I wake up and stretch. Gosh, I know I made a big stink about Eric spending all this money on me and I really do mean it but I sure do love these amazing silk sheets. Heck, he didn't even buy them for me, they're on his bed. Last night after getting past Bill and his maker, we made it to the plain and back home with no troubles. Well, we made it back to Eric's house anyway but it's starting to feel a lot like home to me now. Especially because I don't know how long I'm going to be staying here, I might as well get used to it. The queen doesn't seem like the type to give up easily.

Jason spent the night here too but I'm sure he's going to want to get back to town early today, I'll drive him because I want to go to Merlotte's to get into the towns peoples minds to see what I can find out about poor Hoyt's murder. I promised Jason I'd help catch the murderer but I'd do it even if he weren't Jason's best friend. Hoyt was always so nice to me and even what I heard in his mind was always kind. He didn't deserve what happened to him. I sniffle back a few tears just thinking about it. Who would want to hurt such a kind soul? I wonder when the funeral is?

I take a deep breath and then lower my shields, Jason and Gran are up already and talking in the kitchen. Jason is wondering how he's going to get home since he left his truck at his house and took the church's bus to the fellowship retreat. It won't be a problem for me to take one of Eric's cars. I should probably stop at home too, we haven't been there for a while and I might as well grab some more clothes. There's no point in them just gathering dust in my closet. I'm sure Gran will want to go home to check a few things out too.

I'm surprised she isn't missing the house more. I'd have expected her to be homesick by now but she doesn't seem that way at all. Heck, I feel like if it was up to her, she'd stay here forever. I don't know how I feel about that, I mean we have our own house. Then again, Eric and I are bonded now, that's more permanent and binding than marriage, wouldn't it make sense for us to live together? And obviously, I wouldn't leave Gran in that big farmhouse all by herself, so if I'm here, I'd want her to be with me. I don't know, I think I have to think about that more. Either way, I'll be here for a while so it gives me some time to wrap my head around the idea of it being permanent. Wait, I don't even know if that's what Eric wants, I might be counting my eggs before they hatch. What if Eric wants his privacy back?

I shake my head, there's nothing I can do about that right now. For now, I should focus on what's important and immediate, Jason, and figuring out what happened to Hoyt. With that thought in mind, I get up and get into the shower. Not before giving Eric my customary butt squeeze. What do you expect? With a butt like that, how could I resist?

I shower quickly, I can hear from his mind that Jason is worrying and he's so sad. He really wants to get back to town and is thinking about calling a cab. He originally planned to wait for me to get up just so he could say goodbye but he's wondering how long he's going to have to wait. When I make it downstairs they're still in the kitchen, though they're done eating. Thankfully, there's still fresh coffee for me so I grab myself a cup.

"Morning everyone."

Gran could tell that Jason was about to correct me about the time of day again, so she slapped his arm before he could. "Did you sleep well, Sookie?"

"Yeah, it's good to be back home," I say before thinking better of it.

"What do you mean 'back home'? Are you planning on staying here, Sook?" Jason asks.

"I'm not sure, at least for a little while though, I still have crazy vampires after me, it's not safe for me to stay back in Bon Temps for now. I really just meant back in Louisiana."

Jason looks like he wants to say more but thinks better of it. "Okay, well I gotta get back to town but I don't have my car here. Do you know the cab company around here?"

"I'll take you Jase, I was planning on going to Merlotte's to see what I can hear anyway. Someone in that town is murdering people again and that just Ain't right. Our little town used to be so peaceful."

"You can say that again. Alright Sook, thanks. When will you be ready to go? I wanna get back there as soon as possible."

"I just have to grab my purse then I'll be ready. Gran, are you coming along?"

"Oh yes, I have to give my condolences and and check on Maxine, I know what she's going through and I wouldn't wish that on my worst enemy, let alone one of my best friends."

I feel sad for Gran for a second. Of course, it's terrible to lose parents like I did but you should never have to live through losing your children, like Gran did. That also reminds me that I still haven't told Gran what I've found out about Fintan. Unfortunately, my Gran has had to live through losing many people she's loved over her life.

"That's a good idea, Gran. She'll appreciate that, I think."

It didn't take long for us to both get ready and leave. I chose Eric's Escalade since we're planning on stopping at the farmhouse to get some stuff we'll need over the next few days. I don't know if the big car is necessary but better safe than sorry, I always say.

"Wow Sook, look at you driving such a fancy car. You're moving on up in the world."

"You hush your mouth, Jason Stackhouse. Your sister already has a complex about accepting anything from Eric. It took her a week and necessity for her to even drive one of his cars. Don't guilt her into making her rethink taking it. I'm much more comfortable in this car than Sookie's."

"Yeah, I'm only using it because I haven't had the chance to get mine from the house. The only other time I've been back to town since we left, I was so angry at Sam when I left that I didn't remember to pick it up. I don't like taking his things and using them as my own. It makes me feel like a gold digger." I say the word with as much disgust as I feel about being one.

"I wasn't trying to mean nothing by it, Sook, I swear. I think it's good, finally having a man that treats you like you deserve."

"Eric treats me good but it has nothing to do with what he has to offer me."

"Right, of course, you're right. I'm just happy for you is all."

"Thanks, Jason."

The rest of the ride is made in comfortable silence but talking about the last time I was here reminds me that I might not be too welcomed in Merlotte's. The last time I was there, I threw the owner across the room with my weird microwave fingers that I haven't been able to make again. Whatever, Sam will just have to deal with it, I'm a paying customer, after all. When we walk into Merlotte's it's pretty busy because it's the afternoon on a Saturday. Sam doesn't notice us right away because he's talking to some customers so we just take a seat and wait to see who'll be our server.

I smile brightly at Holly when she walks up to our table. I really like Holly, she's always been really nice to me and I think she has the nicest thoughts in the whole town. She also doesn't think any different of me because of my quirk, which is always a plus. I know she spends time with a coven and I always thought it was just a bunch of women getting together and talking but now that I know more about the supernatural world, maybe it's more than that.

"Well if it isn't Sookie Stackhouse, aren't you a sight for sore eyes? Where have you been hiding yourself?"

"Oh, you know, here and there. I've actually been really busy lately, traveling for work."

"Really? Well good for you. Where are ya working nowadays?"

"I'm actually working for myself. It's crazy the ammount of people that will pay me for my little quirk."

"Oh, good on you, Sookie. I'm happy that you're finally taking your life into your own hands. I always hated how you were treated around here, I always thought you deserved much better." She says as she rests her hand on mine, which is resting on the table.

"Thanks, Holly. That means a lot." I say with another big smile. She squeezes my hand before pulling away.

"Now, what can I get you?"

"Two sweet teas and whatever Jason wants, probably a beer," I say with a chuckle.

"Oh yeah, I'll take whatever's on sale."

"Okie dokie, I'll be right back."

I lower my shields to start listening into the brains of the patrons and so I'm able to hear the second Sam notices me.

'Oh good, Sookie's here, and without that leach. Maybe she's finally smartened up and left him. I knew Adele would finally talk some sense into her, no way she'd be happy being kidnapped from her house and being held prisoner at a vampire's lair.'

I have to work hard not to let my exasperation show. I quickly get out of his brain because I realize Andy Bellefluer is sitting at the bar and from the looks of it, already three sheets to the wind.

'Can't believe Bud really took my badge and my gun from me while they're investigating. What am I without them? Nothing, that's what. It's why it doesn't matter if I just sit around and get a drink off my ass all day. When I find out who tried to frame me, they better hope they're smart enough to run far away, cause if not, there'll be nothing left of them. I might not have actually killed Hoyt, doesn't mean I'm not capable of it, if someone pushes me enough, and takes me away the only thing that matters to me is pushing me to my limit. How could Bud do that to me? He's been acting so strange lately, I almost suspect him.'

Wow, that was dark but at least I know he wasn't the killer. There's no way that Bud Dearborn could actually be the killer, could he? He's been the sheriff since I was a kid, he was the one who came to the farmhouse to tell Gran and me that my parents were dead. Of course, I knew what he was going to say before he even knocked on the door so I was already a mess before Gran opened it. No, I can't see it being him, I better keep listening in.

I don't usually like listening in on Tara's mind but she's at the bar and I lock on to her without really realizing it.

"That was so much fun last weekend. I'm so happy I met Eggs, he's the best thing that ever happened to me. And what he's awakened in me, who'd have thought I'd be into having sex with a group of people or switching partners? Who'd have thought so many other people in the town would be into it too? I can't wait until tonight, I'm getting so excited just thinking about it."

I quickly get out of her brain when she starts picturing what she's planning on doing tonight what happened last weekend, and with who. Is there really some type of swingers club in town? I wouldn't believe it if I hadn't seen it In Tara's head. Tara has always been more sexually adventurous than me but I didn't think she'd be into that. I'm not really sure what to think about it.

What's probably the most unbelievable part of that whole thing is that I saw from her picturing her memories Hoyt was there last week. Was it just a coincidence? Or did someone in the club do it? I think it might be a good place to start looking. I have a few more faces from the memories so they're who I need to listen to next. Unfortunately, no one else from the memories is in the bar right now. Well, except Lafayette but he's in the back. He's pretty much thinking the same things as Tara, it doesn't really surprise me that he would be involved. I love the man but he doesn't always make the most safe decisions.

"Hey Cher, it's so good to see you."

I snap back to the present when I realize that Sam is at our table. Really? He's just going to act like everything is hunky dory between us? Like we didn't fight the last time I was here? Okay, if he wants to be civil, so can I.

"Hey Sam, long time no see." I have to force myself not to laugh when I see Gran giving him a look that I think created the term 'if looks could kill'. She definitely isn't happy with him after what I told her about what happened in his office.

"Yeah, where have you been? We've missed you around here."

"I've been traveling for work. We just got back."

"Where'd you go? And we?" Ugh, I'm getting annoyed by his questioning but I answer anyway.

"We went to Dallas, Gran, Jason, Eric, and I. It was a lot of fun, we stayed a few extra days so those of us who haven't been there before could do all the touristy things."

I can't really read Sam's mind well, It's getting easier than it used to be, I'm not sure if it's because I've been using my telepathy so much or it's because I've had a pretty steady stream of 1000-year-old vampire blood, but it's definitely getting easier. Except, apparently when he's angry. I've always been able to read his emotions from his mind, it's just how I've always read shifters, even before I knew why their brains were different. And right now, what I was able to hear from Sam when I walked in and he was calm, is very different than what I'm currently dealing with. The only way I can describe his current mind state is to say it's red, an angry red. And the snarls I've become used to are frightening right now. I have to work hard not to flinch back away from him. I'm not sure if I've just never seen him this angry or if I'm reading his emotions more intensely because I'm getting better at reading him. Either way, I want it to stop, so I throw my shields up, at least for now. I'm not even really sure what I said made him so angry and I'm not even sure if I want to know. He used to be one of my best friends but if he can't accept I'm with Eric and is going to try to make me choose, well, let's just say, he won't like my choice.

"Well, that was nice of Eric." He says in a sickeningly sweet voice. As if he forgot I can read how he really feels about the situation. "You know, I'm seeing someone too."

"Oh yeah? That's nice, Sam. I'm happy for you." I kinda just want this conversation to be over but I can't just be rude and ask him to leave.

"Oh yeah, we used to have a thing way back when and she just recently came into town and the sparks reignited."

"That's great to hear Sam," I say as sincerely as possible, I do want him to be happy. "Anyway, we just stopped by to see how everyone was doing. We'll probably be leaving soon."

"Oh? Are you going home?"

"Yeah, we're just picking some stuff up from the farmhouse." There I go again subconsciously, word of the day, calling Eric's place home. I don't know if I could have made that slip in front of a worse person, Sam's anger is back with a vengeance.

"You cannot be serious, Sookie. Calling that monster's lair your home. I thought you were better than that, better than some leach's whore!"

I stand up to slap him but Gran and Jason react before I do.

"Now you just wait a second, you don't…." Gran trails off because Jason stands up and punches Sam in the face.

"You better watch what you say, Merlotte. I'm ashamed to say I had the same thoughts when I found out Sookie was staying with Eric but I've never seen anyone treat her half as good as that man does. You don't know a damn thing that you're talking about. Even if you were right, which you're sure as fuck not, I wouldn't stand for letting anyone speak that way about Sookie. Now apologize before I tell Eric everything you just said, and believe me, he won't take the insults to her nearly as nicely as I have."

At this point, everyone in the bar stopped what they were doing and are staring at us. I feel tears entering my eyes because of how Jason defended me and how Gran was about to. I can see that Gran is proud of him too. Okay, I think it's about time we leave here. I'll call Lafayette when I get home to try to get more information about what Hoyt was doing at those parties, what happens there, and when the next one is because it might just be time for some undercover work.

Gran stands up gracefully. "We'll be taking our business elsewhere, Mr. Merlotte. You need to think long and hard if this is how you should treat someone who's been your friend for so long. And you know what? I'm not usually one to do something like this but I think I'm going to have to insist you pick up our tab and an apology."

I can tell Gran feels bad saying that, she is always one to pay for her keep but that just goes to show how angry she is at Sam right now. Believe me, I am too. Sam has a few napkins he's grabbed from the table to put on his bloody nose, I'm pretty sure Jason broke it with that punch. Normally, I'm not one for violence but hopefully, this will get it through his skull that he doesn't have a say in my life and that I'm happy with Eric. Sam's only response to Gran's words is to nod his head. I can tell from his brain that he's a little remorseful but not nearly enough. Mostly he's just sorry he lost his cool, he still meant everything he said and he's willing to stand by it. He's sure one day I'll come running to him, begging for forgiveness because I didn't listen to him. So, I stand up too, and get out of the booth. Jason was already out from yelling at Sam's face. I wait for Gran to make her way out of the booth and follow me out of the front door and to the car.