All Hell Breaks Loose

Chapter 32: Holiday

Sookie had a long shift that started at noon and ended at eight. It wasn't too busy compared to the day before and there were still a good amount of tips. Somehow Sookie managed to pull a muscle in her leg near the end of her shift and by the time she was done she was also experiencing some pain in her upper back around her shoulders.

Jessica was able to come in and work around seven and would be off around midnight. She did seem like she was doing much better although there were a few times she appeared distressed and Sookie figured it was because of Bill.

"You know we will find him," Sookie promised.

"I know," Jessica sighed. "I also know we have our bumps in the road of our relationship, but he's still ten times a better father to me than my daddy was."

"He did have children before he was turned."

"I know," Jessica said and nodded. "And we work with one of his great great great grandsons." Her smile faded. "Should we tell them?"

"They have enough on their plate without this," Sookie said. "And I think until we find Bill he would appreciate it if we helped Terry out with Patrick."

"I don't like Arlene but I will help anyway I can for Terry and those kids."

"Thank you," Sookie said and half walked half limped.

"Sookie are you okay?"

"Just a muscle pull. I'll be all right for the night."

Despite Sam suggesting she should call it in Sookie stayed on for her full shift and once she was done she drove to Bill's house where there were a few weres in human form standing guard. The pack's members would be taking turns to watch over the area. In addition she was informed from Steve that there would be a few members of the Authority patrolling the area a few times a week in search of Russell's minions.

"Hi Sookie," one of them greeted when she came up to the doorway.

"Is your leg bothering you?" Another were asked.

"A little," Sookie said. "Thank you for your concern."

"I think they might have a fully stocked first aid cabinet," the first one said. "I rummaged around after getting a thorn in my hand."

"I think I might be fine," Sookie said and held up her purse. "I have some Tylenol in here." She walked through the doors and came face to face with Eric.

"Hello Sookie," Eric greeted her and looked her up and down. "You are injured?"

"What are you doing here?" Sookie asked. "You have to keep a low profile, remember?"

"Steve brought me over," Eric explained and pulled the large pair of sunglasses from his pocket. "I also wore one of your brother's hats." He looked deep into her eyes. "Now are you injured?"

"Just a sore back," Sookie lied. "I'll just take some pain killers in my purse and get plenty of rest tonight."

"You are also limping." He pointed to his ear. "I could hear the sound of your footsteps and the usual rhythm is off."

"You memorized my foot step rhythm?" Sookie wasn't sure if she should be impressed with that little detail or freaked out.

"Let me take care of you."

"I can take care of myself."

"Please don't be stubborn if anything let it be in regards to you taking care of me when I lost my memory. Now please tell me where it hurts."

"Muscle pull in my thigh," Sookie said.

"Please follow me." Eric turned to lead her through the house.

"I've been here before and besides it isn't really Bill's house of now." She knew that technically it was but considering how old Ismene was and the fact that Bill was no longer king she held a great amount of rank over him.

"Hey there, Snooki is it?" Lawrence greeted when they passed by him. He was more laid back in a pair of shorts and a T-shirt with the Tasmanian Devil on it, but he was still wearing those strange goggles on his head.

"It's actually Sookie."

"Oh sorry," Lawrence apologized and looked quite embarrassed.

"It's okay. How are you adjusting to being here?"

He shrugged. "Not bad. Your friend left everything so Cassidy and I had places to sleep and we restocked the fridge. We also bought some popcorn for tonight."

"Sounds good," Sookie said.

"I hope you will excuse us," Eric said as they passed through. He led Sookie to the bathroom. "I want you to have more privacy."

"I don't have to pee."

"No a bath."

"I prefer a shower after work."

"For your leg," Eric said and pointed at her leg. "The warm water will help with the sore muscle."

"Sore muscle?" Valentino asked from behind.

"Does everyone have to know?" Sookie asked.

"I just want to help," the other vampire said. He had also gone casual and was wear a cranberry hued bathrobe over a black shirt and matching pajama pants. "I'll be right back." He dashed off at vampire speed and returned later with a container of salt and a handful of bright green leaves that smelled sweet and refreshing.

"What are those?" Eric asked.

"Fresh mint leaves and Epsom salt," Valentino explained. "You put this in the bath and it helps with the pain. I always recommend this to Cassidy after she has a good workout. The mint is also good for a bath when you have a head cold."

"You know a lot about natural and herbal healing?" Eric asked in an impressed tone.

"I was a doctor in my day," Valetino said. "Back when I was practicing medicine what we called medical science and professional healing is what they call new agey today."

"Thank you," Sookie said as she accepted the mint leaves and salt. "How much should I use?"

"All the leaves," Valentino instructed. "And about a cup of salt."

"I'd hate to use all of your mint."

"I'm sure they have more," Eric said and brushed a few strands of her hair out of her eyes. "You need to take care of yourself."

"There is plenty," Valentino assured her. "I think Cassidy bought too much. She likes to make her own herbal teas and Anya prefers fresh leaves to dried and the oils when she cooks and bakes."

"A vampire that cooks real food?" Sookie asked. "Oh you mean that special vampire food Ismene mentioned yesterday."

Valentino chuckled. "Ismene has several homes across the planet and has many humans as friends. Anya loves to cook, especially for them. When she was alive she would cook for her sisters, for the poor and for the orphans her church took care of. Before we leave she will want to cook for you."

"I would be honored," Sookie said. Gran brought her to never say no to an offer of a home cooked meal and she was curious to how a vampire would cook for a human audience.

"I will let her know," Valentino said before he walked off.

"Sookie, now is a good time for your bath," Eric said and pointed to the tub. "I will stand guard outside."

"How will I know you won't try and peek at me?" Sookie asked as she turned on the water and adjusted to real warm, almost hot temperature.

"I swear on the tombs of my parents and sister," Eric said and smirked. "Besides I have already seen everything already." He stepped out of the bathroom before she had a chance to yell at him some more.

Eric was right. The warmth of the bath water did help as well as the salt and the mint. She would thank Valentino when she was done. As soon as she stepped out and grabbed a towel she saw a note on the floor that Eric had slipped underneath, except the handwriting looked more like Jason's.

Hey sis, I found one of Jessica's outfits still there, hung it on the door knob so you would have some clean clothes to change into.

"Thank you, Jason," Sookie whispered as she quickly opened the door and brought in the clothes.

"Sookie," Eric said with a smile as soon as she entered the den. "How are you feeling?"

"Much better," Sookie answered. "Thank you Eric, Valentino and thank you for the clothes Jason. Are you sure Jessica won't mind?"

"I called her at work before I brought it out," Jason said. "She should be here soon."

"What movie are we watching?" Sookie asked.

"Glad you asked," Ismene said. She still had her hair up but she was wearing a dark purple blouse and black skirt. "Tonight I'm in a mood for Roman Holiday."

Jessica arrived a half hour later and by that time all the refreshments were ready. Anya even prepared some miniature sandwiches along with the popcorn, soda and Tru Bloods. Cassidy had her own popcorn that was free from butter and salt and flavored with a light cheese powder and pepper.

Sookie enjoyed the movie. She hadn't seen it since she was nine and she picked up on parts that she had never seen before or didn't remember.

"Did you know that wasn't in the script?" Ismene asked when Gregory Peck's character had put his hand in the Mouth of Truth and pretended that it was bitten off.

"Poor Audrey's scream is genuine."Sookie leaned back as she watched and enjoyed the film. She didn't notice a pair of strong hands take hold of her shoulders and massage them as well as the area behind her back. She was sure it was Eric; it just had to be.

"Miss Ismene," one of the wolves cried out as it entered the house. "We got a situation."

Ismene cursed in Greek as she put the movie on pause. "What is it?"

"A panther," the were answered.

"God damn it," Jason said and was smacked on the hand by Anya. "Sorry." He stood up. "Tell those jackasses that I aint one of them."

"This one isn't full grown," the were said. "And she's injured."

"We should at least see," Sookie said. "They might not even know you are here exactly."

"They probably sniffed me out," Jason grumbled. "Fine I want to look her in the eyes and tell her that I want nothing to do with her or her kind."

"How come none of you have tried to attack her," Eric asked.

"She was already injured," the werewolf answered. "She was bowing her head. Panthers are like us wolves in that aspect. A bowed head means they come in peace."

Even though the Panther might be in peace the other weres that were standing guard had shifted into wolf form and were growling at the small panther that had her head bowed and leg raised.

"What the hell do you want?" Jason asked while both Jessica and Steve stood in front of him.

The panther looked up at Jason before she shifted into a young teenage girl with dark reddish brown hair tied into pigtails. She was sobbing and bleeding from her left arm.

A/N: Sorry for the delay. There were some sign in issues with the site and I got a little distracted.

Today is my daughter's second birthday.

Replies

nko163: Thank you very much.

Anonymous. Yeah they are distant relatives in that sense.