WICKED

A vampire? Skipping? Unheard of.

But that's exactly what Eric did as he walked from her front door, a grin on his lips, one that he wore despite the fact that the sun would soon rise. He figured that he had time though, and allowed himself to reminisce on the night he'd had.

The night he'd shared with her.

They'd danced until her feet hurt, then talked some more, then danced again, the cycle repeating over and over until her heels had started to rub. So he'd carried her home, car forgotten, almost jogging her back to her home just to drag out their time together. He'd enjoyed every second, his happiness reflected in her as she laughed and smiled, only weakly protesting that he was carrying her, saying that she 'could walk' and that his treatment was 'silly and overbearing on a first date.'

Secretly though, he thought that she'd liked it, especially when she'd nuzzled into his chest as she became weary, the long hours she'd been awake beginning to take their toll.

To top it off, he'd tucked her into bed and she'd asked him to stay until she fell asleep, telling him that she'd been dreaming of the car crash since she'd had it, which didn't surprise him. She'd also told him that it took her 'forever' to fall asleep, but a little wave of contentment flooded through him as he'd watched her trying desperately to keep her eyes open, as though she didn't want him to leave.

She'd fallen asleep whilst still holding his hand.

He made a promise to himself as he watched her sleep, a little smile on her lips – still thinking that she looked like an angel, one fallen from heaven to bring him back to life – that one day soon, she would fall asleep in his arms. From that time onwards, she would always be tucked safely in his embrace as she fell asleep.

One day, she would be his, just like she had told that vampire she was.

He looked up at the fading stars as the black of the night started to lift, doing a little skip-hop before he shot into the air.

Sarah had never had a better dream, she decided when she woke, stretching, wondering why she felt so constricted. She looked down, eyes widening when she focused on the dress that she wore.

She never wore anything to bed, especially a cocktail dress.

It hadn't been a dream.

She felt a grin spread across her lips as she threw the covers aside, dodging her heels as she walked to the bathroom.

After the events of the previous night, she'd come to a conclusion.

Eric was dangerous, but he cared about her. Although he didn't always understand his feelings, he knew one thing: he wanted her just as much as she wanted him.

And God did she want him.

So, she'd agreed to go on another date with him, though it would be more casual, a simple little meeting at his home. He'd promised her fine wine and a foot massage. As wonderful as that sounded, all she wanted to do was curl up in his arms on the couch.

Cheesy, yes, but she'd always been a romantic. Besides, she had to work tonight, and it would be nice to just relax for a while.

They'd talked about so much, and she'd been so at ease, sharing everything. She'd never felt so comfortable with a man before, because he'd shared things about his life with her, even the memories that were painful.

He never wanted go to Dallas again, not after losing Godric.

She could relate to that, relate to the pain of his loss, but when she'd talked of her parents, she'd talked of all of the good times, the moments in which everything had been right in the world because he had been there, holding her hand tightly in his, giving her the strength to just…remember.

And he'd been the perfect gentleman, never once putting a toe out of line after she'd forced herself to make it clear that she wanted them to get to know each other first before their relationship progressed, though her resolve nearly shattered every time she caught him giving her one of his heated looks.

She wasn't sure how much longer she'd last…

But she would resist, would wait until they'd been on a few more dates and spent time together.

Yeah right, her libido shouted. If you don't have him naked by the end of the night, I'll hate you forever.

She couldn't have that, but was she really ready to be with Eric intimately? She had to admit that she'd dreamt about it, and then there was that fantasy, but the difference between reality and fantasy was massive, of course.

Though, even on their first night she'd considered tearing off his clothes…

No, resist, reality demanded.

Her libido was having none of it. Let me make this easy: Screw the man! You're already giving him your heart; why not give him your body? He seems willing enough to give you his.

Damn, reality said, that's a good point.

But she would resist. She had to resist.

Didn't she?

Sarah rolled her eyes, watching as Tara downed a shot, her lips pursing at the strength of the beverage. She put the bottle back in its place, glancing around, making Sarah laugh at her attempt to be inconspicuous.

'Tara,' a voice called, making the laughing women jump.

'I thought he wasn't here,' Tara whispered.

'More importantly, where the hell did he grab that glass and tea towel from?' Sarah asked, keeping her back turned as their boss stepped behind the bar.

'You're supposed to serve customers, not yourself,' Sam said, looking up from the glass he was cleaning. He threw the tea towel over his shoulder, leaning against the counter.

'Aw, come on Sam, there's no one here,' Tara said, copying his action with her own tea towel. 'And we're about to close.'

'Doesn't matter.' He glared at her for a moment before her gaze flickered to Sarah. For the briefest moment, she thought she saw guilt, but he looked away.

She dismissed the thought though, because she had to be imagining things. What would Sam have to feel guilty for? Yes, he'd been away for a couple days, and he often felt a little bit guilty for leaving his employees – especially when they were understaffed – but there almost seemed to be more than that.

Sarah smiled at him when he paused beside her, seeing that little flash of emotion again.

'I hear you had a date last night.'

Although she wanted to blush, Sarah kept her features cool and composed. She glanced at Sookie, Lafayette and Tara in turn, all of whom seemed to have a sudden interest in whatever task they were doing. 'I wonder who told you that,' she said, watching the little guilty look that crossed Lafayette's face.

Of course. Lafayette was the first person that Sam would have come across when he came out of his office.

'Who is he?'

'He's nice,' she said, keeping her smile as small as possible as she threw up some mental guards from Sookie after throwing her a quick 'I'll tell you later' look. At his curious look, she untied her apron, holding it in one hand before settling her hands on her hips, throwing her dark hair aside. 'That's all that you need to know, Sam Merlotte.'

'I know he's a vampire.'

She shrugged. 'Once you try fangs, no better remains.'

Okay, that was lame, she thought, but it's too late now.

'You've already had sex with him?' Tara shouted.

Sarah rolled her eyes at her again. 'Of course not.' But damn, do I want to. 'We've only been on one date.' And I can't wait for this next one. 'Now if you'll excuse me, I have to go. I've got to get home.'

Sam stepped in front of her, blocking the path to his office. 'So,' he started, obviously trying to stall her. 'What's his name?'

She put her hands on her hips again, tilting her head up a little to look into his eyes. 'His name is Eric,' she said, watching the spark of anger ignite in his eyes. 'Do you have a problem with that?' she asked. 'Or can I get my bag?'

He opened his mouth but Sookie stepped into place beside Sarah, looking up at Sam as well, though her words were directed at Sarah. 'Let's get your bag.'

Sarah was glad that he was allowing her to walk home, but he'd made a request of her and had refused to take no for an answer.

Although she would have a shower as soon as she got home and her shirt was spotless, she still hadn't liked the idea of being stuck in her work clothes for the night, but he'd muttered something about her 'sinful, little shorts' and she'd been too distracted to argue any further.

That might be because your lips were occupied…

She flushed, glancing around to check that he hadn't decided to escort her home, though she had to admit that she wouldn't really have minded the company. She just didn't want him to see her blush.

But he had told her that it was cute.

Sarah glanced to the side as she heard the bushes rustle, feeling the same flash of stupidity that she'd felt the night Eric had apologised, the last time she'd walked home. It was probably that dog again. What did she have to fear?

She took a breath, ignoring the rustling, dismissing it as an animal as she crossed her arms over her chest. But something still didn't feel right. The night was too quiet, the chill of the air far too cold. Bon Temps didn't really get cold, yet she felt a shiver run down her spine, her arms tightening over her chest as a breeze blew over the back of her neck.

But it wasn't a breeze.

She turned, eyes wide as they locked onto hard features with lips turned up in a wicked smirk, one that promised nothing she wanted to experience. She tried to raise her hands, but they were caught behind her back, bound quickly as fabric was slipped over her eyes, a hand appearing over her mouth. She tried to kick, but hands gripped her thighs, making her eyes tear as those hands held on with bruising force.

She held back a shiver as she felt lips brush over her ear, the touch so light that it was sinister, breath wafting over her skin. 'What?' he asked, one hand moving to squeeze her ass, making her gasp. 'Don't you want to dance?'

She cursed herself as he talked to his accomplice, congratulating them on their good work to capture her as his hands roamed her body. If only she could see him. In order for her powers to work, she had to have her hands in front of her, or be able to concentrate her gaze.

The options had been removed from her. She had dismissed her instincts as fear, and now she was trapped.

The lips reappeared at her ear, but she refused to tremble, refused to show the bastard any sign of fear as he said, 'my friend will take his hand from your mouth now,' she felt the grip loosen and started building up a scream, 'but if you scream, I won't be the only one to…enjoy your company tonight.'

The sound died in her throat.

No. No way. She was not becoming some sick fuck's idea of a good time.

She kicked hard with her free leg, slamming into the soft flesh between his legs that was currently functioning as his brain, making sure that she kept going until she felt her shin connect with his pelvis, jerking her head back at the same time to slam into the nose of one of his accomplices.

She felt the grip on her mouth loosen and pulled free, the blindfold slipping slightly so that she could see out of one eye as she sprinted straight towards Merlotte's. She hadn't walked far, and she only needed to head back a few metres to be in range for Sookie to hear her thoughts.

Or her voice.

'Sook–'

Something hit her chest hard, forcing the air from her lungs. She tried to focus her gaze on him as she stumbled, almost losing her footing, desperate to just get a spark of fire or a flash of ice going.

But when the next blow slammed into the back of her skull, everything went black.