Consciousness returned slowly. My eyes wouldn't open, nor could I move, but I could hear things. Voices, vibrations, pacing footsteps, the grinding of teeth, twitching of muscles. I could feel every shift in mood, and every ounce of pain in my body. Everything ached terribly, specifically my chest, which felt like the iron was still lodged inside my heart. It wasn't though, this much I could tell. The burning feeling would be considerably worse if it was.

I groaned internally and allowed my mind to drift back to the events that occurred earlier, or however long ago. Just how long I have been unconscious is beyond me. Could be hours, could be days…

Riggs killed Alistair.

He killed him.

The one person I ever loved, he killed. Part of me hoped it was a lie, one to cause pain and grief, the other half knew it was true. Riggs isn't above a revenge killing, or killing in general for that matter. My heart actually ached at the thought of him being truly dead. My last moment with him, I promised I would return once I was set free. A pressure formed in my chest and rose to my throat, as I felt a tear slide down my cheek.

The noises stopped then, and all became silent as I cried, mourning the loss of my Alistair. My only love. I felt alive around him…human, for lack of a better word. Centuries of closing myself off and living in a blackened world where compassion will get you killed, meeting him changed me. Completely... I was able to love. To feel. To experience affection. And that was all fucking ripped away from me.

The tears streamed harder than before, burning my eyes. I could hear the others' breathing stop, hitch in their throats. My hand jumped, as if it had been shocked, and soon feeling returned to the rest of my body. I was able to move. Grunting, I pushed myself up and wiped the bloody, sulfur ridden tears from my cheeks. Everyone was here; Sookie and Bill…Eric and Pam…Tara, Delilah, Jessica…they all watched silently as I rose from my bed and left the room without addressing anyone. None of them moved. None dared to follow.

I had been cleaned and dressed in a large t-shirt and underwear that I was tempted to remove and shift. All I want to do is disappear. Kill everything in sight. But my bond with Eric keeps me from leaving. I cannot go until what he has asked of me is over. Until he sets me free himself. I sighed and stepped onto the porch, sitting on the steps and hugging my knees to my chest, burying my face in the smooth, scarred skin of my legs.

"Hey, are you alright?" Sookie asked, her voice gentle and calm.

I took a deep, ragged breath, trying to prevent myself from sobbing. I have no reason to show any more emotion than I already have. "I'm wonderful, Sookie, really."

Tentatively, she sat beside me. "I listened to your thoughts while you were unconscious."

"What, why?" I asked angrily.

"I only did it so I'd know when you were coming to. And then you started crying…I'm sorry, Adrian," She frowned.

"So you know…"

"Yes," She reached out and touched my arm, smoothing her hand over my bicep. "How long ago did you last see him?"

"One hundred years ago. In the early 1900s," I looked at her. "He played piano in a nightclub in New Orleans. He loved being around people. Making everyone happy. Even though he was dead, Alistair was the most vibrant person in the room. I think I sat and watched him for hours, til the club closed the night I found him. I knew what he was, and I was so captivated by him. I'm still not even sure why."

"Love at first sight?" She ventured. "I guess just know when someone is 'the one'. You have that gut feeling, and you can't stop thinking about them…that's like how it was with Bill."

"The one…" I sighed. "The only one."

She shoved me a little. "Oh, don't say that. You can love again."

"No, I can't."

"Yes, you-"

I cut her off. "No, Sookie, I can't. Most Hounds are coldhearted…it's rare to find one who loves. I'm hated by nearly all of my population, and I could never be with a human. And vampires…I can't do it again."

Sookie placed a hand over mine. "You can. Don't doubt that. Love will find you, Adrian. It will be so unexpected and so nice, something you'll never want to end."

"All things come to an end," I said bitterly. "I don't know, Sookie…I just don't see anything good happening for me."

"Well, you're alive, aren't you? That's good. And you'll finally get revenge for Alistair."

"How am I alive, anyway? I should have died. That iron rod pierced my heart," I leaned against the banister.

"Eric gave you his blood. It was the only thing we could think of to save you."

I shook my head. "I don't think-"

"I'm sorry to interrupt, but Sookie, I think it's time for us to leave. It should be dawn soon," Bill offered his hand out to Sookie and helped her up. He looked down at me. "I'm glad you're alright, Adrian. I'm so sorry this happened to you."

"It's fine, Bill. I'm alive, aren't I?" I said, mimicking Sookie's words and waving his apology away.

"Yes, but you nearly died. If it weren't for-"

"Eric giving me his blood, I would be dead. I know," I pulled myself up and walked over to the door. "It's late, I guess. You two should be going. I suggest you stay together."

"That won't be a problem. I'm not staying alone after what happened," She stepped closer to Bill.

"Goodnight, Adrian. Get some rest," Bill said.

. . .

Tara and Jessica had left an hour after Bill and Sookie had. Tara was too spooked to leave, and Jessica was merely concerned about my well being. Pam followed shortly after, mumbling a quick goodbye and leaving Eric and I alone in the living room, silent and avoiding each other. Delilah retired to her room after drilling me with questions, asking if I needed anything, if I was alright, which under any other circumstance I would have appreciated her concern, this time, it annoyed me to no end. She left me irritated and alone with my Keeper, who wouldn't speak to me, but whose eyes never seemed to leave me. He stole glances every now and again, as did I, and when caught, would shy away.

I swung my legs over the side of the couch. "Why'd you give me your blood, Eric?"

"You gave me yours and saved me. I felt I owed you the same," His blue eyes focused on the spot where the iron arrow had once been.

"You shouldn't have done that," I rest my head on the arm of the couch.

Eric raised a blonde eyebrow. "And why not?"

"Because now, I cannot leave you. You had my blood, I had yours. Our bond is strengthened to the highest degree," I laughed quietly to myself. "I'll be your shadow from now on."

"Is that a good or bad thing?" He leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees.

"Depends on whether you can handle me or not," I smirked.

A half smile curved his lips. "I think I can."

"Oh, Eric. You have no idea the trouble you're in for, now."

"Then it's a good thing I like trouble," He winked.

I laughed and scooted closer to him. Eric sat on the chair beside the couch, perched on the edge, his body relaxed. Never have I wished anything had a heartbeat, but right now, I would welcome it. The sound can be lulling at times. For now, I guess, his voice alone would do. It was oddly relaxing, my Keeper's voice.

"When are you leaving?" I asked.

"I'm not."

When I turned my head to the side in confusion, he answered.

"I'm staying here. There's a reason your room doesn't have windows."

I smiled and gasped slightly at what he said. "You think you're going to sleep with me?"

"Why not? We'll be close, so you can keep a better eye on me," He said. "And I on you," I could hear the smirk in his voice.

I fussed with the hem of my shirt before replying to him. "You're a piece of work. But…you have a point. I wouldn't mind being able to watch you more."

He raised an eyebrow, and grinned widely, flashing a set of perfect white teeth.

I was actually a little terrified of sharing a bed with Eric. I'm not good at all when it comes to being close with someone anymore, and the last time I was near a bed with this damned vampire I almost tossed him through the wall of his bedroom. I suppressed a sigh. There can't be anything wrong with simply sharing a bed. I wouldn't mind the company, either.

I could use it after what happened.

Being alone is something I don't want to be, and even though I have Delilah, it's just not enough…I'm…actually lonely, and in pain. For the first time in over a hundred years.

And for the first time in my life, I want to be held. It's all I want right now. And I hate admitting it. I looked over at Eric. His eyes had yet to leave me, and I avoided looking him directly in the eye in order to avoid another incident.

I exhaled loudly, and leaned back against the arm of the couch. Sharing each other's blood isn't exactly helping me right now either; I feel an intense need to be close to him, something I haven't felt or craved in so long. I stared at his arms and frowned.

If only I could have them around me.

I growled lowly and pushed the thought from my head, aggravated with myself. I'm not supposed to be this weak. I don't need affection. What I need, is to kill Riggs and get out of here.