Chapter 7

(Ok as promised, this chapter is in Eric's PoV it's written in first person, I hope I do him justice, he's my favourite character. Sorry I took so long)

I knew something was wrong the moment I woke up. First of all my lover was not in bed with me. Second I didn't know what time it was. Thirdly and most disturbing I appeared to have a heartbeat. Oh yes, and I went for down time as Sookie called it, in her hidey hole yet here I was in her bed. How curious.

The curtains were drawn but there was a bright light assaulting the curtains. Why was it so bright at night? I walked over to the curtains and drew them back, annoyed that anyone would disturb my lovers sleep. The sun shone brightly, I let out a roar of fury, only it came out as a feminine shriek, I heard my lover cry out, but where was she? Most miraculous of all, why wasn't I on fire? I brought my hand up to my face to brush my hair out of my eyes as I looked out at a beautiful southern morning. Something I never thought I would get to see. I glanced at my hand, I appeared to be wearing pink nail varnish, with French tips, interesting. I haven't work nail polish since the rave scene days back in the 80's. Odd, very odd. I walked over the mirror, I spun around, Sookie was in the mirror, and I was nowhere. Oh dear... I'm in Sookie's body.

I glanced down at my, Sookie's ample breasts. At least the view is good. Human strength, that may take some getting used to, although her body should be enhanced after last night's blood exchange. I tried to reach Sookie across the blood bond, she was well. Unconscious? Close. I walked over to the closet across the hall, closing the door behind me to make the small room light tight. I opened the hidden hatch I had entered last night. My body was still where I left it. Sookie trapped inside. This is not good.

I must establish what caused this, my, Sookie's stomach grumbled loudly. I laughed humans were always hungry. I paused as I realised something profound. For the first time in a thousand years I could eat solid food. Perhaps this was a gift? I decided Sookie would be safe whilst she was encased in my body, as such I could take this opportunity to eat some of the pie Amelia and Sookie loved so much. I reheated it, sniffing it carefully, it smelled delicious even if I do say so myself. I tried some carefully, I nearly choked, I hadn't needed to chew in centuries, this was very strange. It warmed me to the core the fruit was so juicy and the crust so different and crumbly, was that a word? I had heard it used as a description on a cooking channel. After my pie, I tried some fruit loops cereal, I had walked around the markets when buying TrueBlood and they always seemed so bright and entrancing, hmm a little too sweet, but a good experience none the less.

Now I had finished indulging in human foodstuffs, I had to figure out who had done this to Sookie and I. The most efficient way to work it out was to make a suspect list. I grabbed a pen and note paper from the side of the fridge and began to compile my notes.

Has to be caused by magic. Therefore going to need magic to reverse it.

Who has magic? Witches: Amelia? Not here. Hallow's family? Dead as far as we know.

Fay? Niall? Wouldn't harm Sookie, neither would Claudine or Claude.

Sookie's experiment? Has she the power to move consciousnesses?

Who can help me? Humans, nope no clue about magic. Supes?

Pam, but she would be resting now. That ruled out Vampire help for the time being. Local Supes, that left Sam. He would know all about transformations.

I did not like the idea of asking the shifter for help, but what choice did I have. I glanced up at the calendar on my lover's wall. Saturday, she was working the lunch shift, I would have to go in her stead, she would be furious if she missed out on a days wage, just because of a body swap. I wished she were awake to share the day with me, she must feel the same all the time.

I went to her bathroom to shower, I wasn't going to have my lover shamed my making her look unkempt for work. I made sure I was perfectly clean, although I must admit I spent a little too much time exploring my new anatomy, this was most insightful. I dried her hair and brushed it. Sookie loved it when I brushed her hair, as did I, it was soothing. They say that music soothes the savage beast. Give me Herbal Essence and a brush any day. I absently wondered if my peach pie could be made into a shampoo somehow. Odd, I didn't usually allow my mind to wander, that was more of a Sookie trait. Perhaps this was part of the enchantment? Making me think like my lover so I could better understand her, or it could be because I was in her body so my mind or soul had to work through her brain? This is all too strange.

I brushed her hair, upside-down, and swept it into a pony tail like Sookie usually did. Usually I found it amusing, but now I was attempting it myself I saw her point, much easier to get it smooth. Once I was properly dry I put on her Merlotte's uniform, black slacks, and a white boat neck T. It wasn't too bad, I found some dark trainers for her feet. They were so small. I went over to her vanity, to bask in my triumph. I would do her proud, and then I would change us back. Another thought occurred to me, perhaps letting Sookie enjoy the benefits of being a Vampire for a night would make her more susceptible to the idea of joining me.

I decided to drive to the bar in my car, the very notion of driving her Malibu disturbed and disgusted me, I wished she would let me buy her a good fast car. The corvette adored these nearly empty roads, she was free to fly as she was always meant to.

I arrived at the Shifters bar, twenty minutes early for Sookie's shift. I must explain the situation to Sam, if I lost my temper and hit someone Sookie's job would be forfeit, part of my selfishly wanted to get her fired, just so she would agree to work for my instead, but she loved her job. I could not ruin it for her.

I walked in the side entrance, as I had often seen Sookie do. I knew where the dog's office was so I went straight in.

"Sookie? Is everything ok?"

"Why wouldn't it be?" I asked confused. Was he on to me already? What had I done wrong? Then I felt the strangest sensation my head was filled with a concerned red buzzing. Poor Sookie, having to hear all these thoughts. Hmm how did she put her shields up as she called it. She had once compared it to pulling iron plates up and holding them with her mind. I would have to practice before the shift started.

"Your head is a mess shifter, how do you ever think clearly with a mind so untidy?" I commented.

"You're not Sookie?" He wasn't asking.

"Well, I am and I aren't"

"Talk fast" Sam growled, his fingers had shortened and claws were growing where his fingernails had been. Impressive.

"It's Sookie's body, but my mind."

"Eric?" Sam asked clearly torn between worry and amusement.

"Yes, somehow we..." I paused what was the phrase, there was a film about it. "body swapped.. Sookie is resting in my body. Whilst I am in hers, ready for my shift" I added. Sam began laughing.

"You the great Vampire master are going to wait tables in a Shapeshifter's bar?" This was surely the highlight of his week.

"Are you in need of staff?" I asked annoyed.

"Well, if we get a rush on then I'm gonna need an extra pair of hands I suppose" he answered stroking his chin absently, his hands had returned to normal.

"Sam, how does she do it?"

"Huh, Sookie? It's waiting tables it's not rocket science, I'm sure you.."

"No you foolish creature" I rolled my eyes. "How does she cope with everyone's thoughts screaming in, you at least are fuzzy, but the humans..."

"Wait, you got her telepathy too?"

"Well yes, it is part of her, I always thought it such an advantage, to know what your enemy is thinking, but I am beginning to see why she calls it a disability."

"Since she's been with you, she seems to be able to control it better, you give her your blood, maybe that makes her defences stronger." The shifter made sense; her physical reflexes' were faster, her senses heightened, it would be logical to think the same applied to her mind.

"Try blocking my thoughts" Sam said.

"Very well, it would not do for me to..." I smiled as I thought of the appropriate Americanism "freak out and scare your customers away".

We practised for ten minutes, I tried imagining a bubble to insulate my mind, but a slight noise would distract me and it would pop. Eventually I settled for holding up shields, the way Roman armies did to defend against spears and arrows. It worked quite effectively. I was exhilarated at my success.

As Sam said waiting tables was not too difficult, I knew where Sookie's tables were, and most of the customers were pleasant, I allowed one shield to be moved aside so my mind could ascertain what species I had on my section, 40% were Were's or Shifter's. The rest were human, another interesting development.

An attractive woman walked into the bar, I only paid her any heed because I could tell she was a shifter, always a good idea to know where the firepower is. She couldn't hold a candle to my Sookie.

It was evident that Sam knew her, his pupils dilated when he saw her (an obvious indicator of sexual attraction) but he made no move to indicate she was his; instead he bowed his head to lower his gaze, interesting. The woman had red hair, and golden eyes which marked her out as a Supe. I didn't have my usual olfactory senses to fall back on but I had been around long enough to know the signs. While he was looking elsewhere, the woman checked him out as my lover would say. Very interesting. What would Sookie do in this situation? I pondered as I refilled the salt shakers, there wasn't much work to do, the customers had been given there meals and no one seemed to need a refill. I walked up to Sam where he was sneaking glances at the red head from behind the bar.

"Sam, a word?" I stated plainly. I wasn't going to be issuing please and thank you's to a Shifter. Sam scowled slightly but led me back to his office.

"What do you want Eric?"

"Why don't you just tell her you desire her?"

"Who?" Sam asked clearly confused.

"The red headed shifter" I answered, I don't know why Sookie valued his opinion, he was rather slow on the uptake.

"Rachel? Uh she's my cousin!"

"How distant?" I asked, I never thought beasts were bothered about inbreeding, perhaps this Shifter was deserving of more credit. I could see it in his mind though, it wasn't the family thing, he was confused, and didn't know how to voice his feelings.

"Well, third cousin..." he mumbled "twice removed" I laughed disconcerted when I heard Sookie's own laugh.

"That's not really related Shifter now is it, and given the need of pure blood to make new Shifters, I'd bet most if not all of you are related distantly at least so really, there's nothing stopping you".

"Have you seen her?" He asked. Ah now we are getting to the root of the problem, he is scared he is not enough for her, that someone he thought so beautiful could be attracted to him, he found hard to believe."

"Would it help you if I told you that she was watching your rear with great interest?" I said, noting how Sam's ears picked up when I said that.

"Are you trying to make me look like an idiot Eric?" he asked obviously sceptical, "Why would you want to help me?"

"Sookie would, and since I'm in her body I should act like her and impress her". Sam remained unconvinced. "Also if you were mated to another, then there would be no other rivals for my lovers affections". I added honestly. That he did believe.

"So how do I tell her?"

"I think she knows, the look on your face when she came in was obvious to me even in a human body, she has a Supe's nose and she wants you. Be brave, remind yourself you are a powerful being with a great gift. You are a business man with a lot to offer a potential mate, and you are not unattractive."

"Thanks for that Eric, but it's kinda weird you being complimentary. Do you tell yourself this stuff?"

"Of course, I must be confident and in control if I am to remain in a prominent position within the Vampire hierarchy. Besides" I added with a raised eyebrow "confidence is sexy, according to Pam's women's magazines" Sam laughed at that.

"How does Sookie feel about you being all super confident?" He asked obviously curious about Sookie's well being.

"I am more... myself, with Sookie". Sam seemed satisfied with that.

"I can't believe I have to get dating advice from a dead guy" Sam chuckled.

"I have a partner at least" I said, my pride rising.

"Yeah and you're stuck in her body" he grinned "that should make your love life interesting" I pondered the implications of that idea. Very interesting indeed.

We went to our respective jobs, a few Were's wanted beers, and a young couple wanted a burger, my stomach growled in agreement. How did humans cope being hungry all the time? I think I have been dead too long. Sam and the female, Rachel went to his office, I found myself hoping that they would get together. Without my Vampire nose he didn't smell so disagreeably of wet dog, and he was actually fairly affable when he wasn't lusting after my lover. What a day, and it was barely three o'clock.

The former friend of Sookie's came into the bar, with a couple of sly looking men, I skimmed their brains, fellowship of the sun. I wanted to growl at them and tear then apart. They were sat in Sookie's section so I would have to put up with them, no wonder my lover always had the forced smile on her face when dealing with some people.

"What can I get y'all?" I asked. Wondering if my approximation of Sookie's accent would do.

"Well how about getting us all some good human food" one of the men sneered "not that you would have a taste for human things anymore". I tried to be tactful and rise above it I really did.

"On the contrary I love all things human, peach pie, bowling, fruit loops". I said smiling Sookie's wide grin.

"I heard you were a Vamp whore" the other man said. Sookie never mentioned the FotS being so out and out vulgar before, I glanced around, realising that with Sam out of the room they thought they were safe from the supernatural's, they were sadly mistaken.

"I would ask" I said raising my voice a little so any human trying to catch the conversation could hear "that you keep civil in my place of work, I don't insult you so don't be hurtful towards me, your filthy comments are not welcome here".

"You haven't got your dead hunny to protect you during the day have you fangbanger?" The one called Arlene asked viciously. "And looks like there aren't any of those animal freaks here either, and besides I don't show stupid whore's respect" that was it. I would not have her insult my lovers name that way, I started to ball my hand into a fist as all the Shifters and Were's stood up at once.

"Actually, the animal freaks are right here" a tall broad man with greying hair said, his voice icy. The fools at the table had the sense to look scared I decided to be more feminine, so a slapped Arlene full across the face, no wonder women always did it in films, the impact made a most satisfactory sound. I felt much better.

"Get out" I roared in Sookie's voice.

They left quickly, but I knew they would be back, unfortunately they would probably bring reinforcements, this could get messy. I looked at the clock in a few hours Sookie would awaken in my body. I hoped she would take it as calmly as I had.

(sorry this is a bit short, the next chapter is from Sookie's PoV again, and there will be a little comedy from Pam... does anyone really think Sookie will take it well? :P Oh and thanks for the reviews they are greatly appreciated. Oooh also Sookie and Eric trying to work out the mysteries of sex in the wrong body.)