EPOV

I'd forgotten about how anxious my Sookie gets during take-offs and landings. If I wasn't a vampire I'm sure she'd be hurting my hand, possibly even injuring it. If Adele weren't here I would have many ideas for fun ways to distract her, alas, she's here so my only form of distraction is my words. Then again, to be quite honest, as much as I love to pleasure Sookie, we have many more important things to be worried about and I must make sure she understands the plans before we get there. I see her back straighten, along with Pam's and Godric's. They must feel the shift in my mood and know it's time to get to business.

"I did not tell the queen when we're landing or where we're staying, all she knows is that we're going to be at her complex at 8 pm tomorrow. So we shouldn't have much to worry about until then. That's not to say that she isn't on the lookout for us. She probably has someone watching my New Orleans house waiting to let her know when we arrive. That is why I made reservations at the Rosevelt, under fake names, of course."

I don't know how to feel about my victory in making the anxiety of flying in Sookie dissipate because it's nothing compared to her anxiety about Sophie Ann. It is just another reason I want the queen at the end of my sword. I have to stop myself from sighing, such a human notion, because I am not fond of the consequences of killing a monarch. Unless… Godric is currently free of responsibilities, maybe he'll be up to the task. I look at him out of the corner of my eye and see him staring right at me. I turn my head to make eye contact and once we do he shakes his head once in negation. I've long since stopped wondering if he could read my mind. It seems as if sometimes he knows the plans I'm going to make before I do.

Just as well, I suppose, I had not really thought there was a chance he'd actually agree to take over the position of king, he feels the same as I do about the politics of being a vampire. Pam is not yet ready for such a position, unfortunately, so that leaves me to try to find another alternative to killing her. I doubt it but maybe just an open honest conversation will work, maybe she'll understand that Sookie is ready and willing to work with her, she just has no intentions of becoming anyone's other than mine. I have to stop myself from laughing out loud. The queen has never been one for common sense. No, if I'm not going to kill her and take the crown my only other options are distracting her with something more interesting to her or tricking her into thinking Sookie staying where she is was her idea.

"What are we going to do, Eric? I mean if everything goes to plan, and we make it there to work tomorrow, without a kidnapping or assassination attempt, what is the end goal? You made it pretty clear she isn't planning on giving up the idea of owning me anytime soon, so it seems to me that before this week is over, she's going to try something to either convince me to want to stay there or," She chokes back a sob, "or take you out of the picture completely."

Since she is sitting next to me it's no hardship to lift her up, put her in my lap, in pull her close. 'Assassination attempt,' huh? My Sookie sure does think highly of me. I ignore my amusement at the thought and focus on calming her. "Shh, min kara, there is no need to worry, nothing will happen. I am much stronger and older than she is, she has no chance, especially with Godric here. You needn't worry. I am just being overcautious so that nothing comes to us without us knowing. We are both safe, we all are."

I am not used to calming or comforting someone but I realize I must be doing a good job because I feel her raging emotions in the bond calm to more certainty and trust. I just hope I am not lying to her. I am not worried about Sophie Ann but she has been known to do unpredictable things when desperate.

Thankfully Sookie falls asleep and the rest of the ride is calm and quiet while I think and rethink through all the procausions, plans, and backup plans I have for this week. Sookie is bound to get annoyed at me by the end of it. I regret having to go through all this and I wouldn't doubt if Sookie feels smothered, maybe even like she's a prisoner when all is said and done but I won't let her talk me out of any of it. I will do what I must to keep her safe, we can fight all she wants about it but none of it's changing, I don't give a fuck about her emotions when it's between that and her safety.

Thankfully I know the rest of the vampires agree with me and will have my back when the inevitable fight happens. I feel as though Adele will see where I'm coming from as well and she can talk Sookie down better than anyone.

When we land I softly shake Sookie awake and kiss her forehead. "We're here, min stjärna, it's time to wake."

"Hmm?" She asks in her adorable still mostly asleep voice.

"We're here."

It seems she remembers where 'here' is because one second she's half asleep and the next she's sitting up straight, back stiff as a board looking around frantically, I assume reading everyone that works at the landing strips' mind to make sure they're safe. They get the telepath seal of approval and she slumps her shoulders a little but I can tell she's still worried and very alert. Again I wish it didn't have to be this way for her. I get up and lead the way off the plane, the cars I ordered are already there and waiting for us, I didn't hire a driver, the fewer people that know we're here, the better.

I rented Pam's favorite, a minivan and it's here waiting for us. It's one of the only cars that will be able to fit all of us along with our luggage, especially with Pam along for the trip, she has almost as much luggage as all of us combined. On the ride to the hotel, Jason is looking around and gawking like an idiot but at least one of us is enjoying ourselves. Sookie is too worried about everything to even think about having fun and Adele is picking up on Sookie's apprehension.

"Woah… we're staying here? You gotta be loaded! You gotta nice house and all but it doesn't give off the vibe that you have this kinda money." Jason says as we walk into the suite which is basically the whole top floor. It has 8 bedrooms that all have the option of being vampire-safe.

"I prefer to live under the radar," I say simply and Jason looks me up and down then nods his head, looking impressed. I quickly vamp through all the rooms to make sure they're secure, drop mine and Sookie's bags off in the master, and choose the one that would be best for Adele before bringing her bags there also. "Come, Adele, your room is right over here, there's a bathroom with a shower in it and it's close to the kitchen and living room."

"Thank you, Eric, this will do me nicely. Are we doing any more planning tonight or is it safe for me to take my old bones to bed? I don't want to miss anything, so if there's more to do, you best let me know, I'll be cross with you if I learn you're holding out on me."

"No, Adele, feel free to get some rest, we've done all we can tonight, I think. Just be prepared to stay in the hotel during the day, I'll make sure we have time for sightseeing at some point during the trip."

"Oh, don't you worry about entertaining me none, I know keeping Sookie safe is what's most important during this trip, we'll make sure to go somewhere strictly to be tourists next time."

I chuckle, "If I remember correctly, you're saving to go to Rome, seems to me that should be our next trip."

"I'll hold you to that, Mr. Northman."

"Goodnight, Adele."

"Night, Eric," she says to me, then she continues louder so that the others will hear, "Goodnight, ya'll!"

"Night, Gran!"

When I make it back to the living area where everyone else is, I can see that Jason is antsy, I give him ten minutes, including the time it takes him to check out his room until he suggests going out on the town or some other inane suggestion like that.

"So, uh, which room is mine?"

"It doesn't matter, Adele is already in her room, and our clothes are in ours, take your choice of the rest of them." I'm sure by now Pam has already chosen the second biggest room and if Godric has any care about where he's laying his head tonight, he's chosen his. Though I doubt he cares.

"Cool, alright, I'll be back out in a minute. Sook, can you see if there is any beer in the mini-fridge? Or uh full fridge." He corrects himself as he's walking by and sees that there is a full kitchen.

"Jason, alcohol from the mini fridge costs like five times what it's supposed to! I don't even want to think about what the upcharge would be at a place like this."

"Damn Sook, I know that, I'll pay it!"

I tune out the rest of their conversation which consists of yelling from one room to another and turn to Godric. "I'll go out, take a look around, see if I hear anything about her plans. She doesn't know I'm here, she doesn't even know I was with you in Shreveport, she won't be looking for, or expecting me."

I know better than to tell him what to do so I just nod. "Call me if you need me."

He nods and walks out the door. I'm about to check up on the guards who are supposed to be here in the morning when Pam sighs clearly bored. I have the urge to roll my eyes but am able to stop it. "What is it, Pam?"

"I want to go out too, I haven't fed yet and it's only 11, I'm bored. I doubt the queen is even looking for me, she probably thinks I stayed in Shreveport to keep an eye on the area for you."

"Pam…" I say warningly.

"Oh come on, Eric. You know as well as I do that she thinks she's smarter than everyone. She probably thinks you aren't worried about anything and are just planning to get paid for Sookie working, there's no way she thinks you're onto her. I doubt she even has anything in-depth planned. She's probably planning on giving you a fang banger, expecting you to fuck her, and having Sookie 'accidentally' walk in on you so that she's so distraught Sophie Ann can offer her a shoulder to cry on and a safe place to stay while she heals."

"Yes, that is a real possibility, though she knows I already know how she works, I know all her secrets and what she does to get what she wants. Don't underestimate her, she is definitely accounting for the fact that I know how she operates. She is going to do something out of the normal because she'll think she has to. I just don't know if it's going to be attacking, kidnapping, or framing. We have to play it safe. Call your New Orleans witch and have her come over if you must but you're staying here."

Pam perks up, "Oh, Amelia can come over? Why didn't you just say so?"

"Spoiled brat," I mumble under my breath and I hear her cackle right before she closes the door to her room.

I walk over to the windows that are treated for vampires and stare at the skyline. I hear Sookie put the beer on the coffee table before she walks up behind me and puts her arms around my waist and her head on my shoulder, looking out at the view too. "It's pretty. I've been here before, a few times, but I've never got a view like this."

"Don't worry, dear one, if I have anything to say about it these are the only types of views you'll have in the future. It's nothing less than you deserve."

She scoffs, "I don't need all that, Eric. I just need you."

I turn my head enough to kiss the top of hers. "I know, doesn't mean I'm not going to give it to you anyway."

"Where did everyone go? Where's Little Man?" Every time he calls Godric that he's lucky I have the level of control I do because my immediate instinct is to snap his neck. I always come to my senses a millisecond later but if I was a lesser vampire he'd be dead by now.

"He went out," I say, he doesn't need more information than that.

"Oh cool, you changed your mind, we can leave? It's early and I wanna hit a bar if it's okay. Shit Eric, I really wish you could drink, you know, something other than blood, I think we'd have a damn good time going out to a bar together!"

I feel more than hear Sookie hold back her snort of amusement at her brother. Try as I might, I can't help but crack a smile, he's just so simple. "Unfortunately, it is not a good idea for any of us to be seen around the city tonight. The queen will expect us to all travel together, she had no clue that Godric is with us so her men are not looking for him like they'll be looking for us. For now, it is best that we are here."

"Damn, I had a feeling that's what you were gonna say. Shit, alright." He turns to look at Sookie, "There at least enough alcohol in the fridge?"

"Jason, this isn't a vacation, you knew that before you came with," Sookie says, sounding exasperated.

"Damn, I know that Sook. You're right, sorry, it's just, I don't get to get outta town often, I let it go to my head is all."

She sighs, "It's fine Jace. We'll figure out a way to get some board games tomorrow so we can stay occupied while the vampires are being lazy and sleeping the day away."

"Alright, that sounds like it could be fun. I'm gonna head to bed and get some sleep, it seems like we have a pretty busy day tomorrow."

"Yeah, we're going to see Hadley for the first time in almost a decade, it's going to be a lot."

"I was excited when you first told me, you know me and she used to be real close but then you told me everything that happened and how she basically threw you to the wolves, or uh, you know, to the vampires, and now I don't think I even wanna see her."

Sookie smiles, "I know how you feel, if I had a choice in the matter, I'd avoid the whole situation."

Jason gives Sookie a slow sad nod before walking over to her and hugging her. "Sorry, sis, wish I could change that for you, but you got me on your side, along with three badass vamps, I don't think you got anything to worry about. Heck, you got Gran too, if anyone can talk some sense into that girl, it's her."

She laughs, "Yeah, that's true but even if she does, it won't change anything for me, I'm already on the queen's radar."

"You should get some rest too, Sook. I'll see you tomorrow, okay?" I've got to give it to the guy, he's been keeping to his word and doing better by Sookie, it seems to be helping her too.

It makes me think a little higher of him than I did, which wasn't difficult seeing as I did not think much of him at all when I first met him. Though I am looking at him in a better light and I enjoy his comic relief, that one time he survived his attempt to hug me must have made him feel a lot more comfortable with me than I am okay with because after he lets go of Sookie he turns and starts walking to me with his arms open. I have to assume my feelings on the matter are clearly showing on my face because after another step his eyes widen and he stops in his tracks, in fact, he takes an involuntary step back.

"Uh, goodnight Eric, see you in the morning, er night!" He says as he turns and quickly flees to his room.

I chuckle once he closes the door and Sookie slaps my arm, I feign that the slap hurts me and look at her with betrayal in my eyes. "Ow!"

"Stop that! Don't be mean to him, he really likes you, and don't act like that hurt, you big faker!"'

I chuckle and swoop in for a kiss. It quickly becomes heated and before she even realizes what I'm doing, I vamp us to our room, strip her of her clothes, and throw her on the bed. I've done all I can to make sure we're safe and prepared for tomorrow, so I have no qualms about spending the rest of the night distracting my lover from our worries in the most pleasurable way possible.

I feel filled with anxiety before I even open my eyes for the night. It's all coming from Sookie, I knew she would worry but I thought I did a good job of preparing her and calming her fears, apparently not. Her anxiousness is rivaling what she felt when I was her escort to the orgy, and that is saying a lot. Thankfully, she is lying right next to me so it is no hardship to roll over and pull her into my arms, I can spare a few minutes to comfort her before I must get up to prepare.

"Eric? I can't believe you're up, you're waking earlier and earlier, I was just about to take a little nap since it's going to be a long night."

I use the internal clock all vampires have since the first night they rise to realize she's right, it can't be later than three in the afternoon. Considering that it's summer, the sun won't set for another 5-6 hours. I sit up and can't help but look at Sookie to check her over and make sure she's okay, I want to make sure I didn't get too overzealous and take too much blood from her while we were fucking last night. She looks well and other than the anxiety, she feels perfectly healthy. I decide to think about that later, after the problem with Sophie Ann is handled, she is more important currently. Since it is so early, and she is feeling so stressed, I decide to help calm her down. I get up, pick her up bridal style, and start to make my way to our en suite bathroom. "Come now, lover, you and I both know you're too worked up to sleep. Allow me to destress you."

She squeals, "Eric, put me down! I don't think I can take any more of your stress relief, I'm still sore from last night."

I look her over again and now that she's said it, when she moves I feel her slight pains. I might have been too rough with her, and I should have given her some of my blood, especially with how many times I bit her. I'll be sure to fix that while we're in the shower. "Get your mind out of the gutter, min stjärna. I only meant to massage your tense muscles in a warm bath."

She looks at me long and hard, I think she's trying to feel what my real intentions are in the bond. It surprises me that that thought turns me on so much, I enjoy that she's learning about and enjoying the bond. Eventually, she quirks her eyebrow at me. "Yeah, yeah, whatever you say."

I lean my head down and kiss her once hard before putting her on the sink and moving over to the jacuzzi tub and turning it on. We have a few hours to get her relaxed before we have to get ready to go to the queen's compound and she'll tense right up again.

Well, I suppose I could say my mission was successful, I did get her nice and relaxed, along with giving her a big dose of my blood so that she is at the top of her game as well as making it easier for me to feel and track her, should the need be necessary. I get prepared at vamp speed and think over everything one more time as she gets ready. Unfortunately, the queen 'asked' for Adele and Jason to join us tonight for a family reunion. So that, along with the fact that Sookie is unsure of the landscape and that Godric will not be in the building with us, I feel that tonight is the most dangerous night. Godric will be close, so close that all he'll have to do is feel my worry or fear and he'll be with us in a matter of seconds but we do not want the queen to know he's here so that when she does try whatever she's planning on doing, she will not have accounted for him. I know that is the smartest choice but it does not mean I feel especially good about having one less person in there with us.

I do not like that Adele will be there with us, she is an easy target. She's not stupid, so I am not worried about her falling for their tricks, I know that they'll try to entice Sookie to stay and if they've done their research at all they'll know how important Adele is to her, which means they're going to try to entice her as well. Jason on the other hand, he might just be dimwitted enough to fall for it even though he knows the situation. I sigh internally, I had Godric get him a silver necklace and knife so that he at least has some protection albeit not much. My goal is to have all of us together the whole time though knowing the queen, she'll set something up to separate us.

A knock on the door distracts me from my thoughts, I listen to see who's on the other side of the door and then say "Enter" when I know it's Pam. She opens the door wide and then comes in just so much that she can lean on the door frame.

"We're ready."

I look over at her and see that she looks gorgeous as always, A pink dress so tight that a human wouldn't be able to breathe comfortably in it and black stiletto heals. I nod at her and look over to Sookie who is just putting her shoes on. She looks professional yet sexy. Then again, I'd think she was sexy wearing a potato sack. I quickly look back at Pam to get my mind back on track. "Good. As are we, come."

I stand and make my way to the living area where I see that everyone is waiting for us. I sit down quickly, I see that Adele and Jason both look worried and I can feel that the bath Sookie and I took earlier might as well never have happened because she is strung tighter than a bow again. "There is no need to fret. I do not foresee anything happening tonight and even if it does, I do not think she'd be bold enough to try to use force to get Sookie. As I've said, she is smarter than to do something that will alienate me from her, she needs me to keep her kingdom. No, she will most likely use her riches to try to woo Sookie to her. You needn't look so worried, in fact, you cannot look like you suspect anything. One of our advantages is that Sophie Ann thinks that no one is as smart as her, she most definitely thinks that I've fallen for her ploy and that we think she is fine with Sookie staying right where she is. She is expecting us to think this is just Sookie's first night at work and a family reunion. Which, in all actuality, is probably all that is planned for tonight."

Adele gives me one of those long stares that I'm starting to get used to from her. One of those looks that would normally have me teaching anyone who dared use it on me a lesson, the ones that are somehow both threats and reading into my soul at the same time. She's trying to figure out if I'm just placating her and promising to stake me in my sleep if I am. Eventually, her shoulders loosen and she nods at me. When she speaks, she seems a lot more calm, "Okay, Eric, I trust you. Even though I want to put the girl over my knee, I'm very excited to see Hadley. I'm glad that we aren't expecting anything to interrupt this reunion."

"Yeah, I'm excited too but you better believe I'm going to give that girl a piece of my mind after what she did to Sook," Jason says.

"Not tonight you're not, Jason. Were you listening to anything Eric just said? We gotta act like nothing's wrong and that we don't know anything the queen is up to. Yelling at Hadley will make it clear we know something is up."

"Oh, yeah, that's true, damn."

I hold in another sigh before standing up and making my way to the door, we have to leave if we want to get there on time. I hear everyone getting up to follow behind me, other than Godric, he'll leave about ten minutes behind us. It is mostly quiet, even Jason isn't saying much, it seems he understands how serious tonight is. I am not surprised when I see that there is a limo waiting for us when we exit the hotel. After our bath earlier I saw that there was a missed call from the queen's assistant, apparently, it 'came to her attention' that we were not at my residence, and she wanted to know where to send her driver tonight to pick us up. I am not fond of the fact that we are taking her vehicle to get there so after I got off the phone with her assistant, I adjusted the plans so that Godric would drive our rented car, instead of flying, and he'll leave it waiting for us by her compound so that we may leave when we want to. I can only fly so many people at a time so having an escape plan, should worst come to worst, is a must.

Before we get in hearing distance of the driver I turn to the humans of the group, "The limo is most likely bugged, be sure not to say anything you wouldn't want the queen to hear." When they all nod I continue walking.

When we enter the car the driver puts up the divide to make it seem like we are private though I know better. The ride is filled with the humans making meaningless small talk while I'm lost in my thoughts. Everything I told Adele was true but I have a gut feeling about tonight, and it's not a good one.