Still don't own anything…unless somebody wants to give me these characters as an early birthday gift.

Title comes from the Regina Spektor song Hero.

. . .

Sookie came to a stop on the front lawn a few dozen feet from the porch. She turned to Eric with her hands up.

"Okay, I think it's best if you wait here for a second. Dawn's coming soon and if we let her, Gran will keep you talking until you're a pile of ashes. Is that what happens when you guys stay out in the sun? Never mind…I'm serious though. When she finds out you are over 1,000 years old she will talk you to death…Well, more than you already are. She's probably going to want to invite you to dinner tomorrow…or well really tonight, I guess it is. Just stay here and let me talk to her a minute."

He could feel how nervous she was about this, but she was also excited. He'd become accustomed to feeling another's emotions with his bond with Pam, but this one with Sookie was different. Her emotions were stronger, raw. Perhaps because she was human?

Sookie climbed up the porch steps slowly. She was a wreck inside. Gran would almost certainly like Eric, mostly just because he was a vampire. Also because he was helping Jason. Gran would no doubt also see how much Sookie liked Eric. So why was she so nervous about this? Well she didn't know what Tara had told Gran. Plus there was a small fear in the back of her head that she was just being a stupid, no nothing little girl about this whole thing. Eric could very well be playing her and she was only too happy to let him. Her Gran was good people and Sookie trusted her judgment above all others. Unlike with her brother and Tara, Sookie would take whatever Gran said about Eric to heart.

Sookie took a deep, calming breath before going inside. Gran and Tara were both sitting on the couch. Gran had her knitting with her, but upon hearing Sookie, she put it aside.

"Interesting night, dear?"

Sookie almost burst out laughing. No matter what Tara had told her, here the older woman was waiting with a smile and patience to hear her granddaughter's side. If Sookie had said she was tired she was sure Gran would let her go up to bed without a fuss.

Even with all that she had found out in the last few hours, a fairy. Seriously?, Sookie felt every ounce of anxiety melt away as she looked at the slight stature of the woman who raised her. Why had she been so nervous? This was her Gran. She couldn't wait to introduce the older woman to Eric. He would no doubt charm the pants off her and Gran would almost certainly be happy to let him.

"You could say that. Uh…Gran I don't know what Tara told you—."

Tara stood up from her spot on the couch.

"I told her you got into a car with a freaking vampire and we should call the cops."

Sookie wanted to speak but Gran beat her too it.

"And I told you to have more faith in your friend and to stop unnecessarily rocking the boat." She turned back to Sookie. "I take it your vampire friend was not too busy this evening?"

"Well, no. I mean he is kinda busy. He has to go soon cause the sun will be up in a few hours—."

"Sookie, don't tell me you left a guest out waiting on the porch?"

"The lawn actually."

Eric could hear their voices clear all the way from the lawn. Sookie was defending her actions by saying her grandmother wouldn't want to have anyone in the house until she cleaned it from top to bottom anyways. The older woman didn't reply to that, which he supposed meant that she agreed. The old woman was not opposed to meeting him on the front porch though. The third voice, which he had deduced of belonging to Tara, spoke up against either Sookie or her grandmother going outside. Tara it seemed was not as vampire friendly as the other two.

Sookie led the way back out onto the porch, holding the door open for her grandmother. Tara stood in the entryway but refused to come out. Eric was still on the lawn where Sookie had left him. She gave him a smile but seemed to defer to her grandmother.

"You must excuse my granddaughter's faux pas and my current state of dress, Mr. Northman is it?" He nodded.

"There is nothing to forgive. It is I who should apologize for the lateness of my call."

He walked over to stand at the bottom of the steps. He didn't know what to expect with Sookie's grandmother. Sookie had seemed giddy about introducing Eric to the woman, which was odd, but then everything dealing with Sookie had been beyond the norm. The elderly were usually the most prevalent in their hatred and fear of vampires. This woman did not appear to be afraid of him. Eric thought that maybe there was very little that Mrs. Stackhouse was afraid of.

"For you it would be early I expect." She motioned to the white whicker chairs off to the left. "If you have time, I'd like a bit of a chat, sir."

She had a hard, steely look on her face.

"Of course."

The three sat down. Sookie had to bite her cheek not to laugh. Eric looked even more humongous in that tiny chair. It must've been uncomfortable, but he didn't let any discomfort, either at the situation or the furniture, show.

"Now then, I suppose the first thing I would like to say is thank you. Though I suppose Sookie's thanked you enough for the both of us."

"She has, but no thanks were necessary, ma'am."

The old woman made a noise.

"I take it that you're older than me, son."

Sookie bit her cheek harder. Eric looked at her for a second then back to her grandmother and nodded.

"Then I think calling me ma'am is a bit redundant." The stern look she had on her face melted away and he was graced with a smile that gave him an idea of what a beauty she must have been like in her younger days. "You may call me Adele."

Sookie couldn't stand it and a snort of laughter escaped.

"Gran, where you trying to intimidate a 1,000 year old vampire?" Any response to her granddaughter was pushed aside on hearing this last tidbit. Adele's eyes went wide and seemed to sparkle.

"A thousand…" She smiled wider. "Oh, you shouldn't have told me that, Sookie. I might not let him leave now. You'll of course have to come to dinner…"

Sookie gave him an I-told-you-so look.

"It would be my pleasure, Adele." Of course he had to use his most charming smile.

"First question is where were you during the Civil War?"

Sookie laughed into her hands. Her grandmother gave her a look and she tried to calm herself.

"I assume you mean the American one. I was in Europe at the time."

"Whereabouts?"

"Greece."

"Athens?"

"Ioannina, actually. The view of lake Pamvotida at night is quite lovely."

Gran looked like she was about to ask another question but Sookie intervened.

"Gran, he doesn't have much time. You can ask him more tonight."

"I already suggested to Sookie that she make a list of questions," Eric added.

"Don't think I won't do that."

Sookie's list would almost completely concern questions about Eric's personal life, whereas she was sure her Gran would want to focus on what historic events the vampire had witnessed.

Gran rose slowly and looked to Sookie.

"You may say goodnight to Mr. Northman and then it's straight up to bed, Sookie."

She would no doubt need help cleaning the house. Tara scrambled back from the screen door where she had been eavesdropping.

"Tara Mae, if you don't mind listening at key holes and screen doors, at least have the decency to look ashamed."

Sookie waited until the screen door closed behind her grandmother before she started laughing. Her sides were beginning to hurt by the time she stopped.

"Are you having a good time?" Eric asked.

"You should've seen your face. I think you were actually scared she might not like you."

"Hardly. And not as scared as you were before you entered the house." She frowned at the reminder that he could tell her emotions.

"You're supposed to be telling me goodnight," he said, trying to distract her from her thoughts. Before she could blink or breathe she found herself out of her chair and in his lap. She pushed at his shoulders.

"Eric! My grandmother and best friend are in the house, probably listening to us."

"As long as they aren't watching." His hand came to rest on her neck and his thumb ghosted along her jaw. "Though if they were I wouldn't care."

"Well I do." She knew she was blushing again. Damn it! "Groping her granddaughter on the front porch is no way to endure yourself to Gran."

"She's the one who left you out here alone with me. Besides, she already adores me."

Okay this was true, but he shouldn't be so smug about it. It had more to do with the fact that he was a vampire, and helping Jason, then to his actual character. When she got to know him a little better tonight…Yeah, Gran would still probably adore him.

"You have to get going."

"If you kiss me I promise I'll go on my way." She tried to glare at him, but the corners of her mouth would not cooperate.

"Fine. One little kiss."

He of course wouldn't let it be so. The hand at her neck tightened and held. It didn't help that she didn't put up much of a fight. She opened her mouth without any preamble. This kiss was slow and sensual. Her blood seemed to bubble in her veins. His other hand was rubbing circles over her back. Just when she felt her lungs would burst from a lack of oxygen, a voice from inside the house startled them both.

"Sookie!" Sookie pulled out of his grasp. She felt like laughing and was surprised she could stand on her own. She was still euphoric from the kiss.

"Um…Well goodnight."

She somehow managed not to trip over her own feet as she skedaddled inside.

Sookie had figured she would sleep until at least noon. But the clock read a little after 8 am. She had only slept at most five hours yet she felt like she had gotten a full night. She didn't think she had any dreams. Maybe that part of the blood thing had been him teasing her?

She took a long enough shower that it fogged up the mirror. As she wiped the condensation off the mirror she noticed her neck. She held her head up and twisted back and forth, eyes scanning the skin of her throat. The scratch was gone. She should have had circles under her eyes from barely sleeping the last two nights, but her skin looked like it was glowing. She dried her hair with the blow dryer. It had been months since she'd gotten it cut but there were no trace of split ends.

"Huh…"

No wonder people were addicted to V.

Sookie came downstairs to find the vacuum out of the closet and her Gran waxing the living room floor. Sookie could smell the odor of bleach coming from the direction of the kitchen.

"Gran, how long have you been up?" she asked, almost laughing.

"I can sleep when I'm dead, Sookie." Gran looked up and paused in her work. Sookie started feeling a bit self-conscious. "How are you feeling dear?"

"Um…Good."

She'd never felt so awake. She didn't think she'd even need coffee this morning. Gran might notice something about her, but there's no way she could know anything right?

"Anything you need help with?" she asked, trying to move the conversation along.

"Well, you can take the rug in the entryway outside and beat it. And I'm out of brown sugar for the pecan pie."

A pie?

"Gran, you do know Eric can't eat a pie?"

"Of course I know that. It's to make the house smell good, plus Jason will eat some of it."

Sookie's eyes widened at the mention of her brother's name.

"Gran, you didn't…"

"Well he didn't answer his phone of course but I left him a message. Don't frown like that, your face will stick."

"Gran, Jason's not the most amiable person on a good day with normal people. He's not a fan of vampires if you haven't noticed."

"Yes, but he should know better than to act up in my house. And he should be grateful that Mr. Northman is helping him like he is." Sookie doubted this. "Now help me move the couches so I can vacuum."

Sookie ran to the grocery store and picked up a packet of brown sugar. She also picked up a pack of True Blood, even though Eric had said he didn't drink the stuff. Arlene had been there shopping. The older woman's smile looked like it hurt. She was polite and stiff. Her thoughts though were less than flattering. She was thinking about the events at Merlotte's the night before. Arlene was fearful but also genuinely worried for Sookie. The redhead's smile almost broke when she saw the pack of True Blood Sookie was holding. Apparently Arlene's fear was greater than her concern as she couldn't get away fast enough.

It bothered her a little that her friends all seemed to have the same reaction. She wasn't sure Sam was even her friend to begin with and the only ones opinions that actually mattered where Lafayette and Tara. Lala had basically given her a green light, that as long as she was happy it was okay. Tara's reaction wasn't surprising. She hated everyone really. Sookie knew she would eventually have to sit down and have a real talk with her friend about her growing relationship with a vampire, but she was being selfish and wanted to hold off just awhile longer.

Sookie came home to find Tara up, bedraggled, and eating a bowl of cereal at the table. Gran was polishing the dinning room table, though they were going to be using the living room. A giant bouquet of lilies sat in a vase in the middle of the kitchen table next to Tara. These lilies were pink and Sookie knew from Gran, who knew every flower know to man, that these were called stargazer lilies.

"Where'd those come from?" Sookie asked.

"Where you think?" Tara seemed to be in just as good a mood as normal. Off seeing Sookie's smile she added, "They're not for you."

She motioned to the small card with her spoon. Sookie smiled wider. Eric had sent flowers to her Gran, the little brownnoser.

"He sent you something too." Tara pointed with her spoon again to an envelope packet left at Sookie's place. "You going to work for him?"

"Tara, I can't believe you read my stuff." She had an idea what was in the packet but Tara's question confirmed it.

"Your name wasn't on the envelope. Could've been for me."

Sookie rolled her eyes at her friend.

"Sookie…"

"Tara…"

Tara put her spoon down and pushed her bowl away. Sookie had really wanted to avoid this conversation a little longer.

"Gran already read me the riot act about how I got to act if I want to even think about staying for this thing tonight. Reminded me that Lafayette's couch ain't exactly comfy." Tara sighed. "Look, I've done a shit load of stupid things in my short life. You were always the good one. Doing the safe thing. I expect after 25 years you're entitled to do something moronic. But this is really fucking stupid."

"Tara."

Sookie really didn't want to have a fight over this. Tara held her hand up, not done speaking.

"I'm not saying I'm okay with whatever the hell this thing is you're doing with the vampire, or even that I understand it. I just don't want to lose you over this."

Sookie's heart was like a balloon in her chest and she was pretty sure her jaw was on the floor. This was as close to Tara giving her consent as she was going to get.

"Oh, Tara."

She gave her friend an awkward side hug. Tara tried to fight it but eventually gave in, patting her friend's arm.

"He does anything to you, and I mean he so much as looks at you the wrong way, I will stab him in the chest with a piece of wood."

Yep, same old Tara.

Sookie really should have spread her time out better. She had picked out a strapless pink sundress to wear with white-heeled sandals. She decided to wear her hair down with just a single clip in back to keep the strands out of her face. She had showered, dressed, and applied her makeup with an hour before sunset to spare. This left too much time for pacing.

"Damn Sookie, you are making me dizzy," Tara said from her spot on the couch. She was channel surfing. "He might be dead and a ruthless killer but he's still just a guy."

"Tara Mae, I will not have that talk about a guest in my house," Gran said from the kitchen. She was removing the pecan pie from the oven and setting it to cool. Gran had been right. It made the house smell heavenly. Sookie was picking up nuances of the scent she had never noticed before. "Sookie, dear, you look lovely and everything will be fine I'm sure. Calm yourself."

"Sorry."

She sat down on the couch…for about two seconds before she started pacing again. She stopped when she heard a car pulling up the gravel drive. She ran to the door and cursed at the sight of her brother's truck. She should have known. There were still faint traces of light left in the sky.

"Jason's here."

He smelled like sweat, grease, and beer. Most likely he had been at Merlotte's after work before he checked his messages. Sookie quickly stepped away from the door as her brother barreled into the house.

"Jesus, what the hell is going on around here?"

"Jason," Gran said. "That is no way to come into a house. And look at you. You go upstairs right now and change. Put a comb through that hair too."

"Gran! You invited a vampire over for dinner?"

"And you can stay as long as you keep a civil tongue in that mouth or I will cut it out. Now upstairs right now and change."

Jason looked as though he wanted to argue but he knew better. Gran would throw him out of the house. He'd be damned if he let his women folk be left unprotected. Sookie heard his thoughts and wanted to laugh. If he really cared he would have checked his messages sooner, not to mention maybe shown better concern for Sookie the previous night.

Jason came down the stairs 20 minutes later. He still smelled like beer and sweat. His hair looked like he had found a comb. He was wearing the same beat up jeans but he had changed his shirt. Apparently his old Bon Temps High football jersey was fit wear for company. He sat down on the couch next to Tara, who gave him a less than warm welcoming look. Gran called for help from the kitchen to set out the sandwiches and drinks Gran had prepared. Tara scowled harder at Jason as Sookie and her got up to help and he just sat there, watching the T.V.

They had just set everything out when Sookie heard another car. She was ready to jump out of her skin with wanting to run back to the door.

"Sookie, it's not very ladylike to run to the door or leave the house before the guests knocks," Gran said. "Though I doubt you'll have much time to yourselves tonight."

Gran winked at her. That was all the permission she needed. She raced to the door and out onto the porch with almost vampiric speed. He had driven the corvette again. His dark charcoal grey suit probably cost more than a months worth of mortgage on the house. She stepped down the first two porch steps but no further. She wanted to be as close as eye to eye as she could get as he walked up. Eric returned her smile, which quickly turned into a smirk.

"Someone seems nervous."

She narrowed her eyes at him. She lowered her voice, since she knew the others were probably listening from the house.

"Someone shouldn't use the fact that they can feel my emotions against me."

"I think we had this conversation before, that I'm not exactly a gentleman."

"Oh yeah." She got a little glint in her eye. "It wasn't you who sent a little old lady flowers?"

He took her hand in his large one.

"I thought roses were a bit clichéd."

"The lilies were lovely. Gran will tell you so herself. We probably have about another minute before she comes out here to get us herself." She squeezed his hand and he let her pull him toward the house. She stopped a few feet from the screen door. She was anxious again. "My brother and Tara are here. They're not the most vampire friendly people."

"I'm sure I've met worse."

Gran rose from the couch as the two appeared in the living room. She shot a look at Tara and Jason, who reluctantly did the same.

"Mr. Northman, so nice to see you again."

"The pleasures all mine, Mrs. Stackhouse." He gave her a toothy smile, decidedly lacking in smirk.

"Adele…Please."

"Adele. Might I say you have a lovely home?"

Gran moved her hands as if to say this-old-place.

"The flowers you sent were beautiful." Said flowers were placed on the table between the sandwiches and vegetable platter. "This is Tara Thornton. She is a guest in this house as of right now." She said this last part as a warning no doubt to behave. "And this is my grandson Jason, who you've heard about."

Jason balked at this information.

"Whattya mean? Sookie you been telling him about me?"

"He's been looking into those murders Jason. The ones that you look like the prime suspect for," Sookie snapped.

Pam had been right about the brother, on all counts. He was more than moderately attractive and he did smell exquisite. His attitude, especially toward his kin, was a turn off.

"Yes, well…" Gran kept smiling. "Shall we sit? Sookie maybe you can go get one of those True Bloods for Mr. Northman?"

To say Tara was less than a happy camper was an understatement. The vampire was good looking, she'd admit to that. He was a smooth bastard too. Gran and him got into some conversation about some place in Greece, then about some fair he had been to in 1889 Paris. Sookie and Gran were practically drooling. A lion in a zoo cage was still a lion for fuck's sake. Tara was not the only one who was not buying what the vampire was selling. Though one did not gain any points by having Jason Stackhouse on your team. The boy was not a great mind or debater. Case in point.

"You've killed people right?"

"Jason!" Sookie hissed. Adele's eyes narrowed and she looked ready to speak when Eric spoke up.

"I have, yes." The four humans just sat there for a minute. Though this thought had crossed all their minds, Tara's especially, no one had thought he would actually admit it. "I was a human for thirty years before I became a vampire. I killed many men in the heat of battle. It is a common fallacy in anti-vampire propaganda that vampires are the only ones who are inherently evil. Countless wars, genocides, and the everyday little cruelties. Humans have just as much capacity for violence. Maybe more so since most vampires learn quickly that it is in their best interests to control their emotions in order to survive."

Sookie couldn't help smiling at this and she could tell Gran was impressed. Tara looked gob smacked. Jason just looked angry. Probably didn't understand half the words Eric had used. He clenched his teeth and ,even after Eric's response, somehow still thought he could win this conversation.

"We don't kill people to eat."

"I have had the occasional accident, all vampires do when they are young." Tara wanted to say something at that but the bastard kept talking. "We loose control quiet easily, that is another reason to learn to control our emotions. We learn though. I have not needed to kill to feed in several centuries."

Tara noticed the way he worded his last statement. He didn't say he didn't kill, just that he didn't need to. Jason looked like he was about to speak again but Gran spoke up.

"As lovely as this conversation is..." She shot Jason a 'watch-it' look. "It is getting late. Sookie why don't you and Mr. Northman take some air before he has to leave?"

Sookie could have kissed Gran right there. Jason apparently did not take his warning well. He slammed the beer he had been drinking down on the table.

"Now wait a minute! I have put up with a lot—."

"You had better watch yourself, boy," Gran said.

"Gran, I am the man of this family…"

"You are a man in this family. And you might act like one. I am the oldest person here and I told you to keep a civil tongue didn't I? Now you can either start acting like the man you think you are or leave."

Jason scowled and decided on the latter. He stormed out of the house and they all heard his truck pull out a minute later. The air in the room was still hostile.

"So sorry about my grandson," Gran began.

"No need to apologize. Though I might have to correct you, Adele. You are not the oldest person here."

Sookie waited until they had made it off the porch before she started her own apology for her brother.

"He's awful. Tara wasn't much better. Really I am sorry." He shook his head at her.

"Sookie, I've lived over a millennium. I've come across far worse."

She thought back to the conversation in the house.

"You meant it, didn't you? That you've killed?" Really it was just a waste of breath. She knew the answer.

"Every vampire has accidents the first few years."

"You don't just have accidents."

"My position as Sheriff requires me to take certain measures against certain threats in my Area."

She swallowed some air and the question she would not ask; if he enjoyed these measures. She knew he had a darkness in him, she had seen glimpses of it. But he was kind to her, to her family. She didn't want to know how deep the darkness ran. Not yet. It would probably kill her to find out. She just wanted to hold onto something good for a little while longer.

He didn't like the conversation any more than she did and they would both probably not like the subject change he came up with.

"I have some news on the murders."

Sookie became less thoughtful.

"Why didn't you say anything inside? Gran would have liked to know."

"I didn't want to unduly scare anyone. I promised to keep you updated though. If you wish you can tell her and your brother. Does the name Drew Marshall mean anything to you?"

Sookie shook her head.

"I don't know any Drew Marshall."

"His sister, Cindy Marshall, was murdered in Bunkie, Louisiana in a similar manner. The girl had fang marks on her body as well."

"The police think her brother did it?"

"Yes. Especially since he disappeared the same day and they have been unable to find any trace of him."

"You think he could be hiding out in Bon Temps. Well don't they have a picture or something?"

"The Bunkie police had a composite sketch but like the lovely officers of Bon Temps there organization skills leave much to be desired. Officer Jones is on the lookout for a fax from them."

"You think he changed his name?" Eric nodded. "So I could know Drew Marshall."

He reached out and cupped her cheek.

"I won't let anything happen to you, Sookie."

"You can't stay outside my house every night." He very well could and told her so. "And what if he comes after me during the day?"

"I have a werewolf who owes me. I'm sure he'd be only too happy to work some guard duty for me."

A werewolf?

"I don't know how I'll explain that to anybody, least of all Gran." He was about to speak, no doubt to tell her he didn't care what anyone else thought, when she held up her hands. "We can talk about it later. Can we just talk about something else now."

She really was so young. Sookie changed the subject quickly and he allowed her to.

"I read that contract over. I don't suppose I can get you to haggle the price down."

"Sookie, you're worth ten times that."

"Hardly. It was worth a shot. But I do have a stipulation that I will not budge on." He waited. "Any humans have to be handed over to the proper human authorities."

"Sookie…"

"I told you I'm not budging. You can take all the certain measures you have to for your job, but I will not be a party to murder or torture or the like."

He glared at her and she just crossed her arms.

"Fine, but you have to do something for me then."

"Uh…I thought I already was with agreeing to work for you."

"This is my stipulation then. A blood exchange."

He could feel her shock and just the smallest thimbleful of anger.

"You think you're so sneaky. I could just refuse the whole thing."

"And leave yourself undefended."

She smiled smugly.

"You wouldn't let anything happen to me."

He wouldn't of course, but damn her for using that fact against him. He felt her resignation a second before she spoke. Still he was surprised.

"Fine."

"What?" It was too easy. Like how she gave in about the blood. She laughed at seeing his face.

"It's not like we're going to do it right now. I want to see and sign the revised contract before we do this thing. Not to mention my grandmother and friend are in the house right now. Where would we do this? In the cemetery?"

Not the ideal location, which would be at one of his houses.

"You're not just saying this to placate me. You won't renege."

"I don't break promises if I can help it. Besides you said a minimum of three times for that bond thingy and I don't plan on doing this blood exchange a second time."

He was sure he could convince her, especially once she had more of his blood in her. They walked a little further. They were barely touching and her heartbeat pulsed in both their ears.

"It's getting late," she said.

They were closer now. If he had to breathe she would have felt it on her face and neck.

"It's early for me."

Like the two previous times this kiss was different. She didn't know if this was something that was usual or if it was just him. She didn't really care. This kiss was unhurried, but no less fervent. There tongues met and danced. His arm went around her waist as his other hand caressed along her neck and clavicle. She leaned into him, trying to get closer, and moaned. His fangs clicked down and she couldn't help laughing.

"You know most virginal girls would be screaming not laughing at that."

His hand brushed lower along the side of her left breast. She kissed along his jaw between words.

"Well…I'm…Not…Most…Girls." Didn't he know it. "And…It's…Funny…" She pulled back to smile at him and see his eyes. "They come out when you're turned on." She thought this was so funny.

"There are several reasons to drop fang. Bloodlust. Intimidation tactic."

"But that's not the reason yours are down," she giggled. She actually freaking giggled. His hand moved from her waist to her ass and he pulled her closer. She yelped but it quickly turned to a moan as his lips and tongue quickly followed the same path over her neck and shoulder as his hand had moments ago. Her eyes fluttered shut and her voice became husky.

"Eric…"

His lips traveled back up to hers and his other hand palmed her breast. His fangs were still down but he was careful not to draw blood. After several minutes or maybe hours she pulled back. Her lips were swollen.

"Eric, it's late." He ignored her and continued to kiss and nuzzle her neck. God help her she was almost about to let him continue forever. "I don't think you want to have to explain to my grandmother why you were groping me on her front lawn if she comes looking for us."

He pulled back and released a low growl.

"She would probably have a good idea why I was groping you."

He retracted his fangs.

"Still." She took a couple steps back. Even though his body was cold hers was on fire and the extra space between them helped cool her down immensely. Eric didn't seem to share her belief in the needed space. She started back for the porch.

"Don't look like that. I agreed to the blood exchange thing, just as soon as you revise that contract. That should make you happy."

"I'll have the new one ready to sign by tomorrow."

She didn't doubt he could work that fast. She was on the bottom step leading up to the porch.

"Well until Tomorrow then."

As she stepped onto the porch she turned back. He was still so close. She grabbed the edges of his jacket and pulled him into another lingering kiss. His hands went to her shoulder and lower back. Before he could get comfortable though she pulled back.

"Sookie…" He leaned his forehead against hers.

"I know." She gave him one last kiss at the corner of his mouth.

She let him go the same time he released her and she walked back into the house.

Tara had decided to go to bed, or more likely she had been speaking bad and Gran refused to listen to it any longer. Gran was waiting up of course. She didn't comment on Sookie's flushed look. The older woman really had enjoyed meeting Eric.

"He seems like the perfect gentleman."

Sookie had to stifle a laugh thinking about what that 'perfect gentleman' and her had been doing just minutes before.

"I'm glad you like him, Gran."

"Well you like him and that's what really counts. Don't listen to your brother or Tara."

"You don't think I should be a little afraid because he's a vampire?"

"I think you're more afraid that you can't hear his thoughts and that you've no idea what your doing. That's scary enough for you, dear."

Sookie shooed her Gran away, saying she would clean up. She wasn't even a bit tired and she knew Gran was exhausted. She took the left over sandwiches and wrapped them in foil and put them in the refrigerator along with the rest of Gran's pecan pie. She filled the sink with water and liquid detergent. She began to wash and dry the plates, cups, and utensils used throughout the day, placing them on the dish rack to dry.

Sookie thought back to her time outside with Eric. She wasn't that naïve. She knew he wouldn't be content with just kissing forever and neither would she. The idea of having sex with Eric scared her in a different way then she thought it would. He was a vampire. He owned a bar where sycophants gathered in the quest of one thing: having sex with a vampire. He had girls who were easier and prettier than her throwing themselves at his feet. He was a thousand year old vampire. He probably wrote the book on sex. She shouldn't fool herself into thinking it would be anything it wasn't. That little voice in her head from yesterday was right though. She could love Eric Northman. She wanted him. It would probably break her him not wanting her in the same way but she didn't care. She would give herself to him. Nothing would happen until after the business with these murders was cleared up though.

Unbidden Dawn's face appeared in her mind, pale and gasping. Sookie grasped tighter at the glass she was washing and scrunched her face up. She did not want to be thinking about this. Maudette, her face full of fear, hands flaying in desperation. Sookie dropped the glass back into the soapy water, hearing the crack of fractured glass. Another girl in a waitress's outfit, someone Sookie had never met, popped into her head. These weren't coming from inside her mind.

Fucking fang banger. Disgusting.

She had been so encased in her own mind she hadn't heard anyone enter the house. She turned just in time to her attacker raise a dark covered arm and land a blow across her face. She fell back against the sink, water sloshed. Before she could fight back or right herself another punch landed. She fell against the dish rack, it fell to the floor scattering its contents. She almost fell but her descent was stopped by a rough grab of her hair. She scratched and kicked behind her. Her foot connected with a shin. She was shoved downward, her head connected violently with a lower cabinet.

"Fucking bitch."

Stars still swam in front of her eyes as she tried to get up. Something synched tight around her neck, then even tighter as her attacker straddled her. His hood had fallen down. She could see the rage and murder in his face.

God no. I don't want to die!

She lifted her hands to try and claw at his face but she couldn't breathe. It made her limbs weak. She raised her hands and felt something. A tingling. Light bled from behind her skin into her palm and out through her fingers. Her attacker was thrown back against the opposite wall. The object around her neck went slack. Sookie reached up and realized it was a belt. She tried to undo it to get it off but her attacker was reviving.

"What the fuck kind of freak are you?"

The thought to tell him to watch his mouth flitted across her mind before it was replaced by self-preservation. Her hands were still pulsing with light but she didn't know how to use whatever it was that was happening. Her eyes lighted on the strewn contents of the dish rack, the sharp carving knife Gran had used to cut pieces of pie. She grabbed it and held it in front of herself protectively just as the man charged. The anger on his face melted to shock then nothingness. The knife had stuck into him like he was made of paper. Blood pooled at the corner of his mouth and spread across his hooded jacket. Sookie released the handle of the knife but it stayed stuck as he slumped over. The blood began to spread across the tiles that Gran had only just cleaned that morning.

"Sookie, what the hell's going on?"

Tara's voice. It sounded far away. She heard footsteps on the stairs then in the adjacent room. Tara stopped dead in the kitchen entryway, Gran was not far behind.

"Holy shit!" Tara cursed.

Gran peered around the younger woman's shoulder.

"Oh my."

Laying in a rapidly growing pool of his own blood was René Lenier.

Over a hundred reviews! Woot! Just for that I will give you all another little taste…this one will be a little while in coming though.

How many love Jessica? (raises hand) She will be in this fic and will be a baby vamp! She'll be a little different but basically the same. I am such a tease aren't I?