Sam closed his eyes and heaved a sigh as he rested his head against the stiff vinyl hospital chair. He quickly checked his watch and sighed again. He stood stiffly and gave Sookie an appraising look before heading downstairs to the hotel cafeteria for some coffee and something to eat.

He watched silently as the shifter entered the elevator. He glided gracefully down the hall and stood in the doorway of her room. He stepped closer to the side of the bed and frowned deeply at the deep purple bruises and the cuts on her face. He reached out and traced his finger along her jaw and felt her stir.

She blinked slowly and tried to focus on the tall figure standing over the bed.

Eric moved to pull the chair to the edge of the bed so his face was level with hers. She squinted a little and then smiled.
"Hey." She drawled. He was amused by her reaction. It must be the drugs.

"You look horrible." He offered her a small smile.

"I feel horrible." She slurred and gave him another loopy smile.
"You impress me, Sookie." She chuckled and reached out for his hand. He hesitated for a moment and then slid his large cool hand around hers.

"Why?"

"You fought off your attacker. I underestimated your tenaciousness." She felt the tear slide down and her face and squeezed his hand a little tighter.

"No. Sam saved me. Rene had…he was going to…" She lifted her other hand to clumsily wipe the tear from her cheek. She shifted on the bed and grimaced at the pain that shot through her body. He flinched at the anguish that scattered across her face but quickly schooled his features again. She rested both hands on his and closed her eyes. He waited a few moments and then tried to slide his hand carefully from hers.
"Mmm…don't leave yet." She whispered as she tightened her grip a little to keep from losing his hand.

"As you wish." He sat in silence watching her chest rise and fall. She looked so damaged and frail. It was unsettling that he thought so much about her mortality. Why was this human so important? Why was he drawn to her so? Why did it pull at the emotions, he didn't want to have, to see her hurt and afraid?

"Eric." She whispered his name and he leaned in closer. "Is Bill…."

He saw the pain again on her face. Her mouth twisted and the tears again welled in her eyes.
"I'm sorry, Sookie. I don't have any information. I still have trouble understanding why Bill would do such a thing." He looked into her drug addled eyes and tried to see what would make Bill risk final death for her.
"He tried to…" She swallowed hard and tried to clear her throat, "…he tried to save me."

He pulled his hands away quickly and retrieved the small cup of water from the side table. He held the straw to her lips and waited for her to drink. She leaned forward and inhaled sharply at the pain. He supported her head with his hand and helped her drink. The water was warm but the wetness felt good going down.

"Better?" He asked as he settled her back onto the pillow. She nodded slowly and released a tired sigh. "You should rest."

She nodded slowly and moved to pull the blanket over her shoulder. He moved quicker than she could possibly try to see and smoothed the blanket across her shoulders. He moved to step away again, but she shook her head. She lifted her hand again and without thinking he took it.

"Can you stay until Sam gets back?" Her voice broke and he knew he would be forever wondering why he could never refuse this woman.
"Are you sure?"

"Please. I'm glad you came. You're not scary like you want people to believe." He could only stare at her. How could this woman possibly make such an assumption? He settled into the chair again and watched as her eyes drifted shut. Her breathing evened out and she finally slipped into sleep. He heard and smelled the shifter before he made it to the door. He lifted her hand to his lips and gave her fingertips a small kiss before releasing her hand. Eric was watching the elevator doors close before same returned to the uncomfortable bedside chair.