Hi guys. I just want to say a big thank you to all you readers who have taken time to read and review this story. I appreciate all the comments. I don't own any of these characters, but I wish I did. Thanks again to Jo for all your hard work. I wouldn't have the confidence to post this without you!

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"Right lady, I want to talk to you and I want to do it now!" I snapped. I watched as Pam's eyes widened in amazement. "What just happened?" I had cornered Pam in the dressing room the guys were using, and she had come in to make sure they had got everything. We were leaving Dallas for Las Vegas in about twenty minutes.

"Whatever do you mean Sookie. That was a concert. I know Last Request are mind blowing but surely they haven't blown your mind away?" Pam said. Her tone was even, slightly dangerous. I didn't care. All afternoon, all through the concert all I could think about was what just happened in the room we shared at the hotel. Truthfully I don't know why I gave in so easy but that was something to think about later. Right now I wanted to deal with why Pam thought she could put me in that situation in the first place. And invite Eric to watch.

"What happened in room 214." I said. I rose my chin a little and stared her down. She could refuse to answer of course, that would be like her. Ever since I met Pam I liked her and I knew she was not a force to be reckoned with. She took advantage of me this afternoon, and I didn't like it. Then again she was no coward.

"Well…" She started and she was using that teasing tone. I had to stop it immediately.

"Don't bullshit me Pam. I have respected you since the first night you walked through Hadley's front door and stood up for Eric. Not that he deserved it, but it was you and not the reason for your attitude that I liked and respected. I thought you were my friend." Gran would tan me so hard for using language like that but right now I didn't care.

"Ok, you were tense, I was trying to help." She said. Her tone told me she had no regrets and would do it again in a heartbeat.

"Yes well next time enrol me for yoga or book a massage for me behind my back or for goodness sake give me a vibrator before you go fingering me!" I said. Her lower lip was starting to pout, but I knew her well enough by now to know that it was only an act on my emotions. If Pam were capable of waterworks then they would be turned on in about thirty seconds.

"Sookie. You are my friend. I like you a lot. I didn't think you would mind too much to what happened this afternoon. And I have no excuse. I'm sorry if I offended you Sookie but you were enjoying yourself. And I enjoyed myself. And Eric certainly benefited from the show." She smirked. I glared at her again. There was no way she was going to get around me, no matter how much she tried to appeal to my basic nature. "Tell me, were you thinking of Eric?"

"Its none of your damn business who I was thinking about, just like my body is none of your damn businesses either. When I want to make my body someone else's business I'll let you know who he is, till then, keep those fingers out."

Pam laughed out loud. "I have good fingers." She said smugly, lifting her right hand and kissing her knuckles.

"You have. But my own fingers are quite capable thank you very much." I said. It was obvious that Pam didn't see anything wrong with what happened this afternoon. As far as she was concerned she was helping out a friend in need. "You are my friend Pam, and I don't want that to change. Ever. Don't lets ruin our friendship over your moment of boldness and my moment of weakness. If you ever take advantage of me again I will walk away. You might not give a damn about that, or about losing me as a friend because frankly I don't know what's going on in that head of yours or if you even consider me a friend. We would have a beautiful friendship." It was corny, but it was the truth.

I turned on my heel and walked away. There were no snaky comments behind my back. When I stepped onto the bus Tray and Alcide were dancing around the top deck, and Eric and Claude were stowing away the beer and spirits they bought for the evening festivities. I glared at Eric's back as I passed him, and it made me feel good. Of course he didn't see me but that didn't matter, it's the thought that counts.

I took a seat beside Maria Star and we chatted about the gig. Clancy and Victor made their way up the stairs, still singing and messing about. Pam was last on the bus it would seem, because no sooner was she upstairs than the big engine rolled into life and we were moving away from Dallas. I watched out of the corner of my eye as she grabbed three plastic cups and opened the fridge. She walked over to the table, uncorked the wine, set a plastic cup in front of each of us. Her eyes never met mine. Her slight frame slid into the seat beside me and she poured the wine, starting with me, then Maria Star, and finally herself. When she set the bottle on the table her eyes met mine and she lifted the plastic cup to me in a toast.

"Here's to friends." Pam smirked towards me. "And vibrators." We choked on our wine, then fell about in fits of giggles.

The boys were curious as to what we were laughing at of course. Alcide slipped into the seat beside Maria Star and Claude leaned a hip on the table. He had his big arms crossed over his chest. They were looking back and forward between us and the more we laughed the more they looked.

"What are you girls up to?" Clancy asked. He was standing slightly behind my chair.

"Oh, we're just having ourselves a little fun." I told him.

"Yeah, girl fun." Maria Star added. Alcide was grinning but he still looked confused.

"Tell me." He begged her, giving her puppy dog eyes.

"No! Don't give in to the weakness. Be strong." Pam said. I giggled again.

"He's so cute." Maria Star said, looking between us and Alcide. He was, his face needed shaving, his hair was messy and he looked good enough to eat. Maria Star was one lucky girl. She kissed his cheek then leaned in to whisper in his ear.

"No!" Pam and I called at the same time. We could see Alcide's eyes widen then he bust out laughing too.

"You are too much." He told Pam shaking his head. Pam shrugged.

"What did she say then man?" Claude asked him.

"Oh no, I made a promise and I intend to keep it." He was as loyal as a Labrador too, yes Alcide Herveaux was a great catch.

"That's not fair. We're you boys, your buddies. We should come first." Victor said joining the party.

"Well this is my girl, and I keep secrets when its asked of me." He was smug looking, he knew this was killing the rest of the guys. I also noticed Maria Star blushed when he called her his girl.

"Oh yeah, and what are you getting in return?" Claude leered.

"I didn't negotiate any terms for keeping her secret. Unlike you greedy bastards, sorry for the language ladies, I don't need a favour for a favour."

"I know what's up with him." Tray announced. "He's a girl. He's passed over to the other side and come out with no balls."

"Big joke couldn't be that good anyway," Claude muttered as he walked away "you stopped laughing at it."

"Yeah. I'm bored, who's up for some Xbox action, 360 style?" Victor announced. Clancy followed him. Alcide stayed where he was sipping his beer and looking past Maria Star out the window.

When everyone else moved away I noticed Eric sitting on the long sofa which faces the tables. His elbows were on his spread knees. He was holding a bottle of beer in one hand. He was looking towards us but his eyes were glazed over. He looked up slightly and our eyes met. The last time we looked at each other today was on the balcony in Dallas. I smiled a little half smile at him but he didn't respond. He just dropped his eyes back down to his hands. I guess I had sorted out my Pam problems, now it was time to move on to my other problem. Eric.

Pam and Maria Star were talking about the concert, and what kind of photo's she had taken. We decided the morning would be time enough to update the website so we would relax tonight. Alcide went to join Eric on the sofa, they spoke for a few minutes then Alcide got up. He winked to Maria Star before joining the rest of the guys at the back of the bus. They were screaming and shouting at the television, boys and their toys. I slipped past Pam and went over to where Eric was sitting. He scowled when he saw me moving but ignored me when I sat down.

"Do you wanna talk about it?" I asked. He kept on ignoring me. "Eric." I said.

"What?" He snapped.

"What's the matter?" I asked him. He was clearly sulking. He looked cute.

"I'm pissed off is what's the matter." He hissed, keeping his voice low.

"Why?" I asked.

"What's going on with you and Pam?" He snapped. Ok, perhaps my fantasy really had gotten carried away. As far as I knew, he enjoyed the show this afternoon. More than I did anyways.

"Nothing." I told him.

"Funny. I saw you take her hand and drag her to the corner of the dressing room after the gig." He said. I couldn't help but smile a little. Did Eric like me, as in actually like me? Crazy Sookie from Bon Temps?

"Yes, to tell her if she ever pulled a stunt like that again that I would cease our friendship. We're just friends." I told him.

"Really?" He asked me, looking into my eyes. "Because I know how it gets after a gig, you get hot and horny and all you want is…"

"Really." I told him, cutting him off. "I like boys. I like someone else."

He looked away, that glaze in his beautiful eyes. Now I was confused again. It was official, Eric Northman was missing, last seen on a balcony in Dallas, replaced with this…gentle soul. Perhaps Eric had more depth than I gave him credit for. Sure he was a playboy but maybe that was somewhere he went in order to hide his true emotions, his true self.

I had a feeling I was seeing a side to him that not many have seen, and I was touched. "I like you." I whispered. "But I don't know you very well yet."

"You do." He looked at me again. Our mood was dented by the cheering from the sofa's, but it didn't ruin it.

"Yes." I told him. Perhaps it was the wine talking but I couldn't help myself. Eric Northman was getting harder and harder for me to resist.

"Come to Vegas with me." He asked.

"I already am you big dolt." I told him, waving my hand around the bus.

"No, with me. In my car. Our car's and bike's are in a lorry a little ways back. It will be our private road trip. Let me show you Las Vegas for the first time." He said.

"Like a date?" I asked him.

"Like a date. Lover." Hah, newsflash: Northman found again. I wondered what the reward was and I got it right away, I got one of the sexiest smirks ever to grace those satanic lips. I was done for.

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The red corvette felt like it was flying as we drove along the highway towards Las Vegas. Beside me Eric didn't take his foot from the gas. He was leaning back in his seat and he looked good enough to eat. Eric's iPod was blasting Led Zepplin into the car as we drove. I watched the pink haze of sunset glow on the horizon. I was singing along to the music and I was feeling good. I had never been to Las Vegas before and the excitement of all the stories I heard in the last 24 hours was about to spill out of me.

As we neared Las Vegas and darkness began to fall. Eric had purposefully taken his time during the journey. We stopped for a long lunch so we would arrive in darkness. He told me that was the best time to arrive, because the lights were spectacular. Jason had been of course. It was a holiday among him and his buddies. He told me a little about it when he came back but not much. Not as much as they guys had been telling me.

When we arrived I was in awe. I gaped at the Lion at MGM Grand, and stared slack jawed at the fountains at Bellagio. We passed Excalibur, Paris and New York New York on our way down the strip. I spied an M&M's shop, a Coca Cola shop and some giant Malls I knew I could spend hours, and lots of cash in. Eric pointed out The Venetian, and I leaned back as far as I could in the seat to try to see the top of the Stratosphere Tower.

Our hotel was luxurious. We checked ourselves into our rooms (we were in rooms for the entire stay in Las Vegas) and headed upstairs. Apparently I would be sharing but I didn't know who with. Each of the band got their own room, guess that's what you get when you're a Rock Star. Eric got a lot of attention from the hotel staff. Women flirted with him and the men seemed to have a great respect for him. The bellboy showed us to my room and Eric told him he would find his own room. Once tipped, Eric closed the door and turned to me. I was too excited to notice him however because I was exploring my room. There was a small balcony outside, a living area and a sleeping area with two queen beds. The bathroom was massive, with a marble tub and a shower big enough for 3. When I finished I flopped down on the bed and let out a sigh. It was a big mistake. Eric landed beside me with a bounce.

I had agreed to drive the last few miles to Las Vegas in Eric's corvette. Some of the other guys had similar ideas. I was surprised to find out that two lorries were following purely to transport vehicles belonging to Last Request. Alcide and Tray had opted to travel on their Harley Davidson motorcycles. Maria Star was riding with Alcide. Eric's car did a good job of getting well ahead of the motorcycles. Claude and Pam rode together in his sports car, but I was unsure what it was. Like I say, Eric was keen to get on the road. Victor and Clancy had been drinking at lunch so they opted to stay on the bus.

"Will you come on a date with me Sookie?" Eric asked me. I was shocked. He was lying close beside me, his head on his hand. Just like in my fantasy. I started to sit up to get away from him but his other hand caught me. "Don't. Answer me."

"I don't think it will be a good idea." I said.

"Are you not looking for a relationship right now? We could just have a bit of fun together. Keep each other company. I find myself craving it more and more often."

I closed my eyes to try to gather my thoughts. Trouble was it had been so long since my last boyfriend that I was ready again for another one. I wanted company, I wanted someone to share things with. I did not think Eric Northman was the right man for the job. Oh his physical description fit the bill perfectly its just that his reputation and baggage was a little heavier than I liked. But then again he seemed to have behaved himself since I'd known him. In my presence anyways.

"Eric. I just won't have sex with you because I'm horny."

"Did you not listen to what I just said. I said I wanted your company. Now I would love your company naked and in bed but you don't want to do that yet. You will soon. I want to do other things with you. Get to know you. Give me a chance."

Wow. He sounded like he was begging. I looked up into his eyes. They really were amazing. And at that moment a little unsure.

"Ok." I agreed softly. I guess I was finished with Operation Avoid Eric and on to Operation Keep Eric Company. When he leaned down and kissed me I was ready to point out that friends didn't do this to keep company, but then his tongue touched my bottom lip and my traitorous body responded. I arched into him and he rolled on top of me, getting the access to my mouth he had wanted for days. I kissed him back but I was no match for the man.

I wondered how many kisses Eric had shared in his time because he was the most amazing kisser I ever had the pleasure to…well kiss. I never wanted it to end, who needs to breath? When we did pull apart I was breathless. Eric was looking very pleased with himself, and I couldn't help but let my hand drift into the v of his button down shirt. I could feel the fine hairs on his chest. He closed his eyes and came back for another kiss. Again I didn't refuse him, I just accepted those sinful lips back to where they should be; on me. His big hands were all over me, touching me through my dress, touching my neck and tangling in my hair. I had my hand in his hair too, keeping his mouth on mine, trying to tell him that I never wanted this kiss to end. When he did end it I was disappointed for only a second before his lips began to drift along my jaw to my neck and his big hand cupped my breast.

That brought me back to reality. Pushing him off me I sat up. He growled behind me but he sat up beside me. What was it with the growling anyway?

I stood and walked to the balcony for some air. He followed a moment later. "I'm sorry." He said looking down at me. "Its just that you are really good company! And so hard to resist."

I giggled in spite of my confused feelings. He laughed then and pulled me into a hug. "Sookie. We're in Las Vegas and you're cuddling me on a balcony. I think its time we went exploring."

"Eric, I agree. But I'm starving."

"When the lady wants food" Eric said stepping up to the railing of the balcony "the lady gets food." He shouted. His arms were spread wide and the light breeze was blowing his hair. I laughed at him and ran away in case anyone caught a glimpse of the mad couple on the balcony.

Were we a couple? I decided to ignore that thought till later.

We left the hotel and walked for a little bit down Las Vegas boulevard before turning into a side street. My tiny hand was wrapped in Eric's big one and I was happy to follow him like a lamb. His hands were warm and a little rough and his fingers calloused from playing guitar. He had a guitar pick between his fingers in his other hand, just rolling it around. He always had those thing lying around. He looked good in black jeans and a black leather jacket. I felt a little silly myself in the cool evening. I was still wearing my light sundress and wedge sandals, but at least I had my light cardigan to keep my shoulders warm. "Don't worry" Eric started all of a sudden "you'll get to see the sights of Las Vegas soon. I'm taking you to a great club full of talent scouts and such. Its called Hole in the Boulevard. The music is always fantastic. We played here ourselves a few years back."

"You really do like music don't you." I said. I figured it was a pointless response but I wanted him to talk more to me.

"I love music. I'll write it, play it, listen to it. Call me the Music Man." He joked.

"Don't you sing?"

"No that's what we use Claude for. I'll stick to backing thanks." We walked in silence for a while. Eric seemed to take a breath to speak at one point, but he paused and let it out again. He was fiddling with that guitar pick again and I wondered if it was a nervous thing. What would Eric Northman have to be nervous about?

We called into a little diner to grab a bite to eat before we headed to the music club Eric seemed so fond of. He paid the check, despite my protests.

"I hear your cousin's coming with Sophie-Anne tomorrow." Eric said to distract me as we walked out of the diner, turned a corner and walked towards what looked like an old warehouse, decorated with neon lights. There were a few banged up old cars, vans and motorcycles in the parking lot.

"Yes. She sent me a text yesterday."

We stopped at the door and he dropped my hand to pay the cover charge for both of us. He took my hand again in order to lead me inside. The sound hit us almost as soon as we were through the door. "Drink?" He called over the noise.

I nodded. "I'll have what you're having." He handed me a beer in a plastic cup and only now did I realise I was thirsty. I gulped half of it down on one go, and when I lowered the cup Eric was looking at me with a raised eyebrow. I giggled at him and nodded towards his own cup, he had only taken a tiny sip.

"You do not want to challenge me to a drinking contest Stackhouse!" He warned. I agreed, I didn't. I nodded my head to show I didn't want to get involved in anything like that with Eric, who knows what sort of mischief would happen!

Eric led the way to the stage while taking my hand and lacing our fingers. He used his big body to split the crowd. It wasn't too packed tonight which was good, I decided. We stopped beside a wall with a little ledge to place our drinks on. It was a little darker over here and offered us some sort of privacy. Standing behind me, Eric wrapped his long arms around my waist. We stood like that for the next few songs, Eric's fingers tapping out rhythms on my tummy. Occasionally he would lean forward and whisper something in my ear. I shivered when I felt his hot breath touch my neck.

I turned my head to tell him I liked the particular band that were playing, it was a Nickelback song they were covering. His lips caught mine as soon as my head moved to the side. His big hands flattened against me pulling me back into him as his teeth nipped my bottom lip. He tasted of stale beer and Eric. I kissed him back with gusto, I have to admit. His kisses were wonderful and his lips were dangerous. Everything about Eric was dangerous! When he pulled away he rested his cheek against my hair and I shuffled my feet to get a little closer and more comfortable to him. My hands were resting on his forearms, and even through the tough leather I could feel his muscles.

I noticed a bit of attention was on us when the band changed. I was a little concerned for my safety. How many people would rush Eric and leave me trampled. Last Request fans were ruthless I had found out.

"Eric, we have some attention." I whispered.

"Its you." He said. "What your wearing." He kissed my neck. "I like it. You are so fucking cute!"

I looked down. I was still in my sundress and sandals, despite it being cool out. Everyone else was in leather and denim. The attention went off me however when the next band began to play. The song was Aristocrat, a Last Request song. I giggled and behind me I could feel Eric laughing at the irony. He began to tap out what I imagined were the chords on my tummy again. I was his personal girl-tar…hahaha.

We both knew it would only be a matter of time before someone noticed Eric. It was the lead guitar in the new band. His face lit up with recognition and he tried to get the attention of some of his band mates. A few people turned to see what all the excitement was. But then all of a sudden there were flashes in our eyes. I blinked and covered my face, those flashes were so bright. Eric swore behind me and soon enough we were on the move. Eric walked to almost behind the stage while I tried in vain to get my sight back. He still had the hold of my hand. I could hear a female voice behind us shouting for Eric.

We got to a door and it was opened immediately, guess this was Rock Star treatment again. "Go to Hell Debbie!" Eric said as the door closed on the face of a very smug looking woman. I wanted to slap her, I still couldn't see right.

Eric led us down a long hall and into an office. I wondered if he just made himself comfortable wherever he went. "What was that?" I asked him.

"Pelts. Two of them." His face looked hard and grim.

"That name sounds familiar." I said. I had heard it somewhere before, somewhere in the back of my mind. Oh yes! "I heard her mentioned the first night I was in New Orleans. Is she a journalist?"

"Yes. The worst kind." Eric said lifting the phone. He told whomever he called where he was and agreed to meet them out back in twenty minutes.

"Why? What did she do?" I was beginning to feel a little strange. Eric was standing in the office like he owned the place. He had planted himself behind the desk, as if using it to protect him from the door. I stood to the side a little, my arms wrapped around my body.

"I turned her down. It was a while ago. She used to go out with Alcide and one night she asked me to sleep with her. I was ma…attached at the time and she was supposed to be Alcide's girlfriend so I told her to go to hell. A week later her younger sister tried something similar. I told her to bugger off as well. They don't take too kindly to being turned down it seems. Only Alcide, me, and the Pelts know this, so this doesn't leave this room." He told me, blue eyes burning. I used my fingers to tie a lock at the side of my lips then I reached out to him. He looked bemused as I placed the imaginary lock in the palm of his hand. He closed his fist around it. He took a step closer to me and tilted his head down when the door opened.

"Chow." Eric snapped. Chow was Asian, he had long hair and strange intricate tattoos.

"Eric."

"How the hell did they get in?"

"I don't know. I'll find out. I didn't know you were here till Reynard told me. Why didn't you come in this way?"

"Where would the fun be in that?" Eric asked. His voice was hard. "We'll speak in the morning." Clearly Chow was dismissed. Chow must have agreed with him because he turned on his heel and strode from the room. I was left once again alone and standing too close to Eric. I took a step back. Eric took a step forward and I was too slow. His lips caught mine. The kiss was hard and fierce, and slightly possessive. He stopped too soon and nodded for the door. I walked out with his hand on the small of my back. I could feel little bolts shoot through my body from his fingers.

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When I opened my eyes the first thing I saw was Pam. Great. Just what I wanted first thing in the morning. She was grinning at me like a Cheshire cat.

"My my Sookie, aren't we the dark little filly." She was practically crowing with glee.

"Go away Pam." I said. I was not in the mood. I wondered if she had spotted us coming home last night.

"Oh and the anger!" She said as I sat up. Then her face took a serious note. "Really, you could have told me."

"Told you what?" I needed coffee. Now.

"This!" She thrust a tabloid newspaper under my nose. I looked down and had to wonder at the speed of modern technology. There in the picture were myself and Eric. Eric was behind me with his arms wrapped around my waist. My hands were resting on his arms. We were both grinning because the photographer, Debbie Pelts sister, I reminded myself had caught us just when the guitar player from the band spotted Eric.

"I think you look cute together. I knew you were thinking about him in Dallas."

I didn't respond, I just pulled the paper out of her hand an began to read the words down the side of the picture. Plain Jane for Rock Hunk it said. I read the full story. Apparently, to summarise, Eric had fucked his way through the beautiful women in the USA only to move on to the plain ones because he fucked so much there were no beautiful ones left who would want him.

That stung. I bit my lip so I could try to hold off my tears. Pam seemed to realise the words would not leave me giggling. "It's a good picture Sookie but I'll have her by her dirty un-dyed roots next time I see her."

I looked back at the picture and had to admit it was good. We looked totally relaxed and happy. We looked like a couple. I still hadn't worked out if we were a couple or not. We had kissed again when Eric left me at my door.

But then I looked back to the words of the story. Boring, bland, girlish, silly, desperate, needy. They were all flashing in front of my eyes.

"Has Eric seen this yet?" I asked quietly.

"I don't know. He's not in his room and he's not answering his mobile. I think he might have went to the club, its his club you know, the one you were at last night."

"Really." I supposed that would make sense, seeing as he seemed so at home in it.

"Yes. He bought it when the owners went bust a few years back. He made it brilliant, and all the young talent around wants to go to it. It has a massive following on the internet. He pulled it back from the brink and in turn it helped get him back on his feet too." She sucked in a breath as if she had said too much and regretted it. If I knew Pam though, that was purposeful. Pam didn't just let things slip. I knew I would get no more from her so I let it drop, for now. I made myself a cup of coffee and nibbled on a croissant Pam kindly brought me. She left not long after, but I refused to give up the newspaper. Instead I tided up, had a quick shower and sat on my bed to get dressed. The paper lay on my pillow, Debbie Pelt's mocking words staring up at me and I wished with all my heart I could lift the telephone and call Gran. My hand was actually hovering there until I remembered Gran was gone. Gran would have known what to do and what to say if I told her what happened. She would give me a stern talking to about knowing what I was doing and taking it on the chin but she wasn't there to say it and I couldn't bring myself to do the talking myself.

My phone bleeped a few seconds later, a text from Hadley.

Sorry cuz, work probs, wont be in LV till tomorrow xo

I couldn't help it. I cried and cried. I let my body fall onto the bed and let the cruel words wash over me. Never had I felt so small, so alone. Gran would have give me a good scolding for being so selfish and told me to pull myself together. I fell asleep never wanting my Gran's arm so much as I did in that minute.