The title sucks because I really just couldn't think of what to call the damn thing!

This idea has sort of been swimming about in my noggin for a couple of weeks now, so I decided I would finally get it down on the computer equivalent of paper. I got the idea from the Season 3 trailer where Sookie gets accosted in Lou Pines, and this is what I would quite like to happen, though of course it won't =[

No, I don't own any of the characters from True Blood. If I did, we would all see a lot more of Eric Northman. And I mean a lot more.

Sookie Stackhouse sat at a small table in the club named Lou Pines. Puns must be a big thing in the supernatural world. She was waiting for Alcide Herveaux, who was currently trying to fight his way through the crowds to the bar to order their drinks.

She looked around herself, taking in her surroundings, listening in on the occasional person. Their thoughts were scrambled and confusing; nearly every person there was a supe. Her eyes settled momentarily on four men, all built like houses, stalking towards her. She quickly looked down to the tabletop but as the seconds passed her eyes rose again; they were closer now and still heading in her direction, their eyes surveying her. Her gaze dropped again.

Instinct told her to get up and go to Alcide. Or run out and lock herself in the truck. Just get away.

But she told instinct to shut the heck up and stop being so silly. The club was a public place, she was safe. Then she proceeded to ignore instinct on the basis that it was acting childish.

Anyway, I'm just being paranoid, she told herself, the table is right near the door, they're just leaving. Even though it isn't even ten o'clock yet.

But when she looked up once more she saw them coming to a halt on the other side of the small table.

"Well, hello creampuff." One of them said, the third from the left, and it seemed to Sookie that he was in charge as the others said nothing, they just leered.

In her experience, nothing good can come from four, huge, creepy, supernatural men leering at you.

"Hello." She replied, wearing her 'you don't scare me' face as she tried her best to search the men's brains for thoughts of Bill. She knew she was being bad mannered but she certainly didn't want to encourage them by being friendly.

"What're you doin' sat here all by your lonesome?" The third man spoke again, his eyes moving down her body. The action made her skin crawl.

Quite out of nowhere, she thought of Eric Northman. He often looked her up and down. The action was similar but at the same time it was entirely different. When Eric did it, it was like she could feel his gaze caressing her skin, like he was taking in every inch of her and committing it to memory; it made her feel beautiful. The men in front of her made her feel nauseous and scared. She was glad she couldn't really hear what they were thinking but she definitely caught the loose idea, and it wasn't pleasant.

And stop thinking about Eric Northman, she scolded, you're here to find Bill.

"I'm with somebody; he's just gone to get our drinks, but thank you for your concern." She sniped, pretty sure they knew nothing of Bill and hoping they would just go but knowing they wouldn't.

Right enough, they began to move around the table, two going to the left and two to the right, like a pack surrounding its prey. Wolf number three stood uncomfortably close, to her right, wolf number two to her left and one and four closed the gap behind her. They towered over her. She was well and truly trapped.

Told you so, instinct said, you're in the shit now. I swear, you just attract this sort.

Sookie told instinct that wasn't helping, and there was no need to cuss.

"Why don't you ditch him and come with us instead? I know we'd have fun." She was certain she wasn't included in that 'we' as he looked past her to his pack mates.

"No, thank you." Her voice was smaller and higher pitched than she was aiming for and he grinned at her obvious fear.

"It wasn't a suggestion." He growled quietly as he took her arm. She tried to pull away from him but it only caused him to tighten his grip as he hauled her to her feet.

"Get your hands off of me!" She yelled as her palm collided with his face so forcefully that it sent little shots of pain up her arm.

It seemed to anger and excite him in equal measure, "We got a live one tonight!" he laughed as he dragged her towards the door.

She screamed at the top of her lungs and saw Alcide turn, try and fight through the crowds to get to her, but she knew that even if he reached them he wouldn't be able to do anything. They were bigger, and they outnumbered him.

As they pulled her towards the trees at the other side of the car park she heard a name pass her lips.

"Eric!" She screamed before thinking to herself Why am I shouting for Eric? That's a bit random. Plus, he's miles away.

Just as the thought entered her mind, as if on cue, she heard two blows behind her, each followed by a loud yelp. The leader turned, dragging her round with him, and she stared wide eyed at what was in front of her.

Eric stood staring at wolf number four, his hands dripping with blood, a snarl contorting his features. At either side of him wolves number one and two lay at his feet, their throats completely ripped out, blood pouring out of them sickeningly and spreading across the ground. She had never seen anything so terrifying in all her life.

Eric's eyes moved over to her captive.

"You. Take your filthy paws off her. Now." His voice was like poison, like acid. It was quiet and barely controlled.

"Is this your owner, whore?" Sookie's captive whispered to her, pressing his nose to her neck and inhaling disturbingly, "You don't smell like him." He turned back to Eric, "You just killed two of my men, I think I should return the favour." His grip tightened on Sookie's arm, and she gasped as the pressure increased from uncomfortable to painful.

The vampire took a step forward, growling fiercely. Wolf number four lunged at him, shifting mid-leap, and Eric caught him as if he were a ball someone had just thrown to him. Sookie shut her eyes tightly, every muscle in her body was shaking and she flinched at the sounds of the soul-wrenching yelps she heard.

The fingers around her arm tightened and tightened and found she was whimpering from the pain, until she heard a crack and a scream and suddenly she was released.

She opened her eyes to see the leader on the ground, cradling his arm, shouting and cursing, Eric stood over him. With a speed she was barely able to see Eric kicked the man in the ribs, causing blood to spurt from his mouth at another loud crack as they broke under the force. Sookie's attacker lay, gasping and crying and swearing he was going to kill them both. Eric went to kick him again but stopped as he heard a small voice.

"Eric, don't. Don't kill him."

"Why not? Why should scum like this be allowed to continue existing?" He snarled, still looking at the werewolf.

When he got no response Eric turned to look at Sookie. She was shaking and afraid and tears fell silently down her face. She saw his face instantly soften and fangs retract, all anger gone from his eyes, and she relaxed a little.

"Sookie," he whispered gently, his eyes dropping down to his feet, "I'm sorry."

He wiped his bloody hands on his jeans, not wanting to touch her while they held the evidence of such violence, not wanting to taint her, though not really knowing why.

"Sorry? For savin' my life?" She asked disbelievingly, "Those men were goin' to kill me. Or worse, I might've survived. I know what they were plannin'."

"Don't." It sounded like a warning. He looked down to the man whimpering by his feet and she understood.

He looked up and walked over to her slowly, his eyes looking her over, checking for injury.

"Are you okay?" He asked once he had reached her. His voice was like silk. He brushed a lock of hair from her face gently and she was amazed that just a few minutes ago those same hands were tearing people apart. That voice, now so soft, was the same voice that had been so full of menace, so completely frightening.

"I'm fine." She smiled warmly, "Thank you."

Seconds passed as they stood looking at one another, his eyes holding hers, until something occurred to her.

"Wait," she said, confusion settling on her face, "how'd you get here so fast?"

"I flew. I set off as soon as I felt your fear."

Okay now she was really confused. That answer just made no sense at all.

"You flew?" she said grinning, "What, like Superman?"

It was meant as a joke so when he seemed to consider it for a second she was baffled.

"Yes," he said matter-of-factly, "I suppose, a little like Superman. Though without the cape." He paused for a second before adding, "Or the tights."

Sookie was suddenly laughing, almost hysterically. This had been a weird night and that image was enough to send her into fits of giggles. There was something very amusing about picturing Eric Northman as a superhero, and something strangely arousing about picturing Eric Northman in skin tight spandex. A million emotions ran through her until she finally settled on exhaustion.

"Take me to Alcide's please?" She said, catching her breath.

"Of course." he said, stroking the back of his hand down her cheek, "Where is Alcide?" She saw the anger coming back.

"Eric, please don't. I just wanna go to bed." She gave him her best puppy dog eyes and, of course, he crumbled.

"Fine." He picked her up and put her legs around his waist.

"Eric, what're you-"

"Just hold on tight, okay? Tight as you can." And when he felt her grip around him tighten, he took off into the air.


Eric lay Sookie down and pulled the covers up over her. He turned to leave but a small hand grabbed his.

"Stay?" Sookie asked quietly.

He could never refuse her, and that disturbed him greatly.

"I'll just wash my hands." He smiled reassuringly, "I'll be back in two minutes."

"Make it one?"

His eyes moved across her face, taking in every detail, the shade of her eyes, the angle of her nose, the curve of her mouth. Trying to figure out what it was that gave her such power over him.

He left for the bathroom where he washed away all the dirt, all the anger, all the pain he had inflicted.

When he returned he stood, a little unsure, by the side of the bed until Sookie moved over and patted the space next to her.

Eric couldn't remember the last time he held somebody. It was strangely comforting, wrapping her up in his arms, making her feel safe, running his fingers through her soft, golden curls. Her skin was warm and supple, her breathing slow and steady; calming. He could hear her heartbeat and feel her pulse against his skin, he could smell her blood coursing through her veins yet he felt no urge to take it. He was content to just be with her, to feel her warmth and witness the peace on her sleeping face.

She made him feel so human. He hated it. Hated how it made him feel almost vulnerable. And at the same time he loved that it made him feel. He had lived for more than a thousand years but only when he was with Sookie did he really feel alive.

I love 'experiencing emotions' Eric, the big softy. He's adorable. Or, as adorable as a six foot four, thousand year old, former Viking, vampire sheriff can be anyway.

Review! Tell me it's awesome or slag me off, I don't care which, I just like feedback so I can improve the parts I suck at and feel proud of the parts that are actually good. Ta!