A/N: I wasn't gone too long was I? If I was, hopefully this will make up for it. It's the longest chapter I have ever written! 9,117 words, without the A/N. I am so proud of myself, lol.

I was going to post last night but I figured by the time I got around to it, no one would even see it. Plus I added almost 1,000 words editing it today. AND... I keep trying to upload it but FF won't let me. Now I see what everyone else was talking about -_- Sorry about the delay guys! I'm trying! (Not that you'll be able to see this until it's already posted...)

I hope you guys like it! Also, this is my last day of spring break *cries* I have to start classes back on Monday. I have SO much left to do to get ready!

Anyway! I already have 1,400 words written for BOE, if you guys read that too. It's easier to find time to write since I have my iPod and I don't have to sneak time on my lappy.

Thanks to Missus_T who helped me figure out a way to add this chapter! Ironic since this story was orignially a one-shot for her birthday, lol.

Thanks to morecks87 who beta-ed this monster. Any remaining mistakes are my own.

And all the characters belong to CH, I just like to play with them ;)

I could tell that Sookie was shocked that it was me at her door. She just stood there gaping at me. Kind of like a fish out of water.

"Eric? What are you doing here?"

"You called the police requesting a restraining order. And last night we established that I am a police officer…"

When I finally got a look at her, I realized that she was only wearing a sleep shirt with a picture of the Cookie-Monster on the front. It came to just below the tops of her smooth, tan thighs. She must have been so shocked at seeing me, that she didn't even realize she barely had any clothes on.

"Yeah, I know what happened last night. I meant what are YOU doing here? Surely there are other police officers on the force other than you."

"I'll try not to take that personally. I had a shift this morning and since I was kind of busy last night, I never went home. I was in the area when dispatch called."

That was a complete and total lie. First of all, this was the start of my week vacation from work work. Months ago I had scheduled a vacation with my then girlfriend, Felicia. When we broke up a few weeks ago, I wasn't able to take the request back. So I was now stuck with a week off of work with nothing to do.

And what really happened this morning is, after Alcide picked me up, we went to the station and got bitched at for having the cruiser out all night.

Then, before I started home, I stopped at dispatch and gave them Sookie's address. I told them if they ever got a call for that address, to call me first, unless it was an emergency. I was on my way home when someone called me and told me that a "Sookie Stackhouse" was requesting a restraining order. I finally got her last name.

Thank God the girls in dispatch love me because they told Sookie an officer would come to her instead of her driving to the station.

I had to drive like a bat out a hell back to the station to get the forms, and then back over to Bon Temps to get to Sookie's house.

With all of the rushing, I hadn't processed the whole reason she called the cops in the first place. She needed a restraining order?

"Can I come in? Then we'll talk about this restraining order."

"Okay," she said hesitantly before looking around and turning back to go into the house.

At that moment, it the crossed my mind that maybe she thought she needed protection against me? And even if she didn't and she had another stalker, not that I was a stalker, how did it make me look. After one night of, apparently, meaningless sex, I pop up at her door just a few hours after leaving?

"Sookie, if you'd feel more comfortable, we can do this outside." I made no mention of her state of undress. I wanted to see if she was trying to tease me, or if she was really unaware of what she was wearing.

"Oh no! Inside is fine. Please, have a seat."

"You just seem nervous." And it was not because she was half naked. This was not the Sookie I left this morning. Something had happened between then and now and I wanted to know what the fuck it was.

It made me think twice about that face in the woods. Maybe someone really was there?

I sat on the couch and she sat in the chair across from me. I could tell exactly the moment she realized what she was wearing. Her mouth formed a little O and her face blushed bright red. When she sat, the shirt rode higher up her thighs and she tried to discreetly pull it down.

"Would you feel more comfortable if you put on some shorts?" I smirked. I wasn't going to encourage her to put on pants, but to be honest, the thought of her sitting across from me in nothing but a short sleep shirt and panties made it hard for me to focus. In fact, it made me just plain hard. Not to mention the fact that the damn shirt was so short that it was barely covering her hips.

~o~o~o~o~o~o~

Sookie POV

Oh God. Eric again! Just what I needed when I have a psychopathic ex stalking me. How in the hell was I going to explain to him that I need a restraining order? Men are scared away from a woman when they have baggage. And Bill was definitely baggage. Not that I cared if it scared Eric. I had no intentions of having any kind of relationship with him anyway.

Besides, this was Eric's job. I was telling a cop about my stalker, not a potential boyfriend. With that in mind, I started to tell him about Bill. As I sat down, I felt a draft. I suddenly became aware of what I was wearing. I tried to pull it down without drawing too much attention to myself, but Eric caught me.

"Would you feel more comfortable if you put some shorts on?"

I didn't want him to think that he threw me off guard so I replied, "Why would I do that? I know what I have on and I have known it this whole time."

"Riiiiight."

"If YOU feel uncomfortable, you can always look away. You don't have to stare like if you looked any harder, you'd be able to see through my shirt."

"I am NOT doing that."

"Are too!"

"Not."

"I am not arguing with you like a child. I'm a mature adult."

"So says the girl in the Cookie-Monster shirt." Out of impulse I stuck my tongue out at him.

He bursted out laughing and I found myself smiling as well.

When he sobered, I told him about Bill and everything that had been happening since we broke up.

"And so you see, when he saw you leave my house this morning, it really set him off," I finished.

I could see the emotions on his face as I told him about Bill. He looked pissed off and it was a little scary. I would not want to be a criminal with Eric on the force. When I looked at his hands, they were clinched into fists. When I told him that it had gotten worse since Bill saw him, he looked guilty. He had no reason to feel guilty. It wasn't his fault.

"Shit Sookie. When I knocked on your door last night I had no idea it was going to turn into this big of a mess."

After just spilling my guts to him, that was not the kind of thing I wanted to hear. I was already afraid of what he would think about me after hearing my story and it looked like I had my answer. Apparently I was a mess.

"When I started going out with Bill I had no idea it was going to be a big mess either!" I said, trying to defend myself against what must have been going through Eric's head. "It's not my fault Bill stalks me." And there went my insecurities talking. In the beginning I wondered if it was something I had done to make Bill treat me this way. The same way I thought it was something I had done during our relationship to make him give me a curfew. I knew deep down this was not my fault, but it was hard to break a way of thinking you've lived with for years.

"And I know I took part in sleeping with you last night," I continued, "but YOU are the one that lied to me. None of this is my fault so don't you dare sit there and act like it is. If you had done your job last night instead of being a fucking pervert and lying about who you were so you could have sex with me, none of this would have happened. You wished you hadn't knocked on my door? Well I wish I had never gotten involved with any of you assholes! How about instead of judging me, you do your job and just fill out that damn piece of paper that's supposed to keep me safe from a psycho?" I was so embarrassed when I felt tears well up in my eyes. Everything that had happened last night and today was starting to build up and I felt like the pressure was crushing me. I knew I was taking out all of my aggression on Eric and I felt bad about it. But the truth was, I also felt a little better. I was tired of being pushed around by men. When I left Bill, I changed. I became a stronger woman and I was going to be damned if Eric was going to turn me into the intimidated girl I used to be.

"Sookie, I..."

"Unless it has something to do with the restraining order, I don't want to hear it, Officer Northman." I purposefully used a professional tone and referred to his job to let him know this was not a personal call. I just wanted help from my crazy ex and I didn't want to look into Eric's eyes and see that he was judging me. I've had enough of people judging me because of my relationship with Bill. I broke up with him but it wasn't enough. I was still being criticized for dating someone that turned out to be mentally unstable.

Eric just stared at me for a second before he nodded and continued in a much more formal tone.

"Ms. Stackhouse, I just need to ask you some questions for the forms and then I have to file them."

"Just get on with it."

He asked me basic questions like my name, address, and phone number. Then we got more detailed about my dealings with Bill.

After he was done asking me questions, he just sat there on my couch with his head down.

"Sookie, I am so sorry this is happening to you. And no matter how bizarre our relationship is, I will figure out a way to keep you safe." He said it with such determination, I believed him. It softened my heart a little to see him so determined to keep me safe. Then I reminded myself that it was his job. I was just another case.

"Is there anything else you need Officer Northman?" I asked, returning acting formal.

He finally looked at me. "No, Sookie. But I am going to warn you. I saw someone in your woods this morning when I was leaving from us having SEX," he emphasized, like I had forgotten it happened. "He's bold. Keep your doors and windows locked. If you have anyone to stay with you, get them here. And off the record, I'd get a gun. And don't go out after dark. It would probably be better if you just found somewhere else to stay until this is resolved."

"I appreciate your advice but I'm not going to uproot my life because of him. This is where I grew up. What if he does something to the house while I'm gone?"

"Better the house than you."

"I'll figure something out."

"If you won't leave, at least get some cameras. Pictures or video go a long way when you have to prove he violated that restraining order."

"Thanks for the advice."

I stood, with as much dignity as possible in my Cookie-Monster shirt, making it clear that I was ready for him to leave. His gaze ran heatedly over my body and I shivered.

I hated that what we shared last night had diminished but he never should have said he wished he had never knocked on my door. No matter how twisted the whole situation was, I didn't regret what had happened between us, until right now.

"I'll show you out."

"I know the damn way out, Sookie."

He stalked to the door and I followed to lock the door behind him.

When he got to the door, he stopped with his hand on the knob.

"I didn't mean it how it sounded and you know it. You were the one who treated it like a one-night stand by not telling me your last name. I only meant that if being with you has caused you so much grief... I don't want that."

He opened the door and I was so flustered by what he said I blurted, "Isn't that what it was? A one-night stand, I mean."

"Not by my choice," he replied before he strode out the door to his car.

I stood there for a moment before I shut the door and locked it.

Just yesterday everything was fine. Even though Bill came around he was never hostile or violent. And I didn't have to deal with a mess of emotions I felt for a man I had spent one night with.

It was still early but I felt exhausted. I didn't have to work today so I decided to take a nap. I texted Jason and told him not to bother coming over. I had already thrown out the left over food from breakfast anyway.

Before I went upstairs, I took Eric's advice and locked every door and window, which was a crime in Louisiana in the middle of summer. I was sweating by the time I locked the back door. I went to my room with a glass of ice water and stripped off my Cookie-Monster shirt until I was left in my bra and panties.

I laid on top of my covers with the ceiling fan on high. I left the windows on the top floor open because I figured there was no way Bill could get into those windows.

I thought about what Eric had said about my shirt. It was cool to have a Cookie-Monster shirt. Especially when your name was Sookie.

I laid in bed like that for an hour. I should have fallen asleep as soon as I hit the bed. I had been up practically all night, and with all the stress, I was doubly tired. But I just couldn't sleep. Every time I closed my eyes, I thought I heard something.

Every time I thought I heard something I would shoot straight up in bed frightened that it was Bill trying to break into my house because he was mad at seeing Eric again.

Even though I thought it was crazy, I realized that I was scared. The fear was making me paranoid and every noise I heard made me think Bill was coming to get me. When I first met Bill at Merlotte's, I never thought that there would be a day that I would be scared of him.

Realizing that I wouldn't be able to get any sleep, I decided to go to Merlotte's. I didn't feel like being alone and Merlotte's was like my second home.

I normally wore sundresses and sandals in the summer but I had the urge to dress in a t-shirt, shorts, and tennis shoes. You never knew when you'd have to out run someone and it bothered me that I had to think that way.

I made sure I had my keys and cell phone in hand before I opened the door. I had the bottom lock locked before I even shut the door to save me time. When I shut the door behind me I locked the dead bolt as fast as I could and made a mad dash to my car.

I threw the door open, hopped in and had the door locked before I even had the door shut.

I was sweaty and out of breathe, but I made it to the car so I was okay with the fact that if anyone saw me, I would look like a fool. Then I realized the only person who would be looking at me was Bill.

Creeped out to the max, I stuck my key into the ignition and started my car. It stalled for a second, which scared me to death, but the engine finally turned over.

Just as I put the car into drive, Bill came out of the woods yelling at me, "Sookie! You little bitch! I saw him here again! What in the fuck do you think you're doing?"

I floored it down my long driveway towards Hummingbird Lane. I didn't know if this counted as him violating the restraining order since I had just filed it and I realized I didn't have a way to prove he was there anyway. Eric was right, I at least needed some cameras.

I caught movement in my rear view mirror. It looked like Bill stepping back into the woods between our houses with a murderous look on his face. Didn't he ever stop?

Even though I was more freaked out than ever, I checked the mailbox before I headed out. I guess out of habit. It was too early for the mail.

As I headed over to Merlotte's, I debated about whether or not I should tell Sam about the problems I was having with Bill.

As I pulled into the parking lot, I decided that it was in my best interest to tell Sam. On one hand, he was my boss and he needed to know that Bill needed to stay away from the bar as long as I was there. On the other hand, Sam was one of my best friends and I needed all the support I could get.

With my resolve set, I marched into the front door of Merlotte's ready to spill everything to Sam. When I saw Alcide sitting in one of the booths I nearly high tailed it back to my house where I was being watched by a psychopathic stalker.

I assumed Eric would be with him but I felt, relief? Disappointment? when I saw he was sitting with Amelia.

Not wanting to open that can of worms, I headed straight for Sam who was manning the bar.

"Hey, Sam," I beamed.

"Hey, Sooks. What's wrong? Can't keep you away even when you don't have to work?" he smirked at me.

"Actually, there's something I have to talk to you about. Can we talk in your office?"

"What's wrong, Sookie?" he said with all hint of his earlier playfulness gone.

"Let's wait until we get in your office."

"Come on," he said leading me to his office. As soon as the door was shut he bombarded me with questions.

"Is it serious? Do you need time off? Is it anything I can help you with? Just tell me what you need and I'll do anything I can. You know..."

"Sam! Give me a second to explain! Geez!"

"I'm sorry but your tone of voice and the look on your face made me so damn nervous."

"This is hard for me to say so please just let me get this all out before you say anything."

"You're quitting, aren't you?"

I gave him a death glare.

"Alright. Don't you look at me like that. I'll keep shut."

"Thank you."

I wasn't quite sure how to tell Sam Bill snapped because Amelia hired strippers for my party and I ended up sleeping with one, who turned out to be a cop. I told a few white lies while adding in the facts he actually needed to know.

"Amelia had a birthday party for me last night and she invited a few guys over."

"I wasn't invited," he interrupted.

"You know, Amelia never really liked you," I blurted trying to cover my lies. Sam looked at me with wide eyes. "I mean, it was only a few people, mostly girls, Amelia organized it, I didn't even know about it, it was all just a big surprise to me, if I had known I would have told her to invite you, but as I said, it was a surprise party so, in accordance to the rules of a surprise party, I had no clue it was being thrown..." I rambled.

"Just continue, Sookie. Amelia hired strippers. What does this have to do with why you're acting so freaked out?"

"How did you..."

"How did I know she hired strippers?"

"Uh huh," I nodded.

"I know Amelia. Of course she hired strippers. And if I had any doubt, you're rambling and blushing was a dead giveaway."

"Well I'm an adult. I have seen a penis before," I retorted.

"Ugh, don't remind me," Sam said looking sick. "I always hated that asshole whose 'penis' you saw. Let's not speak of the devil less he might show up." Little did Sam know I had really Eric's penis in mind when I said it.

But knowing Sam meant Bill, I said, "Actually, Bill's what I need to talk to you about."

"What'd he do this time? Jump someone else?"

"Not that I know of," I mumbled.

"The fact that you didn't just defend him tells me something's wrong. What did he do to you?" he demanded as he jumped up from his desk.

It was now or never.

"He's been stalking me. Watching my house and approaching me. He saw the strippers and it set him off. He came by my house last night. And today he threatened me. I got so scared I called the cops but the only thing they said I could do was get a restraining order. I took one out on him today and I came by to tell you so when I come back to work you know to kick him out if he shows up."

"Sook..."

"And I'm scared, Sam. I'm really fucking scared. I've never seen him this way and it scares me to death," I rushed out before I lost my courage.

It took me a lot to admit there was something I was scared of or something that I couldn't handle on my own.

"What did the police say?"

"They just said that if I continue staying in the house, that I should get cameras installed so I'll have proof when he violates the restraining order."

"And when are you getting those installed?"

I smiled. Sam knew I wouldn't leave my house.

"As soon as I get some money saved. I'll need to buy the cameras, and then pay somebody to put them up," I answered.

"No offense, Sook, but that could take a while. You wouldn't let me get you anything for your birthday but how about I get you some cameras and put them up? I put up the ones around Merlotte's."

"I can't ask you to do that," I said embarrassed. I hated people doing favors for me.

"You didn't ask, I offered. And I'm not taking no for an answer. This is your life we're talking about. I know what Bill can do first hand and I'm not letting anything happen to you."

"Thanks, Sam," I said, giving him a hug.

"No problem, Cher. I'll let Terry close up and be over in a few hours, okay? I still have a few things I need to do here."

"Sure, Sam. No problem. I'll be there. Just come by when you're ready."

"Will you be okay at home alone?"

"Yeah, I'll be fine. Bill has been scaring me and I don't think he'll hurt me." Yet, I silently added. At least I hoped he wouldn't. Sam looked unsure too so I said, "Besides, it's only going to be a few hours and I haven't done anything else to piss him off lately," I tried to joke.

"Besides getting a restraining order on him you mean?"

"It'll be fine." I was already nervous enough. I didn't need him to remind me of how Bill would react when he realized I got a restraining order on him. I saw how he reacted this morning when he saw Eric again. If he thought I got a restraining order on him and had a new man, I don't even want to know how he would act.

"I'm just worried about you."

"I know. I'm worried about me too. I don't need a reminder about Bill. I just thought you should know."

"Well I'm glad you told me."

"And Sam, could you promise not to tell Jason? I don't want him to do anything to get himself into trouble."

"Sook," he groaned.

"Please, Sam. You know how he'll react. I can't deal with a stalker and my only brother in jail."

"Alright, but you gotta tell him eventually."

"I will. Just not right now."

"I hope you know what you're doing, Cher. I'll see you in a few hours?"

"See you in a few hours."

I headed back out to the bar to tell Amelia about everything that has happened since I talked to her on the phone this morning. I had decided that Sam and Amelia were the only two people I was going to tell. Well, besides Eric. I didn't want to worry more people than I had to and Amelia always liked to pop up at my house unannounced. I didn't want Bill to do something to her to get back at me.

When I looked toward the booth she had been in with Alcide, it was empty. I would just have to call and tell her later. Lord knew what they are doing right now. They probably only surfaced for food because Amelia can't cook.

With nothing else to do, I decided to head back home and wait for Sam. I didn't want to hang around the bar all day looking pathetic.

On the way home I stopped at Wal-Mart and picked up some mace. I needed some kind of protection and a gun was a little over kill at this point.

I turned off the ignition and debated about whether or not I should lock my car doors. On one hand, if I locked them, it would take more time to get in the car. On the other, if I left them unlocked, Bill might mess with my car to get back at me. Without a car I'd really be in trouble. Plus with the new mace, I could buy myself some time if he ever came at me like he did this morning. I decided I was going to lock my doors and hoped I wouldn't have to plan out every detail like that just to avoid Bill.

I opened my door, threw the locks, and made a dead run for the front door. I already had my keys ready before I hit the porch.

As soon as I got in the door I slammed it shut and locked it. The fact the I had to do all this planning just to make sure Bill didn't catch me alone pissed me off.

In my newly bad mood, I went into the living room to watch Buffy. Seeing a high school girl kick vampire ass made me feel like I should be able to kick Bill's ass. I could do it if I had some training. Maybe I should take some self defense classes? I would have to ask Eric about that next time I spoke to him. If I ever spoke to him again.

I was so enthralled by my own personal Buffy marathon that I was startled when I heard someone knocking on my door.

"Sook? It's Sam. I tried to call before I came but you didn't answer."

"Coming!" I yelled as I cut off the TV and answered the door.

"Hey, Cher. I didn't want to scare you. I got all the stuff in the truck. You got a ladder?"

"Yeah, out in the shed."

"Okay, I'll be right back."

Even though Sam had been here for less than a minute, I felt so much better with someone being here. Being in a secluded area with my stalker ex living next door was not the best for my nerves.

I loved to go outside during the summer and with Bill lurking around, I didn't feel safe doing it anymore. With Sam here I felt safe enough to go out and enjoy the sun. It made me rethink the whole, having someone else stay with me idea.

It might have been a little much to go out and sunbathe but I would settle for being outside at all.

I made some sweet tea and I sat and talked to Sam while he wired motion detector lights and security cameras. I hated that we had to wire my house like Fort Knox but if it meant I would have proof against Bill coming on my property, then so be it.

When Sam was done he had to go.

"I'm sorry, Cher but Terry can't handle the money and I want to get it to the bank tonight. I don't like to have that much money sitting around."

"It's fine. With all this stuff, I feel safer already."

"I wired all the cameras to feed the video to your TV screens. Just turn your TV to input 2. The lights will come on when they sense any movement. If you need anything else you can call me."

"Okay. Thanks for doing all of this."

"No problem. Talk to you later?"

"Alright. Bye."

Sam made sure I was in the door before he pulled off. I went to the TV and decided to check out my new cameras.

The camera video was really clear and it made me wonder how much Sam had spent on cameras and lights like these.

So far there was nothing around as far as I could see. Feeling better than I had by myself all day, I decided to soak in my tub and just relax.

But first, I reminded myself, I needed to check my mailbox.

The mailbox was at the end of my driveway to make it easier for the mail person. Usually I'd walk to get it, kind of like my little daily exercise. However, I was just too jumpy with this stuff going on with Bill so I decided to drive. I felt like such a failure being too scared to even check the mail. I decided to call Jason while I took the little drive to get my mail. It would make me feel safer talking to someone and it would give me a chance to catch up with my brother so he wouldn't try to stop by.

He answered on the second ring.

"Sookie! I haven't heard from you all day except for that text message telling me not to stop by. What's going on?"

"I'm sorry Jason but I've just not been feeling well and I figured you wouldn't want to come over and get sick too."

"Probably not, but you know I worry about you. I hate that you live out there all by yourself with only Bill for company."

"It's not that bad. Besides, I've hardly seen Bill since we've broken up." Such a HUGE lie.

"Well, I guess that makes me feel a but better. I'm glad he's taking the break up okay. I was a little worried about how he might react. You know he's never been a very stable guy."

"You know Jason. Obviously I didn't know that if I was with the guy for four years. You'd think Bill was running around threatening everyone that way you all talk about him. He wasn't like that when we were together. He was a bit controlling but nothing like the way you guys make him sound. You all must think I'm a complete idiot to have been with him that long. But honestly Jason, when I noticed Bill was becoming too much, I broke it off with him. So can you just stop with the comments about Bill being a total psycho the entire time, because he wasn't."

"Damn Sookie. I had no idea it pissed you off that much."

"Well I'm tired of everyone cramming it down my throat. Bill's not completely stable right now, and probably wasn't in the past, but there's nothing I can do about it now. What happened happened and I can't change it now. I broke up with Bill, doesn't that count for something?"

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean it that way. I've just always been worried about you. Bill's always given off vibes that something wasn't quite right about him and you didn't notice it because you were in love. Believe me, I get it. I was head over hills in love with Crystal before I found out that she was cheating on me and doing drugs. It felt like everyone else knew about it but me and I felt like that biggest idiot. I don't want you to feel like that but I still worry about you. Especially since Bill turned into what everyone suspected."

I had made the mistake of mentioning Bill stalking me when it first started and it caused Jason to worry about me constantly. It only added to my decision not to tell Jason about how bad Bill had become.

"You don't have to worry so much. I can take care of myself and we have plenty of friends and family and we all look after each other."

"I know but if you ever need anything I hope you know you can come to me."

"I know."

"Hey, I gotta go. Hoyt just showed up and we're going to head to a club in Shreveport."

"Okay, Jas. I'll talk to you later."

By the time I hung up from my brother I had already gotten my mail and was back in the house. All I got was a bunch of junk mail and bills. What a waste of gas.

I laid the mail on the table and went upstairs to my bathroom to take a relaxing bath. I turned the water on as hot as it would go while I stripped. Then I added in some lavender smelling salts to help me relax before bed.

My cell phone started ringing just as soon as I sank into the tub. I wasn't scared that it could be Bill because I had changed my number soon after we broke up because he kept calling. That was a red flag, huh?

I checked the caller ID but I didn't recognize number. I decided to answer it anyway. Have you ever gotten a voice mail from somebody with the wrong number telling you the person they were trying to call that their brother was dying? I have and I felt terrible about not answering so I could have told them they had the wrong number.

I answered the phone and as soon as I heard the voice on the other end, I instantly regretted answering the phone while naked in the bath.

"Ms. Stackhouse? I was just calling to tell you that your restraining order has been filed. Have you had any more trouble with your ex?"

"E-e-eric?"

"So it's Eric now and not Officer Northman?"

"I don't want to argue," I said as I stepped out of the bath to put some clothes on. I was NOT talking to him while I was naked. "You offended me when you said what you said," I told him absent mindedly as I searched through my panty drawer for my biggest, ugliest pair of granny panties.

"I'm sorry, Sookie. I never meant to offend you." He paused. "What are you doing?" he asked after he heard me rustling around.

"I was taking a bath before you interrupted me. Now I looking for some panties," I replied heatedly, and automatically regretted it.

"I mean..." but it was too late to cover my tracks. I could hear him laughing through the phone.

"Aren't you going to ask me what I'm doing?" he asked when he could breathe.

"No," I retorted, trying to put on anything that would cover my body. I felt too exposed talking to him while I was naked, even if it was through the phone.

"I was just in bed ready to go to sleep and I thought I should check up on you. You know, since I'm a cop and all."

"Uh-huh," I was snapping my bra.

"Don't you want to know what I sleep in?"

"Big raggedy plaid pants and a baggy sweater?" I asked hopefully.

"Nope. Good guess though. I sleep naked, especially in the summer."

I moaned and I heard him laugh again. I remembered what that body looked and tasted like. I didn't need him to remind me. Or let me know that I was practically naked talking to him while he was completely naked lying in bed.

"If this is a business call, that's inappropriate," I replied weakly.

"You're right. But to be fair, you started it. Besides, I don't call everyone naked, in bed, at night."

"That's good to know."

"I have to come by tomorrow to bring you a copy of the restraining order."

"Can't you just mail it?" I asked breathlessly. I could hear him rustling in the sheets. I felt a compulsion to lay in my own bed. It would be like we were lying in bed, side-by-side, talking. I hoped he wouldn't hear the mattress creak.

"Oh, I could. But it would get to you much slower. It would get to you a lot faster if I brought it myself."

"What time will you be over?"

"Early, so make sure you get to bed."

"Yes father," I mocked.

"Ooh, I see how it is. Get to sleep you naughty girl before daddy spanks you," he said, sternly, but I could hear he was trying not to laugh.

"That's not what I meant!" I shouted mortified.

I could hear him laughing again. I couldn't say anything to him without him turning it around on me.

"Relax, Sookie. I don't like to play those kinds of games anyway."

"You relax," I retorted kind of childishly.

"Alright. I can tell you're getting flustered so I'll back off. See you in the morning?"

"Yeah, yeah."

"Sweet dreams, Sookie."

"Night, Eric."

I hung up before I said anything else to embarrass myself.

With my night of relaxation ruined, I settled into bed and expected sleep to come quick.

~o~o~o~o~o~o~

Sleep came quick alright. As did being awake. Every time the motion lights came on, I shot awake in a cold sweat.

I left the TV on all night, something I never do, so I would be able to keep an eye out for Bill.

When I noticed the sun rising, I finally gave up trying to sleep.

I dragged myself out of bed to shower before Eric arrived with the papers.

I had just finished getting dressed when I heard the door bell ring. I looked out of my window and saw Eric's car in the driveway.

I was wearing a strapless yellow sundress because it was so sunny out, not because I was expecting Eric or anything like that.

I hurried down the steps because it would have been impolite to keep him waiting.

I opened the door and my breathe caught in my throat. Damn, he was gorgeous.

He must not have been on duty today because he was wearing a blue plaid shirt that intensified his blue eyes and dark denim jeans.

"Hey, Sookie. How are you today?"

"Fine," I replied quickly. My mouth intended to get me in trouble around him.

"Aren't you going to invite me in?"

"Sure," I said as I stepped aside to let him enter.

"I noticed you have some cameras. When did you get those?"

"My friend put them up for me last night. I was going to tell you when you called but I was a little distracted."

"I can understand that," he smirked at me.

"Oh, and I wanted to get your opinion on if you thought I should take some self defense classes."

"I think that's a good idea. It couldn't hurt. I know a guy who owns a place. I can talk to him for you."

"Sure, thanks." I was grateful because I had no idea where to start looking for a place to train.

"I wanted to come in person because Bill will also be receiving his copy today and I didn't want you to be alone when he got the news," he said as he handed me the restraining order. "If you don't mind, I'd like to hang around for a bit to see if he acts out."

"Normally, I would politely thank you and tell you that it's not necessary."

"And now?"

"Now, I'm just tired of being scared and not being able to sleep."

"Sookie..."

"I'm not a weak person. I like to handle things on my own, but I don't know what to do about this. I'm exhausted. I was jumpy when he used to come around before. But now I'm terrified. I can't turn around without seeing him lurking, watching me."

"Why don't you stay with someone?"

"I can't leave my house and risk him doing something to it. It's all I have left of my Gran."

"Then how about if someone stayed with you?"

"I can't ask my friend Sam because he's so busy with the bar he owns. I can't tell my brother about what's happening or he'll do something stupid. And Amelia doesn't work or anything but I don't want to risk her getting hurt."

"I know what happened between us was, IS, abnormal, but I could stay with you if you needed me to."

"You have work. I can't disrupt your life and you barely know me." I didn't want to involve any more people into this than I had to.

"I'm off all this week and I would rather spend it with you, making sure you're safe, than home alone in my apartment."

"I don't know..." It was a really tempting offer but I wasn't so sure how it would work out.

As if reading my thoughts, Eric said, "Let's just try it one night. If it doesn't work out then I'll leave."

"I guess there's no harm in trying."

"It'll all work out. I promise."

"Okay."

"So do you agree to let me stay?"

"Yes."

"I wasn't planning on this so I need to go back to my apartment to get some clothes. Do you want to go?"

"No, I'll stay here." I didn't want to know where Eric lived. I was trying to distance myself from him so I wouldn't get hurt.

"Are you sure? Bill probably won't be served with his papers until after I get back."

"I'll be fine. Go ahead." I needed to get some things together for his stay anyway. I would have to go to the store to get some groceries too.

"Okay. I'll be back in a few hours." He quickly left the house to head home. I guess he didn't want to waste any time.

It was only 9:30 a.m. when he left but I wanted to go to the store as soon as possible so I could hurry and get back.

I grabbed my keys and was heading out the door as Eric was starting his car.

"Where are you going?"

"I just need to get a few things at the store. I'll meet you back here in a few?"

He nodded but he waited until I got in my car and started it before he pulled off.

I followed him down my driveway except he turned left and I turned right.

On the way to the grocery store I passed by the shopping center and decided to stop and take a look around.

I'd never had a lot of money so I was a huge fan of window-shopping.

I walked through the stores, more enjoying my stress free time than actually looking at any merchandise.

And that was how I found myself in the store at the very end of the plaza. The adult store.

I was tempted to walk right back out until I saw the cutest lingerie set hanging on a rack by the door. It was a red bra with a black laced corset down the front of each cup. The matching panties were red with a black laced corset down the sides. I didn't notice it until I picked it up, but the butt of the panties was made of lace and completely see through.

I must have been focusing on the underwear pretty hard because I didn't even notice the shop assistant come up to me.

"Oh girl! Those would look absolutely gorgeous on you!"

"Oh! Um, thanks."

"I'm Shelly. My aunt owns this store." The girl looked to be in her early 20s. She had bright red hair and green eyes.

"If you don't mind, there's another piece over here that would look amazing on you."

She grabbed me by the hand and took me to the sleepwear section.

"Here, what do you think of this?" she said as she shoved a light pink sheer Teddy and matching thong panties at me.

"Oh. I don't know. I've never worn anything like this."

"Trust me. You wear this and you'll have that man on yours begging. Just look at your body. You're not a stick like most girls. You got curves and they would look good in this."

I was so uncomfortable and unsure but I had the urge to do something out of character so I bought them both.

I ran from the store to my car with the bag under my arm. I hurried and put the bag in the trunk, hoping no one saw it. Then I headed to the grocery store.

I picked up some things for breakfast. I got what I noticed Eric had eaten the most of the day before.

I had no idea what he liked to eat so I got a wide variety of lunch and dinner options. Whatever Eric didn't eat I could always call Jason over to finish the rest.

I was feeling guilty about not telling Jason about Bill but that would only make everything worse. It wasn't like I was telling everyone. I wasn't going to call and tell Tara and Laf either.

Besides, I didn't have time to dwell on it. I had to meet Eric back at the house in 20 minutes.

I pulled into my driveway and saw Eric leaning up against his car waiting for me. Looking all tall and sexy and lean and forbidden. No matter what, I was not touching that while it was at my house. I had too much to deal with already. No matter what the bag in my trunk insinuated.

"What took ya?"

"I stopped at the shopping center," I mumbled as I went to open the door. "I'll show you to your room."

He didn't say anything but he followed me with his duffle bag in hand.

I showed him to the room upstairs next to mine.

"It's a bit smaller than the last room I stayed in when I was here," he said, referring to my bedroom.

"Well bedrooms aren't normally as big as a living room," I retorted with a grin on my face. We may have had sex in my room but he didn't really sleep in there.

He sat his duffle bag on the floor and followed me back to the car to carry in the groceries.

It didn't take long to carry in all the bags with Eric's help.

As I was putting the groceries away I noticed my bag of lingerie sitting on the kitchen table. I had no idea which one of us brought it in but I hoped to God it wasn't Eric. I heard him coming into the kitchen with more bags so I hurried and shoved the bag of lingerie into the cupboard with the box of cereal I was putting away.

I quickly put away the rest of the groceries and Eric unpacked his clothes while I made sandwiches.

After we ate we awkwardly watched TV together. I still had my Buffy DVD in the player and it started again as soon as I turned on the TV.

"Oh, I was just watching this the other day. We don't have to watch this," I said, getting ready to turn the DVD off.

"No, it's fine. I actually like Buffy."

"Really?"

"Oh yeah. Especially after she dumped Angel and started going out with Spike."

"Are you crazy? I hated her with Spike!"

"No way. Spike was clearly better for her."

"I'm tempted to throw you out of my house right now, Bill be damned."

Eric didn't respond. He just shook his head at me like he pitied me because I liked Angel better. Yeah, right.

We continued to watch Buffy and I had no idea how long we sat there in silence but when I noticed it was getting late, I announced that I was going to make dinner.

While we were eating our hamburgers, I saw the motion lights come on and we heard the door bell ring. Eric got up first to see who it was. He came back to the table with a folded up piece of paper and a grim look on his face.

"See you soon, sweet Sookie," was all the note said.

As soon as I looked up at Eric he said, "Check the cameras."

I got up and went into the living room to check the cameras on the living room TV. I rewound the feed and all I saw was a masked person coming into view from the right side of the screen with a note in their hands.

"He knows you put the cameras up. He's trying to hide his face so you can't claim it's him."

"Eric?"

"Don't worry, Sookie. I'll be right back"

He went upstairs and when he came back down he had his gun with him.

"Lock the door when I go out. Don't unlock it until you hear my voice."

When I nodded he stepped outside and I quickly locked the door behind him. I stood by the door for about 10 minutes waiting for him to return.

"It's alright, Sookie. Let me in," Eric called through the door.

I opened the door and he came right in, shut the door, and locked it back.

"I walked the perimeter of your house and partly into the woods. I didn't see anyone or anything."

"What should we do?"

"We don't have any proof the note came from Bill. I'll keep a closer eye on the monitors and try and catch him when he comes back," he said with a reassuring voice. He was rubbing my arm trying to soothe me. Even though his plan made me sound like a sitting duck, having Eric here with me made me feel at ease.

"Okay," I smiled up at him.

"You go on ahead and get to sleep. You look tired."

"Gee thanks."

"Don't mention it," he smirked at me.

We were suddenly standing really close to each other. I could tell he wanted to kiss me by the way he kept glancing at my lips. I licked them by reflex. He started to lower his head and I didn't move away.

This was all a huge mess but even through it all, I still wanted Eric.

His lips had almost made contact with mine, when all of a sudden…

"AAAAACHOOO!"

"What the fuck, Sookie?!"

I sneezed two more times before I stopped.

"Oh my God!" I yelled, mortified.

"You sneezed in my face!"

"I am so sorry!"

I couldn't even look at Eric as he wiped his face. "Um, night!" I called as I ran up the steps to escape the embarrassment.

As I got into bed I thought about what might have happened if I hadn't had the sudden urge to sneeze. I realized that I did want to kiss Eric, but nothing good would have come of it. He was a one-night stand turned live in protector and he would be leaving at the end of the week. I wasn't even ready to get into another relationship after the disaster Bill turned out to be. Pushing the depressing thoughts from my mind, I rolled over and went to sleep.

~o~o~o~o~o~o~

I woke up in the middle of the night screaming. I had a horrible nightmare that Bill broke into my house while I was home alone. I ran to hide but he found me. I started screaming when I realized he had found me. It was my screams in real life that woke me up.

I jumped up in bed and almost immediately Eric busted into my bedroom with his gun.

"Oh my God! What are you going to do with that?!" I yelled, surprised.

He looked confused until he noticed the gun in his hand.

"I, uh. I was sleeping on the couch when I heard you scream."

"Why were you on the couch?"

"I was watching the monitors," he replied, voice rough from sleeping.

It was then that I finally noticed what he was wearing. Red plaid pajama bottoms and nothing else. And not the grubby kind I had hoped he was wearing when he called me the night before. These looked practically new and sat low on his hips. I could see all of his muscles, including that sexy little V that led to what I refused to let myself have. I sat there gaping at his nakedness in all its glory.

"Are you okay?"

"Oh, yeah," it came out like a sexy purr. I cleared my throat. "I mean, I'm fine."

He stalked over to the bed and wrapped me in his arms.

"What are you doing?"

"Sookie, you're shaking."

"Oh." I didn't know if it was from my dream or from Eric busting into my room half naked with guns a blazing. Well, maybe not a blazing but drawn.

"Lay down, Sookie. I promise I won't try anything. Just let me hold you until you calm down."

I wanted to refuse but he just felt so good and I found myself nodding instead.

I laid back down with Eric's arms wrapped around me. His body was so hard yet I found it comforting. He was so warm and he smelled amazing. I felt like I was wrapped up in a safety blanket.

Feeling more secure than I had in as long as I could remember, I fell asleep. And I slept all night.

A/N: I hoped you guys like that! *bes nervous*

Tell me what you liked about the chapter and what you didn't. I really like to know what you guys think. I write the chapters as I go so your guys' reviews have changed things that I've written.

The next chapter will discuss more about how Eric felt through all of this and I'm expecting it to have a little more... fun, lol.

Don't worry, I haven't forgotten about that bag of lingerie in the cabinet. Cereal anyone? ;)

And a little FYI, when I first started FF, I created my username with the idea of writing a story in which Sookie got letters from a creepy weirdo who addressed her as "Sweet Sookie." It fit here so I decided to use it, lol.

Anywho, I think I'll stop boring you all now.

See you at the next update! :D