Disclaimer: I do not own True Blood or any of its characters.

Chapter 3

What did I do… What the hell is wrong with me?

Sitting in a van, wired with a tiny mike and listening to the instructions directed at her, Sookie's mind had drifted off. Somewhere between the positions of the back-up teams and her route to Jason's place, she got nervous and scared. She had spoken to Jason earlier, who had been besides himself with guilt and asked her a hundred times if she was ok. He did not try to talk Sookie out of her cooperation with the police because he knew once she had made up her mind he did not stand a chance. Sookie did ask him about his using V and the money. She learned that the drug was called V because of the V sign on the little pills. It had the same effect as XTC but was much more difficult to trace in the body. Jason had been using too much V and he could not pay for it so his dealer, Alec, had made him a deal to be in debt with him until Jason could pay back the money. Unfortunately Alec was killed shortly after and Jason suddenly got the cash flow of his investement. Sookie had heard this all before because after his lucky gamble, Jason had bettered his life.

Sookie had felt more informed after their conversation and though Eric and Pam were never far, she allowed herself to think things through. She would never back out but she liked to feel in control and she didn't at the moment.

"Miss Stackhouse? Are you listening?" One of the officers asked.

"I'm sorry. I didn't quite understand that. Could you explain that again?" Sookie said, interupted from her musings.

She doesn't look too good. Something is wrong and this was a bad idea in the first place.

Eric was watching Sookie from a distance and he was not at all at ease with the fact that she seemed to fool everyone by looking brave. Somehow he could see right through that facade and he had the inexplicable feeling to take of her. Godric was sitting next to him and looking at some video footage and jotting some things down.

"Eric, calm down. She seems capable of handling herself. She'll be fine." He said without looking up from his notes. Godric had a knack for knowing to say just right thing and Eric visibly relaxed.

"I know but I… I just don't want to her hurt. It was incredibly stupi dof you to even suggest it." Eric said still highly annoyed with Godric, "You know that even with Sookie as bait, it is going to take us at least a week to get everything in order for this stunt of yours."

Godric just nodded because he knew that Eric would eventually support his choice and right now he just needed to vent his anger.

"Eric, you'll be with her every waking hour, shadowing her. If she is in trouble, it is because you did not do your job properly." Godric said exactly knowing how to reason with him.

"Of course, I'll do a great job.." Eric huffed.

"Well then, there is nothing you have to worry about. She has you to fall back on." Godric stated clearly done with this conversation. Eric nodded rubbing his face still not fully convinced.

Eric walked up to Sookie who was still being briefed and nodded to the officers to go.

"Miss Stackhouse? How are you?" He asked sitting down next to her on the bench. Sookie had marveled at the feeling of him near her these last couple of hours. There was certain comfort radiating of him and when he brushed past her or sitting next to her, her sense of smell was heightened. His scent was a mix of masculine muskiness and a fresh sea breeze.

"I am ok, I guess. You know apart from the bruising and stuff..." She shrugged hoping to down play her injuries and not showing her distress about the whole situation. Eric seemed to scrutinize her and Sookie hoped he would buy it.

"You don't have to afraid about that happening again. I'll stay with you." He said with confidence. So he didn't buy it… She quickly gave him a small smile.

"Thanks, Eric…" She said shyly.

After that, they went to Sookie's house and when everything was in place, Sookie went to bed, leaving Eric on the couch.

"Sookie…" A voice called her. She did not react immediately but started to sit up in her bed when she was roughly pulled out by her legs. She struggled trying to grab anything to hold on to. Suddenly she was back in her bed, waking up by a noise in the living room. Her bedroom door was slowly opened a gloved hand curled around the frame. She screamed pushing the door closed. She saw a shadow creeping behind her window and backed away on her bed.

"Sookie…" The voice called again. She curled on her bed, crying for help just as the dark figure stalked towards her…

"NO!" Sookie screamed, shooting up, wildly looking around. She was in her room with a small light coming from the bathroom. It illuminated just enough and her breathing slowed down. It had been a nightmare that made you believe that you were still in it even when you woke up. Sookie scooted with her back against the headboard of the bed, curling around a pillow, completely cased in. She cried herself to sleep while in the adjoining room Eric was listening closely, staring at the ceiling and wondering if he should have woken her up.

Morning came around slowly and Sookie had tried to stay in bed as long as she could before deciding that lying in bed would not be helpful at all. She groaned and got out of bed. Her eyes were stinging and her body was aching because of the rigid hold on the pillow all night.

She stomped into the living room not thinking about the man on her couch.

"Oh!" She exclaimed, muffling the noise with her hand. Eric was sprawled on his back his long legs in a strange angle and one of his arms stretched to the floor. He seemed to be sleeping. This, however, gave Sookie the perfect opportunity to check him out without him seeing her drool all over the place. That man was God's gift to women. Sookie, actually, moaned looking at his broad chest and delicious six-pack. She couldn't take her eyes of his face and his features. His eyes were just the most sparkling icy blue and at the moment twinkling mischievously. Sookie blinked and suddenly gasped in shock.

"I wondered when you'd notice….You see something you like?" Eric drawled his voice coarse with sleep. She had blantly been staring at him.

"Oh God!… I...eh…" Sookie stammered turning beetred. Eric stretched and smiled, not at all bothered by her ogling. He must be used to it, she thought. She turned before she could make a bigger fool out of herself.

She was busy making breakfast when Eric walked in. He watched her move around in her pyjamas. Her cute ass on full display and he quickly shoved that thought away. He didn't want to be callous towards her because she probably had a lot on her plate right now.

"Oh hey… Would you like some pancakes or something?" Sookie asked when she noticed him in the doorway.

"Yeah, I'd like that." He nodded and gave her a reassuring smile which was meant to be harmless but Sookie felt her knees wobble, "And I have to discuss some things with you." He said while gracefully sitting down.

"Oh?" was all she could say, not being helpful at all but what could you expect if you have God's gift to women sitting in your kitchen in only a sweatpants. So she started making pancakes.

"Yeah, I have to tell you that there are certain ground rules that you have to aware off. First of all, you have to do what I say always." Eric started, emphasizing the last part and Sookie turned around opening her mouth but Eric glanced at her to stay quiet, "If you want to come out unharmed, you have to trust me. Second you are not allowed to go anywhere alone, if you want to go somewhere, you ask me and I say whether we stay or go."

"What! How dare you! You can't control my life. I'll eat my own shoe before I…" Sookie exclaimed, feeling extremely bothered by the fact that she had to ask permission for anything. Eric, however, had anticipated this and closed his hand on her mouth before Sookie could go any further.

"You listen to me. It is common courtesy to tell you this but I am not asking for your consent, Miss Stackhouse. You will obey me because it is not only your life on the line." He growled, towering over her. She swallowed visibly and he could feel her ragged breath against his hand. He let her go and walked away.

"Your pancakes are burning." He said, just before closing the door to the living room.

"Shit!" She cried out cussing both Eric and this situation. If she had felt lost last night than today she had signed her death warrant.

After she ate her pancakes, she ignored Eric not telling there were still some pancakes in the kitchen and locked herself in her bedroom. He could seriously just go fuck himself for all she cared, she thought flopping on her bed.

She woke up by Eric calling her and knocking on her door.

"Sookie! Wake up and open this door or I swear…" His voice sounded agitated and maybe even worried. She stood up and opened the door.

"What? I was sleeping… or should I ask you for permission for that too?" She snapped at him. At least, he had the decency to look guilty.

"Look, I think we got off on the wrong foot, ok? I...eh.. I usually.. Eh.. I'm sorry." He said feeling clearly uncomfortable.

"Well,.. I know that I am not the most easy person to be around. I can be quite stubborn but maybe you can explain it to me?" Sookie said, a bit unwilling to forgive him but on the other hand glad that he had apologized. She didn't think he apologized that often.

He nodded and they walked into the kitchen. Eric seemed to have built himself his own office in Sookie's kitchen. Files, pieces of paper and laptop scattered around her dining table. Sookie noticed that the leftover pancakes were lying half eaten buried under a few bits of paper. They sat down and he started explaining the situation.

The sun was setting when Sookie got up from the couch, in search for some food in her kitchen. Eric was still watching the movie. Somehow they had ended up there, watching Twilight and just talking. Sookie felt completely relaxed now. She figured that her nightmares probably had been due to the fact that too much had happened lately and she just did not had the time to unwind. But in the back of her mind she knew that Eric had somehow managed to calm her down by just explaining everything to her and taking her mind of things once he was done explaining.

"Ah dang, I'm sorry, Eric but we don't have anything for dinner! I'll just pop to the shop around the corner to get us some things." Sookie said from the kitchen, grabbing her purse and almost closing the front door behind her when she was yanked back.

"What did I tell you about going off alone?" Eric growled at her, pushing her against the wall.

"Ask you first?" Sookie guessed not minding their position at all. Eric suddenly seemed to realise the situation and stepped back.

"Wait here, I'll just get my shoes." He said walking back inside.

Ten minutes later they walked into the tiny supermarket. Sookie grabbed a basket and made her way to the frozen section. It was quiet in the store.

"So what do you like to eat?" Sookie always started chatting when she was a bit embarrassed. Eric just took her by the arm and started walking her down the aisle.

"Eh… Eric, what are you…?" She started but he just covered her mouth with his hand. He really has to stop doing that!

"How come you always find your way to trouble?" His voice whispered annoyed into her ear, "I think we just walked in on an armed robbery. Follow me." He let Sookie go and pushed her through a door in the back.

"Run." He whispered and he did not have to tell her twice. Her heart was racing and the adrenaline was coursing through her veins. She heard that he was right behind her. Just as they reached the back door, Sookie heard someone shout but they bolted through the door and kept running. Eric suddenly grabbed her hand and spun her around into a small alley and pressed her roughly against the concrete wall. His hands grabbed her head.

"Trust me." He whispered just before his lips descended on hers. His body was pressed flush against her and Sookie could feel his toned muscles moving underneath his shirt. She reacted when the tip of his tongue begged her for entrance and allowed him access. She stiffened however when she saw two shadows approaching them. Eric made a point of distracting her by doing something sinfully good with his tongue, making Sookie moan loudly. One of Eric's hands was wandering down to her breasts and groping them. Sookie turned her head and hissed, instantly arching her back.

"Eh… excuse me,…" One of the guy said when at that exact moment Sookie hooked her leg around Eric's hips, aligning his growing erection against her core. Eric let out a loud groan and bucked against her.

"Ah gjeez… never mind.." The guys basically ran off.

Sookie immediately slumped against Eric, out of breath and relieved. Eric did not let her go, however. She looked at him, opening her mouth to question him but he slowly kissed her lips with his hand in her hair massaging her scalp. After several moments he pulled and stepped away from her, leaving her breathless and gasping for air.

Oh yeah... I thought let's leave you with a bit of lemony goodness. I will be focusing more on Eric and Sookie's developing relationship because let's face it we love them. Ok, so if you have any suggestions for the rest of the story let me know. If you have anything else to comment about tell me. And I guess I am going to figure what's coming up next. Maybe some awkwardness and a shower scene? Hahahha...