Eric ignored Sookie's screaming and ranting while he chained Layla up beside her. His usually fiery brunette was silent and compliant as he chained her beside the blonde. Her face was dry but he could see the tracks her tears had made and it made him angry. He wasn't sure if he was angry at her or himself. Either way, he didn't have time for this emotional crap. He already had a plan formulating.

He left silently, leaving the two women alone in the dark.

"What are you doing here?" Sookie asked.

"What happened to laying low?" Layla asked, her voice flat.

"I had to ask Eric a question." Sookie said. Layla snorted.

"Yeah, and then you kissed him."

"HE kissed ME!" Sookie argued.

"Save it!" Layla said. "I'm sure he did kiss you Sookie, cause that's Eric. He wants something, he takes it, but you have his blood in you and you'd have to be blind, deaf and dumb not to be attracted, and on top of all of that you KNOW! You KNOW that he wants you and yet you come here alone anyway when he's already told you he thinks he might be dying. Are you that fucking stupid to think that nothing would happen?"

Sookie was quiet for a moment. "I love Bill."

Layla rolled her eyes. "I know that, so imagine how you'd feel if I let him kiss me."

Sookie went quiet again. Layla's point had been made.

"Whether you had the intention to or not when you came here, Sookie, you betrayed me."

"Why are you down here?" Sookie asked after another awkward pause.

"Cause I told Eric I was staying with you." Layla explained. "Even if that means becoming Russell bait with you."

It was a while later that both girls heard the door to the basement opened. The way the heels clunked ungraciously down the stairs let Layla know it wasn't a Vampire.

"Quick! I help!" Yvetta said as she rushed over to unlock their chains.

"I thought you were on Eric's team?" Sookie asked.

"Oh, him. Big, blonde, stupid. I hate!" Yvetta spat.

"Me too! He's a two-faced, snakey, son of a bitch!" Sookie said angrily.

"And an arrogant, lying bastard who uses other people for his own sadistic pleasure." Layla added caustically.

As Yvetta unlocked Layla the three members of the 'I Hate Eric Northman' club raced upstairs. Sookie grabbed silver from the wall before going. Sounds of fighting could be heard from the bar.

Bill was here for Sookie and Layla mostly felt bad for him. Risking his neck for a woman who didn't know how to keep herself out of troublesome situations.

Sookie the chains around Pam's neck and then Layla and Bill tossed her across the room where Yvetta raced over to restrain her. Sookie was asking about Bill's mangled face. Silver particles in water.

"Here." Layla said, tossing them a bar rag. Sookie picked up what seemed to be the equivalent of Vampire pepper spray and stood before Pam.

"Why did Eric throw me down there?" Sookie asked. "Answer me!"

"You were supposed to be a gift for Edgington. Now we're all gonna die because of some freaky little human."

"Good." Sookie said.

"We have to go. Eric may come back." Bill was saying as Layla tried to dab the silver off of his face.

"You two take Sookie's car and I'll follow you." Layla said to him. "I'm sorry I'm not a better bodyguard."

"You're wonderful." Bill assured her as Sookie came to help him out to the car.

Layla drove back to Bon Temps with her music on and her windows down, letting the sultry humidity wash over her face. She was done with Eric Northman. He wasn't worth it. One day she would find a good man who loved her completely.

Maybe, years from now, when Sookie and Bill were married and Eric Northman was a distant memory they could be friends again. Layla could move again, maybe to another state, another country. A city had been hell on her, and small town Bon Temps wasn't much better. Maybe she needed isolation, a small cabin somewhere, away from everybody.

"Jolene, please don't take him just because you can."

Layla couldn't help but wonder what would happen to Eric. What if he did meet the true death? Would she mourn him or would she finally be free? Honestly, she couldn't decide whether or not she wanted him dead. Why couldn't there be a time where Eric could just be normal. Was all this bullshit with revenge and plots really necessary? Oh, he would always be condescending and arrogant, it was his nature. He was strong about so many things, but he was too weak to just be himself. Instead he draped himself in titles. Vampire. Viking. Sheriff.

If he had ever just been Eric Northman, maybe she could have just been Layla Dahlin. Not a bodyguard. Not a halfling. Not the strange girl who'd run from loneliness only to find it tenfold.

All Layla knew is that she wished she had someone to hold her.

In the middle of her self-pity Sookie's little yellow car stopped and nearly flipped before landing. Layla swerved and slammed into a tree.

Strong hands ripped her door off of it's hinges as she came to. Eric was unbuckling her from her seat and pulling her from the car.

"Are you alright?" he asked.

"I think so." Layla said, shaking. Russell was sitting in the passenger seat of Sookie's car while Sookie and Bill sat in the back. Eric was walking her over to the car.

"Get in." he demanded.

"Where am I supposed to sit?" she asked hesitantly.

"Right here, sweetheart." Russell said, patting his lap. Layla tossed a terrified glance at Eric but he wasn't looking at her. Layla didn't move and then Russell grabbed her hand and pulled her into the car. It was cramped in the car at the best of times. Sitting on someone's lap did not make it any better. Sitting on the lap of a super strong psychopath made it horrible.

"How have you been? Layla, wasn't it?" Russell asked.

"I've been better. You?" she asked, hoping her seemingly calm demeanor would amuse him long enough for them to reach Fangtasia. She had a feeling if he got bored she would become a snack.

"Oh, I'm simply wonderful." he remarked with a murderous smile.

When they reached Fangtasia Layla jumped out of the car. Russell grabbed Sookie and Layla felt Eric grab her by the back of the neck while he held Bill in his other hand as he walked them towards the door.

Russell was ranting about his plot for total world domination when Layla heard Eric whisper something to Bill. Next thing she knew Bill and Eric were fighting and she was on the ground. Did he just tell Bill that he kissed Sookie? This was SO not the time to be fighting over a girl.

"Stop! Stop it!" Layla said, trying to break them up but all she got for her efforts was a shove that made her land right on her ass again. she crossed her legs indian style and twisted her arms across her chest.

"Fine, keep fucking fighting like wild dogs. See if I care! I am so fucking done with you all!" She yelled as Russell walked inside with Sookie. As soon as the door was closed the men stopped fighting. It had been a ruse. Eric offered her a hand to get up but she ignored it and hurt briefly flickered in his eyes before he turned back to Bill.

"I have a plan." Eric said.

"Will it save her?" Bill asked.

Layla rolled her eyes and walked inside. Vampires.

Bill was restrained with silver, Sookie was sitting with her arms crossed and Layla was lighting up a cigarette. Eric was in the process of explaining things about Sookie to Russell.

"Faeries?" Russell repeated with a little laugh. "You seriously expect me to believe she's Faery?" he asked pointing to Sookie.

"Well, I don't know any other supes who can shoot light out of their hands." Layla said to herself.

"A species, extinct for millennia, if they ever existed at all." he said, circling Sookie, holding the glass urn Layla assumed held the remains of Talbot. "Do you think I would have noticed if there were Faeries bouncing around in the world?"

"I didn't say she was full Faery. She's a human-faery hybrid. Which helped save her from detection." Eric explained. "She may well be the last of her kind. Your only chance to walk in the sun."

"Yeah, yeah, yeah." Russell grumbled.

"Drink her blood." Eric offered. "You'll see."

"Now that's just nuts, nothing in my blood is a supernatural sunscreen for you all! Why would you even think that?" Sookie asked.

"Cause it's true?" Layla offered sarcastically.

"No it's not!" Sookie argued. Eric looked at Bill.

"Sookie, you're wrong. What Eric says is true." Bill said calmly.

"No." Sookie said, her voice coated with disbelief.

"I never told you."

"Bill's experienced it for himself. Layla was witness." Eric elaborated.

"Oh, well that's reassuring. A testimonial from the mendacious Mr. Compton and your worthless but albeit amusing human spy." Russell said.

"A new beginning? We'll start over?" Sookie was asking Bill.

"I can't force you to believe it. You'll have to see for yourself." Bill continued. Layla was slightly confused. She knew Bill had survived in sunlight because of Sookie's blood, but he was still restricted to night now, so obviously the effects didn't last.

"Why are you doing this to me?" Sookie asked.

"We've tried fighting him. We'll never win. If he develops a taste for your blood he may let you live." Bill told the blonde who was steadily becoming more panicked.

"Bill, please!" she begged.

Layla took another drag of her cigarette. She wasn't sure if she trusted this mysterious plan of Eric's, but she sure as shit felt better knowing he at least had a plan.

"So?" Eric asked.

"I'm intrigued." Russell admitted.

"Excellent." Eric said.

"I hate you!" Sookie shouted at Bill. "I hate you all!"

Layla rolled her eyes.

"On one condition." Russell said.

"Whatever you like." Eric replied.

"You go first."

"I'd love to." Eric said with a smile. Layla made an audible gagging noise.

"Sorry, you just sicken me." she told Eric. Eric looked at Russell.

"Excuse me for a moment." he said, grabbing Layla by her wrist and dragging her into the back office.

Once they were alone and he finally released his grip Layla put as much space between them as she could.

"Will you please stop making frivolous comments. There is a bigger picture here." Eric spat.

"Look I know you like the taste of your new girlfriend's blood and all but I don't think her blood works that way. Bill took so much it almost killed her and then it wore off anyway."

"I know." he said solemnly.

"Then what are you doing?" Layla asked. Eric stepped closer, his eyes trying to decipher her expression.

"Do I detect concern, Miss Dahlin?" he asked. "Have you already forgiven me for earlier?"

"Fuck no." Layla said firmly. "I will never forgive you."

Eric paused for a moment.

"What if I asked you to?"

"Asked me to what?" Layla demanded snottily.

"Forgive me?" Eric asked. Layla stared at him and saw a trace of fear hidden beneath the surface.

"What game are you playing now? You don't need my forgiveness."

"No, but I want it."

"Why?"

"Because I can't die knowing you hate me." Eric hissed, becoming angry. Layla closed her eyes. If these truly were her last moments ever with Eric, she didn't want to regret them later. First, she slapped him. Then the placed both hand on either side of his face, gently lowering him to a level where she could place a chaste kiss on his forehead.

"I was supposed to look after you." she whispered. "But I can't protect you from yourself, Eric."

"My sweet, halfling." Eric said, tracing finger down the side of her face.

"If Sookie weren't a Faery, would things between you and I be different? Or would she still have this hold over you?" Layla asked.

"I don't know." Eric responded truthfully. Layla wrapped her arms around him.

"Min kärlek." she whispered into his chest. My love.

"Min älskling." he whispered back. My beloved.

"Even if you survive this, I can't come back to you." Layla said. "You hurt too much."

Eric nodded. Layla pulled back and placed her hand on the side of his face.

"I forgive you, Eric."

Eric kissed her sweetly on her lips before walking out of the office. After a moment to compose herself she walked back out too.

"We are schooled!" Russell was saying. "Onward to adventure!"

"If this is you trying to help me, thanks for nothing." Sookie said to Bill. Eric stared at Sookie for a second while Layla looked on, feeling empty. There was no jealousy or fear. She was just void.

"Oh for god's sake." Russell said, growing impatient, grabbing Sookie's wrist and biting down. Eric joined at the throat while Pam, Bill and Layla looked on. Unable to watch anymore, Layla turned and walked out into the parking lot.

She sank down next to the graffitied wall and lit up another cigarette. Her hands were shaking, her emotions and lack thereof were pulling her in a million different directions, her mind simply couldn't settle. She felt insane. She brushed her slightly greasy hair away from her face and noted that she really needed a shower.

The door to Fangtasia opened and Eric walked out into the sunlight. His eyes were closed to the brightness for a moment as Layla stared on. He didn't notice her as he walked out further, testing his hand in the sunlight, stunned when he didn't burst into flame.

He walked around for a moment and then smiled at winked at Layla before beckoning to the security cameras where she supposed Russell was watching to make sure this little endeavor actually worked. Layla smiled then noticed the smoke coming off of him.

"Eric-" she began.

"Don't let them see." he whispered to her in Swedish.

A few moments later Russell barged out, staggering towards Eric. When Eric turned Layla caught sight of his face and gasped. He was burning alive, slowly. Quick as lightening her fastened silver handcuffs around Russell's wrist, the other end attached to his own.

"Be brave. We'll die together." he said. Russell screamed.

"The fuck you say, Northman." Layla said to herself before dashing back inside.