AN: Here's the latest chapter, sorry for the long wait! Moving is half way done I think, we have most of the stuff packed and moved to the new place. The main part now is trying to sell the house and unpack everything. I also went to Katsucon, so that was another distraction.

Reply time!

Tennyo Ch'ang-O: Bill will be showing up eventually, but most likely not until the next story. I plan to follow the True Blood time line in that one. Still don't know if the boys will kill him, but I can promise you they won't be happy with him near their Sookie.

Angelicedg: you will have all your questions answered in this chapter, and thank you; moving has been so hectic, I'll be glad when everything is over.

Bloodamber: Thank you very much, I'm glad you're enjoying it!

Mistress-Cinder: Yep, but you'll get to see a little bit of the darker side to Eric in this chapter. I can't have him sweet all the time, right? Tee hee.

Roningirlkisa: funny you should say that. You'll meet him in the next chapter, but for now I'll say he's a mixture of Jareth from Labyrinth, Lucius Malfoy, and Thranduil from The Hobbit.

Title: Familiar Taste of Poison - Halesrorm

Sookie returned to work after her weekend off. Thanks to the money she received from S.H.I.E.L.D. she didn't need to work as often. So she only worked on weekdays.

The weekend had been wonderful. She spent it with Eric. She would go to Fangtasia, they would sit at his booth, and she would tell him about some of the hilarious things his patrons were thinking. Sometimes Pam would join in on the jokes. She had become somewhat friends with the vampiress, despite the fact said vampiress would hit on her every moment of the night.

After that Eric and her would go back to his place and talk some more. She found out a lot about him. What his life was like as a viking, some historical events he lived through, and much more. He would ask her questions as well. It was a nice change of pace to actually have a date with someone who wanted to get to know her.

Sookie went back to Sam's office to put her purse away, and to her displeasure her boss was in there. She was still upset with him for what happened a few days ago. She tried to sneak passed him, but he noticed her.

"Cher-" He started.

"Sam, if this is you about to criticize me more about my choice in dates, I don't want to hear it." She interrupted.

"Sookie, you just don't understand. You don't know who you went out with. Eric Northman is a monster."

Sookie turned to him, giving him a hard look, "And how exactly do you know Eric, Sam?"

Sam's whole body stiffened, "I know his reputation."

Sookie knew her boss was hiding something, but she had yet to find out what. She had a feeling he knew more then he was dishing out.

"Again with the hear say?"

Sam growled, "Sookie, he has killed people!"

"Have you seen him kill someone?"

"No-"

"Then how do you actually know?"

He slammed his hand on his desk, "Dammit, Sookie! Stop being so hardheaded about this and trust me!"

Sookie could feel her powers wanting to come out and lash out at him, but she held them at bay.

"You want hardheaded? I ain't working today, I'm taking the week off. Dawn can have my freaken shifts while I'm gone. I can't be around you right now." Sookie picked up her purse and stormed to the door, pausing to shoot Sam a look, "If you know what's good for you Sam, when I get back you will not test me."

Sookie then stormed out and into her car.

"Fucking piece of... ugh!" She muttered as she buckled up.

Sookie moved to start her car but then her phone started to beep signaling she just received a text. When she checked it she grinned.

Tash:

I have a day off. Meet me in Mexico?

Sookie replied that she would and got the address. She then texted Eric, knowing he wouldn't see it until he rose for the day. At least this day would end on a good note.

Sookie teleported to behind the bar Natasha wanted to meet at. It was a place in the middle of nowhere, it looked like a biker bar. Taking a moment to collect herself, teleporting long distances was exhausting sometimes.

After she was back to normal, she moved to the front and entered. The bar was pretty empty. Just the bartender, an old man in the corner, and the Black Widow, who was sitting at the bar nursing a beer.

When she noticed Sookie, she raised her beer and smiled, Sookie smiled right back as she made her way to the bar and sat next to her.

"You look tired. Long day?" She asked as she took a swig.

"You could say that," Sookie sighed, "My boss is being an ass."

Natasha raised an eyebrow, "Why don't you just quit then? You could take up a hobby instead, find a man... Speaking of which..."

"No thanks, besides," Sookie grinned, "I found myself a guy."

Both brows rose this time, "Really? Who?"

"A vampire named Eric. I met him at a vampire bar in Shreveport."

"A vampire huh? What's he like?"

"Charming, devilishly handsome, and he was a viking when he was human."

Natasha smirked, "First a Norse god and now a Norse man, I guess we figured out your type."

Sookie nudged her playfully and they both laughed. The two had a wonderful time. They drank, talked, and just had an over all good time. Then a rowdy bunch of bikers came in. Their eyes automatically zeroing in on the two girls. The leader of the group, a muscular man with a long mustache and bald head that was covered by a bandana grinned as he stared at Natasha's leather clad ass.

Sookie didn't need to understand Spanish to know what they were thinking. She sighed, looked like their night was over.

The leader came over and leaned against the bar, speaking to them. Sookie had no clue what he was saying, but she could feel the annoyance radiating off of Natasha. The agent then smirked and said something back to him, and the man's face contorted in rage.

"What just happened?" Sookie inquired.

"He was suggesting we suck on something other then our drinks, and I basically told him small things are a choking hazard."

"Ah, that would explain why he's so pissed off."

The man then came up behind them and grabbed their asses.

"Wow this guy has a death wish." Natasha glared at her drink.

"You want to take care of this one?" Sookie could already feel her energy crackling.

"Rock, paper, scissors?" Sookie nodded in agreement and the two began, Sookie choosing paper while Natasha chose rock, "Oh well, it was crappy beer anyway."

Natasha's hand shot up, slamming into the leader's jaw, then she took her beer bottle and slammed it on his head, before kicking him in the chest knocking him into then table behind them. That's when his men came forward.

Sookie just sat at the bar, drinking her drink, while watching Natasha knock each man out with ease. The telepath loved watching her fight, it was like she was dancing.

Sookie was so focused on Natasha she didn't see the leader get up. He quickly grabbed her and held a knife to her throat before calling out to Natasha. The Black Widow stopped and looked over at them. She didn't look worried at all. She seemed somewhat board.

"That was a big mistake on your part, pal." She spoke in Spanish with a smirk, "That kitten has claws."

In an instant Sookie teleported out of his arms, making the leader look confused.

"Hey!"

Everyone looked to the bar, there Sookie stood on the bar holding a baseball bat she took from the bartender, she tapped it on her shoulder while smiling sweetly. Once she had everyone's attention, she held the bat like she was about to hit a ball, when she swung she teleported, the bat hitting the guy in the face with so much force it broke and he slammed into the wall across the room. His men all looked towards him then the telepath in fear.

"Alright, anyone else want to have a go?" She tossed the bat to the side, then looked at the group with a raised eyebrow.

Everyone ran out of the bar screaming, soon after they could hear sirens.

"Guess we better get out of here." Natasha stretched then looked to Sookie.

Sookie nodded, "Yeah give me a second."

Back at Fangtasia, Eric was in the basement taking care of a problem of his own. There was a drug dealer in his basement. The guy had been killing vampires and selling their blood. V was a hot commodity currently, and it was his job to stop it from selling. The only way to do that was to insure they couldn't sell it anymore.

"Please, don't do this!" The drug dealer pleaded as Eric picked up his sword.

"I love it when they beg, it's so pathetically amusing." Pam snickered.

With a swish, the drug dealer's arm was severed from his body making him scream.

"Ugh, his blood smells horrible. I hate drug addicts." Pam sighed, "If only Sookie was coming tonight, her delicious scent would be like an air freshener. Speaking of which, where is she tonight?"

"She said an old friend wanted to meet up for a girls night. Apparently she had a fight with the shifter and needed a drink."

"She should quit working there, or at least let us break his legs for her."

Eric smirked, the fact that his child liked Sookie pleased him. He wanted his girls to get along.

Eric's cellphone then buzzed. When he looked at it he grinned. It was a text from Sookie.

Sookie:

Mind if I pop into your office in say a minute or two?

"Speak of the devil." He smirked, and texted back that he was alright with that.

Eric then took his sword and cut the dealer's head off, not wanting Sookie to hear his thoughts.

Pam raised a brow, "Sookie?"

"She's apparently on her way."

Both looked up when they heard movement in his office suddenly. Their hearing picking up everything.

"I'm still not use to that. How do you not get a head rush?" A voice they have never heard before asked their telepath.

"It feels like an adrenalin rush to me actually."

Eric vamped to his office and raised an eyebrow. Sookie was in her work cloths still, some blood splatter on her white shirt. The woman with her was wearing leather pants and a white tank top with a leather jacket. The tank top also had some splatter on it.

"Eventful night I see?" He quipped.

Sookie smiled sheepishly, "We might have ran into some trouble with some bikers."

Eric vamped to her side and looked her over, "Are you alright?"

"Yeah, none of this is ours." She motioned to the blood, "Speaking of, mind if I borrow a shirt?"

Eric smirked, "Sookie in my clothes? How could I say no?"

Sookie rolled her eyes but grinned.

Natasha looked between the two amused. So this was Sookie's vampire? Now she understood.

Sookie blushed and shot her a look, "Natasha!"

Natasha grinned, "You can't blame a girl for her thoughts."

Sookie rolled her eyes then looked back at Eric, "This is my friend Natasha. Natasha, this is Eric Northman."

Both of them nodded at each other.

"Sookie's told me about you, I can see why she's smitten." Natasha smirked and laughed when Sookie shot her another look.

Eric smirked right back, he decided he liked Natasha.

"Anyway, I should be going. Have to get back to HQ." She zipped up her jacket to hide the blood. "Nice to meet you, and see you when I'm free again Sook."

"How you getting back?" Sookie tipped her head.

"Barton's picking me up, he was in the area. Something about a killer card shark in New Orleans." She shrugged. "Steve's with him and I figured you wouldn't want him knowing about tall blond and Norse over here yet. Considering the 'little sister avenger' hotline."

Sookie cringed, "Why do you have to call it that?"

Natasha grinned, "Well you are the youngest, and it makes you react like that."

Natasha then left, leaving Eric and Sookie alone in his office.

Eric raised an eyebrow, "Well she was interesting. Though you don't want me to meet your other friends? Should I be offended?"

"It's not that. Steve's just very... Traditional? Conservative? He's really like a big brother and given the day I had I just don't want to deal with that right now."

Eric smirked and brought her close, "I can help with that."

Sookie grinned, "Oh? How so?"

Eric growled playfully and leaned in close kissing her softly on the lips. When this happened Sookie winced slightly, feeling something sharp nick her lip. Eric pulled back.

"Sorry about that. The smell of the blood, plus you wearing it must be getting to me."

Sookie realized what he meant and tilted her head, "Can I see them?"

Eric nodded and brought Sookie's fingers to his mouth. The telepath gently began inspecting them, her finger tips gently gliding against them. The feeling causing him to moan lightly. He then playfully nipped Sookie's fingers, making her chuckle and bite her lip.

"So a vampire's fangs are like an erogenous zone?"

"You could say that." Eric smirked.

Sookie grinned, "I'll have to remember that."

Eric grinned and kissed her once again, licking the cut he made on her lip.

"How do I taste?" Sookie asked curiously.

"Mmm, like a mixture of static and sugar."

"So like pop rocks?" "What are pop rocks?"

"They're this candy that's sweet and crackles in your mouth."

Eric nodded, "Yes, then I guess you could say your blood is like pop rocks."

Sookie grinned. Eric then stepped away and to his closet, pulled out a black shirt and handed it to her.

"Thanks, where should I go change?"

Eric grinned, "Right here should be fine."

Sookie knew he was just trying to rile her up, but she smirked and took off her shirt showing her white bra, which also had blood splatter on it. Sookie was unsure what to do now, but when she saw the stunned look on Eric's face, she got a wicked idea. She turned, showing her back to him.

"Can you help me with my bra?"

Before Sookie could get the full sentence out, Eric was at her back unclasping it, the action causing Sookie to shiver. Eric's eyes were zeroed in on her back. It was so smooth and tanned. His fingers gently glided over it, causing goosebumps to appear in their wake.

A slight moan escaped from Sookie's lips and Eric could feel his fangs aching. His instincts telling him to pierce her flawless skin and mark her as his, but he resisted and instead placed a kiss on her back.

"You're playing with fire, my Sookie. You should never tease a vampire like this."

Sookie smiled, "I trust you, I know you won't hurt me like that."

Eric felt a new sensation in his chest at her words. No one outside of his blood had ever trusted him. She was truly a phenomenon, and one he would make sure to never lose.

"Still, you should still be careful. Even at my age I only have so much self control." Eric placed another kiss on her back then helped her put his shirt on. "Now how about a spontaneous date?"

Sookie turned back around and grinned up at him, "Oh? And where would this spontaneous date be?"

"You know of all the places I pictured in my head, this was far beyond what I was anticipating."

Eric laughed and helped Sookie out of his car. They had just arrived at a carnival that was set up for the annual Shreveport fair. There were rides, games, food stands, the works.

"Is it even opened this late?"

Eric shrugged, "It is for the right price."

Eric led Sookie to the entrance where there was a man waiting for them. He gave him his name and guy let them in.

They started with the games. Eric won Sookie a polar bear at the milk bottle game and she named it Bearic, which earned her a nip on the neck. They even went into one of those photo booths.

They also road on the rides, saving the Ferris wheel for last. Eric had paid the operator to have it stop at the top. He offered Sookie his jacket, then held her close as they looked up at the stars. Sookie was eating some popcorn. She was so happy, this was a great way to end the horrible day she had.

Sookie sighed contently, "Thank you for this, Eric. I really needed it."

"Of course." Eric smiled and kissed her.

The kiss deepened and Sookie gripped his shirt while Eric held her tighter, his hands moving against her body.

Sookie pushed him away slightly, and Eric had thought he had taken it to far, he was about to apologize, but Sookie moved in again and rested her head on his chest.

"I'm sorry, I... Eric there's something I need to tell you and I want to do it now before I lose my nerve."

Sookie told him about Loki then. The whole truth.

"I meant what I said, he didn't force himself on me... it was mutual and consensual. I was in love with him, and still am. A piece of my heart will always belong to him, and I never thought I would heal from loosing him. Then I met you. You make me laugh and feel normal, I haven't felt like that in a very long time. I- I love you, Eric."

Eric said nothing. He was just in shock of everything. No one had ever loved him before, he didn't even think he understood the word.

Sookie pulled away and looked to the side away from him.

"I don't expect you to say it back. I just wanted you to know that, because it scares me. I'm scared that I'll just lose you too, and if that happens I don't know if my heart would be able to cope. I don't think I would ever recover."

Eric stared at Sookie for a moment, taking in her confession. He knew she meant it, and when he smelt salt, he knew she was now crying. He didn't like the thought of her crying.

Eric brought her close, holding her to his chest and tucking her head under his chin.

"You will never lose me, Sookie. I have you and will never give you up. Like it or not, you're stuck with me Ms. Stackhouse." Eric felt her smile, and couldn't help but smile as well, "I will even prove it to you. There's a way to connect one's self to someone they care for if you're a vampire."

Sookie looked up at him with curiosity.

"It's called a blood bond. We exchange blood three times, when this happens we will be connected forever. We'll be able to feel each other, no matter how far apart we are. We'll also be able to find each other. We'll be a part of each other."

"That almost sounds like marriage, Eric."

"That's because it is for the most part." Sookie's eyes widened, and Eric held her hands in his own. "I had been thinking about this since the moment I saw you. You're strong, smart, and sexy, a deadly combination, and now that I've found you, I'm never letting you escape me."

Sookie was at a loss for words. Loki was the only other man to ever propose to her, and now here Eric was pretty much doing the same thing.

Sookie kissed him then, it was a passionate kiss that held so much emotion. Eric kissed her back then pulled away with a smirk.

"Is that a 'yes'?"

Sookie grinned, "Yes, now kiss me you stupid viking."

Eric growled and kissed her, his hands once again rubbing against her.

Sookie grinned, and next thing Eric knew they were on a bed. He looked around confused. They were in his room now. He looked back down at Sookie who was under him with a mischievous grin on her face.

"I figured we might be more comfortable in your room, then on a Ferris wheel."

Eric smirked down at her, "You little minx."

Eric went back to kissing her, his hands moving his shirt up her body. Sookie didn't try to stop him, so he continued, and soon slipped the shirt off of her. He gazed down at her, his eyes darkening with lust.

"Such a strange sensation when reality matches what you've pictured in your mind so precisely." He whispered making Sookie shiver, the goosebumps appearing once again. "You look beautiful, älskling."

Sookie grinned, her cheeks tinting red, "I bet you say that to all the girls."

Eric shook his head, "Only Sookie." He then kissed her once again.

In between kisses and touches, both managed to find the time to strip the rest of their clothes off, all their movements hurried, but not rushed. Both had been craving each others touch since the first night they met.

Eric's hands and mouth felt so good, and Sookie's touches and kisses felt as sparky as her blood tasted.

After everything was said and done, both were satisfied. Sookie was laying next to Eric, while the vampire peppered kisses on her shoulder and neck, his arm holding her body close to his own. His cool skin calming her burning flesh.

"Are you ready for the blood bond?" Eric inquired.

Sookie nodded, "How do we do it?"

Eric pulled away from her neck and Sookie heard what she would describe as a crunch. Soon Eric moved his wrist to her lips. There were a pair of fang marks in it, and it was bleeding.

"Drink." He whispered sinfully against her neck, before biting into it.

Eric watched his bonded as she slept in his arms. She looked so peaceful. He wouldn't be dead to the world for another hour or so. He made sure she would have everything she needed while he was in his day rest.

Now he understood everything. Why she always seemed slightly distant or scared. It was all Loki's fault. He didn't know the god personally, but he already hated him for breaking Sookie's heart to the point she was almost afraid to get close to anyone again.

Eric would make sure that wouldn't happen ever again. His Sookie's heart would never break, he would make sure of it.