A/N: Thanks for all of the feedback, especially from GaijinVamp, Rena Howard, Bullock, sj61, and wizardswriter who all gave me suggestions for a store name! I love all the suggestions. It was so hard picking – I wish I could have used them all, but it would have been the longest name in history!

In the end, I decided to go with GaijinVamp's "Tightrope." Something about that name...I just loved it instantly, and it goes with the type of clothes I imagine the store selling. Thanks GaijinVamp!

Also thanks to Rena Howard! I loved the name Raquelle that was in your suggestion, so I gave the store owner that name.

I considered bumping this up to M, but in the end, I kept it T. I guess you all can guess what's coming, though!

Enjoy!~

Made – Chapter 4

"I can't wait to see you in that pretty turquoise sundress," Pam announced as they sped towards their next destination. She was sitting next to Sookie in the back of a luxurious SUV that Eric was driving for the night, and shifting through Sookie's many bags of clothes. "It'll look so nice against your new skin."

"It'd look better against a nice tan," Sookie responded with a half-smile. She still felt a little uncomfortable about Eric buying her all this new stuff; no one had ever laid down so much money for her, especially for clothes. Sookie just hoped that Eric didn't expect her to model the clothes for him in private. While he would like seeing the clothes on her, she knew that he would eventually rather see them on the floor. "So, where are we going now?"

Pam's bright pink lips pulled into a wide smile. "Oh, just this nice place called Tightrope." Eric released a soft laugh.

Sookie glanced up at the rear-view mirror to see if she could catch the look in Eric's eyes, but to no avail. "Tightrope? What kind of clothes do they sell?"

"Uh, tight clothes," Pam said as she tucked Sookie's clothes back into their bags. "It's the store that all of the dancers at Fangtasia go to for their costumes. Some female vampires run it; the owner is particularly feisty. They make most of the clothes themselves. They give us a nice discount for being loyal customers."

She remembered the way Pam looked when she was in her lavish costumes; her leather dresses were skintight and pulled over her curves provocatively. Sookie blushed when she imagined what she'd look like in outfits like that, and what her Gran would say about it had she still been alive. "Do I have to wear mostly black like the rest of you?"

Pam laughed lightly, but didn't answer Sookie's question. Instead, Eric did, "Our dancers mainly wear black, red, and sometimes silver. If you find something else in a different color that you like, we will consider buying it, but it has to look really, really good on you."

"And that shouldn't be too hard," Pam said as she tucked Sookie's blonde hair behind her ear.

They engaged in meddlesome chatter until they arrived at what must have been Tightrope. The store was illuminated with several neon pink lights that displayed the store's name brightly and framed the wide windows that housed a couple of plastic models that showed off some of Tightrope's sexiest outfits. There were only a few cars parked outside of the store, and for that, Sookie was grateful.

Eric and Pam led her into the store and up to the crystal counter where the cash registers were placed. Behind one was a gorgeous vampire; she was tall and curvy with thick brown hair that fell down her back in loose ringlets. Her eyes were a beautiful emerald green, and her skin had a light tan that Sookie guessed was much darker when she was still alive. She was dressed in what must have been one of her own designs: her halter top showed more than it covered, it was black with a wide heart cutout outlined in red that showed off her cleavage and her black pants were impossibly tight and artfully cut up the sides. There was nothing left to the imagination. She didn't smile when she saw Sookie; she didn't even look at her. She only addressed Eric and Pam. "Welcome back to Tightrope, and what a pleasure it is to see you two again. What brings you into Tightrope?"

"Good evening, Raquelle." Eric smiled at the woman as he lightly rested his hand on the small of Sookie's back and guided her up to the crystal counter. "This is my youngest child and my newest dancer, Sookie, and she is in need of some of your finest costumes."

Her gaze fell upon Sookie. Raquelle's eyes narrowed slightly as she scanned over Sookie's entire body, noting the swell of her breasts, the litheness of her waist, and the curves of her hips. She glanced back up at Eric with a small, devilish grin. "All of my clothes are fine." Raquelle stepped out from behind the counter and led them to a lavish plum colored couch that was placed in front of a series of dressing rooms. "Please make yourselves comfortable while I show Miss Sookie to some outfits I have picked out for her."

Pam delicately sat down on the couch and crossed her legs. Eric, on the other hand, did not. "I would like to accompany her."

Raquelle raised her brows, but did not argue against Eric's request. She directed them to the opposite side of the store where decorative hanging jewels beckoned them into a small, opulent room. There were only a few outfits showcased, and they all looked like they cost a fortune. Sookie thought they looked like haute couture stripper clothes, if such thing existed. "These are the outfits I have put aside for Sookie based off the information you gave me about her last night."

Eric studied the outfits with narrow eyes. "There's no black or red." All of the outfits were beautiful soft pastels.

"You said she was innocent and sweet," Raquelle said defensively. "Blacks and reds don't say innocent and sweet."

Sookie's mouth opened slightly at what Raquelle said, and looked up at Eric who was making an effort not to react to what the store owner had said. "Our dancers don't wear pastels."

"Your dancers aren't sweet and innocent, neither, but she is."

Eric's lips were a thin line. "She'll try them all on while you find her some more outfits that are more appropriate for Fangtasia."

Raquelle glared at Eric, but removed the five outfits she had displayed and took them back to Sookie's dressing room. Eric followed her, albeit not so closely behind, and Sookie followed Eric. "So, you think I'm innocent and sweet?" Sookie asked as she laid her small hand on Eric's arm.

Eric huffed. "You're innocent, at least."

"Like you would know," Sookie said sarcastically.

Eric turned to face her and ran his hand through Sookie's soft blonde hair. "Oh, but I do know," he said in a near whisper, as he twirled a strand of her hair around his long index finger. "And I'd like to know more," he admitted before he turned around and made it back to the couch.

"And to think," Pam started when Eric and Sookie joined her again. "I almost thought that you two had left me to go have some fun in the back of the truck." She scooted over so Eric could sit next to her.

"We were held up," Eric explained as he sat down. "Raquelle's choices were less than favorable."

"Oh, I don't know. They suit her," Pam said, peering into the dressing room. "How about you put on something pretty for us, doll?"

Sookie stepped into the dressing room and closed the red-purple velvet curtain behind her. She pulled Pam's white shirt over her head and wiggled out of her jeans. Sookie wasn't sure if she should remove more, but with one look at how revealing the outfits were, she reached behind her back and unbuckled her bra.

"What the fuck?" Sookie said under her breath as she held up the first outfit. She first removed the sheer tights from the hanger and pulled them on. Once the material was taut against her pale legs, she noticed that they had a subtle shimmer to them – they were really quite beautiful. Next, Sookie put on the tiny white shorts. They didn't completely cover her cheeks and rested on the swell of her bottom like a second skin. The top – if it could even be called a top – was merely white suspenders that were wide enough to cover her nipples if she positioned them in the right spot. Even though the suspenders were particularly raunchy since they concealed next to nothing, they were Sookie's favorite part of the outfit since they were covered with hundreds of tiny, glittering crystals.

Sookie stepped out of the dressing room with all the confidence she could muster – which wasn't much.

"Yes!" Pam said as soon as she laid her eyes on Sookie.

Eric's reaction, while silent at first, was just as obvious. His eyes grew dark and his mouth was open slightly. His muscles tensed under his knit shirt, his fists balled up, and his pants tightened. He let out a shaky breath, grabbed a throw pillow that was next to him, and placed it on his lap. Finally, Eric managed, "I agree with Pam."

Sookie tried on the remaining pastel outfits, all of which were denied save for a light pink bodysuit whose sides were cut out and laced up like a corset. Raquelle joined them when Sookie was in the dressing room and slid four more outfits past the velvet curtain. "Those are more Fangtasia-esque," she said, peering down at Eric with narrow eyes and a grin before she walked away.

The first thing out of the dressing room were the thigh-high heeled boots. They were black and mimicked leather, but were far shiner. Covering her pale legs was fishnet stockings that were layered under black bottoms that concealed just about as much as panties did. A black and red laced corset was tightly hugging her bosom and torso. "How am I supposed to dance in this?" Sookie almost added how she was supposed to breathe with the damn corset on, but breathing was no longer a concern of hers.

"It just takes a bit of practice," Pam said sweetly.

"Pam will teach you," Eric added. "We'll take it."

A black faux-leather bodysuit that reminded Sookie of Catwoman with intricate cut-outs was also added to the pile of clothes they were purchasing, as well as a short, tight red dress that plunged down her front to just below her navel and her back to right above her bottom, a black shirt whose back was cut out and braided up, a red jeweled bra and shorts set that was worn with a black mesh dress, and an exact match to the outfit that Raquelle was wearing.

As they left Tightrope, Sookie was wondering how she was ever going to work up the confidence to wear the clothes in public.

It was one in the morning when Eric and Sookie arrived back at his house. They were alone; Pam decided to stay back with Raquelle to catch up, and Chow was off doing whatever Chow did when he wasn't working – probably sucking some poor human dry. Sookie sat down on the edge of one of the stools at the bar while Eric popped a couple bottles of blood into the microwave.

Eric turned away from the microwave to face Sookie; on his face was an expression that she couldn't quite decipher. He was as still as stone and his eyes pierced her like a sharp dagger. He stared at Sookie until the microwaved beeped. He pulled out the warm bottles, popped the tops, and slid one Tru Blood across the bar top to Sookie. "What happened on the phone with Bill?"

Sookie's hand stilled around the heated bottle. "I don't really feel like talking about it," she said softly, but she knew that didn't make any difference. It was only a matter of time before Eric started to question, and he already allotted her a whole day to mull over what Bill said. "Well, he first wanted to know what happened. He didn't seem to concerned that werewolves were in my house. He didn't want to know why or what they were after." Sookie felt her eyes well up with bloody tears; she shut her eyes tightly to hold them back and she took a long drink from her Tru Blood. "He only wanted to know if you really did make me into a vampire."

"Of course he did," Eric said lightly, not sounding surprised at all. "Then what?"

"He was mad that you made me," Sookie released a breathy, sarcastic huff. "He sounded like he hated talking to me, and then when he said he had to go, I asked him when I'd hear from him again. He said I wouldn't," Sookie finished in an odd tone, and she took another long sip of her blood. "He hates that you're my maker."

It was Eric's turn to laugh lightly. "I'm not surpised. I don't think he ever wanted you to be a vampire."

Sookie's brows furrowed at that comment. "How come?"

Eric smiled. "Well, think about it. If a vampire has a human companion, that human is the vampire's main source of blood – perhaps only, like you were for Bill. The vampire prefers the blood of his or her human above all. Any other human's blood is just – average. It's above the taste of synthetic blood, of course, but lacks the deep connection of the companion that the vampire craves," Eric paused to take a quick sip and then continued, "Now Bill can't feed off you. Well, he can still drink your blood, but it won't be the same."

There was a pregnant silence between the two of them until Sookie broke it. "So, Bill was only with me for my blood, is what your saying?"

"No, I'm not saying that it was the only reason, but it could be a contributing factor," Eric explained as delicately as he could. Eric was not going to stand idle while Sookie was suffering; he'd show her Bill's true character, and he'd help her forget all about him.

"Did you ever have a human companion?" Sookie finally asked when her curiosity got the better of her.

Eric showed small signs of surprise at Sookie's question: his brows raised, his expression grew blank, and his jaw relaxed. He should have been expecting such a question since it was Sookie who he was speaking to after all, but it still caught him off-guard. "No, I didn't. It's too much work to keep a human happy when she is alive, and it's too heartbreaking when she's gone." Eric looked down at the bar top and studied the wood absentmindedly. "I did have a companion, though. I was Godric's companion for...well, my whole life up until he died."

"So, you never wanted a human companion?" Sookie inquired with wide eyes.

Again, Sookie's question surprised him. Of course there were handfuls of humans who he desired in his thousand years of living, but it wasn't really for their companionship as much as it was for their blood. Well, except for one human, who was different than all the others. Eric stepped out from behind the bar and stood in front of Sookie. His eyes were all over her, and he caressed her soft cheek with his hand. His touch was so light that it sent shivers up Sookie's back. "I did not too long ago," he explained as he cradled her face with his two strong hands and inhaled the sweet scent of her hair. Her blonde locks smelled like strawberries. "Her beauty was otherworldly and intoxicating, and her voice, despite its accent, was melodious." His soft palms lingered over her skin, running slowly down her bare neck. "But she belonged to another, and she didn't return my feelings." His hands drifted lightly down her sides before placing them on her thighs and giving them a gentle squeeze. "At least, she pretended not to."

Sookie couldn't help but think that maybe, just maybe, Eric was talking about her. She wanted to ask, but her mouth was as dry as a cotton ball. Eric's hands on her body made her feel more alive than she ever felt when she was human.

Eric smiled and grasped her hand in his. "I have a present for you."

Sookie blinked and snapped out of her trance. "You do?" Eric nodded and pulled her off the bar stool. "Why'd you get me a present? You just spent God knows how much money on new clothes for me."

"You needed that," Eric explained as he brought Sookie down a long hall that she guessed led to his bedroom. "This present is something that you want...well, it's something that I want, at least." He opened the door to his bedroom, held it open for Sookie, and motioned for her to step inside.

His room was just as Sookie imagined it would be: fit for royalty. His walls were decorated with a beautiful sage, forest green, and gold pattern, and his furniture was a deep mahogany wood with what Sookie suspected were real gold handles. His four-poster bed was huge in both width and length and covered with a gorgeous green comforter. He had no ceiling light or lamps; instead, several candles were spread around his room, burning brightly and leaving a soft, lingering scent of the sea. Sookie didn't see any presents; she put one and two together. "I am not going to sleep with you, Eric."

"What a pity, but that's not your present...although, sex with me would make a good present," Eric said with a small smile as walked over to his closet and pulled out a gift bag from Tightrope. "Open it."

Sookie studied Eric's expression, and took the gift bag from his hands. She took out the red tissue paper, her hand delved into the black bag, and she pulled out the most beautiful lingerie she had ever seen: a set complete with a bra, panties, and a see-through baby doll top that was just long enough to brush the tops of her thighs. The fabric of the lingerie was a beautiful pale pink lace and the center of the bra and its straps were decorated with pink rhinestones. The lingerie seemed to shimmer in the candlelight.

Eric looked like Christmas had come early. "Do you like it?"

Sookie's cheeks were a dull, rosy red. "It's very beautiful," she said, holding the lingerie delicately in her hands as she ran her fingertips gently across the soft lace. "Is this for Fangtasia?"

"Oh no," Eric said with a slight smile. The flames of the lit candles flickered in his blazing, azure eyes. "That's just for you, and maybe for me, if I'm lucky." His low voice sent shivers through Sookie's body.

"What's that supposed to mean?" Sookie asked in a whisper, yet down to her very bones, she knew exactly what Eric's suggestion meant – but she had to be sure.

Slowly, Eric moved to stand in front of Sookie. He was so close that Sookie could count his eyelashes if she wanted. Eric's fangs were still retracted, but the look on his face suggested that it was only a matter of time before they came down.

Sookie could only stand still and stare into Eric's eyes.

Eric lightly brushed his lips over Sookie's, not quite kissing her just yet. He marveled in how soft her lips felt against his, as if they had never been kissed by that damn Bill Compton. Her breath smelled of blood, but had the faintest scent of fruit from when she was still human. Sookie's skin had the tiniest hint of heat beneath his cold hands. After holding her lips captive against his, he felt Sookie lean in to kiss him slowly, softly. Eric delighted in one sweet moment of victory before pulling away from Sookie.

When he spoke, his voice was low and hoarse. "I think you know what it's supposed to mean."

Only one thought went through Sookie's mind as she walked back to her bedroom with the small gift bag in her arms: did she really just kiss Eric Northman?

Just as she opened the door to her room, her cellphone beeped to tell her that she had received a new text message. Sookie crossed her room, grabbed her phone, and flipped it open. Tara's name was plastered across the screen. Sookie pressed the button that led to Tara's message and read:

Sookie, where the fuck are you? Sam's all kinds of pissed off, and he said you were better off dead than what really happened to you! I went by your house. All your things are still there, and your car. Where are you? What the fuck is happening? Please let me know you are still alive – Tara.

Sookie slammed her phone shut, and muttered to herself, "God damn you, Sam Merlotte!"