A/N: Greetings readers! Here's another chapter, it's kinda fillery, but here it is either way! Enjoy and review.

Lunch and Werewolves

When I awoke the next morning it was to a sun filled room. I felt rested and relaxed for the first time in a long time. I was glad to have the day off. I had laundry to do, and grocery shopping, and I needed to buy a new cellphone. And after getting payment for my 'work' in Dallas, I could finally do that. I rolled over in bed and glanced at the clock, seeing that it was almost 2 in the afternoon. I groaned at finding that I had almost slept the day away and climbed out of bed. My stomach rumbled with hunger as if on cue and I trudged out of my room heading for the kitchen, needing some kind of sustenance to get my day started. I knew the contents were bare, but I was sure there was at least some yogurt to snack on and tide me over till I made it to the store.

"Afternoon."

I jumped at the sound of the deep voice, turning to find Alcide standing in my kitchen. My throat went dry as I took in the sight of him wearing loose jeans that hung just right from the hips, a dark t-shirt, brown work boots and a tool belt hung from his waist. He held a cold glass of water in hand and an amused smile on his face, dark eyes traveling down my body slowly. I felt myself blush crimson as I looked down at my body, I was wearing a large night shirt and my hair was probably all over the place. I attempted to smooth it with one hand and pulled the shirt, which reached mid-thigh, down a little more with the other.

"Alcide, I forgot you were here," I mumbled bashfully.

"I didn't mean to startle you," he said apologetically before gulping down the contents of the glass and placing it in the sink. "Didn't wake you with all the noise did I? I got started on the porch early."

"Oh you didn't. I didn't hear a thing…how did you sleep?"

"Like a baby," he answered leaning against the counter. His eyes left my face and traveled down my body again. "You are off today?"

I nodded still attempting to smooth my hair nonchalantly. I was burning under his gaze. "Yes, I just have a few errands to run."

Alcide weighed the thought for a moment. "Okay, I'll come with ya'."

"Oh Alcide, you don't have to do that. I just need to go to the bank and the grocery store and-," I broke off, he looked bored already. "It's going to be real boring for you."

"At least I know you will be safe. I will suffer through," he said straightening. "Eric hired me to protect you and I intend to do just that."

Gosh he's stubborn, I thought with a small frown. Just like Eric. "Okay well I am going to go get dressed then."

"I'll clean up my tools and stuff from the porch," he replied.

He offered me a smile and I returned it, turning quickly and heading for my bathroom. I hopped in the shower and washed my body and hair quickly before climbing out. I dried my hair and brushed my teeth before going into my bedroom to change clothes. I chose shorts and a t-shirt with flip flops and left my hair down around my shoulders. I retrieved the check from Eric that I had hidden in my nightstand and placed it inside my purse, stepping out of my bedroom to find Alcide waiting for me in the living room. He had changed into a dark long sleeved shirt and had removed his tool belt.

"Ready?" he asked.

I nodded and moved toward the front door, pulling it open and jumping when I saw Sookie standing on the other side, her hand raised to knock. She looked surprise as well, her face falling slightly when she noticed Alcide behind me. I frowned as I watched her eyes linger just a little too long before looking back at me. I felt a sick wave of jealousy rush through me and forced myself to suppress it. Oh gosh Chase, Alcide isn't yours, if Sookie wants to stare then let her stare, I told myself bitterly.

"Erm…Hi," Sookie said with a small smile creeping onto her face. "I didn't realize you had a guest."

"Sookie, this is Alcide, Alcide this is Sookie," I introduced motioning to Alcide.

He nodded towards Sookie, extending a muscular arm to shake her hand briefly. Sookie nodded back and turned her eyes back to me, suddenly serious. "I need to talk to you," she said quietly. "Do you have a minute?"

"Umm sure," I said. I looked up at Alcide. "Can you give us a minute, Alcide?"

He nodded again and stepped out the front door. "I'll be out here."

I smiled appreciatively at him and stepped back to allow Sookie in. I closed the door behind her and pivoted toward Sookie, finding her placing her purse on my kitchen table. The air between us turned tense as I attempted to keep the anger welling inside of me down. This was the first time that I had seen or talked to her since finding out that she had told Eric about me killing Annabelle. Sookie frowned as she noticed the look on my face.

"Chase is something wrong?" she asked me hesitantly. "You look angry."

I decided not to beat around the bush and said exactly what I wanted to say. "What made you think you had any right to tell Eric about me killing Annabelle?" I asked crossing my arms.

Sookie blinked taken aback, before sighing. "Shit, he told you?" she said with a frown.

"You told him not to tell me?" I countered suddenly angrier.

"No, Chase, and I didn't tell him you killed Annabelle. I just told him that you had gotten into some trouble, and that you may need his help even if you didn't want it," she explained the frown disappearing and being replaced with sincerity. "I also told him not to bug you and to let you come to him on your own, but apparently that darn Viking doesn't know how to follow directions."

I faltered, feeling a little silly now. She hadn't betrayed my trust completely.

"And the only reason I told him any of that is because I care about you, Chase, and I don't want anything happening to you and I knew that Eric would protect you," she continued.

I sighed. "Sookie, you shouldn't have told Eric anything," I countered. "I appreciate your concern and the fact that you care about me, but it wasn't your decision to make."

"Chase, I'm sorry," she said. "I did it only for your well-being, but if you don't want me to tell Eric anything then I won't."

I nodded and decided to let it go, knowing that she had a kind heart and that she wouldn't do anything intentionally to upset me. It was all a part of her sometimes misguided attempts to help people. Sookie was the only real friend I had left in Bon Temps, or anywhere, and I couldn't afford to start throwing them away. I decided to change the subject, wondering why she had come over in the first place.

"It's okay Sookie," I said offering a small smile. "Did you find Bill?"

Sookie shook her head, the color in her face draining a little. "I found out last night that makers can summon their progenies somehow and Bill did it to Jessica. She took me to the place that he had summoned her too and we found Bill's car."

"Oh no," I whispered.

"There was a dead guy near the car and he had this weird symbol on his neck. Jessica looked it up and it's a symbol for Operation Werewolf. It's some kind of Nazi werewolf thing. He was a werewolf."

I felt my stomach sink in a little. "You mean...werewolves kidnapped Bill?" I asked hesitantly.

Sookie nodded gravely. "I think so. I went to Eric and from what he told me werewolves are territorial and vicious and secretive. He thinks I am stupid enough to go running around yelling 'werewolf' to random people and get myself killed. But I'm not. And I'm also not going to sit around idly while Bill is out there somewhere, and especially not when werewolves are showing up at my job!"

"Werewolves at Merlotte's?" I said confused. "What were they doing there? Are you sure it was one of them?"

"Oh I am sure, he was big, ugly, and mean lookin' and when Terry showed up he bolted and when we chased after him his shoe prints disappeared and wolf prints suddenly showed up," Sookie said matter-of-factly. "They are coming for me now, but I have no idea what the hell for. I just came to warn you, I don't know if you are in anyway involved, you may not be, but please be careful Chase. They might be after you too."

I plopped down into one of my chairs. I needed to sit. This was more information than I needed at the moment. Eric sends a werewolf to guard me from vampires and I find out that werewolves had kidnapped Bill and are after Sookie and possibly me. But I had never done anything to any werewolves, and I barely knew Bill. What the hell would they want with me? It was the last thing I needed to add to my plate. I didn't want to have to worry about ancient vampires wanting to kill me and now werewolves.

I looked up at Sookie. "You need to be careful, Sookie. If werewolves are really after you for whatever reason then you should lay low. Especially if they are stalking you during the day."

Sookie leaned over to the table, digging through her purse before pulling out a small silver revolver. I jumped to my feet in surprise. "What the hell are you doing with that?"

"Terry gave it to me, for protection. And if any werewolves come looking for me I plan to use it and I also plan to ask them where the hell Bill is," Sookie replied putting the gun carefully back in her purse. "He's everything to me and if that means shooting some werewolves to find out where he is then I will."

I admired her passion I could say that. But it all sounded very dangerous to me. My eyes looked to my front window catching sight of Alcide leaning against his work van, talking on the phone. I wondered if he was somehow involved in all of this. What if Sookie was right and the werewolves were after me too for whatever reason, and his plan was to kidnap me? I contemplated telling Sookie that he was a werewolf too, but didn't want her running outside waving a gun in his face. There was the strong possibility that Alcide knew nothing of what was going on and he was here purely for the fact that his father owed Eric a debt and he was trying to get him out of it. I didn't want to put Alcide in anymore danger by bringing him into this new drama Sookie had brought up.

"Oh Chase, I'm sorry. I forgot that your friend was here waiting on you," Sookie said seeing my eyes on Alcide. "I should go. I don't want to keep him waiting."

She picked up her purse and slung it over her shoulder; I put a hand on her arm stopping her. "Sookie, I know you care about Bill, but be careful. This werewolf stuff sounds like serious business. You call me if something happens. I will help anyway that I can."

Sookie placed her hand over mine, smiling faintly. "Thanks Chase. I appreciate that, at least I have one friend who understands," she hesitated for a moment as I pulled my hand away. "Speaking of serious business, have there been any more vampire problems from the whole Annabelle thing."

I shook my head. "No, not yet. And there may not be which is what I am hoping for."

Sookie nodded and looked out my front window. "And more on serious business is that Eric's replacement?"

I huffed, gazing out at Alcide thoughtfully. "No. I told you he is just a friend. Eric has no replacement because there is no one like Eric, but you already know that what was going on with me and Eric is over with."

"I know Eric is an ass, and I personally can't stand him half the time, but I think that Eric really cares for you Chase. I can tell," Sookie said looking me in the eye.

Yeah well he cares about you too just as much, if not more. The thought was bitter as it rolled through my brain. I felt uncomfortable suddenly and moved toward my front door. "Call me if you have any problems Sookie, I mean it," I said blatantly changing the subject.

Sookie frowned slightly, but nodded following me out the door. "I will, Chase. You be safe and call me if you see anything weird," she ordered.

"I will," I replied locking the door behind us and walking towards Alcide, who was still leaning against his work van.

"It was nice meeting you Alcide," Sookie called as she headed for her car.

Alcide gave a short nod and wave. We both watched Sookie climbed into her car and drive away. Silence hung over both of us until my stomach rumbled and Alcide looked down at me with a smirk.

"Hungry?" he asked.

"Starved."

"Lunch before errands?" he proposed.

"Sounds wonderful."

Instead of going to Merlotte's where everyone would know me and rumors would be started about the man accompanying me, I suggested we go to Shreveport instead. Alcide agreed and offered to drive us in his work vehicle. The car ride was tense, mostly silent, besides light small talk and songs on the radio. We chose to eat at a small restaurant and were seated by a window. After placing drink and food orders, Alcide ordered a steak to no surprise and I ordered a bacon cheeseburger, we sat there staring at the window in awkward tense silence again. I felt the need to say something. I also didn't know him very well and I wanted to get to know him if he and I were going to be stuck together for an indefinite amount of time.

"So tell me all there is to know about Alcide," I encouraged making him take his brown eyes off the window and place them on me.

He smirked, his eyes dropping as he placed his elbows and forearms on the table. "Well, aside from the werewolf thing I'm a pretty normal guy," he started slowly looking around to make sure no one was in ear shot. "I like sports, drinking a beer or two, I work for my old man's construction company and I live and grew up in Jackson."

A nice, well so far he had been nice, insanely attractive man who liked sports, enjoyed beer, had a job, and was loyal and willing to sacrifice himself for the people he cared about. I could get along with someone like that. It all seemed normal until you went back to the 'werewolf' thing. I leaned forward, resting my arms on the table and lowering my voice so that no one could hear me aside from Alcide.

"Can I ask you a personal question?" I asked.

He seemed intrigued, leaning in closer. "Yes."

"The whole werewolf thing…when you…change is it like…once a month? And is it like in the movies? Are you some huge big human werewolf looking thing?" I asked trying to gesture the largeness with my hands.

Alcide chuckled, coaxing that throb in me once again, how could his laugh have such an effect on me? He shook his head in answer to my question. "I can shift whenever I want, except I have to shift on full moons. And no it's nothing like in the movies."

"So it doesn't hurt?"

"No... Sometimes it feels real good actually."

The waitress appeared with our drinks, making us both lean back against our chairs. She was young and pretty and blonde. She set my drink down in front of me, placing a straw beside it before turning her bright blue eyes onto Alcide. Her smile was wide and inviting as she leaned in too closely doing her best to show off her plump cleavage as she placed her drink in front of him. I felt that tinge of jealousy again, just like with Sookie, and mentally kicked myself. Stop it, Chase, I told myself. Alcide smiled politely, but paid no mind to the waitress as he opened his straw and placed it inside his drink. The waitress deflated slightly before shuffling away.

"You have quite the effect on the ladies, Mr. Herveaux," I said jokingly, opening my straw.

Alcide looked up from his drink, smirking as he looked at the waitress off in the distance taking another tables order, before looking back at me. "Who her?" he said with a raised eyebrow. "She gives off the desperate vibe and I'm not into that."

"Do you have a girlfriend? Or a werewolf wife?" I inquired; I hadn't found that out yet. What if he did? Did she know what he was up to? Was she upset about it?

Alcide sighed, his shoulders dropping slightly. "I have an ex-fiancé. We aren't together anymore."

I felt bad instantly for even bringing up the question. "Oh…"

Alcide shifted uncomfortably in his chair. "What about you?"

I sighed, spinning my glass between my hands. "Eric was the closest thing to a boyfriend I ever had, and even then he wouldn't even give himself that title. Guys were always wary of me because of…what I can do…they thought I was a weirdo. Eric is a vampire, but he understood me in his own tortured way and when I was with him it just felt…right. I thought Eric was…" I sighed and shrugged. I thought he was the one. I couldn't say the words out loud. It hurt too much to admit it out loud even though I had felt it deep down. "It just didn't work out."

"Sounds like you are still hung up on the vamp," Alcide said prudently.

"It's still….fresh," I admitted.

Alcide seemed to understand, nodding slowly. "It's still fresh for me too."

An understanding silence hung between us, our eyes purposefully not meeting until Alcide cleared his throat and called my attention. "For the record Ms. Morgan," he started slowly. "I do not think you are a weirdo."

I felt my cheeks flame, and imagined that my whole face was turning red. Here I go blushing again, I thought glancing up at Alcide coyly. "Well thank you Mr. Herveaux."

My mind went back to what Sookie had said of werewolves, how secretive they were and vicious. Alcide seemed nothing like that so far, and I truly didn't believe that there was any way he could be involved with kidnapping Bill. But I felt as if I should tell him that he wasn't the only werewolf in Bon Temps right now, and that they were coming after my friend and possibly me. But what if Sookie had no idea what she was talking about, there would be no reason for any werewolves to come after me. I had never even met one until Alcide, and our meeting had been arranged. I forced the thoughts out of my mind, telling myself that Sookie was overreacting about my involvement. For now I would keep Alcide out of it, he had enough to worry about with the possibility of vampires being after me.

Alcide seemed to relax a little once our food arrived and we chatted consistently between bites about our mutual interests. We had some things in common; enough to make us both feel comfortable with each other and creating a willingness to share things. He admitted that werewolves were normally secretive and that him telling me what he was was a big deal, but I had told him what I was and what I could do and it only seemed fair. I appreciated his honesty and enjoyed his personality, sense of humor, and company. By the time we finished our meal, and playfully argued over who would pay which ended in Alcide winning and paying, it felt like we were friends.

We left the restaurant after taking our sweet time eating lunch and he accompanied me to the bank to cash Eric's check which made the teller's eyes widen in surprise, to pick up a new cellphone, and then to the grocery store where we stocked up on essentials and a few non essentials. Something seemed to shift between us as time went on, friendly conversation turned to playful flirting and I felt my attraction to him growing stronger. He already gave me butterflies with his deep stares, his rugged smile and his infectious laugh. I could tell he liked me as well, at least I thought (and secretly hoped) that he did. But as I felt myself falling for him there was something holding me back. He was fresh out of an engagement from what I had gathered, he was also a werewolf, and I was still in love with Eric. And I wasn't sure I would ever stop being in love with Eric. He held my heart even if I didn't want him to and it all seemed too soon. I wanted to move on. I wanted to form relationships with other people, but the wounds were still open.

When we finally made it back to my house I was hungry again and the sun had set. Alcide parked in front of my house and helped me get the groceries out of the car. We were still in the middle of a heated discussion about horror movies.

"I can't believe you haven't seen The Howling," he said with a frown as he trailed me up my porch steps.

"I'm just not that into horror movies. My own life is a horror movie these days, why sit down and watch one?" I replied with a shrug, shifting the brown bag of groceries to retrieve my keys. "Besides isn't it kind of weird that you like to watch werewolf movies when they aren't accurate?"

"That's what makes them enjoyable, it's funny," he answered, shrugging too.

I chuckled at his logic, sticking my key in the door and pushing it open. I was about to step inside when Alcide grabbed me, yanking me backward. I was caught off balance and fell hard on the porch steps making pain shoot up my butt and back. Everything flew out of my hands sending groceries rolling onto my walk way and I looked up as I heard a malicious snarl. There was a blur and Alcide was flying over me with something large and grey. They landed in a heap on the front lawn and I saw that it was a wolf. Alcide growled using his large hands to keep the wolf on top of him at arm's length, the wolf wiggled, teeth nipping towards Alcide's throat. My face fell.

"Alcide!"