A/N: Hello beautiful people. I'm really really really really really really really sorry if I don't update that fast. Real life's been getting in the way...ugh.

And I want to let you all know that you guys are fan-fucking-tastic. I love you all. Thank you for your continued support to this weird little story.

So, I made this chapter super long because I really needed to get this out of the way. Seriously. I had to re-write it over and over and over and over again. I apologize for any mistakes you see, that's my bad.

Oh and since I suck, and I hope this isn't too late 'cause I feel bad for not posting yet. Don't forget about to vote for one of your favorite stories in the SVM/TB Awards. So show your love and support to you favorite and loved stories and writers.

Keep the fanfiction love going!

DISCLAIMER: I own nothing. Boo. :(

"Put me the fuck down!" Sookie shouted over and over again, as she pounded her fists against the thousand year old vampire. She knew it wasn't exactly safe since they were thousands of feet away from the ground, but she didn't give two shits about it at that time.

Eric was livid but so was she.

She was furious at Eric for his presumptuous manhandling, and furious at herself for getting caught. She should have considered the time, but she let her emotions get the best of her.

Like right now too.

Sookie thought as she tried stuggling against Eric some more.

Shut up.

The moment Alcide's car stopped, Eric ripped open the car door to Sookie's side and grabbed her then speeding off to the sky like a bullet. Sookie didn't even have enough time to speak up nor even a chance to breath. When he had finally slowed down, she gasped for air several times before screaming.

Eric was carrying her away in a bridal style, so his grip on her couldn't be easily weakened. And when the vampire had finally slowed down to a comfortable flying speed, he spoke in a tone that silenced Sookie's screaming.

"Are you insane?" Eric was in her face, shaking her in his arms. "Do you think it was safe for you to just run around anywhere? With Warlow very close to finding you?" He scowled harder when she couldn't speak.

She couldn't withdraw herself from the situation like she always did, but Eric knew that. He wanted it.

"I'm not a child anymore! I could take care of myself." She protested, glaring at him with as much force as she could. "Alcide was with me too. In case you forgot, he's a werewolf!"

"Oh, I have not forgotten. You smell of him…it's disgusting." His nose crinkled for a second, it was adorable, even if it was on angry Eric right now.

SHUT UP! She suppressed the thoughts of Eric's cuteness and how his angry face seemed to light a fire (a very bad and inappropriate fire) down there.

"Alcide…that fucking imbecile can't even protect himself against me." Pointing out the fact that he did just kidnap Sookie in front of Alcide.

Aaaaand I'm mad again.

"He's not an imbecile! And what you did was unfair! You stormed in and—"

Eric slowly leaned and snarled at Sookie. "No vampire will play fair once they get a hold of you. The moment you had stepped in Shreveport, every vampire has been following you, and if it wasn't for me, in a flash they could grab you, drain you, hurt you." He took a steady breath before continuing, the emotions in him swirled violently. "They won't think twice before they snatch you away and kill you…even worse make you their pet and force you against your will."

Sookie bit her lip and forced to forget the terrible things she had read before when she was in the presence of fangbangers and pets. She thought if it might happen to her human family, what if she might have just led Warlow closer to them? He could torture them, drain them or even do worst things just to make them talk. The fear had finally gotten into her and it shut her up completely. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. "You're right, I shouldn't have done that. I wasn't thinking. I apologize for my impulsiveness, I was selfish and stupid."

He scoffed. "Your actions were based on your feelings. Were you even thinking of the consequences to your family, to Godric and Pam?" The more he talked the more he got angrier. "You could have endangered all of us." You could have endangered yourself, Sookie. He added, silently.

She didn't answer but only kept pushing herself away from him as much as she could. It wasn't because of anger or her defensiveness, it was because of shame. "Please Eric, just put me down."

Eric opened his mouth to retaliate, but stopped when he sensed the smell of tears. Her tears was his weakness. He sighed and held her tighter. He lowered his head to whisper to her hair. "I dislike seeing you cry. It makes me feel…human." Sookie sniffed again, wiping her tears. She took a deep breath, trying to ignore the flutter of her heart. This Eric made her feel like he really did care for her, in his own way.

They stayed that way in the air, as he took a slower speed of flying. Sookie closed her eyes to appreciate the feeling of the gentle wind and the comfort Eric was offering her, with his nose and lips sometimes rubbing over her head.

Eric sneakily inhaled her scent, smiling to himself. Enjoying her warmth and delicious body so close to him. It was a bittersweet moment for the vampire, he had in his arms what he wanted most in the world but he couldn't have her…yet.

They didn't fly to his house, or to Shreveport, they went to New Orleans to see Godric.

Eric gently put Sookie down and walked straight to the door. Eric already felt his maker's presence when they were 4 miles away, if he was human right now, he could have been sweating bullets.

"Godric is here." Eric whispered to Sookie before opening the door. Together, they walked towards the library, with Sookie catching up to Eric's long strides and holding her breath. While Sookie had paused to go inside the room, the former Viking vampire continued, bravely facing what Sookie called an 'ass-whooping'.

Godric wasn't mad, nor was he upset. He was just very disappointed.

"I taught you better than this Eric." Although Godric looked harmless and kept his voice light, both Sookie and Eric felt the waves of dissatisfaction from him. It hurt Sookie greatly but Eric was completely dejected. "For a thousand years, Eric…you have lived that long and yet you have failed."

Sookie piped up, hoping she could get Eric out of this mess. "It wasn't his fault. I swear. It's mine! I ran in the mor—"

The 2,000-year old vampire turned his eyes at Sookie and for the first time, she saw a different Godric. It chilled her to her core, keeping her frozen. "I trusted you to act and behave like what I and Adele have taught you. It was a risk taking you with me already, but going out in the open near the target of where Warlow would have started to look?"

"I was wrong to trust you. To think that you could be ready for this." Hearing his words was painful, it got worst since Godric's warmth and love felt like it was missing. His eyes were cold and distant from the one that she knew so dearly. Sookie gasped at the detached way he was talking to her. "You are dismissed."

Sookie nodded and left the room quickly, trying to keep herself from breaking down. She ran upstairs and went straight for the balcony. She needed air, lots of it. After several steadying breaths and simple mediation skills, Sookie managed to finally calm down.

Seeing Godric this scary was enough to convince her that her promised visit with them might be last of it.

She took out her bag, the picture of the Stackhouse family. It may have been a mistake and she would always remember that, but there was one thing she was sure of and that she would never regret having to see them again.

The blonde telepath just hoped like hell Warlow wouldn't touch them.

"You are certain about this?" Eric asked his Maker gravely.

Godric nodded. "I believe in her capabilities. And I know that this will be able to help in ways that we cannot." Even though Sookie had failed to stay in Eric's house, he still trusted her. He understood her want to see her family. It was only an indulgence for her trip, as her birthday gift to herself. He felt guilty for reprimanding Sookie the way he did, but there are consequences to her actions, especially if it involved all their lives.

She would go beyond her limitations of being just a telepath/faerie hybrid, all thanks to her cousin; Claude and great-grandfather Niall.

It was a nice morning in New Orleans, the sun was hot but the wind was cool and crisp as it danced around Sookie's hair and dress. The forest shaded her form as she walked around silently. She sighed in relief as the breeze cooled her for a moment before letting go.

"Harder!" Claude roared as he was hit with a force that burned his chest lightly. He stood there wearing nothing but a loose white shirt and khaki pants. He was barefoot and unarmed. Sookie looked at him in confusion, she aimed properly but the force wasn't enough to pass through his stupid clothes? He was standing about 200 feet away from her and thought maybe she wasn't giving her best shot yet. "That was weak!" He yelled again.

It was a week ago since she visited her family, after that Godric and Eric avoided her constantly which saddened and irritated her. She missed Godric and his warmth and smile and comfort and hugs. Another creeping thought slipped her mind. I miss Eric too. Even if he was a pervert and an asshole sometimes.

And where was Pam?

This sucked.

All she could do was train harder this time, just because Godric wanted her to, and she wanted to earn his trust back again.

The faery hybrid cursed and focused her energy once again in between her hands. The light between her hands were bright and strong. But before she could've harnessed more of her energy, it burst and threw her backwards to the ground. In a flash, Claude was in kneeling above her. "Are you alright?"

Sookie who was momentarily knocked speechless, gasped and nodded.

Her faery cousin shook his head in disappointment, "I told you, that much energy is volatile and dangerous, even for you."

Sookie rolled her eyes, "I get it. It's my first time doing this; cut me some slack will you?" She just learned about her ability of shooting light rays from her hands today, how was she supposed to be know the levels of every damn fizzy bubble that comes out her hand?

It was Claude's turn to roll his eyes. "Quit being a baby, Sookie. When I was your age I could teleport from Summer land to earth in a snap."

"There's a difference. You're a full faery and I'm a halfie."

"A what? A halfie?" Claude laughed.

"It sounds nice when it rhymes." Sookie grinned and sat up to face him. "Hey. I've read about faeries in Godric's books. Even though they didn't offer much information about you guys, I've got to know...how did you hide so well from vamps?"

"We faeries can teleport from different locations." He answered simply.

"Well yeah, duh. I'm now asking where."

Claude tilted his head amusingly. "We teleported to different portals."

Sookie kept her face passive as she absorbed the new information. "Huh. Could I do that?"

"In due time. Now get your lazy ass up, we have training to do."

Sookie groaned but still followed her cousin's lead as they started another training session. It took all morning, but she finally managed to aim and fire a light ball, strong enough to knock Claude off his ass and unconscious. Her victory was short lived when she realized that he didn't move at all anymore. And after checking his vitals and reading his mind, she begrudgingly dragged him inside, by grabbing his left ankle to Godric's home.

Only two hundred meters more…fuck.

"Do you need help with that?" A man who looked to be in his mid 30's asked. He was tall, slender, and good-looking. He had light brown hair and an adorable smile. Probably how he disarms his enemies…with his smile and dimples. All innocent-like.

His blue eyes shone with amusement and smiled some more. Sookie dropped Claude's leg and took a defensive stance. For a split second, she roamed her eyes around her, and planned her way out of this situation alive with Claude. Remember your training Sookie, you can take him.

There's a 71% chance I could run and hide from him, I could distract him from getting Claude and harness enough energy to knock this guy out too. And if I can't reboot my energy I'll be left with hand-to-hand combat. No weapons, just her surroundings.

He raised his hands in admit defeat. "I am in no position to harm you, Princess. I am only here under Prince Niall's request to overlook the area before his arrival and to aid you in your training."

Without dropping her position, she asked. "How do I know you're really you and not Warlow?"

The man kneeled in front of Sookie and bowed his head, a position of full surrender. "I assure, Princess I am not Warlow. You may ask Claude to see for himself…if he wasn't out cold. My name is Preston, one of Prince Niall's guards sent here for the sole purpose of inspecting the vicinity, to prepare the Prince and to help you, Your Highness." He opened his mind to Sookie completely.

Throughout his introduction, Sookie read his mind, already knowing from her cousins' thought pattern that he was a faery. She read him like an open book, and believed that he was telling him the truth. "Okay, I believe you, Preston. Would you please carry my cousin then?" She was exhausted and was just glad Preston was here to lend a helping hand.

"I don't mind at all." He lifted his head and smiled charmingly. He stood up to his full height gracefully before walking over to Claude and carrying him effortlessly over his shoulder.

Wordlessly, they journeyed back to Godric's home. The two of them stayed silent, with Claude softly snoring.

Sookie couldn't control herself and looked at the faery guard next to him. She had to admit, all the faeries she met so far were pretty good-looking. She asked. "Why'd you call me Princess?"

Preston gave her a sideways look and creased his eyebrows. "You are Princess Sookie, right?"

"Yeah, but just Sookie. What's the deal with the royalty name calling?"

"Well, you are Niall's great-granddaughter. Are you not?"

Sookie shrugged. "You tell me, it's the first time I've heard of this Nay-el person."

"It is pronounced as Nye-all, Your Majesty. Slower, Nye-all."

She rolled her eyes. "Nye-all. Niall. Okay. But please don't call me Princess though. It's unsettling."

He was genuinely conflicted, "But if I don't address you in the way a Princess should be addressed, it would be a sign of disrespect to you."

"Just call me Sookie and I say so…as a Princess."

"As you wish, Sookie." Preston walked without another word and Sookie didn't mind it at all. It was relaxing to just walk around after her vigorous morning.

She stretched her arms and hands while walking, the Light didn't hurt her, but it was hard to keep your arms steady with a force that big and strong. The first time she lit one up from her fingers it freaked the hell out of her. And the bigger the light ball got, the harder it became to control. This wasn't the first time she handled something that strong, she could handle recoils from 4 gauge shotguns, to 460 Weatherby Magnum, but she just felt drained after training this morning.

Probably another side effect, she deduced.

When they finally made it to Godric's house, Preston laid him on the porch swing in a sitting position. Sookie fidgeted a bit before asking, "Is he going to be okay? I mean I checked his vitals and everything."

Preston grinned. "Oh, he'll be alright. He just needs to rest. Quite a fireball you've shot at him."

Sookie shrugged. "Thank you for everything. And now that I'm sure he's fine I could rest too." She started for the door but paused and remembered her manners. "Would you like to come in for some refreshments?" Preston looked up and shook his head. He had that look again, where he looked a bit conflicted. "Is something wrong, Preston?"

Again, he shook his head. "You can rest for a bit, but we have to train." Preston felt a bit odd at giving orders at someone who is higher than him, but it was under Niall's instruction that he should teach the Princess the way he teaches everyone else. And he was strict when it came to training, and the Prince knew that. She groaned childishly and waved her hands up. "Fine! Give me 15 minutes." "Meet me outside after." In a snap, his shy and hesitant demeanor changed into an authoritative one. "Oh, and Sookie? Make it 10."

If she wasn't in a life threatening situation, she would've used her freaking 'Princess' power to tell him to shove off. She was tired and cranky, and all she wanted was to get in a shower, crawl to bed and sleep all day long. "I'll make it five." She grumbled as she went inside the house.

Preston chuckled and decided to try and wake Claude up by seeping into his mind. Slowly and carefully, Preston pushed through Claude's unconsciousness and woke him up. Claude bolted up and grunted in pain. "Fuck! What the?" He felt like someone had planted a grenade in his brain.

"Just like old times, huh?" Preston grinned and slid his hands in his pockets casually as he strolled to Claude's side.

"Preston, it is good to see you." Claude smiled up at him before zapping him with his Light. It was strong enough to shock his friend momentarily.

"Fucker. Don't ever do that again." He mumbled as he shook his head while Preston laughed. "I'm guessing Niall sent you here. Is he coming tonight?"

"Not yet. Perhaps when Sookie is finally ready."

"So, you're here to help Sookie out. With what, her telepathy?"

Preston nodded. "From what I've observed it appears that Sookie is a fast learner. Quite impressive."

Claude grinned, he was proud of his cousin. She's smart and quick and alert. A thought sobered him up. "I know your methods, my friend. Take it easy on the girl. She's not like us, she could break easily." Claude warned gravely before heading inside the house.

For the first time in his life, Preston took it easy on his student. Not just because of what Claude had warned him or that she was a Princess, the moment he saw her he instantly liked Sookie. He liked the way she handled Claude. He liked her fire and passion as she pushed through her limits and fought. He especially liked the fact that although she had inside her powers that could devastate an army, she was kind and full of life. She was in two words, breathtakingly beautiful.

He took his time preparing her to use her telepathy, teaching her the basics in controlling it, reading other people's mind and blocking. She was getting better at it the more she tried. But halfway through the blocking, she felt tired. She didn't complain nor did she try to show any signs of it. But he knew and he admired her more in a short amount of time. She pushed herself over and over again, until she blacked out from exhaustion.

He carried her to the inside of the house, and took in his surroundings. The exterior of the house looks to be an average human log house. The inside was nothing different, a simple two-floor house, a fireplace and decorated to look lived in. But knowing it was a vampire's home, there had to be a secret passage to an underground palace. One of the things vampires and faeries had in common is that they loved grandiosity and lavishness. But he didn't dare to snoop, even if faeries and vampires aren't exactly friendly to each other (and they had reasons to be), he respected the vampires' boundaries and had sworn his fealty to Niall and Sookie which meant no harm should ever come to the vampires as well.

He left Sookie sleeping on the couch nearest to the fireplace and laid a blanket on her. He left the living room then made sure to check the premises around. Preston checked his watch, another minute and the vampires would be rising. Claude walked him outside the house, he looked worried. "Niall called me. We need to meet him at Hooligans. Now."

Preston checked his watch again, 10 more seconds. "Okay."

Claude watched him and waited for him to teleport them, "What are you waiting you for?"

He ignored Claude and counted silently. Eight…seven…six…five…four…three…two…one.

In a second they were in Hooligans.

As soon as Eric rose, he sensed Claude and another faery in his maker's home before they teleported away, he thought none of it as he went over to the security cameras and checked on the day. It was training for Sookie as usual; he smiled proudly as he watched her hit Claude while running around. With no fault, she was able to aim and strike perfectly. The last one really astonished the vampire as the Light knocked the faery boy out.

Sookie carried him until another faery came into the picture. There was no sound from the video but he could read lips. He was offering to help her, and Sookie was guarded towards the man. Good girl.

Even though Eric knew that this faery was Preston; a royal guard of Niall he was still unsure of this creature. He fast forwarded to their training, they sat down in front of the house. They were facing each other, after a moment Preston held Sookie's hand and pulled her closer.

This caused a snarl from Eric's throat. He was angry, for sure. But a thought crept in his mind, what right did he have to be angry? She was not his. But seeing a man holding Sookie's hands was infuriating. This was ridiculous.

He watched as Sookie once again pushed herself to her limits and blacked out. Preston carried her and put her on the couch. Eric was glad that he didn't do anything else. He checked the present view of the living room and saw that Sookie was still fast asleep.

He took a shower and changed into his usual shirt and jeans with boots. He typed in a few emails to his dayman and other associates to make sure his properties and businesses were running smoothly in his absence.

After making sure Pam had risen, he called in to check in on her.

"Eric? What's taking you so long to get here? You know how I dislike dealing with vermins and incompetent vampires."

"A week of Sheriff duties and you're already whining." He tsked at her playfully. "Get here to New Orleans and find me now. I need your help."

A pause. "I get to see Sookie?"

"Yes."

"Thank fuck."

Eric put the phone down and pinched the bridge of his nose. He had to tell her the plan now, with or without Godric. But he needed Pam to soften the blow, or at least to be there to comfort Sookie.

Last night, Godric had been summoned by Queen Sophie-Anne again for him to join one of her idiotic parties to show off. In truth, Sophie-Anne Leclerq was intimidated by Godric's presence, she wants to let him know who is still in charge and who she has to back her up for support. She probably suspects Godric to takeover her kingdom.

He went upstairs begrudgingly, without noticing his steps were slower than usual. He walked through the house and drank two bottles of Royale before finally walking over to the living room. There was a few scent of faery smell left behind; they must've forgotten to mask it. Fucking Faeries.

He sat down on of the recliners across Sookie. He didn't dare wake her from her slumber, and he felt content on waiting and watching. It was such a rarity to observe her this long. His eyes roamed greedily at every detail on her face, memorizing them and burning them in his mind.

Her long eyelashes that he longed to look at up close, her elegant cheekbones that he wanted to touch, her adorable nose he desired to nuzzle with his, and her soft supple lips that he longed to kiss and feel against his.

These were things that disturbed him greatly, these were acts of love that would've made Eric cringe and repulsed. And yet, this little faery Princess managed to change that. It was troubling and fucking confusing.

But just the thought of her caring for him, comforting him, nourishing him and—

No.

He shouldn't indulge in these fantasies, because if he continued to, he wasn't sure if he could handle it anymore. He couldn't be sure if he could keep this overwhelming desire for her kept any longer. But it is vital to the plan for him to keep his distance. It was extremely frustrating and he hated it.

He looked at Sookie again, noticing how she creased her brows endearingly in her sleep.

He could wait for a few months more.

It will be all worth it.

For her.

A/N: Thank you for reading. Please tell me what you think. :)

BTW, my ideal Preston is Tom Hiddleston but you guys can think of another alternative...whatever floats your boat. ;)

*Intense Music*
IN THE NEXT CHAPTER: A mysterious visitor shows up. Claude and Preston's trip to Hooligan might not be as pleasant as their last visit. Pam finally gives Sookie ANOTHER makeover. Sookie enrolls a different class, "The Art of Seduction" under Prof. Eric Northman.