Hey sweet - thanks for the wicked reviews. I've been merciless to my muse, teach it to leave in the middle of my weekend, and I've got this thang goin' on now. Brainstorming is complete, I just need to put it on paper. I am slow to bring the water to a boil, but it's better that way so that you understand how we get to a certain point when it finally occurs. Hope you enjoy my spin on the characters, feed my muse. I appreciate each and every one of them.

I don't own these characters. If these characters belonged to me, I would be living somewhere in the Brazilian rainforest. I'd have a rocking tree house near a waterfall and a lagoon. It would have no spiders or snakes or things that can eat me, and a manservant. There would be plenty of cold water, and rum. The food would cook itself and I'd drive a sweet ride. Charlaine Harris owns the all of it, I'm just playing. Anyway, I don't own this stuff.

Chapter Four

I woke up in the morning, in the hole in the floor and grimaced. This sure wasn't percale sheets and feather down pillows. I was definitely going to take Eric's suggestion and do something a little better than a glorified hole. The water table was so darned high in Louisiana that most basements weren't successful due to massive leaking, but there had to have been great strides in this area since the vamps had risen. There would be a little more collaboration between the humans and the vampires.

Eric had already risen, and I felt that the sun was fully down. I could hear the floor creaking towards the front of the house, in the kitchen – and I knew that it was Eric. I could also hear his voice lowered as he spoke on his phone. The lid to the hidey hole was already raised, and I lifted myself easily out of it, already feeling the urgent pull for blood tugging at me. I walked briskly through the darkened house towards the kitchen.

Eric nodded at me, on his phone and handed me a blood already heated and in a glass. He agreed with someone on the other end about four times, before ending the call, and I couldn't even tell who he was talking to.

"Lover", he said. "You look refreshed." I made a face at him, well aware of how I looked in the morning, and wondering if the pull of blood first thing would be something that would stick with me, like my morning coffee routine. He kissed me on the forehead.

"I have to be going lover, the flight leaves in two hours, and I need to be on it." He grabbed his coat and keys. "I'm wasn't going to tell you to stay put, but I will tell you that I've asked Pam, Nayeli and Thalia to check in on you. Pam should be here briefly." I scowled at him. "So far, you haven't exactly been predictable. I don't think you should be alone this quickly. I would stay if I could, but I have to go to this, it's my job – and I don't need any further attention called to me, because that will call more attention to you."

I crossed my arms in front of my chest, and I must have been scowling, because Eric rolled his eyes and threw up his hands in exasperation.

"Sookie, I'm not certain why you cannot put a little more effort into considering your safety for a few days? I'll only be gone four nights. I care little for your stubborn pride and need to tell you that you're acting very childish." I gaped at him. Good morning to you too!

"Eric don't you get that this is all fucking new to me? I am not even sure where I fit in anymore! This is utter bullshit!" I know, I know I sounded like a petulant child. I might have even stamped my foot. Eric clenched his jaw, and his face was stony, then resolutely he nodded to himself. Oh no...

"Are you done now?" I nodded warily. "Sookie, I hate to do this, but it's for your own good." He paused, and I knew what was coming. "As your maker I command you to listen to Pam, Thalia and Nayeli. I insist that you not take any unnecessary risks, and above all, you stay safe. Stay close to home. By home I mean here in Bon Temps, or Fangtasia or my house. If you are unsure of a boundary, ask Pam. I forbid you to leave without getting permission first."

I stared at him incredulously and knew he had just played his trump card. I was pissed as hell. Someone was going to be sleeping on the sofa when he got back. He made no attempt to come near me, as the anger must have been rolling off of me. He smiled gently, and a little sadly.

"I know I've made you angry lover, but it was a necessary thing to do." He made to leave, and I let him leave.

Well almost. He made it to the edge of the driveway when I caught up to him.

"I'll try to stay out of trouble Eric," I said resignedly. "And I really don't mind if you send Pam and Nayali and Thalia. We'll have a girl's weekend. We'll do each other's hair and talk about boys." I rolled my eyes, and he laughed. "Come home soon okay?"

"I will lover." He laid his lips against mine and we shared a passionate kiss. I wanted to drag him back in the house, and I could tell he felt the same way – but he also had a flight to catch. He smiled at me and then looked towards the road. "Pam will be here briefly. I have to go."

He looked back, smiled at me and took flight. I caught a glimpse of black as he passed by my line of sight and then he was gone. I smiled at myself, proud of myself for keeping it together, even though I was pissed off at Eric. Despite my rage, I really did get why he felt that he had to tie up all loose ends before he left. I know he loved me, and he just wanted to make sure I was safe. My emotions were in an uproar, and I hated it! I felt like I was in a gilded cage. I swore viciously and kicked at a rock edging my driveway. It flew about 150 feet through the air and disappeared into the forest.

I turned on my heel, and walked back to the house. As I did, I paused near the front porch looking at the bedraggled garden. The roses that Gran had put so much care into were overgrown and had been ravaged by aphids. The bougainvillea that had been planted decades ago and had been lovingly maintained was wild and overgrown. I felt sad, because I would never be able to enjoy the blooms they would produce. I had always meant to buy a book on gardening, and take more care of the outside of the house. But really there was no reason that I couldn't do something still, even though I am a vampire. I thought about it, and figured that I would check out online and see if there were any flowers that bloomed at night. Maybe I could make a really nice garden of some sort that I could enjoy anyhow. It would give me something to do at least. I made up my mind to do something about it. I had the new sleeping quarters to take care of as well, so I guess I had a lot to keep myself occupied and my mind off of how thirsty I always was.

I quickly threw on a pair of jeans, and a sweatshirt and heated up a bottle of blood. I heard Pam's car pull up, but I paid little attention because I was already engrossed in my newest project. I just had to keep busy; I knew that if I didn't that I would think about all the changes in my life. It was time to build a new one.

Pam entered and I heard her sigh of annoyance. "Sookie, I'm disappointed. After the fashion wonder of last evening, we're right back to where we started in denim and a Wal-Mart sweatshirt." Pam looked at me balefully. "I could have brought some clothes from Eric's you know."

"No I'm okay Pam – I really just want to be able to be comfy." I continued to look up data on Google, and print out pages on the small printer next to my computer, all the while cursing my slow connection.

"What are you up to Sookie?" Pam peered over my shoulder, and when she saw what I was looking at she raised her eyebrows. "Interesting. You think that would work here?"

"I can't see why not. Who do you think I should call?" I cocked an eyebrow at her.

"What about Alcide Herveaux? He's in the business - I know their business is surveying, but he could probably recommend someone." Pam had a point, and Alcide did kind of have a thing for me. He also owed me big time.

I looked at the clock, and saw that it wasn't too late, so I dialled his number. He wasn't there, and I left him a message, basically telling him that I could be reached until the next morning. I didn't know if he knew that I'd been turned but I figured he did, being that the were community and the vamp community were running neck in neck in the supe department.

Pam and I continued to knock out ideas, and we came up with this. Because of the high water table, a basic dark room design that would normally be done for photographers would be the way to go. I wanted the walls built out of two layers of cinder block, with no windows, and a steel roof. I wanted it to be partially underground, at least as far as it could go without hitting too much of the water table. I wanted there to be two doors, one at the front, off the house and one off the back, exiting to the yard. It didn't have to be large, but I definitely wanted it to be comfortable. I figured I would outfit my new room with a bathroom, and a small fridge to hold blood with a microwave to heat it. I also wanted internet, phone, and a closed circuit security system so I could see if there was anyone present in my home when I woke for the day. If there was a place to store weapons that would be great, and I also wanted a walk in closet.

Pam laughed when I said that. "So you can store your Benelli shotgun, next to your Chanel handbag." I laughed too, not wanting to point out that I didn't own a Chanel bag.

I figured that it would eat most of the money that I had earned from going up north, leaving little. But I also figured that it was about time that I started capitalizing on my telepathy. It had earned me more in the past year than I was used having. I liked the pad in the bank account and it gave me security knowing that I wasn't using Eric's money to pay for the things I wanted.

The phone rang, and I picked it up.

"Sookie, it's Alcide. How are you?" He said it cautiously. I could tell immediately that he knew.

"Well it's been different Alcide, really different. It takes some getting used to."

"I guess it would. So... What can I do for you Sookie?" Alcide still had that wary tone in his voice. I knew he was holding his judgement back for now, which I really didn't blame him for. There was no love lost between the weres and the vamps.

I explained to him what I wanted, at least as best as laymen could, and he seemed to understand what I wanted. He took on a more business tone with me and I sensed he was relieved to discuss business with me, as it took the focus off of why I would require a lightproof bunker addition built onto my house.

"It's not really my thing Sookie, but yeah – I know lots of people in the business. In fact, I think that I might be able to get someone out there to take a look tonight – this recession has really hit us hard in construction, and there are lots of able bodies looking for honest work." He paused. "How are you going to pay for this? Oh right... Eric."

The anger bubbled up and I shot back, "Excuse me Alcide? First off, I can't believe you would say that to me, would you say it to any other paying customer that called you looking to hire? Secondly, I have the ability to pay independently as it would seem. Thirdly, if you have such a concern about where I get my money from maybe I should find someone else to do this work for me." I wasn't yelling, let's just say, I was intense.

"Sookie I'm sorry, that was out of line." Alcide sounded contrite.

"You bet your ass it was." I huffed. "Apology accepted though." I paused for a moment, collecting myself. "What time do you think that you could have your guy out here?"

We talked for a few moments more, just with regards to my needs on the house, and then we disconnected. Pam was sitting at my kitchen table, looking around at the worn linoleum and the kitchen table that had seated generations of Stackhouse's.

"This isn't befitting Eric you know." God she was such a snob.

"Yeah, well it befits me."

I started telling her about my ideas for the backyard area of the house, possibly putting a small deck in, and a garden. I realized that I was much stronger now; there was really no reason that with a little self education, I couldn't do a ton of work around here on my own. I could certainly handle it physically. Pam nodded, bored like.

"Look did you want to go and get a True Blood at Merlotte's? I should probably go to the Grab It Quick and buy some for the house, I only have 4 left, and the way I'm going through them, I don't feel comfortable not having at least a dozen here." Pam looked at me with one eyebrow raised.

"Pam I know I am not supposed to do anything dangerous, but he said not to leave Bon Temps." I looked at her pointedly. "So I'm not leaving Bon Temps by buying blood, and going to the bar I used to work at."

She tapped her finger on the table. "Ok," she said suddenly.

"Great," I was surprised that she said yes so quickly. I wasn't looking for trouble, I was just bored a bit and I really missed Sam.

"Let me get ready Pam." I zipped back to my bedroom, pleased and nervous about going to Merlotte's. I knew Pam would have my back, and I figured it should be okay.

I picked out a pair of faded jeans, and a neat belt with embroidery all over it. I pulled out a pink plaid farm girl shirt that was cut fairly low, and had a little ruffle across the bosom. I had owned it for quite some time, and I always felt really comfortable in it and a little sexy too. I brushed my hair out, and put in a black hair band to keep it out of my face. I put on a pink lipstick and some mascara to bring out my eyes, and checked myself out in the mirror. I looked so different... I slipped a cardigan over my arm, and slipped my feet into a pair of ballet flats and I was ready.

I walked back out into the living room, and Pam looked at me and rolled her eyes. "Are we going to a barn raising? Seriously, where do you find these clothes?" She walked over and fingered the shirt, and then looked down at her designer ensemble. "Well let's go. You better behave yourself."

I was excited and as we got into Pam's minivan, I felt a twinge of nervousness too. What if they all hated me? They all thought I was a freak before, what would they think of me now?

We went to the Grab It Quick first, and I bought three six packs of True Blood, and put them in the back of the van. Then we went back to Merlotte's. We pulled into a moderately full parking lot and I could hear the music in the wafting out of the bar.

I took a deep and unnecessary breath, and Pam looked at me. "Ready?"

"Yeah, I am." So I got out of the car.

You could have heard a pin drop when I walked into Merlotte's for the first time as a vampire. There were two or three audible gasps, and several people refused to look my way. A couple people smiled tentatively and waved, and then I was being swooped up in a large, warm hug. The shifter smell enveloped me and I felt Sam's familiar mind penetrating my shields.

"Chere, you look fantastic. Come on sit down, at the bar with me – Pam you too, come on." Sam led us back over towards the bar, and we sat down. He gave Pam a meaningful look and inclined his head towards the back of the bar. Pam went for a stroll, but I couldn't see anything of interest back there. However, I could sense that Sam was really glad to see me. I also sensed that he wanted to maintain control of the situation in his bar, and that if he as the owner had personally invited the new vampire to sit with him, then he could hold sway over how I was treated.

I had only been sitting there a brief moment, when a warm blood was popped in front of me and Hoyt Fortenberry came walking up to the bar.

"Hey Sookie, you look fantastic. I just wanted to say that to you. I'm really glad that you are still with us, I couldn't imagine not seeing you around." He smiled his open face lighting up – and I saw Holly, one of my co worker bartenders smile at me from across the room. "Some folks might not feel the same way, but I sure do, in fact a lot of us do, and I just wanted you to know that."

I felt my throat constrict, and I saw Terry Bellefleur, Sam, Catfish Hennessey, and a bunch of other regulars all nodding their heads in agreement, as they came over to stand near me.

"Guys this means so much to me. It's going to be an adjustment that's for sure, for everyone but I sure am glad that you are all supporting me." I smiled brightly. I saw Arlene's face across the room, twisted into a scowl. When she met my eyes, she shot me a dirty look and turned away. I felt a wave of sadness, because I knew that I had once considered Arlene a very close friend and now, it looked as though I had lost her.

Hoyt caught my gaze, and he stuck his finger in my face. "Now don't you go getting all sad now Sookie," he said gently shaking his finger at me. "Like I already told you, the ones that matter are here for you – the rest can go fly a kite." He looked meaningfully at Arlene, who was keeping well over to the other side of the bar.

The group of regulars slowly made their way back to their tables, after talking to me a bit, and I felt a lot better about Bon Temps in general. It took a huge weight off my chest to have that done, and to know where I stood in the town that I had grown up in. I noticed that I didn't see Jason anywhere in the bar, and I asked Sam about it.

"Well Chere, he got lippy one too many times, about things he shouldn't have been talking about. I asked him to leave a few nights ago, and told him not to return until he learned some respect." I understood exactly what Sam was talking about. "You don't have many people who are opposed to you being a vampire, but the ones that are – are really vocal." He looked at me a little apprehensively. "There's a vampire guy at the back of the bar right now. Pam is talking to him. Do you know him?"

I turned my head to look, surprised that I hadn't noticed. But then again, I had put my shields up before I came in, and hadn't really expected there to be another vamp. The vamp that Pam was talking to was small and blonde and extremely youthful male vampire. It was Sophie Anne's bodyguard or whatever he was to her. The one I had met on the first night after I'd risen. His name, as I recalled – was Andre. Pam was speaking to him, but she didn't look upset or anything, but I did catch a glimmer of annoyance. She caught me looking at her, and said something to Andre, in such a low tone that I couldn't hear it, even with my new and improved hearing. He nodded and she stood up. He raised his glass of blood to me, and took a sip to acknowledge me, but remained at his table.

Pam returned to the bar. She looked at me pointedly. "Finish up, and let's get going. Don't make it look obvious we are in a rush, but we are definitely going to be cutting this short. The queen is sending people to watch you."

I tried not to look surprised at her revelation, and Sam had a worried look on his face as he wiped down the top of the bar. "Where's Eric?" Sam wouldn't know.

"Vegas, he was called there for some sort of Summit." Sam nodded, but the worried look didn't leave his face.

I was about half way through my blood, and was going to barrel it back – when I felt a tap on my shoulder. I turned to look and there stood my brother, drunk as a skunk, eyes red and tired.

"You shouldn't be here Sookie. What if you lose control and start eating people." He swayed as he said it, and my lips turned up in disgust.

"Don't worry Jason, I'm leaving soon." I tipped the glass up to my mouth, and swigged it back. He gagged.

"Where's your maker?" He spit out that last word. "Already dump you off on one of his lackeys?" Did he just call Pam a lackey? I bit back a grin, and Jason caught it. It infuriated him even more, and he reached out and cuffed me alongside my head. He didn't do it hard, but I remembered all to well when he hit me after Gran died and my temper flared. Pam interceded though by grabbing Jason and pulling him away, and Sam had me by the arm.

"That's right Jason, blame me for this – blame me for everything. God forbid you take responsibility for something in your own life. Do you think I asked for this? Did I ever ask for anything? No I didn't, but you go ahead and blame me anyhow. But hear me out, you just belted me for the last time Jason Stackhouse, next time, I'll hit back." His eyes widened, and I felt his fear of me throb and sheer impulse took me over. "Now you go on back home Jason, maybe you should figure out the errors of your own ways, and start with apologizing to all the women you've taken advantage of over the years instead of looking at me like I'm the enemy." I gave him a little mental shove, and he flinched.

He looked dazed for a moment, and then he turned bewildered back towards the exit. He staggered drunkenly for a moment, and then he stopped next to a petite brunette.
"Grace, look I just wanted to say that I'm real sorry, for that time I told you that we were going to go to that party, and I didn't show up. I apologise." Grace looked stunned, but had been close enough to hear what I had done. She glanced up at me and shrugged her shoulders. "Okay, I guess."

He moved back towards the door again, stopping once more at another brunette, this one whose name I didn't know. He spoke to her a moment too, and she gave him an obscene hand gesture and turned her back on him. He looked miserable, but he continued towards the door, stopping to speak to two more women before he mercifully left the bar.

"God in heaven." Sam looked shocked. "Did you do that Sookie? I never thought I'd see the day when Jason Stackhouse had to face his catting around. Is that a normal thing? Can all you vampires do that?"

Pam shook her head, "No, not all vampires can do that. Ours is more that we can make humans forget certain events, or we can make them do something, but it's more of an immediate thing, not an entirely new path that we set them on like Jason's road to apologies. I really wish you would have told me that you could do that Sookie." She looked at me seriously.

"Honestly Pam, I'm still kind of figuring all this out. I didn't know it was going to happen."

"Well we've got a problem then." I looked at her questioningly. "Eric is travelling out of state, and Andre has just left the bar. I'll give you one guess to where he's headed."

I looked back towards the table he had been sitting at and it was empty, a half full bottle of True Blood sitting there, on top of a twenty dollar bill.

"He's going to go tell the queen what he saw, isn't he?" I saw the problem.

"You bet he is. And I owe Eric a thousand dollars now." She looked pissed off, and I asked her why.

"Because he bet me that even in the most mundane of situations that you would still manage to find a way to cause trouble, and I said no that you wouldn't. I just lost that bet."