A/N: Once again thanks to everyone who favorited/followed/reviewed I hope you guys enjoy this chapter!

Promises

"I don't know Corbett, she's still our baby!" He wants to put my baby in the loony bin? Warlow couldn't see them, but he could hear her frantic pacing and panicked tone both in her voice and thoughts.

"They're already talking about putting her in special ed Michelle, at least in there she might get better." She'd be with others like her. Her father was frustrated and felt that this was the only solution.

"But you heard the doctors the pills didn't work.." Before Sookie's mom could even make a case she was shot down.

"We have to do something!"

"I just… I want to protect her." She didn't even try to fight, she so gave in to him so easily. Warlow was glad now that he had decided to check in on the family after seven days of Sookie being happy and carefree at her Grandmother's house he had to check in and see to what she would be coming home to in a few days.

"This is the only way Michelle, she can't… she's not normal." Anger coursed through him, they wanted to commit her? Sure he was uneasy about the relationship Sookie had with her parents but he never thought he'd have to worry about them actually harming her. He had seen the evolution of these institutions and though the patients were no longer chained to the walls it was still no place for a child. The psychological trauma that would happen might be irreversible, no he wouldn't let them put her in there. He would put a stop to this now.

Swiftly he left the Stackhouse home and headed back to the farm house in order to wait for Sookie's bus to arrive.

"Ben?" She called out as she walked further into the woods, she glanced worriedly about since usually he would be waiting for her just a little ways in.

"Watch out!" He calls out in a warning as he jumps from the tree he looks down and sees her eyes widening and lands right next to hair.

"Oh my gosh!" She squeals in laughter as he begins to dust himself off. "You're like a cat!" She continues to laugh and he ruffles her hair good naturedly. It's been seven days since he's introduced himself to her, and they've been the happiest in his whole afterlife. She looks happier than when he first saw her and knows this change has to be because of him. They've seen each other everyday and though it's easier on the weekdays when he can find her on her way from the bus stop, he was able to 'coincidentally' find her in the woods while she was playing treasure island on the weekend. He ended up being Pirate Warl.

It's a fine line he's walking while he needs her to trust him and see him as a mentor he doesn't want to be a father figure, he needs to be fun and childlike too. It's a necessity in order for their relationship to be able to transition healthily in the future. But for her he knows he'll manage.

After her giggles have subsided she looks up at him queerly.

"When are you going to start teaching me?" She's getting bolder with her questions to him and he loves it, loves building her confidence.

"When do you want to start?"

"Now."

"I don't think it's plausible in the fifteen minute walk to your grandmother's house. Plus last time she came out to the yard to meet you, I think she's wondering what's taking you so long." He was just glad they hadn't taken longer that day or she might have searched the woods for Sookie.

"Yeah, she's telling me not to linger so much." Even as she reminds herself her pace quickens, but then she stops abruptly and faces him. "I'm going home soon, Jason is better, Thursday is my last day with Gran." My last day with you. He can see how upset she's becoming and hurries to console her.

"Don't worry I'll be around, I mean you'll have Jason to keep you company on your walks from the bus but I'll find you okay, in the woods." The woods was their safe haven, the only place he could see her, talk to her, and connect with her without worrying that someone would see them.

"You promise?"

"Hey, you can't get rid of me that easily."

"Good, you still have to teach me a lot."

Don't worry Sookie, I won't break my promise. He sends that thought to her and hears her heart begin to accelerate when she hears. She doesn't say or think anything but she grins and begins to walk home at a more leisurely place.

"Tell me about your home again."

"You mean paradise?"

"Yeah that place." He grins, she thinks he's messing with her toying with her gullibility when he talks about his home, his true home. Eden, or at least that's what humans call it, it wasn't the green paradise everyone presumed it to be, nor was there just one in existence. But it was magical, and no one wanted for anything. The only species not kicked out were the fae, and for years they had lived in it, he had lived in it, until Lilith cursed him, and he ruined everyone in it. Still it was his first home, the only one he had known until he saw Sookie, and he would always cherish it. So if Sookie wanted to hear about it, he would tell her, and then one day he would explain how it was all true.

If he wasn't part vampire he knows he probably wouldn't even think of this, then again the fae were not so innocent either and though taking human life isn't ideal it's never been reproached either. He could of done it swiftly swooped in and buried his fangs into their throats for even thinking of putting Sookie in a mental institution, but he doesn't want that image ever in his head, doesn't want her to know that this has anything to do with her. She has enough guilt weighing her down, when it comes to her parents.

He almost feels bad, almost, but ultimately they did this to themselves. He makes sure to use only nails that would probably be found on the road and begins to make random punctures within the ridges. He does this as soon as they enter the bar, making sure to press down on them a bit before letting time do it's work. He takes the time to look around, the bar is nothing special but since it's found on the outskirts of the largest town closes to Bon Temps he's not surprised to find many cars from town loitering outside. Despite the heavy rain Sookie and her brother had been left at their house alone for their parent's ill fated date night.

Remembering this he presses down a bit more on the front tires enjoying the hiss of the air escaping, he does this until he has assured himself that in this storm the tires are useless.

"Corb!" Sookie's mom is giggling, her face is flushed and her body is mostly leaning on her husbands as they come out of the bar together. Corb isn't doing much better he's grinning, his eyes are glazed and his feet are unsteady, still he climbs into the drivers seat and she doesn't protest.

The rain isn't too bad but Sookie's father's swerving doesn't help their situation. As Warlow keeps up with their truck with ease he's surprised at how many close calls they get into just within five minutes of pulling out of the dirt parking lot. Still there's no talk of pulling over instead the gas pedal is pushed a little harder.

They're nearing Bon Temps and he's getting bored of just following them, maybe… I should just do it he banishes the thought the moment it hits him, yes he's a little hungry, and angry at them. But still they did bring Sookie into the world and he has some respect because of that, plus if she ever found out he knew it would hurt her. So he holds back, and when finally they start to slip on that bridge he can't help but be relieved. Relieved when Corbett slams the breaks and makes the truck swerve, relieved the bridge rail is so old that the truck breaks it like a sheet of paper, and relieved that their screams don't last long once the truck is immersed in the water.

He has to wait of course but after twenty minutes of no one surfacing he walks away and though he knows Sookie will be in a lot pain right now, it's better than her realizing how much her parents truly fear her.

She's crying, huddled against a big oak and his heart aches. He had been unable to see her in the last couple of weeks, not only due to her grandmother's watchful eye and insistence the children not leave her sight but the town had decided that a stream of long visits and casseroles was a necessity.

"Sookie?" He doesn't want to scare her and the urge to hold her to him until her cries have subsided is strong, but he can't do that, not yet.

"Ben!" There's relief in her voice and he wonders if it's completely wrong he feels no guilt. She jumps up and hugs him, but it's brief and she backs away as soon as possible, he tries to smile but it comes out like a grimace.

"Are you okay?" It's a stupid question because it's too soon for her to be okay but he's not sure what else to say.

"They're gone." Despite the fact he had her full attention only a moment ago now she's looking at the dirt,

"Happy birthday Baby!" Her mom placing a plastic crown on her head before giving her a big kiss, while Sookie's all dressed up in some taffeta dress.

"I love you sugar." She's in the passenger seat of her dad's truck and he's taking her into town for some sweets. The car is full of his cologne and when he grins at her everything is perfect.

"Look Sook Jason is you're big brother and he'll protect you but you gotta do your part, you have to… you have to do better." She's sitting on the porch getting her hair done as Jason and her dad play catch a couple feet away. Her mother's pulling slightly on her hair and she wants to cry but can't.

He had left his mind open to her and the onslaught of images is something that was unexpected, so much good which was only recently marred with fear.

"I know, I'm so sorry Sookie." He's not lying he is sorry, sorry she's in pain, sorry they let fear ruin the love they held for their child, and sorry that she's too young to understand that it needed to be done.

"I… everyone says that… but they think horrible things about my parents." She rubs her eyes and he wishes that things were easier.

"People… people sometimes… are just not very nice." He looks up at the sky because he's starting to feel the ebb of guilt in his gut. His shields slam down tightly, it will go away. He assures himself with fake confidence.

"I know, I need you to teach me, teach me soon!" She pulls on his wrist and when he looks down her eyes are wet from unshed tears and she's almost frantic. "I can't stand them being in my head anymore."

"Of course Sookie." She calms down, but still he can hear her heart thumping wildly and the blood rush about her body. "Everything will be alright." It will, he promises her that silently even if she doesn't know it yet, he will make everything better for her.

A/N: Please review and if you guys have any questions or anything about the story don't hesitate to ask, I will answer as best I can as long as it doesn't reveal too much of what I'm planning. :)