Hey ya'll! I'm updating again! w00t! I want to thank you all for the love you've shown this story! I haven't gotten to all the reviews for the last chapter yet, but I will be getting on the rest of them when I get home from work tonight.

Alright! We're now dealing with the angst fallout. This chapter is a bit on the serious side, but the next one should feature love lemons. *sigh* I love love lemons.

Thanks to FDM for being the best beta in the whole universe. *ahem* feeling that HEA yet, FDM? Hmm?

Chapter 21

When we got back to the table where Sookie left her things, we had to stifle our laughter. The evil librarian was staring at us. I found myself hoping she knew exactly what just happened on that copier, and almost burst back into laughter at the thought. After we stepped outside, Sookie turned to me, and then gasped. Her hand went up to my eye, and she lightly touched it under my glasses with her fingertips.

"Oh, Eric! I can't believe I didn't see this in there. Does it still hurt?"

"Just a bit," I replied.

Her eyes welled up with tears again. "I'm so sorry. That never should have happened. God, if only I'd talked to you…"

"Sookie, stop," I said soothingly as I stroked her cheek with my thumb. "We still need to talk about it, but this isn't the place, and you don't need to get upset again."

"Okay."

"Right now, I'd like you to meet my sister," I smiled.

"Are you sure?"

"Yes. I wanted you to meet her that day…" I trailed off as I felt my pain and anger start to bubble up again. We definitely needed to talk about everything, and soon.

"Okay," she said, sensing the awkwardness of the situation.

We walked hand in hand back to my apartment, and when we got there Sookie began looking nervous.

"It's going to be fine. She won't bite," I told her. She squeezed my hand, and then I opened the door. Pam was sitting on the couch watching a show, and didn't bother looking up at us. I cleared my throat, and she still didn't look.

"Pam, I have someone here I want you to meet," I said a bit on the loud side, and she finally looked up. "Pam, this is my girlfriend Sookie. Sookie, this is my sister, Pam."

Pam got up, and came to stand in front of us. She stared at Sookie for a minute, and I was about to smack her upside the head for being rude when she finally spoke.

"Don't I know you from somewhere?" She asked, and then realization crossed her features. "Oh! You're the knock-and-run girl. I remember now."

I frowned at her, "Pam, I would appreciate it if you would inform me if I have people stop by in the future. You have no idea how much trouble you caused us."

"Oh can it, you were so pissy when you got home that day, I didn't want to bother you with it. I just thought she was a nut or something," she said, and then turned to Sookie. "No offense or anything. You just kind of stared at me, and then ran away. I had only been asleep on the couch," she said pointedly at me, "for about thirty minutes. I could have been dreaming you for all I knew. Anyway, nice to meet you."

"Nice to meet you too," Sookie said back a bit shyly. I think she was still feeling embarrassed about thinking I was cheating on her with Pam.

"How long have you two been together?" Pam asked.

"A few months," Sookie replied.

"Why haven't I met you before now? You been out of town or something?"

"No Pam, she hasn't. We've been sort of split up." Even after having made up with her, it still hurt to say it. I could tell that Sookie was feeling the awkwardness again, and I knew this would be less uncomfortable with Tray and Amelia since they knew more. I'd have to explain things to Pam later. "We'll talk about it later. I'm going with Sookie to her apartment now, so I'll see you later."

"It was nice meeting you, Pam," Sookie said as we walked out the door. As much as I wanted them to get along, and I knew they would, I would have to explain some things to Pam first to save that awkwardness. Sookie didn't know her well enough to have to explain why she thought I was cheating on her.

"That was fun," I said sarcastically.

"She seems nice. I'm sorry I wasn't more verbal. It's just that seeing her was… I mean, I thought she was a woman you were cheating on me with. That's who she was in my head, so seeing and meeting her as your sister… It was throwing me for a loop is all."

"I understand that. I do hope the two of you are able to get along well. She's not around much, but when she is, it's better if she's happy."

She laughed, "I'm sure I'll make the effort. I'd love to get to know someone in your family."

"Now on to yours."

"Don't worry too much. Tray promised not to hit you again, and I'll make sure they sit down, and we'll start talking before they can start in on everything."

"Okay. Let's do it."

We stopped outside the apartment door, and she took both my hands in hers.

"I love you," she said.

"I love you, too," I replied, and then bent to kiss her. I had forgotten how wonderful her kisses made me feel. After we broke apart, we both took a deep breath, and then went inside.

Tray and Amelia were sitting on the floor in front of the TV playing video games. I always thought their relationship was pretty cool. They acted like old buddies, but were also deeply in love. I hoped Sookie and I could be like that.

They hadn't realized that I had come in with Sookie until they looked up. Tray did first, and as soon as he saw me, he tossed his controller aside, and jumped up. Amelia looked confused, and then she saw me too. She looked at me, and then she saw our hands, which were still clasped firmly together. She inhaled like she was about to yell, but Sookie put a stop to it before it could begin.

"Amelia, be quiet. Both of you sit down. We all need to talk," she said firmly. They did as she asked, and both sat on the couch. Sookie went to the kitchen, and brought back two chairs, which she put on the other side of the coffee table for us to sit on. Once we were all settled, Sookie began to speak.

"First of all, Eric and I are back together." Amelia looked like she was about to protest, but Tray actually stayed quiet, which I found interesting. "Amelia, knock it off. You guys can talk when we're done." Amelia sat back, and crossed her arms over her chest, but she shut up. "Eric did not cheat on me. It was all a big, huge misunderstanding. The woman I saw at Eric's apartment that day was his sister. As you know, I didn't speak to her to find out who she was, and she never told Eric I stopped by. He really had no idea all this time why we were mad at him."

"How do you explain the sweater," Amelia began, "I mean, I'm not accusing you of lying about this, but why did Sookie say it looked as though she was only wearing one of your sweaters?"

"That night, after I got home, she was still wearing it. She had on clothes underneath, but she's a bit of a nuisance, and likes to annoy me any way she can," I explained.

"We've also just come from there, and I met her. Looking back on it, I don't see how I couldn't see the resemblance. They could almost be twins." She hung her head a bit, and I knew we really needed to talk. I could tell her guilt was eating her up.

"I just want to thank the two of you for the way you protected her. I can't say that I'm happy about it, seeing that if someone had just talked to me this wouldn't have gotten as bad as it did. Regardless, it happened, and I am thankful that she had you two with her."

They both nodded, and then we all stood up. Tray pulled me into one of those wrist-grip half hugs, and then asked me to step outside with him. Sookie gave him a warning look, and her offered her a peaceful smile. She nodded, and then turned to Amelia while I went into the hall with Tray.

"Look, I just wanted to apologize for hitting you. When you didn't hit me back, I suspected something was off, and I should have tried to straighten things out then, but I didn't. I'm sorry about that."

"Don't worry about it. I would have done the same thing if I were in your shoes. Honestly, I get why no one would speak to me about it."

"Yeah, but we should have for Sookie's sake. I'm really glad you two are back together. She's been fighting the depression really hard, and I'm sure you can tell she's lost weight. I just want to see her get back to normal again."

"I do too."

"No hard feelings?" He asked as he put out his fist. I'd never done a fist-bump before, so I smiled, as I said, "No hard feelings," and bumped his fist with mine.

"Hey, Sookie and I still need to talk, and we can't really do that at my place right now. Would you and Amelia mind if we just went to her room for a while to do that?"

"No, not at all. In fact, I'll take Amelia out to see a movie."

"You don't have to leave…" I began, but he cut me off.

"It's fine, really. I understand. Ya'll need to get all this out fast. I could see the guilt too."

"Thanks, man," I said, and patted him on the back before we went back inside.

Amelia and Sookie were sitting on the couch talking, and they stood up when we walked in. Apparently Sookie had the same idea I had, because Amelia and Tray both suggested they go out at the same time. Within minutes, they had gone, and Sookie and I were finally alone.

"Can I get you something to drink?" She asked nervously.

"No thanks, I'm fine."

Why the hell was this so freaking hard? I knew I loved her, and I knew she felt the same, so why couldn't we just sit down and lay it all out. I also knew the answer. She was filled with guilt, and I was filled with anger, and if we didn't do this right, then I would end up yelling, and she would end up crying. I didn't want either of those things to happen, so I took it slow. I motioned for her to sit on the couch, and then I came to sit next to her. She was very tense, so I took her hand. She relaxed a bit at my touch, and then she spoke.

"I'm sorry. I had no reason to think you would ever cheat on me. I still don't. I want to tell you that I trust you fully, but I've already proven that I obviously don't. I hate that I can't say it. I hate that I can't trust you."

"Sookie, I understand why you could easily believe something like that, given what happened with Bill. I get it, I do, but that doesn't make it hurt any less. I have been so confused and frustrated all this time. I thought you were rejecting me, but then when I saw you, you looked so hurt, and I didn't know what to do. I was pretty sure you were hurt because of me, but I had no idea what I had done. I know that you want to trust me. I want you to trust me too. The only way for that to happen is for you to break through what Bill did, and see me for who I am. I'm not Bill, and I won't ever hurt you like that. Please don't let him affect our relationship."

"I don't know how," she said, and I finally saw a tear slip from her eye.

"We'll figure it out together. You haven't lost me, and you won't. I promise," I told her, and then added, "Do you believe me?"

She looked into my eyes for a long time, and when I thought I couldn't take it anymore she finally answered, "Yes."

I smiled, and then hugged her to me. "I'd never lie to you."

"I know," she said as she pulled back to look me in the eyes again.

"So will you promise to talk to me in the future if something's bothering you? I doubt we'll ever have a situation quite like this again, but I want to know you'll come to me before ending it."

"I promise. You deserve a chance to explain, but I have to say that the thought of me ever ending it again hurts like hell."

"I know. I hope that never happens," I said with complete sincerity.

"These last few weeks Eric… They were bad…"

"I know, and the first thing I'm doing tomorrow is fixing you a big breakfast, and you're going to eat it all."

She laughed. "I just haven't had much of an appetite. Food didn't taste the same, you know? Is that weird?"

"No, it was the same way for me. Nothing felt right."

"Will you stay here tonight?" She asked suddenly. "You don't have to, I just feel like I need to be close to you right now. I understand if you want to stay with your sister though."

"Of course I'll stay. Pam won't care. She'll take the opportunity to sleep in my bed anyway. She's tired of the couch. How about I stay here tonight, and then I'll go see Pam off in the morning, and then I wondered if you'd stay with me this weekend."

"Are you sure?"

"About which part?"

"All of it."

"Yes. I think we need to be close to each other for the next couple of days."

"Okay," she agreed, and then wrapped her arms around me again, laying her head on my chest. I rocked her back and forth for a bit while running my fingers through her hair. I had missed this the most. Just being with her. Holding her, smelling her, feeling her. It all just felt right again. I felt whole again. Eventually, she pulled back and took my hand.

"I know it's early, but I haven't been sleeping well and… Would you mind if we went to bed now?"

I offered her a warm smile, and stood up. "Not at all."

She led me back to her room, and grabbed some clothes before going to the bathroom to change. I called Pam to let her know I was staying at Sookie's, but that I'd be back before she left in the morning. I stripped down to my boxers and undershirt, and then used the bathroom when she came out. When I went back to the bedroom she was already under the covers, so I crawled in with her. As soon as I was under the covers, I lay on my side facing her, and she did the same. I kissed her forehead lightly, then her nose, and finally her lips. She wrapped her arm around my back, and held onto me tightly, as though she was afraid I would turn to smoke and disappear. I wrapped my arms around her, and she put her head on my chest. After a few moments I felt wetness through my shirt, and knew she was crying silently.

"I won't leave, Sookie. I love you. I'll never leave," I whispered.

She nodded her head, and I noticed that her grip loosened slightly. Not long after that, I heard her breathing slow, and even out, and when I was sure she was asleep, I allowed myself to drift away as well.

There ya have it. They're not completely done talking. Eric's still curious about his voicemails, and about what happened with Bill before he got there. They also have to exchange Christmas presents! *claps happily*

I've started on the next chapter, but I may take a break to work on WDMC. It's itching to get out of me! Ya'll can't complain though, cause you just got 5 chapters in a few days, lol.

I can't wait to hear your thoughts!