Chapter 2

The next night that Nikki observed that Sookie seemed to leave town with Bill. Maybe, they were going on a little romantic getaway, she thought. It's not like there weren't vampire hotels that couldn't accommodate their needs. So, she mused there wouldn't be any showdown between the three of them any time soon. Since, she was in the area, she decided to entertain herself. She had watched the area because she was looking to see if other fairies might come looking for her. There were other portals and they might think her tricky enough to not pick such an obvious choice. Or, they might not come looking for her at all. They knew that she was a worthy adversary.

She arrived at Merlott's wearing a tiny pair of black shorts. She also wore a tight tee shirt with a push up bra that made her pert breasts impossible to ignore. She left her hair loose and flowing into ringlets to hide the fang marks on her neck.

She found Sam putting some stuff away behind the bar.

"Hello, Sam," she said.

Sam turned around and his eyes widened as they passed over her. He lingered over her breasts and then realized that he was doing so and looked quickly back up to her face.

"Uh, I thought that you weren't working tonight," he said.

"Change of plans," replied Nikki. "Unless, you don't need me."

"No, don't be silly," said Sam. "We always need help around here, just ask Arlene."

Nikki smiled and whirled around and Sam found it hard to take his eyes off her. There was something different about her, he thought. And that didn't include the short shorts and snug top. Maybe, she was looking to get bigger tips, tonight.

So, Nikki filled in and mingled with Sookie's friends. Maybe, she just wanted to live for a while in Sookie's shoes. While Sookie had not lived a normal life, it was still a human life. Something that Nikki did not get the chance to experience. When she had found out the secret of her origins, she had been consumed with anger and hurt. Yet, the life that she had lived was the only one that she knew. Mab and the Claudette and Claudine were the only family that she knew and they weren't even her family. She knew that she should disappear to the four winds, yet something kept her here. This longing to see what her life could have been had seduced her.

When she took an order to the kitchen window, Lafayette had looked her over.

"Look at you, all sexy and shit," he said. "What gives, Girlfriend?"

"If you've got it, flaunt it," smirked Nikki. "Isn't that your motto?"

"Shore is," said Lafayette, giving her a wink. "Does that vampire boyfriend know that you're giving these rednecks a peek at what he usually the only one privileged enough to see?"

"Now, you make it sound as if I'm indecent," replied Nikki.

"All I know is that Arlene is complaining that every male with a pulse tonight is fighting to get seated in your section, little Miss Tease," said Lafayette.

"She's just jealous," smirked Nikki.

Nikki took her orders and passed Arlene with a bright smile. As she was passing out the dishes at a table, she leaned over and the group of men next to the door began to talk. Jason had just come inside and when he heard them, he wondered who was causing such an interest. Was there a new waitress at Merlott's? About time that Sam hired another girl, he thought. He wondered if she was pretty and his eyes looked into the direction of the men's interest and was stunned to see his sister. What the hell? He turned an angry glance to the table.

"That's my sister you're talking about," he hissed.

"Uh, sorry, but she's kinda hard to ignore in those tiny shorts," said one.

"I was looking at her eyes," said another.

"Yeah, right," replied another. "Take that about a foot down and then that statement is accurate."

Jason pointed his finger at them, "Watch it. I won't tolerate any nasty talk about Sookie."

"Sure, Jason, we'll just sit here and ponder her intellectual abilities," laughed the first one.

Jason stalked off to his sister. He surprised her and she turned around and almost bumped into her. Her eyes widened and then she flashed a shy smile.

"Jason?" she asked.

"Don't act like you don't who I am," he said.

She surprised him by giving him a hug and saying, "It's so good to see you."

His irritation vanished and he said, "You saw me just last night."

"That doesn't mean that I'm not happy to see my brother, tonight," she said. "Why don't I buy you a beer?"

Jason smiled, "I'm up for that, Sooks."

Nikki got a beer from behind the bar and walked to a booth with Jason. She sat it in front of him and passed her eyes over him. She was looking for any signs that he was a fairy. She felt a moment of sadness when she didn't find any. How can that be? They had the same parentage, didn't they? There was something going on here that she didn't understand. Yet, fairy of not, he was still her sibling. A sibling that she had never gotten a chance to know. She looked into his attractive face and saw the affection and love that he felt for Sookie. Was that a clue as to why she was different? Because she didn't have that close connection with anyone?

"Did you have a happy childhood?" asked Nikki.

"What kind of question is that, Sooks," replied Jason. "Weren't you there with me?"

"I guess that I didn't see things from your point of view," said Nikki.

"Of course, I was happy," replied Jason.

"And our mother and father, did they love us?" asked Nikki.

"Sooks, are you alright?" asked Jason.

"Please, just tell me," asked Nikki.

"Yes, they loved us," said Jason.

Nikki looked down at the tabletop and Jason reached out a hand when he saw a tear roll down her cheek. He took her hand in his.

"What's the matter? Did you have a fight with Bill or something?" he asked.

Nikki lifted her face and blinked back her tears and took a deep breath. She squeezed Jason's hand back. "Don't mind me. I'm just a little emotional these days."

"Oh, are you having, um, female problems?" asked Jason.

"Jason!" hissed Nikki.

"Well, you know that you can always talk to me," replied Jason. "I probably can't help you solve anything, but I can listen."

Nikki gave his a smile, "You're a good brother, Jason."

She got up and ruffled his hair and kissed his cheek. She turned her eyes to the front of Merlott's and saw Eric Northman come inside. Her heart froze in her chest and she sniffed the air. His vampire scent was coming across loud and clear. She wondered why most supernaturals were able to detect each other. She could detect vampires, shifters and weres, and other Fae, of course. Yet, he seemed unable to detect her or Sookie. Did their human part conceal the Fae part? She also felt an irrational moment of fear, but she brushed that off. There wasn't any way that he could track her without giving her his blood. He had probably come to Bon Temps to find Sookie and Bill.

His eyes found her immediately and she felt the power of that gaze. Was he trying to exert his influence over her? She felt for a moment that it might not have been the best idea to play games with him. He was used to getting his way. Except for where Sookie was concerned, she corrected herself. She felt butterflies in her stomach as she stared at him. He was all in black with a black leather jacket. His blonde hair flashed in the lights. He was just her type, she thought. Physically speaking of course. And he looked good in black and even better in nothing at all.

He started walking towards her with her still in his sights. There was something deliciously dangerous about him. That was part of his appeal. She felt herself rooted to the floor. Just before he reached her, Sam intercepted him.

Eric looked down at him and said, "You're in my way, Shifter."

"You can't come in here and harass my waitresses," said Sam.

"I can assure you that harassment in not my intention," replied Eric with a smile.

"Sam, it's okay," said Nikki.

"See, Sookie and I have decided to be friends," replied Eric.

He flashed a smug smile at Sam and Sam moved back to the bar where he continued to watch them. Eric turned his attention back to her and his eyes roved over her.

"Is it my imagination or have Merlott's uniforms gotten smaller?" he asked.

"I get bigger tips this way," replied Nikki.

As his eyes continued to linger over her body, Nikki said, "Let's go outside away from prying eyes."

She turned and led the way outside. Once outside the back exit, she spied a picnic table a little ways from the garbage bin. She headed towards that with Eric on her heels. Reaching the table, she turned around and faced him. She tried not to notice how handsome he was. You had your moment, she told herself. The more contact with you that he has, the more chance there is for him to figure out that you aren't Sookie. She crossed her arms in front of herself.

"What are you doing here?" she asked him.

"Looking for Bill," replied Eric.

"He's not here," said Nikki.

"You are," replied Eric.

"Perhaps, you should let me handle Bill," said Nikki.

"Are you trying to take back what's been said and done?" asked Eric. "I have tasted you, in case you have forgotten."

How could I forget that, thought Nikki. He scared me half to death. It's a wonder that she hadn't instinctively blasted him across the room. There had been no forewarning. She had been enjoying the closeness of his body as he kept up that relentless rhythm between her legs. She was drawing ever closer to coming when she felt his fangs slice into her neck. It had shocked her and, if he had not have been so skillful, she would have faltered.

"Maybe, I told you what you wanted to hear," replied Nikki. "Or, maybe, I lied. Vampires don't have a monopoly on telling lies."

She had expected to anger him, yet he gave her an appraising glance and smiled. "Well, that's turning the tables on me," replied Eric. "So, where did this new-found skill at lying come from?"

"I'm a quick learner," replied Nikki. "Aren't you the master of lies?"

"I would say that Bill actually holds that title," replied Eric.

He had a point there, thought Nikki. She trusted Bill even less than Eric. She stared at Eric and wondered what he really knew about Bill. "If you know that Bill has been telling lies, why haven't you told me before?" she asked.

"Why waste my time, since you wouldn't believe me," replied Eric.

Now, Sookie wouldn't believe Eric, thought Nikki, but I'm another story. "Why are you so interested in someone who thinks the worst of you?" she said.

"I can be very determined when something is worth my effort," replied Eric. "And, sooner or later, you'll come to appreciate me."

"But, why am I worth so much effort?" asked Nikki. "I'm a country bumpkin. I'm not an intellectual. I'm working a dead-end job. And, surely, you can find prettier girls. Is it just the mind-reading?"

"You're being awfully harsh on yourself," replied Eric.

Acutally, I'm being harsh on Sookie, thought Nikki. But, I would really like to know the answer.

"I'm waiting for some enlightenment," said Nikki.

Eric trailed his finger down her upper arm and said, "When I look at you, like this, I can see something special in you," he said.

Nikki looked up at him and said, "So, you are seeing this specialness…..now?"

"Yes," he replied. He studied her and said, "So, are you trying to tell me that you deceived me, just to have your way with me?"

"Something like that," replied Nikki.

"And what is Bill going to think about this?" asked Eric.

"I guess that you'll have to ask him," replied Nikki with a smirk.

"That's rather brave of you," replied Eric. "And not very considerate about the consequences for me. Feeding on and fucking another vampire's human is a grave crime among vampires. I could be arrested and charged by the Magister himself."

Nikki studied him. Was he lying? Damn these vampires, she thought, they are worse than fairies. "But, you are his superior. And haven't you been chasing me when I belong to Bill?"

"Either you would have to voluntarily leave Bill or he would have to give you to me," replied Eric. "I can't force him to give you up."

"That's what I don't understand," replied Nikki. "I've watched you in operation and you're telling me that you can't come up with some way to blackmail Bill into giving you what you want."

"I could, but you would be highly uncooperative," replied Eric.

"I never thought that mattered to vampires," said Nikki.

"For someone who's dating a vampire and preaches about how happy you are, I'm hearing quite a bit of negativity from you," replied Eric.

"I'm trying to be objective about things," replied Nikki. "So, why did you come here, tonight?"

"I was going to tell Bill that I had stolen you out from under his nose, but you seemed to have nipped that plan of action in the bud," said Eric.

"Easy come, easy go," replied Nikki.

"Then, what's wrong with adding on to our sins," replied Eric. "I would be up to letting you ravish me again."

"I thought there were consequences for that particular type of sin," said Nikki.

"I'm already guilty of said crime," said Eric. "If I'm going to be punished then it should be worth my while."

"What makes you think that I'm interested?" replied Nikki. "I have already had you, you know."

"The Sookie that I know was never so cold-hearted," replied Eric. He brushed her cheek with one finger and added, "Little vixen, you know that I'm a sucker for cold and wicked hearts."

"Aren't we a pair?" sighed Nikki.

Eric leaned down and gave her a kiss. It was surprisingly sweet and lingering and, when he drew away, Nikki opened her eyes to find his blue ones staring into hers. Those eyes seemed to dance with wicked intent and she found herself wavering.

"Let's go somewhere else," he said. "Perhaps, somewhere with a bed."

"Oh, that's something different," replied Nikki with a smile.

"I think that you are the type of girl who appreciates variety," said Eric.

"You are tempting, but a girl has to earn a living," replied Nikki.

"I would take care of you," said Eric.

"Like a kept woman?" asked Nikki.

"I wouldn't see it in those terms," replied Eric.

Nikki studied him and said, "Yes, you would. Would it make things easier for you if I accepted that proposition?"

"I'm not sure what you are getting at," replied Eric.

"If I were to behave like every other woman that you've quote taken care of, then it would be familiar ground for you, wouldn't it? You're used to being used as much as you use them. It's easy to not become too attached to creatures who are basically prostituting themselves for you," said Nikki.

"Someone has been analyzing our relationship," replied Eric.

Nikki reached out and slowly took his hand. "Isn't that why you are so attracted to Sook, er, I mean me? Because my heart can't be bought or bargained with?"

"I thought that your heart came along with the package last night," replied Eric.

"I thought that you just told me that my heart was cold and wicked," said Nikki.

"I never said that I didn't want it," replied Eric, smiling.

"I'm afraid that you don't know me as well as you think you do," said Nikki.

"Perhaps, you're right," replied Eric. "But, I thought that last night you were finally becoming the woman who knows what she wants and who stopped caring about how a good girl is supposed to behave."

Damn, that was a good line, thought Nikki. "You aren't making this easy for me," she replied.

"It's not in my nature to make things easy for you," replied Eric. "Especially when you are trying to resist me."

Once again, Nikki wondered how Sookie was able to resist him. She was gripped by the crazy desire to tell him the truth. But, that would not be wise. She still couldn't trust him.

His hand move down her throat and came into contact with the scabs from his fang marks. Slowly, those fingers traced over them and his eyes seemed to focus on her.

"I frightened you, last night," he said.

"I just wasn't expecting that," replied Nikki.

"Doesn't Bill bite you during sex?" asked Eric.

"I'm not going to discuss Bill with you," replied Nikki.

"So, how is this little triangle going to play out?" asked Eric. "Are you planning on going back to boring Bill and forgetting about last night?"

"It would be hard to forget about you," replied Nikki.

"Are you going jump ship?" asked Eric. "And have primal, passionate sex with me all the time?"

Nikki said, "Maybe, I will decide to leave you both behind."

"Well, that's a dismal outcome for everyone," replied Eric. "Perhaps, you need me to show you what you would be missing."

"We've already been over this," said Nikki.

"Yes, but I still haven't gotten the response that I want," replied Eric. "You are being unreasonably stubborn."

"I thought that was what you liked about me," said Nikki.

"It isn't," replied Eric.

He leaned close and into her ear, "What I like about you is seeing that petite and glorious body naked before me. I like hearing your soft breath in my ear as I'm having primal and passionate sex with you. And I like watching your face as I make you come."

"That's nasty talk," complained Nikki. Although it was hot nasty talk, she thought.

"You weren't so shy last night," smirked Eric.

His hand came up and cupped her chin and he kissed her deeply. "It's time to go, little barmaid," he said.

"I already said that I can't," replied Nikki.

"If it means anything to you, I don't consider you a slut because I know how few you have graced with what you gave to me last night," he said. "Can you truly be so cruel as to break my heart?"

"I didn't think that you had one," replied Nikki.

"Aren't you interested in finding out for sure if I do or not?" said Eric.

He took her hand and kissed the top. Looking at her over it, he smiled and began pulling her to the parking lot.

"Wait, I never said yes," Nikki said.

"I'm not taking no for an answer," replied Eric.

"I can't just leave," hissed Nikki. "What about Sam?"

"He'll figure it out," smirked Eric.

He pulled her along to the parking lot. His eyes scanned the cars as he looked for Sookie's old yellow Honda.

"Where's your car?' he asked. "I flew here."

Nikki walked to a bright red convertible and Eric's eyes widened.

"It's a loaner," she said. "My car is in the garage."

She pulled the key out of her shorts and unlocked the doors. She sat there and said, "Just where are you expecting me to take you?"

"Home, of course," replied Eric.

"That is just wrong," said Nikki. "You are not getting into the same bed that Bill does."

"Spoil-sport," replied Eric. "I will settle for an illicit rendezvous in a motel."

"You aren't making this sound attractive," said Nikki.

"Have a little faith in me," replied Eric.

Nikki sat against the headboard and watched Eric disrobe for her. He was such a tease, she thought. She couldn't stop a little smile from forming as he sexily pulled off his shirt. He stood there and let her enjoy the view for a moment. He moved to his pants that already demonstrated how much he was looking forward to touching her. When he finished and moved to the bed, Nikki shut off the light. She felt his delightfully naked body move close to hers and in the next moment the light flicked back on.

"I turned that off," said Nikki.

"I turned it back on," replied Eric. He began to pull off her top and said, "I want to see you, again."

He stared at her cleavage in the pushup bra and moved to kiss her. He trailed a line of kisses down until he reached her bra, then he nudged the bra out of the way and latched on to her nipple. He vigorously sucked on it and Nikki moaned. He moved to the other one as his fingers still teased the first. He alternated between her breasts and her lips until Nikki was urging him to go farther. But, as he moved between her legs, she put her hand on his chest.

"Can you be a little more gentle with me this time?" she said.

"Did I hurt you, last night?" he asked.

"I guess Bill isn't as well-endowed as you are and he doesn't have your stamina," she said.

"I always suspected that," replied Eric with a smirk.

Eric leaned down and kissed her, "Don't worry, I would never hurt you on purpose."

He then kissed his way down and settled between her thighs and using the gentle pressure of his tongue began to drive all of Nikki's doubts from her mind. He took a long time at it and made Nikki's pleasure last a long time until she came. He then moved up beside her and eased her on top. He also handed over control to her and simply followed her lead. It was different from last night, but just as exciting, thought Nikki. He rose up and kissed her with his hands running through her hair. His hands were so large, but now they were so gentle. He reclined back and his eyes stared into her as he moved with her motions. It was slow and sensually erotic. For a moment, Nikki felt like a wave of guilt. He wasn't hers, she told herself. So close were they that Eric picked up her misgivings. She felt his hand on her chin and looked down at him.

"I'm right here," he said. "Stay with me."

As she stared down, Nikki found that the only thing that mattered was the touch of his hands on her, the feel of his lips against hers, and how he seemed to perfectly fit inside of her. Right now was the only thing that mattered.

"I'm not going anywhere," sighed Nikki.

Eric flashed a smile that made him look totally guileless and reached for her as their bodies again moved as one with the same purpose and desires.

Later on, Eric had continued to trail his fingers over her as she lay next to him. He had not bitten her again since it had frightened her so last night. But, he could not be happier with this surprise turn of events. He touched her soft blonde hair and loved the way that she wore it down. To be honest, those ponytails were not anywhere as attractive, he thought.

He moved to get dressed and she watched him from the bed.

"You're leaving early," she said.

"I have matters to attend to at Fangtasia," he replied. Of course, he didn't. He smiled to himself. They had a little honesty problem. But, he liked to be kept on his toes and that only made things more interesting. There was one place that they didn't tell lies and that was in each other's arms. There, with each other's bodies pressed close together and staring in each other's eyes, was where the truth lay.

He moved and gave her a long kiss, filled with promise, and said, "I'll be seeing you around."

"Goodbye, Eric," she replied.

He left and took to the sky. He had a little visit to pay to someone before heading back to Fangtasia. He steeled himself to have some patience. It wouldn't do to kill this person out of frustration.

A/N: Nikki displayed her vulnerability in this chapter and why she is so drawn to staying here. You would think that she might reveal herself to Sookie, but she is having a little difficulty with forming a connection to someone that she doesn't know. Of course, there is always the possibility that she doesn't want to endanger Sookie or Jason because sooner or later the other fairies may come looking for her.

I've always wondered why Jason is not a fairy like Sookie. In True Blood, genetics seem to be responsible for determining who inherits powers.

Now, Eric and Nikki are playing a dangerous little game. If they're not careful, they might end up falling for each other.

Now, I have left the timelines vague, but I see this as somewhere around season 2, but there is no blood bond between Eric and Sookie, so he doesn't have that little bit of ESP to help him figure out that Nikki isn't Sookie.