A/N: Sorry this one's really short and was overdue by a day or two; my muse was being difficult. I'm already working on Chapter 38 and it promises to be longer and hopefully post-worthy by late Monday. In the meantime, Happy Weekend!

Chapter 37

Sookie POV

"Miss me, lover?" he said.

"I think you know I did" I replied while trying to catch my breath.

Eric's grin was smugger than smug as he put his clothes back on.

"You should miss me more often" he said "do you perhaps miss me right now?" he added, wiggling his eyebrows suggestively.

"The sun will be up soon. You have to go." I replied sadly, wishing I had vampire-safe windows so we could sleep next to each other.

"I will rest at Bill's…whatever you call that decrepit pit he sleeps in." Eric said.

"Is the big bad Viking afraid of a few spiders?" I asked with a tired laugh.

At this he picked me up in a flurry and dropped me on the bed in mock seriousness.

"I am afraid of nothing" he said, pinning my hands over my head and tickling me a little roughly "but you, little lamb, ought to be more afraid of this big bad Viking."

"Never" I said, staring him straight in the eye "I am a fairy shield maiden and I fear no man" I challenged in a very theatrical way.

I was definitely overtired.

A low seductive growl escaped Eric's lips.

"Say that to me again, woman" Eric said, holding his body less than an inch above mine, his hips straining against me "and we will find out if that's true."

"You really have to go" I said, lifting up my head to kiss his cheek and then closing my eyes in exhaustion. "We both need our rest."

"You're right" he said, floating up suddenly and heading for the door in a blur "but we have much to discuss when I rise. And this conversation" he threatened with a playful gleam in his eye "isn't nearly over."

"Goodnight Eric" I said, already half asleep.

"Goodnight, dear one" he said, before he ghosted a kiss over my lips was gone.

0o0o0o0

I woke up feeling extremely disoriented. Glancing at the clock on my nightstand I understood why: it was after 3pm. I had basically slept the entire day away and I had so many things to take care of it was almost ridiculous.

Getting up to take care of my human needs, as the vampires called it, I quickly ran through a mental tally of my more pressing concerns.

I had promised Quinn I would help him find Frannie and I decided that was a pretty immediate issue.

I also still hadn't gotten a hold of Ginger. As Eric was now back in Louisiana that was probably more his problem than mine, but still I felt at least partially responsible for finding out if she was okay. Furthermore the vampire who had showed up at Eric's bar was undoubtedly going to be a problem for everyone.

Then there was Bill and whatever was going on with him.

I figured there would also be a search for the witch from Felipe's now defunct retinue, the one who was responsible for casting a spell on Preston that had almost cost me everything.

Not to mention the revelations from the previous nights' conversations with both Niall and Cataliades that left me with almost as many questions as answers.

And I hadn't even had a cup of coffee yet. I briefly pondered turning around and going right back to bed but knew I was stronger than that.

It was time to face the day.

When I got downstairs I noticed the light was blinking on my answering machine. I simply couldn't take listening to whatever problem it was going to be before making a pot of coffee and cooking breakfast, er…lunch.

Once I had made a hearty sandwich and poured a strong cup of coffee, I hit play and sat down at the kitchen table.

"Sookie it's Sam. You were supposed to come in today for the lunch shift? But don't worry I've got it covered. With everything you've been through I guess you could use a few more days? I went ahead and took you off the schedule. If you could give me a call when you get this I'd appreciate it."

Oh crap I thought I can't believe I missed my first shift back after a vacation. Not that it had been particularly relaxing.

Then I realizedAmelia had been covering for me while I was gone and had probably gotten called in again when I didn't show up. She was truly being a great friend and I owed her big time. I would have to think up a special way to thank her.

Just as soon I as had a free minute to catch up on things that weren't life and death.

0o0o0o0

Eric POV

When I rose for the night I felt my makers' presence. He was near to me, nearer than he had been in centuries, and had opened the bond a fractional amount so that I would be aware of him.

Ocella was in Bon Temps?

It could only mean one thing; he had an interest in Sookie. Or at least, he was curious about my interest in her. His tastes ran more to young men than they ever had to women.

And was his childe Alexei with him? I wondered.

I was sure I would be finding out imminently.

I looked to my left to find Bill and Bubba still dead to the world. My age granted me the ability to rise earlier than the young vampires beside me, and it was an advantage I never took for granted. I realized that if Ocella had brought Alexei to Louisiana, the Romanov boy would still be in his rest.

But Ocella? I wouldn't be surprised if he had woken an hour ago.

Where were they? Had they gone to ground nearby?

Appius hated sleeping in the dirt but I knew he would do it if he thought it would unnerve me to have him so close so unexpectedly.

I thought I should text Pam. She had left the airport with Preston and taken him to one of her safe houses. She needed to be aware that her grandsire was here, and to take extra precaution when she rose.

Next was a message to Thalia. She had undoubtedly risen as well.

I am displeased that you are unreachable. We need to talk.

As soon as I hit send, my phone vibrated in my hand. It was Thalia.

T: You should be displeased, though not with your underling.

Who is this? I typed back immediately.

T: It is I, Appius Livius Ocella. Or have you forgotten your Maker so easily?

I could never forget. I sense you even now. Thalia is unharmed?

T: You sense me because I allow it. She is an untrained dog, Thalia, but she is alive. Your useless bloodbag waitress is not.

I couldn't say with any sincerity that I cared about Ginger, but she was a part of my staff and under my protection. Was under my protection I thought. I was seething.

But what did he want with Thalia? And how had she been taken? She was near enough Ocella's age that it would have been an incredibly difficult task even for him.

What do you want? Was all I wrote in response.

T: Patience, child. Or should I say King? Meet me in the woods behind your telepath's house in an hour. Alone. Do not bother contacting Karin or Pam.

I didn't reply. He knew I would be there.