Chapter 14

Vampires do not panic. But Eric knew that if he had such inclinations, now would be the time. He had Sookie securely in his arms as he moved quicker then most could track back to the hotel. He wasted no time in summoning the hotel's doctor to their suite. He was painfully aware that Sookie was suffering from something his blood couldn't heal. Before the doctor arrived, the King appeared at the door.
"Sandy has informed me there is a problem."

Eric clung to Sookie's hand as she lay unconscious on the bed.

"She had a….I believe the humans call it a panic attack. I think the pyramid of the Hard Rock brought back the…unpleasant memories of the bombing in Rhodes."

Philip stepped closer but remained a respectable distance away.
"Yes, I heard many tales of her service and bravery. She saved many of our kind."

Eric lifted her limp hand to his lips and kissed her fingers.

"Yes." His voice was raspy and edged with the memory of his pain.

"Perhaps she isn't as strong as she appears on the surface." Philip thought aloud. Eric nodded in agreement. So much had happened to this mere human in the last two years. Her body had been bruised, beaten, torn and broken. But he always saw it mended. How could he have not thought of her mind? Her soul? His thoughts were interrupted by the doctor's knock on the door. Eric quickly ushered him inside and waited anxiously as the human physician assessed Sookie's condition.

"Can you tell me what happened?" The middle aged doctor looked from Eric to the King. Eric stepped forward and once again reached for her hand.

"I believe she had a panic attack."

"What do you think caused it?" Philip stepped forward and took control of the conversation.

"She was at the attack on our kind last year." The doctor nodded in understanding. Being on a vampire's payroll made one understand things day-to-day humans didn't.

"That was at that hotel…the Pyramid of…something…" He trailed off while he checked her blood pressure.

"Yes. We were at the Hard Rock."

"Pyramid." The doctor said to himself as he removed the cuff from her arm. "Her blood pressure's high, but that's to be expected. Did she seek any counseling after her ordeal?"

"No." Eric answered slowly.

"Well, judging from this reaction, it would be advisable." He reached into his bag and pulled out some smelling salts. "I'm going to write her a prescription for some medication that will relax her if her anxiety starts to rise. I'm going to try to wake her but if she's still in a state of panic, I'll give her a sedative." He retrieved a small bottle and a syringe. Drawing the clear liquid into the vial, he looked at Eric for understanding. Eric nodded his approval. The King moved toward the door.

"I'll send Sandy to see if you have any other needs. Eric." He nodded his departure and Eric offered a nod of respect in return. With the King gone he could focus his full attention on Sookie. The doctor waved the small vial of smelling salts under her nose and she suddenly jolted. She sat up on the bed and screamed the loudest scream Eric had ever heard leave her lips.

"ERIC!" She sobbed. Eric's face filled her vision and she clawed at his arms and shoulders in an effort to keep from falling.
"Sookie….Sookie." He crooned as he rubbed his hand down her cheek. Tears streamed down her face as she finally focused on his cool blue eyes.
"Eric!" She started gasping for breath again and the doctor reached for her arm. She snatched it away and her eyes turned wild. She jerked away from Eric and he could feel her disorientation pulsating through the bond.

"Sookie, lover. He's a doctor. You have to calm down." Eric concentrated on soothing and comforting her through the bond. Her breathing slowed and he was able to take her hand again. "Shhh. I'm here. No one will harm you. I'm here. You're safe. Please, my lover." She squeezed his hand and leaned into his chest as he pulled her into his lap on the edge of the bed. The doctor waited for Eric's nod of approval as he slowly administered the sedative. He held her tightly until he felt her body go slack and her breathing even out.

"How long will she sleep?" Eric asked.

The doctor gathered his equipment and stood beside the bed.

"You won't have to worry about her waking before you. She'll be out for at least 12 hours."

"Thank you."

"It's common for victims of trauma to appear perfectly fine for weeks, months, possibly even years before a trigger unleashes all the fear and pain. She'll need to work through her…issues."

"She will get the help she needs."

"If anything changes, just page me." He left his card on the nightstand and exited the room. Eric sat for a long time in the silence. The sound of her breathing softly calmed his frayed emotions. As dawn approached, he carefully undressed her and positioned her under the cool sheets. He prepared the room for sunrise and removed his own clothes then slid into bed beside her. She shifted and he relaxed a little as she curled into his side. At that moment, he vowed to himself to no longer take her human emotions for granted.