Howdy new readers!
Loving the response from the last chapter, just opening my e-mail to see many of you new followers!
I have a nice little fluffy chapter for y'all. Hope you enjoy.

Chapter Twenty Five:

My eyes fluttered open and I felt… sticky to be honest… I lifted my head to look down seeing Eric resting his head on my chest, an arm wrapped possessively around my waist. I would have smiled, feeling better if it wasn't for the fact I saw the mixture of dry and sticky blood covering our bodies…

I didn't really remember much of last night when I gave into my emotions and kissed Eric. I know we… had sex again, and gosh it was… slow… sweet… tender. It was almost as if we were making love… but the blood? I can't remember it. I licked my dry lips to feel dried blood on them, but didn't recognize the taste. My brows knotted together as I licked them again to try and decipher whether it was mine or not…

It wasn't… My eyes widened and I felt my whole body to rigid. I… I had swallowed some of Eric's blood last night… and he- he most likely drank from me… Holy-

Eric shifted, pulling me closer to him muttering for me to rest and think later and my brows knotted together in confusion. He pressed a kiss to where his lips were resting saying for me to rest, a little bit louder and I just relaxed into him before I felt him go stiff as he fell into his rest. -Mother of Balls.

I've bonded myself to Eric… Wow. Erm… Rest sounds very good right now… I rolled my head over to the time to see it was midday… How did Eric wake up for that brief amount of time? Were my emotions that strong to wake him? Must have been… This proves a bond then. Fudge.

I need to shower and… Well, tell Sookie I would not be returning with her and Jason today. I had too much to sort out. I pulled myself successfully from Eric's hold (The sheets were a different story considering I was stuck to them) and decided to try and not even look at my appearance. I just jumped straight into the shower and scrubbed my body clean, eyes closed the whole time. I noticed a very important fact during this shower: I had ingested some of Eric's blood, bonded with him and I am not dying, not feeling weak… It hasn't affected my health at all. Should I feel happy about this, or slightly fearful? Or is the effect that I have feared to come? Is it immediate or gradual?

When leaving the steamy heat of the bathroom, I was finally fully confronted with the sight of last nights activities. Cream silken sheets rumple, creased and stained with a mixture of both Eric's and my blood, draped around Eric's waist and a leg poking out. Eric looking surprising full of colour compared to the pale sheets, looking peaceful. Beautiful. I was staring, I know, but how can one not stare? The sight in front of me was both beautiful and terrifying. This will be a picture for the memory banks that's for sure.

After dressing in a pair of light denim ripped shorts, a white V-neck long sleeved shirt with pink V-neck t-shirt on top, I just combed through my hair before taking chunks of it and twisting it round to make them loose natural tousled curls. As I did this, I made my way to the living area and grabbed a bottle of my water from the fridge. It was undiluted, so I would recover from having to heal faster. It was easy to just stare into space, thinking about last night whilst drinking the water. In one night, I think I have found out that Eric cares for me, but doesn't like this fact… I can't blame him though, a thousand years of not feeling anything for anyone but yourself and then suddenly feeling… feelings? For someone else as well! I would be scared by now also. In fact, I am scared of my feelings right now. My head is not in the right place and it's just always the way. Everything happens around the same time. You die and your powers are a little out of control, you're pissy yet falling for a guy, a vampire who frustrates you, you watch his maker die and then bond with said Vampire who frustrates you. The very same guy that's you're best friend is constantly cautious of around you... That was going to be an interesting conversation when we get back home.

There was also the realization that I had forgiven Eric for his attempts to form a bond with Sookie. I still don't understand it, but I'll have to get to that… another time. He was hurting from losing his maker. If I had to think about it, if I were to lose Darren, who was my constant for over twenty years, I would… I don't know… I wouldn't be able to handle it. I would run to try and escape all memories of him and our surroundings… I wouldn't be able to do it… To live my long life without Darren, I don't even want to think about it…

And what if my mother were to die? Then- I'm getting myself all upset and I really don't want to wake Eric up. What has he gotten himself into? If he thought my emotions were bad when he experienced them in person, now he gets to feel all of my emotions as I feel them… Poor guy.

A smirk tugged at my lips as left my hair alone, finished with the process. I grabbed a spray can, left the room, and sprayed my hair so it would stay in a similar shape when it dried. I scrunched it lightly as I placed the can back on my dressing table and took a look at the folded shirt of Godric's, remembering the conversation…

"You'll care for him?" "Eric."

"I-I-I don't know, I mean… Eric hasn't exactly opened up to me very much."

"He has opened up to you more than others,"

"I-I don't understand…"

"He has spent a thousands years of his vampire life not taking as much as an interest as he has with you," "Give him a little more time,"

...

"I guess I'll find out for the both of us now…"

A knock on the door distracted me before I began to get upset and I turned to open it. Sookie was standing there with Jason pulling a suitcase out from the room. I could see the wrinkle of her forehead and the knotting of her brows before her face relaxed and her head gave me a slight nod of understanding; all of this oblivious to Jason of course.

"How is he?" she asked and I shrugged, scratching the back of my head.

"I don't know…" I muttered but smiled softly to her, "You heading back now?"

She nodded and explained that they were done with their business here and it was time to return to the comfort of her home and help Tara settle in completely (she had asked her to move in with her before we left). I grinned and pulled her into a hug saying that I will bring over a gift when I get back. I also wished her and Jason a good flight. Before Jason left, he reminded me that we had some plans to complete, making me laugh and grin. Those plans will definitely be completed in the future.

So now I was alone again. Don't get me wrong I don't mind being in my own company, in fact it's more than great when it comes needed to sort yourself out. I just... didn't know how the heck I was going kill time till sundown. Believe me, I tried it all, room service, TV, books, cleaning the room. That killed some time. When it came to cleaning the room, I prepared packing my suitcase, re-organized the dressing table, folded Eric's clothes and placed them on the chair. There was no way I was going to touch the sheets, as embarrassing as it is, I phoned for someone to come and change the sheets for me. I even asked for someone with a strong stomach. I really don't want to be in the room when that person comes.

After all that and with nothing else productive to do, I finally sat down with another book. It was an easy read and had some amusing moments. It was about this business woman with lots of secrets and then blurts them all out during some turbulence on a plane to a complete stranger. The stranger ends up being her big time boss and well, a few cringe worthy moments and her secrets being broadcasted on national TV they end up falling in love. Simple. Sappy. Funny.

I giggled at a scene in the book when I heard the shower being switched on. Eric was awake, so it meant it was sun down. I was beginning to feel slightly nervous yet excited about what would happen when Eric walked out of the shower. I knew one thing was for sure… That house keeping person needed to get here soon...

I was missing Sookie immediately because the other times when Eric had woken up, we had been in the restaurant grabbing something to eat, or I was in her hotel room. I didn't know how to act, I mean… He would be able to sense my emotions and… I bet he was going to be smug about the fact that I wasn't dead or even harmed from his blood. I can only imagine how smug his face is going to be when he realises this, I mean jeez, I only refused his blood once and-

"I know you said your mood changes a lot, but you weren't kidding were you?"

My head shot up and heat rose to my cheeks as my eyes widened. Eric was standing there, towel wrapped loosely round his hips and he was drying his hair with another. I saw little droplets of water run down his chest and I could tell my mouth was agape.

"Erm… Oh…" I stuttered in a high pitched voice and he laughed, grinning widely. Wow… I knew he had a fantastic body, but… wow. Fudge… even my mind can't think properly. I felt my eyes drift to his torso and I bit my lip, gazing admiringly.

I think he said something, but I didn't understand. My eyes just shot straight back to my book as the heat on my cheeks grew hotter.

"Go get dressed!" I shrieked, flushing hard at his laughter. I curled up tighter to myself, attempting to hide my face with the book. "Stupid arrogant… sexy…" I muttered off into a rant, but shrieked, throwing my book to the side when he appeared half crawling over me. I bet he could feel the fact that I got myself turned on and it doubled when he walked out in a towel. Fudge cakes. Stupid… bond!

"No ideas!" I pushed at his shoulders, he kept the stupid sexy grin on his face and I felt some water drip on my face from his wet hair. I ran my hand through it, pushing it back, "You didn't do a good job towel drying that now did you?"

I then realized he was still shirtless and groaned, my head falling back. He laughed, pressing his lips to my neck, trailing along the jugular vein, sending shivers down my spines. So not helping the whole, need to have a serious talk thing… No really… His lips were very distracting!

"Eric, this is no fair… we should…" I tried to speak, moaning at that point when he bit gently into my neck, pulling me into him, I could feel he was commando and his jeans were zipped up. "We… gosh we… We need to talk!" I finally shrieked pushing him back. He sighed, disappeared for a split second then sat back gracefully taking me with the motions onto his lap so I was straddling him. I didn't feel too comfortable being too close to him right now… I didn't want to anger him because he could me push back suddenly in anger or something and… that would hurt… Also, I wasn't in the mood to break the coffee table and possibly the TV.

I noticed he had his trousers on properly now. This was a slight improvement.

"Talk," he said, grinning and I sighed, my head falling onto his shoulders. This felt way too relaxed and with that smile, I was feeling relaxed… I didn't understand. Have I just accepted the bonding? Shouldn't he be grieving? Or was… this his way of grieving?

"We need new sheets…" I grumbled and his shoulders shook as he barked a thoroughly amused laugh. I felt his hands run down my sides and I snaked my hands up his chest to grip his shoulders, "I don't want to sleep in dirty sheets."

"I don't think we'll be in Dallas for much longer," he stated, and slipped his hands under my top to stroke my skin. "You didn't leave with Sookie and her brother though. You could have," he sounded genuinely surprised and I felt myself smile.

"I didn't feel right leaving you here; especially after how I woke up this morning."

He 'hmm'd' lifting my top as his hands began to skilfully massage my back. I felt a kiss on the side of my head. I moaned as he eased the muscles around my lower back and spine. I had to bite my lip to stop myself from moaning any more as he knew when to put the right amount of pressure on the right places and… Golly he was good. Wait… Golly? That's a first…

"Do you wish to talk about last night?" I heard him spoke and I tensed, he sighed and began his manoeuvres once again, relaxing me all over again. I felt my head rub against his neck in confirmation that I did wish to speak about last night.

"Where would you like to start?" he asked as his hands rose a bit, massaging around my spine still. I would be totally distracted by this at the moment if I didn't know we had to discuss the situation at hand… but I was literally putty in his arms right now.

I had to get my head completely in the right place, but I didn't want him to stop what he was doing. It was so good and so relaxing. He paused his ministrations and I felt myself growl. His shoulders shook in his laughter and then he continued where he left off, getting closer to my bra clasp now. Concentrate.

"I don't know… the beginning…" I muttered, closing my eyes. I felt him nod, still silent, "Was I not specific enough?" I asked and he chuckled.

"Not exactly."

"Poo…" I sighed and sat up, but was resting my elbows against his shoulders, my hands twirling a piece of his hair at the back of his head. I stared into his eyes, trying to find anything to show me if certain subjects were a taboo at the moment. I could see the hurt in them still. He was still hurting over Godric. That was taboo, until he would notice the shirt properly; if he hasn't already.

I saw apprehension, guilt, and happiness? I think I recognized the smugness there as well. Surprisingly enough, compared to the rest of him, his eyes gave away a lot to me right now. I knew his eyes gave away some emotions, but he masked them well. Why could I see more now?

"Well… we have created a bond…" I whispered, flushing in the process. His eyes lit up in the evident smugness and… something else. I couldn't tell what it was, but I saw some annoyance there as well. Did he not want to have this bond created? I mean, I know it was a stupid thing and everything, but did he simply do it because he has lost his maker and needed that attachment? Holy Cow… was I a rebound now?

"You think too much…" he muttered and my eyes widened as I leaned back. He could hear my thoughts now!? "You go through so many emotions in minutes," he continued and I slowly nodded. So he couldn't hear my thoughts? I certainly hope he couldn't… He could get a headache!

I cracked a smile at this and rested my forehead against his. He was grinning with a mischievous triumph and I hadn't noticed why, till his thumbs grazed the edges of my chest, that he had undone my bra. I do think too much if I didn't bloody notice that!

"Eric… I just need to know something…" I sighed after moaning as his fingers applied pressure to a particularly tense place in between my shoulders causing me to completely melt. He hummed in reply, urging me to continue, "Why did we form a bond last night? I mean… I don't really understand…"

He paused and his eyes flashed in his conflict. He must be thinking of a reason. I could see him gazing intently into mine, probably trying to figure out my sudden changes in emotions. I knew he could feel them and I couldn't feel his, but I could physically see his emotions a lot more in his eyes. Was he specifically showing me this? Had he let his guard down for me? Was Godric right? Had he taken a strong interest in me and… didn't like this fact?

"I-" he started, but cut himself off as if thinking better of it. He has never done that before. He is always so sure of himself. I moved a hand away from his hair and slid his round to caress his jaw. He leaned into my hand, his eyes fluttering close.

His hands continued massaging my back, occasionally rubbing down and starting again, but not giving it as much detail as before. We remained like this for a few minutes before I leaned in and pressed my lips gently to his. It was such a tender kiss and when he returned it, it was slow, intense and… I didn't know what was better… the heated kisses or these. Both were as good as each other…

Who knew the big bad Viking could be so… affectionate. It was nice, refreshing. Would he stay like this when we returned to Bon Temp? If not, I don't ever want to leave this room.

His hands smoothed up my back and round to my chest as I pulled him closer to me. I felt the kiss heat up as he ran his tongue over my upper lip before hooking it between his own. I didn't want to return to the bed… that would turn me off right away… The sofa wasn't particularly comfortable, but right now? I don't care…

I shivered as his thumbs stroked across my nipple. I pushed myself closer to him, tangling a hand in his damp hair and wrapping the other round his neck. He pushed my top up for a better advantage to caress my chest, making me moan occasionally into his mouth.

Just as he was about to push my top off, a knock on the door made me pull away and sigh, looking at the door in question?

"Who is it?" I squeaked, Eric's hands still massaging my chest as he kissed down my neck, chuckling.

"House Keeping. You requested a sheet change after sundown?" A female voice called through and I laughed, nodding. Eric growled and did my bra back up, letting me get up and sort myself out as I walked to the door. I laughed hearing him mutter something about 'Moron's with bad timing' as I walked. When I opened the door, I pulled it open for the woman to enter with a bright smile on my face.

"Just the sheets please…" I mumbled feeling a flush of heat to my cheeks. She nodded with a knowing smile on her face. It was a kind smile though so I felt the flush grow hotter. When I spun round to Eric, he was wearing his long sleeved round neck black shirt. I didn't actually notice that last night… I'm just so used to him wearing… black.

"What?" he asked when I made my way over to curl up by him, as soon as I began to sit down however, he pulled me straight by to straddle his lap. I must have been frowning.

"I just realised… you always wear black…" I muttered and he burst a light, heartfelt laugh. I thumped his chest lightly half squeaking a 'shut up'. He settled himself down and he pulled me into an affectionate embrace…

"Well, you are always wearing something pink," he commented and I rolled my eyes.

"I like pink. It's a very feminine colour," I crossed my arms and pouted. I felt his hand trail up and down my back, whilst the thumb, which was resting on my hip, had snaked its way under my shirt to rub circles into my hip. He was definitely a 'touchy feely' kinda guy… I didn't know what to think about it really… It was nice, having his hands all over me. Flattering, but… I dunno… I guess I may never get over this. He certainly never gives the impression of 'touchy feely' half the time…

"I happen to like black," he muttered before leaning in to kiss a long my jaw.

"Blacks not a colour though…" He started nipping down my neck, momentarily distracting me, "It's a tone."

I felt him breathe a chuckle on my neck and it sent shivers down my spine. I turned to face him and pecked the tip of his nose before getting up and walking to the bedroom to see the maid stripping the sheets. She gave me a soft smile and the heat rose to my cheeks.

"W-Would you like some help?" I stuttered and I just got a sweet smile as she shook her head.

"No don't worry about it, I'm almost done. Thank you."

I nodded and walked back to Eric who laughed as soon as he saw my red face. I tried to sit away from him, but he was by my side within seconds and pulling me onto his lap. I just submitted and snuggled into his embrace, head resting on his shoulder, and hand resting on the arm that was rubbing circles into my hip.

"Keep this up and I'll fall asleep," I grumbled and he stopped making me pout, "I didn't say stop though…"

"You are a confusing one, Lover," he muttered and I smiled, biting the corner of my bottom lip and ignored what he said. I should make the most of this really, who knows when it'll stop. I just shouldn't get too used to it. As soon as Darren is back from his trip, things will change. Big Time.

"You're the one who's confusing…" I finally muttered. He just hummed, resting his head on mine for a little while before lifting it to address the maid as she left. I felt her emotions as she left. I could tell she found it sweet, seeing me curled up in Eric's arms. I bet I looked tiny compared to him. I mean, I was around an inch smaller than Sookie and from what I've seen compared to other people, Sookie is tiny.

"Have you eaten?" he asked and I nodded, shifting so I turned more into his body. He assisted this by loosening his grip and pulling me more towards him as I twisted my body.

"Do you want me to order some blood for you?" I mumbled and I felt him chortle, I frowned and tilted my head up.

"I do not. I am more than satisfied after feeding from you," now that I looked, he did have colour in his skin. I thought that compared to the pale sheets he had colour, but that wasn't the case. He had that slight flush of colour in his features. Then another thought came to mind: Godric. He was a ghostly white. In fact, some mainstreaming vampires have that obvious deathly pale complexion about them. Jessica and Bill don't because they actually feed of people and so does Isabel. Huh... I guess when you feed fresh warm blood it shows physically and since 'True Blood' isn't a real blood, but a synthetic blood, it doesn't have that affect that blood does...

His hands are warm. Not like, my temperature warm, but...warmer than cold. The combination of a hot shower and blood maybe? I would love to test this theory with him...A sly smile tugged at my lips. He couldn't see, but he probably felt it because he growled, shifting me so I was suddenly straddling him. I laughed when I saw his grin and pulled him in for a passionate kiss, my hands finding their way to his hair, the other one tugging at his shirt. Definitely making the most of this…

We're nearing the end of this story and then I'll be gradually posting the sequel, but I want this to be more enjoyable for you and I would love to know what it is you want to see more of. Do you want to meet some new characters? See some more of our current characters? Do you want to read more of a certain topic? Learn more about Hayley's heritage? Just let me know so I can include it and do some more writing, because even though a lot of the sequel has been written and it's unique compared to the TV series, I feel like there are things missing within the writing and that's not good enough for me to just start posting it for you. So whether it's in a review or a PM, I would love to hear from you :)

Hope you enjoyed this Chapter and I'll see you in the next one!