A/N - This was partially inspired by a comment that Alexander Skarsgard made a few days ago. Basically, where does Eric go from here? How is he affected by the fact that he opened up his heart after such a long time only to be rejected by the one he loves? While I don't think this will ever happen on the show, I wanted to explore a different facet of the E/S relationship. This story isn't for everyone - especially if you're a fan of amnesiac!Eric.

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It didn't take her long to spot Eric; after all, he was the center of attention and everyone's eyes were glued to him. Dressed in a black razor tank and jeans, he was sitting on that ridiculous throne in the middle of the stage, as if holding court over lesser vampires and fangbangers that were gathered here tonight at the bar. Although there were not as many people in Fangtasia as there used to be before the Russell Edgington scandal, there was still a healthy crowd she would have to fight through to reach Eric.

And before she faced him, Sookie needed a few drinks in her.

Shortly after, as she leaned against the bar, Sookie drank her beer and observed Eric. He was aware that she was here, she had sensed his irritation with her the moment she entered Fangtasia, but he had yet to acknowledge her presence. Considering this was the first time she was seeing Eric after ending things with him, it wasn't surprising he was purposely ignoring her.

Jealousy surged through her as various women approached Eric, throwing themselves at him one after the other, and he flirted back with equal enthusiasm, granting them all easy, charming smiles in return. He was being friendlier than usual, and Sookie knew it was all for her benefit. He was hurt and angry, and looking for a way to get back at her. And even though she understood the logic behind his actions, it didn't curb the sheer envy that coursed through her. It took every bit of willpower she had not to run up to the stage and pull those goddamn fangbangers away from him. She kept reminding herself he didn't belong to her, he could do whatever he damn well pleased, but none of it dissipated the nauseating feeling in the pit of her stomach. And the beer was only intensifying the emotion.

After chugging her drink, she set the empty bottle aside and took a deep breath. It was time to confront him.

Sookie approached the stage hesitantly, fully aware of the imaginary daggers Pam was shooting at her. Unlike the first time she was introduced to Eric, Pam wasn't standing beside her maker but on the other side of the stage. And a part of Sookie was relieved at least she wouldn't have to deal with both Eric and Pam together.

Her gaze locked with Eric the moment she reached him but he simply looked away and focused his attention on the half-dressed redhead standing in front of her. Sookie clenched her jaw, and waited impatiently as he flirted with the girl. After what felt like an eternity, he asked Pam to get the redhead a drink before finally locking eyes with Sookie again.

"Whatever it is you're selling, Sookie, I'm not interested in buying," Eric remarked with a bored tone of voice, leaning back in his throne.

Despite his supposed lack of interest, his eyes slowly trailed down her body. She spotted the flicker of recognition in his gaze when he realized she was wearing the same sundress from the night they almost made love for the first time. And for a moment his face expressed the same vulnerability it did the last time they spoke, when she broke his heart and her own. But almost instantly his apathetic mask was back, settled firmly in place.

"I need your help. I wouldn't be here if it wasn't important."

His eyebrow darted up, and a cold sneer curved across his face. "And what makes you think I would want to help you?"

"Because you care about me," she said without any hesitation.

"A problem I no longer suffer from, rest assured."

"Don't lie to me, Eric."

"And don't waste my time, Sookie. I'm not in the mood for your histrionics."

"Fine. Then help me because I've helped you every time you've needed it," she bit out, no longer able to keep her temper in check.

"Not good enough. Try again."

"Fuck you!"

"You have," he smiled at her coldly. "Many, many times."

"And you're hell-bent on making me regret it, aren't you?"

"Frankly, I couldn't care less."

His eyes were an icy blue, distant and insincere. And it stung sharply that he was able to feign disinterest in her so convincingly.

"Now, if you don't mind, there are others here that require my attention."

With a casual wave of his hands, he gestured for her to leave. The flippant nature of his dismissal broke through the last of her control and Sookie found herself desperately struggling not to cry. "I'm not here for myself," she said with a trembling voice. "Tara needs help. She isn't doing well."

"Why should I be concerned with a human who has tried to kill my kind more than once?"

"Because she isn't human anymore, and you know that. She hates me for asking Bill to turn her, and now she's-"

"The very thing she detests," Eric interjected, smirking. "The irony is quite amusing."

"She won't talk to anyone, she won't feed... Bill has had to restrain her because he's worried she'll walk into the sunlight. He doesn't know how to help her, how to make her understand and accept who she is... but you can."

"Tara is not my problem."

"You're her Sheriff and she's your fucking responsibility!" Sookie snapped.

"I'm not the one who made the choice to turn her into a vampire," he reminded her cruelly.

"I know. I was stupid and selfish... and I have to live with that decision. But it's done and there's nothing I can do to change it now."

"Except irritate me apparently."

"What do you want from me? Do you think it's easy for me to come here and beg you for help when I know how much I hurt you? It isn't!" Hating herself for the tears that streamed down her cheeks, she furiously swiped them away. "Tara needs someone right now who can force her to listen. I don't want her to go through life hating herself like Bill did. She needs to learn, to adapt, and you're the only one who can help her with that..."

There was a very subtle shift in his eyes, but she instantly sensed the grudging compassion in him. He was going to help her after all.

"I really don't need another suicidal vampire in my area. They're a total drag," he sighed.

Despite his agreeable attitude, Sookie knew instinctively something was wrong. There was a hard glint in his gaze which wasn't there before, as if a wall had built itself around his heart that was guarding it from her.

"But my help comes with a price, Sookie," he said. "Quid pro quo and all that."

"I can't be with you, Eric."

His was a forced sneer, a cold facade to keep her away. "Don't flatter yourself. There have been many women before you, and there will certainly be a lot more after. I'm not pining away."

His words hurt her, like salt rubbing into an open wound. "Then what do you want?"

"Do you know what I discovered about you during our time together?"

"What?"

"You may only be an adequate lover, but you're quite gifted when it comes to your mouth."

A sick feeling shot through her. "Just spit it out."

"I hope not." Eric leaned forward, and she was once again reminded of how vicious he could be when he wanted to. "I will help you, Sookie, but only if you get down on your knees and suck me off. Right here. Right now."

She slapped him across the face as hard as she could.