Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters that appear in any of the Charlaine Harris books, everyone else belongs to me.

A/N: Well, this has been a difficult chapter to write. There's just so much that I wanted to put into it and technically it should be longer. I however was happy with this much of it and thought that you have waited long enough for an update. As always I would like to thank all my fans that review and comment to me. Thank you for helping me become a better writers. Theres another announcement I would like to make but that will have to wait until the end of the chapter. I promise to never take short cuts with this story. I promise never to rush our journey. I promise I WILL finish it. Most importantly I promise to get out of your way now so that you can read this chapter....Enjoy.

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Vibrations racked their body as they felt Gabriel all around them. The incessant noise was cut away and their eyes, which never turned back to their normal shade, grew brighter as Eric and Sookie looked at each other. The silver and golden currents that still crawled over their bodies increased their pace. The top of their coffin opened and they both looked up to see Gabriel looking over their nude forms.

"Welcome back brother." His beautiful two toned voice sounded as he nodded his head to Eric, and then to Sookie as he continued. "Sister." They didn't reply to his words but they both smiled at him.
With a wave of his hands the coffin that Eric and Sookie were sharing disappeared, leaving them floating in midair. Sera didn't have a problem with nudity; it was natural and nothing to be ashamed of. Gabriel knew, however that Sookie was not raised in the same way. Before she could get embarrassed he summoned their choice of clothing when they were powered up to their bodies. He used his hands like joysticks and maneuvered them so that they were in the standing position. It wasn't lost on him that their shields had not produced themselves yet. According to their eyes and hair and the power that was washing off of their bodies, they should be completely powered up. Perhaps it was his fault. Maybe because he was shielding them, their own shields hadn't produced themselves.

"Are your minds protected?" He asked them.

"Yes." They replied in unison. He nodded at them and removed his protective influence from around them. Just as he thought, their shields encased them the second his protective influence was removed. Sera's silver enclosure wrapped tightly around both her and Eric's forms, while his wrapped around hers.

Eric stood right behind Sookie with just inches in between them. Their bond was completely open and their emotions were in complete harmony. They felt powerful and alive and more satiated and rested than either had ever felt. They looked in the eyes of each of their angelic siblings eyes and neither had to be in each other's minds to know that they were looking in exactly the same place at the exact same time.

They smiled at each one, looking in tandem to the left where Odin and Freyja stood over Bill's and Pam's coffin. "No," Eric and Sookie spoke in unison. "We want an update before you wake them."

"Are you sure, some of it does involve them also." Odin said.

"We are sure." They said.

"Okay." Gabriel answered. He looked over to the other angels. "Move into position." He ordered them.

They moved into a very loose circle, as close as Eric and Sera's shields would allow them to get, and they raised their arms out to the sides so that the tips of their fingers touched and created a diamond around Eric and Sookie. Seeing what they were doing, they brought their shields closer into their bodies. Sookie's silver enclosure was like a skin over both their bodies and Eric's golden enclosure was barely more than that. The angels closed their diamond tighter around their brother and sister, making it easier to touch one another. They were now close enough so that Odin and Zeus were able to touch Gabriel's shoulders so that his hands were free.

"By us touching like this, we will be able to show you each angel's point of view." Gabriel said. "You will be able to pick up each point of view as it was seen by that particular angel and also how we received it and the thoughts we had about it. Everyone will be adding their own thoughts and feelings. Okay?"

"Okay." They replied with a nod.

Gabriel squared his shoulders before reaching out towards their enclosures. His hands were stopped at the barrier of Eric's enclosure but he pressed forward and the enclosure relented, he repeated the process with Sookie's silver enclosure until he was able to rest one hand on Sookie's shoulder and the other on Eric's.

They had a brief thought where they wondered if this would overwhelm them but another part of them thought that it was too late. As if it were a punctuation to that second thought Sookie and Eric's vision became blurred as what can only be described as five screens appeared, taking up their entire line of sight. Their barriers became nonexistent as the only voices they were able to hear were those of the angels. Everything played all at once making the big picture more detailed than ever with everything being seen through five points of views.

Then everything focused and the different pictures on the five screens fused into one large picture that covered them all. They were looking at Michael in what they both recognized as the place they were when they first met all the angels.

"The choice is up to you Gabriel." Michael was saying. "You are Sera's primary guardian, so it's up to you whether or not you want to stay with her and Eric or if you choose to come with me."

Gabriel thought about it for a moment before he gave his answer. "We will stay with Sera and Eric. They are our responsibilities."

"Fine." Michael replied. "Do what you have to do to keep their kingdom on track. They need to regenerate sooner rather than later or their bodies will do it for them and it may be at an inopportune moment."

"Understood." Gabriel said. Both he and Michael looked up at a window to show them what Eric and Sera were doing on earth. They looked tired as they traveled back to their hotel room, utterly spent. They sagged against one another, propping each other up as they moved. Yes, they were already fighting against their bodies need to regenerate itself without even knowing that's what they were doing.

"I know that it goes without saying but I still must warn you that Sera may be aware of your presence though she's not able to see you." Michael said. "This will be the first time that you will be invisible around her since she's come into her power."

"Yes, we will make ourselves known if she calls to be but we will not be corporeal."

Michael nodded thoughtfully. In the absence of conversation they both watched the screen of their brother and sister. They were talking to the shifters who had fought with them. To Michael and Gabriel their weariness was obvious, though to the other shifters and vampires it was completely invisible...the things that humans (even super humans) can miss sometimes was amazing.

"Jealousy is not in our nature." Michael stated. Hearing his change in tone Gabriel relaxed, this was no longer his commander talking, but his brother. "There is so much that we must endure, but I must admit that at times I just cannot help the twinge in my heart because it is you watching over my dearest sister and not me."

"Michael there is no shame in what you feel." Gabriel said as he looked his brother in the eye. "It's true that we do not feel as humans do, nor as any other living creature in all the many universes, but we are not heartless. Sera is closer to you than any of us could ever hope to be." Michael opened his mouth to argue that point but Gabriel held his hand up so that he could continue. "It is true. The position that you are in is like none other in existence and we follow your lead willingly. It is, however, not a secret how your position isolates you at times, even from us (he motioned to himself); and we have known you well before time was even numbered.

"Sera seems to be your link to the rest of us. She seems to be the key in showing you how to stand before us and not apart from us. We know what she means to you and we are humbled that it was us you choose to watch over her and her destined. You will notice that we said 'Sera iscloser to you...' because there is no past tense to it. The bond of friendship you two share cannot be broken. We have never seen a more pure bond...except maybe that in which she shares with her destined. We will do our best in watching over her brother. We've learned a long time ago that the same connection you feel towards Sera is the same connection that we all feel with her. She is special to us all."

Michael's penetrating gaze flicked from Gabriel's over to the movements on the screen. He watched as Gabriel appeared out of thin air in his Sera and Eric's suite. Gabriel could see that their discussion had come to an abrupt halt as his brother disappeared and his commander returned. Michael's back straightened and his eyes narrowed and flashed dangerously. His entire body pivoted away from Gabriel towards the screen. Gabriel took in the screen and turned to leave but Michael grabbed him by the shoulder.

"Stop." He said. "Their enclosures should protect them." He was right because in the next moment they appeared. Their relaxed stance was shattered the next moment when Pam exited her coffin. "Go!" Michael commanded and in the next second Gabriel was gone. He knew that if Dragxin was here then Lilith wasn't far off. If he was already on this line of thought he knew that Michael was already four paces ahead of that.

He pushed himself beyond time and space as he rushed to the earth. His white robes transformed into his battle gear as he watched Pamela engage the demon. He burned through the earth's atmosphere when four shadows crossed in front of him, blocking his path. Gabriel kept pushing forward as he called his sword and shield to him. They were fast and heavily armored as they surrounded him, halting his path to the hotel.

"Move or die!" He roared at them. They made their choice as they all attacked him at once. He engaged them with an intensity they never expected from the two voiced. Their swords clanged loudly but the demon's weapons dissolved upon contact of Gabriel's. He knew that they were trying to hold him up and he needed to get to his brother's child before she was lost. He chanced a glance down to see Pam sauntering up to Dragxin, who was still in disguise. He made quick work of the four demons and pushed himself towards the hotel only to have the morning sky erupt with more black shadows.

It was then that anarchy broke out. Lightning bolts struck out of a clear sky annihilating hoards of demons. As much as he loved a good fight he had to get to Pam so Gabriel disregarded the battle that raged around him as he flew the few thousand miles that separated him from the suite. He killed all who dared tried to block his way. He stowed his sword and shield as he descended the floors. He watched as Pam and Dragxin embraced and kissed each other. So riled of from the fight above he landed with a loud boom, that seemed to break them away from one another.

Eric and Sookie continued to watch as Pam stabbed the demon Dragxin and then watched as Gabriel engaged him in battle. They admired the fighting skills of both because if there was anything that Eric could respect, it was a good fighter. Though he was on Gabriel's side he wasn't ignorant enough to not acknowledge that Dragxin had skills also. They took in all the information and insight that Gabriel had to offer them all the while they planned. It wasn't lost on either one how Pam and Dragxin reacted to one another. Eric thought that they could use it, but Sookie thought they were asking for trouble. Matters of the heart was tricky business whether you were dead or alive and trying to manipulate it was just asking for trouble. Sookie however would defer however to Eric in this time of battle. Eric was very impressed with the efficiency that Gabriel operated with. He would definitely be having a talk with Pam.

They continued their educational journey as they watched Gabriel become Gabe and Briel, splitting the five screens from one point of view to two, and totally freaking out Pam. They couldn't help but smirk at that and it wasn't lost on the angels that surrounded them that they were still moving in tandem with one another, even their breathing was in sync. Eric and Sookie both stiffened when Gabe and Briel both examined Bill. Horror shot through Sookie, and therefore Eric, when Bill's body didn't accept the peace Gabe and Briel tried to cover him in. Their mind swirled with a thousand possibilities and precautions and scenarios as they took in the thoughts of not only each other but every angel that surrounded them. It got awfully congested in their minds with all of the information and thoughts and possibilities that swirled in their heads.

As they conferred and predicted together their number, on the screen, turned from two into three as Michael joined Gabe and Briel. Sookie wondered if that was the first ever angelic OSM (oh shit moment), much to Eric's distraction and amusement. Everything seemed to fast forward as Gabriel not only provided them with his two perspectives but a live commentary on what he could glean from Michael's words and body language. Soon, four out of the five screens were taken up when Michael called Zeus and Freyja to help Gabe and Briel. Secretly Eric agreed with Zeus about going in for the kill instead of the capture, but Freyja was right, it was a chance either way.

They angels watched their brother and sister as they took in all the information that was being thrown at them all at once. As Eric and Sera studied what came to them, the angels studied them. It wasn't clear to them still but their body language was slowly making more and more sense. They watched all the small flicks of emotion that crossed their faces and knew that that was Sera effecting Eric. They watched as both of them tensed when they got to the part of the vision where Sam way laying his heart bare; and they knew that that was Eric effecting Sera. Gabriel watched as Eric and Sera moved as they were supposed to, as one, and wondered how long it would last. He was aware that they weren't to the point were they would truly be one, but if they've been doing it this long with all the information and emotion that was being hurled at them, he thought that they couldn't be too much further off.

A surge of pride burst through Eric as he watched himself and his bonded being impersonated. He liked the strong way that they appeared to Sandy and Calvin and Alcide. They exuded strength and confidence and they were decisive. He watched as they decided to do what he would have done and put the kingdom first and went to the site of what used to be Felipe's mansion. A perverse pleasure swirled within them both as they Briel and Shadow both took in the demolished site. It was times like this that had Zeus wondering exactly who influenced whom more. Eric liked the way that it would look to the magical community to see Sookie leading the search for the injured. It would make her look very in command, which is something he needed her to exude when he wasn't around and at the same time it made her look caring and concerned, which reiterated the reasons why so many of the supe world were drawn to her in the first place.

"Stop this Eric, Sera!" Zeus said. They were at the part where vampires were attacking Briel who was impersonating Sookie and Eric and Sera was not taking it so well. Their enclosures were growing with the anger that radiated off of them and small bolts were lashing off of their enclosures. Gabriel was completely engulfed by the silver and gold enclosures but Zeus stepped away. The bolts coming off their enclosures were getting bigger and bigger as their enclosures were no longer able to grow enough to hold them back. He summoned his trident and used it as a lightning rod, drawing all of the gold and silver lightning strikes to it so that they wouldn't destroy the suite room and alert the guards outside.

'Eric, we have to calm down.'Sookie thought to him.

Eric was too busy seething to respond to her and every spark of calm she tried to gather in order to push at him was quelled before she could even begin.

'They dare attack my wife?! They dare attack what is mine?' Eric circled the same thoughts over and over in his mind.

'Technically they attacked Briel; not me.' Sookie tried to point out, hoping to distract him instead of letting his anger build even more. It had been a long while since his anger caused her to loose control but they were getting awfully close. She tried throwing up walls so that she was diverting his flow of anger around her instead of letting it wash over her but the tide was rising awfully high.

'Do you think he knew that?' Eric demanded. 'No because he thought it was really you, if he didn't he would have never attacked!'

Gabriel could see the fine cracks that began to develop between them as Eric was raging mad and Sera struggled to calm him. They were slowly loosing their sync. A little disheartened he tried to help by rolling the playback. When "Sookie" ripped off her attackers arm and began beating him with it Eric paused. Sookie took the chance to force as much calm as she could into him as possible. When she had to be reminded that she was still electrocuting the others, Eric was positively gleeful. He and Sookie joined hands as the reel kept playing for them.

Gabriel smiled when they reached for each others hand at the same exact time. Their enclosures inched back to where they were before and again only his arms were inside them. Zeus stepped back in place with his trident propped up against him, wanting to keep it close just in case.

The rest of the night played out easily. They were amused to see how Dr. Ludwig treated "Sookie" and Shadow. Eric was most annoyed when "Sookie" went to feed and advise her main attacker. Though he could understand the reasoning for it, Eric couldn't help being slightly annoyed at Briel. It wasn't the reasoning that got him, it was the fact that it really wasn't so far off from what he thought the real Sookie would actually do.

'Would not!' She thought indignantly. Like she hadn't been beaten up enough to know that you don't confront those that want to kick your ass.

'That was when they were stronger than you.' Eric pointed out. 'You tend to go back to those that hurt you. Look at your relationship with your brother, or Bill, or even that slut Arlene who worked with you. They all treated you shitty and you gave them all chance after chance after chance.'

'Well thank you Dr. Phil.' She couldn't help grumble.

'Who is this Dr. Phil?' Eric asked curiously. 'Is he someone I need to kill?'

'No, I will explain it later.'

It amused the others to see them both produce the same facial expressions no matter who was speaking; this made Gabriel hopeful again.

All and all Eric and Sookie were very happy with all that happened as they watched "Sookie" and Shadow's return to the hotel room where Shadow had to do some quick explaining for why she was about to tear the were apart for trying to wake them. Smelling what "Sookie" and Shadow smelled as they went into the room where "Eric" lay sleeping with his child and Bill, Eric could smell Alcide, Calvin, and Stan in the room. That was too many damn people. He would have to rectify the situation as soon as possible. He didn't care about what new gifts he and Sookie were given, having anyoneknowing where you were resting is just asking for trouble. Sookie agreed, though it wasn't lost on either her or him that when they both passed out at the beginning of their regeneration, they were putting their trust in Alcide and Calvin. This was something that Sookie willingly did, though Eric hated it, but what other choice did they have?

There really was much more to that night, though Eric was pissed that Stan had his crack at Victor before he did. No matter, better to let him have his chance now than later because he knew that when he was done there would be no more Victor to speak of. It was good to know why this suite was no longer like the one they started off with. As soon as Eric had the thought, Sookie looked around but it didn't work because no matter where she turned her head, all she saw was the five screens. Eric injected his memories of the suite from when they first awoke and she loved them, but she couldn't wait to see it with her own eyes.

"This is from earlier tonight. It begins at dusk." Gabriel said, redirecting Sookie's thoughts. The tone of his two timbered voice caught her attention. Both she and Eric tilted their heads slightly to the side as they tried to work out the odd expression on Gabriel's face. It was an odd mix of amusement and anxiousness. He had their complete attention. That is until Freyja chuckled before she could actually stop herself, causing them to turn their heads to her.

"Um, sorry." She said, though she clearly wasn't. "Carry on." They spent another second on her face before turning back to Gabriel.

He didn't say anything though. Suddenly their view was once again obstructed by five pictures and points of views. 'Eric' and 'Sookie' were dressed and waiting in the sitting room. They sat on the couch, and by the other two points of views they were waiting for Pam and Bill to be ready. Shadow stepped into the room, his clothes now changed and he sat in an arm chair, waiting on Pam and Bill.

"You look lovely my Queen." Shadow said with a small smile.

Briel blushed but smiled. "Aw this old thing?" She asked with a small giggle. "It's just something I threw on." Eric and shadow rolled their eyes as Sookie smoothed out her dress. Briel only knew the basics when it came to human fashion and therefore liked to keep things simple. A quick trip on the internet and she was able to materialize a simple blood red floor length dress that was so light and sheer that it was almost see through. It had rouching detail on the upper bodice and thin halter straps that reached up from the center of the bodice to wrap around her neck. It wasn't formal but still more than casual. Her hair was swept up in a simple twist. She kept in her studs with the Gabriel seal on them and paired it with a matching bracelet. Briel made sure to keep the makeup light with burgundy tinted lip gloss and the lightest sweeps of burgundy over her eyes and cheek bones.

Gabe was making Eric look every good in a simple fitted grey t-shirt with the mark of Gabriel printed over the chest in big bold charcoal. He wore midnight blue jeans with black boots. His hair was pulled back in a low ponytail. They weren't wearing any of the same colors, and yet he and Briel just fit with one another.

Then again, they all seem to fit with one another. Even Zeus, who sat across from them as Shadow, dressed in all black still seemed to fit in with them. It was a connection that was more than skin deep. As Freyja and Odin came out of their rooms as Pamela and Bill it seemed to reiterate this same thought. Freyja had dressed Pam in a canary yellow dress that was modest and yet very sexy. The dress had a sheared neckline with dolman sleeves and created a drop waist silhouette. There was a matching belt made of the same material as her dress that loosely gathered the dress at the waist. She paired it with a pair of tan wedge heels that were at least three inches high. She was stylish and very close to Pam's natural conservative taste.

Odin dressed Bill in a white button down dress shirt with thin black pinstripes. He left it un-tucked and rolled the sleeves up his forearm. He paired it with tan khaki's and simple black boots that his pant leg covered.

"We are ready when you are." Odin said to Gabe and Briel as he followed Freyja over to where the others were sitting. It was lost on none of the group that not one of the security guards were able to keep from glancing appreciatively at Briel and Freyja.

"Good." Gabe replied as he helped Briel stand. "Shadow?"

"We will be headed out in a limousine that will be a part of a five car caravan." Shadow began. "Wherever we go there will be two teams securing the building and two teams that is will be split between two groups, King and Queen Northman, and then everyone else. No one knows that we are going out so that should keep any planned attacks at bay. Are there any questions?"
No one spoke. So Shadow turned to Gabe and Briel. "Then we are ready to leave when you are." He put a wireless ear piece into his ear and then turned to the head of security. "I'm on channel three. Make sure that everyone is on the same channel."

"Yes sir."

"Alright let's go." Gabe said and they were all out the door. When they reached the lobby they were about part way through when high pitched squeals reverberated though the lobby.

They all looked around to see twenty little girls dressed in costume as their favorite princesses. They were all laughing and talking and some were even clutching their favorite princess dolls. Freyja's heart swelled at the sight of all the innocent little girls. And before she knew it her feet were carrying her over to the group of animated little girls and stressed yet amused parents. She ignored the security guard that moved with her.

"Oh how beautiful you all are!" She gushed. "I've never seen so many pretty princesses in all my life!"

A little girl with warm chocolate hair and matching eyes smiled big as she curtsied in her Belle costume. "Why thank you ma'am."

"Why are you all dressed up so prettily?" Freyja inquired as she stroked the thick curly locks of little Belle's hair.

"The hotel is putting on a night of royalty here." One of the parents answered. "The girls get to eat dinner and interact with all the famous princesses. It's a prelude to a new movie release featuring a new princess."

"Oh how amazing!" Freyja said. She looked over all the little children and spoke to all of them. "You know I am a Princess. My name is Pamela. May I join you all tonight?"

"If you're a princess then where is your crown?" A little girl dressed as Princess Jazmine asked with honest curiosity.

Freyja put her hand behind her back and summoned a dainty tiara. "It's right here. I never leave home without it." They little girls oohed and ahhed at the pretty tiara.

"Can I put it on you?" Little Belle asked.

"I would be honored." Freyja said. Wordlessly the security guard offered her his hand to help her kneel in front of the child. The little girl placed the tiara on Freyja's head being careful to make sure that the little combs at the ends were caught before released it with a big smile.

"There, now you're a princess too."

"Yes." Freyja replied getting back to her feet. She motioned for the rest of the group, who had been waiting by the door and they walked over. "I will join you later, I think I will attend this night of princesses with my new princess friends."

"Clearly." Gabe said with a perfect Eric smile.

"Wow, you're so handsome." Little Jazmine said with her eyes locked in awe on Gabe. "Are you a prince?"

Gabe laughed, enthralling both the little princesses and their adult guardians. "No little one. I am no prince." He said. "I am King Eric, and this is my beautiful Queen, Sookie."

The smallest little girl there made her way over to stand in front of Sookie. She was dressed in a pretty Sleeping Beauty dress with a big red bow on her head. Her short midnight hair hung like black silk. She looked exactly like a mini Sleeping Beauty. She tugged on Sookie's dress and waited until Sookie knelt to her height to speak. "Queen Sookie, will you come with us?"

Briel's voice caught in her throat. This little girl was just too cute. "I'm sorry Sleeping Beauty, I can't." The little Sleeping Beauty jutted her bottom lip out and lowered her head in a sad nod. "But I tell you what. My favorite Princess Pamela will stay with you and she's a whole lot of fun."

"Okay." The little girl said in a small voice and stepped back, tugging on the strings of Briel's heart.

Briel reached out for her and picked her up as she stood again. "Don't be sad little one, what if I said you could have my crown?" Little Sleeping Beauty's eyes blazed with excitement.

"Oh that's not necessary." A lady said as she stepped forward. She looked like an adult version of little Sleeping Beauty. "Amanda, it's okay. Just think how exciting it is that you actually met a Queen, a King and a Princess. You wouldn't want to take her tiara, she needs it."

"Actually it's okay ma'am." Briel said as she turned with little Sleeping Beauty-Amanda-in her arms still. "Shadow, do you have it with you?"

"Of course your Majesty." No one was looking at his hands so he summoned a crown fit for a Queen. If someone happened to be looking they would have saw his hands empty but when they blinked the crown would have been there. He held up the crown that was beautiful and almost glowing. It was petite with diamond swirls, nestled in the front was the mark of Gabriel. The diamond swirls went all the way around and it seemed to sparkle of it's own volition.

Gabe took it out of Shadow's hand and placed it on Amanda's head.

"Hold on to my neck sweetie." Briel said. Once Amanda slid her tiny arms around her neck Briel took the arm that was supporting her back and used it to summon hair pins and then used them to secure the crown on Amanda's head. "See, now you're a Queen too, like me." Briel smiled.

"Thank you Queen Sookie!" Amanda exclaimed as she threw her arms around her neck. When Briel put her down she was instantly surrounded by the other little girls as they all gushed over her new edition.

"Uh that really wasn't necessary." Amanda's mom said looking nervously between Briel and Gabe. Briel studied her for a moment before she understood her nervousness. She knew what Gabe and the other guards were. She knew they were vampires.

"It was my pleasure." Briel said in a polite tone. "I love children, and Amanda was just too cute to disappoint."

"Well if you're sure..." She trailed off as she watched Freyja interacting with the girls. Briel thought that maybe the time spent with Freyja would cure Amanda's mom of her nervousness.

"I am. Pamela is great with children too. You should have no worries." Amanda's mom studied Briel's face as she let the words swirl in her mind.

"Yes, thank you." She finally said. "Um is that real? Where do I need to return it to?"

"She can have it. It's a gift." Briel said. "And yes it is real, so you should be careful with it." She was completely speechless.

"It was nice meeting you all." Gabe said. "But we need to get going now. Pamela, find us when you are done."

"Yes Eric I will." Freyja said. Some of the little girls squealed began to pull her away from the rest of the group. The security guard that followed her the first time wasn't far behind her.

As Odin turned to walk away he looked back to see Freyja interacting with all the little girls and he couldn't help but smile.

"You're going to stay aren't you?" Briel asked when she saw the way he was looking back.

"I think I will." Odin replied. "It has been quite a while since I have been around little ones and I think it will be good for me."

"Find us later." Gabe said. Odin nodded and made his way back to Freyja and the group of girls.

The rest kept walking out of the hotel and then climbed into the limo. As soon as the guards were loaded in their cars they began their decent down the strip. They made it all the way down one way before Gabe gave the order to turn around.

"Stop!" Briel said as she tilted her head to the side. As Shadow gave the order and they came to a halt on the side of the street, Briel looked up and a slow smile crossed her face.

"What is it?" Shadow asked.

She simply pointed upwards and said. "It's our first destination."

The driver opened their door and they all filed out and then looked up. There was a large arm that reached out with people strapped to it spinning them around.

"Interesting choice." Shadow commented.

"Well, when on Earth," Briel began.

"Do as the mortals do." Gabe finished for her.

They made their way to the attraction. They saw a big poster for it calling it Insanity-The Ride. The extra security guards seemed to melt into the crowd as they made their way to the elevator.

"We have to do those too." Briel said as she pointed to movie sized posters that advertised The Big Shot and The X-Scream. "They should be great too!"

"Have you ever been on a roller coaster?" Shadow asked.

"When in Rome...." She replied and they all smirked.

There were people everywhere but there wasn't a line. Their security was roaming the milling crowd. They walked to the front of the line where the operator was watching the ride run smoothly with some already loaded riders. She was a sweet looking woman with a uniform that advertised for the ride she was working.

"Good evening. Welcome to Insanity." She greeted them with a bright smile. Her perky gaze lingered on Gabe more than anyone else and in true Eric fashion he smirked at her, causing her to flush deeply and lose her words. "Um, uh wh-who will be our ten riders?" She stumbled.

"We will ride with them." A small voice spoke up after no one said anything. Shadow was about to motion for seven of the guards to come when a petite redhead stepped forward. She was about fourteen years old with long wavy red hair that trailed half way down her back. Her skin was smooth and creamy white and she wore a shy smile.

"Thank you." Briel beamed at her. "This is my first time here. My name is Sookie."

"I'm Jessica." The girl responded with another small smile. "This is my sister Anna and her boyfriend Steve." Anna was an older version of Jessica only her hair was cut shoulder length and was straight. Steve was about six foot even with an athletic build and short brown hair. They both smiled and said hello to everyone.

Briel dipped into their minds to see why a shy person like Jessica would step forward to ride with them. 'They're so pretty. They don't look like scary vampires, especially the blond woman. She actually looks like Aunt Sandy....No one will ride with them, that's not right. I know what it's like to not have anyone to ride with....Step forward, there's nothing wrong with being nice.'

'Wow, she's beautiful but that blond guy looks a bit scary.' Steve thought. 'Shit, Jessica volunteered us! Why did she have to choose now not to be a shy girl, crap....Mom says manners are everything, just be polite and everything will be alright...man Sookie is so beautiful.'

'I could totally kiss my sister. That blond guy is so freaking hot! I would not only be willing to lose my virginity to him I would happily wrap it up with a pink bow, strap a stick of dynamite to it and blow it to smithereens....They said that this group were vampires, but I would happily offer him an artery or four if he would just look my way....Way to go Jessica! This was the best time for you to step out of your shell.'

"This is my husband Eric and our...friend Shadow." Briel introduced trying to hold back her laughter as she exited the teen's minds. Anna and Steve had to be no older than nineteen with hormones to match.

The worker went over what was going to happen and the safety rules she had to tell everyone who came. Shadow motioned almost imperceptibly and four guards came to stand with them so that there were no empty seats. Soon the ride began to slow and the riders exited with wind blown excitement. It was now their turn to be strapped in. Jessica was sitting directly across from Briel and gave her a scared smile. Briel returned it with an encouraging nod. The ride began slowly but soon all three G's were easily felt. The screams of Jessica and Anna filled the sky and even a few from Steve.

Shadow, Gabe and Briel let the beautiful lights below blend together in a whirlwind of colors and elongated shapes. The earth seemed to dance and swirl and put on a show for them. It was if it was on audition and they were the judges. The lights and sounds bent and twirled and jumped and spun, showing all its tricks. The movements were not jerky, but practiced and precise. For just a moment they were not angels and vampires and humans on a spinning ride but equal beings who's excitement and enjoyment of the same exact thing was shared between everyone. Even the vampire guards relaxed and enjoyed the ride. Everyone's frantic, enjoyable, mind bending thoughts were intoxicating to the angels and it pushed them further away from themselves and more into the moment.

All too soon the ride began to slow and all too soon they were unloaded. Jessica's equilibrium was a bit off as she giggled and wobbled. Briel pretended to have the same issue and threw her arm around Jessica's shoulders to steady her. "That was soo much fun Jessica!" Briel said as she and Jessica tried to walk a straight line back to the others.

"I know, it was a total blast!" Jessica agreed excitedly. "And I'm sure that at any moment I will be able to walk normally."

"I know a trick to making that happen super fast." Gabe said with a sly smirk.

"Please tell us because I think my head is trying to run away without my body." Anna said as she and Steve propped each other up, though they didn't dare try to take a step.

Gabe laughed. "Well you're in luck because the best way to send the dizziness away is to be shot straight into the air and then taken on the wild ride of a rollercoaster." Three sets of eyes looked at him, clearly questioning his sanity. Another two sets of eyes looked at him as if he was a genius.

"The Bigshot it is." Briel said, finally acting sober, though she still supported Jessica. "We will have a chance to chat as we wait in the line." Shadow nodded at her sly command.

They moved quickly to the next ride and the girls told them about themselves "How come you guys didn't get dizzy?" Jessica asked when she was able to walk under her own volition. The other security guys had already disappeared so she directed the question to Gabe and Shadow.

"Vampires don't get dizzy." Gabe smirked.

"That's lucky." Anna commented thoughtfully.

"Yea, vampires get all the breaks." Gabe smiled playfully, causing Anna and Jessica to blush.

"Stop that Eric." Briel said sliding her arm back around Jessica. She turned to whisper to Jessica conspiratorially, and yet loud enough for their entire group to hear. "I swear that smile of his should be illegal."

"Oh trust me Lover, it is." Gabe replied. "I just have no patience for the law." He flew around them and crouched but kept a playful smile on his face.

"Oh yes, my husband the rebel." Briel said as she and Jessica skid to a stop. "Sorry Jessica, you're gonna have to take one for the team." She said and Briel pulled her between her and Gabe.

"Aw that's cold." Steve said with a small chuckle as he and Anna looked on. "Sacrificing the little girl in the hopes of getting away."

"Hey, it's either me or her." Briel said as he moved a giggling Jessica around to keep her between her and a circling Eric. "And as sweet as she is, I still like me better."

"Jeez I'm feeling the love here Sookie." Jessica complained playfully.

"Sorry kid, it's nothing personal." Briel said.

"Of course it is." Gabe said. "Hiding behind the child will not save you."

"Hey I'm not a child." Jessica said indignantly. "I'll be fifteen in three weeks."

"I'm over a thousand years old." Gabe replied. Steve, Anna, and Jessica all froze in shock and Shadow who had been following them silently finally laughed at the awestruck looks on the humans faces.

Gabe took this as his chance to strike. Faster than the three mortals could even process, Gabe plucked Briel from behind Jessica and wrapped her in his arms. Seeing him disappear alone and reappear with Briel in his arms seemed to bring them back to reality.

"I win." Gabe said.

"Yes you do." Briel replied as she wrapped her arms around his neck. "And what does the winner want?"

"The same thing I always do." Gabe replied as he tightened his grip. Ever so lightly he brushed his lips against hers. "You." He knew she was going to respond but he didn't want her to. He already knew what she was going to say so he didn't need to hear it. They both could hear the heart beats of Jessica, Anna, and even Steve speed up but that didn't matter right now. He claimed the lips of his other half. Gabe and Briel knew in theory what it was like for Eric and Sera to kiss one another and they knew that this was nothing like that. They, after all, were not human and vampire and were connected in a completely different way then Eric and Sera.

Gabe pressing his lips to Briel's felt like the magical rush they got when they became one. It was as if they were in that process but stuck right before completion and every part of them came alive. Every part of them was aware of the other and they were quickly swept away. Everything on earth was so sensory...even for them. Everything was a rush and felt so much more acutely.

The sound of a clearing throat and a mental nudge brought them back to their sense and they looked up to see Shadow smirking knowingly at them as he nodded his head infinitesimally towards the three sets of rounded eyes of their minor and barely legal companions. Gabe smirked in a very Eric-like way, while Briel borrowed a page from Sera and blushed brilliantly. Gabe set Briel back on her feet and she smoothed out her dress. Jessica motioned to her mouth with a wiping motion when she caught the eye of Gabe. He stuck his tongue out and ran it across his bottom lip to taste the gloss Briel left on him. He wiped his mouth off and sent a wink to Jessica, making her blush brightly. Gabe could understand why Eric did some of the things he did. It was very...gratifying to see the effect he had on people.

They were next in line when Jessica broke the silence that fell between them. "You said you were over a thousand years old?" Gabe nodded. "Where are you from?"

Briel burst into laughter. "Remember those Vikings you always heard about raping and pillaging and plundering and making war where ever they went?" They nodded. "Say hello to their Prince." She barely got out the whole sentence before she erupted again in laughter.

"Really?" Steve asked completely impressed.

Gabe nodded. "Only Hollywood has distorted history. We didn't rape, that was looked down upon and dealt with quite harshly. We respected our women. Most of us were fishermen and farmers."

"No offence Eric but you're not exactly built like a farmer or a fisherman." Anna pointed out as she eyed his vast chest appreciatively.

Gabe laughed. "No, my father was the leader and I was in charge of defending what was his. If we had an especially hard winter or the crops failed and we needed something, then I was in charge of going to find what we needed so that we would not starve."

"So there was some pillaging involved." Jessica said with a sly smile.

"Of course, "Eric said."But we were not the stupid blood thirsty warriors that Hollywood makes us out to be."

The ride attendant was helping the group that had just finished riding off the ride as they prepared to board.

"Can you say something in your native tongue?" Jessica asked. They began choosing seats and Jessica chose the seat next to Eric. He helped her in right after he helped Briel, causing Jessica to blush again at his nearness.

"Din rodna är mest bli av ditt vackra ansikte. Du gör din man en mycket lycklig man." Gabe said as he looked directly into her eyes. He gave her a soft smile before sitting in his own chair. The worker came and quickly checked everyone's straps.

"What does that mean?" Jessica asked.

Gabe was about to speak when they were all shot into the air. The night sky was filled with the screams of the women. Briel wasn't surprised or scared but wanted to not be an Angel at the moment, but to be just another girl so she opened her mouth wide and let her scream rip. Gabe loved the light hearted feeling he got from not only Briel but from Jessica and Anna and Steve. It had been too long since he had been on Earth...actually on Earth and not on a mission or assignment.

'Indeed.'Briel thought to him.

'I agree.'Zeus said. He was sitting next to Anna and in her terror, she was gripping his hand quite tightly. Zeus liked how these three humans seemed to easily forget that they were vampires and supposed to be scared of them as some people would have them believe. If they were the example of the way the world was moving then maybe the world was moving in the right direction. Maybe Eric and Sera will have a somewhat easier path then originally thought. Just maybe....

The Big Shot was exhilarating and amazing. When they got off they ran to the X-Scream and this time Briel didn't put a damper on moving them through the line. They had perfect timing, when they reached the gate the group before had just exited and it looked as if the worker was waiting for them. Jessica hopped in first and Briel jumped in next to her. Anna and Steve jumped in behind them, Gabe got in behind them and Shadow got in behind Gabe.

"You don't have to ride with me if you'd rather be with Eric." Jessica said while they were secured in the ride.

"Naw it's okay Jessica." Briel said. "Besides Eric and Shadow are on the tall side it would be more comfortable for them to ride alone so that they can sit diagonally."

"Thanks."

"No problem."

"Sookie, do you know what Eric said to me in his native tongue?"

Briel was about to answer her when the ride took off; taking them on a journey of exhilarating twists and turns. Jessica and Briel clutched to each other tightly. Steve was highly satisfied that Anna was clinging to him tightly. He tightened his hold on her too trying to keep himself from screaming like a bitch...especially when they went over the edge and over the city below. Gabe and Shadow both lifted their head to the Heavens, enjoying the thoughts and feelings and vibrations that were bombarding them from every direction. It was times like this that they understood, truly understood, why their Father loved walking among the humans...even today.

Like all the others the ride was over way too fast and they all found themselves back at the entrance of the hotel. Their limo was waiting for them.

Briel pulled Jessica into her arms. "Thank you for stepping up Jessica. I had so much more fun sharing this with you."

"Anytime Sookie." Jessica said as she hugged Briel back.

"Can we exchange numbers?" Anna asked. "Maybe we can go to lunch or shopping or something. How long are you going to be here?"

"We will be here for a while. I would love to see you both again." Briel said as Shadow handed over her cell phone.

Anna reached in her pocket for her phone but it wasn't there. "Crap I don't have mine, do you have it Steve?"

"Nah babe, last time I saw it we were in the car when your dad called...."

"Crap I must have left it." Anna said slapping her forehead with her palm. "Do you have yours Jess?"

"Yeah." She replied as she pulled hers out. "I was sure to...."

"What's wrong?" Briel asked.

"It's after midnight and my Dad has already called four times."

"Oh no, we're dead." Anna said.

"What do you mean 'we'?" Steve said. "Your dad is going to ground you both, but he will skin me alive."

"Is there anything we can do?" Briel asked.

"No," Jessica and Anna answered together before Anna continued. "We will just take our lumps."

Jessica and Briel exchanged numbers. Briel hugged all three of them again. Gabe and Steve did a manly fist bump, while Anna offered her hand to shake. Like her sister Jessica offered him her hand too only instead of shaking it he pulled her into a one armed hug.

"Din rodna är mest bli av ditt vackra ansikte. Du gör din man en mycket lycklig man." Gabe repeated. "It means: Your blush is most becoming of your beautiful face. You'll make your husband a very happy man." With a small smile he let Jessica go and turned his smirk to Anna...who began to blush as deeply as her sister. "I see it runs in the family." Both girls melted.

"Man, I've got to learn how to do that." Steve muttered with a small laugh.

"It's a vampire thing." Gabe answered.

"Hmm, it doesn't sound so bad if you're able to do that to a woman. I don't think I would mind."

"Yes you would." Gabe answered as if he were speaking about the weather instead of someone's mortality. His voice wasn't mad or chastising, just matter of fact. "I want to get married, have kids, and grow old with the one you love. That's not a bad life."

"I think you're right." Steve said unconsciously wrapping his arms around Anna."

"Bye!" All three of them said in unison as they turned and walked away. Briel waved after them.

"Come on, let's get in." Shadow said as he nodded to the driver to open the door.

"Do you think Eric and Sera will like them? I really did." Briel asked Zeus and Gabe.

"I think that Sera will get along with them great. She loves kids." Zeus said. "Eric may be a little more stand offish but I don't believe he would object to them."

"Where to sir?" The driver asked as the dividing partition came down.

"Take us a little closer to the main part of the strip." Shadow ordered. The driver nodded and rolled the partition back then started down the strip.

"Is there anything that either of you want to see in particular?"

"A show." Briel answered promptly.

"I'm not really picky. I just enjoy being among the masses." Shadow said. Briel and Gabe looked at him with a studious eye. Zeus was the most serious of their little group. Even Odin, who could be stoic had more of a tendency to laugh was more that Zeus. So when he did laugh at something they always took notice.

"Don't look at me like that." Zeus said as he rolled his eyes exasperatedly at them. "I have a sense of humor, it's not my fault you all are not funny." He seemed to be reading them like a book. "I do enjoy being among the humans. Feeling what they feel as they feel it. Feeling the turn of the earth under my feet. Feeling the pressure of gravity on my shoulders as it tries to hold me down to the Earth. Humanity has it's very pleasant up sides."

"Alright then." Gabe said with a small smile. Just when he thought he knew his brother he says something that blows him completely away. The car began to slow and then stop. The next moment the driver was at the door.

They got out to see that they were standing at what seemed to be the beginning of the madness that can only describe the Vegas strip. It was after midnight so it was pulsing with life and people were going in every direction as signs lit up the night sky almost as well as the sun. They barely made it past the Palazzo when they felt them.

'We are coming to you.'She thought to them. Gabe, Briel, and Shadow didn't break stride, though they did exchange looks to each other. They could feel that the others were close and closing in fast on their location. That's when Briel saw it...their next destination.

TBC

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A/N: First seeing as how this chapter was supposed to be longer I thought you deserved a little spoiler. If you don't want to know whats coming up then skip the my second point. Alright. All you blood thirsty and violent readers sharpen your stakes and polish your silver. Eric is back and is in full effect. It's time that Victor was dealt with. I repeat, the judgementof Victor is eminent! I want to know what your twisted minds can come up with. When you review add in the torture you think is best fitting Victor and I will list the top three on the next chapter. Those top three will get their choice of a sneak peak OR one question answered by me. No matter what that question is I will answer it. So if there's a question you want to know...like where Barry is or where Amelia is then now is the time. THERE ARE NO LIMITS TO THE QUESTIONS. I do have to say however that I will NOT broadcast the answer to the question to the other readers (sorry), it's for the winner only. So shake the cobwebs out of your twisted minds and let it rip! ALERT--ALL TORTURES HAVE TO BE SENT IN A REVIEW TO HAVE A CHANCE AT WINNING.

Secondly, my birthday is here and I've decided to give a gift that keeps on giving...a Eric and Sookie lemon flavored birthday one shot. So put me on author alert so you wont be left out. Yes August 18th is my birthday and I thought that this way it would be like we were celebrating together.

Thank you all for all of the support. As always don't hesitate to ask questions, I would happily give explanations to anything needed as long as it doesn't give away the end of my story. I hope y'all enjoyed this chapter, stay tuned and remember. REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW!