A/N: Wow, lots of brownie points for me! A lot of you appreciated the fast update so here is another. Hopefully it lives up to expectations and you enjoy it!

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

Chapter Thirty-Seven
(Respect & Interrogations)

"Excuse me?"

Startling out of her mental haze, still unsuccessful with her search for Sophie-Ann's spy, Sookie glanced up from where she had been absently staring at her fruity drink only to catch sight of Elijah standing politely against the side of the booth. It was hard not to notice the respectable distance he made sure was between them.

"Good evening, Elijah."

Smiling, still feeling guilty for her part in ruining his night only a few days ago concerning a human after a fix, Sookie was quick to give him her undivided attention.

"Good evening, Sookie." Sookies smile widened when much like many vampires within Eric's area he used her name instead of something ridiculous such as ma'am or highness. It had been tough getting them to stop with the formalities, but every time they did it made her smile. "May I sit?"

"Sure!" Watching as he took a seat Sookie had to admit she was curious. "Is everything alright?"

Elijah nodded. "I wish to as your advice on a human matter."

"Ok, shoot!"

"You clearly have a high respect for my kind," Elijah began causing her to nod. It wasn't as if she received any such respect from her own kind that was for sure. She found it ironic that humans saw vampires as evil, immoral and murderous creatures when the term applied just as truthfully to humans, humans who didn't have the natural instinct to kill as well! "I met a human last night."

Sookies smile widened at that. Elijah may show no signs of emotion outwardly but she didn't doubt that had he been human he would be blushing. She found it a real hoot that h was giving human companionship a chance.

"Really? That's a good thing, right?"

Elijah stared at her. "That depends. You knew the other night that the human was after me for my blood, that she was not trustworthy."

"Elijah-"

It wasn't as if she could tell him about her gift. Eric and Godric had been very firm about only keeping it on a need to know basis, basically demanding that she not reveal it to anyone who didn't already know. It was one order she didn't mind taking from the two headstrong vampires.

"There is no need to apologise, I should be thanking you."

"That's not necessary-"

"Even so, thank you." He stared at her. "You seem to be a good judge of character, I wish for you to meet this human and let me know what you think."

Sookie had to admit she was surprised by the subtle ask for help. "You must really like her."

Elijah shrugged. "She is pretty, does not degrade herself and does not seem to hold any ill feelings towards my race. It is rare I find a human who does not irritate me."

Sookie raised a brow, "I am a human too you know."

Elijah didn't seem concerned. "You are the companion of my sheriff and his maker, highly respected members of my race. You have the ability to wield much control over us, and yet you chose not to. You do not flaunt your status, you treat us as you would treat a member of your own kind."

"Humans aren't exactly my best friends, Elijah" Sookie couldn't help but murmur.

"Yes," Elijah frowned. "It is intriguing how you enjoy the presence of vampires rather than humans. We are the superior race."

"You are the nicer race," she rolled her eyes playfully. She wasn't about to get into a debate about which race was more superior. Elijah hadn't spoken in a patronising tone, nor an arrogant one, it was simply factual in the way he spoke.

"I bedded her." Sookie nearly chocked on a mouthful of mango juice at his admission. Elijah didn't seem embarrassed in the slightest. "She let me bite her."

Flustered and smiling calmly at an intense look from Chow, Sookie waved off that she was fine. It was a surprise that was all.

"That's good isn't it?"

"Yes. Would you protest to meeting her?"

Sookie shook her head. "Of course not, I would love to."

Seeing him tilt his head downwards respectfully Sookie looked behind her only to smile when she caught sight of Godric just before he slipped into the booth next to her, his hand moving to rest gently on her knee.

"Any luck?" Sookie shook her head. Turning his attention towards Elijah Godric raised a brow. "Elijah."

"Godric," Elijah nodded in greeting.

"No but I will keep looking, she has to be around here someone."

Godric remained by her side while Elijah melted back into the crowd of fangbangers, a comforting yet quiet presence. It wasn't until she was in the mists of thinking about giving up for the night that a familiar voice entered her head, quieter than before but recognisable.

She's back…whose that vampire…should I approach her…friendly….

Trying not to give away any inclination that she had heard anything out of the ordinary Sookie casually scanned the bar before catching sight of who she guessed was Sophie-Ann's spy. What shocked her the most, however, was how young this girl looked. She looked to be younger than her and yet she was working undercover? Wasn't that a little dangerous?

…Sophie-Ann going to love me…sex…bite me…money…

Sookie cringed at the mental images of sex and blood. If the female vampire she was seeing in the woman's head was the queen of Louisiana, well, then Sookie had never seen such disgraceful behaviour from who should be a public figure amongst vampire kind. Flashes of her feeding on both willing and unwilling victims, all the while this spy sat back and watched while pleasuring herself…

…It was sickening.

"Are you alright, älskling?"

"I found her," Sookie murmured, voice tainted with distaste.

Godric stiffened slightly. Less than a minute later both Eric and Pam made an appearance in front of her, blank expressions present on their beautiful features.

"Which one is she?" Eric demanded softly.

"The black haired woman standing at the edge of the bar," Sookies eyes flickered to the female in question. "She's wearing a dark purple dress."

"Pam." Eric needed to say no more as his childe flashed towards the spy, fingers gripping the woman's forearm before tugging her towards the direction of Eric's office. The woman seemed to stunned to fight back as she went willingly. "Come Sookie," he held out his hand, Sookie not hesitating to grasp it before following Eric through the crowd as they parted, the jealous and nasty stares from the patrons not bothering her as much as they probably should have.

"What's going to happen to her?" Sookie couldn't help but ask. Yes this woman had been sent to spy on her, but morally she couldn't handle it if Eric killed her. It didn't seem right, not when the girl was barely out of her teens. She probably didn't know any better.

Eric answered. "We will find out as much as we can about her, then she will be glamoured to believing she completed her mission by attending Fangtasia every night since her arrival, only to see that you were not present. We will then return her to Sophie-Ann."

Sookie had to admit she was surprised.

"If she does not return Sophie-Ann will realise we were aware of her being a spy," Godric explained for her. "No doubt the woman has already been glamoured before. If a vampire knows what they are doing it is possible to hide the fact they have been glamoured again. It is a uncommon skill, but a useful one."

Bewildered, Sookie didn't comment. Clearly there was more to glamouring than she had realised. She was learning a lot about just how many secrets their kind had managed to keep hidden, it was impressive to say the least. Not to mention it warmed her when they shared those secrets with her.

Entering his office Sookie winced at the nervousness and fear radiating from the girl, but it was hard to feel any kind of sympathy when they woman had basically come to deal out her death sentence. Didn't she care that if Sophie-Ann had her way she would be imprisoned for the rest of her life? Apparently not if it meant the girl got an orgasm or two out of it, Sookie thought disgusted.

Still, the girls trembling "what's going on?" pulled on her heartstrings as she pressed herself against Eric's side. No doubt it was the maternal instincts within her.

Eric on the other hand had no such feelings, simply flashing his fangs causing the girl to squeal out in a mixture of fear and surprise. Sookie bit her bottom lip, fighting back the urge to comment. She didn't understand politics, that was Eric and Godric's forte, so she had no right to intervene, especially since it was Eric's area. She had no idea what the consequences could be if she forced an issue she had no information over. Considering they were protecting her Sookie also didn't want to seem ungrateful by messing something up and putting herself and them in a even more dangerous situation.

Eric was already willing to kill his queen for her! The least she could do was keep her thoughts to herself.

Approaching the girl Eric ran his fingers across the back of her chair, her whole body flinching at the close proximity. Sookie winced in sympathy, knowing Eric could be a cruel bastard when he wanted to be. "Why are you here?"

"I-I…"

…What's going on….find out…how…

Unfortunately for the girl it seemed Eric had very little patience, feeling no urge to drag this out. Instead he grasped the girls wrist, tightening his grip to what had to be an uncomfortable hold as the girl immediately cried out, shying away only to freeze at the low growl he released. "You will tell me why you are here, or I will make sure your stay with us will not be a pleasant one. Do you understand?"

Despite herself Sookie couldn't help but murmur "Eric," under her breath. She may have to deal with the fact that Eric was the type of vampire who was under certain obligations to carry out the law, but did he have to do it in front of her?

…Oh my god, if I don't die here Sophie-Ann will kill me…told me not to get caught…

"I d-don't know w-what you're t-talking a-a-about."

All I got told was to find some blonde girl who Mr Northman seems obsessed with…has to be her…heavier than I expected…

Sookie frowned, offended.

...What does she even want her for? I bet I can lick pussy better than she can…

"Ok that is just gross," Sookie wrinkled her nose, the forefront of her mind suddenly filled with images of just how acquainted this woman was with Sophie-Ann.

Eric raised a brow. "Is something the matter, lover?"

Sookie cringed, "Just something I would rather have not seen."

"Sophie-Ann naked?" Pam quirked a brow.

"Yes! How did you guess?"

Pam shrugged. "The queens a whore, wouldn't surprise me if she had bedded everyone who worked for her. I believe some part of her believes that it will increase their loyalty. Pathetic."

"Pam." Eric rolled his eyes.

"Please, don't act as if she hasn't tried to get into your pants as well," Pam smirked, red lips curving dangerously.

Sookie frowned.

"Pamela!"

Oh god! They know I'm a spy, oh my god…oh my god….oh my god…

"I'm just saying-"

"Well don't!"

"Is this really the time to discuss Sophie-Ann's sexuality?" Godric broke into their argument, moving to wrap an arm around Sookies waist much to her pleasure. How could such a simple touch bring her so much comfort? "I believe we have a spy to interrogate."

"I'm not a spy! You have the wrong person!"

Sookie perched on the edge of the sofa as the questions continued, growing more and more horrified as the realisation of just what Sophie Ann was willing to do in order to gain control of her. She may not enjoy the fact that she was forced to read the minds of humans for Eric, but she had accepted it. Eric was respectful, his personality when it concerned her seemed to have lightened up to the point where he wanted a relationship with her, and if she was being honest it was nice to be useful in doing something good.

Vampires did not deserve to be drained for their blood.

It was sickening.

From the thoughts of this spy, however, Sookie couldn't help but come to the conclusion that this Sophie-Ann didn't only want her for her gift, but her blood and body as well. She may have nothing against lesbians, she was warming up to Pam for goodness sake, but being forced into something she didn't consent to was not appealing in the slightest, man or woman.

At least Eric had never shown any signs of taking her against her will. He wasn't that type of man.

"She knows about my telepathy." Sookie wrapped her arms around her waist, curling into Godric's side while Eric stood intimidating the only other human in the room. "The entire court does."

Hearing Eric curse out "fuck" under his breath was not comforting in the least.

"Sophie-Ann has a couple of options. If sneaking me from under you doesn't work, she wants to order you to hand me over as your position as sheriff means she has the power to. If you refuse she wants to kill you."

"Predictable." Eric didn't seem concerned in the slightest. He was pissed, but nervous he wasn't. Sookie doubted she would ever see Eric truly afraid. It was probably a good thing. It would be extremely unsettling to see Eric displaying anything other than confidence. "No doubt as soon as we send the vermin back with nothing," Eric kicked the chair causing the girl to squeal, "that I will be receiving a summoning."

"Summoning?"

"It basically means the bitch will order Eric to visit her," Pam picked at her nails, expression one of disinterest. "Probably spout some shit about wanting you as a gift of good faith."

Sookie snapped her head towards Pam, an expression of disgust.

Pam smirked. "Don't you worry your pretty little head, Sookie. We won't be letting her sink her fangs into that delicious looking curve of your neck," her fangs dipped.

Sookie rolled her eyes, but couldn't deny it relaxed her a little. "Thank you, Pam."

After glamouring the human to recite back to Sophie-Ann when she asked that she had seen no sign of any blonde haired woman who looked to be close to Eric, nor had the ability to read minds, Eric and Godric sent her on her way. No doubt Sophie-Ann wouldn't be pleased upon that discovery.

An arm wrapped around her waist. "It is still early," Eric murmured. "Come home with me."

"W-what?"

He chuckled. "While I would not deny sex would be extremely satisfying right now, sleeping beside you would be just as rewarding."

Sookie visibly paused at that, blown away at what he was implying. By wanting her to stay while he rested, while he was at his weakest, most vulnerable…it said a lot. It said that he trusted her with his life.

It was the reason why she found herself saying "yes" without hesitation. If he trusted her enough to let her near him when he was literally too dead to defend himself, then the least she could do was give this relationship a shot, however strange it was.

Godric and Eric deserved that much at least.

Another quick update. I'm feeling generous ;)