Eric landed solidly and gracefully in the front yard of Bill's homestead, regardless of the load he carried. Bill stepped back a few feet; Lydia collapsed on her ass and stared up at the two vampires. She wasn't physically exhausted but more than taken aback at the flight she had just taken from the East in three minutes flat.

"Lydia, have you eaten?" Bill asked, staring down at her with genuine concern, as if nothing was out of the ordinary.

"No," she muttered. "What just happened?"

Both vampires grinned, highly amused. Eric bent over and extended his hand. Reluctantly she took it, getting on her feet. "Bill will get you something to eat." Bill then shot Eric a look she couldn't ascertain.

"Look, guys. I have just had the night from hell—"

"Which was your own fault," Eric interjected.

"What?! Are you kidding me?"

"Bill?" A vampire rushed outside and stood beside him as she looked over Lydia. "Hi. I'm Jessica."

"Jess, can you start the running water in the tub, please, then go to the grocers for … Lydia, what would you like?"

She crossed her arms. "I want answers."

Eric shook his head at her stubbornness. "If you eat, you will get answers."

"How about I get the answers then I eat?" she proposed.

"How about you listen to me for a change?" Eric replied.

She narrowed her eyes at him, not used to not getting what she wanted. Turning to Jessica, she answered, "Fried chicken and potato salad."

Bill handed Jess some money before she ran back inside the house. He said, "Lydia, come inside, please. I'm sure you would like to get cleaned up." As polite and thoughtful as he was, Lydia didn't trust him, yet she couldn't put her fingers on it.

Before she could object again, Eric gently led her up the stairs and into the foyer, where they followed Bill upstairs to the main bathroom. "There are towels in the closet. I think you and Jess wear the same size. I'll get something you can change into."

After he walked out, Lydia stood there in shock. Bill returned with clothes and closed the door behind him. Not saying a word, she removed her torn, dirty clothes and threw them on the floor. Eric did the same then got in the tub, stretched out his legs and put his elbows on the sides. "Ms. Caldwell, those goose bumps and perky nipples of yours won't go away on their own. It's much warmer in here."

Her brain was beginning to grow numb as the steam rose in the room, and the events of the past several hours had already gotten to her. Getting in very carefully, she sat between his knees and leaned forward. He dipped his hands in the water and brought them to her back, slowly running them up and down, gently kneading her tight shoulder muscles. She moaned quietly under her breath as his strong fingers melted away the tension.

Pushing her forward, before she even realized what was happening, he took the back of her head and dipped it under the water just enough to get her hair wet. He put shampoo on her head then gently massaged her scalp, evoking another small moan from her. After rinsing her hair, his fingers curled over her shoulders, and he pulled her back to him until she was flush against his chest. She rested her head on his collarbone, completely drained, though her mind was working overtime with all the questions she had. Grabbing the washcloth and soap, he buffed it until it was sudsy, took her right arm and wiped it down gingerly, then did her left arm before every so slowly washing the rest of her.

A few minutes later she was clean and content, lying against him, her eyes closed. "Eric, I'm sorry."

"You should be."

"How did you know where I was?"

"It was obvious."

"Yeah, I guess. Why didn't you change me when you found me?"

"Because I wanted it on my terms."

"Hmm, that's obvious." Her body shook with his chuckle.

"Guys? I've got your food, Lydia," Jessica hollered from behind the closed door.

A few minutes later they joined Bill and Jessica in the living room, Lydia looking around amazed at all the expensive furniture and antiques before she sat down on the couch. Her mouth watered at the tray with a plate of food, and she promptly began to eat.

"Eric, do you need me?" He nodded his head. Turning to Bill, she asked, "Is it okay if Willa and I go clothes shopping?" Bill said yes. "Cool!" She approached Bill, putting out her hand. "Can I have an advance on my allowance?"

"You've already had three, and it's only the 19th," Bill replied.

"Oh, you're no fun," she whined.

"Well," he said as he pulled out his wallet. "If it'll get you out of my hair."

"Oh, goody!" she exclaimed, clapped once, gave him a quick kiss on his cheek and ran out of the room to change.

Bill sat down in the recliner next to the chair Eric was sitting in. "I trust the food is to your liking?" Bill asked.

Lydia nodded, taking a sip of the iced tea. "Thank you." Sitting back, she clutched her knees closely to her chest. "So, does anyone care to tell me what the hell happened?"

Bill grinned then looked at Eric. "You've got your work cut out for you."

Lydia shot a glare at Bill and snapped. "And who are you again?"

"He's the one that helped rescue your ass, and if you don't show him some respect—"

"Bill, I'm sorry. I don't like not knowing what's going on."

"I understand. I am King of Louisiana, and Eric asked me for my assistance."

"I didn't ask, Bill. You owed me," Eric corrected. "I knew when they took you, Lydia, but I could do nothing, it being daylight."

"How did you know?"

"I'd had your blood. We can feel the human's emotions once we've tasted their blood. I felt your fear."

She sighed. "Seems there's a bit more about you vampires that isn't online."

"Christian had your blood, did he not?" Eric asked.

"Yes, but he wasn't quite straightforward with everything about vampires. Why didn't you kill Jacob?"

"Didn't need to," Bill answered. "I knew of his reputation and his past, a great benefit for any rival king. I just kindly reminded him of them."

"What was in the case on his desk?" she asked, stifling a yawn. The two vampires looked at the other, both hesitating to answer. "Oh, don't do this, don't block me out now."

Eric didn't answer, so Bill did. "It was the money he wanted."

Her head jerked back. "What did you say?"

"Lydia," Eric said, "Jacob Gooding is a vicious ruler. He would not accept our … enticement of simply going to the Magister. He wanted more."

"You fucking bought me?!" she exclaimed.

"We saw it as a … business proposition," Bill said.

"Bill," Eric warned firmly.

"Sounds more like I was nothing but a piece of meat." Her voice had turned rife with anger.

Leaning forward, Eric said, "I wanted you back."

Her eyes flew open, and she stood up, running her fingers through her still-wet hair. "You want. Bill wants. Jacob wanted. What about what I want?"

"You are alive," Eric pointed out.

"Yes, at the cost of what, three million dollars?!"

"Okay, I'm—" Jessica had just come down the stairs to say goodbye, when at the mention of the money she stopped and stood in the doorway.

"Actually," Bill interrupted, "The money was counterfeit."

Frowning, she said, "Great, just great. And what do you think he'll do when he finds out he was ripped off? I can bet you he won't come after you!"

"Lydia, might I remind you I will be changing you so that you will be able to protect yourself, just as you wanted?" Eric answered.

"No," she mumbled.

"No, what?" Eric asked.

She looked him dead in his eyes. "No, you won't change me. I might have disobeyed you, Eric, but you betrayed me. Which is worse?"

She turned to walk out the door but was stopped by Eric. "Might I also remind you that you were the one that asked me to change you. It was your decision."

"Right, it was my decision, my choice," she spat, her hands on her hips. "And now I choose to stay human. I'm dead either way." Her voice croaked as she tried to keep back her tears.

"Lydia, listen—" Eric started.

She ignored him as she raced past Jessica and out the door. "Eric, should I get her?" she asked.

"No," Bill said. "Eric, let her go." Eric turned and glared maliciously at him and about to speak when he finished, "She'll be back."

"Oh, I see Lilith's god-like powers are returning?" Eric hissed angrily.

Bill went to Eric. "No, but I have never seen you this taken with a human … since Sookie."

"Fuck," Eric grumbled.

He had to admit that maybe Bill was right, although he hated that fact. All she needed was time, time to sleep and time to think. Maybe she would be back. Maybe, just maybe.