A/N: I forgot to mention in the other chapter where Amelia calls Bill "Captain Shut the Fuck Up" that the nickname is courtesy of my lovie lizardgoddesss. Thank you for allowing me the use of our twin brain. *mwah*

"What the fuck are you doing here?"

"I guess I could ask you the same thing, Bill. Why are you here?"

"This is my uncle's house, is it not? I have more cause to be here than you. Now why don't you explain to me why you're here?" I take two steps back as his proximity is making my skin crawl. I glance behind me discreetly, looking for Eric.

"I don't have to explain anything to you. As a matter of fact I was just–"

"Sookie!" Eric calls my name startling me (as if I'm not already rattled by Bill's presence). If he hadn't come looking for me soon, I would have gone in search of him.

"Hey cousin. Are your parents at home? I need to speak with them."

"Bill. They're in the dining room but I think you should wait here. Sookie, what's going on?" I turn to him forgetting about the bright red handprint covering my cheek. "What's wrong with your face? Did he hit you?" Eric whispers that last part in my ear. He pulls me closer to him and noticeably farther away from Bill. I just shake my head side to side because I know if I tell him what happened, I'll lose it.

"How about you tell me what's going on here? I show up and my estranged wife answers the door. Sookie, why didn't you tell me you were in Sweden? And why the FUCK are you here? I deserve a few answers." He takes a breath before continuing his line of questioning. "I know you wanted to get away from me, but Sweden? Why did you serve me with that bullshit restraining order? We're not in Louisiana anymore so I'm not sure how effective you think it'll be at keeping me away from you now."

"Bill, you shouldn't speak to Sookie that way. Especially not with me standing here."

"She's my wife and I'll speak to her how I wish. Why do you care, sport?" Okay, I can see where this is going.

"Its okay, Eric. Can you just leave us alone for a minute?" I can see the look of shock on his face but I need to speak to Bill alone. "Please? I'll be okay."

"Wait, what the hell is going on here? Is there something I should know? Sookie? Why is my cousin acting as your guard dog?"

"Because I–" I quickly throw my hand over Eric's mouth and push him toward the sitting room.

"Eric, please! Can you just give me a minute?" He shakes his head at me and I try to convey my feelings as best I can by squeezing his hand. I remove my other hand from his mouth and he kisses my fingers as I pull it away.

"I don't like this, Sookie."

"I'll be okay, really." We stand face to face, looking at each other for what feels likes minutes. I remember to keep my cheek hidden and pull some hair forward, twirling the ends with my fingers. Pathetic, I know. Eric finally nods and walks down the hall, stopping in the doorway of the dining room. He peers around the doorjamb, glaring at Bill.

"Sookie?"

"Bill."

"Must we play these games?"

"It seems we must. I don't have to talk to you but in the hopes that you will leave sooner rather than later, I'll simply say this–we are over, done, finished. Don't call me your wife; as a matter of fact, don't speak my name at all. I still want a divorce and I won't be changing my mind about that. I would appreciate it if you'd sign the paperwork once you get it and not contest the divorce. I just want to put this behind me. I want to be free of you and have my life back. I'm trying to be diplomatic about this, Bill but if you try anything else, I'll have to ask Sophie-Ann to take drastic measures. So please, if you care anything about me, just let me go." He winces at the mention of Sophie's name.

"I meant what I told you. You won't leave me. Not like this. You are mine!" Eric takes a step forward into the hall and I hear Alex and Portia stop their chattering.

"Bill, I am not a piece of property that you own. I'm a human being and I belong to myself. I don't want to be with you anymore and there is nothing you can say or do to change my mind."

"Oh no? How soon we forget… I guess you don't remember what I've done for you. How I've kept you out of the poorhouse and protected you? Practically given you anything and everything you could have wanted."

"Are you really trying to win me over with this bullshit? You're all about money and I could care less about it. I don't want anything from you but my freedom. Get a clue, Bill."

"Don't you fucking sass me, Sookie. I don't know what has gotten into you but I'll tell you one thing, I won't hesitate to knock it out of you."

"Are you threatening me, again? Boy, not only do you NOT scare me but you can't control me Bill. I'm already gone." He steps forward and wraps his palm around my forearm, his grip tightening as I pull away.

"That's it. You're coming with me right now!"

"Get your fucking hands off me!" I feel a rush of air as Eric sails past me and pushes Bill into the wall behind him.

"Are you okay, Sookie?" I nod to Eric and he steps in front of me blocking me from Bill's view. "That's it Bill. You have to go and if you ever put your hands on Sookie again I promise you'll wish you hadn't." Bill laughs maniacally.

"If you think you can take me, then bring it." Bill raises his hand in a 'come here' gesture but Alexander makes his presence known before things can go any further.

"Okay, that's about enough of this. William, I'm not sure why you're here but I don't appreciate your behavior right now and I will tolerate no more of it. You will not make threats toward my son or your wife. Do I have to call the police?"

"I'm sorry Uncle Alex. I only came for a family visit. I had no idea Sookie was here." He glances over at me and sneers when he sees that Eric has poised himself in front of me again.

"You're not leaving a very good impression of yourself on me William. I thought you were raised better than this. Were you really going to fight with your cousin?"

"It's not important now. I'll just take my wife and be going."

"Oh no the hell you won't. I'm not going anywhere with you. As soon as we set foot in Louisiana I'd have you arrested for violating the restraining order, anyway."

"Sookie, Sookie, Sookie… Your restraining order is bullshit. I've talked to Bud and I can guarantee that I wouldn't be arrested." My face drops. He couldn't have weaseled his way out of that could he?

"I called Bill." Portia finally speaks up stepping further into the foyer. "I didn't tell him that you were here Sookie because I didn't know at the time, but I'd called him because I wanted to see someone from home. I was a little homesick. I'm sorry." She looks abashed.

"And you decide now to say something, Portia? What is going on with you today woman? Look Bill, I know that you and Sookie have some issues but now is not the time or the place to hash them out." I've never seen Alex this upset before but I'm glad he's on my side.

"I agree with you wholeheartedly, which is why I propose she come with me and we can take care of things at home. I don't want to involve anyone else. This is between me and Sookie." Bill says the last part to Eric.

"Is that what it will take for you to leave? I'll go with you if–"

"No! No, Sookie." Eric turns to face me and lowers his voice. "I won't let you leave here with him. He can't make you go with him."

"I just want this to stop. I don't want you to be involved in all this. That's the whole reason I had him served with papers before I left home. I had no idea he'd show up here."

"I'm really confused here. What's going on with you and Eric, Sookie?"

"Nothing, Bill. I'll go with you. I just want to go home." Eric looks hurt but there's nothing I can do about that now.

"I have an idea. Why don't we all sit down for dinner and calm down? Think things over before anyone does anything rash." What like slapping me again, Portia? Wait until I get you alone…

"That sounds good to me, Portia. Sookie, would you be opposed to my staying for dinner?"

"This isn't my house, Bill so I have no say on who stays or who goes."

"But I do and if you don't want him here, he's gone. I want you to be comfortable here, Sookie. I meant that." Alex looks at me and waits for my answer. This is not what I want at all. I can't have Bill's uncle siding with me no matter how much I'm grateful that he is.

"Sookie can I talk to you in the other room before you decide?"

"Sure, Eric. Would everyone excuse us? We'll be right back." We both move to the parlor just off the sitting room. I haven't been in this room yet and take a quick glance around, taking everything in. It's very quaint. Eric shuts the door behind him and turns to face me faster than I can blink.

"I can't believe you're even considering this. Did nothing I said earlier mean anything to you?"

"It's not that, I just can't handle this. This is stressing me out."

"Is that why you were going to sneak away before I caught you at the door?"

"Yes. I'm sorry, Eric. Really, I am but I can't handle this. I came here to get away from the drama and I've since encountered the wrath of Portia and now Bill has decided to pop in. I want to be here with you but I can't do this. It's too much. It's just too much." Eric pulls me into his arms and I relax against him but push back after a minute.

"I don't want you to go, Sookie. I don't want you to leave tonight and go home with him. If you do that, it'll destroy me. Please, don't go."

He gets down on his knees in front of me and I'm done. He looks up at me with those dark blue eyes and I feel myself get lost in them. I have no idea what to do but I know that I can't hurt him. I don't want to hurt him. I run my fingers through his hair while I think. I can feel the warmth of his skin against my thigh as he runs his cheek back and forth over the thin fabric of my skirt. My knees quiver a little thinking about the last time Eric's face was on my thigh.

"Okay, Eric. I won't leave with him but…"

"No buts. I'm with you no matter what comes our way. I won't let him hurt you. I know I may be young and inexperienced, but what I lack in experience I will make up for in loving you. I only ask that you give me a chance. A real chance and not run away at the first sign of trouble."

"I can do that." I hope.

"I love you so much it hurts." I smile for the first time this evening, I think. Eric stands to his full height and brushes his lips across mine before leading me to the dining room.

I guess we are really going to do this. I'm nervous but not discouraged. Okay, maybe a little. Bill's crazy and it doesn't seem that Portia is too far from the loony bin herself. I still can't believe she slapped me. I find my seat next to Eric and plop myself down. Of course, I look up to see Bill sitting directly across from me. I guess that's what I get. My past in front of me, my future beside me. It's Kismet. I figure I better break the looming silence in the room.

"Everything looks delicious, Portia."

"Thank you, Sookie but Alex is the chef of the family. Isn't that right dear?"

"Yes. I've managed to teach Eric a thing or two."

"I bet," Bill mumbles under his breath.

"What was that cousin?"

"Nothing. I didn't say a thing." I kick Eric under the table. He turns to look at me with a smirk on his face.

"So, Bill, what brings you to Sweden again? I know Portia said she called you but no one bothered to mention to me that you were coming. I just spoke with you the other day. You didn't think to bring it up then?"

"I do apologize uncle. I've had a lot on my mind. My wife had me served with separation papers and a restraining order before she ran away. I've been searching for her to get some answers so anything else seemed secondary to my goal. I'm sure you can understand."

"Sookie? Is that true? I had no idea things were that bad." Now Portia wants to give a shit?

"Why would you, Portia? It's not like we're best friends. We hardly talk on a daily basis and I wouldn't have bogged you down with my problems." So you could tell everyone else in your family my business, I add to myself.

"I'm sorry if I haven't made myself available to you in that capacity. I'm a really good listener. Maybe I could have helped."

"I doubt it, but thank you anyway." What's with the change of heart? Alex must have really laid into her earlier.

"You know, Sookie, it may not have hurt for you to have someone to talk to besides that witch you call a friend."

"Bill, Amelia is not here to defend herself and I would appreciate it if you didn't call her names. You know nothing about her."

"I know she wouldn't tell me where you were. I knew she had to know. She was such a bitch to me when I called. At least she could have been respectful."

"Oh, because I'm sure you were so respectful to her when you called." I roll my eyes.

"Sookie, if you weren't being such a spoiled brat and talked to me, none of this would be an issue."

"You are delusional. I think I've lost my appetite. Would you excuse me, please?" I get up from the table and head into the sitting room. I can't stomach seeing Bill for another minute, let alone Portia. I pace the room for a good five minutes before Bill bursts into the room, his face as red as a tomato.

"So you're fucking my cousin now? What the fuck kind of whore are you? I knew you were trash but I didn't think you could sink this low. Why didn't Bobby…" I couldn't hear the rest of what he said because he starts to mumble.

"How dare you?"

"How dare I? Really? I don't think you have the right to say anything to me. How long has this been going on? You know this means you get nothing right?"

"I don't want anything from you, Bill. You need to get that through your thick skull. Just sign the divorce papers when you get them and I'll be happy." Bill steps a little closer to me and grabs my wrists, pulling me into his chest. He is so close to me, the spittle from his words land on my cheeks as he roars at me.

"If you think for one minute I care about your happiness you've got another thing coming! I'm definitely contesting the divorce and I'll make sure you don't get shit! Your car, your clothes, your dog. You may as well stay here with whatever clothes you have on your back because if you set foot in my house again, I'll have you arrested so fast your fucking head will spin."

Things kind of happened in a blur after that. It wasn't but a minute that Bill and I were alone before Eric burst into the room, grabbing Bill by his shirt collar, hoisting him a few feet off the floor.

"Bill, I told you once before and now you've asked for it." He pulls his right arm back and his fist makes contact with Bill's nose. I hear what sounds like a crunch and Bill's groan as Eric pelts him in the gut before letting him go. Blood pours down his face staining his shirt as Bill falls to the floor. Bill wipes at his nose using the back of his hand and looks up in surprise at the dull, red smear covering his skin. I put on my biggest smile.

"You broke my nose. How could you? I'm your cousin for fucks sake. She's just a bitch who can't keep her legs clos–"

Before he can get the words out, Alex rounds the corner lifting Bill from the floor, dragging him to the front door. I follow behind barely hearing the obscenities Bill is screaming to me as Alex and Eric throw him out on his ass. Portia walks over to me and pulls me into a hug. I am shocked at her gesture and didn't realize what she was doing until I felt her squeeze me gently. I pat her on the back hoping she'll let me go.

"I'm so sorry Sookie I had no idea he was like that you have to believe me if I did I would have never called him let alone allowed him into the house while you were here." Her words came out in such a rush, that once she finishes she takes a deep breath before releasing me and walking over to Alex. He pulls her into an embrace and leads her out of the room, just as Eric returns. I am a little shaken by what just happened but I'm much better now that Bill is gone. I just want to go home.

"Eric, can we go please? I just want to be alone with you for a while."

"Sure. Let me say goodbye to my parents then we'll go."

I cannot wait to be wrapped in Eric's arms for the rest of the night. We do need to talk but I just can't think about that right now.