A/N: More notes at the end of the chapter. Natalie has another brief flashback. She acts like any child and tests her boundaries a little.

Chapter 11

I

Natalie sat in the chair next to Eric and looked through a photography magazine. She was doing her best to ignore him since she had yet to forgive him for his little bout of deceit over the blood. Her mind began to wander and once again found it's way back to her past. Maybe it was because Eric reminded her of Marcus. In personality, they were similar and that was not such a good thing. But, she hoped that Eric turned out to be different. He seemed to genuinely want to help her, even if he was a sneaky S.O.B.

Natalie found herself remembering how she had met Marcus. It was several days after she had been turned. Carlo had finally let her wander around on her own outside the mansion. She had just wanted to be alone for a while. She found her way to a quiet little pond in a secluded area of the grounds. There, she sat on a bench and watched the water. She found that even though it was dark, she could see quite well. Must be those new vampire abilities, she thought. She threw a few fish pellets into the water and watched as the koi appeared. They were beautiful with mottled orange and black markings. Her attention was so preoccupied that she was not aware that she was also being watched. A voice cut through the silence and startled her.

"I'm surprised that you managed to escape," he said.

In a flash, Natalie moved and faced her intruder. He was a vampire with black hair and blue eyes. His handsome face watched her with a concentrated scrutiny.

"You're very quick," he said, considering her.

"Who are you?" Natalie asked.

"My name is Marcus," he replied.

"If...if you mean me harm, you should reconsider. Carlo will punish you-" began Natalie.

"I'm well aware of what Carlo will do to anyone who would try to harm you," he said, cutting her off.

He gave her a smile and added, "Luckily for me, my intentions are quite the opposite."

"I...I should be going," said Natalie.

She attempted to move down the path to the mansion, but Marcus moved in a flash and blocked her.

"No need to run away, we were just getting acquainted," he said. "We have a lot in common or we should have."

"I don't understand," she said.

"Carlo is my maker," he replied. "Although, he released me centuries ago. You and I share the same blood. Yet, there is something that is different about you."

"I don't understand," said Natalie.

"Hmmm, that makes two of us," replied Marcus. "But, don't worry. I'm very good at mysteries. No secret is safe from me."

He studied her in a way that made her nervous and exposed. It wasn't exactly sexual, although he made the attempt to cover up his interest with such an excuse.

"I think that I should be going," said Natalie.

In a flash, he was beside her and brushed a tendril of her hair behind her ear.

"Next to Carlo, I'm your closest kin," he said. "We are family, if you will. We shouldn't be strangers. I want to get to know you better."

"You are too bold," said Natalie.

He smiled and took her arm in his and said, "Totally shameless and without those pesky morals to get in the way. But, most girls like that."

"I'm not most girls," replied Natalie.

"Now, that is plainly evident, little sister," he said.

Eric's voice cut through her past and rudely jolted her back to the present.

"You've been on that same page for five minutes," he said.

"I was somewhere else," replied Natalie.

Eric wondered where that was and said, "It's time to practice your skills."

Natalie looked up and said, "Of course, what is your wish?"

Even though her words and manners appeared to be respectful, Eric guessed that her intention was much different. She was still mad about the blood, he thought. Well, sooner or later, she would get over it. Most likely when she was drinking the blood that was now in the fridge. He had removed all the Tru Blood and replaced it was human blood.

"I want you to practice using your influence over humans," he said.

He looked out over a group of fangbangers and said, "Pick one."

"Are you serious?" replied Natalie. "I don't need to use any vampire voodoo to ensnare one of them. They fight each other over the privilege to be used by us."

Eric smiled and said, "Do I detect a note of superiority?"

Natalie stared briefly at him and then dropped her eyes.

"It had to happen sooner or later, little vampire," said Eric. "You are finally realizing that you are something better than them. You shouldn't feel guilty about knowing the truth."

Natalie started to move away to comply with his request, but Eric touched her hand.

"Since you want a challenge, then how about that group of young men over there?" he said.

Natalie looked over and saw three young men sitting at a table. They stared wide-eyed around the bar and plainly were tourists.

Eric smiled, "They look like they just escaped from Bible study."

Natalie considered the young men and said, "I want my money back."

"No," replied Eric.

Natalie frowned and said, "Keeping my money is stealing."

"I look at it as holding it in safe-keeping," replied Eric.

"You know that you catch more bees with honey rather than with vinegar," said Natalie.

"That's good to know, if my intention were to catch bees," replied Eric. "But, I don't really need advice on how to be your guardian. As the saying goes, I've been around the block before."

Natalie mumbled something unintelligible under her breath. Eric smiled again and picked up her magazine and began to flip through the pages. Natalie stood up and moved away as Eric watched her out of the corner of his eye. Approaching the table, Natalie ran her hands down her dress. She had searched through her closet and found a red dress that fell almost to her knees which she paired with black knee high boot. She ignored the goth fangbangers and made her way to the table with the three young men. They certainly did look like they had escaped from some church group she thought. They wore short, neat haircuts and were clean-shaven with short-sleeved plaid shirts or polos that were tucked into khaki slacks or neat jeans. When they saw her approach, they watched with large saucer eyes.

"May I join you?" she asked.

They stared at her and then remembered their manners. "Of course," they replied almost in unison.

One boy got up and pulled out a chair for her and Natalie took a seat.

"Now, what are your names?" asked Natalie.

"I'm John and this is Daniel," said the one in the middle. "And Scott is the one who pulled out your chair."

"Such a gentleman," said Natalie, giving a smile to Scott.

"What's your name?" John asked.

"Cindy," she replied.

"Oh, that's a pretty name," replied John.

"Really? I don't like it much," said Natalie. "What are you boys doing here, since it's obvious that you don't belong."

They looked back at her sheepishly and Scott said, "We were curious, I guess."

"There's no crime in being curious," said Natalie. "But, you should have made an attempt to blend in a little better."

"Why is that?" they asked.

"Because, you are sending out a very strong signal that you are naïve and vulnerable," replied Natalie. "It attracts predators."

Now, they became nervous and Natalie smiled, "Relax, that's why I'm here. My presence will keep the others away."

"Would...would you like something to drink?" asked Scott.

He then realized how that sounded and added, "I...I mean like one of those drinks for vampires."

"Sure, B pos will do," said Natalie.

Scott left for the bar and John asked, "Do you really live on that stuff?"

"I do," said Natalie. Well, at least, she was living on it. Damn that Eric for tricking her, she thought.

"Does it really taste like blood?" he asked.

"It is similar," lied Natalie.

Scott returned and placed her drink in front of her. They watched her take a drink with rapt curiosity.

"How long have you been a vampire?" asked John. "I mean, if that is not something that we aren't supposed to ask."

"Not very long," replied Natalie.

"Do you like being a vampire?" Scott asked.

"It doesn't matter because I can't change what I am," replied Natalie.

She faced the young men and said, "A word of advice, don't come back here again."

Natalie looked over at Eric and saw that his attention was occupied with watching a new dancer. Men, she thought, were all the same, be they vampire or human. She turned back to the three young men.

"So, did you three carpool here?" she asked.

"John and Daniel did," replied Scott. "But, I live in a different area of town, so I drove myself."

Natalie chugged her beverage down and then stared at the boys. She began to glamour them.

"John, you and Daniel are going to leave and go home. You will remember that Scott left at the same time and alone. Understand?" Natalie asked.

"Yes," said John and Daniel.

Natalie stood up and pulled up Scott and said, "We are leaving and going back to your place."

Natalie glanced over and Eric was still looking away, so she and the boys slipped out of the bar. Sitting in the car with Scott driving, Natalie looked out the window. Eric would be angry with her, she thought. But, he was not her maker and the sooner he realized that she didn't answer to him with blind obedience, the better. Besides, didn't he ask her to practice her skills?

II

Eric watched the new dancer strut her stuff and registered that Pam had joined him. He flicked his eyes across the room to where Natalie and the tourists were. That was when he noticed that they were gone. He cast his eyes over the bar and didn't see any of them.

"Where is Natalie?" he asked Pam.

"I saw her leave with those boys," said Pam. "Rather bold of her to take all three. She pissed off several vampires in here who had their eyes on those tasty little morsels."

"And you just let her walk out of here?" demanded Eric.

"It wasn't like she snuck out and how was I to know that she isn't allowed to play without supervision?" said Pam.

"Do a search of the parking lot," said Eric. "Now."

With an aggravated huff, Pam stalked off. The new dancer winked at him and he ignored her. Aggravating little vampire, he thought. He should have known that she had been acting much too meek. It was so easy to forget how she could slip from one personality to another. She wasn't exactly being deceitful, she was just very complex. When he saw Pam come back inside alone, he knew that Natalie had taken those boys somewhere.

"She is just testing her boundaries," replied Pam. "Like I did, like any child does."

"You were well versed on how to handle humans before I ever left you alone with one," said Eric.

"Well, maybe it wasn't the right time to tempt her with real blood," said Pam. "The poor girl has been deprived. You might have wanted to ease her into things."

"I didn't ask for your advice," replied Eric, in irritation.

"So, you'll have to clean up an accident," said Pam. "Messy, but she'll learn from her mistakes."

Pam decided that she didn't want to be around Eric when he was in one of his pissy moods. She moved off to find her own entertainment.

Eric kept a watch for Natalie's return, but she didn't not come back by closing time. By that time, he had reached the level of being angry along with being aggravated. Besides leaving without permission, she had been gone for hours and had not even phoned in. He had called her cell which was turned off. He looked around for Pam, but saw that she had disappeared into the back. Eric went to find her and barged in on her and a human girl. Pam looked up from the girl and gave Eric an irritated glance.

"I'm going home," said Eric. "If she comes back here, send her immediately home. Unless, it is too close to dawn."

"Fine," replied Pam. "Do you mind?"

Eric cast a glance to Pam's plaything, "Where did you find her?"

"Now, why would I tell you that?" replied Pam. "Anyway, you've got all the distractions that you can handle right now."

Eric gave her a dirty look and left without another word.

"If there's anything worse than baby vampires, it has to be their daddies," said Pam to the girl. "Now, where were we?"

III

Natalie sat with Scott as they finished a movie together. It had been a comedy and they had laughed and giggled together. Natalie took another sip of her Tru Blood. They had stopped along the way and picked up a supply for her. But, she inhaled deeply and could smell the sweet aroma coming off the boy. She knew that he would taste even sweeter. She relaxed back into the cushions and tried to think of something else. Scott looked over at her and gave her a smile.

"I'm glad that you came over," he said.

"Me, too," said Natalie. "I guess that I'm just lonely."

"You're entirely too pretty to be alone," said Scott. "I saw you sitting with that blonde vampire. Is he your boyfriend?"

"No, absolutely not," said Natalie. "He's my...my teacher."

"Oh, so you are playing hookey, then?" said Scott.

"Bingo," said Natalie with a smile.

Scott stared at her. Natalie had stopped using her glamour on him and he had seemed comfortable around her. But, now he searched her eyes as if looking for some answers.

"Should I be scared of being alone with you?" he asked.

"Do I frighten you?" asked Natalie.

"A little," replied Scott. "But, I'm always nervous around any pretty girl."

"You shouldn't be afraid of me," said Natalie. "Right now, I'm just a pretty girl who invited herself to your home."

"So, what do you want to do next?" asked Scott. "I have more movies and I have board games, too."

"You certainly know how to entertain a lady, Scott," replied Natalie with a smile. "How about Monopoly?"

"Coming right up," said Scott.

Natalie watched him in his innocence and smiled. She would have to glamour him before leaving to make sure that he never came back to Fangtasia. The boy was much too sweet for that place. And for her.

Natalie entered the basement about an hour before dawn. She skipped down the steps, humming a little tune from one of the movies that she had watched with Scott. Eric appeared before her in a flash and blocked her path. By now, he had plenty of time to grow even angrier at her.

"You flagrantly disobeyed me," he said.

"How is that? Didn't you tell me to use my powers on those boys?" she replied.

Natalie tried to move around him and he grabbed her arm. She shrugged off his hand and faced him.

"Don't play games with me," he said. "I want to know what you did to them."

"I didn't do anything that you wouldn't have," she said. "Does that reassure you or scare you?"

"You agreed to obey me," said Eric. "If I can't trust you to keep your word, then I will take other precautions."

Natalie stared at him in suspicion and said, "Like what?"

"Oh, who wants to talk, now?" replied Eric. "There are ways for me to know where you are and what is going on in that pretty little head."

Natalie's eyes widened, "But, that is only for humans."

"Wrong, usually a maker and his child are bound by his blood. But, vampires can exchange blood. It works the same way," said Eric.

"You wouldn't dare," said Natalie.

"That is the wrong reply, if you are trying to stay my hand," said Eric.

"I'm not your pet," said Natalie. "And I certainly don't remembering to agreeing to be your slave."

"You insolent, spoilt brat," said Eric. "Maybe, all you need is a spanking."

"Don't even try it," replied Natalie.

He made a grab at her and she flinched enough away so that he only grasped her clothes. Natalie with a yelp of surprise transformed in front of him. He held her dress as a black cat wiggled out and dropped to the floor. He dropped her dress as the cat with a yowl raced to her room. Eric followed right on the cat's heels and Natalie didn't have enough time to shift back and lock her door against him. The cat jumped up on the bed and it's green eyes eyed him malevolently. When Eric leaned against he door and locked it, the cat hissed and growled.

"Not such a smart move, little vampire," said Eric.

The cat retreated back to the headboard and hissed and menacingly displayed little sharp fangs.

"Oh, I think that I can handle one little pussycat," said Eric with a smirk. "What are you going to do, little kitty? Bite me with those fangs and expose yourself to my blood?"

The cat froze and stared at him. It's tail flicked back and forth in anger. With a smile, Eric advanced on the cat. Just as he dove for it, the cat leaped up on him and began to rake it's claws over his body as it climbed him like an scratching post. However, it carefully did not bite him. Eric with a muffled curse tried to grab the cat, but it raced around to his back and dug in all four sets of claws and hissed loudly.

"You little minx," he hissed in return.

As Eric fell upon the bed in an attempt to detach the cat, it let go and raced to the bathroom. Eric leapt after it, falling on the floor as he lunged for it. He didn't catch it, but he did divert the cat from the bathroom. He then began chasing it as it raced around the room with a serpentine grace. The dresser was turned over in the scuffle and clothes spilled out onto the floor. Natalie couldn't get enough of a lead on him to shift back and she dodged and dived, trying to stay out of Eric's grasping hands. With a howl of frustration, the cat ran under the bed where it growled at him in anger. When he moved too close to the bed, needle sharp claws flashed out and raked his ankles. Okay, he thought, this wasn't as easy as he had thought it would be.

"Just how many things can you change into?" he asked.

In answer, Natalie the cat hissed and spat at him. In a flash, he threw up the mattresses and went after her. She ran between his legs in a black blur and again made a shot for the bathroom. Even though he paid dearly for it, Eric caught the cat. As he had grabbed her, Natalie had raked his forearms with her claws. She opened up deep, bleeding gashes. He held her by the scruff of her neck and gave her a little shake as he watched himself heal. Natalie yowled and twisted in his grip, lashing out and trying to slash at him again with her claws. Holding her triumphantly at arm's length, Eric smiled.

"Shift back, Natalie," he said.

Natalie hissed and Eric watched as she contorted her nimble feline body and managed to grab his hand. She plunged her claws all way into his flesh, causing Eric to drop her with a curse. This time, Natalie made it to the bathroom. She shifted and slammed the door closed and locked it.

"Open this door, right now," demanded Eric as he banged on it.

"Leave me alone," cried Natalie.

"I'll break it down," said Eric.

"No, you psychotic bully," she said.

Eric broke the door open and Natalie shrank back from him. She had pulled on a robe and she held out her hand in a gesture to stop.

"I didn't harm any of them," she said. "I didn't even bite them. I just wanted to pretend for a little while."

"Pretend?" asked Eric.

"Pretend that I'm the same person that I used to be," said Natalie. "Was that so wrong?"

Natalie put her hands to her eyes and began to sob.

"I never wanted to be a vampire," she softly cried.

Eric watched her slowly cry and guessed that there was much more to that simple statement. His anger departed and he took a moment to push his hair out of his eyes.

"I lost my temper," he said.

"You're not my maker," said Natalie.

"You're right. I've never turned anyone against their will," said Eric.

Natalie looked up at him with blood-stained eyes and said, "I...I believe you."

"You can't change the past, Natalie," said Eric. "Pretending only makes it harder to move on."

Natalie searched his eyes and slowly nodded. Eric took a wash cloth and wiped at her eyes. He smoothed her hair back in place and led her out from the bathroom, after carefully placing the door against the wall. His eyes took in the sight of the state of her room.

"You are a messy, little thing, aren't you?" he said.

"You're the one who destroyed everything, picking on a defenseless cat," replied Natalie.

"Defenseless, my ass," said Eric. "You shredded me to ribbons."

"Serves you right," said Natalie.

Eric began to lead her out of her room and she balked and pulled against his hand.

"You can't sleep in this mess and the sun will be up in a few minutes," said Eric. "Come on, I'm like a daddy."

"You are not like a daddy," said Natalie.

Eric smirked and said, "I'll control my normal impulses and behave. Scout's honor."

"You were never a boy scout, either," replied Natalie.

"There is such a thing as being too smart for your own good," said Eric.

Eric pulled her all the way inside and shut his door. Pam flew by a second later and stopped as she surveyed the damage in Natalie's room.

"That must have been some party," she said. "Why is it that I'm never invited?"

A/N: Carlo had mentioned that he had another child. There wasn't much information on Marcus as of yet. But, it's telling that Natalie didn't rely on him for help. I think Natalie's memories are haunting her for a reason. Carlo seems just a little sinister to me. There is a reason Natalie is the way she is and her gifts are a clue.

In the books, Eric turned Pam against her will. She was just a girl of nineteen or so that he caught as she was sneaking back to her home after meeting a boy. But, series Pam is different. I'm glad that they made her older and if anyone was born to be a vampire, it's Pam. So, I think my statement that Eric never turned anyone against their will was correct.