AN: Ok I love you all but I need you to know that I post as I write. I think that I have said it before but that is just the way I write. So if I am busy the posts become less frequent. I also need to warn you that school will start for me August 20th so things will get hectic for me in the coming weeks. I love that you all are enthusiastic and want to see more but sad to say I do have responsibilities outside of fan fiction. Sorry for the rant but I just needed to get this out. I am also sorry that I did not get anything up on Monday. I used Dead as a Doornail to write some of this chapter so when it looks familiar that is why. I changed it to suit my needs. You also get to hear from Claudine this time and some more Bill. I mention a food that I absolutely love it reminds me of visiting my grandfather. Ham Balls are a sweet meat ball made with ham obviously. If you know what they are then you know just how good they taste. If you have never heard of them google ham ball recipes they are amazing. If you have dietary restrictions and you don't eat pork ignore me. I will be closing the poll later today so if you have not had a chance to vote please do so. Right now having this story continue into an epic is winning by one vote. Thank you all for reading let me know what you think.

Chapter 10 When it Rains it Pours

Sookie's Point of View

Walking into your home after a fire is one of the most surreal things anyone can experience. After all it is still your home but the fire has scarred it in a way that it will never be the same. Standing in the hall looking out to where the kitchen once was I realized that I would never stand in Gran's kitchen again. All of the little things that she had done over the years to make the space her own were gone erased in a flash. Jason and Hoyt had called around and gotten several members of the road crew to come out. They worked to clear away the charred remains periodically asking me if something was worth saving. I cried when they found Gran's cast iron skillet. It along with the good china and stoneware that had belonged to Gran's grandmother had survived the flames. It was little things like that that made it possible to keep working.

"I guess this means I will need to find a different shirt ehh Sookie." Jason said holding up part of the cuff to the shirt he wanted me to mend.

"If you would have bought a new one in the first place then this one would not have caught fire." I joked back. It felt good to laugh.

The guys were almost finished when Randall and Delia pulled up the drive. Alcide ever my annoying shadow followed me to great them. Bobby was off on a food run so I had no buffer. He had graciously offered to get lunch for everyone when I realized how many hungry men I would soon have on my hands.

Alcide and his father are well known in the building industry so it really should not have surprised me when Randall talked with him instead. Alcide went right along with it like it was the most natural thing to do. Delia shook her head and smiled at me.

"Delia what do you think how long till y'all can get this fixed for me?" I asked returning her smile.

"I am sorry about him he forgets sometimes who he should be talking to." She apologized and continued. "Well we are just about done with the project over on Robin Egg. The next project is a house over in Clarice but Randall could get yours started before that one. So you will have a useable kitchen in three or four months."

"What is a rough estimate on how much it is going to cost?" I inquiry.

"Well the final number will depend on what all you want done but I think you will be in the ball park of this." She says handing me a number.

"I've got it." I will never argue with Eric again when it comes to paying to use my telepathy. I had made the decision that I was not going to touch the money from Fintan if I could help it.

"How good of friends are you and Alcide?" She asks wondering why he is here.

"His father's company is working with my brother's road crew. I just meet him last night." I reply looking at Alcide. We talked for a bit longer while the men talked shop. She was excited at the prospect of being a mother. Delia was Randall's second wife. She was a good fifteen years his junior. Randall's first wife Mary Helen was getting remarried and his three boys were almost out of high school. Delia and Randall had been holding off till he no longer had to pay alimony to start having kids. Their situation while not unheard of was not something that was looked upon in a positive light. I knew that personally I would never want to have that sort of "family" dynamic. Randall and Alcide finally wound down their conversation.

"So Sookie what did you have in mind for the rebuild?" Randall asked.

"I want the kitchen to be the same as before but I would like for the back porch to be extended to the size of the kitchen and enclosed." I reply quickly. I had given it some thought but decided that Gran's kitchen was more than big enough for me. While I would like to update the appliances I want to have it as near to Gran's kitchen as possible. We talked about specifics a bit longer.

"Well I will send you out a final estimation in a few days and we will take it from there." Randall said in closing. I walked them back to their truck.

Bobby came back not long after with more food than the guys could ever eat in one sitting. The guys took a break for lunch and I joined them. I got in line behind Hoyt and filled my plate. While it was not my usual lunch conversation I had a grand time listening to them all razz one another. I tried to ignore the stairs I was getting from Alcide. I could tell he wanted to say something but I was fighting off temptation to peak in his mind to find out what it was. While Alcide is a wonderful guy I'm sure he was annoying the heck out of me. After lunch the guys got back to it, really at that point it was more hauling away the trash then deconstruction. I ventured into my bedroom to gather some of my belongings. I need to get my school books. I would have to go to class tomorrow no matter what. I also pack other little things to take with me. I sat down on my bed for a moment thinking about what I would need to get done today. I made a list.

1. Deposit insurance Check

2. New car

3. Get my clothes back from Maxine

It was rather short but the things on it were important. I could have Bobby take me to the bank on the way back to Shreveport. The clothing I could get later. Getting a new car was a bigger priority for me since I commute to school. When I say new I mean new to me. I am more than fine with having a used car. My little yellow nova had been a used car well before I acquired it. I have never needed a fancy car so the idea of buying one brand new was foreign to me. Being a telepath came in handy when shopping for anything where salesmen got commissions. Most assumed because I was female and blonde to boot I would not know if I was getting a crap deal. I knew that if I let Eric or even Jason for that matter help me pick out a car it would be too expensive for what I needed. Thinking about Eric reminded me that they wanted to talk to me about something. I was curious as to what they wanted. I could speculate the rest of the afternoon but it would do me no good. I gathered my bags and headed out to the car. Bobby was waiting at the back door to open it for me. We went to the bank on the way out of town. For the second time in two days the teller speculated about my life. After the bank we drove to Shreveport. The car sales man Derek was extremely helpful but he kept looking down the front of my dress. He answered all of my questions without talking down to me. I felt better when we left that I was more informed even if I was far too indecisive when it came to pick out a new car.

I take a nap when we get back to Eric's house. I fell asleep almost as soon as my head touched the pillow. My dream feels so real. I am standing in a garden full of exotic flowers. The fragrance is soothing it reminds me of Gran's garden. I meander through the fragrant blooms till I find a shimmering pond. I am drawn to the ponds edge by movement under the surface of the water. Suddenly a man breaches the surface. He is magnificent with a long main of chocolate brown hair cascading down his back. He walks out of the water with it streaming down is chiseled torso. My eyes follow one of the beads of water down his chest and stomach. As it goes lower I realize he is not wearing anything at all. I blush and turn around covering my eyes. I hear a deep melodious laugh behind me followed by a voice that could charm the world. "Littl' dove, please don't shy from me." A strong pair of arms circle my waist turning me back around. He peppers my checks and neck with kisses whispering words I don't understand. "A Thaisce (My treasure) A Stóirín (My little darling) Chol Beag (Little Dove)" While the attention feels wonderful I know it is not right. I have no idea who this man is. I try to pull away but he tightens his hold. "No littl' dove say with me this is where you belong." He says before kissing me. I melt into his arms as the air leaves my lungs. I feel a hand place a bloom behind my ear. I can hear someone calling me name in the distance.

Claudine's Point of View

I wish uncle would have introduced me to my charge long before now. It would make watching over her so much easier. Claude has been helpful well as helpful as he chooses to be. There are days when I question uncle's sanity for having Claude help. I have caught him slacking a fare few times in recent months. If he had been where he was supposed to be last night then I don't think Sookie's house would have been burned. He is so irresponsible. Although he did make sure that Compton ended up where he belonged. Claude somehow got the Shreveport Police Department to lend Bon Temps their Vampire control unit. I am sure Compton just loves his accommodations. Claude has spent the day in Niall's court playing the part of the dutiful grandson. He should be back soon with information on Niall's plans for Sookie. The last we heard he was in talks with the house of Pardloe. While Sookie could do much worse than Preston I would rather she had the chance to choose for herself like I did. I feel lucky with Colman. He may not be as handsome or charismatic as Preston but he cares about me. I fear Sookie will be charmed by his ability to inhabit dreams. Preston is rumored to be extremely gifted for a non-royal faery.

Bill's Point of View

When I get out of this cell I am going to slowly dismember the Bon Temps police department. There is no way they could have known I started the fire. I would glamor them to tell me who informed them but none of the filth will look me in the eyes, let alone stay down is this pit. I also need to tell Sophie Anne that the Shreveport Police department is employing vampires. I don't know how they had the jurisdiction to be involved in the case but I will find out. The two that arrested me have not been registered as living in Louisiana. If Eric thinks he can sneak loyal vampires into his area of the state he will be sorely mistaken. I take both of my jobs in her majesties court seriously. My most recent project is set to be quite profitable for the state. If only procuring Sookie would go as smoothly.

Eric's Point of View

I reach out in the fledgling bond to feel Sookie when I rise. Her emotions are flitting back and forth so quickly it is hard to tell what is going on in her head. I can tell Godric is just as curious as to what is happening with her. I am impatient to see what is making her feel this way. When the sun is truly set for the evening I mount the stairs of my chamber to the main floor. I find Godric smiling as he watches Sookie sleep. You would think that when asleep your emotions would be steady and calm. Suddenly Sookie is gasping for air. We both rush to her side feeling her helplessness and lust. She starts to struggle and then moans. I place a hand to her check trying to calm her. I call her name several times before her eyes flutter open. She bolts up sitting with her back against the head board. The blush on her checks intensifies.

"Little one are you well? What were you dreaming about?" Godric asks moving to sit closer to her. She just nodded her head and hides her eyes behind her hands. I notice a light saccharine smell permeating from her. Then I spot a small purple flower tucked into her hair behind her left ear. I have only seen this flower twice in my existence. The meaning behind that flower and its location is a statement it is also not lost on me.

Godric's Point of View

I had hoped claiming our little one would not be so difficult. I see Niall's statement in the little purple flower. "Sookie where did this flower come from?" I ask removing it from her hair and placing it in front of her.

"That was real!" She gasps blushing further. Her reaction makes me curious.

"What was Sookie?" I probe.

"I was dreaming well I thought I was anyway. I was in a beautiful garden with lots of flowers that reminded me of Gran's. Then I find a pond and this guy gets out of it and he is naked. I turn around because well he was naked and then he laughed and called me little dove. His accent was different like from the U. K. Then he kissed me and said stuff I did not understand. He put a flower in my hair and then I heard my name being called and I woke up." She rambled so softly that if not for my heighted vampire hearing I would have missed it.

"Did you recognize the man in your dream?" Eric chimes in.

"No I have never seen him before in my life but that can't have been a dream. I mean the flower." She said gesturing to the miniscule bloom. "Is this bad?" She asks looking between the two of us.

"I can't say for sure yet but I think means Niall is still going forward with his plan." I say hoping not to scare her. Her mouth forms an o. I wait for her to say something but her stomach speaks up first. "Little one I think we need to feed you. We can talk about this later. I wanted to ask you something as well. Lest get you something to eat first." I say standing from the bed and offering her a hand to get up. Eric's house keeper Catherin is the kitchen puttering around.

"Oh good your awake I am almost done making dinner. I hope you like ham balls and scalloped potatoes." She makes a plate for Sookie ushering her to sit down. Catherin then pours two glasses of blood for Eric and me. It has been a while since I have shared a meal with someone who ate food. I find the smell of her meal interesting if not particularly appetizing. It smells nothing like what I remember eating as a human.

"Sookie I had a phone call last night from my second in command. I like Eric and a sheriff in Texas. One of the vampires who lives with me in Dallas is missing." I think that being direct with her will help.

"Are you going to be leaving?" She asks setting down her fork to take a drink of milk.

"I will need to leave soon but I was hoping that you and Eric would be able to accompany me. Isabel thinks that Farrel is being held by the Fellowship of the Sun. Would you be willing to use your gift to tell us if he is there?" I counter.

"Can you guarantee that I will be back for school on Monday? I already missed class today and I don't want to get behind." She responds quickly.

"Eric would be able to bring you back Sunday evening at the latest. I will have to stay and deal with things." I reply.

"Ok when do we leave?" She asks with a cautious smile.