AN/ First AU/AH. I am sure this has been done before but I hope not to the same degree as mine. I don't tend to read a lot of AH stories unless they are by evenflo78. If you have never read her stuff, you should. She is amazing.

This started out as a little diddy that was playing in my head as I was working on my other story bedknobs, broomsticks and vikings. For those of you that are reading it, I will have something new out this week. I just had to write this down as it would not leave me alone. In any event I hope you like it.

Disclaimer: I do not own the Southern Vampire Mysteries. That honor goes to the amazing Mrs. Charlaine Harris.

Being a twenty-five yr old, single Mom in Bon Temps Louisiana, is not something I would advise. Don't get me wrong. People are nice and all but the looks of pity you get for being without a man, are a hard pill to swallow. Its like they are stuck back in the 1950's and a woman and her youngin' just can't hack it without a man there to take care of them.

We do the normal things that families do. We share a meal together, watch TV, go to sporting events and hit church every Sunday. Some evenings when we are feeling wild, we even cut loose and head to Shreveport for a matinee. There was nothing in my son's life that was missing.

Some say a Dad but he had that in my brother Jason. Of course Jas wouldn't be some peoples ideal for a role model but my Alex thought he hung the moon and stars. Those two were almost impossible to separate. Each thought the other was the cat's meow. Each also got into their own special brand of trouble which leads me back to the whole man thing.

Every Sunday when we head to church, I am met by the local hens trying to hook me up with the tastiest rooster of the week. I have had everyone from the pastor who is 60, to the high school janitor, foot doctor and librarian crammed down my throat. All of which are unacceptable to me or Alex. Pahlease, what would a 60 yr old and I do together? Knit? The school janitor smelled like bleach 24-7 but was nice. I had mentioned the foot Doctor to Alex and he had laughed hysterically. Now every time he sees him he asked the good Dr. about foot fetishes and where toe jam comes from. It just ain't worth it. And I will kill Jason for teaching my soon the word fetish, I know he did.

The librarian was just plain creepy. I have known him my whole life. He's a couple years older then I am and has hounded me constantly through the years. Bill Compton. A day that he and I would ever have a chance, would be in the fantasy books he surrounds himself in. I would take to a nunnery before I gave him a go and I ain't even catholic.

Some people think that I date my best friend Alcide. Seeing as how he has been a big part of my life over the years, they can think what they want. He is good to me and Alex. He never forgets a birthday or a tee-ball game. Well that was before little man got kicked off the team but thats besides the point. Some people just don't understand that a man and a woman can just be friends and nothing more.

It confirms for me that Alex and I don't need a new man in our lives. Gran, Jas, Alcide and I have been doing one heck of a job for the past five and a half years. Alex has uncle Jason and Alcide to take him fishing, hunting and handle man business as they like to call it.

Like the time Alex had discovered the differences in what he had down below and what little Susie Dearborn had. Jason had begged me to let him handle it. He had sat Alex down and tried explaining penis' and vagina's to the precocious 5 yr old. Which I was still trying to convince Alex were the proper terms. Not one eyed trouser monster or punani. Jason and he had laughed their butts off at me over that one. I guess hind sight being 20/20 and all, I should have had the talk with Alex myself, from the beginning. Or Alcide anyone but Jason. I choose instead to see it as a learning experience and will do better next time. Hopefully.

See I am not what you would call a brazen woman. Don't get me wrong, I speak my mind as anyone can tell you, I am just not out to get some. I have what some would consider out dated morals and I tend to hate dirty talk. Not only is it unlady like to say stuff like that but it embarrasses me. I have never slept around and only had sex the one time it took to get my son.

So imagine their surprise almost 6 years ago, when I turned up pregnant. Matter of fact, it had taken some convincing in town to make them believe that I had actually had sex. There was a whole lot of none believing. A few of the towns folk had been sure that the messiah was making a return in their sleepy little town. Then Alex was born and got up and around, terrorizing the whole town. Yep, two minutes alone with my little man was all it took to figure out that Sookie Stackhouse had in fact had sex. With a charismatic devil of a man and given birth to his hell spawn.

Once Alex was born, it didn't take the town long to figure out who his father was. He had the same ice blue eyes and nose as his Dad. Both of our hair coloring was about he same. Their was bits and pieces of us both there that was too hard to deny. Not that I ever did. I just also never acknowledge it.

Not that I was ashamed. Never that. I adore my son, right down to his fathers mischievous smirk that cross his lips, or his eyes so much like his that sparkle when he was up to no good. His little arms that sneak up around me when he knows I am feeling down and his infectious laughter that can lift anyone up.

I just never confirmed because HE doesn't know. So let them sit back and speculate. I won't say a word until I see him again and can tell him face to face. If that every happens.

It wasn't like I had tried to hide it from him. I hadn't. I tried to contact him as soon as I knew. I saw in the Bon Temps herald that he had gotten a part in a movie in Hollywood. I called around out there until someone had given me his agents number.

Feeling sick to my stomach and not wanting to infringe on his fresh start, I had almost hung up the phone before an a-hole of a man had answered. He had put me through the ringer about why I was calling until I finally told him my name and that I had to speak to Eric. His snooty manager had told me "Mr Northman does not know a Sookie Stackhouse." That had been a low-blow that I hadn't seen coming. Eric and I had never made promises to one another but for him to deny even knowing me had hurt more then I can ever say. Especially after all the things we had been through growing up. It wasn't like he was a stranger to any of us Stackhouses. My Gran had practically raised him.

It was like when he left Bon Temps, he left all of his memories behind. As far as I know, he had never looked back. He hadn't made any contact over the years. Even to Jason who had been his best friend. Thats why I was so shocked when I heard he was coming home. Home for what, I didn't know. He had left shortly after his family had been killed by a drunk driver. He had no family here other then Alex, which as far as I knew he was clueless about.

He had slowly began pulling back from all of us before he left. I just didn't want to realize it. I was so in love with him from the time I was a little girl. He could do no wrong in my eyes. From the first time he had come home from school with Jason and saved my kitten Tina from Terry Bellefluer's hunting dog, Eric Northman was my hero. I had followed Jason and him, who had almost four years on me, everywhere. Even took to spying on them when they would sneak off to the lake, making out with girls, praying just once Eric would see me that way.

And one day he had. The day before he left, he finally saw me. I can still remember the texture of his lips against mine. The way I was scared yet excited at the thought of joining our bodies together for the first time. Then I remember the pain I felt the next morning when I woke up alone. No note, no goodbye. Just my heart shattering for the first time. He took a piece of my heart with him that cold November morning. A part that I didn't get back until I gave birth to my son in the blazing hot month of July.

So here I sit, all these years later and wonder. Will he remember me? Will he see Alex and know. Will he try and take him from me? Part of me just wishes he would stay away. Another part wants him to return. Alex does have a right to know his father, I just don't want things to go wrong.

It's hard not knowing what he will do. Will he think that I didn't try hard enough finding him? Or reaching him? It wasn't like he was hard to find anymore. His face graced every ragweed newspaper across the world. Along with his latest playboy, covergirl or hollywood sweatheart at the time. Eric seemed to be loving his fame and fortune. Maybe just maybe he would realize that his lifestyle wouldn't allow for a child in it. Not to say that I would keep him out of Alex's life, I wouldn't. I just don't want him to take my son away from me.

Jason assured me that wouldn't happen. He and Hoyt would just snatch Eric up and feed him to the gators. After they had a nice Come to Jesus talk with him, that is. I don't know who had more abandonment issues going on here. Me or Jason? Probably Jas, seeing as how Eric and I were never a thing. We were just something that happened one night when his prowling tom cat genes reared and figured out, I was the only tail he hadn't bagged yet.

Nope I wasn't bitter. One bit. I had the best thing that Eric ever had to offer and that was his son. We had done well without him in the past and would continue to. I just hated feeling for the first time so unsure of where I stood. I didn't have Eric's money if it came to court and I didn't have the clout that he did. All I could do was hope and prey that when he finally hit town, he bypassed Hummingbird Road. Or that he was at least understanding.

"A single moment of understanding can flood a whole life with meaning." Was something Gran had drilled into my head. I still wasn't sure I got what she was trying to say. I had said as much to her and she had laughed and shook her head. "One day you will honey." Lets hope that Eric and I both did.

"Sookie you alright honey?" Arlene came tearing around the bar with a tray laden down with beer and nuts.

"Oh sorry Arlene." I pulled myself back from my musing and finished my prep work. I am a waitress at Merlotte's bar and girl. Sam, the owner hired me four years ago when I came in begging for a job. Money was always tight in the Stackhouse home and with Alex being there I had to get a job. Most people in town had turned me down cause a woman with a baby ought not work. Sam had just looked at me, eyes brimming with tears and hired me on the spot. "Just thinking."

"You need to talk hun, you just let me know." Arlene smiled and patted my should as she flew past. Talking to her would be the last thing I would do. I loved Arlene and all but she was a bit of a gossiper. If I told her, it would be all over town by the time I set up my tables.

"I'm fine Arlene." I forced a smile on my face and called out to her. I grabbed my basket and placed fresh condiments on the table. I was working the dinner shift tonight and wouldn't get home until one in the morning. Sam generally didn't place me on such a late shift but sometimes he had too. I wasn't the only single Mom working her. Arlene was too and it was only fair. Or so she said. What she neglected to mention was she had a live in man that did everything for her but wipe her behind. Terry loved those kids of hers like there was no tomorrow.

I wasn't mad at her for saying something to Sam. She was right. It was just Alex was hard as heck to put to bed if I wasn't home. He tried he's best to behave for Gran but he wanted me to be the one to tuck him in at night. They always called around his bedtime when I had to work. I made sure that I could take a break then and I would take the call in the backroom and sing him a lullabye. After reassuring him that I would kiss him when I got in and him sneaking up playing games, or trying to come out to find me, Gran said one time before, he would settle in.

I was half way through my shift when he walked in. The night had gone fairly smooth. I made good tips and had a chance to talk to Alex on my break. We exchanged I love you's and he swore he was being the bestest boy in the whole wild world. I heard Gran yelling about a frog in her soup urn right before he yelled out "Gotta go Mom." I wondered what else she would find before she got the little bugger tucked in for the night.

It was like on of those scenes you see in the movies. Were everything stops and its just you and him. There was no sound, no movement. Nothing but us. I took everything in. He seemed larger. His body had filled out in ways that I didn't think possible. His shoulders were broad and from the look of his skin tight shirt, showcased an eight pack of abs. The hair was longer now. I knew that from the magazines I had snuck a peak at a time or two but real life caught just how beautiful it was. It had natural gold highlights shooting through it just like our sons. He was without a doubt the most gorgeous man I had every seen.

I placed one foot in front of the other, walking slowly over in his direction. I froze when an equally attractive woman stepped beside him, placing her arm around his waist. I whipped around praying that no one had noticed me. A quick glance around showed that everyones focus was on the dream team at the door. I beat a heavy retreat to the employees breakroom which was the ladies bathroom. Sam hadn't gotten around to building one yet. I locked the door behind me and braced my hands on the bathroom sink.

Breathe Sookie. Just remember to breathe. I hadn't expected my reaction to seeing him. I wanted to run to him and throw my arms around him. I had always loved Eric. Seeing him again even for a second had reaffirmed that. But I needed to get it together. There was a little boy at stake here and I didn't know Eric anymore.

I took a few deep breathes and splashed some cool water on my face. I didn't have to worry about my makeup getting ruined. I wasn't wearing any. Alex the darling that he was, decided it would be great fun to use it to paint his room with. All my cosmetics were gone and he had a wonderful collage in his room that he bragged to everyone about.

I did the best I could with what I had. I was vein enough to want to look good and happy that God had graced me with good looks. I was no starlet like the woman draped across him like a cheap suit but I was pretty and fresh looking. There was nothing wrong with that. I smiled at my reflection, re-did my ponytail and headed out. I wasn't going to hide in the bathroom like some dim wit. I would go out there and complete my job. If Eric said hello to me we would take it from there.

As I rounded the corner, I could hear everyone fawning over him. I squared my shoulders and let out a sigh of relief when I noticed he had sat in Arlene's section. My tables were mostly bare. It was getting late now and the only ones still hanging around were the local drunks and bar hounds. Bud Dearborn waved me over and I felt a burn hit my cheeks.

We hadn't exactly been sociable since Alex and Susie's little show me yours I'll show you mine game. I had tried to explain that kids would be kids and Bud had commented that mine was a juvenile delinquent just like his uncle. It had gotten pretty heated after that. We had tried our darndest to avoid one another but in a town this small, its almost impossible.

"Hey Sheriff Dearborn. How can I help you?" I plastered a smile on my face and pulled out my note pad. I was trying hard as heck not to thump him in the head with my pencil. I could be wrong but I don't think that would be a good idea coupled with the fact that he already thinks my son and brother are potential inmates. Self righteous Sheriff.

"We'll just have a pitcher of beer Sookie." Bud looked like he had smelled something nasty. His lip was pinched up darn near to his nose. "And if you could take this camera and snap a picture of Mr. Northman for the missus."

"Yes to the pitcher of beer." I put my note pad back in the apron and tucked the pencil behind my ear. "A big fat no to the photo. Get it yourself."

Without listening to his protest, I went over to the bar. Sam wasn't in his usual spot behind the bar, so I grabbed a pitcher and pulled the tab, tilting the container so foam wouldn't build up on top. I returned to Bud's table and placed two mugs and the beer down.

"Sookie please? You know him better then most." Mrs. Dearborn said smiling at me with a sickly sweet grin. Old bitty. Wait until I told Gran. I shot her a look back that told her as much and had to stifle a giggle when she grimaced. One thing people don't do in Bon Temps is tick Gran off.

"Sorry Mrs. Dearborn but I ain't talked to Eric in a coon's age. He probably don't even remember me. Just head over with the rest of them. I am sure he won't mind." I gave her the Sookie smile that people had to know by now was fake and moved on busting my tables.

I was leaning over my last table, scrubbing it down when I felt two strong arms go around my waist and pull me up against a rock hard chest. "Hey sug."

I blushed at the gooseflesh that peppered my skin. His voice just had a way of getting to me. I turned around and pulled him into a tight hug. "Hey darlin'"

I was rewarded with one heck of a smile from Mr. Alcide Herveaux. Now as I said earlier, I have never been with another man other then Eric. But if there ever was one to tempt me it was Alcide. We had known each other for a few years and he had flirted like there was no tomorrow but I had never let it get past that. I am always thinking about Alex and how everything I do will affect him.

I had met Alcide when Gran had decided it would be nice to build a playroom on the back of the house. He owned his own construction company and had the best price for what we wanted. We had hit it off like fast friends.

We enjoyed each others company and talked about everything that friends do. I knew about his love life and he knew about my lack of. He was also the only other person beside Gran and Jason that knew without a shadow of doubt who Alex's father was. I guess that was what made him decide to drive down from Shreveport tonight. He was always doing stuff like that for me. Alcide was my rock and I loved him dearly for it.

"Whatcha doing here?" I buried my head into his chest and felt safe there. I can't explain it but he always brings me peace.

"Well Sam called and wanted to go over prices for the breakroom." Alcide squeezed me once and pulled back to look at me. "Good thing I came too. You alright sug? Thought ass-clown wasn't coming until later this week."

"Mouth Alcide." I admonished him and giggled. I had been trying to break him and Jason from cursing due to Alex soaking up every word his little mind could take in. He had already been sent home from school once for calling his teacher that very word. He hadn't thought it was so funny when Gran had washed his mouth out with soap. "I'm fine honey. Glad to see you though. Can I get you anything?"

"No, I'm good." Alcide bent down and brushed his lips across my forehead. He was a tall man. Maybe even taller then Eric's 6'4 frame. I don't know if I would like to see them besides one another to compare though. Alcide didn't exactly have a high opinion of Eric. Which to me was just uncalled for. He couldn't be blamed for moving away, or abandoning a son he knew nothing about. But Alcide could be snarly as an old wolf at times. "I'll be in Sam's office if you need me."

"Thanks Howler." I teased using my pet name for him. In part it came from his temper which I had seen but never been a part of and from the fact that he sounded like a howler monkey when he tried to sing.

"Cute Sookie." He winked at me and walked down the hall to Sam's office. I would be lying if I said I didn't admire the way his butt looked in his jeans before I whirled around with a little pep in my step now that I knew I wasn't alone. My joy lasted about five seconds when I slammed into Eric.

"Hi Sookie." He placed his hands on my arms to help steady me from falling.

"Hello." I said grateful that my voice was steadier then my legs. "Did you need something? Arlene is in your section but I'd be happy to help if you can't find her."

"I don't think Arlene can help me with what I need." Eric smirked at me. I hadn't seen that face in almost six years but I knew it never boded well when it was in place. "Care to tell me why some drunk named Jane just told me that I have a son?"

Jesus, Mary and Joseph. I should have known that someone would tell him. I don't know why I thought they would have been decent enough to let me talk to him first. "Eric we need to talk."

"You don't say?" Eric cocked an eyebrow at me then released my arms. He pointed down the hallway to the back entrance and waited for me to go first. My wasn't he a perfect gentleman. You could barely tell at all that he was full of rage. What with his shaking hand, steam coming from his ears and tic that had started above his left eye. Nope everything was going to be just fine...