A/N: This is a rewrite of chapter 22, an alternate version of that story. Now, I know that my ending just didn't cut it for most people. I have regretted that ending for a long time and have been meaning to write an alternate ending for that story. To be honest, I wasn't as satisfied with the ending that I chose myself. Maybe, I didn't give Eric enough of the love. He always has a way of being the last man standing. I know that a lot of time has passed, but I didn't completely forget about Darcie and Eric. And I finally got around to redoing their story.

So, here it is.

Chapter 22 Redux

Stay

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 doorbell. 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 Darcie here?" asked Sookie.

"Who's there?" came a voice inside.

Sookie watched as a mirror image of the first young man appeared. Both of them stared at her as if examining her. She stared back momentarily flustered.

"Just who exactly are you?" she asked.

"I'm Aidan and this is Simon," said the first one. "We're old friends of Darcie's."

"Oh, I'm Sookie," she said. "Can I see Darcie?"

"Are you boys harassing one of my neighbors?" came another voice.

Darcie opened the door up and smiled when she saw Sookie. "They are long on looks, but sometimes short on manners. Come in."

Sookie came inside and Darcie waved her to the living room. Sookie saw a large room with cathedral ceilings and many soft, cushy sofas. Sookie sat down and clutched her purse.

"What's wrong?" asked Darcie.

"It's Bill, he's disappeared," said Sookie. "I think he's been kidnapped."

"Who would do that?" asked Darcie.

"I'm not sure, but I need help finding him," said Sookie.

"Well, he is a big vampire," said Darcie. "Are you so sure that he can't take care of himself?"

Simon and Aidan plopped down on either side of Darcie. And the sight of them distracted Sookie.

"Darcie, I get the impression that you don't like Bill," said Sookie.

"What do you want me to do?" asked Darcie.

"I was wondering if you could ask Eric to help?" replied Sookie.

Darcie was sure that Eric would be only too willing to help Sookie as long as she paid her debt. Yet, if she didn't ask for help, Sookie would go off half-cocked and get herself into trouble. Perhaps, Eric and her could make a deal, in which, she could get something that she wanted.

"Of course, Sookie," replied Darcie. "That's what family is for."

"Oh, I knew that you would help," said Sookie with relief. "It's just that since you are already seeing Eric, I think that he would be willing to help you. I don't think that he would be so helpful for me."

"You might be surprised," replied Aidan, who passed a glance to Simon.

Darcie cleared her throat and smoothed her skirt. "Why don't we pay him a visit?"

Sookie eagerly got up along with Simon and Aidan. Darcie passed them a glance and said, "Alone."

"She never takes us anywhere," complained Aidan.

Darcie drew Sookie out of the room and said, "I'll be back soon."

A look passed between Simon and Aidan. "Don't worry about us, old girl," said Simon.

Darcie and Sookie entered Fangtasia and were greeted by Pam. She eyed them both from head to toe and leered.

"Ooh, a Stackhouse sandwich. Eric will be so pleased," she said.

"That's gross," replied Sookie.

Pam smiled and said, "To what do we owe the pleasure of this visit?"

"We need to speak with Eric," said Sookie.

"Come on in," drawled Pam. "I'll let him know that his two favorite humans are here."

Pam led them back to Eric's office and about five minutes later he appeared wearing a tracksuit and flip-flops. His hair was still damp and he smelled freshly scrubbed. Darcie wondered just what he had been doing. Whatever it was, he had clearly deemed them more important. He sat behind his desk and turned his blue eyes on them.

"Ladies," he said. "You needed me."

He gave them a slight smirk and toyed with a pen between his fingers.

"I was hoping that you would help me. Bill's been kidnapped," said Sookie.

"Are you sure about that?" asked Eric.

"Bill and I were having a romantic dinner and he proposed," said Sookie.

"Congratulations are in order, then," said Eric.

"I….I didn't accept right away," faltered Sookie. "I went to the restroom to have a moment and when I came back, he was gone."

"Maybe, you wounded his sensitive ego," replied Eric. "And he left to save face, after all, it must have seemed like a rejection."

"If that is the case, why was the table and chairs turned over as if there had been a struggle?" asked Sookie.

"I always suspected that Bill has a nasty temper," replied Eric.

"Are you going to help me or not?" asked Sookie.

Eric stared at her and then passed his eyes to Darcie. "I'm sure that Darcie brought you here because she knows what a helpful vampire I am. Isn't that right, Lover?"

"I was just telling Sookie not to worry because you would be only too willing to help her," replied Darcie.

"You know me so well," said Eric with a smile.

"So, that means that you will?" asked Sookie.

"Consider it done, Miss Stackhouse," replied Eric.

Sookie flashed a relieved look and said, "I'll help any way that I can. Just tell me what to do."

"I'll be in touch," said Eric.

"Sookie, are you fine to drive yourself home?" asked Darcie.

"I'll be okay," said Sookie.

Sookie gave Darcie a little hug and departed. Darcie watched the door close and turned to Eric who sat and swiveled his chair back and forth. A slightly smug look was plastered on his face.

"Alright, spit it out," said Darcie.

"There are favors and there are favors," replied Eric.

"What do you want?" asked Darcie.

"Does my future lover want to know the price?"

"That's very bold," replied Darcie.

"I didn't get where I am by being shy," said Eric. "I want what I've always wanted. You. Send your playthings away and yield to me."

"And if I don't?" asked Darcie.

"Then, Bill can drop off the face of the earth for all I care," replied Eric.

"Would that be such a bad thing?" asked Darcie.

"That would hurt dear Sookie feelings to hear you talk that way," said Eric.

"I want something out of this," said Darcie.

"I'm all ears," replied Eric.

"I want to know who brought me to you," said Darcie.

"That is a problem because I promised not to tell," said Eric.

"Tell me if this person is a threat to Sookie."

"I don't know for sure," said Eric. "And, that is the truth."

As Darcie stood in thought, Eric said, "Why don't you admit that you like here with me? That you and I make sense together and that you care for me. I would treat you like a queen, if you give me a chance."

"You're still blackmailing me," said Darcie.

"We are negotiating," said Eric. "There's a difference."

In a flash, Eric moved before her and smoothed a strand of her hair. She looked up into his intense blue eyes as he said one word.

"Stay."

"I…I," began Darcie.

"Don't think," said Eric.

He enfolded into his arms and kissed her. Darcie found herself running her fingers over the contrast of the soft tracksuit and his hard flesh underneath. He let go of her and kissed her forehead. He stared at her a moment with a look that Darcie almost thought was longing. He walked back to his desk and sat back down. He placed his feet on the desk.

"Perhaps, you require some time to think it over," said Eric. "I can be understanding."

Darcie moved to the door and Eric called out after her, "Just don't take too long, Dearest. Bill's annoying life might be at stake."

As Darcie reached the door, Eric said, "Of course, I would also be willing to kill Bill if that is your wish, since I sense a little bad blood between you two."

Darcie turned around and studied Eric. "You would do that?"

"You'd be surprised at the things that I would be willing to do for you," said Eric.

"This isn't how normal relationships work," said Darcie.

"Normal is so boring," replied Eric. "You don't want boring, Darcie."

"You know me that well?" she asked.

"You might be surprised," replied Eric.

He does have a way with doing that, thought Darcie. She couldn't think straight in this tiny room with him. There were too many distractions that kept her from focusing, such as the fresh smell of his clean hair and the subtle scent of his cologne. And the way the zipper of his tracksuit was low enough to give her a glimpse of his chest. His eyes stared at her as if he could read her mind. But, was it really that hard?

"I have to go," said Darcie.

"You have my number," he said. "Don't keep me waiting too long."

Farewell

Darcie arrived home to find a flurry of activity. Mr. Turner was lugging down luggage and Simon was on the phone.

"What's going on?" asked Darcie.

"We've outstayed our welcome," replied Aidan.

Simon hung up the phone and added, "That's right, old girl, we have other ladies waiting in the wings who are dying, pardon the pun, for our attentions."

"But, we were getting along so well," said Darcie.

"We always do," said Simon, coming in to kiss her on the cheek. "You are always number one in our book."

Aidan took her hand and kissed it. "We are trying to let you down easy. But, the fact remains that we are brothers and even someone as perfect as you shouldn't come between us. We enjoy the teasing and the competition, but no matter which one of us you pick the other will feel left out."

"You're dumping me?"

"We're still friends, of course," said Simon.

"Very good friends," replied Aidan. "Neither one of us would pass up another roll in the hay if that was on the menu."

"If only there were two of me," said Darcie.

She hugged Aidan and the rascal kissed her on the lips, before darting a tongue across her lips with a giggle. Simon was more reserved and pulled her in tight.

"I'll miss you," said Darcie.

"Oh, we'll come and visit," said Simon.

"Yeah, maybe next time, you can line up some feminine entertainment for us," said Aidan.

Mr. Turner was waiting by the door with their bags. Simon and Aidan turned and headed for him.

"Hey, I'll ride up front with you, Mr. Turner," said Aidan.

"Absolutely not," replied Mr. Turner. "No one rides up front with me."

"You're such a snob, Mr. Turner."

Darcie watched as they trudged out the door and it felt so quiet and alone. Well, she still had Mr. Turner, she thought. She wandered upstairs to her room and felt like crying, but she realized that the boys were stronger than she was. It was time for them to move on. All teasing aside, they hadn't slept with each other, physically anyways, in a very long time. Well, that solved part of her problem. She could still go home. Because what did that vampire have on her to keep her here? Sookie was strong, but she was in love with Bill. Try as she might to look at him objectively, Bill rubbed her the wrong way. She was sure that he was hiding something. Eric would find out what it was, if she asked. He would do anything for his price. But, was it a price that she could live with? She crawled into her bed and remembered the smell of him fresh from the shower. Damn, she could get used to that smell, among other things.

Decision Time

Darcie entered Fangtasis the next night. Once she reached a point where she had an unobstructed view of him on this throne, she found that he was already watching her. Perhaps, Pam had somehow informed him that she was here. He sat dressed in all black. His blue eyes seemed especially bright against the dark colors. As she drew closer, he stared at her as if she were his dinner. Maybe, he was expecting her to be, she thought. She couldn't deny that his stare did something to her. He made her feel tingly and alive. He made her feel incredibly desirable because he wanted her. He certainly wasn't boring. He patted the chair next to him with a little smile.

As she took a seat, he said, "I hope that you have good news for me."

"Will you still kill for me if I ask you to?"

"Of course, Kitten," said Eric.

How did he know that was Mr. Turner's nickname for her? Would Mr. Turner tell him that?

"I want to know everything that you find out about Bill," said Darcie.

"Done," replied Eric.

"Then, we will continue our arrangement," said Darcie.

"Hmmm, those aren't quite the terms that I bargained for," replied Eric.

He turned in his chair and moved in closer so that no one else could hear. "You will be mine."

"I'm not a piece of property," said Darcie. "Like an car or an old sofa."

"Well, I don't want to make love to my car," said Eric.

"This is very unromantic," said Darcie.

"It will be."

Darcie hesitated and said, "I agree."

Eric sat back and smiled. "You won't be disappointed."

He smoothed down his shirt and straightened his jacket, almost as a nervous gesture. Running a hand through this blonde hair, Eric said, "I'll see you later on tonight. Don't forget to wait up for me."

Darcie got up and left without a word, but she was sure that he watched her as long as she was visible. She tried but couldn't stop the butterflies that churned in her stomach.

Darcie awoke to someone petting her hair. She shot upright and slammed her head into Eric's. Immediately, she flopped back onto the sofa and held a hand to her head.

"Ow," she said.

Eric gently moved aside her hand and kissed her forehead where she had collided with him. He stared down at her in amusement.

"You frightened me," she said.

"Sorry," he replied.

"How did you get in here?"

"Through the French doors," he said.

"Aren't you supposed to be invited inside?" asked Darcie.

"Well, technically, you have already invited me. I don't need to ask every time that I want to come in," he said.

"It would be polite," replied Darcie.

"Duly noted, Lover," said Eric. "I did knock this time, but you were asleep."

Eric was kneeling on the floor and he stretched his upper body across her and propped himself on his elbow. He lazily trailed a single finger across the collar of her robe.

Eric smiled and said, "Don't forget to breathe."

Darcie took in a breath of air that sounded more like a gasp. Was he toying with her? Maybe, they should just get it over with and then it wouldn't seem like such a big thing. But, it did exasperate her that he would make her feel so nervous. His finger trailed down the neck her robe and moved aside the sides until the edge of her nightgown was visible. It was a light green color and Eric's touched the ruffle of lace on its edge.

"You can't keep me, you know, if I decide to leave," said Darcie.

"Then, it would be in my best interest to keep you happy," replied Eric. "I don't hear the pitter-patter of you old beaus."

"They left," said Darcie.

"I hope that you let them down easy," replied Eric. Not really, of course, he thought. He sincerely hoped that they had cried rivers of tears.

Now, was not the time to tell him that she had been dumped, thought Darcie. He would get too much enjoyment out of that.

"They were quite distraught," she lied.

Eric smiled a smile of triumph at vanquishing his rivals. Good riddance, he thought. Now, if he could just keep them from visiting in the future. Darcie and her old lovers were just a little bit too cozy for his comfort. He exposed a little more of Darcie's nightgown. He wasn't so sure how to handle little Miss British Stackhouse. A part of him wanted to just ravish her and claim her as his. Another part said that she had shown how fiercely independent she was. Sooner or later, she would chafe under the perceived yoke of his ownership and no matter how hard he tried to hold onto her, she would break free. The trick was to make her want him. To give her the freedom that she desired and yet ensure that she didn't use that freedom to leave him. It was a tricky road to traverse.

"There are a few modifications to your home that you will need to get done," said Eric. "I will arrange everything, but there will be some construction."

"What kind of construction?" asked Darcie.

"A little cubby for me," said Eric.

"You're going to be living here?"

"Don't worry, I'll pick up after myself," said Eric.

"You didn't mention this before," said Darcie.

"Must have slipped my mind," replied Eric.

"You know that Mr. Turner dislikes you," said Darcie.

"I'll grow on him."

"Don't count on it," replied Darcie. "Are there any other surprises?"

Eric got up and kissed her cheek. He strode over and hopped on her bed where he laid on his stomach and propped himself on his elbows. He winked at her. Darcie hesitantly moved towards him. As she stood near him, he surprised her and moved in a flash and grabbed her. After a disorientating moment, she found herself beside him. He lay on his back and propped an arm behind his head.

"You can't be doing that," she said. "It makes me dizzy."

"I have other ways of making you dizzy," he said with a grin.

"You're incorrigible," she replied.

He trailed his hand up her arm and gazed up at her. "Don't you like me, Darcie?"

"Not one bit," she replied.

"Well, that's too bad for you, because you're stuck with me now," said Eric.

"There's no such thing as a parting of the ways in our sort of arrangement?"

"Not a chance," replied Eric.

"Another thing that you failed to mention," said Darcie.

"I do have a lot on my mind, you can't expect me to remember all these tiny details."

"I think that you are being a scheming, devious vampire," asked Darcie.

"I don't know, but isn't that the definition of a vampire?"

"You are not putting yourself in the best light," replied Darcie.

"I don't have to," said Eric. "You adore every devious, plotting bone in this body."

"What makes you so sure?"

"You're here with me, aren't you?" he asked.

Eric trailed his fingers down her silken hair and rose up and kissed her. He wrapped his arms around her as she began to kiss him back. He pulled her down with him.

"What am I going to do with you?" asked Darcie.

"Come closer," said Eric. "I'll whisper it in your ear."

As Eric softly spoke into her ear, Darcie started giggling.

"I knew that you'd like that," he said.

He rolled her over and looked down at her. "And you know why that is?"

Darcie shook her head.

"Because you're a naughty girl, Darcie Stackhouse," he said. "Wicked."

Darcie moved up and licked at his lips. "You forgot pervie."

"Actually, I didn't," replied Eric with a smile. "I was saving that for last."

"In that case, I don't think I want to wait to get started," said Darcie.

"A girl after my own heart," said Eric.

Darcie caressed him and said, "I have designs on that heart. You should have a care."

"Or what?" asked Eric.

"Or you just might end up wrapped around my finger," said Darcie.

"Well, you just might end up wrapped around a part of my anatomy," replied Eric.

"Ooh, that's wicked," replied Darcie.

"I thought you'd like that," said Eric.

"I would have to see this part of your anatomy to decide if there is any validity to that statement," said Darcie with one eyebrow raised.

"Do I hear a request?" asked Eric.

He pulled her hand down to his groin and Darcie's fingers roved over him. The next thing he knew, she was undoing his pants.

"I need a better look," she said.

"Oh, my giddy aunt," she said as her fingers touched him. "I think that I just might like this arrangement."

She leaned in and kissed him as her hands moved over him, teasing and stroking. Eric closed his eyes and thought that he had certainly gotten what he wanted at last. Then, he lost whatever coherent thoughts he had as he pulled her close to him.

A/N: It wasn't explained, but Aidan and Simon left because they were close enough to Darcie to know when she was falling in love. And they knew that Mr. Turner would watch over her.

I hope this is a more pleasant end. I know that I enjoyed writing this version, probably more that the other one. Remember, hindsight is always 20-20. And it wasn't my intention to upset my readers.

It doesn't quite have to be the end here because there is still the story of what happened to Bill and Darcie really wants to find out if he is responsible for her kidnapping. It's interesting that Eric kept his word and didn't rat out Bill. But, I would think that he would keep his word even if he didn't like the person that he gave it to.

Thanks again.