Apparently Eric's mood is a huge point of concern. I won't say more except I hope that you all enjoy this chapter.

I forgot to put a disclaimer in last chapter. Obviously I don't own any of these characters.

Chapter 9 New Memories

Eric was standing with his back to the door when she came out, he didn't turn to face her.

"Eric?" she touched his back lightly.

"I'm sorry I broke our agreement. It wasn't my intent." He still hadn't turned to her. "Though they would not have gotten half of what they deserved in the courts, I was going to turn them over to the police."

"I believe you." She whispered sadly, "Eric, was it them or me?"

He turned, "Them, you or Thalia. We could have killed her to stop her but she was blood-starved and driven out of her mind by what they had done to her." He held her upper arms. "I had to chose and I protected you and one of my own kind." He was looking for forgiveness, but wouldn't ask.

She granted it. "Eric, I understand, I would have made the same choice. I'm sure Thalia was no saint in the past, but she is the victim here. You did what you had to." She put her hands on his chest.

His face filled with relief. "I was afraid you would hate me for this. But better that than letting you die." His expression changed to one of uncertainty. "But I understand if you've changed your mind about tonight."

She put one hand on his cheek. "I haven't. What I saw in there was so horrible, I need to know that tenderness still exists." He smiled slightly and covered her mouth with his, his arms circling her. The kiss lit the spark of desire within her and she was breathless in seconds. Using all of her willpower she broke off the kiss, "Okay, great start, but not in this alley." She looked toward the door. "Does Pam need help?"

He sighed deeply, "Yes, she probably does. Let me get you back to the apartment and I'll help her, then come to you." The last was in the tone that always made her knees weak.

She shook her head and he looked disappointed. "Bring me to Fangtasia and I'll meet you at the apartment."

"Why?"

"Well, my purse, keys and car are all there. I'll need them tomorrow." He nodded, then looked at the door.

In less than a minute, Pam poked her head out, "What?"

"I'll be back to help after I take Sookie to her car." Pam gave a curt nod and disappeared behind the door.

He took the bag from Sookie and turned so she could climb on his back. As soon as she was in position he took off at the same extreme speed as before.

"Do you have to go so fast?" she shouted into his back.

He laughed, "I don't want to waste any time."

She held him tighter and soon they were landing. He pulled a key from his pocket and opened the back door while she was sliding from his back. He headed to his office and she went to her locker. In addition to her purse, her apron and an envelope with her tips were there, just with a glance she could tell it was easily three times what she would have made at Merlotte's. Eric came back without the bag, but with several bottles of strong rum.

"Are you planning to get me drunk?" she asked jokingly.

He grinned but said, "These aren't for you."

"I don't want to know, do I?"

"Probably not. Let me walk you to your car." He gestured for her to lead the way.

Digging her keys out of her purse as she walked she asked. "What are you going to do with Thalia's blood? You can't put it back in like a transfusion, can you?"

"Unfortunately that doesn't work. I'll probably barter it to Dr. Ludwig, at least it will go to healing and it won't be wasted."

Sookie shivered inwardly at the memory of Dr. Ludwig, her odd bedside manner and the reason she needed to be healed in the first place. They reached her car. "Be careful, and hurry." She stood on tiptoes and kissed him quickly on the lips. "I'll be waiting." she promised then quickly got in the car.

"Not for long." he assured her. He waited until she was pulling out of the parking lot then took off.

Sookie was giddy on the way back to the apartment. It had been too long and Eric had been the best lover she had had. Alright, grammatically it should be that he was the better lover, since her experience was so limited, but she was comfortable sticking with the superlative. Either way her skin was tingling just thinking about him.

The trip back to the apartment was a blur, she vaguely remembered driving back and parking but now she was in the elevator urging it to go faster. When the doors finally opened on her temporary living room she threw her purse on the nearest couch. She started to head to the back area of the apartment when she had an idea. She took off her shoes and left one in front of the elevator and the other propping open the door leading back. She continued undressing as she went, leaving a trail of 'breadcrumbs' for Eric to follow to the bedroom. She continued into the bathroom. She turned on all the banks of showerheads and entered the large stall. Rinsing the black ends out of her hair and removing all other traces of Desirée.

As her hands lathered her body she thought of her first time with Eric, the surprise, the trepidation, but most of all the passion. Her skin flamed at the memory and the fire spread to her core. She slowly turned, letting the water wash over her as she remembered every moment of their first night together.

"I hope you are thinking about me." Sookie jumped and turned at the sound of his voice. He was standing naked at the open door of the shower. His eyes were hungry, his fangs were down and his gracious plenty was … plentiful.

She stepped towards him and held out both hands, "Just remembering our first night together." He stepped in, closing the door and taking her hands.

"I'm afraid you'll have to refresh my memory." Pulling her close, caressing her back. "Perhaps a dramatic re-enactment?" he suggested as he lowered his mouth to hers in a kiss both gentle and seductive. She melted against him, her hands tracing the contours of his back and moving down to squeeze his sculpted ass. A low growl formed in his throat and the gentleness of the kiss was replaced with a fierce desire.

Breaking off the kiss to breathe she looked at him intently while reaching for the bottle of shower gel and poured a liberal portion into her hand before handing him the bottle. He arched an eyebrow at her but repeated her actions. Facing each other, his hands slid down her back to squeeze her butt, his fingers sliding between her cheeks causing her to gasp. Her hands started low on his back and worked their way up to his shoulders. He took advantage of her raised arms to bring his hands lightly up her sides, his slick fingers tickled her and she brought her arms down to defend her ribs.

He turned her in his arms and pulled her to him. She could feel his manhood against her back and moved against it, eliciting another deep growl. His lathered hands covered her breasts, teasing the tips into hard buds. She reached up behind his neck, turning her head to expose her neck to him. He bent and trailed kisses along it, his fangs lightly scraping her flesh, sending goosebumps across her skin and fire to her core. One hand moved down her stomach, pulling her closer to him. She had a sudden realization and murmured in his ear, "You drew this."

He looked down at her in passion and adoration. "I've wanted this for so long, imagined it, fantasized about it, dreamt it. But being here, holding you is better than I thought possible." He kissed her again and the hand on her stomach drifted lower, between her legs. She whimpered into his kiss as his fingers parted her and unerringly found her throbbing nubbin. He gently stroked her, a light feathery touch that quickly left her panting and clinging to his neck for support. Small tremors started in her abdomen and thighs, he broke off the kiss to gaze into her eyes.

Remembering how he liked to watch her expressions as they made love she fought to keep her eyes open and looking into his. "Shouldn't we move to the bed?" she gasped.

Smiling down at her he moved his fingers inside her and his thumb began to stroke her nubbin. "Not yet." he purred as his fingers curled and moved within her, finding the special spot. Her hips thrust against his hand as she started gasping erratically and then the wave of pleasure washed over her.

Supporting her, he turned off the water as the aftershocks of her orgasm faded. He opened the shower door and grabbed a towel, drying her softly. "Mmm" she stretched as the towel moved over her. "Remind me again why we haven't done this for so long."

"Because you think I am a scoundrel and a rogue and you wouldn't trust your heart to me." He grinned down at her.

"Ahh," she wrapped her hands behind his head. "I thought it was because I was an idiot."

"Well, that too." He agreed with mock seriousness. "But I didn't want to mention it in case it spoiled the mood."

"Not possible tonight." She let go of him as he moved the towel between them to dry her front. When she was dry, and quite breathless, she stilled his hands taking the towel from him. "My turn." she claimed with a gleam in her eyes. Flipping the towel over his shoulders she began rubbing his back, working her way down to his butt, which she spent a great deal of time on. "I've said it before and I'll say it again – I love your butt."

He raised an eyebrow. "Who have you been discussing my butt with?"

She grinned, "You." Moving the towel around to dry his chest, starting at the top and moving down.

"Really? Any other body parts we discussed?"

"Oh, we are not getting into that again." she chuckled. Squatting down she began drying up his legs.

"Why not?" As she expected his curiosity was piqued.

She rose slowly, bringing the towel up between his legs cupping him with one hand and drying along his length with the other. His pleasure was evident on his face and the small noises escaping him. "You didn't like my initial description of a particular part."

He swallowed hard to continue talking through his passion. "How did you describe it?"

"Nothing bad really." she dropped the towel at his feet and moved to the open shower door. She glanced over her shoulder at him, an innocent look on her face but a mischievous twinkle in her eye. "All I said was that it was 'adequate'." His face was blank for a minute then his jaw dropped in disbelief.

She giggled, then ran to the bed, she was turning to face him when he was on her. Straddling her hips, he pinned her to the bed, holding both of her hands in one of his above her head. If it were not for the mischief in his eyes it would have been a panic situation, as it was she giggled and pretended to struggle, which really was just an excuse to rub against him. The topic of their conversation was laid out on her stomach.

"You said no such thing." He accused.

She nodded, "I sure did. Funny, you were upset about it then too." She looked innocently confused.

He looked tragically hurt. "I am cut to the quick. How could you be so withholding of praise? There is not a part of you, whose virtues I would not extoll."

"Let's hear some extolling then." she grinned up at him jokingly.

"Your eyes are like the twilight sky, glittering with the first stars of evening." He leaned forward and kissed each eyelid tenderly. "Your smile brings the first rays of sunshine I have seen in a millennium." Her smile faded at the intensity in his eyes when she realized he meant every word, and wasn't just playing a game. She swallowed as he bent to kiss her, her throat tightening with emotion. The kiss was tender and light, barely brushing her lips, he kissed her like that, again and again before pulling back and murmuring against her lips. "Your lips are the finest mead, sweet and intoxicating, inviting sips to savor before their power overwhelms and I must drink deeply." His mouth covered hers again but this kiss was hungry and probing, his tongue exploring her mouth, mingling with hers. When he finally ended the kiss she was gasping with arousal. She looked up at him, drunk with passion and he looked pleased at the effect he was having. His eyes drifted lower, focusing on her breasts, he ran a tongue over a fang. Still holding her wrists with one hand, his other cupped one of her breasts, squeezing gently as his thumb teased her nipple. She trembled at his touch. "Your breasts are perfection, Freya herself would be envious." He bent and kissed each worshipfully before covering a rosy tip with his mouth, flicking his tongue over the bud, then biting it lightly. He kissed his way to the other and brought that nipple to a hard bud. He let his fangs scrape lightly across her skin, keeping her breathless and moaning. She was writhing under him, her arms straining to be free so she could touch him. Fire coursed from her breasts to her core and she wanted him now.

He straightened looking at her face again, his eyes were fierce with desire. He took one wrist in each hand and brought her hands to his lips. "These hands," he kissed the palm of each. "are the only human hands I would trust with my life." He brought them down to his shaft, she wrapped her hands around him without hesitation, she smiled at the shudder of pleasure went through him.

Smiling up at him as she stroked his length she elaborated. "I did say that was my initial description."

"Oh?"

"We did finally find a term you found agreeable."

"And that was?" his voice a husky whisper.

"Let's see if I can remember." she stalled as she continued to caress him. "I remember now."

"Well?"

"A gracious plenty."

His face brightened, "I think I can settle for that." He shifted so he was beside her and brought his hand down her abdomen, down to her nest of light hair. She gasped in anticipation, but his fingers did not part her. Instead they traced little meandering paths through the curls, barely touching her skin. It was exquisite torment, each movement fanned the fire at her core but did not slake it. She moved, trying to increase contact, but he anticipated and kept the contact light. She moaned in frustration.

He chuckled wickedly as he again covered her breast with his mouth. She arched into him, her breathing ragged. His tongue caressed her nipple and she trembled, her hands tightened on him, passing the trembling to him.

His fingers entered her then, her hips bucking up to meet them. Within moments she was gasping, "Eric."

"Yes, my lover?" he was keeping his voice steady with effort. His eyes dark with passion.

"I need you inside me now."

He shifted to between her legs, his tip pressed against her entrance. "Now? You're sure you don't want to think this over some more.?"

"Now, it's been too long." She reached down and grabbed his butt, trying to pull him in.

"Ah, but for me this is the first time." he pointed out.

"Then make love to me again for the first time." she quipped.

"I can't argue with that." and he thrust within her, filling her as only he could. She gasped as she stretched around him and he looked down at her with concern. "Did I hurt you?"

She smiled up at him and shook her head, bringing one hand up to the side of his face. Knowing what he wanted to hear she whispered, "I am yours."

His eyes flamed and he began to thrust into her, shifting slightly with each thrust until he found an angle that made her gasp. Then he began to thrust harder and faster. She felt her release approaching, turning her head to the side, but keeping eye contact. She pulled the hair away from her neck, baring it for him. Supporting himself with one hand he gently turned her head back to face him, his fingers caressed her neck. Only when the first spasms of her climax began did he lower his head to slide his fangs into her neck. With each draw he magnified and prolonged her orgasm. Licking her wound closed, he came right after, moaning something in an ancient tongue with his final thrusts.

She felt him relax above her though he supported his weight as he licked his bite again. When he pulled out of her she moaned softly. He froze and looked down at her. "Are you alright?" He moved to her side.

She smiled at him like the cat that got the cream and stretched languidly. "More than alright, I just felt so complete." She rolled her eyes and turned her head. "That sounds so hokey, I'm sorry."

He turned her head back to face him. He searched her face and his eyes had a warmth that was different from the heat of passion. "Don't be sorry," he chided her, "I, too, felt like that was where I should be." That could have sounded territorial or corny, but there was such tenderness in his voice, his face, his eyes, that her eyes welled with tears and she had to swallow a lump in her throat.

She raised a hand to his cheek and he covered it with his own, turning his head to kiss her palm. "I've missed you," she whispered, "more than I was willing to admit to myself."

He looked at her, studying her face, she knew he could see it clearly in the darkness. "Did you miss me or this?" His hand released hers and moved between her legs, parting her and stroking her nub in a slow rhythm.

Her breath caught and she had to swallow hard to form words. "I'd be lying if I didn't admit to missing this." Her hand covered his, but she stilled his fingers, then returned her hand to his cheek. "But I really missed you." She looked into his eyes.

"I've been here." His tone conveyed that he was stating the obvious.

"No, you haven't and neither have I." His obvious confusion prompted her to elaborate. "Since you stayed at my house we've both been different. I've been tense and nervous. Afraid of myself around you and wary that you would remember and resent your vulnerability when you were with me. You had been afraid of what you might have done to me." She blinked the tears from her eyes. "I've missed our banter, and being able to talk to you without guarding every word. I even miss our arguments."

He grinned, "It has been hard not provoking you. You get so indignant and you would argue back. So few humans will stand up to any vampire, let alone me, but you do, even though I can tell you are frightened." He looked at her with admiration.

"You like me to fight with you?' she asked incredulously.

"Very much, really you are the only one I can truly have an argument with. As I said, humans won't and there are very few vampires I can argue with." At her confused look he explained. "I can't let those vampires subordinate to me, Chow, Bill, Indira, Thalia argue with me. It would be perceived as weakness. And for the same reason, vampires above me cannot allow me to argue with them."

"So you like to argue with me because I am apolitical?"

He nodded, "But I have other reasons, for one thing you think like a human, which I do not mean in a bad way," He quickly clarified. "You quite often give me a perspective I hadn't considered." She smiled at the appreciation in his voice.

"You said other reasons- why else do you like to argue with me?" This felt so comfortable, like when she laid on the rug with him in front of the fire.

The hand she had stilled began tracing light circles on her thigh, making her shiver. He smiled crookedly at her. "When we argue, your eyes light up with passion, I can hear your heart speed up and you flush. I can smell the blood rushing beneath your skin." He started nuzzling that skin along her neck as his fingers continued teasing her thigh.

"Wait a minute.." she pushed herself up on her elbow. Eric let her neck slip away from him but moved down to her breasts. She tried to push his head away so she could look at him but he resisted and she ended up running her fingers through his hair and holding his head to her. The passion was rising in her again but she persisted. "Are you saying that you get turned on when we fight? Eric. That's twisted."

As he shifted from one breast to the other he mumbled, "Not exactly." His fingers moved to tease her entrance.

She fought the primal lust that was threatening to sap her reason, gasping she asked, "Not exactly what?"

Teasing her nipple after each word he explained. "Our arguments don't turn me on so much as they..." He paused, looking to be sure he had her attention, "...make me hungry." he smiled and his fangs clicked out. At the raw hunger in his eyes Sookie shivered, but it wasn't from fear.

He started kissing and nipping his way down her body, lingering in more sensitive areas, all the while his fingers kept a slow, light rhythm on her nub. She was breathless by the time he began kissing her thighs which had little tremors running through them. Then his fingers were gone and she watched in anticipation as he kissed his way to her apex. His tongue traced her entrance and she moaned, his fingers parted her and his mouth explored her. When his tongue finally flicked her nerve center she cried out. He chuckled against her and the low vibrations sent a shiver through her.

"Eric... I...I, oh please!" she couldn't complete a thought as her prolonged near-ecstasy had stripped her mind of everything but the feelings he was sending through her. Then his mouth covered her nubbin, he sucked it in between his fangs while his tongue flicked against it. She cried out with her release.

As the world came back into focus, he was beside her again, holding her close and stroking her hair. She snuggled against him, not having the strength left for anything else. "Rest a little," he whispered, "we have all night."

She tried to protest, thinking that the night was almost gone, but she was so pleasantly exhausted and happy that she drifted off before she could form a single word.