Previous...Eric closed his eyes, savouring her small body against his, the scent of her hair, her everything. 'I hope I did, he thought as he felt his own eyes grow heavy.

'I'll ask you again in sometime, Good night Pam.'

Chapter ten-Dance

Pam's eyes flickered open, and at first it took her a moment to remember where she was. Lying as still as stone, Pam let her eyes roam around the familiar room. As her mind steadily took in all the detail; from the wide expansive wardrobe to the gold framed picture of her and Eric from years back hanging on the wall.

With a sinking jolt in her stomach, the events of last night came flooding into her mind. And for reasons unsure to her, she felt apprehension for what was to follow today. For now she decided to lay still and not move, savouring the quiet sanctuary for as long as she could. As it turned out, that wasn't to be for long.

'I know you're awake you know.' Eric whispered close to her ear. Pam smiled despite herself, but refused to acknowledge him, instead snuggling deeper under the covers. Eric's hand followed her however and was pulling her back up to surface despite her wishes to stay hidden. 'I don't want to get up.' She said her voice husky with sleep. 'Yes you do, you're just exhausted, I'll soon see to that.' He soothed, tilting her chin up slightly to look in her eyes.

'What?' He asked confused when he saw her face turn down in a grimace. 'I feel like shit.' She stated simply, her hand rubbing her stomach absently. Eric found himself fighting back the building worry in his own stomach as he took in her words. Without further delay, he tore into his wrist and held it near her mouth.

After a mouthful, Pam suddenly gagged, coughing speckles of blood as she struggled for composure. Eric was instantly alert, alternating between rubbing and patting her back softly. His eyebrows knitted together in concern.

'You ok?' He asked after a few minutes, Pam nodded, but did not turn to look at him, instead just sat there with her hands held slightly out, rigid and her entire body stiff. 'Pam?' He asked again, moving to see her face.

'I want to get better now please.' She whispered after a second, her wide eyes staring deeply at him. Eric nodded, stuck for words. He knew Pam hated feeling weak, and after the events of last night, she was back to square one it seemed. 'I know you do...Come on.' He said softly, picking her up carefully and taking her to the bathroom to clean up.

...

'It's been a struggle. But she'd done very well so far.' Eric said to Bill, as he passed him a bottle of O Negative. 'I am surprised she is up and about already.' Bill replied before taking a gulp of True Blood.

'Well what do you expect; my blood is the best you can get.' Eric joked with a smirk. 'But in all seriousness, she has always been strong willed in getting her way, she wants to get better- She will.' He laughed, but his face softened as he eyes landed on the scene across from the small kitchen in the wide living room.

There Sookie and Pam sat, chatting away like girlfriends, as Sookie obliged Pam's guilty pleasure and let her braid her hair. Eric watched with a smile as Pam finished another tiny braid and delicately begun a new one, her elegant hands easily platting Sookie's bright sun-kissed hair expertly.

'How has she coped with the inner trauma of her ordeal?' Bill asked as he joined Eric in spying on the two blonde women relaxing in the living room. Eric paused a moment, unsure on how to answer. She was coping well, to a point, but he had seen more tears fall from her blue eyes in the last month then in the last 30 years with Pam.

'It's been a struggle.' He said, repeating his words from earlier. 'But I am here for her, and I always will be.' The last part sounded, to Bill, like the most truthful thing he had ever heard from his Sheriff.

The two carried on their conversation, discussing future plans for the area and business stuff, when out of the corner of his eye Eric saw Pam pause in her movements, her eyes closing as her body seemed to shrink in on itself. He was instantly up, and at Pam's side within a second, pulling her up to into his arms, to the complete surprise of both the women.

'I think we should call it a night now.' He said, smiling at Sookie and glared at Pam as she made to protest. 'I'm fine.' She protested anyway. 'Say goodnight to Sookie and Bill.' He said solely to her, placing her down on her feet, but his hand never leaving her shoulder. 'It was great to see you Sookie, thanks for popping by.' She said cheerfully, embracing Sookie. 'And thank you. I wouldn't be here if it wasn't for your help.' She whispered in Sookie's ear and Sookie smiled genuinely, placing a ginger kiss on Pam's cheek. Their friendship had reached a new area it seemed, as the two held each other a second longer before stepping back.

'And thanks Bill, you old brood.' She joked, bowing her head slightly. 'That is quite alright, I am glad you are on the mend you old lush.' He replied fondly, knowing how to play Pamela at her own games.

As soon as Bill and Sookie had left, Pam bristled slightly. 'You didn't have to make them leave so soon.' She whined, trying her best to storm out the room, one step at a time. Eric simply strolled slowly behind her, snatching her up in his arms before she even reached the door. 'You need to rest.' He stated, pulling a face when she rolled her eyes at him.

He carried her through to the bedroom once more; dumping her on the bed unceremoniously. 'I thought Chow was visiting tonight as well?' Pam huffed whilst regaining her decorum, as Eric pulled her leg on his lap, and began to massage her muscles. 'I cancelled.' He said simply, not looking up from his task.

'But...' Pam stuttered, wincing slightly as the deft movements of Eric's fingers sent jolts of life up her leg. 'I was looking forward to it.' She finished dumbly, not caring that she sounded like a little girl in a mood. Eric's only answer was to press slightly harder on the pressure points making Pam flinch, her eyes widening slightly.

'Eric that hurts.' She whimpered after a few more uncomfortable minutes of Eric's pressured touches. His eyes flitted to hers suddenly, seeing her for the first time it seemed, and his hands froze on her ankle. 'Sorry.' He mumbled, standing up and swiftly walking out the room.

...

Staring at the mirror in the east bathroom, Eric was trying to overcome certain new emotions he hadn't realised were there until tonight's activities. The way he had reacted when he saw Pam's eyes close earlier, it was perhaps a bit over the top, he considered, but to him at that moment, he had felt his body ache to protect his child. He couldn't have reacted any other way.

'How has she coped with the inner trauma of her ordeal?' Bill's innocent question from earlier entered his mind. Better than I am, he thought with shock as he realised the truth of it. The protective instinct he had for his child normally seemed to be in complete overdrive right now. He wasn't sure if he could let her go back to work and normal living. For Christ sake he had her in arms within a flash because she had a small moment of tiredness overtake her earlier!

Splashing a handful of cold water on his face, and shaking his blonde locks out the way, Eric stood straighter, stronger against the mirrors image. 'She's fine. She will be fine. Just relax.' He stated to the mirrored Eric, letting his own advice sink in. 'No more overreacting.'

Walking back to where Pam sat, he stopped at the doorway, leaning against the frame. 'So...' he said with a smile as Pam offered her own smile in return. 'So...' she simply replied. Eric chuckled, a sudden idea entering his mind.

He walked to the old record player across the wide room and set the instrument in play. Suddenly the room was filled with the haunting notes of a whole orchestra. 'May I?' He asked, holding his hand out for Pamela to take. She beamed up at him, taking his hand eagerly and giggling slightly as pulled her up on her feet and against his chest in one swoop.

They began to steadily dance around the room, Eric's hands firmly around Pam's waist as hers wrapped around his neck, her on tip toes to reach. 'I thought this might be a more pleasing exercise then taking steps across the room.' He said as he spun her gently around. Her pleased 'Hmmm' told him she agreed.

Losing themselves against each other, they glided around the room, moving their bodies in union. If somebody were to look in at the two they would feel as though they were intruding on something very private, very close. The two were so alike at times, Eric still found it astounding to this day that he had found such a perfect partner in Pam.

From their twin blue eyes to their light blonde hair, Pam's a shade fairer; the two really were one of the same; something that had not gone amiss to those who met the two throughout the many years. Although their bond had moved away from the bindings of sexual interest, it had deepened into something much more powerful and permanent. It would be hard to find a Maker and Child as united and strong as Eric and Pam in all the Vampire world. Even Godric believed the two were unique among their kind. Of course, by the way they argued, one would think they hated each other at times!

'Do you remember when we danced, like literally the whole night in 1924, at the Plaza?' Pam asked resting her head against his chest, no longer standing on tip toe, but letting her arms wrap around his middle. 'Yes, fondly, I also remember the jealous longing eyes of every other man in the room as I held you.' He said fondly, with a slight chuckle. Pam laughed happily.

'How come we don't dance anymore?' Pam asked, her voice sounding wistful. Eric was about to make a wise crack about the fact they were dancing now, but then as he really thought about it, he realised that actually, they hadn't danced in a very, very long time. In fact, they hadn't done very much together, apart from business or casual. And although he saw his child almost every night, it dawned on Eric right then, that he never actually saw her.

He looked down at her, her cheek resting against his chest and his heart began to suddenly ache, he had let her get lost in amongst the business and formalities. His own child! He had promised her the world, and an eternity of fun and partnership. He had failed in his promise. She deserved much better; she deserved to be placed more firmly on the pedestal he created for her the moment he saw her centuries ago.

Her next step was slightly awkward as her energy faded quickly, but Eric simply picked her up, placing her feet atop his own like a father would do for his little girl at a wedding, and continued to dance. After a while of silence, Eric suddenly pulled her tighter against him, his hand coming to rest in her hair. 'Eric...' She whispered, feeling his sudden mood change through their bond.

'I miss you Pam.' He suddenly said, as he gently swayed side to side. 'I'm right here.' She said, then instantly bit her lip, knowing her sarcasm was wrongly timed. 'We need to spend more time together, and I mean away from Fangtasia and work. I want to bond with you again Pam, I want to see you smile and laugh like you used to.' He stated intensely.

Pam was quite for a second, awestruck at her Makers sudden declaration, then biting back her own emotions; she laid her delicate hands on either side of his face and tilted his eyes to meet hers. 'I would love to. Just like old times?'

'Just like old times; you and me.' He agreed, smiling a wide and relieved smile. She smiled back equally loving.

...

As Pam fell asleep against Eric, the T.V still on, they were watching an old favourite of Pam's, despite Eric laughing at her the entire time; Breakfast at Tiffney's. He gently untangled himself from her, and rose of the plush couch. He caught her head in his big palm before it slumped against the chairs arm, and her eyelids began to flicker slightly, as she began to mumble incoherently. 'Shush, shush now.' He whispered, gently laying her head down. She was deep asleep once more.

He walked into the small kitchen and picked up his phone, dialling promptly. 'Ah hello.' He said into the receiver. 'Yes, it's been some time I know.' There was more mumbling from the other end of the phone, whilst Eric smiled into the receiver. 'Yes, that sound's perfect. Thanks for your help; she will enjoy that very much. I will get my day man to deal with the money, happily. Goodbye then.' He said, putting the receiver down promptly.

He walked back through to Pam and gently weaved his arms under her legs and back, pulling her up against him. He had her led in the bed, and changed within five minutes. Tomorrow would be exciting, tomorrow would be the start of a new era for him and Pam.

Chapter eleven coming soon...