Disclaimer: The characters depicted herein are the sole property of Charlaine Harris and HBO.

A/N: Thank you all so much for your kind reviews and for continuing to read the story. I know some of you are really worried about Bill, hopefully this chapter will explain a few things. Also, for those of you who are lusting for battle and for butt-kicking dagger-wielding Sookie, that will all happen in the next chapter. Enjoy!

Chapter 16

My encounter with Bill had left me feeling tired; I didn't know what I could do to help him and it seemed like I kept getting interrupted before having a chance to ask him exactly what was going on. Eric was still talking to Preston, and Pam was now dancing with the beautiful singer, so I had a moment to enjoy a glass of champagne and sit on the sand. I had no idea what time it was, but my increasing exhaustion was starting to take a toll. After finishing my champagne, I decided to sneak away to one of the enclosures and shut my eyes. Surely no one would notice if I rested for a few minutes; the gentle sound of classical guitar combined with crashing waves and the warm wind was lulling me into a semi-conscious state.

Besides, Eric will find me here after a few minutes have passed.

Walking to the most secluded section of the tent and pushing aside a shimmering piece of silvery blue fabric, I sank down on top of the pile of soft pillows and wrapped a light blanket over me. I fell asleep instantly.

I woke up to Eric gently licking my neck and rubbing his hands over my waist and hips.

"You shouldn't have hidden away from me lover" Eric whispered into my ear.

"I didn't hide, Eric, I was just tired. Have I been in here for long?" I asked sleepily, turning my head to face him.

"You've been asleep for over an hour. I can always tell when you are sleeping, dear one, I feel your body relax as though it were my own." He said, while running a hand through my hair softly.

"Oh, well, thank you for waking me up. I only wanted to rest a little and return to the party." I said, still only half-awake.

"I think you will find that the atmosphere of the party has changed somewhat since you came in here. You are welcome to check, if you like, but I'm not sure it would be to your taste." Eric said with a grin, his fangs running down as he moved his lips from my neck to my chest. "Preston's charms have started to surface; the more he enjoys himself the more everyone else wants to." Eric crooned into my skin.

I started to grow hot all over. Eric's words and Preston's seduction were starting to take a hold of me. I wasn't sure if I wanted to let myself go with it, or just go. I certainly had more than one fantasy of Eric and me on a beach at moonlight, but I can't pretend they included so many other people. Even if one of them was Preston, you'd have to be asexual not to find him attractive; the logical part of my brain just wasn't ready for that kind of thing.

"Eric, I'm not sure I want to do this here." I said shyly.

"Sookie, we can go anywhere you like. But if we are leaving, we should go now. I would like you to know that no one will invade our privacy though, and that you are perfectly safe." Eric said, and then tugged at my dress a little so it exposed my nipple. He licked it gently, and then sucked until I moaned.

His actions were speaking more loudly than his words and I was quickly melting into the pillows, a combination of arousal and tired comfort were tempting me to stay put. My logic was growing hazier by the second and Eric was being so sweet and gentle that I didn't want to ruin the moment.

"You may lay still, lover, and I will pleasure you. You are tired and I want you to enjoy your feelings of peace and relaxation." He said, and then his mouth was all over my skin. I could see the stars through the translucent roof of the tent, smell the flower petals from the table nearby, and my body was luxuriating in Eric's touch. I remember closing my eyes and drifting into a state of pure ecstasy as his tongue found me.

* * * * *

I awoke back in our suite, Eric sleeping peacefully by my side and the clock reading 1:30pm. I guess I had drifted off to sleep on the beach and Eric had carried me back to the room, tragically unsatisfied.

Oh well I thought to myself with a laugh, it's not like he hasn't gotten plenty of attention since we got here. It was too early to get up, especially since tonight would be the night De Castro's vampires arrived. The party was scheduled for Wednesday night, so not until tomorrow, but I knew there would still be plenty of things to take care of and arrange tonight in preparation. I rolled over and kissed Eric gently on the forehead, and went back to sleep.

When I awoke this time, it was 5:25pm. I guess I really needed my sleep, as I had passed out well before sunrise. Eric was stirring; sunset was coming earlier each day and he tended to wake up slightly beforehand anyway. Eric's age allowed him a few liberties which younger vampires didn't have. Getting up from the bed to attend to my 'human needs,' I heard him get up.

"I think I'm becoming aware of your presence next to me during my daytime rest, dear one. When you got up just now, it woke me. That is…unusual." He said, as I walked back into the room from the bathroom. "If it had been earlier, I wouldn't have woken of course." He finished, as though reassuring himself.

It was unsettling.

"We're just getting used to sleeping with each other, Eric. It's a good thing." I said, and walked over to kiss him. He smiled at me, and then broke away, pensive.

"Sookie, I need to speak with Pam to make some plans for tonight. I don't want you to be alone. It will only take an hour or so, during which time you could order your dinner like you did last night. Would it suit you if I asked Bill to stay here with you?" He asked me quietly. I could feel his apprehension about leaving me here much more acutely than last night. I doubted he wanted to have me wait here alone with Bill, but I think he trusted him and knew a small part of me still cared about him as a friend.

"You don't need to ask anyone at all. I'll be okay in our room by myself for an hour." I said, slightly annoyed.

Eric ignored that last comment and dialed a number on his cell phone. I decided to take a shower while he made whatever arrangements he needed to make. Eric was always trying to take care of everything; he simply didn't want to believe I could take care of myself. I sighed, and turned on the taps.

As I was rinsing the shampoo from my hair, I heard Eric call out to me.

"I left a message for Bill to come here as soon as he rises, which should be in about twenty minutes." Eric said.

I didn't feel the need to reply. A moment later, Eric appeared in the bathroom.

"I know you'd love me to get in there with you lover" Eric said, opening the shower door and looking me over from head to toe "but I can't just give in to your every sexual whim." He grinned. "We haven't the time. Now get out so I can take a shower in peace." He said, and quick as a flash I was standing on the bathroom floor dripping wet and he was in the shower. Vampires. I thought, for the umpteenth time this trip.

Since I would be staying here for a couple of hours, I decided to put on some comfy clothes until told otherwise. I didn't know what Eric's plans were for the night; all I cared about was ordering some food and eating it in peace. I thought this would also be a good chance to talk to Bill, and try to figure out what's really going on.

* * * **

After ordering a club sandwich and watching Eric get dressed wistfully; he was really making a show of pulling a pair of faded jeans over his gorgeous bottom while licking his lips and winking at me, a knock came at the door. It was Bill, and he was looking more than a little angry.

"Eric." Bill said with a very sarcastic-looking bow.

"Compton" Eric said with an arched eyebrow "do you have a problem with guarding Sookie? I would have thought it an appropriate task." He said, challenging Bill to argue.

"I have no problem spending time with Sookie. I simply imagine I would be of greater use to you in preparing for the Nevada vampires, who, I've just learned, will be here within the hour." Bill said stonily.

"You will be of use to me where I say you will be of use to me." Eric replied, and that comment pretty much ended the conversation.

Bill stalked over to the table near the window and sat down. I glared at Eric, and he walked over and kissed me in spite of my evident frustration.

"I must go now, lover. I will be back within the hour. Enjoy your dinner." He said, and left the room.

Now or never I thought to myself with a knot in my stomach, and walked over to talk to Bill.

"Bill, you have been trying to tell me something these past two nights. We are alone now." I said, imploring him to finally explain what's up.

"You wouldn't understand." Bill mumbled.

"Well then why try to tell me about it, twice?" I asked him.

"I can't stand seeing you with him." Bill said, which didn't answer my question at all.

"If you tell me what's going on, you will have earned back my trust" I started to say, a serious expression on my face "which is quite a big deal, considering the circumstances." I finished.

Bill looked at me and very nearly smiled, before his eyes filled back up with gloom.

"If another vampire were to find out what I'm about to tell you, it would probably mean..." He paused, and then continued "something very bad for me." He got up and walked around for a moment, as though debating whether to continue. Finally, he sat back down. "I've never heard of this happening before, which leads me to believe that my case is unique." He said, and looked at me anxiously.

"Explain." I said.

"Sookie, when a vampire really wants a human, he gets her. That doesn't work with you." He started to say, and then looked me in the eye "we both know that humans and vampires can love one another. But this is…different. Since losing you, I have started regressing into feeling more human-like emotions. My vampire instincts are often wrong; I'm not as hungry for blood or battle. I still can't be exposed to sunlight, but I am otherwise more like you than say Pam or Eric." He said, and I saw a look of supreme hatred sweep over his face.

Oh my God. This is not good news, Bill would be worse than useless to Eric if he couldn't fight. Particularly if Eric knew that it was because he was pining away for me. I have to do something.

By now, Bill was looking positively terrible.

"Bill, I'm so sorry. Is there anything I can do?" I asked him, knowing it was a stupid question.

"You can leave Eric and return to me. Short of that, Sookie, I really don't know." Bill said, and walked over to my side and kissed me before I could object. "I can't stay here in this room with you. I must go." He said, and turned around and walked towards the door.

"Bill, wait! Eric will be enraged if you don't stay here with me! What if the Nevada vampires find out I'm here alone?" I said, knowing I sounded desperate. I wasn't really worried about my own safety, I was worried about Bills.

"I'm very sorry Sookie." Bill said, and left.

I knew I couldn't run after him. I'd never catch him, and it would risk my life too. I had to figure out a way to set Bill right. The only thing I could do to protect him for the moment, though, was to tell Eric I sent Bill away and let him get mad at me instead. I only hoped it would work.

TBC