A/N: I'm so glad that Bill's put away for a bit; it's a pain trying to balance his ineptness with his blindness to reality. I much prefer our lovebirds! Ok, a bit of Eric's take on things, although it gets a touch Heinlein-esque at one point.

Disclaimer: Still not mine! Old Norse will always be from

http: // hem. passagen. se/ peter9/ gram/ index. html for future reference!

Recovery n the act of recovering; restoration to any former and better state or condition

EPOV

Sookie didn't say anything on the drive back. I was concerned, but prodding the bond proved that she was simply internalising the events of the evening. Fucking Compton. I wanted nothing more than to rend him limb from limb, but because of his fucking database and the revenue it pulled in, I had to defer his final punishment to Felipe. Fucking bureaucracy. It had been a good night up until Compton's betrayal. Sookie had completely embraced both the bond and our relationship and had turned into quite the minx. I got hard just thinking about the interlude in my office.

And later, the way she stood up to that bastard and held her head high was beyond fucking sexy. I wanted to take her right there when she'd announced that there wasn't anything wrong with enjoying fucking in a public place, as long as it was with me. My incredible arousal warred with my desperate need to protect her from the sorrow I could feel swamping the bond. My lover always wanted to believe the best in people, and that níðingr had shown her how wrong she was so often that, if I didn't know how strong she really was, I'd be worried about her losing that spark of compassion and empathy that was so goddamn attractive on her, even if it did get her into trouble.

She was still quiet when we arrived at my Shreveport house. I had her in my arms before she could open the car door and we were inside and in one of the spare bedrooms in an instant. I set her down, asking if she wanted to clean up before bed. She simply nodded, so I quickly gathered the necessary items, including a set of pyjamas she had packed before we left Bon Temps. I led her into the bathroom and turned on the water before undressing her carefully. I was still hard, both from the earlier anger and from the sheer proximity of her curvaceous form, but I could tell it wasn't the right time. This bond was a curse and a blessing if I was going to put off my own needs for hers. After shedding my own clothes, I led her under the shower head and tenderly washed her from head to toe. I didn't even let myself linger on the more pleasurable areas. I started to wash myself, but Sookie's small hands took the cloth from me and treated me in the same manner. I had to restrain my reaction to her delicate touch on my arousal; this woman could make me hard at high noon, let alone standing naked in the shower while washing me so gently.

Finishing, we stepped out of the shower, neither saying anything. We dried each other, and I handed her the pyjamas before deciding to sleep in boxers. Normally, I would sleep nude, but for tonight, I wanted Sookie to feel comfortable and not pressured until she had assimilated this latest stab in the back. I would stay with her until she fell asleep, retreating to my dayroom with the dawn.

All of my good intentions flew out the window once we were settled in bed. Sookie snuggled into my side, with her head on my shoulder, as I wrapped her in my arms. The feeling of her pressed against me made me ache and her scent, that delicious fragrance unique to my bonded, surrounded me, fogging my earlier resolutions. I shifted her in my arms to bury my head under her hair, against the curve of her neck. Nirvana. I was instantly hard and throbbing.

"Eric?" I could barely rouse myself from the scent of her skin. It was almost as intoxicating as her blood. I could swear she tasted more Fae every time I drank from her.

"Yes, my love?"

"Why did you work so hard to get me out of having to work for Felipe? Half the time, I'd only see you if you wanted me to work or had to take me somewhere else to use my ability. So, why would you cut off your only guaranteed method of seeing me, especially since I wasn't being very nice and probably wouldn't see you outside of doing a job?"

I gave up on thoughts of seducing her and fell back onto the bed with a sigh. This woman would drive me insane! Of all the times to ask a fucking serious question. I supposed she deserved an answer, although I did not like how I would appear.

"Lover, I at first wished to merely establish a contract with Felipe in regard to how he could utilize your services, namely by going through me, in an effort to limit your contact with the Nevada contingent. I do not trust our illustrious new king, or his second, and was most seriously displeased in their continued interest in you after the take-over was complete. In doing so, however, I saw an opportunity to completely sever the ties that would bind you to the kingdom, although now I recognize Russell's guidance behind-the-scenes, as it were. I wanted, originally, for you to feel indebted to me, allowing us to begin to discuss the things left unsaid and to plan for the future. I soon realized, however, that to do so would be as dishonest as you had always accused me of being and my reasoning became that it would simply bring you peace of mind. I wanted you to be able to come to me of your own choice, free from the pressures of involvement in my world, at least as much as I was able to remove them. I should have realized that Felipe's sudden acceptance, contingent on my continued protection of you, was contrived. He no doubt saw fit to add that caveat for legitimising my removal after Russell successfully pulled you to him. I am under no illusions that I was spared the slaughter of the Queen's Sheriffs for any other reason than our bond." I ceased, uncertain as to Sookie's reaction. I do try, but it is beyond difficult to give up the ways of manipulation when one has been practicing them for one thousand years.

She stayed silent and I began to feel disquieted. "Sookie, I am sorry to have to admit my initial motivations after the shock of earlier, but I will not lie to you. You asked and I answered."

My bonded laced the fingers of her tiny hand through mine. In a small voice, she said, "I know you can't help the way you start to act; you wouldn't be you if you didn't strategize and use every available method to get what you want. It kinda hurts a bit that you were planning on trapping me into being grateful to you in order to cement our relationship, but then again, I wasn't giving you any hope that you could do it above board. I am glad you told me though. It's a nice change to have some honesty upfront and I know you'd never lie to me. Omit things, definitely, but at least we don't lie to each other. And it was incredibly thoughtful of you to even try to get me away from vamp politics, even if it was being manipulated from the start." She gave a small sigh and I pulled my astonishing, and recently forgiving and benevolent mate to me.

She continued, "I just don't understand why Bill would do something like that. Especially after the whole thing with the Queen and then Lorena. How can he say he loves me if he's willing to trick me and lie to me to get what he wants? And why couldn't I see through him? I really thought he still loved me."

"Dear one, I am sorry for all that you have gone through in the past two days, and even before that with the effects of the spell. I swear to you, we will discover who was behind it and I will exact revenge. You will not suffer anymore. I swear it!" I was adamant that this woman who had borne more pain and ill treatment than one could imagine would never feel mistreated again, not so long as I still walked this Earth. It would have been the perfect opportunity to affirm my statements more physically, but I could tell my poor beleaguered lover was not quite up to it. I settled for a deep, passionate kiss, through which I attempted to show her my steadfast devotion, unshakable ardour, and staunch defence of both her physical and emotional well-being. I twisted so she was stretched along the length of my body, allowing her to feel in control and not overwhelmed. The sensation of her inflamed response, nipping and sucking on my lower lip before plunging her tongue to meet mine, nearly did me in.

"Lover, if you do not feel ready, do not feel we have to continue. I know tonight was overwhelming emotionally and I do not wish to have you do anything you don't wish to." I couldn't believe I was fucking talking her out of it. I was becoming as much a slave to this thrice-blessed and damned bond as any human.

She giggled. That impertinent baggage lying against me actually giggled. At me! "Well, I'll understand if you're not up for it, Viking. I realize you are getting on in years and that even thinking about three times in one night might be a bit much."

I'm ashamed to say I actually just stared at her. I double and treble checked the bond just to be sure she was serious. Gods be praised, she really was my soulmate! Gone was the sorrow and quiet disappointment and she was aflame with desire and joy.

"Eric, I'm serious, really. Bill's of the past and yes, his betrayal hurts, but I've already committed myself to you. Your words tonight just made me fall a little bit more for you and now I want you to take me and prove that I'm yours." She leaned down and licked my nipple, then gave it a nip. "So, what'll it be, lover?"

By the gods, I love this woman. "Getting on in years, am I? I beg to differ." Sitting up and forcing her to do the same, I hastily tore off her pyjamas, shedding my own boxers in an instant. Our mouths crashed together violently as I yanked her to me, kneeling in the middle of the bed. I tangled my hand in her hair to hold her to me, while the other snaked around her waist, pressing her against my extremely hard erection. She moaned against my mouth, a delightfully wanton sound that only spurred me on.

Breaking the kiss, I shoved her down so she was laid out before me. Her glorious hair was spread out in a corona around her flushed face, with her eyes sparkling at me in trust, excitement and love. Her magnificent breasts with their dark and hardened tips were heaving, giving me a lovely show. Leaning over her, I slowly traced my hands down her impeccable figure.

"Now, my lover, I have you where I want you, but what to do with you?" She rolled her eyes at the banal line, but I wanted to inject humour into our encounter. With no one else did I find such satisfaction and laughter mixed together and I wanted to remind both her and myself of our compatibility.

She squirmed delightfully against me, whining, "Eric! I thought you were going to take me, not tease me! I need you!"

Her tone was serious. I ran a hand down her curves, allowing my fingers to brush the side of her breast and was rewarded with a gasp. Lightly tracing the tips of my fingers across her hipbone, I flattened my hand to slide it over her downy patch and between her legs. I quirked an eyebrow at her in surprise. "Well, my lover. It seems you're more than ready for me." That was an understatement; she was dripping wet with anticipation. I couldn't help feeling proud of the fact that I made her so, although I was suddenly mindful of the fact that others desired her as well.

My voice roughed as I continued to lightly stroke her, "Tell me you only get this wet for me, Sookie. Tell me only I bring you to your peak and that it is only me you fantasize about fucking you."

"Oh! Eric, it's only you! It's only ever been you! I swear!" She was beginning to pant and buck against my hand. She tried to pull me to her, but I instantly had her hands held above her head.

"Eric! I need you and only you! Please, fuck me!" Her begging snapped any last restraint. I was already harder than I'd been all night. Knowing she was completely submitting to me was the ultimate aphrodisiac. Stretched out above her, I bucked my hips, teasing her opening with the head of my aching cock. I felt beyond powerful as her eyes rolled up.

"Oh God. Oh, Eric, fuck me. You're the only one who makes me feel this way. Ah! I need you, deep inside me, making me yours."

With that comment, I was completely gone. I slammed my cock all the way inside, feeling the hot, pulsing grip of her velvety walls. Picking up a brutal pace, I pulled nearly all the way out before thrusting back in, hitting the entrance to her womb. I maintained my grip, pinning her arms above her head. I did not want to give her any chance to take over, not that it seemed she would.

"Who do you belong to?" I grated out, nearly losing it with a particularly violent thrust.

"You! Oh! Eric, I'm yours!" Looking down at my sultry beloved, with her face breathtaking in its passion, I felt pure love overcome me. The bond opened and it was as if we were the other, in addition to ourselves. I could feel the friction of my thrusts along her walls, as well as her taking me all the way inside. No one else existed outside of our union; there was no truth other than our coming together.

"Mine!" I growled, although the voice that sounded was hers. We were so deeply intertwined that our thoughts were one, as our bodies and souls were joined. There was no submission or dominance, only a completed entity, two halves meeting to create a perfect being of love and belonging.

Our cries grew in intensity as we continued to pound into us. We reached that brief moment of clarity before sheer ecstasy broke over us. We could feel the pouring of our seed deep at the head of our womb, yet also feel the sensation of being filled. Shuddering from aftershocks, I came back to myself before collapsing, managing to land face-down next to my beloved, rather than crushing her. I almost felt the need to breathe, as I slowly registered Sookie's harsh pants. I managed to roll slightly to face her. As our eyes met, we both sported slightly intoxicated grins. She began to giggle, and I was soon roaring with laughter. Countless moments passed as we were wrapped in our mirth. This was bliss. My lover had given herself to me, as I gave myself to her and we could appreciate the time we had together, filling it with the laughter that had been missing from the majority of the past millennium.

"Wow." Sookie apparently had recovered her breath, along with her gift for understatement.

"Wow, indeed, dear one."

"I'm definitely not complaining, but I hope it's not like that every time. I don't think I'd survive it!"

"I think, perhaps…that is," I was finding it difficult to maintain a coherent thought. I began again, "I believe that the bond will not respond the same every time, but rather react to the situation at hand. We needed to prove that we belonged to the other wholly, therefore we literally became one. And as intense as that experience was, beloved, I do not think I could survive that every time, either. Especially as I plan on having you at least three times a day from now on," I only felt it fair to warn her. I found I was supremely content and utterly uninterested in moving to my dayroom. I felt a pulse of something through the bond.

"What is it?"

"Nothing, it's just…you called me 'beloved.'" Sookie sounded hesitant.

"That is often how I refer to you in my thoughts. I can refrain from saying it out loud, if you…"

"No! I like it. A lot, actually," she interrupted. "It was just a surprise, that's all."

"Very well, I will reserve it for special occasions." I could only hope she would also appreciate the sentiment as I actually thought it, in my own language.

"Well, you'll be pulling it out a lot, cuz this, with the two of us together, in my book, that's special." Damn it, the woman was going to make me break down. I blinked back the moisture from my eyes and focused instead on pulling my lover to me and slowly and passionately exploring her mouth with mine.

"I love you," I said as soon as she needed breath.

"I love you," she replied, gracing me with the most gentle, tender smile I'd yet seen. Kissing her hard again, I went to my daytime rest with that smile in my thoughts.

Sorry about the serious Stranger in a Strange Land type moment, but since I had the bond going there, I had to follow! Don't worry, more plot in the next few chapters!

*níðingr - honourless person