A/N: For new readers who don't know, I have another (finished) fic inspired by book 4/DTTW. It's called Bite and Switch and you should read it.

Chapter 5

Sookie tried to tamp down her anxiety — and, let's face it, her fear — about this trip back to Eric's bar. She didn't even really know why she was so afraid, but the thought of facing a bunch of unknown vampires and a whole lot more people was kind of terrifying. The fact that a witch was supposed to show up sometime that night didn't make her feel any easier. And a dead barmaid?

When they arrived at Fangtasia, Eric took her arm and hurried her to the back door. Pam met them outside Eric's office.

"The girls were in the bathroom when the rest of the waitstaff arrived. The witches did something to their legs. Constricted them, somehow. Belinda was in agony and Ginger was dead. She fell and hit her head on the sink when it happened, from what I understand. They'd been there for hours. One of the waitresses called nine-one-one. It was no small feat to get everything taken care of. We needed you here. Where were you?"

She looked past Eric at Sookie and sighed.

"Oh. I suppose that has something to do with you."

Sookie shrugged one shoulder.

Eric ignored her question.

"Why didn't you contact me sooner?"

"Because I had my hands full. And I expected you to show up when you were supposed to."

Eric walked past her and sat behind his desk. Sookie followed him into the office. Pam stood in the doorway. Eric nodded at her.

"So, everything has been handled?"

Pam paused.

"Well, yes. That's what I've been trying to tell you."

"Good."

There was an awkward pause until Pam sighed and looked at Sookie again.

"So, what kind of trouble have you gotten yourself into this time?"

Sookie opened her mouth to answer and then closed it again. She looked at Eric.

"She can't remember."

Pam raised an eyebrow.

"She can't remember what?"

Sookie shrugged.

"Anything."

Eric cut in.

"I found her running down the main road outside the bar after closing the night before last. She had lost all of her memories. I believe the witches were responsible for that, as well. We will need to keep her safe and away from Hallow and her minions."

Pam stepped into the office and closed the door.

"I'm quite sure nobody saw you come in. She can hide out in here while you take care of business out in the bar."

Sookie swallowed. She hated the idea of being away from him but she kept her mouth shut.

Eric thought about it for a moment and then nodded.

"Sookie, I must speak with Pam. Nobody will bother you in here."

He and Pam left before Sookie had a chance to reply. She sat on the couch and tried not to freak out. She hoped he was right and everyone else would stay away.

She looked around. Nothing there looked familiar, either. She wished she'd brought a book or something. Anything to distract her and make the time move faster. But she knew she wouldn't have been able to concentrate on anything, anyway. She hated that she hated to be alone.

She looked at the TrueBlood posters on the wall and the desk covered in papers and a mug that said Fangtasia on the side that was full of pens.

She ran out of things to look at, except the clock, and settled in her seat for a long, scary wait.

…

Eric sat at his table across from Pam. The fangbangers stared but nobody approached them. Pam shook her head.

"What a clusterfuck tonight has been. Fortunately, one of the cops was a Were and I was able to arrive before any of the first responders left. I managed to get them out of our hair and do some damage control."

"Where is Belinda?"

"With Dr. Ludwig."

"And Ginger?"

"Unfortunately, with the coroner, but I was able to glamour him before he left with the body. It will be classified as an accidental death. Should we send flowers?"

Eric sighed.

"Yes. Find out if she has any family. And send some to Belinda as well."

Pam nodded. They sat quietly for a minute until Pam broke the silence.

"So, what was Sookie doing outside Fangtasia in the middle of the night?"

"I have no idea, but I'm glad I was there to find her."

"I'll bet."

Eric laughed.

"I will pretend it was fate."

Pam snorted.

"You don't believe in that bullshit."

"That is why I said I'll pretend."

He sighed again.

"Her car was found yesterday morning in the Merlotte's parking lot with the door standing open. Whatever happened, happened there. I believe she was targeted because of her ties to the shifter."

Pam raised an eyebrow.

"Or perhaps her ties to you."

Eric shrugged.

"Perhaps. Either way, I am quite sure she was a victim of Hallow and her coven. Why she ended up here, of all places, is a mystery."

They both thought about that and came up with nothing.

A man approached the table and Eric was annoyed. He wanted nothing to do with a human's stupid questions. He ignored him. So did Pam.

"Excuse me."

Eric glared at him.

"What?"

The man swallowed.

"Hallow sent me. Are you Eric Northman?"

Eric set his jaw.

"Yes. And you can tell your mistress that I am not interested in her proposition."

"I'm afraid that isn't an option. Hallow will come and take you, regardless, and you will still have to pay her half of your business."

Eric stood up.

"I am not for sale."

The man took a step back. He was frightened, witch or not.

Eric smiled.

"I can smell your fear. Go. And don't come back."

He added some glamour to send the point home. The witch left. Eric sat back down.

Pam sighed.

"I still think you're making a mistake. What's one week out of a thousand years?"

Eric ignored her.

"Sookie will be staying with me for the foreseeable future. I may not be in tomorrow night either."

"Well, we need to do something about these witches, Eric. Ignoring the problem isn't going to make it go away. Ginger is dead. I heard a Were was killed in her bridal shop earlier today, as well. Who knows what — or who — will be next? They aren't just going to give up."

"We will play it by ear. Contact me if there is a problem."

Pam rolled her eyes when he stood up again and strode to his office. When he opened the door, Sookie froze, but then her shoulders fell in relief. He smiled at her.

"Come. We will go back to my house."

She smiled back and followed him to the rear door. They saw nobody on the walk back out to the car.

The drive home was quiet. Sookie looked out the window and wished something — anything — looked familiar. Eric took her hand and kissed it. She looked at him and smiled.

"Thank you for doing all this. I really appreciate it. I don't know what I would have done without your help."

"Of course, Sookie. It has been my pleasure."

He pulled into his garage and they went inside. He took a TrueBlood from the fridge and stuck it in the microwave to warm it up.

"You should eat."

She wasn't really hungry, but she supposed he was right. It was late and it had been hours since she'd had breakfast. She made herself a sandwich and ate it standing at the sink. He leaned back against the counter and watched. It was still three hours until sunrise.

When she finished, she looked up and they locked eyes for a moment or two. She blinked and the moment ended.

He had work he needed to get done but decided against it. He could feel Sookie's unease. And he wanted to get closer to her. He smiled.

"Let's watch another film."

They sat next to each other on the couch and held hands again. By the end of the movie, they had progressed to snuggling. His arm was wrapped around her shoulders and she was tucked in underneath. His nose was practically in her hair and he enjoyed her scent.

When the credits started to roll, she looked up at him and he kissed her. She kissed him back. After a couple of minutes, she pulled away, breathing heavily. She wanted to keep going, but she didn't think she should. Not yet, anyway.

"I'm really tired. I need to go and get some sleep."

It was nearing sunrise and he needed to go to his rest soon, too. He would have liked for her to join him, but he wasn't too disappointed. They would have lots of time for things to progress.

He stood up and walked her to his upstairs bedroom. He kissed her again outside the door.

"Good night, Sookie."

"Thank you. Good rest, Eric."

She went inside and closed the door

She got undressed and brushed her teeth and climbed into bed. She was sleepy but it took her a long time to fall asleep. She closed her eyes and thought of him.

…

Eric did a bit of paperwork in his office before going downstairs. He showered and then lay on top of the covers with his hands laced behind his head. He had almost had Sookie in Jackson, but Bubba had climbed into their window and ruined his chances. He wasn't going to lose out again.

He had told her once that he didn't like having feelings. It wasn't really true. He enjoyed her very much. He liked her spunkiness and her humour and the fact that she challenged him. Her strong will and her bravery and intelligence. He liked liking her. What he hated was being afraid, and his feelings for her scared him. But the last thing he wanted to do was push those feelings away.

He had wanted her from the moment he saw her, in her white sundress with red flowers that night at Fangtasia. And soon, she would be his. He just hoped it would continue when — or if — her memories returned.