Kris was cackling and jumping around as she ran outside on the grounds to the playground, though she had no idea why it was there. Sitting on a swing, she couldn't believe she pulled it off. She might have shown her confidence, but she had none at all. She might have been cocky with her words, but she heard no conviction. Having no premonition of the game she went in blind, wondering how far it would go before she crossed the line with Eric.

"Mind telling me how you won that game?" Eric asked as he stood by the swing, leaning against the pole.

"Sit with me?" She looked up at him, smiling, nodding her head toward the other swing seat.

"I am not a child," he said sternly.

"Suit yourself. I did play a lot of pool. It was just luck I beat you."

"What have I lost in that game I let you win?"

"Ha!" she replied, laughing. "Your ego?"

He smiled. "Never. And you know what I meant, smart ass."

"Your friendship."

"That was no bet. You already have that, if you want to call it a friendship."

"The other thing I wanted I know I will get," she said flirtatiously as she swung higher. "What did you want?"

She had just swung upward past him when he stopped her cold, one hand on the seat and the other behind her back. "You know what I want. What got into you tonight? That certainly isn't the Kris I've come to know."

"A certain Scot." That sounded stupid to Kris. "Okay, okay. Look, I wasn't with Angus in my bedroom or Hjalmar, and I tried, believe me. I couldn't go through with it."

"Why is that?"

"Because I want you, Eric, my body wants you. I crave having you. But I wonder if it's nothing more than the damned bond we have. Something tells me it isn't. I said some really shitty things to you, and I'm not going to apologize because, well, you've said some hateful words too, probably because of the things I've said to you. I will be more careful."

"Baby vamp, your words could never hurt me. And I would be greatly disappointed if you stopped the banter."

"You sure have acted like they did." He stepped back. "Anyway, before I went to sleep this morning I thought of a lot of scenarios, boarding full-time at the school, Pam and I going away … and every single one ended up the same."

"I'll still have you," he offered, wiggling his eyebrow.

"Yes, you will." It felt like a hundred boulders had been lifted off of her shoulders. "Did Pam tell you?"

"About the dream of a battle where I was injured? Yes."

"I had another dream today, a few, actually. They were like one big blur. But one thing I did see was you and me having sex somewhere, but it wasn't here."

"Sex. You make that sound so cold and uninvolved, and I can assure you it will not be."

She smirked then grew serious. "Do you think Pam would be pissed if I go to the school?"

"No, but I would."

She smiled. "I knew you would be. I wouldn't stay there 24/7. I still need Pam and you, and I couldn't imagine seeing you only on the weekends. But I want to be around people my age to hang out, make some friends, maybe find a boyfriend." He shot her an angry glare. "Eric, as much as I love you both I still need a life of my own."

He sat down on the swing beside her, though he didn't seem to know what to do with his feet. "I understand your feelings, Kris. Would you like me to speak with Pam?"

"No, thanks. I'll do it."

He tried to walk and swing his body to get going, but he went nowhere. "This is a stupid toy."

Kris laughed. "Did you ever have a childhood, Eric?" she asked, showing him how to get started.

"No."

"Do you miss not having one, looking back now?"

"No. I can't miss something I've never had."

She felt sad for him. "You know, when I watched you sleep in my saber form after I had your blood and I said I was scared of you, I wasn't scared of you, but scared for you."

"There's no need to be. As I said, I am not a child."

"You said I could talk to you, right?" He nodded. "You promise not to tell Pam something about my dream I didn't tell her?"

"That I can promise you."

"Eric, in my dream after Sookie came to fed you, I lost track of Pam. I couldn't feel her anymore. I went to find her but then I woke up."

"And you're worried something happened … happens to her?"

"How can I not? I don't remember any specific details about the fighting, but I'm worried."

"Kris, is that why you won't board at the school full-time?" She nodded. "I will never let anything happen to Pam, whenever this battle is to be. As I said before, it appears I will never have to worry about you."

"But I always will," Pam said as she walked toward them. Kris looked at Eric afraid she had heard. "No, Kris, I wasn't eavesdropping. Angus is awake and asking if you still need him."

"Hey, Auntie!" Kris screamed as she jumped off and ran to her. "I'm sorta hungry again."

"I have heard Scots are like Chinese food," Eric said as he stood from the swing seat.

"Oh, god," Kris muttered, shaking her head at Eric. "Teach me to levitate, Pam then I'll go feed. Please?"

"Okay," she said as she sat in the swing seat. "If you tell anyone I'm doing this I will stake you, KrisLyn." She started to swing back and forth, seemingly enjoying it. So now Kris knew who the swing set was for.

"Oh, please. What do I do?" Kris asked excitedly as she stood about ten feet from the two.

"Close your eyes and think about levitating," Pam said seriously. "Duh."

"Duh? Did you just duh me? I never thought I'd hear a hundred year old say that." Kris laughed then put her arms out, closed her eyes and concentrated. Fifteen seconds went by. Nothing happened. Another fifteen seconds later still nothing happened. She slowly opened one eye to find Eric and Pam grinning wickedly. "That was SO not funny!" she screamed at them. Then she laughed. "Does it just sort of happen?"

"Yes, it does," Pam replied, "if it happens at all."

"Well, poo," Kris huffed. "I'm going to go eat."

She started to walk away but Pam hollered out, "Kris, Vilgot would like us to visit the school tomorrow night. Are you up for it?"

Kris shot a glare to Eric. "I said not a word."

"You'd come with me, Pam?" Pam shrugged her shoulders like she didn't care, but she did. "Cool."

"You don't want me to come?" Eric asked, feigning being hurt.

"I figured you'd come anyway."

"That I will."

After Kris left, Pam asked Eric, "What did Willa say when you told her she'd be coming here?"

"She didn't like it," Eric replied nonchalantly.

"She's still grieving her father's death. She just needs time."

"Willa hated her father."

"Yes, but he was still her father."

"Why do humans waste their time being distraught over a death?"

Pam stopped swinging and looked at him coolly. "You lost your parents too, Eric. Don't you remember?"

"That was so long ago I've forgotten."

"And in time Willa will, too."