AN: Now for the main course…or maybe dessert.

I could smell her scent all over my dayroom, but I could feel she was elsewhere in our home, and she was antsy. She obviously had some reason why she wasn't down here with me when I woke so I decided to play it safe and shower before I joined her upstairs. On my way there I saw a garment bag with a pair of shoes under it hanging up with a note attached.

Eric,

We have some special plans for the evening . Love- Sookie

I unzipped the bag to see a very nice cashmere three piece suit in light grey, a crisp white shirt, and a black and grey tie. This was not the kind of special evening I was hoping for. My version would not have involved formal attire, maybe some silk ties, but not like this. I'd do the suit, but the shoes just aren't happening. At least not for now. It's my house still damnit even if there was a strange vampire living in it.

I hated that Sookie was fond of Godric. Not that there was anything to be done about it. He was clearly older than I was and seemed devoted to her. Sookie thought it was a good idea for me to spend time with him while I relearned vamp politics. I would have rather gouged out my eyes and had to regenerate them first. But this is what would have to be done.

I skipped tightening up the tie and left the top button loose. If I had been as confident as Sookie said I was, I wouldn't care what others thought. I took one last look in the mirror and spritzed on some ultra sheer cologne before sliding on some of my black flip-flops and heading upstairs.

As soon as I entered the hallway I could sense a certain amount of magical turbulence. The witch had been up to something, but she nor the other vampire were here. They had been earlier, but not too recently. Maybe my night was going to be special afterall.

I turned toward the kitchen and saw Sookie busying herself with eating dinner so I leaned against the doorframe and watched her magnificent profile. She would make the faintest noise with each bite. It was clear through the bond that she didn't realize I was standing there, which made it a little more voyeuristic and enjoyable. I couldn't remember myself, nor did I think I would like me much either, but one thing was for certain, I had good taste. She was wearing an extremely pale aqua dress with a diagonal ruffle running down the front of the dress and continuing around to the back like silk scarves that only in certain places caressed her knees. It was the color of seaglass and almost glimmered against her tan bounty of cleavage.

I let out an unconscious growl. Vampires' stomachs might not growl but we still growl when we're hungry too. She looked over at me with surprise. She had been so wrapped up in what she was thinking that she was startled to see me. She smiled wide, and then looked me up and down before blushing. It was good to know I still had that effect on her. "Sorry, didn't see you there. Would you like me to warm up a blood before we head out?"

"No."

"Are you sure? It's going to be a while before we get another chance." She was staring at my shoes. So the evening just made another turn for the worse. I expected her to tell me to change my shoes but she just smirked instead.

"No. I meant I'll get it myself." I stepped past her and grabbed some random bottle of slop out of the refrigeration device and did as I watched Sookie do before. "Do I not look well enough for your plans this evening, lover?"

Her smirk moved to full out lust. If she kept this up, we weren't going to make it out of the kitchen let alone the house. She spun around on her barstool to face me so I could wrap my arms around her waist. She smelled fantastic. She always smelled fantastic but she smelled better than usual today. This bottled blood wasn't going to do the trick. The microwave timer beeped to interrupt the moment and though I was willing to ignore it, she was not.

She pushed me away. "Hurry up and drink up. I don't want the driver to wait any longer than he has to."

"Driver?"

"Yes. I had Bobby book us the town car for the evening. I didn't think you'd mind."

"I don't. I….never mind. So where is our destination this evening?" I didn't want to admit that I didn't know I even had a town car. The last vehicle I remembered owning had hooves and was a totally different form of horsepower.

"It's a surprise. You'll see when we get there."

I downed the rest of the synthetic horror show and went to lead Sookie out the front door. She stopped at the threshold to take my arm for support as she slipped on her high heels. They were an insensible fashion trend, but they did make her already curvy physique a touch more tentilating. This was going to be a long drive. I would have preferred driving myself. At least then I would have had something else to keep my hands busy. Of course, I wouldn't have remembered the directions back to my own home either.

The driver came to open the door for us, and I stopped him when he tried to help her in. Sookie was my human and her comfort my responsibility. I lowered her into the seat before I folded myself into the car. I knew that this car was for business use, but it was not comfortable for someone of my stature. This must not be my only vehicle. Maybe I flew everywhere else?

"Tonight, I thought it would do you good to experience something more public. Nothing big, just getting your feet wet. I sponsored a charity event locally in your name. They were thrilled to receive the donations, and we really got a lot of support. Don't worry. They'll all love you, they'd love anyone that donated like this. It's low stress night. I know you've been bummed about the other Eric, and all. So I thought since it might be our last evening together, I wanted to make it special."

"We didn't have to go out for that. Nor donate….unless you wanted to." I purred the last into the nape of her neck. She crossed her legs self consciously.

"But I did. I want you to get to see the cool things about being Eric Northman."

"I know he doesn't have you, and that is enough for me." I started stroking her kneecap, but she swatted my hand away.

"Stop that. We'll be there in just a few minutes." Then she whispered the rest. "And the driver's a Supe."

I looked over the seat. He didn't so much as flinch. Good boy. She was right though. No need to give anyone else a free show.

"Did you say our last evening together? Where are you going?" The thought hit me like a mace. She was getting me ready to be self-sufficient so she wouldn't feel bad about abandoning me.

"I'm not going anywhere." She squeezed my hand. "Amelia has a lead on the spell, and by the end of tonight should have enough information to fix you up good as new."

"I do not need fixed!" I knew I was being snarly, but this would not do.

"Stop growling. We're going to have a lovely night. It would be a shame if you missed any of it." She rubbed her breast against my shoulder as she leaned up to kiss my ear.

"I will growl if I want. You're ambushing me. You know I will not be the same, yet you're forcing me to change. You do not like the other Eric. Why do you want him back so badly?"

"Because I like being alive. Because I love you, and because I think there's a chance that when you turn some of you might still be there. But mainly I know that the other Eric….he'd want to be back. He wouldn't want to live like this. Whether you want to admit it or not, he's still in there somewhere. He'll find a way of coming back out, and I for one, want to be on his good side when he does."

Sookie cared for everyone including a vampire that had been willing to do despicable things to her and others more than herself. There was no fighting her on this. She seemed convinced I was going to turn back into the monster she said I was. She was scared of something else though too.

"Lover, what else worries you."

"Nothing." She batted her baby blues at me and put on that annoyingly fake smile.

"False. Try again."

She fidgeted with her shoes before answering. "I'm….I'm….worried that when you turn back….if you turn back….you won't remember…..us. What if it's like being hypnotized, and you don't remember what you did under the spell? I don't want to be the only one who remembers." She was trying not to weep.

I wrapped an arm around her lower back and pulled her onto my lap. "Do not fret. I am sure that there is no spell possible that could make me forget so much as a moment spent with you. My nights with you have been the best of my existence." I kissed her hair and she giggled into my chest. It felt like sparks kissing the bond like fireflies inside.

"That's because you can't remember anything else, silly." She playfully slapped at my hand so I grabbed it and nicked a finger with my fang. "Hey, stop that. We're here."

I looked out the window to see a giant iron fence with brick columns. The driver opened the door and was surrounded by photographers before I even stepped out. One growl and they backed up so I could help Sookie stand before she took my arm. She was radiant tonight, and I wanted the world to see it. I could feel through the bond that she was pleased I was happy. Unfortunately I knew she thought I was happy about the admiration I was receiving. All I was happy about was being able to present her as mine for the first time.

A tall distinguished man walked up to us. "Mr. Northman. We are so pleased to see you. Please, follow me." He led us inside and locked the gate behind us before continuing. "I am Dr. Edgar Bristol the chief administrator for the Shreveport Zoo and Aquarium. Your interest and contribution were a pleasant surprise. Until I spoke with Miss Stackhouse, I had never realized that we had such a large oversight with our possible vampire patrons."

I raised an eyebrow to Sookie before reaching out my hand to the good doctor. "Yes, Sookie has an amazing knack at knowing just how to get something done. Will we be able to view the exhibits tonight?" I didn't want to get my hopes up.

He bowed slightly. "Of course, tonight's event is to christen the new Northman branch for cold weather animals. Mr. Burnham worked tirelessly to drum up support for our cause, and with your donation on top of those of your dear friends, we can now open it to the public, as well as, afford to extend our regular zoo hours into the evenings two weekends a month." He was beaming, but Sookie was brighter. She was ecstatically pleased with herself as she should be. "Tonight there will be a gala and the zoo is open for touring for your guests, but at the end I have arranged for us to stay open so that you two can take a private tour."

He opened the door to a room adorned with peacock artwork everywhere. It was packed to the brim with smiling faces. A few were within reaching distance so they came to greet us. Most of them said the same things. So glad I could help the cause. I didn't know you were an animal lover. So good to meet you finally. It was the questions to Sookie that held my interest. Are you Mr. Northman's human? Is it serious? Is he an animal lover? and they didn't mean it the same way they asked me. She had the social grace of a Queen. She smiled and shook hands, and gave them polite answers that didn't really answer anything while she busied herself with finger foods and a flute of champagne. Most of the men were kind of distant, but the women were overly….everything. One even offered me her blood. Before I could be properly revolted, Sookie handed her her empty champagne glass and soiled napkin. "Oh, thank you. They really should have y'all wear uniforms. It's so difficult to tell who's the help at these functions."

It was obviously a new experience for Sookie to be this way, but I was proud that she wasn't going to let this rich bitch insult her either. The woman scoffed but took the glass over to the bussing station anyway.

The whole event couldn't end soon enough for me. The only thing that held my interest was knowing I had a private zoo experience with my lover later. Sookie had done all of this for my benefit, and I had intentions of showing her every bit as much attention. I saw Dr. Bristol and joined him while Sookie was using the restroom.

"Yes, Mr. Northman? Is everything up to your standards?"

"Yes, Sir. It's my companion's that I am concerned with. The Northman branch is at the end of the tour, correct?"

"Yes, Sir."

"Would it be possible to have a bottle of champagne and some blankets arranged to be at the exhibit. I do not want Miss Stackhouse to catch a chill."

Dr. Bristol smiled the smile that everyman knows. "Yes, Mr. Northman. If there is anything else we can do to make your stay with Miss Stackhouse more comfortable, just let me or any of the staff know, and we will take care of it. The zoo is yours until sun up."

I was pretty sure only Sookie could manage to get four star service from a public zoo, but he was smiling as he walked away to arrange things for us.

Sookie returned to me perfectly timed with a shy smile. "You know I've arranged for something special at the end of our tour.." She whispered to me.

"This was quite special alone. You have outdone yourself, lover." I kissed her hand and took just a very discrete taste from her finger. She gave me a shocked look.

"Mr. Northman! Behave yourself. We're in public."

I smiled at her chastising anyway. Not many petite women would have the guts to scold a Viking let alone a thousand year old vampire one. "Forgive me. I thought finger food was the faire for this evening."

She blushed and leaned in so only I could hear her. "There's much…much…more on the menu this evening, but if you don't behave yourself we'll never get to the main course." I was instantly hard as granite, and made sure to stand behind Sookie for the beginning of our tour. Most of the other guests had decided their footwear was getting uncomfortable and turned around by the halfway point. Sookie was not easily diswaded even though I knew through the bond that her feet were killing her. I knew a few drops of my blood would be enough to heal whatever ailments she had, but I also knew that if tonight was possibly going to be our only night together, I wanted to make sure it was truly a once only opportunity.

"Lean back against me." She did, but not for the reason I expected. I gently lifted her up and to me so she was floating just slightly off the ground. It happened to have a very pleasant side effect for me. Each time she would giggle or point at an animal her bottom would rub against my hardness until I had to growl. She looked back at me and accused me of trying to run off the animals after the brush dogs went for cover. It wasn't like I was intentionally rushing us through. Really. Every minute with my bonded was a blessing, but if I had to pick what I wanted to be doing with her, looking at porcupines wasn't it.

"Maybe we should go look at the predators. They don't scare as easily." Her smile was infectious.

"Like what?"

"Tigers…Sharks…Bears.."

Tigers weren't cool to me. I didn't know why, but I didn't dig them and I remembered there had been a weretiger at that horrible ritual the night I met Sookie for the first time.

"Maybe Sharks. The Northman exhibit has Polar bears."

Okay, now I was guilty of rushing things.

"The sharks are creepy." She was complaining but leading us on in the direction of the shark tunnel anyway.

"I take offense to that."

"Huh?"

"They're cold blooded, fanged, and killers. They're practically family." Sookie's giggle was warm and delicious. I wanted to make her make that sound forever. "They are also immune to most illnesses."

"You've put a lot of thought into this."

"Shark week… every year." Why the hell could I remember my television habits but not Sookie's middle name?

"I never had cable."

Scratch that. I could remember everything but anything important to or having anything to do with Sookie.

The sharks were swarming, and she was right. They couldn't care less that we were watching. A few of them were circling before a larger one ran the others off. After Sookie seemed weirded out by the largest one I lowered my fangs and it swam away so we could leave for our final exhibition.

We walked to the huge metal and wood doors. They had outdone themselves with this exhibit. The main hall looked like an old Norse hall with the vaulted ceilings and heavy wooden benches. There were exhibits telling about life near the arctic and some of the extinct animals. It was quite thorough.

"So can shifters change into any animal? Even extinct ones?"

She was looking at a mammoth skull.

"Don't you have shifter friends to ask that?"

"Yeah, I just never thought to." She turned around and caught a glimpse of my expression. "Wait! You don't know! Not that you don't remember. You never thought about asking either, did you?"

"Guilty. It had never occurred to me. Sookie, you have….a knack…for asking the most unusual questions and getting the most unexpected answers. I think you should ask your friend. Maybe you'll get to see a real live mammoth out of the deal."

"I doubt it or there'd be mammoth sightings like Elvis. I watched a movie once about cavemen. It didn't have any language. It was pretty cool, but they had these scenes with elephants…like normal style elephants all dressed up in hairy shrouds to look like mammoths. The problem was that though the elephants were okay with playing dress up themselves they were freaked out seeing all the other elephants dressed like scary mammoths and kept stampeding in all the scenes."

"So it was a comedy?"

We had a good laugh before I pushed open the doors to the live animal exhibits. There was a long corridor full of penguins. Some were small but some were taller than Sookie and thought she was the most interesting thing they had seen in years. They all smelled like dead fish and sea water to me. When she was done watching their impromptu aquatic vaudeville show we made our way to the polar bear exhibit. It too had a water portion where you could walk down and watch them swim. There was also a frozen iceberg made that was tethered to the center to give them something to climb onto and some barrel shaped blocks of ice that would float. They were massive beasts to be reckoned with. I hunted many animals in my day, but I never had the honor of polar bears. She was done with watching them and was more amused with watching me so I figured it was time to move on. When I grabbed the door I could feel a change in temperature. It was mildly warmer…and darker… There were swirls of color being reflected by acrylic snow drifts with huge pine columns that held up the roof and in the center was a beautiful black sky with the aura borealis being projected onto it.

Sookie was focused on what was in the center of the room. There were a collection of furs from all sorts of animals laid about on the floor with pillows, leather throws and a wool blanket or two, a bottle of champagne chilling, and a vase of sea thistles with a small plate of danishes. Sookie didn't seem to be all that surprised, but still pleasantly so. I hoped that I would remember to write another check to Mr. Bristol for such attention to detail.

"Wow." She had finally looked up, but the ceiling was so high that she almost fell over trying to look up. I wrapped my arms around her and laid her down on the hides to enjoy our picnic. She had already drank too much according to her and didn't want to over do it, so we left the champagne untouched. She was more than content to watch the light show and relish in the warm blankets with me.

"Would you like the pastries now?" I had moved the plate towards her.

"No. I'm not hungry." She bit her bottom lip in that coy but sexy way that just did it for me.

"I am famished." I leaned over and started kissing her. It started polite and chaste and turned into a bonfire of passion. She was so warm to my touch. The more I touched the more she would encourage me by rubbing against me. We weren't strangers to each other's bodies, but this was new. I took my lips from her neck to ask the question. "May I?"

She looked perplexed. "Yes. That's why I set all of this up."

She did? "I paid Mr. Bristol to arrange this. I wanted tonight to be special for you. I haven't given you anything but trouble, so I wanted to do something for you."

Sookie started laughing. "Good to know we're on the same page." She sat up and pushed me over riding me like a wave and taking control of the situation. Her hair had started falling when she was laying down and now it was disheveled in a freshly touselled kind of way as she slid the straps to her dress down. Sookie had been so shy about her body before that I was surprised when she stood up with one foot on either side of my thighs and let the dress fall down her body like a crashing wave leaving me with my own personal venus entirely nude. I said my own grace to my goddess and cursed having worn this ridiculous suit tonight. It would be impossible to get off as fast as I wanted to. She made a little noise and I realized that I had been too entranced with my new view. That sight would be forever burned into my memory. Her breasts were so high for being so well endowed that her golden curls bounced across the tops and swayed against her nipples as she went to sit against me again. She started kissing her way down my jaw and working my tie the rest of the way loose. I went to remove it for her, but she pushed me back down. "No No. I get to be the artic explorer tonight."

Her mouth claimed mine again and before I knew it she had my jacket, vest, and tie strewn about the floor and my shirt half unbuttoned. She was moving very slowly with my shirt and took every chance when she would unfasten a button to kiss and lick the little piece of skin she had just exposed. By the time she untucked the end she was lips to hips and still moving southward.

"May I?" I asked again.

She looked up at me like I was the inquisition. Her eyes were softened with her lust and I could feel it flow off of her bond in steady purple ripples. "What?"

"I…..I….need to feed. I don't want to hurt you…..later…..it would be good to feed a little first."

She smiled and rubbed her breasts against me in a very catlike move until her nipple was hanging a centimeter above my lips taunting me. I bit her harder than I expected to and I was glad I had the foresight to do this now. She didn't mind. She moaned and pushed herself against me in a rhythmic sway. I had closed my eyes to savor her blood in my mouth and when I reopened them all I could see was stars. She looked to be sparking when I ran my hand up to her other breast. It was like a spark of light when we connected but not static in any way. Her eyes were closed and she was enjoying grinding against my hardness. She had said she was more than just human before, but I had a feeling that she didn't know about this. She was….fuck if I knew, but I wasn't going to tell her tonight. This was going to memorable for one reason only. Tonight Sookie was offering herself to me wholey and I did not want her to remember it as anything other than the amazing night it should be. When I moved up to her neck I bit again but this time I flipped us so that she was again on her back and I would be more able to take off my pants as they were starting to strain. She was arched up toward me in offering, and it was all I could do to stop and unbuckle my belt. Flip-flops were an excellent choice that I would have to remember. When I looked down on her she was a golden goddess splayed before me on my hides like an offering from the gods themselves. Her pink nipples were pert and begging for more attention which I desperately wanted to give them….later. Right now I knew if I didn't relieve some of the pressure I would end up hurting her. Most wenches had a difficult time with my size at first, and I knew Sookie was so tender that I couldn't bear to hurt her.

She reached her hand up to me to pull me back down, so I let her. What she didn't expect was for me to keep rolling over until she was sitting above me again. She had my manhood in one hand and was going to align it to herself until I slid down the furs until my lips touched hers. She moaned in surprise while I licked and sucked her folds. She was hesitant at first but by the time her moans had deepened she was grinding against my face like it was the only way for her to survive. It was a good thing I didn't need to breathe because I would have felt guilty stopping her to get air. She would raise up every now and then and graze my tongue against herself and I could tell she enjoyed the empowerment. This could be very fun later. Sexy Sookie was….well…..fucking sexy. She was riding my tongue to her peak and had started to massage her breasts while climaxing. It was an amazing feeling to know that she was all mine. And now she was ready for me to explore her fully. She collapsed in her post orgasmic bliss and I rolled her back onto the pillows gently. I didn't want to disturb her bliss but I wanted her in the moment and aware when I took her too. I slid my middle finger in as far as it would go without even the slightest friction. She was warm and wet and perfect in every way. I knew she was ready for the main course when she started moving against my hand again before reaching down to try to stroke me.

"There's no need for that for me, lover. You are all the stimulation I need….you're everything I need."

I positioned myself at her entrance and pushed in ever so slightly so she could adjust to my girth first while I nibbled her earlobe. When she started moving against me in the tiniest little thrusts I knew it was time. I wanted her to enjoy it and for it to be pleasurable, but I also knew this was an important event. It hadn't skipped my mind that she had been with the wolf already. He couldn't make it painless for her, but I could.

"Sookie….?"

She opened her eyes and looked up at me. "huh?"

"I love you."

When her lips parted to respond, I thrust quickly and deeply while burrying my fangs into her neck. She made a yelp of pleasure instead of pain as she quivered beneath me. I don't know what she had been going to say but what she said made me an extremely happy man.

"Oh…..Eric….." while I slowly moved in and out of her mimicking each pull from her neck. She was relaxing and was accommodating my size better than I expected. I; however, was not adjusting to her tightness well at all. With each stroke I fell a little closer to that point of no return.

"Sookie…." I was sealing the wound and continuing my lingual assault on her neck as she started making the sweetest wanton whimpering noises. I leaned up so I could see her face when I sped up. It was one of the most amazing sights I could have imagined. She started to arch her back and her neck curved vulnerably up to me while her eyes closed in delight. Her flushed cheeks were the color of rose petals and her slight sweat sheen made her skin shimmer beneath me. After a few harder strokes she began to make a louder more hurried cry, and I knew I couldn't hold on any longer. I pulled her hips up towards me with both hands as I sought out her most enjoyable core. It was like rubbing a magic lamp. After four strokes she came with my name on her lips as I roared a blessing to my gods. When I opened my eyes again to roll off of her, she was radiant.

Not like the glowing beautiful goddess-esque woman she was to me, but as in the emitting a faint light of her own. It rippled a little as I stroked her side.

"Lover?"

"Hm?" Her lashes fluttered open just slightly.

"Thank you."

She giggled and it was a deeper sound than usual. It was a Sexy Sookie sound and one that I would be happy to hear more often. "Back 'atcha."

"No. I mean it. Not just this, but for everything."

"Shh….don't ruin this. I've been laying here half expecting somebody to storm in and I'll find out you've been secretly seeing the Queen of Vermont or something else ridiculous. I just want one night with you. Just us…right now….nothing else." She put a kiss to my lips and then mounted me again.

Wow. Sexy Sookie was insatiable. She slid down my length like a silken vice before sliding up and forward leaving me with a fantastic sensation each time before grinding back down onto my lap. She was too good at this to be so inexperienced. I had many women in my time, but this one was going to be the death of me. She exposed me and nurtured me and fed my every desire, and because of it she owned me heart and soul. Her thrusts got faster and faster until she was on the brink. She began to loose her rhythm so I steadied her and went over the edge myself just moments before she followed. This time was even more entrancing than the last. She sparked. White hot sparks like a firework show as she rode her way through her climax. Then as if nothing was odd she collapsed against my chest and fell asleep. Her skin against mine was all I could have wanted. I pulled one of the skins over us to keep her warm and let her sleep. I thought Sookie smelled fantastic before, but post sex snuggling Sookie was a smell that only happened in dreams. There were a few advantages of being overly well endowed, and this was one of them. Sookie could stay just as she was. No matter how much my member softened, I would still be deep inside her. With the bond I always am, but it is different to feel the physical intimacy of it. I could feel her fall into a deeper sleep while I laid there and stroked her hair. After an hour or so she awoke with a grumble.

"Ah….I drooled on you….so sorry." She was a disheveled groggy that most women couldn't pull off but Sookie wore oh so well.

"It's okay…I sort of …dripped on you too." I gave a slight nudge with my cock to indicate my meaning and she made a little moan. Not so much a happy moan. She was sore. "Are you okay?"

She sat up and only succeeded in forcing another few inches of my now once again rock solid shaft inside her. "Oh!"

I could feel both sides through the bond. She was sore. Really sore, but she had an itch that desperately needed scratched. Her reluctance was rooted in her inexperience. "Shh…Sookie, it will get easier. Leave it to me."

She nodded and I leapt at the chance. I set her onto her knees and leaned her foreward so I could take her from behind. Sookie's bottom had always been a source of admiration for me, but from this view it was captivating. She seemed so small in comparison to my large frame but she gave as good as she got. When I could feel us both getting close she started getting agitated and pulled her legs closer together. That was all it took to send me over the edge. I couldn't be gentle anymore and started thrusting like an animal rutting until she was screaming along with my every plunge until our final shouts of exaltation. Then it was so quiet you could hear a pin drop. She was spread out across a white tiger pelt and looked like a centerfold while she smiled slightly at me.

With as amazing as tonight was, it left me with only one thing on my mind. The witch needs to die.