A/N: OK I'm going to apologize now, then beg next. To all my readers, I apologize for not updating in a long time. There's no excuse, just not motivated, but I'm back now and will update this story every week.

Now off to begging. I'm begging for the life that is holy to please, anyone? I really desperately need a beta. So if anyone kind enough and has a spare time to proofread my work please, please, help me. Please PM me if you're interested.

As usual reviews are welcome and very much appreciated.

Chapter 20

Everyone's POV

'I should not have been surprised that the Viking with his two underlings in tow, had showed up at my New Years Ball,' Fredrik thought. After all, the Queendoms main players, the powerful infrastructure that made up Sophie Anne's Queendom, are always "supposed" to be welcome in his territory whether he likes it or not. The sheriffs' presence shouldn't be a surprise to him, but it is, because for the past 3 years that his been conducting and hosting these parties, vampire politics aside, even that its just a handful of times, ever since the Great Revelation, even once, the Viking never bother to bring his undead ass to attend his parties. Even the queens had bothered attending last year, with his child, and profusely enjoyed themselves. Also the other sheriff's had been. But this Viking never did, until now, and that rise an underlying suspicious in him that something is up.

For some peculiar reason, he found the Viking's presence skeptical. Hell, he didn't even feel this apprehensive when the queen and his child visit. But right now his instinct is telling him so, giving him a warning vibe, that if the vampire can feel queasy that's what his gut was doing right now in front of this Viking.

'Perhaps this peculiar feeling is a result of my elusive underhanded, diplomatic approached to both of my kinds, Fredrik continued on his train of thought, while doing his best on his job, trying to be the most gracious host of his party.

Fredrik is been playing both sides.

Yes, Fredrik is one of the few hybrids part fae/ part vampire. Some says the hybrids are devious, dicey and very unpredictable, for no one definitely knows which side they will be more inclined, but in Fredrik's case, his been equally pleasing and pulling strings on both sides.

Also, it didn't helped that Fredrik noticed, that the Viking is flat out been eyeing Sookie ever since his arrival at the party. So that adds up to his inner anxiety, from the Vikings presence. And what do you know, from all of the fucking guest, from all the entire human and supe attendee's, of course, the one creature that Fredrik was in charged of, appointed specifically by prince Niall to keep an eye on and protected, is the one the Viking will find as a good meal tonight. He can tell that the Viking is intrigued by her, judging by the not so subtle glances and curious look that the Viking's been throwing at Sookie, when the Viking probably thought he wasn't aware of and as though hasn't pick up on his interest on Ms. Stackhouse.

'Fuck! This can't be good, I must think of something to divert the Vikings attention, thought Fredrik. And that's exactly what he did. He informed the Viking of the private orgy that's also occurring in the second floor of his mansion aside from the activity of this main room.

"Sherriffs, why don't you take your entourages up to my homes second floor?" offered Fredrik, sheriff of Area 5.

Eric who seemingly can't help himself, but taunt his attention, stealing glances at the human who piqued his interest, while mingling and partaking in conversation to the vampires around him, divert his attention to the sheriff of area 5 and raised his eyebrows, indicating for the sheriff that he was listening and for the sheriff to continue, but before Fredrik explained about the orgy to the inquisitive Viking the other sheriffs pipe in.

"Oh! What kind of selections are we having this year?" Ask the excited petite blond, sherriff of area 4.

"Oh, I don't mind the selections from last year." said the sherriff of area 3 while licking his lips with anticipation remembering the intoxicating aroma of the room. Each one of Fredrik's chosen donors was amiable to him no matter how regular the blood taste like, as long as the fairies aroma is in the air everything in the room turn out delisciousssssssss. "As long as you still have the Fairy eu de perfume or their dust for me to snort and get high that's enough for me." continued by area 3 with a laugh and merry twinkle in his eyes.

In Pam and Felicia's astonishment and curiosity they brash fully ask simultaneously the first thought that pops in their head in front of their master and higher ranking sheriffs, " You have some fairy dust?" "You have their sweet essence? Pam and Felicia ask with uncontained awe and giddiness then suddenly look abash when they realize what they just tactlessly utter. So they bow their heads and mutter their apologies to their master and sheriffs who in return didn't seem to mind and laugh at the show of enthusiasm of the two young vampires.

"Oh! I know how you feel! right. Where the hell did he fucking get those stuff? I myself am very curious Fredrik? How and where do you get such indulgence? I am dying "again" to ask you, oh I don't know for a hundredth or so times now. Will you please humbly tell us the sources of this very delicious treats. It'll be our secret, said the sherriff of area 4 with a merry laugh and wink. Seriously trying to entice the sherriff to finally give in his secret sources that he wont disclose at all.

Fredrik's always excused is he doesn't know that said source. It was always merely an anonymous gift from anonymous source so he doesn't have a clue nor an answer on whom and why it's been given to him.

But of course Fredrik does know. It's a generous payment for his service to the half part of his kind, the safe keeping of the fairy prince's kin's and his very own land.

"You already know the answer to that Arla!" Fredrik simply said.

"I know! You don't know how and why its given to you but who are you to question such exquisite gifts, yada, yada,yada. Ok, I guess I'll just shut up and enjoy the perks of having to indulge it in your home. Arla the sherriff of area 4 commence when its clearly apparent that the sheriff, Fredrik will never disclose the sources at all, ever.

"I'm glad you understand Arla, Fredrik teasingly said to the vampiress. "Oh it almost absolutely slips my mind! Of course the Viking here had just now attended my party. He doesn't know what we're talking about."

"Father, if you don't mind, I'll be happy to escort Sherriff Northman. Allow me to bring out to him what the happening upstairs is" said Ashley, Fredriks child. Ashley with her vampire speed move to Eric side and waited for her maker's permission before making her next move. Inside she is itching and can't wait to really drag the Viking upstairs. She knows the legendary prowess of the viking in bed, and can't wait to experience it herself. She's is absolutely vibrating with giddiness just imagining an intoxicated Viking this will be sure one enjoyable big orgy.

"That is fine my child as long…" as soon as words left in Fredriks mouth not even finishing his sentence Ashley's arms is lock around Eric's arms together with two other female Vampire. Arla and Astrid. But Arla won when she tugged Eric to her side and the other vampiress loose their grip.

"My, my, my, are we going to have a fang fight over the Viking?" Chastised Fredrik to his wife and child clearly annoyed. His little outburst is ignored by the two vampiress who look like any moment might leap at the other sheriff who had a triumphant look on her face clutching Eric's arm.

Eric who just amused himself in this Vampiresse's antics holds his laugh. Bursting with his ego in witnessing even Fredriks bonded wife is clearly dying to fuck him, judging from those lust look in her eyes ever since her eyes found him in the crowd. Must be infuriating for him and undoubtedly embarrassing, maybe I won't have to end his pathetic existence after all. Maybe he'll just decide to do it himself, Eric thought.

Pam just rolled her eyes to the vampiress's lust to her maker. Fredrik's fucking wife even wanted to shag Eric shamelessly. From the lust look in her eyes since the first time she noticed her maker. There's no doubt about it, his pathetic child too. Oh my! Fang fight! Fang fight! Fang fight!, Pam chanted in her brain, wanting for it to happen.

One of the Sherriff decided to be orderly, saving the host's face; Fredriks face and spoke, to dissolve the undeniably brewing tension with vampiress.

"Come on Eric there's not much explanation needed. Its just one hell of fucking involved in a room full of especial selection of blood bags to indulge your insatiable appetite while getting high with Aroma de fairy and fairy savory essence. It's as simple as that." said Cleo the sheriff of area 3.

Everyone nodded their agreement and follow Cleo afterwards. Except Astrid and Ashley who has been called by a pissed off Fredrik for punishment for their insulting behavior to him.

Eric accepted the offer, he was curious of Fredrik's conduction of the said amazing party. He wasn't really that hungry at the moment. But the mention of the fairy concoction sweetened and piqued his interest. Who the hell is he to refuse such indulgence! But he, his child and Felicia, already had a sip before entering the main room, where the Ball is transpiring. Of course it was part of Frederick's compliments for the vampire attendees. The vampires manning the entrance have been specifically instructed to escort the vampire guest for refreshments before entering the ball. How clever and thoughtful of Fredrik? Eric mockingly thought. As for satisfying his other hunger, although he wouldn't mind joining the orgy and always delighted to participate with this kind of activities, tonight the presence of a certain intriguing blond human with some fucking gorgeous legs and amazing tits, is more appealing and currently forcefully, he can't possibly, but keep seizing his mind, which he made up, to charmed to satisfied his other need, hunger and possibly his bloodlust tonight after sending this sheriff in his final demise. But to down play his peculiar interest to the human and to not race a red flag on his plan for the sheriff, he accepted the offer.

What Eric didn't know about Fredrik's way of feeding the vampires ahead, is to minimize the temptation of vampires getting overwhelmed, avoiding accidental drainings in his parties, factions in his area. That was one of the things he wanted to keep in his area to stay on top on the AVL's good side, and also one of the reasons he has a lower number of draining' in his area, avoided bad attention to his kind, and in return liked by the locals and supported by few supe community in his area. Fredrik really knows how to play diplomatic, what he didn't know is his way of pleasing everybody will soon come to an end. He will soon be subjected to the consequences of his actions.

The vampires made their way to the second floor, Eric only for appearance purposes, crazy as it seems he decided not to partake, since once the deed is done everything in this house will be his anyway, to indulge himself whenever he wants. What he needed right now is to focus himself, observe and strategize. But he decided if Pam and Felicia wishes to partake at the orgy he will let them have a little bit of fun.

Felicia is musing a little bit with the night's events, specifically what had just happen earlier, about her master's strange behavior.

Pam was also thinking, what just happened earlier this evening. Pam remembers that she and Felicia were just trying to tell him if he had remembered to bring his mask, as this ball is a masquerade one. Then next thing she knows her maker fucking pushed her and Felicia with too much force; they went flying a few feet and had their asses knock down on the ground, for what sensible reason? Pam has no idea. She also remembered, noticing that Eric seem in a trance and his attention focused at the entrance of the mansion, and the next thing happened, had shocked her in disbelief followed by confusion. Her master didn't grace them any excuse or explanation for his actions afterwards. She had wanted to ask him what the fuck? But he had just shaken his head as if trying to clear his head and instructed them to follow him. 'I wanted to know, what the hell is all that about?

On the way up, Eric marveled once again on the intricate details of the Fairies once residence. Lots and lots of paintings hanged in the hallway walls', amazing marble statues of what the human referred and perceived as mythical creatures, the mural painting on the ceiling and the dramatic lighting which set a whimsical yet elegant ambiance. Eric was taking his time admiring his surrounding, taking his time which annoys the petite blond that is clutching in his arm.

"Come on darling Eric, you don't want to miss this." said the vampiress.

Eric untangle himself and make an excuse that he forgot and just now remember the queens request to call for some second in command business and the vampiress let go of his arm and decided to follow the other vampires as she can't wait any longer for Eric. So she follows Cleo who is clutched side by side with Pam and Felicia.

Pam and Felicia stop for a second to glance at their master. Once they gather his approval they went ahead and walk with the other vampires. Pam is reluctant and is torn between joining the orgy or following his maker. 'Is he really turning down an orgy? And from the sounds of cries and moans coming from the door it must be an amazing Orgy. So what the hell is wrong with her maker? Pam thought. She was dumbfounded with Eric's behavior, but before she can decide, the intricate doors opens and a wonderful aroma wafted her and Felicia's senses. A very delicious smell eliminated Pam's hesitations; as quickly as the doors opens, then they got inside, it shot behind them loudly, like a vault sealing closed in a bank. She joined the wad of body's spread everywhere on the biggest bed she and Felicia had ever seen. They were so focus on the intoxicating smell and the scene played before them.

The room is a little bit cloudy, kinda like in a very faint mist. The mist, that no doubt carrying the wonderful smell of delicious fairy scent. Well, vampire + fairy scent equals to fucktastic orgy! And that's what happening on the second floor. Even with the absence of the fang poppin', lickin' good fairy blood the scent is enough to make this one hell of an orgy in any vampires mind.

Eric left in the hall, admiring his surroundings, thought about the inexplicable incident that had happened to him at the parking lot of the mansion. The weird sensation that ghosted his entire body, resulting in him, undergoing to a trancelike state, and unknowingly ended up knocking down Pam and Felicia on their ass's. It really bugs the hell out of him. His mind convoluted, couldn't come up with any viable explanation. One minute he was feeling that odd sensation, then the next thing he knows, Pam and Felicia were fucking sitting at the parking lot pavement, with their mouth agape, in total shocked on what he unknowingly done. He tried to run his fingers in his hair in frustration, that he couldn't come up with any explanation, a habit he associated when he gets agitated and frustrated, but quickly drop his hand when he remembers that his hair is smoothly bind at his nape with leather. A painting caught his attention, momentarily distracted him from his thought. It's a painting of an angel sitting naked cross legged, her womanhood concealed by her crossed legs, her arms hugging her legs closely to her. Tendrils of long blond hair hang at both sides of her shoulders. Her face hidden between her knees; the top of her head the only visible. Her beautiful big white and gold wings are gathered in her back, the tips dipping to a pool of blood, bodies gathered and piled up around her, and that's what caught his attention. Upon observing the painting, he somewhat felt an odd ache to his long dead heart. His hand inadvertently touched the painting, and the ache in his dead heart intensified, followed by a very painful dread and helplessness, then an image of Angeluina appeared in his mind, he quickly withdraws his hand, as if the painting suddenly burned him. "What the fuck!" Eric blurted shocked and looked at his finger tip wide eyed, but before he can contemplate what just happen, his phone started ringing. What an odd night this night turning out to be.

He stops at an arch window terrace at the second floor over looking the party, occurring at the first floor, and seriously watching the women who he been eyeing with undeniable curiosity. He flips his phone and waited for Compton to speak.

"I'm at your disposal tonight. I've got the queens direct orders to assist for whatever you have in mind for me to do. I'll be there in less than an hour." said Bill Compton and waited for Eric's acknowledgement.

Eric, simply replies with "I'll see you soon" shut his phone and continued his gazing at blond beauty laughing and talking to the witch. He stayed eyeing her, trying to figure out

what's with the human that he found fascinating, hanging around at ease with his kind and other supernatural beings? Well, suddenly, it popped in his head, being this interested on somebody; he thought 'Well, that's a first'.

Eric thought fangbangers, ok humans in general, also hang around with his kind and other supe beings, but the difference is this particular human is being obviously treated well and favorably, if what Fredrik thought, Eric didn't detected or noticed, special treatment to this girl is any indication. 'What is she?' Eric mused.

Bill heading to Bontemps drove like a maniac. His maker Lorena, on the back sit, currently busy snacking on a brunette human woman, wiped her mouth with her hanky and addressed Compton.

"Stop the car!"

Bill, without question, helplessly obeys his maker, and pushed his feet on the break, stopping the car in a screeching halt. The convoy cars, containing 15 other passenger vampires slammed their brakes in accordance to his halt. He looks in his rearview mirror and watches his maker opened the passenger door, where the almost drained glamoured human was sitting. His maker unceremoniously kick the unconscious human out from the car with total abandon, then closed the door back, readjust her gown, open a compact and reapply her lipstick.

Without missing a beat, Bill resumed driving. He resume thinking the nights impending affair, an uneasy anxiety roiled in him, he got anxious.

A half an hour had passed, he called Pam to him. Pam and Felicia descended down the stairs, and joined him. He noticed their hair were now both elegantly twisted in a bun. The two of them are rosier than before, with a very faint smell of sex and fairy scent. Eric leans closer to Pam's neck, inhaled deeply, and confirms that it was indeed a fairy scent. His eyes dilated, joined by a painful hard on but quickly become alert when he heard that beautiful laugh again coming from that blond woman.

Pam started telling Eric all about the orgy at the second floor, with the fairy mist and all the pretty skilled blood bags, how dismayed she was because they coerced her and Felicia to take a shower after, before they can come out there, which she really didn't want to. She wanted to wear the fairy scent all night. Then she stops talking when she noticed Eric really not paying attention to what she was saying and follow his gaze to once again to the leggy blond with big tits. Oh, Eric, Eric, Eric, Pam chant playfully in her mind. She give the blonde a once over and also like what she saw if her fangs popping out is any indication. That is definitely his type, but the question is why he hasn't glamour her yet to join them. They been stealing glances the whole night but his maker fucking haven't done what his supposed to have done by now. Which is to glamour her to join them or for Pete's sake just fucking used his charmed to join them. Surely that isn't very hard, so what is he waiting for? Then he remembers his maker doesn't approach anybody who is not important enough no matter how pretty the blood bag is. Must I always be the one to serve his food? Sometimes I thought, he just turn me to do this very menial task of picking and serving his fucking meal but like a sucker and good little child of his, I decided might as well do the did,

"Master do you want me to fetch your happy meal now?" Pam said playfully to Eric chuckling a little to her analogy.

Eric thought about it for a bit, shook his head and replied,

"Not yet. We still have important matters to tend to. Compton will be joining us soon."

When the auction started the three vampires engage themselves with not so inconsequential conversation like Eric asking Pam about the faint fairy scent that she's wearing, clearly oblivious the first time Pam was telling him about it, his brother's unexpected visit, asking Felicia the task that he had ask her to do before leaving New Orleans, just passing time, till it's time for them to do what they came there for in the first place.

Suddenly a human. Woman? Eh, flatchested woman, emerges on the mass of attendees, pointed at Eric and claimed to bid for him for $1000. When Eric heard that, he had been annoyed, but quickly dissipates and turns to amusement when he saw the witch friend of the busty leggy blond who's been clearly drunk, judging by the slur of her words starts raising her hand to fight in bidding for him. In the corner of his eye, he saw the blond start sauntering her way to her friend and although the blond and the witch started talking quite far away for him to hear their conversation, with also in addition the noises around from people talking and bidding for him, he had caught some of it. The blond was arguing and reasoning to her to stop bidding, which the witchy ignores and continued bidding for him.

The end result was fucking amazing, Eric thought. He decided that the witch is the most amusing, and very helpful, generous drunk witch he had ever known, and also stupid. Not only she had generously contributed in restoring New Orleans If that's what really Fredrik intended to use the money that had been raise tonight, the witch had also manage for him to study and observe this curious blond human for him to determine what is she and what is it about her that made her special to be given favorable treatment by the supes and most importantly the witch secured a fucking meal for his bloodlust later. What a lovely treat indeed.

Sookie's POV

"Ms. Stackhouse."

"Ms. Stackhouse."

"Mr. Northman, is Ms. Stackhouse alright?"

If being caught by this New Years Ball's, every pair of eyes, watched me, been mesmerized at the guy in front of me, who has a dazzling pool of deep blue eyes, part playful/seductive smile that his wearing right now, which clearly easily spell out trouble, and my name being called a few times, and not being able to hear nor response to it, was not you will considered embarrassing as hell, then I don't know what is, because that's what exactly had happened to me, and how I felt. This never happened to me before. I've been around countless gorgeous models, but have never displayed and act this enthrall and tactless dumbstruck about a guy. And for Pete's sake I haven't even seen his whole face and I was already scattered brain. Which made me question, is he glamouring me? Surely I would know if he started to play his mind trick on me as I now know the feeling when somebody is trying to influence their will on me, thanks to Bill. But I wasn't feeling any of that influence at all. And did I mention this is embarrassing as hell?

Mr. Lindgren apparently has been calling my name a few times now, for how long? I have no idea. I was only brought back to earth by two cool hands atop my shoulders; I shivered, felt a cool breath, whispering in my ear,

"Ms. Stackhouse, are you alright?" whispered Eric in Sookie's ear.

"Huh?" I mumbled intelligently. Great, I thought. I heard him chuckled with my displayed of what I consider very odd behavior for me, but apparently gave amusement to the sex dripping voice Mr. Northman.

"I said, are you alright Ms. Stockhouse? He repeated, his amusement is very apparent. I once again found myself responding a very articulate of me, one word,

"Yah"

"She's alright Mr. Lindgren" replied Mr. Northman to Mr. Lindgren.

"Alright, as I was saying, I just wanted to clarify some things before we all continue our celebration this evening. Are you fine with being Mr. Northman's date tonight? I understand your friend Ms. Broadway here was the one who bid and won a date with Mr. Northman, but she explained to me that you will be substituting for her as Mr. Northman's date tonight. So my question is, Ms. Stackhouse, are you in agreement with this?"

The right question is, did I agree with all of this? "No". Did I want to further embarrass myself, Amelia, and possibly even Mr. Northman, by refusing? Well the answer is, "No", but maybe for Amelia "Yes", for putting me on this spot. But the thing is, even if I refuse to be her substitute, there's no fucking back fired going to happen to Amelia, because after all, she's only going to be perceive as a good citizen who bid in wanting to contribute for a good cause, and who give her bestfriend an opportunity to spend the company (I refuse to call it a date) of a vampire Adonis replica for just only a few hours tonight. Even if that said best friend has a boyfriend. I will look like an ungrateful friend, and possibly hurt Mr. Northman's feelings in the process, no matter how politely I decline. Even though I'm positive once I refuse the opportunity to spend Mr. Northman's company, somebody will gladly step in for me in a heart beat, but as I said some unnecessary damage will be done. And also another question is, am I really willing to miss this opportunity as well? So to avoid being in the awkward spotlight I had agree to it and told Mr. Lindgren I'll do it for the good cause.

'Yah right, keep telling yourself that Stackhouse.' Convince yourself that it has nothing to do with the hedonistic male in front of you, she thought.

The music starts playing again and everybody continued dancing like before. The dj decided to play a slow dance, Hero by Enrique Iglesias which is one of my favorite artists. I have met him before. He is gorgeous too, but not probably as hot as this guy infront of me. He has a panty dripping voice though, like this one in front of me. Great, I was starting to compare every single attribute of Enrique to this guy and next thing I know I'll be doing it to every single guy I know. (Argggggg…) Speaking of the guy I'm having internal monologue about, was now unsurreptitiously clasp his hand to me, while his other hand had snake lower to my back, he had pulled me, securing me closer to him. We started swaying to the rhythm of the swoony Latino voice of Rique's song, his eyes intent on me, as if studying me, he spoke,

"So Stackhouse eh? You have quite a curious and very unusual name." he stated.

"Yah, most people who learn my name often told me that" I replied blushing with his intense gaze, then was surprise when he twirls me around. I was now facing away from him, my back on his chest, which felt good. I mean really good. You know what else is good and intoxicating is the scent of him. I very subtly inhaled as he continued making conversation and whispered in my ear,

"In all my existence I only knew one other Sookie. A little girl I met in the 90's. Do you happen to know somebody name Sookie Hale?" he asked and I stiffened. Sookie Hale, the name I used to use when I was a little girl because I hated to use my real last name, which is Stackhouse, my abandoning father's last name. Ok, calm down Stackhouse. You don't know why he knows your old rebellious name for yourself, when you we're young.

He probably felt my rigidness and twirl me back around, so I was now facing back to him. He went back studying me looking me intently in the eyes which I unabashedly didn't avoid, refusing to clue him how his presence and closeness in a very short time is inexplicably, keep stirring that attraction I felt for this guy in a dangerously and uncontrollably alarming rate. So keeping myself in check, since I really didn't know how he knew my rebellious childhood name for myself, so I choose to keep quiet and waited for him to elaborate, but as the silence stretched, looking back at him he didn't have to elaborate. I got the self realization of who he is. It all clicked in and I didn't know whether to be perturbed? Embarrassed? Or laugh to myself of how coincidental this situation is, if I was right on my guess who I thought this guy is. Those bright blue eyes, long blond hair, probably shoulder length if you untie the leather bound, the same exact color as mine, very tall.

I stop using Sookie Hale when I was 11 so it couldn't be any tall blond hair from any modeling agencies I've worked from. So it could only be the one person… I thought. Eirikr Nordmann? Could he really be? but I thought I heard Mr. Lindgren call him Mr. Northman? Crap! Nordmann, Northman why does it seem to rhyme and sounded the same? Crap! Crap! Crap. This can't be happening! This can't simply be happening!

He must have seen what ever the hell of confirmation or clue he was searching for, that I maybe, must be, the naïve, infatuated little girl who had a serious crush on him. Good memory by the way, if I might say out loud. I guess I made a big impression on him? Well this is just great! My childhood infatuation what do you know, is one vampire apparently, that's why he doesn't have thoughts filtering my brain at that time. My gaping and musing was subdued.

He started laughing, a full on belly laugh, which I humor myself and laugh with him, even though inside I was embarrassed as hell.

"Sookie Hale" he said. "You are the adorable little Sookie Hale" he continued laughing.

1998 New Orleans Palace hotel

The reception area is not as busy at 6 pm, 3 hour past the check-in time, just few humans checking in.

Eric was in downtime mode, lounging on a sofa, in New Orleans Palace Hotel/ The Queens headquarters, while waiting for Pam to come back from fetching some paperwork in his office for him, which he needed to take for his sheriff business in Mississippi. His eyes closed, leg fully stretch crossed atop the other.

After spending time going strolling from Audubon aquarium, horse riding at Equest, and eating at Pizza d' Italia the triplets are exhausted. They are ready to crash down at Grandma's hotels choice, New Orleans Palace Hotel. So Adele followed by Jason who's rolling in 2 luggage bags went to the check-in desk area to book a room for 3 days. Lyzel having been grossed out from every public restroom went to the closest restroom with a serious run, as she can't hold her pee anymore. Sookie really exhausted from their activity today, walk away to look for a place to sit. She found some sofa sits at the lobby lounge area, seated, and that's where she saw the most handsome man she had ever seen, lounging with his head position awkwardly at the sofa, which Sookie thought really not suitable for his size. His a mountain of a man. Sookie watch him a few minutes and file down to her mind that the man hasn't move at all, even just a single twitch, nada. She thinks he wasn't even breathing! And the other thing that she notice is, she can't hear anything from his thoughts, but she can tell that there is still a pattern of the mans brain registering through her mind but there is no sound, image, words of any kind coming from his brain, which made Sookie panic that there something wrong with the man. Oh my God! Is he dead?(haha) Sookie thought. So she got up from her seat, walk to the man lounging 15 feet away from her.

Sookie touched her palm, cupping Eric's faced and hover over him. Although, she felt his face was really cold she didn't move her hand away and watch him for a little bit before she spoke.

Eric who had felt somebody's hand, without his permission caressing his face, for some very odd reason didn't react with his vampire instinct, which is to be alert, severe the limb and inflict pain to the person who dare touch him without his consent. He remained calm, felt peaceful and content to whomever caressing his cheek. He even leaned in closer to Sookie's touched. He didn't become alert to open his eyes until he heard a little girls' voice started speaking.

"A…um ….Are you alright?" said Sookie in her unsure voice. She withdraws her hand to the man's face when she saw him open his eyes, which she thought the color was really pretty. The man then sat upright and bore his eyes to her.

Eric, who opens his eyes and sat upright, focus his pool of blue eyes to the young girl in front of him, with two big sky blue eyes, long thick lashes, long curly blond hair secured by two white big bows on both sides of her face. She has a small and very pretty face, and really looks like an adorable porcelain doll. His guess is she's between 8 or 9. Normally, he wouldn't care at all not answering this girl, but for some reason his in a very good chatty mood, so he decided to talk to her.

"Well, pretty girl do you have a habit of touching and speaking to strangers. Didn't anybody told you it's not safe to talk to somebody you do not know?" He told her partly teasing her and partly serious. Although for some odd reason this little girl touching him, doesn't bother him, the point is she still touch him, talk to him and was not even the tiniest afraid of him. Even if humans doesn't know vampires exist yet, but with his height, physique and all, most people are intimidated by him specially kids like this one. But this girl just shrugged and answers him without blinking or any hint of tameness.

"Well, I'm Sookie Hale" Sookie said, and then extend her hand. "There, I'm not a stranger anymore to you" She added with a laugh. She decided she wanted to get to know this handsome man. He looks like the prince charming from her fairytale books. And she liked him; she can't read his mind so she felt peaceful in her head, so she decided he will be her very own Prince Charming.

Eric just looks at the girl and her extended hand in disbelief. Is this kid for real? Eric thought.

When Sookie realize the man was not going to shake her hand she dropped it, and continued to make conversations with him.

Eric, who had his laptop bag in his side, started taking it out to pretend like his going to be busy so the little girl will shoo away. He started switching it on and thinking why the hell Pam is taking so long? Then when the computer is already on, he doesn't really know what to do with it. He actually doesn't feel comfortable working his personal business stuff in his laptop in public, so he opted for playing solitaire. He just prayed that when the girl see's that his busy and not interested to talk to her she'll take her leave. Where the hell is the parent of this kid? Why aren't they watching their own damn kid? Eric thought.

But Sookie who can tell that the man was trying to ignore her, doesn't give up yet, in finding out her prince charmings name. She move to sit beside Eric and sat down really close to him, that's when she saw him playing her favorite computer game.

"Oh! You're playing solitaire. I love solitaire game. Actually, I'm quite good at it. If you don't know how to play it I can teach you if you want." Sookie said enthusiastically.

Eric looked at the little girl and tried to glamour her to get away from him, but to Eric's dismay and in utter shocked it didn't work. She just continues smiling at him and waiting for his reply, really oblivious and unaffected. By this time, there's some human now hanging around the lobby. Eric who's afraid the girl might started crying and causes a scene if he scolded and shooed the little girl, groaned in frustration then sigh and finally gives in, nodding to the little girl to give his consent to teach him. He just hopes that her parents will show up soon.

Sookie, the pretty girl started became really animated teaching him where the cards supposed to be put and lay down, in the right order. He pretended he was listening the whole time. A long time had passed but in reality it's only been less than 10 minutes had passed, from the first time he had talk to this pretty kid.

Eric was deep in thought trying to come up an answer on why he can't glamour this pretty kid. The closeness of this kid, in a very peculiar way was calming to him, he felt contended sitting beside her. Her scent was also very calming to him. What is this kid? She looks 100% human just probably comes from very good looking breed. Her scent oozes familiarity to him but he can't pinpoint the smell. Maybe humans invented this particular perfume for kids now? And he had smelled it before? I can't really tell because I was never around kids that much. Still being unaffected with glamouring is the big question. Why? And How? He inhales her scent deeply once more, and suddenly he has an urge to wrap his arms around this little girl, to hug her tightly close to him. Eric stiffened and sat upright. What the hell?

In his panic for what had just came in his mind after inhaling her scent, he answers the girl's question with complete abandonment and total honesty.

"What is your name?"

"Eirikr Nordmann"

"hmmm…Eirikr Nordmann" she repeated with total finesse like she's been speaking his name for a millionth time and perfected it.

Pam and Chow walk in normal humanely pace and approach her master who is amusingly sitting side by side with a very pretty little girl. Her master was looking at the little girl with a really confused look, while the little girl was tapping buttons in Eric's laptop. Eric must have sense her presence so he composes himself, shift his attention to her and Chow and act like there's nothing so bizarre about him sitting with the little girl beside him playing with his personal laptop?

Sookie heard her Gran and her siblings, now looking for her, so she started taking her leave, but before she leave she gave Eirikr a kiss on the cheek and said "I have to go. See you later" then walk away from the three stunned vampires.

Pam was the first one to laugh and tease Eric about his sweet little human girlfriend it's so adorable, she said. And very odd, so uncharacteristic of Eric, she thought, but nonetheless amusing that she found it quite pleasing to tease Eric about it.

Chow tries his harder to reign not to laugh along with Pam. In his effort his eyes was threatening to secrete blood, so to not be subjected with the Viking's wrath of being making fun of, he excuse himself and went to fetch the car they will be driving tonight to the airport to head to Mississippi for a 5 night business trip.

Eric shut his laptop with too much force, it broke. The few human's around look at him, which he completely ignored. So much for not attracting attention, he thought later. He tosses the laptop to Pam and told her to shut the fuck up and to pick up his spare laptop in his home.

Every pair of eyes watched him head out the lobby door, with Pam following not far behind like a good little minion, who is still snickering from the image of the Viking with a little girl perched in his side. It was a picture of innocence and gentleness and too humanely moment for a vampire that she had never in a million years will fathom to witness. It was so opposite for what you would describe a thousand year old vampire like Eric, it's just too funny!

Sookie's POV continuation at the Ball

We had attracted too much attention laughing like a loon. Well, he was laughing like a loon, so we tried to hold it down, well again, at least I stop laughing with him because after all he was laughing at me. Probably remembering the image of myself, as a love struck little girl. My face got heated. He was still laughing at me. Then he started chanting my name,

"Sookie, Sookie , Sookie my little… ahem!" he feign to clear his throat then continue with his mocking chant. "My now all grown up admirer" he said then continued laughing twirling me around scrutinizing me.

"Well look at you! I must say you grow up really quite a looker." He said, without losing a beat, he caresses my cheek, then he pulled me back really closed to him, he continued, "And no doubt have a lot of man competing for your attention, my Sookie"

I refuse to be making fun of. I was a little girl at that time; you can't blame me for having a crush on a gorgeous man. So I told him defensively and tried to pry myself, to give me some much needed distance from his hedonistic body and his swimmingly manly scent that made you really want to lick him and rub yourself on a very delicious way. Arggggggg… get it together Stackhouse. You have a boyfriend remember, I thought giving myself a serious pep talk.

"Well, Mr. Nordmann or is it Mr. Northman?"

"Neither, just call me Eric"

"Eric? not Eirikr?"

I noticed he went rigid, a confuse look in his eyes. And his forehead crinkle for a bit I thought for a second that I was wrong, that it wasn't him. But then he said,

"I haven't use that name in over my 1000 years as vampire. I'm now known and used, Eric Northman"

Weird. Then why did he give that name to me when I was a little girl if he hasn't used it in a thousand years. Wait did he said a thousand years? I looked at him to see if he was serious…he was over a 1000 year old? No wonder Bill referred him old as dirt, but before I got sidetrack I said,

"Well Eric, let me clear something, first never use the possessive pronoun word to anyone or anybody that you have no entitlement. So drop the "my Sookie". I said quoting with my finger to emphasize his wording, "My Sookie.". "It's Soooooookie to you. Two it is "Was"…." Wassssssssss" your admirer." I said correcting him.

"Huh! So you are admitting you admire me." Then I thought I heard him mumble "but you will be mine Sookie".

"And don't be so sure on the past tense my darling I'm actually quite popular and admirable by the opposite sex. Well, I can honestly say not just the opposite sex; just look at that guy over there."

I follow his gaze and saw a guy actually blow him a kiss. Ok I have no doubt that he has that effect. I myself was also seriously subjected to that, but if he thought I'll admit that one to him well…that will never happen, after all he is having the company of the former Victoria Secret Model, Sports Illustrated swimsuit cover of 07, and face of various product ads and billboards before I had quit all of it 3 years ago, for my very own line, the Stackhouse's very owned business.

A very short silence occurs, but his eyes continued to watch me. Then he broke it by saying,

"Well, Sookie you don't seem surprise to find out I'm over a thousand year old."

"I already know that you are old, Bill told me. What I didn't expect and was surprised that you are more than a thousand year old."

"Bill? You meant Bill Compton?

"Yah, he is my boyfriend actually, and you're his sheriff right?"

"Ok, the lame Bill Compton is your boyfriend? Really? . tsk.. So Bill's been mouthing me and area business too…and to a human? tsk. Tsk. Tsk. Not smart, not very smart of him." he said while shaking his head in disapproval.

I clamp my mouth, realizing I just revealed that Bill had told me about their secret vampire/hierarchy world, which I was forbidden to know everything about because I am merely human its no business of mine any of their vampire business.

I thought quickly on how to explain how I know about him and his title in the vampire hierarchy. I really didn't want my boyfriend to get in trouble with his sheriff so I tried to reason.

"Um…Eric..I..Bill …I meant Bill did told me things about you guys but only because I forced him to tell me, because I accidentally answer his phone one time, and you were the caller…and..you kinda the one actually who mouth off about your queen, without making sure that you were actually talking to the right person, and I found your title as sheriff at Bill's cellphone's caller ID so please don't get mad with my boyfriend. He just done it….out of" I thought for a second and continued, "He just told me because the circumstances came up for an explanation when you actually started yelling at my boyfriend…well actually at me, because I was the one who accidentally answer his phone, I hope you don't get mad at Bill…I hope you understand Eric why he did it."

When I finish my reasoning, seeing him wince every time I mention Bill as my boyfriend, I held my breath, and tried to calm myself, remembering Bill telling me that if anybody besides him know that I know the logistics of the vampire hierarchy, and since my mind for unexplainable reason is not susceptible to their mind tricks, (yes I found out that I'm the lucky one or the unlucky one for this matter, the one who they cannot subject with their every whim, (yah lucky me huh?) using their horrible vampire essence mind tricks, so the alternate solution is death for me.) I don't know if Bill is really serious when he told me that, it seems so cruel to just deliberately end someone's life just by knowing even tiniest bit of what Bill referred as their vampire business. I still don't understand this very dark nature of vampires that some of my friends is been trying to warn me, because every vampire I had ever acquainted seem nice to me. But If Bill was right, and my friends were right, I sure hope that I will not find out tonight, or seriously, ever.

By this time I noticed there are two vampire dancers; gracefully glided in the middle of the dance floor. The whole room parted for the two vampires, dressed really lovely, complementing each other like a couple.

Eric who's staring at me the whole time I was ranting my reason suddenly grin, a fucking shit eating grin, and told me the most change of subject in the history of well, changing a subject.

"I know you're a really very good dancer Sookie, I've seen you dance earlier." Yah I noticed you been watching and staring at me, Sookie thought.

"Come on Sookie. Dance with me." he said with mischievous smile, and without giving me time to refuse, pulled us in the middle, with the two vampires at the limelight. Now, we're also inside that limelight, the crowd of attendees surrounding us. I guess me and Bill are off the hook?

Then a very sensual song replaced Rique's song.( Valentine Tango by the twins) "Oh hell it's tango" , I internally groaned. Tango is a very sensual and passionate dance.

So I was off the hook, but placed in another very bad tempting situation of dancing with the man I been trying my hardest not to be tempted to have my way (because I'm so not going to cheat on my boyfriend). But If I'm really being honest with myself, my will is seriously starting, gradually threatening, to snap just by Eric's closed proximity and just by looking into those pool of blue orbs of his, which I might add, really intensely focus on me right now, Crap! It's just a dance right? Just a simple dance, I said internally giving myself a pep talk, convincing myself.

In the corner of my eye, without further ado, the two vampires started dancing, sensually. The women walk cat like to the male vampire and when she reach him, she turn around with her arms outstretch high above her head, swayed her body really close, her back rubbing to the man's chest, while the man run both his hand from the tips of her fingers to her shoulders, down to her waist then twist her around facing him leaving the woman's thigh hooked from one of the man's hand. I thought, they're good, really good and those moves were freaking hot. My inner competitiveness in dancing is threatening to come out, the only thought holding me back is my internal monologue that this dance personally is to sensual for me, to perform with the person, one, who is not my boyfriend. Two not a really closed friend of mine, three I don't know about, besides being my youthful infatuation and Bill's sheriff. Lastly, who I'm honestly, seriously, undeniably attracted to. But for some peculiar reason, and very hard to comprehend, I felt like I know him, even though I really don't, besides being my youthful infatuation and knowing very little information about him from Bill, I really don't know anything about him. But the few things that I learn about him with my senses, from a very short time, seem enough to send me really wanting him though. I had been fighting my best, ever since I started interacting with him. His beautiful pool of blue eyes, masculine scent and closeness spoke odd comfort and familiarity to me, making me very hot and really bothered. It's really wrong for I already exclusively involve with another vampire, and that said vampire was even one of his subordinates. So double no-no.

I don't know if I can do this, I don't know if I should do this. I mentally try to rationalize my situation. Professional dancers perform this all the time with strangers, I thought. I was refrained from my internal monologue with Eric telling me,

"Come on Sookie, let's put their moves to shame" he said with a smirk, and then he surprisingly grip my right hand and press it firmly with his, while his other hand slipped on hallow of my back. One of his leg step backward, which made me lean closer to him, then he extract himself back, pivot his right leg and move his left foot backwards gracefully again but with a precise tug of his arms that made me lean in closer to him than ever, our chest touching, his right knee bent in between my legs, we ended up cheek to cheek.

My heart accelerated with this much closed contact. I felt a smug smirk appears on his lip. I don't know but after doing his impressive moves I can't help myself but be turned on. My entire internal monologue flew away out of my head. Then a slow grin creeps on my face. I was really impressed on how he moves lithely, right on the beat of the sensual tango music. His proving to be a great dancer and I find it really hot, that my southern bell region throbs with the knowledge of a very hot dancing partner in front of me. So just like the sucker that I am for a guy who really knows how to move, I did what I shouldn't done if I had think wisely, I leaned closer to his ear and whisper in what I thought my inner seductress voice "oh, is that all what you've got, Eric?"

I felt him shivered, and right to the beat of the music I lift one of my legs and slowly graze it on the back of his leg and tap him with my calves on the back of his knee before pivoting it back to my original position, but not without arching my back for effects. Well, apparently that's all the confirmation that Eric needed to know that I can match his moves, so he pull as together and then we started our duel on tapping and grazing each others legs, parts of our bodies brushing riskily, sending my heart in overdrive. Eric is an exquisite dancer. His intense gaze and lithely maneuvers really turned me on, and had fueled my passion of dancing into a high new level, I mean in a really high new level, like I felt really high, brains in a haywire, brain chemicals releasing alarmingly, sending me into a frenzy of pure undiluted lust, and awe to the person I'm dancing with. And because I know that he was stronger, and can move gracefully than a normal guy, coz he is a vampire, the Idea really encourage me to do, what my mind thought very risky and also "risqué" moves in complete abandon.

In complete synchronization with the music, I slid my right leg backwards, dipping my self really low. Eric pulled me up from the floor with a tug then spanned me around once, with a deliberate halt, my back was on him, I bounce on the balls of my fit and hooked my right leg at the back of his thigh like an anchor, then slowly lifted my other leg right above our heads, the crowd erupted with whistles and round of applause, and I saw Eric's eyes dance with merriment and what I comprehend was awe with my moves.

Completely empowered with the applause I continued to show off my awesome dance moves, with Eric's encouragement and amazing guidance. We were so engrossed in our flirtation. Yes, I was flirting back to Eric, that we didn't notice that the number of guest dissipated. I don't know what compel me to suddenly yank Eric to the side but I did, sending him a few feet away from me. I look to Eric's eyes a look of bewilderment is communicating back at me. A searing pain started in my shoulder, I touch that part and saw blood on my fingertips and before I utter the word, "OH SHIT! I got shot!," I heard the unmistakable clicking sound of every vampires fangs descending around me, and my blood run cold. Fear grips every nerve of my body. Looking to the faces around me, there's no doubt in my mind, I was freaking sure that I'm in big trouble. It even crosses my mind that I might actually even die tonight.

Beta, beta, beta. I'm so freakin' needed a beta. :-(