A/N: Thank you beautiful readers for the encouragement to keep writing. I adore Eric and Sookie, they were given the bum rush in the Book and TV series. That is not something I want to do here on ff or on WP.

Disclaimer: I do not own any of these characters, the story line is mine alone.

P.S. I like to write LEMONS! Can you tell? I don't always post which chapter they are in...because, well...they are probably in all of them, along with violence and naughty language. I live in an M rated world, well...okay NC-17. :) You have been warned.

Chapter 3

"Who did this to you?"

Sookie looked to Pam, then back to Eric in bewilderment. "You have been missing for two weeks. And now you're a vampire."

What the fuck? He looks…good. Happy.

"Bonefide. Now don't go looking at my maker and grand-pappy that way. They be sensitive." Lafayette chuckled and strode up to Sookie, flicking his hand toward Pam and Eric who now stood stoically watching Sookie's reaction.

Lafayette stopped short a few feet from Sookie, utterly serious in his tone. "I wanted this Sook, my choice. I asked for this when I was caught selling V. Eric thought it over, but Pam," he paused to look back and gave his maker a nod, which she returned. He turned his attention back to Sookie. "She is good to me, real good. This is the life I was always meant to lead. Can you be happy for me?"

Sookie's mouth opened, then shut. I need to process this. Selling V? Oh Laf, he was into too many things. Although, he still had his signature style. Perfect mascara, glittery earrings and low slung bedazzled jeans. All screamed Lafayette.

Her friend was still as fierce as ever, now more than ever with some added vampire flare. Sookie realized with a smirk, this life did fit him like a glove.

"Course, I am." She lunged forward to hug him tight until he started inhaling her hair a little too much and Eric growled.

"Sorry, sorry." Lafayette stepped out of Sookie's hold as Eric grabbed her possessively around the waist.

"Goddamn. You smell real good Sookie. Too fucking good." He closed his eyes as if trying to remember her scent. "It's unnerving. How about you stay over there so Eric doesn't stake my newborn ass."

"Oh, alright." Sookie said, patting Eric on the chest to let him know everything was fine. His eyes blazed and his deadly fangs were bared toward the newest progeny. This shouldn't turn me on, but it does.

Eric moved Sookie behind him as Pam stepped in front of Lafayette. A hiss escaped her toward her beloved maker, Eric responded with another deep growl. And just like that, the posturing ceased. Eric nodded to Pam, then turned his back to his bloodline to touch Sookie's cheek. "Are you ready to eat?"

Vampires, so territorial. So fucking hot.

"Yes, please." Sookie whispered.

"Foods over there Sook. Fried chicken, greens, baked potato with all the fixin's. Plus some fresh cornbread." Lafayette smiled and then drank down his second True Blood.

"Thanks Laf." Sookie grinned back, then walked to the other side of the bar with Eric. A large booth had her food laid out along with a foggy cold bottle of water. Sookie sat next to Eric and ate happily, smelling the home-style cooked meal with slow deliberate bites.

When she was halfway done with her meal, Sookie noticed Eric was quiet, almost distracted as he stared off in space.

"Is everything okay?" She whispered.

Eric blinked and looked up from the empty dance floor to Sookie. "Yes." I'm not buying that.

Feeling her concern override any remaining appetite, Sookie set down her utensils and crossed her arms over her chest. "I can wait all night, and day, Mister. What's wrong?"

Eric chuckled and shook his head at her stubborn nature. He muttered something about Fae being tenacious. "My Maker has closed off his connection with me. I know he lives, but not what his well-being is."

Perplexed, Sookie asked, "It this a new development? Do you think something happened to him?"

"I am unsure, he has been…depressed for a while. I could not begin to say why. He may have felt my growing concern and shut me out."

That sounds horrible. How could a maker do that?

"Does it hurt you?" Sookie scooted closer to Eric taking his hand in hers, she rubbed it soothingly.

Eric's brows raised as if he was surprised by her question. "Yes, it does. How did you know that?"

Sookie shrugged. "I guessed, my Gran and I were close and when she died so did our connection. I know she is in a better place. But without being around her, I feel the pain of her absence. I am so sorry that you do too. Can I do something to help you?"

Eric inhaled sharply and then answered. "Come with me to Dallas. I can meet with Godric and see if he is in need. I can also protect you from Bill's ridiculous plans with the Queen. We need a strategy to deal with them, and Godric has a strong mind for thinking three moves ahead."

Meet Eric's maker? It's like meeting his parents…only better. I hope Godric is okay.

"Alright. When do we leave?"

"Today."

V''V

Their flight left late that afternoon from Shreveport to Dallas. Eric was transported in a travel coffin, while Sookie drank some adorably tiny bottles filled with Gin on the flight. A car was waiting in the hanger when Sookie disembarked.

Eric rose from his travel coffin and vamped over to her side. Giving her a toe curling kiss, he entwined his fingers through hers and led her to the black sedan.

"Was the flight uneventful?"

"Sort of. I missed you." Sookie smiled softly and looked at their knotted fingers.

Two of Eric's fingers tipped her chin up to make sure they were looking eye to eye. "And I you, my Sookie."

He opened the door for her and Sookie slid onto the cool leather seat to make room for Eric. He was quiet most of the drive, but kept a tight hold on Sookie's hand while periodically glancing out the windows. The air was thick with anticipation and it set her nerves on edge.

"So, what is Godric like?"

Eric faced her bemused. "He is ancient."

That is not a description.

"And?"

"He is one of the few people I trust unconditionally. Besides you and Pam, not many fall into that category."

Well, that is something. But Sookie guessed that a Maker would not ever want to hurt their child. That would be unbelievably cruel. Unless a vampire got off on that. She shuttered. If she was ever turned, she hoped Eric would be her Maker.

Wait! What the fuck! Where is all this coming from? Did she want to be turned? Yes, one day. By Eric. Just the idea, made Sookie rub her knees together.

Eric sniffed the air subtlety, smirked and leaned over to Sookie's ear, whispering, "Why Sookie, what about that sentence was so arousing to you?"

His right hand stroked over her clenched knees and eased under her red checkered sundress, tracing his long fingers up her thigh.

"Umm…"

He placed her left hand on his erection. She grasped it instinctually and he groaned. "I trust you, my Sookie. With my existence, my pleasure, my happiness."

"I feel the same way, Eric. It's a little shocking." She continued to stroke him as he made contact with the outside of her damp panties. Her breath caught as he increased his pressure and then rubbed up and down her covered slit. Effectively keeping Sookie off balance as she moved her hips to his rhythm.

Before she lost herself completely, Sookie asked, "Why do I feel this way Eric? I feel like I went from cold to hot with you. I don't want to swing back to cold. Ever." Eric's hand slid back down to grip her leg above her knee.

"There is something about you, my lover. You have a fire inside you have is brilliant. I have not seen it's likeness in another human." Eric hesitated. "I'm not convinced you are merely mortal, there is something else in you."

Sookie laughed, "What like a vampire? How about a mermaid, I hear they are pretty magical."

Eric smiled but said, "There are many creatures on this plane you have yet to meet. If I had to guess."

He considered something before declaring, "Fairy, that would explain your sweet taste and smell. It must be a distant relation for any vampire to have not drained you."

Sookie gasped, appalled. "Drained!" She tried to move away from Eric. Was she safe around any vampire talking about draining. Eric stilled her with a hug before she could move an inch.

"I will never hurt you. Ever!" Eric was adamant, fierce as his voice grew low and sure. He is telling the truth, he would never hurt me.

"Well, then don't say drained! I'm not looking to die by blood loss." Sookie's eyes were still wide but her pulse was calming down as she realized her still, small voice was right. He would never hurt me.

"I do not wish that for you."

Sookie thought about Bill. Fucking Bill. That guy was a rat, how could she be so stupid. Did he glamour Gran to like him. No, she would have been able to tell right away. But the thing that nagged at her the most was Gran's death. The timing, if you looked at it dispassionately was pretty convenient. Bill had time, opportunity and could even glamour Rene to do it.

The Queen, that would have been the next step after taking her virginity, place her with the queen. Why didn't he? Killing Long Shawdow, Jessica surprise announcement that he had made her while he was away. Another nail in the coffin of guilt that Bill hated being a vampire and had to turn Jessica because of Sookie. A 17 year old good Christian girl who was in the wrong place at the wrong time.

Sookie closed her eyes. Get a grip Stackhouse. Bill turned Jessica to keep his cover. He could have said at any moment he was on a mission for the Queen and probably gotten out of it. He was such a manipulative bastard.

"I wish this Bill thing was over." Sookie tone lowered along with her head as she fidgeted with the seat belt.

"It will be soon, Sookie. Godric has a mind for strategy, he will have some insight to assist us, I am sure." He is so confident in his maker. I like that.

"What does Godric do in Dallas." Eric smiled wide.

"He is the King."

Oh. "Would that make you a prince?"

Eric snorted, "Hardly."

"Why not stay in Dallas with him? Why Louisiana?"

Eric gazed out the window. "I felt a pull to be there. Something instinctual told me to stay until I felt ready for the next step in my destiny."

Turning back to Sookie he grabbed her hand, turned over her wrist and placed a gentle kiss on her wrist. "I know I was waiting for you."

Shocked, Sookie blurted out, "How long have you been in Shreveport?"

"Twenty five years."

Stunned, she murmured. "Since I was born? I don't understand."

"That is how magic works sometimes. You have to follow a feeling until the truth is revealed. Until the purpose is uncovered. Once that mystery is resolved, the rest falls into place."

That made complete sense to Sookie. She never felt more right than the night she met Eric. She couldn't place it then but it was like she knew him. Something clicked into place that night.

"I felt it too." She smiled sweetly at him.

They kissed briefly before Eric muttered, "We are here."

(A/N) Thank you again everyone for reading, following and liking my stories. I am overwhelmed by the reception and look forward to bringing you more…much more. I have posted the much more up to date versions on WP, which is: .com . Come on over and check out more. I will be updating ff later this week. I hope you all have a fabulous day!

~FTA