Hi All! Sorry for the wait - the start of my AS-Levels! I'm petrified I'm going to fail (especially English!) so I've been spending a lot of time working! That means that this story has taken second place :(
I was writing this story during the Eastender's final (watching playback), so that kind of explains the final paragraph (and the beginning quote)... I can't believe that Peggy's left - so dignified but it's ruined Eastender's for me.
Anyway, I'm sorry - I hope you enjoy this!

Brotherly Love
Chapter 12: Life Blood

"My mother used to come running in and she'd tell us to Run.
So we'd pack our bags quick and run out the house.
And we'd walk fast, my mum, my sister and me.
We'd walk as fast as we could but my mother would tell us to stop.
'Stop, stop! Look back, and remember what you see'" – Eastenders (Peggy's Farewell)

Sookie's POV

I could see the sanguine stains on the floor – my blood in the same places as Gran's blood was. I had a horrible flashback to the moment I found my ersatz Mother dead in my home. That was the first time I realised the danger of associating with vampires – their world was inimical to ours. Anyone who got involved usually ended up meeting a sticky end.

Sitting on the floor, staring at my blood comingling with Jökull's, I realised just how many times I'd come close to death – and how it would be so much easier if I became strong. I can't get Eric to change me; I don't want to be under his control, not if we're supposed to be a couple. Perhaps Sophie-Anne would consent to change me or maybe Eric's maker. It's not the first time I've considered the 'Change', but now I realise how fragile I am, and how quickly human life can end. Vampirism would free me from fear and mortality but before now, I could never truly consider it – there was too much to lose: my friends, my work, the sun... Sunbathing is my greatest joy in life (sad really). But most of all, I'd lose my humanity. The idea of feeding off humans turns my stomach. Artificial blood could never satisfy me – I'd seen the bloodlust in too many vampires to fall for the lies the mainstreamers fooled themselves with. I wouldn't be able to help myself.

Is it a worthwhile sacrifice – to release my humanity in exchange for strength? No.

I like being Sookie far too much.

But the blood wouldn't turn me – it would me. As much as the idea disgusts me, my survival is more important – I need to help Eric. He must be able to feel my pain, so his absence means he's probably in more danger than I am at the moment. Whatever the consequence, I have to help him.

Steeling myself, I approach the slowing clotting blood with bile rising into my mouth. It just seems so... unnatural. It goes against every fibre of my being, but what choice have I got? Eric's in danger. He needs me.

Every step of the crawl is pure agony. My leg feels like it is being pierced by a red hot poker, and my vision sways alarming with every step. I feel like I've run several marathons by the time I make it the few steps to the thick liquid pooled on my floor. Several deep breaths later and I'm on my knees, my already blood covered hand cup a few drops of the offending fluid and bring it to my mouth. The smell makes my stomach churn and I swallow it quickly, before I start throwing up on the floor. As soon as I swallowed (that took some time as my throat closed) I immediately felt better. My headache faded quickly, but the pain in my leg seemed only slightly numbed. It would take a while before I would be completely healed. I was able to down a bit more blood – though my shaking hands meant that more spilt down my top than went down my throat (not that it showed – my top was already ruined). All my minor cuts healed with supernatural speed – it was dizzying to watch. Even though my energy was slowly returning, I felt dead tired. Healing takes a lot of energy, and I was working overtime to fix the terrible damage to my body.

I must have blacked out, because I opened my eyes and found myself facing the ceiling, my face almost in the blood. I rose quickly and rejoiced in the, almost, painlessness of the motion – my head felt much better. Although my body still felt shaky, I pulled myself up, using the sideboard for grip. My leg muscles protested, but I didn't experience the sickening agony I had before. I was able to get up and move around somewhat freely. Immediately, I went to the phone and hit the speed dial for Eric. The phone rang for too long – Eric wasn't going to pick up; this was Eric's private number, he always answers it. I tried Pam as well, but the results were the same.

I can't involve anyone else in this – anyone who comes near my house will probably be ripped to piece. I guess I've got to do something but how is beyond me. I moved slowly to the window and tried to see where Jökull had gone. The blood disappeared a few steps away from the door, so that gave no clues. It seems like he's disappeared, but he could be waiting for me to leave to pounce. I'm a mouse, trapped between the cat's paws. But there's nothing else I can do... I have to brave the door.

I'm not stupid – I've armed myself with the blade that had paid for itself many times over. It's essentially a security blanket, since Jökull knows that I've got it – the element of surprise was all I had going for me. But it's better than going out unarmed.

I opened the door and checked either side, without letting my head pass the threshold.

Nothing.

My telepathy isn't picking up any 'though-vacuums' but I'm not letting my guard down so soon.

I took one shaky step outside the door...

And screamed.

A dark figure swooped beside my head and it was a few seconds before I could stop myself from vocalising my fear. The flap of wings gave the creature away... an owl.

My nerves are shot to hell. Owls are a common night time occurrence in the state of Louisiana, especially Shivering Owls. Usually they wouldn't scare me, but I think I have an excuse tonight.

Well, I've made it outside my house without being attacked – either he's playing with me, or he's given up tonight. Dawn is approaching, but surely he wouldn't leave me alive as a loose string? Maybe he's counting on me being too damaged to do anything today... Well fuck him. If he's playing a game, I'm going down fighting.

The blood-bond is the only way I have to find Eric, but I don't know what effect Jökull's blood has had. But the bond with Eric is so much stronger – strengthened by love. I took a deep breath and focused on that love... and felt the pull of emotions to my left, in the direction of Bill's house... and the graveyard.

Why on earth was Eric at Bill's? If that bastard was in anyway involved, I'll fillet his cock and force him to eat it (wow... I have quite the obsession!)

"I'm coming Eric" I whispered to myself, for no reason other than to force myself into moving. As terrifying as the thought of moving was, staying still was more daunting. And since going back to the house is out of the question, not if I want to save Eric, I had to go into the woods. I wish I could say I strode confidently into the face danger but I didn't – I'm no hero. It's like a quote I remember reading once, "Courage isn't the absence of fear, but rather the judgement that something else is more important than fear" – Eric is more important than fear.

And so I walked to the forest, faltering like Bambi, and turned to check my back, to make sure that Jökull wasn't behind me. But I caught sight of my house, and tear began to fall. This might well be the last time I ever see my family's home – the place that means more to me than any in existence. Heaven will look exactly like that – with Gran at the door, my parents on the sofa and everyone happy – all fear gone, love suffusing the house like perfume. And if that's where this paths lead, so be it.

A/N: Shivering Owl = Screech Owl.