A/N: The title of this is borrowed from The Rime of the Ancient Mariner, by Samuel Taylor Coleridge. Partly because I've always loved it, but also because of the whole "Water, water everywhere, nor any drop to drink" reference from the book. Not really relevant, but hey, what is? So this is my first fanfic. And I have no Beta-yikes! I've read lots and always wanted to try my hand at it, so this is it. This is definitely an imperfect timeline, snausaged in around books 8-9. I wasn't trying for it to make perfect chronological sense. I mostly needed an outlet for some angst-free fluff, where Sookie comes to her effing senses. This is for entertainment purposes only. I initially intended for this to be one chapter and it's turned into a lot more. I work two jobs, but will try to update frequently. I hate when you really get into reading a good story and then the author hasn't updated in months. Just frustrating. There is very mature language and very sexy sexiness coming, so rated M for a reason. Please feel free to leave constructive feedback. Also, music is a huge part of everything for me, especially reading and writing. So, if anyone is also like that and wants to google or youtube a few, the songs for this chappy are: All For You, by Phil Wickham. I've been told this is a Christian song? I guess it's all in the beholder, because I'm not Christian, but I found it to be a beautiful song. Also, You Are Mine, by Mute Math-the title says it all, no? Yum. Anyhooo-Enjoy party people. Oh, and can't forget, all characters are the sole property of the goddess Charlain Harris. I just like to play with them.
Chapter One
"…Eric!"
Sookie awoke, sunlight burning her eyes, as she tried to grasp the remnants of her quickly fading dream. She vaguely remembered him, holding her in a tight embrace, in front of a…fireplace? She couldn't make out where they were, but they were dressed warmly, snuggled up together…laying on thick…fur?…pelts and blankets. Desperately, she tried to recall details. It was coming more clearly now, as she closed her eyes and thought back. She could almost feel the heat from the fire and hear the snaps coming from the hearth…
He was saying, "I will give anything to make you mine, Sookie. All I am; all I have, if that is what you desire. And, in turn, I will be yours. We belong to each other, as partners, not possessions. When will you realize I don't wish to own you or control you through our Bond? How can you not realize, it is I who am most vulnerable from it?"
His grip around her tightened, desperation making his accent thicker. Sookie started to speak, but Eric put his finger gently over her lips.
"No, my love. It is time for me to talk, uninterrupted, for once, and for you to listen and not walk away." He let loose his grip of her, and leaned up. His eyes left her face and stared into the fire. "I am at constant risk, because my feelings for you are well-known. At any moment, someone could use you as leverage against me. How can I be Sherriff and protect those in my area, as well as myself, knowing I can be felled by a mere human."
The silence was palpable. " And yet, I find you are worth it, without a second thought, lover, because now that I've found you, I cannot be without you."
He turned back to her, his eyes darker. "One thing that bothers me most, however…I have chased you, protected you, risked all for you, only to be repeatedly rejected by you. At times, you seem to think less of me more than anyone you know. Though I have done a few things throughout our "relationship" that may have been suspect, I did them with the best intentions for your safety. I have also done my best to keep you advised of things happening and have answered any questions you have of me, as best I can, at that time. Yet others, like Bill and Quinn, have done far worse to intentionally deceive and hurt you, more than once, yet you defend them and give them ample opportunity to redeem themselves. Why can I not have the same chances, My Bonded? What can I do to make you see that I give myself to you, and all I ask is the same in return?"
Tears came to Sookie's eyes, as she opened her mouth to speak, the dream shifted.
She was being dragged away from their warm nest, from her Eric, by rough hands. She was trying to reach out to him-she could see the hurt and fear in his eyes as he tried to reach for her, but he was suddenly bound with silver and being pulled backwards. Panic gripped her. She turned to her captor to find a dark hooded figure, only the hood was also a cape-it was Felipe deCastro.
He leered at her, as he pulled her away effortlessly with his hard grip, bruising her arms. Abruptly, she realized they were on a runway. "Ah, my dear Miss Stackhouse. Sorry to pull you away from such a touching scene, but you'll thank me later. You've fended off the Viking long enough. Since he's not man enough to bring you to heel, I will. We can spend some, how do you American humans say?, "quality time" together in Las Vegas. Shall we?" He was dragging her closer to a jet.
Frantically, Sookie started clawing and screaming and fighting him, only getting closer and closer to the jet. "Mmmm, Miss Stackhouse." Felipe pulled her close and she could feel his excitement pressing against her. "As much as I love fighting for my conquests, may I give you some motivation to come along more…willingly?"
He turned her, so she could see an almost unconscious Eric being dragged behind her, a silver net around his head, being dragged by it, as if it were a leash. Upon Felipe's threat, Eric's captor stopped dragging him, pulled out a stake and held it up to his heart. She ceased all struggling and her fear began to overwhelm her, to the point of almost passing out.
She could feel herself being pulled further and up the stairs to the waiting jet, all the while Eric still had a stake at his heart, in silent threat. The last thing she remembered as the door closed behind them, was the scream that woke her up…
"Eric!"
