I was sitting in my lawn chair wrapped in the ugly quilt again when the sun rose. I couldn't imagine ever getting tired of the sight. Sookie brought me a cup of coffee and a kiss on the cheek and sat with me for a little while before going in to get ready for our trip. I packed the few clothes I had into her suitcase and showered and dressed. Yes, I had taken a shower late the previous night, but it wasn't to get clean. I had fallen asleep alone but woke in the night to find Sookie beside me. I struggled to find sleep again before surrendering to take care of my arousal, only this time using better manners. I stood under the spray of warm water in the dark, fantasizing that Sookie had decided to join me. I closed my eyes and imagined her sweet voice telling me that she wanted me no matter what as she stroked me to completion. Falling back to sleep, I scooted as close to her as I could get without touching.
I can't even imagine how strange it must be for Sookie to have me in a different body. Let's face it, a great part of my charm has always been my natural physical beauty. Because my youth was frozen after my turning, I never had to know the humbling effects of aging. I have enjoyed the benefits (and they are enormous, let's not kid ourselves) of occupying a beautiful shell. I have spent many lifetimes perfecting the use of such a shell. It opens doors, commands attention, pleases the eye, and seduces. Would Sookie have even noticed me had it not been for the way I looked? I believe that she loves me now for who I am, but would she ever have even bothered to know me if she hadn't been physically attracted to me? It is certainly humbling now for me to spend time with her and see her distancing herself from me physically. The physical beauty that I have always counted on to serve me has been stolen from me, and now I must rely on what remains that makes me who I am. It is becoming a painful lesson in humility.
Sookie is obviously no longer attracted to me. I'm certain that I repulse her in my current physical form, and I don't blame her. If the situation were reversed, would I still want her? It is hard to imagine. I feel that I love her for her inner beauty, but it is impossible to imagine separating her physical body from who she is.
We loaded the car and began our drive to New Orleans. Of course, I had never traveled by car during the day, and seeing the sights along the way captured in sunlight was a never-ending delight. I offered to drive, but Sookie insisted that I simply enjoy the view and I loved her for her thoughtfulness. We got off of the main interstate several times to see the countryside and found a tiny colorful diner in which to eat our lunch. I declared chili fries to be my new favorite food and decided that mid-afternoon sunlight flatters Sookie's hair the most.
After lunch, I fell asleep in the car. I wouldn't have thought it possible with all the sights to be seen, but the lull of the motion of the car and the incredibly soothing warmth of the sun filtered through the windows and my very full stomach all took its toll and I enjoyed the most glorious nap. I suppose I really needed it because I had not had a decent night's sleep between the shower and the pre-dawn wake-up. A vampire's rest is generally never interrupted for any reason. As great as it felt to sleep in my new human body, I hated missing out on new sights or sensations.
Sookie and I arrived at the palace before dusk. A human named Anthony showed us to our room and gave us a quick tour of the human dining facilities. Meals were served buffet style three times a day for the human staff and donors. Sookie and I grabbed a quick plate of food and ate while Anthony filled us in on what to expect. I asked if I could watch the sunset. Anthony seemed a little surprised, but then I saw his expression change as he realized what seeing such a sight must mean to me in my current situation. He kindly led us to a balcony that faced west and left us alone.
Sookie and I arranged the chairs to face the sunset and held hands as the sky caught on fire. We didn't say a word, but simply enjoyed the show. When the sky had turned its deep blue color, I stood to go inside, but before I turned towards the door, Sookie stopped me. I faced her to see what she wanted and saw an expression of love and tenderness in her eyes. She squeezed my hand and pulled me closer. She looked so beautiful. I touched her waist as she came a little closer. I wanted to kiss her so badly, to feel her in my arms. I ached for it. But I didn't want to repel her and so I settled for simply enjoying the view. Even a fiery sunset couldn't compare to her beauty.
She placed my other hand on her waist as both of her hands cupped my face. She gently and wordlessly pulled me to her and when I realized that she was going to kiss me, it felt like my heart was floating in an unfamiliar and exquisite state of suspension. I couldn't breathe and a warmth flooded my face. I closed my eyes in the last instant and her soft lips pressed into mine. I inhaled sharply, taking in her scent and pressing back, pulling her body into mine. One of her hands swept through my hair and rested on the back of my head. The other dropped and caressed my neck. I wrapped my arms around her and stroked the familiar planes of her back, relishing the soft curve just above her beautiful behind.
We stood like that, holding each other and kissing a simple kiss, just touching and feeling with our lips until we were interrupted by the sound of the doors opening. I pulled away from Sookie and faced Anthony who immediately apologized for intruding.
Sookie and I followed Anthony hand-in-hand down a different corridor until we reached a new suite of rooms. I must have looked puzzled until he explained, "After your request to see the sunset, it occurred to me how unusual your circumstances are and so I took the liberty of changing your room to this wing. Your private balcony faces east so that you may enjoy the sunrise."
"Thank you."
Sookie added, "How very considerate," and smiled brightly at me. I already relished the idea of sharing another sunrise with her.
Anthony left us to change clothes even though I had very few options. Sookie put a dress on and looked like a goddess. When we emerged from our room, Rasul was waiting with Anthony. They explained that after rising, Rasul would always be at our side for protection. I had to admit that I was glad to see him. I felt extremely vulnerable in my weak human body inside a building full of vampires. Any vamp that had ever had a grudge against me could easily kill me in my current state. Rasul and I had never been best friends, but I knew him to be honorable and trusted him as much as I could trust any vampire (except for Pam, naturally).
We all joined Pam and Victor Madden and a handful of other vampires in a large conference room on the third floor. Pam had flown in, traveling by coffin, after briefing the palace on the situation the previous night by phone. After some rather awkward greetings and odd looks from the other vampires, we all sat down to discuss the matter at hand. My sheriff's duties had been temporarily placed in Pam's lap, and we had the assurance of Victor that the area vamps would help in any way to resolve my problem. Sookie already had protected status, of course, and King DeCastro had issued an order of protection for me as well when he heard of my predicament. Victor had a meeting later with the local witch leaders to enlist their help. While we were discussing possible approaches to a solution, we were interrupted by a vampire with a message that there had been two sightings of Bob in my body here in New Orleans. That really got my attention. I knew both vampires personally, so I didn't doubt that they could identify me. They had both seen me—I mean, Bob—in the French Quarter the previous night. Victor dispatched six pairs of vamps to scour the area with orders to capture and not kill Bob. I started to feel excited and optimistic for the first time. I hoped that I'd be returned to my rightful body as soon as possible.