Okay - Sue me. I updated 6 day's early. Because I couldn't controll the little devil on my right shoulder that kept on saying 'post, post, post' lol.
So you all have him to thank for an extra early update. I'll be posting Chapter 5 that's beta'd and ready to be posted on Sunday still though.

Chapter 4.
~*~

When the blonde women, Pam from the other night, Eric's 'child' walked in with my replacement for the rest of the evening, then everyone's minds went buzzing, and the volume rose in the room. Sookie felt like her head was going to explode in that one moment and if she wasn't sitting on Eric's lap, with his firm hold around her waist, his chin resting on her shoulder, she would have collapsed if she was standing.

As it was, Sookie leaned forward, to place her head in her hands and moaned because she couldn't focus enough to put her shields up and every thought was crashing in on her, with all the buzz about why Pam was here, or thinking nasty thoughts about the new waitress for one night. She felt Eric lean over her and she thought he said something but with all the thoughts rushing through her head she couldn't be sure. Suddenly Tara was kneeling before her and took hold of her hands. Sookie met her gaze and focused on Tara.

'Sookie, Sookie?' She said. 'Sookie, can you hear me?' It was distant, but she could just about make out what Tara said and nodded.

'Remember you couldn't hear Vampire Bill?' She nodded. 'Focus on the vamps in the room, Sook, block everyone else out and focus on their silent minds.'

Sookie closed her eyes and relaxed into Eric's hold.

'Take her to my office.' She thought she heard Sam say. Though it sounded distant and all she could feel from his emotions was jealousy and hate whether it was directed at her or Eric she wasn't too sure. Sam had a weird mind; he was the only human she'd come across that she'd found hard to read. She mostly gets emotions and random images from him, more than words and that's the last thing she remembered before she passed out.

When the vampire walked into the bar that wasn't Vampire Bill, Tara knew people would notice this man and she immediately knew this was the vampire that Sookie told her about outside earlier. This man screamed power and attention whether he wanted it or not, without even trying as he walked into Merlotte's as if he owned the place.

Tara glanced in Sookie's direction and noticed she hadn't noticed his arrival, much like Vampire Bill when he first arrived on the scene and was surprised Sookie hadn't noticed this man's arrival because she'd noticed Bill's arrival. She called him Mr. Northman, man because boy, he's all man all right where as Bill was a mouse compared to this dude and Tara's glad creepy Bill's off the scene.

Sookie watched as he walked into her area and sat down, his eye on her the whole time. It was only after a little while did Sookie go over to him. Tara wondered if her friend chose to ignore him deliberately and was putting up a very good act or she genuinely didn't realize he'd arrived.

Tara watched as Sookie ordered his drink and they spoke for a bit when she came back. They got into trouble with Sam again, for the second time that night and she picked up another glass to clean as she lounged on the bar stool with her feet up on the bar, that's become her almost usual position, even though Merlotte's is busy tonight, more crowded than normal and she hoped her friend was okay.

She may not like Sookie's ability to read minds but she accepts it and is grateful Sookie does her best to keep out of her and other people's heads. Like she said to Sam when Bill first walked into the bar, when he was complaining about Sookie's lack of attention towards him in a certain way, just then their first residential vampire walked into the bar and she knew Sam didn't stand a chance when she spied Bill for the first time and the look on her friend's face. She knew she couldn't read his mind and told Sam so, bluntly might she add.

But coming back to the present, she watched as Sookie went to deliver this new vampire, her friend knows, his True Blood and watched their exchange. She'd also noticed how he hadn't taken his eyes off Sookie when she walked away from him after taking his order.

Surprise rushed through her when the vampire took hold of Sookie around the waist when she went to leave and was surprised at how similar they looked, so close together, with almost the same matching hair colour and blue eyes. The hold he had around her waist was almost possessive, mixed with protectiveness, as she looked upon their display of... what could she call it? Affection, perhaps? She also noticed how relaxed Sookie looked around him, and was also surprised when she didn't seem to protest much, and almost gave into him, though she did see her friend squirm to start with but the vampire started saying something to her and she relaxed a little further into his hold. When she heard Sam shout at Sookie she knew trouble was about to stir, when she saw not only her friend tense but the vampire stiffen too.

Shit. she thought.

A wave of a hand brought her out of her trance and she came face to face with Andy Belfleur and Bud Dearborn.

'What?' She asked moodily, having been distracted, she was worried about Sookie and the outcome of the three's exchange.

'Usual, Tara.' Andy said gruffly.

'What's the magic word?' She hissed at him.

'Please, Tara can we just have two pints, please? It's been a long day.' Bud said.

'Why? Because you've still not freed Jason Stackhouse yet? Because he can't answer any of the questions you keep firing at him?' She challenged, then added for extra effect. 'Maybe because he's innocent?' She turned her back on them and poured them their pints.

'Shit.' She heard Andy say. She turned around to see him seeing Sookie, Sam and the vampire's exchange.

'I sure hope'd Sookie'd moved on from vamps.' Bud said, 'she was a good girl.'

'And what the hell is that supposed to mean?' Tara snapped, pulling their attention away from her friend, noticing half the bar had become interested in the three's exchange, Sam's, the vampire and now Sookie, who'd swiveled around in his lap to face Sam, still with the vampire's arms wrapped tightly around her waist and his chin resting on her shoulder, with Sookie completely locked in his embrace.

After serving the boys from the road crew, who looked rather glum without their crew member,Jason Stackhouse, and at the same time keeping a wary eye on her best friend and her odd little looking group, the door to Merlotte's suddenly banged open, causing everyone's heads to turn in the entrance direction except for the three who looked ready to tear, or rather, the vampire and Sam, who looked ready to tear each other's throats out.

The crew's arrival took some attention away from Sookie, the vampire and Sam as a lot of the women in here had a crush on at least one of the men on the road crew minus her cousin, Lafayette, who also worked in the kitchens here at Merlotte's, but he was on a completely differen't planet to the rest of them, and preferred men mostly to women. She couldn't remember the last time he had a girlfriend, or a steady relationship.

Once things had settled down, and Arlene and the new girl, that was failing miserably to keep up her area, there was a loud bang as the doors to Merlotte's was slammed open and in walked, low and behold another vampire, with a shorter women next to her, who was wearing jeans and a black top that read 'Fangtasia' in fancy red font, and black flats. The woman vampire, next to her, wore a long tight black leather dress and red pumps, and looked bored, though, with her over the top entrance she caused a lot of attention and the buzz went around the room again, ten times more than it did with the blonde male vampire.

Tara glanced in Sam, Sookie's and the male vampire's direction and saw the look on Sookie's face. She knew her friend was starting to struggle under the pressure, having witnessed a few of Sookie's lose-control moments of her mind-reading ability, and told Arlene to man the bar without giving her time to argue, she rushed over to Sookie, ignoring the two men, who were sizing each other up, and kneeled down in front of Sookie, just as she placed her head in her hands.

'You fucking idiots', she hissed. ' haven't either of you noticed Sook struggling or were you two too busy being all male and whatever it is the hell you were doing?'

Not giving a damn whether the vampire liked her intruding or not, or if he found her offensive. Tara grabbed hold of Sookie's hands and looked into her friend's eyes that were filled with pain. The bar was still a-buzz and oblivious to them.

Tara tried reaching out to Sookie, reminding her of the vampires present and to focus on their blank minds, like when she said part of her attraction to Bill was because she couldn't read his mind and it seemed to work, because in the next few minutes Sookie relaxed and melted into the vampire holding her. The vampire was obviously alarmed by this new development and clearly didn't like it when Sam finally spoke and acknowledged the situation by telling him to take Sookie into his office.

The vampire moved with speed and Tara felt surprised he knew where Sam's office was. She and Sam followed hot on his heels, along with the woman vampire and her companion. Tara didn't acknowledge anyone; she was too filled with worry for her best friend, who's basically the sister she never had.

Pam's POV.~*~

Upon entering the dog's pound with Ginger, whom I had to glamour out of Fangtasia, after she refused to leave the bar in the hands of minors, I wasn't prepared for the reaction I'd receive upon entering and seeing my maker's arms wrapped around the pretty blonde from the other night in an almost... what can I call it? Ah, yes. Lover's embrace and I could feel the possessive and protectiveness, and a hint of love for the blonde in his arms through the bond as he and the shifter battled for whatever it is men do when they both like a woman. This is why I stick to women these days, less hassle and drama and a relatively easy ride.

What surprised me was when another girl stepped in and pretty much scolded my master and the shifter in one go and was surprised - which doesn't easily happen when he didn't do anything about it, too wrapped up in the stand-off with the shifter. I watched as Sookie's head fell in her hands and her friend rushed over, after hearing the whole exchange, my eyebrow raised, I dragged Ginger over to the bar and smirked as I spotted a woman with ginger hair, finding it amusing that I have a Ginger next to me, yet this women in front of me has ginger hair - silly realization I know, but amusing to me.

'B'Positive, warm.' I announced, just to see what reaction I'd get. The woman looked terrified as I declared my order. I smirked, and raised an eyebrow and she scuttled off muttering some nonsense prayer of survival under her breath.

Just as she came back with it, with shaking hands as she hand over my drink, I paid and suddenly felt wariness and reluctance seep through my maker-bond with Eric and turned around in time to see him lift Sookie up in his arms and the odd looking group rush to where ever they were going and grabbed my blood and Ginger and rushed after them to see what was happening.

'What is going on?' Eric demanded once we were all in the office, he stood tall and proud and ready to pounce like the warrior he is, even with an unconscious woman in his arms, he looked lethal and no one to be messed with.

The woman who woke these men up responded sarcastically, as she turned to face my maker.

'Are you vampires stupid? I know what happened the other night at Fangtasia, Sookie told me all about it and after that piece of shit of a pathetic Vampire Bill Compton told you all Sook's life story. I would of thought you'd figured it out by now or wasn't there any mention of her telepathy? Just the word gift?'

Smirking with amusement, at her choice of wording and sarcastic tone, I think I like her. I hope her and Sookie stick around. Things could become very entertaining around town, with these two in tow.

'I'd watch your tone if I were you.' Eric said coldly, and I knew that look all too well - his pissed off look, and his tone laced with anger and warning.

'Eric, you can't be too hard on these young ones. They may not know whom you are!' I said to him, amusement clear in my tone. When he shot me a warning look, I took a sip of her drink and kept my mouth shut with great difficulty.

'Why should I care whom he is?' Spit-Fire snapped.

'Tara, go back to the bar.' Sam ordered. The girl, Tara, turned around and started in on him, getting right in his face.

'Oh hell, no. I ain't leavin' Sook with them. One vampire has already caused enough trouble. I'm staying, you go manage your bar. You no you're only here because you've got a thing for Sook that's never gonna happen cause, A) You're her boss and B) She can read your mind.' She hissed.

I could tell Eric was getting antsy and right on cue he bit in.

'I'm taking Sookie back to Fangtasia with me. She's clearly better off around us with silent minds at the moment. Ginger will be hear until Sookie has recovered from her mind-collapse.' He said in an no-arguing back voice that I knew all too well.

This got the two, currently having one of those staring contest thing's attentions, and immediately started protesting saying she'd be better here with friends and family and blah, blah, blah, blah. I watched as Eric's eyes flashed dangerously.

'SHUT UP!' He roared. I'm surprised the woman in his arms didn't wake up. She must have been hit hard, and when she wakes up, I must ask her where she got those gorgeous shoes she wore the first night we met her at Fangtsia.

'I'm bringing Sookie back with me, like I'd already planned, when she finished her shift, only things worked out better, with Ginger here being Sookie's replacement for the night, and the next few nights for her to recover. I am not taking no for an answer or interested in listening to your attempts to persuade me otherwise. Tara, you may come if you wish - I will send another one of my bar staff to cover so you aren't out of staff and try to use that as an argument, Merlotte. You know better than anyone my position so you should know better.' He said, his tone final. He turned to me, and said.

'Pam, Take Tara with you in your car and wait for me. I want a few words with Merlotte alone.'

'Fine.' I said, downing the rest of my True Blood before grabbing said girl by the wrist and marching out the door.

Eric POV~*~

When I'd said my piece to Merlotte, glamoured Ginger into forgetting this exchange and given her firm instructions, along with Merlotte regarding Ginger, I made my way out of the dog's pound at vampire speed to Pam's car.

I had flown here, seeing as it was quicker and would have suffered the journey back to Shreveport in Sookie's tiny car I saw in my parking lot with reluctance but it would be worth the trip once we got to what I had planned for us tonight but unpredictable circumstances lead to a change of plans.

When her friend blurted out 'Telepathy' I knew immediately that was the gift Compton was on about and my mind has been working at full speed, trying to name a creature to telepathy to which she could be linked.

I've met many different kinds over my thousands of years roaming these lands and surprisingly I've come up short. My brilliant vampire memory has actually failed to come up with an answer, all though I have a few in mind, nothing concrete but with a bit of digging and a few calls... I could have my answer by dawn.

I need to know what I'm letting myself in for. I meant what I said to Sookie in the notes she read, and I know she accepted the flowers, as my day man said in the e-mail she'd finally accepted one of my gifts to her. She'd surprised me many more times over this week by sending the gifts back to me, with unopened notes and when Pam suggested flowers, which is what her latest thing Dear Abby suggested women like, I thought it was worth a try and I hate to admit it but Pam's book or whatever Dear Abby is was right.

When I got to Pam's car, she'd already had the back door open for me and Sookie, so I slid in, refusing to let go of the women who'd taken over my mind, these past - now - six nights and told Pam to drive once the door was shut.

'What are you?' Sookie's friend, Tara, spoke, breaking the tense atmosphere.

'Darling, I thought that was obvious.' Pam said sarcastically before I could get a word in.

'Or do you mean, what I do?' I countered.

'Whatever, yeah.' She said.

'I have a very high position in vampire society and am well respected. I am also in charge of this top half of Louisiana.'

'What, like a King? And what are your intentions with my best friend?' She said, turning around to look at Sookie in my arms, who was still surprisingly out cold and I assume in a deep sleep.

'He could be.' Pam grumbled.

'Pamela.' I warned. I didn't like using my maker control on her, but she was pushing it.

'Shut the fuck up?' Tara said, with clear shock in her voice.'You have monarchs?'

I growled at Pam, for complicating things further. It wasn't something I wished to get into discussion with now.

'Stop asking questions and shut up. My main concern is Sookie, she's all I have time for now. You are here simply because I saw how much you genuinely care for her wellbeing. And if you know what's good for you, you'll keep your trap shut about what you've learned in this car.'

Tara glared at me, but I held her gaze. She huffed and turned around somewhat reluctantly and the rest of the journey to Fangtasia was in silence and I only had eyes for one woman in this car and said woman was in my arms. Over the week, I'd taken the time to think about the feelings I felt for her when she first entered my bar and after that when they never dulled or ended, in fact it hurt a little when she was away from me.

This pull where my undead heart once beat didn't go away until I stepped foot in Merlotte's Bar and Grill where she worked and that further proved my line of thought's process in the direction they were heading.

I'd waited a thousand years to find this woman.

-Lot's of stuff happening in this chapter, what do you all think of this latest string of events?

Do you think Sookie will be able to resist our Viking when she wakes up?

To all my 96 alerters! Would love to hear from you all :D