AN: sorry for the delay. As always *lemons* and I don't own Sookie or Eric. If I did they would of ended up together.

*Flashback*

Sookie smiled as she taped the last corner of Eric's Christmas present. Talk about someone that was difficult to buy a gift for. He had everything and if it was something he truly wanted he just bought it. Sookie had looked everywhere finally one afternoon she was shopping with at an old antique shop in Monroe and she had saw the perfect gift. It was a dagger. The shop owner and promised her it was an authentic Viking dagger. She had listened in to make sure and the shop owner really believed he was being truthful.

She placed the present under the tree, and went into the safe room, inside the master bedroom. Eric had a huge bed inside the safe room and she climbed in beside him and his arms circled around her back as he pulled her in his arms. She rested her head on his bare chest placing kisses on his chest and neck.

"You better go to class before I tie you to this bed and have my way with you." Eric said without opening his eyes. Sookie found his lips and kissed him.

"Don't temp me. I'm so glad this is the last class this semester." Eric found her breast through her sweater and cupped it.

"Take my car I'll pick you up at 7:50 outside of the building. I've got a surprise for you." Eric flipped them so he was partially covering her body with his. He tilted her head back and started to kiss her neck. She whimpered as his hand found it's way in her tights and inside of her panties.

"Are you trying to make me late?" She panted as he untied her wrap dress and pushed down the cups of her bra.

"No, I'm trying to make you cum." He kissed down her chest and took her nipple in his mouth while worked his long very talented fingers inside her body. He found her g spot instantly. Sookie screamed and wrapped her arms around his neck. He let go of her nipple. And sat up and tore her tights off and threw her legs over his shoulders. He scooted her down on the bed and pushed inside of her.

Sookie moaned. He leaned down and kissed her softly. Sookie tangled her fingers in his hair. He bit his tongue and nicked hers with his fang. They both found their release at the same time. Eric let her legs fall to the side as he rolled off of her and pulled her close to his chest.

After a few minutes, Sookie began placing kisses on his chest.

"You've got to go lover, you're going to be late." Eric squeezed her tightly and kissed her one last time and grinned at her like the Cheshire Cat. Sookie laughed at swatted him on the shoulder as she sat up and pulled off her tights and ripped panties.

" My clothes don't stand a chance around you." She mumbled. She walked out of the safe room into the bedroom and closed the blinds. Eric got up behind her and followed her into the other room. He walked behind her and held her to him.

"I'm sorry I'll buy you a new pair of pants." Sookie fell against him and laughed.

"I love you." She said turning around to face him. She stood up on her tip toes and kissed him. Sookie let him go and pulled on a pair of jeans and traded the dress for a fuzzy pink sweater. Eric sat on the bed and watched her as she dressed.

" I'm going to be late." She said grabbing his car keys and giving him a quick kiss. Before she could leave Eric grabbed her by her wrist.

"Don't forget, I'll meet you outside the building." She smiled and kissed him one more time.

"Ok honey." He kissed her. And she stood up and left.

LATER THAT NIGHT

Sookie realized that she was going to get out of class early around 7:30. She quickly sent Eric a text to let him know. But the text wouldn't go through in the building. She was parked on the other side of campus so she wasn't about to try to walk back that far to the car. At the end of her class, Sookie gathered her stuff and walked down the hall. She used the restroom and tried Eric's phone again. But the call still wouldn't go through. She turned the corner and ran directly into her tall Viking. "Eric you scared the bejesus out of me." She cried throwing her arms around him. "I'm sorry, I tried to text you but the damn building blocks cell service." Sookie melted against him. "Are you ready?" She shook her head yes and stood on tip toes to kiss him.

An hour later

So what's this surprise? Beside the heart attack you almost gave me." Eric laughed "I'm really sorry about that. And you will just have to wait and see." Eric turned into a small brick building. He parked the car and walked to her side to help her out. He wrapped his arm around her waist. "I'll have to carry you the rest of the way." He took off his leather jacket and helped her put it on. She squealed as he lifted her in his arms and flew into the sky. He flew into the park. It was decorated for Christmas. Every tree was lit up. It looked like a million stars. He flew them to an old bridge. "Eric it's beautiful." She said when he put her down. Eric took her hand. He walked with her to the top of the bridge. The lake was lit by a huge Christmas tree. Eric tilted her chin up and kissed her tenderly. He reached in his pocket and pulled out a tiny square box. He opened the box and took and took out a huge princess cut diamond ring. Her took her hand in his and placed the ring on her finger. Big tears began to fall from her eyes.

"I love you Sookie Stackhouse, in a 1000 years you're the first human I've ever loved enough to die for. I hope that one day you'll let me to turn you so we can be together forever. But if not I swear I'll love you for the rest of your life. Marry me Sookie." She gasped and threw her arms around his neck and kissed him.

"Yes! Yes! Yes! I'll marry you." He kissed her and took her home.

*end flashback*

Sookie slowly hooked the last earring with shaky fingers and looked in the mirror. Eric came in the door and watched her with concern, before going and kneeling in front of her. Her cupped her face in his hands and forced her to look at him.

"You don't have to do this Lover, there are other ways to find the money." Sookie forced a smile. "It's ok, I need to get back to work. It's what you pay me so much for. And I need to stop thinking about Gran." She said quietly into his hand .

"I'd rather give you the time off to deal with this than watch you have a complete mental breakdown. Sookie you've worked for me four years and never even so much as taken a sick day. You could take the rest of the month if you want to. I'm not worried about the money." Eric could feel how fragile her mind was. She was consumed with guilt. It wouldn't take very much to completely break her. Eric couldn't care less about the money. He leaned over and kissed her softly. "Let's just do this, then maybe? ….." Eric nodded and stood up before helping her to her feet. It was all she could do to put one foot in front of the other. Eric helped her out to the car and they drove to Fangtasia.

The club was closed on Monday night and Eric had told Pam to keep all the humans in the back. He was afraid Sookie wouldn't be able to keep the voices out. It didn't take Sookie very long to clear everyone. She cleared the first five without even sitting down. She only had Ginger left. Pam brought her in. "Ginger answer Sookie's questions," Pam said sarcastically.

"She didn't do it but she knows who di…. The memory is erased. All I see is darkness where the memory should be. It's a vam…" Before she could finish the sentence, Longshadow had jumped across the counter and grabbed her by the throat. His face twisted and began to change shape. Sookie screamed as he burst into a puddle of blood. She was completely covered, just like Gran. Eric looked at her concerned and dropped the handle of the beer machine he had used to stake him. He caught her just before she hit the floor.

When she woke up she was in the bathtub at home. She was leaning against Eric Ashe cleaned her up. "Sookie it's alright, I promise." He whispered gently kissing her shoulder. She couldn't say anything. She just leaned against Eric and let him take care of her.

The days following the incident at Fangtasia were unbearable for Sookie. Eric had been right, she should have waited to go to Fangtasia. Seeing Longshadow staked had been to much. In her nightmares he always turned into Gran and she would wake up screaming. She missed Gran terribly and had no idea how to not blame herself. She slept most of the time. When she was awake she couldn't deal with the guilt. She was the reason Gran wasn't here. Eric was worried about her. He had to attend a tribunal for staking Longshadow. He wasn't concerned about the trial. Longshadow had been stealing from him it would be a justified staking. How was he supposed to leave Sookie? He sighed and laid beside her on the bed and pulled her back against his chest. Her eyes were tear stained. "I have to go lover." He whispered kissing her neck. "Take me with you." She pleaded. "You know I would if I could." It was best that they knew nothing about her but it was killing him to leave her like this "It shouldn't take to long." Eric kissed her again. "When do you think you'll be back?" Eric ran his hand down the length of her body and held on to her hip. "One, maybe two days tops?" Sookie began to sob. "Sookie hold on for me. I know it's hard right now. But you will feel better." Eric promised her. Sookie sat up and faced him. She flung her arms around his neck. "Please, promise me you'll come back to me?" Eric looked down at her. She looked so vulnerable. He hated seeing her like this. She was so strong and two weeks ago she had been a happy twenty-five year old driving him crazy with wedding plans. Eric held her in his arms and leaned down and kissed her.

"I promise Lover, I'll always come back to you." He sat her down on the floor and kissed her one last time. He turned around and walked away quickly. It took every ounce of strength not to go back to her as she fell back in bed crying.

Sookie reached over and grabbed the bottle of Xanax that Dr Ludwig had prescribed her. She opened the bottle and took one of the little blue pills out. She dropped the rest of bottle, spilling the pills everywhere. Soon she was drifting off into a dark dreamless sleep.

The next day Sookie woke up feeling numb. She could handle numb, it was a lot better than the constant stabbing in her chest she had felt. She weakly reached for her phone and saw a text message from Eric well after the sun had come up.

'Everything is alright Lover, I have to sign a paper at the palace tonight. I'll be home after that. I love you Sookie.' She sighed in relief, it felt like a million ton weight had been lifted off her chest.

Just as Sookie was throwing her phone down it rang. Sookie looked at the caller and decided to answer since it was Jason.

"Hey Jace." She said.

"Hiya Sook, look Gran's lawyer just called, he didn't know how to reach you. He wants us to go to his office this afternoon so he can read the will." Sookie sighed and wiped away a tear and ran out the corner of her eye.

"Ok, I guess it's better just to get it over with." She said quietly.

"Can you pick me up? I'm at home." Jason agreed to pick her up in an hour and a half. Sookie told him bye and hung up. She climbed out of bed and staggered over to the dresser. She looked like a hot mess. Her hair was sticking up every which way. Her eyes were red and puffy from crying. Sookie pulled on a little pink dress and matching strappy sandals. She did her make up and pulled her hair in a messy bun on top of her head. She was just hooking her last earring and walking downstairs when Jason rung the door bell.

She opened the door and held it open for Jason. "Come on in I'm almost ready." "My truck wouldn't start, luckily Rene was still at Merlotte's and said he could drive." Jason said walking straight to the kitchen and opening the fridge.

"Oh good, that's nice of him." Sookie said grabbing her purse.

"Jeez Sook. Did Eric forget you need food to survive?" Sookie shook her head.

"I haven't felt like eating. I haven't even been to the store. There's left over Olive Garden in the bottom drawer. Eric doesn't forget trust me." Jason closed the refrigerator door.

"Hey we could take Eric's car if Rene needs to get back." Jason shrugged.

"But then I'd be stranded, it shouldn't take to long Sook." Sookie grabbed her keys off the counter and put them in her purse and used her code to lock the front door. She climbed in the backseat.

"Hey Der Sookie." Rene smiled. Sookie smiled at him but something was nagging at her conscience. She pushed the feelings away and dug in her purse for her phone. She quickly sent Eric a text.

'I went with Jason and his friend Rene to Gran's lawyer's office. They needed me there to read the will. Jason's truck broke down and Rene offered him a ride. I love you honey and I can't wait to feel your arms around me again.' Sookie smiled and hit send. For the first time in days she didn't feel overwhelmed with grief and sadness.

Sid Matt Landcaster had been Gran's friend and lawyer for as long as Sookie could remember. He had just merged his office with another and moved his practice to Shreveport a few months ago. Everything was going as planned until they got to the house. She wasn't sure why but she had thought Jason would get the house. Since she had lived with Eric for the past four years she'd never given it any thought. Sid Matt pushed play on a DVD player and hit the power button on a tv. Gran's sweet face filled the screen. Sookie's breath caught in her throat.

"My sweet babies if you're seeing this, I've gone on to glory. I just want to tell you a few final things. First watch out for one another. Always stay close and be good to one another. I love you both as if you were my own and I'm so proud of the adults you've turned out to be.

Now onto the house and why I think this is the best solution.

Jason you have a house. You've been on your own for years now. I'm so proud of you Jason. You've worked so hard for everything you have. I want you to have your Grandaddy's Earl's gun collection and my engagement ring to pass on to whoever you decide to settle down with.

My darling Sookie. You've been so much more to me than my granddaughter. You've been my closest friend. I knew if I ever needed anything you were only a phone call away. I know you've lived with Eric happily now for years. But I'm leaving the farmhouse to you. That way should you ever need it home is just a short drive away. A place of your own. I love you my Sookie. I'm so very proud of you. Take care of your brother." Gran smiled as the tv went black as Sookie held on to Jason and cried. "Are you alright with this?" Sookie asked Jason. "Yeah sis. You have the money to fix it up. I don't." They thanked Sid Matt and walked out of his office just as the sun was sinking behind the trees. Sookie's phone rang just as they got back to the car. She smiled as she looked at the ID she couldn't wait to hear his voice.

"Hey honey." Eric laughed.

"Hey yourself, you sound much better Lover." Sookie smiled "I feel a lot better. When are you coming home?" "Pam is getting dressed. After that I have a meeting to sign papers. I should be home by 2:30 3:00 at the latest. Maybe sooner if I don't wait for Pam."

"Don't make Pam come back by herself. The interstate makes her grumpy. Eric, Gran left me the farmhouse." Sookie couldn't hide her enthusiasm.

"I know how much you love it." Eric said. For a split second he opened the bond. She felt his happiness for her. It made her smile. But there was also a touch of pain. But just as quickly as she felt it he closed the bond.

"Eric? Are you okay?" "I'm fine Lover, I'll see you soon." He hung up before she could say anything else. But she knew something was wrong. Sookie tried to fight the overwhelming feeling of dread from consuming her. She slid quietly into the backseat of Rene's car.

"Everything alright Sook." She shook her head yes.

On the drive home everyone was quite. Sookie couldn't help but worry about Eric. When Rene pulled into her driveway she grabbed her purse to get out.

"Hey Sookie would it be ok if I came in and used your bathroom?" Rene asked.

"Um sure." Sookie said jumping out of the car to run unlock the door. Jason and Rene got out behind her.

"Can I get y'all anything? The bathroom is right through that door." She said pointing towards the door.

"Where's Eric?" Jason asked her.

She sighed. "He had to go out of town for vampire business. He's supposed to be back tonight." Jason looked at her.

"Are you alright here by yourself? " Sookie shook her head yes as Rene joined them.

"Yes, he'll be here soon, I'm just going to clean, maybe work on some paper work, and he should be home by then." Jason looked at her to make sure. She just smiled at him. "Ok if you're sure. I guess we should go." Sookie hugged her brother and walked them to the door. They told her bye and left. Sookie closed the front door and locked the deadbolt. She went upstairs and grabbed one of the Xanax off the floor. She took it and began the task of picking the rest up. Once she picked up the pills off the floor she was exhausted. She didn't even bother taking off her dress. She just wanted to sleep until Eric was home. She went downstairs and laid on the couch. She curled into a tight ball and tucked her knees against her chest. She pulled the furry throw off the back of the couch to cover up with. She was asleep in five minutes.

Sometime later she woke up to fingers gently rubbing the back of her leg up the hem of her dress. Her eyes fluttered open and she looked into his blue pools. She sat up and threw her arms around his neck.

"I missed you so much." She cried grabbing both sides of his face. He kissed her shoulder and held on to her tightly.

"I missed you too lover" She tried to straddle his lap but he lightly pushed her off. "Pam's coming, she bringing donor blood." Sookie looked at him concerned and she noticed he was slightly gray in color."Eric? What happened? " she asked concerned just as Pam walked in the front door. She had a cooler in hand. "It's nothing Lover, I'll be good as new by the time I wake up tomorrow." Sookie looked at Pam and she looked at her concerned. "Eric Northman, tell me what happened." She jumped up and stood in front of him with her arms crossed.

"Longshadow's maker showed up, it was completely unexpected. He demanded retribution. They drained me and kept me chained in silver. I'm fine I just need to feed. I can't risk being to close to you until I do." Sookie fell back down beside him while Pam handed him his first pint of blood. He ripped into it an a second later it was gone. "Eric you can feed from me." Eric pulled her under his arm as he drank another bag. "Not for this Lover, I'm afraid I'd lose control." He put his arm around her shoulder and looked down at her dress. "You are so beautiful." Sookie ran her hand up under his shirt but he stopped her. She looked at Pam for explanation. "Eric?" He kissed the top of her head between sips. "Sookie I'm fine, I'll heal I'll be good as new tomorrow night." Pam looked at Sookie and rolled her eyes. "Your going to have to feed him every hour on the hour. Come on, let's get him in the safe room." Pam picked Eric up and helped him upstairs into the safe room. Pam hooked up an IV and set him up with one more bag of blood. For the first time since Sookie had known him he was sleeping before the sun came up. Sookie glanced at the time. It was almost 6:00 in the morning. "He can't defend himself. I've got to go to ground soon. He gets a bag of blood every hour. Sookie do not try to feed him right now. He won't be able to control himself. He's not going to be able to wake as easy today as usual. He needs his rest to heal. It should be ok if you want to lay with him. I'll check in with you as quick as I can tomorrow night and if he's not better we may have to bring in a live donor." Sookie had tears running down her cheeks. "What happened? He swore to me he was ok." Pam touched Sookie's shoulder. "They drained him almost to the point of death. Then they pumped liquid silver into him. Initially, everything went just as Eric thought. It was declared a justifiable staking. He was supposed to pay some money to his maker. Then his maker requested a a video conference after dawn this morning. He demanded blood for blood. We think Sophie Anne was behind it. He'll be alright it may just not be by tomorrow night. Do not try to feed him your blood Sookie. You're to sweet, he would lose control and drain you dry." Sookie nodded.

"Okay." After Pam left, Sookie curled up beside Eric in a tight ball. She sat an alarm to wake her up in an hour. She drug Eric's limp arm around her waist and found asleep.