A/N: This long chapter marks roughly the halfway point for this story, as well as the resolution of Sookie's major human-oriented problems of the moment. That means we'll be dealing with vampire/supe issues for the second half. In this chapter, Sookie learns a bit more about Karin, contemplates her life and beliefs, and finally catches a break.

Big thanks to everyone who has read, reviewed, followed, and favorited, especially murgatroid-98, Jprpjh, Perfecta999, and VAlady, who have been there for almost every chapter.

Disclaimer: everything belongs to Charlaine Harris

Night had fallen, and I hoped Jason's phone call would go well. As I expected, Jane ended up back in the cell with me, although maybe not as bad off as last night. I heard her making silent promises to herself about not drinking any more, but I could also hear that she didn't really believe it.

Karin turned up a couple of hours after dark as well. She didn't offer to explain where she'd been since rising, and I didn't ask. I didn't see a need for her company just now. "Karin, you don't need to babysit me here. It's not like I'm going anywhere."

Karin glanced over at Kevin, who had followed in her wake. "Sookie, I could overpower this man for his keys and release you right now. Another vampire would kill him, perhaps both of you. Or would you allow me to do my job?"

Well, then. Karin spotted a heavy-looking wooden chair and easily moved it to the wall opposite my cell. Karin was small, but something about her movement made her seem absolutely deadly. Nobody else in the nearby jail cells uttered a word of protest, and neither did Kevin. I "heard" him wondering why I warranted such protection.

I wasn't ready for sleep yet, so I talked to Karin through the bars. "Karin, I hope we can eventually be friends. I'd like to get to know you better."

"Sookie, I was not commanded to be your 'friend.' However, I have had close human friends before. Perhaps that is why my father chose me for you."

"Can I ask you some questions, then?" Karin nodded her agreement without a hint of interest. "Where were you before you came here? Why have I never heard your name before?"

Karin simply stared at me before answering my second question. "You would not have heard of me because my father, my sister, and I have had some very strong disagreements about vampires' treatment of humans. Before the Revelation, they were uninterested in associating with my approach. It created a wide rift between us. After the Revelation, and particularly after meeting you, I believe, both Eric and Pam began to reach out to me, seeking advice about human needs. Where I was, before here, was hunting down nests of vampires who kept humans enslaved. I eliminated the problem. My 'slaughter' was of the worst of vampire-kind."

I was truly unable to speak, and found myself chewing my lip. Karin was some kind of vampire superhero, or vigilante killer - and she didn't seem to care who in the little jail knew it. What she told me would be the kind of thing vampire authority structure would formally disapprove of but never do anything about, because it benefited them post-Revelation. Of course Eric could never be seen to be too closely associated with her, as Sheriff. And he hadn't cared to make friends with humans, before.

My brow furrowed. "So now Karin the Slaughterer, protector of humanity, is protecting me. Surely there are more important cases out there." Wasn't I a bit of a letdown, after all that? If Karin could be out there freeing people, I hated to keep her from that.

"Sookie, you misunderstand. By protecting you, I protect Eric's humanity, now that he recognizes it. And perhaps a bit of my sister's. I also do this because I love Eric, and he requests it of me. I am a powerful symbol. Together, you and I are extremely dangerous." Karen grinned with satisfaction, but I wondered if she was really thinking of my fighting skills.

I couldn't stop staring at her, trying to process what she'd told me, so I was grateful when a still-tipsy Jane finally butt in. "Sookie, are you and this lady and that blondie in some kind of a three-way?"

I laughed rowdily at Jane's comment, wondering which "blondie" she had in mind, but I had finally figured out what to say to Karin. I got serious, quickly. "Karin, your mission here is also important to me. I'm grateful to have you here. I expect we will work well together." Vampires seemed to need that kind of ceremonial recognition. Karin relaxed in her chair, tipping it against the wall. I likewise relaxed into my bunk, and before she dropped into downtime, Karin murmured, "Good night, Sookie Stackhouse."

When I woke up Sunday morning, I just spent several hours thinking while I picked at my green plastic tray of unappealing breakfast foods. Jane was still asleep and snoring loudly while I silently said my prayers. It was a lot harder for me to do that without doubt, these days. After all, if creatures called fairies can work their way up to being angels, what else didn't I know about the truth behind my faith? I thought sadly about Claudine, and wondered what had become of her. If she had become an angel, wouldn't she have been able to visit me? Or would she have more important assignments now? The last couple of years had been hard on my worldview, about death, and the afterlife, and magic, and I didn't for a minute think I had it all figured out.

I used to wonder about things like whether vampires had souls. I concluded after some reflection that this wasn't something I should have any doubts about. After seeing Eric with amnesia, and Pam's love for Miriam, I just couldn't imagine that creatures with no souls would be able to love as they did. Whether Karin had a soul or not, she had spent her time fighting for justice for humans. Maybe that meant she had one, too - or maybe it meant it didn't really matter either way.

My thoughts turned to my own fighting, and my family. I had made some choices that didn't sit well with me as a Christian, but I'd decided long ago that God would rather I defend myself than die passively. That's what I preferred, anyway. Now I also had to accept that I wouldn't even exist if my grandmother hadn't broken from her traditional values and the views of family that I'd been raised with.

For the first time, I really acknowledged that Gran had used a supe to make children when her human love could not give them to her, and wondered if I could do the reverse if I wanted to. It seemed that what I had long thought were the restrictions on my life and choices might not be after all, any more than I let them.

I felt a little unmoored. I was experiencing a lot of change and uncertainty; until the last couple of years, my life hadn't held this much turmoil since my parents died. I had to remind myself that I had put a plan in action to deal with my earthly troubles, and could do nothing but wait right now. As to my spiritual life, I resolved to continue praying to the God I'd grown up knowing, but to keep my mind open and work against my prejudices. I was happy to have a distraction from my philosophizing by the time Kenya dropped off a paperback romance for me, and I read almost the entire thing before I finally dropped off to sleep for the evening.

On Monday morning, Kenya came around again and woke me up to be transported for arraignment. I got barely a minute to collect myself, then I and a few others were herded into a very basic van, and bumped on down the road to the courthouse.

After a while, I was finally led into the old courtroom, which was nicely appointed with lots of dark, polished wood. I was pleased to see many familiar faces there to support me. Tara, Kennedy, and Danny Prideaux were there, and they each gave me a small wave. I wondered whether Kennedy had made Danny come, or if he'd been sent by Bill. I was willing to bet it was the latter.

Jason had taken a seat next to Calvin Norris, and Hoyt was settling on the other side of my brother. Alcide, Mustapha, and the day men for Russell and Stan rounded out the "supes checking on Sookie" crew. Amelia and Bob were also in the courtroom, and Amelia was clearly broadcasting her support. I'd have to work to keep out everyone's thoughts, they were collectively thinking so strongly about their support of me. Except maybe Maxine Fortenberry, who was just there for the gossip.

When it was my turn, Judge Rosoff announced: "Miss Stackhouse, this is your arraignment for the murder of Arlene Daisy Fowler. You're charged with second-degree murder, which carries a penalty of life in prison. You have counsel present, I see. Miss Osiecki?"

Mr. Cataliades entered the courtroom at that moment. As he reached the front and stood beside me, he leaned in and whispered, "Diantha's on the trail." Ohhhh. This could get interesting. Mr. C. then addressed the judge. "Desmond Cataliades, your Honor. I will be Miss Stackhouse's primary counsel, with assistance from Miss Osiecki." Beth looked more than a little relieved.

The Judge allowed the District Attorney to speak, and he surprised everyone but Mr. Cataliades when he moved that the charges against me be dropped. It seemed that over the weekend they'd roughly determined that Arlene's time of death corresponded with my alibi, Karin had given a statement supporting me last night, and the postcard created too much reasonable doubt (the only fingerprints hadn't been mine). I was really surprised that anything at all had happened over the weekend; I thought I'd be free on bail today but in for a wait, in terms of the investigation.

Mr. C. obviously agreed with the DA's recommendation; I wondered if the semi-demon had a hand in things moving so quickly and easily, or if I had other supernatural supporters in the evidence lab and DA's office. Somebody must have worked all weekend to make this happen. It looked like I wouldn't need that bail money after all, and I doubted I'd have any trouble from Amelia's dad. It seemed a bit too easy, but I was severely out of practice at catching a break. I wondered if Steve Newlin would be allowed to come in and confess, or if he'd simply vanish, but I found I didn't much care.

Most of Team Sookie stayed until I was allowed to leave the courtroom, then gathered around to hug me and offer their congratulations. Calvin just tipped his head at me and slid out the door, any part of the legal system never being a real comfortable place for the folks from Hotshot. As Amelia and Bob finally wandered off, and Tara gave me a firm hug and a warm promise of dinner sometime soon, I noticed Alcide hovering in one corner of the hallway, watching me. That he waited until I was alone to approach me was not a good sign.

"Sookie, hey, got a minute?" The pack master ran his hand through his unruly dark curls and gave me his best charming grin. Definite trouble.

"What's up, Alcide? I need to go back over to the jail to pick up my things and get processed out, so I just have a minute." I hoped to discourage him from rehashing things, since we hadn't parted on good terms on the last few times we'd seen each other.

"I just wanted to let you know," he said, leaning in and placing his large, warm hand on upper arm, "that if you need anything, I'm around. I heard about your troubles, and I wanted to show my support. The pack's support."

Alcide's rumbling voice could be sexy, but there was too much water under that bridge for anything to happen between us. Even my newly unattached status didn't allow me to lust for him any more - despite how his broad shoulders were filling out a nice grey suit. I almost laid into him about showing up to take advantage of my divorce, but instead of stepping away from his contact, I decided to do something nice for someone else.

I grinned back at him, letting his hand linger. "Thanks, Alcide. I sure do appreciate all the support I can get. I was hoping to see you again soon." I carried on, speaking quickly before he'd have a chance to respond to that. "I was wondering if I could put in a good word for Jason with you? He's been running the road crews here for ages, and he was wondering if you might have something he could do. He's about to get married, you know."

I gave Alcide a look that was just as sweet as pie. Jason was a good worker, and Alcide's company would be lucky to have him, but I knew Alcide would see this as a favor I'd owe him back for. He looked a little taken aback, but caught up quickly, looking for his opportunity. "Sure, Sookie, have him come by this week. I have some openings he might be good for. Say, did you give any more thought…"

I cut him off before he could decide for sure whether to ask for a pack favor or something more personal. "To being your shaman? I've got a lot of things on my plate, Alcide." I gestured vaguely around the courthouse for emphasis. "But I'll tell you what - you get Jason on permanently, I'll do one telepath favor for the pack. My terms, of course. I gotta go, nice talking to you, Alcide." I gave him a quick hug, and marched right on out of the building, leaving poor Alcide looking like he didn't know what had hit him.