He was silent but I could feel his inner conflict. I brought my hands to his face trying to comfort him.

"Eric, he will know. What are you going to tell him?"

I could see in his face, he was deliberating. After a minute he pulled my hands from his face and held them on my lap.

"All I can tell him is the truth."

"He will kill you!"

I tried to remain calm but I knew that confrontation would not go over well. He might even kill me. No, he wouldn't but fairies and vampires were not the best of buddies and when my great grandfathers find out Eric was forced to change me by the King of Louisiana, well…

I removed myself from Eric's lap only standing a foot from him. I did my best to calm myself and surprisingly I was able to do so with more ease than before. I ran my fingers through my slightly damp hair and turned to Eric. His face was drawn tight and I could feel his uneasiness though he lacked any fear. I could imagine it would be hard to shake a man you has been around for a millennium and had witnessed countless wars, deaths and things I'm sure I would never want to imagine.

His eyes found mine and I crawled back onto his lap. I was not used to initiating contact with Eric. He was always the one who was chasing me. But now, with everything; he was the only place that made me feel whole and safe.

Eric wrapped an arm around my waist and pulled me closer. It almost felt like second nature to me as leaned my head on his large shoulder and took his other hand in both of mine. His touch was not so cold anymore; I think this was the first time I allowed myself to notice. We sat there in silence as I lazily traced mindless patterns over the back of his hand. The heavy bass from the music in the bar sent a vibration through the beer mirror on the wall. It reminded me of Sara's heartbeat.

I don't know how long we were both sitting there, what this what down time was like? It was comforting but a little tainted with the idea of Niall killing the Eric. I flinched.

"What?"

"I have to speak to someone; I have to speak to Claudine."

"Sookie it is too late for that tonight. You have been through a lot, in a few hours we will rest and tomorrow night I will summon the proper beings and we will sort this all out. And Niall is not going to kill me, though I doubt I can say the same for our beloved King. Everything will be alright. My Dear One, you are mine now and I will not let anything happen to you or myself for that matter."

He places a soft kiss on my forehead before bringing us both to our feet. Eric walked over the small closet near his desk. He withdrew socks and, a pair of black converse and a brush. He brought everything over the couch and ran the brush through his hair before tossing it to me. I caught it out of the air with a snap. I watched Eric tie his shoes and couldn't help but smile. He was mostly a jean and tee shirt guy but I never saw him in sneakers. He watched me as I ran the brush through my hair.

"Can I try True Blood since I was so good earlier?"

I did my best to send him an eager smile. As he stood and walked over to me his face fell blank.

"We will see, but there is something you need to know."

I lifted my face to get a better view of his. He took the brush from my hand and ran it through his hair once more.

"Love, you cannot see Claudine or Niall for that matter. I won't let you until I know you can hold your composure. Fairies can hide their scent but you need to show control, especially now."

I hated that he was speaking to me like a child but he had a point, fairies would smell different to me. I would never want to attack either one of them or cause anymore drama in an already tense situation.

I nodded and looked at the clock on the wall. It was 1:15. We wouldn't be in the bar for long.

Eric set the brush down and took my hand. I felt warm and safe as we walked into the bar. A few of the fangbangers that were always there looked at me wide eyed. Was I really that noticeable? You would have thought had blood running down my mouth by the looks I was getting, not to mention the thoughts.

Wow he finally did it.

Oh my god she's just as beautiful as he is. I wonder if she's fed already.

Lucky bitch

As I stepped up to Eric's booth I put up my shield. I slid in and Eric slid in next to me. A waitress I didn't know came up the booth and took Eric's order. I didn't hear the type but he ordered two bloods. I didn't care how it tasted, I needed something.

Eric slithered his arm around my back and held me close. His grip was firm but he used his other hand to take mine and gave it a gentle squeeze. I knew he could feel me sudden struggle though our bond and he was doing his best to calm me.

"You hear it too now? Like music."

"Like a hundred beating war drums."

"They call you? No worries lover, it will get better."

"When?"

"All in good time."

"But now you see why I cannot let you see the fairies."

I gave him a strained nod.

"Can you still taste it, the Fea in my blood?"

"Yes, couldn't you? That part of you won't go away just because you are vampire; it was born in you as a human. It will be there forever, I think."

I calmed a little when I saw the waitress return with two bloods. It smelled strange.

"Thank you."

The waitress gave me a strange smile as though she didn't know how to react. It took me a second to remember vampire code of conduct. I was probably the first vampire to say thank you. Well, my manners weren't compromised when I changed so I might as well use them.

"I am amazed you chose to try this stuff and you aren't even one night old. My Sookie, you are full of surprises."

I took the bottle in my hands, it smelled strange and unlike any blood I had smelled before.

"Bottoms up."

I could have so easily choked and spit the contents of my mouth all over Eric's booth. Instead, I winced and swallowed. Eric let out a chuckle and I was happy to see the bar was clearing out. I didn't want to make a scene.

"Eric, how can you drink this?"

"It takes some getting used to. I assume like diet food would be for a human. It isn't good, but it gets the job done and besides, it's not like I strictly drink this."

He brought his hand up to my neck, letting his thumb run over my vain.

"I prefer my meals for be…organic."

"I am a fang now…you can erase the banger part."

I was joking but Eric didn't look so pleased.

"Don't ever talk about yourself like that, you were with me and another once but you were never a fangbanger, those creatures are nothing."

I choked down another sip.

"Eric I know, I was just…"

His penetrating stare cut me off. His sapphire orbs burned into me as he spoke.

"You are my bonded, my lover, and my child."

His hand slid up past my neck and gripped a handful of hair. He slowly and firmly pulled my head back, my bare neck open to him. He released his other arm from waist and with his hand, he traced over the silent vain of my neck. Out of habit I panted useless breaths but halted when his husky voice met my ear.

"I am in here, in you. Forever."

He leaned in and I felt his tongue glide up my vain to the shell of my ear. I felt the moisture pool between my legs; it wasn't fair.

"My beautiful Sookie, we are each other's forever. My Lover. My love."

My eyes grew wide at the last two words he spoke. Eric kissed me sweetly on the cheek though I could feel his lust radiating through our bond. He released his grip as Pam walked to the booth. She had her black vintage Chanel bag slung at the bend in her arm.

"I'm on my way out now, is there anything else you need Eric?"

"As long as you followed through with your orders regarding my most recent addition you are free to go."

"Yes, everything is at your home."

"Very well then."

Pam nodded her head in a way that almost resembled a bow to Eric and shot me a small smile before walked off. Speaking of addition, I was curious to know if I was expected to bow, kneel or do any of the things I had witnessed Pam do for Eric. I was still a little too human to find myself doing that. Also, I had professed me love to Eric and just now heard something in return, at least I hoped. But would that all change now that I was his child. Pam and Eric were intimate for a few years after he turned her but Eric has said that it is very rare for vampires to be romantically involved for any length of time. I knew that even though Eric and Pam had sex, they were not in love.

I gripped the half empty bottle of blood and tried to reign myself in.

Maybe I was thinking too much but right now all I could feel was alone. Even if Eric loved me now, the closeness what temporary; when the novelty wears off I would just be another Pam? I could never be with a human; I couldn't even when I was human. I hated Felipe de Castro more now than I ever had hated anything in my entire existence.

I'm not sure what Eric felt through our bond but the bottle of blood shattering in my hand confirmed my distress. There was no hiding now. He grabbed my blood covered hand and dragged me back to his office. The door swung shut behind us and he brought me to the couch. He took a rag from the closet and tossed it to me. I cleaned my hands off and stare into his eyes when he met me on the couch.

"I hate him."

"I know."

Eric took the rag from my hand and leaned over to kiss me. I summoned every bit of will I had and pulled away. His lips barely skimmed mine. He pulled back looking slightly displeased.

"You are angry with me as well?"

He spoke calmly but in a tone of disbelief and defense. I got that, he was my maker. How dare I?!

His face smoothed as I shook my head. This was all so unfair. The shock of everything was wearing off and reality was setting in. I didn't want to say anything but when he looked at me, I lost my will to hide.

"Will I be like Pam someday?"

"Do you want to be?"

I looked down and my pale hands not knowing how to word my next thought. His large hand came into view and landed softly over mine. I brought my eyes to his. He looked at me with his eyes a little wider.

"You think you will be alone someday, that I will grow tired of you. That all other this will grow old and I won't love you anymore."

I looked back down at my hands and his. Was I that transparent?

"Sookie, look at me."

I could feel my eyes welling up and I begging my eyes not to betray me. I slowly met his eyes, they were warmer than usual.

"My darling, I thought you were smarter than this. You living as I do does have a benefit you've overlooked. We can be together now."

"But remember what you said about vampires, before my trip to Mississippi. You said."

His finger cut me off.

"I know what I said, I was there too. I will not deny that being with a vampire for a long time..."

He arched his eyebrow at me and smirked.

"Hopefully ,forever. It is a little taboo in our world. But I don't care and I know you won't either. We had a bond before you were turned and we were lovers before. Our bond changes things. You will know me and I will know you more than Pam and I ever will."

My dead heart could have beat again. I loved this man. He loved me, though he hadn't out right said it yet. I threw my arms around him and planted the most loving kiss I could on him. He kissed me back, wrapping his arms around me and pulling me to his lap. But after a moment he pulled me from him and examined my face.

"How could you ever think I would ever not want you? I have wanted than any human I have ever desired; as we worked and fought together I knew you were more. I resented you for causing me to feel things I didn't know I was capable of. You made me feel weak. But as our bond strengthened and my memory returned, I knew what I felt for you. I kept away because I felt shame for my feelings and weakness. But now, you must know. Sookie, I love you."

The kiss the followed was the best kiss of my entire life. I crush my body to close to his. He wrapped his arms around me so tightly I felt like I could break. Wouldn't be a bad way to go. There were no fangs, no lust, just pure love passing through our bond. His kiss was gentle and strong at the same time. Our tongue dances and we savored the taste of each other. My finger tangled in his hair as we both broke from the kiss, I went back a few times and place soft, loving kisses on his face. I never would have thought I could be this happy, even under such compromising circumstances. He loosened his grip and looked at me with new love in his eyes.

"We must go now, it will be dawn soon."

I nodded and climbed off his lap. He stood and went to his desk to fetch a few things and met me at the door.

***

The drive to his home was quick but then he wasn't minding the speed limit either. He found humor in the fact that I still wore my seatbelt. Couldn't he give me a break, I have only been a vampire for one night. Heaven forbid we crash; I would like to be less banged up, even if I can heal almost instantly.

Eric's home didn't exactly suite him. He lived in a large house, just outside town. The long drive and sprawling land around his home indicated that it was a plantation once. The large white house had two stories, a red door and a beautiful wraparound porch that would have been perfect for watching the sunset. It stung to know that simple, human pleasure would remain a fantasy. Eric had a garage that was obviously built later on but he chose to park his corvette in front.

We got out of the car and Eric took my hand as we walked up the steps for the large red door.

"Welcome home, Miss Stackhouse."

Eric said with a smile as her unlocked and opened the door.

I did not need any light to see the inside of Eric's home was more suiting to his taste. The floors were dark hard wood with beautiful rugs placed accordingly. From the foyer I could see a large minimally decorates sitting room that led to an even less decorated dining room. On the other side of the foyer there was a more welcoming living room. There was dark, push seating and fireplace with a beautifully carved mantle. There was a large plasma flat screen on one of the walls the hung below a very modern entertainment system. I smiled to myself at the thought of Eric entertaining any group of people here. I giggled to myself and the idea of Bill and Eric Wii golfing on a late evening.

"What's funny?"

"Nothing, you home is beautiful."

Eric leered over at me.

"My darling, you have yet to see the best part."

Eric took my hand and led me to the stair case that stood in the center of the foyer. He led me up the stair and I glanced at the art on the wall. Most were of old ships and Nordic looking landscapes. When we reached the top he led me to a set of large double doors at one end of a hall. Eric turned to me before opening the doors.

"My dear one, we are going to my room and though I am very please to bring you here you must know something. I hope the age of my blood and your rapid progression will allow you to sleep above ground but you must tell me if you cannot sleep. I give you permission to strike me as you did in Rhodes. There is a chamber under this house; I will sleep with you there if needed. But you must wake me."

I nodded obediently but was a little taken back by how much he stressed our sleeping arrangement. He took my hand again and led me into his room. It was gorgeous. The walls were covered in beautiful brocade but he had left the ceiling and molding ivory which kept it from looking too dark. Of course the next thing my eye caught was the large king size bed and a sturdy wood canopy frame. The bedding and the heavy curtains matched the walls. Every other piece of furniture in the room went along with the dark mahogany bed.

"Well, it is too your liking."

"Of course Eric it's beautiful."

He brought my hand, and kissed it. As he released it he pointed toward a closet.

"You will be happy to know that Pam was able to retrieve a few things from your car, your purse is in the closet and you car is in the garage. But we will be replacing your vehicle soon. She brought some things for you from your home when she took you clothes you are wearing now. She also bought a few new things she knew I would like. Your cosmetics and such are in the bathroom."

He sounded so bored as he spoke until he turn back to me with a smirk. His index figure hooked under my chin and he lifted my face to his.

"Though, I fail to see a single flaw on the beauty before me."

His voice and gaze made me knees weak and my eyes heavy. At least I thought it was him. I stumbled half a step before caught me and carried me to his bed.

"You are weak, Sookie, you must rest now."

My head began to ache, and though my limbs felt heavy I could not seem to drift away. Eric had taken my shoes and jacket off then went to the bathroom. I sat to undress but as I did my head hurt even more. Eric looked at me without concern but mild disappointment; I could tell honestly what he was feeling my head ached like I hadn't slept in weeks.

"We need to go down stairs."

"Is that why my head aches?"

He nodded and scooped me up. I felt I slight twinge on embarrassment at Eric carried me down the stairs and to a door to in the foyer. He closed the door behind us and descended another flight of stairs. I didn't like feeling so powerless. I had been independent as a human and now I was leaning on Eric for more than I ever had. I knew I would grow and need him less for simple things but in the mean time it was hard to swallow.

Eric lowered me on another bed. I didn't take in much of my setting but being underground was the water to my thirst. I sat up and managed to pull my shirt over my head. Eric sat next to me and undid the button and zipper on my jeans. I fell back on the bed. Eric pulled my jeans off with ease and lifted me to pull the covers down. He placed me back down and took of his closed before sliding in next to me. Oh the bed felt so wonderful and Eric, my love and maker next to me was all the comfort I needed.

As I began to doze off Eric unclasped my bra and slid it off. I heard it land on the floor a few feet from the bed. I was please to not feel a hint of lust as Eric's cool hand pulled me close to him. I only felt calming warmth. I turned to him and places a soft kiss in his chest before I rested me head and drifted away.

I