Disclaimer. I own nothing of the Sookie Stackhouse novels.

Chapter 28

Eric's POV

Sookie listens while Pam and I have our conversation. Pam was definitely in submissive mode; never once did she call me 'Eric'. My child will do well to remember her place and will need to keep an eye on Compton. I'm sure once Claude gets wind of this he will make sure Compton is watched as well.

"Lover, do you want to talk about my conversation with Pam?"

"No, Eric I understand you had to reprimand her. I feel you were a little harsh but I would have done the same. If it was Jason, he would need to either support us and my decision about who I want to be with or keep his mouth shut."

"Bubba and Claude should be back soon. You are ready to go? Do you need to grab something to eat before we leave?"

"Yes, I'm ready! I can grab something from a drive-thru place on the way to the airport or I can ask Claude if the plane has food. I'm not very hungry just anxious to go."

"Alright we can speak to Claude when he arrives. Why don't you come back over here closer to me Lover?"

She smiles and tosses her leg across my lap so that she straddles me. One simple move and my cock is rock hard. I'm really trying to restrain myself with her. I won't have her thinking I am back with her for sex. She still needs to heal emotionally. Oh! I want her; desperately. I can wait. I've waited 4 years what's a little more time. My hands gravitate to her waist and begin to run along it. She is wearing a pair of Capri cotton pants and a small tight t-shirt that is doing wonderful things for her breasts. I need her lips and lean into claim them. We begin our 'make out' session it doesn't take long for things to get heated. Her hands are in my hair pulling me closer. Her hot body is rubbing and pushing up against mine. I can feel her heat through my jeans. The smell of her arousal fills my nostrils and goes straight to my dick. My hands grab a hold of her ass and I begin thrusting into her. Fuck I need her. I allow her to break away for air and continue my attentions. There will be no part of her neck and collar bone neglected I have a say in it. Everything about her tastes so good. My lips flow effortlessly across her skin. I know deep within my soul that no woman will ever affect me the way she does. I'm trying to calm us down before the others arrive but she is so damn addictive. All too soon we are interrupted by Claude.

"Mmmm! Mmmm! Mmmmm! Is this a family affair? I want to play too."

Sookie jumps and yells out to him

"Damn it Claude. Do you know how to knock and not to 'pop' in on people?"

"Well something definitely is 'popped" up in here I can see. Nice pant's Viking, can I test the zipper?"

I have to laugh to his antics. The night is going to be interesting. I give him a stern look and sigh.

"Claude I take it we're ready to go?"

"Oh Viking you can take me anytime you want. I'm always ready!"

My sweet lover walks over and smacks him on the back of his head.

"I told you earlier Claude and I wasn't kidding. I'll let him snack on you later. Behave!"

"Fine, Ms. Grouchy! Yes we're ready. If you need something to eat there will be food on the plane."

"Good let's go then. Eric, can you see if Bubba is back?"

I call for a porter to gather Sookie's luggage. Bobby should be down stairs in the lobby. Once Bubba arrived and we go towards the cars so that we may leave. The car ride is a short distance to the airport. We are loaded up quickly and settled into the plane within the hour. It's early but I need to see if Bubba and I will need to move into our travel coffins during the flight.

"Claude how long is our flight? Will Bubba and I need to move into our coffins?"

"No you won't need to. We should be there in a few hours. I have a large SUV picking us up at the airport and it will take us to my house. You really don't care where we are headed?"

"No, as long as it is with Sookie it doesn't matter."

"Well Viking in that case. She's heading into your pants. Can I have a turn next?"

I shake my head and laugh. Sookie is settled next to me. The plane is a private jet. I'm assuming its Claude's. The inside is set up like a living room. We all are able to sit facing each other. It's just short time before we are in the air. The attendant comes to see if anyone would like anything. Bubba and I ask for a bottled blood and Sookie and Claude decide on a sandwich. The attendant asks them if they want any chips or nuts with their food to snack on. I should have known Claude would have something else to add.

"Only, if their Eric's. Are they on the menu?"

We receive our dinners and continue small talk about what trouble Claude would like to get into while we are away. I have my arm around Sookie and she is resting her head up against me. I'm hoping she can nap before we land. Everyone is silent at least for awhile anyway; until Claude begins again.

"Eric, is there any chance of you initiating me into the 'Viking Mile High Club'? I would like to become a charter member. Are there frequent flyer miles involved?"

Does he have an 'off switch'?

"Mr. Eric, what's the 'Viking Mile High Club'? I never belonged to a club before. Could I join too?"

My poor lover is mortified. And the worst of it was that she was taking a drink of water when Bubba chimed in and had to spit it out. I hear Claude mumbling 'well that answers THAT question. He's lucky Sookie didn't catch that one. I can feel her begin to hide in my chest.

"Bubba, Claude isn't being very nice. There is no club."

"But Mr. Eric, if it's a secret club, I can keep secrets. You know I can. No one really knows who I am. I keep that a secret."

Oh by the God's help me. This is getting worse by the minute. Claude is laughing his ass off. Sookie couldn't get any closer unless she was to crawl into me.

"Bubba, I know you are a great secret keeper but Claude was talking about sex. That is what they call it when you have sex on a plane; the mile high club."

"Why would he want to have sex with you Mr. Eric? You are with Ms. Sookie. Does Claude like boys?"

"Yes Bubba he does. He thinks he's being funny. He will behave now so that Sookie can get some sleep; right Claude?"

Claude, the ass that he is, replies in a flamboyant tone.

"Yes Bubba, Mr. Eric and I will behave so Ms. Sookie can get some sleep."

I glare at him and allow Sookie to nestle down next to me on the chair. She is almost asleep and I have slipped into down time. My mind is searching through all the things that have happened in the last week's time. It's surreal to sit here with her in my arms. Before her lawyer contacted me I had given up on any thoughts that we would be together again I am not sure what I have done to deserve this chance but I will do all that I can to make sure she never regrets the opportunity that she has given me. It's all too soon that I am interrupted from my pondering of what our life will become. My cell phone beeps indicating that I have a text. I open it and see that it is from Pam.

Master I need 2 talk 2 u as soon as possible trouble with the douchebag - Pam

Fuck! We are barely in the air for an hour and Compton is starting his fucking shit. He will need to be dealt with. I look over to Claude to get his attention. I give him a tilt of my head indicating I want him to come over so that he may read the text. He's done a good job at handling things thus far and I want his opinion of what happens with Compton.

"Finally! Although we're not alone I will take whatever I can get."

"Claude! Quit being an ass and be quiet Sookie is sleeping. I just got a text from Pam and I thought you might be interested in what's going on. It looks as if she had some trouble with Compton tonight. I called you over so that we both could hear what she has to say when I call her. Now stop flirting with me and get serious!"

"Are you sure? We just left and that piece of shit is causing problems already. Let's get Pam on the line so we can find out what the hell he did now. He is walking a thin line with me Eric. I don't want to upset Sookie but I will not tolerate his antics when it's pertaining to her."

"I couldn't agree more. I have never nor will I ever trust him. I was concerned when I found out he was helping her in relocating to Denmark. I don't think he ever planned for her to make it there. He's been acting very shady lately. I know for a fact that King Leif would never be behind his motives. Whatever Compton is up he did not get help from Denmark. He may be acting on his own."

"Eric, do you have proof of anything that leads to believe that she was in danger of never making it to Denmark? If you do his life is forfeit."

"No I do not. Call it a 'hunch' if you must. It would have never come to pass. She would have had many guards to ensure her safety should she have chosen to go"

"Understood Viking, now let us call your child."

I gently slide away from Sookie so that I can allow her to continue to rest. I dial Pam's cell and she answers on the second ring.

"Master I'm sorry to bother you so soon. I wanted you to be aware of what happened tonight. I had to restrain Compton."

"I told you to keep me informed and I'm glad you are doing so. I have Claude sitting here with me. I want you to tell us what happened. Leave no details out."

Pam begins to tell us all that Compton has said and done. She states that she is concerned that he has become unstable. She described that he showed no indication that he was going to abide by the punishment he agreed upon. He is well aware that he is not to contact Sookie for anything. It appears that he has absolutely no intention on following these orders. Claude and I are both outraged that he called Sookie 'fucking stupid'. She may be stubborn and strong willed but never would anyone call her stupid. I couldn't care less about him doing damage to the bar. I'm glad no one was hurt. My lover would be distraught if something were to happen to anyone because of Compton anger in not knowing where she was. Her tender heart would find away to take some of the blame. I know that Claude and I are sharing the same thoughts on this. Compton is going to be a problem. He is not showing any rational thoughts. He will not win this. Even if Sookie was not mine, Claude would never allow her to be his.

"Thank you for informing us of this. You have done well. You are able to keep him restrained without any issues?"

"Yes Master. I can't see a problem. He doesn't appear to be needed anywhere and we have the other Vamp staff to keep him line if I should need to attend to my other duties. Do you and Claude wish for me to keep him as he is for now?"

I look over to Claude and he is indicating a definite yes to her question.

"Yes Pam we both want him to remain restrained for now. Please make sure to contact the King and tell him of what transpired this evening. I wouldn't want Russell looking for Compton when we obviously have him held. I will make sure he is aware of all that had been happening when I call him later on."

"My pleasure Master, I will wait until I hear from you or Claude on where we go from here."

"Thank you Pam. Is there anything else?"

"No have a pleasant evening."

I disconnect from Pam and glance over at Claude. He is seething. Apparently the more he has thought this over the more upset he has become.

"Viking do you think he is working with anyone else in regards to his pursuit of my kin?"

Oh yes he is pissed! He is using formal sentences and big words for Claude. He is usually more relaxed in his speaking mannerisms and he referred to her as his 'kin'. He is quick to enter his new 'patriarch persona' or if you will…. 'Touch my cousin and I will kill you' persona.

"Honestly Claude, I do not know. I have learned that when it comes to Compton anything can be a possibility."

"We need to find out. I'm going to get Pam to help me on this. I will return to deal with him after we get settled. I can 'pop' back and return easily. I want to know where he has been, who he has been with, and why. I want phone records and anything else that slimy bastard has been up to. I am done playing with this child vampire. If he thinks that his 150 or so years is a long enough time to learn how to get anything past a fairy almost 3 times his age, he has another fucking thing coming. I will not kill him now, not until I'm sure that there is no one else working with him. Rest assured IF there is someone else in on this, they will pay dearly as well."

I have seen many sides of Claude and I seen him upset the other night but this… this is anger. Compton is a dead man. It may not be this week or this month but soon and Claude IS going to be the one to do it. Again, I have a new respect for Claude Crane.

"I will assist you in any way I can. Do you require me to travel back with you? I'm sure Sookie will be fine for a day or so…."

He is quick to interrupt me. This is going to take some getting used to. No one interrupts me. What the hell?

"Eric I understand that you are used to be in control and you are very good at handling things of this nature. I'm aware that this is a 'personal offense' to you. I ask that you let Pam and I handle this for now. I know you can protect Sookie. You have proven that to me time and time again. This is your time with my Cousin. When I said she would be protected this included you as well."

What? He is going to protect me as well? It's almost absurd. I can protect myself and Sookie very well thank you. This cannot continue.

"Eric before you allow yourself to get all worked up over this, just hear me out."

I nod for him to continue

"Is this what would have happened before Eric? Would you have put her aside for a day or two so that you could have dealt with the problem on hand? I know that you have her best interests at heart and love her very much but this IS YOUR TIME. I have many ways I can deal with Compton and many people willing to help me. I vowed to help you both honor the love you have for each other. I won't allow Compton or anyone take time away from you two that can't be replaced. I know that it isn't in your nature to allow others to handle such delicate matters. I am asking you to trust me to do this for you both. Eric you must understand that I have no family left here in this realm. Sookie is it. She chose you and that makes you my family as well. I will stop at nothing to ensure that you're both happy and left alone from those seeking you or her harm. I watched you practically walk to the end of the world to makes sure she was safe. You sacrificed your own happiness so that she could have hers. If I chose to do the same for the both of you it's my right to do so."

I am speechless. The damn fairy has almost brought me to tears. I can't help but wonder what happened to him in the past that made him so adamant about keeping two people in love together. He is fighting for us, yes, but at one time he fought for himself and lost. He's not going to allow that to happen with us. I lower my head into a deep nod. Again this man deserves my respect and he will have it without question.

"Thank you. As difficult as it will be, I will do as you have asked. If there is something you need from me, please do not hesitate."

"I will keep you informed. We will be landing soon; maybe we should wake the princess?"

I chuckle at his return to his nonchalant attitude and begin to wake my lover. She doesn't take much to rouse her from her nap. What a glorious sight when her eyes open and she smiles upon me.

"mmm… hey sweetie did I sleep long? Are we almost there?"

"Hello my Lover. You slept a little while and yes, Claude just informed me will be landing soon."

She glances over to Claude and greets him. He is back to his 'playful persona' and has a devious look in his eye. He stands up and goes into a 'gay flight attendant role'. Maybe this isn't too far off for him? Maybe a prior job perhaps?

"My Lady and Vampires, We will be landing shortly. It's a balmy 85 degrees on the isle of 'your destination'. I thank you for flying 'Crane Airlines' I hope you have a pleasurable stay while you are here. I need you to return your tray table into the upright position. Viking, would you like to see what I have in the upright position?"

Never one to disappoint! I'm beginning to understand it now. I missed it before. Each time he makes one of these comments he is watching her. He has a twinkle in his eye. He loves to see her smile. Oh yes! He is tormenting me but it's her he wants the smile from. I know why he does it. She is so easy to love. I hear her giggle and asked me if he was like this the whole time she was asleep.

"No lover he didn't try to molest me too much. Are you excited for this trip?"

"Oh Eric I am very excited!"

I take her hand in mine as the plane begins to land. I think of the words Claude spoke to me a short while ago. 'This is your time' I was going to make use of every minute of it I could.