Drop Dead, Gorgeous.

Disclaimer : Drop Dead, Gorgeous, is a piece of fanfiction modeled from Charlaine's Harris's Southern Vampire Mystery Series starring Sookie Stackhouse with a few liberties taken from TrueBlood, a show based off the same books. All recognizable places and characters belong to C.H. As a reminder, I earn no money from this fanfiction.

Author's Note: Mention of prescriptions. Reviews and Criticism are appreciated.

[6]

I CALLLED 911 AS SOON AS GRAN BEGAN HEALING. Kenya Jones and Kevin Prior were there in 5 minutes. The worst of Gran's wounds healed – but not everything. Her ear had reattached itself, the majority of her skin knitting closed. I knew she would live when her mind became steady in mine and I could finally breathe again.

I had managed to get her into one of the kitchen chairs, certain any broken bones she may have had would have set themselves as well. Bill's mouth was set in a grim line as he watched us. He had taken care to clean up the blood that no longer had an explanation, tossing the towels in the laundry as the patrol car pulled up.

Thanks to Bill's blood, Gran wasn't in imminent danger, but Kevin escorted her immediately to the 24 hour health center in Shreveport. Mansfield was closer, but the only one there wasn't 24 hours. He thought of his own grandmother the entire time he was in range. I needed to make sure to send him something after all this. I knew it was his job, but Kevin was good people.

I recounted everything I could remember, leaving out only that which I couldn't explain. "He must have heard something because he left after that."

"And you're sure it was Rene Lenier?" Kenya asked, directly.

I nodded, "Yes. Gran hit the flashlight when she came to. I saw his face."

"Black shirt, and jeans?" She asked, narrowing down his description as I'd seen him in that moment.

I nodded. My arms rested on two towels full of ice, trying to alleviate where I was sure to have some intense bruising. My side hurt, aching with each breath, but I was trying not to focus on it. Once the two officers were gone, I'd try and tape them up. I should probably try and get to a doctor, but money was tight. It didn't feel like anything was broken, though it'd come close.

When Andy arrived, he had cleared the house, finding how Rene had gotten in. Apparently one of the windows had been left open. I thought how Rene had been with Jason and the road crew when they'd all stopped by for lunch earlier. I couldn't remember if he'd left the room, but I didn't remember opening the window either. I pictured him, standing smiling as he had earlier in the afternoon. He'd been in the doorway to the kitchen then. Had he already done it? Had he been planning to? I cursed myself for not listening.

[Break]

"Ridiculous. What reason could he have to attack your Gran?" Andy asked.

Kenya thought how awful a person it was to attack someone like Gran, reason or no. When I said I didn't think Gran had been their target Andy had asked me to explain.

"I think he was.. maybe who had attacked Maudette or Dawn." I knew he was, but that was hard to explain. Andy glanced over in Bill's direction, asking if there was any particular reason I believed that.

I grimaced, having to admit I'd done a little sleuthing behind the officers backs. "I went into Shreveport and was asking questions about them… at a vampire bar I thought they may have gone to. I told Jason, I'm sure he talked about it with his friends." The Detective and Officer held back on account of the night I'd gone through, but I sure got a mindful.

Andy grit his teeth, breathing slowly through his nose. This was a tactic they'd gone over in a class he'd had to take, but he wasn't supposed to be so noisy about it. He was showing me how upset he was by doing so. He figured this wasn't so bad, so long as he didn't go off like he wanted. I guess it was an improvement. It would have worked better on someone else though.

Andy reprimanded me for impeding their investigation. Kenya was thinking that wasn't necessarily true and I was going to start crying. I cleared my throat to prevent this and Bill moved to stand behind me, "Maybe you could share what you learned with them now?" He suggested quietly.

There wasn't much to tell. Other than advising both women had been there. When they asked who I spoke with, I wasn't sure if naming Eric and Pam was safe to do. Bill answered for me, "The owners there are Eric Northman, and Pamela Ravenscroft. If you need to speak with them, I can call to arrange a meeting."

"I know how to work a phone, thank you." Andy spoke gruffly. He was sour with Bill not because he was a vampire, but because of how taken his grandmother was with him and hadn't explained why. The blowback of Bill's glamouring it seemed.

There were several questions after that, all posed by Detective Bellefleur: had I seen Rene there, did I have any reason to believe he had seen Maudette or Dawn, did I have reason to believe Rene had been with either woman, and so on. I hadn't seen Rene the day I looked, nor did I hear otherwise but I hadn't asked specifically since I hadn't suspected him then, and Rene had been with Dawn though I didn't know of Maudette. When Detective Bellefleur asked how I know, I gave him a pointed look.

Kenya asked if I felt safe staying in the house as she concluded our interview. "I'm going to follow Kevin and Gran to the hospital. If I need anything after I'll be sure to call the department." Bill moved just alongside me, but said nothing. If he had been better, or things had gone a different way, I'm sure he'd have offered I stay with him, or I'd have said I would whether it was true or not.

Gravel pelted the front door before I heard Jason's tires come to a stop outside. Both Kenya Jones and Andy Bellefleur made their way out. I knew Officer Jones would see to it that they would look for Rene Lenier, whether Andy believed me or not. As soon as the two had gone, I could see Bill was waning but willing to continue to make the effort for me. "I'll be fine with Jason. You should get home. I'm sorry if I cut your reunion short."

"You have nothing to apologize for." He didn't comment on his revelation with the Bellefleur matriarch. I didn't know if that was because he wasn't ready yet, or he was simply that tired, or felt it didn't need to be. He was gone by the time Jason burst into the kitchen asking about Gran, "What happened? Where is she?"

He had gotten my message as soon as he got home – I'd kept it brief, there'd been a break in and Gran had been hurt and to come straight to the house. I didn't think announcing the rest was safe. What if Rene had wound up running off to Jason's? Not likely, but not impossible.

"She's alive. Kevin drove her to Shreveport," he was already turning to get back in his truck and I grabbed his wrist, "Jase, I need you to listen." He winced and I knew he was preparing himself for the worst. I might still have to, considering she was sure to have caught the sino-virus, but at least I hadn't stood by and done nothing.

I took a deep breath knowing what I had to say wouldn't be well received, "It wasn't a break in exactly. When we got home, someone was waiting here – for me. Gran came in first." His hand fisted, wrist twisting in my grasp starting to interrupt me, "They were here because of me. Because I went to the vampire bar in Shreveport."

Jason stilled, realizing what had happened and I had to ask, "Did you tell anybody what I was doing? Where I went?" He didn't have to say it, he had talked to his best friends – and why wouldn't he? He looked guilty.

"But they wouldn't have said anything Slo, and no one else was around…" He followed quickly, not understanding where I was possibly going. I wouldn't have either. It didn't make a lot of sense.

I let go of his wrist, breaking immediate contact with him so I could shield myself if my brother didn't believe me. "I'm just going to say it. And I want to say I don't know why and I didn't have any idea before tonight – but Rene was the one that attacked Gran, and attacked me." I saw him recoil and rushed adamant, "I saw him Jason. I got a good look at him, and I didn't mistake anyone for him. It was him."

Jason didn't tell me off, but he didn't say anything the entire drive to Shreveport either. Every time I started to pull down my shields, I pictured how I'd feel if Jason blamed me. It kept me from asking any questions or listening along the way.

The health center at the southern tip of Shreveport wasn't much bigger than the one we use to have in Bon Temps before it closed. But it was a lot newer, and despite being one of 5 in the city, had cars in its lot even in the early hours of the morning. The sun wasn't up yet, but the grey sky oversaw 20 vehicles outside of the staff lot. Jase parked on the line between two spots and jogged inside.

[Break]

GRAN'S LACK OF TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY OR BROKEN BONES AMAZED THE DOCTORS. My more common injured ulnas, one bone bruised and one fractured, were more in line with their expectations. Gran was ordered bed rest, and Jason and I were to keep an eye out for any strange behavior, in case there was something their scans had missed or was delayed. I was out of work likely a month or more, and given a brace for my dominant arm, Naproxen for general pain, and Oxycodone if it spiked.

When the adrenaline had worn off, I'd needed it after we got home. Bill had not appeared to check on us the evening after the attack, and I knew he would be unable to do so moving forward.

I watched over Gran anxiously as the increased vigor I had felt after recovering from the Rattray's attack did not appear. She was healed, but I did not know for how long.

[Break]

THE NEXT THREE DAYS PASSED WITHOUT INCIDENT. Jason bought us dinner on the way home Thursday evening and stayed on the couch each night since. Leaving only to grab a few things from his house.

Sam had called to tell me he would hold my position while I was out, but with no sick days, I felt ill at the loss of pay. Thankfully the house had been paid off so there was no mortgage to worry over, but water and power, along with the insurances, added up. Gran didn't seem worried so I tried not to be. Still, I hoped I could manage a tray by this time next month. Or maybe I could bus tables.

By Sunday, Gran snuck out of bed. I found her in the kitchen making breakfast very slowly, with the radio on low. I could hear Jason grinding down a stump that she'd been after him to get to for months. In fact, he'd used the last few days to tackle as many projects as he could around the house. So far he'd fixed a loose board on the steps, cleaned the gutters, and pulled out the boxes that had taken refuge in his old room. If he decided to stay here much longer, he might get around to cleaning out the attic.

Though he smiled and sat with us most meals, Jason's usually jovial face was more focused than I'd ever seen it while he was working away on his decided chores. At first I thought he was just trying to keep busy, my brother never was one to sit down in one place too long. He might enjoy a good drink and partying – but those things now were typically only after he'd worn himself out on the road crew. No, I'd realized this was his way of burning through his anger. We hadn't talked about it yet, but it was coming.

There was a more important conversation I needed to have now though. And I was glad Jase was busy while I figured how to broach it with Gran.

Watching her, Gran ladled each of us a bowl of stone-ground grits. The doctor having made a fuss about iron, thiamine and folate. The vitamin C it was missing was made up for in our glasses of orange juice. I mourned not having any coffee. Gran was grateful for her tea.

We greeted one another, observed our how-de-dos and she sat down to eat, pausing only when she realized I wasn't digging in. Testing the waters she asked after my plans for the day, "Are you checking on Bill's today?"

The story was Bill had left while his home was being worked on. This gave an excuse for his sudden absence. And as his neighbor, it was perfectly natural to check in on his house from time to time and make sure the projects were going according to schedule.

"I'll walk over when they take lunch. Make sure things are starting off on the right foot." Normally I'd see about carrying something over for the work crew, but I couldn't right now. Gran didn't ask, though I know it had to sit wrong with her. I caught myself glancing over the right side of her face, the barest of bruising there. She caught my look.

"It's fine, stop worrying. I'm tired is all." Her hand grasped mine overtop the table. The skin of her hand thin and smooth.

"Gran," I steeled myself Dread was a pit in my stomach I couldn't continue to ignore, "Did you remember anymore about the attack? Waking up, before Kevin and Kenya arrived?" The doctor had said it wasn't unusual that she wouldn't, but that hadn't prevented Detective Bellefleur from dropping by to ask Friday for a follow up with her.

Her answer was the same as she shook her head, looking a little lost. I hated that look on Gran. She was the strongest woman I knew. "Well, you remember I said Bill was here? That he had wanted to apologize for breaking our date? And to let me know he'd be gone awhile?"

Gran nodded, "Yes, I do recall something about that." Her eyes were grey today, the corners of them lined with crow feet. Oh how I wished they were brighter.

I reached out with my other sense, checking on Jason's project. He was putting his chainsaw back in his truck. He wanted to go into town – he wanted to find Rene and chain him to the back of his truck. But he didn't have his chain anymore. He'd need to go buy a chain and then find that son of a bitch and turn him blue. I left Jase's head. He'd had these thoughts several times before. So long as I didn't hear the truck start up, he'd find himself a new project to start.

I focused again on Gran, "Well, he did come to the house – that's true. But it wasn't to apologize. Bill came because he can sense my emotions. He knew I was frightened."

Left to right, Gran looked me over, searching. Her jaw lowered a little, but her lips didn't part. I continued, "Bill can tell that about me because I've had his blood."

She inhaled, and her fingers flexed over mine, "Aira. Are you – what about the virus?" Her gripped tightened, nervous energy, "Do you.. want to be a vampire?"

I had tensed up when she had started to ask, then relaxed a little, "No. I don't want to be a vampire. Bill gave me his blood because I was injured." And so I told her about the Rattrays, the attack outside Merlotte's and how Bill had saved me. I did curb their deaths, not wanting to scare her off Bill. But the main point of telling her was to get her to understand how Bill had known I needed help, and what his blood could do.

Gran's hand had squeezed mine periodically, and she looked a little shook up. She was relieved I'd been saved. She was horrified what I'd gone through. She was glad God saw fit to strike down the Rattrays. She felt guilty for thinking it. What she said was, "Thank goodness you're alright."

I grimaced, looking down. I had been better than alright, and if Bill wasn't sick, Gran would be too. "Gran, I'm explaining because Bill will know these things about you too because, well… Bill saved you too."

Oh that sweet man, Gran thought. Then her thoughts turned to how hurt she must have been to have needed healing but she couldn't picture it. The farthest back her memory went after the attack was walking out the door with Kevin. From under a furrowed brow she asked, "Was it – was I very bad?" She thought of how she felt now, and how I had seemed the morning after the Rattray's deaths. Her comparison teetered dangerously on the precipice of what I needed to say.

I tried and failed to describe it. A dozen imagined scenarios ran through Gran's head. There was one eerily similar that I tensed involuntarily at and nodded. Gran recoiled, hand fluttering nervously near her eye. She cleared her throat after a moment, "Their blood can really undue all that?"

"Yes, normally. But Gran, I know you've realized it's not the same." I paused, listening for Jason and assuring myself he wouldn't interrupt. "Bill isn't out of town, he's," I winced, "sick. "

Reading directly from Gran was something I usually avoided, being there for her was more important than either of our privacy. I reached to take her hands in mine, feeling her confusion. My arms ached in protest, "Bill has the Sino-Virus." Alarm shot through her, worry for him too. It was selfish of me to be glad I didn't have to explain what the virus itself was or could do. She was thinking of the reports she'd heard on the radio, and the exaggerations some of the news reported. As horrible as it was, it wasn't by much.

Aloud, Gran was very quiet, but she was busy putting things together. "I have it now, don't I?"

"I would think so. It's not the same as if he's bit you or blood got on you, you drank it."

It was a testament to all Gran had seen in her life that she took the news as she did. She took a breath, and pulled her hand away. Respecting her request for privacy I pulled my shields back up and waited for her to speak again. "Well, I'd best get things in order then."

Although I knew what having the Sino-virus meant for the humans that contracted it, hearing Gran accept it nearly broke me. "I'm so sorry Gran. I asked Bill to do it."

She pulled her mouth up in a half smile that didn't meet her eyes and stood, kissing my temple, "It's milk now dear." She said, referencing the old adage. I felt my eyes tear up and blinked it away as she sighed, "Did Bill say how much time I could expect?" I shook my head. All the cases that had been reported were young people who'd contracted it through bites. If there were any cases of humans saved by vampire blood they hadn't been reported that way – likely because the fact was kept secret to start.

She thought for a moment and nodded to herself, "I'll begin tomorrow then. Will you do me a favor?" Gran knew I would, but she waited until I agreed, "Don't tell your brother. It could be for nothing, after all."

I chewed my lip but agreed. Gran not blaming me, at least that I could hear, was shocking. Maybe it was because she knew I already did it well enough. Jason would have no compunction blaming me. I was divided in two camps- relief, and knowing I deserved it. "Yes ma'am."

[Break]

JASON TOOK HIS BREAKFAST SHORTLY AFTER GRAN HAD GONE TO LIE DOWN AND I USED THE TIME TO WALK ACROSS THE CEMETERY TO BILL'S. It was earlier than I had advised her, but I wanted to get a feel for the workers thoughts when they didn't know I was around. I was pleased to find that though curious of the home's 'new' resident, none of the workers had plans to sneak into areas of the Compton Estate they didn't have reason to be working in. I was also relieved to find they didn't have any anti-vampire leanings either, though they were careful not to be alone.

Strangely, I didn't notice Bill's mind. The normal 'void' I would pick up was missing. It seemed when vampires were 'down' for the day, they were well and truly dead. I wondered if it was just Bill inside and down for the day or if his 'guest' was also there. I didn't know who it was that had agreed to watch over Bill at night, but I imagined they wouldn't be going far to rest.

I visited with mom, dad, and granddaddy Mitchell for the first time that month. I was embarrassed to see their plots were overgrown and apologized for not being by to take care of them, "… it's just been a very busy time." I shifted my arm, knowing I wouldn't be able to move the mower for a while, "Maybe I can get Jason to come out for me. I know you'd like to see him."

Jason rarely came to visit. He didn't attend funerals and I could count the number of times I had caught him thinking of having been to pay his respects on one hand. At least, at the cemetery. Jason thought of mom and dad daily – their house, where he lived, was mostly unchanged. "He's been helping me watch over Gran this week." I glanced at the empty space near granddaddy, "I'm sure you saw what happened."

I didn't want to talk to them about my worries for the future and the clock Gran had been put on. Those thoughts were between me and the big man upstairs. "Jase is having a hard go of it – knowing it was Rene. I am too. I don't know how he could have hidden that kinda hate. It was so loud." I shivered remembering the feel of it. "I don't think he'd meant to hurt Gran. I'm just glad Bill was there."

I bit my cheek, turning in the direction of the Compton plots nearby, "You could have told me his plot was empty you know." And so I talked through my friendship with our neighbor. By the time I returned home I was all jawed out and started very carefully on an early supper.