We were both quiet on the ride home. I could feel that Eric's emotions were all over the place right now and mine weren't much better. There was a part of me that knew that I should be upset because of what I had done to Billy boy tonight, but I just couldn't bring myself to be upset. He was an asshole and had gotten what he deserved.

I was so lost in my thoughts that I didn't even realize that we'd gotten home until Eric had opened my door. He lifted me into his arms and carried me inside. I was perfectly fine with that. It had been a long day and I really just wanted to be close to him right now.

He carried me up to what I was beginning to think of as our room. He set me down on the bed before disappearing into the bathroom. He came back a moment later and I could hear the tub filling up. He lifted me back up and carried me into the bathroom. "Let's get you cleaned up Lover. You have blood in your hair."

"Eric, are you all right with what I did tonight?"

He set me down on the counter and started removing my blood splattered clothes. "The biggest thing that I was worried about was that you would regret what you did. I am still worried that you will regret what you have done."

He pulled my dress over my head and tossed it into the laundry. Before he could remove my undergarments I grabbed his hands so that he would look at me. "Eric, I'm not going to regret castrating that son of a bitch. He deserved it and I can't and won't feel bad about it." I leaned in and kissed him gently on the lips and he accepted what I'd said. He finished undressing me and gently moved me into the tub. He remained fully clothed as he washed the blood off of me. I really wanted him to join me, but I knew that he wasn't going to and I was feeling tired anyway and wanted to get rested up for tomorrow night.

I looked up at the man who was gently and lovingly washing me from head to toe. It was hard for me to believe that we had gotten so close in such a short period of time. I was so in love with him because of his kindness and his generosity for taking care of me when he didn't have to. The fact that he was gorgeous was just icing on the cake.

When I was clean he lifted me out of the tub and dried me off, then carried me out and set me on the bed. He grabbed one of his button down shirts and slide that on me as a nightgown. I liked having his scent all around me like that, so I didn't mind.

He got me into bed, then disappeared into the bathroom. I could hear the shower going and I was very tempted to go and join him, but I was nice and cuddled up where I was, so I stayed put.

When he came out I was hoping that he would be all glistening and wet in just a towel, but he came out dressed in jeans and a tank top. I wanted to tell him to strip and get in this bed and cuddle with me, but we had agreed that since we were going to complete our bond tomorrow night and I wanted it to be special, he was going to spend the day at his place so that I could get everything ready.

He sat down on the bed to put his shoes on and I got on my knees and went over to him. I wrapped my arms around him and kissed his bare shoulder. "I am going to miss you."

"I'll miss you as well Lover, but I am looking forward to tomorrow night."

"Because you'll finally get to have your way with me?"

He pulled me around so that I was sitting in his lap. "No, I'm looking forward to it because I will finally be fully connected to you. I can feel you now, but not fully. It feels like I'm missing something and I know that it's having you inside of me."

"I feel the same way. I can hardly wait."

"So what do you have planned during the day tomorrow Lover?"

"Well, I am going to be very busy getting pampered. I'm going to be getting a massage and a facial, I'm getting my hair done and I'm getting a manicure and a pedicure. I want to be totally relaxed for tomorrow night."

"I won't even be able to recognize you after all of that Lover."

"Oh I think that you'll recognize me just fine. Hey, should I eat before you come over tomorrow?"

"Why don't you have a big lunch, and I'll take care of a late dinner for you."

"I would love that." I leaned in and kissed his lips. I meant for it to only be a peck, but I couldn't resist deepening the kiss. He was the most amazing kisser, well up until he pulled away. "Hey we was kissing here. Why did you stop?"

He lifted me up and got me tucked back into bed. "Because I have to go now."

I kept my arms locked around his neck. "I want you to stay."

"I know you do. I want to stay as well, but one night apart is not going to hurt us. It will make tomorrow night even more special."

"My head understands that, it's my heart that's having all the trouble." I let go of him and looked him in the eye. "I love you Eric Northman."

"And I love you Sookie Stackhouse." We kissed one last time before I let him go completely. As ridiculous as it sounds, my heart broke a little as I watched him walk out the door. I knew that it was silly and that he would be back tomorrow night and he wasn't far away if I really needed him, but that was how I felt. I had a few tears falling from my eyes as I drifted off to sleep.

For the first time in days Nessa came to visit me. I could see the smile on her face and she embraced me in my living room, but I could tell that something was troubling her. "Oh Sookie, you absolutely amaze me. You have done the impossible in less time than even I expected. I am so happy for you."

"But I can see that something is troubling you Nessa. What is it?"

"Bill Compton has opened his big, stupid mouth to more than just the King of Arkansas. You did wonderfully with him by the way. There are others out there who are going to try to find you. You need to have Amelia ward your home for you. It will not be a permanent solution to your problems, but it will keep you safe for now."

I could feel the panic building inside of me. "What will be a permanent solution? I don't want to live like this Nessa, looking over my shoulder at every corner, waiting for someone to try to take me. How can I stop this? All I want is a little peace with my Viking. Is that really so much to ask for?"

"Of course not Sookie, but you are special. You were born that way and have always been special." She turned away from me and I knew that there was something that she wasn't telling me.

"What Nessa? If there is any way to protect myself I'll do it, no matter what the cost."

She turned back towards me and I could see the turmoil in her eyes. She was fighting with herself on whether she should tell me or not. It took a few minutes before I saw the resolve come over her face. "I don't know if you are ready to hear this or pay the price for your safety."

"Please Nessa, just tell me."

She took a deep breath before she spoke. "You would be safer if you were to become a vampire."

I'd had similar thoughts, but was I really ready to become a vampire? Did I even really want to become one at all?

I looked Nessa in the eye and asked her the one question that I needed the answer to more than anything. "Will Eric still love me if I become a vampire?" Just being away from him for a few hours broke my heart, I wouldn't be able to handle an eternity if he wouldn't still love me.

"Oh Sookie." She came over and pulled me into her arms. "He will love you no matter what, but I have seen different paths leading you to becoming a vampire and also paths if you stay human. There is no certainty in those visions, one decision could change everything, but that is one thing that never changes."

I pull away from her embrace enough so that I can look into her eyes. "What do you think that I should do?"

"Oh my sweet girl, I can't do that. You need to decide this for yourself. I can show you what may happen to help guide you, but I can't make the decision for you." She took my face in her hands and looked deep into my eyes. "I don't want you to worry about this now, this is something for you to think about in the coming weeks. Have Amelia work her magic while you relax and get ready for your Viking. Enjoy him fully and completely and worry about what I've suggested another day little one. You are both safe for now."

Another worry came to me then. "What if I'm not good enough? What if I'm just not enough for him? What if he gets bored with me and wants another?"

"That my little one is something that you will never have to worry about. You have touched a part of him that he never thought would be touched again: his heart. You came to him when you needed him and now he wants to protect you and he will do anything to keep you safe." She brushed my hair back and smiled down at me. "Now it's time for you to sleep so that you will be well rested for your Viking. He plans on thoroughly exhausting you." I smiled up at her and everything around me vanished as I drifted off into a dreamless sleep.

I woke up the next morning with a smile on my face and excitement running through me. I wanted it to be nightfall, but it was only eleven in the morning. I had all day to wait, but I was going to be busy so hopefully it would pass quickly. My spa appointment wasn't until one, so I had plenty of time to pay Amelia a visit and have that big lunch that Eric suggested. I went in the bathroom, did my business and changed into a tank top and a pair of yoga pants. I got my purse making sure that I had everything, I slipped on a pair of sandals and I was on my way.

I pulled up in front of Amelia's shop less than fifteen minutes later and found her waiting out there for me. I got out and went up to her with a smile on my face. "Hey Amelia."

"Hi Sookie."

"Are you waiting for me?"

"Yes, but I haven't been waiting long."

"Do you know why I'm here?"

"You need me to ward your house for you. I would be happy to and I can even ward your car if you want. It will keep people from being able to follow you."

"I would love for you to do that for me. I was already followed once, I really don't want that to happen again."

"I would have done this for you sooner, but I needed some special herbs that I had to order and they took longer than expected to get here." She pulled a little pouch out of her pocket, then got in to the passenger seat. "I'm going to put this in your glove compartment. Do not take it out."

"Gotcha."

"This will only take a couple of minutes."

"Okay." I stood back and watched as she worked her magic and it wasn't long before the whole thing started to glow. There were a few people around us in the strip mall, but it didn't seem like they even noticed. Got to love magic.

It didn't take her long to be finished and standing beside me. "All set." She put her hand on my arm and I could feel her magic around me. It only lasted a few seconds, but it wasn't an unpleasant feeling. "Do you want me to do the house now?"

"Yeah, do you need to do anything inside the house?"

"Nope, I can do everything outside. It will be all set when you get home." She pulled me into a hug. "Enjoy the spa and you enjoy that Viking later tonight. Take a ride for me, will you." I could feel the heat rising in my cheeks. Amelia just smiled at me as she went over to her car, got in and drove away. I pushed the thoughts of riding my Viking out of my mind for now and headed for the restaurant.

It wasn't far away and since it wasn't quite time for the lunch rush yet I was able to enjoy my meal in relative peace. I had a steak, baked potato, Caesar salad, and a bowl of minestrone soup. Everything was delicious and I was pleasantly full as I headed for the spa.

I went inside and was taken right in to my appointment. My massage and facial were heavenly and it was easier than normal for me to keep my shields up even with her touching me.

I was completely relaxed as I was having my manicure and pedicure. I picked out a deep shade of red nail polish and I even decided to go all out and get a set of acrylic nails to put on. I'd never really been able to afford them before and working around greasy food didn't really mix with pretty nails. Now that I was just serving drinks and because I wanted to look extra special for Eric tonight I thought it was a good time to give it a try.

I had my hair trimmed and styled in an up do that would leave my neck bare. I wanted Eric to have easy access later tonight. As I looked in the mirror when the woman was finished it didn't even look like me anymore. Before I looked more like a girl in a woman's body, now I looked like a woman though and through. I left the spa feeling very good about myself.

When I got home and pulled into the garage I could feel the magic and my fairy necklace that I had almost I'd forgot that I was wearing because it just seemed like a part of me now, started to glow. With my necklace glowing I felt a sense of peace come over me. My house was completely safe for now and that was all that I really wanted.

I went inside and saw that it was a little after six. Eric wasn't going to be here until after nine, so I had plenty of time to get ready and everything I wanted set up. I went up to the bedroom and changed the sheets on the bed. I put on a set of red silk sheets and loaded it up will dozens of pillows. I had always wanted a huge bed with lots of pillows.

I set up candles all over the room, then I went into the bathroom to take a bath. I wanted to get squeaky clean and I didn't want to get my hair wet. I made sure that I was clean and smooth all over, then I got out, dried off and applied my favorite vanilla body lotion all over.

When I finished in the bathroom I went to the closet and pulled out the outfit that I was going to wear tonight. It was a white, silk baby doll gown that barely covered my lady bits, with a matching floor length sheer robe and thong panties. I finished of the ensemble with a pair of white thigh high stocking and a pair of white high heels.

As I was dressing I couldn't stop thinking about Eric undressing me later on tonight. My whole body grew warm instantly and I could feel the moisture pooling between my legs. Nine o'clock better hurry up and get here.

At quarter to nine I went into the bathroom and did my makeup. I didn't want anything to heavy so I just stuck with some dark eye shadow that brought out the blue in my eyes, some mascara and lip gloss. I checked my hair to make sure that it was still good, then I went back out into the bedroom and started lighting the candles. I turned off the lights when I was done and it was perfect in here.

I was adjusting the pillows on the bed when I heard Eric come in downstairs. "I'm here Lover."

A smile spread across my face just from hearing his voice. I wanted to run downstairs and jump into his arms, but I would probably kill myself in these heels. I took a deep breath to calm myself and walked out in the hall. I stopped at the top of the stairs and posed as seductively as I could. "I'm up here handsome." He appeared at the bottom of the stairs and my pose must have worked. As he looked up at me his mouth dropped open and his fangs were extended. I think that I just left the big, badass, Viking sheriff speechless.

A/N I know I am so horrible for stopping there, but there was a lot going on in this chapter and I thought that was a good place to stop. Next chapter LEMONS! I have never waited so long to write lemons into a story before. You guys better leave me lots of love so that I make it extra special good!