EPOV

I'm surprised when Sookie kisses me with such fervor, though I probably shouldn't be at this point. It's just that sometimes the differences between this Sookie, my Sookie, and the other one are staggering. It's not as if she wasn't passionate, she was but it didn't go much deeper than that. Sookie doesn't waste any time turning herself around to straddle me so that she can slowly line herself up and push herself down around me. I growl at the feeling, fucking always feels good but there's something about her that makes it exquisite.

I place my hands on her hips as she slowly moves up and down and swivels her hips. My hands trail up to her stomach, cupping the underside of her breasts, using my thumbs to run over her nipples. I bend forward and lick a trailing droplet of water from her abdomen up to her breast and finish when I take her nipple in my mouth and roll it around my tongue causing a breathy moan and a faster pace from her. I let her have control for a while, enjoying watching what she does to me but I feel the water getting colder, not enough to bother me but I notice when I'm licking and biting her skin she has goosebumps. So I grab onto her legs, which are still straddling me, and wrap them tightly around me before standing up and using my vamp speed to get us into the bed and under the covers.

When we land on the bed, her legs are still wrapped tightly around me but now I'm thrusting into her and she's moaning into my ear. I quicken my pace, hearing her heartbeat and breathing quicken, knowing she's getting close. I move my hand down between us to her center, putting pressure on her clit, and moving my finger around quickly. Her moans gain in strength and speed, begging me for more, to move faster, to fuck her harder, to make her cum.

Sookie talking dirty unleashes something in me, I growl, pull out of her, flip her so that she's on her hands and knees, and am inside her, fucking her again before she has a chance to breathe. I grab her waist before sliding my hand around the front of her and start to play with her again, feeling her tighten around me, as she's cumming I move back up and wrap my arm around her waist I know I won't last much longer either, I use my arm to pull her upwards so that she is laying her weight on my chest, her breathing hard and her eyes closed. Start to kiss and bite her neck, moving up to her chin, jaw, then mouth, and kiss her deeply.

I slow down my thrusts, pull out further, fuck her deeper, hear her moan into my mouth as she slowly climbs closer to orgasm again. I move my mouth from hers, trail my lips to her ear, and suck it into my mouth. It isn't long before she's close again, I bite my wrist and reach around to put it in front of her. She wraps her hands around my arm as she pulls it to her mouth and drinks. The feel of my blood entering her is the thing that throws me over the edge. I let my fangs down and growl my pleasure as I bite into her shoulder, prolonging her pleasure and making our second blood exchange.

After coming down from my orgasm I place my hands on her hips and move us so we're laying down on the bed. I'd know how worn out she is even without the bond and our second exchange, I run my hand up and down her chest, feeling a gleam of sweat from her intense workout. I kiss the top of her head feeling her relax more and more until she is almost completely asleep. We still have not left our room since I rose, first sharing a bath together and getting the scent of the wet dog off her, then moving to the bed and making our second blood exchange, it doesn't surprise me that she is worn out. Though right before she falls asleep she lifts her head to look at me seriously.

"Did you speak to the Weres you had following me when I had lunch today?"

I smirk, I specifically told them to keep a 300-yard distance from her because I know well by now how far her telepathy reaches. "No I have not had a chance to call them back, you've thoroughly distracted me, lover."

"I had some other Weres following me today too, they made my guards so didn't attack but they're planning on coming back to find a time when I'm not with them or to come with enough people that they can take me with force." The smug look drains from my face and anger replaces it, my fangs come down without my conscious thought.

"Sookie, you must tell me these things immediately, I need to put proper precautions in place. For now, I do not think it wise for you to leave throughout the day. We have to be safe, we need to figure out what our next moves are and move forward with them because I will not allow my bonded to live in fear, especially in the town we call home."

I'm confused when Sookie smiles widely at me, I'm not sure what on earth in this situation she could find exciting, or feel this much joy in the bond. It's a moment later that it hit me, I called her my bonded. Hmm, I'm not sure how I feel about that, I suppose it shouldn't bother me at all, I was the one to initiate the second exchange tonight. It's… unsettling I decide, the last time I was bonded to someone, the only time, did not turn out well and it is not as simple to get past as I hoped it would be. It is okay though, I've already come to terms with the differences between this Sookie and the other one, I don't foresee Sookie making the same choices as her counterpart and I feel her certainty when she thinks about the bond and wanting to finish it.

"I meant to tell you, you just distracted me in the bath as soon as you woke up, I didn't have a chance to. Then I was just too focused on… other things." It still surprises me that she still blushes even after all that we've done and seen of each other over the last few days, especially tonight. I smirk, she does have a point, I was very focused on my goal of getting the dog's scent off her.

"Were you able to hear who sent the Weres?"

"DeCastro. Or, at least they were supposed to bring me back to Vegas."

"He's a problem, and he's getting more bold. From what I gathered, he has no reason to think this is necessary, as far as he's concerned as soon as my pledging with Freyda is ruled null and void I'm right back firmly in his hands to do with as he pleases, and by extension you as well."

I see Sookie's anger as well as feel it, she keeps a level head though, which is something else that is new for her. "Well, then why would he feel the need to try to capture me?"

"There are a few possible reasons, perhaps he knows me well enough to know that I will not willingly sign on to work for him again and wants to give me incentive to comply. Or perhaps he's grown tired of having me as the middle man between him and you, he could want you closer and have access to you whenever he wishes."

"Yeah well, he's got another thing coming to him. He's never seen my microwave fingers before so I'll just zap him if I have to."

"Yes, I've never seen these 'microwave fingers' either. Can you do it on command?"

"Yes you have, it's how I gave you my light. I used to have no control at all, it only came out when people I cared about were in trouble and it wasn't enough to kill anyone, it'd just stun them. Then when I came here Niall taught me some techniques and I've been practicing them. That along with going to the Faery and drinking from the fountain, yeah I can do it when I need to. Though I haven't used it yet since I got the power boost so I don't know how much damage it will do."

"Well, I was a little preoccupied when that happened, humor me, and let me see."

She looks weary, "Eric, it's supposed to hurt people, the only reason that it didn't hurt you before was because it was a different type of light but I don't think I have it anymore, I gave it all to you. I don't want to hurt you."

"I'm not asking you to shoot me with it, I just want to have an idea of what you're working with. It is important to know so that we can plan accordingly. I know you Sookie, and if we decide to overthrow DeCastro, I know that you will demand to come. I must know how well you are able to defend yourself."

She looks unsure for another moment before nodding and sitting up, which leaves her straddling me, and then holding her hand out. After a few seconds when I feel her intense concentration in the bond, a bright light emanates from her hand. It starts off small but grows to encompass almost her whole hand. I don't feel any warning alarms going off with my vampire instincts, in fact, the light feels welcoming. There's a thrumming inside me at the center of my chest that is reaching for the light and I realize that must be where the light Sookie gave me is held.

I quickly go through the possible consequences of my actions and realize the worst that would happen is a bad burn that would take a few days to heal so I reach forward using my vampire speed so that she doesn't have the chance to stop me and lay my hand atop hers. I see her panic for a moment so I push some calm into her through the bond, although the bond is not complete, I'm still able to do it, just not to the normal extent. That small burst of calm is all she needs though because it slows her down long enough to let her see that I'm not in pain or being injured."

"Wait the light doesn't hurt you at all? The fountain was supposed to make me stronger, not weaker!"

"I do not think it's your strength that is stopping me from getting hurt, it's the fairy bond. I feel it inside me and it's almost pulling towards the light on your hand. I think our bond protects me, I do not think other vampires would be so lucky."

She thinks over my words before eventually nodding. "Okay that makes sense, I think. Wait, does that mean that the other things the other Eric told me could happen, will?"

I feel a flash of jealousy hearing her talk about the other version of me, the one she originally fell for but I'm able to push it down quickly. Hmm, if what he said is true, there could be a lot to gain now that we've bonded in that way. "What was it he said that he gained? He can teleport to her," That thought is hard to wrap my mind around, truthfully, "talk to each other telepathically, and his protection against the sun, yes?"

"Yeah, as well as going to sleep and waking up as he needed to, he didn't have to go to bed when the sun rose, and when he was sleeping, it wasn't like he was dead for the day, she was able to wake him up easily, nothing compared to trying to wake you up at the pyramid of Giza." My smirk turns a little softer remembering that night, though they weren't all great memories, and she was not fond of me at the time she cared enough about me to make sure I made it out of there alive. She didn't worry about Bill or others, she almost died making sure I was safe. I know for certain if it wasn't for her, Pam and I would have met the true death.

'Eric, can you hear me?' It's not often that I'm scared, and even less often that I show that fear but when I hear what sounds like Sookie's voice inside my head as I'm looking at her and sure her mouth does not move, I jump, scared, I'm sure my eyes are wide and my mouth agape. It only takes a moment to right my features but is clear that it isn't quick enough because Sookie is smiling as if she's trying to hold in a laugh.

Seeing her humor I growl at her and quickly roll us around so that I am the one on top of her, my mouth at her neck, growling at her as if I am angry, though I am not. I let my fangs come down and run them down her throat In threat "What is so funny, lover?"

She has the audacity to laugh at one point making a sound similar to a pig's snort, "You should have seen your face Eric, I've never seen you look so-so, undignified."

I put my fangs away and take her neck into my mouth biting down enough to make her gasp and smell the sweet scent of her arousal start to enter the room. I pull back because although I'd love to ravish her again, I just had someone talk to me using telepathy and that needs to have my complete attention right now. "Do it again."

'What do you want me to say?' I manage to keep my face blank this time, more ready for it.

"Do all fairy couples have the ability to do this?"

"I'm not sure, a lot of fairies are telepathic, I think. Or at least that is how it is in the other dimension. Maybe it's like our own little wavelength, like one that no other telepaths would be able to hear? If not I'd say it's a pretty silly ability for full fairy couples."

"Yes, that'd make the most sense," I say, still pondering the possibilities.

'You try now.'

"How?" I ask out loud, still unsure how to even attempt such a thing.

"Just think something you want to tell me while thinking at me, if that makes sense? I don't know, other telepaths would know exactly what I mean but I could see how that'd be confusing to a normie."

"A normie?" I'm sure I sound as offended as I feel, I've never once in my life been lumped in that category and I have no intention of doing so now, especially by my woman.

She laughs again, "It's nothing bad, Eric, it's just the word I use for everyone else in the world other than the few telepaths I've met."

"Yes well, don't do it again."

She's lucky I enjoy the sound of her laughter because no one in centuries has gotten away with laughing at me as much as she has in the last few minutes. I feel her mood change to impish I have no clue what she has planned. She nods seriously at me, "Yes, master."

My fangs are down and my cock is hard almost immediately after her words, I do not think she really understands what her submission would mean to me. I know she's saying it in jest but I hope sooner or later, I'll get her to submit to me completely in bed.

I start to move my body forward, ready to take her again but stop myself. Fuck, what this woman does to me, I must stay focused, we have many potentially life or death events happening over the next few weeks and I cannot spend all the time leading up to them only thinking about getting Sookie naked and under me.

I take an unneeded breath, though my lungs do not need to move in order to keep me alive, a deep breath now and again calms me, centers me. It's something that has lasted through the turn of my human life. Breathing exercises were taught to me by my father when I was first learning how to become a warrior and I've used them ever since. They've saved my life more than a few times over the centuries.

'Sookie?' I feel foolish for even attempting such a thing, it seems almost inconceivable to think a vampire could have this ability.

'Hi!' Her voice in my head sounds as excited as it would be if she had said that out loud.

'Fuck.' That's the only thing I can think to say, uh think, for a moment.

"Right?! How crazy is this? I bet we could find a lot of different ways to have fun with this!"

I smirk at her but right now my train of thought is stuck on the logistical and tactical advantages of such an ability. This also makes me wonder which, if any, of the other abilities I would get that the other version of me had. I wouldn't even begin to know how to attempt teleportation. I listen to the inner clock that is innate to all vampires and realize that the sun is due to rise in only about an hour, maybe a few minutes less. I will attempt to stay awake as long as possible and decide if I'm willing to touch sunlight if I do not feel the need to sleep or feel unsafe.

I'm about to say as much to Sookie when my phone rings, I sit up, putting my legs on the floor, and reach over to where my jeans are lying on the floor, grab my phone, and answer it, "Pamela, what on earth could be as important to interrupt me right now?"

"You're still fucking? Fuck Eric, even for you that has got to be a record, especially because Sookie's human, I doubt her fairy blood would keep her going this long."

"Pamela," I say with warning in my tone."

"No, really, I want to know that she is okay, I need proof of life or something."

I growl making my point but because of my blood Sookie's hearing must be better than I thought because she speaks loud enough that Pam can hear her, "Hi Pam!"

"Oh, good, she's alive." She says in her dry sarcastic tone, as if she doesn't care at all.

"What is the reason you called, Pamela?"

"I was thinking that it'd be best for you to come to Fangtasia to have our meeting. I've had my witches ward it to Kingdom Come, this is the safest place to speak without worrying about being overheard. Plus, the vermin miss you, it's gotten out that you're back in town and they've been coming in droves in the hope of catching sight of you."

"Is that right? And how have the humans heard I'm back in town, I wonder?"

"I might have told them, it's really boosted sales this last week."

I hold in the urge to sigh, that was my least favorite part of owning Fangtasia, especially after Sookie came along. The fangbanger trash that was my offerings every night used to be acceptable, sometimes even enjoyable but didn't hold a candle, much less my interest, after Sookie entered my bar that first night. However, this is for Pam, plus I trust her when she says she feels this is the safest place to speak. I look over at Sookie and see her already nodding encouragingly. "Alright, we'll be there this evening."

"Perfect," She purrs, "I'll speak to Karin and make sure she's here too."

"Good. Is there anything else?"

"No."

I hang up the phone and throw it on the nightstand. I don't have to ask Sookie why she is feeling exasperated, I already know of her aversion to the phone manners of supes. I look over to where my phone landed and see a stack of papers, I reach for them wondering what they are when Sookie speaks.

"Oh, right, I forgot about those, I've kinda gotten used to living in a hotel." She giggles, "Those are the houses your person sent over. Well, that's not all of them, they're the ones I like best."

"Hmm," I humm while quickly reading and looking through the options, of the seven, all but two fit my necessities, including location and room for expansion if necessary. The small problems I see with a few of them are easily fixed with a contractor. "Which one is your favorite?"

Sookie crawls over and rests her head over my shoulder so that she can see which ones I'm currently looking at. "Oh it doesn't matter Eric, it'll be your house, plus, they're all beautiful."

"Sookie, I wouldn't have asked if I didn't want to know the answer." In time she won't be so skittish about my money and spending it, I hope anyway, she is one of the most stubborn people I've ever met.

She stays quiet for a few moments, I'm not sure if she's considering her answer or considering answering the question at all. She reaches and grabs the five-bedroom villa-esque house. Not the largest of the properties by far but more than enough for our needs. Of course, it has a pool, which is a necessity for my Sookie, along with a large gated yard so that she may sunbathe in peace. There are places where I can have guards stationed that won't interfere with us so that she can feel comfortable in her own home. A large kitchen, which doesn't mean much to me but Sookie will like, along with two light safe rooms already built in, and the master bedroom could easily be made light tight as well.

"Eric…" She says almost wearily. I look at her and quirk my brow. "I just, well, I mean if you're looking for houses here, does that mean that we're planning on staying?"

I understand why she is so unsure, if we stay here that means inevitably there will be a fight for king as I am not going to let DeCastro's machinations fuck with us indefinitely. I have an urge to leave, I know I can be content wherever we go, as long as Sookie is there with me. Sookie on the other hand, just because she's willing to move doesn't mean she actually wants to. I know I can beat DeCastro, it won't be easy, and it'll take a lot of planning in a little ammount of time but it's doable. I'd have to defeat him before I'm signed back under his rule, it'd be less dangerous for me because if I wait until I'm his subject again, killing him would be seen as an act of treason, and would open me up to repercussions from the council yet again. Plus I'd gain the reputation of not being trustworthy, which is not a good reputation for a new king to have.

"Yes, that is the plan as of now. It'll be more set in stone this evening when we meet at Fangtasia, I need to know for sure who will fight with me, and if it's feasible with the number of people I have."

"Eric, I thought we were going to leave, I was serious when I said I was okay with that!" She says as she pulls back from me so I turn to face her.

I rest my hand on her cheek and use my thumb to rub it gently. "I know you are Sookie, but just because you're willing to, doesn't mean you actually want to. Plus, it's probably about time I take a kingdom for myself, though I do not relish the idea of ruling it is the only way to ensure that I make the rules and that we are safe."

I don't have the same aspirations as DeCastro, so I do not need to be king of three states, therefore it'd be easier and safer to give them to other deserving vampires, less work for me as well. I won't be such a large target if I don't have as much valuable real estate.

"Eric, no! That's dangerous and I won't let you put yourself at risk like that just because I'm too much of a baby to be excited about leaving my hometown!" Let's just go, tonight even! Anywhere, I don't care! I could get into having 23 out of 24 hours a day with you, I did some research about the midnight sun places, and isn't the area around Sweden? You told me you wanted to show me where you're from before, well told Lucky Sookie anyway but same difference. Oh! Damn, we can't go tonight because we have to be here for the council vote next week but we can go right after. In fact, that's better, it'll give me time to see Jason and get Sam to buy me out of my portion of the bar. Let's do t…"

"Sookie, take a breath, you humans need it if I remember correctly," I say cutting her off, she's starting to turn red. "I'm not worried about winning the battle, it comes with risks, of course, but I've spent all of my long life weighing risks versus rewards and I would not go through with it if I didn't think it was worth it."

She scoffs, "Eric, I've seen you put yourself in terrible situations before that left us with little to no chance of survival."

"Yes, but that was only when you or Pam's life were at risk. Sookie, let me make this perfectly clear, I'd do anything to make sure you and my progeny are safe and alive, including meeting the true death. I would also do a lot to ensure and secure your happiness but I would not let us die for it."

"I don't know, Eric. Let's say you do win, which of course you will, then what? You'll have to spend all your time working and ruling, being stressed out. I thought having a boyfriend who was a sheriff was bad but a king?"

"Sookie, there will be downsides, yes but none I cannot handle."

"What if I don't want to deal with them!?" She asks, getting emotional now.

My body tenses, is this it then? I've been waiting for the moment she decides this is all too much for her and she insists on going back to her farmhouse and her bar to live out her life. That is why I kept her away for so long and didn't let her in. It's fitting that just hours after I stopped fighting she gives up.

"Eric no, whatever you're thinking that's not what I meant. I just mean, what if I don't want to live that life? What if I'd take leaving here if it meant that you got to be free during your nights, free to spend them with me instead of having to share you with all of your underlings, constantly worrying that someone is scheming to kill you so they can take the crown for themselves."

I replay her words in my head over again two or three times, thinking I misheard her or there's something lost in translation, though I speak English fluently, sometimes her southernisms still confuse me. No, I haven't misunderstood her, and I'm not sure how to feel about that. I've wanted to hear Sookie say something like that for a long time, so long that it almost doesn't feel real. Still though, before we're to commit to a decision like this she'd have to know the consequences, "You understand, if we leave, we'll never be able to come back. That'd be it, we'd be free to travel to other places after we find a home, but Louisiana, Nevada, and Arkansas would be off limits forever, Oklahoma too."

She pauses in her momentum for a moment, not sure if she's willing to give her home up forever. I'd make sure she'd be able to see her family again but it probably wouldn't be often as they'd have to come to us and not many humans are able to spend that much time away from work traveling. Maybe once a year, if that and I know she does not like the idea of only seeing her brother a handful of times again before he grows old and perishes.

She eventually nods her head, "I understand."

"Sookie, no. I don't want to be responsible for you losing your friends and family. You might not feel it now but resentment will grow."

"And you don't think I'm worried about the same thing with you? You'll end up resenting the throne more than you probably already do and that will turn into resentment for the reason you're there, me."

"I'm old enough to understand and foresee the consequences of my actions, I've ruled before Sookie, I know what will be expected of me and I know what my days will look like. I'm ready for it." Granted, I 'ruled' over a thousand years ago when I was still human and it mostly consisted of me leaving someone in charge while I went out and conquered. I can see she still wants to fight the issue, trying to make me see her way so I put my hand up to stop her. "Let's wait until tomorrow and the meeting in Fangtasia to make any permanent decisions, we'll have more information then. As you said, we're here at least until the council vote next week."

She sighs but nods her head. "Okay, fine but you have to promise to think about my point of view because I know you, once you think you've made a decision, that's it. We're a team so we have to both decide."

I nod my head and ignore the feeling her calling us a team brings me, I'm not even sure I could put a name to it anyway. Sookie jumps, surprised when the light tight shade comes down, she's usually asleep by this time of morning so I do not think she's heard them yet. Sookie crawls up the bed and under the covers, preparing to go to sleep, I adjust myself so my back is against the headboard and pick my phone back up to check my emails and tell my realtor to buy the house that Sookie likes and also email the people who watch over my house in Sweeden to prepare it for me. That way, no matter what is decided, after the vote is over there will be a house to go to.

Sookie turns on her side and snuggles into me, when she speaks I can hear that she's already half asleep, "What are you doing Eric, shouldn't you be getting ready for bed? The sun is coming up."

'If one aspect of this bond works the same as the other dimension, it stands to reason others will too. So I am staying awake as long as possible.' I say in this new telepathy I'm still getting used to reminding her of our new shared ability. Her eyes open wide and she sits up now fully awake.

"Sookie, you should sleep, it's not as if I'll be doing anything interesting while I'm waiting to get the bleeds."

"Are you kidding me? This is so exciting, even if we sit here in silence and do nothing! When was the last time you stayed up past sunrise without it being life or death?"

"You have a point, dear one."

Sookie reaches across me and grabs the remote for the TV that hasn't been used once since we came here. She turns it on and surfs the channels until she lands on some comedy show. Even though I've never watched it before I know well enough that the show is called 'Friends'. It'd be impossible to be alive while this show was airing and never hearing of it. I have to admit, it is entertaining, I even caught myself chuckling a few times.

It feels strange being awake with the sun, unnatural. I'm not in any pain, and not tired either, I feel no pull to rest but my internal clock that has kept me alive many times over the years, the one that lets me know how long until the sun rises, is going haywire, it's screaming wrong, hide, danger! It'll take some getting used to but not impossible to overcome. It is truthfully difficult to comprehend all that has changed because of the fairy bond.

I ignore the urge I have to go into the other room and see if my sun resistance works too. Sookie fell asleep about a half hour ago and I know she'd want to be there if it's true and I can go into the sun without consequences. I go into downtime while thinking through all the possibilities of being a day-walking vampire who rises and dies as he chooses, they're endless. I could do whatever we wanted and if we decide to leave, the sun will no longer be a factor in our choice of location. On top of that, if Sookie were to one day decide she wanted to be turned it'd stand to reason that she'd be able to walk in the sun as well, it's her light that gives me these abilities, and it's not as if her light died as soon as it entered me even if I am a vampire. I don't stay on that line of thought for too long, she hasn't even suggested she'd be interested in such a thing, for now, I'm happy for her longer lifespan because of her fairy blood.

I also spend a lot of time thinking over the pros and cons of taking the throne versus leaving. I'm not normally one to run from a fight, the thought alone makes me angry but these are unique circumstances. It's not as if I'm scared of the fight, it's the consequences of the fight that I'm not sure I want.

I have no quarrel with leaving, I'd have been gone from here years ago if it weren't for Sookie. I had no intention of signing on again with Sophie Ann after my first contract was up, it ended almost a year after I met Sookie and although nothing had happened between us and in fact, she strongly stated nothing ever would, I couldn't leave. Something about her kept me wanting to stay close to her, so I did. I ignored the itch I felt to leave, I felt something brewing, the states surrounding Sophie Ann getting tired of her shenanigans, it was one of the first of many times I chose Sookie over what was the smarter safer thing to do.

"Eric? Are you still up?"

I open my eyes and nod my head once. "Yes."

"Are you okay? You're not bleeding or anything, that has to be a good sign. What time is it? I feel fully rested."

It surprises me when I feel for where the sun is and realize that she probably is fully rested, the sun will be setting in an hour. I stayed up all day without detriment to myself. At least, none as of yet, I'll know more throughout the night, I need to deduce how long I can last, when I will get tired, if this is sustainable or to just save it for emergencies or special occasions only.

"Eric?" She sounds worried now.

"I'm well, Sookie, just thinking."

"Uh yeah, I bet! This is crazy! Did you try to go out in the sun, no wait, you better not have, what if something bad happened and you started to burn and I wasn't there to pull you back in the house? Eric Northman, I swear to Jesus Christ Almighty himself, if you do something like that, something dangerous for no reason again, I'm going to send you outside and make you pick a switch!"

I quirk an eyebrow at her while leering, there is a lot of fun that can be had with spanking and toys. Granted, I'm not usually the one getting punished though I can make an exception. Her face turns bright red at the implications before she shakes her head frantically, "That is not what I meant and you know it!"

I smirk, "That is fine, Sookie, I'll get you there eventually. But no, I did not attempt to see how I'd react in the sun, I figured you'd want to be there for that." Plus I could think of many fun things to do with her out in the sun.

"Okay, good."

"We must keep this between us, Sookie. It wouldn't matter if it was only a one-time thing, that you couldn't give this to other vampires ever again, they'd never stop hunting you even just to have a few more hours awake. Even if it turns out that I still cannot go in the sun, it doesn't matter, we have to keep this between us."

She nods her head, but then I feel confusion coming from her. "Not even Pam and Karin?"

"For now, no, not even them."

"Okay," I know she's uncomfortable keeping secrets from them but she'll do it.

I stand up and hold out my hand to her, she takes it with a small confused smile. I lead her to the bathroom. "Come, lover, let's bathe, I know how much a bath relaxes you, and this extra hour before I normally rise can be used to make sure you're very very relaxed."

She giggles as I close the bathroom door and we proceed to do just that.