A/N: Hi readers. Reviews amazing as always, and I thought I would thank you all for the support by posting this up quickly. As always it is unfortunately un-beta'd so I apologise for any mistakes, they are mine.

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

Chapter Thirty-Six
Spies, Greed, & Quick Kisses

"Who's Sophie-Ann?"

Sookie could practically feel the tension across the table as Pam momentarily went rigid. If it hadn't of been for the slight narrowing of Pam's eyes, and the sudden change in her posture, Sookie wouldn't have thought anything of it.

It was unnerving to say the least.

Pam wasn't known for being nervous, let alone fearful, but whoever this Sophie-Ann was clearly unwelcome. As far as Sookie was aware the girl had come looking for her considering she doubted it was Eric, and Pam wasn't blonde. It still confused her as to why vampires saw so much potential for her gift. Eric had been particularly manipulative in making sure she sided with him quickly and efficiently.

Still, Sookie knew that if Sophie-Ann had Pam cautious, she certainly had a right to be. "Did you come across that name within our club?"

Sookie nodded, watching Pam carefully. "Yes," she answered cautiously. "When I first entered Fangtasia it was one of the first things that I picked up on. Bill was mentioned as well."

"We need to speak to Eric about this." Pam abruptly rose from her seat, still managing to look graceful despite her rush. Sookie had never seen her look so flustered. While outwardly Pam came across as cool as a cucumber, Sookie knew her well enough by now that her mention of Sophie-Ann had startled her somewhat.

Following Pam through the crowd, she couldn't help but ask "isn't he in a meeting?"

"This is more of a priority. He would not be pleased if I did not inform him immediately."

Sookie shrugged. If it got her questions answered she was totally up for getting some answers quickly. Plus, she couldn't deny the fact that she was looking forward to seeing the two male vampires again. It really had been a lovely date.

Knock Knock

Trying to hide her surprise at Pam actually knocking on Eric's office door for once, Sookie watched nervously as Pam rolled her eyes, no doubt due to a comment Eric had made, before letting herself in.

"What is it, Pamela?"

Eric looked less than pleased to be interrupted, in fact to say he looked angry would have been an understatement. Not being able to resist Sookie peaked her head around the door only to take note that the vampire who had been visiting must have just left if the empty room was anything to go by. She hadn't seen him head through Fangtasia, he must have headed out the back.

It was Godric who noticed her first, a soft smile appearing at his lips. "Hello, Älskling, I was just coming to see how your evening had been going so far."

Staring fondly at the youthful looking vampire Sookie felt her cheeks flush and her lust flare. Godric was indeed wearing leather pants that left nothing to the imagination in the…uh…groin department, and despite his obvious youth it was obvious that he clearly had enough equipment to fully satisfy a woman.

Blushing at her own thoughts, "Oh, it's been fine."

"So what is the reasoning behind Pamela here feeling it necessary to bring you in my childes office in such a hast?"

"I asked her who Sophie-Ann was." Sookie frowned as they both visibly stiffened. "Who is she? I've already figured she has to be somebody important if it has Pam telling me I needed to see you straight away, but I can come back later if you want?"

"No," Godric was quickly to inform her softly, moving to offer his hand before leading her towards the couch. "Pamela was correct in bringing it to our attention `straight away."

"What did you hear?"

Still out of her element, Sookie found herself curling against Godric despite the slight awkwardness that came with being propositioned by maker and childe.

"Only fragmented thoughts concerning being threatened by Sophie-Ann to search for a blonde woman. She also mentioned Bill. Am I right in thinking that they are searching for me?" She didn't want to assume but it wouldn't be hard to draw to that conclusion considering how often Eric had referred to her as being an asset to the vampire race.

Godric stiffened against her while Eric did so visibly as he perched on the edge of his desk, eyes dark and anger flowing off him in waves. She noticed that his eyes never strayed away from her face.

Godric was the one to speak up first. "Your assumption would be correct."

"So who is she then and why does she want me bad enough to send a spy?" Sookie asked curiously. This all couldn't be centred around the fact that she may or may not be able to read minds. Sookie highly doubted this woman had heard more than a rumour from those in Bon Temps who called her a freak or thought she was crazy in the head. "Wait, do you think Bill told her?"

A growl rumbled deeply from Eric's chest, "it wouldn't surprise me. The bastard would be stupid enough to do it. We were aware that he was in line with that bitch, now the reason why is clear."

Sookie frowned, confused at where he was taking the conversation. Were they still taking about Bill?

"Do you still have him tracked?" Godric enquired, pulling her tighter against him. She went willingly.

Eric nodded. "My spy has informed me that he spent the last few weeks at her residence."

Just who is this woman? Sookie thought bewildered.

Whoever it was clearly had both Eric and Godric rattled, or annoyed at the very least. Eric looked as if he was ready to vacate the room to rip her throat out and Godric didn't look much different.

"So who is she?"

"She is the Queen, älskling," Godric murmured, moving to press his cool lips to her cheek. She flushed in colour, enjoying the sensation of cold on heat despite herself. "Eric's superior if you will, however, she is not very good at her position. She took to the throne due to manipulation and pure luck, she does not have a tactical nor strong bone in her body. Many of those who alliance with her did so due to Eric being within her kingdom, and she is very much aware of that fact."

The Queen?

"So why on earth is she going to so much trouble to get to me?" she asked shocked. "This all can't be because I can read a few minds, right? I mean I can't read vampires."

"That makes you all the more valuable, Sookie" Pam rolled her eyes. "If you could read vampire minds it would be in our best interest to see to it that you didn't breathe again. You can read human minds, you can determine trust and loyalty and betrayal."

Sookie stared at Pam, mouth slightly slack. "You would kill me despite me being an asset?"

Eric shot Pam a warning look. "We would never allow anything to happen to you, Sookie."

Deep down, Sookie believed him.

"But if this woman is your superior, doesn't that mean you have to follow whatever order she wants to give you?"

Eric snorted. "Not if I don't want to." He expanded when she stared at him confused. "Sophie-Ann believes herself to be indestructible, but she isn't. Many of those who have given me their loyalty have done so in the belief that someday I will be king. If she tries to physically take you from us, I will simply kill her," he responded as if it was an everyday occurrence that he went out and killed Queens.

"Eric-"

"She is not a pleasant woman, Sookie" Godric placed a hand on her knee. "She tortures woman, children, humans and vampires alike. She is selfish, wasteful, and it is impressive in it's own right that she has not ruined the country by her actions."

"She has a room completely made out of gold," Pam rolled her eyes.

Sookie gaped. "Why?"

Pam shrugged. "Because she thinks she is some amazing person who deserves to be surrounded by gold? Who knows, when Eric kills here we'll turn it into jewellery or something. A room full of gold, talk about tacky."

"What would you have preferred, diamonds?" Sookie quirked a brow, teasing. Pam scoffed, shooting her a look. "No!" she stared shocked. "She has a room full of diamonds as well?"

"She has several," Godric murmured.

Sookie was taken aback, stunned that someone in such an important position would be so stupid. She may not know how to personally run a country, she was a waitress after all, but that didn't mean she wasn't aware that in order to get respect you needed to be careful with how you acted around certain people. It certainly wouldn't be her own money Sophie-Ann was wasting.

"And people are ok with that?"

"Like I said, I receive communications from several people wanting to alliance themselves to me every few days, many of which were close with the queen."

"And you tell them yes and then they spy for you?" she had to admit it was clever in a manipulative kind of way.

Eric shook his head. "Not all. Sophie-Ann has a habit of trying to spy on me; bugging my office, my computer, my phone line. She tries to send spies to my area frequently in the fear that I am plotting to take over her throne."

"Aren't you though?"

Eric stared at her intently. "Only if she tried to take you from me."

Staring back Sookie couldn't help but find herself captured in his gaze. He was willing to die for me, she realised. He was willing to take down his queen in order to make sure she remained safe and happy.

Without fully dwelling on the consequences of her actions she pulled herself up before walking over to the tall Viking who was watching her intently, arms moving to his sides from where they had been crossed over his chest. He looked surprised as she moved to press against him, the room silent except for her breathing.

"Are you sure I am worth all of this effort, Eric?" she asked softly.

"Yes," he answered without hesitation.

Wrapping her arms around his neck Sookie pulled him down, tilting her head to the side just enough to connect their lips in a kiss that had her visibly shaking at the intensity of it. Eric returned the kiss with just as much enthusiasm, his tongue invading her mouth as she surrendered to his dominance almost instinctually.

"Ugh! Is this what I'm going to have to witness now?"

Jumping back, startled and embarrassed, Sookie found herself flushing brightly as Eric scolded his childe. "Pamela!"

Pam rolled her eyes, "I was joking, shish. If I have to suffer having a human around at least you've chosen well."

Sookie didn't know what to say to that other than, "was that a compliment?"

"It was, don't expect many more" Pam moved to leave the office before pausing. She looked towards her Maker with a raised brow, "do I need to stay?"

"Tend to the bar," Eric waved off dismissively, eyes trained on Sookies lips. He wanted to smack his childe for interrupting one hell of a kiss, and one that his telepath had initiated! "You mentioned it was a woman?"

Sookie nodded.

"It would be best if you returned to the club and attempted to seek her out. Sophie-Ann is under the impression that I do not realise she frequently sends spies into my area with the intention to catch me out, and I intend to try and keep it that way for as long as possible."

"Doesn't it bother you?"

Eric snorted. "Yes, but it is more of an annoyance that she is not subtle about it. She does not recognise some of her guard is not loyal to her but to myself, she is not suited to her positon in the royal residence."

"A time may come that you will have to take her place, Eric" Godric spoke from the corner, Pam watching with interest. Clearly she had come to the conclusion listening was more important than tending to the bar. Sookie didn't blame her. "You know I do not have the capability anymore to make the decisions necessary to be a king."

Eric didn't argue, he knew his maker wouldn't have it in him to make the harsh decisions necessary to remain in control of an area so large. He was highly respected amongst their kind, they both were, but when it came to giving out death sentences that didn't directly involve someone he cared for being in danger, he doubted Godric would manage it.

"Bar Pam," he scolded when his childe didn't make a move to leave. "Now."

Sookie watched as Pam left before making a move to follow. She paused when Godric was suddenly next to her, fingers gently wrapping around her lower arm. "We will accompany you in a few moments, älskling."

Sookie nodded, "ok."

"Pam will be keeping a close eye on you, as will Chow."

She rolled her eyes, "I doubt anything bad will happen to me inside of your club."

"You'd be surprised," Eric grunted before moving to brush a few curls away from her face, once again staring at her lips intently. "I enjoyed our kiss."

Sookie blushed.

Watching her exit his office Eric turned to Godric, eyes dark as they shared a wordless look which spoke volumes. Sophie-Ann wouldn't be getting close enough to see Sookie let alone take her if they had anything to do with it. Neither would be surprised if her greed ended up being her downfall.

Do I get brownie points for the speedy update?