Bill came over that evening. I had forced myself to have a shower. Really I just wanted to collapse, go to bed and cry, and not get up for a week. But there would be arrangements to make. My Gran had been a very popular lady and I knew that in the morning there would be a stream of visitors coming to pay their respects and bring enormous quantities of food. People still did things the old fashioned way in Bon Temps. It would be comforting, but also hard work. I hoped Jason would come by and help but I couldn't rely on him.

I was just drying off when he came to the door. I still had a towel wrapped round me. It was a little chilly, and he made up a fire for me in the grate. Then he took the brush, and sitting me down on the footstool sat behind me carefully brushing the tangles out of my hair.

He was very good at it. His touch was soothing and it felt good to have someone care for me. Eventually he put down the hairbrush. I wasn't prepared for his cool hands to slip down to my shoulders and then to the top of my bare arms. I shivered a little. He pulled me back against him, very gently, and bent his head down to kiss my hair.

I just let him hold me for a moment. It felt so good, so comforting. His hands travelled down further. They were on my thighs and suddenly his intentions were very clear to me. I pushed them away

"Bill," I exclaimed, louder than I had intended "Please, no."

"I'm sorry" I continued "you've been so kind. You've been a good friend to me, and I really appreciate it. I'm sorry if I gave you the wrong idea, but Gran isn't cold in the ground yet. It's just too soon, I'm not ready"

Bill stood up. He looked genuinely ashamed. "I am so sorry, Sookie, please forgive me. I did not mean to be so forward. I will leave now, but please, if there is anything you need, anything I can do you must call on me"

After he left I sat for a long time staring at the fire. A part of me was sorry I had sent him away. I really needed someone to just hold me right now, to comfort me and make me feel less alone. The memory of our parents' deaths came back to me. I had cried for days, and Gran had been there for me just hugging me and soothing me while I wept.

I thought of calling Tara. I knew she was working bar tonight so I tried her cell. "Sookie, sweetie, I am so sorry. Jason told me. Listen, I'll be right over as soon as I finish work, but Arlene called in sick and its real busy in here tonight. I wish I could be there for you but I can't let Sam down"

I reassured her. Really I was being selfish. I asked if she could come over in the morning, and perhaps Lafayette if he was free. I would need some help to cope with all the matrons of Bon Temps. I knew some of them would think bad thoughts about me. They wondered what was wrong with me, why I wasn't married. Now I had been seen in the company of Vampires it was even worse. I knew I would struggle to keep my shields up. The great thing about Tara and Lafayette was that they would both say it like they felt it. If anyone upset me too much they would just throw them out. I was so lucky to have them as my friends.

I groaned when the doorbell rang. If that was Bill Compton back for more grovelling I would just slap his face. I was tempted to ignore it, but it rang again.

Nothing could have surprised me more than to see Eric Northman standing on my porch. "She's dead"

"Yes, how did you know"

"I went to the hospital to see her. I thought she had a few more days. I am truly sorry. She was a good person." He paused, I examined his face. His expression never gave much away but he did look genuinely sorry.

"Are you…ok"

"No," I collapsed into deep sobs. Eric put his hands on my shoulders to calm me

"I'm sorry, Eric, it's just all too much for me. I know I should be stronger, but I just can't"

"What would you like me to do?"

"Would you just….hold me….I don't want to be alone right now"

He picked me up as if I weighed nothing and carried me to the couch. He settled us down so I was comfortable. His arms were round my waist, just enough to comfort me. "Tell me about her" he said "tell me your memories, tell me about her life"

So many images came into my mind, mostly happy, a few sad. It was good to talk about her, I began to feel a little less empty inside. I would always have her memory with me. When I needed support and guidance I would try to remember things she had told me.

Eric explained to me how in his human days his people would remember their ancestors with stories around the campfire. It was important to them that their memory lived on. He told me how they would talk about their exploits on the battlefield, their success with women, their kindnesses. He even told me a little about his life, how his wife had died in childbirth, and how three of his six children had died in infancy. I found myself wanting to offer him comfort.

I barely noticed the passing of time, but as the fire died away I began to feel the chill. I was shocked to realise it was 2am. Eric immediately picked up on my feelings. How did he do that? – somehow he just knew how to do the right thing. He lifted me up so we were sitting side by side.

"I should go, it's late and you need your rest. I am sure that Bill has offered to help you should you need anything. He is close, and you can trust him, you should accept his offer of help"

He got up to walk to the door, moving at human pace. I followed him. He turned to me, and I took his hand. "Eric, thank you. You've….well, you've been so kind… really it was just what I needed"

He was turning to leave when I suddenly remembered. "Listen, Gran told me something really weird before she died. I really need to talk to you about it. It's too late now, but would it be okay, sometime, if you're not too busy"

"Sookie, dear one, please believe me when I say I will never be too busy for you. Just call me whenever you need me. I mean it"

With that he was gone. I stood leaning against the door frame for several minutes. I thought I could see the tail lights on his car disappear into the distance, but it was probably just a trick of the light. I was still feeling sad, but that aching, gnawing, all consuming grief which I had felt earlier this evening had gone.

Perhaps I had misjudged him. I remembered Gran telling me I had to use my judgement and that I was a good judge of character. Could this evening all have been an act. I couldn't believe that it was. He just did everything right – gave me everything I needed. I felt a little guilty thinking of Bill. I knew he really cared for me, it was so obvious in everything he did, but there was that awkwardness that made me feel just a little uncomfortable.

EPOV

I had to restrain myself from punching the air as I walked away from the house. I was sure I had done enough. I was sure she would be mine. It was a good thing she couldn't see the expression of pure pleasure on my face, it really wouldn't be very appropriate.

I don't know what made me do it, just hold her and offer her comfort. Somehow I knew it was right, that it was what she needed. Of course I considered that this would be the perfect moment to take advantage, but something made me pull back. I didn't think it could be my better nature as I'm quite sure that I don't have one.

It had been Pam's suggestion that I call on her. It was a risk. She would be vulnerable, perhaps unpredictable, but if I didn't try I would be leaving the field open to my rival and that was something I was not prepared to do.

I had gone to the house fully expecting Compton to be there. He had been, I could still smell his scent, but something had made him leave. I mentioned his name deliberately. I needed to check out her reaction. It wasn't easy for me to be polite about him, still less to suggest that he might help her. She couldn't hide her reaction. Clearly he had done something wrong. I suspected from the faintest hint of a blush on her cheek that he had tried to take advantage.

I couldn't believe he could be quite that stupid, but thinking of what I knew of his history, he actually had surprisingly little experience with women for a Vampire. He's had his human wife, then sixty years with that crazy bitch Lorena. Since then I'd heard he'd been very solitary.

As soon as I got back to Fangtasia I quizzed Pam on human mourning customs. She pointed out that the local newspaper was generally a very good source of information on the timing and location of funerals. I would send flowers of course. Nothing flashing, something very tasteful and low key. Then she was gone for a few hours, doing research. Sometimes I did wonder about her enthusiasm for all this. Her considered advice was to move swiftly after the funeral. For the next few days, Sookie would be busy, she would be the centre of attention, there would be a constant stream of visitors. Once it was over she would be left alone. That would be her weakest most vulnerable point, and the time she needed support.

I would take her away for a few days, somewhere she could relax. Just her and me. I probably wouldn't have to do anything at all, I wouldn't be surprised if she ended up jumping me.

Pam snickered, sometimes it seemed as if she could read my thoughts.

I thought through the practicalities. I would send one of my human waitresses to Merlotte's to cover her shifts. I would pay for that and in return the Shifter would continue to pay her salary. I wouldn't tell him until the last minute though. I had seen how he looked at her and I didn't want to give him the chance to ruin my plan.

Pam came up with the perfect location. It was a new Vampire friendly vacation centre. There were luxury log cabins round a lake – all light tight of course. According to the website it boasted a state of the art sun room with swimming pool, sauna, hot tubs as well as a spa and beauty centre. There was catering for human companions as well, and it promised high quality entertainment. The perfect mixture of seclusion and luxury. I made my reservation straight away.

I thought about how to invite her. Calling at her home might scare her off. A phone call wouldn't give her time to think. A text was too impersonal. I would write. As I went over the wording in my head the perfect excuse came to mind. Sometimes I had to admit I even impressed myself.

SPOV

As I expected the next few days went by in a complete blur. Tara and Lafayette were great. Jason less so, but he did try to help. At least I was keeping so busy I didn't have time to get upset. If I did feel grief creeping up on me, I would take Eric's advice and focus on my good memories.

Of course that made me think of him and how kind he'd been. I guess I had been half hoping that he might call again. It wouldn't really be appropriate for me to call him, I was meant to be in mourning after all, not lusting after a Vampire. I slapped myself down. I wasn't lusting after him, I just liked the feeling when he held me that was all.

The day before the funeral a letter arrived. I recognised the thick cream paper of the envelope straight away and I have to say my heart was beating a little faster as I opened it.

My dear Sookie

I am truly sorry that I cannot be there for you. I hope your friends and your brother are giving you the support you need.

I have to go away on business and I wonder if I could persuade you to accompany me. I plan to leave on Friday. I have been offered an investment opportunity, which I need to investigate. There will be plenty of time for relaxation.

I can make all the arrangements, you will not have to worry about anything. Please say yes.

Call me

-E-

I looked at it for a long time. Truly a break away from Bon Temps would be wonderful. On the other hand it did mean I would be alone with Eric. Could I trust him? Could I trust myself? Did I care?

I considered my previous resolve to avoid Eric, not to let him humiliate me, to go for the safe option. Its funny how being close to death changes your views. Did I want to go to my grave being safe, never having fun, never taking any risks?

I worried about the practicalities. I had already had a week off work, it wasn't fair on Sam. I must have changed my mind twenty times before first dark fell. But finally I convinced myself to stop worrying and just go with my instincts

"Eric Northman" I did love his no-nonsense phone manner

"It's Sookie, I got your letter"

"and"

"well it does sound great…"

He jumped in immediately. "Do not say 'but', I will not allow it" I laughed out loud at that, and after a brief pause he laughed too.

"I'm sorry dear one, I am rather too used to ordering people around. I said I would make all the arrangements and I meant it. I will have someone cover your shifts at Merlotte's.. The place we are going is truly beautiful. It is a new holiday destination. I believe it will become very popular, and profitable but I need to check it out before I make an investment decision. I need your opinion, Sookie. All the market research says that 90% of holiday decisions are made by women. You could save me a lot of money and I value your judgement"

"Eric Northman, you are such a smoothie, how long did it take you to come up with that"

"It's true" he said, sounding a little hurt

"Yeah, I believe you" I retorted sounding as unconvinced as I could

"Look Eric, it's a really kind thought, I appreciate it….and I'd love to come with you"

"Good, make sure you pack a bikini, and your dancing shoes" He actually sounded excited on the phone. "I will pick you up Friday, around seven"