A/N: S5E11&12.

Tidbits:
Secession

For the first time in what seemed like forever, things were starting to go Eric's way: he and Nora had successfully escaped from the Authority's clutches (with the added bonus of Nora being a willing participant this time) and he'd killed Russell.

Now he was almost giddy as he anticipated the moment when he would see Pam again.

He listened distractedly as he entered the bar with Nora, feeling almost relieved that the bar was empty. It was bad enough having Nora and Tara around to witness his reunion with Pam, let alone having a bar full of patrons.

When Pam failed to appear, Eric began to get a very bad feeling about why the bar was empty. A feeling that was confirmed as Tara stepped into the room and with three words shattered what remained of his previous serenity.

The hours between discovering Pam had been taken and returning to the Authority Headquarters seemed to be designed solely for the purpose of torturing him.

Firstly, he had to deal with Nora questioning his need to protect his child and her insinuations that she wasn't worth saving. Simultaneously lowering herself in his esteem and elevating Tara for their respective responses to the capture of his child.

Although both owed their continued existence to Pam: Nora because he didn't have the time to tear her apart over her insinuations (although the thought had crossed his mind) and Tara because he only tolerated her insubordination because she was Pam's.

However much he cited 'family' that evening, it was Pam he really cared about.

Secondly, there was Sookie and her brother (who had apparently decided to start channelling Rambo) to deal with. He did not like admitting that he needed help, least of all where protecting Pam was concerned, but he knew he couldn't save her on his own.

Jason's stubborn refusal and Sookie's initial reluctance had grated. Tara was right, Sookie owed Pam for many things, not the least of them being Tara's turning, whilst Jason was just irritating, albeit vaguely amusing.

In hindsight, however, his frustrations over the delay in saving Pam had given him an extra edge in his attack on the Authority guards. Especially since, after everything, he was not the one down in the cells setting Pam free.

Then, finally, it happened: they were in the same room again.

Even though he barely glanced at her, he didn't miss the way she straightened as he entered the room, her eyes sparkling with something akin to joy at the sight of him. And he certainly didn't miss the way her gaze followed his every move.

Despite their surroundings, the touch of her hand on his chest as she stepped passed him into the lift felt more intimate than anything he had experienced over the last few nights.

The simple gesture rendered him almost completely speechless; he was dimly aware that he said something to her, but he had no idea what it was.

His eyes found and held hers for a long moment as he tried to express with his eyes all that he couldn't say with his lips. Her small smile in response was the most beautiful thing he'd ever seen.

The moment was broken when she realised he wasn't going to be joining them, but he silenced her protests with a look.

She still wasn't happy, but she made no further comment.

Eric held her gaze, dimly aware of Sookie speaking to Jason, until the doors closed. Now that he was certain of her safety, he felt equal to the task ahead.

Minutes later, however, Eric's certainly disappeared in the blink of an eye as Bill began to reform from the pool of blood.

Eric could only pray to whatever deity would listen that they would all make it out alive as he and Sookie fled from the room.

...

A/N: I hope you have enjoyed my additions to Season 5, I hope to write something longer soon :) Suggestions/reviews would be appreciated x