Pam could see and feel the wheels turning in Eric's head as he considered her offer. In the past, he had always been the more cunning and strategically-minded one. Ninety years on her own throne had wrought quite a difference in her thinking process though he might not be aware of it…yet. Her lips twitched with the need to give him a smirk.

"Why would you stay here rather than take up residence in the Crescent City? he asked.

"I've been here for 220 years, I have no urge to be elsewhere," Pam told him candidly. "I like it and I know what to expect from the Area. That makes ruling the entire state somewhat easier because I'm working from a solid and well established base."

She paused letting that sink in.

"A very wise man once told me to work from my strengths wherever possible."

Eric greeted her not-so-subtle reminder with a bark of laughter.

"I'm pleased all my lessons didn't go to waste," he acknowledged. "That begs the question, however, as to why you would offer anyone, but especially me, the jewel in your crown."

Now Pam laughed.

"I would not offer it to just anyone," she conceded. "You aren't anyone. You are my Maker, my friend and absolutely perfect for the job."

Eric raised a brow. Pam wasn't quite sure what he was skeptical of so she just let the silence grow.

"How am I perfect for the job?" he asked the air quotes around perfect almost visible.

"Is that a rhetorical question?" Pam wondered.

"No," he said, crossing his arms over his chest as he stared down at her.

The pose was more petulant child than stern parent but Pam didn't feel a need to point that out.

"Eric, look at the crowds you attracted to Fangtasia. Humans are drawn to you. So are vampires and shifters," Pam explained with more patience than she felt. "And if your charm isn't reason enough, you're old enough to handle trouble when it rears its ugly head as it inevitably and regularly does in a tourist trap renowned for partying and debauchery. Besides, I trust you."

"You should never admit that," he told her sternly.

"Why not? We're alone. There's no one to overhear us and you already knew it," Pam smirked.

"It's still dangerous," he maintained.

"Fine," Pam acquiesced. "You'll make me a tonne of money in New Orleans and save me a world of headaches."

"Any particular headaches I should know about while I consider your offer?"

His question demonstrated that being a kept King hadn't dulled his wits any. Pam almost purred with pleasure. She knew he was the right person to run New Orleans for her.

"Oh I'm sure you'll find plenty," Pam smirked. "The only ones I'm aware of have to do with the current Sheriff pro tem. He's ready to leave the job so he doesn't pay as much attention as he should, not that he was very good at it to begin with."

"I'm surprised you left him in place," Eric said is a neutral tone.

Pam couldn't tell if he was curious or critical. Not that it mattered. She had her reasons for keeping the Sheriff close though the time had come to let him go.

"I needed a known quantity on the ground," she explained with a shrug. "Bill is boring and a pain in my ass but sending him to NOLA killed several birds with a single stone and kept him out of my hair."

Eric's eyes flashed wide with surprise then narrowed suspiciously.

"Bill Compton is the Sheriff of Area 1?" he demanded as though he couldn't quite believe it.

"Yes," Pam affirmed. "The Stackhouse and Merlotte families have an unfortunate tendency towards shifting and attending college there unless they take after the fae side of the family, then Area 5 is stuck with them. Bill has his faults, however, he's generally proven himself to be adept at handling them and his own descendants."

Eric blinked. Then he blinked again.

"You're still looking after them?" he finally managed.

"Yes. Well, in practical terms Bill is looking after them more than I am but he's doing it with my blessing and I get regular reports," Pam paused. "I owe it to Sookie."