A/N: A short one. Sookie and Karin get off to a bit of a rough start.

Big thanks to everyone who has read, followed, favorited, and reviewed so far. I have this story pretty much done, so I'll try to post new chapters fairly frequently. For those who wondered about the "not a romance" comment - there will be interaction between Sookie and Eric, it's just not the whole point of the story.

Disclaimer: everything belongs to Charlaine Harris.

When Karin got back inside, I set her up on the couch with the same Buffy DVDs I'd distracted Eric with so long ago. She'd agreed to try staying at my place instead of Bill's, which was just good sense. On my way to grab an ice pack from the kitchen after I brushed my teeth and changed into a long sleep shirt, I watched her for a minute from the hallway. I was a little disturbed to note the physical similarities between Karin, Pam, and myself. Eric certainly had a type. I barged into my own living room, grabbed the remote, and paused the video. I had a few questions for the dread vampire currently relaxing in yoga pants.

"Karin, let me ask you something. If there was any way for Eric to get out of being forced to go with Oklahoma, do you think he'd want that? Do you think he has any plans to get out of it?" She was the third and final person I'd ask, although she wouldn't be able to change my mind at this point. I'd set things in motion tonight, and could only wait to hear if the vampire Kings would go for it.

"My father Eric would not want me to discuss this with you, Sookie. Your involvement can do nothing but bring you harm, and I will not allow it on my watch."

I snorted in a very undignified way. "Good luck with that, Karin. I don't know how much Eric told you about me, but I won't answer to him, or to you."

"He has told me a bit, although my sister Pam has hinted that there is more to be told. It matters not, so long as I know enough to guard you each evening. I am not called 'Karin the Slaughterer' for nothing."

Karin was pretty sure of herself, and she was also trying to change the subject. "Look, you're welcome to answer it in a cagey vampire way, but it's important that I know. Do you believe this is what Eric truly wants?"

Her intense blue eyes met mine, and I could practically feel her examining me. I also felt the faint shiver that meant she was trying to use her influence - most likely to get me to forget about interfering. I was sure she had been told I couldn't be glamored, but she needed to see it for herself. I stared her down and smirked - "Not even your 'father' can manage that trick."

I swear Karin almost laughed; maybe I'd grow on her after all. Then she replied seriously, "I do not believe Eric is best suited to constant submission. It is not his nature, and he did not seek it out."

That was probably as close to a real answer as I would get, and I was about to head to bed at long last when Karin spoke. To my surprise, she asked, "How is this Sam doing? The one you returned from the dead?"

Given my suspicion that Eric still believed I was "sweet on" Sam, I knew Karin's question wasn't an innocent one. Was there such a thing with vampires?

"He's coping. His mom's in town watching after him. I think he's probably a little uncomfortable with me right now."

She eyed me curiously. "It was a love token, was it not? The magic you used to perform the raising? Surely he is both grateful and looking forward to exploring your new love together."

I'd already been warned that Karin was extremely loyal to Eric, and I wanted to be careful about my answer. "It was a fairy love token, given by my grandfather with love for my grandmother, and used by me in my deep friendship with Sam. I've already made it clear to Sam that there can never be anything romantic between us. There are many types of love, Karin."

"That's very strange."

I didn't know whether she meant my ideas about love, or how my response compared to what she knew of Eric's reaction when I used the cluviel dor to save Sam. I was exhausted, and figured we'd have a whole year to rehash how my saving Sam hadn't been a slight to Eric. In my physical and emotional exhaustion, I couldn't help sounding a little cranky. "It's really not, Karin, and if your 'father' had bothered to talk to me directly, he'd know that, too. We might have prevented this whole thing. Good night."

I turned sharply and returned to my bedroom. I was not going to spend a whole year putting up with judgments from this guest imposed on me by Eric, and I was too tired to smooth things over tonight. If Karin didn't like my choices that was too bad, as long as she did her job and stayed out of my way.