Chapter Nine

He followed through the woods all the way to her house, careful to stay far enough behind so Eric did not catch his scent. He wanted to make sure she was alright. He thought of how Eric took over at Merlotte's. He hated the bond they shared and the effect he had on her. They were bonded but more than that Bill always had the sense that they were made for each other. He would never admit it to anyone. Sookie was so special and Eric could protect her more than Bill could. It was not something he was happy about. He wanted to believe that it was the connection from the first time Eric tricked Sookie into taking his blood, but he knew it had started before then. He had caught Sookie looking at Eric in a way most women did long before any drop of Eric's blood made it's way in her system.

It was odd because Sookie was not most women and should not have been under Eric's spell, but she was. The strangest thing of all was that Eric was a little under Sookie's spelll although he did not know it yet. Bill could almost admit to himself that the two of them together was right and inevitable. Sadly though he wanted to hang onto his dreams of being with Sookie, and wanted to take action to ensure this would happen. He felt a little excited at the possibility of taking Sookie from Eric.

He was almost at her house and he heard the argument. He reacted to it with such glee that it he was almost ashamed. He never wanted Sookie to hurt, not even in this way. It was clear though that she was hurting. He could not smell Eric or Sookie so he knew that he was far enough away for Eric not to know he was there. He watched the whole scene play out and waited.

It was something vampires were good at. They had a lifetime to wait.

Sookie woke as she heard a noise outside. Her pillow was wet from her tears. It was still dark outside, so morning had not yet come. She wondered what was outside her window this time?

"Vampires and Shapeshifters and Were's, oh my!" she laughed to herself. She was Dorothy in this screwed up Land of Oz.

She kicked the blankets off and got up to make her way downstairs. Strangely she wasn't afraid of what was out there. She felt drained, an ironic choice of words. She stood in front of the door and waited. Sure enough there was something out there. Vampire.

"Who's there?"

"It's Bill, may I come in?" he asked in that southern drawl that she had once loved so much. She was not sure she wanted to see Bill.

He sensed her hesitation. "Sookie please I just want to see that your alright."

She sighed and opened the door. "Come in Bill."

She turned and walked to the living room to the sofa. She sat and wrapped her old blanket around her. He smiled at the memory of that blanket.

"What do you want Bill?"

"I just wanted to see that you were alright. I know you weren't well at Merlotte's and so I followed you home. I know Eric left. I just wanted to see if you needed anything." He did not mention that he had heard everything.

"I'm fine Bill, really you shouldn't have come. Eric won't be pleased at this." She felt a little surge of power in the room and thought it was coming from Bill. She noticed he did not feel anything though, where was it coming from?

He frowned at the mention of Eric's name. He hated Eric for taking Sookie from him. His anger at the situation flared a little.

"Eric is not here Sookie. You and are are friends aren't we?"

Sookie immediately noticed the change in his tone and watched him closely.

"Yes Bill you and I are friends, I was merely suggesting that Eric would not think your visit proper for this hour. That's all." She soothed him with her voice. "It is nice to see you however I am tired and would like to rest. Bill was fast and could easily be on her in seconds, faster than her taking back her invitation.

Bill relaxed a little. He wanted her so badly. The thoughts of taking her surfaced again, but he forced himself to stop. He felt as though he were two people at the same time. The restrained Bill who cared deeply for Sookie, the wild Bill who wanted her, to claim her and keep her.

He did not understand what was happening to him but he knew that she was in danger being with him. He wanted to leave but he couldn't. He needed to stay with her.

She sensed it. She saw the predatory look in his eyes. She knew what had to be done.

The phone rang and it startled both of them. Sookie smiled at him. "Excuse me Bill."

She answered the phone careful not to allow the fear creep into her voice.

"Hello?"

"Hi Sookie, how are you?"

Sookie looked at Bill and answered. "Hi Amelia, I'm good. I'm just sitting here with Bill". He smiled and nodded. He liked Amelia.

Amelia sensed right away that something was wrong in her voice, but she knew Bill would hear. "How was your shift at Merlotte's tonight? I saw Sam and he mentioned you had a hard time?"

"Yes I did and thankfully Bill was there to help me." She glanced at Bill and saw the tension ease out of him.

Amelia thinking quickly said " You tell Bill Sookie that I said thank for helping and that I say hello." Sookie noticed her emphasis on the word tell.

Sookie smiled and turned to Bill, who was expecting a thank you as he had already heard it.

" Bill, Amelia wants me to tell you- I rescind your invitation!" The words were out of her mouth so quickly but the effect was instant. She told Amelia to call her back.

Bill looked so startled and surprised as he walked backwards out of her house that she almost laughed. It wasn't funny however, there was something very wrong with him.

Once outside he tried desperately to get back in. He was shouting and cursing. She has never seen him like this, it was almost as though he were possessed.

She had to speak to Amelia and Octavia about it. She felt Eric's worry and concern through the bond. She did not want to talk to him after all that had happened but she had no choice in the matter. She knew he sensed something wrong, the sun was coming up soon. She wasn't sure if he would make it in time.

" Bill I'm calling Eric, you need to leave. I don't know what's come over you but Eric will be on his way shortly. I suggest you go home and wait for him there."

Bill stopped his ranting. "Sookie I am sorry, please let me in. I need you." He sounded so sad, she almost felt bad for him.

"The sun will be up soon, you need to go home. Eric will see you later and find out what's going on."

Eric. Bill's ceased his actions and thought of the last time he had seen Eric. He smiled as he realized Eric's weakness was the one thing he thought was his strength all along.

After the argument Eric and Sookie had he watched Eric walk away from the house. Then to Bill's surprise, Eric fell to his knees at the end of Sookie's driveway.

What a sight to behold, the mighty Eric Northman on his knees clutching his chest. In that moment he was weak and helpless.

The bond was the key. He would get Sookie back and be rid of Eric.