We don't own Charlaine Harris' Sookie and Eric, and we don't own Jeaniene Frost's Cat and Bones...but we've had a great time playing with them!
A/N: A huge thank you from the three of us to FarDareisMai2 (yes...she writes the most excellent House of Flesh on Fire ;-p) and Wildcat76 for their extra eyes. Any mistakes left in the story are solely the fault of the authors, not our Fu(kawesome Beta's!
If you want to know a little more about the three crazy authors behind this story, there are links to our personal FF profiles in the NorCrisp76 profile.
Cat POV
It had been six months since I quit my job working for the government's secret branch of Homeland Security. Six blissful months in which I was able to focus on the relationship with the man I loved. Six months to rein in my new powers, and learn how to be the world's first known vampire-human hybrid turned full vampire. Six months to realize that balancing an insanely hectic and dangerous job and trying to maintain a full time, civil union with my vampire husband, just wasn't possible.
So why did I just agree to go back to work?
_________________
"Bollocks," Bones said, raking a hand through his hair, as he leaned against the corner of our living room couch, his annoyance plainly obvious.
"Bones, I didn't know what else to tell him. I just...I couldn't say no. Besides, it's just one job--"
He cut me off, "And I suppose Don thought you'd always come back to him? That all he had to do was ask it?"
Don, my former boss, and uncle, had let four years go by before I found out that his brother Max was the vampire who fathered me, and who was now unhappily living in the unit's headquarters in a remote bunker in Tennessee, since his capture more than a year ago. Max's torture—and I held no illusions that it wasn't daily—was still too good for the man who had seemed to want me dead as much as I did him. All misgivings aside though, Don had truly become my family and when you lack relatives like I do, it's hard to tell them no.
"It's just one job…one time. More of a favor really, and he's the only family I have left besides my mom, and she sure as hell hasn't been readily available lately. I can't just say no to him."
My mother, Justina, was another issue entirely. She hadn't been available, mostly because she was still trying to get over the shock of being turned into a vampire—the one form of un-life she loathed above all others—against her will, and losing her lover, Rodney, a ghoul, all in the same week. She wanted to kill herself, and had actually tried, but with a stern chiding, a la Bones; she decided to try the undead thing for a while. We all thought Rodney deserved that much, considering he died his final death trying to rescue her. Unfortunately, she decided that accepting her new place in the world meant she would cut herself off from the rest of it. In fact, the only assurance I had that she was even still alive—rather, undead—was through text messages I received from her every other week or so.
"One job? And you think it will stop there?"
"Yes, I do. And I told him flat out, I won't be available after that. I won't be available for anyone but you. I swear," I said, now standing in front of him, placing one palm on his knee, and the other around the back of his neck.
"So where is this job then, Kitten?"
A nervous smile grew on my face, since I knew this was the one thing that would either make or break his agreement to let me do this. And I was doing this, with or without him.
"New Orleans…" I said reluctantly.
I couldn't gauge his reaction, his face was steel. He was thinking, I could tell that much. Bones had a house in New Orleans, but the last time we were there, circumstances were…well, let's just say murky. And the Queen of New Orleans, the infamous, Marie Laveau, who had become a ghoul, and now went by the name Majestic, might not be eager to have us back again so soon. Was that why he looked so concerned? Or was it something else?
His icy expression worried me, and I moved the hand from his knee to his cheek. "What are you thinking?"
____________
Bones POV
I wasn't positive she would receive the call from Don, I was hoping not, but the bloke called anyway. As a one time hitman myself, I was still in the loop on that aspect of the vampire world.
I had gotten wind of a possible hit on the newly installed King of Louisiana, Eric Northman, and his human wife, Sookie, several weeks ago, but thought it better to stay out of it. After all, I had my own wife to worry about—and she had finally gotten free from the restraints and dangers of her former job. I knew she needed more time to get used to her new life as a full vampire. So, these past six months had been spent just enjoying each other's company, free of the burden's of the government's constant jobs, and helping her embrace her vampire side, while figuring out what parts of her humanity seemed to continue on in her. Her heart still beat at random, and she still only drank vampire blood, instead of human—which of course, I was readily available for. I wouldn't let her consume the blood from another, unless her life depended on it.
Yet she was a vampire, in every other way. She still needed to sleep during the better part of the morning, but was swiftly becoming better at being completely mobile by the afternoon.
Going to New Orleans wasn't at the top of my list of things to do anytime soon. Being still so new, I believed Cat would need several years, maybe much longer, to be truly safe as she was.
Could I talk her out of doing something she'd already agreed to do, though? Not bloody likely. No, just as she promised her mum that she would find her father all those years ago, she never went back on her word. I'd be lying if I said it wasn't one of the things I loved about her.
"What are you thinking?" I hadn't even noticed I had lost myself in my thoughts, when she placed her small hand on the side of my cheek.
"Are you sure about this, Kitten? Are you sure you know what you're getting yourself into?"
"Well, I can't imagine it will be any different than any other job we've done…right?"
Now she looked at me, a question painted on her face. She didn't have to say it out loud for me to answer.
"I know about the hit on King Northman and his wife."
Her jaw dropped, and her hands fell from my face to her hips. "You knew?"
"Yes well, I had heard a rumor about a possible hit a few weeks ago, but when my assistance was not originally requested, I did not feel the need to get involved. I was hoping it would take care of itself and your uncle would leave you out of it. I should have known the bloke couldn't change his own nappies without you." I mumbled the last part, but I knew she heard me, vampire hearing and all.
"That's just great Bones. You should have said something, a hit on the King of Louisiana and his wife is pretty damn big news, don't you think?"
"Kitten—" she cut me off.
"You had to know that Homeland Security would be all over this Bones..."
"Yes, but—"
"So, I'm going to go out on a limb here and guess that you didn't tell me because you were, I don't know... concerned for my well being maybe?"
I started to open my mouth, but quickly closed it as she continued.
"That's right, isn't it?"
Did she want me to talk now? "Kitten…yes, you are right. I honestly did not want to get involved in this. I do not think we need to be anywhere near New Orleans right now. You have only taken six months off from a dangerous career that you claimed to have been done with. Let someone else deal with it for Christ's sake!"
"I'm sorry, Bones. I am doing this. The question is, are you coming with me?"
__________________
After several phone calls, one to Eric Northman to inform him of our intended visit, of which Cat was aware, and another to Mencheres, my grandsire (from whom I learned first hand how a power exchange worked, when he transferred his power to me) to obtain suggestions and information, of which she was unaware, I had enough information to at least be prepared for all possible means of catching whoever placed the hit on Eric, as well as any and all parties involved. Not sure how Cat would receive the idea I had, to aid us in our mission, I opted to leave the details for later. But if she wanted me to go along with this, I was damn well going to do a few things my way.
A week later, we were on our way to New Orleans.
Cat POV
The trip by car from our home in Tennessee to New Orleans was about nine hours, a long drive, but Bones and I had traveled much longer and farther trying to escape Gregor six months earlier. This trip was a piece of cake, with whipped cream and a cherry on top, in comparison.
After crossing a twenty-two mile long bridge, we entered the Big Easy. There wasn't much traffic on the roads as it was late evening. After about fifteen minutes, we were driving down a beautiful avenue lined with majestic oak trees and gorgeous mansions. Quaint green trolley cars swayed along tracks in the grassy medium. I hadn't been in this part of the city before, but then again, I'd never been what you'd call a tourist here either. My previous time in New Orleans had been spent trying to out-smart a dream-snatcher and making nice with the voodoo ghoul Queen of New Orleans. So, not much time for sight-seeing. Bones apparently heard my brooding and said, "Kitten, we're on St. Charles Avenue in the Garden District, just uptown from my house in the French Quarter. And we're almost there, luv."
We turned down a side street and, after a few blocks, pulled up to a lovely, three-story, beige Greek Revival with dark green shutters, white columns and wrought iron balconies. So this is what the King of Louisiana's house looks like, huh? It was elegant but not opulent. The car stopped and a large man approached, opening my door and offering his hand to me. Pa-leez. Like I need your help. Bones touched my shoulder, "Southern hospitality, Kitten. Don't want to be rude."
I accepted the man's hand and stepped outside. Bones got out and followed me towards the house. There were more guards standing outside and along the perimeter of the property. We stepped up to the large front porch and I caught the scent of gardenias mixed with the heaviness of the air. It sure was humid there, even in winter. I noticed a gas light flicker. As we approached the large, white entry door, a butler opened it, and beckoned us in. We entered a long foyer with a narrow staircase leading to the upper floors and large rooms on either side. To the right was a great room with fourteen foot ceilings, tall windows, and a marble fireplace. Plush sofas and chairs filled the room and gave it a homey feel. As we stepped into the room, I heard laughing and turned to see three blonde heads, two vampires and a woman, bent over a banquet-sized dining room table filled with decorations.
"Your Majesty, Mr. Bones and Ms. Cat," the butler nodded to us and left the room. The three heads looked up toward me and Bones. The male vampire straightened and began walking toward us, followed by the woman. He was so... tall.
As he approached, he tilted his head slightly, "Bones."
Bones nodded back, "Hallo there Mate, good to see you." I stood staring at the vampire. He was quite the specimen, with blond hair to his shoulders and...my what nice shoulders. Bones cleared his throat.
"Kitten, this is Eric Northman and I gather this lovely lady is your wife?"
"Yes, this is Sookie. Cat, nice to meet you," Eric dipped his head to me as he put his arm around his wife.
Sookie smiled and stepped forward to shake our hands, "So nice to meet you, Cat and Bones. Welcome to our home."
She was lovely with soft blond hair and blue eyes. And she had a warmth about her that made me feel at ease.
"We are planning a big party at Fangtasia in a couple of nights, so please excuse the mess," Sookie said. I looked around and the only mess I could see was the decorations on the dining room table. Next to the table stood the other vampire who was smirking at us.
"Oh, Cat and Bones, this is my child and second-in-command, Pam," Eric waved his hand toward Pam. Pam gave a sly grin and nod to Bones.
"Yes, Pam and I are old acquaintances," Bones said.
Great, another ex? I shot a look at Bones.
"She's an old friend of my child, Annette."
And that's supposed to make me feel better? Bones just shook his head and grinned, while Pam continued to smirk.
"Would you like a tour of the house?" Sookie asked it more of me than Bones.
I began, "Yes, that would be nice, Your High—"
"Please call me Sookie and my husband, Eric. We really aren't that formal, especially at home," Sookie smiled again. I nodded, and Eric motioned for Bones to follow him up the stairs. Sookie and I followed more slowly as we talked.
From the foyer, Sookie pointed to the other rooms downstairs and we began walking up the elegant, narrow staircase. Sookie explained that this was once Anne Rice's house and that she had written her last vampire books and The Witching Hour series here.
We had just gotten to the top of the stairs and were now standing on the upstairs landing.
I saw Bones and Eric standing in a room off the landing deep in conversation. What are they up to? The room appeared to be an office with a large desk, bookshelf from floor to ceiling, leather sofa, and fireplace. As Sookie and I approached the room, Bones and Eric lowered their voices. I would have been pissed had it not been for my astonishment upon entering the room.
The walls were covered in graffiti. Scripted handwriting in various colors of black, red, blue, and green ink ran all over the walls and stood in contrast to the elegant décor and furnishings.
Sookie noticed my surprise. "This room was Anne's office. She wrote words and phrases on the walls while she was writing The Witching Hour. My friends, Amelia and Octavia, say they can feel the magic in this room. Now, Eric uses it as his office, and I like to think that the vibe here helps him with his work as King."
____________
Eric POV
When Bones and I reached my office, I didn't waste any time. The women were right behind us. "Bones, you and I don't usually travel in the same circles, so why have you come?"
"Well mate, would you believe me if I said I stopped by to pay my respects?"
I raised an eyebrow and waited.
"Didn't think so." Bones lowered his voice and continued. "I've heard of a death threat against you."
I could barely hold back a laugh. "There are always death threats against the king. I should know. "
"Right then, but this one includes a threat against your wife."
Well, that got my attention, and just as I was about to start asking questions, Sookie and Cat approached. I looked at Bones. "Say no more."
While my mind was processing what Bones had just told me, I heard Sookie explaining the origins of the graffiti in my office.
When she finished, she asked, "Eric, do you want to entertain your guests in your office or shall we go to the parlor?" I needed time to question Bones alone, so although I knew I would probably regret this later, I summoned all my regal power and faced my wife.
"Sookie, I need to speak with Bones privately for a while, would you mind entertaining Cat until we are through? I believe Pam is still here as well. Perhaps Cat could help you and Pam finalize the party arrangements?"
Sookie's initial surprise at my request turned into irritation, and she looked like she wanted to stake me on the spot. I knew she would not like to be dismissed like this, but I needed to continue my conversation with Bones in private. I also knew I would pay for this tonight...in multiple ways.
Bones did not fair any better with his wife. At the mention of a private conversation, Cat turned and glared at Bones until he silently acknowledged her anger. I wondered if she could control herself. I had heard many stories about those silver knives of hers and her accuracy, and I certainly wasn't about to let my guard down.
After a moment though, Cat decided to play along by saying, "Sookie, I saw some great decorations on your table downstairs. Are you having a party? Would you mind showing me?"
Sookie and Cat rolled their eyes at each other, obviously aware they were being dismissed, and were none too pleased about it. Once the ladies started down the stairs, I closed my office door and turned to Bones.
"How can you be sure that Sookie is included in the death threat?"
"Tip from Homeland Security. Seems they want to keep you in as regent. They like you. They've been monitoring the threats and, if they're asking Cat to help, the threat is real, mate."
I gestured for Bones to take one of the visitor's chairs at my desk, while I took my usual seat behind it. Still, this was nothing new. I had death threats when I was Sheriff and knew that being King made me an even bigger target. I suppose it was only logical that Sookie would be involved, but usually, it was because someone wanted me finally dead so they could take her. The threats rarely included Sookie's death too.
Bones continued, "Homeland Security believes vampire hitmen have been hired to do the job, an undetermined number of professionals. They'll not stop coming at you until the job is done, although they do have a target date of February eighth. Homeland Security has no information on who is behind it."
Dracula Night. I would be hosting our annual Dracula Night Party that evening at our New Orleans Fangtasia. There would be hundreds of vampires in attendance. Any vampire in the area, even those passing through on that night, would be required to attend and pay their respects to the King and his wife in honor of the Prince of Darkness. Identifying multiple hitmen at such a party before the bloodshed starts would be nearly impossible. Even with body guards and extra security, there would still be too many opportunities for infiltration, and with two days until the party, there was not nearly enough time to craft an extensive plan.
"I see. What is Homeland Security offering?" I knew this was the real reason Bones was here. The government wanted stability among the undead in Louisiana, and saw me as king as a means to that end, so they were here to make an offer. One I'm sure I would find difficult to refuse.
"Cat and I will attend the party and keep an eye on the situation. If the sods show up, they'll be dealt with."
I stared at Bones across the desk. This was all he was offering? Homeland Security didn't bring their best vampire killer out of retirement just to attend a party. I was getting annoyed.
"What else aren't you telling me?"
Bones shifted in his seat. "All right then, I have a proposition that might help us uncover who is behind the hit, but it would require Sookie's assistance."
I guessed he was referring to Sookie's telepathy. But since Sookie could only read human minds and most of the party goers would be vampires, I couldn't see how she might help. "You are not using her as bait. I know of your reputation and I will not have my wife put purposefully in danger."
"Actually, I was thinking something quite different. What if Sookie's telepathy could be expanded to read vampires, and she was able to read them as they came through the receiving line? We can identify and capture the bastards, then you and I could beat the seven shades of shit out of them before you mete out the final punishment."
The thoughts of punishment made my fangs run down. But this wasn't about me, was it? "I am not keen on using Sookie in this way, but I need to know more about what you propose. Go on."
"Have you ever seen the transference of power from one vampire to another?"
Well, you don't exist for 1,000 years as vampire without witnessing most of the rituals associated with our kind. I had seen a power transfer once, decades ago. It was held arena style and involved two vampires engaging in a blood exchange. The more powerful vampire drank first. Power was transferred when the lesser vampire drank their combined blood as the more powerful vampire willed his abilities to the lesser vampire. Unless the stronger vampire willed his power to the other, no power would be transferred.
Bones continued. "The theory is that Sookie's telepathy may be increased by transferring additional power from a vampire with mind reading abilities to her, essentially pushing her abilities over the edge to include vampire minds. Amp her up, if you will."
Now for the critical question, although I was fairly certain I knew the answer already.
"And who would transfer this additional power to Sookie? I know what it involves."
Bones sat up in his chair and lowered his head in respect. Good. Then he spoke, "Eric, I'm asking your permission to exchange blood and power with your wife." He kept his head slightly dipped, waiting for a response.
What he was asking for was not my decision, ultimately—I could not order Sookie to do this, nor would I want to. While I appreciated his show of respect, there was more to this situation than my permission. What would Sookie think about this? Why would she want to open up her mind further? After all, she was attracted to the undead because she could not hear our thoughts.
"Bones, even if I allow my wife to exchange blood with another vampire, I am not eager to get her involved in the apprehension of killers coming to harm her. Too risky." I did not speak the other reason, that I did not want her to be able to read my mind. But weighing the other side of the coin, having access to such a telepath with increased skills could be beneficial to me as King. There was only one thing to be done.
"But I will consider discussing your proposal with Sookie. No one must know of this conversation. When and how would the power exchange take place, should I decide to move forward with it?"
I did not let him know that it was ultimately Sookie's decision. Appearances must be kept and it was no time to show weakness for any human, including my wife. Let Bones think it was my decision.
Bones went on to explain that after consulting with his grandsire, an Egyptian vampire who had upgraded Bones' vampire powers recently, exchanging blood with a human would most likely result in a temporary upgrade of powers.
Since we wouldn't have an "arena style" ceremony, success would depend on generating magic in other ways. It might not even work, considering Sookie's faerie heritage. Because of the temporary nature of the power, the exchange would be scheduled for the night before the party. Until then, Sookie and I would need to be very careful about our security.
"And what of your wife, Bones? What does Cat think about this?
His lips curled up slightly as he responded. "She doesn't know about it yet."
____________
Cat POV
Sookie and I went down the stairs silently. I couldn't believe that after all Bones and I had been through, he would just dismiss me like that! Hadn't Don contacted me for this job? Wasn't it me who decided we were doing this job? Me who talked Bones into it? He had a hell of a lot of nerve. The bastard!
While I was imagining calling Bones that to his face, I could almost hear him say, "Yes, Kitten, I'm the son of a bloody whore. Was a whore myself once. But you knew that when you married me." He always had a retort like that. The thought made me even angrier and I clenched my nails into my palms.
I followed Sookie back into the parlor. Pam was sitting at the dining room table with the decorations. She looked up and smirked.
Great. Just what I need right now. A former Bones play-thing rubbing it in on top of everything else! I wanted to yank out one of my silver knives and stake her on that damn table.
"Ah, Cat, would you like to have a seat?" Sookie's voice had a sharpness to it, and I realized she was almost as angry as I was.
"Sookie, are you used to being dismissed like that by your husband?" I asked.
"On occasion, Cat, because he's king and all. But it doesn't mean I like it."
"Men. They're all the same," I snorted.
"That's why I prefer women. No dick slapping contests," Pam said matter-of-factly.
I looked at Pam and she was grinning at me. Ok, maybe I shouldn't hate her so much.
"Cat, I hope you and Bones will be in town for our Dracula Night Party at Fangtasia in two days," Sookie said trying to change the subject.
"Dracula….?" I started.
"Yes, every year on February eighth, Eric throws a birthday party for Dracula. He's Eric's idol, you know. Dracula has never actually shown up but, that doesn't make it any less of an event," Sookie explained.
Pam rolled her eyes.
"A birthday party for Dracula, huh? And he never comes to his own party? That's just rude," I said.
"Well, I just see it as a good excuse to throw a fun party," Sookie smiled.
She and Pam started showing me some of the decorations they were working on of vintage movie posters. One had Bela Lugosi as Dracula, another had Frank Langella, and another, Gary Oldman. One was from Love Bites with Adam Ant. The last one was from the silent movie Nosferatu. What a positively horrific looking vampire! We really cracked up at that one.
As we were looking at the posters and laughing, Bones and Eric came into the room.
"Right, then. Ready to go, Kitten?" Bones arched his eyebrow. He knew he was going to get it from me very soon.
"Yes, I guess we better get to the house and unpack," I said.
Sookie took my hand, "So nice to meet you, Cat. I hope you and Bones will make the party."
I smiled. You have no idea how we'll make that party.
Bones and I finished saying our goodbyes to Eric, Sookie, and Pam, and we left. The silence was deafening once we were driving, but I didn't want to get into an argument with Bones in the car. We turned back onto the lovely avenue we had traveled on earlier, and headed towards downtown. The streets soon became more crowded with cars, cabs, and pedestrians, and as we entered the French Quarter, I noticed it was swarming with more ghosts as well. They were everywhere, on the streets, on roof tops, on balconies. Although I remembered them from my prior visit, they still surprised me. They're not something you see in picture postcards of the city (most humans could not see them), and I'm not sure I could ever get used to them completely but, I thought they made the Quarter even more beautiful and vibrant, however dead they may be.
Our car crossed a busy intersection near the heart of the Quarter, and pulled up to a familiar three-story red brick Creole building with lacy iron balconies. We got out and as we were gathering our bags, Liza came out to greet us. Even for a ghoul, she seemed overjoyed to see us, "Welcome, Mr. Bones and Ms. Cat! It's so nice to have you back!" Liza kissed us both on either cheek, and offered to help carry our bags. The look on Liza's face, and being at Bone's beautiful home, made me wish I wasn't so mad at him.
I was just about to thank Liza for her offer when I opened the trunk and saw something odd.
Bones POV
If I wasn't already certain she was angry with me, the silent treatment on the way home made it all too clear. My Kitten was mad.
Helping me unload our baggage from the car didn't help the situation.
"What's this, Bones?" Bloody hell, I had completely forgotten. I looked up to see her holding a rolled up rug in one hand, in the other, one of four Egyptian candles I had brought, a confused look on her face. Not the way I wanted her to discover the items Mencheres had recommended I bring to New Orleans.
"It's just some stuff I thought to bring along…something Mencheres..." I paused. Buggers. There really was no way to explain it, without further fueling our regular fight, already in progress.
"Mencheres?"
"Yes, well…"
"Great, Bones. Just great. Now what are you keeping from me?" She turned around and grabbed her purse and a duffel bag off the back seat of the car, and slammed the door, not giving me the chance to explain.
"Kitten, just listen to me."
"No. I don't think I will."
She stomped by me, shoving the rug and candle into my chest with enough force to make me struggle for balance. If I thought she was pissed before, she was undeniably livid now.
It wasn't as if I hadn't had my share of fights with her, that redheaded fire in her spirit was present long before she became a full vampire, though it didn't seem to take as much now to make her fly off the handle. I was sure that would decrease eventually. Only time would tell.
I followed behind her. Liza had already gone inside, and opened the door to welcome us in. Immediately, I knew it was clear to the bird that all was not well between me and my wife, and so, she took it upon herself to shove off to bed.
"It's so great to see you two again!" Liza said, and then began to feign a yawn. "I think I'll just be hitting the hay though. You're both probably tired too, long drive and all. We can catch up tomorrow."
"Yes Liza, you are probably right, Cat and I are very tired," I glanced at Cat just in time to see her roll her eyes, and let out a snort. She had already tossed one of her bags across the room with the grace of a possessed child, and plopped down on the living room sofa.
Liza stood a moment longer, her head darting briefly between Cat and myself, before turning swiftly and walking up the stairs; the sound of her bedroom door creaking shut followed a few short seconds later.
I turned to Cat. "Get on with it."
"Excuse me?"
"Well, Kitten, the way I see it, we can either chat it out now, or you can continue to give me the silent treatment. Though, I really don't think that will help us walk out of this city alive."
"That's funny," she began, laughing, though clearly not amused. "I was certain you had already excluded me from my own job. I might as well go home; it seems you've got things from here." She crossed her arms, turning her head away from me.
"You know that isn't the case, luv."
She whipped her head back toward me. "Really, luv?" The words seethed from her as she mocked me, her eyes had already begun to tint green.
"Kitten, calm down and let me explain." She hadn't told me to bugger off just yet, so I thought we might actually end up having some sort of civil conversation. I was wrong.
"No. You have a hell of a lot of nerve coming along on a job that my uncle asked me to do, then excuse me from a conversation with the subject of my mission, as if you just decided, "Gee, now that we're here, I think I'll just take over, and Cat can plan the pretty party with the ladies'."
Now I had to roll my eyes.
She continued. "So tell me about Mencheres then, tell me why you felt the need to contact him about this job without telling me, and why in hell it involves candles and a rug."
So I explained—or attempted to explain—the idea about the power exchange, what it entailed, and why I had to get Eric alone to ask his permission to exchange blood with Sookie. She didn't like my explanation though. Not by a long shot. All she seemed to hear me say were the words blood and Sookie. And to her, that seemed to be the equivalent of a bedtime romp. After witnessing the power exchange between Mencheres and myself, she should have known exactly what took place. Throw a woman into the mix, and she bent out of bloody shape.
The first object she threw at me was a pillow.
"If you wanted to fuck another girl Bones, you didn't have to go about it in such an elaborate way!" She yelled, as I caught the pillow with one hand.
"You're being ridiculous. It has absolutely nothing to do with sex—"
"Am I being ridiculous?" Deciding the pillow was too soft, she threw a candle from the coffee table next. I caught it with my other hand.
"Kitten, you are trying my patience."
My eyes were now glowing too. Her jumping to absurd conclusions about my intentions with Sookie infuriated me. Never, had I ever, wanted to shag another woman since I met her. Even after she had broken my heart by leaving me all those years ago, and the opportunity to erase her memory by burying myself inside other women had been presented constantly, I still didn't want another. I loved her truly, and madly then, and I always would. It hurt to think she could twist my explanation now, so drastically.
"Oh, you've tried mine too baby, and I can throw things all night!"
That was it! She turned to grab a dish filled with synthetic potpourri from the table, and I was on her in less than a second.
"That's enough!" Now I was yelling.
I had her pinned to the floor. Straddling her waist, I swung my legs back awkwardly to hold hers down, while I held her wrists down on the floor beside her. I could hear her heart beating like a drum from the adrenaline, as she struggled beneath me. Her heartbeat was one of several human traits she still seemed to maintain. Whenever she was excited, her ticker seemed to beat louder, and faster, than it ever had when she was human. That sound, though I should have been nothing but angry by then, flipped another switch inside of me. I could feel myself growing hard against her stomach. She didn't miss it either, and looking at my crotch, then back to my eyes…a slight smirk replaced the straight, angry line, her mouth had been.
I'll be the first to admit, I'm a bloody man. I've had a good long life, and shagged a good many women. So, when I see an opportunity like this before me, I take it. And having it off with my wife when we're at our angriest…well, I'm not above using that anger to get each other's rocks off. I blame her, she has the power to both boil my blood and make my cock ache simultaneously.
"Does this get you off, holding me down like this? Do you feel powerful?" She continued to struggle, but if I thought I was hurting her, or if she had truly wanted me to get off of her, I would have.
"Too bloody right, it does."
"Is it control, Bones?"
I bent over her, whispering in her ear. "Pardon me?" I placed my lips at the base of her ear, licking slowly down to the collar of her much too constricting t-shirt. Her heartbeat, while still fast and loud, seemed to even out a touch, her excitement turning from violence, to desire—I could smell it.
"You heard me. You like to know you're stronger than me." Confused, I stopped, lifting my head to look at her again, wondering if she still wanted to fight...or fuck. "That's okay…I like it too." She lifted her head toward me as much as she could with my weight still very much holding her down, and licked me, from below my ear, to the collar of my shirt, mirroring what I had just done to her.
I closed my eyes, briefly, and growled. I could feel my control reaching its limits. "Are you toying with me, luv?"
"Do you want me to toy with you…luv?" Where she had mimicked me contemptuously during our fight, the word luv, now, left her tongue sounding like pure sex.
It was all I could do to not rip her clothes off and take her fast and hard. But I wanted to continue the game. With deliberate slowness, I moved both of her arms above her head, pinning her wrists with one hand. She smiled at me, seductively, and I had to stop to take it all in. She was so fucking beautiful; her hair, a disheveled mass of red falling around her face…on her face…on her shoulders...on the floor. I shifted my legs to a more comfortable position, risking the possibility that she actually was just toying with me, and exposing my vulnerable erection to her knees. Lucky for me, kneeing me in the groin didn't seem to be on her mind just then.
The way I shifted to straddle her waist seemed to give her just enough room to bring her leg up to press against my crotch, and she began rubbing and teasing me with her knee and thigh. As I continued to hold her hands above her head with one hand, I brought the other to the button of her jeans. The second the impeding cloth was gone, my fingers were under her knickers, and I thrust them inside of her.
"Bones!" She yelled, as my thumb began rubbing her clit in small circles, while two more fingers probed, and twisted within her.
"Good, luv?"
"Yes…"
"Not enough though, is it? You want more." I brought my mouth to hers, and kissed her hard and deep.
"Yes…more…please…" She struggled to get the words out as my lips continued their assault on hers.
It was a request I was more than happy to oblige her with. She was so wet and ready, I couldn't have stopped myself if I'd wanted to. I had to be inside of her. I ripped my own pants free, as well as her panties, and was in her with one quick thrust. She screamed, and immediately wrapped her legs around my waist. As soon as she did that, I released her wrists, and grabbed her behind her back, reversing our positions in one swift movement, so that she was on top.
I loved to see her on top of me. She was always so beautiful; her hair wild, her cheeks flushed, her lips, red and swollen, her breasts moving in time with our rhythm. Fuck, it was almost too much.
I lifted my body off the floor so that we were in an upright sitting position, and wrapped my arms around her tight as she met me, thrust for thrust. After a minute, I lifted her in my arms, stood, and brought us to the couch, where I sat on the very edge, with her still straddling my waist. We never broke our union, as we fell back into a perfect rhythm. When I bucked my hips up to meet hers, she slammed back into me, when I slowed and twisted, reaching the spot I knew she loved, she moaned, and I could tell she nearly lost it.
"That's it, luv, isn't it? That's the spot."
"Yes…yes…yes!" She didn't seem to be able to say much of anything else as she rode me, her arms wrapped around my neck, her breath warm on my ear. It was exactly the reaction I had been aiming for, of course. When she could no longer talk, I knew she was close. I knew I was close.
Several thrusts later, I felt her clench around my cock, as she dug her nails deep into the flesh on my back and screamed, "God…Bones!" just before sinking her fangs into my neck.
That was all it took for me to finish along with her, and I thrust one last time, as I sank my own fangs into her shoulder, and emptied myself inside of her.
She collapsed onto my chest, as I removed my fangs from her, and licked the wound. We sat there, dazed, for several long minutes. I didn't have to read her mind to know what she was thinking about. Sex, during or immediately following a fight, didn't mean the fight had never happened. While she was upset with me for keeping her slightly out of the loop on the plans I made with Eric regarding Sookie, I thought I had every right to be just as angry at her, for her lack of trust in me. But sitting there, sated, with the woman I loved still wrapped around my softening flesh, it was beyond me to fight anymore, and I just hoped that she felt the same way.
"You're so perfect, Kitten." I said, placing a soft kiss on her neck.
She lifted her head, and leaned her forehead against mine, looking into my eyes. "Even when I'm a royal bitch?"
"Even then, luv."
And it was true, even when she made me want to strangle her beautiful neck, I still loved her. Sometimes it was the making up that told me it was all worth it. And sometimes, it just didn't matter. She was a moody bitch every now and then, just as she had warned me that first year we met, right before she told me she loved me for the first time. I loved her then, and I have never stopped loving her. I never would.
"So we're good, then?" I could feel the tension in her voice, but I knew then, that she too, no longer wanted to fight.
"Just tell me one thing."
She pulled her forehead from mine, eyeing me reluctantly. "What?"
"You know I would never cheat on you, and you know this thing with Sookie has only to do with getting a job done, right?"
"I do." She sighed. "And I'm sorry for making it seem like I don't trust you. Lately...I just find it hard to control my temper. But I do love you, Bones."
"And you know I love you, Kitten."
"You have to promise me something."
"Anything, luv."
"Don't you ever go behind my back like that again. When we do a job together, we do it as a team. No secrets, no misgivings. We're partners, or we're nothing. Understood?"
It was hard to argue with a beautiful woman while your cock was still buried inside of her, especially when that beautiful woman was making you hard all over again.
"Understood." I said and grinned, a second before I flipped her onto her back, to demonstrate again just how much of a team player I could be.
Eric POV
As soon as the front door closed, Sookie was on me.
"Your majesty, can I see you in your office?"
She managed to make my title sound like an insult. Great. I was in trouble. Big trouble. At least she wasn't going to let me have it in front of the staff, I was grateful for that.
Once inside the office, she closed the door none too gently and whipped around at me.
"Eric Northman, what was that all about? And don't give me that I won't lie to you, just not tell you everything crap. You better start spilling it right now. Everything. NOW. "
She glared at me, tapping her foot. She was probably going to call me "Buddy" soon, or stick her finger in my chest, if I didn't start talking.
"Lover, come sit down. I will explain everything, really. Just come over and sit with me."
At first I thought she was going to refuse, but she made her way over to the couch and took a seat at one end, crossing her arms over her chest. I sat down at the opposite end, leaned forward with my elbows on my knees, placed my head in my hands and took a moment to collect my thoughts. How do you tell your wife that she is a target of a death threat, and I was asked to consider having her and Bones engage in the intimate act of swapping blood? Well, best to get it over with, so I turned to look at her.
"Sookie, Cat and Bones came here today to warn us about a death threat."
"And?" I was starting to think this woman knew me too well. She waited for me to drop the other shoe.
"Well, Homeland Security has a tip there is a death threat against both of us and they are thinking it will happen on February eighth. Cat and Bones will be at the Dracula Night Party for increased security. I am going to be getting additional body guards for both of us until this threat has passed. There really is no reason to worry, Sookie, you know I have been through this before."
"Couldn't they just have told you that on the phone? Why did they come here and what were you talking about for so long in your office? And thanks for flexing your royal muscle and dismissing Cat and I to work on party plans. Could you be any more condescending? "
It would be a mistake to even bring up what Bones and I discussed at this point. Sookie was still angry with me and would not be receptive to anything, unless I calmed her down. Guess it was time to eat some crow.
"Lover, Bones was just following protocol and you know that appearances are important in my position." This next part was the hardest. "I am sorry if you thought I was being condescending."
"Well, Eric, don't let the apology choke you. And don't think I don't know that you are still not telling me something. I'm losing my patience, Eric."
At least she hadn't called me Buddy ... yet. Okay, here goes.
"Sookie, Bones also had an idea for identifying the hitmen at the party, but it involves your help." She sat up straight and glared at me, waiting for me to continue. "He suggested a way that might increase your telepathic abilities so that you could read vampire minds ..."
"So, why didn't he talk to me about it? You do remember that I like to make my own decisions, right?"
Finally, I was heading into some predictable waters." Sookie, I know you like to make your own decisions, and you will decide whether you want to do what he is proposing. However, I have my own appearances to maintain that impact our safety, so please understand that this is the way it must be. Bones' only obligation was to speak with me on this issue, and now it is up to me to inform you. It is the way it has always been done. I made no decision for you, trust me."
"You know I trust you, Eric. But it will always aggravate me that everything has to go through you to me. So how would this work? Magic of some kind?"
Time to just go for it. Lay it all out and see what she says. "I guess you could say that. It would involve a blood exchange," I paused, waiting for a reaction that I didn't get, so I continued, "between you and Bones. He is telepathic, so he would transfer some of his telepathic abilities to you during the exchange, possibly resulting in you being able to read vampire minds. At the party, you would work with Bones to read the minds of our guests as they go through the receiving line. If you thought anyone was suspicious, you could send that to Bones, and he and Cat could take care of the situation."
Again, I waited for a reaction. Sookie got up from the couch and started pacing around the room. It looked like she was considering the proposal or maybe she was thinking of a way to really let me have it. I had thought she would refuse as soon as she heard about the blood exchange part. Was she really considering this? Finally, she turned to me.
"Two questions, Eric. How do you feel about this, the blood exchange, I mean? And, would it be a permanent change? You know I like the quiet minds here, I don't think I want to change that. Most of the time I wish I couldn't read human minds. If this is something that could help us get through this though, I'll consider it, but I want to know how you feel. I would never agree to do something that intimate without your input. "
"I am not eager for you to exchange blood with anyone but me. I will admit to being intrigued by the end result, especially if it is temporary and you have no objections. But it is your decision to make Sookie. I will protect you either way. And while I would not like you swapping blood with someone else, I will be there the entire time, in case you change your mind. You would not be in any danger."
"Eric, I need some time to think about this. When would we do this?"
"The night before the party. We have a little time for you to consider this, and I really want you to be sure about it. It is your decision to make and if you want to do it, I will give my permission."
"What?"
"Since you are my wife, Bones needed to ask my permission. I said I would speak to you and left it at that. No need for him to know any more."
"Eric, this whole vampire politics stuff ... never mind, that isn't important right now, is it?"
Her anger suddenly changed to something else, I probed the bond and found it was fear, mixed with determination. She walked over to me where I was still sitting on the couch, and I reached out and pulled her into my lap. I could tell through the bond she was no longer angry. I wrapped my arms around her and kissed the top of her head.
"No one will harm a hair on this head again. I swear to you, Sookie. Just think about what Bones is offering and we can discuss it further if you would like. You have some time to make your decision. But no matter what, I will be there to protect you. "
She looked up at me, the past clouding her eyes, and said in a quiet voice, "I trust you Eric."
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We're 99.9 % certain that this is the first SVM/NH crossover in history. So...what do you think so far?
We will post a teaser to the next chapter on Teaser Monday, and aim to post the whole chapter by next Friday. This is a short story, and will only have four chapters.
And...just for fun...can you guess what NorCrisp76 stands for?
