Chapter 1

Sookie stood there looking at the door she had just slammed. Bill and she were a lie. Together...nothing but a lie. All the love she felt was put there by the blood. "That damn blood!" She screamed inside her head. Her hands shook as she brought them through her hair. Turning to look at the living room she imagined Bill and her together just minutes before, the future laid out in front of them. But that was before... Eric.

He landed in front of his bar his thoughts on Sookie's face, the way she looked at Bill, at him. That look of betrayal, it was haunting. Pushing open the entrance door he looked at his childe Pam the cement dried to her designer footwear and the pout on her lips.

"How did our little telepath take the news" Pam asked with a bored tone in her voice.

"As can be expected I suppose."

"Being as you are here so early in the night I can only assume she didn't fly into your arms with gratitude?" Pam asked already knowing the answer. What her master saw in the telepath Pam couldn't figure. Sure she was pretty, but Pam could easily point out many other women that could put Sookie to shame. Most of which Eric had taken himself. She did smell divine, the fairy in her. But none of it was worth the trouble her master had gone through. Or what he had made Pam go through on her behalf.

"No, did you expect she would?" He asked with a slight smile tugging on his lips.

"Honestly master I don't understand your infatuation with Sookie. You put your un-life on the line for her time and time again and she does not appreciate it. She should be in your bed this moment thanking the Gods you have taken it upon yourself to expose Compton for the little shit he is." She sneered thinking of Bill.

Eric nodded his head in agreement. Why wouldn't she yield to him? She found him attractive he knew this. Of course who didn't find him attractive? He smiled to himself. Though there was no denying it now, after they kissed in his office. Sure she tried to push away for a few moments but it wasn't long before she surrendered to the kiss, clinging on to him almost begging for more. The thought made his dick harden. Why was that?

"Nor do I Pam, nor do I." He answered his childe walking past her and towards his office.

Sookie woke up that morning, stretching her arms above her head and mentally preparing herself for the routine of her morning when she remembered all that happened the night before. Slamming her head back into her pillow she felt the grief overwhelm her yet again. Bill had been everything to her, even after Jackson...after Lorena, after nearly being drained. "Just how stupid am I?" she thought to herself. Was she easily mislead being as she had no experience in relationships, in being made to feel like she mattered? Sure Gran, Jason, Tara and Lafayette made her feel loved. But otherwise? Being known as crazy Sookie hadn't necessarily had the neighborhood boys banging on her door. Was that why she fell so easily? "Hook, line and sinker Stackhouse." She thought to herself glumly. She was thankful to Eric. Actually thankful, without him who knows how long it would have been before Bill had shown his true colors? Would it have been once she was in possession of the queen before she finally figured it out? Sadly, Sookie was pretty sure that would have been the case. Eric did it for his own benefit of course. What was it with vampires? With one vampire in particular, Eric. Why was he so focused on her? He could have his pick of any women he wanted, why was he after her? Telepathy, of course. This curse of hers was exactly that. The same thing that kept the mortal boys away was what kept the supes here to stay. No, she wasn't going to let herself be used like that. She deserved a man to love her for herself not what supernatural gift she could offer them.

Sitting up in her bed she brought her knees to her chest and thought of her Gran. What would she have to say about this mess she had gotten herself into? Vampires, werewolves...faeries? Did she know, about the faerie linage, was Gran part faerie too? What about Jason? There were so many questions she had in her mind. Why hadn't she thought of these earlier? Oh yeah, she had been thinking of Bill. She rolled her eyes to herself. "Like a walking "Lifetime" movie you are." Well no more. She wasn't going to be used...as a plaything as a pawn by the men in her life anymore. Was Eric a man in her life? Well by definition he wasn't a man. Sookie told herself. And as far as being in her life, well that was something easily settled she had disinvited him from her home and she had no intentions of revoking that. With Bill gone and Russell dead (or re-dead) she had no need to let Eric back into her life. And that is what she was going to do. "Forget about vampires" Sookie said aloud to an empty house. "Vampires are dead to me."..."Well there dead to everyone, but me especially." She nodded her head to her statement. "This is the first day of the rest of your life Sookie, one without vampires involved, enjoy it!" Though the smile left her face immediately when she heard the unmistakable sound of a large truck backing up down her drive. Now what?

She rushed down the stairs tying her robe around herself. She hit the screen door with a slap and ran down her stairs towards the workmen standing in front of her Gran's house.

"Who in the heck are you?" She demanded? They all turned to look at her, surprised. One stepped forward with a big fake smile plastered to his face.

"Hello little lady, sorry to wake you but we have orders for a new driveway to be laid here." He looked at her as if she were crazy. **Nice little body she has there...if I didn't have to meet the wife for the lunch the things I could do to her...**

"Well you have the wrong house, sir." Sookie was trying to calm her temper. How dare he?

"I'm sure were at the right location ma'am. Are you Sookie Stackhouse, that lives on Hummingbird?"

"Well...yes but I never set this sort of thing up." She gestured to the back loader with her hands above her head.

"Someone did." He told her handing her a letter.

Sookie looked down at it seeing her name wrote in an elegant script. Turning on her foot she rushed up the stairs slamming the door behind her. Throwing herself on the couch she ripped the letter open:

My dearest Sookie allow me to again apologize for the things you have been through these few weeks, for Bill's deception also. You had already disinvited me before I could explain to you the gift I had arranged. Sensing your emotions I knew you wouldn't be prepared for a discussion on the matter. I do still owe you for the work you did in Dallas, you will find a check enclosed for 20,000 dollars. You went above and beyond the call of duty. You earned it time and time again. As a personal thank you I have sent a crew to repave your driveway. I remembered you mentioned this in my office before your trip.

~E~

She pulled the check from the envelope. There it was 20,000 whoppers. "This wasn't right. Double what we agreed? He's trying to buy me, and I aint gonna stand for it!" Sooke was going to have to make a trip to Fangtasia tonight after work.

She walked into what could only be described as a clusterfudge (or what Sookie could only describe as such). Arlene was running around her tray full of food and drinks.

"Thank God your here Sook! Everyone Sookie's here!" She yelled.

Terry popped his head up from the kitchen. "You have no idea how excited I am to see you right now! Sam is still gone, good riddance but Tommy and Tara never showed up to work today, and since Layfette asked for today off a week ago it's just been me in here! I'm up to my eyeballs in orders and Arlene is so stressed out which isn't good for the baby..."

"Whoa, back up Terry...baby?"

"Crud." She watched Terry's adams apple bob, his eyes widen. "Don't tell her I said anything, please Sook."

**she doesn't want anyone to know, she's going to be so mad when she found out I said anything, she already almost lost the baby once all this stress just can't be good**

"Relax Terry." Sookie took a deep breath, pushing his thoughts out of her mind. "Your secret is safe, let's just deal with the situation at hand, alright?" She asked him with a smile on her face, her hand covering his.

"Thanks Sookie, you're too damn good, you know that?" Oh she knew it.

She called goodbye to Arlene and Terry and met Jessica on her way out of Merlottes.

"Hey Sook!" Jessica beamed at her. "Long time no see." She pointed to her shirt. "We'll be working together now, isn't that like the coolest?"

"Yeah sure Jess, I'm actually on my out how about we catch up later." Please don't ask about Bill and I please don't ask about Bill and me. She thought over and over in her head.

"Sure thing Sook, except do you happen to know when Bill will be back?" Well there goes wishful thinking.

"No Jessica...Bill and I, well were not together anymore. It's a long story." She watched the light in Jessica's eyes fade.

"Oh, well I guess that's why he left then." She told her glumly.

"Bill left?" Sookie could have kicked herself for asking. "Staying out of stuff remember." She chastised herself.

"Yeah, he said; "Jessica you will remain here whilst I travel on behest of the Queen." She told Sookie in her best Bill impression. Which was a pretty good one Sookie had to admit. "I didn't even know there was a queen, he didn't have time to answer any questions though." She bit her lip looking down at Sookie's feet. "Whatever it is that happened I hope you guys can fix it. Bill's a good guy Sookie...and..."

"Jessica I don't want to hear about Bill." Sookie cut her off. "Look, you're welcome over any ol' time you want okay Jess? I still want us to be friends." She gave her a friendly smile pulling Jessica into a hug. "Don't stay a stranger okay?"

"Sure Sook." Jessica said hugging her back.

The smile was instantly off Sookie's face when she turned around and headed back for the door. Stomping her way to her car in the dark parking lot she was fuming.
"Well, well Bill is back to doing the queens bidding then eh?" She hated to admit it to herself, but part of her was hoping that part of what Bill said was true, that he had abandoned his mission to procure her once he had gotten to know her. It didn't change how she felt about Bill, but believing at least a small part of that had made her feel slightly better about the situation, better about herself anyway. She started her car and made her way home. She was going to Fangtasia tonight and give back the extra money. She was debating with herself on whether she should change her clothes or not. She didn't want to seem like she was dressing up for Eric but at the same time she didn't want to look dowdy. Pulling into her driveway she felt the smooth pavement beneath her vehicle. "Wow this is so much better than that old driveway." She thought to herself. She had been thinking of telling the workers to leave that morning and forget about the new drive, but Eric was right she did go above and beyond in Dallas she deserved this. She didn't deserve another 10,000 dollars by any means...but at least owed her a new driveway for her trouble with The Fellowship. Parking her car in front of her house she saw something taped to the front door. "Now what?" She found herself asking yet again that day. It was a letter. "Aren't I the popular one?" She said to herself pulling it off the door. Looking down to the letter and letting herself in she recognized Bill's handwriting. Dropping her keys and purse on the kitchen table she let herself release the breath she didn't know she was holding. "Here we go." She said sitting down at the table.

Sookie, I had debated on seeing you one last time at your place of work tonight, but I know you don't wish to see me. I fear I won't ever be able to find the words to let you know just how sorry I am, how I made you feel. I know it must be hard for you to believe me, after all the things that have happened but I do love you. I love you more than I ever thought it was possible for a vampire to love. That was why I asked you to marry me dear Sookie, because I loved you so much, and to make you mine in every sense of the word. My hope was to take you away from Sophie Ann and Eric and all the troubles that were waiting for us here, to start a life for us together. I still hope for that one day. The queen has asked me to go to South America for a mission and I couldn't refuse her. I am lucky that she has let me live after my defection to Russell no matter what had become of him in the end, by my hand. Even if you do not believe in me, in the relationship that we built please believe this. You are in danger. Do not think that the end of Russell is the end to your troubles Sookie; I fear it is only the beginning. I believe the queen had an alterative motive in sending me away. She still has her sights set on you. Being as you are no longer mine, I cannot stand in her way and as much as it disgusts me to write this I think your only hope would be Eric Northman. I do not like his fascination with you, Eric only wishes to use you for your gift, but I am certain he will guarantee you the freedom you love so dearly. Sophie Ann would not allow you such a liberty. He wishes to keep you alive; he formulated the plan last night at Fangtasia to save you from Russell. He only wants you alive for his selfish reasons but still I fear he may be your only hope. I hope that in time you can look back at me fondly, and perhaps if we are to ever see each other again you will great me with that beautiful smile of yours. I will think of you forever my Sookie. Know that I love you so, so much.

William Compton

The tears had started down her face before she realized she was crying. A part of her would always love Bill she figured, even if it was a lie. But she had learned her lesson, and maybe just maybe she wouldn't have so much hate in her heart where he was concerned. Maybe one day she could wish him the best in his life, it was going to be an awfully long one for him. Her thoughts turned to the warning in the letter. The queen still wanted her. She wasn't going to be rid of the vampires in her life as soon as she thought. This had to be serious if Bill wanted her to go to Eric for help. That definitely wasn't a lie, his hate for Eric. Could she ask Eric for help though, further bonding him to her life? She didn't trust him, or trust herself around him either. Though the idea of sitting beside a queen like a dog, being taken away from everyone she held so dear outweighed her pride. Going to the bathroom to wipe away her tears and apply some concealer she decided against changing her clothes for the bar, locking her door she made her way to her car. "Jesus be with me." Sookie prayed.

Eric sat on his throne in his usual attire. A black tight fitting V-neck and dark jeans with tears purposely torn in the fabric. Eric stared at his knees and thought how ridiculous it was that people paid extra money for their clothes to look as if they had been worn in, this century was something alright. He lifted his head and looked through all the pathetic fangbangers desperate for his attention. He had been trying to shut out Sookie's feelings all night. He wasn't prepared for this intense feeling of well...feelings. He had forgotten just how fickle human emotions were. Sookie had been upset, pleased, upset again, agitated, surprised, and angry and depressed all in a matter of hours, it was enough to make his head spin. A part of him wondered if any of these emotions had anything to do with him. He hoped they had, even the bad ones because at least he was on her mind like she was on his. He sighed rolling his eyes in his head. What had become of him? He didn't feel like fucking anybody tonight. The thought almost made him sick, to lay with one of these cheap women. He still fed from them, but only from the wrist...they're smell sickened him. Pam noticed of course. After she had changed to her black leather ensemble she desperately hated she knocked on his office door telling him that he had better snap out of his foul mood, he was going to hurt business with the way he was moping around. Moping? Eric Northman didn't mope...at least he never moped before. It was Sookie godamn Stackhouse that was doing this to him. He was trying to tell himself it was only the blood...making him feel this way. He knew that was only a bit of it though, even before the blood exchange he thought of her frequently throughout his night. Any was more than he was used to. His eyes immediately went to the door. She was here he could feel it! She would be inside in a matter of seconds! He felt his mood lightning at the aspect of seeing her again. Perhaps she was coming to thank him for the driveway he had paid for. "Oh I know how you can thank me sweet little Sookie, I have many, many ideas." He said to himself with a smirk, letting all the other thoughts of the night to be pushed away for a later time.

It wasn't too busy tonight, less busy than when she had been before anyway. But it was a Tuesday night after all. She walked to the door and saw a vampire she hadn't seen before. He was certainly attractive. About 6 foot tall and dark hair with vibrant green eyes. She felt herself nervous when he turned his attention towards her, almost giddy.

"Ello' and who might you be then?" He asked her. Wow that accent...yum.

"My name is Sookie, Sookie Stackhouse I'm here to see Eric." she told him trying to contain a smile.

"Oh well, well as I live and breathe...well I don' actually do eitha' ducks but you get the expression yeah?" He winked at her unhooking the velvet rope. "All vamps under Eric ave' heard tell of Sookie Stackhouse, namely to let her in no matter wha'." He finished flashing a white smile.

"Thank you... I'm sorry I didn't get your name." She managed to stutter.

"Oh right then, the names Hugh." He told her extending his hand." Sookie reached her hand to take his a surprised look in her eyes. "I know I know vamps don't shake hands and all that rot, right?" He asked with a chuckle. He leaned down to whisper in her ear "But only 40 years bein a vamp I ave' 'fraid it's a habit I find hard to break is all." She nodded slightly. She liked this vampire; he was almost well...human. She dropped her mental shields just to make sure, smiling at the void she brushed past him and into the loud music of the bar. Looking behind her she smiled at him giving a little wave and thanked him.

Eric felt Sookie's nervous happiness and was thrilled she thought of him in such good graces so soon. So the driveway had been the trick huh? It wasn't until he picked up the conversation at the door that the good mood immediately left.

Sookie felt her way through a group of people and headed towards Eric with Bill's letter in her hand. Wow, no matter how she felt about Eric she couldn't help being attracted to him. He was gorgeous...the only problem was that he was aware of it. She met his eyes and motioned her eyes towards his office. He was beside her in an instant.

"Jeez, Eric was that necessary?" She asked out of breath. He only looked at her his eyes squinted a bit. Okay so he was angry at something that was apparent. "Eric, what's up with you?" He didn't answer only grabbed her by the elbow and led them to his office. Shutting the door behind him he went to sit on his desk staring at her by the door. "Do I have to ask you again?" She said her mood darkening.

"You smell of Hugh." He told her with a cold sneer.

"Hugh?" She asked confused? "We shook hands if that's what you're talking about." She rolled her eyes.

"I can feel your emotions Sookie." He ground out. "Do not lie to me."

"You haven't asked me a question Eric, how could I lie?" Sookie yelled back at him. He got off his desk and slinked towards her in that predatory way that both excited and scared her. "You want him do you not? Hugh?" His face was inches from hers. Sookie could hardly contain her anger.

"What the hell are you talking about "want" him? Do I find him attractive?" A slight nod of his head was all Sookie got as a response.

"Well, Mr. I can feel your emotions you tell me." She all but growled at him her eyes narrowing.

"What is it you want to do with Hugh? You want his lips on yours? Do you see him above you? Or sweet Sookie is it you that likes to be in control?" His lips on her ear. She couldn't take it; she reached up and smacked him across his face.

"You watch it Mr. I'm a lady and you will NOT talk to me like that! You hear me? Vampire or not I will not be treated like this!" Eric met her eyes again. He should be punishing her now, or at the very least making her think she was in for some punishment but feeling her hurt above his own he couldn't. He let a smile take over his features a real honest to goodness smile. This threw Sookie off guard.

"Eric, what's that look all about? I don't think I've ever seen you smile...like that. You're freaking me out." Eric began to chuckle and turned away towards his desk. This is why he let himself feel things around her. She was different in more ways than she knew. She gave as well as she got, she was a warrior and the Viking part of him couldn't begrudge her that. Sitting in his chair he threw his legs on his desk.

"I don't mean to put you at unease Sookie." He told her. What was up with these mind games? She thought to herself, if she didn't know any better she would say he was...no!

"Eric are you jealous?" Sookie asked behind a huge grin. His smile left his face at the question.

"I assure you I have no idea what you mean." He told her. Jealous? Is that what I felt? I haven't felt any emotion like that in centuries and centuries. Was that what it was? The need to beat Hugh senseless while Sookie watched proving to her that he was stronger and cleverer. Then taking her on top of his unconscious body to prove whom it was she belonged too...yeah that was jealousy all right. At Sookie's incredulous look he took his feet from his desk and put his hands under his chin in thought. "Actually I do have an idea what you mean, and yes I think I was actually." He told her. Sookie's jaw dropped at the statement.

It was different entirely to hear him admit it. Jealous of her? Why?

"Why?" She asked softly.

"Because I want you to yield to me Sookie, and I want to make you mine." "Something that you seem to be reluctant in doing. Which is beyond me by the way?" He said standing from his desk and making his way to her. "The thought that Hugh could somehow appeal to you where I do not makes me...jealous yes." He brushed her hair away from her neck and put his lips to her jaw. "Does he appeal to you Sookie?" He asked against her flesh.

"Y..y..es, yes he's cute and...and..." she took hesitant steps away from Eric "he has that whole British accent thing going for him. What girl wouldn't be appealed to that?"

"I see." Eric said softly.

"But I don't want him Eric." Seeing the hope return to his eyes she continued "I don't want any vampire Eric, I want done with the whole lot of you!" She crumpled the letter in a ball and threw it at Eric's feet. "But NO Sookie, you had to go and let a vampire make a fool out of you and now look where it's gotten you!" She slumped on to the couch in Eric's office putting her face in her hands willing her tears to reside. Eric looked down to the crumpled letter and bent to pick it up. Smoothing it out he began to read. Minutes later he came and sat down next to Sookie and patted her back through her sobs. They were hesitant and uneasy pats, she could feel that he hadn't done this for anyone before, and the thought made her giggle. She met his eyes and she saw confusion. "Thanks Eric." She said grabbing his wrist to remove it from her shoulder.

**I hate it when she cries...**

Sookie jumped up and away from Eric. "I didn't just hear what Eric was thinking I didn't, I didn't." She kept telling herself. "Oh, no Oh, no this was the only reason he didn't kill me in the first place..."

"Sookie?" Eric asked slowly getting up to approach her like you would a wounded animal.

"Yeah?" She asked a little too brightly, her crazy Sookie smile in place.

"I can feel your anxiousness, what is wrong?"

"I'm just worried about this whole queen thing, about what Bill wrote." "You read it right?" "What do you think?" He looked at her with a question still in his eyes. Deciding to let it go for now he sat back down on the couch and motioned for her to join him.

"I am not surprised that Sophie Ann would not give up her quest for you so easily." "Though this all could have been avoided if Bill would have come to me in the beginning." She made her way to the couch beside Eric. "Calm down Sookie." She told herself. "Just forget about it." She repeated.

"And what would you have done?" "Went against your queen, for some human girl?" "I seriously doubt that." She scoffed.

"No, probably not." He told her smirking. "But after I met you I would have made you mine, and she would not have gone against a vampire as old as I." Sookie rolled her eyes.

"Right, once you found out I could read minds you would have snatched me up quick fast and in a hurry all right."

"Yes, but I think I would have done it even before your gift was mentioned." "I thought you beautiful that first night in my bar, do you not remember? I would have loved to have you as my pet." He reached to put his fingers through his hair, she smacked his hand away.

"I am NOBODIES pet Eric." She stared into his eyes, with all the anger she had in her body. "I am Sookie Stackhouse and I am my own!"

Eric chuckled easily "Be that as it may." He began pulling the note out of his pocket and handing it back to Sookie. "That's going to have to be what were going to have to do in order to get you off the queens radar." He stood walking back towards his desk, sitting on the edge.

Oooo Sookie just hated that damn smirk of his. "I came here to discuss my options actually."

"Is that all you came for?" He questioned.

"Actually, no but your craziness earlier distracted me." She stood taking his check out of the back pocket of her shorts. She walked towards him and handed it to him. He took it with his eyebrow raised in an amused question. "This is far more than what we agreed on Eric, I can't accept this in good conscience." "Now I appreciate what you did for me, about the driveway." "Thank you Eric that did mean a lot to me." She told him her voice softening as she looked at him. "But I shouldn't even be accepting that."

This was unusual. Eric was surprised, and he wasn't usually surprised. Women wanted gifts and money and things. Women had been like this even in his time. Pam was like this, Yvetta had taken all his money when she skipped town. This Sookie Stackhouse was certainly different, in so many ways she was different.

"Sookie, what you did in Dallas deserves the extra money." Looking to her face he saw her jaw tighten. There was going to be no budging on this subject he could tell. He chuckled at her actions. "Very well Sookie." He told her opening a drawer in his desk pulling out a checkbook. He sat down and wrote a new check for the designated 10,000. He ripped it from the book and handed it to her a smile on his lips. "There you are sweet Sookie." She reached for it trying to pull it from his grasp but he held on until her eyes met his, she saw his eyes sadden and appear almost human, it was startling. "Everything you did in Dallas was greatly appreciated Sookie, you need to know that." He released the check and turned from her. Godric, of course he was thinking of Godric, Sookie thought to herself. She walked towards him and put her hand on his shoulder "That was my pleasure Eric." He turned to smile at her; he put his hand on top of hers they looked into each other's eyes. She dropped her mental shields and tried to listen to him and got only emptiness. "Thank God it must have been a fluke."She thought to herself. She then noticed how close they were to each other, and she thought back to that kiss in his office. She had never been kissed like that before. The memory burned on her lips and her tongue instantly went to wet them in preparation. He shut his eyes slowly as did she leaning towards each other when the door to the office flew open. Pam on the other side. Sookie jerked back and Eric growled at his child in a language Sookie didn't understand.

"Sorry master, but I have a dog here that says he has to see you immediately." Her eyes lowered to Sookie's. "My, my all the boys are after you aren't they?" She asked in a sickingly sweet voice.

I heard Eric growl before I saw him: "Alcide!"