I do not own any rights to Southern Vampire Mysteries or characters. They are owned by Charlaine Harris.

An extra special thanks to my beta southernlady23. She worked extra hard through my computer glitches to get this back to me. Thanks for keeping me on track, and giving me a boost when I needed it. You are awesome girly. Any mistakes are mine for playing with it after all her work.

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A/N: I wanted to share something I learned this week (completely blaming this on 'My Own Life' being my first work of fiction.). I discovered my characters would not follow the path I wanted them to take. I wrote this chapter at least 5 different ways, following all my previous ideas, and I could not get more than 300 words out. I was so frustrated that I didn't have more control over their actions. I finally let them do what ever they wanted, and this and the next chapter came with in a matter of hours. So I guess as long as I can, I will let them lead me where they want. I hope you'll join me and see where that is.

***

The white Mustang raced towards the guard stand at a break neck speed. If the guards had not recognized the car, they would have been at alert, but since they did, they smiled in recognition. The car stopped abruptly, in the exact center of the guard stand. They nodded at the driver who was quickly waved though. The Mustang accelerated and approached the front of the house. The steering wheel turned swiftly while the brake was applied, and with a move worthy of any stunt driver, the car flew the last 100 feet sideways and stopped in the exact center of the grand staircase that was the entrance of King Stan's royal complex in Dallas.

"Don't touch my car," Sookie said to the guard who was standing at the foot of the staircase.

"Of course Miss," was his reply, and he watched her walk up the stairs with her trademark case in hand. She waited at the front door for the other guard to open it for her, then quietly thanked him as she walked in. Before he resumed his watch, the guard grinned and shook his head, realizing she was the only vampire who had ever thanked them for their service.

***

While walking up the outside staircase, I could hear with my telepathy, Stan was in the 'receiving room' just to the right of the entry way, with Isabelle, Pam, Bill, and Eric. Good they are all, I thought while slowly climbing the steps. I absently gave my thanks to the guard at the door, when he held it open for me.

I turned to Stan and saw him sitting in one of the large arm chairs in the sitting room, and gave a squeal of excitement. I went to him doing a funny cross between a run, shuffle, and bounce.

"Stan, you're up!" I exclaimed before supposedly realizing there were other guests in the room. "Sorry Your Majesty, I was so excited to see you up and about, please forgive me," I said while I bowed deeply, giving him the proper respect due for the benefit of his guests.. Although we were close, we still had to show proper protocol.

"Stop, Sookie," Stan said, shaking his head, "While I appreciate your enthusiasm, it is completely unwarranted. Especially since it is because of you that I am up and about."

I saw him eying my case somewhat eagerly, yet apprehensively. "How would you like to start this evening, sir?" I asked.

"We'll start the evening with you and your case in my room," Stan said flatly.

"Yummm. You make that sound so dirty, " I leered at him, inciting chuckles from Pam and Isabelle, while thoroughly freaking out Bill and Eric since they were not sure if I was joking or not.

Stan and I left the sitting room to climb the steps to the second floor, and to my surprise Isabelle called out once we were midway up, "Can I join you?"

"Don't start with me, woman," I retorted back, cursing Eric's blood for the millionth time since it made me sound like him. Oh hell, I guess that is why Pam and I get along so well. My friend, my sister, I thought fondly.

"We won't be long," Stan answered oblivious to the suggestiveness we were playing at.

"Oh... then never mind," Isabelle answered. The room broke into a fit of laughter, and Stan gave me a slightly confused look.

We entered his room, but, it wasn't his secure room that I had been to so many times before. I guessed this was a "play room". It was elegantly done, with a king size bed, and dressers with matching mirrors on the walls on either side of the bed. I wonder why the mirrors are there, I thought with an eye roll. It was so underdone by vampire standards who would have plastered every wall with mirrors if looking was their thing. But then again Stan was so understated, I guess it fit perfectly. At the foot of the bed, was an enormous space that made up a sitting area with a lit fireplace. Next to the fireplace was the entrance to the bathroom. I looked around. Huh, no closet. Probably taken out to expand the bathroom, I thought on the way to sit in one of the two chairs in the sitting area.

"Stan, this is gonna knock you out for about 30 minutes, you gonna be alright in there? I'll send Isabelle up, and I will entertain your company downstairs, but I want you to know what's going to happen in case you want to move to a secure place," I stated worrying about incapacitating a King in an unsecure environment for even a short amount of time.

"I trust any arrangements you care to make. I know you won't let anything happen to me. But since I am going to be down for a while, I should tell you first, I have made the arrangements you requested," he said cryptically.

"Oh, thanks. But, you know, that could have waited. I don't want you to think that I am doing any of this with strings attached, or expectations. So, why don't we talk about this after the others leave?" I asked leaving my intention clear the guests downstairs were not to know about our little arrangement. Crap, I hope Stan hadn't involved anyone. I really needed this to be kept quiet, I thought.

"Of course, no one knows about it but you, me, and Felipe, but Felipe does not know of your involvement, Sookie. You know I owe you a lot more than just this one small favor. You saved me from Joseph Velasquez. Not only that, you managed to heal the damage I incurred in Rhodes in a matter of weeks instead of the decades it should have. You made it possible for me to take back control of my kingdom. There is no way I can repay that in kind," he said, expressing his gratitude. He had been so guarded with his emotions since Godric's death, that I was truly touched by his sentiments.

"Stan, you know I have always liked you. It truly was my pleasure to help you out. I felt like I owed you, really. When I was human, you showed me respect even though I was clearly beneath you. That meant more to me than you will ever know. I'm just glad I got here in time to stop Velasquez and was able to find the stuff to get you on your feet again. Now, while we are on the subject of healing, why don't you hop on the bed, and I'll get the stuff ready. It's the nasty blue crap again," I told him, and watched him shiver from revulsion.

"Are you sure I will be completely healed after today?" he asked cautiously.

I snickered at seeing how he was acting like a being baby.

"Yes, now get on the bed", I said, while I went and placed my case on top of one of the mirrored dressers alongside the bed. I took my nail file and sharpened my fingernail to the exact dimensions needed for the lock. I punctured my finger allowing a drop of my blood to surface, and quickly pressed it against the lock while turning my fingernail key simultaneously. The latch clicked open, and I looked through the top shelf of my case, quickly finding the blue vial with 2 drops of the horrid liquid which was healing Stan.

I looked through the bottom portion of my case which was magicked to hold anything and everything, as long as it fit through the opening of the case. In it I had gloves, sliver chains, about 10 stakes, a few daggers, and a beautiful sword, that was a gift but I had yet to use since I had no clue how to wield it. I ran my hand along the black leather exterior of the case marveling at the spell placed on it, as it never weighted more than 5 lbs and it would not open without the key, and my blood.

I took to the vial over to Stan where he silently drank it, and was out before he could even put the vial down. I was able to snag it before it fell out of his hand, and I placed it back into my case, relocking it. If I waited long enough, the nail would regrow filling in the filed dimensions, but I didn't want anyone looking at it for too long. Instead, I snapped it off and threw it in the fireplace and watched it burn, leaving the whole nail to slowly regrow so as to reveal nothing. I walked out of the room and called to Isabella.

"Oh Isabelle, I think we changed our minds, we definitely need you up here," I said with the sex dripping from my voice.

She was up the stairs in seconds, and followed me back to the room, where I quietly told her, His Majesty would be out for about 30 minutes, and she was to stay with him, while I kept the other guests occupied. I also scanned her mind, and found she was worried about her king being out of commission, and the weight of her responsibility. Believe me, these are good things you want to hear when you are placing the life of royalty in someone's hands. Satisfied she would take good care of him, I walked downstairs to entertain the King's guests.

***

When I arrived downstairs, I greeted Pam, Bill, and Eric in turn since I had not done so when I arrived. I perched myself on the arm of the club chair Pam was sitting in

"Sookie, how did you and King Stan come to be friends?" Eric asked, with only curiosity coloring his thoughts.

"I'll be happy to tell you, but you have to keep this story to yourself," I responded to Eric, trying to feel out where he wanted this conversation to go. I only sensed curiosity, and a desire to 'get to know me' that felt mildly disconcerting.

"You see, a few weeks after I had been turned, Felipe decided I should go and tour his territories - to get a better feel of the areas. We had established my feeding habits," I explained, sparing a quick eye flick towards Bill, who didn't know I only needed to feed every third day, "and I was not deemed a threat. So, I decided while I was in Louisiana to visit everyone I knew to let them know I was now a vampire."

"I remember when you came to visit me, and then we went to Merlotte's. Everyone was intrigued at the change," Bill responded, shaking his head, because the trip to Merlotte's had not been a pleasant one.

Eric looked at me funny, before narrowing his eyes and commenting, "I do not remember this trip you speak of. And I certainly do not remember you checking in with me."He was obviously offended (ok make that angry) that I had not checked in like a good vampire, but he was keeping it outwardly in check and wanted me to continue talking.

"I'm sorry about that Eric, Felipe did not want me seeing you yet. I didn't want to be in your area without letting you know, so we just passed through. I then stopped to visit a few people and continued on to Dallas," I responded, while listening to his reaction to my words. I was pleased to hear he understood I had to obey my king/master, and he appreciated my attempt not to trespass. Unfortunately, another part of his brain was not so pleasant - but what amazed me was that they were in contact with each other.

I swelled with pride that Pam had made so much progress, even if the angry part of his mind was being critical of my actions and questioning my motives. I struggled to keep my mind in check and not let myself get angry with him.

"So, once I made it here to Dallas, I visited with Stan even though he was in really bad shape. My second night here, I heard from a little birdie that Joseph Velazquez was planning on taking out Stan so he could keep Texas permanently. I just happened to be at the right place at the right time, to hear it, and catch Joseph in the act. I was worried about another attempt on Stan, especially after seeing what happened to Sophie Anne, so I started looking for a way to heal him. The rest is history."

"What little bird? How did you hear what Velasquez was planning?" Eric inquired, throwing me for a loop.

I looked to Bill, who looked equally as shocked and then at Pam, who just shook her head, confirming that Eric did not know. Eric saw this little exchange, and became furious. I steadied myself before answering him.

"Eric, I didn't realize you didn't know. And while it's not common knowledge, it's also not a secret. Since I have known you for so long, and we have history, I was sure word had gotten back to you. But I heard it in the minds of one of the humans working at Stan's complex that day."

"You said you could NOT read minds," followed by you fucking lying bitch in his thoughts. He stood and began pacing back and forth while his mind began churning out hateful comments.

Fuck, how did I miss that? I thought she couldn't lie to me. No she couldn't. I remember she couldn't. She tried. How dare she keep this from me? She should have been mine. I should have sold her to the harem. At least there I could have bought her back.

Well if that is how you want to play Sheriff, I thought, absolutely livid at his notions of his selling me off to be some sex slave.

"Oh, I couldn't until I had human blood. That first night all I HAD BEEN GIVEN was True Blood. Drinking human blood tuned me back into the human brain and my telepathy came back. It was awful the first time having so many thoughts crashing into me when I was unprepared. It was so bad, I was convulsing on the ground. Well, I'm sure YOU remember," I spat at him.

His mind grew cold and angry. I could feel the last thread of the calm and collected Eric slipping away, as the fury took over, consuming him and his thoughts. With a few sentences, I had reverted him back to the asshole he was the night I arose.

You knew… How could I have missed it? You planned this. Did you plan this with Felipe? No, you acted alone, you bitch. I remember you asked to speak to Felipe. You set this up, you set me up to look like a fool in front of the king. How?? The Royalty Felipe offered her! That's it. Shit! The blood in the Royalty drink was the trigger. Your fucking mind trick came back and you did what? You left. You choose Felipe over me.

The tone of his thoughts changed, when he looked me straight in the eyes. I heard a very timid thought, you didn't want me…

During his internal monologue I 'heard' his thought's. I could sense the others were trying to break through, and I thought it would be a good thing. I wanted to help them get out and talk reason to the asshole. Once the walls broke down, I was unprepared to see the man before me begin to crumble. He was My Eric, lost and confused just like on that cold New Year's night when I found him running down Hummingbird Lane. For a brief second, I saw My Eric look at me, and he needed me, like he needed me when he was cursed, but all he could see was that I chose someone else. The asshole leapt to the forefront of his thoughts and told him, I betrayed him again. Eric stormed out of the house.

As I saw him leave, I realized I had to fix this. When I first arrived here this night, I cursed the fact I had been charged with the eternal care of Eric Northman. While I was alive I protected him in my home, I saved him in Rhodes, and I saved him from Siegburt. He was my cross to bear as it were, and as such it was my responsibility to fix him, because if I let him act up in court, it would be a reflection on me. If I let him get away with any disrespectfulness it would make me look unworthy of my position. I was more concerned about how his condition would affect my status then how it was affecting him.

I had one of the biggest OSM (oh shit moments) realizing I had turned into Eric. I remember the night in Rhodes after our third bonding, when I convinced myself Eric looked after number one (which was spelled E-R-I-C). How is that any different than what I was doing? No, I am better than this. I refuse to turn into Eric, and I suddenly realized that I could no longer stand idly by. It became clear what I had to do.

I had to fix this because he deserves better.

I had to fix him because he shouldn't be left to suffer, and my God was he suffering.

I had to fix him because I bore a responsibility in this, more than I cared to admit.

I had to fix him because he cared for me, and was now suffering because of it.

I had to fix him because although I tried to deny it, I knew I still cared for him too.

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