The end was coming near, and the Bon Temps vampires were more than happy that their vampire brethren would cease disappearing. It was the night shift at Merlotte's, and busier than usual. I sat at the bar, chatting with Tara and keeping an eye on the entrance for any unwanted individuals. There had been an increased presence of wolves over the past week, but knowing our power, none of them had dared make a move while Delilah and I were around. Not unless they had a death wish.

It killed me that we had to wait even longer to go after Riggs, but with the wolves running around in the woods here, I couldn't leave. It wasn't safe.

I ran my finger absently over the rim of an empty shot glass, and zoned out, my eyes blurring as I lost focus on the double doors. The leather groaned as someone took a seat beside me, and I glanced over to see who it was. Throughout the day, and night, no one had sat near me. Instead, they stayed as far away from me as possible. I don't blame them…if I was human, I wouldn't go near someone like me. Our high energy levels tend to be overwhelming for humans, and can make them sick easily. We have a very powerful presence, are intimidating, and are very aware of that fact.

The shot glass was pulled out from under my hand. I frowned and glanced over to my right. Jessica sat with her legs crossed on the stool, holding the tiny glass, a curious look on her face. "You don't look like the drinking type," She said.

I looked up and smiled. I haven't seen Jessica in a while, and it's nice to see a friendly face.

"I'm not, but let me tell you, if I was human? I'd be drinking a whole lot right now," I said, snatching the cup from her hands. "Only thing I want now, is blood."

Jessica turned and rest her arms on the countertop, sighing heavily. "Tell me about it. I haven't fed in so long, all I've had are those stupid Tru Blood's," She rolled her eyes.

"So why not feed? You're a vampire for Heaven's sake. What's keeping you?"

"Bill doesn't approve of me feeding on humans, and my boyfriend…I can't feed on him all the time…and it just isn't right to go out and feed on other people," Jessica said, sounding frustrated, "but I just can't live on this fake blood shit!"

"So feed, Jessica," I said, leaning forward. "Don't worry about what anyone else thinks, or wants. You should do as you please. And if that involves hunting down a human and draining them to the very last drop, then so be it."

"Nobody else seems to see it that way," She grumbled.

I laughed. "Well…you got me now, lucky you. And if you ever want someone to tag along, I'll be happy to accompany you. Hunting's always been one of my favorite things to do," I said with a grin.

"Hunting is what you were born to do. Right?"

"Mhm," I nodded. "And I love it."

Jessica fell silent and hunched over, her hands fiddling with the stitching on the bottom of her apron. I watched as her face went slack, lips pressed tightly together, eyes darting every which way. I inched closer. Stress, hunger, thirst…the feelings were so strong. Tangible. I nudged Jessica's arm, breaking her out of the trance she was in.

"You alright?" I asked.

"Huh? Oh, yeah, I'm fine. Just a little stressed," She said, rubbing her hands up and down her arms.

"I can tell."

"How?"

I shrugged. "I can sense what you're feeling. Can almost feel it myself, too."

"Hm," Was her response, vague and disinterested. She clapped her hands on her thighs. "I've got some more tables to wait. It's so damn busy tonight."

"I noticed," I said, looking around at all the happy, laughing, and most likely drunk, diners. "Luckily closing time is near. Shouldn't be much longer before you can get out of this hick infested joint."

"Yeah, and go back home and watch TV," She rolled her eyes. "What a way to spend my night."

I frowned. My night would probably be spent the same way, seeing as once Sookie was in the hands of her vampire Bill, my services were no longer needed. I could either travel on over to Fangtasia to be in the company of Eric for the remainder of the night, or go back home and lay in bed. I scowled. My night will not be spent in bed.

I need something to do.

Something to keep me occupied for the time being.

Only a half hour left til I'm out of here…

"You've been playing with that glass all night," Sam said, wiping down the counter. "Is sitting here really that boring for you?"

I handed the cup over so it could be cleaned. "It is. I'd rather stick pins in my eyes than sit here in the corner all day," I groaned. "I feel like I'm on time-out."

Sam laughed. "You could always help the girls out and wait tables."

"Again, I'd rather stick pins in my eyes…" I trailed off, chuckling softly. I'm not much of a people person.

"Or help in the kitchen. It's something to think about," His eyes peeked up at me as he scrubbed the dirty glasses.

He's right. It is something to think about. During my time with Alistair, I had taken a job to help support him, and to keep our home. Unfortunately, the tips he received nightly were not enough to pay rent on the somewhat small home Alistair had purchased on the outskirts of town. I had taken a job as a cook, a rare occupation for a woman at the time, hell it was rare enough that I was even working. Women then were expected to stay home and take care of the house. I didn't give a shit; I wasn't about to let us be thrown from our home.

Much to my surprise, the couple that owned the only restaurant in town were delighted to have an extra hand in the kitchen, especially on their busy nights. Most of the town would show up to enjoy each other's company, and most importantly, a nice, hot, cooked meal.

Ralph and Alice were their names, a lovely young successful couple, a couple who took me in with open arms and taught me how to cook just about anything. The two of them were fanatics when it came to food, the two of them traveling around and trying new foods, flavors and ways of cooking. And all that they had learned, was shared with me. Learning was useless, considering the fact I couldn't eat the food, but I always enjoyed the smells that filled the kitchen. Cooking kept me busy, and I liked that.

"I'll think about it," I yawned. "Where's Sookie?" I asked slowly, realizing I hadn't seen her in a while.

"She left a little while ago, I'm afraid. Why?"

I leaned forward. "What do you mean she left? Sookie is not to leave unless she checks with me, and even after that, I'm supposed to escort her to wherever she's going."

Sam shook his head. "Well, she just popped in my office and said she had some business to attend to. Vampire business. I assumed it was with Bill."

"Fuck!" I snapped, slamming my fist down on the bar, causing the mugs of the last few patrons to bounce. I mumbled my apology and glared at Sam. "How the fuck did I not notice? Seriously! Who was she with?"

He shifted his weight onto his other leg and thought back. "That friend of yours, I think….yeah! I saw her meet your friend out in the parking lot. Delilah's her name, right?"

"Yeah," I said harshly, "yeah, it is. Where's Jessica?"

"Uh…" He turned around, his nose twitching as he sniffed. "She's in the back. She should be, anyway."

I barged into the kitchen like a mad man, breathing heavily and baring long, sharp fangs. A startled Terry and Lafayette spun around on their heels toward me, eyes bulging out of their heads. Terry clapped a hand over his chest, Lafayette approached me, his hand wrapped tightly around the handle of a butcher knife.

"Bitch, what the fuck is your problem storming in here like that?" He asked, voice filled the brim with attitude, and that attitude dissipated quickly as his eyes settled on my mouth. "Oh, shit. What the hell is going on now?"

"Sookie. Sookie's fucking gone, and she wasn't supposed to leave without me," I said, looking around the room. "Have you seen Jessica?"

"I'm right here, what's-"

I turned quickly at the sound of her voice, and grabbed her by the elbow. With my free hand, I undid the knot of the back of her apron and tossed the cloth at Sam as I led her outside. He called out as we left.

"You better find her!"

"Find who?" Jessica asked, concerned. "What's wrong?"

I raised my arms. "Sookie's gone. Supposedly Delilah has her, picked her up so that she could deal with some vampire business."

"Maybe Eric needed her?" Jessica suggested.

"If he did need her, I'd have known. I would have been there. God dammit," I cursed, "she knows she's not supposed to go anywhere!"

"Sookie doesn't necessarily listen to what she's told," Jessica said, wincing.

"No kidding," I ran my hands through my hair. "You're coming with me."

"Where?"

"My house first. Then Fangtasia," I took off down the road, Jessica following behind me.

And then a little church a few towns over.

We skidded to a halt on the sidewalk, and crossed the street, approaching my house. None of the lights were on, but through the large window in the front, I could see the blue glow of the television flashing on the walls, and the top of someone's head peeking out over the back of the couch. "Jessica, I think you might get your chance to feed tonight."