Quick Update: Mrs Stackhouse is staying in hospital and Miss Stackhouse is staying at Eric's!

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Twelve

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Sookie was quiet on the drive to his house and Eric decided not to intrude on her thoughts, so the first words she spoke were her greetings to the guard at the entrance gate.

"Miss Stackhouse should be allowed to come and go as she pleases," he instructed. To his credit the guard did not flinch, although he probably did not expect that request.

The house that Pam had found for Eric was in a gated estate; he was satisfied with the security, but had not spent much time in the house yet. As they drove past the other gardens, Eric noticed Sookie leaning forward in her seat trying to see ahead, with only dim street lights to help her.

Eric's house was originally designed for a human family, but had been adapted for Vampires quite easily. The house was build into a slope, as a human house it would have had an underground double garage but Eric's house had a single garage with a sleeping chamber next door. A grassy slope and greenery covered what would have been the second garage door. The sleeping chamber had two entrances, one via the house and one through the garage, just in case he ever needed to get underground quickly.

Tonight there was no need hurry, so Eric parked Sookie's car in front of the garage and they walked to the side of the house, to enter through the kitchen.

The small kitchen would have been a large utility room before the adjustments. Eric only used the fridge, microwave and laundry basket which was hidden in a cupboard and emptied weekly by the cleaning company he used.

Sookie stored her food in the fridge, not mentioning the open pack of True Blood in there, while Eric handed her the spare key for the kitchen door. "You must lock the house when you leave tomorrow." Once Sookie had promised, Eric offered to show her around the house.

The kitchen led through to Eric's office, conference area and formal seating space, which would have been large kitchen-diner and lounge area for a human family. At the far end of the room were patio doors leading to a paved terrace, but he hadn't spent any time out there yet. Sookie was looking around the huge, bright space, with wide eyes.

"The furniture was here when I arrived, but I will need to do something if I decide to stay here. I do like the wooden floor, but not the white walls," commented Eric. "This room is better." He showed Sookie another, smaller room with a slouchy leather sofa and television. Pam had put a few decorative items in there, so it seemed more homely.

"This is cosier," Sookie agreed, then she sounded inquisitive. "Do you watch much TV?"

"Not really, I haven't had time since I arrived here. I try to keep up with the news reports though, human and Vampire." Eric continued with his tour. "There is the cloakroom that you were worried about and there's another room down here that I have not decided what to do with yet."

They had worked their way around the ground floor of the house and were now in the entrance hall, this had no decoration other than a large cupboard with wooden double doors. The dark wooden staircase led to a gallery above and Eric gestured for Sookie to go ahead up the stairs.

He stayed a few steps behind her and was rewarded with the enticing view of Sookie's spectacular bottom, encased in tight jeans. Eric wished for a moment that his home had a few more floors.

Almost to distract himself, Eric continued with his guided tour. "There are two bedrooms at the front with a bathroom between. I believe Pam put bedding in the wardrobes, but those rooms have not been used yet. I prefer this one."

Eric knew this room was impressive, he opened the double doors wide and flicked on the lights.

The bedroom was carpeted, unlike the downstairs rooms and landing, the dark gold warmed the room, along with the soft lamps around the walls. The furniture in this room had been sourced by Pam, she had bought him a king-sized sleigh bed in dark brown leather, which matched the high backed, leather armchair and foot stool that she had moved from her own home. The other main piece in the room was a large chest of drawers, Eric had last seen them in the house he had shared with Pam when they had settled in New Orleans, during the humans Second World War.

This room was above the area of the lounge that had patio doors onto the terrace, and it also had glass doors leading to a small balcony. Eric found it convenient when flying home on an evening.

He crossed the room to close the curtains, as the sky was beginning to get a little lighter. "That's a walk-in wardrobe and there's the bathroom. Pamela stocked it, there are enough products in there to keep the whole estate happy for a few years so, please, make yourself at home. The bed has never been used. I may have sat on it, but nothing more."

Sookie had been looking around the room, but she caught his eye at that comment and looked away quickly. Eric enjoyed watching her face become flushed for a moment, but she quickly became distracted by an item she saw in the room.

"You and Pam are married?" Sookie picked up a framed photograph, which Pam had left in the room for Eric's amusement.

It took Eric a moment to realise why Sookie seemed so upset and he knew he needed to explain quickly. "We have a wedding photograph, but we are not married. We shared a house in New Orleans in the 1940's, back then it was proper to be married. We had this taken so when any humans came to our home we seemed socially acceptable."

"So why do you still have it?"

"Pam probably found it with some of the furniture that we had in storage. I always preferred the picture to her." Eric moved closer to Sookie to look at the photo himself. "See how she's smiling, that is fake. She was furious that she had to wear a second hand wedding dress, as there were no new dresses in London. She did not like white."

Sookie was looking up at Eric, a little bemused. He found he could not stop talking. "I got to wear a soldier's uniform, Pam was jealous. When we reached New Orleans I carried a cane in public and assumed the role of a war hero, who had been injured and could no longer fight. The humans liked that."

Eric knew telling Sookie how he had deceived humans decades ago would not enamour him to her, but concentration was becoming difficult for him as it was so close to dawn. If he had been in danger, Eric would have been be more alert, even at this time of day, but he was home, feeling safe and secure so his body was demanding rest.

"I hope to see you tomorrow evening. I must leave you now. Make yourself comfortable." As he spoke the words, he thought he might be repeating himself.

He moved away from Sookie, but she followed him, asking, "Where are you going?"

"I need to rest."

"You won't show me where?"

Confused now, Eric could only shake his head.

"That's rude!" Sookie continued.

Eric could only blink in reply.

"Is this your house? Do you really live here? Cos it doesn't look like anyone's home that I've ever seen."

"It's mine."

Sookie voice was becoming piercing and panicked. "And you stay here? Just you? No one else."

Eric managed a nod.

"You said I'd be safe here. How can I know that? I need to see where you sleep."

Eric did not exactly agree to this, but he turned and left the room, allowing Sookie to follow him.

He opened the large cupboard in the hall and reached behind a couple of leather jackets that were hanging there. There was a hidden latch which opened the back of the cupboard and showed a staircase going underground. Eric ignored Sookie's excited exclamation, pushed past his jackets, stepped over his boots and went downstairs ahead of her.

The dim lights of Eric's secure room came on as he entered with Sookie close behind. His safest room was almost cell like compared to the spacious rooms upstairs. The bed was a small double in the corner of the room, with a bedside table next to it. It was cluttered with a landline telephone, a spare mobile phone and the remote control for the small television, which was on a small chest of drawers at the other side of the room. Eric sometimes liked to check the human news before he left his safe place.

To amused herself, Pam had bought Eric a large canvas image of a sunrise which was on the wall alongside his bed. On the opposite wall were four framed, pencil drawings which caught Sookie's attention.

"I drew those." Eric told her, as he sat heavily on his bed.

"They're amazing! So detailed."

Eric could have told her about a quiet night in his last home. He had sat watching the Thames and drew four ships from the past centuries that he had seen and sometimes travelled in, but all he managed to say was, "I like ships." His chattiness had gone, now he just needed to rest.

Sookie seemed to notice the difference in him and said quite awkwardly,"Thank you for showing me, I'm sorry I didn't believe you."

"This room is my secret." Eric mumbled.

"I'll keep your secret," she promised, her warm hand covered his and the two of them were quiet.

Eric would not have thought that it was possible to go to sleep holding hands with a human, but that's exactly what he did.

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As the sun set, Eric's brain sparked into life. He was furious with himself. He had let a human into his safe room. He had never let a human get that close to him, when he was so vulnerable. Was he loosing his mind over this woman? Had she bewitched him?

Still not fully alert, he inhaled. Sookie's scent filled to room. Fresh and crisp. Unlike any other human. He felt his mouth twitch into a smile.

Eric concentrated on his home. All was quiet and seemed safe, but it should not be quite so quiet. Where was Sookie? There was no heartbeat above him, only silence.

Fury over took him again. Where the fuck was she? She should be here. Next to him.

He should be able to pull her close, hold her, kiss her, slip his hard cock inside her and feel her warm body beneath his. Eric snarled in frustration.

Vampires did not particularly need comfort, but they liked it and Eric was feeling quite uncomfortable. He realised he was still wearing his jeans and t-shirt from the night before. The tight jeans were particularly constricting at the minute.

Gradually, Eric remembered his last waking moments of the previous night; he had led Sookie down here, she had been talking and he had been sat on the edge of the bed, then his memory stopped. Sookie must have pushed him back onto the pillows and covered him with half of his bedcover. She had certainly proved she could be trusted, but why was she not here?

Eric stomped up stairs to the ground floor, pausing in the kitchen to strip off his clothes and dump them in the laundry basket. Although not naturally tidy, Eric made an effort to keep his safe room clear of clothing and clutter. If he did not, anything he left there would stay there, as he did not offer the human cleaners access to that room.

The kitchen had a slight smell of food and coffee mingled with Sookie's scent. Eric stood and inhaled for a moment.

He had remembered to take his phone from his jeans, but was surprised when it rang in his hand. It was considered impolite to call fellow Vampires so soon after sundown, but it seemed Andre wasn't worried about good manners tonight.

"Sheriff, we need an update on Miss Stackhouse."

"There is no news to tell. Her Grandmother is ill so there was no time for discussion last night."

"A sick Grandmother is not a particularly credible excuse."

Eric decided not to answer that. "Congratulations your newest little sister. Is Hadley coping with her new 'life'?"

"She is doing quite well, I am sure she would be cheered by a visit from her cousin."

"Sookie cannot visit Hadley." Eric managed to keep an incredulous tone from his voice.

"Can she not? You need to be careful what you say Sheriff, you are Baron no longer."

"But I am a maker. I am a Vampire. I know it would be too cruel to taunt a new Vampire with the blood of a relative."

"You seem so concerned about about Miss Stackhouse's safety, I can assure you she would not be left alone with Hadley." Andre's voice seemed coated in slime.

Eric decided he could not hide his worries about Sookie. "It would be a waste to loose her talents, but I am sure our Queen is even more concerned about her new child. It would not be a good start for Hadley if she became desperate to feed on her cousin. Miss Stackhouse should be kept away until Hadley has a good level of control."

"This is not your decision to make."

"Neither is it your decision. If Queen Sophie-Anne disagrees with me, I am sure she will let me know directly."

Eric was banking on his Queens affection for her new child to keep Sookie safe. He was pleased when Andre cut off the call, without another word.

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Sookie's scent didn't seem strong in the lounge but as Eric worked his way through the house and up to the main bedroom, the only aroma was her.

His mood began to mellow as he woke fully and common sense returned. Of course Sookie wasn't here, she was with her Grandmother, maybe she would return later. What he would do in the meantime was in question.

A long, piping-hot shower was very welcome. His hand eased the discomfort in his cock and Eric felt himself relax.

He dried off and wandered through the bedroom, towel drying his hair. Pam had half-filled his walk-in wardrobe and it was still very organised. Suits, shirts and business wear, next to dark denim and black leather for Fangtasia, next to more relaxed denim and t-shirts for time spent out of the public eye. It was this comfortable side of the closet that he turned to, it was time he took a night off.

He was reaching for a pair of jeans when he froze. Sookie's ancient, noisy car had just pulled into his driveway.

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Apologies if there are any errors in this. Mini is on a much deserved holiday, so I've not had a Beta and I'm probably out of the habit.

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It's hard to say when the next chapter will be out, I am about to become an Auntie for the first time so might be distracted!

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Huge hugs of thanks for the reviews and alerts.

Fingers crossed for a stunning TB finale!

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18th August 2013 ~ FanOTheFang on Twitter and Tumblr