Sookie Stackhouse enjoyed the Christmas and New Year season, but this year seemed to feel less exciting to her. Everyone around her at Merlotte's was getting into the winter spirit, in their heads and out loud. She had a hard time tuning out the chatter. All she could think about was promising to plan a holiday party between vampires and humans. Of course, it would be hosted by the Louisiana King, Bill Compton. Or, to the humans, simply Vampire Bill. Most mere mortals didn't know much about vampires and their politics and Sookie felt she probably knew too much about it. Vampire Bill was her ex-boyfriend and he had asked her to help co-host and plan the party with her other ex-boyfriend Eric Northman.

Though she was wondering out loud if Eric counted as an ex-boyfriend or if she had broken it off too soon to give titles. She didn't realize she had voiced her question where anyone could hear,but a little girl of about nine looked up at her. "Is this Eric significant to you?" It took Sookie off guard.

She thought for only a second. "Yes he is. Very much so."

The girl smiled. "Did you love him?"

Sookie was amazed at how much children always caught on to. "Yes, and I still do"

The girl never let her smile go. "Then he was a boyfriend." Sookie just shook her head as the girl walked away. Her thoughts went from Eric to Bill.

If things turned out differently would she be Mrs. Compton and celebrating Christmas with him? Or if she hadn't seen cursed Eric try to kill Bill would she have chosen Eric and so this would have been their first holiday together? Things seemed to be even more complicated because both of the men she loved were vampires. Vampire blood always seemed to mix up fantasy and real attraction. Eric never came back to their house. She imagined he been living in it for a year waiting for her to prove she was alive.

His cubby seemed so empty and she couldn't help but think back to when she desperately wanted him out of the home and its ownership handed back to her. Now all she could think

about was how she wished he'd come back. She wasn't asking for it back; It was still his. She was so lost in her thoughts that Jessica had to go over to one of Sookie's tables that was looking for her. "Sook, you aren't going to get a good tip from that one if you don't snap out of it," the vampire told her. She just nodded and went to the table and apologized. Once they left she checked on her other tables.

Sam passed on by and knew Sookie wasn't fine. "What's wrong?" he asked.

Sookie smiled. "Nothing, Sam. I just have to help plan this party."

It didn't seem like Sookie to turn down a holiday celebration. "You have to?"

Sookie didn't lose the smile. "Well no. I could've told Bill no and he'd have accepted it, but Eric will be a part of the planning and hosting.."

She didn't have to say any more for Sam to understand; Sam knew everything she wanted him to know. He was not just her boss, but her best friend. "So, two ex-lovers, one party?" He looked like he wanted to attempt to make a joke there and help her awkward state.

"It's not that surprisingly." She had accepted being around the two men she loved the most for a good cause. For a merry cause. "It's that I haven't really seen Eric lately. And when I do, we don't talk much."

Sam shook his head. "Well, most men don't talk much when they are heartbroken...Now I am not much for approving of having a relationship with a vampire, but a break-up is a break- up."

Sookie sighed. "It's not just that I don't think. Something is wrong."

Sam understood. "Well, he was human once, and he has a lot of memories to remember lately."

Sookie hadn't thought about it. "He told me he hadn't celebrated the holidays as a vampire."

Sam smiled. "Well, think about it. His family has been long gone too."

Sookie hadn't thought much about any of it. "I never thought he'd be home-sick."

Sam shrugged. "Maybe this year he's just thinking about it more."

"That might be my fault." Because I dropped him as soon as he became his old self and told him I still loved my ex. Because I will be with what family I have left. Because I make him feel disturbingly human.

Sam shook his head. "Don't blame yourself. Maybe he was just due for some nostalgia. He has lived for over a thousand years."

Sookie sighed. "Maybe."

Sam gave her a smile. "If you're so worried about him, be persistent and get it out of him. Be the Sookie I know." Sookie gave Sam a hug and walked back to her tables.

Arlene came up to her. "Smile, Sookie. Don't be so down."

Sookie forced another smile. "I'm fine."

Arlene knew better. "You thinking about that vamp you dated again?"

Sookie knew well enough that Arlene knew nothing of her brief romance with an amnesiac vampire, but she couldn't help but ask, "which one?"

Arlene seemed puzzled. "Bill Compton of course, unless you're trying to tell me you had a fling with that tall one."

Sookie heard 'fling' and got even more depressed. "I wouldn't want to call it a fling but we had something shortly after I got back."

Arlene gave her a hug. "You're always falling in love with dead guys. Why don't you try some breathing ones?"

Sookie laughed. "I can't change who I love, and please don't judge me."

Arlene rolled her eyes. "I wouldn't dare judge you. I fell in love with a serial killer who you had to kill for self defense."

Sookie smiled. "So, if I said I loved both Bill and Eric you wouldn't have any comments."

Arlene grinned. "No. And if I were you I'd choose Eric. He's pretty good-looking."

That was when she knew Arlene was in the holiday spirit. "Are you feeling okay? You just called a vampire good-looking!"

Arlene shrugged. "Well, for a dead guy he's pretty handsome." Arlene walked on by and back to her tables. Sookie's shift went by quickly. Once her tables were gone she refilled the salt and pepper shakers, wiped down the table tops, swept, and replaced the ketch-ups. She was ready to get out of there.

Jessica was just getting off work and seemed distracted as well. Sookie had just learned about her brother's romance with the vampire. "Is Jason giving you any trouble?" she asked Jess.

Jessica shook her head. "No, I like your brother." Sookie didn't know what was going on tonight but it seemed Downer Central.

"Hoyt?."

Jessica sighed. "I have to be an elf at this party and Bill asked Jason to be one, too."

Sookie couldn't refrain from laughing. "That's why you're upset? Cheer up Jess, being a Christmas Elf can't be so bad."

Jessica cringed. "You ever hear about elves? From what I have learned there's nothing Christmassy about them."

Sookie looked at Jessica. "You ever met a real elf?"

Jessica shook her head. "No, but I hear they are as much trouble as a fairy."

Sookie grinned. "Well they are a part of the Fae species Jess." She thought Jessica was being ridiculous. "Think of it as a fictionalized elf. It's Santa and his little cute elves."

Jessica made a face. "I am too tall to be a Christmas Elf."

Sookie just kept laughing. "Jason isn't exactly Christmas Elf material either."

Then Jessica addressed the real problem. "Bill invited Hoyt."

Sookie understood now. "I figured he would, but don't let that get you down. I will be with Bill and Eric that night."

Jessica nodded. "I know. It's Merry awkward freaking Christmas."

Sookie felt bad for Jessica. "It'll be okay" she told the teenaged vampire.

As they left, Sookie saw Jessica go to a brand new car. "Where did you get that?."

Jessica was proud of her Christmas gift. "I convinced Bill to buy it for me as a present. I told him if he was a King that should make me a princess of sorts and he should spoil me."

Sookie shook her head. "That line got him to buy you that?."

Jessica laughed. "Well no. He told me he wasn't giving me the princess treatment but since it was Christmas season he'd get it." Sookie was amazed. "I know, it's great. My human father wouldn't have gotten me this."

Sookie wished she could afford a car like that. "It's nice," she told Jess. The girls said their goodnights and Sookie was on her way home.

She hoped Eric had stopped by. She turned the radio up on the drive home. She sang out-of-tune holiday music until she got to Hummingbird Road. She turned and came to her driveway shortly. She noticed some lights on and parked the car. "That's strange." She walked inside. The door was open. She found a glass of blood on the counter. "Eric?" she called. She walked around the house and noticed there was a bigger tree in the living room. It was decorated. She'd had a small tree because it was all she had time to put up. She found a note on the coffee table that read Happy Holidays, Miss Stackhouse. Love, Eric.

She put the note back and investigated further. "Eric?" no answer. She found no one. This worried her. She picked up the phone and called Fangtasia. Pam's bored voice answered.

"Pam, is Eric there?." Sookie wasn't Pam's favorite person. Without a single word Pam handed the phone to Eric. Sookie asked him if he'd left a glass of blood on her counter. He told her no, he hadn't fed in her house; He'd just brought the tree and locked the door as he left. She asked him to ask Pam. Pam said she hadn't been to the house. "Eric, I think a vampire that isn't Bill has been here."

Before she could say anything Eric had hung up and was inside her house. He was a blur as he investigated. He didn't say a word to Sookie while searching. Once he came back he informed her that no one was there now. "Well, thank you anyways," she told him. She felt that seemed pointless. She could've told him the intruder wasn't there anymore. "Do you know who it could be?."

Eric shrugged. "I'll ask around Area 5." He sounded so careless. His Ericness was gone. His spark. His shine. The protector, with his humor and viciousness had all faded away from him. He wasn't the Eric she knew and loved to hate. Or loved to love, depending on how you looked at it. The conflicted, happy Eric had turned into a conflicted, sad Eric. It reminded her of the moment in his cubby when he had got upset over being pulled out of the sun.

"You're not you," she said.

He looked down. "I'm me, but just because I don't tell you everything doesn't mean I am lost."

Sookie felt frustrated. The same frustration she had felt ages ago. She thought back to the guest she barely missed. Eric seemed to have forgotten one thing in his protection scheme. Any vampire could enter the house without an invite. She got down to business. "You know any vampire can just come into this house now."

Eric looked up and snapped. "You could have the house back any time. I don't own you."

Sookie felt anger. "Well you could've fooled me, Mister Possessive."

Eric just looked at her for what seemed like ten minutes. "I was wrong in trying to claim you by buying this house."

Sookie seemed surprised. "Yes, but I didn't ask for it back after you got your memory back."

Eric knew she must have made a deal to get it back. "Pam promised you it back"

Sookie knew where this was going. "Yes, but I didn't remind her."

Eric started to walk away. "I'll remind her. You'll have the house back so that no one can come in uninvited."

Sookie wasn't sure if she wanted the house back. "I don't know if I want it back."

Eric didn't understand this woman. "You were angry at me for buying it and now you don't want it back?."

Sookie didn't know how to explain it. "I like having you here."

Eric walked closer to her. "You'll get it back for free, and won't lose my company."

Sookie wasn't sure if she believed the second part, but at least she'd be safe from intruders. "Okay, and thank you for the tree," she said. He nodded and ran out of the door. Sookie decided to get her pajamas on and go to bed. She had a dream of Russell Edgington.

She woke up the next day concerned about what vampire would be in her house. It couldn't be Russell, could it? He was supposed to be dead. Could it be Steve Newlin? She'd heard he was a vampire now. But what would he want with her?. There weren't enough theories. Pam and Eric said it wasn't them and she believed them; Jessica would've been at work with her; She was positive it wasn't Bill; She didn't know any other vampires in town. It had to have been an outsider. That's just what she needed, a new vampire looking for the local fairy blood bank.

She noticed a piece of paper and Eric's house key. It had a note beside it that read I reminded Pam. I am handing in my key and all you have to do is sign and it will be in your name - Eric. Sookie hung the key on the key ring and signed her name. Soon it'd be made legal and she'd be without her roommate. "His cubby is still here if he wants to be in my company," She thought. She knew a friendship with him was a long shot, but it was Eric; You never knew what was possible with him and what wasn't. She didn't have to be at work until the evening. She decided to watch some Christmas movies until she had to get ready.

She watched maybe two or three before she noticed the time. She wore a Christmas sweater over her Merlotte's shirt and black pants. She put her hair up and drove to the bar. Once there, she saw it was already full. Bill was there, in Jessica's section. Coby and Lisa were in Arlene's section, and Christmas music was playing. Everyone was in a good mood. Jason and Hoyt were even talking. Oh the season for giving and being joyous. The thoughts in the bar didn't bother her tonight.

Holly was thinking I need to go home and fix the tree the cat knocked over. Andy was thinking I should get Holly and her children some Christmas gifts. Hoyt was thinking It's time to forgive Jason. Jessica and I were on the verge of breaking up anyways. She wasn't sure how long Hoyt's attitude would last, but he was slightly drunk and in a merry mood. There were a few thoughts she wouldn't dare share out loud.

Sookie started taking tables. She wondered if Eric would come in. When it slowed down she sat at Bill's table and chatted with him a little bit. Finally, Bill asked her, "what did you do or say to Eric?."

She was taken off guard. "Nothing. Well I might have pointed out a vampire could enter my home if he owned it."

Bill felt there was something more to it. "You said more."

Sookie wasn't sure what she should admit. "I told him he wasn't himself and we had a minor fight."

Bill now realized what had happened. "Well, I am not blaming you, but Eric tells me he won't be attending the party and is going home."

Sookie remembered the conversation she had with Sam. "I told Sam I thought something was wrong, and he told me Eric might be homesick during this year's holiday." Sookie felt this was her doing again. "It would seem proper to blame me, Bill."

Bill didn't say anything. Jessica came back. "Sookie maybe you can convince him to stay." Sookie shrugged. "I can try." She went to her other tables and overheard some teenagers talking about the song The Twelve Days of Christmas. "Why is it twelve if we only celebrate Christmas Eve and Christmas day, shouldn't it be two?" one of them asked.

His girlfriend laughed. "I think it has to do with Jul or Yule. You know, the Norse holiday." She explained to the boy that it had lasted twelve nights. She explained the wild hunt and the god Odin and his eight legged horse. "I think the children put hay in their shoes for his horse," she told him.

"So Odin became Santa Claus and the eight legged horse became reindeer?." The girl nodded. Sookie was inspired. She walked over to Bill and Jessica. "We should have a Norse holiday theme."

Bill smiled. "To entice Eric to stay?."

Sookie smiled. "Of course. We'll bring home to him."

The king was pleased with the idea. "Very smart plan."

Jessica was all for it. "Does this mean no elves?" she asked.

Bill laughed. "No, we can incorporate the Norse theme into today's theme and you will look cute in your costume."

Jessica really wasn't for it after all. "How many human children do you think will actually be there? Think about it Bill; after Russell, all the parents will be afraid to take their kids."

Bill shook his head. "Actually quite a few people already RSVP-ed and are bringing their kids, even Arlene."

Jessica was surprised. "Arlene is coming to a vampire-hosted event and bringing her children?."

Sookie laughed. "Jessica are you forgetting it's the holidays? Everyone is in good cheer and acting how you wouldn't expect them to."

Jess never paid much attention. "For me the meaning of Christmas was tuned out. Overly-strict religious parents make you focus on the superficial gift-receiving side." Jessica and Bill were a lot alike in that they would openly talk about their human days. Even though Jessica was new to the vampire life, it wasn't something that was usually done, Sookie had noticed. Even baby vampires would talk vaguely about being a human. You'd get little snippets here and there, but for the most part it was living in the now. I am vampire, hear me roar.

Or maybe Sookie just got herself involved with the more guarded ones. Some days she would have preferred it if she wasn't 'involved' with any of them. Bill shook his head. "Well maybe this year you can learn a lesson about giving and being merry," he told Jessica.

His progeny looked like she wanted to puke up the last True Blood she drank. "I am a vampire; we're not merry creatures, Bill."

He smiled. "We can be if we want to be."

Jessica just gave him a Look. "Sometimes I wonder if people forget you're a vampire until they see the fangs."

Sookie found the exchange amusing. "You're a real father-daughter pair, you two."

Jessica smiled. "He's way cooler than my father."

Sookie continued on her work day, smiling. She walked up to Arlene. "So you're going to Bill's holiday party. Or, well, mine and his," she asked, remembering she was a hostess.

Arlene nodded. "Yes the whole family is going."

Sookie was glad to hear that. "Then maybe you can help me do something for Eric."

Arlene smiled. "What do you need? I can do any favor as long as it's not offering blood." Sookie knew that little anti-vampire side would sneak out a little bit this season. It was still Arlene.

"Don't worry, no blood donations, but he wants to go home and Bill wants him here for the party..."

Arlene hadn't thought about where Eric was from. "Home? As in where he's originally from?."

Sookie nodded. "Yes he's Scandinavian."

Arlene nodded. "So, Sweden I am guessing?."

Sookie shrugged. "Or maybe Norway because I had a dream where he talked about the North Sea."

Arlene was more than happy to help. "Well that was a dream, not reality. So what you should do is ask him where he's from."

Sookie wished it could be a surprise, but the point was to get him to stay and she'd have to hint at it. "So you'll help me incorporate a traditional Norse Holiday theme?"

Arlene grinned. "of course, but could you do me a favor in return?"

Sookie smiled. "Yes anything for you"

Arlene wanted to finish some last minute Christmas shopping. "Since your shift is not a closing one, would you care to watch Lisa and Coby while Terry and I finish some shopping".

Sookie hadn't been asked to watch them in awhile. "Sure I'd love to"

Sookie got off work and took Coby and Lisa to her house. On the way she put Christmas music on again. The kids were singing along as well.

"Will Vampire Bill be coming over?" asked Lisa

Sookie shook her head. "No"

"Will the one that flies be there?" Coby asked. Sookie was surprised.

"Eric? You met him?" both kids nodded.

"Well was he nice to you?" asked Sookie

"He was when he talked in English, but we don't know what he said in that other language"

Sookie didn't know if Eric would be at the house or not, but that question would soon be answered. When they got into the house sure enough there was Eric. "Well hello there"

Eric stared from Sookie to the kids. He smiled. "Hello again, miniature humans."

Sookie decided to let the two children sit with Eric in the living room while she went to the kitchen. She hadn't eaten, and figured she'd make food for everyone. That would include a True Blood for Eric. She was listening in to make sure he remained nice. Or to see if the kids were getting him to talk more. She was making sandwiches while listening in. "Where are you from?" Lisa asked.

Eric had no problem answering her. "Öland"

To Sookie's surprise Coby knew where that was. "That's in the Baltic Sea."

Lisa smiled. "Which runs into the North Sea"

Eric seemed amused. "Well, aren't you two smart?" Sookie came in with a True Blood and the sandwiches. "Where did you learn that?"

Lisa shrugged. "School, I guess."

Eric took the True Blood and drank while the kids ate.

Coby laughed at Eric's face. "You don't like that much?."

Eric grinned. "The taste is not very good, no."

Sookie grabbed some soda and ate with them. "I have an Aunt that hates Diet Coke. She says she won't drink anything but real Coke" Coby informed them.

Eric smiled. "Well sometimes we have to settle for an imitation."

He finished his bottle and humored the kids a little more.

Lisa noticed it seemed to be snowing. "It's snowing." Coby didn't believe her. It didn't snow often in Louisiana. "Well it's not sticking, but it's snowing."

When her brother looked out the window he was a little surprised. "Let's go outside."

Sookie watched the two go 'play' in the 'snow'. Eric turned to Sookie. "You're dirty. Using two children to soften up the big bad vampire."

Sookie rolled her eyes. "They said they met you once, and you were nice and they wanted to help with the party." Which was a tiny lie. At least the last part.

Eric wasn't stupid. He was well aware of where this was going. "Sookie why do you want me to stay so badly?"

She drank her soda pop and finished her food. "Because you'll miss a great Norse Holiday."

He didn't succeed at not smiling. "That's a dirty trick, Miss Stackhouse. That's not the answer. You just came up with that."

Sookie shook her head. "No, we really are planning one."

He smiled. "Yes, but you still just came up with that to get me to stay."

She was caught. "Fine, I am caught, but I want to spend the holidays with you."

He looked away. "And Bill Compton." The frustration came again. She felt it coming up. The bit of anger he sometimes filled her up with. "You're frustrated again." Well thank you, Mr. Obvious!

"You could sense that through our little blood exchange huh?"

He found her frustrating too. "No, Miss Sarcasm. It's pretty obvious."

She wasn't in the mood for this. "Why is it like this?."

He looked her in the eyes. "Because you broke things off with me and told me you still loved your ex."

She didn't want to get into that one again. "You know I love you."

He felt his own anger. "And Bill Compton. Who else? Alcide? Sam?"

Sookie wanted to slap him. "You know that's not fair!"

He calmed down slightly. "And is it fair for you to want me around without having a reason?" He didn't like admitting how she made him feel. "Is it fair that you love two men and I only love you, yet you insist on rubbing it in my face that you love us both?"

Sookie hated that she couldn't stay mad at him. "No, neither of those are fair, but what if I had a reason for wanting you here?"

He looked out of the window at the children. "And what is that reason?."

She sat beside him. "I considered you a friend once, even if sometimes I hated you, and I want that back."

He understood her fine, but he wasn't sure how that would work out. "I don't have human friends."

She could strangle him some days. "I am just a mere human now? but when you wanted me before, I was a saucy fairy?."

He smiled. "I suppose I deserve that, and I can try to be your friend."

She resisted the urge to give him a hug. "So you're staying?."

He caved. "Yes, for you, and for the smart miniature humans that know geography."

She went to ask him why he was at the house anyways when the kids came back inside. "Did you know there's blood on your porch."

Sookie hadn't noticed it when they came in. "Really? It wasn't there when we came inside."

Both children nodded. "It definitely wasn't there when we came in."

Eric went outside and looked around. He came back. "There's been a vampire here, and most likely the same one as last night."

Sookie caught on. "Is that why you came here?."

He nodded. "Yes, he..." Sookie cut him off. She shook her head. He leaned in and whispered. "And he fed here. On a human."

Sookie looked over at Coby and Lisa then back to Eric. "You know it's a he?."

Eric nodded. "I think so."

She took his word for it. "Eric I have to get those two out of here."

He nodded. "Are you going back to Merlotte's? If so I'll come with you."

Sookie drove them back to Merlotte's and Bill was still there. He approached them. "So you got him to stay?."

Sookie smiled. "With the help of Lisa and Coby."

Bill smiled at Lisa and Coby. "Well good job then." Lisa and Coby smiled back. They went to go sit with their mom.

"There's been a vampire in and around my house" she told Bill. He looked from Eric to Sookie. He knew who it could be. Russell was on the loose. He was King and had to know these things.

"Our little grave didn't hold Russell."

Eric had feared that and Sookie wasn't too happy. "So, you didn't kill him like you thought, and now he's sniffing around my house."

Bill looked at Eric. "her house?."

Eric nodded. "Yes I gave it back to her for free."

The king smiled. "So you're in a giving mood after all." Bill was sincere. He was awfully cheery this time of year.

So cheery that it worried Sookie. "I am glad you're in the holiday spirit and all jolly and merry, but we have a serious problem Bill."

Bill nodded. "We do, but we can handle it and still throw a party."

Sookie was a bit concerned with his lack of worry. That wasn't like Bill. He worried about trouble. "So how did you find out?"

Alcide walked in. "I found the spot where he was buried and it was dug up."

Sookie turned to Eric. "So I dragged him out of the sun so you could bury him ALIVE?." She was trying to comprehend this. "You buried him alive in concrete?"

Eric couldn't look at her. "I didn't expect him to get out."

Bill shook his head. "Why not? You got out?."

Sookie turned to Bill. "So you tried to bury Eric in concrete?." Sookie had figured as much when Eric had come to her door to tell her Bill was a liar.

Alcide was more concerned with what they were going to do. "What are you planning to do?."

Eric turned to his King. "Yes, my king, what are we going to do?"

Bill calmly stated again. "We're going to plan a holiday party, and if he pulls anything I have a stake with his name on it."

Sookie couldn't believe this. "He was at my house looking for me!"

Bill reminded her that the house was hers now. That soon Russell and the other vampires would have to be invited back in. "Don't invite him in!"

Sookie sighed. "Fine. We'll plan a party but we should warn our human guests." Bill thought that seemed practical.

Eric felt that was the smartest thing to do right now. "We're already on thin ice with humans and if we don't warn them of a possible lunatic vampire crashing the event, we're just going to dig ourselves a deeper hole and endanger more people than we have to."

Sookie noticed how quickly he added that last part on. Eric putting himself first and others second? "Now my Eric is back." Bill pretended to not hear the 'my' in that sentence.

So the plan was to inform everyone invited, but quietly, and continue on the festivities. Sookie went on home with Eric. He wasn't bothering to go back to Shreveport tonight. She had the day off tomorrow. "How did you get inside my house if you gave it back to me?." She had rescinded his invite prior to him buying the house. "Doesn't the rescinded invite still stand if I become owner again?."

Eric nodded. "Yes it does, but Jason stopped by to drop off a few presents for the party and invited me in." Sookie would have to tell her brother not to invite vampires in without her permission. Eric was okay but she didn't need him inviting Steve Newlin in, or Russell for that matter.

"He should know better than to invite anyone in without my permission."

Eric laughed. "He does know better but you did want me around more. He said he was only inviting me in and me alone because my presence made his sister happy."

She laughed with him. "Do you think he would do the same for..."

she stopped her sentence there but Eric was okay. "Bill?" He finished the sentence for her, this time not yelling at her for bringing up her other friend/ex.

"Yeah," she answered.

He shook his head. "He would."

Sookie seemed pleased. "So you're not bothered by me still attempting to be friends with Bill too?"

Eric shrugged. "I don't like it, but I said I'd try to be your friend. So here's me trying to understand."

She appreciated that. "Thank you, and just so you know, Alcide doesn't have a real shot with me." Sookie remembered Halloween night. Tara and Debbie. The image was a gruesome and sad one. "He wants me, but.."

Eric was taking this friend thing too seriously because there were some sentences she wished he wouldn't finish. "But you killed his ex-fiancee?."

She stopped the car and 'playfully' slapped his shoulder. "That sentence wasn't meant to be finished."

He had a smirk on his face. "Sorry but it's an obstacle in your little love square." At least Eric has a sense of humor about my dysfunctional love life. I wish I could have the same humor about it. She went to start the car again when he leaned over her. He's way too close. Oh my, if he kisses me… And he did kiss her. She found herself kissing back for a split second until she pushed him away.

"Eric let's not do this."

He growled slightly. "Right. Friends." He sat silently for the rest of the car ride.

It wasn't time for Eric to be in his cubby yet, so they watched the new "A Christmas Carol" with Jim Carrey. Sookie ended up falling asleep on the couch. Eric carried her to her bed, and then went down to his room.

They both slept until it was time for them to be up. Sookie woke up first of course, being the human. She went to the bathroom then changed clothes, and then went to make breakfast. She ate alone, thinking the whole time. Eric put Sam into the mix when he accused me of falling in love too easily. Is Sam in the running? We had a date or two when I thought Bill would never come back. And I like him, always have. And everyone says he's in love with me. The only thing that keeps me from really dating him is he's my boss, but lots of people date their bosses. He's handsome too. He's a breathing one, as Arlene says. I could have children with him. He's my best friend. Who wouldn't want to marry their best friend and have a family? This is a silly thought. He is with Luna anyways.

She finished her breakfast, and got out of her thoughts. She reminded herself not to give up on Sam down the road. He deserved to complete the "square" as Eric put it, not Alcide. Right now she was in the present and all she wanted was to be single and if she were to choose Eric or Bill later on then she'd do it without either one of them pressuring her. Despite Bill saying if Eric made her happy she should be with him, she knew that wasn't how he felt. She had seen the look in his eye when she'd said 'my' Eric.

She did the dishes and went to the store where she bought a couple of new books. She saw a couple with children walking around. The kids had Santa hats on and were discussing the brief snow they'd had the day before. Snow got everyone all excited, even the adults, no matter how brief or prolonged; snow was snow. Sookie admitted she enjoyed seeing the tiny flakes fall, even if they weren't sticking and were gone by today. She'd noticed Eric looking out the window, saddened. It probably snows a lot more in Scandinavia than it does here. Eric probably enjoys the snow. She remembered the last time they'd had each other's blood. It had turned into the weirdest fantasy. An odd shower scene from a movie, the shower being a portal to a Swedish winter wonderland with a bed and no clothes. That's probably why I never did V, ever. That and I've never been a drug person.

She decided to suggest fake snow to Bill, and if Jason and Jessica were still being elves she wondered who would be Santa. She'd ask Bill later.

By the time she came back home it appeared someone had been at her house again. Eric had woken for the evening. "Who's here?" she asked, paranoid.

Eric had an amused grin on his face. "Such a paranoid little fairy."

She blinked. "So now I am a fairy again?." She shook her head. "I get it. When I disappoint you I am a mere human; when you like me again I am a delicious and fun fairy."

He had that smirk on his face again. "You're not always fun, you know."

She glared at him. "Well neither are you." Sookie went into the kitchen to put the True Blood away before he could reply to that. Then she came back out. "Who is here and why did you let them in?."

Eric shrugged. "Some human students that Bill invited to the party." Sookie recognized the teenager from Merlotte's. "You were at one of my tables."

The girl nodded. "Yes. My name is Alyssa." Sookie didn't recognize the others.

"So, since you're full of knowledge on Yule you were sent to help out?."

Alyssa shook her head. "Well, not sent. Offering, even though this tall guy is probably a better source."

Eric beamed. He genuinely seemed excited. Sookie laughed. "Well, Eric, can she help?"

He smiled. "Of course." That was when Sookie knew the Norse Theme suggestion was a good one. He was accepting help willingly from a human. Sookie had a feeling Alyssa and her friends had already helped.

"You've brought a gift for Eric." They all nodded. Sookie sighed. "Well, show it off. The students were art students. They had painted a picture of what was supposed to be Odin and Sleipnir. Sookie was impressed. "That's pretty good."

Eric enjoyed it even more. "Once the party is over, mind if I keep this?"

Alyssa smiled. "Not at all. It's all yours." The teens had brought over a few other decorations they had created after school and left them there.

After they left something strange happened. A vampire came to her house again.

Eric informed her randomly, "the vampire is back, but I don't think it's Russell."

Sookie seemed puzzled. "Not Russell?." She wondered who it was then. "How do you know it's not him, or wasn't him the other two times?."

Eric had seen Russell's whereabouts on television. "Because Russell has made him self known again of course, getting the attention of the news."

Sookie understood now. "You saw his whereabouts on the news?." This wasn't good.

"Yes and he was mostly in Shreveport looking for me."

Sookie looked even more confused. "You haven't been in Shreveport?." If he wasn't staying at her house where was he staying? "If you weren't staying here in this house and you weren't at your resting place in Shreveport, then where were you?."

He had been hoping she wouldn't inquire about that. "Here in Bon Temps."

She still wasn't sure she understood. "At King Bill's?."

He shook his head. "No, your brother's."

She seemed amazed. "He has a place for a vampire to sleep?." She felt stupid asking that. "Oh, right, he's unofficially dating one now."

Eric laughed at her. "Yes, when Jessica wasn't over he'd let me have the hidey hole as you would call it." That just felt strange, that he'd go to Jason's. Then again he'd done weirder things than that to be close to her.

"So you two have been having some manly bonding-time. Talking about sports, weather, and girls over some beers and True Blood?" She couldn't resist a minor fit of laughter.

Eric didn't seem as amused. "Don't make fun of me, and actually yes we discussed how incredibly frustrating women were, on a nightly basis." That didn't surprise her, after all; Jason and Eric bonding over women woes. They were both attractive, and could get any woman they wanted. They were both a bit conceited and proud of that. But they both did fall in love every once in a while. Those were the only things the two had in common, so what else would they talk about?

"Well I suppose the holiday season has made stranger friendships than that." Eric found Sookie to be the strangest woman he'd met. "So what did Jason say about me? I am sure you vented to him about me?."

Eric had a serious look on his face. "He told me not to be so hard on you. That you did love me, and that it's not easy to get over first love."

Jason had his moments where he seemed wise and sweet . And lovable. "And what did you say to that?."

Eric stood silent for a moment. "I told him it's very difficult not to be hard on you, when I know how hard it is to get over first love."

Sookie felt as if she now knew how Bill felt when he hurt her so badly. The remorse he claimed to have. "And that's why I forgive you for being so hard on me."

Eric went back to smiling. "Jason also said he liked me better than Bill."

Sookie gave up. "He did not! Did he?."

Eric laughed again. "Yes actually he did."

Sookie was thinking Jason must have had one too many beers. "Was he drinking a lot of beers?."

Eric made a face. "Don't ruin my ego boost."

Sookie got the conversation back to the vampire. "Well that was a nice normal conversation amongst friends but can we get back to the vampire outside?"

Eric had almost forgotten. "oh right." He told Sookie he'd be back. He looked all around the house. He found no one except for some church flyer on the ground. He picked it up. It wasn't the Fellowship of the Sun, but certainly was preaching about God. He came inside almost amused. "I think it just might have been Newlin, or at least someone who was a Christian in their human lives." He showed Sookie the flyer.

She blinked. "What would Steve Newlin want with me? If he's a Christian vampire he wouldn't want to drain a fairy, most likely." Though part of her wasn't sure how normal that sounded. "Though Christian vampire almost sounds like an oxymoron."

Eric pretended to be offended. "Not everyone thinks we're damned creatures."

There was that obnoxious humor Sookie loved. "You knew what I meant. How many vampires do you know that preach about God?"

Eric held up no fingers and pretended to count on his hand. "None."

Sookie smiled. "So should we find out if he'll be back? I want to know now." She was rather curious about the person's agenda.

Eric told her he'd be back in a minute, but he took a while. And when he came back, sure enough, he had Steve Newlin at his side. "Why were you around my house?."

Steve went on a rant about God, and not thinking himself a damned creature. For someone who was so anti-vampire in his human days, he seemed to enjoy being undead. Oh great. He's using his new-found state for a greater purpose. Doing what he thinks God thinks he should. He had no problem killing vampires and or humans that associated with vampires as a human. Would he use his vampire abilities to go on a killing spree of criminals and sinners? She certainly hoped it wasn't on her property, at least. He was a very happy baby vamp. A little too happy, if you asked Sookie.

Eric, of course, was amused by this. "So, this flyer isn't the Fellowship."

Steve grinned. "I can't be apart of an anti-vampire church as a vampire."

Oh wow. He started a church for religious vampires. That's just great. "Your church?"

He shook his head. "No, a church I go to."

Sookie blinked. "They welcome you there?." She'd figured with all the Russell chaos no church would still consider Newlin a man of God.

"Yes. They have decided vampires can't be all bad if I am one."

Sookie decided to be more forward. Steve wasn't like Eric; Getting the truth out of him wasn't like pulling teeth. He was a little too eager to answer honestly. "Have you killed humans on my property?."

He was once more upfront. "Yes. Quite a few sinners actually."

She knew it. She really wished he wouldn't do that anywhere near here. Then a thought occurred to her. "You weren't coming to kill me were you?."

He seemed surprised. "No, but I figured you were near a graveyard."

Sookie didn't want random graves popping up near her house. "Someone will suspect something fishy. You're not making it easy for your kind."

With the upcoming holiday event, Bill had planned to help vampires win back the human public, so Steve's killing for a good cause was not really good.

"I want you to remove all bodies from my property."

Steve agreed he would. "Anything else you wish Miss Stackhouse?"

She wished he'd stop altogether, but that didn't seem likely anytime soon. "You will stop killing for a month." He didn't seem pleased. "Fine. At least until Bill's holiday party, and not around my place, got it?"

He looked at her. "You wish I'd stop all together, but I find it's my duty to rid the world of sinners."

Sookie didn't reply to that. Instead she invited Newlin in and offered him some True Blood. He accepted it and once he was finished and about to leave Sookie said "and now I rescind that invitation."

He flew out of the door and as he did he told her, "see you at Bill's."

So Bill had invited him to the holiday party. She was glad the mystery was solved, but now she was worried about Russell. "You think Russell will crash the party?."

Eric had no doubt that Russell would make an appearance soon. He just wasn't sure when or what his intentions were. "Maybe, but let's just try to enjoy it."

Sookie gave him a hug. which he accepted. He hugged her back. "You really are in the holiday spirit now!" she said,

He smiled. "I am. You decided to bring home to me, and I appreciate it."

She couldn't get the picture of her brother and Jessica as elves out of her head. "Jason and Jessica will be elves, and it almost makes me want to dress up."

His smile got wider. "I can give you a costume."

She wasn't sure what he'd put her in. "What would I go as?."

He figured he'd go in what he used to wear as a Viking and she could be dressed exactly how a woman would dress back then. "As a woman of Viking times."

She wasn't so sure about that. "I take it you're going to wear clothes that would fit the time period as well?."

He was glad she'd caught on. "Yes."

She sighed. "But we'd look like each other's date."

She half expected him to say that's the plan, or you're mine or something to that effect. Instead he said "No we'd look like two friends hosting a themed party."

And with that she couldn't help but agree with him. "Okay, I can do that for you."

Sookie was tired and ready for bed. "Happy Holidays, Eric," she said as she went upstairs to her warm bed.

"Happy Holidays, Miss Stackhouse."