I had just secured myself inside my apartment when my cell phone started ringing. I took a deep breath to steady myself before answering. "Hey Sookie."

"Ari! Are you okay?"

"I'm fine, thanks for asking."

"Fine my patootie! You looked like you'd just seen a ghost and then you took off like a bat out of heck. Bill said your heart was racing so fast he was afraid it was going to burst out of your chest."

I rubbed my forehead. "Sook, it's a really long story."

"Well you can tell me on the way to Shreveport. Bill and I will be there in about ten minutes."

"I'm really not up for a movie right now."

"You're not bailing on us Arianna Marie." she said sternly. "This is the only night for the movie in the park. They're showing Love's Labour's Lost. You're absolute-"

"Favorite." I finished. "I know. I'll be ready." We hung up and I sighed. I really didn't feel up for going to Shreveport. Especially now that I'd seen Eric. I'd spent the better part of six years wondering what I'd do if I ever saw him again. Now that I had, I didn't know what to do. I mentally shook myself, now was not the time. I ran upstairs and quickly changed from my shorts and tank into a pair of light blue jeans and a red silk button up shirt with sleeves that came to my elbows. I had just finished pulling my pant legs over my boots when there was a knock on my door. I ran back downstairs, shoved my wallet, keys, and phone in my pockets, and opened the door.

"Ready?" Sookie asked. I nodded and we walked to Bill's Cadillac.

"Good evening Ari. I hope you're well." Bill said as I got in the backseat and buckled up.

"I'm just great Bill." I looked at Sookie. "Where's Jason?"

My friend turned to look at me. "He's not coming. Last I saw he was leaving Merlotte's with some busty brunette."

"Great." I sighed. "I'm the third wheel because your brother decided to be a man whore."

"Technically you're the fifth wheel." Bill said. "Hoyt and Jessica are joining us."

I glared at the vampire. "Not helping." Bill only chuckled. The couple began talking about Sookie's day and I stared out the window. I was too lost in my thoughts to realize where we were until Bill turned off the car. My eyes widened as I stared at the neon Fangtasia sign. "What are we doing here?" I asked as I tried to keep the panic out of my voice.

"We're meeting Hoyt and Jessica here before the movie." Sookie explained. "Come on, it's not as scary as it looks."

"I'm not scared." I said getting out of the car. I've been here plenty of times. I thought.

I must've broadcasted that thought because Sookie stopped walking and turned to me. "You've been here before? When?" I tried to shut off my brain, I really did. I saw her eyes widen as every memory of Eric flashed through my mind. "Cheese and rice!"

Bill looked between us. "Is everything okay?"

"How long?" Sookie asked.

I didn't need to ask what she meant. "Six years. Tonight is the first time I've seen him."

"No wonder you freaked out and ran."

Bill crossed his arms and looked impatient. "Would someone please tell me what's going on? Sookie?"

Sookie took his hand and started walking toward the entrance. "It's not my story to tell." He looked at me and I shook my head. I kept my head down as I followed the couple inside and to a table. Bill excused himself to get us something to drink. "Why haven't you been to see him?"

I shrugged. "Too scared to I guess. Six years is a long time. I'm not the same person I was back then."

"I've never seen that side of him before. When he gave you that necklace I wanted to cry."

I smiled a little. "I imagine that's not a side most people see."

Bill returned with our drinks and sat next to Sookie. "Jessica and Hoyt will be here soon. We should make it to the movie just in time."

I nodded and looked around the bar. I was somewhat relieved not to see Eric. That was until I heard a familiar voice behind me. "Well, well, who is this little morsel?" I turned to look at Pam. She looked confused at first then her eyebrows rose. "Arianna. I don't believe it. Eric said you were gone for good."

"That was true." I said. "Life happens."

"Does he know?" I shook my head. She grabbed my wrist and pulled me off my chair. "You're going to tell him. Now." She practically dragged me to Eric's office with Bill and Sookie following. Pam didn't bother knocking before throwing the door open.

"What is it Pamela?" I heard Eric asked in an annoyed tone.

"I have a surprise for you." Pam then quasi threw me into the room causing me to lose my balance and fall on my butt, right at Eric's feet.

I slowly looked up to meet his gaze. His blue eyes were wide and full of questions. "Hi." I said weakly.

"Everybody out." he ordered, his voice low. His eyes never left mine as everyone followed his command. The intensity of his stare made my heart race and I was having a hard time breathing. Before I could blink he was eye level with me, my face in his hands and his lips on mine. I melted into the kiss and my hands found their way into his hair. He pulled back and looked me in the eyes again. "Arianna, what are you doing here?"

"Can I get off the floor first? The cement is making my butt cold." He shook his head at me but helped me up nonetheless. I sat on the leather couch against the wall and tried to suppress the flashbacks to the other times I spent on it.

"Well?" he asked slightly impatient.

"I'm living in Bon Temps now." I paused to gauge his reaction. "I have been for over a month."

"You were at Merlotte's tonight." he stated. "It was you that ran out the door with an increased heart rate." I nodded. "Why?"

"Because I saw you and panicked."

"You didn't want to see me?" he asked with his eyebrow raised.

"It's not that. I-"

I could see his anger rising as he cut me off. "You've been in Louisiana for over a month and you haven't made any effort to contact me. Apparently our time together wasn't as important as I thought."

"Are you fucking kidding me?!" I yelled. How dare he! I pulled my necklace from inside my shirt and saw his eyes widen in surprise. "If it wasn't important then shy the hell have I been wearing this for the last six years?! Six years Eric! A lot has changed since the last time you saw me. I'm not the same care free girl." I looked at the ground and lowered my voice. "In fact I'm slightly broken."

Eric leaned against his desk and crossed his arms over his chest. "You look just fine to me."

I glared up at him. "Mentally you jackass." He smirked at me and I rolled my eyes.

"Why do you say you're broken?"

"It's a depressing story and I don't want to talk about it." I stood and headed to the door. "I need to go. We're going to a movie with Hoyt and Jessica and I don't want to be late."

Just as I opened the door I felt him slip an arm around my waist. "A movie sounds fantastic." He leaned down to whisper in my ear. "I let you go once before Arianna, I don't intend to do it again."

I felt a shiver run down my spine. "You're mood swings are giving me whiplash." I whispered.

He chuckled as we walked back into the bar area, his arm firmly around my waist. When we made it to the table I saw Hoyt and Jessica had arrived. "Everything ok?" Hoyt asked, eyeing Eric warily.

"Yes. Now let's go before we miss the movie." We all started to head to the exit, the others shooting questioning looks at Eric. Eric and I stopped by Pam and he told her he was leaving for the night. She gave us a knowing smile and nodded.

"You're joining us?" Bill asked as we approached his car. He sounded surprised.

"Why not?" Eric replied. "Can't have Arianna being a fifth wheel now can I?" Bill shrugged and we all loaded into his car. The ride to the park was silent. Sookie and Bill kept looking back at us in the rearview mirror. I shifted in my seat, uncomfortable with their scrutinizing looks. Eric had a smirk on his face as he held my hand and answered emails on his phone with his other. Bill parked next to Hoyt and killed the engine. Eric let go of my hand so that I could get out on my side.

Sookie quickly grabbed the two quilts from the trunk and threw them at Eric and Bill. "You men go find a spot. Ari and I need to attend to our human needs. Hoyt go with them. Jessica come with us." Seeing the look on Sookie's face, no one dared argue with her. The men headed into the park as we women headed towards the restrooms. "What happened in his office?" she asked after she made sure we were alone.

"Yeah." Jessica started. "Why is Eric freaking Northman with us?"

"I don't know why he decided to come." I said with a sigh. "All we did was talk, well, after he kissed me that is."

Jessica's eyes widened. "He kissed you?!"

"Calm down Jess." Sookie said. "They've done way more than that."

"Sookie!" I exclaimed.

"What? Not like it's going to remain a secret much longer." she defended. "You two have a past and I for one want to know more. I imagine your cousin will too."

"What happened between me and Eric is just that, between me and Eric." I was starting to get irritated. "I'm done talking about it." I slammed the bathroom door open and stalked out. It didn't take long to find the guys thanks to Eric remaining standing. It was hard not to notice the tall, blond vampire. I made it to them and flopped down unceremoniously on the quilt I was apparently sharing with Eric. "What?" I snapped at Bill after I caught him looking at me with an eyebrow raised.

"Where's Sookie?"

"They're right there." I said pointing to the two girls making their way towards us.

Eric sat on the ground next to me, his long legs stretched out before him. "What's wrong Lover?"

"Lover?" I heard Hoyt, Bill, and Jessica say.

I glared at Eric. "Seriously?" I turned to the others. "Yes. Once upon a time I spent two weeks in Shreveport and met Eric. Yes, we had sex."

"I think that's an understatement." Eric muttered. I shot my elbow into his ribs even though it did me more harm than him.

"Now can we please just let this go and enjoy the movie?" They nodded and got comfortable on their quilts. I sighed and shook my head, turning to the large projection screen.

"You need to relax." Eric whispered as the movie started. I shot him a look and then turned my attention back to the movie. When the move got to the steamy dance scene between the couples, I looked around and saw everyone either cuddling or making out. I sighed and rolled my eyes. Eric suddenly stood and offered his hand to me. "Come with me." I shrugged and took it, letting him pull me up. We walked towards the wooded area of the park where we could still see and hear the movie but had more privacy. I sat on a fallen log while he leaned against a tree. "Why are you back?" he asked.

I should've known he wanted to talk about this. I didn't want to but I knew how persistent he could be. I didn't know what his reaction would be. I didn't even know if he still cared for me. Between his changing moods it was hard to tell. "My therapist thought I needed a few start. I knew I had family here that I wanted to get to know so it seemed logical."

He raised an eyebrow. "Therapist? And since when do you have family here? You never mentioned it before."

"I didn't know back then. I only found out a year or so ago. Hoyt's my cousin."

Eric only nodded. "Now what's this about a therapist?"

I took a deep breath and exhaled slowly. "I've been in therapy for three years."

"What happened Arianna?"

I sighed. "A few months after I left here I met this guys, Scott. He was nice enough and was very persistent about getting me to go on a date. I finally caved and said yes. Well one date turned into two, then three, and before long we were engaged. We married a year after we met. Not long after we were pregnant." I paused to wipe the tears that were forming away. "We were happy. Scott was absolutely ecstatic when we found out we were having a boy. I had barely hit my third trimester when I was in a very bad wreck."

I closed my eyes, willing myself not to cry. I felt Eric kneel in front of me and hold my hands. I continued on. "My car was completely totaled. The doctors said it was a miracle I survived. The same couldn't be said for the baby. They did everything they could to save him, but he just wasn't strong enough." The tears were now flowing freely. "That was the worst day of my life. A month later, when I went in for my check up, the doctor informed me that because of the extensive damage done to my lower body, I would never be able to have children."

I completely lost it then. Eric remained silent and rubbed circles on my hands with his thumb. After a few minutes I managed to calm myself down enough to continue my story. "I fell into a dark depression after that. Scott and I were fighting all the time. After one particular vicious fight, he moved into the spare room. I started seeing a therapist at my mom's insistence. She was worried about me. I was starting to make the climb out of my depression hole when I lost my footing. I came home after a very insightful session. There was a strange car in my driveway but I thought nothing of it, thinking it was one of Scott's buddies. I was semi-right.

"I caught him balls deep in some blond bitch in our bed. She left pretty damn fast and Scott and I got into it again. Apparently this affair had been going on for some time. His reasoning was that she could give him a child and wasn't still hung up on some mystery man from her past." I ignored Eric's eyebrow raise at that comment. "He tried to rip my necklace off to emphasis his point. I managed to push him away.

"I was packed and out of there that night and served him divorce papers the next day. I lived with my mom form that night on and continued my treatment." I paused as a wave of sadness washed over me. "Mom died last year from a brain aneurysm. It was all so sudden, she wasn't even sick. I tried to move on and live my life like she would've wanted me to. Hoyt made sure to call or text me every day to check on me. After everything was settled with mom's estate, my therapist brought up the idea of me leaving Wyoming to get a fresh start."

"And you chose Bon Temps because of Hoyt." Eric said.

I nodded. "Yes. I didn't realize how close it was to Shreveport till I got here." We were silent for a long time while Eric let everything sink in. "Eric?" I asked once the silence became too much.

HE snapped out of his downtime and looked me in the eyes. "I'm sorry for everything you've gone through, but I'm very happy it's brought you back to me." He let one hand go and ran one long finger along my pendant. "It pleases me that you still have this after all these years."

I smiled at him. "I've worn it every day since you gave it to me."

He stood and pulled me up against him. "I've missed you so much Arianna." he whispered before giving me a gentle kiss.

"I've missed you too Eric." I whispered back.

"Ari! Eric!" we heard Sookie and Hoyt calling. The movie must've ended while I was talking to Eric.

Eric smirked at me. "Sounds like they finally noticed we were gone."

"What do you want to bet Sookie looks me over for fang marks?"

He raised one eyebrow. "Serious bet?" I nodded. "Okay. I bet you twenty dollars that your cousin looks you over."

"Deal." I extended my hand for him to shake, sealing the deal. Instead he pulled me in for a much more passionate kiss. "That works too." We met up with everyone just outside the tree line.

"Are you okay?" Hoyt asked while Sookie tried to look me over discreetly.

"I'm fine." I turned to Eric. "Pay up." He grumbled as he pulled a crisp twenty from his wallet. I smiled up at him and stuck the bill in my pocket. "Thank you."

"What was that about?" Sookie asked me after she finished her assessment.

"Nothing." I said. "I just bet Eric that you'd look me over for bite marks." Sookie turned red as she realized she'd been caught.

Bill let out a small chuckle before Sookie slapped his arm. He contained himself as he asked, "Are you ready to go home Ari? It's late and I know Sookie has to work a double tomorrow."

You just want to go home so you can fuck like bunnies. I thought. Sookie's blush deepened so I knew I was right. "Yeah sure." I said. I walked over to Hoyt and gave him a huge hug and kiss on the cheek. "See you on Sunday?"

"Yup. Unless Mama decides to cancel." Hoyt looked hopeful but we both knew better. I'm pretty sure Aunt Maxine took some sick and twisted pleasure out of torturing us.

I turned back around to find Bill and Sookie already gone. "What the hell?"

Eric smiled. "I told them to go on ahead. I promised I would behave myself." His smile turned sultry at that last remark.

"Exactly how are you getting me home? You don't have a car!"

Before I could react, Eric had picked me up bridal style. "Don't need one." I screamed as he took off into the night sky.

"You can let go of me now." Eric said when we landed in front of my apartment. We had made it here within ten minutes with me yelling directions at him. He set me on my feet and I released my hold from around his neck. "You've got quite the grip for a human."

"I don't like heights." I said with a pointed look.

He chuckled. "I'll keep that in mind."

"Please do." We walked to my door and I pulled my keys from my pocket. "Do you want to come in?"

"I would love to." He started nuzzling my neck as I tried to get my key in the door.

"Eric." I moaned when he found a particular sensitive spot. He turned me around and pushed me against the door before attacking my mouth with his. I ran my hands through his hair and kissed him back. His hands grabbed my hips and lifted me up. I wrapped my legs around his waist and gasped when I felt his rock hard erection against my center. He began grinding into me and I felt a familiar tingling sensation beginning down in my toes, making its way up. Before either of us could reach completion, Eric's phone rang.

Eric set me back on the porch and pulled his phone out. "This had better be good." he growled into the receiver. I couldn't hear who was on the other end but whoever it was must've delivered good news. "Excellent. I will be there momentarily." He ended the call and pocketed his phone. "As much as I would love to continue this, I regrettably have to attend to some vampire business." I didn't even try to hide my disappointment. He tilted my head up and gently kissed my lips. "I truly am sorry."

I sighed. "I know. Sheriff duty calls."

"We will continue this soon. Good night Arianna."

"Good night Eric." He winked at me before he took off into the night sky. I went into the house and double locked the door behind me. Suddenly exhausted I headed straight for my room, stripped down, and crawled into bed. What a crazy night. I never thought I'd see Eric again. Then tonight we went on some weird triple date thing. My feelings for him never left but they definitely increase tenfold tonight. I knew what I wanted from him, but did he want the same thing? He was a player, I knew it the first time we met. But I hadn't cared then, it was just supposed to be a fling. I cared now though. Would Eric be monogamous, only feeding and sleeping with me, if I asked him? Could he be? I shook away those deep thoughts, now wasn't the time. I snuggled into my pillow and found myself drifting off to sleep.