Hello again everyone. I apologize for the long wait for this chapter. Everything has been a little crazy for me, but now that they are settling I can return my attention to my story. I finally have a beta, and this is her first chapter for me (though she did go over a few of my previous chapters too). I just want to tell her thank you very much for her kind words and help.

I also wanted to restate that we are still at a point where a lot of info is given, but please be patient because it will mellow out pretty quickly. Again if there is anything that is unclear about my story please ask and I will explain anything you wish (except where this story is going).

I want to thank all of you who have supported me. I promise to be a more diligent writer. Please keep the comments coming. With all that being said, please enjoy.

Disclaimer: I do not own any of the Charlaine Harris characters

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Chapter 8

Sookie smiled to herself and settled into Eric, his arms tightened around her. They were aboard Anubis Airline and they were almost to Dallas.

Sookie felt like a new woman. The last few days went in a complete blur. She felt like months had passed instead of days.

Every since their first dream training session, Eric had been working with her on her fighting skill almost obsessively. When they weren't sleeping, eating, or having sex they were training. Even her dreams weren't safe anymore. They trained with different scenarios there and when they woke Eric would want to double check that she was able to do in reality what she was able to do in their dream state.

They found that she had more limitations when she was awake, they both did. Though she could tap into Eric's strength and experience she couldn't maintain it for more than a few minutes. Afterwards she was extremely tired and had to rest. She couldn't call her Sais to her either. Eric bought her a pair of stainless steel Sais so that she could practice in reality but it wasn't the same. She was good with them, but they didn't feel like a natural part of her like the others. Neither Sookie nor Eric could produce the gold and silver power sphere that encased them in their dream.

Sookie thought back to the night Eric woke up from their first training session to find her snuggled next to him, completely unable to move.

"Sookie?" He whispered his voice full of concern. He kissed her temple and nuzzled her neck; the pain coming off of her was tangible.

"Ugh." She groaned. "Don't touch me!" Sookie responded.

Eric pulled back from her neck so he could look into her eyes, and he saw the pain that was etched on her face.

"Sookie, what happened to you while I was asleep?"

"Nothing, I woke up like this. I feel like hell had a chariot race on me." She groaned.

"Drink from me, my blood will heal you." He moved to bite his wrist.

"No." Sookie protested. "I've had too much as it is, just let me lay here. I'll be okay in a few weeks…months…okay, a year tops."

Eric laughed. "Sorry love can't do it." He bit into his wrist and placed it to her lips. "Drink and feel better lover."

Sookie moved her head away from the bloody wrist that was before her, but pain from that slight movement shot through her entire body and she happily latched onto Eric's wrist. With every draw of his blood the pain relinquished its grasp on her body. Eric began to caress her body as she healed herself. Soon all the pain was gone from her, she took one last deep draw and Eric moaned deeply and slipped two fingers into her. She gasped and dropped his wrist. She arched her back to grant his fingers deeper access into her.

Eric's chest rumbled with delight. He moved over her to position himself to enter her. Sookie however, had a different idea. She put her hands on his chest and pushed with all her might. To both her and Eric's surprise, he flew to the side of the bed. He had great instincts though, and he was able to twist in mid air so that he could land on his feet. They stared at each other with confusion and surprise. She should be stronger true but not strong enough to toss a thousand year old vampire to the side like that.

Sookie was frozen, but then her body made its need known. Sookie got to her hands and knees and presented herself to him. She looked over her shoulder at him. "Fuck me!" She commanded.

Eric didn't need to be told twice. He growled with want and triumph of this magnificent being. The fact that she had presented her body to him to mount and commanded him with such ferocity drove him crazy. He slammed into her without further pretense, causing her to cry out his name. With every thrust she cried out to him. His pace was relentless, and he felt her body begin to spasm around his length. This only drove him to stroke her with more abandon. He wrapped one arm around her waist so that he could play with her nub.

This made Sookie come undone and she came hard, screaming out his name and bucking up against him as the shudders ripped though her body.

Unfortunately Sookie had no idea what she unleashed within Eric. He continued his long strokes through her violent release, and then he turned her over onto her back. He made his strokes longer, almost pulling all the way out before pushing back in hard. At the end of each stroke he bucked a little, driving himself that much deeper. Sookie could feel every part of Eric. He braced himself on his forearms so that she wouldn't have to feel all his weight and held her hands.

He kissed her slowly, reverently. He wanted to taste her very essence. He slowed his strokes down, then the brushed over her body as if he was trying to memorize every part of her being. Eric kissed her down her cheek to her neck. Sookie gasped when he nipped that sensitive space at the base of her neck. He continued kissing and licking his was down until he captured her right nipple in his mouth.

"Eric!" she moaned as he raked his fangs over her skin. He began pinching and teasing the other with his left hand. He was setting her body on fire.

Their need and desire bounced off each other and was magnified through the bond. Flashes of gold and silver light began to surround them. Eric raised himself and they locked eyes. Gold and silver lightening began to strike around the room around them. They heard things breaking around them, but neither one could bring themselves to care. The house began to shake around them and protest as it started shaking more violently. Something shattered right above Sookie's head but she was trapped in Eric's eyes. She couldn't look away.

The blue began to fade from Eric's eyes, once they were solid white they began to glow gold. Sookie touched Eric's cheek with her free hand.

"Oh my God Eric." She managed, her voice was barely more than a whisper but she knew he could hear her.

"Sookie!" Eric rasped hoarsely. Sookie's eyes were now glowing solid silver.

That was the last coherent thing that either was able to say. Their bodies began to contract and shake, sending a shudder through them both. Eric began to speed up his rhythm and he began pounding harder into Sookie. Their energies danced over every part of their bodies. They could feel each other's very essence dancing with in them, like the bond, it magnified every sensation. Their very blood danced in their bodies and it pushed them both over the edge. Sookie's hair flashed completely silver and Eric's glowed solid gold. Eric leaned down and bit her nipple; he began to suck Sookie's blood powerfully. It was light and love and eternity all in one. The way Sookie tasted was beyond believability.

He continued to draw from her and the house rumbled ominously. Their gold and silver enclosures exploded around them, and then Eric collapsed on top of her. After a few moments he rolled to the side.

Sookie's body was turned to Jell-O and she couldn't move. Eric pulled her further onto the bed so that she could rest in his arms. The bed groaned and then the mattress fell through the frame onto the floor. Unfortunately the floor couldn't support them either and they fell through. Eric scooped Sookie up and began to levitate. The mattresses and floor fell to the second floor landing in what looked to Sookie to be another bedroom.

Sookie looked into Eric's eyes completely shocked. Eric erupted with laughter as he let them float between the two floors.

"What the hell Eric!" Sookie wailed when she was able to find her voice again.

Dust was everywhere. Eric brought them back into the third level. From what she could see two of the walls were missing. The desk was reduced to splinters. Sookie looked up and she was able to see the stars twinkling above her. She could also identify that big crash above her head, the large mirror next to the bathroom door was gone, and it was just a black hole there. The house groaned ominously again.

"I think that we should get out of here." Eric said, trying not to laugh. He flew through the gaping hole in the roof. "Lover it seems I can't take you anywhere anymore. You're here for barely twenty four hours and my house has been destroyed." He landed on his front yard and set her on her feet.
"Eric this is not funny." She said shakily. "I didn't even get to look around!" She wailed randomly. Eric burst into laughter as Sookie burst into tears.

Okay, yes it's random. She had no idea why she was crying but she couldn't stop herself all the same. She was mortified that they had destroyed Eric's house; but more than that she was terrified that they were capable of doing it in the first place. She was terrified of the power that seemed to be buried within them both. The tears flowed down her cheek and onto Eric's bare chest as he held her close.

"Sookie why are you crying?" he asked as he tried to sober up.

"Eric, your eyes glowed gold and the next thing I know your house was destroyed!"

Eric held her tighter in his arms. "Don't worry lover, I was never really fond of that house anyway."

Sookie laughed and leaned into his embrace. She tried to remind herself that she could handle anything with Eric by her side.

"We are stronger." Eric murmured. "Can you push me away again?"

Sookie pushed against Eric with all her might, and even with all the blood she had taken from Eric she only made him pivot one step back. It was like pushing against a brick wall.

"Interesting." He said, and then turned back to the house. "Stay here for a minute Sookie. I will be right back."

"Eric no." Sookie said. She tried to sound hard and with authority (Eric smirked). "That place is about to collapse. You'll get hurt."

As if punctuating her point a loud crack broke the silence and half of the roof disappeared in a cloud of dust.

"I'll be fine lover." Eric assured. "Or do you not care about traveling completely naked? I assure you that I don't mind, it will make our flight a little more interesting." He gave her a very Eric smile wagging his eyebrows.

In the moment Sookie hesitated Eric disappeared, she never could tell Eric anything. Sookie could hear something else collapse inside the house and she cried out in fear. Why oh why did she let him go back in there? Now she was standing nude in the middle of nowhere praying that her….

Her…what exactly? What was he to her exactly? He was her lover (the best one she's ever had), but he was so much more than that. He was her friend, her safe harbor, her warrior and defender, her soul mate. Soul mate? Did she just think that? Well somehow boyfriend just didn't cut it. He wasn't her husband…technically, but they were already bound closer than any husband and wife could possibly be. Still, he hasn't asked her so he wasn't her fiancé. So what was he? Her all, her everything, her reason…that could get a little long winded when she explained it to others.

'I am all of those, but I especially love that term 'soul mate'. It has a nice ring to it.'

'Are you okay?' she asked feeling stupid that she'd forget they could communicate with each other.

'Don't feel bad. I'm fine. I wasn't able to get to the closet without causing another collapse but I was able to get something to cover us at least.'

'I don't care. Just come back.'

'Already on my way lover. And as to what you should call me, bonded implies all those things. If you want to get married, we can. I would love to see you walk down the aisle.'

Sookie's heart skipped in her chest. 'We can talk about that later. Now is not the time.' She saw lights come from around the far side of what used to be a house, but the lights were too far off the ground to be his corvette. Eric pulled up next to her in a back SUV, Navigator (how appropriate).

"You owe me a car and a house by the way lover." Eric joked, smiling at her innocently.

"I think that I had a little help with that Mr. Northman." Sookie smiled despite herself. She loved that he had the ability to dispel her anxieties. She opened the passenger door to see a top to a pajama set sitting on the seat. She saw that Eric already had on the matching bottoms.

"I never figured you for the matching pajama type." Sookie chuckled. "How PG of you."

Eric laughed with her. "I'm not, but you never know. Pam bought these for me when she first saw my interest in you. They were a joke because you were pure and wholesome. And pure and wholesome women always sleep fully clothed; she suggested that I get used to it." Sookie rolled her eyes, that Pam. "Aren't you glad I kept them?"

"Most definitely." She said without hesitation, a breeze just hit her and she hopped into the front seat, and then pulled the sleep shirt over her head. "By the way, what happened to the corvette?"

"The garage collapsed on top of it. It's not drivable." Sookie gasped. "Don't worry about it lover, it was time for me to upgrade anyway."

"If that one was in the garage, where was this one?" Sookie asked trying to sound calm and collected…and failing miserably.

"I backed this one out of the garage, hoping that I could get you to fall in love with it so that we could get rid of that poor excuse of metal that you call a car."

"There's nothing wrong with my car, thank you very much." She crossed her arms. "You can't just replace what you don't like in my life."

"This one can protect you." He stated, trying to keep his voice calm.

"Sure it can." Sookie rolled her eyes. "Just because it's new doesn't mean that it's better."

"It's bullet proof." He injected before she could continue, he knew better then to let her get into a rhythm. "It also has a panic button for you." He motioned to a red button on the console, it had a clear plastic casing around it to prevent accidental pressing. "I had it altered so that while you are in it, it can keep you safe. The frame has been reinforced and the tires are made to keep rolling even after they have been punctured. There are weapons placed throughout too. There is a gun and a stake in the glove box, more in the false back of both these front seats and the middle row. In the very back row, you will have access to a rifle that's hidden in the seat along with a silver chain, and both silver and wooden stakes. All the guns have silver bullets. They are modified so that when they penetrate the skin liquid silver will release from the tip. Like I said, this car can protect you."

Sookie sat completely dumbfounded as she looked at Eric. "What have you done?" she asked. She wasn't sure if he knew what she meant but she was having a little trouble articulating at the moment.

They had been flying through town. Sookie had no idea where she was. Eric stopped at a red light and he locked her in his gaze, she had to understand.

"I will not lose you Sookie. I will do whatever is in my power to keep that from happening. This is in my power." The light had turned green but Eric didn't move, the streets were dead (ha ha). "I respect that you want to be your own person, make your own decisions, live the way you choose. All that is fine, but when it comes to your safety there is no room for negotiation. You are my life. If you died, it would kill me too; and I have lived too long and come too far to be undone with something that's completely preventable."

Tears were running down her face. She knew exactly what he meant. If Eric died, she didn't know how she would meet the next day. It was completely understandable, but that wasn't the problem. She just really hated decisions being made without her. How is she supposed to know if she is or isn't supposed to do something until after the fact? If that was to be the case how could she keep herself safe if she doesn't know about safeguards, or the reasons behind them? She is not a child and to not have a hand in her own life, her own safety enraged her. Is she really so unreasonable that everyone thinks a logical discussion would be lost on her? Is she that stupid?

"No!" Eric growled as he heard her thoughts swirl in her head. "Never think that again!"

"What am I supposed to think then? This is how I am treated, how else am I to interpret it?"

"I can't always explain everything on the spot; sometimes you are just going to have to trust that I am doing what's best for you."

"I understand that. I trust you with my life. But if things are never explained to me and I am left to make decisions without all the needed info, then how can I be sure that I am not walking myself directly into danger?"

They regarded each other for a while. Eric knew he couldn't get past her question. He hated that.

Sookie knew that she would not understand everything all the time at every moment, but she could accept that if someone at some point would say something. She was trying to be less stubborn; she was trying to think in terms of 'we' instead of 'I'. She knew that Eric was right about the car and she would have to accept the Navigator. She hated that.

They smiled at the others thoughts and the tension left the cab.

"Fine." Eric said.

"Fine." Sookie replied.

Eric began driving again, he was just happy that Sookie would accept the car. Sookie was just ecstatic that she had finally beaten Eric in an argument. She wished that she had a camera because no one was going to believe this.

"Where are we going anyway?" Sookie asked after a few moments of silent preening (Eric was rolling his eyes at her).

"Pam's house."

"But won't she be at Fangtasia?" They were further into Shreveport, but she still had no idea where.

"You're right, Fangtasia it is." Eric said as he made a sudden sharp turn to the right.

Slowly things became more familiar to her, and then they pulled into Fangtasia. They went in through the back and went straight to Eric's office. Pam was sitting at the desk clad in black leather-she was on duty tonight. She looked up from her papers when they entered. The look on her face was priceless.

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Sookie couldn't help but laugh at the memory. Eric was smiling but Pam and Bill were looking at her like she was out of her mind, which only made her laugh harder.

She hadn't seen anything so funny since Pam and Bill volunteered to help Sookie train (for volunteer read only two vamp in a select group that were not afraid of meeting their final death should an accident happen). Neither Pam nor Bill had ever been a match for Eric in battle, when Sookie drew on Eric's strength they couldn't take her separately either. However, when Sookie used only her natural-Viking blood amplified-skills they only had to double-team her to win; but that was only because none of them was actually trying to kill the other. When Sookie had first forced Bill's surrender-her sword at his neck-both he and Pam wore looks exactly like what they were wearing now.

Sookie loved her sword very much. She wasn't surprised to find that the sword Eric used in their dream realm was an actual sword. She wasn't even surprised when he presented her with a replica that was made specifically for her (after all he bought her Sais to practice with). What got her was the fact that he was able to keep the gift a secret. When it comes to gifts Eric could hardly contain himself; especially with gifts he got for Sookie. He loved that he was still able to surprise her.

Through their training, they learned that they could block their thoughts from each other. They also learned that though Sookie can hear other vampires, she really had to focus on a specific person. Reading a vampire's mind was not easy. Eric however, could easily read the vampire thoughts that flowed through Sookie. They figured that it was because he was a vampire himself, but it didn't matter if it was one vamp or a group.

Eric didn't really care that Sookie could hear his every thought. He was a blunt man, and he never thought anything he wasn't willing to say to her out loud. For him it was more than that, he liked not having any secrets from her. It was freeing because he rarely had to explain himself anymore, something he has always found irritating. She would just see how she arrived at a particular place.

Tears rolled down Sookie's cheeks as she tried, unsuccessfully, to contain herself.

"Shh, lover calm down." Eric said as he rubbed her arms soothingly, but that only made her horny on top of the levity she was already feeling. He really should know better than to rub against her, even if it is just her arms.

She tried to focus on anything that was nonsexual and had nothing to do with Bill or Pam. She was finally able to calm herself and she laid her head back on Eric's shoulder. When the 'Crazy Sookie Show' was over, Bill and Pam went back to their chess game.

Sookie began going over all the movements that she'd learned. They were second nature to her now. Once she began to open herself to Eric both in and out of their dream realm they were able to move as one. She could see them fighting together during training and she could appreciate how fluid their movements were together. They didn't have to see where the other was or what they were doing, and they didn't have to speak. They truly moved as one whether Sookie drew on Eric's strength or not. Since whenever Sookie drew on Eric's strength it drained her, they'd decided to make that a last resort. Though she wasn't hot for the idea, Sookie agreed to take a regular dose of Eric's blood so that she would be stronger and faster. She still wasn't as strong as a vampire but at least now she could effectively defend herself.

As far as they had come she couldn't help but think about the things that eluded her. Like the answers she sought from Niall. When she and Eric called him he popped into Eric's office, but he could have stayed away for all the answers they got. Everything he said was either something they more or less knew or just plain evasive.

"Hello great-granddaughter, you look beautiful." He greeted her with a kiss to her cheek and a nod to Eric.

"Thank you great-grandfather, it's so good to see you too." Sookie replied. She was suddenly very glad that she was able to change out of the pajama top and have on some actual clothes. Apparently Eric had bought a few simple things for her that he kept in the closet behind his desk with his spare clothes. She was too grateful to ask questions as to why.

"I know that you have questions for me, especially after the gift I gave you. I will tell you as much as I can, but I may not be able to tell you all you wish to know. I am bound."

"So that wasn't just a dream? You were actually there?" Sookie couldn't decide if that was a good thing or a bad thing just yet. One thing is for sure, she was glad that she and Eric hadn't had sex that time.

'Speak for yourself.' Eric's voice chimed in. She smiled, but otherwise disregarded his comment.

"Yes, I was actually there. I presented you with a pair of silver Sais that were made especially for you."

"By whom?" was her natural question.

"I cannot tell you." Niall natural answer to her (at least in Sookie's mind), but he tried to explain as much as he could. "I am bound by my word."

"That's convenient." Eric spoke up.

"I know it's frustrating but I assure you that it will be revealed when both of you are ready."

"What does that mean? Can you stop being so cryptic and give me a straight answer?" She asked, as she got irritated.

"I am not trying to be cryptic. It means that you are on the right track. You both need to keep training as one, it is imperative."

They stood in silence. Sookie was very aggravated by the lack of answers but it wasn't like she could say anything. He's still her great-grandfather and it's not as if she could shake the answers out of him. She took a deep breath and moved on to another question that had been bugging her.

"What did you mean when you said that I made a good fairy? Am I not human anymore? I still feel like me."

"Of course you are still human. All I can say is that your fae heritage is a basic building block of your genes; they have a direct say-so in the way you look. This is why you looked the way you did in your dream."

"But you won't tell me about why I changed to begin with? Why I glow silver and Eric glows gold? Why we almost destroyed my house and literally demolished Eric's?" She was rambling like she did when she was upset and Eric sent calm through the bond.

"Let us get to the point. Are you or are you not going to tell us what is going on with us?" Eric said before Niall had a chance to answer Sookie. Though Eric's voice was calm, it was cold and his accent was becoming more apparent. He began dropping the contractions like he does when he's upset.

Niall didn't regard Eric but focused on Sookie. "I'm sorry I can't be of more use to you, sweet seraphim." Sookie quirked her head a little, that was a new name. "All I can say is that what's going on with the two of you is able to be because of your bond. It's quite strong, and quite unlike any other one that has existed. What's happening is good. You need to continue working on your bond, it will make everything else easier to deal with."

Sookie huffed and clenched her fists in frustration. "Are you going to ever treat me like an adult?" she asked hurt. She was so tired of not being in control of her own life. She didn't like being the last one to know vital things about herself, and then be told it's for her own good. It hurt even more that these were the people closest to her.

Niall winced at the pain in her voice. "It's not about treating you as a child or as an adult. I am bound. You are blessed. When you are ready you will be able to call the power and weapons that you wield in the dream realm. I know you are not happy with me but please take my advice anyway." He brushed her cheek with the back of his hand, letting it linger. Sookie let out a deep breath then leaned her head into her great-grandfathers touch. "I really do love you, you know. I know that you don't like to feel as if others are controlling what's going on with you, but please trust in me. Trust when I stress how important it is that you two work together on this bond, it is truly something remarkable. Love is the key."

A tear dropped down Sookie's face. She nodded. Niall kissed her lightly on her forehead, and then disappeared.

Sookie trusted Niall, and she knew that he would never hurt her; but in the back of her mind she was starting to suspect that the reason he refused to ever give her a straight answer was because he's never given anyone a straight answer. She was beginning to think that his head might explode if he actually tried.

"Please calm down." Eric murmured, bringing her back to reality. "You're supposed to be trying to be calm and relaxed, remember?"

'Oh yes, because it's so easy to relax with impending death or possible enslavement on the horizon.' She thought sarcastically.

Eric kissed her temple lightly. 'Please try,' he asked. 'For me?'

"Relax," Sookie sighed. "Right." She tried to clear her mind. She shifted her focus to Bill and Pam's chess game. They were playing on a collapsible table across from the couch that she and Eric shared.

At the beginning of the flight Pam set the game up so that she could teach Sookie how to play. The pieces were made of glass, one crystal clear, one frosted, and the board was checkered between the two. This was part of the reason Sookie agreed to play; she thought the whole thing was so beautiful. However, after she lost spectacularly five times to Pam, she gave up. Eric was willing to help her, but Sookie didn't want to cheat.

Eric noticed her attention and tried to explain more about the game. "Try to think of it as an actual war instead of a game. With a game none of the pieces have any weight, they mean nothing, so you are less careful with the moves that you make. In an actual war, every piece has a soul and a life.

"You of course would be the most valuable piece, the queen. I would be king. Pam and Bill would be our knights." Sookie giggled as she pictured Bill and Pam dressed in metal suits. Eric smiled, but continued. "Think of all the other major pieces as the other supes that have pledged loyalty and protection to you. The pawns would be all those that back them up.

"Another king and queen have heard of you and your unique abilities. They want you for their own personal use, and will do anything to meet that end. It's like when you fight, you can't just defend; you have to attack too. Anyway me, Bill, Pam and the rest of our people are hell bent on protecting you because you are the object of desire-making you the object of victory."

"Yes, like any other Tuesday." Pam chimed in. Sookie laughed but Eric ignored her.

"Because you mean victory, that means that everyone else is expendable. We all have only two jobs: protect you, and kill everyone else."

"Again, like any other Tuesday." Pam interrupted again. Eric glared at her but she just smiled angelically at him. Sookie couldn't help but laugh at both of them, and even Bill cracked a smile.

"You need to start thinking on a bigger scale. You have to take into account how your opponents think and determine what they are capable of. In a war you have to think beyond what you want, and keep in mind the original goal. You have to be proactive and set traps, create ambushes, maneuver them into positions that benefit you.

"You need to keep in mind the greater good. The soldiers can die for the generals, the generals can die for the king and queen, and the king can die for the queen."

The way he said this so simply disturbed Sookie. "What is the point in so many dying for one? Where is the good in that? Is the queen's life worth so many?" she asked as she looked at Eric; but he wasn't the one who answered.

"Yes." Pam said simply. "The queen is good and selfless. She continuously gives herself to help others. Everyone sees her potential for good and her ability to bridge gaps. This is why they all fight."

Sookie was stunned at Pam's speech. Though she had considered Pam a friend she didn't realize how highly Pam thought of her. As touched and surprised as she was, Sookie pressed forward with her argument, she had a point to make.

"But she is still no better than those around her." She challenged. "She just does the best she can with what she has; and if she can help a few people along the way, so be it. She likes to help. She doesn't do it to get anyone to die for her. She does it because she was raised to believe that you are your brother's keeper, and if you have the ability to help someone then you should."

"And that right there is the reason so many are willing to give their life for hers." Bill finally spoke up. "To find a soul like that is truly rare. It is because she is willing to give everything and ask nothing in return, that almost everyone she's ever met will give everything for her freely. If she were taken and broken or killed, how long would the world have to wait for another soul that's so special that she can bring together different species, and all walks of life? She is precious. She is valued. She is worthy of defending to the death."

Sookie was truly speechless. She couldn't remember the last time she heard Bill speak so much. She locked eyes with him, then Pam, and finally Eric. She could tell that they were all in complete agreement. Tears began to fall from her eyes. She couldn't respond because their words had rendered all her points' moot. She realized that she had been undervaluing her worth. She never thought that she was this important to those around her. She was truly touched.

In the end she didn't have to say anything because the pilot's voice sounded over the intercom, telling them that they were about to land.

They went from the airport straight to the hotel. Eric checked them in and handed out the keys. Bill and Pam would be across from Eric and Sookie. They were on a tight schedule so they all went straight up to their rooms to change.

They had an informal meeting with Stan, and they had to be there in just over an hour. Tonight would be casual. Eric wanted to talk with Stan to feel out what Stan knows.

"Tell me this is going to work." Sookie said as they changed clothes.

"Don't worry lover, this will work." Eric assured her.

"Stan won't be our attacker and we won't die here in Dallas."

"We'll learn if Stan is with us or against us. We won't die here in Dallas." Eric pulled Sookie into his arms and kissed her on the temple.

"Or beaten up?" She added when she remembered the last time she and Eric was alone in this hotel."

Eric laughed lightly. "I think you've had enough of my blood and training to pretty much guarantee that you could kick anyone's ass that comes too close to you."

Sookie nodded, trying to let Eric's words wash the fear away from her.

"I will always protect you Sookie." He murmured in her ear, making her shiver.

"I will protect you too. You are my world Eric Northman." She smiled up at him.

Eric kissed her tenderly. It was full of love and adoration, but he pulled back before Sookie could succumb to tears and smiled at her. He brushed his fingers from her temple to her collarbone and back again, before he cupped her cheek in his hand.

Sookie leaned into his touch. She could feel their bond vibrate all around them. She felt completely safe and assured.

"Come on." She said, forcing herself to take a step back from him. She grabbed his hand and led him to the door. "Let's go NOT get killed in Dallas!"

Eric laughed, and then they were out the door.

TBC

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A/N: Okay, I know that this was just posted but I wanted to answer a few questions. First of all when Eric and Sookie destroy Erics house, it is a flashback. This chapter starts off with them already on a plane to Dallas. They destroyed the house because they can't control their new found power and it can get a little destructive. If you want to imagine what Eric's house did look like just think about the house in the movie Father Of The Bride. If there are any other questions, just let me know and I will post an explanation. Thanks again guys.