Chapter 3

"Feeling better?" He smoothed her hair from her face as he handed her a wet cloth.
"Not really. I'm sorry."

"Don't apologize, lover." He helped her to her feet from where she was kneeling over the toilet. Sookie held the cool cloth to her head and groaned in embarrassment. Eric guided her down the hall to her bedroom.

"I'm sorry." She whispered again as Eric helped her sit on the edge of her bed before kneeling in front of her.

"Shhh. What can I get you? Tell me what to do." She stared at his concerned face for a moment and couldn't help but offer him a small smile.

"You're being sweet." She listed forward and giggled. The corners of his mouth creased trying to suppress his smile.

"I'm a vampire, Sookie. I am not sweet." She reached out and rubbed her hand down his cool cheek.

"But you are to me."

His blue eyes settled on hers as he placed his hand over hers against his face. Placing a kiss on her palm, He stood and helped her lie back on the bed.

"What should I get you? What will make you not vomit again?"

"There's some Coke in the fridge." He covered her with her grandmother's quilt that he recognized from when he stayed with her. He leaned over and kissed her forehead before going back to the kitchen.

Sookie snuggled into the quilt, slid one foot to the floor and willed the bed to stop spinning. Eric returned with the Coke and she sipped slowly on the dark liquid. She placed the glass on the bedside table and rested back on her pillow with her eyes closed.

"I'll let you sleep, dear one."

"No. Don't go. Stay with me." She pulled on his arm and he sat on the edge of the bed beside her. Eric felt her need through the bond. It wasn't sexual need, it was an intimate need. She needed him.

"Of course." He slipped off his boots and slid under the quilt beside her. She quickly snuggled into his side and clutched his t-shirt. They lay together in silence for quite a while until Sookie started talking. Liquor frees the inhibitions and loosens the tongue. Eric tightened his grip around her shoulders as she started to talk.

"I met my nephew. He's like me." She told him all about meeting Hunter and how he was telepathic like she was. She explained how her great-grandfather had found Hadley's family at her request. She sighed when Eric gently traced his fingers through her hair. "I wanted to call you and tell you about it, but you hadn't called me and I didn't know if you wanted to talk to me or not." Eric started to speak but Sookie barely paused. "I missed you. I mean, I feel you sometimes. I guess that's the blood bond thing. I guess you feel me too. Why else would you show up at the bar? I knew Sam wouldn't be there. It's a full moon. I got the invitation yesterday. I just didn't want to stay here by myself. Too much to think about. I started to call you but...I got drunk instead. Then you came. I'm glad you came. Well not at first, but I am now." She finally took a breath and Eric was able to speak.

"I missed you too, my lover. I have been dealing with the new King and Victor. Sandy has finally left to return to Las Vegas. I'm sorry I didn't call you, but I was afraid they would see the true nature of our bond."

"I don't understand." She tilted her head to look up at his face. He placed a kiss on her forehead and snuggled her into his side.

"We are blood-bonded. But we both know that there is more to our connection than that. I didn't want de Castro to exploit our…our…"

"Feelings for each other." She draped her leg over his and moved a fraction closer.

"Yes." A small smile settled on his face as Sookie slid her hand up his chest and grabbed another handful of his shirt to cling to.

"You're scared that once he realizes that I'm not 'yours' yours, you know, but that you really love me that he'll use me against you." She stated in a lazy matter-of-fact way that made Eric smile. Even through her alcohol haze she was still the smartest person he knew.

"Yes."

"But you'll protect me." Her eyes drifted shut and her voice was getting softer.

"Always."

"Please don't leave me." She whispered.

"Never." Eric stroked her hair until her breathing evened out and she was finally asleep.