Authors Note: Thank you so much for all the response to chapter two. Thanks again to my beta: FreeMoment for beta'ing another chapter of ETE!

When I rose for the night, I checked the bond on my woman, displeased to find she was stressed, in pain, and upset. This wassomething I found I did not like. She was going to be the future wife of a Sheriff. She shouldn't be feeling pain, be upset or stressed. That fucking shifter was going to get more than Tara's right hook or a broken nose. Why was she in pain?

If she was still at Merlotte's Bar and Grill after I made Tara take her shift, I would not be pleased. I deliberately had her take the night off so we could spend time at our lake, our private place where I could fuck her more than once and hear her voice scream my name more than once as I take and claim her beautiful body. I wasn't planning on bonding with her so soon, it just happened!

Plus, I would have to go away for a while to New Orleans and this was something that had never bothered me before I met Sookie. But since claiming her and starting a real blood-bond on top of the unknown one we already shared - that appeared to have intensified with the start of the actual blood-bond - I'm not sure how long I would be able to stay away. Perhaps I couldconvince my love to switch her shifts with Tara until the shifter came back so she could work the afternoon shift and I could have her to myself at night.

Now that was an idea I needed to explore and speak to Sookie on. I felt her emotions calm down as surprise mixed in with the upset and stressed. I sent her calm, and grabbed my phone to send a text, as I didn't know where or what she was doing.

What's going on lover? Why are you in pain? I don't like my woman feeling either of the things you are currently feeling. E x

When she didn't reply straight away, I frowned and got up to move to the shower. Once I'd done my usual thirty minutes, I went to check my phone.

My grandmother has died. I found her this morning. I had to go in to Merlotte's as Arlene supposedly couldn't come in today according to Dawn, and Arlene's not picking up for me (rolls eyes) and I cannot get hold of my brother. Dawns in his usual fuck buddy. She can't get hold of him either and Tara keeps telling me to go home. I don't know what to do :'( I'm so torn. S xx

Fuck New Orleans, my woman needed me more than my Queen or the authority. I may be many things, but Sookie was different to most. I don't like the feelings she was currently feeling so I moved at Vampire speed to finish getting ready and took to the sky from my penthouse rooftop - special tinted windows, of course, so the sun couldn't come through. It'll take me less time flying, due to no traffic. Yes, I could fly. It was a gift I was born with, It was a gift I was born with, or rather, one I was given when I was created a Vampire, and a handy one too, over the years. I would be able to get to my mate faster. When I landed within the tree line of her property, I got my phone out.

I'm at your home lover, leave Merlotte's now and come to me. E x

I got a text back pretty quickly; she must be in the office.

Bud's giving me a lift home, the human Sheriff. Just collecting my things. Bedroom window is unlocked. S xx

I sent her calm through the bond, in the hopes of easing the pain from the loss of her grandmother. I suddenly realised I did not know much about my mate's background other than that she had a brother and a friend named Tara. Usually I would have done a background check by now, but I'd been distracted by this newest development in my life, but I couldn't say I was angry about it. I would never walk this earth alone again.

My love needed me more than anyone else right now, I would not abandon her when she needed me the most. I checked the coast was clear before I flew up to my lover's window and moved it open. It was one of those that had shutters and the inner glass opened like the shutters attached to them. Her window was reasonably sized, so it wasn't too hard to slip in, even with my large Viking frame.

I closed the window behind me, locking it, and moved quietly around my mate's room. I didn't need to turn the light on to see and I noticed things I hadn't the last time I was here. On the dresser was a framed photo of six people, and then an older couple with a younger Sookie and I guessed was her brother. Then one of just the man I believed to be Sookie's grandfather, then one of her and her grandmother, who looked much older, and Sookie looked much the same as she did now. I noticed there wasn't one of Sookie and her brother, but of her and the annoying girl, Tara, and another man, who looked similar to Tara. Maybe her brother or cousin? I was just guessing.

The sound of a car engine coming down the bumpy old driveway alerted me of my love's arrival. I'd found myself surprised by my line of thinking when, for the first time in a very, very long time, I actually hated the idea that I had to hide in the shadows and couldn't comfort my mate straight away in case the other humans had come inside the house with her. I hope he doesn't. I hadn't thought about a car and, just on instinct, flew as fast I could to get to Sookie, without having to navigate annoying traffic.

Maybe she could come to New Orleans with me; it was a rather important meeting... and stay in my apartment whilst I didbusiness. Surely the humans would allow a couple of days to a week off for grief? The thought of having Sookie all to myself made me feel something I couldn't put my finger on. The closer Sookie got to the house, the more her pain spiked, but I also felt longing from her too, for me.

The closer she got, the stronger our connection became. I wasn't sure if I one hundred percent liked this, but I couldn't deny my attraction to Sookie, or the connection we shared before we started the blood-bond. I had meant every word I said to her as well, before I had sunk my fangs into her delicious skin, and even sweeter blood. I didn't think I would ever be able to feed from another human's body again. There was also something familiar about the taste of her blood but I couldn't put my finger on it.

"If there's anything you need, Sookie, just give the Sheriff department a call and we will do what we can. Your grandmother was aone-of-a-kind lady, and has been a good friend of mine since we could crawl. We will also do our best to track down Jason, Andy's on it." I heard the human Sheriff say. Well, he can fuck off because I was all my mate needed. I was a very possessive man... it was just the way I am.

"Thank you," I heard my lover's tired voice reply as she walked up to the front porch. I felt her confusion; I guessed due to there being no car. Honestly, and this was a first for me, I could not remember if I had mentioned my flying ability or not yet. So much had changed and happened in a few short days that I thought we both needed some down time together. I hoped she would agreeto New Orleans.

"Eric?" I heard my love whisper my name as she closed and locked her front door. I moved at Vamp speed and had her sobbing into my chest within the next few seconds. This wasn't how the plan was supposed to go this evening, but my woman needed me more than ever, and unlike her dumb-ass brother who I was beginning to dislike more and more, I would be there for her. I got the impression from, except for a select few, that she was pretty much on her own. She'd never be on her own again.

I picked her up, so her legs were around my waist, and moved us to the sofa. I ignored the buzz of my cell phone. I had a feeling of whom it may be. My child, Pamela, had been trying to get hold of me since the first night I met Sookie, but I wasn't ready to speak with her. I was sure she also felt the new tie through our child-maker bond. We mainly kept it closed off, but with her in New Orleans, I kept it open to check in on her and make sure she was safe.

Luckily, Pamela had her own place there, so she wouldn't have to even meet Sookie. I didn't plan on having my love meet any of my kind until the big reveal, at least. I wanted us to grow a good strong bond and connection. Plus, I wanted her to be well-knowledged before stepping into the unknown. Thank fuck my maker was no longer walking this earth, and hadn't been for many decades, so I didn't have him to worry about either. It will just be me and Sookie in our private time, at least.

"Come to New Orleans with me. I find myself not wanting to leave you, lover. I have to attend business there," I said after a whileas she had been quiet for a time. She had completely worn herself out, both emotionally and mentally.

"The bar, the fu-funer-funeral..." She did not say no, so I took advantage.

Laying her down on the sofa, I quickly found my phone and made my way back to my mate, who wore a blank expression on her pretty face. I moved us so our bodies laid along the sofa with her back against the seat and her head resting on my upper arm, her leg between mine, mine over hers as she leaned into our embrace. I phoned Merlotte's before she could change her mind.

Merlotte's Bar and Grill, what do you want? - The unmistakable, bored, unwelcoming voice of that annoying girl from the other night, Tara, spoke.

"That is no way to communicate with customers, Tara. I am only telling you this because I know Sookie trusts you and I will know who has blabbed if you do, so think twice. Sookie is going away on a business trip with me, she's agreed. Said she needs to have some time away from Bon Temps, the house. I'm sure you'll understand. Write down on a bit of paper this number I'm about to give you, it's hers... yes, Sookie now has a mobile. No, she didn't tell you about it. She's not really in a good place to speak right now, she's asked me to call instead." And hung up. I knew that was a blatant lie, but Tara didn't know that. I may have to glamour her when we get back.

I could feel my woman's shock, but thankfully, she didn't decide to argue. I had a feeling it was coming, but she just looked at me through narrowed eyes instead. Her emotions had somewhat calmed down. The pain was still there, but that was understandable. I couldn't remember what it was like to lose someone close to you as I hadn't lost anyone with meaning in over a thousand years.

"I want to be mad at you, but I can't find the energy right now to be angry. Plus, Tara and Lala kept telling me to go home and take some time off." I smirked.

"You can be mad at me whenever you want, lover. It appears we are stuck with each other. You can keep tabs on the bar and plan the funeral from my apartment in New Orleans. Does your brother have a mobile?" I asked.

"Yes, Tara used to phone him for me and Gran sometimes, when we couldn't get hold of him, but we only have his home phone number and the Road Crew number, which is his job. Jason supposedly didn't want us to have his mobile number due to it possibly falling into the wrong hands - translated into: Jason does not want scorned women to find his safe house." I thought about my words carefully so she wouldn't get defensive of her brother.

"I've done many things in my time, but your brother I find I dislike more and more," I told her honestly. I glanced at the time via the clock on the wall. It had been about fifteen minutes since I phoned the bar.

"If you are coming to New Orleans with me, then we should start to pack and you can stay at mine tonight. Then tomorrow at sunset, we will be leaving for New Orleans," I said.

Her curiosity peaked and something I couldn't put my finger on flared up within her. She was about to respond, but I placed a finger on her lips. Suddenly, I heard the sound of an engine speeding down the driveway to my lover's home. Sookie sensed my sudden change of mood and posture.

"What is it?" she asked against my finger as she rose on her elbow to look into my eyes.

"Someone's coming. I hear a vehicle coming down the drive." Her emotions became a whirlpool of things I couldn't place, as they swirled around within her, fast.

"Shit! That might actually be Jason." Panic settled into her. "What if he sees you?" she asked. I was quiet for a moment, debating on the point she had just made.

"Merlotte's customers saw me the other night when I came in. True, nobody knows our connection. But your brother is not alone..." I trailed off. She looked at me, wide-eyed. Sookie closed her eyes as she concentrated on the other person with him.

"Tara..." she said, wide-eyed. Who was running the bar? Sookie seemed to have the same thought as I did, because she suddenly rose up from our embrace.

"Eric... the bar? Who's running the goddamn bar? There's only two cooks and two waitresses left working in that place." She waspanicking again. I let her move up into a sitting position. She genuinely did care about her job. I grabbed her hand as she stood, and stood alongside her. She looked up at me as we heard the car doors slam shut.

"If you want me to stay, I will, but this is your call... I can wait upstairs, or we can make this public between us. I'm not going anywhere. I've waited a thousand years to find you, Miss Stackhouse."

Thank you so much everyone :) Sneaky peak into chapter twelve.

This area is not beta'd:

"I shouldn't have done that..." I sighed leaning back and closing my eyes.

"No you should have. They've been using you for years and Sam's aloud them to get away with it. The amount of double shifts you've done on short notice is crazy and the lack of holiday time you've not taken is admirable compared to that bitch. Like you said, I'm lazy but at least I step up when I need to, like recently for example but then that's not really either of our faults and I'm demanding a fucking pay rise if that asshole of a boss ever comes back to his bar." She ranted.