Authors Notes: Thank you everyone for being so patient in awaiting this next chapter. Between having been sick and what not it took a while to pull it together. Good news is I am going to start work on the next chapter right away and I have a fairly good idea of what is going to happen. Much love to my editor who has volunteered her valuable time to looking over my work and helping me with all the little things that I always seem to forget to think about. Love you Kelsey you're a peach. Also thank you to all of you who took the time from your busy lives to wish me a speedy recovery. I really appreciate all of you, it means the world to me. One last thing, I know that you all are really enjoying my story and well at times I don't know how to take it. I strive to be a humble person who just got lucky this time. But I guess I need to start owning up to the fact that maybe I might have a bit of talent. One letter this week moved me to tears, she was so inspiring, this strong woman who works her butt off saving people, someone who should be looked at as a hero in her own right told me she loved my story so much that she went to work and shared it with her co-worker. I was moved to tears by the honest sincerity of her letter and fell truly honored by her flattery. Thank you Shannon for all that you do. I hope that I can keep making you cry with my stories so that you have something to think about other than your job. One last thing my Auntie has recently taken to reading my stories. I am going to give my final thank you and I love you to her because without her none of ya'll would be reading my work at all. She inspired me to use my imagination and overcome my adversity that helped me turn into the woman and writer that I am today. Love you Auntie. Okay ya'll now on to the story. Please reviews are wanted and desired so hit the green button at the bottom and tell me what you really think. Love you all.

Lilli

Eric's Road to Redemption

The next morning I rose maybe an hour before sunset; I quickly went to the adjoining bathroom touch up my makeup and make sure my contacts were still in place. It was going to be a long night and I wanted to get to Amelia's quickly. I didn't even know if I would be able to make it all the way to her before sunrise. I wanted everything to be perfect for my reunion with Sookie and that would take some work. Just as the sun slips beyond the horizon I flung my door open to leave and found myself staring down at a pretty little red headed woman about to knock on my door. She jumped just the tinniest bit and then quickly pulled herself together. "Father Shamus?"

Fuck, why did this girl have to bother me I wanted to be on my way? "Yes my child. How can I help you? I was just leaving; walk with me while I find the King."

"Oh, that is why I am here," she said smiling. I took in a deep whiff of her scent and she stunk like Robert, Gods how could he even fathom to chase Sookie when he had this girl, obviously living here, by his side. I almost roll my eyes at the thought of such idiotic behavior; this guy really had no clue. I guess it was a good thing but still. I must have been silent too long because her smile faltered slightly and said quickly, "King Robert says this is everything that you need for your mission." She handed me a large manila envelope. "He also wants you to have this." She reached into her pocket and pulled out a cell phone. Yeah like I would be making any calls from that thing, I was going to ditch it at the first opportunity that I could. "He would like you to check in regularly with updates on your mission." I almost snorted, that so wasn't going to happen.

I handed the phone back to the girl and she looked confused. "My child," I said soothingly using a bit of force so that she would do what I wanted, "tell his Majesty that I am most grateful of the phone but I have one already and will not need this one. I will call him from the road in about an hour. Will that work for you?"

"Of course," she said a little shakily and then pulled herself together quickly. Resistant this one, no wonder Robert liked her.

I pushed past her quickly and shouted over my shoulder, "God be with you child," and fled from the compound. I quickly found the car that Robert had assigned for my use and was most impressed. It was a 1967 Shelby Mustang GT 500, or Eleanor as she was named in Gone in Sixty Seconds, my cock twitched just looking at her. I hadn't indulged in this kind of car since I left Louisiana, it draws too much attention. She was fucking gorgeous, cherry red with white racing stripes that whipped down her sides looking like she was screaming down the road so fast her paint was being ripped away. Fuck, I couldn't help myself, I knew that I needed to leave but I popped the hood to take a look. She was perfect she had the standard 2 Holley, 4 barrel carb, v 12 engine, and headers that were a little boy's wet dream. I slid lovingly into her and she fit like a glove, her light brown leather caressing every inch of me. I was going to fuck Sookie senseless on the hood of this car.

I stroked the steering wheel like I would stroke my lover's breasts, teasingly, and turned her over. She instantly roared to life, making my cock vibrate with the movements of the engine. "Fuck!" I said out loud. I hadn't even had a lust filled thought in the last five years and here I was practically cuming on myself over a car. I hear a loud rap on the window and looked up into Casanova's amused face. I roll it down quickly and he said, "Like the car I take it Father?"

"Every man has a weakness son, one of mine is Eleanor," I said honestly, stroking her dashboard lovingly.

"I figured it would be." He gave me a knowing look. Shit, did he know? I really liked him and I didn't particularly want to kill one of the King's guards to hide my identity. "That is why I picked her out for you. I am sure you haven't had much of an opportunity to drive something this fine in the last five years." My mouth fell open. Fuck, he did know, but then he did something unexpected, he winked at me. Wait, what the hell? "Her right back tire is looking kind of low though so you might want to stop at a station eventually and check out the air pressure." He winked again, not only did he know who I was but was warning me about a tracking devise on the car and the exact location of said tracking devise.

"Thank you," I whispered softly to him and he nodded. I lowered my voice even further. "How, I mean my disguise its perfect."

He tapped the side of his nose. "I have a nose for it, you smell like her, it's faint but you do, and it helps that I saw you two together in Rhode's. I didn't get your scent but the way you looked at her picture last night in front of the theater, I had only ever seen one other person look at her that way and that was the night she danced with Eric in Rhode's. No one else really see's her when they look at her."

He shrugged and I nodded in agreement. It was true no one saw my beloved when they looked at her. They saw what they wanted to see: a telepath, a savior, an asset, a dancer, a lustful fantasy, but they never actually saw her. "Good luck, and be careful. I overheard Robert saying that he was going to try and make her his before your return come hell or high water. He doesn't know who you are but he knows that you are going to bring Eric back with you and he wants to possess Sookie more than anything."

"She has that effect," I said and laughed and his rich laughter joined mine.

"She does but not as much as she used to. I have done my best to try and make sure that everyone sees her as a Madonna, a holy object to be treasured, but Robert is determined I have not been able to persuade him into my way thinking."

"Thank you," I said again.

"Your welcome Father, God speed you on your mission." Without a further word he turned and walked back inside the compound. I really hoped that he was sincere. I don't know why but I just trusted him. Let's hope my instincts where correct. I pulled out of the compound letting Eleanor run at full efficiency. I was flying down the road and it felt so liberating to be driving this way again. It had been far too long. I needed a plan, first things first; I needed to get rid of that damn GPS. I would have to wait until I was out of the city to do it but I didn't want Robert tracking my every movement. I didn't want him knowing when I was coming back.

I was just outside the city and contemplating pulling over and pulverizing the GPS when I noticed a black Escalade in my rearview. Well this complicates things; Robert was going above and beyond to track me. I had to be sure though; I made a few lane changes and took the next exit nice and easy. The car followed, okay Northman let's see if you are right. I pulled into the nearest gas station, hopped out and watched as the SUV rolled by slowly. A few more tests to be sure, I went into the mini mart and grabbed a six pack of blood and got back into the car and started her up.

Within a mile of pulling onto the freeway the SUV was behind me again. Well shit, one more test to be certain. I slowly made my way into the fast lane and watched as they mirrored my movements. I waited for just the right opportunity looking for the familiar sign that would lead me to a hotel. I waited until the last possible second and forced the car over through four lanes of traffic and onto the off-ramp. The SUV swerved and almost collided with three cars in order to mimic my movements. Yep, definitely following me, although they had to be amateurs, otherwise they would have just kept going and double backed.

I quickly found a hotel and parked in front of the office, I walked calm and casually into the office and watched as the SUV turned around and slid in next to my car. I didn't have a lot of time and I need to make this look convincing. I saw the vamps slid out of the SUV and walk towards the office. I quickly laid my whammy on the pimply faced teen human behind the counter. This had to be convincing, I waited until the Vampires where just within hearing range as I began the show. "Pardon me Son; I am looking for a place to rest my head for the upcoming day and I was wondering wither or not you would have a room available for me?"

I heard the small tinkling of bells signaling the entrance of the other vampires. "We don't serve fangers here. That goes for your friend's too." The boy pointed nastily at the men behind me.

"I am just a simple man of the cloth and I need some rest please, your sign says that you have light tight rooms here."

"I said no fangers, now get out." I whirled and left the office quickly trying to look downtrodden and defeated. I quickly got into my car and rested my head on the steering wheel. I was really just listening to see if there were any listening devices in the car that accompanied the GPS. The noise on the road made it so that I was unable to hear properly. I listened for a moment; good, Robert was not so smart as to double up on the listening. I bet he had counted on the phone to listen in on my conversations.

I hear a slight rap rap on my window and look up feigning surprise. One of my tails was knocking on my window. "Yes?" I said hesitantly as I rolled down the window all the way.

"Are you all right Father?"

"Yes, yes, I am just not used to being treated like that. In my hometown we welcome everyone, no matter what race they are."

"Some humans are just ignorant here father, I am sorry." He was being very genuine and I almost felt compassion for him, almost, except that his whole mission was to keep Sookie and I apart.

"No worries Boy'o it is what it is."

"It is a lot better here than in the south, Texas, Georgia, and Louisiana are all really bad when it comes to hospitality towards vampires. If you don't mind my asking Father, where are you heading? If I know where you're headed then I might be able to recommend a good hotel for you to stay at along the way."

'I just bet you could,' I thought to myself. "Why thank you my son. I am heading into southern Florida to see a young lady."

"Business or pleasure?" the vampire snickered. I leveled him with my most 'how dare you' stare and he quickly said, "Sorry Father I didn't mean to imply anything. Well if you're headed to Florida you have plenty of time before sunrise to make it to at least Georgia before resting for the day. Just after you get across the border there, about fifty miles or so, you should come to a Vampire friendly hotel called InterFang. It ain't the best hotel ever but it will give you a place to rest your head."

"Thank you my son, that should be perfect, may God bless and keep you and may peace be with you." I ran my hand in the familiar sign of the cross in a form of blessing, if this idiot only knew.

"And with you Father, safe journey," he said tapping the roof in a signal that I could leave. I almost rolled my eyes and pulled out of the parking lot and hit the interstate speeding towards the hotel.

I whipped out my cell phone and dialed the familiar number by heart, although it has been years since I contacted him. I knew he would never change this number; it was the just in case number. I really didn't want to involve him but I didn't see a lot of ways around it. I needed help to ditch this car for an identical one without the GPS or I needed someone to drive it around to draw attention away from me. After just a few rings the cool smooth voice came over the line. "Compton." I almost growled, fucking Compton.

"Hello Boy'o, would I happen to be speaking to the Bill Compton, former resident of Bon Temps, Louisiana?"

"You would," he said coolly. "And whom may I have the pleasure of addressing on this fine evening?"

"Father Shamus O'Malley son." I heard a small whisper of keys barely being brushed; well at least he had gained some sense in the last five years.

"How can I help you Father?" I must have checked out on the database, and that was really saying something considering he was its inventor.

"I am calling in regards to a former friend of yours, Eric Northman."

"What about him?" he almost snapped. "And I would hardly call him a friend."

Thank you Gods he remembered the response whenever my name was mentioned in this manner and on this particular line, you never knew with Compton. Sometimes he was completely reliable and others times he would screw you over six ways to Sunday just like he had done with My Beloved. "Such harsh words boy'o, I have heard that the two of you were in fact best friends, in fact I heard that you, he and his bonded shared a nest in her farm house."

He was quite for a long moment and then said, "Indeed, it amazes me that you managed to come across the information. No one knew about this."

Good Compton, perfect. "I heard Eric bragging about it recently in a bar in my homeland; of course at the time I didn't know that he was being sought after. I was only recently made aware of this by the King of New York."

"And what may I ask was Eric saying exactly." If this man didn't drive me so batty insane with his constant pursuit of my bonded I would kiss him. He remembered everything in the old script that I had set up for covert phone calls, depending on the various responses to the questions would identify the caller's correct identity.

"Let me think boy'o …. Oh yes I remember now, he was commenting about the cute little tattoo that Sookie had on her rear end and how you were so infuriated by her getting it when you discovered it that night whilst having your romantic turn with her."

I could almost hear Compton gulp; I knew that this narrowed the people it could be on the phone down considerably, only three more on the list: Bubba, Rasuel, and me, each of us with various responses. Bubba's was music notes of course, and Rasul's was a smoking pistol. "Indeed, well if it was really Northman he would know what the tattoo was of. Did you happen to catch what he said?"

I could almost hear him thinking 'Don't be him. Don't be him.' "Oh yes, he did say, as a matter of fact he had said it was the whole reason you were so upset by it. It was a Thor's Hammer if I recall correctly."

There was a long pause and I was practically dancing in my seat with glee as he took in this last response. Gods I missed all this subterfuge while I was gone. "Indeed, it sounds like you did encounter Northman. He was quite correct that tattoo did chap my ass, as you put it because it was a symbol that was dear to him and that was the whole reason she got it. Although I find it more humorous that she got something he considers so dear tattooed on her ass. I always found that to be somewhat degrading myself."

I ground my teeth; he was trying to get a rise out of me. "Indeed, I would like to ask you a few questions about him and Miss. Stackhouse if you are available to speak."

"I am actually in the middle of something. Give me your number and I will call you back in five minutes." This was standard procedure; he would call me back from a secure line. I gave him my number quickly and shut my phone.

Five minutes later exactly my phone rang. "Speak."

"You have come back for her?" Bill said.

"I have."

"You mentioned the King of New York. What does Robert have to do with this? He is the one who has been leading the charge to find you."

"I know, I spoke with him for some time last night and he told me quite a bit."

"So is that the only reason you are willing to reclaim her?" he growled. "Because you now know her reasoning behind fleeing and you feel like the ass that you are."

"Bill…" I sighed "partly that is why but I was already here, and whether or not I was willing to admit it to myself, I was coming home for her. It has been just as hard for me being away from her, as it was for her being away from me. At least she had the comfort of her friends to help her through it all; I had nothing Bill, NOTHING AND NO ONE!"

"YOU CHOOSE THAT ERIC WHEN YOU LEFT! YOU DIDN'T SAY A WORD, NOT EVEN TO PAM, AND THEN YOU SHUT DOWN THE BONDS BETWEEN THE THREE OF YOU. THE GIRLS WERE SCARED TO DEATH. THEY THOUGHT YOU DIED, IT WAS MONTHS BEFORE WE FIGURED OUT YOU WENT TO AMELIA."

"I know Bill, I fucked up, I get it," I almost whispered. He spluttered and stuttered.

"You can't be Eric Northman. Did you really just admit freely that you were wrong?"

"I did, but I refuse to take all the blame here. Do you really blame me? Look at everything she and I went through. How many times did she push me away? And then she just left, not even a word to me, she left me this note that was supposed to explain everything but it really didn't explain anything. She left everything, every little thing that reminded her of me, of us, of our life together, she left the knife. It broke my heart; I didn't know what to do? I didn't know how to cope, for the love of the Gods I am a one thousand year old vampire and I was completely undone by a twenty something year old human woman. I was so bereft that I seriously considered meeting the sun just so that I would stop being so fucking weak. ERIC NORTHMAN HAS NEVER BEEN WEAK, except when it comes to her. Why would she think that I wouldn't be there for her? After everything I had done, after everything I had sacrificed? I would have understood Bill."

I felt all of my old turmoil rising up in me, I felt like my soul was shredding apart again and I had to force myself to remember that soon enough that rift would be healed. "You actually love her!?" he asked and stated clearly amazed by this sudden realization.

"Very much, and you should know that I mean it because you are the last fucking person I would want to show weakness of any kind too."

"Indeed. Do they know you are here?"

"No one knows, and don't you tell them. I wouldn't even have contacted you if it wasn't imperative to what I was trying to accomplish here and as much as I hate to admit it, I need your help brother."

This time there was no snide remarks, no angry words he said simply, "Tell me." I breathed a deep sigh of relief.

"I do not even know if you will be able to help. If you are still in Louisiana it will do me no good and I will have just wasted my time and showed you a side of me that I would never want anyone but her to see."

"I left Bon Temps not even a year after you did Eric. Once Sookie moved away I had no reason to stay. I was briefly involved with Amelia and we moved to Florida together, and although things between us didn't work out I came to love it here."

"Perfect," I said excitedly. I still had a long road ahead of me but it seemed that everything was going my way. The fates where ensuring my return to my beloved. As excited as I was I could hear the angry roar of the vampire well within me, hissing nasty little nothings in my ear about my foolishness of going back and allowing myself to feel, but I would be damned if I would let my pride get in my way again. Even if was only going to be a short time that I showed this side of me I needed to just 'Suck it up' as my beloved used to say and deal.

I quickly went over the plan with Bill, "Meet me at the InterFang Hotel; I assume that you can find your way."

"Of course."

"Bring a new car, doesn't matter what model, preferably something though that goes very fast, I will need a change of clothes as well. Perhaps something a little dressier as well as casual for when I make it back to New York to see this show Our Sookie put together. Also, bring a spare cell; I will have to trade with you Bill. I am going to need you to take the car and drive it around so that they will follow you and not me. By the time they figure it out hopefully I will have come and gone from Amelia's. I think I will have to disguise you too, I will need you to at least look like Shamus from a distance." I ran over everything in my head moving all the familiar pieces around the board, trying to see things from every possible angle.

"I am perfectly capable of taking care of my disguise Eric; I have many pictures of Shamus in the data base. It should not be too hard to come up with a similar facsimile to your appearance. Although there isn't much I can do about the height, I think I can pull something off," he said almost in a snit about it.

"Fine, fine. Bill make sure the car has tinted windows, very, very dark tinted windows, including the front one. Make them darker then Limousine tint and store several bags of donated blood in a cooler in the front. I am going to do something very reckless and I am going to need the blood to heal."

"What are you going to do Eric?" he said warily.

"I will rise before sunset and I get in the car and drive away before my tail can see me."

"Eric," he hissed, "you are a fool."

"It is necessary; make sure that you leave the car unlocked. You cannot allow them to see you Bill. You will have to take off as quickly as possible as well. I need as much time as I can to get to Amelia's and away before they find out I am back. I don't want Robert knowing I am here. He wants' Sookie Bill, he was asking me all kinds of questions on how to break the bond her and I share. If he knows I am here, I am afraid that he will try something stupid."

"He wouldn't dare touch either of you," Bill hissed.

"I am not so sure, if he gets it in his head that he can have Sookie by killing me I think he will try."

"Then he is a fool, you both are protected by mandate from the council itself."

That confused me, I remembered Robert saying something about the council taking an extreme interest in finding me and reuniting me with Sookie. I could not see any possible reason that they would do this. "Bill, I think there is something going on here that I am not seeing," I said putting on my best Sheriff 'tell me what I want to know' voice.

Bill just burst out laughing, an explosion of sound that startled me. "You can't use that tone with me anymore Eric, for the moment you have no power here in the United States. No, I will tell you nothing about the council's involvement."

"Bill I know it has been awhile since I have been out of the politics but not that much has changed in five years. Robert is stupid; he is going to do something, I just don't know what yet. I am not even sure how to prevent it or plan for it. I know nothing about him but what I can pick up is an extremely clever yet stupid mind. Did you know that he managed to get a hold of old security footage of me at Rhodes and at Fangtasia? That bastard has been studying my mannerisms to try and win Sookie over."

"It doesn't really surprise me, I will see what I can learn and I might be able to get a few things in motion to help protect you. I have to put some thought into it. Until tonight brother, try to be safe, and can I say I like this new you."

I growl. "Don't expect it to last forever. I am not going to be all moody and full of angst like you, besides Sookie never seemed to enjoy that side of you very much."

"Ahhh, there is the asshole we all know and love. I will text you with the details about the car, or better yet what kind of car are you driving? I will make sure to park it right next to yours."

"A numbers matching, 1967 Shelby Mustang GT 500." I moan softly. Just thinking about the fact that I am driving her and will only be driving her for a short time more makes me want to rub one out just so that I can say I came in this beautiful machine.

I heard Bill moan a little as well. "You are not driving Eleanor."

"Well, well well, Bill Compton I had no idea that you were into cars. You always seem to be like such a backwaters kind of guy, always resistant to any kind of modernization."

"There are a lot of things you don't know about me Eric, but every man has got a weakness."

I laughed, "I said that same thing earlier. Casanova got me this car actually. He said he figured that I would enjoy driving such a fine piece of machinery after my long sabbatical."

"I should have known," Bill chuckled softly. "We have someone like him in just about every single state. Someone we can trust completely looking out for you. Even if you may not look like you and are able to fool everyone. Including my database apparently; which we really need to discuss how you managed this."

"Ah ah ah, a magician never gives away his tricks. Sorry Bill. You know he is not really Casanova right?"

"How would you know?"

"Bill, who are you talking too?"

"Oh right," he laughed. "I forgot you are the great and all powerful Eric Northman." He laughed suddenly. "Pay no attention to the man behind the curtain."

"What are you babbling about?"

"Wizard of Oz? It is one of Sookie's favorite movies."

"I have heard of it but I do not think I have ever seen it."

He laughed again and I got the distinct impression that I was missing some huge joke at my expense. "Don't worry about it. I will leave my cell phone in the car, leave yours in the Shelby. Good luck brother."

"Peace be with you my son," I said in my best Irish brogue. The only response was another trill of Bill's laughter as I clicked my phone shut. I got to the hotel in record time. I was not looking forward to leaving Eleanor behind; maybe I would buy one for myself once Sookie and I got settled. The idea definitely had possibilities. I quickly ran through the list of all of those possibilities. Sookie straddled across my lap, Sookie bent forward over the hood, Sookie laid out before me like a Thanksgiving day feast on the hood, Sookie sitting on the trunk at just the right level, Sookie giving me head as we are screaming down the road at almost two hundred miles an hour. "MMMMM FUCK," I groaned. Damn, it has been far too long and knowing that I am going to see her soon was not helping matters. Yes, I think I would definitely be investing in an identical car.

I paced my room restlessly; I had heard the vampires who were tailing me pull in some time ago. Fortunately they hadn't managed to get a room anywhere near mine. I really wanted to just take a shower and cut my hair so I could have the blonde back but I needed to stay in costume for a little while longer. Not even fifteen minutes before sun rise I hear a car pull in next to mine. After what feels like an eternity there is a light rap raping on my wall. Bill had finally arrived. I went to bed that morning knowing things were going just right. Once again just as I felt the pull of the sun's ray I said softly, "I love you Sookie."

*** Bill's Call ***

I sigh deeply to myself; I knew this day would come eventually. I think I had been lying to myself though and hoped that Eric would just never return. Maybe even after all this time, I hoped that Sookie would return to me. I was deluding myself though. She hadn't even had a boyfriend, let alone slept with anyone since he left. She was completely devoted to him. As angry as I was at him for leaving her, I also knew he had a good point.

Sookie pushed those she loved away, time and time again, convinced that they would leave, so that when they did it was easier for her to deal with. She could tell herself that it didn't matter because she knew that they would leave anyways. I think it has something to do with abandonment issues she has from her parents dying when she was a little girl. With Eric though, when he left, it forced her to do a lot of growing up really quickly. For the first time she really did care that someone abandoned her but she knew he didn't really abandon her, she had left him. She had pushed him away time and time again, this last time she had just gone too far.

No I couldn't be too angry with Eric, he really did love her. It was apparent how much he loved her by the extent he went to in hiding himself. He just couldn't cope with anything. He had been continuously on the move over the last five years; every time we found him he was gone again. We hadn't even heard rumors about his whereabouts in the last six months. I am guessing though it has something to do with this persona he has assumed, this Father Shamus. I laugh out loud, the very idea that Eric, the king of sin, is posing as a priest more than convincingly, is pure comedy.

From the rumors though, Eric has not really been his normal self over the last five years. No human has been with him sexually and the few that he attempted to take, just for blood in the beginning, he ended up pushing away, not even able to bare sinking his teeth in. I shook myself a little; enough of the speculation, I had a phone call to make. I picked up the phone and dialed the familiar number. After just one ring I hear the familiar voice come over the line. "Yes?"

"He is returned," I say simply.

"I knew it would be soon, I was just unsure of the exact timeframe. Where is he? Is he safe?"

"For now; there are complications."

"Explain."

"He feels that Robert is a threat and you and I both know that Eric is no fool. He met with him last night; Eric informed me that Robert wants to break the bond that he and Sookie share."

"He would not dare," the voice hissed.

"I said the same thing, but Eric seems quite sure. Robert is having him followed."

"I take it that since Robert talked so openly with our young fellow that he is in disguise."

"Yes, he is a priest from Ireland, Father Shamus O'Malley."

I hear a soft chuckle. "That explains much of what I have been seeing these last few months."

"I am on my way to help the best I can. We are exchanging cars and phones. I will try and lead the tail away from him but if Robert is really determined …" I let the thought die off.

"I will think on it. Until I give you further instructions do the best you can for our young Mr. Northman and his bonded. I do not need to remind you that it is imperative that they reunite, all of our futures depend on it."

"I know."

"Keep me updated."

"I will Ancient Pythoness." She hung up on me without so much as another word. There was a lot riding on Eric and Sookie being reunited. I just hope that they can reach their full potential in time.

*** A Date with a Witch ***

I pull up in front of Amelia's a half hour after the sun is set. I really hope that she didn't do as I suggested and burn or sell the items that were in the bonding box. Or maybe she gave them to Sookie, or even to Pam. Gods I didn't want to have to ask for that box from either one of those two. I knew though that the things contained in that box where imperative to me and Sookie being reunited fully. I wanted to pick up right where we left off and I would need that box to do it. What if Amelia refused me? After everything I had found out about Sookie's situation I wouldn't really blame her.

Suddenly I was nervous; I really didn't want to deal with this. I shook myself slightly and looked at myself in the rearview mirror. Even though it wasn't the real me looking back I said what needed to be said. "You are no pussy Eric Northman. Get your shit together, no more hiding, no more running. There is no reason for you to be afraid of a little witch. Besides, you have to talk to her and find out what the incantation is to break the block on the bonds. Even if she doesn't have the box, you need that at least. You're Eric Fucking Northman get your shit together."

What if this wasn't the right thing though? All the 'what if's' spun in my head, around and around, in an endless cyclone of confusion and chaos. "Enough!" I scream at myself. I take that unnecessary breath. Yes, Sookie has done this to me, made me doubt my every action as the right one. I had to take the reins of this entire debacle in hand. I knew she wanted me back more than anything. I knew she had remained faithful to me over the years; I knew she freely admitted her mistakes. She had finally done all I asked of her without me even being here to push her into it. I knew that I wanted this as well; there was no point in denying it. "Resistance if futile," as one of Sookie's favorite villains used to say.

I slide out of my car and truly take in the house in front of me. Nothing about it screamed 'A WITCH LIVES HERE'; it was just a cute little cottage style home with white picket fence and tons of wild-flowers everywhere. I could see Amelia all over it though; it screamed her personality at me like she was standing right there. It was positively cheerful, just like her, almost obnoxiously so. I pushed open the gate and felt the familiar tingle of magic washing over me. Interesting, I shrug it off and continue up the curvy stone path to her stone porch. One last deep steadying, and might I add unnecessary, breath, there was no turning back now. This is right, this is best. I raise my hand and knock, once, twice, three times.

I hear her familiar voice flitting though the door and I can't help but smile. "Coming." I slip my hands behind my back clasping them together and bouncing slightly on the balls of my feet. She pulls open the door and I positively beam at her. She hasn't changed much over the years that I have been gone. I could make out a hint of grey in her hair that hadn't been there before but other than that, she was completely the same. She looked me up and down apparently trying to take me in and figure out if I was friend or foe. "Yes, can I help you?" she asks cautiously.

"Top of the mornin' to ya Miss Broadway, or should I say evening," I laugh at my own joke and give her my best wicked grin. I see a small smile creep on her lips but she quickly wipes it away replaced by more caution. "I certainly am hopin' you can be helpin' me." I was laying on the brogue extra thick, but I was amazed she didn't recognize me. I was standing right in front of her and she didn't know who I was. I am truly the master of disguise. I wink at her in my most charming and flirtatious way and her jaw drops and I couldn't help but laugh.

"Listen Padre, aren't there some kind of rules about you and flirting with women. I mean ya'll can't have sex so why even bother with the pursuit. Not to mention the fact that if this was the only reason you came to my door you're barking up the wrong tree. Why would you come to a random house just to flirt? You have no way of knowing if I am married or whatever. If this is your only purpose here I will bid you good day, I mean good evening."

Amelia tried to shut the door on me and I had to get her to continue to engage in conversation with her. I knew that if she shut that door she wasn't going to be opening it again without me openly revealing my identity. I really didn't want to do that, it wasn't safe. "Oh, but Miss. Amelia I don't think I am barking up the wrong tree, besides just because I am a priest doesn't mean I am dead. I find myself in great need and I think you could be just the girl to release it." I made sure to emphasize the word release and winked at her suggestively.

She stood there mouth agape and stared at me, going back and forth between blushing and being mortified that she might take me up on the offer and I laughed at that reaction. I sighed a deep feeling of contentment, it had been a while since I had flirted with someone at all. Hell it had been forever since I had had any fun. I will give Amelia this much, she was always fun to tease. "Are you fucking kidding me?" she spluttered. "Why in the name of all the Gods would I ever take you up on such an offer?"

My signature smile spread across my face, well more of a smirk. Sookie always said she never knew if she wanted to slap me or fuck me when I made that face. I saw a small flash of recognition on Amelia's face before she shook her head as if trying to convince herself that it was impossible. I rubbed my eyes to clear the contacts but make it look like an 'I'm exasperated' gesture. I put my hands on either side of the doorway, leaned as close to her as I could without being invited in, made sure she was looking me right in the eyes, waggled my eyebrows suggestively, and said, "I don't know girlie, I think I can be pretty persuasive, I hear that I am a real Viking in the sack," and winked at her again.

She gasped loudly and almost screamed, "Come in, by the Goddess come in." I nodded and smiled at her and went through the door. As soon as she had closed the door she launched herself at me in a hug. I swept her up in my arms and kissed the top of her head and laughed. I set her down gently and laughed again.

"It's good to see you too Amelia. If I knew that I would have beautiful women flinging themselves at me after going on vacation for awhile, I would do it more often," and laughed again.

She slapped my chest, I could tell she put all her effort into it but I could barely feel it. "Where the hell have you been Eric Northman?" she paused only for a moment and I opened my mouth to answer when she cut me off and said, "Damn it's good to see you. Are you going back to her?" she asked the last a little sheepishly. I cocked my head at her and gestured at her sofa for us to sit. She slapped her forehead. "I am such an idiot. Please sit; do you want a True Blood?"

"No, I am fine thank you Amelia." I looked at her sofa and couldn't help but burst into laughter after taking it in. It was the most God awful ugly sofa I had ever seen. It looked like something right out of the 80's. It was white but it had a floral pattern where the flowers were bigger then my outstretched hand. To top it off the flowers were Pepto-Bismol pink, it looked like some breather and thrown up flowers all over the couch. It was tacky and then some, which really surprised me, Amelia, had always had somewhat decent taste. "That is the ugliest couch I have ever seen Amelia. What the hell were you thinking?"

I sat down and she flitted to the rocker across from me and laughed. "It wasn't my choice," she raised her hands in surrender, "It was a gift and I didn't want to be rude."

"Who in the world would pick out something that awful for you? They would have to know nothing about you to pick out something so tacky that clearly isn't your taste but the gift of a sofa implies more than a friendly relationship."

"Bill," she said simply, rolling her eyes and laughing and I couldn't help but join her.

"Well that makes sense; he was always clueless when it came to his mate." I laughed and shook my head.

"Eric" she said hesitantly. "I don't want to be rude and it isn't that I am not more than happy to see you but why are you here?"

I looked down at my feet, it was now or never, I never looked up at her and asked, "Do you have the box Amelia?"

I felt the air swish as she moved across the room, I felt the sofa sink a little with her weight, and she gently took my hands in hers. "You are back for her aren't you? You are done finally running from her, you have had enough time to heal from what she did?"

"It still hurts, now more than ever, especially now that I know the reasons why she ran." I shook my head slightly. "I can't ever heal though, not without her." I could feel tears start to roll down my face. Damn it, hadn't I just told myself in the car I was going to stop being such a pussy? I wiped my tears away angrily.

"It's okay Eric; you don't have to be bad ass Eric Northman with me. I saw you that night; I saw what she did to you with her foolishness. You don't have to be embarrassed by it, at least with me you can always show exactly what you are feeling. There are no political ramifications for being weak in front of me. I promise I won't tell."

I looked up into her warm hazel eyes and smiled. "Thank you… for everything."

She nodded at me once, smiled and winked. "I went off on the both of them you know." I raised my eyebrow questioningly and she continued. "When they finally showed up at my house in New Orleans, I laid into Pam first about her being such an idiot for not even trying to persuade Sookie not to leave and not making her call you. I admonished her even more for not calling you as soon as she hung up with Sook and telling you what happened, instead of being too much a chicken shit at what your reaction was going to be. I told her 'why else do you think he blocked you too. You betrayed him just as much as she did.' She actually winced as if I had slapped her, it was great.

"Then I laid into Sookie, when she had first showed up she was so pissed at you for having the audacity for leaving I couldn't believe it and she was even more pissed that I went off on Pam for taking your side instead of hers. I told her 'what the hell did she expect was going to happen when she pushed you away again.' Then I told her everything, well almost everything, I told her how broken you were that night. I told her that you were so broken that you had to block the bond so that you could find some kind of peace. I told her how fucked up it is that you knew the one person you love doesn't love you enough to not run away from you. Regardless of her reasons, there was no excuse good enough to get any sympathy from me. She took your love and threw it back in your face time and time again and the worst part was that you knew you two would always be connected and there wasn't a damn thing you could do about it. I will tell you she felt about two inches tall by the time I was done with her."

I had a mixture of emotions running through me, sadness in the truth behind her words, pride in my little witch, realizing she was a true friend, and righteousness in the fact that I wasn't the only one who saw that this whole mess wasn't my fault. At least Amelia wasn't blaming me for leaving and even believed my actions to be justified. "You are a good friend witch, thank you."

"Anything for you Viking," she winked and I couldn't help but laugh. How it happened I wasn't sure but somehow I knew I could count her as one of my closest friends. I had never really cared for her when she lived with Sookie but she had done a lot for me.

I sighed in contentment as I felt another piece of my soul sliding back into place. One more step in the right direction. I wasn't sure if I would ever truly be the same man again after everything I had been through but hadn't I already started to change dramatically from the first time Sookie walked into my bar? "Do you have it Amelia, or did you follow my foolish advice?"

Without even saying a word to me she stood and walked across the room to a huge hope chest that was tucked away against the wall. She held her hands over the top of it and I could feel the gathering of power as she mumbled some words I couldn't quite make out. The magic pushed down into the chest and the lid popped open. She knelt down and rummaged about, pulling out books and clear glass bottles with different colored concoctions inside and finally between her tiny little hands she grasped the object of my desire. She stood and walked towards me and placed the box into my trembling fingers. I closed my eyes and just felt the weight of it in my hands; it was a very good feeling. I felt another small part of my soul heal with just the very presence of this box. I had no idea what she had kept and what she hadn't but this box meant everything.

I opened my eyes and stared down at it, caressing it gently, the soft velvet tickling my fingertips. When I had bought this box for our bonding knife I remembered I had thought of Sookie, the soft material made me think of her impossibly soft skin. I undid the little latch and opened the box; I almost burst in to tears again looking down at it. It had everything I had put there still nestled in the folds of red satin, Sookie's ring box, the picture of our dance, Pam's hair, the bullet that started it all and the one thing I wanted most: The Knife, our Knife, the symbol that Sookie and I belonged to each other eternally.

With delicate fingers I pulled the knife from the box. I handled it with the utmost care, as if I was holding a holy object. I closed my eyes and placed the cold steel to my lips, my snowflake tears falling out of my eyes and slowly ran down my cheeks and I didn't care. I just let the blade linger on my lips for what felt like hours. It felt like being reunited with Sookie herself. This knife meant so much to me and was part of the reason I was so crushed that she had left it behind so haphazardly. To me this knife was a symbol of our love and joining of our souls forever. I think I was going to have to buy a sheath for it; I never wanted this knife away from me again. If that meant wearing it everywhere I went then that is what I was going to do. Damn, I really was a sentimental sap.

I looked up at Amelia and couldn't find the words to thank her for what she had done; she held up her hand in a stop gesture and said, "Don't even bother; the look on your face is thank you enough Eric. Now, I also have your leather jacket here for you, as well as a change of clothes, and a formal outfit of yours. Follow me," she said, standing up and walking out of the room. I placed the knife back into the box and clutched it to my chest as I followed Amelia through the house. We went down a long hallway and she stopped in front of door about half way down, she opened it and pulled out a garment bag. The door had to lead to a closet. She handed it to me, turned away, and walked back down the hall; she stopped at the very end and opened up another door revealing a bathroom. "There are towels in the linen, feel free to use all my soaps and shampoos, get showered up and get that damn get up off. It is time for you to be Eric again. No more hiding." Before I could even say anything she turned and walked back down the hall.

I went in to the bathroom, it wasn't as luxurious as anything I had in my homes but then again over the last five years I had not had any luxuries. Most of the time when I bathed it was in a river or lake, it was very rare that I actually slept in a bed or bathed myself in an actual shower. I placed the box on the counter and grabbed some soft towels from the closet; I hung the garment bag up on the back of the door. I rifled through the drawers and found a pair of hair clippers, sure I was going to be bald for about four hours but it was the only way to get this dreaded color out of my hair. I grabbed one of the towels and laid it out on the floor to catch the hair when it fell so I wouldn't have such a hard time cleaning it up when I was done.

I quickly stripped my clothes and threw them unceremoniously by the door; I moved over to the mirror and went about shaving my head bald. The locks of red hair fell quickly, tickling and itching my naked body as they fell to the floor. When I was done my head was 'as smooth as a baby's bottom' as the breathers liked to say. I jumped into the tub/shower combo and turned on the water as hot as it would go. I languished in the hot water, letting it wash all my troubles away with every bead of water that hit me. When the water was finally starting to turn cold and I decided I had better start to wash. I scrubbed every inch of my body thoroughly; I made sure that every last inch of Father Shamus went down the drain. By the time I was stepping out of the shower I noticed my hair had already started to come back in. I must have been in the shower longer then I thought because it was now the length of what most men wear now-a-days if they are in corporate America, short but still long enough to style.

I dried off quickly, and unzipped the garment bag. I burst out laughing, inside was my standard black jeans, black wife beater and black Doc Martins. I looked at all the sizes and knew they would fit me perfectly. I was most impressed to say the least with Amelia; I couldn't have chosen better myself. I threw the clothes on and stepped in front of the mirror and took in my appearance. I had avoided any outfits that looked anything like this while away, it reminded me too much of her and the person I used to be. Plus I stuck out like a sore thumb enough as it was without being dressed in a way that would draw so much attention. I mean you would think that being dressed in all black would help you hide in plain sight but it never seemed to have that reaction on breathers or my fellow Vamps when it came to me. For the first time in five years looking in that mirror I saw Eric Northman truly looking back. A huge grin slid on my face. I turned and practically skipped back down the hall to Amelia's living room. Yes, I know, skipping, a very un-Eric thing to do but damn it felt good to be back.

On the back of the couch laid my leather jacket and another garment bag, I could only assume that it was my formal tux. I put my bonding box down for a moment so that I could slip into my jacket. I pulled the cool leather over my skin and felt a shiver of enjoyment run through me. I caught the smallest hint of Sookie's scent lingering still on the material and I smirked that small sexy smile I knew she loved. I heard Amelia gasp behind me; I looked at her and caught her staring quite obviously at my ass. I laughed my confident laugh that sent chills down any woman's spin and watched as it had that very effect on Amelia. Damn, it's good to be me, bonded or no bonded I loved the effect of women drooling over me. Sookie had hit the nail on the head when she said I was a damn peacock; I loved spreading my feathers for a good show.

Amelia visibly shook herself and said, "Umm… Eric, did you find everything."

"MMMHMMMM" I made the sound drip with sex and unspoken carnal deeds done in darkened corners. She shivered again, I stalked towards her and I watched her watching me as my muscles and tendons moved seductively under my shirt. Women couldn't help it, they where hypnotized by my body and I knew exactly how to work it in order to draw attention to every single inch. I could make a lesbian blush with want and desire, this wasn't cockiness this was fact. I had in fact done that many times. I wasn't really on the prowl for a roll in the hay but it felt good to stretch my seduction muscles, so to speak. I placed a chaste kiss on Amelia's forehead, turned off the sex charm and said, "Thank you for everything."

"You are such an ass," and slapped my chest, "a beautiful ass but an ass all the same."

"Sookie said my Ass was my best quality," I said shaking said asset a little and winked suggestively.

Amelia and I both bust into peals of laughter. I was truly enjoying the moment when she froze in place looking towards the street. "Eric, I think you were followed."

"I have no doubt, the King of New York seems quite reluctant to have Sookie and I reconnect. I doubt that I was followed, more like they figured Father Shamus would show up here eventually."

Just then I heard a gruff male voice coming from the front gate yell, "Northman, I know you are in there, I can hear you talking with the witch. Come out NOW!"

I cracked the front door just enough to see them and shout out my response, "What do you want?"

The were, I could tell he had to be a were from his scent, most likely a wolf, laughed menacingly. "The most gracious King of New York would like us to give you a tour through a few different states."

"Why, would a King whom I never met want to bestow such a gift on me?"

"He wants more time," the were said, clearly not pleased about something.

"If he wished to hold me prisoner why not just do it the old fashioned way? Beat, torture the whole shebang." I was not going to waste my time with word games on this peon.

"He can't, we have orders to not harm you any more then we have to in order to get you to cooperate. He wants more time with your human, to try and get her to see the light. If he can win her affections then we get to go back to the old fashioned way," he laughed again.

"Well sorry to disappoint boy's but I think I have to decline, I need to stay in and wash my hair tonight," I snickered and slammed the door. I was turning to Amelia to ask for an alternate route out when the front wall erupted in flames.

Amelia raised her hands and hissed out some words and I saw the flames slowly receding. "GO!" she shouted. "There is a door through the kitchen, get to Sookie. I got this under control; those assholes are going to pay for daring to set my house on fire. When you are ready to release the bonds simply say 'I want to feel Pam and Sookie again.'" I kissed her cheek, grabbed my garment bag and the bonding box and flew out the back door. I took to the sky instantly, heading back towards New York, back towards my life, and back towards my bonded. I guess my road back to Sookie was going to take longer then I had thought but my road to redemption for what I had done was finally at an end. I knew that I really needed no redemption for what I had done. I had done what any man would do and if all of what I heard was true Sookie knew the same thing. The only thing I had left to do was be reunited with her and to be whole again. No more torturing myself, I could finally allow Eric Northman to come home.