Disclaimer: The Southern Vampire Series, and all characters from it, is owned by Charlaine Harris. The original characters and plot from my fan fiction are mine. I am in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of any media franchise. No copyright infringement is intended.
June 2013 - Updated
This story was originally published on 3/19/09. Any mistakes left are my own.
*TIGHT VIKING HUGS* TO: Blue77 for her invaluable help with the French Translations in this chappie. She's magnifque!
SOOKIE'S POV
Maybe getting my hair pulled up fueled my brainpower or something, because I started getting an idea. Had it been my imagination or was Eric's face totally close to mine when I was hurled to the ground? I could have sworn he was approximately a yard away. If that was the case, it could only mean one thing: I had been on the edge of the ward's confines.
I knew I couldn't leave the ward of my own accord. Jason would be dead if I did. But if Victor threw me, that would be a whole different story. If I somehow managed to get thrown out, I would be willing to bet Victor wouldn't get out of the ward, until he had secured me again and could use me as a hostage. Also, Victor wouldn't kill Jason, because my brother was his bargaining chip for me to go back to him. Suddenly, it was clear what I had to do. I braced myself. This was going to hurt.
Victor had me dangling in the air by my hair, and I got a clear image of what he wanted to do to me. With one hand, he started unbuckling his pants while he lifted me as high as he could with the other. "Northman, since you and Sookie put on a show earlier, I'm sure you won't object to me having a turn with her as well?" Victor laughed and slowly licked the side of my naked body.
Eric shouted in anger and hit the ward with all his might. "You coward! I will have you begging me to kill you before I am done with you! Sookie, goddamn it! You invite me in this fucking instant! Do you hear me?" he roared.
Pam and Bill also screamed my name and they whacked at the ward alongside Eric.
Victor continued to lick me and had now unbuckled his pants, which quickly slid to the floor. I did the only thing I could do. I screamed: an annoyingly loud scream, and just as I'd hoped, it sent Victor over the edge.
"Shut up!" Victor yelled, shaking me like a rag doll. I quickly took another breath and continued to scream, this time kicking my legs and flailing my arms around.
Victor held me by my hair. "I said, shut up!"
As my screams unhinged him, he tried to slap me and reach for my throat, but since I was flailing both my legs and hands wildly, he couldn't get a clear shot to either of them.
"Obey me now, you cunt!" Victor yelled, shaking me harder. When I didn't obey him and continued my movements and screams, he snapped and lost control.
Just as I anticipated, he threw me down hard on the ground, and I bounced a little before finally landing face down on the ground. As everything spun around me, something unexpected happened which was not part of my plan.
I lost consciousness.
•Oo•Oo•Oo•Oo•Oo
I woke up just as something cold covered my face. I fluttered my eyes open and saw the most beautiful man my eyes had ever seen. "Am I in Heaven?" I asked hazily. Shit! Some plan, Stackhouse! I'd gotten myself killed. Surely, I must have died, because no one but an angel could look this beautiful and perfect.
"No, my Lover," Eric laughed softly. "You are here with me." Eric held me tightly and kissed my face, covering my body with someone's long shirt he'd put on me.
•Oo•Oo•Oo•Oo•
3:31 minutes to go
•Oo•Oo•Oo•Oo•
How can one girl be so lucky? Just as I was about to pucker my lips and reach around to grab Eric's butt, I suddenly came to. "Jason!" Holy Shit, my plan worked! I was outside Amelia's protective ward.
I quickly pushed Eric away and got up on my feet. Fainting was not part of my original plan, but it had bought me precious seconds. My sudden movement left me dazed and I almost fell, but luckily Eric steadied me.
"Sookie—" Eric started to say.
My surroundings stopped spinning, and I was able to focus again. "Eric, where's Jason? What happened to Jason?" I started to panic. Please don't tell me that lunatic killed him!
"Your brother is still alive, Sookie," Victor hissed at me. "For now."
I spun around in the direction of his voice, and saw Victor still inside the confines of the ward. Apparently, he had reigned in his mad horses and was finally thinking clearly again, because his pants were on. I peeked in his head and heard him cursing at himself for being so careless, blaming the intoxicating taste of my blood for his stupid mistake.
I also checked my unlikely savior's mind. He was still in position. My plans were still on track.
I looked over at Sandy and Jason. Sandy was still holding the knife to my unconscious brother's cheek. Something must have happened when I passed out, though, because Jason now had a small line of blood trickling down his neck.
"Sookie, I seemed to have lost my temper just before I was able to finish playing with you, my dear. Get back in here or your brother is dead!" Victor's tone of voice started out soft and then turned icy cold.
•Oo•Oo•Oo•Oo•
2:30 min. to go
•Oo•Oo•Oo•Oo•
I tried to take a step, but Eric held me by the arm.
"Have you lost all reason, Sookie? You cannot be thinking of going back in with that lunatic! He was about to . . . "
I ignored Eric and searched for his mind. Everything was still in place. Now all I had to do was nudge him to do what I needed him to do. I was amazed he had gotten as far as he had. I guessed Sandy's senses either weren't that great or she was just too distracted. I wondered if he could hear me. In case he didn't, I knew I needed to speak loudly.
"Sookie, are you listening to me?"
"What? Eric, let me go! I have to save my brother! If I don't go with Victor, that other vampire, Sandy, will kill Jason! No one here is fast enough to get to her before she sticks that knife in his neck! I don't have a choice; I have to save my brother!" I yelled as loudly as I could.
"Why are you shouting?" Pam asked.
I didn't answer and kept my gaze behind her, wondering if he would give me some indication he'd heard me.
Pam walked up to me and put the back of her hand to my forehead. "Master, perhaps Victor hit her harder than we thought. She's gone deaf and stupid!" Well more so than usual.
"I think so, too." Bill said. "I mean she did think she was in Heaven when she saw Eric. Why the hell would they let Eric in there?"
Pam and Eric both stared at Bill.
The southern gentleman managed to laugh weakly. "I'm just saying . . . . " he murmured.
"Sookie . . . " Eric pulled me back as I started to walk away.
"Let go of me, Eric! I have to save my brother!" I yelled again.
•Oo•Oo•Oo•Oo•
1:27 left to go
•Oo•Oo•Oo•Oo•
Eric, along with Bill, Pam, Alcide, and Calvin came up to me and tried to convince me not to go with Victor.
I read his mind again. Well, wouldn't you know it? He had heard everything I said. Thank God! My brother would be saved.
I tried pushing past my friends, but they wouldn't budge out of the way. "Let me go!" I shouted.
•Oo•Oo•Oo•Oo•
0:25 seconds to go
•Oo•Oo•Oo•Oo•
Oh no! He was having doubts. I couldn't believe what he was thinking. He wasn't going to help me! He was going to let Jason die! Panic seized me. Normally, I had to be touching him to probe further into his mind, but with Eric's blood, my power was now enhanced. I had to find something in there to make him change his mind.
Found it! "Let me go, Eric! If Jason's saved, I'd leave Bon Temps and go live in Shreveport with you! Did you hear me? If Jason's saved, I'd leave Bon Temps for good! For good!"
"Yes, my Lover, I can hear you. You don't have to shout. I am right here. All your friends are here in front of you. We can hear you. Sookie. Can you hear us?" Eric was talking in slow motion, enunciating every word to me.
Boy, they all think I've gone over the deep end.
•Oo•Oo•Oo•Oo•
0:10 seconds to go
•Oo•Oo•Oo•Oo•
"Let her go, Northman. She's not going anywhere with you! She is staying here with me or Sandy will kill her brother! Sandy!" Victor yelled desperately.
Jason was starting to stir.
"Eric! Do you hear me? I'll go to Shreveport to live with you and Jason would leave, too! We Stackhouses would leave Bon Temps forever!" I yelled.
"Sookie—" Eric began to say, but was interrupted by a series of shots.
•Oo•Oo•Oo•Oo•Oo
Several Minutes Ago
•Oo•Oo•Oo•Oo•Oo
HIS POV
Whoo. Whoo. Whoo. Okay, deep breaths. Deep breaths. Remember the training. Remember the training. Aw, hell! Who the fuck am I kidding? There's nothing in the fucking training that deals with taking down goddamn vampires!
There he is: Jason Stackhouse, dumb as shit, in trouble again! Looks like some girl took him hostage or something cuz she's got a knife to his neck. He probably cheated on her, the stupid fuck! Serves him right for being such a dog.
Oh wait, those are fangs! She's a vamp. Stupid fuck, cheated on a vamper and now she's gonna kill him.
Boy those Stackhouses' sure have a thing for vamps. He's just like his sister. First, she was with Vampire Bill, sorta nice fella though—I mean for a vamp. He did offer me a Fresca when I went to his place. It was hot though. But now, I heard she's with some other big shot vamp.
He shook his head. Those Stackhouses' have singlehandedly fucked up this town.
"What? Eric, let me go! I have to save my brother! If I don't go with Victor, that other vampire, Sandy, will kill Jason! No one here is fast enough to get to her before she sticks that knife in his neck! I don't have a choice; I have to save my brother!" Sookie yelled as loud as she could.
Holy Shit! This is a hostage situation. So, none of those fucking vamps can get to dipshit Jason in time, huh? Well, I guess it's up to me to take out that girl vamp.
Whoo. Okay, I can do this. I can do this. Whoo. Should I tell them to freeze or do I just shoot? Well, this is a hostage situation; technically I don't have to identify myself. Shit! I can't remember what the damn SOP's are right now. Can't fucking think straight.
He took a deep breath. Whoo! I can do this!
"Let go of me Eric! I have to save my brother!" Sookie yelled again.
It's all those fucking Stackhouses' fault. Maybe I just oughta let 'em kill that stupid son of a bitch. I mean why should I risk my life for dumb shit, Jason Stackhouse?
Bon Temps used to be a good town, a decent town. But ever since vamps came out of the coffin and Sookie started spreading her legs for those goddamn dead fucks, this town has gone to shit! If only those fucking Stackhouses left Bon Temps, this town would go back to what it was.
"Let me go, Eric! If Jason's saved, I'd leave Bon Temps and go live in Shreveport with you! Did you hear me? If Jason's saved, I'd leave Bon Temps for good! For good!" Sookie screamed.
Oh, hell! Well that sure is good news. Shit, that's almost worth getting ripped apart by a vamp. At least I'd be doing the community a favor, and if I don't succeed, I'd be remembered as a hero. Oh, wait she just said only she would leave. Not good enough, that still leaves fucking Jason here and he's just a trouble magnet. No, I'll just sit back and let the vamps kill him off.
"Eric! Do you hear me? I'll go to Shreveport to live with you and Jason would leave, too! We Stackhouses would leave Bon Temps forever!" Sookie yelled.
Oh, hell! Well there it is! Both Stackhouses will leave! Shit, I'll kill two birds with one stone, plus I'll be labeled a hero. It's a win-win situation. Okay, fuck it! Here goes nothing.
All I have to do is aim and shoot.
•Oo•Oo•Oo•Oo•
Immediately after the shots rang out, Sookie called out, "Victor Madden, I bind you in the protective ward."
All the Weres and Shifters started to transform, and the vampires went into fighting mode since they didn't know who was shooting.
Eric shielded Sookie with his body, while Pam shielded her Master with hers. When everyone looked at Sandy, they saw she had been shot twice in the head. She now lay slumped over on Jason.
"Holy fuck, Andy!" a now fully awake Jason yelled out. "Why the fuck were you shooting so close to me for? Goddamn, you almost shot me!"
"That's Detective Bellefleur to you, Stackhouse!" Andy shouted back. "Fucking dumb shit, I just saved your miserable life!"
"Oh . . ." Jason passed out again.
In vampire speed, Bill came over to Andy and Jason. He took them both aside and led them to where the rest of the group was at. Even though Sandy had been shot in the head by silver bullets, she would become active in a bit, and Bill didn't want to risk anything else happening to either man.
De Castro had his remaining vampires put Sandy in silver chains, so she couldn't escape when she awoke or cause any further trouble. They bound her just in time, too, as her wounds were beginning to heal. But like Eric's bullet holes, they did not close. It made Sookie shudder to think the chains around Sandy had been more than likely intended for Eric, and she gave a silent prayer of thanks the night had turned out differently.
Seeing there was no danger, the Weres and Shifters transformed back.
"What the fuck? Has this parish been converted to a nudist colony? What the fuck is wrong with you people? Put on some goddamn clothes!" Andy started ranting again.
"Bill!" Eric shouted.
Bill nodded, and hit Andy over the head for the second time that night.
"Thank you. You need to glamour him when he wakes," Eric advised Bill.
"Yes. I am aware of that."
"My Lover, you truly are amazing. So is that what you had up your sleeve? You knew about the detective's presence and what he planned to do?"
Sookie nodded.
"I am glad everything turned out all right." Eric hugged Sookie.
Sookie took a slight peek at Eric's thoughts and knew Eric was royally pissed. This was definitely a to-be-continued conversation. He's just keeping up appearances in front of the king. "Eric, I'm so sorry I put you through that. Forgive me. I feel horrible, but I just couldn't tell you. I tried to signal you, with a wink, but I don't know if you caught on or not. I'm so sorry to have put you all through this." Sookie started to get another lump in her throat as she spoke.
"Yes, I did see your signal, although I had no idea what you were up to. We will talk about this later. Right now, we have one more task to complete before the night is through."
The entire crowd turned to look at Victor.
"Let me out of here! Sookie, let me out! You can't leave me in here!" Victor shouted. He was bouncing around like a Ping-Pong ball in the ward, trying to break out of it.
"How did you know you could bind him?" Bill asked.
"I read Amelia's mind. She sent me a message telling me how to do it," Sookie replied.
"And why didn't you do that in the first place, instead of letting him . . . " Eric paused.
"I didn't want to run the risk of anything happening to Jason. If I left the ward on my own, I knew Victor would make Sandy kill Jason right away. I had to make it seem like I left by accident." Sookie peeked at Eric's thoughts again and saw he was even more upset she had deliberately risked her life, when all along she could have just walked out of there and left Victor bound in the ward.
Eric's thoughts turned venomous.
"I'm sorry." Sookie quickly stepped out of his mind, afraid of the dark thoughts lurking in there.
"You're sorry?" Just as Eric was about to lose his composure, Sookie did something embarrassingly human. Her stomach growled.
Eric's eyes softened, his anger dissipated, and he realized this was not the time or place to show strife between them. The situation was well under control, as all the vampires present were relaxed and had pulled their fangs in.
Amelia broke the silence. "All right people. Make way. Jeez, you guys have a habit of gathering tightly together. Coming through. Hey, Sookie, I just went to my car and grabbed this extra set of gym clothes I had. Don't worry; they're clean. I never make it inside the gym. I just like buying the workout clothes. Look at these sweat pants, they say JUICY on the butt! I guess we'll have to ask Eric if that statement is true or not, huh?" Amelia smiled.
"I guess . . . " Sookie said weakly, as everyone's attention quickly shifted to Jason, who was moaning loudly. He flowed in and out of consciousness, unable to stay awake long enough to be asked what had happened to him.
"Why don't you peek into his mind and see how he came to be captured?" Eric asked Sookie while she put on the clothes and discarded the long shirt she was given.
"You want me to peek into Jason's mind?" Sookie looked horrified. "No way. God knows what I'll see in there."
"Shit, you'll probably pick up an STD if you do," Amelia chirped in. "C'mon, Eric. We all know what happened. Sandy went to find him, Jason saw pussy, and she probably knocked him out or something. Look, he's got a big bump on the back of his head."
Eric turned to look at Amelia. "Witch—" His tone signified he did not like the manner in which Amelia addressed him.
"What did you call me?" Amelia looked up at Eric in an unbelieving and shocked manner.
"I said, witch." Eric enunciated the word clearly. It was clear he was beginning to lose his temper.
"Oh, man!" Amelia was completely disappointed. "I thought you said something else. I was gonna say, you name the time and place, honey! I'll be there with a red apron on!" Amelia smiled, and the tense crowd laughed.
As angry as Eric was, Amelia managed to make him snicker.
That was her gift; she could cheer you up no matter what mood you were in.
"Boy, its sure been a long, hard night! Wilhemina, isn't it?" Amelia asked the young female Were who had fainted repeatedly during the unforgettable mating ceremony. Unable to resist picking on her, the witch prodded. "You know what I'm talking about, huh, Sister? Long and hard night, huh?"
Amelia nudged Wilhemina with her elbow while making some hand gestures indicating Eric's length and girth. Apparently, the memory was still too much for the young girl, and she fainted again.
Alcide caught the young Were before she hit the ground. "All right, Northman, I guess this is our cue to leave."
Sookie wondered why she was one of the few Weres who was fully clothed, but knew now was not the time to ask questions.
"Same for us, Sookie," Calvin added.
"Thank you all for your help. There is no way we could have survived the night if it hadn't been for you support," Sookie told Alcide and Calvin.
"Give me some credit, woman," Eric stated. "If I had been able to use my sword in the battle . . . "
"No, you were too busy using your other sword," Amelia said under her breath.
This brought a few more chuckles, and even Eric was now starting to loosen up. "Alcide, Calvin, please tend to your wounded and forward me any medical expenses. I will take care of everything in appreciation for your help," Eric said.
"Thank you, Northman. That is very generous of you," Alcide said.
Calvin nodded.
"There is no need," Felipe De Castro said. "I will take care of all the expenses. It was my ill-advised trust in Victor, which led to the events of this night. Again, I offer my apologies. Sheriff, do you also wish to take care of Sandy on your own, or do you wish us to handle her? The decision is yours by rights."
"You may take her, Your Majesty. My only quarrel is with Madden," Eric replied.
"Goodnight, Sheriff." Felipe said.
Amelia quickly came to life, pushing Eric and Sookie aside abruptly. "Did I hear you correctly, Eric? Did you say, Your Majesty?" She fluffed and arranged her hair, while adjusting her bra so her breasts would lift up.
"King Felipe De Castro, Señorita. And you are?"
"Amelia Broadway, witch extraordinaire, at your service." She leered at the king shamelessly. She outstretched her hand to him, expecting him to kiss it, and fluttered her eyelashes like a true southern belle. "Enchantée, Your Highness."
Felipe took her hand, and just as he was about to kiss it, Amelia pulled her hand back.
"Oh, wait! You wouldn't happen to have a Queen waiting for you at home, would you?" She looked at his hand to see if he had a wedding ring on.
"No, I do not have a Queen." Felipe smiled.
"Well, in that case." Amelia raised her hand back to his mouth. "I am very enchantée."
Felipe found the witch amusing and bent down to kiss her hand.
"Oh, wait!" Amelia pulled her hand away once more. "You are a hole kinda guy, aren't you?" she asked nervously.
"I beg your pardon?" Felipe asked.
"You know the phrase: I like holes not poles?" she clarified.
"Amelia!" Eric and Sookie both called out to her as Felipe continued to look at her bemusedly.
"You know, you don't bat for the other team, do you?" Amelia asked, hanging on his response. "Well, I mean besides experimentation episodes, brief ones . . . very brief . . . super brief . . . like you tried to, but got all grossed out type of brief . . . "
Felipe chuckled. "No, Miss Broadway. I do not bat for the other team."
Amelia smiled in relief and offered her hand to Felipe again. "Well, in that case. I am very, very enchantée."
Felipe paused, making sure the witch didn't move her hand away again. When she didn't, he kissed it delicately.
Holy Shit! I think I just came! The sensation of his cool lips on Amelia's skin shot straight to her center.
"So you are a witch, Amelia?" The king said her name as if he was savoring a three-course meal. "Je suis ensorcelé par votre beauté."
Shit! Did he just say he had a big dick and he wanted me to play with it? 'Cuz that's exactly what it sounded like to me. "Well—"
Eric pushed her aside. "If you are quite done, witch." Eric looked at her with a stern look on his face.
Fucking cockblocker! Amelia shot Eric a death stare. Just 'cuz he got his kicks, doesn't mean he has to come block mine. How's a girl supposed to get laid in this town?
"Sheriff." Felipe interrupted the stare down. "I bid you good night. Let us meet tomorrow. There is much we need to discuss."
Eric inclined his head and Felipe nodded in return. Sookie couldn't believe after all that happened, Eric still had to exchange pleasantries.
"Miss Stackhouse." Felipe bowed to her. "My deepest apologies. I am glad you are well."
Sookie wanted to tell him to stuff it where the sun didn't shine, but the last thing she wanted was another fight. At the moment, she just wanted him to leave. She stayed silent and awkwardly nodded her head at him, reaching over to take Eric's hand.
"Good night," Felipe said to all present. He turned around, giving Amelia one last look before he and his remaining vampires left.
"Ah, man! I didn't even get to ask him what the cape thing was all about," Amelia said, walking away.
Ignoring her friend's remarks, Sookie turned to look at Alcide. "Alcide, can you take care of Sam? He got hurt in the battle."
"Of course we'll take care of him. Don't worry; he'll be fine. He won't even have a limp. It was a clean wound, and none of his muscles were hit. He's very lucky," Alcide said.
Letting go of Eric's hand, Sookie went to talk to her boss.
"Hey, Sam. I heard you fought bravely today. You were awesome!"
"Thanks, Sookie. You know I'll always fight for you." Sam paused. "So, I guess you're moving to Shreveport with Eric?"
"Yes, I think it's for the best. Sam, about tonight. I'm s—"
"No, Sookie, I understand. If you ever need me, you know I'm here for you," Sam told her.
"Thanks, Sam. Likewise." Sookie couldn't stop the tears from welling in her eyes. "Oh, Sam, I'm going to miss you. You are the best boss I ever had."
"And you were my favorite waitress, cher. I'll miss you, too."
They hugged each other and said their goodbyes.
"Let yourself be happy, Sookie. You deserve it. You do," Sam told her.
"So do you, Sam. Thanks for everything."
Eric touched shoulders with Alcide and Calvin, thanking them and offering his services, should they ever have need of them. As the Weres and Shifters—taking Sam in tow—departed, Eric was the first to break the awkward silence. "Witch, is it possible to put a spell on Sookie's brother so this can never happen again?"
"You mean like put a protective ward around him? Hmm. Yes, I suppose I could make it so no one could approach him, if they mean him or Sookie harm." Amelia answered, still a bit hurt at Eric's actions. "Maybe . . . "
"Surely, this would be an easy task for you. You are, after all, a witch extraordinaire, are you not?" Eric teased.
"Well, that's just one of my talents," Amelia answered. "But you can never tell Jason he has the ward on him because I can just see him lowering it for any skirt which blows his way."
"Yes, you are right. What do you require for this spell? Is there anything you require from me? I will be happy to provide you with anything you need–no expense is too high." Eric knowingly loaded his words, realizing the witch had to be in a certain mood to deliver her skills.
"Oh, honey, there is plenty I require of you, but unfortunately not for this spell."
"Amelia!" Sookie gasped.
"Oh, sweetie, I mean no harm. I know he's off the market. The very long, wide market. Super long—"
"Get out of here, Amelia," Sookie said, rolling her eyes.
Amelia made Sookie and Eric chuckle. "Hey, Tray and I will take your brother home and I'll put the spell on him. Don't worry about anything, all right? I'm so glad you are okay," Amelia said.
"Oh, wait. Amelia, have you seen Pam and Bill?" Sookie asked, glad Amelia remembered she had a boyfriend.
"Oh, I forgot. Well, Bill left to take Andy home when you were talking to Sam. He told me to tell you goodnight. Eric, Bill said if you needed him, you knew where to find him. And Pam went with Tray to look at your car. Oh, here they come."
Pam carried the Corvette and set it down on the gravel before them.
"Well, Mr. Northman, I took a look at your car and there was some damage to the roof of the vehicle, since it landed upside down, but luckily, the vampire it came down on prevented further damage to it. Nothing happened to the engine. It's intact, and only one tire needs to be replaced. The windshield, as well as the windows, busted out, but it's still drivable, once I fix the tire. The roof will also be an easy fix. We just need to hammer the dents out. It'll only take a few hours and tomorrow morning, I can send someone out to Fangtasia to pick up the car to do further repairs on it."
"Yes, that will be acceptable. This is a special car to me now, and I need to discuss some special instructions as to the nature of the repairs," Eric replied.
Tray handed Eric his business card. "All right, Mr. Northman. Here's my phone number. You can call me at any time."
"Let me cut down your repair time," Eric stated. "Pam, will you do the honors?"
"I'd be delighted to, Master." Pam took Tray's business card and put it away. She then smoothed out the dents with her fists until the roof looked somewhat straight.
"Oh, Mr. Northman, I do have a windshield for your particular make and model back at the shop. I can install it in forty-five minutes. Would you like to wait? I mean just so you don't have to eat bugs on your way home?"
"Yes, we will still be here in forty-five minutes. Won't we, Victor?" Eric chuckled at the trapped vampire, who was still hopping around inside the ward. "How about it Pam, do you think we can find something to do with Victor during that time?" Eric asked.
"Oh, yes, Master. I have a few ideas," Pam replied.
"Sookie, go with your witch friend and get something to eat. I do not want it being said that I am neglecting your nutrition. Take your time. I am going to be tied up for a while." Eric failed to look at Sookie as he spoke, afraid she was going to ask him not to hurt Victor.
"All right. Eric, can I make a request?" Sookie asked.
"Request? Yes, my Lover, what is it?" Eric prepared himself for the oncoming fight with his bonded. This time, I'm not backing down. I will not make the same mistake in letting her past lovers keep their worthless lives. No more playing nice.
"Can you make sure you pluck out his fangs?" Sookie asked.
"My Lover!" Eric was surprised and kissed her on the cheek. "I shall find great pleasure in granting your request, Lover. Hmm. Now, who is the monster?" Eric teased in her ear as he held her tightly.
She opened herself up to the bond and took in all of the feelings he was experiencing. She was filled with a sense of restlessness, apprehension, a lot of anger, and something else. It was small and it didn't last too long, but it felt warm and tingly.
"All right! All right, you two. Break it up! C'mon, Sookie I'm starving. Let's go see what's open. Tray, what time is it?" Amelia asked.
"It's eight past eleven," Tray answered.
Amelia grabbed a hold of Sookie and they left, taking an unconscious Jason with them.
"Oh, wait. I left something in the bathroom," Sookie said. "Eric, is it okay if I go inside and get something I forgot?"
"Yes, of course, my Lover."
Sookie went inside the bar, avoiding the ward around Victor, and grabbed Claudine's gel from the sink.
Taking advantage of the telepath's absence, Pam produced Sookie's red apron, which had been ripped in half. "Master, when we were looking at your car, I found this lodged in the hood. I kept it, thinking you might want it—for a memento perhaps?"
"Yes, child. You did well." Eric put the remains of the apron away in the car's glove compartment, just as Sookie came out of the bar.
"Thank you," Sookie whispered in Eric's ear and kissed him goodbye.
He simply nodded to her, and she quickly got into Tray's car.
Amelia rolled down the window and asked, "Oh, by the way Sookie, do I have your permission to take down the protection ward?" The witch looked at Eric and Pam who stood in front of an exhausted Victor. The forlorn vampire had finally tired of trying to escape, and lay crumpled on the floor. Eric and Pam eyed him intensely, their fangs peeking out as they surrounded him.
"Yes," Sookie answered, from within the car.
As they drove away, Amelia uttered the words to undo the ward, wishing she could stick around and see Victor's ultimate demise.
"Victor, Victor. Alone at last," Eric said, watching the car disappear from his view.
Victor weakly stood up, a desperate look in his eyes. He looked around for a place to run.
"Why, Victor. I do believe you are sweating. You look panicked, Victor. Whatever could be troubling you? Do you want to run? Go ahead and run, Victor. It would greatly enhance the experience for me. You see, I love the chase," Eric taunted him.
"As do I, Master. Why, blood tastes so delicious when it's laced with adrenalin and fear." Pam chuckled. "Why don't we let him run, Master? I do love it when we let them think they have a chance to survive."
"Of course, my child. Go ahead, Victor. You heard her. We'll give you a head start, won't we, Pam?" He leaned forward to Victor, as if he was going to tell him a secret. "Run!" Eric startled the crazed vampire.
With a frenzied look in his eyes and a scream, Victor ran for his life.
"How long should we give him, Master?" Pam asked, as both she and Eric pulled their fangs fully down.
"We have given him long enough. It is a shame we cannot take our time and dedicate all night to Victor, but I still have to deal with your Mistress," Eric stated.
"Well, Master. You know what they say: it's more about quality than quantity." Pam snickered. "I'm sure we can come up with something."
"You never disappoint, Pamela. After you." Eric outstretched his hand and he and his child disappeared into the night, following after Victor's frantic screams.
•Oo•Oo•Oo•Oo•Oo
Sookie decided to take her time as Eric suggested, and before they went to eat, they dropped Jason off at his house.
"I know the clothes you lent me are clean, Amelia, but I need to take a shower. I won't take but a second and I'll grab a clean pair of Jason's jeans and a shirt . . . if I can find some."
"Go ahead. I'll get Tray to help me put Jason in his bed and I'll put the spell on him."
"Okay." Sookie got a clean towel from the dryer and wrapped it around her, throwing Amelia's clothes in the wash. Time to take that creep's scent off my body! Sookie jumped in the shower. When she was done and was drying herself, Amelia knocked on the bathroom door.
"Linen service!" Amelia called.
Sookie, wrapped in a towel, cracked open the door and saw her holding the folded pair of workout clothes in her hands. "They're done? How did they wash and dry so fast?"
"Oh, I happen to know a little bit of magic," Amelia stated. "Now, hurry up and get dressed. I'm starving!"
"Okay! Okay!" Sookie grabbed the clothes. She studied and gave them a sniff, wondering if they were truly clean.
"Let's go to that burger joint by the highway, okay?" Amelia asked. "I think they stay open till one."
"Is that all you like to eat? Burgers?"
"Well, there's nothing like having some thick, juicy, piece of beef swirling around in a girl's mouth."
"Eww . . . " Sookie grimaced.
Amelia grinned. "Oh, who you kiddin'?" she whispered, giving Sookie a playful wink. "Now come on and hurry, or do you want me to teleport you there?"
"No! I'll be right out!" Sookie moved rapidly and put the clothes on in a flash.
"I swear, just cuz you saw The Fly, all of a sudden you spazz out if I just say the word: teleport."
I've had enough teleporting for one night, thank you very much. Sweet Shepherd, I just hope I don't wake up with fly antennas or some other insect part tomorrow! "I'm ready!" Sookie came out of the bathroom, ready to pile into Tray's car again.
"Humph." Amelia followed her.
•Oo•Oo•Oo•Oo•Oo
"Sweetie, why don't you go drain your lizard or something?" Amelia asked Tray once they had all finished eating.
"Amelia!" Sookie began to say.
"Okay, I'll be right back, girls. Sookie, make sure she doesn't run off somewhere." Tray patted Amelia's head as he left.
"Amelia, what has gotten into you? You know, I wasn't going to say anything, but flirting with Felipe De Castro with Tray in viewing distance? Have you lost your mind? Felipe almost killed Eric, and made me his pet!"
"Oh, stuff a sock in it, Sooks. When aren't you on the potential pet list? As for Tray, he didn't hear anything. No harm, no foul."
"Amelia—"
"And since we're chatting woman-to-woman, I personally think you're just too picky with your men. Why, if I was in your place—"
"Oh, I know what you'd do in my place, Amelia. I can already see the sex orgy loincloths littered all over my house."
"Hey, don't knock it 'till you've tried it. It'll be like Spring Break in Cancun all over again." Amelia laughed weakly. "Besides, a girl has the right to have some fun."
"What's the long face for? Is there something wrong?"
"Shit, Sooks. I just have the worst luck in men. Tray wants us to wait until we know each other before we can take our relationship to the next level," Amelia said, using air quotes. "So, it's just not working out for me, 'cuz there's only one thing I want to know about Tray, and it doesn't involve talking. Besides, you know me, Sooks. When it comes to men, I'm not much of a talker."
"Unless it's dirty talk," Sookie added.
Both girls laughed.
"I'm sorry. I didn't know. But still . . . "
"I know. I should've gotten a handle on things. I'm sorry, okay? Maybe it was Felipe's cape that made my toes curl and I couldn't stop myself. I'll try harder next time, all right? Felipe's just too fine for his own damn good."
"Amelia!"
"All right! Felipe De Castro is off Amelia Broadway's menu. You happy?" she chuckled. "Gosh, Sooks. A girl's gotta keep her options open. It's not like all of us can get a man like Eric Northman, now can we? I hope you realize—that's some catch you got yourself, girlfriend."
"I do."
"So, what are we doing here wasting our time? Let me guess, you're afraid to face him aren't you? You're afraid he's going to get after you for what happened tonight, huh?"
"Yeah."
"Well, he should get after you, Sookie. What you did tonight was very stupid. But I'm pretty sure you know that by now, right?"
Sookie nodded.
Amelia sighed. "Well, you got your man, girl. That was the easy part. Now comes the real test. Can you keep him?"
"What do you mean?"
"You gotta be on your A-game to keep a man like that, honey. I'm talking all sorts of Kama Sutra positions and kinky shit. You know what I mean, right?" Amelia chuckled.
Sookie quickly took a sip of her drink to conceal her blushing face.
"You gotta keep your eyes open, honey. No one's going to make it easy on you to keep your man, either."
"What do you mean?"
"Sooks, you have a lot of things going against you. Those things will interfere with your relationship."
"Like what?"
"Well for starters, there's a lot of jealous people out there who will try to break you apart, and you have one big, huge, fucking enemy who always fucks up everything for you."
"Who?" Sookie asked.
"You! You're your own worst enemy, honey. You need to trust Eric. I know you don't have a lot of experience with relationships, and both the assholes you've dated betrayed and fucked you over, but Eric isn't like that. Tonight, you didn't trust him enough to tell him what you were doing."
"There wasn't any time to explain."
"You can't save everybody, sweetie! Jason got himself in that position with Sandy by following his brain below his waist. Whether he lived or died was a decision he had to live with. Why do you always have to clean up after him? Would he do the same for you?"
"You just don't understand. He's my brother."
"You're right. I don't understand how you just barreled you way over to Victor and almost got yourself raped and turned into his vampire bitch. When's it going to be enough, Sooks? What's it going to take to make you see how careless you're being with your life?"
"Eric wasn't going to do anything. He wasn't going to help me."
"How do you know what he was or wasn't going to do? He's a thousand years old, for Christ's sake! Don't you think he might have had a trick up his sleeve, or a solution he had under wraps? No, you didn't even bother to give him a chance. You were too busy emasculating him in front of people. What you did tonight could ultimately cost you both your lives one day."
"What are you talking about?" Sookie shifted in her seat nervously.
"Sookie, Eric's not human; he's a vampire—and an important one at that. And what do you do? You tell him in front of his enemies that there was no way he could've won without Calvin and Alcide's help. Then, adding insult to injury, you get all sappy with Sam as everyone's watching you. God knows what kind of stupid things you would've said to Bill, so I made sure he went home."
"Oh."
"Yes, it was great that your friends came to help you, but you have to give your man his place. Behind closed doors, girl, you can do whatever you want, but in public, you have to make it seem like he wears the pants. Do you understand what I'm saying?"
"I—"
"The reason why Felipe and Victor even came after him tonight was because you've made it very clear how stubborn and unrelenting you are."
"Amelia—"
"Look, Sooks. Your telepathy isn't going away. You have an opportunity before you to do something for yourself other than to hide in this backward town and be a waitress for the rest of your life. By staying here, away from Eric and the protection he offered you, made his kind—the vamps—see this as a golden opportunity to take you."
"They thought he was unfit to protect me. I get it."
"Look, I'm not telling you to become a doormat and let him walk all over you. What I'm saying is keep a united public appearance for both your sakes. After you get behind closed doors—"
"Yeah. I know. It's just so hard. I've been alone for so long."
"Isn't Eric what you wanted?"
Sookie nodded.
"Well you got him, honey. He's pledged himself only to you and agreed to forsake all others. You're not alone anymore. Now you've got Eric."
Sookie smiled.
"C'mon now, sweetie. Let's get out of here. You need to go get your man. Oh, and please, just for me, stroke and lick that thick, big, huge—"
"Amelia!"
"What? I was just gonna say, his thick, big, huge . . . um head. You know where he houses that intelligent brain of his," Amelia teased.
"Yeah, I have no doubt which head you meant."
Both girls continued to giggle until Tray came back.
Sweet Shepherd please give me strength to get through this night.
TRANSLATIONS (again big thanks to Blue77! *hugs*)
Enchantèe – delighted to meet you.
Je suis ensorcelé par votre beauté – I am bewitched by your beauty. *swoons*
A/N: So, did you figure it out who the mystery POV was before the big reveal? I threw in the Fresca reference for those of you who watch the True Blood show. Our big hero was Andy Bellefleur.
Special thanks to everyone who was kind enough to leave a review. Thanks for showing you care.
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