Disclaimer, I own none of the characters; they are strictly the property of the author. This is just my take on what should have happened after Dead and Gone and during Dead in the Family.

The Healing Heart

A balmy May evening breeze caressed her body and the scent of jasmine filled the air as Sookie Stackhouse slowly walked through the cemetery next to her house. Most of the Stackhouse family was buried here, but Sookie had a particular destination in mind. She stopped in front of her grandmother's headstone. It was dusk, but there was still enough light for Sookie to clearly read the inscription on the granite marker covering the grave. It didn't matter, though, Sookie didn't need the light to read. She knew the words by heart; "Adele Stackhhouse...Beloved Wife of ...Beloved Mother of … Born …. Died..."

Sookie wrapped her arms tightly around her body as a sense of loss flooded her heart as strong as the night she found her grandmother's body lying in a pool of blood on the kitchen floor. Hot tears scalded her face as she knelt down and placed the bouquet of flowers she had picked earlier this evening on Gran's grave. The flowers were from Gran's garden. Gran so loved that garden; she was known throughout the county for her prize winning roses. Sookie did her best to keep the garden looking good even though she would never have the green thumb that her grandmother had.

"I love you, Gran. I'm so sorry that you had to go through what you did. Please, forgive me!" Sookie whispered for the millionth time since Gran died. Adele Stackhouse had been brutally murdered by Rene Lenier. Rene was a bigot and a serial killer who had planned to kill Sookie because she had dated the vampire who lived next door. Rene hated vampires and the humans who had anything to do with them. The maniac had murdered many women who associated with vampires including his own sister. Sookie shivered at the thought of how that monster had killed Gran.

The vampire in question was Bill Compton. Gran had liked Bill from the moment she met him; she thought he was so nice and polite. Since Bill had been a confederate soldier before he was turned, Gran had asked him to speak to her club, The Descendants of the Glorious Dead. She and her fellow club members were proud of their southern heritage, and they wanted to hear first hand what it had been like fighting in the Civil War. To please Sookie, Bill accommodated Gran's request; perhaps that's what triggered Rene's frenzy that terrible night.

Hours later, Rene went into a psychotic rage; he went looking for Sookie, but found her grandmother instead. Gran had tried to fight Rene off, but the old woman was no match for a young, strong male like Rene. The feeling that she was somehow responsible for her grandmother's death had been unbearable for Sookie at the time, but Bill had helped her deal with the guilt. With love and patience, Bill finally convinced her that only one responsible for Gran's death was that monster, Rene Lenier. Sookie knew full well that her grandmother would have never blamed her for her violent death. Even so, the thought of her grandmother's last moments on this earth filled her with horror. She prayed to God that Gran's death had been quick and that she didn't suffer, but she would really never know.

"I miss you so much, Gran. Life's such a mess right now. So many bad things have happened to Jason and me this past year. I'm so confused right now. I wish I could talk to you. You always helped me make sense of everything." Sookie whispered as she knelt there. At that moment, a warm feeling of peace and love enveloped Sookie. She could almost hear her grandmother's lovely voice saying. "Don't worry, honey. You will be fine. Whatever happens, Sookie; you will be okay."

Sookie sat near her grandmother's grave for a long time afterward thinking over the last few chaotic years of her life, especially the last few months. Night had fully arrived, but a full moon brightened the landscape of the small local cemetery. Night birds called out their mournful sounds; the wind sighed softly through the trees. Headstones of people long buried cast tall shadows around her, but Sookie was not afraid. She felt at home here. She often came here when she needed to be with her grandmother, and she needed to be with her tonight.

A unexpected frisson of pain clutched at Sookie's heart as Bill Compton's face suddenly appeared in her mind. Bill had been on her mind a lot lately, and she wondered why. She had come close to losing him forever, and that thought made her feel sad. They weren't lovers anymore; but the pain of his betrayal was gone, and she had forgiven him. They were only friends now, but Sookie knew she would hate to live in a world that didn't include Bill Compton, her first love.

Bill had nearly died from the silver poisoning that he received the night he saved Sookie from the fairy assassins, Lochlan and Neave. He had lingered and suffered for weeks. He became depressed and lost without the will to live, but Sookie wasn't about to let her first love go so easily. Tonight he was much improved since his sibling, Judith, saved him by giving him her blood. There was a special magic in a sibling's blood because Bill looked better than ever, even better than when Sookie first met him, if that was possible.

Sookie, on the other hand, still had issues, both physical and emotional from that night even though they were not obvious to the naked eye. Her wrists and leg occasionally hurt, she still had dimples in her thights where those two monsters had bitten out huge chucks of flesh. She still walked with a pronounced limp when she was too tired or had overdone it at work or home. Worst of all, she had become quite cynical and had developed some serious trust issues that were interfering with her happiness with Eric. She still had bouts of depression so strong that she didn't want to be around anyone else.

It had taken quite a while to get her groove back with Eric when they made love. Although sex was now as enjoyable as ever with her big, blonde viking vampire, she wondered sometimes if she should have waited a little while longer before climbing back into bed with him. No matter what anyone said, after being tortured, having sex wasn't like getting back on a horse after you had been thrown.

She didn't blame Eric; she blamed herself for pushing it. She wanted to be okay for him. She wanted not to be affected by what she went through. Lord knows Eric had been patient with her; he made it clear he was ready to wait until she was ready. Still, she slept with him only a few days after the incident. Surely, Eric had to know through the blood bond that she wasn't quite ready for sex no matter what she said. Eric still took small amounts of her blood when they made love even though she was still weak. He had given her so much of his own blood to heal her, she wouldn't; she couldn't deny him. But Eric had given her so much of his blood, she often felt she was on the edge of turning, and that was something she definitely didn't want to happen. Why did Eric keep taking blood from her and why did he give her so much blood? Of course Eric said it was necessary for her to heal, but she knew she would have healed anyway, it would have just taken longer and there would have been more scars. Was the blood exchange necessary to keep her bound closely to him? In her moments of depression, sometimes she thought so.

She had finally admitted to herself out loud that she loved Eric, and she finally admitted it to him too, but a part of her still could not get over the fact that it was Bill, not Eric, who came to her rescue that awful night. It should have been Eric; she wanted it to be Eric. She had begged him through their bond to rescue her. She screamed his name in her mind over and over, but the bond between them was silent; she couldn't feel Eric at all. Yes, Eric had explained that Victor Madden had him chained with silver to prevent him from going to her and interfering in the fairy war. She wanted to believe Eric, and most of the time, she did, but she still had dark times in her mind when it seemed that something about Eric's explanation was not quite right.

Sookie was beset with a lot of unanswered questions about Eric's strange behavior after her rescue. Since he wasn't able to save Sookie himself, it seemed only logical that Eric would have done anything for the vampire who did. Instead, he refused to give Bill his blood, and he admitted that he would have let Bill die, if he hadn't been successful.

Eric was older than any vampire she knew at that time; his blood was strong and powerful. It had certainly helped her to heal from the dreadful wounds the two fairies inflicted on her. Would it have done the same for Bill? Would Bill have been so desperately ill for so long if Eric had given him his blood that night? Would she have had to call Judith in to save Bill if Eric had give him blood early on? Did Eric hate Bill so much that he wanted him to die? If so, why? Eric knew now that Sookie loved him and she had no intention of going back to Bill, so was he somehow jealous of Bill?

Eric definitely did not like talking about that night and usually changed the subject saying it was to painful to discuss. Sookie didn't want to cause Eric any pain, so she didn't push him. It was enough to know Eric loved her and would have been there for her if he could. She had told Bill during a visit when Bill was still so sick. Bill hadn't asked her, but somehow she felt like she had to justify why he was the one that was hurt so badly that night, not Eric. Bill was quiet during the whole visit and when she fiinished her explanaton, he looked at her strangely. She thought she saw anger and pity in his eyes, but Bill never said a word to contradict Eric's story. If he knew anything more about the reason that Eric wasn't there when she needed him, Bill wouldn't or couldn't say anything. Had Eric ordered him to keep quiet? In the end, she didn't know if she would ever have the answers to her questions. Most of the time, she thought she was just being silly and that everything happened just the way Eric said it did, but sometimes just thinking it them made her head hurt the way it did tonight.

Even though she could never fully explain it to Eric, or even to herself, Sookie knew now that could not bear to lose Bill even after all the bad things they had been through. She was more than glad that she used Bill's vampire database to track his vampire sister, Judith, down. She was more than glad that Judith jwas willing to help; she umped at the chance to try and save Bill. Lately, the thought of the beautiful vamp who had saved her friend had begun to make Sookie jealous.

The emotions she felt when she saw Bill with Judith were so much stronger than the pitiful feelings she had when she saw Bill with Selah Pumpfrey, but then, Bill didn't love Selah. The few times that she had seen Bill and Judith together, she saw clear evidence that Bill and his sibling cared for each other. Sookie knew they were lovers now; she had seen them making love through Bill's living room window one night and Bill sure looked like he was enjoying himself. That night had been hard for Sookie; it was all she could do to stop herself from crying in front of Bill. She also desperately wanted to claw Judith's eyes out. Bill seemed happy now. Judith not only healed Bill, she obviously loved him. It was clear that Bill loved being with Judith and that she was good for him. Judith was helping Bill to get over her, and Sookie knew she should be grateful for that. Bill deserved to be happy; didn't he?

Sookie thought about going back to her house. She didn't have to work, but she wasn't scheduled to see Eric tonight. She still had a lot of laundry and ironing to do, but the thought of those mundane chores didn't appeal to her. Instead she shifted position and sat with her back against Gran's headstone. A sense of lassitude filled her and Sookie seemed to drift into a trancelike state.

A vision of Bill standing with her the moonlight filled Sookie's mind. The tall, dark vampire was looking at her with so much love and longing in his eyes it made Sookie tremble with with an emotion that was so much deeper than love or desire. She could smell the blend of spice and musk that was uniquely Bill and her senses were overwhelmed. She wanted Bill; she wanted him inside her; she wanted to be inside him. She wanted him so bad, her need was organic, like aliving thing. She couldn't remember ever feeling this way before, not even for Eric. She wanted Bill to know how much loved and wanted him. She wanted to know how much he loved and wanted her.

Bill kept looking at her; his dark eyes smoldered and Sookie's breath caught in her throat. Her heart stuttered; it slammed so hard against her ribs she thought her chest would burst. Bill reached out to her just as she reached out to him. Her fingers burned wherever she touched him. She could feel his cool fingers as they caressed her face moving softly over her eyelids and her lips. Electricity sparked between them.

"Sookie!" he whispered. The sound of her name murmured slowly in his cool, deep southern drawl was a caress that was so erotic and so filled with love, Sookie began to cry. She felt her knees give way as she slumped against him weakly, but Bill caught her just in time. His strong arms surrounded her and pulled her up close into his chest as he kissed her tears away.

"Sookie, sweetheart! My love! I'm here!" he whispered as he tilted her face up to his. His mouth was only inches from hers; his breath was hot and sweet against her face.

"Ah, Bill. It's been so long!" she gasped as she brought his mouth down to hers tp receive his kiss. When their lips met, her body shook and her mind shattered into millions of tiny pieces, each piece was aware of only one thing; her need to be with Bill!" As Bill gently drew her down to the soft warm, grass, Sookie exulted. "This is so right! I am home now! I am finally where I belong!" She was instantly aware that Bill felt the same way too, and she was happy.

Sookie jerked out of her reverie.

Oh my God. do I have to get a grip on myself, or what? What in the hell is wrong with me ? What kind of a person am I? Sookie asked herself.

Bill is moving on; isn't that what I wanted? Why can't I be glad for him? I have Eric now. Eric loves me, and I love him. I am committed to making our relationship work if I can ever get him away from Appius and that crazy brother of his.

As if on cue, the cellphone in her pocket vibrated. Sookie took it out and flipped it open. The call was from Eric. She tensed as she spit out, "So, you finally remembered I'm alive! Why haven't I heard from you for the last two weeks?" Sookie's voice was tart. She hoped she hid the hurt and annoyance she felt from Eric. She hated clinging women and she was sure that's what she was becoming, but she missed him. They hadn't made love since the night Eric's maker showed up with his brother in tow, and she was going crazy.

Eric laughed softly. His voice was low, sultry and full of promise. "I always remember you are alive, my lover. Ocella and Alexei have been running me ragged, and Victor is still giving me fits about my management of this area. He's still convinced I am doing something behind Felipe's back and he is determined to prove it. I've been so busy, I haven't had a chance to see you. Can you come to the bar later tonight? I want to show you just how much I missed you."

Eric knew that tonight was her night off, but Sookie didn't want him to think that she was at his beck and call. "Can't you come here, Eric? It's been such a long time since you've spent the night at my house, and its such a long drive there. You could be here in a few minutes." Sookie knew her voice sounded whiny.

"I wish I could, but I have to leave tomorrow night for New Orleans. Felipe de Castro is in town and he's called a conference. Victor is picking me up immediately after nightfall tomorrow; we are driving down together. Its just so much more convenient for me if you come here. I don't know how long I will be gone, and I would really like to see you tonight. I though you would want to since it's been such a long time since we've been together, but if its too much trouble for you, well then forget it!" Eric sounded hurt and exasperated as if he were talking to a child.

Sookie's temper flared. Tell me about it! she thought to herself. She was ready to snap back, but she held her breath a few seconds and counted to ten.

She relented. "That's okay. I am anxious to see you too. I'll be there around one. Wait. I just thought of something. I hope Appius and Alexei aren't going to be around while you are in New Orleans. You know I can't stand Appius, and he can't stand me either. Alexei seriously creeps me out. I don't know why, but I am afraid of that kid. I think he is psychotic."

What Sookie didn't say was that the old vampire, Appius, creeped her out too. He reeked with evil; he was so old and vile, there seemed to be nothing human left in him. She wondered why Eric loved his maker so much. Even though he hadn't seen his maker in decates, there was no doubt that what Eric felt for Appius was much deeper than the normal maker/child bond. The thought of that love disturbed Sookie in her very being. It wasn't mere jealousy; she was deeply afraid for Eric and for herself. She knew Appius hated her because Eric loved her: how could his child love a mere human woman even one with a touch of fae blood. She hated Appius as deeply as the old vampire hated her. Most of all, she hated the hold Appius had over Eric as his sire. Eric had admitted to her that he would do anything Appius ordered him to even if he didn't want to. That made her wonder: if Appius would ever order Eric to kill her? Would Eric do it? She didn't want to think about it. She couldn't wait to be rid of those two interlopers. They were making her life so much more complicated than it already was.

She also hated the hold the old pedophile vamp had over the young prince, Alexei Romanov. Sookie wasn't a prude, but the though of that old vampire turning Alexei and then having sex with the tragic young boy thoroughly disgusted her. She knew Appius forced Eric to have sex with him against his will after he was turned, and he could easily do ir again if he wanted to. But Eric was older and it was different for him. Something in her wondered if Eric would enjoy being with Appius that way again; she sincerely hoped not. She wondered if the decades of sexual molestation at the hands the old vampire was what made Alexei so weird. Perhaps it was that on top of his witnessing the brutal slaying of his family in Russia. Sookie shuddered; as much as she feared Alexei, she pitied him too. Nobody should ever have to live through what Alexei had lived through either as a human or as a vampire. There were just some things about vampire culture she could never totally accept. Sookie felt that the only good thing that came out of meeting Appius was that she was finally able to understand and accept the complete hold Lorena had over Bill. She now knew Bill told her the truth about why he had to go to his maker.

"Don't worry, Ocella and Alexei won't bother you. I am taking them to New Orleans with me. I hope to leave the two of them there, if I can." Eric purred. "You will be glad you came, my lover. I'll make it worth your while. You'll see."

"You'd better, mister!" Sookie threatened. She laughed as she closed the phone and put it back in her pocket. Her heachache was gone. She felt relieved and happier than she had in weeks, but she noticed that the overwhelming sense of euphoria she usually felt when she spoke to Eric did not occur.

That's strange. Perhaps its time we renew the blood bond. Sookie thought as she got up, brushed herself off and headed home to shower. If she had her way, it was going to be a long night; she planned to make it worth Eric's while too.