Author's note: I am so sorry for how long it has been since I last posted a chapter. Things have been a bit crazy and I just haven't had any inspiration to write. I am going to try to do better though; I have no intentions of abandoning this story. Thank you so much to everyone who has stuck around and left reviews!

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I woke up the next day and something felt off. I realized it was because Eric was still asleep. That couldn't be a good sign. He was obviously alive (or undead) still, because he wasn't ash, but without movement or breathing I had no way of knowing if he was ok. I figured the best course of action would be to call Pam and have her contact Dr Ludwig or something. Do vampires even get sick? Could someone have poisoned him last night? I had so many thoughts racing through my mind.

I ran to the door, used my fingerprint to get out and relock it behind me and practically flew out to the kitchen. When I got there though, I froze. The house was light tight yes, if the special shutters were down. We hadn't pulled down the shutters last night after stargazing from inside. There wasn't anything wrong with Eric; there was something wrong with me.

Sunlight was pouring through the windows and bathing me in its light. Eric was still asleep because the sun was still out. So why was I awake? Why wasn't I burning? I walked closer to the window, pressed my hand against it and closed my eyes. The sun was calling to me and I hadn't realized how much I missed it. I didn't understand what was going on, but I wasn't going to look a gift horse in the mouth. I wanted to go out, to feel the sun's warmth on my skin, but didn't want to be stupid.

I decided to go out through the garage. If this gift faded or was only safe inside, I could quickly escape back to cover if I had to. For a moment I worried that I should have consulted Eric before trying this, but realized that would have been impossible. And what if this was the only day this gift would present itself? I couldn't take the chance of wasting it.

I pressed the button inside that lifted the large garage door and saw the sunlight flow inside. Cautiously, I stepped forward until I could feel the sun actually touching my skin. I was so happy I almost cried. When I crawled out of the dirt a few days before, I thought I would never see the sun again. I walked all the way into the yard and spread out my arms and danced in the sun. I felt freer than I ever had before. I walked around the outside of the house and discovered a pool in the backyard. I still wasn't burning or anything, so I decided to strip my clothes off and jump in the pool.

I swam to the very bottom and just floated around. I didn't have to worry about breathing, so I could stay under for as long as I wanted. I used to swim with my brother and my friend Tara as a kid but I would often panic about going under the water because I was always afraid I wouldn't swim back to the surface in time.

After my swim, I let myself just lay out in the sun and soak in the rays. When I could see the sun was starting to lower, I decided I should head in so as not to worry Eric if he woke up and I was missing. I was still so elated that I zoomed into our room and jumped on top of him, waiting impatiently for him to wake. I felt him stir under the blanket and then his eyes flew open. He pulled me down and inhaled my hair.

"You smell of sunlight."

I just smiled at him.

"What have you done?" His voice was guarded and I wasn't sure if he was angry or just concerned. I probed at our bond and felt mostly concern, but a little anger.

"When I woke up, you were still asleep. I freaked out and ran out to the kitchen to call Pam because I thought something was wrong with you. It was daylight. And the shutters were up. And I wasn't burning."

His eyes narrowed as they stared into mine. "And you went outside. I can smell the chlorine as well as sunlight."

I nodded. My smile was starting to falter, as I could feel many emotions stirring through him, to quickly for me to latch on to any of them. He grabbed the sides of my head and pulled my face down to his. "That was stupid."

I bit my lip. I would not allow myself to cry. I was hoping he would be excited with me. But he seemed upset.

"What if you had started to burn? What if someone had seen you?"

"Who could have seen me? You live in the middle of nowhere with insane security."

"You can never be too cautious, lover."

I hated how my heart squeezed when he called me lover again.

He sat up and adjusted me over him, the blanket still between us. His hands slid up and down my sides. "You are naked."

I nodded.

He brought his nose to my neck and inhaled. One of his hands found its way into my hair and fisted it, while the other continued roaming over my body. I knew that if my heart was still beating that it would be pounding in my chest. I was afraid to speak; I didn't want to kill the moment.

He started peppering little kisses along my neck, my jaw, my cheek. I turned to him and his lips crashed against mine. Eric's kisses have always been mind-blowing. But as a vampire that doesn't have to pull away to breathe and could go on endlessly? There aren't words to describe it. I knew where I wanted this to go, and I'm sure Eric knew what I wanted. I just wanted him. But I didn't know his mind, or his heart. Was this just a reaction to me smelling of the sun once again? A reaction to the fear of me harming myself? Or did he truly want me? Not out of guilt, or responsibility, but love? Or at the very least true affection?

He stopped kissing me and nuzzled his nose against mine. I closed my eyes and took a deep, unneeded breath.

"I'm sorry," he whispered.

I pulled back to look at him. "For what?"

"For allowing myself to get carried away again. For some reason around you I have a harder time denying my impulses."

I frowned at him. "I need to know, how do you feel about me? Can you see yourself in a relationship with me? Or do you see this strictly as a maker-child relationship? I can handle it if that's all you want, but I can't handle the mixed signals. If you want me, take me. If you don't, stop confusing me and let me move on. I'm not so far removed from my human life that I'm able to just casually have sex with someone and not be affected by it. Especially when I'm in love with them."

At the realization of the words that had just come out, I clapped my hand over my mouth. I was mortified to have blurted out that I was in love with him. I mean, he might have known already, but that's totally beside the point.

"Sookie, go put some clothes on. I can't have this conversation with you when your breasts are staring at me like that."

I scurried off of him and to the closet. Rather than waste time trying to find something of mine, I just grabbed one of his shirts and threw it over my head, then sat back down next to him on the bed.

He looked at me very seriously and after a moment, began speaking. "Since becoming a vampire, I really haven't had any relationships. The first few centuries were purely survival. Over the years, I have had the occasional consistent bedmate, but it was never anything serious- merely an easy way to find a meal and relief. I not only did not find myself wanting to tie myself to anyone; I found no one that would make me want to expose my true self to them. I did not want to grow attatched to someone only to watch them grow old and die while I lived on, either. The closest thing I've ever had to a true relationship is Pam. And though we were lovers for a brief time, we have long since ended that sort of activity and are close as friends as well as maker and child. Apart from my own maker, she is the only one I've ever been with long term.

"Then vampires announced our presence and we opened Fangtasia. Suddenly there were men and women throwing themselves at me. I had to make zero effort to bed someone or feed off of them. It was fun for a time, but the novelty wore off and I found myself less and less enticed by them; so many of them are so desperate and pathetic. You know, you've seen in their heads what they're truly like. I was growing so bored with the place and the monotony. And then one day, in walked this small creature who looked and smelled like the sun. Someone who knew what I was and had at least a hint of what I was capable of, and yet was not cowed by me, did not hesitate to argue when she believed I was wrong, or high handed. She turned my world upside down, because for the first time, I found myself caring about what happened to her, even at the extent of my own safety. I actually had feelings again.

"So yes, I could see myself in a relationship with you. Those days hiding in your home, sharing our lives together felt so right. But then that dynamic changed when I brought you over. I don't want you to feel compelled to be with me because I hold power over you. I know what it's like to have a maker force you to do things you do not wish for. I know you value your freedom and after what Bill did, I never want you to feel manipulated or abused. I don't want you to lose your sassy attitude or any part of who you are because of me."

He stared directly into my eyes, "But I admit that I do very much want you to be mine, for as long as you'll have me. For the first time, I've found someone who makes me want to do more than survive and exist, but to truly live."

I blinked away tears and smiled. "You dummy. I was already yours. I've been yours since the night we lay on the floor in front of the fire. Before that, if I'm being truly honest with myself."

He smiled back at me.

"But the question I have is, are you mine?"

His mouth crashed against mine again. In between kisses he whispered "I am yours and you are mine."

I couldn't keep the tears away this time. He licked them away and kissed me again.

"As much as I want to continue this," he put my hand against his manhood to show me how much he wanted to go on, "I fear we do not have time tonight. We need to discuss what happened today, and Pam will be here shortly to take you on your shopping trip."

I nodded soberly.

"So, somehow you are a daywalker. A fantasy of nearly every vampire who has ever existed, and yet, in my thousand years, you are the first I've ever met."

I was shocked. "Do you think maybe it's my special gift- like how you can fly?"

"Not a chance. That is the tradeoff as a vampire- eternal youth, strength and speed and in exchange we must drink blood, avoid sliver, and give up the sun. No, there is something else going on here."

I was starting to worry. "So I'm some sort of freak?"

"Not a freak, an anomaly. I've actually long wondered if you had some other supernatural blood somewhere down the line. Telepathy isn't exactly a trait that humans have in common."

"What do you think I am?" I wanted to argue that I was just a plain old human as I had for years, but even if I hadn't been odd with my ability, I was no longer actually a human.

"I have a few ideas, but I don't want to fill your head with wild thoughts until I'm more certain. I am going to contact an old friend who may have some more insight. In the mean time, you will tell no one of what you discovered today, not even Pam. And please, do not venture out again until we know more. I could not bear it if I woke and discovered you had burned up while I slept"

I nodded soberly and gently kissed him. "I promise."

"Ok, go shower and wash that delicious sunshine smell away. Pam will be here soon."

Once I was clean, dressed, and had applied some makeup, I went out into the kitchen where I discovered Eric and Pam sitting at the counter, each sipping a blood. Pam slid a glass down the counter toward me and I caught it without even having to think about it. Vampire reflexes are pretty cool.

"Thanks," I said taking a big drink. Normally when I wake up I'm insanely hungry, but somehow in my crazy day waking, I didn't feel it until the time I normally would be waking.

"So, here's what I'm thinking…" Pam started planning out our evening and I mostly just nodded along. She was naming fancy boutiques and designers that I mostly didn't recognize and the ones I did, I'd never dreamed of seeing in person, let alone seriously shopping for.

Eric announced that we would all travel together and that though Pam and I would go into the stores ourselves, he would stay outside- nearby in case anything should come up, but far enough to give us a sense of freedom. He said that he had some phone calls to make while we were shopping. I wondered if that included the person he was going to talk to about my potential supernatural heritage.

When Pam and I entered the first store, she told me I had to promise her something.

"What's that?" I asked.

"You are not allowed to look for price tags or ask about the cost of any of the items we are looking for."

"But-"

"No. I know you and you would be absolutely horrified at the prices. So to ensure that we still enjoy our trip, you need to promise to just look at the clothes and shoes and jewelry and appreciate them without worrying about the cost. Trust me, nothing you could buy tonight is going to hurt Eric's bank account in the slightest."

I felt my nose wrinkle because being frivolous with money went so against my upbringing, but I promised.

"Splendid!" She looped her arm through mine and practically skipped through the store. She was grabbing things and throwing them at me, directing workers to take things to fitting rooms, asking for jewelry and shoes to be wrapped up. She was like a crazy tornado of fashion. I wasn't sure who was happier though, her or the worker who practically had dollar signs flashing in his eyes. They probably work on commission here and it was his lucky night.

It was a good thing we had taken the SUV tonight, because the amount of clothing I was bringing home would not have fit in Eric's sports car. Pam had a minivan, which probably would have worked, but I couldn't see Eric allowing himself to be seen in the vehicle. As it is, any vampire in a minivan is entertaining, but then Pam's true self when not at work was not at all what you would expect of a vampire.

We had gone through several boutiques and I now had enough lingerie to last a month without ever repeating any, several bikinis, quality jeans, sweaters, blouses, dress suits, cocktails dresses, ball gowns, shoes, shoes, and oh, some more shoes. Basically, if an event might occur, I now owned the necessary attire.

Pam was practically orgasmic over the experience. While I enjoyed spending time with her and it really was great to have nice, new clothing; crazy shopping still wasn't really my idea of fun. Eric greeted us at the car and smiled as we loaded up the back with the help of one of the personal shoppers. He tipped the worker and then we all got in and drove back to Eric's house.

As we unloaded everything (mine into the house, Pam's into her own car,) Eric asked if we'd had fun.

"It was amazing," Pam replied dreamily.

I laughed. "I had fun with Pam. And all I really had to do was try things on when she shoved them at me."

He glanced sideways at her. "And was she behaved while you changed or did she offer unnecessary help?"

She put a hand to her heart and said dramatically, "Why Eric, you wound me. To suggest I would use the experience to gaze upon our Sookie's delicious bounty…how dare you?" She almost managed to keep a straight face.

I swatted at her. "She was fine. She only made about 69 inappropriate comments."

They both looked at me blankly for a second and then I smiled. "It was a joke. She really was fine."

Her face lit up. "Oh, it was an oral sex joke! Clever!" Then she kissed me on the cheek and left for the evening.

Eric helped me put away all my new purchases. While we were hanging things in the closet, he told me he'd gotten ahold of the person who may have information about my new ability. Apparently it was an old friend of his that could be trusted with this information and hopefully help me, and he was going to meet us here in a few hours.

Suddenly I was very nervous. I wanted answers of course, but sometimes ignorance feels like a safe little bubble. Once we spoke to this person, my world was probably going to turn upside down again.

Eric and I went into the living room to watch TV and relax while we waited. After a little while, there was a loud buzzing sound coming from the wall.

"What's that?" I asked.

"The intercom." He went to the wall and pushed a few buttons and a screen appeared that showed a car and a man's face. "Come on up." He pushed another button.

"You know how there's a code to get in through the gate?"

I nodded.

"I don't give that out to many, so if someone wants to come up they have to press the intercom and wait to be permitted. As I know and was expecting him, I pressed a button that opened the gates, giving him access to the house."

I was impressed. "Fancy."

A few moments later, the front doorbell rang. I followed Eric to see who this mystery man was. When the door opened, I saw a beautiful older man standing there. He was tall with long, straight silvery hair, a navy suit with white pinstripes and he held a cane in his hand. He had a few wrinkles, but I got the impression that he was much older than he appeared.

The man's face broke into a huge smile when he saw Eric. He grasped his hand and clapped him on the shoulder.

"It is good to see you old friend! I am so pleased that you called."

Eric gestured him inside and the man's eyes landed on me. I wanted to shrink back because the way this man was examining me made me feel like some substance under a microscope. I opened my mind to him but heard nothing, which was strange. It wasn't the same kind of blank bubble that a vampire has, and this man was definitely not a vampire. It was more like a radio that was on, but the volume was completely turned off. I'd be able to pick up his mind but not be able to hear a thing if I was trying.

The man walked over to me and gently cupped his hands around my face. His eyes looked both elated and sad.

"My child," he said softly, "I am so glad to finally meet you."

I looked at Eric feeling slightly panicked, but he sent me calm and reassurance through our bond.

The man let his hands fall to his sides. "I apologize. My name is Niall, and I am your great-grandfather."