It's Saturday and time for an update!

Thank you for your wonderful reviews! As I said before, keep them coming. My muse is thirsty for them ;)

This chapter is a treat for all the Bill haters out there ;) I hope that will make up for a lack of Eric. Yeah, yeah, I know! Don't hate me but he can't be everywhere (at least not physically) and it's about time this sassy and smart Sookie I was talking about comes out to play!

Until next Saturday!

Enjoy!

Chapter 5:

As my old car rattled its way home I mulled over everything that had happened that night in my head again.

First, there was Eric. He was … not what I would have expected.

His ego was so big maybe he should have lived in Texas since apparently everything is bigger in Texas.

He was definitely something different from what I was used to. And that was a good thing, even when he was acting like an arrogant, pompous ass most of the time. He was refreshing too though: right to the point, not pretentious and definitely not a lying, deceiving bastard like Bill. Well, maybe he was but at least he didn't pressure me into anything and told me enough information to be able to make up my own mind.

Although: I had this tiny doubt: Why did he want to do a blood exchange with me so quickly? We barely knew each other - just like I barely knew Bill at the time – and still he decided to start a bond just 24 hours after we met. Yes, I found his reasoning fairly logical – and I think I would have done the same thing in his stead – but I have the feeling there was more going on than he was telling me. He indicated that there was a third party involved. How could someone other than Eric and me know what was about to happen? Somehow I needed to get to the bottom of it.

There was one thing I was pretty sure about: The first night we met – was that only the night before? – he was arrogant, aloof and unattainable. Then, barely 24 hours after meeting, he made an almost complete turnaround. For some strange reason he let me see a side of him which I think barely anyone has ever seen before. He willingly shared information with me – even if it did come with a price, bastard. This led me to believe that something was different between us. I just didn't know what, yet.

I knew, with absolute certainty, that I wanted to get to know him; every facet of his character and every side of his personality – even the bad ones. From the first moment his old eyes met mine a connection was formed; I could feel it deep within me. I knew it wasn't some illusion or the imagination of my overactive mind; even though I didn't understand what was happening just yet.

With the few minutes I spent in his presence the previous night I realized that Eric was more than he portrayed himself as. He had a sense of humor and the few times he let it show I knew there was a mischievous little boy still living inside him. Maybe that was the main reason he drew me in so completely. He was a puzzle I wanted to solve and I would love every minute of it - if the fun we had already had was any indication.

Oh, and let's not forget the sexual tension. You could practically feel the air around us crackling as it charged with energy. The little dry humping session was nothing though: It was a mere drop in the ocean. I didn't know what would happen when we seriously danced between the sheets: Would the whole city suffer a blackout? It wouldn't surprise me!

As if that wasn't enough, I had almost jumped him when we did the blood exchange. His blood was the sweetest thing I'd ever tasted. It was like I imagine the mythological ambrosia that granted the gods immortality would taste like. Maybe it is quite literally ambrosia: A vampire is immortal – or almost immortal, they can still be killed - and when he turns somebody it is because of the blood.

And then there's the actual blood exchange. I think it was the strangest thing to have ever happened to me. It felt like I had an out of body experience. I could, quite literally, see with my inner eye how both our bloods started to mingle and then tightened into this tiny star at the back of my mind.

I reached out for it right then – as if to make sure it was still there – and yes there it was, pulsing and glowing like it was a living being.

Had I ever felt that with Bill?

Earlier at the bar I wasn't so sure about it but right then I could quite honestly say that I had never felt anything like that with him. I never felt anything other than annoyed or angry when it came to Bill Compton. Maybe it was because he didn't have the best of intentions at heart.

Speaking of Bill, the lying, sniveling, deceiving asshole: I was furious with both of us. I was angry with myself for falling for Bill's deceitful ways and with Bill himself for even using me that way. He almost killed me for Christ's sake, just to get his blood into me! That was … that's just … I have no words for it. Barbaric! And then he had the audacity to play the southern gentleman? I couldn't wrap my mind around it.

My anger was back full force. Well, maybe anger wasn't the right word; seething, yes much better. I was seething inside and I had to restrain myself from taking it out on the accelerator. It wasn't my rusty old car's fault and I didn't think it would survive the mistreatment: I couldn't afford a new one.

The more I thought about Bill's treachery the more my blood simmered just below the surface. I had to find a way to vent before I exploded.

So I stopped my car at the side of the road and screamed.

And screamed.

And screamed a little more.

Then I started to curse. I threw any bad word I could think of, maybe a few made up ones as well, at my imaginary Bill's head.

When I finally stopped yelling my throat felt scratchy and I was breathing hard but I definitely felt better.

Maybe I should make a voodoo doll. That way I could vent on it with needles. Now that was an idea! Hmm, or I maybe I could make a life size straw man, paste Bill's picture on it and use it for target practice!

Just wait, you little weasel. You will get what's coming to you. Karma's a bitch my friend, I thought devilishly.

Forty-five minutes later I finally turned down Hummingbird Road. I heaved a sigh of relief because I just wanted to fall into bed and get my tired body some much needed rest and that end was now in sight.

Or not.

I could feel a void at the edge of the woods when I got out of my car. The presence of Bill Compton in my life was getting creepy really fast.

I suppressed a shudder and used a lifetime of hiding my reactions to school my features as I made my way to the back door of the house which had been my home for almost twenty years.

But of course I should have known that I wouldn't get away without a confrontation; my wish of falling straight into bed would not be granted right away. I got as far as the steps of the porch when I heard him calling my name.

Now Bill? Really?

My nerves were raw as it was. Why couldn't he leave me alone just for one night?

Sigh. Here we go!

I turned around and faked a surprised expression, "Oh, hey Bill."

He didn't hide his disapproval of my choice in clothing as he scrutinized my outfit from head to toe. He probably thought I was showing too much cleavage or his beloved petticoat was missing. Well that was just too bad since I didn't give a rat's ass.

His gaze reminded me of a father who criticized his daughter's every move. What right did he have to treat me that way? He didn't even know me. Did he see me as a little girl who had no right to have her own mind or life?

I felt disgusted.

"Sookie, where have you been? I tried to call on you but your grandmother told me you went out," he said with a condescending tone.

A chill settled in my bones. Had he been alone with her? Had she invited him in? What had he done to her?

I tried to keep calm so he wouldn't feel my inner panic. Damn him and his blood! I forced myself to stay indifferent and not think about what could have happened since I knew Gran was okay because I could feel her mind sleeping peacefully somewhere in the house behind me.

"Well, hello to you too, Bill. How has your evening been so far? Mine was very … enlightening. Have you been well? I've been fantastic!" My words were dripping with sarcasm but I couldn't hold it back. My gran probably would've tanned my hide if she had heard but I didn't care, Bill was too far up on my shit list.

Bill pressed his lips into a thin line and took a few steps towards me, "Why didn't you tell me you were going out?"

Calm, stay calm. "I don't see why that is any of your business. If I want to go out in my free time I don't need your permission. I'm not a fifteen year old girl with a curfew anymore and you are not my father."

He had the audacity to look hurt. For a second I was impressed with his bravery – or was it foolishness? Didn't matter. He must have realized that something was not right in 'the Sookieverse' since I'd never talked to him like that before, well other than the night before at the bar. Or maybe he was stupider than I thought.

"But Sookie, it's not safe nowadays for a lady to go out alone," he whined.

Seriously?

And who says I'm a lady, at least all the time?

Did he have any idea how pathetic he sounded? I crossed my arms over my chest and arched an eyebrow – very Eric like. "Uh huh, and why is that?"

His gaze became patronizing: I really hated that look. "Because there is a serial killer on the loose, of course, and he could target you. You should be with me when you go out, I can protect you."

I blinked.

Seriously?

I stared at him incredulously. Did he even know what he was saying? Did his dinner take a stupid pill? Did he have a junky as a snack who had so many drugs in him that they had affected Bill in an adverse way? "Do you know that you are contradicting yourself? Don't you think that this killer might target me because I'm seen with you?"

"Then you should move in with me. He will not find you there!"

I couldn't stop myself, I burst out laughing: The kind of laugh which doubles you over and leaves you gasping for breath and wiping tears from your face. My god, this was so silly, so surreal it was funny. It was … ridiculous. "Oh Bill," I said once I had myself back under control. "I think you had a clown for breakfast." I had to wipe away a few tears. "Firstly, I barely know you so why would I move in with you? I'm perfectly happy living with my Gran and I would never leave her alone. Secondly, don't you think that the murderer - who is obviously anti-vampire - would look in a vampire's house first? And thirdly, maybe you should make your house more livable before you think about roommates, don't you think?" Like Eric said, it was a shithole.

Oh, he didn't like that. His face became a stony mask and he took a few more steps towards me. I became wary all of a sudden and took the final step up onto the porch. His nostrils flared as he stood in front of me and I heard a low growl, "You were with him, weren't you?" His voice was cold as ice.

I shivered – but not the good kind – and regarded him quizzically, "Him who?" Maybe playing dumb wasn't the smartest move right then but I didn't want to give him the satisfaction of knowing I was scared.

"Eric. You were at Fangtasia tonight. I can smell him all over you!"

There was no use denying it, "Yes. I noticed last night that the music was good. I was in Shreveport anyway and I wanted to have some fun since my escort had a stake up his ass." I knew he could tell I was lying but he didn't know that I knew, he knew. And honestly I didn't care. The only thing I cared about was that he didn't notice the blood exchange with Eric.

So far so good.

Bill's fangs came down and he leaned into me, nostrils flaring and lips curling into a hiss, "You are mine, Sookeh!"

My eyes narrowed to slits. Oh, I'd had enough of the 'mine' crap! "I'm not yours! I never was yours and I never will be yours! I'm a free woman of the 21st century and can do what-ever-the-fuck I want!"

Bill sneered at that, "So you're his whore now? Are you so blinded by his good looks that you can't see that he's playing with you? He's the cat and you're the mouse: Once he's had you he'll tire of you and he'll throw you to the side or leave you on the doorstep for your grandmother to find!"

All warmth left my body and my rational mind just turned off. I made a snap decision and I slapped him square in the face.

Damn, was that satisfying!

And I didn't care that my hand probably hurt more than his cheek did at that moment.

Oh, I was seething mad. Again.

How dare he! How dare he call me a whore and compare me to a … mouse? I really had to refrain myself from going all 'Uma Thurman' on Bill's ass.

Hmm, 'Poison Ivy'.

Hah I wish! Maybe someday that could be arranged but in the meantime I was going all 'Crazy Sookie' on him because I'd had enough.

My gaze turned cold as ice as I fixed him with a merciless stare, "How dare you," I thundered and shoved him backwards with both hands as I walked back down the stairs. "How dare you," another shove, "call me a whore! Just because I was at the bar, which just happens to be owned by a vampire, it does not mean I'm a fucking fangbanger any more than working in a bar means I'm an alcoholic!

"Just because I had a conversation with Eric does not mean I'm sleeping with him!" I planted myself directly in front of him and looked him square in the eyes.

He never saw it coming: My right knee hit him with all my strength - and I had ingested vampire blood that night - right there where it hurt the most.

Huh, I could have sworn I heard the angels sing! Ding dong!

Bill doubled over and moaned low from the pain. My lips turned up into a devilish grin. I would never, ever forget that face. And … could a vampire really turn green? Oh, how I wished I could take a picture right then.

I leaned down to his right ear and whispered so quietly only he could hear me, "Don't ever say something like that about me again! Next time it might just happen that I have a stake in my hand. Do we understand each other?" He jerked his head once in confirmation, "Good. Now, get off my property or I will get out my shotgun, or maybe use a thorny rose stem," I said as I moved towards Gran's rose bushes, "or perhaps I could just break off the broom handle!"

And with a 'whoosh' he was gone.

I waited a second before saying loudly and in a clear voice, "Bill Compton, I rescind your invitation into my house!" Better to be safe than sorry.

I squared my shoulders and breathed out slowly. Mission accomplished!

The next morning I woke up a little later than usual. When I had gone to bed the night before I hadn't been able to turn off my brain. Too much had gone on and my heart had been beating too fast for me to fall asleep.

I couldn't get the scene with Bill out of my head. The way he acted all jealous and possessive sent chills through my body. I knew why he reacted that way: he saw Eric as a threat to his mission. And the words he said about being Eric's whore and that he would dump me afterwards was Bill's way of trying to scare me away from Eric and probably into Bill's arms. Snort; that would never happen. Just thinking about it made me want to puke.

And then there were his eyes. This wild yet cold look in his eyes had chilled me to the bone. It made me believe Eric's words that vampires really are capable of nearly anything even more. What would he try to do now? How far would he go to complete his mission?

Even though kneeing him in the balls had been really satisfying and cathartic it maybe hadn't been one of my more brilliant moments. In the light of a new day my rational mind told me that it definitely was not the best move I had ever made: I didn't think it was such a good idea to make him angry.

They do say that hindsight is twenty-twenty: it definitely was that time.

I got up from my bed and walked to the window. I could see the old Compton house from there through the tree line. It had never bothered me before – it had always been a part of my life – but now it looked haunted like in those horror movies where a dark figure comes out after dark with an axe in its hand. Even in the sunlight the upper windows looked like dark, soulless eyes: I felt like they were staring at me.

I suppressed a shiver.

Don't be ridiculous, Sookie! You're spooked by an old run-down house? Absurd!

I shook my head at my inner dialogue and did my morning routine but the chill never left me.

Two hours later I was sitting in front of my old computer – which had been a good bargain at a clearance house - doing some research for my studies. I had decided to ignore the situation with Bill and Eric - and definitely avoid them at all costs - for a day or two. If that was a Scarlett O'Hara move I didn't care. I couldn't view it objectively at the time so a little distance would put a fresh perspective on it. Right?

Thank god I had the day off from work: I could immerse myself in an essay I had to hand in at the end of the week.

An idea had come to me during breakfast. Jason had been there – which was a surprise in its own way - and he had complained about the police having him under surveillance. He couldn't bring a girl home with him anymore because he couldn't 'perform' when he knew that someone was watching his every move. What if they looked through his bedroom window?

I'd wanted to sing lalala in my head. Definitely too much information if you asked me. I asked him if closing the drapes was such a hardship. Of course it was! When he was 'in the mood' he wouldn't be held up by something as trivial as closing the drapes.

I just rolled my eyes.

That got me thinking though: what if the killer had been watching Jason as well because he wanted to frame him? But why Jason of all people? Because it was known that he would sleep with anything in a skirt? Because he was not the sharpest tool in the shed? Maybe a combination of the two. He was the perfect scapegoat.

And that brought the idea that maybe Maudette and Dawn weren't the only victims of our serial killer. I mean why would he kill them now since it was seemingly out of the blue. Vampires had been out of the coffin for a few years at that time and fangbangers had been there almost from day one.

I found it likely that he had killed before. There had to have been some similar murders already. Maybe there was something on the internet?

If our dear Bon Temps police didn't want to look for suspects other than Jason I would have to do it myself.

After I finished my essay that's exactly what I did: I sifted through the archives of every newspaper in the northern part of Louisiana. I even made a few phone calls when the archives were not online yet and made them think I was a student in criminal psychology working on a project and needed to look for crimes which met specific criteria.

One of those calls finally paid off. It was a journalist from 'The News Star' in Monroe who remembered a murder a few years back which was never solved. She sent the article to my email.

As it turned out it was exactly what I was looking for: About four years before – shortly after the vampires came out of the coffin – a woman named Cindy Marshall, a citizen of Monroe, was found strangled in her apartment. She had fang marks on her inner thigh and was strangled with the apron strings of her own work uniform. They didn't suspect a vampire because her death happened in broad daylight. A likely suspect was her own brother, Drew Marshall. Witnesses saw them arguing that day and he seemed to have been violent towards her once as well, although there was never enough evidence to arrest him and they lost his trail soon after.

Unfortunately there was no picture of said Drew Marshall and when I searched the internet I couldn't find anyone who fit the description; they were too old, too young or didn't have a sister named Cindy.

I called the Monroe PD next but all they said was that they couldn't give out any information - especially a picture - because I was not in law enforcement and it was still an ongoing investigation.

I didn't let that little setback get me down though. I had proof now that there was at least one murder before Maudette who had been killed the same way and I had a hunch that this Drew Marshall was the real killer. I just needed to find out who he really was. If he lived in Bon Temps now he had changed his name so I needed a picture; or rather the Bon Temps Sheriff's office needed one. I would go right over there and tell them what I'd found out. They would see that Jason had nothing to do with it and from then on they would look for the real killer. Right?

Wrong!

When I made my way over to the Sheriff's department a while later they refused to even hear me out, "I'm sorry, Ms. Stackhouse but you don't tell us how we should do our job," Detective Andy Bellefleur said haughtily.

Irritated, I raised an eyebrow. Damn, Eric was rubbing off on me. "That's not what I'm doing. All I was saying was that I found an article that said someone else was killed in the same way Dawn and Maudette were. It's exactly the same circumstances and she was strangled too. The police even had a suspect, a man named Drew Marshall. He disappeared during the investigation. What if he moved to Bon Temps and changed his name? You just need to call the Monroe police and ask for a photo of him and you will know who the killer is." It was like explaining algebra to a three year old.

"I think we know best how to run an investigation. You are…," just a barmaid, I heard him think, "not in law enforcement so how would you know what's important and what's not in a case like this?"

I blinked. Did he just insinuate I was dumb? Oh, the nerve of him! I had to hold myself back so I wouldn't slap him like I had Bill.

Stay calm, Sookie.

Meanwhile we had gathered quite a crowd. Everyone working there – Sheriff Bud Dearborn and Officers Kevin Pryor and Kenya Jones - had come out to the reception room – where we were standing – to see what the heated argument was about. When they saw it was 'Crazy Sookie' they thought they would linger for the free entertainment.

Assholes!

I took a deep breath, "I'm not your stereotypical dumb blonde just like I'm sure you're not the stereotypical Police Officer who spends all his time filling up on donuts and coffee at the local Donut King!" I could see that he got angry over that and took a breath to probably say something like 'You will respect me, I'm a Detective!' but I cut him off, "All I'm saying is that you have the wrong guy. Jason didn't kill those girls. Don't you see that someone's trying to frame him?

He's the perfect scapegoat. Every time he has a conquest he gloats to anybody who'll listen. Isn't it obvious he probably blabbed that Maudette and Dawn had fang marks on their bodies? The killer heard it, branded them as fangbangers and decided to eliminate them." It was so obvious, was I the only one who could see it?

"How would you know that Jason's not the culprit? You're biased because he's your brother."

I narrowed my eyes, "You know as well as I do that I 'hear' and 'know' things sometimes and this is one of those times." That's as close as I ever got to admitting to my telepathy in public.

"You just don't want to admit he's capable of something so horrendous. But I know, I've always known, that he's able to do something like this," he sneered at me and tried to stand up straighter; pushing out his chest. But all he accomplished was inflating his already round belly like a balloon.

"You know Detective, I've always respected you because I thought you did your job conscientiously but now I have my doubts. Is it because I'm just 'Crazy Sookie'," Yes, I used my fingers as air quotes, "that you don't want to give me the time of day? It's just one damn phone call you have to make. You don't even have to get your lazy behind out of your office chair. Or is it maybe because Jason gets all the girls and is not even discreet about it? Oh, or is it because he – a mere Stackhouse – is more popular than you – a Bellefleur, a blue blood of this town - will ever be?" I took a step forward and got right in his face and said in a loud whisper, still loud enough for everyone to hear, "Let me tell you a secret: Your Grandma Caroline threw all the money your family ever possessed right out the window. She can barely pay the taxes for the house." I covered my mouth with my hand in mock horror, "Oh no! How could I possibly know that? It's such a well-kept secret: Only the family knows." I took a few steps back again and could see his face becoming as red as a tomato from anger and shame. But it was not shame over Jason's situation; no, he was ashamed that the big, bad family secret was finally revealed, and in front of his colleagues no less.

"So, which of the three is it? Probably all of them combined, am I right? Maybe you should think about this: prejudice and hate are mortal sins. They will get you a ticket straight to hell!" I looked him square in the eyes for a long moment.

"Mark my words: Drew Marshall is your real killer," I called loud enough for everyone in the room to hear. I looked at every single person with a stern gaze before turning around to exit.

Just a step from the door I turned around one last time and said, like it was an after-thought, "Oh, and one last thing: I know that you already put the case to rest and are just waiting for Jason to make the wrong move. Doesn't Mayor Norris have to okay the funds for this station? What do you think he would do if I told him how this office treats evidence and promising leads in a murder case?" With that I strode out the door. Oh, their slack-jawed expressions were a satisfying treat.

That, Ladies and Gentlemen, is how you make an exit!

For a second I just stood on the sidewalk and breathed in the humid Louisiana air to get the stink of prejudice out of my nose and tried to keep my mind blank. The moment was short-lived though because both things were impossible to accomplish.

I didn't know what to do next. The police weren't going to be any help. I could still hear their minds and they were thinking the whole scene was one of my 'Crazy Sookie' episodes. They even thought my threat to call the mayor was trivial.

Well, just wait guys!

I couldn't call the Shreveport police either because Bon Temps was not in their jurisdiction. At least I didn't think so. But maybe it was worth a shot.

Speaking of Shreveport, maybe I should talk to Eric about it. He may know of a trustworthy detective at the department.

Sigh, hadn't I told myself just that morning to stay away from him for a few days? But did I have another option? I didn't think so.

Frustrated and angry I made my way back home.

Nobody was there when I came in through the back door.

Damn, nobody to vent to.

Gran had been gone since the morning with Maxine Fortenberry to prepare for their Descendants of the Glorious Dead meeting the next night.

It would be Bill's big night and I was expected to be there because my gran was the one who set up this meeting with him. It would look bad if I didn't show up.

Shudder. I could think of better ways to spend my evening than listening to Bill's whiny voice speak but it couldn't be helped. That way I would at least have the opportunity to observe the people and look out for the killer.

Making up my mind about Eric I spent the time until sunset petting and playing with my kitty, Tina. Her favorite toys were table-tennis balls and it was fun to watch her batting and chasing after them through the whole house. At least watching her lightened my bad mood a little bit.

When it was finally time I called the number for Fangtasia: I had looked for it on the internet earlier and wrote it down on a piece of paper.

"Fangtasia, the bar with a bite. You have three seconds to state your business before I hunt you down and drain you dry," Pam's bored voice came over the line.

I had to smile at her dry humor.

"Hello to you too Pam, this is Sookie Stackhouse. Can I speak to Eric, please?"

"He's in his office, I will put you through." The next thing I heard was a click.

Well, it was nice talking to you too Pam, I thought dryly.

A horrible Heavy Metal song came on while I was waiting, I guess it's better than elevator music but not by much. Was it even a song? The only thing I heard was the sound of retching. It made me want to retch as well.

"Hello, my future lover. What can I do for you this fine evening," Eric purred into the phone: It sent electric shocks through my body.

And … future lover? I looked at our old-fashioned phone receiver skeptically for a second. Did I miss something?

I decided to ignore it. Better not to add fuel to the fire.

"Well, Mr. Cocky-Pants, firstly you need to change the wait music, it makes me want to kill something, and secondly I wanted to ask if I could come by this evening but now I think it's better to do my business over the phone. It's just a simple question anyway so no need to drive for an hour each way just to ask it."

"Oh, Sookie," was he pouting? "Where is the fun in that? If you don't have phone sex in mind I would rather meet in person."

Urgh! Why did he have to say that? Cookie had already started waking up when she heard his voice. When she heard 'that' word she started purring. I rolled my eyes. "I'm not in the mood to hear your sexual innuendos."

Oh but I am, Cookie purred.

Shut up!

"This is a business call! No sexual vampire weirdness tonight," I barked.

"My, my Ms. Stackhouse, I think you need to get laid. Relieve some … tension. I can help you with that!" His tone was low and seductive.

Arrgh! What was it with him tonight? I really liked his snarky self but this really topped it all.

"But you won't," tonight, I thought, "I will be there in an hour. No funny business," I growled and hung up.

My temper was back in full force and I stomped to my room to change clothes. The nerve of him! No colorful dress this time, he hadn't earned it.

After throwing on some dark jeans, a white shirt and a purple cardigan, I wrote a note to Gran and then hopped into my old, beat-up car and made my way back to Shreveport.