One More Night [Eric Northman]

01: Goodbyes and Hello's

"Damn you," I curse viscously at my unkempt hair, "Why can't you just lay straight like all the pretty women in those fucking magazines? Ugh,"! I brought my palm up to my face pressing it gently against my forehead. Leaning against my bathroom sink I felt the cool marble under my finger tips. "Whatever," I finally mumbled after a few moments of regaining my composure. I grab my favorite ponytail holder and toss my hair up in a messy bun.

Today was my first day of what I call a 'vacation'. Of course I'll still be working but I'll be out and about away from my plain apartment that I call home. I'm cooped up usually in it and it's driving me to the brink of insanity. Being in the apartment for nine hours a day, six days a week will take a toll on someone's stability. Fuck being a grown-up. I stick my tongue out at the thought and head down the last flight of stairs.

"Last step," I exclaim as I hop over it. I've done the ritual ever since I moved into the Blackwood Apartments. It's owned by an older gentleman that I call "Pap". He's almost like a father; he always is looking out for me.

"Good morning, Ms. Morre. I hope you have a safe trip! I'll be looking forward to your return. Please be safe, I'd hate for something to happen to you," Mr. Valentine, or Pap, calls out from his desk. He's smiling kindly at me causing the wrinkles around his eyes to move up.

"Thank you! I'll bring you something back," I waved my arm as I exited the building. I faintly heard the door closing behind me as I trotted down the steps and towards my 2009 Honda Civic. She's a real beauty; her read luster-lack appearance and her ability to almost never run out of gas because she's so gas efficient. God I love this car!

I clambered into my pride and joy and turn her on. Her engine roars to life and I put her into gear; Bon Temps here I come! I am supposed to meet with a client before I set out to New Orleans to help rebuild some of the neighborhoods that have yet to be completed.

I pull onto the highway and smirk to myself. This should be a load of fun; never has a client requested that I come to their town to meet with them in person. With my website coding they prefer to just send me an email or discuss everything over the phone.

Few hours later and a dusk's light faded into dark I finally arrive to a turn off that states in big bolded letters "Welcome to Bon Temps!" Population: fifty-four, I joke to myself. I drive down the road and finally turn off onto a dirt road. This better be the way to the address I was given, or I'll have to turn all the way around and retrace my steps and that is a pain in the ass.

My client has offered me a place to stay for a couple of nights while we discuss business. He called me last Saturday and we had made arrangements. I'm taking a big risk going to a stranger's home but I figure if he gives me the creeps I'll just head back to my car and drive off and not think twice about him.

After ten minutes of driving I come across the address given. Thank God! It was a huge Victorian home right next to a cemetery. I glance at the clock; 9:34. Shit! I hope it's not to late!

I cautiously shut my car door, the car still running just in case no one answers the door, and I make my way to the front entrance of the house. From the looks of it there is no one home. No lights are on and there is no noise coming from inside the house. God, now I have to knock.

Gingerly raising my arm I ball my hand into a fist and pound against the wood door. I take a step back and nervously glance around me, hoping someone will answer the door. After a minute or two of waiting I awkwardly trek back towards my car, kicking my ass mentally for loosing track of time.

"May I help you," a thick country accent startles me, causing a mini heart-attack to erupt into my chest. I didn't even here him coming up behind me! Spinning around on my heels I face the owner of the voice. "I hadn't meant to startle you Mrs.-,"

I put on a pleasant smile and walked closer to the man standing in front of me. He must be my client! Yes! He's not away or asleep! "Mr. Compton! What a pleasure it is to meet you! I'm Shelby Morre," I stick my hand out for him to shake; "I'm the website designer you contacted. I should have phoned you earlier to let you know I'd be getting here a little later than expected," he puts his hand gently into mine.

I take in his appearance: Dark, Brooding, Brown-hair, Pale skin; definitely a vampire. Maybe I should ask instead of assuming...

"You're a vampire," my question comes off more as a statement. I hope he doesn't find that rude! Mr. Compton chuckles at my bluntness and releasing my hand, dropping his to his side.

"You can call me Bill and yes, I am in fact a vampire," he smiles and glances back at the house causing me to notice a blonde woman about my age standing on the porch observing us in curiosity.

"Oh," I gasp, "I hope I hadn't interrupted anything! I could come back tomorrow-,"

"No need, Shelby-can I call you that," I nod and he continues, "I have invited you to stay with me in my home. Please, come on in," he once again smiles and leads us back to the porch where the blonde woman patiently awaits for us.

"I'm Sookie Stackhouse. Pleasured to meetcha! I'm Bill's girlfriend," she smiles brightly and glances at Bill with a gaze full of lust and love. I stick my hand out to her and she shakes me, turning her attention back at me.

"I'm Shelby Morre, Mrs. Stackhouse. I'm here on account that Bill wants to start a website and needs assistance coding and designing. Are you vampire like him," The question made Sookie laugh very hard.

"No Ma'am; Farthest thing from it. Please call me Sookie."