Dead and Dating

Disclaimer: I don't own the Southern Vampires. Sole copyright belongs to Charlaine Harris. I'm poor, please don't sue.

This story occurs after From Dead to Worse.

I will apologize in advance for the lack of Eric/Sookie time. Considering Sookie is awake all day, I couldn't just skip it. I promise there is much more Eric and Sookie coming.

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I woke up snuggled against Eric's chest. It was still dark outside, so I knew he was just having down time. I had to use the bathroom so I wiggled out of his arms and slid off the side of the bed. Once I stood up I realized Eric had dressed me. I must have been pretty tired if I didn't even notice. I was wearing one of his white button up shirts. I leaned my head to the side and pulled the collar up a bit. It smelled like him. Glancing over at the clock I realized it was 5am, another hour or so until dawn.

I left the bedroom, shutting the door lightly behind me. I walked down the hall and into the biggest bathroom I had ever seen. It had double sinks set in beautiful creamy marble that complimented the floor perfectly. In the corner was a large whirlpool tub. It looked big enough for 5 people. In the other corner was huge shower with one of those attachments that mimicked the rain.

I smiled to myself and went about taking care of my human needs, as Eric calls them. Once I finished I took a glance in the mirror. My hair was a mess, my make-up was smeared, and I had a goofy grin across my face. Eric had reduced me to a giggling school girl.

Glancing around for something to brush my hair with I settled on a comb. It would barely get through the tangles, but it would have to do. After combing my hair and washing my face I left the bathroom and headed downstairs. I hoped that Eric at least had something a human could drink.

"Hey, Sookie.", A female voice crooned into my ear. I just about screamed when I realized that I knew that voice. It was Pam.

"Pam, you scared me.", I fought the urge to smack her. She she should know better than to creep up on me like that.

"What are you doing here anyway?", I asked, not so politely.

"I live here."

"Oh, I didn't realize."

She shrugged. "It's easier than getting my own place. This way if anything happens I'm here and that is one less phone call for Eric to make."

"My Eric is nothing if not practical." I smiled at her. "Does he happen to have anything in the fridge that I could drink and NOT gag on?"

"Did you say 'my' Eric?" Pam shot me a quizzical look then decided to let it drop. "I think there is instant coffee. Would you like some?"

"Sure, that would be great. Thank you."

I followed Pam into the kitchen and watched her make my instant coffee. Once she was done she paused and looked up at me. "We don't have any sugar or cream." She sounded almost apologetic.

"It's alright, I'll drink it black." I picked up the mug and took a sip. I despised black coffee, but Pam was trying to be kind so I pretended to enjoy it.

"Where does Eric sleep during the day?" I blurted it out before I had the chance to think that Pam may not want to share this bit of information.

"He sleeps in his bedroom. The shades completely block out any light. The room is safe for him to sleep in."

"Oh, I didn't realize. I just figured there was a coffin around here somewhere."

"There is, but after many years in a coffin, sometimes a bed can be nice." She smiled at me. Which was scary enough, then she added, "You can sleep in there with him if you want. I'm sure he'd love a bed mate." Now she was just teasing.

"Cute Pam. I guess you heard us last night." I was blushing. I hoped that either she didn't hear us or that she would lie and say she didn't. No such luck.

"Oh, I heard everything." She stood and stretched. "It's almost dawn." I hadn't realized that I'd already been up for an hour.

"Of course. Well, have a nice..." I couldn't find the word. Would it be rest, nap, slumber? Luckily Pam knew what I was saying.

"Thanks Sookie, make yourself at home. Eric should be up around 6:30pm." She slid an envelope across the table.

"Eric told me to give this to you when you woke up." She smiled and turned to walk upstairs to her bedroom.

Once she was out of sight I picked up the envelope. Nothing Eric did was simple. The envelopes were a beautiful cream color to match the notes. I opened up the envelope and reached for the note. The first thing my hand touch was a neat stack of hundred dollar bills. I felt anger flare up. I was not a kept woman. I accepted the dress and earrings. But sleeping with me and then leaving me money in an envelope made me feel more like a hooker than a girlfriend. I sat the money on the table and pulled out the note that was with it. It was Eric's beautiful handwriting of course.

Sookie,

Please don't be angry with my gift. If I know you, and I do, you are probably angry right now. I just want you to take this money into town, buy some groceries for yourself so that you can eat while you are here. I'd also like you to buy some outfits to wear to Fangtasia. If your willing I'd like to have you work there a few nights so we can figure out what is going on. Please also buy yourself something nice with the remaining money. The keys to the corvette are on the mantle. Have fun driving it.

Love, E

P.S. I had Pam go to your house and get some clothes for you. They are in a duffel bag by the stairs

I felt a little better about the situation once I read the note. I had to learn to just relax. I knew I could be hard on Eric, and he was only trying. I looked over to the clock that sat on top of the fireplace mantle. It would be a while before any stores would open. I decided to go take a long bath to sooth my sore muscles. I went over to the duffel bag to see what Pam had brought me. I was worried about what she would pack, but she was kind to me. I pulled out a matching red bra and panty set that was trimmed in black lace, a pair of faded blue jeans, a white tank top, and a light blue sweater.

On my way to the bathroom I stopped in Eric's room. I snuck in and planted a little kiss on his cheek. He said something I couldn't understand and fell back asleep. I made sure the covers where pulled up around him and then snuck back out of the room.

Once I was in the bathroom I was hesitant to take off Eric's shirt. It made me feel close to him. I sadly unbuttoned it and folded it neatly, sitting it on the sink. I ran the hot water in the whirlpool tub as hot as I could stand it and slid in. The water and the jets felt wonderful against my aching body. I had forgotten that after sex with Eric, walking funny for a day or two was normal. I leaned back and relaxed for a while before bathing and washing my hair. I reluctantly stepped out of the tub and grabbed a towel to dry off. A girl could get used to this treatment.

When I was out and done day dreaming I put on my clothes and towel dried my hair to the best of my abilities. I knew I would have the tousseled hair all day. But it looked kind of sexy. Maybe Eric would like it. I practically skipped downstairs to put my socks and shoes on. Once I was dressed and convinced I looked halfway normal I grabbed the money off the table and the keys off the mantle. I remembered my purse was still in Eric's car. I'd have to stop forgetting to bring that in places with me.

I stepped outside and hurried to Eric's car. It was getting cold outside. Normally I can't wait for summer, but the thought of having longer nights with Eric made the winter seem more bearable.

I opened the door and slid into the drivers side of his corvette. As soon as I sat down behind the wheel I knew why Eric drove it. It made you feel powerful. I turned in key in the ignition and listened to the car purr. I loved it. I only wish I had the kind of money that could buy one of these. I sat there for a few seconds, playing with the radio stations. I couldn't find anything on, then I realized that Eric had his ipod hooked up to the stereo. I laughed at the thought of Eric with an ipod. I flipped through and found a playlist called 'Sookie's Favorite Music'. I was shocked, how would he know my favorite music? I looked over the tracks. Sure enough, all of my favorite songs were there, even the ones that embarrassed me. I decided to have fun with it so I put on Britney Spears. It was my guilty pleasure.

Boy don't try to front I-I know just-just what you are-are-are. Boy don't try to front I-I know just-just what you are-are-are. You, you got me going. You're oh so charming, but I can't do it. You womanizer.

I didn't let the fact that I can't sing stop me from belting out the song all the way into town. I decided my first stop should be to get some clothes for Fangtasia. I didn't even have a clue as to what to wear. I decided to stop at Target. I refused to spend a fortune on clothes that I knew would be ruined after working a night at Fangtasia.

Grabbing a cart on my way in, I prepared to get in and out. I made my way over to the ladies section. I picked up anything black. Once I had a weeks worth of black outfits I went into the undergarment section and picked up a few matching black bra and panty sets. I figured since I was already at target I go over to their food section. They didn't have a lot of selection but it would be good enough. I picked up a box of breakfast bars, a few cans of soup for lunch, and a few frozen things for dinner. After giving my cart a once over I decided to go check out.

On my way home I passed a cute boutique. I felt the wad of hundreds in my pocket and thought about buying a nice piece of lingerie to wear for Eric. He did say to buy something special for myself. I turned into the parking lot and went in to look. I was surrounded by beautiful and expensive lingerie. I picked out something that I knew Eric would appreciate and gasped at the total. I paid the lady and left, patting the bag on my way out. I knew I'd give Eric a night he wouldn't forget.

I sang the whole way home. When I pulled into his driveway I jumped out and grabbed all my shopping bags and my purse. I struggled to carry it all into the house but I made it. I sat everything on the kitchen table and started to put away groceries. I left out a can of soup to have for lunch. After getting all the groceries put away I tucked my bag with the lingerie into my duffel bag. I didn't want Eric to see it. I left the target bag sitting next to the stairs.

I made myself a can of soup and poured myself a glass of water. I sat there in Eric's kitchen eating my lunch and looking around. I could get used to this. It felt right. It felt like we had been living together forever. I finished my lunch and washed my dishes. I looked up at the clock. It was 4pm. Eric would be awake soon. I decided to get dressed and ready for my night at Fangtasia. I grabbed the bag of clothes from Target and made my way into the bathroom. I slipped on a cute black skirt that I had picked up. It was short enough to make Eric drool, but not short enough to be considered slutty. I rummaged through the bag to find the fitted long sleeved t-shirt I had bought. It had a low cut V-neck that was sexy. I put the earrings Eric gave me back in. I took the Target bag back downstairs and looked through my duffel bag. Thank God Pam grabbed my curling iron, hair brush, and make-up. I grabbed all three and went back upstairs.

I plunked the make-up bag on the counter and plugged in my curling iron. I fumbled through my make-up bag looking for a hair band. Once I found one I brushed my hair and pulled it up. I used the curling iron on the ends.

I put on darker eye shadow and eyeliner that made my eyes look smokey. I had seen the how-to in a Cosmo magazine. I put on some lip gloss and puckered up. I looked nice. Most fangbangers would know who I was. But anyone else would buy it.

I gathered up all my stuff and Eric's shirt that I had left after my bath. I snuck into his room and set my things on top of his dresser. I sat his shirt on the trunk at the end of his bed. I glanced at the clock. Not much longer to wait until he was up. Something caught my eye when I was looking at the clock. It was a picture frame. I tip-toed over to it and picked it up. I felt my heart do back flips when I realized what it was. It was a picture of me and Eric. He was leaning down preparing to kiss me and I was gazing up at him. I couldn't for the life of me remember where it had been taken.

I fought back tears and ran my fingers over the picture frame before setting it down. I sat down gently on the bed and tried to gather myself. I felt a hand massaging my lower back. I turned around and Eric was waking up.

"Hello, my lover." He smiled and pulled me in for a kiss. I lightly brushed my lips on his, not wanting to cover him in lip gloss.

"Eric, you have a picture of me." I said it more of a statement than a question. He smiled and picked up the photo frame. He glanced at it and then sat it down so that he could wrap both arms around me.

"During the four weeks that we weren't speaking, looking at this picture was my only comfort." He paused for a moment to run the back of his hand over my cheek. "But now, you're here with me."

He sat up, placing both feet on the floor then pushing up so he was standing. He offered me a hand up. I took it and he pulled me close to him.

"I love you." He whispered into my ear.

"I love you too." I laid my head on his chest, not wanting to move.

He stepped back and took me in.

"I take it you found my note."

"Yes, I went and picked up a few things from Target."

"Target? Why wouldn't you go someplace nicer?"

"I didn't want to spend all of your money on clothes that would be ruined anyway."

He raised an eyebrow and started to say something. He stopped and shook his head.

"You still look lovely. Many will be jealous of me for showing up with such a beautiful woman."

I swatted his arm playfully. "Flattery will get you nowhere, Mr. Northman."

He let out a deep laugh and pulled me to him again.

"Okay. I'm going to get a shower. I'm guessing you don't want to join me." He pouted.

"I'm already dressed and ready. Besides, we have all night for that. Just get ready. I'll be downstairs waiting." I turned to go downstairs. He slid his hand up my skirt and smacked my bottom.

"Eric!"

"Couldn't help it."

"Go get yourself ready"

"Ready for what?" He smirked at me.

"Ready for Fangtasia." I smiled and went downstairs to wait.

Once I heard the shower running I reached in my duffel bag and pulled out a black pair of heels that Pam brought. They weren't the most modest pair I owned, but they would do. I slid them on and waited for Eric to get done.

TBC

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