Disclaimer: I own nothing in the SVM Universe or any other. Most of these characters belong to CH. Please don't use, I don't have any money anyway.
A/N: Hi all! OK! I'm going to see how much I can write in a week. This should give me an idea of how often I can update. One last thing, I want to give an extra HUGE! Thank You! to my beta slcurwin without who this would look much much worse. And I did mess with it a bit when she was done so any mistakes are all me. Happy reading. See you below!
Chapter 3
The doorbell rang. Sarah comes tearing out from the bedroom, dressed in footy pj's, screaming the way only small children know how to do, "I ged eh!"
"Sarah! No! Crap! Eric!" Sarah was fast for a human, but luckily, Eric was faster. He intercepted her as she reached for the doorknob. "Sarah, what have we told you about answering the doors?" Sookie huffed, as she finally caught up to the child a few moments later.
A pout crossed her little face and her eyes welled up, she sniffled, "No do eh. I sowwy Ant Soogie, I jus escided! De anode vampiwa ouwside. Wike Ewik an Pam!"
This was a worry that they had been working on with Sarah. Since the scare the week before, all the adults had become extra vigilant with the child. They had just regrouped in the kitchen while the human contingent had a late desert and the vampires enjoyed a fruity blood. Gran had heard about Pam's experiment and decided to try a few variations. She found that with practice (and a willing Guinea Pig a.k.a. Pam) she could infuse the flavor of certain fruits into the blood they drank if she slowly marinated them with blood. So far, only oranges and certain apples worked. Both vampires agreed that the taste of the vile True Blood was greatly improved.
Gran had just been about to explain her good news from earlier that evening when the doorbell had interrupted them. Eric handed Sarah off to Sookie and answered the door to a smiling, friendly face. He had contacted the vampire before him right after the incident to serve as extra protection at night for the family when he or Pam could not be there. He had unfortunately forgotten to mention this to Sookie. "Hiya, Mr. Eric I came as soon as I got your message. I…uh hope ya don't mind but I brought a friend a mine with me. He's really good at protectin' stuff. Just like you need, and I thought you might like to meet him, 'cause he can help out during the day when we can't." The dense vampire grinned widely at his Sheriff. Eric could see over Bubba's shoulder, a massive ox of a man, no…smelled more like shifter maybe.
"Oh my god….." Eric heard Sookie whisper from behind him as she and Sarah were peaking around the door.
"Bubba, I'm glad you could come, though next time a call ahead of your arrival would be more… advantageous. Wait with your friend out here on the porch; I will be with you shortly." After he shut the door, he turned to face Sookie.
"Eric, tell me I didn't just see a dead Rock 'n Roll legend on my front porch, announcing he was here to protect me, when I distinctly remember explaining IN DETAIL why I don't want a bodyguard." She huffed wide eyed, half exasperated and half astonished at seeing her Gran's secret crush standing at her door.
Before Eric had a chance to utter a word, Gran and Pam, who seemed to be joined at the hip lately, entered the foyer. "Did the show get moved in here now?" Pam asked, in a slightly bored tone, though it was a complete charade. Everyone knew how much she enjoyed herself around the Stackhouse clan, though she tried to deny it.
"Is anyone going to tell me who was at my door, at this hour? It's nearly 10!" Gran admonished, trying to get a peek out the side window.
"If you will all go into the living room and sit I will explain and introduce you to the vampire outside and his companion. However, I need to explain something first and I believe it would be best if Sarah was in bed." Eric tried to sound like his usual in charge, self-assured persona, but the stink eye Sookie was giving him was making him nervous. He cursed himself, only this woman had this effect on him, ever. He was still getting use to it.
"NO! I wanna meed Evis!" Sarah had obviously been listening to Sookie's thoughts and was very adamant on not missing out on the fun.
"WHAT? WHO?" Gran sputtered as Eric finally managed to herd them to the living room and into some seats.
"This is what I need to warn you about. After last week, I called an associate of mine whom I thought would be a good choice to watch over you here at the farmhouse when Pam, Sookie and I are at the bar. He is use to keeping a low profile however, he goes by Bubba now. It would be a bad idea to call him anything else because it makes him mad to be reminded of his human life." Eric said this last part as he stared down the defiant now three year old. "Not all vampires are as nice or tolerant of children as Pam and I are little one. You need to be more cautious." Now he was looking at both his stubborn ladies. Sookie was still giving him the hairy eyeball.
Gran seemed to recover fast, "Oh my, well don't just stand there, let them in! Oh I can't believe who I'm about to meet. I might faint. Pam, you had better catch me if I do!" She gushed as she fluttered around, straightening the already tidy room.
"Lover," that word sent shivers down Sookie's spine. It made her feel sexy, protected and desired all at once. She knew she wouldn't be able to stay mad. She was already melting and Eric knew it.
"Lover, please don't be angry with me. I worry about Sarah and Adele's safety as much as yours. It was for their benefit that I called Bubba." Eric hoped this sudden disclosure wouldn't affect their plans for later that evening. Sookie had proven to be unpredictable when she was pissed.
"Alright, I'll agree to listen, but I'm warning you buddy, I'm not agreeing to ANYTHING else until after we talk to 'Bubba'. Sookie growled already knowing she'd give in to the high-handed vampire if only for Gran and Sarah's safety. But she was gonna make him work for it.
Pam took the opportunity to zip to the front door and usher in the 'King' and his were friend into the house, as Gran called out an invitation and began to swoon like a preteen at a 'Harry Potter' premier. "Please come in, it's such an honor to meet you…..I am… was a huge fan…I mean I love your music…er…..too hear you sing…." Sookie was shocked to see her Gran of all people blush from head to toe, as she did actually collapse. Pam caught her and got her in a seat before taking a subtle but protective stance next to the chair.
Bubba shyly sat on the couch as his companion followed to stand behind him. Eric was sure if the former rocker could still blush, he'd be as red as Adele. Once Adele regained some composure, he said, "Gee, thank you Ma'am. I didn't think anybody still listened to my music anymore. It's so old fashioned now a days, an' I don't usually like to remember so much. I'm awful sorry to interrupt your meal, it smells delicious. Just like my mamma use to cook."
As Adele ogled the man from Memphis, Sookie took up the hostess duties that had been drilled into her since nearly birth, "No it's not a bother really, and we were just finishing up. Can I get you and your um… friend something to drink. Gran has made up some True Blood with a kick, if you'd like to give it a try."
"Well, my Momma would be cross with me if I didn't accept your hospitality, but….."
"I hep!" Sarah exclaimed, before Bubba could finish, as she bounded toward the kitchen to get the drinks, followed closely by Sookie.
It was obvious to Eric that Sarah wasn't going to sleep until their guests left, she was just too excited. With that thought he examined the new arrival Bubba had brought with him. He was enormous, even compared to Eric; he stood about three inches higher and was much broader in the shoulders. He had an imposing appearance, yet had an air of ambiguity to him. He smelled of shifter yet, just like with Sookie there was something other or more to it than that. His bald dome reminded Eric of another large were who fought in the pits in de Castros territory. This one didn't give off an overtly aggressive guise, though.
Sarah added a new puzzle piece when she marched in proudly holding up an empty cup and said, "Dis is da biggis gass we gots. But we no haf beers, is too icky. Wes gos swee tee! Is da okay?" Without waiting for a verbal response she giggled as she ran back to the kitchen, hollering at Sookie, "Hims say tee okay, but wans coogee! Mes wans coogee too, pweese!" Eric's gaze sharpened, what the…the guilty look on the large man's face said it all, and he muttered, "Ooops."
Bubba began the introductions as soon as Sookie returned with the drinks and Sarah. "When I heard your message Mr. Eric, I was visitin' my friend Bull here. He's been lookin' for work but hasn't had much luck on account of him bein' a half-breed an' all, but he was in the Army like I was an' he knows all kinda things about protectin' people. And since he can be up during the day I figured maybe you might could use 'im and not mind him bein' a little different, on account of the fact that you don't seem to mind me too much." Bubba looked genuinely concerned for his friend.
Eric looked at 'Bull' and wondered if that was his name or preferred animal shape. It was Sookie that spoke though, "Please, have a seat. We want you to feel welcomed. I'm sorry about Sarah. She's little and hasn't learned control or manners yet." She gave the child a stern look as she climbed into Gran's lap not looking the least bit fazed at her Aunt's ire. "She's also nosey. Sarah, out loud, please."
Sarah's sigh sounded so put upon, "Okay, Ant Soogie." She sighed dramatically again, turning to chat with the giant shifter, "Why I hea you in my head? I hea Ant Soogie becus see famawy. You no fawy?" The child had an excellent point. The telepathy was not a fairy trait; this was the only useful information that had come from the incident that prompted tonight's visitors.
"Nope," the bald behemoth said, with a pop of the 'P'. "I'm a freak."
"NO!" Everybody except Pam and Eric exclaimed in protest.
"We do NOT use that word in this house!" Gran admonished. "Every single creature in this house is a unique and special gift from God. It does not matter to me a bit where you came from. The true measure of an individual is in their character, their actions, and their choices. The next time you speak about yourself in such a manner in my presence I will wallop you over the head. You hear me?" And with that declaration, Gran had not only laid down the law but also confirmed the Stackhouse tenet. Judging books by their covers was not something these ladies did, ever.
The shifter seemed to be in shock, not such an unusual reaction with these women. "Y-y-you mean you're not afraid of m-m-me?" Now the Mr. Clean-on-steroids looked like he was about to cry.
"Heavens bless it! Why should I be afraid of you? You have done nothing for me to fear?"
"But I can hear you and them," he pointed to Sookie and Sarah. "The only peace I've ever gotten was being with Bubba. My own parents didn't want me!" Good to know the absence of Vampire thoughts seemed to be a telepathic universal, so far anyway, Eric thought.
"Join the club," Sookie muttered.
"Well that's not how we do things in my house, so for as long as you're here you will be treated fairly."
"Perhaps now we should discuss how long that will be." Eric said with a raised eyebrow at Sookie.
It was now Sookie's turn to sound put upon, "Eric, I've told you, I just don't see the need for a bodyguard. Besides, the wards Octavia and Amelia put up are still holding like they're supposed to."
"The Fairy's 'visit' only served as proof that if you had been caught away from your home you would not be here with us now, you or Sarah." The thought of loosing either one of 'his girls', as he'd come to think of them, made him equally fearful and angry.
"Sookie," Gran said in a warning tone, "you know full well Eric is only concerned for our safety. Why must you be so obstinate?"
Sookie knew that all her reasons against having a constant shadow were really non-issues, especially since the main one was what the people of her small town would think. Since she rarely saw any of them anymore, except Lafayette, it was pointless to quarrel about it. She just couldn't shake how weird it would be.
"I can't help it Gran. It's just weird, I feel like I'm puttin' on airs or something. I mean why would anyone be interested in me, including fairies? I'm really not that special and apparently," she motioned a hand at Bull, "as a telepath, I'm not as unique as we thought."
"Despite what you think or feel about yourself, Sunshine, evidently there are others who feel the opposite and quite frankly are in a better position than you to get what they want. If you are not protected, even by your own means, anyone at anytime could take you; use you for their own means, or worse. And trust me when I say that being killed is not the worst that can happen." Pam was not only frank in her assessment, her honesty came from experience. "The fairies are only the 'tip of the iceberg', so to speak. Even other humans, once they got over their disbelief, would be a threat, or at the very least, a constant intrusion in your life. People are on the whole selfish, covetous, and violent. These are not just traits held by supernaturals. The constant influx of 15 minute glory hogs that run rampant on reality T.V. should be all the proof you need of this. Your little family's outlook is the exception, not the rule. The request my Maker makes for you to protect yourself and them, by any means possible, comes from a very extensive, firsthand knowledge of these negative attributes in others. You should consider that before you just dismiss his or your families concern about safety only based on it 'making you feel weird'!" Pam all but yelled this last bit, as she gracefully turned on the spot, picked up Sarah from Gran's lap and marched to the back of the house to, one could only guess, get the tot to sleep for the night. Eric heard her speaking softly to Sarah about the next nights shopping trip, it seems that she was serious about the shoes.
Stunned and slightly ashamed of herself for being so negligent of Eric's feelings, Sookie blinked at Pam's departing form and then turned to the others. "I didn't realize…I never thought…I'm sorry for my selfishness Eric," she stated softly before burying her head in his tender embrace.
He quietly murmured assurances in his beloved's ear. Feeling a turn in the tide, Eric looked at Bull, "I will consider you as daytime protection for Sookie once I get some background information on you and your qualifications concerning this role. Obviously, you come highly recommended, but I need assurances that you will be able to handle any and all manner of threats."
Bubba grinned widely at his companion, "I think we should show him."
"A demonstration, perhaps?" Bull smiled impishly at Eric, a look, which on any other would be sinister.
Eric cocked a curious eyebrow, "Agreed, in the backyard, if that is acceptable with you Adele. This way Pam can still watch as she stays with Sarah." He said this not just for Adele's sake but also for Pam's, as he knew she was still listening from the back.
"As long as my garden isn't disturbed," Gran fussed as they all headed out back through the kitchen.
Bubba eyed the blood simmering on the stove, "Miss Adele, I must say that this isn't my usual preference," as he pointed to the pot on the stove, "but if you can make it taste like fried chicken, I'd never touch cats again."
Sookie stared at Eric and whispered, "Cats?"
"I'll explain later," he whispered back.
"Oh well, now that never occurred to me, but I'll see what I can do." Gran was a little perplexed at the cat comment but decided to let it pass. Everyone had quarks.
Once settled on the back porch, Eric, Sookie, Adele and Pam (from Sarah's window) watched in utter astonishment at the 'demonstration' the two additions entertained them with. Eric's mind whirled with possibilities, plots and plans as he sent brief but abundant text messages to his day person and his lawyer about a contract for Bull. He needed to make sure his position as Sookie's new guard was initiated presently. He added a short message to Catalides that his presence was required for the signing. He'd been trying to get him in a face to face since the revelation at the restaurant, but besides a brief note of apology for the misunderstanding, he had been largely ignored by the slippery lawyer.
Niall's visit had NOT been as enlightening as Eric would have hoped. The most they had learned was that Fintan had an unknown connection to the daemon and had made him the sponsor of all his descendants that held the 'spark'. No explanation as to what the 'spark' was, no clue as to the role a 'sponsor' holds, and only a vague warning about renegade fairies that were after the throne. They had sworn to eradicate all half-breeds or part Fae, because of some misguided notion that they were the cause of Fae infertility. Eric had been outraged when Sookie informed him of the sly old Fae's presence at her home, and had immediately called Bubba for extra security. He had thoughts of enlisting the local were pack to keep watch during the day, but most of the Were's in the Longtooth pack worked in construction and had no military or security background. In Eric's mind, just because you were capable of turning into a large wolf half the time did not make you a skilled fighter. Luck had been on his side with finding...no, once again, having a useful asset dropped in his lap. When Bubba brought along Bull, opportunity had knocked and Eric was taking full advantage.
Soon after Bulls 'demonstration', he left with the promise of returning the next morning to begin work and staying until Sookie and Eric arrived in the evening. Bubba took up position outside the house for the rest of the night, and Pam had agreed to stay in the 'cubby' until their return.
Sookie had packed a small overnight bag and had just stepped into the foyer, after one last check on a soundly sleeping Sarah, to join up with the others when Gran dropped the proverbial bomb.
"Oh my heavens, with all of the excitement tonight I nearly forgot to tell you my good news," she gushed.
"What's that Gran?" Sookie queried.
"William Compton is coming to Bon Temps!"
A/N: Soooooo? Good, Bad, Looking for the keys to the tomatoes? HEHEHEHE...well as promised above I will not update again until next Sunday. But I will give a preview to the next chapter if you can identify who the new character is and "where" he's from (a.k.a. what tv show) and the actor that played him. I will give the first ...oh lets say 10...correct answers a sneak peak to the next chapter.