A/N: I have done an alternate version of this chapter which is the next chapter (Chapter 23) that I just posted 11-2-11. I know that it took me forever to revisit this story and redo it's ending. I didn't want to completely eliminate this chapter. When I wrote this chapter, I can admit that I didn't completely like the ending myself and I should have just left it alone for a awhile instead of rushing to finish it. So, take a look at the next chapter, especially if this ending didn't do it for you.

Chapter 22

Sookie drove as fast as her old Honda could manage. It was early in the morning and all the roads were mostly deserted. She made good time and she tried to concentrate on the road instead of giving in to her fears. As much as she tried to hold them back, a few tears rolled down her cheeks.

Finally, she arrived and rushed to the front door, frantically ringing the door bell. She fidgeted from one foot to the other as she waited for it to be answered. When it was, she saw a young handsome man with dark hair and hazel eyes that she did not recognize.

"Is...is Darcie here?" she asked.

"No, Darcie is at Fangtasia," said the young man.

"I'm sorry, but who are you?" asked Sookie.

"I'm Darcie's boyfriend, Aidan," he replied. "Who are you?"

"Sookie, Darcie's cousin," she replied.

"Oh, you're the American cousin," said Aidan.

"Did you just say that you're Darcie's boyfriend?" asked Sookie.

"Oops," said Aidan.

But, he didn't look sorry about letting that slip out. He stared at her as if taking her measure.

"If you care about Darcie as much as Darcie cares for you, then you should know the truth," said Aidan.

Another voice from inside called out, "Aidan, who's at the door?"

"Who's that?" asked Sookie.

"Darcie's other boyfriend, Simon," said Aidan with a smirk.

To Sookie's astonishment and mirror image of Aidan appeared at the door and looked at her.

"What the hell is going on?" demanded Sookie.

"We need to talk," said Aidan who opened the door allowing Sookie to come inside.

Simon looked at her and said, "I don't see a family resemblance, do you?"

"I think those two are more alike that we would probably think," said Aidan. "Have a seat, Sookie, you may need it."

Eric was sitting at his desk and Darcie was leaning against the desk next to him. He was just about to pull her into his lap, when his door burst open. Sookie, Simon, Aidan and Pam all forced their way inside. Darcie stood up and looked at everyone in confusion.

"What's the meaning of this?" demanded Eric.

"I tried to stop them," said Pam.

Sookie marched up to Eric and slapped him. Darcie gasped and she turned her eyes to Simon and Aidan. Darcie tried to pull Sookie away from Eric. But, surprisingly, Eric didn't seem upset.

"That's for kidnapping and forcing my cousin to work for you," said Sookie.

Darcie looked again to the twins and Aidan said, "Sorry, old girl, but the cat is out of the bag."

"Sookie, perhaps, you should calm down a little," began Darcie.

Sookie turned her eyes to Darcie and said, "I understand that you pretended and lied to me because you were trying to protect me and I forgive you. But, I would have never asked you to do that and I can take care of myself."

"I didn't kidnap Darcie," said Eric.

Sookie stared at him a moment and said, "Whatever, you still coerced her to work for you."

"Besides venting your frustrations and assaulting me, is there another reason for your visit?" asked Eric.

"Bill's been kidnapped and I think you did it," said Sookie.

"I didn't. Any other theories?" said Eric.

"I'm still working on this one. Where were you from 11pm tonight until now?" asked Sookie.

"Here at the bar with Darcie," said Eric. "You can ask anyone."

"Well, if you don't have him then Lorena does," said Sookie.

"A solid theory, but given the circumstances of your previous meetings with Miss Krasiki, it's better if I handle this," said Eric.

"How do I know that you will?" asked Sookie.
"If Bill was indeed kidnapped by Lorena or anyone else, then I am duty-bound as his sheriff to investigate," said Eric.

"Then, do it," said Sookie. "And do it without my cousin."

Sookie turned and grabbed Darcie's arm and pulled her out of the office with her. Simon and Aidan stared at Eric coldly.

"Sorry, old chap, but did you really think that you could keep that secret forever?" said Simon.

They both turned and followed Sookie and Darcie.

Darcie sat up front with Sookie in the little Honda. Aidan and Simon were scrunched into the back seat.

"I can't believe that you did that," said Sookie to Darcie. "Why would you let him control you like that?"

"It began as blackmail, but it turned into something else," said Darcie. "I actually like him."

"Stockholm syndrome," said Simon.

"That's right, Darcie," said Aidan. "You just too close to be able to step back and look at things rationally."

"There is another side to him," said Darcie. "You just haven't seen it."

"I'm siding with Simon and Aidan on this," said Sookie. "Everything that comes out of his mouth is a lie."

Darcie was silent for a moment and then asked Sookie, "What are you planning on doing about Bill?"

"I don't have any leads except for Lorena," said Sookie. "I'll guess that I'll wait and see if Eric keeps his word."

She arrived back at Darcie's home with a screech of the brakes.

"Go home, Darcie," said Sookie. "It seems to me that you have a nice life that is waiting for you back there. You've done enough for me."

Darcie got out of the car and Aidan and Simon exited after her. Sookie accelerated out of her driveway and Darcie watched her car as it disappeared.

"You two are little snitches. I know that didn't just slip out," said Darcie.

"The truth was going to come out, sooner or later," said Simon.

"Who kidnapped you if that vampire didn't?" asked Aidan.

"I don't know, but I have my suspicions," said Darcie.

Darcie headed to the front door, but Simon and Aidan hung back, unsure if Darcie wanted them to stay. When Darcie got to the front door, she turned and looked back at them.

"Well, come on. We've been friends for most of our lives, I'm not foolish enough to throw that away."

As Simon and Aidan came inside, she added, "However, I'm still mad at you two and don't think that you are getting off scott-free."

An hour or so before dawn, Eric alighted on Darcie's balcony. Darcie was reading in bed. She had tried to go to sleep, but it had evaded her. Darcie pulled on a robe and let him inside. Eric walked to the seating area, but remained standing.

"I wanted to see you in order to formally end our arrangement," said Eric.

"You could have done that over the phone," said Darcie.

"True, but I wouldn't have been able to do this," said Eric.

Eric pulled her into a close embrace and kissed her deeply. Darcie put her arms around him and hugged him tightly. Eric finally pulled away and gave her a soft kiss on the lips.

"Goodbye, Darcie Stackhouse," said Eric. "Go and have a nice life with whichever one of those twins you pick."

"You mean that, don't you?" asked Darcie.

Eric smiled and said, "You don't belong here or with me. However much, I am tempted to keep you."

Darcie blinked and a few tears escaped and ran down her cheeks. Eric touched one and then softly brushed it away.

"I do care for you. I wasn't always playing you," said Darcie.

"That's good to know because I would be very mortified it it was otherwise," said Eric with a smile.

Eric then smirked and said, "You could give me a farewell that I would remember forever."

Darcie smiled and said, "Very tempting, you sly scoundrel."

Eric walked to the door, but turned back to look at her before going through it.

"I will still remember you, forever."

And with that he was just gone. Darce clung to the back of the sofa and tried to keep from crying out loud. Her tears silently fell down and she breathed hard and tried to control her feelings. She had finally figured out the meaning of Emma and those dreams. She wiped away her tears and a part of her wished that Emma's message had been meant for her. Instead, she had been entrusted with making sure that the right person was set upon the proper path. That tempting vampire was not her destiny. Her future held different things for her.

A soft sob escaped and Darcie heard a voice at her door, "Darcie, are you alright?"

Darcie turned and saw Aidan at her door. Even as children, she could always tell them apart. He was wearing pajama bottoms and little else and his hair was tousled from sleep. They were close and he must have sensed how upset she was. Sweet and naughty Aidan, she thought, he was her destiny. She had finally felt the rightness of their pairing. Somehow, they would find a way to tell Simon.

"I don't want to be alone, right now," said Darcie. "Will you stay with me?"

"Sure, Darcie," said Aidan.

He pulled her on the bed and held her within his arms, softly petting her. Darcie felt that she was home and she gave a contented sigh.

"Are you ever upset that Simon and I went out first?" asked Darcie.

"Are you asking me if I am upset that Simon was your first?" asked Aidan.

"Yes," said Darcie, softly.

"No, because you were my first and nothing could have been better than that," said Aidan.

Darcie tightly gripped his hand and said, "That is the most perfect thing that you could have ever said to me."

He kissed her hair and said, "I've always loved you, Darcie, and I always will, even if it's not me that you choose to spend your life with."

"I'm afraid that it's a little late to try to wiggle out from being with me," said Darcie.

Darcie turned around and kissed him on the lips and said, "This is where I'm supposed to be."

"Are you saying what I think you are?" asked Aidan.

"Yes," whispered Darcie and Aidan kissed her again.

"We'll, take it slow. We both love Simon, he'll understand."

Aidan smirked and said, "Does this mean that there's no nookie tonight?"

"You bad boy," said Darcie.

"Let me show you just how bad I am," said Aidan, kissing her.

Sookie heard a noise and holding a gun, she crept into her darkened living room. A werewolf had stalked her that morning at Merlott's and she was on edge. But, no werewolf was going to make her runaway from her home. And if she could pull out any of his thoughts to help her find Bill, then she was going to take that chance.

As she reached the door, she heard Eric's voice say, "Hello, Sookie."

She opened the door and gazed up at him.

"We need to talk," he said.

"Come in," said Sookie.

Eric raised an eyebrow and walked inside before she changed her mind.

"I didn't expect you to let me in," he said.

"And I wouldn't, except Darcie said that I should give you a chance. For some reason, my cousin thinks that you aren't a total scumbag," said Sookie.

Eric smiled at the mention of Darcie. She had left him the drawings that she did of Pam and Godric, but the note with them said that his portrait was going with her back to England. She had wanted something to remember him by, the note had also said.

"After everything that you did to her, she still cares for you," said Sookie. "She said that I could turn to you and that you would help me."

"I want to help you," said Eric. "And protect you."

Sookie wiped away a tear and said, "I...I hope that Darcie is right about you."

Eric smiled and said, "There's only one way to find out. You have to take a chance."

A/N:

11-2-11: In this story the below A/N's apply, but I have revisited this story and had a change of heart. I guess that you can pick your ending that you prefer. But, Darcie was quite a girl and I think she could hold her own against Eric.

Original Notes:

I originally envisioned Darcie as the girl who would be meant for Eric, but things just didn't work out that way. I love Eric, maybe Sookie is supposed to be his mate. The dreams of Emma were meant to tell Darcie that Eric had a gentler nature and that he was capable of feeling love for someone else. Instead of a blood bond, it was Darcie that brought Eric and Sookie together.

Darcie was meant to have a different life with Aidan. I see them growing old together and having children with each other, possibly a set of twins.

Thanks again to everyone who enjoyed this story and enjoyed Darcie.