Chapter 11

I

Pam threw Lafayette across the dungeon floor with a one-handed move. He landed in a painful-looking heap and only had time to roll over before Pam was on him again. She placed one of her boots on his chest and positioned the spike heel over his heart.

"I don't know why you were stupid enough to come here," said Pam. "But, I promise that I will kill you and all those other witches for what you did to Eric."

"Shit, stop," cried Lafayette. "I don't even know what happened to him."

"You and those goddamned witches erased his memory and, now, I'm going to erase you," hissed Pam.

"Like hell you will," came a woman's voice from behind her.

Pam turned around in an instant and saw a attractive woman with long black hair and a man who held onto Ginger. He was wearing scrubs and Ginger gazed at her in fear.

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry," pleaded Ginger. "She pulled a gun on me."

"A gun? That's real funny" replied Pam.

Lafayette took that moment to scramble away from Pam and joined Tara and Jesus by the stairs.

"I bet you don't think the wooden bullets inside it are too damn funny," said Tara. "Let's start with the fact that if you kill any of us, we cannot help you get Eric back."

"I'm listening," said Pam.

"We're part of the circle that made this happen. We might have a chance of reversing the spell that he is under," said Jesus.

"Are you a witch?" demanded Pam.

"I'm a brujo," said Jesus.

At hearing those words, Ginger freaked out and began screaming and flailing around. She managed to break free of Jesus and rushed up the stairs while still screaming. Pam rolled her eyes as she watched.

"Crazy bitch," called Jesus after Ginger.

"We can bring your leader to the circle. She's the only one who can reverse the spell," said Lafayette.

"Or, I can just shoot you right in the heart," said Tara.

Pam stared coldly into Tara's eyes for several seconds and said, "I'll give you twenty-four hours to deliver that witch to me. And if you don't, I will personally eat, f*ck and kill all three of you."

Tara held the gun on Pam and brought up the rear as Jesus and Lafayette went up the stairs. A look passed between her and Pam and then Tara turned and ran up the stairs leaving Pam alone in the basement. She retracted her fangs and was consumed in worry for her maker. He was physically fine, but not knowing who he was made him vulnerable. He didn't know who was a friend or a foe. Of course, they had that little witch to thank for his condition. Pam was certain that without her protection spell that Eric would have met a much crueler fate than being deprived of his memories and becoming the house guest of a pretty witch. She was also sure that Payton with her knowledge of witchcraft could be an impressive ally. And better she be on their side than against them. Maybe, Eric understood this all along and that was why he was interested in the girl. Well, that and those pretty looks, thought Pam.

II

"I mean it," said Payton.

Payton stood near her front door dressed in simple jeans and a baby blue hoodie. She eyed Eric sternly who was sitting on the couch with his long legs drawn up. Dammit, she thought, trying not to let her eyes wander down from his face. Why do those legs seem to go on forever? Maybe, she shouldn't have bought such jeans that hugged that lean form so well.

Eric flashed a rather innocent smile and said, "Of course." That innocent smile turned a little naughty and he added, "But, what happens if I decide to disobey?"

Payton shot mock daggers from her eyes, "I could decide to throw your vampire ass out and let you fend for yourself."

"Would you really do that?" asked Eric, all innocent again.

"Don't tempt me," replied Payton.

"Pam would be a little upset with you for that," said Eric.

"Is that a carefully veiled threat?" replied Payton.

"I'm merely pointing out the seriousness of your situation," said Eric. "I'm not myself and Pam believes, right or wrong, that you had something to do with it. If something happened to me, there would be very little that would stay her hand. That's why you need me to protect you."

"You got yourself into your present problems without any help from me," replied Payton.

"Because I'm an arrogant and cruel vampire?" said Eric.

"That's right," said Payton. "And without me, you would have been at the mercy of a force that you can't even comprehend."

Eric was thoughtful and asked, "Can you comprehend it? Reason with it?"

"I don't know," said Payton. "But, I intend to find out."

"At least, tell me where you are planning on doing?" asked Eric.

"I'm going to see Marnie," replied Payton.

"I should come with you. It isn't safe for you to be alone," said Eric.

"You are going to stay right here and be a good boy and wait for me," replied Payton.

"I don't like it," said Eric.

"Well, you can't always get what you want," said Payton. "Besides, I won't be alone."

Eric raised an eyebrow and asked, "Who's going with you?"

"Pam," replied Payton with a smile. At Eric's surprised look, Payton's smile deepened. "Didn't see that one coming, did you? Pam is highly protective of you, just like you said. But, she's also smart enough to realize that I'm trying to help your spell-casted butt."

Payton opened the door, but turned back to look at Eric, "It's a real bitch when the women in your life join forces to put you in your place, isn't it? Now, stay put or no milk and cookies when I get back."

Eric watched her leave in irritation, until he realized that she had unconsciously included herself as one of his women in that parting shot. With a little smile, he clicked on the television.

III

Pam walked over to where Marnie, Jesus, Lafayette and Tara stood. They were out in the woods and Pam noticed a ring of lit candles inside which Marnie stood. She was wearing one of her Fangtasia outfits which was a short leather dress that laced up the back like a corset. It fit her svelte figure like a glove and displayed a generous amount of flesh. Marnie wore her usual uniform of a flowing skirt and stood nervously within the circle as she watched Pam approach. As Pam drew near, Tara once again leveled the gun on her. Lafayette drew a circle in salt around Marnie.

"I...I'm glad that you have decided to be reasonable," began Marnie.

"My patience with you witches is wearing thin," replied Pam. "Just reverse the spell and we can all go on separate and merry ways."

"And I'm supposed to believe that?" asked Marnie.

"Believe this; if you don't fix my maker, there won't be anywhere that you can hide because I won't rest until I find you," said Pam.

"That sounds like a threat," said Marnie.

"Oh, it's not a threat," replied Pam.

"Marnie, just concentrate," said Jesus. "Just be calm and reverse the spell."

"How am I supposed to relax with her standing here and threatening me?" demanded Marnie. "And how can I repair a vampire if he isn't here?"

"That's your problem. Reverse the spell or I'll bite your head off," hissed Pam.

"Then, you'll never get Eric back," said Tara, still holding the gun on Pam.

"If you guys are so lame that you can't even turn around your own magic, he is as good as gone anyway," replied Pam.

"You might want to remember that you aren't safe either, bitch," said Lafayette. "Ain't nobody here to protect you and we know where you live at."

"There's always a special place for you in my dungeon, Lafayette," replied Pam with a hand on her hip.

Marnie nervously looked through a spell book and Jesus whispered to her, "It's this one here."

"Do you have my glasses?" asked Marnie.

Jesus pointed to her glasses hanging on a chain around her neck, causing Pam to roll her eyes.

"Are you f*cking retarded?" hissed Pam.

"Shut up or we won't even try," said Tara.

"Make her do f*cking something," demanded Pam.

"Will everyone stop saying f*ck," said Marnie. "I can't concentrate."

Marnie began to move around her circle and began making a large cross in the air, saying, "North, south, east, west."

"Summoning the Goddess of memory, Goddess of time," intoned Marnie. "Heal you wayward son of the Underworld, Eric Northman. Bathe him in Hades, in your pool of remembrance."

"This is bullshit," hissed Pam.

The wind began to pick up and Marnie closed the spell book and took off her glasses. She stood up straighter and gazed at Pam in confidence.

"Listen, bitch, I don't have time for this," said Pam. "Fix my maker."

Pam moved forward, but Marnie held up her hand and stopped her. Pam's eyes widened in surprise.

"Corrupt, unsanctified corpse that walks," said Marnie.

Marnie began to cast another spell and Payton moved quickly out from behind a tree. She walked to where Pam stood.

"Stop!" called out Payton.

Payton's arrival surprised Marnie and she silently watched Payton approach. Payton walked up to Pam and moved in front of her.

"Demoness," said Marnie.

"Uh, no," said Payton. "Let's move on from the name calling."

"You are still an agent of evil," said Marnie.

"That's a matter of opinion," retorted Payton. "And Miss Sorceress, you aren't exactly the good witch Glinda yourself."

"Who is this Glinda?" asked Marnie.

"Nevermind," replied Payton. "Who am I really talking to since you are not Marnie."

At that, Lafayette and everyone else present looked over at Marnie.

"Antonia Gavilán de Logroño," replied Antonia. "You can tell your masters that I have returned."

Payton bristled as being called a vampire's slave, but she tried to relax. "And why have you returned?"

"Nothing has changed in all the time that I have been dead," said Antonia. "I see a world where vampires still wreak pain and suffering upon us."

"I would argue that humans still inflict more suffering on their own kind than vampires could ever dream of doing," said Payton. "You can't pick and choose who merits punishment."

"I would argue that your eyes and judgement have been blinded by their physical beauty," replied Antonia. "I can show what they truly are. Walking corpses that don't decay, but I can change that."

Antonia leveled her gaze at Pam again and said, "Corpse that walks, your beauty is a much more fragile and fleeting thing than you could ever imagine. I call upon the forces to-"

Antonia was stopped when Payton stepped inside the circle. She gazed at Payton in confusion. Payton gave her a little smile.

"Sorry, but we came here under a flag of truce," said Payton. "Which means no little sneaky spells."

Payton fearlessly began to walk towards Antonia. "No evil can enter this circle," said Antonia in surprise.

"I guess that means that I'm not evil," replied Payton. "Or, that your magic isn't powerful enough to stop me."

"What are you?" demanded Antonia.

"I'm only someone who wants to stop any further madness," said Payton. "Leave this world behind, your time has passed."

"I'm not ready to let the vampires win," said Antonia.

"Everybody just chill out," cried Lafayette.

"You can't win," smugly said Antonia. "How can you defeat a spirit?"

Antonia backed up from Payton and hissed to Tara, "Shoot her. She is in league with the vampires."

"What?" said Lafayette. "Don't do that, Tara. This is some messed up shit."

With a hiss, Pam moved in a blink towards Tara and the others and a shot rang out as Payton screamed, "Stop!"

Payton opened her eyes to find everyone staring at each other in confusion. Tara lowered the gun and Pam stood frozen as a bullet hung in the air about a foot from her chest. Payton breathed deeply for several seconds and walked over and plucked the bullet out of the air with her fingers. She held it in her hand and gazed at it in dismay and sadness. Pam let out a small gasp of relief since the bullet had been made of wood. Marnie had fainted and she slowly got to her feet. She shook her head and looked at them in confusion.

"What happened?" she asked.

"Unf*cking believable," muttered Lafayette.

Payton stared at Lafayette, Tara and Jesus. She nodded to Marnie and said, "She's the real danger to everyone. She has her own agenda and if you can't see that, you are just plain stupid."

Payton walked off and Pam turned and followed. "So, you're just leaving?"

"There isn't anything that can be accomplished by staying here," replied Payton.

"Killing them is a good start," hissed Pam.

"I'm going to pretend that I didn't hear that," said Payton. "Perhaps, the others will listen to reason."

"Don't bet on it," said Pam. "Humans are stupid creatures, mostly."

"I'm going to also pretend that I didn't hear that," hissed Payton.

"Don't take everything so personally," replied Pam.

There was silence for a long moment and Pam added, "Thank you for stopping that bullet. I haven't been very nice to you."

"Yes, trying to kill me definitely falls under the category of unfriendly behavior," said Payton.

"I...I was worried about Eric and I overreacted," said Pam.

Payton looked over at her, "You love him, don't you?"

"Am I the only one?" asked Pam.

Payton didn't answer and Pam added, "Are you pretending that you didn't hear that, too?"

"I don't have feelings for him," replied Payton. "And, I'm certainly not his pet."

Pam didn't say anything and Payton gave her a quick glance. Payton frowned when she saw Pam smiling. "Did I say something funny?"

"It's just amazing to me the capacity that humans have for self-delusion," replied Pam.

"Have I mentioned how much vampires get on my nerves?" said Payton.

IV

Bill sat behind his desk in his office. He was still dressed for business and he stared at Pam with anger.

"You should have called me the minute that you found him," said Bill.

"Excuse me if I was worried about the well-being of my maker," replied Pam. "He was like a helpless child. He didn't even know who I was. I took him to the only person that I could think of that might be able to help him."

Bill turned his gaze on Payton and made an effort to control his irritation with the entire event. "So, he is there at your home, now?"

"Yes," replied Payton. "Um, Your Majesty."

"And, you weren't able to help break the spell?" asked Bill.

"No," replied Payton. "But, he is fine except for not having his memories."

Bill glanced at her curiously, "I thought that you didn't care for Sheriff Northman?"

"He needs my help," replied Payton. "And, I'm trying to overlook his past behavior."

Bill studied her and said, "And you are certain that it is Antonia Gavilán who cast the spell?"

"Yes, she said her name quite clearly," replied Payton.

When Bill did not reply, Payton asked, "You know who she is, don't you?"

"Oh, yes," said Bill. "Can you wait outside while I speak with Pam privately?"

Payton turned and left the office and Bill watched her go. He turned his eyes to Pam. "Is she loyal to Eric?"

"Yes," replied Pam.

"I find it hard to believe that she has done a complete 180 in her feelings," said Bill.

"I'm sure that she hasn't" replied Pam. "It is Eric we are talking about, remember? I'm sure that he has used whatever measures necessary to influence her judgement."

Bill frowned. "The smart thing would be lock them all up until this thing gets resolved."

"Having a witch on our side makes more sense," said Pam.

Bill reached for a paperweight on his desk and moved it to another spot. He looked up at Pam. "I assume you know who Antonia is?"

"I know our history," replied Pam.

"We can only assume that she will try the same thing again here. Starting at sunrise, you and Eric will need to silver yourselves during the daytime," said Bill.

"What are you going to do?" asked Pam.

"Prepare for the worst," said Bill.

It was then that Hadley came into the office. She was wearing a pretty floral dress and her hair was down. When she saw Pam, she nervously hesitated at the door.

"I'm sorry. I thought you were alone," she said. "I'll just be going."

"Just give me a moment," said Bill with a 1,000 watt smile. "I'll be right with you."

Pam watched Hadley leave and turned back to Bill. "And here I thought Queen Sophie-Anne's crown was all that you were after."

Bill flashed her a dirty look. "That will be all. Just make sure that Eric is contained. Or, I will deal with him myself."

After Pam and Payton left, Bill went looking for Hadley. He found her in the library. She was looking through a collection of classics and hadn't noticed his entrance. He paused to admire her petite, but still curvy figure. From the first moment that he had seen her, he had coveted her. She might have had a dark and unhappy past and she had been Sophie-Anne's pet and lover, but there was still something almost innocent about her. Nothing seemed to diminish the light that seemed to emanate from her. Whenever he was around her, he could smell her sweetness in the air. It was a taste like honey made from flowers blooming in the sun. He could still remember the taste of honey and, like a bee drawn to a fragrant blossom, he felt himself drawn to her. She would be his. He would be the recipient of those shy glances from across the room. He would hear her gentle laughter every evening. She would plant sweet kisses on his lips. And when he took her to his bed, it would be his name that she cried out in passion. He just had to make her fall in love with him. But, he was a patient man and time was on his side.

"There you are," said Bill.

Hadley startled and turned around. She quickly replaced the book on the shelf. Bill came forward and looked at it. It was an old and valuable edition. It was in almost mint condition.

"I'm sorry," softly said Hadley.

"Nothing to be sorry about," said Bill, easily.

"I know it's valuable, I didn't damage it," said Hadley.

For the first time Bill got the impression that perhaps being Queen Sophie-Anne's pet wasn't all it was cracked up to be. He smiled and slipped the book back into Hadley's hands.

"Books are meant to be read and enjoyed," he said. "An unread book is like a bird that can't sing."

Hadley passed her fingers over the book and glanced up at him. She gave him a small, genuine smile.

"My library is at your disposal," said Bill. "Everything here is, as well."

"You've been so kind to me, Your Majesty," said Hadley.

"Remember, it's just Bill," he said.

"I don't know how I can repay your kindness," said Hadley.

"There isn't anything to repay," replied Bill. "No strings. I only hope that you will choose to consider me your friend."

Hadley seemed to struggle with herself and said, "Bill, um, I know how vampires think. Are you interested in being more than my friend?"

"Interested? Yes, of course," said Bill. "But, I don't expect anything, except for you to think well of me."

Hadley gave him a smile, "That's easy."

"I have some business to attend to," said Bill. "But, I need to talk to you later on. There is something going on and it might be better for you to stay somewhere else."

"Is there something wrong?" asked Hadley. "Are you in danger?"

Bill smiled and gently touched her shoulder, "Don't worry. We just need to take a few precautions. Now, will you wait up for me?"

Hadley brandished the book and said, "Once I start, I won't be able to stop. It's an old favorite."

"It's one of mine, too," replied Bill.

V

Down in the basement, Payton had the full bed assembled in the storage room. It was nearing sunrise and Payton looked down at Eric as he lay on the bed. He gazed up at her and Payton couldn't help from being struck by how trusting he was of her. He was depending on her to keep him safe during the day if Antonia cast that spell again to draw vampires out into the light. Payton gripped the silver chains in her hands tightly. This part was not going to be easy, but Pam had said that it was the only way to keep him from resisting the pull of the spell. She took a shackle and attached it to his ankle. His feet were bare and he was wearing soft blue jeans and a simple v-neck tee shirt. The minute that the silver touched his skin, he had grimaced and his skin began to smoke. The silver cuff dug cruelly into his skin and Payton hesitated.

"It's the only way," said Eric. "I'll be alright."

Payton attached the shackles to the foot board and make sure that they were secure. She then laid extra chains over his ankles and Eric groaned in pain. She took a second and rolled up his tee shirt and tried not to notice his taut abdominal muscles. Again, she deposited silver chains over his body to hold him down. This time Eric twisted in agony for a moment before he laid still. Payton moved to his hands and she attached both of them to the headboard with silver handcuffs. Immediately raw welts formed where the silver dug into his flesh. The faint smell of burning vampire flesh filled the room. Payton took a moment to touch his hair.

"I'm sorry, but there is one more set of chains to attach," she said.

Eric steeled himself and nodded. Payton laid out several chains over his neck. They cut into his flesh so severely that his blood seeped up in between the links. Eric seemed to stiffen in shock for a moment and finally he seemed to force himself to relax.

"Will you stay with me?" he asked.

"I need to be here to make sure that the chains hold you," said Payton, sitting on the bed with her feet drawn under her.

Eric gazed at her and managed to smirk, "This isn't exactly how I imagined us in bed together."

"No? I'm afraid to even contemplate your fantasies," replied Payton.

"I doubt that they are very much different from your own," he said.

Payton froze a moment thinking of those pesky visions that she kept having of him. "Maybe, I don't think of you that way, at all."

"Maybe, you just want to pretend that you don't," replied Eric.

"Maybe, I dream of Jason Stackhouse or Sam Merlott instead," said Payton.

"Maybe, I'll just decide to eliminate my competition," hissed Eric.

"You most certainly will not," said Payton. "You can't go around killing my would-be suitors."

"Yes, I can," said Eric. "I'm a vampire."

"I'm not yours," said Payton.

Eric asked in earnest, "Don't you want to be mine? I thought that we were getting to know one another."

Payton took his chin in her hand, "We are."

"So, what is the problem?" asked Eric. "I like you and you like me."

Eric noticed that she didn't refute the fact that she liked him which was immense progress. She lightly caressed him a moment longer and then dropped her hands to her lap. There, she wrung her hands nervously together. "It's a big leap to go from here to whatever kind of relationship you are expecting."

"It's not some weird relationship. It's just you and me," said Eric. "And, we can go as slow as you wish."

"There is also the problem of you not being yourself," said Payton. "When you remember who you are, things may change."

"My feelings for you won't change," replied Eric. "Are you saying that yours will?"

"You weren't exactly very nice to me," said Payton. "I have to tell myself that the way you were before is your true nature."

"Things are never black and white, Payton," said Eric. "This new me is still a part of me that will still be there when the old me returns. I wasn't totally evil before, nor am I totally innocent now. I'm just as complex as you are."

"Me? I'm not complex," said Payton.

"Then, why do you fascinate me so?" asked Eric.

"In your current state, I don't think that's too hard," said Payton with a smile.

"Are you somehow insulting me?" asked Eric.

"Who me?" teased Payton.

Eric closed his eyes for a moment and said, "The sun is up."

"You should try to rest," said Payton. "You'll need your strength."

Eric opened his eyes and Payton stared into them. She noticed for the first time that they were almond-shaped like hers were. Those blue eyes also had a hint of green and silvery gray in them. It was just like him to have eyes so interesting and hypnotic, thought Payton.

"We both will," he said. "I won't bite, so lie down with me."

Gently, Payton nestled close to him while being careful not to disturb the silver chains around him. She closed her eyes and wondered if Antonia possessed the power to summon Eric and all the other vampires into the sun. She could try, thought Payton, but she wasn't going to get this one so easily.

A/N: Okay, I apologize for all the sort of censored F-bombs. But, these people talk like that and it didn't sound right to use other language.

I like Pam and Payton teaming up, bet they would keep Eric on his toes alright. And, I'm sort of digging Bill and Hadley together. Hadley is still up for grabs on the show.