CHAPTER 3

Quarter to nine that night found Harry clutching his portfolio and the painting he was going to give Eric to himself as he concentrated on an the copse of Trees behind Fangtasia. Readjusting his grip on the things in his arms, Harry slowly walked to the entrance, not wanting to drop anything. Although he was early, Harry decided to enter the club anyways and wait for Eric like he said to.

Careful to protect his painting from damage, Harry made his way to Eric's dais and the chairs on either side of his 'throne.' Glad he thought to wrap the painting in cheesecloth before he left, Harry tilted it against his chair and laid his portfolio on his lap. Portfolio was a generous term to call it, though, as it was just a three ring binder with 81/2 by 11 inch glossies of his paintings with their stats written on the backs.

"A little early, aren't you?"

A voice asked from behind, startling him. Jumping in his seat, Harry put a hand over his heart and turned to face them. Seeing who it was, Harry decided to be playful. "Pam, you'll scare me to death the next time you do that!"

Seeming to smile without actually showing any facial expression, Pam joined in dryly. "We wouldn't want that, Eric would pout for days if not weeks."

Pam said it with such a straight face and dry tone, that Harry couldn't help but throw his head back and laugh unabashed. His laughing was so unexpected in the dark club that everyone was staring in surprise and some with a touch of fear.

Eric heard his Kitten's sweet laughter as he made his way to the club from his office in the basement. It intoxicated him, that his Kitten was so comfortable in his club that he could laugh with abandon surrounded by his kind. Utilizing his vampire speed to take his seat before he was noticed, Eric ran his eyes up and down Harry's form. He was dressed in black jeans that looked somewhat like the jeans that he sees girls wear, tight at the top to the knee and then gradually getting wide, and a red and white pinstripe button down shirt with the sleeves rolled up to the just under the elbows. He looked good enough to eat, in more ways than one.

Feeling an intense stare on him, Harry turned and found Eric watching him. With a bright smile on his face, Harry greeted Eric and told him that since he inspired him the other day to paint him, it was only fair that he received the painting as a gift. Unwrapping the cheesecloth, Harry handed the painting to Eric, anxious to see whether he liked it or not.

For his part, Eric was stunned, having never expected his little Kitten to give him a tribute, much less a personal work of art. Looking the painting over, he was reminded of his early life. It was a Viking ship sailing through a storm, Eric himself at the till steering the ship through the waves. Somehow the painting managed to convey the violence of the storm, the movement of the water, the creaking of the ship and the ropes, as well as the shouting of the men. It was like a captured memory, and Eric treasured it. Turning to Harry, Eric thanked Harry for the wonderful painting.

Although his face was expressionless as usual, Harry could see the gratitude and happiness in Eric's eyes and sweetly smiled at him. Gesturing to the portfolio in his lap, Harry told Eric that while he looked through his work he would like to dance. While looking through Harry's portfolio, Eric would occasionally glance up to sweep the room, always landing on Harry for several moments before going back to the pictures.

Xxx

Bill escorted Sookie into Fangtasia, nervous about her being around so many vampires, especially Eric. Leading her to the bar, he waited while she questioned Longshadow, able to feel her nervousness and determination. Knowing it was time to distract her after Longshadow told her that everyone who goes to the club is looking to die, Bill pulled her after him as he headed to a small table.

"Who's that?"

Noticing that Sookie was looking at Eric, Bill was disappointed.

"Oh you noticed him, did you? Everyone does." Wanting to either impress her or dissuade her from him, Bill continued. "That's Eric. He's the oldest thing in this bar."

As Bill was relaxing with Sookie, he noticed Pam whispering to Eric, and that he looked in their direction. Uncomfortable, Bill straightened and said uh-oh under his breath. Apparently Sookie heard, as she was quite insistent that vampires did not say uh-oh.

"It's Eric, he's scanned you twice. He's going to summon us."

"He can do that?"

"Oh yeah." Even as he said it, Eric raised his right arm and flicked his fingers, indicating that he was indeed summoning them to himself. Taking Sookie's hand over the table, he led her up the dais and to Eric.

"Bill Compton. It has been awhile."

"Yes, well, I've been…"

"…Mainstreaming. I heard." Turning his head in Sookie's direction, Eric continued. "I see that is going… well for you."

Bill was getting increasingly uncomfortable, but Eric was older, more powerful, and Sheriff, so he had to continue. "Yes of course. Sorry Eric, this is my friend…"

Eric interrupted again. "Sookie Stackhouse."

"How do you know my name?"

"I never forget a pretty face." This time, it was Pam who answered. "You're in my vault." She said, pointing to her temple.

"Great. That's just great." Sookie really didn't know what to think. "It's nice to meet you." Sookie said to Eric.

"Well aren't you sweet."

"Not really." Not wanting her to be rude, Bill gently elbowed her to shut her up.

Instead of taking offence, Eric gives a huff of a laugh and turns to Pam, speaking Swedish, to which she replied in kind.

After speaking with Pam in Swedish, Eric continues to converse with Sookie about why she was in his club asking questions about some of his customers. After getting what she came for, Sookie attempted to leave, but Eric insisted that he wasn't done with them yet, and that she should sit as he and Bill had some catching up to do.

Suddenly, Sookie heard a voice talking about a raid. Leaning over so she was able to look directly at Bill, Sookie said that they had to leave. When Bill attempted to silence her, she turned to Eric, hoping he would hear her out and do something.

"Eric, the cops are coming, there's gonna be a raid."

"Tell me you're not an under cover cop." Eric asked urgently.

Just as urgently, Sookie answered. "No, but that man in the hat is." All three vampires turned to look at the man.

"Even if you're right, we do nothing illegal here." Eric told her as he continued to look at the man Sookie indicated was an undercover cop.

Suddenly, Sookie sees what's happening, and tells the vampires with confidence, and they all turn to her. "There's a vampire named Taryn in the ladies room with that man you kicked earlier. She's feeding on him."

"How do you know this." Pam asked.

Sookie just looked at her, not saying anything. Then the police raided the club, distracting the vampires from Pam's question.

Standing, Eric told Bill and Sookie to follow Pam, while he ran onto the dance floor and swept Harry up in his arms and used his vampire speed to lead the others to the back entrance of the club. Pam joined Eric in running with their kind's speed while Bill picked Sookie up as he too ran.

"I enjoyed meeting you, Miss Stackhouse. You will come again." Eric more commanded than asked as he, Harry, and Pam broke away from Bill and Sookie.

Xxx

Harry had his eyes closed, just letting the music flow through him as he danced. Having lost track of time, he was rather startled when the police raided the club. Knowing that his being a minor would be bad for Eric, Harry stopped all movement and turned toward the dais, but before he could take a step, Eric was there and Harry was in his arms as they ran out of the building.

As Eric turned around and spoke, Harry realized that he recognized the woman being carried in the other male vampire's arms. Puzzled about why she was there, Harry decided to ask Eric once they were at wherever they were going.