All characters belong to Charlaine Harris

This chapter was beta read by Yarvarni. I thank you for all the alert, reviews I received. I tried to reply to all of you but in case I missed one, thanks again.

Chapter six

Moments later back in Eric's office, Pam is mesmerized by what she is watching: the mighty Sheriff Eric Northman is engaged in a kiss with a human woman without any intention of feeding. Just what the humans call a hello kiss. Granted it had so far lasted for ten minutes now. She noted that Sookie simply dressed in jeans and white T-shirt was the most gorgeous human she had seen in decades. Her fangs were down, the atmosphere was hot and humid, they couldn't be more intertwined.

"Pam?"

"Yes, master."

"You are watching" Eric remarked in a neutral voice barely leaving Sookie's mouth.

"Yes master, you wanted me to stay, remember?" She replied in a bored tone.

"Right" He regrettably distanced himself slightly from Sookie but remained close.

"Sookie, have you the answer to my first question?" He asked with an expecting stare.

"It's yes."

They smiled at each other.

"Good. Pam; summon all the permanent staff in my office."

She nodded and went away.

"Are you ready to try to work here tonight?"

"Yes, of course, I'm very excited at this prospect. Will you stay in the office or will you be in the bar with me?"

"I must appear on the stage tonight, I am the main tourist attraction and a chance to be with me is the reason many of the fangbangers continue to return.

Sookie felt her face drain of color as the permanent staff entered the office. All the vampires of Fangtasia were present, Long Shadow, Clancy, Indira, Tanya, Felicia, Maxwell Lee, Gerald and Pam.

They were all apprehensive except Pam. Collective announcements were rare and collective meetings in the presence of a human were unheard of.

"I want to introduce you to Sookie Stackhouse, a precious asset to area 5. She is MINE and will be respected and protected as you would respect and protect me."

All the gathering bowed respectfully.

"She have the ability to detect dangers, if she commands you, you will obey her at once for your own safety."

The vampires gave each other an uneasy look. Sookie was stunned and embarrassed to be the main attraction in a mute group of beings.

"You are dismissed. » He turned toward Pam "Show her the place. I want her to know every corner of the bar before the opening." Sookie was frozen.

"Come Sookie, don't you want to talk about the Volvo? What do you think of Swedish products? Ikea, Nokia, smoked salmon... » Pam was trying to change her mind with her teasing tone.

"Yeah...yes, Pam. » She looked Eric in the eyes. « Will we have time to speak before you go on stage?" She asked in a shy tone. He stroked gently her cheek with his thumb.

"You can come to me whenever you want, lover, on stage or wherever."

"You'll go with fangbangers tonight?" She added after a hesitation. He lifted her chin to watch her eyes.

"Yes, I will invite them, glamour them, they will be convinced that they had the best sex of their life and everybody will be satisfied. Won't they, Pam?" He smirked. "Why would I touch anyone else's blood when yours is pure ambrosia?" He whispered and kissed her again, but this time Sookie was aware of Pam's presence. She broke the kiss quickly.

« Alrighty, see you later." Pam took the lead to make the tour.

After the opening hour, Sookie stayed seated on a bar stool, sipping her gin and tonic, scanning the room. It was easier for her to focus when listening on purpose. It was certainly better than constantly reinforcing her shields. She could compartmentalize the information much easier with the numerous vampire voids. Fortunately, she had a full day to rest, the exercise was astringent.

Long Shadow and Pam were checking on her regularly putting aside all people interested to talk or maybe more with her; vampires as well as humans. At her third work hour, she found out an undercover policeman waiting for any reason to call for reinforcement. The message was delivered quickly around and vampires left the bar dutifully with their « evening meal » following the standard bar rule: don't bite on premises. Soon, the only vampires remaining were the bar staff. The fangbangers were overstimulated and fawning over Eric since he was not only the epitome of Vampire but he was also the only one on display for their attentions.

Sookie was getting more and more nervous, despite the fact that Eric was wearing his most bored face when Bill arrived. Bill scanned the room and as soon as he spotted her he converged in her direction.

"Sookie, what are you doing here?" He exclaimed.

"I'm drinking a gin and tonic. And you?" She replied in a self-assured voice. She planed on keeping him at a distance given his past behaviour.

"I wish to speak with Eric."

"He's on the stage."

"I can see. So can you." He answered between gritted teeth.

"Have a nice chat, Bill." She winked and made threw her most charming smile to Eric, while speaking with Bill.

"See you soon, Sookie." Bill replied in a brooding tone.

"Sookie, Eric is expecting you with Bill in his office." Pam indicated one quarter an hour later.

"I'm coming. Pam, the undercover cop is ready to leave and there are two students under age with fake ID in the line"

"Where? How will I recognize them?"

"I will point them out to you them."

"There they are, they are approaching Indira." She indicated discreetly with her chin.

"OK, I take care of them."

Sookie was happy to rest a little and join Eric and Bill in the office. She knocked and entered.

"Sookie, come Dear one." Eric took her hand with possessiveness and encircled her in his embrace.

"You wanted to see me?" She asked surprised by his behaviour.

"Yes, Bill is here because the queen of Louisiana, Sophie Anne Leclerq sent him. She is not very pleased with our relationship, it seems."

"You have a queen, a vampire queen for Louisiana?"

"Yes, we do. And as a matter of fact, she knows about your gift by way of your cousin Hadley, her most recent lover. She wants to add you to her assets and does not care if you are willing or not." Eric explained in a matter-of-fact tone.

"Sookie, are you Eric's?" Bill asked hastily.

"Yes, Bill. And to be more precise, I don't regret one minute of this relationship." She added defiantly.

"You can't, you had my blood!"

"And what's the matter with that?"

"You had Bill's blood! When?" Eric roared.

"It's a long story, I saved him from a couple of drainers one night at Merlotte's with my brother's chain and they came back for their revenge, took me by surprise and beat me nearly to death. Bill saved me by giving me his blood. That's it." Sookie stated simply.

"Compton, how dare you claim someone who saved you. Don't you have any pride left? She was brave enough to fight for you and you think she is your reward? You don't deserve to be vampire." Eric thundered.

"I had no choice. And she's only human."

"She is human and is worth a thousand. You are dismissed Compton." The Sahara desert was a luxurious garden compared to Eric's voice.

Before departing, Bill warned them : "Andre will be here tomorrow."

"I had no doubt about it." Eric stated.