Chapter 5 – Slightly Special
What makes something special is not just what you have to gain, but what you feel there is to lose.
Andre Agassi(1970 - ), on "Charlie Rose"
"I let you drive this," Eric said, staring at the piece of metal machine she called her means of transportation. It looked rusty and unsafe. Wasn't there something safer for her to drive? He saw her roll her eyes. He entered the 'car', as she called it, and stared at it with a disgusted look.
'Let me?' Sookie was angry at his comment; hadn't he noticed by now he didn't control her life. "Look, I own what I can afford and if you are going to keep making faces at my car, get out," she called. He raised his palms in a signal of peace. What kind of vampire was he to let her drive that piece of shit? Either she was too stubborn or he didn't care for her that much. Later, he found she was too stubborn which made him feel better. He was a proud vampire.
They arrived at Jason's house and sure enough, the truck was opened and the keys were on the ground. Eric started walking forward, sniffing around.
"What is it?" She asked.
"I smell shifter. Can we talk to Pam?" Eric asked. Sookie pulled her cell phone out and called Pam, who picked up right away. Eric stared at the object Sookie was holding in her hands, it was like the annoying object he had before.
"I got your message, I was going to call you," Pam replied, skipping a formal greeting. Sookie handed the phone to Eric not greeting Pam either. Eric stared at the object curiously and then he heard Pam's voice. He held the object to his ear just as he had seen Sookie do it.
"Pam, are there many shifters in this area?" He asked. He looked around to see if she was nearby. She sounded so close, but he could not see her. Sookie just kept staring at Eric's confused look.
"Where are you?" She asked, worried by the topic of their conversation.
"Just answer the question," he demanded, knowing she would just order them to go back to Sookie's house and he felt the need to be with her through this, to help her.
"No, what kind are you interested in?" Pam asked, curious.
"Panthers," he said.
"Oh, that is easy. There is only a community of those in Hot Shot," Pam said. Sookie heard and nodded to Eric. Eric handed Sookie the object back.
"Thank you, Pam. I'll talk to you later," Sookie hung up. Pam stared at her phone, they better not be outside or she was going to kill them both. Just in case, she ordered Bubba to go check on them.
"What now?" Sookie asked.
"We'll go find these shifters. They have your brother," Eric assured her.
"Shouldn't we call for reinforcements or something?" Sookie asked. Eric shook his head. "How do you know about shifters and witches, but you don't know how to feed?" She asked him, not sure that he would know the answer, but she was curious.
"I find certain things I know, but others I cannot remember hard as I try. My body seems to react automatically to certain things even though my mind doesn't know the meaning. I didn't know I spoke another language, and yet the words came out on their own," he said. Sookie was fascinated.
"Do you think you know how to fight?" She asked. She wasn't about to drive with him to this place if they both could be in danger. She knew they would.
"Yes, I think I can defend us both. I'm very strong and fast. Did you know I can fly?" he asked, amazed. Sookie chuckled.
"Yes, you took me flying once and you scared the shit out of me," he smiled at her. She shook her head and started wondering which car to take. Sookie looked at her car and then Jason's truck. She thought it was better if she took Jason's truck; it was bigger and they might need the space, besides it was certainly more reliable than her crappy car. She hid her shotgun behind the seat and drove towards Hot Shot.
"When we get there, you let me do the talking. Do you think you can use your mind reading ability to find your brother?" he asked. He didn't know how her telepathy worked. Chow had told him he was in a powerful position, so he assumed the Packmaster of the panthers would know that as well.
Now he sounded more like her Eric. She nodded, smiling at him; if he only knew how grateful she was that he was doing this to help her. She wanted to hold his hand, but he was just staring at her as she drove towards Hot Shot.
"How does it work?" He asked her, pointing to her head.
"I hear what people are thinking all the time, whether I want to or not. Sometimes I answer their thoughts by mistake. People who know what I can do are afraid of me, but I also have friends who understand what I have to go through," she explained.
"Shifters and Weres I can't hear as clear as humans, from them I get their feelings more clearly than their thoughts. My quirk gets me in all sorts of problems," she said, smiling at him. He seemed to understand she had fun with it, although it seemed not all the time.
"Will you be able to indentify your brother's thoughts?" He asked, curious.
"Yes, his thoughts have the same tone has his voice," she assured him. He was amazed at her. Finally, they reached Hot Shot and parked in front of the first house was. Hot Shot wasn't that big of a place and there were a few people outside. By their minds, Sookie knew they were all Shifters and she began to panic at the thought they could be overrun. Maybe it wasn't such a good idea to come here alone, she gulped, but Eric glared at them and they backed away, slightly. She felt just a tiny bit better, but she was still afraid. Eric held her hand to reassure her and her heart started calming down.
"I will speak to the Packmaster," Eric said to no one in particular, his voice was firm and scary as shit. While Sookie continued checking with her head, a girl pointed to a house. Eric and Sookie made their way there, Eric removed his glasses. Sookie knocked on the door and a man in his forties, she thought, answered the door. His eyes were not green exactly and not yellow either, but a mixture of the two.
"Northman," The man said and then he invited both of them inside. This was good because the man seemed to know who Eric was. Once they were seated, the man introduced himself to Sookie. "I'm Calvin Norris, what can I do for you?" He asked. He was very pleasant, but had that authoritative tone Eric also carried.
"I'm Sookie Stackhouse, from Bon Temps. My brother was taken from his house and Eric picked up a scent from someone here," Sookie said. The man seemed to ponder on what she said and then Sookie jumped. "He is here, close by," she said and almost sank her nails into Eric's arm. Jason was screaming with his mind, she could hear him so clearly. "Someone is hurting him right as we speak," Sookie said angrily to the man. Eric growled as he felt her anger flowing easily through him as if her anger was his own.
"How do you know this?" Calvin was shocked to say the least and stood up as well. He had no knowledge of anyone being taken. He had no idea what she was talking about.
"My brother and I are slightly different, just like you are, but not exactly like you. I know he is here and one of your people is torturing him," she said angry. They were all standing now and then that's when they heard someone scream. Calvin asked them to follow him, but Sookie didn't trust him. Eric encouraged her and she followed after Calvin, Eric followed after her, covering her back. There was something about the Packmaster that Eric found trustworthy and honorable, but he still was cautious of his actions.
They started walking. "He is there," Sookie said, pointing at an old looking house. Calvin stared at her, unsure of how she knew this. He had heard from Sam Merlotte that he had a girl working for him who was different and he thought this might be her. He would call Sam and talk to him about it later. He wanted to find out more about this girl; he was mesmerized and curious especially since she seemed to belong to Eric.
"Felton," Calvin called, knocking on the door. A tall man appeared and snarled at them. "Where is he?" Calvin asked menacingly. Felton's eyes shifted a darker color and Eric growled at him. Felton stared at Sookie and knew she was related to Jason. She smelled just as sweet. He tried to hit her with his hand that was partially shifted into a claw, but Calvin caught his hand/paw mid-air, before he struck Sookie. Eric pulled Sookie against him instinctively to protect her.
Calvin whispered something in Felton's ear that Sookie couldn't hear, but Eric licked his lips, so she assumed Calvin offered to give him to Eric as a play toy. Felton was snarling and doubting what to do, Calvin snarled at him and then Sookie saw how Felton's eyes fell to the floor. He was submitting to Calvin's orders; indignant from knowing he had lost this fight, Felton walked past them and opened the garage door.
Sookie gasped when she saw her brother. He was naked and bound to a chair. His face was all bruised and he had several bites. She couldn't stop her tears from falling. She ran to him and undid his bindings. "Sweetie, I'm here. I'm going to take you home," She said kissing his temple. At least she hoped they were getting out of there. What if this Calvin person, didn't let them go? She stared at him, but she didn't find anything that would suggest he wasn't going to let them go.
"Sook," Jason said in a croaky voice. He couldn't believe she had found him. Was his torture over? Or was he dead and in heaven, because that's how it felt to hear Sookie's voice. He felt relief and salvation.
"Will he…" Sookie couldn't even find her voice to ask.
"I don't know, but if he does I will be here for him. I'm sorry, Miss Stackhouse, but I promise justice will be served. In return, I ask that you do not report this to authorities," Calvin said. She saw in his head what their justice was and though Sookie believed herself to be a good Christian, she would not lift a finger to save this man. She wasn't sure what to do and she turned to look at Eric, who he gave her a small nod so she accepted Calvin's request. Calvin found a towel to cover Jason and Eric picked him up and carried him to the truck. Then, Felton was subdued by two other men (were-panthers).
"Thank you, Mr. Norris. He is the only family I have left," Sookie said.
"I think you are mistaken about that Miss Stackhouse. You are not alone," Calvin gestured to the Viking that was helping her. No she wasn't. "I will be in touch with you before the full moon," Calvin said. Sookie nodded and walked towards her truck.
"I'll drive. I think I know how to do it," Eric offered. He had paid attention when she was driving and had a clue on how to do it. She gave him the keys and she lifted Jason's head, resting it on her lap.
"Mister Eric, is that you?" Jason asked. Eric raised his eyebrows and Sookie couldn't stop the giggles that came out.
"Yes, Jason, it is Eric," Sookie assured him. "Sleep honey. We will take you home, you are safe now," Sookie cooed. Jason closed his eyes, but when he did he saw that man biting him. He squeezed Sookie's hand to reassure himself he was not there anymore.
"Thank you," Sookie said to Eric. Eric gave her a small nod. When they got home Sookie got the bath ready for Jason. Eric lowered him into the tub and Jason told them he could manage. Sookie heated a bottle of blood for Eric and handed it to him. He wanted to feed from her again, but she said not while her brother was there and he understood. A void rapidly approached her house so Sookie gestured for Eric to stay quiet.
"Miss Sookie," she heard that distinctive voice. She relaxed and opened the door.
"Bubba," she said, excited.
"Miss Pam sent me to check on you and Mister Eric, you are fine?" He asked.
"Yes, Bubba, thank you, come in. I'll heat you a bottle of blood," The vampire sat at the kitchen table and noticed that Mister Eric was staring at him strangely.
"Miss Sookie, are you sure he will not hurt you? Miss Pam said he doesn't remember, but I don't trust him to not hurt you, Miss Sookie," Bubba commented.
"He promised not to hurt me, Bubba," Sookie assured him.
"Does he owe fealty to you or me?" Eric questioned. Sookie had to smile at that.
"He is my friend, Eric, and yes he owes you fealty, but I think you hired him to protect me and so far he has done an excellent job," Sookie said. Eric just stared at the other vampire. He wasn't quite right, but Eric couldn't discern what was exactly wrong with him.
"Thank you Miss Sookie, you might want to call Miss Pam, she was mighty upset you were not here," Bubba said. Sookie nodded and then Bubba left. Sookie dialed Pam's number.
"Give me one good reason why I shouldn't drain you?" Pam asked, furious. Sookie was glad that Pam was at Fangtasia and not in front of her.
"Because you need my help with the witches, Miss Pam," Sookie drawled.
"Endanger my master's life again and I promise I will turn you and stake you myself and Eric won't be there to save you this time," Pam warned. Sookie gulped because she knew Pam was capable of that and much more. "Where the hell did you go?" Pam asked. Sookie explained what happened to her brother. "It could have been a trap to draw you out, did you think about that?" Pam asked enraged.
"I did, and I came to the conclusion that whoever had taken my brother would have called to exchange him for Eric and they didn't, so I knew someone else had taken him and I was right," Sookie said, upset.
"Alright, now explain your earlier message," Pam said. Sookie shared her suspicions.
"I think I agree with you, rescind his invitation into your house, but don't break the bond. If I confirm your suspicions, I will send him to his final death," Pam promised. Of course Eric was hearing everything. So he was in this mess, because a vampire wanted his wife. He'd lie to himself if he didn't feel angry. She was his; could someone take her from him? A possessive growl escaped his lips and Sookie just looked at him, was he mad because he was in this because of her?
Eric should be upset with Sookie, but he wasn't. He was beginning to understand this human was different in more than one way. Others took a liking to her easily and trusted her. His child trusted her to keep him safe, even the other vampire liked her and he saw the admiration from the shifter towards her for standing up for her family. She was fierce and she didn't back down, not to him and not to anyone. She risked her life for her brother. She was worthy of admiration. He had begun to understand why he had bound himself to her, but did he deserve to be bound to such special creature?
Jason emerged from the bathroom an hour later. He had cleaned himself as best he could. His face still hurt. He wrapped a towel around his waist and made his way to Sookie's old room. He had some clothes there. He dressed and joined Sookie and the now silent Eric in the living room, who was staring at the TV with a curious look that Jason did not understand.
"Do you want something to eat?" Sookie asked him. He shook his head and made his way to the fridge to put something cold on his face.
"Why did that man hurt you?" Sookie asked him.
"Did you see the girl I was with on New Year's?" He asked her, she nodded. "Apparently he is in love with her and he didn't like that she had found someone else. She told me what she was and at first I was not sure how to feel about it, but…," he hesitated and stared at Sookie.
"But?" Sookie asked.
"I know how your life has been for being different and I am no one to judge her. I really like her, you know. She is funny and she says I feel different to her than other men. She said she couldn't date outside of their community. Today, in the morning when she left, she told me she was going to speak to her father about me. She didn't come back and I was worried. I was just about to call Catfish to ask for the day off, when this guy came out of nowhere and hit me. When I woke up, I was at his house. He told me once I became one of them, Crystal wouldn't like me anymore and return to him. That's why he kept biting me," Jason flinched. Sookie held his hand.
"I'm sorry, but now we have another problem. The police are already looking for you and I gave my word to that man that we wouldn't go to the police," Sookie said.
"So what do we say?" Jason asked.
"I have an idea, but this time we are going to use your past. We'll say that someone beat you up for going out with one of those women. You'll say your face was covered so you have no idea who it was and then they dropped you at your house. That'll explain why I left my car there and I drove you here," Sookie suggested.
"I think that will work," he said. She went outside and retrieved the shot gun, just in case the police decided to check his truck. So, they spent the next two hours talking to Andy and Alcee. They didn't really believe the story, but they had no proof they were lying either. Eric assured both detectives that what they had said was the truth and neither of the detectives was going to tell the giant vampire he was also lying.
"And what again is your relationship with Miss Stackhouse?" Andy asked.
"She is my bonded," Eric said, proud. Sookie blushed and looked away.
"That's true," Jason said even though he had no clue what bonded meant. Both detectives said goodnight and finally left. Once the three of them were alone Jason, stared at Sookie.
"What the hell is bonded?" Jason asked, and he had that posture Sookie was very familiar with of over-protective brother. His arms were crossed and his jaw was clenched. He didn't use it often, but apparently he was using it tonight. Sookie glared at Eric.
"It means she is my wife," Eric said, as he saw Sookie's fearful expression.
"You got married!" He said stunned. "You fucking got married and didn't invite me," Jason said again, clearly upset. Sookie glared at Eric. She was sure if she explained how it was that they got married, Jason would be grateful that he hadn't been invited.
A\N: Oh oh...I think Sookie and Eric are in trouble now... Thanks to ericsmine for supplying Pam's threat on Sookie...I love reading your reviews...:)