All Hell Breaks Loose

Chapter 10: Picking up the Pieces

Jason didn't have much in the way for breakfast. There were a few half full boxes of cereal, bread for toast, pre cooked bacon that Gran would have raised hell if she ever found out one of her grandchildren were using instead of buying it raw and cooking it properly, and coffee, milk and orange juice. Sookie poured herself a bowl and filled it with milk while Jason got her coffee.

"Andy called while you were in the shower," he said as he sat down next to her. "According to the report the fire was only just started when you guys got out of the house and we called it in."

"That's good," Sookie said before she took a bite of her corn flakes.

"Most of the house is unscathed," Jason continued. "The kitchen is extra crispy and the back porch and there is some smoke damage at other parts."

"The insurance agents will be there soon," Sookie guessed. Gran always made certain they had good homeowners insurance. Katrina did take out some of the windows and part of the roof when she blew down a tree. She remembered how Gran thanked them for showing up the next day and wondering if other places didn't have it worse. The company assured her they had hundreds of agents spread out in this part of the state. Rita also blew hard but the house was unscathed because of the repairs.

"I'll take you and Tara over there. You can get your things and don't have to keep borrowing Jessica's clothes."

"I do want to see how bad it is," Sookie said. She was wearing an old shirt of Jason's but one of Jessica's skirts. "I need to ask Lafayette for a favor."

"What kind of favor?" He had his eyebrows raised.

"Not for anything illegal." She smacked her brother with a dishrag. "I just want him to look something up for me." She placed the scrap of paper with the address down on the coffee table before she fell asleep on the couch.

"That's kind of an odd request."

"He has all kinds of resources." She took a sip from her cup and blinked. Jason gave her two spoons of sugar instead of one.

"If you say so." Jason took a sip from his cup and made a face. "I could of sworn I put in two spoons."

"I think we got our cups mixed."

"Yeah." He laughed. "How long has it been since that happened?"

"Four years at least." She smiled. A part of the new Sookie will be one who will spend more meal times with her brother.

The stairs were clear to climb in fact most of the old house was able to maneuver about. After dropping off the address and picking up Tara Sookie and Jason arrived at the house. Most of the place was salvageable save for the kitchen.

"Any dishes, Sook?" Tara called out from upstairs where she was packing up her clothes.

"There are some," Sookie answered as she carefully walked around the soaked and singed damage. Several pots were warped from the heat and everything that was plastic had melted but most of the plates, glasses and silverware were still fine. All of the appliances were pretty much shot though.

"Going to need a lot of work, huh," Jason said. He brought a few boxes and newspapers. "New roof, new floor, new paint job and curtains."

"Going to need a lot of new things," Sookie said as she helped her brother wrap dishes in newspaper. Once the got everything back to Jason's she was going to have to wash everything. "I feel bad about this."

"Why? You didn't set fire to the place."

"No. It's just that Eric had gone to all the trouble to get everything cleaned up and look nice since that maenad trashed it and this happens."

"You think he might help out again?"

Sookie shook her head. "Eric has enough problems on his own." She tried not think about the last words she exchanged with both vampires. That was funny thinking about both of them.

"You miss them?"

She sighed. "I just don't know anymore." Why did things have to be so complicated for her? If she could make a wish it would be for that the world would be normal, no vampires, no weres, no shapeshifters, or fairies or anything else. She would be a normal girl. Granted this would mean that Eric would have been dead and in the earth for a thousand years and Bill might not have even lived to see the start of the 20th century but she would have never met them and not have cared. She would have married some other guy by now and their relationship would not be complicated.

Sookie looked up when she felt Jason rub her arm.

"Gonna be okay, sis."

"Don't get all WB teen drama on me," Sookie said as she forced herself to smile. "Lets finish this."

After they had packed up the dishes and the clothes and got Tara's things squared away they stepped outside to see Maxine Fortenberry standing in front of her car holding several plastic laundry baskets.

"Oh shit," Jason grumbled as he set a few boxes down on the porch.

"I don't think she blames you," Sookie said as the older woman walked up to them.

"I'm going to keep my distance just for safety sakes."

"It's Maxine, one of the last people you should be afraid of, Jason." She plastered on a smile and turned to face her visitor. "Hells Mrs. Fortenberry."

"I heard bout what happened," Maxine said as she set the baskets down. "I'm no handy woman but I thought I could wash your gals clothes for you. I also baked some apple fritters for you and Tara."

"Why thank you." Sookie could not figure out Maxine. There had been times when she would hurl insults at Sookie and her friends and other times she is comforting them with a hug and a slice of fresh baked pie.

"Hells Mrs. Fortenberry," Jason said in his most sugary sweet tone.

"Don't you even think of talking to me, boy," Maxine said as she waved a finger at Jason. "Hoyt told what you did with that blood sucking slut." Thank you Jason for breaking them up. Maybe now my Hoyt will settle down with a nice and sweet girl.

Sookie tried not to express her annoyance. "I'll tell Tara."

"I'll help you carry it back to my car and make sure you and Tara eat the fritters and don't share any with that brother of yours."

They got the clothes loaded up into Maxine's car and she promised Hoyt would drop off Tara's stuff at Lafayette's and Sookie's at Jason's.

"Looks like you are going to be a bit popular," Maxine said another vehicle was coming up. Sookie had thought it would be the insurance company but instead it was Alcide.

"Sookie," Alcide greeted her as soon as he stepped out. "I heard about it." He embraced her and whispered. "I know about the wolves. The Fuck You pack is resurfacing all over Jackson. Colonel Flood is keeping tabs."

"He's actually doing something about it?" Sookie whispered back.

"Not much but anything is better."

"Is it all right if we talk?" Sookie asked the others.

"Chat all you want," Maxine sad as she handed Tara a large plate covered with foil. "I have laundry to do and lots of more chores." She slipped into her car. "Your clothes will be nice and clean and smelling fresh."

"Bye Mrs. Fortenberry," Tara said as the older woman pulled out of the driveway and onto the road. "Thanks for everything." She dropped her voice. "You racist ignorant bitch."

"Tara," Sookie chastised her.

"I know, I know she is being nice and all and she didn't hear me so why should I give a fuck?"

"I guess it's safe to speak out loud," Alcide said. "I know some weres from the Shreveport pack. Now a lot of them are ticked that Marcus is dead and more are afraid of Edgington's wolves but there are some who want to help."

"What are they going to do?"

"Sniff around," Alcide answered. "Tell you who all is aligned with him. They are also going to do security around your place. I told them they can squat at Bill's."

"How will I know if they are not from the F.Y. pack?"

"Already thought ahead. They will be wearing blue bandanas around their neck in wolf form."

"I don't know how to thank you."

"Save your words for after I give you this." He handed her a bag from a Verizon store. "Figured you might not be able to use your home phone. It's not one of those big fancy I-phones but we can communicate."

"I can't accept this." Even if it wasn't big or fancy like he said it was still pricey.

"We need to communicate. I got it all set up and everything. All you have to do is load it with all the numbers of people you want to call, pick out a picture for the screen and a ring tone."

"But Alcide-"

"But nothing. If you want to pay me back then you can but I want you to be able to have access to communication at all times."

"Fine." She knew there was no way her pride was going to win this one. "Thank you."

"More incoming," Tara said as she slapped Jason's hand away from the plate. "I heard what Maxine Fortenberry said. You aint gonna get one."

Sookie turned and watched as a dark blue sedan pull up and a man and a woman in suits step out. They were both neatly manicured and both had pins advertising Security Blanket insurance.

"Jason could you take Tara back to Lafayettes?" Sookie asked. "This might take a while."

A/N: I'm having Sookie stay with Jason in this fic series. I like the idea of them having cute brother and sister moments.

Maxine did offer to do laundry for Sookie in the books and even though she is a lot nastier in the series she also has her sweet moments, like taking in Tommy and comforting Sam at Tommy's funeral

This will end up Sookie/Eric but I plan on Sookie going on a "Fake" date later with another character and Friend dates with Alcide.

Anonymous : Thank you again. I don't like fics that bash so I try not to do that and I have no idea what AB has planned. He shocked me a few times with the season 4 finale.