42

The Fight

Hello, everyone! I'm back. I've been working so much, but I've finally had some free time. I'm off for the next two weeks so I'll be able to work on my story a bit more than I have been able to. I hope that each of you know that I appreciate your reading, favoriting, alerting, and reviewing the story. As always, I'd like to thank my wonderfully, patient beta . I appreciate you more than you'll ever know. Thank you so much.

Here we go!

It was a mess. It was a complete mess. My shoulders drooped as I stared at the burning building. "I guess we won't be questioning him. He had to have been in there, right? Someone's trying to cover his or her bases." I looked up at Eric and sighed. "What do you think?"

Staring at the blaze, he nodded. "I believe you're right." His hands rested lightly on my shoulders.

There were cops and firemen everywhere. The cops were keeping the bystanders at bay. The firemen were running around with their hoses on full blast and doing their best to douse the flames. People were lingering about and whispering amongst themselves. They were wondering what had happened. Wondering who'd committed arson. Wondering how many people were inside, if there were any survivors. From the looks of the building, I can safely guess that everyone had died. "They got to him before we could question him."

"Killed them all," Eric muttered.

I looked through the crowd as I read minds, studied faces, and nothing or no one stood out. Everyone's thoughts were the same as mine. The culprit didn't stay behind to admire his or her work. I'd almost given up hope of getting anywhere with this crowd, but then I saw him. There he was; an old school friend of mine and he was questioning someone that was sitting in the back of an ambulance, and it was a girl. She was wrapped in a blanket and wearing an oxygen mask. I looked up at Eric and said, "I guess there was one survivor. Stay here."

Before I could walk away, his arm was wrapped around my waist … pulling body closer to his. "Where are you going?"

I pointed at the detective standing in front of the ambulance. "I went to school with him. We went out on a couple of dates a long time ago. He's a pretty cool guy, ya know? Daddy didn't like him. He said that he had a shifty eyed look about him. He was wrong." I shrugged my shoulders. "It didn't lead to anything more than friendship, but he was a good guy, always has been."

Eric growled. "No, you are under my protection and you're not going anywhere without me." I'm thinking that being under his protection wasn't the only reason he didn't want me talking to him.

I smiled as I rested my head on his chest. "Aww," I said. "Your jealousy flatters me, but now's not the time. I can probably get something from him and the girl, but I doubt I can if you're with me."

He frowned at me. "I am a very towering and powerful presence. I'm more than certain that we can get what we need if I'm with you."

I rolled my eyes. "That's the problem. You're an extremely, towering, and powerful presence, Eric. You're intimidating. You're scary. Not everyone's going to see past your power. They won't see you." I sighed and added, "I know that's how you want it, but we don't need that right now." I pointed at the two cops that were staring at us. "They're under the impression that you could've done this."

Eric's eyes followed my finger. He stared at them and dropped fang. "Let them think what they want. I don't care."

Their postures stiffened as their hands rested on their guns. Their suspicions grew.

When I turned to face him, I reached up and gently turned his face towards mine. "But I do."

His fangs rescinded and his eyes softened. He almost smiled. He stared at me for a long minute before nodding. "I'll wait here, but I'll be watching."

I reached up and kissed him before walking away. Just as I reached the barrier, one of the cops that was watching Eric stopped me. He wouldn't let me past. "We can't let you through, young lady. This is a crime scene and you don't look like a cop to me." He glanced over my head at Eric. "What are you doing here?"

I pointed at the detective and said, "I know him. I can help him and he knows it. Just tell him that I'm over here and he'll speak to me."

He folded his arms over his chest and stared me down. He didn't budge. He glanced at Eric over my head and smirked. "I don't believe you."

"Oh, come on," I said. "Go ask him. Tell him that Sookie Stackhouse is here and he'll tell you to let me through." I kissed my pointer finger and pointed to the sky. "Cross my heart!"

He pointed at me and said, "Don't move or I'll have you arrested." He pointed from his eyes to mine. "I'm watching you, Miss. Stackhouse." He didn't mention Eric even though he was staring at him over my shoulder.

"I'd expect nothing less from you, Officer." I saluted him and smiled before he turned and walked away to speak to Jack, Jack Leeds. He was two grades ahead of me in school. We had a huge crush on each other. As I previously said, we even went out on a few dates. We had great conversation and the best laughs, but that was it. Our dating relationship never went any further then a few dinners and movies, but our friendship has stood the test of time.

When he graduated and went to LSU, we kept in contact as kids do. He'd come home and we'd hang out at Merlotte's or go to the high school football games. No matter why he came home, he'd always call me to hang out, but after some time, that changed. He met a woman and that was the end of me and him hanging out. Don't get me wrong, he'd still come to Gran's and eat lunch with us (He wouldn't come to my parents' home. As I said, dad didn't like him), but there were no more walks in the park or going to movies. My friend had someone else in his life.

Lily Bard, I've met her, but she wasn't too friendly. She gave me 'the look'. We all know what 'the look' means when a woman gives it to you. Either your outfit is ugly or she doesn't like you. Lily didn't like me and I'm not just drawing conclusions either. Jack told me that Lily doesn't like me. She told him that I was too attractive and too attractive women always wanted someone else's man. He tried defending me, but that only made matters worse, so we did what we had to do. Because he loves her, we agreed to tamp down our friendship. So, that's what we did.

He would come home and we'd have friendly conversations. Not too long after that, we would wave at each other on the street. We'd send each other birthday text messages every year. We'd see each other at Merlotte's when he would be home for the holidays. He'd have Lily with him, so there would be no eating together and catching up.

At first, it was hard seeing him and not being able to tell him about Jason's latest idiotic move or about the new case that dad was working on, but I understood it. He was in a serious relationship and he didn't need me messing things up. To me, we'll always be friends, no matter what happens. Why, you ask? Because he knows what I can do and he's never tried to use it to his advantage. He's worked several high-profile cases and he's never asked for my help and it's wonderful. He's always been a good person. Even before we became friends, he never had a bad thought about me.

As I reminisced about our friendship, I noticed that Jack was whispering to the officer and pointing at the girl. I could only guess that he was going to be her babysitter while he talked with me. He wasn't smiling as he walked in my direction. If I didn't know any better, I'd think that he wasn't happy to see me. You should've seen the frown on his face. I'd never seen Jack look like that.

Regardless of the look on his face, joy filled me as I wrapped my arms around him. "Hi, Jack. It's so good to see you." A jolt of annoyance replaced my feelings of joy. I sighed as I stepped from Jack's arms. "I guess I won't be getting a tattoo tonight."

He chuckled. "I guess not."

"How have you been?" I asked as I folded my arms over my chest.

He ran his hands through his hair as he pointed at the smoking building. "Fine, until tonight."

I pointed at the smoldering building with my head. "What happened?"

He stared at me for a long minute. It was as if he was deciding to answer me. "We don't know how many dead bodies we have and a waitress that claims to know nothing." He looked at the trembling girl. "She was out back in her car when the explosion happened. Smoke break," he added. It was more than clear to see that he didn't believe her.

I glanced at the girl and saw right away that she knew that Jack didn't believe her. It's obvious why. She was lying. I looked behind the building and I was just as confused as Jack appeared to be. Every car behind the building was smoldering. There was no way she was in her car smoking. "Smoking in her car, huh?"

Jack nodded. "That's what I said. How in the hell was she smoking in her car? She would've burned right along with it." His attention went back to the girl, suspicion clearly on his face. "Something's not right." He looked around the parking lot and whomever he was looking for finally caught his eye. "Hey, Pete. Go over there with Tony and keep an eye on that girl, will ya? Take a couple more fellows with you. Scope out the area." He placed his hand on my arm and said, "I need to speak to my friend here for a minute."

"Will do, Jack." Pete pulled a couple of guys with him and did as they were told.

Jack and I walked a few feet away. From the corner of my eye, I saw Eric mimicking our movements. Once we were alone, Jack said, "She's lying to me, Sookie. She gave me a fake name and address." He sighed heavily. "She knows what happened and who did this." He looked down at the ground for a brief second. When he returned his gaze to me, I could see shame and distrust in his eyes. "Why are you here, Sookie?"

"I told you," I answered. "To get a tattoo."

He shook his head no. "That's not who you are. You don't do tattoos. You do cotillions and DGD meetings with your gran. You don't do tattoos. Why are you really here, Sookie?"

Smiling nervously, I said, "I told you why. High school Sookie wouldn't have gotten one, but adult Sookie would and neither Sookie has ever done cotillions, but she doesn't do DGD meetings anymore."

He didn't believe me and he let me know why. "One of my guys went to the store across the way and asked to see their footage from this evening." With his hands on his waist, he stepped closer to me. In my ear, he said, "Michelle was here, Sookie. She was here when the explosion happened."

I shook my head. I had no idea who he was talking about. I must have looked confused, because he answered my unasked question.

He tried his hardest to keep the frustration out of his voice but he failed. "Your mom," he said. "Your mom was here when the building exploded. Is that why you're here? To find out what we know?"

I saw his mouth moving, but I didn't hear anything past 'your mom'. I thought that he was going to say that it was Michelle, that weird girl that we knew in high school. I didn't expect to hear him say that it was my mom. I didn't expect to hear that my mom was at the scene of a crime. A crime scene where people were killed.

"Sookie," he said as he gently squeezed my arm.

"Yeah?"

"Is that why you're here? Do you know something? Are you here to find something out for her?" His voice was laced with suspicion and pity.

I slowly shook my head no. "No. I had no idea. I promise."

He ran his hand through his hair as he sighed. He didn't believe me. "I'm going to have to ask you to come with me to the station. I have to ask you a few questions."

In seconds, Eric was soon protectively standing in front of me. "She's not going anywhere with you. She has no relationship with her mother, therefore, she has no answers to your questions."

"Shit!" Jack exclaimed as he looked up at the towering figure that stood between us. "Where the fuck did you come from!" He looked sheepishly at me and said, "Sorry, Sookie. Forgive my language." To Eric, he said, "You can't be sneaking up on me like that."

"Regardless," Eric said. "She's not going with you."

Jack looked up at Eric, not an ounce of fear in him … well, not anymore. "Step aside, Mr. Vampire. She can speak for herself. She hasn't needed your help since she's been over here. She doesn't need your help now."

Eric didn't budge.

Jack side stepped Eric to look at me. "Is this true?"

"Yes. We no longer speak." Inhaling, I added, "I've cut her from my life for my benefit and I'm okay with that." I straightened my back and stood taller. "It's been a long time coming."

Jack almost looked sorry for me. He knows of my history with my parents. Most of Bon Temps knows of my history with my mom. "I'm sorry about that. I truly am."

"It's okay."

"Your dad?"

"He's been out of town with my grandparents. He and Jason." As far as I know, they're gone. I haven't heard from either of them in a few days.

Jack nodded. "Okay." He then placed his hand on my shoulder. "Are you okay? Have things been good with you?" He glanced up at Eric.

I took Eric's hand before answering him. "I am." It was true. Since meeting Eric, I've never been better. It's nice to have someone, other than my grandparents, on my side. "I've always been proud of who I am and what I can do, but I don't feel so much like an outsider anymore."

Jack studied Eric for a moment. He offered Eric his hand in greeting. "I'm Jack Leeds, an old friend of Sookie's. You treat her right or you'll have to deal with me, Buddy. You got it?"

Eric snorted at Jack's comment. "I'm shaking in my boots." Of course, he didn't shake Jack's hand either.

Jack laughed and I knew that everything was going to be alright. Using my head to point in the direction of the girl, I offered him my services. "She knows who did this."

Jack frowned. He was about to ask how I know if I haven't had any contact with my mom and then it hit him. "Shit!" He slapped his forehead. "I forgot that you can do that thing! I forgot that you're a mind reader." His eyes lit up for only a second. He was soon shaking his head no. "I can't do that to you. I wouldn't do that to you. I know how you felt when your dad would …"

"No," I said as I cut him off. "I'm not being forced to do something that I don't want to do. I'm offering to help you, but only if you want it."

He turned to look at the girl then looked at the smoldering building. He dropped his head before looking at the girl again. Sighing, he finally looked at me. "Okay," he said. "But you can't tell her what you can do. When we go over there to speak with her, don't speak. Just listen. Let me ask the questions."

I agreed. "I can do that, but we need a signal."

Jack placed his hand on his chin. I could see in his eyes that his mind was going a mile a minute.

"I'll be the signal," Eric volunteered.

Frowning, Jack asked, "How?"

Eric looked down at me and when I looked into his eyes, I knew exactly what to do. The bond, we'll use our bond to communicate with Jack. I couldn't very well tell him that so I came up with another lie. I turned my attention to Jack and said, "Eric and I already have a signal when things like this come up. When I learn that she's lying, he'll let you know."

Still frowning, Jack said, "We don't need Eric for that. You can tell me what signal you use and I can do it. You can do that with me."

"I could," I agreed. "But with Eric, he can force the girl to tell the truth. Look at him, he's the most intimidating person out here. If anyone can get the truth out of her, it's him."

Jack almost said no but he finally relented. "Come on."

Eric and I followed Jack to the girl sitting in the back of the ambulance. The cops walked away, but stayed close by. Jack stopped in front of the girl with Eric and me standing behind him. "So," he began. "Are you going to tell me your real name?"

The girl pulled the blanket tightly around her body. "I told you my name. It's Kelly, Kelly Burkett."

I sent a warning through the bond.

"She's lying," Eric bellowed. He inched closer to the girl. I stayed put. "What's your name?"

The girl slowly looked up at Eric. I could see that she was going to try and remain as defiant as possible. "Kelly Burkett."

Eric smiled down at her. "The detective here must be nice to you. It's a part of his job. He can't threaten you or hurt you, because he could lose his pension." He glanced at Jack briefly. "Isn't that correct, Detective Leeds?"

Jack nodded. "Yeah, it is."

Eric stepped a bit closer and he was smiling. "I don't have to be nice to you. It's not a part of my job. This isn't even my job. I can threaten and hurt you because I won't lose my pension. Do you believe that I will threaten and hurt you?"

She nodded.

"Now, tell me your real name." He soon dropped fang on her and I could swear that he got taller and scarier. I know that the girl saw what I saw because her demeanor changed.

I think she swallowed her tongue and the rest of the lies she'd planned on telling. "Janella Pryor."

She was telling the truth.

"It's true."

Jack began scribbling in his notepad.

"Who sent you?" Eric asked.

"No …"

"Don't lie to me," Eric warned her. "Remember, I don't have a job or a pension to lose."

Janella looked at Jack to see if he'd help her. He smiled at her and said, "Answer the fucking question. Who sent you?"

She began to cry. "A vampire called Jonathan."

The same Jonathan that was supposed to be protecting Pam. The same Jonathan that didn't die with the rest of the vampires that owed Eric their loyalty. That same Jonathan that's surely going to die for his betrayal.

"Where is he?" Eric asked.

She shrugged her shoulders as she sobbed. "I don't know. He said that he'd come back for me once I'd put the bombs under the cars and in the bathrooms, but he didn't come back. He wasn't out here. He was supposed to be waiting for me."

"Who was in the building?" Jack asked.

She shook her head. "I don't know. He told me to make sure that the Russian guy was in there before the bombs went off." She dropped her head and began to cry. "The workers were in there and three customers. They were teenagers."

Jack was angry, but he held his composure. "Why did you do it? Did he promise to turn you or to give you a shitload of money? Why would you kill them?"

With red swollen eyes, she said, "He has my dad. He's holding him hostage."

She was telling the truth.

"She's telling the truth," Eric shared. He stared at the girl for a long minute before deciding on what to say. "You know that your dad is dead. He was probably dead before you were forced to do the job and if they get to you, you're as good as dead too."

She nodded as she looked at him. "When I didn't see him out here, I figured it out, but I was holding onto hope. I thought that my dad, not the vampire, would be out here waiting for me."

"She's telling the truth," I said once I was standing at Eric's side.

"Pete," Jack called out.

The cop was soon standing at his superior's side. "What's up?"

"Cuff her and take her in," he said. "Don't do it alone. Get that big Were cop to go with you. Make sure you're not alone when you're taking her in. She's connected to vampires."

Pete nodded. "Put her in the silver lined van?"

Jack nodded. "Yeah and make sure to use the silver cuffs and the silver netting to keep her covered. We can't risk her being taken."

Pete was on his walkie and barking orders. In no less than twenty minutes, everything that Jack wanted done was done.

"I guess we'll find another body close by," Jack said. He looked down at the ground as he sent a thought to me. "That's why you're here with the vampire … because vampires are involved. You didn't just show up like you said. You didn't come here to get a tattoo. You lied to me."

"Yes," Eric and I said. I felt horrible.

"Thanks for your help," Jack said. "Both of you."

"No problem," I said.

"How about we do lunch one day soon?" Jack said as a faint smile appeared on his face. "We can go to Merlotte's and have some deep-fried pickles with a side of mayo."

"Deal," I said. "It was good to see you, Jack."

We hugged each other before going our separate ways.

As Eric and I walked back to the crowd, he asked, "How are you going to have lunch with him? You didn't exchange numbers."

"Because we have no intention of going to Merlotte's," I said. "It's just a polite thing to say when you see someone you used to be friends with."

Eric and I walked to the car in silence. I felt so bad for lying to Jack. It didn't matter that I haven't seen him in God knows how many years. It's always hard to lose a friend. "What's wrong?" Eric asked when we reached the car.

I pointed in the direction of the fire and said, "Jack knows that I lied about why we're here. He thinks that I used him to get the information that we needed from the girl." I sighed. "Which I did."

Eric seemed to not get why I was saddened by it and I didn't have time to explain it. "Let's go home and start fresh tomorrow morning."

Before we could get in the car, that smarmy voice filled the air. "Eric! Sookie! I can't believe that you two are here!"

"Bill," I whispered.

The king laughed. "In the flesh! I know that you're excited to see me, Sookie, so stop playing coy."

I couldn't believe my ears.

"Why wouldn't you, Bill?" Salome asked. "They're looking for Pam and they're going to go wherever they have to go to find what they need." She winked at me. "Hi, Sweetie."

"Hey, Salome."

Eric bowed to the king. I followed suit. "Your Majesty," Eric began. "To what do I owe this pleasure?"

I almost threw up right there.

"I need for you to come with me," he said. "I must talk to you about some information that I've discovered. It's of the utmost importance. You need to hear this alone." He then pointed at Salome. "She'll take care of your woman. She'll make sure that no harm comes to her. I give you my word."

Something on Bill's face scared me. It scared me, because he was telling the truth. Eric didn't want to do it, but I let him know that it was okay. "You can go. I'll get my weapons from the car and I'll be safe." I looked at Salome and said, "I'll use them on you if I have to."

Salome laughed. "I'm shaking in my boots."

Eric smirked.

I didn't. "Ha, ha," I said. I wanted to laugh, but I wouldn't give her the satisfaction. After getting my things from the car, I turned to Eric and said, "I'll see you when you get home."

"You will," he promised. "Put your weapons on now."

I did as I was told. I strapped knives to my thighs. I put two daggers inside of my jacket. I had my gun on my hip and the extra wooden bullets in my pocket. It was already loaded with wooden bullets but having extra never hurts. "Ready."

"Kill if you have to and don't feel bad about it."

"I will and I won't. I promise."

He leaned down and kissed me.

"Awww," Salome said. "I think I'm going to throw up all over you." She pretended to put her finger down her throat and gag.

I gave her the finger after Eric broke the kiss. "She's mine," he warned Salome. "I'd hate to kill you if something happens to her."

Bill placed his hand on Eric's shoulder. He stared evenly at Salome as he spoke. "You won't have to. I'll do it." Once again, he was telling the truth. "We must go."

I watched as he and Bill got into the limo. I sighed as they drove away. I looked at Salome and asked, "What are we doing … walking?"

"No, smart ass," she said. "I drove my own car. Bill needed to speak to Eric in private … away from prying ears. I'm not walking anywhere when I can drive. Follow me."

I followed her to her flashy and overpriced car. I rolled my eyes and shook my head. Vampires are so over the top. I chuckled as we got in. "Don't adjust the seats. I have them the way I want them. They must fit to my exact specifications."

I frowned at her. "You're driving."

"I know that," she said as she cranked the car and pulled away. "I may have to sit in the passenger's seat some day and I want it to be perfect."

"What if someone has to drive your car and they're taller than you?" I asked.

She stared ahead and said nothing.

"I guess you didn't think of that?"

"Shut the fuck up, Sookie."

I laughed that time.

We made it to Eric's house without incident. Well, sort of. We sat in the car for a long minute, staring at the house. "Why are you just sitting here? Salome asked. "Get the fuck out. I have to patrol the grounds and I can't do it with you sitting in the car."

I looked at Salome and said, "I don't have a key."

"So, why the fuck are we here?" she asked.

"I'm staying with him."

"Well not tonight, Einstein. You don't have a fucking key." She sneered at me. "You realize I've wasted gas and time coming to Eric's house, and you don't have a fucking key. That's rich. That's really, really rich."

"Go to hell, Salome."

Her mouth fell open. "Did you just swear at me?" She laughed heartily and long. "Sookie Stackhouse has been fucked by the Northman and now she's swearing at me. Dick really does change how a person behaves."

I was not going to dignify her vulgar reply with a response. Staring straight ahead, I said, "I have my own apartment and you can take me there."

She nodded. "We can do that." She paused before leaving the driveway. "You know that I'll have to come with you. I can't leave you there alone." For the first time tonight, she was serious. "You're going to have to invite me. I won't hurt you and after I leave, you can rescind my invitation."

"Okay," I whispered. "You can come up."

Again, nothing but silence until we reached my apartment. We got out of the car and there was nothing to fear. There were no minds or voids, and we assumed that everything was safe. We were wrong.

We were attacked from behind. I reached into my jacket and pulled out the first dagger, and stabbed my attacker in the eye and then his throat. When he was down on his back, I was on top of him stabbing until he was no longer moving. I covered in Were blood and believed that I was done. Once again, I was wrong.

Soon, this hurried and frazzled mind was approaching me. He was almost on me, but I was ready.

Get her! Get her!

Before the next attacker could reach me, I shot him in the chest and he exploded right there. I could hear one more mind, but before I could get him, Salome had him. She was covered in blood and she was grinning like an idiot. I've never seen anyone look as happy as Salome did at that moment. "Are you okay?" She was soon running her hands over my body, but not in a sexual way. She was making sure that I hadn't been hurt.

"I'm okay."

She looked at the two attackers that I'd killed and shook her head. "Two?" She shook her head. "You only killed two. I killed four. What were you doing? Fixing your hair or something?"

"I'm not as fast as you are, Salome!" I yelled. "Cut me a break, would you?"

She snorted as she made a phone call. "You're needed. There's a mess." She gave the person the address and hung up without saying goodbye or anything. "Your gift on the fritz or something?"

"No," I said. "I didn't hear them approach. I can't hear vampires, but I can tell that there's a void in the air. I didn't sense a void and didn't hear any voices, I swear."

She nodded. "Okay."

"Barry," I began. "The other telepath, he works for a vampire, and he's had to of told them how to block me out of their minds. That's the only way it's possible for them to sneak up on me as they did. My telepathy always works."

"Barry Horowitz?" she asked. "Is that the telepath you're speaking of?"

I nodded.

Salome then looked around the parking lot. "Let's get inside. Now."

She had to have carried me, because we were in the building in no time. When I opened the door, I knew that something was wrong. There was a void in my apartment. There aren't supposed to be any voids in my apartment. Eric wasn't here. Before stepping inside, I said to Salome, "Someone's here."

She pushed me behind her and said, "Invite me in."

This had turned into one helluva night.