Chapter 12
The Meeting
These characters are not mine, I just hooked them up.
Some of the characters will be OOC at some point.
Well, ladies, the results are in! *drum roll* In my 'Bill' poll, 57% of you gorgeous gals wanted William Thomas Compton to meet his final death...slowly & painfully – very painfully. *MUHA HA HA, WRINGING HANDS* So now, you tell me. What would you envision as a suitable death for Bill, hmm? I have some ideas, but yours might be a little bit more devious than mine. So, send me your suggestions in your reviews, if you want to share. Your ideas are MOST welcome, plus I think Eric would reward you – graciously, if you get my drift? By the way, if you've read 'Gift Wrap', you'll understand the characters, and how they pertain to the story.
SPOV
My eyes widened with shock, confusion and most of all – fear. Fear of the two Weres standing before me. They were the same 2 men who had barged into my home last Christmas searching for their captive, Preston.
"Hawk! Get them away from me," I screamed, "They've come to get me! 'Man Mountain'," I pointed at the biggest one, "told me they smelled Preston, and if I was up to something they would come back for me. He had only been with me..."
I stopped myself in mid sentence. I couldn't tell Hawk the details, much less that I had slept with Preston, a Were that was seeking sanctuary in my home; he would surely tell Eric. Ohmygod, Eric!
While I was yelling like a lunatic, Hawk called for backup, and before I finished freaking out, my guards were in the study restraining the Weres.
"Sookie," 'Man Mountain' said, "my name is Ralph - Ralph Thibodeaux, and this here is Curt Bouché. We are not who you think we are, and we will not harm you. We are all here with Niall's blessings."
I scanned their thoughts and was surprised to find out he was actually being truthful. I felt a little more at ease, but must have still looked confused, because the fairy in front of me took this particular moment to step from beside the unknown Were, Ralph, and spoke to me.
"Hello, Sookie."
As soon as I heard his voice, a bell in my head went off. His voice brought back a fleeting memory, but I could not place his face – or his body. The fairy was about 6'2", had long, dark hair, and icy blue eyes. He was VERY muscular with a medium brown complexion, wearing a mesh shirt. I saw every indentation from his chiseled abs, and quickly averted my eyes. I didn't want him to get the wrong idea, but I wasn't blind, and I could appreciate beauty when I saw it. However, come to think of it, he looked just like the actor from that new vampire show. I believe his name is Ian Somer something? God, he was gorgeous.
"Hello, how are you?" I asked. "I don't believe I know your name."
"My name is Preston, and you honor me with your presence. I would like you to know, I am here to help you...learn."
I knew what the fairy meant when he said 'learn', and I was most appreciative he didn't blurt out anything about my powers. I nodded my head to him, still trying to place his voice. I remembered meeting a Preston once, but he was being chased by these two Weres in front of me. It was really strange; how could a Were named Preston and a fairy named Preston have similar brain patterns? I filed this little tidbit away for future analysis.
"Sookie, I know you have questions about this situation," he glanced at the Weres beside him, "but I can address all of your concerns, if we can sit and talk – privately."
I thought about it for a minute, and turned to Hawk. "Please take Ralph and Curt on a tour of the property. I will speak with Preston alone."
"Sookie, I don't think that's a very good idea; someone needs to be with you. I'll just wait outside the door until you finish ta-"
"No!" I said a little bit more firmly than I had intended. Clearing my throat, I added, "No, Hawk, I'll be okay. Please, do as I ask." I managed to compose myself before speaking again. " Preston, you won't hurt me, will you?"
"No, I won't. You have my word, and remember; I was sent by your great – grandfather. I would NEVER hurt you. I owe fealty to the P-"
I quickly interrupted him, before he said more than the others needed hear. I knew Hawk didn't know the entire story behind me and Niall, so I assumed the same about Ralph and Curt. "I know, I know. You owe fealty to the people who sent you here. Right?"
I silently prayed he would catch on, and not give away any information.
"Yes," he said hesitantly. "What you said is correct."
Against his better judgment, Hawk instructed the guards to turn Ralph and Curt loose and sent the guards away. After glancing back at me to make sure I was okay with him leaving, he instructed the 2 Weres to follow him. However, before he left, he handed me a 2-way radio, and showed me which button to push to talk, in case I needed to urgently contact him.
When Hawk left with the Weres, I asked Preston to take a seat so I could begin my barrage of questions. My mind was reeling and I didn't know where to start. Preston sat patiently, no doubt looking at the gazillion expressions running across my face, as I got myself together. When I looked in his eyes, I saw something familiar in them, and decided on my first question.
"First off, thank you for being discreet with this issue. I don't want many people knowing my heritage. Now, Preston, who are you, really? It seems as though I've met you before."
"If you don't mind me saying so, you should probably tell your closest guards who and what you are. They can best protect you when they know the important details, and as far as meeting me before, Sookie, you have. You might not remember because I looked...different."
"Different? How different?"
"Sookie, I will explain this to you, but I must insist, you must not upset yourself. Agreed?"
Usually, when someone tells me not to upset myself, they tell me something which turns my world inside out. So, of course, I nodded hesitantly as I spoke. "Agreed, now please tell me what I need to know."
"First of all, I must tell you. Niall did all of this as present for you. His purpose was NEVER to hurt you. He just felt you deserved some comfort and someone to show you, that you are always needed. Secondly, I must tell you, I am not just a fairy; I am also a shape-shifter."
My eyes near about popped out of my head. "A shape-shifting fairy? Oh, my stars! I'd never seen, nor heard of the like!"
"Yes, shape-shifting fae are VERY rare. We are quite unique if I do say so myself." He smirked as he told me his secret, looking very smug. "Now," he continued, "the reason I've told is because..."
As he finished his sentence, he changed into the Were who visited my home last Christmas.
"...We have known each other...rather intimately."
"Oh, my God! Oh, fuck, fuck fuck! I am in DEEP shit! my mind screamed. "P...P...Preston," I stuttered, as my nether regions remembered a few intimate things about him. "You can't be here. If my husband finds out he will hurt you, and me too! You have to leave." Then I thought about the 2 Weres touring my estate. "Ralph and Curt, they helped you? Wait a minute, you said Niall did this, as a present? Why? How could he have done this to me?" My mind was spinning, I felt dizzy.
Preston changed back to his original fairy form and continued, "I told you, he knew you were lonely, so he gave you some company. He knew you were a warrior, so he gave you something to fight for. You are a spectacular woman Sookie, and since I first met you, I knew you were special. Now, because you are the Chosen One, and yes I know this, I would never do anything to harm you. Ralph and Curt are here for your added protection, and we owe fealty to you. I want you to rest assured that I will never touch you inappropriately...unless you want me to. I can and will control myself, no matter how much I still want you. I understand my boundaries, and made an oath to the Prince. I will never come between you and your bonded.
As I listened to the words of respect and honor, Preston gave me, I felt a tinge of truth in them. Then, the strangest thing happened, I heard his thoughts. He was thinking how beautiful I was, and how he wished we would be together, but he would respect, honor, and protect me above all. I had never been able to read fairy thoughts before, I would have to ask Niall about this...after I tear into him for putting me in this situation.
Now, I know he trusted himself, but thing is, I didn't know if I trusted myself. We would be up close and personal, for God knows how long, while we trained. This man before me had seen EVERY part of my body, from the rootie to the tootie – for hours and I wasn't sure how to handle this situation.
Stop it Sookie, don't go there, I chided myself. However, it was too late; my body responded to him no matter how hard I tried to keep it in check. My lust flared up within, and I had to get away to regroup. What the heck is wrong with me? Was he using magic to attract me to him? I had to stop this before someone gets hurt – or worse.
"I'm sorry, Preston, please excuse me." He nodded his head, and I turned to leave out the study. "I'll just be a moment."
When I walked out of the study and rounded the corner, I took off into a dead sprint down the hallway. I could have gone to the bathroom just across the hall for the study, but it would have still been too close for comfort. So, I hurried upstairs to the bathroom on the third floor.
When I made it to the lavatory, I slammed the door, turned on the cold water, and dashed a little on my face, however, my hormones still rebelled against me. Without thinking my hand traveled down to the warmth in my sweats, and lightly touched my sensitive spot.
"Fuck! What am I DOING? Get a fucking grip Sookie, or you'll both be killed!" I had to talk to myself a few seconds longer until my mind, and body were on the same page. Okay, I can do this. I will do this damn it! I might even have Amelia put a little spell on me to help. God, why am I always in the middle of drama? Fuck me! Oh wait, that's why I'm in this mess now.
I was as ready as I would ever be, so I turned, opened the door and casually walked back to the study. I decided on the way back, the best way to handle it is to face it head on; so I did.
"All right, first and foremost, I reserve the right to talk this over with my husband if the need arises, other than Eric, what happened between us stays between us, agreed? "
Preston nodded his head.
"Secondly, I don't want you to get the wrong idea, so I'm saying this now. I love my husband and I will not run around on him. If I feel for any reason you're trying to push yourself on me, I'll call Niall and then I'll tell Eric; between the two of them, I don't know who would kill you first. Are we understood?"
"Yes, Sookie, I understand. I will, in no way, make any untoward gestures. You have my word."
"Good. Now that we have our bit of business settled, what's the deal with Ralph and Curt? I have several Were friends, why would he send them? Is there anything special about them, other than them being Weres?"
"Not really, but they are extraordinarily stronger than any Were I have ever met. I believe this was why the Prince sent them to you."
"Oh, okay. So...where do we go from here? I guess you start teaching me to control my power?"
"Yes, and there will be times when you will become extremely weary, but you must push through the fatigue. Imagine this as a 'boot camp for the Fae, and you are a trainee'. The Prince, specifically said for you to learn as much as you can, as quickly as you can."
"Why? Does he think something is going to happen, soon?"
"My dear Sookie, with the incident you were in last night, do you REALLY need me to answer your question?"
"Touché. Well, we might as well begin now. I'm still a little tired but-"
"I'll tell you what," Preston interrupted, "What if we started tomorrow with the physical portion? Today, you will have a mental exercise." He held out his hand, palm up, and a pen and pad appeared, and as he continued talking, the pen starting writing without him ever touching it. My mouth was agape, and Gran would have whacked me good, if she had seen me 'catching flies'.
"I would like you to write a list of ten things you like, and ten things you dislike. Then, write one thing you love, and one thing you hate; they could be any thing, person, or place. After you have done this exercise, I would like you to concentrate on the one thing you love. Think of why and how you love it, and imagine the gratification you get and give from loving it. Finally, concentrate on the first thing you like, and answer the same questions as you did with the 'love' item. Now, the magical part is to think about them extremely hard. Remember the feeling of its life force around you. Massage it, caress it, and hold on to the magic within it. Then after you have done this, gradually let go of the magic and release it."
"I believe after you have done this, you will be truly amazed at your results. Don't forget, you will feel drained , but do this at least 10 times with a sixty second break in between. Also, remember to do all of this with your eyes open as much as possible. This is very important. When I come tomorrow morning, I want you to share your results with me. I understand this may seem like a lot to do, but you have great power in you, Sookie. I have no doubt you will accomplish this first assignment, thus proving you are the Chosen One."
I looked at him with astonishment, and a little lust if I was being honest; and told him I was glad someone had so much confidence in me, and I would try my 'homework' tonight. Preston handed me the paper, and as quickly as they had appeared, the pen and pad popped away.
"Well, I guess I'd better call the others in." I walked over to the wall, and hit the intercom button, which Eric so graciously installed for me. "Hawk," my voice resonated over the property, "I'm finished; please bring Ralph and Curt back in."
I heard a 'yes, ma'am', in response, and sat down to wait on them. "By the way, Preston, you might have a rough go with me. I'm still trying to wrap my head around all this Chosen One business. I must say I'm totally freaked out."
"You will do fine, Sookie. You are a Brigant, and you have also been in the presence of the Oracle. I am very impressed so far; I feel the magic in you. Tell me, have you-"
We were interrupted by Hawk and the Weres. "Sookie," Hawk began, "I have taken them all over the grounds, and they know where everything is. The only other thing they would need, would be the codes to the doors and gate. I figured you would like to supply them with that information."
"Yes, Hawk. I'll discuss it with my husband first." I was really getting used to calling Eric by that name.
"Very good, ma'am. Oh, just to let you know it's almost four p. m., and Mr. Northman, will rise soon."
I looked at the clock, and suddenly became very anxious. "Okay, gentlemen, it's time for me to scoot. Preston, could you come around ten tomorrow morning? I should be ready by then."
"Yes, Sookie. Ten will be fine."
"Okay, guys, I'll see y'all tomorrow. Hawk, please show them out."
As they left, I made a mental note of my homework assignment, and headed towards the elevator. I put in the code, walked through the doors and into our bedroom. My sexy Viking was still dead for the day, but he wouldn't be for long.
I undressed, hopped in the shower, and contemplated all the changes in my life thus far. Me, Sookie Stackhouse, an unknown, slightly human barmaid from Bon Temps, Louisiana is now the Chosen One of the supernatural world. I wonder what Gran would think? Would she be proud of me, or fear for my life? Hmm...I think she would have told me to do what's in my heart. I love you, Gran.
I wished she could have lived to meet Eric. I think she would have been a little sweet on him. Hell, who wouldn't? My vampire had a body that just wouldn't quit. It's really ironic, the one constant in my life since Gran passed, had been the one being most people would call dangerous and unpredictable. Eric Northman. Now, I fully recognize him as dangerous to everyone else except me, Pam and possibly Amelia. After all he'd done for me, I knew without a doubt he loved me.
I was so deep in thought, I didn't feel the bond come to life. I was startled, and almost hit the ceiling, when the vampire in question stepped in the shower with me – at full attention, I might add.
"Eric! God, stop sneaking up on me; you're going to give me a heart attack!"
"I am sorry lover. I did not mean to scare you. I called your name a few times, but you did not answer; so, I decided to come check on you."
"Oh, I'm fine. I'm just thinking about today. I have so much to tell you."
"Do you now? Well, I want to hear all about it...after I bathe you. I need to wash the scent of Were off of your delectable body, but I think I need to get you properly dirty first."
He bent down and suckled one of my nipples, while rolling the other between his fingers. I let out a soft moan as the sensation went straight to my nether regions. Automatically, my fingers curled in his hair and my breathing hitched into short gasps.
"Oh, God. Eric."
A low growl escaped from his chest, while he kissed his way down to the little tuft of hair leading to my wet core. He propped my leg up on the side of the tub, and slid two fingers into my hot center. He moved them in and out, slowly at first, but increased his ministrations as my moans increased in volume. My legs began to quiver, as my eyes lost focus, and I reveled in the feeling of his two long digits assaulting my wet core.
"Eric, shit! Please..." I started, but was too embarrassed to finish my plea.
"Please what, lover? What do you want, Sookie. I need you to tell me."
"I want...I NEED you to fuck me. Please!"
I didn't have to ask twice. Before I knew it, I was pinned against the shower wall, with fourteen inches of hard, Viking dick inside me.
"Yes," I moaned. "You feel so good."
He pounded into me, until I had a prickly feeling all over my body. I was praying this would be it. I wanted to finally fall over the edge of the cliff I had been teetering on, since I healed from the fairy war.
"Sookie, you are so hot and wet," he growled while massaging my clit with his fingers. "There is no doubt you were truly made for me. Do you feel how easily you accommodate my size? I could fuck you until dawn, and still not have enough of your beautiful body."
His erotic words took me to a new height, and I just knew this was it. I felt him swell inside me and hoped we would come together.
"Bite me, Eric. Do it now!"
As soon as the words left my mouth, he was sinking his fangs into the soft flesh, between the base of my neck and my shoulder. When he had his fill, he shouted something in his ancient language, and I felt his seed spill inside me.
His head fell onto my shoulder as my breathing returned to normal. I was grudgingly sexually frustrated. I knew Eric was going to get so tired of this, I sure as hell was. Needless to say, once again my body refused to cooperate, and I didn't climax. On top of that, I had so many things to learn about my powers, and so much expected of me as the Chosen One, I broke down. Tears began streaming from my eyes, as the severity of the situation overwhelmed me.
"My lover, what is wrong? Have I hurt you? I did not try to, I swear it. I am so sorry." He frantically checked my body for bruises, but I shook my head 'no'.
I tried to quell my 'leaky faucet', as Pam calls it, plus I knew how Eric hated to see me cry. "No, honey. You were wonderful, better than wonderful even. It's just, well...I still haven't had an orgasm, and then this Chosen One business. It all has me on edge. I would feel so much better if I could just...release.
I'll understand if you don't want to make love to me anymore. As a matter of fact, I'd understand if you couldn't stand to be around me anymore. Hell, I can barely stand myself right now. I'm broken because of the war, I'm-"
"Shh, älskare. You are worrying about menial things. Do you really believe I could not be around you? It tears me apart when I leave you just for a few hours. Do you think I could give you up and let you walk out of my life? I am too selfish, and just the thought of leaving you is ludicrous; and as far as your new position in the supe world – you will adapt to it like a fish to water. You a fighter, my wife; a warrior like myself. There is nothing you could not accomplish, if you put your mind to it."
He sat down on the bed, pulled me in his lap, and began to explain himself. It was the most romantic thing he had ever said to me.
"Sookie, before you walked into my life, with your cute little white dress with red flowers on it..." I smiled at him, while he chuckled and continued to speak, "...I was a void. I had no depth, no purpose. I traipsed the world as the textbook definition of what I am – 'the walking dead'. I did what I wanted, when I wanted, and how I wanted. I had no remorse or empathy towards anyone or anything. Then one night, a young woman, strode through the doors of Fangtasia. She was my northern star, in a sky filled with darkness. Each time I saw this young maiden, she made my dead heart flutter. I had never felt this way with anyone before, and I did not know how to handle it. I was smitten."
"This fair maiden had no clue she had stolen my heart; so I made it my mission to find any and every way to convince her, we were made for each other. Finally, after many innuendos and games of cat and mouse, she came to me. In spite of all her pigheadedness and vigor, she married me, and then became the Chosen One. I would be a complete imbecile to let you go. You are all that I ever wanted and more."
"A famous poet named Jung once said, 'the meeting of two personalities is like the contact of two chemical substances; if there is a reaction, they are both transformed'. This holds true for me. You have transformed me; in more ways than you or I could have ever dreamed. Now all I ask of you, is to stop belittling yourself. You are a warrior, you are kind, beautiful and highly intelligent. I am very proud to call you my wife, and as far as you not having an orgasm - I am disappointed."
My face must done a nose dive because he answered very quickly.
"Do not misunderstand, I am not disappointed in you. I am disappointed in myself. I do not feel as if I am not doing enough. I..."
I had to stop him right there. "What? You don't feel you're doing enough?" I shook my head, "Eric, you've gone far beyond duty where our love life is concerned."
He smiled, and had a smug look on his face. "Well, thank you little one; however, as I started to say, I am content and determined on helping you overcome your problem. We will practice until you climax so intensely, you will pass out."
I shivered at that, and looked forward to it in the near future. His eyebrow shot up and a smirk creased his face, then he continued. "As for you being the Chosen One, I am honored to be in your presence, and awed that you took me as your mate. Speaking of your new title, how did everything go today? Did you meet your tutor and guards? Did you know them, as Niall said you would? And, I could have sworn I felt fear, then lust in our bond, as I was dead for the day. Why were you afraid, and what where you thinking about with such carnal desire, my dear wife?"
I tensed slightly because I didn't know what else to do; I sure as hell didn't know what to say. I wanted to tell him the truth about everything, but I knew he wouldn't understand. God, could my life get any more complicated? FUCK!
A/N: Well ladies, don't forget to review and drop an idea or two of what you think should happen to Bill. If I pick your final death for him, I will give you all the props and dedicate that chapter to you.
