Another aeroplane

Another sunny place

I'm lucky, I know

But I wanna go home

Mmmm, I've got to go home – Michael Buble

During the first hour or so of the drive, I was not given any time to get lost inside my head. I wasn't really doing too much talking but every five minutes or so one of them would ask me a simple question to draw me back from my own mind.

Is the radio too loud?

Are you too hot?

Are you too cold?

Are you hungry?

Do you need us to stop for your human needs?

I appreciate what they're doing, really I do. It's just that sometimes you want to be alone with your thoughts, no matter how uncomfortable the feeling is. As much as I don't want to, I have to think about what happened so I can figure things out. Figure out how to deal and move on.

Problem is, I'm not exactly sure what these 'things' are. The only thing I know right now is the first thing I want to do is to crawl into my bed.

And the problem with that being, I don't know if I am ever going to want to crawl out of it.

About an hour into the ride home I close my eyes and just pretend to be asleep so they would stop their questioning. They're vampires and probably know I'm not really sleeping but they let me pretend anyway. Well, they let me pretend after I stopped answering their questions for about the 20th time.

Of course once they leave me alone, my thoughts go back to what happened with Bill. It's like I am back there, in the cramped, dark car trunk, feeling everything again. Feeling his fangs sink into me. Feeling…him sink into me.

I am so confused by it all. There's the part of me that gets that he was hurt. I get that he really wasn't conscious through it all. I get that he was acting on instincts. I get that the Bill I know and love would never do this to me. Then there's the other part that doesn't understand that even through all of that, how he could do that to me. How you could hurt someone you love like that.

Bill swore that he loved me. He swore that he would never hurt me. Swore to protect me. 'So did Bartlett," a little voice inside my head that I had been ignoring all night says.

And there in lies the huge complication. This isn't the first time. Not the first time I had been betrayed by someone I should be able to trust. Not the first time I was violated, although Bill took it farther than Bartlett ever did. Not the first time I had looked in the eyes of someone who said they loved me and been hurt by them.

If it was the first time, would I be able to be more understanding, more forgiving towards Bill? Should I be, even now?

Bill couldn't help himself. Not really anyway. Even Eric himself said that as Bill came to his senses, he would probably have been able to stop himself. Does that make any difference? I know he's killing himself over what he did to me. Or is it that I am just hoping he cares enough about me to be doing so?

I am just starting to doze off for real when I can suddenly see bright lights even through my closed eyelids. I blink my eyes open to see that we pulled over to a gas station. I had to blink a few times until my eyes adjusted even with the interior light on.

Before getting out of the car, Eric turns back to me and asks, "Do you need anything? Food or something to drink?"

I shake my head and tell him I'm good. "The chicken really filled me up."

He smiles and says, "I'm glad." He then continues to say, "Pam is going inside to pay and I'm just going to pump the gas. I'll be right outside the car." He didn't have to say they were doing it like this so I wasn't alone. I have the feeling that as much as I didn't want to be alone right now, Eric doesn't want to leave me alone either.

Pam turns around and looks at me before getting out of the car. She seems almost as hesitant to leave me alone as Eric, making sure I'm okay before she gets out of the car.

Question is, am I really ok?

I could see Eric through the windows then I lost view of him as he moved around to get to the pump, as I was so low on the seat. Suddenly, I feel something get pushed into the side of the car. I hear a groan and a sizzling noise, like someone had just put bacon on a hot griddle.

The back of the car suddenly feels much smaller. I tuck myself into a ball on the seat, trying to make myself as small as possible so I can't be seen by anyone on the outside as Eric deals with whatever is going on. After a few minutes of still waiting for him to come back to the car, I realize that I haven't heard anymore struggling. No more struggling and Eric not back yet could not be a good thing.

I internally debate with myself about what would allow me to check on Eric but be less likely to draw attention to myself. Peeking out the window wins over slowly opening the door. I do not think I can do so quietly.

I make the decision to peak out the window but I am having difficulty actually doing so. I find it hard to leave the corner of the car I've been huddled into since I felt something be slammed into the car. That feeling alone is odd for me. I'm not usually someone who runs and hides, or stays hidden in this case.

What finally gets me moving is a loud moan that has my instincts screaming 'It's Eric,' at me. The moan has to be Eric. I slowly start to unwrap myself but can't bring myself to leave the corner of the car quite yet.

If Eric had restrained whoever else was out there with him, he wouldn't have just left me in the car. Would he have?

Another moan is what finally drives me to leave the corner and to slowly peak out the window. From the angle I am at I can't see anything. I'll have to make myself more visible to be able to look out more and actually see what has happened. I duck back down and take a deep breath, hating what has become of me. Before I wouldn't hesitate to burst out of the car. I have been told about my penchant, from my word of the day calendar, to run into danger. Now, I barely want to look out the window.

I have to make myself, though. I tell myself on the count of three. And then count to three a total of five times in my head.

I still haven't made a move to the window.

This is ridiculous. After everything Eric has done for me in the last few hours. And Pam! If Eric's hurt, Pam could be too. With that thinking, at the next muffled groan I hear, I rush out the car door forgetting the plan of looking out the window. I don't see anything at first but hear a quiet, breathy, "Back in the…car."

I turn to the direction I hear the voice from and start to run when I see Eric laying on the ground wrapped in what I can only assume is a silver chain from the smoke coming off of him. I drop to my knees when I get to him and start to take the chains off. I hesitate slightly hearing him gasp in pain as I pull it away, but continue as I figure it's best off than on.

"Get back in the car, Sookie," he says as I continue to remove the chains, trying to be as gentle as I can.

"I'm not leaving you here defenseless, Eric," I tell him. "Especially after what you have done for me tonight," I continue knowing full well I would be helping him regardless. I hope he knows that too.

I am almost done getting the last of the chain off of him as he says, "They are here for you Sookie. You need to get back in the car and stay hidden," he finishes softly.

Finally, getting all of the chain off of him, I freeze at the knowledge that, whoever did this to Eric, wanted me. Was here for me. What did they want from me?

Eric must have sensed my freezing as he gently lifted me back to a standing position. He slowly removes his arms from around me once I can stand on my own, still careful not to make any sudden movements around me. I'm not sure if I surprise him or myself more as I grab onto his arm and say as loud as I dare, "You can't let them get me, Eric. Don't let them take me."

He looks straight into my eyes and says, "Never."

That one word he says with all the confidence and arrogance that usually irritates me like crazy is now making me feel safe and secure.

"I need you to get back in the car so I can get to Pam."

I look at him and even though I'm terrified I swallow and force myself to say, "I can help. I can handle the chains," I offer.

"They're Weres," he says his voice still hoarse with pain. "The silver chains won't hurt them. The silver won't enter their bloodstream." He glances in the direction of the convenience store where Pam probably still is before looking back to me, "I need you in the car. I can't be worrying about the both of you," he says with a slight smirk.

I impress myself with only a slight, okay maybe it was more of a slight, hesitation before I bring my wrist up in offering, trying to ignore it as it shakes in the air. I can't force out the words but with everything he has done for me tonight, I don't want him to go into a fight weakened.

As he bends his head down I feel awful as I inwardly start to panic, as he seems to accept my offering. I stand in shock however, as he lays a gentle kiss to the area right above my pulse as he shakes his head and gently lowers my wrist with his hand while saying, "I am not taking anything from you. Not this way. Now, kindly get into the car so I can get to Pam before they realize she is not you."

I stare at him for a second trying to figure out why these Weres would think Pam was me. Seeing the look of worry on Eric's face sent me back into the car closing and locking the doors. Through the windows, he motions me to get down, clearly not happy with the fact that I could still be seen from the windows.

Sitting in the car just worrying and not knowing what's going on is killing me. They had already managed to overtake Eric once. Did that mean they could easily take Pam and would be ready for Eric again? How many of them were there? I can't help it when my mind starts to wander to what would happen if they are able to get past the vampires and get to me.

It feels like hours but is probably only minutes when the driver's side is suddenly open. I jump up in fright well pushing back into my corner, scared for what's coming in through the door. I breathe a sigh of relief in seeing Eric with a grin on face. "I should be hurt by the lack of confidence you have in me," he says with humor in his voice.

"Seriously, Sookie," Pam says as she gets in on the passenger side, passing Eric a bottled blood. "I could take on two idiotic Weres like those while I was still human."

I just stare at them for a second taking in their casual attitude before getting myself comfortable again in the back seat happy to see the two of them again. "They managed to get Eric down once," I grumble out not appreciating their relaxed manner of the attack.

After taking a few gulps of blood, Eric says, "Silver makes the fight uneven."

Looking back at me in the rearview mirror Pam adds, "He was also quite distracted."

Eric growls at her comment but doesn't say anything about it. What could have let him get so distracted? I doubt the rescue mission or Lorena's final death would have been holding his thoughts for this long. Could what have happened to me really have affected him that much?

"Do not fear for your safety, Sookie," Eric says quietly.

"I don't. Not with you," I whisper softly knowing he could still hear me. I wonder to myself when those words became the truth. It goes further back then getting Bill off of me. Probably back to at least when I was staked. Thinking about it more, Eric also dealt with Long Shadow when he attacked me.

"Will we still be able to get home before sunrise," I ask worrying about them.

"With about an hour to spare," Pam says. "Barring any further complications."

"Why did they think Pam was me," I ask.

After a quick glance in the rearview mirror Eric says, "They had knowledge that a vampire would be traveling with a blond woman which was their target. They could tell I was a vampire and when they saw Pam, assumed she was the blond woman. That she was you."

Taking that in, I ask, "They couldn't tell Pam was a vampire?"

"Stupid dogs," Pam mutters under her breath.

"They were a little over eager to get to their target," Eric says. I shudder knowing it was me they really wanted.

"They just told you they were after me. They didn't try to hide it?"

Looking over at Pam with a smile filled with pride, I tried not to think about that too much, Eric says, "They were…persuaded to share information."

It was then that I realized neither Were had been brought back to the car. "I guess we don't have to worry about those two following us back huh?"

No immediate answer and I can tell from the look the two share, they are worried about my response. "Sookie," Eric says slowly. "I couldn't risk them following us or having any communication with any others that might be out there. We will not be stopping until we get home just to be safe."

Others. Part of me thinks I should be upset with the fact that Eric and Pam killed those two Weres. The other part is focusing on the potential others Eric is talking about. These two Weres had been after me and there may be who knows how many others coming for me. And for who knows what reason.

"Did they say why they wanted me," I ask quietly, not knowing if I really want to know the answer to that.

"They did not," Pam says simply.

"Although, it shouldn't be difficult to surmise why," Eric adds looking through the rearview mirror. My face must have shown that I was still drawing a blank on the possible reasons these two were after me because he added, "Didn't you bury a dead Were somewhere quite recently?"

I gasp, surprised that I had forgotten all about that. It feels like months or even years ago that Alcide and I had wrapped the Were in that shower curtain and hidden the body. I reality, it was only days ago and it shouldn't surprise me there were repercussions from that.

"You think they are from the same pack," I state more than ask.

"Or were hired by the dead Were's pack to seek revenge," Eric responds.

I don't know how to respond to that. Finished with talking for the time being, I lay down on the back seat trusting Eric not to crash the car. I must have fallen asleep at some point because the next thing I know, the car is pulling to a stop.

I get out of the car eager to just go up and lay down in my own bed. I turn to once again thank Eric and Pam but stop when I realize we are not at my house. I don't even know where we are. I ask.

"We are at one of my safe houses," Eric responds.

Not making me feel better. "Not that I don't appreciate everything, but I really just want to be in my own house now. In my own bed."

The two look at each other before Eric brings his attention back to me. "I cannot do that Sookie. It would not be safe for you," he says before turning and starting to go back into the house like that ends the conversation. Well, I guess with Eric's position that would usually end the conversation.

Not ending it with me though.

I follow him into the house and into the kitchen with Pam trailing behind me. "Eric, I'll be fine at home. I won't leave before talking to you after you rise, if that's what you're worried about." Hell, I probably won't be leaving my bed.

"Sookie, there is no guarantee more will not come for you tonight."

"Alcide can come to stay with me."

"He is a bit busy at the moment dealing with something else," Eric responds shooting down that idea.

"Bubba can stay with me," I say after thinking for a few seconds. I suddenly remember he was there with us at the mansion. "He's ok right," I ask nervously hoping he wasn't trapped there.

"He is fine," Pam responds. "I went with Eric to make sure Bubba was always accounted for. One can never be too careful."

"Bubba is effective at night, but what exactly do you intend to do if someone comes for you during the day?" He's got a point there.

"What will I do if someone comes for me here during the day?"

"The likelihood of anyone coming here is slim. This house cannot be traced back to you. Fuck, it cannot even be traced back to me. Your house however, anyone could find so long as they simply knew your name." Eric pauses to and takes in the expression on my face. He says much more gently, "This is so you will be safe. Tomorrow night, I will have more time to make other arrangements if you are that unhappy here but tonight there is not adequate time. You will be staying here."

"Eric, please," I say. I am no longer hearing his reasoning for me staying here. I am no longer standing in his kitchen with him and Pam.

Instead I am a little girl left alone with Bartlett who wouldn't listen when I said 'No. I don't want to play.'

Instead I am back in the trunk where again, my wants and needs mean nothing.

Without warning, I feel the walls start to close in on me. A deafening noise fills my ears although I am sure neither of them hears the sound even with their vampire hearing. Putting my hands over my ears, I scream, "No! Don't make me! Don't force me to stay here," I say without even thinking.

So you guys still are completely awesome. I am so glad you continue to enjoy this story and I really hope I can keep you all intrigued.

To Stephanie and my two guest reviewers thanks so much for reading and taking the time to review. I think I was able to respond to all of the logged in reviews. If I missed you I am deeply sorry.

I am no longer guessing when I'll be moving in as kitchen renovation has been trying my patience. If I should "disappear" for a weekend that is why.