Sookie woke first. She sat cross-legged on the bed and stared at Eric's lifeless form. She'd done this a hundred times before as he lay in his daytime stupor, but now they were in a strange bedroom in a safe house in the realm of the Fae. She gently rubbed her hand down his arm waiting to see what would happen. Suddenly Eric's eyes went wide and Sookie couldn't help the scream that escaped her throat as he took in a deep ragged breath. He clutched his chest and sat bolt upright on the bed. Sookie scrambled to her feet and watched in horror as Eric's face twisted in terror.

"Eric!" He gulped for air and searched her face as if to ease his pain. She ran to his side and he clutched at her hand. Sookie started to panic when Claudine popped into the room.

She immediately grabbed Eric's shoulders and looked directly in his eyes.

"Slowly…slowly. Breathe. Good….good." Eric's breathing slowed and Sookie finally felt the tears streaming down her cheeks.

"What's happening!?" Sookie screamed at Claudine.
"His body has been dead for more than a thousand years. His lungs have filled with air and his heart now beats. He is mortal." She smiled brightly at them both. She patted Sookie gently on the arm and winked. "Have fun!" POP! She vanished.

Eric panted quietly as he stared at Sookie's worried face. She stroked his cheeks and his arms as he calmed his breathing. She looked him over from head to toe.

"Eric?"

"I…there's something wrong. There's an ache." Sookie furrowed her brow and started inspecting him again.
"An ache? Where? Are you in pain?" Eric shook his head and pressed her hand against his abdomen.
"Here. It's like there's pressure." Sookie burst into uproarious laughter. Eric glared at her in confusion.

"Oh, baby." She soothed as she tried to control her laughter. The relief of what was wrong washed over her. She pulled Eric from the bed and looked around the strange bedroom for the bathroom. She found it after the second door she tried and flipped the light on. Eric allowed her to lead him by the shoulders into the room. She grinned at him as she positioned him.

"Sookie?"

"You're human, Eric. I know you've forgotten most of what that was like. But, sweetheart, every guy I've ever known has to do this first thing when he wakes up."

"Do what?"

"Go pee." Eric made a disgusted face and then felt the sudden urge again. He looked at Sookie and then to the toilet she pushed him in front of. "Don't think this out too long. You'll regret wetting your pants." She smirked. He raised his eyebrow at her and then looked at the door.

"Do you mind?"

"Yep. You're human for the first time in a thousand years. I've been the only one in our house to have 'human needs'. I'm not missing this." He laughed and reached into his pajama pants.

"Wow." He grinned as he flushed the toilet and walked to the sink.

"You made peepee." She teased as she swatted him on the ass. He jumped slightly at the sting and they both froze.

"That…" He started to speak but then noticed the look on Sookie's face.

"This is going to be so awesome." She beamed at him as she wrapped her arms around his waist. He took a deep breath and she pressed her ear to his chest.

"I hear it." She whispered in awe at the sound of his now beating heart.

"I feel it." He whispered back. She looked up into his eyes and they were brimmed with tears. Real tears. One slid down his cheek and landed on her shoulder.

"I love you so much." She brushed his tears away with her thumbs. He smiled down at her and swallowed the lump that had formed in his throat.

How did I deserve such a wonderful creature? What have I done to deserve such love from this beautiful woman? I didn't I think I could ever love someone this much.

"I heard that." She grinned. He focused on her face, then frowned.

"It seems that you have the advantage."

"You can't hear me anymore." She stated as she probed her consciousness for the bond. Nothing. She squeezed his forearms in an effort to anchor self.

"It's strange. I can't feel you anymore, but you're right in front of me."

"I know. I'm finding this a little hard to get used to." Sookie knew that was hard for Eric to admit. He was vulnerable. She could see the uncertainty and worry in his eyes. Suddenly she felt a swell of emotion within her. She would protect him. She would help him through this. She would be everything to him that he always was to her. She took his hand and tugged again.

"C'mon. Let's go find out exactly where we are." Eric allowed a small smile to tug at his lips as she opened the bedroom door. They stepped out of the small hallway and took in the living room. Sookie gasped at the sight of it. It was something out of a tropical vacation guide. Windows from floor to ceiling, pastel colors scattered across the furniture and accents. The floors were a pale hardwood with rugs in haphazard patterns across the floor. Sookie rushed to the door and opened it to reveal a large deck that extended out into a dock. The ocean lay at their from door.

"Oh my God! Eric, it's beautiful." He swept his head from side to side looking for any threats and noting the entrances to the house. Some habits will always remain whether vampire or mortal. Sookie stepped back inside and moved to the other side of the house to see what was behind the tropical cabin. She swung open the back door and saw lush greenery and tall palms. The moonlight danced across the foliage, casting exquisite shadows across the sand.

"There's a note." Eric's deep voice pierced the empty house catching Sookie's attention. She stepped back inside and sat at the bar in the kitchen while Eric unfolded the pink paper.

"It's from Claudine." He stated before reading, "Welcome to the Realm. You are on one of Niall's safe islands. You are the only one's here and no one but My Lord and I know of the island's location. The property is warded and secure. All the items you requested are in the house. Please explore and enjoy! If you require anything, call my cell."

"We have service in the Realm? I'd hate to see the roaming on that." Sookie joked as Eric absently scratched his stomach. She couldn't help but smile at the motion. Vampires never scratch. Eric caught her smiling at him and offered her one of his own as he advanced toward her. His pajama pants did little to hide his increasing arousal.

He stepped between her legs and placed his hands on either side of her face.

"My wife." He whispered before lightly touching his lips to Sookie's. She tugged on his t-shirt, bringing him closer. He pulled away and smiled. He was breathing heavy and she marveled at the flush on his cheeks.

"This is going to be different."

"Yes. I hope I won't disappoint." He teased.

"Well, I've never had sex with a human before." She waggled her eyebrows at him as he slid his fingers under the hem of her shirt.