The Shifter's Choice

Its Sam's birthday and because he's been such a good friend to Sookie, her fairy Godmother decides to grant him one wish. Just what is it that Sam will wish for? Mix of books and Show. I own nothing! Not mine. Nada!

Sookie/Sam. NC 17

To say Sam Merlotte was surprised when he looked up to see the fairy leaning across his bar, staring at him intently, would be putting it mildly.

He had met Claudine several times before when the beautiful supernatural being had been visiting Sookie. That did not wan the effect that the fairy had on him, nor did it explain why she was at the bar this particular night so late – especially when it was Sookie's night off. Sam couldn't recall Claudine coming in for pleasure, or at least, solely for pleasure. It was always to catch up with Sookie.

"Sookie's not here," he informed, not slowing in his cleaning of the bar top.

"Oh, I know that. I've just come from visiting her." Claudine leant back in her chair, a smile of mischief brushing her lips. Sam nodded as he continued his closing prep. When she didn't receive the response she had expected Claudine gave a pout.

"Don't you want to know how she is?" she asked, her teasing barely concealed. Sam spared the fairy a look, his eyebrow arched over his Paul Newman blue eyes.

"No m'am. Sookie'll tell me how she is when I see her next." Claudine frowned and gave a little stamp of her foot.

"You're no fun! Are you two fighting? Sookie didn't say anything about being in a fight with you. Quite the opposite, actually." The fairy put on her most innocent face. Sam stopped his cleaning to look at the fairy. Oh yeah, she thought. Hook, line and sinker.

"In fact I remember her saying you were real good friends."

"She said that?" Sam leaned forward, resting on his elbows. Claudine gave a triumphant smile.

"Mmmhmmm," she nodded. Sam moved closer, his voice low, confiding.

"Why're you messin' with me Claudine?" The fairy reeled back in shock, this being the last reaction she was expecting

"I'm not messing with you, Sam." The fairy smiled innocently, placing her hand on Sam's arm. Hmmm, muscled, she thought to herself. No wonder Sookie is all shook up over this shifter. If only I can get her to realise it.

"Cut the crap Claudine," Sam growled, pulling away. "I'm not in the mood."

"Alright." Claudine's face dropped its guise and she settled down to business. "You've been real good to my cousin. Helped her when she needed it, looked out for her. You love her." Sam didn't respond, waiting Claudine out. She noted that he didn't deny any of her observations. "So when I heard you had a birthday coming up I thought I'd give you a little present." Claudine considered the man in front of her. She almost burst out laughing at his expression. Sam was dumbstruck. Finally recovering himself he glared at the fairy.

"I don't want anything," he said gruffly, returning to his cleaning.

"I know that," Claudine reclined a little, watching the tense lines of Sam's shoulders as he punished the polished wood.

"I don't do what I do out of the hope I'm going to be rewarded for it. I don't want anything from you. If you want something to do then do your job and stop Sookie from getting hurt by those asshole vampires!" Claudine knew, of course, that Sam was referring to Bill and Eric, the former primarily. Sookie had spent an extensive portion of the evening explaining that situation to Claudine (who was looking for a little vengeance against Bill's infidelity herself).

"I think you might be interested in what I'm offering." Claudine said mysteriously. Sam resigned himself to the fact that he was curious.

"Alright. Talk."

Sookie had taken a few days off after her return so Sam didn't get a chance to speak with her about Claudine's peculiar offer right away. He wasn't even really sure if he could speak with her about the offer. He'd give Claudine credit for originality. And he was more than a little keen to take her up on the offer but he had to talk to Sookie about it first.

She wasn't back at work until a day before Sam's birthday and by that stage Sam had changed his mind ten times over.

He heard Lafayette talking loudly in the hall and knew that the evening shift people must have started arriving. He braced himself and stepped out of his office. Sookie was laughing with Lafayette and Arlene as they got ready to start their shift.

"Hey Lafayette. Arlene. Sookie." He greeted them.

"Sam," Arlene grinned, tying her apron. Her red hair was especially vibrant that night and Sam wondered what new man she was trying to impress. Lafayette simply gave Sam a coquettish smile before following Arlene out into the bar. Sam stood awkwardly staring at Sookie.

"Hey Sam," she smiled.

"Hey Sookie."

"So it's your birthday soon. Got anything special planned?"

"Actually I wanted to talk to you about that." How was he going to go about this?

"Oh?"

"Claudine came into the bar the other night and she offered me a gift and she, uh, said she would give you the ability to shift for one night as a gift to me." Well…it would seem that blurting it all out was the option of choice.

"Claudine?" Sookie looked a little dumbstruck. Sam had the grace to be chagrined.

"Yeah," he said softly. He was pretty certain he had blown it.

"And by shift you mean change? As in, shape shift? Like you do?" Yep, she was definitely mad.

"Yeah. Only, it would be just the once. You wouldn't be a shape shifter. Kind of a Cinderella deal. Just for one night."

"And this would be on your birthday?" Sookie's voice was quiet. Sam couldn't figure out if she was about to hit him or run away. Or maybe both.

"Yeah. So tomorrow night. Look, it was a dumb idea. Just forget about it." Sam raised his hands and moved to walk around Sookie. His head was a mess. He wished he hadn't asked her.

"Why do you wish you hadn't asked me?" He heard her ask behind him. He stopped, mentally kicking himself for forgetting she knew what he was thinking. "I didn't even get a chance to give you an answer." Sam turned to look at her. She had a smile on her face.

"Sookie, forget about it. You don't want to do this."

"Actually, Sam. I would. If it is something you'd want. I'd like to see how it is for you."

"Really?" It was Sam's turn to look dumbstruck.

"Yeah, really."

"You'd really do this?" He took a step towards her, his hand coming to rest on her shoulder. He was still waiting for her to yell "boo" and tell him this was all an elaborate hoax.

"Well, so long as I don't turn into anything gross, and you know, you walk me through it. Of course I would. Sam, this is a part of who you are. And to have the chance to experience that… well, sure it's a little scary, but who am I to turn it down?"

Sam couldn't speak. He was awed by the Sookie who stood in front of him. Several months before, when he had revealed what he was to her it hadn't gone particularly well. But now here she was, offering to shift with him. He wondered if he should pinch himself.

Just then Sookie reached out and gave him a sharp pinch on the arm.

"Ouch!"

"You aren't dreaming, Sam." She laughed at Sam's confused look. "Telepath, remember?" Sam nodded. He reached out and pulled Sookie to him in a hug.