Disclaimer: I have no rights to the characters in this story, only ownership of any OC's that I may bring in, the rest belong to the lovely Charlaine Harris.

A/N: As I start this chapter, it hasn't even been a full day since I posted the previous one. I have read all of the reviews so far, thanks to you all, and I am surprised by the lack of flames sent my way. There were a couple that hated it and one who has decided not to continue reading at all. I am sorry for that and I wish that 'Lost One' would have allowed me to reply through a PM, but I guess you can't win them all. I hope that they change their mind, because Eric may have been an ASSHOLE, but he will see the error of his ways. To the rest I can only say that I love you all. Enjoy!

Chapter Nine

After her last night at Insatiable, Sookie Stackhouse's life dramatically changed. She could only vaguely remember that night. She couldn't really understand Eric's motivation. Why he felt the need to have Pam bring her to his office, while he was doing that? A simple phone call would have cleared up any expectations on her part, but like Lafayette told her on their way back to Bon Temps that night. Men are the stupidest creatures to ever walk the planet.

Lafayette was the exception to the rule, in Sookie's book anyway. That night had changed their relationship forever. Without him she would have probably crawled into her bed and never left it again. He was her shoulder to cry on and he was her rock.

When she had exited the back door of the club, she headed straight to the car. It took her a moment to find it, only because she had forgotten that she had come with Lafayette. Fear had swept through her at the thought of having to go back inside to find him, but that changed when moments later, he was there. His arms had enveloped her, supporting her as he unlocked the doors and helped her into the passenger seat.

It was later that she found out the Pam had found him and told him that he would be needed outside. On the way home, Sookie choked out what had happened and after Lafayette had given her his little pearl of wisdom on the nature of the male species, the car remained silent. When they reached her house, they had sat there for some time. Sookie tried to get her emotions under control, fearing that if she happened to wake Gran up, she would break down completely.

When she was satisfied that she would be able to make it up to her room without falling apart, she thanked Lafayette for everything. He encouraged her to call him if she needed anything, day or night. She gave him a small smile and kissed him on the cheek. As she was getting out of his car, he stopped her. He hesitantly explained that Pam had given him her number.

"In case you ever needed her," he said. "I know she's a part of this whole fucked up thing, girl, but she seemed genuinely concerned. Take it, throw it away if you want, but maybe she could be an ally. Us girls have got to stick together."

Sookie took the card, yet another plain business card holding just a name and number, and thanked Lafayette again. She got out of the car and entered the house as quietly as she could. When she made it up to her room, she looked more closely at the card.

Pamela Ravenscroft.

The name made her giggle, just a little. Poor Pam, but really who was she to talk. It wasn't like Sookie was at the top of any baby name list. And with that, Sookie's heart mended just a bit. She wedged the card into the slot on her mirror and headed for the bathroom. She washed away the dirtiness she was feeling and when she got out she felt somewhat better. She laid down and said her prayers, making sure to include Lafayette and Pam among her usual for Gran and Jason. As she closed her eyes against the tears that started to fall, she silently asked God to keep a certain blond out of her dreams.

Niall was furious. He had known that the Viking was powerful and very willful. It was those very characteristics that had made him the best choice. How had he gone against magic that strong? It should have been impossible, but apparently it wasn't.

The Prince had watched as the vampire struggled against the magical compulsion to visit his great-granddaughter. The more he fought it, the stronger Niall wielded the spell, and still the Viking had just shrugged it off.

It was too late now. The damage had already been done. His whole plan had been to keep Sookie safe and all his work had accomplished was to bring her heartache. The vampire was supposed to protect her from the future, from the devious plans of the supernatural community that would do everything that they could to use her. It was all supposed to keep her safe and it had all been for naught.

Niall would beg her for forgiveness if he could, but his presence in her life would put her in more danger than anything that the other creatures could do. He had seen that path, and it led to horrific things. Those events are what he was trying to prevent by his continued absence in her mortal life.

It was not every day that the Prince was willing to admit that he had been wrong. However, today was not one of those days. He still felt that he had made the right choice. Sookie was tied to the vampire whether he liked it or not. His great-granddaughter was resilient. She was already beginning to heal with the help of her friend and surprisingly the Viking's Childe. She would bounce back and grow to be stronger for what was to come.

As for the Viking himself, let him hope that his Norse Gods still have a liking for him, as he has much to make up for. He will see the error of his ways, as would Niall himself. Until then, Niall made the decision to with draw the compulsion spell, hoping that it would keep the vampire at a distance until Sookie was ready to see him again. Niall had one final laugh at the vampire before going back to his business.

When Eric entered his club, the night after his plan to get Sookie Stackhouse out of his life, he knew something was wrong. Firstly, his Childe was not waiting there as she usually was. There were no reports on his desk, nothing for him to sign, and he actually had to go out to the bar himself to find the information he was seeking.

Pam was nowhere in sight, not that he expected her to be, as he could not feel her presence in the area at all. Clancy was behind the bar, stocking the supplies at vampire speed before the human employees arrived. The vampire nodded to Eric as he approached. "Master."

"Where is Pamela?" Eric asked, not acknowledging the greeting.

"I have not seen her since last night, Master," Clancy replied. "I did find these on the bar when I came in."

Eric took the stack of papers that the other vampire handed to him. It was everything that he had looked for on his desk, and on top was an envelope with his name on it. It was his Childe's writing that stared up at him. He made his way back to him office and completed all the necessary paperwork, all the while ignoring the envelope. He took his time signing everything, emailing his reports to Sophie-Anne and faxing the supply orders. When he could put it off no longer he picked up the envelope.

Master,

I am sure that you are displeased that I did not wait for you to appear this evening before I left. I have decided to go away for a short time. You can expect my presence at the club Tuesday night.

It is difficult for me to write this, only because I cannot explain why I am feeling the way that I am. I have seen many things in the centuries since you brought me over and still I am at a loss. There is something special about the Stackhouse girl. I am sure that you know of what I speak, or you at least suspect. I have always been obedient to you, my loyalty is forever yours, but what you had me do last night was wrong. I know that we are at a turning point, that our lives will hang in the balance in a few months and you will do everything in your power to insure that our transition goes smoothly. However, I find it unnecessary to behave as you have. I can only hope that you will not live to regret your decision concerning the girl.

I ask, as your obedient Childe, that you will respect my wishes and not summon me back to you. I know you, as my Maker, have that right, but I find the need to remind you that you released me many years ago to do as I wished. This is my wish.

Your Childe,

Pamela Ravenscroft

Eric read the letter twice before placing it in the shredder next to his desk. His Childe had left him, something that she had never done before. Even when he had released her, she had been reluctant to go, and had returned quickly when he summoned her to his side. She assured him that she would return and that she would only be taking a few days off. She hadn't even mentioned shopping, if that wasn't a sign that something was going on, Eric did not know what was.

He allowed his mind to forget Pam for a moment and drift back to the night before. He had felt them approach, Sookie's excitement had given him the 'rise' that he had been lacking up until that point and while he could feel Pam coming closer, he had closed the connection between them. Her disappointment was a foreign feeling to even her and he had added to the list of things that had been going wrong since Sookie Stackhouse had walked into his club a week before.

The brunette had been looking at him funny, his glamour must have slipped, but he distracted her by inserting himself inside her. He had just begun to move as the knock came. He closed his eyes and called out for them to enter. As the knob turned he opened his eyes and stared at the blonde as she swung the door open. Her pain was instant, and his dick was soft, even before she turned and ran.

"Hey," the brunette cried out, anger written all over her face.

"Leave now," Eric commanded, as he put himself away and zipped his pants. She was gone moments later. Eric grabbed his jacket and headed out the same direction that Sookie had. He could still feel her, her pain was radiating through him, but he had to ignore it. He could not let her interfere with their plans.

Everything would have been so much easier if he was only able to glamour her. He would be able to focus on his work, without having to worry about her discovery. Eric was far from stupid, though. He knew there were other forces at work here. He was just at a loss when it came to what those forces were exactly. It was too much to think about at the moment. The Queen was breathing down his neck, figuratively, and the other vampires were getting restless. Throw in the rest of the Supes and it was far from a party.

He watched her from the corner of the building, his eyes having no trouble picking up her hunched figure. He wanted nothing more than to go to her, to apologize to her for his stupidity. What he really wanted to do was tell her everything, to trust her with it all, but he could not risk it. If it was found out he might as well stay in this very spot until dawn, as his life would most assuredly be forfeit.

Eric stayed watching as her friend came out and held her, as he himself wanted to do. He watched as she was placed in the car and driven away from him. Even then he stayed there, feeling every bit of her pain and sorrow. He knew that he should close the link, instead he left it open. That was his punishment.

It was earlier that morning, just before he went to his bed, that he felt the tingle. It was the same that he had felt that first night with Sookie. The air surrounding him felt lighter somehow and he knew that whatever magic that had been put on him was now gone. He took stock of himself and let out a laugh that held not even an ounce of happiness. Whatever magic had been at work had nothing to do with his need for the girl. The air may have been lighter but the pain in his chest remained.

His cell phone ringing interrupted his thoughts and brought him back to the present. The caller ID read that it was Andre, Sophie-Anne's lapdog. Eric sighed knowing that this night was going to be a long one and it had only just begun.

A/N: So this was just a short little chapter to help tie up any loose ends. Next up we will be working in fast forward. The Great Reveal will be coming up soon and we'll get to see just what Niall was up to. More Lafayette and Pam, some other characters that I really can't stand, but they have to have their parts too. As for the Viking, well he will begin to pay for his mistakes. I hope you all enjoyed reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it.

On a side note, I have to tell you all about the most adorable thing that I saw today. I was in the drug store buying nail polish, 'cause I'm kind of a nail freak. I came across these press-on nail thingies, something that I would never usually buy in a million years, but they were just so perfect I had to. Back in the day, I used to go and have my nails done all the time, airbrushed designs and all. I've always had a thing for vamps, but they never had any stencils of fangs. So disappointing right, but you all have to check these things out. THEY ARE PERFECT! Check out my avatar on my profile, the pic should be up soon.