Sookie mentally slapped herself for what seemed like the millionth time for the night. She opened the door to her car and secretly reveled in the sharp squeak the metal on metal the action produced. Earlier that night Jessica had pleaded for Sookie to take her to Fangtasia to help her forget Hoyt's rejection. When presented with the begging, instead of having Jessica ask her maker after baring her heart to Sookie, she gave in. Here they were, standing in the parking lot of the vampire bar just an hour later.
She watched as the red-headed vampire near skip to the bar's huge padded door. The bouncer knew who they were and immediately opened the door for them. The crowd waiting outside threw insults and some very colorful curses their way as the walked through the opening. As she was bombarded with the mob's, both inside and out, thoughts, she hung her head, trying to escape the mental bombard. The things Sookie heard before her walls were in place again made her cringe with a mixture of disgust and fear. Without realizing it, Jessica had already abandoned her companion in leiu of the dance floor and the humans that awaited her- or any other vampire- there.
Spotting the black marble bar, Sookie pushed her way through the crowd of people and made her way to it. She laid a couple dollars on the sparkling surface and ordered a Coke. As she recieved her drink, she felt someone standing behind her. She had a good idea of who it might be, but still she picked up the glass and turned toward the presence. Sookie's head nearly bumped into Eric's chest.
"Sookie," Eric said with a smooth smirk upon his lips, "to what do I owe the pleasure of your company tonight?" Sookie said nothing, just took a sip of her soda and pointed towards Jessica, grinding against some fangbanger on the dance floor.
"Ah, I see..." Sookie just nodded. "You're not that thrilled about playing babysitter tonight?" Eric asked.
"No, not particularly," she started but was interrupted by Eric's booming chuckle. Sookie jerked her head up to look at Eric but immediately regretted it. Ever since he had regained his memory, he always had a knowing look upon his face, as if he wanted to take Sookie right then and there, in front of every one of his customers.
Despite the fact that her secret pain was caused by herself, it still caused her heart to ache, seeing one of the reasons why she hurt so. It was her decision to refuse both Bill and Eric, but it didn't help her at night, knowig that. She still cried herself to sleep every night. During the day or when she was out in public, her walls held strong. She made the apperance of her indifference almost an art, but she couldn't fool herself, not when she came home to an empty house all the time. Seeing Eric in person, standing in all his wonder in the dim red light of the club almost made her fall; not physically, but mentally.
Eric sensed the mistrust and hurt radiating from the beautiful woman sitting in front of him, Eric decided it was time to bow out when there was still time. He signalled the bartender with a tap of his hand.
"She doesn't pay tonight," He stated, only briefly glancing at Sookie. He turned and heard her slight protest but it didn't make him rescind the order. "Start her off with a martini. Dirty."
"No, Eric," Sookie began but as he walked out of her sight, she knew it was pointless to try and argue further. As the vampire behind the bar placed a coaster on the bar and the ordered drink on top of it, she murmered to herself, "oh, what the hell?" She downed the glass in three drinks. It was instantly refilled in the blink of an eye.
Jessica walked up to the granite counter of the bathroom sink. She looked at her reflection in the mirror and was startled to see Pam standing behind her shoulder.
"The restroom is for humans only," Pam stated dryly. "Do I need to explain why?" Jessica just kind of looked at her blankly then felt herself start to break.
"I know, I just-" Jessica cut herself off. "I just needed a break." Pam raised an eyebrow, whether it was feigned or real interest, Jessica couldn't tell.
"Hoyt and I broke up..." She stated. " And I thought coming here tonight would make me forget him." Pam tsked.
"Darling, you don't need to be with just one human anyway," Pam said to the younger girl. She thought she was comforting her, but when the first blood tear dripped down the girl's face, she realized it probably didn't help. "Vampires just aren't meant to be monogamous." As Jessica broke out in full-fledged sobs, Pam stepped back, to no avial as it turned out. Jessica wrapped her arms around the woman and buried her head against her chest. Pam just sat frozen in surprise. Ahe wasn't the one to go to for comfort, period. Even though she said that to herself, Pam still found her laying her head against Jessica's red hair and slightly hugging the girl back.
"Things just happen this way sometimes," Pam whispered as a tear escaped from her eye.
Much later, Jessica had regained her composure and thought it would be best if her and Sookie left. She walked up to the bar where she had last seen Sookie and glanced around when she didn't see her right away. She then spotted her sitting in a both in back with a male vampire, fangs bared. She heard Sookie's laughter spill forth.
"Wow!" She heard the drunken woman exclaim. More laughter was heard. Jessica sped over and pulled the vampire away from her friend. Sookie screamed, drawing every patron's attention. Jessica just stood awkwardly amongst the attention, not enjoying it one bit. She laughed nervously and pulled on her long red hair.
"Sorry, y'all," She murmured. In the remaining silence, Sookie started laughing yet again. "Jessica!" She yelled, "I'm having sooooooo much fun!" Jessica gave a nervous glance about the room. It seemed that all the people there returned to their previous activities. She started to grab for Sookie's arm, wanting to take her home before she did anything else stupid.
"C'mon, Sook," Jessica slightly pleaded.
"No!" Sookie protested very loudly. "I'm no gonna leaf," she started determinedly. She stumbled behind Jessica and burst out in a giggling fit. As soon as she saw the door though, Sookie screamed again. "No! I'm no gonna leaf!" She yelled. She thrashed away from the younger girl and ran toward the bar. She hit her hand on he counter and said, "anofer ooone, pwease?" The bartender looked at her cautiously, but still made another gin and tonic and sat it in front of her. Sookie lifted the glass to her mouth but before it had reached her lips, it was taken out of her hand. She looked up and the offender who took her drink and in her dunken haze, she didn't recognize Eric holding the glass before her.
"Wow," she started, "you're pretty." She giggled. He barely glanced over to Jessica when he said, " Go home, I'll take care of her." Jessica looked like she wanted to say something, but just nodded instead and pushed her way through bodies blocking the way to the exit. Eric looked back at Sookie who started slumping to the ground. He quickly sat the pespiring glass on the bar and caught her before she hit her head on the stool next to her.
Sookie looked up into Eric's blue eyes. He felt her shift and make to kiss him but before she got to that point, she bent her head nd puked on the floor. Bile dribbled from her chin but she smiled at Eric anyway before she blacked out. Eric held her close, smelling her sweet scent despite the mixture of alcohol and vomit trying to overpower it.
One of his human employees came running with a bucket of soapy water and a mop and cleaned the mess up as soon as Eric stood up, Sookie cradled in his arms. He walked to his personal office, telling Pam quietly to not let anyone disturb him. He closed the door and smirked at he groan coming from almost every one of his customers. His fans adored him and didn't like not seeing him all night on his "throne." He shook his head. Sookie whimpered in her sleep, which brought him back to the present. He decided to wait and see if she woke up.
Eric laid Sookie's limp body on the leather couch opposite of his desk. He brushed the strands of hair out from her face and gazed upon the lovely sight before him. To think of all the horror and heartbreak this young woman had endured in her short lifetime brought pain upon himself. Knowing that he helped to bring all these things to her made him remorseful. She looked so peaceful and childlike as she slept. Eric slowly brought his lips to her soft, pliable ones. He placed a brief but tender kiss there and as he pulled away he heard her sigh and watched as she snuggled against the buttery smooth leather.
Eric walked over and sat behind the large mahogany desk. He setled his head upon his open palms and just watched as Sookie slept away, so close to him, but so far away at the same time. He recalled the recent events that had passed between the two of them. When the witch had placed him under her spell, it was much more simple. There were no vampire politics, or false feelings or betrayals between them then. He wished it could be like that again. He grabbed his keys from the sliding drawer to his right and momentarily enjoyed the whoosh sound it made before closing.
Eric gently placed Sookie on her bed, her nightgown bunching up on her thighs. The golden skin that exposed itself to him was tantalizing; he could see the pulse that beat underneath the silky goldness. Eric had gently washed the night's stickiness from her body and had took Sookie out of her soiled clothes. Trying to hold back from making love or even tasting what she held within her, was exquisite torture. Her scent lingered on his clothes as he made his way back to his car. He inhaled sharply, one last time as he shut the door behind him.