AN: *peeks out from under desk* still with me out there?

I am SO SO SO sorry for the delay in this update, I've been going through a funk. Writing was stressing me out, and so was not really having directions for this. THANK YOU for sticking with me! I truly appreciate each and every one of you. Seriously. Reviews have me grinning like a fool, so I greatly appreciate those of you who take the time to pass on your thoughts. I read every one!

Without further adoooooooo ….

18

I wasn't sure if Eric had moved so quickly with travel arrangements because he was excited to see me, or because spontaneity is the hardest thing to predict, or track.

Truthfully, I really didn't care, because it meant I had a flight back to the Americas that same evening I had called.

I packed everything in the small apartment so fast I was verging vampire speed and I felt the small amount of blood between Eric and I humming with anticipation. The buildup of our reunion was already so anticipated, any more suspense and I might explode.

I didn't even fold things, I literally just threw them. Some I even balled into the corners, not caring what they'd look like when I arrived. A part of my training was acceptance, and I had spent some time reflecting my current position in life, and accepting what I wanted to change and where I wanted to be when I returned.

Before I had relocated to Sweden, I hadn't bothered to touch base with anyone back in Bon Temps. Tara and I had drifted apart, my brother was a space cadet (but probably still attempting to raid my empty fridge weekly) and who knows about Sam. I'm sure a certain high-handed vampire mentioned that I was on an extended leave, but needless to say it hadn't rated high on my priority list to call him and inform him of all the traumas my involvement with the undead and lemon-intolerant communities had led to. I realized that those conversations were heading to the top of my "to do" list as I returned.

Because as much as they drove me crazy with their small-town minds sometimes, those people made me feel safe just as much as the immortals that had entered my life. I sure wasn't the same Sookie Stackhouse that had left over 4 years ago, but I believed in my roots. Gran had been adamant about that. I had struggled internally about understanding her fairy philandering and came to the conclusion that although it seemed hypocritical and against our Catholic beliefs, it was something Gran had decided for her and I could not judge her for it now.

I zipped my small suitcase closed, and took one last glance around the small room. I imagined this would be what it would feel like to say goodbye to your college dorm. I felt like I had matured here. I had learned things, I had pushed my boundaries, and I was excited and saddened to say goodbye to it. But I knew that it was time, I was ready for a change, and I was ready for a new life where I would not be as stubborn and naïve as I had been in the past. Acceptance.

I walked out of the room and found Thalia standing by the door. She gave me a small nod.

"I have … enjoyed our time" she said somewhat hesitantly. "You are a strong woman Sookie Stackhouse" she said, stepping to stand in front of my and lightly grasp my forearms "Never forget what you are capable of." She gave me a small warm smile, and stepped away again. "I will not be joining you on your flight, I will be returning to my nest for some time. I hope you will call me should you move in arms in the near future".

"Of course" I said, nodding. The time for war would come, but there would be strategizing and research beforehand. Knowing Thalia would come to my side at my call left me with a feeling of awe and reverence. This was the third vampire over a millennia old that I have earned the respect of in a short period of time. Eric, Godric, and now Thalia. It was hard to wrap my head around, but also gave me a confidence boost. I must not be the "Crazy Sookie" I had been ostracized as for so long.

"Thank you Thalia." I said reverently. I felt my eyes watering and knew that display of emotion was sure to have her running for the hills, so I held them in. "You have been such a mentor to me. I will never forget your kindness and training. Mulţumesc." I had googled the translation of thank you in her native language (Roman) and spent days trying to get the pronunciation right. I'm sure it was still less than perfect, but my pronunciation was from the heart. I said it with a heart full of emotion and gratitude and was repaid with another warm smile from Thalia. A rarity equivalent to an eclipse I had heard.

"Master has arranged your transportation directly from here, to the airport. You will be arriving in New Orleans for this night and then moving forward with the Master and Godric from there. Remember to use your training child". Meaning, keep your shields tight but screen those who would have an effect on your safety. I nodded. "The car has arrived" I nodded again, and boldly leaned in to give her a hug.

"Bye Thalia"

"Goodbye Sookie"

We broke apart and I lowered my shields. I could hear noise from the floors below, but quickly adjusted so that the only participant in my view was the driver. Vampire. Of course. I walked out of the door with one last nod to my mentor, and made my way to the elevator as I poked at the void that was my escort to the airport.

Vampires are still voids to me, but as I learned in Fae, I can see the tinge of their intentions in colours. They all have a cloud of dark grey due to their undead status, but emotions that run high will show in colours. I saw a tinge of green, which could mean many things. Envy, jealousy, greed. As the elevator made its way to the lobby I exited and could see in the reception monitors that the car was parked immediately out front, my escort standing near the passenger side awaiting my arrival.

He had fire engine red hair, freckles, and a tall scrawny build. As I walked across the lobby and closer to the two exit doors (swipe and code accessed) I realized that this green tinge was a more anxious energy. He was nervous, and on high alert. I made my way through the doors and nodded at him.

"Good evening Miss" he gave me a slight bow and walked towards me to grab my luggage. "May I?" I nodded and he encouraged me to enter the glistening black town car. I had changed into one of the rare business attire clothing I had brought with me. Black dress pants with a slight flare, a flowy navy blue sleeveless blouse and a heavy winter pea coat (with hood of course). Small "power pumps" finished the outfit with my hair loose and mascara. I noticed a slight up-down from my escort, as he quickly deposited my carry-on bag in the trunk and closed the door behind me. I took shot gun, to his surprise (which always came in orange, like a firework, I loved that one) and he introduced himself as Clancy.

The ride to the airport was quiet and rather quick. Clancy was to travel with me where I would be met by another member of Eric's entourage. As we neared the airport I again lowered my shields to scan those who would be near the tarmac. This was much easier said than done, as my anxiety cranked up a few notches when I realized how many people were around. Duh – airport. Still, it took some practiced meditative breathing to ensure to myself that I could handle this and that I would be prepared for anything and everything.

My scan proved fruitful as I caught red angry tinges near an isolated private plane we were headed towards. I told Clancy to slow down and told him what I had found. To my surprise he nodded.

"Those are our other accompaniment miss. Master required extra precautions for this conference" he said discreetly. Meaning, he wanted to ensure we had protection both in flight and post boarding. I nodded and calmed myself again. I scanned the pilots and support staff and found them all to have a slight lust for a certain Viking, but nothing malicious. Thank goodness.

We boarded and settled but I was still unable to relax, even once we got in the air. I couldn't let my guard down, not until I knew it was safe. Clancy mentioned our flight would not be direct, and I knew that to mean to keep my hood up and face lowered when we made our connections.

It made our travel time drag, but knew it was a worthwhile precaution.

Finally, we arrived in New Orleans. We exited in a formation, me sandwiched with Clancy in front and a were on my three other sides (right left and rear). They stayed close enough that to an untrained eye you wouldn't be able to see me amidst so much height and muscle (aside from Clancy). We walked quickly, and I kept stride with my protectors, casting out my mental net and keeping my hood high and gaze lowered. We approached another black town car and as I scanned the driver I felt the pink flush of familiarity. I knew this person somehow.

Clancy stowed my luggage as one of the weres opened my door and deposited my in the back seat, before climbing shot gun. The three weres held position surrounding the car until Clancy nodded, and we drove off. As I removed my hood I made eye contact with my driver.

"Cute shoes" she said in her usual bored manner.

"Thanks, Prada" I said with a slight shrug.

"You don't say" she feigned surprise in her well versed sarcasm.

Pam had quickly found ways to reach out to me in my time away. First it was texts to the untraceable phones of different food and alcohol for me to try, it morphed into packages delivered to PO boxes that were always of the fashion variety. She helped me explore in her sneaky ways, and enjoy more than just finding the warrior within. I found my fashionista too, and a friend in Eric's child.

The drive was much longer, and I drifted off, feeling safe in Pam's company. A few hours later the car stopped, and I awoke to the sound of the doors closing. I bolted upright and lowered my shields.

Red hot lust, passion, and need hit me. I took a deep breath as I was assaulted by the velocity of the emotions. It wasn't just the colours and the intensity, but that I was feeling every emotion as if it was my own. The bond. Eric had said our bond was different, but I had not realized how much so. Using my training I reached towards the connection and stroked, sending admiration, affection and my own lust back. In a matter of seconds my door opened, and a hand reach in towards me.

"Hello lover" Eric's beautiful face leaned down to my level as I accepted his hand, and he gracefully helped me out of the vehicle. As our hands connected the red pulsed and danced like a flame, as Eric placed my hand on his shoulder, and his on my waist.

I didn't hesitate, and quickly wrapped my other hand at the nape of his neck and leaned towards him. Kissing him softly on the lips I ran my fingers through his hair. I had meant for it to be a chaste lip grazing, but Eric let out a deep guttural moan and flexed his hands on my waist. He kissed me back with urgency, bruising my lips as he teased them with his tongue. I gave as good as I got and when I opened my mouth to invite his tongue to play, I felt his fangs snick down. His chest rumbled as he pulled me against his cold hard body, feeling his arousal, before he slowly disconnected.

"Inside. Now" He whispered against my ear, licking the outside softly before taking my hand and moving us towards what I assumed was one of his safe houses.

It was discreet. It was a crescent of a clearly expensive subdivision, the lots had plenty of space between neighbours, and to the outside eye could easily be a neighbourhood of well off doctors and lawyers who had dinner parties once a month. I chuckled at the extravagant simplicity. Hiding in plain sight. Clever.

The driveway was a nice cobblestone, leading up to a large three car garage door with intricate wood in a barn-door style and lavish entryway. The house was beige with dark brown wood accents. It had a rustic feel, similar to that of the bunker I had stayed in after my return, and seemed to be very Eric's style. Cottagey-practical.

Pam and Clancy had disappeared inside, and as we entered the large home, we made our way to the kitchen. The front door opened to a large sized foyer with stairs straight ahead, off to the right was the large living room and kitchen area. The living room had an enormous natural fireplace surrounded by plush furniture, and large arching natural wood accents. Pam, Clancy and Godric were grouped around the large kitchen island sipping stemless glasses of blood. Godric smiled as I entered and walked over to give me a tender hug.

"Welcome back" he murmured in my hair, before placing a quick kiss there and returning to his place leaning against the counter. Pam and Clancy were talking about some Summit that was going to be happening in a few weeks. Pam was gushing about the ball, and how she would need a new dress and an escort. Clancy was cheekily attempting to secure her as his date. Godric sat there with a small smirk on his lips, and Eric hadn't taken his eyes off me.

"Would you like something to eat?" I almost jumped, not realizing he had leaned down so close to me to ask me. I shook my head as another jolt of red fire went through my lady business. I realized we were still holding hands.

"Can you give me a tour?" All three vampires looked at us with a knowing look. Eric gave me a similar predatory grin before saying "of course". I think Pam tossed a "have fun" at us before Eric lead me out of the kitchen towards the staircase upstairs, but I couldn't be sure.

We had no sooner turned the corner before I felt my feet leave the ground and my legs wrap around Eric's waist as he pinned me to the wall. He had vamped us up to the top of the stairs, and had secured my hands in one of his large ones over my head.

Hm.

His lips took an exquisite tour of my neck as he bit playfully, before grabbing the bottom of my eardrum in between his blunt human teeth. His other hand had me firmly under the ass, and was quickly moving towards my heated core.

"I greatly enjoyed your imagination last night" he grumbled, grinding his very present arousal into me.

"Oh?" I tried to register what he was saying, but all I could pay attention to was his delicious muscle pressed against me. The circles his hips were making were already building me towards the release I did not get when waking today. His mouth descended and his tongue immediately demanded entrance and I moaned. Yes.

I ground harder down onto him as we kissed with abandon before he moved to the other side of my neck.

"Yes, I think I may just tie you to the headboard tonight" he said, before his lips crashed back onto mine and I felt us vamp towards what I very much hoped to be the bedroom.