."

We chatted about music and movies. He talked about his apartment and about the possibly of getting a house in the near future.

"Oooo, where do you think you would want to move?" I asked excitedly.

"I hear that there is house in your community available." he said nonchalantly. "I don't know Ally, should I take a look at it?"

"You mean we would be neighbors?"

"Yes, if that's okay with you." he said pulling to a stop. Taking off his seat belt he turned to look at me.

"If that's okay with me? Are you kidding? That would great!" I smiled.

"I was hoping you'd say that." he said as he leaned over to unbuckle my seat belt. Our eyes locked for a moment as he straightened up and I couldn't help but blush under his gaze.

"We're here, Ally."

I looked outside the windshield and gasped as I read the sign.

Welcome to the Audubon Nature Institute

"We're going to the zoo?" I exclaimed practically bouncing in my seat.

"Technically, there's a zoo, an aquarium, an insectarium and an IMAX theatre on this site. This is one of the biggest facilities in the nation from what I hear."

I jumped out of the car and ran to the driver's side. As soon as Cole got out I grabbed his hand and yanked him to the park entrance causing him to chuckle.

He got us the combo package that allowed us to go back and forth to the different parks. We grabbed a couple of hot dogs at the zoo cafe and ran around like children. My favorite part was the Louisiana Swamp habitat. I was fascinated by the alligators- so calm and peaceful yet so deadly.

As it started to grow dark,we ventured into the aquarium and holding hands, we looked in awe at the different sea life swimming above and around us in the glass tunnel enclosure.

We stopped as we watched a stingray glide above us. Tilting my head back I smiled at Cole who smiled back at me. Then his eyes grew dark as he leaned down to kiss me. I nibbled on his upper lip causing him to moan in my mouth as his tongue sought mine. He pulled me into him, lifting me slightly to deepen our contact. I clung to his biceps and closed my eyes, enjoying the sensations rippling through my body.

By the time the kiss ended, we were both a little dazed. Smiling, he caressed my cheek.

"Come, it's a long drive home." said Cole softly.

"Okay."

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9:00 pm

"Thank you for the wonderful day." I said as we held each other at my doorway.

"This is only the beginning." he said softly. Pulling away, he gave me a gentle kiss on my forehead and smiled.

"Good night, Ally."

"Good night, Cole."

I sighed in contentment as I watched him drive off.

When I closed the door, I saw a creme colored envelope on the ground. Picking it up, I noticed that my name was written in perfect script on the front.

Opening it carefully, I pulled out the note. It read:

Allison McCallen,

Please do me the honor of joining me for dinner tomorrow evening. If you are available and willing, contact me at my home number.

I await your call.

Hopefully yours,

William Compton

I ran my fingers over the note and smiled. I dialed his number and he picked up on the first ring.

"Is this William Compton?" I said in a businesslike tone.

"Yes, it is. Is this Allison McCallen?" he breathed into the phone, his voice dark, liquid and deep.

"Yes." I breathed back. Trying to remain calm I said, "Your note requested that I call you if I was available."

"Are you available, Ally?" he asked seductively.

Gulp.

I started to nod before I realized he couldn't exactly see my response. He must have heard the movement on the phone anyway because he continued.

"The limousine will be arriving at your home at 7:00 pm to pick you up. Will that be acceptable?"

"Okay." I stammered.

"Until then, my darling. Good night." he whispered. I could practically feel his breath in my ear.

"Good night, Bill." I said as I hit the end button.

Taking the note with me, I walked up the stairs dreamily. As I plopped on the bed I smiled.

"I think I'm going to enjoy this dating thing," I mused as I closed my eyes.

No sooner had I done so was I dreaming.

It had been a long and wonderful day.

TBC- Okay don't kill me! Ally and Bill's date is coming up in the next chapter. The format is different, so I had to separate them, so don't be mad okay?