A/N ~ Thanks to my beta AmaZen. She is awesomeness. I'm sorry if you guys thought by my last A/N I intended to give up. I'm not a quitter. I had no intention of stopping, but I just needed to know people were interested in order to motivate my arse into writing faster. I was inundated with reviews. Thanks to you all. :) Including a peppermintyrose who threatened certain electronic harm if regular motivation doesn't work. It works, it works! Don't hurt me! All of you girls are great.

Several things happened in quick succession: Eric snorted, Jason turned three shades of protective big brother, Tara looked like she found the golden ticket and Claude looked like he wanted to take it from her. Amelia hiccuped and I reached over and snatched an unattended shot of brown liquid off of the table.

I hated doing this two nights in a row, but if I was going to give it up and join the ranks, I needed some more courage. Preferably liquid and named after a man.

EPOV

Abruptly, she removed my hand from her lap and chided, "Tsk, tsk, Northman. I'm a mere human driving a motor vehicle. We don't want to chance an accident." As if I'd let anything happen to you.

She made the turn into a lot and pulled in to a spot. As she turned off the car, she looked toward me. If looks could kill. "You need to cut that out. It's not going to work." Before I could respond, she was out of the car and stopped to lean against it. I slid out of the death trap and watched as she held her head in her hands. She was doing it again. I quietly latched the door prior to walking to her side of the car. I watched her expressions change beneath her hands. She was over thinking things again. I placed a hand on either side of her on the roof of the car and watched her inner dialogue play across her features.

Once she dropped her hands, she sighed and moved to walk away from the car. I was having none of it. My arms effectively blocked her in, forcing her to deal with this issue. "Eric, come on. Let's go inside." As she tried to duck under me, I brought my arm down around her waist and caught her. She resisted and in an effort of futility tried applying more force. I gently pushed her back to where she was and leaned down to stare into her eyes.

"Not yet. You listen, and listen carefully. I don't know why you're holding back from me. We shared something last night, and I'm not giving up on that. You can talk all you want about what will work and what won't. You can even continue to pretend last night didn't happen. As for me cutting it out because it's not working, don't kid yourself." I leaned into the crook of her neck and proceeded to whisper into her ear, "I can hear your heart speed up when we're close to one another. I can smell your arousal from across the room. Superior senses, remember?" Recognition flashed across her features. Good girl, you remember.

"You can run all you want, but as a predator, I enjoy the chase. Some advice? You cut it out. Whatever is going on that is keeping you from yielding to me cannot go on forever. Let's just cut the bullshit and quit acting like that time is not going to come." I leaned back, waiting for the onslaught of temper I was sure would come. Instead, she closed her eyes and took a deep breath.

"Eric, not yet." Not yet. Yes. I gave her cheek a gentle kiss, pulled away and grabbed her hand to get her walking with me. "I know not yet. But soon. Just stop pretending that it isn't inevitable."

I slid my fingers around her small hand as we walked up the ramp. I held the door open and the noise immediately flooded my senses. As patrons looked up to see who walked in, I made eye contact and nodded to those I knew. I was amazed by how many people I knew here, but not shocked. The shock would come later.

Sookie clung to me and spoke quietly, "Eric, I'd like you to pick your poison," she said while inclining her head to the side. "Behind door number one, we have the peanut gallery." I shot a glance in the direction indicated and nodded my greetings to those in question. She waved at the shifter behind the bar. "Behind door number two, we have the over protective former boss with whom I have a mild history but whose friendship I managed to salvage." So they have a history? I looked down at her in question and smiled. "To the right is door number three, the dance floor, which I will not be going near under any circumstances without a blood alcohol level exceeding .06%."

I didn't mean to laugh at her, but I could not help myself. "I'm going to leave you with the peanut gallery for a moment while I visit door number two and get us a drink, because tonight's not going to end without a trip behind door number three," I said as I walked her to the tables huddled into a grou.

I watched as the blond one craned his head back to take me in. This must be her brother, they look so much alike. I slid my arm around Sookie's waist and weightlessly rested my chin on her head. She fits so well against me. It's as if we were made to fit together. Like puzzle Pieces. Hers have slightly sharper edges, no doubt.

"Hey guys, uhm, how's it going?" Sookie asked the group. She was met by total silence. "Uhm, I'd like to introduce you all. All, this is Eric."

"Eric, that's Tara and JB, " she pointed out and the couple in question gave a polite wave.

"This is Claude and Claudine, my cousins." I gave Claudine a nod and tried to ignore her brother undressing me with his eyes.

"Those two monkies on the end are my brother Jason and Hoyt." Both men sat there in a stupor. "Jason, this is where you say something, preferably in a friendly manner." Her brother was slow on the uptake, but his friend, Hoyt, stood up and shook my hand.

"Nice to meet you, Eric. Sit down, pull up a chair!" He was inebriated, but I didn't mind. Poor humans and their minimal abilities to have real fun. I pulled out a chair for Sookie and watched her stare at it as if waiting for it to scurry away. I chuckled and pushed her toward the chair until she managed to fall into it. I told her I was going to the bar and that I would be back soon.

As I approached the bar, Sam reached his hand out to me. I shook the shifters hand and we clapped one another on the shoulder. "So you have a history with Sookie?" I asked. Sam nodded his head toward Sookie and we both found ourselves looking at her. I couldn't help but smile. "She's amazing," I whispered, completely forgetting where I am and who I am. Sam didn't miss a thing.

"Yeah, it was a long time ago, Eric. What can I get you?" Distance in time doesn't make me feel relieved.

"I'll take an O negative and whatever Sookie usually has. I've only seen her knock down hard liquor."

Sam laughed, "Yeah, she does that when she's nervous." He tapped the bar and told me he'd be right back with my order.

Compton was a fool. Did he really think I would not notice him? Moron. I nodded in his direction and approached. "Compton, let's step outside." Bill glanced around warily and I lost my patience. "Please don't make me pull rank on your ass in public," I seethed. He rose from his stool and I went to follow him outside. I took a look in Sookie's direction and saw her watching me. I held up a finger to let her know I'd be back in a minute prior to following Bill outside.

Once outside, I motioned for him to follow. "Bill, have you prepared your explanation?"

"Eric, there's nothing to prepare. I can only tell you the truth."

Groveling idiot. "Then tell, Compton."

"Where would you like me to start, Eric?"

"The beginning as it pertains to Sookie. And make sure you include why your decided to withhold that you were her fucking neighbor while I was calling you for information. I'd also like to know why your report failed to include the personal information you so clearly possess."

Bill flinched at my words. Yeah, I didn't miss that you piece of shit. Out with it.

"I came back at the Queen's request. Confidentiality was paramount." You fuckin' what?! Bill seemed to notice my rage. I seethed as he back pedaled.

"Listen, Eric. Sookie isn't just some backwoods human. She's royalty." I stopped pacing and looked at him. "You heard me, royalty. Do you recall the skirmish between the fae that took place two decades ago?" I did, but I wasn't giving answers right now. Bill noticed. He continued, "Do you recall the half-breed fae man that was killed with his wife when their vehicle submerged in the river?"

"Yes? And?" I vaguely recalled the incident. The fae had been at each other's throats for months at that point. Fatalities here and there were of no concern to me. I had more important issues to worry about than Niall Brigant's bloody war with his family.

"The man was Sookie's father. As I said, he was a half-breed. He had two children, Sookie and Jason Stackhouse." Oh shit. My thought must have shown on my face. Weakness, Northman. Check it. "Oh shit is right. That was no accident. The family was driving across a bridge when a water sprite overcame the vehicle. It pulled the vehicle from the bridge and pulled it under." Family was driving? Family!?

"You said the family was driving. Explain."

Bill stared at the ground as he spoke quietly. "Eric, Sookie was a small child and she and her brother were in the vehicle. The sprite intended to annihilate the entire family, but she wasn't careful. Jason managed to pull Sookie out of the window and drag her from the water before the sprite realized her error. Sookie and Jason watched their parents drown before their eyes. It is said that their parents were begging Jason to help his sister and he did, but...."

"But they watched their parents submerge as life ran it's course," I finished.

"Yes. After that Brigant pulled in every favor he could and the supe community, including our Queen, agreed to protect Sookie and Jason,. Obviously, Jason can take care of himself, but Sookie's been fragile ever since. She spent some time on medication in a residential treatment facility until the doctors could stabilize her enough to keep her fragile emotions in check. She did not handle the incident as well as other, more resilient children might have. Growing up has not improved her state. She's still medicated as we speak." Medicated? Dear Gods.

"Why did Brigant get involved?"

"Brigant is Sookie's great-grandfather. His blood tie is the cause of her family's demise." I'm falling in love with the great-grandchild of the fairy prince? Decades of memories flashed through my mind as I tried to reconcile this reality. Brigant would kill for his family. How will he take this news?

"Yet the fae war is over. For now. Why such security? Why is the Queen involved?"

Bill took several steps back in a shoddy attempt to look like he was just pacing around. "Sookie is more than just that. She remains of value to the fae."

This still did not add up. "How so?"

"She's a supe as well."

I tugged at the roots of my hair in frustration as I rounded on Bill. "Clearly, Bill, as she is one quarter fairy."

"Eric, she's telepathic. She can hear all humans and vaguely make out weres and shifters. She can also hear fairies." What the fuck?

"How could you possibly know she hears fairies?"

Bill resumed, "Because a portion of her issues stemmed from hearing the sprite's anger when it realized it had failed to kill the entire family. The doctors thought she was hallucinating when she claimed she could 'hear the water' try to kill her parents. She not only heard the entire plot, but also how angry the sprite was when it realized she and Jason were too far up the bank to kill."

"Does Sookie realize that all of these people are here to protect her?" I was seething. She thought these people her friends, when they were actually glorified body guards.

Bill looked away as he spoke. "We were all placed here to protect her, yes, but the friendships are genuine. She thinks she has tolerant people in her life who don't think her a freak for reading minds. She's naturally drawn to them as their thought processes are more difficult to process than humans. She's always seemed too fragile to bring reality to her. We're not sure what will happen if she finds out."

"What happened while she was away at college?"

"Amelia has been her friend since they were children. In high school, Amelia met Tray and they both attended the same college as Sookie. Sookie was never without protection."

"How did you find yourself in this, Bill?"

He cleared his throat. "The Queen agreed to cooperate in protecting Sookie and asked me to relocate back to my family's home to oversee things now that Sookie is older. While she's taken no active role, she needed one of us here to oversee her interest. Brigant would be a formidable enemy if he thought the Queen had not done what she could."

Now I'm pissed. "Why did she go to you? As I am Sheriff of this area, she should have come to me first."

"The Queen said you shouldn't be bothered. She assumed you' feel above aiding the protection of a part human supe. Besides, you were too busy maintaining your area." This is true. I knew how I would have taken such a request.

I suddenly thought of something chilling. "Bill, can she hear us?"

"No. We've tried it out many times, using various tricks to try to incite a reaction. Like I said, she hears humans. She makes out shifter, were and fae thoughts. But apparently our lack of brain waves renders us completely silent to her. The Queen made sure of that before she would agree to help Brigant. Sookie is no threat to vampires."

"I appreciate your candor Bill, however late it may be." With that, I left him standing alone in the dark parking lot. I had much to ponder, but I needed to get back to my Sookie. Yes. Mine.

I walked back into the bar and retrieved our drinks from Sam. As I returned to the table, I overheard a few comments from Sookie' "peanut gallery" and noticed that Amelia had joined the group and was sitting on the lap of Tray. This is the Tray that Bill mentioned? Shit. I've known him for years. He's done some offhand body work to my vehicles when necessary. Small world indeed.

"I'd do him," Claude offered.

"Do who?" I asked. I knew the answer, but it was too funny to let go.

I sat down next to Sookie and handed her the beer. "Sam said you'd like this." She smiled and mumbled her thanks.

"Oh you!" Amelia sing-songed in her drunken slur.

"Eric, I don't suppose you'd be inclined to get out of here before Amelia gets going again?" Sookie asked. As much as I wanted to run away with Sookie at this point, I wanted to get to know her before bedding her. Besides, she herself had told me, "Not yet."

"Not yet,"I replied. "We haven' hit door number three yet."

While I was busy leering at Sookie, Amelia went on a tangent about Peter Pan, Wendy, Tinkerbelle and something about a plank. Shifting my attention from Sookie to Amelia, I caught her snickering and pointing at me.

"Plank. I bet that's a way to describe it." She leaned toward Tara and anounced to the group, "You should see his feet! I bet he's huge!"

Sookie hid her face in her hands and groaned. "I cannot believe she just said that in front of everyone,"she groaned.

I choked on my blood. Sookie's brother looked pissed. Tara stared at me like I was a lollipop and Claude looked like he wanted to lick me first. Amelia, clearly three sheets to the wind, hiccuped. Sookie reached across the table to a rogue shot glass. She downed it and sighed audibly.I couldn't stop my smile as I wrapped my arm around Sookie's shoulders and asked if she'd like to walk the plank. Everyone erupted into laughter. Well everyone except Jason. If her older brother looked anything but, I'd be pissed instead.

Apparently the alcohol suited her. Sookie rolled her eyes, threw up her hands and grumbled, "Jesus Amelia. You're so fucking interested, just ask him."

Amelia turned her upper body and stared at me. "Eric, since enquiring minds are dying to know, what kind of heat are you packing?"

"Heat?" I didn't pack heat. What is she talking about?

Amelia rolled her eyes in frustration. Naturally, to my disdain, Tray finished for her. "Uh, Eric. They'd like to know the specs on `little Eric'," I froze mid sip.

And here I thought I was going to have a nice night planning out ground rules with my soon-to-be-lover. Instead, I found myself pegged as a flying children's icon. I discovered that the woman I was beginning to love is in a supernatural witness protection program hosted by shifters and weres and that she is mentally fragile. And for the icing on the cake, I now have a werewolf suggesting I describe the size of my cock to a group of people that includes my woman's older, and therefore protective, brother.

I should have just agreed to get the fuck out of here.