A/N: Eric and Nikki are still at Russell's mansion in Jackson. And still sharing that room, along with that pesky light that Nikki keeps worrying about.

Chapter 13: The Joining

I

Russell's Bargain

Nikki watched the white-jacketed waiters move efficiently through the room, delivering glasses of chilled, carbonated blood and white wine to the guests. Vampires sat in little intimate groups on the numerous settees and chairs in the room or they stood in small cliques. They mostly looked bored, but like everyone else here, they kept their sentiments to themselves. She noticed that there were some humans present, but for the most part they stayed close to the vampires that brought them to the party. It wouldn't do to ditch your vampire date. Speaking of vampire dates, she thought as her eyes focused on Eric from across the room. He was looking fine, as always. As soon as she had woken late this morning, she had flown from that bed and room. Of course, the werewolves watching over the estate would not let her out of their sight and that foiled all her plans of trying to escape. But, if she had managed to run away, would Russell have taken his wrath out on Eric? She shouldn't care after all things that he had done to her. Shouldn't care. But, even Eric didn't deserve the smack-down that Russell could deliver. Did he?

The object of her thoughts was across the room and speaking with Talbot who blatantly had a crush on him. I am not jealous, she told herself, as she watched them together. Eric was turned away from her with his eyes staring at some painting that probably should have hung in a museum and not squirreled away by some filthy rich vampire. Talbot was, no doubt, explaining the paintings history or some other drivel to him. Eric did know when to kiss up, which surprised her. He feigned interest in the painting and in Talbot who simpered under his gaze. Eric was pretending, wasn't he? Of course, she had to give Talbot points for style. Eric's impressive physique was draped in Talbot's flattering choice of clothing. A light gray suit fitted him as if it had been specially made for him. It was casual with the jacket unbuttoned along and the dress shirt underneath which had several buttons undone. It showed entirely too much of his chest, thought Nikki with a little frown. His necklace stood out just against the gaping collar and seemed to catch the light and sparkle. Like that vampire needs any adornment. He could make people drool wearing just sackcloth and ashes. The shirt was an intriguing mixture of blue and green. Just like his eyes. How long had Talbot spent searching for it? Yes, that little flirt knew how to dress the male body, she had to reluctantly give him that. Eric flashed a wide smile at Talbot and turned slightly around. Just as she was about to curse Talbot for being a shameless flirt, she almost fell to her knees to praise him for those pants that Eric was wearing. Those pants. She tried to burn the image into her retinas so that when she got away, she would at least have an image to use for all those special private times that she would need in order to get over this obsession with Eric Northman. It was then that Eric's eyes lifted off Talbot and zeroed onto her in one quick motion, as if he had known exactly where she was. And what she was thinking. He didn't smile, but that just made the heated gaze coming out of his eyes that much more intense. She flushed and her heartbeat rose as the warmth in her cheeks made a bee-line for that area between her legs. Goodness, could she orgasm just from that look? His lip twitched up at the corner just a few degrees and Nikki knew that he was enjoying this moment of catching her ogling him. Damn him and those crazy vampire powers. She whirled away and found herself face-to-face with Russell.

The power that she could feel from this vampire made her stomach churn. He was, at the moment, playing nice with her. She knew that he could take her away from Eric if he wanted to. She also knew that he could easily kill Eric if Eric was foolish enough to fight for her. It made her wonder why Eric was really sticking his neck out for her. Was it just vampire ego and possessiveness?

"Talbot is pulling out all the stops, but I think that it's a lost cause," said Russell.

"Excuse me?"

"Talbot wants what you have, Ms. Jordan," Russell replied.

Nikki bit her lip. "Doesn't that make you jealous?"

"I'm used to Talbot and his ways," replied Russell. "And no matter where his attention might wander, it always comes back to me."

"You have a more generous nature than I do," said Nikki.

Russell sighed. "After seven hundred years, we are past the jealous stage."

He then flashed her a charming smile and amazed her. He really could be very charming when he wanted to, she thought. His unassuming physical size made you forget just how lethal a vampire he was.

"Why don't we make them jealous for a change?" he said, offering her his arm.

"I like the way you think, Your Majesty," she replied, taking his arm and giving him her own charming smile. It was just as fake as his. She kept them in full view of Eric and Talbot and fluttered her eyelashes under his gaze. She leaned in to close that her lips almost touched his ear.

"Who says we're pretending?"

"A charming girl such as yourself could make a man forget his religion," replied Russell.

"I assure that my thoughts are not on something so lofty," said Nikki. "They are more sinful in nature."

Russell laughed and propelled her out of the room under the watchful gaze of both Talbot and Eric. He brought her into his study and escorted her to a settee covered in golden velvet that sat before the fireplace, which had a large fire blazing in it. It was the Deep South, thought Nikki. What was with all the fires? He sat across from her on the other settee and crossed his legs. He examined her and that gaze was no longer quite so playful. Nikki was glad that there was a fire in the fireplace now. The warmth of the room helped keep the goose-pimples that threatened to rise on her arms away. He was dressed in a casual khaki suit with a silk shirt with a delicate floral design. He was confident enough with his manhood to not steer clear of floral shirts. Just let anyone try to call him a sissy, thought Nikki. Bad, very bad move.

"May I be frank, Ms. Jordan?"

"Call me Nikki," she replied. "And, please speak your mind."

"Are you really attached to that Viking out there?" he asked.

"Of course, why would you think otherwise?"

"Hmm, I sense a little strain between the two of you," he said. "Is the honeymoon over?"

"You are imaging things," replied Nikki.

"Is that why you wanted your own room last night?" he asked.

"We were just having a lover's spat, that's all," replied Nikki.

"You know that I can help you," said Russell.

"Help me?"

"I can take care of the problem quite simply," he replied.

"H-how is that?"

"I can kill him for you, my dear," Russell said, smoothly. His eyes raked over her and he added, "Or not. But, you need to understand one thing, Nikki."

"What is that, Your Majesty?"

"Eric Northman is not going to let you slip out of his fingers. The fact that he hasn't offered you up to me on a platter is proof of that," replied Russell.

Nikki wondered how honest he would be. "Not that I'm suggesting anything, but why haven't you just taken me from him?"

Russell smiled. "Would you cooperate if I did?"

"I might be disinclined to acquiesce," replied Nikki. "What do you want from me?"

"I want you and your little talent," he said. "Whether Eric Northman comes along for the ride is completely up to you."

Eric watched Nikki climb the stairs. She looked somewhat drained after her private meeting with Russell and Eric wondered if he had threatened her. A flicker of anger ignited, but he tamped it down. He couldn't afford to be anything but levelheaded and rational around Russell. His eyes roved over the little black dress that Talbot had whipped out of thin air for her. It clung to her petite curves and molded over her heart-shaped ass like a second skin. As she climbed the stairs that heart-shaped ass, which he was particularly fond of, was enticingly put on display. His cock twitched at the sight and he closed his eyes, desperately trying to will down his response to her. It was then that she looked over her shoulder and down at him. He struggled to understand the things that he saw in her eyes. He watched as her eyes widened slightly and she turned her head away from him. At the top of the landing, she arrogantly stared back down at him and Russell. With a toss of that blonde mane of hair, she stalked away. He would have believed that she was confident and carefree, if he hadn't seen that haunted look in her eyes only a moment before.

"You have your hands full with that one," said Russell.

"She's nothing that I can't handle."

Russell stared up at him and then a sly, conspiratory glance came into his eyes. "The coast is clear if you want to sneak away with me. Talbot won't notice that we are gone until it's too late."

"Lead the way, Your Majesty," replied Eric, slightly wondering if Russell was planning on killing him.

Russell flashed him a smile and together they walked out the front door only a minute before Talbot came down the steps.

"Russell?" he called.

He checked out Russell's study and hissed in annoyance when he realized that Eric was gone as well. "He never takes me anywhere."

In the back of the limousine, Russell relaxed into the plush leather seats. He passed his eyes over Eric in a contemplative study. Eric who had been gazing out the window turned around and returned the gaze. It was best not to appear weak in front of Russell, he thought.

"Are you happy in Louisiana?" asked Russell.

"I have my work and my business there," replied Eric.

"Do you like bowing and scraping to Sophie-Anne?" asked Russell. "She is hardly your equal in age or brains."

"Are you asking me to commit treason?" asked Eric, with a raised eyebrow. He was quite certain that Russell wasn't planning on killing him. At least, not tonight, anyway.

"My dear boy," chuckled Russell. "You misunderstand my intentions."

"Maybe, you should spell them out, so I don't jump to the wrong conclusions."

"Very well, I can see the potential in a vampire like yourself, which is clearly being ignored in by your queen," replied Russell. "I can offer you a position that is more deserving of your age and talents."

"You're asking me to serve you?"

"That's right," replied Russell. "As one of my highest-ranking vampires. You would oversee all my other sheriffs and directly report to me. Your salary would be very generous, I assure you."

As Eric mulled over this change in tactics, Russell added, "I'll even set you up a new bar here in Jackson, with me being a partner in this enterprise. There is, of course, one catch."

"There always is a catch," replied Eric.

"I want Ms. Jordan, as well," he said.

"I won't give her to you," coldly said Eric.

Russell laughed. "Oh, you have it bad. No, you misunderstand me. You can keep the lovely charms of Ms. Jordan all to yourself," he said. "I simply want her to work for me. Think it over, but don't wait too long."

Russell grinned, "Talbot is just itching to redecorate your quarters in the mansion. I did tell you that you would be staying at the mansion, didn't I?"

The Joining

It was well after midnight when Eric returned to his and Nikki's room. Their room, she thought. This close contact between them that wasn't nearly close enough was driving her crazy. She had clutched her book when she heard the doorknob turn and breathed a sigh of relief when she saw Eric step into the room. It was then that she acknowledged that she had been worrying over him the entire time that he was gone with Russell. He was a big vampire who can take care of himself, she told herself. Still, he was seriously outmatched against Russell Edgington. He knew it too, he was just too stubborn to give up. To give up and let Russell have her, she thought with a shiver. She felt a feeling that she tried to ignore. Don't get all misty eyed about him, she warned herself. Remember the room he locked you in. Remember how he manipulated you until he got the upper hand and then went full-blown vampire on you. Yet, she also remembered how soft his kisses were and how his body had felt next to hers, the soft growls he made as he made love to her. She realized that she had been staring at him in a trance as her mind had wandered. She blinked and Eric began to disrobe. He threw the jacket on a chair and tossed the shirt on the bed as he headed into the bathroom without even so much as an explanation as to what happened with Russell. She heard the sounds of the shower come on and turned her gaze to the shirt that rested almost next to her on the bed. She resisted the crazy urge to take in in her hands and sniff it. The heady aroma of sexy vampire might overwhelm her senses. Instead, she kicked her feet underneath the covers and managed to dislodge it from the bed.

In a matter of minutes, Eric came out of the bathroom, wearing only a white fluffy towel around his waist. Her eyes widened as he tossed it off him onto a chair. She couldn't turn away as she watched him stalk across the room in all his nakedness like a deadly panther. He has absolutely no shame, she thought. He stopped at his jacket and pulled out his cell phone and made a call.

"Pam, it's me," he said. There was a very long pause and Nikki could imagine Pam expressing her dissatisfaction at being kept in the dark about his whereabouts. Pam wasn't one to mince words. She was sure that Pam would have a few choice words for her, too.

"I'm in Jackson," he said. "I'll explain later, just keep my whereabouts a secret."

He disconnected the call and turned his eyes to her. Nikki fought to keep her eyes on his face. The seconds ticked by and Nikki felt a growing anger that he would just stand there like that. There was playing dirty, but this was taking it to the extreme.

She couldn't stand it any longer.

"For goodness sakes, put some pants on!"

"Why?" asked Eric. "You said that you weren't interested in me anymore. You didn't lie, did you?"

"Of course not," murmured Nikki, averting her eyes with a huge effort.

"Then, the sight of my dick shouldn't faze you," he replied.

He was doing this on purpose. Taunting her like the cruel bastard he was and waving that impressive appendage under her nose. Okay, she had fond memories of that appendage or rather what it could do. Nikki bit her lips. It was going to take more than the sight of his impressive equipment to melt her resistance, but she felt herself fading fast. Try to ignore the sexy vampire in the room. She flipped a page of her book and pretended to read.

"What did you and Russell talk about?" asked Nikki.

"Wouldn't you like to know?"

Nikki gripped the book so hard that her knuckles turned white. "In case you haven't noticed, my life hangs in the balance of whatever game you vampires are playing," she hissed.

"You started all these games, meddling little fairy," replied Eric. "I should spank you."

Nikki got a vision of Eric spanking her bare bottom and she felt the heat rise to her cheeks in embarrassment. She felt a heat in other more intimate places and she started to melt. Not now, she begged herself. I need you girly parts to get on board with the program and not try to jump ship. Don't get your hopes up because the S.S. Eric Northman isn't sailing tonight. It was then that she heard Eric make a small noise. She looked up to see Eric staring down between his legs. Fuck and double fuck. He was rising to the occasion for another voyage to Orgasmic Island. Eric's eyes lifted to hers and they suspiciously narrowed. But, another part of his anatomy was busily widening and lengthening. He knows that something isn't right. Fuck, it was starting. You can't let him figure it out. How the fuck can I get my light out of him?

"What's happening?" demanded Eric, his eyes boring into hers.

"Like you've never had a spontaneous erection before?" replied Nikki. "Knowing you, you probably walk around with a hard-on most of the time."

Eric uttered a hiss of annoyance and slipped into bed, turning off the lights. Nikki couldn't see him, but her imagination was working overtime with visions of Eric lying there with that hard-on. She took some deep breaths and tried to calm down her rioting hormones.

"Are you snoring?" he asked.

"I don't snore," bristled Nikki. "That's breathing, okay."

"The only time that you breath like that is when you are under me," replied Eric. "Or astride me or while I lick your-"

"I get the picture," interrupted Nikki. Please, don't remind me. I'm trying to get those images of tangled limbs on twisted sheets out of my mind and you're not helping.

"I don't see the Walls of Jericho, tonight."

"I was too tired to rebuild them," muttered Nikki.

Nikki propped up on her elbow and stared over at Eric or at least to the lump of a body under the covers that her eyes could see.

"Tell me about Russell," she softly asked.

"I've just become Russell's loyal vassal," replied Eric. "We are now permanent residents of King Russell Edgington's mansion."

Nikki bit her lip. She knew that he had done it to protect her from Russell. Yet, they wouldn't be in the mess if he hadn't kidnapped her and tried to force some arrangement upon her.

"You could at least thank me," he said.

Nikki was so torn. He was such a complete jerk one moment and her savior the next. "Forget it," mumbled Eric as he turned away from her.

She felt longing inside of her and she wondered where it had come from. Her eyes focused on the shape of Eric's shoulders that were so pale in the shadows. She was unable to stop herself and she reached out a hand and trailed it along the outline of his shoulder. Where her fingers touched his skin, she felt something shift underneath them. That feeling was like a tingling that left her longing for more if she pulled her hand away. She heard Eric make a little noise and knew that he was feeling it too. He rolled over and she looked down into his eyes that were so dark. There were hidden things in those eyes that temped her and called to her with the promise of mysteries to discover. Eric Northman was a big puzzle to solve and he was giving her a chance to unlock those secrets. He was offering to let her step into a place where few had ever journeyed. She would be lying if she said that she wasn't tempted. She reached out her hand and gently caressed his cheek as his eyes still held onto their secrets. He wouldn't make it that easy for her. He would make her work for everything that she got. Her hand trailed down his chest and hovered over his heart. Her fingers started to glow and she lifted her hand to see that Eric's skin under her hand was glowing with the same light. Her light. He groaned and arched his back as her light swirled around the place where his dead heart lay. The longing grew again and she realized now that it was Eric's longing that she could feel inside of her. It fluttered like a little bird that was just learning how to fly. It wanted to take flight and soar, but it was afraid that it would fall back to earth with broken wings. So afraid and so lost. Slowly, the light inside of Eric flickered and faded away. But, Nikki knew that it was still in there, somehow managing to live inside of Eric's undead body. In an instant, Eric moved and pinned her underneath him.

"What the fuck are you doing to me?" he demanded.

Nikki choked on the words, too afraid to even say out loud what was happening between them. His eyes softened slightly after a moment as he looked down on her. Smoothly, he slipped between her legs and pressed the evidence that his hard-on had not gone away into her.

"Wicked fairy," he said, leaning down to kiss her throat. "I need…"

Nikki knew what he needed because the same need was overpowering her senses and taking away her rational choice. But, when she had somehow given Eric her light that had set into motion things that could not be stopped. His lips on her throat left her breathless. She turned her head and met his lips with her own. His tongue surged into her mouth as his hips ground against her. Suddenly, her nightgown was torn away and Eric was moving into her. Yet, he paused before entering her and looked down at her with those eyes that she couldn't yet decipher.

"I need," she whispered, as she reached out for him.

With a smooth thrust, he was inside and he paused to let her adjust to him. He then started moving slowly with each thrust moving almost all the way out and all the way back. It felt like heaven itself and Nikki moaned and gripped his hips. She was floating on a cloud of bliss and she knew that the shared light had something to do with it. She turned her head and closed her eyes, but Eric's fingers turned her head back to him. His face was remarkable calm given the things that he was doing to the both of them, but his eyes were stormy and dark. Full of passion for her.

"Don't look away," he whispered. "Not from me."

"I-I won't," she said, running her hands over him. "Not ever."

The slightest smile lifted his lips and Nikki knew that it was a genuine one. He continued to move into her slowly, deeply. Every touch was savored and set off a blossoming of a thousand different other sensations. To not touch each other would have caused them both a physical pain. The pull between them was becoming too great to ignore. The Joining had begun.