A/N- I've finally updated! Let me just start by saying how incredibly sorry I am for taking so damn long. I feel like I say this every chapter but I really feel bad when I keep all you loyal readers waiting for so long! All your reviews and PM's encouraged me to finally capture back my muse and get off my lazy ass and write. I won't hassle you with excuses or anything. I just hope you enjoy the chapter! And all of you that gave me a description of good old Vic, thank you so much! It's great to know that my readers care. Now on with the chapter….

PS: No evil cliffies this time!

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The office was so quiet you could hear a pin drop. So naturally when the air left my lungs and I gasped out loud it sounded like a shout. My book fell to the floor with a plop and I jumped from the noise. I struggled to breath and everything went blurry for a moment. It was only several drawn out seconds later that Eric spoke, snapping me out of my trance.

"Give me five minutes." Eric ordered.

Pam zoomed out of sight at the same time Eric rushed over to me.

"Sookie," He said sternly. "Sookie, look at me."

Slowly, I peered up at him, his blue eyed stare was piercing and I was unable to look away.

"In a moment Victor Madden is going to walk through the door, and you will have to appear to be my obedient human. You will not speak unless spoken to. And you will not in any way disrespect either myself or Victor. Do you understand?"

I nodded vehemently, sitting up straighter, and gathering every ounce of courage I possessed.

"Excellent. Because he'll be here in ten seconds."

With that said, Eric scooped me up and wizzed us back to his swivel char. I fell back into his lap and I put on my best poker face. He ghosted his lips over my shoulder and wrapped his arms around my middle. We were going to put on one hell of a show for Victor.

True to Eric's word, Victor walked in like he owned the place a few seconds later. Immediately his nose turned up and he gave the air a small sniff, his lips turning upward in the process. I had to repress a shudder. He knew the activities that had been going on before he got here. He could smell it. His smile just might have been one of the creepiest things I'd ever seen.

"Eric… it's such a delight to see you so soon again…and Sookie Stackhouse, I was wondering if our paths would cross." His smile widened, showing off a set of pearly white teeth with naturally sharp canines.

"Victor, it's always a pleasure." Eric replied smoothly, tightening his grip around my waist.

Victor's lip curled. "I see you are enjoying the King's gift, Eric."

"Very much," Eric responded coolly. "Send him my thanks, she is delectable."

"I couldn't help but notice," Victor said lightly. "That she has no marks on her neck. I would presume that you would want all others to know your claim on her."

"Oh she carries my mark…" Eric stroked my thigh. "Just not on her neck. I prefer…other arteries."

Victor maintained his poker face and gave a small smile. I was inwardly becoming sick.

"Ah, of course. She seems quite obedient..."

"I admit, it has taken longer than usual to train her, but as you can see she heels nicely."

"The Viking tames the woman. How fitting. I for one, thought she was a lost cause."

They carried on as if I wasn't in the room. Tame? Heels? Oh please. I could feel myself getting angry but I knew that Eric had to keep up appearances and act all possessive, but I wanted to scream at the way they were talking about me as if I was a dog. To Victor, I probably was less than a dog.

"I presume there is an important reason to your visit?" Eric asked, finally getting to the point.

"Yes, unfortunately the news I bring is not good." Victor said; his voice suddenly turned low and dangerous.

"Oh?" Eric said curiously.

"Yes." Victor said casually, examining his fingernails lazily. "In Nevada we have a vampire by the name of William Compton being…detained. Have you heard of him?"

Victor paused to create a dramatic silence and dragged his gaze over the both of us.

"Yes," Eric said briefly.

"Did you know he was a procurer for the former Queen of Louisiana?"

"Yes."

"And did you also know that he was preparing to be sent on a rather…interesting procuring mission? One that would take place in your Area?"

"No." Eric replied with a hint of curiosity in his voice. "I was not aware."

"Hm, I was under the impression that as Sheriff it is your duty to know all business of the supernatural. This must have slipped under your nose." Victor gave a wry smile. He was obviously trying to anger Eric, but Eric wasn't rising to the bait. He stayed perfectly calm.

"Queen Sophie Ann was nothing but secretive. She let her actions speak much louder than her words." Eric replied smoothly.

"Interesting. Well would you like to know what the mission Mr. Compton was supposed to embark on?" Victor prodded. I could tell he was a tad irritated Eric had not said something crude or brash.

"Do tell."

"Apparently it has to do with our own Miss. Stackhouse." Victor turned his beady black eyes on me and my heart skipped a beat.

I could feel Eric stiffen. "Go on."

"Mr. Compton told us he was supposed to procure Miss. Stackhouse for the Queen. Now why would the Queen want you, dear Sookie?"

His eyes pierced mine and I assumed it was my turn to answer. I spoke carefully, making sure I wouldn't stutter. "My fairy blood, I would presume Mr. Madden."

"Correct!" He said encouragingly and I wanted to slap the stupid smug grin off his pale face. "However, you are forgetting something, my dear."

My face paled. "I do not know what you are talking about, sir."

He took a step closer, his dark eyes were shining with excitement and his lips were curled upwards into a sadistic grin.

"Tut, tut, Miss. Stackhouse." He shook his head condescendingly. "It seems you have been deceiving us all for so many years. And you should know better than to lie to a vampire."

Eric spoke up. "What is she hiding, Victor?"

"She's a telepath." Victor said, clapping his hands together gleefully.

In a second I was on my hands and knees on the floor. I gasped at the impact and raised my head to see Eric snarling above me angrily. For a moment I was confused, but then the reality hit me like a ton of bricks. Eric was pretending like he was not aware of my abilities for both our sakes.

"Is this true, Sookie?" He asked threateningly.

I gulped. Even though he was just putting on a performance (an Oscar worthy one at that) he was still scary as hell.

"Yes." I answered meekly.

"Ah, she finally admits it." Victor said, sounding like he was just watching a case of Judge Judy.

"Why did you not tell me?" Eric raged, grabbing my hair and pulling up my face to meet his.

"I'm sorry! Please don't punish me Eric."

"It's Master to you. And there will be severe punishment in the near future."

I began to cry. It wasn't hard at all; it was surprisingly easy considering the BFF of my old sadistic vampire captor was less than three feet away. Better yet he and the King knew my secret… and Eric's grip on my hair hurt!

"Careful with that one Eric, she always creates quite theatrical escapes. I wouldn't want our little telepath running off."

"Oh she's tried before but didn't get far."

"I know Felipe used to collar and leash her after each escape attempt. Perhaps you should do the same."

Awful memories of my time in Nevada began to resurface but I forced them away, I needed to focus.

"What do you think, Sookie?" Eric said, yanking my hair a little. "So you can be a real pet?"

"Please." I just whimpered.

Eric looked disgusted and threw me back to the ground. "I will deal with her Victor, this will never happen again."

"Perhaps you should discipline her now. I would quite enjoy that." Victor said, his fangs protruding from his curled lip.

Eric didn't skip a beat. "My apologies Victor, I prefer to punish my pets in private when I have more…utensils handy."

Oh sweet baby Jesus, thank you Eric for your quick thinking.

"Understandable. Unfortunately for you the King wishes for our Sookie to return to Nevada and carry out her duties as a telepath."

This time I actually started to cry in earnest.

"I am not willing to let her go so easily. She may be trouble, but she is mine." Eric said through clenched teeth. "We are bonded."

Victor raised an eyebrow but I could tell he was livid by the way he clenched his fists together. "Is that so?"

"Yes."

Fuck the King said that I could have her if I delivered her back to Nevada in one piece. Now they are bonded and it would break vampire law to separate them against Northman's will.

I almost threw up on the floor. I had just heard Victor Madden's thoughts! I hadn't read a vampire in a while and the times that I did it scared the shit out of me. Victor's mind reminded me of black hole filled with snakes. I shuddered. From his thoughts I guessed that I was promised to Victor but he couldn't take me because I was "bonded" to Eric. I vaguely remembered a conversation Eric and I had about being bonded months ago. He said something about being able to feel the others emotions, but I wanted to know more.

"You are truly bonded to Eric, Miss. Stackhouse?"

I kept my eyes on the floor and could feel Victor and Eric's stares burning into me. If Eric was pretending that we were bonded, I should just go with the flow.

"Yes." I whispered. "We are bonded."

"Well then." Victor said, dusting imaginary lint off his perfect suit and trying to appear nonchalant. "I will report this… unexpected news back to the King and report back to you immediately."

Victor turned to leave but stopped with his hand on the doorknob. "Just know this, Northman, I am your superior and I suggest that you treat me like such."

"And remember this, Mr. Madden… I suggest that you respect your elders." Eric snarled.

I just had to look up and see Victor's "Oh shit" face.

It was priceless.

He briskly walked out the door and slammed it shut behind him.

Eric and I remained in our positions in complete silence until Pam burst through the door.

"He is gone. He left rather abruptly and called me a bitch on the way out. What the fuck did you say to him?" Pam asked, rather amused.

"I told him to respect his elders." Eric said simply, kneeling down in front of me.

"Oh how on Earth could I have missed that?" Pam exclaimed, snickering. She glanced at the two of us and immediately ceased her laughter. "I will be here if you need me, Eric." And left without another word.

Eric cupped my face in his hands and pressed his lips to my forehead.

"How was I?" I asked meekly, trying to smile.

"Excellent. How was I?"

"Oscar worthy." I said truthfully. "You had me scared and I knew you were just acting."

"I could feel your fear." He said, frowning. "You had no reason to be frightened."

"I know, but Victor is so…creepy."

I touched a hand to the spot on my hair Eric had pulled and winced. Immediately his hands were gently massaging my head.

"I apologize if I've caused you harm. You know it was not my intention to do so."

"I know, you must have been caught up in the moment." I smiled a bit.

He pulled me to my feet. "I do not understand what this 'caught up in the moment' is."

I laughed. "It's an expression. It's when someone is really passionate about something and does or says something they wouldn't normally do." I tried to explain.

Eric smirked. "So I assume when you beg while writhing underneath me you are 'caught up in the moment.'?"

Damn his infuriating smirk.

"Something like that." I muttered under my breath and he grinned. Damn vampire hearing.

"Well perhaps if we leave now we will have more time for you to get caught up in the moment."

He started to usher my out the door but I pushed on his chest, not that it did much good.

"No." I said firmly.

"Excuse me?"

"I have questions and I am not leaving without answers."

Eric sighed and stalked back to his chair.

"I figured as much. I may not have all the answers to your questions, so do not be disappointed."

I sat in the chair across from his and cleared my throat.

"First off… what exactly is a bonded? I know you explained this before but there must be something to it if it can keep Victor from taking me."

"As I've told you before it will allow the connection between vampire and human to be double sided. I will be able to feel your emotions much more strongly and you will be able to feel mine."

"I know that." I waved my hand impatiently. "What else?"

"It also means that I have a claim over you."

"I thought just by saying 'she is mine' makes me unavailable to all vamps."

"True. However being just 'mine' does not even compare to the claim I would have over you if we were to be bonded. If you were just 'mine' then a vampire of superior status could take you away from me. However, if we are bonded it is against vampire law to separate us using force."

"So no one can take me from you now? Not even Felipe or Victor?"

"Correct."

"But we are not bonded. What if he finds out the truth?"

"He will never find out the truth because by the time he returns we really will be bonded."

I jumped out of my seat. "What?"

"Yes," He said calmly.

"But you said that bonding to a human is extremely rare!"

"Yes, it is. You are mine and will not be taken away from me."

"Oh please! All this vampire possessiveness crap is really starting to piss me off. I belong to myself. I was never Felipe's and I sure as hell will never be yours!" I spat.

In a flash he was towered over me, but I stood my ground and glared into his icy blue stare.

"You have no choice in the matter." He hissed. "You either bond with me or go back to Nevada where either Felipe or Victor will own you. You must see reason."

I took a step back and sank into my chair. Arguing was pointless and I would much rather be bonded to Eric than Victor. I was tired as hell and accepted what Eric was saying. I had little choice in the matter and fighting it would just be immature. I've learned the hard way that you can't always get what you want... Great, now that dumb song would be stuck in my head for days.

"Alright Eric, I don't like the idea but I obviously have no choice." I looked up at him, his expression was still stern. "Just please don't let them take me." I said softly.

His features softened and he bent down to ghost his lips across mine. "Never."

I could feel myself tearing up and pushed the tears back. I had done enough crying. I should really be out of tears by now.

"What is gonna happen now?"

Eric sighed again. He tended to do that a lot around me. "That depends. Felipe could summon us to Nevada and try to persuade me to give you up…which I would never do. He would realize this and think of a creative way to make you his again. First he would think of ways to end me." I gave a little gasp. "But do not worry, I am much older than him and have been a loyal servant. He may force us to live in Nevada but he cannot do that because there is no other vampire capable of running an Area as well as myself." He grinned smugly and I rolled my eyes. "If we play our cards right we can stay here in Shreveport and service the King when he summons us."

"Who is William Compton? His last name is so familiar…"

"He was the Queen's procurer. His title is self explanatory. Before the Queen's demise, she obviously wanted you."

"Why? How did she find out about me?"

Eric shrugged. "I haven't a clue. The Queen had eyes and ears all over Louisiana, it was only a matter of time before she sent for you."

I shuddered. "If Victor and Felipe just discovered my abilities, how did they know where to find me and my Grandmother?"

"Again, I do not know. Your Grandmother was a full Fae, was she not?"

I nodded.

"A vampire as old as Felipe can smell a Fairy from miles away. I really am surprised you were managed to stay hidden for so long." Eric mused.

I shrugged. "Luck, I guess."

"That damn Compton. I should have ended him years ago when I had the chance."

Compton…Gosh that sounded so familiar… where had I heard that name before?

"Oh my God! I know who that is!"

"You do?" Eric snapped his gaze toward me.

"Yes! His old house was right across the cemetery from mine. It's been around since the Civil War… he must have lived there when he was human."

"Interesting…" Eric murmured. "I assume that if he were to retrieve you for the Queen he would have moved back into his ancestral home-before asking my permission of course- and attempt to seduce you."

"Seduce me?"

"Oh yes. Compton has a way with words. He would be very put off when he figured out you are immune to glamour. He has a very short temper."

"I'd rather not meet this William Compton character."

"You don't. To be blunt, he's a whiny bitch."

I choked on laughter. "I'll take your word for it."

"Yes." He looked thoughtful for a moment. "Any other questions?"

"I think that's all for now." I said, scrunching up my face, trying to think if I'd missed anything.

"You look adorable when you do that."

"What?"

"Make that face."

I crossed my arms. "I'm not adorable, puppies are adorable."

Eric chuckled and walked over to me at human pace.

"I think we should take our leave now, it is well past the puppy's bedtime."

I groaned. "Please don't start calling me that."

"Your rejection at the name makes it much more appealing for me."

"Well I'm going to call you…" I scrunched up my face again, trying to think of a witty, cutting-edge word. "Cheese dick."

The look on Eric's face was so funny, I wanted to take a picture and frame it. He threw back his head and did that deep Eric-like laugh.

"Cheese dick?"

"Yes." I said stubbornly.

"I suppose I have been called worse."

"Well get used to your new name, cheese dick."

"I can assure you that my dick is not made of cheese."

"Really now?" I said, smirking at him.

"Would you like to prove yourself wrong?" He leered.

"Ugh. You're infuriating."

"Infuriatingly irresistible."

"Oh please, don't flatter yourself."

He gave a long, dramatic sigh. "Oh Sookie, how you wound me!"

"Go put some of your blood on it and make it heal." I rolled my eyes.

He laughed and began to tickle my sides. I shrieked with laughter until I could barely breathe.

Then something very serious came to my mind. How could I forget to ask it?

"Wait! Wait! Stop. It's important!" He ceased his tickling and looked at me expectantly.

"Yes?"

"How many times exactly do we have to exchange blood to form this bond? I mean, I've taken your blood before."

"I know, the human usually must have the vampire's blood three times. And the vampire must take a decent amount of the human's blood."

"So I'll need to take your blood two more times?"

Eric looked uneasy, which was surprising because Eric was always sure of himself.

"Eric?"

"I have been keeping something from you." He replied slowly, avoiding my gaze.

"What did you do?" I asked, narrowing my eyes.

"I gave you my blood the night we first met." He admitted.

"What?"

"You heard me."

"Why?"

"I have my reasons." He grinned.

"You manipulative little bastard! That's how you found me so quickly when I tried to escape!"

"Precisely." He said proudly, like I deserved a gold star.

"I think I would remember you forcing blood down my throat."

"You were sleeping." He said simply.

"You would do something underhanded like that. I can't believe you!"

He rolled his eyes in a very human way. "It does not matter now; it is just one less blood exchange we have to do."

He was right, we were going to be bonded anyway, but I was still pissed that I had unwillingly digested his blood the first night I met him.

"Fine. Let's just go home and get this over with. But I still think that was a dick move."

"I can move my dick in many ways, all of which could please you." He winked. Oh I really hated him and his damn innuendos."

I stormed out the door and into the parking lot, Eric followed, chuckling behind me.

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A/N-I DID IT! Yay! I had a little trouble with the whole "bonded" stuff, I haven't read the books in a while and I hope I got all my SVM facts right, I know that sounds super pathetic and all but please bear with me! Your reviews are always valued and appreciated! I love all of you!