They arrived to see Sookie out on the front step wrapped in a blanket. She didn't seem as though she was present. Bella sat next to her as Eric went to find Compton. Bella didn't say anything. Just sat with her. Sookie finally looked over to her and seemed startled to see her there. Then she got a look of concentration on her face. The same look Edweird got when he was trying to listen in on her thoughts. Well, she was human and had a working shield and wasn't prone to glamour. Who's to say Sookie couldn't hear echoes or even full thoughts. So Bella took a stab at it.

"You won't get anything from my head, baby girl. You wouldn't be the first telepath to try," Bella told her.

"You- you know?" Sookie stuttered.

Bella looked dead at her. "You were born and raised in a tiny town, Sookie People talk. That and you got the same look on your face as someone I once knew. One plus one equals telepath."

They lapsed into silence before Sookie spoke to her again. "Do you know why? So far, other than vampires, you are the only person I can't read."

"A theory or two. A supposition or three. None of which would do you any good to know unless you plan on taking a trip up to Washington. You got a place to stay tonight?" Bella asked. Sookie shook her head.

"I was planning on cleaning up and staying here."

"And if the perpetrator were to come back? Sookie, before, the killer's victims were young and had had previously crossed paths with vampires, whatever the relationships were. That wasn't your grandmother. She was kindly. Whoever killed her, even though it was a killing of anger, I can promise you, he is regretting it. But I think the intended target is sitting right next to me on this porch. Young and associated with a vampire," Bella explained.

"I have Bill and Sam here to protect me," Sookie told her.

"And if you were attacked during the day while Sam was at the bar?"

Sookie again was quiet as she thought. "All right. But I can't just leave the house like that. Gran wouldn't want her house anything less than presentable," she insisted. Bella nodded.

"I'll stay with you and help you clean up. Then we can go to my place for the night. Just let me send my ride home and we'll be set."

"Hey, Bella. Thank you. For looking out for me and- and," she seemed to faulter in her gratitude.

"Being a silent head?" Bella joked. Sookie smiled and nodded. "Any time you need complete silence, my door is open to you."

Bella went in search of Eric. She found him just landing in the back of the house.

"What were you doing up there?" she asked.

"I wasn't invited in, so I had to get creative," he smirked. "Seems Mr. Compton has run afoul of the local shifter."

"Shifter? There's a shifter here?" she asked. Curious and a little excited. Eric's expressions sobered a bit.

"Indeed. A man by the name of Sam?"

"Sam is a shifter?! – Huh."

"You don't seem all that surprised the world just expanded beyond vampires," he noted. Bella shook her head.

"We hadn't gotten that far in our 20 questions, but the reservation near where I grew up had a pack of their own. Horse sized wolves." Eric looked intrigued. "Nothing really surprises you after a pissed off shifter wolf the size of a small bear shifts after you slap him one."

Eric looked a little proud of her and a little bemused. "Little Valkyrie."

Bella waved off his comment. "Anyway, I thought it best Sookie come stay with me for the night. We were going to clean up the…" she suddenly paled. She didn't get nauseous at the sight of blood anymore, but it still wasn't all that pleasant. "Well, clean up and then head to my place. Safety in numbers."

Eric nodded. "Not a bad idea if this perpetrator is going after those with an association with vampires. I looked around the house. Seems he gained entrance through a slit screen in the upstairs bedroom. I would sleep in the same room as her. Have a little sleep over." This last was said in a slightly lecherous tone. Bella smacked his arm.

"Down, Viking. Contrary to what men think, we don't dress in lingerie and have pillow fights…often. Most likely, we will have boring girl talk before passing out in tear induced exhaustion for her, and ice cream and a good book for me."

Eric nodded then looked about. "I suppose I should get going then," he said, but it wasn't with much conviction.

"Tell you what. I'll come back to Fangtasia soon. Or you can come here. It's not like I have much to do outside of work. Give me your cell," she said, holding out her hand. He took a sleek cell out of his back pocket and handed it to her. She programmed in her number and handed it back. "Feel free to text or call. Modern tech is a wonderful thing."

"It is indeed. Until later then, Miss. Swan," he said with a bow. He then shot up into the night sky as he flew back towards Shreveport.

Bella moved back to the front of the house as Sookie rounded around Sam's form and into the house.

"Sam?" she asked to catch his attention. Sam cleared his throat then turned.

"Bella. Sookie said she is going to stay with you tonight." Bella nodded. "Thank you. For convincing her. I tried and it seems no one is willing to listen."

Bella shook her head then looked at him hard. "You know. You remind me of someone. He used to chase after me like you chase Sookie. Until he met his mate."

"Mate? He was a vampire?" Sam asked. Bella shook her head.

"No. He was a shapeshifter. And now that I look at you closely, so too are you," she said. Sam's eyes got wide.

"Sook- Sookie doesn't know," he stumbled.

"I know," she said. "But I just wanted to know, Sam. Is Sookie your mate? Or are you trying to fill the emptiness?" Sam looked at her long and hard. His face losing all emotion before he turned and left.

"Goodnight," she said as he left. She went into the house to find Sookie sitting on the floor with a pail of water, rags, and cleaning gloves.

"What do you need of me, doll?" she asked.

"Coffee? The pot is on the counter and the coffee and filters are in the cabinet above." Bella looked over and then turned back to give Sookie a sad smile. They spent three hours cleaning up the blood. Bella was amazed Sookie was able to do it without shedding a tear, but she supposed that it hadn't fully hit her yet. It would though. Grief touches everyone, and with family it is crippling.

o0o o0o o0o

The next day was chaos. Seemed everyone and their neighbor turned out to Sookies place to give their regards. Or to see if there was anything left of poor Adele's demise. Not that there would be. Bella and Sookie did very well cleaning up the carnage. But the macabre always fascinated the masses. And nothing was more macabre than a killing with a possible vampire link.

Bella relieved Mrs. Fortenberry of the casserole she brought, number 37 by Bella's count, and put it with the others.

"Yeah. 'Cause nothing says I'm sorry like a tuna cheese casserole," Tara sniped.

"Another one?" Lafyette asked. He looked around. "I ain't seen Jason. Is he here yet?"

"How the hell should I know. I ain't his keeper."

Lafyette pointed to Tara as if he was going to say something when she turned. "Bitch," he settled. Bella shook her head. That was an interesting but very tight family dynamic.

"Drama in paradise?" she asked him when Tara moved away.

"-Jason been actin' strange. He goes radio silent just when his grandma is murdered. That don't look good. I know he ain't do it, but-"

"Maxine Fortenberry! You put that pie down right now!" They heard Sookie shout. Everyone in the house turned and looked at her as she stomped up to the startled woman and ripped the pie pan from her hands and moved away from everyone else. "This is gran's pie!"

"Well, I'm sorry. I was just making some room," the woman shakily defended as she gestured towards the fridge. Sookie looked on the verge of loosing it.

"Tara, go to her," Bella urged quietly. "She needs you. Go!"

Tara really didn't need the prodding, as she started to move almost immediately. She wrapped her arms around Sookie and steered her towards the stairs.

"If y'all excuse us," she said. "I need Sookie upstairs. Just give us a little girl time." Bella nodded and pushed Lafyette up with Tara.

"You too, Queen. You're family." Lafyette turned to Bella and nodded before following them up. Bella went back into the kitchen, tuning out the gossip as she did and put away dishes as more people made them dirty again. She tried to keep things neat and tidy. The last thing Sookie needed or would have to think about was keeping her place clean.

Lafyette came back down with the pie about ten minutes later. He set in on the table and then stared at it for a moment.

"She doing ok?" Bella asked.

He sighed. "She cool. Too cool. She just realized Adele was actually gone. She stated it, but the grief ain't kicked in yet. Something is holding it back."

"Give it time. It'll hit soon. She may just be waiting until everyone is gone. She hasn't had a moment of true alone quiet yet."

The front door flew open and in stormed an angry Jason Stackhouse. He immediately rushed upstairs, ignoring all of the whispers that went his way. He wasn't up there long before he came back down. He was more subdued but still angry. Jason looked around, and Bella could see the grief in his eyes, but there was something else. Blown pupils. Heavy breathing. Sweating. It was hot, but he was sweating even in an airconditioned house. Jason was high. The lost look faded when anger took the fore and he all but ran from the house. She followed and watched as he practically tossed the deputy. Bella personally thought he deserved it the way he was questioning Jason when he had just found out about his grandmother.

"You's a stupid bitch, Jason Stackhouse," Lafyette said.

"I think I had better get going. I'm not doing much anyhow. Any dishes I clean, they get dirty again," Bella said.

"Sweetheart, you done more than any of these biddies and their bad juju casseroles," Lafyette tells her.

"Still. You tell Sookie, if she doesn't want to eat any of that bad juju as you put it, I'll come over and make her a fresh home meal. Complete with homemade ice cream at the end."

"Girl you put it that way, I'm going to invite myself over," Lafyette says with a smile and a hug.

"Food is always better with others to eat it with," she replied.

o0o o0o o0o

You haven't kept your promise.

Bella's phone chimed a text and she pulled out her phone. On reading the message she replied.

I know. Busy. But I did say you could text or call.

She was getting ready for Adele's funeral, setting out what she would be wearing.

Can we continue with 20 questions?

Bella laughed. Curiosity and vampires seem to go hand in hand no matter the species. She sat down and hit the call button. It was answered after the first ring. Vampires.

"What would you like to know?" she asked.

"You mentioned shifters in our last conversation. Just how long have you been aware of the supernatural?" he asked her.

"I moved in with my father when I was 17. The little town he lives in is constantly under cloud cover, and one of the few ideal places for the day walkers of your kind to dwell," she explained. Bella heard him growl on the other side of the line. "Not a fan, huh?"

"There are very few amongst the day walkers I respect. The few I have had the misfortune to run across are either completely taken over and controlled by their bloodlust, or they are so hung up on the loss of their humanity and too cowardly to end their own existences. And a good chunk of them are turned way too young, so they have no concept of controlling their impulses even before they transition."

"You aren't wrong there. The ones I met, I only respected two in the coven. One, I still keep in contact with and consider an older brother. You may like him. While he only eats from animals, there is a logical reason. Nothing puts someone off their dinner like feeling the fear and panic of the one's they are eating. The other, while she is in the category of those who can't seem to grasp their new status of existence, she did try to warn me of the costs. I was still too young and hadn't thought about the consequences of my choices when I was 17. Now I understand where she was coming from. Even though she was a total bitch about it," Bella told him.

"And now, little Valkyrie? What are your thoughts on being turned now?" he asked. And Bella noticed that his voice took on a lower seductive quality.

"Now? My stance now is the same as it was back then, just with deeper thoughts and meanings behind them. I think the vampire had better be damned sure that the human they are proclaiming they love is actually the one they want to be with, and if they are, then the human should be turned. I am a speciest. Vampires and humans don't mix. Shifters and humans mix only because genetically, shifters are sterile without their destined mate. Which I think is a load of bull. No such thing as love at first sight. Interest? Sexual attraction? Most definitely. But not love. That takes time and work no matter the species. And if I find my other half is a vampire? He better turn me, or I am walking from that mess faster than they can change their mind."

"So passionate, little Valkyrie," he purred. "I would love to explore that passion a little further."

Bella fanned her suddenly flushed face. Blushing would forever be a problem so long as she was human. And Eric was sex on legs.

"Maybe not tonight," she said a little more breathlessly than she would have liked. But she managed to compose herself before continuing. "I have to go to Adele's funeral tomorrow. And Mr. Northman, while you are very, VERY attractive, I would very much like to get to know you a little more as well before jumping into bed with you."

"Pity. But I will have you, little Valkyrie. I promise you that." Bella cleared her throat after Erics, threat- uh- promise.

"I- uh- I have to go. I'll talked to you later, Eric."

"See you soon, Bella." He affirmed as they hung up. Bella sat on her bed for a moment before throwing caution to the wind. Eric had her all kinds of riled up, and she needed release. Now! Pulling her top up, she was momentarily thankful she went without a bra, she grabbed a hold of her breast, rolling and pinching her hard little nipple between her thumb and forefinger as she hastily pulled down her little shorts so she can play with her slick little nub. She gave out a throaty groan as pleasure rushed through her system, begging for release.

Her breathing became shallow as she chased her ending, imagining Eric's weight pressing down on her. His hands gliding along her body as he took his pleasure from her as she took hers from his. His gorgeous blue eyes darkened with lust. Bella called out his name as her orgasm ripped through her. Gaining some measure of relief, but she had a feeling. If Eric made good on his promise, it would be so much more earth shattering than the fantasy she just conjured up.

o0o o0o o0o

The whole town turned out for Adele's funeral. And Bella would be blind not to see the drama the circulated the small gathering. Sookie, it seemed, was not happy to see an elderly gentleman in a wheelchair. So much so, the pastor had to remind her that she was to stand up and give her eulogy. It was short and stuttered and ended with her yelling at everyone to shut up. Bella supposed the thoughts of everyone were getting to her. Then Tara's mother stood up to say something. She seemed to be one bottle short of a full case.

Everything seemed to peter out after that. Bella left. Not letting the town drama stick to her. She had been there and done that in Forks. She was only here until her lease with Sam was up. Maybe she could pay off her lease and head to Shreveport. Bella shook her head to help clear her thoughts. She would wait and see. The people in this town were nice enough, but like any small community, they knew each other too well, and always wanted to give their two cents, when really, they just needed to keep their noses to themselves.

And like any other small town, after a major function, they met up at the local watering hole, which in this case happened to be Merlotte's, suddenly making Bella's night very busy. She and Lafyette were joking around as she prepped the veggies and he manned the grill. They looked over when they heard the front door welcome another set of guests when they saw it was the idiot rednecks that gave him issues before. Sam had to stop him before he made it too far out of the kitchen.

"Whoa-whoa, whoa. I'm paying you to cook, not beat on customers."

"Then I want a motherfucking raise," Lafyette demanded.

"I'll think about it, but 'til then, no trouble. Ok? We're getting busy."

"Tara called," Terry said as he went by bussing tables. "She ain't comin' in."

"What? Hell, we're already short a waitress," he said in frustration.

"Don't worry, Sam. We'll make it work," Sookie said in a perky tone. Too perky. Bella took a hard look at Sookie, and noticed a rather random scarf around her neck. This little belle lost her v card. And to Compton if she were to make a bet. Sookie started to get fidgety with Bella staring at her so hard. Bella cut her a break and looked at Sam.

"I'll cover Tara at the bar. Just don't expect me to take anything to the tables. You're bound to loose more dishes than you can afford," she tells him, leaving the prep work to Big John.

"Don't you look nice tonight," she heard Sookie tell Arlene. "I love how you did your hair."

"Well, thank you. Honey. That scarf is double cute," Arlene noted. Sookie touched it, and tried to play it off like it wasn't hiding a vampire bite. "There's something different about you. You need to tell me what's going on. Is it a man?"

"I'm not really comfortable discussing my personal business. Especially not here," Sookie dodged.

"Well, everyone else's personal life is open to you. I forgive you, because I know you can't help that, but it does make being your friend kind of lopsided." And then Arlene looked at Sookie just as hard as Bella had done and got a real look of concern.

"Please tell me it was Sam, not that vampire."

"Yes, it was Bill. And I think I might be in love with him. Don't tell anybody, ok?" Sookie said as she flitted from the bar. Bella shook her head. That was not going to end well. Arlene picked up her tray and went over to her boyfriend, Rene.

"Sookie has been with that vampire," she told him in a panic. Sam focused on her in concern too.

"Aw, that's just bar talk," Rene told her as he went back to watching the game.

"She told me so herself. Oh my lord. Suppose she gets pregnant," she fretted. "How in the world can she nurse a baby with fangs."

Bella laughed. "Vampires are infertile. Arlene. They are dead. Their little swimmers are dead. Women effectively go through menopause over night," she explained.

"Uh, you just be her friend. She need one now more than ever."

Sam left the bar and walked right up to Sookie, pulling her scarf off, and causing a ruckus. It wasn't very smart of Bill to bite her on her neck.

"Oooo. Small town drama. This is why I prefer the city, little sister," Bella heard. She turned to see Jasper on the other side of Arlene.

"Hey, Jazz. How's it going. You want a Tru Blood?" Jasper shook his head.

"You know I can't stomach that crap. And any of the vampires mainstreaming are deluding themselves and the mortal public."

"What do you mean by that?" Rene asked.

"Would you prefer a steak after a long day of work, or a salad with no source of protein anywhere?" Jasper put to him. Rene looked at him blankly. And Bella noticed Jasper got a bit stiff during their quiet stand off.

"Hey Jazz, I got someone I want you to meet," she said, pulling him over to the pick up window. "Jasper, this is Lafyette. Lafyette, my big brother, Jasper."

Lafyette looked out of the window. "Now aren't you a handsome devil," he said aloud. Bella sniggered.

"Not bad yourself, Darlin'. When are you off for the night?" Bella was sure Jasper could feel her excitement. Since Alice had kicked him to the curb for Edweird, Bella had made it her mission to get him laid. The man needed a release for all that tension. She left them to talk and went back to the bar. Rene was gone, and Arlene was back to waiting her tables. Things were going fine again until three unknown vampires entered the bar. They scared half the population in there, pissed off the other half. And had Bella, Sam, Sookie, and Jasper on high alert.

"Get us three Tru Bloods," demanded the stick in the tacky patterened shirt.

"Y'all need to go somewhere else. This is a family place. Locals only," Sam said.

"Well, we just closed on a place up the road, so that makes us official citizens of Renard Parish. We're the new locals," he said condescendingly.

"My place, my rules," Sam stood firm.

"Discrimination against vampires is punishable by law in the great State of Louisiana. Personally, I don't give a fuck, but I'm thirsty," he demanded.

"Where is the discrimination?" Jasper asked. "After all, I'm here, aren't I? It's just you who are not welcome here. Would you like to see exactly how I became a Major in the Confederacy? Or perhaps…The God of War?" Jasper growled and the three vampires cowered under the fear he was dosing them with.

It was then Compton ran into the bar. "Stop this!" he demanded.

"Stop what, exactly, Lieutenant? If I wanted, all four of you would be dead, and the Vampire Council wouldn't have done a thing about it," Jasper said to him, looking him dead in the eye. Jasper's dead black eyes, that only reflected an echo of what he went through in the southern wars. Bella knew that stare. She had met the Major once. It was what affirmed their bond as siblings.

"Take them, and leave, Lieutenant. You want to mainstream, to starve the vampire within you and put everyone in this bar at risk, you do it at your peril. These three threatened one of only three people I consider family. If I see them again, you will get a first hand demonstration of what I did after I was turned. Am I in any way unclear?" he said to Compton.

Compton shook his head and they all left. After a heart beat, Bella rounded the bar and stopped Sam from approaching Jasper.

"Major Whitlock!" she said in a strong voice. Jasper turned, his eyes still deep pools of black. "At ease! The threat is passed for now. Stand down." Jasper looked at her for a moment. His eyes roaming over her looking for damage. When he found none, he minutely relaxed. "While I am thankful for your protection, Major, the threat has passed. Please, let Jasper return."

He continued to stare at her. "You are not safe in this town," he said. His voice rough and brooked not argument.

"I know. But with everything as it is, no where is really safe, now is it? I don't plan on staying here long. But please, I would like Jasper to come back," she pleaded. Jasper nodded before his eyes shuddered and they opened once more topaz.

Jasper looked around. He looked at Bella sheepish and shrugged his shoulders. "Uh, that was unexpected," he said. Bella burst out laughing and hugged him.

"You protected me, Jazz. You protected me and the whole bar. Thank you." Jasper returned the hug with fervor.

"Thank you," Sam said from the side. "I may not particularly like your kind, but you stopped that from becoming ugly. So, thank you."

"You may want to see about keeping some silver about the place. Stakes are all well and good if you can get close, but vampires can't do much about silver," Jasper warned.

"Why are you telling us this? Wouldn't that put you in danger as well?" Arlene asked.

Jasper looked at her. "I am a vampire, yes. But who ever said I was the same kind as Compton?" he said to the shock of those in the bar.

A/N 5/15: Let's try this again. The first time, it turned out weird. That's the first time it's ever glitched out on me. Huh... Hope y'all like it.