15

It's Been a Week

Y'all are the absolute best for sticking around and reading. Thank y'all so much for reading and reviewing. Thank y'all for making this story one of your favorites and alerting. Here is the next chapter and I hope that y'all enjoy it. As always, the characters are not mine. They belong to Charlaine Harris but the story idea is all me.

And it's been a wonderful one. Firstly, Pam is safe. There have been no more people coming into the bar with plans of kidnapping her. She's as right as rain. Well, she could be. She's still a little salty about having Maxwell live with her. The worst part for her is that she has no say in the matter and that angers her something fierce. Pam is determined to get her way. She has tried her best to get him out of her home. The second night of him staying with her, she had the locks changed while we were working. We never would've found out about it if she had signed the check she'd written the locksmith. He showed up at the bar wanting to get paid. She was so mad at him that she was going to glamor the job from his mind but Eric wouldn't let her. Eric made her pay him triple what she owed and she pouted for the rest of the night. That was the last time she tried that. Other than Pam being sneaky, things have been going very well.

Oh, and the blood bond. The blood bond that Eric and I share is amazing. I think that it's the best thing that we could've done. It has nothing to do with the attention that he's lavishing upon me. Though, I have to admit that I absolutely love it. He has been there for me when I haven't needed him. As soon as he rises for the night, he calls me and asks about my day or if I'm well. If I'm feeling happy, the smile on his face is infectious. It's as if he's never felt that emotion. If I'm anxious, he's right there at my side comforting me, making me feel safe. He makes me feel as if I'm the most important person in the world when we're together. Outside of my grandparents, I've never had that. I've never had anyone that has wanted to take care of me. It's getting to the point that I hate leaving Eric when the job is over but that's okay because when I go home, he's still with me. I don't know how it's possible but he's still with me. That's the best part about the bond. He's with me even when we're apart.

I know that he said that I'm not supposed to feel him yet but I do. The first night that we shared blood, I didn't feel him. I couldn't feel him at all but the very next morning, he was in me and around me. I can feel it when he rises for the night. I can feel it when he's angry. I can feel it when he's next to me. I haven't told him yet, though. I don't know how he's going to take it. I'm not afraid of him but I'm afraid of what his reaction will be to know that I can feel him moving through me. Maybe if I was completely human, I wouldn't be able to feel him until the second bonding. I think that it has a lot to do with me being part fae. I want to ask grandpa but I won't do that. I figure that it's something that Eric and I need to talk about with each other.

Oh, and guess what? I haven't witnessed any more deaths. I haven't been involved with any more deaths. And another great part about this week is that I've made a few new friends. The Were guards have been pretty cool with me. They weren't at first. They aren't sure of what I am. I wasn't upset about it. My feelings weren't hurt. I could understand their reasons for being leery of me. They don't know what I am or that I'm part fae. They just know that we are working together to keep Pam safe. That's all that matters in the end. We have a job to do. I think that we've been doing it quite well. From what I can tell, everyone that's working with us is extremely loyal and trustworthy. Thalia and her children are arriving tonight. It'll be too close to dawn for us to meet. I'll meet them later. Anyway, they'll be taking over Pam's security detail as soon as they get here.

Here is my biggest accomplishment so far. I'm moving out of my grandparents' house. I have an apartment of my own. Eric helped me look for one. He's not crazy about the one that I've chosen. He wanted me to get this great big apartment with way too much space. I didn't need or want that. I wanted something simple. So, that's what we found and it's all mine. I have my own kitchen and living room. I have my very own bathroom. I have a huge bedroom with a walk-in closet. A walk-in closet! Never in a million years did I think that I'd ever have a walk-in closet. The best part, the absolute best part, is that I can get up in the middle of the night and make me a peanut butter and jelly sandwich without hearing my grandparents having sex! I can walk around my apartment nekkid … not naked but nekkid if I want to. I can be butt nekkid and no one will see me!

Today is the day. It's moving day and I'm more than excited. I'm able to move out so soon because of my first paycheck. Eric said that since it's the end of the month, he wanted to clear out his payroll but there was more to it. I have never seen a paycheck with my name on with so many numbers attached to it. I never would've believed in a million years that I'd be making enough money to be completely self-sufficient. I also didn't expect my first check so soon. "I haven't been working for a full week, Eric," I said. I had to catch my breath as I glanced down at it. "I don't think that …"

"You've more than earned it," he assured me. "Take it. And besides," he said with a shrug. "You need your own place. I can't make love to you in the home of your grandparents. You said that."

I blushed as I smiled at him. "You are ridiculous, Eric Northman."

Just as he laughed, his phone began to ring. "No," he assured me. "Just horny. Now go and meet with Pam. There are real estate books in her office. Find some that you like and I'll set appointments for us to go to."

That's what we did. That one paycheck has worked wonders for me. It was more than enough to pay the deposit, the first and last month's rent. I was even able to furnish each room. Now, Pam was a helping hand but she had to be reined in a few times. She was spending more money than I was comfortable with spending. Though she said that Eric would allow her to write the furniture off as an expense, I wouldn't allow it. I wanted to do this. It had nothing to do with being prideful. It had everything to do with me being able to do it for myself. And tonight, I wanted to be able to sleep in the new bed that I'd purchased. I wanted to wrap myself up in the sheets and comforter that I'd bought with my money. There's nothing more liberating than being able to take care of yourself and I feel liberated. And so proud. So were my grandparents.

Gran wanted to throw me a housewarming party but I wouldn't let her do it. For now, I don't think that it'll be too safe with all that's going on with Pam. Eric said that I needed to be careful of who I bring to my home.

"Even your most trusted can betray you," he warned me. "Be careful."

And I've taken his words to heart. My grandparents and my dad know where I live. I don't feel comfortable enough to tell my mom or Jason just yet. They haven't reached out to me since I moved in with Gran and grandpa. It stands to reason that they wouldn't be too interested in me now that I have my own place. My mom and my brother. Go figure, huh?

"You ready?" grandpa asked as he came into the house.

With my last carryall bag on my shoulder, I nodded my head. "I am." I looked behind him and didn't see Gran. "Where's Gran?"

He glanced over his shoulder for a brief moment. "You know how your old gran is. She's not ready for this. She's probably upstairs waiting it out. She doesn't want to see you leave." He chuckled. "She cried half of the night. You'd think that you've lived here all of your life instead of a month." He was trying to be lighthearted but I could hear that he felt the same way that my old gran does.

I hugged him for a brief moment before speaking. "Thank you for letting me stay here. Thank you for helping me and believing in me. Will you tell Gran? Will you let her know that I appreciate all that she's done for me?"

"Anything for you, Sookie," he said as he nodded.

I swallowed back my tears. "I'm going to miss you."

He patted my arm. "I'm going to miss you too. Now, you get on out of here. I've put your weapons in the passenger seat of your car … silver and iron. They're in a special case that only you can open. Keep them close. Call me if you need me." He began to shake his head no. "If Eric hadn't put those Weres on you, I would be afraid of letting you go out on your own."

"I know."

"I just want to keep you safe."

"I know."

"I just love you so much."

"I know."

"You'll call me if you need me?"

"I will," I answered. "I promise."

"And you'll stay safe."

"I will," I whispered. I stared at him as tears rolled over my cheeks.

He kissed my cheek. "I love you."

"I love you too." I looked up the stairs towards their bedroom; hoping that Gran would come downstairs. She didn't. She came out of the kitchen carrying a casserole dish. And she wasn't sad. She was smiling. She almost looked as if she was happy that I am finally leaving her house. If I didn't know any better, I'd be offended. None of that mattered right now. What I needed was an explanation from my grandpa. "Grandpa?" I said.

He wouldn't even look at me.

Gran was shaking her head at me as she walked into the living room. "You and Fintan are acting like you are never coming back home," she said. "Stop being ridiculous … the both of you. You'll come back around just as you always do and just as always, we'll be here." She looked at grandpa and said, "She's not going to boot camp. She's just a few miles down the road."

I took the casserole dish from Gran and placed it on the cocktail table and hugged her. I kissed her cheek and said, "Grandpa said that you were upset about me leaving today. I thought that you didn't want to see me off. I thought that …"

She fanned her hand at me as she shook her head. "Fintan is a handful, Sookie," she said as she cut me off. "I know that I was apprehensive and had reservations about all of this but I see how happy you are and I want you happy. I'm fine with you moving out on your own. You've got that nice Mr. Northman looking out for you. He's got the bodyguards for you. No, sweetie. I'm not worried at all. Fintan's the one that's suffering from separation anxiety. I wanted to give him a few minutes alone with you because he's going to take it a lot harder than I will. Your old gran is going to be just fine. She has a phone that she knows how to use and she has a car that she's still able to drive."

"Adele," my grandpa started. "Don't you stand there and act like you aren't upset about her leaving. You cried yourself to sleep last night." I could swear he winked at her.

Gran's mouth was as wide as I'd ever seen it. "Fintan, now you take that back. I had to brew you some of that Earl Grey tea last night to calm you down. You're not going to put your cry babying ways on me. I had to practically rock you to sleep."

Grandpa looked at me from the corner of his eyes. He was clearly embarrassed and I didn't want to make it worse for him. "Now, Adele," he said.

"Fintan," she warned. She pointed her finger at him. "You cried for over an hour last night and you know it."

I could have stood there and listened to them argue all day but I needed to get to Shreveport before the furniture was delivered. "Well," I said. "Thanks for all that you've done for me, Gran. And I really want to thank you for this casserole. I won't have to cook tonight."

I didn't think that they heard me.

"I guess I'll be going," I announced a little bit louder.

Grandpa decided that he needed to get his two cents worth in instead of listening to what I had to say. "Adele, don't say such things like that in front of Sookie. She knows that I don't have cry babying ways and I didn't cry for over an hour. I would say no more than ten minutes. I may have been a little upset about her leaving but I have never been a cry baby." Grandpa looked insulted. "I just love my family."

"I'm going to go ahead and take this casserole with me," I announced as I picked it up from the table.

Pointing at me, Gran said, "She knows how sensitive you are when it comes to her and her daddy. She knows how you can get all emotional at times. We all know this, Fintan. You should just be honest with what happened last night and this morning. You are the one that was going to shut yourself up in the room. I had to make you come down here this morning. You should just admit …"

I eased my way across the living room and out of the door with my casserole in tow. I cried as I walked to my car. I was going to miss moments like those. I was going to miss them but it was time for me to go and boy, was I ready.

0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0

I stood back and admired the look of my new apartment. As I said before, it's not very much but it's mine. "You've done a damned good job, Sookie Stackhouse," I said as I gave myself a pat on the back.

Don't get me wrong, I still have some unpacking to do but it's mostly clothes. I figured that I could unpack those things later. Pam had the gall to tell me that if she has anything to do with it, she's going to throw most of my things away. "If you are going to be keeping company with me, you need to dress the part," she said. "I can't have you looking like Sally Sue from Mayberry standing at my side. You'll bring down my stock."

I didn't agree with her. I love my clothes. They're comfortable and affordable. I don't have to …

My cell phone interrupted my thoughts. "Hello, Alcide."

"Hey, Sookie," he said. "I know that we're not supposed to make ourselves known but there's this guy down here. He was looking through your car. He was going through your dash and tried getting into the trunk. Don't worry. He didn't get to take anything. I punched him a few times."

I could hear the muffled sounds of Alcide's new prisoner. "I really appreciate that, Alcide. Who is it?"

"Be still, will ya?" Alcide yelled at the guy before answering me. "He says that he's your brother. I told him that you don't have a brother. Do you have a brother?"

Sighing, I said, "I do."

"Oh," Alcide replied. "So, do I let him come up or no? I don't think that you should. I don't get a vibe on this guy but it's your choice. He is your brother."

"He can come up."

"Okay," Alcide answered. "I'll send Jake up with him. He'll keep an eye out for you. Oh, yeah. His lips a little busted up but he earned it."

"Thanks, Alcide," I said.

And couple of minutes later, there was a knock at my door.

I wanted to be upset but I have to admit that I was a bit giddy. Even though it's the brother who thinks that I'm a blemish on the Stackhouse name, he's still my first guest. I'd rather it be someone else but I guess I'll have to make do with what I have.

I frowned as I looked out of the peephole. I stepped back away from the door and stared at it for a minute before I'd made up my mind to open it. I couldn't help but wonder why he was here. Jason said that he was done with me because of the life that I've chosen to live and now he's here. I was thinking about turning him away but I couldn't do that. He is my brother. So, I reluctantly opened the door. "Hey, Jason," I said. I looked at Jake and waved. "Hey, Jake."

He looked concerned. He had a firm grip on the collar of Jason's shirt. "You want me to stay in here with you? I agree with Alcide. I don't trust this douche bag."

"Asshole," Jason mumbled.

I patted Jake on his arm. "I'll be okay but you can stand outside the door if that's okay."

Jake smiled at me. "That's okay."

"Do you want a drink?"

He shook his head no. "I'm good." He then looked at Jason. He was no longer my friendly bodyguard. "I'll be right outside this door, douche bag. Don't mess up cause if you do, you'll have more than a busted lip." He poked Jason in the chest before closing the door behind him.

Jason rubbed his hand over the sore spot and frowned at the door. "Asshole," he whispered again. When he turned to look at me, he was all smiles. "How's it going, Sookie. Why haven't you called me? You didn't even tell me that you'd moved."

Frowning, I asked, "Why should I? You said that you didn't want to have anything else to do with me. You and mom said that. Since I haven't heard from either of you, I thought that you meant it."

He fanned off the statement as if it was nothing when it was everything. "I was just mad. You know how I get when I'm upset. I didn't mean it. I was just being a jerk. I didn't mean no harm."

I began to scan his mind for any signs of deception but found none. It was empty as ever. I finally stepped to the side and let him in. "Come on in the living room," I said.

I watched him as he looked around and nodded his silent approval. He stroked the back of the couch. He walked to the other side of the room and fingered the base of the flat screen TV. He fiddled with the lamps and smiled at the recliner. I wished that he would quit fondling my furniture and get down the reason for his visit. "Have a seat Jason and tell me why you're here."

When he sat down on the couch, he bounced a little. "This a nice place that you have here. Nice furniture. I'll bet that the Super Bowl will look good on that TV right there." He looked around the room again. "I could have my Super Bowl parties here. There is more than enough room for all of my friends to come by."

Was he serious? It didn't take me too long to figure out that he was.

He was about to prop his feet up on my new table but I nipped that in the bud as quick as possible. "You will not put her feet on my table and you will not have a party in my home. I will not allow that." I sat in the chair across from him. I didn't want to be but I was suspicious of his reasons for coming here. I needed to know why he was here. "I didn't give you my new address. How did you find me?"

"Dad's planner," he said. "I'd gotten a new cell phone and needed a phone number and found this address. He'd written 'Sunshine' beside it. I knew that it was yours." He pointed at me before speaking. "This is a sweet ass place you got here. How much is that vampire paying you to do what you do?"

That made me so mad. "His name is not that vampire. His name is Eric. Eric Northman and what he pays me is not up for discussion."

He raised his hands in surrender. "Hey, calm down, Sis. I was just making conversation."

I dipped into his head once more and there it was. The reason for his visit. "You need money."

He leaned forward as he rested his elbows on his knees. "Just a bit," he said. "I want to get my own place too and I figured that if you can get you an apartment working just a few hours a night, you wouldn't mind loaning your big brother a little bit. I think that it's time that I get out of mom and dad's house."

I leaned back in my chair and stared at him. I couldn't believe his nerve. "You put me down and called me a disgrace to the Stackhouse name because I've decided to make a living using my gift and now you come here and ask me for money. I thought that you were ashamed of me and what I'm doing."

"I was but not anymore," he said. "I been doing a lot of figuring and I figure that since you're making a killing by working for the vampires, you made the right choice. I also figure that you can help me get a job with some vampires but make me a loan in the meantime. Until I get my foot in the door of the vampire world. Maybe I can chauffer them around and stuff. You know any good looking women vampires?"

"No," I said.

Suddenly, I felt something go through me. Uneasiness. Anger. Frustration. And dread. Especially dread. I looked at the clock and it was 1:30. It was too soon for Eric to be awake. It could be a bad dream. Maybe Eric's having a bad dream. I shrugged off those feelings as I stared at my brother. Hoping that he would soon leave.

He flopped back on the couch. "You don't know any good looking women vampires at all?" He shook his head in disbelief. "Shit. There are some good looking ones that be on TV."

I can't believe that we come from the same bloodline.

"I mean no I'm not getting you a job with a vampire and no I'm not loaning you any money," I clarified. "I won't let you use them as you're trying to use me. Is that why you came by here? To see what I could do for you?"

He had that dumb, blank Jason look on his face.

I stared at him in utter disbelief. "I haven't heard from you in over a month and when you finally come to see me, you want money and to use my friends for their money. You have a new cell phone number, which you didn't tell me what it is by the way … not that I want it. You are a douche bag and I'm glad that Alcide busted your lip. You deserved it." His nerve was completely astonishing. "I can't help you, Jason. I won't help you."

He scooted to the edge of his seat. "Come on, Sook. I'd do it for you."

Surprised laughter escaped me. "You would not. Everything that you've ever done for me, Jason, has cost me something. I'm not going to help you anymore." I shook my head in utter disbelief. "I can't believe you. You insult me and put me down because I'm different. You've never been overly kind to me. You have never made me feel like a sister and you always want something from me. Why couldn't you have just come by to visit me? We could've had dinner and talked about anything but that's not what you do. You decide to come to my home in the hopes that I can do something for you … something that's' going to benefit you." With my voice firmer, I repeated, "No. I will not help you."

He then stood up and said, "I'm your brother!"

I mimicked his movements and said, "And I'm your sister!"

Pretty soon, the usual disgust that he displayed whenever he looked at me was on his face. The insults that he was about hurl my way were hitting me hard and strong. Bitch. Freak. Useless. Disgrace. Embarrassment. Any derogatory name that he could think of, he was going to say to me … or so he thought.

I marched over to the front door and held it open.

Jake was soon on alert. He saw my face and instantly grabbed Jason by the collar of his shirt and pulled him out into the hallway. "What did you do, douche bag?"

I wanted to laugh but I was too mad. "You are not welcome here, Jason Stackhouse. If I am such a bitch of an embarrassment, don't come back around me. If I'm so useless, don't come around here asking me for money. Since I make my money from being a freak, I would think that you wouldn't want it. It would be a disgrace for you to even consider asking anything of me. Now, until you decide that I am worthy of your love and respect, you are no longer allowed to come here. My home is off limits to you. I am through with you, Jason. I don't need your hurtful words or thoughts in my life. I don't want them."

I did my best not to cry but tears rolled over my cheeks and for the first time in ever, I saw a hint of regret in my brother's eyes. He opened his mouth to speak but I stopped him. "Go," I said.

Jake didn't give Jason a chance to speak. He pulled him down the hall by the collar of his shirt. "You are the fucking douchiest douche bag I've ever met!" He dragged Jason around the corner as he continued to insult him.

And normally, I would've felt guilty about doing something like that. I would've felt bad about seeing Jake drag Jason down the hall as he was but this time, I didn't care. The old Sookie would have given Jason the money and I would have helped him get a job in the vampire world. But not this time. I made myself a peanut butter and jelly sandwich in my apartment. And it was delicious. After that, I took a nap in my brand new bed before work. I'd planned on sleeping at least until four but that wasn't in the cards.

There was another knock at my door.