It was a busy Friday night at Merlotte's. I was originally supposed to have the night off, which I was happy about because one of the Knott's dancers was having a birthday party. And it was a night Pam had off as well.

I hadn't seen the Knott's gang for so long and missed them. I was a touch worried that I might run into Eric at the party, but I finally felt strong enough to face him. I hoped to spend my October at Knott's again, and I'd have to get used to seeing him there, so I might as well start now, I thought.

But then, at the last minute, one of the girls at work called and was sick, so I told her I'd take her shift.

My section was full and I was running around like a chicken with its head cut off just like we always did when it was packed. I was headed to the kitchen when Sam passed me, scanning my tables like he was looking for something.

"Everything okay, Sam?" I asked, stopping to see what he needed.

"Yeah, I was just checking your tables. There's a guy who wants to sit in your section, but it's full. I was just looking to see if a table would free up soon or if I should send him to the counter."

"Is he a regular of mine?" I asked. "I can take him at the counter."

"I don't think so. I've never seen him in here." He kind of smiled, seemingly amused about something. "Actually, I think he might be one of your suitors judging from the big bunch of roses he's holding."

I scanned my brain, but could think of no one on the planet who would bring me roses at work. Or anywhere else, for that matter.

Suddenly, it hit me: Eric. Would he come here, flowers in hand, to talk to me? I was surprised that my first response was, I hope so. I realized I still missed him so much and deep down wanted to see him again, even though I knew I shouldn't.

"I'll take care of it, Sam. Can you check my order for table four?" I asked.

Sam nodded and went back towards the kitchen. I headed to the hostess station, my hands suddenly shaking.

I rounded the corner and there he was. Sam was right—he was holding a huge bunch of peach colored roses with a big white bow tied around them. He was wearing a royal blue dress shirt and black pants and his eyes blazed when they met mine. He didn't look really happy to see me—more like anxious.

I approached him, smiling, but feeling very nervous.

"Hi, Eric," I started, cheerfully. "Would you like to sit at the counter?" I tried not to look down at the flowers. I assumed they were for me, but couldn't be sure, of course.

"I need to talk to you," he said, ignoring my question.

"Well, I'm pretty busy. Why don't you have a seat and we can talk as soon as I get a minute."

"No, I need to talk to you now."

This felt fairly alarming. I hoped he was alright. "What is it? Are you okay?" I asked.

"No, I'm not okay. I fucked up, Sookie. I made such a huge mistake. I'm here to ask your forgiveness." He held the flowers out to me. I was speechless.

"Um … oh …," was all I managed to get out. Had he had a change of heart? Did we have another chance to be together? My heart raced at the possibility. This felt enormous.

"Can we go somewhere more private?" His voice had an urgency to it.

"I'm working, Eric."

"I have to explain," He looked around as if to determine if what he had to say could be said here and now.

The last thing I wanted was for the whole restaurant to know my personal business, so I took him by the hand and led him back towards the kitchen. We stopped in the little nook between Sam's office and the kitchen. I backed him against the wall for privacy, but there were still people passing back and forth beside us.

I leaned forward and asked quietly, "What is it?" Being so close to him made my heart race.

"I made a mistake. Everything—the reason we broke up—it was all just a stupid mistake."

I so hoped what he was saying was true. I wanted to go back to who we were in Las Vegas and erase the awful stuff that had happened later. My mind raced, trying to imagine how it could have been a mistake. Had he changed his mind about me? Was his "deal breaker" no longer a deal breaker?

"Was it?" I asked hopefully. "Have your feelings changed?" Did he want me back—just as I am?

"Yes. I just found out … god, I was so wrong. I thought you were a prostitute. And now I know you're … "

I cut him off. "A prostitute? Did you say prostitute?" I was trying to think of another word that sounded similar that he could have said, but couldn't come up with a thing.

"Yes, but I know now that it was just a huge misunderstanding … "

"A prostitute?" It was sinking in what he was saying. My stomach started to tense up.

"Sookie, I know it was stupid and awful, but now I know it isn't true and we can … "

"Oh my god, Eric. How could you? Why on earth would you think something like that?" I was starting to get really angry. "What is wrong with you?"

"I'm an idiot. I'm sorry. Andre Paul told me … "

"Andre from Knott's? Oh my god." Did the people at Knott's think I was a prostitute? I couldn't even imagine it. I was mortified.

"Yes, Andre from Knott's. At first I didn't believe him, but then you said yourself that a customer got you the job there, and I just assumed … "

I felt like my knees might buckle. The walls were closing in on me. This was a nightmare. I put my face in my hands, trying to regain my composure.

Eric went on, "And you said Sam was your pimp …"

A waitress passed by us at that moment and I dropped my hands and said, "Lower your voice."

He stepped a little closer and the roses pressed into me. "But then tonight, I talked to Pam …"

"Oh my god, you told Pam you thought I was a prostitute?" Who else had he told? And now, could people here hear us? I wanted to crawl under a rock.

"Yes, but thank goodness I did, because now I know it isn't true."

"You needed Pam to tell you I wasn't a prostitute? My god, Eric. How could you ever think that about me?"

"It was just a mix up, Sookie … "

"No. No, Eric, it's more than a mix up. It's an insult. It's disgusting. It's degrading. I can't even think of a word bad enough to call it. I can't believe you'd believe something like that."

"Well, like I said, I didn't at first, but then this was just after the … you know …that day at Universal … "

I closed my eyes, a wave of nausea washing over me. "Oh my god. Please stop."

"It was just bad timing, sweetie."

"Don't call me that." I suddenly wished he would just leave. I needed to get back to my tables and I wanted Eric Northman to get as far away from me as possible.

"I'm sorry. But it's over now. I know the truth. We can be together now."

"What?" I was stunned—more stunned, if that were possible. He thought he could just say he was sorry for thinking I was a whore and we'd pick up where we left off? "No, Eric. We can't be together now. Why on earth would I want to be with a man who thought I was a whore?"

In a moment of unfortunate timing, Sam happened to enter the corridor just at that point and apparently heard that last part. He stopped dead in his tracks and asked, "Is everything okay here, Sookie?" He was looking at Eric.

"Yes, Sam, everything's fine. He was just leaving." I had to get back to work. And to get away from Eric.

I took the roses from Eric, saying, "Thank you for the flowers," and then I dumped them upside down into the trash can against the wall beside us. "I think you can find your way out."

Eric looked from the trash can to Sam and back to me. I guess he decided he didn't want to talk about my history as a street walker in front of Sam because he just said, "Okay. Good night, then," and turned and left.

Sam asked, "You okay?" and looked genuinely concerned.

I wasn't okay at all, but didn't have time for that. "I'm fine," I replied, trying to smile and then went back out to my tables.

But I wasn't fine. I was furious. And hurt. And shocked. And then even more furious. I realized I'd been waffling about my feelings for Eric. I'd told myself that it was over, but it really wasn't for me. I'd still had feelings for him and had still hoped he'd come back to me.

And then here he was, roses in hand, with an apology on his lips, and yet suddenly he wasn't what I wanted any more at all. I never thought in a million years I'd wish him completely out of my life, but he'd managed to find a way to really change my heart. I no longer wanted anything to do with Eric Northman. For me, it was finally over. He was finally gone for good. And good riddance.

A/N: Today is the final day to enter The Home Sweet Home Contest! I hope you all go over to our community (www . fanfiction . net/community/The_Home_Sweet_Home_Contest/87225/99/0/1/ -remove spaces around dots) and enjoy the entries—they are from all over the world and feature many different SVM characters. Thyra10 and I are so proud of them!

And now that you've finished your Home Sweet Home fic, whip out your keyboards and start writing a new one featuring Pam! That's right, there's a new contest called The Snarky Sidekick Contest. Your hosts are the lovely sassyvampmama and tracee40, and I'm honored to be a judge on this one. Go here for the details: www . fanfiction . net/u/2814209 -remove spaces around dots. This one's going to be some serious fun!