A/N: For hansprinsessa and headfilledwithbirds from the prompt: Paric fluff and a jealous Tara. And I threw in a little 'Aunty Pam' for good measure ;) Hope I did it justice! x
Disclaimer: I own nothing. Pity.
Second Fiddle
Tara sat cuddled into Pam's side, taking the opportunity to rest after the showdown at the Authority Headquarters and to be close to her Maker.
Jessica was slumped against the wall on the other side of Pam, her eyes closed as she wept softly. Pam held one of Jessica's hands loosely in one of her own and was drumming the other absently against her leg as the stared at the door to the storage container they were sitting in.
Tara shifted slightly to get a better look at Pam's profile and the small movement seemed to rouse Pam from her silent vigil.
"You did good back there," Pam said, looking down at Tara, "made me proud," she added as her eyes strayed back to the door. "Both of you," she added, glancing at Jessica and giving her hand a small squeeze.
Tara opened her mouth to say something in return but the moment was lost as the door opened.
Pam got to her feet as Eric stepped through the door, forgetting all about the younger vampires as she took a couple of steps towards him.
Eric scanned the room, when his eyes settled on Pam he came towards her at vampire speed, crushing her to him.
Tara watched as Pam hugged him back just as tightly, burying her face in his neck.
"You're safe," Eric murmured, burying his face in her hair, "I couldn't…I wasn't sure…"
"I'm fine," Pam whispered back and Tara was surprised to see that she was shaking in his arms, "what about you?"
"I'll be all right," he assured her, pulling her even closer, "everything will be all right now."
Pam let out a sob and Tara resisted the urge to get her feet, it was more than obvious who Pam wanted – needed – comfort from.
Tara wasn't sure how she felt about that.
She had never truly appreciated just how complicated her Maker truly was or how extraordinary. But it seemed she'd also overestimated her own importance.
Pam might care for her, maybe even love her, but Eric would always be first.
Always.
Tara caught sight of Sookie standing in the background, watching the emotional reunion with an unreadable expression; at least she wasn't the only one being forgotten.
Tara turned her attention back to the couple in the centre of the room, who were still – quite literally – wrapped up in each other. She tamped down her jealousy at the sight, reminding herself that she was still Pam's Child and that had to count for something.
She leaned back against the wall, crossing her arms and trying not to look like she was sulking. If Pam would do anything for her Maker than so would she, even if that meant coming second.
