Thank you for the reviews! They inspire and fuel me, hope u like the next chapter. The plot will thicken after this =) Feral xx
Night fell once again in Bon Temps, the sun took to hiding and the heat of the day cooled quicker than it usually did. After a discussion with Alcide that afternoon, they decided that a flight to Massachusetts would be quicker and with no real need to drive for 26 hours, it made sense. The first flight to Massachusetts left later that night, so Sookie suggested that Alcide stay at her house, get some dinner and sleep and leave around 2am for the airport, which was only half an hour away.
Sookie spent a few hours that afternoon preparing a feast; she hadn't thought about it before but whether she remembered it or not, she had been away for three months and she couldn't remember eating anything in the time she'd spent with Claudine. Besides, it was a treat to be able to eat with someone who ate solids.
The meal was three courses: prawn cocktail starters, followed by a roast beef with all the trimmings and pecan pie, just like Gran used to make. There was a single candle as the centrepiece on the table which flickered back and forth beside them; Alcide couldn't help but notice how her eyes reflected the light, how the burning candle highlighted her delicate skin tones and then hide them in the next moment in the shadows.
"This was an incredible feast, Sookie. You shouldn't have gone to so much trouble." Alcide smiled, taking his last bite of pecan pie. "I feel like I'll be full for a week."
Sookie smiled. "That's the nicest thing you could have said." She wiped her mouth with her napkin. "To be honest, it's just nice being able to cook again. Jason hasn't been around much, and with Bill..." She looked down, "Well, there wasn't much need to cook."
She began to clear their plates when Alcide took her hand softly. "You cooked, it's only fair I clean." She smiled appreciatively as she followed him and her plates back into the kitchen where she sat at the breakfast table as the sink began to fill with water and soap.
"If you don't mind me asking Sookie, what happened with Bill? I mean, I know you were pissed at him at Fangtasia, but after the first time you guys broke up and got back together, I kinda thought you would..." Alcide began, the silence coming from behind him was deafening, and he began to think he was overstepping the mark. "I'm sorry."
"It's ok." Sookie smiled weakly. "It's just... it kinda feels like it only happened yesterday. Fresh wounds, you know how it is."
"Sure." Alcide smiled, scrubbing plates. "Sometimes it feels that way, other times I feel like my life with Debbie was hundreds of years ago." Sookie had to smile in the knowledge that at least Alcide wasn't being sincere when he made a statement like that. "I honestly don't know how I feel about her now, I just know that I owe her something, and feel like she's still my responsibility."
Sookie inhaled a breath. "Alcide, there's something you should know. The other day – I mean, those few months ago, before I left, Debbie attacked me." Sookie paused to see his reaction; he became silent but unchanged in activity. "She and some other werewolves came to my house with Russell. We fought and..."
"You fired a gun at her." Alcide finished for her, and turned to face her. "I know. And I know that you didn't hit her. She got away."
"Yes, but how did you..." Sookie trailed off, and he knelt down in front of her, his face apologetic. "Bill told you. You and Bill have been, what? Working together."
"Sookie, he was really worried about you. After what happened with the Queen, Jason called me to protect him as he healed. As the Queen's murderer, I knew he would have a bounty on his head by whatever freak vampire police force is out there, and Jason knew that Bill was the only vampire who would keep looking for you, no matter what. He acted out of brotherly concern." Alcide explained.
"And you? Why did you do it?" Sookie asked him outright.
"Because," He stroked the back of his face along the curve of her face. "I care too. And I had this... I didn't know if you disappeared because of Debbie. She's been gone for as long as you."
"So you felt responsible?" Sookie asked sympathetically, and his face fell. "Alcide, I'm so sorry if you thought my leaving had anything to do with Debbie, but I honestly haven't seen her since she fled my house. As for Bill, I appreciate that you have been helping to look for me, but I do not want anything to do with him anymore. He hurt me more than I could ever have imagined anyone could hurt me, and I read minds! My leaving was partly to do with him, to get away from him."
"I'm sorry Sookie, he didn't tell me that part." Alcide sat in the chair beside her; it became clear that the dishes would be washed in cold water by the time they got to it. "You know I hate vampires as much as the next werewolf, and I always knew that Bill didn't deserve you, I just didn't realise that you worked that out." He smiled.
Sookie sighed, looking away from him. "How did we get here? I don't know about you, but there was a time when I was happy and in love, granted with a vampire, but it just seems like a lifetime ago."
"I know what you mean." Alcide took a breath and looked into her eyes. "I just want a fresh start, to get away from here, from all my... well, you know. At least you did get away."
"Getting away from problems never works, they always catch up with you." Sookie smiled feebly.
They gazed at each other for a moment, the luminescence from the light bulbs were not as gentle on her features as the candle, but it did prove she looked good in any light. He held her face in his hand, looking from her eyes to her lips and back again. Alcide felt himself being propelled forward, felt his body take over from his self-control and hovered just over her lips; thinking, not thinking, inhaling her scent, the one he couldn't help but think about since that day on her porch. She sat there waiting, a willing recipient, he felt her pulse quicken, heard her heartbeat in her chest, he saw her pink lips narrow the void between them...
A knock at the door drove them apart, it made her jump and he lost his nerve. She opened her eyes and smiled at him, blinking uncertainly. "Some might call that a sign."
"Others would call it bad timing." He laughed, he slowly dropped his hand from her face. "This conversation isn't over."
"I hope not." Sookie replied earnestly. Reluctantly, she stood up and left him in the kitchen for the front door. A swarm of thoughts rushed through her head, only some of them hers; he wanted her, she felt it, moreover, she heard it. Unlike the scum she went out with before Bill, there was nothing perverted or intrusive about Alcide's thoughts. She found it ironic that he was the most humane person she had met, and yet he was a werewolf. All she knew was that she was drawn to him, and for the first time in a long time, she felt like at least these were feelings she could trust.
The knock at the door came again, and upon opening it, she found Eric Northman standing in her front door. "Sookie, can I come in?"
"I don't think that's a good idea at the moment, can I help you?" Sookie said, her hand grabbing the door harder than she meant to. She held it close to her, making it very clear that she wasn't going to budge.
Eric stood unflinchingly; there was a confidence about him that only 1000 years could bring, and it frightened her, though she would never show it. Her dreams of him had become less frequent, but they didn't stop altogether, and each and every time he told her that it wasn't just the blood, there was something more to her feelings, but how could she trust that? How could she trust any vampire after what happened with Bill? No, she needed someone like Alcide, she needed to know what was going through a person's mind. If nothing else, Sookie had learnt the value of her gift. Silence that used to be so welcoming, had become so deafening.
Eric's eyes immediately drifted from her face to the person standing behind her; she followed his eyes to Alcide. "The werewolf?" He asked disbelievingly.
"Better that than one of you." Alcide challenged.
Sookie rolled her eyes at Eric, and said to Alcide, "I'll just be a minute." And followed Eric outside on her porch, hearing all sorts of angry thoughts from Alcide inside.
The night air was warm on her skin, and yet Eric's hand on her arm made her shiver. "You're cold."
"I'm fine." She hugged herself and stepped back from him. "What are you doing here, Eric?"
"Checking up on you. What's he doing inside?" Eric motioned to the figure of Alcide in the living room.
"I need his help." Sookie answered him; she was never really sure what compelled her to answer, but something inside of her often felt the need to tell Eric things she otherwise wouldn't tell people.
"If you need help, I'm of service. Vampires are stronger than werewolves, you'd be better protected under me," Eric smiled seductively, "In both senses of the word."
Sookie didn't smile, but instead moved closer to him. "Why did you come here Eric?"
He didn't back away, but welcomed her presence, and lowered his eyes to meet hers. "I need your help." He smiled darkly. "I need your unique services."
"I'm afraid you're going to have to do without me. I'm busy." Sookie said and turned to leave.
Eric ran round her in lightening speed, making him the first sight she saw when she turned in the opposite direction. "Doing what, might I ask?"
"I don't think that's any of your business." Sookie crossed her arms defensively.
"Oh I don't know, if you're off doing something that will get you into trouble and I sense your panic, I'll have to drop everything to come and save you, and sweetheart, the world doesn't revolve around you." Eric smiled sweetly.
"Do us both a favour then, and ignore it. I wasn't the one who manipulated me into drinking your blood, if you recall. Don't bitch about it now." Sookie warned. She could hear Alcide inside, he was asking himself what she was doing, why she was talking to Eric, thoughts and images of the kitchen swarmed her mind and she became distracted.
"All his thoughts in your head, must be distracting." Eric whispered, and her gaze shifted back from the black void of thought onto him. He stepped closer to her, maintaining eye contact, like a lion with his prey. "Tell me, what am I thinking about right now?"
Sookie froze. "I don't need to be mind reader to tell what you're thinking." Eric smiled, and sat one of his hands on her hips. She looked down to his hand and then back to him, "Eric, what are you doing?"
"You pulled me out of the sun, you let me drink from you, you kissed me – "
"You kissed me." Sookie reminded him, pushing his arm away from her body. "You were saying goodbye and I needed to know about Bill." She lied, she made it sound like she was using him, she made it sound like she didn't care for him, only Bill, just as he'd accused of her.
Eric tilted his head sideways, trying to get a better read of her. "Perhaps you're right, perhaps I am imagining whatever this is. Answer me one question though."
Sookie shifted her eyes, unable to look him directly in the face. "Ok."
"Are you still Bill's?" Eric said the words slowly, as if they floated to her on a breeze.
"I don't belong to Bill, I don't belong to you either." Sookie replied. For a split second, she thought she saw relief or a glimmer of happiness cross Eric's face. "I need to step into the light, Eric."
"Take me with you." He half joked, but was met was a hard stare from Sookie. "I understand why you would want to, but the darkness is part of who you are now."
"You mean my Fae blood?" Sookie whispered. "Eric, they come from the light, the darkness is what overcame them. And now that you and Pam and Bill know what I am, I can't take risks like that anymore, if other vampires found out what my blood can do – "
"I will not let anyone else find out, you have my word." Eric swore.
"How can I believe you when all you have done is lie to me, use me?" Sookie sighed; deep down she wanted to believe him but every instinct she had was telling her to run from him, from all vampires.
"I might point out I have also protected you. What I said to you that night all those months ago is still true, I would not have given you to Russell, and I think you know that." Eric looked her in the eye, trying to push his sincerity on her.
"It doesn't matter what I believe. Tonight I'm leaving Bon Temps, and I'm really not sure when I'll be back." Sookie said. "I have Alcide and I can protect myself."
"At times. You don't know how to use your power and there are hundreds of vampires, werewolves and the like out there who would love to get their hands on you if they ever figured you out." Eric pointed out.
"Be careful Eric, it's beginning to sound like you care." Sookie smiled half-heartedly.
"Trust me, I would love to throw you to the wolves, but every instinct in me is forcing me not to do that." Eric caressed her face and lips with his fingers, using all his energy to focus back on her eyes. "You can tell yourself you care nothing for me, Sookie, but I think we both know you'd be lying." He breathed. "And I'd be lying if I didn't say you intrigue me, more than any human ever has."
"That's the blood talking." Sookie said. "How do I know that my blood isn't what you're really after?"
"I guess you'll just have to trust me." Eric smiled comically.
"I know I'm blonde, but what do you take me for?" Sookie smiled. "I've learnt that lesson."
He grabbed her by the arms, "I am not Bill." And with that he pushed his lips to hers, held her close, felt her heart pump the blood around her arteries and veins, and felt her push back with equal will and surprising strength, at first in resistance, and then with passion. Her tongue entered his mouth, his hands grabbled at her back; he wanted to envelop her, to explore every inch of her; she felt his excitement filter into her, wanting more of him, to find out if the real thing would live up to the fervent dreams of his body next to hers.
What are they talking about? She gasped for air and pulled back, hearing Alcide's thoughts, realising what she was doing and who she was doing it with. It wasn't long ago that she could remember being disgusted by Eric, repulsed by the thought of doing what she had just done, and now here she was, succumbing to the forced feelings left in her system by his blood. What had changed? The thing with Godric on the roof? The heart to hearts with him? Looks of uncertainty and concern on his face she thought she saw from time to time?
"I have to go." Sookie said weakly, before running back into the sanctity of her house. She locked the door and leaned on it, sinking to the ground, hoping Alcide wouldn't round the corner and for a moment's peace.
Eric watched her run through the door he could not pass, and rested a hand on it. Tomorrow she would be gone, and so would he. He didn't know if it was her blood that attracted him so to Sookie Stackhouse, but she could say that of him, and for Eric it didn't matter. He knew that with Sookie in his embrace, he felt a little more alive, excited; she thrilled, puzzled and frustrated him, and whether that was the blood or not, Eric felt bound to her, whether she wanted him to be or not.