A/N- Where's Eric? Read and Review.

I'd possessed my soul with patience since Pam had sashayed into the Mira Hotel. Waiting for her to tell me where Eric was, to tell me to pack my bags because he was downstairs in his Cadillac, keeping the engine running. Now I could see that wasn't about to happen, and I just couldn't keep the question inside me any longer.

Pam jumped to her feet and crossed to the small stereo standing beside the dressing table, turning it onto a radio station playing love songs and up loud. Wrapping an arm around my shoulders, she lowered me onto the floor and pressed us both against the wall by the bed, as far from the ears of the other vampires as possible.

"Eric is still in Shreveport of course. No..." she gave me a stern look when she saw my mind jumping to conclusions,

"The moment Amelia knew where you'd gone, she drove to Fangtasia, found Eric's home address and told him the minute he woke. Eric wanted to come after you immediately but Bill, Amelia and I explained his folly to him, were Eric to leave Area Five, Felipe de Castro could accuse him of negligence and taken his position away from him. That would leave him without any power with which to bargain for your safety and in fear of his own life, for without Fangtasia it would be an argument as to whom is of more value to the King of Nevada. He is a savvy businessman who does well for those he serves, but you are a human telepath who would be at de Castro's mercy, able to be used as a blood donor for his favourites and his whore. As long as he's in Shreveport, he is able to keep you as his wife and have some strength behind his claim"

I'd expected there to be a fair bit of wheeling and dealing behind Eric's absence and, while he was still in Shreveport, he was doing so to protect us both.

"So he's not angry at me for last night?" I ask cautiously, and she smirks,

"You know that cradle was handcrafted by nuns in France, with some of the best material in the world being used for those blankets and sheets. Eric had it flown on a private jet overnight for it to arrive onto your porch, just for you to make it into kindling"

I flush and feel defensive, "He and I were fighting" I explain, fidgeting.

"Yes, but when you had the cradle sent back to Fangtasia, Victor Madden ordered Eric to open it in front of him. And that was when he and Felipe de Castro saw the possibility of gaining you for themselves"

I blush at my own stupidity, and wondered if I couldn't use the pregnant card to ease my humiliation, certainly the hormones weren't my fault.

"Eric didn't call me to warn me" I'm not sure if it was a question or an accusation but Pam decides to treat it as both,

"He couldn't, Madden deliberately kept him in his office all night, drinking and talking, he was worried that if you found out what had happened you would flee to the were's for protection and that would cause issues for them"

She sniffed disdainfully at that and I smiled, resting my head on her shoulder. Even though he wasn't here with me, the thought of Eric working hard to ensure my survival was comforting.

Then I felt Pam tense.

"Sookie" she leant away from me, "Perhaps you should shower and wear some perfume, the smell of fae is..." she didn't finish her sentence but her fangs ran out. Quick as I could, I leapt to my feet and grabbed my toiletries from my bag, hoping like hell I wouldn't have to go through the main area to find the bathroom. Using her hand to cover her mouth and nose, Pam pushed past me in her wide dress and ran her hand along the bedroom wall opposite the window. A small part of it slid aside to reveal a small white ensuite, with a nice long bathtub. Murmuring my thanks, I stepped inside and tried to slide the door shut behind me, it would take some getting used to. Fortunately though it appeared to be the only entry into the bathroom, it seemed I wouldn't have to worry about being caught in the nude by Felipe or one of his cronies.

Accidentally anyway.

The bath was deep enough so that I was able to submerge myself fully, and I found some scented shampoo and conditioner under the basin, judging by the dust it had been there since Felipe had moved in. I made a mental note to buy all the scented scrubs and lotions I could, hoping they'd cover the smell of my baby. As it was, tonight Pam would have to be content with me smelling faintly of lavender and jasmine. I stood in front of the gilded mirror as I towelled off and put on my pyjamas, presuming that I wouldn't be called on again tonight. I was just brushing my hair when I realised how de Castro had figured out about my current state.

Sure Victor Madden had seen the wreckage of the cradle, but that had probably been beyond recognition, however it may have tipped him off and when Felipe de Castro had stood next to me he would have smelled my baby growing within me, the same way Pam obviously could.

When I swayed on my feet and realised just how tired I was, I decided this could wait till morning, or whenever I woke up. Sighing as I rolled my shoulders, I picked up my things and trudged back to my room, Pam had already turned down the sheets and was seated in the loveseat, playing with one of those jelly toys that move every time you tried to grab it firmly.

She saw me looking at her and held the toy up smiling,

"Do you know what this is Sookie?"

Seeing that grin of hers I figured I'd been wrong and shuddered, "No and I don't care, goodnight"

She flicked off the light and watched as I settled down to sleep, "Goodnight telepath"

I rolled around on the bed, trying to find a comfortable position as the satin sheets chilled me,
after about five minutes I gave up and settled down.

"Hey Pam?" I called into the darkness,

"Yes Sookie?"

"How long are you here for?"

"Until you are returned to your little house in Bon Temps...Eric's orders" she added hastily.

You have no idea how comforting I found that.