This is a story that I had an idea for several months ago. I wrote the first four or five pages and then went back to the story Surprise! Now, I have finally finished the first part of this story. Instead of Sookie clinging to and further embracing the supernatural, Sookie is trying to rid herself of it. This is the story of her trying to get back her old, boring, dateless life. Will she succeed? Or will the plans of others interfere yet again?

If you want a E/S story, you're better off reading Surprise! or Fair Game.

One Door Closes

"Cher, are you sure you're ready to come back to work?" Sam Merlotte is my boss and he needs all of his waitresses tonight, but he is also a good friend. Sam is a handsome man, a little bit taller than me with unruly strawberry-blond hair. He has a nice figure, but you would never know from looking at him how truly strong he is. All two-natured beings are strong. Well, stronger than humans anyway.

Sam is a shifter. There are several types of two-natured beings. Some people can only take one particular form. Sam can take any animal form he wants and he doesn't have to wait for the full moon to make the change. However, he does have to make the change when the moon is full. Like humans, some two-natured people are nice and some are not. Sam is a sweetheart. He is nice to nearly everyone.

I sigh and say to Sam, "Yeah, I'm sure. I've been cooped up for weeks. It's nice to have something else to think about for a change."

He tilts his head, "You let me know if it gets to be too much for you."

I nod my head, "Alright, Sam."

The official story behind my absence from work is that I was in a bad car accident. Sam knew better and got the real story the next day. He didn't push me for the story, I sort of blabbed about it between sobs. Sam quickly realized that I was raw on many different levels.

I had been kidnapped and tortured by two fairies. Those fairies were so well known for their cruelty that other supernaturals quaked with fear with just the mention of their names. The nightmares are not as bad now as they were the first week after the attack, but I know that I'll have them for the rest of my life. On the bright side; I am still living and they are not.

I take my tray, pen and order pad and walk out to the dining area. My fellow waitresses give me hugs welcoming me back. Most of the patrons look me over, trying to spot any scars. Some of the clients share words of welcome, but few mean what they say.

Telepathy is not an ability I would wish on anybody. Sure, it has its' merits but there are many downfalls. I can hear humans easily. I know exactly what someone is thinking when I'm being eye-fucked, or when they see me talking to a man. When I talk to Sam the patrons think he was too kind when he hired me; they also think that he should stop pining after me and find a good "normal" girl instead. All kinds of thoughts fly whenever I'm seen with my vampire husband.

None of the humans know that Eric and I are pledged. From what I understand, that means we are married according to vampire culture. I didn't know what was happening at the time and though it pissed me off when I found out, it did save my behind. Sam was angry as all get out when I told him. The human folk here at Merlotte's Bar and Grill think that Eric is my latest vampire. They're also more than a little scared of him. He comes across as intimidating; which he is.

The afternoon changes to evening and soon I am serving dinners and slinging more beers. My brother Jason strolls in with some of his buddies from Hotshot. Jason is muscular and has short blond hair. If the Olympics gave out metals for catching tail, he'd win hands down as long as vampires were excluded. My brother is a horn dog. Actually, he's a werepanther; bitten not born. That's how he met his Hotshot friends. They're all panthers.

All of the panthers greet me and Jason gives me a hug. He is surprised to see me back at work but is also happy to see me moving on. Many members of the supernatural community know that I was not really in a car accident.

My little farmhouse was the unofficial supernatural congress for many days after the attack. Representatives from various groups came in to show concern. I wanted to laugh when Victor Madden showed up. His boss, the King, had forbidden Eric from getting involved. My vampire protection is not applicable against fairies. Alcide came in to visit several times. Even the demons, Mr. Cataliades and his niece Diantha came by to see me. Calvin came in and brought some homemade food and, thankfully, kept his mouth to benign topics as he kept me company. Calvin knows of my relation to fairies because Jason told him.

Jason took some time off from work when I first came back home. It was really sweet of him. He didn't do much more than keep me company during the few hours that I was awake, but it was nice to have him there. My brother does not cook, but he does microwave. Whenever I woke, Jason offered to heat up some food that somebody had brought over. Jason and Sam were my two constant day-time companions.

Sam was too good to me and kept coming in to check on me even after Jason headed back to work. Sam would quip that as the boss; he could choose his own hours and take off whenever he wanted.

I continue to do my best to focus on waiting tables and not on having been the town hermit for the past few weeks. By the end of the night, I am starting to feel more like my old self.

Closing nears, patrons start to filter out and I feel Eric coming my way. Thanks to our blood bond, I can feel when he is coming close. We can share feelings too, literally. I turn and give Sam that look; the one that means "Eric is coming."

Sam and Eric loath one another, neither has tried to kill the other because that would upset me. I am the only thing keeping them from mortal combat. Not that I would want to place any bets on such a match, but I am fairly certain as to who the winner would be. I could never be with him after that, bond or no bond.

Less than a dozen people remain as Eric enters. He watches for a couple of minutes as I wipe down the empty tables in my section and refill the shakers. I know that he is here, I can feel him. Eric can wait while I tidy up.

I do all the chores that I can while waiting for the one occupied booth in my section to be vacated. We still have about fifteen minutes to close and Sam makes an announcement to all remaining patrons. Eric however, looks like he wants to kick them out.

I walk over to him, "What are you doing here? I thought you would be at Fangtasia tonight."

Eric grunts and looks down at me, "You did not tell me that you were coming here tonight. Nor did you answer either of your phones."

My head tilts up as I step closer to him, "A; I do not have to report to you. I am a grown woman, not a child. B; I did not answer my house phone or my cell phone because I am working. My cell phone is in my purse and I do not carry my purse when I wait tables."

"I wish for you to keep me informed." Eric caresses my chin. "Not knowing where you are disturbs me."

I scoff, "Eric, you can track me. You're better than a freakin' blood hound. Plus, you would know that I am okay if you checked the bond." The Viking seems to be amused with my mini rant. I ask him, "Why are you really here?"

He does not answer. Instead he waves his arm to point out that my last customers are leaving. I huff, spin on my heels and go clear off the table. Soon after that I am ready to head home.

I grab my purse and keys from Sam's office and come back out to the front. I give Sam a hug and thank him for all that he has done for me. A hug doesn't seem adequate, but it is all I can think of right now. The vampire does not like seeing me hug the shifter but he keeps his trap shut.

Eric escorts me out of Merlotte's and to the passenger side of my car. I look at him. He tells me, "It is dark and late. I have better eyesight and reflexes."

"That may be, but I am still going to drive." I motion for him to either get in the passenger seat or leave.

Eric and I are silent as I drive us to my farmhouse. He follows me into the house after he does a security check of the house and the surrounding area. We walk into the living room.

Ever since I have come back, there has been a guard of some sort not far from me at all times. At night, my guard is usually Eric or Pam. Pam was even my nighttime nurse for a while. Not once did Pam tell me how helping a human was beneath her; Eric probably forbade her to.

My body plops down onto the couch. I tell Eric, "This has to stop. I can't live with someone watching my every move."

"We have already discussed this, Sookie." His voice is serious. "This is non-negotiable."

"No, Eric." I am tired of all this. I take a deep breath, "You told me; we did not discuss anything. I'm not a treasure to be locked up in a safe."

There is a momentary glint in his eye. "You are mine. I protect what is mine. Whatever I need to do to protect you will be done."

My retort stings him better than a blanket of silver, "As long as your king approves."

Oh shit! An angry vampire is stalking toward me. His voice is cold steel, "I asked you to come home with me so that I could keep you safe. I will not make the mistake of "asking" you again; not when it comes to your safety."

This quarrel is nothing new for us. My over-protective vampire has gone security crazy since I returned. He has people watching me like a hawk. It is so bad that Eric even knows how many times I pee during the day! I'm not about to tell anyone how I found that out. Eric goes to all this trouble and expense to keep me alive, but he didn't come for me when I needed him the most.

On one level I can understand why Eric never came for me. Emotionally, I will never have such faith in him again as my protector. King Felipe de Castro had forbidden Eric from coming after me while I was... you know. Eric is a sheriff and had to think about what would happen to his people and his area should he rebel against his king. Eric capitulated and did not seek me until he was given permission.

Eric Northman has been on this earth for over a thousand years because he puts himself first. I do believe that he cares for me and would have been upset if I had died, but I know that he cares for himself more.

Our argument escalates and then Eric tries to soothe me saying that we can talk another time; when I am feeling better. He knows I am still upset and tells me that he will be out on the porch until he needs to go die for the day.

I wonder if I was ever meant to be in a happy relationship. Bill was my first love. He was my first everything. After I learned some of his secrets I knew that I could never trust him again. Yet, he came to save me when my supposed husband did not and Bill is still healing from his wounds. Eric is attentive, he notices things all the time and knows how to make me feel special; most of the time. He is also devious and manipulative; I've seen that side of him too. Quinn was fun and funny but the issues with his family were a bit much. Alcide is a nice enough guy, but we never really dated. Plus, he is the pack master now so he is expected to "add to the pack." I would not be comfortable dating a guy that is actively trying to get someone else pregnant; that was one issue with Calvin Norris too. Then there is Sam.

Sam and I met when I came into Merlotte's for a job interview. His thoughts were not easy to hear, so having him for a boss was a relief after what I had gone through with the others. I know he likes me, but he didn't show an interest until Bill came around. Sam is easy to get along with and I enjoy being around him. I can admit that he is hot and a great friend. He has never once lied to me that I am aware of.

The closest thing to a lie was him not telling me that he was a shifter. But that was a secret, not a lie. Sure, at first I felt betrayed. Sam knew my secret but I didn't know his until I caught him lying on the bed with me naked; he fell asleep when he was in his collie form. Sam said that he had wanted to tell me but since he was one of many and shifters took their secrecy very seriously telling me could have been dangerous for us both.

My brain is still in high gear as I climb into bed.

I am done. I want out. I have had enough supernatural bullshit to last me the rest of my life and beyond. Sam has the right idea; he does his best to stay out of the supernatural politics and nonsense.

I came to the conclusion long ago that I would never have children. Human men are too easy to read so I will never be able to get that close to a human man. Vampires cannot create children the way that the living can... so either way, I will never have a child.

A loving husband with a nice home and a couple of children are not in my future but I plan to keep supernatural crap out as well. I need to find a way to separate myself from the vampire regime.

The next morning, I find that a wave of inspiration has hit me. I turn on the radio and then turn the kitchen sink to make eavesdropping more difficult and then I call Mr. Cataliades.

The lawyer's fees are way more than I can afford, but I'm sure that he can give me the name of someone that might be able to help me. I need someone that knows supernatural law.

Mr. Cataliades tells me that he will do what he can to help me and that he will not require payment. The demon says that he is happy to still be alive and is forever grateful for my role in saving him when our hotel was bombed. I argue with him that I am not calling in a debt; I don't work like supernatural creatures do. He says that that is one of things about me that is so charming. He asks me what it is exactly that I want to do.

After some discussion, the demon says that there is a possibility I can get what I am after. He will need a few days to do some research and write something up.

I hang up the phone and get ready for my second day back at work. Eric does not like that I am working here but that is just too damn bad. I like my boss, I'm good at my job and I need the money to pay my bills. Eric wants to pay my bills; he says that he doesn't want me to worry about finances. This is yet another thing that we fight over.

Gran taught me the value of a penny. She taught me to work hard and take care of myself. I am not a kept woman. Eric may see us as married, and in his world we are. But I am not a vampire. We are not married in my world. In my world, I earn my own living.

My little ole car runs well despite Eric's epithets for it. Not long after leaving home, I pull in next to Sam's pickup truck.

Today's shift starts a couple of hours earlier than yesterday. I contemplate asking Sam if I can put in some extra hours tonight. Who am I kidding? I'm acting like a coward and Stackhouse's are not cowards. I'm just on edge about tonight.

Sam eyes me a few times as I work my tables. As soon as there is a lull in activity he asks me, "What's got you on edge? Is everything alright, Cher?"

I swallow and then resume the fake smile that I had plastered on my face for most of my shift. "Everything is fine." I begin to move but he grabs my elbow and looks at me intently. I reiterate, "Seriously, no one is after me. That I know of." He sighs, knowing that I am holding back.

I take a deep breath, "I can tell you more about it tomorrow... I have to talk to Eric about something tonight and I'm sure he won't like what I have to say."

Sam simply nods to acknowledge that he heard me and to let me know that I have his support. Normally he would be over the moon with the thought of someone pissing off the great vampire Viking. I know he is curious, but he does not push for more information.

Business is fairly slow until the dinner rush. Tara and JB, friends since grade school, come in and sit in my section. They stopped by the farmhouse several times after my "car accident." It's nice that we finally see each other outside of my home. This is their first night out without the babies and as much as they enjoy being alone together they're anxious to get back. I smile. Those two really are good together.

A group of six men at table two request another round of drinks. I head back to the bar and hear what two of them have planned for me when I return. The man nearest to me will have his face turned to the side and will say something to his friend. As soon as I lean over with the drinks, he will turn his head and "accidentally" smooch my tit. Just hearing the plan makes my blood boil.

I laugh internally for a moment as I think of having a dude serve them their drinks. The guy would be in for a shock to discover that he is kissing another man's chest! His buddies might warn him though. Nah, I'll have to go with another idea.

My approach is noticed by the men as the one nearest me turns his head. The guy opposite him wishes that I was standing closer to his spot but he figures that this will do too. I lower the tray of drinks to set each glass on the table and lurch forward as if the person passing by bumped me. "Oops. I'm so sorry." I say to the men as beer spills on them. The majority of which, has spilt right into the lap of the guy that was going to try to kiss my boob.

I hurry back to get some towels to clean up my mess. I "apologize" again and offer each a towel. "There now, all y'all can have a good time rubbing yourselves and ya don't have to worry about getting caught doing something nasty in public."

Their eyes widen in shock. One of them stammers, "How...?"

It might not be how I knew what they had planned, but all of what I tell them is true. "I'm a waitress. I have seen every trick in the book." I turn my sassy self back toward the bar and walk away as the guys start laughing like crazy.

Pam comes in and I ask her if she wishes to get a drink. She is not interested in any synthetic blood. Sam motions for me to come to him and hands me a wine glass of warm blood. "She might be a fang... that vampire has been good to you. I bet she will like this more than that TruBlood."

I return to Pam and motion for her to sit. She raises a brow as I place the glass of blood on the table. I tell her, "It's on the house." She smells the blood and looks mildly surprised. Pam is not big for showing her emotions, so this is probably the equivalent to her jumping up and down like a kid. She takes a sip, "Very nice."

My eyes turn up at Sam. If Pam likes what she is drinking I doubt that much, if any, of the blood is synthetic.

I ask Pam "Is that RM?"

She says, "No. This is far better." Pam takes another appreciative sip.

The group of jokesters gets up to leave and catches my attention. To my surprise, they apologize for their behavior. Then the group jokingly says that they will watch their backs around me. They leave and I find that they left me double the standard tip.

Pam asks about what the men apologized for and is amused with my story. She tells me, "Life is never dull with you around Sookie."

"I thought Eric was coming tonight." Not that I mind seeing Pam, but I was hoping to get this talk over with soon.

"Something came up." Pam informs me, "Sheriff's business."

I nod my head, "Of course." There is not much else to say. Eric is a Sheriff. With all that goes on in his area, we're lucky that we see each other at all. Sheriff duties are important. Of course, that doesn't make me feel any better.

Pam asks me about my sour mood and I tell her that I was hoping to see Eric tonight. She takes it to mean that I want to have sex with him, when I really just want to get this talk over with. Eric and I have not been together in a while, not in that way.

The blond vampress escorts me home and watches over me for the night. I slip into bed praying that the worst will be over tomorrow.

Tomorrow, I'm going to tell Eric that I want out. I want out of the supernatural world. If he can leave behind his Sheriff duties and all of the damn vampire intrigue, great; if not, then I need to let him go. I love Eric, but I can't live like this anymore. Thinking about my uncertain future, possibly without Eric, makes me cry.

Pam knocks on my door and then opens it. She has her cell phone in her hand. Pam speaks into the phone, "Your human is in bed, as I told you. Her eyes are leaking." Pam looks at me hand me her phone and says, "Your feelings have Eric concerned."

I take the phone, "I'm fine Eric."

My vampire responds, "You are not fine. What is bothering you?"

Ugh! I can't even stew in my own sorrow for five minutes like most people, not during the night anyway. I tell him, "We'll talk tomorrow; or, whenever you next have a block of time for us to talk. Good night, Eric."

Pamela takes the phone back and speaks to Eric in some old language. She looks at me strangely and then leaves the room.

I silently pray for guidance.

The next day I work like a dog, pun not intended. I fully expect that Eric will be at my house tonight. He will want an explanation. My anxiety builds throughout the day. Sam asks me what is going on and I simply tell him that I haven't gotten the chance to piss off the vampire yet.

Sam watches and tells me to take my breaks. If not for his watchful eye I'd work through each one. Heck, I'd work through the night and make this place one of those twenty four hour deals.

I sense that Sam is worried about me as I head out to my car once my shift is done. I assure him that I will be fine. This is only half true of course. Eric will not hurt me physically, but words can hurt too.

Pam meets me in the parking lot as I head to my car. I sigh, "Eric's out on Sheriff's business again?" Great, one more day to wait. Not.

Pam says to me, "He is on his way. Eric should be at the house by the time we arrive." Oh, great. We get to have a lovely conversation tonight. Not.

Pam follows me home. Just as she said, Eric is at the house waiting for me when we pull up. Pam says to me, "See you tomorrow, my telepathic friend." She had to use the "f" word now; now I feel like a heel. I press my lips together and do not respond.

Eric and Pam speak briefly before Pam departs. Then, he and I head for my Living Room. My stomach is one giant knot.

Eric looks at me, "You have something that you wish to say?" I nod my head. He studies me for a moment, "You are afraid of me. You showed no fear when we met, but now... nothing you say will make me want to hurt you."

Tears fill my eyes. I tell him, "I want out, Eric. I want out of the supernatural world. I don't want anything to do with it."

Eric nods his head in understanding. He keeps his voice soft and low, "I understand, Dear One. The problem is; people know about you now. There is no going back."

I swallow, "That's why I contacted Mr. Cataliades." Eric looks at me with wide eyes. I tell him, "Mr. Cataliades is drawing up a contract that will make the supernatural world leave me alone once and for all." Eric is not at all pleased by this turn of events, he wants details because he knows that there will be a part to it that he does not want; and the Viking likes to deal with problems as early as he can.

I explain to him what the demon lawyer is doing and how it might work. The primary players in the area are the vampires and the werewolves. According to King Felipe de Castro, I have protection if I need it; but that protection was no good when I needed it against fairies. The demon proposes that since the vampires cannot and will not protect me under the circumstances which might require them the most, then we will ask that his offer of protection be changed to an order forbidding the vampires in the kingdom from coming after me for any reason. There will be a clause for the wolves as well; they too are to stay away. My "Friend of the Pack" status hasn't helped me at all. It did get some good wolves killed, it didn't stop me from being taken and tortured, and the wolves (AKA Alcide) pull me along and pressure me to attend events that quite frankly are horrific in my book. Once this contract goes through (hopefully), the wolves will stop knocking on my door for me to attend some arcane ceremony and they won't have to protect me from my enemies (since they've done such a bang up job as it is).

Eric tries to remain calm, but I can sense the emotions churning in him. He asks me, "What about the others?"

I tell him, "From what I understand, there are not many Maenads. And, the one that was here that time got what she wanted so she probably won't be back until way after my time. The panthers have Jason. Sure, Calvin would like to claim me but he hasn't pushed the issue to much... plus he's got Tanya now. Fairy is closed..."

He interrupts, "And what of the fae that remain? What if one of them comes for you? You need protection Sookie."

I look at Eric, "We don't know that any fairies are still here. If there are, he won't be the first that I've killed... I'm not going to get killed or almost killed because I have too much faith in other beings, not again. Nor do I want to be beholden to those people for trying to protect me. I'm done."

Eric levels his eyes on mine. "I understand why you say those words, but you are part of our world now. That will never change." He half quips, "You plan to use supernatural politics to get away from the supernatural. The problem is that once you've made a deal with a supernatural, any deal, you are going to do so again. That is, until you are no longer living. It is the way of things."

I close my eyes for a moment and then turn to look at him again, "I'm not saying it will be easy. Lord knows that it won't be. Some of the people that I care for most aren't human... but it's something that I have to do. Mr. Cataliades says that he can help me. I..." I choke ought that last word. This is the most difficult decision I have ever made. It might be the biggest mistake of my life. But I'm hoping that it's the first step to a better life instead.

Eric shifts uneasily in his seat. He asks me, "What about us, lover?" My eyes fill with so much liquid that I cannot see my own hand. Eric says, "Remember when I told you that I would leave Fangtasia, resign as Sheriff and live a simple life with you?" I nod my head. He continues, "I meant it then and I mean it now. If that is what you want, I will do it."

I shake my head. "No, Eric. You can't. My "truce" will only be with the vampires in De Castro's kingdom. So to stay safe and unmolested, I'll have to stay in the area (which is what I want anyway). But if you stay here, they'll come for you and the others will find a way to pull you back into all of the bullshit."

Eric says with a very calm almost cold voice, "If I retain my position within my world, other vampires will always be around you. Lover?"

I try to look at him, "I know, Eric." I wipe my eyes with the heels of my hands and try once again to see him. I choke out my words and they're barely audible. "I don't think we should stay together.

Oh yea, he is angry and a whole lot of other things. He asks, "Will you still work for the shifter? Sookie, he is part of the world you're trying to run from."

I take a moment trying to think of a response. Then it comes to me and I tell him, "Sam might be a shifter, but he tries to stay out of the supernatural shit. His people don't have people he has to answer to and that mess with his life; most of the times he's been involved in some supernatural shit was because he was worried about me. Until I got involved in it, he had very little to do with it. If he can do it, I figure that I can too."

Eric narrows his eyes, "Did he tell you this? Did that goddamn fucking dog tell you to do this?"

I respond with a quiet, shaky voice. "Once, yes… Sam told me to stay away and not get involved right from day one. I didn't understand it then." At least he never came back at me with "I told ya so," but that's not his style either. I next tell Eric, "Sam hasn't said anything to me in ages about staying away from the supernatural bull. I came to this conclusion on my own so leave him out of it."

Eric is clearly feeling hurt. He uses a business like voice. "You will have a guard until such time as the King makes a declaration otherwise." Now his tone is downright cold, "Thank you for alerting me before I receive word to never see me wife again."

Eric Northman, my vampire husband, walks out my door for perhaps the last time in my life.