-

ALEX WAS AS NIFTY as can be when she was in the right headspace. That's why she was helping Adele make tiny finger sandwiches for their meeting. She loved seeing Adele being so active and happy over something as little as meeting her first vampire, and talking to him about The Civil War. It wasn't just about that though. According to Adele, she just wanted to make sure Bill Compton was a gentlemen.

As soon as the last sandwich was put on the silver platter, Alex broke away from the counter and walked over to Jason and Tara.

"Jason, please don't be an asshole tonight." Alex warned her brother, pouring herself a glass of sweet tea. He rolled his eyes, mocking her behind her back to Tara who snorted.

Tara scoffed and looked up from her book. "Why are you so set on Sookie goin' out with this vampire?"

"I'm not. I'm really worried and I'm cautious. But c'mon guys, Sookie is gonna do what she's gonna do. I have to believe that she can take care of herself." Adele hummed in agreement in the background as she decorated the sandwich platter with cotton dollies.

"Plus, I support the Vampire Rights Amendment. I mean humans have killed over the years and so have vampires, but I'm not a murderer, so is it hard to believe there's a vampire out there that's not one either?" Alex shrugged with on shoulder, crossing her arms.

"They drink blood," Jason scowled and Alex raised her eyebrows, unimpressed. "Is that your only comeback?"

"Iths that yor ontly combeck." He mimicked once more, sneaking a tiny sandwich off of the platter that was set on the table. "Do you want anything to drink?" Jason asked Tara and she nodded, saying that she would love a beer.

Sookie came into the kitchen and took a seat on the stool beside Alex.

"Look, I'm just saying. Do you want a vampire sucking blood out of you?" Jason raised his hands in defense, getting up from his seat at the table and going to the fridge.

"I'm just trying to get to know the man, that's all." Sookie also defended herself and Alex gave her a curt nod.

"Cause that's where it's gonna end up. It always does." He opened the refrigerator to pull out a bottle of beer and twisted off the cap.

"What do you even know about vampires anyway?" Alex asked, beginning to become a little annoyed with her brother.

"I know a lot more than I care to," Jason took a sip of the beer.

"Oh please, Jason. You ain't got enough sense to pour piss out of a boot!" Sookie hopped off of the stool and went outside, giving the door a good slam. Jason shook his head, getting ready to take another sip of the beer when Tara stopped him.

"Uh uh, that's my beer." Tara leaned her head on her hands and looked up at Jason. He looked at the beer and looked at her, confused.

Alex snorted, taking her sweet tea to the living room and sitting it beside her seat. She glanced at her watch and gave a small smile. Her legs slowly started moving to the stairs and she went to her old room. She noticed she had enough time to open up her 'tin of adventures' before the special guest arrived.

About 10 minutes later, Alex waltzed downstairs. She was definitely feeling lighter than a feather as she strolled into the living room. She took a seat along with Jason and Tara. Jason plopped down on the seat beside Alex, making the cushion poof up from under her. She glared at him but soon leaned on his arm to support her boredom.

She perked up soon, seeing as though Bill and Sookie walked through the door. Alex's eyes roamed over the vampire. He looked a lot different from the other night. He was dressed in a suit, that looked a little outdated for her taste but it was still hot nonetheless.

"Everybody, Gran, this is Bill." The vampire had a homey smile on his face as he greeted everyone in the room.

Sure looks better not covered in silver chains. God, that was gross. Alex thought, sipping on her tea.

Alex stood up, offering her hand to Bill. Bill took a deep inhale and his lips twitched upwards. Almost like he couldn't believe what he was smelling on the young girl. "Alexandra." He spoke.

She took her place on the couch again and Jason's hand slapped her arm. "Ouch, you bitch." She whispered quietly, he looked at her eyebrows raised, "Sorry, must've been a spasm." Bill side eyed them as he said his hellos to Adele.

After the introductions, Gran was passing out sandwiches. Jason grabbed three, laying them on his shirt, which he folded over. Alex grabbed two and tucked her feet under herself, making her grandmother give her a stern look.

When it got around to offer food to Bill and Sookie, Adele held the plate out. Bill shook his head, a small smile on his face.

"Oh my stars, of course, you-you don't. I'm sorry." She apologised and sat the platter down, sitting in her chair. "Your people, Mr. Compton, they are from this area I believe." Adele looked up with stars in her eyes and Alex smiled.

"Yes, my father's people were Compton's and my mother's people were Loudermilks." He mentioned and the elderly woman was on the edge of her seat.

"Oh, there are a lot of Loudermilks left. But I'm afraid old Mr. Jesse Compton died last year." Bill noticed the sorrow in her voice and nodded.

"Yes, ma'am." He added, "That's why I came back to Bon Temps. There were no living Comptons so I've set up home in the old Compton place. And as I expect the VRA to pass..." he lead on, clasping his hands together.

"Yeah, I wouldn't be too sure about that if I were you. A lot of Americans don't think you people deserve special rights." Jason spoke up, and Alex's eyes widened.

"Oh shit." She quietly whispered and Bill glanced at her.

Fucking vampire hearing.

"There the same rights you have." Bill simply pointed out, not trying to get angry at the boy who was just trying to protect his sister.

"No, I'm just saying, there's a way things are the way they are." Jason sat up from his slouched position and Alex did the same. She stuck her hands to her mouth and rubbed her bottom lip, looking between the two.

"Yeah it's called injustice." The vampire spat.

I need a bag of popcorn and some beer right about now.

Jason scowled, "Listen, it's called this is how we do it!" Alex gripped the back of his shirt, trying to make him sit back. Jason wasn't having it, he pushed Alex's hand away and continued.

"Jason! This is my house. I will not tolerate rudeness." Adele snapped and Jason sunk back in his chair, feeling a little defeated. She switched a smile back on, "Did you know the Stackhouse, Mr. Compton?"

"Yes, I remember Jonas Stackhouse. He and his wife moved here when Bon Temps was just a hole in the road, I was a young man of 16. Isn't this the house he built, I mean, at least in part?" Bill questioned and Adele nodded. Sookie grinned, and Alex watched as she looked up to Bill. She could see it in her sister's eyes, Sookie was gonna fall for him. Hard.

"Yes it was!" The elderly woman put her hands together and gasped.

Tara looked at Bill for a minute before blurting out, "Did you own slaves?" Everyone's heads whipped around to look at the young girl.

"Tara!" Sookie scolded. Alex on the other hand started choking and coughing on her drink, caught off guard by the comment. Jason slapped her back hard, making her coughing die down a bit.

"I did not, but my father did. A house slave, a middle-aged woman whose name I cannot recall, and a yard slave. A young, strong man named Minus." Bill answered with ease and Tara folded her arms, scowling.

"Oh, this is just the sort of thing my club will be so interested in hearing about." Adele grinned, and Tara looked at the woman with wide eyes, "About slaves?" She exclaimed.

"Well, about anything having to do with that time." She sent a warning look to Tara and she sank back in her chair.

"I look forward to speaking to your club, Mrs. Stackhouse." Bill stood up, butting his blazer and wrapping a hand around Sookie's back. "Now, if it's alright with you, I thought that Sookie and I might take a walk. It's such a lovely night."

"Well," Adele stood up, sharing a look with Sookie. "it's alright with me if it's alright with Sookie."

Jason slammed his beer down on the table, standing up. "I don't think that's a good idea." Alex stood up as well, grabbing Jason's beer from the table, drinking the rest.

"I don't think it's any of your business!" Sookie looked over at her other brother and frowned.

"She's right, Jason." Adele shrugged her shoulders at the young boy who looked at her like she was crazy.

Jason scoffed, "Look, Gran, I am the man of this family." Alex snorted and he shot her a glare.

"You are a man in this family, but I am the oldest person here and this is my house. You better respect me, boy!" Her voice wavered, but was strict nonetheless.

"Actually, I'm the oldest person here." Bill smirked and Adele laughed.

"Jason, do you want any ice?" Alex asked and everyone looked at her. Bill shot her a sly smile, knowing what she was about to say next. "For that burn!" She whispered awkwardly when everyone just stared at her.

"Shall we?" Bill question Sookie, she flattened out her dress. "We shall." He grabbed her hand and leaded her out, but not before throwing Jason a dark look. The boy stepped back quickly and Alex chuckled.

"Well thanks for making me look like a fool in front of him, Gran." Jason huffed, and Adele walked over lovingly.

She patted his cheek, "Oh Jason, you don't need any help looking like a fool." Jason stood there with a shocked look on his face and Alex giggled.

"For the second time! Burn!" She punched him in the shoulder and bit her lip when he looked at her with warning eyes.

"I really need to stop smoking weed before these things." Alex scratched her neck and Tara's shoulders raised up and down in silent laughter.

-

As she was still feeling a little buzzed, Alex pulled into the parking lot of Fangtasia. She stayed put for a moment, thinking if that was really what she wanted to do for the rest of the night. But then she remembered she wanted to talk with Eric. Finally, she sighed grabbing her cash and ID. "I think I might regret this."

Plus, meeting the vampire who sat on the throne wasn't enough for her. Alex wanted to know him, she was very inquisitive of him. Why does he sit on a throne? Why is he so charming? Why was he so worried about her?

Alex shut her car door and looked down, her outfit was reasonable. Black shirt, blue jeans, and black pumps, all topped off with a white leather jacket. She strutted slowly up to the entrance, this time Pam wasn't outside. Instead it was a buff, bodyguard looking man. He let her in with a quick peek at her ID. She smirked, walking into the bar for a second time.

"Well, well, well, Alexandra, what a surprise." Pam was in front of her in an instant and she jumped back a step. Alex had a smile on her face as she looked up at the woman, seeing she had straight hair that framed her face and a black leather dress on.

"Well, since I had nothing better to do than come to a vampire bar, here I am." She joked making Pam's eyebrows raise at the use of her sarcasm. Her frown twitched into a slight smirk. Most people didn't come to a vampire bar to crack jokes at the dead. Seeing Pam's reaction had made Alex slightly more comfortable.

"Consider it your lucky night. Your drinks have already been covered. If you want to thank someone, thank him." Pam slid out of the way, pointing at Mr. Northman, who Alex had seen for the past two nights. A chill was sent down her spine as her eyes roamed his no good smirk. She pursed her lips and let her heels clack on the tiled floor as she walked over to him. Pam gladly followed behind, getting the view of Alex from the back. Her face turned into a full on grin when she glanced at Eric, wiggling her eyebrows.

"Eric, you remember our new, oh, what should we call her?" Pam paused and swallowed visibly. She glanced at the girl who was looking at her with a blank expression. Even after her first two visits she was extremely cautious to watch her mouth around the two vampires. She could risk being a smartass in front of Eric just yet.

"How about friend?" Alex raised her eyebrows searching from a sort of response from the two vampires. They both looked at each other, a glint of humor in their eyes.

"Really? A friend. After you rudely ripping away from our conversation I assumed you wouldn't dare call us friends. " Eric's hard exterior was so chilling it covered her arms in goosebumps, which she was sure they saw. She stared blankly for a few seconds, shrugging slightly at his words. Pam narrowed her eyes at Alex, scanning her up and down. She knew she had smelt something familiar, but she didn't know that it would be coming from Alexandra.

Pam turned to Eric, whispering something in another language. Alex listened closely and she was able to make out one English word: pothead. Her eyes went wide and her jaw dropped slightly, she couldn't help but give an unbelievable laugh.

"You just called me a pothead? You two are probably like 300 years old, I'm sure you've dabbled before!" Alex defended, yanking her thumbs into her belt loops. Eric bordly looked away from Pam and over to Alex who was silently cursing herself for even responding.

"Why have you come here these past few nights, Alexandra?" Eric looked her up and down. He noticed she had dressed a little more like their style and his lips twitched up. Alex tilted her head and thought about her answer. She didn't know why she felt the need to be such a smartass towards him, but it was her nature. She was fighting severely and it was killing her.

"It's Alex, no need for the formality. And I don't know." It was a lie, of course. She didn't really want to outright tell him it was because of him. And Pam. But mostly the former.

"You don't know?" Eric cocked an eyebrow up and his face dropped into a bored gaze. He leaned in, his bright blue eyes drilling holes into her own. Alex blinked and suddenly she was standing in her bedroom, along with Eric and herself. They were laying on the bed together, Eric's arms wrapped around her tightly. It was, disturbing when Alex snapped out of her gaze. She had just seen a part of her future she didn't know if she wanted to have or not.

"Uh, well this place, is crazy capturing. It just reeled me in. The rush of meeting my first vampire, which it wasn't a good meeting since you hurt my arm." Alex narrowed her eyes at the blonde in front of her. "Plus I just wanted to watch the people. The way that people who come here are looking for three things: death, sex, and well if you're me, a fun night." She took a deep breath, "You can smell the desperate souls that stroll through the door, you can almost taste the loneliness. It's just so, interesting."

"See, now I knew there was a reason I liked you." Pam purred, laying a hand on her shoulder. Eric leaned back in his chair, propping his arms on the ends of his so called 'throne'.

"A fun night? In a vampire bar? Either you're just stupid, or you're different." Eric let a chuckle rumble in his throat, and Alex didn't know whether to be offended or surprised he thought she was different.

"Well I ain't stupid, that's for sure. Although it does run in the family." She made a face, thinking about her brother Jason. "What do you mean different, Eric?" She picked up an unopened beer that Longshadow, the bartender, had brought over. She took a sip and looked at the crowd who looked a lot more interested in her.

"What are you?" Eric cocked his head and Alex looked over with a humorous smile on her face. Pam on the other hand who was extremely interested in the conversation leaned over, putting her hand under her chin for support.

"I'm a waitress? Down at Merlotte's in Bon Temps. Part time alcoholic." Alex joked, an awkward laugh spilling from her. She took another gulp of her beer and Eric grabbed it out of her hand, sitting it on the table. She flinched back, her eyes widened. He looked slavishly into her eyes and asked his question again, this time his voice was soft and slow.

Alex looked uncomfortable and pushed her glasses up, and Pam noticed she didn't fall into Eric's glamour. "I just told you." Eric shared a look with Pam and they both seemed unnerved. She knew he tried to hypnotize her again. Key word being: tried. She didn't understand why it didn't work but she had a feeling it was because she was different.

"You can't do that to me." Alex felt anger rising in her. As much as she supported vampires, the one in front of her was making it hard to even think straight. "And it's really rude that you would even try, damn it."

Pam seemed surprised, but impressed at her tiny outburst, her eyebrow cocked up slightly. Eric on the other hand, seemed amused but his temper was getting the best of him.

"Maybe you should think again before coming into my bar and speaking to me that way. May I enlighten you, vampires are very quick to lash out in anger." Eric almost growled and Alex bit her tongue, clenching her teeth to stop her from snapping back. Eric leaned over to her in his chair, making her sink down into her cushioned seat.

"Why don't you enlighten me on why I cannot do that to you?" Eric's eyes lit up and he paused, "If you'll join me in my office, we can have a very interesting conversation." Alex looked around, searching for witnesses to see if anyone heard his threat.

"I don't think that's a good idea." A nervous smile settled on her face and she glanced up at Pam who was shaking her head slightly. Alex didn't know them from Adam, and they could easily wipe her off the Bon Temps map with a snap of their fingers.

"I'm not taking you captive. I simply want to ask you a few questions and after that you may leave. You can come back or never come back, your choice." Eric explained, and Alex tilted her head slightly. She chewed on her bottom lip, watching as he stood, straightening out his jacket.

It was the first time she paid attention to how tall he really was, and all she could see was legs. His hand extended out to her and she carefully raised her hand to meet his. She almost gasped at how chillingly cold his skin was. His large hand clasped around hers, lifting her from her seated position.

Everyone's eyes were staring at her and she could feel the auras radiating from the crowd. Jealousy, envy, lust. It was a perfect mix for a cocktail.

Alex took her eyes off of her hand which was tightly bolted to his hand to look around. He led her past the 'employees only' sign into a room. His hand gently let go of hers, and she watched as he pushed the door to, shutting it completely.

"Have a seat, please." Alex followed his pointed finger to a couch near the wall, and trudged her feet over, heels clacking, plopping down on the couch. He walked behind his desk, taking a seat and propping his feet on top of paperwork.

"You seem to have an ability to withstand my glamour. I am over 1,000 years old and I have never seen anything like that in my life. So, I'll ask the question again, what are you?" Eric blankly stated, but Alex could detect a faint curiosity in his voice. He was putting on a face and she knew it all too well because she did it herself.

"1,000 years old? Okay you have definitely done more than dabble. Can you get high?" Alex snorted, reaching down in her pocket to pull out a hidden flask. Eric raised his eyebrows and clenched his jaw, annoyed with the blonde sitting before him. He watched quietly as she gulped down whatever was in the flask, and moved to a more comfortable position on the couch.

"Don't change the subject. You are obviously not human. It would explain the smell, the attention you get when walking through a room. And not to mention your unhealthy obsession with alcohol." Eric turned his nose up at the last comment he made, watching her tuck the flask back into her pocket.

Alex stared at him for a minute, clicking her tongue when she realized it wouldn't be the worse thing in the world to let him in on her secret. He was handsome, obviously a ladies man, but she had already seen where they were going to end up. Late night visits to her house, cuddling in bed. It was something that was going to happen whether she wanted it or not.

"I am human. Honestly, I don't know what I am. But I can do things." Alex studied his office, looking anywhere and everywhere but Eric. Suddenly in a flash he was in front of her, sitting in his chair. His elbows were propped on his knees and he leaned in. Alex jumped back, scooting to the edge of the couch.

"You're too smart to be so vague. Explain."

"Well, I'm kind of psychic? I guess." Alex mumbled, glancing up to the vampire who's eyes lit up, his eyebrow cocked, signaling for her to explain. "I see things in my head. With a touch or lookin' at someone, I can see their history, or I can see things that's gonna happen to them." 

Eric looked at her for a moment, scanning her face to see any signs of lying. Her heartbeat was still, no glimmer of sweat above her perfectly plucked brow, no tells at all. A smirk broke out on his face and he chuckled slightly. Alex furrowed her eyebrows and scrunched up her nose.

Why the hell is he laughing at me?

"Well, I certainly didn't expect that." Eric leaned back in his chair, and he whispered something to himself. In a flash, Pam was inside standing next to him. Alex flinched again, glaring at Eric and Pam. Some would think common courtesy would be to not speed in and scare the living daylights out of someone.

"What's wrong? Want me to take princess away?" She pouted playfully, her hands on her hips. A surge of fear ran through Alex and she took a sharp inhale, looking between the two. Eric seemed to notice and gave her a less threatening look.

"No, just stay right there." He almost whispered. He slowly moved seats, sitting right beside Alex. She was still frozen, but her eyes never left his.

"Calm down." Eric's voice was soft, enough to soothe any worries away on any other girl, but Alex had to keep her guard up. She couldn't let herself get distracted and killed. "Close your eyes." He said.

Alex glanced back at Pam who was giving her a bored stare, she let her gaze come back to Eric. She finally gave in, gently shutting her eyelids. Eric brought his hand up, slowly pushing her hair back. His cold fingers traced the edge of her jawline and Alex's guard was thrown out the window. His hand finally landed on her cheek, cupping her face gently.

"What the hell is going on?" Pam threw her hands up in a fit of annoyance. Eric simply gave her a glare, one that told her to shut up.

It took a moment for Alex's heart rate to go down, but as soon as she got calm, visions started flooding her brain. Eric with even longer hair and a young man walking through what looked to be a hotel lobby. The younger one looked to be 17, maybe 18 years old. His pale complexion clearly indicated to Alex that he was also a vampire. His black spiked hair stuck up straight, and his outfit consisted of black leather, chains, and heavy black eyeliner under his eyes. Eric, on the other hand, went for a more casual look. Sunglasses were hiding his bright blue eyes, and his hair hung down to frame his chiseled face. Blue jeans and a simple black T-shirt was all he wore.

As they walked into a crowd, of what Alex could only assume was a concert. She could hear faint voices and laughter coming from the two, and she could make out some of the words. One of those words stood out the most: Godric.

Alex snapped back opening her eyes quickly and pulling away from Eric's hand. He looked at her with urgency, trying to see if Alexandra had actually seen something.

"Who's Godric?" Alex asked nonchalantly, grabbing her flask from her jacket pocket and practically chugging down the alcohol. Eric's eyes widened and he immediately stood up, grabbing Alex by the shoulders and yanking her up. Her flask and phone were dropped to the floor, destroying her small flip phone. He used his strength to keep her pinned against the wall. His fangs dropped down and Alex was struggling underneath him, kicking and trying to push him off.

"How do you know that name?" He growled and she grunted in pain as his palms pushed her harder against the wall. Alex glanced at Pam, who was snickering behind Eric.

So much for friends.

"Goddamnit Eric! I fuckin' told you how I know that! Now let me go! What the fuck is wrong with you? Pam!" Alex yelled. "I'm not lying! I can see the past, and I saw you and Godric, I'm assuming, at a fucking concert. I'm not bullshitting you, now let me down!" She pushed against his chest, letting out a frustrated sigh when she realized she was getting nowhere.

Eric retracted his fangs, slowly releasing her from his hold, letting her feet fall back down on the ground. She immediately grabbed her flask and the pieces for her phone. 

"Next time, give me the benefit of the damn doubt. And you're buying me a new fuckin' phone!" She said before walking out of his office, passing Longshadow on her way to the exit. Alex slammed her car door, starting up her engine.

authors note
hey guys! please vote and comment, leave your love, criticism, anything below! it's an extra long chapter this week!

love mack