I have another chapter that is almost ready to post, but needs to be edited. So stay tuned because there may be another one out tonight.

Thanks for the support and encouragement after the last chapter. I was in a pity party and you guys snapped me out of it! So thanks!

Thanks to some help from one of the readers, I have an idea of where I would like to wrap up this story. Which leads me to my next question… I have been getting a lot of input on whether or not you all want a sequel. What are your thoughts? Review or PM me to let me know if this is something you would be interested in.

Chapter 56: Down

Sookie

Sookie inhaled and exhaled, focusing on Eric's blue eyes. She studied each fleck in them. The activity kept her calm.

As Eric screamed at the manager, she called him back to her. She needed him to stay calm so she could.

Pam approached, clearly confused about what all the tension was about. As her eyes landed on Sookie, she got an amused expression. Sookie focused back on Eric, who was swiftly telling Pam in Swedish what was going on.

Pam surprisingly held her hand out to Sookie for the can which Sookie shook her head and clenched the can fractionally tighter. "Sookie, relax," Eric said softly, his eyes pleading with her. She nodded and took a couple steps away from her vampires.

Suddenly Bill was there with the tiger and Jess. When did Jess get here, Sookie wondered.

"Sookie, sweetheart, hand the can over to Quinn. He will take it and I will get you out of here," Bill said in a sugary sweet southern accent.

"Fuck off, Bill," Pam growled.

"I agree, and don't call me sweetheart," Sookie said.

Eric said, "Bill, I suggest you get your progeny out of here. If Quinn wants to stay and kill himself for Sookie I will let him, but it will be his choice and not your order."

Quinn looked to Sookie and their eyes locked. Its okay Sookie, hand me the can. I owe you. Everything will be alright, he thought to her.

She shook her head and Eric growled, "What did he say, Sookie?"

"Nothin'. I appreciate the offer Quinn, but I wouldn't be comfortable with that. I need to be alone. Please everyone leave."

Eric, Pam and Bill all shook their heads, but Jessica and Quinn left. Sookie said, "You are no comfort to me. Please leave," she asked the vampires, her eyes pleading with Eric.

He shook his head and Bill said, "I am going to check the progress with the bomb squad."

Sookie looked to Pam, "Pam will you go outside and call Jason and Lafayette, let them know the situation."

Sookie's attempts to get Pam out of the hotel weren't going to work, because Pam simply smiled and put her hand on her hip. "Cupcake, I will tell them when we get home and need a wacky vacation story to chuckle over."

Sookie rolled her eyes and said, "Fine, I tried the nice way, but I will have to be blunt. Get out."

Pam shook her head, but Eric piped up, "Pam, leave. You are making her tense."

She looked at Eric, showing no sign of relenting, when he said something to her in Swedish. She huffed and left, shooting him a glance over her shoulder.

After she left, it was just Sookie and Eric standing five feet apart from each other. Sookie felt each foot as if it were miles. All she wanted was Eric's arms around her, but at the same time, she wished he would leave her and go outside.

"Eric, the bomb squad is probably already here. I think you should leave until they come here. If I get hurt, I will at worst be burned, and your blood can heal me. You will be dead."

He shook his head and said, "That's not true. And that is not the way the bond works, Sookie. I cannot just leave you hear with an explosive in your hand."

Her eyes welled, but she nodded. She would never leave Eric in this type of situation either.

"If I were in your shoes, I wouldn't be able to leave you either, but you would have Pam overpower me and get me out of here against my will."

He smiled and nodded, "You know me too well."

She shook her head and then the door to the stairwell clicked open. A man in an all-black SWAT suit walked in and walked slowly towards Sookie with his hands up in a calming gesture to her. As if Sookie were the bomb.

She mind scanned him and was shocked to find that it was actually a vampire under the many layers of black and heavy duty plastic. "Jeez, how did you land this job?" she said, noticing her voice was shaking lightly. She also noticed that now the can seemed to weigh a thousand pounds and her hand began to tremble.

"You did a good job. What was your name?" he asked nicely.

"Sookie," she said.

He nodded and replied, "I am Alec. I am going to take that from you now and everything will be alright. Okay, Sookie?"

She nodded and looked to Eric who was a live wire of nerves and terror as she began to extend her hand to him. He held her gaze as the can was lifted from her grasp. The minute it left her fingertips she became a trembling mess and she made an awkward squawk in relief. Her legs began to give out, but Eric was there and held her in his arms and she clutched at him desperately.

"You brave, foolish girl," he whispered harshly in her ear. That was when the tears began and he pulled away and looked desperately into her face. "Please don't cry. I was just petrified. You are not foolish. Just never do that again."

"What? Unknowingly pick up a bomb hidden in a pop can? I was trying to clear a table to make room for Amelia and me to sit and chat," said defensively.

"Yeah, that girl maybe not the best to have in a crisis situation."

"Can we skip the sight-seeing and go relax?" Sookie asked, wiggling her legs to show Eric she could stand on her own again. He held onto her tighter and nodded to her.

"Yes, anything. Let's go outside so they can sweep the rest of the lobby for any dangers first. And then we can rest."

She nodded and he carried both of them out of the hotel. Pam rushed to meet them, followed by Nora.

Sookie felt ridiculous still in Eric's arms and said, "Eric you can put me down now."

He said, "Why? I don't mind holding you."

"Eric," Sookie replied, in a tone that indicated he should set her down.

He reluctantly lowered her to her feet, but he held her so close to him that he might as well be holding her. Sookie relented though, because she could feel that his nerves were still frazzled and he needed the comfort of having her close to him.

Nora looked between them and asked, "Was it a bomb then?"

Eric nodded and she smiled and shook her head as she looked at Sookie, "I can tell you will keep him on his toes. He needs that."

"I don't know, my toes are beginning to hurt, and Sookie can find trouble without looking for it."

"Hush up, it ain't my fault," Sookie said defensively, even though she knew they were just kidding.

Pam, Nora, and Eric laughed as a SWAT team agent walked towards them. His eyes were on Sookie as he approached, but he spoke to Eric.

"The device that Miss Stackhouse intercepted was a bomb. A small one. It wouldn't have done much damage. But it was very perceptive of you Miss Stackhouse. You handled it very well."

Sookie nodded and Eric gave her a squeeze to show how proud of her he was.

"The manager is quite appreciative and will be over in a moment. I think they need statement from you, but then you will be able to go in and proceed with your plans and the formal."

Sookie and Eric nodded and he escorted them to an officer who was taking Amelia's statement.

"Sookie, I am so sorry I freaked out like that. I swear I have never been in a situation like that before. I should have stayed to make sure you were alright."

Sookie waved her off. "I probably would have got the hell out of dodge If I hadn't of picked it up myself. No worries. Are you gonna be at the formal tonight."

Amelia nodded and looked to Eric. Sookie knocked her forehead and said, "Sorry, Amelia this is my fiancé Eric, Eric this is my friend Amelia."

Eric nodded and Amelia smiled goofily, "So, you guys are engaged? When are you getting married?"

Sookie blushed and said, "Not sure yet."

"Soon," Eric said.

Amelia and Sookie smiled at each other as the officer asked Sookie, "Would you like to give your statement now?"

Sookie nodded and said goodbye to Amelia, then turned and gave a detailed account of exactly what happened until the can left her hand.

She was getting worn out and really wanted some downtime.

Eric intervened and said, "My fiancée has been through enough. Are you finished with her yet?" he asked with an edge to his voice.

The officer nodded and said, "If we need information, we have your contact information."

Eric nodded and guided Sookie to the front of the hotel and into the lobby which was still abuzz with vampires and humans gossiping about the bomb scare.

As Eric led her to the elevators there were many glances their way and Sookie grabbed Eric's hand for the silence it offered. He squeezed it back and lifted it to his lip, kissing it softly and rubbing the back of her hand against his cheek.

Sookie knew she was gushing but she couldn't help it. Eric always managed to make her feel safe, special, and most importantly loved.

Okay, up next is the formal! So the more reviews mean the faster I will get it out!