Once they escaped New Orleans, they made their way back to Fangtasia. Eric's foul mood was evident as he stormed through the club, leaving a trail of pushed-aside patrons in his wake. Sookie shook her head at his display of frustration and headed to the bar, where Pam was stationed.
"What did you do now?" Pam's voice held a note of exasperation, her gaze fixed on the chaos Eric had stirred.
"It's been a long twenty-four hours, Pam. Can I just get a beer and maybe some wings?" Sookie sighed, her weariness evident.
"He always gets this way with you. I don't know why you won't just leave him alone." Pam handed her a beer, her tone laced with annoyance.
"Ok for starters he came looking for me first."
"Eric doesn't give a shit that your dimwit brother is missing. He is doing this for you." Pam rolled her eyes as she walked in the back.
"Thanks for the talk. Don't forget my wings!" Sookie called out dramatically and then she sighed as she looked around.
She sipped her beer, relishing in the cool refreshment as she glanced around the bustling environment. The club's ambiance was a stark contrast to the whirlwind of events that had taken place.
"Sookie? Hey Sook!" Arlene's voice carried a hint of panic as she rushed over, her vampire boyfriend trailing behind her looking equally worn out. "Oh my god, we thought something happened to you!" Arlene embraced her in a tight hug, nearly causing the beer to spill.
"Of course, Arlene. Why wouldn't I be okay?"
"For starters, you didn't show up to work this morning. We didn't know what happened to you!"
"Oh my god. Shit. Sorry. I kind of got held up." Sookie sighed heavily, realizing how her involvement with Eric tended to overshadow everything else.
Before Arlene could say more, Eric approached with an unmistakable aura of anger. "My office," his words were icy, a command that brooked no argument. He pivoted on his heel and headed through the dance floor, his determination palpable.
"Well, never mind. I get it," Arlene muttered, watching him go with a mix of curiosity and trepidation.
"Everything okay, Sook?" Keith's concerned voice reached her ears. His empathetic nature always caught her off guard, despite her familiarity with supernatural beings.
She managed a forced smile. "Yep, and trust me, you don't want to know." She took her beer and proceeded to Eric's office.
Inside, his pacing ceased as he glanced at her with a mixture of frustration and intensity. She met his gaze, preparing herself for a confrontation.
"Eric, if this is about earlier—"
"I called Elijah," he interrupted her, his tone fraught with seriousness.
"Are you kidding me? Seriously, you need to let it go!" Frustration edged her voice, but her exasperation didn't seem to deter him.
Within seconds he was in front of her, and her backpedaling led to a stumble, spilling her beer in the process.
"Niklaus is not happy that we left, and apparently, he hates fae," Eric's words dropped like a lead weight, causing her eyes to widen in alarm. He took the beer from her hand. "It's taking everything in me not to go back there and end him once and for all." His voice was a dangerous undercurrent.
"He's not going to hunt me down, is he?" Her words came out as a nervous laugh, but the seriousness in their expressions made her stop.
"Tell me that I don't have an ancient vampire after me now?" she pleaded, her concern growing.
Before Eric could respond, the door swung open, and Pam marched in with a tray of wings. Frustration radiated off her as she confronted them. "You know I am not a fucking servant!"
Sookie accepted the tray and settled onto the couch, the appetite she had earlier fading. Somehow, amidst the chaos, her hunger was the least of her worries.
"Eric?" Pam demanded, her gaze darting between them, sensing the gravity of the situation. "What the fuck is it now?" She got toe to toe with him. "How bad, Eric?"
"Ancient vampires bad," Sookie interjected, her voice carrying a mix of resignation and concern. Pam's shock was evident.
"Are you fucking kidding me? The Mikaelsons!" Pam directed her frustration at Eric, delivering a solid hit to his chest.
Eric moved around his desk, his gaze fixed on the papers scattered there. In an instant, the pent-up frustration within him erupted into an ear-piercing roar, and he flipped the desk over with a powerful surge of strength. The chaos of their situation seemed mirrored in the upheaval of the room, leaving them to grapple with the dangerous consequences of their recent choices.
"This is your fault!" Pam's voice cut through the tension, her swift movements aimed at Sookie. But Eric's reflexes were quicker—he grabbed Pam, forcefully pushing her against the wall, a clear protective stance.
"You don't touch her," Eric's warning carried an edge of danger, his demeanor unwavering.
"You know what, I'm just going to head home for now," Sookie's voice attempted to cut through the mounting tension.
"Sit back down," Eric's demand was resolute as he maintained his hold on Pam against the wall.
"They will kill you," Pam interjected, her worry evident.
"Listen, I'm tired. I haven't slept in twenty-four hours, and now I've lost my appetite," Sookie's weariness was palpable as she moved toward the door.
"You're not leaving," Eric's tone was firm, his grip on Pam unyielding.
"I'm safer there than here. He hasn't been invited into my house. I'm far too tired to sit around here watching you destroy your club," Sookie's explanation held a touch of exasperation.
"Let her go, Eric," Pam's plea was tinged with urgency.
Eric swung the door open, directing his gaze at Pam. "Go. You need to lay low. Get everyone the fuck out of here."
"Fucking Sookie!" Pam snapped, storming away as Eric closed the door behind her.
"You're not going anywhere without me," he turned his attention back to Sookie, who rolled her eyes at his statement.
"Just because we slept together doesn't mean you have a say in what I do," She retorted, her frustration evident.
"You. Are. Mine." Eric's stance was unyielding as he stood in front of her.
The fear in Eric's eyes was striking, and despite her instinct to argue, Sookie found herself momentarily overwhelmed. He was scared, and that vulnerability alarmed her.
"When was the last time you ate?" She extended her hand to touch his arm gently. His pallor was concerning, and she realized that orchestrating their escape from New Orleans must have drained a considerable amount of his energy.
"I'm fine."
"No, you're not," Sookie sighed, moving her hair aside. But he stopped her before she could proceed.
"I'm not keeping you around as my personal feed bag," his response was tinged with seriousness.
Rolling her eyes, Sookie retorted, "I didn't think you were, but you do need to eat."
"I need to keep you safe," he emphasized.
"Well, you'll do a better job of that when you're fed," she took a step closer to him. "Think of it as payment," she attempted to inject a lighter tone.
"That's not funny," he remained stern, his demeanor serious. She reached out and touched his arm again, and this time he flinched momentarily before his expression softened. He cupped her cheek, his touch surprisingly tender.
"I need you to promise that, for now, you'll do as I say," his words were gentle but resolute. Sookie's initial urge to protest faded as he continued, "Your safety means everything to me, and the only way I can protect you is if you're not fighting me along the way."
Surprising herself, she replied, "Okay."
"Okay?" His astonishment was evident.
"If you haven't noticed, I'm not trying to die, and we still need to get to Jason," she managed a soft smile. He pulled her close, his arms enveloping her in a reassuring hold. "We're going to be fine, right?"
"I'm going to do my best to make sure of it," his promise carried weight. He released her and took her hand, leading her to the couch. As she moved to sit beside him, he gently guided her onto his lap. His eyes darkened, and his fangs elongated, a primal display.
Intrigued by the sight, her fingers rose instinctively, coming into contact with his lips. As he leaned closer to her neck, her gaze locked onto his fangs, mesmerized by their proximity. Despite her initial surprise, her hand moved unconsciously to touch one of his fangs. A gasp escaped her lips as the fang pierced her finger, a drop of blood forming. His quick response caught her off guard—he grasped her hand and sensually licked the wound, his unwavering gaze never leaving hers. The intimate connection sent a shiver down her spine.
She found herself drawn into his intensity, his words igniting her emotions. "I love you. I never stopped," he confessed, his words leaving her heart racing and her speech momentarily abandoned.
"For a thousand years, I never thought of anyone but myself. What have you done to me, Sookie Stackhouse? You've broken me," his words carried a blend of vulnerability and intensity. He drew closer, his fangs gradually descending, and her surprised gasp resonated in the air as his teeth punctured her skin.
After a few moments, he withdrew, their gazes locked. His fang drew blood from his own finger, and she stopped him before he could heal her bite marks.
"Don't. Leave it," her surprising request widened his eyes.
"Are you sure?"
"It's safer, right?" she offered softly, accompanied by a gentle smile.
He answered with a tender kiss, igniting a fervent passion that soon led to a passionate tangle on the floor as clothes were discarded.
Their connection deepened as he entered her with a newfound tenderness, a marked contrast from his usual inhuman strength. He moved deliberately, as if savoring each moment as if it were their last.
Breaking their kiss, his expression now laced with worry, he looked down at her, concern evident as her soft moans filled the room. Their eyes met, emotions swirling in the depths of her gaze. "I can't lose you. You're the one loss I'll never recover from," he admitted, his words echoing the heartfelt sentiment.
Drawing her into another kiss, his lips claimed hers as a few tears glistened in her eyes.
An hour later, they dressed, Eric's phone interrupting the aftermath of their intimacy. Answering it swiftly, he nodded. "Yeah. Ok. We'll be right there," he concluded the call, his gaze shifting to Sookie. "The car's ready."
She approached him, a hint of concern in her eyes. "Are you sure it's a good idea to head there right now? The sun's nearly up."
"The plane will keep me covered. We need to head to Mystic Falls sooner rather than later."
"But what if Jason's already gone?"
"We'll figure out where he went." He touched her arm gently.
"Why is he avoiding me like this? It doesn't make sense. He's never let anyone get to him like this before."
"Love makes us all do strange things," his words hung in the air, prompting a heavy swallow from Sookie. "We will find him."
"You could get that witch to make you a daylight ring."
"Everything comes with a price, Sookie, especially when it comes to witches."
"But don't you want to walk in the sun again?"
"I want you more. Even if I got a ring, which is a big if, it still wouldn't mean anything to me if something happened to you." He drew her into his embrace, a comforting anchor amid uncertainty.
"I do love you, Eric," she whispered the words that had been unspoken for months. His grip tightened, holding her close as if her words had tethered him to that moment. His phone rang again, breaking the spell as he released her. Glancing at his phone and then back at her, he sighed. "We have to go. The plane's waiting."
The last time Sookie found herself on a plane was during her chaotic trip to Texas, an experience she'd rather not relive. Now, as they headed toward Mystic Falls, a city fraught with its own share of trouble, she couldn't help but worry. An ancient vampire had a vendetta against her, and the situation seemed to be spiraling out of control. Gazing at the closed coffin at the end of the aisle, she walked over and placed her hand on it with a sigh.
Any hopes for a peaceful experience or a taste of normalcy were dashed. A bitter laugh escaped her lips. This was her version of normal now.
The flight was just an hour away, bringing them to a small city near Mystic Falls. Eric seemed to have acquaintances all over the world, and they were seeking refuge in this place. Sookie knew little about it, apart from the fact that a friend of Eric's named Henry Fitzroy, a four and a half century old vampire, was located there. Their arrival was met by a tall, brunette woman with her hair pulled back and glasses that gave her a no-nonsense appearance.
"Are you Sookie Stackhouse?" the woman extended her hand. "I'm Vicki Nelson."
"You're human," Sookie stated, more an observation than a question.
"And you're not, well, not entirely," Vicki raised an eyebrow as they shook hands. She glanced over at the flight attendants who were moving the coffin. "Put that in the back of the truck," she instructed, then turned her attention back to Sookie. "You look like you could use some food. The things we sacrifice for them," she added with an eye roll, leading them to a large truck.
Vicki directed them to a nearby restaurant, and despite not knowing her well, Sookie found herself eagerly looking forward to a meal. They ended up at a quaint café, and before she knew it, a table full of food was spread before her. The sensation of hunger hit her in full force as she took a bite of her sandwich, a soft moan escaping her lips.
Vicki sipped her drink, leaning back in her chair. "It's bad enough they mess up our nightly schedule. I mean, I haven't had a proper night's rest in years," she complained.
"How long have you known Eric?" Sookie inquired between bites.
"About twenty years now. I was young, naive, and in love. Met Henry not long before that, and well, you can imagine how discovering their vampire ways was a shock – exciting, too, as you probably understand," Vicki reminisced.
"You met Henry before the vampire revolution. That must have been terrifying," Sookie stated, her voice filled with genuine curiosity. She could hardly fathom encountering a vampire before they revealed their existence to the world. It must have been a mix of terror and disbelief.
"Henry has a way about him. It felt almost normal, to be honest."
Sookie let out a small laugh. "Nothing about them is normal."
Vicki chuckled in agreement. "You're right. So, you and Eric, huh? I've heard rumors about you. Is it true? Are you really a…" Vicki's words trailed off, and Sookie paused, setting down her sandwich. She always felt anxious when her true nature came into question. "Eric told Henry about you. Don't worry, your secret is safe with me. Believe me, I've seen my fair share of supernatural things. Demons, monsters – they're all out there. It's become the norm."
Sookie blinked in surprise, her throat tight as she swallowed.
"Come on, finish eating. Then we'll head to the penthouse."
In the heart of the city stood the building that housed Henry's residence. Observing Eric's coffin being wheeled in through the back entrance, Sookie couldn't shake off her unease, despite Eric's reassurances about the trustworthiness of their hosts.
As they entered the penthouse apartment, Sookie found herself in awe of the lavish space, adorned with an array of paintings that transformed it into something akin to an art gallery. She wandered over to one artwork after another, her curiosity piqued.
"Henry painted them. He's got a remarkable eye for art. They're truly exquisite," Vicki informed her, walking past. The paintings displayed Vicki herself in various scenarios – a warrior brandishing a sword in some, her strength and determination captured on canvas.
"He's certainly imaginative," Sookie commented as she moved to inspect another painting. Setting her eyes on a new canvas, she admired it openly. After all, it was clear that the penthouse was a space curated with passion and personal touch.
Vicki's smirk spoke of a shared understanding. "A massive imagination, indeed," she agreed, handing Sookie a glass of wine. Together, they continued to admire the artwork, immersed in their own thoughts. "But enough about that. I hear you're searching for your brother. I've always wondered what it would be like to have a sibling."
Sookie shrugged, taking a sip of her wine. "He seems to have a knack for finding trouble. Comes with the territory, I guess."
Vicki smiled softly. "Men, they're wired that way."
Curiosity getting the best of her, Sookie ventured into a more personal topic. "Why haven't you let him turn you? After all these years, being with a vampire..."
Vicki seemed to anticipate the question. "I've pondered that quite a bit. There's just something so final about the idea of never being able to die. What about you? Are you considering letting Eric turn you?"
Sookie's throat tightened, and she took another sip of her drink. The concept of becoming a vampire hadn't really crossed her mind until now, and the mere thought made her feel queasy.
"No need to answer. It's a decision that's far from simple," Vicki reassured her, leaning back on the couch, her legs crossed casually in her jeans.
"Do you ever wonder what life would've been like if you hadn't met him? If you'd continued living without the supernatural chaos?" Sookie's curiosity resurfaced.
Vicki chuckled gently. "Every single day. But I love him." She shrugged, a mixture of fondness and acceptance coloring her expression. "We should try and get some shut eye while we can. The guys will be waking in a few hours."
So for those who are not familiar with this crossover, it is from a show called Blood Ties from 2007. It follows Vicki Nelson, a retired cop turned private investigator. She ends up running into Henry Fitzroy, a 400 year old vampire. Together they work to solve supernatural crimes. You should check out this you tube video to give you some context on their relationship. God I loved this show, unfortunately it was canceled the following year. watch?v=rrSk4AiKKyo