A Light In The Darkness

A/N I do not own anything CH and AB do. I have been working on this on and off for awhile now. I'll post the beginning and if I get enough response I will continue posting what I have, thanks.

Part 1

"Oh Gran what do I do?" I asked the stone before me, I really missed my Gran. I wish she were here to help me through this. My heart was breaking not only because Gran was gone and Bill betrayed me but for Eric as well. He made Bill tell me the truth and offered me support yet I said so many mean things to him. I believe that somewhere deep inside of Eric there is love and some part of him that retained his humanity, you just have to dig deep enough. He would never have let Russell take me, this I'm sure of. Oh Eric what have I done?

"Sookie" came a sweet familiar voice.

"Claudine?" I called out.

"Yes. I've come for you. I've come to take you home with me" she replied.

"Home?" I replied confused.

"To my world. You belong there Sookie with your own kind. You can get married and have children, you'll be happy" Claudine said but something in her voice was off and the look in her eyes had the hair on the back of my neck standing at attention.

"Sookie?" came Bill's voice . He was standing about fifty feet away and behind him was a red headed vampire. I felt dread run through me at the sight of them.

"Hurry we must go" Claudine urged sounding frantic.

"Sookie?" came the deep timber of Eric's voice. Oh my, he came back. Why did he come back? Maybe he did care. Maybe he cared for me?

"Viking" Claudine hissed her face momentarily changing to that of a pissed off snake. I jumped back a couple of feet suddenly afraid of Claudine.

"Fairy" Eric inclined his head looking very calm and stoic. What was Claudine's problem. She stepped toward me and I stepped back. She seemed to become impatient and she grabbed my arm and started dragging me along.

"Come now Sookie the Viking will not get his hands on you, your ours not his" what the hell was her problem? I'm not Eric's. I'm not her's either. I struggled against Claudine but her grip was sure and I had to almost run to avoid being dragged. She was taking us closer to a white light. The light looked like a spaceship.

"You will release my pet at once" the red vampire ordered.

"It's obvious that Sookie does not want to go with you, let her go" Eric commanded and it seemed that he had gotten a little closer. I wanted to go to Eric but Claudine wouldn't let go. I reached out for him with my free hand, our fingertips brushing. When our fingers touched there was a spark visible to everyone and I heard Caudine gasp, Eric's eyes widened in surprise.

"No it cannot be possible. I'll never let you have her" Claudine hissed. I felt tears prick my eyes and they threaghten to fall. I looked at Eric.

"Eric, please?" I inquired, my voice slightly shaking. Claudine was already disappearing into the light. Eric was suddenly right behind me and grabbed me by the waist and held on. I heard a howl come from the light and then I was free and the light was gone. I fell back into Eric's chest and for a second I relaxed but just as quickly I jumped away.

"Good now get my pet Compton and all will be forgiven" the red head said as she patted his arm like you would a dog.

"I'm not your pet so fuck off" I hissed getting angry. I wan't afraid of this vampire or Bill for that matter, I was bloody pissed off.

"Oh yes you are" she replied and was in front of me in seconds. She grabbed me by the shoulder and exposed my neck. I closed my eyes and waited for the bite but it never came. I opened my eyes to see Eric holding the red vampire off the ground by her throat. He was snarling and hissing.

"Your majesty do not ever touch Sookie like that again. I warned you before that I would gladly rip your head off. You are much younger than me do not push your luck" Eric growled at his Queen, ha. Go Eric.

"Compton help me" the Queen sputtered. Before Bill could move Pam came out of nowhere with a crossbow aimed at his heart. Yeah Pam.

"Sorry I'm late to the party but I couldn't decide on what pumps to wear" Pam said with a fangy smile. I let out a little laugh, that's Pam.

"Pamela" Eric hissed and Pam bowed her head.

"This is treason Northman, you will pay" the Queen warned.

"Oh, I don't think so. Not unless you want the Authority to know what you've been up to, no you'll let it go. You will also release Lafayette from your employ, the human has been through enough. Besides with Edgington's estate you will have all your debt paid. Release Hadley as well and leave Sookie alone" Eric demanded and squeezed her throat for emphasis. I watched as his fangs grew even longer. I had never seen Eric so angry before.

"Yes. I agree. Your wrong though I won't get Russell's territory" she grumbled.

"You have so little faith in your Sheriff. Russell's fangs were given to Ms Flannigan along with a signed wedding certificate. We are even. Now leave and remember your vow" Eric said and released the Queen. She looked at me and then back at Eric.

"I will honour my vow" she said in a disgusted tone and zipped away.

"Get lost Compton" Pam said.

"But, Sookie" he started to whine.

"Leave now Compton if you wish not to meet your true death this eve" Eric bellowed turning on Bill.

"This is not over" Bill replied and was gone.

I looked over at Eric who still had his back to me. Why had he done all of that? Eric always looked out for numero uno when it came to vampire politics. He literally stuck his neck out for me and I wondered why. Sex, probably sex and that just got me angry again.

"I'm not sleeping with you Eric" I said in a disgusted voice. He turned then to look at me and he looked hurt? Then his face turned to stone. He stepped closer to me and I didn't back down.

"I'm truly sorry Sookie Stackhouse for all the trouble and heartache that you have had to endure because of me and mine. I here by release you from all obligations to me and our deal. You are free. Please be wary of your fairy kin. They want you for something and will probably not stop until they get it. They are afraid of lemons and iron can kill them. Pam will make sure you arrive home safely. Make sure all vampires are rescinded from entering your home. Good luck Miss Stackhouse" Eric said. He turned and inclined his head to me and then was gone.

"What just happened?" I asked.

"Eric freed you and all your loved ones. I thought that was obvious?" Pam said as she started towards the farmhouse. I was quiet on the way, just thinking. Pam stopped at the foot of the porch. She pulled out an envelope and handed it to me.

"This is for your services in Dallas. Ten thousand dollars. Tomorrow there will be a crew here in the morning to restore your home to what it was before the Maenad took up residence here" I started to open my mouth.

"Hush. If you would have been here instead of Dallas this would not have happened, besides Eric would like to thank you for being with Godric in the end. Please just accept this for Eric and for Godric's memory" Pam implored. She's right besides I could never dishonour Godric's memory not for something petty as this.

"Ok Pam" I agreed.

"Good luck my telepathic belle and be careful" Pam said. I turned back to say good by after I had opened the door and stepped inside but she was already gone.

"I rescind all vampires from entrance into my home except for Eric Northman. Eric you are welcome in my house" I said and shut the door.

I locked up and hit the bathroom. Once I was done I fell into bed and into a deep sleep. During the night I woke up a couple of times and thought I seen Eric hovering outside my window but when I turned on the light no one was there.

I woke up to someone knocking on my door. I threw on a robe and went down to answer the door. Alcide was standing on the other side.

"Morning Sookie. I'm here on Northman's dime to fix up the damage done by that stupid animal" he explained.

"Yes, come on in" I said and opened the door wide.

"Thank you. Well, the work will take about two days to do. Nothing major" he said.

"Ok well I think maybe I'll go to Jason's for a couple of days. I'll give you my cell number and you can call when your done. The key is in the drawer closest to the door. Thank you" I said. I gave him a small smile and went to shower and pack a bag.

Jason wasn't home when I arrived at his house. It was a pig sty so I got to work cleaning up. Jason still wasn't back by bedtime so I went to sleep worried about him. The whole two days I was there Jason didn't ever show up. Alcide called at eight pm the second night and told me to come home. I left the leftover food in Jason's fridge with a note for him to call me and headed home.

When I pulled up to my drive I was shocked. The driveway was regravelled with that nice interlocking stuff that lasts forever. There was a nice parking area in the back now where all the damage had been from that huge meat sculpture. The outside of the house was painted a nice sunny yellow and the shutters were fixed and painted white. I opened the back door and gasped in surprise. The kitchen was all redone, including new appliances for the others had been damaged. The kitchen sink was newer and looked absolutely gorgeous. The phone was still on the wall by the counter and the familiar stool sat beside it.

Every room had been cleaned and painted and the floors sanded and sealed. Some of the carpets had been replaced as well as some furniture. Nothing to excessive though and only stuff that had been damaged. I wanted to be mad but how could I? It was an act of kindness from a creature I never thought could be this human.

"What do you think?" asked Alcide.

"It's wonderful, perfect" I said.

"I'm glad you like it. I was wondering if you would accompany me to dinner tomorrow evening?" Alcide asked all big puppy eyes. Did I want to go out for dinner with him?

"Sure, I'd love to go to dinner with you, how bout round seven?" I asked.

"Sounds good, I'll see you then" he agreed and headed out the door. I watched him pull away and then I locked up and went to my room.

The new furniture in my room was lovely and the mattress felt heavenly. I stripped off my clothes and threw on a robe as I walked into my bathroom. I was surprised to find a two man Jacuzzi tub instead of the old claw foot. I was really starting to get frustrated with Eric, I mean did I really need all this stuff. It mist have cost a fortune. I stared at the tub longingly. I couldn't resist any longer so I decided to have a soak and think about it some more. I found a note attached to a new bottle of bubbles. I poured some in and waited for the tub to fill. Once it was full I slid in and turned on the jets. It was pure heaven. I opened the note.

Sookie

No words can say how much I appreciate everything that you have done for me and my kind. I apologize for all the harm done to you and yours. You'll never know how much it meant to me that you were there with Godric in the end. Take care Sookie you truly are the light that shines bright in the deep dark places.

E

Once I was finished reading all the hostility and anger I felt towards Eric had vanished. Eric was just being thoughtful and nice and for once I think I'll just go with it. I stepped out of the tub and towelled off. I quickly put on some pj's and crawled into bed. Before I drifted of I sent up a little prayer for Eric. I prayed that someone watch over him and keep him safe. I didn't see the blue eyes watching me from my window.

TBC