The lights go out and I can't be saved

Tides that I tried to swim against

Have brought me down upon my knees

Oh I beg, I beg and plead - Coldplay

Pam POV

It certainly would have been nice to have more than one night without doom and gloom, but I can't complain about the night we did have. Well, the first half anyway.

Or I should say, I can't complain about it too much. I probably could have done without the sound effects between my maker and Sookie. If they were going to make me listen to them, they could have at least invited me to join in. Although, I think I was lucky to not be a pile of goo when I suggested that. Eric had to hold Sookie back at that one.

Oh the memories.

The evening had started out promising, and that certainly should have told us something was about to happen. That's just how things have been going lately.

I had woken up from my day rest and made my way over to Eric's house, knowing that I would find Sookie there too. I would have probably stayed there myself if there were enough time to get there after dropping off Amelia.

That is something I am unsure how to deal with. Though her reasoning logical, you don't lie to a vampire and you don't withhold information from a vampire. These are simple and priceless lessons humans need to learn if they are going to hang with us vampires.

I don't think Amelia Broadway got the memo on that, which is a shame because I would have liked to have a bit more fun with her.

Sookie was waiting for me when I opened the door to Eric's. Well, waiting is not the word. More like bouncing up and down. Eric must have told her that I was coming and for whatever reason, this excited her.

I don't think I will ever fully understand humans.

But it was my excitement that began to build as Sookie told me, "I'm letting you take me shopping," before skipping off to change out of her sweat pants, at least that was what I hope she was doing. But discovering our little outing makes me look at Eric in question. We had thought now with all of his memories the curse was broken however, maybe with the return of his memories he has lost whatever is left of his brain.

"Is it safe," I had asked him, my question simple enough. I could not believe I was considering turning down a shopping trip but with all the known threats, with all the unknown threats, with the shootings, now may not be the best time for an outing.

Besides, there is always online shopping.

But as Eric told me where Sookie and I would be heading tonight, the confidence I had in my maker was back. We would be going to a strip mall that Eric owns not too far away. The way it is laid out it would be easy to secure and make sure we were safe. With a few extra eyes and ears out there, the trip should be able to go off as planned, just a simple shopping trip amongst friends.

And then my dear maker made a comment about needing to get those responsible for the shootings out in the open. I looked at him astonished that he would put Sookie at risk like that. "You're trying to lure them to us? You're using us as bait," I had asked him shocked.

He got a fire in his eyes that I haven't seen in a long time, as he said, "No I would not risk Sookie like that. I would not risk you like that. Not with all we do not know." He pauses before continuing, "But we will be trying to lure out the shooters. I am done with letting them come to us." Eric then explained what he and Tray had come up with while waiting for me to make my way to his house.

My maker had been a busy little bee in that short time.

"This shopping trip will happen," he told me, his voice sounding so sure. I hadn't even realized I missed the confidence in his voice until I heard it again loud and clear. "We deserve a little time. Sookie deserves the time."

"We," I had said not missing his choice of words. "You are joining this little shopping soiree?" It is usually entertaining to watch Sookie and Eric interact with each other, which would be fun enough on this trip. But if Eric is coming, that means his credit cards are coming too.

This trip just got more fun.

Of course when Sookie found out that Eric, and in turn his cards, would be making an appearance she did not have the same reaction that I did. In fact, she had basically the opposite reaction and downright refused to let him pay for anything. But he would need to for the little spree I had planned. So my maker made it his mission to convince her that him footing the bill for this little excursion was really the best way to go.

At first he tried logic. She would need clothes for the meeting in Rhodes and since it was a cost she wouldn't ordinarily have, it only made sense that he paid. When logic didn't work, he moved to more…intimate ways of trying to convince her.

And with the sound of my maker rounding second base with the little telepath, I also heard her agree to his new form of logic. And I was very proud of my self-control of not bursting into the kitchen where he took her for a semblance of privacy and for not making Sookie blush when they came back into the room.

I call that growth.

The actual trip was pretty much incident free. Eric kept checking his phone for updates from the areas he had set up hoping to lure out the shooters. I kept my focus on the mall, and Sookie's wardrobe of course, as I didn't know if this opportunity would ever present itself again.

We stopped at the food court to get Sookie something to eat. Unfortunately for me, my maker did not let me do the same.

It was in the last store where I grabbed Sookie's arm and led, okay maybe dragged, her over to a dress that I knew would look great on her. It was a deep red, which of course Eric would love. And of course Sookie took one look at the dress and shook her head no.

I managed to convince her to trying it on pointing out it could come in handy at the Queen's upcoming nuptials that we would soon be attending. I could not however, convince her to actually come out of the dressing room with the dress on. Unfortunately, I also couldn't convince her to let me come in either.

My precious maker though, he managed to finagle his way into the dressing room. And then he proceeded to show her just how much he liked the dress. That's when I said, "I am sure that if we work together, we can manage to convince her."

Sookie opened up the curtain just enough to give me a hell of a glare. When a wink was my response, she started to make her way out of the room, but Eric managed to hold her back, to my complete dismay.

We did leave with the dress though. The purpose of the little shopping spree was a gift to me anyway.

So, we had a great start to the evening before heading to Fangtasia. Eric had wanted to pick up a few things and check in and see how the witches had made out with the spells he wanted to put on the bar. After being assured there had been no signs of anything out of the ordinary, he decided it was okay to listen to Sookie and stop on the way home instead of dropping her off first.

All things checked out well. Spells were up and running. There had been no more shootings. If we weren't vampires, I would say this evening had lulled us into a false sense of security.

But we are vampires. That's why when the phone rang Eric and I immediately went on the alert, worried about what news it could bring. Sookie had a bit of a delay, but she too was soon at attention.

She's learning.

And we were right to be concerned. The caller was the Queen who of course would not be calling for any good reason. I heard the entire conversation and really wish I didn't. Sophie-Anne had some 'exciting' news for us. Apparently, she thinks it would be a fabulous idea to start to sell the programs she has had Compton working on at Rhodes.

You know, the summit where she will also be marrying Peter Threadgill who will surely try to kill us all as he does so. As if we don't have enough going on with that already.

Currently, Eric and I are simply standing, staring at each as we have been since he has hung up the phone. I am starting to think that the Queen has lost her mind. Sookie is looking at us curiously, wanting to know what is going on.

In an answer to her question, my words match my thoughts as I tell her, "The Queen has lost her mind."

Eric POV

I take in what I have just learned from my phone call with the Queen as Pam fills Sookie in on just what was discussed. I am trying to determine what could be going through Sophie-Anne's mind, just what she could be hoping to accomplish because in my mind, most of the possible consequences to this decision is negative. However, there are a few potential outcomes that may not be a bad thing.

Of course, those require the largest risk as well.

"She is either brilliant or she is insane," I say in response to my child. And I have only a few weeks before the summit of Rhodes to try and figure out which is true and to make sure we all fall on the right side of the sword.

"Bringing this out when she is for all intents and purposes being forced to marry Threadgill could be to her advantage, to our advantage."

"How on earth could it do that," Pam asks. Sookie stays quiet just looking at me and listening.

"It could show our strength. That fact that we were able to accomplish this, the fact that we were able to get all of this carefully protected information, that could help the other states decide to fall on our side when it is needed."

"Or it could give them the excuse they're looking for to obliterate us all."

I stay silent at that knowing that she is right. That is why this could be a great decision or a complete catastrophe. Though Sophie-Anne does not have enemies, she also does not have a great deal of friends either. I, on the other hand, do have several allies in all of the states that will be attending the summit with us. That is one of the lessons that my maker taught me that I actually appreciate, one that I have taken with me throughout the centuries.

Though the way we form our alliances is completely different. I like to think mine are born out of respect, maybe the odd favor. His were, and probably still are, born out of fear, out of blackmail. But I had also learned with my centuries with him that is not the way to form strong alliances that last. That is a way to have to divide your focus when under attack. When you treat your allies as your enemies, you do not know which side the attack will be coming from.

The phone rings once again bringing us to its attention. It is Alcide this time. He was with one of the groups Tray and I set up tonight. His was primarily Weres planning to shift for a run. There would be a few vampires there as extra muscle and draw for the shooter, as we are still not one hundred percent sure of who the actual target is.

Though I have my ideas. Judging with the pattern of the shooting, they are trying to keep us guessing. That is why I thought shopping would be safe tonight. If Sookie really is the intended target I did not think they would be going after her directly tonight. Instead, I had thought that they would go elsewhere, to try and throw us off the trail.

And it looks like I was right.

As I hang up with the Were, I turn to Pam and tell her to get the downstairs ready. She looks excited as she goes off to do just that. Turning to Sookie I explain, "They caught someone tonight."

"The shooter?"

I nod and tell her, "That is what it looks like. They are bringing him here. We should be able to get some answers tonight." I think about closing the bar, which I had decided to keep open tonight but decide against it. However, after tonight keeping it closed until things become a little more stable may not be a bad idea.

"Who do you think is behind it," she asks in a small voice.

"Threadgill," I tell her honestly. "I cannot think of anyone else at the moment who would have an interest in these shootings. The only thing I cannot figure out is why he is targeting," I start but trail off before I actually reveal my thoughts on who the target is.

But Sookie is one step ahead of me as she finishes, "Why he is targeting me."

I shake my head and say, "We do not know for sure."

"I am the only link between the shootings. There was one at my house. There was one with the Weres, where one of the guards you hired for me was shot. Then there was the one outside of Fangtasia when I was with you. I don't like it Eric, but I am the common denominator."

I wish I could say that I do not like how she has put everything together, but if she is going to be in my world, I am glad that she is starting to think and put things together. That will help keep her and the rest of us alive. Of course, I do not really like how her thoughts like mine have put her in the middle of all the danger, have suggested that she is the target in all of this.

I do not like that Sookie is the common denominator of all this. I can try to talk myself out of this but that will not remove her from the danger. It could actually do the opposite. So until the evidence seems to point otherwise, I will be working under the idea that Sookie is the target. That is the best way to make sure she remains breathing.

"I will keep you safe," I tell her, taking her into my arms. I have been telling her that a lot lately. I will have to make sure to do less telling her I will keep her safe and more acting to keep her safe.

"I know you will, Eric. My safety is something that I have never doubted with you," she tells me quietly. "Do you know why Threadgill would be coming after me? Is it for my telepathy?"

"It could be simply for that," I tell her. "But I doubt that is the only reason if you are truly the target. If not for his sudden need to have Louisiana, I would think it would be reason enough."

"But because he seems desperate to get his hands on the state, you think there is more to it than that." I nod against the top of her head.

"To get to Sophie-Anne?"

That gets a shake of my head. "There would be other ways to get the Queen, more direct ways that would hurt her, have more of an impact on her."

"To get to you," she asks, her voice soft and full of fear. I do not like her voice sounding like that. But I do not have a response for that question either. Trying to get to me through Sookie would be a genius plan for anyone who had been paying attention. I do not like the idea that anyone would have been paying enough attention to realize that.

"The bigger question is why. If we figure that out, the rest will most likely fall into place," I tell her. She nods into my chest before backing away but I know she understands what my non-answer probably means.

Thalia chooses that point to enter my office to inform me that the shooter is feeling less than chatty at the moment. I had heard him be brought in before and figured I would let Pam have first dibs. The shopping trip was Sookie's thanks for everything she has done recently; this would be mine.

Apparently though, my child is losing her touch to make people talk. I start to head down to the basement asking Thalia if she could stay up here with Sookie but the little human turns towards me asking if she can come with me. "I might be able to hear something, especially if he isn't inclined to speak at the moment."

I want to say no. I would love to be able to keep Sookie sheltered from that part of my life, by what sometimes I have to do. But I know if I shelter her from a part of me, that could start pushing her away and that is the last thing I want. I want her to know what is going on, as much as is safe for her to know. Because that will go a long way in ensuring that she remains breathing, and hopefully with me.

I make my way down the stairs, with Sookie and Thalia behind me, to see what progress Pam has made. By looking at the suspected shooter, I do not know how he managed to say silent.

Looks like Pam has not lost her touch. Instead, it seems that we finally have a hard nut to crack.

I look to Sookie and can tell that she is already trying to listen in on his thoughts. After she shakes her head, my focus shifts to Pam who shakes her head and says, "Nothing."

"Are we sure he was the shooter," I ask.

Alcide steps forward and says, "Most likely he is one of them. He was found with a high-powered rifle and a fuck load of ammo. He was planning on shooting something. Weird though," he says before trailing off.

"What is?"

"His ammo. He had used regular bullet before he switched to silver, which makes sense against Weres and vamps. Now his weapon was loaded with iron. Doesn't make much sense."

My eyes flash over to Pam quickly before landing back on the suspected shooter. Iron doesn't make much sense against Weres and vampires; Alcide is right about that. But using iron bullets against the Fae would make perfect sense.

And unfortunately this puts another check in the target is Sookie column.

"What," Sookie asks, eyes darting back and forth between Pam and myself.

Not wanting to lie, but not wanting to mention anything more about Sookie with current company, I look to her and say, "Ask me later." I will tell her the truth then. I hope she can see that in my face and hear that in my voice. Her nod leaves me hopeful that she will.

"His shoes," I say taking him all in and bringing everyone's focus back to where it should be, away from Sookie.

"Confiscated to see if they match the prints left at either site."

I nod and take a few steps towards him, eager to get some information. Sookie's voice gives me pause however. "He's in pain," she tells us. "That's all he is thinking about at the moment."

I nod and start to ask him some questions trying to get him to think of anything else but the pain he is in. I would love to be able to persuade him to talk, but if what has been done to him already has not persuaded him, there is not much that would. So I try talking.

For now.

He doesn't give up much information, but he is not exactly chatty either. After a few questions, it does seem that he has been involved in the shootings, though not the mastermind behind it nor is he the person dealing directly with the one in charge.

The low man on the totem pole.

The arrogance that he has while currently shackled, dangling from the ceiling while injured the way he is makes me want to smack the smirk right off his face. If he was not going against me at the moment, he may actually have my respect.

But now he will have my sword through his neck.

Sookie confirms what I get from my brief conversation with the person who we learn is Tom. She is also able to add that the one Tom gets his orders from is a female. Though not exactly narrowing down the possibilities, it does give us a place to start.

Just as I am about to start with some persuasion to try and get a name, a phone rings again. This time it is not mine but Tom's, whose smirk is suddenly back on his face. "When I don't answer, she'll know something is wrong," he says, thinking he has me. Though, I am not sure if that would be a bad thing at the moment.

I quickly go over the options in my head. I could let him answer buying us more time but their communication is a huge risk. But if I don't let him answer, the caller will start to wonder why he is not answering. That could get her scared, which could make her clumsy, causing her to start to make some mistakes, mistakes that we can capitalize on.

Seeing an actual number on Tom's screen makes the decision for me. Numbers we can track. I lift my sword and quickly detach Tom's head from his body. I quickly look to Sookie to see Pam has stepped in front of her blocking most of her view.

I slowly make my way towards her, worried about what she will now think of me. She is taking deep breaths and holds her hand out. I stop moving at once, thinking that is what she wants. It is not however, as she moves closer to me on her own and grabs for the hand that is not holding my sword. She grasps it tightly, before looking at me. "You're not done down here yet, are you." I shake my head no. I will have to start tracing the call and start the clean up process. I want to do it myself to make sure no evidence or clues are missed.

She squeezes my hand before letting go and pressing a soft kiss to my lips. She then tells me to come and find her when I am done before turning and starts to make her way back up the stairs, Pam following quickly behind.

Sookie POV

I can't say that I particularly like watching Eric deal with things. I do not like that it is a part of his life, but I understand that it is. Do I hope it may change some day? Absolutely, but I understand that for now at least, this is what his life entails if he wants to stay alive, if he wants to keep those he cares about alive. Feeling similar about those I care about, I can't fault him for that.

Pam leads me out to the bar before making eye contact with Thalia, who is quickly by my side. That must be the universal, 'tag, you're it,' in the babysitting Sookie schedule. Though I appreciate the safekeeping, it's also getting old very quickly. I grit my teeth and bare it even though I have screaming in my head fighting to come out. Again it's to keep everyone alive and I can live with that as the endgame.

Even if I don't like it.

So I sit at the bar and Clancy brings me my usual drink. I slowly sip it while looking around the club. It's not too crowded tonight, which makes me happy. Not too many thoughts beating against my shields, which is always a positive. I note from the empty voids, most here tonight are vampires.

Thalia needs to go and break up a small fight and passes me right along to Clancy. As luck would have it, that is when another vampire decides to come and sit next to me at the bar. I slide down further away from him as he does so. I have to take a second glance at him though, because he looks similar to the vampire I was speaking to the night when I called things complicated between Eric and I.

I give myself a mental slap as I think about that again. What the hell was I thinking?

I can't be the same vampire though, right? Eric banished that vampire from the state, deciding against killing him. He would be crazy to come back here. It would be an automatic death sentence.

In my second glance I realize it is not the same vampire, just incredibly similar looking. He looks at me and I quickly glance away. My eyes shut as I feel him move closer to me. It's an uncomfortable feeling, even if he's not uncomfortably close. "Nice night tonight," he says to me, though I doubt vampires care about the weather of the night.

I nod to be polite, but do not respond to him in any other way. I don't want any more issues. I don't think anyone could take them tonight. I again move away but the vampire follows, stopping so he remains the same distance from me. I look at Clancy, who has been closely watching the situation as I start to open my mouth to tell the vampire I'm Eric's. He's one step ahead of me as he says, "I know, I know. You are the good Sheriff's."

"Than you know better," Clancy says leaning over the bar, as Thalia appears at my side.

The vampire nods and starts to leave but not before Eric and Pam come out from the back. I can tell by the looks on their faces that they also think this vampire bears an uncanny resemblance to the other one. Pam is quickly over between the vampire and me while Eric is standing directly in front of him. Now that I see them up close, I realize the looks on their faces mean that this vampire simply looks like the other one. It's making me wonder just what is going on here.

My curiosity only increases as I hear Pam say softly, "Did they get every single vamp that looks like him to come here?"

I look at the conflicted look in Eric's face and what I see worries me, scares me even. Because Eric looks lost, truly lost like he will not be able to find his way home.

But I will not let that happen. I will show him the way if need be.

I continue to look at him as he stares at the vampire I remember his reaction to the other one. With that and Pam's words, I start to realize the possibility of just who these two vampires could look like.

And I don't like what I am coming up with.

Hello readers. Here's the next chapter finally for you. I apologize for the little pit stop. Life got a little crazy as it can and I had a bit of a flare up for an issue that makes moving my arm painful. Not very conducive to typing and there was quite a bit I needed to add on to this chapter. As always, thanks for reading and I hope you enjoy.

Tanseynz – the little twists on the spell definitely added in some consequences. We shall see what they are during the remainder of this little tale.