A note: Because there is no POV from Eric here, I'll give a recap. This is not SVM Eric, this is TRUE BLOOD Vampire Eric- a more vicious, darker Eric. If this was SVM Eric, then he would be out of character. Of course he cares about Sookie, in his own confusing way. What guy serenades a chick outside her window all night if he doesn't like her? :) But he is riding a Bi-polar roller-coaster of intense emotion he hasn't felt in a LOOOONG Time. He finds himself strangely attracted to Sookie, and wants to be her "Protector", even though he invades her life doing so- because a)He doesn't want her to be in pain, and b)he can't stand to feel HER pain. He could have easily just told her that Bill is a scumbag sent on a mission- but that was the OLD Eric. The NEW Eric after Godric's death is feeling very confused, lost, and betrayed... It would be like having your whole family kill themselves x 1000. He worshipped Godric, and thought he was a totally bad-ass awesome Vampire. His whole life, he looked up to him, wanted to be like him... and then Godric before he dies, tells him they were "wrong". What a mindfuck! He loved Godric so much he was willing to die with him. He couldn't even contemplate existence without him, and his loyalty comes first. His whole identity is crumbling! Not that he shows it... of course he wouldn't want any Vampires to see him weak on the outside. He feels Sookie is the only one he can talk to. He hasn't opened up to anyone like that, ever. And he is mighty pissed off that she still hates him. He has some warm fuzzies for Sookie, which he believes is a weakness sometimes, and at other times a welcome blessing from the pain he is in. He believes Sookie went behind his back and brushed off his oath to protect her, choosing to trust Sam instead. That was a VERY STUPID thing for Sookie to do, because Eric does not tolerate that kind of insolence... he's used to getting his way, and having humans around as playthings, so he is reverting to sheriff Eric mode, and treating her like he would treat other humans. Of course he doesn't actually want to kill Sookie...but he wants her to know that HE SHOULD HAVE killed her...because that's what his logical brain would have done, to save himself from possible punishment. He wants her to know that her stupid actions not only affect HER life, but HIS AS WELL. Yes, he's being harsh, but he wants her to see his "other side" so that she realizes how special he was treating her before (Remember...He let her STAB HIM with SILVER! That is screaming "I like you" in Vampire!), and he thinks she needs a good dose of reality...so that she will learn that it is good to stand up for yourself and kill people, but you can't just kill in a blind range...you have to use your brain, have a good plan, and know of the consequences! He is sort of treating her with care, like he would treat his Vampire child. If he brought her to bed and comforted her again, he knows she won't really "learn" from her mistake. He sees her fiery spirit and wants her to be strong and kick-ass...like a Vampire. But not an idiot Vampire! If mood-swing Sookie became a vampire- then she probably wouldn't last a year, LOL. He doesn't know how to take care of a human. That's why he had her kill the rapist. He thought he had everything under control, but Sookie royally screwed things up. He is frustrated that she doesn't seem to care for all the "special treatment" he has given her, and that she doesn't trust him and his ability to keep her safe. Her attitude both excites him, and enrages him. He believes locking her up in the dungeon in the dark is a LIGHT punishment. Remember that he brutally tore a guy apart, for killing a Vampire and hurting him with silver, which is the SAME THING that Sookie did. Eric is capable of being quite a sadistic monster. Plus he is worried for her future now. He knows that if the Queen takes her as a servant, she will lead a very miserable boring life, and he will never get to have her. And of course Sookie wants Eric...BAD...but she is just so stubborn. :) There is also a secret Eric is not telling Sookie, that explains why he cares for her...but that won't be revealed yet.

We were lying in a field of wildflowers, and the sun was shining brightly in a vibrant blue sky. There was the buzz of insects, and the sweet breeze of spring and new life. In the distance was a lake of deep blue, and a rolling mountain range.

I giggled.

"How come you aren't bursting into a ball of flames Eric?"

"I have no idea," he chuckled. "But I'm certainly not questioning it. Sookie...you look absolutely beautiful right now, with the sun bright in your hair. Just...perfect."

"So do you. I wish you weren't a Vampire... I can't imagine a long lifetime without the sun. I could never forget how wonderful it feels."

"Well, we have NOW, don't we...my little angel." he turned to kiss me. His lips were warm.

"But you're right. Even though we have artificial sunlight now, it doesn't compare to THIS. There is so much...LIFE...here in the sun...I did somehow forget how spectacular everything is. I used to love the sight of a crisp blue sky against the mountains... In fact, I think I've been here before. This looks like a place I remember, from before."

"From before...you mean when you were human?"

"Yes. Things were different then. We spent as little time inside as possible. We knew we could never fill our dwellings with things that were more beautiful than earth and sky."

Eric suddenly got up, and started stripping his clothes, until he was completely naked.

"Eric, what are you doing silly? Someone could walk by any minute!" I blushed.

He grinned. "I doubt it. But why does it matter anyway?" He motioned with his hand, "Come."

He was walking backwards toward the lake, looking at me with his lusty "sex" eyes. "Join me Sookie."

Oh heck, how could I resist that? I threw my sundress over my head, and ran after my adorable viking.

I woke in the dark, on the cold hard concrete, with a deep sense of shame. Why was my brain torturing me like this? These dreams...in them, I was always so...HAPPY. And...completely in love with Eric. When the harshness of reality set in, it was like a slap in the face by a cactus.

I had no idea what time it was, or how long I had been asleep. I had gulped down 5 beers, and then kind of just passed out. I think...I woke up sometime and puked...

Yep, I found the puddle of puke when I reached around me. I guess that's what happens when you drink 5 beers in 5 minutes, and then stuff your face with 6 chocolate bars. I work at Merlottes, I should have known I'd get sick! I mean, I clean puke off the floor all the time. But I was upset and angry, and...being stupid Sookie again, I just wanted it to go away. Now I have to smell my own puke for however long I'm in here...

Oh God. These could be my last waking moments. Lying on a cold floor...beside a pile of puke. This is definitely not the way I would have preferred to go.

Could Eric really KILL ME??! After all that he's done for me? I was so confused... But, I realized I was sure of one thing: I had majorly pissed him off, BIG TIME. I hadn't really thought of the consequences of asking Sam to help me. I knew Eric would probably be...really annoyed...that I sent letters to Bill...and also annoyed that I didn't tell him what I was about to do with Sam...but I didn't imagine the situation would turn out anything like this. I just loved...thought I loved Bill...and I believe you should risk your life for the one you love. I wish I had just... stayed out of it, I should have just trusted Eric to stay out of it. Then Bill would still be in his "love shack", and I wouldn't know how much be broke my heart.

I couldn't imagine burning down my house. What would my Gran think?! She would be so disappointed in me...

...But, whats the point of having a house, if you're dead?! I hated to think about it, but maybe Eric was right. Maybe burning down my house was the best thing to do in this situation. I tried to think it over, but I don't really understand Vampire laws, and I'm just a weak defenceless human. What was I thinking, taking on Lorena?! Yeah, I have to admit...sometimes it's like I don't even have a brain.

I was sooooo angry at Eric for doing this to me. I lashed out at him. Whatever happened to MY PLAN? The plan to get on Eric's good side, so that he would be the nice, gentle Eric that had wrapped his arms around me and comforted me after I was attacked by the rapist. The one who told me about his past...and his FEELINGS. The one...that was closer to the Eric of my dreams. The one that I found myself caring about, and wanting to heal his deep emotional wounds...

But all of that "nice Eric" was gone, it seemed. He went back to being a harsh cruel Vampire Sheriff. That terrified me. The stuff I saw in Lafayette's mind... sickened me to the core. Lafayette had some kind of Post Traumatic Stess Disorder, or something. When he was around me I kept seeing intense flashes of his time in this dungeon, seeing Eric ENJOY tearing a man's limbs off, and casually talking about killing Lafayette! But- I didn't think much of that, because I knew he was the guy that killed a bunch of vampires. I didn't really believe in the death penalty... but...Vampires had their own ways of doing things, so I couldn't compare Eric to other humans.

COULD HE REALLY DO THE SAME THING TO ME?!

With the smell of puke in the air, and the power of that revolting thought- imagining Eric with his angry eyes, tearing my arm off- when he looks just like the Eric I'm in love with in my dreams- I puked again, all over myself. Shit.

This was definitely THE WORST day of my life.

I shook in the still darkness, naked and cold, my arms wrapped tight around my knees as I rocked... trying to calm myself down, trying to breathe properly- but no thought that entered my head allowed me to slow my breath. This might be my last night alive. I had killed a Vampire. I was awaiting my punishment. There was no way to escape. Nobody to save me... "Please, PLEASE!" I screamed at nobody in particular, because I knew that nobody would be listening. "I'm not ready to die! I REALLY...DON'T WANT TO DIE!!!" I decided to allow myself to be hysterical. But it didn't matter. Because there wasn't anyone who could save me. Nobody who wanted to save me.

A few hours after Fangtasia opened for the evening, I heard the metal door opening. I froze, but when I scanned the mind, I immediately knew it was Ginger, and relaxed.

I heard her pull a string, and suddenly a bright light- well, bright to my eyes at least- lit up the horror of the room I was in.

Ginger was carrying a couple of bags with her, and she bent down on her knees and smiled at me.

"Hi there! Oh, sweetie, looks like you are sick! I'll clean that up right away."

I didn't say anything.

"Hey, you look familiar. But I can't remember for the life of me where I seen you. Were you in the Monroe baptist choir?"

I shook my head.

"No? Huh. Oh! I know! You were at my pole dancing aerobics class!"

I shook my head again. Damn, Ginger was so annoying.

"Well, I gotta say, you don't' gotta be scared of The Master. The Master is actually very nice, and I love working for him. He really likes you, you know. Usually I'm told to just throw bread and water down here! But he had me go all the way to some bar called Merlottes, to get all this stuff for you."

I thought the food smelled familiar...

"But I don't like the owner, The Master also had a letter for him, and that Sam guy was real bitchy to me when I gave it to him. He looked familiar too, come to think of it... Did you attend a swingers party together?!"

I shook my head.

"Well, Master said I was to tell that Sam guy to write you a letter too, that's in one of the bags. He ain't done anything like that, for no one else, either! So he sure likes you. Maybe he'll even let you work in the bar!"

"How the fuck would you know Ginger? Your mind is so warped from all the Glamouring, I'm surprised you can still tell your asshole from your mouth!"

She looked at me with shock. Just then the door creaked open, and an angry booming Eric voice shouted, "GINGER! Upstairs, NOW, you useless wench!"

"Yes Master!" she replied, and scurried up the stairs as fast as she could.

I was looking through the two large bags of food: nachos, fried shrimp, burger, chicken fried steak...

Hmm...it looked like the ENTIRE Merlottes menu was in here! My stomach growled.

I started opening Sam's letter when I heard the door open again. Ginger ran down the stairs with a mop and bucket...and a blanket. It was MY blanket. The one my Gran had made, that I loved to snuggle in when I was sad.

I glared at her as she cleaned up my mess.

She grinned crazily again. "I know! You're the girl who does my brazillian wax! You're the best, you strip it off fast so it barely hurts my sensitive-"

"GINGER!" Eric Roared. "Return upstairs, NOW!"

"Yes Master!" she sprang up and almost tripped on the stairs, she was running so fast.

I was hoping she didn't come back here. I would rather be ALONE than having Ginger pester me on what could be...my final days of life.

I opened Sams letter.

My Dear Sookie,

I am so sorry for how things turned out. I didn't know this Lorena was THAT crazy. I shouldn't have let you schedule this meeting, I had a really bad feeling about it. But knowing you, how persistent you are, I realized if I said I wouldn't' help you do this foolish thing, you'd go right on and do it anyway, without me. Even though I detest him, I'm glad Eric was there to save you, to give you his blood. Otherwise, I think you would have died, sweetheart. I was both shocked and amazed at what you did to Lorena. That bitch did deserve to die, and I know that you thought you were doing the right thing by killing her. Don't feel at all guilty for killing her Sookie, remember that. You didn't know how complicated Vampire laws are. I know you thought you were doing it in self defence, just like you did with Rene. Things may get real tough for you, so you need all the strength you can conjure up. Believe in yourself, Sookie. Stay strong and brave. We'll fight through this mess you're in. I'm not sure you want to read this part, but Bill appears heartbroken over you. I told him to fuck off, but he keeps phoning me asking if there is any news about you. He says he loves you, literally to death. He says he will prove his love by meeting the sun if something bad happens to you. He says he will try and convince the Queen to punish HIM instead. I don't know if I believe that- After all, he lied to you Sookie. I wish I could be there right now to hold you, but Eric refuses to allow anyone to see you. I included the letter he sent me, so you can see just how much of an asshole he really is. You can't trust Eric. He doesn't care about you, he'll only do whats best for himself. Always remember that.

Love, Sam

I looked at the other letter that was in the envelope. It was written in an elegant script, ever letter perfectly formed.

Shifter,

Do you not recall the time when you agreed to owe me a hypothetical favor? I request that favour now. That favour is to stay away from Sookie. You obviously do not have the mental capacity to care for her properly. You were an idiot to think you could shift into MY lion (yes I know you have been sneaking around on my property) and keep her safe from Lorena. This is all your fault. You are to never speak to Sookie again. If I can negotiate things properly, and she is released into my care in Shreveport, I will not allow you to see her or talk to her. You are no longer important in her life, she does not need your interference. She is much better off, without you.

E.