I should be updating daily now, as I do the final edits on the chapters. Thanks for bearing with me and encouraging me during this long process.

Thanks to Charlaine Harris for creating these great characters.

Chapter 17 Pictures

When they got back to the apartment Sookie went and found the most conservative top she had packed. A fairly plain round neck tee in a blue and white flower print. Looking at her selection of clothes she was worried nothing looked teacher-y enough. She decided she would probably have to stop at a store in the morning and pick something up. She then tied up her own hair and hid it under the wig. The straight brown hair went well with her suntanned skin. Since the wig was parted in the middle she pulled back a bit on either side of her face and clipped it just behind the crown of her head. She looked at herself from several angles and decided that would work.

She came back out to the living area to find Eric texting. He looked up when she came in and smiled, but looked back down at his phone. "What name did you say you wanted on the ID?" he asked as he typed.

"Oh, I wrote it down over here." She walked up to the computer desk and grabbed the notepad. "Christie Hampton, from Caddo Parish Middle Magnet School. I thought it would be best to use the name of a real teacher at a real school in case they check out my story.." she was kind of proud that she had thought of that.

Eric nodded, "Good thinking." He reached for the pad of paper so he could enter the information correctly into the text. When he finished he stood up and looked around the apartment. "Where should we take the picture?"

Sookie looked around too. "What about over here," she gestured to the wall the elevator was on. "If we take down this painting, there is a pretty big section of solid wall which would work for a simple ID."

He nodded, "That looks good." He took the painting, an underwhelming abstract, down from the wall easily and moved it aside. Sookie moved into place and put on one of those half-smiles people always use for ID pictures.

He held up his phone, framing her in the shot and making adjustments. After the phone made a fake shutter click, Sookie started to move away from the wall, but he insisted on taking a couple so they could pick the best. She patiently stood still until he was satisfied, grateful when he indicated he was done.

"Come pick which one." he offered her the phone, she flipped through the shots.

"This one." she indicated, handing him back the phone.

"That's the worst one, what about this one?" he switched to a different one.

Shaking her head she reasoned, "That one looks like the person taking the picture cared how it turned out. This should look more like a driver's license photo." She carefully lifted the wig off her head. "These things are so hot. I'm glad it isn't high summer, wearing that wig in Dallas almost killed me."

Eric was doing something with his phone, Sookie assumed he was sending the picture. "I'm going to put this away." Indicating the wig and she headed to the bedroom, anxious to take down her hair. Entering the bathroom she placed the wig on the styrofoam head they had purchased with it. She brushed her own hair after taking the pins out. Then brushed her teeth and washed her face. Turning to the door she saw her nightgown hanging on it and quickly changed into it before reentering the bedroom.

Eric was there pulling off his shirt, he looked at her admiringly, "Beautiful, but I thought we were going to shower?" He looked a little disappointed.

She had forgotten that part of their earlier conversation, but quickly formulated a plan. "We will," she agreed as she approached him and reached her hands up behind his head, pulling him down to a kiss. "but I thought we could finish that way." She pressed her lips to his and with no coaxing his mouth parted and her tongue slid past his teeth. Their hands roamed each others bodies, caressing, kneading, scratching. Eric worked the night gown off her and when it hit the floor, swept her up into his arms and carried her to the bed. Placing her down gently, he backed away and pulled his phone from his pocket. Still fuzzy from the passion of the kiss she asked, "Who is it?"

Eric looked confused. "Who is who?"

"On the phone." she said tersely, it was bad enough that they were interrupted. Why didn't Eric just talk to them and get the call done?

"No one is on the phone, I was just going to take a picture of you." He held up the camera.

She grabbed a pillow and held it in front of herself. "You are not taking a picture of me naked! What happens if it gets out? I don't want everyone I know to be able to see me in my altogether on the internet." She worked to make sure the pillow was covering her.

"I won't let that happen." He looked annoyed that she thought he would be so careless.

"And what if you lose your phone?" She set her jaw. "No naked pictures."

"You can take some of me." he offered.

"I wouldn't mind having one of you, but you aren't getting one of me."

Eric looked disappointed, then his expression showed an idea popping into his head. "How about in the negligee?"

Sookie looked at the pile of blue-grey cloth on the floor, and bit her lip in contemplation. She glanced at Eric, who had a hopeful expression. "Okay, give it to me." She held out her hand for the nightgown.

A broad smile split Eric's face and he fetched it quickly. "Don't even think of taking a picture while I'm putting it on." she warned him. He tried to look both innocent and offended and she rolled her eyes at him while doing her best to slip into the nightgown and still stay hidden behind the pillow. When she got it on she tossed the pillow aside and spread out the skirt. "Okay." She turned to him and she felt her stressed smile stretch across her face.

"Relax." he urged. Smiling gently at her. "It's not a Playboy photoshoot, no one will see these but us. Besides, you are beautiful and completely covered." She took a deep breath and let it out slowly willing herself to relax. She felt the crazy smile fade from her face.

"Alright, is this better?" She put on her best "class picture" smile.

"Yes." he took the picture and she relaxed some more. "Can we do a few?"

She nodded and smiled again. He shifted slightly so he was a little behind her. "Look over your shoulder at me." he suggested. She did, but kept the smile on her face. "Flirt with me."

"What?" she seemed a little uncomfortable.

"That drawing you liked? Look at me like that."

Her cheeks flushed, but she tried, looking back at him through her lashes, a slight smile on her face. "Perfect." He looked very pleased. He moved back in front of her. "Now turn your head to the side and lift up your hair." Sookie realized he wanted a picture of her neck, so she stretched it out for him, and put a look of anticipation on her face. He smiled appreciatively, obviously happy that she was starting to go along with it. She tried several other poses that she thought might be seductive, still a little embarrassed. Eric giving her encouragement all the while. She had to admit she was getting into it, especially because she could see the effect it was having on Eric, during one change of position, when she was leaning forward and he had a pretty good view down the front of her nightie, his fangs had clicked down. Lying on her back, she bent one knee up, so her leg came up through the slit in the skirt. She stroked her inner thigh above the artery there and looked coyly at him. She could see his pants were looking very tight. She turned on her side and beckoned him to her with her finger.

Smiling hungrily, he took one final picture and placed the phone on the night stand. Shifting to her knees she grabbed his belt loops and pulled him to her. She began kissing his chest as her hands made quick work of his belt and undid his pants. Her mouth found a nipple and she bit it, his hand came up and tangled in her hair gently, holding her there. "Harder." he urged and she did, feeling his blood tingle on her tongue, spreading a fire through her. She pushed his pants down low on his hips letting his gracious plenty free. He sighed, either with pleasure or relief she couldn't tell. She brought her hands to his manhood, stroking it. She began kissing her way down his torso, until she was low enough to take him into her mouth. He moaned as her mouth surrounded him, taking him in slowly and deeply. The sound of his pleasure aroused her and she felt the wetness grow between her legs. She kept one hand on the base of his shaft, stroking him as she began moving her head up and down, her other hand she slid inside his pants back to his ass, pulling him closer to her, she traced every ripple of muscle, clawing lightly as she did.

His hands were moving over her back, the only part of her he could reach as she was curled up on her knees, bent over low to pleasure him. He caressed her and ran his hands lightly over her spine. But, when at the top of her movement, she circled his tip with her tongue his fingers dug in and he grunted something in that ancient language. She repeated that on each upward path and he was soon rocking faintly, his hips thrusting slightly, although she could tell he was trying to hold back. Giving his butt a final squeeze she brought that hand forward to come up and cup his balls, fondling and squeezing. Another exclamation passed his lips and he started thrusting in earnest, Sookie adjusted her movements to his. She felt his release approach and accepted it eagerly. Pulling back to swallow it down.

As soon as the last tremors passed through him, he pulled her up for a hungry kiss that took her breath away. He momentarily broke off the kiss and pulled the nightgown off her in one quick movement, yet leaving it intact. He rejoined the kiss with increased fervor as his hands were everywhere on her body, driving her as wild as he seemed to be. Now it was her turn to break away, her breath coming in ragged gasps. He trailed nipping kisses down her throat, she gripped his back, her nails digging in slightly as she waited for his bite which didn't come. Rather, he bent lower to her breasts and her fingers came up to tangle in his hair. His hands moved down her, kneading her butt before lightly running down the back of her thighs. He began to sink down into a crouch, his mouth moving down her body. His hands grabbed her behind her knees and managed to flip her so she was on her back and her legs were in the air. He knelt before her, letting her legs rest on his shoulders as he kissed up her thigh. He nipped and sucked along her inner thigh, not hard enough to break the skin or even leave a hickey, but each time she braced for a bite and the anticipation was driving her crazy. Then his mouth left her leg as he turned to face her. He nuzzled the blonde nest that covered her sex and she fought to keep from thrusting at him, but moaned at the contact. He kissed along her opening without parting her, the light touch tantalizing and frustrating at the same time. Then his tongue parted her and she cried out at the pleasure.

His fingers parted her further, allowing his tongue to explore. She tried to keep from writhing under him, letting him control the contact. She grabbed at the sheets to steady herself, closing her eyes to shut out all sensations but the fire his mouth was spreading. Her breath was ragged, coming in arrhythmic gulps as he drove her nearer the edge and he had barely even touched her nerve center yet, but rather seemed to be avoiding it. As if he knew what she was thinking he covered her nub then and sucked it into his mouth. She shrieked at the shock of it and a tremor ran through her. His tongue began to lightly flick the sensitive bundle and she was reduced to small groans of pleasure. When she thought she couldn't take any more without exploding with pleasure, two of his fingers entered her and began pumping in and out. She couldn't stop herself from rocking with him, but not for long because she spilled over into ecstasy.

Eric was kissing her lightly as the world came back into focus, she could taste herself on his lips which was oddly exciting. He had shifted her so her head was on the pillow and she was fully on the bed. They were lying side by side facing each other, his arms were wrapped around her and he was stroking her back lightly. She wrapped her free arm around his waist. He pulled back to smile at her. "You are delicious."

"Um, thank you?" she could feel her cheeks burning, the compliment falling into the sphere of inappropriate things in her upbringing.

He chuckled in his throat, bringing a hand up to brush her hair back behind her ear. "You are such a study in opposites." he mused, his eyes twinkling with mirth.

She frowned slightly, unsure if that was complimentary. "What do you mean?"

"You are so passionate, yet at the same time you embarrass so easily. You are so beautiful but modest. You have endured so much but remain so caring." She covered his mouth with her hand. Her cheeks were burning even hotter.

"Stop, I'm just me." she murmured, lowering her eyes.

He gently pulled her hand away. "Being 'just you' is a marvelous thing. I wish you would realize that."

"Believe me, that's not a common opinion." She tried to turn away, but he wouldn't let her.

"I don't give a damn about the opinions of anyone whose mind you can read." he said angrily. Hooking a finger under her chin to tilt her head up to look him in the eye. "You are respected by many vampires. You have attracted the attention, for good or ill I don't know yet, of the fae. And the two-natured seem to be too interested in you as well." The last was said with a bit of a scowl and a hint of jealousy.

She opened her mouth to protest, but he put a finger across her lips. "I never try to tell you how to be, but I hate that you do not accept how wonderful you are. I have studied humans for a very long time and I have seen how they try to destroy anything they fear or envy. Just because they try to do that to you doesn't mean you should let them."

"Eric! The people I know aren't trying to destroy me. Remember I can read what they are thinking. I know that's not what they're trying to do." She was appalled at the accusation.

"Can you read the motivations they don't even acknowledge to themselves?" He asked with one brow arched, "People don't like different, they try to change anything or anyone who is different to fit whatever they define as 'same'. If that doesn't work they try to drive it away. Isn't that what people have been doing to you your whole life? Your friends and family trying to get you to act like everyone else, and the people who don't care about you treat you badly to try to keep you away from them?" She lowered her eyes again, which was all the proof he needed to continue. "I'm not saying your friends are bad for trying to change you. It's human nature. Some instinct that probably kept them safe for thousands of years. But that doesn't mean you have to bow to it." He again lifted her chin so she would look at him. He smiled widely at her. "Besides who are you going to believe, a bunch of people who haven't been alive for even a century, or someone who is a thousand years old and has been to every continent but one?"

"Which one haven't you been to?" She asked.

"Antarctica, and no changing the subject. I want you to promise me, no more arguing when I give you a compliment."

"Okay, I'll try."

"Now, tell me your plan for tomorrow." he urged, resuming the slow stroking of her back.

"Well, like I said, I'm going to pose as a teacher. Tell them I was hoping to bring my science class there so they could see science in action." she shrugged. "That's about it, I'm hoping to talk them into taking me on a tour, so I can see if they are making VampBait there. Then I'll try to see if I can meet Dr. Taggert, or at least get his full name so we can track him down."

"I wish you could go at night, so I can come with you. I worry, especially since there is a connection to the Fellowship of the Sun."

"Unfortunately, most human businesses aren't open that late."

"Go in the afternoon, as late as you think you can. If anything does happen, I don't want there to be too much time before I can come and help you."

"Okay. I'll be careful." she assured him.

"You always are." he smiled at her. "I trust your judgement." He kissed her lightly, then more deeply, lighting a fire in her again as his hands moved across her, touching her in all the right spots to feed the flame. She reciprocated, her fingers playing across his chest, tracing the lines of his muscles and teasing his nipples. He turned them so he was on his back and she was straddling him. She pulled herself up so she could look down on him. One of his hands came up and covered one of her breasts, squeezing lightly before rubbing his palm across the hard bud. His other hand went to the apex between her legs, slipping inside and tracing her nub.

"End of conversation?" she asked wryly, grinding down on his hand, as hers covered his abdomen, tracing the muscles which danced under her fingers.

"For now." he smiled up at her, watching her eyes as he fanned the fire within her. She moved one hand behind her to stroke him and she could see the pleasure in his eyes. In very little time she could tell that he was ready and she knew she was. She rose up higher on her knees and his hands came to her waist to lift her slightly up and back. She positioned him at her entrance and he eased her down. Sighing as she stretched around him, she worked to keep her eyes open. She began to raise and lower herself on him, just a little at first, then farther, his hands on her waist lifting her but letting her set the pace. As she approached the peak she leaned forward to change the angle. Hitting the perfect spot, she cried out and her rocking sped up until she toppled over the edge. Her internal tremors, brought him to the edge, he rolled them again so he was on top and with just a few thrusts joined her in ecstasy.

He was supporting his weight on his elbows as he relaxed above her, his face nestled against her neck. She ran her fingers lightly through his hair, enjoying his closeness and stillness. He shifted his head slightly so he could whisper in her ear, "Ready for a shower?"

"Mmm, I'm not sure if I can make it that far." she replied with a soft chuckle. Before she realized what was happening she was in his arms as he strode to the bathroom.

"You're not getting out of it that easy." He grinned at her surprised expression, then his face became more serious. "Besides, I have to go soon."

"Go? Where?"

"Fangtasia, the bar might be closed but there are still things I need to do." He set her down next to the shower controls. "And you need to get some sleep. You'll need your wits about you tomorrow. I'm going to call Pam, I'll be back in in just a few minutes." He gave her a tender kiss then discretely left the room.

She was actually thankful for the privacy and took advantage of it before turning on the water. Within seconds of the shower starting he was back in the room. She stepped into the shower and he followed, already reaching for the shower gel. She grinned as she accepted the bottle from him and lathered up her hands, she loved the feel of his soapy hands gliding over her skin, and her fingers slipping across his muscles. Soon they were both very clean and the bubbles rinsed away, but still their hands roamed over each other. Eric steered her into a corner of the shower, kissing her hungrily. With her back to the corner he picked her up by the waist and she instinctively wrapped her legs around him. Lifting her higher he slid inside her, her breath caught as she lowered herself and he filled her. He pulled back and she rose up simultaneously, crashing back into one another in perfect synchronicity. Thrust after thrust they met each other until she cried out with her release and her inner muscles drove him to his.

He leaned into her for a moment, pressing her against the shower wall as the last spasms passed through him. He looked up, brushed the hair from her face and kissed her tenderly before he withdrew and lowered her to stand on her wobbly legs. She swayed against him, still catching her breath. He turned them so they could rinse off, his hands directing the water across her skin. They washed the signs if their lovemaking off each other before Eric turned off the water and dried her with a towel.

She stretched languidly, rolling her head on her neck when something occurred to her. "Eric, you haven't bitten me tonight, or last night either." She took the towel so she could dry him.

"Last night Pam had already bitten you and you were a little shaken. As for tonight I didn't want to drain your strength, before your ...mission tomorrow." She looked to see if he was making fun of her, but he truly looked concerned. "In fact, I think you should have some of my blood." He offered, raising his wrist to his mouth, fangs clicking down.

She grabbed his wrist, and stopped him. "No, I just had some of your blood the other day. I got along fine for over 20 years without it. I don't need it every time I walk out the door."

He cupped her cheek, "How much investigating into supernatural things did you do for that first 20 years?" he asked wryly. "I know you are capable, but you are also mortal, and that means fragile. Now that I have you I don't want to lose you."

"I'm tougher than I look, and I'll keep my mental ears open, if anyone is planning me any harm, I'll high-tail it out of there."

"Make sure you do." He kissed her lightly, opening the shower door. "I'm going to get dressed."

"Okay, I'll be out in a minute." Wrapping the towel around herself, she went over to the vanity and brushed out her hair. She looked at her reflection and bit her lip in indecision, something had been weighing on her. Taking a deep breath, she decided to broach it with Eric.

Leaving the bathroom, she found Eric buttoning the shirt he had been wearing earlier. "Eric, can I talk to you about something?" she asked tentatively.

Her tone visibly concerned him, he walked up to her and put his arms loosely around her. "Anything lover."

"I know it's not my business, Fangtasia is your bar, but..." she took another deep breath, "... you need to pay the waitresses enough to make up for their lost tips." She looked up at him warily, afraid she may have gone too far.

He looked confused. "I'm covering their pay." he offered.

"I know honey, but they make more in tips than they do in pay. They probably aren't going to be able to pay their bills without that money. I'll pitch in my tips from the two nights I worked." She offered out of guilt, she really needed the money too, but the attack was her idea and so it was her fault the waitresses were being short-changed.

"I can cover it, I'll talk to Pam and we will come up with something equitable." He kissed her forehead. "This is what I mean by you giving me the human perspective. Don't be afraid to come to me with things like this."

"I won't." she said with a relieved smile.

"So now I have something to ask you."

"Okay."

"Do you mind if I bring some clothes here?" he grinned lustfully at her. "I know I'm not wearing them very long, but I would like to have something to change into."

That threw her, since this was technically his place, and said as much.

"While you are here, I want you to feel like it's yours. So it's up to you." He pulled her a little closer, "Unless you want to come and stay at my place?"

She had never been invited to his place before, and wasn't sure if she was ready for that, although she couldn't really define why that should be. "Maybe we should wait on that?" she wavered, watching his expression to see if it upset him, but he seemed okay. "The clothes are fine though." she added hastily.

He smiled down at her, "Whatever you're comfortable with." He seemed sincere and she relaxed a little. He sighed. "I've got to go though. Get some sleep." he urged before bending to give her a soft kiss.

She smiled up at him. "I will, wake me when you come in, okay?"

"I will." he promised, a burning ember of passion in his eyes.