A/N I own NOTHING!

Hey all!

I'm working on a chappy of AED - but thought you would like a chapter for Last Dance since it's been so long.

It isn't my traditional 30,000 words - but it has heart.

Let me know what you think...

Happy reading!

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Chapter 7 - Pressure

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Laf's POV

"Will we get there in time?" Sam asks from beside me.

I smile at my man. He insisted on being with me on this trip. There was no way he wasn't going to miss it. Neither was the person we picked up on the way out of town. Amelia argued that as Sookie's publicist she needed to be there in case something came up. I couldn't really argue the logic. Amelia loves Sookie as much as the rest of us do. Having her back in our lives is a gift none of us thought we would have. She is the missing piece to our puzzle. I wouldn't expect Amelia to stay back. I'm only curious how she kept Pam at bay. Then I remember, Pam has the party tonight. She couldn't be in two places at the same time. I would be disappointed if our Pammy didn't text or call at least ten times this morning. I'm not disappointed so far. We only left Forks an hour ago and Pam has called at least three times.

I sigh at both of them. I should have known that when I planned to leave before dawn this morning that there was no way they would stay away.

I wasn't completely truthful with Sookie. I didn't exactly file the documents she signed the day she signed them, but I did call the DA in New Orleans and sent her everything I had. Annabelle had been a great friend all through law school and she is an amazing DA. Once I told her what was going on and who was involved, she decided to take on the criminal case herself. She also had me send her the documents and as of 11:59 last night, when I got Sookie's email, the files and the email were in the hands of District Attorney Annabelle Mason. She had gotten a warrant and was going in this morning to get all the files. As part of the civil case that we were going to bring against Compton & Compton, we would have access to all documentation found pertaining to Ms. Stackhouse and her grandmother's will. We extended the request to include any and all documents for transactions, distribution of funds and transfer of funds since Gran's death.

I smile when I start to think in legal wording. It's as if I have two brains sometimes.

I pick up Sam's hand. "Don't worry sugar." I say to him. "Anna said she wouldn't go in until we got there." I say to them. "She is taking this one personally."

I had introduced Anna to Sookie several times over the years. As much as Sookie was my little sister at home, Anna was my mentor in my professional life. Their personalities when it came to family and friends were almost identical. They both had a fire for life and a zest for what they believed in. Though, that is where the similarities ended. Anna had a lot to prove and a lot of self-esteem. Where it is becoming painfully obvious that Sookie had a lot of need in that area. For the life of me I will never understand where that insecurity came from. I remember our little ray of sunlight as a child and she would never have let herself be swallowed as completely by darkness as she had been. I wonder what we could have done differently. But that kind of circular thought will get you nowhere.

In a nut shell, Anna likes Sookie. They had gotten along from the get go.

As for Anna, she liked Sookie a lot and loved her writing and spirit even more. It broke her heart when she pulled herself away from us all. I think Anna even tried to see Sookie when she was in the city. But each time she was in the same place as Sookie, that old crow mother Compton would pull her away or get her to speak to someone else.

Annabelle Mason wasn't the "right" kind of people for the Compton political machine. She isn't from the right family or the right school. I'm not sure that even being one of the youngest DA's in the state gives her any brownie points. No, just like the rest of us, we weren't good for William Compton's precious career and therefore removed from Sookie's life.

"Are you sure that she got the warrant?" Amelia asks from the backseat.

I nod and look into the rearview mirror. "She's had it since Wednesday. Probable cause is holding a lot of weight in this. If he did what we think he did, he has been messing with a whole lot of shit he doesn't want anyone to know." I say to her. "We are getting what we need. As good, civil servants, I am turning over what I think the DA needs to prosecute."

"You think his father knew?" Sam asks.

I shrug. "It really makes no difference. If it was done under the umbrella of being her lawyer, he and the firm are liable since they are the only two partners." I say.

"I just got a text from Pam," Amelia says. I smile at myself. That should be the tenth of the morning. "She says good luck and if we aren't back for the party tonight, she is going to have all our heads."

I laugh. No, we would be in deep shit if we didn't make it back. I think I would be more scared to face Pam if we were late than a firing squad.

I look at my watch again. If we don't hit any traffic, we will be pulling up exactly at 9am. I smile. Compton has just been handed his first strike. I wonder how he is going to perform under pressure.

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BPOV

"Get up my love." I say to Lorena. "Come on, it's time to go." I say to her.

"What?" She rolls over.

"Come on, it's time to leave." I say to her.

"Bill," she looks at the clock, "It's six in the morning. We have nowhere to be until next Friday. Why are you waking me at the crack of dawn?" She asks me.

"Because we are getting out of here for the week," I say to her.

She sits up and I can't help but notice the sheet falling away to display her beautiful breasts.

"Bill, what are you talking about?" She asks me.

I lean over the bed and kiss her. "Get in the shower, we leave in 10 minutes." I say to her.

Huffing, she climbs out of bed and heads to the bathroom. As soon as I hear the shower start, I take her cell phone, laptop and blackberry and put them in the bag with mine and zip it shut. If I'm going to be forced to marry Sookie before I expect to, I want this time with Lorena, just us.

I move around the room and make sure we have everything, leaving an outfit out for Lorena.

I turn to see her coming out of the bathroom in a towel and move right to where her blackberry lay just a while ago.

"Bill, where is my blackberry?" She asks me.

I shake my head. "They are off and away until we get back." I say to her.

"BILL! We can't do that." She says to me as she looks around for her cell and laptop. "Bill, you have a campaign to run and we have people to talk to and…"

I cut off her tirade with a kiss. When I look down at her, she is smiling at me. "I've already called the campaign office, they know I need to get away for a few days but they don't know where I'm going. I called my mother and left a message with her personal assistant about, well you know." I say to her.

I watch as she gets dressed and secretly wish we had more time. I would love to rip the clothes off her. However, we will not make the charter if we don't hurry. I want us off the grid completely for this week.

"Are you going to tell me where we are headed?" She asks as she slips on her heels.

I shake my head. "All you need to know is that we are going away, we are going to have no contact with the outside world and we will be able to just be us." I say to her.

I kiss her once more and grab our bags and head toward the door. She hesitates for a moment as if she's contemplating something. When she finally resolves whatever is going on in her head, she follows me out and into the waiting car.

I pull her close. "We need this baby," I say to her.

She leans in on me. "I just hope everything goes okay while we're gone." She says to me.

I laugh a little. "Lorena, it's a week. Nothing's going to happen in a week."

She looks up at me and smiles. Laying her head back down, I revel in the thought that we can just be us for a week. I deal with the rest of my crazy life when we get back.

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William Sr. POV

"Elizabeth, I am not sure what the DA wants," I say to my wife as I take another cup of coffee. "All I know is that I was requested to be at the office at 9am." I say to her.

"But, I don't understand why that woman would want to see you; and on a Saturday no less. Isn't that why you have an office manager?" She asks me. "Why does this need to concern you?"

I huff. "Lizzy, I don't know, alright?" I go to stand and button my coat. "My people in the DA's office knew nothing. I checked with Judge Philips and Judge Morgan and neither knew what this could be about." I move around the table to kiss my wife goodbye. "I'm sure it's just something about a case; or perhaps one of the new graduates filing something incorrectly." I knew the likely-hood that the DA would take the time to deal with anything so menial as inaccurate documentation is far fetched. However, I wasn't going to let Elizabeth know that.

Annabelle Mason is known for her tenacity and passion. Whatever this is about, I'm sure that it isn't warranted.

I pick up my briefcase and walk out the door to my waiting car.

**0**

Five minutes to nine, I pull through to the parking garage under out building. Taking the private elevator up to the thirty-seventh floor, I 'm greeted by my secretary and personal assistant. They both nod to me as we make it back to my office.

Closing the door, I turn on them. "Are the rest of the senior staff on hand?" I ask Belinda, my secretary.

She nods. "Yes sir, they are all waiting in the conference room down the hall." She says to me.

I nod and look at Eliza, my personal assistant. "Have you spoken to Bill this morning?" I ask her.

She goes a little ashen. "Eliza, what is it?" I ask.

"Well, I tried to call him early this morning when you called me. I tried his email, text and even the hotel, but he had already checked out." She says to me. "I…uh…called the campaign office, they said, well…" She looks down.

"Eliza, where is my son?" I ask her.

She sighs. "That's the thing, no one knows. The campaign office indicated that he would be out of communication until Friday when he is due in Connecticut." She says. "He wanted to get away for a few days."

I wave it off. "Well call Lorena, she will know how to contact him. If this gets ugly, I need him back here." I say to her.

"Mr. Compton, umm," she looks at me.

"Spit it out, Eliza." I say a little irate.

"Um, well, I…the thing is…Lorena is out of contact as well." She says.

I sigh and pinch the bridge of my nose with my hand. God damnit Bill, why did you need to do this now?

I am well aware of my son's illicit affair with Lorena. I have known for years. Nevertheless, who am I to talk. I've been keeping Eliza on the side for the last ten years. She is beautiful, intelligent and everything I need in a thirty-two year old body. However, I may have to end it soon. She is talking about wanting children and that will never happen. One I need to fix this little problem regarding my son's infidelity to his lovely sweet fiancé and two, there is no way in hell I would disrupt my household with a divorce. The scandal would be too much for Elizabeth to bear. Although, my affection for her has dwindled over the years, there is no way I would hurt her in such a manner. I love Eliza. But I would not disrupt my life for her.

I sit in my chair. "Alright, if we need to find him, we will. But until then, make sure that no one mentions that he is away on pleasure, understand?" I ask the two women before me.

They both nod as I hear a knock at the door.

The receptionist opens the door to the District Attorney, Several plain clothed officers who I am assuming are detectives, and three other people. One who looks vaguely familiar.

"Mr. William Compton?" DA Mason looks at me.

I stand. "Yes?" I ask her. "What has gotten us all out of bed so early on a Saturday morning?"

She walks forward and hands me the first document in her hand. "This is a warrant to seize all documents pertaining to Adele Stackhouse, Jason Stackhouse and Sookie Stackhouse." She says to me.

I look at the document. Indeed Judge Marcome has signed it and all documents pertaining to anyone in the Stackhouse family are required to be released immediately.

She hands me the second document. "This document requests any files pertaining to the Stackhouse Project or any other legal work you or your other Partners have submitted on behalf of Ms. Stackhouse or the foundation." She hands me another document. "This is a restraining order prohibiting you from talking, emailing or contacting anyone in the Stackhouse family from this point forward." I look at her. "That restraining order is for everyone in your family and firm, Mr. Compton." She says.

I shake my head. "This is ridiculous, we are her lawyers. She is engaged to my son. This is illegal; you can't keep a client from their attorney." I say to them.

The man that I know from somewhere steps up. "That's where your wrong, Mr. Compton," He says as he hands me yet another document. "As of yesterday, Ms. Stackhouse has filed a change in council. I am now her legal representation." He says.

I look at him. "And who the hell are you?" I ask.

He smirks. "I was sure you wouldn't remember me, My name is Lafayette Reynolds." He says.

Shit, now I remember who he is. He came to help the girl when her grandmother died. But Bill decided that he would be better suited for her council. However, why would they need the DA to switch council?

"What is the meaning of all this?" I ask the DA.

"Mr. Compton we have reason to believe that your firm has behaved in an unethical manner where Ms. Stackhouse and her foundation are concerned. There is massive discrepancies in the information that was given to both the Stackhouse siblings after the passing of their only living relative. There seems to also be a discrepancy on some monetary provisions that were left to the Stackhouse heirs. As such, we are freezing all your accounts both personal and corporate as well as all other senior members of your staff." She looks around. "Now, would you please inform these gentlemen," she points to the door and I see a currier service with hand held carts, "where the files are and we will proceed with what we need to do."

I look at her. "You can't come in here without probable cause." I say to her.

She smiles. "The judge agreed that I had more than enough to do this. Now the files?" She asks again.

I look at Eliza and nod.

"Ma'am if you would all follow me, I will be happy to set you up." She says.

Annabelle turns to leave and I find my voice. "You won't get away with this. Who do you think you are?" I ask her.

She turns to me. "I'm the DA of New Orleans. And I'm doing my job."

Everyone turns to leave the office. "This won't hold up. Bill will talk to Sookie and everything will be fine. You can't do this, they are planning their wedding." I say to them.

This Lafayette person turns and looks at me. "Oh, I don't think so. If you talk to your son, I think he will be singing a different tune. Sookie wants nothing to do with your son." He says.

The woman who hasn't said anything steps up. "The restraining order keeps you from talking to her. But if I hear one peep out of you or anyone in your family that will harm her in anyway, I promise you will be hit with a slander suite so fast your head will spin." She says to me.

"And who the hell are you girly?" I ask her.

She smiles. "My name is Amelia Broadway. I'm Ms. Stackhouse's publicist."

I huff, "You will find nothing. My son has been nothing but perfect for that little girl. Without him, she would have been lost. He took your little girl from the mud and made her a royal consort." I puff up my chest.

Annabelle turns around. "I will need you and your son to make yourself available to us in the next week please. However, where is your son?" She asks me.

"He…he is in Colorado meeting with some people regarding his campaign." I say to her.

"Hm, funny," she says, "Colorado is a very long way from Louisiana, wouldn't you think?" She pauses. "Jennifer Carter has been in the Square all week working with a few of the reopened shops. I hear that she is becoming a favorite with the people."

I growl internally at her. Yes, Jennifer Carter is making her face known. But the connection Bill is getting will make his election a landslide. Ms. Carter won't know what hit her.

"Is there something else, you needed, Ms. Mason?" I ask her.

She shakes her head. "I'll let you know."

She follows the rest out and I call Belinda back.

"Yes, sir?" She asks me.

"Find my son and tell him to get his ASS back to Louisiana by morning." I sit down and turn to look out my window. I hear the door click and know I'm alone.

What the hell have you done, William?

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SPOV

I wake up early, but I'm not sure why. I know that things are going to happen today but for the life of me, I'm not sure what and when. I trust the people in my life. I can't get myself too worked up about any of it, really.

Getting myself up, I make my way to the kitchen for some liquid boost and then make my way back to the office to work until Eric gets here. He thought I would be more comfortable here then in Shreveport today. I'm not sure what he thinks would happen today, but I will bow to his decision. In any rate, I love being in my home. If truth be told, I love having Eric in my home.

I start writing and before I know it, it's around 11:30 and I hear the doorbell ringing.

Shutting off the computer, I go to answer the door and find my beautiful Viking god.

"Hey there." I say to him.

He picks me up and kisses me. I swear the man can make every bone in my body disappear.

Once we both need air, he pulls away. "Are you okay, baby?" He asks me.

I smile at him. "I am now," I say with a sigh. I can't help but be relieved he's here. I didn't realize how much I had been missing him.

We move into the house and back to the studio.

"Have you heard from Lafayette?" He asks me.

I shake my head. "No, I think they are still in New Orleans." I sigh. "I hope…it's well…" I shrug.

"Sookie," Eric comes up behind me wrapping his arms around me. "I want to get you some security." He says.

I spin around in his arms. "Eric that's silly, I don't…"

"Sweetheart, I want to make sure you are safe and the only way I can do that is either being with you all the time or get some help." He pulls me closer.

"I kind of like the first option," I say.

He laughs at me. "I know, but I have some work to do and you have writing, I have the club," he pulls away. "Just think about it, okay?" He asks me.

I sigh. "Alright, I'll think about it." I say.

He kisses my forehead. "Good now come on, we have a lot to do." He says.

I nod. "What are we doing today?" I ask.

He smiles. "We're going to Mambo today." He says with a smirk.

I smile back. "Okay, lead the way." I say.

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A/N I know – short but I thought it should stand alone. Also – it's been a really long time for an update. I wanted to get through this and back to the fluff…..

Song: Pressure – by Billy Joel - http: / youtu(dot)be/ Iyv905Q2omU

Take out the spaces and replace the (dot)…..

Until next time my friends!