Disclaimer: I don't own True Blood. It owns me.

Author's note: I've never read the books, so what I write is based from what I understand from the episodes. This is my first TB fic because I find it alarming how few stories are out there! Anyhow, I'm not giving out pre-story pairings because, really, while there's a general direction I mean to head with this, it's more fun when there's no commitment. Also. There will be sexual content. I say this now as a just a general precaution - though, seriously, if you like True Blood, you expect the sex, ya? Just in case, ratings will change accordingly.

So there. Consider yourself warned. :)

A Mere Girl

"So, let me make sure that I clearly understand this. You would like for me to take her from your hands."

"Yes."

"For me to watch over her as though she were mine."

"Yes."

"And now this begs the question why, Bill. Not just because of my curiosity," the voice continued in the lackadaisical drawl of a person who is long bored with the content of a conversation. "But I know you're aware of the circumstances surrounding your potentially problematic request."

"Yes, Eric," Bill replied through a squared jaw, his resolute, deep-set eyes fixed on the seemingly bored man perched before him. "I do understand the circumstances, but I can not afford to keep her with me any longer. Mine or not, she deliberately disobeys my orders and, with everything that has been happening recently, there is no way I can effectively keep a handle on her."

"Every time I think I have your character pinned, you manage to find a new way to alter my perception of you. I had thought you were stronger. But to let a mere girl snake beneath your skin like this…"

"Eric. Either you will take her or I will find somebody else who will."

"Well. You seem to have already made up your mind about it," the nonchalant blonde replied, his leg crossed over the other and his hands as well as eyes fixed to his latest source of entertainment - his PSP. A gift from Pam. Despite the energetic rave music pulsating the smoke-screened air like an audio heartbeat, a lingering quiet settled between the two vampires. Finally, Eric expelled a long, weary sigh. "How long?"

"As long as it takes her to either realize that she can behave - can follow my basic commands," Bill said thickly before giving a jerk of his head off to the side, "or that this is the kind of lifestyle she wants to absorb herself in. Either way, Eric, I simply refuse to deal with her any longer as she is now."

For the first time that evening, the thousand-year old vampire lifted his forever tired eyes from the screen of his PSP - not to regard the fed up man standing a few meters in front of him, but to the woman hovering behind him, on looking with the kind of obvious interestLL Eric should have been keeping. "Pam?"

The yellow-blonde woman peered at him from beneath her thick lashes, her red lips pursing. "I'm not going to be the one babysitting her," Pam replied dryly, her hand on her angled hip.

"So it's settled," Eric replied, seeming to have seriously considered Pam's input. "We'll be happy to do it. But for a price."

"I came prepared to make a deal. These days, Eric, I find you rarely commit to anything unless there is something in it for you."

"I'm not a charity worker," Eric retorted curtly. "And I cannot afford to be."

"Liar."

"Hm. Perhaps I can afford to be. But I'm not a charity worker."

"Fine then. Name your price. And you will keep Sookie out of it. She has had enough of your contracts."

"She has or you have?" Eric deadpanned, his eyebrow lifting in what might of been his equivalence of a smirk. "You needn't worry about your end of the deal right now. I only wish to utilize a favor from you in the future."

"What's the favor?" Bill asked, his eyes narrowing.

At this, and being used to being consorted with for advisement on a day-to-day basis, Pam leaned in to Eric, prepared to counsel him. However, Eric never met her attempt, and instead, let his pink-rimmed eyes settle on Bill's cautious ones. "I've nothing that needs attending right now. But, as I'd be a fool to pass up the opportunity to put someone in my debt - especially you, Bill Compton, I reserve the right to exploit your services at my request someday."

"And Sookie will not be involved?" Bill elaborated, sure to reach not only a common ground between himself and the older vampire but a ground in which his territory was distinctly marked.

"Sookie will not be involved," Eric agreed, appearing to lose interest in Bill's attention as he had resumed his idle game play once more.

"Then I shall accept your request. If you should call upon me for a favor, Eric Northman, I shall comply, no questions asked," the dark-haired man intoned.

"Very well. Pam, you will arrange for our new guest. Personally see to it that she is looked after during her stay here," Eric ordered plainly, to which the woman sucked her teeth. "Get used to it. She will be largely your responsibility from the moment she arrives to the moment she leaves," Eric called after Pam blithely as she stalked off into the crowd, seething.

"Bill," Eric said curtly as he thumbed at his PSP. "Send her to me." Bill nodded solemnly, and turned to leave, only to pause when he was addressed a last time. "Don't become too used to her absence. I expect she'll be screaming to return to you before I am done with her."