A/N: Tiny authors note just to say thank you to everyone who took the time to review. So, Thanks! Admittedly I am not 100% happy with this chapter, but hopefully it came out good.

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

Chapter Forty-One
(Preparations for Royalty)

The horror at the fact that Bill, despite sprouting ideas of mainstreaming and claiming he cared about human life, changed not only a teenager but an unwilling teenager was still stuck firmly at the forefront of Sookies mind as she arrived at work the following after noon. Her returning to her farmhouse instead of staying at Eric's Shreveport property had caused quite a stir, but Sookie found herself needing to clear her head after dry humping the thighs of two male vampires.

Not to mention dating vampires was really messing with a sleep cycle.

Arlene was first to greet her as she started her shift, the brunette leaning against the counter as a few customers scattered around the restaurant area. Sookie wasn't surprised when Arlene made a move to approach her the moment she had a few minutes of not clearing tables. "Heya Sook, did you go to Fangtasia last night?"

"I did," Sookie nodded, absently watching a rough looking couple quietly chatting in the corner. She didn't even want to know what was going on inside of their heads. "Why?"

Arlene shrugged, "I didn't see you last night that was all. I tried to get a hook up but none of them would give me a second look."

"I don't really don't know what to say to that, Arlene." She certainly wasn't going to interfere.

"So I take it you're not going to put a good word in for me then?" Arlene huffed as Sookie shook her head.

"Sorry Arlene."

The rest of the shift went smoothly other than a few snide comments and barely veiled insults that were sent her way. They were easy to ignore. They didn't mean enough to her to hit any soft spots in her emotions.

"Hey Sook!"

Sookie smiled at the familiar call of her boss. "Hey Sam, is everything alright?"

Sam nodded, scratching an inch at the back of his neck. "It's been quiet but I've heard from the site crew Jason works on that they all plan on comin' down here tonight for food 'nd drinks. I know I didn't ask you to work tonight, but could you fit in another shift?"

"Isn't Jessica working?" Sookie frowned.

Sam nodded. "She's getting' there but needs some more trainin', plus she isn't old enough to grab any drinks if Tara is blocked up at the bar."

After Godric and Eric both told her their concerns about her not attending Sophie-Anne's visit when she arrived in Shreveport Sookie couldn't blame them for not wanting her there. While she didn't want to be left out of the loop when this entire situation was because of her, she also didn't want to put Godric or Eric at risk by being stubborn and ignoring their advice. It wasn't as if Godric wouldn't inform her of what was occurring after she had left.

Not to mention it wasn't as if she wanted to meet the bitch of a queen.

"Sure," she agreed. Hopefully work would provide her with a distraction, it certainly sounded like it would be a busy shift. It may be just what she needed, and the extra wages were always useful. "Has Jessica been getting' on alright, though?"

Just because it had come to light that Bill had been the one to change her, Sookie certainly wasn't going to treat Jessica any different just because it was Bill's blood that was running through her veins. It wasn't her fault that she had a crappy maker.

Sam shrugged. "She's been dealt some shit by some of the rednecks but she's takin' it like a champ. So far I don't regret hirin' her."

"That's great news! Anyway I'd better get goin', I have some chores that need doin' before I come back for the night shift. Are you sure you're alright with me leavin' now?"

It was quiet, and Sam had mentioned about sending her home earlier if she agreed to the extra shift. Sookie guessed it was a smart decision on his part; why pay a waitress for two shifts when she was only needed for the night one? She didn't blame him in the slightest.

He nodded. "I would rather have you for the night shift if you don't mind."

"Ok, well see you tonight!"

With a smile and a wave Sookie headed to her car, reaching home a few minutes later. She hadn't been lying when she told Sam she had a list of chores to get through, something she had been neglecting as of late. With afternoon shifts at Merlotte's during the day and Fangtasia at night it hadn't left much opportunity to get some washing and cleaning done.

She was just putting a large casserole in the oven with the thought of leftovers in mind when the home phone rang, it surprisingly her when Ginger was the one on the other end of the phone.

"Miss Stackhouse?"

Sookie hadn't thought it could be possible that someone could address her so formally while making her name sound as if she was nothing more than mud on the bottom of a shoe.

She frowned, "Ginger?"

Ginger huffed. "Eric left me a sticky note telling me to call you. I've been trying all morning."

"I've been at work-"

"I don't care."

Her tone made Sookie wonder just what she must have done to make the waitress hate her as much as her tone implied. As far as she recalled the only time she had actually spoken to her was when she was questioning all of the staff about the missing money Eric had been looking for. Even then Pam had glamoured them all afterwards so that couldn't be it.

"What did Eric want to tell me?"

"The note mentions about making sure you know not to come in tonight. Don't you have a cell phone or something?"

Eric must have been really concerned if he was double checking she was aware not to cross paths with Sophie-Anne, she thought.

"No, I don't." It wasn't like she could afford one. "Is that all?"

Her answer came in the sound of the dial tone.

Shaking her head Sookie went back to her cooking, the sheets from her bed already hanging out to dry and her house cleaner than it had been in a while. She made a mental note to make more time to keep up with her duties at home, not wanting to fall behind as much as she had again.

It wasn't a pleasant feeling.

Jason was quick to approach her once everyone had been given their food for the evening, his work mates and their friends filling up the majority of the bar. As long as they were kept hydrated with beer and booze they pretty much kept to themselves.

"Hey sis, can I have a word?"

As soon as Jason asked Sookie knew it would be about Amy. While she hadn't asked what was happening from Eric she knew that while Jason could be a bit of an arse he hadn't meant any harm to come to Eddy. His thoughts had confirmed as much.

"Sure, what's up?"

It turned out she was right, Jason filling her on the situation before actually thanking her for getting him out of a very dangerous situation. It was a shock to hear such appreciation from her brother but she hoped it meant that this would be a turning point in her brother's life.

She wouldn't always be able to get him out of a sticky situation if he continued to piss off the wrong kind of people.

It wasn't until her brother had downed his third pint that the diner went quiet, Sookie rolling her eyes at the silent alarm of a vampire. Turning around from her position at the bar she stiffened at the sight of a vampire she hadn't personally met before, but had caught glimpses of inside of the girl Sophie-Anne had sent as a spy.

Shit.

Moving behind the bar Sookie grabbed Sam as he walked past before asking if she could use his phone. No doubt Andre would be able to hear whatever she said but it would be better than being stuck here without either Godric or Eric there to help her. She may be able to look after herself but she wasn't naïve enough to think she could go up against a vampire, especially not Sophie-Anne's Childe!

"Sure sug', everything alright?" Sam asked concerned, a frown on his face.

Sookie nodded. "Yep, I just forgot to cancel my previous plans. So, can I?"

With a nod of approval Sookie shot her boss and friend a smile before heading into his office, making sure to close the door behind her before quickly heading over to the phone. Glancing at the clock she winced before dialling Fangtasia's number.

It wrung twice.

"We are not taking any calls this evening, bar's closed."

"Oh Pam!" Sookie relaxed slightly in relief.

"Sookie? What the hell are you doing calling here?"

Sookie cringed, "there's…urm…a guest of yours in Merlotte's?"

Pam was silence for a few moments before answering, "I'll be there in a few minutes, don't do anything stupid in the meantime."

Putting the phone back on its cradle Sookie steadied her nerves before heading back into the bar, feeling Andre's intense stare on her back as she ignored the unwanted vampire in the room and went about serving her tables. He didn't approach, didn't move as he followed her form with his eyes, his face expressionless and cold.

Wasn't he meant to be at Fantasia with his maker?

It unsettled her that he was here.

As promised it couldn't have been more than fifteen minutes – if that – that Pam came through her door, her hair slightly windswept but otherwise she didn't look ruffled in the slightest. She turned more than a few heads as she walked into the bar, sneering at the woof whistle from one of Jason's mates who didn't seem to be aware that not only was she a vampire, but she preferred the ladies to men.

Catching sight of her Pam made her way over, her expression one of displeasure. Immediately Sookie felt guilty for calling her over, "sorry."

Pam raised a brow, "for what? Because some arsehole is somewhere he shouldn't be?" she raised a perfectly groomed eyebrow in Andre's direction.

Sookie winced as he made his way over, "I would watch your tongue, Pamela. Your maker is in enough trouble without you adding yourself to Sophie-Anne's shit list."

Pam rolled her eyes, Sookie standing next to her nervously all the while trying not to draw attention to herself. It was obvious that Andre knew who she was, his intense gaze informed her of as much.

"Don't be childish, Andre. You and I both know Sophie-Anne isn't going to remain queen for much longer."

Andre scoffed, "that sounds like treason, Pamela."

"Oh fuck off, Andre."

Grabbing Sookie's hand Pam tugged her towards the parking lot, Sookie relieved that her shift was nearly finished anyway. Sam just watched her leave with a confused expression, all the while Sookie winced at the hungry look Arlene was shooting towards Andre.

She made a mental note to tell Arlene that Andre was the type of vampire who gave their kind a bad name. It certainly wouldn't be pleasure on his mind if she approached him.

"What's going on?" Relenting to Pam's gentle shoves towards Eric's corvette Sookie was surprised that Eric had let her drive it. "Are we leaving?"

"Yes." Pam pulled the car into drive. "Andre will follow us. Eric was not pleased when it came to light that Sophie-Anne had ordered her second-in-command to approach you personally. It would not surprise me if he killed her tonight."

Sookie winced at the causal mention of killing.

Pam continued, "When Sophie-Anne arrived with her guard Eric was quick to immobilize them with his own. She is currently strapped up in silver in the middle of Fangtasia."

"But shouldn't Andre have felt her pain?" Surely if Andre was so loyal to his maker he would have come running to her rescue.

"It was why he allowed us to leave so easily," Pam turned to face her. "Sophie-Anne must have called him to her moments after I arrived. I would not be surprised, Sophie-Anne was never one to fight her own battles."

"And the vampires that Eric called over?"

"They arrived soon after Sophie-Anne made her appearance. She was not pleased, I doubt she has any idea that Eric isn't bluffing. The silver wrapped around her should have been enough of a clue."

Sookie sat back in silence as Pam drove them recklessly back towards the club in Shreveport. "Eric told me not to come here," Sookie murmured as Pam pulled them into the front parking lot. "He even had Ginger call me to make sure I hadn't forgotten."

Pam rolled her eyes at that. "The threat as of this moment is contained, however, for some reason Sophie-Anne has brought two humans with her. Since you are clearly not safe at Merlotte's you could be of use to us."

Swallowing hard Sookie took a deep breath to steady herself. It was clear her involvement was necessary no matter what the previous plan had been. She could only hope that what was inside their heads wasn't going to leave her with any mental scars.

There was only one way to find out.

Sookie hadn't quite known what to expect when Pam had filled her in one what had happened in her absence, but seeing roughly nine vampires all restrained in silver and two humans who looked as if they had urinated all over themselves in fear was not what she had predicted.

A couple, maybe two or three not including Sophie-Anne, but this…

Despite herself she was impressed with Eric and Godric's ability to be so swift, even if she hated to see and smell the pain the guard were in. It wouldn't be Christian of her to enjoy their suffering and she certainly didn't.

She startled slightly as Godric appeared in front of her, eyes raking over her form, checking her for any injuries. She was quirk to wave off his concern. "I'm fine, he didn't touch me."

Godric grunted, "Eric is seeing to restraining him as we speak. You should not have been left unprotected."

Sookie shrugged. "Pam came when I called." That reminded her. "Thank you, Pam" she smiled at the tall vampire who grinned back, flashing fangs.

"I'll be rewarded," was all she responded with, no doubt with Eric buying her another pair of expensive shoes where the price tag would make her eyes water. "Generously."

"Pam mentioned there were some humans?"

Scanning the room Sookie cringed at the glare the queen was sending her way. It was hard to deny the fact that Sophie-Anne was just as beautiful as Sookie had seen in the spies head. It was a shame the woman wanted her as her own personal blood bank and slave.

"Yes," Godric replied, seemingly uncaring about the way the hissing of silver could be heard as Sophie-Anne attempted to snap her body forward, the silver around her neck, body and mouth burning into her as a result.

It was not a pretty sight.

"If you would rather not it would be understandable, however, Eric is unware of the reasoning behind Sophie-Anne bringing them along with her."

"Feeding?"

Godric shook his head. "If the bitch was hungry she wouldn't be fussed who she fed from, willing or not. I doubt her standards are that high."

After getting over the shock of Godric saying "bitch" Sookie nodded slowly. "Here or…?"

"Pamela."

Following Godric's order Pam was quick to grab a young boy by the neck, Sookie's face falling as a light squeal escaped the boys mouth as he struggled slightly before going limp in defeat. Almost immediately she felt horrible that he was in this situation.

He was younger than her for goodness sake!

"Only you would feel sympathetic towards a traitor?" Pam rolled her eyes. Sookie pursed her lips as she followed behind towards Eric's office.

She wasn't looking forward to this, not in the slightest.