And now Sookie finally gets to hear the words. Thanks to CH for creating these characters for us all to play with in our own sandboxes. I hope you enjoy.

Merick

Part 31

We were a motley crew, milling around the bar that night. No one talking very much, mostly just looking about at each other, with darting glances, brief sentences and a great deal of nervous tapping, twirling, and sighing, for the human contingent. Papa B had arrived, with Octavia in tow about ten minutes before Amelia and Pam had returned. He was easily the most animated of the group, chanting something under his breath which even I had trouble distinguishing. I knew it was some type of incantation to keep Marie in line as she put together her potion to restore Sookie's mind. I was thankful that he had come, and had come so quickly. It pleased me to know that I had allies beyond those who were simply afraid of me.

On that note, Arthur was at the front door, acting as bouncer for the few souls who decided that the sign he had placed did not apply to them. At least his confusion of earlier had faded and he had taken on the proper mantle of a vampire in my employ, fangs drawn, crossed arms, and serious visage, that sent those who thought to crash our function back to their cars in a hurry. He had not spoken to Amelia since her return; I doubted he would ever speak to her again. He had to be feeling shame and humiliation at having been conned in such a manner, and made to act against his employer and his people. Pam, however, seemed a little more enchanted with the baby witch, as did Octavia; they had held a few hushed conversations before the room had fallen to its present state of quiet.

My greatest concern was of course Sookie. Despite her initial show of resolve and power, she had faded into a meek shell, alternately staring at Marie, and myself with something very serious running around behind her eyes. I could only guess at its depth, but I did not have to guess at the fear, it hung around her like a cloud. I kept as close to her as I could, just in case she reached out for me again. I was going to be her rock in those last few moments, no matter what happened when her memories returned.

The scents of the potion were beginning to fill the bar as Marie worked over the uninjured counter space. I hoped that meant that things were coming close to a resolution. I left Sookie tucked into one of the banquettes, still clutching the journal; she had read pages here and there over the last few hours as we had waited. Her eyes followed me; I could feel them on my back and in my mind. Octavia pulling herself away from Pam and Amelia, and closer to Papa B was a good clue to what was transpiring. I looked to them both for some kind of reassurance. A slight nod gave me what I sought and I acted.

"Sookie?" I called to her, holding out my hand. "Would you join us?"

She reminded me of a deer as watched from a hunting blind, or its ancient equivalent from my memory. She stepped cautiously, and slowly, looking at everyone and everything around her, sensing the disruption in the environment, but still unsure as to its implications on her being. She was not happy at being the center of attention suddenly, I could feel it in her mind though our bond. I wondered if this was how she had felt before, when she had been the ostracized little girl back in Bon Temps. If it was, as I suspected, my chest begin to ache for her. What a horrible undercurrent to carry through your life. I had known despair, and I had known heartbreak, but my nature had allowed me to focus and to move through it. Being a thousand year old vampire, raised as a warrior certainly helped. I wanted so much to give Sookie just a portion of that strength right then. I did not doubt she had the capacity to find it on her own, but not at that moment. At that moment she needed my help, at least I believed that she needed it. If willing could have made it so, she would have been my shield maiden once more.

"What do we need to do?" I asked of Marie, the most civil words I had ever spoken to her. Sookie did not need to hear any more rage from my throat as much as I wished to rail against the witch. But for her Sookie would have been mine by then. She had been coming to see me when she had been intercepted, coming to tell me the truth of our days together, coming to tell me that she had chosen to be with me, not Alcide, not Sam, and certainly not Bill Compton. The suitcase she had packed was for me, and the significance of all that was beginning to crash down on me. I felt the fear that my only chance with Sookie might have been lost. Despair was eating at me as I held myself strong for her.

"Sookie? Come here." The witch asked, mostly ignoring my inquiry. I saw Sookie clench her jaw and clutch at the book a little more tightly. She was putting on her game face before she stepped towards Marie.

"You must think me some kind of demon eh child?" Marie offered.

"Not at all." I heard the lilt in my lover's voice change; a smile began to grow on my face. Sookie was not going to give that woman an ounce of grace. "Demons like to go shopping and dancing, and they eat hamburgers." I could not help but laugh out loud. It was the most incongruous sound possible, but it made Sookie giggle a bit too, and I was thankful for that. There was hope in that sound. Everyone else must have thought we were losing our minds, but it broke my internal tension for an instant. It was something.

"All you need to do child is breathe in the smoke from the brazier." The new brazier, I feel the need to point out, the first one was a twisted mess in the parking lot, unless Arthur had picked it up. "It will unlock the door. Then your heart's desire can say his words, and it will be done."

So apparently I had a part in this spell as well, I was pleased at that. Sookie still appeared hesitant.

"It is safe." Came Papa B's voice, "I assure you Sookie. I have watched every ingredient, as has Octavia. It is an appropriate formula and will bring you no further harm."

I did not question how he knew that; I took it on faith. He had sorted out the contents of the original potion with nothing but his skill as a Mambo. I knew that it was the best assurance we would be able to get, but I can admit to a pang of uncertainty. If Sookie so much as coughed I was going to rip off the witch's head.

Her last look was at me, eyes pleading for me to save her, courage trying to stay screwed up enough to turn her face to the corkscrew of smoke now rising from the copper pot.

"I will be here for you Sookie. I will keep you safe. Even at the cost of my own life." Her hand reached back for mine, and I took it, and enfolded it in grasp, again willing her to take the strength I could give her through the bond. It was enough. She squared up her shoulders and closed her eyes, turning to inhale the white tendrils. A minute passed in complete silence until broken by the witch.

"Enough." I pulled her back, and she looked at me, waiting for me to act, and to turn the key.

"Pam, watch over everyone." I spoke to my child but never let my eyes leave Sookie's blue depths. Of course I only meant for her to watch over Marie. But as soon as the spell was cast Papa B had stepped forward, and now he placed a hand around Marie's upper arm. He was seemingly stronger than he looked as I saw the grip hold her fast. In an instant he had blown a dark red powder into her face, which just as quickly dissipated as it met her skin.

"You have till sunset tomorrow Miss Stonebrook to leave Louisiana. Otherwise my spell will take your life. Blood will flow from your eyes, your ears and your nose, and it will not stop. I will know if you try, but more importantly, Eric will know if you return. Your blood will draw every nightwalker for miles." His voice was so deep and so rich in the Haitian accent as he cast his own spell, it gave him all the power he needed. I understood what that powder had been composed of then, my blood, along with his magics. "Do you understand?" He asked of Marie, in a voice that could have been music.

She nodded, transfixed by him, as was most everyone else.

"And if you have hurt Sookie further, you will not make it to the border, do you understand that?" I put in my two cents with a voice that was not so musical as it was deadly serious. I did not wait for a response. "Hold her here for just a moment longer, till we return." I instructed Pam, and then took Sookie's hand, still in my own and guided her backwards. I had no intention of professing my love for her in front of a crowd, not only for my own comfort, but also for hers. She did not need everyone staring at her again, expectantly, especially if things did not go well. The anxiety rolled off her in palpable waves. No, we would be alone, for both our sakes.

"Will you come to the office with me?" I asked. She nodded and followed me, I dropped her hand and held the door for her, looking back at Pam as I did so, her forced smile told me she would know what to do if things did not go well, as well as if they did.

"How do you feel?" The office light was harsh, but there was no time to light candles, the task was far more pressing than those niceties.

"The same I guess."

"Come here." I wanted her to be right in front of me when I said it, but I wanted her to come to me, I did not want to advance on her. Thankfully she came. So picture us, face to face, about a foot apart, her looking up at me, me looking down at her. I watched her chest heaving in the anticipation of what was to come.

"Sookie," I began. "I" two fingers pressed against my lips stopped my words. A chill ran through me. She didn't want me to continue.

"Don't."

"But Sookie?"

"Wait just a moment, please Eric."

"I do not understand Sookie. Is this not what you want?"

"It is, I want my life back, but I want something else from you first."

"Anything."

"Kiss me. I want to feel you kiss me, for the first time. I want to feel everything I've been reading about. I need to have that truth first, please." She had called it truth, my dead heart leapt in my chest, she wanted it as much as I did, and perhaps that strength of will would be enough to make it so.

I answered her without words, but by cupping the back of her head into my left hand and turning it up to me as I bent to her, pressing my lips against hers, and grinding against them. At first it was carefully, and then I built the pressure as my desperation for her began to break through the wall I had been holding in place for so many hours. As I felt her part her lips to take a breath I thrust my tongue into her mouth and met hers, feeling her own desperation for me. For her it was the first kiss, for me, I was so afraid it would be the last and I wrapped myself around her, grasping for purchase against her mouth and body in what was a haphazard embrace at best, tasting her and pulling against her like a boy, a boy afraid that his lover was about to vanish. I felt the prickling of the tears in my eyes and finally pulled away from her, to wipe them clear before she could see them.

"Thank you." She whispered, letting her head rest against my chest. "I wish we had more time."

"For?" I was an idiot.

"For you to make love to me for the first time again as well." Her tiny smile was more than playful, it was the most beautiful, charming thing I had ever seen, or ever would see. I laughed along with her, and let the tear run down my face unmolested until she reached up to dab it away and to lick the blood from her fingertip.

"I love you Sookie Stackhouse."

I am desperate to hear what you think, and what you believe will happen next. Don't hate me for my cliffies. Reviews make me write faster. ;)