CHAPTER 25

Sookie begins work on her inventory of Pam's closet, only to find herself in another by the end of the night.

PPOV

After Eric had called me, I became absolutely giddy at the prospect of finally getting that little bitch to do some work for me. After I had interrupted them last night I was sure he finally fucked her, but now I was not so sure. She must have refused him and as punishment he was sending her to me. I had been begging Eric for years to let me inventory my wardrobe, but he had never given me the time and Bobby Burnham was such a useless fucker he wouldn't know what a Louboutin was if it was shoved up his ass. I changed out of my Fangtasia garb and into a soft pink tracksuit. I heard a car enter my driveway and walked toward the entryway to greet my slave, I mean guest.

Before she could even knock, I opened the door. "Susannah."

"Pam." I waved her in and she walked past me into the house. I scented the air and found she smelled like freesias and lilies. My suspicions were confirmed she didn't sleep with Eric. I swear I felt something akin to happiness last night from him. Maybe he stumbled upon an orgy after he had left Fangtasia flying like a bat out of hell. I didn't remember seeing her leave Fangtasia last night.

"So, Eric sent you to me for the night or possibly the next few nights it seems. Just do your job and we won't have a problem with each other?"

"You're the boss." I liked the sound of that.

She started to take off her shoes, "You can keep them on. I don't care about the state of my floors."

"It will be easier for me to move around without them." She replied.

"Whatever. Here are your gloves. You humans secrete so much sweat and oil. I don't want you ruining anything." I handed her the white gloves and she put them on without question. I watched her carefully. She was beautiful in her own little way. Too bad she didn't like women. Her neck looked absolutely inviting in that top. Good thing I already had a bite, otherwise I might be tempted to sample Ms. Stackhouse.

She pulled out her laptop and said, "I was thinking of creating a database in Microsoft Access. Do you have any other suggestions?"

"Oh, I was thinking of just having you write everything down, but tell me about this program you speak of." I was genuinely curious. Humans with all their faults are quite resourceful in creating software to manage their short, insignificant lives. This might come in useful at the bar the next time I did inventory there.

"Well I'm no expert, but I did something similar in a lab I worked in while at school. I can download a template online and then format it to suit your needs. It can include categories such as year, brand, color, location etc. Then you can access and sort through for your reference later. Also I can take pictures and link them to each entry. What do you think?" She was not stupid. I'd give her that. I may have been too quick in my assessment of her.

"I think we should get to work."

I ushered her into the closet and she started typing away. She asked me questions in between her typing and I brought box after box into the center of the room for her to go through. I sent her to the shoes first and watched her like a hawk as she typed on her laptop and took photos with her phone. I answered all of her questions about the origin of each item and I found that I didn't mind her company or the chance to talk about fashion. Then I remembered what Eric told me the other day.

"So Eric tells me you plan on punishing me for fucking with your pretty little head. When should I be expecting to receive this punishment?" She looked up from her computer, and then back to her computer.

"I haven't put much thought into it. I've been so busy. I almost forgot about it." She appeared sincere in her response, but something seemed off.

SPOV

As soon as I entered Pam's home I felt like I was Alice and had fallen down the rabbit hole. I was greeted by a large pop art portrait of Marilyn Monroe. It was Warhol, but not. The face was distorted with half of it being blue the other like a skull and each temple had wings sprouting out of them. The whimsical furniture was everywhere punctuated with vivid colors in bright pinks and dark reds. My favorite piece was a stag with golden antlers and a necklace with cutouts of mini Manolo Blahniks. Everything screamed Pam.

I was expecting Pam to have a big closet, but not the size of a studio apartment. Eric wasn't lying when he said it would take me 3-4 days to go through everything. This task was just a cover to collect information, I almost regretted taking it on, but it would be well worth my efforts next weekend. Pam surprisingly, had been relatively civil to me the last few hours and I had enjoyed listening to how she had acquired some of her pieces. Too bad she would have to part with some of them soon.

I heard Pam's phone ring and she went to take the call in another room. Then my phone buzzed to life in my hand.

[Eric]: Having fun?

[Sookie]: You have spoiled your child rotten.

[Eric]: Don't I know it. Is she being nice to you?

[Sookie]: As nice as Pam can be. Are you talking to her on the phone?

[Eric]: Yes, I needed to distract her because I really wanted to talk to you.

[Sookie]: Did you speak to the vampire in NY?

[Eric]: Yes, he has made the arrangements. I just need the photos. Do you have them yet?

[Sookie]: No, I'm only on her shoes. She and Imelda Marcos should hang out.

[Eric]: I told her that, but she didn't see the humor in it.

[Sookie]: How was Jason?

[Eric]: Back to being your lovable asshole brother. How are you even related?

[Sookie]: Thank you. And don't talk about my brother that way.

[Eric]: I am only stating the obvious. I found out what you did in my office.

[Sookie]: And?

[Eric]: There are no words for what I have planned for you. Back to work. I'm wrapping up my conversation with Pam.

I let out a secret smile and quickly went back to going through Pam's shoes and setting aside the ones I had questions about. Pam came back into the room and looked almost gleeful. I wonder what Eric told her.

"Have you eaten dinner yet?" I did not expect that from Pam.

"Yes, I grabbed something on the way here. Thank you for asking."

"I am only asking, because my Master asked. What is it about you that has him all tied up in knots?"

"I'm a telepath."

"A telepath wouldn't have him running through emotions like they're going out of style. There's something else about you." She stared me down trying to ascertain why her maker was so enthralled with me. "Are you a virgin?"

"No." I said flatly. "I don't think the reason Eric sent me here was to answer your questions. You can call him back and ask him."

"Very well, but I will find out sooner or later."

We returned to our earlier rhythm and went through all of Pam's shoes in four hours. I was almost tempted to throw away all of my shoes after going through the entire mountain of heels, wedges, and pumps. She took my gloves from me with the promise that she would clean them for my return tomorrow; where we would then continue on to her tops and dresses. I bid her good night and headed back to my apartment to go through all of the photos I was able to get from Pam's closet.

EPOV

After going to Bon Temps to deal with Jason Stackhouse, I went straight to Fangtasia and into my office to figure out what kind of mischief my fairy had gotten herself into. I used my nose to determine where she had been and it led me to my desk. I opened all the drawers and found everything in its place. I turned in my chair and looked at my closet. I opened the closet doors and found exactly what my fairy had done. I put the leather jacket on and basked in her scent. I was tempted to stop her plan right now and whisk her away to show her exactly what I think about her little stunt.

With Pam gone I had to take over a lot of her duties and ensure Fangtasia was running smoothly. Friday nights were particularly cumbersome with the amount of people. I walked the floor and observed Longshadow talking to Ginger. He was glamouring her.

"What the fuck are you doing?" I asked him. I had told him before to leave the staff alone. I needed them functioning so they could actually do their jobs.

"Just resetting her." He said coldly.

"Ginger dear, go to the back and help Belinda." I turned her and pushed her in the direction of the employee hallway.

"She's been glamoured one to many times, leave her alone unless you plan to turn her?"

"Yes, Sherriff."

"There are enough willing humans to go around. Get back to work." He returned to his station behind the bar. Longshadow was testing my patience. I only asked Sookie to evaluate the human staff, maybe she could assist me in evaluating the vampires as well or I might have to give Hot Rain a call to put him in his place.

I walked to my booth, laptop in hand to complete some of things Sookie had asked of me. It had been three hours now and neither Sookie nor Pam had given me any indication that they had tried to kill the other. But to be safe I was going to push the plan forward a few days. Sookie had wanted me to tell Pam this after she had completed her task, but I think Pam needed some incentive to ensure she would stay the course.

I called Pam on the bar phone. She answered quickly. "Pamela, how is your evening going?" I pulled out my cell phone and sent a text to Sookie.

"Fine. Why shouldn't it be? And if you are worried if I have touched her; I have not laid a finger on her."

"Good. You will keep it that way or you won't be coming with me."

"Coming with you where?"

"To New York."

"Why would I want to go to New York in November? It's dreadful this time of year. Fashion week is in February. Or have you already forgotten the last time I begged you to let me go."

"Well I guess if you don't want to come I'll just have all the Angels for myself then."

"Angels? What angels?"

"The Sheriff of Manhattan has invited me to the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show."

"You're lying." She spat out incredulously.

"No Pam I'm not. If you and Susannah don't get along the next few days; you'll leave me no choice but to leave you behind. Have you been a good hostess and offered Susannah some food while she has been working?"

"No, why should I?"

"Pam."

"Fine, I'll see to her human needs are attended to. When are we leaving?"

"Next Thursday."

"I need to pack and I need…"

I hung up on her to spare myself from her useless drabble. What she didn't know was that I would be doing a lot of her packing for her. I notified Sookie that my conversation with Pam had concluded and to get back to work. I looked up from my computer and scanned the floor for any sign of trouble. Seeing none, I decided to let off some steam and visit Liam. I needed to thank him for letting me use his fangs the other night.

SPOV

After the thousand or so pictures I took of Pam's shoes I came away with maybe a dozen or so that I could use. I rubbed my tired eyes and exhaled from a long night. It was a strain to be staring at a computer screen for so long. I had only been awake for 10 hours, but I was feeling sleepy. I showered to rid myself of the smell of women's shoes and returned to my room ready to sleep. I put on a cotton nightie with little yellow flowers and matching underwear to sleep in. If Eric was sticking to the plan he wouldn't be coming by tonight so I pulled the entire down comforter to me until I was wrapped in a nest of warm feathers and drifted off to sleep.

I was slowly awakened by a warm body wrapping around mine. Warm body? I jumped up to see the intruder in my bed.

"Calm down, Lover. It's only me." Eric said reassuringly.

"Why are you warm?" I questioned.

"I just had a very lonely, very hot shower. That is all." I touched his cheek and felt the heat on the surface of his skin, until it gradually returned to the coolness I was accustomed to. I brought my hand back under my head and faced him fully lying on my side.

"I thought we agreed to stick to the plan."

"Pam will never know I am here with you."

"She is supposed to be under the impression that you are not happy with me for not yielding to you. She's very protective of you."

"It will be fine. Trust me. And she is not protective just envious of the time I spend with you." He moved so he was now above me with his arms caging me in on each side. I turned to lie on my back to mirror his body.

"And what about all of your fans at Fangtasia. Are they jealous of the time you now spend with me?" I asked coyly.

"I took from them to fulfill a need. I want you." He lowered his body an insignificant amount.

"But you take from me as well. My body." I seductively whispered and lifted my hips off of the bed to grind into his naked form above me. "My blood." I brought his head down to my neck and his fangs popped in response.

"Fuck Sookie." He hissed out quietly and dragged his fangs along my neck. I pulled his head back from its place at my neck and looked into his darkened lust-filled eyes. I knew I was playing with fire right now, teasing him as I was. I brought my lips to his ear and kissed his lobe.

"Am I yours Eric?" I licked the outline of his ear and warmed it with my breath. I felt myself moisten at his increasing hardness pressing against me.

The fire I stoked was about to come back and burn me. I let him shift my body so he was positioned between my legs. His hand snaked under my nightgown and snapped my panties off with a twist of his fingers. He slid achingly slow into me. I felt like I had been ripped in half and made whole all at once.

"Mine."

His intensity fueled my own and our hips began to move at a perilous rhythm. He grazed my clit with each thrust and it started to drive me insane. He slowed his pace as he continued to bathe my body in soft kisses. I tried to grab his hips to urge him to move faster, but he grabbed each of my hands and held them above my head pinning them to the bed as he set the pace of this most delicious of torture. I wrapped my legs around his waist bringing him deeper into me. I was about to scream out when his lips crashed onto mine silencing my cries. I shuddered beneath him, my body convulsing as my orgasm ripped through me. He followed shortly after, spilling his seed on my bare stomach. His chest rose and fell and the sight was so human it made me giggle.

"Do you find something funny?" He asked.

"No." I shook my head and failed terribly at lying to him.

"Liar." He brought his head down to my neck and proceeded to nibble below my ear causing me to laugh more.

"It's just you shouldn't have to do that." I squealed out.

"Do what?"

I tried to move my hands to point at his chest, but he kept them pinned above me. "Your chest. You don't have to breathe."

"Is it not calming for you?"

"You don't have to pretend with me. I accept you for who you are."

"I think it's time for your punishment and we'll see if you can fake it." I tilted my head at him in question. He released one of my hands from its hold above my head and ran his hand lightly down my body tickling me in the process.

"Stop it. Stop!" I said in between gulps of laughter. "Eric!"

I tried to get him to stop, but he was relentless in his movements and I was wriggling hopelessly trying to get away from his hand moving at an amazing speed as it danced all over my body.

"Don't make me freeze you!"

"I'm so scared." He said mockingly.

I'll show him. I focused my energy to try to get him to stop, but nothing happened. I tried again and moved my free hand to push him back, but instead of a gentle nudge. He was shot into the wall in a flash of light. I stared at my hand and back to Eric's crumpled form.

Shit.

Again, I found myself crawling over to see if I had hurt Eric. This was a dangerous trend. He shook his head dislodging drywall and flakes of paint in the process. I saw streaks of blood on the back of his head, but they were shallow in appearance. I tested our bond and felt that he was irritated, but not angry. I remained silent and waited for him to speak. I didn't know what to say. I'm sorry, just didn't seem like enough.

He lifted up his head and said, "Please tell me you treat all of your lovers this way."

I answered him with nervous laughter. "No." I grabbed his hand to help him stand, but he helped me more than I helped him to get upright.

He gave me a hard look. "What just happened?"

"I don't know." My mind was racing trying to figure it out.

He fell into thoughtful silence. He looked like he was going to say something, but shook his head as if he was dismissing the thought.

"What? Just say it." I urged.

"Do you know anywhere I can find iron handcuffs?" I slapped his arm playfully in response.

"Restraining me won't do any good. It'll just piss me off." I said with warning in my voice.

"At least you wouldn't disappear or use your fairy hands on me. Good thing I'm dead, because I think you would have killed me by now." He teased.

"Ha….ha." I deadpanned and shot daggers through my eyes at him. I turned away from him to remove my soiled nightgown and to retrieve a clean one from my drawers.

"I must go, the sun is calling. Same time tomorrow night?"

"You're willing to go another round?" I said nervously.

"With you, of course. I haven't had this much excitement in centuries." I noticed his head wounds had already healed when he leant down to pull on his discarded pants in the corner of the room.

"Are you staying here?" I asked as I sat on the edge of the bed and watched him dress.

"No, I need to settle some things, before we leave next week." I was disappointed by his answer. He continued to dress pulling a t-shirt over his head. He looked up after righting his shirt and asked, "Do you want me to stay?"

I didn't answer him.

He walked toward me and lifted my chin so our eyes met. I was not sure what I was feeling, but I didn't want to be alone. The surge of power that went through me was disconcerting and the need to have his comforting presence near me was strong. I broke eye contact and looked down ashamed to be feeling this way. Sex was easy. It was physical and raw. This was complicated and messy.

"Come." He released my chin and offered me his hand. I took it and he led me out of my bedroom to what I believed to be the linen closet. He opened the door and as expected I see shelves of towels and linens. He reached for something above the door frame and I heard a beep and gears began to turn.

"Hop on my back." He crouched down and motioned for me to climb on. I hesitated for a moment then did as he said.

I looked over Eric's shoulder to see the shelves were gone, revealing a fireman's pole. I smiled broadly and laughed into Eric's hair. I could sense his amusement at my reaction. I felt better already.

He turned to me and asked, "Ready." I nodded. "Hold tight."

I tightened my hold around his neck and he jumped up to grab the pole and we slid down it. We landed in a darkened space, behind a wall of some sort. Again, he pushed a button revealing our location. We were in Eric's closet in his day chamber.

"I assumed you did not come this way during your first visit."

"No, but I wish I did. This was much more fun." I said as I removed myself from his back.

"I only aim to please."

We shared a smile and he pulled me from the confined space into his bedroom. He quickly discarded his clothes and brought me with him into bed. His large arms holding me securely to him as I felt the buzz of his mind begin to lessen as he was taken under by the rising of the sun. I felt safe and content as I fell asleep in the arms of a vampire.

A/N: Who had the best closet? wwwDOTslickpicDOTcom/u/Alskl1ng/DayWOman/photo?&ref#705023

Disclaimer: Nothing is mine.