PART TEN

Chapter 24

They arrived at their manor house in their cozy and secure gated community. At first, they were relieved that they were seemingly alone in the house as they turned on the lights, there was no noises, nothing that was about to send any signal as to what was about to happen. Then there came a flash of light and there in the dining room appeared Aurora, flanked by Willa, Pam and even Ginger, who looked almost frantic.

"You're back and in one piece…the others got home just before you two did, though I ain't got a clue as to how they did it…"

"Our airlines are faster than human ones. Plus I was able to glamour the pilot to take us on a shorter route. Girls get things done faster then guys and I am no ordinary girl myself." Pam bragged as she gestured to the room, which, for the first time, Sookie was able to notice was decked out in sleek decorations of metallic red, silver and black balloons, some coordinating streamers woven around the room and the sleep black marble table was decked out in a blood red velvet tablecloth with New Blood-not in bottled form as well as cans-on its surface, along with fruit and veggie trays, pepperoni and other light refreshments for those who could eat human food.

"Wow…Pam…you went all out…." Sookie said.

Not really being one to give credit to where it was due, Pam relented. "Well it was mostly me….but Ginger did what I asked her when I called her and got things set up just in time." the look on her face as she spoke made it clear that it was hard for her to give credit where it was due but in this way, she had changed…..ever so slightly. "You're being pretty quiet….I even had the colors go with our color scheme at the bar…" Pam was addressing Eric, who looked distant, lost in his thoughts. And as her gaze went to Sookie's, the waitress took her by the hand and led her away from their small gathering and didn't stop until they had reached one of the rooms deep in the finished basement.

"He's…..alive…but not." Sookie finally said after a few silent moments pacing before the only other person that knew the Viking as well as she did. "That witch did a number on him worse than anything I have ever seen…..and I don't know what I can do for him…what any of us can do for him besides be understanding…..supportive. Loving."

Pam looked troubled. Truly and honestly troubled. "As soon as you walked into the house I sensed something wasn't right but I was hoping….." she trailed off. "I only wanted him to finally be happy….after everything he has lost, been through. But I agree with you. He needs us to get him through this. That being said, it may not be the best time to go about the business with your kid. I mean, I am sorry your grandfather is dying but….your man needs everyone on this. Including her."

Chapter 25

They returned to the dining room a short time later where there was scattered conversation between the addle brained Ginger, Willa and Aurora. But someone was missing and it only took a trip to the living room to discover where he had gone to. Aurora had wanted her chance to be with him alone and so she left her mother back with the others as she closed the double doors to the cavernous room behind her. The layout of the house was almost identical to the late Bill Compton's house and Eric had even conceded to Sookie that he had admired the layout of his former rival's home.

She walked over slowly to where he was stretched out on the long black leather sofa that was against the wall. Weapons from his past decorating the walls along with paintings that Sookie had picked out, pictures of serene forests and ocean scenes that popped on the recently repainted baby blue walls. The ceiling was white and had a sleek four tiered chandelier overhead, which could make the room as bright as day or as dim as twilight. The girl had let her long dirty blonde hair down and was dressed simply in a t shirt and jeans, nothing fancy after everything they had been through. "Hey dad…."

He stared at the ceiling still but then turned his head to look at her. "You know, I never thought I would hear those words directed at me….I mean technically, in a way I am Pam's father but….." he closed his eyes and sighed. "Life has certainly gotten more complicated than I had ever imagined it would….."

There was a silence and it hurt her that he seemed to not want to have a heart to heart with even her. But then he continued on. "I am proud of you, you know. You showed you have what it takes to be a leader. You were fierce. And if only we had you around when we had the whole hep v problem and the were problem and the witch problem….." Eric trailed off as he thought back on events that were still fairly recent and yet he had moved on from fairly quickly. "I am sure your mother gave you her blessing for the job and so do I."

"That wasn't why I came in here but thank you….I mean, I am scared and worried and it pains me that grandfather gave up so much to make those rings….but that it helped to save you in the end…." Aurora's blue eyes looked into those of her father. "I want to make you all proud of me and it is strange to think that not long ago I had the body of a five year old. Gotta love faerie biology. Though I have to say vamp biology isn't any less weird….." she smiled warmly, hoping to lighten the mood and seeing him smile back at him she was glad to see him sit up, scooting over to allow her to plant herself beside her. And for a long moment, they sat there, hands folded in their laps. But she couldn't help herself and knew there was certainly a less gruff, stoic, aloof side to her father and so she leaned her head on his shoulder and wrapped her arms around him. "I know this isn't over, that you went through something…terrible. But we are all here for you and even when I take the job in Faery, I won't ever be far away. And you can come whenever you-"

"I have too many painful memories of traveling to that place…though I would never rule it out going there, I would prefer being in this realm with you.

She was silent but cupped her hands around his face. She had only meant to comfort him and instead, a inner instinct took hold. It was this moment where so much was revealed to her about his storied past, was revealed to her. Had she held on to him longer, she would have known even more. Even she was taken aback by what she had done. It was more than telepathy, she had absorbed his past into her own mind everything she hadn't known about him and to an extent her mother, was in her mind now too.

"How did you…..you read my mind. I felt you in there." he said as she pulled away, looking equally shocked. "Sookie could never-"

"Maybe she can now with her being what she is….she and I are both of mixed blood….her powers were increased and enhanced, right? Stands to reason she could read your mind…..only by touching you. Because right now, I can't get anything from your brain. Nothing. The magic that caused you to exist as you are protects you to an extent I think."

"Another interesting revelation…." he said just as Sookie entered the room, and she had a stunned look on her face and tapped her ears, signaling that her super hearing had picked up at least this last part of the conversation.

"I didn't mean to eavesdrop, I was heading in her to see if you wanted anything but…..wow, I can't believe this. She and I can actually get into your mind?" Sookie's face was shocked but fell to neutrality when she remembered the real reason they were here. To relax, enjoy each others company. To help him cope, not jabber on and on about the latest in faerie magic.

"Like things are not weird enough already." Aurora said with a sigh. "Yet another day in our lives, something weird happening."

"I guess so….." Sookie said as she too tried to reach into his mind with her magic. But it was true, unless she was touching him, she was unable to read his thoughts, to copy memories into her own mind as Aurora had just inadvertently done. "Funny how in a heartbeat things can change forever….so many little heartbeats that have led us here. Not so much from your heart though." she gave him a wry grin and leaned her head against his silent chest. "Even though it doesn't beat in the way one would expect it to, it does work in the way that counts." Sookie said just as the others filtered into the room.

"I swear to god-if I believed in that stuff-you married a freaking Hallmark card. Sometimes she is still too sweet for my taste….so are you gonna hide in here all evening or are we gonna maybe go out and get something to drink….not that I have a problem with the New Blood-we made it, after all and it made us disgustingly rich-but maybe a trip out would do you some good? I for one, would love a good hunt and torture. Willa too I think….but no killing innocent humans, we know where to draw the line. Then again, maybe you'd rather step out for a nice….drink…unless you had plans with…." Pam looked from her maker to her sister in law, a sly look on her face, to which a still fairly sober and distressed Sookie managed a weak smirk.

"Maybe she's right….maybe…a good…hunt or fight….will get you back to-" Sookie trailed off as he shook his head and headed towards their basement living quarters.

"I need this." was all he said. "To take care of this now or I won't be any good to anyone." Sookie had a feeling that she knew where he was going and it was nothing less than what she would expect him to do when he was in a mood such as this, though never before had he been in such a funk as this. She had only hear about his deep depression experience before when Pam had hunted him down and this, they all knew, was worse even than back then. Everyone knew, save for Aurora.

"Where's he off to?" Aurora asked, having been alive for so much shorter a time then those around her and even her brief dip into her father's mind wasn't giving her even a hint as to his current mind set. The room, a place that he had specifically wanted built for him and was used so rarely and yet was needed, was not somewhere pleasant. Reluctant though she was to have it built, Pam had known better than to go against his wishes.

"To exorcize his demons….and let me tell you from experience, it is nothing you want to see." Pam said with a almost haunted look on her face.

TO BE CONTINUED