A/N: All things SVM belong to Charlaine Harris. I'm just taking them on a side trip.

Post War Dead

Chapter 4

Eric kissed me, pulled on his jeans, and left the room to meet with Pam. I took dress shirt to wear into the living room. I rolled up the sleeves and it was long enough to be a dress. Pam was sitting there with a satisfied smile talking to Eric. I called the kitchen for a snack, food was expected to be available for pets, and pulled a Coke from the small refrigerator in the corner of the room, then sat on the sofa next to Eric. He pulled me close to lean against him, and I thought that I could stay like this forever, or at least until my food arrived. I listened to them talk about the offer, Area 5, and the problems we might face.

"So Sookie, what do you think?" I was surprised to hear Pam ask me.

"Pam, you know, I'm just along for the ride," I replied.

"We know about your ride, Sookie," she smirked, "but if you move to Las Vegas with us, you'll be more than Eric's bonded."

I looked at Eric with a question in my eyes. He took my hand and answered, "It's not just one casino that I'd be in charge of, but all of the Vampire owned casinos. We would create a position for you within our Security Department, so you would have a salary, benefits, and the weight to tell people what to do."

"Won't I become a target again?" I asked with trepidation.

"You'll always be a target, but you'll always have guards to protect you. Plus, if your hours are at night instead of during the day, Pam or I will sometimes be able to accompany you. I would not allow you to do this if I did not think I could keep you safe. You would be happy to have a job that uses your gift, would you not?"

"Yes, you know I don't like sitting around doing nothing."

"And how do you feel about leaving Bon Temps?" Pam was full of questions tonight.

"I'll be sad to go. But it's time, don't you think? Only Jason is left of my family, and we're no longer close. Sam makes it hard for me to work at his bar because he's jealous of Eric. I've been a barmaid for six years now, and I'm tired of it. Doing security in the casinos will keep my disab...gift sharp. When do you think we'll leave? I'll have to quit Merlotte's, close up my house, sort things to keep and store..."

"Once I tell their Majesties that I accept, we'll discuss a timeline. I will be handing over Area 5 to someone, and I'll need to find a manager for Fangtasia. Pam, do you want to be Sheriff of Area 5? I'm sure the Queen would appoint you.

"No, Master. I want to go to Las Vegas and help keep Sookie out of trouble."

"Do you want to keep your house, or shall we put it on the market with the ones I'm going to sell?" Eric asked.

Pam was thinking hard, "If you don't mind, I'll move what I'm keeping to your house, and sell mine. It wasn't the greatest choice. If I ever move back to Shreveport, I think I'd like a house along the river instead."

"Eric, how many houses do you have in Shreveport?" I was curious, I'd never seen any of them.

"Six. Sookie," he answered, "my main house, which I will keep, and five others that I use when needed. I'll sell those."

"Eric, I'd like to put some security on my house before we leave."

"Good idea, lover. I'll send someone over the day after we return. Is that it? No arguments? We're in agreement?"

Pam and I both smiled broadly and hugged him, as we both said, "Yes, Sir! We're going to Las Vegas!"

Pam left the suite for some night time fun, while Eric and I stayed in for ours. This was a big decision and we spent another couple of hours discussing it. I told him how I felt when I thought I would lose him, while Victor Madden was waiting outside my door. He told me how happy he was that we weren't arguing about being together any more. Stubborn Sookie has moved on. There's too much on my plate now to be caught up in the petty things I used to fight about with him. Then we spent the last hours before dawn not talking very much, but communicating very well.

I woke up late the next afternoon, and ordered room service as soon as I got out of bed. I wanted to eat before Eric woke up. Then we could shower together and prepare to give his answer to the Troika of Monarchs. I knew that they weren't really interested in what Pam and I decided. Of course, they wanted me available to work for them, but I wasn't sure that would happen. I don't know if I could be kept safe outside of Eric's territory.

After we had showered, twice, we dressed and met Pam in the living room of the suite. Together we walked to the conference room again to discuss our futures. Pam and I were depending a lot on Eric, as we weren't expected to add to the conversation. Good thing he was as smart as he was sexy.

As we waited outside the room, I had a stray thought, and asked, "Why did they want Bill to come here with us?"

"I don't know, lover. But I will not have him in Las Vegas."

I agreed with him. I was tired of Bill's obsession with me. We didn't have to wait long for the Troika. I guess they wanted Eric to run Las Vegas for them badly enough not to play games. So we started as we ended the previous night, standing in front of the three monarchs.

"So Sheriff," Sophie-Anne asked for the three of them, "what is your decision?"

"I will accept the position of Regent of Las Vegas, and swear fealty to all of you," Eric replied. "Pam and Sookie will accompany me to Nevada."

"Good! We're very pleased, Northman!" Russell interjected. "It will be a profitable undertaking for all of us."

"Yes, Eric. If you need anything, Texas is close and will always be available to help," Stan added.

"Your Highness, if I may ask? Who will you make Sheriff of Area 5, once I leave?"

"That's why we had Compton come with you. We thought we would offer it to him. Do you have any objections?" Sophie-Anne answered.

"No, Your Majesty. He is level-headed and intelligent. He would make a good 'Louisiana' Sheriff."

The Queen smiled, "We all understand, Northman. Except for his obsession with your bonded, he is suitable." She nodded to a standing human, who went out and returned with Bill.

"Compton, we would like to make you an offer," Russell posed, "we want you to take over as Sheriff of Area 5."

"What will Eric be doing, Sir?"

"That doesn't concern you. Do you want the position or not?"

Bill looked at me, and tried to read my mind. But I stood close to Eric, not looking at him and staying as still as Eric and Pam. He desperately wanted to speak with me before he made his decision. Too friggin' bad.

"Compton, we are awaiting your answer," Queen Sophie-Anne added.

"May I have a night to think it over, Your Majesty?"

"No. You know what the job entails. You've been an investigator, and you have done special projects for me. Answer now, or the offer will be removed from the table," the Queen knew what was going through Bill's mind. But she thought she owed Sookie some peace at last. If Compton didn't take this offer, he'd be sent to Arkansas to work for Sandy. She'd just as soon send him there anyway, but she needed the revenue from his database.

"Very well, Majesty. I accept the position of Sheriff of Area 5," he said grimly.

"Good, Compton. I'm sure that you will do an excellent job. You will meet with Eric so he can hand over area papers to you. You may leave now. The limo will bring the four of you back to Bon Temps. It will leave in an hour." Bill bowed and left the room the gather his belongings.

"Eric, we have one more item of business. You must swear fealty to the three of us."

"My Queen, you already have my fealty. But if you wish, I shall swear it again," Eric spoke softly to Sophie-Anne.

"Why don't you swear to the three of us at the same time, Eric," She suggested, her voice gentled as she looked at him.

"Of course, My Lady," Eric got down on one knee and bowed his head, " I swear fealty to you, Queen Sophie-Ann LeClerque of Louisiana, King Russell Edgington of Mississippi, and King Stan Davis of Texas. My sword and life belong to you, to use as you will."

"This is acceptable with us," the three replied. It was done.

"Sookie," Sophie-Anne addressed the one human she sometimes thought of as a friend, "what are your plans, my child?"

"I will go with Eric, Your Majesty. He is my bonded, and we belong together."

The Queen smiled, "Good. I'm glad you two will be together, and Pam will be a great help to you too, Viking, I am sure. Although the roofs in Las Vegas might be too high for an accurate shot."

"Oh no, Your Majesty," Pam chuckled, "I know how to take account of wind shear"

We all joined in laughter that seemed to seal our pact, then we were dismissed to return home.

The ride back was more silent than the ride to Baton Rouge. Bill looked like he was ready to jump out of his skin. He wanted to know what was going on. Where Eric was going? What was I going to do? But I napped, curled against Eric, while he and Pam went into down time. He was afraid to ask anything of Eric, but he would have to speak with him eventually about Area 5. As we were approaching Bon Temps, Eric made an appointment to meet with him two nights hence. If he thought he would have a chance to ask me after we arrived at my house, he was wrong. Eric sent Pam to her home by limo, but exited the limo to stay with me.

Bill was lingering by my front door like a cold draft. I handed Eric the key, he picked up our bags, and brought them into the house. I followed, and on the porch, I turned and said 'Goodnight' to Bill.

"But Sookie, wait a moment, I wish to speak with you," he was almost stuttering, he was so overcome with anxiety.

"Why Bill? I'm just a 'dumb blond'. Go home and decide what you will do as Sheriff, you have a tough act to follow," I replied disdainfully, as I walked to the door.

"Sookie!" he sounded desperate, "are you leaving with Eric? Where are you going? You know I didn't mean it! He'll use you! Don't leave me, Sookie! You're mine!"

"I'm not 'yours' to 'leave' you, Bill. I am Eric's. I will go where he goes. I have a new job to look forward to, and I won't have to put up with the small minds of Louisiana any longer, including yours!"

I walked into the house and shut the door in his face, "Bill Compton, I rescind your invitation to my home."

Eric was standing there grinning at me, like it was the greatest show on earth, "I love it when you take charge, lover."

"Oh yeah? Maybe I'll take charge tonight, too," I smirked as if I took Viking lessons.

"No, lover, not tonight. You've turned me on too much for me to take orders. Tonight I'm in charge," he whispered in my ear. "Maybe tomorrow, or the night after that, or the night after..."

The nights seem to be laid out in front of us, sparkling like stars. We would fly from one to another, as long as we lived. I thought we should start now, so I shut him up with a kiss. He carried me up the stairs, close to the speed of light, and into my room.