She had taken a long hot shower. It was her 4th since last night. Eric had stormed out. At first she cursed herself for being so foolish. She should've never drank. It had taken her all night to realize that heavy feeling she felt, was Eric. Somehow, their bond was still alive. She didn't understand how that was possible, her bond with Bill was long gone by now. In fact, so was he. Only a few months ago, when all the waring stopped - he decided he needed to leave. Sookie remembered feeling so abandoned when Bill had left. Both of the vampires she'd love were gone - not something she would've ever imagined happening. Tara would occasionally stop by. Although Sookie did enjoy their time, she felt as though Tara must've felt obligated to still be a friend. She curled into the rocking chair beside her fireplace, blowing gently at the cup of hot tea she held. She'd slept almost all day just so she'd be awake all night - just incase. Incase Eric called, showed up...something. She took a sip as she thought about the night they did share. She couldn't help but smile as she recalled their intimacy. Eric always knew how to pleasure her, even in ways she'd never thought of before.

**Ring Ring**

Sookie pulled her cell from her pink terry robe pocket. The name caused her heart to pound a little harder as she swallowed. She took a deep breath and answered with a small smile.

"Hey you."

"Hey yourself. Sorry I haven't called sooner, everything's such a mess down here."

"It's fine. Plus, you're calling now." He left out a small deep chuckle.

"I suppose you're right. I miss you." Sookie remained silent for a moment.

"I miss you, too. When are you coming back?" It was his turn to remain silent. "Alcide?" Finally he let out a deep sigh.

"I don't know. It might be a little longer than expected, with me starting late and all. Maybe 3 or 4 weeks." Her eyes widened. A month?! Panic set in as she realized just how much shit could happen in that time. Hell, look at what happened mere minutes after her wolf had left. "I'm sorry babe. I know I said only 2 weeks at most, but...we need the money, especially if we're saving up for a wedding." She felt her heart start a new pattern. Alcide had been bringing up marriage the past few weeks. He'd explained to her that they weren't kids and he just wanted to marry her - not spend time engaged. "Sook? You alright?"

"Yeah. Sorry, I haven't been sleeping well with you being gone and all."

"I know and I promise you, no more than 4 weeks."

"Alright." She knew he was smiling, she could hear it in voice.

"I love you." Suddenly the words couldn't leave her mouth. They were balled up in her throat. "Shit...Sook, I gotta run. I'll call you tomorrow." relief filled her as she heard the phone click on his hand and she closed her cellphone. She didn't know what to feel or think anymore. She hated herself for allowed Eric to come back into her life and cloud her mind. Eric… A smile spread on her face as she was once again brought back to her Viking. Her anger filled, passionate, Vampire Viking.

Eric had disappeared before Ember or Pam had arrived at the bar. His head was filled with all of the new information. He had promised to keep Ember's secret - for now. Eric was perched on top of an abandoned church. He had always admired the building's architecture, often seeking solace on it's roof. It provided a stunning view of Bon Temps - only a few miles away. The lake glittered under the moon's light. Ember was...is..his niece ; by Nora. According to Ember; shortly after Nora joined the Authority, she'd drank drank the blood of lilith, and just as it happened to Eric, found herself in a bloodlust haze. She had found Ember in the woods in New Orleans. At first she was merely a meal until Nora had realized her blood tasted different. Nora told her she could either be dead or become death. Ember chose. When Ember rose the next night in a freshly dug up ditch - Nora was gone. It was weeks later when Nora finally summoned Ember, who had no idea what was happening at the time but followed her body. Ember had described the alley she went into as dark as her own condemned soul. Nora had explained that she'd foolishly made Ember, that Ember was an abomination and should meet the true death. Something Nora found out, she couldn't deliver to her child. Instead, she had given Ember Dr. Ludwig's number and that was the last time Ember had seen her maker. Then last year she felt what she was told was her maker's death. That was when Eric left. He refused to think about that night - about Nora. However, he still had plenty of questions. Why did she come to Fangtasia? Why did she seek Eric out after Nora's death? Why hadn't Dr. Ludwig ever told him of Nora's child? Surely Ember must've confided in the Dr about her past. He chuckled to himself. And here he thought that a year was enough time. He'd only kidded himself. He was over Sookie as much as he was over Nora's death. Sookie. He thoughts focused onto his blonde Faerie. He imagined she probably wouldn't be keen on the idea of him and Ember, but he honestly didn't give a fuck. She wasn't his - she was Alcide's. For now.

-

"Coming!" Sookie went down the stairs and opened her front door - which Eric had sent workers to fix that morning. "Jason!" He smiled at his sister as he hugged her. "I wasn't expectin' ya."

"Yeah, I know. I was on my way over to Jess' and I thought I'd stop on in and say hi." She raised an eyebrow at her brother. After a minute he rolled his eyes. "Yeah okay, so Alcide might've called and said to check on ya cause he's gonna be gone a month or so." She smiled victoriously. Jason knew that if he didn't give it up, she could've just fished it from him. Plus, it was quicker this way.

"Well, as you can see I'm fine." He nodded. Jason and Jess had been together a little over 8 months now. Once Bill left, he had signed the house over to Jess. He apparently also left her money and still sends her some monthly. "So, you can just go have your fun and mindless sex with Jessica." Jason laughed.

"Hey! We do more than have sex!" Sookie crossed her arms.

"Like what?"

"Uh...Well, let's see." He thought a moment before snapping his fingers. "Wii sports!" Sookie laughed as she shook her head and shoved Jason out the door.

"Get out. Go have your Wii Sports fun." Jason flashed Sookie a smile as he jogged toward his truck. Still laughing, she shut the door. That's the one thing she could always count on Jason for - a good laugh. She got about half way up the stairs before there was another knock on her front door. Shaking her head, she returned to it and opened it. "What did you forget now -" It wasn't Jason. It was the one person she didn't want to see and wanted to, all at the same time. He was standing tall, his head slightly cocked. The black wardrobe seemed to be a second layer on him. A second layer that magically highlighted his hard chest and delicious abs. Sookie's eyes drank him in as she swallowed hard.

"I see I'm not the only one who's hungry." His smile showed his already extended fangs. A spark of fear and arousal shot through her. 4 weeks was going to be hell.