Chapter 90

Sorry for the delay folks…. I have been swamped with so much stuff. I just haven't had the time to put the ideas rolling around in my head on paper.

Hope you enjoy!

Warning: ADULT CONTENT

Sookie could feel the anxiousness coming from her husband, Mark and Alcide all day. It was beginning to give her a headache so after the kids went to do their lessons with Lily for the afternoon Sookie decided to go out and get some air. Stopping in the foyer she spotted Gary, "Will you accompany me outside on the grounds please?" Sookie smiled at him politely.

Gary nodded to her. "Of course, just let me tell Mark where we are headed." Gary instantly hit the button his ear and began speaking into it. Sookie waited patiently while Gary did what he needed to. She knew there was no point in arguing the subject, the house was on the highest alert she had seen it in a really long time. There was no way she would take on Eric about roaming the grounds without a guard, not while he was in the state he was in. Gary nodded to himself and then looked at Sookie. "We are clear to go. Mark insists you don't stay out too long." Gary's voice was clear on the intent of Mark's instructions. Sookie smiled a cautious smile at Gary before taking the only free moment she could and headed toward the back of the house, slid open the sliding doors to the massive yard to begin her getaway.

It was a beautiful over cast day but not hot enough for Sookie's taste. She loved the sun and would have loved to have rather sat out in the sun on the chairs in the backyard with the kids playing around her but for some reason today she needed the space. Her family was the most important thing to her she thought to herself as she walked briskly, but today she just needed a few minutes to quiet to think. Admiring the beauty of the grounds Sookie walked to one of her favorite spots, the river that cut into the property. Sookie smiled to herself as she got closer and closer. She remembered the day Eric brought her to this piece of property, in the moonlight on their date. It was beautiful in the moonlight and even prettier today. The sun was beaming off the water making it look almost crystal like, the water moving slowly down its path and over head she could hear the birds singing softly in the trees as they walked. Gary was a few strides behind her but she knew he wouldn't disturb her if she needed it, glancing over her shoulder he nodded to let her know he was right behind her and to do what she needed to do. She walked up to the bank then kneeled down to sit close to the edge. Slipping off her shoes she put her feet into the ice cold water making her wince but she was determined to fight the urge to take them out so Sookie let the water to continue to run over her feet. Leaning back on her arms she put her face up to the sky and let the sun bask on her face. It felt so wonderful against her skin, she could feel the warmth of the Louisiana sun heat up her skin quickly. "Um" she moaned as the sun made her warmer and warm. How differently her life would have been if she had never come to this exact spot with Eric that evening. Her life would have been rewarding of course she thought, the bookstore, her friends and her brother Jason, but would she have ever found someone she could have loved like she loved Eric? Giggling to herself she shook her head at her silliness.

"What is so entertaining?" The firm voice from behind her asked.

Opening one eye she looked up at the tall, blond Viking Prince behind her. "Can't a girl get five minutes to herself to dream of other men?"

Eric smirked, kicked off his shoes and sat down next to her also putting his feet in the water, not wincing a bit as his skin touched the water. "Well, I suppose it depends on who the woman is. I know my bride would never dream of another man, or vampire that is. She is too busy being a Queen, a mother and the most beautiful bride any being would be honored to have in his life." His smile only got bigger as he spoke to her.

"Thanks sweetie." She sat up and looked him in the eyes. "Didn't you get the memo? This super busy woman needs a few minutes to gather her thoughts."

He looked at her for a moment. "Are you alright?" He leaned close to her and tucked a stay hair that had escaped her ponytail behind her ear.

"I don't know." She turned to look at the water and carefully splashed her feet in the water which was feeling warmer against her skin now.

Eric leaned forward and looked into the passing water. "I wish I could help you Sookie. I just do not have the resolution to this problem yet."

Sookie continued kicking her feet. "Give me some credit Eric." She turned to look at him. "We have been over this a thousand times with this bullshit with the drainers. It's our responsibility to take care of it." Her husband turned his head to meet his wife's eyes, he could feel the energy coming off of her and he knew he needed to pay close attention to her when she felt this strongly. "I get that Eric." Her voice was almost a whisper.

"Then why are you out here?" Eric's voice was flat.

Shaking her head from side to side she almost rolled her eyes at him. "Eric, I feel you, all of you. I just needed a few minutes to separate from it."

He looked deep into her eyes, opened the bond to see if she was telling him the truth. She was being honest with him. "Ok." He moved to take his feet out of the water, stood and grabbed his shoes. "Do not stay out here long Sookie." She looked up at him almost to challenge him but he stopped her. "I mean it."

She leaned her head back to look at him. "I know you do." Giggling to herself she put her focus back on the water running over her feet. Her husband was gone as quickly as he came and the energy that buzzed around her subsided quickly. Sighing she closed her eyes and let the tranquil water run over her for what seemed like forever. Sookie let time run past her without a care in the world in that moment. Sookie let the peacefulness engulf and energize her and she felt wonderful.

"Sookie, we need to get back now." Gary said quietly from behind her. "Mark is insisting since you have been here for over three hours." Gary walked closer. "Or he is coming out here to get you himself."

Startled by Gary's voice Sookie turned her head to look up at him. "Three hours?" She whispered and he nodded at her. She hoped off the bank and picked up her shoes. "I am so sorry Gary. I didn't realize." Feeling horrible for making him stand in the sun for that amount of time, she went to stand in front of him. "Yes, let's get you back so you can get something to drink. I am so sorry Gary. I lost track of the time."

He smiled and pulled a bottle of water out of his back pocket. "I grabbed one just before you asked to hit the grounds because I was on my way to check them anyway. I am fine Sookie, promise."

Sookie exhaled instantly feeling better. "Ok, let's go." She and Gary began to make their way to the house and as she got closer and closer she could see the activity around the house. The sun was going to be setting soon and the battle Eric had been preparing for would happen tonight. She could feel it in her soul this was ending tonight. Gary opened the sliding door for her as they approached the sliding glass door and as she stepped through over the threshold just about every supe Sookie could name stood in her living room. Smiling to them as she walked in her eyes scanned the room which was almost full. "Well, at least I know Eric isn't lying when he says he has his very own army."

Gary slid the door closed behind him as his Queen walked into this room that had been the place of so many events yet tonight it was the war room. He had always taken great pride in his job and these individuals he put his life on the line for. Tonight he felt why and she stood before him, his Queen. She was the reason he and all these other supernatural's stood in this room planning and organizing this current threat against Sookie and her family. He wasn't born into her world, the world of the Fae but he felt that this was his calling and he and the rest of the pack were there tonight to fight to keep the balance, to keep his Queen safe. He stood proud and prepared as he watched Sookie go to stand beside her husband and take his hand as Eric began to address the room.