CHAPTER 9
Contract negotiations continue
A/N: Italics=foreign language, [*]=translations, (*)=thoughts
SPOV
Once Eric had stepped out of his office, Mr. C asked me telepathically if he had cameras in his office. My experience from last night with Pam, led me to assume that this was the case. I replied to his question in his demon language, "Yes, I believe he does. We will speak in this language going forward or you can ask me questions as you did just now and I will answer you."
I held the copy of my contract and returned to the first page. Mr. C opened his computer to a digital version of the contract.
He responded in his demon language, "Agreed. Before we make any additions, let us review the general terms of the contract." I nodded for him to continue, "I find the amount of your salary to slightly exceed the salary typical of a vampire dayman."
"I agree the amount is sufficient. The only sticking point for me is the probation period. He will either find me capable or not within the first 2 weeks." I asserted.
"Then I suggest we cut the time in half and change it to 15 day probation period."
"Agreed."
"Do you have any reservations about the tools he will provide you to complete your work?"
"None."
"Housing."
"No, but I will only grant him an invitation to the apartment in Shreveport. The house in Bon Temps is my sanctuary away from work. I desire to keep it vampire-free, at least for now."
"I would advise against this course due to your safety, but if you agree to have Amelia or your cousins ward the property I will concede to this." I thought about his suggestion and decided it was worth the compromise to maintain a semblance of peace. My fairy cousins would be the most practical choice considering their proximity to Bon Temps.
"Okay. I will ask Claudine to ward the property."
"Good. Now what are your thoughts on the discretionary fund?"
"I accept the terms on what it's to be used for, but I will not allow someone to be my own personal stylist. I am fully capable of dressing myself." After spending many a night shopping with Gladiola and Diantha, I knew I was fashion savvy. Their style may fall more to the extreme, but I knew my Prada from my Gucci.
"I understand that Sookie, but maybe you should consider allowing his child this one thing."
"No. Not after what she was trying to pull on us during the interviews. She would probably dress me like a fangbanger. I will not subject myself to her foolishness. If I need to get back into Ms. Ravenscroft's good graces I will find some other way. Speaking of which I would like to add a section regarding my reporting to her." He clicked away some more on the keyboard and looked up when he finished.
"Duly noted. Moving on. Do you know who you will assign as your beneficiary?"
"Yes, Jason."
"Are you sure? The two of you have been at odds since you came to The Academy."
"I am sure. He is still my brother even with our differences. I still love and care him."
"You have grown so much, dear one. You make your Uncle proud." I gave him a soft smile. He returned it with his own tight lipped one. "The next section goes over your work hours. I suggest we change your on-call hours from 6 to 2 every night. The only time this will differ is during the night you will be required to work at Fangtasia using your telepathy. I would also recommend that you have one day a week off. Also to include the human federal holidays if you intend on mending your relationship with Jason having these days off would help."
"I agree with your suggestions. Even with my fae blood, I am still mostly human with human limitations."
"Does he know that you are fae?" I considered this for a moment.
"He suspects I am 'other.' He has been trying to determine what I am through scent."
"You have gotten better at masking your scent."
"I think too well sometimes."
He responded directly to my mind. (Continue with Northman believing you are a mere telepath for as long as possible. Use your fae powers only during the daylight hours or when you are in danger. It is imperative to keep you safe.)
"Understood. I think section 4 is agreeable. Vampire justice is what it is. I will not injure Eric's reputation as Sheriff by putting any unnecessary demands on his authority. My only addition is to include my powers that I have yet to disclose to him as part of the non-disclosure agreement section."
"That can be arranged. It would need to be worded carefully so as not to name your powers or your heritage inadvertently." His eyes shifted back and forth as he pulled up file after file on his laptop for reference. "Now on to section 5. How do you feel about taking Northman's blood?"
I started to feel nervous again about the prospect. I warily responded. "Honestly, it scares me. During my research on vampire blood, I saw the good and the bad of it, but the thing that scared me the most was the emotional aspect. Feeling tethered to another being." My voice got slightly louder as I continued. "So much is opened to me with my telepathy and yet vampires are silent, the only connection I could ever have to a vampire is if I bonded with one. And yet if I only have a drop of his blood he can sense my emotions." I punctuated my response by continuously pointing at the page and getting louder in my responses. "Maybe, I should ask Niall?"
At the mention of my Great-grandfather's name he decided to switch back to responding to me telepathically. His mind voice soothed my chaotic thoughts. [Sookie, as your friend I have seen you grow from a scared child trying to keep the world out; to one who has embraced the supernatural world in spite all of its faults. You are a strong young woman and if anyone could handle vampire blood it would be you. No one makes Sookie Stackhouse do anything she doesn't want to do. We could always find another opportunity that would satisfy your needs without a blood requirement. I told you before that I believe Eric Northman to be an honorable vampire and Niall is agreeable to you working for him. Remember it is your choice and your choice alone.]
I calmed down and took in his words. "Thank you Uncle."
"Anytime, my dear. How about we add a few stipulations to make this easier for you to accept? A drop should satisfy Northman's requirements and it would not be from the source. Would these conditions make you more comfortable with taking his blood?"
"Yes, they would."
"Now, for your additions to the contract. You mentioned earlier in our discussion that you would like to clearly state that you would report directly to Mr. Northman?"
"Yes, I want to make that clear that I will be working for him and not his child." I firmly said. "Also, please add that in regards to my telepathy I will only work for him. I refuse to be lent out for my telepathy. I made this clear to him in the interview, but I would like it in my contract as well."
"Very good. I just have to add a change to the NDA regarding your powers and I think we will be ready to present your changes to Sheriff Northman." He typed the changes into his laptop as I let my eyes wander over the walls of Eric's office then remembered my discussion with Amelia.
"Oh, I forgot to mention. Would it be possible to add a clause for sexual harassment? As you've probably already observed he has a thing for me."
"Yes I can see he favors you greatly. We can add a section about sexual harassment, but I believe the best defense against his advances is you. Act as the professional I know you are capable of and do good work and he will respect you for your mind and thus respect your body. If you ever feel like you are working in hostile work environment, then you need only to tell me and you will be free of your contract."
"Thank you." I breathed a sigh of relief.
"Now, that you have brought up this concern I would like to try a different tactic with presenting these changes to the contract. Earlier I had asked you to remain silent while Mr. Northman presented you with his initial contract, but now I would suggest that you present them to him in order to appear before him in the professional demeanor you wish to convey to him as his employee."
"Okay. How should I go about presenting the changes?"
He handed me the laptop and leaned over to point to the various sections, "I have highlighted the changes on my laptop. Just go down the list and answer any questions he may have. If there is something you cannot answer, turn to me, and I will step in to assist you. Mr. Northman will be willing to accept the changes if he believes that you fully support them."
"Agreed."
"I am going to go retrieve him now. Are you ready?"
"As ready as I am ever going to be." He kissed the top of my forehead in an act of reassurance. I readjusted myself in my seat; back straight, knees together, ankles crossed, and eyes forward. I took a calming breath as I heard the door open signaling the return of Mr. C with Eric. I kept my eyes trained forward boring a hole into the empty chair that will soon be filled with my future employer.
"Ms. Stackhouse, Mr. Cataliades has informed me that you have the floor. Let's hear these changes." He said as he entered my field of view and sat in his chair.
"Yes, you are correct there are a few changes that I would like in my contract. I will outline them to you in accordance with each section. Section 1: I would like my probation period changed from 30 days to 15 days. Also, I will only grant you an invitation to the apartment in Shreveport." I paused to see if he will dispute this. He did not, so I moved on. "In addition, I would like to refrain from providing you with my clothing sizes as I am fully capable of choosing my own clothing." He pulled out his phone and started texting at vampire speed. Then as quickly as he retrieved it, it was gone again.
"Mr. Northman, I would appreciate it if you did not use your phone while I am discussing my terms." I said sternly.
"It's Eric, and I was just letting Pam know that she needs to find a new Barbie doll to add to her collection. My apologies for the interruption Ms. Stackhouse. Please, proceed."
"Section 2: is acceptable I will submit my designated beneficiary when I complete my paperwork. Section 3: As a human I am incapable of working such long hours. The night hours I have changed from 6 to 2. This will only be different when I am required at Fangtasia. Those days I will not work during the daytime. I also would like one day a week off, preferably following the day I work at Fangtasia. The last change for section 3 would be the inclusion of all the human federally recognized holidays."
"I know you are more than human Ms. Stackhouse. What that other part is I have yet to discern, but in respect of your human frailty I will accept your terms. Anything else?" He leaned forward in his chair ushering me to continue. He knew there was more.
"I will take your blood on the following conditions: it will only be a drop, not from the source, and you must sign an amended NDA." He looked positively gleeful, but then it faded into a face of contemplation.
"I accept your conditions with one caveat you must take my blood here, tonight." My eyes briefly bulged at the thought. I must maintain my composure, I told myself. I still had more to say.
"I accept. Now on to my additions to the contract, first I would like to make it clear that I will be reporting to you and you alone. I took this job to work for you. This goes for my powers as well. They are only to be used by you at my discretion."
"I understand your concerns about my child; she is willful, much like you. She has been told that you are to be my daywoman and will defer only to me. If she does have to contact you on my behest she will make it known, but if you ever have a concern please verify it with me. Your telepathy is safe with me. I will not take advantage of your confidence NDA or not."
I started feeling nervous about what I am going to say next. "My other addition to the contract is a sexual harassment clause. I am here to be your employee, nothing more."
He leaned back into his chair and a pleased expression came across his face. He then said, "Well, well Ms. Stackhouse. If you were ever to be sexually harassed by me, you would know it."
"That is just what I am talking about. Your sexual innuendos need to stop or I will walk away right now and you will have to find another day walker who is less qualified and less skilled than I. The choice is yours Eric." I gave myself a mental pat on the back. Sookie 1-Viking 0.
"Fine. If professional is how you want to go about this. Then so be it. Are you finished with your demands?"
"Yes." I concluded.
"Ms. Stackhouse please forward me the copy of the amended contract and I will review it and print it out." I quickly sent the attachment to his email address. He opened his own laptop, reviewed it and sent the document to his printer. "While we wait for the contract to be printed I believe it is time for you Ms. Stackhouse to have a drop of my blood."
"How would you like to do this?" I asked.
I knew he was holding himself back from making a lewd comment, because he hesitated before answering. "Hold your palm out facing up." I closed the laptop and handed it to Mr. C and did as instructed. "Good."
He stood from his chair and gently grabbed my wrist so that it was just above his desk. I heard his fangs descend from his mouth. He brought his right hand up to one of his fangs and pierced his index finger. Moving the finger to my open hand, he deposited a single drop of blood onto my own extended index finger. I took a moment to look at the blood pooled on the tip of my finger. Before I changed my mind, I brought my finger to my mouth and swallowed. It tasted like an explosion of rich dark coffee with a hint of sweetness. The sensation was so strange and terrifying at the same time. I was not sure how I felt. The silence and the two blue eyes staring at me brought me out of my thoughts.
"You seem to have enjoyed that Ms. Stackhouse. Would you like some more?"
A mixture of shock and horror descended upon my face, "No, no thank you." I gulped out.
He turned and grabbed the contracts from his printer. He laid the stack in front of me along with a red lacquered fountain pen. "Ladies first." I signed and initialed each contract then handed the pile of papers and pen to Eric. He signed in the most beautiful script I had ever seen. Maybe I would get him to show me how to write like that one day. He handed the stack to Mr. C to review and sign.
"This will conclude my services. Congratulations, Mr. Northman you will not regret your choice of Ms. Stackhouse. She was an excellent student and will serve you well." Mr. C said.
"Always a pleasure, Cataliades." Eric said in response.
"And Ms. Stackhouse I will see upon your return to New Orleans. Have a good night." He gave me a reassuring pat on the shoulder and departed from the office. I was now alone with Eric Northman for the first time.
He broke the silence first. "Ms. Stackhouse since we have now reached an agreement, what should I call you? I would prefer Lover, but based on the terms of your employment I will have to acquiesce to your request and attach some other name to you. So what will it be?"
I was happy that he was taking it so well. I assumed he would put up more of a fight.
"You may call me Susannah or Ms. Stackhouse."
"Why not Sookie?" He asked, surprising me.
"Only my friends can call me Sookie."
"Well I hope someday we could be friends so I could call you Sookie. It suits you." Was he actually being nice to me and not trying to hit on me? Maybe we could be friends.
"And Eric, what should I address you as amongst your kind. I assume that calling you Eric in front of your peers would be unacceptable."
"In the presence of myself or my child, you may call me Eric. In other contexts, Master or Master Eric is acceptable. Since you are not a vampire, Sheriff would be inappropriate." I nodded in understanding. "Would Monday be an acceptable start date?" Good. I would have the whole weekend to move my things and spend some time with Amelia and Jason.
"Yes, I should have all of my things moved from New Orleans by that time."
"I will email you the information on the apartment. You already have the card for the moving company. Until you receive your company cell phone, you may call the bar if you need to contact me prior to starting Monday night."
I stood to give Eric a nod of goodbye. Before I left I decided to ruffle a few feathers. It had been such a tasking night. My hand was on the door knob when I said, "Tack så mycket Eric. Vi ses på måndag." [Thank you so much Eric. I will see you Monday.]
I was out the door before he could respond, laughing the whole way to my car.
Disclaimer: Charlaine Harris still has the rights to SVM.
