PART TWO

Great Reveal

Sookie stood in her kitchen watching Preston intently. He was switching out the washer on her leaking faucet. The drip, drip had been a cacophony to Preston's keen senses. It was difficult for him to relax much less concentrate on anything else. There were three options left to him, rip the damn thing out of the counter, band-aid the problem with a bit of magic, or change out the washer.

As an earth fairy, he couldn't escape his nature. He was a builder, and builders were also fixers of objects. And though he could have band-aided the leaking faucet with a bit of magic, this would go contrary to his nature. An earth fairy's motto was, anything worth doing, was worth doing right. Craftsmanship was the corner stone of their purpose. He swiftly stood from his comfortable position on the sofa with Sookie.

She stared up at him, wide eyed and confused by the abruptness of his movement. Matter-of-factly, Preston had told her he needed to fix the faucet.

"Ok," slowly said Sookie. The next thing she knew, he was doing just that.

To Sookie what he was doing was monumental. A diamond tennis bracelet wouldn't have been remotely as effective as what he was doing at that moment. Several emotions bubbled up from inside her, all of which profoundly endeared him to her. Sookie was torn between wanting to cry with joy and wanting to ravish him.

"There," proudly announced Preston, drying his hands on a towel. Without a word, Sookie reached up and kissed him. He dropped the towel, and his hands went to her waist.

"Thank you," her voice cracked. Sookie reached her arms around him and hugged him as tightly as she could.

"You're welcome," he whispered into her hair. Preston wasn't sure what the reason for Sookie's strong reaction was, but he didn't question it. As he held her tightly in his arms, he heard the television alert in the living room.

The shifters, primarily the Weres, were going public. It had been the buzz in the supernatural communities for days. But the time and date of the reveal was kept from those not in the loop. Sookie found out that morning, not because the Shreveport pack had informed her, but from what she heard in Amelia's thoughts. Although, as a rule, Sookie stayed out of Amelia's head, it wasn't always possible when her thoughts, which were always clear, felt like they were being shouted at Sookie.

"It's time," said Preston. Sookie pulled back and Preston could see her face light with excitement. He picked up the rag that he had dropped, tossed it in the sink, and followed her into the living room. For the first time since Christmas, they had the house to themselves. After a few calls Preston confirmed that Niall would be in Faery for the reveal, which meant Preston was able to freely come over.

They settled on the sofa and watched the announcement on television. As the spokeswoman transformed on national television, Sookie wondered how everyone at Merlotte's would take the news. When she learned the reveal was happening that evening, she was surprised that Sam had agreed to let her take the time off. He had given her the time off because she deserved it, and on some level, Sookie understood this. But she was hurt that he didn't confide in her about the big news, which Sam would have, if he had the opportunity. Since the night that Pam showed up, there had been some awkward tension between them. So he did the natural thing, avoid.

"How do you think people are going to react?" Sookie asked Preston.

"I think it'll go more smoothly for them than it did for the vampires," he answered. "Shifters never preyed on humans," he pointed out, "Many are respected members of society."

"I hope it goes well," she said, running her hand over Preston's forearm. Sookie was leaning against him, her legs stretched out across the sofa.

As they listened and watched the news broadcaster, Preston could hear Sookie's relaxed breathing. He held her more securely, feeling an overwhelming need to protect her. The more time he spent with her, his desire to always be with her grew. In his world, he knew that her lifespan would increase three times of that if she were to stay in her world. For this reason, he wanted to share it with her, but it was a dangerous place for her. He would have to keep her hidden, or Niall's enemies would execute them. Or worse, they would kill her and let him live. Then his only solace would be Niall's revenge. Niall would justly kill him and Preston knew that he would welcome it.

Sookie shifted, gently burrowing herself into Preston's embrace. The special broadcast was over, and the regular programming on television resumed. Preston and Sookie stayed on the sofa, comfortably watching the episode of Friends that started a few minutes after the special broadcast had ended. As they watched the show, Sookie couldn't help feeling proud of her two natured friends.

She wondered about Sam and then naturally her thoughts went to Alcide, and how they no longer had to lie or keep their existence a secret. Sookie envied the sense of relief that they would experience, unlike her and so many other supernaturals who still had to hide the truth about themselves. The idea of not having to live a double life was appealing to her.

After the sitcom was over, Sookie wondered if the fairies were thinking of coming out, and how people would react when they announced their existence. "When do you think the fairies will come out?" she asked Preston, turning so that she could face him. The idea of her fairy family not having to hide filled her with happiness.

"It will never happen," he gently said as he tenderly caressed the side of her face.

"Why?" she asked.

"We used to live in the open with humans," he answered.

"What happened?" she asked.

"Hundreds of years ago," he started, "when Christians came onto the scene, they considered us evil. They incited the masses to hunt us."

"How was that possible?" she asked, "You're supernatural."

"Humans had iron," he pointed out.

"Oh," whispered Sookie. The idea, though on the surface seemed improbable, she understood was completely feasible. She was a prime example. Given the circumstances, the chance, and the right tools, it was possible for humans to kill a supernatural. Yet it was odd to her that such unimposing things like wood and iron could kill such powerful beings.

"Do you hate them?" she asked, "I mean, Christians?"

"No," said Preston matter-of-fact, "I don't.

"That's good," she smiled. Preston raised his hand toward her again and tucked a few wild golden curls behind her ear. His eyes lingered on her soft pink lips.

"How long before your roommates return?" he asked.

"Why?" she asked.

"So that I know how much time I have for this," he said. Preston closed the small distance between them and kissed her. She parted her lips. Fire traveled up from her heart, to her throat, then south between her legs. The feeling of his sweet tongue stroking the roof of her mouth and then her tongue made her wild. His kisses, tender and longing, mingled her wants and needs into one desperate sensation. She wasn't alone in her feelings.

Preston gripped her by the hips, adjusting their positions so that Sookie was beneath him. "Oh god yes," she thought as she lost herself in Preston's caress.

She parted her legs. Preston nestled into her embrace, her legs wrapping around him. Their kiss went on and on like this until the entire world existed in their mouths. In time they began to need more, their hips pressing and moving in rhythm with the pace Preston set for them. His jeans and his bulging need were no match for the thin fabric of Sookie's panties. The friction they created was divine, and there was no end to the pleasure they were sharing.

Lost in the heated passion of their embrace, they were both oblivious to the persistent ringing of the phone in the kitchen. Not only were they unaware of the phone ringing, but they were also unmindful of Octavia's return. She made a beeline from the backdoor to the phone in the kitchen.

"Good evening," said Octavia into the receiver. It was Sam.

"Sookie, please," said Sam his words coming out incoherent. "It's urgent."

"Hold on, I'll get her," said Octavia. Carefully, she set the phone down and walked over to the door that led into the living room. "Oh my," gasped the older woman. Her clear voice rang through the living room. Sookie let out a startled cry. Quickly, Octavia found her escape back through the door that led into the kitchen.

"That was embarrassing," Sookie giggled at the sight of Octavia fleeing. Sometimes she disliked having roommates.

"I wasn't paying attention," Preston apologized. His fairy senses had been willingly consumed by Sookie. He slid his hand out from under her shirt, his fingers gently raking over her rib cage. He sat up and watched her stand and smooth out her skirt and t-shirt. The image of her made his breath hitch. Her lips were swollen and her cheeks flushed from their kiss. He wanted to do it again; kiss her.

"You're so beautiful," he said and he was rewarded by a tempting sparkle in Sookie's eyes.

"I think we should continue this in my room," she smiled.

"I told Niall I would stay out of your bed," he said. Sookie gave him a questioning look. She wasn't sure if she heard him right, but his voice and expression was serious.

"He also said not to contact me," she pointed out, thinking that if he was willing not to listen to Niall on this point, why not the other?

"Yes," admitted Preston, "But I didn't say I would." Preston was counting on this small technicality to spare him from Niall's wrath.

"Unbelievable," she mumbled. Sookie couldn't understand all the shades of gray supernaturals seemed to get hung up on.

"Sookie," Octavia called out from the other side of the door that led into the kitchen. Her voice was urgent. "It's Sam. He says it's urgent." Sookie turned from her conversation with Preston and went into the kitchen. "Sugar, I'm so sorry," whispered Octavia, "My visit with my daughter ended earlier than I planned."

"No harm done," smiled Sookie.

"Well," breathed Octavia, "Good night Sookie."

"Hello," Sookie placed the phone next to her ear, waving her hand in a good-bye/goodnight wave to Octavia.

"Sookie?" she heard Sam's strained voice, and instantly Sookie knew something was terribly wrong. She was right in the most awful way. Sam's mother had been shot by her husband, and Sam was leaving on the first flight out to Texas. Sookie assured him that she would take care of the bar while he was gone.

For a stretch of time, she sat quietly at the kitchen table.

"We could go to my house," said Preston as he entered the kitchen.

"I don't think it's a good idea," she said. Under the tragic circumstances, Sookie was no longer in the mood.

"What's wrong?" he asked, instantly picking up that something had changed. Sookie explained to him what had happened. The strain on her face from her concern and sadness for her friend left Preston feeling helpless. He would give anything to make the situation right, if only to relieve Sookie. "Come home with me," he said. Preston didn't want to think about not being with her through this, and the idea of having to stay on the sofa wasn't appealing.

"I can't," wearily said Sookie, "I have to run the bar for Sam while he's gone."

"Come home with me, and I'll bring you back in the morning," he said.

"Baton Rouge is a five hour drive," she pointed out, watching him walk toward her. Preston knelt in front of her.

"Remember when we talked about traveling through the portals?"

"Oh, no I don't think so." Preston smiled at the way Sookie said the words.

"It's perfectly safe," he assured her. "It's also possible to bring a human into our world."

"It is?" asked Sookie. She wondered if he wanted to take her there. A large part of her was burning with curiosity to see this special place Claudine had spoken to her about, but now wasn't a good time.

"Many frown on someone bringing a human into Faery," he said. Sookie noticed sadness in his voice. Despite how much he wished to share his world with her, he knew it would never be possible, as long as Niall's enemies existed.

"Preston," said Sookie, placing her hands on his shoulders. He had fallen silent for some time. "Is something wrong?"

"Everything is fine," he smiled. "Come to Baton Rouge with me. I'll take you to work in the morning." His beautiful face was pleading.

"I don't know," she whispered. The idea of zapping through space was disconcerting. And she still wasn't entirely convinced of his logic for not wanting to come near her bedroom.

"I don't want to be away from you," he admitted to her, and his admission melted Sookie's heart. "I don't want just stolen moments with you," he confessed. "I want every day." Sookie's heart leapt.

"I do too," she breathed, and she meant it.

"Come with me."

It took only a split second to make up her mind. She knew she couldn't and didn't want to say no to him. "Ok," she nodded her head.

Sookie got up and gathered her toiletries, and other essentials. It took her several minutes to fill her duffle bag. When she was done, she met Preston in the kitchen where he was waiting. "I'm ready," she said nervously.

"Don't be afraid," he said gently. "Hold on tightly to me," he instructed her. If his assurances were meant to ease her nerves, he went about it the wrong way. The second the words 'don't be afraid' reached her ears she felt herself on the verge of panic.

"What's going to happen?" she asked.

"It won't hurt. I promise," he guaranteed her, "But whatever happens," he said, "Never let go." Again, the 'but' didn't engender a whole lot of security.

Reluctantly, Sookie nodded her head. Once she turned the lights off in the kitchen and locked the backdoor, Preston escorted her outside. "Close your eyes," he said as he drew Sookie into a hug. Sookie hauled in a breath and closed her eyes.

"Don't kill me," she mumbled into his chest. Preston chuckled. Sookie felt his chest gently vibrate, and she couldn't help smiling. Tucked safely in his embrace, Sookie instantly felt her skin warm and through her closed eyelids, she saw a glowing light. It was like she was being wrapped in a warm, radiant blanket. She wasn't sure what was happening. There wasn't any jostling, and there wasn't any noise except the gentle rhythmic sound of Preston's heartbeat.

When nothing more happened, curiosity got the better of her. She slowly opened her eyes, squinting from the brilliance of the golden light that enveloped her. Her eyes began to sting and hurt. It was like trying to stare into the sun. She quickly closed her eyes, and instantly she felt relief.

Several long seconds later through her closed eyelids she felt the golden warm light that had surrounded her disappear.

"We're here," said Preston. Little by little, Sookie opened her eyes. It was dark except for the dim light coming in through the windows. She pulled back and surveyed her surroundings. They were in a room flanked by four tall windows. "I'm going to turn the lights on," said Preston, "Don't move. I don't want you to fall."

"Ok," she said. With what little light was coming in from the outside, she could barely make out Preston's figure moving about. He flicked on the lights. It took Sookie a second for her eyes to adjust.

"This is where I live," he said. His lips turned up in a bashful smile, which Sookie found absolutely adorable and endearing.

She drew her attention away from his handsome face, and scanned the room. It was one open space. From where she stood, the kitchen had no upper cabinets. The olive green base cabinets had a worn, antique patina, which was carried over in the long island that separated the kitchen from the rest of the space. Next to where she stood, by the location of the brown upholstered sofa and leather loveseat, she was in the living room. His apartment was flanked by two walls of tall windows. On the other walls clustered groups of artwork and photographs hung. It looked like any normal apartment. If she knocked down a few walls on first floor of her Gran's house, it would be about the same square footage as Preston's first floor.

"Let me show you upstairs," he said. Sookie's eyes went up toward the loft area. "Here, let me," he said gesturing to her duffle bag. Sookie removed the bag from around her shoulder and handed it to Preston. She followed him up the staircase.

The entire top level was open to below. The master suite took up the entire space. Like the rest of his home, it was minimally decorated with furniture and fabrics in warm earth tones. At the center of the room was a large bed. It seemed huge to Sookie compared to her full size bed. Preston's bed, however, had no footboard or headboard. Instead, from the ceiling over the bed, like a canopy, hung long simple tan linen drapes with white lining.

After the rest of the tour, Sookie found herself relaxing under the shower, enjoying the hot water and the massage setting of the shower head. She hadn't been scheduled to work the next day, but that changed when Sam called her. Her day would have to start early, which meant eight in the morning. When she padded out of the bathroom, clean and in her night gown, Preston came up the steps with a white coffee mug.

"I brought you some tea," he said, "It'll help you sleep." Sookie gave him an inquiring look. "It's not magic," he assured her, knowing how she was squeamish about such things. "It's just lavender and chamomile."

"Oh," said Sookie, towel drying her hair. Preston placed the mug on the side table. "Thank you," she smiled. Preston leaned over and kissed her.

"I'm going to take a shower," he said. Sookie nodded and watched him disappear into the bathroom. For an instant she wanted to watch him, but she resisted the temptation.

Instead she sat on the edge of the bed, and drank her tea, which smelled and tasted good. It warmed her from the inside, and before she realized it, she had finished more than half of the tea. Feeling completely relaxed, she leaned back onto the bed. A smile spread across her face.

Preston's fragrance enveloped her. His scent had become part of the fabric that was her life – familiar and comforting. As she lay on his comfortable bed, her eye lids grew heavier, and before she realized it she fell asleep. ~