Eric POV
I heard what she said. I truly did. I keep replaying her words over and over again like a broken record. "Look Eric, maybe you're right and I shouldn't have left the way I did. Maybe things would be different now, but this is where we are and this is what I have to do. I'm sorry. Goodbye." I want to run after her, tell her that we can figure things out but I don't. I'm such a chicken shit. I can't stand to see her hurting so much and knowing that I'm the cause of it just pisses me off even more. But I also can't help wondering what things would be like if she hadn't run away then. I'm so fucked.
I storm back into the apartment seeking answers. If I'm going to try to get back into Sookie's good graces, I need to find out where Pam and I stand. I don't want to hurt her but I really think she's cheating on me. If she is, there's my easy out. No one gets hurt. I know that's bullshit but it's all I have to go on right now.
I can't say I'm feeling better after our little talk. Pam could change her mind at the drop of a dime and not tell Sookie that she's in love with her. That was a hard pill to swallow. She's in love with her? I may have more work ahead of me than I realized. I probably shouldn't be eavesdropping, but I want to make sure Pam keeps her word and calls Sookie. I'm more than sure Sookie will be shocked by Pam's revelation but she needs to know how Pam feels about her. I still can't believe she's been fucking around on me with Felicia and thinks it's not cheating. She either thinks I'm an idiot or really believes that shit. I should be more pissed about this whole situation, but I've gotten used to having Pam in my life and I want to keep things the way they are. We can be friends. In fact, we can be the best of friends. Once you get used to Pam's attitude, the rest is a cake walk.
I'm trying to get my thoughts together because I can't think of anything but Sookie. I know she's probably at some hotel somewhere feeling lonely and I wish I could go to her and comfort her. Make her see that we belong together. Pam raises her voice and it grabs my attention.
"The train station! Where are you going? Why are you taking the train?"
As soon as I hear the words "train station" leave Pam's lips I'm out the door. I knew she was leaving the apartment but the city too? I have to find her and talk to her. I hope I can get to her before she goes wherever it is she's going. Shit, didn't she mention meeting someone? I hop into my car and drive faster than I've ever driven in my life. I'm sure there's a pissed off police officer somewhere behind me. I can't stop until I get to Sookie. This may be my last chance.
I get to the train station and search desperately for Sookie. I'm not sure where to look because I have no idea where she could be. I pull out my cell and call Pam.
"Do you know where Sookie's going?"
"Well hello to you too, Eric. I'm doing just fine after you blew out of here so fast, thanks for asking."
"Cut the shit, Pam. Do you know where she's going?"
"What's crawled up your ass and died?" I hear her wisecracking ass laughing at me. I'm not amused.
"Pam, please stop fucking with me and just answer the question? Where. Is. Sookie. Going?"
"Why? Where are you? You're not… oh boy, you are, aren't you? You've really got it bad don't you? What a pity."
"Pamela, I can do without your bullshit right now. I'm freaking out and I need you to tell me which train Sookie is getting on so that I can stop her."
"Do you really think you can just show up and she'll leave with you? She won't–"
"Pam. What train?" She sighs and I can hear the wheels turning in her evil mind debating whether she should tell me or not. "PAM!"
"She's going to hate me for telling you."
"If I promise you that she won't will you tell me, please?"
"She's going to Gothenburg." Göteborg? That's a three hour trip.
"Thank you." I hang up before she can utter another word.
I check out the boards to see where the train to Göteborg is boarding and what time the next one leaves. Five minutes? I only have five minutes to find her and convince her to stay with me. I run as fast as my legs will carry me, almost knocking a few people over in the process, and come to a screeching halt when I see her. She's sitting at a bench with a dark haired, scruffy looking guy who has his arm around her. Just seeing him playing with her hair, touching any part of her makes me go nuts. I'm glued to the floor because I know if I approach her–them–I'll kill the bastard. My hands ball into fists at my sides, clenching until my knuckles go white. I have to calm down. I can't talk to her when I'm like this.
Four minutes.
She turns and looks over her shoulder. She seems so relaxed, happy, casual. Not like she was just a while ago. She couldn't wait to get away from me to meet this, this Asshole guy. She sees me and looks surprised. Not angry in the least but I'm sure she can tell I am livid. She pats Asshole's back and he moves his arm, letting her hair fall from his fingers. She whispers something in his ear and he looks back at me. He stands as soon as she does, but she hustles over to me while he picks up their bags.
Three minutes.
"Eric, what are you doing here? How did you find me?"
"That's not important right now. I'm here. I came to beg. Gå inte. Please? Don't go."
"I, um… why?" It's now or never Northman.
"I love you Sookie. I do. I know we haven't known each other for very long but you can't deny there's something between us; something that is so powerful–"
"Stop, just stop! I can't do this right now. I need to get away from you, for a while. I need time to think. I just need to think."
"That right there should tell you something. Why are you running away from what you feel? You know how I feel about you and I know you feel something too. Come back to my flat with me. I have a spare bedroom. I won't kiss you again, I won't move to touch you or be close to you. I want you around. Let's just see where it takes us. What do we have to lose?"
"But Pam–" I laugh. I can't help it.
"Sookie, Pam will be okay. Trust me. She wants you to be happy and she's okay with this, with us. I just need to know that you are too. Please, just come with me so we can talk. I'll make you breakfast for dinner." I'm pulling out all the stops now.
Two minutes.
"Eric, I really can't do this right now. I have to go." I reach out to grab her arm, turning her to face me. That familiar spark runs between us. I know she can feel it because she jerks but doesn't pull away when I touch her. That is all I want–a chance, hope, something tangible. I move in a little closer to whisper in her ear.
"Sookie, look me in the eye and tell me you don't feel something when I touch you. That you didn't just feel that between us. Tell me you don't want me to kiss you right now."
"I don't–" I can't let her say the words that will crush me so I silence her with a kiss.
Softly, I brush her lips hoping she won't push me away. Then I feel her lean into me. She parts her lips and my tongue finds its way in, tasting every inch of her sweet mouth. She moans into my mouth and I pull her a little closer. I need to feel her against me, know this is real, this is right. She abruptly pulls away and runs the back of her hand across her mouth. I've seen her do that before. The glazed over look in her eye is all I need to cement what I know is between us.
One minute.
Asshole walks a little closer and calls out to her. I hear the announcement for the boarding of her train and I know she does too.
"Sookie! Sweetie, we're boarding. We have to go."
"I'll be right there, Alcide. Eric, I have to go."
"Don't go! Don't… if you go with him, I'll…" I stop myself because what I'm about to say, it's not true. I will be here waiting for her. I would wait forever for her. I don't want to give Asshole any leverage over me in this situation.
"I'm going, Eric. I'm sorry, but I'm going. I have to."
"FUCK! Sookie wait, please!"
Asshole comes over and takes her hand. He has the audacity to smile at me. The next time I see him, I promise to knock that fucking smile off his face. She walks away with him and boards the train, but not before looking back at me with tears in her eyes. I'll never forgive myself for making her cry. Though I know she can't hear me, I say what is in my heart, what I need her to feel. "Jag låter dig aldrig gå."
I watch the train pull out of the station until it disappears from view. I've made a complete ass out of myself begging her not to leave and look at where I am. Alone. My five minutes have come and gone, and so has Sookie.
"Pam! Where are you?"
"Right where you left me asswipe. What you do want? Is Sookie with you?" She looks hopeful that I've actually brought her back with me. I wish.
"No, she left with Asshole."
"His name's Alcide."
"I know what the fuck his name is but I choose to call him Asshole, with a capital A. Pam, I need you to help me. I have to get her back."
"Why would I help you? I want her for myself."
"Yes, but you're not being realistic." She smacks my arm.
"I hate you."
"Yeah, and I love you too. So will you help me or not?"
"Do I have a choice?"
"No."
"Then I guess I'll have to help your pathetic ass. So does this means we're going to Gothenburg." Damn straight.
A/N: Thanks again to the wonderful frlarsson for being my expert on all things Swedish. And I have to thank my second set of eyes Suaru-chan. Can't thank you enough! The next chapter should be up soon. I already have it written, but am tweaking it a little. Let me know what you think Pam and Eric are going to do. xoxo
Translations:
Gå inte – Don't go
Jag låter dig aldrig gå – I won't ever let you go