(Disclaimer: The following chapter contains a quote by the character of "Ginger" that was directly taken from season 2 of True Blood. I do not own True Blood or any of its characters. All the rest of this chapter is, as always, my own work.)

Jason stared at Bill as if he had sprouted eight arms like an octopus. What on earth could Bill Compton possibly want from him?

"I would like your help in watching over Sookie."

"Sookie?" Jason asked, confused. "Whaddaya mean? Is she in some kinda supernatural trouble again? I'm sure you and Eric'd be able to help her more than I can."

Bill hesitated. "Yes, well. I am not entirely sure that Eric doesn't have, ah, ulterior motives in gaining Sookie's trust."

Jason looked dubious. Eric was far from a saint, but Jason would bet a million bucks that he'd never let anything bad happen to Sookie. Bill guessed Jason's thoughts and continued. "He has protected her in the past, yes. But I think the reason is because he may want her…gifts all to himself."

"Hey now, don't you talk about my sister like that, Bill Compton," Jason glared. "You weren't complaining before when you were getting her gifts." Bill resisted the urge to roll his eyes. Jason's protectiveness over his sister's reputation was admirable, but the young man was clearly dumber than a werewolf.

"No, no, I didn't mean— not that," Bill said. "I mean her fae abilities."

Jason stared blankly. "Fae?"

"Yes, fae. Fairy. Fairy abilities." Bill searched for some sign of recognition on the deputy's face.

"Oh, you mean the microwave fingers thing she can do?" Microwave fingers? Bill thought scornfully. Jason Stackhouse, try reading a book someday. Outwardly, he swallowed his frustration.

"Yes…that. I fear he may want to use her for his own ends."

"What?" Jason was stunned. He raked a hand through his hair exasperatedly and paced a bit, finally resting his head in his hands on top of his car. After a while he lifted his head, gazing off into the woods. "Sook's the only family I got left. I'd die before I let anything happen to her. You know what though? I never woulda believed it. Eric is one dangerous fucker, that's for sure, but he seems to really care about Sookie." A shadow of resentment flickered across Bill's face but was gone so quickly that Jason didn't even notice. "But I guess you know Eric better'n I do, so…" He finally looked at Bill. "What are you suggesting?"

The next afternoon, Sookie was just stepping out of her bathroom after taking a long, hot shower. Sam had heard what happened and called in the morning, saying she and Lafayette wouldn't have to come in to work today. Sookie had mumbled a word of thanks and promptly fell right back asleep until about an hour ago. She wasn't exactly sure what time that was, since she had spent the night down in Eric's "cubby" as she liked to call it. But she knew it had to be past noon, since the sun streaming through her window was heading westward. Eric, of course, was still asleep down below. Because he was so old, he might wake at dusk instead of after full nighttime, but that that was still a few hours away.

It had been awhile since Sookie felt so normal, so human. She couldn't remember the last time she hunted through her closet searching for the perfect ensemble or played her favorite Taylor Swift songs as she styled her long blonde hair this way and that. She finally decided on a simple kelly green sundress and sandals; she wasn't sure what vampire drama would come tonight, but for now it was too warm to wear anything tight. Sookie admired herself in the mirror approvingly and absently wondered if Eric would think she looked pretty. She realized that was pointless— Eric thought she was beautiful, as he had reminded her plenty last night. She felt her cheeks grow warm at the memory. Stop it, Sookie. She chided herself. You're acting like a silly schoolgirl. Her stomach grumbled loudly, interrupting her inner monologue.

Sookie chuckled softly to herself as she walked downstairs. What was it Ginger had said to her a while back? Oh, yeah: "That's the thing about being around vamps, ain't it? You're always forgetting to eat."

Over the next few hours Sookie accomplished a lot of the things one never has time for when in the midst of a supernatural war; she prepared and ate lunch (spaghetti and meatballs with salad), took a B12 vitamin (Eric had drank a lot of her blood last night), sorted through her mail (mostly bills), and did some housework (the carpets certainly weren't going to vacuum themselves). Just as she was drying off the last of her lunch dishes, she heard Eric's voice in her ear.

"I will have to replace your table."

Sookie jumped. "Eric! Don't do that!"

"I won't say I'm sorry," he said. He began kissing her neck. "I like watching you get excited." Sookie could practically feel his seductive grin and turned around to face him, putting her hands on his chest as he tried to close the distance between them. She realized that this was a mistake. Eric had slept without a shirt and she was now eye level with his bare chest. His smooth, muscular bare chest…she swallowed and forced her eyes upward to his face.

"And I don't want that table replaced. It's been in our family for years; Gran's father built it himself."

"I shall have it repaired then," he replied smoothly, nonplussed. He then closed the gap between their bodies by pulling her to him and kissed her earnestly. "Have you eaten?" he asked, caressing her face.

"Yes," Sookie said breathlessly. "Wh— ?"

"Good. You will need your energy." His fangs emerged and he kissed her again, lowering his hands and beginning to slide the material of her dress upward. Sookie felt something vibrate near her hip. She froze.

"Please tell me that's your cell phone."

Eric reached into the pocket of his drawstring shorts then opened his hand.

"It's my cell phone," he smirked. He answered it, his eyes never leaving Sookie's. She sighed and leaned back against the sink. "Northman," Eric answered brusquely. He paused, listening. "I'll be right there," he said, and returned the phone to his pocket. He bent down and lightly ran his thumb across Sookie's lips. She held his gaze for a moment then reached up to loop her arms around his neck. "Not now, lover," Eric scolded gently, disentangling himself from her grasp and lightly taking her hand instead. "Come. We must tell Pam the good news."

Sookie and a now fully clothed Eric stood facing Pam in the Fangtasia office. It looked like she'd been occupied going over the bar's books and she barely batted a perfect mascara-coated eyelash when Eric showed up with Sookie in tow. She merely said it was good to have him back safe and that there were a few documents that had needed signing in his absence. But Sookie knew better than to be surprised; Eric and Pam had never exactly been what you'd call warm and fuzzy.

"Of course," Eric responded." And Pam, there is something you should know. Sookie is Mine now."

That got Pam's attention. She put down her pen. "You're serious?"

Sookie muttered, "Gosh, thanks, Pam." She hadn't forgotten that Pam had tried to kill her when Eric offered up his life to Marnie in exchange for Sookie's safety.

Eric completely ignored them both and continued, leaning over the desk to Pam. "I trust you will show her the proper respect." He let the statement hang in the air for a moment; it was not a request.

"Well," Pam said finally, standing up and walking around the desk to Sookie. "Just don't start thinking this means we'll be best gal pals and share secrets during mani/pedis." She stopped in front of Sookie and eyed her up and down, examining the JC Penney sundress with disdain. "Or go shopping together," She said acidly, cocking one eyebrow in an expert imitation of Eric. She pointedly smoothed down her black silk Prada skirt and meandered off, her Yves Saint Laurent red-soled heels clicking in her wake. "And don't expect me to call you Momma," she added over her shoulder, leaving Sookie and Eric alone.

"I think she's thrilled." Sookie smiled wanly.

"Insults are Pam's highest form of flattery," Eric replied. "You will find she is actually quite loyal." Sookie had a few choice insults of her own for Pam, but wisely decided to keep them to herself for now. "I must attend to some business," Eric said, waving his hand at the papers covering the desk. "But it should take no more than an hour. Go to the bar if you like," he suggested, nodding to the door that led out to the bar's main area. "No one will harm you." He said this so resolutely that Sookie wondered if he was almost daring someone to try. It was a terrifying thought.

"I think I'll— " Sookie's cell phone interrupted her. She fished it out of her purse and answered. "Jason? Is everything all right?"

"Sookie!" Jason cried frantically. "I need your help— it's, uh, something's happened. I…I just don't know what to do, and I figured you'd want to hear about this from me before it got around..."

"Huh? What? Slow down. Now, what's the matter?"

"It's Bill. He's just been arrested."

"What?"

Thanks for reading, guys! Leave me a review and tell me what you think and I will update it sooner! It's so hard for me to tell if what I have sounds good or if it's just me being cocky haha *insert Eric eyebrow raise*