CLUE

She was just going to work, and she had to make him believe that. She went about her normal routine, clipping some of her hair back before she slipped her shoes on. She wasn't surprised when an arm wrapped tight around her waist.

She smiled as the most adorable noise escaped him, his breath falling on her neck as he shifted his body closer. 'Do you have to go to work?' he asked, speech slurred ever so slightly in his tired state. He wasn't due to wake up for another two hours, the sun still shining in the sky, but he always said goodbye before she left. He kissed her neck, following the line of her shoulder. 'I'd much rather that you stay here.'

'I can't, but I'll tell you what. You can come pick me up at nine, okay? she said, reaching up to run her hand over his jaw, turning her head to place a quick kiss on his lips. 'Does that sound good?'

'Better than good,' he mumbled and she could feel the smile on his lips. 'Oh, and Happy anniversary.'

Her heart fluttered. 'Happy anniversary.'

'I love you.'

She turned into his embrace, letting him pull her back onto the bed as he claimed her lips, a little growl rumbling through his chest. She pulled back, placing a quick kiss on his nose. 'I love you too,' she said, brushing her fingers through his hair, revelling in the feel of the pale strands. 'I'll see you tonight.'

He claimed her lips again and she shivered at the scrape of his fangs as he lightly nibbled her bottom lip. 'Can't wait.'

She pulled away from him, a part of her desperately wanting to can the treasure hunt and go straight to the finish line, but another wanted to have fun with it, knew the love/hate relationship he would have with the chase she was about to orchestrate.

Barely resisting the urge to walk back to the bed, she only allowed herself a glance as he stretched in the king bed, his big body barely covered by the sheets when she forced herself to close the door. She went to her car – a newer model Honda like the one she'd had before the crash that had brought her and Eric together – and pulled out through the iron gate. She was proud of her little car, one she had refused to let Eric buy for her, no matter how many times he tried to convince her to let him.

And he really had tried.

She pulled her car into a park at Merlotte's, jumping out with a smile on her lips. She walked in like normal, going straight to Sam's office to put her bag out of the way and put her apron on. She'd do about half an hour of work before heading out to set the rest of the clues.

'Well someone has an air about her today,' Lafayette said as he leant on the counter a tea towel flung over his shoulder. 'You have a mind blowing bout of play with your vamp before you came today?

She felt pink flush over her cheeks. 'No, but I'm still feeling tingles from last night.'

'Mmm, damn. I don't like him, but boy sure knows how to make a girl happy.'

She grinned. 'Oh yeah,' she said as she turned, taking the plate that Terry brought to her. 'He does.'

She dropped the plate at table six before moving to take orders, spotting Sookie out of the corner of her eyes. Hey, have a good night with Bill?

She knew that Sookie had heard her when her best friend stifled a laugh, coming to stand beside her as they both headed back to the counter with new orders. 'Yes,' she said. 'Have fun with Eric?'

'We didn't even make it home.'

'Naughty girl.'

'As if you and Bill haven't–' She gasped as an elbow connected with her ribs, cutting her off.

'We have,' Sookie said, tone clipped, 'multiple times.'

Sarah giggled as they both headed in separate directions, Sookie to the tables with drinks and Sarah to the front door as a couple of locals arrived looking for a meal. She chatted with them, leading them to an empty booth, taking her order while she projected to Sookie.

Cough if you're ready for your clue. She smiled when she heard the delicate sound a short way behind her, giving her a chance to continue. Tell him exactly this;

On this night of six months passed,

You felt the burn of hand on heart.

Her secret discovered, she ran toward

The house of a black rose with attitude as sharp as thorns.

Find the rose for with her lies

The next clue to where she hides.

She felt Sookie brush past her and couldn't help a grin as her best friend whispered. 'Nice. When'd you come up with that?'

'This morning, after he'd fallen asleep.'

There was a moment of silence as they both tore off the latest orders. 'Nice.'

'I better get going,' she said, pinning the piece of paper up. 'I'll see you later okay.'

She ducked back into Sam's office, grabbing her hand bag as she took off her apron. She headed out to the bar, stopping to lean her elbows on it, waiting for Sam to look up. 'Hey.'

He looked at the bag over her shoulder. 'Didn't you just get here?' he asked, glancing to the clock that hung precariously on the wall. 'Like, half an hour ago? Tops.'

'Yeah, sort of have to go though.'

'But–'

'I told you last week I wouldn't be working tonight at all because of my anniversary, so you're lucky that I came even this long,' she said, quirking an eyebrow at him. 'Now, I will see you later, okay? I have things to do and places to be.'

Sam opened his mouth to speak but she had already turned from him, heading straight toward the door with a wave over her shoulder.

Eric was excited when he woke. He took his time dressing, donning the grey suit he knew she loved, a black dress shirt beneath it. He combed his hair back into place, quickly checking his reflection as he ran a hand over his chin, feeling the smoothness of his cleanly shaved skin.

He grinned as he glanced to the photo on the bedside table. It had been taken on a double date in Dallas, the photo snapped before he had even noticed that Sookie had pulled out the camera. He'd been distracted, whispering in Sarah's ear, telling her how beautiful she was, if he remembered correctly.

He picked it up, staring at it for a moment longer as the memory danced in his mind. People still called her the meek-little-English girl, but really she was his not-so-meek English woman.

He placed the frame back on the table. 'I'm coming for you, luv.'

He drove to Merlotte's, thinking of where he'd take her. He'd considered a few options for dinner, though he couldn't quite decide on which he liked best, so he figured he'd let her pick.

He climbed out of the 1971 Dodge Challenger – her favourite – and went straight inside, feeling eyes turn his way as soon as he stepped through the door. He scanned the room but only saw Sookie and Arlene.

'What are you doing here?'

Eric turned toward Sam. 'I'm here to pick up Sarah.'

'She left quite a while ago Eric. Maybe you should too.'

He ignored the shifter's animosity, not in any form of mood to deal with it. 'Where did she go?'

'Didn't say, but she might have told Sookie.' Sam turned his head, calling her away from the table she'd just taken an order from.

She bounded over, smiling as she tucked her notepad into her apron. 'I don't know where she is now, but I do have something to tell you.'

Eric quirked an eyebrow at her. 'What?'

She repeated the clue, watching Eric and his stoic expression. She knew that he'd figured it out when a smile came over his lips, a devious glint in his eyes, but still she asked, 'have you figured it out?'

He looked to her, smirking. 'I do believe I have.' He sprinted out, throwing himself into his car. He threw it into reverse, kicking up dust as he spun in a semi-circle. He grinned to himself, wondering how he hadn't picked up on it earlier, though a part of him was glad she'd been able to keep her little game a secret.

He loved a good chase.

He pulled up in front of the house, somehow making the speeding car stop before he hit the curb. He was at the front door in an instant, knocking sharply on it.

'Just a minute!'

He tapped his toe, but sill pulled a smile over his lips when the door flung wide. 'Can I–'

'You don't need to, because you won't be here long,' Tara snapped as she pulled her robe tight around herself. 'Now, I don't like y'all that much, but I love Sarah so I'm still gonna pass this on.'

'Another clue.'

'No, a bouquet of flowers,' she said, exasperated, 'of course another clue.'

'Well?'

'I'm try'na remember it, so hold onto your fangs, okay?'

Eric barely stopped himself from rolling his eyes, his nails biting into his palms as he clenched his fists. He nearly cried with relief when Tara finally spoke.

'It's not the end, keep your head high

for this next clue is simplified.

To the home of one Stackhouse you must go,

remember; it's on Bachelor's Road.'

'Thank you!' he said, bending to place a quick, thankful kiss on her cheek before he leapt back into his car.

Sarah looked around the room, smiling as she took in the space. She'd arrived home half an hour ago, had showered and readied then set up the bedroom. There were candles – scentless, of course, as the scented ones were too strong for Eric – as well as just a hint of honey filling the air, a light body lotion she used that he seemed to also appreciate.

She quickly checked her appearance, tying the robe a little tighter around herself as she ran a brush through her hair, feeling a little shiver of anticipation run through her.

When the doorbell rang, she nearly leapt out of her skin. She glanced to the clock, seeing that it was nearing eleven. He'd gotten through the clues quicker than she'd thought.

Not that she minded…

She went to the door, taking a breath to steady herself, knowing that he would steal it with a kiss as soon as he was inside. She pulled the heavy door open, but she did not get swept into a set of strong arms as she had expected, her body instead pulled against a narrower chest as brown hair tickled her cheek.

Shit.

Next update: Wednesday 8th of September