Hello! I'm back! This time with a short story. Sorry for frustrating you all with posting tons of text in some strange language (It's a good stuff! I swear! You just need to learn Polish ASAP...), but this time, finally, I have something in English for you.

This little story takes place at the end of book 8, when Sigebert ambushed Eric and Felipe. Just imagine what would have happened if he managed to kill the king before Sookie saved them...

A word of warning: this story does not develop a full plot and has an open ending, so don't be disappointed that there is no clear conclusion to it. Even though I am considering making it a two-shot (depending on your response) it was always meant to be a short story and I don't plan on resolving too much. I'm just stretching my imagination and I wanted to show you a different possible direction the events could have taken and make you wonder what would have happened next. If you are curious of this alternative path, take a peek with me.

No beta! Sorry for all mistakes!

Disclaimer: I don't own. You know, like, by choice. Owning is ideologically wrong.

THE KING IS DEAD

I stood frozen taking in the scene before me. Eric and the king were forced to the ground and chained with silver to the large tree by their backs. They were both severely injured. Few feet away from them Sam was sitting on the gravel, also tied and defenseless. The vampire who did this all, stood by them and looked down at them with a cold smile on his face. I recognised him – Sigebert, a giant Saxon warrior, former queen's child and bodyguard. He paid my shifter boss no mind. His entire attention was focused onto the two vampires he had captured. There was a long knife in one of his hands and a stake in the other. With a shiver I realized he probably thought he was executing justice for his maker. I knew in my bones there was no talking him out of it.

My heart was beating frantically and I blame only Sigebert's need for revenge for not detecting my presence. He was too lost in his hatred and grief to notice anything else. I watched him lifting his knife-armed hand and slicing the blade through his victims' flesh; the only purpose of this cut inflicting pain, because you couldn't kill a vampire by stabbing him with anything other than wood. I barely stopped myself from screaming.

But then he tossed the knife aside. I was too shocked to understand the significance of this gesture, because of the sudden change in the bond.

At first in was a surge of a violent protest and I saw Eric trying to break free. Sigebert turned to Felipe first and started talking. I listened to his words. I didn't hear all of this, because of the distance, but I caught enough to understand that he was telling the king his plans on killing him. Even then my mind refused to draw a logical conclusion.

Next thing I felt from Eric was much more alarming. Resignation.

I stopped paying any attention to Sigebert and Felipe and focused fully on Eric. A wave of sadness with a good dose of anger and a hint of regret washed over me. And then the strangest thing happened. For a second, a rush of a pure yet powerful emotion hit me. It was...

Love.

But it didn't make any sense. Not only was it highly unexpected feeling from Eric, but there was no reason to feel love while being tortured by his enemy, unless he was harbouring a secret crush for the new king and his dramatic cape. I wouldn't bet my money on that.

Until it hit me – he knew I was there. It was for me. And it was a goodbye.

That's what finally snapped me out of trance.

I forced myself to put aside my own feelings that rose upon the realisation. Now was not the time to figure out what it meant for me. It was time to act.

I could not let Eric die. I had to stop it.

Don't you dare saying goodbye to me, Eric Northman, I thought.

I looked around to find the best weapon, which happened to be my car. Just when I put my keys into ignition I saw Sigebert raising his hand and staking the king. I felt rush of adrenaline when he turned toward Eric next and I stomped on a gas pedal with all my might.

Engine's roar was what finally alerted Sigebert of my presence and I was grateful for that, because it stopped him in his tracks and in his mission of staking Eric. Sigebert's head snapped toward me and his brightly lit, paper-white face flashed for a second before my eyes when my headlights caught it, just before the car hit him with the full force.

The vehicle groaned and shook with me inside and for a moment I thought I'd end up crushing, but thankfully it caught its balance once I drove over rather big, ancient, Saxon bump on the road. I jumped out of the car as soon as it came to stop and ran back to see how much damage I'd managed to do.

Sigiebert's body was laying across the road, looking all bloody, mangled and immobile, but still solid. He wasn't finally dead. He was only injured and stunned.

I didn't think. It was an instinct.

I saw the stake laying next to his hand. He must have dropped it when I hit him. I picked it and stabbed him right in his chest, without a second thought. His eyes opened suddenly, only to flicker and turn into dust. He didn't even make a sound. I stood there and watched his body crumble trying to catch my breath. I think I was in shock.

"Sookie," I heard a voice calling me and it pulled me out of my head when I recognised it.

I turned around toward its owner. The forgotten stake slipped out of my hand with a clatter.

"Eric," I breathed, suddenly close to tears.

I walked to him on numb legs and all but fell on my knees and then butt when I reached him. I've never seen him so pale before, it looked as if there was not even one drop of blood in his face. His eyes were dark but bright and burning when he silently followed my movements with them. I sagged against him, finding comfort in the hard form of his body.

I did it. I stopped it. It didn't happen. He was fine. I could breath.

He didn't protest when I laid my head on his chest, probably making his silver burns worse by putting additional pressure on it. He didn't try to make me hurry. He seemed to know I needed this moment close to him to calm down. Even Sam stayed quiet.

We didn't speak. A silent tear made its way down my cheek. I realised I'd never felt fear as terrible as when I thought he might die, this time for real. And I never wanted to feel this way again. The bond was overflowing with pride and affection. I tried to breath in his scent to reassure myself, but it was tainted with heavy odour of burned flesh and blood.

I felt Eric resting his chin on the top of my head. He couldn't reach for me, because he was still tied.

I had to do something about it. I needed to free Sam too, but he could wait – he was only uncomfortable, while Eric was hurt and his skin was probably melting from the silver. I knew he'd heal, but Sigebert's been torturing him only minutes ago.

I raised my head and looked at Eric.

"Hard and fast or careful but slow?" I asked simply, taking the end of the chain in my hands.

A ghost of a smile danced on his lips.

"Hard and fast," he said with a wink.

I was too jittery for jokes, so I nodded and took a deep breath. I braced myself and then ripped the chain from Eric's body pulling it with all my strength with a short, quick move, like a band-aid. He hissed loudly. Oh God, it came off with the skin. And it wasn't over. Sigebert wrapped it around him many times. My hands were shaking.

"I'm so sorry," I mumbled, "I'm so sorry."

"It's ok," Eric grunted, but he wasn't really convincing. "Don't stop now."

I had to get it over, so I continued crying, until I pulled the last piece of it off him.

"Thank you, lover," he said sighing with relief and startling me with his long forgotten pet name for me.

Oh yes, he remembered now. I didn't even think of it before, but this was actually the first time we've seen and talked to each other after he remembered. We didn't have a chance to discuss his memories. Oh, well, now was certainly not a good time too.

"I'll help Sam," I said, picking up Sigebert's knife.

Eric's arm was clearly broken and it seemed that he intended to put it to the rights himself. I really didn't need to watch it right now, so I could use some distraction. I heard a sickening crunch just as I turned my head.

"You ok?" Sam asked as I cut the rope on his wrists and ankles.

"Yeah, just shaken."

We all stood up and looked at each other. My legs were a little wobbly, so Eric steadied me gripping my arm. He already looked a little better – he must have started healing the moment he was silver-free, but he was still very pale, even for his standards.

"The king is dead," Sam stated the obvious.

Eric nodded.

"I'll confirm it wasn't you who killed him."

It was only then that the consequences of Felipe's demise hit me.

"Are you going to be in trouble because of this, Eric?" I asked nervously.

He smiled without humour.

"There will be trouble, of this I am sure," he answered. "Louisiana is now without a ruler, just after a recent takeover, there is no way to avoid chaos and power struggle. The question is whether I'm going to be the one blamed for it and brought to the council to be charged for treason."

"But you didn't do it!" I exclaimed, though we all knew that.

I felt panic growing inside me. I've seen vampire trials in Rhodes and recalled the harsh way the undead executed justice. Executed being the key-word.
Eric moved to the side and kicked the pile of ash that used to be Sigiebert, looking intently at it, as if he was searching for something.

"This should help," he said picking up a medieval looking ring. "But Victor is going to accuse me either way. He's power-hungry and he'll try to take the throne for himself. I'm in his way and he'll try to get rid of me. Doing it in disguise of revenge is his best bet."

And then he added:

"Victor is in Fangtasia."

This time I felt my legs giving up for real, but Eric was there to catch me. He swept me up in his arms bridal style.

"I'm sorry, it's just... it's too much," I said. "There is going to be a battle in Fangtasia tonight? And you're going to fight Victor?"

"I'm pretty sure, yes," Eric said.

"But they won the last time, didn't they?"

"There are not as many of them in my area as there were that night. Plus, they had an element of surprise. This time we have it. No one knows Felipe is dead yet. I need to call Pam."

Sam sighed.

"Northman, True Blood to go?" he asked.

I was thankful that for once they were not trying to get on each other nerves. Maybe being trapped on this parking lot together gave them the right perspective.

"Make it three," Eric said.

Of course, he needed blood. I hesitated. Eric must have felt it, because he shushed me and hugged me closer to himself.

"Don't," he whispered straight into my ear. "You're exhausted."

Well, that was certainly true. Eric nuzzled my hair and kissed my forehead and then carried me into Merlotte's. Sam had already re-opened the bar.

Eric sat at the barstool, with me on his lap. He was so freakishly tall, that he could do this without having problems with catching his balance. The bond pulsed between us with the shared need for closeness. Sam placed the warmed True Blood before him.

"Sookie, you cannot go home tonight," Eric announced unexpectedly between downing one bottle and another.

"What do you mean: I can't go home?," I almost shouted.

"It's not safe. Victor knows where you live and might try to use you against me. I don't want you to get caught in the crossfire."

"I'm not running from my own home!" I was livid.

"Sookie, I think Eric's right," Sam backed Eric up grudgingly. "It's dangerous. You should stay some-place safe tonight and wait with going back until it's over."

I looked at him in disbelief. Was he really taking Eric's side over mine?

"Lover, please," Eric coaxed. "I can fly you to one of my safe houses. I'm not asking you to run. I simply don't want you to walk into a trap if it can be avoided. You hid me when Hallow coursed me and it was not safe for me to come back to my place, I only want you to let me do the same for you."

I don't think I heard anything after this two words at the beginning. The first one had the ability to touch something deep within my soul, and the second one... well, I'm just not sure if I've ever heard Eric using the word 'please' before.

"What about Amelia?," I argued. "If it's dangerous to stay at my home, then I can't leave her there alone!"

"She should probably spend the night somewhere else too, just to be safe. But it can be anywhere. They are not going to look specifically for her. She's not their target. You are."

"Can't you just take her with me then?," I asked, genuinely confused.

"No," he surprised me.

"No? Why not?"

"I'm not taking the witch to my safe house. I don't trust her enough."

"But you'd take me?"

"Of course," he sounded as if it was obvious.

Sam snickered quietly and I glared at him. He raised his hands in surrender.

"We have to hurry," Eric said, finishing his last bottle of blood. "Merlotte."

"Northman."

They nodded at each other solemnly and I rolled my eyes. Men. Supes. Whatever.

Eric picked me up again.

"Hey, I can walk, you know?" I protested.

"I know," he chuckled. "But you can't fly."

"I don't remember agreeing... Eric!"

I shrieked and this time he laughed out loud.

"Hold on!" Eric warned, a little belatedly, because we were already high in the air.

We stopped at my house first to warn Amelia. I also packed a small bag with essentials (and some groceries – I doubted Eric had any) while Eric called Pam to give her orders. She was supposed to prepare everything for quick action and alert everybody on our side. She also promised to keep Victor busy so he wouldn't leave before Eric's arrival.

As soon as he disconnected, Eric opened his arms for me expectantly. We were in hurry. I could tell he wanted to be at Fangtasia as soon as possible, before anyone could get suspicious. This time he was flying us with his full speed, so I clang to him tightly with my face burrowed in his chest, trying to hide from the sharp wind the movement created. I also closed my eyes – just to calm myself down.

Finally I felt Eric landing softly.

"We're here," he said, still holding me, which was a good thing, since my legs were not quite steady yet.

I opened my eyes and looked around curiously. We were on the roof of some high building. It was dark here, but I could see the city lights below. It was quite a view. Eric found a hidden panel and opened some kind of a trap door. There was a ladder leading inside, but he simply flew us down. He turned on the light and I realised we were standing in the middle of a modern looking apartment.

"Do you live here?" I asked.

"No. I have another house, but too many people know about it. I keep this place to have somewhere to go if I need to lay down. I actually bought it after the Witch War."

"Oh," was all I said.

"Make yourself comfortable. You can use everything in the house. I'm sure you'll find something to entertain yourself, but I don't have time to show you around now."

"Sure," I said distractedly. "I'll be fine."

He explained quickly security measures to me and told me that he'd try to make it to me before dawn, or at least call me. My eyes widened a little when I saw him taking an enormous sword hanging on the wall and grabbing a few stakes for a good measure. He also showed me where I can find weapons if needed (he didn't go into details as to why I would possibly need any). I looked at them worriedly. Then, at last, he showed me a stash of cash. It was more money than I've ever seen at once. A cold chill run down my spine.

"Eric...," I whispered.

"Sookie, if you don't hear from me or Pam in two days, it means we're not coming," he told me seriously. "In that case, you'll be on your own. You might need it."

I felt my fear settling as a lead ball in my stomach.

"Eric," I repeated louder, shaking my head.

He put his finger on my lips.

"I don't plan on dying tonight, Sookie. This is just insurance policy."

I was still upset, but I nodded.

"Promise me you'll be careful," I said barely above a whisper.

Normally I wouldn't say something like this to him, because it would make me feel vulnerable. But tonight made me realise he was immortal only in one sense of the word. I was worried for him and Pam. I really didn't want either of them to get themselves killed. Something softened in his eyes at my plea and when I looked at him, I suddenly saw my Eric, the one I thought I'd lost for good. I held my breath.

He cupped my face in his hand, so carefully, as if I was made of glass.

"I'll be back," he said firmly.

I wanted to say I'd wait for him. I'd waited so long for him to come back to me and I didn't even know that was what I'd been waiting for, or that I'd been waiting at all. But he was back and I sure was willing to wait one more night.

I forgot anything I wanted to say, when he dropped his head and went for that kiss, that's been hanging in the air the whole night. I whimpered against his lips. God, I missed it. I missed him.

It was as if we've never been apart. As if all these long months apart, all this loneliness and heartache, the other men, never happened.

I didn't want to let him go, but I had to. The clock was ticking. There was only so much time before someone realised the king was missing. I broke away with a sigh. Eric looked at me, searching my eyes.

"You sure there is nothing I can do?," I asked.

He smiled.

"You've already saved my life once tonight, Sookie."

And then, suddenly, he turned very serious.

"I'll be back," he repeated. "And this time I will not forget."