19

Just an Employee

Eric's POV – There won't be many but we will get to see a few things through his eyes.

In this story, I've decided to change Thalia's personality. I figured since this is an AU story, why not? I hope that y'all enjoy it. As always, I want to thank you for the reviews, the favorites, and alerts. I especially want to thank you for your time. The story idea belongs to me but the characters belong to Charlaine Harris.

A/N: To the guest reviewer that left me that long and very thoughtful review for the last chapter, I wanted to let you know that I've gotten that covered. She hasn't forgotten that she's a telepath. You'll see where it's going once I post the next chapter. I have completed three chapters so far. It's just taking me a while to edit because of my working hours. And please, let me know what you think. I hope that you enjoy it.

When I returned to the table, I knew that she'd be gone. I knew that she was bored and I knew that the date was not what she'd expected. I wanted to give her that date but because of the day's happenings, I was unable to do that and for that I am sorry. Maybe we can have our first date another time … once things have calmed down a bit. I would be more than happy to do that. I thoroughly enjoy being with her. She is excellent company. She's very intelligent. She has an outstanding sense of humor. She is so intriguing that she has made my child fall for her charms. And me? I don't know what I feel for her but I feel something that I have never had the pleasure of feeling. As a human, no woman ever enthralled me. No woman ever captured my attention for more than a night but Sookie has changed that and I don't understand why. I'm not complaining about it. It's refreshing yet disturbing. It disturbs me because I haven't a clue as to why Sookie Stackhouse has invaded my mind as she's done. And because of it, I will do what is necessary to keep her safe.

"Eric?'

I turned to see Thalia and one of her children standing behind me. "Thank you for coming," I said to her. "I hope that your trip was a pleasant one."

"It was," Thalia answered. "The accommodations were outstanding. Thank you."

Pointing at the seat across from mine, I said, "Please, sit and tell me if she's safe."

"She is safe," she reported … her voice as sexy and husky as ever. "Your human, this Sookie Stackhouse, she was with a man at the police station. From what I heard of their conversation, it was her father. She was still with him when I and Guinevere left her. Kendra will be with her for the remainder of the night. She will keep her safe. She is a proficient fighter." She smiled as she looked at me and crossed her legs. "This is something new for you, Eric. I have never known for you to care for anyone other than Pam … especially not a human. She's a beautiful human but she is, after all, a human. Dare I ask if you are smitten with her?"

Thalia has always been quite observant. She was always looking and watching. Taking in everything around her. She could see things that weren't there as well as what was. She may have been a bit accurate with her observations; especially tonight. Even so, I laughed off her comment. "You are mistaken, my friend. She is just an employee. Nothing more than an employee."

She looked at her child and beckoned for her to leave us. Once we were alone, Thalia said, "Belinda is just an employee. Ginger is just an employee. Not Sookie Stackhouse. I know that she works for you but she's more than that. She's an employee that has had your blood. You have never given anyone your blood, Eric … not even those closest to you. Do you remember when Clancy lost a limb in that bar fight in Germany and he was losing blood by the gallons? You'd known him for many, many years and you wouldn't give him a drop of your blood. Kendra had to feed him. But this Sookie Stackhouse, this human, you've willingly fed her your blood." She shook her head as she talked. "She's more than an employee to you. It's okay if she is. I won't judge you, old friend. We all need companionship. And as always, your secrets are safe with me."

I stared evenly at the vampiress. "She is very valuable to me. I need to keep her close … always. I need to keep her safe. She is an investment and nothing more. Don't make it out to be more than it is."

Thalia shrugged her shoulders and said, "If you say so." She then removed an envelope from the inside of her jacket. "As you know, I work diligently when it comes to those close to me. It bothered me to think that Pam would deliberately discontinue her security services knowing that she was in danger. It made no sense at all. So, I contacted the surveillance company and this is what they had." She began to shake her head. "You wouldn't believe what I had to go through to get this."

"Nothing," I answered. "You went through nothing."

She winked at me as she laughed.

As I opened and read over the document that she'd given me, Thalia continued to tell me what she and her children had discovered. "Per Maudette Pickens, Pam's services had been disconnected just on Monday … two days before she'd gone missing. She said that they were to come out tomorrow to remove the cameras. And as you already know, nothing was recorded."

I frowned as I read over the documents. I looked at Thalia and said, "Her services were canceled during daytime hours. Pam would have never let anyone cancel her surveillance services on her behalf."

"It was a human," Thalia said. "She claimed to have been Pam's day girl. She gave the name of Dawn Green. She said that she'd be handling Pam's affairs from now on because of the new role that she's taken in her mistress's life. She was well prepared, Eric. She had proof that she was Pam's employee. That woman was well prepared." She leaned forward and rested her elbows on the table. "You've never heard of Dawn Green." It wasn't a question.

I looked at her. "I have not and I'm quite sure that Pam hasn't heard of her either." I glared at Thalia and asked, "Has she been located?"

As she shook her head, she said, "She has not but we are on it. She won't get away. We will find her and we will question her. You have my word. We also believe that everything that happened this morning happened during the shift change. The human guards, the ones that you'd hired, were killed during the night. Their bodies haven't been located. Bassir and Alcide are investigating as we speak. The Weres were killed when they arrived to take over for the vampires. Our brethren were killed just as they were about to go to rest." She began to speak in a whispered voice. "We believe that it was an inside job. Someone that you trust has betrayed you in the worst way."

I stared at her for a moment. I could see that she knew who it was. "Tell me."

"Maxwell," she said. "Heidi's remains smelled of her just as Charles' smelled of him. I could also smell Clancy … with a mixture of Maxwell Lee. The scent of Clancy was extremely strong. I could smell a smattering of Maxwell but not enough. The scent of his blood was strong but I believe that it is because he's old. His blood was quite strong in the vampire remains next to that of Clancy but it was not him. He was trying to throw us off. He failed. He is the one that has betrayed you and your child."

I was silent for a slight moment. The sounds in the restaurant were no longer playing in the background. The people that surrounded us were gone. There was no one in the room but me and Thalia. "Has he been located?"

"He has not," she answered.

"Is his employer known to you?"

Again, she said no. "He is not but don't worry, Eric. Debbie and Jannalynne are on it. Colonel Flood said that they are two of the best female Weres that he has. He said that if anyone can find him, they will. As soon as they catch a scent, they will let me know and he will pay with his life."

"No one touches him," I ordered. "He is mine."

"As you wish." She threw her hair over her shoulder and relaxed back in the chair and sighed needlessly. She smiled as she drummed her fingers on the table. "We will get her back. Pam will be with you soon."

My fangs ran out slowly as a voracious smirk appeared on my face. "Yes, we will, Thalia. We most certainly will. There is no doubt at all, my friend. We will get her back and I will kill Maxwell and whomever it is that employs him. No one takes what is mine and lives."

0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0

I was going to go home but I needed to go to the bar and check in with the new crew that Sheriff Cleo Babbitt had loaned to me from Area Four. They were going to be with me until I'm able to replace the vampires that have been sent to the grave. I expected to see them there but I was in for a surprise. They were nowhere to be found but the king was. Unfortunately, he'd returned. He was sitting in my booth surrounded by his underlings and he was waiting on me. He appeared put off to realize that I was alone. I could only guess that he was expecting to see Sookie with me.

"Eric," he called as I walked towards him. He was smiling broadly. "As you can see, I have returned."

I bowed to him before taking the seat across from him. "What can I do for you, your majesty?"

"Ah," he said. "It is not what you can do for me but what I can do for you. I want to offer my help in finding your child."

That struck me as odd. Bill has never done anything for anyone without expecting anything in return. The only thing that I could think that he wants is Sookie and she is something that he cannot have. "I appreciate your offer, your majesty, but I have everything taken care of on my end. I have called in several favors and I have some very loyal friends that are willing to help me. There is no need for you to put yourself out. There is more for you to do than concern yourself with the whereabouts of Pam."

Bill snapped his fingers. One of his minions placed a folder in his waiting hand. He placed it on the table and slid it over to me. "This is for you, Eric. Everything that you'll need to find your child … vampires and Weres. They are very strong and very loyal to their king. Skillful in weaponry and hand to hand combat. You will have nothing to fear with them at your side. In this, Sheriff, you will prevail." He began to pretend to dust something from the lapel of his jacket before resuming. "Before leaving this evening, I had Palomino provide me a list of your closest employees. I expected to see several names on that list but I was surprised to see the name of Ms. Stackhouse. I believed her to be yours intimately but I've come to learn that she's yours professionally instead … or am I incorrect?" He glanced up at me as he placed his hand onto the table.

"She is mine in every way," I growled as my fangs ran down. "She is a southern belle and she has requested that we take our relationship slow and because I respect and admire her, I have done as she's asked of me. So, your majesty, whatever you think, you are wrong. Sookie is mine … in every way."

A smirk sat prominently on his smug face. "Put your fangs away, Viking. I just wanted to make sure that the girl truly belonged to you. It's just surprising that you'd use a human to help you find your child. I'm just curious as to why that is."

My fangs fade from view as I responded the king's comments. "Because since Sookie and I have been together, she and Pam have become quite close. They have become what Sookie calls girlfriends."

"Hmm," Bill replied. "I find that to be strange. Aren't you and Pam lovers? Haven't you two been lovers for quite a few years?"

"We are not," I replied. "Pam and I have not been lovers for quite a few years. She is a lover of women now. She has no need for me and Sookie is aware of what Pam is and was to me. I have hidden nothing from her." I could see the smugness oozing from Bill's deceitful eyes. I wanted to see him choke on it.

"I guess we shall see," he said. Bill then whipped his phone from his jacket pocket. He looked at the list of employees and there on it was Sookie's phone number. Her number was to be unknown to anyone outside of my trusted circle. Palomino knew this. Even she didn't Sookie's number. She will explain to me how she got that number. Palomino's last night of employment at Fangtasia was tonight.

I watched as the king called Sookie. He was smiling broadly and he was filled with self-confidence as he dialed her number. I wanted to reach across the table and wring his fucking neck. I wanted to see him suffer at my hands. I wanted to watch him beg for his life. I wanted all of that … at first. As I listened to him and Sookie talking on the phone, I figured that speaking with Sookie on the phone was much better than death for the smug king.

"This is Ms. Stackhouse. Whom may I ask is calling?"

"It is I," he said. "William Compton, the king of Louisiana."

"Oh."

I smiled broadly as I basked in the glorious sound of my future lover's dissatisfaction. The king has not left much of a favorable impression upon her. When he killed Hebert for his actions, she could undoubtedly see him for what he is.

"Who gave you my number?"

The look on Bill's face was one of fury and annoyance. He didn't like being questioned and he especially didn't like that he was being questioned by a human … or so he thought. The complacency that he was feeling before he called her was slowly ebbing away into nothing. "I am a king," he simply said. "I wanted to speak with you about your relationship with my sheriff."

I glared at him through hooded eyes.

"I mean no disrespect, your majesty," she began. "But I feel that my relationship with Eric is no one's business but ours. I will repeat for good measure that I belong to him. If you are calling to offer yourself to me, I am not willing to leave him for anyone else. Not a regular vampire or another sheriff or even a king. I am with Eric."

I looked at the king and smiled. I leaned back in my seat as I crossed my arms over my chest. I repeated her words over in my mind. When I hired her, I knew that I was making the right decision. She is a woman of her word. I can't imagine another woman turning down the king when he has so much more to offer. Any other woman is not my Sookie. The king's extremely loud laughter was one of great relief to me. He was getting nowhere with my woman.

"Oh, Ms. Stackhouse," he said. "I am not calling to take you away from your Viking. I want to know what he has you doing for him. Tonight, I have received a list of supes that will be helping him in locating his child. I want to know why your name has appeared on the list of supes. As far as I can see, Ms. Stackhouse, you are not a supe. Or am I missing something?"

He was questioning my relationship with Sookie because he doesn't believe that she is mine. He can't seem to fathom why I have agreed to wait and make love to her. He believes that I should take what I want regardless of what she wants. He believes that I have glamored her to make her mine. That is so far from the truth.

"Are you asking me if he glamored me into being his? Is that what you're asking me?"

"I would never do that," I snarled.

He raised his hand as to quiet me. Answering Sookie, he said, "I am."

My growl slowly faded away when I heard Sookie ask if I was present and just as I expected him to, the king evaded my woman's question. It didn't matter. She wasn't done.

What Sookie said next, is the precise reason why she has preoccupied my every thought. "Eric is a vampire if great honor. He would never glamor me into doing anything that I don't want to do. You should do well to know this. I would think that you would know this since he is your sheriff, your majesty. You trusted him enough give him a position of power and now you question the type of vampire that he is? You give me reason to question you."

I sat tall in my seat as I stared at the king. My complacency was in full view.

The king couldn't hide his discomfiture. Everyone that was near him heard the human take him to task. He eyed me furiously as he responded to Sookie's comment. "I would never believe that Eric would do that. I just wanted to know why you were included with his list of employees. There are no hidden insinuations in my questions or concerns."

I smiled as I imagined her rolling her eyes as she answered him. "Pam is one of my best friends and I want to do whatever I can to help bring her home. It's important to me that Eric gets her back because he loves her so. That is the only reason why I'm helping him."

"I told you," I said in a tone that only he could hear.

He looked away from me as Sookie continued speaking. I could tell that he wasn't finished with her. He had more up his sleeve. It was more than obvious that the so-called king was going to do whatever he could to try and take Sookie away from me. What he said next was all that I needed to know to confirm my suspicions. "Are you concerned that he's been with the fangbangers again?" He laughed. "If you are, I can understand. He is quite the lady's man … and men from what I've heard. Though I don't entertain gossip, I can see why you would question his whereabouts."

I stood from my seat and glared down at him. His minions pointed their weapons at me as to make sure that I returned to my seat … which I did. My future lover's next comments were glorious.

Sookie said, "I don't question Eric. I don't question him because I trust him completely. His past is just that. His past."

Bill's fist tightened. His nails were soon embedded into the palm of his hand. He wants what is mine and he shall never have her. He tried to turn the conversation back to his sudden act of kindness of helping me to locate my child but Sookie didn't fall for it. She took him to task on everything that he'd said to her and I loved it. Every single bit of it.

"She is quite the handful," he said once the call ended. "You haven't tried to bring her to heel?"

"She is very obedient … to her master," I answered. "I will speak to her for the way that she's spoken to you. She's not properly schooled in the way of the vampire. I will make her aware. Until tonight, she's never met royalty. She will behave differently the next time that you meet with her."

Sliding out of the booth and preparing to leave, he said, "I should hope so." He looked down at me and said, "She mentioned feeling you."

I nodded somewhat. "So I heard."

"The tie is quite strong," he stated.

"It is."

"You share blood with her often?"

A faint smile appeared on my face. "You are getting quite personal, your majesty. I'm not the type to kiss and tell. Plus, as you've probably already guessed, Sookie would not be pleased to learn that I have discussed something so personal with you or anyone else. After all," I added. "I must keep her happy if I want to keep her."

"And you want to keep her."

"Oh, yes."

He slid into his coat with ease as he spoke. "And I mean it … that I want to give you my help. I want to offer you my support in finding Pam. She has not always been one of my favorite vampires but I know how it feels to have your child taken from you. Though you haven't suffered the same loss as I have, I want to make sure that you never have to." Something like sorrow passed through his eyes. "Good evening, Eric."

As soon as he was gone, I looked at my watch. It was still quite early. There was still a bit of time available to me. I wanted to see Sookie before the night ended.