-

ALEX OPENED HER EYES, immediately raising up when she wasn't in her own soft, comfy sheeted bed. Her shoulders relaxed when she took in her surroundings, realizing she had fallen asleep at Bill's house.

Somehow during the night, Sookie had pushed her off the couch and onto the floor. A habit her little sister had since they were children. She pursed her lips and stood up, rubbing the back of her neck. The sun seeped through the windows and she squinted her eyes, gently shaking Sookie awake.

"Sook." Alex placed a hand on her shoulder, watching as the young girl opened her eyes. Sookie immediately stood up, running to the closet beside the stairs. She opened it, kicking the door frame with her foot when she saw an empty cubby hole.

"He's not here." Sookie leaned against the closet door and sighed. Alex stopped over, peeking into the cubby. Alex looked at her sister and then back at the sunlight shining through.

"I'll make you breakfast, come on." Alex wrapped an arm around her shoulders, leading her out the door and back over to Adele's house. Sookie sat at the kitchen table, while Alex scoured through the cabinets to find food to fix.

"Damn, Sookie. We're going to the grocery after we eat, you don't have anything in here." Alex pulled out pancake mix, some bacon, and sausage. She quickly got out a skillet, gently dropping the bacon and sausage in the pan.

"I'm gonna go change real quick." Sookie looked over at Alex who nodded. The young girl ran up the stairs, and by the time she got down, Alex had their plates made.

Alex reaches into the refrigerator, grabbing an ice cold bottle and popping the cape off. She took a seat beside Sookie, who gave Alex an unimpressed look, "Beer for breakfast?"

"I almost got killed the other day, this may very well be my last beer. I'm not takin' that chance." Alex argued, placing a hand over her heart before digging into her food. She watched as Sookie clicked the remote, turning on the small TV in front of them.

"- burned down. 3 casualties were found, we aren't sure at this time, but we speculate that those 3 bodies, were vampires." The news anchor stood in front of a smoking house and Alex furrowed her eyebrows.

"Last night you said those vampires bought the old McClaren house right down the road from Merlotte's? That's it." Alex's eyes widened and she shared a look with Sookie. The younger blonde didn't need to peek into her sister's head to know what she was thinking. Leaving their half eaten breakfast on the table, Alex grabbed her keys and followed Sookie out the door.

Alex was pushing 50 on the old dirt road, making the dust fly behind her. Sookie was tapping her finger tips to her knees. Alex made a sharp turn, going into the driveway of the house. She pulled up next to the news van she had just seen on TV. They both hopped out of the car, running up by Bud Dearborne.

"Is Bill in there?" Sookie asked, and Alex looked over at the coffins that were sitting on the hill. Whatever was inside them, they were boiling and steaming in the sun.

"There's no way of knowing." Bud shook his head at Sookie. Their eyes went to the front door of the house, where the were pulling out another coffin, "But there were four of 'em."

Sookie froze, chills were sent up her spine as she stared at the fourth coffin. Alex glanced at her sister, waving a hand in front of her face. She snapped out of her gaze and gulped.

"Sookie, are you okay? You need some water?" Sheriff Dearborne questioned and she shook her head slightly.

"Four? You sure you found four bodies?" Sookie turned to see Andy Bellefleur, who stood with his hands on his hips. The two officers shared a look and sighed.

"We shouldn't even be telling you this." Andy grumbled, side eyeing Bud, who stayed silent. Alex scrunched up her nose and gave the older man a glare.

"Not now, Andy!" She snapped, placing a delicate hand on Sookie's shoulder.

"There's four sets of remains inside four coffins." Andy clicked his tongue, sending a spiteful look to Alexandra.

Sookie took a deep breath, "Oh my God." She started up the hill, getting ready to spring into a full run before Andy grabbed her arm, pulling her back.

"We can't let you go in there!" He yelled, trying to hold Sookie back. Sookie struggled against him, kicking and punching.

"Andy if you don't take your hands off me right now, I swear to God, I will kill you!" She threatened, making the man release his grip. Sookie ran up near the coffins, and Alex followed. Alex almost gagged when she took a peek inside the casket. Strings of blood and guts were bubbling and boiling, making the white interior splatter red.

Sookie's jaw dropped slightly and Mike Spencer looked up, giving her a pitiful look.

"Sookie, did Bud send you up here to make an ID? Because I don't think," Mike started but was cut off by Sookie running off to the car. Alex quickly followed, darting under the caution tape and pulling off back onto the dirt road.

"Sookie?" Alex questioned, placing the car in park as soon as they pulled into the driveway. Sookie glanced over, shaking her head, signaling she didn't want to talk. Alex sighed, glancing at the time on her phone.

"Honey, I gotta go home and get ready for work. You gonna be okay?" Alex pushed a piece of blonde hair behind her ear, looking over at Sookie.

"Yeah, go. I'll call you if I find out anything." She gave Alex a small smile and pulled her in for a quick hug. Alex made sure Sookie was in the house before pulling off, going home.

-

Alex turned the engine off, grabbing her stuff and making her way to the front door. She scoffed when she realized it was unlocked. After the other day, Alex thought Jason would have wanted to be a little more protected.

She stopped in her tracks when she saw Jason in the kitchen, his shirt off eating cold pizza. Except, he wasn't alone. A woman was beside him, dressed in a long T-shirt. They both looked over, Alex rolled her eyes going straight to her room.

Jason followed, calling her name. "Alex, wait up!" He slipped in front of her and she bumped into him, stumbling backwards. Alex looked up at him, seeing his concerned look.

"I told you to stay out of my mind. You don't have a right to be in it, Alex. You're no different than Sookie, y'know." He pressed, leaning against her door frame casually. Alex wrinkled her nose up and pushed him out of the door frame. He acted like she actually knew how to control the things she saw, which he knew she couldn't, making the words annoy her more.

"Oh my God!" She pinched the bridge of her nose. "Do you even hear yourself?" Alex asked, he furrowed his eyebrows getting ready to open his mouth before the door was slammed in his face.

-

Alex checked her watch, leaning her head against the wooden beam. It had been slow that day, and Alex was meanding the bar instead of waitressing. She was keeping tabs on Sookie, calling her every chance she could get to make sure she was alright. There was still no sign of Bill, and it was almost dark. She took a seat on the stool, placing her feet on the shelf below the bartop.

Alex had been a tad distracted anyway, seeing as though Arlene wouldn't stop talking about her relationship troubles with René.

"He's just been so distant here lately, it's breakin' my heart." She placed a hand on her chest and Alex could have chuckled when she noticed all the silver Arlene had on her hand and her neck.

"Honey, he is not breaking up with you. I know that for sure." Alex scoffed but quickly shut her mouth when the redhead gasped. "I mean because he is so crazy about you, not anything else I-"

"You know somethin'. Spill!" She interrupted Alex and the blonde slapped her forehead, making Arlene giggle and gleam. "Is he gonna propose? Is that why he's been so distant?"

"Arlene, keep your voice down!" Alex argues, grabbing her hand and leading her to the back of the restaurant. Alex crosses her arms and tried to stare the redhead down, but it wouldn't work. Arlene was a pro when it came to making Alexandra talk. "Alright! All I know is, a week ago I went ring shopping with him over in Shreveport."

Arlene frowned and started waving at her eyes. Alex cringed pulling her in for a hug. "This is all I've ever wanted! René is so much better than all the others, I just want to thank you honey. If you hadn't have introduced us, I wouldn't be the happiest woman in Bon Temps right now!" She sniffled and Alex grunted, wincing from Arlene's rough grip on her shoulders.

"You really deserve it, Arlene. Lisa and Coby have never been happier, and neither have you." Alex patted her back, a slight smile on her face.

-

After the sun had set, Sookie had called and let Alex know that Bill was safe and sound, and dirty. Apparently he had escaped the three vampires and went underground for the day.

"Hey, Alex." Hoyt took a seat at the bar, giving her a gleaming smile. He craned his head to the left, flipping her braided hair over her shoulder and took a look at the bruise marks that she had tried to hide with her locks of hair.

"Hey, sugar." A genuine smile crossed her face and she pulled away from him, grabbing a pitcher and filling it up with beer. René took a seat beside Hoyt, giving Arlene a quick peck on the cheek. She sat the large pitcher in between them and got out two glasses.

"So any word on them bruises, huh? You think they would've caught the fucker by now." René pointed to her collarbone with a worried glance, and she tugged on the necklace that was lightly wrapped around her neck. She slightly shook her head, grabbing a bottled beer from Terry Bellefleur, who was stocking the fridge, to drink herself.

"No, not yet. I'm sure they aren't reachin' for anyone else except for Jason, either. It's so ridiculous." Alex scoffed.

"So I was thinkin' we could hang out tonight? I'm probably gonna stay here for a while if you wanna shoot some pool when you get off?" Hoyt raised his brows, wiggling them slightly at the blonde before him. Alex cracked into laughter at his silliness and nodded her head.

"Sounds like a plan."

-

Alex and Hoyt were totally, completely, absolutely wasted. After going to Sam's office to clock out, it was officially party mode.

Alex closed her right eye and leaned down, lining up her pool stick with the white ball to get her last ball in the pocket. "I think I need to, uh, chalk again." She cleared her throat, popping up from her leaning position.

Hoyt and René groaned, throwing their heads back in annoyance. "Cher, just hit the damn thing! You're gonna win anyway, you!" René's heavy accent flew off his tongue as he rolled his eyes, his frustration was just making Alex's laughter grow. The shot was easy, just a small little tap and she would have won the game.

"René, I got a hundred bucks layin' on this game. I'll go when I damn well please, same goes for you Fortenberry." Alex pointed, snickering at the two grown men. She was obviously playing the both of them, like she did almost every time they played pool. She would end up winning half of the time, due to her steady hand and quick eye.

"Now, let me get back to what I was doing, huh?" She mocked, sticking her tongue out at them. They cackled with laughter, obviously René had a few drinks of his own before joining in with Hoyt and Alex.

Alex crouched down again, swinging her arm back and making her aim. Her right arm was about to slightly go forward right before her phone started to ring. The sudden vibration against her upper thigh startled her, making her arm shoot forward with more force than she intended to use. The eight ball harshly hit the corner of her pocket, popping right back out, meaning it was René's turn again.

"Shit!" Alex cursed, scowling at the boys who were cheering and high fiving. She dug her phone out of her pocket, not even looking at the Caller ID before hitting the middle button on her Blackberry. "I'm in a pool game, make it fast."

"Well, lovely to hear your voice too. I have a favor to ask of you, Ms. Stackhouse." Eric's voice bled through the speaker and she almost choked on her beer. She wasn't expecting to talk to him for a while. It had been in her rule book forever, if a guy makes you upset, don't go back for a few days until you've had enough time to cool off.

"Sorry, I didn't see who was calling. What do you need?" Alex's voice sounded so eager she had to silently smack herself in the forehead. She then mouthed to herself that she was so stupid, making Hoyt and René turn towards her.

"Well I love the sound of you asking me that. I need a lot of things from you right now." His saucy tone made Alex's cheeks turn bright red, and she tried to turn away to hide her face from the guys. She heard Eric's chuckle over the phone.

"Considering your obviously blushing right now, I'll leave that stuff for later." Eric cleared his throat and Alex licked her lips slightly and gave a sideways grin.

"That would be a good idea, considerin' I am under the influence right now."

"Yes, you are." He gave a slight chuckle, knowing she was clearly intoxicated due to her accentuating her southern voice. "Alexandra, $60,000 is missing from my accounts. You were indeed correct. If you don't mind, I would like you to come down to Fangtasia tomorrow evening, you'll be compensated for your help. Also, dress like your tending the bar, I need to see what Longshadow's up against." Alex cocked an eyebrow, and held a finger up to René who was waiting on her to shoot.

"I'll think about it." Alex bit her bottom lip, taking her teeth over the soft pink skin. The grin that spread across her face must have traveled all the way through the phone because Alex could practically hear Eric's smirk. "What kind of, compensation?" 

"I'm sure we can work that out when you arrive." Eric licked his lips, it was audible through the speaker. Alex swallowed nervously.

"It's a date." Alex quickly pressed the button to end the call before he could respond. The boys hounded her for taking her sweet time on the phone but, Alex as happy as a peach.

authors note
hey guys! please vote and comment, leave your love, criticism, anything below!

guys if you read these (which i hope you do) i would so appreciate it if you could share this book. i love this story and i would love for more people to read it and give their feedback or any comments! so please help me out!

so it's been a HOT minute my guys, i've been super busy with my new job and shit, but i banged out this chapter between last night and today so at least i have that to gift to you guys! forgive me for not being as active as i would love to be!!

thank you for all of the votes and comments we have gotten so far!

love mack