HERE'S TO THE HENS AND BUCKS

Darkness.

Sarah had been happily sipping on her beer, the last of the chips from her meal being washed away in a delicious swirl. Sam had outdone himself, allowing the girls to hold the beginning of the Hen's night in the bar and grill even though he was attending the Buck's night. Lafayette had served up a feast and they had enjoyed having the whole establishment to themselves for dinner – Sam had closed the restaurant to customers after lunch to allow repairs to be made after Lucian had torn it apart in his fear. Though being back in Merlotte's less than 24 hours since the confrontation, Sarah was feeling strong, excited for the night ahead.

Well, until she had been blindfolded.

She wiggled her nose, trying to dislodge the blindfold that had been forced over her eyes, but it was too tightly tied for her to shift it. She wanted to curse at those responsible, maybe even get one of her stiletto heels into the closest foot, but she didn't believe her friends would appreciate the gesture. So, with a resigned sigh she allowed the giggling girls and Lafayette to guide her carefully into a car, a limo she guessed by how far she had to travel to her seat once inside. She relaxed as a bottomless wineglass was placed in her hand, magically filled each time she drank it to that last drop.

Despite her hatred of being blindfolded, she still couldn't help but smile. She was excited to see what the night ahead held, what mischief they would get up to. It had all been kept very hush hush, none of the bridesmaids offering any information during the organisation, despite how much Sarah had poked and prodded. The mystery alone was almost too much for Sarah to bear.

Gently, the girls guided Sarah out of the limo. She was wary in her steps though she could tell the surface was concrete. The arms that were wrapped tightly around her from both sides reassured her she would not fall, Sookie directing her, keeping her from tripping on the steps as they climbed.

The creak of a door sounded and the rush of bass slammed into her chest, echoed in her heartbeat. She was ushered inside, the blindfold pulled from over her eyes, a gasp escaping her lips as she took in the sight before her. Every girl of Bon Temps was inside, all cheering her name as they held up champagne, cocktails and shots. They had booked out the entire club just for the Hen's night, the DJ playing just for them, the playlist holding remixes of all of Sarah's favourites, the theme making Sarah want to squeal with delight.

Burlesque.

Everyone in sight was decked out in costume. Feathers, corsets and glitter filled the room, making the women sparkle under the club lights. As she turned to hug her friends in thanks for the night she had yet to fully enjoy, the girls removed their coats or dresses to reveal their costumes, Sarah finally realising why they had worn such understated outfits for what she knew would become an outrageously fun night. Arlene came forward, the black beading on her corset shining like diamonds as she moved. She smiled as she held up a coat hanger, the garment hidden under a black bag. The zip was accented with a faux diamond ring and Sarah knew that whatever garment was held within was for her.

She nearly shook with excitement as she took it, allowing Sookie to usher her into a private room to change. A grin lit her lips as Sookie laced the corset, completing the outfit. She felt like a goddess in wicked heels, the white stockings accented by a delicate lace band around her thigh. A tiny gathered skirt covered ruffle panties, leading up to a white lace corset that Sarah desperately hoped to take home with her. As Sookie draped the longest, thickest, most beautiful feather boa around her shoulders, Sarah had a Cheshire grin on her lips.

With arms joined, Sarah allowed Sookie to lead her away from the main floor of the club, following her best friend up a short flight of stairs despite the edge of trepidation that filled her. She could hear the laughter from Bon Temps women as they danced and drank, but the sound of feedback quieted them and the music, the tap of fingers on a microphone leaving only whispers in the club.

'Well, well, who thought you ladies would clean up so sexy,' Lafayette called, laughter and cheering rippling through the room for a moment, 'you all nearly as irresistible as me!'

A wolf whistle sounded from somewhere as Sookie continued to usher Sarah along, stopping her behind a heavy curtain. She could hear movement somewhere else backstage, but her attention was drawn back to Lafayette as he continued, realising he had finished his introductions as MC.

'Oh hush,' he yelled over the latest racket, 'remember girls, we're here for a reason, and quite a special one. Our meek little English girl is about to begin the biggest adventure of her life, but we can't send her and that gorgeous hunk of vampire of her's on their merry way to marriage without first celebrating her last nights of freedom!'

More cheers filled the club, Sarah's ears threatening to burst at the wave of sound. It took Lafayette far longer to quiet down the mass of excited – and tipsy – women, but when he did not even a whisper could be heard. Sarah glanced to Sookie, seeing the mischievous smile that crossed her best friend's lips as Lafayette began to announce what he described as 'a very special entrance,' Sarah missing the rest as Sookie asked, 'Do you remember the dance from Moulin Rouge?'

'Which one?' Sarah asked, quirking an eyebrow.

'Diamonds are a girl's best friend.'

'It's one of my favourites from the film. Why?'

'Good,' Sookie said, having to yell over the sound of the intro. Sarah gasped as she was shoved into a sudden crowd, women dressed in beautiful burlesque outfits and men in impeccable suits surrounding her from an entrance she could not see over the crowd. A girl that Sarah didn't know winked at her, saying, 'don't forget the words sweetie,' before the curtain opened and she was lifted, carried out by two men.

Suddenly everything became very real as the group danced around her, her instincts kicking into gear as the words flowed from her. Even as nerves raked her mind, she couldn't help but smile. She had battled werewolves and vampires. She had taken down the Fellowships of the Sun. Performing one of her favourite songs, one that she had danced and screamed to the rooftops so many times was just going to add to the excitement of the night.

She revelled in the feeling, allowing the words she knew so well to flow from her as the dancers moved around her, the scene harmonious. She didn't care that her voice wasn't pitch perfect or that she wasn't as skilled or as smooth in her moves as the men and women around her. She was having fun: her friend's had nailed this night from the beginning, from the relaxed dinner right to a burlesque themed show that she was a part of.

When the song finished she was breathless, but the smile on her lips and the grins worn by the girls that she loved so dearly made her feel as bright as a ray of sunshine, the burlesque dancers around her giving her a hug before disappearing back behind the curtain.

As she let out a breath, hoping that Sookie had a drink waiting for her backstage, Sarah realised that the men were still around her, but their jackets were gone, their bow-ties hanging over their shoulders. Before she could process the information that stormed through her mind, the crisp white shirts that they wore were torn off to screams of delight from the crowd, Sarah clapping her hands over her mouth as they surrounded her. She covered her eyes as the rip of Velcro sounded, numerous pairs of pants hitting her before falling in a heap at her feet. She couldn't stop laughing as they danced around her, each wearing what she thought was a g-string, from the glimpses she caught when they tugged at the hand she used to cover her eyes.

When she finally lost the fight with her hand, she discovered Sookie was the one to pull her hands down, holding them at her sides, laughing with her as the scantily clad men danced all around them. Every woman in sight was brandishing bills, waving them at the men who leapt or flipped off the stage in a show of athleticism, moving through the crowd, surprisingly keeping their underwear on despite the gropes they were receiving, a surprised Lafayette fanning himself for a moment before chasing after one particularly feisty g-string clad man claimed his lips for what must have been one hell of a kiss.

Though she was enjoying herself watching the women of Bon Temps drool over the handsome men who danced around the club, in between all of the laughter and trademark naughtiness of a Hen's night, Sarah could only think of one man. The age gap would have terrified her parents, but the thousand year old vampire who she would marry in just two days was the only man on her mind. Every muscular body that passed her was replaced with Eric's, burned into her mind for eternity from his perfect crystalline skin, to the hard planes of his shoulders and torso, leading straight down to an ass she could happily bounce pennies off all night.

She may enjoy herself, laugh with at the raunchiness of the women around her, there was no man who could tempt her to touch even an inch of toned skin until she was home in her vampire's arms.

As more drinks were poured, as the burlesque dancers returned and Sarah danced until her heels wore blisters and her feet ached, she knew that somewhere Eric was enjoying his Buck's night. She just hoped that the boys wouldn't wear him out too much…

'Bill, chase that mother fucker!' Eric screamed as he ripped at his skin, forcing Jake to drink the rich red that flowed from his wrist. Fury rolled from him in waves, the humans that had been invited keeping their distance, allowing Eric to feed Jake blood until the wound knitted back together. Jake's heart rate increased, a sigh of relief coursing through Eric as his soon to be brother-in-law took a shuddering breath.

Alcide and Sam helped Jake to his feet, his colour slowly returning until his cheeks were flushed. He reached up instinctively, touching his neck, the blood on his throat still warm.

'Shit,' he breathed with wide, startled eyes, 'I think I'm going to need a new shirt.'

Bill appeared beside him, obviously relieved to see Jake standing. He glanced to Eric, 'bastard's a coward, but he's also faster than most of the vampires I've come across,' he said, 'I lost him about two miles north.'

Good, he wasn't heading in Sarah's direction, the knowledge easing Eric's mind further.

'Did you see where he came in?'

He shook his head, 'first time I noticed him was when he had his hands in Jake's throat.'

Eric wanted to growl, but knew it would do no good. Lucian was trying to scare them, to force them into submission with fear. Somehow, he knew that the vampire was watching them, studying their every move. There was no other way he could have discovered the location of the buck's night without having eyes on him and Sarah, but the question was, who did the eyes belong to?

'Bill, if you could assist me, I believe the humans here would like to forget what just happened,' Eric said, waving over the other vampires that had joined him for the buck's night. Being Sheriff he knew that they would never dare speak a word of the attack, but the humans… One look from Sarah and they would spill every gruesome detail in the wake of her determined, intimidating glare.

'Jake, do you–'

'If she finds out, that'll be it. I'm not letting this needy son of a bitch ruin your wedding. Even if he'd ripped my heart out I'd have come back as a ghost to walk Sarah down that aisle, so get me a new shirt and we'll pretend that Candy the stripper over there got a little too touchy-feely.'

Eric smiled. Every time he saw Jake, he couldn't help but respect the man more and more. His love for Sarah rivalled even Eric's.

Without a second to waste, any traumatised human was quickly glamoured, the staff of the club given priority, especially the ones who were still trying to claw their way through the doors in terror. With a little effort, the night returned to the relaxed atmosphere the group had been enjoying before Lucian interrupted. Alcohol and vintage blood flowed, laughter filling the room. Women danced in every corner, but the stage in the middle drew the most attention; the dancer was beautiful, he had to agree as Jake and Alcide drooled, but she lacked the allure, the draw that Sarah held over him.

As the night came to its high the girls strolled through the crowds, allowing a closer look. Eric turned them away, his mind filled with Sarah, with her silken skin and sinful curves, with her smile and her bright eyes. He wished the women hadn't been informed, that they didn't all know that he was the groom. Each one that came his way was offered a quick smile and then sent swiftly on their way, pointed in the direction of the single men of the group, much to Jake's absolute delight.

The man was in good spirits despite the attack, but he was clearly shaken as he quickly polished off five beers, his words slowly slurring. His usual kind, gentlemanly manner receded into the depths of his drunken mind.

'Alcide, get into this, these strippers are great!' he called, eyes locked on a perfectly rounded behind.

Alcide laughed as the woman who danced before him stopped abruptly, turning to glare at him indignantly as she said, 'I'm not a stripper, I'm an entertainer!'

Jake smirked, 'no honey, I'm an entertainer. On Broadway. You, my lady, are just a fantastic stripper!'

With a narrowed glare she stalked off, huffing. Jake's smirk disappearing as his hazy mind registered his slurred words. 'Oops,' he said as he climbed to unsteady feet, 'I think I'm gon' go apologise.'

Bill smiled as they watched Jake chase after her, Alcide still laughing somewhere nearby. 'I wonder if he'll remember any of this in the morning.'

Eric reached for his glass, settling into his chair as images of Jake's gaping neck flashed in his mind. He took a sip, the smile fading from his lips as he said, 'honestly, I hope not.'

A sigh sounded in the quiet house at four in the morning as Sarah kicked off those killer heels. She was weary, her feet aching from hours upon hours of dancing. Despite the aches in her body, she wore a bright grin, etched on her lips from the hen's night of a lifetime, one full of pure raunchy fun. The burlesque theme was tailored perfectly to her, and she had spent the whole night thanking her friends for their amazing plan, one she was glad to have been surprised with.

Despite her contentment a knot had wound its way through her, anticipation brimming as she stared at the door, knowing it was foolish to hope that Eric would stride into their bedroom because she willed him too. She'd spent the entire night avoiding the avid strippers, wishing Sookie hadn't hidden her clothes. The white bridal-style burlesque costume made her stand out in the crowd of Bon Temps women, the men constantly bee lining for her. They were gentlemen – mostly – but there was only one man she had any desire to strip and that man was her towering, gorgeous vampire.

She sighed again. If only he were home.

She settled back into the pillow. She may have been physically tired, but her mind was a whir of thoughts. Not a week ago she had thought the most difficult thing in her life was getting through the wedding in one piece with as few mishaps as possible. Now, she wished that could be her only worry, that she didn't have to think about the King of Arkansas, the crazed vampire who was simply biding his time before striking again. Vampires were all the same: once they found something they wanted to possess, they would do anything to have it. She knew this well, knew that when Eric had vied for her affection he never gave up at no, would always come back for more even if Sarah threatened him with a fiery death, something she had done on more than one occasion.

Despite the grim thoughts of Lucian she smiled, Eric's face filling her mind and brightening the darkness that filled her. She snuggled further into the pillows, still in her costume but far too comfortable to change as she inhaled his scent, warmth instantly flaring within her.

Her eyes became a little heavier, her breath a little slower as she burrowed further into the warmth of their bed. She slipped in and out of awareness, dreaming of Eric's arm wrapping around her, tucking her against his chest. She could even feel the brush of his lips against her ear as he said, 'Sarah,' and gently squeezed her hip, 'wake up…'

She nuzzled against his chest, an eye barely opening, a tired smile crossing her lips as she said, 'you're home.'

He brushed her hair from her eyes, arms wrapping tighter around her. 'And you're ravishing.'

She sat up slowly, her head feeling heavy as she tried to force the fog in her mind to lift as she took in his tousled hair and bare chest, his shirt hanging open. 'When did you get back?'

'A few minutes ago,' he said, reaching up to tuck a stray strand of hair behind her ear. He glanced down, a wicked smile crossing his lips. 'I wish I had another few minutes to fully enjoy your…attire.'

Sarah glanced down, her sleepy mind finally realising why she had been so uncomfortable, the corset still firmly in place. 'Oh,' she breathed, reaching back to take it off, a hand quickly stopping hers.

He pulled her to him, settling her on his lap. 'I thought you might like me to assist,' he said, that wicked grin appearing once again.'

'I would,' she said, a gasp escaping her as expert fingers quickly rid her of the tight garment, leaving her in nothing more than her knickers, garter belt and stockings, something like a purr flowing from his chest as he gazed at her. 'Your friends simply outdid themselves,' he said, lips tracing a line from cheek to collarbone, 'and my groomsmen thought to tempt me with those strippers when there is nothing more delighting to me than you.'

'You spent the night avoiding strippers too then,' she said, a breathless laugh escaping her.

'Every moment,' he said, his trail of kisses leading him back to her lips, 'the only woman I want is you.'

'Funny,' she said, arms coiling around his neck as his hands cupped her behind, 'all I could think about was stripping you.'

He ground her against him, a moan escaping her as she felt the thickness of his erection press against her as he said, 'you'd best get started then. The sun is nearly up and I have been imagining the many ways that I wanted to take you all night.'

With a gasp she was on her back, a smile on her lips. She was glad that her fiancé was not a dream.