A/N: Yes, I know I have tons of other stories. They're all in progress and not forgotten.

Now, this will be taking place after S4 - pretty much around right after Sookie leaves Bill's house. Let's pretend S4 ended there. Everything after that moment isn't implied or apart of my story. I'm also dabbling with the idea of SOME chapters being in Eric's POV - if they are, it will be indicated. With all that said, I hope you enjoy this interesting idea I came up with.

Nothing looked different. Hell - it was hard to believe 5 years had passed since he was last in Louisiana. He remember the night he had left as if it happened only a few hours ago. Sookie's eyes showed the pain he could feel in their bond as she decided her best path lie with neither him or Bill. So much hurt. After awhile he wasn't sure if it was purely her own he felt in himself. When that door closed behind her, he had already made up his mind. He recalled how Pam pleaded with him to stay and forget the 'breather'. He knew he wouldn't be able to and he knew his child knew the same. Sookie was more than a breather. More than a Faerie. In the five years he spent away from her, he had come to terms with that. She was, without a doubt, the love of his miserable, dead existence. Something he never imagined possible for himself.

It was 2am and Fangtasia was just let it's last patron out. The staff was completely new, minus one familiar face. His child stood tall, ordering the bouncer to check the perimeter for loitering vampires. Eric cocked a small grin as he walked toward them. It took seconds before the guard's eyes shifted to the approaching vampire and his fangs clicked into place. Pam turned on her heels to see what or who the bouncer was hissing at. She wasn't prepared for what her blue eyes drank in. She staggered slightly.

"E-Eric?" The Viking's grin grew as he stood only a few feet from them. A small smile started to form on Pam's face but was quickly switched with a angry pout. "What are you doing here?" He cocked an eyebrow.

"Is that anyway to greet your maker?" She crossed her arms and raised an eyebrow of her own.

"The last time I saw my maker, he was releasing me and ditching me." He could hear the pain that she still felt from what he had done 5 years prior. Another few minutes of silence held them before Pam's face softened and she smiled. "I was scared I would never see you again." He pulled Pam into his arms and held her as he had done so many times before, stroking her hair.

"You should've known better than that." Eric looked at the bouncer, who didn't stick around much longer. "Why don't we go inside?" She nodded as they headed inside. Eric took in the interior. Nothing really had changed - except new booths and a new bar. Ginger was busy putting bottles up on a shelf.

"Ginger, look who's back." Ginger turned and her eyes lit up at the sight of the one vampire she wanted more than anything.

"Oh my gosh! Eric! Look at you! It's been forever! Welcome back, boss." Eric chuckled.

"I'm not your boss." Pam glared at him.

"Like hell you're not. Don't tell me you're not staying, Eric."

"The office, Pamela." She stomped her feet slightly as she walked into the office, Eric following behind. He shut the door and stopped as he noticed his desk had been replaced with a newer one. It was nice - dark cherry wood.

"Eric, what's the deal? Are you just stopping by or are you finally over your tantrum?" He glared at her.

"It wasn't a tantrum and yes. I am back."

"Then what's the problem?"

"I'm just not sure I want anyone to know that I'm back. Not yet, at least." Pam looked a bit confused.

"Who don't you want knowing, exactly?" He remained silent as he looked at Pam. He waited for it to click in her head but it never did.

"Sookie." The expression the now held Pam's face caused curiosity in Eric. "What is it?" Pam remained silent, looking away from Eric. "Pamela, tell me." She shook her head.

"I can't." Anger suddenly grasped him. What could she be hiding? What pain could reality offer him that he wasn't prepared for? He wasn't foolish to think Sookie would still be single and possible smitten by him any longer. In fact, he imagined she'd be married and a mother at least twice over by now.

"Tell me." He searched his child's face as she looked at him.

"Sookie's dead."