Flitting in and out of consciousness, I wasn't sure if the voices I heard were real or not.

"We've given her blood, but the damage is… is…" there was a choking sob, something I knew, deep down, I didn't associate with this voice. "I believe we were too late."

"Do not blame yourself. You have done all you can. Hush, now; she is awake. She can hear us. Sookie?"

Sookie. Yes, Sookie was my name, I remembered that much. And I remembered the voice of the second speaker, too. I prised my eyes open by sheer force of will, and looked at him. "Eric." My voice sounded dry, whispery, and nothing like it should. I looked at the woman trying to control her bloody tears in the corner of the room. "Pam." A third person, standing silently by the opposite side of the bed to Eric, surprised me. "Karin."

"We are all here, my little trouble magnet," said Eric soothingly.

My hand found his, and held it tightly. "Don't… want… to go," I gasped, my larynx and lungs complaining at the effort they were being put to. Behind him, Pam gave a tiny wail, and fled from the room. "What's… wrong… with Pam?"

"Her blood could not heal you," said Eric, and I saw that bloody tears were gathering in his own eyes. "Nor Karin's. They hoped mine would, as I'm so much older."

"Can it?"

"You are at least conscious," he said, with a faint smile. It didn't touch his eyes. "I fear there is little left I can do for you."

I whimpered. Now it came to the point, I didn't want to die. I really didn't. Michelle was expecting, and I was looking forward to being an aunt. Hunter still needed my help. With Sam gone, lost to cancer a couple of years back, I had a bar to run on my own. I wasn't ready to go. "Not… ready… for this," I gasped, clinging to his hand.

A bead of blood coursed down his cheek, streaking his pale skin. "Nor am I," he admitted.

"What… will… you do?"

He sat silently, his head bowed, and didn't answer.

Karin answered for him, very softly. "He will meet the sun once you have gone."

"No!" I clutched at his hand, trying to make him understand. "You mustn't! You… must go on!"

He looked me in the eye, finally. "No," he said simply. "Not without you."

"Freyda…"

"I don't give a fuck about Freyda," he growled. "If it hadn't been for her, I would have been here sooner, I could have…" he shook his head. "No matter now," he said quietly. "Karin is right. I will meet the sun. I have lived too long already."

"Can't… let you… do that."

"Lover, you are not in much of a position to argue with me," he said gently.

I stared at him for a long time. I could feel myself slipping away, and I knew there wasn't much time left for me. I made my decision, and felt strangely at peace with it. Perhaps it had been inevitable all along. "Then… turn me… so… I can… argue with you… some more."

Beside me, Karin sucked in an unneeded breath. Eric went very still. "Do you truly wish for that?" he asked me. "I promised you I would never turn you against your will, and I hold to that. But if it is what you wish…?"

"It is."

"You are sure?"

"Yes."

He hesitated. "Karin, call Pam back in." She nodded, and left the room. "I will not be able to stay until you rise; Freyda has spies watching me, and you will be vulnerable. I will come for you as soon as I am able, I promise you, and teach you all I can," he said urgently. "Do you understand? I do not wish to leave you, ever, but I must do this for your safety."

"Understand."

Pam returned on her own. "S-she has agreed to be turned?" she asked hopefully. It was as unlike her as I'd ever heard her.

"She has, but I won't be able to stay with her; it is too dangerous. I leave her in your care until I can come for her." He turned his eyes back to me. "In my absence, Pam will look after you, my lover. She will do for you all that a maker would do, once you rise. I will be with you as soon after that as I may." I nodded. "Are you ready?"

"Ready."

He kissed me briefly on the forehead, on my lips, then gathered me tenderly into his arms, and kissed my neck. I barely felt his fangs as they slid into me, but sighed, and wound my fingers into his hair. I felt warm, drowsy, and relaxed. Then his wrist was at my mouth, his blood flowing into it, and I swallowed mouthful after mouthful.

The last thing I remember was Pam stroking my hair and humming a lullaby, and Eric whispering, "Rest now, my lover," as he cradled me in his arms. I guess it wasn't such a bad way to go.