A/N: To Wish Impossible Things is the first sequel to An End Has A Start, which you can find on MoxieMo's profile and also on her blog at moxiemosvmfanfic(dot)wordpress(dot)com.

Sookie tries to get back into a normal routine and resolves to spend the holidays with what family she has left, but is quickly drawn back into vampire drama when she finds Eric alone, confused, and covered in blood. Once she learns that he has no idea what happened, the race is on to help him recover his memories before whoever attacked him comes back.

Hoyt and Jessica enjoy their blooming romance, but Maxine Fortenberry hasn't given up on saving her son. Pam, snarky as ever, starts off in a bind. Bill fills his empty hours with an unusual visitor. Meanwhile, Queen Sophie Ann hasn't forgotten about Sookie. All the familiar faces are back, along with several new ones in Sookie's latest adventure.

Reader Discretion: There is a brief episode of sexual violence near the end of this chapter. It's not graphic (think PG-13) and everything that's going to happen has already happened when we get there but if you're sensitive to this kind of material, be advised.

If Not For You

My eyes snapped open as I felt the last rays of sunlight disappear. Beside me, Jessica was still at rest. She would not rise for another half hour or so, for which I was thankful as it meant no "morning" battles for the bathroom.

By the time I made my way downstairs Jessica had risen and dressed in her Merlotte's uniform. "Good evening Jessica," I said with a smile.

"Oh, hey Bill." She had tied back her long red hair and was topping it with a teal band that brought out the deep blue of her eyes.

"You are working tonight?" I inquired.

"Of course." She gestured to her clothing.

"Is Hoyt picking you up?" They'd had some adjustments to make after Dallas, I'd heard, but their relationship seemed to be back on track, even though I didn't think his mother approved of the match. I hoped that having a steady young man like him around would have a calming effect on her and keep her away from the darker side of vampirism.

"No. No, he's busy tonight," she lamented. "Actually, I was kinda hoping you might let me borrow your car?" she said, turning to look at me hopefully.

"I cannot—but I would be happy to drive you," I assured her with another smile. I was glad that Sam had hired her. It was important to me that she find a place in our world and gain some comfort with her new life. Working at Merlotte's was a small step in that direction. Though I hadn't planned to make a child and Jessica and I had gotten off to a rocky start, I was determined to turn things around between us and be a proper maker

"Shall we?" I opened the front door and waved her through.

We were on the parish road in no time, and a glance at the Stackhouse property revealed that Sookie was not at home. Perhaps I would see her at Merlotte's, which made me glad I had agreed to chauffeur Jessica. I wanted her to learn independence, but I also wanted an excuse to run into Sookie.

"Are you enjoying your work?" I asked Jessica.

"No. Not really," she said glumly. "Sam won't let me do anything but hostess, and Arlene hates me."

Though her inflection only indicated blithe annoyance, I could see the hurt in her eyes and feel it in her blood. Arlene, who disliked vampires, was always curt, if not downright rude to me, and Jessica probably received no better treatment.

"Arlene has an unnatural fear of our kind," I said gently. "I hope she is not mistreating you."

"No," she said tentatively. "It's just that I try so hard to be nice to her and she won't even look me in the eye. And I won the New Year's lottery, so now she's going to be even nastier."

"A lottery? You mean a prize draw?"

"For New Year's," Jessica cheered up at this. "No one wanted to work on New Year's Eve, so we all decided that the fairest way to settle it was to draw for the night off. And I won!" Her eyes were sparkling now. "Arlene looked like she swallowed a whole pickle," she added, giggling. I couldn't help but smile as well.

"Well, congratulations! What will you do with your night off?"

"Hoyt and I are going to Fangtasia's New Year's party," she said excitedly. "It's going to be so cool. I can't wait!" Seeing my frown, she added, "I have to put in some face time there anyway so I thought, why not kill two birds with one stone?"

"Jessica," I said, swerving to avoid a deer that had ventured into the road, "I am not sure that taking Hoyt to Fangtasia is a good idea."

She looked at me, astonished. "Why not? It's going to be a great party, and Hoyt's never been there."

"Jessica, Hoyt knows nothing of our kind except me and you. He will not know how to conduct himself. Taking him there would be very dangerous … for him."

As we passed through Bon Temps Main Street, several citizens were out strolling and chatting, perhaps finishing up their Christmas shopping. A few waved as we passed by. Others deliberately turned away.

"Eric told me you took Sookie to Fangtasia, so it can't be that dangerous," Jessica argued.

"What exactly did Eric say to you about Sookie?" I asked her.

"He said that's how he met her. You did take her there, right?"

"Yes," I replied grimly. "It was our first date." And how I wished we had not gone there. Ever. Letting Eric Northman set eyes on Sookie Stackhouse had been a huge mistake. His interest in Sookie was more troubling to me than the state of our relationship. Even if I could never earn back her trust, I couldn't stand the thought of Eric using her as he did other women. Sookie deserved so much better than that.

"You took her to Fangtasia for your first date?" Jessica asked with obvious disapproval.

"Jessica, I didn't plan it that way," I said. Jessica looked doubtful, so I explained.

"It didn't start out as a date. Sookie insisted on going there. Police were questioning her brother about two murdered women he'd been with. Both women had also been with vampires and Sookie believed that if they'd been seen at Fangtasia, it might help clear her brother's name." It hadn't been enough, but Sookie refused to give up and had eventually found the killer. She was quite the sleuth, but her detective work had nearly cost her life.

"Wait, she wanted to question vampires about humans? At Fangtasia? What was she thinking?"

"She wasn't thinking," I couldn't help the disapproval in my voice. "When Sookie wants something she can be quite headstrong. I could see she was determined, so I agreed to escort her. For her own safety."

"That doesn't sound like much of a date." Jessica was clearly not impressed with my courting skills.

"As a date, it was a complete disaster," I acknowledged. "But it was the first time we went out together." Sookie had looked beautiful that night. That red and white dress; her golden hair and innocent smile...

"Well, where did you go on your second date?" Jessica's question interrupted my reverie.

"Well … that was Fangtasia as well," I admitted reluctantly, and Jessica rolled her eyes.

"It wasn't supposed to be," I hastened to add. "But Eric summoned us so he could use Sookie's gift. And then Longshadow attacked Sookie, and we never did go anywhere else that night."

I regretted my explanation immediately, because prompted both of us to recall what the events of that evening had precipitated. Our eyes met for just the briefest of moments and I realized she didn't blame me, or Sookie, for her turning, and she realized I didn't resent that I was now responsible for her. There was a brief second of discomfort as we both realized that we had shared a moment, but I figured all father-daughter relationships have those. Jessica quickly changed the subject.

"Well, I'm sure Hoyt will be fine," Jessica said. "He has no problem with us. He even…" My baby vampire suddenly looked quite uncomfortable.

"He … well …" If she could have blushed, I believe she would have. "He … he lets me feed on him sometimes." The words burst out in a rush of embarrassment.

"Really?" It was my turn for some gentle scorn. "And how does Mrs. Fortenberry feel about that?"

Jessica squared her shoulders and said, "Hoyt says that his mama doesn't own him and he will live his life on his own terms." She nodded, as if to confirm that.

"I hope he does," I said. "But don't underestimate Maxine." If her determination attend the maenad Maryann's "party" had been any indication, she wasn't one to give up easily.

"Well, he won't let me heal the bite marks, but she hasn't made any fuss over them." Jessica paused, then added hopefully, "I think she might be coming around."

"I hope that's true," I replied as we pulled into Merlotte's parking lot. "Do you mind if I come in with you?"

"No. 'Course not," she said. "Just don't get Sookie riled up. She doesn't want you airing your personal business in public. She'll talk to you when she's good and ready, and you leave her alone until then." I tried not to smile. She sounded more like Sookie than she knew.

Except for some loud whooping around the pool table, conversation stopped briefly as we entered. After a moment it resumed, the low buzz of gossip and the click of billiard balls melding with some boozy bantering and the twang of country music.

"Bill. Jessica." Sam nodded as he hurried past.

"Vampire Bill," Andy Bellefleur's greeting was warm. He was drinking sweet tea tonight, I saw. Sobriety suited him.

"Y'all need to settle down back here, else you're gonna have to leave," Sam was yelling at several drunk and scruffy-looking rednecks who were clustered around the pool table. "Now I ain't gonna warn you again!"

I sat down in a booth as Jessica took up her hostess station. The bell jingled, and I heard her say "Hi there, welcome to Merlotte's" as Arlene huffed up to my table looking offended.

"What you want?" she asked in a snippy voice.

"I'll have a bottle of O-negative," I said pleasantly.

She came right back with my blood, set it down with a thump, and hurried away without a word. I suspected it would be cold (again) ... and it was. I sighed and turned to call her back. She'd gone to the bar and was now saying something to Sookie, who glanced my way but did not acknowledge me, prompting another sigh. Sookie and I used to be so close. Now, she wouldn't even speak to me, though I would give anything to have her in my arms again.

I couldn't deny that I'd initially come to Bon Temps to lay a trap for Sookie, but in the end it was she that had captured me. She'd turned my existence inside out, and in the space of a few nights I had gone from hunting to courting; from procuring to protecting.

How quickly I'd lost it all. Though I loved her deeply for her own sake, I loved her even more because she'd awakened the dormant vestiges of humanity I thought Lorena had extinguished forever.

But Sookie no longer trusted me because I had not been the one to tell her my original reason for returning to Bon Temps. And now she feared me as well, because of the incident at Infinity. She'd saved me from Lorena's torture but had not been able to save herself from me. I hoped that one day she would understand how powerless and desperate I had been in that moment, and find it in her heart to forgive me.

"Mind if I join you?" Andy Bellefleur's gravelly voice broke into my thoughts.

"Please," I gestured at the seat, glad for the company. Unlike Bud Dearborn, the stocky Bellefleur had always been friendly to me.

"What brings you to Merlotte's?" he asked.

"I drove Jessica here and decided to stay for a drink," I said, nodding to where she and the busboy were deep in conversation.

"She's fitting in real good around here," Andy observed.

"I am glad to hear that."

"Almost Christmas," Andy remarked. "What are you … I mean, do your … people celebrate the holidays?"

"Some do. Some don't," I replied. "It depends on how old the vampire is and what culture they are from."

"Well, you're American, so I guess you celebrate then," he replied, sounding pleased to have 'detected' this.

Draining the last of his tea, Bellefleur waved Arlene over for a refill. When she picked up his glass, I handed her my bottle of blood and asked politely, "Miss Fowler, would you do me the kindness of warming this? It seems to have gone cold." She snatched it from me with a glare and hurried away.

"During my human life, Christmas was not the spectacle it is today," I told my companion. "Our celebrations were small and homespun, and much less prolonged than yours. And of course during the war, we did not celebrate at all."

"Right," Bellefleur said. "What about now – anything special in the works?"

"No, not really," I replied. "I have a guest coming to stay with me for a few days. As I don't know exactly when he will arrive, I've made no definite plans."

"Company for Christmas. That's always nice, if they don't stay too long," Andy said, in a way that suggested some unfortunate memories.

"Not exactly for Christmas," I corrected him. "My guest is Guatemalan and very old. Christmas is not a part of his cultural heritage."

Arlene returned with our drinks, set them down and retreated quickly. I sipped mine—it was warm this time. Much better. I was hungry and drank most of it immediately as Bellefleur watched in fascination.

"Guatemala? Where's that exactly?" he asked, once I'd set the bottle down. Andy was a man who had not seen much of the world.

"In Central America, south of Mexico," I explained. "I went there a few months ago to visit the Mayan ruins." He raised his eyebrows at this, so I added, "I have always enjoyed history."

"Right." The brows came down. "Central America—that would be part of Latin America?" I nodded. "Aren't they mostly Catholic?"

"Since the Spanish Conquest, yes," I replied, waiting to see what he would make of this.

He frowned. "Are you telling me that your friend is more than 500 years old?" His gruff voice was skeptical, but his face held a mixture of curiosity and awe.

"He is, yes," I said dryly. The lawman was a bit taken aback.

"Well I guess he must have quite a history to talk about then," he offered gamely. I was about to agree when the door opened, and Pamela swept in.

She stopped just inside, and scanned the room, a hand on one hip. Conversations paused again as the good people of Bon Temps scrutinized this exotic visitor.

Pam, who was not dressed for small town America, wore a strapless, blood-red silk corset and tight black vinyl pencil skirt. A wide choker of sparkling black beads accentuated her pale throat and echoed the shine of her patent leather pumps, whose five-inch heels and bright red soles were the subject of quite a few envious glances. Some of the men in Merlotte's elbowed each other and grinned. Even Bellefleur looked impressed.

"Hey blondie," one of the pool-players yelled. "Whatever you're lookin' for, we got it right here."

Another hollered, "Loose women tightened here—come an' get it!"

"Yeah baby, we got somethin' special for ya," a third joined in. "Show us your tits!"

She gave them a withering glance. "Isn't it a school night?"

Some of the other patrons laughed at this, and a few of the drunken faces flushed a dull red.

"Hooo-eee, she got you Boyd!" One of the men punched another on the arm, sending him reeling. Another wobbled unsteadily and was about to speak when someone grabbed him by his over-sized belt buckle and yanked him sideways.

"Hey!" he protested, then abruptly released a loud belch, causing the whole group to laugh uproariously.

"Alright fellas, that's enough," Sam called. "Time for you boys to head on home."

The men groaned in protest. "Aw, come on Sam," one argued.

"Blondie there ain't mad, are ya sweetheart?" Pam just raised one eyebrow sardonically.

"We's just havin' a little fun," another protested.

"Well you had your fun, now it's time for y'all to leave," Sam insisted. "Don't make me come down there." I imagined Sam was more worried about what Pam would do if the rednecks continued to taunt her than he was worried about her feelings being hurt. And rightly so. I'd seen Pam mop the floor with fangbangers who crossed the line at Fangtasia.

Still grumbling, the men tossed back the last of their drinks, laid down their pool cues and shuffled out the side door.

"Ta ta," Pam said with a smirk. Turning to me, she said, "Bill. Who's your friend?"

"Pam. This is Andy Bellefleur, Sheriff of Bon Temps."

Startled, Andy tried to stand up, but the table blocked his motion, halting him in an awkward half-erect stance. Pam looked him over briefly, then turned back to me. After a moment, Bellefleur sat down uncertainly, looking curiously from me to Pam.

"What brings you to Bon Temps? Aren't you a little out of your territory?" I asked her. Whatever Pam wanted, it was probably not good news for me.

"I'm looking for Sookie," she said, unexpectedly. "I don't suppose you know where she is?"

"She's here," I replied. "Somewhere." Avoiding me.

"Hey Pam," Jessica greeted her, menu in hand. "You here for a meal?"

"Not in a hundred years," Pam scoffed. "Where's Sookie?"

"I'm right here, Pam. What do you want?" Sookie had a tray full of empty glasses and was heading back to the bar. I hoped she might linger so I could enjoy her presence, but she did not. As she moved away, both Pam and Jessica trailed her.

"It's nice to see you too, Sookie," I could hear Pam saying sarcastically. "It's been such a long time. How've you been?"

"Cut the crap, Pam," Sookie snapped ungraciously. "What kind of trouble is Eric in now?" She set her tray down with a clatter, and Sam came over to dispose of the empties. Also to hover and eavesdrop, no doubt.

Pam was undeterred. "Trouble?" she asked innocently. "None that I know of. What about you?"

"None so far, but if you're here, I'm sure that's about to change." Sookie's manner was brusque. "I need two rum and cokes and a pitcher of Dixie, Sam."

"Can't a friend stop in to say hello?" Pam was being coy now, settling her long fingers on Sookie's shoulder in a suggestive fashion. I tried not to laugh. If any woman was immune to Pam's charms, it was Sookie. Bellefleur, who hadn't seen Pam's antics before, was slack-jawed. I wondered if he thought Sookie would slap Pam, or perhaps respond more favorably? If so, he was in for a disappointment. Sookie never let Pam's advances get under her skin.

"Yeah, a friend could," Sookie was saying. "But you don't." She had shrugged off Pam's hand off and was loading her tray with fresh drinks as Sam served them up. "I'm working, Pam, and from the looks of your outfit, you're supposed to be at Fangtasia. Just spit it out."

"Oh all right," Pam relented. "I came to ask if you'd take a shift at Fangtasia on New Year's Eve—we're still short staffed thanks to Waldo, and you have some experience with us." That seemed an odd request, especially given that Sookie had worked at Fangtasia only to help Eric find a killer. Something was up, and Eric was undoubtedly behind it. Always sending Pam to do his dirty work.

"You drove all the way to Bon Temps to ask me that?" Sookie was incredulous. "You should have called and saved yourself a trip. I can't work for you—I'm working here that night."

"Nonsense. Tell the shi—your boss ..." Pam glanced at Sam, who was hovering protectively, and continued, " … you need the night off. I'm sure he'll let you go. Besides, you'll get much better tips at Fangtasia." Sam bristled at that and threw down his bar towel, but Sookie waved him off. I noticed that Bellefleur was on alert, prepared to intervene if things got heated.

"No Pam, Sam won't let me go and I won't ask," Sookie said firmly. "The whole staff decided that the only fair way to schedule that night was to hold a lottery. I'm one of the ones that have to work. Sorry, can't help you."

"I'm sure I can make him see reason," Pam said, smiling widely at a glaring Sam.

"Pam!" Sookie's rebuke was so sharp that even Andy flinched a bit, but Pam, who seemed to believe that boundaries were made to be crossed, took no notice.

"What about me?" Jessica spoke up.

"What about you?" Pam inquired in a bored voice.

"Could I help? I was planning to be there anyway, for the party. I wouldn't mind helping out some, and if I get some experience as a server maybe Sam'll let me do more around here." Jessica looked hopefully from Pam to Sam, who shook his head in disgust and walked away.

I hoped Pam would say no—Fangtasia was not a healthy environment for someone so young and impressionable. Especially when that someone had a wild streak, as I was beginning to suspect Jessica did. If she did not learn to manage it wisely, it would add more grief than spice to her life, and I doubted that Fangtasia could provide many useful lessons in that regard.

Thankfully, Pam rejected her suggestion. "Sorry cupcake. I have enough servers with no experience."

Jessica started to pout, but rearranged her face after a sharp glance from Pam. "There must be something I could do," she wheedled.

"Doesn't Eric know any other any bar-owners who could lend him a few servers?" Sookie asked.

"I'll think about it," Pam said to both of them. "Thanks anyway. Don't be a stranger, Sookie. Eric misses you."

"Yeah, right," Sookie snorted, but I regretfully noticed the sudden staccato rhythm of her heart as she setting off to deliver her drinks. Pam exchanged a few more words with Jessica, then left by the front door.

Bellefleur watched her leave, then checked his watch. I finished my blood and dropped a few dollars on the table to pay for it.

"I must be on my way," I said, standing up to go. "Thank you for the company."

"Is it really true that you can live on that stuff?" he asked suddenly. I examined him for a couple of seconds then said, "I suppose that depends upon your definition of 'life'."

"What does it taste like?"

"I don't think about the taste," I said. "It's just sustenance, that's all. Goodnight Detective Bellefleur."

By the time I reached the door, Bellefleur had picked up the discarded bottle and was cautiously sniffing at the residue. I shook my head. He should thank his lucky stars, and pray that he need never learn to tolerate Tru Blood. It truly was vile and metallic, though I would never admit that to Northman.

I unlocked my car and was about to get in when the wind shifted and I caught the unmistakable tang of blood—vampire blood—in the air. I scanned the area for some hint of its source, but saw nothing. Then I heard a woman groaning faintly; the sound of gravel grating on itself, and a slurred male voice.

"Uppity bitch. We'll show you a school night. Hold 'er down Boyd. Let's see them lily white titties."

I whirled again, and found them—the roughnecks Sam had ejected from the bar were gathered around something at the edge of the parking lot. The wind shifted again and I lost the blood scent, but one of the men had moved slightly, revealing a slender leg. At the end of the leg was a highly reflective shoe. A shoe with a bright red sole.

"Get away from her!" I roared, the words out of my mouth quicker than thought. I summoned Jessica and descended on the group with a fury. Pam was not my favorite person, but I could not stand by and let them assault her.

"Cowards!" I snarled, showing fang and grabbed two by the collar. Jessica shot out of the bar. "Get them!" I ordered as three others tried to scatter. But they couldn't outrun Jessica, who plucked them off their feet before they'd gone two steps.

Then Sookie, who had never had the sense to stay away from trouble, burst outside. "What's going on? Jessica?" The she saw Pam. "Cheese and pies! What happened?"

"Get Bellefleur!" I shouted, and she spun around and ran back inside. Pam lay as still as death, bleeding sluggishly from a vicious head wound that had exposed some brain matter. Not far away, a man's belt lay coiled like a deadly snake. One end bore an unusually large and heavy buckle covered in blood. Silver. It had to be silver to do so much damage. They must have lain in wait and caught her as she left the bar. I wondered if they knew she was vampire, or if they'd just gotten extremely lucky.

"What's goin' on out here?" Sheriff Bellefleur growled.

"These … humans … disabled my …er, Pam … and were preparing to assault her," I explained.

"Shit," he said, reaching for his handcuffs. I thrust my captives in his direction, then knelt beside Pam. She was still unconscious, though her wound had healed somewhat. As I gently straightened her limbs, she groaned again and began to come around.

"Bill?" She blinked at me groggily and tried to sit up. "What are you doing? What happened?"

"You were attacked," I said quietly. She raised up on her elbows and looked around, struggling to process what I had said. The wound on her temple still hadn't closed completely, and she squinted in the bright greenish lights of Sam's parking lot.

"These morons took me out? How?"

"I believe they must have clubbed you with something silver as you stepped outside," I explained. Sookie hurried back out carrying a clean, damp cloth and an open bottle of blood.

"Pam? Are you alright?" she said, ignoring me completely.

"She will recover," I replied. Jessica had appeared at Pam's other side and placed an arm beneath her, helping her to a perch on the hood of a nearby car. Sookie followed, handing Pam the bottled blood and dabbing gingerly at her wound. I left her to the women's care and walked over to where Bellefleur had the assailants cuffed and seated on the ground.

"I got backup comin' to take these lowlifes away," he said. "Is the victim alright? Should I call an ambulance?"

"She will be fine in a few moments," I replied. "An ambulance will not be needed."

"Did you see what happened?" Andy asked, taking his notepad out.

"I did not. I was about to get into my car when I caught the scent of blood ..." I paused in case he wanted to ask about that, but he just kept writing, so I continued. "I couldn't tell where it came from, but then I saw these … mongrels. I saw Pam down on the gravel and went to help. She was unconscious and bleeding from a head wound. There is a weapon on the ground nearby," I finished.

"What kind of weapon?" Bellefleur looked up from his notes, all business.

"It appears to be a man's belt with an unusually heavy buckle. There is blood on it, so I assume they must have swung it at her." His pen scratched away furiously. "The blow they delivered would have killed a human," I added grimly.

"And the victim's full name?" His pen was poised, ready for more action.

"Pamela Swynford de Beaufort," she said behind us. "Do you need me to spell that?"

"Hey!" Sam was yelling from the Merlotte's doorway, and sounded put out. "Is anyone still workin' tonight?" Sookie and Jessica exchanged guilty glances and hurried back inside.

"Yes ma'am," Andy was saying to Pam. "I'll need your contact information too. Do you want to press charges?"

"Not necessarily," Pam drawled, dropping fang and leering at her attackers, who evidently had not realized she was vampire. She began walking along the pathetic lineup, hands on her hips.

"Maybe I'll drain them instead. I could use a refill." She swooped down on one of the men, which caused him to lean sideways and vomit. Another lost control of his bladder.

"How 'bout it, boys?" she said with truly frightening smile. "Still want to spend the night together?" A second man began to look ill, and the others were now paler than she was.

Bellefleur scrambled to her side. "Uh, I, uh ... I wouldn't recommend that, ma'am ..."

"Why not?" she purred. "My van's big enough. I could haul them back to Shreveport, save you all that tedious paperwork."

"Andy! No!" "Don't let her take us!" "We didn't mean nothing by it!" The terrified men were groveling now, begging for mercy, as if Andy might be considering that possibility. I thought it more likely that he was groping for ways to dissuade Pam.

"Well, uh," he finally said, "You probably wouldn't enjoy 'em much. They've, uh, they've had an awful lot to drink."

"We've got a holding cell. They'll sober up eventually," Pam suggested. "I'll make 'em last." There was more pleading from the row of miscreants, and the sudden ripe odor of feces.

Just then, Kevin Pryor pulled up in Bon Temps' one secure custody van. "There's no need for that, ma'am," Andy said, with relief. "Prisoner transport's already here." As soon as the loading door was opened, all five leaped up and dove inside. Bellefleur closed the door on them with a heavy thunk.

"Whoa, I ain't never seen that before!" Kevin exclaimed. "What did you do to 'em?"

"I'll tell ya later," Bellefleur growled, and Kevin drove off with the no-doubt grateful felons.

Putting on some latex gloves, Andy grabbed an evidence bag from inside his car and carefully collected the discarded belt. After sealing and labelling it, he retrieved a couple of business cards, giving one to me and one to Pam. "If you think of anything else I should know, give me a call," he said, then got into his car and drove away.

The silence that followed was awkward.

"Well," said Pam "Thanks for your help." The words seemed to stick in her throat.

"It was nothing," I replied. "You'd have recovered quickly and torn them to shreds."

"Still, you didn't have to get involved. Eric will be pleased."

"I don't care what Eric thinks, Pam. I did it for you," I said sharply.

"For me?" She asked suspiciously. "Why would you do that?"

Had no one ever done this woman a simple act of kindness? Perhaps that was why she cultivated such a callous persona. Maybe no one had ever shown her how to care.

"Because I could. Because I was there, and it was the right thing to do. That's all."

The expression on her face was priceless. She opened her mouth, but no words came out.

I said goodnight and walked away smiling. No matter how long I lived, I didn't think I would ever see Pamela Swynford de Beaufort speechless again.

Up next: Christmas brings plenty of surprises as Jason meets his match in the fairy twins; Lafayette knows how to mask a problem; Sookie faces the holidays without Gran, and a package arrives from Fangtasia.

We are so excited to be starting this new adventure with you! Thank you so much to the dozens of readers who already have us on alert - we'll do our best to keep you entertained. Get ready for lots of twists, turns, strange happenings, comedy and of course, romantic tension as our favorite characters race to unravel a mystery! We love to hear your feedback and ideas, so feel free to send a review at any time.