He nodded. "All right. Under one condition."

"Only one?" She smiled. "I'm getting off easy." Turning away from the mirror, Eva crossed her arms and waited for him to speak.

"I need you to have full strength."

Eva's smile vanished.

"Evangeline, I know you told Bill that you were no longer interested, but I can see that you're not as strong as you were before you left."

"Yea well, things have…"

"If you say 'things have changed' one more damn time…"

She smiled in spite of her frustration.

"It's my condition," he told her. "The choice is yours."

Eva shook her head. "You drive a hard bargain Sir."

"I just need to be certain of your safety."

"Fine," she gave in. "I'll do it."

"Yea?" His lips turned up in a soft smile. "All right then…" he glanced at the large grandfather clock ticking above the fireplace. "The club has been open for over half an hour. If I don't go down soon, they will notice my absence."

"Then let's go down now."

"But you just agreed…"

"Eric, we'll go downstairs now, make an appearance for your fans, and then we'll take care of our bargain after."

"Do you promise?"

"Of course I do." She laughed and held up her pinky finger. "I pinky swear."

He linked his pinky with hers, and they both kissed the opposite sides of their hands.

"Down we go then." He took her hand, and they walked down to the main level together.

As predicted, the bar had already begun to fill with eager regulars and curious newcomers. Those who recognized Eric seemed to nearly transform in his presence; some of them even bowed before him, while others simply murmured in awe. After a moment even those who weren't yet familiar with Eric seemed to sense the power of his presence and began similar motions of admiration.

Still holding onto Eva, Eric led the way through the crowd, which parted before them, and to the raised platform at the far side of the bar. He motioned her into the seat on the right and then took his own at the center beside her.

"They worship you," Eva whispered to Eric once they had settled.

"They behave how they believe they must," he corrected.

"Some of them perhaps," she agreed, "but not all. Many of these people do truly idolize you." She smiled. "I can't imagine why."

"I think you've grown colder since you've been away," Eric decided. "Your words sting sometimes."

"Oh please," she grinned. "Sometimes I don't think you even hear half of what I say."

"I hear every word," he assured her. He cast his crystal blue eyes around the club and finally focused on Eva. "Now, how are you going to find me a replacement for Pamela?"

"Does anyone automatically come to mind?"

"No."

"You're not going to make this easy, are you?" Eva glanced towards him, but he was once again gazing out at the club. "Eric, do you have feelings for her that you're not admitting to?"

"None at all."

"I know you're hiding something from me. You don't have to lie about this."

"Evangeline, look into me. You know I am not lying about this. I have no feelings for Pamela. I never did. She was a convenient and obedient vampire, and I do not regret making her, but she holds no influence over any irrational aspect of my emotional being." He lifted his chin and looked away from her. "As I said, I'm pleased you finally gave me the push I needed to break from her completely."

"Are you sure?"

"Why won't you let this go? Why do you doubt me?"

"Why didn't you release her?"

Eric's consistent smile faded suddenly. His familiar worry lines creased his smooth forehead. "Is that what this is about? You believe I have feelings for her simply because I didn't choose to release her?"

"You have no reason to maintain the connection, do you?"

"I have not been a maker to many vampires," he reminded her. "I'm not eager to break the connection between those that are mine."

"Pam is a waste of your energy. You don't need her."

"It really bothers you, doesn't it?"

Eva shook her head. "Do whatever you want." She stood suddenly. "I need a drink."

Ignoring Eric's brief attempt to keep her seated, Eva slithered through the crowded floor, heading directly towards the bar. The bar counter was crammed full of people—humans and vampires alike—eagerly trying to capture the bartender's attention, or hoping to get lucky with fellow customers, either for feeding or being fed upon. She stepped up to the counter in between two young men who parted for her without hesitation.

"Good evening," the young man on her left smiled.

Eva nodded at him and felt the man on her right press against her. She noted his cold skin instantly and lifted her chin a little higher; she didn't mean to torture him, but she couldn't resist the power she felt in teasing him.

"Are you here alone?" The vampire youth asked.

"Aren't we all in a way?" She glanced between the two men and smiled at them both. "Not the two of you though I see. You're together aren't you?"

The human smiled a little nervously. The vampire, however, just shrugged.

"I don't do exclusive," he told her. "So, if you'd like to join us…"

She smiled. "Not likely." She beckoned to the bartender. "Gin and tonic with a cherry please."

The bartender delivered her drink and gave her the total.

"It's on Eric," she told him.

The bartender frowned, clearly skeptical of her claim. "You know Eric?"

"I do."

"Really?" The young vampire put his hand on her back, trailing his finger slowly up her spine, which was exposed due to the low back of her dress. "That's hot."

She shifted away from him. "I'd rather you didn't touch me, thank you."

The bartender hadn't given up. "Look kid, if I believed every little young thing who came in here claiming to know Mr. Northman we wouldn't be making any money. This place isn't free, alright?"

"I'll take care of it," the young vampire offered. He pulled a few bills from his pocket and gave it to the bartender.

"Thank you," she nodded to the vampire, but then narrowed her eyes at the bartender. "That was the one and only time you ever doubt me. Understood?"

His eyes widened. "Excuse me? Would you like to try repeating your self?"

"And you do not question me."

"Excuse me?" He scoffed.

"And I do not repeat myself."

"I don't know who the hell you think are, but you better get yourself up out of this club before I come around this counter and throw your skinny ass out."

She smirked, shook her head and turned away from the bar with drink in hand.

"Bitch, I'm talking to you!" The bartender called after her.

Eva ignored his loud calls and strode back to Eric where she resumed her seat at his side.

"Making friends again, I see?"

"You know me." She sipped at her drink. "I just love meeting new people. Especially the real jerks."

"Evangeline…" Eric's tone was torn between a growl and a laugh. "If you're going to sit at my side you must learn to get along with my staff, as well as my customers. You may not approve of all of them, but I want them to feel welcome nonetheless."

"Why?"

"People tend to return when they feel welcome. And if they return they spend money. Without their money, how do you plan on buying yourself all those pretty shoes you enjoy so much?"

Eva smiled at him. "You do make a very valid point." Her eyes scanned the bar and she noticed the vampire who had purchased her drink. "Perhaps I should go and let the vampire drink from me. I'm sure he would feel welcomed then."

Eric's growl was now unmistakable. "I do not find that humorous."

"I'm only joking. You know I wouldn't do that."

He was silent.

"Eric?" She quickly reached out and touched his hand. After a moment of concentration she pulled away. "What the hell is that?"

"I thought you said you wouldn't do that without our permission."

"Don't avoid the question. What are those thoughts in your mind?"

"They're nothing."

"I saw them. They're not nothing. They're horrible!" She reached for his hand again, but he moved out of her reach faster than she could react.

"I can't always control my thoughts."

"I would never ask you to, but seriously…the things you're imagining right now…"

"I saw you flaunt yourself to that vampire at the bar."

"I wasn't flaunting."

"You exposed your neck to him!"

"I wouldn't have let him do anything."

"You may not have been able to stop him."

"That's why you're here though, isn't it?"

Eric hesitated. "I think perhaps you should return home now, Evangeline. You being here…it isn't going to work."

"Eric!" She stood, setting her glass down on the table beside their chairs. "What's wrong with you?"

"Nothing's wrong with me," he argued. "It's you I'm concerned for."

"Me?"

"The way you're behaving tonight is not you. It is making me quite uncomfortable."

"You sound like Bill. Since when have you minded a little harmless flirting?"

"Since you ran off to Europe and started frequenting vamp clubs, doing the devil knows what with the lowest sort of beings."

"I told you nothing happened. Those images in your mind—you're imagining me giving myself to vampires—letting them bite me and have sex with me!" She tried to keep her voice down, but it was difficult to control her emotions. "Eric, that's absurd, and you know it. I would never do that."

"Well, I never would have expected you to runaway either, but clearly I overestimated your loyalty to us."

"You know why I left."

"No. I don't because you haven't explained it to me. You haven't said a word about it. You've just come back and expect everything to return to normal."

"Is it so wrong to want things to be normal?"

"Of course not, but it isn't that simple."

"Don't you think I know that? I know things can never go back to the way they were, but I'm doing the best I can to move on with my life…"

"I'm not talking about that."

"What else is there?"

He silenced, and she tried looking into his eyes again, but he turned his back on her. "Stop doing that."

"Then talk to me."

"I can't."

"How am I supposed to understand what you're upset about if you won't talk to me or let me see you?"

"Never mind. It's not important."

"Clearly it is."

"I will not continue discussing this here Evangeline. This conversation is over."

"It's not even close to being over," she corrected him. "But if you'd rather, we can continue it back home."

"This is my home," he reminded her sharply.

"This is your place of business. It is not home. Home is with me, and Bill."

"Evangeline please go."

"Why?"

"I don't want to argue with you anymore, but if you stay, I know I won't be able to help myself."

Eva felt tears forming in her eyes, and she quickly looked away from Eric. She never liked letting him see her cry. "I'm sorry you feel that way. I never meant to make you angry." She left him swiftly and headed back upstairs to collect her purse she had left in Eric's room.

On her way down the hallway, Pam exited her own room wheeling two suitcases along behind her. The girls stopped when they neared each other. Pam's lip curled upwards in a snarl, but Eva stared her down without flinching.

"I don't like you," she stated simply. "I don't like your attitude towards humans, I don't like the way you think you own Eric, and I don't like the way you broke my brother's heart."

"Oh please. Your brother didn't have a heart to break."

Eva slapped her without a moment's hesitation. "You do not talk about Noah. Not ever."

"I don't have to listen to your self-righteous whining any more little girl. You won, remember? I'm leaving. You get your boys all to yourself." She smiled. "Well, I suppose not all of them. Not anymore."

Eva's instinct was to slap her again, but Pam moved before she had a chance. She took a breath to control herself, and turned around to face Pam who was now behind her. "As much as I'd like to just stake you right now, you need to stay here with Eric."

"I beg your pardon?"

"He isn't done with you yet."

"He told me to go," Pam snapped. "I can't disobey him."

"He only asked you to leave because of me," Eva told her, "but you don't have to worry about me. I'm not coming back to Fangtasia. It's clear that he isn't ready to have me in this part of his life. He still wants you."

"Of course he does," Pam smiled.

Eva continued down the hallway and retrieved her purse from Eric's room. When she returned to the hall, Pam was already gone, and when Eva returned downstairs she saw that Pam was eagerly making her way towards Eric. His eyes connected with Eva and she could sense his confusion and pain. She wanted to smile at him, show him her own pain, but she couldn't. Before she made it to the door, she was distracted by the swish of a young woman's red hair.

Eva sighed and followed the redhead to the bar. "Does Bill know you're here?"

Jessica's giggle was cut short as she turned to face Eva. "Oh, hi there."

"Jessica, does Bill know you're here?" Eva repeated.

"I told him Hoyt and I were going out."

"And did you tell him you two were coming here?"

Hoyt almost seemed to shrink behind Jessica's petite frame as he tried to hide from Eva's accusatory stare.

"Why does it matter where we go?"

"You didn't tell Bill because you know he would have stopped you from coming here." Eva glanced at Hoyt, and his shifty eyes confirmed her suspicions. "Come on you two. We're leaving."

"But why? I used to live here," Jessica argued. "Eric never gave me a bedtime!"

"Eric is not your master," Eva reminded her. "And he's not exactly the best guardian either." She wondered if Eric was listening in on their conversation. "Jessica."

"Fine." The redhead let out an exaggerated sigh and took Hoyt's hand. "We're going." She didn't make a move towards the door though.

"Jessica, I'm serious."

"Can't I just say 'hi' to Eric first?" She glanced towards the raised platform.

"Give him a wave and then we're going."

Jessica sulkily followed Eva out of the club, with Hoyt close to her heals. He didn't seem to mind leaving the club in the least.

"Hoyt," Eva made him focus on her, "you will take Jessica straight home. I will likely beat you there, and I will be waiting for you. If you're not back in a half hour, I will send Bill after you. Understand?"

Hoyt nodded quickly, but Jessica started whining. "You can't give us orders."

"I'm not your maker, so no I can't force you to obey my orders," Eva agreed, "but since I have moved in, Bill has given me a share in the responsibility of raising you. He thinks it might benefit you to have a woman's influence."

Jessica frowned.

"I can see you're as excited about it as I am." Eva started rummaging for her keys in her purse. "Look, I didn't ask to become the mother of a teenage vampire, but since Bill clearly can't take care of you on his own, I don't have much of a choice."

"That is so unfair."

Eva looked at Hoyt as Jessica stomped off to his car. "Thirty minutes," she reminded him.

"Yes ma'am." He turned to follow the redhead while Eva climbed into Bill's car, which she was quickly becoming comfortable calling her own.

The drive home took her less time than the drive there, since she was feeling tense and eager to be home, easily beating the other two. She parked the car on the front lawn and ran up to the door preparing to burst through, but Bill opened it before she got there and stood in the doorway, his arms crossed.

"Not now Bill." She tried to push past him into the house, but he stayed in her way.

"Where the hell have you been?"

"I was with Eric."

"You went to Fangtasia?" Bill glared. "I thought you said you would never go there."

"I had an apology to make."

"And now you have another one. How do you think I felt waking up to an empty house, with my car gone, and you missing?"

"I'm not a child Bill. You can't give me a bedtime like Jessica."

"I know that, but I still have a right to know where you go when you just run off. You should understand how terrifying that would be for me. I didn't know if you would even be coming back or not."

"I told you I wouldn't leave like that again."

"And I'm just supposed to trust your word?"

"Bill, I'm not in the mood for a lecture right now. It's been a long day, an even longer night, and I am way too tired for this." She succeeded in pushing past him into the house.

"Eva wait…"

"Jessica's on her way back," Eva told him over her shoulder as she headed upstairs. "Go easy, I've already embarrassed her enough for the night."

She had almost made it to the top of the steps when Bill responded to a knock at the door. Eva paused briefly to see if Jessica had made it home as promised, but she heard Sookie's cheery voice instead.

"I thought you were meeting me at work."

"Something came up."

"Did you still want to see me tonight?" Sookie's voice revealed obvious concern.

"Tonight's not good for me actually." He lowered his voice a little. "Something's wrong with Eva, and Jessica ran off."

"Bill, stop using us as an excuse. I told you I talked with Jessica. She'll be home in a little bit and I'm fine. Just tired." Eva waved from the top of the staircase. "Sookie take him away and make sure he enjoys himself tonight."

Sookie took his hand and smiled up at Eva. "I will."

"Bill go." Eva encouraged. "I'll stay up and make sure Jessica's home by curfew."

"Fine. I'll be back before sunrise. Please be here when I return."

"I promise."

Sookie guided Bill out of the house and Eva continued upstairs to the room she had been using since staying with Bill. Most of her clothes remained unpacked, though a few items had been strewn around the room. She hadn't taken the time to settle in yet, but she had started to imagine how she could fix up the room to make it more her own. She thought of everything she had back in New York, before leaving, but now nothing felt like hers; she wasn't even sure she could make this place more like home, or if she wanted to.

She changed out of her dress and into her pajamas, intending to be ready for bed as soon as Jessica came home. She pulled her hair out of the pins keeping it twisted up on her head and let it fall loose down her back.

"I'm home."

Eva trotted back down the stairs when she heard Jessica's voice and found her in the living room. Hoyt was there as well, but he stayed near the doorway, while Jessica made herself comfortable on the couch.

"Thank you for getting her home so quickly." Eva smiled at Hoyt. "I'm sorry to end your date so early, but I couldn't have you two staying at Fangtasia. It's not safe for you there."

Jessica grunted from the couch, but Hoyt nodded. "Of course. It's no problem, ma'am."

"Ma'am?" Eva laughed. "That does not sound right."

"Sorry."

"Don't worry about it." She glanced at Jessica and noted the expression in her pale eyes. "Look, just because I made you leave the club it doesn't mean I'm all bad. Bill's out for the night—I sent him off with Sookie. Why don't I go upstairs and get ready for bed, so you two can enjoy a little alone time."

"Really?" Jessica's eyes brightened.

"Yep. Just don't go anywhere, and Hoyt, don't make me have Bill give you a talking to."

He nodded. "Yes ma'am."

She shook her head. "All right. One hour. I'll be upstairs."

Jessica was already up and at Hoyt's side by time Eva had started heading upstairs again.