Chapter 24

Disclaimer: Well this chapter is a little dry but that is because I wanted you guys to have something to read tonight. What I am going to do is…a soon as I upload this chapter I am going to begin working on the next one. Hopefully it will be ready tonight. ENJOY!

I was feeling a bit better but I still didn't want to leave the bathroom. I didn't want to have to deal with the questions, the stares the awkwardness of it all. I pressed my ear to the door connecting to Sookies room and heard and felt nothing. I did the same to my room…same thing. They must have been in the living room.

"Are you out of your mind." I then heard Bill whisper. I was right. "What the hell were you thinking Northman?" Bill finished in a low growl.

God I'm so sorry Sookie. I thought to myself. I wasn't even thinking about Sookie. I knew that she and Eric had history but I wasn't thinking at the time. Hell I don't think any woman with a pulse and eyes could blame me.

I was attracted to Eric. It was his personality that kept me at an arms distance from him that made me not get too close but now...

I sighed. Casey you some splainin to do.

I then heard a knock at the door and I froze.

"Case?" I heard Sookie call from outside to door in her room.

I didn't say anything.

Case. Come on open to door.

"No." I said

"Why not?" She asked compassionately.

"Because." I said in a childish grumble.

She then lightly tapped on the door once again.

I still didn't answer. What the hell was I suppose to say. 'Hey Sookie, I'm sorry I shoved my tongue down your…whatever, throat. We still cool?'

Sookie tapped again this time a little louder. "Come on Casey this is ridiculous."

I slowly walked over to the door. It was kind of funny I was more terrified about Sookie being mad at me than I was almost getting my throat ripped off by Eric.

I should start doing drugs, just so I have an excuse for acting so odd. I thought to myself

I slowly opened the door to see Sookie standing there. She didn't look mad but looks can be deceiving. I checked to see if she was armed. All clear.

I backed away running my fingers through my hair in frustration.

"How are you doing?" Sookie asked gently.

"I feel like shit." I said honestly. "I'm sorry Sookie I wasn't thinking. Do you hate me?" I plopped on the floor. I was an emotional wreck.

"I would be lying if I said that it didn't make me uncomfortable but, you're my friend Casey…and family. I am not with Eric. Yes we have…some history which I know that you are more than aware of but I'm not mad."

I looked up at Sookie and saw the honestly in her eyes. I still felt horrible but at least now Sookie wasn't mad at me.

"Are you hungry?" She then asked changing the subject.

I couldn't lie. I was still famished. The bag of chips I had eaten at the police station had only heldme over for a few seconds. I gave her a quick nod and got on my feet. Sookie grabbed my hand and gave me a big hug before pulling me out of the bathroom.

She gave my hand a supportive and reassuring squeeze before we entered the living room.

I saw Eric was standing over by the fire Bill was talking to him about something but they both stopped when they saw Sookie walking towards them.

"Sookie and I are going to order some room service is that alright with you?" She asked but it sounded more like a command.

I immediately walked over by the wet bar to retrieve the cordless phone ignoring Eric's glare.

Eric gave a short nod.

I looked at my wristwatch to see that it was going on 1:15AM.

I told Sookie to order anything for me while she ordered eggplant parmesan.

I sat at the bar stool and rested my head on the counter while letting out a soft groan.

"Casey." I heard Bill call.

I waved my hand in a dismissive motion. I was so exhausted. If I made it out of this alive I was going to have to put some distance between me and vampires in general. They were too much of a headache.

Speak of the devil.

"Casey." I heard Bill call again.

"What?" I groaned.

"There are a few things I want to go over with you and Sookie regarding tomorrow." He said.

I hopped from the stool sluggishly and dragged my feet over to the fireplace. Sookie followed.

We gathered around his laptop as he began. "Now, I know we already covered this at Fangtasia but I just want to make sure you all had a visual of where everything is going to be. And to show you what places are…off limits to you and Sookie."

I laughed inwardly. Vampires had VIP rooms?

Now over here is where the kings and queens will be." He pointed to a green size on a 3-D floor plan. "You and Casey are allowed to go anywhere in the blue area"

Which might I add, might as well have been the size of a thimble.

"…but do not under any circumstances wander off alone" Bill finished.

"question." I began. "Let's just say….hypothetically…we are misplaces from one another…what then."

Eric sighed but didn't say anything.

"It's just best for us to stay positive and not think about that. There is a slim chance of that happening since you will be in my sights at all time." Bill said.

"You will be escorting Sookie." Eric then said quickly.

Sookie didn't look pleased.

I was pissed.

What the hell is he trying to pull?

"It would only make sense that Casey is in the hands of a more powerful vampire seeing as how she has more to loose. There will be more vampires than humans…she is more valuable" Eric added.

The nerve of this guy!

"Oh really?" I guffawed.

"He's right." Sookie said.

"Traitor!" I gasped.

"Casey it only makes sense. This Xander, sounds like bad news. You'll be much safer with Eric." She finished.

I looked over at Bill.

Jesus Christ didn't anyone care about one another feelings. Even if they were right…they could have said it a different way. Like "Bill after reviewing your credentials we decided to go another way?"

"Well…hell Bill. If its any consolation I think you're the Bees-neez!"

Bill didn't say anything but I could tell he was happy to be going with Sookie.

Tap tap tap "Room service!" A man said called on the other side of the front door.

I got up and ran to the door.

FOOOOOD!!

I flung to door open and was greeted by a short balding overweight man.

"I have never been so happy to see a total stranger in my life!" I almost cheered. "I'll take it from here Bub." I said ignoring the lust stricken look he had in his eyes.

"Do I know you?" I asked.

Grrrr not tonight

"I don't think so." I sighed.

"Sure you do. Im the man of your dreams." He said wiggligh his brow. Just as he said that I saw a group of women coming down the hall.

My brows furrowed in mock though. "OH YES I REMEMBER YOU! BUT IT WASN'T IM MY DREAMS. IM THE RECEPTIONIST AT THE VD CLINIC!" I boomed just before slamming the door in his face.

I ignored the women's uproar of laughter as well as Sookie and Bills shocked expressions.

I removed the lids from both plates. Sookie had ordered me the chicken alfredo. I took the food went to the bar and began to chow down. At some point or another Sookie had joined me and were followed by Eric and Bill.

I was halfway through my LATE dinner when I heard Sookie laughing. I looked up to see what was the vessel for her amusement and wasn't surprised when I discovered it was me.

"Say whatever the hell you want about my poor etiquette, I don't care." I managed to say with a full mouth. Bill cracked a small grin while Eric stared in what could best be described as, complete horror.

"For the love of…at least chew with your mouth closed." He sneered.

I ignored him and went on with the display of my horrible table manners.

After Sookie and I finished eating…or correction…after I finished eating Sookies leftovers…

Don't judge me

I let Sookie call dibs on the shower first while I went to my bag, hung up my new dress and pulled out some other items that I had purchased.

When Sookie got out I immediately followed suit. After I got out and wrapped myself in a towel big enough to dry off an RV. I thought about what I was going to wear to bed. Unfortunately the boutique didn't specialize in sleepwear and I wasn't much of a commando chick so I said a little thank you to 'big guns upstairs' when I saw that there was a terry cloth robe hanging in my closet. With my luck there would have been an emergency fire drill and the last think I wanted was to be running through the halls half naked as the hotel burnt to the ground.

After I said good night to Sookie I went back to my room and threw my hair into a messy bun.

I picked up my watch and set it on my nightstand it had showed 3:50 which meant in a few minutes I would be Eric free and I could get some rest.

There then came a light rap at the door.

"What is it Eric?" I said already knowing who it was.

"Open the door." I said coolly.

I walked over to the door and made sure my robe was covering up my 'bare necessities' before opening it.

I quickly unlocked the door and took a few steps back.

He slowly pushed it open.

"I just wanted to inform you that Bill and I will be leaving shortly and I am leaving my charge card here so you and Sookie can have some expendable funds until Will and I arrive here at 8:30 to escort you to the convention.

"Thank you." I finally managed to say. Eric took a step towards me. I immediately backed away and pointed to the huge crack in the wall.

Eric simply smiled. "You're going to pay for that."

"Yeah a already said I would." I retorted knowing good and well that we weren't talking about the same thing.

"Where is Bill?" I shot a glance over his shoulder to see that he was not in the living room.

"Downstairs." His smile widened.

"Look Eric, its too late to be going through all this crap. I've got enough on my mind already without having to deal with this."

"I just thought that you would be happy to know that I have changed my mind." His smile never faltering.

"That's great. Terrific, Spectacular!…what hell are you talking about?" I sighed in exhaustion.

"About not caring about your well being. You've grown on me. It would be a shame for you to die when I was just beginning to have fun."

Stay calm Casey. Bro before ho's remember!

I shot him a venomous smile. "Well if you consider having your ass kicked by a girl less than half your size then, yes, I would say I wouldn't mine doing this again really soon. But might I suggest brick walls next time?"

Eric let out a low chuckle that made me shiver. He grabbed my hand and I froze fear covering my expression. I looked away and saw that in the mirror my eyes were slowly turning black. I immediately looked up at Eric and when he saw my eyes he faltered for a moment.

Easy. Stay calm.

I heard him thinking.

You'd better boy because with all the damages I have done I might as well bid my $10,000 adieu. I thought to myself.

He slowly lowered his head to my hand and lightly pressed his lips to it.

The gently gesture startled me.

HE then straighter himself and stepped away. "Get some rest." He said raggedly. And just like that he was gone.

Easy for you to say. I thought privately.

I was so wound up I didn't know how I was going to go to sleep but as soon as my head hit the pillow, I was unconscious

"What do you want us to do with the girl?" A man said as I laid bleeding to death on the floor.

"Throw her in the dumpster. Her mother was enough." I heard Xanders voice echo

I felt woozy but I kept my eyes closed.

Two big arms came around me and violently picked me up. I felt myself being carried down a few lights of stairs and suddenly I felt rain falling on my head.

I was then hoisted into the hair and fell with a violent thud and was greeted my darkness.

When I woke up. I was in the hospital.

"MOMMY." I groaned. I hurt everywhere.

A nurse came into the room and when's he saw that I was conscious she immediately left and returned with a tall man. He had salt and pepper hair and was wearing a khaki trench coat.

"Hello there." He said to me gently. "Happy to see that you pulled through. You know you're a brave little girl."

"What happened? Where is my mom and dad!" I shrieked. Tears rolling down your face.

The nurses hands went to her mouth and she looked as if she were going to cry any minute.

"How are you feeling?" He asked ignoring my question.

"Where is she?" I hollered.

The man paused for a moment. He looked at the nurse cuing her to leave.

"Your mom and dad aren't here. They…My name is Detective String. I work with New Orleans Police Department."

"They what? Is my mommy ok? I want to see my dad."

"They aren't here but I am going to take care of you alright. I just need to ask you a few question. Will that be alright with you?"

I remember one time when I was watching a movie. A lady had gotten into a car accident and she woke up in the hospital. AS soon as she woke up she started asking where her little girl was but no one said anything. Later on I found out that the little girl had died.

I got a sick feeling in the pit of my stomach.

"Is my mommy and daddy dead?" I asked.

Detective String didn't say anything and that said it all.

The loud bang on my door ripped me from my sleep.

"Casey, wake up. Breakfast." I heard Sookie call from outside my door.

I looked at my wristwatch to see it was going on 11:30AM.

I dragged my feet and left my room. I saw Sookie was already dressed and had a chipper smile on her face.

"Morning." She beamed.

I didn't smile. I am not a morning person. If it were up to me everyone's day would start at 3:00 in the afternoon.

"What time did you wake up?" I asked while walking over to the table.

"About two hours ago." She answered while sitting down. "I wanted to let you sleep but I was too hungry and I didn't want you to eat cold eggs."

I looked at what Sookie had ordered. French toast, with eggs, bacon and waffles. "I hope this is okay." She said. "I didn't know what you wanted so I just chose the stereotypical breakfast foods."

I smiled. "Sookie sooner or later you'll learn that when it comes to food and me….ill eat anything that's not nailed to the floor."

I was never a picky eater. Maybe it was because while being dirt poor and on the run for your life, you're taste buds tend to customize themselves to anything that's available.

After scarfing down my food, I helped Sookie clear the table and sat with her on the sofa.

"So what do you want to do today?" I asked.

Sookie simply shrugged and stretched out so her feet were resting on my lap.

"Doesn't matter to me. I found some brochures in my nightstand that gives visitors some ideas on where they can waste their money." Sookie smiled.

"Find anything interesting?" I asked while kicking my feet up on the coffee table.

Sookie wrinkled her nose.

"So aimless sightseeing it is." I said with a squeal and clapped my hand together rapidly in jest.

After Sookie and I showered and got dressed. Right before leaving I saw something shining on the wet bar table. It was Erics credit card. I quickly snatched it up and placed it in my back pocket.

The area was actually pretty nice. I wore Sookies sun glasses to hide my face. It didn't really do any good. Every where we went Sookie and I were reviving cat calls like a Tex Avery cartoon.

Finally fed up. Sookie and I disappeared into a corner shop she purchased a black New Orleans Saints baseball cap.

It seemed to work pretty good. Just as long as I kept my head down as often as possible, no one would bother us. The day was going pretty well. Sookie took me to a clothing store and I laughed as she tried on ridiculous outfits. Hell, she even bought a few.

I was never much of a fashionable girl. I never knew what looked good and what didn't so I was glad I had Sookie with me. She wasn't that much of a girly girl herself but in comparison to me she was Princess Etiquette Defender Of All That Is Proper.

We stopped at a nearby café and decided to recharge.

"So…" Sookie began as I sipped my strawberry crème. "are you having fun?"

My face brightened. "Are you kidding me?" I exclaimed. "I've never had so much fun in my life. I wish everyday would be like this." I finished.

"Yeah…unfortunately you and I would need to get sugar daddies if we wanted to do that." Sookie chuckled.

After a moment of silence Sookie spoke again. "So…where were you before moved to Bon Temps?"

I set me drink down and sighed. "I was in California and I lived there until I was nine. One day we packed up and moved to Lousiana. Not long after that…mom and dad died and I was dumped into an orphanage up until I was eighteen. After that I hopped on the nearest train with the little money I had and headed to Bon Temps."

"Why here?" Sookie asked.

I laughed. "It was either Bon Temps or Bunkie…I went with the city that sounded like it had more teeth."

Sookie almost spat out her drink when she heard what motivated me to come there.

"Well…" She began clearing her throat. "I am happy you chose Bon Temps no matter what the reason."

I am too. I thought.

Sookie let out a sigh and waved the waiter over. "can we get the check please?"

The waiter smile and moments later brought it over. Sookie began to reach into her purse but I stopped her. "ah ah ah…please." I dug into my back pocket and pulled out Erics card. "allow Eric."

Sookies eyes widened. She waited for the waiter to leave and leaned over. "Where did you get that?" A faint smile tugging at her mouth.

"Eric said that we could use it…I wouldn't want to insult him by not deriving him into the poor house."

Sookie just shook her head almost as if she were about to say "kids".

"We're going to have to get a lot more than two drinks if we want to drive Eric into the poorhouse." Her eyes immediately shot to mine almost as if she regretted what she had just said.

I just smiled.

"Casey…NO!" She bit out in a whisper.

I just smiled.

"Eric would kill us."

I just smiled.

"You're not gonna do it!" She almost demanded.

…..I just smiled.

**Authors Notes**

Well I am just uploading this one so you guys will have something to read. If you are reading this and don't see another chapter then just check back in another 20 minutes and the next one will be up.