Chapter 3

I

Eric sat in his chair and watched Bill and Sookie approach. He had summoned them both and he took a certain amount of pleasure in watching them have to comply with his demands. Pam was draped across the back of his chair and she wore a tight, little black dress. Bill held Sookie's hand clenched in his, giving Eric a display of his ownership. Sookie followed willingly along at his side. They stopped at the raised dais and waited for Eric to signal them forward. He didn't. He sat and stared at them without speaking until Bill broke the silence.

"Did you bring us here just to stare at us all night long?" he demanded.

"What if I did?" replied Eric.

Bill frowned and said, "We have other things to do rather than waste our time here."

"Like what?" asked Eric. "Just what do you find so interesting in Bon Temps?"

Eric turned his steely gaze on Sookie and added, "Besides your human, of course."

Bill glowered, but carefully held his tongue. Sookie gazed between Eric and Bill and Eric zeroed in on her movements and continued to stare at her. She took a step backwards and into Bill.

"It's nice to see you again, Sookie," drawled Pam.

"Yeah, whatever," muttered Sookie.

"Would you care for another tour of the office?" continued Pam. "I'm sure that Eric would be willing to accommodate you."

"Excuse me?" said Sookie.

"Pam, that's enough," said Eric.

He stared at Sookie with unblinking eyes for several moments and slowly a small smile formed on his lips. He then turned his gaze back to Bill.

"I would like to know what is going on," said Bill.

"Send your human away for a few moments," replied Eric. "I will speak with you alone."

Bill seemed more than willing to remove Sookie from Eric's attention and he nodded to her. Sookie gazed at all of them for a moment and then walked over to the bar and took a seat. Eric followed her with his eyes and Bill simmered in aggravation.

"She's mine," hissed Bill.

"Relax, Bill," replied Eric. "I didn't summon you here to take away your precious little human."

"Then, what do you want?" asked Bill.

"I wanted a closer look at her," replied Eric.

Eric shifted in his seat and turned his full attention to Bill. "Do you…love this human like you claim to in her presence?"

"What business is that of yours?" demanded Bill.

Eric lost his patience and his voice grew lower with menace. He punctuated his words by tapping his finger against the armrest of his chair.

"I'm tired of your games, Bill Compton," he said. "If you want to keep this human in your possession, you will answer my questions and tell the truth."

"Yes, I love her," replied Bill. He cast his eyes over to Sookie who stood out among Eric's other patrons in a red and white sundress.

Eric regained his composure and a small smile once again played over his lips. He gazed at Bill and wondered if he would indeed tell the truth. He was tired of not being the one in control of what was going on. This situation needed to be rectified and if he had to threaten Bill and Sookie, then so be it.

"Good, because I want to know what is really going on here," said Eric.

"I'm not sure that I understand what you mean," replied Eric.

"Oh, I'm sure you do,' said Eric. "There is only one reason for you to be wasting your time in Bon Temps and it's sitting right over there. There is something not right with your human besides her ability to read minds and I want to know what it is."

Bill nervously fidgeted and avoided Eric's gaze.

"I will take her and examine her, myself, until I figure out what is different about her," said Eric. "It's your choice, Bill, but I can assure that I won't be returning her to you in such pristine condition."

"And how do I know that you aren't lying about keeping her, since you've made no secret of your unwanted interest in her?" asked Bill.

"Unwanted?" chuckled Pam.

"Pam," admonished Eric.

Eric relaxed in his chair and said, "Did you really think that you found the only one like her?"

Bill raised an eyebrow in surprise and Eric's smile deepened. To keep his hands off Sookie, Eric was sure that Bill would tell him everything that he wanted to know.

II

Nikki turned the key and nothing happened. She did it again and just a flat clicking sound was heard. She hit the steering wheel in aggravation. Damn these contraptions, she thought. She turned the key again and, this time, she pumped the gas pedal. She was so engrossed in her actions that she didn't notice a tall dark-haired man approach her car. He tapped on her window and startled Nikki. She jumped and turned wide eyes to him. He made a signal with his hand for her to lower her window. Nikki stared at him for several long seconds before she complied.

"Would you like me to look under the hood?" he asked.

"Do you know anything about cars?" she asked.

"A little," he replied. "Pop the hood."

Nikki popped the hood and the man moved to look at her engine. She paused a moment and admired the view. He was exceptionally tall and muscular. He was also a werewolf who had almost frightened her out of her skin by appearing without warning at her window. She got out of the car and walked around to where he stood bent over her engine. Now, her car just got a lot more interesting, she thought, as she admired his jean-clad ass.

"I think your battery is dead," he said. "I can pick you up a new one and replace it for you this evening. The garages around here will charge you a fortune for such a simple job."

"This is very kind of you to help me," replied Nikki.

"What are neighbors for?" he said with a smile. "I saw you move in last week. I'm on the same floor."

He held out his hand and said, "I'm Alcide Herveaux."

Nikki smiled and shook his hand. "Nikki Jordan," she replied.

"Do you work in downtown Jackson? Because I can give you a lift into town," Alcide said.

"Are you always so nice?" asked Nikki.

She watched him actually blush a little. Now, he was different from what she had been led to believe werewolves were like. But, it was turning out to be a pleasant surprise.

"I would love a lift into town, Alcide," she said. "On one condition."

"Oh?" asked Alcide.

"That you let me repay your kindness by making dinner for you tonight," she said.

"You've got a deal," replied Alcide.

Nikki smiled and said, turning back to her car, "I just need to get my things out from the car."

Alcide watched as she leaned into the back seat of her car. Her already tight skirt molded itself against a very well shaped derriere. She might be petite, but she had some padding in all the right places, he thought. Down boy, he said to himself. You just broke up with Debbie and it's not the time to be hitting on your new neighbor. Nikki retrieved her satchel and some boxes and slammed her car door. Alcide stepped forward and took those things out of her hands and carried them over to his van. She uttered her thanks and walked with him with her high heels clicking over the pavement of the parking garage.

"Make sure you bring your appetite," said Nikki. She giggled and said, "I don't about you, but I'm going to be as hungry as a wolf tonight."

III

Nikki busied herself in her kitchen. Pleasing a werewolf shouldn't be that hard, she thought. No vegetarian fare tonight. She had marinated thick, juicy steaks all afternoon. She was going to toss them on the grill with baked potatoes. A nice hearty merlot would top off the meal. She finished all her preparations and walked over to the large windows in the living room. She was adapting very well to life in this world. She had decided to leave Bon Temps before her little deception came to light. She might like that blonde vampire, but it was way too dangerous for her to get familiar with him. So, she had traveled to Jackson, Mississippi. It was still not too far away from Bon Temps and there was a convenient portal nearby. Unlike the other hybrids, she could travel at will between the worlds, just like any full-blooded fairy. She had even found gainful employment. She was starting her own little consulting firm. She used her powers of mind reading in various little jobs, some of which might be considered a little underhanded. Of course, she was careful not to divulge that she could actually read minds to her clients. She did a very good business with helping lawyers weed out hostile jurors. She basically would hear the request and decide if her skills would help her accomplish the job. Word of mouth was already enlarging her clientele. And her services didn't come cheap, either. She was also able to work on her own schedule and from any place, although she did keep a little office in town. A soft knock on her door interrupted her thoughts. She moved and let in Alcide. He was still wearing jeans and a plaid shirt that gave a glimpse of a smooth and hairless chest.

"All done," he said.

"Thanks," said Nikki. "Come and make yourself at home."

As Alcide sat at the breakfast bar, Nikki poured him a glass of merlot. She smiled and disappeared to retrieve the steaks off the grill. Bustling inside a few minutes later, she placed a steak in front of Alcide. She literally watched his mouth water.

"I left it a little bloody in the middle," she said. "I thought you might like it that way."

"Um, did you want to sit at the table?" he asked.

"Why so formal?" replied Nikki. "This is more cozy."

Nikki took a seat beside him and refilled his glass of wine. She then sat and watched him eat. She wondered if he wanted to shift and just devour it. He noticed her attention and looked at her a little sheepishly.

"Sorry," he said. "It's so good that I just forgot my manners. I should be trying to hold a conversation with you."

"Don't mind me," replied Nikki. She grinned and said, "Talk is over-rated, anyway."

She took a drink and watched him over the rim as he returned to his steak. She took a bite of her own steak and realized that she was lonely. Maybe, this was the reason that she had been so willing to invite this werewolf into her home.

After dinner, they had moved into the living room and had another glass of wine.

"So, what brought you to Jackson?" asked Alcide.

"Oh, I don't know," replied Nikki. "It just seemed like good place to stop for a while."

"What do you do?" asked Alcide.

"Things," replied Nikki with a tiny smile. "A little of this and a little of that."

Alcide raised an eyebrow and said, "That sounds mysterious."

Nikki reached out a finger and traced it through his dark hair and said, "Maybe, I'm a little dangerous."

She leaned in close and said into his ear, "Are you afraid, Alcide?"

He turned into her and Nikki moved closer to his lips. It was then that the doorbell rang. It broke the spell and Alcide drew away. Nikki turned to look at her door and wondered who was there. Whoever it was decided to start banging on her door. With a sigh, Nikki got up and walked to her door. She opened it to find another werewolf on her doorstep. She had long hair and was wearing very short cutoffs paired with a little top. She audibly sniffed the air and almost growled at her.

"I know he's in there," she said.

"Do I know you?" demanded Nikki.

"Well, if you don't then you should because you've got my boyfriend in there," she growled.

"Debbie?" came Alcide's voice from behind Nikki.

"Who's she?" demanded Debbie.

Nikki crossed her arms in front of her and looked between Alcide and Debbie.

"You broke up with me, remember?" said Alcide. "After cheating with Cooter."

Inside her head, Nikki heard, Debbie's thoughts and knew that Cooter wasn't the only one that she had cheated with. Well, the werewolf was cute, but she was not interested in getting in the middle of a lover's spat, especially in between a pair of werewolves.

"I hate to be rude, but perhaps the two of you can take your argument somewhere else," said Nikki.

"I'm sorry, Nikki," said Alcide.

"Well, I ain't," hissed Debbie. "You're fucking my wolf, bitch."

"Debbie!" growled Alcide. "She is only my neighbor. And she wasn't aware of what we are until you opened your big mouth."

Debbie sniffed the air and added, "Yeah, right. You just have dinner with your neighbors all the time these days."

"I don't have to explain anything to you," said Nikki.

Debbie moved towards Nikki who held her ground. But, before she could reach Nikki, Alcide grabbed her arm and ushered her out the door.

"I'll see you later, Alcide," said Nikki.

She shut the door on the sounds of Alcide and Debbie arguing. She leaned against her door. Alone again, she thought. And this evening had started out with such promise. She tried to stop her mind from dwelling on that vampire. She really needed something to get her mind off him.

Nikki arched into her pillow and sighed. She tried to roll over but found something large between her legs. She felt a tugging on her thigh and, as a large hand came up and covered her breast, she woke up. She looked down and saw that there was something large underneath the sheets with her. She whipped them off and found Eric latched onto her thigh and drinking her blood. His hand firmly but gently pressed her back down and he drew out another mouthful of her blood. Nikki struggled and tried to push off his hand, which caused Eric to lift his head up from her thigh. Her blood was on his lips and his fangs seemed to glow in the darkness.

"Mmmm, mmmm," he said. "You are the tastiest thing that I've ever had."

"How did you find me?" demanded Nikki.

"Maybe, I just followed the scent of that delicious blood," said Eric with a little grin.

Nikki tried to kick him off and he grabbed her legs and pulled her tightly into him. Holding her legs easily out, he settled between them.

"Did you miss me?" he asked.

"No, get off me," hissed Nikki.

He moved over her and whispered in her ear, "I think someone's glad to see me. I'm glad to see you. Can't you tell?"

That was plainly evident, thought Nikki. He forcefully turned her head to his and kissed her. His tongue tasted her and, with a little sigh, Nikki stopped trying to pretend that she didn't want him and moved against him. His lips nuzzled her exposed flesh in the manner that she remembered. Her body began to automatically respond. His fingers played over her nipple and it immediately hardened beneath his touch.

She sighed into his ear, "I missed you."

He paused and looked down at her. He then bared his fangs and Nikki felt trapped in that gaze. He lunged at her neck with a hiss and Nikki woke up. She was tangled in her sheets and she sat up and searched the shadows in her room. Just a dream, she said to herself. She fell back into her pillow. Okay, you were sort of already thinking of him before you went to sleep, so it shouldn't be that much of a surprise that you dreamed about him. There isn't any mysterious vampire power at work here. She let out a breath and wondered why she would dream of him biting her. She hated that. She pulled the comforter back over her and closed her eyes. You need to find a hobby, she told herself. Or, a new lover.

A/N: I still put this time period as early enough that Alcide hasn't met Sookie, so it's before season 3. I don't think Eric will be any happier than Debbie about Nikki flirting with Alcide. It didn't take Eric very long to figure out that there was something fishy about Nikki, but while she may look like Sookie, she doesn't act like her.