AN: There's a link to my tumblr in my profile. Check it out, it's me mostly just posting videos and pictures I find funny. Silly stuff really. Some ASkars stuff, too.

I'm really glad a lot of you are reading this story. It almost has as many alerts as my big story I Love You, But I've Chosen Darkness, it has like 15 less, that's it. QUITE CRAZY, I SAY!

Thanks to my beta, seastarr08, check out her stuff! Although, I have a feeling all of you have already read it, since it's so fucking amazing!

Cheers!

Chapter 9: I Can Feel Your Power

There was a knock on the door and my heart leapt. I was surprised by my vigour and knew it was the excitement and comfort of Eric returning. I called for him to enter and turned, tugging the pyjama's in place that were provided to me from Sophie-Anne's people. Bill was standing in the doorway, closing it behind him.

"Leave it open." A tone escaped my lips – one I had never heard from me before. He hesitated and did as I said.

He stood there, a look of agony on his face, his arms locked behind his back. I felt nothing. "I have much to atone for." I waited, slowly backing from him. I couldn't help the increase in my heart, but I took calming breaths to keep my mind. He held his hands out as if to reassure me that it was all right. "The Queen...hired me to obtain an...asset for her Queendom. A girl in Northern Louisiana, near my old home. I did not know it would be a woman – I did not know it would be you, Sookie."

"What's that supposed to mean?" I said, really having no clue as to what he was talking about.

"I fell in love with you." His brows were together and he cocked his head to the side. He was in pain with what he had done to me. I believed it. But it felt as if it hurt me more.

"So originally, you didn't come to me because you wanted to or because you were attracted to me – it was because of your job. Would you even have looked my way if I wasn't?" He gave me a helpless look. "Did you love me before or after you took my virginity?" He said nothing and it fuelled the fire inside. "Well?"

"Sookie...As it turned out, I fell in love. My feelings are genuine."

"Would you have ever told me?"

"Yes!...Eventually."

"Like when the Queen ordered you to hand me over?"

"No!" he burst but then restrained himself. "Sookie...I had to – she was my Queen."

"Eric told me you were in Mississippi before you came back to Bon Temps." I stated. Bill closed his eyes.

"I was."

"With Lorena?"

"No. She just...sided with Russell. It wasn't – she loved me." I saw the anguish on his face and for a split second I felt bad about killing her and then that feeling went away. I swallowed, looking pointedly at the bed post.

"So, you left Russell for Sophie-Anne? Are you allowed to do that?"

He hesitated and I wondered just how much he could tell me. "I was working with Russell on something...He was erratic, eccentric and delusional. He cared more about the men in his life and his connection to werewolves then the real issues in his state. He hired me to be his sort of...secretary." I imagined Bill with glasses and a stiff suit following around an important mayor or president and I tried not to laugh. There you are humour, I missed you. "I was helping with his money problems and his lack of control over his subjects, although he couldn't care less about them and then Sophie-Anne contacted me. I had lived in Louisiana before and she remembered and she promised me more. Needless to say, Russell was very, very upset. I was leaving him right back at square one. He and I had a...history. He was my Captain in the Civil War."

I gasped, just cause it was all I could think to do. "But he was a vampire."

Bill's gaze darkened. "Indeed." I waited for him to continue. "It just so happened he had taken a...liking to me. He wanted me to be a part of his...family. He has gone quite insane the past couple centuries. He had two lovers, Talbot and Wade. About a hundred and fifty years ago, Wade was killed after entering the civil war. He was no more than two centuries old and was interested in the Civil debate. Russell became captain to keep an eye on him. Little did he know that his creation would be staked in the heart purely by coincidence. So, in his grief, he continued and found me."

I didn't understand this. Lorena had turned Bill, but from what Bill was saying...

"Lorena chose me because her maker told her to."

The first thing that came to mind was – Russell had lost his child and his lover two days ago.

"It was all a set-up. My change was planned and I was vampire." Bill looked away for a moment. "That was why I was in Mississippi, that was why Russell wanted me. When he heard about a telepath being used in Dallas, he was intrigued. Then the mess at the Fellowship in Dallas happened. He was...ecstatic that his grand-child was dating a telepath. He ignored Sophie-Anne's ruling. The two of them were never fond of each other. Always feuding, always challenging, so it seemed like a perfect opportunity."

"Oh," was all I could say.

"In addition, Russell was desperate for Eric. Always has been." Bill snorted. I wondered what that meant exactly. Surely it wasn't just as simple as wanting to sleep with Eric...was it? "He heard about Eric's...affection for you. He had spies set up and saw that taking you would be the one thing he had been hoping for. Telepaths are coveted, precious prizes in our world, Sookie," Bill said seriously. I took a breath.

"Well, this is great, Bill. Thanks for telling me," I muttered. I hoped he could hear the sarcasm in my voice. "Thanks for telling me after I went through all that shit. Thanks for telling me that there was a target on your back."

"I didn't think..."

"You didn't think you're grand-daddy was a crazy psycho and would probably go after you?"

"Sophie-Anne suspected but she is –"

"Just as crazy?" I snapped.

"Sookie, please."

"No, Bill I'm in no mood for more explanation from you! Get out!"

"Sookie," he was desperate now. He needed more time with me and I wasn't letting it. "You must understand. I was under the Queen's orders."

"Oh? Did the Queen order you to drain me and..." I was losing control now. I had kept my cool through his entire story and now – It was all too much. I couldn't take anymore. Not tonight. "Bill, I don't know what to believe. I need time. I don't need you here trying to force yourself on me!" The sharp memory of his on top of me in that cramped trunk smashed into me with a force I hadn't expected. A sharp intake of unnecessary breath later, Bill made the decision to leave.

I turned from the door and faced the bed, feeling my shoulders slump and my heart was like a thousand pounds. I felt defeated more so than any other time. I heard the door click shut and I made a noise, whipping around and seeing Eric – tall and dirty blond, Bill's complete opposite. I let out a breath that I didn't realize I was holding.

I had forgotten about how I asked him to come back and I was so relieved that he had. Something inside me relaxed, knowing he was okay from the Queen for the moment.

"You came back."

The sweetest thing Eric could have said, he asked, "You want me with you?"

I wanted to burst into tears with a resounding 'YES!' but I held my tongue. "I don't want to be alone. Especially here." I didn't need Sophie-Anne's crazy sneaking up in this room when I closed my eyes. I felt safe with Eric. That's what I needed.

I got under the covers and watched Eric get in next to me. My brows furrowed. "Do you always sleep in your jeans?" I couldn't help but be amused by that.

"No. I sleep naked." My heart jerked at his words. How wrong of me to think dirty thoughts at that.

I grabbed his hand that was folded on his stomach. "You can take off your jeans, Eric." So swiftly his hand darted under the covers and his pants were off before I could blink twice. Impressive. Instead of initiating something I might regret, I turned off the light. "Goodnight."

Only I couldn't sleep. I tried. I couldn't bring myself to close my eyes, not when he was so close to me. Not when I wanted to curl up and cry into his shoulder, something he'd probably not appreciate at all. What time could he have for a stupid twenty-five year old telepath who was a virgin up until two months ago and was just betrayed by her vampire boyfriend and killed his maker?

"Eric," I said before I could stop myself.

"Yes," he whispered, copying my volume. I smiled at how fast he responded. I rolled over to get a better look at him. My eyes had adjusted to the dark already.

I felt as if I had to justify my current situation to him. "None of this turned out how I expected," I murmured.

"Dating a vampire?" he asked. Was he thinking about Bill...or himself?

"No." I said. "Life." How cheesy, I wanted to just hug him until I fell asleep but I couldn't see myself doing so. It was like a mental block.

He was silent and I worried that I might have gone too deep with Eric – to a place he didn't want to explore with a human girl. "I don't remember much of it," he admitted.

"Do you remember how it ended?" I asked. If he was going to reciprocate, I might as well strike while the iron was hot.

"It hasn't end yet." That sentence rang in my head over and over until, before I knew it, I was pulled into sleep, safe and warm.

I had never been to New Orleans before. I realized this when I woke up next to Eric, who was dead to the world. He had stayed on his side of the bed to which I was thankful. As much as I longed for his presence at the moment, I couldn't handle...that. I sat up and put my head to my knees, which were pulled tight to my chest. I hadn't had much time to myself and – there was a knock on the door. I looked at Eric and then at the door. I got up slowly and opened the door slightly.

"Miss Stackhouse?" A man on the other side asked. "Would you like some breakfast?" The clock on the side table told me it was two in the afternoon. How did they know I had just woken up? I looked around to see if there were any cameras.

"Uh, sure." I said. I slipped between the door making sure it was closed tightly. I felt panic at leaving Eric in there alone.

"Mr. Northman will be perfectly all right," the man said, smiling pleasantly. When he saw my hesitant look he amended, "We have many other vampires here." Yeah, but none sharing a room with a human. I figured if I was okay and hadn't been murdered in my sleep, then Eric should be fine.

It took a lot for me to follow him down the hall.

There was quite the spread for food. I grabbed myself a lot and put it on a plate. How many humans were here? This was like an all-you-can-eat-buffet. The man handed me a newspaper and I thanked him, rifling through. I couldn't concentrate on anything. There was a human man staring at me, and I felt uncomfortable. I stuffed down the food and then found myself quickly returning to the room.

Eric was in the exact same spot as I left him and I was glad for it. I crawled back in bed beside him, careful of the space between us. I wish I had a book to read. I could spend quite an enjoyable afternoon with just nothing to do but get lost in a book.

When I lay down again there was another knock on the door. I didn't want to deal with anyone else so I shouted just as much. I heard footsteps down the hall and I exhaled in relief. I turned my head to watch Eric's cool, straight, pale face. He really was beautiful. I wasn't aware that I had fallen asleep until I felt something brush against my cheek. I opened my eyes and saw his blue ones.

"Hi." I uttered. He moved closer and pushed himself up on his forearms, looming over my body. Right away, my heart quickened. His eyes searched my face and I nodded slightly. He leaned forward slowly so I could watch his approach, but I didn't have to. I closed my eyes and his lips touched mine. I moved my body under his. I touched his cheeks bringing him closer, opening my mouth, allowing his tongue, cool and somehow soft, to meet with mine. I thrilled when he moaned, pushing his hips down, his groin between my legs. I arched my back at the friction. His length stirred and I realized that he didn't have any underwear on either. My hands left his face and went down to his ass, where I gripped it, pulling him closer. His mouth left mine, a low growl at the back of his throat as he kissed down my jaw, neck till he reached my collarbone. He licked it all the way to the hollow space at my throat, I gasped at the wet feeling that had me throb for all of him.

"I like this," I said. He pulled back to look at my face a small smile reaching his lips.

"Like what?"

I grabbed the straps of his tank. "The black tank top of doom." I labelled in my head. I gasped, feeling my cheeks turn red. I closed my eyes as Eric froze.

"What?" He was seriously confused. He pressed his erection pointedly into my flannel pyjamas. I peeked at him.

"You wore this in Dallas."

He smirked and the twinkle in his eye told me that I was going to be teased for what I just said. "What else did I wear?" he brought his mouth to my ear and a tremor went down my spine. I held onto his shoulders as I tried to regain focus.

"Not much else. That and your leather jacket," I murmured. We turned our heads to one another and our lips brush, leading to some serious kissing. "I like your ass." I could not believe these words were coming out of my mouth. I was just feeding his already massive ego. I squeezed his ass though, just to prove my point.

"Why, Miss Stackhouse." he said against my lips. "Are you seducing me?" That sounded like a fantastic idea.

"Can I be on top?" I blurted.

Eric's face grew still and he stared at me in awe. "Oh yes." He moved away and I followed. He fell onto his back. I quickly pushed down my pyjama pants and he watched me with lust-filled eyes, his fangs down, his mouth open slightly as he took in my bare legs. I levelled myself up on my arm and brought my leg over his torso, sitting just above his erection that was now pushing into my bottom. He stared up at me and his hands moved to the buttons of my top, as he slowly undid them, pushing the flannel aside and cupping my breasts. "What do you have in mind next for me, Sookie?" he said huskily. A challenge. I didn't know much, but I figured going on instinct with Eric would be fine. It'd worked well so far.

"I..." My hands grabbed his wrists urging his fingers to work my breasts. He groaned, complying. "I've got skills you can't even dream of." I pulled one hand away and stared into his eye as I moved his index finger into my mouth slowly.

"Better than dreams," he rasped. His head fell back and the tendons in his neck protruded, my eyes focusing on his fangs. I loved them. I nudged his erection with my ass and his hips bucked upward. I nipped his finger before bringing it back to my nipple and he yanked his head back to watch me. I rocked against his lower abdomen and the friction was driving me wild. Eric looked ready to bite as he sat up closer to me his fingers still working my breasts in the most enticing way, I pushed him back down. He looked up at me.

"I'm on top." I said, feeling my cheeks turn red. His hands moved to my hips and I went on my knees moving back. He teased my clit before I shifted my hip and he was going deep inside me, slowly. His grip on me tightened as I sat down, filled completely. "Oh, Eric." The look on his face told me that this was just as amazing to me as it was for him. I loved his expression of surprise, desire and hunger.

I put my hands on his chest and started to move, we both moaned at the same time, when there was a knock on the door. Eric held onto me tighter and the knock became urgent. His look of passion turned into one of fury.

When I got off him, he cursed. I quickly pulled on the top and buttoned it up before slipping under the covers. Eric answered the door and slipped into the hallway completely naked. I didn't understand that – all I thought about at the moment was how unfinished I felt. I tried to relax and will the pain of arousal away but it wasn't working. I wanted Eric back in here. Even though we were interrupted, it hadn't killed my buzz.

I folded my hands in my lap, trying to clear my head and concentrate on what I was here for. That's what my main concern should have been – not having sex with Eric. Was I being completely insane? Bill had just...I closed my eyes tight, trying to push that image out of my head. He was starving, and tortured...he needed blood and unfortunately I was the closest thing.

Eric re-entered the room. He still had an erection. Vampires and their lack of modesty – I would never understand it. He gave me a look I couldn't decipher, but my breath was caught in my throat.

"Do you wish to continue, my lover?" I couldn't, not anymore. Not after I was thinking about Bill. I bit my lower lip and in the time I blinked his face was right in front of mine, leaning over my body on the bed.

I swallowed, overwhelmed by Eric. I reached out and touched his cheek, brushing gently. "I can't. I'm thinking about..." I left the sentence, knowing he'd know what I meant.

His eyes darkened and he leaned forward kissing me gently. His hand travelled down the side of my body. He pulled away from my lips and I was disappointed. I would have been happy if we just kissed quietly for the rest of the night.

"I must leave soon." he whispered.

My heart leapt. I remembered Bill when he was on trial and I worried for Eric. "Can I come?" I asked urgently, my hands on his neck, rubbing softly. Bill had vehemently refused.

His eyes shone and I related it to him thinking seriously. "It can get dangerous, Sookie. Blood is often spilled and..."

"Your blood?" I asked quickly, worried. "Will they take your blood?"

He shook his head. "Sookie, I don't know. There are no set rules. It's whatever the Magister feels is just."

"I want to come. I – I can't stay behind again," I said. I urged him back to my lips. "Eric," I murmured against his lips. His tongue slipped into my mouth and I moaned, my fingers winding into his hair. My leg hitched around his hip and I whispered his name again. He groaned and parted from me, rolling to the side. I looked at him shocked, wondering why he stopped.

"You say my name and you get your way," he muttered, putting a hand over his eyes.

I didn't say anything, too flummoxed to believe that was true. "Eric." I put my hand on his chest. He seized it and I gasped. He removed his hand from his eyes and stared at me, bringing my hand to his lips.

"It's dangerous and you will distract me," he said clearly.

"Don't worry about me." I watched him shake his head, snorting. I moved our joined hands and kissed his. "I want to be there for you."

He raised a brow, a slow smile on his face. "At the moment, everyone here is my enemy."

"Are you scared?"

"No."

I looked down at our hands, mine dwarfed by his. "Do you ever get scared?" I asked quietly, finding his blue eyes again.

"When you're scared, I'm scared." For a moment, I wondered how true that was and why I was suddenly so trusting of Eric. Everything seemed to happen so fast and my falling for Eric was one of them. What about Bill? Could I just forget him so easily? No, I couldn't. I was thinking about him now when I didn't want to be. "Sookie?"

I moved over and rested my head on his cool, pale chest. "Do you need blood?" He didn't answer and I put my chin on his chest, glancing up at him beneath my lashes. He was still and his jaw seemed to be shut.

"It's not your blood at the moment." His thumb was on my wrist. "You had a transfusion at the hospital."

"Oh, right. Is that bad?"

"I prefer yours." His tongue darted out and traced the veins on my arm, I jolted at the feel.

"But," I said, my voice shaking. "It would still be from me. Warm, straight from the vessel." His eyes brightened and I felt the graze of his fangs.

"Do you want me to bite you, Sookie?"

"Yes," I breathed. I wanted him. I wanted to feel better and Eric was the only thing that seemed to do that in my life at the moment. Not even Bill could make me forget the things I'd seen, but Eric...I cried out when his fangs plunged into my sensitive skin. I heard the low growl from the back of his throat as he latched on, sucking the blood from my body. I groaned feeling my libido perking up once again. I moved on top of him and I wondered if his erection had ever gone away. I pushed myself down his body, his mouth still attached to my wrist. When he pulled away I put my forehead at his sternum, trying to catch my breath. He licked my wrist. "I didn't know you can make the bite marks go away," I whispered. He nodded. Bill never did that.

"I have to leave, my lover."

"Then I do too."

There was a short pause and then he said, "Yes, I suppose you do."