Look Before You Leap [True Blood]

11: Identity Crisis

"Alcide stop growling!" Sookie said.

"Put up your fangs, Eric!" I said at the same time.

Eric gasped in pain. "Sookie hand me the blanket!" She handed it to me.

I waded into the water. "Come here."

"Lily it hurts," He said.

"I know." I wrapped him in the blanket.

"I don't want to go back."

"Go on I'll be there in a second."

He looked at me sadly before running.

Sookie and I reached the house right behind Alcide. "I'll go down," I said.

I climbed down the ladder.

"You need to go to sleep," I said.

"I don't want to."

"You got burned up you need your rest," I pushed him back. He sat back up.

"Nope."

"If you stay up you'll get the bleeds."

"I know."

"Then you can clean them up, because I sure won't."

He stared at me.

"Fine, do what you want. I've got to go."

I climbed back up.

"She sure has gotten a lot more comfortable being around supes since last year," Alcide said.

"It's a recent development," Sookie said.

"I can hear you two talking about me," I said when I reached the top.

Sookie motioned us outside.

"Are you two crazy?" Alcide asked.

"You saw it for yourself, Eric isn't the same," I said.

"But he's still a killer. Eric is and always be Eric," Alcide said.

"And Debbie Pelt is still Debbie Pelt. She tried to kill Sookie and Rachel, she's a reformed V-addict and she's living in your house. Do you see either of us judging you?" I asked.

"Your sister didn't really leave me with a choice," Alcide said.

I scoffed. "No. You are not blaming this on Rachel. Just because Rachel left your sorry ass doesn't mean you had to go back to your psycho ex-girlfriend."

"Both of you stop!" Sookie said.

"I just don't want to see you hurt," I said finally.

"That's the same thing I'm saying about you."

"Alright fine," I said.

We looked at each other intensely daring the other one to make a remark.

He smiled. "Come here."

I hugged him.

"I'm sorry I said that about Eric and your sister."

"I'm sorry I said that about Debbie," I said grudgingly. "Are we still friends?"

He nodded like he was weighing his options. I poked him. He laughed. "Friends."

"I'll talk to you later," I promised.

"See you soon." He walked off to his truck.

OoOoO

That night I went down into Eric's cubby to check on him.