"You slaughtered my entire family for a couple of goats?" Eric asked. He was on his back beside Russell, in agonizing pain as they both, slowly, burned alive.

"Forgive him, Eric." Godric said, appearing beside him. "End all this hate while you still can. Forgiveness is love."

Layla sprang to Eric's mind. Her constant forgiveness, even when he didn't deserve it. It made her feel weak, he knew.

"Love is all." Godric told him.

"No." Eric said.

"Shut the fuck up and die, please." Russell said.

"I swore, to my father-"

"You father was a self-important, greedy little puss, and he got what was coming to him." Russell said.

"Only peace follows death, for all." Godric told Eric. "Even for him."

"No!" Eric screamed.

Layla ran inside as Bill fed Sookie his blood.

"Come the fuck on! What's taking so long? Wake her up!" Layla barked. She had her own plan.

"I'm trying!" he snapped. The blonde began to stir. "Sookie?" he asked gently.

Sookie shot up and slapped him hard across the face. "You fucking betrayed me! Again!"

"No, he didn't!" Layla snapped.

"I only pretended to betray you so that I could save your life. Again." Bill said. "And it worked. Russell is gone."

"Stop with the married couple arguing. Sookie I need you!" Layla snapped.

"Where's Eric?" she asked.

"Outside." Pam said. "Burnin'."

"Like fucking hell am I going to let him die for you!" Layla said, grabbing Sookie's wrist and dragging her towards the front doors.

"What?" Sookie asked.

"He bound himself by silver to the king. It was the only way to kill him." Bill told her.

"I can't let him do that!" Sookie said.

"Then quit dragging your fucking feet Stackhouse!" Layla said, pulling her so hard her arm almost popped out of it's socket.

The girls ran outside.

"Eric this is just stupid!" Sookie told him.

"Go away." he growled.

"Shut up!" Layla told him. "Sookie break the cuffs."

"With what?!" Sookie asked.

"With, you know!" Layla said, wiggling her fingers. "That Faery light shit!"

"I don't know how!" she argued.

"Yes, you do!" Russell told her. "Don't think about it!"

"Sookie, if you don't break these fucking chains I will kill you my goddamn self!" Layla screamed.

"Don't try." Russell was instructing. "I will not surrender to the true death. I will find a way to come back and kill your precious viking and your brooding Mr. Compton and his unbearable progeny, and anyone you ever cared about!"

"He's MY viking!" Layla snapped so fiercely she felt her teeth click in an odd way.

"Layla-" Sookie began.

"FUCKING DO IT, SOOKIE!" Layla roared.

Sookie screamed as light shot from her hand and broke the cuffs. Russell laughed to himself and Layla bent to Eric.

"Well, it's about fucking time! Now drag me the fuck inside." Russell said. Sookie blasted him clear across the parking lot.

"You watch your fucking language." Sookie said.

"Bitch, help me!" Layla said, dragging Eric back inside. Layla was in no mood to hear Sookie's little one liners.

"Layla!"

Layla rolled her eyes. "Fine you're not a bitch but fucking help!"

"Layla!" Sookie said again.

"What?!"

"You have fangs." Eric rang her tongue over her teeth and felt the sharp, elongated new things.

"We can deal with that later." Layla said, as she and Sookie dragged Eric back into the shelter of the dark interior.

As soon as he was on the floor Sookie stretched out her wrist but with a searing glare from Layla withdrew. Layla extended her wrist over Eric's mouth.

"Drink, asshole." She commanded. Eric bit and began feeding. Layla grit her teeth. As much as she hated to admit it, it kind of turned her on.

"Eric." Bill said warningly. Layla held up her hand.

"He's alright." She said, though she felt herself getting lightheaded.

"That's enough." Bill said, pulling her wrist away. He smeared a bit of his blood on her wounds and they closed up right away.

"They suit you." Eric noted, staring up at Layla's face. Layla stretched her jaw and felt the fangs recede back to wherever they came from. "Where's Russell?" he asked, sitting up.

"Outside." Sookie said.

"Hopefully on his way to hell." Layla added.

"We have to bring him in." Eric told them.

"No!" Layla screeched.

"Are you insane? Why?" Bill asked, somewhat more calmly.

"Godric appeared to me and ask me to spare Russell." Eric said. Everyone was silent a moment. Layla didn't doubt it for a moment. She believed she had seen Godric when she'd been hospitalized. Why wouldn't he appear to Eric if he were dying.

"You are insane." Bill finally said.

"Layla." Eric pleaded.

Layla was torn. "Are you sure that's what he said? Maybe you misunderstood and he really wants the fucker to burn like the rest of us do."

"Eric." Pam said. "Do the world a favor and let that little fuck fry."

Eric rolled his eyes. "I'll go out there myself." he said, standing up. Instead of immediately leaving he and Bill started growling at each other with bared fangs. Layla rolled her eyes and nodded at Sookie who she knew was on the same page.

"Oh, for the love of God." Sookie sighed and grabbed the silver chain as she and Layla headed for the parking lot for a second time.

"We're here to save you." Sookie told him as they configured the silver around Russell's necks...or what was left of it. He was practically burnt to a crisp.

"Aw, thank you ladies-"

"Shut up." They both snapped as they hauled him back towards the nightclub.

Once he was inside, moaning in pain, Eric (who was already completely healed) tied him up to one of the dancer's poles.

"You're a fool not to kill him." Bill said as he, Sookie, Pam and Layla looked on.

"Killing him won't solve anything." Eric said.

"No, but it would keep him from killing us." Sookie said.

"Amen." Layla muttered. Eric looked up sincerely.

"Oh, he won't be doing anymore killing."

"Eric, who the fuck are you right now? He killed your family!" Pam argued. "Rip off his fuckin' head."

Layla looked over at the blonde Vampire and realized every time she saw Pam she liked the woman just a little bit more.

"Do not listen to them." Russell said. "I shall reward you handsomely."

In response to that Eric punched Russell hard in the gut. It made Russell gag so hard a fang fell out. As the burnt king examined it in his hand Eric plucked it up.

"I'll take that." he said. "Layla, come and hold these chains together. As tight as you can."

As she did what she was told, Russell turned to face Sookie, his one remaining fang extended pathetically.

"Don't even think about it, bitch." Sookie said.

"Are you kidding me? It's all I'll think about, ever again." Russell told her.

"We should go to ground. You two stay here and watch him." Eric told them.

"I'm not babysitting the psycho while you guys take a nap." Sookie told him.

"Why us?" Layla whined. "Why is it always us?"

"Well, he can't glamour you. Ginger will be in later and he will glamour her in a heartbeat." Eric explained.

"True." Layla agreed.

"Pam, make one of the guest coffins available for Mr. Compton." Eric instructed.

"I'm staying out here with Sookie and Layla." Bill told him.

"Suit yourself." Eric said.

"Bill, you have the bleeds." Sookie argued.

"Well, I' not leaving you alone with him." Bill told her.

"If she gets uncomfortable or feels like she's in danger, she can leave and I'll stay alone." Layla told him.

"No, I just don't want to look at your face right now or any of your faces. Go crawl back into your holes you creepy, cold freaks." Sookie snapped. Layla watched her carefully. If Sookie even thought about trying to pick a fight with Layla then she was more than prepared to lay everything out to fucking dry.

"Please be careful." Bill said.

"Do not stake him." Eric told them. Then the three Vampires went to ground, leaving the two girls with the charred murderer.

Sookie was camped out on the throne, flipping through a magazine while Layla layed on the bar, eating cocktail garnishes and sipping a trueblood margarita she had just invented. The true blood cocktails were awesome. It was like a drink and a meal with no nasty hangover because it was actually good for her creepy hybrid system.

"Miss Stackhouse." Russell called, sounding like a little kid. "I'd like to make a deal."

"Oh, this aught to be good." Sookie said, laying her magazine aside. Layla agreed and turned to watch.

"I give you my word that I will not harm you or anyone you love." Russell said.

"Stepping around the fact that your word's worth about as much as tits on a turtle?" Sookie asked. "What else?"

"One million dollars."

"Five."

"Two."

"Seven."

"Okay, five." Russell consented. Layla smiled and sipped her drink.

"What else?" Sookie asked.

"I will kill Eric Northman." he pledged. Layla sat straight up at that. "And Bill Compton. Both. Or Neither. Or just one of your choosing."

"Both." Sookie said. Layla raised an eyebrow, but was unconcerned. Even if Sookie was agreeing to this seriously, which Layla trusted she wasn't, the tiny blonde would be dead before the first chain off of Russell was lifted.

"And your house in Mississippi." she added. "I like that house."

"It was a nice state...you know, what I saw of it." Layla tossed in sincerely.

"Done." Russell agreed.

"What do I have to do in return?" Sookie asked.

"Release me!" Russell screamed.

"No." Sookie said, picking up her magazine.

"It may not be me, but someday some vampire is going to rip you open to get at the essence inside of you. There is no way around that."

"Shut up." Sookie snapped.

"You don't know what it is to drink your blood." Russell continued. He went on and on and Layla watched as Sookie sprayed him with the silver nitrate that Pam had used on Bill earlier. She was barely listening when Sookie said that Russell thought he could bring Talbot back using her blood, and Sookie maniacal laughter as she poured Talbot's remains down the garbage disposal was a distant echo as Layla drifted off to sleep.

Layla woke to the sound of a car door being slammed.

"Hear that?" Russell asked. Layla looked around. She was surprised she hadn't heard Ginger come in. Sookie was sitting at the bar now. "That's my wolves, coming to rescue me."

Alert now, Layla hopped off the bar and took a few steps towards the front door.

"Are you sure you're not hungry." Ginger asked Sookie. "I could make you a peanut butter and butter sandwich. No?"

The door opened, flooding the room with light and Ginger screamed.

"Alcide!" Layla screamed, so relieved she threw her arms around the hulking wolf. The minute she did her hormones did a little dance. He smelled like sweat, leather and home cooking to her.

"Hey Layla." he said, tightening an arm about her waist and lifting her slightly before placing her back on her feet. Sookie rushed over.

"What are you doing here?" she asked, eyes bright.

"Eric called me. Said he needed my help with something. Promised to settle all my dad's debts."

"Oh." she replied, looking a little deflated.

"Why, you in trouble again?" he asked.

"When is she not in trouble?" Layla said, sitting back down at the bar. Alcide smiled and all three of them cracked open some beers courtesy of Ginger.

"Is Janice okay?" Sookie asked politely.

"The whole family's okay, knock on wood." Alcide said, rapping his knuckled softly on the bartop. "Debbie's gone missing though."

"I'll be right back." Sookie said, hopping off the stool and heading to the ladies room.

"I've been thinking about you. A lot." Alcide said to Layla after Sookie was gone. Layla's eyes widened.

"Really?" she asked, surprised, but in a nice way.

"Even had a couple dreams about you." he admitted shyly.

"I think you mean nightmares." Layla joked.

"Nah, I'm just sayin'. Sure is good to see you again. I'd have hated it if we never saw each other again." he told her. Layla closed her eyes. Her soft, girly side had been ripped to shreds over the past few days, and Alcide's sweet words were salt on an open wound.

"Don't be such a nice guy to me."

"I can't help it if I'm a nice guy." Alcide said with a smile and shrug, which made Layla smile wide. It also reminded her that her hair was greasy and she needed a shower and a change of clothes. She felt like grunge central, especially when Sookie returned, looking perky, blonde and perfect as usual.

A few moments later the three Vampires emerged.

"Good, you're here." Eric said flatly. "Your truck out front?"

"Yep." Alcide said.

"Let's go, we have a lot to do." Bill said, as Eric unchained Russell and began to drag him outside, presumably to the truck. " Sookie, stay here. Pam will keep you safe."

"Ouch." Layla muttered quietly. Apparently, she was no longer suitable protection.

"I feel safer protecting myself, since I now know I'm basically Vampire crack." Sookie said, standing to leave. "By the way, I rescind the invitation to my house to all Vampires present, so don't even think about following me home."

The blonde then stormed out. Bill looked at Layla for an explanation. The brunette just shrugged.

"Women, right?"

Alcide laughed and Layla turned to smile at him.

"Well, if you two have finished eye-fucking each other, can we go." Eric snapped at Alcide.

"Eric, do not bring that thing back inside this bar." Pam told him, nodding towards Russell.

Layla followed the men outside because she realized as much as she didn't want to go with them, she no longer had her car with her.

Layla sat in the passenger seat of Alcide's van. He was leaning across her to yell out to Eric and Bill.

"We're done now right? My dad's out of debt? You'll leave me and my family alone?" Eric nodded once though his eyes were full of Layla who was staring straight ahead. Alcide nodded and turned the key in the ignition.

"Let's get you home then." he said with a small smile.

Layla stepped out of the bathroom with a t-shirt and a pair of old basketball shorts on, towel drying her hair and smiling at Alcide who sitting on the counter in her kitchen eating a slice of pizza.

"I was gonna raid your fridge, like you said, but you only have blood and fruit in there." he said. "Is that all for Northman?"

"Uh, no, it's mine. This is my house not Eric's." Layla told told him, twisting the towel around her head like a turban.

"I thought you two were-"

"We're not. At all. He's a manipulative prick who will never change." Layla said, grabbing a piece of pizza.

"I hear you." Alcide said. "I'm glad you're getting away from him."

"Getting away and staying away. I'm not even sure I'm going to stay in Bon Temps, honestly." she confided. "I'm sick of this shit. I've been trying to help, but honestly, I'm just tired. I just want to get back to my writing, maybe buy a cabin out in the woods somewhere. How are the woods in Mississippi?"

"Full of wolves." Alcide said with a smile. "Really though, if you need a place to stay, I still have that spare bedroom. You're more than welcome to-"

"I'll go pack." Layla said, skipping off to her bedroom.

"Well, listen let's establish some things first." Alcide said.

"Yeah sure, what?" Layla asked as she began to toss her clothes into duffel bags.

"Well, I don't Northman in my house, ever." he said.

"Okay, well I don't even want him to know where I am so..." Layla shrugged.

"The blood thing-" Alcide continued

"I don't need it. I'm human. I may have vampire tendencies. The aversion to sunlight, the ability to drink blood, the fangs-"

"Fangs?!"

"Whatever. It's not a problem. I'm human first. I promise. No creepy vampire stuff, roomie." Layla said sweetly. She walked to the bathroom and threw all of her makeup and hair supplies into the duffel as well.

"Why didn't you just come back to Jackson when I left the last time?" Alcide asked.

"Well first of all, you didn't ask. Secondly, you were obviously sweet on Sookie just like every other male who lays eyes on her. Thirdly, I still felt obligated to be here, but that's changed. Sookie obviously wants to take are of herself so I'm going to let her."

"Alright, well I'm sorry for not asking. I'm not sweet on Sookie, by the way."

"Yeah, okay." Layla said sarcastically, taking her towel off her head and throwing it over the shower rail.

"I'm not. I mean, I like her and her heart's in the right place, but let's face it, her judgement kind of sucks." he said.

"Agreed." Layla said, sliding on her combat boots. She adjusted the duffel on her shoulder and looked at Alcide. "Can we go now?"

"You really want to leave that badly?"

"I really do."

"No goodbyes to anyone?"

"Nope."

"Okay." Alcide said. "Let's go.