AN: Thank you for all your reviews. Without further ado... Enjoy!

Big thanks to my beta – keiman and kei for beta-reading.

Chapter 7

It Can't Be

WPOV

"I'll take Mohito… or no, no Mohito. Bloody Mary? You're a vampire bar, you serve Mary, right?"

"What's your name, sweetie?" I asked, smiling and leaning over the counter.

"Jenny…" The girl stuttered and risked a sideways glance at her friends who were standing slightly behind her. All of the other girls giggled quietly.

"Make up your fucking mind or I'll start serving Bloody Jenny in a minute. Do you understand?"

All traces of a smile were swept from the girls' faces.

I had just lost the title of the Nicest Vampire at Fangtasia. I couldn't care less though. I was in a particularly vile mood. Nothing, not even the fact that I had noticed Pamela tripping over and over again in her damaged shoes was able to cheer me up. The fact that all of her clothes had started to break up into pieces as soon as they had touched her body was boring. Her furious screams and whining were only irritating to me.

I was suffocating because tonight I have found out something deeply unsettling.

Sookie has been hiding something from me.

The thoughts about what it can be were drilling inside my head.

I knew it could not be something significant. Sookie would have never hidden something important from me. Right?

She had learned her lesson years ago and she would never hide anything from me again. Maybe it's some… female mood swings? Maybe it's… I had no idea what it could be but I tried not to think about other scenarios. Like the fact that Sookie has been hiding a man from me…

My daughter was a beautiful woman and it would be foolish to believe that she's gonna stay a little girl forever. I knew that one day she would find a man whom she'll deem good enough for her.

Doesn't mean this person would come up to my expectations though.

"So, did you make up your mind?"

Jenny murmured that she'd lost her appetite and ran along with her clique.

Fucking women.

"Something bothers you," Thalia stated, walking over to me. She leaned on the bar and almost smiled, eyeing Pamela. I have come to like this tiny Greek woman. She was usually mute, only giving me sideways glances of understanding. Sometimes though – like tonight – she was in a more chatty mood. I didn't answer, watching a blonde vampiress tripping again and landing on the steps leading up to the dais. The dais that stays empty for three days a week. For some reason, Eric Northman had stepped down from entertaining humans and his child had taken his place.

It actually earned him some respect in my eyes.

As much as I tried not to like Northman, I had to admit that he was not as bad as most vampires. He was reasonable and just, treating his underlings with surprising respect. It was obvious that his entourage held him in their highest regards, not because they feared him, but because they found him worthy.

The fact that he had dropped his ridiculous spying charade also gave him some credit.

"Private matter..." I muttered, turning to pour a few pitchers of beer. Those college boys sitting in the corner will soon summon a waitress to place their orders.

"Related to your human?"

I hesitated for a moment, not sure if it was wise to share my problem with Thalia. She knew that I was keeping a guardianship over a human girl, but Sookie and I were a closed circle. Allowing someone into our matters just didn't feel right.

"Maybe…" I said carefully.

Thalia raised her eyebrows challenging me and I decided to give it a shot. I switched our conversation over to Greek and told her: "I suspect that my little girl is hiding something from me."

"So? Young women have the rights to keep secrets."

"Maybe, but what if she ends up getting hurt?" the Greek vampiress frowned.

"Okay. Tell me more."

"She is shielding her mind from me. She's spending a lot of time outside and when we are together, she's glued to her cell phone texting to someone." I paused, handing Ginger a beer and waited for the waitress to walk away. "She is smiling all the time and well… She's never paid this much attention to her looks."

"Clearly she's in love. Or at least smitten."

I shook my head violently. "Impossible. She would have told me," I argued.

"And what would you have done if she had?"

I glared at the ancient vampiress. She knew what I would have done. I would have gone to Sookie's admirer and made sure that he was good enough for her. If he wasn't…

"I have a right to intrude. I have raised the girl!"

"Yes, true – but you don't own her, do you?"

I was really close to smacking Thalia. I had always thought her to be simple and eager to kick someone's ass. Fucking Greeks and their philosophical strikes.

"Doesn't matter. I will handle it."

We remained quiet when the crowd around us started to shimmer with excitement. It could only mean that Eric Northman was back. I was mildly surprised at seeing him here – Thursday was his night off.

"Pam," he commanded, walking over to his progeny and barking a short command. "Bring me a meal. Tall, brown or red-haired. No blondes!"

He zipped to his office, leaving Pam to her task. The younger vampiress stood up and immediately fell, causing a few people around her to giggle.

I rolled my eyes. She could just take off her shoes, but no… Clearly, the footwear was more important than her pride. Idiot.

"Funny when I think about it…" Thalia mused and I gave her a curious glance.

"What?"

"The sheriff has been acting strangely of late as well. Maybe he's Sookie's secret lover," she snorted jokingly, but I froze.

No fucking way!

EPOV

Earlier, the same night

Sookie went rigid on top of me and I held her tighter while she rode out the last shocks of her orgasm, sinking my fangs into her right breast and tasting her essence. In an instant, I reached my own climax and roared in triumph.

She collapsed on me and immediately snuggled closer to my neck. I gave her a moment to calm down, slowly stroking her back. I had a question in mind, but I decided to give her a minute to catch her breath.

"That was amazing," she giggled and nibbled on my collarbone.

'I aim to please, Lover." I chuckled, kissing her hair.

"I don't wanna get up..." Sookie murmured and my arms tensed.

"Then don't," I said, hating the pleading note in my voice. Sookie slowly raised her head and gave me a hard look.

"You know that I have to."

"No, you don't," I argued and she immediately started to struggle to move away from me. I only tightened my grip and fixed her with an equally hard stare.

"Let go!"

"No," I growled. "It's ridiculous. We've been seeing each other for over two weeks and I enjoy our time immensely. I want you in my arms – you're going nowhere," I told her coldly. Sookie actually shook with anger and shoved her fist into my chest. I didn't budge.

"Do you think I don't wanna stay? Do you think I don't wanna spend a daytime here with you in your arms?"

Something in my chest cracked a bit on hearing that. Two days ago, I had asked Sookie to spend a day with me. I had meant it as a joke, but when the words were said aloud, I realized that I really meant it. I wanted Sookie with me all the time. It was killing me that I had to let her go and watch her walking back to fucking Ben Flynn. It didn't matter that they weren't romantically involved. He could call her his while she was really mine.

Sookie's eyes got glossy and she lowered her gaze. I instantly pulled her into my arms and hugged her, soothing her. No way in Hell will I allow her to cry. Not in our bed.

"Then why not do this? You don't have to be scared of Flynn – I will handle him," I assured her softly. "If you want out, I will find a way to end him."

Sookie almost jumped away from me and attacked me so quickly that I didn't react. She slapped me on my right cheek hard enough that my head jumped aside. Well, fuck.

"Don't ever threaten him!" she yelled and I felt my own anger building inside me.

"Why not?! Who is he to you? Your guardian or your Master? Because honestly, your relationship is all fucked up! He's all so protective and good guy, but you shake with fear thinking about him." Sookie gritted her teeth at my accusation. "You don't have to be afraid of him; I will protect you," I vowed, this time more softly.

"I don't worry about my own safety..." she whispered. "Just yours."

I sighed impatiently. "I get it – he's older than me but I am a warrior. The best on this continent. I can take care of myself."

"No," Sookie said quietly and I realize that she is sobbing softly. "You can't – not against him. I could not bear the thought that you died because of me. It was meant to be a casual relationship, but we're moving too far and too fast. It's time to end it."

This time the pain in my chest was too searing to let me speak. I only watched Sookie silently – her balled sobbing form and one thought was popping into my mind – kill Ben Flynn. Get rid of him and take Sookie for myself fully. It was a shocking revelation, but I was actually ready to risk my life for her. Not only risk – but sacrifice it if necessary.

I felt strongly for her. Too strongly.

"I don't agree."

"Jesus!" Sookie stood up from the bed and covered herself with a sheet. With her long wavy head and the white material draped over her form, she almost looked like a goddess. "I don't get it!" She turned to me rolling her eyes. "We fucked; it was nice but there is nothing more between us. I surely feel nothing for you!"

"Fine." I growled, nodding shortly. She was full of shit- both of us knew it, but if she's willing to lie to herself, she can do it. "You got your fuck-time, so leave." I said. It was meant to sound cruel, but in the end, I just sounded pathetic. Sookie raised her head proudly and went to collect her clothes. A minute later she was outside and I heard her car driving away from my driveway. When I was sure that she was far enough away, I roared with fury and threw a nightstand across the room. The piece of furniture crashed into splinters, but it didn't help my anger and frustration.

I put my clothes on and walked to Fangtasia to take a look at Ben. When I arrived, he was having a hushed discussion with Thalia. Keeping one eye firmly on him, I ordered Pam to bring me a meal. I was avoiding any women similar to Sookie like a plague while I was playing my little role. I took girls to my office, bit them and trying not to gag, glamored them into believing that I had fucked them thoughtfully and sent them on their way.

All the time when I was sitting with a glamored woman in my office, I was scheming how to solve mine and Sookie's problem.

Killing Ben was one option. With the help of a few vampires, I believed it to be possible.

Bonding with Sookie was a second idea. I could sneak small portion of my blood into her body thus creating a connection. She would be tied to me forever. If Ben cares for her as much as Sookie claims, he will not kill me- not willing to risk Sookie's sanity.

Taking Sookie and running away was another possibility…

I knew that she held Ben in the highest regard. She loved him as a father and I doubted if she'd leave him for me. Not after only a few weeks together.

Finally I sent the last girl away and headed back home. I knew that I had to call Sookie immediately and straighten things out. I was at my front door when my phone rang. I smirked when I saw who was calling me.

"Can't be angry at me for too long, Lover?" I purred and was rewarded by Sookie's huff of annoyance.

"I was thinking… And I don't like arguing with you. You were right – partially – and I think it's time to come up with something. I just… I find I cannot let you go."

My heart welled in my chest with joy. "Yes, I think that we have to. And the same here. I cannot let you go either."

"Then… Maybe we'll meet tomorrow. I'll figure something out?"

"Count me in."

"Good night, Eric. Rest well."

"You too, Lover. Bye."

I was grinning like a fool when I opened the door and walked inside, but the second that I closed the door, I froze and my smile vanished.

Ben Flynn was sitting in the middle of the couch watching me with an expressionless face. My fangs ran down and I looked around for the best way to attack him. I expected him to charge at me, but nothing like this happened. Instead of attacking me, Ben raised his hand and a blinding blue light shot right through me.

I fell on the floor- unable to move from the pain that the light caused – all of my body was on fire. In the blink of an eye, Ben was in front of me and watching me from above.

"I was right in thinking that you're too tough for just one shot..." he mused thoughtfully and raised his hand again.

This time, the blast of light took my consciousness away.

AN: So... What do you think? Please, leave a review.