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: Now that my side fic is done I can concentrate on some Bill and Ally dating stuff. I've been a little distracted lately to say the least. Just haven't been in a romantic mood. Campy, horny, sarcastic maybe. EricDreamer says that Ally giving Bill a wet Willie just isn't the pinnacle of romance. Well his name is William isn't it? No? Not really? *Sigh*.

That's the problem when I get this way. The goof comes out at the strangest times.

Well anyway, now that you know what I've been going through, I hope you like what I came up with. The dates in these chapters were on my wish list. Hubby, if you are reading this...take notes!

Enjoy.

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Chapter 13

"So what are you wearing for your date with Bill tonight?" asked Sookie. She had popped over in the morning insisting on taking me to get my hair and nails done.

'I'm wearing a dress of course." I smiled at her casually. She rolled her eyes and huffed.

"Well I know you are wearing a dress. What does it look like?"

I just looked at her blinking.

"Ally!"

I chuckled. "I'll show you when we get home okay?"

"Well the least you can do is tell me the color and the style so that we can have your hair and nails done to match."

"Paint my nails crimson and as for the hair...whatever's appropriate for floor length and strapless."

"Are you going to need a wrap?"

"Well it might be chilly tonight. Yes." I said thoughtfully.

"Aren't you excited?"

"Of course I am." Sookie narrowed her eyes at me.

"You've been hanging around Bill too long. You act just like him." She said exasperated.

I smirked at her and winked.

"Gotcha!"

"Oooo you!" she said pinching my arm. "You are excited."

"Well duh, Sookie." I gave her a lopsided grin. Now that the teasing was over, I pulled his note out of my purse and handed it to her. She opened it up carefully and read it.

"You've been carrying this with you since this morning?"

"Of course not, Sookie." I said matter of factly, taking back the note. "Since last night."

She shook her head, smiling.

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I was carefully putting on some makeup standing in my underwear while Sookie stood in the bedroom admiring my dress.

"Oh Ally. It's beautiful," she breathed running her fingers over the fabric. I turned my head to look at it.

"Isn't it though? I fell in love with it the moment I saw it." I said dreamily.

The dress was a strapless gown with a red and black ombre pattern with a lace hem. Silver (not real silver!) thread was woven through it giving it a slight sparkle. It fit me snug but I could move easily because of the long slit that ran up the side to mid thigh. I wore sheer black thigh high stockings that had a matching lace trim and matching suede pumps. My hair was half up, half down with a few tendrils left on the sides of my face framing it. A few dabs of Dolce & Gabanna perfume on my pulse points and I was ready.

"Earrings. You need earrings." she said looking through my jewelry box.

She handed me a pair of dangly red and black ones to match the dress. As I put them on, Sookie pulled out a small leather case. I'd forgotten that I put it in there. She opened it and ran her fingers over the silvery hair pins inside.

Without a word, I carefully took them from her and inserted them one by one in my hair.

"Ally, where did you get those?" she asked a moment later. "I can feel magic in them."

"They were a gift...from a friend." I gave myself one last inspection in the mirror and turned to look at her.

She stared at me. I had this funny feeling she was trying to read my mind. I waited patiently for the next question.

"Who?"

"Niall." Her eyes widened. "What are they exactly?"

"They are fae darts. One of the few things that can kill a faery."

"He gave you something that could kill him. Why?" Seeing her reaction, I was definitely not going to tell her the other things he gave me. I sighed.

"Long story."

"Ally, is my great grandfather in love with you?"

"You need to ask him that question, Sookie. I regard him as a trusted friend and he knows that I don't have any deeper feelings for him other than that."

"Eric has known him for a long time. He's never seen him act this way towards anyone. You do know he's an individual of great power and rank among the fae don't you?"

"Yup."

"What if he decided to whisk you away and take you to his golden castle or something?" She teases.

"I didn't see his castle when I was there, I only saw the queen's palace. So it's gold, huh?" I mused out loud. When I looked at Sookie she was pale as a ghost.

"What is it Sookie?"

"You've been to the Faery world?"

"Well, technically they refer to it as the Realm of Dreaming. It's not really another world you know."

She pulled her cell phone out of her pocket and dialed. The phone only had enough time to ring twice before Niall appeared before us.

"I was hoping you would have called me sooner." he said to Sookie. Then looking at me sadly, "I wasn't allowed to come otherwise."

I nodded in understanding. I remembered him telling once that he wasn't allowed to interfere in my life regardless of what was happening to me.

He walked towards me. "Uh-uh-uh." I waved a finger at him. "I'm going out to dinner with a vampire. Don't want your faery scent all over me. I may not survive." I laughed.

He quirked a grin and nodded at me. "So Sookie, what is the purpose of your call?"

"What is the deal with you two?"

"It's complicated" we both replied at once.

She crossed her arms over her chest and proceeded to tapped her foot.

Niall regarded her with his green gaze.

"It was my fondest wish that Ally would be my consort." He looked at me then. "It still is."

"I'm so sorry. I didn't realize..." I said taking his hand.

"Do not be sad, my love. I've accepted your choice." he said kissing my palm.

"Ally hasn't made her choice." said Sookie.

Niall arched an eyebrow at me.

Behind him, Sookie continued. "She apparently loves both Bill and Cole."

"I do love them both. I have been honest with them about my feelings. I'm not toying with them, Sookie. I just need to figure out what part I want them to play in my life." I was starting to feel a little defensive.

"Bill and Cole are both courting you?" he asked carefully.

"Yes."

"I see." He seemed deep in thought for a moment, then smiled at me.

"Well, I'll leave you to get ready then." He kissed my hand again. "Enjoy your evening, Ally. I know you will choose wisely."

Then he was gone.

"Are you mad at me Sookie?" I asked moments later while washing my hands.

"I just don't get it that's all."

"Being in love with two men, or being honest enough to tell them?"

"Both I guess."

"How can I be in an healthy relationship when I hide what I feel? Like I said, I don't play games. Both Bill and Cole know the score. They are willing to set aside their jealousies for this. The least I can do is give them both a fair shot, don't you think?"

She looked at me for a while. Then carefully hugging me so as not to wrinkle my dress, she said,"Ally, you may be younger than me but emotionally you are much more mature."

"Sookie, you are brave, good and smart. You've had a lot more hurdles to overcome than I have. Growing up with your gift, all the thoughts in your head, it must of have been such a struggle to maintain a sense of identity. You felt you had to fight things every step of the way to keep control. I understand that. But sometimes the only way to love someone is to let go of that control. When you allow yourself to be vulnerable, that's when love is the strongest. You've found that with Eric. I'm just trying to find it too."

"Thank you, Ally. Thank you for not thinking I'm just being stupid."

"I never would, Sookie." She started to sniffle.

"Okay, no more frowns. Tonight is supposed to be fun." I said smiling.

"I still can't believe Bill is taking you out to dinner." She laughed a little.

"Why?"

"When we were dating, he would hate it when I would eat in front of him. He wouldn't even kiss me until I brushed my teeth first."

I frowned. "That's strange. I eat in front of him all of the time. He's never expressed any distaste when I do it."

"Maybe he's changed." She said with a shrug.

"Hmmm. Maybe. I think I'll ask him about it just the same."

Sookie looked down at her watch. "Oh, it's 6:30 Ally, I'll get going." she said hurrying out the door. "Have fun!"

"I'll tell you about it at Fangtasia tomorrow." I promised.

"Okay, later then."

"Later Sookie."

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"Wow."

I stood there gawking at Bill. He looked amazing in his black suit and tie. He wore a crimson shirt that matched the red in my dress. I wonder if Sookie called him to tell him what I was wearing? Anyway, back to the drooling.

"You look...ravishing." he said softly as he helped me with my wrap. He handed me a single red rose. I closed my eyes and inhaled the lovely fragrance appreciatively. When I opened them, Bill had moved closer. His body was now only a couple of inches from mine. I looked up at him. He reached over and moved a stray hair from my face barely touching my skin. I shivered at the sensation.

"Shall we go?" he asked offering me his elbow. I nodded slowly and took it as he escorted me to the limousine.

Once inside the limo, we fell into uncomfortable small talk. Uncomfortable on my part at least. His leg would brush up against me during a bump on the road or he would lean over to point out some of the sights to me on the way to the restaurant. I don't think I heard a single damned word. All I could think was his dark chiseled features, his soft sculpted lips that would turn up in a seductive smile, that dark cool voice of his. Each syllable spoken was like a tide thrumming against my center. Blood was rushing in my ears and I was feeling hot all over.

What was happening to me?

I was blinking hard trying to rein myself in. I reached forward and fumbled around the front panel trying to find some water. Bill reached over (touching me again!) and grabbed a bottle of water from the small fridge, handing it to me. I smiled at him gratefully and downed the bottle in one long gulp.

Bill took the empty bottle from my hands and disposed of it in the receptacle next to him.

"Better?"

I nodded.

"Good. We're here."

Bill helped me out of the car and guided me into Amante, a new upscale French restaurant in the Quarter. Their reputation was impeccable and they catered mostly to "A-lister" humans and high ranking vampires. I never realized Bill ran with that crowd.

"A friend recommended this place. I'm told the view of the Mississippi is spectacular." He said as if sensing my confusion.

We were given a seat at an intimate booth in the corner over looking the water. As I stood for a moment to admire the view, I felt his cool fingers on my collar bone and on my shoulders as he took my wrap. I turned to him and he gave me a soft kiss on the lips. I wanted to jump him right then and there, but I sat down instead. He must of been feeling my lust because when he took his seat, his fangs were coming down slightly. I tried to snap myself out of it by looking out the window and concentrate on the moonlight reflecting off the ripples in the water.

"If you like Ally, we can take a stroll after dinner." I turned to look at him. "It's a beautiful evening," he added with a smile.

"Yes. I think a walk would be lovely." I managed to get out. I was proud of myself for managing to sound calm instead the babbling idiot I felt like I was on the inside.

Bill ordered a bottle of Romanée Conti for me and a glass of something called Royalty Blend for himself.

"Are you trying to get me drunk?" I asked taking a sip. It was the best wine I've ever tasted though that wasn't saying much. I may have grown up in an affluent environment but my experience was limited to dinner parties and an occasional nice dinner with the family. Although I may not be as worldly as Bill, I could tell that this was a very expensive vintage. I looked at the bottle carefully.

"This is not the type of wine you order by the glass." he answered with a playful wink. Good God he's sexy. He took a sip of his blood and licked his lips. I fought the urge to pounce on him and busied myself with the menu. When I glanced up he was watching me intently.

Guh. I am in so much trouble here.

I ordered the coq au vin, happy to be distracted for a moment by the waiter.

"So, Cole told me he took you to the zoo yesterday." That snapped me out of it.

"Why would he tell you about our date?"

"We agreed that we would. This way neither of us ends up taking you to the same place two days in a row."

I crossed my legs and leaned back looking at him.

"Well that's very practical of you two, but if you really wanted to level the playing field you should have both taken me to the same places. That way I can make a more honest comparison."

He leaned over a little and said cooly, "Who says I want to level the playing field?"

Okay. I have absolutely no answer for that one. I looked down on my lap suddenly fascinated by the pattern of my napkin. I heard him ease back in his seat. I took another sip of my wine.

When my dinner arrived, I couldn't be more delighted. As I took my first bite I closed my eyes and might have made some yummy noises. The chicken melted in my mouth, each bite infused with flavor. I heard Bill's body rumble. When I looked up from my plate his eyes were dark and his fangs were down.

"Is my eating bothering you?" I asked. He shifted in his seat and blinked as if trying to comprehend my question.

"Quite the opposite. Seeing you enjoy your meal is quite...enthralling." he said licking his lips. "Why do you ask?"

"Sookie, mentioned that you used to hate it when she ate in front of you. You'd also insist she brush her teeth before kissing her." His fangs retracted completely and his face grew grim.

"Ally, before I explain this to you I want to tell you something about Sookie and me..." He proceeded to tell me about their relationship and his betrayal. I've heard it before but I didn't want to interrupt him. For one thing, this Bill never told me about their relationship and I remembered the relief and closeness he felt when he had opened up to me the last time. Secondly, he was an amazing story teller. I could hear him go on and on about a new book he read or the places he's traveled.

So I listened.

"I was never bothered by Sookie eating human food. I told her that to test my control over her. I needed to gauge how far she would go to please me and in turn how compliant she would be to the queen."

I looked at out the window again trying to process this revelation.

"Ally. I was in love with Sookie, but I had a mission to perform. I was a low-ranked vampire with limited choices. The moment I was involved with her she was in danger. If I wanted to keep her safe, I had to do whatever it took to insure her protection, including manipulate her. I..."

I put my hand up to stop him from talking. I took a deep breath and blew out.

"Bill. I can't say that I'm happy to hear this, but the truth of the matter is what's done is done. You screwed up a lot with Sookie and you lost her because of it. But even you admit that she was never really a match for you. She and Eric are suited for each other. They belong together. You've made your peace with that. You made your peace because you truly want her happiness. That is what I see in you, Bill. Not the blame, not the mistakes, only the caring." I reached my hand out to him and he took it. "Let go the guilt, Bill. It's over."

He held my palm to his cheek relief washing over him.

"Thank you, Ally."

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After dinner we went for a stroll by the river. The night was cool and crisp and the air was alive with music and promise. Bill and I held hands as we walked in comfortable silence.

"So did you have a good time yesterday at the zoo?" he asked.

"It was fun. I adore the zoo though I wish I could see them in their natural habitat out in the wild. Living things act differently when they are in a cage." He nodded.

"That theory is not confined only to the living, Ally."

I stopped and turned to him. "What cage are you in, Bill?"

"One of my own making, Ally. I've always held the dark part of me in. There's a part me that wants to be impulsive and dangerous. There's a part that wants to give into my desires."

"What's stopping you?"

He looked at me like I was insane.

"I can't do that. I wouldn't know how. What would the others think?"

I leaned against the railing and looked out into the water. "When we were young, Cole and I used to play by a stream near our house. We'd go fishing and tell each other stories there. One day, I decided to go without Cole. I had had a particularly bad day and I wanted to be alone with my thoughts. There had been heavy rainfall recently and piles of debris had gathered on one end blocking the water flow. I took it upon myself to clear the debris not realizing the amount of water that had built up behind there. I pulled a huge pile of branches in one shot and do you know what happened?"

Bill shook his head slowly.

"The water poured out of the opening, knocking me down on my rear! Some of the heavier branches hit me in the head and I very nearly drowned. Cole was so upset with me." I laughed. "The next time I found myself in the same situation, I was not so foolish. I took a small piece out at a time letting the water trickle out and level itself before pulling out another piece. I came home that day wet but completely unscathed."

I turned to Bill holding his face between my hands and looked up into his eyes. "If you try to do it all at once, you are going to fall on your ass. Let go a little at a time, Bill. Give yourself a chance to find your own level."

"What if you don't like what comes out, Ally?"

"Do you think the real you would be cruel to me?"

"No, I know I wouldn't."

"Then we'll be fine. I love you Bill, every part of you. That will never change."

"How did I get so lucky?" He said giving me a soft kiss. "I love you, Ally."

He held me then pulling me close as we swayed to our own music. For the rest of the evening the world disappeared as we danced under the moonlight.

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I was feeling sleepy from the wine that I had at dinner. Bill helped me into the limo and I lay my head on his shoulder. I was starting to drift off when I felt his hand on my thigh. The slit of my dress had flipped open exposing my leg and Bill was flipping it back down to cover me. I sat up instantly.

"Are you okay, Ally?" he asked me. At least that's what I think he said. I just stared at him not moving. It didn't help that he shifted in his seat to look at me. I was now keenly aware of his knee against my thigh. When he tilted my head to look at him with his finger I thought I was going to shoot out of the roof. I clenched my fists and closed my eyes trying to concentrate on my breathing.

Get a grip, Ally. Get a grip...oh...oh my...

My concentration was broken by Bill's lips on mine his tongue gently coaxing my lips to part and then it was in my mouth. I welcomed him with a moan. He tilted his head to deepen the kiss with one hand in my hair and the other hand on my back lowering me onto the seat. My hands went under his jacket pulling out his shirt so that I could run them against the smooth skin of his back.

"Bill" I gasped. "I want you so badly."

"I know you do, my love. I want you too." He continued to kiss me but didn't progress any further. His hand went up my calf and stopped at the lacy trim of my stocking. Looking down at me he whispered, "Your are so beautiful Ally," and covered my mouth with his.

"Why do I want you so much Bill? I feel like I'm on fire." I said gripping his ass.

"It's my blood. It increases your sex drive." He mumbled as he grinded his hips against me. I could feel his erection straining through his pants.

I was suddenly battling emotions of fear and lust.

"I can't Bill. I can't do this."

"I know you can't Ally. I promise we won't go too far... Just let me feel you and taste you for a little while longer." he said suckling softly at my throat.

We continued this massive make out session until the limo pulled into the driveway. Shirt untucked, jacket off, Bill walked me to the door. Other than my lips being extra swollen and my hair being slightly mussed I was for all intensive purposes intact.

"Thank you for a wonderful evening, Bill." I think I whispered. Who really knows what I said? I was kind of out of it.

"Ally..." he said as he pressed against me pushing me against the door. He kissed me again so passionately my toes curled. He pulled back slightly and looked down at me. "Good night my angel."

And then he was gone leaving me, a pile of hormonal goo, dazed and happy on my doorstep.

Thank goodness I had to work tomorrow. These dates aren't good for my virtue.

TBC