A/N: I think I know where I'm pointing this ship; hopefully into safe harbors, but no promise of a ride without rough passages. I give you "chapter 4." If you love it, let me know… I love praise. If you don't… "fool me, fool me, go on and fool me, love me, love me, pretend that you love me…"- name that tune. ENJOY! -K

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CHAPTER FOUR

We both stopped to let the other continue.

He indicated that I should proceed with a nod of his head.

I took a steadying breath. "Where did you go?" I re-asked.

"To think" his short answer would not be expounded with awkward silence.

"Why?" I probed.

"Because," the word short and fast. As complete an explanation as I was liable to get. He looked at the asphalt at his feet as if it might have the answers then back at me with a powerful force that shook me. He seemed virile, violent and dangerous.

I huffed and rolled my eyes, trying my best to appear aloof.

"It seems my absence was not missed. If you had sought me you would have found me." The cryptic words seemed accusatory, as if I had disappeared and not him.

"You left me on the dance floor all alone. Pam had to yank me out of what was about to be a dog pile of all breeds. Then, on my way out of this hellhole, because mark my words, this place is a hellhole, that monster decided I would make a lovely desert. Grabbed me against my will, against my…" I could not finish, did not know what else there was to say, " I wish so desperately that I had never come here. I feel unsafe here. And from what I can tell incredibly unwelcome."

"Not unwelcome."

I looked up from my perched place on the car and saw a broken man. He looked fragile and crumpled; as if with a simple touch his exterior might implode into a pile of broken glass. His angular face looked pained and forlorn. My heart went to him immediately. I could do no more damage to him and leave him whole: another angry word might destroy him.

"Eric," I murmured softly, reaching out my right hand to touch his left.

He looked up at me. Again a quiet came between us. I tugged his arm gently and scooted over on the hood, making room for him. He sat and faced me openly. His eyes were like oceans, blue, deep, and impenetrable. I could look into his eyes for hours, get lost in the cerulean edges, or the dark indigo near the center.

He blinked and I noticed his featherlike eyelashes, they were striking, and subtle; they gave him a softness that I yearned to know deeper.

"Penny for your thoughts" I smiled and continued, "I know I get so sick of listening in on everyone's thoughts all the time, but I sure wish I knew what you were thinking."

"I was wondering why Damino would think that you were Pam" he replied smiling.

"You were not," I laughed. "He asked me my name and mistook Pam's for mine. Long story. You had to have been there" I elaborated with a slight jab.

"Why did you call her name and not mine?" His question soft and reflective.

"Because she had saved me from the hooligans earlier, and you…. And you. I had no idea what had happened to you." I went for honest; it seemed to be what we were both trying for.

He started tracing small circles on the back of my right hand. He seemed to be waiting for something. The air felt ripe with waiting, with anticipation.

He turned my hand over continued his ministrations on my palm, tracing unseen lines, mapping out unseen destinies.

"Why did you come here tonight?" He asked.

I was having trouble focuses on his words. Eric held all the cards, knew all the playbooks, and was unfairly toying with heartstrings I had no idea started at the nerve ending of my hands.

"I. I." I was sputtering and stuttering like a fool.

His fingers stopped, realizing I was unable to concentrate with their distractions.

"I Goggle translated your message." The words sounded ridiculous and idiotic the moment they left my lips. I smiled at my own absurdity and slunk my shoulders in a sudden shyness.

His fingers graced my chin, tilting my eyes toward his. "Kom Gärna" he spoke.

I nodded my head and giggled shyly, "you asked so nicely. I couldn't resist.'

He seemed to stop there and think. He was so still he appeared statuesque.

"Couldn't resist?" He repeated. He looked at me painfully for another moment and then continued, "I don't think you understand the meaning of resistance."

The harshness had returned to his voice and I could feel the tension rebuilding between us. He released my hand and turned ever so slightly away from me, seeking distance.

He laughed sardonically and added, "You resist with ease and carelessness." It felt like blame. I sought desperately to diffuse his anger.

"Please Eric, don't be like this. You can be so frustrating. One moment I think, 'hey, this guy'" Eric lifted an eyebrow, "okay, 'this vampire,' happy?" He smiled softly. I continued, " 'this vampire is so complex and has such depth of character' and then the next you fuck it up and I am back to wondering what I ever saw in you."

"Think whatever you want" he said conspiratorially against the soft skin of my inner ear.

I leaned away with great perseverance.

"What the hell is that supposed to mean? Don't play games with me Eric, I'm not your toy, your play-thing?"

"Who said we were playing?" He tone serious.

I threw my hands in the air. "What? Are we even speaking the same language? I feel like I'm trying to have a conversation with a drunk crocodile who has a taste for blondes, but not the stomach!"

"I think you lost me there" he smiled, his sure easy smirk lighting his features once again.

"What do you want from me?" I finally hurled at him exasperated.

His eyes pieced into mine: pleading, threatening violence, and promising safety. They seemed to say, "love me, hate me, hold me, beat me, kiss me, scold me, don't ever leave me," all at once.

The closed ever so briefly, and I heard him exhale, "everything."

* So what do you think? Please review… if would make my day (probably my week… yeah I'm pretty desperate. Take pity).