Sorry I've been gone for a little bit. We had to evacuate from hurricane Florence. We are back home, and doing great! I do steal a line from Star Wars in this story. Also to the reviewer that asked about Lenore, and Erics relationship, it did start to shift in Dallas. She still doesnt know Eric well, and while they are friends, sometimes friends do become more. This is my last chapter for this story, but I have already started the next one, and will be publishing it soon. Thank you everyone! Part two will be out before the end of this week.

Chapter 25

When I woke, it was already 4 pm. I never found a way to work. Uber would probably cost too much. I sat on the edge of the bed, and thought really hard about waking up. I grabbed my cell, and went to make coffee. I checked my messages. One was from Dr. Ludwig, One was a hang up, and 2 were from Eric. He had said I could take the evening off, and to call him. He said he was worried about my safety. I rolled my eyes, and erased the messages. At least I could figure out how to get to work tomorrow now.

I'd find out how much it was to get a tag, and maybe I had enough to do that. I could use my tips for gas money to get home. I think I even had a check with credit card tips, and my hourly wage waiting on me.

Thankfully, the maenad would move on. I had no desire to see her again. I doubt she'd tell me what she meant, and I'd rather not have the threat of crazy rage being forced on me. I drank my coffee, and went upstairs to make my room feel more homey. I started setting up my alter, and then sat on the bed and stared out the window.

I suppose I cant really be angry with Eric. We weren't defined as anything. I shouldn't have had expectations. I didn't even know him well yet.

I called Dr. Ludwig back.

"Hello." She answered.

"Hi, it's Lenore. I'm ready to start apprenticing." I said

"Yes, I got your message. When will you be back in Shreveport?" She asked.

"Tomorrow evening I work, but the following day, I can drive in to start learning. I have to get a tag for my car." I explained.

We set up a time for me to meet her Saturday, and after I was done, I could head in to work. I'd have to ask Sookie about a car door for Auddie. It was almost sundown. I gave in and called Eric. I could just leave a message anyway.

He answered.

"Uh, the suns still kinda up." I said.

He laughed.

"You didn't want to talk to me?" He asked.

"Well, I'm safe, Audwins safe, You're safe. Thanks for letting me take the evening off. It was a long evening."I didn't want to talk to him.

"Lenore." He sighed. "I had to play my part."

"You don't owe me an explanation." I said

"No, I do not. That should make me offering one mean something." He sounded annoyed.

"Well we'll talk next time I come into to work. I don't want to do it over the phone." I just didn't want to do it now.

He hung up. I didn't know if he was angry, or not. I didn't know if I cared. I put on some pajama shorts, and a tank top, grabbed a book, and went to sit on the porch, and read. I had opened the door, and went to step out when Bill popped up.

"Fuck!" I screamed "Bill! You scared me!"

"Sorry." He said "Is Sookie awake yet?"

He was holding a covered plate.

"No, I thought she was at work." Why did a vampire have a plate of food? "Bill, whats that?"

"It was on the steps." He walked past me into the house.

I sat on the swing, and started reading. I was reading more about mythological creatures. I had been outside for a while when I felt like I was being watched. I sent my energy out, and sure enough there was someone in the tree line. I closed my eyes, and focused. It was Eric. I sighed, and closed my book.

"Stop watching me, you creeper."

When I looked up, he was on the porch steps.

"Sookie, and Bill made up?" He was staring at the door.

"I guess." I said. "Is that why you came by? To acquire about Sookie, and her love life?"

"No, I came by to see you." He was watching me know.

I stayed on the porch swing, and pulled my legs up to my chest. I guess we were going to have that conversation now.

"Look Eric, you didn't make any promises to me, and I didn't make any to you. I never should have had expectations, and I honestly didn't know I had any until I saw you pinning Sookie down on your car. I would like to say it didn't bother me, but I'd be lying. I cant even blame it on the maenads influence. I was jealous, and that's it." I stared at the arm on the swing.

I felt him sit next to me. He didn't touch me, he just sat there.

"It is not easy for me to have feelings for another. The last person I had feelings for was Pam. There was another, before her, but that was so long ago." He said feelings like it tasted bad sitting in his mouth. "I do care for you, I also feel something for Sookie. It is not the same. You, and her are so different, but still both unique." He said.

"You mean useful?" Now I was just being a bitch. I turned to look at him.

"Yes, you are both useful. I, however would only feel sadness if something happened to you." His mask was gone, and he looked like he meant it.

"But why Eric? We have fun, and everything, but why?" And now I was being needy.

He put his arm around me and said, "Du påminner mig om kärlek. Du påminner mig om hopp."

"No, English. I need to understand."

He sighed, "How about I just say that if you live long enough, you see the same eyes in different people." He was watching me closely.

I just nodded, I assume he meant I reminded him of someone.

"Eric, did you hear what the maenad said to me last night?" I asked.

He really didn't expect that. "Yes." And now his mask was back.

"Okay." I reached back, and held his hand that was near my shoulder. I picked my book up, and started reading again.

"We could go inside. I don't imagine there officiant light out here for reading." He said

"In a few more minutes. I want to make sure Sookie, and Bill have plenty of time to 'make up' as you called it."

He chuckled. "So you and I have an come to a understanding then?"

I looked at him, "Not in the least, but I don't know if its necessary yet. There's a lot going on inside my head right now. I know that I care for you, and that you care for me, and for now that's enough. I will be jealous occasionally, I can't help it. I'm not good at sharing."

He smiled. I put my head on his shoulder, and at some point drifted off to sleep. I woke while Eric was carrying me to my bed.

"I have to leave soon. We really should spend time together while you're awake more often." He said as he placed me on my bed.

"I'd like that." He kissed the top of my head, and I swear he smelled my hair.

"Även luktar som hopp." He said.

"Mmm goodnight." I curled under my blanket, and went back to sleep.

I woke the next morning to find a note from Eric saying he'd see me at work. I had errands to run, and someone I was kinda dating. I had at least one friend, and my life was coming together. I would never have imagined that attempted murder would bring my life such fulfillment. I was eager for everything the future would bring.