It was still dark when Ben, who had managed to escape his prison that Dermot had put him in, arrived in the cemetery with both Ilsa and Alexander. Eric, who was waiting for Dermot to return from hell with Tara, crouched down low to greet his children. Alexander jumped on his back for a piggyback ride, while Ilsa attempted to hug him!

Eric was forced to stifle the joy he felt just being near the twins again, though he took note that they had grown a bit more rambunctious since the last time he had been with them. Alexander ran through the graveyard, then picked up flowers laid next to a grave and proceeded to smash them over the top of the grave stone! Ilsa ran over to join in and Eric decided to deal with the children in a way that Tara would not approve of. He called them over to him, then glamoured them to sit down and be still. Soon, the twins were sitting cross legged on the ground. They also made no further noise.

Eric then turned his full attention to Ben.

"What the hell happened?" Eric asked coolly. "Some Jason Stackhouse look alike named Helmet threatened me."

"His name is Dermot and he is a cousin to Sookie. He is Niall's son."

"And Niall is who again?" Eric asked blithely.

"He is Sookie and Jason's great-grandfather. I have been investigating Dermot's claims about the twins since I should've been able to sense something, if they were indeed part fae." Ben noted.

"And?"

"I believe Dermot is lying. But I can't ascertain why or what advantage he has keeping Ilsa and Alexander in our world."

Eric folded his arms.

"Maybe this isn't about the twins. Maybe this is about Sookie in some way. You were betrothed to her. Is there something that Dermot needs from Sookie? She loves the twins and would bargain for their lives." Eric noted.

"I don't know. One thing that does make me uneasy is that Niall has disappeared. And if he was dead, I would know. But he holds many of the answers that we seek. And I sense he's keeping a low profile to avoid answering them." Ben replied.

Eric eyed him.

"So there IS something to this? Ilsa and Alexander could be part fairy? How?"

Ben took a deep breath.

"I don't know. I suppose it could be from the real King Eric of Northland. His bloodline would be slightly different with his being from another reality. But I have a feeling that it could be Tara."

"You think Tara is part fairy and doesn't know it?" Eric asked in disbelief.

"No. I think someone in her blood line is. And Niall would know who." Ben said. "Dermot also told me that Kibwe pulled Tara into hell. That explains why she never arrived here in the cemetery to meet me."

"Yes," Eric said slowly, "Dermot informed me of that little development as well. I was less than thrilled. Apparently 'King Eric' is the King of Hell. And I just know he's seduced Tara again while she was down there!" Eric half hissed.

"King Eric is the King of Hell now?" Ben asked in disbelief. "Dermot mentioned nothing of this."

"I don't like it. And I have been waiting for hours," Eric told Ben, "I only have a few hours left until daylight. If Dermot does not return with Tara by then, I am going to have to assume that he was unable to get past King Eric." Eric told him.

There had been a problem leaving hell, though it was not clear to Tara that there had been one.

When Dermot proceeded to pull Tara from Hell, King Eric had been able to break out of his ice prison and possess Dermot's body! So now they stood, in of all places, Sam Merlotte's empty trailer!

"Why are we here?" Tara asked, still feeling cold.

"I know there is clothing here that might fit you, Taraya...Tara. This man was once a lover of yours, was he not? You do want to be dressed when I take you back to Eric and the twins, do you not?" Dermot/King Eric asked.

Tara stared at this guy that looked like Jason but spoke like someone else. She had been through so much lately, that it didn't even bother her that she was naked in front of this stranger.

"Are you going to tell Eric what you saw down there?" Tara asked quietly.

Dermot/King Eric barely repressed a smile.

"Do you not want Eric to know?"

"Of course I don't! And I didn't have sex with the King of Hell, because I wanted to! There is a long explanation for what you saw and I just think it would be better if Eric didn't know." Tara sniffed.

King Eric could feel this...this... being, fighting his possession. WHAT was he? King Eric could feel his power and knew something of his memories and thoughts, but he could not process them at the moment. Tarayan was standing before him without clothing in this godforsaken...he didn't even know what one would call this ugly place they were in. And all he really wanted to do was continue where he and his true wife had left off down in hell.

But he was not in hell. Not anymore. He had found a way out, despite Kibwe and everyone else. Hell was frozen, though probably not for long. And soon the one called Alcide would find the portal they suspected Kibwe used, and return to this world. King Eric had to be ready when that happened.

"Dermot? What's wrong with you?" Tara asked, lifting a brow. Dermot/King Eric looked at her and smiled.

"Just get dressed," he said between clenched teeth, "so I can return you to Eric."

Tara stared at him for a moment, then turned to walk off towards Sam's back bedroom and shower. This Dermot guy had told her that he was 'taking Ben's place'. Why? Where was Ben?

Tara turned on the shower and stepped in. She let the hot water wash away the hell world and everything that had been in it. She closed her eyes. She was scared. Scared that something might have taken root just as Dermot arrived and froze hell. There could not be a baby. She was back in the world she belonged in. She could not keep any promises to send any child she had to hell. Not that place.

And yet what would become of her and Eric if a pregnancy revealed itself? Would Eric love this child as much as Ilsa and Alexander? Tara shook her head. She had to keep those type of thoughts out of her head. There was no baby. There was no pregnancy. This had just been a bad nightmare.

Eric had somehow escaped custody if Dermot was going to take her to him. She had to keep her mind on the task at hand. See Eric and get their children back. That was all that mattered.

She had been so lost in her thoughts, that she did not sense Dermot/King Eric, slowly open the door and just stand there. He watched her silhouette via the shower door. King Eric himself was beginning to fully realize that his vampirism, mixed with whatever being he was possessing and his hell powers, were allowing him to do things that would help him easily defeat Eric Northman. And his old friend, Ben, as well. He still could not believe that Ben had concocted the deception of taking that usurper back to his reality and posing as him.

Well he planned to return to his own time. Ben could come with them, then grovel in the dungeon for all he cared. Tarayan and his children would take their rightful places at his side. And he intended to make sure that Eric Northman could not make his way to their world to retrieve his queen again.

Meanwhile, Tara could smell the delicious aroma that Dermot had been giving off, and was more than a bit annoyed to realize he was nearby while she showered. She turned off the water, stepped out and reached for a towel. Tara could see the door to the bathroom was wide open, but no one was there. Not that it mattered. Tara distinctly remembered closing it!

Tara wrapped the towel around herself, walked to Sam's drawers and found an old shirt of hers and some pants. They were specific items she hadn't seen in years! Actually, Tara thought, as she flapped the shirt to dewrinkle it a bit, the items had been at Sookie's home and had been given away to the Goodwill or something.

Tara put on the heels that she had been wearing in hell, then peered down a hallway. Dermot was out in the front room, looking out of a window. He then turned to face her.

"Someone is coming. We must go-now!" Dermot/King Eric snapped, holding out his hand to her. Tara tried to hurry down the hallway but tripped and fell in the heels, just as Arlene whipped open the trailer door, then squeaked!

"Holy shit! Tara and...Jason? What are you two doing up in Sam's trailer? Tara, where the hell have you been? They're looking for you to testify against Eric. Sookie had a hell of a time on the stand last night! I was there and believe me, Eric is not going to prison anytime soon unless you say something. Hell, LaFayette and Bill are testifying tonight and..."

Arlene trailed off as she stared at the two of them even harder.

"What ARE you two doing here? Have you heard from Sam? Is that it? Is he letting you stay here?" Arlene asked again. Dermot/King Eric looked at Tara. He could just kill this woman...

"Uh," Tara finally spoke, "Jason and I were just...hanging out."

"Hanging out? In Sam's trailer? Hanging out how?" Arlene asked, eyeing Tara's clothing.

Tara decided to glamour Arlene. There was no time for this shit!

"You didn't see us here. Just go about your business like we're invisible, okay?"

Arlene nodded, then walked past the two of them and set down mail on a table. Dermot/King Eric nodded.

"That was quick thinking, Tarayan."

Tara blinked.

"Excuse me?"

"What?"

"You called me 'Tarayan'."

"Isn't that what your demon husband calls you?" Dermot/King Eric covered.

"Yeah but only HE is allowed to call me that. Look, let's get going, okay? It's almost sunrise." Tara reminded him.

"Of course." Dermot/King Eric acknowledged, reaching for her hand and transporting them both to the cemetery.

The moment they arrived, Tara rushed to the twins, who stood up from their seated positions and walked over to her calmly. A little too calmly, something Tara noticed right away.

After receiving hugs, Tara glared up at Eric.

"Are they glamoured?"

"They were misbehaving and I had no time to correct their behavior." Eric said, his eyes on Dermot. Ben stared at Dermot too, but for a different reason.

He could see that he was not who he appeared to be, unlike Eric and Tara. Dermot/King Eric sensed this and decided that he still wanted his secret kept. His plan had been to kill Eric and force Tara and HIS children, to leave for the other reality with him. But Ben had to be dealt with first.

King Eric looked down at Ilsa and Alexander, and had to keep from going to them. They were royalty and didn't deserve to be here. Or dressed the way they were, if he were to be honest. What girls wore here was nothing short of despicable!

"What is it that you want with my children?" Eric asked Dermot bluntly. Tara looked from Eric to Dermot.

"He didn't say anything about wanting the kids."

Eric looked from Dermot to Tara.

"Well what did he say? And why were you in hell anyway? Ben told me you went back to the other reality to get Kibwe. I don't see him..."

"And you won't." Dermot/King Eric replied, "for he is imprisoned down there."

Ben interrupted.

"Eric, why don't you get Tara and the twins someplace safe. I'll find you and we'll decide where to go from here."

"There is nothing to decide. I will glamour the jury, be declared an innocent man, then I will kill Governor Burrell. He still seems to have designs on my children."

Ben could see Dermot/King Eric tense up at that phrase 'my children'.

"Okay, well still, it's almost daylight. So go." Ben told Eric. Eric gave Dermot/King Eric a look, before picking up Ilsa. Tara picked up Alexander and they sped out of the graveyard. Ben then turned to Dermot/King Eric.

"I see you found a vessel to escape hell with." he noted. King Eric now faced Ben.

"You allowed that BEAST to masquerade as ME in Northland! You should have slain him the moment he killed me!"

"My King, the realm had to be protected. Queen Sookie's brother did not believe the details of her death. Tarayan was shocked to discover what had happened..."

"Do not tell me that Tarayan knows that Queen Sookie did not die giving birth? And what was I supposed to do? She had lain with Kibwe and then produced his spawn! I could not pass that child off as mine!"

"You know how Queen Tarayan is," Ben said, "she would have thought an orphanage was a better fit. She would have tried to raise the child herself. And another thing: she was most unhappy with the dungeon conditions. She thought they should be cleaner. Luckily, Eric Northman thought her wrong on this front."

"Who is this Dermot that I am possessing? What did that beast mean when he said he wanted my children? And this governor?"

"Let Eric Northman handle the governor. Dermot, the fairy who's body you are in, is a ruler from the fairy world. I was protecting Prince Alexander and Princess Ilsa in my world, when he orchestrated a coup. I was imprisoned. Dermot seems to believe that the royal children could be part fairy."

King Eric had to admit, he was shocked.

"How?"

"I am starting to suspect Queen Tarayan's bloodline. Sookie's great grandfather Niall, has some knowledge concerning this, but he has all but disappeared."

King Eric said nothing for a moment, then spoke.

"You find this Niall. This Dermot is fading fast within me, so once I leave his body, he will no longer be a threat to your world. But Tarayan has to be dealt with."

"What are your plans? Eric Northman is not going to allow you to take Tarayan and the twins to the other reality." Ben warned.

"He has to die. This endless triangle MUST end. I am going to make sure that beast is sent to prison for his endless crimes. Then I will take my family back where they belong."

Ben said nothing. King Eric raised a brow.

"You do not approve?"

"I do not think your plan will end things. Tarayan will just know that Eric Northman still exists and will want to go to him at some point. There must be a deal. A deal that everyone agrees to honor. A challenge of some sort. One that if you are the winner, Tarayan leaves with the children and yourself to return to Northland."

"And if I lose?" King Eric asked wryly.

"Tara lives her life with Eric Northman and...and they raise your children as your own."

King Eric sighed.

"There is just one problem."

"What?" Ben asked.

"I am convinced that Tarayan is carrying my child. Conceived in love down in hell. And I cannot allow THAT child to be raised by that beast. I will think of someway to end this triangle, but the odds must be in my favor." King Eric said firmly.

Eric took Tara and the twins to a house that he had had built for himself and Sookie, some time ago. Sookie never knew anything about it, but back then, he had assumed that Sookie would eventually leave Bill for him and everything would go his way.

It was out in the middle of nowhere, on private land owned by him but in Ginger's name. Why he had decided to do such a thing, escaped his memory right now. Tara didn't question anything and the twins were giggling from their very fast ride.

It was as they turned on lights, that Sookie revealed herself! Tara jumped! How the hell had she not smelled her?

"Sook? Hey...how are you?" Tara asked, setting Alexander down. Alex went running to Sookie and she bent down to receive a hug. Sookie smiled at him, then let him go.

Ilsa was tired and didn't really feel cordial. Eric's jaw clenched at the sight of Sookie but he said nothing.

Sookie stood up and folded her arms.

"I figured you'd need someone to look after the twins while you slept. Or is Ben doing that? Where is he anyway?" Sookie asked.

Tara could tell by her friend's tone, that she hadn't really come here to be helpful.

"How did you find us?" Eric asked, laying Ilsa down on a couch. He then rose to full height.

"Ginger. Ginger told me about this great house you bought for her. And since I couldn't imagine why the fuck you'd do that, since you treat her like shit, I figured you might be here. Tara, you need to testify against this piece of shit tonight!"

"Whoa!" Tara said, not knowing what the hell she had walked in to, but not liking it. "Testify? Why?"

"Tara, please. Stop this. You are never going to be free of him if you don't put him away."

"Tara," Eric said patiently, "Portia Bellefleur is losing the case. My lawyer forced Sookie to admit that she still had feelings for me on the stand and that she was only testifying because she is jealous of you. Now, Tara and I are tired. If you would watch the children while we sleep..."

"FUCK YOU!" Sookie screamed. Alexander began to cry and Eric picked him up. Tara looked at Sookie as if she had lost her damned mind!

"Sookie, if I had wanted Eric to go to prison, I would have come forward a long time ago." Tara said, then moved closer to her.

"Sookie," Tara continued, "I need to make things work with Eric. I want to. And I'm through fighting this. Alcide is gone. King Eric is gone. This is my life."

"It's your life because the men you REALLY loved were murdered by Eric!" Sookie snapped, now glaring at Eric.

"Get out," Eric said coolly, "I will arrange for a human to come over and watch the twins."

Sookie tore her eyes off of him, then looked at Tara again.

"Tara, please. Help yourself here and testify tonight."

Tara said nothing. She couldn't say that Eric planned to glamour the jury into not convicting. She could not tell her that Governor Burrell would be murdered as well.

"I'll think about it." Tara told Sookie. And for that, she received a hug. Sookie then smirked at Eric and left the house. Once the door closed, Eric looked at Tara.

"You will 'think about it'?"

Tara walked up to him.

"If you're planning on glamouring the jury, then will it really matter? I could testify and..."

Eric reached out and touched a tendril of her hair.

"And hurt my feelings? What would you say, Tara?"

Tara rolled her eyes!

"Okay, I just said that to keep the peace! I won't go near the courthouse."

Eric now grinned at her!

"The twins are asleep, no thanks to Sookie's little tirade. Now, I want to hear, what you would've said if Portia Bellefleur asked the same questions of you, that she asked Sookie?"

Tara shrugged.

"I wasn't there. I don't know what was asked. So..."

"I'll tell you what: you can play my game before we go to our coffins. Or you can answer my questions about hell and what went on with King Eric down there?" Eric asked knowingly.

"Your game sounds better." Tara admitted.

"I assumed so. And for every answer you get wrong, you will remove whatever God awful clothing you are wearing. WHERE did you find that ensemble?" Eric asked, his eyes roaming over her.

Tara folded her arms and glanced down at Ilsa and Alexander. Alex had moved to the couch and was now out like a light along with Ilsa. She then looked at Eric.

"Okay, if you can remember all the questions, I'm game."

Eric slowly sat down in a chair.

"Ms. Thornton, why don't you first tell us how you met Mr. Northman?"

"He turned me after I was shot by Debbie Pelt."

Eric shook his head.

"Remove your blouse, Tara." he requested calmly.

"What? What are you talking about? That is how we met!"

"Tara, I knew who you were LONG before that night. We didn't meet then."

"No, but we never were like introduced, so I think that answer counts."

Eric drummed his fingers along the armrest of the chair, as if pondering that answer. He then spoke.

"This game is tiring. I want to hear about hell."

"I don't really want to talk about it." Tara hedged.

"I bet! Tell me about 'King Eric's' reign down there? Is he pissed off to be in hell where he belongs?"

Tara gave him a hesitant look.

"Pam is down there along with Alcide and...and...Godric. He was torturing them."

Eric slowly stood up.

"Godric...Pam?"

"Well, Pam is more like his assistant and she's kind of hot for him. But yeah, he was torturing Godric."

"Godric has done NOTHING to deserve that kind of fate!" Eric snapped. Godric was in hell? Yes, he knew all supernatural beings went there but somehow in his mind, he thought an exception would have been made for him...

Tara could see how upset her reveal was to him and she slowly approached him. She touched the top of his head.

"I'm sorry," she whispered, "I didn't want to talk about it because I knew it would hurt you."

Eric looked up at her.

"I know YOU know," he whispered back, "we have to find a way to get him out of there. He is your grandfather, Tara. He left us too soon. He cannot perish there. I feel like I can feel his suffering even now."

Tara wrapped her arms around him now, and he rested his head against her chest, now openly sobbing, blood staining the ugly shirt that she should have given away to the Goodwill. Eric was immersed in pain and Tara was determined to comfort him.

Neither of them sensed the danger outside of the house.

Sookie was being restrained by King Eric! Dermot's dead body was on the ground and Ben glanced through the window before facing Sookie.

"King Eric is going to remove his hand. You are not to scream. Not if you want Eric Northman to go to prison. Are we clear?"

Sookie nodded and King Eric released her. She pulled away from him and looked down at Dermot.

"That is not my brother! Who is he?"

"He was a cousin of yours," Ben said in an even tone, "one that wanted Tara's children for some ungodly purpose I'm sure."

King Eric now spoke.

"Sookie, I want to return to Northland with Tarayan and my children. Ben wants you. You will have to agree to honor the betrothment in order to fulfill your wish for Eric Northman to be imprisoned."

"It can't happen without Tara!" Sookie snapped.

"Tarayan will testify if she thinks she's been betrayed," King Eric said, "and that is where you come in. We need to convince my wife that her Eric, and yourself, have betrayed her. Sexually. Are you willing to pay that kind of a price for putting Eric Northman in prison?" King Eric asked her directly.

"You mean I have to fuck YOU and marry HIM?" Sookie asked. Ben folded his arms.

"Yes." Ben stated coldly.

Sookie turned and watched Tara comforting Eric inside, before turning back to the two men.

"Tara will be better off without him. We all will." Sookie said. "Fine. Tell me where and when."

King Eric smiled coldly at her.

"Do not forget the other part of the deal. You will honor your betrothment to Ben."

"Of course." Sookie lied. There was no way in hell she was marrying that fucker! Ben didn't half believe her himself, but decided he was going to make sure she could not escape him, or their marriage bed.

"I'd better go inside and make sure the royal children are looked after while Eric and Tara get to ground." Ben said, going inside the house.