As I slowly regained consciousness I could hear Pam and Eric talking quietly.
„She is powerful. She could become a threat to us." Pam said.
„She could but I don't think she will. I don't know what it is about her. But I feel like I can trust her. It's as if I have known her and met her before." Eric responded. I felt his hand brushing my hair from my forehead.
I opened my eyes slowly to look into beautiful blue orbs. Eric was looking at me as if he could look right through me. I tried to sit up but the world spun.
„Easy," Eric said supporting me with one hand. He handed me a towel and motioned to my nose. The towel was already red with my blood.
„Thanks," I whispered. „Sorry about that. It takes a toll on me to use my powers like that."
„Someday you'll have to tell me what all your powers entail," he answered.
„Yeah. Someday. Maybe I will tell you." I looked at him and smiled tentatively. „Do you mind if I use the restroom for a sec?"
„Not at all." He helped me up and gestured to the door.
„Thanks." I said. I still had some difficulty with the world spinning. But I walked slowly to the door trying not to let them see how bad I really felt and left the room to get freshened up.
I splashed some water on my face and took some deep breaths. I would need to spend the next day in the sun to replenish my energy levels. And I need to practice more. The more I practice the less it takes out of me.
As I stepped back into the room with Eric and Pam I could see Pam eyeing me with distrust.
„Don't worry Pam. I would never betray you," I said.
„Hmph. That remains to be seen," she stated and left the room.
„I guess I'm on her watch list?" I said.
„She is a very loyal child." Is all he answered.
„That she is," I said. I walked slowly back to the couch while Eric watched my movements.
„You aren't back to normal yet." He commented.
„No. I haven't practiced that power enough to use it without consequences." I answered sighing as I leaned back on the sofa.
„What are the consequences?" He asked.
„Don't worry about it. I just need to lay in the sun for a while and I'll be good as new." I said noticing the concern in his eyes.
„Come on I'll take you home. Give me your keys." He offered me his hand to help me up and to the passenger side of my car. I waited patiently as he spoke briefly with Pam and then sat in the drivers seat eyeing my poor car with disgust.
„This is a deathtrap. It's a wonder it still runs." He muttered and I chuckled.
„I couldn't afford anything better until recently. So take it easy on my car." He didn't react at my statement driving into the night.
„I want you to come work for me." He stated.
I was already expecting something like that. But now that the offer was there I wasn't sure what to make of it.
„I appreciate the offer Eric but I'm actually thinking about furthering my education. Maybe do some online courses?" I shrugged. It had been swirling around in my head since I now had the money to pay for it. „How about I agree to work for you as a telepath on occasion?"
„That seems sensible. I'm glad you're leaving the shifters bar. You are too good for them all anyway." He answered.
„Thank you," I replied.
„You're welcome. I'll set a contract up." He said.
„I look forward to reading it." I answered. We drove on in comfortable silence. I watched as the world passed by as he sped towards Bon Temps and enjoyed the feeling of safety and home I felt having Eric beside me. I couldn't believe how stupid I had acted in my timeline. I now saw how it was unfair of me to expect Eric to take care of everything. I was expecting a great gesture of love from him getting out of that marriage contract and I overlooked all the other things he had done for me to show me his love. I wouldn't make the same mistakes this time. I couldn't.
I sighed as we turned into Hummingbird lane. Eric looked at me sideways but didn't say anything. „Would you like to come in?" I asked after he had parked the car.
„I should get back to Pam." He answered looking at me. I nodded. He got out of the car and in less than a second was at my side opening the passenger door and helped me out. As soon as I got up I felt everything turn again and fell against Erics chest. His arms encircled me immediately and I gripped his shirt so I wouldn't fall.
„I've got you," he said. „Come on, I'll take you inside." I nodded. „Whereto?" He asked after closing the door behind us.
„Upstairs," I pointed at the staircase.
We made our way slowly up the stairs with Eric holding onto my waist. „Thank you," I whispered blushing as I looked up at him.
I couldn't believe how ridiculous I felt after wanting him to see me as a strong Southern Belle, here I was unable to walk on my own.
„Don't mention it." He helped me sit on my bed and I closed my eyes for a second to keep the world from spinning. When I opened them again Eric was holding a nightgown out to me.
My eyebrows went up as I looked up to him.
„Want me to help you change?" He asked suggestively giving me a wide grin and wiggling his eyebrows.
I laughed. Some things never changed and I was grateful for it.
„No, thanks. I think I can manage. Turn around." I motioned for him to turn around after I took the nightgown from him.
He oblidged and I struggled out of my shirt and bra pulling the nightgown over my head. It was a nice cotton one with lacy shoulder straps. It felt soft on my skin. I needed to take my pants off but I wasn't sure if I could get up without another dizzy spell.
„Can you help me up?" I hadn't finished my sentence when Eric had already turned to face me making me gasp in surprise. He took my offered hands and helped me stand slowly. I let go of his hands and slowly opened my pants and pushed them down letting the nightgown fall while the pants fell. All the while Eric had had a hand on my elbow ready to catch me, if I fell.
He helped me sit back on the bed and knelt in front of me. I was exhausted.
„Let me," he said and pulled the pant leg the rest of the way off my left foot. Afterwards he did the same with the other leg while caressing my skin and holding my gaze. My breathing was becoming labored as I watched this Adonis kneeling in front of me looking at me with hungry eyes.
„You have no idea how beautiful you look right now," he said leaning forward caressing my cheek with his hand.
„Thanks," I whispered. He leaned in and gave me a soft kiss. His lips barely brushed against mine as my eyes fluttered closed. He kissed me softly but with so much tenderness my heart skipped a beat and then went into overdrive. I could feel the water gathering behind my eyelids from the elation I felt. I blinked my eyes open and was captured by his gaze on me unable to look away.
„You should lay down now. You need to sleep. And tomorrow you can lay in the sun. I don't like seeing you this defenseless." He said. I nodded weakly and let him guide me under my blanket. My eyes closing on their own accord as my head hit the pillow.
I could feel him caressing my cheek again.
„What are you doing to me my little Southern Belle?" Was the last thing I heard before I succumbed to a deep restful slumber.