As always thank you for the reviews, adds and follows I really am grateful to all of you! I love hearing the thoughts on the story or even ways i can improve my writing...
Anyway this is kind of a filler but a very necessary one so hope you enjoy!
As she pushed her chair back from her desk, the twinge in her knee was matched only by the throbbing in her temple. Sookie had been staring at the same column of numbers for Adele's accountants for the past hour, and could still make no sense of them. What was worse was she knew there was nothing wrong with the figures, it was all her, and her inability to think of little else other than Eric.
Last night Pam had dropped her off with barely enough time for herself to get back to Shreveport before dawn, but Sookie exhausted, and drained had been unable to sleep. The hold she had barely managed to keep on her emotions during the last hour in New Orleans had broken. Her mind had spun with images, as her heart ached for the man who had kissed her goodnight on the roadside outside New Orleans.
Every time she had closed her eyes Eric had swum there out of reach, bringing fresh tears with every remembered glance, touch and word between them. After so long without him it was beyond bitter sweet to have had him so close for so little time, and then go back to this limbo. Unsure of when they next would have an opportunity to see each other.
Those stolen moment's hadn't been enough, she wanted more, and if anything had come from the hours of tossing and turning Sookie knew it was the certainty that she could never allow this to happen to them again.
This was it. They had to find a way past their differences. Once he was free they needed to learn how to be a part of each other's lives again. It wouldn't be easy, and Sookie had no fantasies that she and Eric would walk off into the sunset together and live happily ever after. That wasn't how real life worked, especially with two people as similar as they were, but they could be together, be a part of each other's lives. There had to be a way for them to do that, because the alternative was too difficult to even contemplate, she had already tried to live that life and it wasn't for her.
She loved him it was that simple, and that complicated all in one. But there was no hiding from it now or that she always had. It had never stopped. Even after they had stood outside in her back yard, and tore each other to pieces. Ripped apart the remains of the time they had shared, when she had believed that was that, it had still been there, burning away underneath it all, stopping her from ever truly moving on.
"I hope mother dearest you are thinking of ways to make it up to me for leaving Karin the pain in the ass babysitting me all weekend,"
Christopher had been stood in the doorway to her office for a few minutes just watching her before he spoke. Though he had known it was wrong too, he couldn't help but sink himself into her thoughts. She had the same expression on her face as she had had last night when she had come into check on him, and he knew something had happened in New Orleans.
It had been easier than expected, she was wide open, and he found himself looking up into a man's face he didn't recognise. He flicked through, following the path she was taking him down, and all her thoughts centred on the tall blonde Vampire. The flashes sometimes too quick to grasp, it was only when he saw Pam stood at his side, felt his mother's remembered pain that he grasped who the man must be, and pulled himself out before she realised what he had done.
"She can't have been that bad? "
Sookie dropped her hands from rubbing at her temple and managed to smile convincingly as her son dumped his bag on to the office couch. He crossed the room in a few strides and sat down on her desk, his long legs swinging as he bent his head so she could reach to kiss him.
Before she had found her way to her own room last night she had checked in on him. Christopher had woken the instant his door had creaked as she pushed it open. Sat up in bed he had been ready to talk, but Sookie on the verge of breaking down knew if she had spoken about New Orleans she would have been unable to stop the tears that were waiting. Instead she had insisted on him going back to sleep, that they would talk in the morning. However that hadn't happened, this morning she had planned to get up, and make him breakfast, but awoke just after ten to find her alarm had been turned off. A note attached to the top had informed her that he didn't want her to get up, when she had come in so late.
What Christopher hadn't realised was she had had to be up anyway, and his sweet gesture had made her late to check over the new stock delivery due in at Ravens. The late start had done nothing to improve the rest of her day. She had left Raven's just after lunch close to tearing her hair out, only to arrive here to find the paperwork she had been putting off now unavoidable.
"Horrendous wouldn't even cover it. Pam put her up to it didn't she?" Christopher asked as he lent back wanting to watch her face as she answered.
"I don't think so …"
"So it wasn't some kind of joke you all had set up?"
"No… What happened?"
"Friday, I had a couple of friends over after you left, she checked in, gave them all the once over which freaked a few out, and then to make matters worse she threatened them, described what she would do if there was any trouble… I thought that was it cos I expected something like that, but Saturday around two ish suddenly she was in the house…"
"Well that's not so bad if you were still up, you used to like spending time with Karin…"
"I did… I do, but …"
A blush had started to spread over his handsome face, and Sookie coughed to hide the laugh that was bubbling over. She was pretty sure Christopher was now as shut down as her but for different reasons. She wasn't exactly happy that he had had some girl staying over whilst she had been away, but having Jason as a brother growing up meant nothing Christopher got up too could shock her. Whereas usually she would have given him a reminder about being safe and that casual sex wasn't what she expected from him it seemed Karin might have done the job for her.
"You were already spending time with someone… … Do I know her?"
"Mom no we are not having that conversation, and we don't need to have the other one either… "
"Well it's better that Karin was the one who walked in on you than me surely, or Pam, as she would have made it as excruciatingly painful as possible for the both of you."
"Karin did! She stayed put; right there in the living room, took a seat, that big sword in front of her, just staring, you know in that way she does. Then when she did talk she seemed to ... … "
His blush bloomed into a brighter shade as he came to a stop, his eyes anywhere but on her
"Anyway, Mom I'll be lucky when this gets out if any girl will come near me again… "
Sookie couldn't help the laughter escaping, she tried her best to smother it, but the look of outrage on his face only fuelled her mirth.
"I promise I didn't tell her to embarrass you,"
"And you're sure Pam didn't?"
"I am, at least she didn't say anything to me…"
"Then why did Karin pick then to come in? Why did she insist on staying after Beth had left? She didn't leave till right before dawn…"
Christopher seemed to forget his embarrassment as he stared at her, blue eyes so like her own narrowed as she watched his thoughts play out over his face.
"Were you in some kind of trouble in New Orleans?"
For a moment Sookie considered breaking the rule of the past nearly eighteen years and lying to him. If she denied anything had happened, it would grant him peace of mind in the short term at least, yet she knew in the long run when he found out, as he evidently would he would only resent her for it. To him that would mean she was treating him like a child, and Sookie didn't want him thinking she didn't trust him when there was already so much upheaval in his life.
"Mom…?"
"I was in the wrong place at the wrong time. I had travelled back from the party with Richard, and we were attacked."
"By who?"
"We don't know… Well we do, but not who was behind it or even why, "
"You came out okay though, you're not hurt or anything?"
"I'm fine honestly. I had a cut to my face, some swelling but Pam healed me Sunday. All I'm left with is a dodgy knee, which actually feels my real age right about now…"
Her attempt at humour went right over his head. An anger she had never seen before darkened the usually laughing blue eyes, and suddenly he seemed older. She recognised the protective instinct behind it and reached for his hand.
"Chris it's being dealt with, Richard will find out whoever was behind it. I wasn't the target okay?"
"Did you kill them?"
Sookie gave a slight nod. Looking up at him she was sure she had never seen him look less human than he did now. His body seemed to thrum with magic. She could almost smell it in the air as she watched his head bend, his fist clenched where she covered it before it relaxed and he got to his feet.
"Good, I hate the idea of someone hurting you,"
"Welcome to my world kiddo…"
"Was Eric with you?"
The complete change of topic threw her for a moment and she was glad he had turned away to fetch a soda from the mini fridge she kept in the office.
"Eric?"
"He was in New Orleans too right?"
"He was. But he wasn't there for the ambush, if that's what you were asking? He arrived soon after with Richard's brother,"
"Oh… Did you guy's get chance to talk much? I mean apart from the attack, did you manage to have some fun?"
He asked with an air of nonchalance that in his youth he didn't realise gave away his guilt. Sookie knew without a doubt that whilst she had been lost in her own thoughts he had done some sneaking of his own before she had realised he was there.
"I know you read me, I can tell, so what is it you really want to know? I'll be as honest as I can…"
"Do you still love him Mom?"
"There is a lot of history between us …"
Sookie wavered. It was one thing admitting it to yourself, but to do so to your seventeen year old son who in the last three weeks had seen his parent's marriage come to an end was a different thing entirely.
"But you do love him? It's okay to say it Mom, it won't upset me …"
There was sincerity in his voice as he sat down on the couch. He seemed to be making an attempt to keep eye contact with her, his expression neutral and Sookie found herself nodding.
"I do,"
"And does he still love you?"
"He does… But Chris nothing is going to happen straight away. You know we are trying to help him, and apart from that, there is a lot we both need to figure out before we even take that step."
"You're not wearing your ring, Dad isn't either… "
"We had a talk before I left,"
"I thought so, he came by and he wasn't happy Karin was there… I said Pam had set it up, and not you. He was pretty mad though, he went out to talk to her, I tried to stop him, and you know how Karin is if anyone criticises Pam and that… He came back in one piece, so I don't know what happened and Karin stayed out in the woods till he was gone but…"
"I'll talk to him. I'm not much use here anyway so I'll drop you home then head back to Merlotte's."
"I'll come with you, I was meant to stop by after school but I wanted to see you first,"
Going over to sit next to him Sookie smiled sadly
"You're Dad and I will be okay, I promise. This is a big change, a painful one; it will just take some time to get used to it, but you just have to remember we love you. Our marriage might be over, but we are still a family."
"I know, I just don't like to see him like that or you.…"
"It'll work out Chris, and it's not up to you to have to worry about either of us."
Following in Christopher's wake Sookie hesitated as they reached the doors to the bar. This would be the first time she had been in Merlotte's since her marriage had effectively ended, and she knew her coming in like this would draw attention she didn't want. For a moment she considered changing her appearance, making them believe she was anyone but herself but she knew the longer she left it, to face them all the worse it would be. The fact it was still too early yet for the dinner crowd was in her favour and with a deep breath, plastering a smile to her face she stepped forward. Side glances were thrown her way, and her walls already built up Sookie concentrated on not letting any outward emotion show. She held her head high and concentrated on doing what was best for her son. Sam's head shot up at the sight of them, and Sookie saw relief wash over his face as he took her in before the customary anger she had grown used to overpowered his softer instinct.
"I'm going to put my bag in the office…"
Sam waited till Christopher was out of earshot, he paused in wiping over the already clean bar as their son passed by.
"What now Sook? Do you really want to drag this out anymore, here of all places?"
"I came for him that's all… I just want to talk."
"I think we said all we needed to on Friday Cher,"
"Sam five minutes that's all?" Sookie leaned over the bar so that the chance of them being overheard was less. She was used to what the town would say about her, but she had never wanted Christopher to suffer the same fate.
Then there was how he would react if he heard anyone talking about her. In his early school years there had been a few occasions when he had been teased about having a crazy mother, and had reacted with his fists. Even at that age he had been physically stronger than a lot of the older children, and after the first few scuffles when he had come out a lot better off than his opponents he had seemed to be left alone. Now however with how he had so easily lost control in front of Bill she knew he was finding it harder than he was letting on
"Hey son why don't you go clear some tables for your old man, so I can have a second with your Mom?" Sam suggested as Chris came back into the bar, she met his concerned gaze and smiled in encouragement before turning back to face Sam.
"Can we go into the back?"
"Fine. Let's just get this over with Sook,"
Sam followed her through, and noticed she was leaning more to one side. Instinctively he reached out a hand to steady her before pulling it back, embarrassment flushing his face knowing Sookie would have sensed the movement.
"So what happened?" He asked nodding at her knee as she sat in front of his desk,
"I took a tumble," Sookie knew he didn't believe her; she watched his eyebrows draw together as he frowned down at her.
"They dragged you into something then?"
"It wasn't Richard's fault. I was in the wrong place at the wrong time,"
"Funny that only seems to happen when you're around Vampires… Talking of the blood suckers you want to tell me why Eric's child was hanging about all weekend?"
"She was there as a precaution…"
"Chris said on Pam's orders but that doesn't sit with me, you want to tell me the truth?"
"Eric asked her too."
"Now that sounds about right,"
"I was worried about leaving Chris…"
"And Eric of course wants to be in your good books."
"Isn't Chris's safety all that matters?"
"Maybe if you had considered that before getting into this mess then he wouldn't need Karin in the first place."
"And you think going out there and yelling at her in front of him did any good… This has to stop Sam."
Sookie tried not to raise her voice, she didn't want anyone out in the bar overhearing them. She had left herself open enough to know if anyone came close enough to his office to listen in but still the walls were thin and voices would carry easily if this ended up in a shouting match.
"I know you're angry with me, and I am fine with that. Be angry. Blame me all you want too, but around Christopher you need to start reining it in."
"You left me Sook."
"No we left each other a long time ago, but it's not about us it's about our son. He thinks he's all grown up, but he's not Sam, he's seventeen, and when it comes to your parents splitting up even when you know it's for the best it's still hard. He's hurting, he feels in the middle of us, that he has to take care of us, and he doesn't need to see you angry at everything. That won't help him."
Sam sank down into the chair across the desk from her, his head sinking into his hands and Sookie wished they were still the friends they had been where she could offer him some kind of comfort. She knew if she did that now he would only reject it; push her away, when it seemed finally something had broken through the fog of anger and denial that had surrounded him.
"I'll go, let you get back to work but I wish somewhere down the line we could be friends again Sam, for Chris's sake at least."
The words reached her just as she went to close the door and they had her stopping in her tracks.
"You were wrong the other day, I do love you Sook, but maybe not in the way you needed. I've always known you weren't mine, that I was your second choice…"
He had regretted their argument Friday the moment she had left, but he couldn't seem to stop himself. The anger that boiled in his blood every time she looked up at him, the guilt that pooled in his stomach, the undeniable knowledge that he was just as much to blame for where they were as she was or maybe more so.
"Sam…?"
"I knew what I was doing. I knew you still loved him even if you didn't… I guess I just took what I could, I thought it would be enough, that I would be enough, that one day you might be the old you again…. The more you changed, the more your magic evolved I resented it, I resented you because I knew I couldn't hold on to you, that I should have never tried,"
Sookie didn't know what to say this was the first time he had opened up to her in years, it was a glimpse of the friend she had once had and with it she knew she couldn't allow him to shoulder all the blame. She had wanted a normal life, she had moved on to Sam because that was what he was offering her, a way out, a way to hide from all the mistakes she had made.
"I think we both went into it for the wrong reasons…"
"I'll never be okay with you and him Cher, or my son mixing with them but your right it's not about us anymore,"
There was tears in her eyes and Sookie knew they weren't just for her, for her feelings but for Sam too and Christopher. Pam was right, maybe in another life, maybe if she hadn't have met Eric, become a part of their world it might have all been different.
"Bye Sam,"
She smiled but he wasn't looking at her and she knew then they would never really go back to what they were once. At best they had reached a truce which was more than she had hoped coming in here. Christopher came towards her the moment she stepped back into the bar and so did the attention of the regulars.
"You okay?"
"I am fine, we both are… Maybe you should stay tonight for dinner, spend some more time with him, it'll do you both good,"
"What about you?"
"I'm quite capable of feeding myself. Anyway Pam said she will be over this evening…"
"Okay, I'll be home about ten…"
"That's fine,"
Sookie was home long enough to run around the house and complete the chores she had missed over the weekend, and when she looked up at the knock of the door she realised with some shock that the sun had set. Sookie thought it would be Pam or maybe Pam and Karin but she was a little surprised to sense only Karin's maroon void.
Apart from the year Karin had spent guarding her from her woods they had never really been alone in each other's company. Though Karin had always followed Pam's example, and never mentioned Eric somehow she had always found Karin's presence as time went on a bigger reminder of the past than Pam's.
It had been more than five years since they had seen each other, and when she opened the door Sookie found genuine happiness had replaced the usual apprehension. Cold lips touched her forehead, before Karin stepped back, holding her shoulders as she studied Sookie with laser like examination.
"You look well Sookie, tired but well,"
"As do you. Can I get you some blood?"
"No I've fed thank you. Is Christopher here?"
"He's with his father; he'll be back shortly why?"
"I wanted to talk alone with you that is all. I smelt Were on your property last night. It was something Eric told me to be aware of and it was very strong, they must have been prowling for a while. Christopher was with his father yesterday so it was clear it wasn't one of his friends."
"You think someone was scoping the house?"
"The land yes, the wards around the house would have kept them from entering your home."
"But there was nothing Friday or Saturday?"
Sookie murmured as the door opened again and Pam strolled in. Sookie found herself on the end of another pair of cold lips before Pam pushed her into the kitchen and down into a seat at the table.
"You look tired Sookie, is your knee paining you?"
"A little…"
"The offer of my blood is open; it wouldn't have to be much?"
"Thank you, if it isn't better tomorrow I'll think about it," Sookie was touched at the offer and made to stand up.
"Can I get you some blood?"
"Not right now, sit down we have more important matters to discuss. Has Karin told you yet what show she walked in on Saturday night? I told you I should have stayed, is he here because Auntie Pam needs to have a chat with him?"
"No he's with his father, but Chris did tell me. He assumed you had set it up…"
"I wish I had thought to do so,"
"Okay let's make it clear now I do not want to hear about whatever it was Karin saw."
"I thought we were passed this prudish stage? Look how well you revealed yourself to me in New Orleans,"
"Me and you, not my seventeen year old son…"
"He'll be eighteen in a month,"
"She did seem very pleased with his attentions. It seems he has inherited that trait of the Fae too, they are great lovers I have heard … Have you ever sampled a Fairy Sookie?" Karin joined in and shaking her head Sookie held out both of her hands.
"Okay stop now."
"Eric has always seemed more than pleased with Sookie's skills… If I was you Sookie I would be glad my son is so considerate, a lot of boys his age would take their pleasure and not consider their partners,"
There was a glint in Pam's blue eyes that spelt mischief, and Sookie felt relieved that Christopher wasn't upstairs for his own sake. At least without him present there was a chance at changing the subject.
"Did Karin tell you about the Were she smelt?"
"She did. I spoke with Eric when I rose. He wants you to call him tonight."
"He's still in New Orleans?"
"He will travel back tomorrow. Will you call him? It's important you speak before he has to leave. "
"I'll call when you leave,"
What Sookie didn't say was that she was planning to call him anyway. That all day she had been banking on that phone call to make it possible for her to sleep tonight. That the sound of his voice might heal the ache in her chest, a poor substitute to having him there with her but it had to be enough for now, and it was better than having nothing.
"It is good you are talking to him, it is better this way… Your husband was not happy I was here last night, will he cause a problem?"
"No it's fine I spoke to him today. I'm sorry if he was rude."
"Eric had warned me my presence might not be welcome, that I was only to defend myself if that kind of situation arose I was not to retaliate…"
"He is angry because Sookie has ended their marriage," Pam interrupted and Karin's eyebrows rose as she looked between them both.
"Does father know this?"
"We don't talk about Sam, it doesn't seem fair," Sookie answered as she watched Pam take a blood from the fridge, and pop it into the microwave. Relief that she hadn't had to get back up battling with the good manners her Grandmother had installed into her. She listened distractedly, with half an ear as Pam answered more of Karin's questions about what else had been going on in her absence.
Not in years had she been so eager to be away from her friend, but all Sookie wanted was to call Eric now. The cell phone Pam had given her felt heavy in her pocket where she had placed it this morning; the thought of this call was what had been keeping her going all day.
She lifted her head as she sensed the active human brain turn on to her driveway, at the same time both blonde heads turned at the same time. Sookie knew their superior hearing had picked up the sound of the van. They both moved quickly into full alert, but reaching out Sookie frowned in confusion.
"It's a delivery man, a genuine delivery man… I don't think he means me any harm…"
This fell on deaf ears as in a blur Karin disappeared out the back door, and Pam moved in front of her when Sookie reached the front door. She pulled it open when the bell rang to find a middle aged man in his summer uniform sweating profusely, shuffling the large box in his arms as Karin blocked him coming closer. He looked on Sookie's arrival as if she was the second coming, obviously seeing her as his source of safety between the two blonde Vampires.
"Miss Stackhouse?"
"That's me." Sookie left the house to accept the box pushed into her hands, she was about to offer to sign his little screen when she realised he was already half way back to his van. With a disapproving look aimed at both of Eric's children she moved into the living room. Placing it down on the coffee table she pulled off the lid and knew immediately who the sender was. Even before she had peeled back the tissue layers to reveal a new dress, an exact replica of the one she had worn in New Orleans. There was a card tucked into the bodice, and Sookie couldn't help the smile that pulled at her lips, the warmth that flooded her.
"Lover will you wear this for me, the next time we dance?"
The card wasn't signed but there was no need when the handwriting was so familiar and he addressed her in such a way. This card would join the one from New Orleans, and go into the box in the bottom of her closet. Tucked underneath the Fangtasia shirt with all the other notes he had once sent her. Before she had chance to move the card out of reach Pam had plucked it from her fingers.
"It wasn't him who was the cause of its ruin; it was the fool who calls himself my King."
"It wasn't Richard's either really. Do you like Richard?" Sookie asked Karin, as Karin read the card before placing it back in the box.
"He is bearable in small doses,"
"I think Pam's problem is she likes him too much,"
"Sookie do not push me…"
"Eric said …"
"Eric does not know what he is talking about, he is …"
Pam was cut off by the ring of a cell phone, and Karin stepped out the room to take the call.
"What's that about?"
"Apologise and I may tell you?"
"I am not apologising, he likes you too, I know he does."
"Sookie when did you pick up this habit of talking shit? I am sure you never suffered from it before, or we would have never become friends."
"I have to leave." Karin came back in causing Pam to rise from her seat
"I will accompany you back to Shreveport; Sookie has bored me enough for one night,"
Again she found two pairs of lips on her, a kiss apiece as Karin enveloped her in an unexpected hug. It was then Sookie caught sight of the three of them in the mirror. The three different shades of blonde hair worked to bring back a memory she had long tried to forget. Pam had told her to never talk of it again and she hadn't. She had sworn to herself she would never think of it again, but it had always been there. Now looking back she saw it a little different to how she had then, but she knew it was a conversation that she would have to have with Eric. One of the obstacles they had in front of them, but now Sookie knew she would be more willing to listen than she was then in the heat of the moment.
"The next time we see each other my father will be free. Stay well Sookie." Karin broke through her musings and was out of the door at Vampire speed before Sookie had time to answer her. Instead she directed her question at Pam, hope and fear building in her chest.
"It's happening?"
"Very soon. I will see you tomorrow evening; hopefully you will have regained your senses by then." Sookie closed the door after Pam and tracked both their voids until she could sense them no more, glancing at the clock she saw it was a little before ten and as the thought crossed her mind she heard Sam's truck coming down the driveway. He didn't get out, but acknowledged her presence with a slight lifting of his hand from the steering wheel. Christopher jumped out, he crossed the yard quickly, a backwards wave to his father as he stopped on the steps.
"They have already been haven't they?"
"Been and gone, Pam was disappointed you weren't here,"
"She will torture me over this won't she?"
"I'm afraid so."
"Great as if school won't be bad enough once everyone finds out... I'm going to go up, night Mom."
He hugged her, and Sookie squeezed him until he protested laughing up at her.
"What was that for?"
"I missed you this weekend that's all,"
"Just don't leave me with Karin again,"
Christopher teased before going on into the house. Sookie didn't follow; instead she sat down on the porch swing, and took the cell phone from her pocket. Her call was answered on the first ring, and at first Sookie just heard static, the distant noise of traffic before he was there and her heart leaped into her throat.
"Good evening Lover,"
"Where are you?"
Sookie asked trying to steady her breathing, as she allowed her eyes to close, her body sinking back in the seat as for the first time since New Orleans she felt herself relax. The tension in her head eased, she felt at peace, much like the way the old blood had affected her, the way the colours of his void soothed her.
"On the roof of Richard's building, I have just returned from checking out of my hotel… "
"Pam said you were leaving tomorrow,"
"I am. I nearly came to you tonight, just for one more hour with you. To finish what we started last night…" His voice was deep, a caress and Sookie felt the answering response. She coughed to clear her throat, and knew he was well aware of what he was doing to her. She would bet her life on the same smile that had been on his face last night, when she had responded to his kiss would be there now.
"Thank you for my dress," She tried to move the conversation along and his knowing chuckle sent shivers down her spine.
"Will you do as I ask? Wear it for me, dance with me when there is no one to interrupt?"
"It would be a waste if it just sat in the back of the closet,"
"Your right dearest one and we can't let that happen… I take it my children are no longer with you?"
"They left a little while ago,"
"Did you ring because Pam asked you too or would you have anyway?"
That wasn't the first time he had questioned her intentions behind calling him, and Sookie pondered now if all those times when she hadn't called, had been so reluctant to, had had more of an effect than she had realised. Without thinking about it, she made an effort to reassure him as she had never really done before.
"I rang because I wanted to, that's the only reason."
. "Good, that is good. Now apart from wanting to talk to you because of what Karin found I wanted you to call because I won't be able to talk for a few days after I return to Oklahoma. I will need to be sure my rooms are secure before it is possible."
"Check for bugs?"
"Yes and other devices, I would think less of Freyda if she didn't attempt to track my movements when I am not with her. There is something though I want you do for me?"
"What is it?"
"Allow me to have you guarded…"
"Eric no…"
"I much prefer to hear Eric yes, out of your mouth. If I was there now do you think I could convince you to say that?"
"Eric..."
"Sookie… I saw for myself how you can protect yourself, but you are not invincible, and neither if you were ambushed would anyone know in time to be of any help… I cannot have that happening, not now… For me, do this for me because I have asked you too?"
"Who?"
"Ideally I would have Karin or Pam but it is not wise for Karin to be seen in Louisiana, and Pam will rouse suspicion so Richard will bring Lucian to stay with you,"
"Stay with me?"
"They will assess your hidey hole, check if it is still light tight, do any repairs needed,"
"Eric I don't know, there is Christopher to consider…"
"If he won't sleep in your home then he will sleep in the cemetery, either way from dusk to dawn you don't go anywhere without Lucian,"
"Wont Richard mind?"
"As is typical for you Lover you have found another fan in my old friend, plus he has called back his other children on Conrad's advice in the wake of the attack."
"So the Vampire you brought back he didn't tell you anything?"
"Nothing except that the intended target was Richard, no more… Bill is still going through his database. It is proving harder than expected."
"Do you have any idea who the Were Karin scented is? It can't be connected to the attack because no one survived…"
"I think it may have more to do with the Were you read in Silver Linings, the one whose memory you saw me in… Will you agree to Lucian's presence now?"
This was the reason Karin had been here this weekend and Sookie knew as much as she wanted to protest that to say no would be putting Christopher at risk as well as her.
"Okay, but only Lucian."
"That was easier than I expected. Now business is out the way, was everything well at home when you returned?"
"Sam wasn't very happy with Karin's presence, nor was Christopher for a different reason, she uh interrupted something…"
Eric without her explaining further understood perfectly and it was impossible not to laugh with him.
"I don't suppose she offered to allow them to finish? Which would have been the polite thing to do of course…? "
"From the little Christopher said she did the opposite. I think he is aware however that better Karin than Pam."
"Oh definitely… Karin the Cock blocker, he has my sympathies…"
"You told Karin not to hurt Sam?"
"I did. I am no fan of the Shifter, but he is the father of your son, he was a friend in the past to you, and what good does it do to have you unhappy with me?"
"Thank you, whatever your reasons I am grateful Eric."
"I could tell you how to best thank me Lover?"
"Eric you…." The rest of her words were smothered by a loud yawn and she heard a smile in his voice as he realised he had escaped a reprimand that was about to come out of her mouth.
"Go to your bed Lover, we will talk until you fall asleep, and maybe I will hear more interesting tit bits as I did last week. You are a lot more forthcoming with your feelings when you are asleep."