Thank you for being patient, the weather here has been an utter nightmare and we finally have power. Thank you so much for reading, alerting and taking the time out to review it. It means the world to me. You guys rock ;) Without further delay..

Sadness seeped from the emotional hostage crisis going on within me, and found itself free...in the waiting negotiator's arms- Eric. He wrapped his magnificently muscular arms around me, pulling me into him and squeezed. It was perfect. I feared if he said anything, I would have sobbed myself to death. Eric was perfect, without even trying or knowing. He knew when when to talk, when not to. When to touch, when not to. Gosh, I cannot lose him. Eric knew something was up, but thankfully he didn't speak, again. He knows me. I think he may know me better than anyone...even myself. He knew that when I was tight-lipped, I was thinking and trying to work it out myself. Resolving inner struggles was something that I've perfected...it took tons of work, but I'd rather war with myself than talk it out. He knew that all he had to do was give me some time and all would be back to rights. His little encouragements did wonders though; stroking my cheeks, neck or collarbone, butterfly kisses (see previous for locations), etc. Is far better and usually helped. His calming vibes were comforting too. Now that I'm a little more focused, I kiss Eric's chest and tell him that I'd like to get going to his house because I don't want it getting too late.

"I do believe you meant to say our house. Correct, wife?" He grinned as he collected me in one arm and grabbing my bag and purse with the other. I tensed up when he reached for my purse, but relaxed when I realized he wouldn't know what the Cluviel Dor is or what it can do. I guess I didn't relax quick enough. Eric looked at me quizzically and said, "Lover, I know you are up to something. Whether it is good or not, I cannot tell. Your emotions are running rampid, from one extreme to another."

Suddenly, we're at the back door- vamp speed. As I'm fumbling to get my keys from my pocket, Eric placed me down, kissed my cheek and flitted away. Probably bringing the bags to his car. I'm hit with comfort and love via the bond, now I'm able to compose myself. I proceed to lock the dead bolt, then jiggle the handle to make sure it's locked- normal. As I turn from the door, Eric kisses my forehead then drops his head, now we're eye level...so he can stare into my eyes? His eyes were different, but the same. I can't explain what those piercing/soft glowing blues were doing to me. Was he glamoring me? No, I didn't feel the tingles. But I felt much more. It felt like he was staring into my soul...like I was totally exposed, and not in the naked way. Naked would have been easier...welcomed...heck preferred. He was throwing me off my game, I can't wrangle my emotions...What the frick?.

Eric gently scooped me into his arms, cocked his head to the side, his hair fell, hiding some of his beautiful face. Without thinking, I reached, using my index finger, to move the golden locks that obstructed my view. I gently tucked them behind his ear, then traced my fingertips towards his jaw, where I caressed it with the back of my hand. He was so gorgeous. 'It really should be a sin to look this good', I thought to myself. Eric felt me. I simply thought things to myself, what he was doing was unfair. I was filled with comfort, love, and then the 'lust bomb' erupted inside me and there wasn't a single part of me that was unaffected. My insides were convulsing...my breath was ragged. I couldn't help, control, heck, even assist anything that was going on inside me. My face must have been twitching because Eric looked so amused staring at me. I wasn't amused. Not even a little bit. I know that I resided to only sending Eric love from my side of the bond, but he played dirty, so now, what he was going to 'feel' was something fierce.

I was trying to adjust myself in his arms, but he would have none of it. He kept me there, snug in his arms and there was no way I was getting out. He knew what I was feeling, he did it to me. When I could steady my breathing, I asked him what happened to me and he said, "Lover, I will tell you, once you have informed me of your feelings. Is this not fair? I tell you, you tell me- honesty, right? No lies...or half lies." His eyes were gazing into mine and this time, all I felt was love. Whatever happened to me a few moments ago was completely erased by the love he was sending. I knew he loved me. I guess I never realized the depths of his love...his feelings. Is this what he meant? That I could know him better than anyone else? He was playing unfairly again, and I let him know as much.

"Eric, you aren't playing fair." I grinned at him, not wanting to get into a deep discussion about my feelings. I laid my head on his shoulder, grabbed a handful of his shirt and took a deep breath before asking him, "Are we planning on leaving anytime soon? I don't want to rush through our evening. Do you?" I peeked up at him to see him grinning. I smiled and then, blam- we're at his car. He opened the door, placed me on the seat, buckled my seat belt, gave me a brief kiss and closed the door. I didn't have long to steady myself, so I just took another deep breath and eased my mind. He was starting up the car, and we were down the driveway (that he so graciously gifted me with, even before I was his) before I looked back at the house and said my final, mental goodbye. 'Don't tear up, don't cry now...' I thought to myself.

The drive to Shreveport was silent, but not in the bad way. We were both lost in our own little worlds. I knew what I was trying to suppress, but I didn't know what Eric was thinking about, and for once, it didn't bother me. Not after the love he showed, and let me feel. That was one thing that I knew Oklahoma would never get from him- his love. He would never be forced into anything, especially love. He ran from the feelings he had for me, just as I did. We were both a hot mess when it came to love. I thought I truly loved and was loved- I was totally wrong. Eric has never felt love...or the love he felt for me, I should say. He has said as much, and this time, I am going to believe him. Wholeheartedly. We were an excellent match. I loved him like no other and he did the same. I wasn't going to allow him to slip thru my fingers. Not again, not this time.

I was deep in thought when he startled me. "Sookie, I can feel your emotions, but I do not know what causes them. That, you need to tell me. Unfortunately, I am not a mind reader, such as yourself." He looked over at me, then back to the road before he continued. "You know of my abilities," he wiggled his eyebrows. I knew exactly what he meant. "so why not let me assist with what troubles you. Lover, what bothers you, enrages me. You are far more caring than I towards others. I do not like feeling like this. Is there anything I can do to end this?" He sounded like he was pleading with me.

"Eric, I do have a secret..." I started to trail, "but I need Pam's help, not yours. I don't want you seeing your gift before it's finished," I said honestly. "That's why I've been a little more weird than usual." I didn't have to tell him everything. Hopefully that would explain some of the emotions he felt from me...but not all.

"My lover, I do not want gifts from you. I want for nothing, anymore." He sent love my way and then continued, "You are the greatest gift I have ever been bestowed with. I am not so greedy as to expect anything more exceptional than you, my princess."

"Husband, that's not fair. You're not playing by any of the rules. Why can you give me presents upon presents, but I can't give you a single one?" I asked coyly. I wasn't about to try and get serious, not now. I wanted to enjoy our evening. Every single second of it.

"Lover, do you expect a very old and very powerful vampire to play by the rules?" He smirked.

"A gal can hope. But I guess that wouldn't be very smart, huh?"

"No, no it wouldn't. Although, now, I do find myself very intrigued as to what you want to give me. Why don't you tell me what it is and I can see if I find it agreeable." He was curious.

"Nope. That would defeat the purpose of it being a gift. You're not supposed to know what you're getting," I said in a playful voice.

"I see. How about hints? We can play that game, it has something to do with questions being asked...and you say whether I'm hot or cold. I have only heard of it, but it seems like it can be a compromise." He was fishing. 'Go fish' I thought to myself.

"Can't do that either, buddy." I chuckled. I knew how much he loathed those type of sincerities. He looked over at me, arching one eyebrow. I loved that look. I sent him some love and patience thru our bond. But he was still going at it, trying to get any information he could from me.

"Why not a hint or clue?"

"If I tell ya, I'd have to kill ya," I winked at him. His face went serious for a moment, I thought I was going to have to explain the saying to him. But that wasn't the case. He then bellowed out a hardy laugh, the kind that came from deep down. I loved that laugh. It was so contagious, I started laughing myself. Tears sprung from my eyes, and Eric swept them away with his thumbs before placing it in his mouth. He doesn't need to breath, but after taking my tears in, he closed his eyes and inhaled a deep breath before letting it out.

"I am glad those are tears of happiness and not sadness."

"Me too." I said sheepishly.

We were already turning into a parking lot before I realized it was Fangtasia's parking lot. I hadn't even noticed the bright neon sign. I instantly got all giddy and threw my arms around his chest, squeezing him real tight. If Eric were human, I probably would have broken a rib or two, but he didn't even flinch.

"Well, my lover, you must really be looking forward to seeing Pam. Just so you know, I do feel a little jealous that she gets that reaction from you. I thought I was the only one who can invoke such emotions," he pouted. I knew he was only kidding because he felt happy. I know it has to be a relief to him that Pam and I get along the way we do. She is my best gal pal, nowadays. I see her more than I see Tara, and I don't fault Tara or myself with that. She's got a family and husband now, and I'm just starting to grow and mature in the supernatural world. The world where I belong. The world that doesn't deem me crazy or stupid because of my 'gift'. Yep, gift. I have accepted that's what it is and I am more than mortal...more than human, anyway. There is no way that a mere human can go through the things, situations, etc. and still live. I know I've been helped out more times than I care to recall, but I have also saved more butts than I care to recall.

Eric parked the car, and got out to open my door for me. He can be such a sweetie when he wanted to be. This being one of those times. He held out his hand, I was feeling so comfortable, I let my guard down and took his hand. I wish I hadn't.

Instantly, I 'saw' dreadful, awful, despicable things being done. Torture. The images were in red, and the figures were fuzzy. I couldn't make out all the faces, but the one that I could make out, was in the center of the room. There was no mistaken who that could be. Eric! He was bound by silver, a stake was in the hand of the fuzzy figure, but I couldn't take 'seeing' anymore of this. I let go of his hand, and my knees buckled. I would have hit the pavement if he didn't catch me. I gasped. How come I didn't know this happened? Why didn't he tell me? I had all these questions, but couldn't dare ask them.

As he's helping me steady myself, he leaned and whispered, "You have seen it?" I follow his finger, he places it against his temple and taps it. He didn't say it out loud for fear that the other vampires might hear. 'Crap on a cracker!' I'm starting to freak out on the inside, but try my darnedest to be still on the outside. Anxiety, despair, fear, love are running through me now and I'm sure Eric feels it as well. I'm as still as a statue, frozen out of sheer fear, but Eric doesn't react the way I thought he would. He wrapped his arms around me, pulling me into him, until there is nothing between us. Being pressed against his cool body, makes me feel a little safer. He gives a final squeeze, buries his head into the back of my neck and whispers, "Sookie, my wife. I was testing you. I was remembering thoughts for awhile, but you didn't react until recently. I am sorry that you picked up on those particular thoughts, I was thinking for sometime and it was unfortunate that you 'saw' what I was thinking at that moment." He was combing his fingers thru my hair, never letting space creep between us.

Calm, love, lust, amazement, with some anxiety flooded me. Eric was sending his emotions, and not a moment too soon. I relaxed a bit.

"Lover, I would never harm you. You know this, yes?" I nodded and he continued, "I know this is new to you, too, but as you have stated, this could be a good thing." He dropped his head so he could look into my eyes. His were soft and glowing...I could have melted right there.

"I love you so much, Eric. I just need a minute, I'll be ok. But I would like to ask you about what I 'saw'." My voice was strained.

"I'll answer any questions you may have, my fairy princess," he kissed my lips and continued, "But only after you tell me what is going on with you. Fair?"

"Why do you pick now to play fair?" I winked as I said it, trying to keep it light. Not the night I had planned for us.