Eric softly stroked my hair, and leaned over to give me "butterfly kisses" on the sensitive spot on my neck.

"Aaaaaaaahh! Hey, hey... you know I can't stand that!" I giggled. "Careful, you know having Jason for a brother and putting up with all his crap, I became a pretty good tickler. In fact, I can probably say I am... a professional..."

I jumped up from my position beside him and ran my fingers down Eric's body.

"Hmm... everyone has a spot... I'll find yours...." I grinned devilishly.

"I hate to disappoint you sweetheart, but Vampires don't get...ticklish. Go ahead and try though. Any excuse to get your hands all over my body is a good one." Eric said smugly.

"I don't believe you for one second. You're just scared of my ability to render you into a puddle of giggles, sweetheart. I think I know...just where your spot is...somewhere...that doesn't get touched very often... because it is touched too much..." I laid my head down on his wide hip.

"Is that supposed to be a riddle?"

"Hrm, I guess so. What's the answer then?"

"That's the worst riddle I've ever heard." Eric said laughing softly and looking at me warmly.

"Is it?" I dashed backward two feet and begin attacking Eric's feet with my tickling skills.

He immediately jolted a bit and clenched his fists as I continued the assault.

"You know, I could do this all day. Can you?"

Eric let out a deep playful laugh that turned into real breathy laughter as I changed tactics and immediately found HIS TICKLE SPOT.

"Sookie, Sookie...Okay, you win! You are the Queen of tickles!"

I grinned and returned to my position in his arms.

"Good. I don't really want to be stuck down there anyway. I would much rather be... UP HERE... where I can...reach EVERYTHING..."

I leaned in to kiss him and simultaneously reached my hand down to grab his cock, and he groaned in satisfaction.

I woke up feeling really good from one of those dreams again. I felt loved. And it was always such a deep crash down to reality when I realized that it wasn't real- and could never be real. So my mornings turned out to be routinely depressing. Along with the waking thought of Bill, of course.

Sam had told me that he was going to head out that evening to find Lorena's shack and deliver my letter to Bill. I was eagerly anticipating his report of how it went down. He said he knew where an owl lived and could "copy" it, so that it would be faster to get there and he could make a quick getaway if he had to. Plus having night vision is really good when dealing with sneaky Vamps.

I giggled as I imagined Sam flying over to the shack, looking like one of those mail owls in Harry Potter. But that just reminded me of Bill again. We had watched the Harry Potter movies together, he had bought them for me. He said things like how he enjoyed the traditional good vs. Evil aspect, that it was teaching kids the power of the good side, and that evil never wins for very long. I had asked him what he thought of the supernatural aspect, and he had laughed and said the movie was very fictional but had some things that were very true. I asked about what these things were, but he immediately clammed up and said something like he would explain later, "if he had to." I remember that annoyed me, because he was always so reluctant to share anything about "his world".

I thought more about the letter that Eric wrote. So he was aware that people were after me? Or Vampires, or Whoever! The fellowship of the sun scared me more than the Vampires did. At least Vampires, and what they want, makes sense most of the time. They want to drink peoples blood and play their lame political games with each other, and collect humans like trophies. But the Fellowship of the Sun- they just want to kill- just for the sake of killing! Just for the sake of hating. Hating Vampires because they are different. And hating me because I'm different.

I had a thought. Maybe that rapist had been sent by the Fellowship of the Sun. I don't always get people's thoughts right about their intentions. I mean- I spent LOTS of time with Rene, and I never figured out...

Well. There was not a lot of sense thinking about HIM anymore... like Rene, I had killed him. But if he was sent to kill me... then... maybe they would send someone else? I shuddered.

I lifted my depressing morning by making a really nice breakfast of Ham and eggs, and awaited Sams news.

I head a knock on the door, but was surprised when I opened it to find a delivery man with a package for me. I was hoping by some miracle it was from Bill, but the address said E. Northman.

Inside was a brand new Iphone in a box, a book or something in a paper bag, another velvet box, and a letter.

Dearest Sookie,

Here is a replacement Cell phone for the one I was forced to destroy. I will pay your bill, everything is included, and I am letting you know that I will be monitoring your statements for strange numbers. This is what is best for you. Yes I am treating you like a child. And no, there isn't anything you can do about it.

I encourage you to use the internet. Download music, and any apps that you would like. If there is another phone that is more to your liking, I will switch them.

You WILL use this phone. I know you are probably planning on having a fit, and telling me off in not so ladylike a fashion, that I am not to interfere in your life. It will get you nowhere. But feel free to do so anyway, I quite enjoy your amusing "performances".

I hope you enjoy your other gift. I assure you that it is pure silver and very functional if an emergency arises. Do not throw it away. I am assuming that is your first impulse. You should be wearing it EVERY DAY. Don't think of it as a reminder of me, even though I am the one gifting it to you. Think of it as a necessity- like bear spray in the middle of grizzly country when you are wearing a dress made of barbequed top sirloin.

I hope you enjoy my other gift, even more.

Eric

P.S.

You may also enjoy the "functional purpose" of the calendar I am gifting you, in case you have another kind of "emergency".

Damn that Viking stalker!

I opened the velvet box first. In it was a tiny silver dagger strung on a necklace. It was artistically crafted with what looked like celtic designs, and had diamonds encrusted on the handle. I placed my fingertip on the point, and it was sharp enough to pierce my skin and form a droplet of blood. I quickly sucked on my finger to stop the bleeding.

I guess I could wear it, even though it's from Eric. After all- it would also help protect me from HIM. Surely he knew that. Besides protecting me, this must be his bizarre way of saying he trusts me. Especially since... I've already stabbed him... a few times.

I took out the paper bag and laughed out loud when out came the "Nude Vampire Hunks of Louisiana" 2010 calendar.

I found it hilarious that Vampires would do such things. With all the power they had, with all they money they have- they will still pose nude in a Calendar to get even more attention from the humans they hate so much.

Did I dare open it? I thought of immediately tossing it in the trash, but my curiosity got the best of me. I didn't have to look too far- Eric was "Mr. January." Was he ever.

Even though I was alone, I immediately felt myself blushing and becoming hot.

In the photo, it looked like Eric was in one of those ice hotels I had read about, where absolutely everything is made of ice. There were large fake snowflakes descending from the ceiling. Everything was in shadows. There was a fireplace made of ice (how? Must be fake) and the fire was burning brightly, casting shadows and causing the ice to shine- and also perfectly highlighting Eric's perfect chest. He was oiled up or something, so that all his muscles shone. He was sitting up on a bed made of ice. Something else was sitting up too. Quite profoundly. Beside him lay a a beautiful girl, with her lifeless eyes staring upward. She had blue skin, and had sparkly white lips and eyes. She was either supposed to be some kind of ice princess, or a dead human. I was guessing Eric had intended the latter. I'm sure he would find that hilarious- glorifying his sexuality and ability to kill to mock the dumb fang-bangers who submit to him.

I was still holding the calander when i got a knock on the door. I was sitting near the door so I answered it immediately.

"Sam! Am I ever glad to see you!" I exclaimed, and before I realized what I was doing, I tried to hug him.

He immediately noticed the colander and grinned.

"Yeah. Mission successful- Hey, watcha got there, Sookie?"

I was pretty sure I turned a shade close to red.

"Oh, THIS?! Omigod, I don't even want it! It's...lewd! Eric sent it to me, as a joke obviously... I'll probably tear his picture out and give it to Lafayette."

"Tear out his picture so that you can have him to yourself?" he laughed.

"Hell, No! NO WAY! Well, Lafayette really hates Eric, and-"

"Relax, Sookie, I was just kiddin. I brought you some food again too. This time it's a salad I made myself, you probably shouldn't be eating our food on a regular basis if you know what I mean. Most of its just delicious empty calories. But don't remind the customers of that." He smiled.

"Oh, thanks. So what happened?!"

I didn't want to talk about Eric, or salads. I wanted to get to the point.

"Well, you were right. That bitches name was Lorena, and is she ever crazy as a jaybird. The shack they are in isn't old- it was built recently, in the old fashioned way, probably by herself? She's wearing old clothing, and Bill was dressed in what looked like a civil war uniform."

"Okay, okay that's...really...weird, but did you speak to Bill?!"

"Not so fast, let me tell the story. Let's sit down to eat first." He took my hand and pulled me into the kitchen.

I shovelled food into my mouth, barely paying attention to what I ate as I listened.

"They were surprised to see me. Before I had a chance to knock on the door, Bill opened it for me. He looked...sad...and kind of gaunt. She may have been starving him. Lorena immediately tore the door open and pushed Bill aside. I tried to glare at Lorena as best I could. I told her 'This is a letter from Sookie, to Bill. Let him read it.' She rolled her eyes at me, and clicked her tongue, and called you...a dirty name I don't care to repeat. I attempted to hand the note to Bill when he reached for it, but she snatched it from his hand and tore it open herself, which I guess you anticipated because she started to read the letter addressed to her aloud. Bill snickered and seemed to be pleased with your mocking tone. I was too. When Bill asked for the second letter, Lorena punched him in the face and continued to read the other letter as he lay on the floor. She laughed haughtily, but Bill did seem very touched by what you wrote. I demanded to speak to Bill alone, but of course, Lorena wouldn't have that. She said that she would allow Bill to see you this evening only, at your house- on one condition. That she would be present."

"What?! Well, I can't say I'm really surprised...but I was kinda hoping... she would take a day off or something?"

"I know. But I want to be there when she shows up. I'll protect you if anything happens."

"It's okay, Sam, I don't need-"

"No, it's not okay Sookie! I know how your mouth gets sometimes. And you admitted to me you actually stabbed Eric with silver! You are...not quite yourself... which is understandable, after what you've been through. But to deal with a Vamp like this- you gotta keep a cool head. And you don't have a cool head right now. I will respect your privacy, I will be waiting in the woods in the form of a lion, just in case."

"A lion?! Where the heck did you find a LION around here?"

"There's a guy halfway to Shreveport who keeps exotic pets. Some rich asshole. I've snuck inside his compound before when the need arises. That's where I found the white bull I used, when Maryanne..." he stopped for a moment.

"Hey, can I get a glass of water, if you don't mind?"

"Oh, here I was being such a rude selfish host! Of course, you can have whatever you like! And... lets not talk about Maryanne. She just isn't worth talking about."

"Yeah, that's right. That's the best kind of revenge. Just....forgetting her. Look, I gotta get back to the bar, and take a trip to that compound before evening, so I can't stay. But you call me, as soon as nightfall comes. I'm going to head back as soon as possible, but in case of delays- I just want you to check in, is all. Okay, can you do that for me?"

"Sure, Sam. After what you've done for me, I can manage a phone call."

"Good."

He turned to leave, but then paused and looked back at me smiling.

"And Sookie- You look good. Looks like you're healing nicely. That's good."

"Yeah. See you later Sam."

When it was close to nightfall, I took Lupe into the bathroom with her favourite toys and some treats. I didn't want her to get hurt trying to defend me again. Poor darling.

I dialled Sam, and he said he was on his way over and would park further away so that they wouldn't immediately know he was there, so that he had the advantage of a surprise attack if things came down to that.

He was being such a good friend to me. I knew from catching glimpses of his thoughts that he still thought things about me. But I was hoping he wasn't seriously holding onto the idea that I would suddenly fall for him and want to be his girlfriend.

I waited anxiously. I tried to work on some cross-stitching, and watch some old videos, but I couldn't take my mind off of the meeting.

At around 9pm I finally heard that familiar knock, and I burst toward the door.

There stood Bill, looking at me so warmly that I felt tears forming. Directly beside him, holding his arm in hers, was Lorena.

She had dressed for the occasion, in some kind of lounge dress and gaudy makeup, but Bill was wearing an old civil war uniform. The bitch was obviously displaying that she OWNED Bill.

"Why, aren't you going to be a proper host and invite us in?" Lorena said in a mocking carefree tone.

"After all, you invited us. I hope you provided dinner and party favours? We would have brought something, but of course you don't share our taste." She smiled sweetly.

"Listen Bitch, there is no way I am inviting you into MY HOUSE. Get off my porch! I will talk to Bill OUTSIDE."

"No. We're leaving. It's not proper for a lady to be entertained on your front lawn. Have you no manners?" She immediately turned and grabbed Bill with obvious force.

His eyes fell, and he looked dejected. He was saying something like "Sorry Sookie, I love you" as Lorena quickly pulled him away.

No. NO, it wasn't fair. He was so close. But... I could invite them into the kitchen. I knew where the silver was, and of course I had the silver necklace from Eric so I wasn't defenceless. And Sam would come running in here if he heard trouble.

"WAIT! Fine, I invite you in!"

Bills eyes suddenly went wide with shock and he shook his head.

"NO! Sookie! Don't!"

But it was too late, Lorena had used her vampire speed and had run through the open door, slammed it shut, and then stood two inches in front of my face.

Then we all jumped as the front door was wrenched off its hinges, and a loud roar vibrated throughout the room.

Eric stood there in the doorway, fuming with fury, every muscle in his body flexed and hard, showing through his wife beater, his fangs extended, hissing.

"Sookie. What have you done?" He growled at me. "You MUST invite me in, NOW!"

But before I had a chance, Lorena's hand was around my throat.