Bill helped me into the shower and was visibly restraining himself as he washed me. His fangs were fully down and I swear I saw him swallow hard a couple of times as he washed between my legs. I almost jumped him but he held me back and stepped away from me, kissed my hand, stepped out of the shower and said, "you have no idea how hard it is for me not to take you right now, it is taking everything I have; and, if we don't stop right now neither of us is going to wear anything for the rest of the night." Oh how right he was!

I knew exactly how hard it was; I could see how hard it was for him and it was driving me insane. I wondered if me attacking him would be too un-lady like? He must have sensed my emotional state because he said, "Sookie please, we need to have a conversation before we leave and if you are still open to it, then we can go on with the plan for tonight and I promise after that we'll do everything you want to do now. Please don't make it any harder on me."

He left me standing in the shower alone and I turned the faucet to cold at full blast; It didn't help much but the thought of us discussing Jason helped stamp down my libido. I dried myself, wrapped the towel around and proceeded to dry my hair. I had decided to press Bill further for a clue as to where we were going before I selected from the two dresses I'd set aside and did my make-up and hair to match. "Bill, can you give me a hint as to where we are going so I can pick the right dress for it?"

"I think we should have our first discussion now before we discuss that; What do you think?" Bill asked.

"How many things do we need to discuss? Am I going to be sad, happy or scared?" I asked with a worried look on my face.

"I truly don't know… maybe all three." He said as he kissed my hand. "BUT there are a couple of things we DO need to discuss before my plans for us tonight can start." I sat on the bed but Bill led me down to the living room.

"Would you like something to drink?" Oh yeah, this was bad if he's offering me a drink; and when did he get drinks? "We have wine, water and TruBlood. I suggest the wine" Bill said as he opened a bottle and poured me a glass. I thought I was going to hyperventilate as he handed me the wine and started speaking.

"Ms. Stackhouse, there are three parts to the conversation we need to have tonight, but for now I want to start with your brother." Oh shit, this is really, really bad if he's calling me "Ms. Stackhouse," I thought.

"Ms. Stackhouse, you are not alone. I know you love your brother and believe he is all you have left but you are wrong; you also have the fairies but most importantly, you have ME. I have been waiting for you to share what transpired the night he came to the house, but you have not decided to share it with me. You don't have to as I heard the entire conversation. He is your brother and I will not speak ill of him, but if he puts you in danger I will not be able to control myself as I will protect you from him and all who may want to hurt you. Do you understand what I am saying?" I nodded, took a sip of the wine and swallowed hard.

"That night he came over I wanted to discuss with you the events that occurred at Fangtasia with Eric but I couldn't, you had been through enough that night and truthfully I was hoping Jason would have brought up the conversation himself. Now, I am assuming that Calvin informed you of Jason's indiscretion with the full-blooded werepanther?" I nodded and dreaded that Bill already knew everything. I was also upset that he hadn't shared what he knew with me earlier.

"Sookie, they have avoided a full out war between themselves at a time when they are making their presence known to the outside world. The people of HotShot have not pulled him out of your home because they know you are under the protection of the King, are a friend of the pack and because Tray and I are usually there. You must get him to go back to HotShot and be done with them there. Someone from HotShot went looking for you at Fangtasia and informed Eric of Jason's issues; they asked for his help because they believed you were still bonded. Knowing the danger to you Eric called me to try to get Jason out of the house so that Calvin's people could take him. When I disagreed, Eric became furious and you know how he can be." I watched as disgust and anger flashed through his face at the mention of Eric's name.

"Sookie I will abide by your decision but I have to go out of town on business next month and I can not leave you in danger; so either, you and Amelia stay here for your safety or you have to come with me." I truly wasn't expecting that last part; Amelia and I stay here or I go with him, O - K. My head was spinning a little, I knew what I had to do and what I wanted to do, I just wasn't sure how to go about it.

"Bill, he's my brother and you are right, you and Eric are both right. I have to get him to go to HotShot before he gets into more trouble and takes Amelia, Tray, you and me with him. I don't know why Eric was brought into this mess and I am thankful you disagreed with him but, why didn't you tell me what you knew earlier; granted I didn't tell you anything either so I'll let that go. We just have to promise never to keep anything from each other again."

"Of course darling, but you had been through enough that night and I was hoping that your brother would do the right thing without bringing you into his problems."

"Bill, all I can tell you is that I am going to speak to Jason tomorrow and if he doesn't agree with me I am going to be the one opening the door to Calvin and his people. I am tired of winding up either hurt or hurting other people because of him. I almost died and my own brother didn't see fit to come and check on me. I also know you try to keep your feelings for him locked because of me and I thank you for that. I also don't want Eric getting in the middle of this but I also don't want to see my brother hurt, but this is his own fault and whatever happens to him is by his doing." I was nervous and babbling even though I knew Bill, Eric and Calvin were all right.

"I am sorry that is all I can give you, Eric and Calvin about this whole situation. Now, what else do we need to discuss about you and me right now, other than your trip or can it wait for later tonight?"

"For right now, nothing other than the trip but that can wait for later if you like. Everything else is just about us," he said.

I nodded and said "later then" as he stretched out his hand to help me to my feet. He hugged me, cupped my chin and lifted my face to his for a soft kiss. I smiled up at him and he led me back to the bedroom to change. "Sweetheart, can I make a request of you?" I nodded my consent. Bill walked over to the closet, pulled out a garment bag and said as he opened it, "Could you wear this tonight and leave your hair down a little for me?" He held up the dress I wore the night we first visited Fangtasia.

"Where did you find that?" I said startled. "I looked in your closet and found it. I think it would be very appropriate for tonight." He said with a smoldering look on his face.

"As long as we're not going to Fangtasia I'll wear it." I deadpanned.

"Oh, we're not going to Fangtasia, and it seemed appropriate for what I have planned for tonight as it was what you wore on our first date."

"Bill, that wasn't a date."

"It was to me." He said as he leaned in to kiss me. Our chaste kiss was quickly turning more passionate and Bill pulled himself away from me (again), but I refused to let go of him. "Not now. I'll see you downstairs." He grumbled as he pulled himself out from my arms and left to get dressed in the other room. I did my hair and make-up, put on my little dress and waited for Bill in the living room. When he descended the stairs I almost fell out of my seat, he looked so damn good. He looked like something straight out of a GQ magazine. He had on a black Armani suit, a light beige shirt open at the collar and he had gelled his hair a little. I couldn't speak when he asked me if I was ready to go. Bill took that as a compliment and smiled as he took my hand, grabbed my wrap and led me out to his car.

We drove to a restaurant outside of Shreveport that catered to A-listers both supes and humans called Le Chatteau Noir. I knew from its reputation that it took almost 3 months to get a reservation there and even then you had to be from the upper crust of New Orleans high class to get in. I started to feel butterflies in my stomach the moment the valet greeted Bill.

"Good evening Mr. Compton, it's a pleasure to see you again. Good evening miss." Bill nodded his greeting to the young man (a were) as he handed him the car keys; we receive similar greetings as we made our way into the restaurant.

As we entered, I was immediately taken back by whiff of magic in the air. This place certainly had a protection spell around it.It was amazingly elegant, beautiful and romantic. There was a cascading waterfall in the center of the restaurant, off to the right was the dance floor and to the left a full band that was playing jazz. Flowers decorated the entire room but their scent was not over powering; considering the amount of supes in the room and their heightened sense of smell that was a good thing. I noticed many supes with human dates, all engrossed in conversations or dinners not paying attention to anyone other than each other.

The tables were covered with beautiful white linen tablecloths that were covered by layered gold linen embossed with the initials of the restaurant. The chairs were also draped with the same white linen and the back rests were covered by the same gold (initial) embossed linens tied at the back into a beautiful bow. The plates and glasses all matched the linens and were rimmed in gold. Bill motioned for me to look out the (floor to ceiling) bay windows and I saw what could only be described as a small bridge that crossed over from the restaurant into a beautiful garden; it was a breath taking sight.

"Would you like to go there after dinner?" Bill leaned in and asked smiling. Love shinning from his eyes. "Oh yes, that would be lovely." I replied.

Bill held out my chair – he's such a gentleman; he kept staring at me with a look that told me he was up to something, I just didn't know what. The kind of look the cat gives you after he's eaten the canary. We sat quietly, ordered our drinks and dinner and the butterflies in my stomach multiplied in number as I mulled all the questions in my head; First, why did everyone here know Bill? Second, why was he being so mysterious all of a sudden? And finally, what was he up to? All I could think about was how much trouble I was going to be in after this date. I was sure I was going to enjoy it but the sly smile on Bill's face let me know I was going to be in trouble none the less; the little dress will no doubt meet its maker by the end of the night. I couldn't stand the quiet any more and asked, "Enjoying yourself Mr. Mystery?"

"Mr. Mystery? Hum… maybe I should have taken you out on dates more often. But we are here now and you do look especially lovely this evening." He said as he leaned in to kiss my hand. Heat traveled all the way down to my toes; Bill noticed and licked his lips showing that his fangs had started their slow descend. We finished our dinner and sat enjoying the beautiful music. Bill had ordered himself Royalty Blend for dinner and was truly enjoying himself as he knew he had the upper hand tonight. I never wished I could read his mind more than I did at that moment. And then he spoke…,

"You know the first time you wore that dress I thought I was going to have to fight every vampire in Fangtasia for you. I found myself breathless even without a breath of my own. I wanted to tear it off you and take you the moment I saw you in it; that would have been a shame, don't you think?"

"Yes, it would have considering gran' was there when you first saw me." I deadpanned; I just didn't know what else to say.

"Yes it would have, but what I meant is that then you would not be able to wear it again, especially tonight; this very special night of all nights."

"Very special night of all nights? I think you are losing me Bill."

"Oh, but I already lost you once and got you back." He deadpanned. Thump, thump, thump, I could hear my heart beating.

"Bill, you know what I mean. It is a beautiful date and I am enjoying myself tremendously and am quite surprised as well; so yes, it is a very special night, but don't I think any other dress would've changed that."

"I beg to differ. Maybe I should clarify my statement as it is becoming apparent that you do not know what tonight is." Bill leaned in and held my hands to his lips kissing them before speaking. Oh God, he must know he's driving me insane for him.

"My darling tonight is the anniversary of the first time I saw you in that beautiful dress. That is why tonight is a very special night indeed." I almost fell out of my seat, my eyes got teary when I did the calculation in my head and realized he was right. More importantly, that he had remembered it and thought it a special night as the events of that night brought Eric into our lives and had not ended exactly well.

"Sweetheart, would you like anything else to drink, dessert maybe or would you like to go out to the garden now? He asked ignoring my teary eyes but handing me his handkerchief nonetheless.

"Let's go outside. I think I need air now." I swallowed hard and dabbed at my tears with the handkerchief he handed me.

Bill led me outside; we crossed the little bridge and sat on a bench under a beautiful Cherry tree. I was totally out of my league here; I'd no idea what was going on around me and my heart was beating so fast I thought it was going to jump out of my chest. Not to mention that Bill looked amazing in the moonlight.

Bill took my hands in his, kissed me gently and spoke as he looked into my eyes holding my gaze. "Sweetheart, you know I love you don't you? And that I'd do anything and everything to protect you and keep you happy?" I swallowed hard and nodded expecting the bad news to hit me any second.

And then, he continued…,

"Darling, I have lived longer than what most humans should live, almost two hundred years. I have lived under the cover of night, hidden from humans and after the great reveal, lived a dead life with no purpose, joy or happiness. Then Sofie-Anne presented me with an edict to find you, seduce you and bring you to her side. Of all the regrets in my long life hurting you has and will always be the biggest." I don't know why but I nodded and he continued.

"Still, without that edict I'd never returned and met you and we wouldn't be sitting here now. I wish that I could turn back time and change all of my mistakes. I should have shared with you everything I felt for you the moment I felt it and should have told you about my queen; but I was so afraid of losing you that I never dared tell you anything. But all that is in the past now and there is nothing I can do about that." I stifled a whimper and Bill continued as his thumbs rubbed circles on my lower back calming me.

"All I know is that since the moment I met you, you saved me. Sweetheart, every now and then when I get a little lost to my 'vampireness' as you call it and whenever I'm right on that edge I just thank God you're there to bring me back to humanity. 'I know I don't tell you nearly enough that I couldn't live one day without your love'. I love you and I can not see my undead life without you in it. I…, I don't know if I am doing this right." He said as he took my hand, (my heart was pounding trying to leap from my chest, was he really doing this?), got down on one knee and pulled something from his pocket.

A ring. I was shocked and hyperventilating. Could this be really happening? I must be dreaming. My head started to spin.

"I know I might not deserve you, but darling, you are my purpose, my joy, my happiness, my heart, my life and my love. Miss Sookie Stackhouse, will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?"

"Wi.., will you marry me?" As the last word trailed out of his mouth, I did what any respectable woman would do;

I looked at the ring, looked at Bill and…,

I fainted.