Part 43

I could feel Sookie closing her mind off, not to me, not intentionally, it was the way she steeled herself against the impending stress of going to Merlotte's and seeing Amelia again. I admired her for what she was able to do. I had to admit that I was getting to the point of wanting to rip something, or someone to shreds just to dispel the energy that was building under my skin. I focused myself on keeping my own mind calm, for Sookie's sake because we already knew that we could affect each other's moods when we let emotions run amok, and that wasn't always a good thing. She walked around her house, wooden, for a half an hour, tidying things, washing up her dishes, pulling at strands of her hair until I finally stopped her.

"Come on, let's go out there now. We can look around until they arrive, I can help you start setting up for tomorrow." I offered my hand. The look she gave me was beyond thanks, she had the same look as when she had first awoken in my office; this generous trust she seemed to have in me. I swept her into my arms and kissed her quite soundly, feeling her heartbeat against my chest, taking the time to smell her hair and linger with my fingers laced through it.

"Thank you," she whispered, and let me take her out to the car.

She turned on all the lights at the bar as we arrived and took a walk around slowly, quietly, looking at everything as if she had never seen it before, committing it to memory. I followed along behind her, trying to see what she saw, looking for anything that seemed supernatural or out of place, or just anything. But she didn't really pause anywhere, and it was easy to see that she couldn't pull any more out of the location than I had been able to. Perhaps there really wasn't anything else mortal and immortal eyes could pull out of it, not without help. Once she had convinced herself of that, she busied herself washing the glassware behind the bar. The nervous energy coming off her was almost palpable. I sat on the other side of the counter after reorganizing the tables to create a buffet of sorts, and just watched her move; it was so different than seeing her at Fangtasia. She didn't have the spring in her step or the smile on her face. She was just holding it together, and it was obvious.

"So you said it's going to be like watching a movie?" Besides the directions about the tables, they were the first words she had spoken to me since we had arrived.

"A silent movie."

"But how will we know what they are saying?"

"I can read lips." I said with a grin.

"Why am I not surprised Eric?" The first true smile she had worn in days graced her face.

"Well, I have had a thousand years to pick things up."

"Is there nothing you can't do Eric?"

"Given enough time together I'm sure we can find something, then you can teach it to me." I leaned over the bar to kiss her again. I felt her settle a little against me finally.

"Could you bring in some new beer kegs from the back of the kitchen for me?"

"Of course my Beauty."

I brought in one of each as Sookie asked, and since it wasn't that difficult to hook them up I did that as well. It wasted a little more time. And it wasn't long before we heard the crunching of tires on the gravel outside. The relaxed nature of my darling was suddenly lost and I could tell that she was sending her mind out to verify the identities of our 'guests'.

"It's them." She told me in a hushed voice.

"Good," I looked at my watch, it was only 11:00 pm. Apparently Amelia did drive quickly. "Wait here, let me go and greet them."

The civic had parked at the front of the bar, so I unlocked those doors and walked down the few steps. The passenger door opened and I went to that side to offer my assistance to Octavia as she swung her legs out, clutching a large tapestry carpetbag.

"Miss Fant." I greeted her.

"Why Eric," She put out her wrinkled hand and cradled my cheek as I leaned down to her, "How lovely to see you again." I helped her to stand and took her bag, offering her my arm to hold.

"Thank you so much for coming so quickly."

"My dear boy, anything to help you and Sookie. You're such a lovely young couple, and I am a softy for such things." It was hard not to see anything but absolute sincerity in the woman, even if she did insist on addressing me as younger than her; it was still charming. She straightened out her skirts. "Come out Amelia. Mr. Northman isn't going to kill you."

I had known Amelia was there; I had just ignored her. She hadn't budged.

"Girl, get out of the car, we have work to do." Octavia's voice commanded without even changing tones. My admiration grew even further.

Slowly I watched the driver's door open, but the woman who stepped out wasn't much like the one I had last seen at Fangtasia. Gone were the cloak, and the black gloves, and all of the self-assuredness of our last meeting. She was in jeans, a red jacket with the hint of a lace top underneath and, as she stepped around the car I could see, running shoes. Her hair was drawn back in an efficient ponytail, much like Sookie had used to wear. She looked every bit the student, and seemed properly afraid of me.

"Hello Mr. Northman." She mostly whispered at me, not meeting my eyes.

"Amelia."

"You see, I told you Amelia, Mr. Northman is a gentleman." Octavia looked over at me with a smile. Her facial features never faltered as she said it. Her confidence in me was, encouraging. "Will you get everything else from the trunk please and meet us inside." Tugging on my arm she turned me towards Merlotte's. I was only too happy to guide her.

Inside Sookie greeted her at the door, receiving the same embrace as I had. If I hadn't known better, and I suppose I really didn't, I would have sworn she was trying to read us the way Sookie did when she touched someone, enhancing her natural talents.

"Oh little one, so good to see you again. I'm so sorry about your loss." She patted Sookie's cheek. "Let's see if we can't get some answers for you."

Sookie wiped a tear from her eye. "Let me show you the office Octavia." Her voice wavered. The two of them went around to the back of the bar; I waited for Amelia to enter. She hefted in another duffle bag, looking straight at me as she came in the door; noting that she was alone with me.

"Are you afraid of me Amelia?"

"Yes." She looked down at the floor.

"Good." I turned around, "They're in the back, follow me." She did, with hesitant steps that made me smile.

We left Octavia and Amelia alone for the few minutes the older one told us she needed. I took Sookie outside and we sat on the steps, looking up at the stars.

"Have they changed much in all your time Eric?"

I shook my head, "not really."

"Everything sort of goes on without us doesn't it? I mean people live and die and the earth and the stars stay the same."

"No, it isn't the same Sookie. Every person leaves an imprint on this world, and changes its direction somehow."

"Do you believe that, really, Eric?"

"I have seen it."

She let her head rest against my shoulder.

"I suppose you have."

"We will find an answer Sookie, so Sam can rest in peace, and so that you can find your peace as well. And because you remember him, and Terry remembers him, and all those people who are going to come here tomorrow night remember him, he remains. That was the way of my people, and it is the truth."

She sighed very deeply.

"She's coming."

Amelia appeared in the doorway.

"Octavia says to tell you that she's ready."

"Come then Sookie. Let us find a few more answers."

Sam's office was not large so Sookie tucked herself into a corner, Amelia slipped in beside her and I watched Sookie stiffen. Octavia was closer to the door, weaving her spell, and I, well I moved around like a cat, not because I was nervous, but because I was waiting for the action, and needing to position myself to see both their faces, assuming there were only going to be two of them in the room.

"You are ready young man?"

"I am Miss Fant."

And she began.

An image of Sam behind the desk materialized in a growing curl of smoke. I heard Sookie gasp, even though it was under her breath. I could feel the sorrow flowing off her as a crack appeared in her wall. I stood to his side and watched as the second entity appeared through the door. Of course she didn't open it, the only thing these reconstructions brought to 'life' were the humans, or beings that had left their energy signatures behind. I recognized her immediately. I had never known her name, an error on my part, but it was the same red haired Banshee I had met in Ireland. I began to translate for the others, committing the words and actions to my memory.

"Have you had a chance to rethink my offer Mr. Merlotte?" The Sam entity looked up at her.

"Haven't wasted much time. The answer is still no."

"Why do you stand by her and the Vampire? She has abandoned you for him?" Sookie moaned as I repeated Sam's words, but I dared not look at her, I had one chance to see this; there was no instant replay on these things.

"I will not lure her here, or him."

The spectral Banshee pounded her fists on Sam's desk, but there was no sound to accompany the movement, that in itself was eerie.

"Get out of my office."

"I will do this with or without you Sam Merlotte. There are many ways to lure prey."

"Prey? I will not be part of whatever sick vengeance you are seeking."

"Vengeance? Not vengeance, a preemptive strike to save the ones I love. Would you not do the same?"

Sam remained silent; well, more silent because of course he wasn't actually speaking out loud. It was my voice that gave him that last chance to testify. He looked into the eyes of the woman before him, expression wavering, mouth quivering, not that anyone else could see the turmoil the man was expressing in that minute gesture.

"She is my friend, I will not betray my friend." Sookie sobbed out loud.

"Three days shifter, three days, will you betray everyone else, your own two-natured kin for an abomination and a night walker?"

"Get out."