A/N: 40 minutes to True Blood. I just cut the hell out of my foot giving myself a spa pedicure, so since I'm stuck here with my foot in the air, here's the next chappie. My cats are looking at me, grumpy, for wiggling around on the bed to get comfy and any mistakes are mine since I'm too impatient to send this off to my fawesome beta Jamie aka sunshinelvr. Roll on 8:00! - HT
Ch 14 Shared Pasts
I let out a choking gasp. "Your wife? You lost your wife?"
"My long term girlfriend, Ava," he replied. His eyes got guarded. "A lot of people think that just because we weren't married, it doesn't count or it wasn't as serious. But it was to me. It counts to me. I grieved her the same as I would've a wife. I loved her the same. It was the same to me. I didn't want another. And when I lost her..."
"It felt like the world stopped and you couldn't breathe any more?" I supplied.
"Yes," he answered. "So I know where you're at, Sookie. Sookie, I... this is a weird thing to say, sitting on a bathroom floor, but I'm just going to say it."
"What?"
"I didn't have anyone there for me when Ava died, and... she almost took me with her. When I saw you sitting on the kitchen floor, I saw that same look in your eyes. I'd... I'd like to help you, if you'll let me."
I opened my mouth to answer, but was startled by the sound of the door opening downstairs. I heard boots coming in and Sam's voice calling my name.
"In here, Sam," I called.
"Well, you sure sound better," he called cheerfully from the hall. "Not that I'm complainin', but what's got you turnin' the corner, cher?" He came into the bedroom. "Sook?" He swung around the bathroom door and came into sight of me, cradled into Eric's arms on the floor, a rumpled mess with a brush still in my hair. "Just who in the hell is this and what the hell is going on?"
A/N 2: About "sugarbabe" - it's just a Southern nickname that popped into my head when I needed something other than "lover" because, let's face it, "lover" is sooo not appropriate at this point in the story! Until you guys mentioned it, I never even thought of the Quinn connection! Also, at this point, Eric's only been there overnight - even though it seems longer since it's been a few chapters. So Tara and Sam haven't abandoned Sookie for long. But shame on Tara (and me, really) for letting Sook go a night without her holding her hand to sleep! But if she showed up, Sook wouldn'tve gotten a night in Eric's arms and we all know that's better. :)