Tara sat at her table sipping her iced-tea, waiting for Lafayette to arrive. She should have known his dumb ass would be late, like always. Looking at her watch, she sighed, he'd get there soon enough. In the mean time she tried to ignore all the damn rednecks around her. At this point, everyone in Bon Temps knew she was living in sin, with a vampire. She'd gotten used to the whispering and staring; but every now and then it made her feel insecure. Now she knew how Sookie felt, and she regretted ever being one of those people. Never judge a person until you've walked a mile in their shoes. The saying made so much sense now, and boy was she walking in those shoes. Still, she didn't regret it, not one bit. Things have been going good for her and Eric, for the past year they've been getting along, and he's been completely faithful to her. When he originally told her that he would feed only from her, as well as abstaining from sex with anyone else, she was ecstatic. After a few weeks, she had to change her diet. Being the only means of nourishment for a vampire as old as Eric, takes a toll on a human body. She had to make herself eat more meat and consume foods higher in iron, along with the occasional true blood. Every now and then, mostly when she's menstruating, Eric drinks true blood instead of drinking from her. They have a pretty good system going and it's been working for them. Granted, he still hasn't told her he loves her. It shouldn't bother her, cause she know he does – in his own way, the only way he knows how. It's not as if she's throwing around the word all the time, she's said she loves him maybe a handful of times.
A mo-hawk caught her attention, it was about damn time too. She couldn't suppress the smile on her face, it had been a while since she and Lafayette saw each other. From what she could tell, he hadn't changed too much. He was still wearing his loud as fuck clothing.
Standing up, she waited till he was close enough and jump into his arms to hug him.
" God I've missed your skanky ass," he said into her hair. Tara pulled back a little and gave him an incredulous look. "I'm skanky? Fucker, I've been fucking the same man for a year." She said as she took her seat.
"Yeah and you gonna keep fucking the same man till you die. Ain't no way that fucker gonna let you go. Then again, he is sexy as fuck, even if the son of a bitch is crazy."
Tara had a small smile on her face, for once she couldn't complain. She actually had a semi-normal relationship, well as normal as being with a vampire can be.
"Enough about me, how are thing with you and Jesus?" She asked leaning towards him.
Lafayette pursed his lips thinking about Jesus, that sexy ball of Latin sure mad his ass happy. "He's satisfied and so am I. So things are good."
Taking a sip of her coffee, "you guys should come visit me. The house is awesome, we have a pool. I'd love to see you more often." She said looking at him through her lashes.
Lafayette chewed on his bottom lip. "It's not that I don't wanna visit you, I do." He hesitated before continuing, "It's just... my history with Eric ain't so good, you know that. As sexy as that fucker is and as many wet dreams I've had of him; he fucking scares me." Tara crinkled her nose when he mentioned wet dreams.
"He's not that person anymore, I swear. For the past year he's been different. He's always telling me to have my family and friends over. Well everyone except Sam, he can't seem to get over the small fling we had." Lafayette raised a superior eyebrow at her.
"Small fling? Tara, he hunted you down and tried to get to leave Eric for him, more than once. I can see why he doesn't want Sam around." Lafayette sometimes wondered if Tara just chose to ignore things.
Seriously, would no one take her side on this, even Sookie sided with Eric."Well he hasn't done that in almost four months. I think he's over it."
Good god, she was dim."Oh, no he ain't. He still talks about you at work and is always asking if you're happy." Sam was a good guy, but he couldn't get over the fact that he lost Tara to a vampire.
"Where were all these men when I was single, huh?" She said, hoping to lighten the mood a bit. It wasn't often she saw her cousin, she didn't want to tarnish their time together.
Her question caught his attention."Men? Who else is barking up your tree?"
She knew she could tell him, without it getting back to Eric. She had considered telling Sookie, but there was a chance she'd tell Bill and he'd blabber to Eric for sure.
"Alcide. Please keep that to yourself. He keeps coming around when Eric is asleep telling me I can do better."
"Now that is on fine man. Feel free to send him over my way." For the first time ever, Lafayette was a little envious of his cousin. Since he'd become monogamous, his life was good but predictable.
"Yeah, I'm sure Jesus would love that." Tara laughed.
Lafayette's mood changed and he became very serious. "All joking aside. You're okay? He's being good to you?"
She couldn't blame him for asking, she was glad she had someone so amazing care for her. "Yeah, I'm good. He's been... he's been great."
Tara came home to find a bored Eric. He was sitting in the living room, watching so you think you can dance. She couldn't hide her smirk, the big bad vamp was watching reality tv. She stood in the doorway for a moment, she could only see the back of his head, still, she admired him.
Eric knew she was there, watching him. He heard her car pull up, he could feel her presence. She was aware of this. Yet, he sat there watching the television, letting her observe him. "You know, it's rude to stare."
She walked into the room and took the seat next to him, propping her feet on the coffee table. "But you love it when I stare. Admit it."
Eric dragged her over, so she was sitting horizontally on his lap. "It feels good to be appreciated. Doesn't it?"
Her hand played with the hair on the back of his neck. "It sure does. Aren't you gonna ask me how my day was?"
Eric gave her an incredulous look, "when have I ever asked about your day?"
Letting out an exasperated sigh, "never. I thought maybe you'd like to know how lunch with Lafayette went."
Rolling his eyes, "I don't really care, but you may tell me if you like."
"Jesus. Can you be anymore difficult?" she asked, removing her arm from his body and crossing them.
"Tara, I am in a relationship," he said the last word with distaste, "with you. I have compromised things I said I never would. Don't try to domesticate me, I will not be changing anything else."
Getting off his lap, she started to walk away. "Fine." Stopping at the doorway she turned to face him, but he stayed in the same position, so she could only see the back of his head. "Aren't you gonna come? I'm sure you're hungry."
Turning to face her, "no time. King Bill has asked me to go visit a new coven and disband them. Will you heat one of the disgusting Truebloods , I'll drink it on the way. When I get back I'll have my meal." He said, giving her a pointed look.
"Coven?" She asked confused.
"Yes. A coven of witches" Her reaction amused him. The moment he said the word witches, she let out a long suffering sigh.
"Does it ever end? What the fuck else is there?" She wondered if she'd ever really understand things and accept them, completely.
He moved quickly so he was standing directly in front of her. "älskling, I don't even know everything that's out there. There's no need to get upset over things we can't control." He ran his hands down her arms, unintentionally comforting her.
"You're right." she said, giving him a small smile. "These witches... are they dangerous?"
He thought a moment before answering. The witches he'd come across in the past were very dangerous. He had a feeling that this new coven was going to be insignificant.
"Don't worry. Witches are not what they once were."
Tara gave leaned up to give him a kiss. "Be careful. I'll have dinner ready when you come home."
"I'm always careful, and I promise to be starving." Smiling lecherously.
Stepping away from him,"Give me a minute, I'll get your Trueblood."
He pulled her arm gently before she could leave. "Don't worry about it, I'll make this quick."
Tara didn't know why, but a feeling of dread overwhelmed her. She blamed it on the fact that she just learned witches are real. She gave Eric a reassuring smile, before he flew away.
Once he was gone she walked over to the couch and sat down to wait. Once he came home this feeling would pass.
To say Eric was shocked to find Lafayette as a part of the witch coven would be an understatement. He knew he kept it from Tara, she would have told him. He would have to have a talk with Tara about her cousin. There were consequences for trying to control the dead, and if the higher ups found out about this, nothing could save her cousin. Before he went home tonight, he'd make sure to give Lafayette a personal warning. He got a little pleasure when he saw the shock on his Lafayette's face. He could feel his fear, he could almost taste it. Served him right.
Lafayette couldn't believe his eyes. When Eric broke through the door and looked straight at him, he knew he was in trouble.
"Lafayette. It's been a while, you should really come by for dinner sometime." He said deceptively calm.
"Uh... yeah, Tara said the same thing today." He managed to stutter out, no matter what, Eric still freaked him out.
Giving him a smile, with his fangs exposed. "Then I suggest you come by. I would hate to see Tara upset, because you didn't visit us."
"Excuse me. You are interrupting our session, you need to leave. Vampires are not welcomed here." An older woman said nervously.
"I am here to tell you that you are to cease your practices. Attempting to reanimate the dead, is an offense punishable by death."
Everything happened quickly for Eric. One moment, he had the witch in his arms ready to hurt her, the next everything went black.
Tara paced around the house, Eric wasn't home yet and there was an hour before dawn. She called his cell phone numerous times, but he wouldn't answer. She knew something was wrong, she felt it. Even Bill was unable to get in touch with him. She decided to take a ride to fangtasia. She spoke to Pam earlier, but the woman brushed off her concerns, saying he was probably caught up. As she was driving into to town, she saw a lone figure walking down the side of the road. She knew that perfect pale back, and that short cropped blonde hair. Gunning the car, she passed him and park on the side of the road. She was yelling before she was out of the car.
"Of all the inconsiderate things you've done, tonight's the worse. I was so worried about you! Why didn't you answer your phone? You knew I was nervous about the witches, you could have at least sent a text telling me your alive. Oh, and what the fuck are doing walking down the road half naked?" She shouted crossing her arms defensively.
Eric gave her a blank look, letting everything she yelled at him sink in.
"What? Cat got your tongue?" She was tapping her foot in aggravation.
"No. My tongue is in my mouth and it's intact. Now would you mind telling me who you are and why you're yelling at me?" He asked confused.
Tara faltered, "What?" she asked in a whisper.
"Who are you?" Her shocked eyes met his lost ones.
"Are you serious? You don't know who I am?" He shook his head. "I don't understand. You said everything would be okay, you told me not to worry."
He watched the woman in front of him rant as she paced back and forth. Even though he didn't recognize her, she felt familiar. He found himself attracted to her, not just physically but to her blood. He was hungry, he needed to eat.
Tara saw him approach her. Even though it was Eric, she felt uneasy. She quickly stepped away when he got too close.
"Why are you retreating from me if we're friends." He asked, stepping a bit closer.
She didn't know what to do. A part of her wanted to hug him and be happy he's alive, the other told her that right now, he was a stranger.
"Cause you don't remember me and that makes me nervous. For the record, I'm not your friend. I'm your girlfriend."
He was surprised by her declaration. "Really? For some reason I don't think I'm the type to keep a girlfriend. Do you have a name?"
She gave him a small smile. "You're not. Trust me, getting you to commit almost cost me my life. My name is Tara."
"Well... Tara, if your my girlfriend... does that mean I feed from you?" His question took her off guard. She knew he'd be hungry, he had yet to eat.
"Uh... I think we better get you to Fangtasia. You'll be able to get some blood there."
"Fangtasia?" He asked.
"It's a night club, you're the owner. Pam – the vampire you call your child- runs it."
"Interesting. Why wait? Can't I just drink from you now?" He said, reaching out and grabbing her.
"No. Until we figure out what's happening to you, you can't. I'm sorry Eric, but I don't feel comfortable with you right now." She said honestly.
"How would you stop me if I decided to anyhow?" She gave him a pointed look.
"I wouldn't be able to. But without me... you got nowhere to go and you don't know anyone else. Let's face it, it's almost dawn, you need me." He smiled at her.
"I can see why I like you." Eric wasn't one to give compliments on a regular basis, so that little statement made her heart beat a bit faster.
"Why don't you let go of me and we'll get you somewhere safe, okay?" He released her and followed her to her car.
"Are we going to my club?" Tara looked at the time, they'd be cutting it close. She was going to take him home.
"No. There isn't enough time. We're going home, I'll heat a Trueblood for you and tomorrow we'll figure out how to make you better." She subconsciously ran her hand over his arm, it was a natural thing for her to do.
Eric looked down at her warm hand, caressing him. It was a new feeling, being touch by a human in such an intimate way. He discovered that he didn't hate it and he was glad to be going home with Tara.
"What's Trueblood?"
So I know I said I'd have this up for fourth of July, but I rewrote this. Originally, I wasn't gonna do a time jump but after the second episode I changed my mind. I'll be using the original draft in some flashbacks. I hope you guys enjoy this and I'll try to update as soon as possible.