A/N: Okey doke, here's one you've been waiting for: some nookie and a revelation! Sorry about the wait; we had a bit of a breakdown in the uni internet. That's what happens when they move the entire IT department in one fell swoop..... I was also a bit depressed by the increasing number of readers and favourites, but decreasing reviews. Thank you to all who have continued to give me your thoughts, as I do appreciate hearing from you!

Disclaimer: Not mine, in the least.

Surprise n a completely unexpected occurance, appearance, or statement

Amelia did her mojo in record time, so I was now fully alarmed in case anyone decided to magic me up. I guess spells really aren't something I can guard against, although I was thankful Eric decided to not bring up my big head from earlier. It was amusing, however, to see how long it took him to throw off his daze from our interlude in the kitchen. For someone who'd been having sex in all its variations for over a thousand years and had to have been interrupted at some point, he was not handling it well. After I walked out of the kitchen, it must have been at least half a minute before he followed. The bond was buzzing with pleasure and impatience, but it was the unfocused look in his eyes that was the most entertaining. I don't think he really snapped out of it until Amelia started the spell. I found I enjoyed playing the sex kitten, and intended to exploit Eric's apparent weakness for the act later. It's not like I was planning on denying either of us after we, or I should say 'the menfolk', finished making lists and strategizing. Eric and Sam apparently bonded over their need to protect me, and while Amelia set her spell on me, they had ensconced themselves at my kitchen table with papers flying about. Every now and then, we would hear raised voices.

Like now, as we made our way into the kitchen.

Sam wasn't yelling, but he was definitely expressing his unhappiness. "Damn it, Eric! This is not the time for typical vamp bullshit! I'm tellin' you, these guys are dangerous and you can't not take them seriously just because they're Weres."

"I am not denying their threat to Sookie during the day, but really, shifter, can you honestly say that any of that group of rag-tag antiestablishment idiots could conceive of, much less pull off a plan involving a spell of that magnitude? However, if they did try anything, I would rip them to pieces with my bare hands and barely exert myself." Eric was icy calm, never a good state for bystanders. I decided to break the tension a bit by dropping into Eric's lap, winding one hand around his neck to play with his glorious mane.

"Honey, are you not playing well with others?" I said while running my fingers through his hair and tracing his chest muscles with the index finger of my other hand. I heard Amelia behind me swallow a chuckle, especially as Eric visibly relaxed.

"Lover, we have narrowed it down to two lists: one that has the most powerful and likely threats and another that lists those who it is possible could create such a scheme." He pulled me closer and put his mouth to my ear. "And do not think that I will not repay you for your little display just now," he hissed, doing all sorts of wonderful things to my nether regions. I squirmed, amusing him greatly.

I tried to get back on track. "Ok, let's see these lists, then."

Sam pushed them over to me. I picked up the first one, which seemed to be the one that included the maybes, since I didn't recognize any of the names. The names on the other list, however, were definitely not unknown to me. It seemed like half of the vampire rulers in the states were on there. Oh, it was nice being popular. Topping the list, however, were Felipe and Victor. Surprisingly, they were listed separately.

"You think Victor could be working behind Felipe's back?" I didn't like the connotations of that.

"Since Felipe is now in possession of Barry's services, it would be redundant for him to gain yours as well, especially as I would not be unaware of it and could easily become a problem for him. However, he could have been counting on the fact that, once the spell drove you to renounce me, I would do so as well so as not to lose face. Victor, however, is much more likely in my mind, as he is always working at an angle to establish more power for himself. He could have wished to offer you space to get away from me and then bartered your talents in return for favours from the elite." Eric was careful not to word any of his speech as though I was an object, even though I knew that's how Felipe and Victor saw me.

I glanced down at the list again and was instantly incensed. I opened my mouth to blast Eric, when again, the memory of Pam's voice from last night came back, paired with Sam's comment from earlier.

There is no doubt, Niall would love to destroy Eric.

Let's just list everyone who'd want either your talents for themselves or Eric distracted by your loss.

I closed my mouth.

Eric looked questioningly at me, having felt my sudden fury and its abrupt departure. He glanced at the list and stiffened. "Dear one, I do not think your great-grandfather would ever purposefully harm you, but we must consider him, both because of the magic used," he hesitated, "and because he and I have a history."

Amelia jumped in before I could, doubtless to prevent the eruption of Mount St. Sookie. "Actually, Sook, I didn't even think to consider Fae magic. I'll need to do some more research, although there's not a lot written in particular about their spells, just the consequences."

Sam piped in, "I'm surprised you didn't put Bill on there, Eric. You know he's still panting after Sookie."

Eric looked mildly affronted at this. "Bill? He couldn't perform a spell of this magnitude, nor does he have the resources to hire someone who does. And he wouldn't dare go against me again, especially not where Sookie is involved. He may, however, be able to add to this list given his contacts. I will inform him of this tonight and order his cooperation. I'm looking forward to his expression when I announce the new status of our bond."

Ok, I knew that should have bugged me, or at least made me pause, but Eric exerting his dominance was seriously turning me on. Now that we were bound so tightly, I knew it wasn't coming from Eric, but that he could definitely feel my barometer rising. Besides, I was also getting tired of Bill constantly proclaiming his love for me and then never doing anything to prove it. Uncharacteristic of me, possibly, but I was tired of being treated like a toy Bill had lost and Eric wouldn't return, so hopefully, news of our deepened connection would put a stop to the childish displays.

"So, what's the game plan? I'm basically under house arrest at Eric's until somebody comes to try to snatch me? What am I supposed to do during the day?" I wasn't really upset with the idea of spending that much time with Eric, especially having spent the greater portion of last night thinking I'd lost him, but I couldn't stand being useless for however long this took. "Eric, couldn't I at least work at Fangtasia on the nights you go in? That way I'd be in the same building as you at least. And, do you think that I could at least have Amelia over during the day sometimes? I know, it's your house and you want to keep it secret, but I swear, I'll go nuts if I have to stay by myself for days on end!"

Eric regarded Amelia carefully. "Yes, that would be acceptable. Witch, I'm trusting you with my Shreveport daytime resting place. You are to tell no-one, even under duress."

Amelia, to her credit, didn't flinch. "Of course, Eric. Especially since you're also housing my best friend."

Eric nodded, and even smiled a bit at her pointed statement. Then he did something that made me melt. "Sam, you are welcome as well, whenever you can get away from your establishment for a few hours. I know Sookie would be glad of your company also."

Sam nodded his appreciation.

I was fighting back tears of sheer joy. My friends and my lover were getting along and Eric had even deigned to use Sam's name. I didn't care how much trouble I was in; this right here was a bit of Heaven.

Eric, manfully ignoring my over-filled eyes, stated, "My lover, I must put in an appearance at Fangtasia to assure the authorities are doing their jobs. I shudder to think what Pam will do if left alone with Compton for much longer." Oh boy did he have a point. Those two got on like oil and water, which is to say, not at all.

"I assume I'm coming with you." The instant the words left my mouth, I wished I could pull them back in. I saw the twinkle in Eric's eyes and just closed my own to wait for it.

"Oh, yes, my lover, do assume that you'll be coming with me. Often, I should think."

As liberated as I had felt earlier in showing Eric my affection in front of people, I still wasn't ready for the innuendo. At least not in front of my boss. Although Sam was just chuckling and shaking his head as he gathered his stuff. "Sookie, I hope you know what you're getting into! I'll catch you later this week, cher. Once I get your shifts covered, Terry should be able to handle the after-lunch stragglers. Amelia, think you could pick up some of Sookie's shifts? I know it's short notice."

Great, now I was feeling guilty for skipping out on poor Sam, but arguing with Eric wasn't going to get me anywhere. I was proud of myself for actually listening to him, but I still resolved to do something extra-nice for Sam sometime soon.

Thankfully, Amelia was more than happy to fill in, which made me feel a bit better. "Sure, no problem! Sookie, wanna do lunch tomorrow? That gives you some time to sleep in, since it seems like you'll have a late night."

"Umm, yeah, that'll work. Eric? We'll need to stop by a grocery on the way home." He was surprisingly happy for me to call his house 'home.' It was kinda cute the way little things like that made his day. Not that I'd ever tell my big, bad vampire that he was being cute. I do have some sense of self-preservation. After giving Amelia directions and exchanging hugs, Eric and I headed to Fangtasia.

"Eric, we're staying at your Shreveport house? Why?"

He didn't look at me or answer, but some prodding of the bond revealed that he was…embarrassed? No, that wasn't quite it. I couldn't place the emotion. He spoke slowly and quietly, with a trace of accent coming through. "I do not wish for anyone but ourselves to set foot in the house where we became one."

Oh, Eric. That did it, I was gone. The tears just poured out of my eyes. I felt, rather than saw Eric start to panic, since seeing was rapidly becoming an issue.

"No, don't, don't worry, I'm just…so happy right now," I blubbered.

Eric sounded doubtful. "And you are crying because you are…happy?"

I chuckled through the tears. "Hasn't Pam informed you that human women leak when everything is just perfect? It's just, you're being so sweet, and you invited Sam over and even used his name and I just love you so darn much!"

"I see." I could tell my poor vampire was lost in trying to understand. My tears dried up and I simply grabbed his free hand, thankful this car, at least, was an automatic. We held hands all the way to Fangtasia, not saying anything, not needing to.

We parked at the back, but I could sense at least six humans, along with what probably amounted to Pam, Bill and the rest of the vampire staff. Before I could even open my door, Eric was there, extending a hand to help me out. He didn't let go after I was standing, but used his grip to pull me into him. His lips attacked mine voraciously, and the desire that had subsided on the way there ratcheted back up, causing me to sag against him.

"Well, lover? Have I been a good boy?" he murmured against my throat while pressing kisses from chin to collarbone, pausing to suck and nip at my pulse point.

"Hmm?" was my intelligent reply. He couldn't honestly expect me to think with one of his hands up my shirt, massaging and tweaking a breast. The other started off groping my ass, but he rapidly slid it down to my knee, hiking my leg up to his hip. I groaned at the feeling of his ever-ready erection pressing right against my core. I also became aware of something else poking me.

"Eric, you've been a very good boy, and I'd love to continue this, but maybe away from the car? The door handle's going to give me bruises." We'd somehow wound up with me pressed against the side of the car, with Eric pressing on me. I hated to move, but that one would have hurt in the morning. "Besides, don't you want to tell Bill about the bond?" Ok, I really shouldn't be using his need to rub me in Bill's face, but I'd rather get it over with so we could get back to the good stuff. I just had to keep reminding myself that, however much I hated it, that was the way it was done in the vamp world. I wasn't going to make the same mistakes twice.

I caught a hint of his beyond self-satisfied expression and realized that had just backfired on me rather badly.

"Oh, yes, my lover, I do indeed wish to inform our Mr. Compton, but I see no reason to postpone what we were doing. It's called, I believe, killing two birds with one stone." With that, he dragged my largely unresisting self into the bar and through to his office. Pam was in there, obviously just finishing feeding off a girl I recognized as one of the regular waitresses. She sent the girl packing with a push out the door as we entered.

"Well, Sookie, don't you look wonderful for someone who was kidnapped just last night." She looked me up and down. "Yes, I can see that Eric took excellent care of you."

"Hey, Pam. Thank you, again, for coming to get me and for knocking some sense into me yesterday." I decided to throw her off balance a bit in retaliation for that greeting and gave her a big hug. She stood, stiff as a board, and then rapidly retreated.

Eric just snickered, then ordered, "Pam, leave us, but bring Compton in twenty minutes."

Oh, what had I let myself in for? Although, I must admit, the idea of being 'caught' was stimulating to say the least. I was really hoping to blame this shift in attitude on the part of Eric's soul that I was holding, but somehow, even I wasn't fully buying that one, especially given the increasingly damp situation between my thighs. I just hoped I wouldn't be losing all of my clothes in front of Bill.

Eric's expression was predatory as he slinked toward me. I found myself backing away without realizing it, only to fall onto the couch when my legs hit it. Eric pounced, diving on top of me while simultaneously divesting me of my shirt. Our mouths were frantically working against each other and I stroked my tongue over his extended fangs. He shuddered, which allowed me to claw his shirt off. My hands ran down his firmly muscled back to clutch that luscious derriere, squeezing and groping my favourite Viking part. In doing so, I felt his hardness press into my thigh. We were both so primed, this wasn't going to take long, nor would it be the gentleness of earlier.

Eric, meanwhile, was going to town on my breasts. He suckled a nipple to near painful hardness through the lace of my bra, then switched sides. His hands were bouncing between massaging the breast not being treated to the Eric Northman Oral Special and working on the clasp of my jeans. He gave up in favour of expediently shoving one hand down the front. I felt his fingers brush my sodden panties aside and stroke up and down my moist cleft, occasionally dipping in to circle my pulsing clitoris. I moaned and bucked my hips into his hand, trying to drive it where it belonged. "Errriic!" I whined.

"Patience, sweet."

Easy for him to say. I retaliated by sliding one hand around to cup his straining front. Now it was his turn to thrust forward with a groan. I maintained a steady pressure, not gripping or stroking until he gave in and pumped a finger deep inside me. I reluctantly released my hold on his prize-worthy ass to unbutton and unzip his jeans, setting his rock solid gracious plenty free. He added a second finger inside me as I stroked him. It became a race to see who would come first. I was amazed at the total confidence I was feeling in my sexuality; I could only attribute it to feeling totally right in being with Eric and the lightness in my own soul after breaking the spell.

A bruising kiss later, Eric started rubbing my swollen bud with his thumb, so I swiped mine across his tip, collecting the pre-come gathered there. "Watch me, Eric," I said huskily, waiting for his searing gaze to meet mine before showily licking at my thumb with my tongue, then sucking it into my mouth hard enough to hollow out my cheeks. The other hand maintained a steady pace on his hard, throbbing erection, which he broke by suddenly thrusting frantically against it.

"Oh, gods, Sookie!"

I only had a moment to relish my near victory as he curled his fingers in such a way that I almost exploded right then and there. Now it was my hips bucking and twisting against his fingers.

"Oh! Yes! Eric! Again!"

We were flying headlong toward our respective climaxes, with the bond beginning its fireworks. Eric was babbling away in some foreign language, while I was screaming to God and Eric, not sure if I was confusing the two at that moment. I knew what I wanted, what I needed, so I rolled my head to the side, exposing my neck. I'm not a fan of visible bite marks, but since Eric wanted to stake his claim tonight, I figured it didn't matter. He could always heal them later.

Eric looked intently into my eyes, never ceasing his hand, which was good, since at that point I'd probably have staked him. He saw my total sincerity and his own eyes softened from their lust-filled haze. He nuzzled against my neck, lapping at my pulse point, before biting down. The feeling of my life flowing into him, along with his own pleasure in my fae-laced blood, hit me hard and I began to topple over the edge.

"Yes, YES! Oh, Eric! God, Eric!"

Just then, the door opened. And we both came, crying the other's name.

By the time I recovered my vision from the sparks imprinted on my retinas, Eric had tucked himself back in and was handing me my shirt. The sheer ego radiating off him could have boiled an egg. I glanced past him to the door. Bill stood there, open-mouthed. I ignored the bulge in his trousers, other than to realise that had just killed any pity I may have held for what Eric was about to do. I pulled my shirt on, then, swinging my hips, stalked over to Eric who was now sitting behind his desk and perched myself on his lap with an arm around his shoulders. Pam, who I hadn't noticed, gave me a small smirk and a nod of approval, which was heart-warming in its own way.

Bill, unfortunately, recovered, and opened his mouth. "Sookie, what are you doing? Acting like a fangbanger? I'm shocked by your behaviour."

Eric started to get up, but I put a hand on his chest telling him I'd handle it. "Well, Bill, I'm sorry to hear you're displeased, but I have to say, I really can't care. I was simply enjoying a pleasant interlude with my bonded and I don't see how that's anything to be ashamed of." I didn't want to be mean or hurtful to him, since I did have a few good memories of our time together, but I wanted to make it plain that I saw nothing wrong in being with Eric.

The pride flowing from Eric, along with Pam's discreet smile, was reward enough.

Poor Bill, however, just didn't get it. "Eric, I thought you at least cared for Sookie. How could you treat her like a common whore? And isn't she supposed to be on her way to Stan by now, anyway?"

I was so worked up over being called a whore, even indirectly, by my ex-boyfriend that it took me a minute to catch up to the rest of what he'd said. "Wait, how'd you know about the offer from Stan? I only told Eric about it last night. And I'm guessing he only told Pam." A quick look at Eric's impression of a rock confirmed that.

Oh, Bill. Why?

Ok, nobody panic! Things will become clear and I'm not turning on poor Bill. Much.