This Ain't Kansas Anymore. (Sam//Open)

[Brandy Berry]

Two days. It had been two days since Maryann and Derek had left Bon Temps and they really were gone. At least, that is what it felt like. Derek had surprised Brandy most of all, and as Brandy sat there on the bar stool - twirling her straw in the strawberry margarita drink - she wondered why he had such a change of heart.

Brandy sighed and took a sip of her drink before she glanced at Sam, who had been behind the counter and talking to Arlene about why she couldn't take off early for a 'hair cut'. Merlotte's was short staffed today for some reason, and a couple of locals had already asked Brandy why she didn't climb into one of those tight shirts-and-shorts set to help out.

Brandy already had her mind set on not becoming one of Sam's employees - she was his girlfriend, not an employee. Arlene, even though she had no problem with Brandy, was dead against the idea of Brandy being employed for Sam as well. So Brandy just avoided the confrontation altogether.

The door to Merlotte's had opened, and Brandy immediately heard the talking in the bar increase. This usually meant that it was a new person that had walked in - soon to be the talk of the small town. Curious, Brandy had turned around to see who it was and almost dropped her drink all over the counter.

The dark couple had come in, holding hands with pleasant smiles on their faces. One could say by looking at them they were in their late 30's to early 40's and it was definatly their first time in Bon Temps.



The man was tall, built with a solid stature but he had a nice smile. The woman had her short hair, a nice petite body, but her face said 'I am a woman, and you will treat me as such'. Both were looking at Brandy and both had walked through the bar until they were standing in front of her - and within earshot.

"Well, I do believe I am looking at the most beautiful girl these brown eyes have ever seen."

"Mmm hmm, our daughter has never looked so beautiful has she Carl?"

Brandy could barely speak, she knew her parents had plans to come to Bon Temps but they were suppose to call ahead, not just show up out of the blue! Still, Brandy sprang from her chair like a little girl at Christmas time and leapt herself in between the pair.

There were hugs of joy between the three, and a lot of voices gossiping about the trio - some were 'oh that's sweet' and others were 'I can see where Brandy got her good looks from'.

When the trio finally parted, her father had scooped his arm around Brandy's shoulders and began to look around the bar with a curious glance.

"So tell me dear, which one of these men is the one your mother told me about?"

While her father glanced around the bar, her mother had her arms crossed and was looking toward the biggest table of gossipers. She had been tapping her fingers lightly against her arms and mumbling something to herself. Within an instant the biggest gossiping table had got up, tossed some bills on the table, and made their way to the exit.

"Oh look dear, we have a table all to ourselves!"

Her mother was unusually giddy, but Brandy wasn't quite ready to put Sam on the spot yet. Instead she had steered her father toward the table that her mother was already sitting down at. Arlene had taken the opportunity to get away from Sam, and gathered up the bills left on the table.

"Oh wow, they actually left me a tip this time. And a large one, those guys never do that"

"And you really do deserve it, I know you waitresses have a lot to deal with and such a beautiful red head like you deserves a good tip"

Well, it was a little known fact that flattery would get you everywhere - especially with a woman like Arlene Fowler. Her face literally lit up as she looked at Brandy's mom in awe and quickly cleared the table for them.

"Well, bless your heart! I will be right back with your menus!"

Arlene hurried to drop off the plates and pay off the bill. The tip was around $25.00, and Arlene was walking on air. Brandy however, knew what really happened but it wasn't like she was going to argue with her own mother.

"Well, dear, I don't think our little girl is ready to introduce her man quite yet. All we have to do is look for the most handsome man in the room and we shall find the one that has stolen our little Brandy's heart"

Well, guess who ended up coming out of the kitchen right then? Her father, all proud of himself, had pointed toward the man wearing the most colorful of tops and camouflage pants -

"Now that guy is defiantly him!"

He said it loud enough so that everybody in the bar had turned to look... at Lafayette.

Brandy could of died.

[Sam Merlotte]

Sam had been arguing with Arlene about her taking some time off. She needed a "hair cut". Sam refused to budge, with everything returning to normal he needed all the hands on deck he could. At least until the refitting began and they'd all get much deserved time off.

A couple came in through the door, good looking couple at that. Scanning the bar for something...or someone.
"Well, I do believe I am looking at the most beautiful girl these brown eyes have ever seen."

"Mmm hmm, our daughter has never looked so beautiful has she Carl?"

Wait...Brandy's parents? Sam suddenly became very nervous and concerned. It's always a big deal meeting the parents of the person you're dating. One wrong word, one wrong look, one wrong anything and you're no good for there child.

Brandy sped off from the bar to greet them with a warm, loving hug. Sam looked on with a little envy, he'd never had this sort of relationship with his parents. Hell he never even knew his real parents.

"So tell me dear, which one of these men is the one your mother told me about?"
Brandy's father looked around for the likely suspect, but Brandy and her mother escorted him off to a table and Arlene left after clearing up from the previous customers with a huge grin on her beaming face. She waved the money in front of Sam's face and stuffed it into her apron.

"Now that guy is defiantly him!" Brandy's father spoke up and Sam looked around, he definetly wasn't pointing at him so who was it. Sam's eyes widened and if he was sitting he'd have fallen off his chair. Brandy's father was looking directly at Lafayette.

[Brandy Berry]

"Oh Carl, don't be silly. That man is clearly flamboyant. (and because she figured Carl wouldn't get the hint) He's gay."

Insert anime-style sweat drop on the side of Brandy's head here.

Carl looked a little stunned, withdrawing his hand back to his lap he looked around the bar, and his eyes briefly scanned over Sam. No, it wouldn't of been that one.

"When is your boyfriend coming?"

"My boyfriend is already here, papa."

This was awkward. Extremely awkward.

"Behind the bar."

The only one behind the bar was the blond-haired blue-eyed white boy. He looked older than Brandy, by at least 5 years.. and his facial hair looked like he hadn't shaved in at least 3 days. Carl expected Brandy to say she was just kidding with him, and point back to Lafayette.

"Are you trying to tell me that the blond haired-blue eyed white country boy is your lover? He is at least a.. wit - well, you know, right?"

Brandy shook her head, finding herself staring at the table as Arlene came with their menus. It was Brandy's mother that had looked up at Arlene, placing a gentle hand on her shoulder.

"Excuse me dear, can you tell me if our little girl is having relations with that man behind the bar?"

"Mother!"

Arlene looked from Brandy and then looked at Sam, and then back at Brandy's mother. Arlene smirked and nodded as she pulled out her notepad. Flattery got you everywhere after all.

"His name is Sam Merlotte and they make no secrets of their relations Maam'. Now what can I all get you this evenin?"

"Merlotte? As in he owns this bar?"

"Oh yes. He owns this place and some duplexes in town. Brandy and Sam are quite the talk of this little town"

"That's good enough, Arlene. I will take a burger and fries and another margarita."

"Well, at least he isn't a bum. Did you ask him if he had any kids or a wife in Kentucky?"

Arlene tried to stifle a laugh, she didn't do it to well. Great, give Arlene an excuse to gossip.. Brandy was going to be here all night.

"Sam? A wife and kids? Ha! Sam doesn't have good luck with women."

This of course, perked her father's interest.

"Really? Why is that?"

"Mom, what are you going to order?"

She kicked her mother lightly underneath the table, her mom shot her a glare but ordered a chicken Caesar salad and a glass of white wine.

"What are you ordering dear?"

Carl took a moment to look over a menu, and ordered a steak - well done, with mashed potatoes, gravy, and a beer. Arlene finally left and just threw Sam a cheeky grin.

"Well... are you going to introduce us or not? Might as well get this over with..."

"Oh dear, she is not going to invite him over now"

At that thought, Brandy's mother had turned around, motioning in Sam's direction - and of course she spoke so that not only he could hear, but the rest of the bar could as well.

"You, there, Brandy's latest. Come here and introduce yourself. Don't be scared, we don't bite"

"No.. you just embarrass..."

Brandy mumbled and sunk into her seat.

[Sam Merlotte]

"You, there, Brandy's latest. Come here and introduce yourself. Don't be scared, we don't bite"

The female voice carried all the way over to the bar, Sam looked up surprised. It seemed that Brandy got her bluntness from her mother. Brandy however looked mortified at the whole situation. He finished serving and made his way over. Every footstep seemed to take forever.

Sam got to the families table and put out his hand, putting on his best smile. "Hi, Sam Merlotte. It's nice to finally meet you both." Sam was as nervous. Hell who wouldn't be, but he was as polite as he possibly could be.

[Brandy Berry]

"Hi, Sam Merlotte. It's nice to finally meet you both."

Brandy's father looked at Sam's outstretched hand like it was the strangest thing he had ever seen in his life. His brown eyes didn't approve of Sam, that much was reflected in his gaze - and it was Brandy's mother that had found her hand in Sam's.

"It is nice. Very nice. I am Brandy's mother, Megan Berry, and this is Brandy's father - Carl Berry. Don't just stand there, come sit beside me"

Brandy's mother scooted over so that Sam could sit beside her. Brandy did her best to not make eye contact with Sam, she felt very sorry for him at that moment.

'Welcome to my life' she thought as she stirred her straw around the pink liquid still hovering in its glass.

"Your waitress tells us that you own this bar and a duplex. She also told us that you don't keep a girl very long, what is the reason for that? Are you yellow' boy?"

Oh god... Brandy then physically slunk down in her seat. Thankfully Megan cleared her throat and stared Carl down.

"Carl, save your interrogation for behind closed doors. This is a place of business, dear, we don't want to scare the poor man away"

Where oh where was that hole Brandy could just crawl into? Absent mindly she was looking for it as if such a thing actually existed. That meant that Sam and Brandy would be expected to join her parents for 'the talk'. If Sam still wanted to be with Brandy after this whole visit, Brandy would be very surprised.

"Fine. I just want to make sure he has the right intentions. Brandy and Derek were together for 3 years and you know how attached our little girl can get. If he decides another girl catches his fancy you know who will get hurt in the end."

"Papa, would you mind not talking about Sam like he isn't here?"

It was clear that her father had made a judgment almost instantly - and that was when Brandy found herself looking at Sam with an "I'm very sorry for this" glance. She wasn't responsible for her parent's actions, she just wished she could of .. well.. warned Sam before he actually had to meet her parents.

"Your father is just hungry, you know how grumpy he gets on an empty stomach. So tell me Sam, how long have you been here in Bon Temps? Will we be getting a chance to meet your parent's as well?"

Brandy put her hand against her forehead, she felt the world's largest headache coming down and it wasn't from the strawberry margarita.

[Sam Merlotte]

Sam felt extremely awkward as Brandy's father just stared at his hand like it had something gross on it. He knew this was going to be difficult, but this difficult?

"It is nice. Very nice. I am Brandy's mother, Megan Berry, and this is Brandy's father - Carl Berry. Don't just stand there, come sit beside me"

Sam smiled at Brandy's mother, she was at least willing to give him a chance. Sitting down beside her, he glanced over at a very embarassed looking Brandy. Then it begun again.

"Your waitress tells us that you own this bar and a duplex. She also told us that you don't keep a girl very long, what is the reason for that? Are you yellow' boy?"

"Carl, save your interrogation for behind closed doors. This is a place of business, dear, we don't want to scare the poor man away"

And so it went on back and forth, back and forth. Sam felt like the ball in a pinball machine. Being knocked all over the place not getting a chance to settle. Or in his case, answer anything.

Brandy chastised her father and gave Sam the most apologetic of looks. He gave her a small, 'its okay' smile back. It wasn't her fault they showed up unannounced and leaving them both so unprepared.

"Your father is just hungry, you know how grumpy he gets on an empty stomach. So tell me Sam, how long have you been here in Bon Temps? Will we be getting a chance to meet your parent's as well?"

Megan Berry gave Sam an interested look. Her final question chilled him to the bone. He couldn't tell them the truth, he had to exaggerate or at a push outright lie.
"I was in foster care most of my life, I never met my real parents. They may not even be alive." hopefully that was a sufficient enough answer to a very - understandibly - curious parent.

[Brandy Berry]

"I was in foster care most of my life, I never met my real parents. They may not even be alive."

Brandy's mother had given glanced over at Sam, a frown on her face.

"Oh dear, that is just terrible. I am so sorry"

Megan had put a thoughtful hand on his shoulder, Carl, for once, didn't say a word. The food had came, thankfully, and Arlene was beaming as she placed the food in front of them. She was going to ask if Sam wanted anything, but after seeing the look on his face she decided against it.

"I want a man to man talk without the ladies. Later tonight, when you and Brandy come over to the motel after supper""

Well, that was kind out of the blue, Brandy quirked her eyebrow as she shoved a fry into her mouth. Her father and Sam having a heart-to-heart? Great.. this was worse than having Derek trying to tell Sam all the 'reasons' he should break up with her.

"Carl, it isn't like he is proposing to her"

Carl scoffed, cutting into his steak. It didn't matter to him, he didn't like Sam and if he could get his daughter to break up with him then score one for him. Brandy should be with a nice boy, preferably of African descent.. or even, a witch at the very least. At the VERY least.

"Brandy."

"Yes papa?"

"Your in love with this man, aren't you?"

"Very much."

"Now, Megan, you hear that? How can you not expect me to want the very best for my little girl. I am sure, this.. Sam fellow, can respect a father's desire to protect his daughter?"

Neither women said any other word.

[Sam Merlotte]

Sam was starting to feel a little more at ease, when Megan put a comforting hand on his shoulder. She seemed very compassionate, understanding. Traits Brandy also picked up on.

"I want a man to man talk without the ladies. Later tonight, when you and Brandy come over to the motel after supper"

Good feelings gone. Just like that, with three little words. man to man Sam struggled to open his mouth to speak. Once again Brandy's mother came to his defence.

"Carl, it isn't like he is proposing to her"

Sam hadn't even contemplated marriage. At least not yet. Both of there lives were way too hectic and there was also the looming threat of Jack. What if there was no way to release Brandy from there blood bond?

Everything became a blur after that. Sam's mind was swimming, this was all too much. Why couldn't they have one day free of stress? Sam was abruptly pulled from his thoughts when Carl spoke again.

"Now, Megan, you hear that? How can you not expect me to want the very best for my little girl. I am sure, this.. Sam fellow, can respect a father's desire to protect his daughter?"

Sam looked up and right at Carl Berry. His eyes determined.
"I'd be happy to talk to you alone Mr. Berry. In fact, when you're finished eating your lunch. You're more than welcome to come into my office to discuss any misgivings you have about Brandy and I."

There...it was out in the open now. Carl would either hate Sam more or have a little bit of respect for speaking up and being a man.

[Brandy Berry]

"I'd be happy to talk to you alone Mr. Berry. In fact, when you're finished eating your lunch. You're more than welcome to come into my office to discuss any misgivings you have about Brandy and I."

Brandy dropped her fork. Not that she was using it anyway, well she had been using it instead of her fingers but she dropped it none the less. Sam was actually wanting to talk to her father, and before they ended up at the motel room for a visit?

Carl was quiet for a moment, so was Megan who seemed content on picking through her salad. Megan particularly liked the cherry red tomatoes. He looked at Sam for a moment before he dived into his mashed potatoes and let that thought linger in his mind.

"Then we will do just that. After I finish this lunch, my compliments to your cook"

"Excuse me for just a moment, papa."

Brandy eased passed her father who had moved from the table with his fork still in his mouth. When he returned to his seat, Brandy had reached thoughtfully for Sam's shoulder.

"Can I talk to you for a minute Sam?"

Brandy wasn't really waiting for an answer, she was already heading toward the back to where the back door was - the door that lead outside and to the garbage bins. When she reached the door she turned and waited for Sam to catch up.

Meanwhile, back at the table, Megan had used the opportunity to lightly kick Carl under the table.

"You do know that if your the cause of Sam leaving her, your daughter will never forgive you"

"IF I am the cause for Sam leaving Brandy, then he is exactly the type of boy I thought he was."

[Sam Merlotte]

"Then we will do just that. After I finish this lunch, my compliments to your cook"

Sam nodded, "I'll give Lafayette your compliments." What else was there to say to that really?

Brandy made her apologies and squeezed past her father and looked to Sam. "Can I talk to you for a minute Sam?" and just like that she was heading off towards the back.

"Excuse me." Sam said standing up and following Brandy outside. He breathed out a huge sigh of relief as he stepped into the fresh air. "Everything okay?" Sam asked innocently enough, though he knew full well everything was not okay.

[Brandy Berry]

"Everything okay?"

"Shouldn't I be the one asking you that?"

Brandy was leaning against the back wall, the fresh air was rather nice - especially considering how stuffy the table had become. She didn't know if she should apologize, but that was a good start.

"I didn't really get a chance to tell you that I called my mother the other day. Well, you knew I was going to call her.. it's just, they said they were going to come but I didn't expect it to be today. I didn't expect them to just show up out of the blue."

Brandy had her arms crossed, and she kept on looking through the back door as if she was expecting her father to come back there at any moment.

"I know my father isn't exactly giving you the warmest reception, but do you really think it was a good idea to invite him into your office like that? He is going to interrogate you.. hard core.. and some of his questions you might not be prepared for."

Brandy could only imagine. Lucky for Derek he had been a smooth talker, and a witch - which made his interrogation a lot more easier. Meh, look at where that ended up.

"My father will look for any excuse to disapprove of you, and there are ways.. well, I won't lie to you. If he so wanted, he could forbid me from seeing you. Or worse, if he convinced my mother they could put some kind of.. I don't know, spell on you to make you forget all about me. Or make me forget about you. D@mn, what a mess!"

Truthfully, her mother probably wouldn't let a spell like that happen. However, they could keep her from Bon Temps if they wanted and Brandy's panic was evident on her face.

"It is my fault your in this mess. If after all of this is done and you decide you really cannot be with me, I surely understand. I won't like it, but I will understand. Hell - there was a very good reason I didn't stay with my parents. And it wasn't due to the fact I turned 21, either."

[Sam Merlotte]

"Shouldn't I be the one asking you that?"

Sam sort of shrugged, trying to look casual about it all. When deep inside he was terrified and the more Brandy spoke, the worse it got.

"I can't avoid it. It has to be done, for good or bad. If I back out now, I look like a coward. I'd rather he respected and hated me than think I'm a worthless loser."

The thoughts of spells terrified him even more. If Brandy's parents turned against him, and the chances of that currently were high. Sam couldn't do a d*mn thing to stop it. The thought of losing Brandy was bad enough, but to lose her because of some spell taking away there freedom of choice. That was something else entirely.

"It is my fault your in this mess. If after all of this is done and you decide you really cannot be with me, I surely understand. I won't like it, but I will understand. Hell - there was a very good reason I didn't stay with my parents. And it wasn't due to the fact I turned 21, either."

Sam reached out his hand for hers. Shaking his head in defiance.
"no, no it's not your fault and nothing anyone can say can change my mind about you. About us. Love just doesn't work that way."

He was still concerned about the upcoming talk with Brandy's father. But the ball was set in motion and there was no stopping it now. Brandy was worth fighting to hold on to.

[Brandy Berry]

"I can't avoid it. It has to be done, for good or bad. If I back out now, I look like a coward. I'd rather he respected and hated me than think I'm a worthless loser."

Brandy sighed, she didn't know what she could tell him, except to thoughtfully put a hand on his shoulder. The last thing they needed now was more drama in their lives.


"no, no it's not your fault and nothing anyone can say can change my mind about you. About us. Love just doesn't work that way."


Brandy wrapped her arms around Sam then, pulling him in for a close hug. At least, when everything was over, Sam would always love her.. and that, in itself, would be enough to win her dad over.

"Just .. be honest. As honest as you can, at least when it comes to any questions about me. If there is one thing my father will respect you for, is your feelings toward me. Come on, let's go back then before my father becomes suspicious."

Brandy reached for Sam's hand, leading him back to into the bar and toward their table. Much <not> to Brandy's surprise, her father was already done his meal and had stood up to let Brandy in the seat.

"Well, where is your office? I want to get this over with."

He actually towered over Sam when he stood up full height, Brandy could only imagine how intimidating that was.

[Sam Merlotte]

Brandy put her arms around Sam, and he held onto her tightly. It was a perfect moment of stillness amongst an oncoming wave of anxiety.

"Just .. be honest. As honest as you can, at least when it comes to any questions about me. If there is one thing my father will respect you for, is your feelings toward me. Come on, let's go back then before my father becomes suspicious."

"Where my feeling are concerned, I'm not hiding them anymore. From the local gossip hounds, to you, to your family and certainly not to myself. I'm through with keeping it all inside."

He squeezed Brandy's hand when she put hers in his. Giving her a small smile, as they walked back into the bar. Much to Sam's surprise Mr Berry had already polished off his meal.

"Well, where is your office? I want to get this over with."

So do I, thought Sam. "Sure, if you just follow me." Sam turned on his boot heels and walked into the back and towards his office. He held open the door and motioned for Brandy's father to go on inside. The moment of truth was finally here.

[Brandy Berry]

Carl followed close behind Sam as Sam lead him to his office, he ignored the curious glances from the staff and slipped into the small room when Sam held open the door.

Brown eyes looked over the room with mild interest, until his eyes rested on the sofa and he took a seat. If he had any hair to run his hands through, he might of been doing it right then.

"My girls are very important to me. It isn't easy to be involved in the lives of two very powerful witches"

Carl had jumped right into conversation, he was completely focused on Sam at that moment and watching his facial reactions carefully.

"Brandy is a very powerful girl, and she is very naive. One might say overly nice to others, she gets herself into trouble and people take advantage of her. The reason I want to have this talk with you is that, well, Derek really hurt her. It was my fault for not seeing the warning signs earlier in their relationship, but Derek is a smooth talker. I don't see that trait in you, which I am grateful for - however, my daughter is in love with you."

Carl knew that look, Megan had it for him whenever they were alone. This was why Carl had leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees as he talked.

"I know my daughter. She wouldn't fall in love with someone who didn't deserve to have her heart so completely as you have her's. I can see that you care about her, if you didn't you would of walked away the moment I started to interrogate you at the table or the moment I intentionally refused to shake your hand.

She is young though. You are only the second man she has ever been with. Being a witch and so.. intuitive isn't going to make things easy for either of you. I don't know if you are the long term guy, but I hope for Brandy's sake that you are. Because trust me in this, even if you find someone else and you eventually lose that love for her.. you will always have a piece of her heart.

I just want to make sure you realize that. I want to make sure that you are prepared for all the drama, all the bumps on the road that are going to come your way. And be prepared for more magical influences as well, she is getting too strong for her own good and she needs someone to be her anchor.

If you can't handle all that I have told you, I pray that you do the best thing you could do for her.. for both your futures. I pray that you let her go now, before it is too late. Even if now, it might be too late, it will hurt less down the road and at least.. at least then we can take her home."

Carl wasn't looking at Sam anymore, he was looking at the floor.

"... and wipe her memories of you.. completely."