A/N: First off, a note to . . . do not require me to log in after I've typed up a totally long a/n, and not let me save it first. That's just cruel. *blows raspberry*

Okay, now where was I . . .

I began with a big old thank you to everyone who has put my story on alert, on a favorite list, or left me a review. You guys are all sorts of awesome. This story hit over 800 reviews the other day, and I lost it. So thank you, thank you, thank you. I wish I could reply to each and every one of you, but then I'd have no time to write and you guys would be flinging pitchforks at me.

I did want to answer some questions from jdcoke's review though. The first question was why the witches aren't tracking Craig, and isn't there something of his around to use? The simple answer is, no. LOL! The longer one is that I didn't want to make it as easy as it looks on Charmed. If you recall, I had Amelia pulling some big mojo just to get tracking on the plane. Magic is, and should be, difficult. Plus, if you recall Craig had some powerful enough magic going on. Enough that even with all of Sookie's personal items at her disposal, Amelia couldn't track her when she was first taken. Why would it be any different for him? Also, they have nothing personal of his to use anyway. The other question was why can't the other supes or the fae track him? I don't think the fae can because they are magical, not almighty gods. They can pop in on Sookie (usually), I think, because she is related to them and, therefore, there is a connection to her. They have no such connection to Craig. As for the other supes, it's because they have no starting point. They need a scent, a lead, a clue, and for now they have none. By the time they picked up his trail after all the fighting, he had vanished in the wind. Also, as one of my favorite authors was fond of saying, read and find out.

Oh, and I was tickled pink by how many of you were excited about the inclusion of the Britlingens, and the reveal of where Sookie took off to. The Midnight Sun/Arctic Circle was where this story began, back around Valentine's Day. The story as you know it bears absolutely no resemblance to what I began writing at the time. It was a complete re-write, but definitely for the better. Anyway, point is that I've been trying to get Sookie to Norway since February! LOL!

Finally, I have to thank my fantastic betas, Gallathea and Kristin, without them this would be little more than a steaming pile of shifter poo.

Enjoy.

Chapter 24

Within twenty-four hours of my arrival in Longyerbyen, I saw Clovache and Batanya trailing me on the street; however, Eric apparently gave them my instructions, because they made no move to approach me. It was a bit disconcerting at first, having someone, or a pair of someones, following me around. At least they weren't dressed as they were in Rhodes, but in regular clothes that allowed them to blend in.

It wasn't that I didn't like the two Britlingens, far from it. They were unusual, but there was an affinity between us in Rhodes. At the time, I'd gotten the impression from them that they viewed me as a little sister who couldn't stay out of trouble, even if their hands were tied when it came to actively helping me. Clovache did give me valuable information that would have saved more lives if I'd been quicker on the uptake. I have to say, it was comforting to know they were there.

I tried to read them, but the same magic that kept me out of their heads when they were invisible in Rhodes, apparently kept me out all the time. I could read a signature, and register that it was theirs, but I could not penetrate their thoughts. This reassured me, and after a couple days, I signaled them to approach. If I couldn't penetrate their minds, I couldn't hurt them, so what was the point in pretending they weren't there?

We spent several days just enjoying the tourist attractions of the area. In addition to a lovely church that is open twenty-four hours a day, there is a science center that provides a history of the area, along with exhibits on the local plants and animals. What I loved best though, were the outdoor attractions, such as the nearby glacier, snowmobiling, hiking, and even dog sledding. I found that even Batanya smiled more readily when we were out in the open. As an added benefit to the natural beauty that surrounded me, being outdoors allowed me to breathe a little more freely. I didn't have to worry about someone touching me, accidentally or otherwise, although the town boasts a nearly non-existent crime rate.

The nights, or what passed for nights, were simple. I was staying at one of the nicer hotels in town, courtesy of my service to Sophie-Anne. While we sometimes frequented the hotel's bar and restaurants, there were several smaller cafes in the town. Mostly, I liked to sit and watch the people go by. A few times men tried to strike up a conversation, and I felt myself tense up. I would immediately invade their minds to ascertain their intent, and it was always innocent, or rather, innocent of intent to do harm. In any event, all it would take was a stern look from either of my Britlingen watchers to send them scurrying. After about a week, most people left me alone. The whispers in town were that I was the daughter, or niece, or even mistress, of some rich American, and Clovache and Batanya (or Chloe and Anya as I called them in public) were my chaperones. It was nice to be somewhere where no one knew me, where I wasn't "Crazy Sookie," or "Sookie the Telepath," or "Sookie Stackhouse, Punching Bag of the Supe World."

The hardest part to get used to was the twenty-four hours of daylight. It was the reason I'd chosen Longyerbyen, but it was still disconcerting, and it took my body some time to adjust. The greatest benefit, however, was that I was keeping decidedly odd hours and, therefore, Craig was apparently having trouble figuring out when I was asleep. After two weeks, I'd only had two "visits" from him, so when I slept, it was more restful. I still had nightmares some nights, and I would wake up sweating, able to smell him on me, but they were becoming less frequent. All in all, I was beginning to feel a bit more human again, even though I knew I was far from whole.

I asked Batanya and Clovache to train me in self-defense. I was never going to be a martial arts master, but given the situations I was always finding myself in, I thought it would be worthwhile to know how to fight back. They seemed more than happy to do so, and when I told them I would pay them for the extra work, they declined, claiming they were being paid enough, and that this was something they chose to do, and that guild rules didn't apply, whatever that meant. Despite their foreboding appearances, when we were training, they were lighthearted and funny, particularly when the younger Clovache started teasing Batanya about her love life.

It was interesting because the Britlingens clearly had no shame with regards to sex or nudity, which was funny to me since they shared that trait with the vampires they seemed to disdain, but when it came to emotions, they actually got embarrassed. Apparently Batanya had herself the equivalent of a Britlingen boyfriend, and Clovache found every opportunity to rib her about it. I did not think a woman that tough could blush, but blush she did.

I didn't envy Batanya her love life, though. Apparently, among Britlingens, it is the woman who chooses a mate, and the woman who approaches the man first. Not only that, she has to fight his sister, or whoever his closest female relation is, before she can actively court him! I think my jaw hit the floor when they told me this.

"Get out!" I exclaimed. "You have to physically fight just to go on a date with him?"

Batanya looked at Clovache in confusion, and Clovache responded, "Dating is the human custom of courtship, where the man takes a woman to be fed, then has sex with her."

I choked on my coffee. I tried to explain how that was not quite right, but after a while I realized that maybe they weren't that far off the mark. Still, I tried to impress on them the importance, at least for some of us, of the need for a deeper, more meaningful connection with someone before having sex. That really threw them for a loop. For them sex was something to be had whenever there was physical desire, and they could not understand why we would subject ourselves to the discomfort of not satisfying our physical urges. Courtship, mating, and determining whom to bind yourself to for the rest of your life; that was the real test for a Britlingen woman, and she had to prove she was worthy of the man before his family would approve. By the end of the conversation, we agreed to disagree on the finer points of courtship.

In addition to my physical training, they worked with me on meditation. They said warriors needed to have a clear mind, needed to learn to tune out the extraneous thoughts in their head, and concentrate on the situation at hand. Clovache was the one who, correctly, pointed out one morning that it would benefit me greatly, as it would help me with controlling my abilities.

"It will also help you put aside what was done to you, so you can enjoy life once more." She said with a kindness that surprised me. I felt tears sting my eyes, as I shook my head.

"I don't think so." I whispered. "I can't . . . I can't even let him touch me." And the tears began to fall.

"What was done to you," Batanya spoke, and bent down to look me in the eyes, "should not be done to any woman, but if you hide from your life, from what gives you pleasure, and from what you love, then you give him power over you. You give him exactly what he wants."

I called Eric a little before lunch time. Shortly after I arrived, I received a package from him, which contained a satellite phone and a note from him telling me that he wanted us to be able to talk whenever we wanted. Our conversation, as always, was awkward. I would tell him about my day and ask how everyone was. He would fill me in, and from the strain in his voice, I could always tell he wanted to ask me when I was coming home, but he didn't. He was giving me my space, the time I asked for, but he didn't like it, and he was incredibly frustrated.

At the end of our call that day I said, "I love you Eric. I really need you to know that."

I heard a soft sigh, and along with his frustration, and anger, and worry, I felt his love pulse through the bond. "I know, Sookie. I love you too." I heard him hesitate, as if he wanted to say more, but he didn't.

"Soon, Eric. Soon." It was all I could give him right then.

During breaks from sightseeing, hiking, or even during lunch, I worked on controlling my new skills. The meditation techniques the Britlingens were teaching me were paying off, and my control was improving. One time, I "convinced" a waiter to comp our check. Of course, I insisted on paying, but it definitely worked. Another time, a loud, obnoxious tourist was spanking her son. I tentatively reached out, and the next thing I knew her hand was on her backside, and she was looking to see who dared spank her. I couldn't help but smile, and it struck me that a year earlier I would have been horrified to have caused someone intentional pain. However, that was a year earlier. Things had changed. I had changed. I realized I had the power to change things I didn't like. I hoped I had the good sense and proper upbringing not to become like Craig, but I was not going to hide anymore. I was not going to hide who I was. I was not going to hide what I was. I was going to embrace it, and I was going to start with a horrible woman, who was hitting her child.

Maybe I finally was reclaiming my own power, my own sense of self. I wasn't sure then, and I still don't know now. I still [...] EDITED SEE CHAPTER 1 NOTE So, I told Batanya and Clovache to pack their bags, and we traveled.

I made certain that we stayed above the Arctic Circle, always in the lands of the Midnight Sun. As much as I loved Eric, and longed to be with him, I knew that the minute I was somewhere that night fell, he would come to me, and I was not ready for that yet. So, we moved about Norway for a time. North Cape, Hammerfest, Tromsø . . . all cities that experienced the Midnight Sun until July. I even had us cross the border into Sweden, to visit Kiruna, a city in Lappland province. Interestingly, the entire city was being moved northwest because of mining subsidence. Apparently, and the irony was not lost on me, the city was known for its iron mines. After I found that out, I felt the need to return to Norway. I did not need any more reminders of my time with Craig. My two minders were none too happy about all the traveling, since they could not control all the security details, but since they knew that any restrictions on my movements would result in my complete disappearance, they did their best not to complain about it . . . too much.

While we traveled, I practiced. I found that by just watching inside people's heads, I could figure out what to do, without actually having to do it. I could just see it. Like puzzle pieces falling together. I could see how to elicit the pain, or the pleasure, that Craig had elicited in me. Sometimes I played with the latter. I tried to avoid the former, unless of course the person really deserved it. I suppose that made me judge, jury, and executioner, and maybe that made me a bad person, but I was sick and tired of watching those who were weaker fall victim to the strong. I was sick and tired of being that weaker person, always falling prey to someone stronger. I was sick of being a victim, and it struck me that I no longer needed to be. The means, the potential was there, I just had to embrace it. I had to decide how far I was willing to go, and then I could deal with Craig. Then, I would be strong enough to do what needed to be done.

So, I let one month, then another slide by, never staying in one place too long. I was running through the money from Rhodes, but I didn't really care. The house was paid for; so was my car. I knew Eric would take care of the rest, and eventually I would pay him back. I was sick of my pride getting in the way of doing what was best for me. I'd been stupid for too long. I could feel Eric's frustration as I moved about, and I could hear it in his voice in every conversation. I had no doubt that the Britlingens were reporting the details of our travel plans and security arrangements back to him, but as long as he was leaving me to sort out my issues, I was fine with that. Like I said, I was done being stupid.

Eric wasn't the only one frustrated. Craig was getting impatient. He was having more and more difficulty tracking me, and I was getting better and better at keeping him out of my head, even in my sleep. I had yet to figure out how to track him, and I wondered that he had not come for me yet. I could not understand why he hadn't. Finally, one night when I failed to keep him out, I outright asked him. His answer was quick, but I didn't completely believe it, either. "I'm waiting for you to come to me. You will come to me Sookie. You need me. You know you do. You can't possibly realize your full potential without me, and I know you will never forget me. I'm in there," he said, pointing at my head, "and I have no intention of ever leaving."

His response smacked of truth, and the truth was I would always live with a part of Craig inside of me. What he did to me could not be undone, but I knew I could get past it; just as I'd gotten past Uncle Bartlett's molestations and Bill's violation in Jackson. Batanya was right. I could not let what Craig did to me control what I wanted and take my power from me. I was stronger than I'd given myself credit for in the past, and if my plans worked out, I would be stronger still. However, something in Craig's tone tickled my senses. He wasn't being completely truthful, but I could not put my finger on what he was lying about. It was something I spent much time puzzling over.

Finally, toward the end of July, we headed back to Longyerbyen. It would give me at least three more weeks of sunlight, before it was time to confront my life. On the flight from Tromsø, it finally occurred to me. Craig wasn't seeking me out because he couldn't! Something was keeping him in place, but I had no idea what. Was he injured? Had some vampires caught up with him? If they had, it couldn't have been Eric or Felipe's people; I would have been informed. What game was he playing, then? Did he really think I would come and help him? I couldn't wait to ask, and that night I didn't bother with any defenses. I wanted him to come to me.

"Hello Craig," I said, as he wandered into my head. He seemed surprised, but then a smile broke out on his face, and once again I was reminded of what a beautiful son-of-a-bitch he was. I had no doubt that smile lowered many a woman's defenses around him. I know it had done so to mine that night in New Orleans. To think, I wanted to date him. I shook my head.

"Miss me already, Sookie?" He asked. His tone was light, but his eyes were wary. His dream hand reached up to brush my hair from my face, but I took a step back.

"Never again without my permission, Craig." I admonished, letting him believe there was hope for an "again." I felt him try to reach into my head, to read what I was up to, but I slammed my shields into place. "Really Craig, did you think I didn't learn anything?"

I saw a slight look of surprise flit across his face, but then his smug smile returned. "Oh no, I remember just how well you learned." He said.

I stepped forward, and reached out my hand to him. "It has to be as equals Craig. I won't let you hold power over me again." He stared at my hand for a moment, as if contemplating the truth of my words, then took it and brought it to his lips. I suppressed a shudder, and a moment later was rewarded with the information I sought. The touch strengthened our connection, and once again I found that little crack, and snuck in.

He was still in England. When I struck back that night, all I had done was send a sharp pain through his leg, well, a very sharp pain. As a result, he stopped his attack on Eric so suddenly, that it snapped back at him, like a rubber band. He'd barely gotten away, the pain was so bad. He'd ridden for some time before he finally lost consciousness, and crashed. He was found by a farmer, and was currently holed up in his home, recovering from several broken bones, including a shattered pelvis that was being held together by numerous pins. He hadn't been found, because he altered the memories of the doctors and nurses in the hospital, and convinced the farmer to take him home to recuperate. I snuck out again before he knew I was there.

"When?" I asked him.

"Soon," was his enigmatic reply, and he left.

My dream self grinned wickedly, and said, "Sooner than you think."

A/N: So, did I answer questions sufficiently for the moment? And, what do you think of how Sookie is growing/changing/becoming here?