Disclaimer: Most characters belong to Charlaine Harris.
This story is the sequel to my first story 'Sandy South' and I would recommend you read that story first if you have not or it might not make sense.
Just a reminder that the first story took place one year after the takeover with some slight differences to From Dead to Worse. The main relevant one being that Sookie has never met Felipe de Castro. (A full explanation can be found on the first chapter of Sandy South)
I would like to thank all the people that read and commented on my first story, you guys have inspired me to write this follow up and I really hope you enjoy it. As always constructive criticism is welcome and I love any feedback and reviews you choose to write. OK, I admit it, I've become a complete review whore *hangs head in shame* but mostly I just hope people will enjoy reading the story. Please feel free to request any scenes you want to see, where I can I will include them. While there will be a few cameos from the rest of Charlaine Harris' characters for the most part I will be focusing on those from the first story with the addition of Amelia.
Eric and I had been fighting since I got back. First there was the battle of the whole marriage thing. He insisted that we were married and I insisted that we weren't and that it was just a sham to keep Felipe away. Then there was the battle of the ring. I had returned the one given to me by the AVL but Eric had bought another one, which I refused to wear.
For about a week every morning when I woke up the ring had been on my finger, where he had clearly placed it when I was asleep. I put a stop to that by pointing out that Bill had put jewellery on me while I was sleeping also. It was a low blow but I was so frustrated by that point that I didn't care. So then he kept putting it on me while I was awake. Using his superior strength and speed.
Eventually after a big row, in which he had threatened to super-glue it there and I had threatened to chop my finger off if he did, Pam suggested a compromise that I would wear it on a chain round my neck and only put it on my finger whenever I went to Fangtasia or had dealings with vampires. We still had not agreed whether, when I was with just him and Pam, or Bill or Henry, it counted as dealings with vampires. I said it didn't count, Eric, of course, said it did. Pam was delighted with our bickering and said we were just like a normal married couple, I hadn't spoken to her for the rest of the night.
The worst, and best bit, about all these arguments was they always ended in a predictable way. Eric enjoyed nothing more than a good fight, even if it was only a verbal one, he soon found ways to work off the physical energy they induced. Whenever we were 'working out our issues' as he liked to call it, he would tease me until I was begging then insist I called out his name before he would give me release. I suspected this was for Peeping Bill's benefit. Eric had kept his word in not spreading the name round the vampires of Area 5 but it was stuck in my head now, and Bill did hover round my house a lot at night.
Not that we got to spend a lot of quality time together anyway. Ever since getting back Eric was buried in work. He had loads to catch up on from being away, plus a load of stuff to sort about me being back and keeping me from Vegas. Often I wouldn't see him at all but just wake up to find an indent in the pillow next to me that let me know he had lay in the bed with me for a while without waking me up.
I tried wearing sexy underwear to bed so he would at least wake me, but that backfired (though in a good way) as by the time he'd finished showing me how much he liked it I was exhausted and feel asleep straight away again and the next thing I knew it was morning so of course he was gone.
Coming home had been harder and easier than I thought. Henry wanted to stay close but inconspicuous so it was decided he would stay at mine in the hidey-hole in the closet and avoid direct contact with vampires other than our small circle. I was worried about being responsible for four coffins on our return flight, but Eric said we would be travelling at night anyway so he could 'keep an eye on me'. Something he had been doing very closely the whole time we were in California. Even during the day an 'assistant' had showed up to help with my packing, who insisted on accompanying me when I went to say goodbye to Grace and Phil and even when I went to see Jeremy which didn't involve leaving the apartment complex.
I guess she was assisting me to stay put, something Eric seemed unsure I was planning to do seeing as I would not tell him how I had blocked the bond when I left before. Apart from the lack of privacy it was fine, I wasn't planning on taking off again anyway.
In the end it was only Pam, Eric and me on the flight back to Shreveport. Bill had disappeared shortly after the AVL had declared Eric and I married, texting Eric later to say he was making his own way home. Henry also wanted to make his own way to remain invisible to anyone who might be waiting. He also wanted to say goodbye to his human companions and close up his house so would not arrive until at least a week after us.
I had been relying on Pam to keep a comfortable flow of conversation on the flight as she had done during the packing. Eric and I hadn't been alone together for a moment. But as soon as the plane took off she retreated to the back with a Stieg Larsson novel and her Ipod. I watched her go with dismay realising I had been cornered. Unlike Eric, I could not just open the door of the plane and fly out.
Eric watched me speculatively for a moment then sighed, stood and removed his shirt. Throwing it to one side he stretched, an impressive sight in Eric's case, and it was my turn to sigh. He raised an eyebrow at me and smirked as he felt my lust.
"Don't even think about it." I said. Eric laughed and put on a fresh t-shirt.
"As much as I would like to introduce you to the mile-high club lover, with or without the plane, now is not the time, I do not want to get Pam unnecessarily excited. I stuck my tongue out at him to try and hide the fresh wave of lust that accompanied the jolt in my nether-regions at the thought.
The angry ceiling sex had been very exciting and I had fantasized about some other airborne activities we could engage in. Of course, Eric wasn't fooled in the slightest and in a flash he had captured my tongue between his teeth. He sucked it into his mouth until I groaned. It was was supposed to be in displeasure but definitely didn't sound like it.
"There are some things we need to discuss." he said pulling back.
"Actually I'm feeling a little tired." I tried.
"You are forgetting my bullshit meter Sookie." he chided.
I needed to distract him but I knew only one guaranteed way and we were not alone. I glanced back at Pam briefly wondering if it wouldn't be easier to just have sex even though she was at the back of the plane. Eric followed that thought too.
"She'd want to join in but if you really want to …" he grinned innocently at me. I shuddered. "No, I thought not." I detected a hint of relief from Eric but he was already back on the offensive.
"You cannot run from me any more Sookie. Now either we can talk here or I can lock you in the basement of my home in Shreveport until you talk to me, but be assured either way we are going to have this conversation, it has been put off for too long."
So we were going to do it now. That conversation I had both been longing for and dreading, he was right, we needed to have it, but I wasn't sure I was ready to hear what he had to say.
"Fine." I huffed folding my arms defensively. "What do you want to talk about?"
I thought I saw a flash of disappointment cross Eric's face but then he grinned at me.
"Well we need to discuss my reacquired memories of when I stayed at your house. We also need to discuss the fact that you keep running from me – a terrible habit of yours I intend to break starting now, and of course we need to discuss a certain visit I received from you while staying with my fellowship friends." his eyes twinkled "So where would you like to start?"
None of the subjects sounded appealing, most certainly not my visit to the compound. And I wasn't really looking forward to what he had planned to stop me running, I wasn't convinced he was entirely joking about the basement. Looking at Eric's determined face I knew I would have to pick one. As a last ditch attempt to get out of this I glanced at Pam again.
"Oh, do not worry, she has her music at full volume. I can hear Carole King clearly from here. I have told her that if she attempts to lower the volume even slightly I will make her listen to Swedish thrash metal instead."
I realised he was right, even I could hear the dull throb of the music over the plane's engines. Damn, talking it was then.
I decided to go with what I saw as the lesser of three evils. Eric's memories had already been covered in part anyway, plus I was hoping there would be enough material there to save getting on to the other two tonight.
"I guess we start at the beginning, when you stayed with me." I said quietly.
"Oh, that wasn't the beginning, not even close. But of course we can start there if you like." The smile on Eric's face clearly told me I had chosen exactly as he had expected. A feeling of dread started to fill my stomach. What would he say? Would he laugh at how freely I had given myself to him? Or be angry that I didn't take better care of him? Getting him shot in my own kitchen. I'd told him about Debbie, but that is not the same as remembering.
Suddenly he was kneeling before me, pushing my knees apart and sliding between them. He undid my safety belt and pulled me forward in the seat wrapping his arms around me and looking deep into my eyes. His head was a little lower than mine so he was looking up at me. His eyes seemed bluer than ever.
"Thank you." he said with such deep sincerity that tears sprung to my eyes. "I should have said that a long time ago. Said it properly. Not in my centuries of being a vampire or even during my relatively short mortal life have I ever felt the fear … the terror … I felt running down that road in the dark." I could see this admission was hard for him. Eric didn't fear much and acknowledged that feeling even less.
I remembered his words 'I was a void', and shuddered. He was trying to continue, to convey what it had meant when I recognised him, when he realised I would take him in. I brushed his hair back soothingly as I had often back then. He opened his mouth but he didn't need to speak, I got it. I pulled his face into my chest, holding him close and kissing the top of his head.
This was what I had once thought of as my Eric, the Eric that could admit vulnerability, who would let me care for him. I remembered wanting to protect him, not only from the witches, but from Jason's greed and Pam's plotting. It was ridiculous to think Eric brought out my protective instincts, I couldn't imagine there was much Eric needed protecting from and even less that I could provide that service on.
Then I remembered Felipe and repressed a new shudder.
"What is it my lover?" He whispered feeling my emotions.
"Nothing, it's just … I liked protecting you." he laughed.
"Yes, I remember."
"No, not that. Well, I mean, I enjoyed that too, but I liked looking after you, keeping you safe. Not that you were keen to let me, even without your memory you didn't think you needed protection." I smiled fondly at the memory of him carting me across the cemetery to check out Bill's house.
"Hmm, trying to protect someone who thinks they are invincible? I cannot imagine what that is like." he said sarcasticly.
"I do not think I'm invincible, but I am not completely defenceless either and I might be more amenable (Word of the Day) to your protection efforts if you ever tried to discuss them with me before hand, rather than just forcing them upon me." I'd started defensively and then moved on to the attack.
I was still not happy about the whole AVL thing. I didn't want to get cross during a tender moment but then again Eric was now nuzzling my breasts in a very regular-Eric way. I rolled my eyes but didn't push him away. With a fang he made a small scratch making me gasp but his tongue was already at work cleaning the blood away and healing the mark. He gave a small groan of pleasure at the taste.
"Sorry." he said in a thick voice not removing his head from my cleavage. "You have no idea what your blood is to me."
"Yeah yeah, fairy, bla bla." I grumbled. I knew this was a big part of my attraction, and not just to Eric, I hated it. He pulled back suddenly looking at my face with a scowl.
"No Sookie. I have tasted other part-fairies before, some with more fairy than you. They have not tasted as you taste. This" he said running his nose and mouth down my neck and peppering kisses along the way. "This is pure you and you alone." He pulled back slightly to meet my eyes trying to explain "It is not the … the flavour … or not that alone, it is the essence, your essence, it is that it is yours." He returned to running his lips over my neck breathing in deeply.
"I must be very careful, it would be too easy for me to take too much after living off that synthetic crap for the past year." I was almost at the point where I was going to tell him to just bite me already when his words sank in instead of his fangs. I pulled away.
"Wait, what?"
"Don't worry, I will be careful, I would never hurt you Sookie." he said still trying to nuzzle.
"No, I mean what was that about synthetic blood?" he finally pulled back a little and glanced at my face.
"Except when it was unavoidable, I have not fed from humans since you left. Well, before that actually." he shrugged.
I ignored the 'unavoidable' comment, I really didn't want to think about it.
"Why not?" I asked instead.
"I find I have no desire for blood that is not yours." He said simply, as if discussing the weather.
I tried to think of the last time he'd had my blood before I left. Of course he'd had it in Rhodes, when we made the bond, I couldn't think of a time after that. How long had this been going on? I remembered refusing him when he got shot protecting me in his car and felt even worse.
"Hu." I said "So, I guess we're both of us ruined for humans now." Eric laughed his big booming laugh, clearly remembering our conversation on the way back from Jackson. I relished the sound. As much as I appreciated him sharing his vulnerable side, this was the Eric I knew and loved, it had even been that way when he stayed with me.
He had been very open with me, I figured it was only fair if I reciprocated.
"In fact, I'm pretty much ruined for everyone now. Even when I told myself I'd never see you again, I knew there would never be anyone else." his whole face softened as I said that and his eyes glowed.
"I know." he smiled "I should be sorry for that, but I'm not. You are mine. Not because of the bond and our marriage, but simply because you are." He held my eyes "I cannot give up my position for you, it would not be safe for either of us," he sounded slightly apologetic "but I am ready to fulfil my promise and have you by my side. You are mine and mine alone, and I am yours. Nothing and no one will ever part us again, not even you." The intensity flowing through the bond would have knocked me off my feet if I hadn't already been sitting.
Eric pulled himself gracefully into the seat beside me and I expected him to start in on me for running away but he took my hand and started stroking my fingers as he spoke softly.
"When I lost my memories of our time together, I lost not only some of the best sex of my existence"
"Some?" I queried with mock affront.
"I've had better ..." he shrugged then smirked at me "...since." then he was serious again "But I also lost what I learned about you. I went back to making the same old mistakes. I did not understand you, what your life was and had been. I would never have made Bill confess in the way I did if I'd had my memories."
"I'm glad you did it, I needed to know."
"Yes you did, but I would have done it differently. I did not understand how deeply you would feel the betrayal. I have always known Bill was not worthy of you, I thought only to demonstrate that to you also. But the intensity of your pain, I could not even look at you. Remembering talking with you about your life, and what you said about how people treat you, what is normal for you, Bill was the first one to make you feel worthy of that kind of love, it was something he played on."
I hated that I was crying. Eric pulled me onto his lap and licked my tears.
"None of that Sookie. You know better now. You are worth more than all of them. They are not worthy of you."
"Except you of course." I hiccuped trying to lighten the mood.
"Of course." he said as if that were obvious. Then he kissed me, gently at first, then deeper, then even more so. His hands started roaming my body as his tongue explored my mouth. When his hand started to slide up my dress I stopped him. I don't think he had forgotten Pam was in the back, I think he had just stopped caring.
He let me stop him and I tucked my head under his chin.
"You will never leave me again." he said. It wasn't a demand, it was a statement of certainly. I lay in his arms stroking his fingers and fell asleep.
When Eric and I arrived at my house it was nearly dawn and I was surprised to find Amelia awake. The second I opened the door she screamed and threw herself at me.
"Oh Sookie. I'm so sorry." 'Will she blame me?' "How are you? How was your flight?" 'Has she worked things out with Eric?' "How was California?" 'What was she doing in California? Did she have a boyfriend there?' "I haven't touched your room except to dust and stuff." 'Is she staying?' "Gosh it's good to have you home." 'Does she know about me and Jason?'
Whoa! What was that? It was such a barrage of information it took a while to sort one question from another and figure out what she had spoken aloud and what she had just been thinking. I had forgotten what a loud broadcaster Amelia was.
"Hey Amelia." I hugged her back "Good to see you too." She still hadn't let go "Er … can I get in the door and put these bags down?"
"Oh sure, sorry." she blushed. "Hey Sheriff, where's Pam?" I blinked. Amelia had called Eric 'Sheriff', which was weird in itself but her greeting was also very friendly and familiar.
"She has stayed in Shreveport due to the nearness of the dawn. I will stay here today." Eric announced, and Amelia just nodded as if this was quite normal. Was it? Eric carried the bags we had brought in through to my old room. He looked around the space carefully and nodded to himself, so I wandered in curiously.
Everything looked exactly the same as when I left, but the room was spotlessly clean. For a moment I wondered if Amelia had put a stasis spell on it but then I recalled she'd said something about dusting. I guessed Eric had asked her to clean it for when I got back. He was watching my face now, I knew he wanted me to feel the comfort of home-coming but looking at my old room felt weird, like going back in time. I would have to make some changes when I got settled, I had no interest in going backwards. I smiled to reassure him, and he smiled back.
"I will bring in the rest of your bags from the car then I will need to go to rest for the day. You should catch up with your friend." Eric gave me a quick kiss then headed back out to the car. I couldn't decide if he was being sweet giving me time with Amelia, or if it was more a case of the changing of the guard. But I did want to talk to her, though many of my questions would have to wait until Eric was dead for the day. So I pottered around, putting a few things away and making small talk with Amelia while I waited for Eric to submit to the dawn.
I knew Amelia was concerned that I wasn't talking to her properly but I would clear that up with her soon enough. Finally I felt the bond go quiet and breathed a sigh of relief. I could understand Eric's concerns but his tension was draining. I poured two drinks, grabbed Amelia's hand and pulled her onto the couch with me. I gave her another hug and looked at her properly.
"You look good Ames. A little tired, but I guess that's just from waiting up for me. You shouldn't have, but I'm glad you did."
Amelia gave me a bright genuine smile.
"Oh Sookie, I've missed you so much. I'm sorry I was so … well you know. I knew it was unfair, even when I was thinking those things but I was just so freaked out. You'd told me all about the things you'd been through before but I never really got it. I always thought I'd be so cool in a crisis but I was just freaking out and you were the calm one. I felt like I'd let you down, then I took it out on you."
"Amelia, calm down, it's fine. I understand why you felt that way about me, believe me. And I promise you, however calm I may have appeared, I was just as freaked out as you were. I thought it was so cool you thought of thinking 'at' me, I remember wishing I could talk to you that way too, though I wouldn't wish my disability on you full time."
"Oh Sookie don't, you shouldn't talk about yourself that way!"
I just shook my head, I didn't want to get into that, especially not now. I had more important things to talk about.
"Amelia, I need to know what happened after I left. Everything." I looked at her significantly and she looked cautiously back.
"Actually I don't know much, I swear. But I'll tell you everything I know." She glanced nervously in the direction of the spare room with the concealed hidey-hole. I smiled in acknowledgement.
"Why do you think I waited until now to talk to you?"
"So, is the bond back?"
"Yep."
"How did you get rid of it?" I had to laugh at that.
"Actually, you and Octavia did it." I said, she looked shocked, then a little pleased. "Then you cast a spell on yourselves to forget all about it so the vampires couldn't get it out of you or blame you. It was your idea, I swear, I would never have asked you to do that, but I did want you to be safe."
"That's what Eric said, but I wasn't sure. He came back every week to see if the memories had come back saying he knew they would." we both glanced away from each other. Yes, Eric had some experience of memory loss by magic.
"Was he … he didn't hurt you did he?"
"No, he was angry at first but still quite good about it considering how pissed he was. He glamoured me once to check I was telling the truth but let me remember that he'd done it so I knew that was all." She didn't seem to mind but I wanted to be sure.
"Do you want me to check? If you think about the times he was here I can see if there are any holes."
She shook her head. "It's fine, really. He's actually been pretty good to me. He never said much except to ask if I remembered anything, but he would come and sit in your room fairly regularly." she looked away again, as if embarrassed or guilty at sharing this.
I blinked back tears trying to picture it. Eric sat on my empty bed wondering where I had gone. Or maybe he just came here to get some peace? Who knew? I shook off the thought, I could think about that later. Right now I needed some answers.
"Did Felipe or Victor ever come here?"
"No. There were a few vampires that watched the house for a while but they never approached."
Now for the question I really needed the answer to.
"Do you know what Felipe did to punish Eric?" I held my breath waiting for the answer.
"No." She looked me dead in the eye to emphasise her truthfulness. "But judging from Pam's reaction it was pretty bad. I think she might have killed you that night, if you'd been here."
I blanched. "But you don't know what it was?"
"No. Eric came here the next night, just after sunset. He had a shower then spent the whole night in your room, just sitting on your bed. He stayed here the day too. I couldn't see any marks or injuries, but he heals pretty quick and he was definitely … affected."
"Affected?"
"I don't know how to explain it. He was vacant, like he'd gone off somewhere and left his body behind."
"Downtime?"
"Like that, but even when he was moving around he was the same. I took him some TrueBlood and he didn't even seem to realise I was there, it was creepy. I just put it on the side and left him alone but the bottle was empty when I went in the next day to clean."
I was really upset now but Amelia didn't seem to know any more.
"Thanks for keeping it clean Ames, you really didn't have to."
"Yes I did. My instructions were very specific too. The room had to stay clean but I was not to use scented sprays and polishes. I guess so it would still smell like you."
"Oh." I couldn't think of anything to say to that. "Er … sorry about that."
"It's fine. I'd have done it anyway, especially as you gave me such a great deal on the rent. It was the least I could do."
"I think I really messed up Ames." I said, tears springing to my eyes.
"I don't see it that way. I know it's been tough on Eric but he chose to be part of the whole vamp politics thing. You never did."
"Even so, he shouldn't have had to pay for my leaving. It wasn't even him that pulled me into it in the first place."
"Maybe, but vamps don't look at the world the way we do. They don't consider humans as able to make independent decisions, and even if a human does, they see it as the vamps fault for letting them. Eric knew who you were and chose to take responsibility for you anyway."
"Exactly, and I knew that. I swear I didn't think about it at the time but I realise now I should have."
"It was Eric's decision to bond with you, you didn't even know what it meant."
"Yes but he only did it to protect me, at least mostly. I guess I just never took responsibility for my end of the deal, to protect him too, at least not since that time with the witches."
"He doesn't exactly seem like someone who needs much in the way of protection, whatever happened it was his decision to let it."
"Maybe, but still he did it to protect me. He could have disowned me and declared open-season on Sookie, but he didn't."
"I really think you should talk to him about this." Amelia was looking uncomfortable, I could tell she knew I had a point.
"You're right, sorry."
I needed to talk about something else. "What else has been going on? I can't believe it's been a year."
"Most stuff is the same. I'm still working at Merlotts. Sam says it's kind of like having you around still, because we're friends and also because I have to take time off every now and then to do vamp stuff." she laughed "I've had loads of warding work." she grinned proudly.
"Wow, and you're sure you're ok with that?"
"Hell yeah. Eric always negotiates good deals for me and sends Pam to watch over me. He takes a cut of course but it's only fair as he sets up the deal and provides security."
"So Eric's got a witch as well as a telepath, he's getting quite the collection." my voice may have gone a little sour. For some reason the idea of Amelia working for Eric bothered me. It shouldn't have but it did. Amelia looked at me picking up on my mood.
"It's not like that. When the first request came in he sent Pam to ask me. He said it was up to me if I wanted to do it or not and they would protect me either way. But I wanted to do it. I was going to deal with it myself but Eric insisted I take Pam with me just in case. A good job too, they tried all sorts. After that he just negotiated for me and made it clear I was under his protection as a personal associate of his bonded. That's why I always call him Sheriff now, even when it's just us, so I don't slip up when other vamps are about, he's my boss kind-of. But it was always about you Sook."
I felt ashamed of my outburst, it was really unfair to both of them.
"Sorry. It's fine, really Ames. I'm glad you got some work from it. And I'm sure Eric would have looked after you anyway. He's really good about stuff like that in his area, it's why he's such a popular Sheriff."
"He is a really good businessman and boss, I've noticed that."
"And you get to spend lots of time with Pam. Did you meet Catherine?"
"Yes. She was sweet at first but then got a little clingy when she knew Pam and I'd had a thing, good job she didn't know we were still hooking up occasionally. It's nothing serious, but if we've been out on a job or something it's nice to unwind after, you know?"
We chatted on for a while. Amelia didn't mention Jason and I didn't ask. I also stayed out of her head, she would tell me when she was ready.
Amelia hadn't slept at all, and I had only slept for a short time on the plane, so after a while we both headed for bed. I set my alarm for a few hours later. I didn't want to sleep too long as I had a lot I wanted to do. Plus I didn't want to get my sleep pattern set on nights. I awoke just after lunch time and while I could have happily slept longer, forced myself to get up and moving. After some coffee and a quick meal, I unpacked the rest of my stuff and set about updating my room. I changed the bedding and curtains to ones I'd got in California and put out a few nick-naks I'd brought back as well. I also put up a picture of an ocean view. Eventually I was happy with it and decided to get in the shower, which is where I was when Eric got up.
I was so lost in enjoying the warm flow of water over me, that I didn't feel him rise or hear him come in the room. Which meant I squealed loudly when a cold hand brushed over my butt. I turned suddenly nearly slipping and Eric climbed in and caught me before I fell. As my heart restarted I looked up at him to find him grinning gleefully.
"Jesus Christ Eric." I said hitting him in the chest "Do you have to sneak up on me like that, you nearly gave me a heart attack!"
"Sorry my lover" he said, not looking sorry at all "I thought you would have felt me coming."
"Well I didn't. I was enjoying a quiet shower if you don't mind." I pushed against him with no effect.
"I don't mind at all." he said reaching for the shower gel.
I was going to argue that he should leave and let me finish but I was mesmerised watching him create a lather in his hands, remembering a previous shower that still rated as the best one I'd ever had. After a moment he started rubbing the suds on himself and then grinned as he felt my disappointment.
"Problem lover?"
"I wasn't finished." I said trying to reign in my emotions from giving me away even though I knew it was too late.
"You have an area that still needs attention?" he asked innocently holding up his soap covered hands. "I'm sure I can help you finish if you require." And he did. Twice.
I was sitting in front of my bedroom mirror, combing out my hair, when he revealed why he wanted me in a good mood.
"Your vampire accommodations will not do. They are fine for the likes of Compton, or for the occasional day but Henry will be staying here every day for quite a while."
"You think he should stay somewhere else?" I was confused, it was Eric that had first suggested Henry stay with me.
"No, he should stay here, but I think we need to upgrade your 'hidey-hole' that's all. I will arrange for some contractors to start tomorrow."
"What do you mean by 'upgrade?'" I asked suspicious.
"Do not worry. You will not be able to tell the difference from the outside, I am simply suggesting expanding the interior of the 'hole' and making it more comfortable. I would have thought, as a hostess, you would want your guests to be comfortable." he dropped his chin and looked through his top lashes at me in a school-masterly stern way. I squirmed uncomfortably, Gran would be ashamed of me. It had never occurred to me whether the light-tight space in my wardrobe was actually comfortable or not. I felt Eric start celebrating his victory before I even responded.
"Fine. But nothing too expensive. My savings are limited." I said worrying about how much it would cost. "I guess you know special people who deal with that kind of thing, or do you just glamour them so they don't know what they've done?"
"Both actually. And do not worry about the cost. I will pay." he could see I was about to object but spoke before I could "This is a space for an associate of mine while he stays in my area. I can write it off as a business expense. Besides I will not have a vampire such as Henry stay in the type of accommodation you could afford. You are my wife, it is natural I would pay for this. I'm sure I can think of some other way for you to pay me back if you insist though." he wiggled his eyebrows at me. As usual he had a dizzying array of approaches to bend me to his will.
"Stop trying to distract me. I am not your wife and I am certainly not using sexual favours to repay debts, what do you think I am?" I ask indignant at the suggestion.
"You are my wife and I think you are beautiful, intelligent, resourceful, sexy and unaccountably stubborn. Besides I did not refer to sexual favours, I expect to get those anyway." he flashed a grin then got serious.
"I do have a few other jobs you could help me with though, if you do not object."
"What kind of jobs?"
"I have several new waitresses at Fangtasia I would like you to 'read' for one thing. Since the take over I have found several new staff members to be in the employ of Victor. I cannot get rid of them of course, but it is best if I can be sure who they are."
"What? He's using humans to spy on you?"
"Humans, vampires, were's anyone he can get. He will not find anything but still it is better to know."
"Of course I'll read them for you. I would do that anyway. How bad is it? I can get some stuff off were's but it's not as reliable."
"It is not bad at all. A lot of the people who work for me are spies for others, and not just Victor and Felipe. You do not need to be concerned, but I would like you to spend an evening or two at the bar and see what you can pick up, I will be with you, you will be quite safe."
"Have you heard from Victor or Felipe?" I asked watching him closely.
He shrugged "Victor is due in a couple of days and Felipe sent a message saying he was looking forward to receiving my full report. They are not happy but they will not go against the AVL we are safe for now. However you cannot be complacent, you must keep yourself safe when I cannot be with you. Amelia is strengthening the wards on the house and Henry will watch you at night but you must be careful when you go out in the day, try to have someone with you as much as possible." I could feel his worry and regret.
I turned and stood up putting my hand to his face. "I will be careful, I promise. Try not to worry about me. I'm more worried about you. I wish you would tell me what Felipe has been doing." I felt the bond snap shut.
"I told you, it is nothing, minor irritations that is all. I need to make some calls." he turned and left abruptly. Now I was even more worried.
And so started our bickering. The marriage, the ring, the extent of the work on the hidey-hole, what Felipe had done, whether I went back to work, anything and everything, all really stemming from the fact we were scared too much for each other and possibly not enough for ourselves.
So that's chapter one of story two. I hope I have not disappointed. I realise Eric and Sookie only covered a small fraction of all they have to talk about, there will be more later I just didn't want to try and cram it all into one conversation.