A/N: There are many chapters that never made it into Changeling. Most of these chapters were written in third person. And since I didn't want to rewrite them in the first person (Sookie's POV), I excluded them. However, browsing through my files I found this miss labeled chapter. I enjoyed reading through it. And since the next update is taking me longer to finish, I decided to give you this bit of background information.

This untitled chapter takes place hours before "Be Careful" happens. In "Be Careful", Sookie comes to Fangtasia to show Eric samples. It's the only "sober" time Eric ever kisses Sookie, and it's the night that Sookie goes with Preston to Seattle to hear him play in "Radio Uprising".

I hope you enjoy it. And I promise to work diligently to bring you the next chapter in Changeling, "The Favor".

Untitled Chapter: Just Before "Be Careful"

written in third person

Eric had just fed his hunger for blood and sex very well, and he was feeling satisfied and relaxed. He was now able to focus. A quick glance at the clock told him he had less than an hour before he would have to start hearing cases and dealing with Area 5 issues. So with vampire speed he settled on the task of dealing with the piles of invoices and bills for the bar. He quickly was absorbed at the task at hand.

Unexpectedly, there was a popping sound.

Eric looked up and saw standing in his office none other than a Fairy. Eric, leery of the Fairies, was cautious. He casually moved his hand and laid his pen down on his desk. His gut twitched in a familiar way that told him something, and he always listened to his gut. He knew without a doubt this unexpected visit was concerning the delicious Sookie Stackhouse.

"Vampire," the Fairy addressed him. His regal and commanding voice made it clear to Eric that the man in front of him was not one to be trifled with. Power radiated off the ancient Fairy dancing along Eric's skin.

"Niall." Eric nodded. He recognized the Fairy Prince. His reputation as a fierce warrior preceded him.

"I'm sure you know what brings me this evening," said the Fairy; his tone was arrogant and entitled. This irritated Eric, but he knew he was outmatched. "Your kind has taken an interest in my granddaughter."

"Well, well," thought Eric Northman. He hadn't known that the beautiful Sookie Stackhouse was a Brigant Fairy. He leaned back in his chair. It made perfect sense considering that the markings on the Fairy representative who was sent to negotiate a price for Longshadow, had what he knew to be a royal insignia.

"She did cause the death of one of my vampires," Eric pointed out, and Niall let out a laugh. "That does tend to draw attention to a person."

"It has come to my knowledge that your Queen has taken an interest in my child," Niall said. This was indeed news to Eric.

"Where did you hear this?" he asked. He hadn't been aware of any such information. Not only that, but it didn't make sense to Eric that if this information were true, why had the Prince come to him instead of to the Queen.

"Your Queen believes my child to be human." Eric nodded still not sure how this all concerned him. "She has sent a vampire into your area to take my child as one of her own."

"I see." Eric straightened in his chair. From his conversation with Sookie at his penthouse, he had a good hunch of who this vampire might be. "Damn Bill Compton," he thought.

"In the matter of those who are mine," Niall said somberly. "I will not hesitate to create an unbalance in Louisiana."

Eric understood the full meaning of the Prince's words. Eric was well aware that the Prince was capable of manipulating vampire affairs like a puppet master. What confused Eric was why he was chosen to be the messenger.

"What do you want me to do?" he asked the Prince point blank.

"The vampires listen to you," Niall said matter-of-fact. "All who keep their claws out of my children will keep their existence."

Eric was about to say something, but the Prince disappeared.

Alone in his office again, Eric was left with a lot of questions. It was a state he found no enjoyment in. What baffled him the most was the cryptic meaning behind the Prince's words. He wondered exactly what unbalance the Fairies were planning for Louisiana.

Several hours later, as Eric sat on throne duty, Bill Compton made his way into Fangtasia. The bar was unusually crowded so he didn't see Bill. It was Pam who approached him under orders that alerted him. He watched patiently as she closed the distance between them. A smile played coyly at the corners of his mouth. She was adorned in her usual Fangtasia regalia, but even under it all, her beauty was not altered. With a look and a nod she effectively communicated to him Bill's arrival. She stepped aside to take her place next to him when he spotted the vampire approaching him.

"Eric," Bill greeted him as he approached and stopped a safe distance from him. "You summoned me."

"Bill." After a moment or two of verbal niceties that Bill was so fond of engaging in, Eric eventually grew tired and got to the point. "I understand you've taken an interest in your neighbor Sookie Stackhouse."

"I've met her," Bill admitted. "I've hired her to help restore my family home."

"You are in my area now Bill. You'll do well to heed my orders," he said firmly. "I will not jeopardize peace in my area for a mere curiosity."

Bill always calm and collected didn't reveal in his countenance his growing uneasiness. He wasn't sure if the Sheriff knew what he was in Bon Temps for. The Queen had given him strict orders to keep his assignment from the Sheriff. As far as Bill was concerned, the matter of Sookie Stackhouse did not concern Eric.

"I don't understand," Bill said, refusing to show his cards.

"Sookie Stackhouse is off limits," Eric warned.

"Do you have a claim on her?" Bill was feeling a growing sense of irritation. He didn't take well to threats, and as far as he understood, Sookie had not been claimed by any vampire.

"She is mine," Eric snarled.

Bill was surprised by the venom in Eric's claim, but he didn't once drop his cool demeanor. He also couldn't deny Eric's scent on Sookie the first night they met, and she did seem familiar with Eric. So, cautiously, he decided not to press Eric's claim

Eric knew the moment he made the statement that Sookie was his that he was taking a risk by letting Bill and subsequently the Queen think this was true. But he had to believe that the Fairy Prince would hold up his end of the deal. Whatever was going on, he understood clearly that to keep peace, he would have to ensure his vampires left Sookie alone. After all, in all his dealings with the Fairies, they had always kept their word. Despite his self assurances, Eric still felt uneasy. Fairies were too secretive and sneaky.

Just then, Sookie appeared in the bar like the Northern star in the night sky. If Eric hadn't known better, he would have thought it was all planned. She didn't belong in his bar or in his world, just like he didn't belong in hers; instinctively he knew this.

Weeks ago, when he thought Sookie was just marginally Fairy, he had mused over his planned conquest of her. Now, with the appearance of the Prince, he suspected Sookie was more likely only marginally human and like her grandfather, she had the ability to suppress her scent. A small quiver rippled down Eric's spine at the thought of tasting even one drop of her blood. Venom pooled in his mouth. He rolled his tongue over his fangs. He was all to familiar with the addictive quality of fairy blood. She was a conquest he would have to forego.

Eric's fixed gaze did not go unnoticed by Bill. He immediately turned and saw Sookie.

Knowing that Bill was waiting to make a liar out of him, Eric moved his hand for Bill to step aside. Calmly and unrushed he made his way toward Sookie. It was the longest several feet he'd ever traveled. His thoughts were bombarded with conspiracy theories. He didn't know what the Queen was up to. The secrecy made him uneasy.

Reaching his target, Eric leaned forward and pulled Sookie into a kiss. He felt her stiffen instantly under his hard embrace. Not wanting Bill to suspect, he turned them just enough to shield her reaction from Bill's view. Eric was desperately hoping that she wouldn't fight him. She needed to go along with this show; his life and the life of the vampires in his area depended on it.

Almost, as if she had read his thoughts, he felt Sookie relax. What he didn't know was that she really had. Her arms went around his neck. Despite her efforts to suppress her essence, Eric's senses were assaulted with the faint yet tantalizing Fairy scent, and the sweet taste of her lips. The hunger that he had quenched earlier was back. His kiss grew more passionate and demanding. Always the opportunist, he milked their kiss for everything it was worth. Lustfully, he stroked her mouth and drank her as deeply into him as was possible. An amused expression spread across his face. Her small palms were flat against his chest. She was pushing him away.

Bill's eyes were fixed on Eric and Sookie. He watched closely making sure this wasn't some ploy to mislead him. But everything he observed in their exchange had indicated to Bill that Eric was being truthful. He would have to report what he found tonight to the Queen.