Eric quickly dismissed Bill and Jessica, reminding her that if the Queen didn't make her suffer, he most certainly would. Jessica at least had the good sense to look scared as Bill dragged her from Eric's office. Sookie sank into Eric's office chair and rested her head in her hands. Eric gently brushed his hand across the back of her head and the intimate gesture was enough to open the floodgates again.

"Is she going to leak like this all night?" Pam asked.

"Go back to the bar. Sookie and I are leaving."

"Yes Master." Pam bowed her head slightly as she left. Eric gathered Sookie's packages in his arms and stood by the door.

"Come. Let's go." Sookie lifted her head and glared.

"No."

"No?"

"Not until you tell me what the hell Bill is going with us for." Eric cocked his head and grinned.

"I'll tell you when we get home."

"Eric…"
"Sookie, let's go." He motioned his head toward the door casually but his voice held a stern timber.

She rose slowly getting awfully tired of being bossed around.

***

No sooner had Eric closed the car door behind him, Sookie exploded.

"She was going to kill me! She was literally going to drain me dry!"

"She's a vampire, Sookie. Of course she was."

Eric's nonchalant tone startled her at first, then it just pissed her off.

"Oh, well. Of course. How stupid of me. How can I blame her? What am I upset about? I'm just a walking Happy Meal to her."

"In the simplest terms, yes. She's a newborn, Sookie. Her maker should teach her discipline and respect. However, Compton isn't man enough or vampire enough for that matter, to keep her under control. At least she didn't hurt you."

"Not yet, anyway."

"If she disturbs a hair on your head, I'll rip her arms off." Sookie shifted uncomfortably. Coming from most people, that statement was merely an idle threat. From Eric, she knew it was a certainty.

***

Soon they had returned to Eric's and she was sitting on the edge of the guest bed surrounded by all the packages Eric had purchased. He sensed she was still a little upset and shaken, so he gave her some space. She sighed and started pulling her new clothes from the bags. She busied herself with removing tags and size stickers. Once she was finally able to think and breathe, she took the time to look over everything. She had to admit, Pam had excellent taste. She had failed to notice the Victoria's Secret bag. She closed her eyes and steeled her nerves to look into the pink striped bag. She pulled out a hand full of silk and lace; bras, panties, thongs, negligees. The predominant color was black with a few reds and tans. She thought about shoving it all back in the bag and slinging it up side his gorgeous blond head. What good would it do? He was just being…Eric. She removed the tags and made a separate pile of the delicate fabrics next to the casual clothes. She heard his footsteps in the hall thanks to the infusion of Eric's blood in her system. He lightly tapped on the bedroom door and waited for her to look up.

"I thought you might need a larger bag for the flight." Eric stood in the door with a garment bag and a small carry-on looped over his arm. Sookie noticed right away that it wasn't just your run of the mill luggage. The pattern was noticeable right away: Louis Vuitton.

"Thank you. That's nice of you."

"Did Pam get all you require?"

"A few things I didn't." She muttered and he chuckled. She looked up at his amused expression and smiled.

"Thank you for all this. You know I'll pay you back." She smiled at him and he returned it. He knew full well he'd never let her pay for anything if he could help it.

"I'm going to pack. Let me know if you need anything."

"I'm going to wash some clothes. Can I wash anything for you?"

"No, thank you. Are you nervous again?"

"A little stressed. Plus, there's no way I'm wearing underwear that God knows who's been fingering on in the store." That brought another round of laughter from Eric and she couldn't help but laugh with him.

"I'll bring you a basket." He offered and returned with a small laundry basket in hand before she could protest. He picked up a few stacks of clothes and placed them in the basket for her. He refused to let her carry it downstairs, so she quietly followed him to the laundry room. He placed the basket in front of the washer and then took up a seated position on the dryer. She lifted the washer lid and started filling it with water. As she sorted through the clothes to be washed, Eric finally spoke.

"The Queen will probably punish Bill. I'm sure she'll deal with Jessica after I tell her of her infraction toward you."

"Infraction?"

"I informed the Queen yesterday that you were under my protection. For Jessica to try to harm you was a blatant form of disrespect. She will either punish her directly or allow me to."

"What kind of punishment…no, I don't want to know. Don't tell me."
"Oh trust me, you don't wanna know." She lifted an eyebrow at his phrasing and he grinned. "Just prepare yourself for four of us on the trip up and the two of us on the return."
"She won't kill Bill will she?!"

"No, but he'll probably wish he were finally dead."

She swallowed hard and tried not to think about what he was saying.

"I'm sick of people getting hurt because of me."

"You didn't choose this, Lover. It was thrust upon you." She closed the lid to the washer and stood there for a moment wondering what in the world to do next.

"Come, lover. You need to relax. Tomorrow will be stressful enough for you." He tugged on her arm and pulled her into his lap as he sat on the large couch. He retrieved a remote for the side table and flipped the television on. She sank into his embrace and tried to lose herself in his constant flipping of channels.
"Even vampire guys are in love with the remote." She giggled.
"There's nothing on."
"There's plenty on. You just won't stop long enough." She tried to pry the remote from his fingers but he playfully pulled it out of reach.

"No way. You'll force me to watch some inane human romance movie that no real man living or dead should watch if he wants his manhood to remain intact."

"You got plenty of manhood to spare. I'm sure you'll be fine." The rumblings of his laughter in his chest vibrated against her back as he hugged her tighter. He flipped through a few more channels before she reached for his hand.

"Oh, let's watch this, please." He placed the remote back on the table and slid down until the two of them were spooning on the couch.
"What is this?"
"Napoleon Dynamite."

"What's wrong with him? Is he mentally disabled?"

"No. Just watch it. It's funny." The two of them settled into silence and soon Eric was laughing along with her fit of giggles.

"Will you build me a cake?" She asked Eric.

"This movie is ridiculous."

"It's supposed to be."

"At least it makes you laugh. You don't laugh much."

"I used to."

"I can't honestly say I'm sorry you've been thrust into our world." He nuzzled her neck and lightly kissed her ear.

"But, you'll take care of me, right? You won't let anything happen to me?"

"No, lover. I won't let anything happen to you."