Here is the latest installment. Sorry it is taking longer than usual for me to get my chapters out, but I have been dealing with some serious back pain lately in addition to trying to work on some other projects. Anyhow, I hope you enjoy the latest.

Please remember: Charlaine Harris owns all the rights to Sookie's world. I'm just playing with it.

(3) Back in the Game

The three months that have passed since signing the contract have been quiet. If there has been any conflict within the vampire community, I haven't heard about it. If the werewolves are going through another big political change, they are leaving me out of it. It is nice to feel almost normal.

My social life is dull now. I just didn't realize how involved I was in supernatural affairs until it all stopped. Until I met Bill Compton, my life was right drab. Not that I want to resume living among all the violence and intrigue, but my current life did look a better before I came back to it.

Three hours remain before I need to think about getting ready for work tonight. There is not much to do since I cleaned the house and did the laundry this morning. It's too brisk out to suntan today. I settle for reading in the living room.

My current selection is the newest romance novel that came into the town library. The author is one of my favorites, and I am already more than half way done with this volume. The sex scene is steamier than normal, or it just seems that way because I am no longer getting any, and I lament not having anyone with whom I could try such moves when there is a knock on my back door.

Tara walks in after her courtesy knock and informs me, "Just talked to Sam. Ya not goin' into work tonight."

"What?" I slam my book shut and stand up. "What happened?"

Tara tells me, "What has happened is that JB is babysitting tonight and I am taking your sorry ass out of this house." She saunters over to my bedroom and begins rifling through my clothes. My best friend then holds up a skirt and shirt outfit that shows off my curves, "Put this on. We're going dancing." Next, she huffs at me, "I ain't been out on a dance flo' since before I got knocked up. An' you, you need to get yer ass up outta here and to some place that is not Merlotte's."

She is right; I need a break in my routine. Tara has impeccable taste, so I put on the proffered outfit. I don a little make-up and then put my hair up into a pony tail. Tara gives me an odd look so I say "what?"

My friend reaches over to turn on my curling iron. "You are not goin' to work Sookie. You are goin' dancin' and your gonna look like it." I scoff at her, but she isn't backing down. I'm not really mad though, she is just looking out for me in her own way.

We enter a club in Bossier with little to cover our chilled skin. The music is loud, so conversation is difficult. A couple men take notice as we walk inside. I order a gin and tonic; Tara goes for soda since she is still breast feeding. Once we've had enough liquid, we set our purses to hang to that we can move freely and then we go to the dance floor for a couple of songs. Soon, there are men coming over to dance. Tara and I both dance with a few men.

The last man I dance with before taking pause is a great dancer. He is also a shape shifter, not that he has told me; but I know these things. The shifter has dark hair with a military cut, I think it is black but it is hard to say with the lights in the club. He is well toned and maybe an inch taller than me. I give him a signal that I will be heading back to the table and then loudly thank him for the dance since he does not know that I know he could hear me just fine.

The shape shifter escorts me off the dance floor and leans in so that I can hear him. "The pleasure was all mine. I hope to dance with you again sometime…" He is waiting for me to give him my name. After a moment he continues, "I'm Kyle." I nod my head, unsure of what I want to say. If I tell him my name or that meeting him is a pleasure, then he might take that as a lead in to something. I give him a little smile and begin to pull away.

Kyle leans in and says, "I get it. I'll go, but could you tell me first what I did wrong?"

I nod and tell him, "Nothing. You did nothing wrong. I was just looking to dance was all."

"You married?" Kyle looks at me, expecting that to be the case.

I bob my head, neither a "yes" or a "no." I wasn't married according to human law, but I was by vampire law. Oh, and I still am. I tell him, "I ended a relationship not so long ago."

He nods his head, "Well that I can understand." Kyle thinks for a moment, "Are you afraid he'll see you with another man?" His body moves in closer to mine, "I'm stronger than I look. I can protect you."

Ugh. Supes' all want to protect me or kill me. I tell him, "thank you but that will not be necessary."

I find Tara at a booth and walk her way. I lean in so that she can hear me, "Want another drink?"

Tara nods in Kyle's direction, "What's with the hottie?"

"Nothing, we were just dancing." I pointedly look at her. "I'm headed for the bar, do you want a drink or not?"

"See if you can get some mixed juice." She explains, "I can't take soda like I used to."

I make my way through the crowd and arrive at the bar in time to see Kyle leave a stool with a drink in his hand; it appears that someone else has caught his attention. I place my orders at the bar and then head back to the table with drinks for Tara and me. When I look up there are two men sitting with Tara. One of them gets up and leaves the table as I near them; the other man is Kyle.

I look at the shifter for a moment and he tells me, "Your friend Tara invited me over. "

My gaze turns to Tara. She stares right back, "Don't you go lookin' at me like that." She then turns a smile on Kyle, "You were saying…?"

Kyle informs us, "My family owns a restaurant." He pulls out a card with the name, address and telephone number. "It's not far from here. You ought to come in some time, my treat."

"So you work with your family?"

He tells me, "Not so much now. My parents are moving to another area and leaving me in charge. My brother works there regular, same as me. My sister comes in to help out when she wants to get away from her new family. Two of the staff are cousins." He turns to me, "What about you?"

"I'm a waitress." I tell him, "It's a family friendly place during the day."

Tara makes a movement to indicate that she needs to get up. As she moves she tells him, "Sookie is the best waitress Merlotte's has ever seen."

Tara leaves for the ladies room and then Kyle asks, "Merlotte's Bar and Grill over in Bon Temps?"

"That's the one," I nod my head.

"I hear the owner is a shape shifter."

"I was there on the night of the second revelation, but if you want to know you really ought to ask him." I pointedly tell him, "I am staying out of supernatural shit."

We talk for a bit and I find him to be a nice guy. Then we go out to dance once again and dance for a number of songs. Kyle looks at Tara and then at me, "She is a good friend… I think she is telling you she needs to leave. If I didn't think I'd scare you off, I'd offer to drive you home later."

"That doesn't mean you can't walk a lady to the car."

I signal Tara that we can leave rather than walking to her since I am closer to the exit already and the bar is so busy that it is like walking through a moving maze. Kyle and I wait for Tara at the door and then we exit.

Kyle opens the door for me and then sneaks in a kiss. He moves back a little, "I apologize if that was too soon."

"It was too soon." I tell him, "but it was nice. You'll have to wait for the next one."

He smiles broadly, "Yeah?" I laugh as I get into Tara's car.

The next two days are normal; busy, but normal. Every piece of furniture in my house is moved so that I can clean the floor and wall around it; I call Jason to come and help me move the bigger pieces. Gardening is not my forte, but I spend some time outside planting flowers and potting plants to hang while keeping the iron trowel on me just in case it's needed. I go into work early so that I can help put up spring decorations and stay a bit longer to help with the rush that comes in.

The afternoon of the second day, I decide that Tara is right and I need to get out more. I call her during my break and ask her if she is busy later. She is, but I won't let that stop me from going. I happily work the rest of my shift.

Waitress Claire comes to me after dropping her things in the back office. I tell her the status of each table in our section and then head to Sam's 'administrative center' to collect my own items. Sam is working with a spread sheet when I come in.

He stops work, "You're looking good, chere. Got plans for tonight?"

I tell him, "I'm meeting a someone over in Shreveport. NO, not… I'm not going to the bar."

Sam smiles up at me, "I'm glad to see your getting out more. I uh, was kind of waiting for some clue that you might be open to seeing someone."

"Sam Merlotte, are you asking me out?"

He nods his head, "Pretty much. I don't want to be the idiot again that waits until you're with someone else." Sam adds, "But I also don't want to push you if you're not ready."

"Thank you, Sam." I give him my nervous laugh. "I'm kinda cutting my teeth tonight with getting back out there." My friend adjusts his seat and looks unhappy. I tell him, "He's a shifter. He doesn't know that I know what he is, which is fine by me. His family owns a restaurant, New Moon. That is perfectly normal. Before you say anything Sam, I really don't expect anything to happen."

"Sookie, "He looks at me and seems to change his mind with whatever he had planned to say. "Shifters tend to fall hard when they do."

My smile grows tight as I now begin to worry that I could end up having two shape shifters pining for me. "He knows that I'm not looking for anything serious right now…. Good night, Sam." I grab my purse and keys and then head out the door without looking at him.

I go home and change into a lavender dress that is feminine enough to show off my curves and still long enough to keep me warm on a cool spring evening. I look in the mirror and ponder what I want to do with my hair when I hear the back door open.

Jason's voice calls from the back, "Hey Sook, I'm here to move that clock back for ya." The old grandfather clock is one of the pieces of furniture that my brother moved for me so that I could do my spring cleaning. He left before I was finished, so the giant clock has been impeding foot traffic. Or, it would if I had people over.

I call back, "I'll be out in a minute." I put my locks up into a twist then meet Jason in the living room.

"You clean up nice." He looks me over, "You got a date tonight? You ain't back with that tall vampire?"

I motion toward the clock and guide while he lifts. "Thank you, Jason. I am meeting someone tonight." I hope he is there. "And no, I am not with the vampire."

"Oh, well now that's great. He is suddenly very approving, "I like you hanging out with regular people. You know, like, with heart beats and stuff… so where ya going?"

"It's a place in Shreveport, on the Bossier side of town." I pick up my purse and grab my keys, "It's called New Moon."

"Seriously?" Jason seems a bit stunned.

Cautiously I ask, "Yeah, why?"

Jason tells me, "Well Calvin has been trying to get a hold of the owner; has some business with him. Do you think you could…"

I hold up my hand, "Is this were business? Or business like what regular humans can do?"

Jason scratches his head, "Does it matter? It's just a message."

I scowl at my brother, "It does matter. I am not a messenger for supernatural beings. I have no part in that crap now."

"But…"

"No Jason." I take a deep breath and switch gears as best I can, "thank you for the help. There's beer in the fridge if you'd like." I leave the house with Jason staring at my back.

I keep my mind busy and body occupied while driving by singing along with the radio and tapping on the steering wheel. New Moon is easy enough to find. It looks classy, but the people going inside are dressed casual.

A woman wearing a black skirt, shoes, and vest with a white shirt greets me. She is short, perhaps short enough to qualify as a midget. Her hair is piled high on her head and her heels are tall, adding a good inch or two to the little height she has on her own. I tell her "one" after she asks how many are in my party. She doesn't blink twice as she leads me to a table.

The short woman tells me, "I'm Molly. Crissy will be your sever today. Should you need anything, please don't hesitate to call on me or your server. She will be right with you." Molly hands me a menu.

Molly leaves and I look around the posh restaurant. I almost feel underdressed given the surroundings; tables with real cloth on them, fabric napkins, dim overhead lighting, a vase of flowers at every table. And yet there are diners in here wearing jeans and t-shirts. Not thirty seconds after Molly leaves, her taller twin arrives.

Crissy has been waitressing long enough to recite the drink options and specials of the day without needing to look at a piece of paper. I order a sweet tea and then ask her, "is Kyle here today?"

Crissy smirks, "Kyle huh? Did he tell you to come in and get the eggplant rolitini? He's been pushing it since he created his own recipe. His brother makes a lasagna that's excellent, so of course Kyle has to do one better. Have to admit, they're both fantastic."

I smile at Crissy, "I love lasagna, but I've never had rolitini before."

The waitress smiles, "I'll be right back with your drink and I'll let him know…"

I provide, "Sookie"

She finishes, "that Sookie is here."

I open the menu to find many Italian dishes, a few French ones, and a handful of regional Cajun concoctions. There are many good choices. And judging by the prices, they better be good. I'm also glad that I thought to stop at the bank to withdraw some money before coming here; even if Kyle plans to make good on his offer to make it his treat, he didn't know when I'd be coming and I was not going to count on him being here.

A few minutes later, Kyle walks up to the table with my sweet tea and a basket of bread. "I'm glad you came. Not that I am complaining… But I would have expected your friend to be with you."

I shrug, "What can I say, she has a family."

"Well, I can't have you dining alone." He smiles and continues, "I'm should take a break soon. Would you mind if I join you for dinner?"

I smile back, "I'd like that."

"See anything you like?" I nod as I pick up on his double entendre.

I tell him, "Everything looks good. Crissy told me about the eggplant rolitini and the lasagna. I love lasagna, but I've never had rollitini."

"How about one of each?"

"I could see the portion sizes from space." I chuckle, "one of each?"

Kyle suggests, "Take some home. Maybe your dog will enjoy it."

I can't help but blurt, "Dean the dog eats anything I put down for him." Then I quickly add, "Too bad for him if I won't share."

He nods, "One of each it is. Soup or salad?"

I have to really be in the mood for soup, which I'm not. "Cesar salad."

He smiles, "You got it. I am going to work on our dinner. Once it's in the oven, I'll come out with our salads."

Kyle walks to the back while I continue to take in the scenery. Pretty chandeliers hang at regular intervals, soft music plays in the back ground. The bread in the basket is homemade and it's still warm. I put some butter on the bread and take a bite, it's really good; but fresh bread always tastes good.

Molly comes over and talks with me for a few minutes. She seems really nice but I read in her head that Kyle put her up to keeping me company while he is in the back. Molly returns to the podium up front when more customers arrive so I peruse the wine menu.

Kyle arrives with our salads as he had said. My salad is very nice with croutons made from their own homemade bread and a house Cesar dressing. Kyle's salad is full of baby greens and has a vinaigrette dressing; it looks really good. He offers me a taste when he sees me coveting his plate. I thank him, but decline that offer.

We talk for a few minutes after the salad. His family has owned this place for nearly fifty years. His father started out with burgers and fries, but couldn't compete with the other competition. Now the only burgers and fries on the menu are in the children's section. Now that his parents have moved, they have given him their home; the one he grew up in. I tell him that I too live in the house that I grew up in and that it's been in my family for about two hundred and sixty years. He asks me about my parents and I tell him that they died when I was young without going into details. I think he's starting to feel sorry for me, which I hate, and I tell him that my Gran made a wonderful mother.

The chef takes up the used plates and carries them back to the kitchen. As I look, I notice that even Molly picks up if she sees something that needs doing; it's not below her station as many people would believe. I like that.

Kyle asks me about my thoughts when he returns with our meals and I share them. He is happy to hear that I like the way his place is run. I don't tell him, but I might like working in a place like this.

I look over at his plate, "you're not eating the rolitini?"

"Had some earlier." He tells me, "We got a good deal on this fish but it's not selling like we expected. People tend to order what they know they like rather than trying the new stuff. Introducing a new item can be a bit tricky."

I offer, "Maybe you could offer bites as free appetizers to people that order seafood." I expand, "you would know that the person eating it had ordered a seafood dish and therefore not allergic. If the person likes it enough, he might come back and order a plate of it."

"That's a good plan." Kyle looks up, "He…"

A blond vampire that is of average height and a muscular build comes to the table. I don't know his name, but I've seen him in Fangtasia. The vampire's face turns from Kyle to look at me and then he steps back. The vampire says to Kyle, "Perhaps another time." The vampire quickly leaves the building.

Kyle looks at me, "What was that about? If I didn't know any better I'd say he was afraid of you."

I press my lips together and say, "He is not afraid of me. It's someone else."

"Someone else? He looked right at you." Kyle narrows his eyes at me, "have you made some kind of deal with…?"

"He knows that I want nothing to do with the supernatural world." I look right at Kyle, "and he respects that."

Kyle shakes his head, "I'm not buying that. Vampires do not respect the wishes of others."

"It's complicated and I'm not ready to fully discuss it, not that I will anyway, but the vampires here will respect my wishes. That is all you need to know."

Kyle is not satisfied with this. He looks down when his cell starts to vibrate. The chef reads a text and then looks at me. "What are you?" I stare at him blankly. He tells me, "I just got a text from a, uh, vampire telling me that I will need to meet his people elsewhere because none of them will come here for business anymore." He is dumfounded and says to me, "I honestly don't know if I should be thanking you or if I should be afraid of you. What are you?"

"I'm a waitress."

"You're a waitress and I'm an owner and chef." He inhales, "We're both more than our occupations. I am a shape shifter."

"Good for you. I'm human." Mostly.

His eyes roam up and down my form as if he can divine my nature somehow. "Fine. I just hope you're not lying to yourself."

We eat some more food in silence then Kyle points with his fork, "What are you doing this weekend?"

I look at him, "I have the evening shift at Merlotte's. We will be swamped because the big game is Saturday." I play with the food at the end of the fork, "are you asking me out?"

"How else am I to know you better? "

I smile, "You're welcome to join me at the game. I'll be with a small group, Tara and her husband, my brother and a few of his friends." Should I tell him that some of them are panthers? What difference does it make if we're just watching a game? No, I want nothing to do with supernatural stuff; I know nothing.

Kyle will meet us there. He's stunned when I tell him what time we arrive so that we can get good seats; this game will have standing room only before the teams even walk into the locker rooms. We have a picnic on the bleachers until game time.

When the main course is finished, I am too stuffed to even contemplate dessert. We walk out to my car with a large container of leftover lasagna and rolitini.

I open the door, put the container of food inside and then turn toward Kyle. Kyle tells me, "I don't have to go back right away. Would you be up for a walk?" He looks over to his left where the Boardwalk is.

"Sure. I'd like that." I lock and close the door and then we head for the Boardwalk.

The water along our walkway glistens and reflects the lights in the area that are nearly bright enough to fool a person to believing it's daytime. We gaze at the giant water fountain for a few seconds then move on to watch a street performer. There is such a crowd already that I cannot see very well, but I'm not interested enough to try getting closer so we start moving again. We stop when we come to another performer that is doing a comedy routine; he's really good and should do well in a comedy club. Kyle and I watch and listen to the comic for his entire twenty minute or so street routine.

As we start heading back I think that this went much better than I would have expected. For one, I was prepared to eat by myself as I came on a whim. It's not like this was a prearranged date. The most I thought would happen was that I'd get to say "hi." But this has turned out to be a nice evening.

Did I think too soon? Pam steps out of a jewelry store as we head in her direction to get back to my car. She is too close to not notice and though I do not want to be involved in vampire shit, I am not going to be rude and ignore her presence. "Hi Pam."

Her greeting toward me is chillier than normal, "Hello Sookie. Kyle." The shifter and the vampire do that semi formal greeting that they do with one another.

Normally I'd ask how things are going, but that would mean learning about the stuff that I'm no longer a part of. I rock on my feet for a moment.

Kyle looks between us and then says to Pam, "You know Sookie?"

Pam does not answer his question. She smirks, "one big circle." She looks at me, "Looks like I'll be seeing you soon."

"No Pam, you won't." I look to Kyle, "I shouldn't have come here."

Pam is amused, "Don't let me stop you." She turns to Kyle, "Sookie can come with you, and she'll not be denied entrance." Pam smirks and I think that there is a cackle beneath the surface as she speeds off.

Kyle waits until we are back in the parking lot and away from humans before he speaks. "You know her? You know what she is? Obviously you do if she says that you can be my date to the ball. Humans are not invited, what are you?"

"She didn't say that I was invited," She isn't allowed to invite me. "Pam said that I could come with you to this thing that you were invited to." Sneaky bitch; If I go someplace with Kyle that is teaming with supernaturals then I've just involved myself in the shit all over again. 'Cause let's face it; there is always danger when supernaturals congregate and it's worse if more than one type is present.

Kyle tells me, "I hadn't given much thought to who I would go with as there is still some time before the event."

I hold up my hand, "I don't want to hear it if it's about supernatural stuff. As I told you the night we met; I'm staying away from all that."

His chest grumbles at that, "Is someone after you? Is that it? If that's the case…"

I cut him off, "No. No one is after me." I take a deep breath and reassure him since I know how shifters can get, "Eric Northman will kill anyone that tries to hurt me. I'm not being threatened. And, I cannot say anymore on the topic."

He is skeptical but responds, "I have a lot of buddies that are like me. We served together in the military. I also have a lot of dealings with vampires; I'd rather not deal with them but they're all over the area."

"Sounds like you're telling me that you are pretty involved." He nods his head and I give him the news that he knows is coming, "then I can't date you."

He sighs, "You really can't tell me what's going on?"

I shake my head. Technically speaking, I could tell Kyle. But I worry about the implications of others knowing what happened between Eric and me. The last thing I want is for Eric to appear weak because he couldn't keep a lowly human, or for someone to use me against him; which would land me back in his lap and end my supe-free break. And as much as I wouldn't want my break to be interrupted what would hurt me the most was that I was used to get to Eric.

Kyle then tells me, "Well this sucks. For the record, if you see me in Bon Temps I'm not stalking you. I have some business to tend to, got some people been trying to contact me." Guess that means he knows the panthers are trying to contact him.

I open my door and then Kyle says, "Just a minute." He takes out a business card and writes on the back. He hands me the card with his digits on it and explains, "It's late and I'd like to know that you got home okay. If I don't hear from you, I'm calling Merlotte's."

"Yes, sir." I get into my car and start it up, "I'll be sure to do that." Then I close the door and leave for home.

The drive home is long and peaceful. The evening sort of turned out the way that I planned; it just happened differently from how I expected. I had expected to maybe say "hello," and maybe have a friendly chat. Liking the man was not on the agenda. Still, it turned out alright.

I pull into my driveway and park around back. The cute-ist collie you've ever seen greets me in the yard, "Hi Dean." Dean the dog is really my friend and boss Sam Merlotte. Once upon a time, I let him sleep up on the bed with me; then I learned. Now, if he stays over he sleeps on the floor or in another room. I pat Dean on the head and offer, "let's go on in."

I put out some water for Dean and then call Kyle to let him know that I made it home just fine. Dean sits and tilts his head as I finish my mini conversation with Kyle. "He was going to call Merlotte's if I didn't call him to say that I'd gotten home okay."

My box of food is big and heavy, "are you hungry?" Dean does his doggy routine to let me know that he'd appreciate some food. "I'll give you some of this. Remind me to ask you if you appreciate the taste of food the same way as a dog. 'Cause if you don't, this is a real waste. This stuff is too good to believe and I'm having some tomorrow for lunch which is why you're only getting a taste tonight."

I put some food in a dish for Dean and put the rest in the ice box. While Dean eats, I head upstairs to shower and get ready for bed.

In my nightgown and robe, I come downstairs to find Dean lying on the floor. I'm not tired enough to sleep yet so I sit on the couch and slap the cushion next to me. Dean hops up. I pet the collie and tell him about the evening; it started out better than I had expected it too. Dean turns to me; I think he's holding a whimper. Then I tell him how I'd learned that Kyle is pretty involved in supernatural affairs, so that kept a damper on things. Dean licks my cheek.

"You know, I just thought of something." I look to the handsome dog before me, "All those times that you knew stuff about me wasn't only because of your hearing. Some of those things I'd only confided to you," the dog version. I hadn't thought about that. When I had learned about Sam's duality my first thought was that he'd seen me naked, getting ready for bed or the shower. Dean hangs his head, "I don't blame you. You were looking out for me and I treated you like anyone would treat a cute little dog." I give him a hug. "Don't worry about it. Oh, and if you're staying there are some clothes for you hanging in the closet upstairs. Goodnight."

The next morning, I know that Sam is still here because I can sense his mental signature and the water in the bathroom upstairs is running. I dress in jeans and a t-shirt and go out to the kitchen.

Whether he is planning to stay for breakfast or not, he's getting some. A southern woman does not have an overnight guest leave with an empty stomach. Sam comes into the kitchen, "breakfast will be ready in a few minutes."

"Can I help you with anything?"

"You can take care of the drinks."

Sam goes directly to the cupboard with the mugs and glasses. He pours some orange juice into the juice glasses and then works on our coffees. Sam knows just how sweet and light I take my daily caffeine injection.

We sit and talk over plates of eggs, country sausage, grits and toast. Sam is on a fishing expedition, "So Kyle's not going to be hanging around."

"No. Maybe…" I extrapolate, "Kyle and I are nothing. But, he did tell me that he has some business this way. He doesn't want me to think that he's following me around. I'm pretty sure his business is with the Hotshot crew." I tell him, "Jason came by as I was getting ready to head out. He asked me where I was going and when I told him, he knew that the owner was a shifter. I didn't tell him that the person I was going to see was the owner, but Jason asked me if I'd deliver a message to Kyle since Calvin hasn't been able to."

"Did you?" Sam clearly does not like hearing this information.

"No. I worked to get out from the supernatural inner workings; my brother is not going to be the one to have that come crashing down." I take a sip of my coffee then resume my tale, "I told Jason that I'm not a messenger and that I don't want anything to do with whatever is going on."

"How'd he take it?"

"Not good." I swallow a forkful of grits. "Jason likes that I'm not dating people with still hearts but he thinks that my moratorium on supernatural stuff only includes the vampires and maybe the werewolves; I'm not so sure on the latter."

He swallows, clears his throat and says, "Have I ever told you that you're brother is an idiot?"

"Many times, Sam." I smirk, "I know he can be a real idiot but I do love him."

We finish eating and clean up together. I turn to him, "Sam, could you do me a favor and reach up on the shelf over there. I need Tina's old food dish."

"Are you getting a cat?"

"Yeah." I shrug, "I miss having a cat. Don't know that I'll come home with one today, but I'm gonna head down to the shelter to look." I smile, "and I know that Dean will be nice to my cat just like he was with Tina."

Sam laughs, "Once when Dean was watching your place, before you knew, Tina came over. The cat just sauntered over, pressed against me and then fell asleep. You and Adele were both out of the house and it was cold out, but I think your cat recognized my scent. She left me like a discarded tissue once Adele came home to let her back inside.

"Aw." I tell him, "The next cat will be strictly indoors. Now that I know what all is out there, and of course there is the risk of Bubba should anything…." Not going down that road right now, "this cat will be using a litter box."

"If you do get a cat today, you've got your work cut out for you. You'll have to get the litter box right away and if she's not trained, that will take some work too."

I tell him, "It's why I only plan to look at cats on my days off. Besides, the poor thing will probably be scared her first few days in a new place and we'll need bonding time."

"Sounds like you've given it a lot of thought."

"I have. You want to come with me?"

"Love to."

Less than twenty minutes later we walk into the Bon Temps animal shelter. I can't believe that I thought it'd take me more than a day to find myself a cat to take home; I want to take them all home. They're all so cute! I didn't come for a dog, but they're hard to resist. Some seem to be begging to be sprung free. Sam gives me a wary look because he knows too well that I'm thinking that I could get more than one cat. That look is enough to make me shake myself and remember that I was fine with just one cat; one cat is a lot less expensive, and if I needed to leave the house people are more willing to care for a single cat than they are for a group.

Then I see her, a black and white long hair cat. The paws, underside and the face below the eyes are white. The rest of her is black with a few thick streaks of white cutting across the back.

We head out of the shelter with my new cat. Sam holds his hand out, "I'll drive. You're distracted by kitty."

I laugh, but I hand him my keys. I would rather play and coo over her. With Sam driving, I can do that.

Next we drive to a Wal-mart, so that I can get a litter box and some litter. I hope what I get is okay; I hadn't realized that there were so many choices. When I'm back in the car, I ponder where to put it.

When we reach the house, I know where I will set up her box; the bathroom. It's the only room that is not inconvenient if I have guests over since it will be set up in my bathroom. The kitchen where I cook and eat is not a good place, I wouldn't want visitors sitting in the living room seeing her go or smelling the box, the other bedrooms are usually vacant but if someone should come and spend the night I couldn't tell them that they had to share it with the cat's box and to keep the door open so that the cat could use it while they were sleeping.

I set up the box in the master bath while Sam entertains the kitten. The cries the kitten makes pull on my heart; I think she misses the other cats. When the crying dies down a bit I begin to wonder what Sam is doing.

I take the rubbish with me downstairs and pause when I see what is happening. A big smile stretches across my face, "you were much bigger the last time I saw you as a cat. Maybe I should call you lion." The gray cat turns and meows at me. "I can't call you Dean. It's Dean the Dog, not Dean the Cat." Yes, I know it's still Sam but calling him by his given name just seems weird when he's not standing on two legs.

I continue out the door with my rubbish and put the parts that can burn in the burn barrel. We burn a lot of our own trash but we are only allowed to do it on certain days.

For roughly an hour I play with the two cats; well kitten and a shifter. The kitten starts crying and trying to follow Sam when he trots into my room to change back.

"I have to go." He comes over to pet the kitten and I can tell that the kitten knows him from his scent. Sam asks, "Does she have a name yet?"

"I was thinking Lara."

"As in the Tomb Raider?" He looks at Lara, "If only you could kick but like she can."

"Would you like a ride back? You just got dressed again and this time of day…" Someone might see him after he's changed back but before he can get inside his place and put clothes on. Sam isn't hiding the fact that he's a shifter but we do have decency laws and Sam could get arrested if he's not careful.

"Well sure, but I thought you'd want to stay here with Lara."

"It's not that far. Lara might not like it, but she will survive."

Sam nods in acceptance. I put Lara back into the cardboard box that I brought her home in so that there aren't any problems while I'm out. Then I give Sam a ride back to his place.

"So I guess I'll see you tomorrow." I'm working, we should see each other.

Sam looks hesitant to say something then goes with, "tomorrow then. Thank you for the ride, chere."

"Well thank you for spending the day with me and Lara. I had fun." I really did.

The day continues to pass pleasantly. Lara prefers non toys, like shoe laces, over the official cat toys. She is fun to watch.

After a perfunctory knock on the back door, Jason waltzes into the living room. "I hear you're going with Sam now. Gotta say I'm surprised that you're with him just one day after you had a date with the other guy." He looks at me, "I like Sam, but if he ever… do I smell" he peers down onto the floor and looks at what I am playing with, "You got a kitten?"

I nod, "Got her this morning. Sam went with me and then kept her busy while I set up her litter box."

"Litter box?" His head jerks back, "Now what does she need a litter box for?"

"Because if she goes outside there are things like werewolves, werepanthers, a… well there's someone that I know that just loves feeding on cats." Jason has seen Bubba and knows better than to call him by name, but he does not know that Bubba prefers to feast on lots of small furry mammals.

"Oh." He was caught off guard with the cat. Now he is back on track, "So what's up with you and Sam."

"Nothing." I ask, "And who told you that Sam and I were going together?"

"Polly Simmons," Polly was in Jason's graduating class; they dated for all of a month in their junior year of high school. Jason tells me, "she saw Sam driving you around in your car…. Said that you were all smiley and dopey faced when he pulled into the parking lot at Wal-Mart. She thought that he was going in to buy you a ring or something."

I start laughing, not at the thought of Sam I and becoming close but at how such an innocuous day became so misconstrued. I calm myself and tell my brother, "I was making faces at Lara. We went to Wal-Mart so I could get her a litter box."

"Oh," Jason plops down on the floor and pets the kitten. "So you and Sam aren't?"

"Jason, even if Sam and I had been on a date… One date would not be enough to say that we are something." Lara nudges his hand. I ask, "Why does it matter so much to you?"

My brother plays with the kitten and strokes her head, "You're my sister. I have to know who to talk to if you're gonna go with someone."

"That's sweet, but no you do not have to talk with someone just because I date him." I conceded, "If it starts getting serious then you can talk with him."

"Does that mean you're going to start dating that other guy?"

As a matter of fact, "No, we're done."

Jason stills, "Did he do something?"

"No." I tell him, "Kyle is very involved in supernatural shit. There's no way that we could be a couple without that hanging over us."

"Kyle? Kyle from New Moon?" Jason is upset with me, "You know that Calvin has been trying to get a hold of his parents."

"His parents?" I look at Jason, "I thought you said Calvin was trying to contact the owner?"

Jason is very attentive now, "They are… Did they leave town?"

I get the feeling that something big is up. "You'll have to ask Kyle when you see him."

"Did he mention something; is he coming out to Hotshot?" Jason looks to be ready to bolt into action.

My fuse is short, "No, Jason! We did not talk about any supernatural anything. I know nothing about what is going on and I do not want to know." Although now, I 'm going to worry about my brother.

"Aw com'on, Sook!" He stands up, "you coulda at least given him a message or…"

"Do you remember all those years when you knew that I was telepathic but you pretended that I was just… strange?" Jason looks at me and I tell him, "I love you Jason even if you're now… strange."

Jason's eyes bulge, "Now that's not fair. We were kids back then. And being a panther is a huge part of me."

"I know Jason." The little furball curls up into a ball. I continue to watch her, "But panther business is not welcome."

Jason and I are upset with each other on this but there is nothing to be done about it. He leaves the house with a solid house shaking door slam. Jason feels like I'm rejecting him.

I head into the bathroom and start a bath then collect Lara. I keep watch on her while I bathe and then lock her in the room with me for the night.

Lara is my little furry ball of comfort as my thoughts begin to spiral downward. Jason is hurt that I do not want to be part of his new panther family. There is zero chance of me having a normal romantic relationship with a regular human. I know Sam likes me, but with the way things have gone I have little doubt that something would knock us off track if we tried forming a romantic relationship; like Sam would decide that I make a better friend than lover; or, someone that hates shifters starts killing them (nah, what are the chances of that happening again?), Or… I can't think of another "or." I am certain that they exist; I'm just too tired to look for them.

Sam Merlotte and I are good friends and have known each other for several years now. My fear of us not working out romantically could be said of anybody, right? Not to date Sam because I'm afraid it wouldn't work… Gran would have a lot to say on that. But could I date him simply because he's the only man that fits my general requirements? Ugh!

No, I will not date Sam solely because he fits my requirements; I can't read his thoughts well, even though he's a supe he keeps himself away from supernatural politics, he doesn't think that I am a freak, and I know that he is a good person. I will date Sam, if he asks, because he deserves a chance.

I am working on a few original stories and at the moment, I am trying to upload a revised version of 'A Second Chance' onto webook . com, but at the moment it's not taking. When I can get it up, and others as well I'd love to get some feedback. You do not have to pay any money to read any of the work. To look up a story, look under Projects. Mine will be listed under the name TMSescritura -when I can get the link to work and save it on the site.

I'll write more about that soon on my profile instead of using up more space here. Thank you for reading.