The mirror was going to have me memorized. I would stand in front of it and inspect my reflection before running off to fix this stray hair or that clump of mascara. I gave myself more time than ever before to try and fit in with the eternally radiant.

Soon, Eric would be here in all his black tie glory and I would still be me in an expensive dress. Not that he wasn't offering the one thing I was currently complaining about. If I let Eric turn me, would I finally see myself as beautiful? That thought held me for a moment. I gave a light shake of my head to dispel such distractions.

My eyes shot back up to my reflection, on a mission to make sure I hadn't toppled the half up-do I had worked tirelessly for. The silver of my chopsticks shone bright back at me and I took a moment to remind myself of the security I had delicately placed throughout my ensamble. Aside from my chopsticks, I had a silver ring on my right hand. Vampires don't shake hands which makes the placement more casual and provides optimal use on my end, being right-handed.

The final trick up my sleeve was a packet that looked like birth control pills in my purse. Instead of hormones, the tablets contained very small amounts of liquid silver. If ingested, it would not kill a vampire, but make them very sick.

A knock on the door alerted me to my escort's arrival. My thoughts had made me oblivious to the sounds I should have heard from the, no doubt, twelve cylinder sport car in my driveway. I internally scolded myself and straightened to answer the door.

Meeting Eric's gaze made my insides melt. I wondered if being his 'child' would dissolve or intensify that effect.

"You look resplendent." His words were just as softening. Especially when he was showering me in compliments.

I blushed, and I was sure he could tell through the powder. "You look very dashing as well."

"I know." Man was he quick. "You mentioned before." And there was that damn smirk again.

The ride was quick and valet service had me already feeling out of place. My hesitance peaked just outside the threshold. I knew Eric's paper-stock invitation gave him a 'plus one,' but the instinct inside me told me I shouldn't be here. I made my heeled feet keep their pace as we legitimized our presence by handing off the embossed invite.

"Eric Northman," A greeting came. It came from a man about half the viking's height. I wasn't sure if his minimal height was something natural or other-worldly, but chose to ask about that later. "What a pleasure to see you. You must speak with Veruca before the night's over. She had been dying to reconnect."

"I will." Eric assured with a sincere smile and a small dip of his head.

The tiny man then looked to me and in an attempt to keep up with proper etiquette, I did a similar bow only slightly deeper. "Good evening." I said hoping I wasn't supposed to be silent. I didn't do very well at being the silent guest, meant to stick to the walls and not engage in casual conversation.

I received a head nod and I felt comforted that my first encounter had seemingly gone smooth. For all I knew, the man could have been about to pounce but I doubted the organizer would have set a loose cannon at the door. My eyes flicked up to see a small smile on Eric's face. I chose to follow him further into the hall without interruption.

The exquisite inner furnishings and wall and ceiling murals held me captive until I reminded myself that gatherings of vampires were not places to get lost in the decor. The intricately carved wood and antique glassware would be something that I hoped to get a chance to fully appreciate at a later date.

If Eric was noticing my fluctuating mood, he didn't let on. I knew the hardest part of being aware in a vampire filled environment was successfully appearing the opposite. An alert human was cause for unease in a community that expected to be in charge without question. Us guests, were meant to trust those with the power to, to protect us from the danger they exposed us to.

Like some sick vampiric Stockholm Syndrome.

Not a party appropriate topic. I reminded myself that this was a test in more than one way. Sure Eric had his secret reasonings as well as the obvious, but I was testing myself as well. It was time to see if I was really meant for something more and I just had a feeling that tonight was going to give me a chance to find the answer.

Walking further into my ornate surroundings left me in awe of those I was attempting to fit in with. The decadence donned by vampires and humans alike was stunning. My jewelry was practically nonexistent in comparison to this glitz. The perfect cover for my arsenal had just been handed to me.

Maybe I could do this.

A gentle touch reminded me of my escort as he ushered me towards a less crowded corner. Once settled against a gleaming pillar, Eric leaned in close as to speak as softly as my average hearing could discern. "Would you like to dance?"

He deliberately let an unnecessary breath coast along my neck. Fingertips traced the path of goosebumps that formed on my arm. I couldn't even complain, knowing that this sort of behavior was something I should learn to expect if I was going to continue to remain in the company of Eric Northman.

"I would love to." Came my reply as I made a silent wish to be a good 'follower' on the dance floor. I assumed, at this point, that Eric was either well informed or intuitive enough to realize I would not know the proper steps that would compliment the string quartet located across the room.

A hand clasped my own and we found a section of open floor to occupy. I watched our feet for a few counts before catching on to the simple step we began following. I smiled at Eric and became lost in his eyes. I should have known better than to meet his gaze while in such a romantic setting. Though a small part of me was trying to stay observant, it was hard not to get lost in the extravagance and beauty of the moment. It was a dream come true to share this experience… And surely Eric understood the effects I was feeling.

I pulled myself out of my thoughts to reconnect with my surroundings. Eric left a confident smirk plastered on his face as he nonchalantly eyed the room. His appearance would be convincing enough of contentment in our embrace.

Our current position, which was ever changing with our movements, had me feeling vulnerable. I may have brought measures to help defend myself in a hostile situation, but it was near impossible to be prepared.

Just as I was successfully fighting off the unease that mass vampire company can breed, I was lead in a new direction. Eric and I were still 'dancing' though he was shifting us towards the back wall. As soon as we were on the outer edge of flowing bodies, Eric's hand took my wrist.

We moved towards an immense hallway lined with massive art pieces in delicately carved frames. "Eric-"

"Hush." He pulled me further down the hall before pinning me against the wall. Lips crashed on mine, and though it would have been easy to drift into the bliss of the blonde giant smothering me, I knew there was something I was missing. I attempted to catch my breath by turning my head but Eric countered me.

"I don't mean to interrupt-" A female voice called from behind the Viking. "Oh wait, I do." A chuckle faded out as Eric's posture became rigid. He took a step back, pushing me off to the side before I could catch on to what was happening.

The couple of feet between us created a buffer for the attacks that soon flew back and forth. Movements too fast to track still resonated sounds of ripping and gushing until I realized that I either needed to get out of the way or help.

There comes a time when, as a vampire's companion, you realize they are not invincible. This moment became real when I saw Eric drop to his knees. I had of course thought he must be strong enough to defeat this stranger, but for all I knew, she could be twice his age and therefore twice as powerful.

Blood seeped from both vampires, though it was obvious that Eric had been dealt the more devastating blows. His assailant now stood over him in his weakened state. She looked to match my heeled 6' though more of her height was made up with her shoes. Long cornsilk blonde hair was tied back into a dramatic high ponytail. Out of the way, just where I wanted it.

I didn't think as my actions took place. My footsteps were ignored as non-threatening. That is, until I wrapped my silver laden hand on the female vampire's long elegant neck. She squealed but was caught so off guard I had time to jam the silver chipstick in my other hand straight into her neck. Her cry turned to a gargle and she dropped right in front of Eric. His eyes were on me where I stood; towering above the two powerful creatures before me.

"Jo…" The raspy voice that called for me woke me from the stupor I had fallen into. I pushed assassin Barbie over and made sure she was going to stay down before crouching down to Eric's level. "I need blood."

Through the fog of adrenaline, I felt a spike in my heart due to my hesitance on being fed on. Reluctant, I moved closer knowing I could not deny the 'first aid' my vampire required.

He pulled me close and I felt his blood seep through the fabric of my once beautiful dress. I tried to breath even as I felt the sharp piercing of his fangs on my neck. Almost immediately, I felt Eric's hold on my shoulders tighten. He was feeding with fervor and I was fading from the post near-death high.

I tried to pull away after a moment but was held only tighter. "Eric, please."

My strength was leaving me and healing him. I was okay with that as long as he didn't use this as an excuse to turn me. But even though I trusted him to look after me, I couldn't help but fear being helpless while still deep in a nest of vampires. There was a very real possibility I would be considered the bad guy here. And if that were true, even Eric wouldn't be able to save me. My rash actions might have earned me a death sentence.