A/N: I'm sure some of you were disappointed that the last chapter left Sookie and Eric hanging, but here's the continuation! Happy reading.

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I woke the next morning, feeling very relaxed. It was as if I'd gotten a full body massage, and all my muscles were happy. Eric had actually been a gentleman, and hadn't pushed me any farther than some passionate kissing, though it was obvious that one encouraging word from me would change that. When I'd gotten tired, he had carried me upstairs and laid me on the bed. He stayed and kept watch until just before dawn, and then had left for Bill's house, to use his resting place. He hadn't been in the bed with me when I fell asleep, but when I woke for a few seconds and I was cuddled into his side as he leaned against the headboard. His fingers were tangled into my hair. I felt so safe and comfortable that I just shifted closer to him before falling deeply asleep again.

Tara was gone when I woke up, which was unfortunate because I needed to warn her about the apparent bounty on my head. Walking into the kitchen, I saw a note from Eric. His handwriting was small and cramped, which surprised me. I thought it would be graceful and fluid like the man, but instead it was the writing of someone who probably hadn't learned to do it until they were an adult. Or likely a few hundred years old, in his case.

Sookie,

I can't stay in Bon Temps, but you need to be protected. I'll take you to Shreveport tonight. Please don't fight me on this.

-EN

Leaving Bon Temps is the last thing I want to do right now. It did make more sense though, and Tara would be safe. No one would hurt her if I wasn't here. Haven't really been here at all since she moved in. I felt a pang of guilt, but focused on the last part of the message: please don't fight me on this. Is this a new side of Eric? He seems to be trying to persuade me to do what he feels is best, rather than forcing me to bend to his will. I like this newer, friendlier side of him.

I had the day off from Merlotte's, but I phoned in and told Sam I wasn't feeling well and would need a few days off. I hated lying to him after everything we've been through together, but I couldn't explain to him that I was in danger again, and going to Eric for help. I stayed in and did some chores for the day, and even repainted the bathroom, which had been in rough shape since Mary Anne had taken over.

By the time I was done, it was getting dark. I started on the vegetables for my dinner with Jason, who came over when he got off work. After complimenting me on the bathroom, he took a good look at me.

"You look real good, Sook. Glad to see things are going good even though Bill's not around." He said. I hadn't really said that Bill was gone, but of course, everyone in Bon Temps talks. Oh yeah, and I mentioned it to Hoyt. Well, if Hoyt knows something, Jason knows too, that's just the way it works.

"Yeah, it's going ok. I'm gonna take a few days and go into Shreveport. I booked some time at a spa resort, figured I use some of the money from Dallas to treat myself." I said. "Oh but Jason, don't mention the spa to Sam. I felt bad telling him, so I told him I'm sick and run down and need a few days off. I'll let you know when I'm coming back into town, but when you're in the bar you tell him that you've checked on me and he doesn't need to come out here, okay?" Jason nodded, he was still unsure of why I needed to lie to Sam, and oblivious that I was lying to him also.

While we were eating the BBQ chicken, which I'd slathered with a spicy Cajun sauce, there was a knock on the door. I hadn't heard a car on the gravel driveway, so I figured it was Eric. I opened the door, not looking forward to explaining Eric's presence to Jason. One second I was opening the porch door, the next I was down on the ground, bleeding from my nose. Pain, red, pain, blood. I could barely think, I was still shocked from the hard punch to the face, and wasn't even kicking or screaming as I was being dragged from the door. I could hear the attackers thoughts now, and I was surprised I hadn't heard the excitement and anger before I'd opened the door. I've got to stay alert.

'Sook- hey!" Jason had noticed my attacker and started forward, his fist raised. I scrambled away. The attacker, a man of medium height who looked to be part Latino, seemed shocked to see Jason; he had obviously expected me to be alone. He lunged at Jason, but Jason had been in more than his fair share of bar fights and was able to spin the man around and hold him.

"Sookie! Get me some duct tape, we're gonna tie him up!" I pounded down the cellar stairs to the work area, grabbed the duct tape, and ran back up. The man had obviously fought back as Jason was now seated on the man's back. I taped his legs together tightly and then Jason held his hands up and I bound his wrists. We were so occupied with our task that neither of us noticed Eric leaning against the doorframe, watching us.

"Thanks for the gift. You really didn't have to." He said, and leaned down to look at the man better. Jason had since gotten up, and he nodded at Eric in greeting. Jason doesn't know how to act around the vamps anymore, so he just keeps his mouth shut. The man's eyes opened wide as he looked at Eric, but they seemed to open impossibly wider when Eric's fangs sprang into action.

"Who is he?" Jason said.

"Probably a robber or something," I said quickly. "I think I served him at Merlotte's, he probably followed me home." Eric looked at me for a second, immediately understanding that I didn't want Jason to know about my trouble with the Fellowship, or the vampires. Although since this man was definitely a plain human, he must have been a Fellowship member.

"I'll call Sheriff Dearborn and get this guy picked up." Jason said this and walked into the kitchen, leaving Eric and I looking at each other, the man between us on the floor. We needed more information, and couldn't let the man go with the sheriff right away.

"Jason! We'll call and get him to come out. How about you drive into Monroe and pick up my prescription from the pharmacy. I've still got some of the anti-swelling pills from when Rene attacked me and I was all blue and black. I don't want to be puffy for the spa," I said, touching my left check lightly. I looked at my hand; there was blood on my fingertips. He had obvious split my cheek open, and it was bleeding openly. I kicked the man in the ribs, then walked into the kitchen to get a wet cloth and dabbed at the cut.

Eric came up behind me and took the cloth from my hand, dabbed at the cut, then lightly licked it. I expected it to sting, but his tongue numbed the pain to a dull sensation.

"Delicious, but I didn't want this to be the reason I finally got a taste." I laughed a little. Eric turned back to the man, who had struggled to his side and was attempting to shuffle out the door. Eric's eyes narrowed and a vicious smile lit his face up.

I went upstairs, I just didn't want to see what Eric would do to the man to find out about the plot to kidnap and kill me. I knew it would be violent and harsh, like Eric can be when he wants something and will do anything to get it. I walked into the bathroom, shedding my clothes on the way. I had gotten blood on my dress, it would have soak for a while to get the stain out. Looking in the mirror, I could see the damage first hand. The cut wasn't deep, but it had bled a lot. My face had rivulets of blood running down it and I was already beginning to bruise. My left eye was swollen, but not to the point where I couldn't see. I was lucky, if Jason hadn't been over, things would have been much worse. I got in the shower, and washed my hair and face of blood.

The hot water drove away some of the tension and stress that had built up in my muscles. I was feeling better, though not quite as good as I had in the morning. I wrapped the fluffy white towel around me and walked into the bedroom, running a comb through my damp hair at the same time.

"You were in there a while." I jumped when I heard Eric's voice, he was sitting on the antique chair in the corner. It was delicate and carved in an ornate pattern, but with Eric sitting in it, the chair seemed to become a throne. God Sookie, stop thinking like that. He's just a man- well, a vampire.

"A detective came by and took our man to the station. He got another call, so they'll want to talk to you another time. I told them that he'd gotten hurt when you'd fought back in self-defense." Eric continued, and I raised my eyebrows at this, wondering how Andy would ever believe I could damage someone to the extent Eric had to the man. I didn't even have to see it, but I knew it had been bad. The ear to ear grin Eric had on his face was proof enough, the man was bloodthirsty for a good fight.

"Pack your bags. I'll tell you more on the way to Shreveport." Eric said, his eyes taking in my damp form. Suddenly he licked his lower lip and I saw his fangs edge out a little. As I wondered why, I noticed the towel was starting to unwind. I grabbed it just before it fell to the ground,leaving me naked in front of Eric.

"So close, yet so far." With that comment, Eric hauled himself out his chair-throne and strode into the hall and down the stairs. I didn't fight him, not because he'd politely asked me not to, but because I truly thought it was the best plan of action at this point. He'd protect me from Fellowship fanatics and the vampires wouldn't be able to get near me if I were with him. I threw some clothes in my old pink duffle bag, along with enough toiletries and such to last a few days. I called Tara and spoke to her at Merlotte's telling her the same story I'd told Jason, with the same warning to keep her mouth shut to Sam. Another pang of guilt hit me as I said it, because I knew he'd just want to protect me, but I couldn't heave another load of responsibility on his shoulders. For some reason, I didn't mind doing it to Eric though, maybe because he so readily accepted it. My knight in shining armour.

Eric wasn't in the house anymore, as I couldn't see him when I walked down the stairs. I went out to the porch and locked the door. I turned to the driveway, expecting to see his flashy red corvette, but instead Eric was standing beside a motorcycle. It was matte black metal with shining silver parts. It was beautiful, if you could call a motorcycle that.

I hadn't noticed his black leather jacket before, but now he was clad in it and the same black jeans as before. The jacket was open, and the dark grey undershirt beneath it stood in start contrast to the white skin of his neck and face. He held out a helmet to me while he swung his leg over the seat and sat astride the machine. I took it from him and he lifted another from the ground beside him, fastening it below the chin.

"You need one?" I said as I struggled to fit the helmet to my head.

"Not really, but I'd rather not lose the skin on my face if we crash and have to wait to heal. Face wounds take forever. Plus, I wouldn't be as intimidatingly handsome, and we can't have that." He said, flashing a pearly smile. Arrogant asshole.

"Ok, come on. Let's get going." I said, swinging my duffle bag over my shoulder. I hope the strap holds. I swung my leg up and over the seat, and squeezed close to Eric's back. He roared off and headed down the driveway, gravel spraying behind us. Once Eric hit the asphalt of the main road, he sped up even more. The dark woods on either side of the road were a blur, and I pulled myself even closer to him. I gripped his sides, slightly fearful for my life, but even more exhilarated.

He swerved around a car that seemed to be sitting still, but I knew it was just because we were going so fast. I let out a little scream as he swung back into the proper lane, and I could feel his abs clench and shake as he laughed at me. I slid my hand under his shirt and pinched his skin. I knew it wouldn't hurt, but I hoped it would get across the point that I was mad at him. His skin was so smooth and cool against my hand that I just flattened it across his stomach and kept it there. I could just barely see the his profile through the helmet visor, and all I saw was a huge smile.