Disclaimer: All characters depicted herein are the sole property of Charlaine Harris and HBO.

Chapter 12 - Road Trip

I heard him leave the house – his house. It was only a couple of hours before sunrise so he couldn't have gone far. I wondered if he was going to feed or if he just couldn't be in the house with me any longer after what I said. It hurt to know I had hurt him but there was nothing I could do. I had made my choice, and I loved Bill far more than I ever even thought I loved Eric. As if my thoughts had called him, Bill walked into Eric's office.

"Is everything alright?" He asked. He must have heard Eric leave.

"I have to sleep in Eric's bed," I told him. I saw his eyes flash, and his body tense. "Eric will be sleeping elsewhere. We still need to appear together in front of Victor, at least when we get there," I explained.

He didn't exactly relax, but his body did seem to ease some. "I understand." He said. I guess I still looked troubled, because then Bill asked, "Is anything else wrong?"

"I guess I underestimated Eric's feelings. He says he truly loves me. I care about him, and I'm hurting him. It doesn't change that he's not the one for me. It doesn't change how deeply in love with you I am, but I just don't like knowing that I'm actually hurting him," I explained.

Bill steeled himself, "I understand. I believe that Eric is only reaping what he sewed in trying from the moment he laid eyes on you to take you from me, to take you for himself, but I can understand how having loved him once his pain is hurting you. It's who you are. You are a wonderful person with a heart you are not afraid to use. Try not to worry yourself too much my love. I am sure Eric has gone out to feed, and will be more himself tomorrow night."

"I hope so," I told him. "It's late, and I've been up for far too long. I'm going to go to bed."

"Sweet dreams, my love," Bill told me, pulling me into his arms.

"I love you," I responded, hugging him close to me. I broke away and walked reluctantly to Eric's room.

Eric's room held so many memories almost all of which were good, which did nothing to soothe how I felt about hurting him. I remembered the first time we made love on the bed I was about to sleep in by myself. And I remembered the countless times after. I remembered the first fight we had laying in his bed- He had wanted me to quit my job, and move to Shreveport. I remembered making up too. I stopped myself from reminiscing any further. I was in love with Bill, I had done nothing wrong. Eric wanted something from me I would never be able to give. And I was here in his bedroom because my friend was missing and I wanted to find her. This was not the time. I need to focus on the task at hand and ahead. I pulled my outfit off, pulled on a night shirt that I had left at Eric's house for the times I spent the night, and climbed into my ex-boyfriend/vampire husband's bed.

I had set my watch alarm to wake me at 9:00 so that I could call Jenna back. When I woke up to the beeping, it was clear that I hadn't gotten enough rest, but I knew once I talked to Jenna I would be able to go back to sleep. Her number was programmed into my phone, but I still wasn't used to using the contact list so I just dialed her number from memory. While we had only been friends for a brief time, we had talked regularly and I had a good head for remembering things. The phone rang four times, and just like Eric had theorized it went to voicemail.

"Hey Jenna it's Sookie. Sorry I missed your call last night, I was out like a light," I lied, trying to keep my voice calm and even. There was no way I could pull off my typical perky demeanor as much as Eric thought it would be best, but since it was first thing in the morning that could be easily blamed on having just woken up. "You met someone who would like to meet me? I'm sorry I didn't get a chance to make his acquaintance last night. I don't know why anyone would trouble themselves to meet little ole me, but I guess that would be alright. Give me a call when you get a chance and maybe we could set something up. I'll talk to you soon. Bye," I told her voicemail.

Having called Jenna I was sure that my worry for her would cause me to not be able to get back to sleep; but I was wrong. I had laid in bed for 15 minutes and decided I would get up if I wasn't asleep in 10 more. That was the last thought that crossed my mind until I woke up again that afternoon.

The sun wouldn't set for a couple of hours, so I had time to worry. I checked my phone and Jenna hadn't called back. I didn't really think she was going to, but it would have been nice. I called and checked in with Sam. He said that he had gotten a call from Jenna last night too, saying she wouldn't be at work for a few days. He didn't know how he had missed it last night, but beyond that he didn't have anything new. This gave me hope that whoever had her didn't have plans that were too horrible if they let her call work and give an approximate return date, but then it crossed my mind that it could have just been a cover so I wouldn't be alarmed, since we worked at the same place, and anyone who knew anything about me knew that Sam Merlotte was my friend as well as boss. I called Alcide and he also didn't have anything further to share. We talked for a few minutes anyway, and he told me to call if I needed anything while we were in New Orleans, before we hung up.

With no helpful information I went into the kitchen and made myself a cup of coffee. It may have been well past breakfast time but it was still my first meal of the day. I made myself a piece of toast with peanut butter. I was surprised to find fresh bread, I hadn't stayed the night at Eric's in quite a while, but then he probably had it in hopes that I would change my mind- which I thought was thoughtful in an egotistical sort of way.

After I had been sitting at the table a while I realized that Eric's house was completely still. It was odd as usually I would see Eric's day guy at least once when I got up. Eric never said, but I suspected that his day guy was made to stay around until I woke up, in case there was anything I needed. Jeffery currently filled that position and I hadn't seen him since I left the box of Eric's stuff in his room, what felt like forever ago.

Jeffery was kind of refreshing compared to the other people Eric worked around. He wasn't quite a fangbanger, although he did enjoy working for a vampire. He didn't dress in the goth attire that I saw so often on the employees and patrons at Fangtasia – instead he looked like he could have been a walking ad for Abercrombie. He was nice to me, something I appreciated being that Eric's last day guy was not a real Sookie fan and when you dated a vampire you ended up having a lot of interaction with their day person.

Then I realized that wasn't necessarily true. Dating Eric I had to deal with his day person all the time, coordinating schedules and whatnot. Bill doesn't have a day person though. When I was with Bill the relationship was just me and him. Not me, him, his second in command, and his secretary. I hadn't given that idea too much thought before, though now the situation was looking a little crowded. I liked Pam and all, but I did spend a lot more time with her than I would have on my own, due to Eric's responsibilities.

I had finished eating and had been lost in thought for longer than I realized when I finally pulled myself back to the present. The silence was too much. At home I had things to do that kept me from walking down pointless-thought-lane. This wasn't a time to contemplate the differences between Eric and Bill. I decided to do something productive and take a shower. I went to the master bathroom to freshen up and hopefully help calm my nerves. Eric's bathroom had nothing on Bill's, but was still far more luxurious than mine. I stepped into the shower and let the hot water help ease the stiffness in my back on limbs. I have always found hot showers to be quite soothing and while it didn't erase all of the tension, I knew nothing would until I knew Jenna was safe.

I don't know how long I stayed in the shower, but by the time I came out I had realized that it must have been too long. There were clothes laid out on the bed for me. Most of the clothes I left at Eric's were ones that he would appreciate seeing me in, and this was no exception, although even with just at a glance I knew this was nothing I had left here. The dress was white as newly fallen snow. It was strapless and looked to be about knee length with an A-line skirt that had tiers that were asymmetrical. The chest part of the dress had intricate embroidery in silver, it almost looked like lace.

"Do you like it?" A deep voice asked. I hadn't realized how quickly the time had passed since I woke up, Eric was standing inside the doorway.

"It's beautiful. It almost looks like a wedding dress." I told him.

"That's because it is," He told me. He walked towards me, and dropped to one knee. "Far less formal than I would prefer to see you in though. Sookie, would you please do me the honor of being my wife?" He asked as he opened a little blue velvet box. In it was a diamond ring. The band was white gold or platinum, and it had three square cut stones. The middle and most prominent was a black diamond, and the two at its side were regular diamonds. The ring was as beautiful as the dress.

The moment felt surreal. I had broken up with Eric, had purposefully broken our blood bond, had pledged my heart to my one true love – Bill; but here I was standing in Eric's bedroom in nothing but a towel while he was on his knees in front of me, asking me to marry him; a wedding dress, scratch that my wedding dress laying on the bed next to me. Was Eric out of his mind? "Eric…" I started to respond, but he held his hand to my lips stopping my protest.

"It's just for tonight lover. It will give more credibility to the idea that you are wanting to visit New Orleans as my wife. I do not believe there is a vampire in Louisiana that does not know about your obstinate refusal of our union, but as you have protested so adamantly in front of Victor himself his understanding is entirely too clear in regarding your feelings. If we were to arrive following the human custom of betrothal he will be more apt to believe our relationship and reasons for visiting, which will be the best way of maneuvering a peaceful resolution to whatever he took Jenna to accomplish." Eric explained. His reasoning was sound, and I couldn't disagree so I held out my left hand and let him slide the ring onto my ring finger. "Would you like me to help you into the dress as well?" Eric asked, a sly grin on his face.

"I'm sure I can manage," I assured him, shooing him out of the room. Much like the last time Eric bought me clothes, before me was the entire ensemble; including undergarments, shoes, and accessories. There were low healed white strappy sandals, and a white head band. The jewelry he got me last time was also there, and I sighed in relief inwardly that he hadn't bought me any more.

It didn't take me long to get dressed and ready to go. I kept glancing at my phone, and Jenna had yet to return my call. I wanted to call again, but it would definitely give away that I was worried about her. Since we were trying to play it cool I didn't think that would be the best idea. I walked out into the living room feeling a little self conscious, and rightfully so. Eric's face held a look that would look perfectly in place on a cat who had gotten into the cream. I blushed and looked at Bill. He smiled at me.

"You look lovely," He told me.

"Thank you," I responded, brushing my hair back out of my eyes. I wasn't thinking about the ring on my finger but since Bills eyes were trained so completely on me he saw it. In an instant his face changed. His expression could have been chiseled into marble, and I could have studied the statue for years and not have be able to discern what he felt. Anger, jealousy, sorrow, hope; I had no idea. I began to explain, but Eric interrupted.

"My wife is gorgeous, isn't she?" He asked, making me feel a bit like a Barbie doll, instead of a grown woman. "I had the ring specially made for her. I had it commissioned months ago. While these are not the circumstances I would have preferred to have presented it to her, I am nothing if not pragmatic," He told Bill inclining his head to watch me. "I'm hoping that after the situation with her friend is cleared up, she will give me the joy of keeping the ring and consenting to join her life with mine."

The blood rushed to my face and my gaze dropped to the floor. I looked back at him "Eric…" I tried to respond but he held up his hand to stop me.

"I'm not asking you to decide now, lover. We have business to attend to currently. Just think on it," He told me. The answer for now and for always would be no, no matter what Eric thought. The idea that he had commissioned the ring months ago, he had seriously thought about marrying me, legally, in the human way- something I knew he found to be at least somewhat demeaning, made me think though. I blushed with shame. I really had underestimated Eric in so many ways lately.

"We should be going," Bill said, his voice cold.

"Yes, you are right," Eric responded. Both of them stood up. "I called Victor while you were finishing your shower, he will be expecting us," He told me.

"That might explain why Jenna hasn't returned my call," I responded.

"That's all together possible." Eric said. "Let us be on our way to New Orleans then, my wife." He told me, taking my hand and leading me to his car.

I glanced back at Bill, but his face was impassive. I wanted to tell him I loved him, but there was no way that I could. His eyes briefly met mine. I knew my emotions were written on my face, and all I wanted was to be in Bills arms. He turned and went to his car. I climbed into the passenger seat of Eric's car, and in no time we were on our way.

The ride to New Orleans was shorter than it would have been had I been driving. I never understood how Eric was never so much as pulled over, much less why he never got speeding tickets, but I guess it was a mystery I would never solve. I had asked where Bill was, as I hadn't seen his car since we left Eric's neighborhood, and he told me that Bill had gone a different way. My heart sank; I missed Bill. Eric explained we couldn't arrive together, but I still wished he was close to me. I would feel more secure playing the part of the loving fiancé if I knew me true love was close to me.

More secure or not, Bill wasn't there and I had to be convincing- Jenna's life could depend on it. We arrived in front of Sophie Anne's previous residence. It had been beautifully restored, and quickly too. Amelia's father had the contract, and he executed it grandly. A valet walked towards the car, to park it out of the way.

"Are you ready my wife?" Eric asked taking my hand as we walked past the security guards that were posted on the stairs before the doorway.

"As I'll ever be," I responded willing it to be true.