A/N: Hello, everyone! Thanks for all the reviews and adds since last time - I really appreciate them, and sorry I'm so terrible at replying... I really do read and appreciate them! I hate to say that we're coming to the end of Dead and Blonde... I'm planning at least one chapter; maybe one chapter and and epilogue, depending on a how a couple of things flesh out.

A/N: As always, thanks to my awesome beta Northwoman - any remaining mistakes are completely my fault. And, nothing belongs to me, of course. Hope you enjoy!

Chapter 15

Sookie's POV

What exactly do you wear to a vampire's trial? I had woken up a couple of hours earlier and taken my time in the bathroom; my hair and make-up were done, but I was standing in my panties looking through my recently acquired wardrobe, not quite in a panic yet. I knew Pam would come help me if I needed it.

I had decided that last night, while definitely traumatic and trying, could have been a lot worse. I also decided I would not, under any circumstances, be telling Gran about it. I had realized that even though the situation had been frightening, I had not felt fear. I had known Eric would protect me. And he had.

There had been a moment in the bathtub last night, where I had needed to make the choice. Sookie from a year ago, or even a month ago, would have run out, vowing to never come back. But the Sookie now, she had grown up a little. I had seen goodness in a place that, a few weeks ago, I would have least expected it – the look of concern and frustration in Sophie-Anne's eyes on our way to Hadley's apartment, the looks Pam and Eric exchanged when delivering news they thought I wouldn't want to hear, the way Eric looks at me when I tell him I love him.

They had, for the first time in my whole life, made me feel like I wasn't a freak of nature. Like my disability had purpose and value. I hadn't had to use my Crazy Sookie smile once since I'd been in New Orleans. Not like the one I'd use in Bon Temps, that's for sure, anyway.

So I decided to grow up a little.

I had been so relieved when Eric wasn't angry with my revelation last night; I knew that reading vampires was dangerous, so I was glad that it had only happened twice and didn't seem to be a newly-discovered facet of my telepathy. I'm quite sure whatever Eric had been projecting at me last night would have made me blush, which made me doubly happy I couldn't do it. I was wondering if it had anything to do with having Eric's blood, since it had occurred so closely together; I guess we'd have to experiment if we did that again.

Just thinking about it made me shiver.

I looked over at the bed and was surprised to see Eric staring back at me. I hadn't realized it had gotten so late.

"What were you just thinking about, Sookie?" he asked with a sly look on his face. "It had you most excited."

I blushed, I could feel it, but tried to gloss over it with a giggle. "Nothing you couldn't help me with, I'm sure," I said, winking and walking over to him.

He kissed my stomach and ran a hand down the back of my thigh. "What will I ever do with you, Sookie Stackouse?" he asked, quirking a brow. "Blushing virgin to propositioning wanton in two days flat." I leaned over to kiss him and he palmed one of my breasts. "Although if it means you wander around topless, by all means, continue," he whispered, tweaking my nipple with his fingertips.

As I crawled up on the bed to straddle him, I asked, "What time do we need to be present?"

"Nine o'clock," he answered, now with both hands occupied.

"Then you can remind me why I've become a," I paused, pretending to think. "What was it? A propositioning hussy?"

His eyes flashed and he growled as he flipped me over into the bed and began pulling my panties down my legs. "I am happy to oblige," he said, his mouth at my knee and moving north rapidly. Oh the things this vampire could do with his mouth.

He ran his tongue along my center, pushing a finger inside me. He always had me moaning within moments, without fail. He kept his eyes locked with mine, licking and sucking, until I couldn't resist anymore – my head fell back and I cried out as I released, reaching to pull him to me.

He slid up and kissed me, the taste of my wetness still on his lips. I looked up into his eyes, my hands roaming down to his perfect rear, and working up my courage. Finally, I whispered, "Fuck me, Eric." I didn't use that word much, but I'd wanted to see how he'd react.

I wasn't disappointed.

After a split second where it looked like he was replaying that sentence in his head to make sure he'd heard me correctly, he gripped my shoulders and drove into me, growling. He thrust into me powerfully, reminding me of my introduction to new positions last night, which only spurred me on. I pulled my hips up to meet him, giving back as good as I got.

I could feel him getting close, so I reached up to pull my hair out of the way, leaving my neck exposed. "Bite me," I said, drawing his head down.

He did, and the feeling of his fangs penetrating my skin did me in. I held on tight as he pushed in a few more times, pulling at the bite then tensing and releasing with a growl. He licked the wound gently before he moved to lie beside me.

We were silent for a few moments, well except for my noisy breathing, before he opened an eye and cocked an eyebrow at me. "Have you ever even said the word 'fuck' before, Lover?"

I grinned. "Not on purpose. You said it, I needed to proposition."

"You will be the death of me, Sookie Stackhouse," he said, kissing the tip of my nose. "You cannot realize what you do to me when such dirty words come out of that pretty mouth."

He got off the bed and strolled across the room to the bathroom, bringing back a wet washcloth for me to clean myself up a little. "I'll be in the shower," he said.

I nodded and cleaned up. I had just slid my panties back on when Pam burst into the room, immediately noticing my topless state. Her fangs ran out and she sniffed the air. "You've been having fun without me," she accused. I heard Eric laugh in the bathroom.

"It was a private party," I said, grabbing a bra and putting it on quickly. "Sorry."

"You're a terrible liar," she said, walking over to the wardrobe. She opened it and pulled out a black skirt suit and the matching tee to go under it. "Wear the pumps."

I nodded. "Thank you."

I was dressed by the time Eric came back in, and he walked around me. "You look lovely," he said.

I smiled. "Thanks."

Within moments, he was ready to go. We walked downstairs, and Pam met us on the way. The ballroom used for "dinner" on my first night was filled with vampires, all looking toward Sophie-Anne's throne; we slipped in and edged our way to the front. Andre was there, sitting in a chair off to the side, his wrists and ankles bound in silver. The word "Traitor" had been inscribed across his forehead. I shivered. I didn't even want to know how or why it hadn't healed.

The doors were shut and Sophie-Anne rose from her seat. "You have all been required to be here tonight to see justice done," she began in a quiet, authoritative tone. "Last night, with the help of Sookie Stackhouse, my Sherriff's telepath, we uncovered the plot that sought to take those I hold very dear from me.

"Most of you know that Katharina and Gustavo have met their final death. Their murderer sits before you." I don't know if I expected a reaction from this vampire crowd, but I didn't get one. They were silent, watching their Queen condemn her own child. It made me feel noisy and I fought the urge to hold my breath just to be quiet.

"Andre co-conspired with a human girl to murder the three vampires in my closest circle – Kat, Gustavo, and Hadley. I am eternally grateful that my Hadley is still present. I bring you all here to witness that even though Andre is my oldest and perhaps most precious child, he cannot escape the justice that must be done. Treachery will not be tolerated in Louisiana, not even from those we hold most dear.

"The girl, called Bree, has been turned over to the proper authorities with sufficient evidence for her conviction. I have been reminded lately that even though it is not in our nature, we must work within human constraints if possible in the hope that we can live together peacefully in the future. Millennia of secrecy are hard to break.

"Luckily, however, we still manage our own trespasses. And I will manage this one myself." A guard hauled Andre to his feet and forced him to walk to where Sophie-Anne waited. "Andre, my child," she said, her voice strained, "Do you have anything to say?" He shook his head, a red tear coursing down his cheek.

"Is there any falsehood in your accusation?" she asked, then with that same tone I'd heard last night, "Tell the truth."

"Non, ma mere," he said.

Pam leaned forward and just barely whispered, "No, my mother," into my ear. I couldn't help it. A tear ran down my face.

"Then justice is being served this night. You are all witnesses."

Sophie-Anne was handed a wooden stake, and she paused for a moment. "May none of you know what it is to kill your own child," she said, then kissed Andre's forehead. "Reste, mon fils," she added, then drove the stake through his chest, tears streaking down her marble face.

Then, she stood, proud and poised. She had never seemed so queenly before that moment. She said, without an ounce of emotion. "Remember that justice is swift and sure in Louisiana. You are dismissed."

The crowd dispersed at once; there was no mingling or groups of chatter. Eric, Pam, and I walked back upstairs and went our separate ways.

After Eric closed the door, I sat on the sofa and looked up at him. "What now?"

"Now, we pack and go home."

"So soon?" I asked, surprised. If I would have known, I could have packed instead of lounging in the bathtub this afternoon.

"Sophie-Anne asked me to leave after the trial. She is going to have a few interesting days ahead," he said, pulling the suitcase out of the closet and throwing it open on the bed.

I got out my garment bag and started laying my dress clothes in it. "What do you mean, 'interesting few days?'"

"For one, she just showed a giant weakness in her house – her own child betrayed her. Secondly, she had to rely on outside help to resolve the matter. She will be, 'putting out fires,' I believe the saying is."

Vampire politics wasn't so different from human ones, I guess – one sign of weakness and everyone's jumping in. "I can see that. I just don't get how Andre could betray her like that; like betraying his mother. I can't imagine that."

Eric smirked at me over his shoulder, as he zipped up the suitcase. Darn his vampire speed – it would be really handy when packing. "I guess he did not see it as a betrayal; he was trying to show Sophie-Anne that he was her best child – the most loyal – because he was willing to eliminate the competition."

"That's so weird," I said. "What would happen if human kids did that?"

"They have, in times past," he said, then grinned. "Haven't you read the Bible, Sookie?"

I grinned back, finally zipping my garment bag shut. "I'm surprised you have," I teased.

Eric scoffed. "I have read more than you can imagine. Boredom is quite pertinent when you are immortal," he said.

Ten minutes later, we were packed and ready to go. I called Gran to let her know I would be home the next evening; Eric just told me he had made 'arrangements' for my boarding since we wouldn't be back to Shreveport until nearly dawn.

The same vampire, Rasul, drove us to the air strip, where we boarded the same plane (to my eye) we had flown previously. We took off – I wasn't nearly as nervous this time – and the next thing I knew, my eyes were closing of their own volition, pulling me into a nap I couldn't resist.

Eric's POV

I watched Sookie fight sleep for about five minutes, but she eventually lost the battle. Pam gazed at her for a few minutes before cocking a brow at me. "You were serious." Not a question, a statement.

I knew exactly what she meant. The 'arrangement' I made for Sookie was taking her to my home for the day. For some reason I couldn't bear to have her leave during the day, so I planned for her to stay with me. Then I could return her, safe and sound, back to her Gran, myself. I had never taken any human to my home before – not the real one, anyway. I had several houses around Shreveport, but there was one where I really stayed; it was the first place I had considered 'home' in centuries. The revelation had allowed me to settle in, instead of being forced to move more often than I cared to recall.

I gave a short nod. There was no need to explain myself to Pamela.

"I'm not questioning you, Eric," she said, rolling her eyes. "I'm impressed."

I quirked a brow. "Impressed?"

"You are falling for this human," she said, like she would have said 'I prefer the pink pants,' like it was no big deal. "I never thought I would see it happen."

"You seem so sure of yourself," I said. Why not? my brain taunted. Who was I hoping to fool? I was falling for her.

"You have never looked at another woman the way you look at that one," she said, pointing toward Sookie. "Not even me."

I winked at her. "Are you jealous, Pamela?" I asked. "You know I could never have another child like you."

She flipped her hair over her shoulder. "Damn right," she said and we laughed.

"Are you worried about her seeing your resting place?" she asked. A vampire's resting place is their most closely guarded secret, for obvious reasons. It's the only place we're totally helpless.

I shook my head. "I trust her," I said honestly. "She is good."

Pam nodded in agreement. "Besides," she added, "You're not as much of a pain in my ass if you're getting laid."

I laughed at her. "That goes both ways, darling Pam."

She smirked. "Then maybe you should find out if Sookie has any eligible relatives. Maybe making vampires happy runs in the family."

"I am," I said suddenly.

Pam looked puzzled – not a look she has often. "You are what?" she asked.

"I am happy. For the first time in ages. It feels strange."

She chuckled, then rolled her eyes. "Surely you can think of something broody to think about while you're enthralling the vermin. They don't come to see grinning vampires, you know."

I laughed. "You really are my child, Pam. Always thinking of business."

"I learned from the best," she said sincerely.

For the rest of the short flight, that's exactly what we did – business. There were always personnel issues; I think Pam keeps a list of things to talk to me about ready at all times.

Sookie awoke when we landed, stretching and yawning which showed her assets most alluringly. "Are we there already?" she asked, rubbing the sleep from her eyes. "Sorry I fell asleep."

I patted her leg. "Not to worry, Lover. Pam and I had business to discuss which was dreadfully boring."

She smiled. "Am I staying at that same hotel again? What was it called again? Night Called?"

"Moon Called," I corrected as I took her hand to help her descend the stairs to the strip. "And, no."

Her brow furrowed. "But you said 'arrangements' had been made."

I nodded. "They have."

Pam laughed at me and walked to her own vehicle. "Good luck, Viking," she said. "And good night, Sookie."

I opened the passenger side door of my Corvette and let her get in, sitting in the driver's seat about the same time her door shut. "Why did Pam tell you 'good luck,' Eric?" she asked, buckling her seatbelt as I drove out of the airfield.

"Well," I said, "I was a little misleading." She scowled. "Arrangements have been made, but not at a hotel."

"Then where? There's not enough time for you to drive me to Bon Temps and then come back before dawn."

"That is correct." I wondered for a moment if I could keep her guessing long enough to actually arrive at my home; it was only a few minutes away.

"Eric Northman," she said, sounding very serious, "You tell me where you're taking me." Too bad I could tell she was really just feeling playful.

"I think I will let it be a surprise," I replied, then looked at her out the corner of my eye. "Do you not trust me?"

She squealed, since we were coming up on a tight curve and I was looking at her. "Keep your eyes on the road, vampire!"

I took the turn without looking. "I drive this road so much I could do it with my eyes closed," I teased. "Do you want me to show you?"

She shook her head vigorously. "Seriously, Eric. It freaks me out when you don't watch where you're going."

I laughed, rubbing her knee with my hand after I shifted gears. "Forgive me, Sookie."

She placed her hand over mine. "Just watch the road."

A few seconds later, I turned off into the beginning of my long, winding driveway and punched the code into the gate. "We are almost to our destination," I said in a low voice, and heard her heart accelerate. "Do you think we might find something there to occupy us?"

Sookie giggled. "Perhaps," she said, squeezing my hand. "Depending on the place."

About that time, we crested the hill overlooking my favorite home. It was an old plantation home that I had refurbished and I was rather proud of it. Most of it had been restored to its period finery, and it was beautiful inside and out. She gasped. "Where are we?"

"This is my home, Sookie. Will you stay with me here tonight?"

She looked over at me, tears shining in her eyes. I frantically searched her feelings – pride, love, nothing that accounted for tears. "Have I said something wrong?" I asked.

She grinned and leaned over to kiss me. "Not at all," she answered. "It's a very sweet gesture, bringing me here. I'll bet not many people have seen where you live."

"You're the only woman," I said and she smiled again. I knew the idea of the many women I'd had over the years bothered her from time to time. It was completely unfounded, of course, since none compared to her.

By this time, we'd pulled into the detached garage and I helped her out then got our bags. We walked in the back door of the house, into what was now the laundry room just off the kitchen. For some reason, I had kept the kitchen its original size, which was odd for a vampire home. Sookie stared, slack-jawed, at it; it was easily three times as big as her own.

I toured her around the first floor, ending in the light-tight master bedroom on the other side of the house. I took her hand and led her in. "Stay with me, Sookie," I whispered, nuzzling her ear and running my free hand down her side.

She shivered and kissed my jaw. "Where else would I go?" she asked, a playful look in her eye, as she pulled me toward the bed.

I know I wouldn't want to be anywhere else ;-) Viking kisses to everyone!