Part 3
It was hard not to tell Sookie everything they had become friends. But, being close to people was a luxury Caitlyn couldn't have not as a guardian.
Caitlyn walked in darkness to the house reminding her not to get attached to being around humans. Things always get complicated; it is better to get the job done and leave. Emotions had no place in being a guardian.
Walking up her porch Caitlyn felt a presence again.
"What, I am tired Eric" exclaimed Caitlyn turning around to see the tall Viking standing right behind her.
"That can be annoying, "replied Eric.
"It's a gift, "shrugged Caitlyn facing even though she was tall she still had to look up to face him which annoyed her.
"Your mission", pressed Eric with his vampire presence.
"That's what you want, not a chance Northman," turning Caitlyn started walking away, she knew he wasn't going to try and stop her again.
"You're bleeding," Eric swiftly appeared in front of Caitlyn making her step back off balance and Eric grabs her arm to steady her. Caitlyn was stunned by his action; she looked at his arm holding on to her. He was very strong impressive even but she couldn't think like that.
While lost in thought the vamp was pulling her jacket up to see her arm which was slashed from one of the werewolves.
"Why do you care, "jerking back to reality trying to get out of his grip?
"I have an interest, after all I am the sheriff here, and "Eric moved closer trying to be intimating but mostly crowding Caitlyn.
"Interest "replied Caitlyn shaking her head at his arrogance. Caitlyn moved closer staring eye to eye with Eric.
" Listen, Northman I know all about you past and present, So stop this arrogant vampire intimidation because it won't work, my mission is mine, now move" Caitlyn felt his breath on her face if he wanted a fight fine.
"Hmm, impressive speech "responded Eric feeling something between them like nothing he has felt before.
"Ugh", shaking her head Eric moved and Caitlyn made her way to inside the house.
The next night Eric did some digging around researching Caitlyn's background. Which was next to nothing because the guardian's was a subject the vampires didn't have information on them personally.
Pam walked in to Eric's office followed by the devil herself.
"Well, what a surprise," Exclaimed Eric with a sly grin.
"Blah blah needed to see you blah!" expressed Pam. Pam walked out leaving Eric alone.
"She's nice, "commented Caitlyn as she walked in dressed in leather short jacket, skinny black jeans and black knee high boots. The boots especially interested Eric.
"Pam has here moments, now to what do I owe this pleasure," asked Eric as he leaned back in his office chair.
"Witches, I received information that a renegade coven is in the facility," explained Caitlyn as she put her hand on her hip.
"Why should I care about old hags making voodoo dolls and lust spells, "professed Eric?
"These witches are very powerful especially over the DEAD!" Caitlyn stared at Eric waiting for his reaction.
"I will look into it "Eric got up putting on his jacket and moving towards the door.
"Alone, that is not a good Eric, "Caitlyn was angled towards the door trying to stop Eric.
"RRR", Eric grabbed Caitlyn and pressed her into the door, his fangs hanging out.
"I don't need help, "growled Eric.
"Let go or I will break your arms vamp "Caitlyn calmly professed.
Eric let go and left Caitlyn alone in his office. She saw his laptop was still on and walked over to investigate. Clicking the mouse she saw he had been researching her and the guardians in general. Which he would never find the council keeps such information very well protected. Why is he so interested in her wondered Caitlyn?
Caitlyn knew it was a bad idea for Eric to go confront the witch's coven alone. But, he was a vampire she wasn't there to be his babysitter. It had been an uneventful night at Merlot's. Sookie, offered Caitlyn a ride home after their shift.
Driving down the dirt road Sookie started asking questions about Caitlyn's past and how she became a guardian.
"I get you are here to protect and all but," Sookie couldn't find the words to explain.
"It's ok Sookie, you weren't suppose to find out," answered Caitlyn whispering under her breath "Thanks to Eric."
"I just can't seem to wrap my head around it vampires, werewolves, fairies it's all so confusing", exclaimed Sookie.
"Yes, it can be but you will be fine Sookie you have a good heart, "replied Caitlyn thinking back to all the people she had watched over and never getting the chance to really get to know who they were.
"Who is that, "Exclaimed Sookie, spotting a tall figure walking by the side of the road.
"Oh, my God it's Eric, "cried Sookie pulling up to him.
Eric was not wearing a shirt he had no shoes on and seemed lost.
"Something's wrong "said Caitlyn getting out of the car.
"Eric, Eric", yelled Sookie trying to get his attention. Finally he looked at both women with complete lack of recognition.
"Who," asked Eric looking at both women almost fearfully?
"You, You're Eric what are you playing at, "pointed Sookie with hands on her hips.
"My name is Eric," repeated Eric.
"Yes, Eric Northman "exclaimed Sookie get frustrated with his game.
Caitlyn was watching the exchange with Eric and Sookie. She focused with on Eric's body in had some signs of distress as if he had struggled against something but was already healing.
"Sookie he is not playing,"Caitlyn walked up to Eric and didn't feel his normal arrogance but fear and confusion.
"What,"Sookie looked more closely at Eric.
"I told him not to go alone,"expressed Caitlyn.
"Go where alone,"yelled Sookie.
"The rogue witch's coven, he is under a spell, "explained Caitlyn pacing now.
"What witches now, spell, spell for what,"Sookie was looking more worried about Eric.
"Memory spell, common but dangerous use on the right person or vampire, "Caitlyn couldn't believe he had confronted them a vampire against a coven stupid arrogant.
"Okay, Eric has lost his memory, can we get in back, "asked Sookie.
"Yes, I know someone who can help, first we have to get safe somewhere,"Caitlyn turned to face Eric.
"Eric, you need to come with us", Caitlyn looked at Sookie for help because Eric seemed ready to run.
"Eric, please come with us" Sookie reached out and took his hand to lead him to the car.
"How I know you both,"Eric asked nervously.
"We are,"Sookie really didn't know how to answer that.
"Don't look at me, "confessed Caitlyn dialing a number on her phone.
"You own a bar called Fangtasia, um, you are a vampire Eric a very old one, "finally replied Sookie
"Vampire, Fangtasia," Eric pushed the heel of his hands into his eyes trying to clear the fog in his brain.
Reaching Sookie's house they got out of the car and walk to the porch. Caitlyn was on the phone talking to an old friend who could help Eric regain his memory.
"This place feels familiar, "expressed Eric, in complete frustration Eric collapsed on the steps looking out into the night.
Neither Sookie nor Caitlyn knew how to handle Eric like this. He was emotional not in control like his always seemed to be.
Sookie sat down next to Eric and put her arm on his shoulder trying to comfort him. Eric turned to look at Sookie his expression of pure hopelessness took her breath away, he was really lost.
"Alright, good news my friend has what we need to reverse the spell", Caitlyn started walking down the steps needing to get away from Eric, seeing him this way was to much.
"Great, when can it be reversed", asked Sookie getting up from the step walking to Caitlyn.
"Tomorrow night", replied Caitlyn "Until then we have to put him somewhere safe"Caitlyn looked at Sookie since they were already at her house.
"Oh, no it's still Eric memory or not", exclaimed Sookie "I can't possibly handle him alone".
"I was afraid you would say that, "letting out a deep breath Caitlyn decided he better come to her house that way Sookie could go into town tomorrow and see if she could hear anything about what happened to Eric. Her powers could save a lot of searching for the rogue coven.
"Alright Northman looks like your staying with me come on my place in just down the road", announced Caitlyn.
"Why your place", questioned Eric moving toward her.
"It's the best way to keep you safe",Caitlyn replied and started walking toward her house.
Eric followed feeling so many warring emotions inside him. He was in indebted to these women for helping him; still not remembering who you are was tearing him apart.
"Here we are, make yourself at home", Caitlyn closed the door behind them as they entered. She went to a hall closet and got some blankets and pillows for the pull out bed in the living room.
Eric looked around at the simple house wondering how he would sleep the night.
Caitlyn was going from room to room pulling heavy curtains close to protect Eric from the sun. The house even with the lights on felt dark. Going to the sofa Caitlyn pulled out the bed and made it for Eric to sleep in.
"Okay, it's not the ritz but it is a bed for the night", announced Caitlyn.
"Thank you for helping me", replied Eric.
Caitlyn was stunned this vampire never side thank you to anyone, this side was really confusing how she looked at him. Seeing her shocked expression Eric became nervous.
"Sorry, Eric you j just surprised me",changing her expression not to scare him. Scaring Eric, how strange to even think of it.
Eric sat on the bed looking at the floor exhausted and confused. Caitlyn's compassion to only be tested for so long she walked over to Eric sat in the chair next to the sofa bed.
"Eric, I can't imagine what you are feeling but we will get your memory back, I promise", Caitlyn began to get up but Eric grabbed her hand holding it as if it was a life line. Caitlyn didn't know how to react his hand held hers and their eyes met in a moment of mutual understanding.
Unable to help herself Caitlyn gently brushed a piece of his hair back from his forehead. Eric closed his eyes almost savoring her touch. Caitlyn jerked her hand back and got up.
"Well, good night if you need anything let me know", Caitlyn was nervous about the encounter and went upstairs to her bedroom. Closing the door Caitlyn looked at her hand the one that touched his face. Eric had had emotion feelings in his eyes, something she had never seen.
The sooner she got the reversal spell the better this Eric was just too much for Caitlyn.