Disclaimer: Disclaimer: All characters belong to Charlaine Harris. Don't sue please :)

AN: Hey everyone I'm back. Sorry but there are many scene changes in this chapter, just trying to get the story back up to speed. Hope you like it. Special thanks to HopeSt for being my second pair of eyes.

I'm not sure how long we stayed on the beach, but I had a feeling the sun would be on the horizon at any moment. The stars weren't so bright anymore, and the sky had become a beautiful shade of a navy blue. Eric carried me on his back as he picked up our shoes and flew to our balcony. Thank god most people were still sleeping–I couldn't imagine what people would do if they knew some vampires could fly. Thankfully, I had left the door a crack open after my shower.

Eric laid me down on the bed and went to block the windows. I could feel the sun pulling me into slumber. I could hardly keep my eyes open long enough to kick my jeans off.

I must have dozed off for a moment because when I opened my eyes again, I was sitting up, and my pants were off. Eric was holding me up as he pulled my tank top off and unclasped my bra. I felt so weak; all I could do was lean into his supporting hands. As he lay me down and covered me with the sheets, I saw he was only wearing a pair of black boxer briefs, and a mild ache built below my navel. I closed my eyes as he let out a soft laugh. I am sure he felt my ache as well. He leaned over and turned out the light.

***

I woke up in the evening feeling refreshed, for once. Eric was still in bed. After a few gentle but sexy attempts to wake him, I gave up and got out of bed to unblock the windows. The sky was the same color it was when I fell asleep. The sun must have just set.

I tightened the belt of my robe and looked back to see Eric was beginning to stir. As I walked over to him, I couldn't help but smile. I didn't like being in Florida under the circumstances, but Eric and I had a hopeful future that we both saw last night. Sitting on the bed next to Eric, I leaned over and placed a soft kiss on his forehead. He let out a soft moan and grinned.

"Sookie."

He spoke so softly, no human could have heard. His eyes, still sleepy sapphire slits, peered up at me, and his grin grew to a smile as he blinked and stretched before sitting up. He bent his knees a little and leaned forward to kiss me. I loved the way his lips felt on mine, gentle and loving. Moments like these made it hard to believe he was one of the most feared vampires in Louisiana.

He pulled back giving my lower lip one last played suck, and I let out a laugh.

"Isn't it Prince Charming who's supposed to wake the sleeping beauty, not the other way around?"

Eric let out a chuckle as he ran his fingers through my hair.

"Well good evening to you as well."

He leaned in again and kissed me with more passion than before. I matched his passion, and I could feel the ache building between my legs. I leaned in over his knees and slid my fingers into his disheveled golden locks. Eric let out a sound halfway between a moan and a growl. It took me no time to know what he was thinking, and I was right there with him. After last night, we had some catching up to do. I went to move farther on the bed, but Eric had other ideas. He grabbed me hips, and in one quick swoop, he had pinned me halfway up the wall above the headboard. This was different–not that I was complaining. My robe was off in a flash, but as I reached for his boxers, something happened. I heard voices.

"God damned vampires! Can't believe we're stationed here. If it weren't for the fucking king, I wouldn't be locked up in here right now. Chelsea is due any day, and god damn it, we weren't even supposed to be here for another month."

I stopped Eric at once. He held me in place on the wall. I hated to stop him, but this was important. I continued to listen in to the thoughts of our neighbors.

"Will you shut up? You're lucky we got this opportunity to show our true dedication to the cause. Killing Louisiana and Florida! Two leading vampires in one shot. We're gonna be heroes man!"

"God damn apple polisher!"

"Fuck you, and I mean Chelsea used to be a fangbanger. How in the hell do you even know it's yours?"

There was a crash, followed by a few thumps.

"When you two girls are ready to come play with the big boys, we'll be over here."

A door swung shut and echoed through the wall.

"Eric, we have the FOTS right next door."

Any bit of passion and lust drained from his face as he set me back down on the bed.

For fear of any bug that may have been in our room, I hopped off the bed and quickly went over to the desk. On a piece of hotel stationary, I wrote out everything I had heard as close to accurately as possible.

Eric already had his pants on when I turned to hand him the paper. His eyes quickly scanned over my words.

"It looks as though we will need to put a hold on our love making until later tonight. Please get dressed."

His lips lingered on mine for a moment. I wanted nothing more but to hop back in bed with him. He folded the piece of paper as I broke from our kiss and went to the closet.

I quickly dressed in a pair of dark washed jeans and a soft black cashmere top. He had put on a simple grey tee shirt and slid his shoes on from the beach.

"We are to meet with Victor and the king tonight. Nothing too fancy. Hopefully we'll be leaving tonight."

"I know what he wants."

I knew the king wanted to know if I had heard anything that would confirm the suspicion that the FOTS or any other humans were plotting against us. Of course, I would tell him, but I wouldn't have to tell him everything.

***

After we left our room, we went to get a quick bite, and thank god we fed from the living for once. I tried to stay on True Blood, but all it did was fill me. There was no satisfaction in consuming it. Once we were done, we were met by Victor in the lobby.

He was all business but seemed to in good spirits. It was the first time I didn't see him in a suit. He had on a burgundy polo and khakis. Victor looked like he was ready to go golfing or have a cocktail with his friends in the clubhouse.

"Good evening Eric and Sookie. Allow me to escort you to the king. I assure you that this meeting will be brief."

As we made our way across the large busy lobby, a familiar stream of consciousness filled my head.

"Tomorrow evening he's having one more party, and the project will move forward once they all go to ground or whatever the fuck they do."

I did my best not to react, but Eric knew something had happened. He gripped my hand a little tighter.

Deep down I knew that any attack on a vampire was an attack on Eric and me as well, but at that moment, considering the target, I didn't care. I couldn't have been happier.

We took the elevator to Felipe's suite where we were greeted by his date from the night before. Victor dismissed her, and she promptly left the room. Felipe was lounging on the sofa, staring into the flames of an ornate gas fireplace. He stood as Victor guided us to take a seat close to Felipe.

Bowing to the king took a lot more self-control than I thought it would. As we all took our seats, Felipe moved closer to me.

Oh, joy.

"Miss Stackhouse, I have a few questions for you, and it would please me very much if you could answer them the best you can."

Eric's hand slid and inched closer to mine, and I took it, lacing my fingers between his. I hated lying, but for the man in front of me, I could make an exception.

"Whatever you need Felipe, I am happy to help."

Victor had taken a spot standing near the window. He was looking out over the beach, but I knew his mind was with us. It was strange –my telepathy had not significantly changed, but now with vampires, it was as if I could tell where their energy was focused. Right now, everyone's focus was on me.

"Very well, have you 'heard' anything that might be of interest to me?"

I nodded, and he continued.

"The FOTS and a few other anti vampire organizations have been acting out of character. We are to believe an attack is coming. Florida has had some strange occurrences recently which brought me to believe that all governing vampires in Florida are in danger."

"But if that's so, why aren't they involved now?"

Victor chimed in.

"They are but felt since there are very few telepaths in the area and you are here to visit your king, why not lend a helping hand?"

He was lying. I didn't know why, but I just knew there was another reason why Florida wasn't involved in this affair. I snapped my head back as Felipe spoke with more authority.

"Now, Sookie, you will tell me what you have heard, please."

I let out a puff of air, and my eyes met Felipe's. Here goes nothing.

"Felipe, I have heard something, but it was just this evening. I think the room next to ours is being occupied by humans, and these humans intend on causing harm to vampires."

Felipe's eyes grew wider.

"Did they mention to whom."

Yes.

"No, well, they said the King, but they didn't say which one, and they didn't say when."

Felipe seemed very thoughtful for a moment but not suspicious and that was a good thing.

"Anything else you can share."

"Well, the way they spoke made it sound like they were just scoping out the place, not like anything would happen soon."

His eyes narrowed to dark slits.

"I hope you aren't trying to protect anyone here Miss Stackhouse. You may be new to the vampire world but that does not mean humans will see you any differently, and the same goes for the way you view them. If you think they are trying to harm you, they probably are. Protecting humans over your own kind is an offense to all vampires and is an act worthy punishment by death. Be wise my child."

I could feel Eric's anger through or bond. My heart would have been pounding if it could. Felipe looked at me as if he was going to kill me right there. As much as I wanted to scream, I did my best to seem calm, but Eric wasn't calm at all.

"Sookie knows very well what humans are capable of and protected more vampires over humans even when she was a human."

Felipe stood, and we followed. He glared at Eric, and Eric glared back. A low growl vibrated out of Felipe's chest.

"I am sorry if I have upset you, but I have told you all I know."

Victor came to Felipe's side. His eyes shifted from Eric to me as if to send some silent message, but I had no clue whose side he was on.

"I think she is telling the truth. We should let them go home."

Felipe's gaze softened, and Eric took a step back.

"You must forgive my behavior. I have not yet fed this evening. Thank you Sookie. You two are free to go home tonight, if you wish. I would love you to stay; we are having a party tonight and tomorrow evening as well. I very much enjoyed dancing with you."

"The pleasure was all mine, but I am sure Eric would like to go back to Shreveport."

"Yes, it will be best we leave tonight. But if you need Sookie or me for anything, please do not hesitate to call."

Felipe's lips curled into one of the most devilish smiles I had seen yet.

"Trust me, Eric, I have every intention."

Victor, Eric and I left the room. We were all silent down the hallway and in the elevator to the lobby.

"Why are we back in the lobby? I thought we were going to…"

"Sookie, go back upstairs and pack. I will be up there shortly."

Eric kissed me on the cheek and joined Victor in the lobby as I disappeared behind the sliding doors.

***

A human girl couldn't help but gawk as Eric and I stood in line waiting to check our bags. We didn't have to fly Anubis, and people in Florida just weren't used to seeing people without a tan. I shot her a half-fangy smile, and her eyes shot away. I couldn't help but giggle.

How could I not be in a good mood? Everything had gone as planned. We were leaving, and Felipe was in grave danger. There was one burning question I still had.

As I slid my purse under my first class seat –something I still wasn't used to –I looked at Eric. He seemed pleased as well.

"Eric, what's going to happen to Victor?"

His face fell, and he took my hand.

"Lover we cannot talk about this now."

"But we're on a plane. I doubt…"

Eric had this 'I'll eat you if you disobey' stare that would have sent even the bravest of creatures shaking. Obviously, I would have to wait for an answer.

Minutes later, he took my hand and kissed the back of it. His eyes were nothing but apologetic. I smiled at him hoping he knew I understood.

During the flight, I leafed through a new magazine and had a True blood. Eric spent most of the flight on down time, but occasionally he would lean over and offer to purchase whatever item of clothing I was looking over.

Pam greeted us when we arrived in Shreveport. She gave me a kiss on the cheek and offered to take a bag, but I politely turned down the offer. It was hard to get used to how much kinder Pam was now that I wasn't a "low human" anymore.

When we finally made it to Pam's car, Eric spilled everything to her. If you were a human, you would have had difficulty taking everything in, but to us it was crystal clear. Though I had not told anyone of further development for the FOTS, Eric and Victor both had a suspicion. Victor was no longer interested in working with Felipe. He had been an ally of his for a long time but recently his judgment seemed clouded, and it had weakened Victor's trust and loyalty in the new king. Pam turned to Eric with a look of shock that Victor would betray Felipe.

Then Eric exposed our plan, Niall, Felipe the FOTS, and everything else.

When all was said, Pam smiled. I knew she would support everything Eric wanted and that made me happy. I didn't want to share our plan with many others, but it was comforting to have her know.

It wasn't even midnight when we got to Fangtasia. Eric wanted to pick up some paper work he had neglected. I didn't care. It was nice to be there. It was nice to be in Shreveport. I grabbed an outfit out of my luggage and used the shower in the closet while he made a few phone calls. I hadn't been able to shower since the night before, and I had every intention of jumping him the second we got home.

After I dried off, I ran some product through my hair and let it air dry as I put on a black sundress and matching sandals.

As I arranged some of my damp waves in the dimly lit mirror of the storage closet, I realized in that moment I felt the most confident and happy than I had in weeks. Eric had handled everything having to do with my change so well. Pam had told me that Sam handled the news surprisingly well. Eric and I had the chance for revenge on the one person who deserved it. Though nothing had happened yet, I felt closure knowing that everything would be ok. I felt strong. I felt like I was regaining the tiny bits of power I had stolen from me. Who knew a storage closet in a vamp bar could have such moving properties.

I got ready to meet Eric back in his office and suddenly felt a twinge of negativity. I set my brush on top of my neatly folded pile of old clothes and brought the pile to my chest. It was probably just Eric on the phone; he had a way of scaring the living daylights out of people who owed him money or favors. The pile nearly fell from my grasp as I swung the door open to a very hard, very white, and very cold stare.

"Bill…"

TBC.