A/N: Thank you all for the lovely reviews and favorites. The last chapter had an overwhelming response. I am glad that JFK was a good choice. Devious Eric was too much fucking fun! I have been meaning to leave this in several AN and I forget. If there is something that you would like me to try and incorporate in the story please say so. Although I have to say that any sort of Godric lemons with our lovers are out. If there is a high demand I might make up a 1-shot. Godric's purpose in this story is the fatherly kind. With that said I am open to suggestions. We are going backwards in time here to cover Sookie's Friday, usually I do this with EPOV, but Cleo was screaming to meet the sun. Now that my note is as long as some of my lemons shall we continue?

*~ };- ~*

Friday November 26, 1999

Apartment 4D – Shreveport, Louisiana 9:00 a.m.

This morning had been trying as hell. Bobby woke me up at the ass crack of dawn banging on the door like the boogie man was hot on his heels. When I finally let him in he had an army of packages. The amount of boxes was down right obscene.

"Bobby what the hell is all this shit?"

"I'm sorry Sookie when Pam gets the master's platinum card she gets a bit crazy. Eric to me once in England after she was turned vampire that she had 41 new dresses made. To top it off the Townhouse that they were staying in caught fire and she refused to leave behind a single stitch of clothing."

"Shepard of Judea. I think that he should just buy her a mall full of clothing boutiques. It would be cheaper in the long run."

"These four boxes are luggage with your name engraved on em. Those 20 over there are casual clothes and the 10 over here are business attire, and these 15 contain different dresses there are six boxes of lingerie, and 24 boxes of shoes. I have an itinerary for the festivities so that you can make selections. I am supposed to help you pack. Eric says that you should bring some extra casual clothes for sightseeing. He asked that your Ball Gown be blue to match his suit."

"Holy molly! Let me see that itinerary."

Looking over the 10 page document I now understood why we were going to be gone for three nights. Extravagance that was the vampire motto. Attached to the last page was a note from Eric.

Lover,

Now that we are bonded I am going to introduce you to the Louisiana Vampires. I have drawn up a contract for your services. Bobby has a copy for you to finalize. Once your talents are known I am sure that you will be acquiring clients. Everything is covered other than your prices. There are several things that I must discuss with you about the contract, but I would rather explain them face to face.

I am sure that Bobby told you that I have requested a blue Ball Gown. You will need four casual outfits for sightseeing, and traveling, three business suits, and two cocktail dresses other than the Ball Gown. I know this seems daunting, but you are a fabulous adapter I am sure that you will please me with minimal effort. I will leave your lingerie selections up to you I prefer to be surprised.

Until tonight,

~E

"Bobby read this note and help me make selections accordingly. While you are doing that for me to approve I need to look at some contact. I will gather my casual clothes and underthings, you worry about the business suits and cocktail dresses."

"Sure, the Contract is in the pocket of the itinerary binder."

The contract was straight forward really, all requests must go through Eric which is understandable. In vampire society bonded or not I was not their equal. My standard fee was $25,000 unless it was across state lines, then it was double and considerably more. I was flabbergasted at the amount. Did he think I was going to argue about it? If anything it was too much for invasion of privacy. During the duration of any stay the hosting party must provide me with daytime security, and they must be approved by Eric. What the fuck! Did he think that I was going to be in the line of fire. Reading minds isn't like being a bomb sniffing dog! Men! Thinking that this would be better discussed with Eric tonight I left it on the coffee table and decided that I should be gathering clothes for the trip.

Bobby had 10 dresses and six suits for me to yay or nay. For the most part I was unenthusiastic until I came to a pinstripe suit and ladies fedora. I concluded right then and there that it would be my traveling gear for this night. It was spectacular. Many times when you think of a pin-striped suit, you think of shady dealings and unsavory characters. That's unfortunate, isn't it? Well, Versace takes that image and turns it on its ear. This thin pin-striped two-piece pants suit is very sexy. It's very hot. I could pull this off with or without a blouse underneath. The pants hug the thigh and flair out on the calves and the boot cut legs I was in awe. The other awesome factor was that it also had a matching pencil skirt, which Eric would love, but tomorrow I was wearing those slacks! I picked a pair of Christian Louboutin Mary-Jane peep toe platform sole heels. Paired with my fedora I was going to be the envy of all gangsters on the east coast.

I made my other decisions easily, picking low rise jeans and skirts to pair with cashmere sweaters. After picking out dresses and shoes the underneath was easy. Matching is the way to go. Unbelievably it took three hours to pack and I had used two garment bags and three pieces of luggage.

While Bobby hung up the other clothing in the closet I used the guest bathroom to shower and shave. I exited the bathroom a new woman refreshed and smooth. I was in a considerably good mood as it was almost one and I hadn't had any food or coffee. Bobby had just disposed of all the boxes and loaded the luggage into the SUV.

He reentered the apartment and I said,"I don't know about you but I am starving. Would you like to go to the diner down the street for brunch?"

After a lot of him-hawing he declined and I couldn't change his mind. He was adamant about getting Eric's things together so that we would be on time departing for New Orleans. I bid him goodbyes and settled on making myself a BLT for lunch. As the bacon was frying in the pan the phone rang. I passed on answering in favor for the answering machine to do its only job. As my voice filled the air I pulled the bacon from the grease and slathered the toast with Mayo. The beep sounded and a tearful Hadley broke through the silence in the room.

"Sookie",sniffle "are you around? I really need to talk to you."

I ran for the phone before she hung up. I switched on the speaker phone function and sat heavily into the couch.

"I'm here HadMar I was making lunch."

"I'm sorry to bother you, but I have some fucked up news to share."

"You are never a bother dollface what is the matter? Calm down and tell me."

She was near hysterics as she was trying to explain what was happening.

"I...I..th..th..think that Unnnnncle Bartlettttt fffound out about my ppppregnancy."

After I had deciphered her stuttering hiccuping statement I gasped out loud. I was unsure of what this might mean so before I launched into the call demanding an explanation I pleaded with her to calm down.

"HadMar I can't really understand your side of this conversation with your emotions so high can you calm down and then explain from the beginning?"

Several minutes passed and the only sounds on the phone were sobs, hiccups, and deep breaths. When she had her voice under control for the most part she continued.

With a deep breath she said, "I just got a call on the land line from him. Gran wasn't here thankfully. He had asked why I went to see Dr. Stepp. I told him that I have the flu, but I am unsure of how much he actually knows or where he got the information. The only people that know are us, Gran, Jason and the Dr. I haven't told anyone other than Sam and I know he didn't say anything."

"Shit Marjorie his receptionist she lives in Monroe and goes to church with him. She is an old busy body. I am sure that he knows all about the baby. Other than the father. We are going to have to do something about that old bastard. I am not going to have him threatening you or otherwise. Don't worry Had I will take care of this I have friends and connections. It might be a few days I am off to NOLA in about 26 hours. We will be gone for a couple of days, but I swear that I will take care of this when we get back."

"Thanks Sookie I don't know what I would do without you. I am not sure of what you are planning, but he deserves anything that he gets. I hate him more than I ever did for this. If Gran were to find out I am not sure what would happen."

"Nothing would happen HadMar she loves you. Just like Jason and I do. You have nothing to worry about. I am going to go now and get finished with my preparations for leaving town, but don't worry about any of this anymore. I will have my cell if you need me alright? I love you calm down your emotions are not good for the baby."

"Love you too Sook. See you when you get back."

We said our good byes and hung up.

My hunger had disappeared. I went into the kitchen and cleaned up the mess putting the toast and bacon into the trash compactor. As I made plans and thought about what to tell Eric I felt more like a mobster than ever and the irony of my outfit made me laugh out loud. Usually I would think of myself as a good Christian and I am not sure where the vengeance was coming from but I agreed with Had he is going to get what he deserves. I knew no matter what happened he was going to continue to break us. I can't take anymore and for the baby's sake I wasn't even going to play that little game.

I wasn't telling lies when I said I have connections. A 1000 year old pissed off viking is a damn good connection. I am not naive enough to think that Eric is a saint. I was going to tell him about the situation and tell him what I thought and see if he agreed. There isn't a doubt in my mind that he will go along with my plans. I don't expect him to solve all of my problems but I don't think he will have a problem this once.

The day was wearing thin. About 40 minutes from sunset I felt the bond "click on". I knew that Eric was awake. I pulled out my cell and sent a text.

Sookie: Darling I need to talk to you about a few things. Can you come by here later or are you busy with club business?

Eric: Lover I am sorry Cleo has gone AWOL I am helping Godric track her down. I am not sure if I will be able to see you tonight. If I am not able I will come to you at first dark tomorrow night.

Sookie: OK It's not pressing matters. Thank you for all of the gifts. I am all packed and ready. I will see you tomorrow night if not before.

Eric: Alright Lover. I have to go to Dallas. It seems that Cleo is hiding out there. I am positive that I won't have a chance to come see you and it pains me. Tomorrow night can't come fast enough. You are very welcome. You are easily worth it and much much more.

I blushed at the text and was suddenly very worried. I could feel Eric's anger, pain, and agitation in the bond. As the minutes passed I felt him steadily getting further from me. The emotions that he was feeling weakened with the distance. I really wanted to text him or call, but if he can survive 1000 years without me, I am sure a trip to Dallas won't destroy him. I would be an unwelcome distraction.

I was more than tense. The events of the day were disabling. $50,000 of clothing that in itself was enough to make me have a heart attack I know I have barely spent that much in my entire life on my whole wardrobe ever, but my closet was full of high dollar designer wear. Hadley's break down and subsequent reason made me see red. The more I thought of the situation the more my anger bubbled within me. Putting Dumb and Dumber on I tried to loose myself in the idiocy of the movie and relax with laughter.

Soon I was clutching my sides and rolling on the couch with laughing so hard. My mood had lifted considerably. Just as Jim walks through the door in his monstrous orange tuxedo and I was in another fit of giggles I felt a severe rush of anger. I was nauseated and rushed to the guest bathroom to dry heave in the toilet. I was utterly confused as to where this emotion was coming from. I sat in tears on the tile floor hugging the toilet bowl. The cool porcelain felt heavenly on my flushed skin. As suddenly as it hit me it subsided. I was weak from the onslaught of emotion and my muscles in my arms, legs, and stomach were on fire. I laid in a ball on the floor for a long time just trying to compose myself and rest my achy muscles.

As time passed I felt better and better. I made my way to my bedroom and threw myself onto the bed with a lot of effort. Confusion had overtaken me. What the hell was that? I rolled around on the bed until I was a Sookie burrito in my soft comforter. The constricting blanket was comforting. I laid staring at the clock for about 20 minutes. I must have drifted off to sleep at some point, because 35 minutes later the same rage crippled me. I was paralyzed in my burrito clutching my chest and screaming trying to alleviate the pains. I wanted to get up and smash things but the effort was too great. The anger had overtaken and the only thing I could do was scream out in frustration.

Think Sookie think. This has to be the bond, but the emotions are so strong. I am positive that Eric has no idea that he is causing me this pain. Whatever has pissed him off I feel extremely sorry for. Then it hit me like a ton of bricks. PAM! I need Pam she will know what to do. I crawled to the floor and flopped onto my back. I laid there chest heaving and forced myself to take labored breaths until I thought I could get onto my hands and knees. I worked myself up into position on my hands and knees and crawled as fast as my muscles would allow me to move. I made it to my bedroom door before another wave hit me and I floundered around on the floor on my stomach. I was beginning to see stars in my vision and was sure that I was going to pass out. I willed myself to stay coherent. I had to call Pam.

I cried out hoping that my neighbors would hear me. The pain extinguished for several minutes. I used this time to get to my phone and call Fangtasia.

RING
RING

RING

"Fangtasia where all of your Nightmares are a fangy reality."

"I need to speak with Pam please."

"Just a moment I think she has left for the evening."

The background noise blared through the speaker of my phone and I prayed that she hadn't left I don't have further contact information for her.

"This is Pam."

"Oh thank God. Pam this is Sookie something is going on. I am feeling Eric's emotions really strongly and am having a hard time staying conscious and mobile."

"Get on your bed and invite me into your home I will be there as soon."

She hung up without another word. I stood and ran as fast as I was able to the bed. I rolled into my burrito and yelled, "Pam you are welcome into my house!"

The rage spiked and I convulsed and passed out clutching my cellphone. I woke up a short time later in the arms of a distraught Pam. She had her arms around me in a tight hug and she was rocking me back and forth whispering something to me in Latin.

"Thank you for coming over."

"I am so glad that you are alright. I have been sitting in my office with my head between my knees because of his rage. I had no idea that you finished the bond or I would have been here with you. When I showed up I found you blacked out and shaking on the bed."

"It seems better now. And he seems much closer."

"Yes, whatever he was doing he is done and on the way home. I tried to call him but his phone is off. He is going to be upset with himself for causing you pain. Human bodies are not capable of handling vampire emotions. We feel so strongly. I am surprised you are not more damaged."

"Its almost dawn Pam thanks for staying with me. I should be alright now."

"I am not leaving until I am sure that he is calm. If I have to I will sleep in the guest bathtub."

"Oh, Pam that is sweet of you but I am sure its fine now."

"Sookie you don't understand he could have KILLED you and never known. He should have closed his side of the bond but he was so preoccupied that he hasn't noticed. If I leave you now he might punish me for leaving you in harms way. If I am here I can help absorb anything that he is feeling."

"If you insist on staying there are spare linens in the closet in that bathroom and the towels should block the light from the bottom of the door."

"Don't worry I have slept in worse places than your clean guest bathtub."

We spoke little less until five minutes til dawn. She placed me on the pillows and kissed my forehead. The minute I heard the door close to the guest bathroom I texted Eric and fell in a dreamless sleep.

*~ };- ~*

Saturday November 27, 1999

Apartment 4D – Shreveport, Louisiana 6:30 p.m.

I woke up to whispering in the living room and had a flashback to a few nights ago when Godric was on my balcony. My muscles were stiff in my entire body I felt as if I had been in traction for a year. I moaned and in a flash Eric was sitting beside me smoothing my hair from my face. He was humming under his breath and I was sure he was trying to soothe and console me. I tried to grab him to pull him down to lay beside me and winced when I straightened my arms. Understanding what I wanted he laid beside me and kissed my neck. He was still humming when I placed my palm on his cheek. I felt his remorse, pain, and something I couldn't quite name in the bond.

"Lover I am so sorry."

"Darling you didn't do it on purpose. I was just confused and scared. I wasn't in any pain until the second time I felt you. What happened?"

"I was in Dallas dealing with Cleo. She caused me much distress and you as well as it seems. I underestimated our bond. I was sure that I was too far away for you to feel me at all. Pam told me that you called her at about 1:30 in a panic. She rushed over here and stayed with you until dawn. Then she slept in your bathtub. Had I known you could feel me I would have prevented it. I won't be making that mistake again."

"What did she do to piss you off so badly? And I hope I am never on the receiving end of that."

"She was betraying Godric. She had been for about 40 years. He is distraught. He broke their bond with his hatred for her stunts. She was delusional, and very irrational. Afterward I killed her. I could never be that angry at you. I am positive of that."

"I have to tell you something and then ask you a favor. Promise me that you will keep calm I am not sure I can handle another round of that so soon."

"Have no fear you will never experience that again I swear to you."

"Well this sorta has a back story. It might take me a few minutes to explain. Do we have time before we have to leave?"

"Plenty the plane is set to leave at 12:30 a.m."

"Ok, I will start at the beginning skipping the parts that you already know. Remember when I was telling you about my Uncle?"

"Yes, I remember clearly. I desperately want to get my hands on that bastard. Noone should ever harm you Lover."

"Well I found out that at the same time that he was molesting me he was doing it to my cousin Hadley. She came home the night before I moved to Shreveport. She told us that she was pregnant. She told Gran an elaborate story about a man to hide the truth in the matter that Bartlett was the baby's father. Yesterday she called me panicking because he had found out about the situation. The receptionist at the Dr.'s office goes to church with him and told him about her pregnancy. Well I am not exactly what his intention was in calling her but I can't have him threatening her. Her emotional state is important in the heath of the baby."

Eric growled in his throat,"This is a fucked up problem dear one. What is it that you want me to do?"

"Lets just say I don't want to know the details, but you can do whatever you like without getting yourself into trouble. Is that a reasonable request? Hadley and I agree whatever he gets he deserves. I had a plan but I am certain that you can handle this with a certain finesse."

He guffawed a belly laugh shaking the bed.

"You have such a way with words Lover. I will certainly be able to finesse the situation. So I have free reign? You do not care if I kill him?"

"Not in the slightest. But I never wanna hear about it or talk about this again. If I wasn't so angry and scared I wouldn't allow this but I am desperate. Things have to work out and be fine. And I know that I can count on you and trust you with this or anything else."

"I will never bring the subject up again."

We laid in silence just enjoying being together. He was running his fingers through my hair and I was utterly relaxed. I never wanted to move, but I knew that we had a plane to catch and I was starving. I reluctantly shifted away from his embrace. As soon as I moved he snapped out of downtime and clutched me back to him.

He never stilled his hand weaving in my hair and said, "Just where do you think that you are going my beautiful?"

I sighed, "We have things to do. I can't lay in bed all night Darling."

"We have hours before we have to do anything. You are weak. Stay here I sent Pam to get you food. She should be back any moment. I wanted to tell you that I am proud of you for your quick thinking and contacting her."

"I wasn't sure if it was the right thing to do, but I knew that she would understand the problem at least."

"Well, it could have been much worse. I am still unsure how you survived that at all in a conscious state. She said that she was very incapacitated. Had she been with me it would have fueled her own anger, but so far away it has the same affect on her as it does you. She said that she was afraid to drive she ran here from the club."

"The first time it hit me I was watching a movie laughing hard. I got sick to my stomach and laid in the bathroom for a long time. Then I moved to the bed and curled up in a burrito and fell asleep. It hit me again and I was in a lot of pain. I threw myself off the bed and took about an hour to crawl from my floor to the coffee table. I called her and it stopped. She told me to get on the bed and invite her in. I passed out and woke up to her rocking me in her lap singing to me in Latin."

"She is the best. If there is anyone I trust you with completely it is her. She has always done her duty. Sometimes she is unbearable, but its not intentional most of the time. She is just lazy."

In that second Pam came into my room with a takeout box of Mexican food. It was mouthwatering. She had ordered me Chili Verde. I sat up and used my chest as a tray and ate. Eric watched me with interest. It was hard to eat being stared at like a museum exhibit. I was moaning in pleasure at the taste explosion happening in my mouth. I ate every bite. If I hadn't had an audience I would have licked the Styrofoam box.

"How did you eat that disgusting looking meal? Did it taste alright?"

"Disgusting. Are you kidding that was an orgasm in my mouth. Me eating doesn't bother you does it?"

"Not at all you must eat, and as long as its not disgusting to you its fine with me. I can show you orgasm in your mouth dear one!"

I laughed at his suggestion and smacked him in the chest with the back of my hand.

"You are impossible."

He quirked his eyebrows at me and smirked, "you wound me", he said clutching his chest where I smacked him.

I was giggling in earnest. He must have found it infectious because he laughed along with me. As my giggles died out he reached under the covers tickling me into a new fit. I was gasping for air and I had tears streaming from my eyes.

"Mercy, mercy. I beg for mercy."

"Lover I know no mercy", he said as he found the spot behind my knee.

"Please, please I beg you stop."

"Oh she has reverted to begging. I will stop if you kiss me."

I reached up and wound my fingers in his hair and kissed him for all that I was worth. I slid my tongue into his mouth and he groaned in my mouth. I broke the kiss when I was in dire need of air.

"If Vampires were ticklish I would tackle you right now and tickle you to death."

"We aren't. But you are too late. I am already dead", he said as we laughed together at our silliness.

I rolled on top of him and looked into his eyes. He placed his hands on my arms and was rubbing circles from top to bottom. I broke my stare and laid my head on his chest.

"I love you Sookie Stackhouse."

The rumble in his chest distracted me from the actual words. It was a soothing disconnected sound. It reminded me when I was much younger and being comforted by my father only slightly different. Finally what he said registered in my brain. I looked him in the eyes again they were full of sincerity and love. I sat up and kissed him with passion and acceptance. He begged entrance into my mouth and I greedily accepted. Our tongues melded together sweetly and I moaned. Eric moved his hands from my arms to my ass and squeezed it lightly. I broke the kiss and placed a peck on his nose.

"I love you too Eric."

That was all it took and he rolled over and was looking down at me. I was trapped between him and the mattress and I couldn't care less. He started moving over me like a cat in need of petting. I laughed because he actually sounded as if he was purring at me. Starting at my forehead he peppered kisses to my collarbone stopping to suck my ear into his mouth. I was mewing in pleasure at his skilled mouth on my skin. My temperature rose a few degrees when his hands found their way under my camisole to my hard nipples. He traced his fingers around my aureolas in counter sync. The sensation was incredible and I knew then he was more multi-talented and could easily multitask. I moaned into his neck and he pinched them lightly causing me to yelp.

"Are they sensitive?"

Breathlessly I answered, "yes".

He smirked, "you are about to start your menstrual. I can smell it."

"You guys freak me out with your sense of smell."

Using the position to his advantage he sat up on his knees and shimmied my shorts down my hips. I lifted my hips to help him get them off of my body. He ran his hands from my ankles to the tops of my thighs. He gripped me then and spread them open hooking his fingers under the legs of my panties. In the blink of an eye he has shredded them and they fell to the mattress below. My breath hitched in my throat. He slid down my body his tongue leaving a wet trail in his wake. When he was eye to eye with my pussy he placed an open mouth kiss on my clit before sucking it into his mouth.

"Oh good god!"

He smiled into my folds at my declaration. With my clit in his mouth he lightly raked his fang across the sensitive nerves. I bucked my hips and came instantly. My muscles clenched and released over and over. He took a long draw on my clit and started the process all over again. I placed my hand over my mouth to contain the screams. The sensation was so intense that I bit my palm and broke the skin.

"Fuck BABY! Again!"

He hummed deep in his throat and pierced my clit with his fang. He drew the few drops of blood that escaped the wound into his mouth and I came so hard that I felt a puddle form on the sheets beneath me. Before I could register any movement I was being impaled on his cock and that started the explosion of orgasm again. I have never felt anything so good. He reached up and bit me in the juncture of my shoulder and neck and drew a tentative sip. When he had his fill he closed the wounds with his tongue.

"Lover your body is so responsive. I came in my jeans when you drew your own blood."

I was still spasming around his cock. I brought my arms around his neck and drew him down on to me and bit into his neck drawing blood with my blunt teeth. He roared into the night as he came inside of me as I drew his blood into my hot mouth. He thrust into me with such abandon I felt as if he were ripping me in two. Every thrust hit my cervix in delicious pain. I was wailing and tears were pouring from my eyes as I met him thrust for thrust. He hit my G-spot at the right angle and I came again he thrust into me so hard that I heard my pelvis crack. It was painful, but with the blood that I had just consumed it started to heal in an instant. Three more swift thrusts and he swelled within me and came hard. I felt him empty inside of me as I never had before. If my body weren't spent I would have came again.

As he withdrew from my body I whimpered in protest.

"Lover I am sorry I hurt you. I lost control. You drive me insane and I forget around you."

"Oh don't you ever apologize for making me come like that. The pain was minimal compared to the ecstasy that I just experienced."

I expected him to cuddle with me but he swept me up into his arms and floated to the claw foot tub. He turned on the taps and captured my hand with his.

"I almost don't want to heal this as a reminder of the night. Although I don't want you to have unnecessary scars either."

"Leave it. It isn't deep or painful."

He stepped into the water and placed me in his lap. He took the hand held sprayer and wet my hair massaging my scalp causing me to moan in my throat. When my hair was sufficiently wet he replaced the sprayer and squeezed shampoo into his palm and worked it into my hair. I turned and rose on my knees and used the sprayer on his hair wetting it as he had mine. Instead of placing it in the holster I dropped it into the water and lathered his hair. With every scrub my nipples danced in front of his face. Unable to contain himself he sucked the left one into his cool mouth.

"Darling I hate to rain on your parade but I think I am spent for several hours."

My nipple left his mouth with an audible pop. He groaned into my cleavage as he leaned his head forward and rested it there. With his forehead on my breast bone and his hands around my waist I rinsed his hair and worked in the conditioner. I rinsed his hair and slid down his body placing kisses on his closed eyes. I turned around and he rinsed my hair and added conditioner. After he rinsed it he wound it into a twist and placed a clip in it to keep it out of the water.

"Sookie, if you don't want to be ravaged stop wiggling in my lap dear one."

I didn't respond to him I just stilled my movements as he took my loofah and worked the soap into my skin. He took longer when he reached my breasts and in between my thighs. My clit was so sensitive it was almost painful. I placed my hands on his to stop him from further exploring the area. I took the loofah and washed him with the same care. I stood and reached for a towel but before I could grab one he pulled the stopper and had me standing on the bath mat. I squealed with delight and he laughed at my reaction. He dried me off with care. When I was dry he wrapped a towel around his waist and left the bathroom.

I entered the room with the intention of getting underwear to realize that the sheets had been stripped off the bed. Eric was already dressed in black leather pants and a crimson cashmere sweater. He was sitting on the bed pulling on his socks and boots. I was mesmerized by the sight of him. I stood in the doorway staring at him doing the mundane task of putting on his shoes.

"See something you like Lover?"

"Most definitely."

"You had your chance Miss Stackhouse. Now you have to wait."

"I am not sure that I can survive that long without you Mr. Northman."

I reached into my dresser and brought out a pair of fire engine red panties and strapless bra. I slipped them on and then it was his turn to stare as I dropped the towel to reveal my sexy lingerie. He growled low in his throat at the sight of me.

"What was that about chances?"

"Don't tease me you won't like the results."

"Don't be so sure of yourself Viking."

And with that I grabbed the hanger with my suit on it from the door knob and retreated into the bathroom to get dressed.

"Darling will you braid my hair when I am done?"

"Anything for you Lover."

I checked the results in the mirror. I was damn sexxxay! The top of my bra was peeking out from the top button in the jacket. I sat on the toilet seat and buckled my shoes thankful that my toes still had a good coat of polish. I stood and applied a tad of maskera and eyeliner. I added a dab of lip gloss and sprayed myself with perfume.

I waltzed out of the bathroom and met a fangy vampire. I suppose I met his sexy seal of approval.

"Maybe we will be late to the airfield."

"Shoosh just fix my hair."

He separated my hair and manipulated it with grace and had it in a glorious french braid in about a minute. The result was stunning. I grabbed my fedora and placed it on my head and he growled. I really think he was reconsidering doing anything that didn't involve a bed at that point. I kissed him on his palm and walked into the living room to gather my purse and phone and spied Pam on the couch in downtime. I was mortified. Had she been here the entire time? She slowly came back to the present and smirked at me. Giving me the answer. I blushed to my toes.

"Feeling better Sookie?", she asked.

"Much. Are we ready to go?"

"Yes everything is loaded into your SUV."

We all walked out the door. As I made my way down the stairs I kept my eyes on my feet so I didn't fall on my ass. Eric grabbed my hand and walked me to the passenger side of the car. I sat in my seat and to my surprise Godric was there waiting for us. Eric and Pam shut their doors at the same time and Eric started the car and pulled out heading to the airport. The ride was quiet. No one spoke I was afraid to broach any subject with the somber mood in the car. I knew that Godric was reflecting on his time with Cleo and I felt horrible for flaunting myself and Eric in his face like we were. It was unavoidable, but I still felt like shit for it.

10 minutes later everything was unloaded and placed on the plane. I sat in my seat feeling nervous about the flight. The flight attendants were walking around asking if we needed assistance. The only male attendant pulled the door shut and locked it into place. I heard the engines roar to life and closed my eyes. The fasten seat belt light came one and I hurriedly buckled in and dreaded the takeoff.

As we taxied down the runway I sucked in a breath and held it. My stomach lurched as we ascended into the sky. My last thought was I am going to meet the Queen of Louisiana.

*~ };- ~*