All Hell Breaks Loose

Chapter 3: I Want to Hold Your Hand

Sookie wasn't sure how they were going to return home without much time passing although Claude had promised they would. She wished he would explain it but instead he had vanished, leaving Sookie along to watch the glowing flowers at work.

Now that Tara was being taken care of she could think about her big decision. She wanted to be alone for a while, live as a single girl. What is she going to do on her nights off? Maybe she will go see more movies, or even head over to Shreveport to explore the non vampire clubs and bars. There were always the high school games. She could also do a little more web surfing, something she never did much do before but she had heard people talk about chat rooms and message boards and sites to either create or adopt a cute little made up critter. That did sound like it might be some fun.

"This is for you," Claude had returned holding up two gowns made out of silvery white material that seemed to be made of delicate material. "One is for you and the other is for your friend."

"Thank you," Sookie said as she studied the gown. She was still a mess and she figured Tara would be naked since her body was being regenerated. "Is there a place for me to clean up?"

"Over there," Claude said and pointed to a nearby pond that Sookie hadn't noticed before. The water was clear as crystal and emitting a soft blue-green glow.

"I'm not going to have to stay here if I accidentally swallow some of that water?"

Claude shook his head.

"I have to stay anyway as payment for saving Tara?"

"No. I only believe those should stay if they want to stay. Forcing people to stay in our world out of duress is one policy I never agreed with."

Sookie nodded and headed over to the pond. "You are not going to watch are you?" She wanted to get out of her grimy and blood stained clothes but didn't want her fairy god uncle to watch."

"I will not watch." He faded out of view.

Sookie tore off her clothes and jumped inside the pond. It felt cool but not cold. She held up her hands after she had held them under water and blinked. Arlene once convinced her to go with her to get fancy manicures where they had their hands scrubbed with two different kinds of soaps and had lotion applied. Sookie's hands looked just like her hands did after that. She held her breath and dipped her whole head in the water before she climbed out.

"I just need a towel," she said as she made way to one of the two dresses that was hanging from a thin green vine like branch. She didn't feel wet as she looked down on herself she was dry. She slipped into the gown easily. She could not believe how soft it was. "I love this dress."

"I am glad you like it," Claude said after he materialized again. "They are made from special spider like creatures we call Arachnes. One mischievous one named Anansi came to your world."

"I have a few questions," Sookie said as she ran her fingers through her hair. The water did something amazing to it as well. It not only washed and conditioned it but also got rid of the split ends and tangles.

"You may ask."

"With so few of you left why are you guys fighting each other?"

Claude frowned slightly. "Many of us feel Mab has gone mad and is abusing her power. She is corrupt and needs to be overthrown. Her son, Oberon wants her to step down but she refused. He had pleaded with her before things got worse and she banished him."

"I'm not sure if I want to get swept up into fairy politics," Sookie said. She had enough with human and vampire politics and then there were were politics as well.

"You don't have to."

"I also want to know how we are going return home without much time passing."

"This is not Faery."

"Then where are we?"

"We are in a pocket dimension. Time here is different. Hours that are spent here will be no more than minutes in your world."

"Oh." That did seem like it would be better, much better.

"You seem weary. This night has been very trying and harsh for you. Lie down and rest for a while. I will watch over you."

"Thank you again," Sookie said as she curled up on the grass. It felt more like a blanket made out of velvet than actual grass and had the mixed aromas of mint, citrus and vanilla. She inhaled the scent as she closed her eyes.

Shreveport

"Pam?" Eric called out as soon as he stepped foot into Fangtasia. He wasn't sure if she wanted to face him or not after what he had said to her. He was still upset with some of her latest actions but he could understand she was hurting and upset and felt lost. "Pam where are you?"

"Eric?" Ginger asked him. She was dressed up as a porn star style of nurse. "Where have you been?

"Silvered and nearly burned at the stake," Eric answered. "Where is Pam?"

"Holed up in your office," Ginger explained. "A lot of us are upset with what you said to her. Alistair was so disgusted with how you favored a human over Pam that he also quit."

"We have bigger issues," Eric said. He did not need to think about replacing any employees now. "Go through the resume folder on the computer and set up interviews. I need to speak with Pam."

"Mr. Herveaux is on his way. Oh and before I forget the new waitress will start tomorrow night."

Eric nodded. He figured the werewolf would head to Fangtasia or to Bon Temps if he couldn't find Eric at the club.

"I wish to be alone with her. When he arrives offer him a drink on the house and ask him to wait. The same goes for Mr. Compton and Mr. Stackhouse."

"I'll stand by the entrance," Ginger offered.

Eric knocked on the door to his office. "Pam, are you in there? Do you want me to come in?"

Silence was his answer until he heard Pam's voice call out. "The real Eric Northman wouldn't knock on his own office. He would storm in and demand to talk to me."

Fine if that is how she wanted it. Eric nearly kicked in the door and found Pam curled up in the corner. He marched right up and her and stared down at her.

"What the hell do you want?" She asked. She was a mess. Her hair was tangled, make up smudged and there were thin reddish brown streaks trailing down from her eyes.

"I am going to talk to you and you will listen," He answered in his most demanding and controlling voice.

"No."

"As your Maker I command you to listen to me, now stand up." He waited for her to rise to her feet. "Now we will talk."

"This better not be about your precious fairy girl," Pam snarled. Her eyes were filled with pure hatred.

"This about you and me and the news that was recently delivered," Eric closed his eyes. "My mind was altered. I became something else and the spell is broken but I have memories from that time. I won't ever be exactly the same but I am the old me."

Her expression did not change. "This is supposed to make me feel better?"

"I said some things I shouldn't have said, maybe. We both have done things we shouldn't have. I was tied to a stake. Bill suggested that I call you for help. I suggested he call his progeny and he refused. I was a little upset he was willing to sacrifice you for us."

"Keep talking."

"I would never ask you to risk your own immortality for me." He rubbed his finger against one of the streaks. "You are the best progeny a Maker could ask for. You have served me well for over a hundred years. Remember that time in '77 at Studio 54?"

"How could I forget?" A small smile crept on her face. "You wanted to wear those platform shoes and I told you that you were tall enough and you would look ridiculous." She ran her fingers through her locks. "I had hair like Farah. I lost count of how many times I glamoured Liza and there was that time with you and Warhol."

"While you watched," Eric said. "How many times did I have to talk you out of trying to turn David Bowie?"

"Five times," Pam said and sat back down on the floor. "Then I grew bored with the idea."

"Then you wanted to move on to Adam Ant." Eric sat down next to her.

"Mr. Goody Two Shoes indeed. I bet he was into some freaky sex."

Eric laughed as he placed an arm around her. He brought up several more memories, feeding off of flower children during Woodstock, meeting Ernest Hemmingway and T.S, Elliot in Europe, going to drive ins and snacking on the humans they way they snacked on popcorn, the members of royalty, parliament and various branches of government they had romanced and fed on.

Reminiscing came to a screeching halt when arguments were growing louder outside the door. Eric had instructed Ginger to let the guests in and offer them refreshments. He also asked to not be disturbed. He didn't ask her to stand guard.

"We will continue this," Eric said as he stood back up and stormed out of his office.

Alcide and Bill were glaring at the direction of Jason Stackhouse and Jessica who was dressed in an alluring Little Red Riding hood costume.

"What is he doing here?" Bill demanded. His fangs were out.

"I'm trying to explain," Jason said as both he and Jessica were forming a protective barrier in front of the third member of their party.

Eric felt his body fill with rage when he saw who it was. With out a single word his fangs extracted as he dashed up to Steve Newlin and shoved him against the wall with enough force to cause the framed pictures to shake and one to even fall to the floor.

Eric had expected to see fear in the human's eyes, have him lose control of his bladder, put on a false mask of bravery and spout some bullshit that his death would increase the rage of his flock and prove that vampires were the very monster he preached about. What he didn't expect to see were two fangs to pop out in the reverend's mouth.

A/N: Thank you all to my readers.

I figured if there was a Mab then there was a good possibility that there would be an Oberon as well and he would be the one in charge of the rebellion.

After seeing Bill in early 80's punk mode I imagined what Eric and Pam looked like at that time and believed they would have hung out in Studio 54.

Next chapter will be a little different.