I own nothing to do with True Blood. I just love the show so much, and the characters. Sookie and Eric especially.

Hoping you will enjoy this one, and that it isn't a let-down. Hoping I'm not jumping the gun with the time gap. :-S I want to thank you all so much for your kind words, I always love reading them, and it astounds me, you're all so lovely and nice, even though I feel like I'm doing a terrible job with the story. I always get so nervous with writing and then posting a new chapter, its very frightening, because I'd hate to disappoint anyone with where the stories direction is taking.

Still, I hope you find enjoyment in this one. :D I apologize for any written mistakes. Thank you all for motivating me! x Hopefully see you all again next update! Love you all! x

Chapter Twenty-Seven

Five Years Later

Mr. Merlotte ended up opening that little restaurant he talked about. And, also keeping his word and staying true, I was the first employed waitress he ever had.

He also hired my old friend from school, Arlene Fowler, and we worked well like a house on fire. I loved having the chance to see her and gossip like the two school girls we used to be while we worked. Terry and her were still dating, Arlene had ended up a teenage mother to a gorgeous little toddler named Coby, and we talked about that every chance we got. We also talked about my relationship too, with Hoyt.

I enjoyed the job; the pay wasn't too bad, and I particularly enjoyed mingling with the regulars that came in, day after day.

I felt incredibly good this evening. I didn't know why it was, but I felt something were about to change. Something good was coming, I could feel it in my bones. And, turned out, I was right.

He was sitting there in one of the booths in the far corner of the restaurant. I hadn't seen him for over five years, and to say I was excited, was a major understatement of the century.

I just knew it was Eric, soon as I looked over. All I could see, was the back of his head. The back of his head and that combed back, glistening blonde hair was more than enough evidence for me to feel absolutely certain he had made his overdue return back into my life. I was also slightly miffed that he had decided to turn up into the one place I had no hope in avoiding him easily. He had tried to contact me throughout the years by phone, but I just didn't feel ready to have him into my life again.

The timing hadn't been right, and my feelings were all confused. It was a mighty struggle enough to have to try get through high school without Gran's encouragement, or my older brother in my life. Having to deal with Eric again, would have only made everything more complicated. He couldn't get the hint though, or maybe he could, he just completely decided to blatantly ignore that.

A week after Russell Edgington's death, the phone calls came every second night. It was Pamela, who did his biddings. She would tell me how he was in need of my services, and I would tell her, same answer as always, that if it really was that important to Eric, he should show me common decency I deserved in calling me and talking to me himself, and not having her do it. He clearly didn't want to talk to me, that was obvious. He didn't show up at Gran's house neither, which was a relief within itself. It would have just reopened some raw wounds for me.

Clearly, being around me was just as intolerable for him. Maybe after my frank words that night, of how he had given himself to me so completely over the permanent pledge thing he had gotten me into, had truly gotten the desired reaction I wanted out of him, after all, in making him feel less than superior? I didn't know if they had, but I sure hoped so.

He had also resorted to some sneaky tactics, which, at first, I felt angry about because it would have only meant I would be owing him so much more in the future, but then had learned to gradually come to accept them as being nice things he did out of caring for me, even if he wouldn't openly admit it. Actions speak louder than words, I guess, and that was truly another one of those cases.

I received a letter in the mail claiming that Gran's house had been brought by none other than Eric Northman himself, and that all land taxes, water charges, and electricity bills would be automatically paid by him and the money would be transferred out of his account, rather than the small one Gran had kept over time for monthly payments. I was very thankful over him doing that. It meant I wouldn't have to stress about somehow coming up with the money myself, being a young girl who didn't have a job then, and all. It also meant that I could stress more about my future, and what was in store for me. I couldn't even thank him for it, because even then, Pam refused to hand the phone over to him, with some lousy excuse that he was too busy entertaining tourists, or whatever that had meant.

In a vain attempt to fix myself up, I smoothed down my hair that was tied up in a loose bun, and bent in to check my reflection that was glistening back at me through the coffee maker. I was very pleased to note not a single strand of hair was out-of-place, nor was any make-up smudged from the humid heat that wafted out from the crackling fryer in the kitchen out back.

Blissfully happy, even though it was silly of me to feel that way after everything he had said and done to me, I started my way down the center of the booths towards him. I almost felt like dancing with glee. I was starting to wonder when I would get the opportunity to see Eric again, and honestly, it hadn't come sooner enough. I felt like a deliriously cheerful girl walking down the aisle to her groom on her wedding day, and like how a bride felt, I'm sure, it seemed the walk took hours and hours to reach him.

"If it isn't Eric Northman," I said at the back of his head, happy beyond words. I slipped in front of him, clinging onto my clipboard and pencil for dear life, like they'd somehow keep me from floating 'round the dinner in all my pulse scattering happiness.

Some of that giddiness inside me faltered a bit, once I stood directly in front of him, at true last.

Now that I stood right in front of where he was seated, I found myself feeling unbearably shy. My smile faltered a bit in my unease. God, he hadn't changed one bit, I noticed, feeling myself flush with heat all over.

I examined his face, restoring it back into mind where I felt it belonged best; the white matte complexion of his skin, the fair arches of his eyebrows, that proudly strong nose, those eyes that were a little red around the rims, like he hadn't had himself a decent sleep in a while. His blonde hair was slick and combed back, brushing the back of his ear lobes, and the leather jacket he was wearing, oh boy, it seemed just about perfect on him.

Of course, he was a vampire and vampires didn't age, so I didn't know why I was expecting he would have, but he just looked exactly the same. In fact, he looked good as ever. I almost started to drool. You'd think after five years I would have gotten over that little crush I held for him as a much younger girl. Sadly, it was still there. It made itself known in the way my belly clenched, and the way my heart felt all fluttery within.

"Fancy seeing you here in a place like this!" I sounded way too chirpy of a late afternoon, and I hated it. But surely, it was understandable, really. "What're you here for?" I bounced up on my tippy toes a bit. "We got some True Blood in stock?"

He looked up at me, and I found I had forgotten how lovely those eyes of his were. How deep, and blue.

"I came for you, actually."

Why did him saying that have to make me feel so incredibly good the way it did? What a way to make a girl utterly breathless. But if he was happy as I was about seeing each other again, he sure didn't show it. His eyes ran over my body and my face. If he was thinking I had developed wonderfully throughout the years, he sure didn't show that either.

I wasn't going to lie, puberty had been generous on me; I was now five foot four, an average and decent height for a girl my age. Still shorter than Eric, yes, but I kind of expected that really. Besides, I wouldn't have felt so jolly had I turned out as tall as Eric. I'd also been blessed with hips and a substantial bosom size. My apron I was donning sure did nothing to hide it, either.

I felt more of a grown-up woman now; a young woman to be taken seriously, than I ever had in my entire life, and I loved it and revelled in the fact I could wear pretty shirts that showed off more of my cleavage area. They often say if you've got it, flaunt it, and I certainly had it now, all thanks to mother nature taking good care of me.

"Me?" I whispered, stunned. My face felt like it was aching, because I was grinning so hard. It was a little disconcerting how happy I was at being near him again, especially when he hardly looked it in return.

"I am in need of your assistance. How is your flare for telepathy holding up?" Of course, he needed my Faerie skills. I felt my stomach drop. So, why was I feeling so disappointed by that?

"Uh-huh." I released the breath I hadn't realized I'd been holding in around him. "You need me because of my... Faerie skills?"

"Indeed, I do. Someone has stolen a very generous amount of money from the till in Fangtasia. Rather than killing mistakenly someone I believe to be the perpetrator, I think it would be more wise to have a second opinion first."

Vampires. Always talking like killing was as normal as gardening.

"So, I'm listening in for whoever the culprit was?" I was unsuccessful of hiding the sadness in voice. "Here I was, just thinking, maybe you were comin' for a visit to see a good friend of yours from years ago."

Though he was focused on looking at something far ahead of me, I caught that roll of his eyes clearly. "We are hardly good friend's, Sookie."

At that, the glee I felt in seeing him well and truly died down again. Somehow, I had forgotten how much of a royal asshole he could be towards me.

I scoffed and folded my arms over my chest. "Yeah, because you'd rather be staked than have human friends, right?" I hissed, the sarcasm dripping. "Well, that's really nice of you, Eric. I see you haven't lost your touch in hurting my feelings. Well done, ass."

My verbal filter definitely ceased working when I was around him, that was clear as day. Had he been another customer, I might have bothered to keep myself in serious check. But this was Eric Northman, he was no usual customer, and it seemed like second nature to me in defending myself in front of him like I was. Like I was going to magically stop now, no.

"You are my wife." His voice was stony, and flat. That officially stopped my beaming down at him. I was really hoping he would have forgotten about all of that silly nonsense back when I was a younger girl.

"Sorry to burst your bubble, but I have a boyfriend now," I told him, my smile maliciously broad and in-your-face happy and my voice all gloating. "And he's all I need. And, when the time comes, he'd sure as hell make a better husband than whatever you are to me!"

Eric seemed surprised. I felt satisfaction bubble within.

"Oh, really." He sounded intrigued, but not in a very good way that comforted me. "A human boyfriend? I hear human male's pale in comparison to vampires in the sex department. Is that true?" Oh my Lord. He did not just say that! And besides, last time I checked, I hadn't had sexual relations with a vamp, thank goodness for that.

I laughed bitterly. "Excuse me?"

"Does a human really do it for you? How's the sex like? Is his stamina up to snuff in the bedroom?" Though he was looking at me, those eyes had never left my neck.

"Fuck you, Eric." He turned me into such a swearer. It was terrible.

"Oh, the pleasure would be all mine," he said absently, distracted by the way my neck looked. I guessed he was seeing all juicy arteries and pumping streams of blood. I almost shivered.

I wanted to yell some more at him, but that wouldn't be a good look if my boss had seen me hassling a customer, even though Mr. Merlotte had been pretty lenient on me after knowing firsthand what I had experienced as a younger girl. Still, getting myself together, I stormed away from him before I could do him some serious damage. Instead, I poked my tongue out at him and strode off back towards the counter of the restaurant.

It was usually quiet during this early of the evening. About after seven, that's when business really started getting hectic and the restaurant filled up with customers. I think most people liked coming here after work, as a nice place to unwind during a long, tedious day.

Even though Eric had frustrated me, same as always, I still couldn't help myself from grinning over the pleasant surprise of seeing him again. It was just truly nice in general to see the vampire I used to have a crush on back when I was a silly little girl who hadn't known any better. Plus, he had saved my life back then. I think that alone gave a person a reason to feel content in the world again, and all its living inhabitants.

Arlene had to go and throw all my hard work away. She was behind the counter, punching the digits on the till with the tips of her fingers. She looked at me and gave me an infuriatingly curious look with her eyes. I found my good mood was gradually deflating by the second. "Damn, Sook. You're smiling like the cat that's ate the canary. What's got you all in a smiley mood this afternoon?"

"Oh, nothing, Arlene," I said, trying to look innocent. I rested my clipboard on the counter, dithering around in my flustered state. "I'm just happy today."

"Why, are you and Hoyt getting serious?" she asked, too interested all of a sudden. "You two have plans to do the serious deed tonight? Do you need some protection? I got some in my purse!"

Oh my.

I felt myself go about as red as a satsuma. If there was one thing I still couldn't understand, even with progression of age, its how people talked so casually and open about relationships and sex. Not that I had a sex life to speak of, of course. I was still very much a virgin, and Hoyt and I had agreed we'd take things slow, until I felt ready to do the 'serious deed' Arlene was talking about.

Hoyt and I weren't all that serious.

Sure, we were committed to each other and we'd been dating for very nearly a whole year now, but we were still pretty much kids. I still wasn't sure how I felt about him; He was nice, and sweet. We had a few things in common, but there was more than a few things about him that ticked me off; For one, he didn't like going out on dates. He'd much rather me come visit over at his Mama's house, than ever doing things in public, like eating lunch and catching up with close friends, or going to movies. I didn't think I was a materialistic girlfriend or anything like that, but it sure would have been nice to head out of the house and mingle with friend's now and then.

His mother meddled in our relationship something dreadful, which made heading over to his house a bit hard to deal with. First time I officially met her as Hoyt's girlfriend, and not just Jason's best buddies little sister, she made it super clear she didn't like me. I think she felt I was taking her son away from her, which was just silly. How can you take something that was never really yours to take?

I tried to brush Arlene's question off with a big smile and a tilt to the head. "No, Arlene. I told you, we're takin' things slow and steady. And, you know what they say about slow and steady?" I piped up, being silly.

"Slow and steady wins the race," we both cried out in unison, then giggled. I loved that Arlene and I had the very same sense of humour, it was a welcoming thing working with her.

Arlene smiled to herself.

"Hmm, that may be so," she nodded, wiping down the tables, "But men don't like to wait forever, Sook. Trust me, I know this from Terry! Sooner or later, Hoyt's gonna be waiting for you to give it up." She wiggled a finger at me, like she was a mother lecturing her child, which had me laughing even more. "Don't give it up to him now, and risk him running through the hills for someone else who will!" Well, that cut my giggling short.

I frowned. Was that supposed to be a friendly piece of advice? Because it sure as hell didn't feel that friendly to me.

"Seriously, though," she whispered, once our conversation lulled into a creaky silence. "You two are experimenting, aren't you? You feel confident enough to let him touch you?"

I could feel myself going redder by the second. Now I well and truly thought it would have been wise to speak up, and tell her what to do with her blubbering mouth. I knew Arlene meant well, and that she was just making light of Hoyt and my relationship (platonic, sexless relationship, more like), it still didn't feel all that good. Especially knowing Eric was in the room, he was a vamp with sensitive hearing, he could no doubt hear this little mindless discussion going on about my relationship, and with that forefront in mind, it made things all the more awkward and uneasy.

"Well, maybe I'm not ready to give it up yet, Arlene," I said earnestly. "In fact, maybe I'll never be ready. I don't know, sex seems so... complicated and alien to me."

My telepathy skills that came on when innocently touching, had become more of a hindrance that it started out all those years back. It meant that when Hoyt and I held hands, or so much as kissed, I could literally hear his thoughts spilling out all over the place. Not that it didn't have its perks, in some ways; I could judge all the ways to cheer Hoyt up if he was in one of his funny, distant moods, and could use it to my advantage. Other times, it wasn't so simple, and I could hear him thinking about how he'd like to get to third base with me. Especially when we were kissing, his thoughts went all hazy and sexual. It was a little unnerving, but flattering in equal measure that he felt that way enough about me.

"You do feel attracted to him, don't you?"

Could this conversation get any worse? "Sure, I do," I muttered hesitantly, shrugging. "Hoyt's real nice, and a very good person." Bit too invested in his Ma's life, but good none the less.

"Girl, are you dating a friend or a lover?"

Lover.

There goes that word. Without really meaning to, my eyes swept over to where Eric was seated. Sure enough, I was all wistful. It took me back to many memories.

"I don't know, Arlene, that's the thing," I said, after a moment of inwards evaluation. "Sometimes he feels a bit too... friendly, you know? Like he's a friend I can talk to whenever I have a crappy day, and he brightens my day up by making me laugh, or tickling me. Does that sound like a friend relationship to you?"

"Hon, see. That's your trap. You view him more as a friend, somebody safe, than someone you wanna be intimate with!"

Could that really be a logical enough reason into why I didn't feel like being physical with Hoyt?

I was just thinking maybe I was inadequate, because I didn't feel all that attracted enough to Hoyt to have sex with him. Maybe it takes something more than that? Chemistry? Hell, if I know. I mean, I enjoyed Hoyt's company. I enjoyed talking to him about my day, and he made me laugh whenever he was being goofy. But did I love him? Did I feel I loved him enough to have sex with him? Nu-huh. Maybe Arlene was right? I did enjoy kissing Hoyt, but that was... it. That was the one barrier I felt willing enough to cross with him. Maybe it was also because, deep down inside, I was kind of scared that once we were in the middle of it, he'd think something about my body I wouldn't feel all that happy with. What if he compared me to other girl's bodies while we made the attempt?

"How do I break out of that, then?" I asked her, feeling a bit desperate. "I don't want to hurt him, I know we've got something real good here. It's just... I can never bring myself to, you know." I lowered my voice and leaned in closer to whisper it, "Do the bedroom tango." It felt so funny coming from my voice. Sookie Stackhouse talking about sex in the open? The world must be ending. "You think that's why? Because we're too... friendly with each another?"

"Hmm, it's always a possibility." She thought it through for a moment, tapping her chin with a set of fake, long polished fingernails. "I think the only way you can break it, is by doing the deed. Or, you know, maybe just try to make your relationship more adventurous? Go out on dates, see other people, have naked Sundays, you know?"

I stared at her, flabbergasted. Arlene Fowler, the twenty-year-old relationship guru. Who knew? Must have been from all those Cosmo articles she often read.

As her words gradually sunk in, my face closed in on itself in disgust. "You and Terry have naked Sundays?" I whispered, outraged.

She threw her head back and laughed. I shuddered.

"Maybe we do, maybe we don't." She shrugged. "What's the big deal? You gotta keep your relationship fun, otherwise you'll both get sick of each other! What do you and Hoyt like to do?"

"Not naked Sundays, for one thing," I laughed uneasily. "No, we just sit around and watch T.V. Some old DVD's maybe. Nothin' all that wild, really. We're pretty... tame, considering. And sometimes, we go to his Ma's house, and she has barbeques. And not only does she like to grill chicken wings, but she also likes to grill me about my feelings concerning her son!"

"Eww," Arlene gasped, shivering. "His Ma's really meddling?"

"Yeah, tell me about it. It gets on my nerves!"

"All right, I have a hypothetical question for you," Arlene started brightly. "If there was one person you could do the whole naked Sunday's, bedroom tango dance with, who would it be?"

Arlene was full of hard questions today. Not to mention weird ones no one had ever asked me before. I didn't even know what to think, let alone how to answer that!

Well, maybe I did. Experiencing Naked Sunday's with Eric? That might have been a night to remember in its own right. I bit my lip and pushed that horrible thought aside. I wasn't with Eric, he wasn't anything like that to me, and plus he had hurt me very nearly enough. So, why bother even getting such a silly idea into my brain?

"Because, hon," she patted me on the shoulder, like that would cheer me somehow and make me know the answer. "If you take too long to answer and it ain't Hoyt, then either you're not as attracted to him as you thought, or you're just asexual."

"Asexual?" I'd never even heard of the term.

"Hon, it's means you never get attracted to anyone, sexually or romantically."

Well, our entire conversation was certainly an eye-opener.

"No, I definitely don't think I'm asexual, Arlene," I told her, feeling extra convinced on that. "I mean, I... I've been attracted to a guy before. I've had... crushes." In fact, he's sitting right over there in one of the booths, Arlene. "It's just maybe... Hoyt doesn't do it for me physically. Is that wrong?" Oh, boy. I felt so bad just admitting it.

"Of course not, hon," she said, very softly and reassuringly. "I think you might just have to reconsider why you're in a relationship with him."

"It's not that I don't like him, Arlene," I said hastily, "I just... I'm still kind of attracted to someone else, which is super ridiculous." I guessed then, that the old saying was true. You never get over your first crush. Pity, really.

"Who's this other guy? I know him?"

Uh-oh. "Um, well. I've known him pretty much since I was fifteen..."

"Since you were fifteen? He went to our school, right?"

"No. He never went out our school, Arlene. But he was... older." Older. Ha ha. Ever the understatement. How about we try thousands older?

"Older? How much is older? Older, as in five, ten years? Or older as in Grandpa-older?"

God, why did she have to get so interested in my love life? I sure had let myself walk into a trap. "Arlene, I think it's probably best we drop this, all right?" I turned away from her. I felt like I was going to hyperventilate. I just didn't know how Arlene would react to the news. Would she call me a perverted freak from liking a vampire in that way? A psycho?

"Oh, no you don't. Tell me!"

My eyes fell down to my sneakers. I was acting like I was ashamed, like it was such the most embarrassing and immoral thing on earth. Surely, it wasn't all that bad, right? I knew nothing would ever evolve between us, even now that I was twenty. A relationship between us would always remain to be out-of-bounds, that I felt sure of. I took a deep breath, and straightened my shoulders.

Here goes nothing. "Eric," I whispered underneath my breath shyly.

"Eric?" Arlene repeated, way too loud. I hushed her by pushing my hand against her mouth. She was staring at me blankly. Luckily for me, that name was obviously not a familiar one to her. "Eric, who? Eric...?"

"Drop it now," I said, trying to sound fierce on the matter.

I was not above elbowing her one in the jaw, because sure enough, Eric looked behind his shoulder to where I was standing around with Arlene. I just about died inside when his eyes met mine and held my look, because he was looking all kinds of inquisitive and intrigued. Damn it. So, he was listening in to our conversations? Oh, great. Super. How wonderful. I pursed my lips and deliberately brought my eyes away from him. I must have looked suspiciously flustered, because Arlene followed my earlier looking. She made a funny gasping noise.

"Oh, Sookie," she shrieked, excited beyond comprehension. "Is that him? Damn, he's fine! I would hardly blame you, girl! Hoyt don't have nothing on his fine butt!"

I raised my eyebrows at her questioningly. Fine butt?

Arlene grabbed my shoulder, and was clinging onto me so hard and pushing down against me, I felt I was about to lose my balance and stagger sideways. I realized a second later, when as I dipped my chin into the air and looked ahead of us, Eric was standing. Clearly, he was getting all ready and prepared to leave. That knowledge made me feel both sad and relieved, in equal measure.

"Mmm," Arlene whispered, giving me a lustful commentary in my ear, when he slapped a twenty-dollar bill on the table, just for the sake of being generous, I think, and shoved his wallet into the back pocket of his tight, black jeans. And sure, I could appreciate a nice butt whenever the chance presented itself, and Eric's was just... I shook my head to clear that thought. Since when do I perve on Eric Northman? Oh, well. I'm blaming Arlene. She made me do it!

I could almost imagine Arlene salivating like a dog, when he ruined our somewhat harmless ogling a moment later, by being usual his pain-in-the-ass self.

"Hello, friend of Sookie. See something you like?"

Arlene made a happy sighing sound, and was almost foaming at the mouth.

"Damn, Sook," she whimpered, squeezing the life out of my shoulder. I could almost feel myself getting a bruise.

Lucky for me, I'd been in his acquaintance enough that I had grown unaffected by all that was and is Eric. That didn't stop me from gulping though, when he suddenly moved to stand right in front of me, and he touched my chin with his thumb.

"I will see you later, lover. Preferably after your shift. I still require your services, of course." And, as if that wasn't enough, he added smoothly, in a way that was taunting Arlene, "My Corvette is outside. I will be waiting."

Arlene put her hand on mine, and I learned clearly just by where her mind was taking her, that if Arlene could have, she would have run straight after him and demanded he have his vampire way with her. On the hood of his Corvette. Eww, what a mental image. And Arlene sure did have a vivid imagination.

I looked right into his eyes, utterly unmoved, thinking I'd never, ever forgive him for this for embarrassing me in front of my friend. Then again, it could have been far worse; He could have brought out the fangs and scared Arlene half to death, just by smiling with them.

He gave me a swift jerk of his head and left.

Like my night couldn't get anymore worse, Hoyt showed up. Hoyt often came in after his shifts at work finished, to say hello to me and buy himself a cold beer after a hard day's work. Jason and him had managed to find the same job, in construction, which was hardly surprising, since in high school they were practically joined at the hip.

Jason and I were still on distant terms with one another.

Though he saw the broadcasting on the news over Russell Edgington and Mr. Compton threatening the Mayor for my life, we still weren't talking. The night after the big battle happened, he had barged right into Gran's house and apologized. He had hugged me, broke down sobbing, and apologized some more. I had forgiven him soon as he had burst into the living room, anyhow. That still didn't prevent our relationship from going rocky as the years progressed. I didn't see him so much anymore, but I was old enough now to realize that was pretty much a common thing to happen to all siblings once they reach their older years and are free to leave the house and do their own things. It was a hard thing to deal with, because Jason and I used to be so close, but now it had gotten a whole lot easier.

I would see him with Hoyt sometimes, when they came into the restaurant together after work, though. This, was clearly not one of those times, as Hoyt stepped in alone tonight. I figured Jason must have been either too tired from work, or he was busy off doing whatever it was he did with his girl Crystal nowadays.

There was a moment of awkwardness when Hoyt slipped off his frayed red baseball cap to look at me while I bent over a table, scrubbing off some old ketchup stains, a prize someone had left for me so politely to work my fingers to the bone in cleaning off. To say I was grumpy was a major lie. I felt I could have viciously attacked someone, especially after my trying run-in with Eric.

I had been well and truly pushed to breaking point this afternoon.

"You all right? You ain't look so happy today."

"I'm fine," I murmured, trying to my very hardest to smile.

His mouth set into a hard grimace. "My Mama hasn't been saying shit to you again, has she?" He asked, sounding very anxious. "Because, I swear... I told her to let us be. I'm a man now, I can see whoever I want to see, and she's got to respect that!"

My eyebrows rose at that. I didn't want to say it, because I knew it was bound to start an argument, but Hoyt putting his meddling Mama in her rightful place was hardly something I pictured him ever doing. He loved her too much, he let her win far too often.

"Well, that certainly would do your Mama some good," I said cautiously. Well, it was the truth, mean as it was.

"Want to hang out tonight?" he asked hopefully. He glanced down at his wrist watch. It had dirt smeared all over it, the downfall of working in construction. In fact, he had dirt all over him. No need to ask what he'd been doing today, since it was all over him for all eyes to see and acknowledge. "Your shift finishes in ten minutes, right? Hang out?"

"Of course." I realized I'd been a little too quick to agree. I pursed my lips and scowled. "Actually, I've got something I need to do tonight, somewhere I've got to be. Wait up at Gran's for me, until I get there?"

"Sure."

I pulled my apron off, and flung it on the table.

"Screw it," I said determinedly. "I'm leaving early. I'll just go get changed, all right?"

I went out back into the staff area, and changed out of my work uniform. I had only brought with me a pair of jeans, and a dressy yellow tank top, with a curled pink ribbon on the right breast pocket. I rummaged around through my bag and was delighted to know I'd remembered to pack my make-up case this morning. At least I had hope in looking presentable, and pretty.

I slathered on a bit of red lipstick, and untied my hair from its ponytail. Why I was so concerned on looking good, I hadn't the slightest idea. Who was I really trying to look good for here? Hoyt, my boyfriend? Or was it just Eric? Hell, if I know, but it was either one of them I found myself aiming to please.

Still, it was unsettling to know I wanted to look good for somebody.

When we got outside, the busy parking lot was dark.

Still, I could see Eric's car from a mile off. I could see Eric too, leaning against the side of his car, arms crossed. Hoyt and I turned to look at each other, and we did the same thing as we did every other time we left each other. He gripped me by the shoulders, swooped down, and went in for the quick kill. Mostly, our kisses were something short and gentle. But in my uneasiness of knowing we had a spectator in Eric, I kind of dragged it out a bit. I leapt up on my tiptoes and deepened the kiss, and I was immediately aware of how much I had caught Hoyt off-guard. Usually, I was never so forceful. It was just a bit of reassurance for myself that I liked him way better than I ever did with Eric, as well as deep down inside, for Hoyt.

I gently disengaged my mouth from his, and he moved back a bit to slide his arms down my sides around to my butt.

"See you later?" he said, his voice breathless and hoarse with shock over my forwardness in kissing him.

"You can bet your sexy butt you will," I said, trying my very hardest to sound all saucy and seductive. He grinned at me dopily, and he had a smear of my lipstick on the side of his mouth.

"All right. See ya at Gran's after you're done doin' whatever you gotta do?"

"Yeah."

I waited until I knew for certain Hoyt had driven off in his truck. I couldn't have him putting two-and-two together, and realizing that Eric and I knew each other and had history. Well, as much history a fifteen year old girl could have with a vampire anyway.

"Oh, wasn't that beautiful?" In direct contrast, he looked disgusted, which pleased me to no end. Served him right for looking in on us sharing a kiss the way he had. "Should I get in line, or can I have mine now with his departure?"

"Shut up, Eric."

"You know how to make me and for the record, I am partial to tongue."

I felt so aggravated I wanted to swat him. Or at least bring out my flashlight fingers again, like old times. He definitely hadn't changed one bit. And neither had my feelings.

0

"Sookie," Eric started considerately, getting me acquainted with the man who took the job as bartender. "This is Long Shadow. Long Shadow, this is Sookie." He turned boredly to Pam, who was hovering in the background somewhere, doing Lord knows what. Maybe she was just eavesdropping? Wouldn't have shocked me. "Pamela is here also. You know Pamela, unless you've forgotten her, which would come as no surprise, considering how forgetful humans are." Him and this Long Shadow shared a humorless chuckle with each other at that. How... charming. Not.

"Yes, of course I remember her, Eric," I retorted, my voice sharp. "How could I forget her? She risked her own life for mine!"

"Oh, do you hear that Pam?" He whispered, feigning wonder. "The voluptuous and earthly Sookie remembers you. How humbling."

Oh, boy. Somebody had a death wish tonight, that's for sure. I was a hair length's close to kicking him right where it hurts, for any man, vampire or otherwise.

My eyes narrowed as I stared at him. "Can we get this over with now? I have a very important person waiting on me at home, and honestly, I'd rather spend my night with him than doing this for you."

Eric seemed both deflated and appreciative in equal measure.

"Eager, I like it," he commented quietly, like it ought to have pleased me in him saying so. Which it didn't, for that matter. I could hardly care what Eric thought. At least, I tried to convince myself I didn't. I might have, just a smidgen."Very becoming of you." He drummed his fingers against the flat of the table loudly, then slapped it ostentatiously loud with his palm, and turned to Pam. "Pamela, you heard Sookie."

Without wasting any more time, Pam crossed his office space dutifully and brushed through the door to gather my first test subject.

I was feeling reasonably nervous; After all, no one had ever asked me to use my skills and rely on then before. I didn't know how successful it would be, but Eric sure held a lot of faith in my abilities to dig out just who the culprit was.

"What will you do once I find out for real who it was?" I asked suspiciously.

Something told me Eric wasn't all that honest in the way he dealt with business. No doubt, he was just as lethal as I knew him to be all those times back when I was younger. He probably dealt with people who crossed him the way he did with Were's, and that was getting them all bloody and dead. And I'll be damned if I let that happen to whoever it was. Sure, I knew stealing money was a pretty big crime and dishonour. But was it a penalty fit for a painful, bloody death? Hell no.

"Whoever it was will repay the money back," he said, sounding dangerously determined on that. "And, if they fail to do so within the hour, then they will have to accept the consequences that come along with such deceitful actions, Sookie."

"Which is?" I prompted strongly.

"I don't particularly like the police having to deal with vampire matters." He sighed warily and combed a hand through his slicked back hair. "I don't like the way they handle it, and plus, it would mean I have to fill in a hefty amount of paperwork, which I do not care for or have the patience for much, either. It's much simpler, not to mention quicker, to sort this out the vampire way."

"And what is the vampire way of dealin' with this, Eric?" I probably sounded like such an irritating girl, but I didn't care. I had to know.

He levelled a serious stare on me. "There will be blood, Sookie, and plenty of it."

My whole body broke out into a cold sweat. Well, no shit. There's always blood. Within a two meter radius of a vampire, there's always blood and gore. Tell me something I don't know.

"I'll strike you a deal, Eric," I started, trying to my mighty hardest to prevent the worry I felt from spilling out with my words over what he said. "If you turn the person into the police, I'll help you out whenever it takes your fancy. You can use my Faerie skills whenever you need them. Just turn this person into the police, all right?"

Seemed I drove a hard bargain.

Eric sat in silence for several minutes, rubbing his hands together. Then, he leaned back in his chair sedately. "No can do, Sookie," he finally said, after a long moment of deep thought.

"No can do, Eric?" I repeated loudly, outraged. "Well, then. You've made my mind up for me. I'm leavin' this instance, I refuse to partake in this vampire nonsense!" I spun around on the spot, searching for my handbag. Damn it. Where did Pam put it? Seriously! I almost stomped my shoes against the floor over the agitation I felt brewing inside over the whole thing.

He smiled up at me indulgently. "Either way, I can call on your skills regardless, Sookie. As my wife, you are obliged to fulfil every duty I require of you. It's called giving and taking. You can rely on me much the same, whenever the need strikes you. Trivial matters, sex..."

I made a very rude and very loud noise of disgust. Too bad, Pam had taken the childish moment on my end to return with a human, who looked about the most nervous and frightened man I'd ever seen in my entire life. He stared at me, puzzled, over my antics. Obviously, he didn't know whether to laugh or to cry uncontrollably at my outright daring disobedience in front of vampires.

He was wearing a nice suit, grey, but it didn't do too good in hiding the beer gut he was sporting. In fact, the suit looked miles too tight and the buttons on the dressy white shirt he was wearing underneath the grey blazer was straining against that belly something dangerous. He had a comical tie with white smiley faces on it and, no doubt, Eric might have even found that the slightest bit insulting, considering the smiley faces did not come with a pair of fangs. He was that high-handed, and that much of a sanctimonious pain in my side that it would have hardly surprised me if he had.

"Sit down, sweetheart," Eric cooed, like the poor man was no more than a dog.

The man broke out into a ruddy, sweaty flush at Eric's words, and I think I got the reason into why then. The man was gay. One-hundred-percent gay. Surely he'd have better taste than finding Eric attractive. Clearly not, because he huffed out a flustered laugh and took the vacant seat across from where Eric was sitting. Pam and Long Shadow moved over to my side, watching me with avid attention, like they were anticipating the moment they got to see me use my Faerie trick of telepathy, which did nothing for my nerves at all.

I considered asking Pam where she put my belongings, but Eric spoke first and kind of spoiled the moment.

"There is no need to be nervous, Mr. Lewis. Unless you are guilty, of course, in which I would seriously advise you to speak now to prevent yourself a very painful punishment."

The man gave out another bubbly chuckle. The whole thing was just painful to witness, how easily the man succumbed to Eric's fake charm. Thank God I could see through it, and knew firsthand what he truly was. An A-hole.

"Start now, Sookie," Eric commanded, in a way that irked me. I had no choice but to go through with it, it was too late not to.

With a suppressed sigh, I stepped forward and slid down onto my knees in front of Mr. Lewis.

I took his hand, even though it felt off-puttingly sweaty, and tried to focus. It was a bit hard, when I felt all self-conscious the way I did with everyone staring. I looked into his eyes, and they were all shifty with nerves.

"Why the hell is she touching me? I don't go that way, don't she know that? Damn, that Mr. Northman's sexy. Bet he'd be a good lover too. So damn attentive."

I had to physically stop myself from removing my fingers off his hand. All his thoughts were impure, and sexual, about Eric.

"Look, darling," I breathed up at him, in a very reassuring way. "Try to relax a bit. Don't think. Just tell me. Did you, or do you know, anyone who might have taken a bit of money out of the till?"

His thoughts were a lot clearer then, and headed into a more productive direction.

"No, I don't," Mr. Lewis grunted out. Beads of sweat rolled down his forehead, and his lips were glistening. "I don't know anything about any of that. I just... I come here for the show."

"Only place a gay man feels safe, Fangtasia. Helps Mr. Northman's a real spunk. I love coming in here after a day's work. Oh, his body. Him sitting up there on that throne of his, all masculine. Perfection. I'd kill for him to notice me, and stare at me like he does at whatever is gracing the screen of that phone of his. I could just-"

"All right," I giggled out shakily, and pulled my hand away anxiously, when I caught a clear glimpse of Eric sitting slouched over that throne I caught out on the center of Fangtasia's stage, iPhone in hand, paying no attention to any single person in the entire room.

Well, that kind of confirmed it. He was innocent. He was just here to perve on Eric. He hadn't a single idea about any money going missing whatsoever.

Eric arched his brows at me questioningly.

"No," I answered his silent look, feeling unbearably flustered. "No, he's innocent. It wasn't him. He's just here for the... visuals."

"Do you know who did it?" Eric shot at him firmly.

"N-no, sir. I have no clue."

I stood and turned to Eric meaningfully. "So, it's over now. He didn't have anythin' to do with it. Can I go now, please?"

"Not yet. There's a few more."

I might have laughed about it later, but I was majorly pissed off, when a few more turned into eight more suspects. I got more and more impatient as the minutes ticked on, and understandably so; Hoyt was waiting on me at Gran's, and he would have probably been thrown into a panic over how late I was. It was so inconsiderate of Eric to keep me there, but really, I was in no position to leave. Plus, Pamela hid my handbag and I couldn't imagine her revealing where she put my things easily until everything was rightfully completed. She was in this as much as Eric was, and she sure as hell wouldn't let me off so easily.

The second last humans who came in for the interrogation, were two women.

One, her name was Ginger. She was a lot more easier to take in than the second one, whose name was Yvetta. Ginger greeted both Eric and Pam with an enthusiastic, bright smile, and she was all jittery with nerves by the time she took her seat into the lion's den.

"Why you need my hand?" she asked, panicked, when I reached out to take hers. She threw a scared look over at Eric. "What's all this about?"

"Ginger, sweetie," he sighed heavily, his endearment going straight through my head, because it was so indifferent and lacking of tender infliction for her. "This is part of protocol. Do as Sookie says, unless you want to get fired." It was a low blow, and Eric had to know it. She gasped loudly at him, shocked. Her eyes welled up with tears an instance later. "Either way, your loss." He shrugged ruthlessly. "I can easily replace you."

Clearly it was something this Ginger had nightmares over, because she complied instantly. Her fingers were all trembly, when I plucked her hand off her lap and held it in mine. I was met with the same old thoughts as every other person before her; She was clueless into why she was being called in. No, she didn't know anything. She needed this job, and she loved it. It helped pay for her child's year in daycare.

When Yvetta came in, my head went instantly judgemental.

Gran would have been disgraced in how quick I was to think some pretty harsh thoughts about her. But really, it was with good reason. She was dressed in a netted, see-through shirt- if you could even call it a shirt, because it looked anything but- and clearly she was cold, because her nipples were showing through. She was obviously a back-up dancer/stripper for the club. Her thoughts directed at me weren't all that pleasant either. It seemed I was a hot topic in Fangtasia, all thanks to Eric. Her thoughts were a mixture of both English and some other language I couldn't understand, but I think I got it clearly enough.

"Oh, she is girl who Mr. Northman get all sad about. I see him stare at phone... her picture... blonde hair. She girl he refuses my dances and fantasize instead about... Why she not like him? Coo-coo crazy chicka, he so handsome for fang man."

"Yeah, she's not it, either," I said, leaning back on my knees, feeling absolutely certain on that.

She stared down at me blankly, obviously uncomprehending what I was saying. Eric dismissed her by speaking fluently in a language I'm presuming was her native tongue, and then waved a hand at her imperiously. She did what he requested at once, staggering off in her heels.

She'd certainly given me a whole lot of food for thought, if I'd decoded her pattern of thoughts correctly.

"So, you got no success?" Pam asked, disappointed. "You didn't catch anything at all?"

"No," I said to her tiredly. "It's not anyone of your regular humans. None of them really implied who the perpetrator was, so clearly they don't know anything about it. Unless it's a vampire, maybe someone who's here when no one else is," I suggested uncertainly, mostly to Eric.

Pam gasped. Clearly something I said touched home with her.

"It's a possibility we haven't looked into yet."

"Well, there are only two vampires here on a regular basis, excluding myself," Eric said, thinking deeply. "And that is Pamela, and Long Shadow."

Slicing through his reflective mood, Pam strode forward, her heels clacking ruthlessly. She punched Eric on the arm, and even from where I was kneeling, it sounded as if she'd put a pretty decent amount of force into it.

"You are a bastard," she hissed out, insulted. "How dare you even imply that of me! You know me better than anyone, you cold-hearted-"

Something broke through my concentration from behind her. This Long Shadow, he inched towards the door of Eric's office surreptitiously, with the cautious movements of a sneaky vampire about to be found out. Suddenly, everything clicked into place, and my eyes widened.

"Uh, Pam. Not that I don't appreciate you puttin' Eric in his rightful place, but-" Long Shadow lunged at me before I could so much as even get another word out, his fangs bared.

I yelped, long and hard, when he seized me by the wrist and then, before my very own eyes, a gushful of blood splattered onto my face and he made a strangled, gurgled choking sound. Now this is why I ought to have well and truly avoided Eric.

I was shocked beyond moving when he slid down my body onto the floor. Some quick thinking on either Eric or Pam's part, had him dead with a long rod of wood pierced through his chest.

Like the brutal vampire she was, Pam laughed.

"Oh, that felt good," she groaned out, beyond relieved. "Now I thought there was something sketchy about his ass."

I fell back on my butt and watched, shocked, when Eric slid down onto the floor and started delving through Long Shadows trouser pockets. He had blood splattered down the side of his forehead.

"What do we have here," he murmured to himself, whipping out a handful of cash. "Well, Pam. Would you look at this?" He held the wad of cash up to her, and she laughed again. His fangs were extended, as well as Pam's. I guess that got them all excited.

Well, good for them. Not for me.

I had sticky blood all over the front of my shirt, and I whimpered fretfully. There was no way in hell I was going to be able to clean myself up for Hoyt well enough in time. Unless Eric had a washing machine in his office, of course.

"Oh, no. How tragic," Eric whispered when he took in my shivering, blood soaked form, sounding as if he believed the situation was anything but tragic at all.

God, I hated him. Mostly, I hated myself for getting so easily dragged into this stupid vampire mess time and time again. I was so over vampires. And yes, I mightn't exactly be over Eric but... I think this was about a done deal that closed it all off.

"Pamela, go retrieve some new clothes for Sookie so she's not covered in vampire blood," he went on, calm as ever. "No doubt her human boyfriend will be frantic if he sees it." I could tell Eric wasn't all that sincerely concerned about Hoyt or not; Really, he couldn't give a rat's ass. His non-committal tone gave him away completely. The pair of them locked eyes, and I'm sure there was something conspiratory in those looks shared between the two.

"Of course, Master," Pam said, gathering her bearings.

The long lace-up leather boots she was wearing squeaked with the movement. She then threw her head back and laughed, a bit like he had told her a private joke through vampire telepathy that I wasn't any part of. Damn sneaky vampires, each one of them, I swear.

I was reduced to nothing more than a staring, shocked mess, when Pam sauntered back in with a long shirt draped over her arm. She tossed the cloth down at me, and with some good effort, managed to pull me safely back up onto my feet.

"The ladies restroom is out there," she said stiffly with a jerk of her head. "Unless you'd like to get changed in here, with Eric. He's been waiting to see your body for years, even more so now. You look like you've developed quite nicely over the years. It would be a real shame not to." Her voice was dark and husky as she ran her eyes down the front of my messy shirt, and I think maybe she wanted to see my body herself, unless my mind was playing disgraceful tricks on me.

"Ugh. No thank you," I managed, disgusted, once I got myself together. "My body is for no one else to see but myself, thank you."

"Such a pity." She tsked with her tongue loudly. "Oh, well. Life goes on, I guess."

Eric was looking at me with wistful excitement, a bit in the same way Pamela just was, when he got to his feet and stood over Long Shadows gruesome corpse. Too weird.

"I'm going into the ladies bathroom," I said quietly, but in a sharp way that told neither one of them was allowed to follow.

I trotted my way into the ladies bathroom, and leaned against the cold stone wall, dead on my feet. Yuck, I looked a mess. Not only did I have blood and stringy vampire bits dipping down into the center of my cleavage, but I also had blood streaking my hair, too. Great. Just great. I turned and looked around into the stalls curiously. It really was too bad they didn't have a shower in the premises.

I peeled off my shirt, which was difficult, considering the blood made it stick to my skin like glue. I unfurled the shirt Pam had given me and was not very impressed, to say the least, when in bold lettering, it said in the middle: 'Eric's Fangbanging Bitch.'

"Goddamn it," I growled to myself, stomping my feet loudly in a way that echoed along the empty bathroom.

"You called?"

I almost ducked and ran for cover, when Eric appeared almost magically behind me. Grudgingly, I took in that he was in a clean, crisp button-up black shirt. My eyes just decided to take in at their own accord, that the two top buttons were undone, and his chest was peeking through. I gulped, and brought my eyes upwards like a good girl. His face was freshly washed and clear of any specks of blood. I was the only blood-covered freak now. Excellent.

"Well, hello," he moaned very excitedly, and it took me a belated moment to realize just where he was looking with those sparkling blue eyes of his. The eyes were wide, unblinking, focused entirely on my blood-painted cleavage through the mirror.

"Eric!" I screeched self-consciously, covering myself up hastily by wrapping the shirt around my chest. Could today get anymore worse than it already was? Jeeze!

He was too distracted by lust- or blood lust over Long Shadow, most probably- when I grabbed his chin and forefully brought his eyes upwards.

"It is pitiful when imagination doesn't do the real object justice, isn't it?" he murmured huskily, taking a daunting step closer. He was acting in a way that made me distinctively nervous, and those eyes were on my lips.

"Snap out if it, Eric," I grunted, pushing him roughly with all my might. It was no friggen good. "Oh my Lord, Eric!" I didn't know whether to laugh or to get even angrier. "Are you goin' to drain me or something?"

Then something unexpected happened; He started kissing around my neck, tantalizingly slow.

I shivered all over when his cold mouth trailed along my collarbone.

I didn't quite know what to do.

I didn't quite know what to think.

Well, I knew what I wanted to do. How can a girl possibly resist when a man was kissing her like he was, so completely out-of-the-blue and sort of tenderly? Especially coming from a man who was so annoying, and a royal pain in my butt?

But what I wanted to do, was wrong. Dead wrong.

After all, I had to think logically here. I had a boyfriend. A boyfriend who was waiting on me and, sure, this was a mighty hard one to pass up, because I'd liked Eric for so long. He had been my first ever crush, as a fifteen year old girl. I'd experienced a lot with him, particularly life-and-death situations. He had placed it upon himself to protect me. Still, it wasn't right. It wasn't me being good to Hoyt, and I sure as hell was not going to hurt Hoyt over some fleeting, off-chance thing that'd never happen ever again.

"Piss off, Eric." I had to full-on grab him by the shoulders and haul him several steps back into the wall. "You are never gettin' any of me! Like I'd throw something so good with Hoyt away, with someone who can't even admit to having feelings!"

I made myself turn my face up to look at him. His face was way more closer to mine than I would have liked to register. He was hungry-horny, that was merely it, and I could judge as much.

"It's the blood on me that's doing this," I whispered, mostly to myself, in a way to gather some sense out of the crazy thing. "It's why you're acting like this, all right? Once I'm all cleaned off, it'll all be over!"

He nodded his understanding. Then he bent down and kissed me. Well, that certainly blew everything I was saying off.

I sighed regretfully into his mouth, because he was such a good kisser. Rough and soft, all at once. This was way better than the one he gave me when I was fifteen, that's for sure. He was so holding back then. No doubt, he had a whole load of experience in his thousand years. A way better kisser than Hoyt, that's for sure. So much better at things than Hoyt in so many ways. And then I felt super bad for comparing, because Hoyt was everything Eric could never be, and more. He was nice, sweet, constant in his moods... not a pain the rear. Human... good. He never kills anyone... he's never killed... oh hell. Wrong with a capital W, Sookie.

I pushed back forcefully, and he came at me again.

"I have a boyfriend, Eric! A boyfriend, all right? Don't you know there are certain barriers that shouldn't ever be crossed with a taken girl?"

If all I was saying sunk into his head at all, he sure as hell didn't show it.

His hands settled on my shoulders, tight, pulling my skin off my bones, and then he bent down to kiss me again. But... no!

No!

It was so wrong, yet so... nice?

Oh, what the hell, I decided, caving in defiantly. The damage had already been well and truly done. And besides, he started it!

I leapt up onto the balls of my toes, and grabbed the back of his head. I lost myself, with trying to keep up with his lips steady, urgent rhythm. Luckily not enough to completely dismiss the fact the bathroom door was bustling open. It gave me the incentive I truly needed then, to act like the person I was meant to be, and I whirled away from him, flustered.

"Oh, um..." A girl blubbered, visibly nervous over catching two people making out in the lady's restroom. Her eyes widened on Eric, yes the great and glorious Eric Northman of Fangtasia, whatever, and her black painted lips fell into an O-shape of awe. It took a moment for me to realize my shirt was still off, so I threw myself into pulling on the shirt Pam had given me with a sense of desperation.

"Excuse me," I laughed at the girl anxiously, apologetic, then brushed past her frantically out of the restrooms.

I did not kiss Eric Northman just then. I did not kiss Eric Northman. No. No, Sookie, you dumb girl!

I searched around desperately for Pam. She was standing behind the counter of the bar, and she about met my look in time the instance I found her. Her eyebrows arched curiously. Damn it, why'd she have to look at me like that? So suspiciously like she knew? I tossed my head violently, trying to pull myself together. He's Eric Northman! Eww! I tried to convince myself, with no avail. He is nasty, and gross, so think of him like that! You can't kiss him! Yuck!

"Pam, where the heck is my bag?" I called to her, a little too louder than I had intended. She gave me a startled look. I was just frightened. Frightened and disgraced with myself, is all. I just cheated on my boyfriend, kind of. Depends on what you consider cheating. No biggie.

Oh, shit.

She reached down underneath the bar and set my handbag on the counter. I knew she was about to ask me something, anything, but I just couldn't stand to hear it right about now. Everything was just... terrible. I well and truly hated myself!

"Thank you for hidin' it from me and keeping me here, Pam!" I retorted stiffly, slinging my bag 'cross my shoulder. I knew it was uncalled for, of me to say it to her. I just felt so frustrated, and angry with myself. Someone ought to come kill me, seriously.

A loud set of human whoops and cheers cut through my stressed mind, and without any control on it, my eyes just decided to follow the source of it. My stomach sank at the sight. He always seemed to know all the ways to make my heart helpless. He held the power.

Eric was seated up at his throne, the Yvetta woman standing in front of him, half on her knees, half sinking into his lap. One of his hands were wrapped underneath her chin, her neck straining, his mouth and fangs on her. He was drinking from her, straight from the source, so openly, and yet she clearly didn't want it. She wasn't enjoying it at all, and I could tell as much. Maybe these other witnesses couldn't, or maybe they just thought her resistance was for show? Her red lipstick painted lips were curled into a grimace of pain, while he held her forcefully in place. His blue eyes were... open and staring cold and hungrily... right at me through the people clustered around, enjoying the show.

It's like he saw no one else, but me. That's all he cared to see. Well, he'd be in for a royal shock with what I would do next.

It hurt me, and I couldn't even understand why. Why should I even care? He's a vamp, he'd have fangbangers hanging over him every hour of the night. What gives?

So, in feisty Sookie Stackhouse style, I pushed aside all that upset aching my heart, lifted my hand, and gave him the finger. I felt so defiant and so freaking great, when he pulled his mouth out from the crook of her neck and stared at me across the room, bleak and caught off-guard. I swear he looked a little hurt, and the fangs retracted, and there was shiny blood dribbling down his lips.

I knew then that, despite everything, he cared. This was just his way of getting back at me in return. At least, I thought so. And it crushed me more than anything in the entire world.

"Goodbye, you asshole, and stay out of my life for good. I am not some Faerie lap-dog at your beck-and-call," I muttered quietly, but enough that I knew he'd hear me. At that, he pushed the dancer off his lap and she slid down and landed on her backside against the floor of the stage. And then, I left.

I might have even shed a few unwilling tears as I ran out.

Vampires. Expert heart-crushers.