A/N: Reviews were amazing as always. Hope you enjoy the chapter!

Sorry: I know it's been a while since I've updated, but something important came up and I couldn't avoid dealing with it first. Hopefully the chapter is worth the wait.

Disclaimer: I do not own True blood; I just borrowed the characters for a bit of fun!

Chapter Seventeen
Secrets & Dirty Dancing

Tara hadn't noticed her; that much was clear as Sookie stared towards the direction of the bar, mouth still slightly agape in what she knew was an unladylike gesture. She couldn't help herself, not when a self-proclaimed vampire hater was in a vampire bar of all places. Tara may not be the type of person to bring harm to a vampire, all bark and no bite, but her friend owed her some major explanations that was for sure.

Hypocrisy didn't even begin to describe what she was witnessing.

In a move that was out of character even for her she guiltily drained her glass of its contents, knowing that the tall vampire she had clearly gained the respect of wouldn't take long to refill it for her.

She was correct, a refill appearing less than a minute later.

"Hey, Chow?" she smiled thankfully, quickly speaking up before he flashed out of her sight before she had managed to quiz him on her friends seemingly random appearance.

He quirked a brow in question.

"Do you know the woman at the bar, the dark skinned one in black shorts and a red tank top?" Chow nodded, his exceptional memory not requiring he glance in Tara's direction for even a brief moment. "Has she given any hint as to what she's doing here?"

"I believe she is after what all Fantasia's patrons are after; blood or sex" he replied flatly.

"Did she say that?"

"She enquired as to whether sex with a vampire always ended in the human being bitten."

Oh.

A burst of anger filled her at the sheer hypocrisy of the entire situation. For all the crap she had taken from Tara for seeing them as equals, for befriending, helping and dating them, here Tara was looking for no strings attached sex with a race that she had preached and cursed at for being lower than dirt.

Just what was she thinking?

It wasn't that she had anything against a human seeking out a vampire to spend the night with or vise versa, it wasn't something she would be able to stomach personally, but she didn't judge those who sought pleasure from dating a supe. What she did have a problem with was the fact that a human would so willingly strip to nothing in the hopes of bedding a vamp, and yet when it came to going out in public they felt themselves as being superior.

It was disgusting.

Hell she was in the same bar helping a vampire put away a human for goodness sake! It had visibly hurt their friendship when Sookie hadn't shunned Bill on his first entrance into Merlotte's like the rest of the staff, and yet here Tara was, physically in front of her trying to pick up one of his kind as if she had never been racist to their kind!

No, she wasn't happy.

Chow clearly sensed as much as he quirked a brow, "would you like for her to be removed from the club?"

Surprised, Sookie simply blinked. "I don't think that's my decision to make."

If anything, Chow looked momentarily puzzled before me had a move to speak. Sookie had no idea what he had been about to explain to her before he was interrupted by a smooth Godric who enquired as to whether Tara's presence was upsetting to her.

"What? Of course not, it's just she's the last person I would expect to see here. Thank you, Chow" she added when she took note he was still waiting for her. With a polite bow he was back behind the bar before she could blink.

"Does she not approve of vampires?"

Godric tilted his head to the side as Sookie continued to observe Tara. She should feel guilty for wanting to stay unnoticed, but it was hard to when in front of her she was witnessing her hypocritical friend survey the bar while paying particular attention to the various vampires dotted around the room, the majority of which seemingly uninterested in the practically naked crowd of humans dancing seductively in front of them.

"She hated the fact I dated Bill," she frowned.

Godric blinked, "Compton was not good enough for you."

Dispute herself Sookie smiled. "I can't believe he tried to tell me Lorena forced him to have sex with her." She still felt anger at that particularly fact. She knew there were many people who were taken advantage of in that way, and for him to try and use it as an excuse, especially considering her own past…

…it made her sick to her stomach that she had thought about giving herself over to him.

That ship had definitely sailed.

"It was a desperate attempt on his part," Godric cut in smoothly. "Are you sure you would not desire something more than water, älskling? Eric will not mind I assure you."

Sookie smiled. "I know, I was surprised when he made sure I always have a drink on hand. It's very gentlemanlike of him." That was a word she never thought she would use to describe Eric of all people. "But no thank you, I have to drive home."

A comfortable silence followed, Godric staring at Sookie while she stared at Tara, selfishly hoping to remain unnoticed. She wasn't usually so rude, but then again her protective instincts were flaring. She cared for these vampires; she didn't want any harm to come to them when they had made her feel so welcome, respected and safe.

That had been a surprise in itself.

From what she had heard about vampires she had expected them to be unfriendly, to be outwardly aggressive or only interested in sex and of course, blood. However, the vampires who attended Fangtasia had been nothing but polite to her, the fact she had even managed to get a smile out of a couple of them both surprisingly and pleasing.

Three more glasses of water later and taking note that Tara had yet to move from the bar, she turned to Godric with an apologetic smile. "Excuse me, urm…human needs" she smiled, flushing slightly at his once again intense stare.

Carefully navigating her way through the crowd she was suddenly aware of the distasteful looks she was receiving as she made her way to the loo, wincing in distaste as her personal space was invaded multiple tides as she was forced to brush up against a couple of people with sweaty skin and scowling expressions before she reached her destination.

After taking care of her business she was just about to exit the cubical when she heard Tara entering with another familiar voice, Sookie's eyes widening when she recognised it as Arlene, another waitress who had expressed distaste in her keeping company with vampires.

It wasn't her fault they seemed a lot more accepting than the majority of humans she encountered!

"You seen Sookie?" Tara seemed nervous.

Arlene laughed, "what would Sookie be doing in a place like this. It isn't exactly her scene."

"I saw that vamp who spoke to her in Merlotte's-"

"He looks a bit on the young side," Arlene commented as if she had cared about age when it came to humans, Sookie thought annoyed. People were so two-faced, it being one rule for humans and another for vampires. "But I'd still give him a shot if he offered," she brushed out her hair in the mirror.

Still remaining quiet, Sookie took sat down on the toilet seat as she stared in shock at the white cubical door in front of her. Jealously briefly flashed through her as they spoke of Godric but she quickly pushed it to the side. Not only did she have no right to feel such an emotion, but it wasn't as if Godric would be interested in either Tara or Arlene. He had already expressed his distaste for those who sort vampires out purely for sex.

That was what they were here for, wasn't it?

Sookie didn't know. She had thought she knew them well enough after being friends with them for years but the both of them turning up here had thrown her an into a mess. She didn't know what to think.

"Vampires don't age, Arlene" Tara snapped out in her usual tone.

"I know that silly, but have you made up your mind? Are you going to go through with it?"

Go through with what?

Were they still speaking of sex?

"I don't know," Tara muttered just loud enough for her to hear. "You seen the owner everyone seems to be talking about?"

"Oh yum!" Arlene purred out in delight. "If he's anything like how the couple at the bar described him then he is delicious. Rumour has it he looks like he just stepped out of the Viking age!"

Tara snorted. "I doubt vampires get that old, Arlene."

Sookie barely resisted the urge to roll her eyes, realising just how uneducated both her apparent friends were when it came to vampires. It made her uncomfortable that they didn't know what they were getting into. At least she had Eric and Godric's protection; she highly doubted that extended to her friends.

"Oh whatever, you're just jealous because the bartender has a crush on me. It's cute."

Again, Sookie doubted that was likely considering Chow tended to prefer male company rather than female. Well, that was what she had gathered from a short conversation she had with him after he had replaced Longshadow.

He was definitely more of a hit with the patrons if gossip was anything to go by.

"Here, take this."

"Arlene..."

"Come on, I heard it's meant to attraction a vampires attention more, you know, blood and all."

Tara hesitated. "Are you sure you want to do this? You have kids!"

"So?" she laughed. "Human men have fucked me over more times than I can count, why can't I let a vampire fuck me for a change?"

Sookie frowned, wondering what Arlene was planning.

"Just cut me behind the neck, a little."

Sookie paled, deciding to wait until they left before she made a move to wash her hands. Glancing up at her reflection she paled further when she took note of how washed out she looked. She knew it shouldn't have been any of her business, but she didn't like that both Tara and Arlene seemed to sound like the desperate dancers in the club.

And as for Arlene's plan, wasn't it more than a little dangerous?

Heading back into the club Sookie made a stop at the bar, smiling brightly when Chow made his way over upon catching sight of her. While she couldn't help feel slightly guilty as he left his waiting customers, she needed a drink to calm herself somewhat.

Or at least attempt to.

"Could I have a gin and tonic when you have time, please?"

One couldn't hurt, right?

"Godric informed Eric of your liking of fruity cocktails. We have a refreshed menu" Chow handed her a small, but colourful sheet with various drinks listed.

"Oh, thanks."

Taking a seat Chow nodded before attending to his customers, but she had no doubt he was keeping a close eye on her for when she was ready. It wasn't until she had read half-way through the selection that she realised Eric must have returned, especially if the sudden excitement throughout the club was anything to go by.

She jumped when she felt a large hand on her shoulder, the familiar tingles resulting in her instantly relaxing as she rolled her eyes at Eric's towering presence.

"You're late," she didn't look up.

A deep rumble came from his chest as he chuckled in amusement, "I was not aware I was under a time restriction."

Sookie sighed, turning on her stool. "I have the morning shift tomorrow, Eric. I read the man for you, I even stayed like Pam asked me to, but I don't really see why you need to see me personally."

She was tired.

"Stay for another drink," he gestured to the menu she was still holding.

"But-"

"There is something I wish to speak to you about, so have a drink."

Not giving her the chance to say no he gestured Chow over before flashing into his back office, leaving her sitting there with an outraged expression. Turning around Chow raised a brow, "your female friends' companion is bleeding."

Oh.

Sookies eyes widened as she recalled the conversation she had overheard in the toilets. "She cut herself," she muttered, shaking her head.

Chow stared at her before rolling his eyes, an action she had not expected from the usually uptight vampire. "It is trick humans believe works to attract a bed mate with fangs."

Was it really that common?

"Does it work?"

"No."

Well, with that she reluctantly ordered a cocktail only to ask if it was possible to have less than a shot of booze in it. Chow didn't hesitate to agree. It was done within seconds before Chow personally escorted her back to the booth where an amused Godric was waiting.

"Thank you," she sat stunned as he made his way back to the bar. Turning to face Godric she felt her face heat, "he's really nice."

Godric chuckled. "His extreme loyalty to Eric extends to you."

Oh.

Before she had to chance to ask whether it was a regular occurrence, both Eric and Pam appeared in the booth in front of her. She didn't know whether to be frustrated or find it kind of sweet when all he wanted to do was say thank you.

A little bit of a sweeter side of Eric, even if I couldn't help the slight manipulation on his part.

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