Save the Last Dance

by InLoveWEric

Sookie, writer and dating Senator hopeful Bill Compton, finds herself in need to learn to Waltz. Enter Eric Northman, Professional dancer, watch how Eric Spins Sookie into a new world she just doesn't want to leave. E/S - AU M for a reason.

19. Chapter 18

Chapter 18 - Supermassive Black Hole

SPOV

It took twenty minute for everyone (everyone meaning Eric and Lafayette) to calm down enough to let Frank and Ana speak. I just sat there waiting in silence. I too had reservations about seeing and talking to Bill. But unlike the two men with me, I was not about to jump up and down like a crazy lunatic until I heard the whole story. I know they were both trying to be protective of me. I love them both for it. I really do. But there was a reason that Ana hadn't come to talk about this with us on Friday. This was something that took both Ana and Frank all weekend to discuss. For that, I'm sure of.

Once everyone calmed down, I got Eric to sit back down and wait to hear what Frank had to say. I could tell by his body language that it was going to have to be a hell of a good reason to get him to agree. I brush my fingers over our entwined hands, hoping that will help. He looks at me with loving eyes but his body is still telling me he's ready for battle.

"Mr. Northman," Frank begins. "I can sympathize with your concerns." Eric huffs but Frank ignores it. "I understand that you are trying to protect Sookie, but Bill Compton is in no position to harm her in anyway. His condition is stable, but he is bed ridden for the near future. I promise you that he will not lay a hand on her.

"If he did, you wouldn't have to worry about prosecuting him. He'd be dead." Eric states flatly.

I turn to look at him and I know by his expression, he is dead serious.

I turn back to Frank. "What do you wish to accomplish by this?" I ask him.

Ana sighs. "Sookie, there is a situation here in New Orleans that we haven't been able to get our head around. Actually it is in several states, Louisiana is just the heart of it. The Feds think that New Orleans is the hot bed and is the source of all the shit coming in though its waterways. For the life of us, we haven't been able to track the source or the suppliers. Hell, we don't even know who exactly is managing this whole thing."

"What exactly are you talking about?" I ask her.

"Cocaine, Sookie. Millions and millions of dollars of pure cocaine is hitting the streets every month. The Feds think that Louisiana is the port and it's going out from here to Texas, Mississippi, Arkansas and Georgia. There is talk that it is going as far as Oklahoma and Kansas. There is another ring porting in South Carolina and is filtering up the East Coast. Both rings have the same MO. The coke they've been able to confiscate could be from the same supplier but they aren't sure. Bill…" Ana looks back at Frank who nods. "Bill says he knows who one of the ring leaders is. He's willing to give him up to us if you are willing to talk with him."

"So you're willing to force Sookie…" Lafayette begins.

"We aren't going to force Sookie to do anything." Frank says. "If you aren't sure you can handle this, then the deals off. We have been working at this for five years. Hell, the Feds have been at it longer than that. We will subpoena every case Bill has been involved with since he passed the bar. If he's willing to sell out one of his clients, then the information has to be somewhere."

"And what if it isn't one of his clients?" I ask them.

Ana shrugs. "We will find them Sookie. This isn't our only option."

"But if I don't agree to speak with him, we are going to court. He is willing to drag everything and everyone connected to him through the mud just to get what he wants."

"Sookie, we won't let that happen." Ana says.

"Love, he has nothing on you. He has done nothing but hurt you and your Foundation. To dig anything up will only look poorly on him." Eric says and then looks at Ana. "Right?"

"He could try to make it a media circus. But the only one he's going to be hurting is himself." She says. "We can do a lot of things. The law is on our side."

I shake my head. "I've got a feeling that Bill has very little concern for the law at this point. If he can give you a head guy in a drug racket, he's going to think you are going to be light on him. Hell, if this is the same guy that the Feds are looking for, he may even be able to whittle a lighter sentence."

Ana shakes her head. "That isn't going to happen, Sookie. Bill may have information they need. I think the only thing that talking would get him would be a stay at a nicer facility." She shrugs. "That is one of the things I needed to work out before talking to you. They assured me that his sentence would have nothing to do with what they learn. If his information results in a conviction, then they would send him out of state. Maybe someplace warm. But that's it. He is looking at time. Regardless Sookie, I promise that no matter what, he's going to be an old man before he's free."

I sigh. "But he's going to pull his parents in." I say to him. "Hell, he may say that his father is the one that did this and not him."

"He could try. But Carter Lewis is a damn fine attorney. Leslie Houke has no chance against him or this office. They are just pulling at straws. Regardless, it's his family. If he's willing to trash it then so be it." Frank says.

I lean back and think on what they've said. But I know Bill. He may never have done it to me. But I know he has it in him to sling mud and get dirty. Sure, anytime I saw him get heated, the mud was slung with a smile. Hell, he even slung it at me from time to time. But he has nothing to lose. He has no reputation to protect. If he's going to jail, his political career is gone. His law practice is in the toilet and he's been beaten and left bed ridden for the foreseeable future. He was literally a man that had nothing else to lose. Then a thought entered my mind.

I look to Eric and then to Ana. "Does Bill know about Hadley yet?" I ask her.

She sighs. "He knows that Lorena was taken into custody trying to get money out of your account. That's all he knows."

"If we go to trial, will he need to know about her?" I ask.

There is a pause as Ana looks from me to Frank.

"Sookie, they would need to know about her yes." Frank says.

"And he could drag her into court and bury her as he's burying himself." I say.

"It would probably be Houke's only hope to try to pin the whole thing on her, yes. But during cross examination…"

I put my hand up and shake my head. "No," I say.

"Sookie." Eric tries to say something but I shake my head.

"No, Eric. I'm not letting Bill get near her. She is so messed up that she doesn't even know who she is. If this Houke guy puts her on the stand, who knows what will happen."

"Sookie we can argue because of her mental state that she is unfit to testify." Ana says.

I shake my head again. "But they will be able to say who she is. He could bury her without her even being there. No, he has hurt her enough." I say shaking my head again.

"Sookie," Lafayette leans forward. "She's…."

"She's sick, Laf. She is also my cousin." I say to him.

"Who was bedding and working with Bill to not only steal from you but from the Foundation. She knew what she was doing, Sookie. She may be messed up but she knew…"

I put my hand up. "I know what she's done. But she's been a victim all her life. Hell, she may not even have known who I was when she was Lorena. She could be so dissociative that she had no clue."

"Sookie, think about this for a minute. I know you feel bad but…" Eric starts to say and when I look at him he stops.

"This isn't about feeling bad, Eric. Sure I feel bad. But Hadley is family. No one, and I mean no one has looked out for her. If Gran knew, if she really knew what Linda was doing, she would have taken Hadley away from her and she would have grown up with Jason and I. Hadley has been given the short end of the stick her whole life." I pause and take his hand in mine. "Jason has always been there for me." I turn to Lafayette. "All of you have been there for me. I know first hand what Bill Compton is capable of. Sure Lorena may have been playing him. Or maybe she was sucked in like I was. All I know, is if someone who grew up with as much love and family as I did was able to be snared by him, Hadley never stood a chance, with him or this guy Remy." I look down. "It's time someone thinks about what is going to be good for her. It's about time someone was her advocate." I look up at Ana. "I'm not going to let him hurt her any more. I'll talk to him but I have a few conditions of my own."

I turn to Eric and I can see the pain and anger on his face. I reach up to touch his cheek. "Don't worry so. I'm going to be fine."

He places his hand over mine. "How do you know?" He asks.

I smile. "Because I've got you."

****0****

Victor's POV

"Vic, I don't know what you want me to do." She says to me.

"I need to know what she's up to. I need to know the game she's playing at." I growl at her.

"Damn it, Victor!" She screams at me. She actually screamed at me. I turn slowly to look at her. I see her through a slight haze of red.

"I'm telling you the doctors all say the same thing. Lorena has popped her cork. She has no fucking clue who she is and thinks she is going to go see Compton any minute now. You have to fucking see her. She is sitting in that room like it's a goddamn garden. She is sitting as pretty as a picture reading a Bible for Christ sakes. I know Lorena and I'm telling you, that woman in that room is not her." She sighs and looks at the file in front of her. "Look at what they are saying," she holds it out to me and I take it. "She hasn't even addressed the doctors as anything other than servants, I think. Hell, she thinks I'm her new personal assistant." She throws her hands up. "She's not playing a game, Victor. This isn't something that can been faked. Shit even when that Stackhouse woman…"

I grab her arm and swing her so she is right in front of me. She lets out a yelp but I don't care. "What do you mean when that Stackhouse woman came to see her? You're telling me that Sookie Stackhouse came to see Lorena?" I growl at her. "Why didn't you tell me?"

"You didn't give me a chance. She knows who Lorena is. The entire time, That Sookie person was addressing Lorena as Hadley. It was all I could do not too lose my shit and act like the badass lawyer. They were hoping that they could get Lorena or Hadley or whatever her name is to break out of it and tell them what she knew. I was just hoping that her act would stay intact so we could use it at trial. But that was just it. The more I saw the two women together, the freakier it god. It was like Lorena was mirroring Sookie's every move. Hell, even down to the way she sat down. It was creepy."

I let her go and she stumbles back a little. "What else did they say?" I ask her.

"Lorena mentioned use as a bad man." She says.

"What?" I ask.

She shakes her head. "She said that Bill was going to protect her from you because she was the good Sookie now. They haven't said it but they know who you are too, I think."

"Just by that, you think they know I' involved?" I huff at her.

She shrugs. "At least they know who Lorena really is. They know you were married to Lorena. They know that you and Lorena came to New Orleans together. They are looking into some stuff, Victor. My managing partner called me last night. He wanted to know why I wanted this Pro Bono gig so badly. I think it won't be long until they are coming to look for you."

I growl at her. If they know who I am then they know more than I thought. If her firm has called her, then they may be looking into my connection to her. Or at the very least, looking into why someone like Jocelynn is taking cases like this. It that's the case, they will soon trace Jocelynn back to me. Like I said, the DA isn't stupid. It won't take them long to link her to him. Hell, I should have known that. It was stupid and impulsive. But she was the first name that popped into my head and the first person I knew I could call that would come at a moment's notice. Plus, it has been a while and I needed to get laid. Jocelynn was always a good pinch hitter when Lorena started seeing Bill. Then when she started spending more and more time with him, Jocelynn was a good distraction.

But now, well, now she seems to be a weight around my neck. Well, that may mean that it's time for Ms. Hampton find new accommodations; perhaps at the bottom of the canal.

I smile as she turns around to look at me. The realization in her eyes tells me she knows what's coming. I watch her walk backwards as I move toward her. The last thing she will see is my smile.

***0***

SPOV

"Sook, honey, are you sure about this?" Lafayette says to me.

I nod. "You just make sure they do what they promised." I say.

"Sookie," Ana says as she turns to me. "I promise. We will meet with Judge Marcome as soon as we are done at the hospital. We have sent a messenger to Ms. Hampton's office with the notice. I promised we would do this for you and I don't break a promise."

I allow my arms to fall as the detective secures the last wire in place.

I nod. "I do this, you make the deal. You get that woman away from my cousin and you get her someone of our choosing." I look at Lafayette. "If it can't be you then someone you trust. I don't want her harmed anymore."

He looks at me for a moment and then nods. "I understand Sookie."

I believe he does. I am not doing this for Hadley, per say. I mean, I am. She's family and you don't turn your back on family. But more than for Hadley, I'm doing it for Gran. She wouldn't have cared what Hadley had done. It wouldn't have made any difference, she would have tried to help her. Even if she has committed murder, Gran would have been there; seated right behind her. Because that's what family does. Even if she was playing us, Gran would have come to her aid. For that reason, I will do what Gran can't now. I know Jason will agree with me. I won't turn a blind eye to what she's done. Like Gran, she would expect her to pay for her mistakes. We reap what we sow. That is something Gran burned into both Jason and I. She would expect justice. We all would. But, just like the most important woman in my life would have done, I will do everything in my power to prevent Hadley from ever being abused again. No, not by Bill, not by anyone.

I look over to see the pain on Eric's face. He is so not happy about this. I think he would be happy if Bill Compton burst into flames or turned to ash right in front of him; never to darken our doors again. I understand where he's coming from. Seeing Bill hasn't exactly been on my top ten things to do while visiting New Orleans list either. I may not want to do this, but I need to do this. Not only for Hadley but for me as well.

I need to ask some questions and I need to hear the answers. I need to tell him a few things about what he's done. But most importantly, I need to stand up and face the boogeyman that has overshadowed my life for so many years. Not that he's completely to blame. Sure, he's the one that lied, cheated and stole from not only me but the Foundation. He's the one that has put his family, his career and his future in this situation. But I'm at fault too.

I allowed him to overshadow me. I allowed him to belittle me, make me feel small and less than I really was. I'm the one that moved away from my family and tried to be what he needed me to be. I'm the one that was willing to change to please him. That is on me and no one else. I need to face him. Not as the scared, insignificant flower that he made me feel like. But as the strong woman I know I am and the one I rediscovered when I met the man who is now standing in front of me with very sad and pain-filled eyes.

"That should do it, Ms. Stackhouse." The detective says to me. "We will be in the next room and everything will be recorded. Don't worry. Everything he says we will get on tape.

I thank him and walk over to Eric who immediately puts his arms around me and pulls me close.

"I really don't like this." He says to me. "But I know why you need to do it."

I reach up on tiptoes and kiss him softly. "I love you." I say.

He smiles. "I love you too." He says. Leaning down to reach my ear, "and as soon as this is all over, I'm taking you back to the house and show you just how much."

A shiver of anticipation brushes over my spine and fills my cheeks with a warm glow. Leaning back, Eric brushes his thumb over my now very heated face. "I love that." He says.

I smile at him. "What?" I ask.

"That the very thought of me makes you blush." He says.

I give him a wicked grin. "You do more than make me blush."

Kissing me again, he pulls back before we can take it any further. "Later," he says as he pulls me out of the room.

"I'm gonna hold you to that." I say.

***0***

Fifteen minutes later, we are pulling up to the Hospital's back entrance. Photographers and reporters had gotten wind that something was going on here and had been milling around the lobby. Since the catastrophe on Friday with the Psych ward at State, security has been beefed up at all the hospitals. No one has been talking about what the gunman was after or if he's been caught. I know for a fact that they haven't gotten him. According to Ana the security tapes had been reviewed. But the man couldn't be confirmed to be Victor Madden or Remy Savoy, if that's his real name. Ana hasn't said much more on the subject, but I'm sure if it was something important, she would tell us. At least I hope she would tell us.

We make our way up the service elevator and wait in a small room down the hall from Bill's room. It was so quiet that I could hear my heart pounding in my ears. Eric must have felt my increasing anxiety because he pulled me to him and sat me in his lap, wrapping his arms around me. "You don't have to do this, baby," he says to me. "We can find another way to keep Compton away from you and Hadley. You don't have to face him."

Leaning back into his arms, it would be so easy to say, yes. To tell him to take me away from all this and forget everything there has to do with William Compton, his family, this mess and Hadley. It would be so easy to run back to Bon Temps, live my life and never give any of this another thought. Perhaps it would be easy for someone else, but not for me. Every day, I would think about this. Every night, my dreams would be haunted by the memories that won't settle. Every time I thought of Gran, I would know that she would be disappointed in me for not doing everything I could. Not only to stop Bill but to protect our family. Yeah, it wouldn't be easy for me at all.

"I need to do this, Eric." I say as I turn so I can look at him. "I need this to be over. I want our future to have none of this baggage."

Sighing, he kisses the top of my head.

"Okay, Sookie." Ana says. "Everything is ready." I look up to see Ana standing with a very small oily looking man.

Climbing off of Eric's lap, I walk over to meet the two.

"Sookie," she begins. "This is Leslie Houke, Bill's attorney. Leslie, this is Sookie Stackhouse."

He reaches out his hand. I take it for just a moment and then release it. Just being in this man's presence makes me feel like I need a bath.

"A pleasure, Ms. Stackhouse. I know that Mr. Compton is eager to speak with you." He says.

I look from him to Ana. "He isn't coming in with me." It's not a question.

"Mr. Compton would like to speak with you alone," Leslie says. "It's against my better judgment but it is what he wants."

I nod. Yeah I'd be alone but the fine police officers set up in the next room would be with me every step of the way.

I turn to look at Eric. Standing he takes me in his arms and kisses me one more time. When he releases me, I look up into his beautiful eyes. "I'll be right outside the door."

I nod and smile at him. Looking over to Ana I nod. "Let's do this."

We walk over to the door. She knocks. I hear a faint voice telling us to come in. I take a deep breath, opening the door and walking inside.

***0***

Elizabeth's POV

"William, surely the judge will make an exception." I sit back at the table and cross my arms in front of me. "It's the Governor's Ball for God sakes. They can't expect us to stay away." I say looking at my husband and then looking at Carter who had come to speak to us this morning.

"Lizzie, you have a restraining order." Carter says pointing down to the ghastly thing that is around my ankle and hidden by my long pants. "You are in enough trouble. You want to actually be in prison."

I throw my arms up in the air. "What am I supposed to do?" I ask. "What, do I need to check with her publicist anytime I want to go anywhere? And what is SHE doing at the Governor's Ball anyway?" I ask. "She's already buried my Bill. Is she going to stomp on his grave now too?" I growl.

"Lizzie," my husband leans forward. "When are you going to understand? Sookie did nothing. She didn't do this. It was all Bill." He says and turns to Carter. "What if he takes the plea? Will they drop the restraining order then?" He asks.

"William!" I shout at him. "Bill is not taking a plea. There has to be away out of this."

"Elizabeth," Carter says very sternly. My own husband doesn't speak to me with this much venom. "If Bill doesn't take a plea, the DA is going to look further into the firm's affairs. I can assure you that they are going to look and look until they find more evidence. Right now," he motions to William, "William is only an accessory due to his connection to the firm. If Bill takes the plea then they may be willing to drop the charges. However, if they look…"

I shake my head. "Bill is a fine and upstanding man. William, tell him. Tell him that Bill wouldn't do any of this." I say. "Stand up for your son."

William just shakes his head. "Lizzie, it's over. It's just a matter of if Bill is going to take us down with him."

I shake my head. "You can't be serious. He's your SON, William. He is your only son. He has a future, he has a career. He has everything you ever wanted for him. Now that he's in trouble you are going to desert him." I look at Carter. "You had to get him some shoddy lawyer who is forcing him to take a deal. You aren't giving him anything to work with. Of course he's willing to take a deal. He thinks…." I try to hold back the tears. "He thinks we've deserted him."

"Lizzie," William says quietly. "There…there's nothing we can do to help him. Taking the plea is the best chance he has to getting any kind of a life." He says softly.

"Lizzie, he's messed with some pretty powerful forces. That Foundation that you and he brushed off is Federal. The Governor is on the board, for fuck sake. Political figures from three different states have supported it. Bill was playing with fire and finally got burned."

I shake my head. "If that little girl had done what she was told, none of this would be happening." I say and go to walk out of the room.

"Elizabeth." Carter says.

I turn around. "I'm Elizabeth Compton. I've been seen at every major political function for the last forty years. Fix this Carter. I'm not letting some backwoods no name, degenerate of a writer keep me away from what is mine by birth. Fix this." I growl and walk out of the room.

Making my way through the house, I go to my rooms and close the door. Picking up my phone I dial a number and wait.

"Yes?" I hear.

"Do it. I want her ruined." I say.

"What?" The receiver asks.

"I want her ruined. I want her to be so buried that she won't show her face at a dog show. I want her to run back to that little backwoods town with her tail between her legs."

"I…I've been doing everything I can without mentioning Bill or what the charges are. What do you want me to do?"

I huff. "I want you to do the job I'm paying you to do. I don't care what you need to do, what you need to dig up. I want her out of New Orleans and so damaged that no one, not even the Governor will touch her with a ten foot pole."

"There isn't anything to exploit. I put the photos on the net and nothing happened. Hell, her popularity on the search engines went up. The news and entertainment shows aren't biting. There isn't anything there to trash. The chick is a freaking Girl Scout. She's everyone's darling. No one has a bad thing to say about her."

"Then dig deeper. There has to be skeletons somewhere. Find them." I say.

"I'm telling you. The Stackhouse family is loved and adored. What do you want me to do, lie?"

"You better do something, or I'll find someone who will." I say and hang up the phone.

Walking over to the windows, I look out into my beautiful gardens. The one I would sit in when my son was just an infant. Watching as the Nanny would hold him and make him smile. I would sip my tea and think about his future. How grand and illustrious it would be. Never did I think I would be doing everything I could to keep my beloved son out of jail. But then again, I'm sure I'm not the first mother who had sons in politics to do this. Yes, I will do this for my son. I will keep him safe and help him get back on his feet.

Then all of this will be a memory. Just a memory that in time, will fade.

***0***

SPOV

I walk in the door and see him. He looks so small and weak lying there. I must admit, I've never seen Bill in a bed. He would have never allowed that. It would have raised too many eyebrows with the staff. I wonder how many times I could have walked in on him and Lorena. As quickly as it rises in my mind, I push it away. I can't be thinking like this or I will never get through what I needed to do.

"Sookeh," He says with a cold hard smile. "It is about time that you came to see me. What are people going to say when they find out that my own fiancée didn't think enough to come to my aid? I mean, I was kidnapped, beaten and almost killed. You think you could have pulled yourself away from your whoring ways to at least make an effort at propriety." He huffs.

I walk a little farther into the room but stay near the foot of the bed. "Is that why you made this deal Bill? You wanted me to come here so you could insult me?" I ask him.

His expression changes for a moment. He expected the chastisement to make me whimper. Well it has in the past, why wouldn't it now. Instead of getting the old weak Sookie, I stand my question. His face quickly softens. "No," he says with another one of his small smiles. "Forgive me, Sookie. It must be the pain. Please, sit. We have much to discuss."

I shake my head. "No, thank you Bill. I won't be staying long. You wanted this meeting so talk."

His eyes go cold for a moment. "You will not talk to me in such a manner, Sookie. I am going to be your husband and you will treat me with respect."

I give out a little laugh. "You're joking right?" I ask him. "You honestly think I'm going to marry you?"

He smiles. "Well of course you are. As soon as we clear all this up." He says waving his good arm around.

I cross mine under my breasts. "What are we going to clear up?"

"Really, Sookie. Who have you been spending time with that has made you so hostile? You know perfectly well what we need to clear up. I mean, I think this has gone on too far, don't you?"

I shake your head. "What are you talking about?" I ask him.

"I mean this little problem we are having with this so called money of yours. You know full well I was just taking care of you. I mean, I understand you being upset about learning about Lorena. But really, telling the DA that I stole from you? You know full well that is just an exaggeration." He huffs.

I take a step closer to him. "Oh really, and what about all the forged signatures?" I ask him.

"You were under a lot of stress, Sookie." He says with a smile. "I didn't want to burden you. You needed to rest. You were so weak and needed someone to take control. I only did what you needed me to do. What would you have had me do?"

"Tell me? That would have been a good start." I say to him.

"What would that have done? You clearly had no desire to deal with the situation and I took control of it. Now, you know you wanted that Sookie. You know that you needed me to be in control. You practically threw yourself at me. I did what any man who adores his woman would do. I gave you exactly what you wanted."

The words were coming out of his mouth and I honestly think he believed every one of them.

I shake my head. "You loved me so much that you were sleeping with your campaign manager behind my back and stealing from my accounts to pay for your future."

"Our Future, Sookie. I was doing it for the campaign. So we could have a future. You know as well as I do that you wanted that future with me."

I sigh. "I thought I did, Bill. I thought I wanted that life with you because I thought you loved me. You didn't love me. You wanted me for one thing and that was my money. You saw me at my worst and took advantage of me. You pulled me away from my friends and family and just took from me."

He smiles. "You believe I did that? You know I would never hurt you." He says. "You know I love you. Now, be a good girl and tell the DA you made a mistake. We can put this all behind us and get on with our life."

"Oh really," I say. "What about Lorena? What about the Foundation?"

"Sookie," he says softly. "The Foundation is not your problem. They will fold and stop all the hideous things they are doing. They need to be stopped. The Coalition will not stand by and allow it to continue. I understand that your father started it. But he's dead." His words send a shiver down my spine. "What those people turned it into is a disgrace." He pauses. "Now, as for Lorena. I have to admit, I was sucked into her game. I made a mistake, my Sookie. I know I hurt you, us. But I promise to make it up to you. I promise that you will never have to deal with her again. I will make sure that her and that scum she was married to never harm us again."

He pauses again for a moment. "Now, you know I love you. You know that I only turned to Lorena to keep you pure. I wanted to keep us for our wedding night. Now you know I was only thinking of you. I promise, as soon as I'm better and out of here, I'll start making that up to you as well. I promise that you will have everything you are entitled too."

I look right into his eyes as I say the next words. "Where is Gran's letter, Bill? " I ask him.

His smile falters for a moment but quickly regains his composure. "I don't know what you're talking about."

I take a step closer to him. "Jason received a letter from Gran. She wrote it when she knew that her time was coming to a close. Where is mine, Bill?" I ask him.

He shakes his head. "Maybe she didn't write you one. I don't remember." He says and looks away from me.

"BILL!" I yell at him.

His head moves quickly and I know that it causes him pain. "Where is my letter?" I ask him. "You have one chance to redeem yourself in my eyes. Where is my letter?"

"There is no letter." He says softly.

I knew he wasn't going to fess up. That would mean he would have to fess up to everything.

"Fine, Bill. You told the DA that you had information about a drug lord. Is that a lie too?" I ask him. "I know the people you associate with, Bill. None of them strike me as the drug selling type." I say with a half laugh. "Or was that a lie to get me to come here."

"I thought you would have seen the light and come by yourself. I understand that you are mad about Lorena. Most women are mad to find their men are stepping out on them. But I told you that I would make sure that Lorena and Victor stayed away from us. All you need to do is come clean."

"Come clean about what Bill? Come clean about the fact that you lied to me? That you cheated on me for years or maybe the fact that you were stealing money away from my estate and took away my future to enhance your own." I say.

"Your future as what, Sookie?" He growls. "Do you know how many dancers go to Juilliard? Do you know how many make it? Please, you would have been up in New York with nothing and no one. You would have failed at becoming a dancer and been too ashamed to come home."

I step back for a moment. "If…if there was no letter, how did you know I got into Juilliard?" I ask him.

He opens his mouth and then closes it.

I take another step closer to him. "I want to make this very clear to you Bill Compton. After this mess is over, I can promise you that I will never waste another thought on you. You will be nothing to me and mine. But I can equally assure you that there will not be a day that goes by that you don't think of me and what you did to me has cost you. You mean nothing to me. Perhaps you never did. I would not wish what you have done to me and my entire family on my worst enemy. I hope to God you rot in jail for the pain you have caused." I turn to leave.

"Sookie," he growls at me. I turn to look at him. "You are nothing without me."

I smirk at him. "I'm sure you believe that. Good bye, Bill."

I open the door and walk out. Right into the arms of the man I call my future.

***0***

EPOV

It took everything I had in me not to run into that room about a dozen times while Sookie was speaking to him. All I wanted to do was get her away from him. Bill Compton is a cancer that infects everyone around him. I want him eradicated from my Sookie's life. The sooner the better. When I heard her heading for the door, I needed to be the first thing she saw. I was pleased when she didn't miss a beat and walked right into my waiting arms. Having her back with me made everything better.

"Are you okay?" I ask her as I kiss the top of her head.

He nods. "Yeah," she says and looks up at me. "How did I ever believe all his lies?" She asks.

I shake my head. "I don't know."

"You okay, Sookie?" Lafayette asks her.

She turns in my arms to look at him. "Never better. You?" She asks.

"Better now that you're out of there." He says and turns to Ana. "We had an agreement."

She nods and turns to Mr. Houke who up until now hadn't said much of anything. He wasn't in the room when were we were listening to the conversation. Hell, I'm not sure if he knew Sookie was even wearing a wire. How he didn't, is a mystery. But he hasn't said a thing.

"Leslie," Ana says. "We had a deal. Ms. Stackhouse complied. I will expect your client to do the same."

He nods. "I…I still have no idea why he wanted to see Ms. Stackhouse but…."

"He wanted to bully her into recanting." I growl at him. "I hope you had no knowledge of this. My family and Ms. Stackhouse's would hate it if you were seen trying to intimidate a witness."

Leslie looks at all of us. "What? No, I ….he said he wanted to clear the air with his fiancée. He didn't say anything about intimidation." He says. "I…I'll speak with him. We had an agreement Ms. Mason. I will make sure that he understands that." He moves away from us and to the door.

"Houke," Ana says. The attorney stops and looks back at her. "I want the name and information within the hour. Otherwise, he takes his chances with both us and the Feds. Let him know that if that's the case, he's also looking at attempted witness tampering."

"You have no proof." He says.

"Oh no?" Ana raises an eyebrow. "You honestly think we would have let Ms. Stackhouse in that room without listening devices?" She asks.

His mouth goes stiff. "You can't do that." He growls.

She pulls out a piece of paper. "Judge says I can." She says and waves it back and forth in front of the man.

He goes to take it but Ana pulls it back shaking her head. "Make him deal, Houke. It's the best solution to a very bad situation."

He sighs. "I…I'll do what I can."

He turns without another look to any of us and heads for Bill's door.

I quickly move Sookie out of the line of sight. Just in case Bill is looking at the door.

"What do we do now?" Sookie asks.

Ana sighs. "We wait for Houke to call to meet with Frank and I. In the meantime," she says looking down at her watch. "I've got a meeting with Judge Marcome regarding you cousin."

I kiss the top of Sookie's head. "And we have to get to the Foundation meeting."

She nods as I turn to Ana. "We will wait to hear from you."

She returns my nods and heads over to speak with the other detectives.

"Come on honey," Lafayette says, we don't want to be late.

***0***

Victor's POV

The phone rings as I watch my parcel slip under the water. I hate to have to do this now. But I didn't want to wait until dark. Plus, this area of the pier is usually deserted this time of day. I should know.

I flip the phone open. "Talk to me." I say to the caller.

"This is fucking bad." He says.

"Calm down," I say. "What's bad?"

"Compton told the DA that he had some information about a key player in a drug organization. That he would tell him in exchange for talking to Ms. Stackhouse."

"Lorena?" i ask him.

"No dude, the real Sookie Stackhouse." He says.

"What did he want to speak to her about?" I ask as I watch the last part of the cooler sink.

"From what we gather, he was trying to get her to recant." He says.

"Recant on what?" I ask.

"Dude, they got Compton on like nine charges. Lorena is his accomplice. They know that Hampton is connected to you somehow. They have already touched base with her firm to have her meet at a hearing regarding her connection this afternoon."

Well, they'll be waiting a long time for her. I think to myself. "What has Compton told them?" I ask.

"Nothing, yet. But the ADA is waiting to talk to his attorney. What could he possibly know?" He asks.

"Not much," I say to him. I think back to the conversations we had while I was with him. He didn't know much. Maybe a name or two. Lorena didn't tell him anything. I would have known. So what does he think he knows that he can tell the ADA. What bargaining chip does he think he has? Shaking my head, I decide that it's nothing. "Don't worry," I say as I turn and make my way back to my car. "Nothing is going to happen."

"Where are you?" He asks.

"Tying up a few loose ends." I say. Speaking of loose ends; "I need to get in to see Lorena."

"Nothing I can do about that." He says to me. "No one is in or out of that facility without the DA's approval.

"Well get it," I growl at him.

"Look, they are already looking for you. After your stunt at the hospital, it would be best if you just got out of here." He says. "Shit, you are just digging yourself deeper dude."

He may be right but I'm not leaving Lorena. I would never leave my Rena. She's either coming with me, or she's dead. That is all there is.

"Keep me posted." I say and hang up.

Starting the car, I decide to head to yet another no name hotel until I can change my appearance again. Then I need to do three things. One, I need to take care of Rena. Two, I need to get that cash and three; I need to get the hell out of here before Paulie hits town.

Yeah, out of the three, the last is mandatory.

***0***

SPOV

We are ushered into the large room with about twenty seats surrounding a large conference table. Niall is the first to great us, followed by Stan and Jennifer. Eric's father is the last to come over and say hello. I could tell that it was stiff and awkward but Eric did shake his hand and he did say hello to me.

"Shall we get started?" Niall asks.

"Governor," I say. "Before we begin may I say something?" I ask.

He smiles at me. "Of course, Sookie dear." He says and motions for me to take the floor. I clear my throat and look down at Eric for a moment. He looked at me with a question but I just squeeze his hand and turn to address the room.

"I realize that you all know what has been transpiring over the last week or so." I look around the room. "I can't tell you how sorry I am that my problems have spilled themselves over onto this fine organization. I understand that my connection with the Foundation could cause harm to us and to our future grants and funding." I pause for a moment. "Therefore, if it is the board's wishes, I will graciously step aside to prevent future embarrassment and hardship."

"Sookie….Ms. Stackhouse," Niall says as he stands. "I think I speak for the entire board when I say that will not be necessary." He looks around the room. "I don't think anyone in this room blames you for the actions of a very manipulative and deceitful human being. I for one should have known when your votes came by proxy that there was something amiss." He leans forward a bit. "I've known you a very long time, Sookie. I've known your family since before you were born. I should have known that your views on certain things would not have changed so drastically in the last four years. I should have seeked you out." He looks around the room. "Several of us should have seeked you out." He turns back to me. "I, for one am pleased that you are here and want to take over for your family in our efforts." He looks around the room. "Has anyone anything apposing to say?" He asks and waits.

Nodding, Niall looks back at me. "Excellent. Now as courteous as your offer is, we will have to decline it, Ms. Stackhouse." He says and winks at me. Turning to the rest of the room. "Now, we have some very exciting things to discuss so I suggest we get started."

Eric takes my hand in his. Raising it to his mouth, he kisses it softly. "I love you." He says.

I smile. "I love you too."

I turn my attention back to the room. I couldn't help looking across the room and seeing Eric's father watching us. Just as it was getting a bit uncomfortable, Edwin looks down. I think I see him sigh before he turns his attention to Jennifer who has just taken the floor. I look over at Eric but his attention is on the woman talking and hasn't given his father any attention.

It makes me sad to think of Eric and his father so estranged. But now is not the time to deal with it. Now, I need to deal with my family's legacy and the foundation's future.

***0***

EPOV

I know I should have been listening to everything that was being said in the meeting. I had caught most of it and spoke when it was my turn. I had informed everyone of the information that I had received from the city and my connections near the hospital. I'm sure that they were more than pleased to hear that we were going to get many, if not all the materials for cost or donation. The building itself could be a simple right off if the Foundation could provide the appropriate documentation.

It was decided that all drawings and submissions would be made to the board within the week and that Niall would be announcing the project at the Gala. That is all fine and good but I was really ready to get out of the damn board room and get my woman alone.

Saying goodbye to everyone, I take Sookie by the hand lead her out with acknowledgment that we will be meeting Niall out later in the evening.

"Eric," Sookie laughs. "Why are you in such a hurry?"

I pull her to me over the console of the car before I pull out into traffic. "I want you alone." I say with a growl.

I can see Sookie shiver and her smile tells me everything I want to know. She wants me as much as I want her.

I take no time in speeding us back to the house. Out of the car, the security let us in and I have Sookie up in my arms and am racing up the stairs to our rooms. Sookie is giggling and telling me to let her down. Once behind closed doors, I spin her and have her up against the door with her legs immediately wrapping around me.

I let my mouth eat at hers. Teeth, tongues and lips all work together until I'm completely devouring her. My hands move to her legs and raise them under her skirt. Then what I feel causes me to moan. I had forgotten that she had started the day wearing thigh highs and garters. Underneath the black suit she is darning is black lace stocking with a push up bra.

Without saying another word, I lower her to the floor to unwrap my present. After all, she said that the lingerie was for me to unwrap her later. It's later, I want my present.

Sookie doesn't miss a beat. While I'm helping her out of her clothes, she's helping me out of mine. Before I know it, I am down to my boxer briefs and Sookie is standing before me in her lace and heels.

"God damn, woman," I growl as I attack her neck. "You are going to be the death of me." I say to her. She moans out her response and I smile into her neck. It's nice to know I've got the same effect on her that she does on me.

Lifting her, I carry her over to the bed and lay her in the middle. Climbing up, I start kissing her ankle and then move up her leg, giving quite a lot of attention to where the stocking ends and her leg begins. She moans out again as I get closer and closer to her core. I can feel the heat coming from her from hear and it is just making me harder. God, all I want to do is dive between those legs and never leave. But I've got a plan. One I've been devising since she agreed to meet with Compton. I am going to claim this woman with everything I have. She is going to be mine. No one will ever think otherwise.

I trace over the edge of her panties, which rewards me another moan. Looking up her body, I can see her moving her hands over her still lace covered breasts. The bra isn't covering much but her pert nipples. Which I know are only a shade darker than her lips. Moving down, I kiss and lick down to her other ankle and then back up. Coming to rest right over her panties. I smile when I see someone showed Sookie (probably Amelia) to wear the panties on the outside of the garters. Not as smooth of a line. But definitely good for times like this.

"Eric…"she pants out. "Please, no…no more teasing." She says. Her breasts have spilled out of her bra and she has her hands rubbing over her very, very pert nipples. I groan again as I lean in and kiss her core above the lace.

I hear Sookie cry out and look up to see her head falling backward on the pillows.

"Oh, Sookie, none of that," I growl again. "I want you to look at what I'm doing to you."

Her head returns and her eyes open to look down her own body to wear I rest. Her eyes are hooded and she licks her lips as she makes eye contact with me. Shit, she hasn't even touched me and I'm ready to go. Fuck my life, this woman is going to be the death of me.

I lean back in, kissing and rubbing over her lace until they're soaked with her own juices. I can't wait to be inside her but I need to taste her first. Grabbing onto the side of her panties, I twist my fingers to snap the very small thread holding the sides together. I lean in again and lick, suck and bite just as I did at her mouth.

"Eric…" she whines out. "Please…God…please. ..More…" She pants out.

Lowering one of my arms over her middle to stop her thrashings, I use the other to replace my tongue at her center. As soon as I put one finger inside her, I almost lose it. Fuck she's tight. Wet, hot and tight; how the hell is she always so tight?

Moving I and out of her with my fingers she starts to try to move to take more of me in. Knowing that she is just at the place where she's going to go crazy, I curl my finger, finding that spot just after the opening. I flick my finger over it, back and forth; back and forth. I can feel her walls closing in and her moans growing louder. Begging and pleading for her release. Biting down slightly on her bundle of nerves, she is over the edge in two more strokes.

I watch as her hands ball into the sheets and her back arches off the bed. I smile at myself. I do this to her. No one has ever done this to her but I do it to her.

I feel her coming down and know I can't wait any longer. I need to claim what's mine. Climbing up her body, I take my boxers off as I move and am naked by the time I reach her core. She is still panting as I line myself up and grab hold of one of her thighs. I enter her with one strong thrust which immediately sends her into another orgasm. I hold still for a moment because if I don't I'm going to go right then and there.

"Eric…Fuck…Good….." She screams out.

I start to move and she moves beneath me. "So, fuck, Sookie…you're so fucking tight." I say through gritted teeth.

"Big…God…soooooo…AH…" She tries to get out between thrusts. I lift both legs up over my hips. Changing the angle just enough to make me hit things inside. Sookie is so in tune tonight with her body. That little change sends her over the edge one more with her hips thrusting up to meet mine.

I want to be deeper. I want to hear her moan at how deep I am.

Moving us, I roll so now Sookie is on top. Without missing a stroke, Sookie starts moving on top of me and I grab her hips to help with the motion.

"So fucking Good. God Sookie, I ….you're mine. Tell me..tell me you're mine." I moan out at the feel of me so deep inside her.

"God..yes…yes…all yours. Only…Only yours." She says as she continues to move on top of me.

Feeling her waiver slightly, I take hold and start to move from beneath her. I know I'm close and I want Sookie to meet me on the other side. Reaching down, I brush my hand over her clit and she moans out again. Another brush then another has her head moving back and forth and calling my name.

"Come for me," I say with more dominance than I ever have toward her. "Come NOW!" I say. Two more strokes and I'm spilling myself inside her as she is milking me with her inner walls. I swear I see white lights in this moment. Nothing matters or existed but how we are joined.

Sookie collapses on my chest with me still inside her. Enfolding her in my arms I kiss the top of her head while I run my fingertips over her spin.

"You okay?" She asks me.

I chuckle. Not a very manly thing to do. But I do it just the same. "I'm so much more than okay." I say to her.

She looks up to see my face. The smile, so bright that it would light room. "Me too." She says.

We have so many things that we need to deal with. For right now, everything has faded away. For right now, we've slipped into a black hole. Where we will come out, who knows. But right now, I don't care.