Chapter 7 – Joined forces

Good manners and good morals are sworn friends and fast allies.

C. A. Bartol

In the morning, Sookie awoke to an intense knocking on her door. Strong hands were wrapped around her and she smiled at her sleeping lover, as she removed herself from his strong embrace. She dressed quickly and took the bat she had under her bed when she went to get the door, ignoring the pain she felt on her ribs as she walked.

"Who is it?" She called. She was scared out of her mind, so her eyes didn't register her broken TV. She tried to use her mental radar, but she wasn't awake enough to control it.

"Sookie, it's Sam," he said. She relaxed and opened the door. As soon as she opened the door, Sam lunged at her and held her tightly to him. "Are you alright? Where is Jason?" He checked her to make sure she was fine.

"What's wrong, Sam? Why are you so worried?" She asked.

"Calvin called me and told me what happened," Sam explained. "I want to talk to Jason," Sam said. Sookie wondered why Calvin would call Sam. Was it because they were shifters? Jason came out of the bedroom yawning and stretching. His face looked better.

"Good morning, Sam," Jason called. "Hey Sook, what happened to your TV?" Jason asked. They all stared at the TV. She sighed and then she remembered Eric trying to tell her the TV was broken, indeed it was very broken. She just wondered what the poor TV had done to Eric to earn his wrath.

"Eric," she said. She had no energy to be mad at him anymore. She just made her way to the kitchen to prepare her much needed coffee.

Sam didn't say anything. He just started making some kind of tea for Jason. Jason stared at Sookie and she shrugged. She had no idea why Sam was there or what he was doing.

"Drink this, Jason. It will help," Sam offered. Jason and Sookie trusted Sam, so Jason drank the tea. Sookie started preparing breakfast, while they both talked. She heard that Sam was explaining to Jason about the full moon and what his new responsibilities were going to be if he turned.

"How do you know all this?" Jason asked.

"I'm a Shifter too," Sam said. Jason automatically flinched back. It was not that he feared Sam; it was just an automatic reaction after what he had been through. "I won't hurt you or Sookie, Jason. I swear," Sam assured him.

"Do you turn into a panther too?" Jason asked.

"No, I'm a bit different. I turn into whatever kind of animal I want. It is a bit tricky and I had to have seen the animal before for it to work," Sam explained.

"He usually turns into a dog, a collie," Sookie said, as she served them breakfast. "He follows me home sometimes, you know, to make sure I'm fine," Sookie told Jason.

"I guess I never thought any of this was real. What else is out there Sook?" Jason asked. "You'll tell me, won't you?" Jason pleaded. He didn't want to be taken by surprise, again.

"I just learned Witches are real too," Sookie said. Sam raised an eyebrow at her. "Don't ask," she said. They ate in silence. Jason couldn't eat very much, but thanked Sookie for helping him again. She heard a truck and looked out the window. It was Alcide.

"Alcide," she greeted him.

"Morning, cher. I need to speak with you," he said, serious. He entered the house and eyed Jason and Sam.

"What is the matter?" She asked, seeing the concern on his face.

"A member of our pack was killed a few days back. Pam says you know what is going on," Alcide said cryptically since he had no idea if the rest of her company knew. She nodded. Sookie caught his thought and concern.

"It's okay. I trust them both. Sooner or later, I have to tell them," Sookie said and sighed.

"So it's true?" Alcide asked.

"If you are referring to Eric, than yes it is true," Sookie answered.

"Yep, Eric told me they are married," Jason blurted out, thinking this is what they were talking about since he was not a mind reader.

Sam and Alcide stared at Sookie with pure disbelief. Alcide suppressed a growl while Sam hit the table with his fist. She put her shields up because she didn't want to hear what they were thinking.

"It's my life and my decision, so if you are not going to say something nice, then don't say anything at all," She warned them. "And to answer your question, yes it is true. He is cursed. He doesn't remember anything about his life or me," she said, willing her tears to go away. Sookie explained what had happened since New Year's.

"He is here!" Alcide roared, upset. He started walking towards Sookie's room, but Sookie stepped in front of him. How could she be so stupid keeping a vampire who didn't remember anything? He could've killed her.

"Don't you dare hurt him or I swear I will shoot you. I'm in love with him and I will protect him with my life," she said angrily and she looked very threatening.

"He is not right for you. He doesn't deserve you," Alcide replied angrily.

"That is not your decision, Alcide. I love him and you can't change that. No one can change that. No curse, no magic will change that and if you still want to be my friend you better back off," she warned. He snarled upset and then Jason stood by her side.

"I don't know what is going on, but you will not hurt Eric," Jason said in a serious tone. "He saved me and saved Sookie and I will not allow any harm to come to him while he is unable to defend himself," Jason added. His stare was focused on Alcide and Sam.

Alcide turned around and returned to the living room feeling absolutely defeated. He had thought that what Sookie had with Eric was just an infatuation, but it was obvious it was not.

"You bonded to him?" Alcide asked, wanting to learn how serious her ties with Eric were.

"Bonded and pledged," Sookie said, since those had been the 'official' words Pam had used. Alcide knew she would belong to Eric as long as he lived, but that could always change, though he would not be the one to hurt Eric. Sookie would never forgive him.

"If I find Bill is behind what happened to Eric, then I will kill Bill and anyone who threatens Eric," she warned for Alcide's benefit. Alcide just shook his head.

All three men were worried because she had been staying with Eric in his current state, but she assured them he had not hurt her, asides from the feeding problems they were having and that had been her call. They still disagreed with her.

"I'll call the Packmaster and tell him it's true. It's just that we didn't believe Pam. We will join forces with them and confront the witches, but you shouldn't go because it is too dangerous for you," Alcide said.

"I'm going, and none of you are going to stop me," she warned them. Alcide made the phone calls that needed to be made. Then he proceeded to explain to Sookie about Hallow and Mark and what they had found out so far.

"We have confirmed they are 'V' addicts on top of being powerful Weres and Witches. This is not a game, Sookie. You are not Wonder Woman, you could get hurt. What are you going to do? Read their minds and give them a headache," Alcide said, upset. She was so stubborn and was going to get herself killed for a guy who was already dead and didn't deserve her, were Alcide's thoughts.

"Look, Alcide, I get that you are worried about me and I thank you, but don't you dare tell me I can't help, because I can I'm not as helpless as I look," she yelled at him. Sam pulled her back.

"Calm down Sookie, you know he is right. If you want to go, than fine, I'll go with you. Jason can stay here with Eric, but if we tell you to do something you'll listen. All we want is to keep you safe," Sam said. She sighed and nodded.

A member of Alcide's pack had found the warehouse where the witches were staying and tonight they were going to attack them. They were not going to wait any longer. Hallow and Mark had caused enough damage. Sookie thought that Eric being out of the picture didn't affect the weres, but apparently it did. Eric was a fair Sheriff and his strength and power affected other supes in his area.

Eric was feared and not having him in his powerful position was also weakening the other supes. While Weres and Vamps didn't get along, Alcide told Sookie other areas often had problems, but not in Eric's area and that is why they were willing to join forces with the vampires to restore Eric. She was proud of Eric for inspiring such loyalty.

Sookie got ready to leave with Alcide and Sam. She explained to Jason she had changed the locks and told him where the key copies were, just in case he needed them.

"So I tell Eric what again?" Jason asked.

"Just tell him Pam will call later and I had to go to work," Sookie said. Jason nodded. He didn't want to be stuck babysitting the big vamp, but someone had to do it. Sookie pulled out the shotgun from her closet and gave it to Jason. Sookie didn't want Eric fighting or near these people. She knew he would get upset with her for leaving him behind, but she wasn't going to risk his life. She didn't know why these witches wanted him, but she swore to protect him and she would. She'd do anything to give him his memories back.

They left to Shreveport and met at the Packmaster's house. The house was full of witches, Weres, Shifters and of course a telepath.

"Everyone, this is Sookie Stackhouse, the telepath Pam was talking about," Colonel Flood said. "She assures me, that what the vampires say is true. We cannot let Hallow and Mark continue with this killing spree. They must be stopped," Colonel Flood stated. Everyone murmured and agreed.

"What about Eric's curse? Can someone here remove it?" Sookie asked. An old lady stepped forward and introduced herself as Octavia. Sookie gathered from reading the rest of the witches, that Octavia was a good witch and powerful too, which was good.

"Unfortunately, dear, it is risky to attempt to remove a curse without knowing what exactly it consists of. We have to keep Hallow alive for her to lift the curse from the vampire," Octavia said.

They went through their plan again and waited for the sun to set so that Pam and the other vampires could join them. A young Were was describing the place where Hallow and Mark were staying, and Sookie finally saw what Hallow and Mark looked like. They were both tall and brawny, but neither of them was attractive.

She just hoped that everything went fine with Jason and Eric.

At sunset Eric woke and found Sookie was not in the house. He knew that she was probably still at her work, which he didn't like it. Jason was heating up a bottle of blood for Eric and Jason explained to him how to work the microwave. Something Eric hadn't bothered to learn from Sookie and Jason couldn't understand why. Eric finished the bottle of blood quickly.

"So you let your sister go to this work and you stayed in the house. Shouldn't you be the one working?" Eric asked. Something was odd. Then he picked up the scents of a shifter and a Werewolf. Eric picked up Jason by this throat.

"I'm going to ask you again and don't lie to me. Where is Sookie?" Eric asked, furious. Jason gulped.

"She went to a meeting with other supes. They are planning on attacking the Witches tonight, but man, don't go. If you go, she is going to kill me," Jason said.

"You are afraid of your sister?" Eric asked, amused.

"Yes, you should be too. She is a small thing, but she is scary when she wants to be. I know you don't remember, but she killed two Weres in this house to save you and she staked a vampire before, so I'd be afraid if I were you," Jason said. Eric dropped him.

"You will take me there now," Eric ordered.

"I don't know where it is," Jason said. Eric paced in the living room and he concentrated, there must be something he could do. He concentrated on Sookie and he felt her determination. He could also feel her presence far away, it was as if a small beacon was flashing within him, and all he had to do was follow his blood. Jason stared at the vampire. One second he was there the next he was gone. Jason ran out and saw the vampire take flight into the sky.

"Holly shit! I should've bound him with silver. Damn Sookie is going to be mad at me." He walked inside and called Sam to warn them.

A\N: Will Eric find Sookie in time? What do you think is going to happen next? Let me know :)