This Chapter is dedicated to Modiggy. I read some of your reviews on days when I am slacking on editing. It puts some pep in my step. What with you telling me to hurry with every update :D

I love it! Enjoy the chapter and like always tell me what you think, (Yes I already know to hurry, loooooool)

Sookie

Chapter Sixteen

Supernatural Emissary

Dinner with Dermot and Hunter was always nice. Tonight however Hunter wasn't very talkative. He was a five year old-scratch that he just turned six. The point was he was always talking. Remy dropped him off but he too was kind of tight lipped. I didn't want to pry but I was concerned. Usually when it was just Dermot, Hunter and I we would have dinner and play a board game or watch a movie. Hunter was standoffish and wasn't much in the mood for any of it. Dermot looked at me as if I knew something he didn't I shrugged my shoulders. Hunter was doing a good job shielding so I couldn't pick it out of his head.

"Would you like to hear a story?" Dermot asked. I gave him a warning glance. I had once over heard him telling Hunter a story while I made dinner once. Though Hunter loved it, it was far from appropriate and it certainly wasn't the type of thing you wanted a child to repeat to others. Hunter shook his head to decline. That was all Dermot had up his sleeve. He was looking at me to try something. I couldn't get anything out him.

I was also disappointed Jason didn't bring Michele. The answer to that little riddle became clear when it came time for him to leave. My brother is not smart but he had good instincts even before he became a bitten were. He loved me. I was inclined to believe that he wouldn't intentionally do anything to hurt me. None of the things I knew about him would explain why he had brought Alcide and Calvin and a few others pack masters I was not familiar with to my uncle's house unannounced for the sole purpose of speaking with me. My mood had been elated at spending an ordinary evening with the few remaining members of the family I had left. A meeting with Pack masters was nothing if not a buzz kill.

At the back door Dermot and I were standing next to each other. There was an assortment of people forming a loose line around the door. I could only make out the faces closest. No one of them asked to be invited in and we didn't offer.

"Aren't you going to invite us in?" Alcide said. He had the nerve to sound reproachful. I glared at him.

"Not my house anymore" I said. They looked at Dermot and let me tell you if he screamed "fuck off" it would have been more subtle than the look of utter disgust he served through the crowd of two natured. I gave Jason a version of it. The only reason I wasn't slamming the door in all their faces was because Hunter was sleeping. I knew why they were here. It was open season on weres and shifters and I wanted no parts of it.

Sam and JennaLynn were the first on a list that was growing. Some of my friends were part of that world. I worried that the next time an attack happened it might be one of them and they wouldn't be as lucky as Sam. Vampires were suspected at least in the first incident but another was during the day. It was a real head scratcher. If that wasn't enough to negate vampires different sects of the FOTS were claiming responsibilities for the crimes. They could hardly pin that on vampires. With that being said it minimized the issue on Eric's list of priorities but he said he was looking into it. I believed him. He wanted me to stay out of it, I wanted to stay out of it and I had told him I would. They had been given a task force by the government. Long before I came along the packs and the supernatural world have endured. They didn't need me.

"Come on now" Jason said. He was as uncomfortable as a rat in a snake pit. Between Dermot and I he was in grave danger of being slapped clear into next week. He didn't meet our eyes. "They are worried about their families and friends" He said. The look on Dermot's face said, "So what". I couldn't appear as nonchalant. They knew they had me then.

"I know you didn't care about Jenna" Alcide said. His words cut at me and his face was a mixture of pain and anger. No matter how much I disliked her I would have never wished that on her or Sam. "But I at least thought you would want to help find out who did this to Sam" I hated Alcide for this. I knew he was trying to say any and everything for me to personally get involved in this.

"That's not fair" I said. I had sent cards and flowers to the pack and her family even though I didn't know them. I had been with Sam at the hospital as much as I could. I was trying not to sound angry because Alcide was my friend and he was going through a lot but he was pushing it. I tried to step out onto the porch but Dermot had a mighty firm grip on my wrist.

"I'm going out to talk to them since you won't invite them in" I said. My uncle resigned himself and nodded. He muttered something under his breath about poignant odors along the way. They entered and we all pretended not to hear him.

"We have to work with your vamps on this. We don't trust them and we know they don't give a shit" He was two for two but the same could be said of weres from a vampire stand point. I was going to interrupt but he stopped me. "We trust you and we want you in this"

I was shaking my head and my hands were wringing under the table. "Alcide I can't" The words were a whisper and there was a lump in my throat. I wanted him to know I cared but I had to draw a line. I was pregnant and I couldn't just go off with them anymore because they needed me. It wouldn't have been that easy to just run off with them anymore anyways. Some of the bureaucratic red tape Eric had explained to me made my head spin. I was sworn to uphold vampire law and all that. If I did this it would have to in no way jeopardize that. There was no guarantee of that.

More importantly my children needed me to keep them safe and safe was in the opposite direction from which he was asking me to go. The rest of the people he came with gave me looks that went from condemning to unfazed. Calvin thankfully wore a grim face but he nodded solemnly at me in understanding. It helped but I still felt about as low as a snakes belly. I was keeping my head held high with effort.

Alcide didn't let it go. I tried to give him reassurances; at least the government was doing something to help; and this would help their cause to avoid registration. As I sold him that dream I too was trying to believe it. It did very little to appease my conscience because I hadn't had the luxury of naivety for many years now. I knew none of those things would really make a difference. The two natured were on their own for the most part and they had to depend on the help of vampires. Alcide tried every which way he could to get me to budge but I didn't. I just couldn't.

I wanted to get this over with. "You have asked me for a lot more than you ever had the right to. I have done a lot more for you than I ought to have" It was the truth and I was tired of acting like it wasn't. So what if I didn't want to help because I was scared? That wasn't the case but what was so wrong with that? In the name of a one sided friendship I have risked my neck for a pack that wouldn't have done the same for me. I knew he cared about me but when push came to shove he would have to put his pack first. That was part of the reason why he was trying to force me into doing something that could potentially be dangerous for me. I didn't hold it against him but he shouldn't hold my decision against me either.

There pretty much wasn't anything to say after that and they left but the tried. "A few years ago I would have never had to ask" He said standing in defeat. I have heard that before and sadly enough it had worked. He was clearly pointing out that I was no longer the same person. I wasn't sure if he was trying to say I was a worse person then or now. It didn't matter. I wasn't the same person and neither was he. If this was the end of our friendship then I would watch him go with a heavy heart but I wouldn't stop him.

"A few years ago you wouldn't have me help you at my expense" Alcide was my friend even as we were glaring at each other I still cared about him. I just wasn't going to let it cost me more than I was willing to give; not anymore. My brother didn't stay behind when they left. I thought it wise.

In all the commotion I didn't realize Hunter had woken up. He was standing in the door way of the kitchen. I was worried he was scared but he was still glum. Dermot went to pick him up and sat him on his lap.

"You know you can tell us if something is wrong right sweetheart" he looked at me and crawled into my lap then he clasped his little hands around my neck like a vice. I held him to me and patted his back.

"I won't ever see you again aunt Sookie" he was already crying and he didn't bother trying to speak out loud. He let his shields fall away and I saw what was bothering him. Remy had lost his job. In fact he had been out of work for many months now. Every time he had looked and failed Hunter saw it in his mind but he never said anything to anyone. It had been scaring him. Hunter just showed me images of his father's defeated and haggard face and he was sobbing. Remy had tried everything he could to remain in this part of the world but the only chance he had now was to move up north. He had a cousin there that could help set up a job for him. His bags were all but packed. This was indeed the last time I was going to see him.

"It's okay Hunter" I kept repeating it and I was trying to find a way to make it so. Hunter was all that was left of Hadley. I wanted him close by. It wasn't to satisfy a maternal urge. He was family. It wasn't right for him to have to deal with his telepathy all alone. He quieted down eventually. Dermot teleported out of the house and went to a bakery in Monroe to get him a chocolate dessert that was to die for. He ate it a fraction of it halfheartedly then he went back to bed.

"Make his father stay" Dermot said. He plopped down next to me on the sofa. With his ability to sense emotion he was a little crabby at the end of the night. Hunter's downcast mood had worn on him. I rolled my eyes. I couldn't make anybody do anything. The man was doing what he felt was best for his child. Who could blame him for that?

Remy was independent and proud and I knew he would never take money from me. He hated to feel like he was burdening me with Hunter whenever he had to leave him here, no matter how many times I have said I didn't mind. The way he saw things was it was he and Hunter against the world. It was sad. Having a child was hard. Having a telepathic child that frightened sitters, other children and teachers was even more so. No one should have to do that alone.

I was sure there was something I could find within the vampire ranks of this state but that was not something I would do to someone I hated. The answer hit me like a ton of bricks. I would call the person that told me about Remy and Hunter in the first place; Copley Carmichael. It seemed so obvious. He needed to remain in Eric's good graces because right now all construction and building projects that came up for Louisiana's vampires went right to him. Pam was even using him to rebuild her country estate. I was a believer that Copley would do me a favor but in this instance I was not above asking Amelia to get in his ear. He could help me help Remy without Remy ever knowing or feeling like he owed me something.

I found my cell phone and flipped through it. Dang! All I had was an office number. I called David.
"I need to speak with Mr. Carmichael. It's important" I rarely ever asked David for anything. We had a comfortable rhythm. He was very good at what he did and he was even better at anticipating Eric's needs. He managed my day time calendar and he oversaw a few other humans that worked for Eric.

"Yes Mrs. Northman" he just refused to call me Sookie. I had long stopped fighting him on it. I got off the phone but kept it in my hand and waited. A half hour later my phone was ringing. The caller i.d showed a blocked number. It had to be Copley himself.

"What is the matter Sookie?" I took a deep breath so I wouldn't jump into Remy's whole life story. I would state what I wanted and not take no for an answer.

"Remy Savory I want you to hire him" Gosh I really wish I could read minds over the phone. I was afraid I had been overly direct but it was too late to do anything about it now.

"Your late cousin's husband" At least he remembered. That would save me some explaining.

"Yes"

"What does he do?" I felt kind of silly because I didn't know. I had never asked him. He didn't do manual labor like my brother.

"I don't know" I mustered up as much bossiness as I was comfortable with and continued. "He needs a job otherwise he has to move and want him here"

"One second" he said. The line was quiet the receiver was being muffled by his hand or something. I waited and waited. When Copley returned to line he had all the information I thought one man could get about another without an autopsy or intersourse. He had the name, position and salary if his previous employer. I didn't need to know all this but I was too stunned to stop him as he ran down Remy's list of qualifications and education.

"You want me to keep him close to me" He asked.

"No" I didn't need him to spy on the man. I knew he was a good person who just needed a break. "That's not necessary just something that pays well, and that's secure" I said. On the other end of the phone he was making small noises of agreement. "With benefits" I felt like I had pushed my luck enough on the matter. A single dad should have benefits. I would have killed for benefits when I worked at Merlotte's. I figured I pushed my luck as far as it would go on the matter.

"While I have you on the phone" Here we go. I stifled a sigh. "Did you get the invite for the governors ball" That wasn't so bad I had already planned on going it was part of Eric's human relations campaign. I had once laughed at the idea but he was gaining a steady stream of support from the masses.

"Will I see you there" Copley answered with a laugh. He was satisfied he had gotten his way.

"Yes. How soon do you need this Remy thing done?"

"Tonight if you can manage it please" I had my fingers crossed. I didn't know when Remy was going to leave exactly. I also wanted a solid answer for Hunter when he woke up.

"Done, I assume you want anonymity on all this"

"Yes please, thank you" The phone was still in my hand even though Copley was long gone. I couldn't believe I had actually done it. Remy would be offered a job and granted he wanted to stay he would take it and Hunter wouldn't have to leave. While I couldn't fix the problems of the supernatural I was glad I was able to help Hunter and his dad. Their problem wasn't life or death but I did what I could and I was satisfied with it. When you can't change the world you do only what you can.

The next day Copley delivered as he promised. That wasn't what woke me. Hunter came to my old room. (Dermot usually slept upstairs when I came over). Thankfully he decided to poke my ribs instead of jumping on top of me.

He was whispering and I could tell he was anxious "There are men outside the door aunt Sookie. They have fuzzy heads" I smiled at his description. Rob and Ty were already here I assumed.

"It's okay sweetheart" I wasn't fully awake I pulled him back to lie down nothing doing he was already awake and I had to get up too. The hardest thing for me to let go of was coffee.

I was still completely whelmed by the fact that I was pregnant. I knew at some point I was going to have to kick the caffeine now was a good a time as any. Going off the rough estimates Dr. Ludwig provided my children were almost the size of three month old fetuses but I was only coming into my sixth week of pregnancy. I felt my body was beginning to register the fact. I could feel a little bump on my stomach that thrilled me every time my hands wondered there which was just about thirty seconds. I felt I could still get away with my normal attire for some time. Mainly I was going to have to stick to sun dresses to provide some obscurity from those supes who couldn't keep their overly hyped senses out of peoples business. I had no idea what I was going to say to people who asked. The wide spread assumption of be being unfaithful to Eric would bother me but it was probably for the best.

Hunter was helping me make pancakes. Dermot had shoved a few bites into his mouth and left. Claude had been on vacation or something and he needed Dermot at the club almost full time. My uncle was less than thrilled about it. People or every species tried his patience. To make matters worse I didn't imagine Claude was grateful. It was just Hunter and I in the house I was trying to block it from my mind but I was waiting for the phone to ring. As a distraction I got him dressed to head out side to play. Dermot had bought him all kinds of things to play with. Unlike me he never had a hard time getting him to receive gifts. Some of the more expensive ones I had him keep here because Remy wouldn't understand and I didn't want him to feel upstaged by Dermot.

I introduced Hunter to Rob and Ty we spilt into teams of two. Hunter played with Rob because he said Rob looked stronger. Rob didn't smile but he came dangerously close. The four of us played a few games of soccer. It went without saying that we let Hunter and Rob win even though Ty was fuming about it. When it got too hot to play outside I served drinks and snacks. Rob and Ty left after their drinks even though I said there was no need. Dermot had set up all kinds of wards on this land. When he agreed to move in I had confessed that all kinds of supes knew I lived here. My uncle's only response was grin that showed sharp teeth. In a twisted way he was a better vampire then he was a fairy.

Remy came for Hunter late in the afternoon he was a little late but I hoped it was for the reason I thought. I was more excited to see him than Hunter was. In fact Hunter felt the opposite. We had done such a good job being busy and having fun he hadn't thought much about his possible relocation. His father's presence brought it to the fore front of his mind and he was clinging to my skirt when I tried to open the door.

"Hunter I promise it'll be okay." I wanted to sound optimistic and reassuring but I didn't want him to ask me how I knew. I don't even think he heard me. He jumped right into having a fit.

"No it won't!" His mental pitch was a few octaves shy of a scream "I'll have to go away and I'll be the only freak" Learning how to shield wasn't what would make his life less miserable I saw that now. It was the way he viewed himself because of what he was. It was the one thing I hadn't showed him and I should have. His words had made me angry. Of course I wasn't angry at him. I was angry with myself. I had used that word to describe myself so many times. Hearing how much he believed it and seeing how much he despaired made me turn on him. He looked a little scared at the fierce expression on my face. Remy was knocking but I ignored him.

"Never say that about yourself, ever again" My hands were gripping his shoulders as if I could transfer what I wanted him to know. As it turns out I could and I did. No one could ever make him feel like that if he didn't let them. He nodded. I picked him up. He started crying. "Stop it you are gonna hurt your daddy's feeling acting like you aren't happy to see him" He wiped his face and the poor thing squared his little shoulders and braced himself.

Remy opened the door the smile he had been wearing faltered. He may not be a telepath but he knew his kid. We sat down and hunter confessed he knew they were going to have to move. I hoped Remy wouldn't piece anything together. While I was off in the living room pretending I didn't know what was going on it came to me that I was being highhanded. If Eric could see me now I was sure I would never hear the end of it.

"We are gonna stay!" Hunter exulted. His thoughts were full of joy and I couldn't find it in myself to frown at my highhandedness. Briefly Remy told me he had been struggling to find work but he was okay now. I congratulated him and when they left I headed home too. I missed Eric. When I was getting into the car I felt something. I can't really explain what it was. It felt like a fairy, a fairy I knew. They were just outside the range of my telepathy so I couldn't confirm with a mental signature.

"Sookie what is it" Ty asked. He was holding the door open for me but I was hesitating and staring off towards the woods.

"It's nothing" the feeling vanished just as suddenly as it appeared.

0o0o0o0

As if they didn't have enough issues. Now who could that fairy be? I hear a lot of people saying Niall.

I am curious as to why you guys are so sure its him? Or maybe I'm just saying that to throw you off the trail…Moohahahahaha {twirls mustache fiendishly} We'll have to wait and see.

Modiggy take another bow! You deserve it!