A/N: Sorry about the long delay, but real life just doesn't seem to understand and insisted on getting in the way. I am still floored by the response to this story, and I hope you continue to enjoy the ride. Your reviews are like candy for the soul, particularly with how difficult these last chapters are.

Once again my undying gratitude goes out to the best betas in the world; Kristin and Gallathea. Thanks for fixing my mistakes and holding my hand.

Chapter 23

"Eric! Eric! You're killing him!" Amelia shrieked.

"Your point?" I replied, as I squeezed the Were's throat tighter. If anything happened to Sookie, he was going to beg me to kill him.

"It's not his fault Eric! She left letters. Eric! It's not his fault!"

I turned to the witch and saw she was holding an envelope that had "Eric" written on it in Sookie's scrawl. I dropped the Were to the ground, where he sat gasping for breath.

As soon as I woke up that morning, I knew she was gone. I could tell, once again, that she was far away, and fear seized me. After a few moments, however, I could sense that she wasn't afraid, or in pain, and I became completely confused. If Sutherfield had her, she would have been terrified. I thought, perhaps, that she was unconscious, but I just didn't get that sense. I looked at a map, and verified where she was, grimacing at the location. I made record time to Bon Temps, and found the two Weres, sitting in the living room with their heads in their hands. I immediately had one by the throat and up against the wall. That's when Amelia started screaming at me.

I snatched the letter from Amelia's hand, and ripped it open.

My dearest Eric,

Please forgive me for leaving you once again, but I have to do this. Being around me puts all of you at risk, and I could never live with myself if something happened to you, to any of you, because of my lack of control. Do you remember what I told you in London? What I learned? I did not tell you then just what, and how much, I learned. I didn't understand it myself, so how could I explain it? Simply put, my "gifts" have increased, but I have no control over them, particularly where you, or anyone else I'm close to, are concerned.

I know you felt what happened the other night, just as I know you didn't want to believe it. If you still doubt me, know that I now know the name of your maker. What happened the other night was only a taste of what I am now capable of. I need to learn what I can do, and how to control it. I refuse to put any of you in danger while I figure it out. Eric, you are my love. You are my life. I couldn't stand it if I caused you any harm. Please know that I don't doubt your love for me. I'm not running from you. I'm running from myself.

I know you fear for my safety, and despite what you think, I am not a fool. I know the danger that still lurks. He speaks to me still, in my dreams that are not dreams. He wants me to come to him. I hope I can avoid him; however, I know I cannot face him alone. Not yet. I know you will send people to watch over me, and I only ask that you tell them to keep their distance. Claudine can also find me if need be, now that the iron is out of my system. I'm sorry to resort to this, but I know that if you could follow me you would, and you would dissuade me. I can't take that risk. I know you mean well, but I won't be caged again, especially in my own home. If you try to force me to come back I will block the bond, completely this time. Please Eric, don't make me.

Don't blame my guards. Dr. Ludwig left behind many sedatives and I took advantage of that fact. They are entirely blameless.

You said you would give me time. I will hold you to your word. I also know that nothing would keep you from coming to protect me, no matter what I've said, so I've done it my way, because I have to protect you.

Love,

Sookie

I finished reading the letter, crumpled it in my hand, and put my fist through the wall, again, and again, and again, until my ancient blood flowed sluggishly from my knuckles. She was killing me. From the moment she walked into my life, she turned everything upside down. I found myself driven to protect her almost immediately, even killing Longshadow to save her, although I hardly knew her, and she belonged to Bill. It feels like all I've ever wanted to do was protect and love her, as if it was what my long life had been leading up to and shaping me for. Yet now she pushed me away! Why couldn't she understand that I would do anything, suffer anything, to protect and love her?

I turned, and found only Amelia in the room. "Doesn't she understand that I would endure anything to keep her safe?"

She touched my cheek. "Of course she does, Eric. That's why she left."

The simplicity of her statement struck me, and I knew the witch was right. It was one of Sookie's best traits, and the most frustrating. She was self-sacrificing to an extreme. She was always throwing herself into danger to protect those around her, even those she hardly knew. In Jackson, in Rhodes, even coming to Fangtasia for the first time with Bill, she was always trying to save or protect someone else. But all those other times, I was there. I could give her blood, or take a bullet. This time she made sure I couldn't be, and that wounded me in a way I did not think possible.

Perhaps I couldn't be there, but I was going to make sure she had the best protection money could buy. I dialed Niall, told him where she'd gone, and what I wanted.

The others slowly drifted back into the room. I eyed the Were I attacked earlier, and could see angry red fingerprints on his neck. I nodded my head towards him, silently asking if he was alright. I still wasn't happy with the two of them, but I suppose it would have been difficult to suspect Sookie of such subterfuge. He inclined his head to indicate he was fine.

I turned back to Amelia. "You said she left letters, plural?"

"Yes." She replied. "She left letters for you, me, Pam and Sam."

"She says he speaks to her in her dreams 'that are not dreams.' What do you know of this?"

"In my letter she says that he's been talking to her in her dreams, or what she thought were dreams. He's coming into her head while she sleeps, Eric." And I watched her shudder at the thought.

I felt impotent rage course through my body. He was still after her, still tormenting her, and there was nothing I could do about it. Felipe and I, Niall, and half the supernatural community, had people out looking for Sutherfield, but so far he had not surfaced. Until I could get my hands on him, there was nothing I could do to stop his continuing pursuit of her.

Amelia brought me out of my reverie. "Does she tell you where she's gone, Eric?"

I smiled at her, but there was no happiness in it. "No, but the bond is clear. I know exactly where she is, and why she chose it." I looked at Pam. "She's in Longyerbyen, Norway. I already informed Niall, and I've asked him to contact the Britlingens. If I cannot be there, perhaps they can keep her safe."

I probably could have hired the Britlingens myself, but it would have taken quite a bit of time and negotiation. They do not trust vampires. I knew Niall would have connections that would quicken the process. I knew Claudine watched over her, and I knew fairies were fierce fighters, particularly when protecting what they loved, but Claudine was not always able to make it to Sookie in time. Otherwise, she would not have been taken in the first place.

Also, Claudine was a wreck. She was so distraught over her "failure" to protect and rescue Sookie, that she was having the fairy equivalent of a massive depression. I finally had to banish her from the house because she was driving Sookie mad with her hovering, and tears, and constant apologies.

No, I would not depend solely on the fairies to watch over her. She was mine to protect, and I would do it my way. I asked Niall to see if the two Britlingens from Rhodes were available. It seemed Sookie had taken to them, and they seemed to like her.

I looked at Amelia, and realized she looked confused. "I don't understand. Norway? Why Norway? Why can't you be there?"

Pam looked at her friend, and former lover, and replied, "Because now is the time of the Midnight Sun. Depending on where she is, from mid-April, until sometime in August, the sun will not set, and, therefore, Eric cannot possibly go to her. It occurs throughout the Arctic Circle. Have you noticed that you never hear any news about Vampire issues in Scandinavian countries?"

"But Eric's from there!" Amelia protested.

"And he no longer lives there for a reason. Of course, it is only for a few months, but still, who wants to live somewhere where their home is inaccessible for any period of time? It is fun to visit in the winter months, during the Polar Night, when we have an equal amount of darkness, but no vampire makes that area their home. Longyerbyen, where Sookie is, is the world's northernmost settlement that can be easily accessed. It has the longest period of time for the Midnight Sun, through August. However, parts of Alaska and Sweden also spend a portion of the summer without darkness. Sookie has gone to a place where she knows she will not see a vampire for the next three months."

"Shit." Amelia replied.

I laughed mirthlessly. "Now she's the one chasing the light."

A/N: Okay, now I can comment a bit more. This is actually part of where the entire idea for the story began - taking advantage of the Midnight Sun, and it was the first meaning behind "chasing the light." An award should go out to omVg for figuring it out, almost. She suggested Alaska, but for the same reasons. Kudos woman!

So, what does Eric do now?