-

CHURCH HAD BEEN A constant in Alex's life, there's no doubt about that. Adele had made sure Alex, Jason, and Sookie had attended every Sunday school, every morning service, and every pot luck. Now, out of habit more than anything Alex was the only one to go to church every Sunday. Sookie went sometimes, Jason only went to the potlucks.

So, it was safe to say Alex was comfortable there. Around all the people? Not so much. Old women judging her for her jeans and T-shirt, her undone hair, no makeup whatsoever. Creepy old men who just came to make sure they don't go to Hell. But nevertheless, Alex still showed every Sunday.

This night was a little different though. For one, it was at night. It was also not church, per say. It was the Descendants of The Glorious Dead meeting.

Alex nodded at the people in front of her, giving them a gracious smile. She strolled into the church, throwing her phone into her purse. She scoped the crowd searching for her grandmother, who was handing out flyers. Adele greeted her with a kiss on the cheek and one of the flyers, that she was no doubt going to use as a fan considering it was scorching.

When she got into the sanctuary, Alex watched humorously as Maxine Fortenberry tried to pull a gold cross from the pedestal right behind the altar. She didn't know if Bill Compton would burst into flames or melt. Alex smirked, fanning herself as Hoyt tried to help his mother.

Alex's head turned slightly, looking around to find a perfect seat. She could sit with Hoyt, but then she'd have to deal with the repercussions of also sitting beside Maxine Fortenberry. She shivered at the thought of listening to Maxine judge how short her dress is, or how long her hair was. Maxine was one of the old women.

Alex looked over at Tara, who was sitting by herself, waving a paper church fan on her face. She decided to sneak in beside her but she was beat by Sookie and Sam, who were together. Alex's jaw dropped slightly, earning a look from Hoyt who had walked up behind her.

"Sam's dating your sister? I thought she was with Vampire Bill?" Alex looked up to see him scratching his chin, looking over at her younger sister.

"I'm just as surprised as you are. I have no clue what she's doing." Alex shrugged, giving her best friend a pat on the arm. She made her way to the middle pew, taking a seat beside Sam. The two gave her a smile as she crossed her legs and leaned into the wooden seat.

"What the hell is going on here?" Alex asked, putting on a smile that grew into a grin when she saw the blush on Sam's cheeks. He shyly rubbed the back of his neck and shrugged.

"Sam and I, are on a date." Sookie simply stated, her forced grin told Alex all she needed to know. Sookie was just doing this for Sam's benefit. Maybe in her mind she thought it was the right thing to do, but Alex knew she was leading the bar owner on.

Sam and Alex were making casual conversation when Jason had caught their attention. He was dripping sweat and had a big grin plastered on his face. Alex furrowed her eyebrows at her twin brother but didn't saw a word.

"Hey guys." He nodded at the whole row, and Alex sent a smile back.

"Hey sit back. It's okay, relax." Sam gave Sookie a gentle smile and placed a hand on her arm. Sookie obliged, leaning back into the pew.

Alex, on the other hand, was super relaxed. Considering she had dipped into a cigar box that she kept hidden under her bed right after Eric left. Her high was at its peak.

"Welcome. It certainly is a pleasure to see so many new faces here this month. But Mayor Norris assures me that there will be enough ambrosia and tipsy cake for everyone." Adele stood in front of the whole church. "Now, our guest tonight is a gentleman who, despite what you might have heard, is one of us."

"His family was among the first to settle in Bon Temps and he bravely fought for Louisiana in the war for Southern independence. Let us welcome one of the original sons of Bon Temps back to the town that he helped build. I give you, First Lieutenant William Thomas Compton." Gran stepped aside and Bill walked out, giving a polite wave and smile as the crowd clapped. Alex thought it was very peculiar that he had agreed to come speak in a church full of humans that, for the most part, hated who he was.

"Thank you, Ms. Stackhouse, but if you'll pardon me for a moment." Bill stepped down from where he stood and walked over to the cross that Hoyt had covered with the American flag. He pulled the flag from the golden cross and almost everyone in the room gasped. Alex rolled her eyes at Maxine who placed a hand over her chest and dropped her jaw.

He walked over to the flagpole and reattached it. He looked up at the flag and then at all the people, "As a patriot of this great nation, I wouldn't dream of putting myself before Old Glory."

Bill walked back over to the altar, and spoke into the microphone. "As you can I did not burst into flames." Everyone let out a few nervous laughs and Bill began to talk about his experiences in the civil war.

-

Alex wiped at her eyes when she heard the vampire talk about his family, it hit home for her. But at the end of his speech, it felt like a weight had been lifted off Bon Temps shoulders. Alex was beginning to feel like the people of her town were finally trying to open up to vampires, not everyone but at least some. She stood up, stretching her limbs. Alex grabbed her purse and walked over to where Adele was talking with some of the other DGD members.

"It was amazing!" Alex boasted, wrapping her arms around her grandmother. "Really, you did such a great job Gran."

"Thank you sweetheart, but Mr. Compton was impeccable." Adele tapped her nose, and Alex gave her a small giggle.

Alex grabbed onto Adele's hands, holding them in her own, "I hate to rush off, but I'm gonna go home and get out of these shoes! I love you, and if you're up when I get everything settled, I'll come over and we can talk all about it." Adele nodded and gave her granddaughter one last kiss on the cheek before going to talk to Mayor Norris.

Alex made eye contact with Bill, who was being attacked by Terry Bellefleur. The man had pulled the vampire into a great big hug, seeing as Bill had talked about the war, Alex assumed Terry would be emotional.

She slowly walked up behind Terry, tapping his shoulder lightly, "Can I have a turn, buddy?" Terry released Bill, giving a nod to Alex. She gave a slight chuckle when Bill let out a thankful sigh.

"Bill, that was amazing. This made my grandmother so happy." She held out her arms and he obliged, giving her a soft hug and a pat on the back.

"It was nothing, really." He smiled, but Alex couldn't help but notice his cold stare that was concentrated on Sookie. And more specifically, Sam.

"Listen, I don't really know what went on with y'all, but that is not gonna last. Sookie doesn't know what she's missing." Alex rubbed his shoulder and gave him a warm smile. Bill looked like he appreciated her kind words.

"Thank you, Alexandra." Bill seemed hesitant to speak again but he couldn't hold it in any longer. "I shouldn't be giving you advice, but just be careful around Mr. Northman. He's a very powerful vampire. Not even I could stop him if he were to," he trailed on, giving her a sincere look. Alex was a little taken aback, but she pressed her lips into a thin line.

"Thank you, Bill. I'll be careful." With one last small smile, Alex turned away, heading out of the church doors. She knew what he meant, but she didn't think anything of it.

All Alexandra knew was that a little flirtation wasn't going to hurt her, in fact it was exciting.

-

When Alex pulled into her driveway, she was greeted by Eric, who was swinging on her porch swing. She furrowed her eyebrows, a glint of humor in her eyes sparkled as she lightly shut her door.

"That was fast, I thought I'd have time to slip into something a little more comfortable." Alex walked up the stairs, taking a seat beside the vampire who hummed curiously.

"Maybe I should've been late. I think that lace nightgown I saw on your dresser earlier would have sufficed." Eric's lips grew into a naughty grin and Alex gave him an unimpressed look. She shook her head, a laugh rumbling her chest.

"You're not gonna let up, are you?" Alex looked up at him through her lashes. His cheekbones raised as the grin on his face grew wider. Alex followed his lead, giving him a big smile of her own.

"Never, Stackhouse." The whisper left his lips and Alex couldn't help but notice how soft they looked. She thought about the blush pink shade, and how it would look amazing pressed against her skin.

She quickly snapped out of her thoughts, giving a small sigh. She looked down at her flattering light pink dress, "I think Pam would love to see me in this."

Eric's chest rumbled with a chuckle. "Indeed, she would. She's always been a sucker for a pretty girl in pink." Alex gave him a small smile. It was quiet for a moment before he spoke again.

"I have a feeling you don't get guests quiet often. You're supposed to engage in polite conversation, maybe even offer them a bite to eat?" Eric looked over, giving her a smirk. Alex looked at him unimpressed.

"You really think I'm gonna let you bite me?" Alex was tempted, to say the least. A running theme with her and Eric was that: she was so damn curious. She was even more curious when his fangs slid from their place. She blinked, but tilted her head to the side.

"It's only fair. I gave you my blood, you give me a little of yours?" Eric's voice sent shivers down her spine, she chewed on the inside of her cheek. For a moment, she started to beat herself up for actually considering it.

He could drain me, he could kill me right now. Everything is telling me not to, but it's so tempting.

"You pricked your finger. I got like three drops." She scoffed. Eric almost threw his head back with laughter, his chuckle sufficed though, when she reached up letting her finger slowly trace along his fang.

"Well, I'll prick yours and get three drops. We will be even." Eric persuaded. Alex let her fingers go down, tracing his jawline, neck, all the way down and she stopped at his chest.

"Am I crazy if I say okay?" Alex poked his chest with those last three words and he grabbed her hand, raising it up to his mouth.

"Yes." Eric pulled her middle finger up to his lips. His cool touch was enough to drive her away, but a vampire was sitting a mere two inches away, with his fangs out, and Alex wasn't going anywhere.

"Do it." The two words slipped out of her mouth and before she even had the chance to take them back, he dug the tip of his fang deep into her finger. The skin broke and Alex sharply inhaled. Eric growled, lapping up the droplets of blood from her finger, licking and sucking at the small wound.

It was pleasurable, for Alex, to say the least. A moan escaped her lips, she was slightly embarrassed. The feeling of her blood, her stress, her worries sinking out of her body made her completely relax. It was better than any drug she ever had, and in just one puncture.

Eric pulled away, his eyes wide. Alex's finger was still dripping blood, but he seemed to be shocked. Shocked enough he put his fangs away and scooted away from Alex.

"Well that was different." Eric seemed to be stumped, the taste of her blood was even more intoxicating than her scent. Memories flooded through his head, and Alex gripped the wooden handle tightly. It was like she was in his head as they poured into his brain.

Eric was stripped of his clothing, he slowly walked into the ocean. The sunlight on his skin glowed through the water droplets on his tanned skin. As he swam in the sea of blue, he looked up, staring directly at the sun. Sinking in the chirp of the seagulls, and the harsh wind of the summer breeze. A crown was tested upon his head and his smile was as big as a star as he let the sun intoxicate him.

Eric stood from the bench and backed up, his mouth opened slightly. Alex watched as the puncture wound on her finger slowly began to heal and her eyes went to Eric, who was running a hand through his blonde locks.

"Did I do that?" The obvious connection between them was strengthened and Eric felt her fear. He used the back of his hand to wipe the tiny amount of blood from his lips. Alex gripped the sides of her head, trying to make the ridiculous pounding go away.

"So, you see the past and the future. What are you?" Eric referred to the night before, where she explained her worries to him. The question was rhetorical of course, something that he was asking the universe or God himself.

"What the hell?" Alex angrily stood up, going into her house, she left the door open for Eric to come in. He followed her slowly, still being cautious of the young woman before him. He watched with a hint of amusement in his eyes as she paced her floor. "I'm a freak!" Her hand went up to her mouth and she disgustingly chewed on her fingernails. Never in her life had another person seen what had gone through her head.

Eric ignored her outburst took a moment to regain his thoughts. He glanced up at Alex who was still pacing, he rolled his eyes and walked over to her. He grabbed her hand and placed it to her side, looking her straight in the eyes. "You're definitely not a freak. You're incaptivating, interesting, and all in a pretty, blonde, sunny bottle. I'm going to figure out what you are, but in the meantime we can't let anyone else find out about your gift. It's bad enough Bill Compton knows."

Alexandra looked up, "Well fuck." She muttered, rubbing a hand over her face. She pursed her lips and crossed her arms, awkwardly staring around the room until he cleared his throat.

He looked down at her disheveled state and his lips returned to their infamous smirk, "I think I should go get cleaned up. We should make these nightly visits a regular thing, you and I. Goodnight, Alexandra." And without another word or touch, he left her in the middle of her kitchen.

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!

IMPORTANT QUESTION :
okay i need to know if someone wants to see the story from like first point of view. like it could focus on Eric or Alex, but if you guys would want that please tell me. i think it would be super interesting to write!

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

love mack