A/N -True Blood and SVM characters belong to Mrs. Harris, Alan Ball and HBO. Original Characters and story line are mine. Your reviews, feedback and alerts are appreciated. I thought it was time for Eric to have a word. Please enjoy.

Chapter 6

Scene 1 - EPOV - You're It

I locked down on the bond as I took to the air. I did not wish Sookie to be caught up in the lust which still surged from the evening's activities. I checked the perimeter of the property then stopped at the Compton's place. It looked like more vandals had been through, there was a large amount of graffiti and the door was cracked open. I knew on the inside the place would be in shambles though not from human mischief; there was still a faint odor of vampire anger in the air.

The fight between Bill and the Queen was interrupted or staged. I could not fathom any reason for him to be alive otherwise, Sophie-Anne would not tolerate such insubordination and let him live. If they had been interrupted then by whom. If the fight had been staged then why, had Bill thought Sookie would run to him after breaking her heart? I shook my head and took to the sky once more, Compton was well aware of Sookie's stubborn streak even if she hadn't been in such pain or had remained in this realm she would not have run after Bill that night.

I landed at the edge of Merlotte's parking lot and ran a quick hand through my hair. I was searching for the owner of the establishment the moment I walked through the door. The patron's fell silent in awe of my presence and my lip curled at their predictability. I caught a flash of red from the corner of my eye and spun just before Jessica could throw her arms around me. She dropped her arms quickly and stood there bouncing from foot to foot a huge smile across her features. She was happy, to see me?

"Jessica," I greeted her, leaning against the bar to take note of the rest of the room.

"Eric, I mean Sheriff," she corrected when my brows rose at her familiarity. She still had much to learn, this little one, about etiquette and the protocol of our ways. She should still be with her Maker, not running around on her own released after only a few weeks. She could use my proper name in private or among vampire but not in public and definitely not in front of these pathetic humans. She sensed that my patience was growing thin while I waited for her to continue. "I just wanted to thank you again, for letting me stay with Hoyt. He is so wonderful. I have never been so happy."

"He treats you well this human?" I asked, knowing the answer but humoring her. She was after all very pretty when she smiled.

"Yes Sir he does and he has lots of patience."

"There have been no further incidents?" She knew that of which I spoke, the death of a human truck driver, her first kill. The murder that I laid at the feet of Compton for as her Maker he should have been with her guiding each step. She should not have been left on her own to deal with her hunger and blood lust. She was still in many ways just a human child, and unlike my generation or Pam's or Sophie-Anne's being turned at such a young age she had never faced the responsibility or experiences that forces one to mature, to become an adult.

"No Sir," she blushed then whispered so the humans could not hear, "Hoyt, he umm, he is letting me take his blood."

"He is well, you have not hurt him?" If she had managed to feed safely and properly from her human without killing him in the throes of passion then she had the makings to be an excellent vampire, perhaps I would not be remiss taking over her upbringing in our world. A smile grew another way to get under Compton's skin if he returned, taking the child he rejected out of hand and turning her into a vampire anyone would be proud to claim.

"He is fine; I did everything as you told me. Thank you for telling me about the vitamins and other things. I would not have known." Her eyes were earnest and filled with thanks.

"You have done well and are far from the obnoxious brat that once graced my office." I praised her feeling magnanimous tonight.

She was almost flying herself after my compliment and offered me a form of payment, "He is coming closer though he still will not answer me."

"Thank you Jessica," I said then nodded over her shoulder at the glowering dog behind her. "You should return to your tables, you boss is not happy with either of us right now."

I smiled as she squeaked and zipped back to her tables forgetting that using her vampiric powers in such a way made humans uncomfortable. My resolve strengthened, the best thing I could do for Jessica as well as Sookie would to send Compton to his true death, freeing them both from his interference in their chosen life.

I caught the shifters eye and cocked my head toward his office; he nodded and led the way closing the door behind us.

"Eric," he growled not bothering to hide his distaste at my presence.

"Shifter," I greeted in turn as I studied his office. It was small and untidy with the picture of a collie protecting the little blonde girl behind his desk causing my lip to curl. I was still surprised how blind Sookie had been over the years to this man's affections toward her.

"My name is Sam, Eric, is it really so hard to treat me with a little respect?" he grumbled as he sat down in the worn office chair.

I did not trust the chair in front of his desk to support my frame so I leaned against the back wall.

"Respect must be earned, and so far I have seen little from you to change my first impression," I did not have time to pander to his furry ego. "How is your little brother?" I asked.

"He will be released soon. I know I owe you Eric for saving his life, is that why you are here?" he snarled at me uncomfortable with the fact that he had to call me after shooting his own kin. He had meant to wound not kill and had nicked the artery in the boy's thigh. I had made Chow give some of his blood; it may be useful to keep track of the boy in the future.

"I am here to warn you about a potential problem," I pulled a copy of the portrait from my jacket and handed it to him, "This woman is a witch, she is not to be trusted and is extremely dangerous. I ask that you inform me immediately if you see her or any odd newcomer in the area."

Sam straightened in his chair while he examined the woman's features. "Is this about Sookie?" he asked.

"Potentially yes, a group of humans and weres have been causing trouble at Fangtasia lately. There was a fight when Pam tried to get them off the premises." I was uncomfortable telling him everything but if he was to keep Sookie safe when she returned to work he needed to know.

"Is that why Sookie was asking about Pam earlier, if I had seen or heard from her that is?" Sam was leaning back in his chair causing it to creak in distress.

"Pam disappeared after the altercation, I found her last evening. Her memories have been wiped; she knows what she is but not who she is." I growled the words my anger stirring at the damage done to my Child.

"Then why are you here, shouldn't you be looking after her?" Sam asked then groaned, "You pulled Sookie into this didn't you. She is helping you with Pam. Jesus Eric, I thought you cared for Sookie, why would you risk her life that way?"

There was a crash as I moved across the room to lean over him with my fangs bared, "Do not dare to question me shifter, they are both safe. Sookie is mine now and I will protect her."

Sam did not flinch from my display. He looked me straight in the eye when he replied, "But not during the day, that is what you need me for isn't it. Me and probably that wolf Alcide."

"Sookie will want to return here to work, despite my objections for I feel she would be better served elsewhere." Sam nodded at me and did not disagree. I know that he looked forward to her return to his establishment and not just because she was the best waitress he had. The same feelings which danced through Sam when he was around Sookie also forced him to understand working for me gave her a greater chance to better herself. I could pay her more, much more than he ever could.

"You need to be cautious Shifter, I warn you that the state is in turmoil and not just from some rogue witches," I tried to explain. I knew there was more to Sam Merlotte than he displayed in his public personae. I had done my research.

Sam nodded, "The rumors are true then, there have been scouts?"

"Yes, now may be the time to renew your old contacts."

He sighed and turned away from me, "How long have you known?"

"I am Sheriff, there is little that I do not know about the people in my area, especially the supernatural." I took pride in that particular fact, it was a useful trait.

"So how did Bill Compton get under your radar?" Sam could not resist teasing me with my one failure. I did not answer. "I will keep an eye on Sookie for you Eric. You could just take the reins and handle the other problem on your own."

I stood and moved toward the door, "I have not the desire to play such games as required."

"Eric I know you care deeply for Sookie, just as you know my own feelings. I will find a way to kill you if you hurt her."

I hesitated in the doorway and replied, "I would expect no less," then left his office to make my way to the floor of the bar. He could try but he would fail.

Sookie's brother Jason was here. I slipped into the bench across from him and grasped his arm when he made to leave. "Stay, we need to talk," I commanded catching his eyes to force my will. We were interrupted when the other red head approached our table. The waitress Arlene, Sookie's former friend asked what we wanted with obvious distaste. I answered without looking at her, maintaining my connection with Jason. "Bring a beer for Jason and a True Blood for me, AB negative if available." Her nose twitched as she stalked away. I caught Sam's eye at the bar behind her and nodded to indicate all was well.

Jason was watching me expectantly, his mind an open book. He was so different than his sister, so easy to manipulate. I knew her love of him was strong. She was also unaware of the trouble he had gotten himself into since she was gone.

"Tell me Jason," I commanded, lounging back in the bench to stretch my legs.

"I got my truck back. Bud found it outside of town, it was empty." He explained and I could see the fear and worry about the female panther and her kin.

I smoothed the frown from my face when the waitress reappeared slapping down our drinks and released some of the hold I had on Jason so that he could enjoy his beer as I sipped my drink. The taste was barely tolerable though it would reassure the humans around me to appear to be mainstreaming.

We were silent for a short period of time before I made a decision. I grasped hold of his mind, "You will tell Sam Merlotte privately everything you know about Hotshot and its people. You will then forget all about them especially the woman. You will remember and be wary of the panthers; everything else was just a nightmare. If questioned further by the DEA you will plead a headache and leave. If they force a lie detector test, you have nothing to worry about and will pass easily. You will say nothing of your friend Lafayette or my involvement. You have a sister that you love dearly and will protect her as you wished to protect those in Hotshot."

I released him, stood and left the bar. The last part of the glamour was for Sookie, it may not have been ethical but she deserved better from him. He had impressed me with his courage in Dallas, until his stupidity had reappeared.

I sent a text to Chow to meet me at first dark the next evening then returned to Sookie's to pick up Pam's car. The three of us would not have fit in my sports car and I refused to travel in Sookie's. I planned in the future to replace it with something safer and dependable, but not while she was fighting to maintain her distance from me.

I found a radio station with music I could tolerate then relaxed behind the wheel while I thought over the last four days on the way back to Shreveport.

When I had felt Sookie disappear from the slight bond between us I had thought Compton had taken her. I had sped back to her house with Pam grudgingly following behind. We had arrived to find Sookie's home empty and Compton's in disarray smelling of battle and vampire, but not of Sookie. I had tracked her scent from her home to her grandmother's gravesite where it was the strongest, and then it had just disappeared. I had prayed to my old gods that Sookie had not gone with her people. I knew Compton had warned her about their ways. He told her they were as dangerous if not more so than vampire. I shook my head in disgust. She must not have believed him, her head filled with the tales of magical fairies from her child hood. Her own growing power and yearning for a family, a place to belong would have made her oblivious to the fairies true form and nature.

I made the decision to care for her home while I waited for her return. I was swept by odd emotions half remembered from my human days when I explored her home. I was surprised to find that both Pam and I could enter. Sookie had reinstated our invitations, perhaps regretting her hasty words. My lip had curled in disgust at the damage to her home that was not repaired. Bill may have twittered his love everywhere, but his lack of interest in fixing her decrepit home spoke louder than his pathetic words.

Pam had argued with me that we still had need of a Sanctuary, a safe home where the Queen, Russell if he broke free, Nan and her people or those that I felt were coming could not enter. I was confident with Bill out of the way and my blood inside her when Sookie returned she would be mine. She would not wish to leave her home and would fight with me over any changes, so I took control of the situation. I would give her what Bill with held so selfishly while creating a temporary nest for Pam and me. I felt in the future, after she discovered the benefits, Sookie would allow me to proceed to the next stage and make the structural changes necessary to completely secure the residence. Of course by then she would have accepted me fully and would be staying in my home, leaving the farmhouse for emergencies at least that was my plan.

A plan that flew out the window once she had returned from Faerun. The feeling of our slight bond reopening had dragged me to consciousness before the sun pulled me back under. When I rose my instinct was to fly to her side immediately. When I arrived my Sookie surprised me over and over again. She left me reeling.

The Sookie that greeted me at her door casually invited me in without any persuading, despite the blood that splattered my body from the wolves outside. Her scent had changed, become sweeter more Fae. Her attitude had matured though below the surface much of the human who intrigued me remained. Her eyes were older and full of pain. I had assumed Compton to be the cause of it until she told me part of her story. I was running scenarios through my head in order to get my blood into her so I could discover what she was hiding when she shocked me.

She offered what I have desired for so long, what I have schemed for, to claim her as my own. Yet when I heard her words, something in my chest felt heavy. She offered me a business deal, no more than that. I hesitated; this was not how I wanted us to be. I wanted her blood and her body as always, yet I wanted more. I wanted what she had given Compton so freely what I had seen in her eyes. I wanted her to look at me that way.

Our blood exchange was far from what I anticipated, had dreamed of. I wanted to pleasure her body to enjoy every luscious inch of her. The moment my blood entered her I sensed her pain and desolation the rage she kept contained. Her blood in my mouth was so much more delicate than before, aromatic and delectable. The way she held her body, fighting against the pleasure from the blood screaming more in anger at her climax then enjoyment told me she was far from ready for anything intimate. She expected me to take her. I felt her resolve and her acceptance. I had my answer to the punishment by her fairy kin. They had raped her body, forced her to anticipate their violence. She had not broken from their abuse. I would not do that too her. I would show her what pleasure she would allow, but it would be her decision, her permission given freely before I would bury myself between her thighs.

The strength of the bond between us after the exchange was unexpected. I was astounded by the knowledge that she could feel me so deeply, especially when it had caused her pain. A human is not meant to handle such a torrent of emotions. I did not know what would happen when we took the next steps to make the bond permanent.

Her mental abilities were much stronger, now that she accepted them fully. Her body adapting to the loss of her Fae abilities by compensating in another way, just as it would if she had lost her sight or her hearing.

Sookie was not ready to handle all that was coming our way. The witches were our immediate worry. I wanted, no I needed to have Pam returned whole to my side. The Queen was still out there, lusting for my telepath and oblivious to the ripples she had caused in the shark infested waters that were vampire politics. She and Bill were still up to something. I had the Authority to get off our backs and pointed back at the Queen where they belonged. Nan had not been satisfied with only one of Russell's fangs she wanted more from me, more than I wanted to give. I had the human government poking around because of the stupid 'V'. I tread a very thin wire keeping it all in a delicate balance, it was exhilarating and dangerous.

Sookie had added another game piece to the board that played with our lives. She named Niall Brigant as her blood kin, the one determined to take her body if not her mind for his own reasons. My Sookie did not do things in half measure. Niall was one of the deadliest fairy, a brilliant general and prince of his people. His had almost won the war between Fairy and Vampire with a strategy that left his people facing annihilation. I thought the Fae were extinct until I had discovered Sookie's secret.

My life was far from the night to night monotony which existed prior to Sookie's arrival at Fangtasia. One little female turned my undead life upside down while forcing me to remember what it was like to be human.

I shook off my ruminations as I brought the car to a halt in Fangtasia's parking lot, locking the doors behind me. I would stay in one of the safe houses near downtown Shreveport then tomorrow I would start the witch hunt.

Scene 2 - SPOV - Sleepover

Lafayette surprised me the next afternoon, arriving at my door looking worn and ragged.

"Laff, come on in. It's so good to see you," I reached to hug him surprised when at first he when he pulled away.

He recovered quickly returning my hug before he held me from him looking up and down.

"Damn girl, that vacation agreed wit you. Look at you glowin likes that," he squealed when he got to my hair, "Girl you gotta tell me where ya got your hair done, those highlights are to die for." Oh if he only knew the truth of that.

I urged him to the kitchen and poured both of us some ice tea. We spent the next hour going through the town gossip, talking about Sam, my brother and Tara. I asked him how he had been doing and he got real quiet.

"Talk to me Lafayette, tell me what is going on with you," I pleaded, more than willing to put my own troubles to the side.

"It's the dreams Sook. They are tearing me apart. I had to take more of that devil Eric's blood, did he tell you?" he asked.

I shook my head.

"Ya he kept them weirdo's your brother been hangin round with from killing me," he admitted.

"Why would they want to do that?" I asked confused staring at him until his eyes shifted glancing everywhere but at me.

"Oh Laff, please tell me it wasn't 'V' again?" No not again, I begged him in my mind; please tell me you were not that stupid again.

"It's not like that, I had to, damn vampire threatened me; you knows I like my head right where it's at. No way does I want to end up back in that cellar," he explained.

I know that Lafayette had not been the same since I had found him tortured and chained in Eric's basement. I had been furious with Eric. I know in my head that he could have killed Lafayette, in fact by vampire law he had the right too. But the pain in my heart had surprised me that he would cause someone I cared for so much suffering.

Lafayette must have sensed some of my turmoil. "Sook, if it wasn't for you he woulda killed me, woulda ripped me to shreds jus' like the other guy. He uses what I've done against me, but he treats me alright, for a vampire. I jus' want the memories to goes away."

I looked at him thoughtfully. Maybe here was something I could do to help him.

"Lafayette, you know about my disability." He nodded. "Well it has gotten stronger, much stronger since my vacation. I think I can help you with the memories, would you let me? Do you think you can trust me?"

"Girl, of course I trust you. You sure you know watcha doin though?" he asked hesitantly as I reached to cup his face in my hands.

"I think so," his eyes bulged from his face and I laughed. "Laff this isn't going to be pleasant, I want you to think about what happened in Eric's basement."

I closed my eyes and gently entered his mind. His body was already shaking with fear from my words but he was holding it together. I asked him question after question, directing him through the memories, fighting down the bile. It was last night all over, Eric methodical in his torture of the other prisoners. I almost lost it when I saw him tear the guy to pieces. He is vampire Sookie, I told myself, this is what he is when the blood lust rises.

I could feel Lafayette start to fall apart and quickly went to work. I built a room in his mind with strong walls and a solid door. I coaxed the worst memories of his torture inside and locked them away. I showed him where they were and how to get inside, giving him the key. He might be ready someday to face them but for now I had granted him some peace. I had never tried this before although Claudine said I had the potential. I softly pulled out of Lafayette's mind and opened my eyes, already quite weary.

He blinked at me and furrowed his brow then delight spread over his features. "You did it Sook! You fixed me!" He began to dance around the room as only he can.

"It's still there Lafayette whenever you are ready to face it," I cautioned, the memories were blocked not removed.

We talked for a while before he had to leave for his shift at Merlotte's. It was Friday; the night would be a busy one for him, which reminded me. I called Sam and asked if I could start back at Merlotte's on Monday. He agreed to let me work the lunch shift for the week before putting me back on nights. I was suspicious Eric had warned him I would need my nights free.

Pam rose and I fixed both of us dinner. I handed her a warmed mug of donor blood while I scarfed down a peanut butter and jelly sandwich with some milk. My breakfast/brunch was becoming the largest meal of my day.

I found myself enjoying the time with Pam. With her memories gone she was much more relaxed and fun loving. Her sense of humor was normally quite dry, but being around her now was like having a first row seat at the comedy theater. My sides were absolutely aching when she showed me the sketchbook that Eric had brought from her home. The book was full of caricatures, mostly of the customers at Fangtasia and featuring Eric or Chow.

She had one of Eric looking like he was drowning in a sea of fang bangers and another of Chow being silenced by one of his dragon tattoos. She had drawn Bobby Burnham, Eric's day man with the body of a weasel and Yvetta with hot air balloons for her boobs. There were a few portraits as well, all of them done beautifully. There was one of Eric that I kept returning too, his face firmly sculpted, emotionless except for the eyes. In his eyes she had captured the weight of his centuries, all the turmoil and the pain along side the luminescent joy he took in living.

When I came back to the sketch for the third time she asked me, "Sookie would you like to have that?"

I nodded while my finger traced just above the paper his stubborn jaw, "It's just so Eric."

"Then it is yours, I will have it framed for you as a gift for your hospitality." She would not listen to any of my objections, as stubborn as her maker.

We spent the rest of the night parked in front of my TV watching several romantic comedies. We gushed over the leading men and moaned over the wardrobes and attitudes of their leading ladies. When the movies were over Pam found a channel that was nothing but gossip about celebrities. I left her snickering and laughing over some wardrobe malfunctions while I drug my weary body up to bed. I was in the shower when I realized I would miss Pam when she was back to normal, she was starting to feel like a sister.