I stared out to the people that surrounded me; they all seemed to dress a lot more decent and it felt like I was going to my prom, but much creeper. The women in long delicate dresses, and men in designer suits, it made me feel awkward. It was like he planned it all to celebrate and peer pressure me to his answer, Prick.

I took another look, this time tapping into the fire. I sensed they were all vampires, every single person who looked at me, was now a person who bowed to me. Then, the fire screamed as I felt like bursting, this is not what I wanted at all, but parts of the fire urged me to say yes.

I stood up, looking into Eric's eyes, they seemed so happy. That isn't mine. I ran out of the club, pushing everyone aside, feeling the poison and confusion from these people. I slammed the door open, getting to the parking lot, whispers from inside stopped as the door slammed closed.

I tried to take a deep breath, the fire torching my insides, I coughed. "If you have a problem, then say something! Don't burn me for my own choices!"

Suddenly, Sonja and another woman popped out of no where in front of me, I almost fell backwards. I sighed, taking a breath, and looking straight at her.

"Shit, you don't have to scare me, Sonja." Her face was plagued with different emotions, sad was one of them; I already knew that.

Then I stared at the other woman, she seemed to be about my age, but hell I can't tell anymore. Her hair was red and spiked, as if she came out of a Billy Idol concert, which I found pretty awesome. Her eyes were sparkling green emeralds, with a hint of grey in the middle, they were very cute. She wore a ripped red tank top and acid wash jeans, with flip flops. This woman seemed more my style than Sonja, Want that outfit. Focus. She seemed to be a few inches shorter than Sonja, but still taller than me, darn it! Why is everyone taller?

"Ava, what in sodding hell are you doin?" The woman's voice was English, shit I'm dealing with Mary Poppins. I giggled, she glared, I stopped instantly.

"I didn't want to be in there while you and whoever else was fighting in the fire. It hurts, you know." I rubbed my chest, feeling the fire cool. It must of been the two of them arguing, because every other essence in the fire understood how I was feeling. I quickly understood that the fire was made of each of my past lives, so each one had a painful word to say, but a word none the less.

"I realize your pain, Luv, but the Swedish bitch don't get it. Women like us don't want to be tied to a man, especially one attached to a dead spirit." The red head glared at Sonja, someone gets it! She then smiled at me. "I'm Guinevere, Gwen for short." I nodded.

"Neither of you understand the pain he's suffering. He needs someone to confide in, to depend on. Just as he did with me." Sonja looked in so much pain, as she stared into my eyes, almost pleading. "We all saw him cry, he needs someone to break down those walls. A thousand years of loneliness, no woman to love and co-"

My jaw dropped a little. He's a thousand years old? Well, that kinda freaks me out worse, considering the incident last night.

Gwen laughed, like her sides were splitting. "He is just like every other bloke. Bang a lady and run scot-free because of being a bloody souless vampire. He was just playing poor Ava, she's just a child."

"Don't speak of Eric, like that!" Sonja banged her foot down, though being just a vision of my fire, it didn't make any noise.

I felt Eric getting near, they both turned to the entrance. They disappeared, as I felt the fire get warmer again. Listen up. This is my body. Let me make my choices, if I need help. I'll ask. Got it? The fire calmed, they understood.

I sighed, turning my back to the door and pulling out the chopsticks, letting down my hair. The wind blew gently, cooling my nervousness. I heard the door open, as a swoosh of air, messed my hair. I turned to expect Eric, but came to see pink Pam.

"What are you doing out here?" She seemed peeved, I could sense that she wasn't that fond of humans and she certainly detested me right now. Ever since that first night I met her, I prayed I wouldn't have the ungodly horror of having to spend a few minutes with Pam.

"Oh, freaking out."

"Why is that?" Pam put her hand on her hip.

"I just met you guys the night before. Now, he's asking him to marry him. Why?" Maybe she'd understand it, because I sure as hell don't.

Pam scratched her head. "Hell if i know. I just know he wants to make sure his new toy is safe."

I glared at her, blood boiling. "I ain't a toy."

"You certainly aren't turning material, dear. Then, you must be a toy or a weapon." Pam fixed her dress, smiling. Her smile was just as evil as the first she ever gave me. Turning? "Which is it?" She moved closer, grabbing a stand of hair, inhaling deep. "I'd say toy, because you smell so good. Almost like sunshine, sugar and everything sweet. Its delicious."

I backed away, scared, as she giggled. Pam took a step forward; her blue eyes were nothing like Eric's. Hers resonated in disgusting sadistic torment and a touch of prep, both made me cringe.

"Pamela!" In a swoosh, Eric was in front of me, fangs out at her. His hand gently pushed me behind him. Somehow even though I was kind of pissed at him, I felt safe knowing he was protecting me. "Go back inside."

"Fine. You never share." Pam frowned, as she glared at him, then at me. She vanished back into the club, hearing ruckus, probably because of me running out.

Eric turned around, as his fangs went back in and his straightened himself. The happy face he had earlier was now an emotionless stare. "Explain yourself."

I took a deep breath, looking into his eyes, they had gotten as cold as the first night. I felt much better knowing that it was toward me, and only me. "I got nervous, I was panicking. I needed some air." My voice seemed so weak and each word faster than the other, I felt like a mouse.

He put his hands on my shoulders, they were so cold, my fire didn't fight. I shivered a little. "You shouldn't have just barged out like that. It was disgraceful to me." Eric's hands gripped hard, I winced. "Never run away from me like that again."

"I wasn't running from you. I just can't handle all this. Its going so fast, I can't stand it." I looked at the ground. If I could tell you the truth, you were my first kiss… Now you're asking me to marry you, because inside you think Sonja will be by your side. It's confusing and painful.

Eric loosened his grip, giving me some space; he felt my pain. "Understood. I shouldn't-"

"It's not you. I just wish I could start all over with this." The fire burned furiously, I gasped, not a do over! Don't you fucking dare! The fire stopped, as I sighed in relief.

"What do you mean?" Eric seemed confused.

"Can we change the rules?" I looked at him.

His eyes darkened, as he clenched his fist. "What do you wish to change?"

"Let me move out of the house, let me do what I want, but I'm still bonded." I sensed his unease, but I wanted to get to know Eric on my own terms, instead of being obligated to stay by his side.

"What do I get in return?" Eric smirked.

"Once every two weeks, I'll stay at your house and be by your side. I don't know what else I can offer than that."

"Two conditions,"

I nodded, expecting the worse, like having Sonja coming out to him or me having to be his blood bag or something. Both were painful thoughts, not like I liked Eric, just he was interesting… so far.

"First, you will train every Tuesday night with me, to try and understand what you are."

"That's reasonable, and two?" Cross my fingers…

"You will live with your friend Sookie Stackhouse. So just in case I'm not available, Compton may protect you." Eric looked me deep in my eyes, I felt all the feeling for Sonja and thought of marriage disappear from his aura. It made me smile, he wanted to know me and only me. I coughed, chill out, you are not freaking out at Eric. He is a stranger, forget everything the past 48 hours. Total re-do.

"Agreed?"

I nodded, as I wrapped my arms around him, hugging him. "Thank you, Eric."

He cringed in my arms, patting my head. "Yeah. You're welcome."

I giggled, as I was finally seeing who the real Eric Northman was, human detesting, manipulative and sex fiend, from what I could feel in his soul. Whoa, I can feel his soul? Shit, it's a weird feeling. It's like a jaw breaker thing, there are levels. Each level goes deeper and deeper into his true self. This was gonna be fun.

Eric gently unhinged my arms from himself, as he unlocked his car. "Shall we get your things?"

"Not yet." I shook my head, as I grabbed his hand and pulled him into the club, his aura was completely confused. I swung open the door, as all the people quieted again and stared at us. I smiled, as I lifted my hand, the ring was on my right hand. "I accepted Sheriff Northman's request. I hope you all treat me with the respect that I will bestow you and I will see you again. Bye!"

I walked back out, feeling all the women's mouths drop to the floor, including Pam, and all the men swearing at each other, for some weird reason.

Eric was walking behind me, as I got into the front seat, he closed his door, as I did with mine "May I ask what you just did?" He turned the car on, leaving the parking lot; his voice seemed confused and angered at the same time. It was amusing and hilarious.

"Well, I thought since I kind went inside that mind of yours. Found out that if you were not engaged, that things in there would have been a bit chaotic. Being as people think I'm just a human, it would tarnish your perfect reputation as a ladies man. So, played a lie, and will be till I make my real decision." I fixed my boots, as my outfit changed to acid wash jean shorts and a black tank top. "You're my fake fiancé. Ain't life grand?" His aura was bright, he was impressed but not as much as I thought.

"Ava,"

"Yeah?"

"You don't see your mistake in this, do you?" We turned onto his street, as his hands on the wheel got tighter, I shook my head. "You just blurted it, then left. They will think I picked some air headed human, instead of the woman I described in the invitation."

"Ok. Not my problem." I patted my hair, as it got straight by itself.

"I-"

Lifted my hand, he moved his mouth but no noise; fire giving me courage again. "Ah, it isn't my problem because I didn't want a vampire pressured marriage." Eric stopped the car in the driveway, as he glared at me. "That cute look isn't gonna make me release your voice. Get my stuff and then I'll put my hand down." I smirked, just like he would; he nodded, swooshing out of the car and into the house.

I relaxed a little. I felt a twitch, as the fire started to burn hotter with each breath I took. I got out of the car, grabbing my head, then Eric was at my side with two suitcases, his face worried. "I feel like exploding." Suddenly, my hands started to burn and I felt my skin twitching, everything in my body felt warmer than the sun.

Eric tried to come near me, but something made me glare at him. I felt like all the people inside me, just disappear, almost just combining into the flames that were changing me. I screamed, but all came out was a screech of some animal; I fell hard to my knees.

The fire slowly washed away, as the warmth was replaced with the feeling of complete harmony.

I closed my eyes, as Eric pulled me up. "Ava?"

I moaned as I could feel his cold skin, it made the fire, my fire, calm and content. The feeling of his aura was soothing yet irritating, it was a nice feeling.

"Look at me." His voice sounded like an order, I sensed worry because he could feel my nervousness through our bond. I opened my eyes slow, staring at him, seeing everything pass my eyes. He was the little boy, the one Sonja loved so. It passed as more memories did. None were mine, they were Sonja, Gwen, and everyone else's memories that flashed before me. Each memory revealed a power in the fire that I would learn, that would become my own, but for some reason I never felt better. I thought from what Sonja and Gwen experienced when their fires gave truly to themselves and not the other souls, it would hurt like they did. For me, it felt like heaven, my sorrow for killing my father and leaving my Mother alone were gone, the thought of finding who I really was a challenge I wanted to conquer.

But deep inside, I felt memories that were locked away, that finally were free. They passed over my eyes slowly.

-26 or so Years ago-

Storms roared the sky, a baby crying away in a basket, in front of My home? I walked to the basket, it was me.

My 'Mom' opened the door, looked so young, 'Dad' right behind her. "Derek,"

"Lea, it must be God."

"Must be." She picked baby me from my basket, as I stopped crying staring into her green eyes, turning to his hazel. "Hello. What should we name her?"

"Ava, after my mother."

"Ava Henderson." She lifted me in the air.

I gasped, as I was staring into those calming blues. I wanted to cry, but my tears wouldn't come out. I felt so confused and no one to ask. My body was empty of other souls, the fire was the only thing that called to me. It was telling me to trust what I just saw, as it was part of the routine of our kind. We weren't born into families, my kind was given as a gift from god; whoever was lucky to raise me was blessed to be even noticed. I took a deep breath, Eric was still worried, I sensed it. "Calm down Eric."

"What just happened?"

"The souls inside me from all my past lives combined into one being in the fire. It's like a ritual in our kind, sorry for scaring you." I patted my hair, down noticing a strand was red, I ripped it out. "No more freaking out though. The worst is over till I figure what I am… Can't believe I'm adopted though."

"What?" Eric put the suitcases in the car, taking my hand, leading me to the car.

"Yeah, I just found out I'm a stoop baby. So, that explains a lot." I sat down, he swooshed to his side, driving faster than before towards Bon Temps. "Confusing for you, I know."

We quickly reached a yellow two story house, Sookie's home. I turned to Eric, his eyes seemed so confused. I sighed, I don't want him to worry all night. Let's try the glamour thing. I looked deep, as his eyes glazed a bit. "Eric?"

So robotic. "Yes, Ava."

"Say I'm a pig."

"I'm a pig."

I stifled a laugh, works on vampires. I took a deep breath. "Eric, you will forget everything after going inside your house to get my things. You just got back to the car, put my things in the car and I released your voice. You drove to Sookie's, parked the car and told me that you would call some contacts and look into what I am. Also, you said I would see you soon. Got it?"

Eric nodded, as I looked down, then back up. His eyes cleared up, his face got stoic again. "Just grab your things, I will see you Tuesday." 4 days.

"All right." I got out of the car, grabbed my suitcases, and the window turned down.

"Ava?"

I leaned down, to look into his eyes. "Yeah?"

"Don't ever try to glamour me again." Eric glared at me, I gasped.

"But you-"

"Your glamour skills are weak, with more practice it might stay. Nice try." He smirked, as he drove away.

I sighed. Bastard fake vampire fiancé. I looked up at the door, as I took a nice deep breath, readying myself to try and explain all the basics to Sookie, the only friend I made who was a weirdo like me. I started up the stairs, I knocked and Sookie opened the door. She looked tired, her blond hair all disheveled, her clothes messed. Her eyes though popped.

"Ava!" She jumped me, hugging me tight. She then pushed me forward, looking at me close. "You're not hurt, what happened to you?"

"You wouldn't believe me if I told you."

Sookie motioned me in, as a smile grew on her face, comforting me. "Try me."

-An hour or so later(11:46pm on a Saturday night, just so you know)-

"You're Eric's fiancé?" Sookie looked like she was gonna send me to the loney bin. After everything I told her, the most unbelievable and craziest thing she heard was the fake engagement; she noticed the ring.

"As I said, he was kinda over run by emotions because of Sonja. But now, he's just normal manipulative and bonded to Eric." I tried to smile, hoping that would help, no such luck. Her aura was covered in worry and hate, worry for me and hate towards Eric. "But could I live with you?"

"Absolutely, Hun, you can have Jason's old room. Lets get your things up there." Sookie switched to sweet mode, Bipolar much, she picked up one of the suitcases and I grabbed the other. I followed her up the stairs, I heard gentle snoring, I sensed who it was. "You live with your grandma?"

"Yeah, she won't mind having another gifted child under her roof." Sookie turned from her grandmother's door, passing a bright yellow, Her room. She's worse than my cousin and her addiction to everything blue. We ended up at a dark green door, Sookie swung the door open, laying the suitcase on the bed.

I looked around. A queen bed, with a black and blue comforter and four red pillows, laid on the floor in the corner of the room, posters of football all over and a naked chick on the ceiling, EWWWWW! It was reasonable, I'd spice it up. "Thanks Sook."

"No problem. Get some rest, you need it." She closed the door behind herself, I instantly waved my hand, all the posters disappeared and the bed was made and clean. All my things were in their proper places, as Jason's leftovers were in boxes in the closet now, my room now. I yawned, it felt like sleep was a stranger. I laid down on the bed, kicking off my boots and slipping underneath the blankets.

I wonder what tomorrow will bring me, truth or fiction. Can't wait to find out. I slowly drifted out of consciousness.

Author Note

Hey Readers. In honor of True Blood being amazing last night, I give you a new chapter a week early! And its just as long as the one before. I plan that all my chapters will be this long, since you guys have to wait so long. A thousand words every Sunday isnt enough for my friends. :-) So, I hope you will enjoy this and Im already working on chapter 13. But be patient, this one is coming next sunday. Review and Alert, my wonderful Readers.

Don't forget to participate in the contest. If no right answer by Thursday, the contest is done and I will make up a new one, because... I will reveal a secret that will majorly tip off what Ava is in the next chapter. Please stay tuned.