A/N: Okay, in my version of the story, the bombing that happened at Godrics obviously happened, however Jason Stackhouse returned to Bon Temps before Eric found Celeste. So this will all make sense once you read it. So thanks and please review if you want more! -K

Chapter 17: Motives

Sam pulled into Merlottes. He put the car in park and shut it off; unbuckling his seatbelt he dropped his seat back as far as it could go so he could lay back for a moment, sitting in the darkness with just the soundtrack of the night as his music. After seeing Celeste, his heart wouldn't stop pounding, and his face felt hot. He envisioned her, remembering what she wore, how her long wavy hair fell down her body, how her eyes sparkled and lips turned into a smile when he gave her the tulips. It would have been the perfect reunion if others weren't around, but for Sam, it was better than nothing. But even in that great moment, he couldn't shake the feeling of Eric. The entire time he could feel Eric's eyes burning holes in his skull. Sam knew the vampire was possessive, from seeing it and from hearing it from Sookie, but this was on a completely different level. He should have suspected it, that Eric would want Celeste completely to himself. So what Sam could get from the evenings events, from Celestes' sudden reappearance, things were about to get very complicated.

When his thoughts became overwhelming, he decided to go inside, debating whether or not to tell his employee's where he had been. He entered the bar and was almost immediately bombarded by people, for some odd reason Merlottes was packed, and it was only the beginning of the week.

"Where the fuck have you been Sam?" Tara hollered from behind the bar, filling some shot glasses with a clear liquid. "We're dying in here!"

"I'm sorry Tara, not now." He waved her off and went to the back. Sam heard her say "hell naw" as he passed and soon heard her coming up behind him at a very brisk pace. Sam ignored her yelling as he entered the kitchen, suddenly feeling famished. Sam told Lafayette to make him something very quick and leaned against the counter.

"Sam, I need you out there with me! Sookie isn't coming in, Arlene is acting like a bitch because she's on her fucking period, and you know she messes shit up when it's that time of the month, people are complaining to me and I don't want to hear what the fuck they gotta say because I ain't no damn waitress!"

"Tara will you stop yellin'." Terry said over his shoulder as he cut up some potatoes into fries.

"Shut the fuck up Terry. I ain't got nothing to say to you!" She barked.

"Tara, shut yo fuckin' trap, damn given me headaches. Maken' me see a whole bunch a stars and shit like in those damn cartoons." Lafayette said while flipping a few patties and throwing a little seasoning on each.

"Well excuse me if I just to happen to be a little fuckin' stressed, because people ain't here and the people that are here can't do their fucking job right!" The entire kitchen broke out into an argument, Lafayette and Terry defending themselves from the overly worked women who couldn't help but let out her anger and frustration on the closest person. Sam let them whine and bicker for a moment, before letting out a deep breath and telling them all to shut up in a very loud voice that caught the attention of the entire bar.

"Sam where the fuck were you?" Tara asked again, as close to calm as she would get for the rest of the evening. Sam crossed his arms over his chest and looked at the three of them. He dropped his head and shook it lightly, while tapping his foot on the ground, something he did when he was debating whether or not to do something.

"I went to the airport."

"For what?" Terry asked, putting down the cutting knife and leaning against the counter filled with chopped up potatoes. There was silence for a moment, then he looked at the three of them.

"What the hell," He threw his hands up in the air. "I went to go see Celeste." Quiet filled the kitchen, the only noise coming from the clamor in the bar and booths. Lafayette looked at his cousin, his brows pulled together, then at Terry, who seemed to stop breathing.

"What do you mean you went to go see her? She dead Sam." Lafayette said.

"Apparently not. Eric Northman found her while he was in Dallas; he brought her back. That's why I was at the airport."

"And how the fuck did you know this?" Lafayette started to raise his voice, ignoring the burning patties as he turned around from the grill to face him. Sam hesitated before he spoke.

"Sookie told me, last night."

"Sookie's known and she didn't say anything to any of us?" Tara yelled.

"Evidently no one was suppose to know."

"And why's the fuck not?" Lafayette took a step towards Sam. "Celeste wasn't just your friend Sam, she was ours too. Not only did Sookie not tell us, but you knew about it and didn't tell us either? I should shove this fucking spatula up your ass."

"He's right." Terry pitched in. "Y-y-you knew before any of us, and didn't say anything. I am surprised that Sookie didn't tell anyone, but you Sam? T-that's just not cool."

"Well I'm sorry okay." Sam got on the defensive. "I wasn't sure of what to do, I was just as shocked as you all are when I found out." The entire place suddenly got quite, aside from the sound of boots against hardwood floor. Andy came up to the counter, peering over so that he could see everyone. Jason Stackhouse stood a few feet behind him, listening.

"You guys have news about Celeste?" He asked with a hopeful expression.

"Yeah," Lafayette chipped in. "Supposedly, Eric-fucking-Northman found her in Dallas not to long ago, and brought her back tonight." He looked at Andy. "And Sam just got back from seeing her at the airport." He said with a sarcastic grin.

"Wha? Celeste is back?" Jason asked with a perplexed expression, stepping up to the counter.

"Wait now, hold on a second. Who is Eric Northman." Andy asked.

"That fucking vampire from Shreveport, the one that owns that vampire club Fangtasia." Tara interjected.

"Eric found her? Holy shit. Where are they now?" Jason asked.

"Probably at Fangtasia." Lafayette replied.

"So she ain't dead?" Jason was astonished. For a year everyone had said Celeste Monroe was dead, and that made him a little sad since all he did was have a make-out session with her.

"Mutherfu-. Jason if you don't get the hell up outta here I'm gonna shove my foot up yo gaddamn ass!"

"Hey, she was my friend too Lafayette." He pointed at all of them with a scrutinizing grin behind the counter. Sam dropped his head in his hands as they continued to bicker and fight amongst themselves, arguing over who really was Celeste's friends. In the back of his mind he silently hoped that she would not come to the bar, thinking that this is what she would be welcomed to.

"Get your disgusting hands off me!" Celeste yelled as Eric dragged her into Fangtasia. She was overwhelmed when they suddenly burst in, seeing vampires more than ever before. However, she did not have much time to pay attention to any when she was abruptly pulled into a room. The door closed behind her. She looked around the room and noticed that she was in an office, a desk directly in front of her with a black leather couch to the right of it, among other things. Eric walked around her and sat down at his desk, opening the laptop in the center.

"Where am I?" Celeste asked, scanning the room.

"In my office." Eric replied, his eyes fixed on the laptop screen. Celeste went to the desk and leaned forward against it, directly in front of him.

"That is not what I meant you asshole! What is this place? A vampire feeding ground? A stripper club? Please, amuse me."

"You will not speak to me with disrespect." He said nonchalantly.

"I will talk to you," Celeste swiped her arm across his desk, causing his laptop to crash to the floor along with papers and a container filled with pencils and pens. "How ever the fuck I want, you leech." She barked. It was not until then that Eric looked up at her, anger lightly glistening in his eyes. In spite of this, Celeste was momentarily set back when she saw his eyes wander downward. She looked down and saw that his eyes were fixed on her breasts, which were nearly pouring out from the dress in the position she was in. She immediately stood up and turned around, adjusting the top of her dress.

"Don't bother," He said, pulling open a drawer and grabbed something. "it's nothing I haven't seen before." She could hear his smirk as he spoke.

"You son-of-a-bi-" She was abruptly cut off when she was turned around then turned back around again. It happened so fast that Celeste was a little off balance and tried to steady herself, only to notice that she couldn't. Her hands were behind her back, and a cold metal pressed against her wrists. "W-wh-what the hell?" She tried to pull her hands around her side, and saw a hint of the metal. "You handcuffed me?" She yelled at the smirking vampire (a/n: the handcuffs are made out of titanium, not silver). Eric put his hands in his pockets and looked at her. "You fucker. Get me out of these now!" She twisted her wrists and pulled her hands apart out of instinct, thinking she was superman or something.

"I prefer you in them."

"Eric, let me out, or I'm gonna-"

"What?" Eric pressed her against the desk. "What are you going to do Celeste?" He searched her eyes.

"Don't say my name." She hissed.

"Celeste, what are you going to do?" He teased.

"Stop it. You don't know me." In one swift movement Eric picked her up and set her on the desk, laying her back against the desk. He stepped between her legs, watching the tempting dress scrunch around her thighs. Celeste tried to move, but the handcuffs made her completely immobile. Eric leaned over her, moving his hands to the back of her thighs, so that they were perched on his hip, and pulled her to the edge of the desk.

"What the hell are you doing?" Her eyes narrowed at him. Eric grabbed her by the waist, and carefully pulled her closer to him. With that one movement, Celeste's eyes widened at the feel of his pulsating erection against her core. A lump formed in her throat that was difficult to swallow past, and she could help but look at what pressed against her.

"You feel that?" Eric asked, pressing against her harder to accent his point. Celeste gasped at the influx of pressure and looked at him. "You are going to become very familiar with 'that' if you continue to step out of bounds."

"Oh my God." Celeste whimpered. She could feel, just from that contact, that he was not "average" in any way. shape or form. She hated to admit it, but he was starting a fire in her that would not go out any time soon. It didn't help that she had not done anything for a while. Her family kept her very sheltered, which meant no sex, alcohol, parties, cigarettes, or guy friends staying the night (even if they had a good reason). Not only that, something was pulling her toward Eric. She didn't know what it was, and she didn't entirely like it, but she could feel his lust, mixed with anger. And as Eric pressed against her again, receiving another whimper from her lips, Celeste could feel his emotions washing over her like a waterfall, pounding away at her. Her hands fidgeted behind her back, which arched from the awkward position, as a result rubbing against Eric's intense erection. He growled at the sudden movement, and without hesitation he captured her lips in his, pressing his body against hers. Celeste moaned as his tongue penetrated her mouth, her hands fidgeting even more, wanting to run her fingers through his hair and pull him closer. Their tongues battled for supremacy, but as always, to Erics' memory, Celeste gave in to his dominance.

One of Eric's hands weaved it's way into Celestes dark, long, wavy locks of hair that he missed so much, while the other slide down her side, scrunching the dress around her waist so he could move closer. She pulled, away, gasping for air while Eric continued his fiery kisses down her neck, leaving a trail all the way to the part in her breasts. He stood up and grabbed the part of the dress where her breasts were, and in one swift move ripped it down the middle. Celeste shrieked at the sudden movement, cold air hitting her skin. "Why'd you rip it?" She gasped, feeling suddenly exposed. Eric pulled it off of her, seeing that she was only in panties (which was a good thing since the dress already had a bra inside it, which meant Celeste wouldn't have to wear a separate one when she wore the dress.) He picked her up and went to the leather couch, setting her on his lap so that he legs were on either side of his thighs.

"I hated that dress." He attacked her breasts, taking one of her nipples into his mouth while massaging the other. He placed one hand around her ass, securing her against him.

"Then why did you buy it?" Celeste gasped, throwing her head back. She slowly rocked back and forth against Eric, his erection directly beneath her core. She had no idea what was coming over her, all she knew is that she wanted, needed the vampire that she hated so much, but felt strangely connected to. He groaned at the friction, his fangs emerging and grazing her skin, sending shivers down her spine.

"So I could tear it off." He clamped his mouth around the other nipple, however, making sure not to draw blood, while his other hand moved down her side. His forefinger traced the elastic of her pants, pulling it from her skin then snapping it back in place. Abruptly, the door opened and in entered Pam. Celeste shot a look in her direction and tried to push away from Eric with her legs, however, he was very insistent on finishing what he started. He looked at his child, keeping Celeste in place at the same time.

"Get out Pam." He warned.

"Celeste." The vampire smiled. She stepped over to the desk and leaned against it. "It's so nice to see you again. I can see you are getting yourself . . .reacquainted with my master." Pam looked at the mess on the floor then the torn dress. "More quickly than I thought." She added.

"Leave us, now." Eric demanded.

"There is something that requires your attention at the front Eric."

"It can wait." Eric traced the elastic of Celeste's panties again, ready to continue.

"Sookie is here." Pam finalized. "She is waiting at the bar." Eric closed his eyes and took a deep breath. Celeste pushed away from Eric with her legs again, this time he let her. She lifted one leg from over him then the other, so that she was setting next to him in an awkward position. Her heart pounded in her chest and in that instant, she absolutely hated herself. She was a part of the Fellowship of the Sun, and in the heat of the moment Celeste remembered that; she knew that Rev. Newlin would have nearly killed her for that. Celeste Abigail Monroe was no fangbanger, and had no intention of becoming one. Eric removed himself from her reluctantly and adjusted his clothes.

"Mmm. I can see why you like her so much Eric." Pam grinned as she looked at Celeste, seeing her completely naked aside from the panties. "I knew I always liked her for some reason." She teased. Celeste turned her back on them as much as she could, trying to hide her exposed body.

"Did you get what I asked you to?" Eric asked.

"Yes. It's in the back." Pam kept her eyes on Celeste.

"Good. Get her dressed."

"But I much prefer her this way." Eric grabbed Pam's arm roughly, demanding her attention.

"Get. Her. Dressed." He said sternly. Pam ripped her arm away.

"Fine. Keep her all to yourself." She looked at Celeste and smiled. "I'll be right back honey. What do you want me to do with the handcuffs?" Eric looked at Celeste from the corner of his eye then at Pam.

"Keep them on her."

Sookie drummed her fingers on the bar as she waited for Eric. She knew once Bill and herself left the limo that they started fighting, because Celeste wasn't the kind of person to just let things go unless she really tried to. Not to mention, she was curious as to how Eric would react to his new competition: Sam Merlotte. She didn't have to wait long when he emerged from his office and went to her, followed by Pam who had a strange grin plastered to her face. Eric stood before her with much composure.

"Sookie. What brings me the pleasure of your presence so soon?"

"Can we talk?" Sookie stood up.

"We are talking now."

"In your office?" She asked, placing her hands on her hips. She notice him look over his shoulder slightly then smirk.

"My office is being used at the moment. But you are more than welcome to go downstairs with me."

"Who's using your office?" Her brows furrowed in confusion.

"That is not important." He walked around Sookie and headed downstairs, she reluctantly followed him. He closed the door behind her and they went not further than the first few steps. "So what is it?"

"Where is Celeste?" She got strait to the point.

"Sleeping." He lied.

"Really, with you here?" Sookie gawked.

"I don't take advantage of women in their sleep." Eric leaned back against the door. "What do you really want to talk about Sookie?"

"I want to know what you plan on doing with her."

"That does not concern you."

"Yes it does."

"How so?" He challenged. Sookie was dumbfounded for a moment. She couldn't just say she wanted to keep him to herself, or keep his interest, even though she knew he could probably sense it from her emotions.

"Sam is interested in her, Eric." She said, needing to broach the subject anyway.

"So he is. But that still does not answer my question." He tapped his foot on the ground. Sookie was growing impatient.

"I care about Sam's happiness, Eric. And if Celeste is what makes him happy then I want them to be together, not her being used and wasted by you."

"This isn't about Sam at all." Eric said. "This isn't even about Celeste. This is about you and me." He took a step closer to her. "So what are you really doing here Sookie Stackhouse."

"Don't flatter yourself Eric. There is nothing between us." Sookie held her ground.

"You are a horrible liar." He continued stepping closer to her. As Eric drew nearer, Sookie backed up, her backside against the wall. Eric hovered over her, like the predator that he was, and placed both hands on either side of her head. "Tell me you don't regret rejecting all those opportunities we had to fuck each other. Because in the end, that's what this is really about."

"I don't regret it. I love Bill." Sookie replied.

"But here you are, in this dark room with me. So what lie did you have to tell him to come here this time?" He challenged again. When Sookie didn't reply all he could do was smirk at the woman. "I know what you want Sookie." He pushed a stray hair behind her ear. "Your emotions say it, and your body screams it. Does Bill not satisfy you anymore? Do you want to try someone new . . .more experienced?"

"I am not talking about this with you." She hissed.

"You're right, actions speak louder than words." He grinned. "Maybe we should just start having sex."

"You know if you weren't such an ass, then maybe I would have sex with you."

"But remember dear Sookie, you once told me that my ass is the best part of my anatomy. Do you want to give it a squeeze? Just like last time?" Sookie pushed him away, Eric willingly moved aside and watched her leave the basement in a fuss, but her emotions could never escape him, nor could the scent of her body. He could smell that she was ready for him, then and there, and he could sense that she wanted him, more now than ever.