Chapter 2

I paced about my living room for what seemed an age, when Amelia entered the room, my roommate and now it seemed best friend took one look at me and handed me the herbal tea in her hand. "Drink this. Calm down. Don't worry." Easy for her to say I thought to myself.

"I don't know what I've agreed to!" I cried, wishing I could follow her advice.

"Look you said it yourself, it's not a date, date and even if it is, it's not like you guys haven't gotten all hot and sweaty before" Amelia laughed. I scowled at her, being reminded of Eric and I's previous attachment only served to worry me more.

"You think he'll want sex?" I asked, a stupid question given Eric's track record, but his behaviour the previous night had been restrained, he hadn't even tried to kiss me. I slumped down on the couch; Amelia sat next to me, eyeing me carefully.

"Uh yeah he's Eric, why else would he want you to wear something comfortable?" She asked with a wiggle of her eyebrows. "Why not just go for it, he's gorgeous, if you like blonde's that is." She smiled, I picked up from her mind she was thinking about Tray. Tray had dark brown hair, and I knew Amelia's last squeeze Bob (before she accidentally turned him into a cat) had had dark hair too. That was where the similarity ended however, Tray Dawson was a supersized man, and for a moment I wondered what else was supersized, I chided myself for thinking that and switched tack.

"It's going well for you two then?" I asked, changing the topic made me relax a little, and I was genuinely curious about the couple, he's older than her, and a werewolf to boot, it couldn't be easy to make a relationship work, or maybe it was, they seemed happy. What do I know about relationships, my longest entanglements had been with dead guys.

"He's sweet, but strong you know? There's something about him I find, I don't know, compelling?" she looked wistfully at me. "But I'm sure you know all about being compelled by supernatural creatures". She sighed "Part of me was worried at first that I was only attracted to him because of some animal magnetism, or like magic calling to magic, but then" she leaned closer conspiratorially and whispered "I saw him naked" I rolled my eyes as Amelia let out a hearty laugh that lighted my mood.

"You're terrible" I laughed. "Oh Lord! What should I wear?" suddenly wondering what Eric would class as comfortable.

An hour later we were in my room; I was trying on various outfits whilst Amelia was sat cross-legged on my bed holding up a small wipe board that she had been writing scores on. The cotton jersey track pants with the odd hole where the moths had been chowing down had received a four.

"They say old lady who has thirty cats and never gets any" Amelia laughed.

"I don't know if I wanna get any" I replied frowning at my reflection in the mirror, Eric and I had stood in front of the same mirror once before as I tried to decide what to wear for an orgy, he had protected me that night, as he had on numerous occasions, he had taken bullets for me and made me feel loved and beautiful. I was starting to wonder why I was pushing him away, he was as Amelia had said, gorgeous, he was also strong and kind and infinitely practical. I really do care for him, even if he is infuriating and difficult to read.

"Ok what about this?" I asked as I emerged from the closet in a pale blue cotton strappy top, and a dark blue pair of my better jeans they fitted me well accentuating my curves but comfortable enough to move freely in.

"Yes, that's perfect" she held up a ten on the score board "Not too dressy up, not too old maid, and with just a smidge of sexy"

"Sexy" I asked.

"Hello! Your boobs look great in that top" I looked down at the girls, well they were looking quite good, I had subconsciously put on my best support bra. I had learned over the last few years if I was going to wind up running for my life (as I invariably did when surrounded by Vampires) I should have a well supporting bra on, less painful jiggling that way. I finished off the outfit with a scrunchy for my hair and a pair of fairly clean trainers.

"Perfect" my roommate smiled, I nodded in agreement.

At half six it was getting dark, Eric would be here soon, and I suddenly felt more awake.

As the clock on the mantle turned seven there was a knock at the door. I walked to the door slowly; he had come to the back door because that was the one I used the most, I felt the contentment that the blood bond brought and found I was genuinely happy to see Eric. When he saw me he smiled in a way, that on anyone else would look shy, but on Eric he looked almost confused.

I looked him up -all the way up given his impressive height- and down, trying to suppress a laugh as I realised he was wearing sweatpants, dark blue and a t-shirt in the same pale blue as my own. Talk about being on the same wave length.

"You look wonderful Sookie" he said quietly. He had used my name, interesting, ever since he had regained his memories he had been referring to me as lover.

"Eric hey, you look uh, pretty great yourself" I was fairly shocked I had only ever seen him in jeans and t-shirts and a tux on Dracula's disastrous birthday party, oh and the turquoise lycra masterpiece from the night of the orgy. The fact Eric owned sweatpants actually made me giggle a little. He raised his eyebrow, looking at me intently.

"Is there something amusing?" he asked clearly confused.

"Just, you own sweats, that's all" I replied sobering up.

"Yes" he said amusement playing on his lips "I also own traditional medieval armour and a suit from the Victorian era from my stay in London" I couldn't help myself then, I creased up in a fit of laughter as I imagined Eric in Fangtasia in a gleaming suit of armour pointing a sword at the fanbangers who got too close, wearing a top hat.

"I'd love to see that" I gasped between bursts of laughter.

"I love it when you laugh" he said quietly "You look so beautiful and free" he continued barely above a whisper.

I looked into his bright blue eyes, and took his hand "See you later" I called to Amelia as we left the house.

"Eric" I asked "Where's your car?" I looked around but could see no sign that he had driven in. He smiled at me, a real Eric grin.

"I thought I'd take you flying tonight" he said clearly enjoying my shocked expression. He released my hand and knelt down with his back facing me. "Here climb up" I was more than shocked, a thousand year old Viking Vampire was offering to fly me around like my own personal airline, hmm Air Eric I kind of liked the sound of that. I did as he asked before I started laughing again.

"Um Eric" I asked tentatively.

"Yes dear Sookie" he replied, his voice silk.

"Where are we going?"

"Shreveport, as to the exact location, well, you'll see" I couldn't see his face but I'm sure he was smiling.

He slowly rose to his feet, keeping his knees bent slightly, he set of running, and when a Vampire runs it's impressive. I soon realised that Eric could fly just as fast as he could run. It took my breath away, I buried my head in his hair, which was blowing about like the mane of a lion, he smelled incredible. The journey was indescribable, we flew quickly over bon temps keeping over the side roads to Shreveport rather than the highway (even though Vampires are getting more and more accepted, seeing one fly above their heads would be a hard one to handle). We passed the cemetery and Merlotte's the town below looked wonderful from the air, all the lights glimmering reminding me of a Christmas tree, I felt a pang of guilt when I thought of my last Christmas. I had had sex with a Were who I found on my land, he had been hurt and I had taken him in, much like I had with Eric, I hadn't seen him since.

I Gasped when we arrived at our destination, it was a large old stone built house, with thick oak double doors. Eric let me down gently and walked to unlock the doors.

"This is your house?" I asked surprised. A Vampire's home was a closely guarded secret usually, especially for one such as Eric, powerful and therefore a target.

"Yes my main nest anyway, I have others, if this were, what is the word compromised then I would move to another".

"It's beautiful" I said as I turned round slowly to take it all in. It was situated at the edge of a small patch of woodland; there wasn't another house for about half a mile.

"Shall we go inside?" He asked, obviously pleased I liked his home. I couldn't figure him out I really couldn't. The ruthless businessman and practiced charmer seemed to have been left behind as we entered a large entrance hall. He seemed to me like any other man trying to impress a woman, house-proud and at his most honest too. Eric reminded me of how he had been when he'd lost his memory, but there was still the Eric she had met that fateful night in Fangtasia.

I was pulled out of my revive when Eric took my hand and pulled me close, he placed my hand on his hip, and he put his free hand on mine, he began to move in what I recognised as a waltz, together we danced tracing a pattern around the room as if we danced together everyday our rhythm was perfect, even without music. I smiled up at Eric.

"For a Viking you dance very well" there was a grin on my face as he changed tempo spinning me and turning our waltz into a salsa with practiced ease.

"I've lived a long time my dear" a tongue darting out to flash across his pearly whites "I picked up a thing or two" his eyes shone in the dim entrance, he smiled broadly as he dipped and spun me like a pro.

After what seemed like an hour we came to the end of our dance, I'm sure I was rosy cheeked, but our dance hadn't worn me out. I was relaxed and happy, content almost, which I'm sure had been Eric's intention.

"Now" he said clapping his big hands together "time to get you fed"

"What?" I blurted, confused.

"You enjoy home cooked meals?" he asked amusement playing on his face, and something akin to worry.

"Yeah, of course" I said. "Eric? Have you...cooked for me?"

He bowed his head slightly and I'm sure that if he were capable of blushing he would have. "I have been informed that your favourite meal is" he wrinkled his nose as he tried to recall correctly "pot roast? And that you are fond of peach pie"

"You baked?" I asked incredulous "and who told you that was my favourite?"

"Pam told me that human women enjoy being cooked for, so I asked her to contact your roommate to ascertain your favourite food and desert" he answered, only now meeting my gaze. "I have not cooked in a thousand years, so I have spent the last week practicing with a chef from a local restaurant. Still I am not sure how it will turn out I set it to low before I set off for your house, it should be done by now"

I gaped at him. He'd had lessons. To cook. For me. "Thank you, Eric that's, wow, I... amazing" I trailed off not knowing how to put into words how I felt, but he seemed pleased so I suppose he must have felt what I was feeling through the blood bond, for once I was glad of the bond.

"Come" he said as he took my hand once more and lead me to a reasonable sized kitchen where a small table set with a couple of candles, in the centre of the room. I could smell the pot roast in the oven, it did smell wonderful, and I had no doubt that it would taste just as fantastic, once Eric set his mind to something he usually succeeded. I felt a great swell of affection for the huge Vampire who was currently bending down to the over with large oven mitts on fussing over the roast trying to work out if it was correctly cooked. It only added to my happiness that, with him bent down like that I had a fantastic view of his magnificent posterior. He glanced around and caught me looking and he waggled his eyebrows at me. "See something you like Sookie?" he asked wiggling his butt suggestively.

"Mmmn that pot-roast looks wonderful" I said teasing him. He rolled his eyes and carefully served out the meal, he'd made not only the roast but, some perfectly browned potatoes, carrots, and other vegetables. "You know," I said to him smiling mischievously, "you'd make a wonderful house wife" He lifted his oven mitt covered hands to his broad chest, batted his eyelashes as me and tossed his hair back.

"Do you really think so?" he asked mock preening "I've always dreamed of a husband to take care of me and provide for me, but I'm such a delicate flower, I would never be able to go out to find such a husband" I was in hysterics as soon as Eric described himself as a delicate flower Venus fly trap more like. When we had both finished laughing I started on the pot-roast, I was right it was delicious, cooked to perfection, whilst I was finishing up Eric heated himself a TrueBlood. He sat opposite me smiling as I enjoyed his meal. It wasn't often that I had anyone cook for me, I was enjoying myself and I hadn't felt so relaxed in a long time. As soon as I finished, Eric darted up and took my plate to the sink to let it soak. He went back to the oven and pulled out the most beautiful peach pie I had ever seen, the pastry was perfect and it smelled divine. I'm not ashamed to admit my mouth was watering. Eric let out a deep laugh when he saw my expression "Oh Sookie you are quite the red blooded woman" he smiled at me fondly.

The pie was as wonderful as the roast, but I couldn't manage all of it, so he wrapped covered it with a cloth and placed it in a brown paper doggy bag.

Eric took me on a tour of his home, the lounge, complete with bearskin rug and roaring fireplace, some of the large bedrooms, an office, and three bathrooms. Then, we walked into an honest to God library. I spun around like Belle in Beauty in the Beast when she first saw the beast's library.

"Wow" I whispered "Have you read all of these?"

"Of course, as I have said, I have had a very long life, and knowledge is power" I smiled at that; it was a very Eric way to look at things.

"Come, I wish to show you something no one else has seen" he said quietly, once again taking my hand as he led me to the farthest bookcase he pulled the top of a copy of Pride and Prejudice, and the bookcase swung forward to reveal a set of stone steps leading downwards.

"Eric, I think you've been watching too much Scooby Doo" I said, amazed by the turn of events.

"I liked the early ones" he replied "but Scrappy Doo always irritated me, he was weak, and couldn't be stealthy; he wasn't a valuable member of the team". He said it with such a serious look on his face that I reached over and hugged him. If he was surprised he didn't show it, he merely kissed the top of my head and flipped a switch on the wall to turn on the lights below.

When we got to the bottom of the stairs I was blown away, the room was huge, and it resembled the bat cave, I told him as much. His laugh brightened up the dark room.

I started laughing as I walked around looking at all of his weapons neatly mounted on the walls, scythes, axe's, swords, even the odd cross bow, and oddly two gun's. He eyed me quizzically.

"You fly like Superman, live like Batman, and have the looks of Thor, maybe I'm not attracted to the supernatural, maybe I have a thing for superheroes.

"You admit you are attracted to me then?" he asked quietly.

"Yes Eric, I am, and I enjoy your company" I replied honestly.

"Good" he smiled widely. "You see the vault over there", he nodded to the darkest part of the room, I nodded my understanding, "That is my secure bedroom, if ever there is a situation where I find myself trapped in my nest, this is where I will rest for the day. It's apparently flame resistant, totally light proof, and contains a fridge with blood bags and a microwave, just in case.

"Thank you, for trusting me with this" I said as I looked up at him, he seemed very calm and happy to have shared it with me.

We left the Vampire Batcave and went back upstairs.

"You may have wondered why I asked you to dress comfortably" he said grinning down at me.

"Yeah, that had crossed my mind" I admitted blushing a little.

"You work too hard" he stated flatly "You are wearing yourself out. You need pampering. I have decided to pamper you." Trust Eric I thought my heart singing in my chest, he always thought about what I needed.

"Well thank you Eric, you've done a great job, I haven't felt so relaxed in, I don't know how long" I said. Eric gave a great booming laugh.

"You think I'm done? I've barely even started. You love to dance so I dance with you; I cook for you because I know humans and Vampires alike feel content and happier when they are full."

"So... what's next on your agenda?"

"Massage, facial, and full pedicure" he replied happily. I was speechless.

True to his word for the next two hours he pampered me, better than any spa could manage, I felt as though I was glowing inside and out. During my massage (he had a professional massage table in the lounge with the fire roaring to keep me warm) he put on an episode of Buffy the Vampire Slayer (Tabula Rasa) where none of the characters knew who they were due to a spell. Very fitting. We laughed together and enjoyed each other's company. Although I was calm and peaceful, part of me wondered why he hadn't made a move. I'm sure he could tell through the blood bond that I wanted him, and still he held back.

"Sookie, I would be happy to pamper you for a hundred years, but it will be light in a couple of hours and I have to get you back safely".

"Thank you so, so much Eric, it's been wonderful, truly" I was close to tears but held them in check.

When we got back to my house, he stood just inside the door and seemed to be holding something behind his back.

"Sookie, I care for you very deeply. I..." he seemed to be searching for the right words again, it was the only sign I ever had that Eric was nervous about something. "I want to do things properly" he pulled a bouquet of flowers from behind his back one of the flowers in the centre was an astonishingly blue lily "It's called a Sookie" he said "I was visiting an old friend who grows and breeds flower hybrids, when I saw it I thought of your eye's so I asked him what it was called, and he said for old time's sake I could name the breed" I was deeply touched no one had ever done anything so romantic for me.

"Sookie Stackhouse, will you consider accompanying me to dinner on Friday night? On a date?" He asked seriously, hope alight in his eyes.

"Of course" I replied immediately "I'd Love to".

"Until Friday then dearest Sookie" he smiled as he pulled my hand towards him and kissed the back of it. Then he was gone into the night.

"Until Friday" I repeated in a whisper...