Sookie parked her car in the driveway, and stepped out of the vehicle. Grabbing the takeout box of left-over chilli Lafayette had given her (she much preferred Lafayette's cooking to Terry's – not that she would ever admit that to Terry - and always made sure to bring any extra home when he was working), she walked up to the house and spotted Jessica on the porch. Instinctively, she knew something was wrong.
"Jessica? What are you doing here?" Sookie asked with concern, joining Jessica on the old couch.
Jessica flashed a troubled smile in her direction and shrugged her shoulders.
"I just came by to say hi."
"Now why don't I believe you?" Sookie said affectionately, wrapping her arm around Jessica's shoulders. "I don't know if anyone's told you this, but bloody tears are a dead giveaway something's wrong."
After a brief pause, Jessica finally spoke. "I did something really stupid, Sookie," she exhaled quickly, her voice cracking with emotion.
"What?"
"I... I cheated on Hoyt."
Stunned, and unsure of what to say, Sookie remained silent but tightened her grip around Jessica's shoulders. "When did this happen?"
"Tonight. Hoyt and I got into a fight and I just... I ended up at Fangtasia."
Sookie expelled a heavy sigh. "Jessica..."
"I know, I know, it was really stupid and I just-"
"Believe me, I'm in no position to judge," Sookie consoled, remembering all too well how ishe/i ended up in Fangtasia herself last night. "I didn't realize things were that bad between you guys."
"We fight every day, over every little thing," Jessica confessed. "And the more we fight, the more I want to run... but I don't want to leave Hoyt. I love him, and he loves me which means there's still something good left in me."
"There's a lot good in you, Jessica."
Jessica gave her a self-deprecating smile and shook her head 'no'. "Maybe there was... but you've been gone for a year. You don't know the things I've done."
Sookie squeezed Jessica's hand to comfort her. "You just need to talk to Hoyt."
"He'll never forgive me."
"You don't know that."
"You never forgave Bill," Jessica pointed out.
One second they were sitting next to each other with Sookie pondering what to say to Jessica about her relationship with Bill, the next she was thrown to the ground with a vampire she didn't recognize attacking her like a rabid dog. He punched her in the stomach, knocking the wind out of her, before sinking his fangs into her neck. Sookie tried to fight back while Jessica pounded on the vampires back but he must have been older and was far stronger because he easily pushed Jessica away.
Just as swiftly as the attack began, it ended when Eric suddenly appeared.
With little effort he shoved the vampire off Sookie, and before she even had a chance to figure out what was going on, he grabbed the vampire who had attacked her and disappeared along with him. "Jessica?" she groaned, using all of her energy to get up.
"I'm alright."
Sookie swiped the blood from her busted lips with the bottom of her t-shirt before she realized her neck was also sore. "Crap," she grumbled, touching the tender bruise on her neck when she realized Jessica was glaring at her confusedly. "Are you sure you're okay?" Sookie asked with concern. "Are you hurt?"
"Your blood... it smells different."
Sookie froze as Jessica approached her.
"Sweeter... I can't explain it... it's not like everybody else's."
"It's probably the brown sugar Lafayette puts in his chilli. I had a whole bunch of it for my dinner break," Sookie lied, feigning a light tone of voice.
"Jessica, you're trespassing on my property. I think it's time for you to go now," Eric said, appearing out of nowhere again.
"Your property? This is Sookie's house," Jessica said smugly.
"She's welcome here anytime," Sookie added. "Unlike you!"
Eric gave them both an amused smile. "Please don't feel the need to thank me for saving your lives or anything."
"Thank you, Eric. And I would be even more grateful if you could take Jessica home now," Sookie countered.
"I don't need a chauffeur!"
"I would feel better if I knew you got home safe," Sookie replied. In the time Eric would be gone, she would hopefully gain the courage she needed to deal with him again.
From the knowing smirk on his face, it was apparent he was fully aware of her reasons. "Let's go, Jessica. I don't have all night. There are others who need my attention," he said pointedly, his gaze languidly drawing over Sookie.
Sookie rolled her eyes at his flirtatious tone. Thankfully Eric didn't dwindle for long, and started walking away with Jessica. It didn't escape her notice that Eric was taking his time with Jessica – as if he was giving her enough time to prepare for his return. She wasn't sure how to feel about this considerate side of him.
88888
Standing by the sink, Sookie took a sip of the sweet tea. She was fidgety and anxious, her nerves still unsettled. Even after dealing with vampires, werewolves, faeries – not to mention the monsters that existed within her own kind – she was still surprised by how quick and vicious these attacks could be. What if it hadn't been Jessica with her tonight? What if it had been Jason or Tara or anyone else for that matter? She didn't even want to think about the consequences of that. And using her own powers to protect her loved ones wasn't a reliable option because she wasn't able to control it at all. Like tonight. She had desperately tried to stop the vampire but no matter how hard she tried to conjure her power, nothing worked.
If Eric hadn't shown up, she shuddered to think what could have happened.
"You're hurt."
Eric's sudden return caught her by surprise; she really didn't know if she could ever get used to the idea of him entering her - ihis/i, now – home whenever he wanted.
Setting down her empty glass in the sink, she turned around to face him. "Jessica get home alright?"
He smirked. "Yes, but I think you forget she's a vampire. She can take care of herself."
She knew what he was implying and it irritated her. "Unlike me?"
"You're very resourceful, Sookie, but you're not impervious." She watched curiously as he rolled up his right jacket sleeve. "You're bruising. My blood will help you heal."
"No. I don't want it."
"Don't be foolish."
"Don't piss me off! Or I'll change my mind."
Eric raised his eyebrow, his blue eyes gleaming with interest. "About what?"
"About... being yours," she expressed with a heavy sigh. A smile started to curve across his face, and she levelled him with a stern stare. "Don't get cocky, Eric. I have certain conditions which you have to agree to first."
"You're not exactly in a position to negotiate."
"Fuck you."
"Is that one of your conditions?"
"Never mind. Obviously you're not interested in my offer." The moment she turned her back to him, he was behind her instantly, so close that if he were human she would feel his breath against her neck.
Her stomach tightened – but not due to fear.
"Let's hear them," he murmured, causing her to tremble on the inside while his fingers playfully twirled strands of her hair. She hated the rush of excitement that surged through her.
"Promise me that you'll protect my family too, not just me," she said while trying to maintain a rigid tone of voice, refusing to turn around in his arms. Last time his close proximity (and alcohol) had foolishly led her to kiss him. She wasn't going to make the same mistake again without getting something out of it first.
"Vampires are not interested in your brother," he reminded her matter-of-factly.
"And I wasn't just talking about Jason. I need to know if anyone I love needs protection, you'll provide it."
"Fine. What else?"
Taking a deep breath, she finally turned to face him. The blue of his eyes were strangely dark and hypnotic, and she wondered for a moment if this is what it felt like to be glamoured. It took the deliberate slow brush of his hands against her arms to bring her back to reality. "This is the part you're not going to like," she said hesitantly.
"Try me."
"I can't be with you the way I was with Bill. I loved him-"
"I'm not going to give you false declarations of love," he said with brutal honesty.
"Yeah, I know. I don't think you're capable of loving anyone other than Pam and Godric."
As always anguish and regret flashed across Eric's face at the mention of his maker – but it was quickly replaced with a cold mask. "I don't have your skill of reading human minds. Name the rest of your terms."
"You can't have all of me, Eric. I won't open myself up like that again. Not after how much Bill hurt me. So if you want me to be yours, I will – but you either get my blood... or the rest of me. But not both."
"You'll have to be more precise, Sookie. I want to know exactly what you mean."
"Fine!" she bit out, irritated with him. "You can either fuck me or you can feed from me. But I won't let you do both."
The silence that followed was palpable, thick with tension, creeping into the room and strewn around them like an exposed live wire threatening to go off at any second. Eric didn't respond for a long while, staring at her, watching her. His face may have been expressionless but she still sensed the cold rage running through him, unfurling and becoming more potent by the minute, and she was reminded once again of how dangerous he really was.
"Let me, Sookie?" he said in a mocking tone. "Do you know how easily I can do both at this very moment?"
She swallowed an audible breath. "Yes."
"And yet you still insist on this foolishness."
"Those are my terms, Eric. Take it or leave it."
"Sookie, you keep deluding yourself into thinking you're just like any other human being. But we both know your blood makes you a lot more valuable than that."
Anger surged through her, hot and fiery. "No, don't you dare tell me my blood is the only important thing about me! I'm worth something, Eric, even without this fucking faerie blood in me!"
She didn't want to break down and cry in front of Eric. She didn't want him to see how much his words only confirmed what she had always suspected: the only thing Bill found worthwhile in her was her blood - like every other fucking vampire - and without it, he would never have fallen in love with her.
She was fed up and tired, but most of all disappointed with herself for actually believing Eric did care about her – as much as he was capable of anyway. It was obvious his feelings were only valid as long as she could provide him with her blood. Without that incentive, she really was worth nothing to him. "Forget my offer. You want to feed from me? You can, as long as you protect me and my family."
Swiping her tears with the back of her hand, she side-stepped around him and started to walk away. Right now all she wanted was to go upstairs, take a shower, and slip under the covers.
She was almost out of the kitchen when Eric, moving at the rate of lightning speed, had her trapped against the wall. Her breath rushed out of her lungs, and the tight coil in her belly intensified as she struggled to breathe with the heavy weight of his body pressed against hers.
"I've already tasted your blood," he whispered seductively. "It's only fair I explore my other option before I make a decision."
Before she could react to his words, he growled, and closed his mouth over hers.
