Hi :D
I suppose you can call this a filler/important chapter?

I thought I should let you know that I've been editing the sequel to this story, a lot goes down in it and it does need a bit of work going on, so I'll be concentrating on that for a while, not mention the obvious work and college going on lol.

Either way, y'all know the gist: read/review/love/favourite/alert.

Chapter Eleven:

I rolled over and curled up to Darren's cold stiff body. He was dead to the world, so I didn't have to worry about waking him. I shivered and tried to snuggle into his embrace more. It was dark still, so why was I awake? Why was he asleep already? He wasn't exactly tired earlier… and why does my bed feel different?

Opening my eyes and sitting up I noticed that we were in his room and not mine. That's why it was still dark… and why my bed felt different. Detangling myself from his embrace, I went round picking up my clothes and then walked out to his mini hallway where the stairs to the main house were. I had to squint a little bit when I got upstairs, my eyes being used to the dark still.

I had washing to do today and that is exactly what I was going to do! Yay for two washing machines and good weather! Nothing beats clean clothes that are dried naturally by the great outdoors.

Most of the time, Darren did the washing in his spare time and placed the washing on those hanging racks and then ironed the clothes that needed it. The rest of the time, Darren was on the computer or phone making sure we had an income. I don't exactly know how to explain what it is Darren does in his working life, and to be honest, as long as he wasn't in trouble with it and we weren't financially in trouble, I was fine. Besides, I helped out when working at bars and with the tips I got last night? Blimey we wouldn't need to even touch that money for a couple of days.

I had both the washing machines on when I sat on my bed and opened my phone to see a few missed calls and a couple texts. I arched my brow at this and flicked through. Sam and Sookie.

'Hayley, don't worry about coming in tonight, we're closed. I'll explain later. Sam.'

Closed? Why in the world would Merlottes be closed on a Saturday? That's one of the busy nights! I flicked to the next text that was from Sookie.

'Hey Hayley, text back as soon as possible! There was a murder last night and Lafayette is nowhere to be found! I think the police are going to close the bar tomorrow! Sookie.'

I replied to Sam saying that if he needs me to come over and help with anything at all to just ask. I hope he knew what I meant by anything. I hopefully use my empathy to calm people down or even try and figure out what happened around the body. Maybe there's a spark left there when I can use my empathy to explore the situation further.

'Hey Sook, Sam told me that Merlottes would be shut tonight and I think I may pop over there anyway to see if I can help out with anything and find out about the murder. Maybe see if I can persuade Sam to have the bar open. We'll be busy tonight either way. Hope you and Bill are good. Hays.'

I sent the text and sighed lying back on the bed. A murder at the bar. Maybe things are going too good and Karma just wanted to slap me in the face. Well, maybe not me, maybe the whole town, but that's not going to stop me from wanting to help out and probably get myself in big doggy poo.

I placed a True Blood in the microwave when the sun had almost set. I had finished my chores today, washing, drying, ironing the clothes and even putting them away. Well, I placed Dare's on the end of his bed for him to do. He was particular with his folding and where he puts them. I preferred to hang everything, thus the walk in wardrobe!

I had eaten my dinner of a very healthy roasted chicken breast and salad. Note that it wasn't sarcastic. I actually had eaten healthily! Wait till I tell Darren! He'll be so happy!

I grabbed a small kitchen towel, pulled out the True Blood and walked down to Darren's room. I closed the door behind me and noticed that his clothes were already gone and his bed made. Ah, Dare Bear was awake already it seems.

"Dare, I got you breakfast," I grinned when he walked out of his bathroom wearing dark blue baggy jeans and a red round neck long sleeved top. He had a black button up shirt in one hand and a towel rubbing his hair dry in the other. He grinned back, chucking his shirt on the bed before taking the True Blood from me and taking a sip.

"I've done the clothes, hovered and swept some places… Oh! I had a healthy dinner tonight!" I grinned making the man laugh as he walked over to his hair dryer. The only man I knew in my whole life who liked using a hairdryer to dry his hair. Not to mention, on the odd occasion, he straightened it; my perfect man who's got that hint of femininity in him.

"Well done Hays," he grinned towards me trying to show me his best 'I'm proud of you sweetie' smile. I knew he was genuinely happy I ate a healthy meal, but he also didn't really care. It was almost like giving him pointless information. At least he tried to have equal enthusiasm with me and that counts. I guess…

I rolled my eyes and turned to leave him to have get ready to leave for Merlottes. I'll be bringing Darren with me so he can look around the area in more detail whereas I need to actually check around the place of the murder victim.

I pulled my hair round and plaited it to the side. I applied mascara and lip gloss. I will probably be on my hands and knees and outside, so I had to dress simply and normally.

I opted for dark blue skinny jeans, A plain black V-neck t-shirt with a pink long sleeved V-neck top underneath. I pulled out a pair of black and pink trainers and grabbed my phone to see if Sam or Sookie had replied or even tried to call. They hadn't.

Earlier I had actually phoned Sam and spoke about me maybe finding a way to get the bar open. He had eventually agreed, but said I didn't need to come in still. I'll still pop over there to find out what actually happened and find out about Lafayette. I want to try and help because I like it there and… they'll be heaving tonight so he'll be glad when I turn up.

Sam had explained to me earlier that Lafayette had left his jacket, his keys and just vanished from the face of the Earth. I may just get Sookie to help me out later if she is up to it; because of her telepathy, she might be able to get some images from my empathy so we can figure out further. The only downside was, the sooner I get to the body, the more chance I will be able to detect a spark left within the body. The poor woman's heart had been carved out so my chances were low as it is.

I probably had to get in the morgue before they hacked the poor woman up. Maybe if I could find out the place she died, I could see if her spirit was there and maybe if I contact my mother… No. No I don't want to risk her life. She's probably busy. I know she'll do anything for me, but I don't want her to help me out because of a murder here.

Darren was lounging on the sofa watching one of the cooking channels with his True Blood as I walked out. He gave a weird look.

"Heading out tonight?" he asked and I smiled weakly.

"There was a murder at Merlottes last night."

He frowned, "Don't get involved 'Lee." Oh how the douche knew me well. He stood up and walked over to me.

"I'm worried. Lafayette has gone missing too an-" I began but he cut me off:

"Lafayette was a slut and if what I heard was right, he was a dealer," he took a sip of his drink and I frowned.

"Doesn't matter, a guy has got to make a living somehow and he's a friend. It also risks Merlottes losing business and I like working there. You saw the tips I got last night so don't you go judging on what you have heard. Honestly Dare, shame on you." I pouted and when I said 'shame on you', I was pointed at him and using the index finger, of my other hand, I stroked the pointed finger as if to brush off his shame. Darren smirked and then eventually sighed, running a hand through his messy brown hair.

"Do you need to get into the morgue?" this wasn't the first time I have done this, nor would it be the last. He knew me too well. I'm too much like my mother sometimes. Only sometimes though.

"Yeah, but I'm going to see if Sookie might be willing to come. I doubt it, but still, I might be able to get some images from the emotions," I shrugged to show I was thinking on my feet there and his head bobbed to show he understood before raising the bottle of true Blood to his lips, "Take your car and don't drive like a Granny. I want to get this over and done with. I need to organize a visit with Mother."

He was nodding before he paused, mid-sip. Darren slowly lowered his bottle to give me a curious look.

"Has… something happened?" he asked carefully, normally visits to my mother was because of my health, if I was in trouble or anything else important. I never made it a social occasion really. I sent cards for holiday occasions and sometimes flowers for mother's day. When I did visit her however, it was for a long weekend and sometimes a week. We handled any issues first and then spent some time together.

"I'm going to try to train, get some blessed water and maybe visit Dad," I shrugged and he nodded.

"When are you going?" he hated it when I went, but he sent me e-mails all the time so we could talk. I was grateful for this.

"Soon. Maybe tomorrow morning," I wrapped my arms around my waist and he nodded.

"Try not to be seeing your dad for too long this time. You know the time differences," his voice was void of any emotion. I was always different for the first few days of returning. It's the affects of empathy; bloody empathy.

"I know, but it can be unpredictable remember," I smiled and went on my tip toes to give a peck on the lips before making my way to my car, "I'll see you at Merlottes."

As I had thought, Merlottes was thriving with gossiping patrons. Terry Bellefleur looked positively stressed out and tense in the kitchen without Lafayette helping. I walked up to the bar and gave Sam a questionable look. He just sighed, nodded and pointed to the kitchen with a thankful smile, yet one of those childish ones because he knew I was right. I smiled, trying hard to not show it as an 'I told you so' look.

"I have Darren here. He'll help," he gave me a thankful look and I walked round to the kitchen, shoving my bag on the handle behind the door. Terry turned to yell for the intruder to get out when he saw me wrapping an apron around my waist. He just nodded his thanks and pointed for jobs for me to do. I got straight to them. Darren was in the kitchen five minutes later and I gave him jobs to do also. I noted that Terry had tensed up some more and I smiled reassuringly.

"Do you want a break or are you okay?" I asked placing a calming hand on his shoulder. A break would do him well. He frowned before nodding and left to go to Sam's office, shaking his head in slight confusion.

Darren was fast to learn everything and was flipping burgers, frying chips like a pro, leaving me to setting the plates and baskets and placing them on the counter shouting 'order up!' which was really fun actually. We made a good team. We always do.

After an hour, and with a much calmer Terry, Sam came round to the kitchen and asked for me to meet him in his office when I had a moment. I finished up with Darren and explained what he had to do and got Terry to continue what I was doing. Darren nodded and had said I owed him big time for this. I just grinned and explained the previous week was my buttering him up. He laughed and shook his head muttering that he 'should have guessed'. I guess I felt guilty about that comment for a minute before entering the office to talk with Sam, but to be honest, what Darren doesn't know won't hurt him. He'll just think it's got something to do with the weather… or boredom. Either way, the last thing he'll even think about would be because of Eric. What a blow to the ego…

"Thanks for this Hayley," Sam started, but I held my hand up to silence him after closing the door behind me.

"I wanted to help. Besides, I knew it would be like this. I only had a few shifts here to know what the people of Bon Temps are like."

He cracked a smile and chuckled when I tried the southern accent when saying 'Bon Temps'. I sat on the chair near his office chair and gestured for him to explain what he could.

The woman had been called Nancy LeGuare. She worked at the Pharmacy out of town and apparently had been the women to give Tara an 'exorcism'. I rolled my eyes at this.

"That girl is perfectly sane, a little confused at that, but she has such a good heart."

Sam nodded and continued at explaining the state. She was found in Andy Bellefleur's car, and that was currently at the station for inspection and prints. I bit my lips in thought and closed my eyes.

"Could you take me to where the car was?" I asked and Sam nodded.

"There was no trace of blood though. Nothing. She had been dead for a while." I sighed with a nod as he pointed to an area with police tape still around it. I smiled to him and ducked under it.

Closing my eyes, I tried to tap into my empathy. I felt the emotions of shock, fear, misery and a hint of anger, but they were fairly recent. My brows furrowed as I tried to concentrate.

I got something. A spark! It was so faint, but there was something! I tried to pull it closer to me, but I couldn't get any emotion from it. It was blurred… weird… wait! There! Bliss? No… it's… It's like the feeling of being high?

My eyes shot open and I stared into Sam's. I gave a weak smile.

"I can't get much, but I got something. It wasn't her though. It was something else." I bit my lip again and removed myself from the area. The woman's spirit wasn't there. Nowhere` near. It might be at the place she was actually she was killed, but I should leave it for other people of my kind to help send her off. I sighed and scratched my forehead. My head twinged slightly. I was going to regret this in the morning.

I pulled out my phone seeing there was a text, but I cancelled it and started a new one to mum. I explained to her I was coming over and why I was. I also asked her to have a bottle of diluted 'Blessed Water'. Blessed water was kind 'a like squash when you think about it. Except it was tasteless. Like water. It was water anyway… just with… healing abilities. It was definitely weird.

I walked back into Merlottes and waved Sookie over. We walked into the girls bathroom and I pulled her into a hug.

"I'm sorry I wasn't there last night. It must have been awful."

She returned the hug and nodded, silent. When she pulled back, I very lightly let my finger touch the faint bruising around her eye and she smiled. I noticed that we were similar heights, though I'm slightly shorter. The emotions I sensed coming from Sookie were so powerful, I almost winced, but what made me move my hand from her face was betrayal. My brows knotted in confusion.

"What's wrong?" I asked causing her to sigh and then explode to me the situation about Bill, Jessica (Who apparently Eric had been looking after!) and her uncle Bartlett. She didn't want to tell me anything further about the situation with her uncle other than she had a feeling Bill had something to do with his death. I gave her a weak smile. She did not need any of this now.

"Oh Sookie, if Bill did I can't blame him." She pulled away and opened her mouth, but I cut her off, "I mean, I know it isn't the right thing to do, but Vampires rarely act on the emotions like that. Obviously something happened that caused you pain and Bill was angered by this. Vampires are violent creatures, it's in their nature." I placed a comforting hand on her shoulder and she nodded.

"But what about these secrets? I tell him almost everything and he tells me nothing. He didn't tell me about Jessica at all and this happened over two weeks ago!" The blonde started to massage her temples to prevent the oncoming headache. I decided to send a few healing waves to her, the bruising round her eyes faded a fraction more at this.

"I supposed Bill needs to accept the fact that he is now mainstreaming and is in a relationship, but Jessica is his first child. I suppose he feels guilty because of it all and fears you may have judged him?" She shrugged as did I, "But think about it like this: he could have made Jessica hide away from you whenever you were there and you would still never know about her."

Sookie nodded and gave me the best smile she could muster before saying she had to get back to work, but as soon as she opened the door, her brother was stood there awkwardly. Time for them to talk and less work for Sookie. I grinned as the door closed and placed a hand on my forehead, steadying the faint waves. I needed to talk with Sam it seems. Luckily tomorrow is a Sunday and he won't need me, but I still don't know when I will be back…

I yawned rolling my shoulders with a satisfied grin. I hadn't heard anything from Sam all evening and when I went in, I couldn't find him. Cold hands massaged my shoulders and I smiled, moaning slightly in pleasure.

"I won't be going tomorrow it seems," I smiled as he wrapped his arms round my shoulders and we ended up helping with the closing. Terry assisted a lot with this. He explained that he had to know this for the odd nights Sam had off.

As I sat down in my car I sighed happily. My phone started to vibrate and I looked to see it was Sookie. I smiled as I answered it.

"Sook, where'd you disappear off to?" I asked happily as I pulled my belt on. I watched Darren pull out. I'll wait a few minutes before leaving. I'll only end up reaching home before him anyway. We had to change to check out the body.

"I had to see Bill and sort things- Bill stop that," she giggled and I scrunched my nose.

"Sookie, I'm just outside Merlottes and I can smell that fact that you two have had make up Sex," I then grinned when she giggled, but this time at my comment, not Bill.

"Anyway, I promised Jessica a girl's night and I was hoping-" I had to cut her off there.

"I'm so sorry Sookie, she's a new born Vampire, I can't risk it. Not really, but I will gladly help if I could. Does she need any essentials? Clothes? Shampoo?" The idea of shopping sounded very much appealing right now. Sookie made a noise at this and I heard some movement and whispers over the phone.

"You won't be spoiling her. She can't just stay here in your clothes all the time. Maybe you'll learn something?" I heard her whisper, the phone must be pressed to her ear still.

"Sookie?" I asked as I turned the engine on.

"Come to Bill's just after sundown and you two can go to the mall together. It'll be a great opportunity to get to know each other." I could tell she was excited by the tone in her voice. I laughed and nodded.

"Sure, sounds like fun. I'll be able to find her clothes that aren't slutty, but also not Victorian."

Sookie laughed down the phone and said something negative about guys fashion sense for girls. I heard a growl on the other end and I cut the conversation short saying I had some stuff to do before hanging up. Gross. They were about to have sex again whilst I was on the phone. Honestly.

I pulled out of Merlottes to go home, change and hopefully, find some information out about the body. One can hope so anyway…

NEXT CHAPTER SPOILER?
OH YEAH!

"What if Ms. Butler went with Sookie?" I recognised that voice and turned to ask Eric what he was on about before freezing at the new hair. It was cropped a lot shorter and gelled back… he looked… hot. Shoot. I think I must have blushed a little because he grinned knowingly. Jerk.

"So you finally changed your hair?" was all I could come out with. He nodded, the grin only widening if it was possible.

"Yes, I feel I have become tired of the length and decided to go with a new style for the new me. You like?" He arched a brow and I paused a moment to actually look. Dark jeans with a thin jacket zipped up. He was either wearing a tank top under there or... nothing… Keep it together Butler!

Sookie's so silly! Almost leaving the phone on when about to do the nasty with Beehilll.

So season four has not long started in the UK... I've seen it already because I have friends... who are very naughty.
Without posting spoilers (Though we all know it can't be helped), those in the UK what's you're opinion of the released episodes? I think it's episode three?
I just have one word to say that I say for almost every episode: Eric.
Standard though. Oh! I can add another... 'Yum'

Heh... Well, hope the chapter was satisfying for you and... yeah, see you soon. :)