Disclaimer: I only own my own creations but make them play in the True Blood world.

A/N: I can only hope that this finds all of you safe and healthy. Even though I am considered "essential" and therefor have been working from home, this quarantine has given me time I wouldn't otherwise have had to write…see there, a silver lining! Thanks to all who have read this story. I see more of you every week it seems. Please enjoy and feel free to leave a comment!

**Quick Recap (since it's been a while) Eric and Sookie covertly went to Dallas to have the Texas vampires taste test their flavor additives…which was a huge success. They were also planning on bonding with a third mutual blood exchange…but didn't. Meanwhile, because Sookie was seeing her dead husband, Lafayette helped them figure out his death was not an accident.

Chapter 20

Bon Temps, the farmhouse

Sookie POV

Assembling the food for yet another catering job, allows me time for reflection.

Nearly six weeks have passed since the encounter with my husband. I now have more questions than ever. The pain of knowing he was not killed by accident, is weighing heavily on my mind. I still haven't told Ella about her father. I think she's better off not knowing, at least until we have more information. I know that the news will be devastating regardless of the timing.

Eric is still back in California, working tirelessly with production and marketing at NuBlood to make sure we're ready for our official launch at VampCon this fall. This leaves Laf and I to focus on the catering business, as summertime is always busy with graduations, reunions, and weddings. We've been booked straight for weeks. Business has never been better.

James and Lafayette are spending their time at the farmhouse, even more than usual. James is "keeping an eye on me" as a favor to Eric. Not that Eric really gave him a choice in the matter. We all decided it would be best, since we still have no idea who was behind my husband's death. So far, it's been quiet, but it never hurts to be prepared.

My phone starts buzzing, as I place the last baking tray in the oven. I am catering a Ladies' Auxiliary luncheon at noon today and am making the last of the brie and cherry preserve pastry cups they requested. It's their favorite and has therefor become a standing order.

I wipe my hands on my apron and answer the phone as I cradle it between my ear and shoulder, "Hello, this is Sookie. To whom do I have the pleasure of speaking?" My Gran always said you can tell a lot about a person by the way they answer a phone. I'd like to think I'd make her proud using the manners she taught me. I'm brought back from my musing as I hear the voice on the other end of the line.

"Hello, lover. How is my little fairy today?"

The deep, rich tones of his voice wash over me like a soft caress, making the hair on my arms lift in response and my pulse begin to race. I struggle to make my mouth form the words of my intended response. I hear the amused chuckle from his side of the conversation, knowing he is all too aware of the effect he is having on me.

He continues, using that tone that I find so sexy, "I just finished up some paperwork and have crawled into bed for the day. I wanted your voice to be the last I heard before my day rest."

When he says things like that, how can a girl possibly be upset? "Well, aren't you sweet?"

Without skipping a beat, he responds with "not really" and we both laugh at the inside joke. "On a more serious note, I also have a few updates. We have production up and running on all five flavors for Saveur de la Vie. I am emailing you the proofs for the bottle labels and the Convention display for your final approval. Everything is running on schedule."

"That's great news. Things are good here too. I have a batch of pastries in the oven, so I don't have long to talk." I let out a small sigh. This separation has been the hardest so far. "It's so good to hear your voice. I miss you."

"I know, lover. I miss you too…which is why I am heading to Bon Temps."

"What? When?" I am unable to hide my excitement.

"I am on Pam's jet as we speak. I wanted to surprise you." I could hear the smile in his voice, "I'll see you at nightfall."

"Oh Eric, I can hardly wait." I check the timer on the oven and see I have just a couple more minutes. I am about to say something when Eric begins, "The last thing I want to mention is that I reached out to Dr. Ludwig. I told her a bit about what has been happening between us, and she will meet with us tonight. I am to text her upon my arrival at the farmhouse."

Knowing that Dr. Ludwig is coming has me simultaneously nervous and excited. We may finally get some answers about our bonding. Even though we haven't spoken about it in some time, I know Eric still wants to complete it as much as I do. Perhaps having the doctor weigh in will bring us one step closer.

The timer goes off, and Eric hears it. "I will let you go for now. Just know that I will drift off to sleep with thoughts of holding you once more. Goodbye, sweet Sookie."

"Goodbye, Eric." I sit my phone down on the counter and grab my potholders. I take the tray out just in the nick of time. The pastry has turned a perfect golden-brown. The sweet scent of cherry and the tangy smell of cheese wafts out of the oven in a warm wave. I place them on some cooling racks and set a timer for 20 minutes. While the pasties cool, I figure I have just enough time to change my sheets and spruce up the place in anticipation of Eric and Dr. Ludwig's arrivals.

Thirty minutes later I'm heading out the door with the food in tow. Lafayette is staying behind to start some prep work on a wedding reception we have this weekend. After I drop off the food, I plan on running a few errands before returning home…the bank and grocery store primarily. By the time I get back, there should be just enough time to grab a quick bite and spend the last hour or two of daylight pampering myself. I haven't painted my toenails since New Orleans and a nice, hot bath sounds like heaven.

Sunset, Bon Temps

I hear him the moment he lands on the front porch. I stand from the couch and by the time I take my first step, I find myself wrapped up by six foot four inches of amorous vampire. His hands and mouth are everywhere, as if trying to reacquaint themselves with every inch of my body. Before I can utter a single word, he lifts me bridal style into his arms and vamps us to my room. In the blink of an eye I feel my back being pressed to the mattress as I gaze up into the bluest eyes I've ever seen.

His smile is intoxicating, and I feel my own lips turn up in a mirror image of his. "Hi." I manage to squeak out before I find my smile being consumed by hungry kisses.

Kiss. Moan. "Need" Kiss. "You" Kiss. Growl?

Breathless, I manage to ask, "Eric. Wait. What about Dr. Ludwig?"

Eric stops his loving assault and responds, "She can wait. This cannot."

That's how we find ourselves sitting on the sofa forty minutes later waiting for the good doctor's arrival.

The *pop* alerts us to our newcomer. One minute its just Eric and I sitting in the living room, and the next, we are being glared at by the little doctor herself.

"Should've seen this one coming. You two are the epitome of opposites attracting one another." She rolls her eyes, but the corner of her mouth has turned up…just a little. "So, you two crazy kids want to bond, yes? Leave it to the Northman and a fairy to break the rules. Have you talked to the Council about any of this?"

"No." Eric and I answer in unison. I ask, "Should we?"

"Good. Absolutely not. You two could be making an historical alliance, providing it works, of course. You don't need or want them poking around in your personal business."

Eric speaks up this time, "What do you mean, if it works?" I reach over and take his hand in mine trying to lend moral support.

"Exactly what I said, Viking. I don't think either of you truly grasps what is at stake here. Your two races are for lack of a better term, mortal or rather immortal, enemies. You're supposed to want to kill one another, not spend a lifetime in love. Both races have unlimited life span and have developed forms of marriage unique to each."

She regards both of us trying to gauge if we understand what she's saying. "Trying to bond with one another, across races, will be unpredictable at best."

"And at the worst?" I can't help myself from asking.

"I have no way of knowing. This is uncharted territory. Tell me, what have you noticed so far? Northman wouldn't have called if something weren't concerning you, yes? What happened the first time you exchanged blood?"

I turned to look at Eric, knowing he would be better at explaining our first attempt. I give his hand another squeeze in encouragement. "It was sixteen years ago, while I was under a witch's curse," he began.

The doctor lets out a small laugh, "Of course it was. Never normal with you two, is it? Go on."

"We entered into a shared hallucination. It looked like a forest from my time as a Viking, in the daylight, and it was snowing. We were laying on a bed of animal furs. The feeling was euphoric, the emotions almost overwhelming…but in a good way. It felt so right, so complete. It was pure bliss." He turns back to me as he finishes recalling that night, and sees the tear running down my cheek. I had always known the moment was a profound one. I just never realized it had impacted Eric equally as much.

He continued, "The effects were just like any normal tie, once we were back in our right minds. I was able to sense her emotions, determine her relative location and influence her. Although, she surprised us all when she managed to break my curse, even though she'd been forced to consume a lot of Compton's blood."

Dr. Ludwig looked pensive for a moment. "I'm surprised she was able to do that. How long after did it take for the connection to dissolve?"

"It never did. I was always able to sense her through the years, albeit weakly. As soon as we were in close proximity of one another, it seemed to come back to life." Eric looks to me for confirmation.

"Yeah," I add. "I could sense Eric too, at least a sense of what he was feeling. I'd get these brief waves of emotion and I'd always be thinking of him when it happened. I didn't realize what it was at the time."

The doctor was shaking her head. As if to herself she says, "That should have been impossible. I've never heard of a vampiric bond lasting that long with no blood to strengthen it. Incredible." Realizing she spoke the words aloud, she asks, "So tell me about your recent exchange? It would be your second, am I correct?"

I decided it was my turn to do some of the talking. "Yes. We exchanged blood again, and as we did, we were engulfed in a glowing light. My neck and Eric's hand seemed to glow the brightest as we each drank from the other. It was similar to the light when Ella was born. The change was immediate. I could feel Eric's emotions like they were my own. Does that mean anything?"

Her eyes had gone wide in surprise. Clearly, the physician had not been expecting that. "What you're describing, Sookie, is a fairy bond."

"What?" Eric and I once again ask in unison.

"A fairy bond is very similar to a vampiric one. Fairies, like vampires, use it to forge a lifelong commitment to their partners. It's a marriage of heart, body, and mind. From what you've described, it sounds as if you both have offered and accepted the other using the marriage rites of each of your people. It's all about the blood and the magic it contains."

Seeing the smiles on our faces, she inquires, "Tell me, have either of you noticed any other changes in yourselves?"

Not quite understanding the question, I ask, "What do you mean by changes?"

"New or strengthened abilities? Anything that may be noticeably different from before your last blood exchange?"

Thinking about it, one thing does occur to me. "I didn't give it much thought until you asked, but I think I may have heard Eric or James' thoughts once or twice?" I immediately feel the shock coming off Eric.

"Sookie. You can hear vampires now?" he demands.

"Not exactly. I think I have accidentally a few times. Each time, I convinced myself you'd said the words out loud." My shoulders lift into a shrug as I turn my face away guiltily. Remembering New Orleans, I look back and add, "Oh, and I can hear my cousin Hunter, who is a vampire. But he was a telepath as a human, so I figured he kept his gift after he was changed."

Dr. Ludwig was aware of Hadley's telepathic son. She wasn't aware he had been turned. That was something she'd deal with at another time. "What about you, Northman?"

Eric took a moment to consider, "I am not spending as much time in my day rest. I have been staying up past sunrise and waking long before sunset for weeks. I've even spent hours awake during the day. I attributed it to my advanced years, but in hindsight, I admit the recent changes have been significant."

"It's as I thought. You two have shared your essences. Sookie, the more bound you become to the vampire, the more likely it is your gifts will extend to vampires now. And Eric, the more bound you become to your fairy, the more your body will allow itself to remain animated during the day. This may or may not extend to being in actual sunlight. I would advise great caution in testing that out."

"Bottom line, folks. I think you should be able to complete your bond. I know I don't have to remind you that this will be permanent and unbreakable…as in, until death. As you will be tied by both fairy and vampire rites, should one of you die, the other will immediately follow. This is forever."

As soon as the words have left the doctor's mouth, she tells Eric she'll send a bill, and pops away.

I don't know what to think. It's a lot to absorb. I feel a myriad of emotions and realize that they are not all my own. Eric's conflicting emotions are mixed in.

Despite what Dr. Ludwig has told us, I still know in my heart that we are making the right decision. I feel Eric's resolve, and it gives me strength.

"This changes nothing. I still want to bond with you, Sookie. Whatever that may mean," he reassures.

"Me too."

"I can't say that I'm not intrigued by the "changes" Dr. Ludwig made us realize were occurring. Sookie, can you really hear me?"

"I guess I can, but its been when my shields are down. I think its still easier to block you out than humans, but with some work, I can probably get better."

"Strategically, that could really work in our favor. Especially if there is a vampire threat against you."

I can't help but feel a little disappointed that he thinks of my newfound talent as a tool to be used. "Leave it to you to be the pragmatic one in this relationship."

Clearly amused he responds, "Where your safety is concerned, I will always be pragmatic. However, the fact that you may read my mind can also be used to MY advantage. Tell me. What am I thinking right now?" His wiggling eyebrows let me know that I should have a pretty good idea already.

Laughing, I reply, "I don't need to be able to read your mind to figure that out."

Eric gets that sexy smirk on his face, the one that makes my knees go weak. "No. But it would be a lot more fun if you did," he adds huskily.

As I feel the waves of lust roll off him, I know we'll be spending the next few hours finding out.

A/N: Just getting this story back on track and will be using the next few chapters to live vicariously through these characters. They still live in a time when people can gather and interact. They can go out to eat at restaurants, travel and attend conventions.

For us in the real world - Stay Safe and Stay Home. We'll get through this.