A/N: I had to break this chapter down into two parts since it was getting too long. Next chapter will be the switcher to an M rating, so be forewarned.

Big thanks to everyone for their comments and critiques. I try to answer all of them and I'm always interested in what you have to say, good or bad. If anyone has questions about what I write, please always feel free to contact me. So thank you, to those of you who leave me insightful comments and who have faved and alerted my story.

ALSO don't forget to check out my profile for the image of Enki Berg that I've posted. He is very similar to what I had in my head when I envisioned Enki. He my view, he doesn't initially appear to be of traditional German stock due to his mothers heritage and instead has darker skin, dark hair and very green eyes. Whereas he retains the bone structure and height of his father's German side.

Characters belong to Charlaine Harris.

Chapter 11

"It's not about who's got powers, morons. It's about who's not afraid. And who's going to do what has to get done."

- Michael Grant

The day Sookie's house burnt down

I could hear the sirens from the fire truck as it flew down the road to my house. The police siren was directly behind it.

Claude and I were standing directly in their path waiting for them, covered in soot and dirt from the smoke waiting, wearing nothing but our sleep clothes. Neither of us was wearing shoes and the gravel stung. There was no time to think about it when we were at Claude's.

The Were brains that I had counted earlier had disappeared in the time it took for Claude and I to get Eric to safety. I doubted they were gone completely but they were far enough away that I couldn't detect them with my telepathy.

I stood there watching, as the fire encased the entire first floor of my family home, filling it with flames. Black plumes of smoke filtered out through the broken windows. I realized then the odd difference in appearance of my house on fire in the harsh sunlight. Everything was clearer; all the edges and damage more visible.

Some of my best memories took place in that house. All my mementos of Gran were there. All the family photos were there. Gran's old silver was there. The hideous old afghan Gran had kept for years; the same afghan I had used to cover Eric and me when he couldn't remember who he was. The door frame where Gran used to mark mine and Jason's heights as we grew. The table Gran and I had our meals at.

The bed where Eric and I had first made love.

I couldn't stop the overflow of tears from escaping the corners of my eyes.

Claude, never one for huge displays of concern, wrapped an arm around my shoulders and pulled me to his side. He didn't say anything.

We backed up as the fire engine pulled up the drive, scattering more of my gravel and a slew of men started running out from its insides, grabbing their hats and pulling up their masks as they moved the hose out from the back of the truck. I blessed all of them for coming out to help.

Catfish Hunter was the first one over to me. I had a sudden wave of déjà vu flooding my memory.

"Sookie," he said, taking in my disheveled appearance, "anyone still in there?"

"No, just me and Claude."

"No one else inside! Propane tank in the back!" He yelled over his shoulder to the guys setting up the hose behind him.

"Sookie, your car parked in back like usual?" He asked urgently.

I nodded. There was a flurry of activity then and like a finely tuned piano, they performed their task perfectly. Hoyt Fortenberry was there with Ralph Tooten again and a bunch of others. My brother was just pulling up in his black truck with the swirls on the side.

No sooner did he open his car door I was wrapped up in a big bear hug from Jason.

"Are you hurt?" He pulled me back giving me a once over looking for damage. He didn't pay Claude any notice.

Jason was steaming mad; I could see it in his mind. Turning into a werepanther might have changed his mental signature but I knew my brother. Seeing our old home going up in flames for the second time sure didn't make anything easier.

"I'm alright. My throat hurts some but I'll live. Claude?" I asked turning to him.

"Cousin, I find living with you jeopardizing to my health on a near weekly basis."

I burst out laughing. "Yeah, so do I."

"I can smell them, all over the property." Jason had his face raised up to the sky and he was inhaling deeply through his nose.

"Werewolves," we all said together.

Just then I heard the sound of glass breaking as the firemen pushed their hoses through the windows to better reach the fire.

Hoyt came over to us with some blankets and Claude and I wrapped them around ourselves. It wasn't cold out but I was glad the whole fire department and anyone else who was likely to show up wouldn't get to see me braless in my night clothes and covered with soot. I don't think Claude cared either way.

Sheriff Bud Dearborn was walking up the path behind the truck along with Andy Bellefleur, who had a sour look on his face. Bud Dearborn always looked like a Pekinese with his pushed in face and dark eyes. Today was no different.

"One fire not enough for you, Sookie?" Bud questioned.

"Excuse me?" I was in no mood for his bullshit.

"This is the second time we've been called out here for a fire on your property."

I was about to lose it with what he was insinuating. "What an excellent memory you have Sheriff. I know it must be hard at your age."

Both the Sheriff and Andy were staring at me like I had grown a second head.

"What? I don't appreciate your tone with me Bud. Rather than even asking me what happened you start off with some snide remark toward me. Well, I'm here to tell you right now, Bud," I pushed my finger into his chest, "that stops right now."

I had fucking had it. First Eric, then wolves, then Victor and now Bud Dearborn thinks he's going to get away with his usual smarmy remarks?

I could just make out Claude chuckling slightly behind me while Jason stood to the side watching me like I was Monday night football.

"Calm down, Sookie." Andy had witnessed the entire interaction and finally seemed to have regained his voice.

"Calm down, Andy? My home, my family home that's lasted since before the Civil War is going up in smoke, along with every thing a Stackhouse had ever put in it and you want me to 'calm down'?" I was infuriated.

"Sookie, I apologize. Please remove your hand." Bud was looking a little flustered.

I pulled my hand away. "Thank you."

"Alright, now let's get to the bottom of this. Who is your friend here?" Bud asked pointing his head to Claude.

"Claude Crane, I'm Sookie's cousin."

"Crane? You related to the other one, the female that was here last time?" I could see the image of Claudine pop up in his head. He thought it peculiar both of them were here the two times my house caught fire.

"That must have been my sister, Claudine. She was quite fond of Sookie."

"Was?"

"She passed, unfortunately," I told them. Claude didn't need to rehash it. "In January."

"I'm sorry to hear that. So what were you doing here then?" Bud went right back to questioning.

As Claude explained his living situation I watched as Catfish and the others made their way inside the house to put out the rest of the flames. I was afraid of what the inside was going to look like when they were done.

The sounds of more cars turning up the road distracted me as I watched Greg Aubert pull up, along with Maxine Fortenberry and Sam Merlotte. Just great. Greg was my insurance agent. I always liked Greg. He was a decent man who was always respectful towards me and my Gran. Greg was also a witch and would cast protective spells around his clients insured things; whether they were homes, cars or others, in an attempt to prevent accidents.

Sam made it over to me first and enveloped me in my second hug for the day.

"How are ya, Cher?" His eyes were darting between me, Claude and the house like a three-way tennis match. His brain, meanwhile, was a snarled mass of red.

"I've been better Sam. I'm a little tired of people trying to kill me," I said as I hugged him back.

Sam caught a whiff then as the air shifted direction and growled. "You know who did this, Sookie?" I gave Sam the hairy eyeball. Was he seriously expecting me to say werewolves in front of Bud Dearborn and Andy Bellefleur?

They were all looking at me and waiting. Thankfully, Claude came to my rescue for the second time today.

"I suspect the Fellowship." Claude was giving me a knowing look. I guess Claudine must have mentioned the Jeff Marriott incident at some point.

"That would be the Fellowship of the Sun?" Andy questioned with a raised eyebrow.

"Yes. Sookie seems to have made herself a nasty reputation amongst Fellowship members. Seeing as how they didn't get her the last time they were here, I suspect they tried again." You would never know Claude was telling an out and out lie. It was perfect. He was completely calm and impassive as he said it. I briefly wondered if he could pass one of those FBI tests.

"I also believe I heard some of them say some lewd comments about vampires and shifters." I would love to know Claude's definition of "lewd."

I didn't like the idea of laying blame on the Fellowship, even though they did hate me and probably wanted me dead for all sorts of reasons. I didn't want to give them any further attention. Then again, they haven't given a second thought to making my life miserable.

"Sookie, did you not say you were being harassed by that little mob that lives in the shifter's parking lot now?"

Bud narrowed his eyes. "Are you referring to the protestors outside Sam Merlotte's establishment?" He asked, flicking his gaze between me and Claude.

"Yes." I know there is a certain rung in hell reserved for liars but right now, how was I going to explain a deranged vampire regent who wants me dead sending werewolves to kidnap me? I felt my face flush as I looked down. "I didn't pay no mind to it. I'm used to people talking trash about me."

Andy shifted uncomfortably.

It was Sam's turn to join the charade. "Sookie, you should have said something if those idiots were harassing you. We could have protected you, got a restraining order or something."

"Did any of them ever follow you home, Sookie?" Bud asked.

"I don't think so but it wouldn't be hard to figure out. Almost everybody in this town knows where they could find me if they wanted." Consequences of small town living. Everybody knows everybody.

"We'll need you to walk us through everything that happened."

As I began explaining I noticed the crowd that had drawn around us. The fire was nearly out. Maxine had found herself a place to perch and listen. Greg was standing behind Jason. At some point Tara and JB had arrived. I was surprised she wasn't at her store. None of the ladies who had arrived seemed to look anywhere but at Claude's perfectly chiseled front.

Terry had also driven up but was hanging back from the crowd. It looked like his truck was full of tools. I half expected Trey Dawson and Calvin Norris to come lumbering up before remembering that would never happen again.

I told them about waking up sometime after nine and while I was in the bathroom, hearing the first shattering of glass. Someone had thrown Molotov cocktails through my kitchen window setting the curtains, table and wall on fire. The smoke detector went off and I heard more glass breaking in the living room where another one had landed on my couch and one had rolled across the carpet. I ran to my room after that where my cell phone was to call the fire department when another one flew threw my bedroom and landed on my bureau. I skipped the whole Claude popping us out part in favor of saying we ran out the front door.

By the time I finished the crowd had multiplied. The fire was out and Catfish had come back over to me.

"Sookie, do you know whose Corvette is parked behind your house?"

Oh, shit.

"That would be my boyfriend's, Eric. I believe you've all met him, one time or another." Everyone shifted uncomfortably at that. Bud and Andy had nearly peed themselves seeing Eric the first time.

"He wasn't in the house was he?" Sam asked. I swear I could see a faint twinge of hope in his eyes.

"No," I lied. "He had some business to discuss with Bill," I pointed my thumb behind me toward Bill's house. "It lasted pretty late, so he told me he was going to spend the day there." I guess the lying comes easier with practice.

Claude gave me a half smirk.

"Is his car ok?" As if Eric wasn't going to be pissed enough when he woke up.

"'Fraid not. The other two cars didn't fair too good neither. I'm assumin' now the Impala is yours?" Catfish was looking at Claude.

"It is damaged?"

"Best not to look just now." And with that, Claude's face went from expressionless to morose.

After a few more questions Bud and Andy finished up and told me I'd have to come down in a day or two to sign an official report and statement. Then they left to inspect the perimeter of the property.

"Are the guys almost done in there?" I asked Catfish.

"Yeah, they're just checking the structure. It's not looking too safe, so best be careful when you go in to asses." He looked over to Greg, "You'll be goin' in with her, right?"

"That's right. Sookie, you remember what happened last time? More or less the same thing."

And that's how the next several hours went. After my house was declared safe to move around in, I went in with Greg, Claude and Jason. I asked Sam if he could gather me up some boxes for my things and I imagine Maxine was off baking something for all of us. Someone must have called her and told her we weren't in anything but our sleep clothes because she had brought with her a pair of sweatpants and some slippers for me and some pants and shoes that must have belonged to Hoyt at some point for Claude.

The front and back porch were badly scorched but not completely beyond repair. The screen had melted in several areas and some of the railing had broken. The kitchen was once again damaged and would need complete remodeling. The fridge and some of the appliances would survive and most of what was inside the cabinets was salvageable. The laminate on the cabinet doors was curled and charred and the ceiling was black from smoke damage, as was the ceiling in the living room. At least I didn't have the time to get too attached to this kitchen.

The furniture in the living room was completely done for. It reeked of smoke and burnt fabric. Everything would have to go. The cocktail they threw landed right on Gran's old couch, engulfing the whole thing in red flame and spreading onto the carpet and surrounding furniture. It felt like a little piece of me had broken inside, seeing it like that.

I started to shake a little remembering Gran cleaning up my scraped knees when I fell off my bike as a kid. Jason came over and pulled me into his arms. Waves of rage were falling off him and feeding my own anger. I couldn't stand it any longer and pulled myself out of his grasp.

"I'm sorry, Jason," I said. "I just…can't." I turned away from him to look at what was left of the mantel. As it turned out, the damage to it was minimal, being made from stone and brick underneath, only the surrounding drywall would need some retouching and painting. The photographs that were laid over it were coated in soot and smoke but were mostly safe inside the glass frames, as were the photographs in the frames going up the stairs.

I was prepared for the worst going in, thinking that I would lose all the family photographs but here was some reprieve at least.

My bedroom didn't fair so well either. The bureau was completely charred on the right side and the mirror was shattered. I opened my make up drawer, which happened to be on the less damaged side. Many of the cases had melted together and none of it was salvageable. I threw them on to the floor, seeing as how there already was plenty of debris, a little more made no difference. In the back of the drawer I found what I was looking for and quickly placed the cluviel dor in the pocket of my sweatpants.

The bed would need replacing as would many of my clothes and shoes…again. Since the closet shared a wall with the kitchen, many of the hangers had melted from the heat and my clothes took the brunt of the damage. I heaved a little sigh at all of the damage. Once more I had escaped another attempt on my life. Tears were creeping down my face as I looked at all the things that would need replacing. It wasn't that they were really valuable, aside from some jewelry but were dear to me for their memories.

I caught sight of my "nice date dress" in the back of my closet, the white one I had liked so much with the red flowers. The hanger had melted so that the straps of the dress were forever stuck to it and bubbly. It was stained from the smoke damage and the flowers really stood out against the mix of soot and splotches of white to look like blood.

The second bedroom wasn't terribly damaged beyond the initial smoke damage. The linins would need washing and the walls painted but the furniture was intact.

Claude and Greg had moved upstairs to look at the damages while Jason and I inspected the second bedroom.

When they came down, Greg had a grim look on his face.

"The second floor is not very stable. It would be unwise to go back up there."

"Oh. The damage?"

"Heavy smoke damage, the floors will need replacing and the walls painted. Most of the furniture wasn't damaged but there were a few things that melted to the floor. They'll need replacing."

For the remaining afternoon, I sat with Greg in a kind of stupor, absorbing everything but retaining nothing. We went over the damage, what kind of money I'd be getting, when it would come, how much and what my premium would look like. Greg was glad that he had placed some extra protection on my house since the last time. The damage was more extensive but after Greg and I had chatted the first time, we mutually decided a bigger policy would be necessary.

At some point the State Arson Investigator arrived, poked around, asked some questions and left again.

While we talked, Sam had come back with boxes and garbage bags. I assumed the bar was being handled by Kennedy for the time being since both Sam and Terry were here. Jason, Claude, JB and Terry meanwhile had been taking out anything that looked like it was in decent condition and setting it out on the lawn. Tara, seeing what was going on had left after checking on me and came back again in the early afternoon, leaving the store in McKenna's care, she later told me, for the rest of the day.

When she pulled up she got out and pulled me over to the back of her car and opened the trunk. Inside were several medium sized boxes of clothes. They were all new, with their tags still on them.

"Tara…I," I couldn't finish my sentence. I thought I was cried out but apparently not. There was a huge lump in my throat and I couldn't raise the energy to speak so I just hugged her.

"You didn't have to do this. I'll pay you back for all of it."

"Nonsense, Sookie. You're out of clothes. These were sitting in my store room. I was thinking of giving them to the women's domestic violence shelter in Shreveport anyway. Besides, I won't let you go around wearing charred clothes. Not when I have perfectly useable things right here." She smiled at me.

I didn't bother going poking through her head to see if she was telling me the truth or not.

"Thanks, Tara." I didn't bother questioning when I glanced at the tags that everything was in my size.

Tara and I loaded the boxes into Jason's truck bed before she headed back out again. The rest of the afternoon passed more or less silently as the six of us went through the house sorting everything out. Claude and Sam took care of most of the upstairs, bringing out the bad furniture while JB and Terry concentrated on the living room. Claude brought down most of his and Dermot's personal things where they went to one side and mine to another.

I took care of bringing out the things from my room. I was relieved to see the case I had placed underneath my bed had remained mostly undamaged, if only a little singed. I carried out what I could, boxed them and put them in Jason's truck. I would ride with Jason over to Eric's house and drop what I could there – clothes and other personal items. Jason and Terry carried the bed out to sit with the other unsalvageable items. I stared at it for a while until Sam snapped me out of my reverie. The two of us carried out the kitchen table.

There everything was. The collection of Stackhouse purchases over a century and a half, charred, scorched and otherwise unrecognizable, spread out on my front lawn. And here Jason and I were, the last remaining Stackhouses, the only ones left with the knowledge of our family history. Well, aside from the fairies.

This was all Victor's doing. The Weres were just doing his bidding. I was starting to lose count now with how many times it seemed Victor was the underlying cause of my attempted murder. And now, while he may not have succeeded in claiming my life, he took my home from me. That was completely unacceptable. I was sick of waiting for Eric and Pam to do something about him. Sooner or later, if Victor wasn't stopped, one of his plans may just end up succeeding.

I had considered calling Dermot during all of this but between JB and Terry, it would raise too many questions having someone who looked like Jason's identical twin show up.

I knew Claude wanted to get back to his place in Monroe but I was really antsy about leaving him alone with Eric in his house. There was still about two hours until sunset but there was nothing that could be done about it.

Sam came over to me. "Hey, Sook," he said. His face was a little sooty and his hands were covered in dirt. Mine were too, come to think of it.

"Hey, Sam."

"You need a place to stay?" Sam asked facing the house.

"No. I'll be fine at Eric's."

"Is Eric really at Bill's?"

"Nope. But he is safe."

"What really happened?" I looked over at him. His mouth was pressed into a thin line and his arms were crossed over his chest.

"Werewolves. They were sent by Victor Madden to abduct me. I guess they had been watching the house because they knew Eric was here."

"Goddamnit, Sookie. All he does is get you in deeper with this vampire crap." Sam was facing me now and his hand was moving through his messy strawberry blond hair.

Something in me snapped.

"I don't recall asking for a lecture from you, Sam Merlotte." If he thought I wasn't willing to rip him a new asshole if he started in on me today of all days, he was in for a big surprise.

I guess the look on my face must have said as much because he didn't press it any further. I wondered if he read any books about inconvenient times to raise an issue.

"I just hate seeing you in danger, Sookie." Like danger started and ended with Eric.

"Eric isn't the only one to have brought danger into my life. And you don't even know half of the nice things he's done for me or what he's like when we're together." Sam really needed to keep his thoughts to himself. I would rather his feeling about Eric stay in his head where I have a hard time reading.

"I know, Sook. I just…I'm here if you need me, you know that right?" He gave me a little half smile and put his hand on my shoulder.

"I know, Sam. And I appreciate that. I'll be fine. I may need a day or two though."

"Don't worry about it. I'll put you on for two days from today. Sound okay to you?"

"Yeah, Sam. Thank you for helping today."

After Sam and JB left, Claude popped over to find Dermot and tell him to bring the other car they had at his place in Monroe. It was Claudine's old car. Jason and I drove over to Eric's to leave my stuff there and then drove to Claude's. It would take about the same amount of time for Dermot and Claude to drive to Bon Temps, load everything and drive back.

By the time I got back to the room where we had left Eric, I was dead on my feet. There was still some time before sunset and I couldn't even muster the energy for a shower before collapsing.

"Sookie?" I heard it through a fog and reasoned I was still dreaming so I paid no attention to it.

"Sookie." This time I felt a little shaking from my waist. Something heavy was pressing on it.

"Mmm…not right now." I was tired of people waking me up all the time.

"Sookie, why do you smell like smoke? And where are we? You're covered in…what are you covered in?" I heard a deep sniffing sound. "Ash?"

My eyes shot open as everything came flooding back. I bolted upright, not realizing he was leaning over me and bumped into his head in the darkness. "Ow." I rubbed my head. "You have a hard head."

I could just make out the faint glowing on his skin in the dark room as he laughed quietly.

"Eric." I leaped up onto my knees and wrapped my arms around his neck. "You would not believe the day I had." Every part of my body was humming, happy that for the moment, everything was quiet and I was near him.

"Something tells me I will." He wrapped his arms around my waist and we held each other there for a moment, until I got control of myself. He kissed my neck inhaled deeply.

Over the next several minutes, between choked sobs, tears and swells of anger, I told him what happened today. When I told him the thoughts I picked up from the Weres, his anger joined my own and grew.

"I'm sorry about your car." I finally said.

"Forget about my car."

"What? You love that car." I was surprised. I expected him to be much angrier about it.

"It's insured. I can get another one. Is yours?"

I nodded.

"It was quick thinking to have your cousin pop us here. The Weres weren't expecting a fairy in the house." Eric seemed lost in a bundle of thoughts.

"Nope. Bet this is the first time you're thankful for Claude staying with me, huh?" I gave him a little nudge in the side.

"More than, thankful," he said, cupping my face. "This is the second time you've saved me during the day from burning."

"Yeah, you're racking up quite the debt, buddy," I mumbled. I only half meant it.

"I know." Orbs of blue were boring into my own, trying to convey all the things he felt. Love. Fear. Worry. Sadness. Guilt. It was all a bit overwhelming.

When it became too much, I looked away. "I need a shower and some sleep. You do too."

He looked down at himself to see some of the ash and soot had gotten on to him as well.

"Where is the fairy now?"

"He should be here." I closed my eyes to scan for brains and found Claude and Dermot outside, behind the house. "Outside, in the back, talking to Dermot."

"Come, we'll fly back to my home. I need to speak to the fairy."

He asked me to wait in hall for him when he went to speak with Claude.

I understood. It might upset him even more having to thank yet another non-vampire for preventing his final death.

Pride gets the better of all of us.

It was a special treat to go flying with Eric. It scared me a little, even though I knew I wouldn't fall. But it was exhilarating and I could see why Eric enjoyed it. It was liberating, like it was just you and the sky and nothing else. The air was cool and crisp and the wind nipped and blew at our hair. He was holding me prone against him so that my arms were around his neck and he was gripping my back and waist. Our hair tangled together in the wind.

"I don't know what I would have done if I'd lost you," I whispered into his ear.

His arms tightened around me. "It was good a good thing that the Weres had no idea where I slept. They must have presumed I would be in the same room with you. From what you told me, I would have most likely survived the day in the other room." He sounded confident but I could feel his hesitance. He wasn't the type to admit when he was uncertain of something but the possibility of daytime discovery wasn't new to him.

"I would have been more concerned about you," he said and the rage in him bubbled up, "About what those filthy creatures had planned for you."

"Yeah, well, I'd rather not think about that anymore than I already have." It was actually the last thing I wanted to think about it. Their thoughts had crept back to haunt me all day while I was sorting through what was left of my house.

"All thinking about it's made me want to do is find them, find out what they were planning and…pay them and Victor back for what they've done."

He must have felt my determination because something akin to pride seemed to seep out of him. "And so we will, my lover." His voice was full of affection.

When we landed at Eric's house, I made beeline for the shower in Eric's bedroom. It's all I've wanted since the day started. Eric went to use the phone. I presumed it was to call Pam. I shrugged out of my tank top, which by now was quite dirty, and the shorts and sweatpants from Maxine. I couldn't throw those away but I definitely wasn't keeping that sleep set anymore. I dropped my purse with my phone in it somewhere along the way to the shower. Before I got in I remembered the cluviel dor in my sweatpants pocket and slipped it into a pair of socks I kept in his dresser.

I let the hot water wash over my tired body and calm my nerves. I scrubbed every inch of me until my skin was raw. I was crying again, not just a few tears but ragged, nose stuffing, cheeks red, you can't breathe type of crying. I couldn't stop.

At some point during my crying escapade Eric must have heard because the next thing I knew, he was in the shower with me. He stroked my back in a calming up and down motion and laid his cheek on my head.

It occurred to me that Eric must have had a really good hot water heater because I'd had the hot water cranked for well over thirty minutes and it was still going strong.

"Pam is on her way," he told me without moving his head.

"Good." Now would be a great time to formulate a plan to kill Victor.

He took his time it wash me, even though I had already scrubbed myself clean and I washed him back. We didn't say much. I was too exhausted by then the form any coherent sentences. I moved my soaped hands over him, slowly and deliberately, up and down his front. I sighed. This was a much better view than what I had earlier today. Eric seemed to agree. He moved around so that I could get his back and that beautiful butt of his, giving it a playful slap when I was done. He wasn't expecting it and it brought out the only laugh I'd had that day.

"Lover, if you continue on like that, we'll never make it out before Pam gets here."

When we dried, I put on a little summer pajama set I had left at Eric's house. I had a few drawers now in his main bedroom mostly with clothes and a few books. All the things I had brought today were still piled in the hallway near the kitchen.

The pajama set was one of the few sets I had in black. The top was a tank top with a print on it in pink, red and blue that read "I heart late nights," with matching black shorts. I thought Eric would appreciate it.

Sitting up against the headboard, I watched the muscles in his back move to and fro as he dressed slowly, for my viewing pleasure. Hey, after my crap day, a little ogling was a nice reprieve.

I was determined to stay awake so that we could both talk with Pam but my body had other ideas.

I was out like a light.

A/N: I know I promised violence here but, next chapter, I promise! It will continue in the past (pre Aussie land)

Please remember to review. It makes Eric's undead heart beat (if you listen really, really hard.)