Of course, I don't own these characters, Charlaine Harris does!
I must thank warmly Qtlex for her fast corrections and advices. The delay is all my doing! Sometimes characters must be tortured to have the sequel of the story. Don't worry, no harm done to the Viking. It's the larger chapter I've ever made, if it can excuse me. Hope you enjoy.
As I get lost in all the stories I am reading, let me help you with mine:
Part 1: Gossip girl -
Night 0 : Diane and her nest meet Sookie at Bill's (Book 1 - end of chapter 3)
Night 1: Diane tells Eric about it - The same evening he meet Sookie at Merlotte's and invite her next evening.
Night 2: Eric takes Sookie to the ice cream parlor...
Part 2: Less Dead
Night 2: and he goes with her to Bon Temps
Night 3: Eric invites Sookie to one of his homes
Night 4: Sookie works at Fangtasia and Bill comes to claim her
Chapter 8
On the way to Bon Temps, Sookie is lost in her thoughts:
…And in the office, and in the employees shower, and in the locker-room, the only place missing was the broom closet and maybe the roof! At this rate, I will make up for my slow start quickly! I wonder if I'm normal. Arlene, even Dawn or Maudette didn't have so much in one night. Maybe Eric turned me into a perfect wanton. But God it felt sooooo good!
Could you, can I believe it? This man (this sex god – this Adonis – this yummy butt model) beside me in the car, this being, this extraordinary creature is my boyfriend! I feel powerful, beautiful, sated thanks to him. I feel like the big winner of the national lottery. Why me?
I have never been this happy in all my existence; I didn't even dare to dream to find someone. Twenty five, with not the slightest relationship, not mentioning anything else…I must have been cursed. Yes with the telepathy, the same ability that draws Eric. I will never be able to know if I attract him or if my gift attracts him like a rich girl with numerous suitors.
I know that he will leave me one day, I'm not blind. Sam told me that Eric Northman is a well-known womanizer and a ruthless businessman, but a fair one. How does Sam know so much about him? They are both bar owners but he seems pretty well-informed…
If I'm lucky I will keep his fancy until my wrinkles appear. At least I trust him not to fool around for the moment. He acts respectful and considerate but can it last? Sometimes I'd like to read him too, maybe feel him if this bond could work both ways…
I don't forget he's a vampire and on this ground, I'm sure I have not seen everything. Long Shadow was trembling like a leaf in the office. All vampires are very strong; Bill faked a real tornado on the Rattrays' field. I don't feel endangered to be near him, I should be, that was the first reaction Arlene got the evening Eric came in. Lafayette is a real teaser on the other part, it took him only a glimpse of the room that night to see that Eric was considering me from head to toe in a very appreciative way. He enjoys some good gossip and it was the first time he could play on this field with me. I would have not thought about it myself but he insisted for me to consider this as a date, and he was so right.
I feel alive with Eric. She chuckles interiorly to hide her ramblings. Alive with an undead! What a paradox!
Of course, I won't be able to have children but I was not on that path anyway before I met him. It's the only con Gran found when I asked her about him. I was a little surprised she thought so far ahead but it seems to be a major issue in her mind, maybe she wants to become a great grand mother. Jason will be ahead in this department.
"You seem preoccupied lover."
"I am, being your girlfriend puts a lot of things in perspective."
"For example?"
"You, looking thirty."
He snarled, "I thought we were past this stage. I told you I will enjoy every moment of your existence."
"Did you do it before?"
"What?"
"Stay with a human until she dies?"
"Of course not! There was nobody like you before and there will be nobody after!" Under the impact, Eric let slip too much information, he cursed himself.
"How do you know?"
"If you were involved with a human how would you know if he would stay with you? I have more experience in this area than any man alive on the earth. Trust me."
"You've made your point, but do you know any vampire who just did it?"
"As a matter of fact, I do."
"Oh, I guess it wasn't unheard of" Sookie was really astonished and relieved at the same time. So maybe, it's possible after all. "How many couples?"
"One" Eric replied.
"One per century?"
"No, one in a thousand years." He insisted.
"WHAT!"
"What, what?" Eric asked surprised.
"Are you kidding me?"
"No, not at all. What did you expect?"
"I don't know maybe more, did you know them?"
"Yes, very well, I introduced them to one another in 1764 in Saint Petersburg. It was the 14th of November and until this day they remain together. Ivan was close to me and Irina was a powerful psychic, I knew…quite well. So lover, have you other questions?"
"I will, as soon as I finish trying to digest what you were saying."
"And the works? Is it to your liking?"
"Yes, we are now more protected than Fort Knox and the house looks like it was built yesterday, which is a big change. I don't know why but my room is completely lightproof." She said in a cynical tone. "There is also works in the backyard where we can't even look. Have you anything to say about that?" She added in the same tone.
"Well, as you have seen, I have a lot of different hideouts for my day slumber and maybe you would like me to stay or have the possibility to host a guard…"
"Always two strokes ahead."
"Yes."
"Mr High handed."
"Should I be offended?" He smirked.
"Maybe."
He stopped at the gate. "Do you have the code?"
"Yes, it's Fan6tasia."
He chuckled. "You are my kind of woman."
"I know I'm vampire girl all the way." She added bitterly.
"Why is your mood always upside down? I know you are happy with me even if you hesitate; I don't see why; I am a fine match for you."
"You are?" She wondered.
"Yes lover, you can't hear me, so you can relax completely in my presence, you think I am the most agreeable companion, you are infatuated with my body and my skills." He beamed and waggled his eyebrows.
Sookie guffawed.
Eric stopped the Volvo near the house and turned to Sookie.
"I love when you make me laugh." Sookie said after regaining a normal breath.
"Do you trust me?" He asked seriously.
"I do Eric."
"Good, tomorrow, you will have to act like my human, which is obey and talk as little as possible."
The next evening at Merlotte's around midnight
Eric came back to the family bar without disturbing the quiet buzz from the customers this time. He nodded to Sam, headed straight ahead to Sookie's section as a regular and sat at the same booth as he did four days ago. Four days was all it took to change everything in his undead existence.
He relaxed and closed his eyes, aware of the close presence of Sookie near the kitchen counter, all her focus on work, on the numerous orders. She is hard working. Like he is. Every time he knew her better, he can only consider how a good match she is to him.
The bond is only at its beginning but he heard it sing when she laid eyes on him. He rejoiced at her approach.
"Good evening Eric." She said smiling.
"Good evening Lover." He whispered huskily.
"You can wait in the parking lot if you want, there's no reason for you to order a True Blood, since you don't drink any." He could feel her discomfort.
"Are you ashamed of me?" he asked calmly looking her in the eyes.
"Of course not. May I remind you we have a serial killer around? The truth is I was leaving. I'll be at your car in five minutes."
"You are right, drinking True Blood is not one of my abilities." He stood up and left without another word.
On her way to Sam's office, Sookie was stopped by Arlene.
"Sookie, who is he?"
"Who Arlene?"
"The tall guy, the blonde!"
"It's Eric"
"He is a vampire, isn't he?"
"Yes Arlene, Eric is a vampire."
"Are you mad? Do you wanna die?"
"I don't Arlene, but if you'll excuse me I'm gonna be late." On this, she ran to Sam's office and into the restrooms to change before making for the parking lot through the back door in a brand new red sundress accompanied by the whistlings of Lafayette.
Later, in Eric's office
"So that's the girl?"
"Andre this is Sookie Stackhouse, the telepath; my human and soon to be bonded."
"Well, well, well you do not lose time Viking." He approached swiftly sniffing the air around Sookie very closely without touching her. Sookie clutched Eric to remain still.
"May I taste her blood?" He asked Eric.
"Sookie, do you allow it?"
"How odd, didn't you feed before coming?" Sookie asked bewildered by the question.
"No, my dear. I want to be sure of your lineage, I just need a sip."
"Whatever, if you want." She raised her arm near Andre.
He cut her swiftly with his nail and licked his finger.
"My guess was right," he said smiling smugly, "she is part fairy. I would say one eighth, one sixteenth."
"What! Fairies exist!?" Sookie exclaimed under the shock of the revelation. She turned to Eric expectantly but he was speechless. She couldn't hold straight and had to sit on the couch.
"Now you know why you wanted her, Viking. So do I. To have a bond with a human was not normal; given your past existence, I was afraid this old tale about a Valkyrie fated for you was happening. We can have a deal on what you want in exchange for her. What would you like? A better position? Maybe near the headquarters? Money? A larger area?" Andre was thrilled with himself as he made up the proposal. The queen will be delighted to hear he acquired the telepath as planed.
Eric shook his head removing his eyes from Sookie's.
"No."
"What do you mean?" Andre was surprised by the lack of bargaining, two smart vampires can always come to an agreement.
"It doesn't change anything. She is MINE."
"Northman, you are a clever businessman, name your price. The queen can be very generous if she is not angered" He threatened.
"If Sookie is interested to work with the queen; we will have an agreement."
"You wouldn't risk having your future doomed by a mere human, even if the part fairy mislays you. What do you really want?"
"A fair deal."
"Compton was right… You have become infatuated with her." He laughed dryly. "What a shame! Soon, you won't be able to rule your little piece of Louisiana. Maybe you are planning to follow her into the grave?" He sniggered.
"You are going too far, I am a loyal subject of her majesty and I have proven her many times that I am no fool." Eric answered between gritted teeth. "Sookie is a special advisor for Fangtasia and is under contract. She can work for the queen if the deal is fair, that is all I have to say. I am waiting for the answer of the queen."
"Fine. Do you have a meal for me; I am starving after all this talk. Of course, we can continue while we feed."
The bastard! Eric thought.
After a knock Pam entered, bringing along two female fangbangers, brunettes staring into space.
"Master, you ordered a meal?"
"Yes, Pam. See with Andre for his choice."
"Give me this brunette, she's exquisite." Andre indicated the fangbanger to his right. "You serve your master well, Pamela."
"May I join you with the other, I am famished. Master, your appointment is here maybe I can stay with Andre until you finish?"
You are clever my child, I will owe you.
"If you allow me Andre, business awaits me…"
"Sure go" he said with a lazy gesture of the hand while grasping the bosom of the woman on the couch.
Eric grabbed hold of Sookie's hand and headed quickly to the door. A few moments later, they were sitting at his booth with the providential appointment, a liquor representative who was usually seen by Longshadow.
He knew that Sookie, sitting at his side, was more than relieved to be far from the office. She stayed mute drinking her gin and tonic all along the appointment, which consisted in renegotiating the annual bargains. After his departure, she turned to him her eyes full of questions.
"Can we talk now?"
He scanned the crowd to see if all the present vampires were of his retinue.
"We can talk lover, but not too loud."
"What was that?"
"Which part do you want me to explain?"
"First, the last one: the meal."
For the first time of his vampire existence he was embarrassed of the way he used to feed. He shifted in the booth to hold her closer. "It's very usual for vampires to share meals as humans like to do." He began unsure of the result. "It doesn't matter because if the humans are not willing we can always glamour them." He added sheepishly.
"You feed and fuck in front of each other?!" Sookie exclaimed with a disgusted face. "How gross!"
"It's common to have an orgy for a vampire; it is part of our ways, we are sexual creatures above all."
She gasped. "Yes, it's true, you warned me but it is one thing to hear something and another to see it happening. Fucking, fighting, plotting that's the vampire creed. It sounds like Rome under the reign of Caligula you have not evolved."
"I was made vampire quite after this time my sweet and I have never treated you like..."
"A whore?"
"Yes." He kissed sweetly her temple. "I will not bring you to an orgy, I promise,…unless you ask me to." He smirked. "I have experienced the most interesting ones when I met the Marquise of Sade, unfortunately this time is long gone." He exhaled loudly, looking at her as if it was really a pity.
"Stop, I know you're pulling my leg." She laughed. "Kiss me."
"Don't misunderstand yourself, Sookie. You are a sexual creature too." He said leaning her head to catch her lips greedily.