Author's notes: These characters belong to the amazing Charlaine Harris. I am just playing with them for fun.

Chapter 21

Eric's POV

I wake and know immediately she is gone. There is a ridiculous feeling of loss. How can her absence matter so much after such a short time? I do not enjoy this loss of control of my emotions. Clearly, the only thing to be done is to bring her to my side as soon as possible. This is easier said than done though. My little lover is independent, stubborn, and prideful... the qualities that both infuriate and attract me in equal proportion.

Laying back, I contemplate the problem at hand. In my mind I replay our last few days together. I laugh to myself, remembering the scene where the King brought up the Second Bonding. Although Sookie's face revealed nothing, I could feel her emotions through our bond... guilt, embarrassment, serious anxiety... but she never let on. She really would make a most excellent vampire.

Frankly, I am amazed that she is even aware that such a thing as a Second Bonding exists. Oddly enough, I find that I am willing to do this. I trust her with my life, I want her with me always, and I can not imagine being bonded to anyone else after her death. No doubt she is worried about her body aging, and that one day I might no longer find her attractive. I have not yet told her of one of the advantages of a having a very old vampire for a Bonded. As long as I give her a steady supply of my own blood, she will appear to age very, very slowly even with the blood tie we currently have. Supposedly, the Second Bonding increases that effect exponentially. Unfortunately, even my blood can not make her live forever, which is why I do not want any delays. Every minute of our time together is precious, and we have wasted enough of it already. It is time I make her understand this, but how?

After hurriedly showering and dressing, I drive to Fangtasia where I know a great deal of work is awaiting my attention. Almost immediately, I receive a call from Compton. I had phoned him just before dawn and relayed what I learned about Madden. For a variety of reasons, he is every bit as interested in learning about Victor's plans as I am. After that, I had informed him of Sookie's new magical ability. Bill is the only vampire I trust with this incredible news.

Now he begins our conversation by dutifully reporting, "Sookie is at work and apparently fine. Nice car, by the way. How did you talk her into it?"

"She needed a new car. Hers is absolutely hideous." Bill does not need to know that she has not agreed to keep it yet. Before he can ask any more questions about it, I ask, "Any sign of trouble?"

"No. I will be putting out feelers for information from some of our contacts in New Orleans. I have never trusted Madden, and I have a very bad feeling about this whole thing. Has Sookie agreed to extra protection?" Bill sounds worried. I know he still loves her and would guard her with his life. Having him close enough to keep an eye on her when I cannot is of great value, and is the main reason that he did not meet his final death at my hands last week. Also... I knew quite well that Sookie would never forgive me.

It was a very near thing, though.

Smelling him in her bed aroused feelings I did not know I possessed. It is very unusual for me to lose control of my emotions to that extent, and never over a female. The shock of hearing her scream and then disappear was what finally snapped me back to my senses. At that point, it occurred to me that even though Compton's scent was all over her and on her sheets, there was no odor of sex at all. By then, though, the damage had been done. My pride was wounded by her words. She had actually rescinded my invitation! (One small detail that I did not mention to her about the Second Bonding is that she will be unable to rescind my invitation ever again. That thought makes me smile.)

Coming back to the conversation with Bill, I reply firmly, "Sookie will accept my judgment in these matters."

I am certain I heard him snort! What insubordination! However, for now I let it pass. "I will be sending others to relieve you later. Is Bubba there now?"

"Yes. I will phone you as soon as I learn more." With that, he disconnects.

I have a great deal to do after my absence, so I focus in and work steadily for a couple of hours to catch up. Looking up, I realize it is time for me to take floor duty. Almost every evening I go out and sit in the bar for a time. It is expected and keeps the fangbangers coming in by the droves. I briefly consider picking one tonight, only for feeding purposes... but somehow, the mere thought revolts me. Luckily, I am so old that I do not require a great deal of blood to survive. I can actually live off that bottled crap if necessary. What I really want right now is a little sip of my blonde bombshell. Just thinking about her begins to give me an erection, which I try my best to suppress. It will be hours before she is home from work and I can hear her voice. Unable to stop myself, I fantasize a bit. In my mind's eye, my gorgeous lover lies naked on her bed. She has the phone pressed to one ear, for once following my instructions without argument. After a few minutes of following my directions to the letter, her body begins to turn that lovely shade of pink that signals an impending climax. Throwing her head back, she moans and then pants into the phone, "Oh, Eric! Oh, baby, I'm gonna cu..."

Pam comes bolting into my office, catching me kicked back in my chair and thoroughly engrossed in my little fantasy. Her eyes go straight to the prominent bulge in my jeans. Giving me a knowing grin, she says, "Sorry for the interruption. I can see you have some very important things on your mind. The crowd outside is getting antsy for a peek at the main attraction. Will you be coming out soon? Can I interest you in any...blondes?"

Cranky at being interrupted, I growl, "Not unless they are from Bon Temps and share a blood tie with me."

My child has always enjoyed tormenting me about Sookie. However, it was obvious that she had a hand in Sookie's little performance at the Sheriff's Ball. Perhaps she will be willing to help me now. "Pam, I wish to send Sookie a gift, but you know how she is about accepting things..."

Pam smiles slyly. "Yes, my Master, Sookie said quite clearly that she should not accept gifts from anyone except a husband."

It is as if someone has just smacked me on the top of the head with the flat side of a broadsword.

Looking me directly in the eye, she continues, "In the meantime, Dear Abby says that flowers are always appropriate. I daresay Sookie would not balk at those. I believe human women find them quite "romantic."

"Yes, I know she likes flowers. I will send her some, then. By the way, have you heard from the contractors? How is the project coming along?"

"Yes, they called Bobby this afternoon," she answers readily, "Everything is on schedule."

"Very well. I have one or two more calls to make before I go on floor duty. By the way, please send one of the waitresses out to buy a long-stemmed rose... red, of course." It is a good thing I managed to finesse Sookie into inviting me back into her house…even if she wasn't aware she was doing it. As soon as Pam leaves, I reach for the phone and make a call to an old friend in New York and then send a few very important e-mails.