A/N This story is based on central events of SVM book 3: Club Dead. The story starts from the point when Eric comes to Sookie's house to tell her what has happened to Bill, and to ask for her help in rescuing him, but things take a slightly different tack from then on.

Eric had laid it on the line for me. Bill was probably facing his final death, Eric and Pam would be horribly punished by the Queen of Louisiana, and he was hoping I would do something to help.

I sat looking at him for a long while. Was I really going to put myself in danger, again, for a Vampire ex-lover who had abandoned me, a cold blooded clothes horse, and a thousand year old Viking who….well I didn't really know what to think about him.

He had said he was fond of me, and that he was my friend. He had also said, and it was true, that when we had kissed it was very exciting. Now he was sitting in my kitchen, with his long cool hands stroking my arms, and his cheek just brushing against my face. If anyone had told me a few months ago, when we first met in his bar that we would be sharing this moment of intimacy, I would never have believed them. That Sookie was a different person though, one who hadn't been kidnapped and nearly raped, and beaten up, and found one of her friends murdered…I could go on, but just those memories were enough to set my heart racing again.

After all the shocks of the last two days all I wanted was a few moments to let myself relax. I closed my eyes and breathed deeply, inhaling his dry scent with just a hint of cologne.

My hands rested on his thighs and I could feel the hard muscle beneath them. I softened my stance letting my cheek rest against his. He sensed my change of mood, his hands slipped down to my waist and in a smooth movement he pulled me to him, so I sat straddling his lap.

At that moment I wanted nothing more than to be protected, to have someone make all the pain go away. He lifted his head, his eyes softer than they had been all evening. As he gazed down I could tell that he wanted to kiss me, and just for that moment I wanted nothing more than to kiss him back. I parted my lips a little and he needed no further invitation.

This time I could allow myself to relax and enjoy the full benefits of his thousand years of experience. With no Bill, and no debauched neighbours to worry about, the only people who mattered were he and I. I ran my fingers through his hair and he pulled me closer. I could feel his arousal, and my own.

If I wasn't careful this was going to get out of control. I pulled away from him and walked over to the sink, washing out the abandoned bottles of True Blood to give myself something to do. Was I crazy, thinking that I could have feelings for a scary, dangerous Vampire sheriff. Even crazier, did I think he could truly have feelings for me.

"Would you like me to stay with you for a while?" I stared out of the window, trying hard to form the word 'no' but it just wouldn't come.

"I'll take that as a yes then". He called Pam and Chow in the same quiet voice.

"You two can go back to Fangtasia. I need to stay here and make plans". Pam raised an eyebrow, the expression on her face making it clear what she thought of his plans but she said nothing.

I heard their car crunch off down the driveway. "You have terrible potholes, you could have damaged my suspension" He sounded quite cross

"Yeah, well I'm sorry, but a new driveway will cost money, and since Gran died, well things have been a bit tight"

"Did Bill not take care of you?"

"Not like that, I can look after myself thank you, I won't be a kept woman"

He considered that in silence for a few moments. We were getting onto dangerous ground and I was keen to change the subject.

"So do you have a plan to rescue Bill?"

"I did but I think I should change it. I was going to send you to Jackson with an acquaintance of mine, but now I think I should take you myself."

"Won't they know who you are and guess why we are there?"

"Probably, but if you go alone I doubt if you can keep your identity secret for too long, and then you'll be vulnerable anyway"

"You didn't seem so worried about my welfare when you sent me to Dallas"

"I didn't know you as well then as I do now"

"So we're just going to saunter into Jackson, ask for Bill, they'll give him up and we all come home"

"Probably not" he said with a wry smile. Somehow I hadn't thought it would be that easy.

"I can find a convincing reason to go to Jackson on business. I will take you with me as my human pet."

"And how do human pets behave?"

"Well, they don't speak unless spoken to. Do you think you can manage that?"

I put on my best 'crazy sookie' smile just to demonstrate.

"Female pets seem to giggle rather a lot, oh and you have to make sure to admire how handsome and clever I am"

I stuck my tongue out at him: childish I know but he was enjoying this just a little too much.

"Basically you just have to look beautiful, you won't have a problem with that"

"So I'm your arm candy" He laughed at that expression, he obviously hadn't heard it before. "Yes, arm candy, and hopefully I get to eat you all up later" I gave a little shudder which was part anticipation, and part fear at what I might be getting myself into.

The laughter faded from his face and he was serious once again.

"You don't have to do this, Sookie. I won't think badly of you if you refuse"

"No, I can't just abandon him. I mean, I know he has kind of abandoned me, but all I have is a broken heart, I'm not facing my final death"

"I have thought from the beginning that you were too good for him. Now I know it"

I changed the subject to hide my embarrassment at his comments.

"So what can I expect in Jackson, I mean I've never been to the court of a Vampire king before"

"Russell does not keep a very fancy court. He has a large mansion in grounds outside Jackson. It is possible that Bill is being held there, if we find that he is then we will need to get an invitation."

"That shouldn't be too hard, should it. I don't mind flirting a little, as long as I don't have to make good on it"

"My dear, even your charms, wonderful as they are, will hold little sway. Unfortunately for us, Russell prefers boys"

"Oh"

"Yes oh, indeed. This is why I need to make a direct approach. As a sheriff from Louisiana, I should be important enough to warrant an invitation"

"I don't have any fancy clothes, nothing suitable for a King's mansion"

"Let me see" Eric strode off in the direction of my bedroom moving at his usual, that's to say, Vampire speed

By the time I reached the room he had stretched himself out on my bed, hands behind his head looking for all the world as if he owned the place. The pose showed off his muscular body and his, uh,…attributes to full effect and I felt myself go just a little weak at the knees.

"Well show me then" he motioned towards the wardrobe door.

I pulled out the red and white dress I had worn to Fangtasia the first night I had met him. He gave an exaggerated fake sigh. "I wanted you from the first moment I saw you in that dress" I blushed and turned away. Most of my wardrobe was in a similar style, sundresses, jeans and strappy tops.

"Yes, you are right, nothing there is suitable. Here, my personal credit card. I will have you added to the authorization. You will need at least three dresses, with shoes and accessories. And why not treat yourself to some nice underwear, and some nightwear." He raised himself from the bed picking up my old nylon nightgown from where I had hung it over a chair and looked at it with some disgust.

I stood facing the mirror as he moved to stand behind me. His arms slipped under my jumper and brushed my stomach. Our eyes met in the mirror. There was no mistaking the expression on his face. This was the moment when every rational thought should have made me push him away, but I just didn't have the strength. My body was telling me that it wanted him, and I couldn't argue back.

His fangs ran out as he lowered his head to kiss my neck. Nibbling my earlobe he drew blood. He savoured the taste, like a gourmet tasting a fine wine. "Mmm delicious, you really are very sweet, and there is something different about the way you taste" I let my head fall back as he trailed kisses down my cheek.

I offered no resistance as he lifted my jumper over my head, and unhooked my bra. "Look at me Sookie" he said as he ran his hands over my breasts and down to undo my jeans. I watched in the mirror as his large hands travelled over my body..

My thoughts turned briefly to Bill, my so-called boyfriend who had said he loved me and then abandoned me. I knew that Eric wouldn't claim any feelings deeper than lust. He only wanted me as a trophy, a notch on his bedpost. Once he'd got his way he'd probably move onto the next woman on his list. I'd just have to deal with it.

I turned in his arms and reached up to pull his mouth down to mine. We kissed for a long time, then before I realized what was happening he had me on the bed. He braced himself on one elbow leaning on his side, his other hand free to stroke and caress me.

He leant down to whisper in my ear "I've wanted you for so long my darling, are you sure you are ready?"

"Mmm" it was partly a response and partly a moan of pleasure as his hand travelled down my body, stopping to arouse all the most sensitive areas.

He paused to strip off his vest, and unbutton his jeans. I confess I was shocked at how big he was, but I tried not to let it show in my face. "Don't worry, just relax for me" He moved himself on top of me, and entered me very slowly, pausing to let me adjust to his size. I dug my nails into his gorgeous butt, pulling him into me as I wrapped my legs around his waist.

He began to thrust harder and I raised my hips in time with his rhythm, pulling him deeper inside me. The sensation was quite incredible. I could feel my excitement building to a peak, as I savoured the feeling of him filling me. My moans grew louder and I was gratified to hear an answering growl deep in his throat.

I could feel myself reaching climax and arched my neck. He bit hard, and that was enough. I cried out, then felt him reach his own completion.

Afterwards he held me close for a long time, kissing my mouth, my face, my neck where he had bitten, and licking the wounds clean.

He stretched himself out to his full length and gently stroked my hair. "How did you get to be so brave, Sookie Stackhouse"

"I'm not that brave"

"Oh you are my darling. And loyal. You would do anything for those you love"

I thought about it for a while "Most people would call me foolhardy you know"

"Well I am not most people."

We lay in silence for a while "Sookie, I have to go now. Tomorrow you must prepare. Meet me at Fangtasia half an hour after first dark. It will take us over three hours to drive to Jackson.

It didn't take me long to fall asleep. Just long enough to wonder whether I was completely crazy to have let Eric make love to me. He really was the last person I should be getting involved with, especially now when Bill had hurt me so badly. If my sensible, upstanding, gentlemanly Bill Compton, who was trying so hard to connect with his human side could break my heart, I had no doubt that the Sheriff of Area Five could tear it into tiny pieces which could never be put back together.

When I woke the next morning I was in that strange limbo where I couldn't quite work out what was real and what was a dream. There was a note on my pillow, which confirmed that I was no longer a one man woman:

Lover

Enjoy your shopping trip

-E-

A platinum Mastercard was attached.

I was a little nervous about using the card, so decided to go to my friend Tara's dress shop. At least there if the card was refused there would be less embarrassment.. She had a new collection in, and had great fun choosing some pieces which she thought might suit me.

I would have enjoyed it more if I could have forgotten why I needed them, but in the end I selected a knee length cocktail dresses, a blatantly sexy red satin sheath which I had a strong suspicion that Eric would love, and a more formal long cream and gold gown. Then I turned to the underwear. As Eric was paying I thought he deserved to have his money spent on something fine and lacy. Then I completed the set with a fancy chiffon nightgown and matching robe.

Afterwards I went next door to the beauty parlour and had a manicure and pedicure. I may be a complete nervous wreck on the inside, but at least the outside would look confident.

EPOV

I couldn't suppress my intense satisfaction as I drove away from Sookie's house.

I had always known that one day I was going to make her mine, but I honestly had not gone tonight with that intention. My only thoughts had been how to persuade her to help us to find Bill and avoid the Queen's punishment.

Could anyone blame me for passing up the opportunity? She was so needy, so desperate for comfort, any red blooded man, or cold blooded Vampire would have done the same. A twinge of doubt crossed my mind briefly. Perhaps I had taken advantage of her weakness. Would she hate me for this?

I had wanted her all the months since she had first come to Fangtasia with Compton. How often I had cursed myself for not just taking her that night. I could have used my status to force him to give her to me. Now I was glad that I had not. It was true she was not the most beautiful woman I had ever had, but there were very few who had given themselves to me so completely, who had given and taken such pleasure.

The thought of her soft body beneath mine had me excited all over again. Would she regret it though?

I brushed away my doubts and focused on the arrangements I needed to make. I knew exactly where we were going to stay in Jackson. It was a small hotel, intimate and homely. I knew it would be much more to her taste that the big impersonal hotel we'd used in Dallas.

Much as I disliked him, I had a duty as Sheriff to get Compton back. The added threat of the Queen's punishment made it imperative. However it didn't extend to risking myself on his behalf. My original plan had been to send Sookie with a Were who owed me a big favour. Between the two of them they should have been able to find out Bill's whereabouts.

My plans changed as soon as I realized that I had a chance of claiming Sookie for my own. I could see the benefits of spending some time alone with her. I had no doubts of my ability to seduce her and I had succeeded more quickly than I anticipated. Now all I had to do was to bind her to me. If we were successful in rescuing Compton, I had no intention of watching them rekindle their relationship in front of my nose. His punishment would be to see his former lover now the permanent companion of the Sheriff of Area Five.