I really want to apologize for how long this last chapter took me! There's a long list of reasons (from the holidays to my crashed computer), but it's done now and I want to thank everyone for sticking with me and all the reviews! This will be the LAST chapter of this story. I want to write another one, but I'm not sure if it should be a sequel or a whole new adventure so please, please review this chapter and then let me know what you think my next one should be about. Thanks so much for everything! - R

The overwhelming thrum of the music and bodies dancing was comforting as it vibrated her skin and screamed evidence of life. When she closed her eyes, Sookie could almost pretend that she was in an average nightclub, the kind she and Tara had snuck off to in high school, with too-loud music, strobe lights, and handsy boys made brave by alcohol. Her telepathic shields, however, were still not strong enough to guard her against the onslaught of dirty and deadly thoughts swirling around the bar, and she couldn't help but feel on edge as she listened to fantasies of violence and pain.

"Any interesting ideas?" Eric smirked at her from across the booth and she rolled her eyes at him.

"No. Some deranged ones though." They both watched as sweaty human bodies glided against frigid vampire ones on the floor. "All the men here want to be dominated and all the women think the vampires will fall in love with them and make a life with them." Sookie shook her head in disgust.

"Yes, after all that never happens," Eric said wryly.

Sookie laughed. "Yeah, well not often at least."

"Well look at the happy couple," Pam glided up to their table and grinned at them, an act that would have been significantly more frightening if Sookie weren't used to the sight of Pam's fangs and offbeat sense of humor.

"Sitting here in the corner, whispering sweet nothings to each other," Pam continued. "It reminds me of one of those eighties movies I've seen. If I ask the DJ to put on a slower song will you two serenade each other and give us a show?"

Sookie chuckled at the vampire, but Eric only looked bored. "Can I help you with something, Pamela?"

"Why yes, Eric, you can. You see that tiny human over there?" She motioned toward a petite brunette wearing a baby-T with "Fangtasia" embroidered on the front. "She had an issue with another customer and blah, blah, blah, you're needed."

Eric heaved a weary sigh and patted Sookie's hand as he extracted his long legs from beneath the table. "I'll be right back."

Pam quickly slid in to fill his empty spot, crossing her scantly covered thighs elegantly. "So," she said, tracing the moisture running from Sookie's drink with the tip of one finger. "Do you feel as uncomfortable as you look?"

"No!" Sookie exclaimed. "I mean, I'm not...I look that uncomfortable?" Pam gave her a smile rich with pity and Sookie avoided her eyes. "It's not that I'm uncomfortable with you or Eric, it's just all these thoughts around here, I have trouble keeping them out and they're so focused on violence and sex..."

"Mmm." Pam stuck her damp finger in her mouth and sucked on it slowly. "Violence and sex are two of the most important parts of both Eric and myself, of the entire vampire world."

Sookie faltered. "I know that. I'm not saying...I mean when there's just so much of it swirling around and," she applied pressure to the bridge of her nose. "I'm trying here, Pam, okay? I still come here and I'm fine with you and Eric, it's just an adjustment to be around all these thoughts and people that are so different from me."

"Yes, I can understand that from an objective level I suppose," Pam's voice was thoughtful. "Eric has had difficulty reacclimating as well."

"He has?"

"Indeed. He still refuses to discuss the events of those days as a breather with you, yet I can see it in his face, his eyes, the way he talks, that something has changed for him. He seems distant," her eyes rose to meet Sookie's. "Is there anything I should know?"

"No, I don't think so."

Pam's eyes never wavered from Sookie's. "Very well. It only filters in at certain moments and they are fewer and fewer and will eventually cease. Regardless, I am the only one who notices the changes. It won't be a problem."

"What won't be a problem?" Sookie jumped at the sudden reappearance of Eric but Pam didn't miss a beat.

"You, spending time up there on your throne for all your fans." When Eric scowled, Pam grinned. "It must be difficult being so adored, but that's just your burden to bear."

Eric was still grumbling as Pam walked away, and Sookie smiled at him. "Why do you do it if you don't want to? You're the boss, right?"

"Yes, but it is a large part of the draw of Fangtasia. If I stopped doing it, business would suffer."

"It's not like you really need the money, or the job come to think of it."

"No, but others here do." His eyes followed Pam as she stalked across the floor toward a cowering customer. "The stability of the job and the pay, while unnecessary and sometimes tiresome for me, is useful for others and I do not mind helping to keep the arrangement running for them."

Sookie studied him, taking in the breadth of his brow and the elegant arch of his lips. "Even if it annoys you?"

"A small sacrifice. Life is full of them, you know. If any good is to be accomplished, people must sacrifice for others on occasion."

"For the ones they love," she added, and he looked at her seriously.

"Perhaps you're right."

She smiled at him and brushed his hand in an attempt to lighten the moment. "What happened to the Eric who didn't understand love?"

He returned her smile. "I still don't, but I suppose that doesn't mean it doesn't exist."

They were silent for a few moments, but it felt comfortable, both of them lost in their own thoughts. Sookie reflected briefly on the journey their relationship had made in so short a time. It was only a few months ago that he had stepped so uncertainly into her life as a fellow human, and now they were back at square one, it seemed, yet so much had changed. Settling back into the vampire lifestyle had been easier than she had anticipated, and she enjoyed her time with Eric these days. Although they still had not consummated their relationship in its newly acquired form, they spent ample time together, and she no longer flinched from the hard ice of his lips against her own.

Still, when she dreamed at night she could not control her mind or her desires. During her waking hours it was so much easier to remind herself that this was her life from now on, and there was no point in dwelling on the past. At night, however, her memories had a life of their own, and she often found herself walking in the afternoon glow with Eric or marveling at the beauty of the sunlight slanting on his face as he hovered over her. The dreams were becoming less and less frequent and Sookie imagined that one day they would stop all together, just as Pam had said, and she wasn't sure if she would rejoice or mourn this event.

In any case, she was happy to still be with Eric, to have forged this bond, although they never talked about it. They had never once discussed the events of their time together, the feelings that had emerged, or the reason for its end. Sookie sometimes thought it funny that during their time together in her house, the majority of their discussions revolved around their feelings and now they carefully tiptoed around the subject. And never, not once, had either of them said 'I love you' out loud to each other. Sookie thought about telling Eric, after all she had been at an unfair advantage with her mind reading before, but she worried it would upset him.

Looking at him from across the table, feeling the cool marble of his hand in her own, she could picture him in that clearing: the look in his eyes. He deserved to know, even if he didn't want to hear it.

"Eric?" He looked at her. "I just want to let you know, I mean I know that discussions of feelings aren't exactly your forte, but I just want you to know that I do-"

A loud crash rang in her ears and there was a blur of color and noise for what seemed only a few seconds.

"What was that?" Sookie looked across the table at Eric, only to find that he was no longer there; that she was no longer in the booth, but across the room, laying on her back. "What?" She felt sluggish and confused, too confused to be scared.

"Sookie." Suddenly, Eric filled her vision and she gazed up at him in bewilderment.

"Eric, what happened? How did I get over here?"

"Sookie, don't worry," his voice sounded strangely far away although he floated mere inches from her face. "You're going to be okay; I'm going to get it out."

"What?" She laughed and attempted to sit up. "Get what out?" His hands gently pushed her back down and the cement of the floor felt cool against her cheek as she watched the stampede of fleeing feet exiting Fangtasia's doors. "Everyone's leaving," she said absently, but Eric didn't look around. He continued to stare down at her. His hands on her shoulder felt warm, so warm and she laughed again. Was this a dream?

"You're warm again!" She took one of his hands to hold it against her cheek but started when it appeared dripping red before her eyes. "Eric, you're hurt!" she cried, ignoring his pleas to lie still as she sat up and searched him for the wound.

"She's losing it; it's the blood loss," Pam's voice flittered into Sookie's consciousness, but she couldn't see the female vampire.

"Pam?" she called out. "Eric's hurt!"

"Shh, Sookie. Shh. It's okay." Eric's hands were on her again, guiding her back down, soothing her, warming her shoulder. She turned her head to locate the source of his heat, and blinked in astonishment at a large piece of wood protruding from her upper chest. Eric's hands were pressing against the hole, trying to staunch the blood, trying to locate the best form of removal.

"It's me," she said in wonder. "I'm hurt."

"You're going to be okay," Eric's voice was firm. "This will hurt."

"I can't feel it," a hysterical bubble of mirth erupted from deep within her. "I can't feel the pain. But I can still feel you, inside me, always inside me, such a good man." Eric faltered and met her eyes before Sookie felt a pressure in her muscle.

"This will hurt," he warned again and Sookie closed her eyes.

"I'm used to the pain."

She felt the tear in her shoulder and vaguely heard a strangled scream before everything went black.

When Sookie awoke, she was sprawled on Eric's couch in his office, wearing only her panties. "Mmm," she mumbled, feeling a tightness in her chest, not exactly pain, but discomfort. Eric was beside her, his face controlled, but his eyes concerned. "If you wanted to get me naked again, you could have just asked."

Eric laughed through his nose. "You know, I think this may have been the first instance ever, where that was the furthest thing from my mind."

"The furthest?" She closed her eyes and leaned her cheek against his hand when he brushed her hair back.

"Well, perhaps not the furthest. But for once it wasn't at the forefront."

She smiled but didn't open her eyes. "What happened?"

"There was a large fight, a vampire was thrown into you," Eric's voice was tight with anger. "You were halfway across the room before I realized what was happening; I was distracted." He paused and she patted his hand reassuringly. "You landed on a table and it shattered. Somehow a large piece sliced right through your-"

"Oh yes," she murmured. "I remember that part enough, thanks."

"It shouldn't have happened. It won't happen again."

"I healed fast." She ran her fingers over the puckered skin stretched across her shoulder.

"You lost a lot of blood."

"So you gave me a lot of blood," She offered.

"Yes," uncertainty clouded the word and she looked at him.

"I'm not mad, Eric. Thank you for saving me. I'm just...trying to piece everything together. I'm not used to blacking out."

"It happens when you're around vampires."

"Yeah," she agreed. "I guess it does."

She accepted the drink of water he offered her and found that she could sit up with little difficulty.

"I don't feel so bad," she was cautiously optimistic and he gave her a small smile.

"I'll take you home, you just need some rest."

Sookie wobbled experimentally on her shaky legs as Eric helped her out of the car. She felt light and a bit dizzy, but she didn't feel much pain so she attempted to stride towards her house and stumbled. Eric made a move to pick her up, but she shook her head vehemently.

"I can do it."

"Stubborn."

She stuck out her tongue at him. "Takes one to know one." He grinned at her and looped their arms together as she began taking small steps toward their destination. His hand was cool and comforting on hers and she allowed herself to rest her weight against him as they moved together.

"You could have just stayed at my house," he offered and she nudged him playfully.

"And miss out on your action star driving moves? Never! I felt like I was on a roller coaster."

He pulled her close and chuckled. "Just because you drive like an eighty-year old blind woman-"

Sookie slapped at his chest. "Excuse me, but who is a gazillion years old here?"

"Sookie, Sookie," he tsked. "When will you learn to respect your elders?"

She grinned up at him and then frowned when he stopped suddenly and grunted.

"What is it?" She asked then gasped as blood began to spread across his chest. "Eric! What-"

A blur to her right that had been too fast for her to notice initially made her shriek as Eric fell to his knees. The smear of color collided with Eric and sent him reeling across her yard and before Sookie could respond, the blur slowed to reveal Bill's form gloating over Eric's.

"Too bad you're not still a vampire, Eric. We're much quieter and faster than humans, and we don't have to worry about pesky little accidents with knives." He dangled a long blade covered in blood teasingly before the blond vampire.

Sookie rushed to Eric's side but Bill grabbed her before she could see the extent of his damages. She shouted and struggled against him angrily. He set her on the ground near her porch.

"Relax! I'm not going to hurt you."

"What the hell are you doing, Bill?" Fury was beating in her like a drum, quelled only by the fact that Bill seemed unaware that Eric was no longer human.

"I had to do it, Sookie. Eric is dangerous and he's no good for you. I knew the other night when I saw he had somehow transformed into a human that I had to make my move. He would only have made you suffer; you know that, don't you? Deadly occurrences follow him everywhere and I couldn't let him drag you down with him. I knew I had to protect you and when I saw him in human form, it was like a sign."

"So you decided to murder him?"

"I had to, Sookie, for you. And besides, he was simply too tempting as a human morsel to pass up. I couldn't believe it when I saw his state. Eric Northman, a human? I wasn't fully convinced of it until I smelt his human scent inside your house, then I knew for certain that the unimaginable had occurred."

"You broke into my house?"

"You're missing the point!" Sookie took a step back from the frustrated outrage in Bill's voice. "I was no match for such an old vampire, but I knew I could save you from a human. I had to make sure it was true. I've pondered this for weeks, how and where it should be done. He never came here anymore, you always went to Fangtasia where he was out of sight and protected by his pathetic followers."

"You've been watching me?" Sookie felt sick.

"But now it's done," Bill continued as if she hadn't spoken. "I've saved you from all the dangers Eric represents. I can respect your decision not to be with me, although I continue to love you, but I could not stand by and watch your life disintegrate under his influence."

Her shock having worn off, Sookie began to feel the fire of her indignation again.

"How dare you, Bill Compton! You are a murderer and a, a... creep! Skulking in the shadows after me and trying to control my life. How dare you judge Eric. He is a good man and a good boyfriend and he would never endanger me!"

Bill smiled at her fondly. "You've always been so naive about people, about the forces in this world. So optimistic. It's one of the things I love best about you." He took a step toward her. "But think this time, Sookie. You know Eric has lived a life of debauchery for over a thousand years, piling up enemies and debts and a hardened heart. Even if you don't want to think it, you must know that he will always be dangerous, even if he doesn't wish to be. It is the life he has built for himself, the life he has chosen, and he cannot escape it now. And anyone who involves herself with him will be dragged into the chaos eventually. I couldn't let that happen to you."

He reached out to touch her hand and she glowered at him. "Don't fucking touch me."

"Sookie-"

The word ended in a squeak as Eric, having fully healed during their discussion, crashed the smaller vampire against a tree with his hand wrapped around his neck.

"Eric," Bill gasped. "Impossible! I thought you were..."

"No, Bill, obviously you don't think," Eric gritted out through clenched teeth. "Otherwise you would have realized that I have been kind to you in the past, lenient even, but eventually my good will would run out. If you thought," Eric slammed Bill against the trunk with the word. "You would have stayed away from Sookie and from me because you would have known that my patience with you was running thin. But alas, here you are. So we can establish that you do not think, Bill." Bill kicked out at Eric, but the stronger vampire simply tightened his grip.

"Eric," Sookie called uncertainly from a few feet away.

"So," Eric pressed his mouth close to Bill's ear as he growled. "This, I can promise you, is my last bit of kindness: leave Bon Temps and never return. If you do, and trust me I will know if you are even thinking of it, I will destroy you without a second thought. Now leave us."

He was back by Sookie in a half-second; leaving a stunned Bill slumped against the tree.

"Sookie!" Bill attempted one last time, but when Eric whirled around, roaring with fury, the dark haired man cast a look at the woman before melting into the shadows.

Sookie gingerly fingered the drying blood on Eric's shirt. "Are you okay?"

"A knife wound in the back?" Eric grinned at her. "A poetic choice from Bill but not practical against a vampire. My pride hurts most."

Her smile was weak. "I'm surprised you let him live."

"Yes, well, I know you still care for him although I don't pretend to comprehend why."

"Another sacrifice."

Their eyes met. "Yes, well." He cleared his throat and they stood there awkwardly. "It's been a busy night."

She laughed. "I was almost killed, then you were almost killed; It's pretty typical for us."

He smiled at her. "Not exactly the boring life you once dreamed of."

She laced her fingers with his, allowing her body to slowly adjust to the ice of his touch. "Dreams change."

Sookie kicked the door shut behind her and leaned against it with an exhausted sigh. The television was blaring from her living room and she allowed herself an extra moment's rest before drudging to the source with a scowl on her face.

Her living room appeared to be suffering from a pandemic of encompassing filth, as half-empty pizza boxes, soda cans, crumpled napkins, and a myriad of other germ-spreading paraphernalia littered every surface.

Sookie shifted the weight of the bags in her hand and narrowed her eyes at the culprit of such revolting living: her brother.

"Jason!"

He shot up, with a pizza crust dangling from his lip and a suspicious looking stain on the front of his shirt. Realizing it was Sookie, he settled back into his spot on the couch, Sookie wondered if she'd ever be able to reverse the concave indent from his ass from which her cushions were suffering.

"Oh hey Sis, what's up?"

"I just got back from the store and I really wish I didn't have to come home to such a mess, Jason. I mean, how do you live like this? Is this what your house usually looks like? I feel like we're going to start having bugs in here from all this rotting food and trash."

"Mmhm." He was nodding at her but his eyes were glued to the TV.

Sookie gritted her teeth. "Jason." No response. "Jason?" When he remained silent she stomped over to the coffee table and snatched up the remote, turning off the football game before her brother had a chance to react.

"Hey, Sook! What the hell?"

"Yes, that is exactly what I want to know. As in, what the hell makes you think it's okay to leave my house like this?" When Jason glowered at her, she continued. "I don't have a problem with you staying her for a while Jace, but honestly I can't take this mess anymore, I mean, it's just unsanitary. I'm not saying you have to do the dishes or vacuum or anything like that, just put your trash into the trashcan. It's pretty simple."

"Yeah, you know what? It is pretty simple. For people who haven't been kidnapped, starved and tortured! Or maybe you forgot that those things happened to me and that's why you don't understand why cleaning your precious house isn't on the top of my list of important things to do as I recover."

Sookie took a deep breath to calm her overflowing temper. "I know those things happened to you, Jason, and I'm very sorry. I was very worried about you and I'm glad you're okay, that's why I'm letting you stay here; because I love you. I understand that you were hurt during that time, but it has been a few months since you were saved and I would think that by now walking a few feet to the trash can wouldn't be such an impossibility."

"You're right. You're right." Sookie shut her eyes at the sarcastic smile that stretched across his face. "I forgot that there's a time limit for recovering from sadistic torture and starvation! Good thing I have you here to remind me about the important things in life, like a tidy living room!"

"Okay, okay," the plastic bags swung on her wrist as she held up her hands in surrender. "I don't want to fight with you about this, okay? You know I'm happy to have you here and I care much more about you and your health than a little mess. I didn't mean to make you feel bad, I just hope you can maybe clean up a bit more, as a favor to me?"

Her concession easily settled him and he eyed her curiously. "What's in the bags?" He asked, completely ignoring her request.

"I stopped by the pharmacy after work."

"What'd you get me?"

She rolled her eyes and smiled at him. "I come bearing," she dug around in the bags until she found what she was looking for. "Pain meds," she held up the pill bottle with a flourish. "And snacks." She tossed the Twinkies and Doritos at him and he eagerly tore them both open.

Watching him stuff both items in his mouth at once, Sookie's lip curled in disgust. "You know you should eat healthier. You're going to get fat."

Jason turned the TV back on. "Impossible. Besides, you're the one enabling my habit." Without taking his eyes from the screen he motioned to the bag left in her hand. "What's in that one?"

She hesitated long enough so that his eyes flicked over to her. "Tampons," she said finally and Jason groaned and covered his ears.

"After all the women you've been with Jason, I'd think you'd know about the intricacies of the menstrual cycle"

"Ugh, I like to pretend my women don't gush blood every month"

"Plus you don't usually stick around long enough to witness the blessed event." Jason threw a Twinkie at her and she ducked and scurried away.

"Guess I'll go, 'take care of business,'" she hollered over her shoulder as she headed to the bathroom, laughing at the sound of Jason's bellow of protest.

The click of the door behind her echoed like the inside of a tomb and she closed her eyes against the overwhelming pressure of the emptiness and the weight of the bag in her hand.

Sookie weaved her way through the bodies, marveling at the fact that Fangtasia was always crowded, especially lately. She attributed this to obvious glee customers felt at the reappearance of a certain blond Viking.

"The usual?" A waitress glided up to her with a frosty gin and tonic prepared, but Sookie shook her head mutely and scanned the crowd for her vampire.

He was in a back booth, talking with Pam, and although his staff had noticed Sookie's presence, he had not.

Sookie used the moment to study the man who had so changed her life. She thought of how she had once viewed Eric, as a manipulative, fearsome creature, and she remembered the way he had tricked her into drinking his blood and snarled at her in Russell's house.

Alone in the corner, she could almost hear the deep rumble of his voice as he spoke:

There once was a man who searched always for the way to the gods. He knew that the gods watched over all Their people and judged them, waiting for those who were worthy to join Them in Their rankings. The man became a fearsome warrior, killing all who opposed him. He built houses for his people and became their leader. His people were never hungry and their fields yielded many crops. He was the perfect leader and all among him were awed. But still, the gods did not touch him.

The man grew frustrated. He conquered other villages and built shrines to prove his worth. He went on lone quests into the wilderness to display his dedication, but still, the gods were not impressed.

Sookie remembered the hesitation and uncertainty on Eric's face as he entered her house as a human for the first time, the eager pull of his hand as he led her to his homemade feast, the softening of his smile as he gazed at her, the gentle brush of his hand as they made love in the sunshine. So much had changed. She thought of the sincerity in his voice as he admitted, both to her and himself, that he wished to remain human and to stay with her. A tear slid down her cheek at the memory of his grand self-sacrifice as he swallowed the potion that would end his dream.

One day a crazed man came to his village lusting for the leader's blood. The man was pleased because he thought that this could be his ultimate test: if he killed this man, the gods could no longer ignore his nobility. Before he could act, however, the outsider grabbed the man's son and held a knife to the boy's throat. The man knew that he could beat the stranger in a battle, but his son would be killed in the fray. He knew that the gods loved revenge and would delight in him killing his boy's murderer. He knew these things, but still he dropped his spear and spread his arms wide knowing that the stranger truly wanted his heart and not the child's. As his spirit left his body, the gods guided him to Their palace in the sky and breathed life into him. They honored him, for in his death he showcased pure love and sacrifice, traits beyond that of a mere human.

It was funny, she mused, that after over a thousand years as a vampire, Eric had taught her so much about being a human. There was selfishness in all of us, yearnings and desires that expand and burn within us so that we feel as though we might die if we ignore them. Human nature dictates that we act upon this urges to make ourselves happy.

More than anything she could remember wanting, Sookie wanted to be with Eric, to hold him and love him and wait with bated breath to see where their relationship would take them. Although they never discussed it and she had never gotten the chance to respond with her own feelings, she knew that he loved her and would do his best to protect her and make her happy.

But the true mark of a good person, as Eric had shown her, was making sacrifices for those whom you loved; putting your own wishes aside for the betterment of someone else.

Her eyes scanned the area where a few weeks ago she had been so badly hurt. The scar on her chest had almost vanished, but when she ran a finger over it she could still feel the puckered wound. If it wasn't for Eric's quick thinking, she would have died that night. Had Bill not been mistaken about Eric's human form, he would have died later that night. It was a dangerous life they led together, yet she knew that she didn't care about that anymore. That being with Eric was worth the risk.

She marveled at the fact that she felt so resolute standing here; a few months ago she would have already been weeping, but she was a stronger person because of Eric.

Eric still hadn't noticed her and although she longed to run to him, she stayed where she was across the room.

"I love you" her eyes were on the vampire and her hands rested on her stomach. "I love you, I love you, I love you." Her words were so quiet so couldn't be sure she had actually spoken, but then Eric's eyes blazed up to meet hers.

His eyes greedily took her in, her blonde hair hanging lose around her shoulders, her bittersweet smile, her hands. His eyes rose to hers again and she simply blinked at the question on his face.

"Good-bye," she whispered.

We have to make sacrifices for those that we love. The door swung shut behind her as she walked out into the night, lonely, but not alone.