When Eric came outside Sookie was still on her back in the grass. As he stood over her, he looked even more of a giant than usual from her vantage point.

Without bothering to rise she asked him, "so what did you find out?"

"Well," Eric sat beside her so when she propped herself on her elbows they were face to face. "I managed to track down someone who knows the town and the people who lived there."

Sookie wondered fleetingly how many people he had called in order to track this one person down. "And?"

"And we are meeting with him tomorrow afternoon near Hotshot."

"In the daytime?"

"Yes, he does not know who I am and this way we will be assured that no other vampires will see us."

"We have to go to Hotshot?"

"Yes," Eric's voice was patient. "The places we are going are not ones I would be immediately associated with since the witch, if she is after me, does not know of my relationship with you and she will probably look around Shreveport and Pam before expanding her search. However, it is paramount that we maintain as low profile as possible so no one finds out."

"Do you think the witch is after you? Do you think this guy will be able to tell you're human?" Sookie wrung her hands together in sudden, overwhelming anxiousness. "Do you think someone saw us today?"

His large hand wrapped around both of hers. "I do not know if the witch searches for me. I have pondered this question but I cannot decide if this curse is a punishment in and of itself or if she did it so she or someone else could harm me. Due to our arranged meeting time, it will be obvious I am not a vampire and I believe this man will be able to tell I am human because he is a werepanther and he will most likely pick up on my human scent. However, as I said, I have never met him before and he does not know who I am; this meeting was arranged through contacts. Exposing myself to him will likely have little backlash. As for today, no vampires were awake, obviously, and I was always aware of my surroundings. I have little concern about this."

His thumb rubbed the back of her hand in small circles. "Do not worry so, Sookie. We have not endangered ourselves yet."

"It's just you're risking your life for me," she gulped in some air. "Again."

Eric smiled at her and their close proximity allowed her to see the light catch on the green sparks in his blue eyes.

"Such concern? For a vampire?"

Sookie smiled reluctantly at his exaggerated incredulousness. "You're not a vampire. You're a human."

"For a few days," he reminded her, standing and pulling her to her feet in the process. "I have a new stipulation to our deal: you let me worry about our safety and you just concern yourself with procuring us food."

Sookie laughed and bumped him with her shoulder as they began walking toward the house. "You are definitely going to get fat. You better be careful you know, they say the way to a man's heart is through his stomach."

Eric nudged her back, just enough so she swayed and felt like a worthy opponent. "You should have warned me a long time ago."

"This is absolutely amazing." Sookie's eyes danced as she watched Eric over the rim of her cup. "I mean it, Sookie, you are a great cook."

"Better than Burger King?" She teased.

He narrowed his eyes in consideration and she threw a chunk of bread at him. He laughed and popped it into his mouth. "Much, much better."

"Now that is a compliment." She watched as he ate, savoring each bite, closing his eyes in delight as the spices enveloped his tongue.

"This is," he motioned to a piece of chicken. "So…it melts in my mouth it's so tender."

Sookie smiled warmly at him. "It's my Gran's recipe, I can't take credit."

"She died." It was a statement but Sookie nodded anyway.

"Yes, Rene killed her because…because of me. Because of my association with vampires."

"It was not your fault," Eric said sharply. "Bill should have anticipated such an attack and protected you and your family."

"You're so quick to absolve me, but Bill gets thrown under the bus right way, huh?"

"It was the madman's fault," he conceded. "But Bill still should have known better."

Sookie traced a flower in the gravy on her plate. "Well, we can't all be as perfect as you, Eric."

"I know. In fact I've never met anyone who…measures up," he licked his lips seductively and she rolled her eyes and silently handed him a piece of pie. He took a bite and groaned in appreciation.

"Another of your grandmother's recipes?" She nodded. "I wish I could have met the women."

Sookie grinned at this thought. "Now that would have been fun to see. I wonder how that would have gone."

"I would have charmed her," he said simply. She studied him for a moment. He wore a simple ensemble of jeans, a t-shirt and flip flops, His blond hair hung slightly in his eyes and he had a small knick on his cheek from shaving. He met her gaze and the smile that graced his face was completely chaste and affectionate.

"You know what," she said slowly. "I think you're right."

He sat back in his chair and rubbed his still-flat stomach in a satisfied motion. "What was she like?"

Sookie rested her chin on her hand as she thought of how to answer. "Oh, she was amazing. She was all honey and sugar, unless you crossed her! Then she had quite the temper. She wouldn't let Jason or me get away with anything, she raised us after our parents died, but it wasn't ever mean-spirited, you know? Even when she was lecturing you for what seemed like hours, you didn't mind because you knew it was coming from a place of love. She was funny too and really forward thinking. And, and kind. Very kind." She was lost for a moment. "You would have liked her."

Sookie had his full attention. "I'm sure I would have. I regret never meeting her."

"I was real torn up when she died. It was right here." Sookie looked around them. "Everyone else gave up on me when I was little, even my parents, but Gran, she really believed in me and she didn't think I had to change. I've never had that kind of acceptance from anyone and I don't think I ever will." They were both silent for a moment. "She didn't deserve to die the way she did. Sometimes," she stopped and looked at him hard. She had never told anyone this, not even Bill. Eric blinked back at her. "Sometimes, I'm glad I killed Rene. I'm glad I killed the man that hurt her so much." She put a hand over her mouth and shut her eyes, the truth of her words making her ashamed.

Eric watched her internal struggle. "The need for revenge is very human, Sookie. The ones we love, we have evolved the need to protect them. Humans are pack animals and they must stick together. What you did is not wrong. It may not sit well with your Christian ideals, but it adheres to the needs in your blood." Their eyes met. "Russell had my family killed. All of them died while I should have been there to protect them." He looked down. "Sometimes revenge is all we have to right our own wrongs."

Sookie absorbed Eric's words. She saw the still painful images of his family lying broken and bloodied at the hands of Russell and she guiltily took a mental step back from the Viking.

They sat in silence for a while, each swimming in their own ocean of pain and regret. Finally Eric said, "It seems we have more in common than we once imagined."

Sookie's smile was bittersweet. "It's too bad for us." One corner of his mouth rose and she regarded him seriously. "I wish you would have told me this before. I would have understood why you were acting the way you were, why you were so intent on hurting Russell."

Eric shook his head slowly. "It was safer for you not to know."

"That is so high-handed, Eric! As if you know what's best for me?"

"In this case I do." She jumped up from her chair and angrily began clearing off the table. "Sookie, I do not wish to insult or demean you, I hope you realize," the softness of his voice caused her movements to become less forceful. "You must keep in mind, however, that in manners of the supernatural world you know less and you are vulnerable."

When she glared at him, he laughed softly. "Sookie, why are you so anxious to be a part of that world? It is fine to flirt around the edges, to date certain vampires and come to Fangtasia, but if you were to plunge in headfirst as you seem so intent to, you would find that it is very difficult to stay afloat." He paused and she considered what he was saying. "The supernatural world is deeper and darker than you could ever dream and you are a bright light that it would love to dim." He shook his head again and his tone was wistful when he said, "My only goal is to keep you safe. I know you think that I use you for my own gain, and while that may be true to an extent, I can promise you that your safety is always on my mind."

Sookie struggled to gather herself after his speech. She walked over to the sink and kept her back turned to him.

"You know," she said quietly. "Bill sang me a similar tune over and over. He was protecting me by lying to me, he knew what was best and I was like an ignorant child. I bet if I asked him now he would say the same thing," She turned to face him and leaned her back against the counter. "Lying to me is not protecting me, Eric. It makes me more vulnerable because I'm walking around clueless to the danger I should be prepared for. I've trusted you in the past and defended you and," she met his eyes. "You're just like him."

"No." Eric was incensed. "I am nothing like Bill Compton. I keep certain details from you because if you knew you would be in danger, either of someone else coming after you or of your own behaviors, which I recognize are well-intentioned but in reality are often foolish." Sookie bristled but he continued. "I know you hurt. Bill lied to you about who he was and why he was interested in you. He looked you in the eye and told you fabricated truths that made you trust him and vulnerable. He did this because he wanted to subjugate you and use you. I have never, nor will I ever, lie to you in such a way. There is a big difference which you must recognize."

Sookie composure was slowly melting away. She could feel Eric's eyes on her and she kept her own cast down in an attempt to control her bubbling emotions.

"He really um," she let out a breathy laugh. "He really fooled me." A tear slipped down her cheek and she swiped at it, hoping Eric hadn't seen.

"I know," he stood and walked over to her. "But I believe he too began to believe his lies eventually. I imagine that after he got to know you, he wished that they were the truth. There is no forgiving what he did to you or the lies your relationship was built on, but take comfort in knowing that the feelings were truly there. He did love you."

Sookie laughed again, but it sounded more like a sob. She let Eric pull her into him and cradle her against his chest. He felt warm and reassuring and her fingers pulled at his shirt in a vain attempt to bring him closer. His hands made soft circles on her back and she could feel his head resting on hers.

Her tears began to subside and she snuggled against him, breathing in his scent. It comforted her in a way that was unexpected yet familiar and she sighed. His own chest rose and fell as he expelled a breath and without lifting her head, she said into his body, "you feel so warm." She cringed at the way it sounded but he tightened his arms around her in response.

"So do you."

They stood in her kitchen, wrapped around each other for a few minutes. Sookie knew she should let go, but found she could not. Finally, she drew herself back so she could look up at him. Her hands rested on his sides and his remained on the small of her back.

"I lied to you," she admitted. "When I told you I hated you from the first moment I saw you," she swallowed hard. "I didn't. I wanted to hate you. Bill told me these things about you that were terrible but I could just never…when you looked at me I just couldn't see what he saw. I don't hate you."

Eric's face was deathly serious as he regarded her. "I lied to you once too," he said and her eyes widened in surprise. "When I told you," he faltered and his eyes roamed her kitchen before finally settling back on hers. "At Russell's when I said you meant nothing to me." He smile looked sad. "I lied."

The silence around them this time felt charged with something new. Sookie ran one of her hands up his body to stroke his cheek. He closed his eyes and leaned into her touch and her fingertips traced the arc of his brow and over his eyelids. She hesitated, then put her fingers on his lips, caressing them. They parted as he let out a shuttering breath and she was surprised by how soft they were. Her mind drifted back to the kiss in his office and she felt something shift inside of her. She watched her hand trail down until it rested above his heart. She could feel the organ thundering against her palm and when she looked up his blue eyes were incandescent.

"I like this," she murmured pressing her hand closer. "I like being able to know I affect you as much as you affect me." His nostrils flared and she could feel his hands incessantly tugging her closer.

A knock on the door broke the spell for both of them. Eric's head shot toward the sound and Sookie blinked. Neither of them made a move, but when a second knock persisted, she detangled herself from his embrace and scuttled toward the door.

"Pam," she said in surprise at their visitor. Eric strolled up behind her, his face showing no evidence of what had occurred in the kitchen.

Sookie invited her in and went to heat up a Trueblood, giving herself a hard mental shake to clear her mind. 'What had just almost happened? What had happened?' Her microwave beeped and she retrieved the bottle and walked back to the living room, trying to make her face as impassive as Eric's.

Pam accepted the blood without a glance at the human and continued the conversation with her maker.

"And so," she was saying and Sookie found that she had trouble paying attention. "He said that he will meet with me about the whereabouts only after he talks to you." She took a swig of her blood, grimaced, and shot the bottle a dirty look. "Bastard," she added and Sookie wasn't sure if she was talking about the man or the Trueblood.

"Of course," Eric's said and Pam sat back.

"Eric," her voice was incredulous. "You stink!"

He looked down at himself in surprise, but when he found nothing out of the ordinary he looked back at her. "Like what," he asked.

"Like human food and," she gave a sniff. "Garlic! Ugh. What have you been doing?"

"Eating," he sounded mildly defensive. "I have to eat human food now, Pam, you must know this."

A slow smile spread across the vampire's face. "I guess I knew on some level but I never gave it any significant thought, and I certainly never imaged that you would go at it with such," she eyed him in amusement, "gusto."

"Yes, well," Eric said sharply. "I wouldn't have to if you were doing your job and finding the witch." He stalked out of the room and Sookie could hear him dialing a number on his phone.

"So," Pam said, obviously unaffected by Eric's agitation. "How's it going, Sookie?"

"Fine." Sookie was surprised to find herself feeling a little miffed at Pam for making fun of Eric. "How's the search?"

Pam nodded. "I am making significant strides. After Eric makes this call I will have a meeting with someone who believes he knows where to find the witch. Eric shouldn't be on your hands too much longer."

After a pause, Sookie said stiffly, "Good. I'm getting tired of this bullshit."

"Mmm, you seemed tired of it that night in Eric's office," Pam intoned and if it weren't for the mirth dancing in her eyes Sookie would never have guessed that she was teasing her.

"Yeah," Sookie's eyes narrowed. "Tell me how it is again that you didn't hear this witch casting a spell on Eric since you obviously listen to his personal business outside the door?"

"Oh Sookie, I only eavesdrop when I'm jealous of the morsel Eric is entertaining and I want a piece of the action. Even though I am well aware that Eric would never share you with anyone, I just couldn't help myself. It sounded fun until I had to interrupt."

Sookie's flush started at the back of her neck and crept up her cheeks to the tips of her ears. She couldn't think of one thing to say that wouldn't cause her further embarrassment and she felt relieved when Eric came back into the room.

"He agreed to a meeting, but he insisted he could not meet for a few days," he practically growled. "And he refuses to give information over the phone."

"Should I go persuade him to push up the engagement?" Pam's fangs glistened at the very thought.

"No. He is not someone we would do well to make an enemy of. We will just have to wait. But Pam, when you get this information I expect you to use it quickly."

"Of course," Pam flipped her hair over her shoulder and smiled at them. "Well I suppose I'll let you two get back to playing house. I'll be in touch." She nodded to Eric and blew a kiss at Sookie and glided out of the house.

Eric sank onto the couch and Sookie stayed rooted to her spot, fidgeting awkwardly and wondering if she should mention what had happened in the kitchen.

"That surprised me," Eric said and Sookie was glad he was the one to bring it up.

"Me too," She admitted and sat next to him.

"I did not think that he would balk at a meeting. Do you know what this means?" Sookie managed to recover from her shock and shake her head.

"I am going to be stuck like this for longer than I anticipated. I have to stay here as a human," the way he spat the word out sounded vile. "I'm going to have to do all of these human things and have these human needs and human impairments for who knows how long?"

Sookie plastered her familiar fake smile to her face. "Well," she said brightly. "At least you'll get the chance to eat more human food, right?"

"I just want things to be back as they were," Sookie had never heard Eric sound as close to a whine as he did in that moment.

"They will be," she patted his knee. "Pretty soon you'll be an all-powerful vampire again and you can go back to your house and both our lives will go back to the way they were." She stood and walked to the kitchen without looking back. "I'm going to do the dishes."

She felt a fleeting moment of pride that this time, she had managed to hold back her tears.