Bled

Part 1:

The Invitation

Blond haired, blue eyed, Sookie Stackhouse was prettier than average twenty-five year olds. Her legs were strong, her waist tiny; her bosom was substantial, and yet, she didn't get out much. It wasn't because of her looks, quite the contrary; Sookie Stackhouse was different, and not so much in a good way. Sookie was a telepath, able to read people's minds, a gift (she thought of it more as a curse) that most people feared; it was hell on dates.

Sookie had always known she'd wind up with someone equally different. His name was Bill Compton, a one hundred, thirty-seven year old vampire, new to Bon Temps, and this was the second time he'd come into Merlotte's bar, where Sookie worked as a waitress.

He took her hand, his skin pallor and cool, and Sookie smiled: this was her vampire.

She'd saved him from being drained by the Rattrays in Merlotte's parking lot on his first visit, when afterward he'd asked, "What are you," as if he'd never quite seen someone like her. And he hadn't. It wasn't everyday that a vampire met someone they couldn't glamour, couldn't will into doing their bidding. Indeed, Sookie Stackhouse was different.

Bill Compton had liked her from the beginning. His being there was just another job, true, but rarely did he find such pleasure in his work; dare say it, he was beginning to have feelings for the mortal.

He held her soft, warm, hand and stared into her eyes, blue into blue gray, and wondered what she was thinking. He was thinking that he'd have liked nothing more than to throw her down onto the table and have her right then and there, give into his animalistic nature, but that wouldn't be welcome, wouldn't be gentlemanly like. Besides, he'd wager that Sookie deserved better, had waited a long time for better, so he decided that he'd play nice…would be better.

That was how their meetings were…cool and calm. So when Bill Compton barged through Sookie's door unannounced, catching Sam Merlotte's mouth on hers, Sookie was enraged. He'd left her when she needed him most, and now came busting through her door like a jealous madman…mad vampire, and she made it clear that she wasn't amused, wasn't grateful, even, that he'd come back now. She took back her invitation, forcing him to leave her home, and slammed the door in his face. She'd left Sam standing alone in her living room; she was hurt and confused.

Bill Compton, the vampire, her boyfriend, who'd left her. Sam Merlotte, the shape shifter who loved her. A killer, after her, still on the loose, and her mind racing with a million thoughts, and yet, none, all at the same time.

Sookie closed her eyes.