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(I know everyone says that and I roll my eyes too but its true! Its one thing to have followers but its another thing entirely to actually have them tell you how much they enjoy your story.)

Chapter 5 So What Can We Do?

Sookie

I knew I would wake up in the morning alone but it still caught me off-guard that Eric wasn't still by my side. A wave of disappointment hit me as I realized my bed was empty and bathed in sunlight.

He had stayed with me all night, even after I went to sleep he was still by my side. His calming presence had lulled me into a peaceful sleep. Some part of me knew that he would leave with the dawn but there was a part of me that felt like we could never be separated and was shocked to wake to an empty bed.

It was still early for how late I was up last night but I had a lunch shift today and a meeting with my lawyer. I was starting at 11 and going home at 5. I had a four hour shift to get ready for, today I was getting to take an hour lunch so I could spend as much time as I needed with my lawyer and still have time left to eat.

As much as I loved to linger in bed after a good night I just didn't have the time today. So groaning I reluctantly got up. Having things to do and places to be I made my way downstairs to begin my day.

I had found a pleasant surprise in my kitchen as I found my cabinets and fridge full of food. However I decide on something simple, after a quick breakfast I hopped into the shower to get ready.

Either I had taken longer than I thought getting out of bed or eating but suddenly it was time for me to leave. Somehow I was pushing into my cushion time which I was uncomfortable about but there was nothing I could do as I rushed to finish getting ready.

Finally I headed out to my car and drove off to work. Barely making it in time I ran in the back to punch in putting my apron on as I went. I put my purse in Sam's office then went to start working my tables.

*Forgetting*

Before I knew it 1 o'clock had come around and Portia Bellefleur was sitting down at a table in my section. I was surprised to say the least. Officially my lawyer was Sid Matt Lancaster, I knew Portia worked in his firm but I was hoping for the man himself. He had been handling mine and my gran's affairs for years.

I had a real problem and while I wholeheartedly respected Portia, she was a good lawyer but I wanted Sid Matt to be the one who helped me sort this out. Sid Matt was familiar and reliable I'd known him my whole life and he'd helped me through the toughest parts of it.

As disappointed as I was not to be seeing Sid Matt, I knew I'd probably need her more than him. He was old, she was young and tenacious. She never gave up. I need help, I'm not ashamed to admit it but I was glad I had someone like Portia Bellefleur in my corner. I was up against Eric Fucking Northman! I was going to need all the help I could get.

It took me awhile to be able to sit down with Portia. I brought her a burger and fries when I sat down with her. She had the paperwork scattered about the table, when I showed up with food she gladly swooped it up into her lap.

"Well I don't know what to tell you Sookie. Your house was bought by a company called AIK. I tried tracking them down but all I got was an answering machine. I'll keep at it but I'm not overly optimistic about the odds of contacting them directly. The contract they used to buy the house is airtight, their lawyer knew what they were doing."

"So what can we do? That's MY house. Can I give them the money back?"

"I don't know if they would be amenable to that. They paid above market value and put in approximately 50,000 worth of improvements, they'll at least want to be compensated for that and that would have to come out of your pocket. As I have not yet spoken to them to explain the situation I don't know if they will accept such an offer. Before we do any legal proceedings against them we need to find out their opinion on all of this. I'm sure it wasn't their intention to buy the house out from under you, they were told you were dead and no one wished to claim the property."

Face falling I did the only thing I could do, "I understand Portia, keep on it. How is Sid Matt by the way? I thought he would be the one coming, not that I'm not grateful to have you here, it's just...I've been gone a whole year, I'm not exactly caught up with all that's happened while I was gone."

"Of course. Um, I don't know how to tell you this but I've mostly been running the firm for about a year now. Poor thing's been in and out of the hospital. Its a dreadful business. One day he said, 'Portia the firm's all yours.' Still keep his name on the business card though, people like to see it on there."

"Its a shame, I'll try and make it in to see him. Next time you see him tell him I been askin about him? Enjoy your burger and have a nice day Miss Bellefleur. No matter how this goes I want you to know how grateful I am that you're doing this for me."

With that I gave her a big smile and trotted off to eat myself.

*Forgetting*

The rest of my shift house passed in a blur. Eric had filled my house with food but there were still some things that I needed so after work I swung by the store to get the few things I still needed. I had gotten basics a few days ago but I'd held off mostly and now I only needed a few non-food essentials that he hadn't anticipated that I'd want. I also returned the movie I'd rented.

When I got home I parked out front instead of the back like I normally would because it was easier to bring my bags into the kitchen that way. Just as I closed my car door someone grabbed me from behind. Screaming I dropped my things and wheeled around to face my attacker who turned out to be Tara Thornton.

Seeing it was a friend instead of someone who wanted to hurt me I squealed and wrapped my arms around her. When we were done hugging she helped me pick up the things I'd dropped and together we moved them the house.

When we reached the kitchen we sat down and talked. There was so much that we had to tell each other. It seemed that I wasn't the only one who'd gotten herself into a mess. Tara had done everything she could to bury her life here and start over. I didn't blame her but her girlfriend didn't know anything about her or even her real name.

Her problem was her lies, she'd told so many that now she wants to come clean to someone who matters to her and she has no idea where to start. She asked the all important question, 'Where were you?'

As complicated as her story was, mine was more so. I had a serious vampire problem. For the moment my faerie problem as a world away and I hoped it stayed that way. Right now I had to put my life back together. I couldn't handle anymore than that. We had settled on the couch sometime while we were catching up.

It wasn't til we were halfway through our tubs of ice cream that I told her what was really bothering me. A vampire had bought my house, a vampire who wanted me to be his. It wasn't a good situation. It pissed me off so much that I couldn't sit still so instead I wandered around my living room while we kept talking.

I went by it twice before I realized the cabinet tucked into the corner wasn't there before and shouldn't be here now. It was nice I thought about keeping it, until I opened it and found out it disguised a hidey-hole Eric had built in MY house. Tara was as mad as I was that he had done something like that but it was time for her to go.

I had just looked out the window and it was dark outside. If I knew Eric he would come back as soon as he could, which was right now. Definitely time for her to go. As much as I loved her she couldn't help me now, this was between me and him. I hurriedly shooed her out before he waltzed in like he owned the place which unfortunately he technically did.

I was in a very different mood from last night. Last night was tender and comforting. Tonight I was pissed, I was getting ready for war and I didn't want Tara getting hurt in the crossfire. He wouldn't hurt me but if he got angry she could be dead in an instant, even if he didn't want to hurt her he could.

Thankfully seeing the look on my face she got the message and left, albeit very reluctantly. I was alone after that but I was glad for it. I needed to be alone right now so I could prepare myself. Eric and I weren't done yet, not by a long shot.

Ok so this chapter was getting too long for my liking so I cut the Eric part out and turned it into its own chapter. It isn't even this part that's uber long, its Eric's portion that's gone crazy but its where I decided to split it. That will be up shortly. I am having trouble coming up with a title though so it may take a few days lol.

So who wants to place bets on how things are gonna shake out when he does show? Cuz its gonna be something neither of them expect. They still have some issues to work through, ain't givin' it to 'em that easy.