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Apish Neon

Again, just under the wire. I apologize for not posting earlier but here you go.

msbuffi and jackie69 have let me in on a little secret. She made me aware that I've been nominated for several 'You Want Blood' awards and I want to thank whomever it is that nominated my stories. Thank you so much. Y'all are so wonderful with your compliments. Thank you all so much.

As always, thank you for your support, reviews, favorites, and alerts.

The story idea belongs to me but these wonderful main characters belong to Ms. Charlaine Harris.

"I don't know who sent the letter to me," I explained to Pam. "I'm just telling you what I need to do and I need for you to help me."

Pam crossed her legs as she leaned back on the couch. "And I will help you but you have to give me a little more than you want to date me." She ran her fingers through her hair as she kicked her crossed leg back and forth. "I never took you for the lesbian type. I just can't imagine your head in between my thighs. Don't get me wrong," she said. "You are a sweet, little morsel and I would date you. I'll bet that you are as tasty as they come … when you cum. Hell, I've even considered turning you out but because you are my second best friend's girl, I decided against it. After all of that I've sacrificed to keep you straight, you have decided that you want to date me?"

I rolled my eyes. This isn't the first time I've heard this.

"I can't date you, Sookie," she proclaimed. "You are with Eric and I am with Amelia. I'm not willing to get out of my relationship for a fling … which I'm sure will be absolutely mind blowing. You'd probably ruin me for other women but I can't risk it just as I would you … for men as well." She winked at me as a sly smile played across her lips.

"Will you cut it out?" I insisted. "It's not what you think. I don't want to date you, date you. I just need a date for this party that's coming up on Friday. I can't go alone because I won't know any of the people there. And if I don't know any of the people that are going to be there, I will look suspicious. You will know everyone there. You are the queen of New York's elite. You know that just as well as I do. And because of that, I need you at my side. So, what do you say, huh? Will you go with me?"

I knew that she wasn't going to say no. She never does.

Pam pulled her cell phone out of her purse and began dialing. Just as she put the phone to her ear, her daddy answered. "Hi, daddy," she said. "It's Pammy. I need another favor."

She began to giggle. I knew right then and there that Pam and I would be all set.

"I want to go to Senator Vardamon's party this Friday night. Sookie and I want to do a little networking and since the cream of the crop will be attending that party, we want to get in. I have my new line coming out next year. Sookie's law firm is looking for new clients. We feel that this is going to be the party of season. Well, until I have my annual Christmas party that is. And I expect you and mum to be there. So, what do you say, daddy? Can you get us invitations?"

I don't know why I was sitting on my couch with my fingers crossed. I knew that if anyone could get us into that party, Daddy Ravenscroft could. He was the man to know if you needed anything.

"Oh, daddy!" Pam exclaimed. "I knew that I could count on you. You know that I may need more information after this party. Things are changing in our little world and we are definitely going to need you."

I began to rapidly shake my head no as I waved my hands back and forth. We don't need that kind of help. All we need are invitations. We only need invitations. I did my best to try and get Pam's attention but she wouldn't even look at me.

"Definitely, daddy," Pam cooed. "I promise. If anything goes wrong, I will call you immediately. You have my word." She then looked at me and said, "Sookie says thank you and that she appreciates all that you're doing to help us."

I sighed as I slumped my shoulders. "Thanks, Daddy Ravenscroft." Though it didn't sound like it, I was really a lot more appreciative than one would believe.

"Hold on, daddy. Let me put you on speakerphone." She hit the button and said, "Repeat what you said so that Sookie can hear you."

"Hello, Sookie," Mr. Ravenscroft announced. "Are you well?"

I smiled. "Hi, Daddy Ravenscroft. I'm doing fine. How are you and Helena doing?"

"Fine, darling. We're doing just fine. Helena is on one of her many shopping trips. She's in Paris for the next three days. Listen, Sookie. You must call me if anything untoward happens. I want to keep my girls safe. I won't tolerate any unkindness that may be directed towards you both. The safety of my girls' matters most."

"I know that, Daddy Ravenscroft but you don't have to worry," I assured him. "We are going to be fine. We are just going to ask a few questions and then come home. I give you my word."

He was quiet for a moment before he replied to me. "I trust that you will but I will have some of my people on hand to make sure. How is Little Flynn doing? Did she receive that package that Helena and I sent to her?"

"Not yet," Pam answered for me. "Mum said that it should be here tomorrow." She looked at me and said, "Mum went shopping again. Flynn has a new spring wardrobe."

"You know that you didn't have to do that," I said. "You and Helena spend more money on her than you should. I can't let you keep doing this."

"But you can't stop us either," he stated. "Listen, girls. I have to go. I have a meeting to attend. I will have the invitations sent to your apartment, Pammy. Kiss each other for me. Give Little Flynn a big hug and kiss from Grampy. Hopefully, I will be seeing you girls within the week. I love you all."

"We love you too," we called out. "Tell Helena/mum that we love her."

"Will do," he said. And with that, the call ended.

"Now," Pam said as she put her phone back into her purse. "We must go shopping. We have to look absolutely gorgeous."

"But not too gorgeous," I added. "We don't want to stand out."

"Oh, but we do," Pam declared. "If we look mediocre, we'll get mediocre information. We want to look fucking outstanding. We will be able to get whatever information we want from any man or woman in that room." She stood up from the couch and headed towards my office door. "Run and tell Einin that you're going to take the rest of the day off. I will meet you upstairs. I'm going to see Eric. I haven't had a chance to chat with him since he's been back in the States."

I shook my head no. "I can't leave. I have a meeting with Niall later on tonight. I have to prepare for it. We have to discuss Eric's contract. This is too important for me to miss just so that I can do some shopping." I then had a bright idea. "Why don't we go tomorrow? I'll take tomorrow off and we can do it then. Tomorrow is Wednesday." I then shook my head no. "I can't do it then either. I have to prepare for the meeting with Mr. Merlotte. We can do it after work. Flynn can come with us."

Pam rolled her eyes. "No. I don't want to go tomorrow. Are they going to move the building while we're out? If not, you can always return after we're done." She left without another word.

And needless to say, I did as she told me to. I grabbed my keys, coat, and bag before doing as the boss of all bosses told me.

I went to Einin's office and walked in. Normally, if her door is closed, I knock. I've always been a knocker. I believe to just walk into anyone's office, it's just plain rude. But I didn't knock this time. She's always told me that if her door is open, to just come in. And that's what I did. I really wish that I hadn't done that. I so wish that I hadn't done that. I got an eyeful of something that will stick with me for the rest of my life.

Niall was sliding his hand up Einin's skirt as they were chewing on each other and she was rubbing on his … thing. I wanted to walk out without being seen but I bumped into the door jamb before I turned to run. And because I because I bumped into the door, I embarrassed us all. Einin was a red as a beet. Niall had his head bowed and I hit the door once again with my backside.

"Sookie," Einin exclaimed. "I … I thought that I'd closed my door."

I shook my head no. "It was open but I just wanted to say that I'm leaving early today and since you're here, Niall, I can let you know that I'm going to meet you in the conference room at the same time … 5:00. Okay? Okay."

I sprinted from the office and headed straight for the elevators. And smiled as the office door closed behind me.

0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0

When I made it to Eric's office, Sophie Ann told me to just go in. "Eric is waiting for you. He's in there with Ms. Ravenscroft."

"Thanks, Sophie Ann."

"Anytime, Sookie," she said. "You know that you're always allowed in his office."

I blushed as I peeked into the office and knocked. "Hey," I said.

Eric walked to the door to greet me. With his hand in mine, he pulled me into his office. He sat on the couch as he sat me down on his lap. He turned my face towards his and kissed me. "How has your day been so far?" he asked.

"Great," I whispered as I returned his kiss. "I missed seeing you this morning."

"I had to get to the office early. Last night was wonderful."

Again, I blushed. "It was." I kissed him once again.

"Enough, people," Pam proclaimed. "We don't have time for this lovey dovey shit. We have things to discuss … such as Friday night's little shindig. Eric was just telling me that he's attending the weekend soiree at Senator Vardamon's estate. Did you know this, Sookie?"

I sat up and said, "No. I didn't know that you knew of Senator Vardamon. Is she a business associate of yours?"

"Not quite," he answered. "She's looking to garner my support in her campaign. She's trying to get as many billionaires as she possibly can to back her. She's made many promises but I don't trust her. Not yet. I have to know what she has to offer."

"Then why are you going?" I asked.

"Because I want to show you off," he said. "I want the world to meet my fiancée."

I looked at Pam.

Pam was smirking.

"I can't go with you," I said. "I already have a date for the senator's party."

Eric was now smirking. "You have a date?"

I nodded. "Yeah. I do."

He was no longer smirking. He looked down right angry. "With whom? Ally?"

"No," I answered.

"With me," Pam announced. "She's decided to become a lesbian and she's decided to be with me." She reached over and began stroking my leg. "I can teach her things that she'll never forget."

I smacked her hand off of me. "Cut it out." I turned to Eric as I began to explain. "This morning, someone left a note at Todd's desk for me. The note said that I needed to go to the senator's party but I 'can't take Eric Northman'. The writer said that if we went together, we would get nowhere. People would know."

"What will they know?" Eric asked.

"I don't know," I answered. "Maybe they'll know that I'm going to be there looking for information on the Maddens. Maybe they'll think that I'm the other woman. The letter didn't specify. I just know that I can't go with you."

He frowned at me. "Do you still have the letter?"

"Yeah," I said. I reached into my tote and handed the letter to Eric.

He looked at the poorly written letter and studied it.

Pam leaned forward as she, in turn, studied Eric's face. "Do you know who Apish Neon is? Have either of you ever heard of him or her?"

"No," I answered.

"I haven't a clue," he said as he looked at her.

I removed myself from his lap and sat on the couch next to him. "Do you have any other affiliations with the Vardamons outside of politics?"

"No," he said. "I've never met with her. I'm assuming that she's heard that I'm living her now. She knows of my background. Where I'm from, who I am. I received her invitation to the party on my desk this morning. Her assistant called to see if I'd received it. He wanted to personally invite me to the party. I was hoping that you would be my date for the evening but as I've recently been told, I've been dumped for one of my oldest and dearest friends."

Pam winked. "I've got it like that. The women clamor for my attentions. I can teach you a few tricks if you're willing to learn."

Eric laughed.

I didn't. Something didn't sit right with me. "What if all of this is a set up to get us to the same party? What if someone wants to see us together so that they can use it against you, Eric?" I shook my head no. "I can't go with you, Pam. Everyone that knows us, knows that we've been together since we were knee high to a grasshopper. I'm going to have to ask someone else to go with me."

Pam suddenly became serious. "You're thinking too much, Sookie. We didn't get an invitation from anyone personally. Daddy got us in. Eric's invitation came from Senator Vardamon directly." She placed her hand on my knee as she talked to me. "You can't let this rattle you."

She stared at me for a minute before speaking again. She then glanced at Eric. "I don't know if you can do this. If the slightest coincidence can rattle you, you're not up for this. You'll ruin the very reason why we're there with your skepticism. Maybe, Amelia and I should go and just give you any updates that we find while we're there. I think that will be much easier for all of us. What do you think, Eric?"

He nodded. "I agree. Maybe you should let Amelia and Pam handle it. We run in the same circles. We've known most of these people all of our lives. You should just stay at home with Flynn and we'll take over."

"I can't do that," I stated. "I can't let someone else do what I'm supposed to be doing. I'm your attorney. That's why you've hired me. I can do my job. You aren't the first client that I've had where I have to do things that weren't exactly true to get information that I need. If I can do it for them, I can damn well do it for you. Don't doubt me. Either of you." I looked at them both as I let my distaste for their uncertainty be known.

"I didn't get where I am by being afraid," I continued. "I am not afraid and I am more than capable of defending you. As an attorney, I have to look at all sides. I can't just look on the surface. I can't risk us walking into this party blind. I won't allow that. Too much is at stake."

I gripped Eric's hand as I thought of his freedom and taking down the Maddens. "I can do this."

Pam was once again resting prettily on the couch. "I knew that would get the fire burning inside of you. I don't doubt you, my friend. You were distrustful of yourself with your negativity of what could happen instead of what will happen. We will go there and we will get what we need from them."

I glared at both of my friends. "You're both assholes."

Both of them laughed at me.

Eric kissed my forehead. "I know how great of an attorney you are. I've never doubted you. I'll never doubt you but I do agree with one thing that she said, Pam. Maybe she shouldn't go with you. If Victor goes and he sees her there with you, he'll know that something is up. Maybe she needs to go with someone else. We really don't have much of a choice."

He and Pam began talking about how good of an idea that was. They talked about how Victor could use the fact that Eric is flaunting me as his lover while leaving his wife home alone. According the contract, Eric can't be on the arm of another woman at public events. He has to be seen with his wife. I won't be with him but it could still be used against him.

"Amelia?" Pam suggested.

"It won't work," I interjected. "Eric can't be seen at any public events with another woman. Business parties. Political parties. Any extravagant galas, Eric and I can't be seen together. I'm another woman. I'm the woman. We may not be together at that event but Victor can say that we were. If any pictures are snapped at all with me even talking to you, it's over. Those pictures can be the final nail in the coffin for you."

"But you can go with Amelia," Pam said.

"I can't go with Amelia," I said. "Don't you get it? Victor has probably been watching me since day one. Do you actually believe that he doesn't know who Amelia is and what she is to me? She's family. She's your lover. It won't work."

"She's right," Eric said. "He has been watching her." He then looked at his watch. "As a matter of fact, I have a meeting with an investigator in an hour. He should have some more information that we can use in our quest to end this contract."

"Update me," I said.

"Definitely," he replied.

"Now that we've gotten that settled, who is going to be her date?" Pam asked. "We can't send her alone. Victor would be all over her. She won't get a moment's peace from that leech."

Eric caressed my cheek. "It has to be someone that we trust."

"I know the perfect guy," I responded.

"Guy?" Eric questioned. "Who?"

Shrugging my shoulders, I said, "I was thinking of asking Quinn to come along."

"No," he growled.

"He's perfect, Eric," Pam agreed. "He's strong and he's scary as hell. He's a co-worker and she'll be safe with him. He's married and has three children. He wouldn't do anything to hurt her. I'm quite sure that he wouldn't make any passes at her. He's in love with his wife. He's a good man, Eric," Pam assured him. "You can trust him."

He looked doubtful.

"You can trust him. And I'll be sure to talk with his wife," I said. "I will explain to her that we are going to be working on a case and I need him with me. She knows me. She knows that her husband would never betray her. It's going to be all good, Eric. I give you my word."

Eric said nothing. I could tell by the tenseness of his jaw that hated this idea and it was going to be hard to get him to go along with it.

"Come on, Eric," I said. I held his hands in mine as I turned to face him. "This is not about Quinn. It's about us and it's about getting you out of this marriage. It's about making sure that Victor never bothers you again. Please. This has to be done."

His eyes softened but he still wasn't there.

I decided to play hardball just as he and Pam did to me only minutes ago. "How can you say that you love me if you don't trust me? What type of relationship are we going to have if you question my every motive when it comes to another man?"

He was finally there. "I do trust you, my lover. I just don't like the idea of you being with another man at a party … in front of me."

I waited.

"It's going to be hard for me to watch."

Again, I waited.

"I trust you."

"Thank you," I whispered.

"Okay," Pam said as she stood up. "Come, Sookie. We must shop. Even though I will not be going, a good shopping trip always makes me feel so much better." She walked over and kissed Eric's cheek. "Things will work out and all will be fine. Sookie knows what she's doing."

He gazed into my eyes. "I know."

Eric and I stood up together. He kissed me once more as Pam and I prepared to leave. "I'll pick Flynn up from school. She doesn't have piano lessons today, right?"

"Right," I said. "I will call you when I leave the meeting with Niall. It shouldn't last too long. What are you guys going to do for dinner?"

"I can cook," he said.

Pam stepped forward and said, "Make that beautiful chicken marsala that you do so well." She looked at me and said, "Absolutely divine. You'll love it."

I was impressed.

"I told you that I can cook," he proclaimed. "That's what I'll make for dinner … unless Flynn decides differently."

"I love you. I love you so much." I kissed him once more.

"I love you too."

I expected Pam to say something slick but she didn't do that. "It's really good to see you guys together again. I'm happy for you."

"Thank you, Pam." I couldn't believe how sentimental she was.

"Mr. Northman," Sophie Ann announced. "Niall is here with Mr. Liam Malcolm."

Eric walked to his desk to answer Sophie Ann's call. "Give me a few minutes."

"Yes, sir."

Pam and I made our way to the door. "See you later," Pam said.

"Yep," he said to her.

I blew him a kiss.

"I'll see you at home," he said.

"Yeah," I agreed. "At home."