After putting away the groceries she bought with her own money, she stood in the kitchen and started to fidget. The clock on the microwave said it was 4:50. Eric wouldn't be rising for at least 3 more hours. She noticed the small bottle of detergent and her dryer sheets still on the counter. She wondered if Eric had a washer and dryer. She knew she'd have to wash clothes at some point even if it was at the Laundromat. She opened a few doors finding a coat closet, an empty pantry and finally the laundry room. She was shocked to see Eric's dirty clothes piled in a basket on the washer. It just seemed so ridiculous to imagine Eric the Vampire washing his socks and underwear. Welcoming the opportunity to keep busy, she pulled the basket from the washer and started a load. She always did clean when she was nervous.

8888

Eric rose and went straight to the guest room where he left Sookie. Seeing it empty, he listened for her movements in the house. She was downstairs with the television on. He moved gracefully down the stairs and stood behind the couch watching her. The sight before him stunned him. Sookie was sitting cross-legged with her back against the couch and various piles of folded laundry around her. She picked up a pair of his boxers from the basket and laughed. It was the red pair with tiny black bats all over them. Apparently, she got the joke. He watched her for a moment as she folded his t-shirt while watching some music video on the country channel. The image in front of him caused emotions to stir within him, he hadn't felt before. Why did she affect him this way? Why did he suddenly wish she would always be here when he woke doing domestic things in his home? He leaned on the back of the couch and softly spoke her name.

"Sookie." She jumped and looked up startled. She looked at the clock on the cable box and then back at him.

"It's only 7:30. The sun's barely starting to set. How can you…?"

"My age. What are you doing?"

She looked at the pair of black briefs in her hands and grinned.

"I'm foldin' clothes."

"Why?"

"Because they'll wrinkle if I leave them in the dryer?" She knew she sounded like an idiot, but she didn't know what to say. What did last night mean to him? Was it just a one time thing? How was he going to treat her now? He rounded the couch and stood above her. She looked up and licked her lips. He was wearing a pair of worn jeans and his dark green boxers were sticking out the top of his waistband drawing her eyes to his abdomen. He hadn't bothered with a shirt or shoes. He looked delicious. He grinned at her. Because he had her blood, he could feel her. Eric sat on the floor beside her and picked up one of the folded shirts. His muscles rippled as he stretched the fabric over his shoulders. She watched with interest as she sniffed his sleeve.

"What is that?"

"Is it bad?! I'm sorry. I just put a Snuggle sheet in the dryer. I can rewash them…"
"It's delightful. It smells like your clothes. But why did you wash all this? You're not in servitude to me."

"I clean when I'm nervous."

"Is that why I smell toilet bowl cleaner?" Her cheeks flushed red and she looked away. She grabbed a pair of his jeans from the basket and started shaking them out.

"Sookie, calm down." He chuckled taking the jeans from her. He leaned over the basket and laid his hand against her cheek. Her eyes searched his as he leaned in and gently kissed her. As soon as his lips touched hers, she felt relief wash over her. Her hand immediately slid to his neck and she pulled him closer. He deepened the kiss and moaned against her warm tongue. Before he ripped her clothes off, he pulled away. She panted and moved to follow his lips. He steadied her with a hand on her shoulder.

"There's much we need to discuss. But first, did you find the note I left you this morning?"

"Yes. I put some things in the fridge."

"Did you have enough money?" She looked back at the television in an effort not to meet his eyes. "Sookie?"
"I can pay my own way, you know." He almost laughed at her pout but thought better of it.

"I'm sure you can, but you're my guest in my home." She opened her mouth to speak but couldn't think of anything to say. She felt ashamed that she refused to allow him to pay. Her Gran would be furious that she had offended her host. He brushed a hair from her face and frowned.

"You didn't use any of it, did you?" She shook her head, grabbed another shirt from the basket and nervously started folding it in half. "You are an enigma. I'll give you that. But there is something more important I need to know." He placed his finger under her chin and stared deep into her eyes.

"Did you hurt my car?" The laughter erupted so quickly she literally laughed in his face.

"You're precious Corvette is fine. It handles great. I didn't know you could make that kind of speed on the interstate." His eyes widened and then saw the corner of her mouth twitch. He launched at her. Quicker than she could track, he had her on her back on the couch and was nipping at her neck.

"You're a funny one, Sookie Stackhouse." She erupted in a cascade of giggles. He twisted his fingers lightly against her sides and she was soon gasping for breath.

"Okay! I'm sorry. I'm sorry." She panted. He stilled his hands and pulled her up to lean against the corner of the couch. He settled against the opposite corner and looked at her for a moment.
"Now comes the hard part." He sighed as he stretched his legs out against hers. She slid hers on each side of his and took a deep breath to muster the strength to get through it.

"Who wants me?" He wanted to make a joke and earn another smile but this wasn't the time. He needed to know a few things first before he delved into the matter that loomed over them both.

"Can I ask you some things first?" She looked down at her lap and realized she still had his t-shirt twisted in her hands. She fingered the material and then returned to his questioning gaze.

"Alright."

"Bill gave you his blood?"

"Yes."

"Why?"

"The Rats had attacked me and…"

"Rats?" He interrupted.

"The Rattrays. They were this couple. The first night I met Bill, they were draining him in the parking lot." Eric's brow creased and he shifted his foot against her thigh.

"They captured him?"

"Yeah, they had a silver chain."

"Idiot. So you found them?"

"I got a log chain and snuck up…."
"You saved him!?"

"Uh-huh, and then the next night, they jumped me in the parking lot after work. I would have died for sure."

He was quiet for a few minutes. This frail human fought off two drainers to save a vampire. No wonder Bill felt he owed her the healing. Then his face darkened. He didn't feel he owed it, he was told to do it.

"How many times have you had his blood?"

"Just once. Why? Bill said it didn't matter how many times I had vampire blood." He growled and she sat up a little more gripping his shirt in her lap."

"It's not true, is it?! Just another lie." Eric nodded his head and knew he would have to explain a very sacred vampire fact to her.

"When a vampire shares his blood more than three times, a bond is formed. A very powerful bond that can not be broken."

"But I got some of Long Shadow's blood in my mouth too!"

"It has to be from the same Vampire, Sookie." She nodded her understanding and sunk back against the arm of the couch.

"Bill said that he was able to feel me." She picked at an invisible piece of lint on the dark shirt twisted in her fingers. "Can you feel me now?" He nudged her thigh with his foot so she would look at him again.

"Yes." He winked at her and she felt a rush of heat settled in her abdomen. He smiled at her. "I felt that too." He allowed himself to laugh at her embarrassed expression. "I'm much older than Bill. I don't need as much blood to feed and when I do, I can feel with much more intensity if I choose."

"Bill said I taste different, do I really or was that just another lie?"

"No, that was the truth. What are you, Sookie?" She stared at the t-shirt again and mumbled.

"I'm a waitress." He laughed and nudged her again. She was getting a little tired of being poked in the thigh so she grabbed his big toe and pulled.

"Ow."
"That didn't hurt. Don't act like it did."

"Sorry, lover." His term of endearment sent a wave of excitement and anxiousness rolling through her stomach. She frowned, knowing he probably felt it too.

"So, tell me what's going to happen. It's bad, isn't it?"

"Yes. You won't like it."

"Who wants me?"

"The Queen." Sookie scrunched her nose and cocked her head to the side.
"Of England? Huh?"

"The Queen of Louisiana."

"The what?!" She started giggling and unfortunately, when she saw the serious look on his face she actually snorted a little. She covered her face with his shirt for a moment and then took a deep breath.

"The Queen….of Louisiana? You're serious."

"We're extremely organized, Sookie. There is a definite hierarchy."

"Bill said you are a Sheriff…a position of great power among your kind." She quoted.

"That's correct."

"So what's Bill?"

"A nuisance." She quirked her lip at him as he raised his eyebrows and cocked his head.
"So the Queen wants me? For what?"

"She probably would like to add you to her assets, to be able to utilize your gift at will."

"So what…she wants me at her beck and call. I already told you I'd help you whenever you wanted. What's the difference?"
"She wants a more permanent arrangement."

"What's that mean?"
"She wants you at her side."
"Side….where?"
"New Orleans."

"I'm not moving to New Orleans."

"You won't be given a choice."

"What?!"

"That's why she sent Bill. He was to seduce you. Bond to you and give you to the Queen."
"Give me…"

"I don't think either of them realized how difficult that was going to be." He met her eyes again and winced at the tears pooling in them. "You can't be glamored. That's a problem."

"Not for me." He smirked at her. She was so a treat to him. He loved her passion and her strong will. Did he love her? He tamped that thought down and continued.

"I've called the Queen and claimed you as mine." Her chin lifted and before she could stop herself she kicked him swiftly in the upper thigh. He growled at the sharp pain and then circled her ankle with his hand.

"I'm not!"

"Sookie, do I need to remind you of last night."

"So that's why…."

"No!" His voice rose and he tightened his grip on her foot. "I've never deceived you." He felt her fear building and began pulling her foot towards him. She shrieked a little but was soon straddling his lap. He anchored his hands on her hips and held her against him.

"You once told me that I wasn't scary like I want people to believe. No one has ever told me that. I thought it was just the drugs from your injuries, but you're right to a point. I am scary, Sookie. I've lived over a thousand years. I know how to protect myself. But, you should never be scared of me. Not you."

He hesitantly leaned forward and brushed his lips against hers. She slowly reached out and placed her hands on his shoulders. He deepened the kiss and moaned into her mouth as she allowed him access. He could feel her anxiety towards him weakening. She pulled away and looked into his eyes.

"I'll try." The remnants of her damaged heart were evident on her face. He reached up and stroked her cheek and nodded. He shifted slightly and saw her wince at the pain.

"What's wrong?" Concern flooded his features.

"Nothing."

"Tell me."
"I'm just a little sore." He stilled his body and looked at her beautiful face.

"You're not going to like what I'm going to ask you to do. But you have to trust me and know that it's the only way for me to protect you."

"What is it?"

"You need to take my blood."

"No."
"Sookie, you need the strength and I'm going to have to prove my connection to you."

"But…."

"It's the only way."

"But won't she know I'm still connected to Bill."

"She knows that Bill has failed you. My blood is more powerful. It will negate any connection the two of you previously shared." He could feel the emotions swirling around her. She was frightened, angry, and more than a little annoyed. He brushed his fingers along her chin.

"Let me protect you, my lover." She looked into his eyes and tried to see her future. Apparently, this Queen wanted to keep her as a pet. How did she even find out about her? What would she and Eric have to do to convince her to leave them alone? She nodded her head slowly and dropped her head to his chest. He rubbed her hair lightly and mentally clicked through what had to been done before leaving for New Orleans.