Not complete unexpectedly, Bill dropped in half an hour later. I invited him in and we ended up watching Gone with the Wind.

It seemed strange to me now, how close Bill and I had once been. Don't get me wrong, I still care a great deal about him and he'll always hold a very special place in my heart, but there's no sexual feelings there any more.

We never watched films in the house when we'd been together, we had better things to do (nudge nudge, wink wink). Right now I couldn't imagine taking him to bed again and that change was still very odd. I supposed I'd come to terms with Bill's various betrayals, I didn't hate him any longer, but I didn't love him either. Well, maybe I did, just a little bit.

The really odd thing was, I felt safe with him around. If I looked at things objectively I'd have to admit that no one had ever hurt me more than Bill, both physically and emotionally, yet here I was, feeling quite safe.

Eric, conversely, had never hurt me. He'd tried to scare me a couple of times, and he'd come on too strong now and then, back when I first knew him, yet him I was scared of.

No wonder men had such a hard time figuring women out, I couldn't even figure myself out.

"Bill, what do you think of Eric? Really."

He paused the video and turned to me. He didn't look happy.

"Why do you want to know?"

I shrugged. "I just can't get a handle on him."

He seemed to accept this, although he didn't quite believe me. He took a few moments, composing his thoughts then he sighed deeply. "He's a good guy."

That I hadn't been expecting. "Really? I thought you two hated each other."

Bill shrugged. "Actually, before you came along, we always got on quite well."

I supposed I could see it. In times of struggle they'd just knuckled down and worked side by side, it just seemed strange to think of them being friends.

"I knew the moment you suggested going to Fangtasia that you'd catch his eye, and I was right."

"Then why did you take me?"

"Because you asked me to." Simple as that. "But to answer your question, you're real question, you could do a lot worse." He looked sad, but not self pitying.

I remembered the times Bill had told me to go to Eric if anything had happened to him, so of everyone he'd met, or every vampire at least, Eric was, presumably, his first choice for me, after Bill himself, of course.

"He's hard but fair, he won't use force if he can finesse a situation, he's civilised and… and he cares a great deal about you."

"How much is he paying you?" I joked, because I really hadn't expected that. Considering Eric was his rival, in Bills eyes at least, that was high praise indeed. I guess I'd been hoping to hear what a womaniser he was, how he'd use me, chew me up and spit me out, or words to that effect.

I'd been looking for an excuse.

Bill pressed play and carried on watching the film while I brooded beside him.

III

Amelia and Octavia got home around 10. Bill said he'd stay outside until dawn. I told him he was welcome to stay inside and watch TV, which I think pleased him, but for the moment he wanted to scout the woods. I gave him a key so he could come and go as he pleased, locking the door behind him.

I filled Amelia and Octavia in on the trouble brewing, they'd got the abbreviated version last night. They checked the wards on the house, although most wouldn't repel a run of the mill human attacker. That was why Bill was here.

Octavia went to bed after that leaving me and Amelia alone in the living room.

"What's up?" Amelia asked. She could never be accused of being subtle.

"Eric and I finally had our talk." I sounded resentful.

"So?"

I shrugged. "He wants to be a couple."

She was thinking that this was like pulling teeth, and she wasn't wrong. "How do you feel about that?"

I shrugged again. "I don't know. What do you think?"

"Well, I wouldn't kick him out of bed for eating crackers."

I frowned. "What?"

Amelia laughed. "It means he's hot. So hot that I would willingly endure crumbs in my bed than throw him out."

"Oh. And that's good, is it?"

"Of course that's good!" she said, like I was an idiot not to see this."He's also, especially for a vampire, a good guy." In her head I saw her first boyfriend, he'd abused her and Amelia thought Eric was worth a thousand of him. "Human men aren't always what they're cracked up to be and I know you care for him." I reinforced my shield, I didn't want to be intruding on such private memories.

"But can he care for me?" I asked. It wasn't that I disbelieved him when he said he loved me, but was vampire love like human love?

"Oh, Sookie, of course he cares for you." She shook her head sadly sounding exasperated. "Why do you think he surrendered to that Victor guy? It just about took everything he had to do that and the only reason he did is because you could get hurt if he didn't."

I'd never thought of that. Was it true?

I brooded on that while Amelia made me some herbal tea to help me sleep. When she came back she had obviously been mulling something over herself.

"Did you ever think," she began, hesitantly. "Well, that maybe you're projecting Bill onto Eric. You expect Eric to hurt you because Bill did."

I opened my mouth to protest but on second thought, it did make sense. "You think that's what I've been doing?" I asked.

"I don't know, but I do think it's possible. You don't exactly have much experience dating, and now I think you're looking for the bad."

"So you think I should date a dead guy!?" okay, I should have said another dead guy, and I perhaps shouldn't have been so sharp, but still, wasn't there anyone around here who DIDN'T like Eric? They should form a damn fan club or something! Where was Arlene when you needed her?

"Sorry."

Her contrition burst my bubble and I sighed. "No, my fault, I'm the bitch here. Sorry."

Her smile told me I was forgiven. She drifted to bed after that, afraid to offer further opinions. Of course I picked them out from her head, but I couldn't berate her for what she was thinking.

The tea did its job and I was in bed a while later, wondering if I was being a momentous fool for even considering turning Eric down.

III

The next morning I was working the early shift. It had been lucky that the day before had been my day off because I hadn't even considered work or calling Sam or changing shifts.

A few years ago it would have been inconceivable to me that work would ever be driven so far from my thoughts.

I worked my shifts, smiled at my customers and performed to the best of my ability. Of course Sam noticed I was distracted. How could he not. He didn't ask me about it though because I wasn't upset or moody, just preoccupied. I guess he was leaving it to me to talk about if I wanted.

I would make up my mind to say something (surely he wouldn't be an Eric fan too) then I'd chicken out. It surprised me that there was a part of me that didn't want to hear people thought badly of Eric.

Eric didn't contact me that week, but he did send me flowers. I considered calling to thank him, but it was too impersonal. I needed to thank him face to face, once I'd made up my mind.

Pam or Bill were either in the bar or at my house each night. I didn't mind.

Finally on Friday I decided to speak to Sam. He was my friend too and he deserved to have his say. I was on the day shift again so no Eric or Pam to avoid. Once the lunch rush was over we went back to his office.

"What's up?" he asked, tipping his chair back.

"Eric."

"What's he done now?"

"He remembers that time when he was cursed," My voice was very soft.

Sam's eyes grew wide. "Oh."

I nodded, that sounded about right.

"He wants to marry me," my eyes were fixed on my hands and my voice was still little more than a whisper.

Sam puffed air out with his cheeks. "How do you feel about that?"

I shrugged. I was going a lot of that lately. "I don't know."

"And you want my opinion?"

"Please."

"It's too soon for marriage."

"I know. He hasn't asked me, exactly, just stated that when I'm ready, he wants to marry me."

Sam was silent for a long while and I risked a few glances at him. He was staring over my head, presumably replaying his various encounters with Eric. Or maybe he was trying to find a nice way to say how he felt.

"Sookie, you know I hate you being so involved with vampires and you know I wish you could leave them alone. I also know that, for whatever reason, you cant. You'd certainly be safer if you were… more formally attached to Eric."

Even Sam wasn't going to bad mouth Eric! I was beginning to feel like I had stepped into some parallel universe.

"I didn't think you liked Eric."

"I don't, really. But I have a… grudging sort of respect for him. As a sheriff he's well liked among the supes, or as well liked as a vampire can be."

This was actually an excellent character reference, if you considered the source.

"And I know he feels strongly about you. I don't claim to understand your fascination with him, nor do I agree with it, but he does seem to return your feelings."

I was distracted as I drove home because my deadline was approaching. Eric hadn't given me one, but I had decided that I had until Friday night. Any longer would be cruel to Eric. So if I was going to see him, I needed to have made my decision before I left the house.

Some part of me must have already known what that decision would be, but it wasn't until I deciding what to wear that I realised I had known all along what my answer should be.

III

I walked passed the line in front of Fangtasia and straight to the door. I was feeling pretty good tonight so blocking the unchristian thoughts of those waiting in line was relatively easy. I could have gone in the staff entrance but I knew Eric would be on the floor rather than his office on a busy Friday night.

Pam was on the door tonight with Felicia. Pam smiled when she saw me but Felicia frowned. I guess she still thought I was going to get her killed.

"Sookie," Pam leaned down and kissed my cheek and whispered, "Go easy on him." As she stood up I saw she still had a smile in place. "Follow me," she instructed in her most regal voice (for the patrons) as she led me into the club. I expected her to leave me at the bar while she told him I was here but instead she led me straight to his table. He was using one of the booths tonight, although he was alone.

He smiled when he saw me, the genuine one that wrinkles his cheeks. "Dear one," he said as he stood to meet me. He cast his eyes over my dress and then bent down, brushing his lips over mine. "You look even more radiant than usual, if that's possible." I felt a thrill at the hungry look I'd seen in his eyes.

My dress had been in Tara's Toga's three months ago, and it hadn't been on sale, it had been an impulse buy I could scarcely afford and I'd berated myself over it ever since. I hadn't returned it though, and now I knew why. I'd bought it because Eric would like it.

"Thank you for the flowers," I smiled.

"I'm pleased you liked them. Come, sit." He took my hand and led me the few steps back to his booth.

I slid into the booth and was surprised to find a gin and tonic waiting for me. "Did you know I was coming?" I asked.

"I felt your anticipation, I hoped you were." His smile faded. "Have you come to a decision?"

"Yes, dependent on a few conditions."

He took that well. "Go on," he told me, reaching across to take my hand.

"First, you can only drink from me two nights in a row, I need the third to recover."

"I won't take as much as Bill did," he said smoothly. "I don't need to."

Oh. Well yes, I did remember something about that. "Okay, then we'll see how it goes." Oh, this was a great start, I was already compromising. "Second, I don't just want a relationship, I want the intimacy. I want you to trust me, be honest with me."

He nodded. "I have been trying. It is a very new concept to me and there are some things I am forbidden to share, but I will be as open as my position allows. And for the record, I do trust you, Sookie."

"Fair enough. Three, No more lavish gifts. If you break something okay, but I am not a kept woman and I don't want people thinking I am."

He nodded. "Agreed. Is there a forth?" he prompted.

"Finally," this was the hardest one and I looked down at my drink while I spoke. "Sometimes it's hard for me, your way of life. I see things, do things even, that I can't deal with easily. And sometimes I might need to take a break and be around humans a bit more."

He took put one finger under my chin and gently tilted my face up so I was looking at him. "It's better to talk about these things rather than bottle them up." He was probably right.

"But what if it's you who's done them? Who's frightened me or sickened me?"

"I'll still want to know. I will give you space when you ask for it, Sookie, but not for ever. I won't allow you to cut me out of your life, I couldn't stand it." He raised my hand to his lips and kissed the back of it. "Neither could you," he added, raising an eyebrow as though challenging me to contradict him. In all fairness, especially with our bond, I couldn't.

"Okay then." I said, relived, and more than a little excited by my new relationship.

"I have a few requests to make myself, if I may?"

I noticed he said requests, not conditions like I had. "Shoot."

"Now that you are officially mine, you will be an even bigger target so I'd like to upgrade the security on your house."

"How?"

"An alarm, cameras on the outside, motion detectors inside, sensors on the doors and windows, steel doors, that sort of thing as well as a few wards that could come in handy."

"I think Octavia and Amelia have that pretty well covered," I said.

"There are a few that may be out of their skill set. One in particular, an anti-fire spell."

"But I like having a fire and as I recall, you were pretty fond of it too."

He gave me a grin as he recalled the memory. "It won't affect the inside of the house. It's a ring that surrounds the property that fire can't cross. You can light a match either side of it but if you attempt to cross the line, the flame goes out."

"What about gasoline?"

"Stops dead at the line of protection." He assured me. That could come in very handy. Once I was locked in pretty much the only way to get me out was to burn me out.

"Okay, next request?"

"I'd like to build some, what did you call them, hidey holes?" I nodded. "I'd like to build a few more in and around the house. I'll keep any disruption to a minimum."

I liked the idea of him staying so I readily agreed. His next request was to install light tight shutters in the bedroom, in case I ever had to watch over him again.

"And I did like waking up with you," he flashed me his most seductive smile. "I'd like to try that again."

I agreed. These improvements were for him, therefore I didn't feel like he was buying my affection.

"My final request, I want you to come and work here once a week and I want to put you on Fangtasia's payroll."

I would have assumed he wanted me away from Merlott's except he'd only asked for one night a week. "Don't you have enough waitresses?"

"I don't want you to waitress, I want to use your gift." He looked out around the bar. "The AEA is loose in this area we're a prime target. I want you to keep your ears open for any patrons with suspicious thoughts."

"Are you sure they'll come in before they attack?" I asked, certain that this was not the only reason he wanted me on the payroll, but I had to agree it was a good excuse.

He shook his head. "Everything we've learned about them suggests they're organised, almost like real a military force. They'll do their homework before launching an attack. Friday and Saturday are our busiest nights and that's when we expect them to come, so they can blend in easier."

"What's the pay like?" I asked, suspicious he was trying to give me money.

He told me. It would certainly easy my money worries without being so huge as to offend me. I was still sure there were other reasons, though.

I was sure I could work out something with Sam. "Okay, I'll agree if you tell me your other motives." I challenged.

The look he gave me sent shivers down my spine, but in a very good way. He almost looked pleased I'd pushed him. "First of all, we have a very good health plan, and you'd be covered by that."

That would be nice, I had incurred a lot of hospital bills since I'd been hanging around with vampires. I nodded that this was fine with me.

"Secondly," he slid around the bench until he was sitting right next to me. "I want to show you off. I want every man here to see you and want you and know that you are mine."

Okay, macho bullshit, but it was unavoidable with vampires. Human men too, just to a lesser extent. "Fine." I was grinning. I was his now, and I liked that idea.

He leaned forward and buried his nose in my hair, inhaling deeply. "And finally," he murmured, "I want to do very bad things to you. I want to bend you over my desk and fuck you till you scream, I want to take you against every wall and over every table in this establishment so I have the memories for the nights you aren't here."

I put a hand on his chest and pushed. I tried to keep the smile from my lips but I wasn't entirely successful. "You know this is sexual harassment, right? I could sue your ass off."

He smirked. "Aren't there other things you'd rather do to my ass. As I recall, you were very fond of it."

I shrugged nonchalantly. "It's okay, I guess."

His eyes narrowed dangerously. "You'll pay for that tonight." I couldn't wait.

Before I knew it he was out of the booth and standing beside me. "Dance with me?"

I took his offered hand, feeling a little shaky. Just being around Eric was very damaging to my self control. He led me to the dance floor. There had been a few couples dancing, but they all stopped when Eric took to the floor. I felt dozens of eyes on me and I began to feel self conscious. I kept my gaze firmly on Eric's chest. WDED was paying Strangers in the Night, a slow song so his arms encircled my waist and mine automatically went around his neck.

He bent his head to my ear. "Self conscious, lover?"

I nodded.

"Hmm, that won't do." He kissed my neck, the way he had when we was staying with me and my mind flew back to those times. I closed my eyes and I moaned softly. His lips began kissing their way, gently, to my mouth and I kissed him eagerly. I could feel his erection pressing into my hip and I wished we weren't surrounded by people. I would have given anything to be alone with him just then.

Slowly he pulled away, staring into my eyes. "Better?" he grinned cockily, so sure was he of his own prowess.

Ordinarily, I'm not one for public displays of affection, but I couldn't help myself. I wanted more so I shrugged, indifferently. "Not bad?"

His eyebrows rose incredulously. I was beginning to see why Pam enjoyed teasing him so much. It was a lot of fun.

The next step I took was into thin air. I panicked a moment until I realised Eric had raised us a few inches off of the dance floor. We were still gently turning. I would have swatted him for scaring me but I was clinging too tightly and didn't dare let go. I clung tightly to him and he gasped with pleasure, his eyes smouldering down at me.

His lips captured mine again in a punishing kiss, his fangs grazing my lips. I moaned my appreciation. The kiss didn't end and suddenly I found his hands had moved, though we were still floating. He ended the kiss and bent me backwards, leaning over my exposed neck. I wondered if he was going to bite me here, in front of everyone, and found that I didn't care if he did. Instead he settled for a little nip. To my surprise, I shuddered and came.

I felt my feet touch firm ground and he gently lifted me upright. I was embarrassed. I could only hope no one noticed. Eric knew, of course, and I suspected the other vamps could tell. Eric's eyes were hooded with desire.

I reached up on my tip toes and whispered in his ear. "If you don't fuck me in the next sixty seconds I'll spontaneously combust."

Before I knew what was happening he had swept me into his arms like Rhet Butler (good, because I wasn't sure I could walk straight) carried me through to his office and sat me on the edge of his desk. My dress was pushed up, my panties ripped off and he was inside me. It felt like coming home. I gasped and clung to his arms, digging my nails in to urge him on.

"Look at me, love."

I did as he asked. I felt very exposed under his gaze, but I guessed that was the thrill of it. His fangs were fully extended and I rolled my head to the right, exposing my neck for him. He licked one fang and then suddenly leaned down and bit into my flesh. I cried out and came again, Eric right behind me.

I was breathing heavily and felt very shaky. Eric was still inside me as he licked at my wound, making sure it was closed and causing the odd ripple of pleasure to pass through me again.

"Better?" he asked.

I cupped his face. "Much," and leaned up to kiss him.

He grinned, picking me up off the desk and settling on the sofa with me cradled in his lap.

"You might as well have just peed on me out there." I laughed and hid my face in his shoulder as I remembered his display on the dance floor.

"You enjoy that?" he asked, with a touch of desire in his voice.

I sat up, shocked, about to tell him that no, I absolutely did not enjoy that sort of thing when I saw he was smirking. Apparently he enjoyed teasing me too.

I swatted his arm gently, after all, I was the only one likely to be hurt by such a gesture, and settled back on his lap.

He reached over to the desk and pulled a booklet of bound papers off. "Here," he said, handing it to me.

"What is it?" I asked, puzzled.

"I business plan and some preliminary art work." He looked smug and I had no idea why.

I frowned in confusion. "Eric, I know nothing about business."

"I know," he kissed my cheek. "But I thought you might be interested in this."

He wasn't going to explain so I opened the booklet. The business plan came first, they were income and expenditure, profit and loss forecasts for something called the Forever Young Clinics. I skipped over the business plan and found the art work at the back. It looked like a brochure for a health spa. I slowed to read the text.

"Eric?"

"All your idea, love."

"It was just an observation, I didn't mean you to start a chain of anti ageing clinics."

He grinned. "I've learned to listen to your observations, Sookie. You're very astute and you see things differently. As soon as you said it I realised it was an incredibly profitable idea, but I'd never have seen the opportunity without you."

I was flattered to say the least and kissed him, softly. "Thank you." I didn't want to burst the bubble by mentioning that a lot of women wouldn't want to drink vampire blood, so instead I asked, "How will you get the blood?"

"We'll pay vampires to donate, much like humans donate blood. I'll be a donor myself." Eric was so old his blood would be very valuable to a project like this. "I've already got two witches lined up to make the potions and creams and the human staff here are going to test them for us."

"Amelia and Octavia?" I asked.

He nodded. "They're your friends, which means they're trustworthy." He didn't want anyone else getting wind of his idea and stealing it. They were also very capable witches, as long as Amelia had someone to reign in her wild side. It would also give the two of them some purpose and, especially important in Octavia's case, an income. I doubted this was a coincidence.

"We'll get patents as soon as we can and we expect the first clinic to open in eight months. We're also looking into selling less potent creams commercially."

"What about FDA approval?"

"That's what's so perfect, love, it isn't a drug." He was almost gleeful. "The ingredients of our creams are 100 percent natural."

"You're a very clever man," I told him, meaning every word.

"And you are an exceptionally gifted woman." He kissed me passionately.

"How late do you have to be here tonight?" I panted when he let me surface for air.

"Two o'clock."

I groaned. "Come on, you're the boss, you can take a night off," I tried to sound seductive.

He laughed. "I have to set an example." He tried to sound serious but didn't quite succeed.

I wiggled suggestively on his lap and bit his neck.

He gasped. "Minx," he said, capturing my lips in another crushing kiss. Well, if he wasn't going to leave, we'd just have to christen the sofa too. I threw the booklet to the floor and swung around so I was straddling his lap, pleased to find he was already ready. I lowered myself onto him and took my time riding him, keeping eye contact.

He cupped my cheek with one hand while we climaxed again. I may have just come out of a dry spell, but it now looked like that that was well and truly over.

After a little rearranging of clothes (and borrowing some underwear from Pam) we headed back to the bar. After touring the bar (he said to make sure everything was in order, I thought it was more to show off my recent bite) we settled back into the booth. It seems no one had dared occupy it in Eric's absence. Fresh drinks arrived but Eric refused his True Blood.

"So," he leaned close to me. "What have I missed in the life of Sookie Stackhouse?"

I shrugged. "Nothing much."

He raised a questioning eyebrow. "Your Grandfather said he looked an address up for you."

I'd forgotten I hadn't told him about that. So I did and he listened, seemingly fascinated. He could have been faking interest, it was hard to tell with vampires.

That's what I like them.