Eric insisted on taking me home and who was I to say no to him. He repeatedly told me he didn't care that we were spotted together. It wouldn't matter to him as he had nothing to hide, but I had everything to hide.

It had also occurred to me that Eric might have kissed me for the wrong reasons. It was safe to say that it had made me very confused. Did he like me for me, Serena, a human with special abilities; a mermaid which were thought to be extinct; or someone who happened to look like a former love. There were three options, and I wasn't sure which one I would rather want it to be.

Never before had I developed feelings for a vampire. While deep down something was still screaming that I shouldn't be in a car with him without protection, I also couldn't help but glance at his (very handsome) face every now and again, finding his eyes glued on my face.

I was lost when we returned home. What did the kiss mean? Would he kiss me again? What if our relationship put me at even more risk than I already was? What if he wouldn't be able to stop himself and he would accidentally bite me?

Potential scenarios were racing through my mind, until Eric opened the car door for me as he got there before me with supersonic speed. I felt my cheeks reddening as I wasn't used to this kind of chivalry.

We continued down the driveway and headed up the porch, stopping in front of the door. My heart started to race as various scenes of what could happen kept flashing through my mind. I was seriously debating inviting him in. The kiss left me wanting for more, and I knew Eric wouldn't say no.

I could tell he was aching as bad for me as I was for him. His eyes slithered up and down my body, taking in every inch while flexing his fingers as if he was repressing the urge to touch me.

But I couldn't. Kissing a vampire was enough excitement, thrill seeking and rule breaking for one night. So instead, I stood on my toes, and let my lips brush his ice cold cheek, which was enough to send tingles down my spine again.

"Call me when you have more information?" I said after opening the door.

Eric only nodded, and didn't leave until I closed the door behind me again and I was safely inside.

The following morning I was rudely woken up by my doorbell. As it sunk in that the bell wasn't ringing in my dreams, but in real life, I groaned and rolled out of bed. The sun was already up, and judging by the warmth pouring inside it was already late in the morning. This vampire business was really messing with my sleep schedule.

I slipped on my silk bathrobe, put on my slippers, and hurried down the stairs and towards the door. My breath must smell horrible, and my hair was probably a mess, but there had been no time to fix it as the bell kept on being rung impatiently.

"I'm coming," I said loud enough so whoever was on the other side could hear.

My fingers fumbled with the lock of the door and unlocked it, swinging it open to reveal to uniformed officers standing before me.

"Can I help you?" I asked distrustingly, ruffling my brows as I shifted my weight to one leg to prevent my robe from falling open.

"Uh, yes, ma'am," one of the police offers took a step forward and adjusted his tie. "We got an anonymous call that you were having some kind of problem. Has anyone been bothering you lately, ma'am?"

My heartbeat slowly increased. An anonymous tip? Why the hell would anyone inform the police about my stalker? I could get into major trouble over this, and so could Eric. The only other person than us two who knew what was going on was Sam. Had he really called the cops on me?

"Uh, no," I lied, forcing a smile on my lips. "Everything is fine."

I had no idea what Sam had told them. The cops didn't seem to believe me and continued to ask questions if someone had come to the house recently, or if I had received unwanted attention. Strange phone calls? E-mails with inappropriate content?

"I don't know who called you, but I assure you that I am absolutely fine," I said, trying my best to sound as convincing as I could.

"Well then," the officer said, finally giving in. "If someone happens to do bother you, you call us, okay?"

I nodded. "Of course."

"Have a fine day, ma'am," the other one said before they both spun on their heels and descended down my porch.

"You too," I said after them.

As soon as I heard their car drive away and it was all silent again, I hurried inside, threw my bathrobe on the ground and slipped into the nearest pair of shorts and a t-shirt I could find. Brushing my teeth and doing my hair had to wait for now.

I had a word to speak with Sam Merlotte.

It was too early yet for the bar to be open, but I knew where to find him. My car came to a halt with screeching tires, a cloud of dust forming behind my path. With my eyes set on his trailer I barged over. I couldn't believe he would do this. How could he put myself at risk like that?

I knocked impatiently on the flimsy door, and it didn't take long before Sam appeared.

"What are you doing here, Serena?" he asked, completely oblivious for the anger I was about to pour down on him.

"How could you do that?" I said, slapping his chests with both of my hands before I stepped inside.

Sam turned around and raised his arms in the air, shrugging slightly.

"I had to, Serena. You're living in a constant state of fear. Whatever is happening to you—it has to stop."

"And it doesn't stop with you calling the police!" I hissed. "What if they saw them at my house? What if they think I called them? Things will only get worse from now on."

"You don't know that," Sam hissed back, taking a step forward towards me. "I had to step in. I couldn't let them do this to you."

"I was taking care of it!"

My voice was growing louder as my blood was boiling. I knew Sam had meant well, but he had no idea what he had gotten himself into. The police should've never come to my house. They knew something was up now. Every time I would behave suspiciously, they would notice. And seeing as how there are always cops dining and drinking at Merlotte's, it wouldn't be hard for them to spot.

"Sam, you shouldn't have done this. Eric is leading the investigation, and I trust he will find out who it is. I don't need the cops breathing down my neck. They can't know what I am."

"Wait a minute," Sam said, ruffling his brows as he stroked his beard with his hands. "Eric? You mean, Eric Northman?"

I nodded.

Sam let out a giggle, but it wasn't because this was all very funny. He sounded like he couldn't believe I was placing my trust in him.

"Serena, you're a fucking mermaid. You shouldn't be hanging around vampires in the first place—let alone letting them do your business for you. What are you thinking?!"

"I know how odd it sounds," I defended. "But Eric isn't like the other vampires. He hasn't hurt me, and he cares about protecting the mermaid species. He's helping me, and I do trust him."

"You should let the cops handle this and get the hell away from that vampire, Serena," Sam warned. "I have never met a vampire who would help someone for anyone else but themselves. He's doing this because he wants to get a taste of your blood. He's going to get you killed, I have no doubt about it."

"Well," I started, throwing my hands up. "Let's just agree to disagree then. And I would very much appreciate it if you stop messing with my business. I had it all under control, Sam."

I spun on my heel, fumbled with the door of the trailer, and stepped outside. Before I left, I popped my head in once final time.

"Oh, I'm not coming in to work tonight. I gotta take care of this shitstorm."

It seemed to take ages before darkness fell. I occupied myself by catching up on my favorite tv shows (Game of Thrones and The Walking Dead) and cooking a nice dinner for myself, which I felt like I deserved and I now had the time for since I wasn't working.

Sam hadn't called me back, and when Merlotte's opened I got a text from the cook Lafayette asking where I was. I told him that I didn't feel good and I would be back tomorrow evening, but I had no idea if I was willing to see Sam again. I needed to take care of the cops knowing something was wrong, and I had no idea how long that was going to take.

When the sun was setting behind the trees, covering my garden into a blanket of redness, I tried to dial Fangtasia already. Even though I knew vampires couldn't be out until it was fully dark, I had a hope they might have employed a human who could pass the message along to Eric.

And against my expectations, someone actually picked up the phone.

"Fangtasia, how may I help you?" a female voice said on the other side of the line.

I was a little shook by the fact someone actually had picked up and I was now struggling with what to say.

"Uh, who am I speaking to?" I asked to allow myself a little more time to think.

"It's Ginger."

"Ah, Ginger. I was hoping to speak to Eric Northman?"

"Eric is not here yet since he's a vampire. Is there a message you want me to deliver?"

Although I could hardly judge over the phone, this Ginger girl didn't sound very bright. I couldn't believe she would start to make up conspiracy theories based on what I was about to tell her.

"Uh, yeah. Could you tell him to come to Serena's house? Tell him it's very important and that he comes as soon as possible."

"Who is Serena?"

"He knows who it is. Promise me you'll tell him that, Ginger."

Ginger promised and before I could get another word in, she had already hung up the phone.

I watched everything go from crimson to black on my porch. My leg was shaking uncontrollably, as my mind was racing. Even though Sam had betrayed me, I had to protect him from Eric. Imagine what he would do to him if he came to find out it was a shifter who ratted both of us to the police. Most supernatural species didn't like others, and shifters and vampires were no different.

A gush of wind blew through my hair and Eric was suddenly seated besides me on the steps. It made me jump ever so slightly, but I regained my composure as soon as my eyes met his.

"We have a problem," I simply stated.

"Again?" Eric asked, cocking one eyebrow as his face was dangerously close to mine.

"Yes. The cops have been informed that I am in trouble."

That made him lean back. For a moment he seemed to ponder the seriousness of the situation, but I quickly filled him in that they knew more than they should.

"They came to my house this morning, asking all kinds of questions. Even though I told them nothing was wrong, they were very persistent. They know something."

"How?" Eric demanded.

"An anonymous tip."

"It's the shifter, isn't it?"

I looked down and began to fumble with the hem of my t-shirt, suddenly very aware how I still hadn't brushed my teeth or combed my hair.

"Promise me you won't hurt him," I asked. "He only did it because he was worried."

"If it matters to you then I won't," Eric said, much to my surprise. "This can be solved easily enough. No violence should be necessary."

"What will you do?" I asked. Somehow with vampires, everything always ended in violence, no matter how hard they promised it wouldn't. They couldn't help it.

"I'll glamor the police, make them forget an anonymous tip ever came in. In the meantime, you'll have to take care of that shifter. Make sure he doesn't talk ever again."

"Believe me," I started. "I already took care of that."

By the way the corners of Eric's mouth curled into a smile I could tell he was impressed. He then turned himself to me and placed his lips on my forehead. It felt cold, yet warming at the same time and my heart fluttered like it had raced before.

"I'll be back in an hour. Will you wait for me?"

A/N: A big welcome to new followers! I've noticed a lot of new readers lately and it warms my heart to see so many people still interested in the True Blood universe :) Please let me know your thoughts and until next time 3