Okay I have no idea why, but I struggled with this chapter, especially getting it edited. Sorry for the holdup! But the creative juices are flowing today and I am already editing the next chapter. Thanks for all the reviews! I have made 1,018 as of this morning. You guys are sensational!

Here we go!

Chapter 50: More Like Her

Sookie

Eric led Sookie back down to the lobby. She wanted to go to their room and talk about everything the Ancient Pythoness had said, but he explained there wasn't time before the last meeting of the night. He then said they would go over everything.

Sookie could only agree though she wanted to dig in her heels and go back to the room to hear the details. She held Eric's hand as they reached the main level. As they walked through to the lobby Eric and Sookie paused as they heard someone call out to them.

They turned to see a furious Bill striding towards them, "Sookie, Eric, where have you been. I specifically told Sookie she needed to be working in the meetings today."

Sookie grit her teeth, and seethed out, "Sookie is right here and doesn't like it when you talk about her as if she ain't here."

Eric smirked down at her as her and Bill glared at each other. "Sookie and I were summoned by the Ancient Pythoness for personal business. As you know, we were unable to deny her an audience," Eric said in a bored tone.

"Fine. The last meeting I will have you and Sookie sit in on tonight is a meeting between regents and their significant others. It is more of an informal setting, however I would like Sookie to work the room."

Eric nodded while Sookie was literally fuming. He continued to speak as if she wasn't here. Her fists balled at her sides, but Eric unfurled on of her hands and intertwined their fingers. She squeezed his so hard she was sure there would be broken bones if he wasn't immortal.

Sookie closed her eyes and let Eric's calm feelings course through her veins and soothe the fury in them. She squeezed his hand and smiled up at him gratefully, but Bill clearing his throat brought her back.

"We have about fifteen minutes until the meeting which will be in the Giza Room," Bill said. "After the meeting I think we should all sit and renegotiate the contract, as Sookie suggested.

This time it was Eric's turn to squeeze her hand, but hers was very breakable. She placed her other hand on his forearm to remind him that he had her hand in his.

"That would be fine, but as her bonded I will be a part of the renegotiation process."

Bill pursed his lips and his nostrils flared when Eric said 'bonded', but he nodded and walked away. Sookie and Eric relaxed their clenched hands and Sookie leaned into him. "Dagnabbit, he is so infuriatin'," Sookie muttered.

Eric nodded and tugged her closer to him. She looked up at him and smiled. "Well, we have a whole fifteen minutes. What should we do?" she asked.

He said, "Change? This sounds like we could wear dressy casual instead of business. And after our earlier exploits it might be good to freshen up."

Sookie nodded and they walked to the elevators.

Eric

Fifteen minutes later they were dressed in casual clothes and walking toward the Giza Room with the other regents and their partners. Sookie stuck close to Eric, knowing that this room was full of vampires that would kill thousands to have her as a part of their court or worse as a pet.

Eric would never let that happen. Sookie was in a gorgeous silk emerald green dress that made her skin look like it glowed and her brown eyes were even bigger if that was possible. Her hair hung down around her shoulders in waves, but was pinned and twisted partially back.

She looked gorgeous. And she was his, he thought as he wrapped his arm around her waist.

He guided her to a chair that was near Bill's in case there was anything Sookie needed to tell him right away.

She got in the zone and wriggled out of his grasp. Eric immediately missed her warmth and soft touch, but he also zoned in and listened to what was going on around him. He always felt like the more information that he knew the better prepared he would be for potential future situations.

Eric recognized the majority of vampires present and he could see Sookie's eyes whizz around the room taking in each human and their thoughts. He found himself wondering about how Sookie's gift worked. Aside from her 'shields' she talked about he knew nothing about it.

He wondered if these shields were difficult for her to her to control. If she just heard what was passing through a person's head in that moment or if she could find information if she wanted it. Or if she could focus on one person at a time or did she hear everyone at the same time. He noticed she said touching was able to help her focus. Seeing her touch men and women who were obviously attracted to her pissed Eric off. He could see it was strictly business for her, but it still rubbed him the wrong way.

Sookie would freak if a banger touched him and he said it was business. But he knew it wasn't exactly the same thing and he would gag if another woman touched him again anyway. He shook his head as he tried to focus on the vampire conversations around him. There were many speaking foreign languages most of which he understood.

Eric observed that the vampires weren't saying much which wasn't surprising because they would be fools to speak about business here. He looked to Sookie to see if she was getting anything out of the humans.

She seemed to be bored, but he could tell in the bond she was contemplative and thoughtful. He checked his cell phone for the time. Pam had been consistently messaging him, asking him to allow her to see him and Sookie.

He was keeping Pam away from Sookie. And away from him. She was still needed at the Summit, otherwise Eric would have sent her back to Shreveport and dealt with her when Sookie and he got back.

He had a plan. His plan was a good plan. And only worked if Sookie was willing to pledge here at the Summit by the AP and then coming back with him and moving in with him. With everything that had been going on lately he doubted it would be easy to convince her.

He raked his brain, but there was no easy way for him to break it to Sookie. As he thought about it a vampire approached them, eyeing Sookie a little too appreciatively. Eric had met the man once or twice before on his visits to Sophie Ann. Sookie just now noticed he moving towards them and blushed when she saw how he was glancing at her.

Eric remained seated, but glared at Rasul. Sookie looked over at him, smiled at his murderous face and grabbed his hand.

"Eric nice to see you again, who is this enchanting young woman with you?" he asked, his eyes flicking between Eric and Sookie.

"She is my bonded. Sookie, this is Rasul, Rasul this is Sookie Stackhouse. Rasul was in the employ of Sophie Ann and since then occasionally assists Bill with various projects."

Sookie nodded and her eyes flicked over the handsome Rasul with blatant curiosity. Eric could tell from the bond she wasn't ogling him, but wondering if he was in Bill's pocket. "Nice to meet you," she said in her adorable Southern lilt.

Eric squeezed her hand, flooding their bond with his pride and love, though he looked completely bored by the entire interaction on the outside.

Sookie squeezed his hand in appreciation and she continued to study Rasul intensely. She had a right to be suspicious knowing that he worked for Bill.

"What do you do besides assistin' the king, Rasul?" she asked sweetly.

"Well you are looking at the new Sheriff of Louisiana's Area 3," Rasul said cheerfully. Eric contemplated him in this position and found he would be a good fit, even if he was in Bill's pocket. Rasul seemed decent and his reputation among all the vampires that knew him was good.

Bill could have chosen so much worse and Eric felt some relief knowing Rasul might be persuaded to be his ally in the future. Sookie felt his relief and said, "Well congratulations. How excitin' for you and for Eric and the rest of the Louisiana sheriffs."

Rasul smiled at her as if she were a peculiar wonder, which to be perfectly honest, she absolutely was.

"Yes, congratulations Rasul. I think you will like Area 3 very much," Eric added.

Rasul nodded and said, "This party is fairly boring, but that green on you reminded me of a tropical paradise Miss Stackhouse. I had to come over and praise Eric for his accomplishment of being in your favor."

Sookie blushed and smiled bashfully. She was radiant, but it didn't mean Eric liked him fawning over her. Or allow it for much longer. Sookie, feeling his impatience, said, "Rasul, would you mind excusin' us? It looks like this meetin' is essentially over and I am very tired. I suppose I still am adjustin' to these later nights."

He smiled and said, "Of course."

Eric was so relieved and happy he could have picked her up and twirled her around, but he simply stood and helped her to her feet. She linked her fingers with his and Eric eyes Bill who was in deep conversation with the queen from Kentucky.

He led her out of the room, excited to get that makeup sex he had been fantasizing about started. Sookie better not be tired because her night was far from over.

Okay I will ask again: Rasul, friend or foe?

AND, how can I thank all of you for your wonderful support? I want to write in some of your ideas for the story whether it be how I get back at Bill, how I punish Pam, or how Eric and Sookie get hitched (or hell I will even take smut ideas). Whatever your fancy, leave me suggestions and I will see what I can do for you! Thanks and I can't wait to hear from you!