A/N - True Blood and SVM characters belong to Mrs. Harris, Alan Ball and HBO. Original Characters and story line are mine. Such lovely feedback, thank you all.

Chapter 15

Scene 1 - SPOV - Bully

I glanced at my body in the full length mirror before I stepped into the steaming bath. I scowled at the faded bruises and when I turned around to see my back the welts were almost gone. The amount of blood I had consumed of Eric's lately had healed to damage from the night before too fast for my liking. I slid into the bath water which was heavy with Epsom salts to soothe aching muscles. The welts might be gone, but Thalia had left some bone deep bruises in a few strategic areas. I felt like a car had rolled over me, which would honestly be the excuse for the evening.

As far as the folk in Bon Temps were concerned Sookie Stackhouse will walk into Merlotte's banged up from a car accident. A car which had been driven by someone else, as I couldn't afford to smash mine up. The people with ties in the supernatural world will have heard different. The closer the tie, the more accurate their thoughts would be when they tried to get me to confirm their juicy gossip. Yes, sometimes being a telepath and knowing exactly how the person across from me thinks is a mighty handy tool.

I had ten minutes to soak before I needed to get my hiney in gear. My stiff muscles relaxed, my eyes drifted close and my thoughts turned to the drama club from the previous night.

Once all the pieces had clicked together, I figured out I was supposed to show up at the bar like the spoiled brat I used to be. How many times had I ranted at Eric about his ownership, or his high handedness or whatever else I could think of to tell him off over the last half year, too many times to count? I pulled out the shabbiest clothes I could find and drove slow enough to arrive late.

The sight of the banger on Eric's knee made my fury believable, but when he stopped me from slapping him while I was screaming the next five seconds left me reeling and scared to death. I felt the bond change, become a tether and my words were choked off against my will. I could not speak, I could not move, my body was not mine to command.

I had not thought I could be more terrified until his thoughts sliced into my head. I knew they were Eric's, they were flavored with him. I barely registered the context. I didn't care he was apologizing for what he was doing. I was focused solely on the awareness of a fact which could never ever be revealed. I heard a vampire's thought.

Long minutes later I had control over my own actions and dutifully followed Eric's instructions. I performed like a robot, still caught in an internal dialog. I vaguely remembered thinking I could leave before I figured out the game still was not over. The shock passed when Thalia dropped me in the basement and turned to walk away. When I asked why she was leaving she said she would watch for intruders at the top of the stairs. What about my punishment? It was just a ruse for the audience up stairs she explained.

I became filled with resolve. I had just finished making a fool of Eric and myself. I had been forced to follow a maker child series of commands and I heard vampire's thoughts for the third time in my life. Hell no, the punishment was not going to be just a ruse. I squared my shoulders and barricaded off the bond, time to take some bitter pills.

Thalia finely caved in and very carefully beat me black and blue. I did not once see blood lust or pleasure in her eyes. I told her I would not take any blood. I wanted the damage to show this morning.

My phone alarm went off and I tossed away the memories as I climbed out of the cooling bath. I was dressed and driving to Merlotte's ten minutes later.

The first person I met when I walked in the door of the bar was Holly. I let my shields drop and her thoughts filtered into my head.

"Oh my blessed goddess," Holly gasped. "Are you ok? Was anyone else hurt?"

What in the world happened to her? The shiner has to hurt and lordy look at her poor hands. I wonder if she would let me give her some ointment for those bruises.

I smiled and let out a soft sigh. I guess Holly had some redeeming qualities after all.

"I'm ok," I said to both Holly and Sam, who had emerged from behind the bar. "Honestly, just bruised up a bit. It looks worse then it feels," as I spoke I looked Sam directly in the eye. The cold fury which shone in his stare dissipated slowly. "I got banged up in a car accident last night. A friend was driving and we had to swerve to avoid someone in the wrong lane. Believe me it could have been much worse, we were trying to avoid getting killed. I can handle the collateral damage."

Customers were beginning to show up so there was little time for discussion though Sam did corner me a half hour before his appointment was due.

"Word is already out about the scene between you and Eric last night," he hissed at me glancing carefully around to make sure we couldn't be heard.

"Good, then it worked."

"A bit too well in my opinion," he snarled brushing a loose strand of hair from my face.

"Snotty Sookie was Eric's idea. Black and Blue Sookie can be blamed on me. It was my idea." I told Sam evenly.

I changed the subject, "Tell Quinn I want to talk to him when he comes in ok?"

"That was the plan," he sighed running his hands through his hair out of habit.

I was busy with my tables for the next half hour, interrupted only when Sam caught my attention and waved me over to take his place serving drinks.

John Quinn was standing behind Sam, dressed in dark slacks and a burgundy dress shirt speaking to one of the contractors who were here for lunch. When I approached the bar he glanced at me over his shoulder then did a double take. He surprised me by brushing Sam out of the way with a growl and cupping my face, ignoring my instinctive flinch.

"Who hit you," his voice rumbled still not letting me go. Of course his size and the way his voice traveled had every head in the restaurant turning our way.

"No one," I squeaked, beginning to sweat from the heat of his hands, lordy his body temperature ran hot. "I was in a car accident."

"Bull shit," he retorted and snarled at Sam. "You know who did this?" he asked him.

Sam replied as he pointedly looked over the bar, "Come on back to my office, both of you."

Shortly thereafter I was seated in Sam's tiny office watching two very different men pace around like the caged animals they were.

"I don't know what all the fuss is about," I complained. "Accidents happen all the time."

"Toots, I know the difference between a bruise from a dash board and a bruise from bare knuckles," Quinn settled to his haunches in front of me to lightly stroke under my eye. "Or from the palm of a hand," this time he touched my cheek, "Or from scratching at concrete or stone walls." He tapped on my fingers.

I was feeling quite crowded between his large body and the wall behind the chair. Did I say he was a large man? He was huge. He was kind of a slightly blurred copy of one of Jason's favorite actors, Vin Diehard or Vance Diesel or something like that.

"My name's not Toots," I snapped.

He came back to his feet and moved away with a chuckle, "Is that all you heard me say?" He walked over to Sam and asked, "What do you know about this?"

"She was punished by Northman for disobedience last night," Sam admitted.

"Her vampire did this to her," Quinn stated in disbelief. "I had heard the Viking treated his women well."

I took a peak into his head.

Lium's information about the fight was correct then. Fucking vampires. She will end up just like Frannie. Why do the vamps always pick the good girls?

"Look one of Eric's people got a bit carried away," I started and then was interrupted by Sam.

"A little carried away? Sookie if you hadn't had Eric's blood in you, you would be in the hospital right now." He said in frustration. "Why do you keep doing this to yourself?"

"I thought he would protect me Sam!" I shouted at him. "He's never done anything like this before, no matter how much I've provoked him in the past."

"He did not own you before Sookie! You bonded with him. He doesn't have to play nicey nice anymore. Don't you get it? He can make you do anything he wants."

I was sobbing, "I know, that is what happened last night." I lunged across the room and wrapped my arms around Sam. "He did something to me last night, he used the bond to make me ... obey him," I admitted. "I hate him," I whispered into Sam's chest.

Quinn spoke up, "How much do you hate him Stackhouse."

I looked at him over my shoulder, still clinging to Sam. "When it was over and they dragged me upstairs for everyone to see I told him I would find a way to kill him."

Quinn smiled and his eyes shimmered with an eerie light. "Did you mean it? Do you really want to be free of him?"

I slipped into his thoughts.

Oh this is perfect. I can strike a blow against Northman and pay off my debt.

"Yes," I replied. "Why do you care?"

"You helped my sister. She got wrapped up with the vamps too. I may not have been able to help her but I can help you," he said.

"I don't buy it Quinn," Sam snarled. "You never do anything without profiting from it. What is it?"

"Northman is a pain in my ass right now," Quinn admitted. "He's watching all the clubs so closely he is scaring off the business. With him gone everyone is happy."

"Damn places should be closed, permanently."

"What ever Merlotte," Quinn sneered. "Awfully high and mighty about it, now that you've cut and run with your money."

They were veering off on the wrong tangent as far as I was concerned.

"Look guys, if we are through here I need to get back to work." I said moving to the door.

A large heavy hand grasped my shoulder, pulling me to a halt. I flinched as his long fingers brushed against the still tender welts.

"What is this more bruises?" Quinn asked yanking on the collar of my uniform so he could see. The shirt ripped and I held the front of it against my breasts. I was getting tired of having my clothes torn off.

'What the hell do you think you are doing?" Sam snarled somehow pushing Quinn away from me.

"Look at her fucking back dog," Quinn's voice had deepened into a feline growl.

I flinched away from Sam, "Don't" I pleaded these were wounds I never wanted Sam to see.

"He had you whipped?" Sam's thoughts were no longer on the secret game we were playing. His mind was consumed with a raging hatred.

"What do we have to do," he demanded of Quinn totally ignoring me. "I want him out of her life, period."

I hid the shudder of revulsion I felt when Quinn slid his hands across my shoulders. He peered deeply into my eyes.

"I know someone who can break your bond."

I asked in confusion, "Wouldn't it kill me? I thought it was permanent."

"He knows magic."

"I have about had it with witches too," I said with a hint of suspicion.

"He's way more than a Witch."

I brushed through his thoughts and caught the glimpse of an image. My breath hitched.

"You break the bond and then what? I'll be free of Eric but what stops him from killing me or taking me again?"

"He will be weakened," Quinn's smile was feral. "There are plenty who would take advantage of such a situation; he'd be dead before dawn."

Believe me I was well aware of Eric's enemies and their faces were all spinning and dancing around in Quinn's thoughts.

"You would do this for me? You hardly know me," I insisted hoping to pull a bit more out of him.

My eyes bulged when he leaned down and brushed a kiss across my shoulder. I could feel Sam tense behind us.

"No woman deserves this." His lips slid over the bruise on my cheek. "It offends my protective instincts, he needs to die."

Besides I want to fuck you, Quinn's thoughts seared through me as he claimed my mouth for a kiss.

Forgetting about my shirt I tore my mouth from his and pushed him as hard as I could.

"Get off me," I snapped.

"What ever you say, princess." Quinn simpered.

He spun to Sam, "Is she scheduled to work tomorrow night?"

"No," we both replied.

"Meet me here, three o'clock and bring an overnight bag." I frowned and started to object. "I'll bring Frannie as a chaperone; does that mollify your southern sensibilities?" Quinn questioned with a drawl.

"Then what," I asked.

"I take you to the one who can help," he shrugged.

Sam asked, "Won't Northman find her at dark?"

"Not where we are going," Quinn stated with a wicked smile.

Scene 2 - SPOV - Stars

Sam showed up at my house while I was making dinner. I didn't ask how he got in, when I recovered from my heart palpitations from finding him leaning naked against the kitchen counter. I tossed him one of the hand towels and pointed toward the laundry room.

"You can find a pair of sweats on the drier."

I whipped together another hamburger and poured out some more potato chips and had me him join me for a meal.

"I left a message for Eric," Sam said when his plate was empty. "Don't worry I did not give anything away," he reassured me when I opened my mouth to yell.

"I just told him if those welts were not gone from your back by tomorrow, I would kill him personally."

I was furious, "Sam, I told you it was my idea! He had nothing to do with it."

"I don't care Sookie, he should have healed you." Sam was adamant, "Half the town thinks you were a victim of domestic abuse now. They think you let him beat you to a pulp."

"Quinn should have kept his mouth shut," I snapped. "Sam, I know what the folks in Merlotte are thinking. It's not any worse then what they already have going on in their heads."

I decided it was time to let him in on my future plans. "Look Sam, when this is all over with, I don't think I will be working at Merlotte's" He started to interrupt. "Hear me out," I chastised. "You are a good friend Sam and you have put up with a lot for the last half year. But you know as well as I do, one of the only reasons I work at the bar is because I really had nothing else I could do. It's changed now, my skills are wanted, even needed and I am strong enough to keep pretty much everyone out of my head. I can go back to school Sam. I want too."

"I know," he acknowledged. "I'd miss your crazy smile, but if it makes you happy then I'll be happy."

"We would still be friends?" I asked with some trepidation.

"Of course," he smiled and reached over to hug me.

"Good," I said with relief.

"I better go," he said moving to the back door. "I left Terry unloading some stock and he will be getting nervous if I am not back soon."

"I'll see you tomorrow then."

"Yes," and before I could blink Jason's old sweats were pooled on the floor.

I picked them up carefully, shaking to see if anything fell out. I didn't want to accidentally step on or crush whatever Sam had become, sneaky shifter.

I was watching a movie two hours after dark when the mental alarms signaled someone approaching. I waited with my shot gun in hand for the void to knock.

The knock followed by the voice calling my name had me trembling with anger. The impulse to swing the door open and shoot was strong upon me. I didn't shoot but I did yell when I opened it.

"What the fuck do you want Bill Compton, are you deaf or something?" Yes, it was a very stupid question, I was pissed all right?

Bill was dressed in jeans and a polo shirt, his dark hair slightly mussed. "Sookie I observed the horrendous abuse you suffered under Eric's hand last night. I cannot abide seeing him treat you so poorly. I love you Sookie, let me help you. I can take you where he would never be able to find you..."

"What take me to the Queen, or someone else you are working for?" My rage was systematically climbing and I was blind to everything but the vampire on my front porch. I raised the shot gun and sighted down the barrel. "All the hell I've been through is because of you Bill. Yet here you stand with more pithy excuses and proclamations of love rolling from your lying lips."

"Sookie I swear I am doing this for us, for our love. Come with me, let me keep you safe. Can you not see he is destroying you?" He begged.

"ARGGGGHHH" I screamed cocking the gun so he would understand how serious I was.

"I am going to say this for the last time. Get ... the fuck... (I released the safety) off... my property," I started to squeeze back on the trigger.

Before he could answer or I could shoot, a large hand latched onto Bill's shoulder and tossed him into the yard. I heard snarls and the sound of breaking bones. I carefully edged over to the doorway and peered out onto the lawn. The security lights blazed down on a seething mass of vampire. I caught the flash of blond hair and identified Bill's assailant to be Eric.

It was then I understood the primal rage pouring through me was not all my own. My lip curled in satisfaction when Eric rose to his feet with Bill dangling from his hand.

"I warned you I would not tolerate you around my lover," Eric hissed his hand flashing in the light. I heard Bill snarl then an odd gargle, blood poured out of his mouth and down his chest. "Run home to your Queen little boy," Eric sneered. "Try to explain why you disobeyed a direct command from your Sheriff."

Bill's voice burbled with blood, "I will have your head."

"Empty threats," Eric pronounced. "You are banished from my Area" He turned his back on Bill and started walking. I saw Bill move, "Eric!" I screamed in warning. Eric spun a stake pulled out of apparent ether in his hand and then it was in Bill's chest and then it was bouncing in the ashy dust once known as Bill Compton.

Eric came up the steps and stopped in front of me, carefully removing the shotgun from my shaking hands. He secured the gun and urged me gently back into the house to the living room couch. I just sat there staring blankly still not believing the past few minutes.

"I will be right back," Eric murmured speeding into the kitchen. I heard him on his phone and then the water running in the sink. He emerged shortly and sat on his haunches in front of me.

"Let me have your hand," he asked. I held out my right hand and he turned it over, one hand below mine and the other opening above my palm, allowing its contents to tumble down. My heart stuttered for a moment and then a sinful pleasure brought a feral smile to my lips when I saw his gift.

"Really lover," Eric's smile was a reflection of mine. "I think I like this side of you."

"What do you think about earrings?" I asked him wondering at the best design for the ivory fangs resting in the palm of my hand.

"Overdone," he admitted. "Perhaps floating in a sphere of blown glass?"

"I'll consider it," I said indicating I wanted to stand. Eric stepped out of my way and watched as I set the fangs down in front of my favorite picture of Gran.

"Appropriate," he said with approval.

"I thought so," I agreed walking over to slide into his arms. "Thank you, won't you get in trouble with the Queen though?"

"No," he said kissing the top of my head. "Pam said the cameras caught it all. I will fill out the paperwork and file it with Appius. Sophie-Anne will have nothing to complain about."

"I forgot about the cameras," I admitted. "Hey you are not supposed to be here," I told him craning my head back to see his face.

"I was on my way here before I felt your rage. I needed to see you, after last night." He searched my eyes, "I had to know you were all right."

I urged him over to the couch then straddled his lap so I could rub my hands over his chest. Needing to feel his strength under my fingers. "Last night was epic Eric, a lot happened. Like you controlling me," I glowered at him accusingly. "Something you never mentioned being able to do in any of our conversations."

"Sookie I ..." he started but I interrupted choking down the fear. "We'll deal with it later. I was more terrified of what happened after." I took a deep breath, "I heard your thoughts Eric. I heard you apologize."

I flinched as I waited for his reaction. He did nothing but smile and quickly kiss my lips. "I had hoped you would," was his reply.

"You're not upset?" Well color me confused.

"No your gift has strengthened and you have had a lot of my blood. Tell no one else," He firmly told me.

"Oh, I won't believe me." I reassured him. "I love that you are here but does this not mess up the plans?"

"No, I will adjust them. This is necessary, for both of us." He didn't give me a chance to respond as he lifted me into his arms and carried me to the bedroom.

He undressed me slowly each touch feathering lightly over my skin. He traced each bruise, each cut and welt with his tongue. He played my body like a fiddle, plucking each note of pleasure from my lips. I ran my hands up his biceps testing their muscular strength and pulled him back for a kiss. He plundered my mouth drawing a deep moan, my hips flexing against him in demand. He tested to see if I was ready then slid home with a guttural sigh.

He flipped us over and I groaned in appreciation at the feel of him so deep. His hands cupped my breasts, fingers teasing. Our eyes locked, the bond opened and I timed every thrust of my hips, twist of my body with the rhythm of the emotional melody singing through us. We were both on the sweet edge when he shifted so my back was too his chest, his bloody wrist at my lips. I held him steady and continued to rock against him as I drew in his life force. We both released when he bit me, caught in a storm of ecstasy.

We ended up the shower shortly after, laughing and teasing each other. He was right we both needed this. For a short period of time we forgot the guillotine hanging over our heads.

"All healed," I reassured him with a smile as he watched me dress. He had all ready pulled on clean clothes from the stash he kept in the spare bedroom.

"It should not have happened," he admonished me.

My phone vibrated on the floor where it had fallen from my pocket, a victim of the Viking's impatience with my clothes.

"I have to go," I said scrambling for my shoes. "I have to meet with Thalia and Appius." I glanced at him, "Appius is going to be pissed to see you."

"Yes." He smiled, "He will have to deal with it."

We got to the pond lickety split thanks to Eric and his flying feet. He flew with me in his arms inches above the ground, leaving no trail and dodging the trees and brush easily. We stopped in the hidden glade which surrounds the pond in the middle. This place had been special to me as a child, a haven from all the thoughts of others. A place to fish and splash and play under Gran's watchful eye. My parent's home, where Jason now lived, had a larger deeper pond but it was never as clean and clear as this one.

Thalia and Appius walked out of the edge of the woods when we appeared, "A place for the Fae," Thalia whispered looking around appreciatively.

"At least for this one," I replied with a smile. "I loved this place as a kid."

"Eric, you were supposed to stay away from Sookie," Appius admonished with a sigh.

"You blood will mask my scent for the length of time we need, it is enough."

I piped in before they could start to argue, "About that, will the blood still be necessary if I tell you I don't have to seduce Quinn? I've already got all the information we need."

"Explain," Eric and Appius snapped in harmony, causing me to hide a grin.

"Our spontaneous decision last night," I pointed between me and Thalia. "Paid off in spades. One look at me pissed Quinn off; I guess he has a soft spot for battered women." I sobered as I continued, "His mother was physically abused until she went mad, and his sister has been through hell. All because of vampires."

"He told you this?" asked Eric.

"I got it out of his head, while he was looking me over." I explained. "There is a small part of him which isn't pure pond scum," I acknowledged.

"I would still like you to take our blood. We need to be able to find you." Appius insisted and I could tell while Eric didn't like it, he agreed.

"Let's get this over with then." I moved to stand in front of Thalia. "What do I have to do?"

Thalia lifted a finger to her lips and nipped the tip then pressed it against my mouth. "Lick," she ordered and I flicked my tongue out to clean the drop of blood beaded there. She tasted like raspberries and cream. She closed her eyes and groaned when her blood hit my system. I held back a gasp as my senses flourished.

Eric snarled and Thalia smiled at him, "Fear not Eric, your blood is the dominant I cannot take her from you." She turned to me, "You are a fascinating human Sookie,"

"I'm glad you think so," I responded still dealing with the effects of her blood.

Eric was watching me carefully, "I am fine Eric." I assured him.

"My turn I believe Ms. Stackhouse," Appius stated as he moved in front of me. I took a deep breath and nodded. He also nipped a finger and touched it to my lips, but instead of waiting for my tongue he rubbed his bleeding finger along the softness of my inner lip.

My response was immediate as I fell to my knees, "Jesus Christ, Shepherd of Judea" I whispered, "So many thousands of years, too many," and I screamed when my shields were blasted apart by my expanding mind.

I felt them all, hundreds and thousands of minds all streaming through my consciousness. I was fighting a battle for my sanity on two fronts. The first a struggle to master my telepathy, to bring it back under my control. So much power at my finger tips. The second struggle was between the blood of Eric and Appius.

I reached out to Eric, "My shields," I gasped. I dove into the silence of his mind the instant he touched me. Forcing my senses back into their normal boundaries. I rebuilt my shields and reinforced them in triplicate, then joined my will to Eric's to force away Appius attempt to break our bond.

"I belong to Eric," I snarled, "and only Eric. Stop whatever the fuck you are doing, now!"

Way too many minutes went by before the feeling of being ripped apart passed. I fell back into Eric's arms gasping.

I was about to tear into Appius when his thoughts floated through my mind.

How do I explain this to her? I would not break their bond. What they share is too precious, too strong.

His thoughts tasted of antiquity, of dust and blowing sands, of pain and sorrow and the weight of centuries of existence. My god he was so ancient.

'Just spit out whatever you want to say," I snapped at Appius and gulped at the sight of his eyes narrowing with suspicion.

"If I had told you what would happen when you took my blood, you would have refused me."

"You said it would not over whelm the bond," I said my voice rose in accusation.

"And it did not. I knew Eric would not allow it and combined the two of you together bring stubborn to a whole new dimension. Look to your bonded, he is not upset with me."

Appius was right, Eric was holding me lightly his body relaxed and a strange smug contentment flowed through the bond.

Appius apologized, "I regret the pain I may have caused."

"Yes well I think we just kicked my telepathy up by about a billion watts." I muttered wincing when I thought of the headache to come.

"I suspected as much." Appius gave me a pointed glance and I blushed.

"You've been hedging about you age," I accused.

He smiled, "Just a little."

Eric spoke up. "I am fine, she is fine," he kissed my hair," we are fine. Now we must find Russell."

"That is the easy part," I said smugly. "The kitty cat really is a loud broadcaster. A few pointed questions and his mind just spilled."

I leaned back to smile at Eric. "Russell is in Dallas, in the abandoned Fellowship of the Sun Church. They have turned it into his fortress and Quinn is taking me there tomorrow," I announced with pride.