Through the Fairy Door

Summary: Sookie gains a new roomie; Claudine is promoted; barmaid/fairy princess visits fairy land; talking rats assist in jail break; Slim-fast; Eric carries a big sword; Preston Pardoe sniffs around; Niall blows the fairy door. This little story comes with all of this, plus a pepperoni pizza.

Disclaimer: The lovely and talented Ms. Charlaine Harris owns all the characters in this story. Ms. Harris, please forgive me for this trespass.

Time Frame: This story begins about one month after the first chapter of "Dead in the Family".

Acknowledgements: Many thanks to Jodi aka Vamplover1 for all of her assistance. She was able to make sense out of this story, provided constructive criticism and a detailed clean up. I will never scoff at the pulp fiction again.

Characters: Sookie, Eric, Niall, Claude, Claudette, Dermot, Preston Pardoe and lots of new friends.

Rating: PG13

Note: This story was posted for two days as the "Last weekend in March". It has since been altered and beta'd and provided a new name to reflect the changes.

Prologue

It was almost dawn in northern Louisiana, the sky was grey and the sun had yet to make its appearance on the horizon. It was hard to make out the dark outlines of two men standing at the edge of the woods. Their appearances differed in that one was tall with long black hair and the other was shorter, more compact with blond hair. But they were similar in that they were both the very essence of masculine good looks and arrogance because they were fairies.

The taller one looked down at his companion. "So you really think this will work?"

His companion nodded his blond head. "I know it will work. I have commitments from Breandan's former council and other high level officials who will support us. They have far more to gain and everything to lose if this fails. They are motivated."

Pointing towards the house the taller fairy asked, "What about the woman?"

"Why do you care?"

"I don't but my sister cared."

"So, what did she do for your sister?"

There was no answer. The taller figure finally said, "What about you? What will you get out of this?"

"I'm a simple fellow and my needs are simple; death and destruction, that is all I want."

The taller companion shook his head and said, "Uncle, you're one crazy bastard.

His companion looked up and gave him a wicked grin, "True, but isn't this what you want? You are much more adept prancing about, wagging your dick for humans and being a big queen rather than a little obedient prince. I don't see you becoming a public servant to a group of back stabbing fairies."

The taller fairy looked down at his companion and scowled. "You're one to talk. At least I do something with my life; your life is busy with sloth and procrastination. And I don't chase unwashed brownie whores."

"I like brownies. They come in lots of colors but they're all the same flavor -nasty. And they're easy and simple. See no evil, hear no evil and screw no evil."

They both chuckled over their traded insults and were pleased with themselves. Because for fairies plotting treachery and death in the morning is as good as it gets.

They turned and walked back into the trees, their images melted into the gloom.

In a nearby tree, a young black and white cat was watching the scene. He jumped down to the ground, glanced back into the gloom and trotted towards the house.

Chapter 1

I opened my eyes to the sun streaming through my windows, bathing my room in golden light. Laying there for a moment I listened to the comforting creaks and noises of the old home. My 170 year-old barometer was telling me that the weather would be extra warm today. I rolled over and stared at the ceiling; maybe I would do something productive. I could go to the store and buy paint for my bedroom ceiling and cover the water stain that I've looked at since moving into my Gran's bedroom. Or... maybe not.

As with all mornings, I awoke alone but felt quite content. I could still smell the dry fragrance of vampire along with the unmistakable scent that was Eric's. Though he had a state-of-the-art vampire hidey-hole installed under my house, he could not stay. He had left around midnight so he could get back to Shreveport to crank the money machine he calls Fangtasia. I was alone in my bed but did not feel lonely; since Amelia had left I had discovered that having privacy at night when Eric was here and feeling frisky, followed by peace and quiet in the morning, was okay. In fact, it was better than okay; it was great.

Grabbing my old bathrobe I padded barefoot into the kitchen. Today felt like a Café Royale day with a sprinkle of cinnamon. With a hot cup of flavored coffee steaming in my hands, I sat outside on the porch swing and rocked. The old farm house was correct; the day was indeed going to be unusually warm. It might even hit the 90's. It occurred to me that this might be a perfect day to pull out the Wal-Mart outdoor reclining chair, hose off the cob webs and set up for a new season of sun tanning. Yep, now that sounded like a plan.

I had been recovering well due to Eric's blood, my scars were fading, and I was rebuilding muscle tone thanks to regular work outs with J.D. Granted, I still glow at night like a Las Vegas casino sign, but no one seems to notice it but me. Not only was I healing physically but my mental state seemed stronger and more optimistic. Sleeping soundly was still thanks to the pharmaceutical industry of America, but I was definitely getting my mojo back.

I sat on my porch swing rocking back and forth, listening to the birds, content to let the world spin, when I heard what I thought was a baby cry. What on earth made that noise? Then I heard it again. It was coming from beneath my house. Walking around the house, I pulled the old lattice panel off that skirted the house. Pushing off my robe I poked my head under the house. My rear was still visible to anyone who might drive up. I muttered to myself, "Gran, please don't roll over in your grave. I haven't lost my mind, yet!"

I was under the 1930's addition to my pier and beam home. Jason and I used to play under here for hours when we were young. It still had that strong sweet smell of old decaying wood that I remember so well. The soil under the house was loaded with booby traps of old broken gardening pots, bits of junk and forgotten childhood treasures all just waiting to cut my knees. Carefully, I crawled along until I saw what was making the crying noise. Hunkered down next to a brick pier was a young cat. When he saw me, he flattened himself to the pier and looked at me with scared, big green eyes.

"Here kitty-kitty," I called, in a safe and harmless voice. He just stared at me, not budging.

I remembered what got my last cat Tina's complete attention, and hurriedly backed out from under the house. I returned, with a couple of slices of baloney. I pulled the edge off a slice and dangled it in the cat's direction, trying to prime the appetite pump. Then I tossed a piece close to the cat.

The cat crept to the baloney and gulped it down. He followed the dangling baloney out into the open. Once out, I realized that he was a black and white cat. He had a classic tuxedo pattern with white gloves and boots and a black goatee to complete his attire. He was dirty and skinny, but appeared unhurt. I kept feeding him bits of baloney, until we got to the front door. Carefully, I opened the door and without a pause, he just walked right in like he owned the place.

Kitty was now at my heels he was all purrs, charm and sweetness, begging for more food. A quick look to his back-side confirmed my suspicion; he's definitely a Mister Kitty. Smiling I thought, human, fur or fang, males they're all alike. I put down the remaining baloney with a bowl of water and bent to stroke him while he ate. Gran used to say dogs belong outside but she always had a soft spot for cats. This new arrival would require a trip to the Wal-Mart pet center, followed by an appointment with the town vet.

Mister Kitty would need that important little surgery. I couldn't have a tom cat spraying my house, out cruising for love until one day a coyote found him. I thought of how the world might just be a better place if quite a few men also had that important little surgery. Junior's head jerked up, and he looked into my eyes with alarm and fear. A thought hit me. Bob the cat.

I felt a chill pass over me. This young cat looked at me with the same intelligence and understanding that Bob did. Could this be Bob's kitten? Is that even possible? Didn't Amelia mention seeing kittens? As I mulled over the mind-blowing concept, it occurred to me that I owed Amelia and Octavia a call. Until then, I would not let my crazy get away from me.

I leaned down to scratch his head and said, "Mister Kitty, you remind me of a special cat I once knew named Bob Jessop. How would-ya like the name, Robert Junior or maybe Junior for short?" He stopped his post-baloney washing and regarded me with that same knowing stare. I felt that unnerving tingle in my head. "Okay Junior," I quietly murmured. "I guess you're my new roomie."

The day was turning into a red letter day for me. It was the first time all year I had on my bikini, slathered in cocoa butter and spread out for maximum sun exposure on a freshly cleaned lawn chair. The swimsuit no longer fit me right, but I would think about the miserable task of trying on new swimsuits under pitiless fluorescent lights another day. This glorious day was turning into the warmest day of this year, and I was going to baste like a Butterball turkey.

The insects were buzzing and birds were singing like crazy, telling the world that it was spring in full throttle. My Ipod was pumping out my favorite singer, Robert Earl Keen, and the sun-induced endorphins were also pumping. I was happily dozing in my own personal la-la land.

The sun felt so good on my skin, I closed my eyes and relaxed. The music faded, the surrounding bird song softened and slowly changed. The songs became melodious and more complicated. A warm dry breeze seemed to lift me, and I noticed the humid sticky heat of Louisiana was gone. I opened my eyes and squinted at a blurry, filmy image of someone tall and slender standing before me. The image gelled but I could not tell if it was a man or a woman; it was androgynous, lovely and bright. I tried to blink and realized I could not, nor could I feel my body. Oops, that's the problem, I have no body. I was floating about five feet above the ground.

The lovely creature spoke to me, "Sookie, I am so glad to see you."

I looked around and realized my house was gone. We were surrounded by gardens; there were mountains in the distance with an intensely indigo blue sky overhead. That was interesting, because last time I checked there were no mountains in Louisiana and the sky was definitely not indigo.

"Claudine, is that you? Where are we?"

"We are in the Summerlands."

Hesitantly I asked, "Claudine, are we… dead?"

She gave me a dazzling smile, "Far from it, but I'm no longer part of the mortal plane. I brought you here so that I might show you there is no need to be sad over my passing. This is what I worked and dreamed of; I have evolved to be an angel."

Claudine had received the ultimate promotion, but I looked around and she seemed to be alone. "Claudine is your baby here? What about your sister?"

She smiled. "Those precious souls will be returned to the physical world to live and grow. They will have to earn their way to Summerland."

I thought about her sister and figured Claudine wouldn't be seeing her anytime soon. I wanted to say something compassionate and tender but all that came out was, "Okay, so... no free passes to Summerland."

She chuckled. "My sacrifice is what gained me the transformation that I had hoped and prayed for. Sookie, please tell my brother Claude. I can not reach him. He is too engulfed in his own self pity and anger to hear and see me."

I began to feel increasingly disoriented, my gentle floating changed into bobbing up and down, as though I was in choppy surf. I was losing it. I wanted to ask Claudine dozens of questions. Meaningful questions like, 'What's the meaning of life?' And other heady stuff that philosophical people with lots of education who stare at their navels would ask. But the only thing that came out was, "Ugh, I feel seasick. I'm going to puke."

Her face drew very close to mine, and she gave me her most radiant smile. "Sookie, thank you for the honor of letting me be your fairy godmother. You are very special and I love you."

She bent forward as though she was going to kiss me but I felt nothing. Rather, her smile brightened and dazzled me until I could see nothing but light. No toothpaste commercial had anything on her.

My vision blurred, and I squeezed my eyes shut trying to stop the disorientation. I could see nothing but red blazing veins through my eye lids. I opened my eyes and realized I was still in my lawn chair but was facing the sun. I must have fallen asleep. The birds were still singing like crazy and Robert Earl Keen was still crooning his latest release. I plopped my big sun hat on my head, took a big swig of sweet tea and said out loud, "Wow, that was one bee-zaar dream."

It was not like a normal dream or like one I have ever had before. I hadn't eaten any Mexican food lately so it wasn't a Chimichanga dream. My dreams were never in vivid Technicolor, or with that level of detail, and intensity. The creature looked like a de-sexed version of Claudine but even more beautiful and radiant. The more I thought about it, the more I felt certain that the experience really did happen.

I felt my face flush with embarrassment. Darn, I get an invite to visit Claudine and see the Summerlands, and I almost dream puke on her foot. I wonder if Summerland and heaven is the same place or do we have segregated after lives? Is this world another world's hell? As I mulled this over and lots of other deeply philosophical afterlife questions, a heaviness that I did not know existed lifted from my chest. Claudine had reached her goal: she was an angel. Under my breath I said, "Thank you, Claudine. I love you too."

Robert Earl Keen started singing my favorite song, and I joined him for an off-key verse of "The Road Goes on Forever and the Party Never Ends." As I belted out the second chorus it dawned on me that Mr. Keen was dead right. Maybe the road does go on forever.

Once Mr. Keen and I finished our duet, I performed the scientific poke test and decided I had enough sun. I pulled on one of Eric's baggy Fangtasia T-shirts and walked into the house to get more iced tea and a sandwich. Traveling to heaven to visit an angel and new found revelations of the afterlife made me hungry for a P, B & J.

I was digging the last bit of crunchy peanut butter out of the jar when something caught my eye outside the window. Niall and Claude were walking out of my woods. Astonished, I waved through the window and walked out into the backyard to greet them.

I thought that Niall was gone forever. He had told me that he was going to finish barricading the portal and then be gone. All the fairies who lived here would have to decide to stay or go home. I knew that Claude had stayed behind but thought Niall had left.

I tried to fix my hair but it was a lost cause, it was in a messy scraggly bun. I looked down at my Fangtasia t-shirt cover up and sighed. When people pop in they can't expect the red carpet treatment. I was just keeping it real.

I tried to greet Claude warmly but felt awkward. He coolly nodded his head and said nothing. He looked through me like I wasn't there; once a turnip, always a turnip. Niall gave me a warm hug.

"Sookie, it is so good to see you. You must be surprised at my return."

"Yes, I thought you had left for good. Did you change your mind about closing the door?"

"No, but after several discussions with advisors I thought it wise to do more than just barricade the portal. I have decided to take stronger measures so that it can never be reopened.

Junior slinked out from under the backdoor steps and looked up at Niall and then stared intently at Claude. Niall calmly looked at the cat. He nodded to Junior and said, "I see you have a new pet. He is a fascinating cat." Before I had a chance to ask him what he meant, he continued.

"Sookie, I have convinced Claude that it would be in his best interest to return with me to our world. He will assume the mantle of prince and will rule over the lands that were formerly in Breandan's possession. Claude has been formally designated as my heir apparent for the house of Brigant. He shall take his place as a ruling member of the family and also continue the family dynasty."

I looked into Claude's blank face and thought to myself, Claude is a prince and he's to begat little Brigants? Ha! Good luck with that! I quickly looked down and bit the inside of my cheek to stifle a smile.

When I looked back up into Claude's beautiful face the misery in his eyes hit me. I felt bad about finding his future amusing. Claude did not want to return home where beautiful fairies are a dime a dozen. He wanted to be a star, to strip and bathe in the lust and adoration of millions. Having brats with females he could care less about was the last thing he desired. Long-shore men and bikers were more to his taste. This new future offered him nothing more than obligation and tedious responsibility.

Claudine's words came back to me and without thinking I reached up and hugged Claude's neck and said, "Claudine is trying to reach you. She wants you to know she's an angel and in Summerland." I released him and said to both fairies, "It was through her sacrifice that she obtained her goal. She doesn't want us to be sad about her passing. She can't reach you, Claude, when you are so full of, of….. bitterness." I decided at the last second that self pity may not be received well.

Claude stepped back and looked at me with wide eyes and surprise. I continued softy, "Claudine is happy, she wants you to be happy too. And, so do I."

Niall looked closely at Claude before speaking. "Of course she wishes her brother happiness, and she would also want the Brigant family dynasty to prosper and grow. That is your responsibility, Claude. You can fulfill both of those worthy goals in the Fae world. That is where we belong."

Claude looked at Niall and shook his head. He looked like he had something on the tip of his tongue but turned on his heel and began walking back to the woods alone. Niall stood staring at him walking away and spoke calmly and with a certainty that having his way for a thousand years had molded. "He will uphold his oath to his family. He will return to our realm and fulfill his destiny."

Niall's features softened and he turned towards me and said with sadness, "Sookie, the door between our worlds is scheduled to be closed in three days when the moon is at its fullest. I still have not discovered Dermot. It is with great regret that I leave him here, but I feel there will be no further motive for him to continue any aggression towards you. I will be gone completely from his life in three days' time.

I nodded my head, blinking back the tears. Niall would be gone from my life too. I stood on my tip toes to give my only great-grandfather a big hug.

He laughed. "Yes, yes, there, there now, child."

I tried to smile through my tears and to not completely lose it. I did not want him to remember me as a blubbering idiot with a drippy nose and hiccups.

"Niall, I meant what I said when I told you that Claudine is an angel and in Summerland. I've been there." As soon as I said the last part I regretted it and wished I could take it back. It made me sound like some sort of new-age ding-dong.

Niall looked at me with a kindly expression. He smiled and his fine thin skin creased with dozens of delicate lines around his eyes. "Yes, I know dear. I can feel it in my heart when I think of her. Claudine is an angel."

With that, he kissed me on the forehead, stepped back and straightened up to his full height, and with a regal air said my full name followed by Brigant. He stated that he was proud to claim me as a Brigant and his great-granddaughter. As his descendant I would receive all the honors, privileges and duties that this position bestowed. Standing there tall and proud he truly looked like a magical fairy prince. He was so beautiful and I was a messy, little ragamuffin next to him. After he kissed me on the cheek he wished me a happy, prosperous and long life. He turned and walked back to the edge of the woods where Claude was waiting for him. Together they disappeared from my view.

At that moment, Junior rubbed up against my legs and we both stared where the fairies had disappeared. Slowly I said, "Well, Junior ole-boy, that was interesting. He adopts me and then he dumps me." With a mock serious voice I said, "Robert Jessop Junior Brigant, I am proud to proclaim you as the Royal Brigant Cat. This momentous event calls for a Dr. Pepper along with our P,B & J. Dr. Pepper and peanut butter- the preferred food of all Brigant royalty!" I opened the door and said with a sweep of my hand, "After you, my regal consort."

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