I awoke to the annoying feeling of the sun on my face; I slowly opened my eyes holding my hand out to block the sun. I was still in the living room, under a warm blanket with a pillow under my head. I smiled at Eric's thoughtfulness, he was so sweet. I got up and got myself a cup of strong coffee. I was still exhausted from the night before, my whole body was sore from being thrown around by that tattooed vamp. I showered slowly, enjoying the hot water as it helped to sooth my deep bruises that ran in patches over my body. They would heal, I was lucky to just walk out of there last night with my life. And then what happened when I got home… I cut off my internal monologue right there, I was not going to think about that right now. I would at some point have to confront my feelings of what had happened but for now I was content with blissful ignorance. Besides I was already the queen of denial I can continue to be so… I hope.

I dressed in a pair of jeans and a black t-shirt. I glanced out the window, I had slept late and Eric would be up soon. Eric was another problem of mine, how would he wake, who would he be when he awoke. Would he still be my sweet Eric or will he be the real Eric; who I would be lying if I said I didn't miss. I threw on some leather boots and a sweater and took my cup of coffee to walk out to the shed. I couldn't hide from Eric and if he awoke with his memories I was ready to face him head on… I think.

I sat myself down on the work bench beside the floor door and sipped my coffee. I didn't know how he was going to react but I had to face that facts. I had allowed myself to fall for the Eric that was staying with me and now I had to deal with the consequences. I'd be lying if at some level I didn't think it was worth it. The few days I had spent with my Eric are days I will always hold close, he made me feel… well 'feel' which was a miracle in itself.

I watched as the sun dipped lower, I had managed to stay calm but as the sun got closer to the horizon my nerves kicked in. I stood and began to pace back and forth. I was trying to think of mundane things to not freak myself out. It wasn't working too well and by the time I felt the buzz of Eric awake I was a wreck. I couldn't keep still.

I listened to the soft movements inside the cellar until the door lifted and a very disheveled Eric climbed out cautiously. His eyes scanned the room at almost a panic until they stopped on me.

I knew instantly this was the real Eric, his fangs were on full display and he stared at me through slits of suspicious blue. I didn't speak; I just watched him as he took in our surroundings and looked me up and down. After a minute he seemed to relax slightly and cocked his head to the side.

"Sookie what am I doing at your house?" he asked looking out past me into the yard before staring back at me. I held my breath as I tried to put together what has happened, he is definitely the real Eric but why does he not know why he is here?

"What's the last thing you remember?" I asked watching as his eyes searched mine as if I could give him the answer

"I was at fangtasia" the breath disappeared from my body in one gush, but he didn't seem to notice and just continued "We had a visit from a witch who was trying to threaten me" he rolled his eyes as if the thought of someone threatening him was ridiculous "I of course declined her requests and then…" he paused, his eyes were previously glazed over but they now stared at me clearly "I awoke here" he mumbled, he stepped forward as he seemed to be analyzing my every movement.

I stared at him, he didn't remember. I felt like this should be a good thing but at the same time it felt like my heart was collapsing in. This should be what I wanted, this meant I was out of any trouble he could have given me and yet the pain I was feeling was so intense, like I have lost something that I really needed.

"So that's it then" I mumbled, turning from Eric and walking out into the yard towards the house. I was suddenly intercepted by Eric who was looking at me very confused

"Sookie explain what is going on" he demanded and I just shrugged

"You have been here for the past few days, completely memory less; you didn't know who I was or even who you were. I was assigned to keep you safe by your highhanded child until the matter could be handled, and clearly it has" I explained carefully keeping my face blank of any emotion.

Eric looked thoughtful for a moment "The witch did this?" he asked and I nodded. Suddenly his whole face changed to emotion I had never seen on Eric's face, I couldn't even identify it. He moved towards me like a predator, his eyes wide. I was very confused until his nostrils flared as he smelled the air. "Sookie your different" he stated advancing slowly, I consciously backed away step for step, to keep some distance between us.

"Eric I have work, I have to get ready" I lied and tried to move around him but he blocked me. Of course he wasn't going to let me just walk away

"You smell" he smiled widely "like me" he ginned as I he looked down at me

"Well you have been living with me for a few days" I mumbled, looking for any out I could grip onto

"No, my smell is all over you" he paused, his lips opened as he gently sucked in air and shook his head at me, his smile had disappeared "every bit of you has my scent and yet I don't remember why" he looked to me for an explanation, but I just looked down. Luckily I didn't have too answer because in the next moment a set of head lights came down the driveway and stopped a few feet from us. I put my hand up to block the light and saw a pair of pink strappy heel step from the car. 'Thank god for pam' I thought as she walked towards us.

Pam's steps were cautious as she approached us, I didn't dare look at Eric but from the bond I knew he was very confused by this behavior.

"Master, how do you feel?" she asked her eyes watching him carefully, glancing at me occasionally

"I feel… like myself" he said testing the answer, a huge smile broke out over Pam's face and she looked to me, her eyes filled with glee until she saw my uneasy expression as I avoided the pull of Eric to look at him.

"I am glad to hear that master, we must get you back to Shreveport, and it had been chaos in your absence" Pam said, and I suppressed a smile, she was saving me

"I still have business here with Sookie" Eric replied, I could see him still watching me in my peripheral vision

"I understand this master but your area has all but imploded in your absence. I would never think to tell you what to do, but as your second I would advise handling that first. Sookie will still be here when you finish" Pam's eyes were glued to her shoes, as she spoke. There was a long awkward silence until I heard Eric huff out a large breath of air.

"fine" he growled but stepped into my line of sight, placing his hand under my chin and lifting it so our eyes met "But we will discuss this when I come back" there was a clear threat in his words and his eyes were as hard as marble, I didn't like threats but I didn't reply I just pulled my chin from his hands and looked to the ground.

He turned and disappeared, sitting in the driver's seat of pam's car. I mouthed a quick 'thank you' to Pam before she sped away as well. I watched the head lights disappear and that's when the panic really set in. When he comes back he is going to want to know everything.

My body seemed to react to this on its own and ran inside, I had formulated a very bad plan in my mind and I quickly put it into action. I wasn't ready for this, I had planned it out if Eric had kept the memories or if it was still sweet Eric but I hadn't expected this and I needed time to think. The idea was actually given to me by pam with her comment "Sookie will still be here when you finish" Well I wasn't planning on it. I quickly packed my duffel bag and left a note for Jason telling him I would be away for a while but I would call when I could. I grabbed my bag and jumped into my truck, leaving a cloud of dust as I sped down the drive way.

In the past Eric had manipulated the bond but what he didn't understand is that unlike having a pet, the bond goes both ways and I have just as much control, as he does and I have used the time with my Eric to its advantage. I had learnt to close off the bond, not for long but just long enough for me to get far enough away. I was not leaving forever, I couldn't do that but I just needed time to think, time to figure things out. I watched Bon Temps disappear into the darkness in my rearview mirror and I made a silent promise to myself that I would be back… I hope.