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: Coming out of my delirium, an idea popped in my head. Yes, I know- uh oh, right? Trust me you're gonna like this. If nothing else it'll make things a little more interesting. Like Ally, I truly abhor boredom.

Are you ready? Here we go...

Chapter 23

I flopped down on my back and closed my eyes. I was wiped. Eric and I did drills for the past four hours some individually but mostly it was us pitted against each other. Eric being Eric, his skill control has improved rapidly but my body has suffered from the beating it's been taking while he practiced. It was a little lopsided if you asked me. There was no way I would ever be a match for a vampire of Eric's age and fighting experience if it came down to physical skill alone. I know it would benefit me to be able to physically hold my own in case I was ever caught in a situation where my gifts were not an option. Thinking of that horrible night, I knew all too well what could happen if I was left so defenseless.

All right Ally, snap out of it.

Miles was right in his training technique as always. That's why he's the master, though a highly unusual one. I allowed my thoughts to wander, letting the quiet of the training room bring peace to my body. Eric and Sookie left for home about five minutes ago and Bill left to get my workout bag so that I could hopefully shower and change before going home.

I smelled his crisp scent, seconds before his lips were on mine. His body pressed against me as I remained on my back.

"I certainly hope that's you Bill , because I'm too tired to fight you off if you aren't." He smiled against my lips.

"You mean you can't tell?"

"You vampires are all alike to me."

"Perhaps I should make a stronger effort to distinguish myself from other vampires then." he whispers running his fingers down my stomach.

"Knock yourself out, cowboy."

He had me panting before I heard that damnable voice.

"The purpose of this room is not to practice that, Ally."

"Ugh. I thought everyone had gone for a while."

"Obviously, not everyone. This is my place after all."

"Okay, you're right. I'm sorry." I said giving Bill a slight push and rolling out from under him. Bill lay on his side propping his head up on his fist, grinning. He's been incorrigible lately. Sitting up I gave him a playful shove.

"Come Ally, I need to see you practice some of your defense moves again." coaxed Miles.

"I'm so tired. Can't I do it tomorrow?" I whined.

"Ally is still in a very delicate condition. Perhaps rest would be advisable." offered Bill.

"Delicate condition?" I arched an eyebrow at Bill. Bill just smirked at me only resulting in peaking my ire. Oh no, buddy. You don't wanna go there...

"How about I show you just how delicate I am, Mr. Compton?" I reached down and offered my hand. He took it and stood up. Kissing the back of it, he smiled.

"Let me know when you've had enough." he winked.

"You are so on, baby." I said backing off. I joined my two arms to form a circle then hands clasped together I moved into posture one for Wudang Taiyi Five Element Boxing.

Bill's eyes widened a moment then stood stock still eying me.

We both stood immobile waiting for each other to make the first move. I blew Bill a kiss.

We both stepped towards each other but I threw the first blow right in the kisser. Ha! Take that!

Bill licked the blood from the corner of his mouth and smiled. His fangs ran down as he put on a full frontal attack. I blocked the first two before he landed a good one right in my gut causing me to bend forward. Bill stepped forward out of concern and I took the opportunity to sweep his legs out from under him.

"Let me know when you'd had enough Bill." I said standing over him. He did some kind of flip and landed on his feet. Pretty good move actually.

Both of us moved in for a really good blow. Finding an opening I threw out my fist only to meet Bill's squarely. As our fists collided two things happened. The first being my hand did not shatter. True to form Bill knew better than to hold back with me especially when training was concerned. The force of his hit should have done some damage. The second thing that happened was I felt an piercing lance in my mind for a split second before I was knocked squarely on my ass. I looked at my hand in surprise.

Bill got down instantly on his knees to look at my hand. My wounds were already healing from his contact with me. I shook my head and smiled.

"I guess I need some more practice." Hey, I can admit being outmatched.

"I would be happy to assist you anytime." He said giving my pony tail a tug. I rolled my eyes.

Miles crouched down and looked at Bill for a while. He narrows his eyes.

"Hmm. Maybe the next round of training should be with just you two."

"You want Bill and I to spar against each other again?"

"Not exactly. I want you and Bill to be here tomorrow evening. Training starts at 7."

"What about Eric?"

"He does not need to come for tomorrow's lesson. I want you two alone."

"Why?"

Ignoring me he stands up. "Remember, tomorrow at 7." and walks out the door.

Bill and I look at each other utterly confused.

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"I think I'm going to like the idea of you and I training together." I said grinning.

Bill was wearing a snug fitting black tank top and black sweatpants. Maybe because I've never seen him dress so casual before. Maybe because the clothes fit him so well. Whatever the reason I was imagining an entirely different kind of work out with my Bill- without all the bruises. Well not as many anyway.

He stepped towards me and nuzzled my neck. "You do, do you?" he murmured in my ear as he slipped his thumb under the top of my tank top, under my bra, and began rubbing slow circles against my nipple. I let out a soft moan of pleasure as I reach around gripping the hem of his tank. Bill has become more sexually direct with me thanks to me telling him it was okay to give into his dark and dangerous urges and desires sometimes without fear of me turning away from him. Obviously he took those words to heart. My libido was giving me an hearty pat on the back for that bit of advice. He began to nip playfully at my neck. Oh yeah, a huge, huge pat on the back.

"Can't you two keep your hands off of each other for one minute?" We smiled at each other.

"Sorry, Miles. We hadn't seen each other for over two months. We're just making up for lost time." I said smoothing down the back of Bill's tank. Bill reluctantly pulled out his thumb, but not before giving me a kiss on my nose.

"Children." Miles huffed rolling his eyes.

"Okay, why did you need us both here?" I asked smiling.

"For this." Miles pulls out a dagger with a carving of an eye on the hilt. I had a second to look at it before Miles plunged the dagger straight into Bill's heart. I screamed as Bill sank to the ground. I reached over to help him only to be knocked flat on my back. I looked at Miles.

"Rise Illuminati, your time has come..."

TBC- Mwahaha more coming soon...