AN: Tara realizes there's more out there than just vampires after meeting Eric Northman again, who has some questions for her and Sookie.

Writing for Tara is fun in itself, but writing for Eric always cracks me up lol I'm back guys, trying to get through my earlier stories locked away in drafts before new ideas start to consume me. I love seeing Tara in different situations and how she responds to it, I think she can handle anything with her tough attitude and throw in some humor... Princess Tara is chef's kiss for me :)

Eric's POV

Normally, Eric could control his fangs. Only when it came to trespassers, he was more than happy to give them a lesson in being cautious of the territory they chose to tread. Yet the two young ladies standing before him were no ordinary trespassers. There she was, in his sights once again. She still smelled incredible, and her friend did too. What was it about Tara that had captivated him the first night they met? It wasn't just her scent. Normally, women, even men were absolutely hypnotized by the mere sight of him. Only Tara didn't seem impressed so much as harboring a hostile curiosity. Never before in his life had he come across one who was as delectably scented as she, but he figured it may have been his lucky night, being that Tara and her companion each held the aroma and with it the intrigue that was going to safeguard their lives. For now at least. Their mere scent had to have some value to it, no human had ever smelled so promising without the taste to savor as well.

"And if I don't?" Eric raised a brow in challenge to Tara's assured stipulation that he was going to replace her cellular device. "What are you going to do?"

"Well, a whole region of people just saw you snatch it off on live streaming. It's not what I'm gonna do, it's what we're collectively gonna do. The idea of 'vampires'," she made air quotes. "ain't so popular around these parts,"

"They sure ain't," her friend chimed in. "But not everyone is so close minded. I mean, the way I see it, a stranger is just a friend you haven't met. Vampire or not," she added quickly.

He turned to her now. She seemed very receptive. "Oh, I doubt we're going to be friends. But I do plan on becoming well acquainted. What's your name, pumpkin?" He asked as his gaze devoured her.

"Sookie," she answered sharply. It was clear she didn't appreciate his mockery.

"Sookie. And Miss Tara Thornton,"

Sookie frowned. "Y'all know each other?"

"I don't know him,"

"We've met," Eric assured Sookie. Why Tara was being so difficult was part of her intrigue, she'd been that way since their first encounter and his determination to get to the bottom of why only grew. "She was a waitress, here before I bought this place. A damn good one too, if I do recall. I've only seen you in action once, but it was evident you had a loyal clientele,"

Tara rolled her eyes. "And if I had known Bud was giving this up so you can turn in into a vampire bar, me and everyone here would have talked him out of it,"

"How's that severance pay treating you? Did you focus on school or did you find work with… what was his name…" he looked at Sookie's t-shirt which had the green Merlotte's logo. "Ahh, yes. Merlotte's Bar and Grill?"

She crossed her arms now, while Sookie looked between them with a huge question mark on her face. "What do you want Eric? All this information you've collected on me sure as hell didn't come from me, so why? What's with the curiosity?"

A no-nonsense type. Even better. He preferred to get straight to the point, or at least as much as her human mind could comprehend. Only she had to be something beyond human.

"Please. Come inside,"

What followed was an interesting silent exchange between the two women, with Tara vigorously shaking her head no, while Sookie nodded yes and pulled on her friend's arm. Tara yanked her hand away and huffed, finally saying, "Fine. If he kills our asses, I'm gonna be pissed at you for eternity in heaven,"

Eric laughed. If his senses were correct in their detection of their collective scent, as well as evidenced by that comment. both women were as of yet untouched by man. Or beast. Dawn certainly wasn't. He wondered what became of her after he glamoured her away.

"If I was going to kill either of you, I wouldn't have wasted any time," he said as he led them to the front entrance. "You've seen how quickly I can move, haven't you? That wouldn't be advantageous, besides… what makes you think you're going to heaven?"

He sensed a languid shoulder lift. "I haven't done anything wrong,"

Turning around to peer down at Sookie, then Tara. "Oh? Are we… innocent?"

She only scowled at him.

"How long have you been a vampire?" The blonde suddenly asked quietly.

Eric opened the door and stepped aside. "A very very, very… long time,"

Sookie raised her brows. "Oh fudge. You must have met a lot of interesting people,"

He gestured for them to step inside. Sookie went first, followed by a still skeptical Tara. After closing the door and settling at the bar with Eric behind the counter, he offered the ladies hard and soft drinks, pouring a glass of cranberry juice for the blond and water for Tara.

"Aren't you going to drink anything?" She asked, once again giving him her all knowing expression.

"The bar isn't yet thriving with nightlife. Studies have shown that the scent of our synthetic blood is unfavorable to humans unless the aroma of beer and spirits are in the air," he replied with a plastic smile.

"Real considerate of you,"

Eric's smile darkened. "Only because if you were going to gag on my floors, I'd rather it be for a different reason," It was clear his comment ruffled the feathers of Tara and intrigued Sookie. "I take it you've come here because you've got questions. Do not hesitate to ask, I will answer anything I can,"

"Why can't we do this on camera?"

"During first looks, the audience gets exclusive but filtered access. Vampires are private by nature and when we choose to share, it's not for everyone. You two have an opportunity for an unfiltered, raw experience to learn a little bit about vampires,"

Sookie suddenly cleared her throat. "Well I'll ask the question we've all been wondering. Do you kill for survival?"

"Most vampires are quite ancient and come from a time where killing for survival was necessary,"

"Do you drain people of their blood when you feed on them?" Tara asked. Her hostile nature was intriguing being that it seemed to clash with her curiosity about vampires.

"It's not necessary to kill who you drink from, no. Not unless a vampire has sustained major injuries that would need assistance healing. That would require more blood,"

"Sunlight,"

"Right."

"Garlic?" Sookie asked.

"Garlic is more offensive in odor than harmful,"

Sookie smiled and a shadow of the same expression appeared on Tara's lips until it was replaced with an O of curiosity. "Can you hypnotize people?" She asked quickly.

Internally pleased she invited an opportunity to demonstrate what he could do, Eric leaned over the counter and peered into her chocolate brown eyes, ensnaring her in his influence. "Tell me, have you ever had naughty thoughts about Sookie, here?"

"What kinda fucking question is that?"

"Eric, you may be a vampire but you will talk to us like the ladies we are!" Sookie snapped. She was feisty too!

"Vampire or not, all men are the same damn way,' Tara remarked, shaking her head. They exchanged a look and a silent nod. Eric wasn't often surprised but he'd never met a human who hadn't obliged his request. When glamouring someone, they were always compelled into immediate fulfillment of a vampire's request. Taken aback, he kept his composure as he stood straight.

"I was glamouring you. Typically vampires can glamour any human into doing their bidding. And you don't smell like a human. Neither of you do,"

"Well, Sookie and I are as human as they come," Tara gave a tight smile and wrapped her arms around her chest. "Most people are sheep, and we're not. Why are vampires coming out now?"

"Capitalism. What are you?"

"So Tru Blood is really a front,"

"Depends on the vampire. What are you?"

Eric looked between both women. Tara was stone faced and Sookie was having an internal struggle before she released a deep breath. "It's not like everyone doesn't already know. I can read minds, I'm telepathic, but I'm certainly human,"

Accepting that, he turned to Tara. "And you?"

"Human like I said," she said emphasizing her words with her southern drawl and a scowl.

"So you two haven't been communicating telepathically this whole time?"

"Tara's not telepathic, I am,"

"You're something beyond human. The both of you," Eyeing Tara, he said, "You should embrace it, Tara. It could save your life one day. It may already have,"

Her discomfort with the conversation was growing. Eric could sense her fight or flight instinct flaring.

"From a vampire? You're giving us the rundown, right? I'll be fine,"

"Miss…?" He looked to Sookie.

"Stackhouse,"

"Just a minute, Miss Stackhouse," he gave her a soft smile before turning back to Tara. "Unfortunately there will be no rundown for you. As the mere human you claim to be, there are things it would be a danger for you to be privy to. Miss Thornton will have to excuse herself. You understand. Unless you have some supernatural confession, you must go,"

"Say less." She clenched her jaw and stepped off the stool, fixing a glare on him until she tore her eyes away to speak to Sookie. "I'll wait outside,"

"Go ahead and head on home. He won't hurt either of us, it wouldn't be advantageous to,"

Tara clicked her tongue. "Sookie, no,"

"I'll be fine, I'll catch a cab,"

"Call me, if you need anything," she emphasized her phrase intentionally. Her evasiveness was intriguing, still he figured he'd get to the bottom of it with Sookie. What they actually were that made her telepathic.

The two girls hugged before Tara regarded Eric once more. "How do you become a vampire? Can you tell me that at least?"

Eric stepped around the counter and slowly made his way towards her. "It's a deeply sensual and intimate exchange shared between a Maker and his progeny. Each party has to be certain they want to walk this world together, forever,"

He stared her down and it was almost as if he was able to glamour her. Until she finally turned away and sauntered out of the door, flaunting her haughty attitude.

He watched her leave and turned a charming smile on Sookie. "Now, Miss Stackhouse. Tell me more about your abilities,"

"Dean what in the heck are you doing all the way out here?! Come here, boy," Tara patted her legs and summoned the stray collie that she and Sookie had informally adopted from Sam, who loved animals, still his properties had no pet policies. He was always lurking near Merlotte's, sometimes their homes. Except this was Shreveport! He'd traveled a long distance and it was obvious he was looking for some familiarity now that he'd spotted Tara. She decided he was coming home with her and she'd release him at Sookie's.

"Come on, baby," Dean ran to her and jumped up, putting his paws on her thighs as he wagged his tail and licked her face. "Aww, I missed you too! Let's get you home,"

She opened the car door and took one last look at Fangtasia before she got into her car and headed for the main road.

Vampires. Vampires were fucking real! And they were integrating themselves into society. The undead was probably already a part of influencing politics and that didn't seem like the greatest idea, especially if they could glamour humans into doing their bidding. What if they didn't actually want to Mainstream? Vampires were as fast as The Flash and she was willing to bet that speed came with the strength of Superman with the way Eric crushed her cellphone to bits in his bare hand.

That damn Eric Northman! What was his deal, trying to intimidate her since day one? He was cold, calculating, and lecherous in his dealings, something she was grateful Bud clearly wanted to protect her from. Tara wanted nothing to do with the undead blonde. If it wasn't for the same feeling of dread that took her Magic Man away from her nightlife, she'd stay away. If she could come to some semblance of understanding with Eric, she had so many questions she was hoping he could answer. She knew she needed to bring her emotions down first. The way her pulse spiked when he sprang up on her car and snatched her phone!

She could have used her abilities for evil and made him walk into traffic. Only the fact that he was a vampire and it didn't work on him was something she'd only admit to herself.

As Tara was pulling into Sookie's driveway, she turned to check on Dean who had just fallen asleep.

"We're home, boy. Let's go get some dinner and then you go back to Merlotte's. I'll put in a good word for you with Sookie, just give me like a day or two. We got a lot to process and sleep on," she laughed out loud. "If only that was the damn truth, I ain't had a good night's sleep in about a year,"

Tara parked the car and shut off the ignition. She stepped out and went to open the rear door on the drivers. She pulled it open and when she saw a lightly tanned hairy leg step out, she screamed and slammed the door shut on the leg. Someone was in her car this whole time! And now they knew where she lived! Fearing for her life and wondering what they'd done to Dean, she raced towards Sookie's porch, fumbling with her keys.

"Tara, wait!"

Though the voice sounded familiar, she couldn't be bothered to turn around. It could have been a vampire and though she hadn't had a chance to ask Eric, she was banking on the invitation legend to save her life if it was a vampire. If it wasn't, Sookie's parents' shotgun would do.

Thanking her lucky stars when she succeeded in quickly unlocking the door, she rushed inside. Before she could close the door, she saw Dean rush up the steps. He must have sensed her fear! He was always looking out for his girls. There was no sign of the man in her car. Tara slammed the door shut and locked it, peeking out of the window.

Still no sign of him.

"Come here, Dean," she crouched down and hugged the dog closely. "I'm so sorry about that. It's gonna be okay, I'll get the shotgun ready,"

She stood up and beckoned him to follow. The dog whined instead and stayed put.

"What's wrong, baby? We gotta move,"

Dean seemed to get taller and Tara realized he was growing as he stood. Suddenly his fur melted away and his features changed… she couldn't believe her eyes when the dog in front of her warped his body into a fully nude Sam Merlotte. He held his hands up in appeasement. "It's just me, Tara. I'm not gonna hurt you,"

Her eyes rolled back as her world faded to black.

When Tara opened her eyes, she saw Sam sitting in Gran's recliner that had been in the Stackhouse home forever. Wrapped around his body was Tara's royal blue robe. She hoped it was because he'd come over and had a spill, not because of the memory she had of him going from dog to naked man.

"Hey, how you feeling?" He asked.

"Why you in my robe?" She asked as she sat up.

"I had to put on something, I figured it'd look better if Sookie came home and found you passed out, I'm not standing over you naked,"

Tara laid back down, staring blankly at the ceiling. "You were really a dog in my living room, then you were you butt naked,"

"And then you fainted,"

She covered her eyes. "I think I need to lie down,"

"You are,"

She sat up again and faced Sam with an imploring expression. "Why were you a dog, Sam? How the fuck is that even possible?"

"It's my go to when I shift. I'm a shapeshifter, I can shift into any animal. I never knew how it's possible, it just was. Until I met another shifter. Only she's gone now,"

Her eyes widened. "You talking about Luna?! Was she a shapeshifter too?"

Sam nodded. "Apparently it's genetic, if one or both of your parents can shift… the kid can too,"

"Sam, Luna's been gone for almost six months and you trying to get with me without telling me that you can change into mother freaking animals?!" She furrowed her brows. "And you wanted to sleep with me! Don't you think that's something you should tell somebody before sleeping with them?"

"If it is, I apologize. But at least I'm letting you know now before we sleep together, right?" His voice was meant to sound reassuring, and yet somehow, Tara detected bull hockey. Dean had fallen asleep in the car the last time she checked and when she looked again, it was Sam in his human form.

"Did it wear off when you fell asleep?"

"Yeah that… always happens…"

Tara shrieked. "Ugh! You weren't planning on telling me, Sam!"

He held his hands up in an effort to calm her. "Hey, hey, I was planning on telling you. Was just waiting for the right time. Maybe a time when we could both share some locked away parts of ourselves,"

Oh, he would go there! "I told you, I am not discussing the dreams," she said with the sharpest, most deliberate tone she could muster.

A soft glare formed in his eyes. "But you sure could discuss it with Dean,"

She wasn't going to do it. Tara told herself she wasn't going to do it anymore, since she cared about Sam enough to let him maintain his freewill. He wasn't simple minded the way Jason was and he could handle a logical explanation even in the case of heightened emotions. Only, she didn't have a logical explanation. That left her with no choice but to deflect and redirect his thinking.

I'm gonna head home. I'm too tired to have this conversation. She pressed the thought into his head. Sam's expression softened and he yawned. All of a sudden, he looked down at his hand, examining his fingernails, and frowned back up at Tara.

"What are you doing?"

"What are you talking about?"

He stood up and marched over to her, squatting before her. "You're trying to make me forget something, aren't you?"

She stared him straight in the eye. "No I'm not," she whispered.

"Tara, I don't know what it is but you're trying to make me forget. I was trying to talk to you about something important after you found out I'm a shifter and then I felt fed up with this shit and was gonna go home… until I remembered you've done this before,"

You got all that from looking at your hands?

"What did you do, Tara? What are you?"

She shook her head, feigning confusion. "I'm a waitress, a law student…"

"No, you know what I mean. You're something beyond human, that's how you can make me forget. Just be honest for once! Stop holding back! You won't tell me about your dreams, you won't tell me what you are, you make me forget shit and you have Jason so confused he doesn't even-"

"I dunno!"

Sam leaned back and raised his brows.

"I don't know what I am, Sam! Probably a freak, and I swear I don't dream anymore. Can you just stop fuckin pressing me," she stood up and paced around the room. "Why does it have to be something beyond human? Maybe I'm just crazy, you know my mama drank while I was in utero,"

He caught her mid pace and halted her. "You're not a freak and you aren't that crazy," he rubbed her arms and smiled at her as she smirked up at him. "It's a supernatural thing, I can sense it. It's like your pheromones are different from humans. You and Sookie, it's kinda similar. She can tell what people are thinking, I'm guessing you can somehow influence thoughts,"

"Yeah, and you see how shitty people treat us? They see my melanin and have all these rumors about her. And they don't even know about me!" She sighed and went to lean an elbow against the fireplace mantle. "And I don't want them to, they don't need to know, and as far as Sookie's concerned, they're just rumors. And it needs to stay that way,"

So the cat was out of the bag. Tara guessed that was fair since Sam's shifter nature had been exposed.

"Your secret's safe with me. I just don't get why you're so interested in scoping out the vampires if you're so intimidated by your own nature?"

"I've never met anyone who wasn't a normal human. At least I didn't think I did," a thought crossed her mind. "Have you ever met a vampire?"

"I've come across a few. It wasn't pretty. That's why I keep a silver buckle on my belt," he looked down at the robe. "Well, when I'm wearing my jeans,"

"What does silver do?"

"Burns them like a hot iron. You press silver to a vampire's skin and it sizzles like bacon on the griddle,"

"How do you know that?" Tara was partly fascinated and partly horrified until Sam answered her question.

"I had to fend off a vampire a few times. Silvered them and staked them right through the heart. You win a fight with a vampire and you don't kill them, you'll end up dead soon after,"

"You were attacked? When?"

"Last one was about a year ago,"

Her face dropped. About a year ago was when the dreams stopped. Sam couldn't be talking about him. What if he was turned vampire and murdered?

"What'd he look like?"

"Long dark hair, very pale,"

"Blue eyes?"

"Maybe, I'm not so sure, it all happened so fast,"

Oh my god! Sam killed him! He killed loverboy...

"She was in some ancient 1800s get up though,"

Oh, thank goodness! Sam didn't kill her man man, therefore she didn't need to make an enemy out of him. And he'd given her some very useful information regarding the only vampire she made the acquaintance of.

"Do you think vampires are going to be a problem?" Tara asked.

"I wouldn't get mixed up with them if I were you. Or Sookie. You shouldn't have went to Fangtasia, Tara. If anything would've happened to you-"

"It didn't. I'm fine, Sam. So is Sookie," She nodded reassuringly. "She'll be home soon. I'm gonna make some tea and call it a night,"

"What kind of tea are we having?"

She laughed as she headed towards the kitchen. "We are not having anything, you're going home,"

"You think you're going to keep avoiding this conversation? We still have things we need to discuss. We could do it over tea,"

"There's too much on my mind, and I need to study," she opened the back door for him. "Please, let me just sleep on it. Now go home, before someone catches you running naked in the woods again,"

He hesitated a beat before he sighed and pulled her in for a hug to press a gentle kiss to her lips.

"Don't hide from me anymore, Tara. And I won't either,"

Tara closed the door once he left and settled into a seat at the kitchen table. She put her head down and sighed. Vampires and shapeshifters, mind reading/manipulating pheromones that she couldn't even discern the root of. This morning, the most complicated thing in her life was studying for a bachelor's degree. Now, her world was expanding to include things that went bump in the night. What else was out there?

Elijah's POV

Outside of Fangtasia, rage nearly took over Elijah's ability to restrain himself. When he opened the car door, the scent was off. Something about it was almost familiar, as if he could recall it, though it was new. It wasn't her. She was already gone.

"James… how long have we been driving?"

"It took us two hours to get here. It would have been just over one hour but we got pulled over three times," the young man answered shakily.

"I told you to outrun the authorities," he shook his head. Damn James! If only he hadn't driven so slow or stopped to humor the policeman, maybe she'd still be in the parking lot. She wasn't in Fangtasia.

A yellow vehicle pulled into the parking lot and paused by the entrance. The door to the establishment opened and a young blonde stepped out, heading towards the yellow vehicle. She carried the scent that was heavy in the air. Only Elijah had never seen her before. He decided he'd follow her and she'd lead him to the scent, the essence, the girl he was actually looking for.

"Follow that girl," Elijah instructed James.

Before James could move an inch, Northman appeared at his window. The boy yelped as the Viking vampire pulled the door open.

"Shit man, don't do that!"

Ignoring him, Northman smirked at Elijah.

"Elijah Stormer. Who's your friend, pumpkin?"

He stepped out of the vehicle and walked around to the other vampire.

"This is James. He's mine,"

"Why do you and your pet want to follow that delightfully scented human?" He asked.

"I had to lure you out here somehow,"

"Good. Because she is mine,"

Northman could have her! Now that she was out of his reach anyway. The bar would be opening soon and she was getting involved with Eric Northman. She'd be back.

"I'm guessing it's happening here too, if you're getting territorial over humans. And here I thought you'd have a better handle on the vampires in your area, sheriff,"

The smug look on his face told Elijah that Northman wasn't buying his bull. Still, he couldn't tell him why he was actually here. He'd want her for himself, just like the girl who'd just left the building.

"You know what's interesting. You turning down being sheriff of your area and giving it to Lorena instead, who we all know is unhinged as they come. And your area is the one infested with vampire attacks, humans gone missing. Sound familiar?"

Elijah didn't blink. "It's a political move. My rank will rise when I see it fit,"

"Or your sheriff is turning a blind eye to your savage ways. Are you paying her in blood? Are you procuring, Elijah? Maybe bringing it to her in other ways…"

He laughed. "It is just like you to think teamwork is blackmail, bribery, or seduction. If you'd pay attention to the actual climate of things, you'd know that it's not just in my area. It's all over Louisiana, and you know what we think, over in the monarchy?" He stepped closer, leaning in. "The Sanguinistas are back,"

He looked up at Northman, who's smug expression faded.

"That's what I'm investigating. All areas. It started in hers. If there are no attacks here, I can move on, shortly. Can you account for all of your territory's vampires?"

"Of course I can,"

There was no doubt in Elijah's mind that the Viking hadn't figured out the extent of the attacks going on, but it was now going to shift his focus. Finding Tara could be done with some peace from the sheriff's intervention.

"I'll be in touch then," he walked around, back to his side of the car. "And Eric, I'm looking forward to your opening night. I certainly hope this place doesn't get overrun by the Sanguinistas. James, shall we?"

The young man nodded and slid back inside his car, while Northman continued to stand there in his attempt to appear intimidating and menacing.

"Drive." Elijah ordered while still eye fucking Northman through the window. Their eyes were locked until James pulled out of the lot.

"Where are we going?" He asked.

"Into the woods,"

"What for?"

"Didn't I tell you to cease your questions? If I think you should know something, I will tell you," Suddenly a barrage of questions flooded Elijah's eardrums and the pounding of the human's heartbeat was unbearable. He growled and covered his ears. "Quiet, I need to think!"

"I didn't say anything,"

Looking over at James, Elijah realized it was true. He wasn't speaking again, yet his voice was sounding in his head. As sudden as it came on, it stopped. That was weird. He knew he wasn't dreaming. There was only one person he could hear in his dreams, even when she was quiet.

Clearly Tara is in denial! But she has a lot to reconcile, so we will see how she handles that!