Count my blessings.

Disclaimer; I do not own these characters, Charlaine Harris has that honour. I just like to explore the endless possibilities...

Chapter 14

Eric POV

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Speak of the devil. I saw her enter the club from a door to the side of the stage and approach the bar. Richard noticed her as well and pushed the fangbanger off the end of the seat and stalked across the dance floor towards the bar.

I could feel myself tensing up with every step Richard took closer to Sookie. She was mine; even after everything that had happened I still felt as if she was mine. The surge of possession and jealousy was increasingly difficult to control. Pam could obviously sense my struggle and in an uncharacteristic public show of affection she gave my knee a squeeze. My eyes never strayed away from Sookie but I placed my hand on top on Pam's in a silent 'thank you'.

Over the din of the club it was hard, but not impossible, to hear what they were saying. My concern escalated as he invited her to join us. We had not discussed what either of us would say in public. It would be safer to deny even knowing each other, but if we were being watched that could quickly be found to be a lie. If we acknowledged each other how would we explain our meeting without giving her true identity away? There were so many ways this could go wrong, but we had no way to stop it from happening; there was no way to communicate without being overheard.

She took the King's arm as he led her back to our table. She kept her eyes on Richard the whole way, only looking at me once he had introduced us.

"Scarlet, my dear, I would like you to meet a very old friend of mine. This is Eric Northman and his associate, Pamela Ravenscroft." Old friend – Huh! We knew each other, yes, but there was no friendship involved.

The ball was now firmly in Sookie's court; there was nothing I could do but go along with whatever she decided to tell Richard. I had to hope her ability to think fast would still be an asset.

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"Good evening Sheriff Northman, Miss Ravenscroft." The first line out of her mouth instantly caught Dicky's interest; I very much doubted that anyone else picked up on the slight change in the set of his shoulders but I had know him a long time and had been matched against him enough times to be able to read him well. I had a split second to react but decided to go with Sookie's lead and see where she was going. It was obvious by their interactions that she knew the King quite well; I just hoped she had learned enough to get us through this meeting without giving the moronic Monarch an advantage.

I corrected her by telling her I was no longer Sheriff. Dicky babbled on, obviously fishing for information; he was certainly paying close attention to us. She covered by saying she had been to Fangtasia, it was vague enough without being too much of a lie.

I admired how she dealt with Pam's line of questioning, but I had to be careful not to react to the news that he had been invited to the birthday party. I was getting uncomfortable with the unknown variables; I didn't know how they knew each other or, more to the point, how well they knew each other. Drinks were delivered and I was happy for the distraction. I watched Sookie take a sip from her gin and tonic, mesmerised by the way her plump lips parted to receive the edge of the glass. It gave me a flashback to other, more interesting pursuits her mouth had taken. Mentally giving myself a shake to try and clear my head I was aware of her preparing to leave. I had spent most of our time while chatting trying to avoid looking at Sookie, trying to hide my knowledge of her and hoping desperately that what was going through my head wasn't playing across my face. I couldn't help but watch as she walked away, the sway of her hips and the gentle bounce of her hair. I felt conflicted.

Things between us were so complicated but there was still a part of me that yearned for her. I had spent so many years loving and hating her in equal measure and I had yet to decide on which side of that particular fence I would fall. I resented her for being able to leave me; I had underestimated the strength of the blood bond between us, and the effect on me had been a complete surprise. I had only ever bonded once before and I had gone through the usual withdrawal once she had died. It had been particularly bad as she had lived longer than most bonded humans, so it had taken a few weeks to lose the empty feeling and the physical effects of changing one's feeding habits. It was not a pleasant experience and one of the main reasons I liked to have a varied diet was so I would not suffer the cramps and shaking that can be brought on by the loss of one's feeding source. I had suspected Sookie's Fae heritage could be to blame for the unusual bond, but it could be a number of different factors; all I really knew for sure was that I had suffered terribly when she left. I could barely function for the first four weeks but even when I had started to improve I would have relapses in my physical condition often, and these compounded my general malaise from lack of feeding. It was one of the reasons I started losing interest in the club and my sheriff's duties; trying to disguise my physical state of health and acting the part became tiresome.

As I watched Sookie disappear through the doorway I turned to notice Richard looking at me with a smirk that was worrisome. I fought the urge to rip his face clean from his scalp and waited for him to start a conversation.

"We have known each other a long time, Northman ... I would have expected better from you."

I didn't quite understand what he was insinuating but I did notice the hired help move into a more tactical position. There was a vamp I had seen at the palace the other night, over by the main door and a couple of Weres watching our table from the bar. Richard was right; we had known each other a very long time, so I knew he would eventually spill the beans. He was like a cheesy cartoon villain; I knew he would feel the need to monologue. He should have also known I would not be baited.

"Are you not even going to try and defend yourself?"

He was sat quite casually in the booth but I could tell it was just a masquerade; I kept my silence and could feel Pam's concern spike. I knew I had trained Pam well enough not to give away her fears, but her worry was starting to grate. We had not had much contact over the past eighteen years but she knew me well enough, so it made me reconsider the situation. What did Pam know that was making her worry so? Was there something I was missing?

"What do you have to say for yourself?"

"If you were to accuse me of something I would be able to defend myself, but as all you do is insinuate, I have nothing of worth to say."

"Do not play games with me Eric."

I just sat silent, thinking through the possibilities. Richard had always been ambitious to be a considered a threat but he seemed to be getting paranoid in his old age. Looking into his dark grey eyes I could tell he was plotting something and vowed I would find out what.

"I demand you tell me why you are here, Viking."

"You. Are. Not. My. King. I have no reason to answer to you." I leaned into the table keeping eye-contact, making sure not to show any signs of submission. Sometimes the best defence is a good offence.

"If that is how you want to play it, then so be it." He shook his head as if disappointed, "Just remember Eric, you are in my Kingdom, I have home advantage. You may not win this time, old friend." Empty words but his threat was clear; he intended to challenge me and he was telling me he now saw me as an active threat, as if my mere presence was, in his eyes, an act of war. Sometimes my reputation was a hindrance.

Pam and I stood as Richard did; I wanted to be able to defend myself if need be. I was aware we were outnumbered five to one but I would go down fighting. I didn't think he would attack in such a public place and I was sure the wards Sookie had on the place would go some way to stopping any violence but I was a warrior by nature, so I was always prepared for a fight.

The King and his minions left with nothing more than hairy eyeballs being thrown. Pam and I were left to an uncomfortable silence. We could not discuss what had just happened as we had no way of knowing who was listening, but we would have to strategise soon.

Pam finished her blood but I was busy replaying the King's words over and over, trying to work out what he was up to. I was vaguely aware of when Sookie rejoined us, she and Pam were talking drivel about the club. It took me a second to realise Sookie had asked me a question. I was deep in thought knowing we had to work out what Dicky was up to. I sent Pam off, knowing she would start the investigation into our new Royal problem.

I decided to put my issues with Richard to one side for a moment and concentrate on my issues with Sookie and my sons.

"Shall we?" I held out my hand intending to help Sookie out of the booth; it was an automatic action from the gentleman in me, but I found a part of me also wanted the contact.

"Where would you like to go?"

"Your place is better than mine. If you do not wish me to have an invite into your home could we not use the Folly again?" I wondered if seeing me meet with the King had scared her off a little; I knew of her hatred of politics but she herself had claimed to have dealt with Richard in the past...

"Eric, you are welcome in my home, the boys are staying at a friend's anyway."

The comment was said without care, casually tossed into the conversation. I was only allowed in her home as my sons would not be there! I could feel the swell of anger rise from the very depths of my bowels, the heat and rage were almost an unstoppable force. She was doing it again; she was keeping me from my children! She was pulling away from me but, not only that, she was pulling my sons with her. How could I have been stupid enough to believe her, again?

Through the red haze now blurring my vision I could see the shock on her face, and I wondered if she could feel the anger coursing through my veins. Her expression was enough to take the edge off my anger and with her next words I felt myself calm down even more.

"That didn't come out right, what I meant was they are not around to disturb us. We can talk freely. Call me old-fashioned but there are still some things about their mother I would rather my boys not hear".

We left the club in uncomfortable silence which accompanied us all the way to her home. She had a point about being able to talk openly and without intrusion, but there was still a distance between us and I was uncertain how to deal with it.

There was a moment once the car had parked when we just sat looking at each other. The intensity of her stare was like being under a microscope; she seemed to be almost in a trance.

"We have a lot to discuss." My voice seemed to be enough to bring her back to reality.

"Let's start with going inside and getting comfortable; this is going to be a long night..."

We made our way toward the front door where I noticed the runes written above the door way. The house was old but not old enough for them to have been there originally; she must have put them there. I hoped she knew what they meant, but it was another question for me to add to the ever-growing list of curiosities I had about her new life.

"Eric, won't you please come in?" She made a point of inviting me in formally and reaching to hold my hand. I remembered her doing the same the night before. Her delicate hand grasped mine with surprising force and I felt calmed by her touch. I felt the rush of magic as we crossed the threshold and knew that she had this house warded as strongly as the Folly. She dropped my hand to take her boots off in the hallway and then led us through the first door on the right. I had to bend to avoid hitting my head on the doorframe, but that was nothing unusual in old houses. The living area was large and homely; I recognised some of the people in the pictures on her family wall. There was a picture of her brother Jason and his second wife, and a picture of her Grandmother with a very young Sookie sat on her knee. I was surprised the most by the picture of me she had in a frame on the side unit, under all of the other pictures on the wall. I was at Fangtasia. I had not been aware Sookie had such pictures. It seemed to take pride of place along with school photos and baby handprints. I was moved by the small 6x4, silent testament to our relationship. I had thought she had forgotten me, I thought she had run from me, I had thought she had moved on...

"It's hard to believe they were ever that tiny." Sookie had come to stand next to me and was looking down at the little handprints in plaster, displayed in a little wooden and glass box. I knew twins were usually small, but seeing the little ridges and dips their hands and fingers had made in the mould made me marvel at the miracle of life; how could a being that small grow into the strong men I saw earlier?

"Considering how small their mother is, I think any bigger and it could have been deadly for you." I turned to face her and pulled her in tight to me; I wanted to protect her, as I should have done all those years ago. I was worried she would pull away so I snaked my hand around her back and held on tightly. I was surprised when I felt her arms circle my waist and squeeze before she replied.

"I was lucky I had support; it could have been a lot worse." I felt her shudder and wanted to know more, but there were so many things I wanted to know it was hard to find a starting point.

"Come, let us sit." I guided her toward the plush sofa and pulled her to sit close, not wanting any distance between us.

"Can I ask you something?"

"Go ahead..."

"Before, when you left to meet Pam... why did you act the way you did? I assume you were worried about the King's reaction, but I can assure you there's no need."

"Your actions with Darin annoyed me even though Shay explained a little, but I had thought you were trying to keep them away from me still. Of course, there was the extra complication of the King; I have known Richard a very long time and have never wanted to give him an advantage over me. Not knowing what was going to happen between us, I wanted to disguise our relationship and I thought by making you angry you would be more inclined to act... differently... towards me."

"You do realise the easiest way would have been to explain that to me in the first place rather than winding me up? And as far as the King is concerned, he and I have a good working relationship so I see no real threat from him."

"If you continue to have contact with me maybe you should re-think your opinion of the King."

"What do you mean? What was said tonight?"

"Not a lot, but enough to make me suspicious of his intentions, and if he even suspects for a second that you are connected to me in any way he may well try to exploit the connection."

"Okay..." I could see her thinking it through, it was almost like watching the Sookie of old. I had always admired how she could think outside of the box. "You call Pam, I'll call the boys; we'll get everyone back here and then we can work things through."

"What do you suspect?" I was shocked that she would be so suspicious of the King. I wondered what she knew of him and why she was so keen to jump to conclusions. It was plain she thought something was wrong; maybe she knew something I didn't?

"Phone, Eric..." She pointed to my pocket clearly trying to entice me into calling Pam. "Call Pam, get her here; she'll be safe. I'm going to the kitchen to call the boys; I want them where they're safe!" She hurried into the hallway to fish her cell from her coat. She dialled as she walked further into the kitchen, and moments later she was frantically ordering someone to 'get their ass home NOW!' I'm not sure which one of them was trying to argue, but even I could tell they were going to lose.

I stood watching her through the doorway as she paced and argued on the phone; she really was a sight when she was riled up. I shook myself out of my reverie and called Pam.

"Anything?"

"Nothing. Why are you calling so soon? I thought you would be busy for the rest of the evening."

"Scarlet..." I made myself use her assumed name as we were on an unsecured line. "... needs some help, how quick can you be here?"

"You know me, always willing to help a damsel in distress!"

"Meet me at the Woodman."

"Half hour." I heard the click of her hanging up and moved to join Sookie in the kitchen. She was still pacing, although she was now off of the phone.

"Well?"

"Pam is on her way to the Woodman."

"Why the hell did you send her there?"

"She does not know your address and I didn't want to give it out over the phone." I thought this was obvious

"Shit..." She reached for my phone and hit the redial button, staring at me the whole time.

"It will be longer than thirty minutes if you keep phoning me!" I could hear Pam's annoyance and waited for her to realise it wasn't me. I expected a witty come-back from Sookie but she just stood perfectly still with her eyes closed, holding the phone to her ear. Her heartbeat was slow and steady where it had been frantic and almost panicked a moment ago. Then pop... she was gone. One moment she was a few feet away from me and the next I was all alone in the house.

I stayed exactly where I was waiting for her to return. I could hear the tick of the clock hanging over the range cooker which dominated the country-style kitchen. I watched as the second-hand made its circuit not just once but four more times before something happened. There was a loud popping sound that seemed to come from the family room. Ducking into the shadow behind the kitchen door I waited for some sign as to who had just materialised in the house. There was a second pop and then an 'Ufft' sound followed by the unmistakable sound of bickering.

"For crying out loud Darin, I told you to wait."

"I did wait... for a sec." I could even hear the smile in his voice; I suspected he had done something on purpose.

"Next time you go first."

"Not my fault you're always the first. Right from day one, you want to lead? Who am I to stand in your way?" His voice was dripping in sarcasm; it quite interesting to hear the two of them banter so casually. I found myself smiling in my shadowy hiding place.

There was a sniff and then all went quiet.

*BANG*

The door which had been concealing my position was forcefully pushed into me. I had been so intent on listening to their conversation that I had lapsed in judgment. My feet were pointed into the apex of the door jamb and not straight out and therefore gave me no protection whatsoever. The solid wooden door smashed into my face breaking my nose and making my head smack back into the wall behind.

I was temporarily stunned and was confused when I heard a high-pitched scream which was familiar but I couldn't place it. I felt myself leaning on the wall for support as the door was pulled away and the light made me blink. My eyesight was unclear and I couldn't quite make out the figures in front of me; I was hoping they were friendly as trying to fight in this condition was going to be difficult.

My eyesight didn't seem to be the only thing affected; my ears didn't appear to be working either. I could barely make out sounds but had no hope in differentiating words or meaning. I felt myself start to sag, as I was grabbed and pulled into the room and placed on a chair.

Moments later my eyesight started to clear and I could see Sookie preparing a bowl and cloth as she scowled at her sons standing in the corner. There was a woman standing behind them that I did not recognise, but the most surprising addition to our little party was Pam frozen in the corner. She was in her fighting stance as if she was ready to rip her foes to shreds; I had seen her look similar many times, but couldn't quite work out her reason now.

I refocused on Sookie as she started to gently wipe my face with a warm wash cloth.

"Eric, are you okay?" Her voice was soft as if she didn't want to frighten me, concern written across her face. It reminded of the time she had found me wandering not far from her home; when she had taken me in and cared for me even though I did not know who she was. Hell, I hadn't even known who I was.

I leaned forward till our faces were millimetres apart. I had a split-second thought of kissing her but decided not to and went for her ear instead, whispering "Thank you." I gently placed a kiss on her cheek as I righted myself.

We were looking at each other and her hand was paused in midair with the steady drip of pinkish fluid dripping onto the floor between my open legs. So much and not enough was said without words, in those few seconds before the magic was broken.

She closed her eyes and in a tone I had never heard her use before she said. "Stay right where you are... you dare try and, so help me God, I will hunt you down and the fallout will be way worse than facing the music now."

I was confused for a second; obviously my brain had not quite got back to full speed. She opened her eyes and continued to look at me and winked before turning with a face like thunder. I finally realised her wrath had been aimed at the twins.

TBC...

A/N

I am really sorry to test your patience but bare with me, I fully intend to complete this story, I just don't know how long it will take me...

Big thanks to All About Eric for all of you hard work in helping my ramblings become legible.

Thank you all for you kind comments.

Luv Bb

xXx