Eric was gone when I woke up the next morning, which didn't surprise me in the least. We had stayed up late, mostly in silence as I lay in his arms, marveling at the stillness of his sculpted chest. I didn't know what else we were supposed to do on these late night visits. It was the first time he hadn't come to me because was on a psychotic vampire or human killer watch. He was there with me just to be there, and that changed everything.

I had been up so late that I had slept right through the morning and well into the afternoon. I only had an hour before having to go work, which didn't leave me a lot of time to get ready and drive there. I showered quickly and put on my uniform for the first time in two weeks before eating some toast and heading to work.

When I arrived I found the place was pretty busy and went to put my things in Sam's office. I walked in without thinking to knock and hesitated when I saw Sam standing with a young woman with light brown hair. They both turned to me and I halted in the doorway, embarrassed at the thought that I had interrupted something.

"Oh sorry, I should have knocked," I said.

"Hey, Chase," Sam said with a nervous smile. "It's good to see you back."

I smiled awkwardly and nodded as he came towards me and offered me a hug. I returned it. "It's good to be back."

Sam released me and motioned to the woman. "This is, uh Daphne. She is going to be working here with us."

I blinked in surprise, looking at her before extending a hand for her to shake. She took it and her thoughts washed over me instantly. They were too random and scattered to truly decipher, and some of them were blurred as if she herself had a hard time figuring out just what they were.

I pulled my hand away from her with a small gasp and looked at her with a slight frown, she returned it. I didn't like what I had seen. I had never really seen jumbled thoughts like that in someone's head. At least not as bad as hers.

"I'm Chase," I said finally after recovering. "It's nice to meet you."

She smiled. It didn't reach her eyes. "Nice to meet you too."

"Things are pretty busy out there so I better get to work," I said forcing a smile on my face before moving to the shelves and putting my things on them.

"Just take your usual tables, Chase," Sam instructed.

"Will do."

I put my apron on and headed out of the office catching sight of Sookie at the pickup window.

I approached her carefully not sure if she was still mad at me or not. She smiled at me as I came closer which I took as a good sign. "You know Sam is hiring another waitress?"

She nodded. "I guess Arlene talked him into it. We could use an extra pair of hands for when one of us has a day off I suppose."

I shrugged. It was true. When things got busy at Merlotte's it was like hell, and one of us needed a day off every now and then. "So about the Jessica thing…"

Sookie cut me off with a wave of her hand and a sigh. "Don't worry about it. It's not your fault and it was his responsibility to tell me, not yours. Sorry for getting on your case about it."

"It's fine. I understand why you're upset."

"I just can't believe he hadn't told me." she ranted as she began moving towards the tables. I followed after her. "I just think that he shouldn't keep things from me. If I am going to be his girlfriend then I need to know everything."

"I agree," I nodded.

"Excuse me, ma'am can I get my order taken over here?"

I sighed as I turned and saw one of my table's customers looking at me impatiently. "We can talk about this more later," Sookie insisted. "Go on and get to work."

The next few hours flew by quickly just like a blur. I was constantly on my feet and barely able to take a break even with Sookie and Arlene working too. I would be glad when Daphne started working, even though I wasn't too sure about her.

My night was going fairly smooth until a person I wasn't entirely ready to face walked through the door.

Jason Stackhouse.

My stomach sunk. I hadn't seen him since he was last in jail and I had not been able to mend things with him either. Judging from the way his brown eyes widened when they met mine, I assumed that he had thought that I had skipped town for good or truly hadn't expected to see me at Merlotte's.

I wasn't sure what to do as I stood there, my eyes locked with his, so I did the first thing that came to mind. I waved.

He didn't return it. He tore his eyes away from me and followed Hoyt to a table that was in Sookie's section before sitting down. I decided then that it might just be better if I didn't talk to him at all.

The whole town was still buzzing over the death of the con artist woman, Ms. Jeanette or whatever her name was, and it seemed to be the talk of the restaurant. I could hear people whispering about being able to smell the blood in the parking lot still or about the vampires bringing Renee-Drew Marshall-back from the dead and it was him who had murdered her. Arlene had heard the comments first hand, and naturally they made her very upset given her attachment and relationship to Renee, and half the restaurant watched in surprise as Terry came to her rescue and kicked the couples out who had been talking about it. Sookie and I both agreed after that, that it was only a matter of time before Terry and Arlene became a couple.

Sookie decided to leave early and go talk things out with Bill once things began to slow down and I fully agreed. The only annoyance that was left in the building was Andy Bellefleur who was drunkenly harassing the customers trying to "clear his name" about the murder in the parking lot. I was thankful when Sherriff Bud put a stop to it before I committed murder and bashed Andy's head in with my tray.

I was trying to escape the noise of the restaurant and finally catch a small break when I bumped right into Jason on my way to the bathroom. I jumped in surprise, looking up at him as his hands caught me by the shoulders to keep me from falling. Once he realized it was me his hands left me immediately and his face fell.

"Hi…Jason…" I said slowly.

"Uh...hey Chase," he said, glancing away from me to the floor; he shoved his hands into his pockets.

"How have you been?" I didn't know what else to say to him. How could I explain myself? How could I apologize for hurting him and have him know that I meant it?

"I have been great…" he answered smiling weakly. "I uh…am going to a church thing in Baton Rouge soon. I am trying to change my life a bit…find Jesus and all that."

I nodded. I was a little surprised. I didn't see Jason as the church going type, but if he wanted to make changes for the better then I was both happy and proud of him.

"That's great, Jason," I said with a smile. "That is really great."

"Yeah…it is. How about you?…You still seeing that vampire?" he asked me hesitantly.

I sighed. Of course he would ask. I could hear the hope in his voice. Hope that I wasn't, but I was and for the time being I was happy with that decision.

"Yes actually I am," I said softly.

"Are you happy?"

"Yes…Eric makes me happy."

Jason smiled. I could see it was forced, his entire face looked strained and it didn't reach his eyes the way his genuine smiles did. "Well, that's good for you. I hope everything-."

"Chase, you've got a phone call."

I turned at the sound of Tara's voice and found her peeking her head down the hall. I frowned at her. Who would be calling me at work? I did have a cell phone.

"Who is it?"

"Some guy named Eric Northman," Tara shrugged. "Should I tell him to call back or something?"

Jason's face fell just the slightest and I did my best to dull down the happiness I felt.

"No, I'm coming," I said, not taking my eyes off Jason. "It was good talking with you Jason…maybe sometime in the future we can hang out?"

He only nodded which I didn't take as a good sign. I rushed into his arms, hugging him tightly. Jason was a good guy and I did like him. But he wasn't Eric. He tensed in surprise, but his arms came around me hesitantly and he sighed, putting his face into the crook of my neck. It felt nice. I couldn't lie. I pulled away from him after a moment when it got awkward and offered him a small smile which he hesitantly returned.

"Good luck with your church thing," I offered.

I went quickly to the bar and picked up the phone that sat by the register.

"Hello?"

"Good evening, lover."

I smiled, my awkward moment with Jason completely forgotten.

"Hello, Eric," I responded softly turning my back to Tara as I caught her watching me. "Any particular reason you are calling me at work?"

"I am calling to inform you that I will be unable to come to you tonight," he replied, he almost sounded regretful.

I frowned. "Why not?"

"I have business to attend to," he answered. "I will be busy for most of the night."

"And what is so important that will be keeping you preoccupied for the whole evening?" I asked raising an eyebrow.

"Paperwork and inventory," he answered without missing a beat. "And a meeting with a few associates of mine to discuss business; Fangtasia business."

I was surprised that he had answered so quickly and honestly. Where was the icy asshole Eric I knew and sometimes hated? "You are willingly reporting your itinerary to me, Eric? I do believe you are going soft on me," I whispered playfully.

He chuckled, low and deep. "Quite the opposite, lover. And I will be more than willing to prove it to you tomorrow night."

I felt a warmth in my belly. I had to end this phone call before I started melting into a puddle. "I have to get back to work, Eric," I said after a moment. "Thank you for the informational phone call."

"You are welcome," he replied seductively. How could he manage to make everything sound so sexy when he wasn't saying anything sexual? "Stay out of trouble," he added, his voice now stern.

"I will, Eric," I replied rolling my eyes. "Goodbye."

I hung the phone up, a smile on my face as I turned back to find Tara still watching me with a sly smile. I felt my cheeks flame as she stepped towards me expectantly. Tara and I didn't talk much, but I still considered her a friend. I liked her "I don't give a shit" attitude.

"So who is Eric?" she asked finally, raising an eyebrow as I began to fidget with my apron. I felt like a spotlight had been flashed on me.

"He is…a guy I am seeing…I think," I answered. My face scrunched up. I didn't know how else to describe him. He had made it obviously clear that we are not boyfriend and girlfriend and that we are 'bonded', but how do you tell someone that? "He's a vampire."

Tara's face fell slightly, but her smile remained. "You and Sookie sure do have a lot in common. How do you telepaths wind up with these vampires?" she asked jokingly in a hushed whisper.

I shrugged. "I don't know, but he…he is something else."

Tara huffed. "I bet."

We heard the bell above the entrance door ring and both of us turned to see who it was. It was a tall young looking African American man accompanied by an older mature looking woman. She was just as beautiful as he was handsome. She looked more exotic and when her eyes fell on Tara and me she smiled brightly. Both the woman and the man made a beeline straight for the bar and I felt Tara tense next to me.

"Maryann, Egg's, what are you doing here?" Tara asked as they reached the bar.

"I have a little meeting with Sam," Maryann answered with a bright smile before looking at me. "And who is this beautiful young lady?"

"Oh this is Chase, the one I told you about," Tara said glancing at me as I raised an eyebrow. Just what exactly had she told this Maryann woman about me? "Chase, this is Maryann and Egg's, my roommates."

I smiled, remembering her mentioning that she had moved out of her mother's house and was living with a really nice woman. "Egg's?" I said looking at the young man. "That's a…unique name?"

The young man smiled widely. "Actually it's Benedict."

"Ohhhh," I said once I got the joke. I laughed. "Egg's Benedict right?"

He nodded as he chuckled too. "Yeah exactly."

Maryann got my attention as she took my hand, her thoughts rushing me with an intensity unlike I had ever felt. It was just words and chanting, no images, words and chanting that seemed very familiar, but I could not put my finger on. It sounded like some ancient language that she was just repeatedly saying over and over in her mind. I did my best to keep a straight face and pulled my hand away slowly to not arouse suspicion and forced a small smile.

"You are truly a remarkable girl, Chase," she said looking at me with those deep eyes of hers. I resisted the urge to cringe. She was really creeping me out. "Tara told me about the ordeal that you and Sookie went through with that horrible serial killer and I find it absolutely remarkable that you are even functioning after an experience like that."

I forced the smile to remain on my face, unable to stop thinking about the chanting in her head. Where had I heard that before? It was going to drive me nuts trying to figure it out. "Thank you…that's very err…nice of you to say."

She continued to stare at me, making me feel uncomfortable.

"Well I am off in a few minutes so I better start my side work," I breathed. "It was nice to meet you guys."

Egg's and Maryann nodded as I walked away as fast as I could making it out of sight before stopping at the pickup window. Terry spotted me and I must have had a weird look on my face because he approached the window looking concerned.

"Everything okay?"

I nodded. "Yeah… but this town is just getting weirder and weirder."

Terry huffed. "Tell me about it."

I spent an uneventful night alone in my room trying to plan a trip to Dallas to go to the children's home I had been adopted from. The plane ticket alone and a stay at a hotel would cost one of my entire paychecks-and that was including a couple hours of overtime-and to rent a car and be able to eat and pay for gas and etc. that would be another pay check. I just wouldn't be able to make the trip any time soon and would have to put it off.

Sam had given me the next day off so Daphne could train and even though I wanted to start saving for my trip to Dallas I figured a day at home could do me some good. I got caught up on sleep and cleaned my room as well as did some much needed laundry. I spent some time with Isaac and my parents like we all used to back in Austin. No one talked about murders, or vampires, or me being adopted. It was just one big happy family hanging out eating lunch and watching a few movies. It was like old times, times that I missed a lot. My parents turned in for the night early like they always did and my brother did too. I took a shower and put on a pair of sweats and a tank top, crawling into bed to read a book and wait for Eric.

"Chase."

I jerked awake at the sound of my name, sitting up quickly and causing the book I'd been reading to fall off my chest.

Eric Northman stood at my beside… but he looked completely different.

His hair was cut and dyed and darker color with highlights, his new hair styled in a slick wave back and away from his face. He had somehow become more attractive, something I thought entirely impossible. He wore grey pants and black sweat suit jacket with blue stripes down the arm and no shirt underneath. There was a chain hanging from his neck with a copper colored claw, something that I hadn't noticed before.

"Eric," I breathed looking him up and down. "You look…."

"It's the new me," he said simply. One eyebrow arched. "You like?"

"Yes…I do actually."

He smirked and sat down on the edge of the bed beside me. "I apologize for being late," he said glancing at my clock. My eyes followed his and I saw that it was only nearing ten o' clock. "I had some business to attend too."

"Oh…It's okay."

"How was your day?"

I blinked at the question, looking at him surprised. He actually sounded as if he was genuinely interested. "Um… it was good," I answered nodding slowly. "I just hung around home and did laundry and spent some time with the folks and my brother. Nothing exciting."

"How is your brother's leg?"

"It's fine. Healing very slowly which is driving him nuts, because he isn't the type to just lay around all day."

"Pam was quite taken with him, you know. Perhaps she will offer her blood to speed up the healing process?"

I huffed, shaking my head. "I will not let Isaac become one of Pam's humans. That's just creepy."

He chuckled and reached for my face, brushing his fingertips along the side of my cheek. "Now what is so wrong with being a vampire's human?" he asked me softly as he leaned in close. "You seem to enjoy it."

I couldn't bring myself to answer him as I found his lips barely an inch from mine. I stopped breathing, my eyes closing as my heart began to thud in my chest, anticipating his lips making contact with mine.

I heard a cell phone buzzing. My eyes snapped open as I pulled away from him, my eyes looking toward the bedside table where my phone sat. It was not mine. I looked back to Eric and found him retrieving a cell phone from his pocket with a sigh. He answered it.

"Speak."

His face fell seconds later and I frowned, wondering what had happened that could make him have such a reaction. "Meet me at Fangtasia. I am on my way," he hung up the phone, still not looking at me as he dialed another number in his cell and pressed it back to his ear. He waited a few seconds before beginning to speak again. "Dr. Ludwig, it is Eric Northman, Sheriff of Area 5, I need your assistance with a certain situation. Can you meet me at my establishment as soon as possible?" he paused again listening. He hung up without giving any response and turned blue eyes on me as I frowned. "I have to go."

"What? Why? What happened?" I asked quickly, watching him rise to his feet. "Who was that?"

"I will return later tonight," he said as he reached my window and lifted it. "If there is time."

"Eric!" I said loudly, making him halt, forgetting about my sleeping parents. I instantly lowered my voice as I continued. "What is going on?"

Eric frowned as he looked at me. "That was Bill. Sookie Stackhouse was attacked by some creature."

My stomach dropped as I jumped to my feet. "Sookie is hurt? Is she okay?"

"That is what I am going to find out," he said turning back to the window and sticking one leg through. "I will call you when I know something."

"No, I am coming with you," I said walking to my closet, reaching for my coat and sliding on my flip flops. I turned off my bedroom light and locked the door before I walked to him.

Eric shook his head as he straddled my window sill. "No, Chase. You will stay here."

I put my hand on his shoulder, giving him a gentle push so that he slipped through completely and then I followed him out, not landing nearly as graceful as him. He stared down at me with disapproval, but I didn't care. If Sookie was in trouble then I was coming along. I considered her a good friend and I had to be sure that she was okay.

"I am going and that is the final word," I said determinedly.

He continued to frown as he stepped toward and lifted me into his arms, wedding style. I gasped a little and wrapped my arms around his neck, even though I was pretty sure he wouldn't drop me.

"Hold on tightly and shut your eyes. I will not have you vomiting on me," he said simply.

I hesitated. "What are you talking about? Why would I vomit on you?"

"Because we're going to fly to Shreveport."

"Fly-?"

With a bend in the knee, he soared straight up into the air, making my stomach flip and my hands clutch him tighter. The wind whipped at my eyes forcing my shut my eyes against the harsh gusts. I pressed my face into the crook of his neck to shield it and felt my heart racing, a constant thrum against my sternum.

Eric can fly. Eric can FLY. We're flying.

In what felt like mere moments we were landing on the ground, Eric setting me down on my feet gently and holding my hips until he was sure I could stand on my own. My knees felt wobbly and my heart was struggling to slow.

"Are you alright?" Eric questioned looking at me with concern.

I nodded, covering my mouth when my stomach took another flip.

"You're sure?"

I nodded again.

He released me then, moving past me to the entrance of Fangtasia. I waited a few more seconds to make sure that my dinner was not going to make a sudden return and followed him, catching up just as he entered the building.

Bill was already inside, sitting on one of the tables, Sookie cradled in his arms. Her head was hanging back, her limbs limp. Bill's face brightened with panic when we walking in. I could see the fear in his eyes shining clearly.

"Oh my god, Bill," I said rushing to his side and touching Sookie's pale forehead. Her skin was on fire. "What the hell happened?"

Bill shook his head. "I have no idea. She was attacked by a bull human?"

A bull human? I frowned. What the hell?

The entrance door opened behind us, slamming shut loudly calling my attention. A small elderly women walked in, carrying a large satchel and wearing scrubs with a colorful scrub cap on her head. She didn't look pleased.

"Good evening, Dr. Ludwig," Eric greeted as she shuffled towards us.

"What seems to be the problem?" She asked irritably, looking up at Eric. "I don't have all night."

Bill rose to his feet with Sookie in his arms. "She was attacked by some creature," he explained, maneuvering Sookie in his arms to show Dr. Ludwig the three long claw marks down her back.

Dr. Ludwig frowned, motioning toward the red backless couch. "Lie her down. Get a towel."

Bill did as he was told, while Eric sauntered over to the bar to retrieve a large towel. I stood by on the side lines, unsure of what to do, but thinking that it was best to just stay out of the way.

Once Sookie was lying face down on the couch, Dr. Ludwig shooed Bill away. He came to stand next to me, his arms crossed tensely over his chest and his face scrunched in concern. Eric slid onto a chair at the foot of the backless couch, watching with a blank face as Dr. Ludwig began examining Sookie.

Dr. Ludwig pulled a pair of scissors from her satchel, cutting the back of Sookie's tank top, then her bra strap. Three long gashes extended from shoulder back to her lower back, gaping and bulbous. Dr. Ludwig dawned gloves just as Sookie began blinking awake. She looked around groggily, eyeing the doctor, then Bill and me before looking back to Dr. Ludwig.

"What kind of doctor are you?" Sookie questioned sleepily.

"The healing kind. My name is Dr. Ludwig. What's yours-?"

Sookie cut Dr. Ludwig off with a scream as the doctor dug her slim fingers into one of Sookie's wounds and pulled something out.

"Sookie," Sookie coughed in answer pitifully. "Sookie Stackhouse...am I dying?"

"Yes," Dr. Ludwig answered absently as she examined what she had pulled out of Sookie's wound.

Bill stepped forward angrily. "No! She cannot die. You will save her."

Dr. Ludwig seemed unphased by Bill's demand. "Back off vampire, let me do my job."

"Forgive him," Eric deadpanned. "Bill is abnormally attached to this human."

I frowned at Eric's response, looking over to see him watching me. Abnormally attached? If he thought that about Bill, then what did that make us? I raised a questioning eyebrow at him and he passed me a quick wink that only I saw. My frown remained.

"Well," Dr. Ludwig said calling my attention. "We don't have a lot of choices. She's been poisoned."

"Poisoned? Poisoned by what?" I said in confusion.

"Have you ever heard of Komodo dragons?" Dr. Ludwig asked. She didn't wait for an answer. "Their mouths are teeming with bacteria. After one has bitten you, it will track you for hours, days, just waiting for the toxins to slowly eat away at your nervous system till your good and helpless. And then it will devour you alive."

Sookie visibly flinched, her face scrunched in pain or confusion. "I was scratched by a dragon?"

"No. But this poison is similar, but way more efficient," Dr. Ludwig answered. "I think I have seen it before, but it's hard to tell without further testing. No time for that though. Give us some privacy, I need to remove her clothing."

Sookie looked to Bill helplessly. He came toward her, touching her shoulder. "I will be right outside," he assured. "I am so sorry."

"She is running out of time, Mr. Compton," Dr. Ludwig warned.

Eric rose without a word, starting for his office while Bill followed with a regretful look. Eric stopped when he saw that I wasn't following, beckoning me with a wave. I hesitated, I didn't want to leave Sookie. Not like this, not with the doctor we truly didn't know, and while I trusted Eric's judgement I felt I should stay.

"I am going to stay with Sookie and help," I said, dropping my purse and moving to kneel by Sookie's head. She had begun choking on her own white spittle, it was frothing out of her mouth. I reached for the edge of the towel beneath her and wiped it away best I could.

Eric hesitated, looking disapproving for just a moment before he stepped into the back and Bill followed. I took one of Sookie's hands, holding it tightly so she knew that I was there. Dr. Ludwig continued her work, ignoring me, cutting off the rest of Sookie's clothing that would hinder the process. I averted my eyes, focusing on the black flooring beneath me, unsure if I could stomach watching her do this.

My mind wandered to what could have attacked Sookie. What the hell was a bull human? And why the hell was it running around Bon Temps? It had to have been big, considering the large claw marks on her back. It was scary to think that was something like this in the area, just one more thing to worry about-.

Sookie let out a blood curdling scream, snapping me out of my thoughts and causing me to jump backward. She didn't release my hand, squeezing it so tightly that pain sparked in my fingers and up my arm. Dr. Ludwig was pouring a clear liquid over Sookie's wounds causing them to sizzle and bubble. Sookie writhed in pain, her screams loud, her grip on my fingers tightening to the point I worried she'd break them.

Quick footsteps sounded behind me. "What the hell are you doing to her?" Bill demanded angrily.

"Hold her down! Or let her die, your choice," Dr. Ludwig replied, still pouring the bubbling liquid into Sookie's wounds.

I wiggled my way out of Sookie's grasp, moving out of the way so that Bill could take my place. My ears were ringing from Sookie's screams, the sight of her wounds oozing and bubbling making my stomach turn. Eric came up behind me, turning me away from the sight and holding me to his chest.

It felt like hours had gone by, but the clock said differently. It'd been an hour since Dr. Ludwig began working to save Sookie's life and I'd spent most of that time pressed into Eric's body. I was relieved when Sookie stopped screaming, gaining the courage to finally look over and see that Dr. Ludwig was finished. She cleaned Sookie off with a towel, Sookie's once gaping wounds now looked scratches.

Sookie was barely conscious, Bill at her side, brushing his fingers over her cheek and whispering assurances.

"You can give her your blood now," Dr. Ludwig said absently, shutting her case and holding it to her side. "The poison should be gone."

Bill's fangs unsheathed with a click, his hand moving toward his mouth when Eric appeared right beside him, gripping his wrist. I blinked in surprise, I had barely felt Eric move from my side.

"Mine is much stronger. Allow me," Eric said softly, fangs exposed.

Bill frowned and my expression turned to match his. The feelings of jealousy that swept through me at the moment weren't that surprising, but that sudden doubt I felt about Eric's feelings for me was.

I was unable to help, but think back to the night that I had gone to see Eric, before the police raided Fangtasia, seeing him sitting with Sookie and Bill. I hadn't forgotten the way he had been staring at her, full of intrigue and awe. The very same way he looked at me in the beginning. And the exact same way he was looking at her now.

I knew that giving him her blood would create a bond between them, something that I knew I would be foolish to think only he and I shared. But he had made such a big deal about how special that connection was, that it meant more than "human relationships", meaning his willingness to do so with Sookie could mean only one thing.

He wanted to have a bond with her.

I felt overwhelmed by the doubt and jealousy in that moment and had a sudden desire to get fresh air. I turned on my heel without a word and walked out of the building, sighing when I felt the warm hit me. I kept moving, rounding the building until I stood where the dumpsters were and leaned against the wall.

If he wanted to give Sookie his blood that means he wanted the same connection with her that he has with you, the little voice inside my head reasoned. It sounded oddly like Cassandra.

Maybe it's because he just likes to control everything? Or he wants to get back at Bill for something? I reasoned back.

Or maybe it's because he is interested in her, the way he is interested in you, the voice countered.

A sick feeling crept up my gut. Sookie and I had the same power, while it was used differently, it was essentially the same. I felt my stomach turn again as I thought about the possibility that I was just a second choice. That it was her that he truly wanted, but I was available, where she was not.

Is that all I am to him? The telepath that wasn't already taken? The one that he was free to use and sleep with-?

"Sookie was just attacked by a poisonous creature that is somewhere in the immediate area and here you are in the dark alley alone. Do you have a death with, Lover?"

Eric's voice startled me, making me jump and turn to find him standing at the entrance to the alley. He was staring at me a mixture of amusement and concern on his face.

I tried to hide what I was feeling from my facial expression. I wasn't going to have this conversation right now, not when Sookie was inside hurt. I also wasn't sure I was ready to truly know.

"Is Sookie alright?" I questioned instead, trying to hide the hurt from my voice.

"Bill has given her his blood and she is completely healed and resting. They will be staying in the bar for the day," he answered coming closer.

"And the bull human? What do we do about that?"

"I have Pam and Chao working on that," he stopped in front me and brushed a stray strand of hair from my cheek. "You don't need to worry about it."

I nodded and shied away from his touch as casually as I could. He noticed, of course, frowning down at me.

"What's the matter?" He asked, arching an eyebrow.

"Nothing," I lied. "I should get back inside and check on Sookie."

I moved around him, walking quickly toward the entrance. I jumped when I suddenly found him right in front me, stopping only half an inch from me bumping into him. His eyebrow was still curiously arched. He knew something was wrong. And I remembered then that we were bonded. He could feel all the doubt, worry, and insecurity coursing through me.

"Are you going to tell me what is wrong?" He asked.

I shook my head. "I don't want to talk about it right now. Shouldn't we be going soon? The sun-."

"I have four hours before the sun rises, plenty of time for you to tell me what is on your mind."

"I don't want to talk here. This isn't the appropriate place or time, not with Sookie having just been attacked."

I was surprised when he stepped forward and picked me up into his arms, wedding style just as he had when we left my house. "Then we will go somewhere we can discuss it."