Disclaimer: All characters depicted herein are the sole property of Charlaine Harris and HBO.

Chapter 9 - Chat

I had to work the next evening, which for the first time in a long time felt like a hardship. With breaking the blood bond with Eric, I was excited beyond measure about the prospect of spending my free time with Bill, rebuilding our relationship. I knew we couldn't quite be together publicly yet, as I was still 'married' to Eric, but just knowing that I loved Bill, that he loved me too, and the memories from the night before were enough to get me through.

Life was wonderful. We were relearning each other, but it was also like we'd never been apart. Bill was a part of me, and had always been, even when I pushed him away. The time we had together was wonderful, even when we just sat on his couch talking. It was like a dream come true.

The night that brought me crashing back to reality was much like any other night. I was working with Jenna, which was nice. I think Holly was at a concert with Hoyt, her mother watching her son. Jane Bodehouse was sitting at the bar, three sheets to the wind and trying to attract whatever man might look her way. Kevin and Kenya were sitting in my section having a low key dinner together. There were some college kids who stopped in for a drink on their way back to campus- I heard this with my ears. Actually there was something a bit odd tonight, it wasn't so difficult to keep my mental guard up. As a matter of fact it was downright easy, but then again that could simply be because I was more relaxed, having rid myself of the bond with Eric and fully reunited with Bill.

Speak of the devil and he doth appear. Bill walked into Merlotte's, something he hadn't done in months. Sam looked up concerned, but I just flashed him a smile and went to take his order. He ordered TruBlood, O+ , my blood type. I smiled and was happy to get it for him. I wanted to sit and talk with him for a few minutes, but all my customers seemed to need re-fills or extra condiments, so Bill was left to his own devices for awhile.

When I was able to get back over to his table, he was being greeted by someone else. She had just walked in and I could hear her speaking to him as I walked up.

"Bill, what a charming surprise. I'm sure Eric would be delighted to know how you are spending your free time these days." Pam said, with what was undoubtedly sarcasm.

"It's nice to see you as well, Pam. I'm mainstreaming, as you well know. Bon Temps is my home, and this is where most of the parish comes in the evening." Bill told her, not paying her much mind.

"Mainstreaming, I see. So your being here has nothing to do with this being Sookie's place of employment?" Pam asked with obvious disbelief.

Bill just ignored her. "What brings you all the way out to us tonight Pam?" He asked.

"Eric sent me to talk to Sookie of course," Pam responded sounding as bored as I'm sure she was.

"No need. We said all there was to say last night." I told her as I walked up to the table. "Nice to see you Pam, it's been awhile." I told her, with some genuine affection. If I had a vampire as a friend, beyond Bill that is, it would be Pam. "Anything I can get for you?" I asked.

"Sookie, you and I both know that your conversation with Eric last night will not suffice. When do you get off this evening? I would like to speak with you." She told me. I frowned. I didn't feel like talking about this anymore; but talking about it with Pam was better than talking about it with Eric, and I know I wouldn't get out of it, either way.

"1:30," I told her.

"Then I'll meet you at your house at 1:45." She told me. "Bill." She said inclining her head toward him. She stood up and walked out of the bar.

"I can't imagine what she might say that I would care to hear, but talking with Pam is better than talking with Eric." I told Bill after I saw the door close on Pam's figure.

"Would you like me to come over? I was hoping you would be able to come over tonight." He told me.

"No, I think I can handle Pam by myself. It's just a chat." I told him and smiled. "I'll try to come over after Pam leaves." I put my hand over his and squeezed it, then I had to get back to work, there were drinks to refill and orders to deliver.

I didn't see Bill leave, but I missed him once I realized he was gone. I spent the rest of the evening performing my normal barmaid duties. Jenna was in high spirits. It seems the dress she bought the other day while we were shopping did what it was supposed to do, and caught the attention of one of the guys on Jason's crew. They had made plans for drinks the next night she worked the afternoon shift, and a real date the following weekend. Sam on the other hand was rather irritable. He hadn't said so, but I took it to mean that he and the Were he had been dating were either fighting or had broken up. I hoped the latter, not so much for myself, but the fact that she really didn't seem quite good enough for him.

The evening passed quickly enough, with minimal oogling and drunken touching, since Bill had been in the bar this evening. Bon Temps was rather small, so everyone knew everyone's business. Everyone knew I had dated Vampire Bill, and even though it was years ago, it was also common knowledge that he didn't take kindly to people disrespecting me. While he had been accepted as part of the town, he was still a vampire, and as such, when people saw him they minded their manners more in regard to me.

I was able to get out of Merlotte's earlier than expected, and I was home by 1:30. Even so, Pam's car was parked in my driveway and she was sitting in my porch swing, a scene that in the past couple of years had become all too familiar. She was having some down time, not moving or even caring to blink.

"Good evening, Pam. Or morning rather." I greeted her as I walked up the steps to my front door.

"Hello Sookie. You're early." She responded. She sniffed the air, "You smell different."

"So I've heard." I responded. "Yeah, I finished up early. Come on in." I told her as I opened the door and walked through. "Would you like a drink?" I asked.

"Please."

I put a bottle of TruBlood into the microwave. After the beep I shook the bottle and handed it to Pam. I walked over to the table and sat down. We didn't retire to the living room because I figured the more formal the conversation, the more quickly it could be over. "So, what would you like to talk about Pam."

"Eric told me that you purposely broke your blood bond. This is somewhat impressive, but also very foolish. Not only does this put you at risk, no longer being bonded to Eric, but if other vampires were to find out, they would surely kill you so you did not share the information. That is, after you were tortured to find out how it was done, and if anyone helped you. If anyone has helped you, they too are now at risk for the same fate." She explained.

I hadn't even thought about that. Amelia and Octavia could be in danger and it was my fault. Another testament as to how much I've changed is that I wasn't sure if it was or wasn't worth it. A year ago there is not a price I wouldn't pay to keep my friends from danger, but today, it's possible it was worth it to me that I was free of this bond from Eric. No, if I had realized it before, I don't think I would have gone through with it. It's neither Amelia nor Octavia's fault that I was in the position as to need the help. I had to make sure the vampires never found out about their part in it. Out of the frying pan and into the fire. I almost longed for the time before I met Bill, when my life was simple- almost.

Pam gave me a moment to let what she said sink in, before continuing. "I won't ask you how you did it. While I am somewhat intrigued, I know you would not tell me, and it would also put me in the same position as a liability. Eric does love you Sookie. He cares more for you than he has for anyone or anything outside himself. It's affecting him. It's worse now that it had been when the two of you were playing your little games before, and this is not a time for Eric to be distracted. His position is precarious, and Victor is becoming more ruthless in his attempt to usurp Eric's position. He will use anything he can, and this includes you. Do you realize how much your action have hurt him? Don't you care for Eric at all?"

"Of course!" I responded, hurt by her question. "I care for him a great deal, but it's time for me to care about myself more. Eric should easily understand that. While you may have eternity, I don't. I can't simply wait until it's a good time for Eric to start living my life for myself. I loved Eric deeply, but he hurt me. And while I don't doubt he thinks he loves me, I'm not sure if he truly does, or even can. Love isn't just lust or passion. Its trust and companionability and any number of other things that Eric and I simply don't have. I cannot trust Eric. I'm not Eric's possession, and I am tired of being treated like one."

"Sookie, you are still Eric's wife." Pam said, beginning to sound slightly annoyed.

"Not by choice." I reminded her.

"That is of no matter. By vampire law you are still his. You cannot avoid this. You cannot avoid him. Even if Eric were to release you from your union, it would have to for his wishes, not for yours. Eric as Sherriff cannot be weakened by a human, even if he wanted to he could not." Pam explained.

So there was no hope of ever being free of Eric. I wanted to cry, but I didn't want to in front of Pam. "No man can trespass upon your union until and unless Eric allows it. Doing so can be punishable by death. Eric loves you. I do not believe he would accept any petition, and he could not accept one from a constituent of his. You should honestly reconsider mending the rift you have created between yourself and Eric." Pam said.

She stood up, getting ready to leave. "You should come to Fangtasia soon." She told me with a smile. "You're always a treat to see." She told me giving a look that was less than innocent.

I wasn't up for responding to her lesbian banter just now. "Goodnight Pam." I told her, walking her to the door.

She looked at me, her eyes focused, her voice serious, she told me, "Think about what I said."

I wanted to ask which part, but everything she said gave me food for thought. "I will." I assured her, and shut the door. I would wait for Pam to leave before going over to Bills. Should I even go to Bill's? I knew that he could get in trouble, but I hadn't realized he could be killed. I couldn't live without Bill, I couldn't let that happen. We definitely needed to talk. I waited for Pam to be well and truly on her way back to Shreveport before I crossed my yard towards Bill's house.

"Sookie." Bill greeted me, taking me into his arms, kissing me. He made me lose my train of thought, kissing him was exquisite. When we parted, my thought process returned.

"We need to talk." I told him, and he agreed. He lead us to the living room, where he sat next to me on the couch. I told him what Pam had said, and relayed what she what was said between the lines regarding Bill. If Eric knew that I was actually with Bill, I have no doubt Bill would already have felt the consequences.

"We need to take a step back." I told Bill.

"I do not agree." Bill responded.

"You could be killed. It's not worth it."

"You are worth anything. I could be killed, but it is not assured. Eric would be given the choice for my punishment."

"I love you Bill. I do not ever want to live without you. Please listen to me. Our being together is not worth it. I am yours. You are the only one I ever want to be with. We will figure this out, but until then, I think we should keep it platonic." I explained. I smiled "Or at least as close to platonic as we can be."

"Sookie, I don't think that is necessary, but for you, I will do anything. Even this," he told me. He pulled me into his arms. "Is this ok?" He asked.

"I think so." I answer.

"And this?" He asked kissing me deeply. My mouth responded though not with words. "But not this?" Bill asked, slipping his hand between my legs, rubbing me, on top of my underwear and Merlotte's shorts.

"Not that I said." Using all of my will power to answer and try to move away from him. I wiggled, pulling my body up and away, though closer to his chest.

Bill laughed, "Then you should stop moving like that against me, it's entirely too enticing." He said, and I could feel beneath me what he meant. He smiled at me and shifted me back to sitting next to him on the couch. "We will figure this out, and soon. For I do not know how long I will be able to keep my hands off of you, my love."

We kissed again, though I worked to keep it chaste so we wouldn't get carried away, which I was entirely too close to doing. "Yes, soon." I agreed. "I should go though." I told him. He walked me to the door.

"Goodnight my dearest. Sweet dreams." He told me. I told him goodnight as well, and was all too quickly on my way home. I missed him as soon as he closed the door behind me.

When I got back into my house, my machine was blinking to indicate I had a message. I didn't remember it blinking when I got home from Merlotte's, but it was really late, and I couldn't imagine anyone would have called since Pam left. I hit the button to play the message.

It was Jenna, her voice seemed off somehow, but I couldn't place why. "Hey Sookie. I'm sorry to call so late. I was hoping you would still be up. I met a nice man as I was leaving Merlotte's who really wanted to meet you. I'm with him now. If you'd call me when you get a chance, I would appreciate it. Talk to you soon." She said. We had been spending some time together during the time we had off during the day and I considered her a friend so I had her cell phone number, but she wasn't really the kind of person who would normally call someone in the middle of the night just to introduce someone.

Then it was like the light bulb came on. She had met Victor, or someone sent by him. Someone was waiting for me, but I had got out early. Whoever it was had glamoured her; and whoever it was still had her.