A/N:OK, so I know I promised some lemons, but there aren't any really in this chapter. I realised that the last chapter was soooo angsty and that at the moment, there is a HUGE rift between these two. So I needed to create an event that would bring them back together and have them function in a non-combative way, hopefully leading to some kind of reconciliation. I hope you won't find it boring, but as I have now plotted out the rest of the story, this chapter is key in progressing the storyline.

Next chapter should be more the ticket. I have already started writing it, spurred on by last week's TB and not in a good way. More as a way of "writing" (see what I did there) some wrongs. Like, was anyone else TOTALLY not feeling the Eric/Sookie/Bill vampwich that AB presented us with? I think it shows that I'm really NOT a Bill fan. I am also a bit peeved (well, actually, really POed) as this season is supposed to be for Eric/Sookie lovers and AB seems to be pulling them further and further apart as the season progresses. What is with Bill saving Sookie - AGAIN! Seriously, can Eric save Sookie every now and again? Jeesh!

OK, so rant over! Thank you to everyone who is following, reading and reviewing my story! Seriously, I love your feedback and support.! I'm just glad I'm not boring everyone! You guys are amazing and the reason I write - so thanks again - big hugs to everyone!

I hope you enjoy this chapter - let me know what you think! R&R!

Disclaimer: I do not own SVM or True Blood nor am I affiliated with HBO in anyway. SVM and True Blood belong to Charlaine Harris, Alan Ball and the good people at HBO. I am only using these characters for the purpose of this story.

Chapter 10: Trust Me

Hunter kicked a stone in the drive discontentedly. Ever since the sparrow incident and his uncle's quiet stricture on the matter, he had not really been able to find much to amuse him. And now Uncle Eric had been in London for nigh on three months and Hunter found himself increasingly at a loss for entertainment. At first it had been great fun to hang about the stables, but Uncle Eric had purchased more horses so that his friend Dawson had less time for him. In addition, Uncle Eric had specifically forbidden such amusements as climbing out of windows, wandering the estate without permission, teasing the bull, or setting snares for Mrs. Jenkins' chickens. Uncle Eric had also been very plain on what he considered other evils and reluctantly Hunter saw that his days were grossly unexciting. It was really not fair. And though he would have felt no compunction about disobeying Jenkins or Tara or even his mother, there was something about the expression in the Marquess of Huntley's eyes that warned him to abide by his uncle's new set of rules.

As for Cousin Susannah, she was of no use to him. Hunter had observed that uncle Eric often listened to Cousin Susannah, though he pretended not to. He had hoped that cousin Susannah might intervene with his uncle on his behalf. But she, too, had read him a short lecture and her tone had been decisive. He could not look for leniency there.

Hunter's restless eyes roved over the grove of trees alongside the drive. He had that terrible feeling of aloneness that he so often got. He did not know or understand why, but it normally drove him to do things that he might not conceive of, if only to escape that awful feeling for a time. It always came back, though, whenever he was alone but especially at night. At night was when he thought about his father, his jolly papa who had played with him and quietly talked with him as though he was much older. One day Papa had put on his soldier's uniform and gone far away. He used to think about his mother at night, too, but she was getting better and better and he saw more of her. But though he loved his mother, it was not the same as being with his papa.

Hunter's eyes blurred. He swiped away the tears with the back of his hand. That awful hollowness seized him and he began to run, heedless of direction or obstacles.

When at last he stopped, his lungs hurt with the great gulps of air that he pulled in and his legs trembled. He was sweaty and his face and hands were scratched and stinging from the whip of branches, grass and nettles. His short coat was ripped at the shoulder and his trousers were streaked with dirt, but he spared not a thought for his clothes.

Hunter leaned against the rough bark of a wide oak, his chest heaving. The feeling was gone. As he blinked the perspiration out of his eyes, he became aware of the sound of running water over rocks. He stumbled forward to the edge of a tranquil and sun-dappled stream. Throwing himself to the ground he ducked his head into the cool water. When he raised his head he was spluttering. Droplets sprayed as he shook his wet hair. Hunter cupped his hand and drank deeply before rolling over on his back. He rested on the bank for a time, staring up into the branches of oak and willow and birch. Through the leaves he could see the clouds moving majestically across the blue sky and his thoughts moved slowly with them.

He must have slept because when he next became aware of his surroundings the position of the sun had changed and his hair was dry. Hunter sat up. He spied a squirrel and he watched as the small creature scurried up the trunk of a slender birch. Just as the squirrel's weight threatened to collapse the thin branches, it leaped across to a second tree leaving, the first tree dipping and swaying. Hunter laughed. The squirrel, startled by the alien sound, chirruped agitatedly and whisked its golden-brown tail up and down.

Hunter looked thoughtfully at the still swaying tree. His knowledgeable eyes measured the trunk. The tree would bear his weight up to a point. He rose, dusting off his hands, and shimmied up the tree. The higher he went the more he felt the trunk sway. His heart pounded with each dip of the trunk but he only climbed higher. The top of the supple tree suddenly dipped down in a dizzying fast arc. The boy's legs flew free but he still held tightly to the trunk with his hands. Just feet above the ground, Hunter lost his grip. The tree snapped upright and he tumbled to the grassy ground. He lay stunned a moment, his heart racing as he caught his breath. Then he leaped up and raced again to the tree.

Time and again Hunter climbed the tree to experience the crazy descent. He became even bolder and climbed higher before letting go with his legs. Delighted laughter burst from him with each frightening ride. At first he did not hear and then he did not pay attention to the ominous groan that began to grow a bit louder with his continued play. He noticed only that the tree seemed to lean a little more than it had.

Suddenly the slender trunk snapped in two, the broken half of it gripped futilely between Hunter's hands as he fell. His eyes flew open to their widest extent. His mouth opened in a soundless scream. The sky tipped madly, green rushed past him. The iron ground drove pain into him and Hunter's world disappeared.

The sun was nearly set when the boy at last sighed and stirred. White hot pain shot through his body with the slight movement. He cried out and became fully conscious. Slowly, carefully, Hunter raised his head to look down at himself. His left leg lay at an awkward angle. Even as his mind coolly took note of the fact, he tested his arms one at a time. Bruised and shaken though he was, the boy gripped his lower lip between his teeth and raised himself to a sitting position. He already knew from the way his left leg felt that it was the center of the pain. But it was not until he could see his ripped, bloodied trousers and the bone jutting out of the stretched skin that the pain truly hit him. His face blanched. It hurt so badly that he could barely keep from crying out. His fingers clenched in the grass on either side of his thin shanks. He bit his lip hard, tasting blood.

'Papa would not cry! He would not ever cry,' Hunter said, manfully. A desolation washed over him. 'Papa!' He choked on a sob and tears slipped down his dirty cheeks. 'Papa, I need you,' Hunter whispered. 'Please… Papa…'

An owl called softly on the breeze as the sun finally set and the sky was cloaked in darkness.

Sookie took a restless turn about the drawing room. She did not know how long she had paced. She threw another glance at the clock on the mantel and smacked her hands together, wringing them in agitation. The drawing room door opened and she turned quickly.

'Miss Stackhouse, did you not hear me at the door? Where the devil is everyone? The door was wide open when I arrived and Jenkins was nowhere to be seen,' said Eric, pulling off his gloves and caped greatcoat.

'Oh, Eric! Thank God you are returned!' Sookie exclaimed, running into the marquess' arms and gripping the lapels of his jacket.

Eric caught her in his arms and lowered his face to her hair. 'My dear Susannah, had I known you would receive me in this manner, I would have endeavoured to be here sooner,' he said, jestingly, luxuriating in the feel of her in his arms, the smell of her hair in his nostrils. Could it be? Eric thought. Has she had a change of heart? Eric allowed himself to hope, allowed himself to believe that she had reconsidered his proposal. Then her sobs registered with him and he gently pulled her away. He placed his hand under her chin and forced her to look at him.

'My love, what is it? What has upset you so?' Eric said, concern in his voice. Sookie only shook her head and sobbed harder into his chest. Eric had no choice but to place his arms around her once again in an attempt to soothe her. He had never had to comfort a sobbing woman and did not know where to begin with Sookie. 'Please, my love,' he said helplessly. 'You must calm yourself.'

'Eric, no… you don't… you don't understand,' Sookie said, crying hysterically. 'It's Hunter. He's missing! No one has seen him since luncheon and now it has grown dark. We have searched everywhere for him, but he is not to be found about the house or stables. Jenkins and Dawson have searched the immediate grounds but are still unable to locate him. I don't know where else to look. Oh… whatever shall I tekll Hadley. I am responsible for him! Oh, Eric…'

Eric stared down into her anxious teary eyes. He was too well used to Sookie's steady nature to believe other than that she spoke the truth. 'Sookie, please, you must calm yourself,' he repeated, in an effort to halt her hysterics.

'My lord, you know that I am not a female given to vague fears. I know that something dreadful has befallen him. I can feel it!'

Eric nodded solemnly. 'Has the copse been scoured and the meadow across the hedgegrows?'

'Yes, yes! I have been out myself with Jenkins and Tara. Dawson and the two new grooms have searched as well and have found no sign of him. I don't know what to tell Hadley. She will have to know, but I have put it off until she comes down to dinner. It makes me ill to think that I may have to impart terrible news to her of Hunter,' said Sookie, her tears falling fast at the thought of her cousin's suffering.

'No, there is no need for Hadley to know just yet.' Eric's expression was hard. 'The rascal has gone far afield, then. When I find him I will have something to say to him about it.' He looked down at Sookie, rubbing her arms in a soothing manner. He gently pulled his kerchief from his breast pocket and gently wiped the tears from Sookie's cheek, eventually surrendering it to her. Once he'd felt she had calmed herself sufficiently, Eric spoke again.

'Now, my love, I need you to do something for me. I need you to ring for Jenkins and request lanterns. And we need something of Hunter's for the hounds.'

'Hounds!' exclaimed Sookie, staring at him. She walked from him hurriedly and pulled on the bell rope hanging beside the sofa.

Eric favoured Sookie with a faint grin, though the amusement did not quite reach his eyes. 'My groom and I brought back a few hounds from London. I wanted to try the hunter I bought a few months ago from Henry Price to see how it would go with a pack,' he said. 'Now it seems that the hounds must be put to quite another use. Damn the boy! I spoke to him about his escapades before I departed and warned him not to do anything foolish or there would be severe punishment.'

'He is not a boy one can effectively hem in. It is a miracle he has been able to behave himself these three months gone,' said Sookie, sounding more herself.

Eric caught her gaze, recalling how grim he had been with her over the sparrow incident, and he laughed. 'Your point is well-taken, Susannah,' said Eric, moving towards the sofa where Sookie now sat. He knelt down in front of her and took her small hands in his. 'Susannah, after I find the boy, I wish to speak with you about...'

'Eric?' Sookie asked, her face awashed in confusion.

'Sookie, I have been the greatest of fools. I seek-'

'Jenkins,' Sookie said, standing up and walking to the butler who had now entered the drawing room.

Eric looked up, startled by Sookie's sudden movement. He had been on the verge of begging Sookie's forgiveness. In his time away from her, he'd realised that he had gone about his proposal all wrong. But, alas, his confession would have to wait. Now was neither the time nor place for heart-felt confessions. He took a moment to collect himself before smoothly standing to face the butler.

'Ah, Jenkins! I am informed that Master Hunter has gotten himself lost. We will require lanterns and one of the boy's jackets or shirts at once. Bring them to the stable. I will be readying the mounts and the hounds.'

The butler's face did not change expression. 'Very good, my lord.' He left on his errands.

Eric turned to Sookie with a soft smile. 'Susannah, I must go. But rest assured that I will find him.' Eric was about to leave the drawing room when Sookie caught his sleeve.

'Pray have a horse saddled for me, Eric. I shall go with you,' she said.

'The devil you say! You are clearly overwrought and not yourself. You are in no condition to ride and shall not risk your safety, Susannah. No, you shall remain here and soothe Hadley,' said Eric.

'I will do no such thing!' said Sookie, the fire returning to her. 'That can far better be left to Hadley's maid, who has a way with her mistress that cannot be excelled. I shall inform Amelia at once of the matter and then I shall join you in the stables,' said Sookie with determination, sweeping past him through the door. On the stairs she paused. 'And I would take grave exception to your going without me, my lord.'

Eric looked startled then he grinned. 'You know my mind too well, my love. I see that you are determined. Very well, I shall wait on you. But only a few minutes, mind. I wish to begin this search as swiftly as possible.'

'That is all I ask,' said Sookie. She had at last noticed that he had called her his love and her face warmed with colour. Despite the current strain in their relationship, she found that his endearment had done wonders for her bruised heart. She recalled his words before they were interrupted by Jenkins. Had Eric realised his error during their separartion? Would he treat her as his equal?

With one last glance at him, Sookie lifted her skirts and ran lightly up the stairs, hope quickening her steps.

The party that set out from Hardgrove Chase consisted of Eric, Dawson and Sookie. The hounds had quickly gotten the scent of the boy from one of his shirts and nosed about for the trail. One of his dogs bayed suddenly and loped off, the rest of the pack surging after it. The riders spurred after the hounds, their lanterns bobbing crazily over the ground.

It began to rain lightly. The marquess cast a glance up at the dark sky, his face carved in grim lines. He knew that if the boy were too far afield the scent would be washed away in the rain before he was found. Fear rode him and he urged on the hounds with harsh shouts.

Hunter was found closer than expected. He lay curled in an awkward ball in a small clearing. The hounds circled him excitedly. Eric jumped off his horse and waded through the dogs, cursing fluently. Sookie and Dawson also dismounted and came quickly across the wet grass, as the rain began to fall harder. Eric set his lantern down beside the boy's head. Its light illuminated Hunter's whitened cheek, streaked with dirt and tears. Eric knelt and gently turned his nephew over.

The boy was breathing shallow, rapid breaths and he shuddered convulsively with cold as the rain began to beat heavily against his exposed limbs. His eyes remained closed. 'Hunter? Hunter!' The boy's lashes fluttered but did not open. Eric bent to raise him from the ground.

'Wait, my lord!' Dawson held his lantern high. 'His leg is broke. Best tie it afore lifting him onto your brute.'

Eric's mouth tightened as he gazed on the ugly wound, now swollen and black with bruising. He nodded abruptly. 'Find some suitable branches, Dawson.' Gently he lowered his nephew's shoulders back onto the ground. The marquess unclasped the stickpin that secured his voluminous neckcloth and stripped off the length of silk.

Sookie knelt beside her small cousin, not heeding the water that soaked her hair and riding clothes. Brushing aside his tumbled hair, she laid a cool hand against his forehead. 'He is burning with fever,' she said quietly.

Eric ruthlessly ripped his expensive neckcloth into lengths. 'He will be fortunate if he does not die from exposure,' he said grimly.

Dawson returned with two long branches that he had trimmed clean. Eric nodded to him and without a word exchanged the two men prepared to set the broken limb. Sookie took firm hold of Hunter's shoulders, dreading the moment that the leg was straightened. It was as bad as she thought possible. The boy's body rose under her straining hands. He cried out in a succession of rising screams and his hands tore frantically at her restraining arms. At last it was done. The boy went limp, sobbing pitifully.

Sookie sat back on her heels, shaken in every nerve, silently crying for the boy. Eric wrapped his nephew in his coat, throwing a glance at her as he did so. 'Are you all right, Susannah?' He asked worriedly. She nodded and got to her feet, turning away toward her horse. The marquess jerked his head at Dawson, who hurried to aid Sookie into her saddle.

With the boy held against his chest, Eric walked to his mount. He waited for Dawson and gave his nephew into the man's hold. Then he stepped into the saddle and reached down to once more take the boy. Eric settled Hunter as comfortably as he could before him in the saddle before he started the horse into a walk.

Hunter sighed. He knew that somehow he had been found and he was safe. He burrowed closer against the reassuring security of his uncle's body.

'Uncle Eric,' he breathed. 'I'm sorry. But you didn't say anything about trees.'

Eric looked down at the top of his unruly head. The worry he felt sharpened his voice to anger. 'My God, boy, what were you thinking of?'

The boy's eyes flew open and in a passing shaft of moonlight they were quite lucid. 'Papa. I was thinking of Papa.' His lashes drooped once more and his chin sank onto his chest.

When the search party returned to Hardgrove Chase the dinner hour had nearly come and gone. The marquess carried his nephew inside the house, leaving his mount to Dawson's care. Sookie followed him, pausing only long enough to give instructions to Jenkins, who met them at the door. The butler nodded and went at once to carry out his orders.

As Eric strode through the hall, Hadley came out of the drawing room at a rush. Her face was white and her eyes were large pools of anxiety. She exclaimed incoherently at the sight of her son lying limp and unmoving in his uncle's arms. His head had fallen back over Eric's arm and Hadley realised that he was unconscious. The maid, Amelia, who accompanied her, laid a calming hand on her mistress'arm, but Hadley shook her off. She caught up with Eric at the stairs.

'Eric! What has happened? Is he… Oh dear God…' Hadley could not finish her statement as she stared helplessly at her child. She pressed her hand to her mouth in an attempt to tamp down her fear. Sookie moved immediately to Hadley's side and wrapped her arm around her cousin's shaking shoulders.

'Dead? No, he is not dead! Out of my way, Hadley. He needs to be put to bed,' said Eric impatiently. He brushed past the women and quickly took the stairs.

'Hunter has suffered a broken leg, Hadley, and he was horribly soaked and chilled by the rain. Once he is warm and comfortable he will be fine,' Sookie said soothingly.

Hadley clutched her arm. 'With Remy gone and wondering everyday if he is safe, alive… Sookie, I… I could not bear it if anything should happen to Hunter. He and I are all either of us have right now.'

Sookie met Amelia's eyes and the woman nodded slightly. 'I understand, Hadley. I think it best if you go with Amelia now. It would not do for you to appear at Hunter's bedside just yet. Your tears would frighten him.'

Hadley dashed her hands across her eyes. 'You are right, of course. How incredibly silly of me. But Sookie – the doctor! He must be sent for.'

'I have already requested Jenkins send someone for the good doctor. Do go on, Hadley. I shall look in on Hunter myself and after I have seen him I shall come at once to you,' said Sookie.

Hadley nodded. 'Very well, I shall do as you ask. Thank you, cousin. You truly are a godsend.' She allowed Amelia to lend her support for the climb up the stairs.

Sookie did not match her cousin's slower steps but swiftly went up to her room to change out of her wet clothes. Tara was already waiting for her with towels and a dry dress at the ready. In less than five minutes, Sookie was at the nursery door. She pushed open the door and Eric looked up at her entrance but he did not address her. He was holding his nephew's hand. Tara followed swiftly behind Sookie carrying a clean nightshirt for Hunter. She asked the marquess to hold the boy whilst she put the clean shirt on him. Hunter was conscious. His lips were compressed and his small face tight. His limbs were nearly rigid and his body jumped at the least jar to his leg. At last the task was done and the marquess gently laid him down on the pillows. Hunter sighed in relief and turned his head aside to the wall.

Sookie came up to the bed. As best she could without touching the leg she studied the wound. It was inflamed and filthy and swollen. Sight of the fractured bone was almost obliterated by the traumatised flesh around it, but it looked to have been cleanly set. When she retreated from the bedside, Eric took her place, dragging a chair close so that he could sit beside his nephew. He took Hunter's limp hand in his own.

Tara, who had observed her mistress' frown, moved a little away from the bed to join Sookie. 'What do you think, Miss Sookie?' asked Tara quietly.

Sookie turned to her. Her low voice was crisp. 'It must be cleaned immediately, Tara. Already infection has set in. I shall have to gather some fresh herbs. The medicinal cabinet is woefully inadequate. Pray ask Mrs. Jenkins to heat some water. I shall need it to steep the comfrey and the catnip tea,' she said. Tara nodded and departed from the room.

Sookie was about to follow when her arm was taken in a strong grip. She looked up startled.

'What are you intending, Susannah? I warn you, I'll not have my nephew quacked,' said Eric harshly.

Sookie raised her brows. 'I do not intend quackery, Eric,' Sookie said calmly, knowing that the harshness of his tone was the result of his concern for his nephew. 'That wound must be cleaned a soon as possible if we are to prevent blood poisoning. I intend to apply a poultice of comfrey, commonly known as knitbone. Comfrey has been used since the Middle Ages to promote the mending of bones and reduce swelling of wounds. As for the catnip tea, it will aid in reducing Hunter's fever. Believe me, he will be much more comfortable for it.' She glanced down at Eric's hand. 'If you will release me, my lord, I shall be about my task.'

Eric stared at her, frowning. Vaguely he recalled from his childhood his nurse extolling the virtues of knitbone and other herbs. He was not certain that he placed much stock in herbal remedies as others did, but there was no denying that the teas Sookie made up for Hadley had been of benefit to his sister-in-law's nerves. And he too had recognised the insidious signs of infection in the flesh torn by the fractured bone. The very thought of blood poisoning left him cold, but he was helpless to do anything for his nephew except wait for the doctor to arrive. Sookie at least offered some sort of action and she was capable, dependable. He realized that he trusted her with his life, and by extension, Hunter's. Slowly he let go of her arm.

'Very well, Sookie. I trust you.'

'Thank you, Eric,' she said, squeezing his hand and giving him a small smile. For a moment, the two just gazed into the other's eyes allowing words, unspoken, to pass between them. With his free hand, Eric smoothed away a stray lock of hair which had fallen loose from the hastily tied bun at Sookie's neck. He stroked her soft cheek, taking comfort in her warmth. Eventually, he returned her smile, reluctantly releasing her a moment later.

With one last look at Eric, Sookie turned to the door and left the nursery, a smile still lighting her lips as she set about her tasks.

Review! Coming up: Tragedy, tension and definite lemons!