I will only say this once: I do not own any part of the Southern Vampire Mystery series. It belongs to the one and only lovely Ms. Charlaine Harris! I'm just an adoring fan(:

Without further ado, I give you the first chapter of Dead and Loving It.

It was awful. I slept without stop, and Amelia had to wake me just to make sure I was still alive. Eric sent flowers everyday and in the sparse moments when I was awake I was comforted by the sweet aromas.

I couldn't keep relying on Amelia. She was trying to recover, too. Tray's death had shaken her. But she was trying. I know from her thoughts (she's a clear broadcaster) that she didn't blame me, but I felt guilty nonetheless.

Today, or tonight I should say I was quite awake. I thought about Niall and Claudine; he said she was in the Summerland.

It was awful. I got choked up when I thought of how Claude had gone from a triplet to a twin to something akin to an orphan. I wondered if he was going to stay. I doubted it but hoped otherwise.

I needed to contact him. And luckily, my cell phone was on my nightstand and even better, he was on speed dial, so in my pain-killer induced foggy brain I was gracious for the lack of thought it took to put the call through.

He picked up after the first ring. "Lover." He cooed.

"Eric, I need a favor." My dry mouth slowed every syllable.

"Anything," Like I'd any doubt.

"I need you to track down the telephone number of Claude's strip club. I have to speak with him."

"I have it right here. Wait." But I didn't have to. Right now, more than ever, I envied vampiric speed.

He gave me the number without question. "Sookie," His voice was stern.

"Yes?" I croaked.

"I will visit you."

"…Ok." Then he hung up. I knew better than to argue with him. He always gets his way, or at least he always bends the will of others.

In the meantime, I called the club and asked for Claude. When they said he wasn't in, I left a message. I told him that it was urgent that I speak with him. I didn't leave a name; he'd know it was me.

It felt like it took ages for Eric to arrive, but when he did, it was really only a few minutes. I didn't listen for the rumble of his Corvette but considering his speed I guessed he flew.

"My sweet." His voice was still stern as he sat down on the bed, careful not to move me. He bent over and placed a kiss on my forehead; he was checking my temperature.

Satisfied that I was only suffering from pain, he checked each and every one of my wounds. He licked each and I watched (it never ceases to amaze me) as they all shrunk considerably. The sharp pains left and all I had now was a sore feeling in the stitched wounds and stiffness in my limbs.

I tried to stand but when I did I became dizzy, and I lost my vision as a strange warm feeling rushed through my knees. I collapsed into Eric's quick arms and waited for my vision to return.

Eric watched me with soft eyes. "You're borderline anemic. Partake." He slashed his wrist and when I balked his eyes narrowed, giving me the You-Know-Better look. He lifted it to my mouth and I swallowed what I could with what strength I had. I was almost instantly no longer sore.

When I pulled away he licked his wrist and the cut disappeared leaving no scar.

"Thank you," I mumbled. He looked at me with guilty eyes and sighed. (Never let it be said that he didn't have a flair for the dramatic.)

"I feel it is my fault you were taken." He raised his hand when I opened my mouth. "Let me speak." I got shot the Y-K-B look again. "I should have known what danger you were in. As my Bonded, you are my responsibility. I promise, Sookie, that I will never let harm come to you again." By now my eyes were watery and I hastily wiped away the tears. I'm such a mess.

Through the bond I felt a calm sweep over me and soon my eyes were dry. I embraced him then, and he gathered me in, very gently. I closed my eyes for a time and said nothing. I thought about the bond and the significance he held for it; I wondered what that significance meant. But I'd cross that bridge when I came to it.

"I've got to shower." Eric released me at once and stretched out on my bed. I grabbed fresh pajamas and headed for the bathroom door. I locked it behind me.

***

As I came out he was lying in the same position, staring at my ceiling, retreated into himself in that way only vampires can. I kissed his cheek and the conscious light returned to his eyes. The corners of his mouth lifted and as he was about to speak my phone rang. Claude's ringer ID was Sexyback. Eric snorted.

"Sookie," said Claude. What was with Supes and greetings? Did they just not mix? Ugh.

"How are you?" I heard him sigh.

"I'm fine." Same blunt Claude; but who was I to judge the depth of his grief?

"What are you going to do?" There was no point in beating around the bush. Claude was nothing if not straightforward.

"…It's good that you called. I've chosen to follow Grandfather. I can't stay here. There's too much Iron, and our population is dwindling. I need a favor from the Viking." I handed the phone to Eric.

"Northman," he said. His face remained stony. After a minute of Whys and Oh's he handed the phone back to me.

"What was that about?" I asked Claude.

"I'm handing the club over to Eric. Well, you and Eric. I will meet you here at eight o'clock tomorrow to discuss the details."

"Whoa," Understanding that this was the end of the conversation, I added, "I love you, Claude." After a minute he said,

"Love you too." Then he hung up. I looked at Eric and shrugged. He didn't seem to mind. What was one more asset to him, anyway?

Then he gave me one of his trademark shit-eating-grins. Confused, I waited for an explanation. Then I heard it. Oh.

Amelia's car was pulling out of the driveway. We were alone. Oh. Oh, oh, oh.

I quirked an eyebrow and giggled… Before I knew it Eric was on top of me on my bed and landing butterfly kisses all over my face and neck. It tickled so much I laughed outright.

As he kissed my lips the laughter died in my throat. I wrapped my arms and legs around him and felt how eager he was.

Then, for the first time in three weeks, Eric made me feel beautiful again.

Please, tell me what you think! I would like you to tell me where I've made any misspellings or grammar errors. And… does anyone remember what the name of Claude's club was? I totally forgot. The second chapter is already in the works, so I anticipate your feedback.

Thanks!

ChristiAnthemum