A lot of you are really pissed at Sookie! Jeez! Well in the show I am constantly frustrated with her. But I hope to change her as I write this story.

I really appreciate all the reviews! It means so much and your feedback helps me write, so keep it up!

Chapter 9: Distance –Christina Perri

Eric

Eric tried not to cheat. When he had decided to let Sookie go, he had promised himself to not check into the bond. But sometimes he had his weak moments and opened it up. When Sookie was in the hospital, it was a whirlpool of depression, anxiety, despair and fear. He had sent as many comforting and loving feelings through the bond that he could in an attempt to comfort her, but it had been useless.

Sookie had now been home for almost three months. He had missed her terribly, but stuck to his guns and stayed away. He didn't call or write. Pam had informed him that on the night of Sookie's return she had Sookie's home put back into her name.

Pam, seeing how desperate he was for information, told him that Sookie had a support system in Lafayette and Jason. They were watching her around the clock from what he could tell. His sources told him that Lafayette had pretty much moved into the old Stackhouse farmhouse.

Occasionally, if his pain over Sookie was particularly bad, like tonight, he would open the bond up and check on her. She had done a lot of healing. Apparently she had taken his advice on Dr. Ludwig and they had begun working together to get Sookie through her issues over Russell.

Eric had asked Ludwig what her progress was, but she had adamantly refused, spewing about a patient's rights to medical privacy. Eric tried threatening the little…whatever the hell she was, but it was to no avail.

He felt her sadness and depression lessen over the weeks, but there was an underlying depression that was going on with her.

As he checked the bond now, despite her melancholy, she seemed content and pleased by something or (fuck it even hurt to admit it) someone. He quickly shut the bond off. She was getting better and she was even mildly happy. Eric should be happy that she had found even some happiness, even if it was without him. But a small part of him was selfish.

He was in pain, and the fact that she was happy when he was so miserable drove him crazy. He sat in his office and rubbed his temples. He had been feeding and fucking as he had for the last thousand years. But his brief pattern of singularly feeding from Sookie had changed his preferences.

As he thought about this, a knock on his door alerted him to Pam bringing him first choice of women. He nodded and beckoned the woman over. She was pretty, but in an obvious way. She had big boobs, bleach blond hair, blue eyes, and long legs.

Eric gave her a stare that made her tremble in anticipation and he smiled at her obvious excitement. Most women were so predictable. She walked over slowly and he lowered his fangs, causing her to give a small gasp. She was practically skipping now as she finished her trek across the office and Eric lifted his eyes to Pam's, silently telling her to get out.

Pam smirked and shut the door. She thought he was getting back to his old self. And he at first thought he was too, but as the woman sat on his lap, kissing his neck, he fought the urge to sigh in frustration. She breathed into his ear and he turned his head to look at her. He brushed his fangs along her jugular vein and she shivered in anticipation.

Suddenly his phone rang, and he growled in frustration. He picked up the phone, saying "Northman."

"King Compton on the line for you," said a nasally voice, before he heard a distinctive click indicating that Bill was on the line.

"Your Majesty, how may I be of service," he asked drolly, shoving the fangbanger off of him and motioning for her to leave. She scuttled out of the room, equal parts frustrated and scared.

"I am calling to remind you that your presence will be required for the Summit in one month. Please tell me of any staff you will be bringing with you so that my secretary will be able to make arrangements. We need to present a strong front to the other monarchs and the AVL, so please choose wisely."

"No need to wait. I will be bringing Pam and that is all."

Bill cleared his throat and continued, "Fine, I will email you with the details."

Eric could sense Bill was about to hang up so he asked, "Are you going to appoint new sheriffs by the time of the Summit or are you going to say you left them in Louisiana? I would just like to be prepared myself."

Bill had so far not filled the vacant sheriff positions, which was foolish. The areas needed supervision and fast. They couldn't be handled by Bill' temporary men for much longer before vampires, humans, and other supernaturals took advantage of the situation.

"I am still considering possibilities and have sent out inquiries. Have you any suggestions?"

Eric briefly considered who he would like his fellow sheriffs to be and had come up with at least a few vampires in mind that would do nicely.

"I have some ideas. I will email you the list and their contact information by the end of the week."

"That would be fine. Once we get word back from my people and from your people, I will make a decision on how we will be approaching the subject at the Summit."

Eric agreed and they tied up the conversation and hung up. Eric considered going back out for the woman, but he grabbed a True Blood and popped it in the microwave. He hadn't been to a Summit in years.

This year's was in Rhodes and he immediately began to think about being so far away from Sookie. What if she needed him? He had already failed her once. It wouldn't happen again.

While Sookie was still in the hospital, Bill had assured Eric that her protection was going to be the regent's top priority. While he scoffed at the idea that Bill could sufficiently protect her, he actually came to Eric and presented him with his plan.

During the day, he had weres guard her, staying at a distance, but close enough to get to her. At night, he had brought in a vampire named Bubba. The former king of rock and roll was famous in the vampire community, and widely respected by all. He was taken care of by all regents in the states. While he was slow, he was unusually strong for one so young and he was also fiercely loyal to his charges.

In short, Bubba was the crème de le crème when it came to body guards. Eric had approved the guards, and was doubly reassured by Bill's regent protection over Sookie. Even if an out of state vampire or regent attacked Sookie, Bill would be within right to attack and kill the offending vampire however he saw fit.

Eric calmed himself and began the process of going over everything that needed to be done before the Summit as he sipped his vile True Blood.

Sookie

Sookie smoothed her skirt as she sat through her session.

Three months ago, Dr. Ludwig had come and checked on her in her own home. She had looked for any physical ailments by doing a full checkup on Sookie and then cut right to the chase.

"I am told that you suffered some trauma lately and that is why the vampire believed I may be better able to help you than a human doctor. Please tell me what I need to know in order for me to prescribe a treatment plan."

Sookie didn't know why , but Sookie responded easily to Dr. Ludwig's emotionally detached and point blank attitude. Like the small doctor had seen it all and nothing could faze her. What was a little torture and mental terrorism from a redneck girl?

"My friend and I were kidnapped by a deranged vampire and tortured for days," Sookie stated, imitating the woman.

Ludwig made notes, without even looking at Sookie. "And was there any sexual trauma either you or your friend experienced?"

"No. Well, yes. I guess. As a child, I was sexually molested by my uncle and the vampire imitated his actions, but was much rougher. It…brought up similar fears and feelin's of depression and hopelessness. This time my Gran isn't here to protect me."

Ludwig looked her over and Sookie saw in her eyes what she had always hated seeing . Pity. The doctor schooled her features quickly and asked, "You left a message for me regarding a…Lafayette Reynolds. You believe he will not benefit from human psychological evaluation for any particular reason?"

Sookie shrugged. "He is as supernatural as I am. He is Wiccan, but I guess he also has a propensity for seein' and communicatin' with the deceased. It can be particularly difficult for him to deal with death, which he has suffered his fair share of. I don' particularly see him reactin' odd, but maybe that in itself is a bad sign. He lost his lover and his only family member in the same day."

The doctor nodded her agreement, continuing to scribble notes.

"I have some suggestions for the both of you. I am referring you to a vampire psychiatrist of sorts. She is wonderful and I believe that you both could benefit from her."

Sookie nodded, looking down at her hands.

"I don't like vampires. And it is a dangerous business getting involved with them, honey. Especially for what you are," she said, leveling Sookie a stare over her glasses.

Sookie inhaled sharply. "You know what I am?" she asked.

The doctor nodded. "Of course I do. You are human hybrid Fae/Human. I myself am within the same familial gene pool of the Fae. As long as you are in the company of vampires you will be in danger."

Sookie's eyes watered as she nodded her understanding. "I know," she croaked out.

Ludwig looked at her," But I will admit, I believe Eric is one of the vampires you can trust. He is very concerned for your safety and well-being. Usually he reserves my services for him and his devil progeny."

Sookie chuckled and the doctor gave her a small smile. "You and your friend will be fine, dear."

Now three months later, Sookie sat through one of her sessions with a vampire named Annabelle. She was surprisingly kind and had worked with both Lafayette and Sookie two to three times a week. Sookie realized through her work with Annabelle that she had never fully healed from her experience with Bartlett.

The trauma of being tortured was eventually healing. She hadn't seen Eric since the hospital when he had healed her. She had seen Bill once every couple of weeks, but Annabelle had strongly suggested that Sookie limit her interactions with either vampire.

"In order for you to be able to maintain a functioning relationship with either vampire, you need to evaluate what you need and what you want. Once you establish that, you need to interpret if in either vampire they meet both of those for you."

Sookie nodded, "I miss them," she stated simply. Annabelle nodded in understanding. "Sookie, I have spoken with you about the process of clearing a vampire's blood from your system using magic. I have also spoken with Lafayette about this process for the both of you. I would like to bring in an associate of mine that can do this for both of you."

"Yes, I would very much like that. You think Lafayette needs it done?"

Annabelle nodded, "Yes, I do. But why I think he needs it will have to remain between me and him."

Sookie nodded in understanding.

Annabelle wrapped up their session and Sookie offered her a True Blood before she left. She declined, saying she had other appointments and left. Sookie closed the door and breathed out. Lafayette was at Merlotte's tonight.

They had both gone back a week after Sookie had gotten home, but tonight was her night off. She went to the kitchen and fixed herself some dinner, wondering what she would do tonight.

She had been hiding in the house for months, going nowhere except work. She decided tonight she would go out. And she knew where she wanted to go. Or rather, who she wanted to see.

She finished washing up after her dinner mess and went upstairs to get ready. She hadn't seen Eric in months. And she wanted to check in on him and at least thank him for healing her and all his help. It was Eric who had arranged for Ludwig and that had led to Annabelle.

Sookie went to her closet. She wanted to look nice, but not overly done. She ran her hands over some clothes before selecting something she thought was appropriate.

She breathed in and out as she got ready, hoping she wasn't doing more damage than good by going to see him.

Up Next: Sookie and Eric see each other for the first time in months! How do you think it will go? Review what you think.