A/N: We start to learn a bit about what Sookie is up to in this chapter.

Disclaimer: everything belongs to Charlaine Harris.

While I waited to no longer detect Karin's void, I collected my notes, including the phone numbers I'd gathered from Bill's database. I had to work my way through two executive assistants - what they called fancy secretaries these days - but I finally had both Kings on the line in a secure conference call. I'd been right that the packages I'd express mailed would pave the way. The assistants were used to letting calls through when they followed up on gifts, and the contents combined with my unusual request had attracted the kings' attention. To Russell Edgington, I'd sent a lovely hand sewn quilt made by my other neighbor, Mrs. Prescott. Stan Davis had received a gift basket stuffed with countersurveillance equipment.

"Miss Stackhouse, I will very much enjoy your gift. One can never be too careful, as you know." Stan was my favorite nerdy vampire; maybe I should have thrown in a pocket protector for good measure. I wanted to ask him about his recovery and wish him well, but I didn't think he'd appreciate it if I made him seem vulnerable with Russell on the line.

"Why yes, Miss Stackhouse is always a treat, and I'll quite enjoy her gift as well. A call between two kings and a human is quite unusual, dear. To what do we owe the pleasure?" Russell was never anything less than proper, but I knew I had to show my cards quickly before the vampire monarchs decided I wasn't worth their time.

"Russell, Stan, I'd like to make a suggestion that I think will benefit all of us, but I can't make it work without your help, your influence."

I outlined my thinking, and what I hoped Stan and Russell would be willing to propose to the council, which handled vampire matters for "our" area, Amun. I gave them quite a few more details on how I thought things could be arranged, but the basic idea was simple. Choosing leaders through rather frequent violent overthrow might work for organizations operating outside the law - gangs, mafia, dictatorial regimes - but vampire society was fitting that description less and less. Since coming out of the coffin, vampires were working more with human government and media; the very existence of the federal Bureau of Vampire Affairs meant that vampire culture would come under greater scrutiny, and needed stable leadership. Americans simply wouldn't be inclined to work with them if vampires seemed to be in a constant cycle of bloody coups.

That's not to say I didn't have my own motivations for proposing the change.

"Miss Stackhouse, we've heard of course about Sheriff Northman's contract - his maker's contract - with Queen Freyda. Unfortunate business that, but you realize we can't be seen to be attempting to break it on behalf of a human, after the council has upheld the arrangement." I didn't blame Russell for being cautious - he'd seen my loyalty to a vampire partner firsthand, and the results that hadn't exactly been what he'd intended.

"I assure you, I'm not out to break Eric's contract. In fact, I'd prefer if it didn't come up. I expect Eric and I will be divorced by this time tomorrow night. Given my newly unattached status, I'd really just like to minimize the amount of vampire drama that seems to always end with my getting beaten up. It's no secret what I can do, and I'd rather not have a new king or queen coming along every few months and trying to take me for their own purposes."

I hesitated before continuing. "Now, I'd be lying if said I didn't hate what's happened with Eric. Of course I hate for him to be a constant target, and I think this might help with that. I believe you both, as well, would appreciate not having to worry as much about an ambitious monarch next door with Eric at her command." I also knew that if Eric wasn't busy constantly defending Freyda's little empire against potential overthrow or carrying out her orders to amass more territory, he'd probably have more freedom to enjoy himself - and would be less likely to be injured or killed by fighting.

Stan spoke up at that point. "What, then, should we expect from you? Your idea is a compelling one with much potential, but you propose radical change, and ask us to take on the reactions to such change."

Here it was; my answer would likely change my life in ways I couldn't predict, but right now that seemed preferable to the changes I could predict if I did nothing. "I understand your concern. I can offer a few things in exchange for your efforts. First, I'm willing to serve as an official - and paid - liaison on behalf of vampires to the BVA, both state and federal. I've met very few humans who understand vampires, and human needs while around vampires, as well as I do. I can give the BVA little insights that make them feel more comfortable with vampires and maybe address some issues affecting humans, while promoting vampire interests and helping to mediate disputes between the two."

I refused to be in the position of constantly working for a specific vampire monarch, and I still didn't want to work directly for the government on behalf of humans, whenever and wherever they wanted. I knew just hitching myself to a monarch as chief telepath would never be a safe position, and would subject me to the same threats and lack of autonomy I was trying to avoid for myself and Eric now. I still wanted to own my own life, as much as anyone could. I thought this made a neat compromise, being willing to consult on behalf of all vampires but only in very specific - and valuable - ways.

"Second, I'd be willing to help screen humans for security purposes for future summits, listening for threats like those at Rhodes, as part of that position. Third, I'll do you each one free personal telepathic favor, within reason. Stan, if you'd like to use yours to have me put Barry through telepath training camp, that's an option."

Because I knew vampires as well as I did, I also knew I needed to put some limits around my offers. "You understand, of course, that this work must be time-limited. No vampire will own me. I will consider reasonable requests, and be on call for consulting with and about the BVA, but I won't move, and I'll expect my expenses covered when I have to travel and some regular consulting fees. I won't be dragged all over without consideration, and I won't spend my every waking moment on vampire business."

There was a brief silence before Stan commented, "You must realize that this goes beyond our own regional council. You may be thinking of the summit you attended, but there are others, in other regions. Even if our council is agreeable, there is no guarantee that the other regions will follow suit."

I assured them, "Oh, I probably know more about vampire organization than I should." I thought briefly about the clan lecture Eric had given me months ago, and how my having that knowledge had never amounted to much at the time. "A regional solution would be better than nothing, and maybe even make you and our other Amun monarchs into role models for the rest. I assumed, though, that such a proposal would benefit from gaining clan approval first. I'm only asking that you get the ball rolling."

After a period of silence, Russell finally commented, "Very clever, Miss Stackhouse. I wonder if your unusual blood doesn't contribute to your ingenuity..." The King trailed off for a moment, leaving me time to recall his tongue lapping at my fingernail-gouged arm back at Club Dead. Ick. "King Davis and I will confer on this matter. We will expect you to be available should we need you."

"You know it." The conversation and the past couple of days were wearing on me, my cheek really needed icing, and I found myself giving my strained smile to the phone. "Have a wonderful evening, gentlemen, and I hope to hear from you soon."

After hanging up, I stepped out onto my porch and yelled for Karin to come on back.