Eric didn't hear from Thorn for a couple weeks. Which put him in a rather… Less than pleasant mood. And he wasn't entirely sure why. She was just some human. Why should he care that he upset her? There were dozens like her out there. That's what he was telling himself, at least.

Tonight, he had just gotten to Fangtasia to open up but stopped his approaching the building. Thorn stood at the door, wearing jeans and a high neck top with no sleeves. Her hair was pinned up in a tight bun. He walked over casually. "What are you doing here?" He looked down at her, "I thought I was 'a fucking asshole' and my 'blood bar' wasn't your thing."

"You are and it's not. But that doesn't mean I don't need to talk to you."

"About?" He leaned against the door casually. "I have a business to run. So, if you could make this quick?"

She frowned, "You know what? This was a mistake. I made a mistake, thinking I owed you an explanation. Go to hell, Eric." She walked past him.

He cursed internally. Why did he have to be such a monster sometimes? "You said you're not with another vampire." She stopped walking. "How'd you get the bites?"

She turned to him, "Are you going to listen to me or be a douchebag?"

"I wouldn't ask if I wasn't going to listen. Or if I didn't care."

Thorn took a breath," …" She looked at his car, "Can we go somewhere?"

"Inside. Come on," He motioned to the door.

"No," She said quickly. "Please. Just... Somewhere else."

Eric raised a brow but nodded and went to his car and opened the door for her. She got in and didn't look at him as he got in as well. "Is there a reason you don't want to go inside?"

"People are gonna be showing up soon and I... This needs to be just us."

"I'm not moving this car or myself until you explain what's going on," He looked at her. She was quiet. "As you wish," He opened the car door to get back out.

"I almost died," Thorn said quickly.

Eric stopped and looked at her. "What are you talking about?"

"…. I… About five years ago... Before vampires were officially out of the coffin and all..." She rolled the neck of her top down, "I was attacked by a vampire." Now that Eric wasn't focused on being angry, he looked at her neck. Scars and bite marks. They were healed over and if you weren't paying attention, you would likely miss them. But Eric noticed everything about most people. And with his inhuman eyes, he could see every claw mark and scrape of teeth that had been left on her skin. It had been a vicious assault. "He uhm… He approached me at the club I worked in, in Dallas. He was beautiful. I was drawn to him, of course. He asked to see me some time. Said he loved my singing voice," She touched her neck, "Told me I had the voice of an angel... I thought he was just being flattering." She felt her throat tighten up, "I thanked him and we had drinks together here and there. It was nothing serious. It wasn't a big deal. I was sort of well known in Texas by that time. I got hired to do events and I even got an offer to record an album. Kind of a local celebrity." She sniffled, "But when I told him I was leaving to go record... He told me that I was his and I wasn't allowed to leave." She stroked her scars, "So, I told him to get out of my club and my life. I wasn't his and he had no right to say otherwise… That night, after I sang my last show, I went into the alley behind the club to get some air, like I always did. It was well lit, there were security cameras, and it was a low crime rate part of town. He was waiting and told me he'd give me a chance to apologize and he would take me back. I told him to go to hell and that I never wanted to see him again…" Tears ran down her cheeks, "So… He grabbed me and I started screaming."

Eric watched Thorn slowly crumble. The more she spoke, the more Eric saw her breaking inside. This had been what she hadn't wanted him to hear.

"He told me that if I wasn't his then I was no one's and if I wouldn't sing for him, no one hear me sing ever again…" She covered her mouth, "He bit into my throat and tore my neck open..."

Eric clenched his fists. He hadn't been feeding, he'd been trying to brutally murder her. No vampire worth his fangs would just rip the carotid out and let all that blood go to waste if it had been about hunger. This had been about violence and pain.

"And…" She started to cry, "I only lived because someone found me in the alley and got me to the hospital... They thought I'd never sing again. Or speak or even breathe without a direct pathway to my lungs through my chest… But I recovered somehow. And I left Texas and I hid out in Bon Temps for a few years," She covered her mouth, "I only just moved to Shreveport last year for my jobs. I wanted to hide somewhere secluded because if he ever found me again..."

Eric pulled her into his lap, holding her. "He won't. And if he does and tries to hurt you," He lifted her chin and wiped her tears away, "I am Sheriff here. The vampires in this area answer to me and I have the authority to end them if I need to. I'll rip out his fangs and stake him myself."

She rested her head on his chest, "I'm so sorry… I'm so sorry… I don't want to be a mess… I'm sorry I freaked out on you."

"Don't," He stopped her, "I'm old and set in my ways. Sadly, my ways teeter on sexist entitlement. You told me no. I should have listened instead of making you tell me all this. The next time you say no about something, I won't press you."

"Next time?" She looked up at him, "So… You don't want me to go away?"

"No," He touched her cheek, "I don't. I've actually been fighting with myself since that night, telling myself to apologize. But the side that is too proud and too much of a vampiric elitist won out... As it usually does," He sighed. "As much as I loathe admitting it," He looked her in the eye, "You bring out something in me that hasn't been around in a very long time."

"What's that?"

"Humanity," He ran his hand down to her throat to caress the scars. "I… Remember things when I'm with you. Things I've not thought about in centuries."

"Like?"

"The feel of the sun on my skin as I fought beside my father, the sound of the sea, the way the waves used to lull me to sleep as a child…" He pulled her close, "What are you that you have this power over me, woman?"

"Crying?" She offered and they both laughed a little.

"No, Älskling," He said softly, "Something more than that. Something from the day we first met." He kissed her, his lips gentle, "Why do I need you?"

"You need me?" She breathed against his lips.

"I do," He kissed her again. She slid her arms around him. He ran his hands up her back, sliding beneath her top, feeling her soft skin again. "You're safe with me."

She nodded and pulled him back to kiss her.

Then there was a knock on the window. Eric hissed and bared his fangs at the intruder. It was Ginger, who shrieked. He pinched the bridge of his nose, "I am much too hungry for this... Ginger, shut up!" He snapped and she was silent. He looked at Thorn, "I should go eat. I'll drive you home first, if you like."

She shook her head, "I have my car. I'll call you when I get home though." She kissed him, "So, we're both sorry and we're okay?"

"Yes, Älskling, we are fine now."

She stroked his cheek, "What does that word mean?"

"It's old Swedish. It means darling or sweetheart," He smirked. She blushed. "I've found a way to bring color to that beautiful skin of yours," He teased. "Now go on."

She got out carefully and went to her car.

Eric watched her. If he ever found the vampire responsible for her pain, he would tear him limb from limb. Starting with every individual toe and finger and ripping out his teeth one by one. He got out of his car and went inside, seeing Pam as already there. "Pamela, I want you to do me a favor."

"Like I can actually say no," She looked at him. Not that she would anyway. Eric was Pam's maker but he was also her friend. Her only friend. "What is it?"

"Get ahold of Dallas. I have some questions I need answered."

"…. About?"

"I'll explain later. Let me know when you get in touch and I'll take it from there."

"Oh-kay," Pam raised a perfect brow then walked away.

A couple weeks went by and Eric had made a point to visit Thorn every night, riding home from work with her or going out on their walks where they did nothing but talk. Well, almost nothing. She was more comfortable with him now so she let him kiss her neck and touch her but nothing beyond that. She explained to him that sex was difficult for her now. Her attacker hadn't raped her but he'd nearly killed her and sex made you vulnerable to the person you were with. And Eric couldn't fault her for being afraid of that. He might be a vampire and a Viking but regardless of what his people had found acceptable and done in the past; Vikings and vampires; he didn't condone rape and he understood that when someone felt violated, they don't ever want to be again so allowing themselves to be vulnerable was hard.

Tonight though, he was sitting in his chair at Fangtasia, feeling and looking horrifically bored. He watched the dancers gyrate about on their poles and the patrons mingle and dance and drink. It all bored him. Mostly because it was no new faces tonight. But Eric enjoyed making money and his regulars certainly spent a lot of it. So, for the most part, he kept his malcontent to himself. He sighed and looked at his phone. He had sent Thorn a message after not hearing from her for about two days. He had sent her a message tonight asking her to come to Fangtasia but that had been just before sunrise and as of now, there was still no answer. It made him worry. Eric did not enjoy worrying.

Pam walked up to him, "You have a few new patrons here to meet you."

"I see no one," He looked around and then his eyes landed on a couple men that he didn't recognize. When had they come in? Why hadn't he noticed them? "Who are they?"

"No idea. Morons, if you ask me. But they say they're here to pay you respects because they're new to the area."

"Tell them I'll speak with them later," He waved his hand dismissively.

Pam put her hands on her hips but nodded and walked away. The three men dispersed amongst the other patrons after Pam spoke to them and Eric went back to ignoring them. But then a familiar scent hit him and he looked to the door. Thorn walked in, her hair all in curls and partly pinned up into a vintage style, her eyes had a slight shimmer and cat eye eyeliner and her lips were lush and painted cocktail cherry red. He stared. He had seen her look nice but not like this. She was dressed in a 1950's style cocktail dress that was the same vibrant, scarlet red as her lips, it had a sweetheart neckline, cap sleeves, and a loose flowing skirt that came just past her knees. Her shoes matched her dress and he noticed that her waist looked a little smaller than usual, meaning she was cinched, not that she needed it in his opinion. From her delicate neck hung a string of brilliant white pearls. They distracted even Eric from the marks on her neck. Likely a trick she had picked up on for when she couldn't wear chokers.

Eric had eaten before bed and when he had woken up but the sight of her made him hungry all over again.

Thorn spotted him and made her way over, smiling at him, "Boo."

"Boo back," He grinned. "I dare say you're a tad overdressed. Gorgeous but overdressed."

"Yeah, I'm sorry," She sighed, "I got your message just before I got off work tonight. I had my phone shut off during the day so I could sleep and was charging it at the club."

"1950's tonight, was it?"

"Yeah…" She smiled, "So… Can I come closer without you kicking me across the room? I promise not to lick your footwear."

He grinned, chuckling, "In that case, yes. You may." She walked closer, to stand in front of him. "You really do look absolutely stunning."

"Bet you say that to all the human girls."

"Not really," He sat up a bit further in his chair. "Had I any breath, you'd likely steal it away."

"Sure." She looked him over, "You have a literal throne. Subtle."

"My middle name," He laughed. "I thought you might like it."

She looked at the seats on either side of him, "May I sit with you?"

"Indeed you may," He nodded. She moved to the left of him but he caught her hand and sat her in his lap, his hand resting on her waist. He placed a soft kiss to her shoulder and smirked at her.

Thorn blushed a little bit, "Eric…" She looked at the rest of the room and how every pair of eyes was on her. "Literally everyone is staring at me."

"And?" He raised a brow.

"You have no shame."

"Not at all," He chuckled.

She giggled and looked up when the music got louder. "What is this music you're playing?" Her nose wrinkled.

Eric looked at ceiling, listening, "I... Do not actually know. Why?"

"It's awful," She frowned. "You don't need shitty remixes of bad electronica, Eric."

"Then you pick the music," Pam appeared beside Eric, "If you hate it so much. Or you can get out." Thorn jumped up from Eric's lap and looked at her.

"Pamela, play nice," Eric said.

"I... I just meant…"

"You meant you have better taste than we do," Pam frowned.

"You are...?" Thorn looked over Pam.

"Thor Kolt, meet my Progeny and business partner, Pamela Swynford de Beaufort."

"Oh... Hi. I'm- "

"I know who you are. You're the reason Eric has near lost his senses and is glued to that cellular device of his. And the reason his face lights up when he checks it."

Thorn blushed a little and looked at Eric, "I make you light up?"

"Eric tells me you're a musician," Pam cut off Eric and grabbed Thorn's wrist, spiriting her over to the place they put their live musicians and pushing a microphone into her hand, "So, you can sing for us."

"I-I can't, I just-"

Pam held up a hand to silence her, "I said sing." She went back to Eric.

"Pamela, is this necessary?" Eric asked.

"Yes. All I know is she won't fuck you, she sings, and supposedly is hilarious. So, let's see what's so special," Pam shrugged. Eric sighed but allowed it.

Thorn hesitated but went to the DJ and spoke with him for a minute. Apparently, she found a song. So, she went back to where Pam had left her.

The music started and Thorn held up the microphone. The beat was slow and mellow and it didn't fit Fangtasia at all but that didn't stop every person in the bar from stopping whatever they were doing and looking at Thorn.

"Never know how much I love you… Never know how much I care… When you put your arms around me, I get a fever that's so hard to bear, you give me fever…" Her voice was… Eric's eyes fixated on her, just as everyone else's did. He felt his body warming. What was going on? The way her voice sounded was… It made the air vibrate, it made breathing hard, it made the air heavy in the room, like hands on your shoulders, directing you to her, making you look at her, making you listen, making you need her voice.

"When you kiss me... Fever when you hold me tight... Fever... In the morning and fever all through the night..." Every small sway of her hips was hypnotic, every tiny breath she took between verses was as sensual as a night of love making, every sultry glance she swept over the room made Eric gulp. And it affected everyone else as well, clearly. Every movement of her lips, every syllable had the room on edge.

Eric knew the song and while it wasn't incredibly impressive vocally, the way that she sang it… It stirred the basest instincts in Eric. He knew every man, and even most of the women, were eye fucking Thorn right now. But Eric was the one her eyes kept fixating on. He was the only person locked in a heated match of gazes. Eric wanted to touch every inch, he wanted her to be his songstress, for her to be only his, and he wanted to devour her.

That thought dragged him out of his thoughts for a moment. That had been an odd thought, especially knowing what had been done to her.

"Sun lights up the daytime, moon lights up the night… I light up when you call my name and you know I'm gonna treat you right. Ya give me fever… When you kiss me, fever when you hold me tight… Fever… In the morning… And fever all through the night…" Thorn's eyes met Eric's again and all thought about anything but her voice and body vanished from his mind. He lost himself in her voice, he existed for nothing else and needed nothing else.

Not blood, not rest, not even darkness. Just her.

Before Eric knew it, she was on the final verse and it hit him that Fangtasia was completely silent save for the music and Thorn's voice.

"Now you've listen to my story… Here's the point that I have made… Chicks were born to give you fever, be it Fahrenheit or Centigrade… They give you fever… When you kiss them… Fever, if you live and learn… Fever... Til you sizzle... Oh what a lovely way to burn… Yes, what a lovely way to burn… What a lovely way… To burn…"

The music stopped and, in the silence, Thorn made her way back to Eric. "I... I guess it wasn't that good. No one clapped." She shrugged, "I'm a little rusty, I guess."

Eric took her hand, "That was unreal." Slowly, all of the patrons seemed to come out of the trances they were in and they applauded loudly for her.

She smiled widely, "Well... I mean… I told you that I sing."

"You never said you sing like that," Eric said, pulling her to him, "You're burning up."

Thorn nodded, "I… I missed being on stage… I... It made me excited. I haven't felt that good in years. I just need some fresh air. Do you mind?"

"Of course not," He said. She led him outside the back of the building and leaned against the brick wall. Eric pressed her into the wall gently and kissed her lips. Thorn ran her fingers into his hair and pulled him against her, biting his lip. He ran his hands down her sides to her hips, "You must be angel... Nothing else could be so perfect..."

"You know if you keep complimenting me like this, I'm gonna think you're just trying to get in my panties," She breathed as his lips moved to her neck.

"Into them? My apologies," His large hand ran under her skirt and he tore her panties off of her. Thorn gasped and Eric brushed his lips over hers lightly, "I can't get into what you don't have on, Älskling."

She stroked his cheek, "Eric…"

"Yes?"

"I don't want to wait anymore," She breathed against his lips. Eric kissed her, hard, his hand hitching her leg onto his hip. She undid his belt and trousers quickly, kissing him desperately, "Right here, Eric, please…"

"Needn't beg," He breathed into her ear. He lifted her skirt and moved to slide inside her.

"Eric," Pam stood at the door, "You're needed. Sheriff business."

Eric growled viciously, "I will stake whoever it is."

Thorn kissed him, "It's okay." She stroked his cheek, panting, "Go on. I'll wait at the bar." Eric sighed and fixed his clothing but nodded and led her back inside, fixing his hair as well. Thorn smiled and went in with him, only to be greeted by one of the three men that Eric had dismissed earlier. Thorn froze when she looked at him.

"Sheriff, Northman," He smiled, tall, dark haired, black eyes, and built like an athlete, "My name is Arthur Hect. I'm new to your area and I had wanted to pay my respect but here, I am, astonished to see you've acquired an Angel of Music." He took Thorn's hand and kissed it, "Stunning."

Thorn looked horrified, like she might throw up. Eric frowned and took her hand back, "Go on to the bar, love." Thorn hurried to the bathroom. He looked at Arthur, "You want to be respectful? Don't touch her. Ever."

"Is she yours, then? I was told you don't keep human lovers."

"Yes, she is mine. And you've paid your respects. Go away now."

Arthur's eyes took on something violent but he never lost his smile, "Good evening, Sheriff." He walked away.

A/N: The song used was "Fever" by Peggy Lee.