I cannot say "Sorry" enough to describe how actually sorry I am. I fail! It's been two months since I've updated, and I had promised a new chapter within a week I think. No more promises coming from this mouth. Again, so sorry. You all have every right to stake me where I stand. Please...leave hate mail in the reviews, or just regular reviews. :) Hope you enjoy this much belated chapter.

Oh! Please excuse the not-so-great writing. That's another reason why it took me forever to update. It was really difficult figuring out where I wanted to go with Eric's confession, and in the end you still don't say "Wow." So, sorry.

And of course I don't own these characters. I'm much too lame and untalented compared the great Charlaine Harris.


Eric carried me through the house, with my legs still tied around his waist, until we reached my room. Though the trip from the backyard to there was short, I couldn't remember if I had shut my car door or if Eric even shut the back door when we entered the house. I also couldn't find it in me to care. My eyes didn't waste their time on anything but the vampire who I'd love to have my way with at any moment, anywhere. It was safe to say I was still disappointed about Eric's "no sex" statement, but we had a long talk ahead, and I needed to pull my shit together.

Eric placed a light kiss on my cheek before setting me on the bed and slipping my shoes off for me. I sat cross-legged and Eric did the same except he was facing me. I was thankful for the moon that night because it allowed me to see Eric toss a smile my way before he began his story.

"Sookie, do you recall the night when you made a request that Castro should send you protection?. . . you called me and stated that 'the King owed you.' Not that there was a need for you to mention your courageous deed, I would have found a way to provide protection for you either way. After all, you are mine." Yeah, like he really needed to remind me about that. I was well aware of the changes in mine and Eric's relationship. All for my protection. After everything I had been through in the last month or so, I really couldn't find myself a reason to complain about extra protection anymore.

I began to fidget with a lock of my hair as Eric began his "Big Confession." I wasn't too sure I wanted to hear this. "You can't protect me from everything." Wait, did I just say that outloud? The hurt I suddenly felt, through the bond, yelled 'Yes.' It took me a second to find the courage to will my eyes in Eric's direction. He didn't bother hiding the frown upon his face to protect my feelings, not that it would have done much good. I needed to fix this, "After all, if I hadn't been able to save Castro, then I probably wouldn't have been able to save you. Then who would protect me?" I let out a little fake giggle and threw a reassuring smile at him once his eyes moved away from my fidgeting hands and onto my face.

A long pause filled the room around us before he spoke, "Did Bubba inform you as to why he was in town?"

"Not really. He said he was traveling through or something close to that."

"Hmm, well do you remember how Bubba was rescued from the Katrina incident by some Baton Rouge vamps?" Eric held my hand, but didn't give me time to answer his question. He was probably saving me from another foot-in-mouth moment. "He was sent to Nevada for rest and recuperation. Once he was well I had assumed he would return to Shreveport, but Castro claimed him instead. I have no idea why and I was angered by this at first, but it seems to have turned out in my favor. . .," que Eric's evil grin. If this wasn't a serious conversation, I would have melted at the sight of his infamous grin. "I can't imagine they gave him difficult jobs, but as you know most everyone enjoys Bubba. The best part for us, most people tend to underestimate him as well."

"This is really nice and all, talking about what Bubba's life is like in Nevada and what not, but what on earth does this have to do with anything?" I questioned; heavy on the sarcasm.

He continued on with his story almost as if I never interupted. "A few days before the fae war, Castro made his presence known here in Louisiana. He claimed to have been checking up on all of this states. Bubba had told Castro that he'd like to "tag along." Amazingly enough, considering Bubba's mental state, he told Castro that he'd enjoy it ever so much if he could return to Shreveport to visit with his old acquaintances. Of course that wasn't entirely the truth, but Castro didn't see any harm in it. I assume not long after they made there way here to Louisiana, Bubba made his way to me. Even when he said it was urgent that I listen, I didn't take him too seriously, that is until he mentioned your safety. Finally with my full attention, Bubba explained that a couple weeks before they arrived here, he overheard Castro scheming with Victor. They were talking about devising a plan to. . ." he looked into my eyes, suddenly not wanting to continue the story. "Castro has every intention of taking you away from me. . . He just doesn't know that he'll fail miserably at it yet. . . If Castro attempts to do so, he is as good as finally dead." Eric said this as if this didn't worry him whatsoever. He was running his fingers through my hair and he was putting on a show for me, because I could feel that Eric had plenty of worries running through his ancient mind.

All of a sudden he started talking without looking at me, so quickly I had to pay close attention that way I didn't miss a thing. It was like he wanted to quickly finish what he had to say. Rip the band-aid off quickly, so to speak. "The night you called me for protection I was with both Castro and Victor. I needed them to think I was onto them, because as long as I'm alive, or whatever I may be, nobody who intends to harm you is safe. . . Of course, I couldn't come right out and say exactly that, but ---."

"You have to play your cards right. Sneaky."

". . .You do know me well," he beamed for a few precious seconds. "Anyways, I sent Bubba to protect you, but also to protect him. With Bubba busy protecting you, there would be no need for him to return to Nevada just yet."

"Why is it not safe for Bubba to return to Nevada?"

"Bubba will not be able to return to Nevada without putting himself in harms way. I believe Castro knows I'm onto him, and it would only be a matter of time before he put two and two together and realized Bubba helped me." He paused for a minute, letting all this information soak in. "I met with Castro and Victor a couple more times after that, including the night you were attacked. . . Bill called me when he was on his way to Tray's house when you were in need of help. I told him to keep you safe, that if anything happened he was to call me. . ."

Eric's Story & POV

My pocket buzzed once again. I found myself on the edge of annoyance, for it read "Bill Compton" once again. "What?!" Castro and Victor's eyes were on me then, but this did not matter at the moment.

"She's gone," was all Compton said.

I slammed my free fist onto the table, threw the same table across the room and it shattered against the wall. "What happened? Who took her?"

"I was following her home from Tray's. I was not far behind her, and she was gone before I could pull into her driveway. Fairys."

"I'm on my w---,"

"You aren't going anywhere Northman. Sit down." Castro cut me off.

I glared at Felipe for the briefest of seconds and realized I didn't have time to waste. "Compton, call Niall.," and I slammed the phone shut.

"I need to leave. Sookie is in. . . Sookie is in trouble. I don't have time for this." Victor began to laugh at my frustration. In one quick motion I was across the room, my hand around Victor's neck, and he was pushed against the wall. "If anything happens to her. . .Fairies have her. They intend to kill her. I need to leave! I am leaving!" I released Victor's neck then. It wasn't hard to guess that Castro was pleased in the position he had me in. He was most overjoyed with my sudden anger and helplessness. And being helpless doesn't happen often in Eric Northman's world.

"You have yourself involved with the fairys?!" Castro sounded shocked, but we all knew that was old information after Compton's phone call. Vampires have impeccable hearing.

Two guards stood before the exit door when I decided I would just make my leave without permission. I was at least a foot taller, more than 500 years older, and plenty more brutal than they could ever hope to be. They were no match for me, and Castro knew this. If anything this would stall me. It was utterly pathetic. Sure, It would only take me a few minutes to bash every vamp-guard's head in until nothing stood in my way, but that would also take a few minutes away from rescuing Sookie. I really had no time for this. I planted my foot in one's chest and his weak body flew backwards. I grabbed the other by the neck; quick as light he was unmoving on the ground. Those two weren't going to be a problem anymore, but of course another six guards attempted to stop me. Of course Castro would know that this was no challenge for me, right? Sick bastard just wanted a show? I'm Eric fucking Northman, viking vampire, it will take a lot more than eight puney guards to stop me. The only thing they can do is. . . stall me. I was running out of time. I was down to one guard in no time, but before I could bash his head into the wall or break his neck, I heard Sookie...... She was calling to me in pain, and I dropped to my knees. I had never been so weak as when I heard her pleas. It broke the non-beating heart of mine. 'Eric. . .pleaseee!' Blood tears streamed down my face and I pounded my fists against the floor. A few minutes of this torture I built up enough anger inside of me that I was able to stand up and run out of there. They didn't dare try to stop me. . .

Back to Present Sookie's POV

"Once again, how is all this possible? I am pledged to you, remember? The knife!" I made it my priorty to keep myself as calm as possible. There were going to be no waterworks shooting from my eyes, and I wasn't going to be scarred out of my wits, but there was no hiding my frustration from him. Damn bond. . .such a nark.

"To my knowledged the only way Victor and Felipe could pull that off alone is to kill me, but I doubt that they'll try it that way. No, they're going to need some outside help I believe."

I took my hand from his and leaped from the bed, "Well isn't that just fucking dandy!" I think it's safe to say I lost my cool. Que crazy Sookie. I stormed out of my room with no destination in mind and assuming Eric would stop me. He didn't. He just followed. This was not the reaction my vampire was expection from me. How do I know this? Because next to my anger, I felt shock. Personally though, I wasn't shocked at all. Bad shit always seems to find its way to me and there is always something or someone threatening to take away anything good in my life; I expect it. No, I wasn't shocked; Eric was.

"Sookie where are you going?" Eric called out to me like he didn't have time for my tantrums, but he continued to follow me down the staircase.

"I don't know!" I answered him, like it was a stupid question for him to ask. "Why can't anything just go right for once?! Why is everyone out to get us?!" I was yelling as loud as I could by now. "We might as well just give up! Let them come get me! They're going to do it anyway!"

Eric grabbed me by the shoulders (without hurting me) and forced my eyes to meet his. "No one is taking you away from me! No one! You hear me?! I won't let it happen! I can't let it happen! You mean too much to me, can you not see that?"

"I bet you thought that you could protect me last time too, but what happened Eric? What happened?! Someone did take me away from you!" Oh no, I really shouldn't have said that. What has gotten into me? With all of this yelling I had to take a second to catch my breath.

Eric released his grip on my shoulders, and took a few steps backwards. We didn't say another word to each other for I'm not even sure how many minutes. Eric just stared at me, possibly speechless. Then he started to look around like every answer to his questions were written on the walls; they weren't. And he ran his hands through his hair like he was going to rip it out, but he didn't. Eric really didn't know what to do with himself. What was I doing to this poor Viking? He looked at me for a split second with pleading eyes. "Don't pity me Sookie," then he speedwalked his way back to me.

My first instinct was to be scarred, but he wrapped his arms tightly around my waist and suddenly his lips were on mine. Even though his kissing was as perfection as always, the kiss frightened me. Eric kissed me with such need it was as if he would never be able to kiss me again, like this was our goodbye kiss.

Suddenly I caught a glimpse of an image. An unconscious Sookie in the arms of Castro, while he walked away from Eric's lifeless body laying on the ground. I had seen what Eric was thinking again, and this time it was even more vivid than the few other times.

I placed my hands on either side of Eric's chest and began to push him away. When our lips parted I pointed towards the door and yelled, "Leave!" He didn't move. "Eric. . ." I was barely able to mutter his name. I took a deep breath in, "I rescind your invitation." My eyes flew to the floor. I didn't want to see his reaction, it was bad enough I had to feel it.

Standing was no longer possible, I placed myself on the nearest couch as Eric headed backwards out the front door. A rush of different emotions hit me at once: anger, betrayal, hurt. Two emotions I could pick out as actually being my own; sadness, and regret.

Once I felt able to walk towards my open front door, I did. There was no Eric standing there waiting for me. At that moment I believed myself to be the most stupid woman on the planet. And then the tears started to fall. While we were fighting I thought I wanted nothing more than for him to leave, but I knew as soon as I spoke the words 'I rescind your invitation', that I didn't really mean it. Did he feel that through the bond? I didn't mean it! Whether he felt my regret or not, it was too late. Eric was gone and I was left to feel empty inside.