Hey everyone! I just had this idea come to me, I'm not sure if I'm going to keep this story going or anything, but I couldn't stop myself from having a go at it. Please tell me what you think!

I'm still going to write Wishful thinking, I just wanted to have some fun with something else!

Read and review!

Property of Charline Harris!

It was new years eve at Merlotte's, and I was kept busy all night. Jason was here with his new girlfriend, Crystal. Andy and his grandmother were also in having dinner and drinks. I was surprised at the amount of people here from out of town, spending their new years eve at the bar. I didn't know why anyone would want to spend there New Years Eve here. If I had people to spend my night with, I definitely wouldn't be here! I was glad Arlene had also offered to work tonight, we were the only two waitresses working the late shift. I guess the other girls all had family and friends to spend their New Years with.

I spent the final hour of my shift with my eyes on the clock. I started to grow tired and bored. The tables had all cleared out and we were ready to pack up and go home. I was thankful when Sam sent us off half an hour early. We didn't have much else better to do. As we made our way out of the staff entrance we all said our goodbyes and unlocked our cars. I was glad to be getting away from work, and the thought of having two days off also made me happy.

As I drove down my newly graveled driveway, I couldn't help but to miss Bill. It was times like these when I wanted to run over to his house and throw myself in his arms; but no, I would not do that. Bill had made his choice and now I must live with that. I gave myself a reassuring nod, as I pulled up outside my old home. I climbed out of my car, made sure it was locked and then began up the porch steps. I had just pulled my keys from my purse, when something caught my attention. I could hear the sound of footsteps approaching me from behind.

I spun around to see who my midnight visitor was, but I was stopped in my tracks. Standing in front of me was no stranger...it was Eric. He was dressed in only jeans, nothing more, nothing less. He had nothing on his feet and his chest was heaving in and out with every breath. Breath? A lump caught in my throat as I looked closer at the strange, yet familiar man. He was breathing, his skin was no longer white and pale, it was pink with goose flesh. His chest was covered in scrapes and scratches. His eyes remained locked on mine as I took him in. Something was wrong with the vampire. He was different, he was almost...human? I opened myself up to see what his mind was like, but it was just a swirl of blackness. I couldn't read anything out of him. What on earth was going on?

Eric's POV

"When are you going to realize that I am not going to give you any of my bar?" I was growing more and more impatient with this annoying witch, and it took a lot of my self control not to kill her. "And when are you going to see that I most defiantly do not want to have sex with you?" I looked up to meet her cold, green eyes.

"Please, Northman, we both know you would be lucky to sleep with me." The witch folded herself into one of the chairs opposite my desk. Her eyes remained locked with my own as she let out a small, humorless cackle. "This is the best offer I have for you, either you accept this and allow me one fifth of your bar, or you fight with me and I'll take it all." Her lips turned up into a leering smile.

"Hallow, leave before I have you dismissed forcefully." I no longer had time for this bitch. "This conversation is finished." I turned my attention over to my computer, while I waited for the annoying witch to leave.

"This is by no means finished." She got up from the chair, and wiped the creases out of her clothes. "In fact...it has only just began." She gave me another grin, before closing the door. I was only too happy to see her leave.

I waited only a moment before summoning in my child.

"Pamela, I wish to speak with you." I folded my legs over the top of my desk, while I waited for my minion.

"Yes, Master?" Pam closed the door and sat down on the end of my desk. "How did you go with the witch?" she questioned.

"Everything will be fine." I looked up at my child. "I want you to get all the vampires in my area to come here tomorrow night."

"Why?" Trust Pam to question me.

"Because, Pam, we are going to war on the witches of Shreveport, and I will need all of the help I can get." I smiled at her. "We will exterminate them before they can cause us anymore trouble."

It was late. Too late. Normally I would have risen hours ago. What was I still doing in my sleeping chamber? I quickly sat up; but something else was wrong. Very wrong. My reactions were slow and heavy. I could not see anything around me, the room was too dark for my eyes. I turned on the lamp that sat beside my bed, so I could see better. Everything around me appeared to be dull and lifeless. I tried to listen for noises around me. The noises I could normally hear even from down here, were silent. There was only one sound that I could hear, and that was a beating heart...my heart.

SPOV.

"Eric, what... what's going on?" I dropped my purse and my keys and slowly made my way down the front steps. Eric looked like he was struggling to find his breath. As I continued to study this strange, familiar man, I couldn't help but feel cold. He was wearing nothing except for those jeans. I snapped out of my staring and noticed all the cuts and scrapes over his skin. Eric looked like a real mess. Before I could say or do anything else, I reached out and took hold of his hand. Eric continued to look at me with wide eyes. I had never seen him look so scared.

"Come inside, I'll run you a bath." He silently followed me up the stairs. I got my purse and keys off the ground and unlocked the door. Eric slowly trailed behind me in silence. I placed my things down on the kitchen table and lead him up the hall to the bathroom. I turned on the water for the bath and found him some soap and a clean towel.

"Put this on when your finished." I placed the robe Bill had left here, back when we were still dating, on the cupboard under the mirror.

I turned to leave, but not before Eric's hand clasped around my wrist. I couldn't believe how frightened he looked. "Sookie..." His voice was only a whisper.

"Shhh, it's okay... have a bath, then we'll talk." Eric gave a small nod, before he turned his attention back to the bath.

I closed the door on my way out. I suddenly had a very bad feeling grow in the pit of my stomach. Something told me that I wasn't going to like what was going on. Something told me that bad stuff was happening. I made my way into the kitchen and sat down on one of the kitchen chairs. I cradled my head in my hands while I tried to get a grip on my situation. I tried to think of reasons that would have caused Eric to turn up at my house, in the middle of the night, wearing nothing but jeans and looking like a...human. There was no way that Eric could be a human...was there? I couldn't even begin to think about that possibility. It is impossible for a vampire to become human once they are turned. It just doesn't happen.

I was pulled from my thoughts when the phone started to ring beside me. I let out a sigh, before getting up and answering it.

"Sookie, it is Pam." The vampire's voice sounded as bored and as lifeless as ever.

"Hey." Okay, I had no idea on what to say to her about the whole Eric thing.

"I am trying to locate my master, is he with you?" Trust Pam to cut straight to the chase.

I guess I had to tell the truth. "Yeah, he's here."

"Well, can you tell him that the vampire's are waiting for him, they cannot be kept all night." she sounded more than annoyed.

"I think that might be the last of his problems right now," I pointed out, while trying to figure out what else to say. "I think you need to come and speak to him, he's not really...himself."

"Sookie, what are you talking about?"

"I really don't know, but he's here and I think you need to come and get him." I knew Eric needed Pam. There wasn't much else that I could do for him right now.

Pam was silent for a moment. "Is he okay?" she asked.

"I don't know," I replied, honestly. "But he needs you and I have no idea what to do with him."

"Very well, Chow and I will be there soon, keep him busy." Pam hung up before I could say anything in reply to that. I shook my head and hung up my own phone. I really hoped Pam knew what was going on.

I was pulled from my thoughts when a hand went around my arm. It was warm and so very soft. I let out a yelp, before I finally realized that Eric was out of the bath. "You scared me!" I stated, while trying to calm myself down.

"I have a beating heart." Eric replied, while taking hold of my hand. He held my hand against his warm chest. I tried not to think about what he was wearing, or what he wasn't wearing I should say. The only thing that had him covered was Bill's robe, and it looked much too short for Eric. I was pulled from these thoughts when I felt the palpitations of Eric's heart under my hand. I couldn't believe what I felt.

"What happened to you?" I whispered, while looking up into his eyes.

Eric was quiet while he returned my gaze with his own. "I do not know." His voice was husky and uncertain. "I went to sleep yesterday morning, and I woke up like...this." He gestured to himself. The grip he had around my wrist loosened, but my hand remained on his chest.

"You're not vampire anymore?" Okay I knew this was stating the obvious.

"No...I am not," he replied.

"But if you are human then why can't I hear your thoughts?" I finally removed my hand from his chest.

Eric looked confused by my question. "I do not know." I knew this whole situation was nothing but confusing for him. I couldn't even begin to understand what he was going through. I wanted to reach out and pull him into a tight hug; but I didn't think Eric would have appreciated that very much.

"Are you going to be okay?" I gestured for Eric to take a seat, he hesitated for a moment, before he finally sat down. He watched me move around the table and then take the seat across from him.

"Sookie, I do not know what I am, what happened to me or what is going to happen to me." He looked away. "I do not know what it is that I need to do." his voice was low and desperate, which scared me to no end.

"Pam is on her way, she'll know what to do." I reached out and placed my hand over his own. "She'll find out what happened to you, everything will be fine." I never thought I would see the day when I would be trying to comfort this one thousand year old man.

"You called her?" Eric sounded anxious.

"No, she rang me, she was looking for you." I pulled my hand away.

"You shouldn't have told her I am here." He looked away from me. "I do not wish to have my child see me like this."

"Eric, she's your family...she can help you," I spoke gently.

"Family?" Eric looked up and seemed amused by my terminology. "We do not have family," he stated, making the idea sound ludicrous.

"Eric, Pam will know what to do, I can't help you, I have no idea what needs to be done." I leaned back in my chair.

We were silent for a long while. I found myself wishing I could read his thoughts, I knew it was wrong to want something like that, but it was hard for me to sit back and look at this sad, sorry version of Eric. He looked so helpless and depressed. It was everything I had in my power not to go and put my arms around him. We were both pulled from our silence, when a loud knock sounded on the door. I jumped up and made my way across the room to answer it.

"Hey." I smiled at Pam and Chow. "Please, come in." I stepped to the side and allowed them to enter. I knew the second their eyes had seen Eric, because everything in the room went completely silent. I could have heard a pin drop in one of the other rooms. I cleared my throat and sat down in the chair beside Eric. I held his hand in mine under the table and squeezed it to show I was here for him. Eric looked at me for only a second, before turning his attention back to the two vampires.

"Pam, Chow." He nodded at them both.

"Master, what is the meaning of this?" Pam spoke first, she came over and stood on the opposite side of the table, her eyes remained locked on Eric. "What happened to you."

Eric looked back at me before he spoke. "I do not know, I went to sleep yesterday and this is how I woke up."

"Who did this to you?" Chow finally joined the conversation. "I will have their head."

Eric looked up at Chow. "There is only one person I can think who would have done it." Eric looked between both the vampires. "I have reason to believe Hallow put a spell on me, which reversed my vampire change." He shook his head. "I cannot believe she did this."

"Who is Hallow? What spell?" I was normally pretty good at keeping quiet, but I was intrigued to know what they were talking about.

"Hallow is a witch who is wanting a share of Eric's bar." Pam's gaze slowly moved over to rest on me.

"Witch?" If I sounded surprised, I was.

"Yes, a witch." Pam nodded. "She has been threatening Eric and trying to bargain with him so he would hand her over half of his share of Fangtasia, but of course Eric would not go down without a fight."

"So you think this witch turned you into a human to try and get your share of the bar?" I looked at the confused man beside me.

"Yes, I believe she turned me into a human so it will be easier for her to kill me." Eric gave a slight nod.

"Okay this might be a silly question, but why haven't you killed her yet? Why is she still alive if she is causing you so much grief?" I looked between all the people in my kitchen. "You guys are so strong, she shouldn't be any trouble to kill, should she?"

Everyone looked at me like I was ridiculous for having to ask such a question. Thankfully Eric was the one to answer me. "Witches are very dangerous, Sookie, look what has happened to me." He raised his brow. "Yes they may not be very strong, but they make up for that in their magic ability." To my surprise Eric squeezed my hand. "They control magic, they can do whatever they like just by muttering a few words. If we kill one then we must kill the entire coven." Eric's gaze drifted from face to face. "What is the plan?" He asked the vampires.

"Well, we haven't got one yet." Pam looked at Chow. "I suppose our main goal is to kill Hallow's coven, and capture Hallow so she can break the curse." She continued, "If we are to go to war with them, then we must find an army of Supe's who are willing to stand by and fight with us."

"Who will do that?" I asked.

"We will speak to the vampires in our area, they should be willing enough. It would be best if we can get some of our own witches to fight on our side." Pam was thoughtful for a moment. "Sookie, you are friends with the wolves?" I knew she was talking about the Were's in Shreveport.

"I know one of them, yes." I nodded.

"Do you think you could inform them of the witches, they might be willing to fight along side of us if they know what destruction they have planned for Shreveport." I nodded at Pam, and made a mental note to call Alcide tomorrow.

"What happens now?" Pam asked Eric. He may be a human, but he was still her maker.

Eric looked up at Pam and Chow, he seemed to be lost in thought for a moment. "We get our army together as soon as possible, then we go to war." Eric seemed excited about this idea.

"Master, you cannot go back to Shreveport, Hallow will be looking for you." I didn't have a very good feeling about that. If Eric couldn't go back to Shreveport, then where was he supposed to go?

Pam's eyes looked over to me, at the same time Eric's and Chows did. They all looked at me silently. I knew what they were planning, and I didn't like it one bit. "Don't even suggest it." I got out of my seat and shook my head. "I'm not getting involved in any of this!" I tried to keep my voice down, but it was hard. I felt bad for refusing to help these people, especially when Eric needed it the most; but there was no way I was going to babysit someone who was being hunted down by a deadly witch. That was not something I could handle right now. If ever. Three sets of eyes continued to bore into me. I didn't have to be a mind reader to know they were trying to silently change my mind.

I turned my back on my guests and let out a sigh. All I could think about was the frightened look Eric gave me when I found him earlier tonight, how cold and frail he looked. What if one of these witches did find him? He would hold no chance against them, he was only a weak human. They would have no trouble ending his long life. It would only be too simple for them to finish him. I let out the breath I was holding, before turning around and looking from face to face.

"What do you want me to do?" It came out as a sigh.

Pam gave me a huge smile. "Well, since you are offering, I suppose you could keep Eric at your house." How did I guess?

"You will be paid well for the hospitality," Eric quickly added. "No one in this area knows that I have associated with you in the past, Hallow has no reason to come looking for me here." I continued to look at him. "It will only be for a short while, just until we have captured Hallow and killed her coven." I couldn't help but wonder if this was Eric's real reason for turning up at my door tonight. Did he only come here to try and make me feel sorry for him so I'd let him stay here? No, I didn't think even Eric Northman would be that manipulative.

Everyone was silent for a long moment. "Fine, he can take the spare room." I couldn't help but wonder how deep I was being dragged into this. Part of me wanted to kick them all out of my house. Then I remembered how Eric doesn't need to have an invitation to be in here. That was a scary thought. "I am not getting involved in this, I have my own issues to sort out." I gave them all a firm look. "He can stay here, but that's all!"

"Of course." Pam gave me a deep, respectful nod. Chow did the same.

"I'm having a shower and going to bed." I waved them all off and made my way down to my room. I didn't think I needed to be present for anymore of that conversation. I think I had gotten myself involved enough. I went into my room, found my old nightie, some underwear and a towel, before running a warm shower. I relaxed a slight part when I was standing under the warm stream of water. I allowed the worries and issues of tonight to go to the back of my mind as I closed my eyes and calmed myself down. I finished washing myself and my hair, before turning the water off and climbing out. I made sure I was properly dried and dressed, and my hair was no longer wet, before making my way back into my room. I could still heart talking coming from the kitchen, so I closed my bedroom door, switched off the light and climbed into bed. It didn't take me long to find a deep sleep. I didn't realize just how tired I was.

I was pulled from my blackness of sleep when I felt a warm hand across my stomach. I let out a small yelp of surprise when I realized I wasn't alone in the bed. Sound asleep next to me was a big, blond, naked vampire. He was laying on his chest, with the blankets sprawled over his legs. It was obvious he had gotten hot and kicked the rugs off. I was more than surprised to hear the amount of noise that was coming from Eric's nose. He was snoring, extremely loud. Then what surprised me even more, was the fact that his hand had crept up under my nightie. It was gently sitting on the plain of my stomach. I quickly pushed his hand away, while my eyes remained locked on his perfect butt. I couldn't seem to take my eyes off of it. This night was just full of surprises.

I elbowed his ribs a few times, before he finally stirred. "Yes?" He asked, while looking over his shoulder at me.

"Eric, you are in my bed!" My voice was only a whisper. "Without any clothes on!" I quickly pulled my eyes away from his perfect bum and covered it over with the blankets.

"Yes, it seems I am." Eric gave me one last look, before putting his head back on the pillow.

"I said you can stay here, I never said you could stay in my bed!" I fought to get the covers back on me. "I told you that you can have the spare room!"

"Sookie, I did not wish to sleep alone." His voice came out mumbled. "This is all new to me." I could tell he was almost back to sleep. I gave him a hard poke in his side. I was glad when he finally turned over on his back. "I was dreaming," he stated, while rubbing his eyes. "Something I am not used to doing..." He added.

"Great, now go finish that dream in the other room!" I gave up trying to whisper. "This is my room!"

Eric looked at me with a rather amused expression. I was glad to see an old familiarity in him. It seemed like too long ago when I had last sen him give me that look. I no longer felt like I was in bed with a stranger. "Sookie, why are you so worried about having me in your bed?" Eric folded his arms under his head and turned his head to look at me. "Do I make you uncomfortable?" He asked, raising his eyebrows.

"Yes, it does make me uncomfortable when I wake up and see your perfect bum looking at me!" I shook my head at him.

"You think it's perfect?" Eric turned on his side. A smile was playing on his lips.

"Eric, is that all you ever think about?" I asked.

"What do you mean?" His hand crept up under the covers and gently ran up my leg. I swatted it away.

"That!" I stated.

"Sookie, just because I am not a vampire at this present moment, does not mean I am not attracted to you."

"Eric, you already have enough to worry about without trying to talk me into having sex with you." I rolled my eyes at him and turned over so my back was facing his chest.

"If I promise to behave myself, can I stay here?" Eric sounded so innocent. I tried not to laugh.

"Fine, but you keep your hands to yourself and stop kicking off the blankets!" My eyes closed and my body relaxed. "Oh and can you try to keep the snoring to a minimum?"

"I do not snore." Eric sounded outraged that I could even suggest such a thing. The bed moved behind me, while Eric made himself comfortable. It was only a second later when I felt his warm hand clasp around mine. I couldn't help but to respond to his gesture. My hand gently gripped his, as I slipped into the blackness of sleep, and for the second time in over a thousand years, Eric did the same.