A/N-Sorry for the delay…what can I say, life.

SPOV-

I really don't know what I was expecting when I woke up the next day. Maybe the world would somehow be different? I mean, hadn't I just learned that my life had been grossly and disgustingly manipulated? Wasn't I the victim of the most cruel and torturous plans that could have possibly ever been imagined? Shouldn't that make the world more gray, more dismal?

Instead it looked like a beautiful, peaceful, gloriously happy day. I had slept most of it away, thank Christ. I still was awake before Eric, that would give me enough time to be alone with my own thoughts, my own grief. I looked around the room, blinked my eyes a few times, and realized that nothing had changed. The world continued to turn, the wind continued to blow, bastards continued to live.

I looked at Eric, now completely himself. There was not a trace of the horror that he had experienced last night left on his body. But, much like myself, I couldn't see the pain and anger that was stewing inside of him. He slept silently, peacefully unaware that I was awake and watching him. I tucked a few stray hairs delicately behind his ear and removed myself from our comfortable bed.

I was cold, cold like I hadn't felt in quite sometime. The weather outside was very warm, almost being May. But, I just couldn't shake the unnerving cold that was taking over my body. I grabbed a sweatshirt and some yoga pants, threw on my slippers, and even grabbed Eric's robe. I went down to make myself some coffee and silently hoped it would warm me from the inside out.

I just couldn't get his words out of my head. The way he sounded, the way he laughed as he told me he had purposefully destroyed my life. I shook as I remembered how violently my body reacted as he referred to me as Dear One. Thank God that asshole is dead. Why physically and emotionally hurt me in such an awful way, if the sole purpose was to try and save me? It just didn't make any sense to me. But, I guess that's why I'm not a vampire. None of this would ever make sense to me.

As I impatiently waited for the coffee to drip into the pot, I nervously tapped my fingernails against the countertop. I seriously considered just sticking my mouth under the drip spout and letting it brew right into my mouth. But, after I thought about the possible 2nd degree burns, I reconsidered.

I thought about Eric's promise to see that everyone that had a hand in Felipe's plan would see their death, or final death. The idea didn't even make me flinch. I actually welcomed it, accepted it, looked forward to it. Yup, that's the girl I have become. A bitter, blood thirsty, revenge seeking bitch. So, sue me.

After the coffee had finally finished its eternal drip, I made myself a glorious, steamy cup and made myself comfy in a big, leather chair. The sun was low in the sky and it was starting to turn a beautiful shade of pink. I rubbed my arms in order for the friction to create a false sense of warmth. After about thirty seconds I realized that my muscles were still a little sore from last night.

Last night, right. Evil, sadistic bastard admits to fucking with my life. Last night, evil, sadistic bastard tortures my husbands. Last night, evil, sadistic bastard meets his very own evil and sadistic final death. I got the chills as I remembered the sound I heard as I swung the sword through the air and heard it connect with his flesh.

If I hadn't have been so scared I actually might have wanted to drag his death out a little bit, make him feel as scared as I felt in that makeshift prison. Who the hell am I kidding? I couldn't torture a poisonous spider, never mind a ruthless vampire.

The coffee was doing a good job waking me up, but really nothing for my internal freeze. My next course of action was going to have to be a nice hot bath. I needed something to erase the cold that I was feeling. Normally I would have donned a bikini and basked myself in the sun, but I just couldn't bring myself to do that. I didn't want to expose myself to anything outside of this house, even if it was my own backyard.

Before I ran back upstairs I dialed Barbie's office and made an appointment for the next day. I had made a commitment to myself and to Eric. I was going to follow through with everything when it came to getting myself well. This little turn of events certainly needed to be dealt with. I just love the whole doctor/patient confidentiality clause. Her secretary was polite enough to let me know that I was going to be seeing her for the usual appointment time. No more afternoon long sessions. Oh well, talking can be a little over rated anyway.

I walked into the bedroom and looked at Eric, still asleep, still magnificent. It really is amazing that he could have been through hell last night and looks no worse for the wear. I shut the bedroom door and leaned back against it, just watching him. Before I knew what was happening I could feel the tears streaming down my face. I don't know what set the waterworks off, but there I stood, crying, alone.

I almost lost everything. If I had not gone to Nevada, Eric would be gone. Felipe would have won, had him killed, and come for me. All because I was considered a prized possession? Why, because of my disability? Because of my blond hair, boobs, blue eyes? I was nothing but property, I was something to be owned?

Eric was so deep in this vampire world. He was a Sheriff and he knew the vampire political game all too well. This was my life. I was always going to be coveted by the leaders of his world. My disability was not a secret, our relationship was certainly not a secret. I was always going to be a threat to his safety and my own. This epiphany hit me like a Mack truck going about sixty miles an hour. It was never Eric that was the danger. Me, I am the danger. I am the one that is constantly going to be putting him in danger. Someone will always be trying to hurt him, kill him, use him to put a claim on me.

My heart was beating out of my chest. My head was racing with the idea that all along everyone has been trying to tell me that Eric was going to lead me right into hell. But they were so very wrong. Me. I am holding his hand as I walk him right into every trap that could be set. Felipe wanted me, so he hurt me, and set Eric up to suffer the consequences. He would have killed Eric to make sure that he got his hands on me.

Victor wanted to take over everything from Eric, so again, I was put in the line of fire. He knew that getting me would cause Eric irreversible harm. Christ, even before we were together I caused him to stand next to me while I held a stupid bomb. It may not have been meant for me or him, but damn it, he was right there next to me. Again, we both would have been killed if that thing had exploded. I was the one thing that was a constant danger to him!

I was just staring at him, 1000 years and he was the strongest, most powerful thing I had ever known. Yet right at this moment he looked like the most powerless, angelic creature I had ever seen. I loved him so much it made my body actually hurt. I was willing to throw my life away for him, without even thinking about it. I know how much he loves me, I can feel it every single day. It takes my breath away to realize that he has that much love to give. My love, my hope, my everything.

I was running through the room, not even realizing what I was doing. I had grabbed a bag and was throwing clothes inside it. Anything that I could get my hands on was going in the duffel bag. No rhyme or reason, no plan, no promise. Something inside of me was telling me to go. My body was screaming at me to save him, let him be the powerful Viking that he needed to be.

I had made him promise me that he would never, ever leave me again without saying goodbye. The letter that he had left me had hurt me more than anything, but I was suddenly aware of why he had done it. The emotions ripping through my body were almost too much to take. What was I doing? Could I do this and live with myself? I knew I had no choice, he was far too important to me. I reached for a pen and paper and did the very thing that I made him promise to never do to me. God damned hypocrite.

Eric,

I can't keep doing this to you. I love you too much to keep putting you in such danger. I would never be able to live with myself if something happened to you, something that I could have prevented just by walking away. You will always have my heart and I will always be yours, but I have to let you go.

I love you Eric. You are my everything, you gave me back my life when I thought it was over. Let me do the same for you. If I am gone there will be no reason for you to be such a target any longer. You can go back to the way things used to be, should be, need to be. If I was the cause of your final death I would not be able to live.

Please don't hate me. I am not going to Bon Temps, so don't look for me there. When I am ready, I will ask Niall to sever our bond. It may kill me, but knowing that you are safe will be enough. I love you Eric, more than I ever thought possible.

Always Yours,

Sookie

I did the hardest thing I have ever done, I took off my wedding ring and I put it in an envelope along with the letter. I put it on the bed, next to his head, and I grabbed his shirt that was laying on the floor. I shut the door behind me and I ran. I ran from the house and I ran from the man that was everything to me. The man that I was a constant danger to, the man that would certainly meet his final death if I didn't leave while I had the nerve.

EPOV-

The last few moments of my sleep were restless, filled with what felt like terror. I had images of Sookie running from fear. I knew that she must have been thinking about what she had learned last night. I wish I had the fucking opportunity to kill that asshole myself. But, the satisfaction that my love got to dispose of him herself was a little comforting. There was something else that I was feeling, desperation?

It was not quite time to rise, but I knew that she needed me, I could feel it. I forced myself out of my sleep and felt for her. She wasn't in bed, and she wasn't in the bathroom? My eyes grew wide as I tried to reach out to her, tried to pin point her location. What the fuck? She wasn't even in the house. I have no problem with her leaving, she is by no means under lock and key, but with the recent events, I would expect her to have given me a little warning.

I spotted the letter and felt my body relax. At least she remembered to tell me where she was going so I wouldn't worry. But something was not right. The feelings that were coming through our bond were not normal. She was in distress, she was not herself. It almost felt like she was not in control of her emotions. Fear, desperation, sadness, angst, depression? What is going on, where the fuck is she?

I ripped open the letter and could only stare when I saw her wedding ring come tumbling out onto the bed. I was overwhelmed with panic. She would never willingly leave her ring behind, just as I had not willingly given my ring to Felipe. Did someone take her, convince her to leave with them? I opened the letter, knowing that it would tell me what I needed to know.

Knots in my stomach, pain in my chest, confusion. This was certainly her handwriting? But, why does she think that she is a danger to me? What the fuck is going on? She left me? She's going to have Niall break our bond? I roared in a way that made my entire house shake. I could feel the walls shudder and I could hear the windows rattle. No, I would not let her leave. She is not thinking straight. She is not herself. She can not leave me, I can not live without her.

I tried to feel her, she was still fairly close by, but I knew that she was running as fast as she fucking could. When she made up her mind to do something, she did it. Fuck. I was so fucking angry and so fucking terrified. She was gone, and what if she really didn't want to come back? My wife, my love. She really thought that she was saving me by leaving me? Didn't she know that leaving me would take away my will to exist? Without her I have nothing. Without her I am nothing. Fuck, I need her like she needs air to breath.

I felt cold tears run down my cheeks, the reality that she had left hit me. I needed to find her, I needed to hold her. I needed her. I know that she needs me just as much. I can feel it, I can feel just how bad she is right now, and I know that she is feeling me. What if she goes straight to Niall? Fuck, what if she gets to Niall and severs the bond before she has time to think about what that will do to both of us. Neither one of us will be able to handle it.

I picked up my phone and called Pam. I was unsure if she was up yet, I was much older than her and had forced myself up due to the chaos I was feeling. I needed to try.

"Pam! Good, you're up. Get the fuck over here, quickly." I hung up on her, not wanting to waste time explaining on the phone. I needed to call Niall, but was feeling nervous about telling him about Sookie's plan. He had offered to break our bond once before, if he knew now that this is what she wanted he most certainly would not listen to me.

"Brigant, have you spoken to Sookie? Good, if you do you must tell her to call me. It is very important." He tried to question my intentions as he could hear the desperation in my voice. "I do not have to explain anything to you. Just know that she is not in a good place right now and she is not thinking clearly. She may ask you to do certain things that she will regret later. I will call you again soon." I hung up on him too, I hate that arrogant bastard.

Pam walked in, she immediately felt my fear and noticed that Sookie was not here. She looked around, hoping she would appear from another room. I handed her the letter, she shook her head.

"What is it with you two and Dear John letters?" I glared at her, letting her know that I was in no mood to put up with her attitude. "How long has she been gone? Can you still feel her? Do you think that she is going right for Niall?" Now she was fucking thinking straight.

"Yes, I can feel her. She is driving somewhere, but I am not sure where. I called Niall and told him to have her call me. I also told him that she may ask him to do something that is not in her best interest." I paused and thought about her asking her Great Grandfather to break our bond. "Do you really think that she would fucking do that? Do you think she would break our bond?" My voice was breaking.

She paused and I could tell that she was thinking about her words carefully.

"Eric, I was there when she found out what Felipe had done. I saw what her face looked like when she realized that her life had been toyed with. Do you know what her main concern was? It wasn't that he had hurt her, ruined her life. The last thing she said to him was that only her husband has the right to call her Dear One. She seemed more upset that he was calling her by a pet name that you called her by." I looked at my child and was slightly confused. "Eric, my point is that right now I think that she is not thinking straight. She is traumatized and she is in shock. She saw you in a tortured state last night, she was told that she had been the prize in a sick and twisted game of chess. Her bonded was almost sent to his final death, all because some asshole wanted her. So unfortunately, yes. I do think that right now she would go to Niall and ask him to sever your bond. I think that it is her way of making herself believe that she is saving you. She is sacrificing herself yet again for you." Her words fucking felt like a knife. She was right.

"We need to find her. We need to find her now." I grabbed some clothes and dressed as I ran to the door. I needed to get to her and I needed to make her see that she was making a huge mistake. My love, my wife, my everything. I needed her.

I closed my eyes as I drove, trying to feel for her. She was right, she was not going to Bon Temps. I called everyone and left messages to have her call me if she happened to get in touch with them. I knew better, she would not call them until she was far enough away that I could not get to her quickly. Why, why did she have to be so fucking hard headed?

I pulled over and brought the car to a screeching halt. Pam pulled up behind me and got out, searching my face for answers.

"Pam, go to the bar. Open for business as usual. Go about the night as though nothing is out of place. I am turning around, bringing my car back home. I need to be in the air. I need to have a better view, look down over everything. I think that I will be able to see her if I can look down over the roads. I have to find her. I can't live without her." I pulled away, leaving Pam standing there, questioning my decision to send her to Fangtasia. I didn't have time to explain to her. All I know is that last night my wife had very successfully disposed of the king. If anyone wanted to get in contact with me, they would most likely come looking for me at the bar. Pam being there would show that we were still willing to open, even under the worst of circumstances. Plus, I didn't want anyone knowing that my wife was on the run.

I took minutes to get my car home and take flight. I could feel her, she was so upset. She was actually hating herself. She was so wrong. I have always lived a life of danger, of scrutiny, low morals. I just never shared it with anyone. Now, everything about me involved her, and she now had to see the real danger that took place on a daily basis.

If I could only make her see how fucking ridiculous she was being. She had no idea what she was doing. We couldn't live without each other, we were one, we are Bonded. She is mine, I am hers. I searched the roads as I felt her. She was so distraught, so upset. I really was worried that she was going right to Niall, but her letter said when she was ready. What the fuck did that mean? When she was ready?

I was flying through the night sky when everything just stopped. Every emotion that was coursing between us halted. I stopped and levitated in the sky, not sure which direction I needed to go. I smelled the air, trying to pick up on anything that would lead me to her. I was panicked, why did everything just stop? What the fuck did she do? There was no pain, no physical pain. There was just…a void?

I caught something in the air and took off, faster than I had flown before. I spotted her car on the side of the rode. I stood before it, cautiously approaching. She was nowhere to be found. The car keys were still in the ignition, but she was gone. I got in the car and sat in the driver's side, taking in the scent of her tears. She had cried through about three boxes of those tissue things. I don't know how many times I have told her to consider stock in that paper company.

The seat and the steering wheel were both still warm from her body. I could smell her everywhere. But, I could also smell what had happened to her. There was the very powerful, very annoying scent of fairy. Claudine. She was with Claudine and I knew there was nothing that I could do to get to her. I now knew the reason everything had just stopped. Her cousin had taken her to her realm, a place that I could never get to. At least she was protected.

I felt defeated, yet relieved. Maybe Claudine would talk some sense into her? Maybe she would tell her she was acting like a fool? I wonder if her cell phone gets reception in her realm? I had the sudden urge to call her and ask 'Can you hear me now?' It was worth a try. Fuck, I needed to tell her to send my fucking wife back to me.

I called her number and by some fucking miracle she answered. I wonder what network she has? Anyway, I could hear Sookie sobbing. I tried to tell her that I needed to speak to my wife.

"Listen, I know she is with you. I can fucking hear her crying. I need to speak with her." Did she just tell me no? Did she just fucking tell me no? "Fairy, that is my wife and I must speak to her, now!" I looked at my phone and felt the urge to shatter it. "Claudine, she thinks that leaving me is protecting me. She is not thinking straight. Do not let her go to Niall. Do you fucking hear me? I need her to come back to me!" The line went dead. I hoped he heard me, I need her back. I need her, all of her. Claudine was there to protect her. She would not allow her to do something so harmful as breaking our bond. She would explain the physical and emotional pain involved in such an act.

What the fuck could I do? Sit there on the side of the road? Hang out there for God knows how long waiting for her to just appear? I was so fucking pissed. Pissed at my world, pissed at her, pissed at that fucking fairy. I hated everything and everyone.

I got out of the car, defeated, angry. I decided that I should go to the bar and fill Pam in on what had happened. I looked at her car, saw that there were no other cars coming down the road. I picked it up and I threw it. I destroyed that fucking piece of shit. Sure, she was going to be absolutely livid with me. I made sure that that car was beyond fucked up. I took out all of my anger and hate on that piece of metal. Now, she would have no excuse. She would have to get a new car. I fucking hate that piece of shit.

TBC………