22

My Faery Godmother, the B Word …

Hi everyone. Here's chapter 22. I hope that y'all enjoy it. I know that some of y'all are anxious for Eric and Sookie to bond and I promise, we are going to get there soon. I just don't want to rush it. It won't be too much longer. I'd also like to apologize for the time in between the posting of the chapters. I have an even larger caseload. There are have been so many cutbacks at the office and I'm getting more and more cases. Please, bear with me and I will post as often as I can. I've completed chapter 23 and once I've edited it, I will post it. Anyway, thank y'all for reading, reviewing, alerting, and making this story a favorite.

As always, the story idea is mine but these wonderful characters belong to Charlaine Harris.

The waitress and I were in the Applebee's parking lot sitting my car staring each other down as I rubbed my upper arm. I thought that her fingerprints were going to embedded in my skin. She'd had a killer grip on my forearm. I can only guess that Eric's blood kept that from happening. I wanted to punch her in the nose but the kicks that I gave to her shin didn't affect her so I figured an uppercut wouldn't do much good either. As I stared at her, I wondered who she was and who employed her. I wondered why she saved me from Quinn. I wondered how she knew Quinn. I wondered where Jake was. I then began to wonder why I was sitting in the car with her. A complete and total stranger was sitting my car with me and I hadn't decked her. The same stranger that my dad and I were leery of at Crawdad's was sitting in my car. It then dawned on me that I could hurt her. The kicks didn't hurt her but I knew that my weapons would and they were just an arm's length away. My weapons were in the dashboard. Without fear or concern, I reached across her and opened it.

Nothing.

I glared at her as I sat upright in my seat. "Where are they?"

"I've hidden them," she said. "I couldn't let you do to me what you and your dad did at the restaurant. That was not a very nice thing to do, if I may add." She shook her head in disappointment.

"I should kill you," I growled.

She didn't seem the least bit frightened by my words. "But you won't," she said … with a smile.

Instead of replying to her, I studied her face. She is quite beautiful. Dark brown hair. Almond shaped, jade green colored eyes. She was tall and slender. To be honest, she is beautiful. She has a beautiful outside but I wasn't too sure about her insides. I know that she saved me from Quinn but why? Was she saving me so that she could cause harm to me? Why was she following me, anyway? And I have another question. Why in the heck am I still sitting in my car with her?

I got out of the car and slammed the door. I could not believe that this was happening. This could not be happening. Not to me. Not today. I had other things that I needed to take care of. I didn't have time to deal with some psycho police officer that was harassing me or some waitress that just so happened to be around when the psycho police officer was harassing me. I threw my arms out in frustration. "I don't have time for this today." I turned around to see the waitress standing at the trunk of my car staring at me. "I don't have time for this today. Don't get me wrong," I said as I walked towards her. "I appreciate how you just so happened to be around when I needed you. I really do but why? Why are you here? Why are you following me? Why did you save me from Quinn? And how did you even know his name?" I stopped in front of the stranger and sighed. "And where's Jake? He was supposed to be waiting for me when I left the station."

The waitress began to laugh. "You're funny, Sookie."

I don't know why but I was soon sitting on the trunk of my car next to the waitress. "I'm glad that you find my distress humorous. It's always been my goal to make you laugh but not today. Today, I just want to know what's going on. Can you tell me that? Will you tell me why you're following me?"

The waitress crossed her arms over her chest and leaned against the car. "Yes, I can tell you that. I'm Claudine. I'm your faery godmother."

Was she serious? Was she playing games with me?

"My faery godmother?" I asked.

"Yes," she said.

I began to laugh. And I couldn't stop. She couldn't be real. There was no way in the world she was serious. This entire conversation wasn't taking place. I was going to wake up and I was going to be able to start this entire day all over. I was going to do everything differently. Instead of coming to the police station, I was going to call Andy and have him meet me for lunch at Applebee's. I was going to ask him questions over jalapeno poppers with ranch dressing. I would never have to meet Quinn and I wouldn't be sitting on my car in the parking lot of Applebee's talking to a woman that believes she's my faery godmother. I'd decided that I was going to close my eyes and pinch myself. The entire day was going to be nothing more than a dream. So, that's what I did. I closed my eyes and pinched my arm as hard as I could.

I opened one eye and I was still sitting on my car and Claudine the faery godmother was still standing next to me. I closed my eyes again and pinched just a bit harder. "Shoot," I whispered as I peeped once again. "I'm not sleeping."

"You're not sleeping, Sookie."

I opened my eyes fully to see Claudine staring at me … smiling. I pinched myself again as I stared at her. She was right. I wasn't sleeping. I sighed once more. "Okay. What do you want?"

"I want to help you," she said. "I'm only here to help you."

"Why?" Suspicion was clearly on my face. "Why do you want to help me? You don't even know me. And after what you did at Crawdad's, I'm not sure …"

She turned to face me. "What exactly did I do at Crawdad's to make you suspicious of me? Did I say something? Was it the way that I was staring at you? Was I threatening in any way to you and your dad? Tell me, Sookie. What did I do to make you suspicious of me?"

"First off," I began. And that's all that I could say. I didn't know what she'd done. I was basing my feelings off of what my dad said. He said that she was different. He couldn't tell if she was water or sky fae. I just know that he didn't like her colors. He said that there was something off about her and he was right ... I think. The only other possibility was that she was of the water fae and they are not friends of ours. Grandpa has always said that they are not to be trusted. He says that they are our enemies. And if my grandpa says so, then it's true. "You're of the water fae. You don't like our kind. My dad didn't trust you so I didn't trust you."

She crossed her arms over her chest and frowned at me. "I should beat you senseless for calling me a water fae. I don't mean to sound like a snob but I have never been nor will I ever be of the water fae clan. I have never associated with anyone from the water fae clan. They are beneath us. I am sky fae through and through. We share a grandfather. He's my grandfather but he's your great, great grandfather. We are of the same blood, Cousin. I will cause you no harm. You have my word and you have my sword."

"Your sword? Why would I want your sword?"

"Yes, my sword," she answered with a smile. "It means that I will fight for you."

Her simple smile almost made me believe her. The softness in her eyes was welcoming. Almost too welcoming and because of it, I almost believed her. "Why are you here?"

"To save you," she answered. "You're my ward, Sookie. My grandfather sent me to watch over you. He wants to make sure that you are kept safe. Things would not go well if harm came to you. Grandfather would be very unhappy."

"Niall?" I whispered.

She smiled as she nodded her head. "Yes."

"How does he know of me?"

She giggled. "He just knows and because he knows, he wants you to be protected at all times."

"Why?"

"You're a Brigant, Sookie," she answered. "You are of the royal family. You have our protection. There is no reason for you to have to fear for your life or your safety. I'm here to make sure of that."

I didn't trust it. They must want something in return. If it doesn't make sense to me, something isn't right. "Why?" I asked again. "He doesn't know me, Claudine."

"It doesn't matter. It's Grandfather. He wants to keep you safe."

"Who's protecting you?"

She laughed as if that was the funniest thing she'd ever heard. "I am a full-blooded faery, Sookie. I don't need protection, silly girl. I am a deadly weapon."

"Fair," I answered. I've seen my grandpa fight. Faeries are vicious creatures but so am I. "For your information. I'm not weak. My grandfather has taught me how to take care of myself. I'm proficient with quite a few weapons and my dad has trained me when it comes to using firearms. I am a great shot. I can hit head and chest shots from fifty-feet away, thank you very much. When I'm on full alert, I can take care of myself."

Claudine laid back on the trunk of my car. She crossed her arms behind her head and stared up at the sky. "I know that. I know everything about you. I know that you need to keep your weapons on you always. You can't just leave them in your car. You're putting yourself in danger. You can't keep making mistakes like that. You're a part of this world now. Stupid mistakes will get you killed. You're smarter than that. And I know that you were at the police station and you felt safe. You weren't."

"Quinn?" I asked as I turned to look at her.

"Quinn," she repeated. "He's a were-tiger and he works for vampires or anyone for that matter. If the price is good, he'll take the job. He does their dirty work for them. Someone has hired him and put him here. I don't know who but I'll find out. You're not alone, Sookie."

I leaned back on the car with her and stared at the same sky. "What else do you know about me, Claudine?"

"I know that your mom is afraid of you," she said. "She doesn't want to be but she doesn't understand you, Sookie. She loves you. She just doesn't know it yet. She's a sad lady if you think about it. She doesn't realize what she's missing." She began to shake her head. "She accepts your father but not you. She is accepting of his differences but not yours. I don't understand that. It puzzles me."

Claudine was telling me things that I was already aware of. "Thanks for the insight," I said sarcastically.

She chuckled. "You're funny, Sookie."

I looked at her and asked, "Why do you keep saying my name?"

She shrugged her shoulders. "I like it. It's different. Sookie. Sookie. I like how it rolls off my tongue. Sookie. It's a beautiful name. It suits you, Sookie." She was grinning as she looked at me.

I slowly turned away from her and returned my gaze to the sky. "Where's Jake?"

"He's patrolling the grounds," she answered. "He got a whiff of something and he took off not too long before you came of out of the station. He's being a good doggie." Before I could ask if he's okay, she replied. "He's okay. I can hear him."

"Good," I said.

"Do you like this new world, Sookie?"

I nodded. "Yeah."

"It's an accepting world to a certain degree."

"It is," I agreed.

"You fit in," she said as she looked at me.

"I know."

"Others will want you once they find out who and what you are. Your gift of mind reading will give them ultimate power. They will do and say things to try and make you distrust those that you love and trust."

"I know," I whispered.

"Your family will be at their mercy."

I inhaled deeply as her words hit my heart. "I know."

"Your life is no longer your own."

I didn't say anything.

"Do you freely accept who and what you are?"

I could still feel her eyes on me. "I do," I answered. "I always have. I like that I'm different. I don't want to be like everyone else. I love being me." I looked at her and said, "I pity those that don't like me. I don't mean that to sound conceited. They don't know what they're missing. I have so much to offer them as a person and friend. I have grand sense of humor according to you."

"Yes, you do." She smiled at me before returning her gaze to the sky. "He accepts you."

I knew instantly of whom she was speaking. "He does." My heart began to thud in my chest as I felt his blood coursing through my veins.

"Are you in love with the vampire?"

I didn't expect that and I didn't trust it. "Why do you care?"

She giggled. "I don't care. I am just making conversation."

"Hmm," I said. "I think that you're just being nosy."

She laughed once again. "He's good looking," she said. "If you don't want him, I would love to give him a try but as you know, full faeries can't make love to vampires. I would surely love to give him a try." She licked her lips as she winked at me.

I sat up and raised my fist to her. "Go anywhere near him and I'll split your lip."

"So you do love him," she said.

I shook my head no. "I don't know what I feel for him. I care for him … a lot but I'm not sure if it's love. I haven't known him that long. I like being with him. He has a great sense of humor and he's so smart. And he's so protective of those in his life. He has a good heart but people don't see it because he's a vampire. That's not fair. He's so much more than that. If they could look past the fangs, they would see him for what he truly is."

I glanced at her and she was smiling at me.

"I like him," I whispered.

"You like him?"

"I do."

"But you've began bonding with him. I can see his blood in you. Why?" Her voice deepened as she asked me that question. Staring into my eyes, she asked, "Why would you give your essence to a vampire if you don't love him?"

"I wanted to," I answered. "What I do with my vampire is my business."

"So, he's yours?"

"He's mine," I answered.

"Why would you give him the gift of fae blood if you don't love him?" she asked again. "Vampires and other supes have never been worthy of what we have to offer. What makes him worthy, Sookie? Were you told to bond with him? Is that why you did it? You can tell me the truth. I won't tell anyone."

I didn't answer her this time because I knew that she was lying. I began to think about the things that I heard my grandpa say to my gran when she wanted to send me to stay with Niall. Grandpa was adamant that I shouldn't go there. I would have to live a life that was not to my liking. What did he mean by that? I didn't have to wonder too much longer because Claudine began to answer my question on her own.

"You would love being with the fae men," she said. "They have so much more to offer. They're brave and very intelligent. They are wealthy and very considerate lovers. There is nothing that they wouldn't do for you. And another plus is that they are alive. They are warm to the touch." She winked at me. "Have you ever considered being with a faery, Sookie? You might like it. I could take you back to Faery for a visit. Maybe you'd meet someone that you like."

I glared at her. Was she here to set me up with a faery? Is that why Niall has assigned a faery godmother to watch over me? I opened my mouth to speak but a man's voice filled the afternoon air.

"Sookie!" Jake was waving at me as he pulling his shirt on.

I waved at him. Before jumping down from the car, I looked at Claudine. "I don't need you to look after me. I don't need you to protect me. I thank you for what you did for me today with Quinn but I don't want to see you anymore. I don't trust you. Leave me alone, Claudine."

Her mouth feel open from surprise. "Are you mad because of what I said about the faery men? I was just asking. You're not sure if you love the vampire. I just wanted to let you know that you have other options. I wouldn't do anything to jeopardize your relationship with your vampire. I'm not here to hurt you. I'm only trying to form a relationship with you. You have my word. I want to make sure that you are truly happy, Sookie. That's my goal here. To keep you safe and to make sure that you get the happiness that you deserve. You've never had that in this world … in the human world. Faery has more to offer than you could ever imagine but hey. I'm not here to make you do anything that you don't want to do. I'm here to help you get it. I'm not your enemy, Cousin."

I shook my head no. "I don't believe you. I almost believed you but not anymore. You speak such easy words. See you around, Faery Godmother." I began walking away.

"It doesn't matter, Sookie," she yelled after me. "You're my ward and I'm here to protect you whether you like it or not. You won't have to see me but I will be around. I will always be around. You can count on it. And by the way. Your weapons are back in the dashboard. Keep them on you, Sookie. I don't want to come back around and find you dead."

Just as I turned to give her the finger, she blew me a kiss and vanished into thin air.

"Who was that?" Jake asked as he stood behind me.

"Claudine," I answered. "My distant cousin."

"She's hot," he said. "Where'd she go?"

"Away," I answered as I turned to face him. "So, tell me what you found."

"Nothing," he said. "I could smell Weres … unknown Weres. They're not of this area. I couldn't find where they went. I tried tracking them down but I lost their scent. They got into a car and sped off. What'd you find out?"

"Not enough," I replied. I filled Jake in on the information that I'd gotten from Andy. "We can go back to the neighborhood and question the neighbors but I'm not sure of what we'll find."

Jake shook his head no. "Eric wants to be with you when you do that. He's already let us know that anything dealing with other people, he wants to be with you. He doesn't want you going without him. And here. This is for you." He reached into his back pocket and pulled out a piece of paper and handed it to me. "This is supposed to be the guy that was in Pam's home."

I opened the slip of paper and stared at the guy in the picture. Before today, I'd never seen him. Andy was right about one thing. He was so white that he could have passed for a vampire. I looked at Jake and asked, "Do you know who he is?"

"Not a clue," he shared. "If you're not too busy, we can swing by the house to see what we can find as far as clues go. Maybe they left something behind."

The very idea made my head swim with excitement. Though I wanted to do it, I didn't want to act to quickly. "I thought that you said that Eric wanted to be with me when …"

"I said that Eric wants to be with you when you have to meet with people." He began to shake his head. "He never said that we couldn't go to Pam's house and look around. Now," he added as he shrugged his shoulders. "If you're afraid to look into it, I can take you back home and you can wait for Eric to rise."

"No!" I yelled as I raised my hand. "No. We don't have to do that. We can go and look around. I'm sure that it's not going to hurt anything. We are on the job, right?"

Jake's face lit up. "Yep."

"Well, let's go."