So, I was reading Dead and Gone again and had an epiphany. What if Sookie agreed to work for the FBI? At the end of Dead and Gone, Sookie had been through so much pain that I could never have imagined her saying yes, but if she were approached before she met vampires would her answer have been different?

Timeline: Before Bill ever stepped foot in Merlotte's.

I own nothing, but not for lack of trying. Charlaine Harris still won't take my calls.

Chapter 1- The Explosion

Everything was so exciting, well the actual conference was pretty dull as the speakers droned on discussing distributors and creating new cocktails, but the company was fascinating.

Vampires had come 'out' two years ago, not like coming out of the closet, but letting the world know of their existence. Since I lived in a tiny town of Bon Temps, Louisiana I had never actually met one. But here, at the Bartender's Conventions in New Orleans, they were everywhere. Apparently owning bars and clubs were a big draw to the vampire population since they were open during the nighttime hours. I particularly found their presence fascinating and practically begged Sam to let me attend with him for weeks, even agreeing to go out with him on a date if he took me. Low, I know, but I just had to see what the rest of the world was buzzing about.

Most people recognized vampires for their pale undead skin, but I was surprised that when I looked at them I saw their aura glowing from their body. Whether I saw them in that light because of my disability, oh did I mention that I was telepathic, or for some other reason, this aura gave me proof that vampires had souls.

The Fellowship of the Sun had painted vampires as soulless monsters, but could one have an aura without a soul? Determination and excitement grew inside me as I ventured through the exhibition hall.

For the first time in my life I wasn't overpowered with mindless chatter of those around me. Oh, I heard tidbits of things here and there, but with so many vampires it wasn't like working as a barmaid in the bar every night. When I realized that I couldn't hear vampires my elation grew, finally feeling a measure of peace wash over me knowing I didn't have to fight so hard to keep all the 'voices' at bay.

I walked through the exhibition hall, Sam by my side, with a bounce in my step never feeling as light on my feet as I did at that moment.

"I love seeing you in such a good mood," Sam smiled as he turned his head towards me.

"Not being about to 'hear', it's like a weight has been lifted off my mind finally allowing my body to relax for the first time in my life."

Sam frowned at my comment and whispered in my ear, "Sookie don't let yourself get too complacent. Vampires are dangerous."

"I know Sam; it's just refreshing for a change. I don't have to work so hard to keep everyone out. My mind is finally in a relaxed state."

We continued our wandering through the vendors selling their products and displaying their information to the bar owners. There were few humans at the convention and the ones I did happen to come across had strange brain signatures not at all strong enough for me to read. Sam had told me that since the convention encouraged local vampire owners to attend many of the human owners decided to forego the conference this year. The Bartender's Commerce, yes they have one, decided that inviting the vampires would generate more wealth for the local distributing companies since most of the vampires had had centuries to acquire their money.

Vampires had come, even as far as California to attend and were received with a warm welcome from the Commerce, but not from the locals who picketed outside.

The hotel catered to vampiric needs, offering specialty blends, even willing donors, and light tight accommodations. The hotel was even owned by a vampire named Sophie-Anne that the vampires seemed to highly revere and bow to when in her presence. It was all so formal like she was royalty or something. Did the vampires have their own monarchs?

Sam and I rounded a corner into another section with even more vendors and my breath hitched in my throat when I saw the most handsome man, er vampire I had ever seen. He was speaking with one of the vendors and even from his side profile I could see how devastatingly beautiful he was. His hair flowed down to his shoulders in soft golden locks the same color as mine. He was extremely tall, at least six foot five and very well built, his T-shirt molded to his frame. His jeans wrapped tightly around his ass making me want to take a bite out of it like a scrumptious dessert. He was the most mouth watering person I've ever seen. Oh course, most vampires were beautiful. The benefit of an eternal existence was being handpicked by someone, usually for a good looking companion. but he was beyond good looks.

When he turned in my direction, I feared that my heart stopped and dammit he knew it. From the smug smirk that graced his lips his stare bore down upon me like a beacon honing in on a target.

Sam grumbled something under his breath as the gorgeous vampire approached us. I looked at Sam quizzically and wondered how he knew this vampire and what history he had with him.

The mysterious vampire greeted Sam without taking his eyes off me, "Merlotte, who might your friend be?"

"Northman, this is one of my employees and dear friend Sookie Stackhouse," he said coolly with warning in his voice.

"The pleasure is all mine Miss Stackhouse," he purred as he took my hand and gently placed a kiss on it, never taking his eyes off mine.

His lips were cool on my hand, but his mere touch sent electricity through my body lighting it on fire, something I had never felt before. His lips lingered longer than necessary and he gazed up at me giving me a sultry look. Who was this guy?

I practically had to strain my neck just to keep my eyes on his face. My eyes kept wanting to stray and bask in the glory of his muscular chest. Considering his pectorals were demanding attention and commanding my entire field of vision it was a mighty feat indeed.

Northman? I guessed that was a last name and Mr. Gorgeous who didn't feel the need to introduce himself probably assumed that I already knew who he was.

"I'm sorry, I didn't catch your name," I boldly asked knowing that it would give Mr. High and Mighty a jolt that not everyone knew him by sight. Well, maybe I was the only one here left out of that loop.

"Forgive my presumptuousness Miss Stackhouse. I'm Eric, Eric Northman," he spoke in a breathy tone.

"Nice to meet cha," I responded not so eloquently.

His eyes still upon me in a predatory glare, I became transfixed and realized that he had been trying to glamour me, but though momentarily dazed, I was otherwise unaffected by his lure. A woman's voice brought me out of the haze that clouded my mind.

"Master, the Queen awaits an audience," stated a beautiful blond vampire.

Shaking my head as if to clear my thoughts; I turned my attention to her. She was probably a hair taller than me and decked out in head to toe pastels. Her skirt and jacket were a pale pink and the shell underneath the top was a baby blue. She looked like the typical soccer mom who took a carpool of kids to school every day in a mini-van, but I had a feeling that she was anything but.

"If you will excuse me Miss Stackhouse, I have business to attend to, but I hope to see you again later," he purred reaching for my hand again to kiss it.

The blond woman snorted and Eric gave her a deadly look as he released the grip on my hand.

Not forgetting my manners I added, "Please call me Sookie, Mr. Northman."

"Then call me Eric, my dearest Sookie." He gave me one last sexy look before he sauntered away adding a sway to his hips that I had no doubt was for my benefit.

"Wow," I breathed with a sigh. Woops, I hadn't meant to say that out loud with Sam present.

"Sookie… Northman is dangerous. Stay away from him; all he wants is to use you for his purposes," Sam scolded protectively.

"Sam what I do is none of your business. I know you want to protect me, but I can take care of myself," I replied defensively.

He dropped the subject (for now if I knew him), and we continued to wander around looking at the different products the vendors had to offer.

**************

It was getting late, almost two in the morning and I decided that it was time to turn in. I said goodnight to Sam and though he wanted to escort me back to the room, I assured him that I could find my way back safely.

I didn't immediately go to my room, but meandered through the halls of the hotel. Opening a door, I walked down a long hallway and ended up in the hotel kitchen. Just as I was about to turn around and retreat a thought pattern stopped me in my tracks. Someone was close, real close, but out of my line of sight thinking along a dangerous pattern.

Those fuckers will be sent straight to hell right where they belong and all the scum that associate with them. Morning can't come soon enough…

The thoughts faded away along with the person and I thought about searching for that particular brain by moving forward, but several other employees entered the room and told me that I didn't belong in there.

Reluctantly, before I got thrown out by security, I backed my way out of the room the same way I came in. Wanting to hear more, I wandered around the hotel. When I didn't pick up anything else after an hour of walking aimlessly, exhaustion finally forced me to retire to my room. Taking the elevator up to my floor I stepped off just as I observed that tall blond, Eric Northman ushering a lanky blond into his room that happened to be across from mine. Just before he stepped inside he caught my eye smirking in my direction before closing the door behind him.

Heat flushed my face when I realized she wasn't entering his room for a quiet chit-chat and a game of Bingo. My nether regions burned into flames and I throbbed with a passion for a man, something I had never felt before. Thankfully Sam and I were not sharing rooms and my little problem could be quickly taken care of with a few gentle strokes.

Opening my room with my key card I went to sleep that night with a new star to my fantasies.

I imagined myself as that lucky blond girl of his walking into his bedroom.

He commanded me, "Strip…slowly."

Boldly I let my clothes melt away as he raped me with his eyes heating my flesh with only a naked glance. With trembling anticipation I closed the gap between us and with gentleness unbuttoned his shirt raking my nails over his muscular chest. Biting his nipple between my teeth I unbuckled his pants taking his hardened cock into my waiting hands. Pumping him a few times he gasped under my touch sending shivers down my spine at just the sound of his need.

Roughly he grabbed my hips throwing me on the bed taking me forcefully, plunging himself in me with one swift stroke. Wrapping my legs around him we began a frenzied rhythm of thrusting all the way out and pushing all the way in. With each stroke I cried out in ecstasy until we both came together screaming the name of the other.

My flowing juices spilled out onto my fingertips as my orgasm overtook me. After cleaning myself up in the bathroom, I lay down with a contented sigh having the most fulfilling dreams in the arms of a blond vampire.

*************

I woke in the morning desperately wanting a shower, but was aggravated to find that the maid had forgotten to give me clean towels. I called down to the desk and requested they be brought up.

The maid arrived ten minutes later and was in such a rush that I opened my mind to her to decipher what the hell was going on.

Her thought patterns froze me in mid thought draining all the color from my face.

I have to get out of here. Only another half hour before the hotel is nothing but a pile of rubble.

"What?" I shouted at the maid. "What the hell is going on?"

The woman looked at me in fear as she turned and ran down the hall. Quickly I bolted from the room chasing after her, but after I rounded the corner she was nowhere in sight. Piecing together what I had heard from last night, the maid's thoughts and her reaction I knew something bad was about to happen and according to her, I only had a half hour to get everyone out.

Running like a maniac back to my room I dialed Sam. He picked up with a groggy voice on the second ring, "Hello?"

"Sam, I think the hotel is about to go up in smoke. You need to get out now."

"I'll be right there," he answered completely wide awake after my words.

We hung up and there was only one thing left to do. I had to warn everyone. I called down to the front desk and no one answered. It rang and rang never even hitting a machine. In frustration I hung up the phone and was completely at a loss as to what to do. Grabbing my purse I ran from the room without a direction, but not before my eye caught the door of the room where tall, blond, and dead slept.

Banging on it with all the force I had, I screamed hoping that with some miracle he'd open the door. Of course, he was dead to the world and didn't answer. Sam came barreling down the hall in a jeans and a T-shirt yelling my name.

"Let's go Sookie!" he yelling grabbing my hand and pulling me in the direction of the stairs.

"No, Sam. I have to think of a way to save him." I yanked my hand from his and ran down the hall to the employee's door. Not really sure what I was looking for I scoured the contents of the maid's cart that was tucked inside. Thankfully whoever the cart belonged to had left in a hurry and left their room keys behind.

Sam came dashing in the room behind me and I took charge commanding, "Call 911 and tell them you overheard an employee talking about a bomb. We have less than a half hour to get these people out." I took the keys and ran back down the hall hoping that Sam followed my orders. On the way back to my intended destination I pulled the fire alarm on the wall starting the sprinkler system and the siren alerting people to danger. The only ones that wouldn't heed the warning would be the vampires who were all deep in their daytime stupor.

Stopping in front of Eric's door I fiddled with the card key nervously as I first shoved it the wrong way into the lock. Flipping the key around I opened the door dashing into the room to find him dead, sprawled out onto the bed. Shoving, shaking, and screaming at him did not stir him from his slumber. Desperate times call for drastic measures!

Scanning the room I spotted something that could be helpful, a metal chair. Raising it above my head I brought it down with all my force making contact with his body. If you've ever been to a recycling plant and heard the sound of crushing metal that's what it sounded like when the chair made contact with Eric's still form. The metal actually shattered into pieces and the parts that didn't break molded, bending to his frame.

He moaned in his sleep and I screamed his name shaking him again. He eyes flew open and in a flash had me by the throat sucking all the air out of my body.

"What do you want? Why are you in my chambers? Speak now before I snap your neck in two." he demanded.

"A bomb… is about to …go off. We have to get out… now!" I gasped with the lack of oxygen weighing upon my brain. His hold slowly loosened as understanding of the impending threat seeped into his consciousness.

His eyes fluttered, staring at me perplexed. Forcing himself to sit up he clarified, "How do you know this woman?" he asked, his hand completely dropped from my neck.

"I overheard an employee saying they needed to get out before the bomb exploded!"

"I must get my child. She is in the next room." He moved to stand up, but in his weakened state fell back down upon the bed. I draped one of his arms around my shoulder and helped him stand. I had no idea how I could possibly help two vampires out of the hotel when they were in such a weakened state.

We moved slowly to the adjoining room and he opened the door leading both of us inside. I saw the woman from the prior night, the one who called him Master laid out on the bed next to her travel coffin. Leading him over to the bed I sat him down explaining that I'd be right back.

Throwing open the door I ran down the hall back to the maid's room hoping for something that could assist me. Back against the wall I found gold. A casket mover on wheels was coiled up against the wall. Wheeling it out of the room I rushed back down the hall hoping that Eric hadn't fallen back asleep.

Entering the room like a bat out of hell I screamed his name, "Eric! I think I got something that can help!"

He was still sitting up, but bent over and for a second I thought he had fallen back into slumber until he looked up at me.

Sam breezed in behind me, "Sookie, I called the police. How can I help?"

"I need to get a casket on this first, and then I plan to put both of them in it before I wheel it out of here."

Sam nodded and got to work, moving the heavy casket with little help from me. Briefly I wondered if it was the adrenaline rush that made him so strong, but quickly brushed that thought out of my mind. Eric tried to lift Pam off the bed, but was unsuccessful by himself. Sam lifted her with ease and placed her in the casket, and then assisted Eric as he practically fell into the box on top of her. Snapping the lid shut we rushed down the hall hoping that we had enough time before the explosion.

Just as we reached the deserted lobby the hotel shook with a tremor. With a running start Sam and I pushed the casket through the lobby and barely made it out the door before the next tremor hit.

We didn't stop! Sam and I pushed the casket as far as we could as we heard the deafening sound of an explosion going off behind us. Sirens and screaming clouded my thoughts as the area erupted into utter chaos.

Knowing that we were at a safe distance I turned around for the first time and the sight brought a sickening feeling to my stomach. The beautiful hotel that once was, now was a pile of rubble decorating the confines of the street. Absolutely nothing was left!

I have the next chapter already written and it will be up in a day or two depending on the response! Please send a bit of love my way and tell me what you think.