Spellbound

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The characters do not belong to me. They are the sole property of CH but the story is mine.

Even after all that had happened between them tonight, Eric and Sookie maintained an awkward silence on their way home. It wasn't the intention of either of them to fill the car with awkwardness. They had no intentions of being uncomfortable. It just seemed to be unavoidable. Too much had happened too fast for them to not have sat down and really talked things over. They were confusing fantasy with a reality that neither of them wanted to face.

Sookie hadn't told Eric that she knows how Fintan had manipulated him and how she felt about it. She hadn't said anything about what's causing her to be ill but as usual, she says it's nothing and that she's fine. If she can't even admit it to herself, there's no way possible she can admit it to him. She hadn't mentioned any of what Amanda had told her about Freyda. She glanced over at him and wondered what was going on in his mind. Pointless to say, Eric was thinking the same thing.

It has been three weeks since her announcement of leaving him and nothing has been settled by either of them. Eric hadn't told Sookie anything about anything. They hadn't spoken of Fintan and his deceitful ways. He hasn't told Sookie anything about Freyda. When it was time, it would happen. For now, he was letting his actions speak for him. He believed that when she was ready to talk things over then she would sit down with him and they would have a rational and logical discussion. He didn't want to take charge. He's always taken charge where they are concerned and it hasn't worked out for the better. They needed to talk but first they needed to figure out a way to talk to each other in the car. There was no need to figure it out for too long. Sookie had obviously devised her own plan.

"I've never won a trophy before. The $100.00 gift card to Red Lobster was also a surprise. I wonder what Pam's going to do with her gift card," Sookie said as she admired her prizes. She and Pam had won the karaoke contest for singing 'Boys 'Round Here'. "I surely can't believe that I won anything for singing. I think that we sounded absolutely horrible."

Eric couldn't believe it either but he knew not to say so. He'd learned from experience that he shouldn't agree with everything that a woman says. Pam was an excellent teacher. She told him that there are times when he needs to be quiet. This was one of those times. He knows that Sookie and Pam are very smart and talented women and he knows that they are severely challenged when it comes to singing. So he said what any burgeoning husband should say.

"After many, many, many years, it was Pam's first trophy as well. The performance that you two gave was quite … entertaining. I think that the way you ladies danced around the stage helped to push the vote for you. Quinn seemed to like your dance moves a little too much."

"I told you."

Eric looked at Sookie and asked, "You told me what?"

"That there's something that you don't know about me," she answered.

"I'm anxious to hear this," he said as he looked at her full on.

"That you don't seem to realize that men find me very attractive and quite irresistible." She held her head down to hide her smile. Only two men in her life have flirted with her; Eric and Preston Predloe.

His demeanor changed and anger flashed in his eyes. "You are mine."

She giggled.

"They know that we are married." Eric didn't seem to notice her playfulness at all. "You are my wife and they know the penalties of …"

Sookie's amused laughter filled the car. "You are so jealous."

If he could've blushed, he would have. "I have never been jealous."

"Yes, you are," she smirked. "You're extremely jealous."

"And you and Pam shouldn't have won that trophy."

Sookie looked playfully at Eric and asked, "Are you trying to say that we sounded terrible?"

He noticed the playful look and decided to go along with it. "I wasn't exactly saying that but since you mentioned it."

"You can't have too great a voice yourself, Frank Sinatra. Haven't you and Pam always been partners?"

"I have a defense. I was always the backup singer. Pam did the lead vocals. So, if we didn't win the trophy, the sole blame falls on her. And," he stated. "Frank Sinatra would be so lucky to be compared to the likes of me."

Sookie playfully pushed against Eric's shoulder. "Whatever," she said as she rolled her eyes. "I really like Pam. She's very funny." Sookie thought of the jokes that Pam told and how neutral her face would be after each punch line. "And I've never seen anyone dance the way that she does. She moves as if she has not a single bone in her body. It's shocking how her body moves with the music. When she was dancing, I think that was the only time I saw her look so free and happy." After she said the word happy, she decided that wasn't the right word. "Maybe happy isn't what I was looking for. She looks … looks …"

"Like Pam," Eric finished. It was as simple as that. Even as her maker, at times even he would wonder what was hiding behind those eyes. "She's always loved to dance. And she's quite fond of you too. I consider that to be surprising in its self because she likes no one but me."

"I have to say that I feel privileged." Sookie stared at the dashboard when she said, "I told Claudette that Pam was going with me to Paris and she was happy about that. I'm hoping that she can go so that they can meet each other. I know that they'll get along perfectly."

Eric looked at Sookie from the corner of his eye and said, "I'm sure they will."

Once again the car fell silent. As he drove along, Eric thought of how his friends took to Sookie. Though they'd never met with her one on one, it was if they'd known her for centuries. Eric knew that she'd been nervous about meeting them but they never knew it. Her face was as calm as ever. She was comfortable around them and she had been as genuinely welcoming to them as they had been to her. She could've ripped into him in front of everyone for not bringing her to the gatherings sooner than he had but he knew that she would never do that. She was as elegant and as sophisticated as she's ever been. Eric made it a point to pay extra attention to her and it wasn't because of Quinn. It wasn't because of jealousy. It was because he wanted to. He wanted them to know that he was with her. It pleased him to see her so comfortable. He loved the sight of her smiling face and the sounds of her laughter.

On occasion he would leave his conversation with Sal so that he could check on Sookie; to be sure that she was okay or that there was nothing that she needed. Eric would go over and touch her back or tug lightly at her ponytail. He didn't know why. He just had the urge to touch her; to be near her. The good thing is that he wasn't conscious of the fact that he was doing it every five minutes until Pam told him that he was acting like an obsessed and stalker like husband.

"Eric, I can hang a bell around her neck if you want me to. That way, if she moves you'll be well aware of it," Pam ribbed. "We're not going to eat her. She's going to be alright. Everyone here knows that she's your wife. We don't want to take her away from you. She's going to be just fine right here."

Sookie giggled. "She's right, Eric. I'm fine."

He placed his hand on her shoulder and asked her one more time, "Are you sure? I can stay with you. Are you thirsty? If you need anything to drink, I'll get it for you." He moved in closer to her and pulled her to him. "It's not a problem."

"Go!" the ladies yelled at him in unison. That included Sookie, Pam, Luna, and a werewolf named Amanda. They rolled their eyes at him and smiled.

"Don't worry about me. I'm right here. I'm right in front of you," Sookie assured him. "I promise. If I need you, I'll call you."

"And if you're busy, I'll take care of my new friend." Pam looked Sookie in her eyes and said, "She's family. We'll take good care of her." Luna and Amanda seconded Pam's reassurance.

Eric smiled as he thought about the night. It was a good night. It was the best night he's ever had with or without her. He was hoping that she was thinking the same thing. And she was.

She enjoyed Eric's constant attention and his sly signs of affection. After they'd gone outside to talk, Eric would saunter over to where she was and gently place his hand on the small of her back or stand behind her and gently massage her shoulders. If he was on the other side of the room, he would position himself in an angle so that he would be facing her at all times. Even after she told him that she didn't need a drink, he would bring her one anyway.

"Just in case," he would say. He would lean down and kiss her cheek or give her a quick peck on her forehead. It was awkward at first but he did it so much that she began to relax even more after each gesture.

When Luna went off to the ladies room and Amanda went to get another drink, Pam said to Sookie, "He's very prideful. He's always been that way. I know for a fact that there is one instance that he was willing to believe a lie in order to remain true to who he is." Sookie knew what instance Pam was talking about. "Vampires have never needed to be in the company of … we've never needed companionship from anyone. We're used to being together; Eric and me. We've never needed anyone but each other."

"I know," Sookie said with an exasperated sigh. "I've tried understanding the way of the vampire since I've married him. I have to say that at most times, it's very difficult to accept. It had gotten to the point to where I couldn't take it anymore but you are right. He's a vampire," Sookie said as she sighed again.

Pam shrugged her shoulders. "That could be the reason but I have a feeling that he was like that when he was human. I say that because he's not used to needing anyone, Sookie. The only reason I've come back into his life is because he's my best friend. He can be a jerk and an asshole. And he may say that he doesn't need anyone else but it's okay ... it's okay for me because I love him. I need him just as much as he needs me; though he's never said it. It's always been us and our kind. We've always been used to fending for ourselves." She whispered in Sookie's ear and said, "You scared him."

Sookie was taken aback by her words. "But I've only ever wanted to love him."

"He's only ever wanted to love no one," Pam said. "That's the way it was supposed to be. He's the great Eric Northman. He needs no one. He wants no one … that is until you came along. Before you, he was content with fucking and feeding."

Sookie blushed at her words.

"Forgive my bluntness," Pam added. "When he met you, you were no more than an arrangement; a contract. He was willing to remain married to you for however many centuries he had to be. The deal was too good for him to pass up; stay married to a faery princess and he'll reap the many benefits that lay before him. Once it was over, he could then walk away without ever looking back. But you ... when he saw you, got to know you; you ruined his plans. He realized that you are more than an arrangement. You are more than a contract." Pam giggled. "Who would have thought that a little fae princess could take down a 1,000 year old vampire with a simple look."

"Pam," Tanya called out. She motioned for Pam to come to her. "You've got to see this." She lightly touched Sookie's shoulder as she walked away.

"Where's she going?" Amanda asked when she returned with her drink.

Sookie looked over at her new Were friend and said, "No idea. Wanna sit down?"

"Sure," Amanda said. Once they were seated, she asked, "What's up? Are you having a good time? I hope that we're not boring you to death. This can't be fun compared to the parties you've been to."

"This is the most fun I've had in a very long time and that's compared to the parties that I've been to. Eric has some very interesting friends. You guys are so accepting and so friendly. That's why I have to ask you something because what Quinn told me makes no sense at all." She rested her elbows on the table and leaned forward. She decided that since Amanda was a talker, she would ask her a few innocent questions. "He told me that Eric's never had any of his girlfriends here with him when y'all gather together on Friday nights. He said that you guys have been doing this for years. I find that hard to believe."

"You shouldn't. You're the only one that he's ever brought around us. Plus, Eric has never had a girlfriend. He's had dates. You're the only one he's ever made much of an effort with when it comes to being around us. Oh, wait. A woman did come here on one of our Friday nights; a tall, red haired vampire. What in the hell was her name?" She tapped the table with her finger and said, "Freyda. That's her name; Freyda. Well she doesn't really count."

"Why not?" Sookie asked.

"Because she didn't come with him," she said. "She just showed up. He didn't seem to be too happy to see her but he didn't make her leave either. She's nothing like you. She's a bitch and she is so not friendly. Have you met her?"

Sookie shook her head no.

"Good," Amanda replied. "She's not worth knowing. She has the personality of a rock." She looked at Sookie with a quizzical look on her face. "Did you say that you haven't met her?"

"Yeah."

"That's strange. She asked about you as soon as she got here. Eric didn't tell you? She kept saying that she wanted to meet the elusive faery princess. She walked around the room and asked if you'd come or if you'd be here. Eric stared each of us down and we knew not to say one word about you to her." She looked down at the table and then back at Sookie. "Are you sure that he didn't tell you?"

"No. He said nothing to me about her," Sookie said. She looked over at Eric and from the way he looked at her he knew that something was wrong. She grinned at him and gave him the thumbs up before quickly looking away. "How often has she been here?"

"Only once," Amanda answered. "I don't think she liked us or either he told her that she'd better not come back. I think that she didn't come back because we weren't fancy enough for her. She's the hoity toity type. You'll never guess what she had on when she came; a black sequined dress and heels up to there." Amanda's laugh sounded like a howl. "We were wearing jeans and she's dressed for the Oscar Awards; dumb bitch."

Sookie swallowed deeply and closed her eyes before asking the next question. "Are you sure that he didn't want her here?"

Amanda cackled. "I could be wrong. His exact words were 'Why the fuck are you here?' when he grabbed her by her arm and pulled to the other side of the room. He didn't whisper either. She wasn't too happy with him talking to her like that but she didn't say anything loud enough for us to hear. She kept that false grin on her face. She mumbled something under her breath. He dropped fang on her before he released her arm."

"If he didn't want her here, why didn't he make her leave?"

"Don't know," Amanda said. "I think that it's because of Sal. Freyda and …"

"Amanda," Pam said.

The sternness in her voice frightened both women. They didn't hear her come up behind them but when they looked up at her, she wasn't happy. Sookie could only guess that it was because she'd overheard the ending of their conversation.

"I need you."

Amanda touched Sookie's hand when she got up from the table. When Amanda got up from the table, Sookie noticed how Pam held onto Amanda's arm as they walked away. Pam was saying something to her and Amanda was just as vocal. Both women looked back at Sookie and smiled as if to say that everything was alright. When they faced each other, they continued arguing. Sookie didn't know what to think then and she didn't know what think now.

They were no longer in the bar with friends. They were sitting in the confined space of Eric's corvette and the feeling of relaxation was gone. The silence was louder than ever and it was more than she could stand. Sookie leaned forward to turn on the radio. She assumed that the sweet sounds of some overblown, die hard music would more than kill the silence … or so she thought. Eric caught her hand to prevent her from turning it on.

"Don't turn it on," he said. Sookie turned to look at him but his eyes remained on the road.

"I thought that maybe …"

"Did you enjoy yourself tonight?" he asked softly.

He must have forgotten that he'd already asked her that but she didn't mind. "I did. They are absolutely wonderful people."

"That pleases me," he said. "It pleases me that you had a good time. I like to see you smile." Eric was still holding onto her hand; keeping it pressed firmly to his thigh as he soothingly ran his thumb over the back of it. "They really like you," he finally said.

Sookie could hear the warmth and sincerity in his voice. She could feel it as he stroked the back of her hand with his thumb.

"I was very proud to be able to stand by your side … to have you with me. I do apologize for excluding you from my life; keeping you at a distance. I've never been ashamed of you or embarrassed by your strengths … your power. My past actions have you led you to believe otherwise and for that, I take full responsibility. I apologize." He turned slightly to look at her and he said, "You make me want to be a better husband."

"Thank you for saying that," she whispered as she looked at their hands. His hand tightened on hers one last time before he placed it back onto the steering wheel. She kept her hand on his thigh. There were no sexual innuendos to her action. She just needed … no. She wanted the contact.

Sookie leaned her head against the headrest and looked out the window; a smile planted beautifully on her face. She knew that they would make it. They would be able to talk to each other rationally and calmly. She settled deeper into her seat and closed her eyes.

There was silence was again but this time it wasn't awkward or uncomfortable. It was nice.