A/N: hey everyone! Sorry it's taking me so long to update... please know that the reviews and favorites and adds make me smile, but they can't force any more hours in the day. Since I can't remember if I've whined about it here or not, I'm currently teaching 8th grade full time (that's from 8 to 4 M-F), teaching 6 hours at a local community college (T, Th 4:30 - 9), and taking 5 graduate hours toward my Master's degree (M, W 4:30 - 7). My spare time is used on my husband, my house, and my dogs - and doesn't leave much time for creative outlets. Not that you necessarily care about my insanity, but I want you to know that I'm legitimately busy and not just ignoring Sookie and Eric. And y'all. Otherwise, please know that next semester will (hopefully) not be as crazy, as this semester has proven to me, unequivocally, that I am, in fact, not Super Woman.

A/N, continued: My beta, Northwomn, is awesome. She never complains that I only send her a chapter every month and a half or that she hasn't seen hide nor hair of me on twitter or email since August. She loves me anyway, and I love her for it. Adding to her awesomeness, she is hosting a pretty amazing contest, called I Write the Songs. More details are available under the FF author name I Write the Songs, or at their blog, http:/i-writethesongs(dot)blogspot(dot)com. Even if you don't feel like you can get an entry in by the deadline (which is 10/30), you should still read and review the awesome entries!

Disclaimer: Most characters are not mine, and even the one that is bows to the great CH.

*cue backflash music and cheesy announcer voice* Last time, in Dead and Blonde, (from Eric's POV):

The tentative scrape of her teeth on my neck almost sent me spiraling out of control; it was like I could feel her thinking about biting me. I flipped us over so I could push into her more forcefully, leaving my neck close to her mouth. I began to kiss her neck where she knew I would bite, teasing her a little with my fangs. Then, without warning, she bit down in the soft spot where my neck meets my shoulder, sucking as my blood seeped to the surface.

It is an indescribable feeling, the flow of yourself into another being in the form of blood. As I became aware of her emotions, the intensity and timbre of them, I couldn't hold back anymore; I sank my fangs into her neck, coming as her blood spilled into my mouth. She came, too, her hands kneading into my back and my name falling from her red-stained lips. I collapsed onto her, resting my head on her breasts and trembling without realizing it. Her head fell back onto the pillows and her breathing and heartbeat began to settle back into their regular rhythm.

She stroked my hair lazily and kissed the top of my head, her eyes never opening. I slid off of her to rest by her side, still holding her close. "Thank you," I whispered. The act of taking my blood, especially after I had been so candid about it earlier, was probably the greatest show of her trust in me thus far.

She shrugged and as she drifted off into sleep, she said, "It's easy to trust someone you love," with a smile on her face.

Did she just say she loved me? Do I love her, too? Unfortunately, it was much too close to dawn and I slipped under its spell before I could answer my own question.

Chapter 13

Sookie's POV

I was sitting on the sofa in my robe, combing out my wet hair and thinking. When I woke up the day after taking Eric's blood, I had a sweet, metallic taste in my mouth and absolutely no aches or pains – not even from sleeping on my arm all night. I had gotten up, feeling refreshed and energized, and taken a shower. Now, I was thinking.

And I had a lot to think about. In the span of two weeks, I had met a vampire. Then I had gotten hired by that vampire to work for his boss and gone on a few (rather steamy) dates with him. After my employment had been secured, I was treated to: an all-expenses-paid shopping trip (and it wasn't at Wal-Mart, either), a spa day, an interview with a frightened human, an intimidation session with my new employer, and a romantic evening at an amazing restaurant. In addition, I had lost my virginity, ingested vampire blood, and, fallen in love with a man who is dead.

Business first. A part of me, even though it scared my pants off, really liked my new job. I was using a part of myself in a way I had never imagined. Most of my life had been spent trying to hide my telepathy, but here I had encountered an entire group of people that thought it was not just a viable characteristic, but a blessing. They weren't necessarily human, but it was nice not to have to wear my Crazy Sookie smile all the time. As much as Sophie had intimidated me during our first interrogation, there was a feeling in my gut that said it was a front. She was scared and feeling helpless – I'd be a bitch, too.

Secondly, Eric Northman. I shivered a little just thinking about him – his icy blue eyes, long blonde hair, the flat planes of his muscles. I had been unable to muster any regret for losing my virginity with him. What better male specimen could a woman find? That wasn't the only thing, though, that helped me gloss over it; he had been kind, and so patient with me. He had acknowledged it was an honor to "receive my maidenhead" as my romance novels would have put it. He had been tender and gentle, even though his body had clearly been wanting otherwise; and with what I had heard in my life, that could be reason enough not to regret it.

Then, yesterday I had come to the realization I have fallen for him, and it had taken the entire afternoon at the spa to rationalize. While I was being pampered, I was plotting what I should do – should I just tell him? Would he laugh? Would he reciprocate? Finally, I decided I would show him. I would show him the trust I felt for him, the respect and adoration I held. And, if the opportunity arose, I would tell him in words, as well. I was still a little bit afraid of just coming right out with it – I had never been in another relationship for comparison, so I didn't want to put myself out on a limb too soon.

So, last night, after Eric had approached the subject of me taking his blood it didn't take long for me to decide I would do it after hearing his obviously well-crafted spiel. I hadn't been so sure I would do it so soon, but his reaction to me scraping my teeth on his neck during our sack-session tempted me. So I went for it. At first I didn't even know if I was doing it right, but it didn't really seem like rocket science, and it had definitely sent Eric over the edge. The taste – the thing I was most leery of – was actually not bad. I didn't think I'd want to have a glass of it anytime soon, but it had been kind of salty and sweet and thick – almost like syrup, just like Eric had said – with a metallic aftertaste.

All of these things I had to think about. But I had still not gotten to the most troubling. Last night, after taking Eric's blood and in the throes of post-orgasmic bliss, I had heard Eric's thoughts. Not much; just a snatch of a phrase. When he'd said, "Thank you," his mind had filled in for trusting me. And then I did something I have spent my whole life training myself not to do. I answered his thought. "It's not hard to trust someone you love," I had said in response before drifting to sleep. It hadn't really even occurred to me until I was showering this morning – since hearing thoughts has been pretty ordinary for me. I didn't know if he'd even noticed, and if he hadn't, I had half a mind to keep it to myself unless it happened again.

Sometimes, as the consequence of being alone a lot, I had a tendency to think too much, so I mentally shrugged off my concerns for now. The ones I could do something about, I'd already thought of how to address, and there wasn't any sense in worrying about things I couldn't change. Instead of spending the few, sunny hours that were left in the day increasing the worry wrinkles around my eyes, I changed into the bikini I had brought, grabbed the paperback I had started recently and headed out in search of a tanning spot.

The pool wasn't hard to find, since it was directly behind the Residence on the grounds – and for the life of me, I'll never understand why it was outside instead of indoors in a vampire home. There were several lounge chairs around it, so I chose the one with the most sun exposure and lay out, preparing to lose myself in my book. An hour or so had passed when a shadow fell over me. "Would you like anything, Miss Stackhouse?"

I looked up, holding my hand up to block the sun so I could see their face. "Excuse me?"

It was the girl that had brought me Sophie-Anne's letter yesterday. "Something to drink or eat?" she said, and her brain added,"Because I know that Viking has got to be giving you a workout,"while she eyed the mark he'd left on my neck.

Yikes. Being around Eric for so long had made me forget to shield. I smiled anyway, and answered, "Sure – I'm famished. Although I can come get it, you don't have to bring it to me."

"Ok," she shrugged and turned as she started back toward the Residence. "Come on."

I jumped up and started to follow her, pulling on the denim shorts I'd worn out over my suit and sliding into my flip flops. "What's your name?" I asked.

She glanced over at me and I could tell she was surprised I had asked. "Sara," she said. I'm just the help.

I smiled. "It's nice to meet you, Sara. I'm Sookie."

She smiled back. "Nice to meet you, too." She was very pretty – her dark hair and mocha skin contrasted beautifully with her caramel eyes.

"Do you work for the Queen?" I asked, noticing her clothes – white button up and black pants – looked kind of uniform-y.

Sara nodded. "I've been working here for a couple of years during the day – cleaning up and looking after any human guests. My mama worked for Sophie-Anne for quite a while, and then I took her place." A hint of pain crossed her features when she spoke of her mother, and I gathered from her thoughts that she had fought – and lost – a long battle with cancer.

"So you know everyone, I guess," I said, as we entered the largest kitchen I had ever seen. Granite counters and stainless appliances, oh my. Sara gave another nod, but then she was all business when she asked what I wanted for dinner – it was after five already. I shrugged, "Nothing fancy. I'm good with a sandwich or something – and I'll make it if you'll tell me where to find the fixings."

She grinned a little. "You're not like most people that have been here," she said as she started gathering the makings of a sandwich and putting them on the bar area behind the sink.

"What do you mean?" I asked, but inside I laughed. You have no idea.

"I've never had anyone offer to make their own dinner before," she said. "Usually they're complaining because I didn't get them their mimosa and po'boy fast enough."

I couldn't help the face I made. A mimosa and a po'boy? That did not sound appetizing. Sara laughed. "That's what I think, too," she said.

I began constructing a ham and cheese sandwich. "Will you join me?" I asked.

She thought about it for a second then grinned. "Sure. It'll be nice to have a little company for a while."

While we ate, I talked a little about why I was there and the ongoing investigation. Sara had heard about it, but didn't know much – and that was including the extra I heard. I gave an inner sigh of relief. She was so sweet – and basically my age. I would have felt awful if she was involved. We also talked about a lot of other things – I learned she was a student at Tulane (she told me this part), and that Sophie-Anne had offered to pay for Sara's college education as a promise to her dying mother (this had come from my extra sense, naturally). I told her about Bon Temps and my gran and Jason.

Before long, she had to get back to work, but I promised I would eat with her every day until I left. I think we were equally happy to have found a new friend and have some company. There wasn't enough time for me to get back to reading before Eric rose, so I headed back to our room. There was a note that had been slid under the door, informing me of another meeting with Sophie-Anne tonight at ten.

I gazed over at Eric, still lying face down in his pillow, then at the clock. It was a little after six, so I decided to lie down next to him and see if I could take a nap; I'd need to be firing on all cylinders tonight at my meeting. I stripped off my shorts and bikini then crawled under the covers next to him, snuggling up by his side and throwing an arm across his back. I closed my eyes and before I knew it, I was asleep.

Eric's POV

I awoke with my beautiful, blonde telepath snuggling up behind me and decided it was my favorite way to rise, hands down. I rolled over slowly and discovered what I had already suspected due to her even breathing and steady pulse – she was sleeping. I couldn't help the wily grin that snuck onto my face. I would wager she had never been awakened using the method I had in mind.

It was only a couple of minutes after I had kissed my way down her body – savoring the smell of sunshine on her skin – and began licking and teasing her most lovely and sensitive places that she became fully awake, her fingers already kneading in my hair. She gasped and then blushed when she realized what had awoken her, but didn't let her modesty dissuade me. I looked up at her, meeting her blue eyes with my own. "Good evening, Lover," I said huskily, running my tongue around her nub.

She gave me a cute half-grin before she whispered, "I didn't expect for you to wake me up like this," as her body trembled. Then she giggled a little. "I might be more of a morning person if this is how I woke up every day."

I continued licking and teasing until she was squirming under me. "Eric," she gasped, pulling on my shoulders. "Come here."

I kissed and licked and nipped my way up her body, my fingers taking the place of my tongue in her wetness. She put her hands on my face, bringing my mouth to hers. I pulled my arms up, resting my weight on my forearms above her, and let my cock nudge at her entrance. She broke our kiss with a moan as I pushed forward slowly into her.

I was almost overwhelmed by the emotions I could feel pulsing through her as I continued at a slow pace, taking my time, keeping my face close to hers. Who knew a human could feel so much? Some part of my brain scoffed at me. Who knew I could feel so much? One thing was certain, and that was the fact I could not remember any other time I had been so enraptured in every gasp and moan and back-arch of a woman. I felt that tell-tale pressure build inside me, and inside Sookie, more powerfully than ever before; I lowered my mouth to hers, wanting to be completely lost in her.

Our release sprung suddenly; one moment I was taking my time, eliciting every gasp I could from her, and the next we were screaming each other's names, holding on to each other through the peak. I filled my mouth with her blood, feeling the connection between us glow. Finally, I collapsed next to her, and she leaned over to kiss me.

"I love you, Eric," she said quietly, resting her forehead on my lips.

I squeezed her gently. Is that what I felt? Love? Had I truly made love to a woman for the first time since my death? The words rolled out of my mouth before I could over think it, the words I had said to a wife long dead, in the language that had died only decades later, "I am yours."

We lay together for a few minutes, but eventually moved to the shower. She never asked me what I had said exactly, but I had felt her joy and relief when I had said something heartfelt in that moment. After thoroughly enjoying every drop of hot water we could muster, we dressed and then went to meet Sophie-Anne promptly at ten.

As we were walking toward the conference room, we were met by the Queen and her entourage, looking decidedly grim. Sookie and I folded into the group at Sophie-Anne's gesture as they moved toward the front entrance. "Is something amiss?" I asked.

Sophie-Anne shot me a glare, but responded, "Yes. The witch Hadley rents an apartment from has called to tell us it has been vandalized. We are going to see the damage." I felt Sookie's surprise at the word 'witch' but she was thankfully quiet. Anyone could tell Sophie-Anne was not in the mood for curiosity this evening.

"Is the property not warded?" I asked, knowing vampires often sought witches to cast protection spells on their homes. It would make sense Hadley would have requested such a thing.

"The damage is not inside, but on the façade," Sophie-Anne said as explanation. "Apparently some rather unattractive spray-paint art."

By this time, we were all loading into a rather large SUV. "Were there any witnesses?" Sookie asked quietly once we were on the way.

Sophie-Anne shook her head, her brow furrowing ever so slightly. "Apparently not. It happened in the day when most of the neighbors are at work; the witch was away, also."

"Are there no cameras?" I asked. There were many cameras around my residence, with many shutter speeds. You cannot be too careful with security, especially at my age.

Sophie-Anne shook her head slightly, shooting a glare in Hadley's direction. "Hadley did not believe them to be necessary," she said with a growl.

An awkward silence crept over us; Sophie-Anne kept glaring at Hadley, apparently over her carelessness. Andre was eyeing Sookie in a way I found very offensive, particularly because I knew he was aware of the fact she belonged to me; I vowed to keep my eye on him. Sookie was glancing between each vampire in the vehicle – she was the only human present – and I could feel she was nervous, but also a little bit excited. Finally, we arrived.

It was a rather nice apartment building, although I would never understand the desire to live in one. It was gated – only for show, apparently, since it opened right up when a car approached, no code needed – and well landscaped. There were several L-shaped buildings spread out on the lot, but our vehicle had parked in front of the largest one, at the apex of the U-shaped drive. After we got out, Sophie-Anne began to lead us around to the south side of the building – the side not visible from the road.

If it would not have cost me my fangs, I am quite sure I would have found humor in the sight – six vampires, including the queen's huge Saxon guards, and a human, traipsing around to the back of an apartment building like a terrible gang of thieves – but Sophie-Anne would have no doubt punished such frivolity tonight. As we approached and read the message, the vampires flanked Hadley and the Queen in a defensive position, although any creature stupid enough to take on the group we had deserved a much more cruel death. Sookie was left, groping my hand and frantically whispering, "What does it say? I can't see it in the dark!"

Luckily Andre had a flashlight at hand and illuminated it for her. As soon as the poorly scrawled, blood red words flashed into her view she gasped.

"Oh, fudge," she said, her hand to her mouth, glancing over in worry at her now-dead cousin. I squeezed her hand gently. Oh, fudge, indeed. I hoped Sookie could get to the bottom of this mystery quickly, for everyone's sake.

Across the wall of Hadley's apartment, someone had painted, "Your next BITCH." Well at least we knew we'd win in a spelling bee.

That's right, folks, I just made a grammar joke.

*gets up on soapbox* Just for the record, your and you're are NOT the same thing! Your is possessive, as in - this is your book. You're is only meant to replace the words you are. Are we clear on that? Don't even get me started on they're, their, and there... oh geez. This PSA is brought to you by my facebook friend who is IN COLLEGE and apparently believes that what and want are the same thing. As an educator, this makes me do a giant *facepalm* ... *wails* Where did we go wrong in this country? *gets off soap box* I'm just saying - if a math nerd like me can figure it out, SO CAN THE REST OF THE ENGLISH-SPEAKING PEOPLE. Okay. Now I'm really done. Really.

So, onto happier things. Lovey-dovey lemons, yes? You like? What do you think will happen next? Who do you think the culprit is? Hmmm? :-)