Chapter 2

Passing quickly through the town she passed down an old wooded drive way, following the warm yellow light that flashed between the trees. She could tell even from this distance that the bar would be crowded and noisy, country music blaring from the front door every time a patron left as standard. She couldn't help but smile as she stared up at the red, white and green sign of Merlotte's though; good company, a large beer and a burger, now that right at that moment would be heaven. Getting out of the overloaded, harassed little car she kicked the door shut and locked it. No new-fangled automatic locking system for this girl. Strictly old school. The gravel crunched noisily under the calf length tan boots as she strode to the bar, hiking her skirt down as she did. Why she thought this was a sensible driving outfit she would never know, she sighed wearily brushing dark red locks out of her eyes as she manoeuvred through the overcrowded car park. Business was clearly booming for dear old Sam. Making her way to the door she had to dodge sharply as the outside metal mesh door hurtled towards her, a rather worse for wear Andy Bellefluer stepping out into the fresh air.

'You ok there Sheriff?' She asked grabbing the man about the chest to steady him. His bleary gaze tried to focus on her as he sought to right himself.

'Mo? Mo Johnston?' He took a moment to look surprised before his expression shifted to one of suspicion. 'And just where you been all these months? Off gallivanting, causing trouble no doubt'.

'No more trouble than what I've got right now Sheriff'. She smiled cheekily as he pushed himself out of her grasp.

'Well don't think that you can just waltz back in here and start-up your old tricks again woman. One person doing that in this town is enough!' He glared drunkenly towards the interior of the bar.

'Ok, Sheriff, I promise' She made the cub scout salute. He huffed noisily. 'You gonna be ok to drive Sheriff?' All she got was a wave. She shrugged and pulling the mesh door open wandered inside. She had been right, it was busy; a regular sea of bodies as she pushed her 5'6" personage through the crowd. Moving fluidly she managed to haul herself up to the bar and propped herself against it. It didn't take long for someone to notice her.

'Mo?' There was a brief pause. 'Holy shit! Sam, Lafyette Mo's back!' She smiled as Arlene attempted to jump on her from across the bar.

'What'cho yellin' at now woman?' Lafyette's perfectly made up face peeked through from the back kitchen and caught sight of her, but it was the squeal from her side of the bar that made her stop. It couldn't be; and suddenly she was set upon, the sudden weight of a 5'2" blonde ball of energy hit her with enough force to knock them both into the wall. She looked down at the person hugging her, utterly dumbstruck.

'Sookie?' She couldn't believe it. That was until the young woman looked up at her with massive brown eyes. 'Oh my God, Sookie!' She screamed bouncing around with her friend in her arms. Taking her at arm's length she examined the petite woman, she looked fine; better than fine. 'Looking good for a dead girl there Sook… where the hell have you been?' Sookie just shook her head.

'I could ask you the same thing. You took off so suddenly, where were you?' She paused, what to tell her?

'My cousin was having some problems down in New Mexico'.

'New Mexico!' Sookie looked staggered. 'You weren't anywhere near those bombings were you? Tara told me when I got back; the news reports said it was really bad'.

'Pfft, naw. I mean we were in the area but we were fine. See, not a scratch'. She twirled for effect. 'So where were you off to that there was no phone?'

'Oh…' Sookie looked away bashfully 'just visiting family. I guess I just sort of… lost track of myself'. It was then that Sam came round the bar.

'Well if this ain't just the week for reunions'. He said opening his arms to envelope her in a back-breaking hug 'They didn't have phones where you were?'

'Yeah, yeah Grandpa, I know. Things got a bit well, hectic where I was'. Sam looked at her pointedly. 'Look how was I supposed to know that I wouldn't be the only one pulling a Houdini?' Sookie grimaced slightly.

'Yeah well, you're here now'. Sam smiled kindly. 'What'll it be?' She smiled and placing her order sat down revelling in the simple life of Merlotte's.

****S****

She wasn't so surprised when various other people made appearances. Most of them were part of the old crowd she had known for years. Others were new. Including another red-head little girl who appeared half way through the evening on Jason's arm of all things. He had just about died of shock when he saw her. She supposed the reappearance of both his sister and wayward friend within a week of each other might've been a bit much for the poor boy. Still there were hugs and introductions made. She couldn't quite believe it when Jessica explained that she was a vampire; could believe it even less when Jason explained that he was sort of seeing her. Oh and by the way to top off your list of strange shit that goes on in this town, Jason was also living in Hotshot with a group of were-panthers. She had just about fallen over at that one. She had known about all that supernatural crap for years, ever since Sookie had gotten involved with Bill bloody Compton. She couldn't quite believe Jason's sudden leap to the other side of the fence though. Yay for personal growth and all that, but it was strange for Jason to suddenly be batting for team supe. She wasn't in the least bit surprised that Tara wouldn't sit with them given that Jessica was there, but there was more to the look that Tara directed at the young woman as she glared hostilely from the other side of the bar.

'So what's your full name?' Jessica asked suddenly, distracting her from her subtle observations of Tara. 'I mean, I guess that Mo is just a nickname?' She looked across the table, smiling at the subtle blush that darted over Jessica's nose. Poor lass was embarrassed, as if asking for her full name was akin to asking about her sex life.

'Moirin. My full name is Moirin Johnston'. She said bringing her beer to her lips. My God that was good stuff.

'That's an odd name, isn't it?' Jessica' flushed deepened as she realised what she had said.

'It's an old Celtic name'. She smiled. 'My dad was born in Scotland.' Jessica just nodded, grateful that the other woman hadn't taken offence. The bar was becoming steadily quieter as people went home to their beds. She smirked as she looked up at the sign above the door 'you don't have to go home but you can't stay here' emblazoned in black script across the elegant wood frame of the door. She snorted into her beer. It was then that Lafyette emerged from the back.

'Honey child!' He yelled impishly. 'Come give Lala some sugar'. She stood laughing as he sauntered over to where they sat. Some things definitely never changed. He hugged her tightly and brought her to arm's length as she had with Sookie. 'What's the matter with you? You never heard of a phone?' He glared at her good-naturedly and spun her gently on the spot. 'M-m-m if I was any other man I would eat you up child'. He eyed the sharp edge of her cheeks and soft cleft of her chin, grinning into the dancing green eyes faintly covered by her hair. He snorted 'Girl I swear we gotta do something about this pasty pale thing you've got going on' he turned to Jessica 'no offence honey but it ain't a good look on the living, especially someone this fine'. She gripped hold of his forearms rolling her eyes as she did. Jessica only smiled tolerantly. 'So how long are you stickin' around for this time?'

'Oh you know me Lala, I go where the wind takes me' she sat down merrily. His stared at her aghast which had her in fits. 'Oh don't worry honey, I'm not going anywhere for a while. I need to go speak to my old landlord tomorrow morning though; he's been holding my apartment out in Shreveport and that was really kind of the old man.'

'Mhmmm, kind or conniving sweet cheeks?' Lafyette scowled hotly.

'Lala, the man is in his 60's. Trust me; he is actually just a really sweet old man who I used to buy papers for'. Sookie had passed by at that moment on her way to take a food order.

'Where are you staying tonight then?'

'Erm… I hadn't really thought about it'. Moirin said honestly.

'You could stay with me if you like'. Sookie said sweetly. The uproar that simple sentence caused had Moirin flying into the back of the booth in shock. 'What?' Sookie asked irritably.

'What do you mean she can stay with you?' Jessica's face was nothing short of horrified as she pulled Sookie closer. 'What about your… house guest?' She whispered.

'Oh he can either like it or lump it'. She spat tartly.

'He?' Moirin asked offhandedly. Sookie groaned slightly in exasperation.

'It's a long story. Can we talk about it later?' All eyes descended on her waiting to see what she would do.

'Sure,' she shrugged calmly 'don't worry about it Sook'. Smiling her thanks Sookie darted off to serve her latest table. It wouldn't take long before one of them opened their traps.

'Mo, this is…' She held her finger to his lips as he sat across the table from her. Her steely gaze met his concerned one as they considered each other.

'Save it Jas. I trust your sister. I'll be fine'. Was all she said; removing her finger from his lips she took note of each of them. 'So, my round.'