A/N: Sorry this update took so long. I promise the next one will be sooner (and longer).

Chapter 6

Two days later I was getting ready to go in to work. It was early, as I had the lunch shift and, I needed to run a few errands before work. I was trying to sort out everything that happened between me and Eric in New Orleans. Truth was, what happened between us wasn't that complicated. Eric loved me. And me? I was still unsure. Eric was fine. I was the complicated part.

I knew without a doubt that I loved my Eric, the Eric that was cursed by Hallow. I knew without a doubt that I cared a great, great deal for this Eric; the thousand year old Viking vampire sheriff of Area 5. The problem was, I couldn't tell how much of what I felt was mine, and how much was coming through the bond from Eric.

Also, if I was really honest with myself, I was scared to know the truth. Eric was right that night. Bill did hurt me. What I found out that first time in New Orleans wounded me more than I had admitted even to myself. I didn't know if I could ever give myself over to anyone that way again. I felt broken somehow. In retrospect, I suppose it was why I used Quinn's family as an excuse to send him packing. I mean really; I had a problem with him putting family first? Even I had to see the ridiculousness of that excuse. Let's face it, if he hadn't put his family first, I would have broken up with him for being a terrible son and brother. He couldn't have won no matter what he did.

It had to be because I was broken in some way. I had thought it was just my heart at the time, but I began to think something much more fundamental was wrong.

I put my brush down and gripped the edge of the sink, willing back my tears. I took two steadying breaths, and then looked over at the clock. "Shit!"

I hurriedly pulled my hair into a ponytail, slapped on some lip gloss, grabbed my bag and ran out the door.

As I pulled in to the lot at the library, I swore to myself that if I could just get through today without thinking about this, without making anyone uncomfortable, I would worry about it tonight. Amelia was still in New Orleans overseeing some of the renovations, so I would have plenty of time, all by myself, to think about me and Eric.

The lot was empty. The library wasn't even open yet, but I was just going to use the drop slot to drop off my books before they became overdue. I got out of the car, reached in for the books then turned to lock the door. I heard a quiet sound behind me, but before I could turn around everything went black, and I didn't think about anything for a long time.