A/N: I love you all for being so patient with me about updating. Especially after leaving it on such a cliffy in the last chapter. I really and truthfully have the best readers. The wait was almost too long for this chapter.

I also have the worlds best beta. Krismom always knows what to say or what I meant to say when something I write comes out in jibberish. I love her dearly. Without nuts ;D

Disclaimer: I don't own them. I just play with them and make them do the things I want them to do.

Previously...

The scream died in my throat, but not for lack of trying.

A cold hand clamped down over my mouth, suffocating my attempt at breathing or getting out a warning scream. Not that anyone would have heard it. I cursed myself for not checking with my head to see if anyone was around. My eyes were fallible, my head was not. I could always sense anyone else with it.

The thing holding me was obviously a vampire from the strange void of thoughts I could feel when I pressed outwards to dig. Nothing, just a bunch of black snarling nothing. I struggled and struggled, and continued to scream in its hold.

It hissed and snarled, and I felt fangs scrape against my neck and fought with new strength. If this was the way I was going to go, then I sure as shit wasn't to go without a fight. Maybe I could take a fang with me.

The vampire gripped me hard, bruising my ribs I was sure and making me wince. With blinding speed, I was turned to face my captor, his hand never leaving my mouth. Something was wrong. Very wrong. I never saw his other hand coming.

I tried to get a word out, but nothing came through. The back of his hand made contact with my jaw. For a moment there was stars, but then everything went black.

SPOV

I don't think I ever completely lost consciousness. I was still aware of what was going on around me. Sort of. If you could call it that.

I could hear snarling in the distance, but my eyes wouldn't cooperate when I tried to look for it. It sounded so far away, but felt so close. I could feel cool breath fanning over my skin in puffs. I tried to fight with my body, but it was about as cooperative as my eyes.

Why'd he have to hit me so hard?

There was sniffing. I felt it in my hair, on my neck, and then above my breasts. Fangs scraped against the sensitive skin seconds before they pierced through the flesh.

I screamed.

My scream brought me back into awareness as quickly as it had erupted from my throat.

My attacker disappeared with a vicious roar, sending me tumbling to the ground and clutching the gaping wound in my chest. It bled freely and I started to panic. I knew it wasn't a good thing to freak out while I was bleeding, so I tried to calm my racing heart. As much as I could anyway. It was far from easy.

Out in my yard there was a flurry of activity that wasn't helping the adrenaline coursing through my veins. My assailant was being attacked by flashes of blonde and black. It wasn't until they slowed down that I realized my savior had been Eric.

How did he even...?

They'd move from one side of the yard to the other so fast my eyes couldn't follow. If it weren't for the snarls and growls and occasional ripping sound, I might have thought there was a tornado brewing. Leaves and dust were left in the wake of their fight.

I'd seen vampires in action, knew they were fast. But damn, I didn't know they could move like that.

Actually once I realized that Eric was there to help, I found it a lot easier to calm myself. My breathing evened out and my heart slowly returned to its normal pace, helping to slow the blood flow from my wound that I was too scared to look at.

That would freak me right out again.

Instead, I watched Eric as best I could. His moves were clearly made with more precision than those of his vampire opponent. When he slowed enough for me to watch, I could clearly see the smile on his face. What in the world there was to enjoy about fighting for your life, I had no clue. Lord knows I never enjoyed being on the brink of death. But Eric seemed to be having a good ole time.

Abruptly, the torrent of noise and movement came to an end. Eric had the other vampire by the neck, both their fangs gleaming in the moon light as they snarled and hissed, and pressed against a tree. His feet dangled more than a foot off the ground. I wasn't sure if that was a sign of how tall Eric was or just how short my attacker was.

"Who are you?" Eric growled out. The other vampire just laughed, and I struggled to stand and move closer. "Stay there, Sookie. Who are you? What business do you have in my area?"

"Your Queen sent me to the area, Sheriff. I was told the telepathic faerie was yours. Why then, dear Sheriff, would you be leaving her to her own devices?"

"She is mine," Eric roared, his voice vicious and full of warning. "If the Queen sent you, as you say, then you know you must check in with the Sheriff of the area. I should tell Sophie-Ann of your insubordination. I'm sure her punishment would be far worse than mine."

I chose to keep my mouth shut for the time being about the whole 'mine' business. I had to learn when to pick my battles, and right then wasn't one of them. Self-preservation was my new motto. If that crazy bitch had sent the psycho vampire to attack me or whatever else he had in mind, I knew this was definitely the time for me to keep my lips zipped.

"Perhaps for anyone else that fact may be true. But I am Andre." Eric stiffened at his name, and I didn't like it one bit. Who was he really? And what sort of power did he have over Eric? "Ah, I see you've heard of me." It certainly didn't look good.

"The Queens little bitch boy. Yes, I've heard of you." Apparently, Eric wasn't all that threatened by the vampire. Calling him bitch boy certainly wasn't going to get him on his good side. Or me for that matter.

I did have to admit that bitch boy seemed an accurate enough term though. The vampire couldn't have been far out of his teens when he was changed. He looked like a child. His hair was slicked back with some sort of oil. Had it not been for that it probably would have been blondish. Instead it looked dirty and brownish. His face was round like a child, but his sinister smile and crazy eyes made him look aged and jaded.

Dangerous. Evil.

Andre snarled and squirmed as much as he could given Eric's hand around his neck. He was obviously younger that Eric, but even if he hadn't been, given the difference in their sizes, I doubt he could have gotten the upper hand on Eric anyway.

Eric snickered, but there wasn't anything humorous in that laugh. "I could have your head. That," he pointed in my direction without taking his eyes off the other vampire, "is a blood offense on my bonded. You are aware of the punishment I could subject you to despite who or what you are to the Queen."

"You'd be a fool to harm me in any way," Andre squeaked out, his oxygen supply running thin.

"Eric," I croaked, getting light headed. I was ready to sleep. My body had enough excitement, and I certainly didn't want to see any of the punishments he had in mind for Andre being played out in my front yard.

Time for Sookie to check out of this nightmare, I thought dryly.

He glanced in my direction while tightening his hold on Andre. His eyes betrayed his worry, and I wondered for the millionth time if it was all a show. Was I getting played again, or was he genuinely concerned for me? If it was a ruse, Eric was a master player; even I was having trouble not believing the sham.

My head spun in confusion. Much like my feelings.

I heard the squeal of tires seconds before being robbed of my sight by headlights in my driveway. Blinded by the sudden light, it took me a moment to see the van and even longer to see the driver. I couldn't think of a single person that drove a mini van, much less one with all the bells and whistles.

I certainly wasn't expecting the person...err, vampire that exited the vehicle. In fact, she'd have been one of the last people on the list of possible suspects.

"Just in time," Eric laughed as the door to the van opened and Pam's head popped out.

"You called, Master," she said as she made her way to Eric's side.

"Take this miscreant to the basement, tie him in silver chains, and await further instructions." His voice was cold, and the almost excited undertones in it were frightening. I shivered.

Pam beamed, looking outright giddy over the prospect of torturing someone and I cringed. What was it with vampires and causing each other pain that seemed to bring them so much pleasure?

She walked over to the back of the van and returned seconds later with silver chains in her dainty gloved hands. Eric let Andre fall to the ground as soon as Pam had him secure in the chains. She hefted him with ease, bringing him in close and sniffing at his neck.

"There's nothing like a little fear in the blood. Makes for a damn good breakfast." She licked her lips and Andre tried to snarl, though it came out as more of a whimper. "Come bitch boy. I'm hungry."

Apparently the name was a running joke of sorts. I might have laughed if I had the energy, but I could hardly see the porch in front of my face. And I was sprawled out on top of it.

I closed my eyes for only a moment, but when I opened them again, the van was gone and a very concerned looking Eric was hovering over me. I sighed, glad the nightmare was over.

He said nothing, and I made no attempt to argue, as he lifted me into his arms. One of his arms supported my neck, the other, my knees. I curled into his chest, grateful that he'd come and soon I'd be allowed to sleep. Maybe forever if I was lucky.

Eric carried me up the stairs and into my room, careful not to jostle me. I could hardly feel the movement of his steps, perhaps we were flying, floating. Or maybe I was just that out of it. I was, after all, letting Eric carry me into my bedroom without a fight. Yes, I was definitely out of my mind.

I wondered with a snort if he'd still use the opportunity to proposition me. The walls were blurry and my thoughts were so scattered I closed my eyes.

Eric sat with me in his lap on my bed, brushing the hair out my face gently. His cool breath fanned over my face making my eyes flutter open once more. The look in his eyes brought me out of my daze. It was so tender, so full of care and pity, it frightened me. I didn't want his care, or need his pity. It only made things more confusing.

"Let's get you taken care of, Lover," he whispered. And I wanted to sob.

My heart couldn't handle any more confusion.

A/N: I can't believe some of you thought it was Eric! I'm not quite ready to introduce Amnesia Eric yet, but soon, very soon. Hehe. Short chapter, but I've already started a little on the next one, and it's a little sweet.

Now, I gotta put my pimp hat on, because this contest is nearing its end. Check out the new writer contest I am co-hosting with some of the fab gals in the SVM fandom, we're welcoming TB entries as well. You can find it here, or in my profile there's also a link. Http: / www (dot) fanfiction (dot) net/u/2507718/A_New_Chapter_Contest There are several promo fics up for your reading pleasure and inspiration. Also, the first of our entries have been added to the C2. Please do give them a read!

I was honored that Smittenskitten asked me to do an interview with her on her blog. You can read it here... http: / interviewsoffanficauthors(dot)blogspot(dot)com/2010/11/my-101-with-evenflo78(dot)html (remove spaces and add dots)

Reviews = teasers. Yes, I am offering teases again! YAY!

MUAWWWW!