Call On Me

Chapter 4:

Clouds of steam filled the bathroom; shrouding Emily in white, misty veils of moisture. She could feel the drops of water in the air; as they rested on her skin. She stood before the large mirror above the sink; turning this way and that. It was the same body she had had her entire life. And yet, it was entirely different. There was muscle in places she had never seen before. She would flex her biceps and watch what happened. Emily ran a hand down her stomach, she felt muscle under her palm. There was no rippling definition, but it was firm. She stared at her legs; still long and slim; but somehow more feminine. Facing herself in the mirror she tipped her head side to side; watching her self. It was all so beautiful. No, not it, she; she was beautiful. This was the first time she enjoyed the planes of her face. The color of her eyes was lovely. Her hair was dark with water; but she knew it too would be improved. No longer trapped between two colors; she wondered what color it would be now.

Emily left the bathroom; opening the doors of the armoire. More clothes then she'd ever seen outside of a store, hung on beautiful wood hangers. They were carved from the same wood as the doors. She ran her hands over the different fabrics. Her fingers enjoyed the slick feeling of silk; the cool suppleness of leather. She felt wool under her hand and it felt soft instead of scratchy. She finally chose clothes and noticed racks of footwear in the lower half. There were all kinds of shoes; high-heels, boots, heeled boots and sneakers. There were sandals and slippers and all kinds of different materials. Some were made of rhinestones, others were leather or animal hide, and others were trimmed in fur. She'd never seen so many shoes.

The girl her liked the high heels. She'd never really worn them before. As she slid them onto her feet, fastening the straps, she wondered if she could walk in them. The heel was high and very pointy.

Emily straightened, arms out to the side to balance herself. She was delighted to find that her balance was perfect; she felt powerful even as she stood on four inch stilettos. But could she walk? Carefully she turned and took one slow step, then a second. Not only could she walk, she felt graceful.

Eric heard Emily come down the stairs; he left the living room. What he saw coming down the stairs made him pause. He knew that becoming what they were could change your appearance, in some ways. He knew that sometimes the body was improved, in little ways. But he'd never seen anything so beautiful before.

Emily's once two-tone hair had now become honey-blonde. Her entire body was breathtaking and statuesque. She moved down the stairs with complete grace and ease.

She smiled at him as she reached the last step; stopping just short of the floor. "So?"

Eric smiled, "Perfect." He offered a hand, she took it and stepped down to the floor. "You're stunning."

She laughed softly, shy. "Thanks. I hope the clothes are okay?" She looked down at her self.

Eric looked over the outfit; he wasn't a fashion expert. But he liked what he saw. "Pam is the best to ask for that kind of thing," He admitted.

"Where is she?"

"Fangtasia, someone has to keep an eye on things."

"Let's go there; I'm curious what kind of business you have." She said brightly.

Eric kept his hesitation to himself. He was silent about his concern that she might not react well. Instead he walked with her to the door and they stepped out. His red Ferrari was in the driveway where Bill had left it this evening. As far as Eric knew, the other man was back in Bon Temps. Eric kept hold of her hand as they reached the car. Last night he had ripped the passenger door off; but tonight it was repaired. One couldn't even tell damage had been done. Sometimes, being Sheriff was good.

It wasn't that long a drive to Fangtasia from his home. He parked in his usual spot, the one with his name on it; and stepped out. Rounding the car, he opened her door and held out a hand. She accepted and stepped out. Emily paused at the thundering music that echoed in the parking lot.

Eric paused, perhaps this was too much. He was surprised at the smile on her face. Her eyes lit up with excitement.

"Sounds like my kind of place." Emily grinned at him.

Eric shook his head, hiding the smile as they walked into the club. The music changed and she gripped his arm tighter.

"I love this song!" She exclaimed happily as the opening lyrics of Lady Gaga's Bad Romance welcomed them into the club.

Pam was at the entry, checking ID's. Her eyes widened slightly at the sight of Emily and Eric. She smiled slightly and nodded her approval to Eric. Emily was looking around, wide-eyed and happy.

"You look wonderful, Emily." Pam greeted.

Emily smiled at her, "Thanks, Pam." She looked to Eric, "I am going to dance." She lift his side and joined the humans on the floor. The vampires on the platforms above, danced with the humans.

Pam lowered her voice, "You have pressing business in your office."

"Not tonight," He kept his eye on Emily as she danced.

"I'll keep an eye on her, but this won't wait." Pam insisted.

Eric frowned, looking at her. "What is it?"

"The Sheriff of Area 7, he says that the town of Preston was part of his territory. He's complaining."

Eric sighed, "Fine. I'll handle it."

Eric didn't want to handle it; he wanted to keep watch over Emily. She was in a club full of fang-bangers and didn't know how to feed yet. He didn't need the headache of her losing control. But he knew Pam would handle anything that Emily did. The Sheriff waiting for him wouldn't wait all night.

The opening strings of Russian Roulette by Rhianna filled the club as Eric stepped into his office.

"This is unforgivable, Eric." The Sheriff of Area 6 shouted.

"The town of Preston is still in my area." Eric countered, "Don't forget Able, I am the authority here."

Able was thin man, like as scarecrow. He had a pointy nose and his hands were too big for his arms. "We all know the town boarders my lands. I am the one in charge of Arkansas."

Eric snorted, "The woods are the beginning of your lands."

"And you intruded on my territory last night; the hospital sits on land belonging to both of us."

Anger hardened Eric's features; he stood stiffly behind his desk, "The hospital?"

"Yes, the one you visit once a month. I let you step onto my lands; with the understanding you would not kill anyone."

"And I didn't kill anyone," He snarled, although he had wanted to.

"You took one of the patients, last night. A girl, Emily Ashmont, you removed her from the building."

Eric said nothing.

"Technically her side of the hospital was in my lands. That means you took someone from my territory without permission. I demand to have her returned." Able whined.

Eric opened his mouth to speak when the door to his office opened. Emily stalked in, the air around her crackled slightly. He was startled but kept it to himself. He could tell she had fed; her eyes shone with it. Her face had a glow to it that only came from fresh blood. She stood in his office, hands on her hips.

"Emily," Able came to his feet. He stopped short when he noticed she was a vampire. He turned to Eric, "This is against our laws."

"Not even close," Emily snapped, "I chose him to be my Maker, you whining moron." She stalked up to Able; with the heels on she was taller then he was. "Do you honestly believe I would let you do this?" She held her hands out to the side. She poked at him with one finger. Able backed up, she followed him. "I told you, the answer was no. You just didn't like that idea."

Eric wasn't sure what to make of it; so he watched. He caught sight of Pam in the doorway. She shrugged; turning back to the club. Eric returned is focus to the club.

"What's wrong, Able? It's not like he stole your toy."

Able found his words, "You were in my lands; he should have asked permission."

"Eric doesn't need to ask permission!" She shoved Able backward, he slammed into the wall. The contents on it shook with the force. "Let's get this clear, as Sheriff of Area 5, he had the right to hunt on his lands. And this idea that my room was on your land, is pathetic. You're like a brat, you know that. Whining whenever you don't get your way."

Eric fought his smile as he stepped up; putting himself between Emily and Able. He put his hands on her shoulders, she looked at him. "Let me handle this, okay?"

"But…"

"Please," He made her look him in the eyes, "We don't want you burning bridges on your first night."

She turned her gaze to Able, glaring at him. Before nodding and leaving the office. She slammed the door behind her; the walls shook.

Able smoothed his hands down his shirt, "She reminds me of you, Eric."

He smiled then, only briefly. When he faced Able, he was serious, the usual Eric. "Now, where were we?"

**

Emily laughed brightly as Pam talked with her. The two of them were sitting next to Eric's throne on the stage. This was the piece from storage; the original had been swept up and thrown in the dumpster last night. Down below, on the floor, men were glancing over continuously. Both women ignored them.

"I still can't believe you did that," Pam muttered gently, "Usually Eric wouldn't for it."

"Well, I mean Able was always a pest when I was human. He'd come to the hospital every night and try to convince me. He even threatened me once, but it didn't work."

"Why was he so anxious to be your Maker?" Pam paused as an idea came to mind, "Do you think he knows Eric is your great ancestor?"

Emily shrugged, tossing her hair over one shoulder. "It would explain a lot. But I don't know for sure."

"I am surprised he didn't just force it on you." Pam muttered.

"If he knew about Eric's relation to me, he wouldn't risk the backlash."

Pam nodded, "I could see Eric starting a war over that."

"He's prideful of his family, you know that." Emily smiled as she shook her head. "At least that's what Godric told me."

Pam glanced at her, "Godric?"

Emily nodded; her face grew serious. Her eyes lost some of their sparkle. "He visited me once in the hospital, swore me to silence. We just sat and talked about Eric and the way things were now. He seemed really lonely."

"Godric came into Eric's lands and didn't tell him?"

"I think he came through Abel's, actually." Emily looked over, her face brightened.

Pam glanced over; Eric was making his way toward them. She stood up as he stepped on stage.

He sat down silently, relaxing into his throne. Emily came to her feet as another good song filled the club. She made her way to the dance floor and joined the humans. Eric watched her, smiling softly.

Pam stood next to him, leaning on the throne.

"I see she fed." He muttered in Swedish.

"Yes," Pam looked at him, "Not a moment's hesitation. She needed little coaching; it seems she is fully aware and comfortable in her new existence,"

"I wonder who coached her," Eric muttered softly.

Pam smiled, "Yes, I wonder."
They both knew who had done it. Eric silently thanked Godric and smiled to himself.

"We might have trouble with Able," Eric muttered.

"We'll deal with it." Pam watched Emily and realized Eric was happy.