As soon as she walked out of the office, Sam picked up the phone.
"Fangtasia, the bar with a bite," said perky female on the other end.
"I need to speak to Northman."
"I'll have to check if the Master if available."
Sam snorted.
"Who's calling please?"
"Tell him it's Merlotte. I know he'll want to take the call."
A few moments later Sam heard Eric's voice, "is there a problem?"
"Yeah there's a problem! What the hell did you do to her?!"
"What do you mean?" Sam heard the concern in Eric's voice and, he had to admit, was a bit surprised by it.
"She came in tonight, for our Halloween party," he heard Eric hiss slightly on the other end, but chose to ignore it, "and, well, have you ever heard the expression 'I am woman hear me roar?' Well, she's roaring . . . loudly! So I'm gonna ask you again, what the hell did you do to her?"
Eric was quiet for a moment, and when he spoke he surprised Sam once again with his calm tone. "I do not normally have to explain myself to shifters, but given our history, I will say only that Sookie and I had . . . words last night. That is all I am willing to say at the moment. Of course if my . . . if Sookie chooses to tell you, that is her right."
Sam held the phone away from his ear for a moment and actually looked at it. Who the hell is this guy and what has he done with Eric?
"I swear Northman. If you've done anything to hurt her . . ."
"Yes, yes I know. You will stake me all by yourself. Is that all?"
"Yes."
"Enjoy your evening." Click.
"Sonofabitch," Sam cursed, and headed out to the bar.
********************
Eric sat and stared at the phone. He tried to check the bond, but once again came up against what he could only describe as a door, one that would not budge.
Pam entered, "the vermin are waiting for you."
Eric nodded to her and rose. He knew he had to make an appearance. It was Halloween after all and, this was what the fangbangers and tourists were all waiting for.
As he and Pam walked towards the middle of the club she asked, "Are you alright?"
"I'm not sure," he replied, then he took his seat at his "throne."
Eric barely noticed the fangbangers vying for his attention. He had earlier resolved to talk to her tomorrow. He wanted to apologize for what he said the day before. He would not apologize for his anger. What transpired between her and Bill . . . well, that was another subject.
What he said, about wishing he never remembered, he said in a fit of rage and pain, however, what Bill told him changed things, put them in a completely different perspective. His comment hurt her, perhaps he'd meant it to, but now all he wanted to do was take it back. He needed to explain it to her somehow. Only now, Sam's phone call had him more than just a bit curious and, the idea of waiting until tomorrow lost its appeal. After about two hours of "enthralling the vermin," as Pam liked to call it, the curiosity won out.
It took Eric less than an hour to make the drive to Bon Temps. He spent the time trying to figure out just how this human woman managed to get under his skin so thoroughly. He loved her, of that he was certain. Of course, until his memories returned he did not realize it. It was not just that he remembered loving her, it was that remembering the depth of emotion he was capable of feeling made him realize what had been pulling at him for a long time.
In fact, if he was honest with himself (and he usually was), he would see that she captured his heart in Jackson. Her bravery, her determination to save Bill despite what he had done to her, her vulnerability, and her sexuality . . . dear god her sexuality and she is not even aware of her power. No, the memories were not what made him love her, they just made him realize that he could, that he did.
More troubling was the lack of access to the bond. He had become used to knowing her moods before seeing her. He had used it to his advantage, approaching her in the manner best suited to her mood, but tonight he was without his guide. He could only assume that its loss was the result of fairy magic. He prayed it was not permanent.
When he arrived at Merlotte's, he pulled into the back lot, parking next to her car. He decided to peek in on her first, she would say he was spying, but he wanted to see if he could discern her mood before he entered. When he saw her, his first response was purely physical. His fangs ran out and he felt himself straining against the fabric of his pants. If his heart still beat, it would be racing. Within a moment, however, he realized that he was not the only one having this reaction and his jealousy flared.
His instinct was to rush in, throw her over his shoulder and take her out of there, however, that would infuriate her and, was no way to begin an apology. He watched her more closely now, and his jealousy subsided, a little. She was "roaring" as Sam said. Moving with a surety that he had not really seen in her before. However, despite all the ogling she was not favoring anyone. One young man made the mistake of grabbing her behind, but before Eric could even react, Sookie (using her favorite weapon) brought her tray down on his head. Eric smiled, and watched as Sam and Terry Bellefleur threw the man out.
By the time Eric finished with him, the young man was jibbering and had pissed himself. He would not be returning to Merlotte's, or grabbing a young woman's behind, again. Eric threw him down in disgust, and walked back to where he could watch from the window. After a few minutes he realized that she looked happy, relaxed and confident. He did not want to make her nervous. He decided to spend the rest of his evening watching her from there.