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Quick Update: Eric has enjoyed his first taste of Sookie and realises she has fairy blood. They still need to talk...

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Again Sookie was laying at his side, she seemed more relaxed and content this time. Eric knew he could not let her sleep. "Sookie, I need to talk to you. There are things you need to know."

"Such as?" Sookie sounded drowsy.

"Please put on your robe, I find you too much of a distraction." Eric smiled, but Sookie now seemed too confused and concerned to smile back, she pulled on the robe, as Eric went into the bathroom and collected one for himself. He had never worn such a thing before, but didn't think about that now, he was planning ahead.

He collected Sookie from the bed and sat her in the armchair, realising as he did, that she did not seem to like being picked up and positioned somewhere else without warning. He would be more careful when doing that in future.

Eric sat on the footstool, in front of Sookie's armchair and decided to begin with the most recent revelation first.

"Sookie, I am sure I can count on your discretion, but most of what I am about to tell you should be kept to yourself. These are not only my secrets that I am about to share." Eric could tell he had a very intrigued audience. "We Vampires decided to show ourselves to the world when we realised we were at risk of being discovered. Modern science would have been our downfall, but when synthetic blood was invented, science helped us to 'come out' to the world. Of course, this you know, but have you ever considered who might still be hiding? What other Supernatural groups there might be?"

"There's more?"

"Oh, yes. Lots more."

"Like what?"

Eric chose two examples carefully. "Werewolves, witches..."

Sookie's mouth fell open in shock, but Eric did not want to waste time discussing Weres, so he quickly moved on. "What I wanted to discuss was Fairies."

"Fairies? Like Tinkerbell?" Sookie sounded incredulous and even a little amused. "Little people who live at the bottom of the garden. They exist too?"

"They do. I believe they like gardens, but they are the same size as humans and, with precautions, they can mix with the general population. These days they are not so common, the modern world has driven them away." Eric avoided saying where they had gone and that Vampires had been one of the reason for them leaving.

"Fairies are not always the gentle creatures that J. and others wrote stories about. They can be as dangerous as Vampires. Some are very fond of humans..." Eric realised he wasn't being clear enough. "They often breed with humans."

Sookie looked horrified, but Eric had gone too far to stop now. "The children are often beautiful, charming, some have special talents..."

"Like telepathy?" Sookie whispered.

Eric nodded, pleased that she was already understanding. "I believe a fairy has been involved in your family's past, I cannot say when, but I assume in the last few generations. If you wanted to find out more, maybe you could ask your Grandmother, when she is well again."

"My Gran would not know anything about this!" Sookie was clearly shocked at the thought.

"Lots of families have secrets, Sookie..."

She interrupted him, her voice a little shrill. "Not like this! I'm human, Eric. So is my family. No one else can read minds, surely if we were the descendants of Fairies, then Jason would be telepathic too, and my parents."

"It is not just your talent that makes me know you are Fae, Sookie. I knew you were special from your scent, although I did not realise what you were until I tasted you. Fairy blood has a very special taste. It's in your blood."

"But not Jason's?" Sookie sounded quite miserable and confused.

"Not all siblings are the same." Eric said, gently, but when Sookie stayed silent, he made another suggestion. "I could try to find out more information for you, but a Vampire asking about a Fairy may just raise more questions."

"Why's that?"

"Vampires and Fairies do not always get along."

Sookie's expression was now a scowl, she looked exhausted but Eric knew there was more that she had to hear tonight. For a moment though, he let silence take over.

Sookie leaned back in the armchair, gazing away, over Eric's head. He leaned forward, with his elbows on his knees, watching her face intently.

Finally she spoke. "Could I have a minute to myself? I need a hot bath and, well, I need to think about all this."

"I am sorry Sookie, but there is more for you to hear, I must ask you to stay."

"Can't I just grab a shower?" Sookie tugged at her robe, pulling a face as if she thought she wasn't as fresh as she should be.

"Believe me, Sookie, you small wonderful. May I tell you more?"

She sighed, "OK, but first, just how much do Vampires like Fairy's blood?"

"A great deal," Eric answered honestly.

Sookie's face stayed carefully blank at his reply. She sat back as if prepared to listen again.

"You are aware that I am Sheriff of Northern Louisiana? We call it Area Five and all of the Vampires here, including myself, are subject Queen Sophie-Anne."

Sookie arched an eyebrow. "Vampires have a Queen of America?"

"Her Majesty is Queen of Louisiana, she is based in New Orleans. Most States have a Vampire King or Queen, who ensure that Vampires adhere to our laws. The Royal Courts make trade agreements with other states, they deal with public relations and we pay them a form of taxes..." Eric paused, as he realised he should be keeping this short. "Queen Sophie-Anne gave me my position, I am loyal to her."

Sookie was nodding, so Eric continued. He chose his words with much more care than usual. "When I last met with my Queen, I was introduced to a favourite of hers. Hadley. Your cousin?"

Sookie's eyes were wide, as was her smile. "You saw Hadley? She's in New Orleans?"

Eric nodded, pleased to see her smile. Then Sookie's face changed. "What's... um... What do you mean by favourite?"

"They are lovers."

Sookie almost laughed, but clapped her hand over her mouth quickly. "Wow! There are so many boys from school who would be devastated to hear this! I'm sorry, Eric, I don't mean to make fun, but Hadley was always a wild child. I'm more surprised that she is with a woman, than with a Vampire! I've got to be honest, I'm just thrilled she's alive! Kinda amazed. How is she? When did you see her?"

Eric was a little surprised by her reaction, he was quiet while Sookie enthused at the news of her long-lost cousin. His words stopped her excitement. "Hadley is a Vampire now."

Sookie's face certainly turned a shade paler, but she showed no emotion and Eric did not know what she was feeling. He talked, just in the hope that he would say what she might want to hear. "She is happy, I believe. This is what she wanted. Hadley and Sophie-Anne share an affection, I am certain of that. Many humans want what we have."

Eric fell quiet, hoping that giving Sookie a moment to think would help her. She was taking in deep breaths, as if she had run too fast, eventually she spoke. These were not questions Eric wanted to hear. "When did you meet Hadley? Have you said that? How did you know she was my cousin? This makes no sense."

Fuck! Eric knew he could not, should not, hide the truth from her. "I met Hadley before I came to Shreveport, before I had even heard of Bon Temps. She talked of her family fondly. It seems she had talked of you to my Queen, and Sophie-Anne wanted to arrange a meeting between the two of you. A family reunion." Eric paused, but Sookie looked expectant. Unsure what her reaction might be he continued. "My Queen asked me to find you, to introduce you to Vampires and eventually bring you to Hadley in New Orleans."

There was a long pause, until Sookie spoke through gritted teeth. "Are you saying it was your Queen's idea to get me into bed?" Eric began to deny her accusation, but she continued, "I was just thinking you wanted me for my fairy blood, but you were just doing as you were told!" Her hand moved as if to slap him, but Eric caught her wrist. "Let me go!"

Eric freed her wrist immediately, but warned her. "Do not try to slap me, you will hurt your hand."

"You cold bastard!" Sookie jumped to her feet, Eric let her move, but followed her.

"Sookie, I certainly did not bed you to please My Queen, that was entirely my decision. And I do not only want you only for your blood, that is just part of my attraction to you."

"How lucky for you that you found just the right flavour!" Sookie's voice dripped in sarcasm, then she snapped. "I'm not a fucking ice-cream!"

"No, you are a beautiful woman..."

"Oh, an ice-cream with pretty sprinkles! Good for you!"

Eric found himself growing irritated at Sookie's sarcasm but he tried to keep his voice level. "Are you upset that I find you attractive? I do not intend to apologise for that. What was it that made you want me, Sookie? What if I were shorter or wider? What if I carried scars from my human life? Would you still have been pleased at my attentions?"

Sookie's only reply was a pout, Eric felt he had scored a point and continued in a more mellow tone. "The first night I met you, I admit I enjoyed your tanned legs in those shorts, but I was more impressed that you attempted to save a stranger from harm. I will never forget you holding that chain, preparing to fight."

Sookie's eyes were cast down, but Eric believed she was listening.

"And last night I let you see me at my most vulnerable, I trusted you with my life and you put me to bed. No one has done that since my mother." Eric smiled and saw Sookie's lips twitch too. "I hope you do not regret your actions?"

"No, I don't." Sookie admitted, Eric was relieved that she seemed calmer.

"I could spend the rest of the night listing why I want you, but there are other more worrying matters." Sookie brought her eyes up to meet his, she seemed resigned to listening. Eric took her hand and she did not pull away. "Please sit with me."

Once seated together again, Eric began to explain further. It felt strange to admit his worries to a human, but his problems were hers too. "I do believe that my Queen wanted you to visit New Orleans to please Hadley, but she knew of your talent too and probably hoped to make use of you too."

"As you did when you had me find your thief. That didn't end well."

"No." Eric found he did not have much to say in his own defence. "Sookie, I can delay taking you to the city while Hadley is young. Sophie-Anne is a good maker, she would not want to taunt her child with family blood. I believe she will wait until Hadley has more control before she requires you to visit. Although once her majesty sees your talent and if she scents your blood, she may require your visit to be long."

"Permanent?"

"Possibly." Eric admitted. "Would you want to live in New Orleans, with your cousin? You would be well compensated."

"No! I don't want to leave my home! I don't want to have to listen to people's minds forever." Sookie sounded most sincere.

"I am glad to hear it and there is a way that I might be able to keep you here. Vampires have rules regarding human companions. I wish to claim you as mine, then Queen Sophie-Anne will not take you from me."

Sookie did not look entirely convinced. "Claim me? I'm not some possession, Eric."

"But I would be able to keep you here, and you would be safe, not in a Vampire Court away from you family and friends. Once other Vampires find out you are part-Fae, they will all want your blood."

"Just like you want my blood? Is that why you want to claim me, Eric? So I can be your favourite, fairy-blood bag."

"No, you will be my lover."

Sookie raised an eyebrow and looked disbelieving, but Eric was close enough now to take her hand. He slowly ran his thumb over her knuckles then her palm, adding just a little pressure and she changed her grip so their fingers interlinked. He watched her expression change to a shy smile. Confident again, Eric leaned in and whispered to Sookie, "This is how I will think of you now. You are my lover and although our future may not be smooth, I think it will be worthwhile working on our troubles."

Sookie nodded, but she wasn't entirely in agreement when she spoke. "I need to think. I need a little time to go through this in my head. Hadley, fairies, everything."

Eric wanted to stay and persuade her further, but Sookie was looking confused again, so he decided to give her a little of the time that she needed. He kissed her cheek gently. "I'll be downstairs."

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Before leaving, Eric went to his dressing room and slipped on jeans and a t-shirt, then he nodded to Sookie as he left her alone.

He sat at his desk in the lounge room downstairs. While calling Pam and checking e-mail, he listened to Sookie upstairs. She was still for a long while; he could even hear her sigh. What was she thinking?

It was when she moved and turned on the shower, that he tried to block out the tempting thoughts of her body under the soapy water, but found he was unable to. To distract himself he went through to his comfortable snug at the back of the house and switched on the television; turning up the sound a little. He watched a human news channel until the newscasters began to repeat themselves, then he switched over finding a British channel that he used to watch while in London.

It was early morning in the UK and Eric was amused that the humans were discussing an interview given by Catherine, Londinium's favourite daughter the previous evening. He was entertained by the memories that came flooding back and relieved at the distraction.

Should he have left? He had given up a powerful position, one he had enjoyed. He left London to help Pamela, but she hardly needed his help, she had only asked for him in a fleeting moment of weakness. Without him, he was sure she would continue to run Fangtasia and she would work out how to co-operate with any new Sheriff.

Should he go back? He knew Londinium hadn't replaced him yet, it would be possible for him to return to London, saying he had grown bored of Shreveport. Eric dismissed that idea quickly, he knew he wouldn't return and lie to a whole city.

He was not bored, his feelings were exactly the opposite, he was enjoying his time spent with Sookie, more than any other time in his whole existence. He was going to stay here and make this work. He smiled at himself for making an easy decision, then changed the channel.

He found a sport channel showing golf. The strange game didn't interest him, but the glimpses of beautiful blue skies above green grass were always a pleasure. Conscious of Sookie's movements upstairs, he put his feet on his own coffee table and relaxed.

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Eric brought his mind back to Shreveport, as he heard Sookie coming down the stairs. He met her in the hall. She had dressed, he preferred her in the towelling robe or nothing at all, but decided not to object.

"I had an idea," she said, looking uncomfortable.

"Then tell me. Come sit with me." Eric ushered her into the snug and was pleased that she sat next to him on the huge sofa.

Sookie's words sounded a little rehearsed. "I understand that I can't see Hadley, and I admit I'm nervous about going to New Orleans, but I would like to speak to her. Could you arrange a phone call?"

Eric's first thought was 'Why didn't I think of that?', but he kept that to himself and replied, "I cannot see why that would be a problem. I will call to arrange it."

As he reached for his phone, Sookie's eyes widened. "Now?"

"Now seems a good time." He paused, with his phone in his hand, until she nodded.

Eric got Andre on the phone and he immediately told him he was with Sookie so Andre knew that this was all about business. "I have informed Miss Stackhouse of her cousin's new status and she hoped it would be possible to speak to Hadley. Could you arrange this for us? Tonight, if possible."

If Andre was surprised he hid it well, he was so polite that Eric thought he might believe that Sookie could hear him. Andre agreed to speak to his Queen and Hadley about the possible conversation and ended the call.

Eric set his phone on the coffee table, then he and Sookie began to wait.

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So Sookie has another conversation to deal with before this story draws to a close.

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I hope you like this Chappie, apologies for the delay but I went on a wonderful holiday and got more sun than Eric would approve of.

Thank you again for the follows and reviews, they are always appreciated and great motivation.

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19th October 2013 ~ FanOTheFang on Twitter and Tumblr