Authors note: Just wanted to thank everyone again for the wonderful reviews, really appreciate them. Its a good thing to feed the writers, lol. But I just wanted to say, this chapter moves a little slower, its more of a building block chapter, which is heading towards more action in the next, so please bear with me if your an action buff, like me. Oh and theres a little bit of fluff and some sex too. Hope it wasnt overkill. ;) Anyway, please enjoy and thanks for reading! :D

Chapter 10

Sookie dropped her bags tiredly. They had been driving for 3 ½ hours, they made it to the hotel in Baton Rouge at record speed with Eric and his lead foot driving and she collapsed on the bed.

"I am so tired."

Sookie exclaimed. She insisted that she work the day shift today to help Sam out before she left on her trip and then she had to run home and pack what she could. Sookie, Eric, and Bill traveled down to Baton Rouge together. Bill was also working on a project for the Queen, which she and Eric had not yet been privy to learn yet. Of course riding in a car with her ex and her current boyfriend was certainly not a vacation, not to mention they were both vampires. She practically had to stick herself between them a few times to break up their stupid pointless arguments. Just like a couple of old men, all they did was go in circles. And of course Eric was also quite the antagonist, Sookie learned. She almost felt Sorry for Bill until she realized he gave just as good as he got.

Really it was like dealing with two children. Sookie thought.

"Well let me relax you further my lover." Eric replied sitting down next to her on the very plush bed. They were staying at the Marriott on the river walk. He took her foot in his hands removed her sandal and began to rub her instep.

Sookie sighed in content too weak and too tired to protest, but as his hand gently moved up her ankle and calf, she quickly saw where this was going and remembered how he behaved in the car and how she supposed to be too dead tired to start anything, not to mention she was pretty sure Bill was in the next room and she raised herself up to her elbows remarking…

"Don't think I'm going to forget about our road trip so easily Mister, or your naughtiness!"

"Who said anything about forgetting? So Bill has to redo all of his area registration papers because his house is technically not yet owned by him, not my problem…" Eric replied with that famous cat that ate the canary smile. Sookie knew full well he was enjoying every minute of this as he turned towards her and began to brush his lips lightly over her shoulders….

"Lover you seem tense." Eric remarked as his cool hands replaced his lips.

"Ah yeah ya think? No thanks to you!" Sookie retorted casting him the evil eye, but Eric just smiled. And he answered brushing his fingers over her sides and under the hem of her tight tank top…

"Well then its only fair that I remove that tension I gave you."

Eric's eyes locked on hers for a moment and before Sookie could even protest or stop it he had yanked up the hem of her top up off over her head.

"This wasn't the kind of relaxing I had in mind." Sookie replied weakly her eyes fluttering as his fingers brushed her warm skin and the tips of her breasts. She was already a puddle at his feet.

He was laying next to her and he brushed aside her long blonde hair exposing her neck as he pushed his tongue through his fangs and licked her jaw line lightly while Sookie clung to his large arm. She already felt hot for him, damn that Eric! Sookie's mind cried but then his hand dipped down into her skirt and he replied lowly…

"Lover, if you let me help you, all your problems will melt away."

She moaned instead and then blinked as his hand neared her dampness, skirting inside her panties she felt his fingers push inside and begin to stroke her. Yes her bad boy certainly had the charm thing down. If anything her tiredness added to the pleasure, she couldn't struggle or break free or assist him, but she found herself wanting more, craving more of him.

It didn't help that she could feel his lust for her through the bond, not to mention his wet mouth on her breasts as he folded into her twisting and twirling his fingers...

"Eric." Sookie whimpered- his name coated her lips.

And as she felt her body crescendo and arch to him as she neared her peak, Eric kissed a trail down her abdomen and upper thighs, scattering kisses here and there, and then he pushed her panties aside replacing his fingers with his tongue.

Sookie writhed in pleasure, she was so near, now shocked into submission because of the change in pace, but Eric knew what he was doing, he was a master at what he was doing, as she moaned his name again, as she felt her body climb its peak rapidly....

"Oh Eric!"

And then he brought his fingers back and bit into her femoral artery, as the blood vessel burst and filled his mouth, Eric savored her sweet taste. Sookie cried out his name once more in the moment of contact as he brought her over her lucid edge in painful pleasure. And Eric smiled in satisfaction of his work. He licked away the blood and healed her.

Hungry for more after feeding on her, having his fill, tasting her taste and smelling her sexual scent, and even more horny now he brought his head up and caught Sookie's glint. She knew just as well as he that he wasn't done by a long shot, and she didn't want him to be done. In the space in between, she reached out for him and he pounced, taking full advantage of the situation, she helped him rip off the rest of his clothing and he hers, and then his lips were on hers and they rolled around on the bed for a moment fighting for a position. The rest was just second nature.

Her long hair cascaded over her shoulders in waves and she felt like Aphrodite with her Adonis. Eric's hands cradled her ass as she moved over him and then she leaned in and kissed him. The kiss was full of heat and life, and something else; something was different this time, Sookie thought, as her tongue brushed his. Pulling back she raised her head and was shocked by what she saw. Her palms pressed to his chest, his hair still golden, but his eyes were the deepest shade of blue she had ever seen, and his skin, his skin was warm and smelled salty, it was no longer pale, not even pink, but he had an actual golden tone, as if he had been out in the sun, as if he was….Human! She thought.

Sookie didn't understand how these visions seemed to come to her more frequently. As if Eric himself was reaching out to her, begging for her help. Eric pulled her back down for another kiss, his tongue licking her lips and she could taste his sweetness. Her tongue brushed against his and she realized on top of the sweat and other smells of sex, his fangs had disappeared, and most disturbing of all as her hands fell flat against his chest, she felt his heart beat rapidly below.

Sookie jerked back and took a full look at him, needing to know it was just her mind playing tricks on her, but when she looked this time, Eric was clearly back to his vampire self. The thudding was gone; his skin now ran cool, and his face pale. She couldn't explain it. She closed her eyes trying to shut it off, it wasn't what she wanted, and she just wanted to enjoy the feeling of making love to Eric. But it was as if the gods had decided to spite her themselves, the harder she pushed it out of her mind the harder it pushed to get back in. As Eric flipped her over on her back and they climbed their final peak together, she saw that woman again, the woman with black hair and green eyes, and it wasn't just a flash or a laugh or labor even, she was seeing her naked and in the throws of passion, through Eric's eyes now. No no no, this was not happening! Sookie thought frustrated. She would not stand for this, there were some things she was willing to put up with but watching him screw someone else while doing her, no way! Before Sookie could put up a fight and put a stop to it however, she felt her body betray her and give way to the pulsing orgasmic aftershocks.

Damn him! Was Sookie's last thought before she was blinded once more, this time a thousand lights of every color flashed across her eyes crying out in ecstasy as she found her own elysian fields of nirvana like bliss.

"That was amazing lover." Eric replied several long moments later, his cool breath brushed against her cheek and then like two magnets, his lips found hers in a sexually tantalizing post coital thank you very much for making me feel this way and I hope we can do it again very soon, kind of kiss. Sookie felt the haze of lust rush through her all over again and she almost forgot about what she had gotten so worked up before, almost.

Oh no, not this again! She thought catching herself hot in the act. And once Sookie got her breath back, she finally asked him…

"Who is she?" Sookie asked gently pulling back, she met Eric's gaze and turned on her side to face him. Eric met her look with a question as he watched her fingers paint invisible circles over his chest, Eric could tell this was not pleasant for Sookie and she asked him apprehensively, daring to meet his gaze…"Who is Cora?"

He looked back at her reluctantly, Sookie could tell this was a touchy topic for Eric, she debated even whether or not she should have brought it up, she didn't want to make it worse, but she didn't want to see that other woman while they were making love either, needing to understand what she was seeing. His gaze was filled with hurt and pain; she could feel what Eric felt through the bond when she brought up that name. She knew this woman was someone close to Eric. Waiting on baited breath for him to run off, or better yet tell her to get out, but she waited patiently.

"You…you could read my mind?"

Eric asked Sookie in astonishment, not thinking she was able to do that. And damn, Sookie thought, she really slipped on that one. More upset with herself now for disclosing that little secret instead of what she had seen Eric doing she replied nodding her head…

"I can see some things."

She looked back at him not really wanting to elaborate right now, she was more curious about the answer to her question, wanting to get away from what just happened and concentrate on why it just happened, and she searched his gaze in desperation. Challenging him.

Finally after what felt like an eternity, Eric graced her with a reply…

"She was my wife, when I was a human."

Sookie closed her eyes, it all clicked for her now, how she could see him as a human man, how she saw them with kids, living in a home together, in labor. It hurt her too.

Great, now I have to compete with a dead woman. Just great! Sookie thought, realizing if Eric was still thinking about her after 1000 years or more, she had to be something special. There was no way she could compare.

"You must miss her?" Sookie replied softly, feeling all of the sudden like she was yesterday's stale bread and then she looked back at Eric. What she saw next nearly broke her heart, he was crying, they were blood tears, and they were running down his face. Never in her wildest dreams did Sookie ever think she would see Eric cry, let alone make him, he just wasn't the type, he was her strong warrior, her Braveheart.

It made her sad to see him like this, casting all her hard feelings aside Sookie reached up and brushed her thumb over his blood stained cheek. Eric looked back at Sookie for a moment, stuck in time as he remembered her and he looked back at Sookie and replied…

"That was the last time I was ever in love."

He blinked once trying to shrug it off, but Sookie could tell, it was obvious infact, that this hit him hard. Love was the thing that could turn this vampire into a puddle of mush.

"I'm sorry." Sookie offered softly not quite knowing what else she could say. She wanted to know how they parted desperately, when he got married, how many children he had, but didn't know if she should ask. She had already made Eric cry tonight after all.

But to her surprise he offered her a brief explanation….

"She was taken from me in child birth. Right before…Before I was turned."

Sookie looked down at her hand that was subconsciously stroking his navel as she rested in his arms, she closed her eyes and took a deep breath in, showing her sympathy through physical support and respectful silence, and Eric admitted…

"I haven't thought of her for many many years.."

Sookie looked down at the blood smeared on her fingers sadly, feeling very melancholy. She knew the anguish and pain Eric was feeling and she herself felt quite lost.

Eric pulled himself together, not wanting Sookie to see him as weak as vulnerable. But it wasn't something he could help. He wasn't embarrassed. But as Eric looked back at her with head hung, he knew there was something more. He could feel Sookie coiling away through the bond.

Lifting Sookie's chin so she could meet his gaze he voiced his thoughts out loud…

"I didn't think of her again until I met you Sookie."

Sookie blinked back at him in confusion, trying to understand what this meant. But Eric, to her surprise, bestowed her the courtesy of an explanation….

"I think it's because my love for her was akin to my love for you."

How could she walk away from that? Sookie wondered, her heart melting once more. He did it again, went and surprised her by throwing another one of his devious curve balls. She was fully prepared to find out how Eric's heart could never be caught again, how she was nothing like this other woman, how this couldn't be love, it was just a good time. But all those thoughts of doubt were chucked out the window now. How could she stay mad at him for telling her he loved her as much as he loved his dead wife?

The answer was simple.

She couldn't.

She wanted to know more about Eric but thought deep down, she had gotten enough tonight. It wasn't enough to fill her up but enough to wet her appetite. She knew there had to be children in there somewhere too, she saw at least 2 or 3 the last time, but Sookie wasn't ready for that. Not yet. Especially knowing that she and Eric could never have children of their own, he could never give her that. On those sad lonely nights when she had imagined her future and a little boy and girl, to watch over each other just like she and her brother in their younger years, but seeing them grow up with healthy and happy parents. It hurt to think that that kind of a future would never be possible with Eric, so it was enough for now.

Eric could sense Sookie's sadness and as his hands caressed her cheek he asked her…

"What is it lover?"

Sookie didn't want to think about sad things anymore, she had experienced enough sadness to last her whole life so instead she leaned up and kissed his cheek. The metallic blood stained her lips and as his arms wrapped around her she began to clean him off with her tongue.

This action made Eric very hot, and he quickly forgot what he had just asked Sookie.

"Lover?" His words were on the tip of his tongue, as Sookie became impassioned with her growing desire, and she kissed his mouth. And then she kissed along his neck and down his torso, and down further still. Until she found a way to make Eric scream the way he had made her.

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In the next room, Bill tried to cover his ears but he knew it was useless. That prick Eric was doing this on purpose, he thought spitefully.

"Asshole!" He muttered angrily, and tried to turn up the volume on his television, but with his vampire hearing, there was nothing he could do. Bill decided to turn off the TV and make a call down to the lobby...

"This is Bridget, how may I help you?"

"Hi yes, I'm in room 425, do you have any other rooms open on the West side, no windows?"

"I'm sorry sir, we're all booked up this weekend, perhaps if you check back tomorrow night?" She replied and Bill sighed, trying to be polite, now they were both making grunting sounds through the wall, and he replied sharply...

"Yes, I will do that, thank you!"

And then Bill hung up the phone. And went over to his laptop. He had a special assignment from the Queen, which was to build a master database of all of the vampire names and locations in America. And after that, if his efforts were successful, he would branch out internationally. It was the one thing that actually excited Bill and kept him feeling motivated and happy. He felt like he had a purpose again.

He clicked on his browser and linked onto the Areas 1-5 license and registration

Listing. Bill despite not liking technology actually had developed quite the talent for computer networking and programming. He searched for all of the new residents recently registered in Baton Rouge in the last 6 months. Apparently Queen Sophie said that's when she noticed her paintings had begun to disappear about 4 or 5 months ago. So Bill started from there. Since they already had a lot of the data collected for Louisiana vampires, he could search by profession, residence, areas of interest, physical descriptions, resumes, blood type preference, coffin registration code. So Bill typed in a search under 'art dealers + antiques + paintings + artists +curators,' in hopes of finding something.

Surprisingly, there weren't many Vampire art dealers in Baton Rouge, infact not any that listed themselves as a dealer professionally, but there was an art gallery. One owned by 3 vampires and they had several human employees as well. The gallery was called 'The Crimson Moon Art Gallery' and it was co-owned by Beatrix Leclerc, August Whittaker, and Cleo Caspers. August and Cleo were artists who filled the gallery with their work and Beatrix was the gallery manager.

Bill figured perhaps with Sookie's help, they could find more out about their backgrounds, what their specialties were, possibly posing as a prospective buyer she could read the minds of the humans who worked around them and see if she could pick up anything. Bill honestly didn't know why Eric was here, other than to be her bodyguard, which he himself was more than capable of doing. He flipped his eyes again thinking about Eric's arrogance over the whole thing. He wasn't entirely convinced Eric didn't just steal Sookie right out from under him, but Bill knew he would never be able to prove that. Eric was too smart for that. No if there was anything there with Eric, Sookie would just have to find out for herself, the hard way.

He looked up at the wall dividing them realizing it had grown quiet and Bill shook his head in disbelief…

"Finally."

He muttered. He wondered if Sookie was still alive even or Eric had just fucked her to death. At least when he was with her he didn't wear her out all night. But that was in the past, if he kept thinking about it he would make himself miserable, so he just decided to forget it. Bill went back to his computer and wrote down all of the names, business address and residences. He figured maybe he could get a head start tonight and scope out the gallery, that way when Sookie went in tomorrow, she'd be more aware of what to expect from them, things would be safer. Bill transcribed the 3 names and gallery address down on a duplicate page of hotel stationary and put it in an envelope. He went down to the lobby and left the envelope with the concierge and requested that she give this to Miss. Sookie Stackhouse who was staying in room 427 tomorrow morning.

Bill didn't want Eric to get his hands on it first, and he figured this way, it would be just for Sookie's eyes. She wouldn't have to worry about Eric meddling that way and Bill could prove to her what an asset he could be if she put her faith in him. He added a note at the bottom just for Sookie…

Ill try to be up early, drop by my suite if you want to talk.

-Bill

And then he sealed the envelope. On his way out the door, Bill felt a chill in the air and thought it was strange seeing as there was not a cloud in the sky. He wondered if a storm would be rolling in soon. And then he made his way to scope out the gallery.

To his surprise "Crimson Moon Art Gallery" was a large old Victorian house, not uncommon to the Louisiana landscape, it had a 6 gabled roof, with a cone topped tower and a large porch that wrapped around the entire house. The house itself was purple with light blue shutters and was adorned with bougainvillea and magnolia trees throughout the yard. He actually thought the place looked rather comical, like it belonged in a storybook, but it had a certain charm to it.

Going up to the door quietly Bill peeked inside. It looked like the lights were out. Probably they had all gone home for the night. It would be sunrise in a couple hours. Bill was well aware it was after 3am, but they were vampire's just like him and he figured it would be safer for Sookie if he found as much first hand information as he could ahead of time so it would be easier for Sookie to get her own intel. From Vampire to vampire, they wouldn't customarily have a problem, but if a human came around, a human telepath with fairy blood, well that was a whole different story. Which is why they had to be very careful here.

Bill rang the doorbell, already prepared with a cover story. That he was here on behalf of his pet, he wanted to surprise her with a painting but wanted to see what they had to offer first before he brought her. Bill figured Eric wouldn't be too pleased with that story, but Bill really didn't give a rats ass what Eric thought. He wasn't helping any now; he was taking care of his own needs, when the Queen specifically asked him to do this assignment. Bill shook his head not wanting to think about it anymore. If he did it would just make him angrier.

He rang the bell again and there was no answer. Bill went around to the side to peer in the window and he saw nothing. Sighing he didn't want tonight to be a wash. He wanted to get something to help Sookie and have something to rub in Eric's face to prove reinforce his insubordination. Bill used his vampire speed to circle the rest of the house, and as luck would find it, one of the windows in the back had been left open. Bill reached his arm in and popped off the screen easily enough and slipped inside.

When he got his bearings, he found himself in one of the main gallery rooms; there were paintings from floor to ceiling and some even displayed in walls dividing each room. He would have never guessed standing outside that the inside looked so polished and clean and pristine. The paintings were mostly abstract with some impression tossed in. Art was more of Eric's forte, so Bill wondered if possibly the older vampire couldn't be of some use with that aspect at least.

He crept silently up the stairs into the overhead area. These rooms seemed more like offices and private studio spaces and Bill smiled to himself. Just what he was looking for. He saw one of the offices on the end, and used his vampire sight to find the file cabinets. He walked over and pulled on the drawer but found them to be locked.

"Damn" Bill muttered. Looking around for a set of keys, he couldn't find any so he knocked the file cabinet over in an attempt to dislodge the lock. Much to Bills dismay it had worked. He took out the spilled files and tried to read their labels, he found a file for sold merchandise. Eric had the list of stolen paintings so if Bill could give him the receipt book they could compare.

Bill slid the ledger in his jacket and looked around for more. He pulled a few other files, but that's when Bill heard a key rustle in the lock in the door downstairs. He figured he should get out of here, he had a cover story for if he had met any vampires, but now that he was already in the house and rummaging through their files, he thought it best to leave unnoticed. Unfortunately that was harder to do for a vampire since they could smell everything. Bill looked at the upstairs window as he felt another vampire presence. He quickly undid the window clasp and slid out onto the roof. Jumping down without a sound Bill made it back to the street undetected when a large van came speeding down, tires screeching to a halt in front of him. Bills gut reaction was to run the other way, but before he could the door slid open and he was pulled inside the darkness.

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Sookie awoke from her night of sexual bliss with a smile on her face. She had never known what it was like to be so physically and emotionally connected to someone at the same time. With Eric it was never about just the sex, it was almost how they communicated, in a beautiful physical language all of their own. The fact that she could see into his mind sometimes only deepened that connection for her. She turned around feeling his hard body pressed up against her along with a very solid arm wrapped around her naked waist and she had never felt more safe and secure. Sookie only wondered why they couldn't have had this kind of relationship back when Rene was chasing her. Oh that's right, she was in one of her I hate Vampire swings back then. Sookie smiled to herself and looked back at Eric's still face.

She certainly didn't hate vampires now. Sookie smiled and rested her head on his naked chest. It was true there were some things she wished Eric could do, like breathe for one, or move in his sleep more or be warmer, but she found if she held onto him long enough her body heat took some of the edge off his chill and he almost felt human. If it wasn't for Eric being a vampire, things would be perfect. Sookie thought.

She looked at the alarm, feeling lazy; it read 11:56 a.m. Yes she was starting to get used to vampire hours, Sookie thought, not so sure if that was a good thing. She had to work on her investigation, but Sookie figured until Eric and Bill were up, she was pretty much on her own.

Sookie groaned feeling responsible she knew she should get up and at least walk around and learn the geography of the town. Bill said he would get back to them on where to start, and Sookie knew she couldn't do any real work until the Vamps were ready, but she wasn't one to slack off. She was a hard worker and wanted to stay ahead of the game.

Sookie looked back at Eric and kissed his lips lightly, replying softly…

"I'm getting up."

Even though Sookie wasn't sure if he could hear her, she didn't want to leave him with out saying something. She watched him in his stillness, and couldn't help but smile to herself, thinking whoever coined the phrase…

'Dead to the world' must have known a vampire.

She got up and brought some clean clothes with her into the bathroom. After she was dressed and ready, Sookie grabbed her purse and was off. She cast one look over to Bills room feeling regretful about last night, she was sure he had known what they were doing. And of course when Sookie got down to the lobby and the concierge caught her and handed her Bill's letter she felt even worse. But he did provide her with some useful information.

Sookie was bound and determined to be worth her salt and so she decided to discover what the city Baton Rouge had to offer her. And when she was done, maybe she and Bill could have that talk they never quite got to finish. She owed him that.

--------------

When Sookie got back to their room, she saw her boyfriend sprawled out on the bed again. Well vampires did move but just rather slowly. She was reminded of the day after she was attacked, how Eric had dropped by unexpectedly to save her and spent the night. Yes she had fun hiding him from her concerned friends the next day. But as always he made himself at home quickly. She wondered if it was a vampire thing, but then again, Bill was rather slow to incorporate himself into Sookie's life. In retrospect now she thought it might have been guilt, it was clear Bill was sorry, Sookie knew that much. She was hoping to catch him before Eric woke up, but he was apparently still resting. That didn't bother Sookie one bit, cause now she had to wake a certain someone up. She smiled back at Eric with a wicked smirk of her own. It seemed Eric was rubbing off on her. She decided since she was stuck here anyway, indulging in the last few lazy minutes of light that she could have fun with her non-human boyfriend. Even if it was just out of pure wickedness. But she did need them to get up soon. Sookie was feeling impatient; they had to get this show on the road.

She walked over to the bed and removed her wet coat, it had been raining outside and she was not prepared at all for the downpour. Sliding into bed along side him she pressed her body up to his. She knew they didn't have time, she thought she would tease him instead and took his strong hand in hers.

Sookie had found a feather from inside one of the pillows. They must have gotten a little carried away last night and accidentally split the stitching on one. And she brought the feather up along his breastbone. She danced the feather over his lucid shining skin painting circles and swirls, and then she brought it up to his cheek and finally brushed it under his nose. Now she hadn't yet seen a vampire sneeze, but Sookie was intent on proving beyond a shadow of a doubt whether or not that was even possible as she waited for a nose twitch, her lips curved up, when she saw his lip move in reaction to her feather, but just as fast as a blink, his eyes flashed open, fangs extended and he had her wrist clenched in his fist.

Sookie's eyes widened in fear for a moment not sure if Eric was really Eric or he was in his vampire predator mode, he didn't seem to recognize her, she should have known better not to wake a sleeping vampire.

"Eric, Eric, its me Sookie!"

She tried to alert him and get him to snap out of it, her heart pounding in her chest, his grip was really strong and his eyes were scary and hungry.

And he took her other hand flipping her over onto her back, causing Sookie to shriek. But then his look was gone, and Eric replied with a relaxed smile of his own…

"Lover, you should know there are better ways to wake a vampire up."

"Eric!" Sookie exclaimed whacking his arm, now that it was clear she had been punked, she realized he had scared the living tar out of her and she proclaimed…

"I…" But before she could continue Eric's lips had smashed over hers and Sookie gave up the fight. She supposed she deserved that seeing as she was acting like she was 5 years old minutes earlier and then he replied with a smirk…

"Payback is a bitch isn't it?"

And then Sookie couldn't help but laugh as she kissed him again. Her hands came up to cup his strong jaw as he began to unzip her shorts and she shook her head, pulling back…

"We don't have time, we have to get started…"

"Lover, we always have time." Eric replied with a smile and kissed her again. Sookie moaned under his kiss feeling her desire rise again, but she knew they had work to do…

"Eric." She muttered weakly, his hands dipped down into her panties and he smiled back at her and she knew she was as good as his. He knew how to push all the right buttons. And she wasn't going anywhere, not until he was done. She just hoped they could finish before Bill got up.

About 45 minutes later Sookie breathed out exhausted, and she looked back at Eric who looked very satisfied with himself. She couldn't believe she just fell for that, but she supposed she was the one who started it. Should know better not to mess with sleeping vampires or you might get bit. And her vamp had a killer pair of fangs.

"Your pretty smug over there." Sookie eyed him through the sides of her eyes and he looked back at her flashing a toothy grin, and he replied…

"I like having you all to myself."

Sookie couldn't help but soften her glance smiling, she thought he was sweet. How Eric could ever be seen as sweet was beyond her, Sookie thought. But it was just another one of those Eric surprises that came around in the most inopportune moments, and she just had to embrace it when those moments came.

She leaned over and kissed his mouth softly and then Sookie pulled back looking at her wet raincoat hanging over the chair, reminded of her earlier adventures she tried to wipe the stars out of her eyes and get back to business. And she asked him…

"So I guess we need to make our game plan, go over where to start, what questions to ask, things like that?"

She sat up a little straighter smoothing out the sheets wrapped around her and Sookie explained to him..

"I walked around Baton Rouge a bit today looking for any vampire run art studios in the area, Bill left me a note with 3 vampire names on it, so I asked around and found out if anyone knew these people. It looks like the gallery is off of Oleander and Park, and its called 'Crimson Moon Art Gallery.'

Sookie looked over at Eric expecting him to offer a suggestion on how to proceed with the investigation, but noticed he had stiffened up, and she looked back at him questioningly…

"What?" Her eyes met his and his gaze flashed temperately with hers.

"You went to the gallery by yourself?" Eric asked her sharply.

"Well only to find out where it was so we could find it faster." Sookie answered not liking his sudden change in tone and she got up with the sheet, not liking where this discussion was headed, and she fired back…

"I am perfectly capable of taking care of myself Eric Northman, despite what you may or may not believe, I was able to walk down the street by myself using my own two little feet before you came along!"

Eric stood up as well not caring for her sarcasm and he replied his agitation growing…

"It was a very stupid thing to do, not only did you probably just blow your cover, but you alerted them to your presence, vampires can smell you Sookie, you stand out."

"What because I'm a freak, or a fairy?" Sookie spat back feeling his anger at her through the bond. She didn't like it and felt defensive.

Eric sighed knowing where she was going with this as he shoved his legs in a pair of pants. He knew enough to know that question was a trap and he would be smart not to answer.

"Let me just see the letter Bill gave you."

Eric held out his hand and he remarked as Sookie begrudgingly went to find it…

"I don't know why he didn't just wait to tell you tonight, when we were both awake." Eric growled resentfully, still mad that Sookie had put herself at risk.

He glanced back at the door thinking it odd that Bill hadn't bothered them yet, he had expected to be broken up long ago, and Sookie looked up at him at the same time…

"Let me see it." Eric declared, wondering just what the hell Bill thought he was doing going behind his back and Sookie shoved it into his hand.

She got her clothes on as she dressed as well, and when Eric was done reading he looked up at Sookie and replied sharply…

"I'm going to kill him."

"What, good lord, what now?" Sookie looked back at Eric wondering how many times he could get his panties in a bunch today and before he was even fully dressed, that had to be a new record, she thought irritated. His nostrils flared and his eyes grew hard as he re-read the note over again. If Eric's ears could have ignited flames in that moment, they would have.

"Did you?" Eric asked her pointedly clearly showing a new air of jealousy.

"Did I what?" Sookie spat back growing angry with him now. She felt like she was on some witness stand being accused of murder when Eric looked at her like that, but she had no clue what he was so pissy about.

"Did you drop by his suite earlier?" Eric's eyes bored into her and Sookie rolled her own.

Oh brother! She thought understanding now, shaking her head disapprovingly, wondering again how it was a 1000 year old vampire could somehow act like he was 16.

So it was true, Eric could get jealous. And it was over the most stupid thing too. She walked up to Eric defiantly, clearly unafraid of him and Sookie answered with attitude…

"For your information, I did drop by Bills, and we had wild sex and he got me so hot and bothered that I had to run over here and jump into bed with you too."

Eric narrowed his eyes, it was clear that she was lying and he shook his own head in answer.

"Are we done with this interrogation now? Cause if I'm not mistaken, I think we have a real crime to solve!"

Sookie replied looking back at Eric pointedly. And Eric finally answered…

"Yes, we are done, but I'm not done with Bill yet!"

Sookie looked over at him, knowing when she needed to draw the line and now was that time. Whatever Eric and Bill had to hash out, she most certainly didn't want to get in the middle of it.

Once they were dressed Sookie grabbed her purse and raincoat, and umbrella. She remembered how cold it was from the rain earlier and she didn't want to make the mistake of under dressing again. Especially now that the sun was down.

They stepped out of their room and into the hallway, and Sookie muttered as Eric walked up to Bills door and started knocking…

"He didn't answer earlier either." Sookie offered, and Eric raised one brow. Clearly not over the jealousy thing, Eric asked her as he knocked again…

"So what exactly did you want to talk to him about?"

Sookie looked back at Eric for a minute, and she shook her head looking down at the floor reluctantly. She met his gaze once more searching his eyes for understanding and not another outburst she finally replied softly so Bill wouldn't hear…

"I just felt bad, like Bill had drawn the short straw being forced to come with us…"

"Bill chose each action he has taken with you Sookie, the Queen did not force him to come along." Eric answered, and Sookie nodded and looked down again taking Eric's hand she replied, offering him a small smile, wanting to take the edge off, for both their sakes…

"I know, I just know I wouldn't want to be the third wheel, and I'm sure we were kind of (she mouthed the word LOUD) last night."

Eric smirked back at that and he finally nodded his head accepting her explanation, and after a moments pause replied…

"Well you are a much more compassionate than I lover…" Eric smiled back at her endearingly. Thinking, about Bills punishment as his lip twitched upwards on one side wickedly. He imagined just how 'LOUD' they could be tonight, he could definitely take Sookie to rock concert volumes if the mood called for it. And he looked back at Sookie with a heated glare.

Sookie felt the warmth coming off him in waves, suspecting her bad boy was thinking wicked thoughts of his own, but then she realized where they were and how long they had been standing here. She expected Bill to answer by now, her concern trumping any wavering sexual thoughts for Eric, Sookie asked him…

"Where is he, do you think he's in the shower?"

Eric had no patience for Bills antics right now and he put his ear up to the door.

"I hear nothing."

He looked back at Sookie with question.

"Should I call the lobby see if we cant get a…" But before Sookie could finish her question, Eric had already taken the pins out of the door hinges one by one.

"Or we could do that!" Sookie muttered surprised by his strength as he lifted the door off its hinge and set it along side the hall.

Eric had a feeling something was wrong. Sookie felt it too. As they went into Bills room, Sookie saw his laptop and Eric went into the bathroom.

It was clear; Bill was nowhere to be found.

"Where could he have gone?" Sookie asked voicing her thoughts out loud and Eric offered…

"I don't know, but he hasn't been here all day. I think we need to start with that art gallery you were scoping out. With the names he gave you."

Sookie looked back at Eric and nodded worried now. As many issues as she and Bill had, she didn't want to see any harm come to him and it seemed with the supernatural, they had their own ways of dealing with things and they certainly weren't humane.

Not that humans were humane all the time either, but she had some faith in their justice system. With Vampires however, it was a big wide unknown. Eric folded up Bills laptop and unplugged it taking it with him he explained to Sookie…

"I'm going to take a look at this when we get back."

Sookie had her umbrella out, it was still freezing and she wished she had dressed warmer, even though she had added another layer since this morning. But at least she had a raincoat. As they walked Eric told Sookie…

"We have to come up with a story…So if they ask us who we are…"

"How about Mr. and Mrs. St. Claire from Macon, Georgia?" Sookie offered surprising Eric. He didn't know she would be so good at this alias thing, intrigued as to why she chose a married couple for their cover and he smiled to himself.

"Very well Mrs. St. Claire, but just remember to these vampires, we are a bonded couple, not married." Eric answered with a smirk and then he offered…

"So we are visiting Baton Rouge on a weekend getaway to see the sights and attractions and you spotted their gallery earlier today and wanted to return with your husband to see if there was anything we would like to purchase for our home?"

Sookie looked back at Eric surprised at how good he was at this as well and she answered with an astonished smile…

"That will work."

They walked a little further and finally Sookie saw the old Victorian house in her line of site.

"There it is." She replied and Eric looked back at the house with interest. You didn't see too many purple homes in Louisiana; leave it to a vampire, Eric thought. If it had been up to him he would have painted the house red, with the name crimson, it seemed only fitting. But he thought to each vampire their own. Sookie stopped walking as they neared the sidewalk in front of the house and then she looked back at Eric and took in a deep breath, ready to go inside she replied…

"Well here goes nothing!"

She took Eric's hand and began walking towards the entrance when Eric pulled back, a flash of white catching his eye.

"Wait." He replied pulling back, Eric bent down to pick up a very wet leather book ledger tipped on the ledge of the gutter.

"What is it?" Sookie asked nearing Eric curiously as she looked on. She held up the umbrella over their heads as the rain pattered down and she tried to read on as Eric's wet fingers flipped through the pages.

"It's a sales ledger with paintings sold out of this gallery in the past year."

Sookie raised her eyebrows in disbelief. She couldn't believe they had been this lucky just to find something that was such a big clue/aid right at their feet.

Eric took one whiff of it however, even though much of the book was soaked and he knew something was direly wrong.

"Bill has touched this." Eric replied as he looked behind him to make sure they weren't being watched as he gestured for Sookie to put the ledger in her purse.

Sookie looked back at Eric worriedly and they both understood at the same moment what this meant.

'Bill was definitely missing.'

Eric wished he could blame Bill's incompetence, he wished he could blame the other vampires poor misjudgment. This was his and Sookie's assignment. Bill was just the backup. Eric sighed and closed his eyes. And now he was stuck on another wild goose chase to find Bill.

Yes he had to get a new night job. Eric thought annoyed. As if the other vampire even deserved the efforts and lengths they had gone to help him out.

But Eric knew what they had to do, even if he didn't like or want to do it.

"Shall we go inside?" Eric replied offering Sookie his arm and she took it reluctantly.

This investigation was turning out to be much bigger and more dangerous job than he had anticipated no thanks to Bill, Eric thought spitefully. Eric knew one thing for certain. When he did finally find Bill, he was going to wring his neck.