Chapter 3

The bacon went down nicely and the eggs were passable. Eric rejected the juice and coffee in favor of a tall glass of milk. He'd always enjoyed a bit of milk early in the morning.

"I'm guessing tuna for lunch is in order?" Sookie asked as she cleared the plates. Eric nodded and rose from his seat. Amelia had bolted after merely nibbling on her breakfast. It was obvious that the former cat made her uncomfortable. Eric didn't care about the witch one bit.

Any other day the time after breakfast would be taken up with a bit of squirrel watching followed by his first nap of the day. If Sookie was home he would demand to be brushed. She'd bought him a very nice brush with extra soft bristles that left his fur silky. It was his favorite possession right after his catnip mice and fish-shaped bowl.

Actually his favorite possession was Sookie but the brush was definitely in his top five.

Eric went to the bathroom and looked at himself in the mirror yet again. He didn't have his fur anymore but there was a lot of hair that could use a good brushing and he knew just the person to do it. He plucked Sookie's brush from the vanity and went in search of his human.

He found her sitting in the living room sofa perusing a magazine. She was wearing shorts and a ratty grey t-shirt which he was very familiar with having slept on it a few times. It was really soft and completely impregnated with her scent. He sighed happily and without much fanfare stretched out on the sofa with his head on her lap. Sookie gave a little shriek as she dropped the Ladies Home Journal that she'd been reading.

"Get off Eric!"

He cuddled into the t-shirt. It was warm from her body and he pressed his nose against it. Although his sense of smell had dimmed somewhat he could still smell Sookie very well. It was intoxicating.

"Brush my hair" he demanded.

"You are more than capable of doing that for yourself."

Eric was adamant. "I still want you to do it."

The girl sighed. Eric was in one of his moods. "Fine but it's the last time until you are back to your regular kitty self."

Sookie took the brush from his hand and expertly ran it through the shiny locks. It felt strange to have a grown man in such an intimate setting. Eric's eyes had closed to relaxed slits and she could only see a little blue peeking from them.

She had to admit that he was at his cutest at the moment and he knew it. Stuck up cat.

"Eric"

"Huh?' he asked sleepily.

"Isn't it strange… I mean for you to be like this?"

"Strange to be in your lap? To have my hair brushed by you? I don't see why it would be strange. You are mine."

She rolled her eyes. "Okay Eric I'm all yours but you are my little fluff ball."

"Don't call me that"

"You are a very fluffy kitty in your regular form. Do you remember what I first named you when we met?"

Eric grimaced "I do not nor do I care to remember."

"Aww come on. You have to remember. You've always been a pretty bright cat Mr. Fuzzybutt."

Eric sat up quickly and glared at his human. How dare she bring up that shameful period? He'd been a helpless kitten saddled with a truly embarrassing name. It was only after he'd grown up a little than he realized the undignified connotations behind that moniker. He'd refused to answer to it anymore until Sookie had been forced to give him a name fit for such a proud feline.

Eric was the name of kings and Vikings. It suited him perfectly and he loved it.

Sookie looked contrite. I was apparent that her former cat was easily offended. "Okay, okay I'm sorry. I won't mention it again. You are Eric and have always been. Now lie back and let me see if I can braid your hair. It'll be neater and free of those tangles that you've always hated."

Eric accepted the olive branch and allowed her to continue caring for his luxurious blonde mane. She twisted the tresses until a thick braid fell down his back. Eric touched the tight coils and expressed his satisfaction.

"It will do."

She giggled at his solemnity. "Well thank you my prince." Eric was always such a serious kitty even when was being playful.

After that they settled on the porch. Sookie had a glass of iced tea and Eric decided to try some. He found that he liked the sweetness of the drink but the temperature bothered him as did the lemon. Next time he would stick to his milk.

He was just about to fall asleep when he saw a hideous white and orange creature slowly approaching the garbage can at the end of the driveway. He had his belly close to the floor and his ears back as he slinked closer to his goal. Eric hissed loudly. It was that pathetic calico named Bill.

Sookie caught a glimpse of it too. "Oh poor kitty maybe he's lost."

"He doesn't have an indoors place." Eric informed her hoping that the answer would satisfy her curiosity in regards to the ugly feline.

"He's homeless? That's too sad. I'll give him some your kibble."

Eric's hiss grew louder. "That's my food."

"Yes, but for now you can afford to share a little. That kitty has nothing Eric, doesn't that make you sad?"

"Not at all. That cat is beneath me."

Sookie threw her arms in the air and went for the food. Eric rose from his seat and quickly walked towards the intruder until he stood right in front of it. Bill the cat looked up and after a brief moment recognition settled in his yellow eyes.

"So you know who I am. It will do you good to get the hell out of my territory before I drown you in the pond."

Bill hissed loudly and Eric retorted in the same fashion. The cat and the ex-cat glared at each other in the matter of mortal enemies.

Sookie returned with an opened can of Iams and Bill's attention immediately gravitated towards the offering.

"There you go kitty" she said as she placed the can on the ground. "Would you rather I put in a dish like Eric?"

Bill was apparently not as picky as Sookie's cat and happily ate the meal straight from the can. Meanwhile Eric looked on him in disgust. The cat was truly an aberration upon all felines.

Bill finished his food and thanked Sookie by curling his body against her leg. Sookie laughed happily and lifted the cat onto her arms. Bill purred in delight.

Eric growled. This affront was not to be borne.

"PUT HIM DOWN!" he demanded.

Sookie ignored him and hugged Bill tighter. "Don't be such a grump Eric. He's only a defenseless cat."

Bill seemed to agree with that statement and buried his face in the crook of Sookie's arms but not before giving Eric and defiant wink. He'd always been envious of Eric's station as spoiled housecat and now that position seemed within reach. He would no longer be forced to subsist on a few bony mice and slimy pond water. Just a few more purrs and he would find himself ensconced in the warm, comfortable home with all the tuna he could want.

He would get rid of Eric if it was the last thing he did.

TBC. (That is if the hurricane permits it. Good luck to all who are in the path of the storm)