Lost In The Land Of The Living |

Rating: R (for now, may change later)

Synopsis: Bill and Sookie are callled to Washington D.C. by Nan for help
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Chapter One:

Sitting in the living room of Sookie's house, flipping the channels on her television, may not seem a very productive way to spend my night, but I need a break from Jessica. She has been keeping to the house lately ever since Sookie introduced her to Hoyt and Hoyt agreed to allow Jessica to practice her glamour techniques on him. Hoyt is a nice guy, don't get me wrong, but he is a bit of a naive soul and Jessica acts like a giggly school girl around him. I am just hoping that I won't have to step in and stop something awful when Jessica gets bored with him. She seems to finally have control over her hunger, although I have to keep her away from Sookie because Sookie's blood is just to much of a temptation for her, and her other skills are coming along nicely. Glamour, however, doesn't really seem to be her strong suit. I know that it takes a lot out of Jessica, and I have seen the evidence on Hoyt's neck on occasion.

I also want to be here when Sookie sees the "gift" that Omar has left for her. A few months ago, Sookie helped Omar find out who stole a precious family jewel from him, and he has not been able to stop "thanking" her for it. Sookie agreed to go down to Miami and help Omar in his quest to recover the jewel. The jewel is a 28 carat diamond that had been in Omar's family for centuries. The monetary value of the diamond is in the millions, but for Omar, it is the only thing that he kept from his human life and it is very dear to him. It turns out that the boyfriend of one of Omar's employee's was the thief, and as are Sookie's rules, the police were called and the young man is currently in prison serving a 12 year sentence. I "convinced" the young man to turn him self in and to confess to the crime. I just "explained" to him that he would be safer in prison than on the street, where Omar could get to him. Of course I used a bit of glamour on him to get him to agree, but Sookie doesn't need to know about that part. Omar got his jewel back, and he has been gifting Sookie with things ever since. Besides the payment for her services, he gave her a bonus, sent her a fur coat, what she would do with one is beyond me, and now has given her this latest present. Sookie accepted the money, and returned the coat. What she is going to do with this gift is any ones guess. I want her to keep this one.

I hear her decrepid excuse for a car rumble up the drive from the parish road to her home. I know that she knows that I am here, as I can feel the excitement of seeing me begin to build in her. She is also tired, and a bit irritated with someone. I will have to ask her about that, later. . . much later. I go to the door as Sookie is half running, half bouncing up the stairs to see me. She jumps into my arms and grabs my neck. I kiss her hard, and she returns the motion. She finally breaks from me. "I have been thinking of that all day.", she says to me. "You don't know the day that I have had.", she finally drops her legs from around my waist, but I still hold her up so that I am looking straight into her eyes.

"And I want you to tell me, but there is something that I have to show you first.", I tell her. Curiosity creeps into her face. "It is another present from Omar.".

"Not another one. Oh my god! All I did for him was find a stupid diamond. It's not like I saved his life.", after a pause, she continues. "Okay, what is it?", I knew that she would be curious to find out.

"It's around back. It was delivered while you were working.", I have to admit I am excited about her reaction to it. We head through the house out to the back yard where Sookie's rarely used garage, and a small storage shed are. There, in the middle of the yard is a brand new silver Toyota Yaris, complete with a big red bow on top. I pull an envelope from my back pocket and give it to Sookie, who is standing completely motionless, her mouth wide open, and her eyes wide. She barely acknowledges me as I try to put the envelope into her hand. "Here, it comes with this.", I tell her as my words finally sink in.

"It's mine?", she says, almost inaudible. "He gave me a car?". I say nothing as she opens the envelope. Sookie is still dazed as she begins to read the letter inside. "My dear Miss Stackhouse, after talking to Mr. Compton about you returning the coat that I gave you, he said that you would have no use for it, I have decided that this may be a more appropriate gift for you. Included with it is registration paid for 5 years and lifetime maintenance on the car. I hope that you see fit to accept this gift from me for my eternal gratitude to you for your assistance in returning my property. Forever in your service, Omar.", she looks up again at the car, and then to me. "It's too much.", she says.

"Keep this one Sookie. You need the car, and if you return this, who knows what he will send over next?", I tell her. I omit that I casually mentioned to Omar, when I returned the coat, that Sookie's car is a piece of crap, and that since Omar owns several car dealerships, that maybe a car, not a real fancy one because Sookie wouldn't like it, would be a better gift than a floor length $300,000.00 fur coat.

"But I really didn't do anything.", she says, still dazed.

I come up from behind her and wrap her in my arms. "You deserve this. Omar would have never suspected that boy if you hadn't read the young girls mind and realized that she had over heard him talking to someone about stealing the diamond.", I tell her. "You helped get the diamond back, and you helped the police find a thief that had stolen other people's property. And for that you deserve this, and much more.", the last part I said softly into her ear, with my tongue circling the lobe.

"Well, my car is old.", she says, grabbing around me resting her hands on my ass, and rubbing it.

"It's a crap box. And it is always breaking down on you.", I whisper, my tongue continuing the journey along her neck. I am trying desperately to keep my fangs from extending.

Sookie turns herself around, so that she is facing me. She grabs the back of my head and brings it down, a bit forcefully, on her mouth. We kiss passionately and lovingly. I feel something rumble in my pant, and it is not my penis. My phone is vibrating.

"Don't.", she gasps.

"I have to.", I answer, as I pull slightly away and reach into my pants for my phone. I see that it is Nan. The head of The Elders Council. "Yes, Nan.", I say as I answer the phone.

"Bill, you and Sookie must come to D.C. right away. I have sent a plane to pick you up. Arrangements have been made for you and Jessica to travel. A car will be there in 3 hours for you.", Nan flatly stated. There will be no arguments, her tone of voice ensured that. Then the line went dead.

"You are going to have to wait to test out your new car. We are ordered to D.C.". I say, the conversation with Nan was like a bucket of cold water on me.

"When?", Sookie asks, frustration filling her voice.

"3 hours.", I say.

"But it's almost 4 hours until dawn.", Sookie says nervously.

"Nan has made arrangements. And Jessica is coming.", I tell her, "She left no room for arguments, Sookie. We have to go.".

"I know, I just don't like it. Being at their beck and call.", she sounded a bit defeated. "I'll go upstairs and pack. And I will have to call Sam.", she says as she heads upstairs to her room. About half way she turns around, "You know Sam and I were arguing about this tonight. He said that I am a slave to the Vamp community. And I defended you. Now I am thinking that he may be right.".

"You are not a slave, you are just a very important employee who's services are in high demand. Don't forget you get paid very well for your services.", I wish I hadn't said the last part.

"At least at the bar, I don't have to worry about getting killed by some Vamp who doesn't want me to find out his secret.", she retorts angrily.

"I am sorry, you're right. Vampires have been taking up too much of your time lately. After this, I will ask Nan about giving you a break.", I say, trying to defuse the situation.

"There is only one Vampire that I want to spend time with, as you know.", Sookie says, pointedly. "But if this the cost of doing business with Vamps, then. . . ", she trails off and head upstairs to pack. "I'll be ready by the time we need to leave. Just swing around and pick me up.", she yells from up stairs. "It's going to take you sometime to get Jessica "unattached" from Hoyt. At least from what I saw when I went to your house first.", her statement couldn't have been more clear. Jessica and Hoyt are just not practicing glamouring techniques. I bolt out of her house and dash across the cemetery that separates our two properties.

I run up the stairs of my home and push open the door. On the couch, in almost a state of undress is Jessica and Hoyt. Hoyt's pants are around his ankles and he is laying on top of her. I stand very still as I see Jessica's mouth on Hoyt's neck, and Hoyt about to orgasm. Surprisingly I don't feel anger. I am actually happy to see this.

Hoyt gasps for air as he reaches his completion and Jessica withdraws her fangs as she reaches hers. Hoyt takes several breaths as he tries to regain control of himself. Jessica pulls herself up and kisses him. Both of them are unaware of my presence. I clear my throat and chuckle softly to myself as they realize they are no longer alone. While Hoyt looks embarrassed, Jessica is shooting daggers at me.

"Get the fuck out.", Jessica screams at me.

I stand firm and stare down at her. "Get yourself ready, young lady. You and I are going on a trip. I am sorry Hoyt, but Jessica and I will be gone for a few days.".

"No uh, no problem, sir.", Hoyt says to me, but remains motionless. "Um, sir, could you please give us a moment.", the realization of what he is asking hits me. He is still inside her.

Without a word, I turn my back and head upstairs to pack. I hear Jessica say. "Damn it.".

I have packed quite a bit, by the time Jessica comes barging into my bedroom. "Where in the fuck are we gong?", she asks, actually demands.

"Nan has ordered us to Washington. Go and pack, she has made the proper arrangements for you and I.", I tell her not stopping my packing. "And I am sorry. I didn't expect to see that when I came in.".

"And what did you expect to see? Did you think I was draining him, or something?", she expression and her stance we straight and emotionless.

"Quite frankly yes. I thought you were.", I tell her, "But I am happy to see that you weren't. Now go and pack.".

"I like him a lot, you know.", she says as she is leaving. At the door, she stops and turns, "Why does she want us in D.C.?".

"You can ask her when we get there. But I think it's Sookie that she wants. I am her protection, and you are. . . my responsibility. All I know is that she is sending a plane and all 3 of us are to be on it. Now stop stalling, pack.". And with that, Jessica turns on her heals and huffs out the door to her bedroom.

Jessica asked a good question. What does Nan want with us in D.C.. I guess we will find out soon enough.

Chapter Two:

The limo arrived exactly on time, however, Jessica, forever being a teenaged girl, was not quite ready. The driver has already picked up Sookie, and she is waiting impaitently in the back seat of the car. "How much luggage does a dead girl have?" I heard her mumble under her breath as the minutes began ticking away. Two suit cases, a carry on and a large purse, apparently is the answer to that question.

Jessica finally gets herself down stairs as a long cargo van begins pulling up my driveway. Sookie gets the limo, Jessica and I get the van. Inside the van are the latest in Vampire traveling coffins, pattened by yours truly. They have some new features that older coffins don't, and have become quite popular amongst many Vampires. The first new feature is a new locking system from the inside. The older models had locking from the outside and Vampires had to trust that no one would open them during their rest. The second improvement comes from the fact that during our rest, Vampires are vunerable to many outside elements, such as fire. So the new coffins are made of a fireproof steel, the same type as fireproof safes are made of. I actually got the idea from the unforunate deaths of three friends of mine, by fire.

"Are we ready?", Sookie says impaitently. I can tell her frustration is mounting.

"Take Miss Stakehouse to the plane, we will be right behind.", I tell the driver of the limo. He bows, and goes to shut Sookie's door. "Don't worry. I am right behind you.", I say to Sookie, as I lean in to give her one final kiss before I am locked in my coffin. "See you in D.C.", I tell her as her door is shut.

"Well if you want to get there, don't you think we should get going?", Jessica says, a tinge of sarcasm in her voice.

"Don't start.", I say to her as she gets into her coffin. I hear the inside locking mechanism shut, and then proceed into my coffin. The interior is quite comfortable. Egyptian cotton, instead of satin, which can be a little irritating on the skin, and a big fluffy pillow at the head. I close the lid and lock the double bolts into place. As soon as the second bolt closes I hear the van door shut and then a small jossle of the van. The engine roars to life, and then Jessica and I are on our way to the Shreveport Airport, where Nan's personal private jet is waiting for us.