Tara stared at Eric, then looked around.
"Could all of you leave Eric and I alone?" she asked quietly. Sookie grabbed Ben's arm and took him out into the kitchen, which pissed Bill off! He followed, baring his fangs. LaFayette wisely walked outside and sat on the porch.
Eric made a show of looking around.
"We're alone. Now what is it you want to tell me, Tara? That you like being Kibwe's Hell Whore?"
"Eric, I'm sorry if my decision upset you."
"But it didn't upset you to become human again, at such a price? Really, Tara? Chancellor Kibwe? You do know he owned your family at one time?"
"Yes," Tara said, "I found that out in hell. I also saw Pam there."
Eric's face softened a bit.
"You saw Pam in hell? Why would she be there?"
"Because we're all going there. We're, or were, vampires and we hurt and killed people." Tara said quietly. She refrained from mentioning Leif Northman, the twin that Eric never knew he had.
"That's bullshit! Kibwe told you that?"
Tara folded her arms.
"I'm tired of your not being able to commit to me. And when I mean 'commit', meaning all you ever had to do, was tell me that you loved me and wanted to be with me. But instead, you killed other men that cared for me, so that they wouldn't be in my life any longer. And then you come to me with this bullshit about my 'not understanding' what it truly means to be a vampire, THEN you try and drag me into some orgy with Sam and Nora. You STILL want to fuck Nora while you're with me. I can't let my feelings for you, get in the way of raising Ilsa and Alex. My mother did that and it ruined my life. I won't let a man...a vampire, make me so miserable that I can't give my children the life they deserve."
"Oh and I would be doing that?" Eric asked sarcastically. "As opposed to what Kibwe would be doing?"
"What are you talking about? My deal with him is in the afterlife! I'm talking about the here and now."
Eric suddenly cupped her face within his hands!
"So is Kibwe," he hissed, "do you really think that he means for you to live a long and fruitful life with our children? He is not going to wait for you that long. He will probably cut your life short so he can get his hands on you early!"
Tara pulled out of his grip!
"You're lying! He wouldn't do that!"
But Tara suddenly realized, she didn't know what Kibwe was capable of! There had been nothing in their 'deal' that said anything about when her life would expire! Would that piece of devil shit, kill her to make their deal begin early?
Eric could see that he had gotten through to Tara some.
"Let me at least look into what's going on. Before anything is decided."
"I've already decided. I'm human. My part of the deal has begun."
"Let's see about getting you out of this. I understand that it bothered you not to see Ilsa and Alexander during the day. You have that now. Just let me carefully and quietly look into this." Eric requested. "We can go home..."
"No. I have a separate home that I bought. I'm not going back to that house." Tara said firmly. Not the house that Eric had had the Pelt sisters murder King Eric in.
"Alright. Fine. You go there and I will find out what Kibwe is up to."
Tara shook her head.
"I want my children back. Now I need your help in convincing Ben to release them."
"I can not do that, Tara. I won't agree to it until we get you out of this hell deal." Eric told her. Tara walked away from him and into the kitchen. She looked at Ben.
"Return my children to me, or I will go to Chancellor Kibwe and make a different deal. One that gets me my kids back and you dead."
"Tara!" Sookie cried out. Tara didn't usually sound THAT hateful. Even Bill suspected she may have been down in hell a little too long...
Ben gave her a long and level look.
"Prince Alexander..."
"Yeah, about that, I can't send the twins back to that other reality. Someone else has to rule. I could never live there without King Eric and I could never live here without my babies. Go and get them now." Tara told him coldly.
Eric moved in behind her.
"Go and bring my children out of that fae world." he told Ben, nodding. Bill looked confused but said nothing. Sookie looked at Ben, who did not look happy, but disappeared in a burst of light.
Bill spoke.
"Tara, would it really hurt to leave the children someplace safe, until we can get you of this deal?"
"The only way I want out of this deal, is if I get to stay human and not end up with Kibwe in the afterworld. Somehow, I don't think I can have both." Tara said, just as Ben returned with Ilsa.
"Here. I returned Ilsa. But the prince will stay in the fae world until I know that all proper accounts have been settled." Ben said.
Tara took Ilsa from Ben, handed her off to Eric, then leaped at Ben! Bill pulled her off of him, while Sookie screamed for Tara to stop! LaFayette came running in!
"What the fuck?!" he cried out. Eric looked at LaFayette.
"Take Tara home. Wherever that is."
Tara huffed and reached for Ilsa but Eric did not give her to him.
"Eric, there is a custody order..."
"All I have to do is glamour the judge, and he will reverse that 'order'. See how NICE it is being a vampire? Can you do that anymore, Tara? No, I guess not. Our daughter will be staying with me until this mess you've created is straightened out." Eric informed her, as Ilsa rested her head on his shoulder and went to sleep.'
Tara looked at Eric, Sookie and Ben, before turning and walking out of the kitchen door. Bill spoke to LaFayette.
"We're going to need your help. Tomorrow night, I want you to connect with someone in hell to find out what Kibwe is up to."
"Aw shit! Who would that be?: Lafayette asked uneasily.
"Russell Edgington." Bill answered. Meanwhile, Sookie walked over to Eric.
"She needs time and space. A lot has happened. A lot that made her want to wash her hands of all of this vampire craziness. Just give her time." Sookie said softly, touching Ilsa's little hand.
Tara said not a word as LaFayette drove her to her new home. There was a small circular drive and LaFayette wondered JUST how much she got from Bill Compton a month in alimony!
Tara got out and closed the door. She was about to walk towards the door, when her cousin called out to her.
"Come on, Tara! Let's talk about this! Eric is just worried."
Tara turned to look at him.
"You should've kept your goddamned mouth shut! YOU caused all of this trouble by running your mouth about your visions! Now I have a home but my babies are someplace else!"
LaFayette got out of the car, but left his door open.
"I was worried. I could see you were in trouble, girl!"
"You were jealous, is what you were! Everyone knows damned well you're hot for Kibwe! You saw me fucking him in hell and just couldn't stand it!"
LaFayette looked her up and down!
"Are you crazy? Seriously? You think I'd fuck up you shit over that ashy assed..."
"Whatever. My shit is fucked up, because of you. Now it's up to me to get out of this."
"Just do what Eric said and you'll get Ilsa and Alex back." Lafayette reminded her. Tara turned and went inside the house, slamming the door behind her! She then peered out from behind a curtain and watched as LaFayette got back into his car, muttering to himself. He sped out of the drive...probably to report to Eric!
Once LaFayette was safely gone, Tara hurried out to her garage and got into her own car. Her destination: Authority Headquarters.
Tara was searched, but allowed in to see Chancellor Kibwe.
And in doing that, Tara got quite the surprise.
Kibwe and Jessica were lounging, naked, in front of a fire! Tara eyed them. Yes, she had known Jessica was seeing the Chancellor, but she didn't think it was serious. Was it serious? Or did that even concern her?
What Tara really wanted to know, was did this mean she might not have to honor the Hell Pact?
"Hey, Tara!" Jessica said brightly. She jumped up and put on a robe, tying it.
"Hey, Jessica." was all Tara said.
"So I heard about your being human again. How did that happen? Did Bill help you? He's kind of being tight lipped about it."
Kibwe, who put on his own robe, looked at Jessica.
"Would you wait for me in the other room? I need to discuss something with Tara."
"Like what?" Jessica asked. Her tone was still bright, but it brimmed with suspicion. Tara spoke.
"It's a legal matter." Tara said. Jessica nodded and did as she was told. But Tara suspected she would listen in from the other room.
Once she was gone, Kibwe turned to her.
"There is no reason we should be meeting at all." he said, his tone cold.
"Oh I get that you don't think we should be meeting! And I could give a fuck! I got back here after you dragged me down into hell, to find that I can't get my children back from a fairy! I need your help!"
"There is NO connection between us, as far as everyone is concerned. I am marrying Jessica." Kibwe told her. Tara's eyed widened. WHAT?
"You're marrying Jessica? Does Bill know?"
"His opinion matters none. He only needs to pay for the event in the grand fashion that it is supposed to be in. Jessica is the daughter of the King of Louisiana." Kibwe said, his tone flat.
"Okay, look, I don't give a fuck! Just help me get my babies back!"
"You are human again. Per our agreement. That is all I owe you. Once your human life expires, you will bring yourself to hell...and my bed there. Now leave. I don't have time for this."
But Tara didn't budge.
"Let me get this straight: you plan to be married to Jessica here. And be married to me down there. What happens if Jessica dies?"
"She'll go to hell."
"Yes, but she is also YOUR wife. Up here. So she'll expect to be your Queen down there." Tara almost smirked.
Before Kibwe could answer, two visitors were announced via an intercom.
Reverend Daniels and Governor Burrell.
Tara looked from the intercom to Kibwe.
"Why are you meeting with my mother's husband and the Governor?"
"Leave. And don't say anything to either of them about why you are here." Kibwe said, taking her arm roughly and almost shoving her out the door! But Tara ran smack into the Reverend and Governor!
Reverend Daniels stared at her strangely, while Governor Burrell grinned widely!
"Why Ms. Thornton! Your step-daddy and I were just talking about you!" Governor Burrell almost cooed.
"Really?" Tara asked between gritted teeth.
"Yes! We were saying that you kept your faith in Christ, even when you were afflicted with vampirism. And it was your faith that made you human again." the Governor said. Tara looked from him, to Reverend Daniels.
"Is that what you believe, 'step-daddy'?" Tara asked.
"Actually," Reverend Daniels said, changing the subject, "Lettie Mae would love to see you and the babies."
"Now that I'm human again?" Tara asked blithely.
Kibwe interrupted the terse, family reunion.
"Tara was leaving. Gentlemen, step inside." Kibwe said, then gave Tara a small push to get her on her way. Tara's mouth dropped open at having been treated so shabbily! What was really going on here? Kibwe was acting all scared, as if he didn't want anyone to know of their hell fuck, or their true connection(fine with her, but SHE was the one that should be trying to hide it!).
Next, he was going to marry Jessica! And as far as Tara could see, Kibwe had no more feeling for Jessica, than he did for herself.
Now this secret meeting with her step-father and the Governor of Louisiana, who as far as Tara could see, had no earthly reason to be in the same room!
She sighed. In the end, her real problem had not been solved. Ilsa and Alex were not with her. Feeling dejected, Tara made the trek out of Authority Headquarters and back home.
Meanwhile, Reverend Daniels said very little, as the Governor spoke.
"So what you're proposing, Chancellor Kibwe, is cleaning up the 'vampire problem', by doing to them, what you did to Ms. Thornton?" Governor Burrell asked.
"Yes." Kibwe said simply.
Now Reverend Daniels spoke.
"And just how did you turn Tara back human?"
Kibwe smiled.
"I think Lettie Mae knows better than anyone. How is she?"
Governor Burrell looked from Kibwe to Reverend Daniels. Uh oh! This sounded kind of personal...
"She doesn't want to be reminded of certain things." Reverend Daniels said.
"And I would hate for Tara to hear of them." Kibwe responded, looking now at the Governor.
"Yes, Governor Burrell. I need vampire souls down in hell...among others. I would turn every vampire you could get your hands on, back into a human being. But for a price."
"Hell, Chancellor, just name it!" Governor Burrell grinned. He could see a presidential bid in his future after this...
"I want you to make sure you put me on your presidential ticket...as Vice-President, of course." Kibwe said coolly. Governor Burrell jumped up and shook hands with the Chancellor.
Reverend Daniels stood.
"Well, things seem to be settled. I don't see why my presence was necessary."
Kibwe let go of the Governor's hand and looked at him.
"Governor Burrell, someone will show you out. I need to speak to Reverend Daniels privately."
Governor Burrell did not want to be around, when whatever shit was between these two, hit the fan! He nodded at the Reverend and left. Once he was gone, Kibwe got down to business.
"I don't like your tone. Lettie Mae entered into an agreement with me. Twice. Once for her own soul..."
"And for Tara's. When she married me. Why was Tara here? You didn't tell her?"
"That what? That the reason she is to be my Queen, is because her own mother had already sold her soul? No. I did not tell her."
"This is all because you still want my wife!" Reverend Daniels suddenly barked. "Lettie Mae told me that YOU killed Tara's father after she traded her soul to get him from another woman! Then you killed him and she turned..."
"To drink. I know. I watched it happen. Tara will be well provided for. I want to make sure that we are on the same page. You will begin holding night services for vampires to attend. The Governor's men will be waiting to capture them and take them to a detention center, where I will then turn them back into humans. Are we clear? Or do you want me to MAKE it clear?" Kibwe asked, his tone bordering on menacing.
"No," Reverend Daniels swallowed, "I understand."
He then turned to leave. He walked out of the door, never seeing Nora, who had eavesdropped! She had to tell Eric and Bill what was going on...
Suddenly, she felt herself being grabbed and dragged into the room! Kibwe closed the door.
"You heard?" Kibwe asked, walking over to a cabinet.
"Yes. And I think it's a bad idea. Why don't we do the opposite? Why don't we turn more humans into vampires?" Nora countered.
"How many times do you plan on betraying me to Eric Northman?" Kibwe asked instead.
"What?" Nora asked.
And it would be the last question she asked, ever. Using vampire speed, Kibwe removed a sword from a cabinet, turned and closed the distance between Nora and himself, chopping off her head.
Kibwe the called in an assistant. She seemed more than a bit surprised to see Nora Gainsborough's head on the floor, detached from her body.
"I want you to deliver this head to Mr. Eric Northman. Please use express mail." Kibwe whispered.