AN: Spolier Warnings for ALL BOOKS!! Don't say you weren't warned about how AU this fic is going! LOL

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Sookie stared at her reflection in the mirror. She had slipped away from Eric's embrace to tend to her human needs and was now standing in his bathroom wondering if her life would ever be the same again. She hadn't bothered to dress, so her body was fully exposed in her reflection. Her eyes fell on the pinkish puncture wounds on her breast and groin. She closed her eyes and rested her palm against her stomach. She had to be his. What other option did she have? Could she run? How long would that afford her safety? They found her once; surely it wouldn't be hard to find her again. Besides, where would she go? She didn't have enough money to go very far. What would she do when she got to wherever she was going? Waitress? That's all she had ever done. She opened her eyes and screamed at Eric's reflection behind her.

"Don't do that!"

"You're upset."

"No shit."

"You curse when you're upset. It's amusing."

"I'm glad I can bring you some entertainment. Maybe I'll do some magic tricks for you later." She started to leave the room, but stopped once Eric's powerful arms wrapped around her. He pressed her back against his chest and stared at their reflection.

"You're beautiful." He kissed her neck and she sighed.

"I have to hear the rest of it. You have to explain to me what's going to happen."

He straightened to his full height and she was immediately struck by the sheer power of his presence.

"Come. Let's get dressed and we'll talk." He trailed his fingers down her arm before lightly hooking her fingers in his. He tugged her gently through the bedroom and back out into the hall. She immediately felt self conscious. They were both still naked and she wasn't used to such boldness. She wrapped her free arm around her chest in an effort to cover her breasts. He stopped on the stairs and turned and looked at her. He was a few steps below her so he was at eye level. He captured her lips and gently pulled her arm from around herself. He cupped her breast in his palm and then slid his hand to her behind. With a playful swat, he pulled away.
"Stop being shy." He grinned. She glared at him but he ignored her as he led her back down stairs. He stood in front of the piles of clothes she had been folding and dug a pair of underwear from the stacks. He slid the navy boxer briefs over his hips and she licked her lips as his muscles flexed. At that moment, she realized his ass was the stuff dreams were made of; very explicit, x-rated dreams.

He slid a pair of jeans over his hips and then looked at her. He leered at her and her cheeks immediately flamed.

"Okay, now let's talk."

"Eric!" He laughed as she bolted back upstairs to the guest room. She shook her head and tried to be mad at him but there was something about his sense of humor that she just…got. She slipped into her bra and panties and then slid on a pair of loose fitting jeans and a t-shirt that had a picture of a tiny butterfly in the center. She padded back down stairs to see him lifting the various piles of laundry back into the basket.

"I'll do that." She immediately offered. He lifted the clothes out of her reach and smiled. "I'll put them away later. Have a seat. Are you hungry? Shouldn't you eat?"

"I'm fine."
"But, you haven't eaten. There's no trash in the kitchen."

"I'm afraid to eat."
"Why?"

"All this has me so upset, I could just vomit."
"Well, that was graphic."

"So's being kept like a gerbil in a cage by some vampire Queen. I'm a little stressed. So lay off." He laughed and pulled her to the couch. He settled in to one corner and she took up the other like they had been before. This time he slid down a little father and placed her bare feet in his lap.

"I've called and spoken with the Queen. She wasn't aware of your departure from Bill. She wasn't pleased, to say the least."
"I'm sorry to upset her." She mumbled and he offered her a smile.
"I explained to her that I was unaware of his activities and expressed my displeasure with not being informed of such edicts in my area."

"What did she say?" She absently shifted her toes against his palm.

"She placated me, of course. I am important to her. With the exception of New Orleans, Area 5 is the most prolific area in Louisiana. I explained to her that I have taken you as my human and that I would prefer you stay with me."

"Your human." She stated with disgust.
"I'm sure you've figured out that we're a very possessive species. You'll just have to deal with your indignities." He stated in his usual pragmatic way. She started to pull her knees to her chest but he refused to release her feet. He rubbed his thumb deeply down her arch and she hissed at the heat that spread across her body.

"Feel good?"

"Stop distracting me. Tell me what's going to happen." She rubbed her hand down to his ankle and shook it slightly to emphasize her words.

"We'll leave tomorrow just after sunset for New Orleans. We'll be there over-night if all goes well."

"I have to work tomorrow. I can't…"
"I'm sorry if trying to help you inconveniences your work schedule, Sookie." He narrowed her eyes and his voice was stern. She swallowed back the rest of her complaints and had the decency to feel ashamed.

"Eric, I'm sorry. I…" He waved his hand dismissively and went back to rubbing the sole of her foot again.

"We'll meet with the Queen the evening we arrive."

"What's going to happen in the meeting?"

"I'm going to convince her that you're mine and even though she would like you, I prefer to keep you close to me. If she requires your services, I would make you available to her. It should be fairly simple. I've laid most of the ground work over the phone."

Sookie felt her blood absolutely simmering. Eric felt it as well. He leaned forward and gave her a look that she knew very few people would ever argue with.

"I know what I'm doing, Sookie. Don't ever question that."

"I…I…I just don't understand how I ended up here! How did you all even find out about me?! I'm just a waitress in Bon Temps! How the hell did this Queen even know I was telepathic?!" She jerked her feet away from him and drew her knees to her chest. She rested her head on her knees and shuddered as the first sob left her throat.

"I heard the Queen had taken up with a young woman. She was from Bon Temps. Hadley…something." Sookie's head jerked up and her eyes were wide.

"My cousin Hadley?!"

"Your cousin? I see. I guess this relative of yours found a way to keep the interest of the Queen."

"Why would Hadley…What would….?" Sookie searched Eric's face for answers but he had none to give her.

"The Queen turned her, but she met her final death shortly after." He stated with little emotion.

"She's dead? Hadley's dead?"

"Yes."

"And she used me to…to…impress the Queen."
"Probably."

"That's why she sent Bill? So I would just go with him?"

"Yes. Having Bill give you to her is a little less evasive than kidnapping you out right. It raises too many questions with the locals. Everyone would have assumed you left to be with Bill." Sookie's mouth hung open and she had to shake her head a little to believe what she was hearing.

"Less evasive? Ya'll are sick."

"Most of us, yes. But for some reason, I don't want you to leave. I want you for myself…If you'll allow me." He added with a grin.

"I haven't allowed anything! I haven't had a choice! I'm just like a freakin' puppy in a kennel waiting to see who's gonna take me home! It's disgusting!"

"At least you found out about it before it was too late."

She frowned and hugged her knees a little tighter. She looked away from his face and scowled toward the kitchen. She didn't even jump when she felt him whisper beside her ear.

"It's going to be fine, lover." She closed her eyes and sighed a frustrated sigh as he licked her earlobe.
"Stop it." He chuckled and kissed her on the cheek.

"Come. Let's go to Fangtasia. I need to speak with Pam and pick up some things that you will require."

"What things?"

"It's taken care of." Eric stood and offered her his hand again. She grudgingly took it and allowed him to lead her upstairs again. She was growing tired of not having any say in her life. After all this was over, she decided to leave town and go live on some remote island. She'd sell everything she owned and find a vampire free island in the middle of nowhere. Maybe she could find a job selling flip flops or something.