I do not own any True Blood characters. I merely use and abuse them.
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Aislin watched the band sing that night, all the while wondering where Eric had gone so suddenly. She had fallen asleep before he had really told her how he felt about her confession last night, and now she questioned her decision about telling him at all. Telling Hannah had been difficult as well, but she could see by the way her friend smiled at her and beckoned her onstage that she was understanding about the situation. Aislin ordered a shot quickly, and downed it before heading up to sing with them. She danced and sang, feeling her worries slip away. She headed to the bar after the set, and ordered another drink as she smiled her thanks at the compliments she received from the crowd. She turned around as Hannah and Josh approached her, and smiled at them. Josh moved in next to her, and she glanced at him. "So I am really sorry, Ais. I kind of lost it the other night."
"It's all good, Josh. I know where it was coming from." Aislin replied, sipping her drink. The group talked about what to do since they were finished, and ended up dancing at a large club down the street. Aislin moved easily to the beat that night, as well as the night after that. Hanging out with the band became a regular thing after she finished working, and a week went by without any word from Eric. Aislin assumed that he was gone from her life for good, and fought the sadness that she felt inside as she continued to dream about him at night. They were more intense and she woke up several times gasping for air with her desire pumping through her. She would lie alone in the dark until she calmed herself down or ended up relieving her pressure, and then fall asleep only to dream again. The end of the week brought a dream of another kind, one that chilled her inside. She was on the cement in the alley again in New York, struggling against the rapists. She felt one of them holding her arms as another ripped her shirt open and groped her roughly as she sobbed for her baby's life. The same man yanked up her skirt and she felt him shove her legs apart as she panicked and started to cry for help. One slam of her head to the concrete and she was dazed, but suddenly she felt the grip on her loosen. She opened her eyes dimly to see someone ripping out the throat of one of the men with their teeth, then ripping the arms off of another. Aislin let her head fall to the ground as she struggled with the pain in her head. The struggle around her continued, and she moaned softly as she slipped into unconsciousness. Aislin woke up screaming as she sat straight up in bed, and had to force her eyes open to see where she was. She took a few minutes to calm down completely, and pulled the covers tight around her again. She missed Eric's arms around her, and his lips on hers. She nearly missed Matt, though their time together had been filled with pain as of late. She felt the tears slide down her cheeks as hopelessness set in again around her, heavy in the dark room.
Aislin was tired the next day from a lack of sleep due to the dreams and going out every night, but she headed out that night again with everyone to a small bar. She drank and danced around, trying to force the remaining images of the dream out of her mind as she moved. She felt someone come up behind her and dance with her, and she turned her head to see Josh. "Rough night?" His voice was soft in her ear, but loud enough to hear over the song playing, and he slid his hands over her hips as he moved with her.
"I suppose." Aislin replied, and he kissed her hair. She turned to face him and slid her arms around his neck as she hugged him, and then danced with him as the music slowed slightly. "Sometimes I do not think it is getting any better, Josh. How much time do I need before I am healed?"
"You could get a little help. Talk to someone." Josh suggested, and she nodded as she gazed into his dark eyes. Hannah came out to dance with them, and the friends smiled as a song that they liked came on. Josh drove Aislin home, and she leaned back in his Camry with her eyes closed. He stopped in front of her house, and she yawned as she opened one eye. "I'll help you inside." Josh offered, and she sighed aloud as he got out of the car. He slipped an arm around her and unlocked her door for her, and then they walked inside together and she sat on the couch. "You alright, Aislin?"
"I am tired of being alone, Josh. I don't want to go in there and sleep in that room and have the nightmare again. I can't do it." Aislin said, and rested her head in her hands.
"Dream?" Josh asked her, sitting beside her.
"Scary one." Aislin told him, and looked at him. "It might be wrong to ask, but can you stay on the couch here with me? I need company."
"Sure thing." Josh told her, and she smiled as she got up. He turned on the TV while she changed into some shorts and a heavier tank top, and came back out to the couch. He allowed her to rest on his shoulder as he wrapped an arm around her, and she welcomed the company and the warmth. Aislin drifted off peacefully, and it was a few hours before she woke up moaning and in a cold sweat. She sat up and shoved her hair back off of her damp forehead, and took a few deep breaths. "Ais? Are you okay?" Josh murmured, and she glanced at him.
"Just a dream." Aislin replied, and he stroked her shoulder. The remaining desire she felt from the dream caused her to jump at his touch, and she gasped audibly.
"You're so jumpy. What were you dreaming about?" Josh asked her, and she blinked her tear filled eyes. She cursed Eric silently, and fought to calm herself down. He pulled her against him gently, and she shuddered as he stroked her arms.
"You should go." Aislin told him, and he sat up more.
"I thought you didn't want to be alone." Josh told her, and she felt him stroke her hair. She leaned her head over and breathed deeply.
"It's better. I don't want to regret anything I do." Aislin told him, and he tilted her face to look at her. Her eyes were shimmering, and he stroked her cheek.
"I don't want to leave you like this." Josh told her, and she shook her head.
"Just go, Josh." Aislin insisted, and he pulled her to him. "I feel so lonely sometimes and scared. So helpless."
"You're not alone. I am here for you, and Han is here for you. We all are." Josh assured her, and she hugged him after she stopped fighting herself. She let him stroke her back gently as she relaxed in his arms, and closed her eyes. "He loves you too. Just not in person right now."
Aislin murmured something unintelligible back to him, and he stroked her hair. He was not Eric, and her desire was subsiding slowly as she settled with him. She slept in his arms again as he leaned back, and managed not to dream for the rest of the night. She woke up in the morning as her phone screamed at her, and blinked as she looked around the living room. Josh was next to her, and she smiled at him gratefully. He had not run when she told him, but been a good friend and stayed. She had not acted upon the wildly erotic dream that she had involving Eric, and she was proud of herself. It would have been terrible to start anything with Josh and then more than likely freak out on him if it got too far. Josh moved slowly as her phone went off again, and opened his eyes. "Hey."
"Morning, Aislin. Sleep better?" Josh asked her weakly, and she nodded as she stood up and went to make coffee. Josh was sitting up and looking more awake when she came in to ask if he wanted some. She ended up making breakfast and they ate it on the back patio as they chatted idly. He glanced at her as she started to clear the plates, and she could pick up easily on his curiosity. Aislin had been working hard on toning her thoughts down all week, and it seemed to be working relatively well unless they were very strong. "So your dream last night was kind of heavy? You were moaning pretty loud. Matt?"
"Of course." Aislin answered too quickly, and he raised one eyebrow. She blushed and tried to push Eric out of her mind.
"Good to know you guys didn't lose that." Josh said, searching her face.
"Yep." Aislin replied, heading into the house. He followed and left after a quick hug so she could get ready for work. She showered for a long time and then pulled on a denim mini and an emerald green layer tee over a tight camisole. She did her eyes in green and her hair in curls, sliding her feet into some comfortable black wedges before leaving the house. She had a busy day and left yawning and craving a quiet night in. The alone factor did not please her, but she could not always have someone around…..or Eric around. He was not around and his absence was huge. Aislin bit her lip as she started her car, staring out of the front window as the song Matt had written for her played over her Ipod. "Fuck my life." Aislin muttered, driving home as he phone beeped. She glanced at it as she walked to her door at home, texting Hannah back that she was wiped out and had a busy morning. She hardly glanced up as she unlocked her door, and she jumped as she heard someone clear their throat. She turned her head to see Eric sitting on the porch swing staring at her with dark eyes, and her eyes widened. Her phone chimed again, and she glanced from him to the screen. "Eric." Aislin said softly, trying to read his face since his emotions were running cool tonight. "What brings you here?"
"It is always you." Eric said, his eyes locking with hers. "I wanted to see you since I am back home. The bond we share will always bring me to you." He gestured for her to join him, and she frowned warily as she sat next to him. He stared intently at her, and she looked down at the ground.
"Your…..business went well, I assume?" Aislin asked dumbly as she stared at the text message from Hannah. She returned it automatically saying she was just going to rest tonight, and realized how long his silence has lasted. She glanced at him to see his eyes glaring at her phone, and she set it down.
"You could look at me instead of that device." Eric suggested, and she heard it chime again. "Popular these days?"
"What is bothering you?" Aislin asked him, and he tilted his head as he stroked her curls back.
"I…I am just tense tonight. I have business in Bon Temps that I need to attend to, but I wanted to at least see you first." Eric said, and she closed her eyes as his fingertips slid through her hair. "You could drive with me and keep me company."
"Where are you going?" Aislin practically whispered, and felt the bond willing her to not leave his side. She felt his altered emotions though not what was behind them, but above that was his need for her.
"Merlotte's. I will buy you dinner if you like, though I am not promising anything grandiose." Eric told her, and she felt his lips brush her cheek. "That will be next time." He kissed her gently, and she whimpered as the sparks passed between their lips. "Come with me?"
"Yes." Aislin said, and he stood and pulled her up by her hand. He led her to his car and opened the door for her, and she felt her heart pounding as she looked up at him. He was gazing down at her with what looked like disapproving eyes, and she tilted her head. She remained silent and slid into the seat, watching as he got into his side of the red Corvette. "I thought that you must hate me, or think me disgusting after…the other night. You went away so soon after." Aislin told him, feeling her eyes tearing up. "I wish I hadn't…brought it up."
Eric looked at her, and brushed her cheeks gently to wipe away the tears. "I could never think that of you, only them." There was an edge to his voice, and she stared at him as his pain hit her. "You were an innocent victim." He looked away from her as his eyes intensified, and shook his head lightly. He let go of her and started the engine, pulling out into the road and driving at a high speed towards Bon Temps. "Your story torments me, Aislin. Your pain eats away at me."
"You wish we did not share this bond?" Aislin questioned him, and he narrowed his eyes.
"Some of it is very hard." The drive was silent as she stared out of the window and watched the trees pass by her in a blur as he whipped by them. Any other time, a drive in a car like this would be enjoyable. Tonight, it was ripping her apart. She looked forward as he pulled into a dirt parking lot, and saw a very simple building in front of them. Eric swiftly got out and opened her door, and she looked up at him as his hard eyes searched hers. Aislin reached up and touched his cool lips with her finger, and he took her hand gently. "Aislin…" Eric turned his head sharply and Aislin followed his glance to see a pale man walking towards them. "Bill Compton. I was looking for you." Eric dropped her hand and strode towards the door, and she realized that he was all business right now. She followed quietly, texting Hannah as she walked slowly. She walked in and a pretty blond came up to her with a hesitant smile and curious eyes.
"Hello. My name is Sookie and I was told by Eric to take care of you tonight." The brown eyes searched Aislin's face and she seemed very curious about her. Aislin glanced around to see Eric sitting at a table in a corner talking seriously, and his eyes darted over to glance at the women. Sookie looked over nervously and Aislin frowned as she picked up on something. "Let's get you a table." Aislin followed her and sat down as she looked around at the few tables that had the small town crowd. "Would you like something to drink?"
Aislin glanced over again at Eric and felt the warmth spread through her body, and took in his tight black tee shirt and jeans with wistful eyes. "I would love a screwdriver, Sookie." She glanced over the small menu and looked up at the blond again as she felt her eyes on her. "I guess I will just have the Caesar salad for dinner as well. But keep the drinks coming."
Sookie went to get the drink and then looked down as she opened her mouth to ask a question. "So are you seeing Eric?" Her voice was soft, and she fidgeted with her order pad as she looked at Aislin with wide eyes.
"Who knows?" Aislin replied, and saw his head turn to look at them. "As long as he is paying tonight, all I care about is drinking."
"Oh. He has never brought a human girl here with him before. Only Pam." Sookie told her, and Aislin took a large sip of her drink.
"Ask him yourself. Maybe he will tell you." Aislin said, feeling bad for being a bit snappy towards the seemingly nice blond. She shook her head and looked up at her, noticing the blush the spread across her face as she glanced sideways at Eric's table. She looked at him and both vampires were watching them, and the other one was giving Eric a look of disapproval. What was going on here? Sookie excused herself and went back to work, but the discomfort was apparent to Aislin. She texted Hannah as she drank and observed the contact, and assumed that Sookie was with the other vampire due to the warm looks that they gave each other. It was also obvious that there was something between Eric and Sookie that was causing some tension. Three drinks later, it occurred to Aislin that Sookie acted a bit like her around Eric. She met the blonde's eyes and stared suspiciously at her, and then her gaze went to Eric. He was looking at her with an impassive face, and she glared at him as she recognized all of the signs completely. She pushed away her half eaten salad and downed her drink, and Sookie approached her to ask if she wanted another. "Dream much at night, Sookie?" Aislin asked her softly, and Sookie stared at her with wide eyes. "I will drink until he has to carry me out of here to his car. I just don't care at this point."
""He might not like that too much." Sookie told her, and Aislin laughed humorlessly. "Have you seen his harder side yet?"
"I really barely know him." Aislin said, and just wanted to be home. She wished that she had not come. She thought back to how badly she had longed for him the past week, and now she just wanted to be home alone. Sookie sat down and looked at the girl with a searching gaze.
"I cannot read you. What are you?"
"Read me?" Aislin asked her, and stared at her.
"Your thoughts." Sookie told her, and Aislin shook her head in disbelief. She had been fighting to keep her thoughts from everyone lately, and Sookie's words confused her. "I am a telepath."
"Well everyone else can seemingly read my thoughts and emotions. I am something of a pusher where that is concerned. It has been hard as of late." Aislin admitted, staring at the table.
"We should talk alone sometime." Sookie suggested, and Aislin felt Eric looking at her. He strode over to her table and Sookie jumped up nervously as he looked at them. "I will just get that drink and a True Blood for you, Eric."
Eric took her empty seat and gazed at Aislin with deepening eyes. "Feeling those yet?" His voice was low and she glanced down as she nodded. She sipped the one that Sookie brought to her, and laid her head on the table. She was angry with him and herself and the alcohol made the thoughts swirl around her head in a twisted manner. "Let's get you home." Eric sipped his True Blood and stood up to help her up, and she reluctantly leaned against him as they left. Even bordering on drunk, she could feel the eyes watching them leave together. Her body reacted easily to the closeness, and she cursed herself as he held her close to unlock the door of his car. "I did not bring you here intending for you to get this drunk, Aislin."
"Did you bring me here to display the blood bond that you have with her? Is that it?" Aislin accused him, and he stared down at her silently. "Was that an accident as well? I thought you were so careful with that." She slid into the car, barely missing the ground as he helped her hastily. She pulled her legs into the car and he shut the door before going to his side.
"She was a bit more intentional." Eric told her, as he got into the car. "It was a different time for me, prior to ever even knowing I would meet you."
"Oh that old line? Before I met you, blah blah blah. I hate the idea of what has happened before me on so many levels. Just take me home."
"To sleep alone, sweet Aislin? Or will you call your human lover to hold you all night again?" Eric asked, leaning in towards her as her mind swirled with her thoughts. "I am gone a mere week and you find another man to keep you company."
"What are you even talking about?" Aislin asked, and he narrowed his eyes at her. "Oh, shit. Do you mean Josh?"
"The human that had his lips all over yours that night. It was him." Eric hissed at her, and she pulled away from him.
"He was at my house one night. That is true. I had a nightmare the previous night and didn't want to be alone. I didn't sleep in my bed with him and nothing happened." Aislin told him, wondering why she was explaining herself at all.
"Not even after your dream?"
"Did you do that on purpose?" Aislin asked him, and he smiled an evil smile at her. "You asshole! I had to think fast with an explanation and it was really embarrassing. Besides, you just up and left without even telling me. I didn't know of you were coming back at all."
"I live here and own a business here. Where would I go?" Eric asked her bluntly, and she met his eyes. They were a deep blue and swirling with emotion. It was easy enough for her to sense them, and the odd jealousy rose above the rest. "I saw the way he was looking at you and touching your body as you slept. He wants you and it was in his eyes."
"People want people all of the time, Eric. It does not always mean that it will happen. I don't think he will ever push the issue too far."
"Why not?"
"For one, he is Matt's good friend." Aislin said, and Eric's eyes narrowed at the name. "The other reason is that he was there when I called Matt about what happened to me. He knows the raw pain of it all and would never do anything I was not comfortable with. He is worried about my being alone right now."
"You're not." Eric told her, and leaned in to kiss her lips very gently. She felt him slide his hand into her hair, and she leaned closer to him to kiss him back. "Can I take you home and be the one to hold you tonight, Aislin?" Eric's voice was husky and low, and she felt her breath catch in her throat. "I will behave myself." His lips brushed hers again, and she moaned softly as the sparks shot between them.
"Take me home." Aislin murmured, and he held her lips with his for one long moment before pulling away. She slid her hand over his muscular leg as he drove, not wanting to be too far way from him. She stared at him, still very angry with him but wanting him not to be out of her sight. She cursed the bond they shared, and then her mind wandered to Sookie. "Why her ,Eric?"
"It was months ago, and I guess I wanted to tear her away from Bill. Her ability interested me, and I guess that she did as well at the time." Eric replied, and glanced over at her with warm eyes. "I didn't know that I was going to meet you."
"Did you want me to know about the bond?"
"I wanted you to know how I felt when I saw you that night in his arms. I wanted you to know something of the rage I nearly went into at the sight of his hands on you. I suppose I did want you to know about the bond." Eric mused aloud, and she stared out of the front window.
"She dreams about you like I do. She wants you like I do. Is it a matter of who ends up in bed with you first?" Aislin asked, and closed her eyes. She already felt insecure about the other women when she was not with him and under the spell he had her under. Those were not even serious like the bond she now shared with another woman. "She was not raped like I was and she won't scream if you touch her the wrong way like I will. Where is the contest?"
"It is not a contest, but merely a circumstance of my actions. I would not worry myself too much about it if I were you." Eric told her in a smooth voice, and she glanced at him. His eyes assured her, but she looked away.
"I do not know why I am having this conversation anyway. I am taken, sort of. I don't really feel like it much these days, but technically I am." Aislin murmured, and glanced up as his car pulled into her driveway. "I should end this, Eric."
"Are you sure that you can do that, Aislin?" Eric asked her, turning towards her as she looked into his breathtaking face and met his deep blue eyes. "Can you just ignore this bond that pulls us to each other?"
"I want to." Aislin told him, leaning closer to him as she breathed him in. "I don't want to complicate things further in my life."
"I find that mine is very complicated with you in it. I have never been as….jealous as I was that night I looked into your window. It is so human to feel that, Aislin." Eric told her, and their lips met in the dim light of her porch lamp. Their words stopped as their lips melted together, and Aislin felt him slide his tongue into her mouth. She eagerly touched it with her own and he slid his hand around her neck to pull her closer. "Have you…."
"Never." Eric replied softly, knowing that she meant Sookie. "I have never touched her." He kissed her again and she returned it eagerly and he gripped her hair tightly. "Let me in, Aislin. Bring me into your house." They made their way to her porch, where he pulled her into his arms and kissed her passionately again as he pressed her into the door. He pulled away and stared deeply into her eyes as she tried to catch her breath. "Ask me where I was, Aislin. Ask me where I went for that time."
"Where did you go?" Aislin asked him in a whisper, as she fought to keep her desire in control. She knew that it would end badly as always, and she looked into his eyes. "Eric, where did you go when you left me alone?" She pulled herself closer to him to meet his lips again despite her concern, and he allowed to her for a moment before pulling away to speak against her lips.
"I was in New York."
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I love the adds as always! Leave me a review about what you think so far, if you would be so kind. I hope that all of you Americans had a wonderful 4th of July, as I am completing this as the day winds down. It was my first holiday as a homeowner in a permanent neighbourhood and felt good.
Thanks for the love on this story!