A/N Charlaine Harris owns all these characters and the universe they reside in.

I stayed up late finishing this, so hopefully there aren't too many typos. I had to go into work and do a half shift Sunday because my hours came up short due to the snow fun we've had this week. And like a lot of you, I was kind of dreading the end of this story. I almost waited until tomorrow to finish it, but decided I had to plow through to the end.

KLEENEX ALERT

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"I assumed it was some sort of kinky thing of Eric's", I joked.

"It could be if you want it to be", he said with a fangy smile. "Just say the word."

"Eric you're disgusting", Bill coldly.

"Oh yes, like you've been having vanilla sex in the missionary position for the past 220 years."

Bill's fangs started sliding down as he scowled at Eric. Eric folded his long arms across his chest and scowled back. "Fangs Bill", he said sternly. Bill's mouth quickly closed, and he settled for giving Eric a sullen look with his dark eyes shooting darts.

I was surprised at either of them using such an old fashioned term to describe sex, but this bickering was getting on my nerves. "Oh my God, will the two of you just STOP. Act your age for pete's sake!" I exclaimed. Well, if they're going to act like children, then it's time to treat them like children. "Here, each of you grab a corner and hang my quilt up", I commanded. They both calmed down, Bill picked up my quilt and he held it up against the wall to demonstrate hanging possibilities. I nodded when he had it the way I liked, then they both grabbed a corner and just when I was about to suggest getting a ladder, they both levitated up to hang it.

I couldn't help it. I started giggling.

"What?" Bill asked, curiously, looking over his shoulder down at me.

"I forgot that you can levitate!"I laughed, sending myself into fits. I don't know why this was so funny.

"EVERYONE forgets I can levitate. Why is that?"Bill asked, sounding offended.

Then Eric started laughing too. "You're right, they do! I never noticed that before. He got himself under control, then with a thoughtful expression said,"Maybe, it's because you hardly ever do it. Didn't I see you walking up some stairs the other day?" He looked at Bill like this was a very quaint thing to do.

"You walk up and down stairs too", Bill accused.

They were giving me a headache.

"STOP! Enough! Just finish hanging the quilt already, thank you very much. Then please can you both leave, so I can get some sleep. It's been a long day."

"But we were going to exchange blood tonight", Eric said, with a pout and a sly glance at Bill.

Bill's eyes appeared like they were going to pop out of his head, which I'm sure was Eric's intention. "You're going to feed on her? Tonight? In her current condition? Are you mad? After everything we went through to get her back, you're going to risk her health in such a cavalier manner?", Bill was getting revved up and I just couldn't stand listening to this anymore.

If I hadn't had Eric's blood the night before, I probably wouldn't have been able to do it. I picked up what I'm pretty sure were two salad forks from my great, great grandmother's silverware set, and threw them at the two idiots hanging my quilt. Bill was at an angle and saw the fork coming so he was able to get out of the way as the fork clanged against the wall. Eric only saw Bill reacting to something and he jerked, but the fork skimmed his hand and he landed back on the carpet, hissing at me with his fangs out.

"Aren't you overreacting? That really hurt you know", he complained, rubbing his hand to sooth it.

"STOP RILING UP BILL! And don't pretend you don't know what I'm talking about or I'll throw this at you too", I declared, waving a large silver serving spoon at him. Bill started to open his mouth, so I pointed it at him too, "This goes for you too. Eric isn't making me do this. He asked and I agreed, end of story. I feel fine, I'm just a little tired, which is nothing a good night's sleep won't cure. So, we're doing the blood exchange tonight."

Neither of them had anything to say to all that, thank God. They silently finished putting up the quilt. It looked so homely compared to all the newish fancy furnishings in my bedroom.

I didn't care.

"It looks good Sookie", Bill said, admiring it after stepping back.

I smiled. "It does. I'll arrange the rest of my things tomorrow." I took my glasses off and rubbed my eyes a little, not just from fatigue. Hey! I just had a thought. I hadn't had any bathroom "emergencies" today. So maybe Eric's blood combined with the exercises Bessie was suggesting would mean I could go back to granny underpants during the day at least. It's always nice to have something to look forward to. "I'll bid you goodnight and I'll see you tomorrow Bill."

He came back over and kissed my hand, which from anyone else would have seemed fake or sleazy. I guess you have to be a Southern gentleman….or maybe English …to pull that off with class. "Goodnight sweetheart. I'll see you tomorrow night", he murmured in his sweetest voice that curled my old toes a little. Then he walked back towards the doorway so slow you could have counted his footsteps: one Mississippi, two Mississippi, three Mississippi, etc. Eric frowning face followed him the whole way.

"I love you, Bill", I said with a little wave.

He favored me with his rare, beautiful smile, "I love you too, good night." And there was a click as he flashed out the door of my suite.

I clutched the big spoon and my ugly afghan, sniffling a little. I picked up the rooster and hen, holding them up side by side. I wondered if they would stay together forever.

Eric wasn't going to let me savor the moment.

"WELL, it's about time he left", Eric declared, he jumped and threw himself down on the bed, narrowly missing the silverware. I was almost sorry about that. It would have served him right. His tall body started shimmying as he worked his way out of the suit jacket he was wearing. He stretched out next to me in a v-necked sweater of pale blue cashmere and gray slacks. At least he remembered to take off his shoes.

Since the trunk was right next to me, I pushed everything back into the trunk, minus the silver spoon which I put on the nightstand next to me. The afghan stayed lying across my legs.

"Shall we do a reenactment?" Eric asked hopefully, as he raised the end of the afghan, looking under it.

"No", I said, even though I wasn't sure what he meant. "We're going to exchange blood now, so we can get it over with."

"This isn't a stop for gas on a freeway Sookie. This is a sacred and solemn act", he intoned seriously."

We stared at each other for a long second.

Then we burst out laughing.

"You almost had me there", I conceded, wiping my eyes again as I finished giggling.

"You know me too well", Eric replied happily, his large blue eyes dancing with mirth. "It's nice being known by someone." The long arms stretched around my shoulders, so I took my glasses off again and laid them on the nightstand. We settled back into the pillows with him behind me like we'd been doing it every day of our lives.

After lying quietly for a few moments, I asked," You know how much is too much right?" I hope he realized I meant the blood exchanging both directions. I didn't want to end up Turned by accident as an old lady. Then I'd have to go hang out with the Ancient Pythoness playing shuffleboard. Oh wait, she's blind, so the shuffleboard is out. "Well?"

"Yes, I know how much is too much. We'll be fine, since we haven't done this in so long", Eric replied. "Rotate your head away from me, so I can bite you lover", he added, his voice getting husky.

I turned my gaze towards the blurry, silver spoon on my nightstand and his cool hand brushed my hair off my neck. There was the familiar crunching sound, then his wrist appeared in front of my eyes again. Grabbing the wrist with both hands, I inhaled deeply, then really bit down. While I drank, Eric pulled himself tighter against me with his other arm. The long body huddled up against mine and fangs dragged against my neck. A short nuzzle, then he bit down.

I gasped against the long forgotten pain and Eric's mouth pulling against my neck. I refocused on his wrist and there was a muffled moan against my neck as he drank. His hips started rocking against my backside.

It was like jumping into a shower and rinsing off when you didn't even know how dirty you were. The little residual pains from an elderly, aching body were disappearing like tiny clouds of smoke: poof, poof, poof! My mind felt clearer and sharper. The drug like feeling of well being and happiness floated across my body. I barely even noticed that I had stopped drinking and so had Eric. If you've ever been on a floating air mattress, alone, on a perfect sunny day, floating in the middle of a swimming pool with the water perfectly still, then you have a tiny idea what it felt like. It was like Eric was my personal sun, spreading warmth throughout my body. There were no voices in my head, just blessed silence, and I was floating along in a way that felt like heaven.

I'm not sure how long we remained like that, perfectly still and silent. Then I found my voice. "I don't …I don't remember it feeling quite like that", I said, my voice a little unsteady like I'd forgotten how to speak.

"Because it wasn't", Eric murmured against my hair.

"I don't understand."

"It's different because you're different."

"How? My blood is the same blood, right? Why, does it taste different?"

"Yes", he replied, his voice a little dreamy. I nudged him in the ribs with my elbow, encouraging him to explain. "I'll have to use a very poor analogy. Do you know much about wine?"

"No, not really."

"Well, some of the very expensive reds, the Bourdeax's especially…they're undrinkable when they're first bottled."

"You mean the ones where some guy will say so and so year was a great year and all that, and then charge a ton of money for one bottle?"

"Yes, they're very strong, tannic is the word that's used…they're basically TOO strong, later they're bold, loud with potential …..then, if they're stored properly, as they age, they become more complex. It calms down, and the flavors are more discernable, depending on where it was grown, the weather that year, the quality of the soil etc." I was amazed Eric knew this much about wine, but I didn't want to interrupt. He paused so long, I prompted him again.

"So, you're saying my blood is like this?"

"Your blood has become milder, not as strong as it used to be. But the flavors are more complex, with subtlety's that weren't there before. Even with the drugs in your body, I can tell the difference. It's …quite…. Remarkable. And I can really feel you now."

"I can feel you too."

"And?"

"It feels really good. I confess, I'm enjoying it", I admitted.

Eric suddenly pulled away and started laughing, like a really deep from the belly kind of laugh. I turned and squinted at him. He was lying on his back, one arm still under me the other sprawled out like his legs across the bed. His hair was a spiral of golden strands around his head, like the halo on one of the saints. The bloody mouth was opened, with the fangs fully extended. He was laughing with his eyes closed, but I could see a thin trail of red seeping from his eyes.

"Eric! What's so funny? Are you crying?"

"Oh lover!" he cried, as he lunged back towards me, pulling me to him and hugging me so tightly, I thought there was going to be an "unfortunate incident".

"What? Eric, are you alright?"

"You have no idea how long I've waited to hear you say that."

"Say what?"

"That you're enjoying our bond", he answered warmly.

"Oh." The floaty, happy feeling was flooding over me like I'd never experienced before with him. Was I the one making him feel so happy? I wondered what he was experiencing from his end. "Well", I said awkwardly " I just don't remember it being like this."

"That's because you've changed and you're accepting it rather than fighting it."

"I see. Does it feel better to you too?"

"Yes, like I said, your emotions aren't as chaotic and conflicted. It feels much easier…and quite pleasant", he said as he hovered over my face.

I reached up and brushed the skinny blood trails off his cheeks, then licked it off my finger as he watched and smiled. Then he decided to ruin the moment….again.

"So, can we have sex now?"

"Eric!"

"Well?"

"No!"

"Why not?"

"I don't want to."

"Liar"

So much for my warm and fuzzy feelings about the bond. He was reading me again. Well, two can play at this game. Back when we'd originally been bonded, he had told me that the bond had worked both directions. This meant he couldn't lie to me directly. It was going to be painful, but we needed to get this out of the way.

"Eric, it's very sweet of you to offer, but you can't tell me that you're attracted to me the same way as when I was younger. I'm not blind (not yet anyway) and I look in the mirror in the morning. I'm old, with enough wrinkles to draw the Grand Canyon, droopy body parts, and gray hair …well let's just say it doesn't just appear on your head. I don't want you having pity sex with me. It's too sad, pathetic and I would feel horrible afterward. I'd rather just hold on to the memories of us together when I was younger. Do you understand?"

"Yes, I hear you. My hearing is perfect as is my eyesight. I know what older people look like naked, I've seen more naked people than you can possibly imagine and 99% of them are not what anyone would consider attractive by today's standards. "

Well color me confused, " So, why are you asking? I know you have personal blood donors. I'm sure at least one of them wants to have sex with you and I have no doubt they're all fairly attractive. Why me?"

Eric's mood was shifting into …well…displeased and his mouth was getting the hard look it got when he was offended. "For starters, my donors are more than "fairly" attractive. They are all stunningly attractive and they all possess clean, excellent tasting blood. And more than one of them desires me sexually. (okay, I winced a little at that comment). If I simply wanted to have fun sex with an attractive, youthful human, I could do so. But, I want to have sex with you and not out of pity. You should know better."

"Then just answer me Eric, why?"

He glanced away for a second, like he was considering how far he could push the "truth" edge. "I'm curious as to what it would be like. I've never desired an elderly woman, but I desire you. I desire you because you're my bonded and I love feeling close to you. I haven't felt this close to anyone since you left and I want to feel closer by having sex. One thing I've learned by watched vampire after vampire succumb to boredom and ennui; when you find someone or something that stirs your passions, you don't hesitate to explore it. It's always worth the risk. And the affection I feel has always been worth the risks I've taken for you."

Well, that was a pretty good answer. There had been no deceit that I could detect. He believed what he was saying. That still didn't mean it was the right thing to do.

It was time to lay it on the line."You expect me to believe you want to have sex with a woman wearing a diaper?"

"I've had sex with humans wearing diapers before." At my totally aghast expression, he hastily added, " ADULT humans, not infants. "

I opened my mouth to ask…then decided I really didn't need to know. "Well, here's something else...once you're done fulfilling your curiosity, what happens then? You move on and what am I supposed to do? I'll feel rejected and hurt, no matter how nice you are about it."

Now I had him, he shifted uncomfortably and it was obvious he hadn't really given that any thought. Eric's first impulse was to think about what he wanted and worry about others feelings later. "We could at least try it", he said, his blue eyes bearing into me.

I had already decided and for some other valid reasons besides the ones I'd already mentioned to him. "No, not right now, we haven't seen each other in ages and I know I'll regret it. Let's wait and see how things go first. You may change your mind or I may change mine. So, please stop mentioning it every time I see you, alright?"

His expression softened as he looked down into mine. "Can we still exchange blood from time to time?"he asked.

"Sure", I answered, and smiled up at him.

"Do you feel better physically?"

"Oh yes".

"Good".

He shifted and laid his head down across my torso, with his arms embracing my sides. I wrapped my arms around his head and shoulders and started stroking the long, golden hair. "You know, you must have some serious affection for me to want to play with these droopy boobs."

The big body vibrated as he chuckled. "Yes, I do. "

"And speaking of affection, just because Bill loves me too is no reason to mess with him like that. "

"But it's fun", he said, his voice taking on a higher pitch. Was he whining?

"I don't care. You're old enough to know better , you're his king, and his elder, so behaving like this makes you a bully. "

"Bill is hardly helpless", Eric snorted. I was detecting something else I hadn't noticed before. I couldn't quite put my finger on it.

"You tortured him Eric! Tortured! It's unbelievable to me that he even obeys you or wants to stay in your kingdom." I shook my head, trying to understand the twisted way of vampire relationships.

"He understood why I was doing it. After I was satisfied that I had extracted everything I could from him, I made sure he was tended to until he healed."

"Why did you bother? Why not just let him die? I would never have found out."

"You love him", he said.

"Yes", I replied firmly. No use in denying it, Eric would know through our bond.

"Maybe that was why", he said in a cagey manner.

"I don't believe it", I said flatly. "Just fess up."

He held up his hands in a "surrender" posture and answered. "Loyal followers are hard to come by, but intelligent ones are even harder to find. And vampires who are intelligent, loyal, and not after your job are nigh well impossible to find. And I never have to worry about Bill kissing my ass because he wants something."

Well, he had that right. I couldn't recall Bill ever puckering up for Eric. But I had seen that even I when Eric was a sheriff. There were always plenty of fawning syncophants vying for Eric's favor. I guess even Eric got tired of nonstop "yes men" and people telling him how wonderful he was.

"Bill will tell you what he really thinks because he's not trying to win your favor."

"Exactly, surrounding yourself with people who tell you only what you want to hear is very dangerous. I've seen it happen with more human leaders than I can count and numerous vampire leaders as well. If Bill thinks I'm making a poor decision, he tells me because he doesn't care what I think about him. That doesn't mean I'm going to agree of course"

There it was…a tinge…of ..grudging respect…for Bill! This was amazing to me. I had always assumed Eric had nothing but disdain for him, but if I really thought about it…Eric wouldn't have allowed Bill to enter his inner circle and work for him if that was the case.

"You respect him", I declared with awe.

"I didn't say that."

"Oh yes you did, in so many words and I can feel it too." Haha on Eric, the blood bond strikes again.

"Well…..not…..", he sounded conflicted …then finally, " Don't tell him I said that."

I giggled, my shaking chest rattling his head a little. "Bill and Er_ ic sitting in a tree, K_I_ S_ S_ I_ N_ G", I said in a singsong voice.

"I definitely didn't say THAT!" he exclaimed, raising his head. A skinny braid hung off the side of his face, that I had managed to make while he was lying there. It gave him a silly, girlie look.

And speaking of girls. "What was that comment that Pam made to you about owing her money? Is she loaning you money now?"

Eric sighed and looked away for a second, " When I first told her we were trying to bring you back here, she advised me to hire more guards and increase my security. She said that as soon as you stepped foot in the palace, something would probably happen. We hadn't had any major security issues in almost two years. I told her she was being foolish, so she said "you wanna bet?"

"So you took the bet?"

"Yes"

"How much?"

"That is not your concern." (Which was code for, it's so much money you'll think I'm an idiot if I tell you).

"So, who were those guys?" I asked, changing the subject to something more pertinent.

"We're still looking into it."

"Make sure you keep me in the loop. I've already lectured Bill. If this had something to do with me, you had better tell me", I said sternly. I grabbed his chin and turned him to face me directly. "You got that mister?"

"It's sexy when you get bossy", he smiled, displaying his fangs at me.

He was impossible. "Eric ….you're just….so BAD..what's to be done?"

"You could spank me until I talk." He winked. " I seem to recall you having some type of fixation on my bottom."

I give up. "Good night, you silly vampire" , I said while I ruffled his hair.

"Good night my wife", he answered and he leaned forward planting a gentle kiss on my lips.

"Eric"

"Yes?"

"Thank you for bringing me back."

"It was my pleasure. Thank you for coming back."

He lifted himself slowly off the bed, retrieved his jacket and shoes and made for the door. Just as he got to it I said, " I missed you."

He looked over his shoulder, the blue eyes shining like gemstones, " I missed you too."

There was a soft click one second later as he let himself out. I pulled the old afghan that my Grandmother had knitted around myself, took the large silver spoon and placed it under my pillow(just in case), and closed my eyes.

I slept better than I had in years.

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My life fell into a comfortable routine, for the most part. Elizabeth Vacca stayed on as my nurse which was good thing because she turned out to be an excellent nurse and companion. Her injuries were minor and healed quickly as a shifters tend to do. It turned out the attack had been aimed more at getting back at Eric, than anything (or so he said). I had reached a point in my life where I didn't need to know everything and could allow others to take care of business.

Selah comes to visit me regularly and even holo-phones me when she's gone. We actually get along really well, although I have a sneaky suspicion that some of her attachment to me is related to my being one of her last ties to her human life. She reintroduced me to Judith, and with Pam, we combined to start our own little bridge club. That's right, the old fashioned card game that few people play anymore. Once a week, no matter where everyone is, we have a game, even if some of the players have to sit in as holos with holo cards that the computer keeps track of for us.

So, I keep busy. My improved health allowed me to go back to granny undies (hooray!), during the day at least. Night time could still be a little iffy for me. Bessie and I take walks through the gardens and day trips into New Orleans, with guards of course. Bubba comes to visit from time to time, which is always interesting. I exercise, read, watch TV, movies and take wonderful naps. Naps are wasted on the young. You have to be old to really appreciate them if you ask me.

I don't see Eric every day. Eric is much too busy with his responsibilities, but he appreciates how precious time is with his elderly very mortal wife and he checks in every day, even if it's just for a few minutes. I know he's continued feeding and doing other things with his various personal donors. I've decided I'm not going to ask him to stop something he needs when I'm physically unable to provide it. So, there is no whining or complaining from me regarding his absences; just as he's stopped picking on Bill (at least around me) and makes no complaint about Bill visiting with me when he's not there. We've both learned a little about compromise as we've gotten older. As for his continued efforts to explore the land of sagging boobs, cellulite, and paunchy bellies…well…his middle name might as well be "relentless". And my decision on the matter? You'll have to come to your own conclusion. Ladies don't discuss such things.

Bill checks in every day also, even if he's on a business trip or abroad. Sometimes, he'll come back with a gift that he thinks I might like, just to show he was thinking about me while he was gone. If he's in a place that doesn't have the holo technology, we do an old fashioned call on my speaker phone. And as silly as it may sound, my heart still goes pitter patter when I hear that cool, dark voice emanating from the intercom. It's like flicking a switch and suddenly I'm twenty five years old again, trembling with the excitement of meeting my first vampire.

If I had known then what I know now, would I have done anything any different? It's hard to say. But, it doesn't really matter, because I'm convinced that God made the world round, so we can't see too far down the road.

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"Ma'am? Ma'am? Please ma'am, you can't go that way", the young man next to me said urgently, as he touched my elbow.

"You can't tell me where I can go", I snapped, as I punched the various buttons on the elevator again. "Why isn't this working? I'm meeting my brother Jason for dinner today. He'll wonder where I am."

"I'm sorry, but the king has forbidden…"

"I don't care what he has to say! Always telling me what to do…he can't keep me prisoner."

A couple more young men, dressed in the same uniform as the first one appeared. The one who seemed to think he was in charge of everyone, including me said," His majesty has stated we need to keep you on this floor for your own safety. We'd be happy to escort you back to your suite."

" I don't want to go back to my suite! Aren't you listening? I'm meeting Jason for dinner and he'll be worried. I always make him his dinner", I said, clutching my walker tighter. How was I going to get past these men? Jason was helpless when it came to fixing his own meals. He needed me.

Then Bessie came running up, I thought I had given her the slip. "Sookie, please let these gentlemen help you back to the suite. There's a nice meal waiting, you'll love it."

"NO, I'm not going back. I have to meet Jason. I need to make his dinner. Why won't you listen?" What was wrong with these people?

Bessie's large brown eyes stared at me. She was thinking that I didn't know what I was doing or saying. That just made me madder.

"I know exactly what I'm doing. I'm NOT crazy! All those people I grew up with thought I was crazy, but I wasn't you understand that?" I cried. This was so frustrating.

Bessie sighed, "Of course you're not crazy. But you're not well either and you need to come back to the suite. Please, can you do this for me?"

There was no way past all these people, who were determined to keep me prisoner. Defeated, I shuffled back down the hallway and into my suite. Bessie sat me down at the table, where some kind of sweet potato casserole was waiting with a side of peas. I picked at my meal unhappily and glared at her from time to time.

Clutching my housecoat around me tighter, I said, "Bill will help me. Bill always helps me. You can't hold me here. Eric can't hold me here. He can't keep me from my family."

"This is for your own protection Sookie. You're not well. I know you're upset, but we're trying to help you."

There was a knock on the door, and Bessie practically jumped from the table. She opened the door and Bill glided in, dressed casually in jeans and a long sleeved cotton shirt. He looked at Bessie, his face a question.

"She's having a bad day", Bessie said. He just nodded.

He crouched down next to my chair," How are you Sookie?"

"You have to help me Bill! They won't let me out of here. I was going to see Jason for dinner. I was going to make his dinner for him and he said he would bring Gran over tomorrow to see me. But they won't let me out, because Eric told them not to."

Bill listened to me calmly, he always listened to me. "I see, well Sookie, we're going to have to stay here for a little while longer alright? Eric is coming after he finishes his meetings and then we can discuss it. Is that alright with you?"

I grabbed Bill's shoulder and squeezed that broad hard muscle as tightly as I could. "Eric is the one holding me prisoner! You have to help me get out of here. Please Bill, I know you really love me and you'll help me."

"Sookie, we're going to wait until Eric arrives. I think that would be for the best", he said firmly. He rubbed my shoulders and smiled, like that was going to make it any better.

Well, that figured. "I should have known not to trust you", I spat out. "You've always been a two faced little liar, playing both sides of the fence and I always come out on the bottom. You love me when it's convenient, then when it's not…it's TOO BAD Sookie, isn't it?"

His face had gotten more still and his jaw flexed a couple of times as I spoke. I hope I hurt him. I hope I hurt him a lot.

"She doesn't mean it Mr. Compton. She doesn't know what she's saying", Bessie interrupted.

"I know", Bill replied, but the hurt expression around his eyes meant I'd gotten to him. Good, served him right. He pulled up the chair next to mine and sat with me, perfectly silent for a few minutes. "Why don't you take a break?" he said, looking at Bessie. "I've got a free evening and Eric will be here shortly. Go get some rest and I'll talk to Eric about some extra help if this starts getting out of hand." Bessie nodded, got up and walked out slowly.

"I'm glad she's gone, stupid cow", I grumbled.

"Sookie!" Bill admonished me. "You can say whatever you want to me, but she's your nurse and she looks after you. What would your Gran say?"

"Don't you even mention my Gran. You're siding with Eric against me, so I can't see my own flesh and blood anymore. So, just you shut your mouth you big liar." I crossed my arms over my chest, having made my point.

Bill just gazed at me sadly, with those dark lying eyes of his. "I know you're having trouble seeing this right now, but I love you. I love you even now, when you're saying hateful things because I know it's not you. The Sookie I love would never hurt me deliberately in a hundred years. And I'm going to forgive what you're doing, just like you forgave me for attacking you when I was delirious and hungry and didn't know what I was doing. " He touched me gently with his cool fingers on my cheek. I jerked away and pushed his hand off. There was relief on his face when a knock sounded from the door. "Come in", he called out.

My jailer, otherwise known as the KING, walked in, looking all serious like he thought he was going to intimidate me. He gave Bill a look.

"She's having a bad day, a really bad day", Bill advised.

Eric nodded and sighed. "I see."

"I'm having a bad day because none of these people will let me out of here! And it's your fault Eric! You ordered them to do this. You're always ordering people around and trying to make everyone do what YOU want. You can't keep me prisoner forever" I said loudly and as in his face as possible. He needed to know I meant business.

Bill interjected," Sweetheart, Eric is just trying to protect you. You're not well enough to go outside."

"Don't you sweetheart me, you big phony. And why don't you just leave, since I'm sick of looking at you. I'm sorry I ever met you."

Bill sat back. "Very well, if you wish me gone, I'll leave. Eric will stay with you for a while. Let me know when you need me back", he said, looking at Eric who nodded back in understanding.

Bill left and Eric stood in the middle of the room with his big arms crossed , imitating my position. He just stared at me silently.

"What?" I asked.

"I've never seen you be cruel to Bill before", he commented slowly. "It's very strange."

"He'll get over it. You'll all get over it because that's what you do", I complained.

"I see." His voice was neutral and his face was blank, his big eyes opened wide and unblinking.

It was time to try again, "Please Eric, I need to see my brother. I was going to make him dinner so he could bring my Gran to see me tomorrow. You've never met her, but you'll like her."

"Your Grandmother and brother are dead. Everyone in your family is dead, I've checked and there's no one left", Eric said flatly and with no emotion. He was talking crazy.

"Stop talking like that. You just want to control me, you're always making me do things. I never get to do what I want. You never think about me, just yourself", I choked out. This was impossible and I was stuck here , miserable and alone. "I'm all alone and it's all your fault."

Now, completely defeated, I got my walker and shuffled into my bedroom since my escape wasn't happening tonight. I hoped Jason would be okay. Eric followed me closely, but didn't touch me or try to help me into bed either, of course. Laying back into the big pillows I ignored him. He got a chair, kicked off his shoes, sat back and put his feet up on the bed. We sat like that for a little while. Then, I started feeling calmer and my brain stopped worrying so much.

"Are you feeling a little better?" he asked, peering at me expectantly.

"Humph", was all I was going to say.

"Well, if we're going to sit here we should talk about something. Or I could tell you a story."

"What kind of story?" I asked, since I was a little bored, but didn't want to admit it.

"Do you know the one about the witch war?" he asked.

I frowned, the words tickling memories at the edge of my mind, but out of reach. "No, I don't think I've ever heard that one."

"Ah, it's an interesting story."

I nodded for him to continue.

A long time ago, there was an evil witch named Hallow in a place not far from here, she wanted revenge, power, money, and desired a certain handsome vampire…." He began. He spoke nonstop for a couple hours, while I stayed buried in my pillows and blankets, listening. Once he was done, he looked at me and asked, " Well, what do you think?"

"That's the craziest story I've ever heard" I said.

He threw his blond head back and laughed, a deep hearty laugh. Tiny pools of red appeared in the corner of his eyes, and as he wiped them away, he said, "You're right, it is indeed."

The End

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A/N My original conception for this story was very different. The end section is closer to what I had originally planned, but then Bill and Bubba showed up and glamoured me into remembering that the scope of one's life isn't just the beginning or the end, but the whole thing. I'm glad I wrote this, it gave me a lot to think about, but I'm also kind of relieved its over. I might do some outtakes one of these days, cuz I kind of liked old Sookie. We'll see, but now I have to get back to Nesting Instincts and my other stories. Thanks for all the kind words and reviews!