Chapter 7

Sookie, Eric, Pam and Bill were all sitting in the basement; Bill knelt chained, though now deflated he had stopped thrashing towards Sookie. Unconsciously, Sookie's body was angled towards Eric; still a little frightened of Bill and his thirst for her blood, she faced the viking.

Eric was desperate to get this over with and to get Sookie home to his house; something which he had been wishing for for a long time now. In comparison, sorting out Bill Compton, though vitally important to keep Sookie, and any vampire she had associated with, safe, was somewhat tedious. He wanted to be rid of this younger, smaller vampire - and quickly.

'I suggest that Bill is locked down, officially, for Sookie's lifespan', he swallowed, 'if Sookie chooses to have a family, then the lock down will be extended for the duration of their lifetime also; such extensions will continue until the death of Sookie's youngest great grandchild, if such a being is born, at which point the bloodline will be sufficiently diluted; Bill will not be able to trace any descendants beyond this point. This is was I propose. Sookie, do you have any objections?'

Staggered, Sookie managed, 'I don't think so ... um ... what is a lock down?'

Bill, calm now, replied, 'It is not painful, Sookie. I will be confined to a large coffin - more like a wooden room - and transported to a mountain of caves in the Far East; it's somewhat like a vampire prison - it's voluntary. I will be fed. I will not be harmed.'

'Why do vampires have a voluntary prison? Doesn't that mean you could choose to leave? Like a voluntary abuse clinic?' Sookie asked.

Eric joined in, 'you may be surprised, but there have been many similar examples of such addictions throughout time - in particular, frequently vampires become obsessed with tasting the blood of their human children and blood kin, and in such examples they have chosen lock down, for the duration of their human relations' lives. A coven of vampires operate the caves - it is very expensive, and they do very well out of it. Very specific terms and conditions are written up beforehand, and they have never been breached. It is safe' he assured Sookie.

With one eyebrow raised, Pam cleared her throat, 'And what will happen if Sookie is turned?'

Bill, Eric and Sookie's eyes widened at the thought, none quite so distraught and uncomfortable as Eric's, 'I'm only asking... surely we must cover all possible scenarios?'

Eric quickly answered, 'If Sookie were ever turned, Bill would remain in lock down for one century from the date of her transformation. This will allow Sookie time to learn what she must, and then she would be able to protect herself. Equally, by then, all traces of her human scent will have diluted sufficiently for Bill to resist it.'

'I believe this is the best option Sheriff', Bill stared at Eric. 'Whether you can believe me or not, I have no wish to harm Sookie'.

'Good' Eric confirmed firmly.

'Goodbye Bill', Sookie looked into her first boyfriend's eyes. And then she walked up to Eric to stand by him. Bill snarled.

'Pam, please prepare Bill for his trip. I will prepare the paperwork for tomorrow, and then I shall entrust you to seal the terms as required. I will travel with Compton tomorrow night; ensure that he does not feed before then'

'Yes master' Pam nodded.

'I think that's enough for tonight', and Eric turned and led Sookie up the basement stairs and back into his office.

Sookie was exhausted. She was confused and it felt as if a thousand thoughts and worries were crushing in on her mind. She needed to sleep, and despite her earlier fantasy of what the night would unfold, a quickie to escape it all wasn't really what she needed. Though it's probably the only route to escape, she joked with herself.

Eric, thoroughly bored with Compton, and longing for Sookie to be his, sensed her mood, and though a little annoyed, realised she had had little rest - much less than he - ever since saving him. He also, still, savoured the moment when she would run to him - willingly - and he would be damned if his own impatience would ruin that, especially now their friendship had taken such a pleasing turn.

Sookie had been desperate for me, Eric smiled. He had smelt her; he could have had her easily in his office just two hours before. The thought alone thrilled him. What had caused her sudden change of heart? He wondered if it had been his willingness to die, cuffed to the King. Had she realised how much she meant to him? As he concentrated on her emotions he felt that something had shifted within her - her perception of his own feelings were far clearer than they had been; almost worryingly so. Was their bond so strong? She had only tasted him once; he had fed from her twice - surely it wasn't enough?

But we are closer, Eric acknowlegded; pleased and perplexed.

After freshening up in the private bathroom next to Eric's office, walked back into the dark room where the viking was waiting. As soon as they were alone again the air seemed to crackle around her. Their movements seemed to be more in tune now, and the air drew around them, pushing them closer, but not touching.

'Eric, I ... maybe I .. should ... should I go home tonight maybe?' Sookie eventually managed. She was angry at how weak and vulnerable and needy she sounded. But really she had been slightly afraid he would not understand the difficulty, the moral dilemma (or at least the discomfort) in banishing your first boyfriend to be 'locked down' one moment, and running to the arms of your second the next.

Sookie's eyes widened: she had referred to Eric Northman as her boyfriend! Eeew! Her old self screwed up her face. And now Eric looked puzzled - what was she doing? But then he smiled, 'Sookie Stackhouse, though you are free to doubt it, I am not quite the monster you may think. I think, on this occasion, you are correct; you should probably be in your own home tonight.'

Though pleased, a part of Sookie was sorely disappointed - she may not have been willing to be with him as she had hoped tonight, but she didn't want to be away from him either.

Eric felt her disappointment and his blood soared in delight; she wanted him. Sookie felt him feel her - this was getting quite out of control, but she was equally delighted: he cared: he was pleased she wanted to stay close to him. Oh God, Sookie moaned inside at the tangle they were getting themselves into.

Eric took a step closer to Sookie, and leant down towards her face; at the same time he reached out and held her shoulder blades; they were like severed wings, he thought, as he brushed the bone and felt her shiver. 'It would be best if I stayed with you', they were both nodding slowly without realising it now, 'just until you fall asleep?' Eric's lips reached Sookie's, ever so lightly; Sookie was screaming inside. She would never sleep with him beside her; it was impossible, she was filled with electricity now; every touch shocked.

As their kiss grew deeper and Sookie gasped for breath, Eric pulled back and smiled, 'there is plenty of time lover'. At the word 'lover' Sookie's stomach lurched. She looked up at Eric, 'my lover' Sookie repeated, just to feel her reaction mirrored in him. She was not disappointed: though outwardly Eric stiffened, his insides flipped. She had called him hers! he thought (Sookie heard). Sookie was on tiptoes, pulling him in to her kiss and embrace, hard. She was eager now. Her doubts were still there, but one push in the right direction and she knew she would be his. But his hands were smoothing down her sides, calming and relaxing her. He softened the kiss, and then whispered into her ear, 'let me take you home'.

'Be my guest?' Sookie joked. 'Whatever you say', Eric laughed. He held her firmly in his arms, 'I would fly, but I think your heart has had enough excitement for one day', laughing still.

'Really?' Sookie questioned, 'and how do you know what excites my heart?', she asked.

Eric was closer now, 'I hear it Sookie, I feel it ... every beat'.

There was a pause and Eric worried he had freaked her out; he could smell the blood it sent around her body too.

Sookie was silent. Worrying just how much he could feel, and if it were in anyway similar to what she was picking up from him? Something had changed dramatically between them, and she would need to think long and hard about it, and consider whether she could ever reveal it. But not now, she told herself.

'You're right ... I think flying might be a bit too much excitement, and I already seriously doubt I'll be able to sleep at all with you next to me', Sookie blurted out, realising too late that she had assumed he'd want to lay next with her and that she was overexcited about it too! Shoot, she thought.

Eric just beamed, 'here's hoping', he chuckled.

As they reached Sookie's porch in Bon Temps, Sookie led Eric towards the front door, twisting her small hand around his, tickling his palm, fingers, his wrist. Sookie turned towards Eric at the door, 'Do come in, Mr Northman', and she opened the door and tugged him inside.

Now both were unsure of what they were doing. Eric told himself he had a millennium on Sookie, and should lead but not overwhelm her, but his initial confidence fell away when she whispered into his neck, 'there's blood in the fridge, help yourself' she kissed his neck, biting it gently, 'I'm just going to get changed for bed ... come up in two minutes?' She asked. Eric could barely reply, he hid a slight choking sound and nodded.

He felt very young, human, almost.

As Eric floated into the kitchen, took out a True Blood, heated it in the microwave and sat to drink it quickly, Sookie was choosing underwear and a nightie - nothing will happen, she told herself, but he's going to wish it would, she smiled.

She lay down and closed her eyes, and despite her excitement she must have begun to lose consciousness, as Eric's fingertips were suddenly, softly stroking her back, neck, her sides. He moved closer to kiss the back of her neck; he licked from her shoulder blade to the tip of her spine. Sookie was soon wide awake, but clueless as to what to do; she was actually scared.

She pretended to sleep and tried to calm down, but worried he could hear her damn heartbeat. Of course he knew she was awake, damn it!

Whilst Eric was aware of the fluttering heartbeat next to him, his senses were overwhelmed. Sookie was wearing a cotton nightdress - not virginal - womanly, and soft. Once she had gathered her control, she turned to him and ran her hands over his check, up his body to cup his neck and pull herself up towards him. He bit at his neck and he growled. Eric kissed Sookie gently; her body must be depleted of all energy, he thought.

'Sookie?'

'Um?'

'I must leave in two hours, and I shall be away for three days' he paused, 'I want nothing more than for you to be waiting for me when on my return. However, think carefully. There is little room for regret now. Think it over, and if you change your mind, then know that you will always be safe. I will always be here, even if it is from a distance'

Shocked by his promise, and restraint, Sookie brushed her lips on his. As Sookie settled into his arms, ready for sleep, they both seemed to read each other. She would be waiting, they both knew.